Elkhorn In The Moonlight by @Constance Bretes #RomanceGems

Before I moved to Alabama last Spring, I lived in a tiny little town called Basin, in Montana. The population was about 250 people. I made some really nice friends there, and a few of my friends became my readers who enjoyed reading my romance books. They asked me if I’d consider writing a romance centered around a small town in Montana, like Basin.

Basin sits in a valley at 5,700 feet surrounded by mountains. Off to the north of Basin sits Boulder, Montana, and Elkhorn Mountains. Basin is also known as a miner’s town. At one point, there were three mines in operation, searching for gold and silver, and the town grew to over a thousand residents. When the mines dried up, it reduced the population, and left some empty buildings in its wake. Some of those empty buildings were at one time, considered brothels. The only things now operating in Basin, is a pizza place, a restaurant and bar, a post office, two radon mines and a grade school.

Rail Tunnel in Basin, Montana

In addition to all this, there is a railroad tunnel that went through Basin. The rail track actually at one point, came from Helena and traveled down to Butte. The rail tracks are long gone, but the tunnel remains. Not too far from Basin, is a ghost town called Comet. The pictures attached are the Comet mine, and the old tunnel that is in Basin.

Gold Mine in Comet, Montana

The story, Elkhorn In The Moonlight, was generated from this information. I changed the name of the town to Mason, and I added one more business to the town, a small motel, which I situated at the same location of what is now currently called Earth Angel Radon Mine. A few of the characters represented are some of the residents that lives there, including my husband and I, but all the names are different. The restaurant and bar, along with the pizza place, the post office and the school are in the story, as well as the three mines. Everything was renamed so to not put anyone on the spot or violate anyone’s privacy.

While I loved it in Basin, I had a serious problem with breathing and ended in the hospital in Helena, three times with hypoxia, and bronchitis. A few doctors felt that I had COPD and Asthma. The hospital, St. Peter’s, is in Helena, and also plays a part in my story. I received excellent one-on-one care there.

My favorite place to hang out was the Silver Saddle Bar and Restaurant, with the owner there. At the time of the writing of this book, Mr. Hale was still alive, but had since past away and it is now run by Gail, his wife. The bar and restaurant was a great place to hang out and meet your neighbors. They included us in their lives right from the get-go, and was always offering information, suggestions, or directions.

This book, Elkhorn In The Moonlight, is dedicated to my friends at Basin, Montana. Without them, the story would have never been written.

Elkhorn In The Moonlight

The search for stolen Sacred Arrows leads to much more.

Marcus Blackhawk is on a mission to locate the Sacred Arrows that were stolen from the Cheyenne Nation. When he learns that someone has seen the arrows he leaves immediately to track the person down and get more information.

Nicole Lancaster ekes out a living in a small town by helping her brother run a motel and working part-time in a restaurant. Her mundane life suddenly becomes more exciting when Marcus arrives in town asking about some arrows that she came upon years ago while hiking in the Elkhorn Mountains. The gorgeous man makes her heart beat fast, but she knows he’d never be interested in a Plain Jane like herself.

When Marcus offers Nicole a large sum of cash to lead him to the cave where she saw the arrows, she takes him up on the offer. After a three-day hiking trip through the mountains they locate the cave, but then the unthinkable happens, and they find themselves trapped inside. As they wait, hopeful they’ll be rescued, they give into the passion that’s been simmering between them.

Will help arrive in time to save them? And if so, can their night of passion ever be anything more? Marcus has no interest in an actual relationship, and Nicole wants the whole nine yards.

It's A Chocoholic's Dream Day! by Nancy Fraser #RomanceGems

Today's the day 'chocoholics' everywhere dream of ... 50% off Valentine candy!

Unlike the mad rush on November 1st for leftover Smarties and Peanut Butter Kisses adorned with ghosts and skeletons, today's rush will be for the ultimate prize ... chocolate!

As much as I love chocolate (and I do), I prefer to get my Valentine fix with a good book! Plus, of course, there's no "I can't believe I ate the entire box", sugar-induced hangover the next day. I make it a point to curl up with a good book, a nice decaf coffee, laced with a shot of Baileys, and maybe one or two pieces of chocolate.

What the middle of February also marks, at least for me, is a promise of spring. I've never really put much stock in the ground hog, but I do know that if I ration that 50% off chocolate to one piece (or two) per day, I can usually make it to the first thaw!

Mid-February also seems to be the time I get my second writing wind. My projects for the current year are already outlined and in place. I can start thinking about new projects. Maybe even something outside my comfort zone ... not that there are many things I haven't already done in romance.

Most people (authors and non-authors) make their lists at the beginning of the year. Some call them resolutions, some just name them plans, or goals. I prefer to get a bit farther into the year ... recoup the energy that leads to the second wind.

So today, at some point, I'll start making my lists. I'll begin with the obvious...projects leftover from last year such as the continuation of a series. I'll add something from one of my four publishers' wish lists. I'll finish with a challenge ... something I've always wanted to do but haven't...yet.

One year, the challenge consisted of writing my first erotic romance. The year after, it was my first fantasy. Last year's challenge was my first children's book (which was published just last month). This year???? This just might be the year for that cookbook I've been wanting to write.

In the meantime though ... here's a peek at my upcoming April 1st release. It's a short story for The Wild Rose Press' new "quick reads" line. And, because it's story one of a proposed five, it's also the catalyst for the first thing on my list ... continuation of a series.

~ ~ ~

High school teacher Maggie Lewis has decided to start looking for lust instead of love, and the right place for that is through Lusty Liaisons, a unique and exclusive dating service.

Her friends are always bragging about their fantastic sex lives, and Maggie wants a man who will ignite the fire that burns deep inside her, a man who'll satisfy her every desire…without the hassle searching for him through the tedious dating process. She's hesitant but excited to give in to temptation and agrees to a one-night only liaison with a sexy suit, a virtual Greek God who immediately puts her at ease. Maggie only hopes he's half as good in bed as he looks.

Business mogul Evan Steele is a workaholic. His recent sexual conquests have left him wanting something more, something different. He longs for a lusty, no-holds barred night with a woman who still borders on inexperienced. The demure teacher might be exactly what he needs. But can he break through her shy shell to delight in the fire that simmers below the smooth surface?  

~ ~ ~

Now is also a good time to remind you that we still have our weekly "Comment and Win" contest going on. A $5 Amazon gift card can be yours just for commenting on this or any other Romance Gems post! Don't forget, when posting a comment, to leave your email address. And, to avoid those dratted email harvesters, please write it out like this: romwriter96 at gmail dot com.

Congratulations to our first two gift card winners:

Week #1 - Iris Tseng

Week #2 - Mary Preston

And, of course, remember to enter our Rafflecopter draw for a chance at a Kindle Fire or one of six book bundles from our wonderful authors!

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Until later this month, stay happy, stay healthy (despite the chocolate), and stay well read!

Nancy

VALENTINE DAY SALE! Bold Seduction by @KarynGerrard #99Cents #historical #RomanceGems #Giveaway

Happy Valentine's Day! ♥ Do I have a sale for you! Book one of The Hornsby Brothers Series is on sale for 99 cents. This is an unlikely pair, a hermit virgin professor (youngest son of a duke!) and the madam of a brothel. But it is also a story of two very lonely people who find they have more in common than not. The third and final book is up for pre-order. Enjoy your day, and pass the chocolate :)

And Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post!!

BOLD SEDUCTION (The Hornsby Brothers #1)

BOLD SEDUCTION

The Hornsby Brothers #1

Karyn Gerrard

Kensington Publishing/Lyrical Press

No offer is more daring…

BOLD SEDUCTION

An Intriguing Proposition

Passion. Seduction. Pleasure. These are the qualities of any courtesan worth her salt. As owner of The Starling Club, London’s most notorious house of ill-repute, Madame Philomena McGrattan has seen it all, heard it all, done it all. There is little that surprises her anymore, and even less that excites her. So when she is presented a chance at an irresistible seduction, she can’t help but rise to the challenge.

A Dangerous Game

Studiousness. Practicality. Discipline. Such are the attributes of a good scholar, and such are the principles Lord Spencer Hornsby has built his life around. Alone in the Welsh countryside, with only his wolfhounds for company, Spencer has thrown himself into his work. There is little time for the pleasures of society, not even to think of the joys of the fairer sex. But when an unexpected guest arrives at his isolated hunting lodge, Spencer cannot help but be baffled by the presence of this dangerously beautiful woman. And when he discovers the reason for her arrival, and the pleasures she promises, he cannot help but find himself irresistibly intrigued . . .

BUY NOW

Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

The Vicar's Frozen Heart By Karyn Gerrard

Book #2 The Hornsby Brothers

approx 55,000 words
Historical/Victorian
Heat Level: Sensual

Kensington Publishing/Lyrical Press

NOTE: This is not an inspirational romance.

His heart begins to heal…

He gave her shelter from the storm, nursed her back to health, just as any good man might do for a damsel in distress. But Tremain Colson is more than just a small town vicar performing a gallant duty. He’s an ex-soldier whose spirit has been ravaged by war, a nobleman hiding his aristocratic heritage. Yet despite his secrets, he cannot help but feel drawn to the fallen beauty and soon asks her to stay and care for the orphan in his charge…

And hers is lost…

Disgrace sent Eliza Winston out into the world, a governess in ruin. But once she finds herself in Tremain’s home—and in his bed—she realizes her handsome rescuer is the one in need of healing. No sooner does Eliza thaw the vicar’s heart than she realizes her own is in danger. For Tremain is not only the man she dreams of marrying, but a blueblood whose noble birth makes him an impossible match…

 BUY LINKS

Amazon/AmazonUK/KOBO/Barnes and Noble/iTunes

COMING 2019!
The Marquess of Secrets 
(Hornsby Brothers #3 and conclusion to the series)

A secret life

For years Harrison Hornsby, Marquess of Tennington, heir to the Duke of Gransford, has been a scandalous rake. Unbeknownst to all he’d been leading an entirely different and secret life as physician to the poor. Though his younger brothers held out for true love, as the heir, Harrison feels he doesn’t have that luxury. The time has come to marry an appropriate bride. One who in society’s eyes is worthy to become a duchess. But fate has other plans.

A damaged woman

Life for Lydia Chesterton has not been kind. Once a respected nurse at a London hospital, she is alone and homeless due to disastrous decisions with regard to love and trust. Living on the streets and deathly ill, Lydia finds temporary sanctuary with Harrison. Her rescuer is hard to resist especially when he proposes a trade of secrets. With her dangerous past threatening her future, and Harrison bound by duty, a lasting love appears to be out of reach…unless they toss aside all obstacles and risk their hearts.

PRE-ORDER AT AMAZON!

AMAZON/AMAZONca/AMAZONuk

Karyn Gerrard, born and raised in the Maritime Provinces of Eastern Canada, now makes her home in a small town in Northwestern Ontario. When she’s not cheering on the Red Sox or travelling in the summer with her teacher husband, she writes, reads romance, and drinks copious amounts of Earl Grey tea. 

 Even at a young age Karyn’s storytelling skills were apparent, thrilling her fellow Girl Guides with off-the-cuff horror stories around the campfire. A multi-published author, she loves to write sensual historical and contemporaries. Tortured heroes are an absolute must. 

 As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise she assumes everything is golden. Karyn’s been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement and loving support keeps her moving forward.

“Looking for a swoon-worthy read? You can’t go wrong with the lovely and emotional romances from Karyn Gerrard.” ~Vanessa Kelly, USA Today Bestselling author 

"Karyn Gerrard writes very enjoyable, richly textured historical romances." ~Kate Pearce, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author

Karyn's Site/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Amazon Page/Instagram/Newsletter/Bookbub

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Valentine’s Day Love Potions by Connie Vines #RomanceGems

As we learned in Harry Potter, it is impossible to create love -- even in the wizarding world. But, as the Weasley brothers discovered, you can concoct a potion that causes the drinker to become powerfully infatuated with the person that gave it to them.

Love potions were a favorite amongst the girls at Hogwarts, but what about real life? Do love potions truly exist?

Yes and no.

The history of love potions and love spells is of interest to me.  Why?  Love potions are a part of every culture today and throughout history.  My husband is from Louisiana and as you know New Orleans is peppered with Voodoo, superstitions, gris-gris, wonderful cuisine, and love potions. 

I’ve collected books, articles, and even spoken to those who swear a love potion worked for him/her. However, I’ve learned some potions are harmless, some are bizarre, and some are very deadly.  Still, I am an author of romance novels.  What romance author doesn’t believe in true love? And, doesn’t everyone (deep down inside) wonder if there are really love potions?

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, I’ll like to share a potion or two that you can whip up in your kitchen.

Love Potion Number One

• Collect rainwater in a crystal glass or vase the next time it rains.
• Slice an apple into thin slices. Place the apple slices, rosemary, thyme, sea salt and cinnamon in a saucepan.
• Pour the rainwater over the ingredients in the saucepan. If there is not enough rainwater to cover the ingredients, supplement the rainwater with spring water.
• Cook slowly over low heat. Once the ingredients start to simmer, stir them while reciting aloud the ancient love poem, Song of Solomon.
• Simmer the love potion for 90 minutes.
• Strain the potion and place in a glass vial or jar.
• Dab the potion onto your pulse points every day during next week. If the object of your desire is near, the potion will draw them to you.

Love Potion Number Two

Love Potion Cocktail
1 – Sweetened Lime Juice.
2 – Raspberry Vodka.
3 – Cranberry Juice Cocktail.
4 – Grenadine.

There is also an ancient love spell that requires ‘the object of your affection’s” sweat to be bake into a cake and then to be consumed (email me if you are interested). 

While it is impossible to replicate true love, since it's an emotional, cognitive process that's based on experiences and memories. It has been proven that there are specific chemicals related to emotional states similar to love.

A chemical hormone called a pheromone stimulates the part of our brains that increases our feelings of longing and attraction. Based off of that, various oils and perfumes have been created that include these pheromones, which supposedly attract the opposite sex.

The success rate of many of these types of so-called love potions is due to the placebo effect. Sure, the pheromones are likely to send off some sort of chemical signal, but the idea that you're more attractive initially makes you, well, more attractive. You're confident, carry yourself better, and are more sociable. Thus, you get more attention from the opposite sex.

True love is our real-life magic.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

My question to you, "If  love potions were real, would you use them?"

Remember even Zombies Celebrate Valentine's Day!!

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...

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IT'S NOT ALL HEARTS AND FLOWERS by Hannah Rowan

Oh, the pressure!  Valentine’s Day is here again.  You’d think a romance writer would be brimming with ideas for what to get her spouse on this occasion.

You’d think wrong.

First of all, the cards…

I spent an hour or so perusing the card selection in my favorite Hallmark store. Yes, I’m a romance writer, but not a mushy-gushy type of person.  So that eliminated about half the cards that were so sweet I’m sure my husband would not only gag when reading them, but would wonder if aliens had replaced his wife with a doppelganger.  Many of the cards involve alcohol consumption, and while my husband generally has a beer when we go out on Saturday night, drinking isn’t so much a part of his routine that buying a card with drinking jokes would make any sense.  Apparently, many men are obsessed with playing golf, judging from the number of cards that refer to it.  My husband finds it boring. And then there are the ones that focus on fixing things around the house or doing chores, neither of which are my husband’s forte.

Eventually I’ll stumble upon some moderately suggestive, faintly funny, somewhat sarcastic card that fits the bill, more or less. 

And then it’s on to the gift…

Many women tell me they don’t bother exchanging gifts with their partners, but where’s the fun in that? I know I’ll get a gift and I’d feel guilty if I didn’t give one in return.

So over the years I’ve bought an assortment of gifts that might be considered a bit peculiar and not terribly romantic.

Like a session of shooting zombies at an indoor gun range.  (He used this one because we went together.) And a gift certificate to the new hatchet-throwing facility that just opened near us. (He continues to tell me he’s going to go with a buddy.  Soon.  Very soon.)  A one-hour massage session I’m considering confiscating if the facility will still honor a five-year-old gift card.  A drone that has never come out of the box.

I could go on, but there are only a few days left until Valentine’s Day and I should probably be spending the time trying to come up with the next off-the-wall addition to a long line of gifts.

I’d love to hear other people’s Valentine traditions.  What’s the best or the strangest gift you’ve ever given? Or that you’ve received?

Plotting Life's Turning Points by @SatinRussell #RomanceGems

Which direction will you choose?

Have you ever been at a crossroads in your life where you knew that whatever you decided would chart your course going forward?

I think those points in life are something a lot of us have experienced. That was the theme of my own life when I decided to embark on this new career and was writing my first book.

However, there are other instances in my past that I can reference, as well. Those moments tend to be harbingers of great change and transition.

Sometimes, our choices can feel really clear. It seems obvious that going one direction will lead to better things, like choosing to continue your education after high school. Or not driving a car after you’ve been drinking.

Other times, both options may seem equally viable and can be harder to navigate. Say, you receive job offers from two different companies after interviewing with them.

For me, one such example was when my husband and I were living in Maui for a year. He’s in construction and was contracted to remodel the Kapalua Resort Villa condos there.

At the end of our one-year contract, we had a decision to make. Move back to Seattle where our community of friends were, or move to Massachusetts to be closer to my sister.

It just so happened that my sister got engaged that same year and I was her Matron of Honor. Not only were we looking at the cost of moving off “the rock,” but I was also going to have to pay for a round-trip ticket to go to her bachelorette party and bridal shower, plus two more round-trip tickets for my husband and I to attend the actual wedding. Yikes! That was a lot of money.

OR…

We could just move to Massachusetts and only have to pay for two one-way tickets plus moving expenses.

Long story short, that’s how we wound up living on the East Coast. Crazy, huh? The thing is, as we were making our decision, we knew it would affect the trajectory for our entire future. We even acknowledged that it was probably a ridiculous reason to move clear across the country, but it still felt like the right choice at the time.

As long as we were weighing our options, and taking steps with eyes wide open, we decided to have faith that we could make it work.

Oftentimes, we aren’t given a choice which direction our life takes. That’s the case for Olivia Harper, the protagonist in my first book, Secret Hunger.

Secret Hunger (The Harper Sisters #1)

When Olivia Harper graduated high school, she went off to culinary school with dreams of becoming a “top chef.” Then, her parents die in a car accident and she has to go home to raise her two younger sisters.

The story picks up a few years later. Her sisters have each graduated high school and moved out of the house and Olivia finds herself at a crossroads in her life.

Should she go back and follow the dream she had to give up?

Or should she stay on the path that life has given her?

Maybe that’s a question you can relate to. What are some of the major turning points in your life and how have you navigated them? Did you know their significance at the time they were happening?

PS: If you’re curious what Olivia decides, you can find my book on Amazon. It’s even available for FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

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Satin