Welcome to Romance

I am a contemporary romance writer. I published my first novel, Take 2, in Dec 2012. I chat about relationships and love. I'm no expert! I'd love your feedback!

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Role of Dishonour $.99




Check out Brad Fleming's book Role of Dishonour for $.99! 

What readers are saying about Role of Dishonour:
 “I love a book that allows me to see the characters as well as feel their emotions.”
“Brad Fleming weaves a very real tale of dishonesty, betrayal, and enemies amongst friends, collateral damage, and the horrible stages that go along with a war within a war.”
“…an inside view to what was happening in Ireland of the height of their troubles. But it wasn't that that grabbed me about this story. It was the undercurrent love affair, which had an almost Romeo and Juliet feel about it.”
“I was deeply emotionally involved with the characters.”
“I certainly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good thriller/mystery/suspense. Congratulations Mr. Fleming.”





This is a fast paced thriller centered around the violent and unsteady times of the “Troubles” in Ireland.






For generations Northern Ireland has withstood a vicious campaign of terrorist violence that has left thousands dead and countless more horribly injured. The British and Irish Governments seem powerless and to have settled for what one leading politician calls an acceptable level of violence.

There appears to be no solution to the conflict. But, when a Provisional IRA bomb kills two grandparents and a four-month-old baby on a lonely border road, four men from widely different backgrounds – a politician, a policeman, a soldier and a journalist – decide enough is enough. They embark on a daring plan to exact vengeance – and to end the Ulster Troubles once and for all.

Role of Dishonour is about violence and vengeance, treachery and treason, retribution and reward. Men die – women and children too. It’s a world where one man’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter. For generations the troubles in Ireland have pitted Protestant against Catholic, Unionist against Nationalist and Loyalist against Republican. There seems no end to the mindless spiral of death and destruction.

Yet the book is also a poignant love story, set against the background of one of the most beautiful pieces of earth God ever made. It’s the story of a man and a woman from different backgrounds and different worlds who find one another and tentatively begin to forge a relationship amid the chaos and despair. Are they to be star-crossed lovers or will true love triumph in the end?


Here are several excerpts from Role of Dishonour:

“The reason you’re here is because each one of you has a certain talent, a particular expertise which, properly directed and, properly co-ordinated, could have a decisive effect on the situation existing in Ireland at the present time. I must also tell you that, while the prize is great, the risks to each one of us are considerable. I am speaking of physical risks gentlemen. Failure could result in imprisonment for all of us–or even death!”


“He saw her then–sitting alone on a high stool at the left end of the bar counter. Quite simply, she was the most striking woman he’d seen in a long time. She appeared totally oblivious of his arrival and he found himself stopping involuntarily in order to study her more closely. Dexter was not normally so rude, or so easily impressed, but here was a woman well worthy of a second look.”

“The events of the last 24 hours had put Northern Ireland back on the front pages and on TV screens worldwide. Politicians from all sides were parading in front of the cameras and microphones. Every hotel in Belfast was packed with journalists and TV crews representing, it seemed, just about every country in the world.”

“They awakened in each other’s arms in the half-light of the October dawn. They made love again, more gently this time, much more slowly. She even allowed him to lead and was content to adapt to his pace, be subservient to his desires. It was no more than the poor man deserved after the unforgivably blatant manner in which she had seduced him the night before.”

“People who live for their country serve it better than those who die for it. The doctrine of an eye for an eye ultimately leaves everybody blind.”

Readers, good news – you can pick up Role of Dishonour this week for just 99 cents at this link: http://www.amazon.com/Role-of-Dishonour-ebook/dp/B009R8X2EC

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

If you would like to connect with Brad and get news on his next big release you can friend him on Facebook: http://www.amazon.com/Role-of-Dishonour-ebook/dp/B009R8X2EC




HOW IT FELT TO PUBLISH MY FIRST BOOK (Brad Fleming)

It’s a little like holding your first child. Not quite as good, but pretty close. For a start, it took a lot longer to create—and the blood, sweat and tears of its creation were nothing like so pleasurable.

The satisfaction of finally seeing it in print, however, was special. This was all my own work, a job that didn’t require a partner, although many kind people helped in finally getting it out there.

Doctors cure patients. Mechanics mend cars. Prospectors seek gold—and sometimes find it. Writers write—and the industrious (and fortunate) ones get to see their book in print. It’s a warm and special feeling, matched only on the day when someone tells you “I’ve just read your book. I thoroughly enjoyed it; couldn’t put it down. When’s the next one due?”


 Brad’s newest release, Deadline to Danger is due out in April of this year.

Brad’s Bio:
Before becoming an author Brad Fleming was in journalism, broadcasting and public relations all of his working life. Born in the small fishing village of Kilkeel, Co Down, in the shadow of where the famous Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea, he worked in local newspapers before moving on to a national daily paper in Belfast. Later he broadcast on news and sport for the BBC. In his thirties he made a career switch to join the British Government Information Service, a job which took him to many corners of the world.



Friday, March 29, 2013

Next Time Lucky with Siggy Buckley

I'd like you to meet Siggy Buckley. She was a matchmaker in Ireland and lives here in the US. Next Time Lucky is her fictional account, with some real experiences thrown in, about a matchmaker. I'm interviewing her today.



You are a dating expert. How does one become an “expert”?
The Irish media coined that phrase!  My own experience after my separation from my hubbie of 17 years made me reinvent myself having been a college adjunct professor and start a new life.
I lived in sticks of Ireland, a country that didn’t even have a legal divorce yet at the time. Where do you go to meet a new partner? Especially when you hit the 40 mark? I found many people in a similar situation and learned about the existence of dating agencies. Seeing how they worked, I thought I could do better, i.e., apply higher standards and safety measures. I bought the master franchise for Ireland from a British company. The business was very successful. I brought dozens of people together in holy matrimony or joyful cohabitation and I’m responsible for about a dozen children on this planet. Ireland is a small country and I was able to get a lot of media attention. I was featured in many newspaper articles, on the radio, and even on TV.  They started too call me “Chief Cupid”, dating expert, and even “Dating Guru of the Millenium”. 



How did you know you found the “Mr Right” this time around?  

By pure chance after almost two years of unsuccessful internet dating. New to Orlando, I checked out a nice bar/restaurant where  single people went-supposedly; just to see if it was worth my while to doll myself up on a Saturday to go on the prowl. He had been stood up by somebody else and just came in for a drink, sat at the bar next to me…and read the rest of this story in Next Time Lucky.


Where do you recommend adults over 40 meet other adults over 40? 

My obvious choice is dating agencies with a personal touch that know their clients and hold functions. Or matchmakers- even if it costs some money! Then there is surfing the risky waves of the Internet. I have relatives in their sixties/seventies that joined clubs to play cards, Trivia and went ballroom dancing. That worked well for that age group. So there is hope for everybody.

In your opinion, what is the biggest mistake someone could make on a first date? Are any topics taboo? 
Interrogating a candidate like in a job interview. While it’s natural that people’s past comes up, one shouldn’t dwell on it or complain about one’s Ex.

At what point, do you think, couples should become intimate while dating? Date #3, Date #5, weeks or months later?



That’s a very personal decision, isn’t it? In my experience as a matchmaker, first time encounters often remain one night stands. It’s biological ingrained into men that they like the chase.  Some are just looking for another notch on their bedpost. I like to see a man pursue me, let him make an effort and show interest. By that I don’t mean play hard to get, however. I’m a firm believer in gut feelings. You will know when the time is right.

With the experiences and mistakes the over 40 crowd brings to dating, do you think it’s easier or harder to find someone?
Harder than when? In your thirties? I found it hardest for women in their late thirties who were still single and looking for a marriage partner first time round. I venture to say it’s harder in your forties when you have kids or teenagers than if you were divorced and on your own.

I know Next Time Lucky is fiction with some of your non-fiction experiences thrown in. When we read this book, what is something you’d like us to take away from it? 
I’m taking the reader through a lot of situations where they can decide if they would have acted in the same way and learn from Cherie’s mistakes. That’s the main character. By sharing my experiences online and through my professional work, I hope to give them food for thought and help in making their own decisions. The dating tips chapter that I added to the new edition gives concrete advice on where to go and what to do.

I heard you were working on another book. What do we have to look forward in this one?  
A story called: I once had Farm in Ireland: An Organic Life Story. It’s of a biographic nature as well about the time my life took an unexpected turn when my first husband announced he would opt out of the rat race and go to Ireland to become an organic farmer. I was a city girl who was suddenly hit by a farm. While we had been strong supporters of the green movement and environmental issues, it’s one thing to vote green and another to change your life completely and emigrate to a foreign country for a presumably healthier life style. It was a challenge and a culture shock for me and unfortunately this adventure broke up our marriage. You get an idea about the subject matter on my Irish website:www.InandoutofIreland.blogspot.com.

You can learn about growing your own veggies, raising lambs, plucking gees and even make your own wine, if you’re interested. We almost killed ourselves with work producing healthy food. It’s being edited and will hopefully see the light of day by the summer.


What was your most romantic date? 
Being taken to a park for a picnic. He spread out the blanket, had brought champagne in a cooler, and strawberries. We lay under the Florida sun and looked at the blue sky. Suddenly his face hovered over mine and placed his first kiss on me. Then he fed me a strawberry. Another kiss.
“Do you want to see the sunset on the beach?” What beach? We were in Orlando. “It’s only about an hour’s drive  to Tampa. We may just make it.” And we did. Glorious and memorable.

What is your biggest turn-off? 
Men not shaving, not showering regularly, biting their fingernails. Apparently I have more than one….

When you’re in a bad mood, had a bad day, what is the one thing your husband can do that changes your mood? 
Hug me and tell me we’ll get through this together.

When he’s had a rough day, what is one thing you do for him to lighten his mood? 
Take him in my arms and tell him what a great guy he is, what I admire about him and why I love him.



For a great story and matchmaking check out Next Time Lucky!
Find Siggy at:







Tuesday, March 26, 2013

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

Whether you've met on a dating site, were old high school friends, or friends introduced you, you run into the same issue. How do you know if he likes you?

We all have had experiences where you think you hit it off and then you never hear from him again. What did you do wrong? Did you do something wrong? Or was it him? How do you know if he's into you?

I have a guy friend that tells me if you're on a first date and he doesn't ask you for a follow-up date before you get into your car, he's not that into you. Do you think so? If that's the case, I have had quite a few dates that were not that interested in me.

I have a guy friend that tells me there are certain topics that are off limits on a first date; i.e. exes, money, sex, and illnesses. At fifty years old, there isn't that much else to talk about. Guess that explains, maybe, why they didn't set up a second date.

Then there's the person you've text and online chatted with for weeks. You totally have a ton in common. Then you have that first phone call. They don't sound how you expect. They aren't as witty on the phone as they are in chat. You think it might just be you and you agree to that first meeting. Yeah, lets just say, its as bad as the phone call. You don't want them to ask for a second date.

Ok, here's the exception...you chat and text great conversations. You talk on the phone and he's as witty and funny as you expected. You meet up and you talk about all the things you aren't supposed to. And, guess what? He even asks for a second date. So, what's the moral of the story? I have no idea what the winning combo is. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Tell me about your experience. How do you know you'll ask for a second date? What tells you not to? What topics are taboo for you on the first date?

Tuesday, March 19, 2013




Take Note that Deadly Deception is FREE on Amazon for the next three days!!!!

Synopsis

Dr. Anne Jamison, brilliant neuropsychiatrist , living the concrete jungle life in Minneapolis with her fiancé, prominent attorney, Adam Whitney. The mysterious death of Carter Leeds, her former boyfriend, haunts her to this day. After three years of unanswered questions, a secretive note finds its way to Anne, revealing the possibility that Carter may in fact be alive, and that her very own fiancé may have had a hand in his attempted demise.

Who really is Adam Whitney? Can Anne trust the man she pledged forever with? As deadly secrets begin to unravel, so does her trust. A dark, twisted game of cat and mouse ensues, who will run out of lives and who will walk away, to only be deceived, once again.




Exerpt

Anne stretched her neck muscles as they tightened at just the thought of Victoria. Her attempts to shake the green-eyed monster were ineffective, so she turned her attention to the mystery envelope waving its secretive arms, enticing her to open it. She picked it up and walked over to her mission-style desk to locate an envelope opener. Anne took the silver blade and ran it through the glued seal. The contents trickled out and onto her desk. Colored photographs fanned out in front of her and a white note with red hue writing stared at her.

For My Anneliese

“No!”

She gasped, feeling her hands begin to numb. Her veins were flooded with fresh fretful blood that burned her chest and pulsated into her ears as the thumping of her heart pounded deep within her. The one person in the entire universe who ever called her by her given birth name was Carter. The room was losing all focus and was quickly becoming dim. But then Carter’s face became clearer, like a luminous apparition pulling her subconscious in deeper.


Buy Links
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9HSTOI
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Deadly-Deception/book-kVkWxlOHeUKT2moArHIkSA/page1.html?s=jWNSjpkeJEarCSK_AQjylg&r=1
https://twitter.com/AndreaJBeck

Author Bio

I think I came out of the womb writing. I published my first poem when I was in elementary school and my first short story was not too far after that. When I had my son, I wrote for various publications about his birth, what we went through as a family and when he was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum I shared his story with others who were going through the same scary process as we had.

Before my thirtieth birthday, I vowed to write and complete a full length book, which I did. I finished two weeks before my birthday. After a couple of frustrating contract negotiations, I decided to take a time out. Earlier this year, I made the decision to get my baby (Deadly Deception) published. With another frustrating contract deal down the drain, I decided that self-publication was my destiny.
Between homeschool awesomeness, domestic goddess duties, city upheaval, extra-curricular craziness, it has been a challenge to tidy the book up and slap a red bow on it. With the help of some amazing editors it's ready with a red bow on top. 



Thursday, March 14, 2013

Lash - Cover Reveal


Synopsis:
Decades after being banished from Heaven for saving a life he shouldn’t have, seraph Lash is given a chance to redeem himself. His mission: protect Naomi Duran, a young woman who has lost her faith. The assignment proves to be anything but simple when his superiors, the Archangels, withhold key information about Naomi and refuse to restore Lash’s powers. When an unexpected source reveals centuries-old secrets, his trust is shaken to the core, and he begins to doubt those whom he had once considered to be his greatest allies.

Determined to avoid anything that would risk his chances of returning to Heaven, Lash struggles with the greatest obstacle of all—his growing feelings for Naomi. But when her life is threatened by an unknown source, Lash questions the wisdom of the Archangels and his ability to keep her safe.

Soon, Lash will have to choose where to place his faith—in the home he has fought so hard to regain or in the forbidden love he can’t bear to lose.


Goodreads Link:


This Will Be a Trilogy
TBN (Broken Angel #2)
Release Date: Fall 2013
TBN (Broken Angel #3)
Release Date: Spring 2014

Author Bio:



L.G. (Linda) Castillo wrote her first story when she was ten and has been writing ever since. She took a break from writing fiction and poetry to focus on obtaining her Ph.D. in counseling psychology. She is now a licensed psychologist and currently works as a professor at a Texas university. Although she has published her psychological research in several professional journals and books, her dream is to publish a novel.

It wasn’t until she found the world of fanfiction that she became inspired to write stories again. She uploaded her first fanfiction novel under the pen name Lacrimosa Moon. With the support and encouragement of her readers (and lots and lots of caffeine), she wrote the first book of the Broken Angel trilogy, Lash, during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo 2012).

When she’s not writing, she scours the Internet collecting frequent flyer miles and uses them to travel with her husband throughout Europe. 


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Another Saturday Night and I Ain't Got No Body



Synopsis:

Sunny’s not sure she’s even looking for Mr. Maybe, when her friends decide to find her Mr. Right. Sunny Vale considers herself a dog-loving, romance-reading, homebody. But her life goes from dull to deadly when her book club fires her from her own love life and sets her up on six blind dates- one of whom might be with a murderer. More trouble arrives in the dead of night, in the form of Jake Landon, a mysterious stranger, who breaks into her neighbor’s house and possibly her heart. But Jake is packing more than a loaded gun in his well-fitting Levi’s. 

He brings an arsenal of secrets and plenty of heat to Sunny’s ho-hum summer. Jake Landon finds himself caught up in the capers of the sexy blonde in the house next door. But he has his own agenda which doesn’t involve playing hero to a curvy second-grade teacher and babysitting her panty-puking puppy. He's got other problems like fiery explosions, a missing person...and a parade of jerks Sunny insists on dating. 

Could Sunny’s Mr. Right be right under her nose? Even though Jake is gorgeous, likes her dog, and has abs she can crack an egg on, can she really go out with him if he’s just murdered her next door neighbor? Women of all ages will enjoy this tale of humorous, women's fiction, that also has a touch of cozy mystery in this small town love story.

GR Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17201881-another-saturday-night-and-i-ain-t-got-no-body

Author Bio:

Jennie Marts has been dreaming about writing a novel since she was in fifth grade and self-published her first Nancy Drew style mystery to a small readership of family, teachers, and two friends. 

She lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. Tucker, her golden retriever, was the inspiration for the dog, Beau, in this story. 
Jennie enjoys being a member of (RWA) Romance Writers of America, the Pikes Peak Chapter of RWA, and Pikes Peak Writers. 

Jennie spends her spare time playing volleyball and reading and believes you can't have too many books, shoes or friends. 

Jennie loves to hear from readers. Visit her website at www.jenniemarts.com or follow her on Facebook.

GR Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6876233.Jennie_Marts


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Saturday, March 9, 2013

Untouchable by Lindsay Delagir




Picking a boyfriend can be murder, but for Annalisa Winslett, it might end up being the literal death of her.

No one at Pensacola High School suspects the girl they know as Annalisa McKinnis to be a wealthy heiress in hiding, but things begin to unravel when two new guys enroll. Both guys are gorgeous, and both are trying to win her over. The only problem is that one of them has a million dollar contract to put a bullet in her.

This book is the beginning of a wild ride in a trilogy that will make you wonder if the power of love can truly conquer all.

When her pure and innocent heart is offered to him, will this cold and empty hitman fall, or will he remain untouchable?
 




 Book #2: : http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13455528-unforgivable

Book #3: : http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15744625-untraceable 













Lindsay lives in Florida on the west coast.  She is married and has three children.  Although she holds a degree in technology, writing full-time (someday) is her dream job.  She enjoys different genres, but always comes back to writing romance.











a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Vertical Drop

Cover Reveal!

• Title: Vertical Drop

• Author: L. J. Anderson

• Expected Release: May 2013

• Cover Design: Mayhem Cover Creations

Blurb:

It’s their last summer before college and best friends, Nola and Kelly, plan on spending their days by the pool reading, swimming, and soaking up the sun. 

Unfortunately, Nola’s hopes of enjoying a peaceful summer go up in smoke when her punk ass stepbrother, Parker, returns home from a two year stint in reform school. 

It isn’t until Kelly begins dating Parker, that Nola realizes her stepbrother isn’t the same asshole he used to be. He’s changed for the better, and now he’s damn near irresistible. 

How long can Nola hide her feelings when the one person she can’t have is the one she desires most?

Expected Book Release: May 2013

Saturday, March 2, 2013

What Are You Trying To Say

Ok, ok, I know this will freak you out...I know it did me, at first. I signed up on a dating sight.

I know, don't say it. I couldn't help myself. My writer/blogger friend, Aurora Morealist, mentioned it in the interview I did with her last month and I couldn't help myself. I was curious. Could I  really meet someone on that kind of site?

Well, let me just say, perusing the site is very entertaining. I know the site gives instructions on how to pick a good profile picture. We all know these sites are geared for looks first, personality second - if at all. So explain something to me guys...What are you thinking?

I'm flipping through the 200 men the site recommends I may have something in common with. The profile photos are surprising and, to be frank, quite scary in some cases. Guys, come on, in what planetary plane do you think a woman would find you attractive with a mouth full of food? Better yet, the photo where you cut out the ex-wife/girlfriend? Really? I still see her arm around you and her hand is on your shoulder with the hunk of diamond you bought her 15 years ago. Dudes, I am amazed! I know you may not want your friends knowing you're posting on a dating site but the pic in front of the bathroom mirror with your cell phone in your hand...wholly moly, have you no other photos? Could you just get someone to take a photo of you? Say its just 'cuz. Guys, guys (shaking my head in dispair), what are we going to do with you?



I love photos of scenery, but guys, I don't care how unfortunate you think you look, that will not get a woman to talk to you. We're just as afraid of how you look as you think you look. We don't like surprises. Have you noticed you can post more than one photo? That means, save the ones with your kids for those - not the profile. Yes, most women like kids and we know yours are imprtant to you, but you are trying to get us to be attracted to you, not your 10 year old daughter or, for that matter, the small lap dog licking your face.

The photo doesn't have to be professional, just clear with enough light so we can see you, and close up enough we don't need a magnifying glass to see what you look like. Nothing fancy, unless you want to.
It would, also, be nice if you smiled a bit. Looking grumpy or a mug shot doesn't attract dates usually either.

Men, think about the photos of women you like to see. Do you realize we may take 40 photos to find just the right one? Granted, I don't see the profile pics of the women on the dating site, but I do know I tried to pick some of my best shots. I know my girlfriends on Facebook, also, take great pains to post the best photos.

Come on guys, get a clue. If you are looking for someone to spend some time with, attract her the right way...with your best foot forward.