INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR RAIN TRUEAX

Today my friend Rain Trueax has agreed to an interview. I met Rain on an Amazon discussion loop and now we are both members of the blog Smart Girls Read Romance at http://smartgirlsreadromance.blogspot.com Rain divides her time between her sheep ranch in coastal Oregon and her second home in Arizona. She writes historical, contemporary, and fantasy novels set in the American West. Now here’s Rain’s interview:

Caroline: Where did you grow up?

Rain: With parents and one brother, I grew up on a farm in the foothills of the Washington Cascades, right at the edge of the wilderness. I loved country living, sought to find it again all my adult life and have come close but never quite. The memories stay with me of that simple life, walking those hills, the spring from where our water came, the wildlife, and the old wagon roads.

Libraries and books were part of my life from as early as I could read. Books like The Black Stallion were always on Christmas lists.

I have been married over 50 years. We had two children and now have four grandchildren.

Creek at Rain's Oregon farm

Caroline: I remember my first trip to the library. In my case it was the county bookmobile. Tiny, but the books opened a vast world to me. Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Rain: I grew up reading Zane Grey; Frank Slaughter; Ernest Hemingway; John Steinbeck; Jessamyn West;  Margaret Murie; and many other nature, adventure, romance, and western authors. Today I read a wide variety of books. I don’t tend to have favorite genres other than western or romance, but there are authors I read whatever they write and often in genres, which I don’t read otherwise like Craig Johnson and Kevin Hearne.

Caroline: I read those same authors plus Louis L’Amour and Agatha Christie. What’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?

Rain: When I am writing a lot, I don’t get far from the keyboard or research. My mini-breaks involve going outside and sitting under out trees to watch the birds, butterflies, and leaves. When there is time, I enjoy going for drives, walks, visiting nature areas, taking photographs, and oil painting. We have an RV, and it’s enjoyable to take it to the mountains, desert, or beach. Oregon is blessed by having many options not that far from where we live. The laptop, which means writing, goes with me. Now we have a hotspot which mostly means I can get email or read the papers from anywhere.

Caroline: I always wanted Hero to rent and RV so we could travel the countryside, but he doesn’t think that would be as much fun as I do. Perhaps it’s because he would be the one driving. ☺ Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?

Rain: To narrow it to one right now, this came to mind. I used it in one of my books, Where Dreams Go -- “To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour.” William Blake

Near Rain's Tuscon home

Caroline: Lovely quote. How long have you been writing?

Rain: Hmmm since I could write, My first though that I turned into a full length book would have been fifty years ago. I didn’t try to publish it then... thank goodness ;)

Caroline: Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

Rain: I have a corner of the living room with my desk, shelves, and a bulletin board. It works for me because we never turn on TV during the day. Mostly I want it quiet, but once in awhile I play a soundtrack or a particular song if I am trying to draw up a needed emotion. My computer is a laptop, but I use a monitor and split keyboard to write. I like the laptop for being transportable. I save frequently to jump drives.

Caroline: Aren’t jump drives a wonderful tool? Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Rain: I know where a story will be going, the stages it will pass through, but then let things materialize along the way. Characters will surprise me, when after taking them down a certain path, I realize there was a deeper reason for what they had done. Those discoveries are what make writing exciting. I think I am a plotter and panzer.

Caroline: Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Rain: I use real historic events for any book set in the past. If a real person seems to fit into that, I might add them for color. I have yet to use a real person as a major secondary character. In Where Dreams Go, an actual, colorful traveling preacher fit into my story. He not only illustrated one of the revivals from those days, but served to add depth to one of the issues between the hero and heroine. I don’t though have my main characters based on anyone I know or have read about. That said, everything we experience does end up adding to the color of our stories.

Caroline: Do you set daily writing goals?

Rain:  I don’t have word goals for every day but when a story is going well for me, it will be around 5000 words in a day. That’s when I generally stop because if I write too fast, I miss the lucky surprises. I write every day but not always fiction.

Caroline: What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Rain: I want them to have an enjoyable emotional ride along with my characters. I like it when one of them later tells me that the character seemed so real they momentarily had to remember it had only been fictional. I try to put nature into stories to inspire others to enjoy it as I do. I like the idea that a book of mine can be taken at two levels—one for the fun of the read but the other for something that can be learned about life itself.

Caroline: That our books have a deeper meaning is a goal, isn’t it?  What long-term plans do you have for your career?

Rain: I am no more a plotter for my life than my books. I have three books due out this year and will soon be starting another for February. I am researching it now. I never though know how my books will be seen by others as I write stories that come to me and they often aren’t what even I expected. My long-term plans are just to keep writing but maybe more novellas after I finish that next book... oh and lots of editing always is in the picture.

Caroline: Yes, we are constantly editing. Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now?

Rain: Editing is ongoing for what will be my third Oregon historical due out September 21^st. I have its cover and have done all but the last edit which will happen after the beta readers get back to me. Then the sixth Arizona historical comes out November 5^th—again, it’s all about editing as it’s written. Same with the fourth Oregon historical, which will be out December 21^st. The story ruminating in my head will be the 7^th Arizona historical, and it’s going to be out February 5^th. Somewhere in there, I want to do some reading just for fun as it’s been way too long.

Front of Rain's Tuscon home

Caroline: What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Rain: Write, write and write some more. Learn your craft. The best story doesn’t work if others cannot understand and follow it. If you haven’t already, take some classes. It is an exciting time to be a writer where we can put our story out there, but we really have to work to be sure we put it out in good condition and readable. The beauty though is it can be our story and doesn’t have to fit what just sold a bunch of books. I think it’s a wonderful time to be a writer.

Caroline: Share a fun fact readers wouldn’t know about you.

Rain: My husband and I enjoy wilderness skinny dipping in rivers, creeks, lakes, and mountain hot springs. Just out of curiosity, once we went to a nudist beach in California. It was interesting but nothing we repeated. There is something though about swimming without clothing that is very freeing—but I like it best when nobody is around except us.

Caroline: What’s something about you that would surprise or shock readers?

Rain:  That’s definitely not going to be shared ;)

One of Rain's cows with calf in Oregon

Caroline: Is ECHOES FROM THE PAST part of a series?

Rain: I have two series going right now with alternate publishing dates, which I have to say complicates things. It more happened than was planned-- panzer. Both series, Arizona and Oregon, involve families or friendships extended over the years. The newest one, Echoes from the Past, is the first romance involving what will be three brothers. No cliffhangers and they all stand alone but with supporting characters showing up throughout the stories, kind of like people tend to come and go from our lives.

Caroline: Can you give readers a blurb about ECHOES FROM THE PAST?

Rain: Holly Jacobs, a modern, educated woman, has been haunted by dreams since she was thirteen. It led to her going to university and becoming an anthropologist. Now, thanks to an inheritance, she is preparing an excavation into ancient ruins in Central Arizona, still a dangerous land in 1901. Beyond what science can tell her, Holly is looking for an answer to her own mystery. Did her dreams tell her that she lived in one of those ruins and experienced a great but doomed love?

When that star-crossed lover of the past shows up in Tucson, looking as dangerous as ever, she knows she should stay away, but the draw is too strong. Their love has been cursed before and will be again, or can a curse like that be broken?

ECHOES FROM THE PAST is a western historical, taking its characters on an exploration into Southwestern prehistoric ruins. Passion, adventure, and danger are experienced in the beauties of Central Arizona, as are the meaning of love, family and friendship.  With some spice and strong language.

Caroline: Hero and I love exploring ancient Southwestern ruins. We’ve hiked ruins in all over New Mexico, Mesa Verde and Sand Springs in Colorado, and Hovenweep. We’ve missed Arizona, though. The time we’d planned a vacation, there was an outbreak of the Hanta virus and we went back to Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde instead. By the way, I love your cover. How about an excerpt of ECHOES FROM THE PAST?

Rain: Here you are:

The Sicillas’ doors were already open. Holly walked in with a smile, which was instantly lost when she saw the tall man talking to Connie. The two turned to look when she had stopped through the doorway. Connie smiled broadly. His face was dour. She couldn’t imagine him smiling-- other than maybe as he squashed a spider.

“Holly,” Connie said as she pulled her into a hug to draw her forward.

“Is my order ready?” she asked, avoiding looking at him. He hadn’t moved from where he was standing, arms crossed over his chest. Even though clean shaven and now wearing a suit and white shirt, he looked as disreputable as when he had pulled her from her runaway horse. He was wearing a gun only partly hidden by a broadcloth jacket.

“Some came in. I want you to meet someone.” She pulled Holly to the last place she wanted to be. “Holly, this is Vince Taggert. Vince, Holly Jacobs is who I was telling you about.”

The smile on his face looked as unreal as she was sure hers did. “Glad to meet you,” he said with apparently no sincerity. He didn’t put out his hand, and she was glad. She’d not willingly touch him again, not even to be polite.

“How about you both come into the kitchen. I had something I wanted to explain to Vince, and now that you’re here, you can hear it also.”

Reluctantly, Holly followed Connie, all too aware of the tall man right behind her. Something about the sound of his boots on the wooden floor annoyed her, but then almost everything about him irritated her. She wondered if he would tell Connie how he saved her. She wished she had waited until later to come to the store. Then he’d have been gone, and she’d have been spared the awkwardness.

In the kitchen, Connie motioned for them to sit as she poured hot water into a tea pot. “I think you will like this one,” she said as she brought the pot and three cups back to the table for the tea to steep.

“Where’s Del?” he asked as he turned a chair and straddled it, leaning his elbows on its back.

“He was going to the river to bring back fresh greens. He gets restless and a ride in the morning helps.”

“If my supplies aren’t ready, I can come back,” Holly said wanting anything more than to be across the table from that man.

“First drink some tea, while I explain why I asked Vince to come to Tucson,” Connie said with another of those smiles that always made Holly wonder what she saw that she did not.

“You asked him to come?” she asked without modulating her tone. She knew the him had come out without masking her annoyance. She glanced over to see him watching her with a faint smile.

“I wrote him.” Connie turned to Vince. “Holly is why I wrote you.”

Vince’s smile of amusement broadened. Holly’s annoyance grew. “I am having a hard time understanding why,” he said.

“Holly is an anthropologist, an archaeologist. She is about to go on an excavation into the Cibecue area.”

“Cibecue huh.” He turned that cold stare onto Holly then. “You know much about that country?”

“Enough,” she said tilting her chin up with an expression that she hoped would stop his smile. It did not.

“Nobody with a brain would think that’s a smart place to go pot hunting.”

If she had been annoyed before, she was close to infuriated now. “Archaeology is not about pot hunting, Mr. Taggert.”

“Tell that to the Wetherhills.” He snickered.

“So you are not totally ignorant about the science,” she snapped.

“Not where it comes to making money.”

“Archaeology is about discovery. It is not about making money.”

“Ah and who pays for the digs?”

“Well, benefactors or universities.”

His smile broadened. “Money.”

“In some cases. I am, however, funding my own.”

This time he laughed. It sounded genuinely amused. It made her more annoyed and convinced she never wanted to see him again. “You are funding it because those with more sense wouldn’t.”

She felt as though the top of her head was going to explode. “I did not ask anyone else.”

“Children,” Connie said as she poured the tea. “Drink some tea and calm down a bit.”

Caroline: Intriguing! Where can readers find ECHOES FROM THE PAST?

Rain: On Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0125LTADY

Caroline: How can readers learn more about you?

Rain:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rain-Trueax/200584236675973

http://raintrueax.blogspot.com/

http://videosanddiscussions.blogspot.com/

http://rainydaythought.blogspot.com/

ECHOES FROM THE PAST trailer: http://rainydaytrailers.blogspot.com/2015/07/echoes-from-past-taggerts-arizona.html

Caroline: Thanks for sharing with us today, Rain. Best wishes for continued success in your writing career. 

A WRITER'S LIFE IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT

Writing a book is not an instant process.  Authors work at different speeds. Kirsten Osbourne is able to write at least one book a month. Other authors take a year to complete a book. One friend has been working on the same book for at least three years. I am trying to write faster, but I’m still unable to write faster than a book every couple of months.

I have good intentions but life always intrudes. Funny how that happens, isn’t it? Currently, I’m writing (almost finished) a book that is companion to three others. Each author is releasing her book on the same day and the covers coordinate. The books are about four brothers: Jamie, Caleb, Gideon, and Ethan who live in Colorado.

The idea for this belongs to Cynthia Woolf. We based this very, very loosely on the old movie “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” but we wanted NO kidnapping. Everything had to be on the up and up--that is except for the fact the grooms' mom lied when writing to the matrimonial agency and the brides. Cynthia thought seven grooms were too many and settled on four brothers. Callie, Sylvia, and I were happy to be included.

If the brothers and brides-to-be are snowbound, how can they marry? We thought one of the brothers should be a preacher who also helped on the ranch when needed during the week. To keep the men separate from the women, one of the brothers has a cabin a few hundred yards over a hill.

My hero’s name is Jamie and he’s the eldest brother. Because their mother, Fiona Fraser, despairs of them ever marrying, she pretends to be them and sends for mail order brides—hence the subtitle THE SURPRISE BRIDES. The four women arrive in the midst of a blizzard and are snowbound. The other authors are Cynthia Woolf, Callie Hutton, and Sylvia McDaniel.

We Skyped (is that a verb?) and emailed until we had our books planned. We thought we’d worked out all the possible twists and events. Again, the best-laid plans went awry. We are in almost constant contact with questions about whether or not our books interfere with the other three.  Usually, they do and that means juggling scenes and rewriting.

Another problem we’ve met is keeping each book from being a repeat of the other three. We don’t want our four books to simply retell the same events from a different point of view. That would cheat readers. So, we have worked hard to insure each book is a separate story with different conflicts while still being true to the other three. Only the prologue is a repeat because the information contained sets up the stories.

My story is about the eldest brother, JAMIE. The next brother is rowdy CALEB and is written by Callie Hutton. Or you can mix them up any way you wish. GIDEON is written by Cynthia Woolf, and she assured us writing about a preacher without making the book preachy was hard. Sylvia McDaniel wrote ETHAN, the youngest brother. You can read them in any order, but I suggest JAMIE, ETHAN, GIDEON, and then CALEB because I know events in the books.

This is the hardest book I’ve ever written! I’m surprised my forehead isn’t bruised from beating my head against my desk. LOL Every time I started a scene, I had to ask if it would conflict with anything one of the other three authors had written. Should I include anything happening in one of the other books? How much should I include about Jamie’s children?

Will our idea work? Only you readers can decide. We’re pretty happy with the end result, though. 

Fingers crossed you’ll like all four books. They go up for preorder on September 1^st and will be published simultaneously on October 1^st in print and e-book.     

DOUBLE OPPORTUNITIES TODAY - TWILIGHT'S ENCORE AND SVATURA SERIES COVER REVEAL

Jacquie will award a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter.

PLEASE NOTE: This book will be on sale for $0.99 only until 2 PM Pacific Time (5 PM Eastern Time). It will then be on sale for $1.99 until 8 AM Pacific Time on August 8.

TWILIGHT'S ENCORE

by Jacquie Biggar

TWILIGHT’S ENCORE Blurb:

One man's betrayal will seal another's fate.

Ty Garrett fell in love with Katy Fowler from the moment they'd met. When her father’s betrayal yanks the young couple apart, Ty becomes bitter.

After a decade away, Katy returns to Tidal Falls with plans to get married in her family's theatre. But she hadn't expected to run into Ty Garrett, the boy she'd never forgotten.

When unseen forces endanger their lives, can Ty save Katy and win back her love, or is it too late for these two star-crossed lovers?

TWILIGHT’S ENCORE Excerpt:

“Ty, I didn’t expect to see you here. That’s twice today. I’d almost think you had it planned.” Her steps faltered when she realized just where he was standing—in front of the condom section. She flapped a hand in front of her face, a futile attempt to calm her racing pulse and pink cheeks.

He eyed her embarrassment for an amused moment before leaning over and deliberately picking up a box of extra large—in his dreams—glow in the dark—really?—contraceptives. “Funny, that’s what I was going to say.” He dropped the box into the half-full basket he carried in one hand. “After all, sugar, I was here first.”

Her gaze helplessly followed the carton of Trojans. They landed on top of three cans of kitten food, various colorful toys, and some litter. Katy reached into the basket and plucked out a toy mouse. “Unless you’re into some kinky activities, Garrett, your cover is blown.” She pointed toward the shelves behind him filled with pet supplies.

He shrugged. “You’re the one who leapt to conclusions.”

She didn’t think he was talking about the condoms.

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Twilights-Encore-Wounded-Hearts-Book-ebook/dp/B010HBAFZ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437657617&sr=8-1&keywords=twilight%27s+encore+jacquie+biggar

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I thought I’d share with you the beginning of my love affair with writing.

Normally, procrastination is my enemy. I like to get done whatever it is, as soon as I can, so that I don’t have to worry about it any more.

In school I worked hard to stay in the top ten every year. So when I came down sick with the measles and missed two weeks of grade nine, I was devastated. How was I ever going to catch up? I had less than a week to write a compelling story for Language Arts or get a failing mark.

Angry and frustrated, I sat in our living room, pen and paper in hand, staring at a bright yellow bouquet of cheerful looking daffodils. I wanted to hurl them across the room. It wasn’t fair. Why was I being punished for getting sick?

But then an idea popped into my head. A silly, farcical story. If the teacher wanted an essay, fine, I’d give him one. And so, Count Daffodil, was born. After the first paragraph the words flowed quicker, I could see the scene in my head and needed to get it down on paper. (Sound familiar?) I spent the rest of the day writing, and by the end of the night I had my story.

The next day I turned it in and immediately felt ill all over again. It was dumb. The teacher was going to hate it. I’d be a laughing stock. Funny how easy you can build something up to catastrophic proportions when you lack self-confidence.

We had to wait two weeks for the results. I was on tenterhooks the entire time. Sure that my mom would blow a gasket because I’d goofed instead of giving it my best shot.

Then came the big day.

I was scared to look. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and turned to the last page. These were my teacher’s words:

I’m glad I didn’t read this at night. It’s been a while since I was so enthralled with a story. Very professionally done. The suspense, the ending, the style was excellent. I think I’ll read it to the other classes. Very impressive.

Not only did he read it to the other grade nines, he read it over the intercom to the entire school! Because of Mr. Thomas and a hapless bouquet of sunny daffodils, a writer was born.

Jacquie's first book,TIDAL FALLS, a romantic suspense novel about second chances, released September of 2014.

Jacquie Biggar

http://jacquiebiggar.com

http://Facebook.com/jacqbiggar

http://Twitter.com/jacqbiggar

http://Goodreads.com/jacquiebiggar

http://Pinterest.com/jacqcool

http://www.amazon.com/Jacquie-Biggar/e/B00MSIJQBG

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Abigail is giving away a $15 Amazon gift card. Open internationally. Ends 8/13

Designed by: Debbie Taylor at The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: To Be Announced

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: The Svatura Series, Volume 1

When fairy tales turn into nightmares…

Ellie Aubrey has spent most of her unnaturally long life hiding her extraordinary abilities from the world. On the run from the shapeshifting wolves who murdered her family, she risks discovery in order to secretly watch over another group of similarly gifted people, determined they won’t suffer the same fate.

Alex Jenner has come home to protect his family from an unknown danger lurking in the woods. Suspicious of the new girl in town, he challenges Ellie in ways that will spark one of two possible outcomes: they’ll spontaneously combust, or she’ll lose control of the one power she’s fought so hard to contain.

In this fairy tale, the dragon the prince must slay is also the princess who holds his heart.

Designed by: Debbie Taylor at The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: To Be Announced

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: The Svatura Series, Volume 2

Selene sacrificed everything when she took her brother’s place as ruler of the Vyusher—including her secret love for one-time adversary Griffin Aubrey. When nightmares that are just a little too real start, Selene fears she’s turned into a cold-blooded killer…the monster Griffin thinks she is.

Griffin and Ellie Aubrey are finally safe for the first time in over a hundred years, and Griffin doesn’t want to easily forgive the woman he blames for killing his family. But when an unknown menace drives Selene to leave her people and seek their help, Griffin must decide.

Can he move past his hatred of everything she is? Or will the bond that could bring them both the greatest joy now be the source of their deepest despair?

Designed by: Debbie Taylor at The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: To Be Announced

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: The Svatura Series, Volume 3

Lila Jenner left her family to start a new life away from Ramsey Pierce. After decades of rejection, she needs the chance to discover who she is without him. Helping to rebuild relationships between tribes of Svatura is just the opportunity she needs.

Determined that the fire raging inside him will never harm Lila, Ramsey denies the magical bond that could be theirs alone. But when an old enemy resurfaces and Lila disappears, he realizes he’ll do anything to win her back and make her his.

However, Maddox, driven by a centuries-old quest for revenge, is stronger than any of them ever imagined. Friends and enemies must band together against this shared threat. Even then, they may discover too late that one dragon is not always enough…

Designed by: Debbie Taylor at The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: To Be Announced

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: The Svatura Series, Volume 4

Only oblivion can stop her pain.

Adelaide Jenner feels nothing… she is completely numb inside. Her fated love abandoned her and joined their enemy. On that day her sister turned off all Adelaide’s emotions in order to save her from a heartbreak that could push her over the edge of sanity. But the great power she claims, wielded without compassion or love, can only lead to pain.

Nate Pierce believes Adelaide used her extraordinary powers to deceive him all these years. So he destroyed a relationship he thought to be false and hungers for revenge. Now, Nate serves Maddox, unaware that his new leader is using him as a pawn in a bid to enslave or kill all Svatura.

The only hope of finally defeating Maddox is for Adelaide and her sisters to combine their growing powers against him. But the key to a Svatura’s power is the heart, and Adelaide is still missing hers.

Award-winning paranormal and contemporary romance author, Abigail Owen was born in Greeley, Colorado, and raised in Austin, Texas. She now resides in Northern California with her husband and two adorable children who are the center of her universe.

Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. A fourth generation graduate of Texas A and M University, she attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads | Pinterest | YouTube

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PREQUEL TO TOMORROW FOR TWILIGHT'S ENCORE

Instead of my usual Monday, Wednesday, and Friday posts, this week Wednesday is bumped to Thursday to bring you a special sale offer. Please return early tomorrow to take advantage of the special price and giveaway for TWILIGHT'S ENCORE.

Please don't forget to enter the Sizzling Summer Giveaway shown on the sidebar for a chance to win $250.

Thanks for stopping by!

SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE

Becky is giving away a $100 gift card to one person on the tour. See the Rafflecopter below.

Synopsis of SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE by Becky Monson

If there’s one thing that Bridgette Reynolds has learned recently, it’s that the perfect shoes, the perfect hair, and the perfect dress do not make for the perfect proposal. In fact, sometimes they make for the not-so-perfect breakup.

Now, Bridgette must do everything in her power to win Adam back. She knows they are meant to be. And nothing will stand in her way—not her friends, not her grandmother, not even the fact that Adam is now engaged to Serene after a whirlwind romance.

Focused on her plan to win Adam back, Bridgette isn’t expecting Ian—her college best friend, her love, her big regret—to come back into her life. They sink back into their comfortable friendship as if no time has passed at all, making Bridgette start to question her feelings for Adam. But Ian has a few secrets of his own . . . secrets that could shatter their friendship once and for all.

Bridgette has to make some major decisions—should she speak now? Or forever hold her peace?


Here's an excerpt to intrigue you:

“Bridgette?” I hear a male voice say my name as I near the staging door. An extremely familiar voice.

I turn around. “Yes?” I ask, searching through the crowd for the person who’s calling my name. Thinking it couldn’t possibly be him. Not after all this time.

“Bridgette Reynolds?” The voice gets closer. A face comes into focus. My blood starts pumping through my veins at a ridiculous pace.

“Ian?” I say, my eyes bugging out of my head and my stomach twisting into knots instantly. “Ian Davies?” It can’t possibly be him. But, on closer inspection, it is him.

I swallow hard to push back tears that are already on the surface because of Adam. But seeing Ian after all this time pushes those tears to the very edge.

“Bridgette? Oh wow.” He wraps his arms around me, lifting me up and spinning me long enough for me to gather my tears and force them back.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, as he puts me down, gesturing to the catering uniform I’m wearing, which, thank goodness, is a black skirt and a white dress shirt, paired with lovely black no-slip shoes. And by lovely, I mean they are hideous. I can handle this ensemble, though. There are other, much-less-attractive uniforms I’ve had to wear.

“I work for the catering company. What are you doing here?” I gesture to his black suit, white shirt, and black tie. Armani, no doubt.

“I work for the brokerage.” He nods his head toward the party going on behind him. “I can’t believe I’m seeing you. Here, in New York. What’re you doing here? Do you live in the city?” Ian asks.

“I moved in with Gram in Carroll Gardens,” I say, shaking my head. “I can’t believe it’s you.”

This is all incredibly hard for me to wrap my brain around. I had honestly given up hope that I would ever see or hear from Ian again. Of course, I had envisioned running into him—many, many times—but it wasn’t like this. Most of the time, I was in a tight dress, wind in my hair . . . not at a party I’m working, in a not-so-flattering uniform, smelling of onion.

                        Amazon      *     Barnes and Noble     *      Kobo      *     iTunes 

Praise for the Book

"Can I give this book a 10? It was so fantastic!" -Taking Time For Mommy

"Speak Now grabbed me from the beginning! This is the perfect escape/beach read - light and fun, amusing with some tearful moments." -Reviewing in Chaos

"Chick-Lit at its most enjoyable." - Life With Katie

About the Author

Author Becky Monson

By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last... but it probably won't.

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$100 Book Blast Giveaway


$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash


Ends 8/28/15


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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ROMANCE NOVEL HEAT LEVELS

I write all heat level except erotica. I think whether or not the couple has sex depends on the characters and their situation but some readers don’t understand the difference in the ratings. Please let me explain the way I see these ratings.

 Sweet – This involves no touching below the neck except the arms and hands. I have written sweet novels over the years. More of them later than earlier. A great author to read for sweet romance novels is Debra Holland and her Montana Sky series and Mail Order Brides of the West series. Another, if you like humor, is Kirsten Osbourne. My sweet novels are O’NEILL’S TEXAS BRIDE, WINTER BRIDE, STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS (novella), TABITHA’S JOURNEY (novella), LONG WAY HOME (novella), STONE MOUNTAIN REUNION (a short story) and the contemporaries HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME and mysteries DEATH IN THE GARDEN and ALMOST HOME. One of my favorite sweet with a hard edge series is the 1947 serial WOMEN OF COURAGE: LOVE RELEASED by Geri Foster. This is superb writing that keeps me hooked on every line. I feel as if I know these characters personally.

Sensual – Many of my novels fall into this category. There’s consummated sex but it’s not of the super-steamy variety. Those include GABE KINCAID, HIGH STAKES BRIDE, SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME (novella), THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND, OUT OF THE BLUE (time travel), MAIL ORDER PROMISE (in the duet MAIL-ORDER TANGLE with Jacquie Rogers) and the contemporary BE MY GUEST. In fact, some of sex scenes are between a hero and heroine who are married. Those would be BRAZOS BRIDE (now free), THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE (now free), THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP, BLUEBONNET BRIDE, McCLINTOCK’S RELUCTANT BRIDE, and THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE. If you like sensual novels, you’ll enjoy reading books by Cynthia Woolf, Callie Hutton, Jacquie Rogers, and Sylvia McDaniel.

Steamy – Involves more graphic sexual terms and longer sex scenes. I’m not sure I’ve written any novels in the steamy category, but if I have it’s the contemporary SNOWFIRES.  Someone who does steamy extremely well is Anna Jeffrey. Her THE TYCOON and THE CATTLEMAN will leave you breathless. I can hardly wait until she releases the third in the Sons of Texas series, THE HORSEMAN. In the meantime, you can preorder her super steamy DESIRED for only 99 cents.

Erotica --  Graphic and may include BDSM. One I’ve read that was well-written was by Sylvia Day. Other well known authors are E. L. James and Desiree Holt. I haven’t written anything in this genre.  

Every reader has specific expectations from a novel. Whatever you want from your time spent reading, there’s a romance novel waiting to take you on an exciting adventure with a happily ever after ending.

SIZZLING SUMMER CASH FROM AUTHORS

Sizzling Summer $250 Cash Giveaway
July 27th to August 16th

An Awesome Group of Authors & Bloggers have joined with me to bring you 1 fabulous prize!!

We’re giving away $250 in Paypal Cash!

Sponsor List – Thanks to these great authors & bloggers for making this giveaway possible!

I Am A Reader
Ann Swann - Suspense and more
Deanna Lynn Sletten, Author
Suzi Love
Krysten Lindsay Hager author
The Page Unbound
The Discerning Reader
Unshelfish
Raven Haired Girl
Author Inger Iversen
J.C. Whyte, author
Glistering Bs Blog
inspiredboosguide
Lori's Reading Corner
The BookBarn
Simple Wyrdings
Stacy Claflin, Author
Caroline Clemmons
Diana's Book Reviews
Kelly's Lucky You
Katie's Clean Book Collection
Aubrey Wynne: Romantasy Through the Ages
D.E. Haggerty author
Rockin' Book Reviews
B. Kristin McMichael
Chapter by Chapter
Jenny S. Burke
Julia E. Antoine
Jennifer Faye, Romance Author
Heather Gray, Author
MagicalCoolCatMysteries


Giveaway Details


$250 in Paypal Cash (alternately the winner can choose a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code)


Ends 8/16/15


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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INTERVIEW WITH HEBBY ROMAN

Please welcome Hebby Roman to the blog today. I’ve been acquainted with Hebby for many years through writer groups plus she lives not that far from me. She graciously agreed to an interview today.

Caroline: Tell us something about yourself.

Hebby: I grew up in Del Rio, Texas, a small town in SW Texas on the Mexican border that my mother who was from North Little Rock, Arkansas deemed the edge of the world, and it was pretty desolate out there. We had lots of sheep ranchers, they were the local aristocracy and the real world intruded via Laughlin Air Force Base. I had one older sister, who was nine years older than me and because of the age difference, we weren't that close. I was definitely a "bookworm," carried books everywhere I went, was well known at local library, and had read all the classics by the time I was in high school.

I'm married, going on 28 years now. I have two step-sons and a son of my own from a former marriage, Kevin. I have a two year old granddaughter, Mackenzie, and another grandbaby on the way in January 2016.

Caroline: Who are your favorite authors and genres?

Hebby: Okay, that's a loaded question for an author with author friends. J I'm a fan of almost all kinds of romance and all us hard-working romance authors. Jodi Thomas is an old time favorite of mine. I also love historical fiction, and I usually read anything Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory, and Helen Hollick write, to name a few historical fiction writers.

Caroline: I’ve read all of Jodi Thomas and Philippa Gregory’s books so I’m happy to have a couple of new names. What’s your favorite way to relax?

Hebby:  During the summer, I love to get in the pool, especially with my grandbaby. I like to cook and try new recipes. I'm addicted to all forms of electronic solitaire and mahjong. I love duplicate bridge but I don't have a partner right now. And the last thing I do each night is read. I may be a writer, but I still love to read, it's my number one "go to" escape.

Caroline: I love to read also and never trust an author who says he or she doesn’t have time to read. What’s your favorite quote?

Hebby: Live each day to its fullest.

Caroline: Good advice, too. I’ve known you 20 years. How long have you been writing?

Hebby: Since I was 10 years old when I wrote a 100 page notebook book. I started writing seriously for publication in 1990, was first published in 1996, dropped out of writing in 2002 due to family pressures, and dropped back into writing in 2012.

Caroline: Where do you prefer to write?

Hebby: In my study with music on. I don't like interruptions and I use a laptop.

Caroline: I also write to music. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Hebby: Definitely a plotter.

Caroline: Me, too. Do you use real events or persons in your stories?

Hebby: Yes, I definitely use real people and events in my stories, but in bits and pieces. I take a piece from someone I know and a piece from a family member and event that happened in my past and weave them together. Then again, there are some parts of characters or events that are completely made up. For instance, I've never been to a formal ball in the 1860's but I've read about them and written a couple of them, too.

Caroline: So, true, which is why we are sticklers for research. Do you set daily writing goals?

Hebby: Yes, I set a goal but seldom make it. Life intervenes, usually. I try to use page count for my goal, not words, I still think in pages and words, too, but mostly pages, when it comes to goals. I don't get to write every day. I used to, during the summers, in traditional publishing when I was teaching. Wrote every day, but now social media and promotion gets in the way. Sigh.

Caroline: Isn’t that the truth! What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Hebby: An easy escape from the cares of today's world, and a sense of justice that doesn't happen in real world. Everything turns out fair in my books, but not in the real world!

Caroline: Which is why I read romance novels. If I want unhappy, I’ll watch the news on TV. What long term plans do you have for your career?

Hebby: As fast as everything is changing, all I want to do is be around tomorrow and turning out quality writing.

Caroline: Again, so true. Share a fun fact about yourself.

Hebby: I'm definitely a warm-weather and beach girl. Both of my releases this summer take place in tropical locales with beaches nearby. TEMPT FORTUNE is set in Key West, Florida and CATALINA AND THE WINTER TEXAN is set on South Padre Island, Texas.

Caroline: Oooh, I’m so not a warm-weather person, which is odd for someone who lives in Texas. Share something about yourself that would shock readers.

Hebby: In the wake of Fifty Shades of Gray, you want moi to shock readers? Really? Okay, how about, my hubby of 28 years is my third. This one took!

Caroline: LOL Tell us about TEMPT FORTUNE.

Hebby: TEMPT FORTUNE is a stand-alone book. It has two main love stories and is the longest book I've ever written, topping 105,000 words. See, I do think about words, just not when I'm setting goals.

Caroline: That length is unusual in today’s fast-fix world but I know your writing is excellent and will doubtless keep readers intrigued and turning the page. Can you share a blurb?

Hebby: (this only talks about one of the love stories—the other love story is involved)

To escape an arranged marriage, Angelina Herrera flees to Key West to start a new life. But when her past catches up with her, she agrees to an arranged marriage in name only. Drawn to the independent Angelina, Alejandro Estava marries her. Outwardly he agrees to a platonic relationship because of his secret past. But forces more powerful than the hurricane descending on them unleashes their mutual passion and threatens their happiness.

Caroline: That captured my interest. How about giving readers an excerpt?

Hebby: Of course.

The magistrate cleared his throat loudly and intoned the opening words of the ceremony. Angelina strained to listen, but the words didn't quite register.

            She felt strange, as if she were standing outside her body and looking on. She'd acquiesced to their marriage because it was better than returning to Cuba and facing what her father had planned. Alejandro had promised she could live her life as she saw fit.

            But somehow, all his reassurances rang hollow. She was more than aware of their attraction to each other. How could they possibly withstand temptation, living together as man and wife?  And if they succumbed to temptation, there would be no easy annulment.

            The magistrate met her gaze and frowned. Impatience colored the tone of his voice when he repeated, "Will you, Angelina Herrera, take this man for your lawfully wedded husband? For richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor and obey?"

            The word "obey" stuck in her mind.

            What had she gotten herself into?

Caroline: You hooked me. Share the buy links:

Hebby:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00ZYX4B30

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tempt-fortune-hebby-roman/1012824647?ean=2940151138758

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/tempt-fortune

All About Romance https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

The Wild Rose Press

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1135

Hebby Roman, Author

Caroline: How about sharing your author contacts?

Hebby: Happy to share those.

Website: http://www.hebbyroman.com

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

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

Caroline: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?

Hebby: Yes, please check out my Pinterest Boards. I've got some seriously cool pictures up there and lots of history, too.

Caroline: Thank you, Hebby, for sharing with us today Best wishes for continued success in your writing career.