Archive for the ‘historical romance’ Category

 

Happy Release Day to THE LADY AND THE EARL by USA Today Bestselling author Ruth A. Casie. This is the second standalone historical regency romance in the Return to the Ladies of Sommer by the Sea. Come, read an excerpt and enter to win a signed copy of The Lady and Her Quill.

The Lady and the Earl

 

Amazon | Goodreads

A woman’s gaslighting behavior is a prescription for disaster.
But for whom?

Lady Harriet Manning is a skilled physician. She spends her days assisting her father, a renowned physician, and volunteering with the Ladies Auxiliary. Despite her passion for medicine and helping those in need, Harriet is bound by societal expectations that prevent her
from practicing medicine openly. Meanwhile, her mother is constantly pressuring her to find a suitable husband.

During a trip back to London, Lord Asheton, the Earl of Lockford, has a riding accident and is brought to Harriet’s clinic for treatment. The two grow close during his recovery, and their relationship begins to blossom. However, when Harriet’s family discovers that Asheton is the son of the Duke of Whippany, they are shocked. Harriet’s mother encourages her to put her medical abilities aside and conform to society’s expectations in order to fit in with Gavin’s world.

Despite their engagement, the ton is not happy with the match. Daphne Willis, in particular, has other plans in mind. Will Harriet and Asheton be able to overcome the obstacles in their path and find true love?

Return to the Ladies of Sommer By the Sea

    1. The Lady and the Barrister

    1. The Lady and the Earl

    1. The Lady and the Rogue- coming soon

Enjoy this peek inside:

“Where were you going in such a hurry?”

Lockford noticed Turner kept an eye on him.

“I’m on my way to London. It was foolhardy, but I wanted to run full out.” He snorted a chuckle. “I imagined I was leading in the steeplechase, and I’ll have you know, I had every intention of winning.”

“Until your mount threw you. He must have had other ideas about winning.” Turner shook his head and chortled.

Houses began to appear on either side of the road. They were coming into Sommer-by-the-Sea.

Turner pulled the wagon up to the side of a small building.

“We’re in time.” He nodded toward the lamp lit in the window. “The doctor is in.”

Turner hopped off the wagon, and with his help, Lockford hobbled into the clinic.

The pain was beginning to gather once again. He was lightheaded, and his stomach churned. Standing was too far from the ground. He needed to lie down.

“Mr. Turner?”

Lockford, still holding on to Turner, turned toward the door across the room and stared at the person in front of him. His tight expression relaxed into a warm smile.

She gave him one look. “Jasper,” she called without moving her eyes from the injured man at her door. She stared at him, and his heart pounded.

“Lady Harriet, he’s been in a riding accident.” Mr. Turner struggled as Lockford fought to stand on his own.

“My lady.” Lockford gave her a slight nod. “May I be so bold as to introduce myself? I am Mr. Asheton Dunn.”

He stared into her lovely eyes, silently congratulating himself for remembering to use his pseudonym, and proceeded to collapse onto the floor.

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Download book one: The LADY AND THE BARRISTER for FREE, this week only!

About Author Ruth A. Casie

RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now-writing romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures.

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Enter to win a signed copy of THE LADY AND HER QUILL book, one in the Ladies of Sommer by the Sea, the first in a trilogy. Open to US residents only. May the odds be forever in your favor.


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The Twenty-One-Year Contract

Sequel To Secrets, Shame, And A Shoebox

by L. B. Griffin


The Twenty-One-Year Contract: Sequel to Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox
Historical Romance
2nd in Series
Setting – 1950s London
Wild Rose Press (May 9, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 382 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1509239723
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1509239726
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09THQKFJS

Kathleen Gray—talented, a little wild, at times rebellious, but always popular—has a fun, easy life in rural Somerset, with a doting family.

 

Suddenly, they are gone, everything is changed, and she has only Uncle Jack. Try as he might, he cannot be father and mother to her—he has a business to run and his own life to manage.

Kathleen takes a chance and becomes Kate Westfield, fending for herself in London, with a new life built on her hopes and dreams and new friends. She could hardly have imagined that one of those friends has a shoebox full of answers.

About L. B. Griffin

L.B. Griffin was born and raised in the UK. She is married and came out of retirement when she received a contract for her debut novel. Griffin loves to write stories to touch people’s hearts, She draws upon social issues that are often hidden in deep drawers but readers can identify with. Her women don’t see themselves as courageous, strong, or survivors, but they certainly are.

Her debut, Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox has received superb 5 star reviews, amongst them Whispering stories and VINE VOICE reader/blogger Michelle Ryles, singing high praise: ‘Incredibly well-written, Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox is a magnificent debut. It’s a poignant, disturbing and a heart-warming page-turner that has left me chomping at the bit to continue Harriet’s story.’

The sequel, and also standalone – The Twenty-One-Year Contract, is already receiving fantastic five star reviews such as: VINE VOICE “This book will have you laughing, crying and cheering.”

L.B. Griffin continues to turn silent stories into courage, hope, and survival. Be warned, she is a self-confessed chocolate-raisin and strawberry addict!

Author Links:

Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Website

Purchase Links – AmazonB&NAppleKobo

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

May 10 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 10 – Indie Author Book Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

May 10 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

May 11 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

May 11 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

May 12 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

May 12 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

May 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

May 13 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST

May 14 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

May 14 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 15 – Jane Reads – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

May 15 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

May 16 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

May 16 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

May 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

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 Clarissa: A Clean & Wholesome American Historical Romance by Jean Jacobsen
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+) ,  324 pages
GenreHistorical Romance
PublisherJean Jacobsen
Release date:   Feb 2020
Content RatingG: Wholesome

Book Description:

Tragedy brings them together. Will love tear them apart?

New York City, 1832. Clarissa Tanner is carefree and lighthearted until the sudden death of her parents. Forced to pay off family debts or lose her horse farm, she’s given one choice: auction off her beloved horses or reluctantly enter 1830s New York Society social season to face the dreaded marriage market.

Nicholas is a man on a mission, searching for his missing brother. Fearing Liam may be the victim of foul play, Nicholas needs to keep a low-profile while conducting his search. He takes a position as a dance instructor, providing refresher lessons to the beautiful but distracted Clarissa.

​Clarissa and Nicholas find a connection through grief and movement as they fight their attraction to one another. Will they give in to their desires and find true love or will family obligations keep them apart?

Buy the Book:
Amazon
Bookbub
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Interview with Jean Jacobsen, Author of Clean 19th-Century Historical Romance

Jean Jacobsen is an exciting new voice in the clean and wholesome historical romance genre. Her debut novel, Clarissa, has captured the hearts of readers with its strong heroine, roguish hero, and captivating storytelling set in 19th-century America. In this interview, Jean shares insights into her writing process, inspiration, and upcoming projects.

Q- How did you become interested in writing clean and wholesome historical romance set in the 19th century?

  1.  I have always been fascinated by the 19th century and its societal norms, especially how women navigated within those constraints. As for clean and wholesome romance, I believe that love stories can be just as powerful without resorting to explicit content. I want my readers to be able to enjoy my books without worrying about inappropriate content.

Q-What inspired the story of Clarissa?

  1.  She popped into my head and wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote her story. Clarissa is a young woman who is forced to navigate the high society marriage mart to save her family’s horse farm. She is not looking for a prince to rescue her, but instead, she must rely on her own strength and resourcefulness.

Q- Your books feature strong heroines and roguish heroes. How do you create such compelling characters?

  1.  I believe that characters are the heart of any story. For me, it starts with developing a strong sense of who they are, their motivations, and desires. I also like to give them flaws and vulnerabilities, which makes them more relatable and human.

Q- What can readers expect from your upcoming projects?

  1. Liam is the second book in the series, which follows a new set of characters but is still set in the same world as Clarissa. It’s a story of redemption and forgiveness, with a large dash of suspense and adventure.

Q- What advice would you give to aspiring writers in the clean and wholesome historical romance genre?

  1.  Write the story that you want to read. Don’t worry about trends or what’s popular. Focus on creating compelling characters and a story that resonates with you. And don’t give up, even if it takes a while to get published. Persistence is key.
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Meet the Author:

Jean Jacobsen is an award-winning storyteller of Sweet, Historical Romance. Featuring strong female characters, roguish heroes, and 19th Century adventure tales. She pens stories that transcend the heart and always have a happy ending. Because of Jean’s deep passion for history, she includes real events from the time period, making her stories come to life as they transport you to a by-gone era. Join her on the next adventure.

connect with the authors: website ~facebook bookbub goodreads 
 
 
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Clarissa by Jean Jacobsen Book Tour Giveaway

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Eden organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Bobbi Smith will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Eden

by Bobbi Smith

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Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis

“Just know that, no matter what, I truly do love you.”

 

Those words and a Bible were all that remained of Logan when Eden awoke. Their romance had been born amid the ravages of war. Love had struck Eden and she had surrendered to it. She had exchanged wedding vows with the handsome stranger who had saved her life, but she realized now that their life together had been a lie. Her husband was a Yankee spy, who had used her to infiltrate the Confederate cause. The hardening of her heart should have been as rapid as the loss of it, but one question remained—Had he left her with a final truth?

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Enjoy this peek inside:

As Eden stared up at Logan, she could see the concern in his expression and she was touched by it. Since he was a minister, though, she didn’t think he’d appreciate what she’d done to those Yankees that night and she didn’t want to tell him. “Nothing’s wrong, so you can go.”

 

“But, Eden—why are you disguised this way?” Logan wanted to find out what she’d been up to, but the sight of her wearing pants and a shirt that was partially unbuttoned distracted him. He grew irritated with himself and struggled to keep his focus on her possible spying. “If you’re in trouble, I can help you.”

 

“This was something I had to do myself.” She looked up at him and found herself lost in his dark-eyed gaze. The intensity of his regard left her breathless and very much aware of him as a man.

 

“It had to have been dangerous if you dressed this way. What if something had happened to you?” Logan moved closer to her, knowing she was like no other woman he’d ever known.

 

“Nothing happened to me, and those two Yankees didn’t look very dangerous when I got done with them.”

 

“What did you do?”

 

“Considering your vocation, the less you know, the better.’

 

His expression turned fierce, and he wasn’t feeling religious right then. “My vocation calls me to save souls and worry about innocents who find themselves in trouble.”

 

At his words, she looked up at him, her heartbeat quickened and she found herself remembering the kiss they’d shared in the garden.

 

“I’m not in trouble.”

 

“Thank God you’re safe.” Logan reached out and took her in his arms and kissed her.

 

Reason told Logan this was crazy. This was Eden. She might be his sworn enemy. He told himself, too, that he was supposed to be Reverend Matthews, but his desire for her was too powerful. Nothing mattered at that moment except that Eden was in his arms, returning his kiss with equal fervor.

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About Author Bobbi Smith:

After working as a department manager for Famous-Barr, and briefly as a clerk at a bookstore, Bobbi Smith gave up on career security and began writing. She sold her first book to Zebra in 1982. Since then, Bobbi has written over 40 books and several short stories. To date, there are more than five million of her novels in print. She has been awarded the prestigious Romantic Times Storyteller of the Year Award and two Career Achievement Awards. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists. When she’s not working on her novels, she is frequently a guest speaker for writer’s groups. Bobbi is mother of two sons and resides in St. Charles, Missouri with her husband and three dogs.

 

Author Links: Website / Goodreads / Amazon

Purchase Link: Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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I am so excited that TAMING THE RAKE by Erica Ridley is available now and that I get to share the news!

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If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.

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This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon GC courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

 

Title: TAMING THE RAKE

 by Erica Ridley

 

 

Pub. Date: March 24, 2023

Publisher: WebMotion

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 202

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Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/TAMING-THE-RAKE

 

Enjoy a fiery, passionate
enemies-to-lovers revenge romance from a New York Times bestselling author!

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All her life, Miss Gladys Bell was a wallflower whose parents despaired of her
ever attracting a suitor. Then she met the man of her dreams, who said she was
the woman of his. One passionate night later, Gladys awaits a marriage proposal
that never comes. Reuben Medford, the ton’s most notorious rake, doesn’t even
remember her name.

Thanks to his cold-hearted
callousness, Gladys lost her reputation, her dowry, and her chance at love. But
now she’s back, and bent on revenge. He’s trifled with the wrong woman: This wallflower
has thorns. Once Gladys holds that damnable rake’s arrogant, fickle heart in
her hands… She’ll crush it, just as he did to her.

This time, he’ll remember her name.

 

 

About Author Erica Ridley:

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Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA
Today
 best-selling author of of witty, feel-good historical romance
novels, including THE
DUKE HEIST
, featuring the Wild Wynchesters.
Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an
elaborately planned heist?

In the 12 Dukes of
Christmas
 series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a
picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!

Two other popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches,
feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor
and madness of Regency England.

When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found
eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or
getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

 

Sign up for Erica’s newsletter! Sign up today and get a FREE
BOOK—plus giveaways, discounts, insider info, contests, sales, & more!

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

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1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, International.

Ends March 31st, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Inside the Grey

The Way Home Saga Book 3

by Bobbi Groover

Genre: Historical Romance

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Brayden Wakefield is quickly losing faith that hostilities between the states will end peaceably. He and his neighbors, Fletcher Stedman and Royce Carlyle, seems to be in the minority in their belief that a war would not end in a few months. They know any clash would be long and brutal. But their loyalty to one another supplants their reluctance, and they are drawn into the politics and atrocities of war to save their kidnapped comrade, Caleb Jenkins.

Nothing is as it seems, however. The gentlemen, turned raiders, squirrel behind enemy lines. Brayden uncovers lies and intrigue on both sides but as he and his fellow raiders execute their audacious plan, as they torch the layers of the conspiracy, Brayden finds love hidden among the ashes.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Goodreads

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The Inn at Little Bend

The Way Home Saga Book 2

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A DAZZLING BEAUTY…
In antebellum America, life for an abandoned woman was difficult at best. But when young Grayson escapes her sadistic guardian, she finds freedom just as hostile. The lonesome, starving wanderer flees straight into the path of vicious marauders. Only one thing keeps the rustlers from violating the curvaceous, dark-haired beauty but the punishment they intend to mete out for her crimes borders on insanity.

A SURLY COWBOY…
Not far away a lone rover hears the screams, yet continues down the road. He wants nothing more of life than to be left alone. He has his own debts to account for. Once a headstrong irresistible rakehell, the drifter had bolted, shuttered his heart and retreated deep within himself. But now the wafting agony tears at him–his own and the wails of another. Swearing under his breath, he whirls the horse around.

A SIMPLE INN…
Grayson Ridge struggles to survive her fated trials and conceal the secrets that plague her. Her exploits collide with the life of Drake Somerset, a scraggly yet oddly dashing drifter besieged by dark shadows. Neither realizes their chance encounter could free them both. Their wrangling ignites a turbulent journey and sets their worlds on fire.

2012 First Place in the Published Beacon Awards (Historical Category)

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Goodreads

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.Season of the Shadow

The Way Home Saga Book 1

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It was a time of chivalry and grace but also a time of turmoil in antebellum America. Fletcher Stedman is the crown prince of Virginia’s famous Seabrook Plantation. The handsome rakehell is a man of dreams with headstrong passions and an ingenious mind. Suddenly his dreams are shattered and his life ripped from him by a jealous cousin, and Fletcher is put to the test fighting for his life and his sanity.Kyndee Brock always dreams of marrying her handsome Fletcher–her kindred spirit and dearest love. One day, however, Fletcher mysteriously disappears. Kyndee must spend the next decade defying fate, following her heart to reunite them and recapture the love that they had been denied.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Goodreads

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How to find time to write as a parent.

I can’t say I have a set schedule for writing. I have a set schedule for riding and that is truly where the ideas flow. There’s something about the rocking of my horse’s gait that takes me back to another time and another place.  Once the inspiration hits and the characters become real in my head, I can write for hours or days.

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Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reins of the story?

When I say my characters become real people, I really mean it.  They wake me up at night.  I can see them sitting across the room, and they blab until I ask them to kindly disappear so I can get some sleep.  When they refuse, I sneak into my studio and, like a court reporter, record everything they are saying.  I must admit most times they are heading me in the right direction.

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What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

Since the mid 1800’s is the timeframe for all my romances, many years ago my mother and I took the dog and travelled to the states where the scenes happened. We visited county seats and perused old newspapers, walked historical areas and graveyards. Of course, with the internet today, all that traveling and reading can be accomplished with the slash of a keystroke (although not half as much fun). Sometimes I can’t achieve the feel of some scenes from the internet though.  For example, I had a fire scene to write and I visited the local fire marshall. Once I had convinced him that I was not an arsonist and really did write romance (and he and the other firemen stopped laughing), we had a great discussion of how the fire scene could be accomplished with accuracy.  As I left, I heard him telling the other firemen I was definitely going to be dinner conversation with his wife that night.  I just smiled.

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What is your writing process?  For instance do you do an outline first?  Do you do the chapters first?

Every writer has their own unique writing process. I search the public domain and find pictures of what my hero and heroine look like in my head.  Then I frame their faces and place the frames on my desk as I write.  When I am in the hero’s head, I stare at the heroine’s face and vice versa. For me this helps the dialogue flow naturally. I write down a general idea of how the plot will move forward from beginning to end, but I must say I do not rigidly adhere to an outline, not do I write the chapters consecutively.  The reason for this is because once my characters come alive in my head, scenes have a tendency to change.  For example, as I wrote my first romance, Season of the Shadow, I knew exactly what would happen when the hero entered the barn.  However, when he arrived I was shocked at how the hero and heroine had rearranged the scene.  I liked what they had done and  wrote the scene their way.  Hearing about this 3am occurrence, my husband often taps my shoulder while I write and asks, “Anybody talking to you yet?”

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Advice you would give new authors.

Storylines can spring from anywhere…a song on the radio, a conversation at a dinner party, or the view from a ski lift chair.  Best advice I could give is…just write.  Write for yourself.  Write for the sheer joy of creating something from nothing.  Remember, as the writer, you are omnipotent and that’s a powerful feeling.  When you are feeling sad, use that emotion to write sad scenes.  Do the same with happiness.  Those emotions will flow into your words and make scenes truly believable.  Write the ideas that pop into your head.  Don’t worry about the grammar or the spelling or searching for just the right word.  All those things will come later.  Don’t allow any of those things to stop the flow of ideas because, at least for me, if I don’t scribble the ideas I lose them and many times they don’t come back.  Then I’m left saying, “What was that thought I had? Geez…and it was such a good idea.”  Keep pencil and paper by your bed for those magical ‘ah hah’ moments when your characters come alive and tell you how they want their story written.  In the car or on my horse I simply use my voice recorder.  Just scribble whenever the ideas flow and, before long, those ramblings will take shape.

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Fun Facts/Behind the Scenes/Did You Know?

Before pen to paper…Inside The Grey…This novel was composed entirely on horseback.  The ideas flowed, and I bounced portions of the plot with my fellow riders as we galloped through the fields.  Jumping fences dressed in our finery to keep up with thirty hounds on the scent, transported us back in time. When I returned to present day, I simply wrote about my day in the past.

Before pen to paper…The Inn At Little Bend…Within one year I lost three people I loved dearly, and I retreated to my studio.  It seemed only there could I make sense of things and force the capricious fates to bend to my will.  Drake and Grayson are struggling with their own losses, searching for the realization that they, too, can survive the anguish.

Before pen to paper… Season of The Shadow…I was recovering from a serious neck and head injury when these characters came to life.  I have since learned to compensate but the injury severely affected my inner ear and my balance for years.  Fletcher’s affliction intrudes on his life as it did mine.  Other parts of the storyline are based on actual happenings in my life as are the surroundings.  My grandmother’s home (since demolished) had been built by a bootlegger with hidden compartments, peepholes, and tunnels leading to the river.  The home’s uniqueness was our parents’ nightmare but a child’s delight.

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What can we expect from you in the future?

A new story is on the computer with the working title, ‘TruDeceit.’ The blurb is on my website.

www.Bobbiscorner.com   Readers will recognize several previous characters entering and exiting as the time frame has progressed twenty years into the late 1860’s.  The beginning chapter has been written, and I know the general plotline. However I am still searching for images to frame so my new hero (Rafe) and new heroine (yet to be named) can develop into real people.   Once that happens, the three of us will be off and running.

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I’m a wife, a mother, a writer and an equestrienne. I’ve been composing stories as long as I can remember and have been putting stories to paper ever since I could hold a pencil. I have a vivid memory from age five where I sat alone in the stall of my father’s horse and traced the hood prints in the dirt. An entire story swirled about in my head…who, what, where, when? My family often grew weary of my constant ramblings about my characters. As a result, my drawers were stuffed with stories, finished and unfinished. It wasn’t until my two wonderful boys were born that I finally had the nerve to submit my first book. Fun In The Yellow Pages, a juvenile coming of age novel, was my first publication. It was well received and actually utilized in several school districts. I even had the compliment of being ‘visiting author’ which was very enjoyable. The students constantly asked me to write a sequel.

I actually switched to romance writing on a dare from my husband. I completed Season Of The Shadow. The characters were so popular that they wormed their way into my second romance, The Inn At Little Bend, and played key roles in my latest romance, Inside The Grey. Each romance can stand alone, but my readers will recognize several characters.

Website * Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

The Worst Woman in London

by Julia Bennet

 

Publication date: February 2nd 2023
Genres: Adult, Historical, Historical Romance

A defiant Victorian wife fights to escape a bad marriage but her love for a forbidden man jeopardizes her chance at freedom.

James Standish knows how to play society’s game. He’ll follow the rules, marry a virginal debutante, and inherit a massive fortune. At least, that’s the plan until he meets Francesca Thorne. She’s not the sort of woman a respectable gentleman like James could ever marry—not least because, strictly speaking, she’s married already.

Francesca is determined to flout convention and divorce her philandering husband. When James sweet talks his way into her life tasked with convincing her to abandon her dream of freedom, she’s unprepared for the passion that flares between them.

Torn apart by conflicting desires, James and Francesca must choose whether to keep chasing the lives they’ve always wanted or take a chance on a new and forbidden love.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Ten minutes before intermission, Francesca entered the crush room and found James asleep in his chair.

He looked different in repose, gentle and unguarded. Faint laugh lines marked the corner of each eye and, underneath, light shadows. What had put them there? Not worry, surely. Too many late nights, perhaps? His lips, so often curled sardonically, looked different too—softer, capable of compassion as well as teasing.

Ah, she’d seen his compassion. The remembrance made her want to smooth the hair from his brow.

The stray impulse took her by surprise. He didn’t need her tenderness. He was an English gentleman of means. Problems melted away before the bright rays of his wealth and breeding. She’d long lost her tendency to romanticize men of his type, or so she’d thought. Yet here she was again.

His breaths grew shallower. Soon he would open his eyes and they’d exchange awkward greetings. His duty to Edward discharged, he’d have nothing left to say, and, anyway, how did one behave toward a man who’d seen one fall apart? If only she’d waited for the end of the act, Caroline would be here now and this whole encounter with James could’ve been avoided. But, even though Edward had stopped pawing Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Francesca had wanted to escape. Fleeing from trouble; a worrying tendency she needed to check.

Just when she’d decided to back away slowly, James opened one eye. He smiled up at her and shut it again before she had a chance to speak. Since he made no effort to hide a broad grin, she knew he wasn’t still sleepy. What did he mean by it?

“Jemmy, are you perchance a little the worse for drink?” she asked, escape plan forgotten.

“Certainly not, you rude girl,” he said, though his eyes remained closed.

Laughter welled up in her chest, but she held it in check. “Then perhaps you’re feeling unwell?”

“I’m never unwell.” How he managed to convey urbane insouciance while sprawled in a chair she’d never know. “This is the crush room, is it not?”

“Of course it is.”

“Well, there you are, then. I slipped in early to avoid the crush.”

How provoking he was when not comforting crying women. She waited, but he didn’t speak. “You were sleeping,” she informed him.

“Nonsense, I was resting my eyes.”

“That’s what all the old men say.”

At last, both eyes snapped open. “Has anyone ever told you that you have a forked tongue?”

Author Julia Bennet:

Julia writes historical romance with passion, intrigue, dark humor and the occasional animal sidekick. A tea-sodden English woman, she’s the only girl in a house of boys and yearns for all things pink and fluffy. If she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading everything she can get her hands on, spending time with her boys or procrastinating on the internet.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

 

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Today I am sharing an excerpt from The Red Slippers by USA Today Bestselling author Ruth A. Casie. This historical romance is a standalone novella in her Druid Knight series. Grab some hot cocoa and check out the Red Slippers and be sure to enter the giveaway!

The Red Slippers

 

It would take magic for Cosette to believe in her abilities.

It would take Avery to conjure up the spell.

Cosette Binet has dreams of being a ballerina. When she learns the Paris Opera Ballet needs additional dancers, she applies. While practicing for her audition, she dances into the arms of the handsome artistic director and dancer, Avery Dubois. The subsequent audition is magical. It is a dream come true.

Avery Dubois is enchanted by Cosette and impressed with her talent. He offers her a well-deserved place in the corps de ballet. His keen eye sees a great dancer as well as a woman he could love.

Cosette captivates the audiences as she has captivated Avery’s heart. She is chosen to dance more roles but is plagued with doubt. When she has difficulty dancing she is sure she is not good enough for the ballet or for Avery. But Avery believes her doubt is a self-fulling prophecy. While trying to help her, he comes upon a pair of worn red ballet slippers. He gives them to Cosette telling her they are the shoes of a great dancer and are filled with magic.

Do the red slippers hold the magic to make Cosette a great ballerina and remove her doubts about Avery’s love?

*available in KindleUnlimited

Check out this peek inside:

 

Tomorrow. Once the performance was over, everything would end. No more Suzanne, which was a welcome relief. But no more dancing. No more Avery.

Cosette turned to say goodnight, but the passion in his eyes stopped her.

He took her in his arms and cupped her head. His gaze was a soft caress. She was afraid to move. Afraid she would break the spell.

“You are dear to me, princess.”

Her heart wasn’t doing pirouettes. It was beating a quick staccato tempo. Her eyes closed. She waited. Anticipated.

Soft velvet lips covered hers. There was no resisting him. His kiss sent a shudder through her, tossing her mind in a wild swirl and taking her body with it. She put her arms around him and pulled him closer shocked by her own eager response.

Please, don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.

He raised his mouth from hers. The cool air touched her lips that still burned for him. The passion and tenderness that filled his eyes fanned the fire of desire.

For several heartbeats neither of them moved. Neither wanted to say good night. Over the weeks, the eagerness to be with him hadn’t subsided. It grew stronger. This couldn’t be the end. The very thought brought her to tears.

He leaned his forehead against hers. “Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow will be here soon. I can’t wait to see you dance. But, princess, I don’t want tomorrow to be the end of our time together.”

Her heart shuddered and her pulse pounded as he voiced what she was feeling.

“Neither do I.” Her voice was a whisper.

About Author Ruth A. Casie

RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now-writing romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures.

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One lucky winner will win a signed copy of The Knight of Runes (Book 1 in the Druid Knight Series). If an international winner is drawn, they will receive a $10 gift card and signed bookplate. Giveaway ends December 7, 2022.


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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Irresistible organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Darcy Burke will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Irresistible

by Darcy Burke

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Synopsis

Jessamine Goodfellow has spent six Seasons avoiding the parson’s trap, and spinsterhood is finally within her grasp. A brilliant scholar, she longs for adventure and new experiences, things her family frowns upon. Presented with the opportunity to use her puzzle-solving talent on a secret mission for the Foreign Office, Jess eagerly accepts. Even when it means posing as the wife of a scorchingly attractive Scotsman who she must also covertly investigate as a possible double agent.

 

Lord Dougal MacNair, the new Viscount Fallin, has always completed his assignments for the Foreign Office alone. Now he’s saddled with an overly enthusiastic amateur partner. She possesses a remarkable intellect, but something about her isn’t quite right, and after two failed missions, Dougal is certain someone is working against him. Battling their secret suspicions, Dougal and Jess dive deep into their cover as a married couple, which arouses temptations they find irresistible. Danger is all around them, but it’s their hearts that may be the most imperiled.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Have you ever given up on a cryptogram?”

 

“No.”

 

“And I imagine some of them weren’t easy.”

 

She exhaled. “No, they were not.”

 

“I assumed as much. I know you, Jess, and you’re tenacious.”

 

“We haven’t even known each other a fortnight,” she scoffed. “Not officially anyway.”

 

“What does that mean, ‘officially’?”

 

She took a generous drink of brandy. “We have met before. Four years ago. I remember it distinctly.”

 

“Four years ago?” Damn, now he felt terrible. “How can you be sure?”

 

She gave him a haughty look of certainty that quite frankly pricked his desire. “Because I am. You asked me to dance at the Edgemont Ball.”

 

He’d danced with her. Four years ago. And never again. Worse, he didn’t remember it. He was an absolute cad. “I should have remembered you. I can’t imagine why I didn’t.” he said softly.

 

Sentiment, which he preferred to indulge in small, manageable doses, threatened to send him to her chair, to take her hand and beg her forgiveness. A husband would do that. A lover. He was neither and since they were alone, there was no reason to continue the pretense. Only, he was fairly certain he was no longer pretending.

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About Author Darcy Burke

Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Click here to Join her Reader Club.

 

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, artist daughter, and imaginative son who will almost certainly out-write her one day (that may be tomorrow).

 

They’re a crazy cat family with two Bengal cats, a small, fame-seeking cat named after a fruit, an older rescue Maine Coon with attitude to spare, and a collection of neighbor cats who hang out on the deck and occasionally venture inside. You can find Darcy at a winery, in her comfy writing chair, or binge-watching TV with the family.

 

Her happy places are Disneyland, Labor Day weekend at the Gorge, Denmark, and anywhere in the UK—so long as her family is there too.

 

Social Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / BookBub / Goodreads

Reader Group Newsletter / Darcy’s Duchesses Facebook Group

 

IMPOSSIBLE Buy Links: Amazon / AppleNook / Kobo

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Violet’s Voice organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Annee Jones will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Violet’s Voice

The Reclusive Man

by Annee Jones

Genre: Christian Historical Western Romance

Synopsis

Her voice saved him once…. Is he strong enough now to return the favor?

Following the mine’s collapse, Damien Cross lay between life and death, drifting in and out of consciousness in the makeshift hospital bed. Suddenly a voice captured his attention – a woman was singing. It was the most beautiful song he’d ever heard. The lyrical notes stirred something deep inside of him, willing him to live. If he could just hang on to the angel’s voice a little longer…

Five years have passed since that fateful day, and Damien can no longer stand to be confined anywhere – or beholden to anyone. He much prefers the company of horses to humans. However, in his dreams he still hears the voice of the angel, like a salve for his bitter, broken heart. One day as he is walking past the town’s saloon on his way to the bank, the sounds of music within drifts outside, and a woman begins to sing. Shocked, Damien recognizes her voice – his angel.

Violet Lovelace is struggling to make ends meet following the carriage accident that claimed the life of her father and left her mother in a wheelchair. Teaching voice lessons to children isn’t enough to pay for the pain medication her mother so desperately needs. When Violet is offered a job singing at the local saloon, she accepts despite her misgivings. But what other choice does she have?

Join Damien and Violet on their journey of discovering the light of hope in the throes of darkness and the triumphant power of love.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

The late summer breeze felt wonderful against his heated face. He paused at the hitching post to take a deep breath.

 

“Well, Bluebell,” he said to the dappled mare as he unhooked the horse’s worn leather reins, “Guess that’s what I get for coming into town. A reminder that I’m not welcome here.”

 

Even the steady clip-clop of his beloved horse and the peaceful landscape around him did little to soften the constricted feeling around his heart as they made their way home.

 

That night, Damien lay in bed, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in his low back and hip. It was always present. Thankfully during the day when he was working on the ranch with the yearlings he was too occupied to notice. However, it seemed the minute he walked indoors at suppertime he turned into a decrepit old man, limping around the house, fumbling at the stove, and angry at everything and nothing at the same time.

 

Punching his pillow, he rolled over onto his side. From this vantage point, he could see out the window, realizing he’d forgotten to pull the drapes before blowing out the light. He didn’t feel like going to the effort of rising to cover the glass now. Outside, the night was clear, and the sky was full of stars. They were clustered together in small groups. Were they mocking him with their twinkling? Perhaps even the stars didn’t want him.

 

He rolled onto his back and stared up at the darkness of the ceiling instead. His eyelids began to droop. As he sank into that space between wake and slumber known as the land of dreams, he heard the voice of the angel again, singing her same beautiful song. Having realized long ago that the voice probably just belonged to some nurse or caregiver at the hospital who helped tend to the injured miners after the mine’s collapse, he still felt grateful for the gift of her voice. He’d never forgotten it, and it continued to soothe him during lonely nights like this one. Relaxing into the music in his memory, sleep at last overtook him completely.

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About Author Annee Jones

Author Annee Jones loves to write all things romance, fantasy, cozy mystery, & more. She is passionate about writing stories where dreams come true, and love wins in the end!

Professionally, Annee works as a disability counselor where she helps her clients navigate through complex medical and legal systems while rediscovering their wholeness in Spirit.

 

Subscribe to Annee’s newsletter to stay up to date on new releases, sneak peeks, author parties, and exclusive giveaways HERE.

 

Find Annee’s books here: Website / Amazon / Goodreads / BookBub

 

Want to join Annee’s private Facebook reader group, Annee’s Angels?  Request your spot now HERE.

 

You can also connect with Annee on her FB author page HERE.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.