#MySexySaturday LET'S PRETEND #MSSAuthor #Romance @MySexySaturday #Saturday7

I'm sharing another snippet for My Sexy Saturday blog hop. This week my seven sentences is from Let's Pretend, a second chance rom com about the love of family and that little spark that never goes away when you're with the one you're meant to be with. 

I know this week is suppose to be a bit Halloween. I don't do Halloween, but I do love sexy romance. 

Let's Pretend

Back Cover Copy

True love needs no pretence

When A&E trauma surgeon, Dr. Isobel Murphy, married sexy Irish firefighter, Lucas Delaney, she knew it was going to be forever. Unfortunately, she didn’t realise forever would only last five short years.

Keeping her failed marriage from her family seems like a piece of cake, until her grandmother calls a family gathering and Belle suspects she’s about to announce a critical illness. Making excuses for Luc’s absence, she flies home to Connecticut. Then delicious Lucas arrives for the three-day get-together and Belle knows things are going to get dicey. Especially since he still has the power to make her heart miss a beat, and her stomach bottom out.

When Belle asks him to pretend they’re still deeply in love, Luc doesn’t have a problem. He sees an opportunity to reclaim the love of his life. And he goes all out to remind Belle how it used to be between them, before long work hours and clashing schedules invaded their marriage. What he needs to know though, is, once the pretence is over, will Belle be applying for her decree absolute? Or will they be renewing wedding vows?

7 Sentence Excerpt

“What did you expect me to do? I was shocked to see you.”

“Interesting that your reflex to the shock of seeing me was to kiss me instead of slap me. Now that would have told everyone our marriage was in trouble.” He resumed his course toward the kitchen.

Aggravated beyond wisdom, Belle fell into step beside him. “Can I slap you now as a delayed reaction?” 

(C) Monique DeVere 2013

All Rights Reserved

*****

You can purchase Let's Pretend from any Amazon store-front, as well as several other booksellers, but here are two outlets for your convenience.

AmazonUS ~*~ AmazonUK 

Please don't forget to check out the other fab authors participating in the My Sexy Saturday blog hop. 

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Pull Up A Chair With Mon ~ Let's Talk About: Where’d That Idea Come From? #WriteTips #WritersAndReaders

 Where’d That Idea Come From?

I have another treat for you! Yesterday I had the lovely Linda Carroll-Bradd visiting. Today I have the fabulous Nancy Fraser hanging out with me. She's another talented author that I love, and she's kindly agreed to pull up a chair with me to talk about where she gets her ideas. 

Monique: Welcome, Nancy! So thrilled you're here today.

Nancy: Thanks, Monique, I'm happy to be here.

Monique: One of the first questions authors are routinely asked is: "where do you get your ideas?" You have such a wide variety of books, it must be a challenge to come up with so many fresh ideas. Tell us about where you get your ideas, Nancy, then please share with us a little of your new contemporary romance Home is Where the Hunk is. 

Nancy: Like most authors, if I’ve heard that question once, I’ve heard it a hundred … no make that a thousand … times.

And, as I’ve always said, my ideas come from life.

I write both contemporary and historical romances, as well as the historical sub-genre known as vintage (think 1950’s, 1960’s). Ideas for each if these varied genres must be gleaned from entirely different places.

Contemporary romances are by far the easiest … just look around you. What’s hot on television? What’s the latest fad? The hardest part about finding an idea for a contemporary is that most of the current storylines have been done to death.

Because I like to inject humor into my contemporaries, I look for a funny incident to introduce my characters (e.g., a case of mistaken identity) like I did with my holiday novella, Pushing the Limits. My very first book, a sweet contemporary, brought my hero together based on something that had happened to me in real life. I’d been the victim of a flasher and so, I had my heroine (the victim) and the hero (the local sheriff) first meet when she goes to the authorities to make a rather comical statement.

My current book, Home is Where the Hunk is, was actually based on a true-life event. I interviewed the woman in question and then fashioned her heart-warming, selfless story into a romance. 

Historical romances are a bit more complicated. While the idea can come from something around you, research is still necessary to make the story fit the time period. Because I’m a child of the 50’s and 60’s, I find the vintage era easy to write and base my stories on actual memories from my childhood. I also let the wonderful music inspire me.

How about ideas for older historical romances? History books are a wealth of information, of course, but there are other places. When my mother passed away years ago I found a shoebox on a shelf in her bedroom closet. Filled with papers from the 1910’s and 20’s, it literally sang to me with possibilities. The box included ration stamps from World War II, a receipt for a car my grandfather purchased in 1924, and a card of pearl buttons that sold for ten cents. Each item, while of no value to anyone but my mother, shouted “write about me”, “tell my story”. In the bottom of the box were letters from my father to my mother, some from while he was away during the war, some from afterward when they were separated due to his work. I can honestly say … I had no idea my father was so romantic! I haven’t done “their” story yet, but I plan to.

So, where do those ideas come from … just about any place your mind can take you! Writers out there … unleash your inner muse and keep writing. Readers, please keep reading. You are why we do what we do!

Home is Where the Hunk is

Blurb

When globe-trotting photographer Allison Cain comes home to her family ranch in Montana it’s to get to know her nephew and to make amends with the widowed brother-in-law she’s left alone to raise his young son.

Evan Carver could never deny his late wife’s younger sister anything, despite the fact she’s been conspicuously absent over the past three years since her sister’s death. Now she’s home again on what she’s called an extended vacation. Evan’s first concern is for his son, Cody, and how his aunt’s visit will affect the five year old when she decides to return to her high profile career.

Allison has no intention of going back to work. In addition to getting to know Cody, she needs to confess her biggest secret to Evan. How do you tell the man you’ve always loved that you’re not just his son’s aunt, but also his mother?

Excerpt 

Slowly she raised her head. Unshed tears filled her eyes, making them glisten like liquid stars. Evan felt a lump form in his own throat. She blinked rapidly in what Evan suspected was a conscious effort to hide her emotions. A knot tightened his gut. He had the sudden urge to take Ali in his arms, as he’d done the day she arrived, and bury her face against his chest, preferably without the argument that followed.

In the very back of his over-used imagination, he could see her coming willingly into his arms. He could feel the heat of her tears against his chest. His reaction surprised and frightened him in equal measure. He didn’t want to feel this way about her, especially when he knew she wouldn’t stay.

“Me, too,” she admitted softly, drawing Evan’s attention from her teary eyes to her soft, pink lips. The tears she’d been fighting back so tenaciously now pearled on her lashes, threatening to spill forth at any second.

Evan moved away from the tree, inching his way around Cody and close to Allison’s side. Cautiously, he lifted his hand and caught the first tear on his thumb, uncertain of exactly what had made her cry, yet knowing he selfishly welcomed the chance to offer her comfort.

“When I left South America, the only thing I could think of was coming here. I wanted desperately to feel the lush grass beneath my bare feet and to smell the fresh, clean air.”

“I don’t care what made you decide to come home. You’re here now and welcome to stay as long as you like.” Drawing her into his arms, he held her close and tilted her chin up with his fingertips until their gazes met.

At the first touch of his lips to hers, Evan tasted the cinnamon and apple of the dessert they’d just consumed. He pressed his lips more firmly to hers. She hesitated only briefly before returning his kiss with one of her own. He barely had time to consider what they’d done when Ali’s trembling voice broke through his consciousness.

“Evan,” she whispered. “Don’t, please.” Pressing her hands to his chest, she pushed lightly. Yet, when he would have backed away, she clenched the front of his shirt tightly in her fists. “We can’t . . .” she warned, still seemingly unwilling to let him go.

“Ali, it was only a kiss.”

She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes and Evan knew if he didn’t let her go he’d likely do something they’d both regret. Gently, he grasped her hands in his and pulled them from the death grip she’d taken on his shirt. With his thumb he wiped away a final spent tear then released her completely. A moment later he was on his feet and walking back toward the damaged fence. It would take every ounce of strength he possessed, he realized, to keep from turning around and taking her into his arms again.

*****

BUY LINKS

AmazonUS ~*~ AmazonUK

Author BIO

Like most authors, Nancy Fraser began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five beautiful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people. She invites you to visit her website (www.nancyfraser.ca) and follow her on Twitter (@nfraserauthor). Or, more importantly, just enjoy what she writes.

Nancy's hiding places:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Pull Up A Chair With Mon ~ Let's Talk About: Tips for Writing a Short Story #WriteTips #Romance

Tips for Writing a Short Story

I'm thrilled to have Linda Carroll-Bradd here with me today. She's a talented author of over sixteen published books and novellas. She's kindly agreed to pull up a chair with me and share both her tips for writing short stories and an excerpt from her new release. I can't wait to read her stellar advice on a simple way to plot a short story. If you've been waiting for an easy to understand guide to the short story, you've come to the right place.

Monique: Welcome, Linda! So thrilled to have you here.

Linda: Thanks, Monique, I'm happy to be here.

Monique: First can you share your tips for writing a short story with us. I don't know about the rest of  you, but I can't wait! Then will you give us a peek at your new release: Unlocked Treasure?

Linda: Several months ago, I took an online class in writing a short story. My purpose in taking the class was to get fired up to write to a specific deadline. I’d been procrastinating and needed the push because I wasn’t getting a handle on my story. Besides the push, I gathered a few tips I wanted to share. As with every class I take, I tweak the info to fit my own needs.

In writing short shorts (5K words), the set-up is fairly easy—First meet, Refusal, Second meet, Acceptance. In that length, the story should be immediate and take place within a very short time frame. Look too easy? Really, the structure is just a skeleton but you figure that each of those steps can only take approximately 1,250 words (which is 5 pages), and writing that suddenly becomes manageable.

No need to write out long character biographies or go into detailed research on a particular setting. The focus will be tight on the characters and their involvement, but that has to happen somewhere. And you’ll have to provide a sense of the type of personalities these characters have. One of my go-to ways for characterization is to rely on an archetype from The Writer’s Guide to Heroes & Heroines by Tami Cowden, Caro LaFever,  & Sue Viders. To kick off the plot, I toss in a couple standard romantic tropes (Reunion, Woman in Jeopardy, Baby on the Doorstep, Revenge, Amnesia, Seeking Justice, etc.) and then I flesh out the specific details unique to this couple. 

For anyone wishing to have a copy of the template, go to this FOLDER on Dropbox.

This method has served me well over the past few months as I’ve used the template to write and contract three stories that were accepted into anthologies: Bewitching Gypsy in Spooktacular Seductions releasing 10/31; Wanderer, Come Home, in Cowboys, Creatures and Calico, Vol 1--available now; and Clari’s Hero in Present For a Cowboy, coming for Christmas.

Earlier this year, I wrote a story that includes genealogy, broken engagement, pirate history, yachting, treasure hunting, ancient maps—my research was all encompassing. Only when I focused on the elements described above did the story and the interactions between the characters come together. That became Unlocked Treasure, a contemporary novella with Halloween-themed events released by The Wild Rose Press.

Unlocked Treasure

Will a prophecy keep a lonely woman from accepting the promise of adventure?

Blurb

Aleen MacRae blames the lure of the sea for breaking apart first her family then her engagement. When her interest is caught by a treasure-seeking man, she resists—afraid to believe in her aunt’s prediction that her future is tied to the sea. Braden Williams is tracing his heritage and the pirate treasure linked to his ancestor. Will Aleen play things safe or accept what this free-spirited man offers?

Excerpt 

Ah, the story of her life—practically invisible. The reminder his first sighting had been of her bikini-clad backside made her blush. Still didn’t change the facts. Aleen squared her shoulders. “I remember, but the Manor grounds are still closed.” Should she be nervous about being alone with this stranger, especially one who ignored posted rules?

“Sorry for the intrusion. Let me start over.” Smiling, he approached and extended his right hand. “My name’s Braden Williams.”

Aleen bit her lower lip, but accepted his hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Aleen MacRae.” At the moment their hands clasped, she felt warmth flooding her fingers. With a jerk, she released her grip, tingling sensations running along her skin. Immediately, the scent of fresh air and summer breezes wafted her way. Definitely a man of the sea. Just where I foretold your future lies. Whispers of her great-aunt Zsofika’s prophecy trickled through Aleen’s thoughts. At the memory, her cheeks flamed with heat.

“Wow.” Frowning, Braden flexed his hand and narrowed his gaze then dropped it to his flexing fingers. “That was bizarre.”

“Static electricity, from all that wind yesterday.” A reasonable explanation. In the back of her mind, Aleen could hear Zsofika scoff, “Static schmatic. A connection like that is destiny.”

“Well…” His gaze searched her face. “Aleen—hey, that’s pretty, like the direction alee.” A wide smile exposed even teeth.

Her own smile dimmed. Like I’ve never heard that before. “Thanks.” This guy was not charming his way around the rules. “Sorry, but you’ll need to come back when the gardens are open for visitors. That’s Wednesdays through—”

“Yeah, I read the sign.” He gave a dismissive wave then turned to gaze back at the main house. “But I just needed five minutes to check out some dimensions and the lot layout.”

“So, you woke up this morning and just decided to start out your week by trespassing?”

*****

Giveaway contest running through 10/26 on Linda's blog or her Facebook pages.

BUY LINKS

AmazonUS ~*~ AmazonUK

Barnes & Noble

The Wild Rose Press

KOBO Books

All Romance ebooks

Author BIO

As a child, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about characters having exciting adventures in places far away. As an adult, she discovered romance books and read them at every spare moment. Upon reaching a landmark birthday, she decided to write one of those romances she loved so much. Easier said than done. Perseverance paid out and twelve years later, she received her first call from a publisher and a confession story was published. Now Linda writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor and a bit of sass, and many have a tie to her previous home of Texas.

Linda currently lives in the southern California mountains with her husband of 35 years and their two much-loved dogs, Shiba Inu Keiko and terrier mix Phoenix.

Linda's hiding places:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

YOU DON'T GET JOE! Book Hook Hop #MFRWhooks #Romance #eBooks

I'm all about the blog hops this week :). 

This one is Book Hooks Meme, hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers. As a member of MFRW I get to participate in this wonderful blog hop, along with some great authors who will be sharing snippets of our books today. 

My featured book is You Don't Get Joe! my Valentine novella. Hey, since I fully believe we can make every day Valentine's, I decided to share a bit of You Don't Get Joe! with you. Hope you enjoy the taster! Don't forget to hop on over to MFRW Authors Blog to read the other authors in the Book Hook Hop! 

You Don't Get Joe!

A lot can happen in six days!

There’s no secret that New York columnist Robyn (Robbie) Dare hates Valentine’s Day. So when her editor assigns her the task of writing a column about V-Day, she advises her readers to skip it. Dubbed The Valentine Hater, at least one person is out for blood, leaving Robbie little choice but to beat a hasty retreat back to her family in the UK. It wouldn’t be so bad, if heartthrob Joe Langford wasn’t right on hand to welcome her back. She used to have a thing for Joe. So did her sister. Five years ago, Robyn pretended to choose her career and walked away, but she always regretted her decision.

There was a time when Joe longed to rectify the mistake he made when he let the woman he loved walk out of his life. Now she’s back and bringing a heap of trouble with her. Good thing Joe likes trouble. He isn’t sure how this mess will turn out, but one thing Joe knows for sure, skipping Valentine’s Day just might be the best thing Robbie ever did!

_________________________________________________________________________________


Excerpt


Her lack of sleep must have lowered her inhibitions, because Robyn would never have submitted to the desire otherwise.

She glanced at the bedside clock. Was that the time? She checked her phone.

Yep. Three thirty-five p.m.!

She could snuggle back under the covers and sleep the rest of the day away... or... she thought of Joe. A fuzzy flutter in her belly had her sliding from the warm comfort mattress and heading to the en suite shower. She had to get his number from her mum, phone him, and apologise. She wasn’t in the habit of begging for kisses. 

She wanted him to know that. 

(C) Monique DeVere 2014

All Rights Reserved

_________________________________________________________________________________

You can purchase You Don't Get Joe! from any Amazon store, but here are two for your convenience. You can also borrow the novella from Amazon Prime in the US or KindleUnlimited here in the UK.

AmazonUK ~*~ AmazonUS

Don't forget to check out the other MFRW snippets HERE.

#MySexySaturday ZACH'S REBOUND GIRL #MSSAuthor #Romance @MySexySaturday #Saturday7

It's been a few weeks since I last participated in a blog hop so I decided to join in the My Sexy Saturday Blog Hop this week. The hop requires participating authors to post 7 paragraphs, 7 sentences or 7 words from a WIP (work in progress) or published work. 

The theme this time is A Sexy Thriller. My 7 sentence snippet comes from Zach's Rebound Girl, my full length Romantic Comedy, light Mystery/Suspense which is set here in the UK and in Vermont. It's from a sexy scene that gets interrupted in a very chilling way...

Blurb

Goodbye quiet geek ... hello hot TV personality.

Television property renovator Maddison de la Botella is popular, adored, and on the brink of snagging the opportunity to restore her ancestral home—if a ruthless developer doesn’t tear it down first! Her life has suddenly gone from smooth to bumpy, and it all starts the night she discovers her new neighbour ogling her in her hot tub is none other than Zachary Canady! Her once-upon-a-time best friend and heartbreaker.

He’s still way too gorgeous, still makes her heart flip—and still sees her as just a friend. Back in uni, Zach made sure she understood men wanted exciting women. And there was nothing exciting about Maddie. Now ten years on, here’s her chance to make him notice she’s a living, breathing, desirable woman—even if she almost cracks a tooth to prove it. But is it coincidence that as soon as Zach re-enters her life, she becomes curiously accident-prone?

Commercial property developer, Zach is about to close the business deal of his career until his past catches up with him, and he’s knocked sideways by the stunner next door. Suddenly he can’t decide what he’s protecting Maddie from—his white-hot desire, or the psychotic stalker out to harm her.

*~*~*

He smiled and she fancied she saw adoration there too. “I was waiting for the perfect time to tell you this, but every time I’m with you is perfect. Maddie, I—”

A metallic click interrupted whatever Zach was about to say. 

She glanced over her shoulder. 

Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest, a trillion pinpricks of shock and fear exploded through her. 

Zach’s arms tightened around her as they both stared toward the person walking out from behind the wide trunk of an oak tree, a small gun clasped between hands at chest level, elbows locked, contempt glinting from a cold glare.

(C) Monique DeVere 2014

All Rights Reserved

*~*~*

If you enjoyed this snippet and would like to read the entire novel, you can purchase Zach's Rebound Girl exclusively from any Amazon store. Or you can borrow the novel from Amazon Prime in the US or Amazon KindleUnlimited in the UK. 

AmazonUS   ~*~   AmazonUK

Thanks for stopping by to read My Sexy Saturday 7. Please visit the other blogs in this hop for more tasty snippets HERE.



Hugs x

Cover Reveal: New Cover & Title ~ Ethan's Temporary Fling (Book 1 in the Sexiest Eye Candy series) #Romance

After thinking about this for a while, I finally decided to change the title and cover of Sexiest Eye Candy. Since book 2 will be titled Brad's Beck 'n' Call girl, I thought it might be prudent to change book 1 to reflect the theme. Sexiest Eye Candy (Book 1 of the Sexiest Eye Candy series) is now titled: Ethan's Temporary Fling.

Then I decided to also have the cover re-made. I spent some time with my amazing cover designer and close friend--the wonderful Crystal Swan--and she came up with the fab cover you see below! I just love this new cover. Thanks Crystal!

The story hasn't changed, just the title and cover.

You can purchase Ethan's Temporary Fling from any Amazon store. Here are two for your convenience.

AmazonUS ~*~ AmazonUK