A Duchess With A Secret by Alix Nichols - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Alix Nichols will be awarding a digital box set of her bestselling series The Darcy Brothers to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

For sixteen years, they’ve hated each other...
and craved each other.

Widowed and betrayed, Eva Castellane will do anything to protect her daughter’s inheritance.
Standing in her way?
Alex Castellane—her late husband’s steely, magnetic half brother.
The man poised to take it all.
Her worst enemy.
Her forbidden temptation.

Stuck together in the family castle, their legal fight spirals into war…
until a common threat forces a reluctant alliance.
Desire blurs the lines.
Chemistry sizzles.
Rules get broken.

But as the verdict nears, one slip could unravel Eva’s explosive secret…

A Duchess with a Secret stands alone within the Montevor Royals Saga. It is a spicy contemporary enemies-to-lovers romance with forced proximity, family secrets, and a hard-won HEA.

EXCERPT TWO:

Alex

The air outside the basement at Mount Evor Secret Service feels colder than it did inside. It isn’t exactly chilly; just crisp enough to bite, which I welcome wholeheartedly. It clears my head.

“I’m going to walk to the hotel,” Eva says. “I need air.”

“I was about to say the same.”

She shoots me a look. “Please don’t. I don’t want to start thinking we have things in common.”

“What about the duchy?” I taunt.

“Of all the things we don’t have in common,” she quips, “the duchy is the one we don’t have in common the most.”

I smile despite myself. The pretty shell has some humor.

“May I walk beside you?” I ask.

“If you must,” she says after a beat. “But don’t think I’m warming to you.”

“Understood.”

We fall into step, heading toward the hotel located in the city’s historic center. She keeps her arms folded tight across her chest like a shield.

“I want you to know I will fight you with everything I’ve got. Dirty. No-holds-barred,” she warns. “My lawyer, Pauline, is very good at her job.”

I glance over. “So, this is your idea of small talk?”

“If you’d prefer silence…”

“No, this is delightful.”

We keep walking. Pombrio glows in the late-September dusk. The limestone facades catch the last golden rays and appear to be lit from within. Lined with old trees starting to turn, cobbled streets stretch ahead, winding gently. Cafés hum with end-of-day energy, clinking glasses, and low laughter. A faint whiff of woodsmoke rides the breeze.

I’d enjoy this stroll more if Eva weren’t so close. Her presence is magnetic and annoying in equal measures. Her perfume doesn’t help. It has none of the sugary sweetness most ladies favor. Instead, it’s seductive in a sharp, provocative way that’s so much her.

GUEST POST:

World-building can be the most important element of your book.  What media outlets, role-models, and real-life inspirations did you draw from while writing this book?

World-building is one of my favorite parts of writing, especially when the setting feels so real that it almost becomes a character in its own right. In the Montevor Royals series, and particularly in A Duchess with a Secret, the fictional principality of Mount Evor and one of its grand castles, Fort Vauclairt, play a huge role in the story. Here’s where I drew my inspiration from while creating this world.

Real-life travels and European castles

A lot of the atmosphere and visual details came from my own trips to the Alps. The principality of Mount Evor is tucked between France, Italy, and Switzerland, so I spent time exploring both the French and Swiss sides of the border. The dramatic mountain landscapes, misty valleys, and imposing castles left a lasting impression. Fort Vauclairt itself was heavily inspired by real historic castles I’ve visited, especially Chillon Castle in Switzerland and the Château de Neuchâtel in France. I wanted the castle to feel ancient, lived-in, and almost alive — with its echoing corridors, hidden passages, and that constant sense of history pressing in on the characters.

This is my favorite table at the neighborhood café where I've done some of my best work.

Medieval legends and fairy tales

The deeper lore of the world, particularly the mysterious nine keys that appear throughout the series, draws heavily from medieval European legends. I was fascinated by the story of Melusine, the mermaid fairy (sometimes called the Serpent Goddess) who is said to have founded the royal house of Lusignan. You might even recognise her from the Starbucks logo! Blending this old fairy-tale tradition with the political intrigue of a modern European principality allowed me to create a rich, layered history that feels both magical and grounded.

History books and real European micro-states

I also spent time reading about the history of small European principalities and the complex relationships between neighbouring countries. The idea of a tiny sovereign state with its own ancient rules, royal family, chivalric orders and delicate political balance (especially with bigger neighbours like France) gave me the foundation for Mount Evor’s current predicament. I even wrote a detailed (though not entirely complete) history of the realm, starting all the way back in 986 with its founder, the brigand-turned-prince Isidore Pox-Face. These real-world echoes helped make the fictional politics and traditions feel authentic.

This is by Danish painter Viggo Johansen, has been translated as Silent Night in English. I don’t mention Johansen’s painting in the book, but a scene toward the end draws heavily on it.

Role models in storytelling

When it comes to authors who inspired my approach to world-building, I’ve always admired writers who make their settings feel lived-in and essential to the story — whether it’s the intricate social worlds of Jane Austen or the deeply atmospheric historical settings in many classic romances. I wanted Mount Evor to feel just as vivid and important as the characters themselves.

Creating this world has been such a joy, and I love how the principality shapes every major choice my heroes make. If you enjoy stories where the setting feels rich and alive, I hope you’ll enjoy stepping into Mount Evor with them.

AUTHOR BIO & LINKS:

Alix Nichols is a caffeine addict, a longtime fan of Mr. Darcy. She pens sexy romantic comedies and romantasy. Her books have been described as "pure pleasure" (Kirkus Reviews) that “keep fans of romance hanging off the edge of their seat” (Romantic Times).

At the age of six, she released her first book. It featured highly creative spelling on a dozen pages stitched together and bound in velvet paper.

Decades later, she lives in France and still writes. Her spelling has improved (somewhat), she has become a Kindle Scout winner, Chanticleer First Place winner, USA Today bestseller, Book Riot's Top 100 Must-Read International Romance author, and Amazon All-Star for being one of the 100 most-read authors in Kindle Unlimited.

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/alixnichols
Website: http://www.alixnichols.com
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/alixnichols
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorAlixNichols
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alix-nichols
Newsletter Signup (and a free bundle!): http://bit.ly/alix-freebook

GIVEAWAY:

The Rise Up Trilogy by Henrik Wilenius - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

The Rise Up Trilogy

Books 1 - 3

by Henrik Wilenius

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GENRE:  Young Adult Contemporary

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BOOK SERIES BLURB:

The Rise up trilogy is a coming-of-age story about Hashim, Alex and Maryam, three best friends on the threshold of adulthood. Before they can find their place in this world, they must come to terms with their past and learn to confide in each other as they are confronted by intolerance, ignorance, and corporate greed that threaten to rob them of their future. Inspirational, harrowing, intense and deeply moving, this trilogy presents a ray of hope amidst terrible hardship, misfortune and loss.

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BOOK BLURB - CATCH YOU IF YOU FALL - BOOK ONE:

High school best friends Hashim, Alex, and Maryam must confront real-life issues that loom for Gen-Z today, including the climate crisis, corrupt politics, and racial and gender equity.

When Hashim turns eighteen, he receives a grant from his Mosque that will send him to an Ivy League in New York. His devout Muslim family couldn’t be more proud. And to support their young son on his journey, they arrange a wife for him. There’s only one problem: Hashim is gay.

Hashim’s best friend Alex is struggling with a difficult home life, a non-present father, and financial issues that prove particularly painful when all his friends are planning to go off to college and leave him behind.

Standing confidently alongside these two boys is Maryam, a headstrong Muslim girl who bucks her traditional roots by becoming a vegan activist.

It doesn’t take long until certain evil forces start to draw these three even closer, as their futures and the wellbeing of their community and the world is threatened. They are called to act.

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BOOK BLURB - MERRY FARM - BOOK TWO:

In the second installment of the Rise Up Trilogy, best friends Hashi, Alex, and Maryam stumble upon a huge government coverup. When more people get sicker and sicker, and nothing about the outbreak makes news, it becomes clear the corruption goes up high.

As the three attempt to expose and stop a tragedy that could kill thousands, they end up framed as the bioterrorists responsible for this exact crime, and a team of hitmen is dispatched to hunt them down. As they grapple with their own growing pains, Hashi, Alex, and Maryam hurry to outrun the disaster, prove that they are innocent, and do what they feel is right.

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BOOK BLURB - COLLUSION - BOOK THREE:

Now a well-known activist, Maryam, along with her two best friends Hashim and Alex, is chosen by the President of the United States to draw up a proposal to help fight climate change, mere weeks before superstorm Roxanne makes landfall in the Northeast.

After the President’s Future Rescue Advisory Board hears their climate proposal to set heavy taxes on meat, dairy and carbon emissions, and someone leaks it to the press, chaos spreads across party lines. A few months since they stopped a deadly virus in its tracks, the three uncover a conspiracy on the highest level of the legislative branch.

While the deadly hurricane wreaks havoc along the eastern seaboard, destroying the U.S. Naval Command in Norfolk, Virginia, and hitting New York City with devastating force, Maryam, Hashim, and Alex grapple with forces beyond their control in the government.

How will their stories unravel? What do their futures hold as they mature into adults in a world that may not accept them? Find out in this last book in the Rise Up Trilogy.

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EXCERPT THREE:

From Collusion - Book Three:

“Yes, let’s talk about protecting the American way,” Maryam responded to the reporter. “Let’s talk about the Norfolk Naval Station in his home state of Virginia. We were there only a few days ago. All it takes is some rain and high tide, and a large part of the base goes underwater. And many of the piers were out of operation for that reason. Like Norfolk, many other U.S. navy bases have been built on lowlands by the water, and most of them are literally sinking into the sea as we speak.”

Hashim bit down a smile from the sidelines. Maryam was going head on. She had seen how well it worked with the President when Alex did it.

“But Senator Stevenson and his colleagues refuse to talk about the biggest national security risk of our time, because it’s caused by climate change. Senator Stevenson with his fellow climate change deniers in the Senate are blocking all the attempts to fund any initiatives to address the issue. So I truly wonder what or who is the real threat to the American way?”

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GUEST POST:

Five Ways to Deal with Rejection as a Writer

For most of the writers, not writing is not an option. For me, it’s a very intensive process, first energizing, and then after an hour, I’m exhausted and famished. The key question here is how you can do it without becoming an alcoholic, recluse or just generally cynical and bitter person in life. Unlike in the times past, nowadays successful writers share one trait and that’s discipline. You need routines to keep yourself in line and this is how I learned it.

When I was a kid, I loved books about faraway countries. Since I was ten years old, my father would stack books on my desk to read. He knew I loved reading, and I was very curious about the world. Then at the age of twelve I stumbled upon Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. If I must name one book that inspired me most in my life, this is the one.

 

The story takes place about two thousand five hundred years ago during the time of Siddhartha Gautama, aka Buddha, the namesake of the protagonist. There are a lot of similarities between this fictional character and Buddha, at least enough to ignite a fascination with Buddhism. I craved deeper meaning as my philosopher father had done at the same age. I wasn’t a prince like Siddhartha but I lived in a homogenous comfortable bubble surrounded by a big, affluent family and went to a school my parents had founded. However, I didn’t have to flee to the night like Siddhartha did. I just had to convince my parents to let me leave to go to school in more multi-cultural environment, which they did. Through Siddhartha, I became aware of the spiritual world and the need to explore it further. And to do that, I needed to train my self-discipline, which I began by quitting candy and chocolate for a year, and this training has continued till this day.

Reading Siddhartha by Herman Hesse was a paradigm shift for me. It inspired me to change the way I perceived the world and the people in it. I realized that it’s not important how different I am from the other people, but what I have in common with them. This new-born curiosity made me delve into different cultures, politics and religions ever since, and all the understanding I gained over the years through people I met pushed me to become a writer.

As we have now covered the importance of discipline and curiosity, we come to the third technique. You must write about something you’re passionate about. When you do that, you evolve, not only as a writer but as a human being. I like to put my characters in situations where they are challenged in all levels, not only in their inner but also in the interpersonal and extra-personal life. Throw in challenges that you’re struggling with and see what happens. You might find solutions to your own troubles. I think people are by nature attracted to authenticity, and more genuine you are in your writing, more universal it becomes. We are all struggling with same problems. They are just tinted by our different cultural, ethnic, religious, age-, gender-, and sexuality-related influences. And if in your writing you’re able to gain real insight, you have provided to your readers a path to reach that same conclusion, and that’s something to be really passionate about.

The fourth one is exercise and nutrition. I start every day with an hour of Ashtanga yoga and follow it up with clear set of routines. Then once I’m done with the writing, I do a half an hour cardio or intensive kettle bell training.  If we feed our body with healthy (vegan) food and exercise, we’re better equipped to face any challenges that life throws at us. For me, physical exercise is very important way to release all the inner tension that writing brings on. Without it, I would be stuck in my fantasy world and unable to cope with reality.

And finally, don’t be a recluse! Go out and see your friends. I know it’s sometimes hard. I’m a part-time hermit, but on weekends, I put in an extra effort to meet up with friends, even if I don’t always feel like it, because without friends, you wither and die.

There are no shortcuts, tricks or chemicals that will make it easier to deal with the pain of rejection. Only way to handle it is by being mentally strong, and here I have presented five ways to accomplish that. And the time you spend honing these skills won’t go to waste. They could very well also take your craft to a totally new level. 

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AUTHOR BIO:

Henrik Wilenius is the author of the Rise Up Trilogy, a young adult coming-of-age story about Hashim, Alex and Maryam confronting real-life issues like climate change, corrupt politics, animal cruelty and racial and gender equity. 

The Rise Up Trilogy is now available also as an audiobook and a weekly serialized audiobook podcast on all the major platforms. 

Previously, Henrik as published two books (an autobiographical coming of age book and a YA novel) by a major publisher (WSOY) in Finland before switching to English and self-publishing. The Rise Up Trilogy was inspired by his fifteen-year stint as a volunteer in a Red Cross Youth Shelter and by his vegan activism.

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CONNECT WITH HENRIK:

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVJ1TNFG

Buzz Sprout:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2264640

Website:

http://www.henrikwilenius.com

TikTok:

http://www.tiktok.com/henrikwileniusauthor

Instagram:

http://www.instagram.com/@henrikwileniusauthor

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GIVEAWAY:

Henrik will award the winner's choice of an audiobook set via Spotify or a digital book set of The Rise Up Trilogy via Rafflecopter during the tour.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Starlight Motel by Amy Craig - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

The Starlight Motel
by Amy Craig

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GENRE:    Contemporary Romance

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BOOK BLURB:

Experienced muralist Kada took charge of her family's Palm Springs motel to give her mother time to grieve. As a grant deadline approaches, Kada must convince her mother to manage the motel so she can return to her art. Late in December, Kada encounters a horseman approaching the property. Dane, the reserved son of a local farming family, is a loyal workaholic with limited spare time or experience outside the valley. When lightning startles his horse, he lingers at the motel and stirs up Kada's emotions about leaving the desert oasis. Wary of mixing business with pleasure, she struggles with her attraction. As New Year's Eve approaches, will the cowboy convince her to chart a new course?

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EXCERPT THREE:

Kada’s cry of delight bounced off the casita walls. Looking up from the desert pavers, he watched her launch herself into an older woman’s arms. The pair grinned, and their smiles shone brighter than the swaying patio lights. Staying back, he leaned against an adobe wall and watched Kada and Mrs. Ritchie greet each other. The pair did the hug-shake mother-daughter thing he never understood. In twenty years, Kada would be just as beautiful as her mother. She soaked up her mother’s presence like a drought-stricken plant. He envied their connection. His mother gripped him hard, examined him, and spun him back into the world to do good work.

“Just look at you, runnin’ around the desert like Pops.” Ms. Ritchie gripped Kada’s long, black hair and rubbed it between her fingers. “If I hadn’t seen you for myself, I wouldn’t have believed it. I thought you would stay in Los Angeles, but here you are, the queen of the desert!”

He cocked his head and imagined Kada tearing into a sourdough loaf over drip coffee. She would look at home on the winding streets wearing a wrap-tie dress, but he preferred her stained jeans.

“I thought I would stay in Los Angeles, too, but you needed me.” Reaching to the side, Kada shifted into her father’s arms.

Lean by most standards, he sported the small belly that developed from a desk-bound lifestyle.

“Hi, Daddy.”

He kissed her forehead. “Princess. Good to see you.”

Easing off the wall, Dane figured he could slip back into the cantina, take his salad to go, and sink into one of Walter’s tales. The old cowboy had plenty of stories about what went wrong when a man took his gaze off the land.

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GUEST POST:

Falling in Love with the Main Characters

There are so many wonderful books available. To stand out among the daily onslaught of contemporary romances, a writer has to craft characters that readers care about. If I write strong, captivating characters that resonate with my audience, I know I've succeeded. Also, they should be hot and funny, too.

The leads in THE STARLIGHT MOTEL are strong characters with relatable tenderness. A deadline keeps them moving forward, but too many sidekicks keep them from candlelit dinners and conventional romance. I hope you love Kada and Dane!

Kada is a dedicated and resilient woman, driven by her love for her family, art, and community. Her passion for preserving the Starlight Motel and her gratitude toward her family showcase her deep roots and loyalty, but she only has one life to live. How long can she be the dutiful daughter?

Dane is a stern and demanding neighbor who values his physical reaction to Kada and the emotional connection that surprises him. His willingness to work through his challenges, and his romantic declarations, demonstrate the commitment and tenderness behind his rough exterior. If he had a year to woo Kada, he would do it too slowly to make an impression, but a New Year's Eve deadline gets him moving.

The best way to understand Kada and Dane (and to craft your characters) is to delve into character backstories, fears, and desires. These layers add to their personalities and make the characters feel real. Show their vulnerabilities and strengths. Archetypes are familiar, but humans are endearing. For example, Dane’s interest in Kada triggers desire for a future that honors her family and her artistic dreams. This emotional complexity draws readers in and makes them root for a character's happiness. She's already had one career setback. Will she set aside her professional momentum for a handsome cowboy-farmer who looks good in jeans? Maybe.

Characters should also evolve throughout the story. This growth can be in their personal lives, relationships, or careers. Show their journey and how they overcome obstacles. This makes their victories more satisfying and impactful. Give your characters distinctive traits that set them apart. Ensure character actions align with their motivations. Kada’s actions are driven by the conflict between supporting her family and pursuing her art. Dane’s actions are driven by his pride, his prior successes, and his growing awareness that he's the product of decades of mentorship. Maybe he's too focused.

Through Kada and Dane’s journey, we see how love, support, and personal growth create a compelling and heartfelt romance that readers root for. Kada and Dane are relatable, emotionally complex, and exhibit growth. By creating a dynamic relationship and ensuring characters have unique traits and consistent motivations, anyone can craft captivating characters that resonate with audiences.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Amy Craig lives in Louisiana with her family and a small menagerie of pets. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense featuring intelligent heroines. In her spare time, she plays tennis and expands her husband’s honey-do list. Before writing, she worked as an oilfield engineer, project manager, and incompetent waitress. For more information and giveaways, visit www.amy-craig.com or follow her on social media channels.

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CONNECT WITH AMY:

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/author/amycraig

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@authoramycraig

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/author_amy_craig

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmyCraig

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18011214

BookBub:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-craig

Website:

https://www.amy-craig.com

LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/authoramycraig

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GIVEAWAY:

Amy will be awarding a $15 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

A Curvy Girl's Haven by Kristabel Reed - Book Tour - Book Blast - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kristabel Reed will be awarding a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Dr. Arabella Stanton is back in Havenbrook, California, seeking a break from her work with Doctors Without Borders. Exhausted and haunted by memories of the refugee camps, she finds solace in the familiar yet changed landscape of her grandmother’s old town. She plans to rest, recuperate, and plan out her next steps—until a persistent knock at her door changes everything.

Garret de la Rosa, a Navy SEAL with his own shadows from missions past, is back in Havenbrook to recover and find some peace. When a mutual friend brings Arabella to his door, he’s bleeding from an injury, and neither expects the connection that sparks between them.

As Arabella and Garret navigate their growing attraction, they also face their personal demons and the reality that their lives are on different paths. Amidst the tranquil beauty of Havenbrook, they find themselves questioning their futures and what they truly want.

EXCERPT ONE:

“You’re bleeding,” Arabella said and lifted his shirt. “You really shouldn’t say no.” She looked at the bandage and lifted the edges. Probably pulled stiches. “Please remove your shirt.”

Garret’s sinful stare met hers. “Usually there’s a second date before we get that far.”

“God, these two have the same sense of humor,” Tristan muttered.

Garret flashed her a grin but complied. She kept her cool doctorial composure as he lifted the gray material over his head and didn’t stare.

“When I’m working, I don’t have a sense of humor,” she shot back and examined the area. “Sit down,” she ordered Garret.

He did so without a word and she peeled back the bandage. Bandages. Plural. It looked as if a doctor taped one gauze over Garret’s stitches, then Garret added another layer. No, he added two layers.

Arabella was mildly surprised he hadn’t used duct tape.

“Yeah, popped a few stitches. I’ll need to close it up.” She gathered her supplies, the suture and thread. “So, can you tell me how you got that?” Arabella nodded to his side. “Or is this a case of ‘If I tell you, I’ll have to lock you up in a dungeon?”

His lips quirked in a sexy little half-grin, and his eyes sparkled with laughter. “It’s the dungeon.”

…

It sent a thrill of arousal through her, and her heart tripped over itself. She thought she’d imagined it earlier, but it seemed she hadn’t, even she knew when a man was interested in her. Slightly unnerved, Arabella wondered why a SEAL, a man who looked like Garret, would be interested in her.

AUTHOR BIO & LINKS:

I’m an East Coaster with an insatiable love for pizza and movies. This love has also produced a chubby girl who thought it would be fun to write a few romances for the fuller ladies. And after a long break from writing, I decided to explore the small, California community of Havenbrook; where curvier ladies find hot guys who fall madly in love! After all, curvier girls need love too.

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/KristaelReed

Blog:

http://kristabelreed.blogspot.com

AMAZON BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3Z6acMv

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Curvy-Girls-Haven-Kristabel-Reed-ebook/dp/B0DBNS4L9K

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

Truth and Dare: The Wonder of Wildflowers Series (Book One) by Ann M. Trader - Book Tour - Book Blast - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Ann M. Trader will award a $20 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble (Winner's Choice!!!) Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A bright and talented environmental engineer, Goldie Vreeland understands facts and figures, but Max Corda, her secret office obsession, remains a puzzle. On the eve of a business trip to a coastal island, fate intervenes, pairing her with her sexy crush. As she thinks about sharing the same space with Max for a week, her world veers dangerously off course.

Fueled by success as engineer and president of his family’s firm, recently divorced Max needs to jumpstart his life. When his father unexpectedly assigns him to Goldie’s project, his closely guarded attraction to her comes front and center. Thoughts of spending a week alone with this beautiful intelligent woman make his internal compass glitch.

Romance stirs with the island breeze, so simple when they’re hundreds of miles away from normal. But as Goldie and Max return to reality, will they discover real love is more than a game?

EXCERPT THREE:

“Those lips,” I said, the words slipping off my tongue.

“Excuse me?”

His question broke my trance. “Oh, Lord. I’m sorry I—”

“Wait. You feel it, too, don’t you?”

I hesitated then nodded.

Max leaned toward me. “You know, I’ve been trying to get a read on you tonight, but I’m pretty rusty at all this.”

“Let’s get one thing straight, Max. There’s nothing about you that’s rusty.”

A smile quirked at the corner of his mouth. “The word means nothing to you because you’re young and beautiful.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “You really think a lot about this age thing, don’t you?”

He sighed. “I’m thirty-one, Goldie.”

“Well, lucky for you my ceiling’s a good thirty-three.”

He bit back a smile, his eyes growing softer, warmer. “I like you, Goldie.”

“I like you, too, Max.”

“I really want to kiss you.”

“So, what’s stopping you?”

“The very real possibility I won’t be able to stop,” he said with a reverent tone.

AUTHOR BIO:

I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring recipes on the lighter side of southern comfort foods. I’m a member of Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, and I love relaxing on my back porch to read and write. These days I take walks around my neighborhood, but when I was sixteen, I hiked the Grand Canyon with a group of friends. I love watching television dramas (in no special order): Palm Royale, The Buccaneers, The Bear, Mary and George, Emily in Paris, Outlander, Shrinking, Shogun, Bridgerton, Outer Banks, Stranger Things, The Crown, and Peaky Blinders and reading a great romance book.

CONNECT WITH ANN:

Website:

http://www.annmtrader.com

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/author/annmtrader

BookBub:

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ann-m-trader

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/annmtraderbooks

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21925238.Ann_M_Trader

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/anntrader5

AMAZON BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3xZP4MM

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/460kdMM

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Truth-Dare-Wonder-Wildflowers-Book-ebook/dp/B0D3JG5KQ8

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Truth-Dare-Wonder-Wildflowers-Trader/dp/1509255796

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Catch a Cowboy by Rachelle Paige Campbell - Book Tour - Blurb Blitz - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Catch a Cowboy

by Rachelle Paige Campbell

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GENRE:   Sweet Contemporary Western Romance

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BOOK BLURB:

Kincaid Ranch’s lead cowboy, Ted Stirling, isn’t looking for romance or entanglements. He settled in Herd, Montana over a decade ago after a devastating loss. He’s seeking comfort and friendship. Nothing more. If he was going to try for love again, he would pick someone sweet and sunny, exactly like kindergarten teacher, Stephanie Patricks. But she’s too young for him.

Stephanie has nursed a crush on quiet, handsome Ted for years. Unfortunately, every time she’s around him, she gets tongue-tied. She only seems to be able to find her words when she’s working with her students. When Ted’s sister unexpectedly arrives in town with his five-year-old niece in tow, he needs help, and Stephanie is just the woman to provide it.

A sudden emergency puts into sharp focus exactly how fragile life is, and Ted needs to decide whether to open his heart again, or let love slip away forever.

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EXCERPT ONE:

Ted didn’t land on the ground with his usual grace. His jeans snagged on the top rail and his back foot caught. His palms scrapped against the rail. He fell in a heap on the ground.

Tires squealed as the car stopped on the shoulder. 

“Ted? Are you okay?” Stephanie shouted.

He winced and sat up, easing his legs out in front of him. Testing his muscles, he’d ache in the morning but hadn’t twisted his major leg joints. He waved a hand. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“No, you’re bleeding. Hold on,” she called.

He sucked in a breath and flipped over his palms. She was right. He’d torn through the top layer of skin and bled in several sections. The wounds didn’t look deep enough for stitches but he’d have to keep bandages on and use his work gloves for a few days. He should have worn the gloves before he’d hopped the fence, but he’d been so sure of his abilities his ego led to his fall.

“May I see?” Stephanie asked in a soft voice.

He met her concerned gaze and swallowed the lump in his throat. With her knees pressing into the ground, she was close. Almost as near as last night when she’d kissed him.

His cheek burned from the memory of the tender press of her lips. Would she kiss his palms? He didn’t think that would make him all better but he wasn’t about to stop her from trying.

“May I?” she asked again.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Rachelle Paige Campbell writes contemporary romance novels filled with heart and hope. She believes love and laughter can change lives, and every story needs a happily ever after.

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CONNECT WITH RACHELLE:

Website:

https://rachellepaigecampbell.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Rachelle-Paige-Campbell-511680888981810

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rachellepaigebooks

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/rpaigecampbell/boards

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rachelle-paige-campbell

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/Rachelle-Paige-Campbell/e/B00T0T533Q

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13453682.Rachelle_Paige_Campbell

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRVVLBB5

Barnes and Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catch-a-cowboy-rachelle-paige-campbell/1144580727?ean=2940179244585

Books2Read:

https://books2read.com/u/mg5dPR

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205091867-catch-a-cowboy

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/catch-a-cowboy-match-made-in-montana-book-2-by-rachelle-paige-campbell

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Rachelle will be awarding a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Island Detour by Maria Imbalzano - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Island Detour

by Maria Imbalzano

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GENRE:   Contemporary Romance

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BOOK BLURB:

Falsely accused of wrongdoing at a Princeton Prep school, Sophie Kearns accepts a temporary teaching position at an environmental school in the Florida Keys to wait out her suspension. The time away is meant to be an anxiety-free escape, but her clashes with the hot but arrogant marine biology teacher, Max Heaton, are anything but tranquil.

Max is determined to start an environmental research institute at the school, but he suspects the gorgeous new Lit teacher, who lacks even the most basic outdoor skills, is there to hinder that dream. Yet, something about her tames the demons from his past, and he can no longer ignore the fire she’s lit inside him.

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EXCERPT THREE:

Just because you have issues shouldn’t mean you can’t trust anyone but yourself.” The second the words were out of her mouth, she knew she’d gone too far. But he had started it. And frankly, she didn’t care if she had struck a nerve.

His jaw clenched, an almost imperceptible movement. After a few seconds he bowed his head and sighed. Then he turned his back to her, picked up his rod, and cast the line into the ocean. No comeback. No smart remark. A minor victory. Had she really gotten in the last word this time?

Unfortunately, she couldn’t let it go.

“Is that how you deal with conflict? You turn around and ignore it?”

She was definitely pushing the envelope now, but he deserved it. One didn’t just end an argument by turning away. He needed to stick with it. Fight it out. Until the bitter end.

She watched him in profile, the brooding, detached fisherman whose lips rarely inched into a smile, whose eyes rarely sparkled, and whose cutting words were meant to slice—and hurt. Which they did.

Sophie looked over at Ben, who had remained quiet during their little altercation. He held his finger to his lips as if to say enough.

She itched to continue but followed his unspoken suggestion. He knew Max a lot better than she did. And sometimes, she just had to let things settle down.

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GUEST POST:

What Have Been Your Biggest Writing Mistakes and What Lessons Have You Learned From Them?

I wish I had just one. Unfortunately, I have several. It’s a good thing I consider myself a lifelong learner since the value of making mistakes is to learn from them.

The first big mistake I made was in writing my Sworn Sisters Series. It’s about four women who have been best friends since high school, and are now in their early 30s. Each woman has their own book with their own story, but the other women come in and out of each other’s books.

The first book in the series, “Sworn to Forget,” is Nicki’s story, but Sam has a big role in that book. The second book in the series, “Sworn to Remember” is Sam’s story. I made the huge mistake of having much of these stories take place during the same time period. As a result, when I was writing Sam’s story, I had to keep going back to Nicki’s story to see exactly what they said to each other and what time of year it was when they met at different locations. I also needed to make sure the timeline of Sam’s story coordinated with the time line in Nicki’s. Further,  I had to put all the other secondary characters in scenes that overlapped. The lesson I learned was to never have stories in a series overlap. Make them serial in time so I can just write that story fresh, without having to keep going back to a prior story. As a result of my education, the third book in the series, “Sworn to Fly” takes place after the events of “Sworn to Remember.”

The next big mistake I made was with “Return to Wylder.”  I wrote the entire book in the third person, which is how I usually write.  It wasn’t until I was finished with the book that I decided it would be better if written in first person. I then had to go back and edit the entire book. Lesson Two: decide which point of view I want before I start writing the book.

Another mistake I tend to make with every book (I clearly haven’t learned this teachable lesson) is to info dump. It never fails that when I send each book in to my editor, she asks me to get rid of the first chapter (at least) and start with Chapter Two. I then need to filter in all the information I had in Chapter One throughout the next several chapters. I always agree. This assures that Chapter One starts where it should start – at a life changing moment—and that I don’t bore the reader with backstory. Lesson Three: Before I send the book to my editor, delete the first chapter myself and filter in the information throughout the next several chapters.

Another painful lesson I learned was with the manuscript I am currently working on. It’s the last of the Sworn Sisters books titled “Sworn to Collide.”  My critique partners don’t like my heroine. That is the death knell for a book. The main character can be flawed and should be, but he/she must have some redeeming trait up front to allow the reader to root for them.  If the reader doesn’t like the character, then she won’t care what happens to her and won’t want to finish the book. So…I’m working on making her a more likable character up front, despite her flaws. This has not been an easy task and I am now re-writing the book with “then” and “now” chapters to show why she thinks the way she does. Lesson Four: Make my main character likable from the beginning. Don’t wait until I’m halfway through the book to show why she is the way she is.

Just so you know, I did make mistake number three in my new release “Island Detour.”  I had to delete the first chapter. And it was so good! 😊

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AUTHOR BIO:

Maria Imbalzano is an award-winning contemporary author who writes about strong, independent women and the men who fall in love with them. She recently retired from the practice of law, but legal issues have a way of showing up in many of her novels. When not writing, she loves to travel both abroad and in the states.  Maria lives in central New Jersey with her husband--not far from her two daughters and granddaughters. For more information about her books, please visit her website at http://mariaimbalzano.com where you can also sign up for her newsletter.

Awards:

Maria is a member of New Jersey Romance Writers and has received many honors and awards for her work including the ACRA Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence Award, the Wisconsin Romance Writers Write Touch Readers Award, The NEST (National Excellence In Story Telling) Award, the Carolyn Award, Book Buyers Best Award, The Stiletto Reader’s Choice Award, Long & Short Reviews Book of the Month Award (3rd Place for Book of the Year), and Still Moments Magazine Reader’s Choice Award.

 

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CONNECT WITH MARIA:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mariaimbalzanoauthor

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/mariaimbalzano

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/Mariaimbalzano_author

Website Link:

http://www.mariaimbalzano.com

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7276749.Maria_Imbalzano

Book Bub Profile Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/maria-imbalzano

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00FG9RI5K

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Maria will be awarding a $15 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway