 I'm so proud and honored! Tremors Through Time is a winner in N.N. Light's Book Awards in the time travel romance category. Many thanks to N.N. Light's Book Heaven for their wonderful work and their support and encouragement of the writing community.
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 “Meddling Fae.” Alex MacFhearghuis despises the Fae. And yet he cannot resist Aine, who is half-Fae, half-human. Will it matter to him that her Fae half is royalty? Wishes Under a Highland Star is the latest book in Mary Morgan’s Order of the Dragon Knights series. I’ve been thrilled to once again be engrossed in the splendid world she has created. The depth and detail remind me of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. There’s magic and mystery, light and darkness, devastating anguish, and hope. But unlike Tolkien’s masterpiece, her books are thoroughly, passionately romantic. Delicious. Lovely, willful Aine has accidentally caused a tear in the veil between worlds – no small thing – embroiling magnificent, broody Alex in one fiasco after another. I found myself alternately shocked, stressed out, thrilled, and then laughing, only to start all over again! I gasped several times while reading the story, I can tell you that! There’s a sprinkling of characters from the other books, links to the Dragon Knights and Fenian Warriors we adore. Brilliantly, fluidly written, the story whisks you to another place and time. The intimate scenes are genuine and gorgeous. Wishes Under a Highland Star will leave you breathless. I would give it 10 stars if I could! Mary Morgan has done it again.   A Little Bit of Lust… Don’t you love the title? It’s the newest book in Shirley Goldberg’s Starting Over series, and today is its release day! I’m thrilled and honored that she’s sharing this special day with us. To celebrate, I thought it might be fun to learn a little more about her literary life and to get to know more about A Little Bit of Lust straight from her. Welcome, Shirley! Thank you for sharing launch day with us. You’re welcome. I’m thrilled to be here. Seriously. 1. Going back to the beginning, what sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I read dog and horse stories when I was little, along with Nancy Drew and books about animals, especially dinosaurs. 2.What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I read across genres. My favorites are humorous relationship books––I guess they’re called women’s fiction (even though there’s no genre called men’s fiction) although it’s a broad term. I like my stories with a heavy dab of romance but I don’t limit myself. Right now, I’m reading fellow author Marilyn Barr’s ARC Quartermaster, a spin-off of her pirate series, and Amor Towles The Lincoln Highway on audio. 3. Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I wrote and illustrated a newsletter with my best friend as a kid and started writing short stories when I was thirteen. Tried a novel in my thirties. Didn’t have a clue how to structure a book. We all know it ain’t easy, hah. 4. What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? I wrote essays and newspaper articles and began thinking seriously about writing but didn’t give up my ESL teaching job. Fortunately, I enjoyed the company of kids. 5. You have an amazing website. Please tell us about what drives you and about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I blog less often than I used to. It’s not that I have to be inspired to sit down and write, because the idea of waiting for a muse has never been my driving force. Writing is hard work. The creativity comes when we authors up the stakes or throw breadcrumbs into the story to foreshadow an event to come. It’s all about the characters. If your readers love your characters, chances are they will love your writing. By the way, I love making graphics for promotions, but I’m slow and still learning. I’m also reluctant to star in my own reels. 6. What’s your writing space like? My study has old photos and a painting I did a few years ago. My desk is a rolling table and I wish I had a better, more expensive chair. But I love my monitor, a 32 incher! 7. Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I try to write in the morning but I have to go to the gym and that breaks up my day. Which is a good thing. I couldn’t write if I didn’t exercise. When I’m working on a book, I often let the little things go, like laundry and social media. The only way I can get into the book is to immerse myself, and my study is strewn with papers and notes, a real mess. I admire writers who are better organized than I am and welcome any suggestions or comments in the organization department. 8. Congratulations on A Little Bit of Lust! Won’t you tell us about a little about the book and also the series? Starting Over is the name of the series and my characters are in their forties and fifties. They’re all starting over in life and love. That’s a simple way to put it. The books are standalone, but the characters pop up in other books for an occasional guest appearance. In Lust, the three characters, Lucy, Deon, and Phoebe are best friends and then there are…complications. Yes, love complicates everything and with the lust factor, well, things get messy. I love a happily ever after, though. A satisfactory ending is all-important in my reading and in my movie watching, although I’m also a sucker for a great tear jerker, too. Deon, the hero, is a hot harmonica player who’s based on a musician friend of mine. I love using my friends’ names for minor characters and sometimes borrow their quirks and habits. Do other authors do that? My friends don’t mind. At least they haven’t complained yet. I would think they love it. How fun -- and the story sounds riveting! 9. I comprehend that today is the launch day of your new book. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting in the wings? Yes, how sweet of you to ask. I’m part of a series with six other authors. Each book has a magical mortar and pestle that travels through the Middle Ages to present day, causing people to fall in love. My book, Revamped, stars an energy vampire who doesn’t want to be an energy vampire––he wants out of that life. And he meets a “normal” woman. Coming in 2023. This is all so exciting for us fans! 10. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? Only that I’ve read paranormal romance, but I’ve never written it. Writing in a genre that’s unlike anything I’ve ever written in was more fun than humans should have. I’d recommend the experience of tiptoeing on the other side, however you’d define “the other side.” Both in our reading and our writing lives. Has anyone reading this column done that? I’d love to know more. I think that is excellent advice! Thank you again for sharing your time, talent, and launch day with us! Also, thank you for the sneak peak that follows. What a fabulous excerpt! I can hardly wait to read the book! Time for A Little Bit of Lust! How many second chances will she give him? Love-cynical Lucy Bernard delights in her independence. Baking, all things Instagram, the occasional special guy, and most of all hanging out with best friends Deon Goldbloom and Phoebe Karis. But when Deon kisses Lucy at the beach on a chilly afternoon, the two friends jump into a lust-filled romantic weekend. So what’s with slotting her into "ignore" status afterward? Deon Goldbloom is a widower who can’t move on after his wife's death. Is he a little crazy spending a sexy few days with Lucy and calling it the best time he’s had in four years? Yeah. Except blue Monday comes calling, and Deon isn’t ready for the guilt. Lucy wonders how a smoochy weekend turns into a friends-with-benefits disaster. And Deon wonders if he’s made the biggest mistake of his life putting Lucy on "ignore." Using all his nerdy charms, he launches a campaign to bring Lucy around. Maybe they can chart a course back to one another if Lucy will only forgive him. Excerpt “You’ve got chick flicks? Seriously?” Lucy read the movie titles aloud. “When Harry Met Sally. You’ve Got Mail. Sleepless in Seattle. Nora Ephron.” She turned to him. “So you love Nora as much as I do?” “Well, it’s more––” “An Affair to Remember. That’s romantic. Heartburn, not so much, but it’s a great movie. Who doesn’t love Meryl and Jack?” “There’s more,” he said, gesturing inside the cabinet. “Let’s watch You’ve Got Mail. I always cry at the end.” “So do I.” “You’re a man. What are you doing with romantic––” She stopped in mid-sentence. “Sorry.” “Melinda loved them, yeah. We weren’t big on vacations or fancy restaurants. She loved a plain old movie night. And men cry at the movies too, you know.” “Oh, of course.” Lucy hugged him. “You cry at the movies, that is so, so romantic.” “Sit, relax.” He knelt down. “And by the way, my lips hurt from all that good kissing. Do yours?” “Nope, because I’m tough and you’re a wuss.” Deon leaned in and kissed her a nice juicy one right when the opening credits started rolling. Halfway through the movie, when Meg Ryan was losing her bookstore, Deon paused the movie. They opened the bags to let out the oregano and basil and homemade tomato smells and prepared the plates with all the delicious Italian from Niki’s. Deon warmed the food and poured more wine, which contributed to their getting all misty-eyed at the end when Tom Hanks comes around the corner and Meg says, “I hoped it was you.” Which is what Lucy remembered her saying when she thought back on this moment. Then Deon found Arsenic and Old Lace and they took turns fast-forwarding to all the scenes with Peter Lorre and Raymond Massey. Deon did his Raymond Massey imitation, thrusting out his jaw, threatening the Cary Grant character. “Mortimer, just because you’re my brother doesn’t mean I won’t kill you.” Lucy howled and they rolled on the couch and made out a little. And then it was time for bed. Lucy’s new favorite time, since of course, she’d be staying over.   About the Author Shirley Goldberg is a writer, novelist, and former ESL and French teacher who’s lived in Paris, Crete, and Casablanca. She writes about men and women of a certain age starting over. Her website http://midagedating.com offers a humorous look at dating in mid-life, and her friends like to guess which stories are true. A Little Bit of Lust is her third book in the series Starting Over, although all her books are standalone. Shirley’s characters all believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and she agrees.  I’m thrilled and honoured to be hosting my dear friend author Mary Morgan today of all days – the launch day for her new book, Wishes Under a Highland Star. It's a brilliant, beautiful story. Congratulations, Mary!  As chieftain for his clan, Alex MacFhearguis struggles with the burden of an unwanted responsibility. With the midwinter feast approaching, he flees his castle to find comfort and solitude within the forest. Yet on his quest, Alex stumbles into a world filled with magic, mysteries, and a woman with beguiling eyes who could capture his heart. When half-Fae Aine Fraser makes a powerful wish, her simple request unlocks the magic she possesses and brings forth a Highlander into her world. Though the man has lost all his memories, she finds her attraction growing for this brooding warrior with each passing day. Unable to deny her feelings, Aine risks everything when she confesses her greatest secret. Can a beauty who wished for a champion tame the beast of Leòmhann Castle? Excerpt Alex grumbled a curse and walked away. Striding with intent, he gave a curt nod in passing when Aine stepped from her safe haven. She hurried after him. “Ye are bleeding.” “Aye,” he returned, making long strides through the bailey and ignoring her concern. “The cut requires tending to. Glenna is a healer. I can take ye there,” she suggested, doing her best to keep up with him. “Nae need.” “What do ye mean?” she pressed. Alex clenched his jaw. Rory’s talk about marriage settled like a nettle’s sting. Without a clear path in front of him, he had no intention of luring any woman into his life with false hope. Especially the one who smelled like wildflowers on a spring day with enchanting eyes that beguiled him. “The wound will heal in time,” he gritted out, sweeping past a yew tree and heading toward the sounds of a nearby stream. Aine grasped his arm with a force that surprised him. “Can ye stop for a moment!” Halting his stride, he glared down at her. The look he gave her would singe the hair from any warrior or animal. “Do ye have more to say?” “Why do ye refuse aid?” she demanded, fisting her hands on her round hips. Her stubborn refusal to leave intrigued Alex. Would she flee if he challenged her? He lowered his head near hers. “Why do ye care?” Her eyes widened, and her luscious lips parted. “Because I do,” she whispered. Alex’s breathing became shallow and the air around them thick. Her pink lips begged to be kissed. Would they be as sweet as berries? Or as heady as the wine he drank last evening? An ache to take her in his arms filled him. He wrestled with the conflict—duty, honor, possession. She was pure as new-fallen snow on a crisp morn, and he no better than a rutting stag. Though his hands shook to hold her in his arms, Alex steeled his emotions and moved away from her. Ye deserve a better man, Aine. Ye are a beauty, and I am but a beast. Aine’s smile came slowly as she took a step toward him and did the unthinkable. Standing on her tiptoes, she brushed a kiss along his bearded cheek. “Is it wrong to care for ye?” Indecision plagued him as he regarded her—disbelieving, curious as to what his real fear might be. Shoving aside the conflict within, Alex grasped her around the waist. He nuzzled the spot below her ear. “Ye tempt your fate with a kiss, Aine? With a man ye do not ken?” She lifted her gaze to his—her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. “Did I tempt ye?” Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Do71DuMcO98 Meet Mary Morgan Multi award-winning paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return. Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic and Norse mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories. If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of fantasy, then travel back in time within the pages of her books.  Literary You I thought I'd seize this opportunity to learn a bit about this talented author's writing life! Mary, I'm so glad you are with us today! Thank you for agreeing to this little interview! Hello, Anastasia! Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m delighted to be here on my special day. Now for your fascinating questions… 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? When I was ten or eleven years old, I devoured the Nancy Drew series. I would curl up on the floor between me and sister’s beds and read how Nancy solved a mystery. This was a magical time, until my mom would come in and make me go outside for some fresh air. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? Since I write historical fantasy, specifically medieval, I’m always eager to read out of the period I’m writing in. I’m a huge fan of regency romance, historical fiction and non-fiction books, and anything on Celtic or Norse mythology. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I’ve been writing stories since I was a young girl. I’d write about daily happenings in my diaries, poems about animals, and pen plays for my siblings to perform for our parents. There’s always been a book percolating in my mind. Yet it was on my first trip to Scotland in June 2000, when I had an overwhelming desire to write stories. The Dragon Knights were created on hilltop at sunset, and the rest is magical history. Magical, indeed! 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? My first published book, Dragon Knight’s Sword. I’m an introvert, so stepping outside my comfort zone into an arena where others would read and review my book was a huge personal milestone. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I’m a constant daydreamer, Anastasia. There’s always a running story and/or characters fighting for control of a scene. As a young girl, I was told to get my ‘head out of the clouds’ and pay attention. Ha! My mom is extremely happy I chose not to listen to her and follow my daydreams. 6) What’s your writing space like? I have this lovely corner in my bedroom that overlooks the garden. I write all my stories on an antique writing desk. I’m surrounded by all my favorite reference books, crystals, stones from my travels, and nature. Perfect for me!  7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? For me, my writing works best in the early afternoon to evening hours. Before any writing begins, I take three deep cleansing breaths to calm and bring in the muse. If I don’t do this little quirk, the writing doesn’t seem to flow. 8) Congratulations on your new release, Wishes Under a Highland Star. It is such a beautiful story. You amaze me. How did you come up with the idea for book? Please tell us all about it. I always wanted to give Alex MacFhearguis his story—his happy ever after. But his gruff demeanor made it difficult on finding the one woman who could stand beside him. Ironically, I was watching a children’s holiday show in December 2019, and the word misfits resonated strongly with me that evening. I dashed to my writing desk and started writing down the prologue for Wishes Under a Highland Star. And yes, the title came to me instantly. 9) I realize you’ve just published a new book and I know what that takes. But I believe you have another book in the works? Please, won’t you tell us about it, even just a little? You’re so kind to ask, Anastasia, and I’m happy to share. I’m writing Steinar’s story, the third book in The Wolves of Clan Sutherland series. Here’s a teaser: This man is known for his exceptional battles fought at sea. In his search to seek the ultimate treasure for Scotland—a prize valued by both Norse Gods and Kings—Steinar MacDougall must surrender what he treasures the most. Yesss! I confess to doing a little happy dance over here! 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? I’ve learned this journey of writing can be a solitary path. Yet I’ve met so many wonderful readers and author friends along the way. I feel I’ve been blessed, even with the hardships, to find readers who enjoy my stories. They are one of the main reasons why I continue to weave tales. Mary, thank you for sharing your time, talent, and this exciting day with us! You know I adore both you and The Dragon Knights! Congratulations, again! I wish you continued joy and success.  For more Medieval Monday, be sure to visit Mary's Tavern and Barbara Bettis!
Welcome, Silver Dagger Tours and Author Anne Carrole!  To risk or not risk: that is the question? A second-chance, enemies-to-lovers novel.  Career-minded Lexi Russell seeks a calm, predictable life that doesn’t require taking chances. But coming home to Wyoming for Thanksgiving, she finds out her carefully orchestrated life has imploded. Her “perfect” boyfriend has been cheating on her, her lucrative job has been eliminated, and the family ranch is on the chopping block. In addition, the teenage boy who broke her heart one summer a decade ago has turned into a handsome cowboy who’s planning on buying her family’s ranch with a low ball offer and her parents’ blessing. She’s got to figure out a way to help her parents avoid a serious mistake, find a new job, and stop her growing attraction to the cowboy who dumped her. With Christmas on the horizon, things take an unexpected turn that will force her to decide whether love is worth the risk.   The cold night air nipped at Cort’s skin as he walked to the pickup in stride with Lexi. He had to restrain himself from reaching for her hand, like he might have done if it had been a date. They’d spent considerable hours together, but far from making him ready for alone time, he wanted more of her company. She was bright, funny, frank, and darn pretty. And she knew about ranching, even if she didn’t do it anymore. The perfect partner. But, unfortunately, the ranching part was the stickler. She didn’t want it and it was all he wanted. How things had changed from that long-ago summer when she’d teased him about his city-boy ways and the future he’d laid out where he would be heading up some company, while all she’d wanted was to raise and train horses. And look where they’d wound up. As he shifted the truck into gear, he checked on her. Her head was leaning back against the headrest, a smile on her face, and her eyes closed. “You have a buzz?” he asked. She’d only had two beers, and since he was driving, he’d stuck to one. She chuckled. “Just feeling relaxed.” He remembered what it’d been like when he’d quit working at his corporate job. It’d been like banging his head against the wall one day then suddenly finding his head resting on a soft pillow the next day. “Guess you haven’t been very relaxed in that job you had.” Maybe she’d reconsider her plans now that she didn’t have a job to immediately go back to. And maybe he was dreaming. “Not at all. You know what it’s like.” “Yeah, crazy.” He turned onto the main highway and put some pressure on the gas. “That’s why I’m not doing it anymore. When the buyout came and everything sort of stopped for a moment, I realized how bad it had been, how much stress I’d been feeling. Then my uncle got sick, and by the time he passed, well, I didn’t want to go back anymore.” She turned her head in his direction. “It’s tempting when everything stops. But, you know, ranching isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s risky. There’s a lot of stress and a ton more things you can’t control. Like the weather.” “Or what my neighbors decide to do.” He glanced again at her. Her face was serene, not a frown line to be seen. She closed her eyes and smiled. “That too. But I don’t want to talk about that. Let’s just enjoy the moment. I haven’t been able to do that in a long, long time.” He turned the truck into her driveway. The headlights caught Bandit in the equipment barn doorway running around in circles. Barking filled the air. “What the heck?” Lexi shot straight up in her seat. Cort gunned the gas, and the truck bumped down the gravel drive like a runaway roller coaster. Something was wrong.   Anne Carrole is an award-winning author of contemporary and historical western romances. Raised on a farm with horses, dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, and whatever other animals she could convince her parents to shelter, she’s married to her own sweet-talking hero and the proud mother of a twenty-something cowgirl. Besides Country Snow and Mistletoe, you can also enjoy her popular Hearts of Wyoming contemporary series where love gets a second chance. Visit her website at https://www.annecarrole.com.   Concept for the Book People may not realize it, but family ranches may soon be a thing of the past. Many are being swallowed up by mega corporate ranches or sold to developers, particularly if there is no one in the family who wishes to take on the ranching legacy. And few independent ranchers are able to pony up the money to buy these family ranches when competing with the likes of corporations and real estate contractors. Ranching, as a lifestyle, may be under threat. It is this situation that I explore in COUNTRY SNOW AND MISTLETOE. Faced with health issues, Lexi Russell’s parents need to sell the family ranch since their children have gone off into different careers. Cort McClane, a city boy who got a taste of the ranching lifestyle one summer when he also met Lexi, has the means and the desire to buy the Russell ranch, but his offer cannot compete with a developer’s. Lexi, striving to do what she thinks is best for her parents, goes in search of a better offer, so sure that the boy who dumped her that fateful summer is taking advantage of her family’s situation with a lowball offer. But their past attraction is as strong as ever as they navigate past hurts, present obstacles, and the potential for future complications. With Christmas on the horizon, things take an unexpected turn, forcing them to decide if love is worth the risks. You can find this heartwarming second-chance holiday story on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. If you like Hallmark movies, you'll love Country Snow and Mistletoe. Enjoy! Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/Country-Snow-Mistletoe-Anne-Carrole-ebook/dp/B0BMZMH5F6   $30 Amazon Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/country-snow-and-mistletoe-book-tour-and-giveaway  |
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