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Grab your favorite beverage, relax, and let me tell you a story…

After Midnight - Black Phoenix #1

Re-edited, revised edition October 2013

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Dangerously Sexy Suspense

January 29, 2013

Teaser Tuesday




“Noah?”

“Yeah?”

“Kiss me.”

She didn’t have to ask twice. He dipped his head, settled his lips on hers and plundered. He dragged her against him, and drank in the hot, potent taste of her as he fed on her mouth like a starving man.

She softened, a tiny sound of passion slipping up her throat—an urgent invitation. His pulse leaped. So did other parts of his anatomy. Her fingers burrowed through his hair.

He deepened the kiss, stroking his hands down the sides of her body to settle on her hips. He used them to guide her as he stepped forward once, twice, until her back settled against the trunk of the maple. Awash in the smell of her, the feel of her, he pressed closer, until no space existed between them. Her breasts flattened against his chest, her hips arched into him. Heat from her body flowed into his, sparking a fire. His heartbeat echoed in his head.

GET IT TODAY – Just $0.99! (for a limited time)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/11kD7JS
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January 25, 2013

Friday Quickie

25 quickie facts about Brenda Gayle:

Birthday? July 18
Favorite color? Purple
Favorite animal? Dog
Siblings? Sister
Favorite drink? Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch
If you were a jelly bean flavor, what flavor would you be? Hot cinnamon
Favorite author? Karen White
Favorite dish? Tuna casserole
Ice cream flavor? Cookie dough
Favorite Season? Summer
Plotter or pantser? Plotster
Hobbies? Playing chauffeur to my kids
Dream vacation? Fiji
Favorite TV show? Dallas
Musical preference? Rock
Pet peeve? Intolerance
Favorite place to write? My office
Favorite song? Backstreets
Odd family fact? To hide a birth out of wedlock, my family may be descended from an entirely different family line than what we’ve always believed.
Unforgettable moment? Holding my book for the first time
Favorite Superhero? Hawkgirl
Spicy or not? Spicy
Cat or dog? Dog
Favorite candy bar? O’Henry bar(I’m not sure you have them in the US)
Favorite guilty pleasure? Writing in my PJs





Summarize your book Twitter style – 140 characters or less:

Single mom meets her ex at their son's wedding. He's father of the bride.

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To learn more about Brenda Gayle and her writing please visit her WEBSITE:


January 24, 2013

First Chapters

My book, AFTER MIDNIGHT, is featured today on D. Renee Bagby's First Chapters Blog. You can check it out HERE.


January 21, 2013

Inspiration Boards

With the success of websites like Pinterest more and more people are talking about boards, specifically visual ‘pin boards’ of things they love or find interesting. They’re surprisingly easy to create – you can ‘pin’ an image from just about any site, in effect saving it (and the link to its original site) to your very own digital bulletin board.

But did you know that writers (and other artists) have been using boards for years? Inspiration boards – or collections of images that help define or inspire a project. Before technology and the internet, inspiration boards used to look more like this:

Diane Von Furstenberg Inspiration Board


Some still prefer this look. (I admit I would most likely be one of them if I had an office, as there’s just something about having a ‘physical’ board.) But more and more, inspiration boards are showing up online.

If you spend any time on Pinterest, and follow any authors, perhaps you’ve seen one or two inspiration boards – boards specific the author’s book. Even I have one (or three as the case may be). Unfortunately, the content on my boards is sparse. Why? Honestly, I’m not sure why.

My ‘real’ inspiration boards include…well, just about anything and everything that both ‘speaks to me’ and relates to the characters or plot of the book. Some of the things on my boards aren’t in the book – perhaps it is from a scene I deleted, or the character’s lives after the story ended. Yes, my ‘real’ inspiration boards contain things that happen to the hero and heroine AFTER the story ended. Hey, it’s my book. I’m allowed! :-)

I suppose the reason these are not included in my Pinterest boards is because I wonder if all of it would truly be of interest to someone who hasn’t read my books. I’m not sure. But since this question has been on my mind lately, I thought I would share with you some of the items on my ‘real’ inspiration boards. And hey, maybe you can help me decide whether I should add them to the boards I have on Pinterest.

Inspiration Board for After Midnight: 


Isabeau Montgomery


Noah Clark
Noah Clark Noah Clark





Isabeau's
Engagement Ring
Isabeau's
Eternity Band


Noah's House




Recording
Studio in
Noah's Basement

Isabeau's Wedding Dress


Lovers

The heels I imagine Isabeau is wearing in Chapter Twelve. ;)

Thanks for visiting with me today. If you are interested in following me on Pinterest, or even just checking out what Pinterest is all about, you can see my profile HERE.


January 18, 2013

Friday Quickie

25 quickie facts about Casey Clifford: 

Birthday? January 11
Favorite color? Purple
Favorite animal? Little dogs
Siblings? 5
Favorite drink? Depends on time of day: coffee, Diet Coke, Grey Goose on the rocks
If you were a jelly bean flavor, what flavor would you be? Black licorice generally and for a treat Jelly Belly buttered popcorn
Favorite author? So many but at the moment: Barbara Samuel/O’Neal for well established and Stacey Joy Netzel for up and coming
Favorite dish? Macaroni and cheese—the cheesier the better
Ice cream flavor? French vanilla with chocolate bits
Favorite Season? Fall
Plotter or pantser? Mostly pantser but an organized one
Hobbies? Photography, choir singing, reading
Dream vacation? Ireland and Austria and not in a hurry either place
Favorite TV show? Depends on the night: The Good Wife, NCIS, and Castle
Musical preference? Pretty much anything that has a melody of more than 3 notes
Pet peeve? People who complain all the time
Favorite place to write? My office
Favorite song? The Wind Beneath My Wings, any oldie
Odd family fact? My mother’s brother and sister married a brother and sister
Unforgettable moment? The days my 2 sons died
Favorite Superhero? Wonder Woman
Spicy or not? Spicy except in the morning
Cat or dog? Dog
Favorite candy bar? Butterfingers
Favorite guilty pleasure? Lindt Truffles




Summarize your book Twitter style – 140 characters or less:

BJ Kelly forges through 1970s social tumult and changing female roles. She gathers success, love, an enemy. But will she greet the ‘80s?

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Learn more about Casey on her website:  http://caseyclifford.wordpress.com/ 

January 15, 2013

Latest News on Works in Progress

Hello friends, I thought I'd update you all on what's going on in my world. Currently, I'm in writing mode, doing everything I can to squeeze in as many words as humanly possible during the short window of time I get to write daily. It’s more difficult this winter than last – maybe because for the first time ever, I have more than one iron in the fire. Yup, there are way too many men in my head, demanding attention. Wow, whoever thought I would say that? lol

Midnight Heat (Midnight series, book 2) 




Dominic Price

Dominic is the loudest voice right now – perhaps because he is the most alpha of all of my alpha heroes. He’s blunt, in-your-face, and curses too much. He’s also flawed, damaged by his childhood, and more sensitive than he would ever let on. I have a real soft spot for Dom, which is only one of the reasons his book is at the top of my MUST FINISH list.



She was the only woman who ever rocked his world.

Black Phoenix bassist Dominic Price made a mistake three years ago when he walked out on Rebecca without a backward glance. A mistake he plans to rectify. But first he has to convince her to open her heart to him again. 

The unconscious man wheeled into Dr. Rebecca Dahlman’s ER was sexy—unforgettably sexy—and injured. This wasn’t just any patient in need of medical help. He was the only man she’d ever loved—the one who still haunted her dreams. 

One touch of his calloused hands reignites their passion. Can they rekindle their trust as easily, or will her fears cause her to lose him again…this time to a man bent on revenge? 



At Any Cost 



Detective
Michael Atwood


Michael is the second loudest voice, but that could just be that he comes from a large, noisy family. Steadfast, focused, and dedicated are three words that describe Michael Atwood. A detective with the San Diego Police Department, Michael works in the same precinct as, you guessed it, Justin Harrison, hero of Not Without Risk. Yes, Justin makes a cameo appearance in At Any Cost – a scene where you learn the repercussions of Justin ignoring protocol and becoming involved with Paige. WHOOP!


In addition to Midnight Heat, I also have two more books in mind for the Midnight Series:

Midnight Shadow (Midnight series, book 3)

Thomas Cahill Sr.

Thomas is the quietest voice, mostly because he feels he’s already loved and lost his one true love. Honestly, even I didn’t know Thomas had another chance at happily-ever-after. It took a few comments from readers of After Midnight for me to see, and once I did, I wholeheartedly agreed. A heart of gold wrapped in brawn and tattoos – he’s a hero that deserves a very special heroine. Good thing I’ve got just the woman for him.


Chasing Midnight (Midnight series, book 4)



Alex Morgan

Ah, Alex – cocky, confident, a bit A.D.D. Alex. Love-‘em-and-leave-‘em Alex. The newest member of Black Phoenix, he’s used to women swooning at his feet. So I plan to give him exactly what he needs – a woman who has nothing to offer him but a cold shoulder. What? Can’t an author have a little bit of fun?


So that’s them, my works in progress. The stories in my head and the men demanding I write faster. Any tips you can offer for keeping four impatient heroes happy? I’d love to hear your ideas.



January 11, 2013

Friday Quickie

25 quickie facts about Linda Carroll-Bradd: 

Birthday? April 21st
Favorite color? purple
Favorite animal? Shiba Inu
Siblings? Two sisters—one older, one younger
Favorite drink? Vanilla flavored coffee
If you were a jelly bean flavor, what flavor would you be? Lemon
Favorite author? Jane Austen
Favorite dish? Vegetarian lasagna
Ice cream flavor? Rocky road
Favorite Season? Spring
Plotter or pantser? plotter
Hobbies? Crocheting, exploring historic sites
Dream vacation? Ireland—to trace family genealogy
Favorite TV show? Elementary
Musical preference? Rock from 70s
Pet peeve? Bigoted people
Favorite place to write? Upstairs nook in cabin
Favorite song? Forever Young
Odd family fact? My whole family sits through the ending movie credits to honor all who brought us the entertainment.
Unforgettable moment? Birth of my first child, a boy
Favorite Superhero? Batman
Spicy or not? Food-not; reading-yes
Cat or dog? Dog
Favorite candy bar? Mars
Favorite guilty pleasure? Kahlua in hot cocoa on cold winter nights





Summarize your book Twitter style – 140 characters or less:

Home for Thanksgiving, Franzi faces her ex-beau. Each glance ignites old sparks. Can Dietz use this second chance to win her heart?

BUY LINK







To learn more about Linda Carroll-Bradd and her writing please visit her website:


January 9, 2013

Spotlight On... Willa Blair



Welcome, Willa, can you tell us a little about yourself? 

Hi, Sarah. Thanks for having me here today! I’m a best-selling and award-winning author of Scottish historical and contemporary paranormal romance. That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? I’m also a recent transplant from the mid-Atlantic to Texas, where I live most of the year in shorts and sandals. I don’t miss the snow at all!

Tell us about HIGHLAND HEALER and where we can find it. 

Highland Healer, my best-selling debut book, takes place in the highlands of Scotland in 1516, three years after King James IV perished along with most of his nobles and clan chiefs, fighting the English just over the border at Flodden Fields.

In the aftermath, James V was a toddler, the Queen Mother was Henry VIII’s sister, and the Regent preferred to spend time in France rather than govern Scotland. Most clans were led by younger siblings who never expected to become laird. And many clans near the border were so decimated that they broke up.

In Highland Healer, when a lowlander army determined to take over the highlands attacks the clan he's negotiating with, Toran Lathan is wounded and taken prisoner, mistaken for the laird of the clan he’s visiting. He escapes and takes the lowlanders' captive Healer, Aileana Shaw, with him.

Highland Healer is available from in print and ebook formats from Amazon: http://ning.it/PbhhUB, at www.thewildrosepress.com and other retailers. Check with your favorite bookseller.

Do you have a favorite character or one that you identify most with?

Aileana has special abilities that she uses to survive once she’s ripped away from her home and family. She has the strength to find her way in a hostile world, make a place for herself and keep herself safe. All of us do that to a greater or lesser extent at some point in our lives. When she meets Toran Lathan, she allows herself to trust him and eventually falls in love. She’s very brave, though she doesn’t know it.

Describe your writing in three words.

Action-packed. Atmospheric. Spicy.

Why did you choose your genre?

When I decided to tackle a historical romance, the fact that I enjoyed the stories set in Scotland that I read over the years, and that I’m part Scottish, made writing a Scottish historical darn near inevitable. All the scifi/fantasy I read while growing up added the paranormal element.

Where do you get your ideas? 

Mostly from flashes of a scene - usually not much more than a picture of a setting, or a really short clip that conveys a place and a mood. I go from there.

How do you do your research?

I read - a lot, and in a lot of genres. I also have reference books on castles and Scottish history, along with that entire library of science fiction and fantasy that I’ve collected since childhood. And thank goodness for the internet. I can spend hours following one link after another, sometimes going down rabbit-holes, but often finding those interesting bits of trivia that add depth and texture to a story, or help to drive the plot.

What advice would you give to the new/unpublished author? 

Finish the damn book. Like many authors, I spent years polishing the first few chapters of several works-in-progress. It wasn’t until I buckled down and finished the entire first draft of one of them that I had the epiphany. I could do this. I could write books. I had the talent, the ability, and the discipline to finish a major project.

Until you get to “The End”, you may be spending a lot of time writing and editing, but you’re not any closer to realizing your dreams. And once you do finish it, that first draft you are (rightfully) so proud of will need editing and revision, maybe minor, maybe major, but you will have accomplished what ninety percent of writers never do. If you’re looking for inspiration, you can’t get much better than that.

What’s next for you? 

I’ve been swamped with promotion since my publisher early-released Highland Healer into the Amazon Kindle KDP Select program in October. But I was thrilled that my debut book quickly showed up - and stayed - on the Kindle bestseller lists. Now that the excitement of Highland Healer’s official release day on 4 January has passed, I can better balance book promotion with actual book writing. The second book, which I’m calling Highland Seer, is with my editor and I’m hoping for a late 2013 release date for it. In the meantime, I’m writing the third book, which I’m calling Highland Troth. Then I plan to get going on a romantic suspense novel that I began during a retreat my publisher held back in October.

Where can we find you on the web?

www.willablair.com
www.facebook.com/willablair 
www.twitter.com/willablair 

Is there anything you would like to ask our readers? 

I’d love to know what makes a book memorable to your readers. What elements of a romance really draw them in and stick with them?


January 6, 2013

Blog of the Year Award

Woot! I was nominated a second time! I now have 2 stars! 


I am thrilled to have received this award from the very talented and totally awesome Vonnie Davis. Thank you my friend, for bestowing me with this honor and for your kind words. I can't tell you how much your words meant to me.

Readers, if you've never checked out Vonnie's blog, you should. http://vintagevonnie.blogspot.com/ Vonnie is a talented, generous writer who also has one of my favorite qualities in people - she's funny!

This award is unlike other awards that you can only add to your blog once. This award can be updated with additional stars. For every time your blog is nominated, you get to add an additional star.

There are a total of “6” stars to collect. Which means that you can check out your favorite blogs—and even if they have already been given the award by someone else—you can still make your opinion count and pass it on to them again and help them (or me) reach the maximum of “6” stars.

The rules of the award are simple:

1. Select the blogs you think deserve the 2012 Blog of the Year Award.

2. Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen—there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required and present them with this award.

3. Please include a link back to this page: Blog of the Year Award. http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/our-rewards/blog-of-the-year-award/ and include these rules in your post. (Please don’t alter the rules or the badge!)

4. Let the blogs(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the rules with them.

5. You can now join our Facebook page – click the link here. ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award (http://www.facebook.com/groups/BlogoftheYear/) and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience.

Here are the blogs I've chosen to receive this award:

Amie Louellen:  Amie Louellen and I met because we're both published with The Wild Rose Press, and bonded because we're both a little bit crazy. A fantastic friend and writer, I don't know where I'd be without Amie right there to shore me back up when I'm feeling down. She writes comedic romance, which I've always secretly wished I could pull off, and is one of the most supportive writers I know.

AJ Nuest:  What can I say about AJ Nuest...honestly, whenever I picture AJ, I see her in a cheerleading outfit. No, not because she runs around in one, LOL, but because she is probably the biggest cheerleader that the other TWRP authors have. She's always happy and supportive - the bright, sunny spot in the publishing world.

Vonnie Davis:  The rules state I'm allowed to return the favor so I'm going to. Vonnie Davis stated that I'm the author she wants to be when she grows up, well, she's the person I want to be when I grow up. Positive, supportive, generous, funny, an awesome grandma...I could go on and on. Vonnie goes out of her way to make authors feel great about themselves and their writing, and I'm betting that she does the same with the non-authors in her world. One of these days I'll have the pleasure of meeting with Vonnie in person - I look forward to it!



January 1, 2013

Wonderful New Review!

A wonderful new review to ring in the new year...

My book AFTER MIDNIGHT received a 5 cocktail review at Cocktails and Books. Thank you Marie! Here's my favorite part:

I am in love. This book was amazing. I would even go so far as to say that it was one of the best books that I read this year.

You can see the read of the review HERE.