On Conversations: #award-winning #YA #author PJ Sharon

Please join me in giving a very warm welcome to the award-winning young adult author PJ Sharon! She's here to talk about her contemporary young adult romance novel, Pieces of Love. So, be sure and check out the cover, blurb and excerpt below!

Lisa ~
______________________________________________

PIECES OF LOVE
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KVRESLY/?tag=crlaofsu-20
Sixteen year-old Alexis Hartman wants nothing more than to smoke pot and play guitar. Getting high and escaping into her music seems the perfect solution when her world is shattered by her sister's death. But when she’s arrested for possession a second time, life couldn’t get any more complicated. Her mother's breakdown is the final straw that forces Lexi to spend the summer on the West Coast with her grandmother, Maddie. When Lexi steps over the line one too many times, she's certain her life is over and that she’s destined for juvenile detention—until Maddie decides that desperate measures are called for. A three week Mediterranean cruise—for seniors.

Eighteen year-old Ethan Kaswell, the poster child for good sons, is stranded on the cruise when his father, a famous heart surgeon, is called away. With his own life perfectly mapped out, Ethan finds Lexi’s unpredictability irresistible. Although he’s smart enough to see that there is no future in falling for a “vacation crush,” Lexi’s edgy dark side draws him like an anchor to the bottom of the sea. As the two embark on the journey of a lifetime, will Lexi finally learn to love someone—even when she has to let them go?




Excerpt from PIECES OF LOVE


       Ethan studied the group and then took me by the hand. “We need to catch up to our tour. Besides, buying drugs in a foreign country is a really bad idea,” he whispered. “Trust me. It’s not worth getting caught.”
       I sighed and dismissed my plan, picking up my pace. Aside from my chronic state of irritability over the past week since I’d last been high, I missed the buzz—that foggy haze that made everything seem a little brighter and a fraction less bleak. The fact that Ethan hadn’t brought up any more about my pot smoking or the trouble I’d gotten into back home gave me one more reason to be grateful for his friendship. It seemed he’d come to understand my need to dull the ever-present ache that resided in my heart. At least he didn’t appear to hold it against me.
       When we finally reached the church on the hill, Maddie had already entered. I tossed the requisite shawl over my shoulders and ducked inside, happy to escape the heat for a few minutes. The high domed ceiling and stone walls gave the place a cavernous feel. Giant, full-length stained glass windows depicting the “passion of Christ”—according to Maximo—echoed the sacred cross that adorned the front of the church. Tall, red candles stood on an altar along one wall.
       I was surprised to see Maddie lighting a candle and then kneeling in a front pew. The polished, ancient wood, gleamed in the sun’s rays that showed through the stained glass in a kaleidoscope of color. She looked serene as she gazed up at the cross, and I wondered what she could be thinking. Was she praying for Grandpa Henry, my dad, Amanda…me? A familiar fragrant scent wafted through the air. My throat closed and suddenly I couldn’t breathe.
       “I need to get out of here.” I turned to dart for the entryway.
       Ethan was at my side when I reached the heavy wooden door. “What’s wrong?”
       I sucked in a deep breath as I burst out into the hot sun, the scent of Frankincense still strong in my nose. “Ever since…Amanda…I can’t stand the smell of that incense. It makes me feel sick.” I pushed through the crowd heading into the church, passing an ancient, weathered man who stood hunched and toothless, handing out scarves to the tourists who irreverently bared their shoulders. I flung off the shawl and balled it into my hand as I made my way to a nearby bench overlooking the village below.
       Ethan dropped down beside me. “For me, it’s the smell of hospitals. After spending so much time there when my mom was sick, I can’t stand the smell of antiseptic.”
       “That could be a problem if you’re planning to be a doctor,” I said, allowing a fraction of a smile to surface and glad to take the focus off me.
       “You think?” he said, a wiseass grin spreading across his face.





Award winning author of young adult books, Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, and Yogi, PJ Sharon has been called “a powerhouse of positivity and productivity.” Her mantra is “find balance in all things, and live every day to the fullest.” A black belt in the art of Shaolin Kempo Karate, avid kayaker, and singer of Italian art songs, PJ has two grown sons and lives with her brilliant engineer husband in the Berkshire Hills of Western MA where she writes YA…because every teen deserves a hopefully ever after.

Find PJ:

www.pjsharon.com
facebook.com/pjsharonbooks
twitter.com/pjsharon



New Release: HOT FOR THE COWBOY-Western Romance Boxed Set by Lisa Mondello, Jean Brashear & Patricia McLinn #99c




Only available until August 31st! Get 3 Western Romances with 3 HOT Cowboy Heroes for just 99 cents! A 90% discount off the retail price. Don't delay.  HOT FOR THE COWBOY Box Set is only available for the summer. So don't miss out on your chance to get all 3 romances for this bargain price!

TEXAS ROOTS by New York Times Bestselling Author Jean Brashear
When scandal and an ambitious prosecutor wreck talented chef Scarlett Ross's life and she learns of a grandmother she never knew she had, she flees the notoriety to pay an anonymous visit to Sweetgrass Springs, Texas, a town kept alive only by her grandmother's determination and carried on the strong shoulders of sexy Texas cowboy Ian McLaren. There she is surprised to discover a yearning to sink roots deep in the Texas Hill Country--but she is terrified that the secrets she's hiding will endanger everyone she's come to love.

HER DAKOTA MAN by New York Times Bestselling Author Lisa Mondello
She needed to risk the truth to get a second chance...

Poppy Erickson had spent the year wondering how all their lives might have been different after hearing the deathbed confession of her childhood friend. She'd left South Dakota years ago because she couldn't bear to watch the man she loved loving another woman. But now she knows the truth. She'll keep the promise she made to a friend, but will Logan understand when he learns the truth? More important, can they again recapture the passion that had been between them all those years ago?

He needed to face the past to get the love of a woman he thought he'd lost..

Everyone knows that the Dakotas didn't get the name Badlands for nothing. Harsh weather and rough living are a way of life. But single dad, Logan McKinnon, had seen more than his share of bad times after the death of his wife a year ago. The last thing he needs is Poppy Erickson, an old flame and his late wife's best friend, showing up unannounced to help after devastating floods nearly washed away their hometown. With no place to stay in town, he has no choice but to offer her a bed at his house. But can he live under the same roof with a woman he'd once loved passionately without feeling he's betraying his late wife?

NOT A FAMILY MAN by USA Today Bestselling Author Patricia McLinn

To Wyoming ranch foreman Tucker Gates, the only good owner for the Double Bar X was an absentee one. That's how it had been for ten years. And then came divorcee Jenny Peters. Bringing her two whining, spoiled kids and her city-bred fairy-tale views of life - and love - in the West. None of them belonged on a working ranch. Or in his life.

Jenny wasn't going to let Tucker scare her away from the new life she wanted to build for herself and her kids. No matter that he could be as hard as the mountains around them. No matter that she found totally unexpected comfort from his rough strength.

But what next? Because Tucker Gates was a lot of things, but he was absolutely clear that he was not a family man.

Don't miss this great deal!  Order now:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1q09cli

BN:  http://bit.ly/1qHfG7S  

iTunes:  http://bit.ly/1jzEZnr

Kobo:  http://bit.ly/1qHfWUx 

On Conversations: #bestselling #romance #author Nina Pierce

Please join me in welcoming the award-winning romance author, Nina Pierce to Conversations today! Nina is here to talk about her novel, A Touch of Lilly, one of eleven books in What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection. So be sure and check out her guest post below and don't forget to check out the blurb and excerpt from A Touch of Lilly!

Lisa ~
__________________________________________

Hooked on the Details
by Nina Pierce

I’m a very visual person, which is really rather funny since my vision is not correctable to 20/20. Yet, very much like a man, it’s seeing something that stimulates emotion for me. So much more than a sound or a smell, the sight of a beautiful sunset, a vibrant painting, a handsome face, a lickable torso, a nekk…(oh, sorry, I got carried away for a moment), or a romantic photo, all of them create a visceral response.

So it’s no wonder when I write that I “see” the story unfolding in my mind like a movie. I can visualize the setting and the characters moving and reacting within that setting. What’s so fun for me is playing around with the details as I write. It never ceases to amaze me how one word changes everything or creates a detail within the readers’ mind.

Let’s take a look at the opening of my novel, A TOUCH OF LILLY…

Lilly D’Angelo entered the bar not expecting it to remind her of home. This sentence is perfectly adequate. It tells you exactly what the heroine is doing. What it doesn’t do is pull you, the reader into my world. It doesn’t engage any of your senses. But including a few more details adds dimension to the setting and hopefully piques your interest enough to read on.

Lilly D’Angelo wasn’t expecting a trip down memory lane when she sauntered into the dingy tavern, but the acrid stench and gruff hum of the Friday night crowd carried her back to one of the seedier establishments on Chicago’s south side nonetheless. Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. She sauntering, acting casual. You “hear” the muted voices and “smell” that distinct odor of a tavern. You’ve also found out Lilly’s from Chicago, but how about a little more information to really orient you and pull you in and feel what Lilly’s feeling…

Like home, the air was filled with cigarette smoke and a jazz band played on the corner stage. She felt the eyes of the patrons watching her as she maneuvered around the tables toward the long bar on the other side of the tavern. Again, more information about the bar, but it’s all pretty ho-hum. We have no idea why Lilly’s there or how she feels about being in this place.

Pushing the sour thoughts of home from her mind and focusing on the job at hand, Lilly morphed her features into her sexiest vixen pout and moved gracefully toward the long bar on the other side of the room. Her voluptuous breasts, spilling temptingly from her silk blouse, led the way. Oh, now there’s some information that hopefully has you asking “What’s this woman up to?”. Because home conjures up sour thoughts, obviously Lilly wasn’t happy there. And the way she’s moving and her outfit suggest she’s trying to get people’s attention.

And two more sentences with some real punch and hopefully I’ll have you completely hooked. The eyes watching her leather-clad ass sashay around the battered tables were clustered on various life forms—none of them human. Yeah, definitely not Chicago. Hell, this wasn’t even Earth for goodness’ sake. And BAM! within two paragraphs I’ve let you know Lilly not only didn’t even like Chicago, she’s somewhere on another planet. And the way she’s dressed and how she’s acting—she’s likely up to no good.
And there’s the magic, dropping in little details that have you asking questions and hopefully turning pages to discover what’s making a character act the way they do. 

So, what pulls you into a story that you’re reading? What sense triggers the greatest emotional response for you?

My novel, “A Touch of Lilly” is now part of an 11 author anthology, WHAT TO READ AFTER FSOG – Boxed Set #2. And it’s on sale for a limited time for only $0.99! So what are you waiting for?



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KUTGATG/?tag=crlaofsu-20A TOUCH OF LILY
What to Read After FSOG:
The Gemstone Collection

Ex-Chicago detective LILLY D’ANGELO has a secret she doesn’t share with anyone. A master of the one night stand, she’s given up ever finding a soul mate and thrown herself head first into her career. That is, until she captures the wrong alien. Kidnapped and sold into the sex slave trade, she’s shipped into deep space. Barely escaping with her life, Lilly now travels the galaxy working as a bounty hunter using her secret talents to bring down criminals and seeking revenge on the one male who ruined her life. 

Agent DALLAS SAWYER works for deep space’s version of the FBI. After a disastrous mission that left several of his team members murdered, a president executed, and Dallas near death, he’s determined to take down the assassin targeting government officials. When a sexy human female gets between him and his goal, Dallas and his alien partner find themselves on the receiving end of a passionate night they won’t soon forget and a proposition that may very well blow up in their faces.

Because in deep space … true love can happen with just a touch.





Excerpt from A TOUCH OF LILLY by Nina Peirce


       Dallas turned the last corner to see the alley he’d left not twenty minutes ago was now empty. It worried him a little that the Ka’al wasn’t here and wondered if he’d missed something crucial in his lust-filled fog. No one knew better than him that spies were everywhere. He passed the doorway where he’d been buried in Lilly’s heat and cursed when her honeyed aroma tickled his nose. Probably nothing more than his horny imagination, but it ate at him just the same.
       He’d known what Lilly was when he’d spotted her in the tavern—a two-bit space hooker with a full rack and luscious ass. Though he shouldn’t expect her to see him as anything more than the client he’d become, Dallas had thought he’d seen something in her eyes when they’d been at the bar. He’d initially wanted nothing more than to get her out of the alien’s arms, but that sultry voice and kissable mouth had been his undoing. Like a siren, she’d wrapped him in a spell and seduced him. Not that his dick needed much encouragement on that front. Dallas couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen an Earth female, let alone held one in his arms. There weren’t too many of them out this far in deep space. He’d lost himself in her body, forgetting what she was. Still, it had been a major hit to his ego to pay her the twenty-five hundred credits he’d negotiated her down to and put her in the luna cab.
       Dallas should be grateful. That slap of reality set him back on track and refocused him on the mission at hand. He couldn’t afford to screw this one up. Not when so much was at stake. Skirting around the Dumpster, he shot another quick glance over his shoulder before laying his palm on the key pad disguised as one of the stones on the side of the building. Experiencing the cold wash of energy flowing over him as the solid stones became gas and surrounded him never became easier to experience. He was still a little disoriented when he materialized into the bright room of the temporary QAL headquarters.
       “Sawyer, where the hell you been?”
       Darren Bastower stared at him through a hologram of the tavern illuminated over a control table. Abandoning the plans, his boss strode angrily toward Dallas, his bare feet slapping the concrete floor. This night the hulking Braugtot was in the form of a Ka’al. The QAL lieutenant in charge only took that form when he was really pissed. Lucky him.
       “We’ve been looking for you. We’ve got less than one Earth hour to have everyone in place. It might only be logistics to you, but we’re treating this as the real thing.” Anger throbbed in the veins at his temples and neck, turning his mahogany cheeks a bruised shade of purple. His telltale facial tattoo that marked him as a male Braugtot pulsed angrily around his left eye.
       “Yes Sir. I’m aware. It’s not like I’m late. I—”
       “Thaegan’s been here nearly thirty minutes. He told me you were at the tavern together and would be right behind him.”
       He shot a look over the lieutenant’s shoulder. The large Ka’al, who’d been monitoring the alley as a drunkard, acknowledged his impudent behavior with a one-fingered salute and a shit-eating grin. That bastard of a partner was supposed to cover his ass, not deliver it in a sling to his boss.




USA Today bestselling romance author, Nina Pierce, grew up in a house full of readers. Nina's discovered the passionate side of romance with her sexy stories. For her, it's all about the sweet scent of seduction mixed with the heartwarming aroma of romance.

Nina resides in New England with her high school sweetheart and soul mate of thirty years and several very spoiled cats who consider her "staff". When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her three grown children, one love-sick son-in-law and a heart-melting grandson.

You can keep up with her new books at her website: www.NinaPierce.com or by following her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nina.pierce or Twitter @ninapierce.


On Conversations: #Interview with #AAMBookclub #author Annie Brown

Please welcome AAMBookclub Author Annie Brown to Conversations today. Annie is here to talk about her thought-provoking book, Who I Be. So, check out the cover, blurb and excerpt, and get to know Annie by checking out her interview too!

Lisa ~
_____________________________________________


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AU2G6UG/?tag=crlaofsu-20 Who I Be

When most people look into a mirror, what they see is unsatisfactory-an image tainted by societies dictates of how we are supposed to look. We were made in the image of God, so why do we waste time and energy remaking ourselves to please others? Scripture has declared that we were wonderfully and fearfully made, but we would rather conform to society’s image rather than be transformed into the image that God wants us to be. In the process, many of us lose ourselves and become someone we do not recognize. The decision is yours-to lead a happy and productive life, or spend useless hours trying to be what you perceive will be popular with others. This thought-provoking book will have you asking yourself, "Who I Be?"


Excerpt from Who I Be

Words can hurt. If I am physically hurt, a person may be able to see the visible scars, but emotional scars are invisible, showing up only in our behaviors and attitudes. We will never know all that another personhas suffered. Some of the things that have caused emotional pain for us are so degrading in deeds and words that we do not want anyone else to know. Nevertheless, even though, we do not want others to know that we suffer inward pain, agony, mistrust, fear, intimidation, guilt, and low self-esteem, we are unable to escape it. Many times it has been buried in our subconscious, but it comes to the forefront, and we try to mask the hurt. If only another person could pull back the mask on someone else, they probably would be horrified at what was beneath.


Interview with Annie Brown

What was it that inspired me to write this book?

The book was inspired from an innate desire to help others to accept themselves and not fall prey to trying to conform to society’s norms.

What is it that I would like for readers to get out of my book?

I want people of all ages to become comfortable with whom God created them to be. We were created in His (God) image and were wonderfully and fearfully made; however, so many people suffer from poor self-images because they cannot measure up to what society depicts as the norm.  Please do not spend your life existing because you believe that you do not measure up by society’s standards/norms. Learn to love yourself for who God created you to be and live before your time to die.

What has been my most rewarding experience since being published?

I have had people to say that the book has really helped them to change the way they think about themselves.

What has been my most challenging experience since my book was published?

It has been very challenging to find the right niche to get people to purchase the book.

In hindsight, would I publish this book if I knew that it would take so much time to get it to the right audience?

Yes, I would definitely publish it again. The reason I wrote it in the first place was to help others and I still want to do that. I cannot make any one purchase the book but I am reassured that I tried to reach out to those who are hurting.

How do I interact with my readers?

I use social media to interact with my readers, mostly, but I attend events promoting authors regularly.

What valuable lessons have I learned since writing my first book? 


One important lesson that I have learned has been that it takes much patience to stay in the race because there are so many authors out there. Another lesson has been to keep my focus and strive to be the best author that is within my abilities and know that even with the best abilities every book written will not be a best seller.



My name is Annie Clara Brown. I am from Alexander City, Alabama and currently reside in Sylacauga, Alabama. I am passionate about serving my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and my church (Joyful Noise AOH Church of God) in Sylacauga, Alabama) where I serve as a licensed minister and secretary . I am definitely family oriented and enjoy spending quality time with my children, grandchildren and great-grand child.

My professional skills and areas of expertise include providing emotional support and grief support to patients and their families. My professional title is Medical Social Worker at Lakeside Hospice, Inc. in Pell City Alabama, where one of my qualifications is individualized psycho-social care for each family. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama with a Concentration in children, adolescents, and families.  My interests include working with veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) as well as being an avid reading. I recently joined the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) became certified to teach Family to Family.


Find the author/Purchase the book:
facebook.com/annie.brown.1804
twitter/annieclara2002
facebook.com/pages/Who-I-Be/148527015289050
www.outskirtspress.com/whoibe
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkRxA16s61o
www.anniecbrown.com




On Conversations: #award-winning #author Leigh Bale

Please join me in welcoming the author of contemporary, historical, and inspirational women's fiction, Leigh Bale to Conversations today! Leigh is here to talk about her inspirational romantic suspense novel, Broken Trust. So be sure and check out the blurb, cover, and excerpt below!

Lisa ~
__________________________________________

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AU2G6UG/?tag=crlaofsu-20 BROKEN TRUST

His secret could destroy them both...

Toni Hamilton is torn by grief after a special ops mission in Afghanistan claims the life of her brother. When a cryptic letter arrives from him one month later, Toni finds her own life threatened and the only person she can turn to for help is the man who may be responsible for his death.

Hoping to heal from the bullet wound in his leg and the guilt in his heart, Sergeant Michael “Mac” MacKenzie seeks solitude in Nevada at his remote cabin on Crystal Lake. When Toni shows up on his mountain, injured and frightened, Mac finds himself drawn into a volatile situation that could get them both killed. Now, he must find a way to protect Toni when he doesn’t know who to trust, including himself.




Excerpt from BROKEN TRUST by Leigh Bale


       They moved in under cover of darkness. The purr of the Pave Hawk helicopter filled the parched night air. Inside the chopper, Sergeant Michael “Mac” MacKenzie sat back on the bench seat with the other members of his special ops team and took a deep inhale. Operation Mongoose had officially moved into action. Their mission: retrieve survivors and destroy top secret intelligence on board a downed U.S. military aircraft before the Taliban found it.
       To ease the sudden pressure in his ears, Mac popped a piece of spearmint chewing gum into his mouth and chomped down. Sweat beaded his brow and he wiped it away with his forearm before adjusting the Kevlar helmet on his head. He tugged at the collar of his camouflage uniform and flexed his toes in his Oakley assault boots. Highly alert and ready for action.
       Not much longer now.
       From the open door of the chopper, the lights of Kabul glimmered in the distance as they left the city and traveled east toward the high peaks of the Hindu Kush Mountains. The dry heat burned his eyes and he blinked. Pitch black, the sky was alive with stars. It’d be morning soon and they hurried to beat the harsh, dusty wind that made it impossible to see and filled their clothes, eyes, ears and equipment with sand.
       “In and out,” Major Carpenter, his commander boomed over the drone of the chopper. “We’ll reach the crash site, retrieve the package, and get out of Dodge before the insurgents know we’re there.”
       Lieutenant Gordon, the team’s explosives expert, flashed a thumbs up. Simple and routine.
       Yeah, right. With all the missions Mac had been on, not one of them had been simple. Or safe. But this time, something about the impending danger made his pulse trip into double-time. Adrenaline. A rush he found strangely exhilarating.
       He glanced at the six other men on his team, squinting to see their expressions in the dark. Lieutenant Eric Hamilton, their intelligence officer and Mac’s best friend since childhood, caught his gaze. Mac knew Eric better than anyone. Eric hated flying and usually showed a cheesy grin to cover his nervousness.
       Not tonight.
       Even in the low light, Mac caught Eric’s somber expression and tight lips. A subtle tension settled in Eric’s shoulders and clenched hands.
       Something was wrong.
       For the past two days, Eric hadn’t been himself. Yesterday, Mac had asked what was bothering him, but Eric brushed him off, promising to discuss it later when they had more time. It probably had something to do with the letter Eric insisted on mailing home to his two sisters.
       Family trouble.
       Cara, more than likely. Since their parents had died last year, Eric’s teenaged sister had become nothing but bad news. Toni was doing her best to run the family shoe store and finish raising Cara, but the situation wasn’t easy at home.
       Eric’s eyes locked with Mac’s for several seconds, then his gaze slid away. Mac would find out the problem in the morning, after they’d completed their mission and returned to their barracks for a good meal. He wouldn’t let Eric put him off any longer.
       No one spoke. Each man’s gaze darted to the chopper door where the barren landscape whizzed past in a blur of shadows. Nothing but the scorched remains of poppy fields, mountains and rocks. A country decimated by war, bloodshed and hate.
       Mac sighed inwardly. Next week, he and Eric would fly home and spend time fishing with Dad on Crystal Lake in Nevada. Mac might even drive in to Vegas and visit Eric’s family. With any luck, he’d get invited to supper. An excuse to see Toni again.  The woman he loved like crazy.





Leigh Bale is an award-winning, multi-published novelist who won the prestigious RWA Golden Heart in 2006.  More recently, she was a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence.  She is the daughter of a retired U.S. forest ranger, holds a B.A. in History with honors, and loves spending time with family, weeding the garden with her dog Sophie, and watching the little sagebrush lizards that live in her rock flowerbeds.  Married in 1981 to the love of her life, Leigh and her professor husband have two wonderful children and two grandchildren.  But life has not always been rosy.  In 1996, Leigh’s seven year-old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.  In the dark years that followed, God never abandoned them.  After six surgeries, two hundred and eighty-four stitches, a year of chemo, and a myriad of other difficulties, Leigh’s daughter is now a married woman and considered less than 1% survivorship in the world for her type of tumor.  Life is good!  Truly the Lord has blessed Leigh’s family.  She now transfers the love and faith she’s known into the characters of her stories.  Readers who have their own trials can find respite within the uplifting message of Leigh’s books.  You can reach her at www.LeighBale.com.

On Conversations: #bestselling #romance #author Cynthia Woolf

Please join me in welcoming historical western romance author Cynthia Woolf to Conversations today! Cynthia is here to talk about her new release, Healed by the Heart, book 2 in her Destiny in Deadwood series. So be sure and check out the blurb, cover, and excerpt below!

Lisa ~
__________________________________________

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KK94YPI/?tag=crlaofsu-20HEALED BY A HEART

All Liam Anderson wanted after the War Between the States, was a little peace.  After seventeen years in the army, he’s tired of fighting and killing. Having lost his beloved wife to influenza, he’s tired of hurting.  And seeing his baby brother framed for murder, he’s tired of injustice.  He left everything behind to help his brothers escape, packed up his children and possessions, and took them all to a gold claim in Deadwood. 

Miss Eleanor Smith is a thirty-two year-old spinster. She gave up her dream of a home and family a long time ago. Instead, she has spent her life traveling the world, ministering to the weak, the injured, the poor, and the forgotten, following her preacher father from one hell hole to another.  From what she’s seen of men and the world, she’s better off taking care of herself.  And she gets along just fine, until she literally falls into Liam’s arms, gets in the middle of a fight that isn’t hers, and becomes a pawn for an enemy’s revenge.

Deadwood was supposed to be a fresh start for Liam Anderson and his younger brothers, but trouble followed him and his children. And when Eleanor disappears, only Liam can rescue her. The headstrong, independent woman awoke his dead passion, but refused to surrender to his touch.  Can he convince her that merely surviving isn’t enough? Despite his sins, he's the only man who can save her, and she's the only woman strong enough to heal his broken heart.




Excerpt from HEALED BY A HEART


PROLOGUE 

April 1876
St. Louis, Missouri


       Liam Anderson sat in front of a blazing fire, in his pajamas and robe, puffing on his pipe, reading, for the last time in this house. The place he’d called home for so many years. The kids were asleep upstairs. Sleep had eluded him and he’d risen to read until he got tired.
       BAM!  BAM!  BAM!
       He looked up from the book he read and glanced at the mantel clock. One of the few things he hadn’t packed away. “What in the world?
       Who would be out in this weather at this hour?”
       What the hell?” said Liam, when he opened the door to his two younger brothers. “Jake? Zach? What are you two doing here? It’s the middle of the night.”
       Zach growled from behind Jake. “Are you going to let us in or make us stand in this rain all night?”
      “Come in. Zach put that gun away,” said Liam.

      “Can’t until the kid here,” he poked Jake in the back with his gun, “is inside and we’ve talked to you.”
      Jake, the youngest of his brothers, walked into the foyer of the house, followed closely by Zach. He stared down the hallway, packed with luggage and boxes down to the parlor, but didn’t question it. Didn’t even seem to notice that the house was packed up ready to move.
      Both of them were haggard, completely worn out. Their coats were soaked through and they couldn’t have been comfortable. He’d never seen them looking so exhausted or…desperate.
      “Sorry to do this to you, Liam. I know you’re leaving tomorrow,” said Zach as he holstered his gun and dripped water onto the foyer floor.
      He threw his had onto one of the steamer trunks. Jake followed suit.
      It was times like these that the difference between his brothers was so striking. Zach with his nearly black hair and dark blue eyes.
     There was one in every generation with the coloring of their Gypsy great grandmother, Zach was theirs and their father had been the one in his generation. It was rare to have two gypsies in the same family, usual it was an uncle or aunt rather than a parent of the latest child with the coloring. 

     Jake with dark blond, overly long hair and light blue eyes most resembled their dear mother.
     Liam was somewhere between the two, with light brown hair and gray eyes. His children were different as night and day, too. Ten year old David resembled Liam not only physically but mentally too. David always seemed to weigh his words before he spoke them.
Whereas Hannah, the gypsy of her generation, said whatever came into her little head. She was only five, but even at her age, David had been as contemplative as he was now.
     He smiled thinking of his children. They were his joy. His reason for living. He closed his eyes and grounded himself in the present and answered Jake.
     “Yes. At first light. Now, tell me what’s going on and why you brought Jake here at gun point.”
     “Only way I could get him to come,” growled Zach.
     “And?” Liam said, exasperated. “Don’t make me beat the story out of you word by word, little brother. Just tell me the problem.”
     Liam pointed at the two chairs in front of the fire and then went to the fireplace and stoked the banked coals back to a roaring blaze. He really didn’t need this now, not when he was leaving in the morning. Not when he was so close to putting the old, hurtful memories behind him.




Cynthia Woolf is the author of six historical western romance books and one short story with more books on the way. She was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends.

Their closest neighbor was one quarter of a mile away, so her little brother was her playmate and her best friend. That fierce friendship lasted until his death in 2006.

Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She wrote her first story at the age of ten. A romance about a little boy she liked at the time.

Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia’s father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a cowboy not a bounty hunter and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now) not the ranch owner.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she's made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.

TITLES AVAILABLE
  
     Healed by a Heart
     Redeemed by a Rebel
     Capital Bride
     Heiress Bride
     Fiery Bride
     Tame a Wild Heart
     Tame a Wild Wind
     Tame a Wild Bride
     Tame a Summer Heart

WEBSITE – www.cynthiawoolf.com

On Conversations: #bestselling #author Linda Barrett

Please join me in welcoming national bestselling author Linda Barrett to Conversations today! Linda is here to talk about her new novel, The Soldier and the Rose. So be sure and check out the blurb, cover, and how this moving love story came to be.

Lisa ~
__________________________________________

"When she was about 85 years old, my mother-in-law handed me a folder of correspondence she'd had with her husband during WWII. He was a surveyor with the U.S. Army in Europe. She'd retyped all the faded V-mail and letters, truly a labor of love.

As I browsed his letters, my father-in-law's description of a three-story barn caught my attention. His unit had enjoyed a 24 hour rest there--where he'd slept on a real mattress! The barn had soft lights, scatter rugs, easy chairs and a radio. He says, "The radio is playing 'If I Had a Talking Picture of You' and gosh, how I wish I could have one of you.'"

That setting coupled with a soldier's yearning haunted me until it was no longer only my father-in-law's story, but the story of The Soldier and the Rose."
~Linda Barrett

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K2H4FCU/?tag=crlaofsu-20
THE SOLDIER AND THE ROSE

From the Greatest Generation, a love story to remember…

Two soldiers go off to war in Europe. Both from the same neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY.  Only one returns home.

Rose Kaufman’s grief is soul deep. Her husband, Joe, had been her one true love, so right for her that a lifetime together wouldn’t be enough. When Charlie Shapiro shows up with stories of Joe, eager to rebuild his war-shattered life with Rose and her baby daughter…she warns that a marriage of convenience would be unfair—to him. She cannot promise her heart to this kind and gentle man.

Through the years, Charlie wonders if love can grow or if he’ll always be second best.

Who is her true love? The man she married with all her heart, or the man who married her with all of his?  It’s a question only Rose can answer.





Linda started writing to entertain herself during long winters in New England. Her poems, short stories and family memoirs—all emotional fare—filled a binder and made her happy. On a lark she submitted one of her short stories to a national contest sponsored by Writers Digest magazine where it competed against almost 2000 other entries. To her great delight, the story placed in the top ten.  Now, she wanted to write a novel. She quickly learned she needed help.

She joined professional writing organizations including Romance Writers of America. Workshops, seminars, critique groups followed. She built a reference library on the craft of writing. In her own words: “I studied and worked so hard, I could have earned a Master’s in Writing by now!”

Five years later, her first book was released, followed up by a dozen more in the Harlequin Superromance series. Her books have earned many industry awards such as the Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader’s Award, and the Award of Excellence.

Once more, she wanted to stretch her writing muscle and try something new. Her latest book, Family Interrupted, is a women’s fiction novel about a family in crisis. Still emotional fare with a satisfying ending.  She hopes her readers will remember the stories long after the last page is read.




On Conversations: #romance #author Debra Kinnard

Please join me in welcoming romance author Debra Kinnard to Conversations today! Deb is here to talk about her fabulous contemporary romance novel, Love Only Knows. So be sure and check out the blurb and cover!

Lisa ~
__________________________________________

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H2IN05U/?tag=crlaofsu-20
LOVE ONLY KNOWS

Jon Dolan has everything a pop singer could want—fame, a voice with unequalled power and scope. His is a satisfying career with plenty of money, a supportive family, good friends, a crack musical team, and abundant chances to enjoy the good life. Yet why isn’t it enough?

Small-town girl Rebecca Tillman works to find her niche in the big, uncertain world of the break-out mystery novelist. They come from two different worlds, yet the first meeting captures them both. Can they overcome obstacles to create their own canzone d’ amore?








Deb Kinnard started writing at age ten, hacked off because “Bonanza” lacked a ten year old girl with her own pony. From adventures on the Ponderosa, she moved to teenage angsty love stories and dreadful poetry.

After a career that embraced feeding basketball players breakfast, coping with el-ed majors and various ERs different from the ones on TV, she married the man of her dreams and raised two active girls amongst the books.

She sold her first novel, POWERLINE, in 2002 and twelve others since. Her most recent published series is with Desert Breeze Publishing, called “The Faith Box.” PEACEWEAVER, set in 973 Wales, THE HEALING TREE, a tale of 1353 Cornwall, and WHEN THE ROSES BLOOMED, a Romeo-and-Juliet with a happy ending, told in the chaos of 1485 England. More recently she’s embarked on direct-to-reader publishing with two linked contemporary romances, LOVE ONLY KNOWS and FALLING SLOWLY. A third linked story, IF EVER I FALL, will release this autumn.

Deb enjoys beadwork and music. She loves to travel and is a constant people watcher. So if you meet a short-round woman with an acquisitive light in her eye…



On Conversations: #bestselling #author Sharla Lovelace

Please join me in welcoming bestselling, award-winning author Sharla Lovelace to Conversations today! Sharla is here to talk about her latest Texas Style romance, Don't Let Go. So be sure and check out the blurb, cover and excerpt below! And Sharla also has a special treat for us, a scrumptious Mud Cake recipe!

Lisa ~
__________________________________________

Thank you to Lisa for letting me introduce my latest book, DON’T LET GO! Below is the blurb and a little excerpt to tease you with. I fell so hard for these characters, Noah and Jules, and I hope you will too. It’s about second chances. Not just with love, but with life, parenthood, everything…  Do you believe in second chances?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JMKD6YQ/?tag=crlaofsu-20
DON'T LET GO

Noah Ryan and Jules Doucette spent every moment together, first as best friends and later as young lovers. The two had planned a life together—until one unspeakable decision tore them apart for good.

Twenty-six years later, Jules is still carefully living the life her mother planned out for her. She’s running her mother’s store, living in her mother’s house, following her mother’s rules, and keeping the secrets her mother made her bury.

Then Noah comes home and any sense of an ordered life flies out the window. Noah’s return does more than just stir up old memories—it forces Jules to see her life in a whole new way and uncovers secrets even she didn’t know were buried.  Secrets that could easily destroy her world once more.



Excerpt from DON'T LET GO

To set the scene…Have you ever run into your first love unexpectedly? Did you forget how to breathe for a second?  :-)  Here, Noah has returned to their hometown after twenty years, and he and Jules just saw each other for a second the day before. As she sits panicking over this over coffee early the next morning, he drops by…  

      Morning?  Really?  I opened my mouth to say something back, but nothing came out, so I licked my lips and fidgeted with my robe like a crazy woman.

      “Too early?” he asked, as if that were a normal thing to say to me as well.
       A laugh-scoff-snort thing fell out of my mouth, which I chalked up to rounding out the perfect start to the day.  I coughed and cleared my throat.
       “No, I’m—just getting ready for work.”  I stepped back so he could come in, and held onto the door for dear life as I glared at Harley for just sitting there on the couch like a diva.  Some guard dog.  She should have had his leg chewed off by now.  “Come in. There’s still coffee if you want some.”  Oh, what the living hell was I babbling about?
        Noah stepped in hesitantly, as if maybe he hadn’t thought things out that far.  Maybe he expected me to slam the door or not be home or God only knows what.  He gave me a sideways glance as he passed me, and I caught a subtle whiff of soap and shaving cream.  I stared at the door as I closed it, as if it had betrayed me too, and then I turned on my heel and put myself in motion.
        I walked straight past him to the open kitchen, trying not to really look at him.  I knew he’d follow.  He knew the way around my mother’s house.  My house.
        Harley’s curiosity finally got the better of her and she followed on his heels, making him turn around to check out the beast stalking him.
       “Hey there, killer,” he said, holding out a hand for her to smell him, and then scratching her ears.  “Are you nice?”
       “That’s Harley,” I said.  “I’m afraid growing up with two women has made her a big wuss.”  I took a deep breath.  “Coffee?” I asked again, opening a cabinet.
       When he didn’t answer, I turned around, and felt my heart slam against my chest.  He was standing on the other side of the big island from me, where I’d seen him so many times before.  Except he was a man now.  With something in his eyes that resembled lost.
       “What?” I asked, though not much of the word came out.
       Noah shook his head, and his expression cleared a little.  “Just weird being back here, I guess.  In this kitchen.”  He gestured with a small hand flick.
       “Seeing you here.”
       “I know the feeling,” I said softly, turning back to grab a mug whether he wanted one or not.
       “Linny told me you were living here again,” he said.  “Sorry to hear about your mom.”
       My hands shook as I poured the hot black liquid and turned to set his mug on the counter.
      “Thanks,” I managed to push out.  “Sugar and creamer are right there,” I said with a gesture.
      “Black’s fine,” he said.
      I nodded and headed into the living room for my cup.  Shit, Jules, breathe.  I planned to come back, but he followed me.  Shit.  The kitchen felt more stable.  We could stand up in there.  Have the island between us.  The living room was cozy and please-sit-and-stay-a-while.  Granted, I did have to go to work—in an hour and a half.  Shit.
      I licked my lips again, and sat back down where I was earlier.  Feet curled beneath me.  Two pillows on my lap for security.  I felt every centimeter of my nakedness under the robe, and wished for more clothing, but it was big enough for him not to know that.  I just thanked God for giving me the wisdom to get ready early and not be sitting here with wet hair or raccoon eyes.  And then I mentally kicked myself for caring.  He didn’t.  I wondered if his woman knew he was paying me a visit.  Or if she even knew who I was. 

# 

Sound good?  DON’T LET GO can be found at the following e-tailers.  
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | ARe | iBooks

And just for fun, here’s a little bonus.  Jules’ grandmother Nana Mae makes her the best Mississippi Mud Cake, and here’s the recipe.  :-)

Nana Mae’s Mississippi Mud
 
Cream together:
 
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter (the real thing)
1/3 cup of cocoa
 
Add:
 
¼ tsp. salt
4 eggs (one at a time)
1 ½ cups self-rising flour
1 ½ cups chopped nuts
2 tsp. vanilla
 
Bake in a 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. While hot, spread one jar of
marshmallow creme on top of cake and let cool (10 minutes).
 
Then mix this together separately:
 
½ cup butter (or 2 sticks margarine, melted)
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp. vanilla
1 box (16 oz.) powdered sugar
1/3 cup of cocoa
1/3 cup of Eagle Brand condensed milk
 
Spread on top of cooled cake.
 
Enjoy! 



Sharla Lovelace is the bestselling, award-winning author of sexy small-town love stories. Being a Texas girl through and through, she’s proud to say she lives in Southeast Texas with her retired husband, a souped-up golf cart, and a crazy mutt. She is the author of The Reason Is You, Before and Ever Since, Just One Day, and the forthcoming Stay with Me, coming in summer 2014.  For more about Sharla’s books, visit www.sharlalovelace.com.  Sharla can also be found chatting with her readers every day on Facebook and Twitter at @sharlalovelace.

On Conversations: #Interview with #AAMBookclub #author Tamara Jackson

Please welcome AAMBookclub Author Tamara Jackson to Conversations today. Tamara is here to talk about her new release, 265 Point. So, check out the cover and blurb, and get to know Tamara by checking out her interview too!

Lisa ~
_____________________________________________


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IQEOVJI/?tag=crlaofsu-20
265 Point

As a motivational health and fitness expert, Tamara Jackson is all too familiar with the emotional, psychological and physical challenges associated with weight loss and developing a healthy lifestyle. Tamara has taken to the Internet to challenge and change alarming statistics. Tamara seeks to motivate, educate and inspire women to reclaim their health and their lives.

Having reached the point but later suffered a relapse – this book is for you too. I’ve been where you are and I can help.

265 Point is part biography, part education, part inspiration and motivation. I’ve done my best to assemble the elements necessary for you to succeed.


You will learn:

• Why traditional dieting doesn’t work.
• How to find and keep your motivation.
• The real reason you keep sabotaging yourself.
• How to handle unsupportive family and friends.
• Practical ways to silence “the voice” that seeks to protect you but really sets you up for failure, every time.
• Simple steps you can take now to salvage your future through the power of choice.
• How to stop short-circuiting your progress with unrealistic expectations and unhealthy comparisons.
• Easy ways to identify better food choices when eating out.
• Why exercise alone is not enough to get and keep you fit and fly.
• How to reprogram your brain to see the best in you rather than the worst in you.
• What really drives your sense of dignity and your self-confidence (hint: it’s not what you think).
• How to enjoy your favorite foods without interfering with your goals using my 80/20 plan.






Interview with Tamara Jackson

‘265 Point’, interesting title, what does it mean?

265 represents my highest weight. I was slim growing up, but in my mid-twenties I was under a lot of emotional stress and turned to food for comfort. Before I knew it, I ballooned to 265 pounds. I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror but I didn’t know how to change it so I remained at that weight for over 6 years. The Point is a place, but not one you would find on a typical street map. It is a location on the continuum of change where you’ve moved past just thinking about change and wanting to change and are now ready to act.

What’s the guiding principle of ’265 Point’?

Success is an inside job. In order to achieve the look you desire on the outside, you have to address what is going on in the inside, specifically what’s going on in your head. Everything we do (or don’t do) originates with a thought. If you just start thinking the right things, you can change your body and ultimately your life.

What one or two secrets will people be most surprised to read in the book?

The book is chocked full of nuggets, so it’s tough to choose just two. But I think the “Formula for Success” section in chapter 8 will surprise many people. There are millions of people out there that are seriously trying to lose weight and get in shape but haven’t been successful because they have bad or insufficient information. That was one of my biggest problems. I was doing some of the right things but all of my hard work was being cancelled out by a few sabotaging behaviors. I also think that the concept “freedom meals” and an “80/20 rule” in chapter 15 will be a standout for most readers. People are often shocked to hear that I believe there is a place for ice cream, cookies, etc. in our diets, but I have found that demonizing foods always backfires on you.

What is the biggest misconception about losing weight?

There is a laundry list but I would say the biggest is what I call “magic pill syndrome”. It is the perception that the solution to all of your problems is external – a certain diet, supplement, cleanse, or exercise routine – and when you find it, magically all of your problems are solved. I talk to people all the time who are searching, as if they are a captain on a treasure hunt – if they can just find the golden treasure! They go from one thing to the next – from diet pills to fasts, from fasts to cleanses, from cleanses to Paleo, from Paleo to carb cutting – and the outcome is always the same. There are few things more demoralizing than losing weight, getting compliments from everyone you know on how great you look, and then slowly but surely seeing the weight return…and then some.

You’re very transparent in the book. Was that hard for you?


I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it was! What many people don’t realize is that our present is a product of our past. The heartache and pain we experience often gets internalized and turns into emotional baggage that we carry with us everywhere we go. That baggage influences our mindset and results in poor decisions. It was extremely tough to go to cemetery section of my mind and dig up that coffin full of painful memories, but it was important to me to keep it real with this book. I wanted people to be able to see themselves in the pages and finally see what is holding them back. Once you really understand what’s stopping you, massive change is possible.

There are tons of weight loss books out there, why should readers choose yours?

Well, first let me say ‘265 Point’ is not for everyone. If you’re looking for a roadmap to losing 30 pounds in 30 days, my book is not for you. But if you’re really and truly serious about losing the weight – this time for good – then ‘265 Point” is exactly what you’ve been looking for. I am a certified fitness professional but I’m not some out of touch trainer that just tells you to eat right and exercise. If it were that simple, we wouldn’t have a health crisis in this country! You should choose ‘265 Point’ because it’s written by a person who’s been where you are, understands your pain, and knows the way out. ‘265 Point’ is the blueprint that will get you from where you are to where you want to be – you just have to take the first step.

Now that you have penned your first book, what’s next for you? Do you plan to keep writing?

Absolutely! I have more books in me and I write almost daily. A lot of my writing ends up in my blog at www.265point.com or in my newsletters, motivational texts, and social media posts. I have found that constant reinforcement of the right thoughts is key to keeping my clients “on point”. I plan to write another book in the next year or two, but right now my focus is helping as many people as I can create their own success story using ‘265 Point’ and our Online Fitness Membership Programs. People are often surprised to learn that they can get amazing results just by connecting with me by phone or Skype on a weekly basis. It may seem far-fetched, but the testimonials on my website prove that it works! I also enjoy getting out there and spreading a message of hope at women’s group meetings and conferences. So many people have given up and just need a change in perspective. Once your perspective changes, what you believe is possible changes. And once what you believe is possible changes, you are positioned not just to survive, but to thrive. All of a sudden anything is possible. That is my mission – to convince anyone who will listen that no matter how many times you’ve failed, it IS possible to live your dreams and lead a happier, healthier life. You just have to believe.

To purchase Tamara Jackson’s book, ‘265 Point’ or learn more about her online fitness program, visit her website at www.265point.com.




Tamara Jackson is a motivational health and fitness expert who has taken to the Internet to change the alarming statistic that four out of five African American women are overweight or obese. All too familiar with the emotional, psychological and physical challenges associated with developing a healthy lifestyle, Tamara seeks to motivate, educate, and inspire women to take the steps necessary to reclaim their health and their lives. Tamara is a Certified Group Exercise Instructor through the American College of Sports Medicine and has authored the book “265Point” to provide “on point” practical guidance to those that are ready to ditch dieting and get fit for good. She is convinced that that anyone can change with the appropriate tools, systems, and support. Tamara appeared on the demonstration floor of The Dr. Oz show with fitness guru and Insanity® creator Shaun T. in February of 2012. Her weight loss success story is currently being showcased in the top-selling Hip Hop Abs® infomercial. When not writing, coaching, working out or leading a class, Tamara can be found hanging out with family and friends, volunteering, or cuddled up with a book. She’s also a huge fan of roller coasters, whitewater rafting and zip lining. A banking professional of 15 years, Tamara holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Virginia Tech and a Master’s Degree from the University of Florida.

Find the author/Purchase the book:
Author & Fitness Website: http://www.265point.com
Tamara Jackson’s Media Kit: http://www.265point.com/media-kit.php
What’s Your Point Blog: http://www.265point.com/whats-your-point-blog.php
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamaraJacksonFitnessExpert
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FitnessTamara
Google+: https://twitter.com/FitnessTamara
265 Point “Online Fitness Membership” Promotional Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRJP6jZ2jsUgNDD2yZL9CTQ
Good Reads Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7686077.Tamara_Jackson


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