Blog Break Reminder

My son and his family are visiting from China. It's only the second time they've been back in five years. With the exception of some previous commitments on Fridays, I will be off until July 14th.

Have a great 4th of July--even if it isn't your Independence Day.

Spotlight - Hawke's Nest by Darcy Flynn

First off, let me say that I love the name Darcy, and I've felt that way long before I'd ever heard of Pride and Prejudice. My kid sister bears it, and I gave a variation of it to one of my characters in my Safe Harbors series (D'Arcy). 

With that, let me introduce you to Darcy Flynn's new clean romance, Hawke's Nest.

Running away is nothing new for Annie Dell, aka high-fashion model Anna Delany. With the paparazzi hot on her trail, an out of town wedding couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. What better place to hide out than the quaint Florida beach town Liddy’s told her so much about. But a delayed flight, the mix up with the car rental, then a speeding ticket from the local Sheriff of Nottingham, her getaway is looking anything but relaxing.

Franklin County Sheriff, Levi Hawke, is tired of the spoiled, out-of-control students on fall break, who think they can speed through his county without consequence. After giving a ticket to a beautiful young woman he assumes is just another daddy’s girl looking for some fun in the sun, he discovers she’s his weekend date at his best friend’s wedding.

Through gritted teeth, masked by a half-hearted truce, they survive the weekend, only to find themselves stranded alone in the middle of a hurricane. You can discover a lot about a person while spending thirty-six hours without the comforts of electricity and modern conveniences. When circumstances further extend her stay in town, Levi pries deeper to find out what Annie’s running from. He knows when someone is haunted by their past. As the saying goes ... it takes one to know one.

AMAZON

Short Excerpt:

      Annie took a sip of Sauvignon Blanc and glanced at Levi. He had shoved his chair back from the table and sat holding his wine glass in his right hand while perusing her with his keen baby blues.
       Blatantly.
       Openly.
       Audaciously.
       Fine, she could handle his rude stares. She’d been ogled by far worse than him. She tilted her head to one side and smiled. The smile photographer Dave Mandel of Glamour Magazine claimed was irresistible. Well, no time like the present to put that ridiculous statement to the test.
       “So, Sheriff.” She scooted her chair closer to his and the sudden alarm that entered his eyes was delicious. She lifted her glass in the air. “I propose we call a truce. After all, we’re here to celebrate the wedding of your best friend and my best friend. And since we’ve been paired for the weekend, by the matchmaking bride, we may as well make the most of it.”
       She gave him her most candid, but coy expression, daring him to disagree. “What do you say?” she coaxed softly.
       “How could I deny such an earnest and sincere request?”
        Something about the way he said it churned her insides, but she gave nothing away as she smiled brightly at him. Tilting his head in salute, he raised his glass and touched it to hers, the sound of crystal sealing the deal.

About the Author:

Darcy Flynn is known for her heartwarming, sweet contemporary romances. Her refreshing storylines, irritatingly handsome heroes and feisty heroines will delight and entertain you from the first page to the last. Miss Flynn’s heroes and heroines have a tangible chemistry that is entertaining, humorous and competitive. 

Darcy lives with her husband, son, two English Setters and a menagerie of other living creatures on her horse farm in Franklin, Tennessee. She raises rare breed chickens, stargazes on warm summer nights and indulges daily in afternoon tea

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | Pinterest | Google+:

Final Day - TORN CANVAS Blog Tour

Even a hero needs rescuing sometimes ...

Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Jori struggles to make a new life for himself as an artist while evading the press. They expect a hero, but he knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast.

Olivia Howard’s given up a normal life for her job, and the sacrifices are finally paying off. The twenty-six-year-old talk-show host’s ratings are heading to the top of the charts. Her dream is to make a difference in people’s lives, but the studio wants mind fluff—like interviewing hot model Jori Virtanen. When Olivia learns the guy helped rescue passengers on a cruise excursion from kidnappers, she knows this is the story she needs to make her case. The only problem is the hero was injured, and now he’s disappeared.

The more Olivia learns about the man behind the scar, the more intrigued she becomes. But Jori is no girl’s happily ever after. Once she finds him, Olivia has to free his heart and help heal the beast.

I so appreciate all the wonderful people who have helped me send my baby out into the world. I hope you'll take a minute and check out today's offerings.

– Feather Pens, Tartan Dreams  – Review/Guest Post

– Meredith Mansfield - Review

– Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters – Review

– Author Brooke Williams – GP/Spotlight

– Wordpaintings Unlimited – Spotlight

– Mins Reads and Reviews – Review

Don't forget, I'm giving away TWO prizes. 

Each winner will receive:

1. a $5 Amazon gift card,
2. an audiobook of the first book in the series--A Change of Plans, Safe Harbors #1
3. and the ebook of the novelette Hope's Watch, Safe Harbors #1.5. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TORN CANVAS Blog Tour

It's here! I'm sending my baby out into the world. It's not my book anymore.

To celebrate, I'm giving away TWO prizes. Each winner will receive a $5 Amazon gift card, an audiobook of the first book in the series--A Change of Plans, Safe Harbors #1--and the ebook of the novelette Hope's Watch, Safe Harbors #1.5. I think that's the perfect setup for Torn Canvas, Safe Harbors #2.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To help me celebrate, lots of wonderful people have offered up blog space.

TORN CANVAS Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, June 19^th

– Lucinda Whitney – Review/Interview

– YA Author Elana Johnson – Interview

– Why Not? Because I Said So – Review

– Jordan McCollum – Spotlight/GP

– Jaclyn Weist - Review

_ Mark Noce - Spotlight

Friday, June 20^th

– Feather Pens, Tartan Dreams  – Review/Guest Post

– Meredith Mansfield - Review

– Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters – Review

– Author Brooke Williams – GP/Spotlight

– Wordpaintings Unlimited – Spotlight

– Mins Reads and Reviews – Review

Earlier this week:

Monday, June 16^th

– Sweetly Clean Romance – Review/Excerpt

– Gamila's Review  – Review

Tuesday, June 17^th

– Krista Wayment – Guest Post

– Alison Woods – Review

– Christy Dorrity Author – Interview

Wednesday, June 18^th

– Laura D. Bastian  – Review
– Medeia Sharif – Top Ten/ Spotlight
– Canda's Ink Blast – Review

– Leigh Covington – Interview/Highlight

– DiannT. Read – Spotlight

– Cindy M. Hogan – Review/Playlist

– Meetings With My Muse – Spotlight

Even a hero needs rescuing sometimes ...

Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Jori struggles to make a new life for himself as an artist while evading the press. They expect a hero, but he knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast.

Olivia Howard’s given up a normal life for her job, and the sacrifices are finally paying off. The twenty-six-year-old talk-show host’s ratings are heading to the top of the charts. Her dream is to make a difference in people’s lives, but the studio wants mind fluff—like interviewing hot model Jori Virtanen. When Olivia learns the guy helped rescue passengers on a cruise excursion from kidnappers, she knows this is the story she needs to make her case. The only problem is the hero was injured, and now he’s disappeared.

The more Olivia learns about the man behind the scar, the more intrigued she becomes. But Jori is no girl’s happily ever after. Once she finds him, Olivia has to free his heart and help heal the beast.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | iTUNES | KOBO | GOODREADS

Happy Father's Day!

I totally stole this from the awesome Ilima Todd. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video about good fathers. Truly, they're priceless

Unbearable by Sherry Gammon

The Port Fare Series~Three Stand-Alone Novels

You met and fell in love with Maggie and Seth as they struggled to survive a couple of ruthless drug dealers and Maggie's incorrigible mom in UNLOVABLE

**

Next came Cole and Lilah as they found love despite her deception while working with Booker (Much to his dismay) to protect everyone from being murdered.

 Now discover Booker and Tess's story!

Booker Gatto is done. Done with women, his old life, all of it. Only the love of his friends in Port Fare keeps him going as he leaves the MET in exchange for the quiet 

life his new law practice will provide. 

Tess Selleck, once as ambitious and determined as she is smart and beautiful, had to leave everything and everyone she loves in San Diego to escape the man who destroyed her dreams and now wants her dead. 

Together Booker and Tess find love when they least expect it, until their pasts drive

them apart. Is there a happily ever after for these damaged lovers? Or is the thought of loving and trusting again simply Unbearable?

Unbearable is the exciting conclusion to the Port Fare Series. Join Booker as he struggles to find his happily ever after.

Sherry's Web Page: WordpaintingsUnlimited.com

Available as an eBook at (Click Icon):

                  

Also available in Paperback on Amazon!


Find Sherry Here (Click on Icon):

                  

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Check out the playlist too!

Monday Meandering

It was much busier than I thought it would have been last week. I made great progress on Swing Vote, Safe Harbors #3, until I had to work through a glitch in the ebook formatting for Torn Canvas. At least it was an educational week.

I'm trying not to think too much about next week and the release of Torn Canvas, but I did submit the audition manuscript for the audiobook. That twists my stomach as much as the release of the book. lol

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I listened to the audiobook of SEALED with Love, the second book in the DiCarlo Brides series by Heather Tullis. Besides the wonderful characterization, I'm enjoying this series so much because the romance is being served with something else. In this case, there's been a mystery of some kind--and life threatening situations.

Interesting premise to the series:
When George DiCarlo’s two daughters walk into the reading of his will, they find a big surprise–they have four sisters they never knew about–all by different mothers. The will stipulates that they work together to get his latest hotel/resort up and running and that they share a home for the first year that it’s running–he’s determined that they will all get to be good friends.

If that’s not enough, he’s picked out the perfect man for each of them, ensuring that they’ll get in each other’s way. Obviously love is bound to ensue. The daughters and their intended grooms, however, are not so amenable to his plans and where possible, fight his continued interference in their lives–which he manages to do, even from the grave.

I'm reading the novella Honesty by Carrie Butler. This book bridges the second book in the Mark of Nexus series--Courage--with the third and yet to be released book--Loyalty. The first book is Strength.

I'll be honest (haha, no pun intended). I was not a fan of Cole, the main character when I first met him in Strength. Sorry, but he's one disturbed man. Like crazy. Dangerous. And everyone seemed to treat his outrageous behavior like it wasn't that big a deal. But it was!

By the end of Strength, I'd gotten a little more sympathy for the character and by the end of Courage, he'd become a guilty pleasure. He makes me laugh--and I shouldn't. In Honesty, besides getting to see things from his point of view--and the reasons he's so messed up and dangerous--he's changing. I like the direction his character is moving. I like Cole.

*********************************

I attended a writing conference specifically for indie authors. It was a wonderful event with some great and useful classes. I always love coming away from a conference with knowledge I can put to use immediately. And my hubby even attended with me. Now is he a great sport, or what?

Because of the conference I wasn't able to get to any movies this weekend. Hubby would like to see Godzilla, and we'd both like to see Edge of Tomorrow. I'm not sure we'll see Maleficent until it's in the dollar flicks.

How was your weekend?

The Hitler Dilemma by Carolyn Twede Frank

AMAZON | GOODREADS | DESERET BOOK

June 2014 ISWG

Click here to find out more and to see a list of other IWSG blogs.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

With Torn Canvas releasing in fewer than two weeks, my insecurities should be obvious. What if people hate what I've done with this story or the direction I took this secondary character? I loved Jori in A Change of Plans. I knew I had to tell his story, show his growth as a man. What if I didn't do him justice?

Well, Neil Gaiman said it well here, and #6 fits my situation:

I've let Jori's tale go now, and I'm already working on the next book in the series--Swing Vote. I spend so much time editing that I forget how much fun writing news words can be. Even really bad new words. lol

How about you?

Monday Meandering

Two weeks until the official release of Torn Canvas. The paper copy's actually already available. But don't tell anyone.

I've decided to maybe be a little more focused on my Monday randomness. I like what Emily King is doing over at her blog and sharing on Mondays a little of what she's been up to.

I've gotten through a couple of books this week. One was by Karey White. You might recognize her as one of the Ripple Effect series authors.

It's called My Own Mr. Darcy and is also a finalist for a RONE award. I totally know why. Great book. This is my second book by her. I will be reading more.

I read another one that I will not name because I didn't like it. Total bummer of a story, so it wasn't the kind I like. Lots of other people may love it.


With family visiting from China again in July, I decided to be part of an unofficial June summer NaNo group. I've begun work on Safe Harbors #3. The working title is Swing Vote. This story will have a lot of political overtones because of the nature of the story. The main character is Marc North, who is the younger brother of Lyn North from A Change of Plans. He's a former Marine who ends up in Utah to help a buddy who wants to start up a helicopter sightseeing business. I chose Utah because the state's amazingly scenic but also before I'm VERY familiar with the election laws.

Already the story's going in a little different direction than I've been imaging. That's something I love about writing new words. I may think I know what path I'm going down, but the trip is so lovely I often find myself wandering other ways.