My guest today is the lovely Brenna Ash...who recently left the gorgeous state of Maine to make a new home in Florida. Right now I think she's nuts, but will be wishing I stowed away in her Uhaul come January. Even though she left us, I still consider her a Maine author. And guess what? Her very first book comes out in August and is available for preorder today!  amzn.to/28UKPAE

Join us as we talk about Brenna's brand spanking new writing career. 
​
MR: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
BA: I was a huge fan of the Trixie Belden series when I was younger. It was then that I got the writing bug and started writing short stories.

MR: Oh, fun! What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
BA: I work full-time so my writing time is usually an hour and a half before I start the work day and then I aim for an additional two hours at night.

MR: Ick. I'm so not a morning person. The only time I can write in the morning is when I don't have to work, so good for you! Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
BA: Most times I start with a character.  I get a lot of ideas from different actors, athletes or musicians.

MR: They definitely make for wonderful inspiration, don't they? What do you like to do when you're not writing and drooling over your inspirations?
BA: I love going to the beach every chance I get. There’s nothing better than soaking up the sun while reading a great romance.

MR: Totally hear ya. I've been on summer vacation from teaching for one week and have already been to the beach three times. Tell me, what does your family think of your writing?
BA: My husband is super supportive. He doesn’t necessarily understand all the ins and outs of the industry, no matter how many times I try to explain, but he’s with me every step of the way.

MR: That's very sweet, and pretty much the way! How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
BA: I’ve written three books. My favorite is my racer story. That one, tentatively titled, Love in the Fast Lane, will be my second release.

MR: Yay! I can't wait to read it. What do you think makes a good story?
BA: So many different things: deep emotion, beautiful settings, quirky characters. And love. You have to have love in there for me to hang in there and truly commit.

MR: *sigh* It's all about the romance, isn't it? Do you have any advice for other writers?
BA: Never stop learning and always network. You’d be amazed at the tips you can pick up to put to use in your own craft and what doors keeping connected may open for you.

MR: Good tip! What inspired you to write this book?
BA: Two words. Charlie Hunnam. Seriously, anyone that knows me knows that I’m obsessed adore him.  He’s just a great guy (and so easy on the eyes!) to model a character after and that’s what I did. I built the character and then plotted the story around him.

MR: Oh, yum! Thank you for the visual when I read your book. Is there a message in this book that you want your readers to grasp?
BA: It’s never too late for a second chance. You just have to put yourself out there.

MR: What book are you reading now?
BA: Discovering You by Brenda Novak

MR: I love her! Now it's time to tell me about your August 16th release, Second Chances. 

​Blurb:
Hayden Wagner is a box office legend living the dream when a spiteful blogger threatens to take away everything he’s worked for.
 
Sunny Burns is the anonymous host of “The Scoop by Jules”, a fan blog documenting Hayden’s every move. And the woman he left behind.
 
When she starts painting Hayden in a negative light his career takes a hit. To get out of the spotlight while the rumors cool down, Hayden flies back to his hometown where he works to identify the blogger.
 
And runs into Sunny. Their passion reignites. But can Sunny forgive his past mistakes?
 
And will Hayden be able to forgive her betrayal so they can finally have a Second Chance?

BUY LINK: amzn.to/28UKPAE

Bio:
Brenna Ash writes contemporary romances set in small Maine and Florida beach towns. She loves chocolate, Scotland and SOA, not necessarily in that order. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her family and reading by the pool with a frozen drink in hand.
 
Social Media:
Facebook: facebook.com/BrennaAshAuthor
Twitter: @brenna_ash
Pinterest: pinterest.com/ash0182
Website: brennaash.com

Hi Rebecca! Thank you for stopping by today. I have your books downloaded on my Kindle and am gearing up to dive into my TBR pile. I'm intrigued by your Swimming Upstream series. Tell me, where do you get your ideas for your books?

RB: All of my books, surprisingly have been dreamt up. Literally. If they didn’t come from a dream, then they certainly came from a nightmare! (There is a scene in Nobody’s Obligation which is to this day, my greatest fear – you can guess which one!)
 
They often have facets of people or situations I know of, but ultimately they come from that weird place between awake and asleep.

MR: I can't imagine writing about my dreams. They make absolutely no sense. How cool that you are able to create a book from them! What does your family think of your writing? 

RB: My family think it’s amazing. They have had to endure all the crappy short stories since I was younger and now, they get to see them looking like a real book with a cover and no spelling mistakes!

MR: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 

RB: They say you shouldn’t have a favourite, you shouldn’t be able to choose between your children, but for me this is a very easy question and I didn’t hesitate to make a decision. My favourite book is actually the one which is due to be released in September 2016 (you haven’t seen it yet).
 
The book, Coming Home, is very different to everything I’ve previously done and full of emotions and very, real and raw characters. (I may be harbouring a not so secret crush on the main character, Spencer)

MR:  Oh, sounds fascinating! As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? 

RB: I wanted to be a Marine Biologist. After seeing the film, “Free Willy” I fell completely in love with whales. Living on the east coast of Australia I am lucky enough to each year witness the Humpback migration route and all I wished for was to be able to watch them and study them each day.

MR: That must be fascinating to watch! Where are you from? 

RB: I’m an Aussie! Currently I live with my husband and overly spoilt dog in Canberra but over the years I was lucky enough to move around. Born in the City, moved to the country before coming back to the beach and for now, settled back in Canberra – which is basically a big country town!

MR: What inspired you to write this book? 

​RB: “On Dry Land” was basically born out of readers asking me what happened next. When I sat down and wrote “Perfection is just an Illusion – Book 1” I never intended for it to be a series. Then I had a nightmare around what would happen if the guy the main character was based on found out he was the inspiration behind the words, thus “Nobody’s Obligation – Book 2” was born. 

​Tell me about your latest release, On Dry Land.

Tyler Andrews, Olympic swimming superstar, has always gotten his way—until he falls in love.
 
Living in the spotlight was just part of Tyler’s life. Magazines, paparazzi, and being the topic of every sports radio show in Australia…it was either adjust or be driven insane. He’d gotten used to his fame. Hell, he even enjoyed it. But there is one thing he can’t get used to—his girlfriend, Ava Jacobs, hates being the center of the public’s attention.
 
Ava has lived her life in the shadows—and that’s exactly how she likes it.
 
But after fulfilling her lifelong dream to have her debut novel published, her world is turned on its head by Tyler’s fame. She writes novels for a reason—it’s a quiet, peaceful profession. The last thing she wants is to be thrown into the spotlight.
 
Love and life don’t always fit as well as fame and fortune.
 
Frustrated by Ava’s continuous reluctance to publicly embrace their relationship, Tyler takes every opportunity to make his own declarations—social media posts, visiting her at work, and even crashing her first television promotional appearance, which she grudgingly accepted as part of her publishing deal.
 
So when something changes and Tyler abruptly pulls away, Ava knows something is terribly wrong.
 
With Olympic selection looming, Ava’s publisher eagerly awaiting a sequel to her hit novel, and day-to-day life taking a toll, Tyler starts to see that life is much easier in the pool than…

​Dry Land

​Rebecca, one of four kids to her parents who are both primary school teachers, was born in Wollongong on the south coast of Australia before moving to the country with her family. After a few years of embracing all that country life had to offer, the family relocated to Port Macquarie with its white sand beaches. After a brief period enjoying the sun and the surf they finally settled in Canberra where Rebecca still lives today. But all through her childhood a notepad and a book where never far away. These days Rebecca is an avid reader, and when she isn’t buried in a book or cheering on her beloved football team she’s spending time with her husband Robert and their overly spoilt dog Levi.

I loved reconnecting with one of my  fellow Maine Romance authors...who left us for the sunshine and warmer temperatures in New Mexico. Welcome, Judi! How the heck are you?

JP: First off, thanks, Marianne, for inviting me to visit with you.  It's great to be here.
 
MR: It was wonderful seeing you again last month! Sounds like all is going well in New Mexico. Let's talk shop now. How long does it take you to write a book?
JP: A long time.   I'm a slow writer.  It takes me nearly a year to write a novel, and half of that for a novella.  But my first draft is usually my final and ready for my critique partners to look at.  When they're done with all the colorful red ink they add, I consider their suggestions (and make most of them).  Then it's on to my editor for a final pass.

MR: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
JP: I am one of those annoying people who wake up wide awake.  And I wake up early.  Before six, on my own, without an alarm.  So, I get up, make an espresso (the Nespresso machine is a gift from my kids), feed and walk the dogs and then sit down to write.  Some days, I have a hard time keeping my butt in the chair when I'm writing at home.  So, if I want to focus, I head out to my favorite Starbucks for an hour or two.  I'm a gold member.  What can I say?
 
MR: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
JP: Well, since I've had stories in my head forever, there are always ideas tumbling around.  In a folder on my computer for possible projects there are 26 files.  And that's just the ones I've remembered to write down.  The idea for the Heart to Heart series started when I was visiting my parents in Maine, and we were at their house in Machias.  We were pulling into the driveway when Dad commented in this offhand way that one of the lobstermen had been shooting at another lobsterman because he had been messing with the first guy's bait box.  That's the idea behind the story in Secrets, Book 1.  Whispers, Book 3, takes place a dozen years later.  And Fears, which is Book 2 is started but isn't finished.
 
MR: I love reading books set in New England. So, what inspired you to write this book?
JP: After finishing Secrets, where Nikki's secret was revealed, I moved on to another story, finished that, wrote another one, and wrote some erotica as Pepper Goodrich.  But, Nikki kept nagging me to write her story.  Not exactly the one she wanted though.  The one where she is forced to work with the father of her daughter.  Yes, it's a secret baby book <hangs head because I swore I'd never write one>  And I'll never write an amnesia story.  But, maybe …
 
MR: Ha! Maybe you'll forget you said that about the amnesia story. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
JP: I've written quite a few.  I have 8 currently published in varying lengths and from sweet to spicy to very hot.  Five are by Judi and three are by Pepper.  In addition, both Judi and Pepper have three more books to be published this year.  And there's the Campfire Circle stories that I hope to publish this year.  Just need to finish the novella for that series. 
Night of Turmoil is my favorite.  It's set in Tunisia at the beginning of the Arab Spring.  My daughter-in-law is Tunisian and I was in Morocco when it started. 

MR: Sounds like you have some writing to do...and I have some reading! Tell us about Whispers. 

​Whispers:
Nikki Cushman is newly promoted to acting President of a small credit union in Portland, Maine.  She knows there's trouble when she discovers Tony D'Angelo is assigned to handle the transition audit.  He does not know he is the father of her twelve-year old daughter, Angie.  When they're forced to work together to investigate issues with fraudulent accounts and threats against Nikki and Angie, can they listen to the whispers in their hearts?

You can find Whispers and other books by Judi Phillips here: 
Amazon Kindle:  Amazon
Apple iBooks:  iBooks
Nook:  Nook
Kobo:  Kobo

Excerpt from 1st Chapter:
The door opened and Nikki stood to greet Gino Bernini, the credit union's auditor. Reaching out to shake his hand, she looked over his shoulder and realized someone had followed him into the room. For a second, her heart stopped. After what seemed forever, it began a pounding rhythm against her ribs.
Tony D'Angelo.
What is he doing here?
As her knees weakened, Nikki schooled her features into a cool mask.
He didn't look all that different from the last time she'd seen him, almost a dozen years ago. The same ebony hair slicked back in an attempt to control the curl. The same eyes the color of dark chocolate, framed with eyelashes every girl had sighed over in high school. The same chiseled features. Only his nose, broken in some long-forgotten fight in junior high, kept him from being too handsome. His strut had turned into a confident stride, but a hint of the old swagger remained.
His bad boy uniform of jeans and black leather motorcycle jacket had been exchanged for casual business. One button, open at the neck of his shirt, tempted her.
She remembered unbuttoning his shirt the last time they'd been together. It seemed like yesterday although it had been almost twelve years.
 

Bio:
Judi has had stories in her head as far back as she can remember. However, being lazy (her friends like to point out that she’s efficient), and being a legal assistant, she knew she could never complete a manuscript if she had to write it on a typewriter. Then, along came word processors, and those magic cut and paste and delete icons. There was no stopping her after that. Within a few weeks of her first job with a computer, she started her first story, a house-beautiful, vogue thing about lawyers. Needless to say, it will never be published — but she honed her description skills on that project, so nothing is ever wasted.
 
Judi has recently relocated to New Mexico and is living in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains.  No more Februarys in Maine for her. She lives with two dogs, a Yorkie, Mishka, and a MinPin, Gizmo, who have acclimated easily. Despite their small size, they rule the house.
 
You can find Judi on the web at:  http://judiphillips.com/
and on Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/judi.phillips.50
follow her on Twitter:  @judiphil
and read her random blog posts at:   http://sugarspice-judi.blogspot.com/
or e-mail her at:  judiphil65@gmail.com
​

Perfectly Reasonable
Love what you do and do what you love.  Sounds perfectly reasonable, but chances are, you’ll find your passion in the last place you look . . .
 
Margo MacMillan finished medical school, but in the process, her self-confidence and self-esteem took a beating. So for the sake of self-preservation, she’s stepped away from medicine to re-group. In the meantime, painting soothes her soul and pays the bills.
 
Trace Bennett set his sights on a medical degree and has to prepare the perfect medical school application. His big plan is to paint his condo for a little feng shui divine luck. When Margo shows up to paint, he realizes he’s found exactly what he’s looking for. He just has to convince Margo to share more than the art of medicine.
 
She’s got it. He wants it. It’s Perfectly Reasonable.
 
Buy Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Reasonable-Linda-OConnor-ebook/dp/B0143ZW2P8
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfectly-reasonable-linda-oconnor/1123103320
http://www.lindaoconnor.net/perfectly/
 
Excerpt:
Margo MacMillan wished she could take the job. Look at that view.
Beyond the picture window and down eighteen floors, waves lapped against the Lake Ontario shore despite frigid January temperatures. Above, it was all blue skies and sunshine. Very Zen.
This side of the window, it was blue eyes and sun- streaked hair. Trace, the pheromone-radiating, sweet-boy-next-door of her current client, was very . . . unZen.
“It has to be done by Tuesday,” he insisted.
Fat chance of that happening, considering it was already Friday afternoon. Too bad. He really was . . . breathtaking. “No can do. I have another client lined up for next week.”
“Bump them.”
Her eyebrows winged up. “I can’t do that. They’re waiting for me, and I promised to start Monday.”
“Trades do it all the time.”
She frowned at him. “Not me. If I say I’m going to start a job on Monday, I start on Monday. You’ll have to find another painter.” Her curls bounced as she turned to go.
“Wait.” He touched her arm, and Margo felt a zing of electricity shimmer through her. “You could do it this weekend.”
“I don’t work weekends.”
“I’ll pay double.”
Margo looked him in the eyes. Eyes that were icy pale blue, almost silver, and too intense to focus on, except they were set in a chiseled face with a square jaw and the most disarming smile.
Her fees were already pretty high. What could possibly be so urgent that he’d pay twice what it was worth?
She glanced around the room. Big open space and pristine beige walls. Sleek leather furniture. Glass, metal, and a zebra-skin rug. And staged for a cover shoot.
What was the deal? Was he desperate to erase the memory of a girlfriend? It was more than possible with the combination of those low-slung jeans, gray T-shirt showing off broad shoulders and flat abs, and that close-cropped blond hair. He towered over her, and she was taller than average. Yeah, it was definitely possible. Or maybe a new ladylove he had to please? She raked her gaze over him. Nah. He wouldn’t need a new paint color for that.
She sighed and thought of the student loan she had yet to pay off. If she prepped the walls that evening, she could probably get the painting done by Monday. “All right. But I’d have to start tonight and come back early Saturday and Sunday.”
His shoulders relaxed. “Not a problem. I can be here.”
“Have you chosen the paint color?”

“No, but it has to be blue.”

“Blue?”
“Yes. Pale blue, gray-blue, dark blue, I don’t care. Just as long as it’s blue.”
She shrugged. “Okay then. I’ll bring over some paint chips later and you can choose. You’ll have to make a decision tonight, so I can stop on my way tomorrow to pick it up.”
“I can do that. And I’ll invite some of my buddies over to move the furniture.”
“That would be great. Just push everything to the center of the room. I can cover it with plastic.”
Trace nodded. “Thank you for this. I really appreciate it. I’ve heard you’re the best.”
She smiled. Charm and good looks. He’ll go far. “You’re welcome. I’ll finish the job next door and come back at about seven.”

Social Media:
Website:  http://www.lindaoconnor.net
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LindaOConnorAuthor
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LindaOConnor98
Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Linda-OConnor/e/B00S7CNLEA
 ​

Summer #RomanticIdea 

Readers, thank you for stopping by this Summer Blog Exchange!  

Here’s my suggestion for a romantic idea to enjoy this summer:
As I love chocolate, any idea that involves the sweet treat is something I can really get behind.  My recommendation is to buy a box of your significant other’s favorite chocolate (or other candy) and present it to him or her along with the following plan: you each eat one piece of chocolate and then, to work off the calories, take a walk in the park. Do this on a romantic moonlit night, and you never know what might happen!

Excerpt from Cowboy in Charge

Jason and Layne’s reunion is as rocky as their past relationship. Though this snippet from their story doesn’t include chocolate, from their perspective, it’s definitely both sweet and bittersweet…

She stopped beside the truck and waited for him to unlock the passenger door. He kept his arm wrapped around her shoulders. Her heart started to thump.
“You still fit up against me,” he said, “as if we were two puzzle pieces linked together.”
“We’re a puzzle, all right,” she murmured.
He moved to stand in front of her. He reached for the lapels of her jacket, holding them closed, protecting her from the breeze. “I always did enjoy a good puzzle.” He tugged gently, bringing her a shade closer as he dipped his head.
His mouth was cold from the air around them, minty from the plastic-wrapped candy he’d taken from the dish beside the cash register. She wondered if he’d done that deliberately, taken the mint with the knowledge he intended to kiss her. The thought that he might have wanted…might have planned…might have looked forward to just this moment sent a pleasurable thrill racing through her.
“Still cold?” he murmured against her mouth. He slid both arms around her, holding her against him, warming every inch of her, outside and in.
They stood in the parking lot, in public, in view of her friends, the way they had done all over town during their dating days, and somehow she didn’t care. She let him kiss her, and she kissed him, too.
And she wished they could go back to those days and start all over again.
​

From the cover of Cowboy in Charge, July 2016

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Single mom Layne Slater thought she'd seen the last of Jason McAndry when he chose the rodeo over her and their unborn son. Now Jason's back in Cowboy Creek and just as handsome as ever. But Layne can't give in to those feelings again. She has to protect her children…and her heart.

Jason wants to try to make up for the pain he caused when he left. The least he can do is help Layne while he's home. Before long, Jason realizes he's finally ready to be the husband, father and man his family deserves. But can Jason prove to Layne that this time, their love is forever?

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Books-A-Million ~ Harlequin ~ IndieBound

Fooling Around With Cinderella
What happens when the glass slippers pinch Cinderella's toes? When Jaine Andersen proposes a new marketing role to the local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan charms her into filling Cinderella’s glass slippers for the summer. Her reign transforms Jaine’s ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy godmother. Secretly dating her bad boy boss, running wedding errands for her ungrateful sisters, and defending herself from the park’s resident villain means Jaine needs lots more than a comfy pair of shoes to restore order in her kingdom. First in the Storybook Valley series, a blend of sweet romance, chick lit, and fairy tale fun. 
 
 
Excerpt:
Dylan scrutinized Jaine, arms folded across his royal blue shirt with the Storybook Valley logo stamped over the left in white block letters. “Do you wear contacts?”
“I have plenty of media contacts. Wait. Did you say wear contacts? You mean instead of these?” Jaine fingered the earpiece of her gold-rimmed glasses.
“Right. Contact lenses.”
She gave a nervous chuckle. “I scheduled a consultation in college, but was too squeamish to insert the lens. I was more comfortable in glasses.”
Was she really justifying her vision enhancement choices to her prospective new boss? Maybe he intended to discuss medical benefits. Or did he think she looked nerdy? What was the saying? Guys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses? Not that she wanted him to make a pass even if he was hot.
“How blind are you without glasses?” Dylan persisted.
“You wouldn’t want to drive with me.”
“How about if you’re walking around a building? Are you in danger of hurting yourself?”
This interview had taken the Mad Hatter Freeway from Fairy Tale Land into Wonderland where nothing made a damn bit of sense. Did this guy have a glasses fetish, like those weirdoes with shoe fetishes?
“I should be okay. I take them off for special occasions.” In fact, Jaine’s older sister Bree, who was getting married in August, remarked just last week, “You are losing the glasses for my wedding pictures, right?”
What the hell. She’d be a good sport and hope Dylan would be so grateful to pick the brain of a real, flesh and blood, bespectacled person that he would appoint her marketing director. Jaine removed her glasses and the fine details of her surroundings fuzzed. She nodded toward the framed print hanging on a side wall, the picture a wash of symbols and colors. “I can tell that’s a park map, but the words and images smear together.”
And that was myopia in a nutshell. Jaine adjusted her glasses back into place so she could see his reaction. Dylan examined her with such intensity that a blush stained her cheeks. She patted her French braid, in case stray strands were straggling out.
“Here’s the situation,” Dylan said. “I took over the general manager position a few months ago. I’m evaluating possible changes and researching how other theme parks run. My grandfather and father have worked with a marketing firm for years to create our brochures, billboards, print, and radio ads.”
Jaine’s shoulders caved, imperceptible to him, but it felt as if her whole body was sinking.
No fairy tale job ending for her.

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1XpaJ5t
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fooling-around-with-cinderella-stacy-juba/1122680940?ean=2940152324976
Kobo: http://ow.ly/SFUsk
iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1042194826
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=BdrNCgAAQBAJ
 
Stacy Juba got engaged at Epcot Theme Park and spent part of her honeymoon at Disneyland Paris, where she ate a burger, went on fast rides, and threw up on the train ride to the hotel. In addition to working on her Storybook Valley chick lit/sweet romance series, Stacy has written books about ice hockey, teen psychics, U.S. flag etiquette for kids, and determined women sleuths. She has had a novel ranked as #5 in the Nook Store and #30 on the Amazon Kindle Paid List. When she’s not visiting theme parks with her family, (avoiding rides that spin and exotic hamburgers), or writing about them, Stacy helps authors to strengthen their manuscripts through her Crossroads Editing Service. She is currently writing the next book in the Storybook Valley Series, Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty.
 
Author Links:
Website and blog: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Juba/100155471301
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stacyjuba
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Juba/e/B002OXLSDE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Newsletter subscription: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/newsletter-subscription/
 
 

Saved By a Soldier 

Synopsis  Patricia Ann Fitzgerald is no man’s arm candy…
 
Refusing to entertain her mother’s ridiculous notion that she should become the perfect little housewife for her ex-boyfriend Ben, Patty escapes to her father’s lake house to focus on what matters most to her. She has to break through her writer’s block and start her next book.
 
Medically discharged from the service and suffering from PTSD, Carter Montgomery is still trying to get his life back in order…
 
When Carter's father Jackson suggests a week at the lake, it's not only so he can gain a little clarity about his future. Jackson has other plans for his recovering son, intending for him to watch over his best friend’s daughter while she’s on a solo writing retreat—an idea that doesn’t please Carter at all.
 
Patty finds it hard to get any work done when her attention keeps diverting to the handsome stranger next door…
 
Patty is persuaded to attend a charity event, despite knowing her ex will be in attendance. When Ben rudely interrupts Patty’s dance with her father and drags her off the floor, Carter is quick to intervene. He’s tired of admiring Patty from afar, and refuses to see her treated that way. Ready to ditch the stuffy event, Patty escapes with her savior someplace where they can finally talk.
 
Ben always gets what he wants, and he isn’t willing to let Patty slip away…
 
Patty fights to preserve her blooming relationship with Carter from the critical eyes of her mother and the scheming ways of her ex. Will Carter manage to get his life back in order in time to save Patty from the life she never wanted?

​About the author
 
Alison Mello is a wife and stay at home mom to a wonderful little boy. She lives with her amazing family in Massachusetts. She loves playing soccer, basketball and football with her son.

After having her son, Alison started reading again and fell in love with Contemporary Romance. Reading made her happy and gave her something to do when she had downtime.  As she started to read more, she started to notice things she really enjoyed in a book and things she didn’t. She began to have ideas for writing one of her own.  One day she literally woke up and started writing.  She realized that if there was ever a time for her to write, it was now.  She had a part time job to give her something to do. The hours at work were slow and she was bored with what she was doing, so while her son was off enjoying his friends over summer vacation she got started.

Alison finished the first book in two weeks and decided that she really enjoyed writing, so she kept going. She already had ideas in mind for books two and three, so she kept writing.  That is how the Learning to Love Series was born. Somewhere along the line, one of my Beta readers convinced me that Michael, a character from Finding Love, needed his own story.  That is when Alison added the fourth and final book. Alison hopes you enjoy her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.

She’s so glad she started this writing journey and hopes you will stay with her for the ride. Chasing Dreams is scheduled to release in April and the first two books of the Love Conquers Life series will be out this summer!
Stalker links
Facebook: www.facebook.com/alisonmelloauthor
Newsletter: www.alisonmelloauthor.com Get sneak peeks and addition contests
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alisonmelloauth
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alisonmelloauthor

Because I love you, I'm going to share the first scene from Wilde for You. Happy reading!

Chapter 1

“So, think you can knock me up?” Sage Wilde’s naked body squirmed on the table, the paper under her crinkling, her feet resting in stirrups as she stared at the ugly white tile on the ceiling. “My pipes clean and working? My oven big enough to cook a one?”
“Sage,” Dr. Whitmore sighed. “You’re—” The ringing of a blaring fire alarm cut the doctor off before an automated message echoed through the building.
“Please stay calm and exit the building immediately. Leave all your belongings behind and find the nearest emergency exit. Please exit the building immediately,” the computer-programmed voice repeated.
Sage cursed and jumped off the examination table, her bare feet hitting the cold floor. “My clothes. I need—”
“I’m sorry, Sage but we need to evacuate now. Your gown will have to do.”
“Are you kidding me? It’s freezing outside.” She closed the gown across her breasts and turned toward her pile of clothes on the windowsill.
The doctor had pulled her halfway out the door before Sage managed to reach down and pick up her red high-heeled boots. She jogged to keep up with the flow of doctors and nurses until they reached the exit. Once outside, Sage tugged her flimsy gown tight in front of her, hoping her butt wasn’t hanging out as she bent over and shoved her feet into her boots.
The crowd was small so early in the morning. Sage always opted for the first appointment of the day; it was less likely the doctor was running behind and Sage’s impeccably planned day wouldn’t get altered. She lived by her appointment book, which was linked to her iPhone, iPad, laptop, and email as well. She valued punctuality and had no patience for those who put her behind schedule.
This stupid fire alarm was going to set her back. Always having something to do, or an electronic device to scroll through, research on, and work on, her hands felt naked and idle. Sage wasn’t one of the most sought-after event planners in southern Maine because she sat around and waited for action to happen. No, she took the initiative, fought for what she wanted, for what her clients wanted, and had a successful business because of it.
Tapping her bright red manicured finger on her teeth, she looked around the crowd. Being the only one wearing a stupid johnny and red boots made her stick out like a hooker in church. Before long, two fire trucks and a few unmarked cars with flashing lights on their roof pulled in front of the medical building.
Great.
Sage tried to stay warm by hopping up and down but her boobs bounced freely and her butt felt the sharp bite of the cold air every time the johnny flipped up. Standing still went against every natural instinct. Hugging the flimsy, cheap cotton around her body, she willed the firefighters to hurry the hell up. Or at least allow her to run in and fetch her bag.
And her clothes.
Eyes fixed on the front door, waiting for the “all clear” signal, Sage didn’t notice the man behind her until she felt the warm, heavy weight of something around her shoulders. “What the hell?” She twirled around, ready to spit nails, when a very sexy firefighter with dimples as deep as the ocean winked at her. He was tall—six feet, at least—and built like he was very familiar with tossing around a fire hose.
“You looked cold, ma’am.” He pulled his firefighter coat around her body, strapping her in, her arms trapped inside. It weighed a ton and warmed her instantly. Or maybe it was his amused eyes twinkling at her. “Of course, the coat doesn’t quite go with those boots of yours, but I’m thinking at this point you probably don’t mind.”
“Um, no. I’m a fashion faux pas anyway. The doctor wouldn’t let me change before coming out.” Intrigued by the casual flirting of the sexy hunk, she studied the laugh lines around his eyes that crinkled when he smiled and stared into his eyes that changed from brown to green to a heated hazel.
Wow.
“That’s a good doctor then. The important thing is that you’re safe.”
Safe, yes. But nearly naked and late didn’t make up for it. Yanking herself from the surprising lust-filled trance Mr. Sex-on-a-Stick put her under, she squared her shoulders and used her business voice. The one that said I’m asking politely but you better get your ass in gear and figure out the problem before I go batshit crazy on you. “I really need to get my things. I’m already late for an appointment. Can you see what the problem is and let me know when I can get out of here?”
The sexy firefighter grinned, making his dimples plunge deeper into his cheek, and winked. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right back.”
Sage was only human. Of course she checked out his ass as he walked away. The big yellow, rubber pants were anything but sexy, but the tight black T-shirt he had on under the suspenders revealing enormous chest muscles and biceps that could surely crack a lobster claw. The shirt fit him like a glove, showing off his tapered waist and most likely a delicious set of six-pack abs.
She’d never seen a man built so huge before. She liked her men fit, but there was no need for such excess. Probably the totally vain type who spent too much time at the gym and in front of the mirror, Sage turned her back on him and curled into the uncomfortable jacket.
It smelled faintly of smoke and also carried a clean soapy scent. Mr. Muscles returned quickly, his stride long, slow, and confident. “Looks like you’ll get your clothes back soon.”
“Good. No real emergency then?”
“Burnt bagel in a toaster in the staff lounge.”
“Are you kidding me?” Sage wiggled in an attempt to escape, the weight of the coat and the secured straps pinning her arms to her body like a straightjacket. “Can you please unbuckle me? I need to hurry.”
“Always a pleasure helping a lady out of her clothes.”
Sage rolled her eyes. “Please. There’s nothing sexual about this.”
“Really? You’re telling me you’re not naked under this coat?”
“I, uh…no. I’m wearing a johnny.”
“It’s Luke, not Johnny.” Those hazel orbs of sex winked at her.
“Lovely meeting you, Luke. And flirting, but I have to run.”

​AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1WOpcce
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1XszP2T

​Romantic Idea to enjoy this summer:  Nothing beats a patio filled with candlelight, soft music, and sharing a dessert with your sweetheart on a warm night under the stars. Turning the backyard into a favorite date spot means more couple time after our kids head to bed. 

​Blurb:  
Eric Sadler needs a break from the woods. His writing career has hit a dead-end and he’s desperate to figure out how to break into publishing. He accepts a temporary teaching position at his alma mater and meets a woman he can't stop thinking about. Unfortunately for him, it turns out he's already forgotten her from his long-ago college days. 

Jennifer Campbell has too much going on to worry about running into her undergrad crush. She's trying to find a way forward after an ugly break-up has threatened her career. She built a successful branding business one client at a time. She knows how to help get a company to the next level. Her skill set is exactly what Eric needs. But she knows better than to blur her professional and personal lives again.

Eric has no intention of letting her slip away…this time.

​Excerpt:
 
Sitting cross-legged on her best-friend’s guest bed, Jennifer Campbell scanned the notes she’d jotted down on the spiral bound notebook. Her mind blanked as the words bled into one another. Agreeing to teach a semester long seminar at her alma mater had been easy and opportune. But actually planning her lectures and lessons ten years after graduating college had proved a difficult task. A knock sounded at the door seconds before the door burst open and the knob banged against the wall.
 
“Cookie?” Rebecca held out a platter overflowing with chocolate chip cookies.
 
Jen slid off the bed and held out her hands to grab the treats from her pregnant best friend.
 
“Cookies too? Becs, you should be resting!” Jen set the platter on the nightstand and offered a hand to help. But Rebecca waved her off and lowered herself onto the end of the bed. The mattress tilted a little when Jen joined her.
 
“You sound like Tom,” Rebecca stuffed a cookie in her mouth, crumbs spilling out at her words.
 
Jen bit her lip to stop the reply. Being compared to Tom, Rebecca’s adoring and steady husband, wasn’t a bad thing. She grabbed the plate off the table and set it between them, taking a bite reached for a cookie off the plate now resting in her lap and took a bite. The bitter dark chocolate and sweet brown sugar nearly had her swooning.
 
“These are sinful.”
 
“And there are plenty more,” Rebecca wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. “I had a craving and couldn’t stop making dough. If you want one, just look for the bag in the freezer.”
 
“So right now in your kitchen you have a giant bag of cookie dough? Why did you have to tell me? Even looking at a cookie makes me gain five pounds!”
 
“You look great, as always. I’d love to be a size twelve again. I’d love to be able to see my waist!”
 
Jen fought against her inclination to roll her eyes. Eating in an upstairs bedroom in a snug bungalow on a quiet street in Bloomington, Indiana both dressed in pajama pants and oversized t-shirts, transported Jen back in time. But the warmth and safety of the future had evaporated for Jen with the mistakes she’d made since leaving the college town. Rebecca’s protruding tummy only served as a reminder of the twists and complications of her adult life.
 
“Rebecca, thanks again. I have no idea where I would have ended up.”
 
“You’re welcome Jen. But stop thanking me. I have a spare room, you’re only here for a couple of months, and what would you have done? Gone to an extended stay?
 
“Or maybe a dorm?”
 
“Ugh, gross,” Rebecca shuddered. “I’m glad to have you here. We haven’t gotten together since, my wedding? And geez, even then I was so distracted.”
 
“Yeah it is nice. Weird, all things considered.”
 
“I’m sure,” Rebecca nodded before reaching out to put a hand on Jen’s knee. Jen shifted and Rebecca let her hand slid off. “I’m sorry about that.”
 
“No you aren’t,” Jen crossed her arms. “You told me my relationship was a dead end years ago.”
 
“True, but I didn’t want you to waste so much time.”

Purchase links:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EMHBMFI
 
Author bio:
Rachelle stumbled into the world of romance novels in college; as a way to help speed up reading through Art History textbooks. After years in the professional world writing dry grant proposals and auction descriptions, she started writing the contemporary romance stories she wanted to read. Setting her books in some of her favorite destinations was her inspired way to require plenty of research trips every year with her family. 
 
 
Author links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13453682.Rachelle_Paige
https://twitter.com/rpaigebooks
https://rachellepaige.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Rachelle-Paige-511680888981810/
http://www.amazon.com/Rachelle-Paige/e/B00T0T533Q