Romancing Cupid at Birthday Time by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Chocolates have been eaten and roses have been sighed over. My birthday comes just before Valentine’s Day and by the time I was involved with the man I would marry, I begged him to NEVER get me another heart-shaped box of chocolates for my birthday. He’s always respected my wishes. It’s not that I don’t like the idea of a special day to celebrate romantic love, it’s just too close to my day, and as I get older, I sigh with relief when the world returns to normal and all the red hearts disappear. Because that means I can forget about my birthday, too. 

This year’s birthday was significant. Because of the pandemic, I was home for it…normally we’d be away in a sunny climate somewhere in the world. With browsing in stores not a reasonable option for birthday shopping, the family was stumped. What to do? What to do? One daughter ran hither and yon looking for a perfect robe…but, alas, with Christmas inventory a distant memory and robes not being a traditional Valentine’s gift, she couldn’t find one. Instead, when sandal weather approaches, we’ll go for pedicures together…distanced and masked…but it’ll be fun.

The other gifts were easier to find because of Valentine’s Day. Gorgeous flowers are everywhere. And since I’m not usually at home for my birthday, I don’t ever get luscious bouquets. Until this year! Yes, beautiful red roses from my hero and my elder daughter dropped off this fabulous display.

And now, for a gift from a major ebook retailer, which shall remain nameless. But, it's the largest corporation in the world that delivers ebooks. Lately, they've become rather odd about what romance writers can advertise and when I wanted to place an ad on their site for a sweet and sassy romance that I've had for sale since 2012, I was surprised to learn it offended community standards and would no longer be allowed in ads. This book cover was rejected for sexual content. I appealed the decision and the answer still came back a resounding NO! They did tell me what the problem was, but I'm curious to see what you think it was. 

If I want to advertise my half-priced book, I'll have to incur the expense of purchasing a new cover. So, before I do, I'd like to know your thoughts on this image and give me your best guess on what, exactly, is overtly sexual about it? I see this cover as fun & flirty, but clearly, someone will be deeply offended. Somewhere, maybe, possibly...

If you're interested in purchasing Sweet Ride for only $1.99 (so I can splurge on a new cover) then it's here for your Kindle. 

And thank you for supporting an independent author who just wants to pass along a good deal and let people who are browsing for fun romances know about it. 

And happy reading!

Bonnie Edwards

Interview with a Vampire by @karilemor #RomanceGems

We’re here at GEMs headquarters waiting to speak with none other than Darcy Marx, from the new release, BROKEN DREAMS. We’ve heard Ms. Marx is quite the character and are so pleased she agreed to this interview.

Darcy struts into the room and shakes her head, causing the short black spikes to rustle like grass in a field. The half dozen earrings in each ear sparkle when hit by the sun shining in the window.

“Darcy, thank you so much for meeting us today.”

Darcy plops into a seat and one side of her mouth lifts, “Yeah, whatevs. I had a few minutes since Tanner’s in school right now.”

“Of course. Let’s start with Tanner since you mentioned him. Why don’t you tell us how you came to be his nanny? I mean, you aren’t exactly the Mary Poppins type.”

Her darkly made up eyes narrow as she smirks. “I don’t carry an umbrella or a carpet bag. But I know kids, especially ones who have special needs. And I know how to provide what they need.”

“Your brother is disabled, correct?”

“No, he’s perfectly abled. He does have some developmental delays. But Zane isn’t on today’s menu, understand?” Her voice gets lower with her words.

“Yes, that’s fine. So, Tanner Storm?”

“Tanner and his needs are private, too, but I can tell you how I got the job. I was paired with the kid’s pretentious father in my friend Sara’s wedding. I got to hang out with the kid then, and he’s pretty cool. I started getting calls to help out whenever GQ needed a hand.”

“GQ?”

Darcy shrugs her delicate shoulders and the cut-out neckline of her black t-shirt slips off one.

“Nathaniel Storm, Esquire.  Corporate attorney to a number of New Hampshire’s big businesses. He looks like a GQ ad most of the time.” She lowers her head and mumbles, “Smells like one, too.”

“Ah, we also understand he has a nickname for you?”

Darcy rolls her eyes and grins. “Elvira. Mistress of the dark. I kinda like it.”

“Why does he call you that?”

“It might have had something to do with the all black ensemble I wore to the wedding rehearsal. Though when he first called me that I was draped in a pastel pink bridesmaid dress, so it really didn’t apply. Except maybe the dark lipstick I had on. Probably gave him the idea.”

“What color was it?”

“Blood Moon.” She makes a duck face to emphasize her dark red lips.

“We’d like to ask you about the small part you played in the earlier story, TRUE DREAMS. You set a lot of tongues wagging.”

Darcy laughs and her eyes light up. “Yeah, the boss wasn’t too happy when I kept sticking my nose into a bunch of scenes I hadn’t been scripted for. But let’s face it, every book needs a little comic relief and some good advice. TJ spent so much time organizing coffee cups and sh…stuff that he and Sara never would have gotten together if I didn’t give him a little kick in the pants every now and then.”

“We didn’t see any vampire jokes in True Dreams. Why not?”

Her face scrunches up. “I don’t give out all my secrets. Especially when the limelight needed to be on TJ and Sara.”

“Secrets? Are there any more you’d like to share with us?”

Her eyes grow sad and glisten with tears. After shaking her head, she clears her throat. “I’ve got to get the kid from school. It’s been real. But not real fun.”

Pushing to her combat boot-clad feet, she gives us a nod.

“Well, thank you for meeting with us. Good luck with your nanny position.”

“It’s just until GQ can find someone better. Not that anyone’s better than me.” She pulls keys from her jeans pocket. “My Beamer, courtesy of GQ. Kinda nice perk for the job.”

As she leaves the room, she peeks over her shoulder and gives us a wink.

~

If you could interview one person, fictional or real, living or dead, who would it be? 

COMMENT AND WIN

~~

Darcy's story, BROKEN DREAMS is available at most retailers.  

AND the first few books in the Storms of New England series, are currently on SALE for only 99c.  

But only until Aug 21 so GET THEM NOW!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084QBCGM3

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Kari%20Lemor%22

https://books2read.com/u/49ZqLX

~~

Make sure to check out the stories in our fantastic summer boxed set, LAST CHANCE BEACH: Summer’s End. There's something in this collection to suit all readers.   This set is a steal at only 99 cents. 

Plus there’s a free companion cocktail recipe book  Last Chance Cocktail Book

 

Escaping the Heat in Bar Harbor @karilemor #RomanceGems

In many parts of New England, it can get warm and steamy in July. People go in swarms to buy air conditioners or put their window units in. It usually doesn’t last long, but for the few weeks of sweltering heat, it’s difficult to do much except relax in a pool if you have one, frolic in the ocean on a beach, or sip cool drinks in front of a fan.

One of my favorite places to escape to during this time is Bar Harbor, Maine on Mt. Desert Island. Being on the northern coast of the state, it can be much cooler during these hot days of summer. The ocean breeze is always a relief during the day. And at night, the temps can get cool enough to need a light sweater if you’re walking around.

My husband and I discovered the wonders of Bar Harbor the year before we got married on a spontaneous trip up the coast one long weekend. We enjoyed it so much we decided that’s where we wanted to go for a honeymoon. As we got married the first week in August, it was perfect timing.

Years later, when our three children were at an age to start doing some hiking, we began taking them up every summer. We’d stay in a great motel near town that had a few small apartments so we didn’t have to pay the price for five people each meal. The kids loved the Murphy beds that pulled out of the wall. Such an adventure.

This was taken on top of Cadillac Mountain standing next to Stephen King

                           

Some of our favorite places to go were Acadia National Park and drive the Park Loop Road. Take a drive up to the top of Cadillac Mountain to see the sunset (where we ran into and chatted with Stephen King one year - that was cool and he was super nice). Hike the trail up to Asticou Gardens overlooking Northeast Harbor.  Take the mailboat out to Little Cranberry Island and explore for the day. Climb the rocks and on the path to Otter Cliffs.

But I think my absolute favorite every year was Jordan Pond. This is such a beautiful body of water and the path around it is fairly easy most of the way. Depending on how fast you walk, it takes about an hour or two to go all the way around. The best part was after your long hike, we’d go up the hill to the Jordan Pond House. It’s a restaurant with homemade lemonade and popovers that are freshly baked. My go-to meal there is a bowl of their lobster stew. So rich and delicious I was always tempted to lick the bowl. Pair it with a few popovers slathered in honey butter or jam and you’ve got the perfect summer meal.

A few years ago, as I was enjoying Mt. Desert Island, I got an idea to write a series about the park rangers. I’ve called it Rangers of Acadia. Unfortunately, I’m not ready to hit publish on it yet, though book 1 - Jordan Pond (unofficial title) is written. I hope someday to get the whole series out.

Until then, the first book in my Storms of New England series, ELUSIVE DREAMS, also takes place on the coast of Maine.  And lucky lucky - it’s currently on SALE for only 99c!!  As is Book 2 - TRUE DREAMS.   Take advantage of this sale now!

If you’re looking for a few great summer reads, try the Storms. Book 3, STOLEN DREAMS is already out, and in a few weeks, Book 4 - BROKEN DREAMS will be released. I love the Storm family and hope you’ll come to love them, too!

Amazon                  B&N                   iBooks               Books2Read

Our July Rafflecopter has another month of Amazon Gift Card prizes. Be sure to enter often to improve your chances of winning. Please tell your friends about Romance Gems—our Authors, our books, our blog posts, and our monthly giveaway.

See details here:

Read and Renew by Jan Scarbrough #RomanceGems

#StayHomeAndRead

I don’t need to tell you how crazy and stressful it is right now around the world. I’m staying at home and ordering food and groceries. The final book of my trilogy is coming along—slowly! My doctor advised me not to even watch my grandchildren now that they’re out of school. It’s tough being “high risk.”

I’m doing a few things while “social distancing.” Cleaning the house is NOT one of them. I’m watching our governor’s briefing at 5:00 every day, followed by the president and his advisors. I’m riding the exercise bike or walking—alone. I’ve watched the Friends of Big Bear Valley and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam on Facebook. This is about a pair of bald eagles building a nest. I hope they will eventually have eggs and babies.

Facebook is also a good place to tour thoroughbred horse farms. Many have live videos. Yesterday, I watched one from Lane’s End Farm where they even took viewers to see the grand mare Zenyatta on her sixteenth birthday.

And I’m reading. I’ve finished one ebook and am on to the next. Some of my books are participating in book sales sponsored by ebook retailers.

Take advantage of two months free at Kindle Unlimited, where every page read means payments for authors and publishers.

I have 4 e-books on Kindle Unlimited.

Smashwords has an Authors Give Back Sale
March 20, 2020 - April 20, 2020
My Montana McKenna Books, Bluegrass Reunion Books, Tangled Memories and more are 60% off, making some of them free.

Monthly Giveaway

We have a couple of ways to win our Amazon Gift Cards for our April Giveaway. Go the Monthly Giveaway page for details.

I’m participating in the Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt. Simply check three of my social media sites until you find the Easter Egg. Find the egg and then return to the Rafflecopter form to enter the date, author, and where you found the egg to claim your entry.

Twitter

Facebook

Website

Secret Hunger on Sale! @SatinRussell #RomanceGems

Hello Romance Readers,

I hope your holiday season is going well. Many of you have probably been busy decorating the house, shopping for gifts, and hosting holiday parties.

With so much to do, this time of year can be joyful but also stressful. Sometimes, it's nice to take a moment and escape into a good story.

I'm here to help! Secret Hunger is currently on sale for only $0.99. It's very rare that I put my books on sale, so get it while it's good. That way, even if things are too busy now, you'll have something to look forward to in the new year.

Get your copy HERE.

Happy reading and Season's Greetings!
Satin

Have you already read Secret Hunger? Be sure to check out our Holiday Book Fair for a list of other great holiday titles written by our talented Romance Gems.

Don't forget to enter our monthly Romance Gems Rafflecopter Contest for your chance to win one of FIVE Amazon Gift Cards! This month's theme is "Candy Cane Kisses."

Tangled Memories on sale in July at #Smashwords #RomanceGems

The 11th Annual Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale, takes place Monday July 1, 2019, through Wednesday July 31, 2019.

My book Tangled Memories is on sale during this time at a 50% discount only at Smashwords.

Tangled Memories is a special book to me because it was one of the first books I wrote, and because it became a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest in 1994.

It then had a strange route to publication. I “sold” it to one of the first ebook publishers in 1999 before the advent of decent e-readers. That didn’t go so well, because technology hadn’t advanced enough for ebooks. Later I contracted with ImaJinn Books for a paperback version. Once I had my rights back again, ebooks were now gaining popularity, and I contracted with two ebook publishers for a while.

Today Tangled Memories has been revised and gone through another edit, and I publish it myself.

Tangled Memories is a gothic romance. Wikipedia has a big description of the history of this genre that goes back to 1764 and English author Horace Walpole’s novel The Castle of Otranto. Wikipedia calls my kind of gothic romance “new.”

Gothic Romances of this description became popular during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, with authors such as Phyllis A. Whitney, Joan Aiken, Dorothy Eden, Victoria Holt, Barbara Michaels, Mary Stewart, and Jill Tattersall. Many featured covers depicting a terror-stricken woman in diaphanous attire in front of a gloomy castle, often with a single lit window.

These novels usually concern spirited young women, either governesses or new brides, who go to live in large gloomy mansions populated by peculiar servants and precocious children and presided over by darkly handsome men with mysterious pasts.

This is exactly what happens to my heroine Mary in Tangled Memories.

After losing his wife, Dr. Alexander Dominican is determined his infant daughter will not grow up motherless as he did. Offering sensible, kind kindergarten teacher Mary Adams a marriage of convenience seems like the perfect solution. The widow’s husband left her with a mountain of debt. For Alex, paying it off is a small price to pay for his daughter’s happiness. Until his sensible new wife begins to lose her mind.

On the day of their marriage, Mary starts having frightening hallucinations of medieval England—visions that feel more like the memories of woman who lived centuries before. More terrifying, someone—or some thing—is stalking the new mistress of Marchbrook Manor. Could it be one of the sinister servants? Or Alex himself? Alex is reawakening hidden desires and longings in Mary, but until she can untangle the web of nightmares and secrets, she can trust no one. Not even Alex.

Alex has no idea he’s unleashing a destiny that’s taken him seven hundred years to fulfill.

If Alex and Mary are to salvage their future, they must first unravel centuries of…Tangled Memories.

So, if this description sounds interesting to you, snag a copy of Tangled Memories at Smashwords for a 50% discount.

BIRTHDAY WISHES

Before I leave, I need to say happy birthday to my favorite Beatle! Ringo Starr born today in 1940. And yes inquiring minds, I saw the Beatles twice as a teenager. Tickets were $5.50. I screamed and cried.

Photo credit http://dailyman40.com/

BEACHES & BOOK BOYFRIENDS

Don't forget to enter our July Giveaway. Visit our Monthly Giveaway Page to see the prizes.

Romance Gems July Rafflecopter Giveaway

Becoming a Mom! by @karilemor #RomanceGems

Being a mother can be one of the most rewarding jobs ever…and it can be one of the hardest. I’m one of those people who, from the time I was little, always wanted to be a mom. I was the neighborhood babysitter that everyone used. I took Child Care classes in high school. I majored in Early Childhood Education in undergrad. I couldn’t get enough of being around small children. My first real job was teaching Kindergarten in a public school system.

But those children were only mine for a short while each day. I didn’t have control over how many hugs or stories they got at bedtime. But two years after I graduated college and got my first job, my college sweetheart and I got married. Less than two years later, we had a baby girl.

It wasn’t in the moment of her birth that I felt like a mom, no, I was too exhausted to even speak. But the moment it truly hit me that I was a mother is ingrained deep in my memory. My daughter was born at night and I was so tired the nurses offered to take her to the nursery so I could get some rest. Early the next morning, they brought her to me because she’d been fussing a bit and figured I needed to breastfeed her. I held her close, whispered to her, and she settled right down. And I fell asleep. An hour later the nurse came back to get her so the doctor could do a quick exam. Oh, no, I hadn’t fed her. She’d fallen asleep so I had too.

The nurse looked at me and grinned. “I guess she just needed her mom.”

That was it. The moment I realized this precious child needed me. What an emotional feeling.  I still tear up thinking about that moment, and the abundant, unconditional love I had for another human. One I had helped to create.  There’s nothing in the world like it.

These are my children, years ago, Emily, Kasey, and Christopher! 

What's a special 'mom' moment in your life? As a mom or with your own mom? 

~~~

In my book, Running Target, Jack Holland was raised by a man who was always working. He swears he’ll be a better father than that. Until a mob hit sends him running, away from the covert family he needs to protect. Here’s a little snippet of Jack sneaking into the hospital to steal a quick peek at his new son.

****

 Stepping closer, he looked down on the clear container, the blue tag proclaiming this child to be a boy. Squinting in the dim light, he read the words. Mother’s name: Callina Lansing. Baby: Jonathan.

Jonathan. She’d named the baby after him. A lump clogged his throat. A son. Damn. He had a son and wouldn’t be able to get to know him, see him grow, share in his life. This world was too cruel at times.

He shouldn’t take the chance but he needed to hold him. It was vital that he touch the life he and Callie had created. He wanted—no needed—to let his child know how much he loved him. The powerful emotion emanated from his heart even as he gazed down at the tiny figure. How could love grow this fast? His first glimpse was only a second ago. Now the feeling consumed him.

Reaching down, he stroked the side of his son’s face. The baby turned his head, his bow-shaped lips opening slightly. Jack’s heart beat faster. The protective instincts that had always come into play when he was around Callie, throbbed to life and expanded as he gazed at the sweet face of his son. Heat like an electric storm surged through his blood. How could he protect this child in his current situation? He’d bring more danger upon him if he hung around. Eight months of running, trying to escape the long arm of Victor Cabrini, had shown him what hell was. Now he glimpsed a small piece of heaven.

He slid his hands under the infant, lifting him from the bed to hold him close. Jonathan barely weighed anything. His heart constricted yet again. The innocent baby scent wafted into his nostrils and he blinked back the moisture filling his eyes. The reaction was primitive and territorial. This was his son.

~~~

~~~

"Thrilling...Lemor once again features a dynamite protagonist who's easily relatable,
and her talent for incorporating romance and forgiveness against the odds
make Running Target even more enticing." 

—RT Book Reviews

Currently RUNNING TARGET is on sale for only 99cents on all retailers. 

You can find the links here:

RUNNING TARGET

**And I just sent out a newly written prequel for this novel
to my mailing list subscribers. 

If you haven't gotten it, sign up for my newsletter then send me a quick note saying you want the prequel, and I'll get it to you!**

Kari Lemor

~~~

Don't forget this month's CONTEST!
In May, Romance Gems honors HEROES AND SHE-ROES: Moms, Soldiers, and First Responders.

The Grand Prize: One (1) $20.00 Amazon Gift Card.

2nd thru 5th Prizes: Ebook Bundles by our bestselling authors. The books being given away are shown on the Monthly Giveaway page.

How To Enter:

You have multiple opportunities to enter.

Click this Rafflecopter link.

Start clicking buttons on the Rafflecopter. Each task counts as one entry.

Complete all the tasks for the most chances to win!

Our policies concerning Promotions and Giveaways, Eligibility, and Prize Award Procedures are shown in detail on our Policies Page. Please read. We strictly adhere to those policies.

Good luck!

Only Robinson Crusoe Had Everything Done by Friday ~ Nancy Fraser #RomanceGems

Procrastination is a writer’s worst enemy. With tight deadlines for complete manuscripts, edits and galleys no author can afford to stop and ‘fool around’ doing nothing. Unfortunately, procrastination hits the author as easily as it does everyone else. Sometimes worse...but then it’s called “Writer’s Block”.

I’ve often wondered how other writers waste time, so I asked a few of the other Romance Gems to admit to their favorite form of procrastination.  Here’s what they had to say....

"My favorite form of procrastination when I can't write is scrolling mindlessly through my social media feeds." - Elsa Kurt, author of Awkward Adventures in Dating

"I usually get sucked into the black hole that is social media when I'm procrastinating. Sometimes, I manage to convince myself that I'm being productive because it counts as marketing." - Satin Russell, author of Secret Hunger

“It's so hard to stay on track when writing and facing that blank page. I tell myself ‘I'll just pop over to Facebook for a minute.’ Of course, that minute always turns out to be many, many minutes.” – Cheryl Bolen, author of LastDuke Standing

“Procrastination is my middle name and my favourite method of exercising same is checking email, FB, Twitter, then my sales, then email, FB, Twitter, then my sales, email, FB...” - Bonnie Edwards author of The Brantons

“I pick up the remote and watch CNN documentaries. After an episode I’m back in the groove to write.” – Lucinda Race, author of TheLoudon Series

"I adore the love story of Emma Swan and Killian Jones, and whenever I can't write, I watch their scenes on YouTube and my heart just sings!" -- Kara O'Neal, author of Destiny's Secrets

“My favorite form of procrastination is watching Caribbean Life and dreaming of where I’ll go once I make enough money.”  - Kathleen Lawless, author of  Grace's Folly

“My favorite form of procrastination when I can't write is watching nostalgic television series on the ME or Cozy TV channels. Doesn't matter if they're comedies like Cheers or detective shows like Remington Steele. I can sack out on the couch for hours visiting with my old friends." - Nora LeDuc, author of Midnight Girl 

"My favorite form of procrastination when I can't write is reading a great romance novel, because then I can convince myself I'm still helping my writing."  Kari Lemor - author of RunningTarget

“When procrastination hits me, I usually watch Buzzfeed Unsolved or similar conspiracy theory videos on youtube.” – Laura Hunsaker, author of Dark Past

“When I procrastinate I do it big: with chocolate and you-tube videos of 80's and 90's Rock bands and balladeers! Nothing like a little head bopping and candy to wile away a few minutes...or hours....or, well - you get the idea!” - Peggy Jaeger, author of Dearly Beloved

And, as for myself ...

"My favorite form of procrastination when I can't write is watching Pentatonix and Superfruit music videos on YouTube. I’ve also become addicted to watching people reacting to Pentatonix videos. It’s a vicious cycle!" - Nancy Fraser, author of Time and Again

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Contest News!

In May the Romance Gems honors Heroes and She-roes: Mothers, Soldiers, and First Responders. For a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card and Bundles of EBooks, enter our Rafflecopter draw!

✿ ✿ ✿ ✿

Book Sale News!

Decorated war hero Reece Michaels agrees to go undercover in order to bring down the Irish Mob. In return, the civilian life he’s coveted for the past six years will be returned to him.

Hired by mob boss Sean O’Malley to protect his youngest son, Reece soon discovers the young man needs more protection from his own family than its enemies.

What Reece doesn’t count on is his instant attraction to the police chief’s beautiful and willing daughter. Abby Mackenzie is the younger sister of a woman with whom Reece once had a torrid affair. He’s determined to not give in to Abby’s come-hither ways.

After all, one Mackenzie woman was more than enough.

~ ~ ~

Based on the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale, The Devil's Sooty Brother, Do You Want Me is available for just 99¢ from Amazon.

Until my next turn on the blog, stay happy, stay healthy, stay well read!

Nancy