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

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 UK Author David Russell

Author David Russell lives in the United Kingdom and shares his new book, Pearlman. It was released December 9^th, just in time for the holidays. David, please tell my readers more.

Pearlman was inspired by a passage in the Spanish epic poem La Araucana, which I have translated. In the original story, a Spanish soldier, after a battle, is accosted by an Indian woman who asks him to lead her to her husband's body, to pay her last respects. In the original story, she disappears. 

In Pearlman the hero is contemporary, but he does time and space travel to those legendary times, and the woman turns out to be Auchimalgen, the Araucanian Moon Goddess. She seduces and enlightens him. 

There is a backdrop of Chile, with its incredibly volatile ecosphere and long history of protracted conflict. This story combines romance with sci-fi and time travel. Check out the reviews. As well!

EBOOK Available at  AMAZON

More About the Author

b. 1940. Resident in the UK. Writer of poetry, literary criticism, speculative fiction and romance. Main poetry collection Prickling Counterpoints (1998); poems published in online International Times. Main speculative works High Wired On (2002); Rock Bottom (2005). Translation of Spanish epic La Araucana, Amazon 2013. Romances: Self’s Blossom; Explorations; Further Explorations; Therapy Rapture; Darlene, An Ecstatic Rendezvous (all pub Extasy (Devine Destinies). Self-published collection of erotic poetry and artwork, Sensual Rhapsody, 2015. Singer-songwriter/guitarist. Main CD albums Bacteria Shrapnel andKaleidoscope Concentrate. Many tracks on You Tube, under ‘Dave Russell’.

www.davidrussell-author.blogspot.co.uk

Ria Cantrell Presents: Celtic Peril

Ria Cantrell stopped by to share her latest release. CELTIC PERIL is a historical time travel romance set in Scotland.

In 1387, the peace of the Highlands is shattered when the young English King, Richard of Bordeaux announces that he will be touring the Northern Territories in what is known as the Great Gyration. All young maidens of marriageable age must be presented to him. Richard is seeking a bride to forge an alliance between England and Scotland. Sir Andrew and Lady Bronwyn Brandham have been requested to entertain the English king and his retinue during the last harvest. Sir Drew's daughter, Jenna, refuses all suitors; especially the likes of the English king. In a willful show of disobedience, Jenna Brandham flees to the Highlands and seeks refuge among her uncles and grandfather of the Clan MacCollum. Her absence puts her family in grave danger of disobeying the king's request. They are desperate to keep the peace and to not anger the Royal guest. 

Morag, the healer and chatelaine of the Clan MacCollum knows of a ruse to appease the unpredictable king, but it would mean traveling ahead in time to bring Kiera Campbell back in Jenna's place as a decoy. Kiera agrees to go back in time to help her old friend and to seek forgiveness from the past for her beloved husband, Derek.

Tom Callum has just landed a spot with a prestigious road show called Celtic Storm as the lead singer and front man. When he reaches Scotland to visit his cousin Kiera, he is drawn to seek his heritage and uncover the mysteries of his past. He is fascinated with a painting of a girl who lived more than six hundred years ago. Something about her tugs at his long forgotten memory. Little does he know that he will soon be plunged into a world of intrigue, deception and peril. The past and present collide in an adventure that brings danger at every turn. Only love will give Tom the strength he needs to thwart an attempt on King Richard's life. Tom must save the reputation of the Clan MacCollum and the Brandhams. How can he succeed without destroying what has already been written in history? Will Tom be able to survive his leap into the past? Will he be able to survive his return to the present, only to leave his heart behind?

Amazon USA    Amazon UK

Amazon CAN     Amazon AUS

More About the Author

Ria grew up in the suburbs of Long Island, New York. Her family has promoted her love for the arts, especially music. She learned to read music at a very early age and started singing at the age of four. Ria has enjoyed some very exciting endeavors in the past including competing as a figure skater, dancing professionally as a belly dancer and singing as a classically trained vocalist with auditioned chorales. She also enjoys working as a soloist.

Ria began writing at a very young age and even had some of her early poems published in local literary magazines. Frequently, she would be seen carrying notebooks to scribble many of her stories and poems. With a love of the past, Ria was fascinated with Medieval and Renaissance history and found herself drawn to participate with a reenactment group, The Society for Creative Anachronism, which re-creates the Middle Ages. Since fostering her love of all things medieval, Ria’s stories soon became flavored with Medieval and Renaissance themes.

Ria is a hopeless romantic. She married the love of her life after a long-distance courtship, spanning two continents. She now lives in the sunny tropical paradise of Southwest Florida with her English rock-star husband. The two share their love for music and writing. They perform together locally and they collaborate on writing endeavors. Her husband’s first full length novel, Reflections of Love, is being released simultaneously as Morag’s Tears. 
Connect with her HERE

You can also find Ria Cantrell
(and me!) 

in the Time Travel Boxed Set

WHEN LOVE CONQUERS TIME

Amazon USA

Amazon UK

Amazon CAN

Amazon AUS

When Love Conquers Time Release Day!

When Love Conquers Time, contains over 1,000 pages of time travel romances set from the 14th century to the late 20th century.  Kilted Highlanders, shape-shifters, vampires, pirates, dragons, soldiers, and more will give readers hours of adventurous reading. Here are the Book blurbs:

MORAG'S TEARS (Celtic Storm Series Book 5) by Ria Cantrell

Step back in time to the beautiful Highlands of Scotland in the 14th century. Come and sit with us by the warm peat fire as Morag, the much loved character from Ria Cantrell's bestselling Celtic Storm series tells the story of her life. From a child, gifted in the ancient ways, to a beautiful young woman in love, Morag weaves her rich tapestry of tales. She is a mystical seer, healer, manipulator of time and chatelaine to the clan MacCollum. You will feel as if you are walking alongside her on her life's journey. Share her tears of joy as well as a few sad ones, as she recounts the triumphs and tribulations of a long life filled with love in its many guises.

SEA PANTHER by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Can love mend a fractured soul? After evading arrest for Jacobite activities, Scottish nobleman Robert MacLachlan turns privateer. A Caribbean Voodoo priestess curses him to an eternal existence as a vampire shifter torn between the dual natures of a Florida panther and an immortal blood-thirsting man. For centuries, he seeks to reverse the black magic whilst maintaining his honor. Cruising the twenty-first century Atlantic, he becomes shorthanded to sail his 90-foot yacht, Sea Panther. The last thing he wants is a female crewmember and the call of her blood.
Although she swore never to sail again after her father died in a sailing accident, Kimberly Scot answers the captain's crew wanted ad to escape a hit man. She's lost everything, her fiancé, her job, and most of her money, along with money belonging to her ex-clients. A taste of Kimberly's blood convinces Robert she is the one woman who can claim the panther's heart. To break the curse, they travel back in time to where it all began—Jamaica 1715.

MY RELUCTANT HIGHLANDER by Nancy Lee Badger

Skye Gunn could not prevent her husband’s death, and will risk everything to defeat the sorcerer she blames. When he attacks her nephew, she is taken, instead. She escapes by plunging into the North Sea, and a spell takes her back to the future, to Jake. The woman who haunted his dreams since she blackmailed him into traveling back in time falls from the sky, beaten and bloody. He must trust her as they return to ancient Scotland. To survive, he and Skye must dare to love in the time they have.

REFLECTIONS OF LOVE by Paul A. Crust
As a result of a head injury suffered in the Gulf War, antiques dealer, Jason Hobbs is the victim of total amnesia. After investing a great deal of time and money trying to unlock his past, he has resigned himself to the fact that he may never fully know his own true identity. Life goes on and in the course of his business Jason acquires an old dresser with an oval mirror among a shipment of antique pieces from England. That same evening, strange images start to appear, reflected in the old mirror, and the mournful sound of a woman weeping can be heard, echoing through the night air. As he searches for answers to the mysterious events which began the day the dresser came into his possession, the past and present collide, bringing events from World War 1 crashing to his doorstep. A shocking revelation will rock his world, changing his perception of who he really is.

Morag’s Tears by Ria Cantrell:  Facebook Twitter

Sea Panter by Dawn Marie Hamilton:  Facebook Twitter

My Reluctant Highlander by Nancy Lee Badger: Website  Facebook

Reflections of Love  by Paul A. Crust:  Facebook

When Love Conquers Time, a four-author boxed set, is available at AMAZON for only $.99 (Free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers) Learn more about the authors:

Book Cover Reveal

Coming soon...

WHEN LOVE CONQUERS TIME

A 1,000+ page, four-author BOXED SET

Nancy Lee Badger Interviews Author Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan stopped by to share some intimate details about her life and her latest novel. Her  book, Dragon Knight’s Shield, is a Scottish Paranormal Time-travel Romance and was released on January 8, 2016. Please tell my readers a little bit about your book. 

Mary- This is the fourth book in the Order of the Dragon Knights Series. Angus MacKay is the oldest of the Dragon Knights. He is the last brother to walk the path of redemption after the death of their sister. As the oldest, his journey was the most haunted and it will take a warrior woman to stand beside him. Deirdre Flanagan will turn his world upside down.  

Nancy- Describe the genre of this particular title, and is it the only genre you write in?

Mary- This is a Scottish Paranormal Time-travel romance and the only genre I’m currently writing. I do have plans for a spin-off, which will add a fantasy element to the stories.  

Nancy- Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?

Mary- Yes to both questions. I was finishing the third in the series when I got the contract for the first story.

Nancy- Do you have any rejection stories to share?

Mary- Yes! When I received my first rejection letter, I jumped for joy saying, “I’m acknowledged!” Of course afterwards, I got upset, but continued to submit to many more. With each rejection letter I received, the right fit for a publisher was heading my way. I never gave up.

Nancy- What is your writing routine like?

Mary- I’m an early bird, rising before dawn. Breakfast and exercise comes first, and then I spend several hours answering emails, promoting, and social media. The rest of the day is spent writing, and I usually wrap up around 5:30pm, unless I’m doing edits. When I’m ankle deep in edits, my days will last much longer.

  

Nancy- Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?

Mary- Never, ever give up! With each rejection, believe that the right one for you is heading your way. Make this your daily mantra: “I will become a published author!”   

Please Share three facts about you that most people don’t know. (short answers are best!)

1) I collect stuffed sheep.

2) I wanted to be the first woman astronaut in space.

3) I was the Children’s storyteller for Borders Books.

Nancy- What’s next for you?

Mary- I’m finishing the final book in my series, which I hope to have out in mid-summer. You’ll find out who the fifth Dragon Knight is in Dragon Knight’s Shield. It’s a surprise.  

BOOK BLURB   Angus MacKay, leader of the Dragon Knights, failed his brothers and his clan upon the death of his sister. Now he must fight the darkness of despair tempting his soul. Back on Scottish soil, he comes face to face with Deirdre who can wield a sword as mightily as his warriors, and takes her captive. Yet, with each passing day, the fire dragon inside him roars to claim the one woman fate has destined for him. 

Famed mystery writer, Deirdre Flanagan, is unprepared for the next chapter in her life. On a vacation to Scotland, she steps through the mists and enters into a skirmish alongside a Highlander. However, the fight has only begun, and now she must battle Angus as well as evil in order to claim the love of this Dragon Knight.

Will their love be powerful enough to shield them from danger, or burn them to ashes?

Excerpt 

His look was predatory, lustful, inviting, and she took a step backward. Words failed her as she took another step back.

He arched a brow and his smile became seductive. “Do I frighten ye?”

“No!” she lied. Like hell you do! You’re as gorgeous as sin standing there, and I want to rip your clothes from your body.

Pushing off from the wall, he stepped into the room and silently closed the door behind him, his eyes never leaving hers. His hair hung in soft waves past his shoulders, and her fingers itched to twine within them. Her body ached in places so deep—longing for even the slightest touch. 

“Are ye unwell, my lady?”

The burr of his voice so low—so sexy, she could only stare at him until his words resonated in her mind. “No,” she replied softly, feeling the flames of desire heat not only her face, but also her entire body.

This time when he took another step closer, Deirdre didn’t back away. Now he stood so close she could feel the warmth of his breath across her face—a mix of wine and pure male.

She watched mesmerized as he reached for a lock of her hair, twining it around his finger. “So verra soft.”

Deirdre couldn’t breathe, as he let the curl unravel and cupped her face in his hands. “Ye confuse me. Ye torment me in my dreams,” he whispered against her cheek, sending a wave of pleasure down her spine.

Without thought, she groaned and leaned into him—his beard grazing her cheek. She no longer battled her mind for the man. “Kiss me, Angus.”

 Buy Links….

Amazon    Nook    Kobo     

The Wild Rose Press 

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Scottish paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return. 

Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn't until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling--writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories. You can find more information about Mary Morgan here:

WEBSITE    BLOG    Twitter 

Facebook    Goodreads 

Amazon Author Page 

Highland Games: a Research Opportunity

After writing several novellas that wove a tale around Scottish dragons,I wanted to use my love of modern Scottish Highland Games to weave tales using time travel and Highlanders. Since my family volunteers annually at the New Hampshire Highland Games, I filled notebook after notebook with my interpretation of the sights, smells, sounds, and history of the games. 

Research added to my list of possible story ideas. I have since completed six books set in both the fictional present-day New England Highland Games and 16th century Scotland. What do modern games have to do with a story of ancient Highlanders? Plenty, especially since I match heroines and heroes from different times.

Besides the costumes and weaponry people wear to these festivals, there are sports, food, craft displays, music, and vendors beneath tents selling everything under the sun. The aroma of meat pies mingles with the tang of fresh-squeezed lemonade. Sheep, herded by a border collie, run near tent-covered platforms where pretty girls dance a Highland fling. Bagpipers march while craftspeople spin wool or tell tales to kids, giving me dozens of ideas, which I carefully noted. 

The modern games are so much more than an athletic competition yet watching burly, kilt-wearing men tossing a tree called a ‘caber’ end-over-end is a favorite sight. 

Historically, the games were a way to hone skills. Coming together once or twice a year gave a community a sense of camaraderie during a time of upheaval in Scotland. Skill, stamina, and determination easily kept young Highlanders ready for war or any threat to their livestock…and women. Foot races kept messengers ready should they need to spread the word of a battle.  Even the simple tug-o-war kept a warrior’s body ready to answer the call to war. 

When my fascination with pirates entered my head, I created a female pirate plying the North Sea in a ship I named The Black Thistle. That story, released this year, is titled My Hunted Highlander. 

Book Blurb

Niall Sinclair wakes bound to the mast of a pirate ship. Hiding his identity, his reaction to their female captain makes him nearly forget his need to escape. Kidnapped from modern day New Hampshire, and now at the helm of a pirate ship in 1603 Scotland, Blair MacIan sees Niall as a chance to escape to her world. 

Buy Links:

Amazon   NOOK   

Smashwords    iBooks   

AllRomance   Amazon print

Barnes and Noble Print    

Kobo    Books-A-Million    

Book Depository                    

Powells Books