Friday, August 28, 2020

August Leaves us Devastated



Hurricane Marco and Hurricane Laura visited our Gulf of Mexico states and the destruction is horrific. We, here in Raleigh, North Carolina are wondering... are we next?



Wherever you live, stay safe!

Friday, August 21, 2020

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Marie Lavender

 

Marie Lavender stopped by to share her new book with all my readers. Please say ‘Hi’ and do not forget to leave a comment. Take it away, Marie!

Thanks Nancy; With more attention than she ever imagined, how can she tell if this is real or a fantasy? If you’re looking for a unique read, please check out Chasing Ginger, book one of The Misfits Series! I describe it as all of these book genres: Steamy Romantic Comedy, Adult Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, BBW/Curvy/Rubenesque Romance, Billionaire Romance, has 441 pages, covers the themes of Body Positivity, Kindness Matters, and was released March 10, 2020.

Book Blurb:

Chased by a group of angry men. Saved by quite a hunk.

This is not the résumé Ginger Halloway ever imagined having. But thanks to a miracle pill, which makes her size 22 body instantly sexy, that’s what happened. Yet, now Lance Franklin is showing interest in her, and she can’t figure out if he really likes her for her, or if it’s just because of a bizarre drug. And her wild bunch of friends, The Misfits…well, they’re always getting her into some interesting situations.

So, yep, business as usual. Except for the guy. What the hell should she do about him?

As for Lance, he believes he’s lucky to have found Ginger. But can he convince her they should go for it? With some new attention from the hottest guy she’s ever met, Ginger can’t help but wonder…is this all too good to be true?

(CONTENT WARNING: Watch for foul language, steamy scenes, and a pesky yet messy ability to choke on your dinner while laughing. If you’ve come expecting just a lighthearted, slapstick romance, you may not get that here. The author approaches sensitive topics in the best way she knows how. Just be prepared for all the feels to be deeper than usual for this genre – an emotional romantic comedy. No unruly cliffhangers, HEA guaranteed.)

CHECK OUT THE BOOK TRAILER HERE



EXCERPT

This didn’t feel quite like the usual handshake, however. When his warm palm brushed her skin, she wanted to get so much closer. Down, girl!

“I hope your appointment goes well.”

“Like I said, it’s routine. Nothing to worry about.”

“All right. Have a nice night.”

“You too.” She reached over and went for the door.

“Please. Allow me.” He exited the car, then opened her door instead of waiting on his driver to perform the duty. Which was so polite, considering how wealthy the man must be. When he offered his hand again, she accepted, tried hard not to lean into him.

But as she drew herself from the vehicle, her stupid green heels picked that moment to bend her ankles nearly in half. Gasping, she stumbled, and her fingertips met a firm obstacle. It took a second to register Lance had grasped her around the waist to steady her. Those blue eyes blinked in surprise.

Mortified, she stammered, “Ah, forgive me. I’m clumsy.” Which wasn’t often the case. Despite her size, she was adept in walking or dancing in high heels. Another reason this situation was so awkward.

He grinned. “No harm done.”

Why did he have to smell so good? His unique cologne was like heaven in her nose. Her insides unfurled, stirring in a way she’d never felt before. She clenched her nails on his silken dress shirt, as he’d discarded his blazer in the car. Exposed now, his shoulders appeared broader. Irresistible. She wished fate would stop sending signs this man was the type she should be attracted to; she knew better than to fall for such a fairytale.

BUY LINK

Universal reader link HERE

 

Goodreads bookpage     Goodreads seriespage     BookBub page 

AUTHOR BIO

Multi-genre author of Victorian maritime romance/family saga, Heiresses in Love, and 18 other books. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and two cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 21 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, dramatic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. An avid blogger on the side, she writes adult fiction, as well as occasional stories for children, and has recently started some young adult fiction. She also contributed to several anthologies. Though Marie has standalone titles on the market, her current published series are The Eternal Hearts Series, The Magick Series, The Code of Endhivar Series, The Misfits Series and The Blood at First Sight Series, but she has many others planned. Her Victorian maritime romance series is returning, and the second editions of the trilogy will be released soon under her new publisher, Foundations Books. CONNECT WITH Marie here:

 

WEBSITE    BLOG    I Love Romance BLOG

 Marie Lavendar BOOKS   FACEBOOK

 TWITTER    LINKEDIN    INSTAGRAM

 AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

   GOODREADS    BOOKBUB

 

Sign up for Marie’s Newsletter HERE

Send Fan mail email here:

writeme.marielavender@gmail.com

 

 

Friday, August 14, 2020

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Willa J. Brand


Please welcome a fairly new author to my blog. Willa J. Brand intrigued me with the covers of her first two novels…horses and a western theme always get to me! Please take it away and tell my readers about these books!

First, I would like to thank Nancy so much for hosting me here on her blog. As a new Indie author, I am always grateful to be given any opportunity to post to a new audience. My first book, Refuge, was released in May of this year. It is a contemporary fiction novel with a little dash of western romance to spice things up. Although my work is self published, I have employed a professional editor and I work hard to be sure that the finished product is up to standard. I just received back the final edit of the second novel in the series, Switchback, and it is set to release this month.

Book Blurb from Refuge

Taylor is a mother on the run from an abusive husband, searching for a safe place for she and her young son. Convinced that her possessive spouse is hunting them, she is paranoid, exhausted and virtually penniless. Finding herself stranded in rural Montana, she is taken in by a couple who help her not knowing her past, and she is able to find work on their ranch. She intends on staying only long enough to save the money needed to move on to a large city where she believes they will be safer. But as time passes friendships develop, as does a love interest, and Taylor struggles to hold on to her secrets. Inevitably, her past catches up with her and her worst fears will become reality.

 

Excerpt

     “I thought we could head out east and check some fence while we see if you and Tex are a good match. Let the two of you get to know each other a bit.”

Taylor nodded as she tightened up her cinch and led the gelding into the small pen near the barn. She circled him each way before climbing up into the borrowed saddle, and then she laughed.

“I forgot how much shorter Dana is than me! I’ll have to lengthen these stirrups quite a bit…”

But Owen had followed her into the arena and handed her his gelding’s reins as he took hold of the stirrup and began to let them out for her while she sat on Tex. She was taken aback by his nearness and the unexpected gesture that for some reason seemed intimate. When he had adjusted the stirrup to where he thought would work, he gave it a jerk to be sure the fit was snug and guided her boot back into the stirrup. He looked up at her with his hand still resting on her leg and their eyes met for a moment.

“Feel right?” he asked.

The way he said it gave her the impression that he was referring to something other than her stirrup length and gave her a little chill.

“Um. Yeah. Thank you,” she answered a little breathlessly.

He moved to the other side of the horse and adjusted the other stirrup, and then took back his reins before swinging up onto the big boned sorrel.


Buy Links for REFUGE

Amazon     Amazon CAN

Amazon UK     Amazon AUS 

Buy Links for SWITCHBACK 

Amazon    Amazon CAN

Amazon UK    Amazon Aus

More About the Author

Willa J. Brand is a pen name for my alter ego, and although she is much more creative than I am in my daily life, we share many of the same interests.  

I am a wife, mother of four children and three angels, and lover of the outdoors. I have been an avid reader from an early age and lover of all forms of literature since before I can remember. Busy as life is helping out on our family farm and caring for children, I craved some kind of creative outlet, and writing was a natural fit for me.

I love all animals and enjoy working with cattle and spending time with my horses and dogs. In more recent years I have found a love for chickens that I never knew I had, and my flock is constantly growing! 

I would love to hear any feedback or questions you may have for me and I will do my best to answer any and all questions. Please feel free to reach out via the CONTACT portion of my WEBSITE  and be sure to follow me on FACEBOOK and TWITTER 


Friday, August 7, 2020

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Hallie Alexander

Hallie Alexander is an author with Soul Mate Publishing and her new book is in the genre I love ... Historical romance! Take it away, Hallie! 

Thank you, Nancy. I'm very excited to share my debut with you and your readers. A Widow's Guide to Scandal, released on July 22, is a steamy historical romance set at the beginning of the American Revolution in New York. Scandal is available through Soul Mate Publishing and Amazon. 

It is the first in the series, though I do have a prequel novella available for free to newsletter subscribers. Many years ago, I took a historical walking tour of my townat the time I lived in Connecticut. One of the Revolutionary Era stories told that day became the inspiration for the battle scene in Scandal.

BLURB:

The first installment in debut author Hallie Alexander’s steamy Sons of Neptune series introduces readers to a band of heroic rebels at the brink of the American Revolution.

 

Henrietta Smith was fifteen when she stole a kiss from Marcus Hardwicke. Over a decade later, she’s still waiting to be kissed back…

 

Henrietta learned the hard way that when you get what you pay for you might end up with a British soldier quartering in your home threatening your friends, an enormous dog tracking mud through your house and stealing the chickens, and Marcus Hardwicke disrupting your uncomplicated life by trying to improve it. And to think she just wanted her roof fixed.

 

Marcus, wickedly handsome carpenter and rebel rogue, fell off Henrietta’s leaking roof. He can’t leave until his broken ankle heals, giving him plenty of time to consider his past mistakes, including Henrietta's indelible kiss from a lifetime ago. But Henrietta could lose more than her home if she doesn’t encrypt British secrets, and the latest puts Marcus in the crosshairs.


EXCERPT:

Henrietta flopped into the chair her uncle vacated. “I need to get married.” Marriage would solve her housing and financial problems and get her far away from Uncle Caldwell.

“Sorry, Hetty Betty. Can’t walk down the aisle right now.” Marcus winked.

The scents of pine and moss filled her nose as the memory of kissing him rushed back. He’d allegedly kissed many girls, his taste running from maids to their charges. He couldn’t possibly have had a reason to reject her. And yet he did. He was a year older than she, twenty-nine now, and never married. She doubted he intended to, not with his charm and chiseled jaw. Why would he want to?

“I didn’t mean you. Someone kind and undemanding. My husband is dead and his family is still controlling me.” Her mouth twitched. “Not that you’re not kind.”

Marcus stared at her like she’d grown another head. “Those are the worst reasons I’ve ever heard for getting married.”

“Can’t be helped. I have no other options.” She picked up her forgotten sewing and worked the needle through the fabric. Both her parents were dead. Her one brother, Caleb, lived in Boston with a prolific wife who popped out a baby Smith annually. There were nine nieces and nephews by now. Nine too many for Henrietta to bear to be around.

“You could go live with one of your friends. Offer to care for their children or grandchildren.”

Henrietta pricked her finger. A bead of blood balled at the tip. She sucked it clean, soothing it. He wouldn’t understand if she told him. “I can’t.” Shame made her duck her head. This was why she needed to marry. She didn’t want to be around anyone well-intentioned, nor did she want to be around anyone cruel. Someone who didn’t invest would be lovely.


UNIVERSAL BUY LINKS

HERE


More About the Author

Hallie’s 2020 debut, A Widow’s Guide to Scandal, published by Soul Mate Publishing, was a finalist in the 2019 Cleveland Rocks Romance Contest. She writes steamy, feminist historical romances set in America. Her feisty heroines become the heroes of their own story as their swoon-worthy partners work to deserve their love. Expect lush history and swoony kisses. And, if there is an element of humor and hijinks, or a fraying in the fabric of the patriarchy? Even better.

 

When Hallie isn’t writing, she enjoys playing with her doodle dogs, cooking with her children, and taking long walks with her husband near their North Carolina home. Connect with her here:


WEBSITE     GOODREADS     BOOKBUB


TWITTER     FACEBOOK     NEWSLETTER


INSTAGRAM    Amazon Author Page