Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Stacy Hoff

Please help me welcome fellow Soul Mate author Stacy Hoff. I have asked her to share her new novel. 

Thanks, Nancy! MAD FOR YOU IN MADRID (Building Love #3) is a romantic comedy inspired by Stacy's recent trip to Spain. Stacy’s love of tasty tapas and the royal palace have become part of this book. MAD FOR YOU IN MADRID (Building Love #3) can easily be read as a stand-alone novel, along with its companions, BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (Building Love #1) and HOTTER THAN THE CARIBBEAN (Building Love #2). MAD FOR YOU IN MADRID (Building Love #3) was recently released by Soul Mate Publishing, Inc. on October 10, 2018.  

Book Blurb:

Lori Cayne is in a tricky situation. Her public relations job has sent her to Spain for a project that is way over her head. Her task is to convince American tourists to stay at a Madrid hotel. Unfortunately, Lori knows little about public relations and even less about the hotel industry. Dealing with the client, however, will be the real challenge. Hotel magnate Daniel Vega is rich, uber-sexy, and the one-night stand that wasn’t. That’s because Lori had inadvertently stood him up before things got a chance to really heat up. Now Daniel wants nothing to do with her, personally or professionally.

Daniel Vega is none-too-pleased to learn that Lori will be handling his new hotel's publicity campaign. Her flaky ways will be hell on his business, and on him. Yet shutting her out is hard to do when the woman is full of surprises and an even fuller heart. Her good nature makes her willing to do anything for anybody. When Daniel’s brother, Elias, asks Lori to be his fake-fiancée at an important event, Daniel is not surprised when Lori agrees. What he is surprised by is the pang of jealousy. Maybe Lori isn't the only one with personal issues to work out. After all, if Daniel is truly the success he thinks he is, how can off-beat, business greenhorn Lori Cayne emotionally bring him to his knees?

When news of the fake engagement creates a scandal, both Lori’s company and Daniel’s world-wide enterprise may be damaged beyond repair. The damage done to their hearts, however, may be a whole lot worse.

Excerpt for MAD FOR YOU IN MADRID (Building Love #3)

Daniel’s head cocked to one side. “Is that your family’s business? A restaurant?”

“Oh, no,” Lori answered. “My family runs a public relations firm. When I was in college, I always worked elsewhere during summer breaks. To, well, you know . . .”

“Escape?”

“Yeah.”

He smiled sympathetically. “I understand. I worked in my family’s business for many years.”

“It’s never easy, is it? How do you handle it?”

“I don’t. My solution was to leave and start my own company. Worked like a charm.”

"You made a good decision. Cheers.” She tapped her glass against his. “Here’s to survival. And to liquid courage.”

“Salud.”

“How exactly did you tell your family you were leaving? I’d love inspiration.”

“Simple. I told them I was going off on my own. Not a bit of drama ensued.”

She felt a sharp sting from biting her lip. “That’s awesome. I don’t think I’d have such an easy time.”

He laughed. “I’m lying, of course. Extricating myself was quite the ordeal.”

Lori burst out laughing. “Should I doubt everything you say? Is your name even Daniel?”

“I would never kid about something as important as my name.”

“I see.” She grinned back at him. “A man who knows his own identity and isn’t afraid to flaunt it.” Heat rushed up to her cheeks. Was she flirting? Definitely. How the hell was she pulling it off? What’s in this drink anyway? A secret concoction of hormones and mojo? Maybe this was typical of how introductions could be—when she wasn’t under her mother’s ever-hovering shadow.

Lori fought off the memory of the last time she’d met an attractive man. Her mother had unexpectedly brought a potential new client around to her cubicle. Lori had been so nervous when she shook his hand, she knocked an entire cup of lukewarm coffee all over her white summer suit. The man’s beige blazer wasn’t neglected either. Horrified, she went to clean up the mess. Grabbing a napkin off the desk, she dabbed at his jacket. Unfortunately, she’s grabbed the napkin she had used for her doughnut. The man’s beige blazer shined from fresh grease. Twin stains of shame. “What the hell?” she had shouted, in full panic mode.

Her mother had frowned. “Maybe if you didn’t constantly eat at your desk, these things wouldn’t happen.”

“How is drinking coffee eating?” Lori protested. “Has coffee morphed into a solid somehow?”

Her mother’s eyes traveled to the stale, damp, jelly doughnut swimming on her desk next to the overturned coffee cup. Powdered sugar particles lay victim everywhere.

Buy Link: 

https://amzn.to/2Qpsy8k

Author Bio:

Stacy Hoff is a multi-published romance author as well as an attorney. Romance novels are her secret passion. She reads and writes until the wee hours of the night. Stacy lives in New England with her husband and two sons. Connect with her here:

Facebook     Twitter     Website 

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Min Edwards

George Washington gave away my peninsula—and I don’t believe he owned it at the time.

Hi, Nancy. Thanks so much for letting me guest blog for you today!

Since it’s going to be Thanksgiving in just a few days—isn’t it coming early this year?—I thought I’d go back in time and tell you a little story about George Washington.

One morning not too long after George fought his last battle and kicked the British out of our country once and for all, or so he thought, he was lounging with some of his buddies and discussing how well his generals followed his orders and won his battles.

This is a fictional story as I’m a novelist, so don’t go looking on-line for this meeting between ole Georgie and his cronies.

George was trying to come up with some way to thank his best generals without actually giving them money. Someone piped up and said, “Say, why not give them land. Why not give them Maine land? No one wants it anyway.”

Of course, no one wanted it then, it was almost solid rock after the glaciers scraped over it 10,000 years ago and the rest was impenetrable forest. But it wasn’t George’s to give. Oh no, there were native people in Maine and they loved the land even if it was just a big rock with trees.

George thought about this suggestion for a minute and then said, “Good one, Abner. Let me give you the first piece. I have a nice little peninsula which can be easily carved up in plats. All you Generals will love living next to each other, having get-togethers al fresco. You know, sitting on those big boulders scattered around. Maybe serving moose jerky and johnnycakes.”

And so, it happened, my little peninsula, North Lubec, Maine in today’s parlance, was once owned by Generals of the Revolution given to them as rewards for... perhaps being alive in the 1780s? Today I live on a portion of one of those plats. I don’t know if the General who was gifted with it ever lived on it, but in the early part of the 19th century (about 50 years after George’s gift) a ship’s chandler set up his business building a wharf on the beach and a house near the road. He had good taste but didn’t own a level, so my house has elegant moldings, interesting supports, and is 3” off plumb from the southwest corner to the northeast. But I’ve learned to live with it and love it. So, I guess I’m thankful for George Washington and his callous disregard for native rights in the latter part of the 18th century.

Perhaps that’s why I’m writing a series about a family of Native Americans, Shoshone and Arapaho, on the Wind River reservation in Wyoming. We’ve done much harm to Native Americans in the last few hundred years and I want to tell their side of the story. Tell of their troubles, tragedies, and triumphs as well. I’ve taken a character from my newest novel, The Russian Phoenix, and wrapped the first novel in the series around her... Wolf Moon (series title) Book 1, starring Glory Grey Wolf McCullough. The first novel doesn’t have a title yet but follow me on Facebook www.facebook.com/AuthorMinEdwards and send me your suggestions. I’m also planning on a ‘name that character’ contest as well. Join me soon and I’ll tell you all about it.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving

Min

Since my story was short, how about a johnnycake recipe? You can imagine yourself sitting with George’s Generals for ‘tea’ one afternoon while you listen to the music of the shingle beach at your feet.

Ingredients

2 cups stone ground cornmeal

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup whole milk

2 tablespoons boiling water

Directions

Cream the cornmeal, salt, and butter together. Add the milk and enough water (it may take less than or more than 2 tablespoons) to make a moist but firm batter.

Drop by large spoonfuls onto a hot greased griddle and flatten slightly with the back of a spoon. When brown, turn and cook the other side.

Options: If you’re serving these at breakfast you might add some cinnamon and a little sugar. Then you can dribble syrup over them. If you want them savory to serve with chili or beef stew, add just a little cilantro or perhaps chili powder or chili flakes for an extra kick.

The Russian Phoenix,

a novel by Min Edwards

Russia: 1913. A time of celebration; a time of turmoil for Russia. But for Natasha it’s a time of horror.

Natasha, a young cousin of Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova, the Empress Consort of all the Russias, is eighteen and living a life she never dreamed. The year is 1913, the 300th Jubilee Year of the Romanov rule and it has been filled with fêtes, balls, and excitement. But the night of the last ball of the season a burgeoning love affair goes horribly wrong and she's kidnapped and whisked out of Russia. Her adventures change her life in ways she could never imagine and take her far from home. But her travails forge her into a strong, resourceful woman of the new century.

More About the Author

Image of my shingle (and seaweed) beach 

on George Washington’s Generals’ land

My Muse Zach (I don’t ever show my own face. It’s not that I’m an ogre or a spy or anything, it’s just that for a woman of my age, it’s best not to have your visage spread all over the World Wide Web!)

This is Zach ready for Winter.

Min Edwards is the pen name of archaeologist, former bookstore owner, and eBook designer (A Thirsty Mind Book Design), Pam Headrick. She is a life-long Texas girl who on a whim decided to leave the heat of Central Texas and move to her property on the coast of Maine. What was she thinking? Now Lubec, the most eastern town in the USA is her home. She writes from a desk near her kitchen window in an almost 200-year-old farmhouse overlooking apple trees, mating pheasants, rabbits which turn from brown to white in the winter, and the occasional moose. Just down the road is her private beach which is unfortunately not sand but shingle... small stones which have been tumbled by the surf for eons. And they sing when the 30-foot tides of the area wash over them. Her muse and constant companion is Zach, a 12-year-old black German Shepherd (GSD) who offers comedic relief when she needs it... like when one of her characters is not following orders or a plot has imploded, and it looks like it’s time to start over.

You can find her at:  AmazonAuthor’s Page      Twitter @MEdwardsAuthor

FacebookAuthor page     Pinterest  &   Pinterest

Min Edwards / Pam Headrick emails

info@minedwards.com

format@athirstymind.com

Instagrams: I have 2 accounts and I don’t know how 

to delete one! So just check out both or follow me 

so you can see all my posts. Most of the images will be 

of the changing seasons on my property 

or wildlife and Zach. I don’t get out much.

www.instagram.com/minedwards1987/ 

www.instagram.com/edwardsmin

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Susan B. James

​

Author Susan B. James dropped in to share her latest release. Take it away, Susan!

Maybe This Time is book two in my Second Chance Time travel series. It’s available in eBook, audiobook and paperback formats

Book Blurb

TIME TRAVEL? Worst birthday present ever!

London stage star Jennifer Knight, is perfectly happy until a freak accident sends her tumbling back in time from London, 2001 to 1988, landing her at the feet of computer genius Lance Davies, the man who’d captured her heart and then stomped on it - her ex-husband.

Lance follows his once and only love back to the future, tangling time, and landing them both on the world's missing-and-presumed dead list. Now the only hope of righting the universe is to change a past they have yet to experience. If they manage rescue their future-selves from New York City on September 11, 2001, Jen and Lance might have a chance to start again. And maybe this time - just maybe – Lance and Jen will get it right.

Excerpt from Maybe This Time

Jen looked into the face of the man she’d adored since she was nine, and actively avoided for the last twenty years. Lance looked almost the same as the day they’d parted. A few more lines framed his hazel eyes, now sea-dark with concern. His brown hair showed no trace of gray. It was still too long, with the same stupid lock falling over his forehead. She automatically reached to brush it back. Stopped herself. Her throat was so dry. Where was a cough drop when you needed one? “You’ve aged well.” Jen’s knees buckled.

Lance kicked out a chair and sat, pulling her into his lap. “It’s okay. Whatever it is, we can fix it.”

His warm, strong hands sent shock waves shivering through her body. She shook her head mutely.

Lance’s voice sharpened. “Is it Jeremy? Kathryn? Has something happened to them?”

“Uncle Lance!” Kathryn stopped in the living room archway, eyes child-solemn. “Why are you hugging Aunty Jen?”

Jen slipped out of Lance’s arms and landed on the floor. Could this get any worse?

“Aunty Jen says you are a stupid head with a big brain and no feelings.”

Jen rose with all the dignity she could muster. “You shouldn’t repeat things grownups say, Kitty-Kat. It’s not polite.” She reached for the packet Mrs. Flannery left behind, willing her hands not to tremble. “Here are the papers, you came for. Nice to see you. Goodbye.”

Lance glanced from Kathryn to Jen. “Where’s Jeremy? I know he and Kitty-Kat went to Sussex. Why is she back without him, and what are you doing here?”

“We couldn’t get home, Uncle Lance. So we came here.” Kathryn scuffed her foot, now shod in a plastic Jelly shoe, against the wood floor. “I thought Jen would like the machine, but I don’t like being young again. My brain is too small. I want to go home.”

Lance’s hand tightened on the papers he held. “Kathryn,” he said carefully. “How old are you?”

“I’m nineteen and I want to go home.”

Lance catapulted out of the chair. “It worked. By all that’s good and beautiful, it worked. I didn’t think he could do it.”

“You knew? You knew what he was working on?”

Lance’s grin changed to the expressionless mask she used to hate so much. “Of course, I knew. I divorced you. Not your brother. I was helping him with the theory. He probably would have told you about it, had you been interested in anyone but yourself and your career.”

Jen resisted the urge to punch him. One of them reverting to childhood was enough. Too bad. Her boxing trainer said she had a fantastic right hook. She kept her tone smooth and even. “I don’t know when we are, but I turned forty-nine yesterday, Lancelot, and you don’t know half as much about me as you think you do. I am very interested in my niece, and she’s standing there listening to every word we say.”

Lance turned to Kathryn. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Your aunty and I won’t fight anymore.” He crooked his little finger at Jen the way they used to do when they were children. “Pax?”

Resisting the temptation to break it, Jen hooked her little finger in his. “Pax,”

Kathryn curved her little finger around theirs. “Pax. Now can we get ice cream?”

Maybe This Time is available as an eBook, paperback and audiobook which is narrated by the brilliant Stephanie Bentley.

Buy Links for Maybe This Time

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Goodreads

Bookbub

More about the Author

Susan writes second chance romances with a touch of magic as Susan B. James and children’s books as Susan J. Berger. She writes older heroines because she is chronologically gifted and enjoys creating characters who remember that change is only on the outside. Inside our older shells is a much younger psyche.

In her debut romance, Time and Forever, two women in their sixties inadvertently travel back to London in 1969. Maybe This Time, is the companion book.

Susan’s other career is acting. In 2016, among other things, she killed Kathy Bates on American Horror Story- Roanoke. In 2017, among other things, she got stabbed by a pen on Future Man and played the victim on Major Crimes. Karma? So far in 2018 she’s been a babysitter on Lucifer, a bar-fly on Shameless, A tattoo addict on Mom, and she died in the yet-to-be-released movie, Looks that kill. More to come..

Connect with Susan here:

Blog    Twitter @susanjberger    Facebook Author page 

Instagram    Goodreads     Acting 

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Tracey L Dragon

Another Soul Mate Publishing author stopped by to share their latest book. Take it away, Tracey!

Cherished Wings-Book 1 of my Return to the Home Front Series published by Soul Mate Publishing is a dual-time romance where you have two stories—a contemporary and a historical intertwined in one novel. Cherished Wings was inspired by my own mother’s story. Although she never spoke of it, my sisters and I were aware of the pair of World War II Navy wings she kept hidden in her dresser drawer. The wings belonged to a beau who was killed on a mission during the war. After my mother’s death I cleaned out her dresser, and when asked by my father if I’d found anything else besides her clothes, I lied and said, “No.”  He then explained to me that my mother used to keep photos of an old boyfriend, and he seemed pleased that she’d gotten rid of them. I didn’t have the heart to tell him otherwise.  For although I did not find the wings, I did find the envelope containing his photos—one was cut to fit the size of her locket. She’d kept those photos for sixty years.  I also found the chunky, pyramid–shaped glass top of an old bottle of French perfume. The stopper had been broken off, and the bottle was nowhere to be found. I wondered why she kept it for so long. I could only assume it meant a great deal to her.  The mystery around these items sparked the idea for Cherished Wings, and Fran and Jack’s love story was created. This book is dedicated to my mother.  It was released July 11^th in E-book form and on September 21^st in paperback. It has been compared to the Notebook.

Book Blurb 

When Sara Kennedy returns to her small hometown in Western New York and visits her dying grandmother, she asks her about the pair of World War II Navy Wings she found in her grandmother’s dresser drawer. Her grandmother reluctantly shares with Sara the powerful love story she had not spoken of in over fifty years. As the tale unfolds, Sara finds herself caught up in a time where things were simpler, yet more complex—where love and war were not compatible. A story so poignant, it rocks Sara’s world and changes her life forever.

Excerpt from Cherished Wings

The knock on the door followed by a chorus of greetings stirred Fran to take one final glance in the mirror before heading downstairs. Amy and Red’s voices were distinctive, and she could clearly make out their boisterous teasing. It was the third voice that stopped her in her tracks—rich, deep, and smooth as fine whiskey. It sent shivers down her spine and struck a chord deep within her.

As she stepped onto the landing, Red turned in her direction and whistled.

“Ah, there’s my girl now.”

She parted her lips to refute his statement, but found the words stuck in her throat when the tall sailor in dress uniform standing beside Red turned to acknowledge her presence.

The stranger’s mesmerizing eyes locked with hers and for a moment it was as if time stood still.

Fran froze mid-step when a pair of startling blue eyes met hers. A sense of déjà vu overwhelmed her as though their souls had met before. Her hand locked on the stair rail to prevent the unchecked motion of her body as her stride faltered.
          “Are you all right?” The dark-haired man standing at the foot of the stairs stepped forward with an outstretched hand.
             Disconcerted by her visceral reaction to Red’s friend and feeling self-conscious and more than a little clumsy, she blurted the first thing that came to mind.
          “Of course, why wouldn’t I be? Now that my guy’s home.” She forced a smile. Ignoring Red’s grin and Amy’s choked expression.

Red shouldered aside his friend. “Now don’t you be trying to horn in on my gal.” He reached for her hand, tugged her forward, and slid his hands to her waist, lifting her up high.

She slapped Red’s shoulder. “Put me down you big oaf. You’re embarrassing me in front of your friend.”
          Red swung her down but held her with her feet just above the floor. “How about a kiss from my favorite girl?”

“In your dreams, sailor, I’m sure you’ve used that line in every port.”

Red set her down and dramatically crossed his right arm over his heart. “Oh, how you wound me.”

She rolled her eyes at him and laughed. “I see you can take the boy out of the country, but not the country out of the boy. I would have thought you’d have gained some polish while stationed in the city.”

“Ouch. Cut to the bone. You’ve sure gotten sassy while I’ve been away.”

“Just you remember that buster.” 

CHECK OUT THIS REVIEW ON GOODREADS    

Buy Links

AMAZON    Amazon PRINT

AMAZON UK    AMAZON CAN

More About the Author     

Tracey L. Dragon is a relocated New Yorker, former Navy wife, and retired educator who lives in Florida with her husband, Bill. After seven military moves, raising two Navy brats, and twenty years teaching troubled youth, she is now able to put her full attention to publishing the children’s stories and romance novels she’s written over the years. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and Florida Writers Association. Connect with her here: WEBSITE     FACEBOOK      

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Rhonda Frankhouser

Rhonda Frankhouser stopped by to share her newest release with my readers. Rhonda, please tell us all about it. (psst! She is also with Soul Mate Publishing)

A little bit about the series…

Escape from Ruby’s Ranch is Book 2 of my Ruby’s Ranch Series.  The Ruby's Ranch Series tells the story of four strong matriarchs over almost four generations. 

The original RAVEN Finalist and RONE award 2nd runner up story, Return to Ruby's Ranch, was Ruby Lattrell's story, the 3rd generation heroine who inherited the ranch after her grandmother passed away. Her cathartic journey was one of discovery as she returned to uncover the truth about the mysterious disappearance of her mother, Katherine and why Granny Rube had gone crazy in the end. 

Book 2 of the Ruby's Ranch series, Escape from Ruby's Ranch, takes the reader back one generation to Katherine's treacherous journey. Throughout her young life Katherine dreamed of escaping her over-protective mother and boring ranch life to become a famous painter living in the big city. That all changes when the stoic, horse whispering cowboy, John Lattrell, wins her heart. They build a beautiful life together until secrets and twisted relationships steal her away from her precious family. Katherine's fight to get back to John will stir anger and hope in your heart.  

Book Blurb

Katherine Adams dreams of getting far away from her over-protective mother and the quiet, subdued life on Ruby’s Ranch. She’s drawn to the excitement of the city, the idea of her paintings hanging in glamourous art galleries, wearing the finest fashions and eating in quaint sidewalk cafes. Every detail of her escape is lined out until a handsome horse whisperer gallops into her world.

John Lattrell is a master at taming wild animals but he’s never seen a creature as stubborn and free-spirited as the beautiful, young Katherine. From the first moment, she drew him into her inquisitive soul, leaving it bare for all the pain that was destined to come. Will ghosts from his past ruin his chances at capturing her heart?

Katherine is torn between her dreams and her desires. John is tormented by the thought of losing her. What will become of their love when family secrets and betrayal come between them?

Buy Links

Escape from Ruby’s Ranch is available only at Amazon  

Book 1 of the Ruby’s Ranch series is Return to Ruby’s Ranch is available HERE

Excerpt:

Everyone, including Katherine, watched the tall, handsome stranger walk toward the stage to join the band. He moved with a manly grace, telling her he’d be talented at anything he tried. Riding, dancing, lovemaking. Anything.

“Oh, my,” she whispered again. She pushed her shoulders back when he headed toward her on his way to the stage. She regretted re-buttoning that top button.

She was stunned when their eyes met, like she’d been paralyzed by Blue Coral snake venom. He smiled again, obviously appreciating her reaction.

“I hope you’re not leaving. You haven’t even heard me play yet.” His voice was deep and rhythmic. A sensual song without music.

Katherine didn’t have words. She couldn’t make her mouth move. She stared at him, smiling stupidly, wondering how his full lips would taste against hers.

“You all right, Miss?” He pushed the hat back on his head and leaned in for a closer look.

A low moan escaped when she caught the scent of his earthy cologne. His concerned gaze held her until the announcer again requested his presence on the stage.

“Miss?” He smiled again. “Are you gonna be okay?” He steadied her with a strong hand against the small of her back. She quivered from the heat of his touch.  

When their eyes locked, a breath caught in Katherine’s throat. The smile on his ruggedly handsome face, turned now to an expression of curious longing. The seconds that passed between them felt like hours. Just as he started to speak, Casey pressed his energy between them and broke the spell.

More About the Author

Rhonda has been an author with SoulMate Publishing since November of 2016, though she's been a story teller all her life. Her first novel, Return to Ruby's Ranch, earned a finalist honor in the Uncaged Book Review Raven Awards, a 2nd Runner Up in the prestigious InD'Tale Magazine RONE awards and a Books and Benches, Reviewers Top Pic ~ Books of Distinction award. As of April 2018, she is a full time writer, so look for more romance, mystery and intrigue to come your way. Connect with her here…

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