Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Please sign up for #KASIWC by Kim Headlee blog tour! #MFRWAuthor #RLFblog #Arthurverse

"You need his love... and he needs yours."
KASIWC Chapter XIV
Art (c)2015 by Jennifer Doneske
I've been so busy with personal appearances and writing lately that I almost forgot to mention that my Twain sequel, King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court, is gearing up for a tour May 5-15, hosted by I Am a Reader blog.

TITLE – King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court (#KASIWC)
AUTHOR – Kim Iverson Headlee
GENRE – Science Fiction/Fantasy Time-Travel Romance
PUBLICATION DATE – 1 November 2014 (e-book); 30 November 2015 (audiobook); 30 November 2015 (hardcover)
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 350 pages/70K words
PUBLISHER – Lucky Bat Books
COVER ARTIST – Jennifer Doneske
INTERIOR ARTISTS – Jennifer Doneske and Tom Doneske


What others are saying about #KASIWC:

“Packed with politics, pop culture, sports, business, time travel, magic, deceit, humor and love, this story will keep you enthralled right up to the end. Whether you have ever read an Arthurian romance before or not, give this one a try. I am sure you will love it as much as I did.” ~ Dottie of Romance Junkies

“KASIWC is irresistible, passionate, and intriguing. Definitely check out this amazing new Arthurian Romance!” ~ Jill of Arthurian Romances

“It’s like Ms. Headlee has the touch of Twain in her.” ~ Darlene of Mousiey Books

Please click on http://www.iamareader.com/2015/04/blog-tour-sign-ups-king-arthurs-sister-in-washingtons-court.html and scroll down toward the bottom to get to the signup form. I appreciate it very much!

***

Enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Morning's Journey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim Headlee on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on this blog, especially if you have done the Twitter and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!


Tuesday, April 28, 2015

#SpringFling spotlight on The End of Camelot by @DianaLRubino #JFK romance

I was too young to remember where I was or what I was doing the day JFK was shot, although I harbor vivid memories of watching Sir Winston Churchill's funeral coverage on TV just a few months later. Author Diana Rubino, however, has been long fascinated with the mystery surrounding JFK's death, and her latest historical fiction release, The End of Camelot, pays homage to this American tragedy.

This book spotlight is offered to you as part of the #SpringFling author exchange, but to change things up a bit I have decided to spotlight The End of Camelot first and Diana's thoughts about spring afterward.

Synopsis
November 22, 1963: The assassination of a president devastates America. But a phone call brings even more tragic news to Vikki Ward—her TV reporter husband was found dead in his Dallas hotel room that morning.

Finding his notes, Vikki realizes her husband was embroiled in the plot to kill JFK—but his mission was to prevent it. When the Dallas police rule his death accidental, Vikki vows to find out who was behind the murders of JFK and her husband. With the help of her father and godfather, she sets out to uncover the truth.

Aldobrandi Po, the bodyguard hired to protect Vikki, falls in love with her almost as soon as he sets eyes on her. But he's engaged to be married, and she’s still mourning her husband. Can they ever hope to find happiness in the wake of all this tragedy?

Buy The End of Camelot:

First Lines of The End of Camelot:
Washington, D.C., September, 1959

Vikki McGlory aimed her Smith & Wesson .38 and fired at the metal target.

“Bull’s eye.” She kissed the gun’s warm barrel. A smudged red lip print bloomed against the steel gray metal.

Diana's Favorite Passage from The End of Camelot:
Billy came down the stairs for a nightcap and glanced into the living room. He noticed the glow in the fireplace, Vikki’s eyeglasses and the anisette bottle on the table. The couch faced the other way, but nobody was sitting on it. “Where’d they go?” Then he realized they hadn’t gone anywhere—and they were on the couch, but not sitting. Before he got out of their way, he placed a long-playing record on the phonograph. Jackie Gleason’s “For Lovers Only.”






Why I Like Spring
by Diana Rubino

I live in New England—need I say more? :)

It takes longer for spring to arrive here than to most places. Right now, April 1, already over a week into spring, the ground is still half covered with snow and it’s barely in the 40s. But I heard a mourning dove the other day, which is a sure sign that spring is on the way.

In this area, we get a lot of spring days that are downright dreary, with overcast leaden skies, a fine mist falling, and that raw chill that goes right through you. But a day like that brings promise. It’s no longer the bitter cold with the arctic blasts. The wind carries a promising fragrance, and you can almost smell the grass struggling to peek through the patches of snow. Hearty New Englanders are out wearing shorts and T-shirts, even though it’s still in the high 40s or low 50s. We wear our Red Sox caps. All those signs point to that magical day when we can wear those T-shirts without shivering, sit in the ballpark munching peanuts, and inhale a lungful of lilac-scented breeze on a jog.

It takes a while to get here, but when it does, we appreciate it all the more.

About Diana Rubino:


Spring in New England means only a few more freak snowstorms and that odd day when you can throw on a T-shirt and shorts and jump on your bike for that first delightful Dairy Queen. Diana and her husband Chris are golfers, and that means any golf days in April are practice rounds for the ‘real thing’—the leagues.

Diana’s latest title, Book Three of her NYC Saga, THE END OF CAMELOT, is set around the assassination of President Kennedy. You can read about it on her blog, and join in the lively chat at the end of the post. Share your memories of that day, your conspiracy theories, and reminisce about the days before we ‘lost our innocence.’ Visit www.dianarubinoauthor.blogspot.com. THE END OF CAMELOT had its worldwide release on April 10, published with The Wild Rose Press.

***

Enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Morning's Journey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Add Kim Headlee as a Favorite Author on Amazon.com
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Amazon, Twitter, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book
copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!

Monday, April 27, 2015

#MedMonSpring Dragon Knight's Medallion by Mary Morgan @m_morganauthor #Arthurverse

For Medieval Monday on The Maze today, I am pleased to introduce fellow #Arthurverse member
Mary Morgan and her novel
Dragon Knight's Medallion!

Synopsis:
To right a wrong, two souls are brought together only to shatter when they are torn apart by the deeds of an evil druid.

Dragon Knight, Stephen MacKay’s powers are altered after the death of his sister. Now he is plagued with visions that threaten to destroy his soul. When Aileen Kerrigan falls through a time tunnel, he vows to keep her safe, despite the fact the beautiful but head-strong half-blooded fae could be the death of him.

When Aileen finds out her dad is a Fenian Warrior, she flees to a nearby ruin. Armed with the medallion her mother gave her, and a matching one belonging to a long dead knight, she is flung into the past and finds a handsome but surly warrior who is on a quest. Now it seems her future could be entwined with his, if she doesn’t kill him first.

Excerpt:
Stephen was gathering some food, which Betha had prepared for him understanding he would be away all night. She and Donal had pleaded with him to join in the feasting, but he waved them off rather rudely. He wanted no part of the festivities.

Almost colliding with a couple, he swore softly. Placing the food across Grian, he shifted hesitantly. It was then he spotted...her.

His hand froze on the leather sack. Sweet Mother! What was she doing? And dressed like that? She was a Goddess of the flame. He watched as she was swung up into the air by none other than Brian. Then he dared to slide her down against him.

Dark fury burst somewhere deep inside Stephen. “I’m going to kill him,” he rasped out.

The blood roared in his head, as he stormed across the open field, never hearing those who greeted him in passing—one hand held firm against his sword.

Stephen waited as any warrior would. Let the enemy show himself, he thought.

When their dancing brought them nearer to him, he darted in front blocking their path.

They never saw him coming.

Aileen’s back slammed into his chest, and his arms grasped her instantly in a firm grip. “Hey, ouch!” She tried to move, but he held her solid against his body.

Brian skidded to a halt. “Greetings, Sir Stephen.”

He went to grab for Aileen’s hand, when Stephen let out a growl of warning.

“What is your problem? Did you just growl?” demanded Aileen. She tried to pry herself loose, but he continued to hold her firm.

“Mine,” he snarled.

Instantly, Brian’s face went white.

“Thank ye for the dance, Lady Aileen,” Brian clipped out. Giving Stephen a curt nod, he stormed away.

“Bloody. God. Damn. Hell,” Aileen snapped.

Stephen released her, only spinning her around to face him. Something primal within him tore loose. He tried to reason with himself that this was insanity, though his mind and body would not yield. His gaze dropped to those lips—lips he had fantasized about for weeks.

Aileen,” he choked out before his mouth took hers in a plundering kiss. His lips moved over hers devouring their softness. The kiss became urgent, pleading in its need. His tongue sought hers, and the dance of desire seared their bodies. Raw passion took over his anger, and she opened fully, drawing him against her body. She took her hands and wrapped them around his head, threading her fingers in his locks and pulling him in deeper. Never in all of his life had he felt so right in someone’s arms.

When he broke from the kiss, his breathing was labored. Her eyes were dark with desire for him, and he shook with such need, it frightened him.

“By the hounds,” he uttered hoarsely. In one swift move, he picked her up. Carrying her to his horse, he ignored the hoots, and remarks coming from the crowd. Placing her on Grian, he swung around in back, taking off through a large group of oak trees with only one clear thought in mind.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple | Kobo |

If you are a blogger, enjoy Arthurian and other medieval tales, and would like to join Mary and I and several other author-bloggers in expressing our love of all things medieval, you are welcome to check out the #Arthurverse tribe on Triberr.com today!

***

Last week: Shadows of the Past by Carmen Stefanescu
Next week: Camulus by Bambi Lynn

Enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Morning's Journey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim Headlee on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on this blog, especially if you have done the Twitter and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Free book promotion sites! #ampromoting #MFRWOrg #IARTG #ASMSG

Who doesn't love free stuff?
And when you're an author on a limited budget,
"free" is music to the ears!
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Check out these great opportunities to snag some free promo if your e-book qualifies:

  • Post a comment on http://www.addictedtoebooks.com/content/todays-free-kindle-books if your e-book is free or permafree (must apply for an account on the site first; scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page). Permafree posts stay active for 5 days. Restrictions: No erotica; all cover images must be family-friendly. Warning: if your book is not free at the time you post your comment, it will be deleted from the list.
  • If your e-book is $5.99 or less and has at least 5 reviews on Amazon, you can promote your book at http://www.addictedtoebooks.com/content/free-advertising (must apply for an account on the site first). Restrictions: No erotica; all cover images must be family-friendly.
  • This isn't a "promotional" site per se, but if you add your Kindle titles to https://www.authorgraph.com, readers can find them in that catalog and request a free personalized autograph from you for their digital collection. Requires a Twitter account prior to setting up a Authorgraph author account, and there is no charge to authors for this service. (Readers may have to pay a nominal delivery charge depending on their e-reader type.)
  • If your e-book is $5.00 or less, you can submit your book for consideration for a free listing at http://www.bargainbooksy.com/for-authors/.
  • FREE PROMO UNTIL JUNE 1ST: http://bettybookfreak.com/authors/ mailing list promotion, with several different options depending on how many reviews your e-book has, whether it's a new release, etc. Restrictions: authors of multiple titles may only submit one title every 30 days. For all categories except New Release, a title must not have been published within the last 90 days; i.e., pick the New Release category if it's that recent, but no pre-orders are allowed under any circumstances. "Betty reserves the right to decline any submission for any reason she sees fit." After June 1st, authors will be charged a nominal fee for this service.
  • If your e-book is $3.00 or less or is going to be on sale for $3.00 or less, you can submit your book at http://bookpraiser.com/submit-your-bargain-book-to-bookpraiser/. If it's free for a limited time, submit at http://bookpraiser.com/submit-your-free-book-to-bookpraiser/, and if it's permafree, submit at http://bookpraiser.com/submit-your-permafree-book-to-bookpraiser/. (Unfortunately, their link to more free-promo sites no longer exists.)
  • If your Kindle e-book is $2.99 or less and has at least 5 reviews with a 3.5 or higher rating, you can submit your book for consideration at: http://www.ebooklister.net/submit.php. Restrictions: No erotica. Requires email validation as part of the submission process.
  • If your e-book is scheduled for a free promo or is permafree, you can submit it for consideration to http://www.freebooksy.com/editorial-submissions/?utm_campaign=editorial-submissions
  • Free listings for a "limited time" are available via http://readcheaply.com/partners/, a juried subscriber email service. There are several caveats, including the fact that they might not select your submission, they don't list more than one book per month by the same author, and the same book cannot be featured more frequently than once every four months, but if you have high-quality content inside and out, it's worth a shot!
Good luck!

Speaking of free...
Enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Morning's Journey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim Headlee on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on this blog, especially if you have done the Twitter and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!


Monday, April 20, 2015

#MedMonSpring Shadows of the Past by Carmen Stefanescu @Carmen_Books

Medieval Monday on The Maze:
Shadows of the Past by Carmen Stefanescu

Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

Genre: paranormal/light romance/light historical/light horror.

Synopsis:
Anne's relationship with her boyfriend Neil has disintegrated. After a two-year separation, they pack for a week vacation in hopes of reconciling. But fate has other plans for them.

The discovery of a bejeweled cross and ancient human bones opens a door to a new and frightening world--one where the ghost of a medieval nun named Genevieve will not let Anne rest. This new world threatens not only to ruin Anne and Neil's vacation but to end all hopes of reconciliation as Anne feels compelled to help free Genevieve's soul from its torment.

Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve find her eternal rest?

A touching, compelling story of tragedy, loss and the power of endless love and good magic.

The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to rekindle love.

Buy Links

Excerpt:

Andrew pulled her to his chest. "Do you regret you've come with me?"

Passion smothered Genevieve's doubt and guilt. "Never," she answered, aware of her body's response to his touch, and she succumbed to his embrace.

The moonlight bathed his face in silver light. Andrew lowered her wimple, and his fingers threaded into her curls. She swayed, enveloped by the dizzy sensation of drowning in the tumultuous ocean of his gaze. The tenderness of his touch raised in her the wish they had lived in another time and been simple, ordinary people. She longed to feel the warmth of his lips on hers. How much she'd have liked to live the rest of her life beside him and bear his children. A dream not likely to ever come true for her. Why not let the feeling lurking in the pit of her stomach take over and consume her whole being?

Aware of the track of her thoughts, she shifted uneasily, a hot flush warmed her cheeks. Drawing in a deep breath in spite of herself, calming the gnawing unease in her mind and the thought of Sister Dominica guessing she was the dough of a sinner, Genevieve repeated, "Never."

With her eyes closed and their bodies touching she became, for the very first time, simply a woman. She melted in his embrace in spite of the invisible vicious threat breathing around them. Aware they might never be alone again, she fought hard to silence the voice of conscience berating her.

"Oh, God. Please forgive me," Andrew muttered under his breath when he bowed his head to kiss her. Their lips met in a passionate first kiss.

. . .

Far in the forest, the sprightly stream’s clear waters sang their ancient song down the moss-covered banks. Reaching an old, crooked oak tree, bearing the seal of recent lightning damage, the waters trembled, turned muddy and the pale, distorted face of a woman emerged. Her raven black hair floated around her head, the long black tresses writhing and coiling on the waves, like snakes trying to pry free and attack. Her eyes flew open and a hideous grin stretched her lips. She blinked several times and gurgled a hoarse threat to someone known only to her, “You imagine you thwarted my plans even from beyond the grave, but you’re wrong. You shall hear from me. You shall all hear from me! Soon.”

Little by little, the waters of the river became an ugly shade of green, covered the ghastly face, and continued down to the green pastures in the valley while an ominous silence, harbinger of the woman’s spiteful threat, settled over the rugged mountain and its mysterious forest.

***

Last week: The Highlander's Outlaw Bride by Cathy MacRae
Next week: Dragon Knight's Medallion by Mary Morgan

Enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Morning's Journey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim Headlee on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on this blog, especially if you have done the Twitter and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!


Sunday, April 19, 2015

Contest Kickoff: the massive #Fae20KGiveaway from @FaeBooks is live! #giveaway

Join FaeBooks.co.uk and The Maze to celebrate FaeBooks' massive giveaway,
running now until June 22nd!



Hey there! It's Sarah Fae here from FaeBooks.co.uk. Today I'm 
celebrating! I am celebrating not only reaching 20,000 followers, but now over 25,000 followers!

I've teamed up with a bunch of authors, crafters, bloggers and more and together we're bringing you this awesome event! Squeeee!!!!

I just want to point out that this is another INTERNATIONAL giveaway of mine. So nobody gets
excluded! Always awesome, right?

Anyway...

Welcome to the
#Fae20kGiveaway
... Oh yes, it has a hashtag!

I'm super excited right now, so let's
just get straight down to business
and tell you who the fabulous sponsors of this giveaway are.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

5 Easy Questions answered about Kim Headlee #RLFBlog #MFRWAuthor

Now that my income taxes are done for another year, I'm happy to share the answers to "5 Easy Questions" posed by Kayelle Allen of the Romance Lives Forever blog.

RLF: What's your favorite down-home family style meal?

Kim: Steak and peppers, a recipe I learned from my late mother-in-law, which I can now make just about with my eyes closed.

RLF: What is your go-to meal when you dine out?

Kim: Sushi, especially on half-price days at our local Japanese restaurant.

RLF: Describe the perfect vacation.

Kim: A hotel on the beach—any beach—in the off season, when it’s not so murderously hot or crowded, where I don’t have to cook =or=clean! The longer the stay, the better.

RLF: Tell us about your favorite toy as a child.

Kim: It’s a white teddy bear that I carried everywhere from the moment I could pick it up. I left it underneath the tree in our yard when we moved—I was all of a year old when that happened. Several weeks later, the neighbors found it and mailed it to us. Teddy now sits in a place of honor on the shelf above my bedroom’s fireplace; no more nights out in the cold & rain for him!

RLF: If the hero of your latest book called you on the phone, what would be a perfect ringtone for him?

Kim: “Russian Easter Overture” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, the really heroic-sounding part in the middle. It always reminds me of Arthur galloping to the rescue!


Enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Morning's Journey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim Headlee on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on this blog, especially if you have done the Twitter and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!



Tuesday, April 14, 2015

#SpringFling spotlight on IT Exec's Baby by @AuthorTinaGayle #MFRWauthor

Tina Gayle, author of IT Exec's Baby and other novels previously featured on The Maze, always comes up with great ideas for author-exchange themes -- #EggcerptExchange, #RockingSummerRomance, #FallingintoLove -- and now, #SpringFling!


To kick off #SpringFling 2015 on The Maze, Tina shares some thoughts about...

Why do I like Spring?

I love the nature’s slow rebirth from brown to green.

The sound of the peaceful silence of winter turning to the soft melody of birds singing to the joyous sound of life.

Flowers dancing in the wind, attracting the butterflies and pollenating the future.

The refreshing rains that sparks new buds to form on once bare trees.

All the wonders of spring remind me of the new opportunities out there to be the best I can be.

Have a great spring and a wonderful summer.

Tina

That was lovely, Tina, thank you very much!

Tina Gayle grew up a dreamer and loved to escape into the world of books.

After years of working in the business world doing a variety of jobs, she decided to try her hand at writing and hope to incorporate the joy of being a woman into her books.

Married twenty-five years, she and her husband love to travel and play golf.  She can’t wait for Mike to retire so they can do more of both.

Read the first chapter of any of her books by visiting her website.

Find Tina Gayle at:

Home | Blog | Twitter |Goodreads | Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn |


Title: IT Exec's Baby
Series: The Executive Wives' Club, book 2
Synopsis: Brie Sullivan has a new baby girl and there are a million things to do, but Brie doesn’t have the energy to keep up. Why? She’s still grieving for her husband and suffering from baby blues, but she won’t let that stop her. She’s come up with the answer--find a new husband to be the father of her kids.

Jason Clark has been doing everything he can to help Brie. He loves her but can he accept her proposal of marriage knowing she’s not thinking clearly about the future?

Comments from Reviews:
~ “IT Exec’s Baby is almost a love story in reverse. The marriage comes first, then the sex, and finally the love - at least from Brie's point of view. It is tender and poignant at times, and full of strong descriptive passages.”

~ “What I love about series books. Every book gives you more about the characters that you've fallen in love with during the first book.”

~ “IT Exec’s Baby is a riveting story of a woman with numerous problems.”

Excerpt:
With the warmth of the sun beating down on her head and the sound of her children’s laughter ringing in her ears, Brie spread her arms and spun in a circle.

She raised her voice and called to her kids as she walked to the railing of the upper deck. “You better find a good hiding place because ready or not here I come.”

With Isabella down for a nap, Brie drew in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air and the freedom from being stuck inside the house. The kids had convinced her to play with them outside. She loved the easy game of hide-and-go-seek. Glancing over the rail, she scanned the backyard, searching for Ethan’s and Allison’s young forms.

A giggle sounded from below the deck.

Brie stepped down a few stairs to search the patio below. Still unable to catch a glimpse of her children, she continued down the staircase, listening for sounds that might give her a clue to their whereabouts.

Not seeing either one of them, she hugged the back wall and silently slipped to the corner of the house that had concrete steps, which led to the front yard.

Determined to catch one of her kids heading for home-base, Brie refrained from peeking around the corner. The squeak of a tennis shoe alerted her to someone’s arrival.

Ready to grab them the minute they rounded the corner, Brie stayed out of sight. A shadow fell across the patio, and Allison’s young form raced past.

Jumping out to grab her, Brie touched her daughter’s shoulder.

Allison’s wail of surprise vibrated off the bottom of the deck and pierced through Brie’s brain. Undeterred by the noise, she caught her daughter’s arm and spun her around.

“I got you.”

“No,” Allison screamed again.

Read the 1st chapter at: http://www.tinagayle.net/BirthChpt.html
Purchase at:

***

Enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Morning's Journey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Add Kim as a Favorite Author on Amazon.com
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Amazon, Twitter, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book
copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!

Monday, April 13, 2015

#MedMonSpring The Highlander's Outlaw Bride by @CMacRaeAuthor #medieval #romance #BYNR

Medieval Monday continues on The Maze with 
The Highlander's Outlaw Bride by Cathy MacRae!

Synopsis:
Thrust into the role of laird upon his father's unexpected death, Connor MacLaurey returns home to find his cousin has usurped his lands and title. Furthermore, his betrothed--a lass he barely knows and certainly did not agree to marry--is hunted by the sheriff, accused of stealing cattle. His plan is to petition the king for clemency for the foolish chit, break the betrothal, and take his castle back from his treacherous cousin. Marriage is not in his plans.

Brianna Douglas has no desire for marriage. Widowed young, berated daily for failing to give her first husband a child, and sent home in subsequent disgrace, she devotes her life to holding her family's land for her young brother as their sotted father drowns his sorrow in whiskey over her mother's death. Raiders have hit her clan hard, and to save them, she finds herself betrothed to Laird MacLaurey's absent son to seal a pact of protection with the MacLaurey clan.

Forced into a marriage neither wants, it will take a king's edict and sacrifice from both to discover what love means. But can they accept their losses and learn from their mistakes before Brianna marries another?

Excerpt:
Her step quickened and she fled the room to the stairway leading to her chamber. An iron grip on her arm yanked her to a stop and she whirled to face him, his expression black with fury.

“Let go of me!” she hissed angrily.

Conn released her arm, but did not move away. “What do ye think ye are about? Are ye dead set on being hanged?”

“The king pardoned me.”

“Aye, for reiving. Disobedience to the king is treason and will also get ye hanged.”

Brianna eyed him narrowly, unable to quell her toe as it tapped the stone floor impatiently. “I dinnae want to marry.”

“Well, there will be none to wed ye from the gallows.” He loomed over her, his expression darker still. “And I could have refused ye for yer lack of respect.”

“Lack of respect? I said naught that is not on any other’s tongue, m’laird.”

“Ye know naught of me or my past year in France.”

“Enough to know I dinnae want to be shackled to a skirt-chaser like yerself. I dinnae want such disrespect in my marriage, either!”

Conn exhaled a long breath. “Why are ye so against this marriage?”

“Are ye daft? What is there to recommend it?”

“The reivers—“

“Have stripped my clan of their wealth.”

“Yer dowry is of no importance to me. However, I do find myself in need of an heir.”

Furious, Brianna tossed her head. “Ye would do better to find a woman ye know will give ye one. I have no desire to be that woman.”

“Is that so?” The soft tone of his voice did not match the fire she saw in his eyes. She shook off the frisson of longing before it woke the passion his voice ignited in her, and did not flinch as she spoke the lie.

“Aye.”

Buy link: http://www.amzn.com/B00UD9JMBQ

***

Last week: #KASIWC King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court
Next week: Shadows of the Past by Carmen Stefanescu

Enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Morning's Journey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim Headlee on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on this blog, especially if you have done the Twitter and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!


Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Writing the Small Town Romance by @JanaRichards_ #follow #amwriting #giveaway

Today on The Maze I welcome back author Jana Richards (@JanaRichards_; please follow her and enter her giveaway below!) to talk about...

Writing the Small Town Romance

I love small town romances. There’s something irresistible about a love story set in a town of quirky characters, unique businesses and even interesting pets.


Into that amazing, quirky little town we drop our hero and heroine. Sometimes they’re both natives of the town.  Perhaps they’ve lived there all their lives, and have harbored secret feelings for each other for years. Or maybe one of them has recently returned home, either permanently or for what they believe will be a short stay. In my small town romance FIRST AND AGAIN, Bridget Grant returns to her small hometown, Paradise, North Dakota, when both her business and her marriage fail, leaving her broke and out of options. Her plan is to work temporarily in her mother’s bar until she gets back on her feet, and then she and her daughter will move back to San Francisco. But when she reconnects with Jack Davison, her first love, she begins to rethink her decision to leave.

In other small town romances, one of the lovers is a newcomer to the town. They are a stranger in a strange land, a fish out of water. That describes Alex Campbell in ONE MORE SECOND CHANCE. Arriving from his hometown of San Diego, Alex ends up in Lobster Cove, a small town on an island in Maine. He accepts a temporary position as a doctor in the town as a way to pay off his medical school debt. He only plans to stay for two years, the length of his contract. When the story opens he has only ten months left. Of course everything changes for Alex when he meets Julia. 

Even though Bridget rekindles her love for Jack, and Alex is head over heels for Julia, love might not be enough. Bridget left Paradise nearly twenty years previously because she wanted more than the small town could offer her. A chef trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Bridget previously worked in some of the great restaurants of San Francisco, and then owned a large catering company with her ex-husband. Despite her recent setbacks, she’s got big dreams. Alex loves the excitement and challenge of a big city emergency room. Professionally, can he be happy in a town as small as Lobster Cove?

In FIRST AND AGAIN, Bridget begins a new catering company with her former high school nemesis, and reopens the restaurant in her mother’s bar and hotel business. In ONE MORE SECOND CHANCE, Alex discovers how challenging family medicine can be. So they both find meaningful work. But is it enough? Small towns are just that – small. They lack many of the amenities that city dwellers take for granted. There has to be something that makes people like Bridget and Alex want to stay, something they can’t get in a big city.

This is where those quirky characters come in. The thing about small towns is that they are communities. Their inhabitants care about each other and support each other when the chips are down. Showing this community caring at work is vital for a successful small town romance. The small town has to show that it is a worthy place for the hero and heroine to live and love.

Have you ever lived in a small town? What was the best thing about it? Would you like to live in a small town?

From today until April 11 at midnight, I’m having a promotion that I call “Over the Hump”. I need help getting over the 2,000 follower mark on Twitter so I can follow more people. So I’m holding a contest and giving away prizes. Check out my blog, Journeys with Jana, for more information, or enter the Rafflecopter contest below. Thank you for reading my post today!

And thank you, Jana, for sharing your advice on The Maze--which is indeed located in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.


About First and Again
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:
Bridget Grant is back in Paradise. Paradise, North Dakota, that is.

She’s swallowed her pride and moved back to her hometown with her daughter after her divorce and the loss of her catering company. Now she’s trying to navigate the strained relationships she’d left behind – including her first love, Jack Davison.

Jack never forgot Bridget, or the day she left town – and him. When Bridget caters a lunch at Jack’s tourist ranch, old flames reignite. They have more in common than ever – Jack’s also a single parent. Though they both try to keep things casual, Bridget, Jack and their girls are starting to look a lot like a family.

But Bridget’s only planning to stay in Paradise until she’s saved enough to relaunch her business. Jack’s invested too much in his ranch to leave. And with their daughters involved both have a lot more at stake than heartbreak. How can they risk falling in love?

Excerpt:
The sound of an approaching vehicle made her cringe. The driver would likely stop and ask what had happened and whether she was all right. The thought of having to explain her actions made her feel slightly queasy. She prayed for the person to keep on going, to ignore the woman in a pink apron walking alone down a gravel road.

No such luck. 

She heard the vehicle slow to a crawl as it pulled next to her. Righteous anger bubbled in her chest when she glanced over and saw Jack Davison roll down his window.
 
“Going for a walk?” he asked.

“Something like that.”

“Need a ride back to the motel?”

“No thanks. I don’t accept rides from people who laugh at me.”

She kept on walking, her head high. To her dismay Jack continued to follow her slowly with his truck.

“When did I laugh at you? I’ve only seen you once since you got here.”

“Once was enough.”

“You mean the night Tina gave you a hard time?”

Bridget didn’t answer. Perhaps it seemed petty to others, but Tina and Celia had humiliated her, and Jack had laughed at her. She wasn’t likely to get over it quickly.

“I wasn’t laughing at you. I enjoyed seeing Tina get taken down a peg. It doesn’t happen often, and frankly, I was impressed.” He paused a moment. “Are you sure you don’t want a ride?”

She glanced toward Jack and he grinned back, all innocence and boyish charm. Despite herself, she returned his smile. He was a hard man to stay angry with, and she really didn’t want to walk back to the motel and risk having other people pass her on the road.

“Fine. I’ll ride with you.”

He stopped the truck and gestured toward the passenger door of his half-ton. “Hop in.” 

She climbed into the cab, slammed the door shut, then buckled her seat belt. She smoothed the apron over her lap, suddenly feeling stupid and regretting her decision to accept the ride. Jack probably thought she was crazy, or at best, unbalanced. There was no way she could explain the fear that had controlled her life the last two years. 

“I have a punching bag,” he said, his eyes on the road ahead.

“Excuse me?” she said, confused. Had she missed part of this conversation? 

“When I can’t get things or people to do what I want them to do, or when I’m just plain pissed off, I go down into my basement and beat the hell out of Bozo the Clown.”

She stared at his profile. “Bozo the Clown?”

“I have an old Bozo punching bag, you know, one of those toys that’s weighted on the bottom so it keeps popping back up. Bozo takes a licking and keeps coming back for more.”

“Oh, I see,” she said cautiously.

He turned and flashed a dazzling smile. “No, I’m not crazy. At least no crazier than you. Everybody needs some way of getting out their frustrations or they’ll eat you alive. Mine happens to be beating the crap out of Bozo, and I suspect that yours is walking briskly down country roads.”

She relaxed against the seat. “Maybe.” 

“Next time lose the apron. You can’t pretend you’re a serious jogger if you’re wearing a frilly pink apron.”

“No, I suppose not.” She grinned, the weight of embarrassment lifting from her shoulders. Jack’s quirky sense of humor had always intrigued and delighted her. “Next time I feel the urge to take a hike I’ll throw on some jogging pants and tell everyone I’m training for a marathon. That ought to stop the gossiping.” 

“Sorry to disillusion you, but nothing’s likely to do that. Gossip and Paradise go together like peanut butter and jam. Most of the time it’s harmless, but if you’re smart you’ll try not to draw too much attention to yourself.”

“Trust me, that’s the last thing I want to do.” She untied the apron and pulled it over her head. “Doesn’t it ever get to you? The life in the fishbowl? Are you and your wife happy living in Paradise?”

He glanced at her, and she saw a momentary look of surprise in his expression before he turned his attention back to his driving.

“I’m happy enough. The fishbowl thing doesn’t bother me.”

“That’s good.”

“But if you’re going to live in a small town, you’d better get up to date on your gossip. I’ve been single the last ten years.”

The news took her by surprise. Was he single because of divorce or because his wife had died? “Oh, I’m sorry. Celia didn’t tell me.” She wondered why her sister hadn’t filled her in after all this time.

Jack shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”

He offered no further information and she decided not to ask any more questions. After all, she barely knew him anymore.

Buy Links:
Carina Press | Amazon | Kobo | B & N |

Enter this great giveaway in honor of First and Again
to win a $10 Amazon gift certificate!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim Headlee on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on this blog, especially if you have done the Twitter and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!



Monday, April 6, 2015

#MedievalMonday begins with #KASIWC (King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court) #Arthurverse

Thanks to author Ashley York I have been invited to participate in the current round of Medieval Monday, which kicks off today with all participating authors of medieval fiction introducing their books on their own blogs. In honor of the 105th anniversary of Mark Twain's death on 04/21/1910, I have chosen to feature my homage to his work, King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court by Mark Twain as channeled by Kim Iverson Headlee. Enjoy!


TITLE – King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court (#KASIWC)
AUTHOR – Kim Iverson Headlee
GENRE – Science Fiction/Fantasy Time-Travel Romance
PUBLICATION DATE – 1 November 2014 (e-book); 30 November 2015 (audiobook); 30 November 2015 (hardcover)
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 350 pages/70K words
PUBLISHER – Lucky Bat Books
COVER ARTIST – Jennifer Doneske
INTERIOR ARTISTS – Jennifer Doneske and Tom Doneske
FEATURE-LENGTH SCRIPTS – Registered trilogy: adaptation of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, adaptation of KASIWC, and original script The Once and Future Queen; all available upon request.


SYNOPSIS
Morgan le Fay, 6th-century Queen of Gore and the only major character not killed off by Mark Twain in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, vows revenge upon the Yankee Hank Morgan. She casts a spell to take her to 1879 Connecticut so she may waylay Sir Boss before he can travel back in time to destroy her world. But the spell misses by 300 miles and 200 years, landing her in the Washington, D.C., of 2079, replete with flying limousines, hovering office buildings, virtual-reality television, and sundry other technological marvels.

Whatever is a time-displaced queen of magic and minions to do? Why, rebuild her kingdom, of course—two kingdoms, in fact: as Campaign Boss for the reelection of American President Malory Beckham Hinton, and as owner of the London Knights world-champion baseball franchise.

Written as though by the old master himself, King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court by Mark Twain as channeled by Kim Iverson Headlee offers laughs, love, and a candid look at American society, popular culture, politics, baseball...and the human heart.

BUY LINKS:
Amazon Kindle:
US | UK | CA | AU | BR | DE | ES | FR | IN | IT | JP | MX | NL |

EPUB format for:
Nook | iPad/iPhone | Kobo | Smashwords

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Bee Zee Books | BookBzz | BooksGoSocial | Booksyeah! |
Book of the Day (3/3/15) | Goodreads |
Character interview of Queen Morgan on Love My Kindle |
Screenplay excerpt featured on the blog of Diana Rubino |

EXCERPT:
(from Chapter XIV: Defend the Banner!)

The wench’s smile looked indulgent, if a bit saddened. “Queen Morgan, may I offer an observation?”

“Pray, proceed, Darla, as I seem to have paid for it.”

“This is about a man—the dishy one you’re always coming in here with.”

“Brilliant. Yes, the dishy one. Dishy, and treacherous.” I took a long pull of bitters.

“Lor’ love ye, madame; but all men are treacherous! If you’re lucky, that’s all he is.”

I reflected, through another draught, upon this spot of rough wisdom. Of all the men I had ever known, biblically or not, in this century or any other, the only man I could not label as “treacherous” was Sir Galahad, and we all know what happened to him. For the couple of you who might not be privy to the story: in brief, Sir Galahad drank from the Holy Grail and fell down dead, reportedly because his soul was so pure that Our Lord God bustled him straightaway to heaven. The fact that Sir Galahad had always acted so damned self-righteous that his Grail-hunting companions had wearied of his holier-than-thou ways probably had nothing whatever to do with his demise. I said:

“You need his love… and he needs yours.”
(c)2015 by Jennifer Doneske

“I have treachery aplenty in my life, Darla.” Free agents, not-free agents, other players, managers, coaches… the list seemed endless. “I do not need more from Sandy Carter.”

“But you do need his love.”

I shook my head. “With love like that…”

She was not listening, but had looked toward the line of tall windows fronting the street, across which arched the words “nnI dleiftuO” and, in a revolving pattern of white, blue, and red tube-lights, “NEPO.” I would have taken umbrage at the offense—the server’s, not the fact that the words in the windows appeared backward to my vantage—but I had imbibed too much beer to care.

Darla said, “You need his love… and he needs yours. Look.”

***

Thank you for taking a look at #KASIWC,

And check out this YouTube video highlighting all the participating authors' works!


Meanwhile, enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Liberty!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Add Kim as a Favorite Author on Amazon.com
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Amazon, Twitter, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Liberty. Please enter often, and good luck!

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Yes, I #amwriting at the beach! (The Dawnflier, April 2015) #Arthurverse #MFRWAuthor

Gull on Myrtle Beach
Photo copyright 2014 by Kim Headlee
March in the Appalachians decided to go out like a lion, rather than a lamb--I woke up to snow the morning I composed this post, and it didn't get over the freezing mark all day--so I decided to throw in the proverbial towel.

The beach towel, that is.

Our goats, dogs, and cats are being well looked after by my husband, who alas was not able to join me because of all the snow days that had eaten away at his school's spring break. Turns out, this is a great break for all of us. :)

It's not all-play-and-no-work for me, however! This is a writing vacation, and I hope to make great progress on my latest novel, Raging Sea. The sea here on the Grand Strand doesn't exactly rage, but it's a great place to fake it. The latest excerpt of Raging Sea may be viewed here, and that post contains links to all the previous installments.

And please click on the tabs to view my book pages to see the latest in blog tours, reviews, free books, and more!

In other news...

Congratulations to Drue and Judy (already notified), the latest winners in my monthly blog contest!

My upcoming appearances include:
  • April 10, 10-11 a.m. Reading from King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court at Easley Library, Bluefield College, VA.
  • April 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Signing and selling books at the Celebration of Appalachia Festival, Bluefield College, VA.
  • April 18, 9:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Signing and selling books at Con of the Mountain comicon, 518 Church Street, Clifton Forge, VA.
  • April 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Signing and selling books at the Experience Art in Wytheville event, Wytheville, VA.
If you're a blogger, you're connected on Triberr, and you blog about the Arthurian Legends, even if it's only occasionally, take a peek at my new Triberr tribe, the Arthurverse (#Arthurverse)! I've found that Triberr is a great way to boost blog post views, and I'm happy to welcome new members who share my love for the Arthurian legends.

And I'm always on the lookout for more members to join my Street Team! All missions (mainly of the online variety, at present) are optional, but team members earn points toward special prizes such as free e-books, autographed print books, audiobooks, artwork, exclusive sneak peeks, and special mention in my next book! I invite you to join the Facebook group "Kim's All-Stars" and thanks!

Enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Morning's Journey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And it's not too late to enter this giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Dawnflight!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim Headlee on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on this blog, especially if you have done the Twitter and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!