Romancing Rebecca

Please welcome author January Bain today. Jauary is doing a virtual blurb blitz tour to promote Romancing Rebecca, a romantic suspense available as of February 18th from Totally Bound. This tour runs from February 18th-March 8th.

January will be awarding a Paypal $25,00 cash payout 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/28e4345f2907

Blurb

Canadian romance writer Rebecca Fairfax thinks a few months living in an English castle will allow her to test out her research theories about the castle and get new material for her writing. Oh, and she’ll be able to carry out her Brass Ring Sorority sisters’ dare to kiss a duke, too. Only, the whole experience ends up changing her life in a way she could never have seen coming…
Ash Piers isn’t interested in peerage and titles. He’s a freewheeling playboy who’s adopted a hedonistic lifestyle after a disastrous love affair. He thinks the upstart Canadian is a gold-digger of the worst kind, kissing his father, the Duke of Piers, on first greeting, then getting engaged to him a moment later! But, damn, he’s attracted to the woman who’s living in his home for the summer. How’s he, a red-blooded Englishman, supposed to keep his hands off her as propriety and family demand?
But with the castle lurching from one crisis to another, Ash and Rebecca have to work together to ensure his family make it through events that threaten to tear everyone apart. And when an ancient and deadly danger looms, both Ash and Rebecca are forced to conquer all fear—physical and emotional…
Part madcap caper, part serious treasure hunting, the Brass Ringers never fail to entertain or get their way!

Excerpt

“That woman stole your Fabergé egg,” the thief accused, pointing a rigid forefinger at her, one she instantly wanted to bite off.

“That’s not what happened, and you darn well know it!” Adrenaline flooded her system. The unmitigated gall. “I was chasing you!”

“She’s lying!” he said.

She took her eyes off the obnoxious pants-on-fire thief for a second, glancing around to see who had finally shown up to help, expecting perhaps the errant tour guide. But it wasn’t him. He hadn’t looked at all like a legendary ruler such as Uther Pendragon or King Arthur in his yellow safety vest. But this man did. Oh boy, does he. As though he had walked straight out of The Mists of Avalon or The Once and Future King, standing there with his arms crossed, glaring at the two of them as if they were in cahoots. From his thick brown hair falling forward onto his forehead to curl just right, to his chiselled facial features that spoke of centuries of good breeding, he would make the perfect lead in any movie that required a hot, over-the-top-sexy hero.

Oh. My.

She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly too parched to be able to speak a word. Xaviera, we’ve got the guy to play your hero in your swan song, that’s for damn sure. He was also the perfect protagonist for the historical literary book she envisioned using this castle location for, now that she was preparing to make the break from writing steamy romances. Finally.

“You can both come with me. I’ll need to get to the bottom of things.” His fine British accent tugged at something deep inside her.

“You don’t believe this lying sack of sh—this idiot,” she said, clearing her throat, self-correcting at the last second, with how cultured the man sounded and not her wanting to make a poor impression. He offered her his hand and she took it. Whoa. Nice strong hands, too. He helped her to her feet, blessing her with a stern look. Fine, play it that way. Anger rose at the unfairness of his accusations. At least it ratcheted down her libido.

“I just got here. How am I supposed to know who’s lying and who’s not? Are you okay?”

Author bio and links


January Bain has wished on every falling star, every blown-out birthday candle, and every coin thrown in a fountain to be a storyteller. To share the tales of high adventure, mysteries, and thrillers she has dreamed of all her life. The story you now have in your hands is the compilation of a lot of things manifesting itself for this special series. Hundreds of hours spent researching the unusual and the mundane have come together to create books that features strong women who live life to the fullest, wild adventures full of twists and unforeseen turns, and hot complicated men who aren’t afraid to take risks. She can only hope her stories will capture your imagination and heart as much as they do hers. 
If you are looking for January Bain, you can find her hard at work every morning without fail in her office with two furry babies trying to prove who does a better job of guarding the doorway. And, of course, she’s married to the most romantic man!
If you wish to connect in the virtual world she is easily found on Facebook, her second home. Oh, and she loves to talk books…

Blog Address - http://januarybainjourney.blogspot.ca
Twitter Name – https://twitter.com/JanuaryBain
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/january.bain

Any other social media -   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6437282.January_Bain
Email address for fans - januarybain@xplornet.com

Believe in Me

Please welcome back author Ella Quinn today. Ella's doing a virtual book blast tour for Believe in Me (The Worthingtons, Book 6) - a historical romance available as of today from Zebra Publishing.

Ella Quinn will be awarding a $50 gift card - Amazon or iTunes (winners choice) 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/28e4345f2961

Blurb

Even the Worthington least likely to wed may find her perfect match . . .

Marriage has worked out quite nicely for her older sisters, yet Lady Augusta Vivers is certain it would end her studies in languages and geography, and stop her from travelling. But when her mother thwarts her plan to attend the only university in Europe that accepts women—in Italy—she is forced to agree to one London Season. Spending her time at parties proves an empty diversion—until she encounters the well-traveled Lord Phineas Carter-Wood. Still, Europe awaits . . .

Phineas has studied architecture all over the world, yet Augusta is his most intriguing discovery yet. How can he resist a woman who loves maps and far-off lands? But her longing for all things foreign hinders any hope of courtship. When he learns her cousins have offered a trip to Europe, he secretly arranges to join their party. For he is determined to show Augusta that a real union is a thrilling adventure of its own. And when their journey is beset by dangerous obstacles, he gets far more opportunity than he bargained for . . .

Excerpt

He reached out his hand as if to touch her, then dropped it. “Please don’t be. I do know how much planning goes into a journey.” He grinned at her. “Even if you are not making all the preparations, you still have a great deal to do and many decisions to make. I apologize for not thinking of that.”

“Well, thank you, again.” She would miss him when she was gone, but she was glad he understood. “If we do not see much of each other over the next few days, good luck with your hunt for a wife.”

“Your wishes are appreciated.” The corner of his mouth cocked up into a crooked smile. “Not that I blame you for having your ambitions, but your leaving has made my search much harder.”

“Yes, well.” She brushed back a curl from her face. “Perhaps you will find a lady whom you can love.”

Taking her hand, he kissed it, and the warmth of his lips radiated up her arm. Good Lord, she’d forgotten neither of them wore gloves. Augusta became acutely aware of the strength in his lightly calloused hands, and removed her fingers from his grip. “I shall see you this evening.”

“Until then.” He inclined his head before taking his hat and cane from Thorton and strolling out the door.

She stared at Phinn until Thorton closed the door. Perhaps, after this evening, she should eschew entertainments altogether.

“Augusta,” Grace said, “you must decide if you’ll take Zephyr with you. Hector needs to know.”

“I do wish to take her with me.” She was leaving so much behind, but not her horse.

“Very well. I’ll send him a message. Please be ready to go in a half hour.”

“I will.” Phinn had more than surprised her this morning. If he loved her— No! She was not going to think about that. Allowing herself to fall in love with him would only lead to heartache.


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 Great Dane. 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.
Ella loves when readers connect with her.

Author Contact and Social Media:
Website:  https://www.ellaquinnauthor.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/EllaQuinnAuthor
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ellaquinnauthor
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7044274.Ella_Quinn
Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ella-quinn
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Ella-Quinn/e/B00CAE0FSQ
Buy Links:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2kBb73b
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2HbSxgb
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2MbKRcD
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2H8ecFY
BN: http://bit.ly/2HUgIuC
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2xtw0GN
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2sjC2VE
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2lfQCJQ
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2Cn79nm
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2RRaMeM

Beautiful sunny weekend

We woke up this morning, and the sun was already there. If these means global warming, I don't mind it a lot! It's so nice to see the sun shining and it's a pleasure going outside to enjoy it.

Wearing our winter coats was already too warm this morning. As they predict the temperature will further rise (today it's 14° Celsius) to perhaps 18°, I'll need to put on a lighter coat Monday morning when I next go shopping.

I like to be outside, so I go shopping almost every day. Never too much to bring home, lots of fresh produce.

Unfortunately, they predict lesser temperatures and even rain for next weekend. And that just then we we are going on a trip. Alas, you can't have everything as you want it!

My life with cancer

As today it's once more check-up day for me, I think back of how it all went.

Nearly two years ago, it was found out (quite by accident!) that I had a large tumor in my right kidney. After a couple of tests, the surgeon decided to operate. The operation went smoothly and my (large) wound over my abdomen healed well. I could leave the hospital after not yet a week. The following weeks I needed to regain my strenght (I could not lift myself up in those early days, because a lot of muscles had been cut) but I was not on any medication yet.

At the end of October I went for my first consultation with the oncologist. She explained everything and we both agreed the best way forward was to start with a course of Votrient (a chemo in the form of pills, because normal chemo or radiation don't work on kidney cancer)). At first I had to take a dose of 800 mg (2 pills) a day. These pills have a lot of side effects. I suffered most from nausea (until I got Litican) and diarrhea, but the worst was the pain in my feet. They seemed to burn from inside and whole layers of skin peeled off. I could not walk properly anymore, and had to do most errands by bike. Luckily the oncologist decided to lower the dosis of Votrient to one pill a day, and that helped. Combined with the intake of Probiotical my feet became quite normal again.

At first I had to get for a check-up of my blood every 4 weeks and for a abdomen scan every 3 months. When these results proved positive, dr. Bambust decided I only needed to come every 6 weeks and take 3 scans a year.

When they first contacted me with the news, I did not panic. I don't know how I do it, but I seem to take everything in my stride. I accept things how they are. I know you can't change them, so it's better to live with it. The only thing I did was make up a list of everything that needed to be done when I should not survive. I know my sister will be a total wreck when I'm not there anymore (we've been living together all of our lives) so she needs a guideline. She hopes she'll be the first to go as she realizes I can better deal with it.

Suffering from side effects of the medication was no fun, but I didn't let it decide what I'd do. We went on holiday just the same, but instead of walking we took a bus or a taxi to reach places. We went out dining and went to see shows or musicals, but in my handbag I always carry Imodium (against diarrhea) and I take an extra just to make sure.

Apart from these small discomforts (you learn to live with them) I feel quite healthy. I can do everything I like and I enjoy this. I don't think of dying, not more than anyone else. Who knows how long I still have?

Millionaire B&B

Please welcome Robin Daniels today. Robin is the author of Millionaire B&B, a romantic comedy available now from Bluefields Publishing. For promotional reasons, Robin is doing a virtual book blast tour today.

Robin will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes&Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during this tour. Please use the following link to place your comment(s):
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f2931

Blurb

Sadie is a successful romance author. She can write a swoon-worthy man with the best of them but can’t seem to find one for herself. Miles is the cute and wealthy heir to Copeland Press, Sadie’s publishing house. It’s hard to find a woman in his social circle who appreciates a down-to-earth book nerd.

When a twist of fate has Miles and Sadie double booked in the same vacation rental, they decide to share the cabin. Even though Miles isn’t Sadie’s type, she can’t deny the chemistry between them. Sadie’s down for a flirty fling, but Miles has other plans. He’s got a huge crush, and just one week to convince Sadie they were meant for a happily ever after.

Excerpt

SADIE 

“What’ll it be?” I looked at Miles after grabbing Ethan’s beer and a Diet Coke for myself. 

“What do you have?”

I leaned over and hung on the refrigerator door, surveying its contents. “Corona Light, some cheap boxed wine, orange juice, Diet Coke, Dr Pepper, milk, water.” Miles hadn’t answered, and when I turned back, I caught him dragging his gaze away from my butt. “French vanilla creamer…” I teased, boring my eyes into him. He knew he was busted, but he played it off smoothly.

Miles chuckled. “I was going to say Dr Pepper, but you may have just sold me on the Coffee-Mate.” I grinned at his witty comeback, and his face lit up. Then he winked, and my heart skipped a beat. 

There are all kinds of winkers in this world: the squinty winker, the rapid winker, the slow-motion winker, the blinker, the can’t-get-my-eye-closed-all-the-way half-blinker, and my least favorite, the over winker. Like Goldilocks, I decided Miles’s wink was just right.

“I’d have pegged you for a beer man,” I replied, handing Miles a Dr Pepper.

“I’m actually more of a wine guy. But I’ve just learned that wine with hamburgers is gross, and I’m trying to impress you.” I pressed my lips together. Was he teasing me or flirting with me? Because it sounded like a little of both.

Author bio and links


Robin is an overgrown child who fancies herself a bit of a comedienne. She loves to laugh, crack jokes, create flirty characters, write witty banter and believes in happy endings. Robin lives outside of Phoenix with her wonderful husband, five crazy kids and naughty labradoodle puppy. Millionaire B&B is her first adult rom-com, but she has six YA titles that are equally fun.
 

BOOK LINK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MWHP4PY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robindanielsbooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robindanielswriter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobinD_writer
Website: https://www.authorrobindaniels.com/

Spring is in the air

When you look outside right now, the only thing you'll view is a blue sky and lots of sunshine. It's supposed to get to 15° Celsius today, perhaps even more. A right feel of spring! (Although there was still some chill in the air earlier this morning.)

The weather forecast says it's going to be like this for the coming week, perhaps two. I don't mind it, nor will most people! I'm not all that fond of rain, although our farmers need it. Apparently it still hasn't rained enough to fill the voids of last dry summer. In West-Flanders and our province the water resources are more or less normal, but they are too low in the provinces of Antwerp and Limburg.

But what can you do about it? For now, just enjoy. It's going to be a great weekend, not much wind and lots of opportunity to go outside and do some walking or cycling.

Have a nice weekend!

Can't Let Go

Please welcome Chrissy Brown, author of Can't Let Go - a new adult romance available now. Chrissy is doing a book blast tour to promote this release. It will take place from February 11th to February 15th. During this tour, the author will be giving away a $10 Amazon or Barnes&Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner. Please use the following link to place your comment:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f2810

Blurb

A sweet, yet steamy new adult romance about a girl who's not ready to fall in love and a boy who isn't ready to let her go.

Beau
She is beautiful, probably the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, but she's damaged.
Her a-hole exboyfriend broke her.
I still want her.
I can show her that all men aren't the same
That I'm different.

Mallory
He's everything I need to stay away from, and I try.
I really do, but he's relentless.
So, I give in and let him have me.
All of me.
I should have known better.

Excerpt

I spend my days wondering what she’s doing. 

Is she okay? 

Is she out drinking herself to death like I am as I try to block out the pain?

 Or, the worst one of all, did she get over me and move on to someone new? I think that thought tears me up the most. I know we haven’t been apart long, but the phrase “to get over someone you have to get under someone else” haunts me.

Thinking about her in some other man’s arms, his lips kissing her soft skin, his hands roaming her body, makes me sick.  The only thing that helps numb the suckiness that has become my life is the whiskey. 

I grab the bottle of Jack beside my bed and take a swallow, then chase it down with another and another until the pain doesn’t hurt quite as much. But no matter how much I drink, there’s always a dull ache that is Mallory.

Author bio and links


Chrissy Brown is a Contemporary Romance and New Adult Romance author. She lives in Central Florida with her husband, twin girls, two dogs, and the neighborhood cat. 
She enjoys the simple things in life, like cuddling on the couch watching movies with her family, reading, Netflix, and beach trips. She reads two to three books a week, but favors stories with strong women, true love, and steamy scenes.
When Chrissy is not sitting at her computer, fantasizing about gorgeous country boys, she is teaching third graders how amazing books are...and writing, and math. She has also been an amateur wedding photographer and a CNA (to which she gives kuddos but says never again.)

Links: (full url links to newsletter sign up, web, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads, etc) 
https://chrissybrownauthor.com
https://twitter.com/Thechrissybrown
https://www.facebook.com/chrissybrownauthor
https://www.instagram.com/chrissybrownauthor
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MHPGL3V/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

Dicrimination

Just a thought... Heard something on the radio this morning which brings me to write about this subject.

Radio 2 (the most popular radio station in the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium) always does some or other contest in which listeners can win. This time it is a trip with one of 'De Madammen' (= the ladies). These are three women- Anja, Catherine and Siska - who present a daily program in the morning and which is very popular.

Only thing is - these trips ALWAYS takes place in period that are not school holidays. For the trip they are now, it's the week before the Easter break. I think that's discrimination. People working in education just can't compete, even if they are fan of the program.

And it's not only Radio 2 which does that. Most organisations who give away trips do that in those non-school holidays periods. Perhaps this is of the general conception that teachers don't work very hard and have too much holidays? Ask a person in the street what he/she thinks about the teaching profession and they'll answer: 'They only need to work up to 21 hours a week, and they get all the school holidays.' Oh yeah. Wish we only worked 21 hours a week! They don't know you have to prepare lessons, keep files about every student in your classes, have marking to do. For a lot of younger teachers those holidays are much needed to get some preparation done in advance.

Well, that was something I needed to vent. What do you think about this?

Quiet weekend at home

Sometimes you need a quiet weekend, just staying at home and doing (practically) nothing. Just been to the supermarket to fetch what we need for the weekend - do some baking, soup making and preparing dinner & lunch. We cook every day, even did when both of us were working. I think you need to make time for cooking. When you make something common, it often doesn't take more than half an hour - and there's something tasty on your plate. I can't understand all those young people who claim they don't have time to make dinner! Until two years ago, we were both working full time and we didn't have any help around the house. Managed to do everything by ourselves - and spend time on our hobbies. If we could, why can't they?

And I also find it important to eat together. I don't have to wake up the same time as my sister, who still needs to go to work for some time, but I get up at the same time so we can have breakfast together. And we also share the table at dinner. Only lunch is a solo affair, because it's too difficult for Chris to return to the house to have lunch there.

For the rest, intend to do some reading - always was my favorite passtime. And perhaps watch some TV in the evening, a glass of good red wine in my hand. I'm lucky that I'm not forbidden to eat or drink anything I like. I can have wine, as long as I don't drink too many.

And how will you spend your weekend?

Discovering new authors

As a fervent reader, I'm always on the look-out for new authors in those genres I love to read: thrillers in the first place, and then a good romance.

Amazon sends me such mails in which they present new books and very often for a very low price - a dollar or even less. This way I come across books I really love to read.

Such as the one I'm reading now: The Couple on Cedar Close by Anna-Lou Weatherly. Published by Bookouture, which I think makes for a quality read. This is really a page-turner, full of mind games. Robert and Laurie come to live at number 13, Cedar Close. Robert seems to be the outgoing type, Laurie is suffering from PTSD after an accident. When Laurie finds out Robert is cheating on her, there is a big row - and next Laurie wakes up, remembering nothing, and finds the body of her murdered husband in the bathroom...

Can really recommend this one.

A safer internet

Today is Safe Internet Day - and all kinds of people and organisations offer advice how to use the world wide net in a safe way.

To me, it's just using your common sense. For instance, when you use Facebook (or any other social network), don't offer too much personal information. I just use Facebook to see what others do (and those 'others' being selected personally, only people I know) and apart from my name and where I studied there's not much to be found. Google knows well enough what we're doing, so why offer more information?

Well, I don't mind Google. I find it funny how soon after I've looked up a place, a destination, a hotel, etc. I see advertisements for just those places popping up everywhere I go. Doesn't do a thing to change my mind. Both my sister and I know what we want and nobody else is going to persuade us to think otherwise!

When I was still teaching (gosh, that's already two years ago!) I always told my students to be prudent on the web. Like one girl, who complained to me that she was being hounded by suggestive calls from guys she didn't know. I said: 'Just turn off you phone if you don't want them to call you.' Huh - she hadn't even thought of that! I do have  smartphone too, but I only switch it on when I want to surf the web or want to make a call. When I see something on Instagram or whatever, I block the person sending the message I don't like. Easy.

And by god, I never posted a nude picture any time. The thought! Private moments you share with those you love, not with the world.

And of course, never believe someone who's claiming 'to know something about you'. They don't. They're just after your money. The best way is to report this to the police - and yes, that once happened to me as well. Of course I wasn't feeling threatened, but anyway I filed a complaint and it was taken earnestly by the police officer who came to write it down.

And also don't believe those mails which promise you lots of money, or fall for the moves of people who hunt lonely people. They try to win your confidence, and then start asking for money. You hear enough about people who lost thousands of euro's to so-called sweethearts on the internet.