April 2015

Contemporary | Erotic | Historical | Inspirational | Paranormal | Romantic Suspense | Urban Fantasy | YA | NA
April 2015
RomCon 2015
Schedule
An interview with
LUCY
MONROE
RomCon 2015 Promoting Authors:
Dianna Love
Michelle Howard
Diane J. Reed
Silk Jones
JS Scott
Sandra Kerns
Cynthia Woolf
Marsha R. West
...and more!
RomCon® 2015 | Interviews | Articles | Excerpts | Reader Recommendations | Top Rated Books
APRIL 2015
26
ISSUE #6
Cover Spotlight:
CONTEMPORARY AUTHOR
LUCY MONROE
An interview with the author,
plus an excerpt from her latest book, Wild Heat
Genre Spotlights & Book Excerpts:
10
SCI-FI:
MICHELLE HOWARD
36
Cora
Torkel’s Chosen
14
PARANORMAL:
DIANE J. REED
52
Twixt
22
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
SANDRA KERNS
Harlan’s interview plus an excerpt from Harlan’s Haven.
EROTIC ROMANCE:
SILK JONES
54
CONTEMPORARY:
J.S. SCOTT
Mine For Tonight
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
DIANNA LOVE
Stolen Vengeance
The Interview
30
HISTORICAL:
CYNTHIA WOOLF
58
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
MARSHA R. WEST
An author interview plus an excerpt
from Second Act.
RomCon 2015:
16
32
38
2
ROMCON READER WEEKEND/UNIVERSITY EVENTS/WORKSHOPS
READER LUNCHEON 411
ATTENDING AUTHOR LIST
www.romcon.com
APRIL 2015
AMAZING BOOKS FEATURED
IN THIS ISSUE!
APRIL 2015
www.romcon.com
3
Editor’s Note
From the Desk of Michele Callahan
R
omCon had a lot of exciting things on the horizon. If you haven’t
visited the website lately, you’ll find a brand new romance
feature section featuring wonderful excerpts, interviews and
features taken from our RomCon Reader emagazine. The final round
of Readers’ Crown judging is underway with the final hundred books
receiving their score from dedicated reader judges. And we are gearing
up for RomCon Reader Weekend and RomCon Writer’s University
with a great line-up of fabulous author hosts who are bringing new and
exciting energy to our game plan for the weekend. New authors means
new ideas and new games.You won’t want to miss a single moment.
And if you’re a writer, or thinking about becoming one, we’ve got another
fabulous line up for our second annual Writer’s University schedule.
From Smashwords insider Jim Azevedo, to NYT Bestselling Indie authors
willing to share their tips and tricks, the weekend promised to be a
can’t-miss-it event.
If you haven’t already registered, why not? Give yourself a gift for spring
and reserve your seat today. I look forward to seeing you there.
Happy Reading!
Hugs and Happy New Year!
Michele Callahan
Michele Callahan is a certifiably obsessed romance fan, an author, and the
founder and President of RomCon®.To find out more about Michele and
her books visit her website: michelecallahan.com.
RomCon® & The Readers’ Crown®
are registered service marks of
Romance Conventions Inc.,
992 S. 4th Ave Ste. 100-422,
Brighton, CO 80601
CORPORATE OFFICERS:
Founder & President: Michele Callahan
Vice President: Jennifer Zane
RomCon® STAFF & VOLUNTEERS:
Websites and Social Media:
Blog Scheduling: Karen Docter
Advertising: Heather Cole
Book Cover Store: Heather Cole
Stock Photography: Jennifer Zane
Graphic Design:
Tabatha Hansen, Jennifer Zane
Content Editor: Michele Callahan
Social Media Coordinator: Lori Kander
Erotic Romance Group: Heather Cole
Readers’ Crown:
heather@romconinc.com
Reader Judges: 500+ and counting
Elite Level Reader Judges:
In no particular order - (Thank you!)
Amy M., Janon S., Candace C., Debbie S., Lori
Y., Lorie K., Jessica D., Rebecca C., Pua T., Elaine
B., Toni L., Pat R., Jan K., Dottie A., Christina M.,
Anita M., Laura Y., Amy W., Sheila H., Wendy P.
RomCon® 2015 Reader Weekend &
Writer’s University - Convention
Convention Director: Michele Callahan
Programs and Author Liaison: Karen Docter
Programs: Maggie Mae Gallagher,
Cynthia Woolf
Registration and Staff: Michele Callahan
Advertising:
RomCon Reader eMagazine:
Ciick here.
RomCon Website:
Click here.
Questions: heather@romconinc.com
4
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APRIL 2015
BUY NOW!
EROTIC ROMANCE:
VANESSA VALE
THE COWBOY
CLICK HERE.
For Emily Winston, leaving her old life as her aunt’s ward to become a male order bride in Montana constitutes a much-needed
fresh start. But among the baggage she’s hauling on her way to
meet her new husband is a dark secret.The aunt who raised Emily also ran a brothel, and the young woman’s sexual knowledge
and exploration at her own hands has left her something other
than a typical virgin.
Wyatt Blake is a successful rancher in need of a wife, but his
desire for someone other than the prim, obedient women of his
territory has led him to select a made-to-order bride. Emily is
everything he could ask for in bed, but when her secrets start
to unravel, the handsome dominant employs the use of hard
spankings to extract the truth of Emily’s past. Will her guilt and
shame mar a budding relationship further complicated by Emily’s
willfulness and lack of domestic skills? Or will Wyatt Blake’s firm
hand and sexual domination force Emily to accept her place at
the side of a man who knows exactly what he wants?
PARANORMAL:
MICHELE CALLAHAN
CHIMERA’S KISS
Prepared to lie, cheat death, and steal the unimaginable power
of an alien male who claims he was sent to save her, Haley is
drawn into a dangerous world she never imagined existed, but
she refuses to be a pawn in an alien war. She will stop at nothing
to save her cousin and give her Marked Mate exactly what he
needs...freedom. She’s a Timewalker, after all. It should be a
simple thing to travel back in time to prevent her cousin’s death,
even if that means the scarred warrior she’s grown to love won’t
remember her at all.
But in love, and in war, nothing ever goes according to plan...
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6
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APRIL 2015
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE:
KL DOCTER
KILLING SECRETS
BUY NOW!
CLICK HERE.
Some secrets are better left dead.
Rachel James’ ex-husband is released from prison determined to
reclaim her and her little girl — the child is his key to controlling
the James fortune. Frightened, Rachel flees to Denver with the
child who hasn’t uttered a word since her daddy went to prison.
Contractor Patrick Thorne wants nothing to do with another of
his parents’ charity cases. He failed his own wife so abysmally she
took her own life as well as his unborn son’s. After two years, it’s
time to concentrate on the bid he’s won and the saboteur trying
to destroy his construction firm.
There is no room for trust in either of their hearts. But trust is
all that will untangle the secrets that dominate their lives, free a
little girl of her silent prison, and save them all from a serial killer
who stands too close.
CONTEMPORARY:
JENNIFER ZANE
HOME SWEET GNOME
Daphne Lane has a life. As a travel journalist, she travels the
world. Sure, she’s lonely and has no real home. She also has a
crazy Aunt Velma. Raised by the woman who defined mischief
and mayhem, Daphne uses her career to put distance between
them. After spending a week back in Montana for the woman’s
birthday, Daphne is ready to escape to her next assignment. Fate
has other plans in the form of JT McCade, a hot detective with
a sensitive trigger finger. JT McCade is ready to settle down, find
a nice, normal woman, get a dog. The whole white picket fence
fantasy. When he pulls Daphne over for speeding, not only does
he blow her chance to make her next writing assignment, but he
ruins his vacation. Now they’re forced to road trip across the
west together in a vintage RV. Alone wouldn’t have been too bad,
but add in Aunt Velma, Goldie, the meddler, and their crazy friend
Esther Millhouse makes it an adventure. Can the two survive
three geriatric women, a feral cat, a flying gnome, a mistaken
identity as a porn star and other twists of fate or will they fall
victim to the insanity?
BUY NOW!
CLICK HERE.
APRIL 2015
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7
Sci-Fi & Urban Fantasy
Sci-Fi
&
Urban Fantasy
APRIL 2015
www.romcon.com
9
Sci-Fi & Urban Fantasy
MICHELLE HOWARD
TORKEL’S CHOSEN EXCERPT
“
Nice to meet you, Faye. Have you decided where
you’re going?”
Faye froze. Lindsey meanwhile dug through her
navy duffle and pulled out a handful of colorful papers
and brochures.
Faye cleared her throat. Her packet was stuffed inside
her suitcase. She’d planned to review the information
in her cabin.
Lindsey jammed papers in her face. “I’ve narrowed
my choices down to three planets.”
Faye took the papers and stared at Lindsey’s blue
eyes. “I thought we had the whole trip to decide.” It
would take at least a week to reach the first planet on
the list for the women making the SP trip.
“Sure,” Lindsey replied with a casual shrug. “If you
don’t care where you’re going. Otherwise you might
get stuck on Ontar Z.”
Was that bad? “I thought most of the planets in SP
were compatible with humans.”
Lindsey curled her lip and offered Faye a stick of
gum. Faye waved it away.
“Well, yeah. Compatible is as compatible does.”
She scrimmaged through her duffle and pulled out a
wrinkled paper. “Ontar Z.”
Faye glanced over and blanched at the seven foot
hairy giant on the cover. He reminded her of those
history texts with images of cavemen.
“Now him,” Lindsey continued. “I’m not interested
in.”
Faye let loose a nervous chuckle. She couldn’t help it.
“I’m not either.” She reached back for the other papers
Lindsey had given her. Maybe she should have started
her selection sooner. She’d been too overwhelmed and
relieved to get accepted. “Why these three?”
Lindsey leaned over, hitting Faye with a hint of
cinnamon from the gum she chewed. “Langhorn.” She
tapped the top page. “Men are highly sexual and very
fertile. Average families run up toward seven kids per
couple.”
Faye flinched. “Seven kids.”
Lindsey snickered. “I know, right. But I chatted in a
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APRIL 2015
couple of forums and the women are pleased with their
lives.They don’t have to work and the men adore them.
They just don’t believe in birth control on Langhorn if
you decide to go there.”
“Hmm.” Faye set the paper on the side, not quite
sure she was ready for more kids than she could carry
in her two arms.
“Ooohhhhh, this is my top choice.” Lindsey fanned
her self and pretended to swoon.
Faye’s mouth curved up at the display. Lindsey
couldn’t be more than twenty-one. Her enthusiasm
and attitude were irresistible. It had been a long time
since Faye had talked to another woman in such an easy
manner. Most women since the epidemic had become
cruel and malicious. Sadly, the scarcity of men fanned
the competition in every of life.
“Why is…” she struggled over the name. “Garulax
your favorite?”
“Menage,” Lindsey sighed. “On Garulax every
woman is shared by two husbands. Can you imagine?
Two men devoted to your happiness.”
Faye quickly set the brochure of the orange planet
to the side. She needed to handle one man, not two.
The last paper displayed a purple world with blue
skies and two moons. When Faye flipped it open, there
were muscled-bound, shirtless men in leather. Long
hair, short hair, some holding swords, others flexing
fists. Her breath caught on the words in quote. ‘Every
woman will be honored and loved by her Chosen.’
“This one looks good.” Faye could see why Lindsey
added it. Enotia
“Maybe.” Lindsey reached for the paper and tapped
her glitter-covered nail on the small print. “You have to
go through an auction or something silly. The men line
up and the women have to pick which one they want
for a husband. No meet and greet or anything. Plus,
what if someone picks the guy you’re eyeing.”
Interesting. “Well why is it in your good stack?”
Lindsey chuckled. “Duh…did you see what the guys
looked like?”
They both laughed because the men were hot.
“I think I’m going to Garulax. You should pick early
too so you don’t get stuck with just any world. I hear
Sci-Fi & Urban Fantasy
they fill up fast because they include women from
other worlds too in the Singles Program.”
Faye straightened. “How do I do that?”
“As soon as you get to your cabin, log in with the
password in your packet and pick your planet. It’s best
to get it out of the way.”
“Thanks.”
Lindsey leaned over and hugged Faye. “We women
from Earth have to stick together right?”
“Absolutely.” Faye didn’t have any girlfriends.
Despite her age and curves women considered her a
threat. On Earth, every woman was a threat.
What would you do if Earth didn’t have enough
men?
Would you take a chance and leave the only
world you knew behind?
This is the decision Faith Reid faces. Placing all her hope
in a new government program, she seizes the opportunity
that offers a chance for the women of Earth to find love
among the stars, on a world beyond the one they know.
How many times can one man risk rejection?
Would you give up on your dreams?
Torkel Alonson has had enough of being ignored and looked
over by females on his adopted home world of Enotia. His
pride has suffered and he must accept the painful truth.
Females will never choose a male with his evil lineage
despite his honorable service to his government’s military.
Can two people looking for the same thing find
not just what they want but what they need in
one another?
BUY NOW!
CLICK HERE.
APRIL 2015
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11
PARANORMAL
PARANORMAL
APRIL 2015
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13
PARANORMAL
DIANE J. REED
I
n this “First Encounter” excerpt from my paranormal
romance Twixt, the main character Rose meets
Chance for the first time in a dream—a man who’s
been her soul guardian for centuries—with fiery
consequences:
“Welcome
back,”
he said, striding toward
her from the shore. His
voice was like the roll of
the ocean, tinged with a
smoky resonance. When
he stepped closer, Rose
realized his eyes were a
dusky brown, nearly as
black as a raven’s. And
there was a deep scar
that sliced across his
nose. As he drew near,
she noticed he smelled
of turf fire and wild
grass. She inhaled the
soft aroma like a fresh
fragrance offered by the
breeze.
He gazed at her with
traces of intrigue in his
eyes, the way people do
who harbor a secret.
Yet something in his
expression
appeared
wise, as if he’d witnessed
the ebb and flow of life, an
eternal restless churning,
as constant as the waves
of the sea. How long has
he lingered at this shore,
waiting for me? Rose wondered. A shiver ran down her
spine. Something in her soul whispered, Beyond time.
“You know me,” he nodded. Rose could’ve sworn his
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APRIL 2015
voice pulsed down to her veins. “I am as close to you as
your own shadow.”
He paused and gazed at a ring of silhouettes cast
on the sand by the clouds. Then he stared at her with
such piercing sadness and
dignity—two
qualities
she’d never before seen in
a man. The wind swelled
again and he leaned his
head back as if listening.
Rose
studied
his
face—the
roughcast
cheekbones, eyes as dark
as burnished ebony, but
lips surprisingly tender.
And then there was
that scar, a mysterious
emblem that spoke of
a story—perhaps even
a battle—which she
wondered if she would
ever know. Rose couldn’t
tell why, but she had the
most irresistible urge
to touch him. I’m only
dreaming, she thought
with a whimsical smile,
I can do whatever I like!
She reached up her
finger to caress the scar
across his nose, watching
his thick eyelashes dip
in surrender, trembling,
as if he cherished her
touch. Yet he kept his
spine rod-straight and
his wide shoulders as
stiff as compressed coils, like a soldier prepared at any
moment to strike. Rose lifted her chin to admire his
lean, muscular frame, and she ran her hand down a
PARANORMAL
strand of his long hair. The color was lush and dark,
yet it felt brittle, as though it had seen months or even
years of sun and wind.
All of a sudden, the man wrapped his big arms
around her with a force that rocked her to her bones,
enveloping her in a wild, reckless kiss. His breath warmed
her cheeks, her chin, her temples as his lips searched
every facet of her face until her soul began to lift. Inside,
she was flying—soaring so free her body felt weightless.
Yet strangely, she felt her boundaries begin to waver,
as though a fire had ignited within her. For a moment,
while his warm lips pursued hers, she wondered if the
two of them had somehow blended into the morning
sun.The feeling was so strong that when he pulled away,
gasping, she was surprised to see their feet were still
planted on the beach.
Suddenly, he seized her by the shoulders.
“Oh Rose, don’t you understand?” His moist breath
caressed her face even as the strength in his hands made
her quiver. “You did conjure love! I don’t know how, but
you brought up the past and the future all at once.” He
reached up to touch her cheek. His fingers felt rough
but strong, trembling in restraint as they swept over
her skin.
The man spotted a raven’s shadow hovering on the
sand. He quickly took her hand as though time might be
slipping away.
“Don’t you see?” he said, pointing to a pattern in the
clouds that looked like a pair of wings. He appraised
her face again, studying the way the shifting pewter light
poured over her features and made her eyes gently
shimmer. “What if I told you I’ve watched over you for
centuries,” he said, “and I know your good heart?” His
voice resounded in her ears like a deep gust of wind.
“How could I help falling in love with you?” He curled
her fingers tightly into his as if he never intended to
let her go. A ring of leaves softly swirled at their feet,
rustling with auspicious whispers. “Oh Rose,” he sighed,
gazing into her eyes, “would you believe me if I told you
I’m a shadow that never leaves your side?” He shook
his head. “No matter what I say, you’d think I was crazy.”
The sun broke free from the clouds, and Rose
shuddered at the bright slices of light that cut across
the beach. She searched the man’s face, her mind filled
with a thousand questions. But when she opened her
mouth to speak, all that escaped was her breath.
“I’m mad, I know!” the man exclaimed, his eyes fixed
upon hers. “You think this is all a dream, right?” He
scooped up a palmful of sand and placed it in Rose’s
hands. It felt smooth as it filtered through her fingers.
“Does that feel like a dream?” he said. He quickly lifted
a seashell and thrust into in her palm. “And how about
that?” Grasping her fingers, he ran them over a curve
in the smooth shell. Rose stared at its pink swirls, when
he abruptly clutched her shoulders. “Does THIS?” he
said, wrapping his arms around her for another deep
kiss.
Rose felt her whole being surrender, as if she’d
fallen into a pool of light—and again, that weightless
sensation, as though time itself had ceased to register. In
that moment, she could no longer feel the edges of her
skin, hair, or bones. She could’ve sworn that she and this
man had merged into one soul. She almost expected
them to melt into the sunlit sky, simply evaporate, like
so many dancing particles in air . . .
BUY NOW!
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APRIL 2015
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15
RomCon 2015 Events/Workshops
September 25-27, 2015 | Denver, CO
Editing With Purpose with Meg Jacobs
Aspiring and new authors will learn what it means to “Trim the Fat” from the initial drafts. Authors will learn the importance
of the editing process and letting it go to outside editors in order to make it the best manuscript possible.
Feel The Fight Scene with Thomas Casale
An daytime two hour event! Join 7th degree black belt Thomas Casale who will share insights into the internal thoughts and
feelings of winners & losers, aggressors & victims, the mechanics of escalation of daily street violence & actual mortal combat.
A fun, NO contact event!
Exclusive Wine Tasting Adventure – Join your event host authors Suza Kates & Misha McKenzie
from Icasm Press on a field trip to a local Colorado winery for a night of wine, cheese, and good company.
DPI Is Not A Secret Government Agency! with David Gregg
Enhance working with graphics designers and other media. Focusing on: Basic formats, specifications (Web, Print) and terms.
Branding and the Author with Maggie Mae Gallagher and Barbara Vey
It’s important to look your best--even authors. Identify how to create your personal brand with tools to build it through a
combination of traditional publicity, online publicity, and social media marketing.
Taxes For The Author with Margaret Taylor
This workshop will give an overview of Taxes as they relate to Authors.
Fast Talk - Have you ever played the game Catchphrase™? We’ve modified the game for a hilarious reader/author shared
event. (Event Chair Kristen Painter)
Show vs. Tell and Deepen POV with Gina Ardito
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll employ techniques used by some of the world’s greatest actors and actresses, to really know
our characters, enhancing show vs. tell, and deepening point-of-view.
Word Hot Potato – Readers and Authors will play a modified version of the age old classic Hot Potato, but the game
won’t hinge on a musical timer, but on the magical power of words.
Co-Writing In’s and Out’s with Yelena Casale and Tina Moss
Co-writing can be a tempting idea for both newbie and seasoned writers. The reasons are wide and varied – from dipping
one’s toes into the writing world with a partner by their side, to putting two great minds together to see what may come of it,
to just exploring a different facet of the writing experience.
S. E. Smith & Eve Langlais host Puzzle Mania – Join a group of fun-loving authors and take the puzzle
challenges. Race to be the first to finish!
Sweet & Sassy Bingo – Not a fan of the racy, erotic evening events? This year we’re also offering a something on the
sweeter side. Join sweet and Inspiration authors as they host a evening of fun, games and bingo – on the sweeter side of things.
*All workshops are subject to change without notice at any time.
Introduction to e-Book Self Publishing
with Smashwords
A discussion of trends that are impacting the publishing industry.
Q&A/Writing a Series with Jodi Thomas
Everything You Want To Know About Indie Publishing-If You’re Not Afraid to Ask
Join Kallypso Masters, Liliana Hart, JM Madden, Red Phoenix and Debra Holland
for an hour of ‘how did they do it?’
Chat Panels – Multiple chat panels where you can hear from your
favorite bestselling authors.
Bad Boy Roulette - (Chair Diane Reed) Join a host of fantastic authors as they
tempt you to gamble on their heroes in a game of Bad Boy Roulette
Agents of Doom (Chair Maggie Mae Gallagher) – Do you love the post apocalyptic
scenario? This game is for you! Choose a superpower and choose a side. It’s war, and you’re in
the middle of the action. (Hosted by Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Paranormal authors)
Pictionary™ Style Reader Event – It’s BACK! We get loud and crazy, but screaming out the
answer it what makes it fun. Authors and readers will divide into teams and compete for prizes.
Speed Date An Author – Want to meet them all? We’re hosting a special Speed Dating session where you’ll have
two minutes of face time with every author at RomCon!
Stick Horses In Pants Improv Troupe returns for another crazy and hysterical Comedy Hour! We promise,
you’ll laugh until it hurts.
Friday Night Fun! A Bachelorette Party! – Our annual event will return with new naughty games, new
desserts, and new authors. Don’t miss it.
Reader Appreciation Luncheon – Reserve your seat at your favorite author’s table today!
HUGE AUTHOR SIGNING! Two hours. All the authors. All the readers. Bring your books. (Open to the public!)
Wild West Cowboy Party – Throw on your hat and boots! Learn how to line dance with our line dance instructor,
get your photo taken with a cowboy, or just have fun with friends. We’re throwing a cowboy party, and we hope you can
make it.
Reader Round Table and Book giveaway! – Sunday morning we’re bringing in an all new special host to
get things started. Authors might be lining the walls to hear what you have to say. Reader led, reader focused, and reader
specific, don’t miss this opportunity to let the authors and fellow readers know what you love, hate, and want more of in
your books – and take some new ones home!
REGISTER NOW!
Erotic
Erotic
APRIL 2015
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21
Erotic
Erotic
Silk Jones
THE INTERVIEW: LAW FIRM EROTICA
BOOK I
L
aura smoothed her jacket and stepped carefully
through the door into the offices of Dunbar and
Associates in her four inch platform pumps.
It looked like the reception area of any other law
firm to her. The receptionist
manning the sleek black desk,
however, could have been a
model. Her ash blonde hair fell
in thick luscious waves to her
shoulders and were set off by
high cheekbones and magnificent
green eyes. Even though she was
seated, Laura could see she had
a slim, elegant build molded
beautifully in a body skimming
red dress.
She thought about her own
too generous curves threatening
to spill out of the black form
fitting jacket and pencil skirt
and wondered if she should
have worn something else. Like
what? What did one wear to an
interview for a submissive legal
assistant position?
Lingerie?
She almost giggled.
The receptionist looked up
and flashed a friendly smile. “May
I help you?”
Laura cleared her throat.“Yes.
My name is Laura Hobbs. I have
a 10:30 appointment with Mr. Dunbar.”
“Just a moment.” The receptionist clicked a few
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buttons. “Sir,” she said after a moment. “There’s a Ms.
Laura Hobbs here to see you.” She paused. “Yes, Sir.”
She tapped her earpiece and looked up at Laura.“You’re
to have a seat. He’ll be right with you.” She gestured to
the seating area across the room.
Laura chose a stiff backed leather chair. She crossed
her legs and admired her
patterned stockings.They were
actual stockings with a garter
belt and all -- not the pantyhose
she normally wore. They made
her feel a little naughty.
After she and her boss had
been laid off from the law firm
at which she had worked for
the past ten years, she’d found
herself at loose ends.The firm’s
generous severance package
afforded her the opportunity
to take a little time before
looking for another job. She’d
used that time to take a good
hard look at her life such as
it was. The long hours at the
firm and the night classes she
took at a local college towards
her accounting degree had left
little time for a social life. She
hadn’t gone out on a date in
over a year. She hadn’t seen the
point. The guys she met were
just boring. Where were the
real men?
The last guy she dated had taken forever to kiss
her. Three dates in fact. When he finally did, it was
Erotic
pathetically awkward and tentative. He’d even asked
permission first.What a turn-off.That was the last time
she went out with him.
She liked alpha men who took charge -- especially
in bed. She wanted to be swept off her feet. Screwed
senseless. Overwhelmed. That’s how she’d wound up
here -- in the reception area of Dunbar and Associates.
She’d spent a lot of her free time catching up on her
reading. She’d always enjoyed reading erotica and now
it was readily available for her to download. She read
a series detailing a young submissive’s training exploits
that had intrigued her. Hell, the book had more than
intrigued her. It made her hot. So hot she’d gone online
and researched B.D.S.M. The more she had researched,
the more intrigued she had become.
She’d always enjoyed dominant lovers who took
what they wanted once they had her general consent.
She’d even enjoyed being tied up and blindfolded. Did
that make her a submissive?
During the course of her research, she’d run across
an ad for a submissive legal assistant on a B.D.S.M.
website. It had taken her by surprise. She’d never
known such positions existed. She’d wondered what
sort of duties the position entailed. Fantasizing about
the possibilities had titillated her.
The ad didn’t go into much detail. It just said that
the dominant head of a downtown law firm sought
an experienced submissive legal secretary. After much
internal debate, curiosity caused her to apply online. She
followed the instructions to upload a full body photo
and her resume and had received a call the very next
day from the human resources manager to schedule an
interview.The woman had been all business.They could
have been discussing a position at any law firm.
She’d pulled up the law firm’s website and searched
the Internet for pictures of and information about the
head of the law firm -- Philip Dunbar. His picture on
the firm’s website depicted a ruggedly handsome man
with dark hair, a strong jaw, a serious smile and power
radiating from his dark eyes. Just looking at the picture
caused a response deep in the pit of her stomach. She’d
spent the last few days and nights fantasizing about
what it would be like to work under him in every sense
of the word. To be at his mercy.
What would the interview be like? Would he ask
her questions and then send her on her way? Would
he test her in some way? Her mouth went bone dry at
the thought. She licked her lips. Maybe this wasn’t such
a good idea after all. She must have been out of her
mind to respond to an ad posted on a B.D.S.M. website.
For all she knew, it could be a hoax. Or worse, she
could be setting herself up to be raped. She had to get
out of here. She stood up, turned toward the reception
desk and stopped in her tracks. Phillip Dunbar stood
next to the desk, his arms crossed, watching her.
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APRIL 2015
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23
CONTEMPORARY
CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary
APRIL 2015
MAY/JUNE
2014
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25
LUCY
CONTEMPORARY
An Interview with
Q: Your new series, Northern Fire, takes
place in a small Alaskan town. Exactly how
small is it?
A: Cailkirn is pretty dang small, but the unique population is anything but boring. Situated near Anchorage
on the Kenai Peninsula, Cailkirn is the sunniest city in
Alaska, if not the warmest. Of the 2,127 inhabitants,
there are descendants of the Innuit, Russian fur traders,
Scottish immigrants and gold miners of the 1890s.
Q: What is the series about?
A: Each of the books will be a steamy stand-alone romance set in community of Cailkirn, peopled with both
new characters and those introduced along the way.
Q: In a town so small, everyone must know
one another. Is there a lot of drama in
Cailkrin?
A: Passions defiantly run hot here (both in and out of
the bedroom), but it’s easy to understand why. With
typical Alaskan independence, the townspeople oversee their school system, as well as the local parks and
tourism. Some of the businesses are owned by out-oftowners and the natives will be sure and tell you just
which ones.
Q: What are the people like in Cailkirn?
A: This town is populated with strong alpha men looking for hot sex and in need of true love. Most would
rather sleep in an ice cave than admit it though. As for
the women of Cailkirn, a few are seeking refuge in the
sparsely populated state, others were born in Cailkirn
and have chosen to stay, while some have even returned
home when life in the Lower 48 did not work out like
they’d expected it to.
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Y MONROE
CONTEMPORARY
CONTEMPORARY
h the USA Today Bestselling Author
Q: Can you tell us about the characters in
book #1, Wild Heat?
A: Although he’s now an ultra-sexy, athletic man, Taqukaq “Tack” MacKinnon grew up a chubby, uncoordinated boy who didn’t quite fit with either his mother’s
Innuit family or the MacKinnons.
His child-hood best friend, Kitty Grant, couldn’t have
been more different. A beautiful redhead with pretty blue eyes, she was beloved by her family and the
townsfolk alike.
Q: So it seems opposites attract.
A: Yes! As they grow older, Tack’s feelings for Kitty
change from friendship into something more, a combination of lust and tender feeling that overwhelm his
youthful heart. He dreams of marriage and babies with
the one girl who gets him, but Kitty has her eye on a
way out of their small Alaskan town and she plans to
take it.
Q: I can’t really blame Kitty for wanting to
explore outside of such a small town.
A: Tack can’t either. Though he has no desire to leave
Alaska, Tack goes south with Kitty to attend USC, sure
she’ll get her wanderlust out of her blood and return
to Cailkirn with him after they graduate.
Q: How did Tack enjoy California?
A: Well, he dislikes the constant warm weather and the
way he fits in worse with the beautiful people than
he did back home. In their junior year, she marries a
high-powered businessman and drops out of college.
Tack finishes his degree and then he goes home with
no intention of ever setting foot in the Lower 48 again.
Q: Do the two ever reconnect?
A: In time. It’s eight years later and Caitlin’s freshly divorced. She’s come home, her pretty blue eyes shadowed with pain, her body thinner than Tack can remember since their first year of high school. Her
effervescence is gone, but he knows the same woman
that broke his heart is still there somewhere inside.
Q: Good for her, does this mean rekindling
flames between her and Tack?
A: These two people need a little help from some wellmeaning meddlers to fall into bed...together. Even then,
though, their path isn’t a smooth one.
Kitty has to learn to love herself again before she can
give her heart to Tack and he has to unlock the fortress
he’s built around his own heart for that to happen.
Q: Can you tell us about some of the wellmeaning meddlers we will read about in the
Northern Fire series?
A: A trio of elderly sisters, the Grant sisters, oversees
much of what happens in the town. Its unofficial matchmakers often referred to as troublemakers. As they’re
fond of saying, “It takes babies to keep a town from going ghost and you don’t get those fishing on your boat.”
All of Cailkirn’s meddlers are in agreement about one
thing: the current generation needs to keep the under
eighteen population growing. And that means matchmaking.
Not that they need to do a lot. With six months of the
year spent in cold isolation, sex plays pretty heavily in
the townspeople’s thoughts and we all know sex can
lead to love...when we’re lucky.
APRIL 2015
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27
CONTEMPORARY
WILD HEAT
THE NORTHERN FIRE SERIES #1
S
haking his head, Tack climbed the front porch
steps. Form the way they squeaked, he decided
they could use a little maintenance as well. He
added that to his to-do list in his head. The sound of
all three sisters talking at once led him to the front
parlor, but his steps slowed as he heard another voice
mixed in.
Soft feminine tones he
would never forget still
echoed in whispers as
he woke from the kinds
of dreams men were
supposed to stop having
once they’d left their teen
years.
Kitty Grant was here.
Miss Elspeth had to
have known Kitty was
coming in today, but
she hadn’t said so. She’d
told him her niece was
coming home, but Tack
had thought that meant at
some point in the future.
Not today.
Not right this minute
when he wasn’t prepared
for or expecting it.
Nik’s words made
more sense now too. The
other man knew about
Tack’s history with Kitty,
so his words has been a
warning, but damned if
Tack hadn’t gotten it.
He considered turning
around and leaving, but
his feet just kept moving
forward as the sound of
her voice grew more and more discernable and had
its typical impact on his libido. It had been years, but
hearing her voice still turned him on faster than a
woman’s friendly hand on his thigh when he was in the
mood to scratch that itch.
His heart beating as fast as if he’d jogged a sevenmile trail uphill, he stopped in the open doorway to the
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APRIL 2015
parlor and got his first view of Kitty Grant.
All the air expelled from his lunges and he couldn’t
seem to suck any back in.
He’d expected Kitty to look emaciated; after the
research he’d done, he’d rehearsed in his mind how
he wouldn’t react outwardly to her appearance when
he finally saw her. He hadn’t prepared himself for the
woman who stood before him. No, she didn’t have the
same curvaceous allure she had six years ago, but even
from the back, Kitty was
still breath-stealing.
She was thin, but her
limbs didn’t have the fragile
skeletal appearance form
the previous winter that
had so concerned Miss
Elspeth, and her clothes
fit over obvious feminine
curves. Gratitude that he
hadn’t had to come face-toface with signs of her illness
gave him the wherewithal
to finally take in another
breath.
He didn’t ever have to
admit it to anyone else
(or acknowledge it to
himself again if he could
help it), but it would have
destroyed something inside
Tack to see her as sick as
Miss Elspeth said Ktity had
been.
The female form he had
always considered perfect
was encased in a pastel
pink suit that highlighted
her understated curves. No
doubt by some big-name
designer, the jacket had a
ruffle thing around her hips
that accented the gentle
slope of her ass. He liked it. The skirt hugged her hips,
its hem a few inches above her knees, giving him a view
of her toned legs.
Her heels had to be at least three inches high. They
looked neither comfortable nor suitable for life in
Cailkrin, Alaska. But hell if they didn’t make her calves
look delicious and spark his imagination about what
CONTEMPORARY
CONTEMPORARY
she’d look like from the back walking in them.
Undeniable arousal hit him hard and without
provocation. Worse than the sound of her voice, the
sight of her had him craving things he knew damn well
no good could come from wanting. Renewed sexual
attraction to the woman who’d decimated his heart
was not in Tack’s list of approved scenarios.
He once again considered turning around and leaving
before anyone noticed him. What were the chances
Miss Elspeth would remember inviting him to dinner?
Who was he kidding? That woman remembered
everything. Including how many times she’d changed
Tack’s diaper when he was a baby.
Besides, his feet weren’t listening to his brain. He’d
kept moving and now he stood right behind Kitty, her
subtle floral perfume mixing with her natural scent and
reaching out to tug at his senses.
The urge to touch her nearly overwhelmed him. He
had to squelch it, and fast.
“I would have expected you to arrive in a limo, Miss
Barston.” His words acted like an anvil on the feminine
chatter.
Kitty’s back went rigid, her head jerking, like the
sound of his voice had shocked her even worse than
hearing hers had shocked him moments ago. There
went his chance of leaving undetected. Shit. Why hadn’t
he kept his mouth shut?
All three of the older women turned to face him
with varying expressions. Miss Elspeth glowed with
delight. Miz Moya’s eyes were suspiciously moist, her
smile a little wobbly. Miz Alma’s usual dour expression
was lightened enough for an almost smile to curve her
precisely painted lips.
Kitty turned too. Slowly, as if cautious about what
she was going to find. Her eyes locked with Tack’s, their
blue depths filled with a hell of a lot of emotion. None
of which he could, or wanted to, interpret.
Author Bio
Lucy Monroe
Contemporary Author
W
ith more than 6 million
copies of her books
in print, USA Today
bestseller Lucy Monroe has published
more than 50 books and had her
stories translated for sale in dozens
of countries. While she writes several
subgenres of romance (paranormal,
historical, single title and short
contemporary) for multiple publishers,
all of her books are sexy, emotional
and show that love will conquer all.
She’s a passionate devotee of romance
and shares her love for the genre with
her readers through her books and a
policy of open communication.
BUY NOW!
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29
CONTEMPORARY
J.S. SCOTT
EXCERPT FROM
MINE FOR
TONIGHT
Down on her luck, nursing
student
and
full-time
waitress Kara Foster gets a
massive blow to her already
desperate financial situation
that will surely find her living
on the streets.
S
Needing nothing less than a
miracle to save her, Kara gets
rescue from an unknown,
unlikely and overwhelming
source. Billionaire Simon
Hudson makes her an offer
that is impossible to refuse,
but terrifying to accept from
a man that she’s never
met. Will the handsome,
alpha billionaire really be a
solution to her problems, or
will he end up being a major
complication and a danger
to her emotional sanity?
Reclusive billionaire Simon
Hudson would rather be
behind a computer creating
computer games than
rubbing elbows with the
elite and he knows exactly what he wants…until he meets
Kara Foster. Something about Kara touches Simon in ways
he’s never experienced and definitely doesn’t like. For over
a year, Simon watches over Kara, but stubbornly refuses
to admit his desire to possess her, not even to himself. But
when she ends up in a situation that could very well be her
destruction, Simon steps up to help her, not realizing that in
saving Kara, he might very well be salvaging his own soul.
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imon Hudson stood
silently in the shadows
of the opulent lobby,
his hands in the pockets of
his jeans and one shoulder
propped against the frame
of a large window that faced
the street. His whole body
was tense, his dark brown
eyes scanning the sidewalk
with the intense and total
focus of a madman.
Where in the hell is she?
It’s ten forty-five.
He knew Kara was
working tonight. She had
called in sick for the last
two evenings, but was back
to work at Helen’s Place,
waiting tables on the swing
shift. He had checked. His
mother owned the bistro
where Kara worked and
was
generally
pretty
forthcoming with information when Simon wanted it,
but he was careful. If he wasn’t, his only parent would be
hounding him to find out why he wanted information
on Kara. His wonderful but inquisitive mom would
be like a bloodhound after a scent if she thought that
Simon’s interest was anything but casual. He would be
nagged to death, his mother wanting to know exactly
what his intentions were with Kara.
Simon frowned. Like he had any intentions? He had
CONTEMPORARY
CONTEMPORARY
fantasies and all of them involved Kara spread out on
his bed, screaming his name as he made her come, over
and over.
Simon took a deep breath and slowly blew it back
out, trying to get his body to relax and telling himself
that he must be insane to take exactly the same
position, night after night, for some woman who he
had never officially met. But here he was…again, his
back to the curious doorman, leering out the window
like an unbalanced stalker, waiting to get a glimpse of
Kara Foster. Something about the woman brought out
strange, territorial, and protective instincts that kept
him here, keeping watch, waiting for her to walk by his
condo building on her way home from work.
And then, when he spotted her, he’d do the same
thing he always did. He’d follow her at a distance, trying
not to alarm her, and wait until she had let herself into
her apartment safely before he turned around and
walked back home.
He wouldn’t talk to her, or even get close to her.
He never did. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but Kara
was going to nursing school and working full-time at
his mother’s restaurant. According to his mom, Kara
adamantly refused to date because she didn’t have
the time or energy to put into a relationship. She was
probably right about that.The insane woman didn’t sleep
enough, eat enough. She had no one who even worried
about her except for his mother…and Simon. Hell, in
the last year, Simon had probably cared more about
Kara’s well-being than a dozen family members would
have, and he couldn’t even call her a friend. Problem
was…he wasn’t a family member, and his feelings were
far from brotherly.
God, she was sweet!
Simon had to bite back a groan of frustration as he
thought about the first time he had seen Kara, her blue
eyes flashing with humor, black tendrils of silky hair
escaping from her ever-present ponytail and her lithe
body moving gracefully from table to table at his mom’s
restaurant. At the age of twenty-eight, she still retained
a look of innocence and vulnerability that had Simon
caught in her unintentional web. He’d been a prisoner
there ever since.
His mother spoke about Kara as if she were her
daughter, and Simon knew that Kara and his mother
had a special bond: one not formed by blood, but by a
special friendship. Shit…if Kara were younger, Simon was
pretty sure his mother would adopt her. Lips twitching
slightly, Simon hoped his mother never expected him to
be like a brother to Kara. It wasn’t happening. His cock
stood at attention, rock-hard and ready, every time he
saw her. What in the hell was it about this particular
woman that made him so edgy and restless?
Simon had fucked women who were more attractive
or more sophisticated, and not a single one of them
had ever touched any of his emotions. He was a loner,
preferring to spend his time with his computer rather
than attending social functions, but there were times
when he needed a woman’s company for physical relief.
Occasionally taking himself in hand just wasn’t getting
it done. Simon had certain female acquaintances for
those occasions, women who gave him the control
he needed and had to have in the bedroom, without a
lot of demands or questions. Damn it! That had been
enough for him…until he had seen Kara.
Grimacing, his eyes never leaving the street, Simon
shoved his hands deeper into his pockets and adjusted
his position, giving his shoulder a break by resting his
hip against the wall. God, he was getting pathetic.
How long would he moon over a woman who
had never even acknowledged him? Until she finished
nursing school and moved away? Until she got married?
He nearly growled at the thought of another man
putting his hands on Kara’s delectable body. Simon
fought a purely feral instinct that rose up at the thought
of another man touching his woman.
She’s not your woman, asshole. Get a grip.
BUY NOW!
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31
ROMCON 2015- READER WEEKEND
Don't Miss Out! Register Today
September 25-27, 2015
Denver, Colorado
The Renaissance Hotel
3801 Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80207
3 days you won't forget...
• 60+ Authors of all genres of romanceContemporary, Erotic, Historical, Inspirational,
Sci-Fi, Paranormal, & Suspense
• 20 Author-led games and eventsInteract and play with awesome authors!
• University events to learn about writing & publishing
• 15 Intimate Chats- Ask those burning questions!
• 4 After Hours events- Learn to line dance at Wild West Night,
Sweet Friday Night, Bachelorette Party, and Comedy Show!
• Chat Panels
• 1 Epic Author Signing- Perfect Fan Girl Time
• 1 Amazing Reader Appreciation Luncheon- Sit with your
favorite author, listen to great speakers, and win one of
their amazing gift baskets
• Incredible vendors with lots of great stuff
• Tons of author prizes, gift baskets, raffles and free books
• Support Breast Cancer Research with our annual raffle
CLICK HERE TO
REGISTER NOW!
Saturday Luncheon
SpeakerNew York Times
& USA Today Bestseller
Jodi Thomas
Jodi Thomas has published over 30 books in both the historical romance and contemporary genres, the majority of
which are set in her home state of Texas. Publishers Weekly calls her novels “Distinctive...Memorable,” and that in
her stories “[tension] rides high, mixed with humor and kisses more passionate than most full-on love scenes.” In
2006, Romance Writers of America (RITA) inducted Thomas into the RWA Hall of Fame for winning her third RITA
for THE TEXAN’S REWARD. She also received the National Readers’ Choice Award in 2009 for TWISTED CREEK
(2008) and TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN (2008). While continuing to work as a novelist, Thomas also functions as
Writer in Residence at the West Texas A&M University campus, where she inspires students and alumni in their
own writing pursuits.
Historical
Historical
cora by cynt
EXCERPT FROM CORA, THE BRIDES
OF SAN FRANCISCO, BOOK 3
T
he ship arrived after hitting bad weather for just
two days during the entire trip. They’d had one
day with no wind at all and another that was
almost a hurricane, the winds were so strong. The captain said the weather on a trip like theirs always varied.
He was grateful they had mostly fair days which had
resulted in a very good trip during which they’d made
good time. They actually arrived two weeks sooner
than they’d expected to.
As soon as they disembarked in San Francisco, cabs
whisked them away to the Golden State Hotel where
Mrs. Selby had arranged for them to stay for up to two
months. She wanted the women to get to know the
men they were to marry and not be rushed into a quick
wedding.
The inside of the hotel was not something that Cora
would ever have dreamed of. The walls were white, the
carpets and furniture all varying shades of red. The
result was generally gaudy but the place was clean and
seemed to be well kept.
Cora checked in and found a message waiting for
her from Harry Belcher.
My dear Cora,
I have instructed the staff at the hotel to send
a messenger to me when you get there. I should be
arriving shortly after that as my bank is only minutes
away. I can’t wait to greet you in person.
Yours truly,
Harry Belcher
Cora read the missive and smiled. It was so like
Harry to come to greet her right away.
“Cora?”
A deep, familiar voice came from behind her. But that
was impossible…she slowly turned toward the sound.
“Cora. It’s me.”
“Asa?” Cora shook her head slowly back and forth.
It couldn’t be. Asa was dead. They’d told her he died at
Appomattox more than two years ago. Her eyes filled
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APRIL 2015
with tears. “No. No.You’re dead.”
He held his hat in his hands, rolling the brim and
crushing the felt between his fingers. His black suit and
tie fit him well and his tanned skin was stark against the
white of his shirt. She remembered his beautiful blue
eyes, but the gray in his brown hair was new.
“I wanted you to think that. I was wounded and I…”
He took a step toward her and she saw his limp.
She stepped back. “Asa, I—”
“Cora Jones?”
Another male voice called to her from across the
hotel lobby.
She looked up and saw Harry Belcher crossing the
room toward her. He looked just like the picture he’d
sent her. He had blond hair, parted in the middle and
Historical
Historical
thia woolf
slicked down. She knew from her correspondence with
him that his eyes were green. The tan three piece suit,
with brown tie and top hat would have washed out
his pale skin, but the blue shirt he wore with the suit
added color to his face.
“Cora, I’ve come home to you,” said Asa.
Harry reached them and took Cora’s hand, brought
it to his lips and kissed the top. “You’re as beautiful as
your picture and such a tiny little thing.”
“Harry, I—”
“Cora, you can’t mean to marry this man since I’m
back,” said Asa. “You belong to me.”
“What does he mean you belong to him? Who is
this man and what does his being here have to do
with anything? You’re going to marry me. We have a
contract.”
She looked back and forth between Asa and Harry
and burst into tears.
“Cora, are you alright?” called Nellie on her way to
her room.
“Yes, I’ll be fine,” said Cora, sniffling.
Nellie nodded and went on her way.
Cora turned back to the two men, each vying for
her attention and each demanding that she marry him.
She took a hanky from her reticule and dabbed at
her eyes. “Asa, I have no idea what you’re doing here,
but after two years, you cannot really believe you
have any hold upon me. You could have contacted me
anytime in those years but you didn’t.”
She turned to the other man. “Harry we do have a
contract, but that was when I thought myself a single
woman. With Asa back I must give all of this more
thought. I have two months here at the hotel and I
won’t be bullied by either one of you into making a
decision right this second.”
“Well, I never,” huffed Harry.
Asa looked smug and Cora wanted to wipe that
look off his face.
She narrowed her eyes and stared at the both of
them. “You’re going to have to convince me before I’ll
marry either one of you. In other words you’re both
going to have to court me. I’ll make my decision within
the next two months. And let me warn you, I may
decide not to marry either of you. Right now, neither
one of you is showing me your best side.”
“Well, I want to court you,” said Asa. “I didn’t have
time before I went into the army. I want to prove to
you I’m the man you should marry.”
“I’ll be the man you choose. I’ve never lost something
that was important to me and you, Cora,” Harry looked
her straight in the eyes, his green ones meeting with
her brown ones, “are important to me.”
“Very good. We’ll start tonight. One of you is going
to take me to dinner. I’ve got a number in my mind.
The one of you closest to the number will take me to
dinner.”
“Six,” said Asa.
“Five,” said Harry.
“The number is seven. Asa it is. Pick me up here at
seven o’clock.” Cora turned on her heel and walked
toward the stairs to her room.
“I’m going to win her,” said Harry. “I never lose.”
“Prepare to lose this time. I’ve loved Cora all my life
and I’m not going to lose her to you.”
BUY NOW!
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RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A
Jerrie Alexander- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- A student of creative writing in her youth, Jerrie
set aside her passion when life presented her with a John Wayne husband, and two wonderful children.
A career in logistics offered her the opportunity to travel to many beautiful locations in America, and
she revisits them in her romantic suspense novels. But the characters went with her, talked to her, and
insisted she share their dark, sexy stories with others. She writes alpha males and kick-ass women who
weave their way through death and fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite of,
their love for each other. She likes to torture people, make them suffer, and if they’re strong enough, they live happily
ever after. Jerrie lives in Texas, loves sunshine, children’s laughter, sugar (human and granulated), and researching for her
heroes and heroines.
Melody Anne- CONTEMPORARY- NewYorkTimes and USAToday bestseller- She holds a Bachelor’s
degree in Business and left behind a career in the airline industry to pursue her longtime passion—
writing. Her fascination with the corporate world and strong, powerful business men radiates through
her captivating stories. Melody Anne sets many of her books in small-town locations, a reflection of
her own upbringing. She hails from the picturesque coastal town of Florence, Oregon, and currently
resides in Oregon’s beautiful wine country—the Willamette Valley. She loves spending time with her
family and friends in her small town, and is involved in many community projects. She will always be a
country girl at heart.
Gina Ardito- CONTEMPORARY & PARANORMAL- Gina Ardito is the award-winning
international author of more than twenty romances, a legendary singer in confined spaces (her car, the
shower, her office cubicle), and a killer of houseplants.​She hosts fun, informative workshops for writers
around the country. In 2012, Gina was named a Woman of Outstanding Leadership by the International
Women’s Leadership Association, but to her friends, she’s still just a shenanigator.A native of Long Island,
New York, she lives with her husband, two children, a bionic dog and a brand new superstar puppy, and
two cat overlords.
Sheila Athens- CONTEMPORARY- Sheila grew up in the Ozarks, vacillating between climbing
trees, reading books and neurotically working toward straight A’s. Many years later—after marriage, two
sons, a couple of careers, and a Master’s Degree—she discovered her first romance novel in the gift
shop of a hotel when she was supposed to be networking with fellow conventioneers. Now, she’s got a
bright red study filled with romance novels. She’s a creative lefty who loves quiet spaces and eccentric
people. She’s lived in the coastal south for more than twenty-five years, but looks forward to one day
moving to the serene mountaintop cabin she and her husband have built at the edge of a national forest in the Blue
Ridge Mountains.
Aidy Award- EROTIC ROMANCE- Once upon a time, there was a girl who lived to write stories
of happy ever after. During the day. But at night, oh at night, her world transforms into one of dark
desires, deep passions and the forbidden.This duality is what makes her so interesting. She combines the
two sides of her imagination by penning stories of romance and true love. Read the delicious fantasies
of heroes and heroines you want to be or want to be with, come to life under the covers and between
the pages of Aidy’s books.
Deborah Bladon- CONTEMPORARY- New York Times & USA Today bestseller- Deborah Bladon
has never read a romance hero she didn’t like. Her love for romance novels began when she was old
enough to board the bus, library card in hand to check out the newest Harlequin paperbacks. She’s a
Canadian by heart, and by passport, but you can often spot her in New York City sipping a latte and
looking for inspiration for her next story. Manhattan is definitely her second home. She cherishes her
family and believes that each day is a gift for writing, for reading, and for loving.
AUTHORS
Carolyn BrownCONTEMPORARY- New York
Times and USA Today bestseller- RITA®
Finalist, Carolyn Brown, has published
more than sixty books. Brown presently
writes both women’s fiction and cowboy
romance. She has also written historical single title, historical
series, contemporary single title and contemporary series. She lives in
southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher, who
is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three
children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.
Michele Callahan- PARANORMAL- Amazon
Bestseller- Michele Callahan is a wife, mother, romance
and science fiction addict, and founder of RomCon, the
only Fan Convention geared toward women who read romance
and genre fiction. She suffers from a dangerous case of
sci-fi/fantasy fever and never turns down an opportunity to sit
through a Star Wars, True Blood, or Matrix marathon. Her favorite
things in books; hot heroes, superpowers, freakish things that can’t be explained by
modern science, and true love!
Yelena Casale- URBAN FANTASY- An award-winning author of urban fantasy and
paranormal romance.Yelena was born in Kiev, Ukraine and moved to New York at 13. Being
very curious and inquisitive, she has been a devoted reader and writer since childhood. As a
2nd degree black belt and instructor in Shotokan karate, an avid traveler and history and art
enthusiast, she weaves universal themes with martial arts philosophies into her stories. She
lives with her amazing, super supportive husband and the best Siamese cat. In her spare time,
she reads, paints, watches cool shows on TV and tries to get more sleep. Like the samurai of the old, as well
as the ultimate Renaissance man and Yelena’s favorite historical figure, Leonardo da Vinci, she believes that
nothing is greater than mastery of oneself.
Misty Dietz- PARANORMAL- Misty’s love affair with words started in middle school
with moody stories set in exotic locations she’d never been to. In college, her boy-angst
erupted in disturbing reams of poetry. After grad school, the writing went into hibernation
until she found her own happily-ever-after with an ultra linear man who is the long-suffering
counter-balance to her zig-zagging ways. Now, she spends her days writing sexy, adrenalinefueled stories, teaching Zumba, enjoying family and friends, and praying her children don’t
come home with math homework.
Karen Docter- CONTEMPORARY/ROMANTIC SUSPENSEKaren Docter, also writing as K.L. Docter, writes two different kinds of romance novels....
K.L.’s romantic suspense novels are filled with romance, although the dangers the hero and
heroine face are intense, usually because a serial killer is bent on ending one or both of their
lives before they can fall in love. Her contemporaries (written as Karen Docter) are cute &
spicy romances. She loves writing about real men and women with dreams and goals that
don’t allow for a relationship just so she can throw them in each other’s path...with a tickle and a smile.
RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A
Geri Foster- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Amazon Bestseller- For as long as she can remember,
Geri Foster has been a lover of reading and the written word. By the seventh grade she had worn out
two library cards and had read every book in her age area of the library. After raising a family and saying
good-bye to the corporate world, she tried her hand at writing. To her surprise, she won a couple of
contests, hooked up with a really great critique group and her writing career was well on its way. She
spent several years studying her craft and developing her voice. Action, intrigue, danger and sultry
romance drew her like a magnet.That’s why she had no choice but to write action-romance suspense.While she reads
every genre under the sun, she’s always been drawn to guns, bombs and fighting men. Secrecy and suspense move her
to write edgy stories about daring and honorable heroes who manage against all odds to end up with their one true
love.
Maggie Mae Gallagher- URBAN FANTASY- Bestselling Author Maggie Mae Gallagher doesn’t
remember a time when she wasn’t writing. When she was a kid she acted out her favorite scenes, only
better, with her brother and cousin. As a teenager, she wrote reams of poetry, but realized her true
love lay with creating characters and stories. A former music and history major, Maggie is a total geek
at her core. When she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with
her family. She lives in St. Louis with her two furry felines.
JoAnna Grace- PARANORMAL- From the time I started holding a crayon I began creating
magical worlds. My very first book was a series of pictures about a puppy princess. The story changed
each time I told it, but there was always a happy ending! My first written story was about girls who
changed into tigers. Hmmm.... I guess some concepts stick with you. Now my stories have become a
bit more complex! And I’m glad to share them with you. My tales are spun in my home in East Texas
where I live with my husband, three kids, a couple dogs and a few fish. When I’m not hiding behind
my computer screen you can find me camping, boating, and shopping. I’m active in ministry and hope to pass on the
unconditional love given to me to others. Occasionally I get to sing and no one runs screaming, so I guess it’s not too
bad!
Joni Hahn- PARANORMAL- By day, Joni Hahn keeps her secret decoder ring hidden while she
works as a mild-mannered HR manager and accounting generalist. She believes the world can never
have too many superheroes, and anxiously waits for the call when one will need help saving the world...
or getting into his costume. Joni was born with a hopelessly tender heart and believes there is nothing
on earth more exhilarating than falling in love (Other than the rear shot of Chris Evans in The Avengers
- that was pretty darn exhilarating). A native Texan, she thinks cowboys are the epitome of masculinity,
and that country music is the other soul music.
Sharon Hamilton- CONTEMPORARY/MILITARY ROMANTIC SUSPENSENew York Times Bestseller- Known for her award-winning SEAL Brotherhood series, Sharon also writes
hot paranormals with her Golden Vampires of Tuscany and Guardians series. A lifelong organic gardener,
Sharon lives with her husband in the Wine Country of Northern California, where most of her stories
take place. When she’s not writing, she’s getting verra verra dirty in the mud, or wandering Farmer’s
Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers.
Debra Holland- HISTORICAL- New York Times & USA Today bestseller- Debra Holland wears
several hats when it comes to writing. As a psychotherapist, she writes nonfiction books. The Essential
Guide to Grief and Grieving is her first nonfiction book. More nonfiction books about grieving, boundary
setting with difficult people, and relationships, are forthcoming. Debra also writes fiction--Historial
Western Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy Romance, and Science Fiction.
AUTHORS
Michelle Howard- PARANORMAL
/CONTEMPORARY- Michelle Howard
enjoys a crazy life that involves wild kids, a
loud dog, and a husband who tolerates the
madness. Like many authors, she’s dreamed of
writing since reading her first romance novel many years
ago. She loves paranormal and contemporary romances and is a fan of the
classic romances, such as Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood.
Jenna Jacob- EROTIC ROMANCE- Bestselling Author
Jenna Jacob’s erotic romance comes from the heart of submission.
With over twenty years experience in the Dynamics of the
BDSM lifestyle, Jenna strives to portray Dominance and submission
with a passionate and comprehensive voice. Her stories will make
you laugh, cry, and may Leave you with a better understanding of the
fulfillment found in the BDSM power exchange. A married mom of four grown children,
Jenna and her husband lives in Kansas. Her passions include her family, reading, camping,
cooking, music, and riding Harleys. She loves to make people laugh with her outgoing and
warped sense of humor. If you’re looking for hot romance with a kinky twist, pick up
one of Jenna’s books.
Amelia James- EROTIC ROMANCE- I got hooked on trashy romance novels
in junior high, but my mom took them away from me, But she couldn’t stop me from
daydreaming. After I got married, I wrote some of my naughtier daydreams down and sent them to
Playgirl magazine. Two of them got published. I kept daydreaming and writing stories until my dirty
stories turned into trashy books. I live in Colorado, but I’ll always be a loyal Wisconsin Cheesehead.
When I’m not lusting after my next bad boy hero, I’m looking for inspiration in sci-fi and action
movies, football players, morally ambiguous lawyers, muscle cars, and kick-butt chicks.
Jean C. Joachim- CONTEMPORARY- Jean Joachim, wife and mother of two sons, is owned by
a rescued pug, named Homer. She’d been writing non-fiction for what seemed like forever until she got
up the nerve to try fiction. It was love. Now she spends her days in New York City in the company of
her characters, with a cup of tea and a secret stash of black licorice.
Silk Jones- EROTIC ROMANCE- Silk Jones writes erotica, erotic romance and erotic poetry.
Although she began writing poetry, song lyrics and fiction as a child, Silk wrote her first novel
during National November Writing Month in 2007. Since then, she has written three novels (outside
the erotica genre) and several erotic spanking stories to entertain her friends. She hopes that you
enjoy her sexy stories and her journey to publication.
Suza Kates- PARANORMAL- Suza Kates writes the Savannah Coven Series along with other
romantic suspense and paranormal novels and was a 2014 Readers’ Crown finalist.As a self-proclaimed
twisted romantic, she enjoys magic, danger, and love in equal measure. She lives in Savannah with her
family and four imperialistic cats and is working on her next two series.
RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A
Megan Kelly- CONTEMPORARY- Megan Kelly writes contemporary romance. Whether set in
Missouri, Illinois or Montana, all feature matters of the heart, family dilemmas and quirky citizens. She lives
in the Midwest where the weather has an imagination (and sense of humor) of its own.
Sandra Kerns- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Born in upstate New York, Sandra is officially the only
Yankee in her family (and yes, a die-hard Yankees fan), as the rest were born in Kentucky. If you ever speak
to her in person, don’t be surprised when a “y’all” pops out. Sandra has always loved words. By seventh
grade she should have known she would be a writer, when much to the regret of her classmates, she
chose idiosyncrasies as a spelling word. One of the high points of her life was the first time she beat her
mother at Scrabble! Sandra now lives in Northern Colorado where she writes her stories of love from
a sweetheart-of-a-town. With the majestic Rocky Mountains, family, and friends to inspire her she never lacks for ideas.
Jody A Kessler- PARANORMAL- When Jody isn’t navigating the terrain of her imagination and
writing it down, she can be found exploring the wilderness of Colorado with her family, or in the kitchen
baking cookies & brownies – and then trying not to eat them all. She’s passionate about continuing to
learn and reads anything and everything that catches her interest. Jody is a full time mom, a Reiki Master,
and has taught Hatha yoga for over a decade.
Eve Langlais- PARANORMAL- New York Times & USA Today Bestseller- Hello, my name is Eve and
I am a Canadian author who loves to write hot romance, usually with werewolves, cyborgs or aliens. I
should warn you that I possess a twisted imagination and a sarcastic sense of humor something I like to
let loose in my writing. I enjoy strong alpha males, and shifters. Lots of big, overprotective shifters. I am
also extremely partial to aliens, the kind who like to abduct humans and then drive them insane...with
pleasure. Do you like something a little darker? Then check out my cyborgs whose battle with humanity
have captivated readers worldwide.
Evelyn Lederman- PARANORMAL- When Evelyn Lederman retired from her career as an
insurance executive, she cheerfully anticipated the freedom to finally spend as much time reading as she’d
always wanted.The twist in her story came when as -yet unwritten characters started cropping up in her
thoughts, asking her to tell their stories. Now, she spends her days in Florida on the beach… with her
laptop. ‘The Chameleon Soul Mate’ is the first book in her paranormal romance series, ‘Worlds Apart’.
Dianna Love- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE/FANTASY- New York Times bestsellerDianna Love once dangled over a hundred feet in the air to create unusual marketing
projects for Fortune 500 companies. She now writes high-octane romantic thrillers, young
adult (as USA Today bestseller Micah Caida) and urban fantasy. On the rare occasions Dianna is out of
her writing cave, she tours the country on her BMW motorcycle searching for new story locations.
Dianna lives in the Atlanta, GA area with her husband who is a motorcycle instructor and with a tank
full of unruly saltwater critters.
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AUTHORS
JM Madden- CONTEMPORARYNew York Times and USA Today BestsellerJ.M. Madden writes compelling romances
between ‘combat modified’ military men and the
women who love them. J.M. (the J stands for Jennifer,
not Jim as she’s been asked MANY times!) loves any
and all good love stories, most particularly her own. She has two beautiful
children and a husband who always keeps her on her toes. J.M. was a Deputy
Sheriff in Ohio for nine years, until hubby moved the clan to Kentucky. When not
chasing the family around, she’s at the computer, reading and writing, perfecting
her craft. She occasionally takes breaks to feed her animal horde and
is trying to control her office-supply addiction, but both tasks are uphill battles.
Happily, she is writing full-time and always has several projects in the works.
Kallypso Masters- CONTEMPORARY- USA Today BestsellerKallypso Masters writes emotional, realistic Romance novels with
dominant males (for the most part) and the women who can bring
them to their knees. She also has brought many readers to their knees—
having them experience the stories right along with her characters in the
Rescue Me series. Kally knows that Happily Ever After takes maintenance, so
her couples don’t solve all their problems and disappear at “the end” of their Romance, but will
continue to work on real problems in their relationships in later books in the series. Kally has been
writing full-time since May 2011, having quit her “day job” the month before. Kally lives in rural Kentucky
and has been married for almost 30 years to the man who provided her own Happily Ever After.
Sylvia McDaniel- HISTORICAL- Sylvia McDaniel is a best-selling, award-winning author of
historical romance and contemporary romance novels. Known for her sweet, funny, family-oriented
romances, Sylvia is the author of The Burnett Brides, a western historical western series, The Cuvier
Widows, a Louisiana historical series, and several short contemporary romances. Former President of
the Dallas Area Romance Authors, a member of the Romance Writers of America®, and a member of
Novelists Inc, her novel, A Hero’s Heart was a 1996 Golden Heart Finalist. Several other books have
placed or won in the San Antonio Romance Authors Contest, LERA Contest, and she was a Golden Network Finalist.
Misha McKenzie- PARANORMAL- I have always loved to read. It’s said in my family that I
refused to start kindergarten because I didn’t know how. So my grandfather sat me down, at four years
old, and showed me how all those words became amazing stories. All these years later, and I still love to
loose myself in the pages of a book. After graduating from high school, I attended college and earned
an Associates Degree in Business Administration. I married the man I met in high school and we had
two handsome boys. For the next few years worked and took care of my family. The writing bug didn’t
hit me until much, much later. It was shortly after I started working as an office manager in a construction company
that a family of witches started clamoring for attention.The next thing I knew, I was writing my first novel. And because
these witches insisted on having their stories told, it turned into The Magic of the Heart Series.
Tina Moss- URBAN FANTASY- Tina Moss is an award-winning author of urban fantasy,
paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and New Adult novels. She lives in NYC with a supportive
husband and alpha corgi, though both males hog the bed and refuse to share the covers. When not
writing, she enjoys reading, watching cheesy horror flicks, traveling, and karate. As a 5’1” Shotokan
black belt, she firmly believes that fierce things come in small packages.
RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A
Nancy Naigle- CONTEMPORARY- USA Today bestseller- Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love
stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her contemporary romance series,
Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm. Now
happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, cooking, and the occasional spa day with friends.
A native of Virginia Beach, she now calls North Carolina home.
Kristen Painter- PARANORMAL- I’m a former college English teacher, but I’ve held a crazy mix
of other jobs including maitre’d for Wolfgang Puck, personal trainer, and sales for Christian Dior Bijoux. I
have a *slight* shoe addiction and occasionally indulge in an unnecessary handbag. Hah! That was a joke.
There is no such thing as an unnecessary handbag. I love make up and jewelry and spa days.Yes, I’m a girly
girl. But don’t think that makes me weak. I can (and do) kill off characters with the best of them. Speaking
of which…My forays into writing have been as varied as the jobs I’ve held. I’ve written poetry, articles for
magazines, short stories, paranormal romances (that include fantasy, contemporary and steampunk genres) and now I’ve
found a home with urban fantasy. I love worldbuilding and few genres give you the kind of license urban fantasy does.
Bonnie Phelps- CONTEMPORARY- Bonnie used her writing skills throughout her professional
life as a fundraiser and marketer for several nonprofits. She enjoyed the chance to tell and share the story
of worthy organizations. In the late 1980s, Bonnie authored a syndicated column in several California
newspapers in which she shared the experiences and misadventures of life as a wife and mother. The jury
is out on whether or not her children always appreciated her candor. Because Bonnie has romance in
her soul, she also worked as a Wedding Planner for several years. Absolutely loved it!! She craves anything
sweet, revels in any chance to travel, is addicted to Ancestry.com and sees a family saga novel somewhere in her future
featuring her German immigrant great grandparents. A native Californian, the author lives in Northern California with
her husband.
Red Phoenix- EROTIC ROMANCE- USA Today Bestseller- Red Phoenix is an award-winning erotica
author who gained popularity with her book, Brie Learns the Art of Submission - #1 Best Seller in Erotica.
Brie Embraces the Heart of Submission: After Graduation is the second book in the series. She has won
3 reader choice awards at the Indie Romance Convention in 2013 for her various novels and continues
to inspire couples with her writing.
Caridad Pineiro- CONTEMPORARY- New York Times & USA Today Bestseller- Caridad was born in
Havana, Cuba, and settled in the New York Metropolitan area. She attended Villanova University on a
Presidential Scholarship and graduated magna cum laude. Caridad earned her juris doctor from St. John’s
University and became the first female partner of Abelman, Frayne & Schwab, an intellectual property firm
in midtown Manhattan.
Allie Pleiter- CONTEMPORARY/INSPIRATIONAL - An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and
devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy
mother of two,Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework.
Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently
lives outside Chicago, Illinois.The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books,
twelve novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing.
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AUTHORS
Michel Prince- CONTEMPORARYMichel Prince is an author who graduated
with a bachelor degree in History and Political
Science. Michel writes new adult and adult
paranormal romance as well as contemporary
romance. With characters yelling “It’s my turn
damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type
a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their
turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her
fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you. When Michel can
suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or
cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her
family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting
her every dream and never letting her give up. She lives in the Twin Cities with
her husband, son, cat and new puppy.
Jewel Quinlan- CONTEMPORARY- Jewel Quinlan had an
abundant imagination and strong desire to write novels since she was
very young. She has a passion for writing paranormal and fantasy romance
but often finds herself straying into new areas like contemporary and suspense
because her imagination just won’t let up. An avid traveler, she has visited fifteen
countries so far (which she enjoys using as setting in her novels) and has plans to
see more of the world. She has a particular fondness for Bavaria and studies the German language
as one of her hobbies. During the day, she work as a pharmaceutical sales representative and, at
night, she writes romance. She currently lives in Orange County, California with her dog Penny. Jewel is kept in shape
by Penny’s frequent demands for walks and squeak toy time.
Diane J. Reed- PARANORMAL- Diane J. Reed is a multi-award winning author who writes
novels that are infused with enchantment, where characters dare to break through boundaries &
believe in true love. She has a soft spot for artisans & outlaws of the heart, those of us who burn
brightly to live each day as a gift--because it is! Along with her passion for books, she enjoys hiking,
painting, chocolate & spending time with her family in the Rocky Mountains.
Teri Riggs- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Teri Riggs was destined to be a writer. As a small girl she
didn’t read bedtime stories, she made up her own. Who needed Little Red Riding Hood or The Three
Little Pigs when there were so many great tales bouncing around in her head? When she grew up and
became a mother to three little girls, she continued the tradition of making up bedtime stories. On the
occasions she chose to tell conventional fairytales, Teri usually gave them a bit of tweaking here and
there or added a new ending. Her girls loved it. After her daughters had the nerve to actually grow up
and leave home, Teri discovered she had a passion for writing and jumped right in. It came as no surprise she chose to
write mysteries and happily-ever-after’s since that’s the genres she loves to read.Teri lives in Marietta, Georgia with her
husband, one of her daughters and two dogs that seem to think they rule the world. And some days Teri thinks maybe
they do. Teri still frequently tells herself stories as she falls asleep. The only difference now is she wakes up the next
morning and turns her bedtime stories into books.
RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A
Kym Roberts- MYSTERY- Three career paths resonated for Kym during her early childhood:
a detective, an investigative reporter, and...a nun. Being a nun, however, dropped by the wayside when
she became aware of boys--they were the spice of life she couldn’t deny. In high school her path was
forged when she took her first job at a dry cleaners and met every cop in town, especially the lone
female police officer in patrol. From that point on there was no stopping Kym’s pursuit of a career in law
enforcement--even if she had to duct tape rolls of coins to her waist to meet the weight requirements
to be hired. Kym followed her dream and became a detective that fulfilled her desire to be an investigative reporter,
with one extra perk--a badge. Promoted to sergeant Kym spent the majority of her career in SVU. She retired from
the job reluctantly when her husband drug her kicking and screaming to another state, but writing continued to call
her name, at least in her head.
Cate Rowan- FANTASY- Cate has washed laundry in a crocodile-infested African lake, parasailed
over a Mexican beach, swum with dolphins in the Florida Keys and had Costa Rican monkeys poop in
her hair, but her favorite adventures are in story worlds.Writing became a force in her life when clever
elementary school teachers assigned weekly creative writing projects. She wrote through high school,
particularly when bored in class. (Rumor has it those early pages consisted of fantasies about Duran
Duran, but she is silent on the issue and keeps those notebooks from prying eyes.) She put fiction aside
to earn a Ph.D.--but her muse, even while stuffed in a dark closet, never shut up. Now her lush fantasy romances about
magical deeds, kismet, and true love in realms near and far have won more than thirty awards. At RomCon2014, Cate
wore medieval gowns and hip-length purple and red wigs. (Yes, the wigs hurt her head, but sometimes fantasy fashion
is worth the pain.) She might do the same in 2015, so keep an eye out for unusual hair and garb!
J.S. Scott- CONTEMPORARY- New York Times & USA Today bestseller- She’s an avid reader of
all types of books and literature. Writing what she loves to read, J.S. Scott writes both contemporary
steamy romance stories and paranormal romance erotics. They almost always feature an Alpha Male
and have a happily ever after because she just can’t seem to write them any other way!
Pat Simmons- CONTEMPORARY/INSPIRATIONAL- Amazon Bestseller- Pat Simmons is
a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth. She is passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting
them in starring roles in her novels, in hopes of tracking down distant relatives who happen to pick
up her books. She has been a genealogy enthusiast since her great-grandmother died at the young
age of ninety-seven in 1988. Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing,
unforgettable, life-altering experience. She believes God is the Author who advances the stories she
writes. Pat has a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She has worked in
various positions in radio, television, and print media for more than twenty years. Currently, she oversees the media
publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions.
SE Smith- SCI-FI- New York Times & USA Today Bestseller and #1 Amazon Bestseller- Susan enjoys
sharing her amazing worlds filled with action, adventure, love, laughter and tears with her readers. Her
stories focus on strong characters and the dynamics of their relationships as they deal with diverse
situations. She is known for her world building that takes readers away. She is a true dreamer who
believes in HEA.
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AUTHORS
Tiffany Snow- ROMANTIC
SUSPENSE- Tiffany attended the
University of Missouri – Columbia, attaining
two degrees in History and Social Studies
Education. After working many years as an
instructor and consultant in the Information
Technology field, Tiffany now writes full-time. Tiffany loves to read
and has been reading romance novels since she was way too young to
read such things. She has an unhealthy obsession for all things Doctor Who,
prefers Pepsi to Coke and Absolut to both, thinks men who drink girly cocktails
are wusses, has learned to never stop believing in her beloved St. Louis
Cardinals, and can recite the entire scripts of When Harry Met Sally and
Apollo 13. George Washington is cool, Bon Jovi still rocks the house, and
Bruce Willis is the ultimate alpha-male hero. Married with two wonderful
daughters, Tiffany and her family make their home in Kansas City, Missouri,
not far from where she was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.
Sandy Sullivan- EROTIC ROMANCE- My journey to being a
published author began when I was in between jobs a few years ago and
sat down to write. I’d thought about it for years and just decided to do it.
It took me about 2 months to write Texas Lady. I sent it off to a couple of
friends and asked for some feedback. All I got was, “you need to get this published!”
So off it went. I got the standard rejections so I decided to self-publish it. I did the
same thing with two other books before I broke down and sent one of them out to a publisher again.
I live in Middle Tennessee on my 6 acre farm with my husband, 4 horses, 3 dogs and 2 cats who are more spoiled than
kids. When I die, I want to come back as a spoiled cat. Mine do nothing but lay around, sleep, eat and use the litter box.
I’m also a registered nurse by education and usually work the emergency room, medical/surgical floor or cardiac floor
and you’ll find lots of medical information within my storylines.
CA Szarek- PARANORMAL/ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Bestselling, award winning author
of romantic suspense and epic fantasy romance, C.A. loves to dabble in different genres. If it’s a good
story, she’ll write it, no matter where it seems to fit! She’s a hopeless romantic and always will be.
Risking it all for Happily Ever After is what she lives by! She’s originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as
soon as she could. She’s happily married and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She works with
kids when she’s not writing.
Jodi Thomas- CONTEMPORARY/HISTORICAL- New York Times & USA Today Bestseller- Jodi
Thomas has published over 30 books in both the historical romance and contemporary genres, the
majority of which are set in her home state of Texas. Publishers Weekly calls her novels “Distinctive...
Memorable,” and that in her stories “[tension] rides high, mixed with humor and kisses more passionate
than most full-on love scenes.” In 2006, Romance Writers of America (RITA) inducted Thomas into the
RWA Hall of Fame for winning her third RITA for THE TEXAN’S
REWARD. She also received the National Readers’ Choice Award in 2009 for TWISTED CREEK (2008) and TALL,
DARK, AND TEXAN (2008). While continuing to work as a novelist, Thomas also functions as Writer in Residence at
the West Texas A&M University campus, where she inspires students and alumni in their own writing pursuits.
RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A
LaVerne Thompson- CONTEMPORARY/FANTASY- I am an award winning, bestselling,
multi-published author, an avid reader and a writer of contemporary, fantasy, and sci/fi sensual romances
with interracial characters. I also write romantic suspense and new adult under the pen name Ursula
Sinclair my alter ego who likes her relationships a little more complicated.
Marie Tuhart- EROTIC ROMANCE- Marie Tuhart can’t remember a time when she didn’t have a book in
her hands. A voracious reader since childhood, she has a TBR pile so big that she finally gave up and rented storage
space! Though her family doesn’t really understand the stacks of books in her study, or the way Marie will stare
off into space when she’s thinking of yet another sexy scene between her hero and heroine, they support her
completely in her writing endeavors. She began writing at 19, and in 1994 decided to join RWA and get serious about
publishing. When she isn’t reading or writing, Marie loves to spend time in bookstores. A world traveler, she enjoys
searching out corners of the glove she hasn’t experienced yet. While still totally open to finding her own tall, dark
and handsome, she is certainly enjoying the journey. Her Aries Sun makes her impatient, courageous, and something
of a daredevil. Her Virgo Moon makes her exacting and a perfectionist for that telling detail.
Julie Ann Walker- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- New York Times & USA Today Bestseller- Julie
Ann Walker is the author of the award-winning Black Knights Inc. romantic suspense series. She has
won the Book Buyers Best Award, been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award and
the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award. Julie is prone to spouting movie quotes
and song lyrics. She’ll never say no to sharing a glass of wine or going for a long walk. She prefers
impromptu travel over the scheduled kind, and she takes her coffee with milk.You can find her on her
bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination
into submission.
Marsha R. West- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Marsha R. West, a retired elementary school
principal, is also a former school board member and threatre arts teacher. She writes Romance,
Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required. Marsha lives in Texas with her supportive
lawyer husband. Her grandchildren live nearby.
Jude Willhoff- CONTEMPORARY- Some of Jude Willhoff’s earliest and happiest memories
are of reading and writing. She started reading at an early age. Being an only daughter and living out
in the country far from friends, she had to find other outlets for entertainment. In good weather,
she’d climb into her treehouse with a book and be content for hours hidden among the branches.
In lousy weather, she was happy to spend time in her room, reading,or writing in her journal. At one
time, she thought she’d like to be an investigative reporter, but became sidetracked in college. A
husband, children and life have a way of changing things. Currently, Jude resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado with
her beloved husband, Rob and their longhaired, tabby, attack cat. She is the mother of four and grandmother to six
precious granddaughters who keep her busy when she’s not writing.
Delaney Williams- EROTIC ROMANCE - Delaney Williams was born on a hot summer
day in Oklahoma but quickly moved to outside San Fran, which only slightly explains her oddities.
She writes romance and erotica with a purpose (bullying/Cancer). She is addicted to tattoos and
hard rock/heavy metal. She loves reading all types of books and reads voraciously. She oves all
readers and can’t wait to meet any and everyone there!
AUTHORS
Cynthia Woolf- HISTORICALAmazon Bestseller- Cynthia Woolf is
the author of six historical western romance
books and one short story with more books
on the way. She was born in Denver, Colorado and
raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her
early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends. Cynthia
was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books
home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug.
She wrote her first story at the age of ten. Cynthia loves writing and reading
romance. Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the
great friends she’s made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her
to explore her creativity.
Jennifer Zane- CONTEMPORARY/ROMANTIC
SUSPENSE- Jennifer Zane has lived all over the country--from
Georgia to Maryland, New York to Colorado, including an exciting
five years in Montana. Her time in Big Sky country was the basis for
her Gnome series. When she’s not writing, she savors the insanity of
raising two boys, is figuring out how many meals she can make with a
pressure cooker, and teaches a pretty mean karate class. She currently lives with her
family in Colorado.
Rebecca Zanetti- CONTEMPORARY/ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- New York
Times and USA Today Bestseller- Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide,
lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner - only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha
males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy
contemporary romances. Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the
Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She
resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day--or at the very
least give her plenty of characters to write about.
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Romantic Suspense
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Romantic Suspense
SANDRA KERNS
INTERVIEW WITH HARLAN FROM
HARLAN’S HAVEN, BOOK 6
IN THE COLORADO SKIES SERIES
A
re you ready for a Colorado style treat? Well,
have one for you, the hero from my latest
release, Harlan’s Haven, Major Harlan Granger
from Bluff’s Corner, Colorado. It was tough getting
him to agree to an interview. He prefers to be the one
asking questions, so I decided to let him tell us what he
wanted. With that, let me turn the floor over to him.
Let me set the record straight before we continue.
It’s Harlan or Granger. I’m not in the U.S. Army
anymore and prefer you didn’t remind of that fact, so
no Major. Also, I’m no hero. The men and women who
died serving with me, they’re the heroes.
Now, you said you wanted some history.
I was born in Bluff’s Corner, a small, quiet, mountain
town in Northern Colorado. I’m the oldest of four
children and have two brothers and one sister. Both
of my parents are alive and still live in the same house
where I grew up. Larry, the brother after me, owns a
bar and has an apartment upstairs from it.That’s where
I’m staying while I’m in town. Larry is a homebody.
Always has been. Gil and Priscilla are more like me.
They want to see the world and don’t spend much
time in Bluff’s Corner anymore. It’s not that there
were any problems at home, just typical small town
growing pains, I’d guess. Anyway, I’m home now, at least
for a while.
The town took a big hit when the Big Thompson
River flooded last year. A lot of places and families
aren’t coming back. Our family home has some major
damage. My parents are staying with my grandmother
for now. I plan to get the house back in livable condition
while I wait for the shrapnel in my back to decide my
fate. It will give me time to figure out where I’m going
to go when the worst happens.
One thing I can tell you is it won’t be here. I’m not
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watching my family pity me for the rest of my miserable
life. They’re all used to me taking care of business, not
being the one needing care.
Anyway, that doesn’t matter.What matters is figuring
out what or rather who is causing my brother and Rilie,
his pixie neighbor, trouble. With luck, not that I’m well
acquainted with lady luck, I can take care of the problem
before I have to leave. I know it won’t be easy with her
in the mix. The woman’s determined to bring sunshine
and smiles everywhere she goes. What if a man wants
to be in the shadows? What if he likes being alone? Did
she ever consider that? Doubtful, she’s as stubborn as
the Colorado River is long. She has nice curves like the
Colorado, too.
Yeah, I noticed, but that’s it. I’m not messing anyone
else’s life up. I’ve done enough of that. From now on, I’m
only messing up my own.
Romantic Suspense
EXCERPT:
Bright lights and an air horn blaring catapulted
Harlan from his thoughts. He cut the wheel hard to
the right.
“Sonofabitch,” he hissed. His heart did a staccato
beat on his ribcage. He pulled to the shoulder for a
minute. After popping the gearshift to neutral, he pulled
on the emergency brake and then fell against the back
of the seat.The dust and dirt whirling in the beam of his
headlights echoed what he’d been remembering before
the air horn. At least this time his blood pressure had
a reason other than his memories for being in the
stratosphere.
Maybe he should have flown home and had Larry
pick him up. The thought that he would have had to
return to the base to pick up his truck reminded him
of why he hadn’t done just that. The pity in the eyes of
those at the hospital had been bad enough when he
was still commissioned. There was no way he would
survive going back on base again now that he’d been
discharged.
He gave his heart a few minutes to recover while he
considered his options. There weren’t many. Releasing
the emergency brake, he put the truck back in gear,
checked his mirrors, tapped his lights to high since
there was no other traffic, and pulled back onto the
road.
“You’re almost there. No reason to stop now.There’s
nothing to go back to anyway. Besides, Larry’s expecting
you. If you don’t show up soon he’ll panic and send out
a search party.”
Hearing himself say the last made him grin. When
he’d called his brother last night, Larry was already
worried because the drive was taking twice as long.
Usually laid-back, Larry became a world-class worrier if
he had an inkling something might be wrong. That tone
had come through the phone line loud and clear. Harlan
knew if he didn’t make it home tonight, there would be
hell to pay.
The extra illumination from his high beams gave
him a look at more of the flood damage he’d noticed
while driving across the plains. Now in the foothills,
he could see places where the river’s path had
changed.
“I guess nothing stays the same forever,” he said
as he took the next ramp off the highway. Twenty
minutes and four turns later, he was on the main road
through town.The small mountain town near the Big
Thompson River had changed from more than just
the flood since he left almost fifteen years ago. If it
wasn’t almost midnight, he expected he would notice
even more differences. He’d had a chance to talk with
his brother shortly after the flooding. Larry had said
the town had some major damage, but everyone in
Bluff’s Corner pitched in and it had bounced back.
He saw the new sign above the door to his
brother’s bar a block down the street. Taking a deep
breath, Harlan turned right onto the street then right
again into the back parking lot. He pulled up beside
his brother’s old car. The kid had bought the car in
high school planning to fix it up. Obviously, that never
happened, he thought with a grin.
After pulling the keys from the ignition, Harlan
leaned on the steering wheel and looked at the back
of the building. It was quiet. He thought back to when
he’d grown up in this town. A few times over the
years, there had been minor troubles, but nothing
huge. The peaceful area, with the nearby creek,
stream, or river depending on whom you talked to,
fit Larry and their parents well.Their brother Gil and
their baby sister, Priscilla were more like him. They
wanted to see what else was out there. He had been
more than ready to leave by the time he graduated
from high school.
Now he wondered why.
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Romantic Suspense
DIANNA LOVE
EXCERPT: STOLEN VENGEANCE
BOOK 6 IN THE SLYE TEMP
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE SERIES
“
If you need another favor, Dingo Paddock, the
answer is no.” Valene’s words held enough edge
to cut through the tension crowding the air. “I’m
busy and I don’t have time for any of this, this ... whatever it is you’re here for.”
“I know you’re busy and I just need to talk to you,”
he repeated gently. He couldn’t get past just taking her
in. How many days and long nights had he imagined
being this close to her again?
She was the sexiest thing he’d ever known.
One of her smiles would be worth the punishment
he’d put his body through since yesterday to get here,
just to see her alive and safe. He knew every inch of
the beautiful body hidden inside that black-on-black
mandarin style suit.
Damn. If he didn’t stop thinking about her sans the
suit, he wouldn’t be able to walk.
“Well?” Valene snapped. “You got what you wanted.
I’m sitting here.”
If he had what he wanted, she’d be in his arms
and he’d be kissing the lips he missed more than he’d
thought possible.That was never going to happen again,
especially now when he had to open a wound that had
never healed.
He asked, “Remember back when I was looking for
information on a man named Giuseppe?”
Her gaze sizzled with fury. She crossed her arms.
Yes, she remembered.
Shaking her head, she laughed and it came out as a
dark sound.“Seven years.You disappear for seven years,
then show up out of the blue a month ago needing
help, and now you want to talk about the last time I
saw you before you walked away without a word?”
He’d left her seven years ago, knowing she’d hate
him.
He’d hurt her by leaving and saying nothing. But
if he’d taken that risk, then the gamble to get inside
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Satan’s Garden Club and stop them from touching her
would have been
for naught.
But he wasn’t
going to reach
for the sympathy
vote by explaining
it now, even if
he could share
that information,
which he couldn’t.
“Giuseppe
went
missing–”
Dingo started.
“So you need
to find him again?”
she broke in, acid
dripping off her
words.
“Forget
it. I made one
exception to stop
a terrorist. All
your good deals
are gone.”
She’d
been
their key to a
successful mission
last month. He
admitted,
“We
were lucky to
prevent the Orion
Hunters
from
pulling off that
attack in May, but
more than being
lucky we had you.
If not for you, we
might have lost
that battle, Val.
You saved a lot of
lives.”
Romantic Suspense
She glanced away. “Whatever.”
He’d seen her eyes glisten. She’d never been one
to preen over compliments. If anything, they made her
wary. He’d like to know why, wished he’d have a chance
to find out.
You could have dug around online and found out
about her past.
He didn’t have
a lot of rules, but
unless it had to
do with stopping
a
criminal
or
protecting someone,
he respected the
privacy of those
people who meant
something to him.
He’d bent that
rule just to find her
today by triangulating
her phone signal,
but as far as he was
concerned, this fell
under
protecting
someone important
to him.
He
explained,
“About
Giuseppe.
I thought he was
a distant relation
of the man I was
looking for back then,
but I was wrong.”
Understatement of
the century.
“Then you should
have had me look for
the guy you wanted,
not his neighbor or
cousin or whatever.
That’s not my fault.”
“Let me get this
out,Valene. Please.”
She
waved
her hands in an
exasperated
youhave-the-floor
motion.
“Giuseppe was
connected to a very dangerous group back then. If I’d
had any idea that he was running guns for the man I was
hunting, I’d have never asked you to do it.”
“Guns. As in black market guns?”
“Among other things, yes.”
She groused, “It seems to me that some alphabet
agency with hotdog operators like you should be able
to find a gun runner.”
“We did.”
She flipped her hands in the air again and let out
a long growl of exasperation. “So what’s the problem,
007? Still need help finding Giuseppe? Again? Run out
of women to do your research or are they not letting
you pay in trade?”
He flinched at the verbal strike. “I never treated you
that way.” What they did after hours had nothing to do
with his job or her contract work for him. She knew
that, but she’d waited seven years to rail at him and he
deserved it. That didn’t mean he could take it without
grinding his back teeth.
Her gaze darted all over the place before it zeroed
in on him again.“How am I supposed to know what was
true and what was your job?”
“Believe whatever you will, but I have never mixed
business and pleasure. I would never show you that lack
of respect.”
She was holding on to her righteous anger and she
had every right to it, but he saw her chin quiver before
she sat up straight and put on her game face. “You’re
burning my daylight and I’m not on your payroll now. If
you need Giuseppe–”
Dingo said, “No. Giuseppe died six years ago. I only
came to make sure you’re safe.”
Her face softened and she got that dewy look she
used to have when he’d show up after being gone
weeks–or months. They’d stare at each other for all
of five seconds, then shred clothes in an explosion of
kissing and hot sex.
God, he missed the way she kissed.
He missed holding her when she slept.
He’d give up all his tomorrows for an hour with her
in his arms, but not until he had her tucked away out
of view.
When she didn’t say anything, he took this calm
moment to explain. “I need you to leave LA for a while.
Maybe three or four weeks tops. I can put you in a safe
house, just–”
“No.” Whatever softness had been there vanished
under the return of an anger flash fire. “In fact, hell no.”
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Romantic Suspense
Dingo leaned forward. “There’s a chance that some
of those people from seven years ago are back.”
“And how is that a problem for me? I’m not involved
with any of them.”
“I don’t want to risk you being out in the open until
I can confirm that you are definitely not on their radar.”
She leveled him with a you-must-be-kidding glare.
“Oh, so let me get this straight. You want me to go
into hiding because of someone who might figure out
that I gave you information on Giuseppe like ...” She
dropped her hands. “Seven freaking years ago? Who is
this supposed threat to me?”
This was where it got difficult. If he told her,Valene’s
insatiable curiosity would push her to find answers.
That’s why Dingo had ended up taking the gamble of
his life to get inside Garcia’s organization. He was not
going to allow her to make that same mistake twice.
He said, “I don’t know yet.”
She shook her head at some thought then stared
at him, counting off each point on her fingers as she
spoke. “You vanish for years and show up again only
because you need something. I do my part for mankind
and the US of A, help you out then you’re gone again–”
“I would have come back this time,” he muttered,
but she ignored him and kept going.
“–and now back once more with some wild story
about how someone from forever-years ago might find
out I helped you locate Giuseppe. Oh, and he’s dead!
Now you want me to go into hiding while you do what
exactly?” She gave him a half beat then added, “No, let
me answer. You won’t tell me because you don’t trust
me with anything but your dick.”
He wouldn’t trust her with that right now. “I know
how it sounds,Val, but–”
“I’m. Done. This bullshit stops here.”
“Valene, I’m serious about this. Just work with me–”
“No.”
He knew that voice, it came with a rigid backbone
that bent for nothing and no one.
Don’t lose your temper with her. He’d had
spectacular rows with Val in the past, but this was not
one of those times he could let her blow off steam
then seduce her.
Could he?
He reached out to touch her face.
She leaned away, giving his hand the same
consideration someone would give a rattlesnake coiled
to attack.
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Nope. Seduction was not on the menu.
He said, “Just consider what I’m asking and we’ll talk
more later.”
She pointed her finger. “You come near me again
and I’ll, I’ll ...”
“What?”
“Have a restraining order issued.”
“You don’t have enough information on me to do
that.” Damn, the minute those words were out he
wanted them back.
She dropped her finger, hurt flowing across her face.
“And that will never change, will it, Dingo?”
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Romantic Suspense
Marsha R.
WEST
H
ave you always gravitated
towards being an author?
The short answer is probably, “No.” Have I
always used my imagination? Now the answer to that
is a decided, “Yes!” As an only child moving around a
lot in a military family I frequently only had imaginary
friends to play with. I wrote a play in 8th grade about
the Civil War. I was born in Columbia, South Carolina
and think I was searching for my roots. Then again
shortly after I was married, I took a creativity class and
wrote a short story about a couple’s first Thanksgiving.
My memory is that it was very autobiographical.
What is your latest book about? Was
it inspired by a certain event/person/
memory, etc?
My latest book, SECOND ACT, just released the end
of March. It’s Book 1 of a series about four women
who first met at summer camp as kids. The idea was
suggested by my younger daughter who with her sister
went to a summer camp in east Texas from the time
they were in elementary school through college when
they were counselors.The friends they met so long ago
are still very important to them and are close whether
they see each other frequently or not.
What genres have you written besides
romance? Is there a genre you haven’t tried
yet but want to in the future?
I’ve only written romantic suspense, which I love to
read, cutting my teeth on Victoria Holt, Mary Stuart,
and Phyllis Whitney. I specifically write Romance,
Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required.
My characters are a bit older, but love still finds them
after murder, mayhem, and family strife. If I were to
branch out, it would be with a touch of paranormal of
the psychic variety. But the three more books in the
Second Chances Series, will keep me busy for a while.
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What are some of your hobbies when you
are not chained to the computer?
Don’t laugh, please. I love to watch HGTV, specifically
House Hunters, Fixer Upper, and Beach Bargain Hunt.
Even when I’m not watching, the station is on in the
den. I love to look at real estate. One of my daughters
is an agent and sometimes she needs me to go along to
help with the kids. And then, probably my favorite thing
is to plan vacations, especially ones in New England and
specifically in Maine. It’s so easy when you can look on
line. Helpful hint to anyone trying to rent your place:
Make sure you have good pictures of your bathroom
and the view! For me those are the deciding factors.
If you had three things on your writing desk
at any given moment what are they? Unsweet iced tea in any weather, my iPhone, and a plaque
my husband got me in Maine that says, “Everything will
be alright in the end. If it is not—it is not the end.”
Perfect for a romance writer.
Romantic Suspense
EXCERPT FROM SECOND ACT
Monday, September 24
“
You promised this wouldn’t happen again,
Clay.” Addison Greer
glared at the man
sitting across from her in
her Cowtown Theatre office,
the pitch of her voice higher
than she intended. She hated
confrontations, but those red
numbers marching across the
spreadsheets covering her
desk made her stomach roil
and her hands shake.
“Yeah, I know, Addison. I
needed more wood than I’d
anticipated. After we put the
first set together, it didn’t
work out, and we had to start
over. It wasn’t my fault.” His
leg draped over the arm of the
chair as if he had no worries,
but his voice had taken on the
whiny tone that sent Addie’s
blood pressure into the
stratosphere.
Her
fingers
tightened
around the marker she’d used
to highlight the deficits. “No?
Then whose? Going over budget isn’t an option, Clay.
The theatre can’t survive this way, and since you can’t
change, you won’t make it here either.” Addison hated
to put it that way, but damn, she’d been plenty patient
with Clay Bennett, the theatre’s artistic director.
“What do you mean, I won’t make it. Are you
threatening my job?” He set both feet solidly on the
floor, jutted out his chin, and clenched his hands on the
arms of the chair.
Good thing she wasn’t alone in the building with
him. She suspected he’d like to take a swing at her.
The first show of the fall season closed last night,
and crewmembers were working all over the place
disassembling the set, cleaning the costumes, and
evaluating make-up needs.
“That’s exactly what I mean, Clay.” The steel in
her voice was unmistakable.
“We had full houses during
the run of the show, but we
didn’t make enough to pay for
the production. You have failed
consistently to bring in shows
on or under budget. I won’t let
you continue to drown us in
red ink.” She shoved the pages on
her desk in his direction. He
glanced at the sheets and broke
into hysterical laughter. Chills
scampered down her back like
mice escaping a cat. The man
was a creative genius and scary
as hell right now, but Addie
wouldn’t cut him any slack on
the financial issue. She’d given
him enough second chances to
last two careers.
“Being executive director
doesn’t give you the power
to fire me, unless you get the
support of a supermajority of
the board.” His lip curled into
a sneer that matched his voice. “And you don’t have
that.” He stood up and walked toward the door. His
knuckles whitened on the knob before he yanked it
open and turned to face her.
“Don’t screw with me, Addison. You’ll lose.” His
whiny tone switched to a menacing one.
Her face warmed with the rush of blood at his
language. She stood, met his gaze, and clenched her
hands into such tight balls the nails cut into her
palms. “You mess with this theatre, and I’ll make you
sorry, Clay Bennett.”
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