Vote For Dark Past

Dark Past has been nominated for a RONE Award! I am so so excited about this! But Dark Past won't win without your help!

Please vote for Dark Past in the novella category here

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Voting is from May 11 through May 17, 2020. 

In D'Tale gave Dark Past a great review: Here is a screenshot, and a link for those with screenreaders

Some secrets won't stay quiet...

                                     

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I also have a teeny bit of news: Amethyst Heat is free! This is a short story I wrote once upon a time, and it's got a spiffy new cover -I mean doesn't this just scream Highlander Take Me Away?

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While out riding, Meg McMurray finds herself on unfamiliar lands. Gone are the long expanses of Oklahoma prairie, and in front of her are the wild Scottish Highlands. How did she come to be there, and did Aunt Gilly's amethyst ring have anything to do with it? A sweet romance set in the Highlands of Scotland.

Don't forget to enter the May giveaway! 

Comfort Reads by Laura Hunsaker

Lately I feel like I've been in a reading slump. You know, that feeling where you keep picking up a new book and it just doesn't click for you?
I've started three or four books and haven't been able to finish them. I hate when that happens!

The worst part is that I'm pretty sure I'll like the books, I'm just not in the mood for them. Being a moody reader can sure stink.

Some friends and I were talking about this just the other day. Sometimes when I DNF (do not finish) a book, it's hard to put it down. I want to push on, to persevere....but should my favorite hobby be something I have to push myself to do? I need to make myself understand it's okay to set a book aside for later. I have a great example of that. I have been trying to read Nora Roberts' The Three Fates for months now. It just isn't clicking for me. Typically I enjoy her books, especially the ones that are connected like this is, and yet...I can't get past the 4th chapter.

So what do you do when you're stuck like that?

Do you switch up genres? Force yourself to finish whatever you pick up?

For me, I tend to go for a comfort read. Comfort reads are old favorites that I know I already love, and that won't let me down.

Some of my comfort reads are:

Anything Ilona Andrews. I just re-read the Hidden Legacy series, and it's one that gets better each time.

Cynthia Eden's Devil In Disguise is so intense and surprising and wonderful.

Sarah MacLean"s Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake I can't tell you how many times I've read that book.

Monica McCarty's Highland Warrior is another I've worn out re-reading.

And our own Bonnie Edwards' Love In a Pawn Shop

So tell me, what are your comfort reads? Are you a moody reader?

Don't forget to enter our November GIVEAWAYS for one of five gift cards! Direct link to the Rafflecopter here



If you're looking for your new comfort read, look no further! Dark Past is out now!

The small town was supposed to be safe...

Kate Landry is tired of running. Thinking she's safe, she settles in the small logging town of Chester, California to manage a cafe. She may be keeping a low profile, but she's hoping to return to a normal life.
When FBI agent Kyle Donovan visits to Chester to stay with a friend, and to recover from his latest case, he never expects to meet sexy barista Kate.

But someone is following Kate...
Kyle worries he brought trouble to her door, while Kate worries her dark past is coming after her.
With danger lurking around every corner, her safe haven isn't as safe as she'd thought. Kate will finally have to trust someone enough to tell him her secrets. Secrets that may just get them killed... 

Good Vibrations: Writing to Music by Laura Hunsaker

If you're on Twitter, you'll often see a tweet from an author about writing in a coffee shop. And just as often it'll spark a conversation about who needs absolute silence while writing, or who needs white noise, or who needs a public space. It got me to thinking that while I don't have the time to write in a cafe, I absolutely would. I can't write in the silence. I usually write at night when everyone is in bed, and I always have ear buds in and music in the background.

It took me a while to find my groove for Dark Past. I originally started by listening to Hamilton, but anyone who's ever heard that soundtrack knows you just can't listen without singing along, so as much as I loved it I had to try something else. I used the Braveheart soundtrack for my last Highlander book, but that didn't feel right for a Romantic Suspense.

Then I heard a Sam Hunt song on the radio one day, and I knew that was it. Sam Hunt's "Break Up In A Small Town" was the one.




My new release Dark Past is set in a small town in Northern California, and I'd love to share what was running in the background as I wrote!

So let's do a quick playlist of what I've been writing to (I linked each song to youtube because it was easiest).

Sam Hunt's "Break Up In A Small Town" was on repeat for me for a while.

And one scene is absolutely perfect for "Ex to See" also by Sam Hunt.

Brantley Gilbert's "Bottom's Up"

Luke Bryan and Karen Fairchild's duet "Home Alone Tonight"

Luke Bryan's "Someone Else Calling You Baby"

Sam Hunt "Make You Miss Me"

Some more Sam Hunt with "Take Your Time"

Carrie Underwood's "Heartbeat"

Luke Bryan "Strip It Down"

Fallout Boy "My Song Knows What You Did in the Dark"

Sam Hunt "Leave the Night On" I mean really it was almost every single Sam Hunt song lol

During the climax and action scenes I actually went for instrumental selections with the How to Train Your Dragon 2 soundtrack.

If you've read Dark Past, let me know what you think of the songs I listened to while writing it! Don't forget to enter the giveaway below!


Dark Past

Amazon  |   Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  Google Play Books  |  Smashwords

The small town was supposed to be safe... 

Kate Landry is tired of running. Thinking she's safe, she settles in the small logging town of Chester, California to manage a cafe. She may be keeping a low profile, but she's hoping to return to a normal life.
When FBI agent Kyle Donovan visits to Chester to stay with a friend, and to recover from his latest case, he never expects to meet sexy barista Kate.

But someone is following Kate... 

Kyle worries he brought trouble to her door, while Kate worries her dark past is coming after her.
With danger lurking around every corner, her safe haven isn't as safe as she'd thought. Kate will finally have to trust someone enough to tell him her secrets. Secrets that may just get them killed... 

GIVEAWAY:

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A Not So Secret Secret by Laura Hunsaker

A couple years ago, friend and fellow writer, Heather Lire asked if I wanted to write a hockey romance together. I thought it might be a fun new direction to take, and wanted to see what would come of it.

Well, I'm here to tell you, it's been an amazing ride.

The two of us are Kenzie MacLir. We not only loved writing Change it Up for the Icing the Puck anthology, but we have another story coming out with the fabulous New York Empires.

But fair warning, we don't just write Hockey Romance. We write hot Paranormal Hockey Romance. In Icing the Puck (book 2 in the New York Empires series), were were invited to add the third story to this anthology. All three stories take place at the same time. You'll see familiar teammates and enjoy their stories as well.

We wrote about a hockey player named Reiner Jahr who finds out he's part god. His nickname from the fans as a hockey god is so much more accurate than Reiner ever could have guessed. And his sister's best friend is coordinating an event between his team and the Special Olympics.

In our next story Against the Boards, due out this winter, we're writing about teammate Kyle Sandberg. I'll let you in on a secret...Kyle's a werewolf. His brother is the alpha of the local pack, but Kyle has the reputation as the screw-up brother. Will meeting his mate change his outlook on the pack? Or will his brother see it as Kyle making promises he can't keep?

Check out Icing the Puck, and the first book Going All In

The New York Empires are back…this time three new players will find their HEA and maybe a little more.

Light the Lamp by Isabo Kelly 

Geneticist Dr. Ann Bell never thought she’d have a normal life or a normal relationship. She moves to New York hoping her “Devil’s spawn” half sister can help her control the fire curse that’s haunted her her whole life. Without help, Ann fears she’ll kill someone. Finding a confusing, handsome, overwhelming hockey player was never part of the plan. But when that man proves to be someone she could love, things get a lot more complicated for Ann.

New York Empires defenseman Brody Evans never expects to find the woman of his dreams wandering the physical therapy center. He’s never met anyone like Ann Bell, and he wants more from her than any other woman before. But Ann’s keeping a secret that could tear them apart. For the first time in his life, Brody feels helpless. He’s a fighter, though, and Ann is a woman he’ll fight for, no matter what it takes.


Crossing the Lines by Stacey Agdern 

Kayleigh Emerson knows that she shouldn’t get involved with a teammate of her brother’s. But the chemistry between her and rookie sensation Max St. Laurent is unmistakable.

Max St. Laurent is captivated by the talented violinist who happens to be his captain’s sister. Unfortunately, he doesn’t need his unique combination of empathy and telepathy to realize there’ll be problems if he pursues her.

But when mandatory English conversational sessions lead to a fake date that feels all too real, Max and Kayleigh must decide whether to cross the line between friendship and love.

Change It Up by Kenzie MacLir 

Reiner Jahr is in his second year of playing for the New York Empires. As a boy from Setså, Norway, he dreamed of nothing but winning the Stanley Cup, and with his stick-handling skills, it’s close to becoming real. But finding out he’s the son of a god isn’t something he’s equipped to handle, and when he runs into his sister’s best friend at an event for his team, he can’t keep his eyes off her. Suddenly hockey is no longer the only thing on his mind.

Emma Chase loves her job with the local Special Olympics organization. Coordinating an event with the New York Empires has been a dream come true. Until she sees Reiner Jahr, her best friend’s big brother. Her teenage crush has developed into so much more. Seeing him again brings all her youthful feelings racing back. Their meeting sets in motion a chain of events that will forever change her.

What can they do when changes happen both on and off the ice?

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Writing Life With Pets by Laura Hunsaker

If you follow me on Twitter @laurahunsaker then you know I have a couple of pets. And I love seeing everyone else's pets. I hope you know that if I've ever seen your pet, I love him and he's my favorite. I have two dogs, a cat and some tortoises. While the tortoises are pretty low key pets, the furry one are not. Sticking with just the furry ones, I have dogs named Lily and Conan. My daughter has a cat named Buzz Lightyear.

When I'm at my desk, usually one, if not all three animals are with me. I really wish I could tell you it was usually something like this.

But as anyone who has a cat and has tried to use a computer will tell you, quite often, the cats take over the keyboard and if you get lucky, it's just like this.

Or this. No, no, Buzz, it's okay really. I don't actually need to type or anything.

I can't forget the dogs!
Lily makes sure I pencil in some scritches

And Conan, well, I don't have any pictures of him sitting on me because he's so darn big I can't take a selfie of it! So please enjoy him sitting in my chair enjoying the cozy fire. But notice! No paws on the furniture! ;)

Do you have pets? What do you have?

Don't forget to enter the June giveaway!

To enter our June Giveaway, visit our Monthly Giveaway Page 

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Dark Past is out now!

The small town was supposed to be safe... 

Kate Landry is tired of running. Thinking she's safe, she settles in the small logging town of Chester, California to manage a cafe. She may be keeping a low profile, but she's hoping to return to a normal life. 
When FBI agent Kyle Donovan visits to Chester to stay with a friend, and to recover from his latest case, he never expects to meet sexy barista Kate. 

But someone is following Kate... 

Kyle worries he brought trouble to her door, while Kate worries her dark past is coming after her. 
With danger lurking around every corner, her safe haven isn't as safe as she'd thought. Kate will finally have to trust someone enough to tell him her secrets. Secrets that may just get them killed...


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Dark Past by Laura Hunsaker

Dark Past is out in the Wild!

It just released, and I'm so excited to share Kate and Kyle's story with you! It takes place in Chester, California. It's a town of about 2,000 people in Northern California. I live in Las Vegas, NV and a couple of years ago, we drove up to Chester for their Fourth of July parade.

We spent several weeks in Chester, and it was such a different place than Las Vegas! I knew immediately I wanted to set a book there. But I write Scottish Time Travels...don't I?

Maybe not...

Kate is dealing with a stalker and while the small town she found herself in seemed safe. Sometimes it can seem very isolated. Kyle is drawn to Kate, and he can't help but want to help her. But how can he gain her trust?

When I imagined the villain of the book hiding in one of the many cabins up near Silver Lake, this is the image that popped into my head.

This beautiful and gorgeous lake is absolutely used in Dark Past.
Where most people see beauty, Kate sees danger. Where most people see still waters, and amazing trees, Kate sees shadows and tricks of light.

But where there are shadows, there is light. She and Kyle have to find a way to let the light in together. Can they find a way out of the dark past (heh) and into the happily ever after they've definitely earned?

Having Dark Past up for sale is such an amazing feeling. This never gets old! I hope you all enjoy it, because I loved visiting Chester, California and incorporating it's beauty into my story.

The small town was supposed to be safe... 

Kate Landry is tired of running. Thinking she's safe, she settles in the small logging town of Chester, California to manage a cafe. She may be keeping a low profile, but she's hoping to return to a normal life. 

When FBI agent Kyle Donovan visits to Chester to stay with a friend, and to recover from his latest case, he never expects to meet sexy barista Kate. 

But someone is following Kate... 

Kyle worries he brought trouble to her door, while Kate worries her dark past is coming after her. 
With danger lurking around every corner, her safe haven isn't as safe as she'd thought. Kate will finally have to trust someone enough to tell him her secrets. Secrets that may just get them killed...

Buy Dark Past: Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  Google Play Books  |  Smashwords

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The Accidental Branding of a Highland Hussy by @LauraHunsaker

Once upon a time, there was a baby author who loved Highlander Romances so much, that she read any book with a man in a kilt on them. At one point, she created a Twitter account specifically to join in Man Candy Monday. This was a night where all of Romancelandia would join in to post stock photos of hunky men. For Laura, it was reserved for men in kilts only, and she was known for finding the best of the kilted men. She teased on twitter that she was a hussy for those Highlanders. What she didn't know, is that she would become so well known by that name, that she would be forever branded the Highland Hussy.

When someone says that they're "on brand," it usually means that whatever it is they are doing is exactly what one would expect from them. They are conforming to the image that is associated with that brand. And my brand is, you guessed it! Highlanders! I write Scottish Romance...with a twist!

Check out this post for more about my books

Hi I'm Laura Hunsaker, the Highland Hussy, and I write Scottish Time Travel Romance. Except when I don't.

I had an idea that just wouldn't leave, and after a major case of writer's block, I decided to take someone's advice and just play around. The goal was to not stress about my work in progress, but rather just write something, anything, new. In the Romantic Suspense I've written called Dark Past, there's nary a Scot to be found! As an author, I really wondered long and hard about what to do about that, since I typically write in such a different genre. As a reader, I thought about several well-known authors who write in several genres, and it's neither confusing nor annoying. So this Highland Hussy has written a Romantic Suspense without any Highlanders LOL.

You can add Dark Past to your Goodreads account here.

I can't wait for everyone to meet Kate and Kyle, and let's hope readers won't mind reading an FBI hero and barista heroine written by a Highland Hussy.

Dark Past has a tentative release date of April 30, 2019. Keep an eye on this blog, or my website for the firm date. Join my newsletter for all new release information. 

Some secrets won't stay quiet...

The small town was supposed to be safe... 

Kate Landry is tired of running. Thinking she's safe, she settles in the small logging town of Chester, California to manage a cafe. She may be keeping a low profile, but she's hoping to return to a normal life. 

When FBI agent Kyle Donovan visits to Chester to stay with a friend, and to recover from his latest case, he never expects to meet sexy barista Kate. 

But someone is following Kate... 

Kyle worries he brought trouble to her door, while Kate worries her dark past is coming after her.

With danger lurking around every corner, her safe haven isn't as safe as she'd thought. Kate will finally have to trust someone enough to tell him her secrets. Secrets that may just get them killed...

Amazon  |   Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  Google Play Books  |  Smashwords

And don't forget to enter the contest here on the Romance Gems!

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