My October–and how’s yours?
I’ve spent most of my October so far nose-deep in edits for my Montlake contemporary romance which is coming in April, 2015. This is the first time I’ve been through the editing process and it was grueling but very exciting. My editor was awesome and the insights she had really helped strengthen my book.
It’s amazing how someone else reading your book can see things you simply cannot. Because you are just too close!
My hero and heroine have both grown up in a fictional tourist town on a lake in Connecticut. I’m from the Midwest, and not from a lake-centric town, but I wanted to share a gem of where I am from–the Ohio and Erie Towpath trail in the Cuyahoga Valley Metroparks in Northeastern Ohio. It is the best biking ever, along paved or gravel trails which were once the trail for horses to tow boats on the Erie Canal.
As you can see, the bike path winds around the Cuyahoga River and it’s gorgeous!
Here’s a pic of Hubs riding through a little tunnel.
Amish country is about an hour away. We rode on trails there that used to be a railroad track but are now paved. Amish buggies can use half of the trail to travel on–so watch out for the horse poop!
Of course we had to stop for apples and pumpkins on the way home! Don’t eat the hedge apples, but did you know you can use them to repel insects? Who knew 🙂
Hope you’re having a great fall. The weather might suck sometimes here in Ohio as winter can last FORever, but there’s no denying our fall is beautiful. Back to edits!
Ella Sheridan’s Cover Reveal for Her Hot Romantic Suspense, Teach Me
My 2013 Golden Heart sister Ella Sheridan has a hot romantic suspense coming out on October 28. Check out her gorgeous cover reveal and read the excerpt!!!
Teach Me (Southern Nights Book One)
A woman determined to heal…
Shy researcher Jess Kingston spent the last eight weeks recovering from her ex-boyfriend’s brutal attack. Body healed, she’s ready to put her life back together—except her ex isn’t ready to let go. She won’t cower in a corner while Brit tortures her, but she’s powerless to fight back.
A man determined to resist…
Ex-military security specialist Conlan James avoids commitment like the plague. His job, his Harley, and the occasional one-night stand are all he needs, until the day he rescues Jess from a tense situation and realizes he can’t get her off his mind. He can teach her to protect herself, but protecting his heart is another matter.
A madman determined to win…
As the deadly game of cat-and-mouse with Brit heats up, so does the hunger between Con and Jess. Safety might be found in numbers, but in bed, all bets are off—and the wrong move could lead to heartbreak. Or death.
Preorder Links:
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Me-Southern-Nights-Book-ebook/dp/B00NW16WTC/ref=la_B00G3BYYN4_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411680673&sr=1-4
ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-teachme-1635417-149.html
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/teach-me-11
And here’s an excerpt:
What the hell are you doing here?
This wasn’t the first time in the last five minutes that Conlan had asked himself the same question. Maybe if he had an answer, the revolving door in his brain would stop spinning, but that didn’t seem likely. Not anytime soon. Not with the beautiful brunette he’d come to see sitting close enough that, if he let himself look, he could detect the light dusting of freckles across her nose. But he wasn’t looking, and he shouldn’t be here, so how had he ended up standing in line behind the thirtysomething latte league? It sure as hell wasn’t for the coffee.
Legs braced wide, he shifted from one hip to the other, the creak of his motorcycle chaps reminding him he could be enjoying a few extra minutes on the Harley before work instead of spending that precious time here, mooning over a woman. Doe Eyes. The first time he’d seen her all those months ago, he’d thought her eyes reminded him of sweet Georgia pecans and skittish does. The name stuck, as had the memory of her eyes—and a hundred other glimpses he shouldn’t have taken.
Another name called, another latte dispensed, another shuffle forward.
He hadn’t seen those eyes in eight weeks, and yet still he’d shown up every Monday, like clockwork, hoping for one more glimpse and calling himself an idiot. Wasn’t like he planned on asking her out. So why the hell did he torture himself with these weekly forays into enemy territory?
Sex. Or sex appeal, at least.
Another step closer to the counter. The move didn’t ease the constriction behind the zipper of his jeans. This was what she did to him, thinking about her. Especially now, after so long apart.
The thought had a snort escaping. Ahead of him, Mr. Suit and Tie startled and glanced over a shoulder, but Conlan ignored the look. He was too busy figuring out when “this” had become enough like a relationship in his head that he would think things like “after so long apart.” Doe Eyes might appear prominently in his thoughts from time to time—especially certain times—but he’d never seen her outside of this coffee shop. And he wouldn’t. A quick roll in the hay was one thing, but Doe Eyes wasn’t the kind of woman who had one-night stands. He could tell that much just by looking at her. She was a relationship kind of woman, and he was a relationship-phobic kind of guy. Which meant he seriously needed to get a grip—and not on the part of him growing even harder at the idea.
Idiot was right.
He should be at work. Southern summer heat brought out the crazies almost as well as full moons did, and JCL Security was feeling the impact, juggling cases like they had eight arms, which they didn’t. Too many sleepless nights had been spent at his office, especially with the Bennett case coming up. Just a couple more weeks before Thea Bennett had her bastard of a husband before a judge and hopefully out of her life, but the paper- and prep work to get the high-profile bastard there had been a bitch. He seriously needed to—
“Conlan, hey!”
For a passing moment he was convinced the voice belonged to the woman filling his thoughts. But when the high, candied voice called again, he realized it was coming from the counter. The cashier. Tonya, Tammy? Tracy? He couldn’t remember. She was blonde with a deep tan he would’ve deemed impossible in a landlocked city like Atlanta, the shade a stark contrast to her white smile. Stepping up, he threw her a grin. “Hey.”
She batted long lashes, almost hiding the way her glance slid down to the crotch of his jeans, framed in his leather chaps. “Long time, no see.”
He winked automatically. “It’s a long wait between Mondays.”
The girl giggled. “Your usual?”
“That’s right. Thanks,” he said, passing over a ten-dollar bill.
She made change, certain to caress his hand as she laid the money in his palm. Conlan was more interested in the dark Colombian roast another employee was walking toward them. High-octane all the way. The sight of the near-black brew had him salivating for something other than Doe Eyes for the first time that morning.
He reached the condiment counter just as his phone buzzed in his back pocket. Probably Jack. Retrieving the cell confirmed his suspicion.
Where the hell are you? his partner had texted.
Piss off, Con replied, a grin tugging at his lips. The irony that he’d spent too much time asking himself the very same question didn’t escape him. In a half hour he’d be at the office and they could both stop wondering.
With a little back-and-forth he managed to cram the phone back in his tight jeans. He glanced around absently, and his gaze snagged on a pair of amber-brown eyes that suddenly met his.
He froze.
Doe Eyes dropped her chin and shifted over the slightest bit, enough that her friend’s position blocked her from view, but not before he caught the blush coloring her creamy cheeks.
His cock banged against his zipper as if begging to be let out. The bite of pain caught his breath in his throat. Jesus, what the hell was he—
Don’t! Ask. Again. He knew what the hell he was doing here, and he needed to go; he really did. He needed to stop letting his dick run this show, grab his coffee, and get back to reality.
He was restless, that was all. He was a man who needed action. Needed to be doing something, anything, not sitting behind a desk like he’d been for weeks while prepping Thea’s case. Usually he worked off his frustration in a way that involved cool silk sheets and bare skin and satisfaction on both sides, but there’d been no damn time. Just his hand and the additional chafing it provided, which wasn’t near as effective—or satisfying. That had to be the reason he couldn’t stop thinking about his mystery woman.
Of course. That had to be it.
Popping the lid off his cardboard cup released the rich aroma of ground coffee beans into the air. He lifted his cup and blew across the hot liquid, the sound almost a sigh of relief. He was already reaching for the packets of sugar when black squiggles caught his eye. There. On the part of the paper sleeve now facing him, he could see a name and number were clearly written: Tiffany. A 470 area-code phone number.
So that was her name. Sounded like an eighties pop star. A glance over his shoulder found the cashier leaning across the bar where drinks were picked up, her mounded breasts shelved there, on display. Come back soon, she mouthed, her shoulders doing a little wiggle. On reflex, he threw her a grin, but her seemingly seductive move couldn’t pull his glance downward. His dick didn’t even twitch. Apparently only one thing could trigger his runaway libido this morning.
He added the sugar, trying to ignore the panic in his gut and his one-track mind. The latter was impossible. He wanted to know Doe Eyes’ name, her phone number. Were her breasts as full as they looked beneath that starched white button-down? Was her hair as soft as he swore it would be when he fisted it between his fingers?
He stirred a bit too vigorously, and coffee sloshed over the side of the cup.
Don’t look. Don’t. He realized he’d closed his eyes. A sigh escaped as he rubbed a thumb and finger against them, but as soon as the lids popped open, he searched for her. Had to see her. Felt his heartbeat pick up knowing she might meet his eyes.
He was so screwed—and smart enough to admit it. He let go, let the conflict and the churning in his gut and the tension cramping his muscles go. And then he looked toward her table.
It was empty.
“Well shit.”
He stood for a moment, cursing himself, the coffee, and everything else he could think of. When another customer stepped up behind him and cleared his throat, wanting access to the counter, Con grabbed his cup and headed out the door. On his way, he chucked the coffee in the trash without a single sip.
Author Bio:
Ella grew up in the Deep South, where books provided adventures, friends, and her first taste of romance. Now she writes her own romantic adventures, with plenty of hot alpha men and the women who love and challenge them. With a day job, a husband, two active teenagers, and two not so active cats, Ella is always busy, but getting the voices in her head down on paper is a top priority. Connect with Ella at www.ellasheridanauthor.com.
Author Website: www.ellasheridanauthor.com
Author Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/IJkRf
Author E-mail: ellasheridan.writer@gmail.com
Social Media Links:
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/ellasheridan
Facebook Author Page https://facebook.com/ellasheridanauthor
Twitter (@AuthorESheridan) https://twitter.com/AuthorESheridan
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350508.Ella_Sheridan
Publishing History:
Secrets To Hide Series –
- Loose Id http://www.loose-id.com/genres/series/secrets-to-hide.htm
- Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Ella-Sheridan/e/B00G3BYYN4/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
- B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/ella-sheridan
- ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=series&qString=Secrets+to+Hide
- Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=ella+sheridan
Dirty Little Secret (Book One)
Naughty Little Christmas (Book Two)
Just a Little More (Book Three)
Cover Reveal and Rafflecopter Giveaway for author AE Jones Golden Heart Winner Mindsweeper
I am so proud and honored to announce the cover reveal for my friend and fellow 2013 Golden Heart Winner AE Jones’ debut paranormal romance Mindsweeper, available now for preorder at amazon and kobo before its release on September 15. Here’s a teaser to show you how funny this book is (oh, and it’s also heartwarming–you will love Kyle!!!)…
Oh, and you can enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for an amazon gift card by clicking the link below.
2013 RWA Golden Heart® Winner, Mind Sweeper
An angel, a demon and a vampire walk into a bar. Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but it’s just another day in the life of Kyle McKinley.
Kyle was born with the ability to erase memories, and the inability to keep her opinions to herself. She and her teammates – a vampire who looks like a sexy pirate with fangs, and a Shamat demon with a penchant for Italian pastries – provide supernatural damage control when humans see too much. Today’s problem? A sword-wielding angel and a demon had a supernatural smackdown during happy hour in a Cleveland bar, leaving behind a headless vampire and a dozen human witnesses.
This latest supernatural slip-up is attracting all kinds of attention. So much attention that the police step in, and Kyle has to deal with Joe Dalton, a know-it-all human with the sexiest turquoise eyes she has ever seen. Kyle has no room in her life for yet another human who will treat her like a freak. However, Dalton definitely makes her naughty parts sit up and take notice, and it’s more than mutual. But before they can act on their attraction, they must join forces to solve a dangerous puzzle. And when they uncover the truth, the apocalyptic ripple effect forces Kyle to make a choice. Learn to trust again, or risk losing everyone she cares about, including Dalton.
And now for the cover reveal up close!!!
About A. E. Jones
Growing up a TV junkie, award winning author AE Jones oftentimes rewrote endings of episodes in her head when she didn’t like the outcome. She immersed herself in sci-fi and soap operas. But when Buffy hit the little screen she knew her true love was paranormal. Now she spends her nights weaving stories about all variation of supernatural—their angst and their humor. After all life is about both…whether you sport fangs or not.
AE lives in Ohio with her eclectic family and friends who in no way resembles any characters in her books. Honest. Now her two cats are another story altogether.
Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway to win an Amazon gift card.
Cover Reveal for Author Amy Patrick’s CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING Out August 12!
Writing Process Blog Tour
What am I currently working on?
I’m working on first-round edits for the first of three books I sold to Entangled Indulgence, about a woman who wins her venture capitalist ex-lover in a charity bachelor auction and drags him (quite unwillingly) back home to their small town in order to thwart his hostile takeover of her family’s shoe company. Mayhem ensues–but it might just turn into a joint venture of the heart. There’s a family feud, two crotchety grandparents, and some small town craziness before these two people who can’t keep their hands off each other finally get together. No release date yet, but stay tuned!
I love books with deep emotion and a lot of smart humor and sass. I work really hard to get those qualities into my work. We’ll see how well I succeeded!
So thanks for stopping by. Does anyone have any other advice for writers pursuing publication, traditional or otherwise?
Can he satisfy his craving without losing his heart?