Gumshoe Girl

Today we welcome Andi Ramos, author of Gumshoe Girl, a romantic suspense novel available May 30th from Tigearr Publishing.

Andi will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f2694

Blurb

Sheagan O’Hare got more than she bargained for when her newly inherited detective agency lands its first case; a missing person, embezzlement, and murder. Sheagan’s out to prove she can hang with the pro's, despite the constant reminder of her amateur status from an annoyingly attractive FBI agent, Colin 'Mac' MacEvine, who’s forced himself into her life.

How does she feel when an old high school friend hopes to ignite a new romance?

Will she be able to discover if detective work and love can mingle before someone gets hurt?

Excerpt

As she shifted her weight, the metal walls started to reverberate and Sheagan stifled a gasp, willing the rumbling to cease. Her breathing became labored as the musty air stole the aroma of the sweet perfume wafting up waft from the suite below. She stilled her movements and did the only thing she could think of… nothing. Nothing but stare at the heap of blankets and wait. 

Come on, bimbo, come up for air. I know he doesn’t last that long.

Her discomfort increased as the noise from their passion became more intense.

Ugh, that’s it, I’ve had it!

She mashed her cheek and upper body against the grate.

I just need a peek to confirm.

She pressed harder, ogling the bed. Finally, she caught a tiny glimpse.

Just a little further.

She pushed and heard a chirring sound, then a scraping. She froze in place, but the grate gave way with a creaking groan and crashed to the ground. Time stood still as Sheagan realized there was nothing between her and the floor except air.



Author bio and links

Andi Ramos grew up in central Massachusetts where she still lives today with her family, goat, and Boston Terriers. Her love for reading grew into a passion for writing. She dabbled with pen and paper for a long time and eventually stopped pushing her amusements aside and started developing those stories into novels. One of her favorite things to do is to hop into her motorhome with her family and write while traveling down the road as they journey to various destinations.
This is the author's debut book.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Gumshoe-Girl-Andi-Ramos-ebook/dp/B07CMZVJ9Z/ref=sr_1_1
Website: www.andiramos.com
Blog: www.andiramos.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andiramosauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/andiramosauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/andiramosauthor

You Never Forget Your First Earl

Today we welcome back Ella Quin, author of the regency historical romance You Never Forget Your First Earl (available as of May 20th from Kensington Publishing).

Ella will be awaring a signed copy of the book (international giveaway) to 5 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour, which takes place today. Please use the following link to place your comment: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f2690

Blurb

With her three good friends all recently married, Elizabeth Turley is ready for some husband-hunting of her own. One gentleman in particular sparks her interest. Geoffrey, Earl of Harrington is tall, handsome, and dashing. He’s also just a bit too sure of himself. But Elizabeth has observed enough about the rules of attraction to pique the earl’s attention. Yet once she has it, the discovery of a troubling secret taints her future happiness . . .

Lord Harrington must marry or lose a prestigious position in Brussels, and pretty, well-connected Elizabeth fits his needs admirably. But could it be that he has underestimated his bride? She doesn’t bat an eye in the face of the danger they encounter overseas. She’s strong-willed, intelligent, and more enticing each day—yet also more indifferent to him. Now Geoffrey faces his greatest challenge: to woo and win his own wife, or risk losing her for good . . .

Excerpt

Once Gavin had accompanied Lord Harrington into the house, her aunt looked at Elizabeth. “Well, what did you think?”

“After his initial stiffness, he was quite charming.” Even if he didn’t kiss her fingers.

“He’s a handsome man,” her aunt mused.

She had studied him as he’d strolled off with Gavin. She had been right. It was clear his tall frame and broad shoulders had no need of padding anywhere. “Yes. His eyes in particular are a beautiful color blue. They almost match the sapphire he wore.” His hair was blond but slightly darker than hers. “I like the way his hair curls.”

“But he is not pretty,” Aunt said. “Not like Byron.”

“No. He is very manly looking. His jaw is firm.” Not able to get the vision of his shoulders and shapely legs out of her mind, Elizabeth fought the urge to sigh. She might be a little too interested in his physical attributes.

“And he was attentive to you,” her aunt prodded.

“Yes, he was very attentive.” Especially when he talked about going abroad. In fact, that was almost the only thing he discussed. He had not asked anything about her likes and dislikes.

“Very well.” Her aunt’s tone was a bit impatient. “He is tall, blond, and handsome. He appears, from his conversation, to be intelligent and well read. He comes from a good family. He will be a marquis someday, and he wishes to be wed.” Aunt Bristow arched a brow. “Tell me. What is it about him that you do not like?”

Her aunt was right. Something about Lord Harrington had struck Elizabeth as . . . off. She pushed is physical looks aside and focused on what was bothering her. Lord knows it wasn’t his appearance. It was not his demeanor as such. It was . . . was he really interested in her? “He wants this position so badly that I believe he will marry any suitable lady just to have it.” She scrunched up her face. “Do you know what I mean?” Her aunt stared at her, clearly not understanding. She’d have to find a different way to put it. “It strikes me that in a way he is like a fortune hunter. He does not care who he weds, so long as he can have what he wants. In the case of a fortune hunter it is the money. In Lord Harrington’s case, it is the position with Sir Charles.” She rubbed the space between her eyes, trying to ease the tension she felt. “I do not wish to be the means to an end.”

Aunt rang the bell on the table next to her. “You do not think he cares if his affections are engaged.”

A footman appeared carrying two glasses and a decanter of claret. After setting it down, he returned to the house.

“I am not even sure if he cares about compatibility.”


Author bio and links

USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.
She is married to her wonderful husband of over thirty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, and a Portuguese Water Dog. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true and are now living on a sailboat. After cruising the Caribbean and North America, she completed a transatlantic crossing from St. Martin to Southern Europe. She's currently living in Germany, happily writing while her husband is back at work, recovering from retirement.

Website:  http://www.ellaquinnauthor.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EllaQuinnAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ellaquinnauthor
Blog: http://ellaquinnauthor.wordpresscom

Roland Garros: what will our Belgians do?

The French Open at Roland Garros started yesterday. We Belgians have some players who are joining the competition, with the two major ones being David Goffin (nr. 9 in the world ranking) and Elise Mertens (top-20).

Goffin played his first match yesterday against Dutchman Robin Haase. A weird match, in which Goffin had to fight against himself but won in the end, albeit after 5 sets. Mertens will play her first match today.

We can only hope that one (or even both of them) will end up to play at least a quarter final or semi final. Winning would be a bit too much to expect. Rafael Nadal is the king at Roland Garros. But with the women? There is more open competition, and you never know how it will turn.

I'll be watching the tennis these coming day, as I like the play. I can't play myself (eyesight is not good enough for it) but it's one of the sports I prefer. I'm not so much a fan of soccer and cycling. I also like horse jumping, skiing and ice-skating.

Tropical weekend ahead

The gods of weather are gracing us this weekend, giving us temperatures around the 30° Celsius. You could see it clearly!

Already yesterday afternoon there were traffic jams for those heading for the coast. The hotels there will be full, you can be sure. And in the shops this morning, everyone was buying meat and other stuff for the barbecue.

As we've been away the two weekends before this, we are staying home for a change. But we're also going to have a barbecue this evening, when the sun is away from the terrace and it's not so hot anymore. Got a nice bottle of rosé wine as well, because rosé wine is the best when it's warm, just ask any Frenchman.

We have a set of table and chairs that easily folds together. We put it out when the weather is nice, and stow it away when the weather changes. It only takes two minutes to have the set out or away. It costs a bit more, but it's better than table and chairs that remain outside all the year. Those in plastic become ugly and dirty, those in wood suffer from the moisture.

How are you going to spend your weekend? We're just being lazy for a while!

Check-up

Today I had to go to the day hospital to have my three-monthly scan of the lower body. They do this with kidney protection, which means I have to be in the day clinic an hour in advance to get my infuse. The scan went without any problem.

The problem is, the results weren't in by noon. Normally they are, and you know if your treatment is working or not. Last time, I learned immediately that the little points on my lungs had almost disappeared, and that the lump at my pancreas hadn't grown and was changing in color already. Now I have to wait until next week, when I'm seeing the oncologist and have my blood tested (this happens every 4 weeks).

I'm not afraid to hear bad news, but it's not pleasant having to wait that long! How about you? Do you want to know a result immediately, or can you wait patiently???

Swiitching out of holiday mood

We returned from Prague, Czechi yesterday and so today is an ordinary week day - a workday for my sister. I don't know about you, but I always need to adjust once more.

It took me longer this morning to get in my ordinary schwung (drive). I sat longer at breakfast, it took me longer to read my newspaper. Even riding my bike didn't go as swiftly as usual, despite the nice weather we're having.

I'm still partly in holiday mood. Even it is just for a short time you're away, the feeling still lingers on. Being out of ordinary life can do a lot of good to a person. Freeing your thoughts, for instance. When away, you don't think of work (or you shouldn't). Even national news doesn't seem very important.

Do you also share these feelings? If so, please leave a comment.

Sunny weather in Prague

Just some short notes now. We are currently staying in sunny Prague, the capital of Czechia. We arrived here Friday evening.

We didn't have any fixed plans as to what we wanted to see or do, for us it's just important to be away from every day life for a while. My sister has a very demanding job with maximum responsibility and she needs to escape from it from time to time.

So we are enjoying ourselves here in this beautiful town. I'll tell more about it in my travel blog. Our hotel is also super! We have a great room and the service is impeccable.

And now we're off for a day of further explorations.

The Brits are going crazy once more

Just like with other royal weddings, the upcoming nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are drawing a lot of attention of the British (and many others).

Since Wednesday morning, hard-die fans are already camping to secure a prime place near Windsor Palace and be able to have a good sight at the prince and his bride. And they won't leave their spot, come rain or shine!!!

Bets are being taken as to whom has made the bride's dress. And merchandising is also big. Cups with the pictures of Harry and Meghan, the couple in chocolate, in cake, whatever.

Just wondering if there will be more spectators tomorrow than with the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Each royal wedding seems to draw more attention than the previous.

Here in Belgium this would be different. Of course, a royal wedding would draw some attention, but not overly. The royals are not the most popular people around. Holland would be different. There they also like their royal house, especially King Willem Alexander and his family.

Another birthday passed by

How the years go by! Yesterday was my 62nd birthday - and I feel just like I used to all the time. At heart still a girl of twenty (abouts) and in wisdom somewhat older. Still able to do anything I like. My body doesn't ache when I do something strenuous yet. The only setback is my health. Yet I try to live with my cancer as best as I can; the illness doesn't make me bodily weak and I don't suffer too many after-effects of the medication I need to take.

I don't mind getting older. Do you? For me, it was nothing to become 40, 50, 60. I hope I can put many more years on the teller! My grandmother was 86 when she died and she lived the longest in our family. I want to do better.

I suppose as long as you keep busy, and your mind is occupied, you really don't feel age. And I do keep myself occupied with all kind of matters. I read, I do puzzles, sometimes I write, I walk a lot and ride my bike, I like to go swimming and occasionally I ski or go horseback riding.

As there are only two of us left, there wasn't a great party yesterday. But we did have a good glass of wine in the evening to toast on another year.

End of a weekend in London

During this school break (Thursday to Sunday), we've been spending a few days in London.

The main reason for our stay was because we had tickets for Chess at the London Coliseum. The show - with Michael Ball, Tim Howard, Alexandra Burke & Cassidy Hanson- was super, btw.

We stayed in Wilmington, in a hotel not far from Angel tube station. You get easily to the town center, but the neighborhood is lively and there are lots of restaurants which are say cheaper (and perhaps better?) than those in town.

We are going home later today, unfortunately. It's always nice to be away for a couple of days!

Trouble ahead

Some people know how to pick their moment. The pilots of Brussels Airlines are threathening with a strike, because they are not happy with the new management (Brussels Airlines has fully become part of the Lufthansa group). They want higher wages, a better pension (who wouldn't?) and more family time. Yeah, as if they don't earn enough. And when you become a pilot you know you'll be away from your home a lot. If you can't bear this, better pick another job.

There is a long weekend now and at the end of next week there's another. And this is the moment they plan their strike.

We have to consider our trip to Prague will need to be cancelled. I'll wait as long as I can, but I need to cancel the hotel reservation at last one day before we arrrive so I don't have to pay a fine. As the French would say: 'Merde'!!!

There are a lot of strikes going on nowadays. I.m.o. unions are overplaying their importance. I can understand why unions were founded, because in the late 19th century the work circumstances of the laborers were miserable indeed. But in our time, a laborer is often better off than someone with a degree, at least in Belgium. When I was young, laborers could only take a holiday at the Belgian coast and they didn't own cars. Now they have everything. So why need a union anymore? Enough laws protect those who work. And pilots are among those who really shouldn't complain. They earn a lot more than we did as teachers, and they don't have to work so long as most people.

A Different Kind of Fire & Fury

Today I host a Virtual Book Blast Tour for A Different Kind of Fire & Fury: Revenge by Julie Reichwein, a Crime/Mystery/Psychological Thriller available now. The Book Blast Tour will take place on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. 

Julie will be awarding a $75 Amazon GC, and another Amazon GC for $50, to two randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f2670

Blurb

Detective Michelle Velasquez kicks ass with the Santa Fe Police Department, and she’ll need all her moxie May, 2013 as she’s assigned two cases which may be related. She’s assigned a vicious rape case of Maria Acevedo, an intern with the Jones Financial Group, as she gets a call from an old friend, Richard Stanberry III. He’s intent on re-connecting, but she’s suspicious of his motives for good reason.

As she digs into Maria Acevedo’s rape case, she’s assigned a thirty year old murder case of her former friend, Susie Murphy, who happened to be Richard Stanberry III’s girlfriend at the time of her murder. If Detective Velasquez wants to solve both cases, she’s going to have to put her life on the line to uncover some dark secrets that some prefer to stay buried.

Excerpt

It was the 21st century, but she cowered naked on the floor as the man in the ivory tower hadn’t signed on to equality in the workplace. #MeToo It was the age of female empowerment, but the big man in the office wanted her, in kitten heels, as he walked through her door. It was 
the age of feminism but to him it meant she hated men. For the man filled with hate, the new age woman fueled his anger as he justified his vile actions. The man forgot the golden rule; sometimes women hit back. Because you resided in a gated community, it didn’t mean she 
wouldn’t come after you. If you’d been more concerned about revenge, you might have controlled your actions. Since revenge never crossed your mind, you imposed pain only to learn that it didn’t heal what ailed you, so it was time for justice to even the scales or revenge would. 
All women deserved a dignified and respectful workplace, and I had a new victim who wouldn’t further her career by getting down on her knees.


They sent me to the Jones Financial offices, on Calle Mejia Street, after housekeeping called about an assault. I’d been drawn to Police work, because I loved to discover secrets, since I was young. How were puppies made? Could Santa Claus visit every day? These questions 
changed as I grew up and became a Detective. Do you feel better after you murdered her? Did you look in her eyes and let her know what awful act she’d done to deserve the final humiliation? I’d like to understand what happened, so can you tell me?  

Author bio and links

I'm a debut author who has long had an interest in crime thrillers and an interest in criminal psychology, specifically, sexual assault. I was stalked two times in my 20's and had to relocate both times as I barely escaped rape both times. I used those experiences in creating one of my fictional characters in the book.
I'm an avid outdoor enthusiast and a lover of animals. I own 5 dogs and have horses, too. They're my babies.

BOOK LINKS FOR JULIE REICHWEIN;
TWITTER; @CRIMEBOOKGIRL1
 FACEBOOK; https://www.facebook.com/julie.reichwein
WEBSITE; WWW.JULIEREICHWEIN.INFO
AMAZON LINK; http://amazon.com/dp/B07BC7CYMQ

It's the weekend

And weekends are made for doing just nothing... only those things you like, right?

Moreover, since Friday the weather has taken a turn for the better and we've only seen blue skies and a warm sun since then. It'll remain like this for at least a couple of days more.

It's a pleasure riding the bike right now (my neighbor wonders why I don't feel afraid to use it, but it's like riding a horse, when it throws you, you just have to get up once more) and feel the sun in your face. The warm coats are in the cupboard and t-shirts have replaced long sleeved ones.

Perhaps it's because of my taking so many pills right now (for blood pressure, for the sugar level in my blood, to make my thyroid gland work better, to fight nausea, to make the cancer metastases disappear) that I feel the cold more than earlier in my life. Now I think 30° Celsius is a temperature that's just right. When we were in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, where the temperature was around 37° all days, it felt good. A couple of years ago, I would have felt it was too warm.

I suppose we'll have lunch and dinner outside today. We have a set of garden furniture that is easy to handle and can be put out when necessary. A salad with strawberries and nuts for lunch, and tonight asparagus Flemish style, with young potatoes and pork tenderloin with onion sauce. Yummie! I do love asparagus and try to eat them as long as the season for them lasts.

Soul of Discretion

Today we welcome two authors, Susan Mac Nicol and M. Tasia. They are doing a virtual book blast tour for their publication SOUL OF DISCRETION, a M/M romance available May 1 from Boroughs Publishing Group. The Book Blast Tour will take place April 30 - May 4.

The authors will be awarding eBook copies of Survival Game by Susan Mac Nicol and Grady by M. Tasia to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f2659

Blurb

CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET...

Simon Bridgeworth believes in loyalty, and keeping things in-house. When he discovers his best friend, who has been running the Canadian division of Simon's tech empire, has been skimming millions from the company, Simon flies to Toronto to get to the bottom of the theft and learns his friend has been murdered. Devastated and at a loose end, Simon knows there's no way the company's problems can be kept under wraps now. Imagine his surprise when he learns the Mountie investigating the murder is the first repeat Simon has allowed himself in years.  

Sergeant Nick Cooper is a proud member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He's served his country in the military, and now he's protecting the citizenry of Toronto. But devotion to duty is no longer enough. On a whim, Nick hooks up with Aristocrat69 on crUIzer, and what started as one night of incredible sex turns into an attraction neither man can ignore. When a grisly mob murder sends Nick to the Breakforce corporation, he is shocked to discover his lover is none other than its CEO. When Simon's life is threatened, ethical lines blur as Nick does anything to keep him safe - no cost is too high for the man who has become Nick's everything.

Excerpt

Despite his experience at hook-ups and having sampled a wide range of the male population across the world, Simon’s jaw dropped on seeing the man in front of him.

Sweet Jesus. His profile picture didn’t do this man justice at all. He was, quite simply, stunning. And big. And muscled.

Crystal blue eyes stared at him from beneath short-cropped dark hair and from the expression of appreciation on the hook-up’s face; he was finding Simon equally as tasty. Dressed in old comfortable jeans, a jacket that looked as if it had been rescued from a thrift shop, and large boots that were scuffed and worn, the hook-up was exactly what Simon needed.

Simon gestured the man in. “Come in, Northernsalute,” he murmured with a smile. “I have a feeling we’re going to get on fine.”

Northernsalute grinned as he came in, his blue eyes crinkling with laugh lines and the trimmed stubble around his jaw looking deliciously lickable.

“Yeah?” He reached out a calloused hand and stroked Simon’s jawline. “I think I might agree with you on that one, Aristocrat sixty-nine. I’m a sucker for a man with an English accent.”

Simon rolled his eyes as he closed the door, and watched his guest—well, his guest’s extremely tight arse—stride across the room to stand by the cocktail cabinet Simon had already opened.

“Not the first time I’ve heard that,” he said. “I don’t know what it is about the accent that triggers horniness on this side of the pond, but I thank God for it. Perhaps someone should do a study on it.” He gestured to the bar. “Would you like a drink first? I know we’re here to fuck but there’s no point in not being civilised about it.” He noticed his “date’s” flinch at Simon’s choice of words. Oh God, he groaned inwardly. Please don’t let this guy be another needy bastard like the last one.

“Whisky, neat. No ice. Oh, and the name’s Nick. I can’t imagine calling you Aristocat sixty-nine all night so figured we might as well swap names now.” Nick raised an enquiring eyebrow as he shrugged out of his jacket and placed it on the back of the sofa. 

Simon poured the drinks. Whisky for Nick, and a bourbon for himself. He’d developed a taste for it when he’d lived in New Orleans some years ago. “If you wish. Mine’s Simon. Please refrain from any cute ditties about ‘Simon Says’ because I’ve heard it all, and I’ll probably re-arrange your face if you try it. Especially in bed.” He handed the whisky to Nick, marvelling at the way the man’s face lit up in laughter.

He really was an attractive chap, Simon mused. With a personality to match. He might be worth a repeat or two while Simon was here. Save him explaining his hook-up philosophy to a new men.

“Duly noted.” Nick’s twang was sexy and Simon wasn’t averse to hearing more of it. He walked over to the couch and sat down, patting the seat beside him. 

“Let’s have a drink, then we can get down to business.”


Author bio and links


SUSAN MAC NICOL
Sue writes steamy, sexy and fun contemporary gay romances, some suspenseful, some gritty and dark, and others just plain ahhhh....
Lover of angst and conflict, she enjoys putting her characters through the emotional wringer and bringing them out the other side with an HEA, or, at the very least, a HFN.
She is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America and is also a member of the Romantic Novelists Association in the UK. She’s the Editor-in-Chief at Divine Magazine (www.divinemagazine.biz), and she’s a Charity Board trustee at Being Me in London (www.beingmecampaign.com).
Sue is passionate about research and has stayed in a circus, taken lessons from a blind person on how it feels to be non-sighted, and has travelled to a lighthouse with maintenance crew to see firsthand what it’s like inside. She’s also written a screenplay with a Hollywood actor/producer, with a view to taking her book, Sight Unseen, to the big screen.

website: http://www.susanmacnicol.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Author-Susan-Mac-Nicol
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SusanMacNicol7
instagram: http://www.instagram.com/susiemax77

M. TASIA
Michelle is a paralegal and author who lives in Ontario, Canada. A member of the RWA and its chapter RRW, she is a dedicated people watcher, and a lover of romance, 80’s rock, and happy endings. Married to a good man, mother of two wonderful girls, Michelle is also a servant to two spoiled furry children.

website: http://www.mtasiabooks.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mtasiabooks
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mtasiaauthor
instagram: http://www.instagram.com/m.tasia.author


Buy links for the book:

<sub>https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/822354

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CRNXYKX/

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/soul-of-discretion</sub>

May is a great month

Choosing between all the months of the year, I must admit I've a slight preference for May.

First of all, my birthday is in May (15th) and that makes it already great.

Secondly, it's the month in which everything comes to full bloom. The trees get their foliage in full splendor and you can see flowers popping their heads up. In the mornings you wake up with the call of birds.

And thirdly, in May you have many days off. We already started with a long weekend, as May 1st was on a Tuesday and so many people were granted an extra day off on Monday. Unfortunately, the weather was not all that great - too cold for the time of year and lots of rain. The coming week, the next vacation is coming up. Thursday May 10th is Ascension Day and everyone's free the rest of the week. The week afterwards, it's Whitsunday and automatically you also get the following Monday off. We'll be making trips during these long weekends. One goes to London (already the third time this year) and the second one to Prague in the Czech Republic.

For the coming week we're promised nice sunny & warm weather, so let's hope this can stretch to the rest of the month. Anyway, I hope it doesn't rain on my birthday!!!