This blog is for those 18 and older.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Dark Road Home by Karen Harper



A great mix of romance and suspense mixed with the Amish lifestyle!

A quiet Amish community in Maplecreek, Ohio finds itself plagued with a tragedy, change, and acceptance.

Brooke Benton moves into town to leave behind the corporate lawyer world and looking for peace and quiet.

Daniel Brand grew up in Maplecreek, left to see what was beyond the quaint border, and has returned to reclaim his Amish heritage.  Dark Road Home

Not long after they both move to town, a brutal murder of several young people in a vehicle/buggy collision tests the strength and Amish ways of the community. 

Amish want to mourn the lost children and keep the outside legal system from intruding.

Brooke yearns to use her legal knowledge to find the killer.

And then there’s Daniel, who struggles with the need to remain truthful to Amish ways, not let a worldly woman like Brooke enter his heart, and whether to find or ignore the killer.

Justice must prevail, and Daniel grudgingly and slowly partners with Brooke to search for the killer.  And who knows, maybe it’s okay to be Amish and love someone of another belief.

Brooke didn’t want to meet a man.  Simple is better, but when you have to deal with justice and high emotions, sometimes lovely things arrange themselves.



Keep reading,

Dawn

Monday, April 15, 2019

WICKED WAGER by Beverley Oakley and a Chance to Win a Signed Book!

Wicked Wager
By Beverley Oakley
♥♥ GiveAway ♥♥ 
Beverley is giving away a signed print copy of The Duchess and the Highwayman during the tour. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember there is a chance to enter everyday so be sure to follow the Blog Tour. You may find the tour schedule and locations here https://goo.gl/XTRwwr
 
About Wicked Wager: Can innocence survive the machinations of a malevolent society beauty and a charismatic rake? Two weeks before her nuptials to her cold, harsh cousin, virtuous Celeste Rosington finds herself in the arms of notorious libertine, Lord Peregrine. The unexpected encounter is, at first, shocking, but as Peregrine’s charm weaves its magic, becomes a welcome distraction from Celeste’s troubles. Isn’t she already the subject of whispers due to her involvement in the mysterious disappearance of a wealthy plantation magnate? It was a role orchestrated by her demanding husband-to-be in which Celeste had failed spectacularly. Nevertheless, Celeste has no intention of sacrificing all of her scruples for a man she knows is only toying with her. One kiss from handsome, charismatic Viscount Peregrine will surely be enough to give her the strength to fulfil her marital obligations? But what if one kiss is not enough? With her reputation in the balance, Celeste must navigate the treacherous waters of envy, intrigue and deadly secrets, unaware she’s the unwitting pawn in a wicked wager between a ruthless society beauty and delicious, dissolute Lord Peregrine. Could Peregrine really be a party to such perfidious plans? Will his reckless charm be the final undoing of a young woman once respected for her virtue and piety? Or will Peregrine discover that true love is more powerful than greed and ambition in time to save Celeste from the terrible fate that otherwise awaits her? Genre: Georgian Historical Romance Buy Links:
~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~ Excerpt: The last of the applause drifted away and for a few seconds the shrill cries of the orange sellers held sway. Rising from his ironic bow for the benefit of his companion, Lord Peregrine held back the red velvet curtain that had afforded them privacy so that Xenia could pass through and join the throng of theatregoers descending the sweeping staircase. He saw that she had fallen into conversation with a club-footed general whose more than interested eye swept appraisingly over Xenia’s abundant assets, and once again Perry felt again the familiar heating of his loins that only Xenia could inspire with a mere incendiary glance. The contours of her sack-back gown, adorned with a row of bows the length of her stomacher, recalled the more lascivious of those thoughts he’d entertained for the past decade: what it would be like to undress her, layer by layer by layer. He could only imagine how many layers there might be, but the prize would be worth the exquisite torture of restraint. He’d not revealed quite how much her proposition tonight had taken him by surprise, and the fact he’d agreed fuelled him with an odd combination of conflicting sensations: raging lust tempered by the knowledge that he’d just sunk to depths of moral depravity that might make even his uncle squirm in his grave: seduce an innocent on the eve of her nuptials. Except that Xenia maintained the young woman’s ingenuousness was a ploy. Still, Miss Rosington retained her standing in society as a paragon of virtue. What right had he to assume otherwise, just because it was convenient? He was diverted by a squeal to his left. Xenia was moving ahead, caught up by the crowd, her head bent to absorb the admiration of her club-footed general. Peregrine meanwhile found himself unable to continue, due to the fact the young woman in front of him had snagged her skirts on what appeared to be a nail or splinter protruding from one of the supporting beams. No one could move until she’d freed herself, and as Peregrine was directly behind her it was incumbent upon him to act the gentlemen and so enable the rest of the pulsing crowd to forge ahead. ‘Please be careful, sir, it’ll tear and it’s the first time I’ve worn it,’ the young woman warned as he took a handful of stiff silk in one hand. ‘It’s my finest.’ She twisted her head round to address him. As her lips parted, revealing a set of near perfect small white teeth, and her worried blue eyes bored into his, Peregrine felt a jolt of something unidentifiable plummet like a stone to the pit of his stomach. No, further than that, for without a doubt his groin was reacting with something akin to roiling hunger. And, surprisingly, with an intensity that exceeded the dull throb of ten years of wanting Xenia like a frustrated schoolboy. Close to, Miss Rosington was exquisite, her pale white and rose-blushed skin far more lustrous than when seen from a distance through opera glasses. Her powdered coiffure, dressed to fashionable heights, accentuated high, rounded cheekbones; and with growing excitement he followed the sweep of her graceful neck to a bosom that was rising and falling with surely greater rapidity than fear of what peril her gown might face. He liked to think that was so, as her candid look met his and the connection between them seemed like the sharp tug of some inner cord, forcing him forward, his hand brushing hers, nestled beneath a froth of silken furbelows, as they both reached for the undamaged silk petticoat, now released. ‘No harm done,’ he murmured as she drew herself up, her companion, the black-eyed viscount to whom she was affianced, returning to claim her, drawing her away with the barest of thanks. All over in a matter of seconds, and at what cost? For while silk skirts and dignity had escaped with minimal damage, Peregrine was the first to concede, as he watched her graceful back with pounding heart and aching groin, that a great deal of harm had indeed been done. ~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~  

About the Author: Beverley Oakley is an Australian author who grew up in the African mountain kingdom of Lesotho, married a Norwegian bush pilot she met in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, and started writing historical romances to amuse herself in the 12 countries she’s lived as a ‘trailing spouse’ (in between working as an airborne geophysical survey operator, a teacher of English as a Second Language, and writing for her former newspaper). Her Scandalous Miss Brightwell series was nominated Best Historical Romance by the Australian Romance Readers Association. She is also the author of the popular Daughters of Sin series, a Regency-era ‘Dynasty-style’ family saga laced with intrigue and espionage. Under her real name Beverley Eikli, she writes Africa-set romantic suspense, and psychological historical romances. The Reluctant Bride won Choc-Lit’s Search for an Australian Star competition and her Regency tale of redemption The Maid of Milan was shortlisted in the Top Ten Reads of 2014 at the UK Festival of Romance. Beverley lives north of Melbourne (overlooking a fabulous Gothic lunatic asylum) with the same gorgeous Norwegian husband, two daughters and a rambunctious Rhodesian Ridgeback. You can read more at beverleyoakley.com
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Change Is Good


Hello, gentle readers!
It is a beautiful Sunday morning here in Phoenix as I sit down to write this. I wanted to make sure I did this first thing, before I perform my usual Sunday chores and forget again, causing me to be late (I hate to be late, and yes, I have a specific set of chores I do on Sunday…it helps me get prepared for the work week coming up…what can I say? Gotta love those routines!)
Speaking of routines, I have changed my work week routine up a little bit and it’s really helping on the writing front. I no longer fire up the computer when I get up at 4:30 and immediately check my emails. I work on my story in progress and my average word count for the hour and fifteen minutes I write has gone from about 200 to 500. I just recently hit the 70K word mark and I like that!
I’ve mentioned my work in progress before, but I don’t know if I’ve told you what it’s about so here goes…it’s a Mail Order Bride story, the first one I’ve ever tried, but it’s a little different than other Mail Order Bride stories I’ve read…at least I hope it is.
It’s been a joy to work on (well, most of the time….there was a short period of about three weeks where I didn’t work on it at all! Just couldn’t seem to get focused. Thankfully, I have some wonderful people in my life who pretty much kicked my butt and I’m grateful for that.) I like my heroine. She’s spunky and matter-of-fact and guess what? She likes routines as much as I do!
And that’s all for me…those Sunday chores are calling my name.

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

Sunday, April 7, 2019

A MATCH MADE IN MONACO by Shana Gray and a Chance for a Kindle Paperwhite!


Hi everyone!

I’m so happy to be back visiting with Lexi and all of you! And today is RELEASE day in the UK and world for the last book in my GIRLS WEEKEND AWAY series. It comes out on the 15th in US and Canada but you can preorder now.

Now for some really big news!! How about a chance to win a Kindle Paperwhite loaded up with a whole bunch of books by some of my amazing author friends!
This giveaway is to celebrate and have one last hurrah as we close off the GIRLS WEEKEND AWAY series!! I'm thrilled that Bonni, Celia, Ava, and Fredi's stories are now out in the wild. But I'm also sad that their stories have drawn to a close.

But that doesn't mean the fun is over. No way! You have four books that will whisk you away and help you escape to exotic locations with a bunch fun girlfriends and their sexy men. Plus, the chance to win a cool prize at the end.


 And here’s a special treat! WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS is now #FREE in the US & Canada If you haven’t started reading the series, what better way than to get the first book FREE! So hop on over and 1-click!
I'm super thrilled today is release day for A MATCH MADE IN MONACO. It's Fredi and Zayn's story and I hope you all love it. The UK/World version is out today and the US/Canada version is out on the 15th. If you preorder it now, it will drop right into your TBR pile and you'll be on track for a chance to win the Kindle.



When the cynic...
Fredi doesn’t believe in love. She might be a successful bridal gown designer but that’s just business. Sure, she’s watched her three best girlfriends fall head over heels with the men of their dreams but she’s certain that’s not in the cards for her. That doesn’t mean that she’s not interested in some fun with a handsome movie star––one who just happens to be her assigned date for her best friend’s wedding in Monaco.
Meets the movie star...

Zayn’s used to women falling at his feet so he’s utterly captivated by Fredi’s quick wit and her refusal to be impressed by him. Their chemistry is off the charts and their connection is something unexpected.
Sparks are about to fly...
With only a few days before Fredi disappears back to her life, Zayn is determined to convince her that she can trust him with the one thing she swore to never give anyone–her heart.
Each book in the Girls Weekend Away series is STANDALONE:
* What Happens in Vegas
* Meet Me In San Francisco
* The Nashville Bet
* A Match Made in Monaco

This contest will be fun and test your reading skills. I hope you enjoy it and good luck!!  Enter to win an All-New Kindle Paperwhite or an Amazon Gift Card, and an ecopy of Working Girl. Plus the winner will receive eBooks from these fabulous authors to load on their new Kindle!
Abigail Owen, Audrey Carlan, Avery Flynn, Cathy McDavid, Cecy Robson, Dani Collins, Heather Graham, Jamie K Schmidt, Jo Watson, JoAnn Sky, Karen Booth, Karri Thompson, Kelly Jamieson, Kenya Wright, Lexi Post, Lindsay Emory, Michelle McLean, NJ Walters, Radclyffe, Rasha Selim, Reese Ryan, Rhian Cahill, Rhyannon Byrd, Robin Covington, Samantha Towle, Sophia Henry, Stacey Kennedy, Susan Meier, Tammy Bailey, Victoria James and Vicki Lewis Thompson. 
How awesome is that?!?
This contest will be fun and test your reading skills. I hope you enjoy it and good luck!! Head on over to my BLOG for the Rafflecopter entry!

A very special thank you to my two amazing publishers




About Shana:

Shana Gray writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction that just might make you laugh. With 30 books behind her, some translated into multiple languages, she’s always eyeing the next story line. She lives in a small town in Ontario, Canada, is a mom of two grown sons, a brand new daughter-in-law, and is her black cat’s human. When she’s not writing or at her day job, she can be found daydreaming about life, usually with a glass of wine or cocktail in hand and making travel plans to far off lands to feed her wanderlust. Her newest series – Girl’s Weekend Away – is out now.

Saturday, April 6, 2019

Veronica Reviews: IT'S GETTING SCOT IN HERE by Suzanne Enoch

It’s Getting Scot in Here
Suzanne Enoch

4 Stars

“I’ve fallen for ye, Amelia-Rose.  Hard.  I want ye to have nae a bigger life than the one ye imagined for yerself, but a more satisfying one.  I love ye.”

Laird Angus McTaggart and Lady Francesca Aldiss started their life together with a fierce passion.  But over time, Lady Aldiss can no longer tolerate the lifestyle of the Highlands and longs for her days in society living in London.  After the birth of their daughter, Lady Aldiss tells her husband that he may keep their sons and raise them in the wilds, but she is taking their daughter to be raised amongst the cultured.  Laird McTaggart, in great need of his wife’s large coffers, agrees to her terms—their three sons must all wed an English lass before their sister or she will cut off funding Clan Ross.

Fast forward 17 years, and the MacTaggert brothers find themselves at a loss when their father tells them of the agreement made with their mother.  Coll, Aden, and Naill MacTaggert are determined no mother that abandoned them will dictate how they will live their lives, and descend upon Lady Aldiss with plans of their own.  Alas, their mother will not budge, and she has already found a bride for her oldest, Coll.  Ever the peacemaker in the family, Naill goes with Coll to meet his betrothed, Amelia-Rose Baxter.  But Amelia-Rose is nothing that Coll wants in a bride, and everything Naill desires.  Quick witted and sharp tongued with a beauty not to be compared, Naill finds himself falling hard and fast for his brother’s intended. 
 
Amelia-Rose has spent the past 19 years doing everything to please her mother and always coming up short.  When she meets Naill MacTaggert, she is pulled towards his honesty and charm…as well as his exceptional good looks.  But what really calls to her heart is that he seems to care for her and all the quirks that London’s society shuns.
 
Naill and Ameila-Rose find themselves caught up in quite a tangle, and they both must decide if what they are feeling for each other is worth fighting for or if they will do their families bidding and forever wonder what could have been…
 
Suzanne Enoch’s It’s Getting Scot in Here is a fun fast paced romance that I enjoyed and would recommend to lovers of this genre.  I did have a wee bit of a problem with the mother abandoning her children at such a young age, but I imagine that for the times, it was quite common, and this story does resolve some of the conflict and give us a happily ever after.  I’m kinda rooting for Jane, Amelia-Rose’s cousin, to be paired with one of the other brothers in the next installment of the Wild Wicked Highlanders series. 



Sharing what I love, 
Veronica

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

The Dying Room by Debra Webb



Sylvia has more than the heat of Alabama on her back when she takes on a murder spree that involves the most unsuspecting group of people.

As the county coroner, she handles the most intimate parts of the dead.  And she finds a marking on the dead that she recognizes.  She can’t let it slip by the police, but she wants to make sure it’s what she thinks it is.The Dying Room

Wringing her hands, she calls a former “acquaintance,” PI Buddy Corlew.  She’s touched him before and can’t believe she wants to do it again.  He’s nothing like what she sees herself with; his hair is shoulder length and to see him in a professional mode requires jeans and possibly a sports jacket if she’s lucky.  But he’s a good man and makes her panties wet.

Buddy doesn’t have any misgivings in helping Sylvia.  Matter of fact, it couldn’t hurt to get to know her better.  Although, to help her with the investigation may hurt her more than anything when the truth is revealed.

Then the danger starts as Sylvia wants to get to the bottom of the murders by herself.

Buddy warns her.  Buddy kisses her.  Buddy does his best to save her.

A great romantic suspense that Webb is well known to provide!



Read everyday!

Dawn

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Win a new eReader, UNEXPECTED EDEN, and download FREE books just for entering!

Have  you  seen this  awesome  giveaway from BookSweeps?  

You  can win  my  book UNEXPECTED EDEN, plus books from authors like Cynthia Sax, Brenda Trim, Tami Julka and more. But there’s more! You’ll also get a brand new eReader if you win. 

PLUS just for entering, you can download FREE reads. This giveaway ends soon, so make sure you hurry and enter! 

Good luck!

Enter here: bit.ly/paranormalscifirom-mar19