Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Belle Ami

Belle Ami stopped by to share her latest book with all my readers. I am super-excited to host a best-selling author! Take it away, Belle!

Thank you, Nancy, for hosting me on your blog today. It’s an honor to share my latest thriller with you and your followers. The Girl Who Loved Caravaggio is a time-travel thriller, historical novel, and paranormal journey into the life of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio one of the greatest artists of the seventeenth century. In 1969 his painting, the Nativity, was stolen from a church in Palermo Italy, purportedly by the Mafia. This theft sits at number two on the FBI’s list of important art heists of all time. My heroine, Angela Renatus, a reluctant psychic, and her fiancé, Alex Caine, are enlisted by the director of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence to recover Caravaggio’s masterpiece.

Book Blurb

Art historian Angela Renatus knows she’s different. She can see into the past—into the lives of the greatest artists of all time—are her visions a gift or a curse?

Angela works with former Navy Seal, Alex Caine, recovering stolen works of art. When they’re enlisted to solve the mysterious theft of Caravaggio’s Nativity—one of the greatest art heists in history—Angela senses her visions about the tortured artist go far beyond the missing masterpiece.

A web of secrets and lies entangles Angela and Alex on a twisted and treacherous journey into Caravaggio’s very own heart of darkness…spiralling the couple into a deadly trap.

Excerpt:

CHAPTER 1

Rome, Italy 28 May, 1606

     Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio sat up and glanced out the window.

    “Merda!” He overslept. He was late. He didn’t need a timepiece to know what

hour of the day it was. The light streaming in through the open window

had turned the walls a shade of ochre—evening was approaching. He leapt

out of bed pulling the sheet with him.

    “Painter, are you stealing my covers?”

    “No, why?” Caravaggio smiled over his shoulder at the beautiful

woman in bed.

    Fillide Melandroni lay on her side, her long red curls tousled around

her. Naked and still rosy from their lovemaking, she was the most beautiful

woman in Rome. He bounded back to bed and nibbled her shoulder. She

was delicious. His lips wandered down the length of her body to her full culo,

the most perfect rump he’d ever seen. Unable to resist, he growled, pinching

her before he delivered a sensuous love bite.

“It is a sin to cover such a gift. Maybe I should paint you just like this, goddess, with your glorious culo preserved for all eternity. Botticelli had Simonetta Vespucci for his Venus, and you, Fillide, are mine.”

    She swatted him away. “Stop it! Sei Pazzo! You’ve painted me enough. I

have something else in mind. Painting isn’t your only talent, il mio maestro.”

    He flipped her over to face him and claimed her lips. Her fingers feathered

through his hair and she kissed him back. Then he felt her hand drop to

his groin. He groaned, watching her luminous hazel eyes flame with desire.

    “Do you want more, amore mio?” She fluttered her lashes at him. “Show

me what kind of stallone you are.”

Buy Link

AMAZON

More About the Author

Belle Ami is a #1 Bestselling author of romantic suspense, romantic thrillers and international mystery with a time-travel twist. Her first novel was a finalist for a major book award and launched her dynamic writing career. Belle is a 2018 RONE Award finalist in the romantic suspense category for her novel ESCAPE (Tip of the Spear Series Book 1). The second book VENGEANCE has been highly lauded. RANSOM is the third book in the Tip of the Spear Series. 

Belle is also a Readers Favorite Book Award Finalist for her time Travel Romance THE GIRL WHO KNEW DA VINCI. (Book 1 Out of Time Series). When Belle isn't working on her next book, she's most likely in the kitchen whipping up something delicious for her family to enjoy. In addition to enjoying gourmet cook, Belle is also an accomplished pianist, skier, and world traveler. She lives in Calabasas, CA with her wonderful husband and two kids. She also lives with Cindy Crawford and Giorgio Armani (who just happen to be a horse and a chihuahua). Connect with her here:

WEBSITE    FACEBOOK

   

TWITTER@belleami5

BOOKBUB

I LOVE BOOKSTORES!

I love bookstores. I was interviewed by my local paper many years ago while sitting inside Borders, and I confidently told the reporter that I would someday walk into the store and see my own book.

Since Borders Bookstore closed soon after, that never came to pass.

I have persevered and was rewarded when the print version of my fiction novel, Heaven-sent Warrior, was chosen to grace the bookshelves of my local bookstore. Quail Ridge Books is an independent bookstore located in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Sure...you can order the print version of my books from Amazon, Books-a-Million, Book Depository, and even the nearest Barnes & Noble, but they have to order them then ship them to you. (trust me...it's worth the wait)

If you are like me, you love to browse through an actual bookstore. Do not lament the loss of Borders, Waldens Books, and others, but do your neighborhood a favor and support your local bookstore.

Heaven-sent Warrior is available at Quail Ridge Books

HERE

(Yes, they ship!)💗

Consider ordering or picking-up a copy from the store at 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road, North Hills, in Raleigh, NC. 919-828-1588

Nancy Lee Badger

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Carolina Clemmons

I invited author Caroline Clemmons to my blog to share her latest book with all of my readers. How about a little bit of western romance? Take it away, Caroline!

Hello, Nancy. Thank you for inviting me to your lovely blog. I love to share my stories with readers. DEBORAH’S DILEMMA is book 3 in my Pearson Grove Series. This is a sweet western historical romance set in 1885 North Central Texas. The fictional site of Pearson’s Grove is not very far from where my father was born in Pilot Grove. His first name was Pearson, which explains how I came up with the town’s name. The series will have seven books, interspersed among multi-author projects.

Here’s a bit about the plot:

What can Deborah do to protect herself from the devil plaguing her hometown?

Can a young man who’s been away for six years fit into the community he left?

What madman is responsible for the murder and mayhem plaguing Pearson Grove?

Deborah Taber has been concerned by her inability to choose her life’s occupation. That worry was pushed aside when someone shot her brother and fire bombed her family’s newspaper, The Pearson Grove Gazette. She believes Trey Pearson is innocent of attacking her brother—isn’t he? She’s had a crush on Trey since second grade and desperately wants to trust him.

Wade Pearson III, called Trey, is happy to be home on Pearson Ranch after six years in New England. He trained to manage his family’s far-reaching investments. Nothing prepared him to be accused of murder or targeted by a killer. If not for quick action by the sheriff, Trey would have been lynched by vigilantes. He wants to help trap the real villain while protecting Deborah, her family, and his.

Can Deborah and Trey survive the threats against them? Will this clever murderer be caught before he delivers his terrible revenge against those he believes slighted him? 

Here’s the Universal Amazon

BUY LINK 

Here’s an excerpt from when Trey’s parents (Judith and Deuce) and grandparents (Marianne and Wade) stop by for a brief visit:

Deborah hurried to make tea and slice the lemon cake for the Pearsons. There were four slender slices left but only if she divided them carefully. She loaded everything on the tea trolley and went to the parlor. Her visitors smiled but she caught Deuce slapping his hat against his knee.

“I apologize for abandoning you. You were so kind to stop by.” As quickly as she could, she served her guests. Thank goodness the best napkins were clean, starched, and ironed.

Wade Pearson swallowed a bite of cake. “Say, this is delicious.”

“Thank you. I make it more often than I should because it’s my father’s favorite. We’re fortunate to have access to plenty of eggs from Mrs. Wallis’ hens.”

Marianne swirled her fork against the icing. “This is so interesting. I’ve never had a cake iced on the sides as well as the top. I admit I like the taste and contrast.”

“Six layers, my goodness. You must have spent hours making this.” Trey’s mother watched her. “Aren’t you having any?”

“I had a slice earlier.” She sipped her tea, hoping she looked as if she were telling the truth and tried to change the subject. “Isn’t it wonderful that Trey doesn’t have to remain at the jail?”

Deuce shook his head. “Not so wonderful when you consider that your shop being bombed is one of the reasons he’s released. Sure sorry to hear about that.”

His comment brought the terrible incident back into her mind. “We were horrified. No one was badly injured, but Papa and the men who helped him have burns here and there.” She explained why the men were with her father.

Wade set his plate aside. “That was good planning on your part. Neighbors like that are a godsend, and I mean that literally. Don’t believe he could have fought that fire successfully alone.”

Deborah hated the thought of him trying. “No, and he would have tried…. ” She paused in surprise when her mother came into the parlor.

“I’m sorry you had to wait in here alone while Deborah took over my hostess duties. I’m so pleased you stopped by. Trey is sitting with Jeff so I can visit with you.”

Trey’s grandmother—Deborah thought her name was Marianne—set her cup on its saucer. “How is your son?”

“We believe he’s getting better. He’s delirious, but at least he’s speaking instead of just laying there. At times, I recognize words.”

Judith Pearson—Trey’s mother—smiled at Mama. “We’ve remembered your family in our prayers, Mrs. Taber. Our children are so precious to us.”

Mama returned the smile. “Please, call me Olive. I’m glad you each had some of the cake. Freddie Pate almost cleaned us out this morning.”

The Pearsons looked at Deborah. So much for her white lie.

Caroline's Muse Chloe 

More About the Author

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their dog and three rescued indoor cats as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, and other critters.

The books she creates in her pink cave have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series include the Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas Time Travel, Texas Caprock Tales, Loving A Rancher, and Pearson Grove as well as numerous single titles and contributions to multi-author sets. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends’ books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap. 

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for her Newsletter HERE

Connect with her here:

Website       Bookbub       Goodreads

LinkedIn      Pinterest      Twitter  (no E in Caroline)

Amazon Author URL      Facebook

Facebook Readers Group -Caroline’s Cuties 

Summer Time Investments...and Books!

I trimmed the hedges while hubby weedwacked the rocks and tiny grassy areas. It is a humid morning, with temperatures headed to the nineties, but taking care of our property is an investment.

Editing my current book, the 3rd in my Warriors in Bronze series set in North Carolina, before sending it along to my publisher is also an investment. I strive to make it a complete and interesting story, and do my best (with my bad eyes) to make sure there are few grammatical erros...I mean errors. This, in turn, saves my editor's time and I will not need to revise it too much. My 2nd book in the series, Heaven-sent Highlander is selling well.

What are you doing on the last weekend of June to turn your life and the summer (winter, to my Australian readers) into an investment? Have you tried Book #1, Heaven-sent Warrior? 

As a reward for getting my work done, I read a book. My recently finished favorites are Red Shoes by Donna Steele, Relatively Normal by Whitney Dineen, and Misty Woods Dragons boxed set by Juniper Hart.

Happy reading! 
Nancy Lee Badger 

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Carole Ann Moleti

I invited author Carole Ann Moleti to share her new release with my readers. Take it away!

Thanks, Nancy! The Unfinished Business Series began like most of my projects—when I was not even thinking of writing a story. While opening up a summer cottage, pulling dust covers off furniture and vacuuming up flies, I had the sudden inspiration to write a story about a woman who finds a trunk of old clothes and learns sad truths about the person who they once belonged to. This series combines my love of the beach and boats with a fascination about paranormal activities, and how past life experiences influence our fears, fantasies, and choices. 

The story line presented itself in another moment of inspiration—with a focus on the widows walk, a key feature of Victorian architecture, the spot on the roof where sailors' wives would go to watch for their husbands' returning. In Book One, Breakwater Beach, we meet Liz--and Elisabeth--as well as the other characters as the dual timelines evolve. Book Two, The Widow's Walk, is primarily Mike's story, though he shares the spotlight with his very troubled new wife. In Book Three, Storm Watch, all the plotlines converge in a tumultuous conclusion.

*a book blurb 

The Blurb-The Widow's Walk: Book Two in the Unfinished Business Series

Mike and Liz Keeny are newlyweds, new parents, and the proprietors of the Barrett Inn, an 1875 Victorian on Cape Cod, which just happens to be haunted. By their own ghosts. The Inn had become an annex of Purgatory, putting Mike, Liz, and their infant son in danger. Selling the historic seaside bed and breakfast was the only answer, one that Liz and her own tortured specter refused to consider. Were they doomed to follow the same path that led to disaster in their previous lives? Was getting out, getting away, enough?

Series BUY LINKS 

Book 1: Breakwater Beach 

What if you got a second chance?

AMAZON 

Book 2: The Widow's Walk 

Was getting out, getting away, enough?

AMAZON 

Book 3: Storm Watch 

The Category Five Hurricane bearing down  on 

Cape Cod appears to be headed directly

 for them--or has it been spawned from inside them?

 AMAZON

 Excerpt: The Widow's Walk 

Look, for now, we’ll just stay where we are–together. If Liz and Mike are united, then Jared and Elisabeth aren’t going to be able to get in between us.” He brushed the tears off her cheeks.

She stared at him intently, fear, maybe desperation in her eyes. “We can only talk to each other about this. Others might use any information against us.”

“Who would do that, Liz?’

Her demeanor hardened. She sat up, raised her chin. “My son. Your daughter. Sandra.”

“You’re paranoid. The kids have no inkling about ghosts. All Sandra has are theories. She doesn’t know about your incident–or my illness. And I’m not going to tell her.” Guilt twanged in his gut. Sandra had come up with all the ghostly interpretations on her own, right?

Liz jumped up. “She knows about my injury. Maybe not how it happened, but when Mae went in there to get my things, she figured out it was for me. She reads minds, or manipulates people into blabbing what they know.”

Mike lowered his voice to a whisper. “It doesn’t take much for Mae to spill information. I think you’re giving Sandra too much credit.” Yet, she did ask him about the ghosts as soon as he sat down.

“You can joke all you want, Mike, but this is serious. We can’t let anyone else in.”

“I won’t say a word about anything ghostly to anyone. As long as things stay under control.”

Liz studied him.

Mike squirmed. “I think I’m going to take a nap.” He settled back on the sofa.

She tucked the blanket around him and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll go help Mae with dinner.”

She didn’t believe him. He didn’t trust her. This was never going to work.

More About the Author

Carole Ann Moleti lives and works as a nurse-midwife in New York City, thus explaining her fascination with all things paranormal, urban fantasy, and space opera. Her nonfiction focuses on health care, politics, and women’s issues, which has been keeping her pretty busy since November 2016.

The three book Unfinished Business Series: A Cape Cod Paranormal Romance is set near the beautiful beaches Brewster, Massachusetts. She also has several short stories in several of the Ten Tales anthologies, as well as Hell's Kitties and Hell's Heart.

Excerpts of Carole’s memoirs, Someday I’m Going to Write a Book: Diary of an Urban Missionary and Karma, Kickbacks and Kids range from the sweet and inspirational in This Path and A Quilt of Holidays to the edgy and irreverent Not Your Mother’s Books: On Being a Woman and On Being a Mother. She also has a piece in the acclaimed Shifts Anthology. But her first love is writing science fiction and fantasy since walking through walls is easier than running into them. Connect with her here:  

WEBSITE    TWITTER     FACEBOOK

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NEWSLETTER

Father's Day, Birthday, Anniversary, Oh My!

June is normally a busy month...summer is finally here and the yard looks green and alive. I look forward to celebrating lots of special days, although the one I used to celebrate every June 1st has ended. My dad passed away last February, but we were able to spend his birthday with my mother down in Florida. We raised a glass to him!

June 14th is Flag Day. Now, this might not even garner a mention on news channels, but U.S. military families around the world will raise their flag and remember that June 14th is more than Friday, the start of a weekend.  It commemorates our country adopting the flag on June 14, 1777 by a resolution of our Second Continental Congress. Did you know that the US Army also celebrates its birthday on this date? As the proud parent of an Army Veteran, I will raise the flag bright and early. 

Army Veteran & Birthday boy, Eric

Sunday is a big day for two reasons. Thirty-four years ago, our second son was born early on the morning of June 16th which happened to be Father's Day! We will be grilling with relatives.

Wednesday June 19th hubby and I celebrate our wedding anniversary. I can still recall the the smell of the sea during our honeymoon on Prince Edward Island in Canada. 

Check out these other June holidays:
*June 4   Hug Your Cat day
*June 6   WWll D-Day (and National Yo-Yo Day)
*June 11  Nat'l Corn-on-the-Cob Day
*June 18  Go Fishin' Day
*June 21  Nat'l Take  a Road Trip Day
*June 30  Meteor Day

We will not mention that June 1st was the beginning of Hurricane Season (oop! I just did!) but enjoy whatever day is special for you this month and don't forget to READ A BOOK!

Buy the Ebook HERE

Amazon PRINT       Book depository PRINT  

Quail Ridge books PRINT    B&N PRINT

Buy the ebook HERE

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Jeanine Englert

Jeanine Englert is a fellow author with Soul Mate Publishing. She stopped by to share her new book. I love the cover and the plot, so tell us more!

My first novel, Lovely Digits, will be released in just a few short days on June 12th. It is a sweet Victorian romantic suspense set in the small town of Clun, England. 

It was a 2018 Golden Heart ® Finalist for best unpublished romantic suspense at this time last year, and it was at the Romance Writers of America conference in Denver last July that I met my now editor, Char Chaffin from Soul Mate Publishing, at a mixer event. She read the first few chapters of my book and offered to publish it, and after so many, many years of seeking publication, it was hard for me to believe it was really happening, but here I am. It is happening. So, if you’re out there writing, never ever give up. A “yes” may be right around the corner.

Book Blurb for Lovely Digits

When two murders strike the sleepy Victorian town of Clun, England, an unlikely partnership forms. But can the killer be found before there is a third?

Lovely Digits is the town oddity…

But quirky spinster Lucy Wycliffe prefers to ignore gossip and embrace her position as the town’s layer out of the dead, despite how her parents’ deaths thrust her into such unlikely work. Lovely Digits, as she’s known to the local townspeople, no longer dreams of marriage, but takes pride in providing dignity to the dead. Desperate to hold on to her family’s cottage and support her widowed sister and young niece, an unexpected offer of employment as assistant to the constable arrives at the perfect time.

Former sailor John Brodie is the mysterious new constable…

 But John Brodie is far from a stranger to Clun or the events of its past. Accepting the position as constable in the small town is a double edged sword meant to heal his past and redeem his future, but falling for the beautiful and intelligent Lucy Wycliffe was never part of his plan. As the killer closes in, will John reveal his secret and risk losing everything to save Lucy’s life? 

EXCERPT 

Clun, England

1849 

A knocking on the cottage door above stairs startled Lucy, and she poked her finger with the thick sewing needle she held.

“Thistles,” she cursed, pressing her apron to her bleeding thumb. Evidently, repairing the tear at the hem of Becca’s dress would have to wait.

Who would be calling at such an early hour? It was hardly half past nine.

“Enter,” she called up from her root cellar.

She shuddered as the door squeaked open above her. She should oil the blasted hinges on the ancient door, but who had time for such nonsense? Her finger throbbed, but the blood had stopped. Shaking it in the air, she caught sight of the pale female form on her prepping table.

What am I complaining of?

Poor Becca. Lucy swallowed hard. Covering and repairing the girl’s wounds would prove difficult, but she’d try. Becca was her friend. Had been her friend.

“I hear if I need a body prepped, you are the person to see.” A deep rich baritone boomed against the cottage rafters.

The man’s neatly clipped tones screamed city. Londoner, most likely. What would he want here in Shropshire? Nothing of much import ever happened here.

“I suppose,” she offered. “Depends on who’s asking.” Lucy tiptoed over to the base of the root cellar staircase and peeked upstairs. The high shine of the man’s black leather boots caught her eye. Lord above. A person could see their reflection in such a glimmer.

The fine, close cut of dark trousers and a gray waistcoat hugged the man’s rigid frame, his white cravat starched and tied in precise lines as if it dared not be out of place. He was a gentleman. The man had means to be sure, so she supposed she was the person to see after all. She wiped her hands on her stained apron and ascended the stairs to the main floor.

The stranger stepped forward but stilled at her approach. His eyes widened as her face heated. Did the sight of her frighten him? She patted the side of her hair and cringed. Blast. It was as tangled as straw in a bird’s nest. Perhaps a brush would have been in order this morning to tame her unruly locks. She’d try to remember such details in future.

 AMAZON BUY LINK

More About the Author 

Jeanine Englert is a Golden Heart ® Finalist and Daphne du Maurier Award winner in historical romantic suspense. After years of writing in secret (despite having a master’s degree in writing), she joined Romance Writers of America and Georgia Romance Writers in 2013 and has been an active member ever since. She writes Scottish Highland historicals and historical romantic suspense novels. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved pups, and of course mysteries with other readers on Twitter @JeanineWrites, Facebook, or at her website www.jeaninewrites.com.

Her debut novel, Lovely Digits, will be released on June 12^th of 2019 by Soul Mate Publishing. It is a Victorian romantic suspense that won the 2017 Daphne du Maurier Award and was named a 2018 Golden Heart ® Finalist for best unpublished romantic suspense. Connect with her here:

WEBSITE     FACEBOOK     TWITTER