Furbaby Friday with Luanna Stewart!

Welcome fellow Wild Rose Press Author Luanna Stewart, here to share her new historical romance, Love and Redemption, and her feline furbabies.

Luanna: I love black cats and I cannot lie. Mogget is our first ever and she is gorgeous, completely black except for a teeny, tiny patch of white on her belly. Now that she’s getting on in years, she has a few grey hairs on her chin. But, hey, who amongst us doesn’t, right?

My husband, the family photographer, frequently complains about the challenges inherent in photographing an all-black cat in low light. However, since I rarely have that challenge, I love that Mogget can almost disappear until she opens her glorious golden eyes.

She is the matriarch and lets us know when we’ve fallen down on our jobs of taking care of her every need. Her eyes are quite expressive and can nail you to the spot.

When she’s pleased, she’ll talk and talk and talk. When I walk into her room, by which I mean any room she’s in, she says hello, followed by a long sentence, which I frequently translate as, “the level of kibble in my bowl has fallen by a millimetre – take care of it!”

Bruno is our tuxedo cat, much easier to photograph. He’s forever a teenage boy, bashing and banging and roughhousing – and can sleep like the dead. All cats are good sleepers but Bruno sleeeeeps. He enjoys his outdoor time and in the summer presents us with a shrew or a vole with disturbing regularity. No worries, 75% of the time the critter is not deceased and escapes to live a long, fruitful life.

A brief note about their names. We adopted Bruno when we lived in Brunswick and I wanted a name for him that reflected his birthplace. When I was a little girl, I got a kitten from a litter of barn cats in Tiverton and I named her Tivi. So it’s a “thing” with me.

Mogget’s name is taken from a YA fantasy series, The Abhorsen, by Garth Nix that our two boys enjoyed as youngsters. The cat in the story was all white, and I believe a male, and he needed to wear a bell around his neck at all times, otherwise…well, I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. Let’s just say, it’s not pleasant.

How did you arrive at your pet’s names? What is their most dominant personality quirk?

Love and Redemption Blurb:

Mary Taylor abandoned her silk gowns and sparkling jewels when she quit her position as one of London’s highly prized courtesans. She’s determined to earn her living with a paintbrush rather than between the sheets. Starting fresh in a new country, she masquerades as a widow running a tearoom in Halifax while perfecting her art. But when she’s hired to finish the portrait of a handsome judge, she risks everything by surrendering to her lustful craving.

Finton Morash, youngest judge on the Queen’s bench, believes people are either good or bad. The dowdy widow painting his portrait is surely one of the former. After discovering the sensual beauty hiding beneath shapeless gowns, he wonders at her other secrets.

When whispers circulate about Mary’s nefarious past, she must find the courage to face the consequences. And Finton must decide whether love is worth the risk.

Buy links:

Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/Love-Redemption-Luanna-Stewart-ebook/dp/B07NYFQXGN

Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/Love-Redemption-Luanna-Stewart-ebook/dp/B07NYFQXGN

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Redemption-Luanna-Stewart-ebook/dp/B07NYFQXGN

Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/Love-Redemption-Luanna-Stewart-ebook/dp/B07NYFQXGN

Nook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130823749?ean=2940161420393

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-and-redemption

Excerpt:
Mary glanced around before leaning closer still. “You are the most exciting thing to happen here in quite some time.”
“Am I indeed? Exciting?”
She silently cursed her fair skin, surely bright pink. One would think that after earning her living by flirting, teasing, and more, she would be comfortable with such talk. This man wasn’t paying for the privilege of her company, though, and there lay the difference. She stared at the painting as if she’d never seen it before. “Back to important matters. Please don’t feel—”
“I want to purchase this painting. It will brighten a corner of my library. Every time I weary of opinions and laws I’ll look at this and imagine myself at ease surrounded by the beauty of nature.” He carefully lifted the small canvas from the wall. “I see you’ve signed it with only your surname. Why is that?”
“I believe it will be easier to make my way in the artistic world if I keep my sex hidden. Women are often judged to be idly pursuing a hobby and are seldom taken seriously.”
“Hm…Would you mind signing your full name on the back? That way my heirs will know they have one of the first by a famous artist.”
She chuckled. “Where is the honesty you hold so dear?”
Though his expression remained unchanged she detected a twinkle in his eye. Unbidden came the wish that she was indeed a respectable widow, able to pursue a friendship with this exciting man without fear of discovery.
Enough. Her “if only’s” would soon fill her largest tea urn. She had much to be grateful for. She’d come to Halifax to start anew. If that meant leaving behind physical desire then so be it. Celibacy was a small price to pay for a life free of shame.

Author Biography:

Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. As soon as she discovered her grandmother’s stash of romance novels, all plots had to lead to a happily-ever-after.
Luanna writes full time, concentrating on sexy romantic suspense, steamy paranormal romance, and spicy historical romance.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Luanna has recently returned to the land of her birth with her dear husband and two spoiled cats. When she’s not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious.

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.luannastewart.com/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/luanna-stewart
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Luanna_Stewart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuannaStewartAuthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/luannastewart/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14104212.Luanna_Stewart
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/luanna_stewart

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave Luanna a comment.

Furbaby Friday With Barbara Bettis!

A warm welcome to fellow Wild Rose Press Author Barbara Bettis. Barbara is sharing her grand-furbaby and her medieval romance, For This Knight Only.

Barbara: For as long as I can remember growing up, I had furbabies. Living in the country, I had kittens and dogs. We just never NOT had a furry pet. Unfortunately, over the years, I’ve had to give them up for one reason or another. My last was a beautiful Australian shepherd who loved to ‘herd’ my husband and me on our daily walks.

These days, I have adorable furgrand-babies. The one I’d like to share with you is a mix, with the look of a miniature pinscher. Black with brown touches, he’s called Cocoa. (I had photos of him but I couldn’t get them downloaded from my phone for some reason, so I borrowed a shot from online to give you an idea of what he’s like. Just picture this sweetie with black and brown coloring.)
That’s Cocoa. Faster than a speeding bullet.

He and I had a getting-to-know-you period when he was young. He’d greet me at the front door, and it became a game (to him!) to see if he could slip past me before I could get in. I’ll long remember the first time he was successful. My grandson and granddaughter weren’t home from school yet, and there I was, all alone, searching the neighborhood for Cocoa after he darted between my legs. I was sick with apprehension that I’d lost their dearly beloved pet. It was a fun game—he’d race from one yard to another, me right behind. He’d stop and watch and as soon as I got close, he’d yip and dash off again, out of sight.

Finally, some neighbors helped corral him, and I got him back inside. I was exhausted. He was ready to play with his favorite toy, a tennis ball. In those days, he’d jump on my lap and bounce around, yipping, trying to lure me into some mischief—like giving him too many treats. (Hey, grandmas can spoil grandpets, too!)

Now he (and I) have slowed down a bit. He still greets me at the front door before I even open it, this time with his tennis ball in his mouth. He leads me up the stairs where he drops the ball and jumps up and down in welcome, then stands, watching expectantly for me to play fetch. He wears out a lot sooner, though. These days, he even climbs (no jumping now) on my lap to actually lie down and rest. I’d like to think I’ve trained him to do that. But both of us know who trained whom.

I miss having my own furbaby. Now that I’ve retired, I’ve been thinking of getting another dog (unfortunately I’m allergic to cats.) I haven’t settled on the breed yet, although I have a fondness for greyhounds. A friend has a pair of retired racing greyhounds. I asked her if they were a problem to manage. She said no. The only running they do now is racing her to the couch. I could love a dog like that 

My latest release is a medieval romance, For This Knight Only.

Blurb:

He’ll do anything for land, even marry her; she’ll do anything for her people, except marry him. If only either had a choice. It’s a marriage only love can save.
Sir Roark will do anything to gain land, even beguile an unwilling lady into marriage. He knows she’s much better off with a man to take control of her besieged castle, to say nothing of her desirable person. But it isn’t long before he discovers that, although her eyes sparkle like sunlight on sea waves, her stubbornness alone could have defeated Saladin.

Lady Alyss is determined to hold her family’s castle, protect her people, and preserve her freedom— until her brother’s dying wish binds her to a stranger. Still, she’ll allow no rugged, over-confident, appealing knight to usurp her authority, even if she must wed him. Especially since he thinks a lady’s duties begin and end with directing servants. Alyss has a few surprises for her new all-too-tempting lord.

But when a common enemy threatens everything, Roark and Alyss face a startling revelation. Without love, neither land nor freedom matters.

Check it out here
https://amzn.to/2Xlzynj

Author Bio:

Award-winning author Barbara Bettis has always loved history and English. As a college freshman, she considered becoming an archeologist until she realized there likely would be bugs and snakes involved. And math. Through careers as a newspaper reporter and editor, then a college journalism and English professor, she’s retained her fascination with history. Give her a research book and a pot of tea, and she’s happy for hours. But what really makes her smile is working on a new story. Now retired, she lives in Missouri where she spins tales of heroines to die for—and heroes to live for.

Find Barb Here:

Bookbub Facebook Twitter Blog/Website

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave Barbara a comment.

Furbaby Friday with C. Becker!

Welcome C. Becker (Colleen) and her beloved furbaby. Colleen is also sharing her new release, a suspense published by The Wild Rose Press, Finding Euphoria.

Colleen: Thank you Beth for hosting me.
The biggest and best decision my husband and I ever made (other than having kids) was the addition of our Jack Russell dog, Brownie, to the family. We adopted him seven years ago, after enduring years of kids pleading to get a family dog. When I realized how deeply my youngest son was praying for a dog, I agreed. Once my husband and I made the decision to adopt, choosing a family pet suitable for our family couldn’t have been easier. We went to a house where the family was selling five-month old puppies. Brownie’s siblings ran around us, barking. Of all the dogs, Brownie was the only one who went up to my youngest daughter. He sort of just stayed next to her and didn’t bark. Like he was saying, “Take me.” His behavior sold me. We brought him home, and he took control of the house—in a good way.

Brownie is happiest when everyone is home. When the kids leave for school and college, his tail goes down, and he “knows” he’ll be alone for a while. If I’m home during the day, he’ll sleep on the couch while I work writing at the computer. When I stand up, he takes his cue that it’s time to play. He is great playing catch with his ball and he loves the dog park.

He sleeps with all the kids, rotating during the night, in different rooms. Whom Brownie sleeps with at night is always a focus around the breakfast table.
Jack Russells are known for being highly energetic animals. Brownie loves to run and at any time, can go wild, running in circles around the house. My youngest daughter takes him for 4-5 mile walks every day so he stays healthy and fit. He could walk all day, sniffing the air and everything around him. He’s also extremely protective, barking to let us know of any visitor at the door. He recognizes the sound of our cars driving down the neighborhood.

An intelligent animal, Brownie knows a few tricks, but he has trained us to let us know when he wants to eat and drink, go to the bathroom, play ball, and have a snack. His latest trick is holding off relieving his bladder in the morning until someone takes him for a long walk outside. He loves to have his belly rubbed and to snuggle up with anyone who is sitting or lying down. He enjoys attention, but has brought more love and happiness to our household than we could have ever imagined. The kids recently nicknamed him Bub, because “He’s such a Bub.” Through a unanimous vote, my novel is dedicated to him.

Finding Euphoria is a suspense novel published by The Wild Rose Press. The rating is PG-13.

BLURB:

Hailey Langley refuses to be a victim and has moved on from her traumatic past. But her marriage problems worsen when a deadly illicit drug threatens to draw her into the life she left behind.

Mark Langley has allowed his job to interfere with his marriage, but he never suspected the secrets in Hailey’s past might hold the key to solving both of his current investigations.
Together, they must unravel the mystery of the drug called Euphoria and find a way to save not only their marriage, but countless lives, before it’s too late.

EXCERPT:
He turned the bottle around in his hand and set it on the end table. “Don’t put me in this position. You know what would happen. Grace is his mother. She’s the one who needs to stay with him.”
Regret tugged at her heart. “I wouldn’t take any time away from her.”
Parker groaned. “Just you being there would make her feel uncomfortable.”
“Why?”
“You know why.”
“But I’ve stayed away for seventeen years,” she whispered.
“That was the adoption arrangement.”
She bit her lip. “I can’t stay away any longer.”
“You agreed to those terms in the contract. You terminated all parental rights.” Parker stood and paced to the kitchen.
“But it’s not fair!” She put down her water and began wringing her hands.
Straightening his arms, he leaned against the bar. “Hailey, please don’t start. I know how you feel…”
“You couldn’t possibly know how I feel. I need to see him.” She fought to control the bitterness in her voice.
“No.”
She rose, knocking over the water bottle. “He’s my son!”
“Not anymore, he isn’t.”
The rebuke stung. “He’ll always be my son!”
“When you gave him up, you promised to keep your distance.”
“I have.”
“Forever.”
The reminder lanced her heart. “You’re being unfair. He’s dying.”
He slammed his fist on the bar. “Don’t say that. He can’t die.” Parker pushed himself up and stomped near the window, raising his hands to rest on top of his head as he faced the curtain.
A muscle twitched in her hand. Her knees buckled. She sat on the edge of the couch, wringing her hands. “I was young. I couldn’t give Justin the life he deserved. I’m not asking to take him back. I only want to see him.”
Rubbing his jaw, he walked back to the couch and sat. The hard lines on his face softened. “The adoption papers were clear. No contact.” He placed his hands on top of hers and stilled them. “If the decision was mine, I would allow it, but Grace would lose it if she found out you’re Justin’s biological mother.”
Her hands squeezed into tight fists. The urge was unbearable. “I wouldn’t tell her.”
Parker ran a hand through his hair. “Argh! Don’t you understand? She’d take one look at your face and know the truth. Don’t forget, you’re the one who wanted us to protect him.”
She stood. “Well, you did a hell of a fine job, didn’t you? You divorced Grace and deserted him. Parenting takes sacrifice, Parker. You were too busy changing careers, and now he’s messed up with drugs. How did that protect him?”
Standing, he reached for her.
“No. You stay away from me.” She extended her hands and backed up a step. “Justin’s dying! Dying, Parker! And I don’t know him…You won’t let me see my own son.”
He wrapped his arms around her.
She pushed him, pummeling her fists against his chest with all her strength.
He silently took his beating.

BUY LINKS:

Finding Euphoria at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Euphoria-C-Becker-ebook/dp/B07NPX6ZBL
At Apple itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/finding-euphoria/id1453326981?_bbid=11795784&mt=11
At Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130573850?ean=2940161287873

SOCIAL LINKS:
C.Becker website
Facebook C.Becker Author
Twitter C. Becker author
Amazon Author Page C. Becker

Author Bio: A native of western Pennsylvania, C. Becker earned a B.S. degree in Medical Technology and MT (ASCP) certification. She has worked in clinical settings analyzing body fluids and testing drugs of abuse. As an author, C. Becker has published multiple stories in various genres.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave Colleen a comment.

Furbaby Friday with Mona Sedrak!

Welcome Mona and her dear little furbaby. Mona is also sharing her contemporary romance/family life fiction novel, Six Months.

Mona:

Our newest addition to the family is a teeny tiny, now 8 ½ week old Morkie. Lucky is about 1 lb and will be between 4-6 lbs when fully grown. When we went to the farm to choose him, I wanted the quietest, most timid creature they had. I found Lucky hiding behind a large plant by himself, shaking. He was terrified and docile. The breeder swore he would fit in with our geriatric Maltipoo well due to his timid nature. She lied. Twenty-four hours after Lucky came home, he unleashed his true personality. Lucky is not timid, shy, docile, or quiet. There are days I call him Beelzebub and that is when I am feeling kind.

Because he is so tiny, I have stumbled and tripped over him. All my pants and pajama bottoms have holes where he sinks his teeth in and holds on as I drag him from room to room. I have lost him under the sofa, ottoman, bed, and once, in the refrigerator…don’t ask.

He has shredded the underside of my new family room furniture, peed all over my cream carpets, and eaten a ridiculous amount of my grand-daughters stuffed animals. He dives off furniture, launches from couch to chair to table. Like an ape, he has climbed the baby gate I use to keep him in the bathroom so I don’t have to kennel him when I’m gone. Lucky has destroyed my house, furniture, and clothes, but none of that matters because he has stolen my heart.~

Six Months Blurb:

For twenty years, Mikala Jacobson had it all: loyal friends, a precious little girl, and a man who adores her. Then double tragedy strikes and her perfect world shatters.

Good friends, Rena and Jake are instantly by her side, protecting her from her husband David’s sordid secret life and his final drunken confession.
With their help, Mikala finds strength to rebuild and redefine her life. As her spirit and heart heal, she not only finds closure, but the beauty of a new love built upon an old friendship.

Six Months – Excerpt
Wandering from room to room, she memorized every detail of the life she and David built––the family photos lining the mantel, the hand-carved jewelry box David bought her on their honeymoon in Salzburg, and Molly’s tea set arranged on the coffee table for evening tea. A cold, hollow ache took residence in her belly where the knot of dread made its appearance that morning. The sensation expanded with alarming speed, dug in deep, and planted roots. Like an unwanted guest appearing without warning and bringing too many bags for just a brief visit, sorrow moved in, shifted, and stretched then got comfortable for the long haul.
When the house line rang, Mikala froze, and her gaze darted to the cordless on the couch. Her breath stuttered. Her heart seized. Clarity forced its way past the tentacles of sheer terror strangling, dominating, and paralyzing her. She shook her head and took a step forward, only to be hit by a wave of dizziness and nausea so tremendous, she doubled over wrapping her arms around her womb. Mikala’s entire being, inside and out, shook as her heart tumbled about in her chest without a set time, tempo, or rhythm. Her breaths grew shallow and choppy, and her legs turned to rubber. The cord tethering Molly to her and this world had been severed.
The telephone rang four times before Mikala forced her body to cooperate. God, she hadn’t wanted to answer. She hadn’t wanted to know. She’d even considered not answering, protecting herself and her beautiful family from the annihilation of their world.
People said she was strong––the strongest woman they knew. They said in time she would heal. She would build another life. And God didn’t give you more than you could handle. People were idiots. They had no idea how in her head she raged. She howled, and shrieked, and wailed…and begged, and pleaded for mercy. All day. All night. Every day. Every night.

Amazon: https://goo.gl/gRmsMr
Kobo: https://goo.gl/ovXr3A
B&N: https://goo.gl/bQfNL1
Ibooks: https://goo.gl/yD7qfX

Author bio:
Mona Sedrak lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and works as a university administrator and professor. Although she has co-published two academic books, she is now writing mainstream fiction and women’s fiction. She is an avid reader and is probably Audible’s best customer. Writing and reading fiction is her escape from reality.

Mona lives with her husband of 31 years, a geriatric maltipoo, and an Amazon Parrot named Pretzel. She binge watches too many shows to count and she loves fine brandy.

Website: https://www.monasedrak.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mona-Sedrak/e/B003VGUOZQ
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMSedrak

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4563964.Mona_Sedrak
Email: AuthorMonaSedrak@gmail.com
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/h1a1s0
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormonasedrak/
Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MonasReaderGroup/

Thanks for stopping by! Pleas leave Mona a comment.

Furbaby Friday With Julie Howard!

I’m glad to welcome Julie Howard to the blog to share her precious furbabies and her recent release, Spirited Quest, a mystery with a paranormal twist.

Julie: I’ve had several longtime furbabies in my life, from childhood through present. I’ll be honest here – they don’t rank up there with my children, but they are mighty darn close! My love of dogs has passed down to my two adult kids, something that is so rewarding to me. This means, of course, that now I have fur-grandbabies!

Gem is a Goldendoodle and wiggled her way into my heart from our first meeting. We’ve gone on trips together, and she comes for sleepovers when my daughter travels. She’s a great pal to my own 12-year-old puppy, a Sheltie named Patch. Gem is incredibly smart and insists on sitting up front in the passenger seat when we go somewhere. I do believe she thinks she’s human.

Holly is a one-year old Berniedoodle (St. Bernard and Golden Retriever mix),and yes, she’s BIG. She also has a huge heart and is a bundle of love, goofiness and gallons of St. Bernard slobber. I fell in love with her at first sight. My son and his girlfriend are having a blast with their furbaby and I am so proud of this new fur-grandbaby in our family.

I never forget my own fellow, though. Patch is my constant companion, quiet and gentle. He follows me from room to room, and greets me at the door when I return each day. My friend is getting old and a little slower now, and I appreciate every day we have together.

My latest release is Spirited Quest, a mystery with paranormal twist. The book is part of the Deerbourne Inn series, all stand-alone books about a fictional small town and residents in Vermont. I hope you enjoy reading about this mystery.

Blurb:
Paige Norman believes in a tangible, explainable world. When her ghost-hunting niece comes for a visit, she tries not to scoff. But someone, or something, is stirring up trouble at the Deerbourne Inn and her niece, Jillian, is at the center of the mystery.

Paige is certain the handsome Aussie photographer is behind the unexplained disturbances, and she warns her niece to stay clear. Meanwhile, Jillian gets to know the otherworldly Lady of the Deerbourne, who foretells an encounter with “two men.” Then the pranks turn dangerous. Has her niece attracted a stalker or has she conjured an evil presence? Can the culprit be the man who has captured her heart?

Excerpt:

He nodded a friendly greeting to her, his gaze grazing past to include others on the porch. “G’day, ma’am. G’day all.”
An Australian. Her heart skipped a beat. Oh, to be twenty-five, even thirty-five, again. His gaze settled on her niece, and as always happened to men where this girl was concerned, his jaw slackened, then tightened.
Next to her, Jillian grew still, lifting wide blue eyes to the newcomer. The moment passed. He was through the front door and into the lobby, and the door closed behind him.
“You’re in for some nice company this week,” Paige commented with a smile.
A frown flickered across her niece’s face. “I’ve seen him before.”
“You’ve met?”
“Not exactly. He appeared to me in a dream.” Jillian’s blue eyes were troubled as she gazed at the Inn’s front door. She lifted one hand and rubbed the back of her head, then gave a shiver. “There was blood and I was afraid.”

Bio:
Julie Howard is the author of “Crime and Paradise” and “Crime Times Two.” She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.

Author Links:

Website: http://juliemhoward.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/juliemhowardauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07D6CS4NQ

Buy Links for Spirited Quest:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2U1Q61b

IBooks: https://apple.co/2FPadg1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirited-quest-julie-howard/1130412180?ean=2940161285923

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave Julie a comment.

Furbaby Friday with Sandra Dailey!

A warm welcome to Sandra and her dear little dog. Sandra is also sharing her new release with us,  a romantic suspense, The Co-Parent Project.

Sandra: I wish you could meet my furbaby, Archie. He’s a small, black and white terrier mix about seven-years-old. He was given to me by my sister four years ago. He’s quiet, well-behaved, and follows me everywhere.

Archie and I went through a scary time at the beginning of the year. He developed a bad cough and sneezing fits. I thought it was a cold. Still, I wanted to have him checked out. I made several attempts to contact his vet, to no avail. I decided it was time to find someone else.

After two hours of exams, tests, and x-rays with his new vet, I found out my little buddy was in big trouble. He had an abscessed tooth that had breached his sinus cavity, (the sneezing). Having a dental background I knew this could be fatal. He needed surgery.

His new vet was concerned about putting him under because of his loud heart murmur. Why hadn’t I been told he had a heart murmur by his old vet? A chest x-ray showed his heart wasn’t swollen, but he had a soft tissue collapse in his trachea, (the coughing). She could do the surgery, but I was ordered not to allow him to wear a collar ever again—more information I wish I’d had earlier.
The surgery was a success. But the month that followed was a challenge. We both love his new vet. It makes me wonder, though. Where would we be now if his old vet had answered her phone?

Interesting fact about Archie—he loves wearing clothes—sweaters, shirts, jackets, or just a bandana on hot days.

The Co-Parent Project

Parenting style won’t matter if they don’t all survive.

Blurb:
Luca Wolff and Joy Sullivan are competing for guardianship of their estranged, teenage nephew, Eric, after his parents are killed in a plane crash. Evidence shows the crash wasn’t an accident. Neither was a recent explosion that destroyed Luca’s house. When a fire is intentionally set in Joy’s home, suspicion points to Eric–and that’s not the end of their trouble.

Eric has been in his share of mischief, but now he has a chance to clean up his reputation. That’s hard to do when the only people who believe in you are the ones you’re accused of targeting. Just as Luca and Joy give in to romance, new information comes to light that could tear them apart along with Eric’s dream for a happy family. The three have to set aside their grief, personal issues, and disagreements to figure out who is out to kill them…and why.

Excerpt:
As soon as he walked through the door the smell of chemicals nearly drove him back outside. The odor was so strong it made his eyes water. He couldn’t take it anymore. “How can you live with the constant stench in this house?”

“I’m sorry. Mrs. Erving needed a perm today.” Joy walked in through the kitchen door carrying a squeeze bottle of mustard. “I was just making lunch. Would you like a ham and cheese sandwich?”

“No thanks,” he snarled. “All I’d be able to taste is that nasty smell.”

“How can you taste a smell?”

“You’d know if your olfactory receptors weren’t burned away. That stuff has got to cause brain damage.”

“Do you plan to claim it as a way to get Eric away from me? I wouldn’t put anything past a Wolff.”

Buy Links:
Wild Rose Press: https://bit.ly/2EmYPGj
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NocQ9P
Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/2IrWA8V

Author Bio:
From childhood I’ve moved from place to place, from Indiana to Florida, stopping in several places in between. I also moved from job to job; as a waitress, soldier, retail manager, dental assistant, etc… The one thing I never had to leave behind was my imagination. Storytelling has always been my favorite way to pass time. I’ve often been told I should write a book. Finally, I did. It was so much fun: I felt I must write more, so I have. I’ve been a student of Long Ridge Writers Group and once won a short story contest with Harlequin. I currently live in North Florida with my husband, whom I torture with crazy story lines and half written manuscripts.

Contact Info:
Website/Blog: http://www.sandradailey.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sandradailey.author
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sdaileyauthor
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/sandradailey
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6551048.Sandra_Dailey

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave Sandra a comment.

Furbaby Friday with Danielle Morrone!

I am happy to have Danielle here to share her wonderful dog and her upcoming YA fantasy release from The Wild Rose Press, The New Apprentice, Book One of The Krane Chronicles, co-authored with her father.

Danielle: After 11 years of having a dog, I didn’t know how not to, and I didn’t really want to find out.
When I lost my boxer Molly in my sophomore year of college, I was lost. Despite college being a terrible time to take on the responsibility of a boxer puppy, renown for their high energy levels, I made the decision to love my Luna, or, depending on her mood, Lunatic. Born on Valentine’s Day, Luna is the craziest of her litter, and while my mother called dibs on her littermate Leo, I chose the only white boxer of the litter.

To anyone familiar with boxers, this might seem like a crazy idea. Boxers were initially German hunting dogs, which is something I find laughable as today they are lovers and not fighters. They have been selectively bred over the years for their smooshed snouts and playful personalities. White boxers make up about 25 percent of every litter of boxers, and are notorious for having health complications, including blindness and deafness. Because of this, no one really wants them. I have grown up with boxers, both brindles and another white boxer, and from day one I was ready to love this little fur baby and whatever challenges she presented.

Well, my little spitfire is in wonderful health, and the only issue with her hearing is that it’s extremely selective. Luna remains insane at one year old. She loves to run and combine fetch and tug-o-war into one game. She insists on bringing a toy on walks but will drop said toy to chase a leaf blowing in the wind. She’s a complete goof, spoiled rotten, and the biggest love. Her favorite way to sleep is curled up on me, and there’s no better way to start every day than when she crawls onto my chest to give me love. I remember the day I finally got to take her home, I picked her up and she wrapped her arms around me in a hug and refused to let go. She knew from the first moment that she was mine, and I was hers.

Oh, I am hers. Luna is the queen of my house, and she knows it. She has me trained to give her an ice cube every time I go into the freezer, and hogs both the couch and bed. She is best buddies with my sister’s 10-year-old black lab mix Toby. Is it easy to edit or do homework with a dog laying on my laptop? Nope. Does she care? Absolutely not. It’s hard to be mad when she’s so darn cute, and is it really possible to feel anything other than pure joy when you see a boxer baby bouncing down the hall to you?

There’s a reason boxers are said to be one of the best family dogs there are. They’re sweet but sassy, protective but never vicious. Their temperament makes them the perfect best friends for small children and adults alike.

Luna would have a ball playing with all the animals in Barnabus Krane’s bookstore in The New Apprentice, the first book of The Krane Chronicles that I am co-authoring with my father Vincent Morrone.

The New Apprentice:
For fourteen years, Z has wondered where she came from, why strange things occur around her, and what happened to her family. When she runs into an old bookstore to hide from a horde of school bullies, she starts to find the answers with the cantankerous owner, Barnabus Krane.

Barnabus becomes her guardian, her magical instructor, and the family she’s never had. He teaches her how to bring out the magic from within her ‘Ka’ and about the mystical world she never knew existed. But Barnabus also hides secrets. His connection to her past, his hunt for the warlock Blackwell, and the darkness that threatens to consume them all.
The hardest lesson for Z to learn is to trust in her bond with Barnabus and believe that their relationship goes beyond family. For he’s not just another magician. He is the Grand Master Sorcerer, and Z is the New Apprentice.

Excerpt:
Barnabus shot me a grin. “What do you think?”
“I’m gonna learn how to do that?”
“And more.” He turned to face me. “So, Parthenia Zogopoulos.” He ignored my wince at his use of my full name. “I would like to make you my apprentice.” He held up a hand to hold off my reaction. “The bond between a teacher and apprentice is extraordinarily special. It’s very strong and intimate in a way you’ve never experienced before. The two become family. You have to be sure you’re ready to make that commitment.”
I gave him an amused look and ignored my pounding heart. “Is this a marriage or an offer to teach me?”
Barnabus scowled. “I’m serious. Will you let me use my magic to grow yours, teach you my secrets, and guide you on your journey?”
I gulped. This was real, this offer, not like all the empty promises I’d been dished out over the years at each new temporary home. This was so much more. I tried to find the words to match it, but I had nothing.
Finally, I managed one word. “Yes.”
Barnabus nodded and held up his right hand, then placed his index and middle finger on my temple. I felt a warm sensation flood through me, racing through my body and making my veins tingle. I felt tears come to my eyes as it washed over me. It felt like something I had never had before.
It was love. Family. For the first time, I was home.

Author’s Bios:
Danielle Morrone insists that the minute and a half time difference between her and her twin sister doesn’t count. She is currently a full time college student studying psychology and creative writing. Danielle has been writing for most of her childhood, and began working on The Krane Chronicles with her father at age fifteen. When not lost in the musings of her own creations, you can find her acting as her boxer puppy’s personal chew toy or training in capoeira. Life might be hectic, but not so much that there’s no time to keep in touch with loyal readers. Drop a question or comment for Danielle at morronedanielle4@gmail.com any time. She’s in college. She’s awake to answer.

Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, Vincent Morrone now resides in Upstate NY with his wife. (Although he can still speak fluent Brooklynese.) His twin daughters remain not only his biggest fans, but usually are the first to read all of his work. Their home is run and operated for the comfort and convenience of their dogs.
Vincent has been writing fiction, poetry and song lyrics for as long as he can remember, most of which involve magical misfits, paranormal prodigies and even on occasion superheroes and their sidekicks.
As they say in Brooklyn: Yo, you got something to say to Vincent? Check out http://vincentmorrone.com/ where you can learn about Vincent and leave him a comment.

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave Danielle a comment.

Furbaby Friday with Laura Boon!

I’m glad to have Laura here to share her darling little dog and her contemporary romance, The Millionaire Mountain Climber.

During a year of ups and downs, the very best thing about 2018 was the entry of little Beau into our lives. He’s a Pekingese we rehomed from a neighbor whose lifestyle changed. He didn’t want two-year-old Beau any more, but he didn’t want him to end up at the RSPCA either. Enter lucky us.

We haven’t had a dog for about ten years because we’d been living in an apartment. Then we moved into a townhouse with a small yard, and I started to work from home. The door opened, the universe conspired, and Beauzie came to live with us.

Initially, he was understandably nervous. Seven months later, he’s the prince of our small kingdom and has a spot in every room that he considers his own. He has completely won over my husband who had thought he was a big dog fan.

I didn’t know much about Pekes when he arrived, so naturally I had to buy a book or two to read up about them. I discovered they were royal dogs in China who made their way to England as a result of England’s defeat of China during the 19th century Opium Wars. Two were given to Queen Victoria. From there, they conquered the world.

They were selectively bred to enhance their flat faces with the wrinkle and little legs, supposedly to stop them running away. Ha. Beau can run like the wind – when he feels like it. He’s equally good at sitting tight. You’d be surprised how tough it can be to get a little dog of around fifteen pounds to move along when he’d rather stay and chat to a new doggie friend.

He is both stubborn and sweet, a picky eater who personifies the phrase ‘turn your nose up at…’ when he doesn’t wish to eat something. He plays the court jester with aplomb and loves to stretch his long back while lying down, his little forelegs scrabbling through the air and his tail and head almost touching. Naturally he requires his human minder to tickle his tummy during this process. I think he’s double jointed. I didn’t know this was a dog trait, but he loves to flop down mid-stride, one leg forward one leg folded underneath him. Oh, to be that flexible!

Pekes who are show dogs have extremely long coats. While it is cute, it is cruel during an Australian summer, like expecting a human to wear a fur coat in forty-degree heat. We keep Beauzie’s hair cropped nice and short, aside from his fluffy tail, and let it grow only in winter. A friend of mine says all homes should have a little dog, and I think she’s right. They live in the present and remind you of all that is good and joyful.

Beauzie would enjoy living in the Auberge de la Montagne in the French Alps, the setting for my contemporary romance, The Millionaire Mountain Climber, as he is very social. He would be delighted to have a stream of guests to watch come and go. One of his furry friends has not yet made his way between the pages, but this is only book 1 in the series, so watch this space!

The Millionaire Mountain Climber
A contemporary romance

When danger threatens a bona fide city girl, an adventurer is her only hope of rescue

Mountain climber Matt Hanley is a former investment manager whose lean body and rugged good looks epitomize an outdoor adrenaline junky. When his business partner in their country hotel is injured, he needs an efficient replacement in a hurry.

Hailey Gordon lives a chic city life free of adventures and daredevils. She craves stability and security but loses her job and boyfriend on the same day. A winter holiday job in France is the perfect escape from her troubles.

Sparks ignite when Matt and Hailey meet, but she resolves to ignore the flame flickering between them. Aside from the fact Matt is her boss, she is convinced he is not her type. Matt is determined to teach Hailey to look beyond appearances. He needs to show her how good they are together, even if he must risk life and limb to do so.

Extract
Hailey drank in the landscape, noticing the clarity of the late afternoon sky and the way the snow-capped peaks glistened despite the fading light.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” said Matt. “Trending down the valley, you have the villages of Argentiere and Les Praz and the town of Chamonix. Behind Chamonix you can see the Grand Mama of all the peaks, Mont Blanc.”

“Yes, the pens––and the chocolates.” She shook her head. What hubris to name a pen after the magnificent towering peak, but what marketing genius.

Matt grinned. “Ah, you know the chocolates, do you? We’ll have to buy you some.”

“From the lips to the hips,” she murmured, “and I am sure they don’t do the mountain justice.”

“Come on, let’s get you inside before your face turns blue, and I earn a reprimand from Genie for chatting up scantily-clad women in sub-zero temperatures.”

“Really? You were chatting me up? I’m flattered.”

The smile turned wicked. “You’re welcome.” As he bent to pick up her suitcase, he dropped his head next to hers and murmured into her ear in a low, deep voice, sending shivers down her spine. “For the record, Hailey, your curves are perfect. A little chocolate won’t do them any harm.”

She blushed, and the fire of his words flickered all the way through her belly. When was the last time her ex had paid her a compliment? An appalling thought crossed her mind; she, the High Priestess of Order and Long-Term Planning, was ripe for the picking and contemplating a holiday romance.

Author Bio:

Laura Boon stole her first romance from her father’s bookshelves as a teenager, The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss, and was immediately captivated. After holding a variety of positions in publishing, from bookseller to sales rep and publicist, she eventually found the courage to write her own stories. She was born in Zambia, grew up in South Africa, and went to university in America. She now lives in Australia with her husband and Beau. When she is not reading or writing, she enjoys sleuthing for artisan chocolate and beautiful stationery, watching tennis, and walking alongside Sydney’s beautiful harbor.

Buy links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Mountain-Climber-Romancing-Alps-ebook/dp/B07H9PJ7GN
iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/ycpnhwb9
Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/y9c93n6t
Barnes and Noble (Nook): https://tinyurl.com/y6vrzzta
Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yby5s9w5

Social Media Links
You can find Laura online at:
Web: https://lauraboon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraBoonAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LollyRussell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraboonrussell66/

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave Laura a comment.

Furbaby Friday With Christine Warner!

I’m delighted to have Christine Warner  join us to share her wonderful Ragdoll kitties and her contemporary romance, A Friendly Engagement. 

Christine: My love of animals has been a lifetime commitment. I think it’s a family thing because my brother and sister were right there with me. When we were kids, I remember begging—literally begging—my mom and dad for a pet. Any pet. We ended up with the normal tank of fish, we even had gerbils, two males that weren’t really males that ended up multiplying to the point we sold several to a pet store. Lol. I was also told we had a border collie but unfortunately, I was just a baby and have no memory of him.

Finally, one day when we were pre-teens—before that was even a term—my sister was brave enough to bring home a kitten after she babysat for a family that had a cat who had kittens. What could my parent’s do? We kept “Tom” and he lived to the ripe old age of 16.

When I got married, I didn’t even have to beg or state my case, my husband was all about having a dog. Over the years we had a few. Misty, Jack, Chester, and then finally Tess and Libby—my two very spoiled and sweet Golden Retrievers. All wonderful dogs that I miss terribly to this day. And thrown in we had a few cats—Chocolate, Carmel, and Smokey. When the kitties crossed the rainbow bridge and only Libby remained that was supposed to be the end of fur babies in our home. My husband was done. The kids were grown and he just wanted a quiet house. I wanted a cat.
Just one.
Famous last words. Lol

Okay, I better start at the beginning of how we acquired our second—or is it third or fourth—stage of furry friends.
Along with being an author I also own a small cleaning company with my sister and daughter. We mainly work commercially, but have a few residential clients. Long story short, we cleaned for this awesome lady who also loved animals. She had 4 dogs and 2 cats. The cats happened to be a new to me breed called Ragdoll. I fell in love with them instantly. They are so mellow, HUGE, fluffy, soft, and are dog-like in many ways.

My husband has never been much of a cat lover, but after I told him about these cats and did a little coaxing by sharing articles on the breed and cute videos he said to go ahead and get one.
He also warned me he wouldn’t help take care of them. In. Any. Way. Big deal, it wasn’t like he went out of his way with the last three cats we had. lol
I found a great breeder—Soft Cuddly Ragdolls—and after we talked several times, I ended up bringing Henry home. Okay, let me tell you that my husband, the non-cat advocate, has a bond with this cat like no other. Even my kids are surprised by the way he acts with him. He is always asking where he’s at, carrying him around, and making sure he has treats and fun toys. They even hang out on the sofa together and when my husband is working on his computer Henry is on his lap. The most sickening part is when my husband comes home from work Henry runs from wherever he’s at to meet him at the door. It’s cute actually, although a bit sappy in my opinion. lol

A few months after we brought Henry home and I felt neglected because my cat turned into his cat, I persuaded him that Henry needed a friend. I mean, really, cats are like potato chips. You can’t have just one.
So then came Arthur, or Arty as we affectionately call him. He was a bit shy when he came home and very afraid of our old dog Libby. But once he got accustomed, he was all about hanging with Libby. To the point where he would drive her out of the room because he’d drape himself all over her. Poor old girl. They had a lot in common though. They both liked balls and playing fetch. Although, at this stage of Libby’s life she didn’t play much fetch, but she liked to gnaw on a ball from time to time and watch Arty chase around the house after his. Sadly, Libby crossed the rainbow bridge this past September and I could tell how it affected Arty. He looked all over for her and cried. It was rough on all of us.

Now, let me backstep a bit. Not long after we brought Arty home, we also found out he had heart murmur. My breeder guarantees against this so she said she owed me another kitten. She had acquired a solid color male previously and he sired a new litter with a solid black baby.
Guess what? I fell in love. We brought the solid black kitty home this past July. By then both Henry and Arty were a bit over a year old.
Arty has always been more temperamental, whereas Henry goes with the flow and is so laid back. So little Ozzie came home and I swear Libby rolled her eyes, but she accepted another furry friend into the mix. So did Henry. But Arty was so mad. He wouldn’t let any of us pet him, pick him up, and he kept a wide distance from the new addition whom I affectionately called Baby.
So now we had three. Henry the diva cat, Arty the street thug, and Baby. My heart is full.

Fast forward 2 weeks and Arty and Baby Oz were the best of friends. Originally, I think Baby was a goody-two-shoes kitten, but Arty led him astray. They are as thick as thieves and get into trouble on a daily basis. They love to jump on the counter (a no no) and grab things and run to hide them. They both like to jump on your chest when you are sleeping at three in the morning, and also love to tag team getting on the tables. You get one down and the other takes his place.

Drives my husband crazy but I have to say that having pets means you won’t win every battle. I just keep a lot of disinfecting wipes on hand. And, sometimes Henry joins in on their shenanigans. But, they are also good on so many levels. They play fetch, they are huge balls of purr, greet us and all guests at the door, follow you around everywhere so that you are never alone, love belly rubs, and they just make our lives so full by being them. I can’t imagine not having them—and actually all the fur babies that have been in my life—in my life.
They’ve been a great addition to the family and if I had my way, I’d love to add another to the family, but I won’t push my luck.
For now.~

I’m excited to share the first book in my Friends First series with Entangled Publishing—A Friendly Engagement.
If you enjoy this book, check out the other 2 in this 3-book series. A Friendly Arrangement and A Friendly Flirtation.

A FRIENDLY ENGAGEMENT BLURB
What’s a little engagement between friends?

Omar Esterly is married to his job. But when Omar sets his sights on a potential, family-oriented client, his confirmed bachelorhood becomes a problem. Fortunately, his friend and employee, Devi Boss, has the perfect plan…

Okay, so it wasn’t exactly Devi’s plan to become her friend’s fake fiancée. Lies aren’t her style. However, Omar offers her a big, beautiful raise—enough to track down the missing father she’s never known—and Devi reluctantly agrees to the whole engagement hoax…

This was supposed to be a no-strings-attached win-win for both Devi and Omar, but when they cross the line between friendship and…well, something more, Devi realizes she’s made a huge mistake that just might cost her both job and friend—falling for her fiancé.

EXCERPT
“You’re game for anything, right?”
Devi compressed her lips and studied Omar through a narrow gaze, taking in the way his overly bright eyes concentrated on her face as if memorizing every pore. Her gaze traveled south to the non-existent rise and fall of his chest and how he pushed his suit jacket aside as he placed his hands low on his hips. He’d stopped breathing while he waited for her reply. That made her more nervous than anything. “Normally I am game for anything, but considering the man asking the question, I’m a little nervous.” She licked her lips.
Omar shook his head, swallowing her hands in the warmth of his. “No. This is a great idea. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”
“I’ll hold back on saying I’m glad I could help until I know what you’ve got pinging around your brain.” She tried to pull free of his grip, but he only grasped her fingers tighter. Her inner voice told her whatever plan he’d cooked up included her and she wouldn’t be thrilled with the role.
“Bartow wants a family-first firm. He wants a planner who is married, blah, blah blah.” He dismissed his unfinished words with the thrust of his chin.
Devi nodded, her mouth going dry. Was he planning to hire a wife, or about to propose?
“I might not be married, but what if I were engaged?”
She didn’t want to jump to conclusions about the proposal so she pasted on a tight smile. “Do you have a serious girlfriend hidden away I don’t know about?” The thought unsettled her, but she pushed aside the heaviness in her gut. Omar and relationships mixed like fire and ice. Not that women didn’t find him attractive and vice versa, but his true love would always be work. Most sane women wanted something more than a workaholic commitment-phobe.
He shook his head a bit too vigorously. “No. No.” His grip tightened, and she flexed her fingers so he’d loosen his hold. “Hear me out before you shoot me down.”
“I’m more curious than ever.” Again, she threw sand over that niggling feeling in her belly. She never jumped to conclusions. Living by the seat of your pants didn’t allow it, but…
Why start now? She rolled her shoulders in an effort to relax. Omar pulled her off to the side and out of the crowd moving past them on the sidewalk. His hands shook with excitement, and he swallowed hard before clearing his throat. Always calm and collected, his buildup unsettled Devi, and she tugged one hand from his grip and pressed it against the gurgle growing in her stomach.
“How about we announce our engagement? I could pull in some favors and have it in the press Monday morning. That’d still give Bartow enough time to invite us to the meet and greet. And—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Devi’s stomach did a nosedive, and she yanked her other hand from his death grip and stepped back. She twisted one of the bangle bracelets on her wrist. “Our engagement? First off, I didn’t even know we were dating. And second, I am not going to help you get ahead by lying.”

AMAZON tiny URL http://tinyurl.com/kpd9a4t

KOBO http://tinyurl.com/oo4jjem

B&N http://tinyurl.com/qh3uyd4

All Romance Ebooks http://tinyurl.com/q46gslp

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25598044-a-friendly-engagement

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave Christine a comment.

 

Furbaby Friday With Mageela Troche!

I’m glad to have Mageela and her delightful lovebird join us, a first on Furbaby Friday. I know feathered friends are also much loved, and most welcome.  Mageela is sharing her Medieval Scottish romance, Highland Scandal.

Mageela: For my birthday nine years ago, I was given my lovebird by my niece, sister-in-law and brother. The pet shop called the black-masked lovebird Houdini since she always escaped from her cage and then would let the other birds out of theirs.

Well, I call her Boobula. She is the first bird I have ever had. And I was overjoyed that I was getting a lovebird. Much like other people, I sighed when I saw lovebirds paired up. They were just so cute and romantic, looking like a heart when their heads were put together. Besides what is a better pet for a romance author than a lovebird.

Boobula is never mated so that makes me her mate, which I thought was so sweet. That is until I got to know my bird. Most people think lovebirds are sweet and lovable hence the name. Not true, lovebirds are called the pit bulls of birds and Boobula is a temperamental diva.

And I wouldn’t have it another way. She makes her demands for potato chips, steals my popcorn and has torn up all my books, among a dozen other things. But she is just feathery cuteness. I also don’t mind that when I clean her cage she watches over me to see that I’m doing a proper job (I suppose). I don’t mind that I find feathers everywhere and I mean everywhere from the pocket of my coat to the laundry. The fact that I’m calling Boobula she is something I discovered this year when she laid four eggs to my utter shock.

When I saw that clutch of eggs huddled together in the center of her house, I had to do more than I double-take. I did a ten-take. And she was such a good mommy bird, sitting on her eggs but sadly, they will never hatch.

She bounced back to her old self, which means demanding to be let out of her cage, demanding anything I happen to be eating, demanding my attention when she wants it and for me to leave her alone when she doesn’t want to be bothered.
So, in truth, I guess, she’s not my bird. I am her human and mate. I could do worse.

Highland Scandal Blurb:

How long does happily ever after take?

They call her banshee. The taunt has pursued strong-willed Rowen Mackenzie through the glorious Scottish Highlands. One man sees beyond the superstition—Lachlan Gordon. This brave highlander is the man she loves but duty requires her to wed another.

Wickedly charming, Lachlan Gordon has loved Rowen Mackenzie since his first glimpse of the ethereal beauty. As bastard of Chief Gordon, Lachlan can never claim her as his own. When his father, Laird Gordon, is murdered, Lachlan becomes the clan chief…too late to marry the woman he loves.

Years later, Rowen is now a widow and mother and her son is in danger. She jeopardizes her life and most importantly, her heart to protect her son. Lachlan is the only man who can help her. For a second chance at love, he must risk all—his clan, his life and his love to win even as secrets threaten their happiness and their very lives.

Will Rowen and Lachlan have their own happily ever after?

“Must read for lovers of all things Scottish”—Paranormal Romance and Author’s that Rock

“5 Stars”—Goodreads Reviewer

“The book has it all war, scandals, death and undying love.” —Spunky N Sassy

Excerpt:

Lachlan lingered in the courtyard. He refused to step inside. No doubt, he could find a widow to warm the night with. He just had to stay away from the Great Hall and Rowen. Damn, she was so beautiful sitting upon her horse. She was so near to him. He could have snatched her up and run away. He couldn’t go near her. He kicked at a rock. Why did MacLean have to permit the marriage here? MacKenzie Castle was fitting enough. But the lairdess had to be pregnant. Murray’s lands were just as fitting, but lacked a female touch. Och, weren’t there women in the clan? Such ruminations failed to matter. She was here.

He peered up at the tower. She was in there and tonight he would be also…unless there was an attack or a raid. He prayed for a raid.
Lachlan leaned against the wall. He straightened as Caelen took his spot beside him, as he had countless times before. They watched the castle people stroll by them.

“All is good?” Caelen asked.
“Aye. Your wife?”
“Fat with child again. She wishes for a daughter.” He crossed his bare arms.
“You wish for a son.”
“I know what men do with women.” Castle folk hurried on at Caelen’s scowl.
“This marriage should happen soon.”
“Aye, Father Murray is here. I heard about Father Sullivan.”

Lachlan chuckled. “A skeleton of a man. Why they sent that man—I do not know. He had been here for two days. He stuttered whenever Duncan laid his gaze on him. When he saw me, he looked like he smelled something most foul.”
“Women?”
“Sin, so I guess the daughters of Eve left a certain smell only priest can catch whiff of. He fled in the morning.”
“Did you really chase after him?”

“Aye, he said, ‘you are the devil’. Me and Duncan were standing like this, so I had to find out which one of us he spoke of.” Lachlan chuckled. “I ran beside his animal. He kicked his heels harder, but I stayed alongside him. When I asked him, that poor holy man paled and then reddened. He proclaimed we were both devils. I thanked him and told him I wouldn’t want to lose my reputation.”

Caelen laughed. Lachlan felt a lightness that had been missing since the wedding negotiations began. It was the damn hardest thing to make Caelen laugh.
His laughter cut off at the approaching riders. The Murrays arrived. Lachlan stared at Eacharn riding among his father’s men. Bile rose in his throat and its foul taste filled his mouth. He gulped back the burning spew.

He should hate that man. He was getting to spend the rest of his days with the woman Lachlan loved. But Eacharn, the plump bastard, was a good man. He was always in the center of a fight. He was sharp-minded and loved Lachlan’s humor. Hell, Lachlan admitted it—he liked him. Not that he’d say it to him.

One more thing denied Lachlan. Nay, he was not feeling pity for himself. Never. His temper roared like a hundred Highlanders on a charge. He pushed away from the wall, only realizing Caelen had left him. Halfway out of the courtyard, he turned back. His duty was to stand with MacLean.

Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Highland-Scandal-Mageela-Troche-ebook/dp/B07KQLLPQY/

Social Media Links

website: http://www.MageelaTroche.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/AuthorMageelaTroche
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/MageelaTroche
Pinterest: http://www.Pinterest.com/MageelaTroche
blog: http://www.trocheauthor.wordpress.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Mageela-Troche/e/B00CHTIRFW/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7054733.Mageela_Troche

Author Bio

An Air Force brat, Mageela Troche has lived throughout the world then landed in New York City. She wanted to leave the same day she arrived. Yet, with her stubbornness, Mageela learned to like the place and the libraries were the main reason. Since she was a little girl, Mageela wanted to be an author and an actress, however, once in college, she changed her life plan in the pursuit of money. After all, college loans must be repaid.

With life’s twists and turns, she returned to writing and focused on the romance genre. Mageela Troche’s first break came when she sold a short story to a magazine. She sold two more before the publication of her historical romance novel, The Marriage Alliance. She has gone on to write four more novels and a novella.

Mageela is currently writing in the cramped corner of her Big Apple apartment. She is the proud owner of a Black-masked lovebird named Boobula. She loves to hear from her readers and can be found online at MageelaTroche.com

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave Mageela a comment!