Dream Vacation…Writer’s Style by Melissa McClone

Dream Vacation…Writer’s Style by Melissa McClone

With three kids, pets, bills, and deadlines, the odds of me taking a luxurious vacation in a far off land (or winning the lottery so I could afford to do this) are slim-to-none. But that doesn’t stop me from daydreaming or adding exotic places to my bucket list. I won’t be tied down forever, right?

That bucket list provided me with the perfect place—Fiji—to research and plan a romantic vacation…for two of my characters who win a honeymoon trip complete with new wardrobes in my book THE HONEYMOON PRIZE!

I’d spent my honeymoon in Antiqua and Grenada so this brought back fond Caribbean memories, but I’d never been to the South Pacific so I watched scoured resort websites, read blogs, and scoured websites in order to create just the right locale for two friends to fall in love. Here’s my heroine Addie’s first impression of the place from the air:

The seaplane made a pass around Starfish Island, giving her a bird’s eye view of her vacation home for the next ten days. She stared in wonder at the gorgeous sights below: white beaches, several hidden among rocky coves, lush greenery and rolling hills on the island’s interior and clear, blue water all around. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. I need to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

I may have gone overboard in the research, but it was so fun reading about various resort amenities from paddle-boarding to couple massages. I also ended up with a secondary character when I read about Bure Mamas who see to guests needs. Meet Mama Lani:

A large woman wearing a long blue dress greeted them outside their bure, a thatched roof cottage surrounded by palm trees and sand. “Welcome, welcome. I am Lani, your bure Mama. Call me Mama Lani. I will see to all your needs while you are on Starfish Island. You will have the most romantic honeymoon ever.”

Mama Lani took care of my couple in typical ways, but also dispensed no-nonsense advice and shared her wisdom.  

Of course, not everything is as perfect as the honeymoon couple imagined. There are strings attached to their prize. Of course, neither read the fine print when they signed the entry forms. Oops! But sometimes the best things that happen on vacation are unexpected.

He needed a wife.

She needed a home.

A completely platonic arrangement.

When sexy, single bodyguard Nick Cahill and his childhood friend, sweet and jobless Adelaide Sinclair, agree on a marriage solely for convenience, they have no idea what's in store. Winning an unexpected dream honeymoon turns into a nightmare when they find a reality TV crew waiting for them on the island paradise. With cameras rolling, filming their every move, the lines blur between fantasy and reality. Acting like passionate newlyweds wreaks havoc on their platonic agreement.  Will Nick and Addie succumb to their feelings off camera, turning their make-believe marriage into a real fairytale?

If you’d like to escape to Starfish Island with Addie and Nick, you can find The Honeymoon Prize at major eBook retailers:

Kindle: http://melissamcclone.com/THP_Kindle

iBooks: http://melissamcclone.com/THP_iBooks

Nook: http://melissamcclone.com/THP_NOOK

Kobo: http://melissamcclone.com/THP_Kobo

GooglePlay: http://melissamcclone.com/THP_GooglePlay

COMMENT & WIN!

 Do you have any dream vacation places you’d like to visit? Tell me and I’ll pick a winner from the comment section to receive a $5 Starbucks e-Card. 

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author, Melissa McClone has published over thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group and been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house.

 

Contact links:

Website: http://www.melissamcclone.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMcCloneBooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissamcclone

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/melissamcclone/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/292027.Melissa_McClone

 

Search for Love Series: The Wedding Promise - now available

Release Party: The Night by N.R. Larry

Release Party "the night" by n.r. larry

  

Kinsley will do anything to forget she may have killed someone. No one knows more than Kinsley Lane that nothing good happens when the dead walk free. A year ago, she was possessed by a ghost and her life forever changed. Luckily, on this All Hallows’ Eve, the witches of Harker Heights have offered her protection from the dead spirits who will roam free. Mac Harker is appointed her guardian and everything goes smoothly, until a mysterious guy arrives on the grounds. One that only Kinsley can see. Mac is determined to protect her from Charming, leaving Kinsley torn between wanting his protection and the strong pull to a guy who won’t even tell her his real name. She must make a choice; the one she makes leads to the biggest heartbreak, and greatest love she’s ever known. All over the course of one night.

   

Excerpt: He opens his eyes and gazes up at me. Standing up, he holds his hands toward me. I place my hands in his and allow him to pull me to my feet. “You have the fire gift,” I say, looking down. He chuckles. “Yes.” His lips are close to my ear. My body goes rigid. “There has always been fire in me, Miss Lane.” “Kinsley.” I correct him again without looking up. “Yes, Kinsley.” He squeezes his hands around mine. “I need you to take off your clothes.” I snatch my hands away and gawk up at him. “‘Scuse me?” His eyes widen, as if he’s surprised by my reaction. God, don’t tell me he’s one of those hot, dense guys. I mean it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world… But it might be a pain in the ass if he’s a big talker. I wrap my arms around my chest. “Are you hitting on me?” There is a little bite in my voice. He stares at me for a few seconds then shakes his head. “Hitting on you?” A nice blush highlights his cheekbones. His very kissable cheekbones. But that isn’t the point.

 

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Paranormal Dark Fae Magic >Chasing Rabbits< is on sale for $0.99

On Sale Now ! 

$0.99 Until June 8th!

 

Alice was wrong – Wonderland wasn’t so wonderful after all.

Kat never expected to be back in her hometown, but when house sitting turns into a mad rabbit chase, Kat finds herself with a whole new set of problems.
A two-headed bird with a Game of Thrones obsession, a party full of tea addicts, and a Cheshire Cat who could seduce the pants off her grandma? And if the citizens weren’t bad enough their prince was off his rocker.

This wasn’t your run of the mill Wonderland. This was the Fae world, where rules are rules, and some things are exactly as they seem.

Purchase Links:

Amazon KU:

https://www.smarturl.it/ChasingRabbits16

About the author:

Erin Bedford is a new fantasy romance author, a computer programmer by day, and a hobby hoarder.
Creating fantastical worlds have always been a secret passion of hers and she couldn't imagine writing any story without some kind of lovey-dovey or smexy goodness in it.Social Media Links for Erin!
erin@erinbedford.com
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A New Release & Guest Post from C.M. Albert

 A New Release & Guest Post from C.M. Albert

Thanks so much for having me on your blog today! It’s been a whirlwind few months with my debut Kindle World novella, Faith in Love, that released March 2; my second book, Redd’s Descent, which released May 31; and my new Kindle World novella, Last Night in Laguna, coming out July 7. I feel like I’ve been on a non-stop roller coaster. But not a fancy new one that is a sleek and smooth ride, but rather one of the old wooden ones, that’s a little herky-jerky, gives you whiplash and neck strain on the turns, and leaves you breathless and exhilarated by the time you’re done.

I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

I’ve had readers and friends ask me along the way what my writing process looks like and how I plot out my books, how far in advance I write them, and how I’m getting them out so quickly. Because I’ve been talking about writing a novel my entire life, and then wham! I came in like a wrecking ball…(ha!)

As far as plotting out my books, I have a dirty little secret…I’m a panster. Usually when I start writing a book, I have a general theme, idea, trope, or character already in my head that flicks on the light bulb and gets the creative juices flowing. Once I get a bone to chew, I let that start driving the story. For me, characters and dialogue are my strength, so I usually just put them in a room together and let them start interacting. I may not use everything 100% how I first start writing it—it’s like character creative brainstorming—but it gets me started along the path. 

And here’s the thing: I let the characters DRIVE the plot. Yes, I let the voices in my head direct a majority of the story. I imagine the characters throwing lumps of clay onto a pottery spinning wheel, and I’m the artist, molding what comes to life with my hands. It’s a beautiful symbiosis and works well for me (I think).

It usually takes me a few months to write a novella. A full-length might take a few months longer, and I suspect the majority of that work will be in the details and weaving in consistency and plot points along the way to bring it all together. These first three books of mine were all novella | short-novel length, all coming in around 40-50K words. And, to be honest, I had Redd’s Descent written two years ago, lost it in a computer crash, it was resurrected from the matrix, and I was able to finish it and squeeze in its release this spring, finally seeing my dark beauty come to life! But usually my release dates will NOT be every two months, I can guarantee that. I have two small kids. I still can’t pee uninterrupted, let alone pop out books this fast. 

But I look forward to sharing a small snippet from Redd’s Descent below. I’m most active on Facebook, so pop on over to my author page to stay up to date on Last Night in Laguna’s release, to talk books, and for awesome prize giveaways. I love sharing books and my love of reading, so I’m constantly giving books away!

Thanks so much for having me, Stacy! 

REDD’S DESCENT: a twisted retelling of Little Red Riding Hood

Book 1 of The Dark Woods Series ~ the dark fairy tales your mother never told you about
Genre: Dark fairy tale, paranormal/shifter, Gothic, Gaelic, for 18+ due to mild violence and explicit risqué adult content

SHORT EXCERPT

It felt as if his fist had connected with steel, his hand hurting far worse than he’d care to admit. While he broke skin on the wolf’s lip, she simply licked it, growling with pleasure.

                 “Are ye done yet?”

                Redd inhaled sharply, fear racing through his veins like ice. For the first time in his life, he felt powerless.

                “If yer gonna know me carnally, then ye can at least call me by my name, creature.”

                She let her head fall back, her chest leaning forward as her hands ran slowly down her sensuous curves, her laughter turning into moans.

                “What does that sweet wife of yers call ye while yer thrusting between her legs like a human?” she said, mocking their union.

                “Redd. My name is Redd Kearney,” he growled at her. “What do yer people call ye? Yer Royal Bitch?”

                “Close. They call me Mac Tíre. Ye may call me Mac when ye are screaming with pleasure for me.”

                “You’ll nay hear yer name from these lips then, wolf.”

Purchase it on Amazon!

 

Find more of C.M. Albert 

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Don't Know Jack by Amy Manemann

Don't Know Jack

by Amy Manemann

Special Agent Jack Hamlin is a man who lives by a code. Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity. Three words symbolizing the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and three words hardwired in Jack’s indelible brain. Jack’s a doer and a risk taker who isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes in the field to bring criminals to justice. That is until his latest assignment brings him face to face with Kate Monroe. One look into her mesmerizing green eyes and Jack has a hard time determining if he’d rather interrogate the beautiful redhead, or take her to bed first.

After Kate Monroe’s silent partner cleans out their business account and disappears in the middle of the night, she’s left to pick up the pieces and fend off the vultures circling her front door, including a baking conglomerate determined to buy Kate’s prized, award winning recipe at all cost. When hunky newcomer Jack Hamlin moves into town, Kate’s life becomes even more complicated by a dimpled grin that sends her heart into overdrive. Jack’s too hot for words, but the timing of his appearance drives Kate’s suspicions that he’s there for more than just putting down roots.

Danger, white hot romance, and stress baking ensue as Kate is swept into Jack’s dangerous world—and Jack's loyalties and training are put to the test when his cover is blown, and Kate’s life is on the line. With Kate caught in the crossfire, it would seem the masterminds are one step ahead of the game. But when push comes to shove, if they think this special agent is down and out, then they don’t know jack.

***Authors Note: This book contains sexual content and is not appropriate for readers under 18 years of age.

About the Author

Amy Manemann is an International Best Selling Author. She writes sexy and intriguing romantic suspense, contemporary romance, young adult paranormal romance, and dabbles in children's books. She resides in her hometown along the Mississippi river with her husband and their two children. When she isn't plotting her next book, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and diving into a good book.

How to Find out More:

Blog: www.amymanemann.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://bit.ly/1SxCtVl

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1ZEZy6g

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/VPHkFG

To Purchase Don't Know Jack

Amazon

 

B&N: http://bit.ly/1hIxgnD

J.A. Belfield's Latest Paranormal Romance: Cornered

The Latest by J.A. Belfield

 

Daniel Larsen is playing a dangerous game, and he doesn’t even know it.

 A two-wheeled speedster. A little redhead in a bar. Evenings spent away from his pack. Innocent enough for most, but for Danny, the combination leads down a path of destruction and straight to a hell he doesn’t even see coming.

Entangled in a nightmare that started with his own brother and the cat he brought into their home, Dan’s driving himself toward a solitary existence—except for the curvaceous Olivia Fanella. Seduced by his new companion, and happy to ignore the divide growing between himself and the pack, Danny is oblivious to the trap being laid out for him.

Before long, Danny’s integrity gets questioned. His loyalty gets questioned. Hell, he even questions himself.

On top of that, just when he believes life might be going a little better, he gets served the roughest shot he could never have imagined—not even in his worst nightmares—and Danny has no idea how to come back from a hit like that.

**Cornered contains scenes that some readers might find upsetting**

CORNERED is Now Available!

"the most spectacular sex scene I've ever read! And I mean ever!" ~ Maghon, Happy Tails & Tales

Meet Daniel Larsen and fall in love a little!

Amazon UK | Amazon US | iTunes | Barnes&Noble

Add CORNERED to your Goodreads.

Other titles by J.A. Belfield:

GIVEAWAY!

1 winner will win the Holloway Pack!

Titles included: Darkness & Light, Blue Moon, Resonance, Caged & Unnatural.

On Darkness & Light:

If I did not have to eat or sleep I would have read in one seating.

On Blue Moon:

Once again, J.A. Belfield has blown me away!

On Resonance:

Resonance is the WAY TO SHORT, heart breaking, hungering, pulse fastening, amazing, loving, tear jerking […], fairytale ending, plot twisting, novella to keeps us […] satisfied until Caged gets published.

On Caged:

CAGED is more than just a pretty cover—this book tastes as good as it looks!

On Unnatural:

This book will knock your socks off.

For your chance to win all of these titles in ebook, simply fill in the Rafflecopter!

ENTER HERE!

 About the author:

Best known for her Holloway Pack Stories, J. A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with her husband, two children, two dogs she treats like babies, and a cat that drives her nuts. She writes paranormal romance, with a second love for urban fantasy.
Find her here:
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