Coffee and Conversation with the #RomanceGems

It's time for Coffee and Conversation with the Romance Gems! So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join us for some fun. This month's topic is: Do you have a favorite book boyfriend?

I know you have at least one. That dreamy hero straight from the pages of a book you love. Perhaps even from a book you’ve written! He’s that guy you think about long after the story is done. Is he a tall, dark, and handsome super-spy or ex-Navy Seal? Maybe he’s a ginger-haired warrior from the Highlands? Or a rancher, firefighter, doctor, or single-dad next door? Could be he’s not a man at all, because he lives on a mythical planet, or he’s a vampire! Tell me… Who is your FAVORITE book boyfriend? Let’s talk!

"My favorite book boyfriend is Lucas Ross from PRINCE CHARMING by Julie Garwood. He is (like my husband who I call Hero) a man who encompasses fine qualities: selfless, protective, compassionate, kind, and competent at a wide variety of things. He is versatile and can function in English society, in criminal-riddled Chicago, or in the rough and rowdy Old West. He accomplishes his goals even at heavy personal cost. This is also one of my all-time favorite books and I re-read it about once a year." ~ Carolyn Clemmons

“Of the more than 40 books I've written, I get lots of fan mail for my book now titled The Wedding Bargain because women???including me???fall in love with its hero, Nick Birmingham. What's not to love? This guy is the richest man in England, and he's tall, dark, and handsome. Add to that he's super sexy, tender hearted, and a great patriot during the Napoleonic Wars. In this marriage-of-convenience story, he marries Lady Fiona, who was jilted in the previous Brazen Brides book. Readers tell me she's much better off with Nick than in the hero of Counterfeit Countess!"
~ Cheryl Bolen

"My favorite book boyfriend is Ilona Andrews' Mad Rogan. He's protective and fierce when it comes to what's his, and he's strong, knowing when to fight versus when to walk away. A true alpha male without being an alphahole ;) He's a good leader, and his men would follow him anywhere. I have re-read the Hidden Legacy series so many times, that I'd say he qualifies as my book boyfriend." ~ Laura Hunsaker

“I might be old, but I’m not dead. I like my book boyfriends intelligent, considerate, and sexy as hell! Professor Joshua Cain, from my Egyptian-themed time travel, Eye of the Pharaoh, ticks all those boxes. He’s a great combination of absent-minded professor and modern-day Indiana Jones all wrapped up in one uber-sexy package! My publicist heroine knows exactly how to handle him—if only the spirit of an Egyptian Queen-Pharaoh would leave them alone so they could get down to the business of falling in love!” ~ Nancy Fraser
(Eye of the Pharaoh is currently on sale for 99¢!)

“All my heroes in all my 13 books are my book boyfriend because I created them to be the way I want a book boyfriend to be. However, my most favorite book boyfriend superhero is Chris Jamisen in Book of Love, a release I had in December 2014. He’s Native American, has four children, runs an auto repair business, and is active in his community. He does his best to keep Janice’s “car from hell” running for her. In the beginning he thought of her as a gold digger looking for a rich husband. Boy was he proven wrong!” ~ Constance Bretes

“I like my hero Slade from the Ghost Mountain Ranch series. A fraternal twin with an over-achieving twin sister, he doesn’t know what he wants to do to his life. Of course, he meets his true love in the book, but learns about himself in the process. He saves the heroine from a grizzly bear, and helps find answers to a mystery.” ~ Jan Scarbrough

“This was so hard. I can’t even tell you. But I am going to make myself choose, and I’m not picking someone from a Jane Austen novel for once. My book boyfriend is Wulfric Bedwyn from Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh. He is the oldest of six children, and he has to take care of all of them. He does his duty well, and, as a result, takes no happiness for himself. He is strong. Steady. Calm. Patient. And SMART. There’s one scene where he fixes all the troubles for the woman he loves, and it’s perfect. The perfect hero.” ~ Kara O’Neal

“As I type this, the song, "Love the One You're With" floats through my subconscious. Can't help it. I'm a child of the 60s/70s. Why? Because I can't keep a book boyfriend. It's true. I hop from one book boyfriend to another. Fickle girl. Truth is, I'm always in love with the hero I'm writing right now. The one I'm with. And currently, that guy is Ethan MacKay. I mean, how could you not fall in love with a Navy SEAL cowboy returned home, injured and flawed, his body broken…but oh, so irresistible?” ~ Maddie James

“I love reading romance books but can't say I ever imagined myself with one of the heroes. If I had to choose one who made me truly swoon, it would be Colin Bridgerton of the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn. We see this younger brother as a bit of a rake throughout the first three books, but when it’s time for his turn, Colin goes and falls for the chubby little wallflower who’s been made fun of for years. And he falls hard and fast and can’t figure out how he hadn’t seen her beauty all these years. Yup, swoon!” ~ Kari Lemor

“I spent way too much time trying to figure out who my favorite book boyfriend is. I've come to the conclusion that I'm book boyfriend...capricious. Yeah, that's the word. I always tell whichever of my grandkids is around at the moment that s/he's my favorite, so that's the path I'm taking with book boyfriends, too. Right now, and often since I first met him in 2012's One More Summer, Dr. Steven Elliot, hero of The Healing Summer is my between-the-covers love.” ~ Liz Flaherty

“I must admit I have had many book boyfriends during my lifetime. However, the one I remain true to is Lynx Maddox, champion rodeo bull rider and hero of my first published contemporary romance. Tall, handsome, with a deep voice and a sexy Texas drawl. What woman cannot resist a man with a dangerous reputation for taking chances and tempting fate? Lynx Maddox comment, the ‘Wild-Cat” of the rodeo circuit is determined to win the heart of the woman he loves.” ~ Connie Vines

“My personal book boyfriend has got to be Steele Hardt in my contemporary cowboy romance, UNDERCOVER. He is the Alpha male of my heart, a self-made man not afraid of taking chances. Especially when it comes to a certain “black widow” he has been sent to report on. Steele is special to me because when my own hero and I started to correspond on-line, I learned his name is Steel. Swoon! Write it and he will come! Even though he still bugs me about spelling his name wrong in the book!” ~ Kathleen Lawless

“I’m of a certain age and don’t necessarily have a book boyfriend. But my I pick for the man I’d like to spend eternity with who sprang from the pages of a novel is ROARKE from the JDRobb IN DEATH novels. Described as having a face sculpted from the Gods and a poet’s mouth, Roarke is a gazillionaire, Irish-born, has a shady and violent past and loves his woman more than life itself. Who wouldn’t want a man like that, I ask ya?? Le swoon….” ~ Peggy Jaeger

"Such a tough choice. I love all my own heroes. Of course, Robert Pennington from Haunting Highland House is my personal favorite because he's my first. BUT there is one book I've read repeatedly since I adore the hero – Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas. Her leading man, Derek Craven, is rough and tough, wonderfully wicked, and runs a gambling house. Yet he loves and admires the heroine beyond all else. A sassy, mischievous writer who dares enter his shadowy world. Need I say more? I met Lisa Kleypas some years back, and we totally girl-gushed over Derek Craven. 😊”
~ Kathryn Hills

Okay, it's your turn to join the conversation! Add your comments below or send via email through the "contact us” link on the bottom of the left sidebar. You can also make suggestions on what you'd like to discuss here in the future.

Thanks for joining us!

~ The Romance Gems ~

Have you picked up your copy of Last Chance Beach: Summer's End?

14 all new short stories from best-selling and award winning 
Romance Gems authors. 

This is a limited-time-only collection. Only 99 cents on Amazon

Did I mention there's a FREE companion book?

Cocktails on Last Chance Beach!
Download a copy from your favorite digital bookseller HERE

Our Comment and Win GIVEAWAY is back!

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(write your addy out, so spammers don’t grab it)
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Pumpkin Patch Wars by Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

Like many this summer, I’m spending a lot of time outdoors, and our vegetable garden is bigger than ever. Each day I’m proud of the bounty we harvest – an array of squashes, cucumbers, string beans, tomatoes, and herbs. But there’s one part of our garden I’m particularly proud of. My pumpkin patch!

I was that kid growing up. Running home after trick-or-treating to watch Linus in the most sincere pumpkin patch. Heck, there was even a Beagle. What’s not to love?!

Almost every year since I’ve purchased pumpkins—loads of 'em, in all shapes, sizes, and varieties—starting just after Labor Day. But this is 2020, and I’m staying home as much as possible. So…what can a dedicated pumpkin aficionado do if she can’t scour the farm stands, markets, and garden centers for pumpkins? She grows them!

Everything has gone better than expected in my personal pumpkin patch. Seeds, growing into great hunking, thriving plants. I chose bush variety pumpkins – small, multi-colored ones (named Kandy Korn – Cute!) and big, jack-o-lantern carving types. They’re fantastic! Promising an abundant crop in just a few short weeks.

That was until the other morning when IT happened. *GASP* I was out watering when I saw it. Little orange, yellow, and green chunks on the dark brown earth. Someone, or rather something, was EATING my pumpkins!

Okay…no big deal you might say. What did you expect? You live in the north woods of New England. There are bound to be many creatures, checking out what’s good to eat in your garden. But this is MY PUMPKIN PATCH! The one I’ve tended and nurtured for months now. The one with special flowers to attract the bees, and bunny fencing, and scarecrows. I’m sorry Mr. Squirrel and Mrs. Chipmunk, but with harvest time just around the corner, this means war!

Mr. H and Darling Daughter discovered me, out of sorts and grumbling, hunched over my laptop doing research. More fencing, special netting, garden cloches… Okay, maybe. Scarecrows. I’ve got those. Plus beady-eyed, black cat decoys that supposedly frighten the marauding munchers away. Total waste of money. They’ll be Halloween decorations after this. Maybe I need an owl scarecrow?!! Could work. Or hot pepper spray? What could possibly go wrong with Jalapeno Pepper spray combined with three crazy hounds? No way will I kill our little forest friends, so… *sigh* and *bigger sigh*

After much hemming and hawing, an ultrasonic, solar-powered animal repeller is on its way from Amazon. I feel giddy. Like Harry Potter when he received his Nimbus 2000. My techno-toy, rodent repeller will arrive any day now. I’ll keep you posted on how well it works. Or, if I simply horrify the neighbors. TOTALLY could happen! 😊

As of today, the woodland creatures are winning the war. BUT we’ll see when that brown package arrives on my doorstep. MUAHAHAHAH

If you have any sage advice for stopping pilfering pumpkin poachers, please share.

Until next time... Stay safe and be well. Thanks for reading!

~ Kathryn

***

Have you picked up your copy of Last Chance Beach: Summer's End? 

My story - Secondhand Hearts - is just one of the 14 all new short stories from best-selling and award winning Romance Gems authors.

This is a limited-time-only collection.

Only 99 cents on Amazon

Did I mention there's a FREE companion book?

Cocktails on Last Chance Beach!

Download a copy from your favorite digital bookseller HERE

Our Comment to Win GIVEAWAY is back!

If you wish to enter, just leave a comment that includes your email

(write your addy out, so spammers don’t grab it)

Enter every day for more chances to win!

Coffee and Conversation with the #RomanceGems

It's time for Coffee and Conversation with the Romance Gems! So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join us for some fun. This month's topic is: Super-cute, hilarious or heartwarming pet stories 

We all LOVE our pets! Truth. So, during our “Dog Days of Summer” celebration, tell me… Do you have a pet story to share? Cat, dog, bird, rodent, reptile…
Let's talk pets!

"My grand-dog Neala is the most gentle, loving pet an owner could ask for. She has a habit of checking on the entire family at bedtime and won't settle down until she's seen to everyone's well-being, especially the granddaughter with asthma. She once refused to leave my daughter-in-law’s closed bedroom door until one of the girls opened it for her. It turned out, my D-i-L was having heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and couldn’t speak to call for help. She was rushed to the ER. Neala quite possibly saved her life." ~ Nancy Fraser

"I have two little pups, Jasper and Griffin. The latter is a rescue pup and instantly became fast friends with our mini dachshund.

"When we went to the shelter to meet Griffin, he would walk around this huge conference room and every square foot of floor he piddled on. He was so funny.... It was one of those moments, hubby fell in love and I thought, oh cripes, there go my floors. But it all worked out. He really was potty trained just nervous about making a good impression on his potential fur-ever home parents and brother.

"He was adopted over 6 years ago and life wouldn't be complete with him."
~ Lucinda Race

"We brought home a new addition to the family this month - an eight week old Shih Tzu we've named Lola. We drove twelve hours round trip in one day to get this feisty little girl, and she is worth it! Right now she weighs in at a whopping 2.5lbs! Lola joins our other two Shih Tzus, Silas and Murphy, both four years old. The boy's initial excitement has turned to dismay, as Lola is two-and-a-half pounds of terror and loves to bite their tails (and ears, and ankles...) The humans in the house, on the other hand, are completely smitten. And exhausted!" ;) ~ Elsa Kurt 

"Our sheltie, Stormy, has a half-brother, Mumford. He lives with my sister and brother-in-law. Stormy doesn’t like Mumford much, because he’s jumpy and playful, and she’s just too cool for that. One day we were pet sitting and while we were gone, Mumford got out. But not Stormy. I’m pretty sure she watched him work his way under the fence, and was like, 'Bye. See ya. Good riddance.' When we came back and saw what had happened, I promise she looked at us like, 'That boy’s stupid.”'(We found him.)" ~ Kara O'Neal

"Our Buckwheat was a black/white part-cocker spaniel. He was the most loving dog, and very protective. One weekend my husband was gone on a job and it was just me and Buckwheat. The whole weekend Buckwheat stayed awake. He didn't sleep and he was always alert, ‘Woofing’ at a leaf that falls from the tree. It was so bad I couldn't even sleep at night because he would ‘Woof’ at everything. When my husband came home on Sunday, Buckwheat went to his favorite spot, and slept for almost twelve hours, as if I, kept him awake!" ~ Constance Bretes

"My daughter came home from college for Thanksgiving. I met her at the door. She looked a little nervous. 'Mom,' she said. 'I brought a friend home with me who didn’t have a place to go for Thanksgiving.' I took a deep breath, my mind racing with where I could fix a bed for the person to sleep. 'Bring her in,' I said. I couldn’t turn down my daughter home from college. When she came back from her car, she handed me a small torti cat with long hair and an orange stripe down her nose. 'Gloria!' I said and took the cat into my arms and loved her for the rest of her life. Why I immediately named her Gloria, I’ll never know." ~ Jan Scarbrough

"It’s tough to pick one story, yet one dog – a sweet, old Dachshund we named Elsa – will always hold a special place in our hearts. She came to us as a rescue with nothing known of her past. Often floundering for answers to why she behaved certain ways, we were stunned by her love of wearing clothes. This little lady would not set foot outside on a chilly day without her coat. It didn’t stop there. Hats, costumes…she proudly wore them all! Someone had dressed sweet Elsa up, and she wasn’t giving up her diva status." ~ Kathryn Hills

“Here's a story about my cat and pit bull featured on my Love in a Pawn Shop cover. Sage was a pretty calico cat with attitude. She was small and delicate looking and a holy terror with our pit bull. She refused to share a patch of sunshine, would entice him over to play and then hook a nail into his lip and pull it away from his teeth to hold him hostage. When Sage was gone and we got Oscar, a calm, sweet-natured orange tabby, the pit bull took years to trust him. Hard lessons never forgotten. But it sure was a lot of fun to watch.”
~ Bonnie Edwards

"When we visited with our son and his family for a few weeks, I fell in love with their new puppy, Huck. 1/2 Black Lab and 1/2 Great Pyrenees. He was the inspiration for Flock You! My romantic comedy." ~ Karen Kelly

“One of our Westies was chosen to star as Maggie on the popular Cesar’s dog food commercial. In the ad, viewers see the dog excitedly dive into the bowl of food, the idea being ‘look how much the dog loves it!’ In actual fact, the producers hide pieces of cheese just under the food, around the edge of the bowl so it’s not visible to the camera. Dogs love cheese. Not so much the Cesar’s.” ~ Kathleen Lawless

"My nieces loved our collie mix, Mort, as much as I did, but he wasn’t nearly as fond of them. He tended to snap at two-year-old Karen. My sister got upset and so did my mother, and she told my brother and me that the dog would have to go. My brother and I, aged 12 and eight, said that since Mort was there first, we thought Karen should go instead. In the end, we kept them both, but it was touch and go there for a while. ~ Liz Flaherty

Okay, it's your turn to join the conversation! Add your comments below or send via email through the "contact us” link on the bottom of the left sidebar. You can also make suggestions on what you'd like to discuss here in the future.

Surprise addition to this month's topic! Some Gems are sharing their personal pet pictures over on Facebook. Here's a link to our Romance Gems Facebook Group if you'd like to see. Maybe even share some of your favorite pet stories and pics there in "Comments."

Thanks for joining us!

~ The Romance Gems ~

New Beginnings by @karilemor #RomanceGems

The Dog Days of Summer mean summer is winding down, but any time something ends, you often have something new to take its place.

Last summer I had a thirty plus year teaching career come to an end. I retired. And headed out on a new journey with my husband in an RV for six months. You can check my FaceBook, Instagram, or Twitter feeds for information on that trip as I documented it in many pictures. One of my earliest posts on Romance Gems also listed the good and the not-so-good of our trip.

So now I’m starting on my new adventure of full-time writer. I have to say I’ve been busier than ever. Part of that is the new grandson who was just added to the family. No grandmother can resist cuddling and holding a newborn baby. Such sweetness.

The other thing keeping me busy is the new series I’ve got coming out soon. So many people say, “Write what you know,” and I’ve lived in New England my whole life so I’m pretty familiar with the place. The series is a small-town contemporary revolving around the Storm family who originate from the community of Squamscott Falls, New Hampshire.

It’s a fictional town, but the name comes from the original name of one of the towns near Portsmouth. There is an actual Squamscott River and Squamscott Falls. And the Storm family is one of the best I know. They’ve all got their quirks and faults, but they love each other and stand by each other unconditionally. This is something I know also. My family are the best and have been so supportive of my retiring early so I can follow my newly discovered passion of writing.

The first story, Elusive Dreams, follows one of the older cousins, Erik Storm. He’s moving into his grandparents’ house on the coast of Maine so he can adopt and raise two orphaned children he saved overseas. But an injury has left him barely able to walk, so he enlists the help of his introverted loner neighbor, Tessa, to help him. They embark on a marriage of convenience but both have issues they need to face before they can become a true family.

The second book, True Dreams, follows Sara Storm, the youngest sister of Erik, looking to find herself in the small town of Hyannis on Cape Cod. Instead she finds TJ Bannister, guilt ridden, tortured hero, and son of major rock and roll icons, who wants nothing to do with that life anymore.  (release in 2020)

There are many more Storms to come in the Storms of New England series so keep your eye out for them. Elusive Dreams releases Aug. 26, 2019 on most retailers.

Here’s an excerpt:

By the time she got the child settled and went back to the family room, Matty lay next to Erik on the couch, his eyes closed. Erik sat sprawled, his head back and eyes also shut. She sat in the comfy chair next to the couch and waited for him to notice her.

Silence hung in the air for a few moments, then he spoke softly. “Thank you for trying to help. I appreciate it. I’m not sure anything would have worked.”

“Erik, these kids need you. I’m sorry I jumped in with that marriage thing, but it was all I could think of so you could keep them.”

“It was a great idea, Tessa. I can’t ask you to do that though.”

Her heart broke into little pieces at his words. It was a great idea. Just not with you. Isn’t that what he meant? Maybe it would have worked with some other pretty girl who wasn’t a freak of nature. Who could be in a crowd and actually talk to people without twitching and having a fit.

“Maybe if I call and ask for a different social worker.”

“Maybe.” Nothing else would come out.  

When Miss Abernathy was here and she’d mentioned the marriage thing, Erik had perked up. It hadn’t been her imagination. Obviously, it was only because of the children. When he actually thought about it, he must have realized what life with the frigid freak would be like. And even the children couldn’t make him do that.

For a few short minutes, she’d actually thought she could have Erik Storm as her husband. The elusive dream she’d tucked away since she was a teen. Not that she wanted him forced against his will. But it would have gone a long way toward fulfilling her dreams of a husband and family.

Matty slept soundly and Erik looked like he might be too. She swallowed the sorrow that rose up inside her. It wasn’t like this was any different than anything else in her life. Why should she be disappointed now? Because she’d stupidly believed for one brief moment she might have a normal life. Kind of.

Standing quietly, she walked toward the door. Would he even know she’d left? If he needed her, he’d call. Maybe he wouldn’t. It might be too big a price to pay.

When she twisted the knob, he rustled on the couch.

“I need to think about this, Tess. Let’s sleep on it and talk tomorrow.”

Translation: I’ll figure out a way to keep the kids without marrying you.

~~~

Preorder now:

  

Amazon         Barnes & Noble        Apple

 For up-to-date information on all my books, sales, and new releases, sign up for my mailing list.  www.karilemor.com

~~~

Don't forget to enter our August Rafflecopter Giveaway. We are celebrating the Dog Days of Summer with great prizes as well as free books. Check out our GIVEAWAY tab above for complete information. You can also reach the entry by clicking HERE.

Vintage Perfumes: The Fragrances that Defined Each Decade by Connie Vines

Nothing can transport you back in time like a fragrance. They say that your sense of smell is the most powerful and evocative sense, and it’s true: Emeraude reminds me of my mother, Quorum my husband, and Halston Z-14 reminded me of my teens and guys who bathed in a cologne—rather than indulging in a spritz or two.

“A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.” – Coco Chanel

This may have been a dramatic overstatement.  However, when I was in the business of selling perfume, quotes such as these, gave women confidence when she entered a room! And Chanel No. 5 is one of the most popular fragrances of all time. A bottle of it is sold every 30 seconds (this includes me , too).

Coco Chanel also stated that women should wear perfume wherever they hoped to be kissed. Wise words indeed – please note that this does not mean ‘layered’ in perfume, as perfume counter girls armed with spray bottles will advise you.  No one should be able to smell your perfume, unless they’re that little bit closer than is polite, then it should be something delicious and intoxicating.

Whilst researching which perfumes were popular over the decades I was surprised how many of these I’ve actually owned. Over the years, I’ve tried Anais Anais, Shalimar, Opium, Poison, Red, and Patou 1000 before, I finally settled on Chanel No. 5. Of course, I selected one of the most expensive perfumes on the market, but I guess there is a good reason why it’s been a bestseller since it was launched in 1921!

Vintage Perfumes: The Fragrances that Defined Each Decade

It’s surprising how many of these perfumes are still best sellers even now, but then why would they go out of fashion?

Popular Perfumes in the 1920s.

Popular Perfumes in the 1940s.

L'Air du Temps by Nina Ricci (in a pretty glass bottle with a bottle stopper fashioned as two doves).

After the war lighter and fresher perfumes became more popular, one of which was the still-popular Miss Dior by Christian Dior in 1947

Popular Perfumes in the 1950s.

Femme de Rochas was a rich, sultry perfume aimed at the femme fatale created in 1944.

Arpege by Lanvin is a floral romantic perfume, created in 1927, but became particularly popular during the 1950s.

Max Factor’s Hypnotique and Primitif (as advertised by Jean Patchett above) were popular and an affordable perfume for the masses compared to the fragrances by the big fashion houses.

Soir de Paris by Bourjois was a popular fragrance amongst teenagers during the 1950s. It was discontinued in 1969, but relaunched in 1992

Popular Perfumes in the 1960s.

Oh! de London by Tuvache, YSL Rive Gauche was a popular 1960s scent.

Hubert de Givenchy created L’Interdit for Audrey Hepburn, and she wore the perfume for many years before it was released into the public in 1957. She featured in the adverts for L’Interdit throughout the 1960s.

Tuvache’s Oh! de London is a bright sparkling scent which perfectly captured the mood of the swinging sixties.

Guerlain introduced the heady oriental scent Chamade in 1969.

Popular Perfumes in the 1970s.

Charlie by Revlon and Diorella by Christian Dior, a perfume for the independent woman who has everything, were both very popular.

Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, launched in 1977, and was a heady, rich oriental evening perfume.

Christian Dior released the classic perfume Diorella, which combines citrus and musky notes.

Anais Anais by Cacharel, launched in 1978 and was an immediate hit (my brother gave this to me as a Christmas Gift).

Did I list one of your favorite perfumes?

Or, perhaps a fragrance you’ve never dared to try?

Perfuming is an art.  Indulge your senses, enjoy the fragrance—it’s mystical; it’s magical, it is the new you!    

How does Connie know so much about perfume and the art of perfuming?

While attending college, I was employed as a fragrance consultant at an ‘exclusive’ Perfumery.  I was trained by the House of Versailles to select a client’s fragrance by her/his pH level and fragrance family preferences. 

You will discover more about the art of perfumery in my next release An anthology titled 

"Gumbo Ya Ya" for Women who like Cajun Romance

                   

Happy Reading! 

Don't forget to enter our August Rafflecopter Giveaway. We are celebrating The Dog Days of Summer with great prizes as well as free books. Check out our Giveaway Tab above for complete information.
You can also reach the entry form by clicking HERE.

Even Zombies need love!  Meet Meredith's pet hamster-- Gertie.

Purchases link

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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No Pets Allowed by @SatinRussell #RomanceGems

On my husband’s fortieth birthday, we were out celebrating when he turned to me and said, “I want a bulldog. You have ten years to get used to the idea, but when I turn fifty, I’m going to get one.”

My heart dropped. This tends to shock a lot of people, but I do not like pets. Any type of pet. I do not want to own a dog, cat, bird, fish, hamster or any other popular type of pet. Owning an animal has never been on my ‘to-do’ list.

Who’s the smarter species? The person picking up excrement or the one being picked up after? As I consider myself part of a self-aware, fairly enlightened species, I do not feel inclined to pick up poo. The very concept chafes on a base, philosophical level.

As a kid, my dad always said the best type of dog was the neighbor’s dog. Dogs shed, pant, drool, bark, and chew on things. They require feeding, watering, and walks. They’re inconvenient to lingering over a second round of cocktails or making travel plans. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the excuse, “Sorry, I can’t. I have to go home and walk the dog.”

Mind you, none of these feelings were kept secret when I got married. My husband knew where I stood on the subject. However, he grew up with dogs and he misses having one around. And now, he’s renegotiating the terms.

In his bid to win me over, he’s taken to showing me videos of bulldogs—puppies falling over each other, wearing sunglasses, or even skateboarding. It’s always accompanied with a soundtrack of, “See? Isn’t this guy so cute? Look at him!”

And I try. I really try to see the allure. But they have such folded scrunched faces, stocky bodies, and snuffly noses. They fart and snore and – I’ve heard – are overall a very stubborn breed to train.

*Sigh* I have eight more years to come around to the idea. I guess you could say I’m in the dog days of dog-free days.

I'm interested in hearing what you think! Are you a dog lover? If so, why? Maybe you can help me change my mind about owning a pet. Or, are you like me? I'll be honest. I haven't met many people who feel the same way, but I know I can't be the only one.

Regardless of whether you love pets or not, don't forget to enter our August Romance Gems Rafflecopter contest. The topic is the Dog Days of Summer.

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