Cover Spot: Rose of Hope by Mairi Norris

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Here’s my new logo–close to the old one, but cropped up and a bit bigger. What do you think?

This week’s featured cover is from Mairi Norris, an author of medieval romance and a fellow member of my local chapter. This book is the first in her Ballads of the Roses series.

Quote from Mairi Norris ~ “I love the Ballads of the Roses covers. They are the work of cover designer Dar Albert, who has created the perfect medium to showcase the romantic medieval nature of the books in the series.”

BLURB:

Her sentence is death.

Evil turns the life of Ysane Wulfsingas, a woman of gentleness and peace, into a nightmare that drives her to murder. When a new enemy, the fearsome knight Fallard D’Auvrecher, charges headlong into her life intent on picking up where her former husband left off, her only defense is to guard well her heart.

Captain Fallard D’Auvrecher holds the opportunity of a lifetime within his hand. To keep it, he must rescue Ysane Wulfsingas from execution, for the beautiful Rose of Wulfsinraed is the key to all he has fought for in his years as a knight of King William. Fallard must conquer not only the rebel commander who desires Wulfsinraed for himself, but also the demesne’s serenely obstinate mistress.

Though he has waged countless battles, Fallard soon learns the greatest challenge of all is the fight for the lady’s heart.

Buy Links:

Rose of Hope: Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Hope-Ballads-Roses-Book-ebook/dp/B00JG8LVJ6/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1411999015&sr=1-3&keywords=mairi+norris

Rose of Hope: Barnes & Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rose-of-hope-mairi-norris/1119076059?ean=9781497526099

Posted in Cover Spot, Historical Romance, Promotion | Tagged Ballads of the Roses series, cover art, historical romance, Mairi Norris, medieval romance, Rose of Hope | Leave a comment

Movie Review: Pride + Prejudice + Zombies

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

I must say up front I’m not a zombie fan. I don’t watch The Walking Dead, I don’t read zombie apocalypse books (except for Only Love Survives by Renee Charles, fabulous read). I’ve only seen one other zombie movie—Warm Bodies, which I also quite liked. But as a rule, I leave the undead alone. When I saw the book, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies in Barnes & Noble years ago I scoffed. What was the world coming to taking a classic like this and mucking it up with zombies?

However, a week or so ago I was on Facebook and saw an ad for the movie, that came out in February. I watched the trailer and said, “I need to go see this.” I went tonight and was not disappointed in the least.

PPZ is the story of Pride and Prejudice set in a time when zombies have all but taken over Regency England. All that are left are little pockets of towns and estates not overrun with brain-eating zombies. And Longbourne, Netherfield Park, and Rosings Park are three of these estates. The film tries to blend the plot of Jane Austin’s beloved romance with a hard-hitting, action-packed story in a world where young men AND women train in martial arts and weaponry to defend against the undead. One critic has said the film tries to be funny and scary and I believe he is correct. Does it succeed all the time? No. However, to the lover of Regency romance and Pride and Prejudice, if you can get past the heresy of doing this to the novel at all, you may find it as funny and entrancing as I did.

I won’t spoil the fun bits for you, but Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth is worth the price of admission. Suffice it to say, the war of words in the original is enhanced by hand-to-hand combat that had me enchanted throughout. The character of Lady Catherine de Bourgh is also more fun than the law should allow. She’s the bad-ass swordsman who has killed more zombies than anyone else in England, losing an eye and gaining an eye patch along the way. A great improvement over the original, in my opinion. LOL

So I will go out on a limb and tell you to go see this fun mashup of Regency England and zombie culture. Be forewarned, however. Don’t expect complete historical accuracy in the costumes, nor in some of the manners. But if you take the film with a large grain of salt, I think you’ll be as highly amused and entertained as I.

Posted in Historical Romance, On Regency Romance, Regency Romance, Reviews | Tagged movie review, Pride and Prejudice, Pride+Prejudice+Zombies, zombies | 4 Comments

Medieval Monday: “It is not for us to interfere” ~ Betrayal in The Druid Knight Tales by Ruth A. Casie

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Betrayal

is our theme for this round of Medieval Monday!

Please welcome this week’s guest Ruth A. Casie with her romance

The Druid Knight Tales

Excerpt:

He stood by the stone altar. The mist thickened in deep pools and drifted to the bottom of the great sarsen stones. Churning like a phantom stew, fingers of mist crept up the stones, leaving a shimmering outline in its wake. The silhouette thickened, revealing the hooded forms of the Ancestors.

“Grand Master, who do you bring to the sacred circle?”

“The healer—” his voice boomed.

“Only you, the Grand Master, are permitted to approach us for our guidance.” The angry voice of an Ancestor reached his ears. “But we are forgiving.”

“I come to seek—”

“Before you tell us what you seek, tell us of your quest.”

A flicker of apprehension pulsed through him. He was certain Ellyn didn’t have much time and the full red moon hung large in the sky. Only a thin arc of sun remained on the horizon.

He removed the wrapped cloth from his pouch and laid the package on the altar stone. “I have passed your test.” He did not expose the mistletoe. He didn’t want the Ancestors to see the dead plant, not until he had Ellyn safely back to Avebury. After that he didn’t care.

“You have found your mate?”

Max hesitated. “Perhaps. I have much to tell you, but before I begin I ask for a boon.” He glanced over his shoulder. She waited for him.

“What do you seek?” the Ancestors rumbled with a cold, hard voice.

“Ellyn of Brodgar is ill. I ask you to help her. She is honorable and has served the people well and denies no one at her own expense.”

“You are the people’s Grand Master. She is your responsibility. We can only guide and help those who have passed on to our world.”

“No,” he insisted, pounding his fist on the stone altar. How could this be? For the first time in his life he felt helpless. He could not lose her. He knew if he did he would lose a part of himself. “She has done everything—”

“It is not for us to interfere.” The voice was calm and without empathy.

“You do not interfere? You demanded I find a mate.”

There was no response.

He tried to keep his control. “She told me she was compelled to come here. Why?”

Still they did not respond.

Anger surged through him. “You brought her here. She needs your help. She’s dying.” He pointed to where he left her.

“Only you can help her, Grand Master.”

“Me?” He stopped short. “How? If I could she’d already be cured.”

“Why do you care what happens to her? She is just a simple Orkney witch. Nothing else.”

Ideas flashed across Max’s mind. If he was the only one that could help her the answer must lie in his greatest gift. His magick. He must get her back to Avebury, back to his magick, before the sun set.

“Here.” He unrolled the mistletoe. “Here is your talisman. Send us back to Avebury,” he demanded.

“So, you found your mate,” the Ancestor said with a satisfied voice.

Max looked at the healthy mistletoe and gaped in astonishment. The plant was dead when he’d last looked. How could it now be alive? Icy fear raced up his back. He glanced at Ellyn on the far side of the circle. Her kisses. He had teased her and it was her kiss all along.

“You hold her destiny in your hands.”

Blurb:

After a year of searching, Maximilian, the druid Grand Master, finds the sacred mistletoe destined for his soul mate shriveled and dead. He must journey to the Otherworld and tell the Ancestors of his failure.

Ellyn of Brodgar is an exceptional healer. But each healing kiss depletes her energy and brings her closer to death. Ellyn needs to find her own healing power before it’s too late.

Max and Ellyn are tossed into the Otherworld and have until the third sunset to appeal to the Ancestors or be lost forever. Together they find love, and as the last rays of the third sunset slip away, both are willing to sacrifice their hopes, dreams, and lives for the other. Do they have what it takes to escape the Otherworld and begin their life together?

Amazon: http://bit.ly/DruidKnightTales

BN: http://bit.ly/DruidKnightTalesBN

iBook: http://bit.ly/DruidKnightTalesiBook

KOBO: http://bit.ly/KOBO_DruidKnightTales

Posted in Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance, Promotion | Tagged Betrayal, Medieval Monday, Ruth A. Casie, The Druid Knight Tales | 1 Comment

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 3/06/16 Crashing Through Time~ One Way Out

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Crashing Through Time is March’s “Book of the Month” so I’ve put up 10 lines from my fun, sexy time-travel romance.

I’m starting near the beginning, when the heroine, Corrine MacGowan, notices smoke coming out of the engine of the sightseeing plane she’s on over Cornwall, England. The pilot manages to land the plane, but all hell has broken loose in the cabin and Corrine has had enough. (Please forgive the creative punctuation.)

“Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats please,” the captain shouted over his shoulder, still wrestling with the controls.

The type of plane Corrine was on

Corrine stared through the window at the billowing black smoke. Forget that. She shoved past the man in front of her and wrenched his hand away from the handle. She grasped it, twisted it all the way up until she felt a click then pushed.

The door popped open so fast Corrine didn’t have time to let go. It swung away, pulling her out of the plane onto the wing over the failing engine. Acrid smoke wafted around her, stinging her eyes and nose; she took a breath and coughed, eyes streaming.

The plane slowed drastically, though it bounced over the rough tufts of grass fast enough to shake Corrine until her teeth rattled. Adrenaline surged as she held her breath and jumped.

Crashing Through Time is available in the boxed set Crashing Into Love here.

Blurb:

More than hearts can be broken when you crash through time.

Theatre professor Corrine MacGowan is in a sightseeing plane that crash lands in a field in Cornwall. She wanders away from the crash site, led by a strange buzzing in her head that is coming from a black well (think The Ring). She falls down the well and ends up in Cornwall in 1868 at the home of her Master’s thesis subject, playwright Sir Robert Graysill. She immediately meets Sir Robert’s nephew, Ian Hunterly, and once she comes to terms with the fact that she has fallen through time, realizes from her research that Ian is doomed to die within a matter of days. Can she save him and change history? Or let history run its course and lose the man she has come to love?

That’s all for this week. Hope you enjoyed it!

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

Posted in Historical Romance, On Crashing Through Time, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Only Marriage Will Do, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged Crashing into Love, Crashing Through Time, Jenna Jaxon, time travel romance, Victorian romance, Weekend Writing Warriors | 23 Comments

Book of the Month: Crashing Through Time

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

My Book of the month for March is my time-travel romance Crashing Through Time, part of a boxed set called Crashing Into Love. I’ll be running giveaways all month involving Crashing Through Time. This week’s is a $5.00 gift card and swag from my book.

The authors in the set all started out with the premise that the hero and heroine are brought together because of a plane crash. Most couples were in the tropics, however, one was set in the Canadian Rockies, one on a “distant” island. Mine begins with a plane crash in Cornwall, England, where my American heroine soon discovers she’s not in Kansas any more!

The WINNER from the previous contest is

Lisa M!

( Lisa, I’ll be contacting you shortly.)

BLURB:

More than hearts can be broken when you crash through time.

EXCERPT:

“Damn and blast.”

The curse brought her attention to a young man lying on the ground to her left. He lay flat on his back, his face screwed into a furious frown. If not for that, he would’ve been pretty hot. Dark brown wavy hair, a ruddy complexion, and very full, sexy lips sent a little thrill

Crashing Through Time Swag: Wine Glass Charm of a Pocket watch.

through her. A typical Englishman, he even had those odd mutton-chop sideburns like

Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice. Were those back in fashion over here? She didn’t remember seeing anyone else wearing them.

“I say, have you seen my hat?”

God, he had a devastating English accent. She could listen to an Englishman talk all day long. She sighed with sheer joy.

“I beg your pardon, miss, but did you see where my hat has gotten to?” He sat up, twisting this way and that, searching for it.

“Hat?” Didn’t he mean helmet? No one rode without one these days. Still, she looked around for the black velvet helmet she remembered from her senior year P.E. class.

He jerked his head toward her. “You’re American?”

“Yes.” He got that from one word? Must’ve been her southern drawl. She sat up straighter. “I’m from Virginia.”

“Forgive me. Deuced awkward to make an introduction from the ground.” He attempted to stand, and grunted in pain as he put weight on his left foot. “Oh, damn. I beg your pardon. That hurts abominably.” He hopped about, gingerly trying to step on his foot and failing.

Corrine shot to her feet and reached out to steady him. “Here, let me help.” Grabbing him around the waist, she then managed to slide his arm over her shoulders and looked for a rock or stump for him to sit on. Even the stupid well would’ve been welcome right about now.

She glanced up at him to find his eyes wide, his frown returned. He must’ve been angry with her for startling his horse. “I’m sorry I spooked your horse, but I’ve had a horrible day so far. Did you see the plane crash? I was on that. Is there somewhere you could sit down?” They’d been turning in circles as Corrine scoured the field for a place to sit him down.

He nodded across the field. “There’s a stile over there and down the field a bit.”

“Good.” She struck out across the deceivingly smooth expanse.

“Wait! My hat.”

“Oh. Right.” Corrine swung them back around toward the woods. “There, I see it. Hold on.” She disentangled herself from him and ran to a thick clump of bushes near the edge of the forest. A tall black hat lay propped on its side almost underneath the nearest shrub. She grabbed it and stopped. Not a normal riding hat. More like a top hat, actually, made of exquisite black silk, like caviar for the fingers. Very peculiar choice for riding.

Stile on path

Turning back to him, she stopped, struck by his appearance. He wore a formal dark blue cutaway coat, white pleated shirt and…was that a cravat tied around his neck? She’d seen enough portraits during her thesis research to recognize one. His gray trousers and over-the-knee boots also screamed nineteenth century. Oh, crap.

“I am so sorry, Mr….er, ah, I’m sorry we haven’t been introduced.”

“Ian Hunterly, at your service.” He shifted his weight and winced.

“Ian Hunterly? How funny.” Now that was a coincidence. “Anyway, I just realized that I must’ve interrupted your shoot. I’m sorry.”

He shook his head, still looking puzzled. “We weren’t shooting today, merely out for a ride. Why is my name funny?” He certainly didn’t look amused.

“It’s just that you have the same name as Sir Robert Graysill’s nephew.” Her thesis topic and his nephew had become like family to her during the year of research. And now here she’d met an Englishman with the same name, although perhaps the name was quite common over here.

He smiled for the first time, and her heart missed a beat. The smile transformed his face from merely handsome to devastatingly sexy, as those full lips turned up the corners of his generous mouth and his eyes lit with an inner warmth they hadn’t shown before.

“That’s because I am Sir Robert’s nephew.”

REMEMBER! To enter to win the gift card, just comment on whether or not you like time-travel romances and what era you’d like to go back to?

Want to read more? Crashing Into Love is available at Amazon!

Good luck and happy reading!

Posted in Book of the Month, Book Spotlights, Historical Romance, House of Pleasure Series, On Regency Romance, Only Marriage Will Do, Promotion, Regency Romance | Tagged Book of the Month, Crashing into Love, Crashing Through Time, historical romance, Jenna Jaxon, time travel romance, Victorian romance | 6 Comments

Cover Spot: Love & Lies by Gina Danna

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Cover Spot has returned! I’m playing around with a logo for the post, so bear with me as this changes.

But today’s featured cover is from Gina Danna, who, like me , writes in all different periods. This new book is set in Ancient Rome and the cover is a beauty!

GinaDanna_LoveLies_1400-637x1024 Quote from Gina Danna ~ ” It’s to depict a seduction – she’s a Roman lady, he’s a gladiator/slave. Its a wrapped up affair of love and lies – he hates Romans, she’s Roman & though she is the master, he controls her fate for to escape with her is his death but the leave her puts her in hell.”

BLURB:

Rome 100 CE

Conquered, beaten, sentenced to die in the Colosseum, Ganius escapes his execution only to find himself enslaved as a gladiator. His rise to champion ensures his life, but does nothing to lessen his desire for vengeance against the Roman soldiers who destroyed all he knew. Locked into a repugnant betrothal, the beautiful Roman Aurelia turns to her brother’s champion gladiator for help. Promising him his freedom if he helps her escape, Aurelia soon discovers she wants not only Ganius’s help, but to capture his heart as he’s captured hers.
In love with his sworn enemy, Ganius realizes Aurelia is the key to his freedom. But to take her with him would risk both their lives, yet leaving her behind to be a pawn in her brother’s machinations is a wretched alternative. Ganius must choose—love of a Roman or freedom to make the Romans pay. This is a fight the champion gladiator might lose…

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1R1jStO

iBooks: Love & Lies by Gina Danna on iBooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/21g4lBo

Posted in Cover Spot, Historical Romance, Promotion | Tagged Ancient Rome romance, cover art, Gina Danna, historical romance, Love & Lies | 9 Comments

Chesapeake Romance Writers’ Conference 2016

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Here’s my final pitch on my blog! Hope you live in the area. I’d love to meet you!

My local RWA chapter, Chesapeake Romance Writers, is hosting what has become our annual conference on March 5, 2016 this year, in Williamsburg, VA, just four days away! So I wanted to invite everyone, both writers and readers, to come out, meet some of our celebrated authors, enjoy our workshops, and have some fun into the bargain.

correct flyer

Readers, we have best-selling author Cathy Maxwell as our morning speaker. Her historical romances have hit most best-sellers lists. And if that wasn’t enough, our own chapter member, best-selling author of contemporary romance, Felicia Mason, will lead the afternoon workshop. Both these ladies are dynamic speakers, something you will not want to miss.

We will also have a book sales nook, where many of our local authors will be selling and signing books.

Writers, in addition to the workshops by industry experts, we will be having pitches taken on site by acquiring editors and agents. After lunch, this panel will also critique the first pages submitted by registered conference participants.

The day will be rounded out by presentations to the winners of our chapter’s annual writing contest, The Rudy.

So if you are live the Williamsburg, Central Virginia area or within driving distance, you should come down for a fabulous day devoted to writers and writing.

For more information or to register, please click this link here to go to our chapter’s conference webpage.

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Chesapeake Romance Writers, Conferences, Uncategorized | Tagged A Writer's Journey, Annual Conference, Cathy Maxwell, Chesapeake Romance Writers, Felicia Mason | Leave a comment

Medieval Monday: Betrayal ~ The Highlander’s French Bride by Cathy MacRae

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Betrayal

is our theme for this round of Medieval Monday!

Please welcome this week’s guest Cathy McCrae with her romance

The Highlander’s French Bride

Excerpt:

Melisende’s arms fell to her sides. “Why would you go back to such a life?”

“To the parties,” Lucienne answered, “and the gowns of fabrics so fantastic they make you cry from the sheer pleasure of them. Laces so delicate they can scarcely withstand the needle. Embroidery so fine it takes four seamstresses a week just to produce one sleeve.” Her eyes closed and rapture lit her face. “The men so courteous, so eager to woo me. Dancing, stealing kisses behind the fountain. They tell me how beautiful I am, how much they desire me.” She opened her eyes, settling her gaze on Melisende’s shocked face.

“Once Raul began annulment proceedings, their interest increased a hundredfold. I will have no lack of sponsors once I return.”

“That is a shameful way to live, and you know it, Lucienne.” Tears burned in Melisende’s eyes. “How can you do this to yourself?” She swept a hand toward the bed. “To her?”

The scorn returned to Lucienne’s face, casting ugly shadows beneath her high cheeks. “You think you know what is right for me. That I should be exactly like you, drowning behind your polite façade. You believe everything is perfect in your little world with your adorable new husband who loves you?” Her eyes narrowed as she slid her gaze to Arielle. “Have you not wondered why she looks like him?”

Melisende immediately looked at the child asleep on the bed. Her dark hair spilled across the pillow like a shadow in the dimly lit room. She glanced back at her sister. “Why do you say that? I think she looks just like you.”

“She has my nose and eyes, oui. But her dark hair comes from her father.”

“Raul.”

“Non. From your oh-so-sweet husband.”

Melisende’s gaze bounced from Lucienne back to the child. Lucienne’s parting words so many years ago loosed themselves from the depths of her mind. What do you think went on whilst he slept in our house—only me and him? He would be unable to look you in the eye if you knew everything that happened.

She shook her head. Non! It is impossible to think of it! He has already assured me there was nothing between himself and Lucienne. But her heart grew cold in her breast.

Lucienne strolled to the bed and stroked her daughter’s hair. “She looks so much like me. But she has Kinnon’s hair.” Her smile set an arrow in Melisende’s heart.

Brushing aside her doubts, Melisende stepped forward. “Do not be absurd, Lucienne. Her hair is much like mine, and Raul’s is dark as well.”

Lucienne tossed her head. “You do not seem to recall Arielle was born early—or so I told Raul.”

“Lucienne, did you have relations with someone whilst we lived in Randon?” Melisende demanded. “Did you marry Raul knowing you were already enceinte?”

Lucienne sent her a mocking look. “You would love to believe that, wouldn’t you? To keep your lover innocent of the deed.”

“I do not believe you,” Melisende replied firmly, against the reservations that gnawed at her.

Lucienne’s eyebrows raised, a lofty smile taunting Melisende. “Yet you see the resemblance, non? No matter what you tell yourself, you will always know there is the possibility. We spent an entire week together, unchaperoned. You know how insatiable he is, n’ai-je pas raison?” Her eyes glittered. “No matter what you try to believe, you will always wonder if he shared his body with me first.”

Blurb:

Heir to a lairdship, Kinnon Macrory is driven to prove his worth by fighting the English on the battlefields of France. His dreams of heroic valor are destroyed by the realities of war—the atrocities visited by fellow soldiers on the very people he is sworn to protect. Three years in a French prison for a crime he did not commit leave Kinnon longing for the one thing of beauty in his war-torn life—a young woman of great kindness and wisdom named Melisende.

Melisende de la Roche struggles to stay one step ahead of soldiers who would imprison her for helping an injured Scotsman wrongly accused of treason. She finds refuge in her uncle’s shop—until a chance encounter sends her fleeing into the unknown once again, haunted by the beguiling friendship with the troubled young Scotsman she is certain she will never see again.

Determined to find the woman of his dreams, Kinnon returns to France, only to discover a trail of clues to Melisende’s whereabouts. Their reunion will open the doors to passion, but half-truths and lies from the past could destroy the one thing they both are willing to fight for—each other.

Buy Link:

https://www.amzn.com/B018OHXKHK

Posted in Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance, Promotion | Tagged Betrayal, Cathy MacRae, Medieval Monday, The Highlander's French Bride | 1 Comment

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 2/28/16 Only Marriage Will Do ~ Too Close for Comfort

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Only Marriage Will Do is February’s “Book of the Month” so I’ve put up 10 more lines from it. This is Book 2 of my House of Pleasure series.

I’m starting somewhat in the middle, with a scene I really like. Throughout the book Juliet (our heroine) has been pursued by the Viscount Philippe St. Cyr, a debonair but ruthless Frenchman who claims he is married to Juliet through a proxy marriage in France the year before.

As this scene begins Juliet believes herself married to the man she loves, Amiable, but they are estranged and she is living with her brother and sister-in-law. In this scene, Juliet and her SIL, Katarina, have been talking about whether they would like a girl or a boy. Both ladies are pregnant and Katarina had just excused herself to go to the “necessary” room and Philippe walks in. At the top of this snippet, Philippe has seated himself next to her on the sofa and intends to resume an intimate relationship (Creative punctuation in use here.)

She squealed, a muted cry no one would hear. She couldn’t even open her lips to scream for he’d construe such an action as an invitation to ravage her mouth. Instead, she twisted her face away from his and tried to push him away.

He held her face immobile, a mere hairbreadth away from his. With his powerful body pressed into hers, any attempt to shove him away became futile. His ragged breathing rasped loudly in her ear and she braced herself for the horror of his mouth on her again.

The quiet click of a pistol being cocked penetrated her terrified mind.

Philippe froze and in the momentary distraction, she wrenched her head away from him toward the center of the room.

Amiable stood, arm outstretched, with the barrel of the flintlock pistol pointed at Philippe’s head. Her husband’s eyes focused on the target, a snarl on his lips.

Only Marriage Will Do is available here.

Blurb:

Not every happy-ever-after begins at “I do.”

When the man of her dreams rescues Lady Juliet Ferrers from the villain claiming to be her husband, she is sure she has found her one true love. But is she free to marry him? Not to be deterred, Juliet arranges for her hero to escort her to her family estate in far off Northern England—hoping that along the way she can win his love—and his hand…

Captivated by Juliet’s sweetness and beauty, Captain Amiable Dawson can’t help but be spellbound by the promise of a life with her. But the spell breaks when questions arise about her marital status. Soon the upstanding Amiable is unsure if he is indeed married to Juliet. And when his rival absconds with her, Amiable must choose between the law of the land and his heart’s desire to rescue Juliet once more…

That’s all for this week. Hope you enjoyed it!

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

Posted in Historical Romance, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Only Marriage Will Do, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged Jenna Jaxon, Only Marriage Will Do, Regency romance, Weekend Writing Warriors | 26 Comments

Encounter of a Mafia Kind ~ Liza O’Connor and A Fortune to Die For

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Liza’s encounter with the MAFIA

Many years ago, a young hotheaded Mafia thug threatened to whack me in the middle of a traffic jam. It began with him blaring his horn so I would get out of his way (did I mention we were in a TRAFFIC JAM???) so I flew him the bird. I didn’t know he was mafia at that time. I just thought him a jerk. Seconds later, he’s left his car and is pounding my car demanding “Do you know who I am?”

Sadly, I hadn’t studied the mafia lingo back then. ‘Babbo’ would have worked nicely. (Mafia lingo for IDIOT) Instead I replied, “An asshole?”

That truly pissed him off: “I could blow your head off, right here, right now!”

He continued to slam his palms on my little car causing it to shudder as he yelled the same threat over and over. Finally, I lost my temper.

“Then do it!” I yelled at him. “Just do it!” At least there would be a hundred witnesses and video of my death.

He stopped pounding and stared at me in shock. Then he headed to his car but stopped halfway. He turned back to face me, rage about to cause his head to explode. He reached into his pocket and…

This is where I questioned the wisdom of my words…

Then he pulled a handful of coins and threw them at my car.

Not making that up… (Talk about anti-climactic).

Just at that moment the traffic opens up. So I threw him a goodbye bird and drove off.

(Clearly, I don’t learn!)

When I got home and told my Italian boyfriend the story, I got severely scolded.

“The Mafia does not have a sense of humor, Liza!”

Blurb

Megan Clarke had a good life until she wins the Mega Times Lottery and discovers the prize comes with a curse. Worse than the many money-hungry suitors, a serial killer has her in his sight. She changes her name and moves to Iowa with plans to buy their last major forest of white oaks and turn it into a State Park. Unfortunately, the Lottery Curse doesn’t stop at state lines and someone there wants her dead, as well. Good thing a disturbingly handsome law officer is just as determined to keep her alive.

Excerpt

“This is serious, Meg. The mafia doesn’t normally act so boldly against the FBI. While you are still important, this case just got a lot bigger than you.” He gripped her arms and pulled her against him. “I need you a hundred percent trouble free. Otherwise, I’m afraid my boss will cut you loose as we go after bigger fish. Can you do this for me?”

For the first time since her life of hell had begun, she was truly terrified. And of what, she had no clue. However, the worry in Steve’s eyes struck her hard.

The only way she could prevent herself from breaking down into a sobbing ball of Jell-O was to think professionally. “May I call and invite Mr. Barkman to visit my land with Tess as his guide?”

“You can’t go with them.”

“I understand.”

“Then you may call and arrange his tour.”

“And may I google various people on my computer?”

“Just don’t call anyone without clearing it with me. And if I say no, just accept it. This day is going to be a nightmare.”

She nodded.

“Then I’ll get my computer and stay in here…until I need the bathroom.”

His hard eyes studied her face as if trying to find deception. Finally, they softened and he caressed her cheek. “Thank you for trusting me. I know it’s not easy.”

Oddly, it had been. The moment all hell broke loose, he was her rock.

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About Liza

Liza O’Connor was raised badly by feral cats, left the South/Midwest and wandered off to find nicer people on the east coast. There she worked for the meanest man on Wall Street, while her psychotic husband tried to kill her three times. (So much for finding nicer people.) Then one day she declared enough, got a better job, divorced her husband, and fell in love with her new life where people behaved nicely. But all those bad behaviors has given her lots of fodder for her humorous books. Please buy these books, because otherwise, she’ll become grumpy and write troubled novels instead. They will likely traumatize you.

You have been warned.

Mostly humorous books by Liza:

Ghost Lover—Two British brothers fall in love with the same young woman. Ancestral ghost is called in to fix the situation. And there’s a ghost cat that roams about the book as well. (Humorous Contemporary Romance)

Saving Casey— Cass wakes up in the body of a troubled teen who has burned every bridge imaginable. Her only choice is to turn this life around, but that’s much harder than she ever imagined.

Untamed & Unabashed—The youngest of the Bennet sisters, Lydia, tells her story. A faithful spinoff from Pride & Prejudice.

A Long Road to Love Series: (Humorous Contemporary odd Romance)

Worst Week Ever — Laugh out loud week of disasters of Epic proportions.

Oh Stupid Heart — The heart wants what it wants, even if it’s impossible.

Coming to Reason — There is a breaking point when even a saint comes to reason.

Climbing out of Hell — The reconstruction of a terrible man into a great one.

The Hardest Love — Is to love oneself. Sam’s story.

The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Sleuth series: (Late Victorian/Mystery/Romance)

The Troublesome Apprentice — The greatest sleuth in Victorian England hires a young man who turns out to be a young woman.

The Missing Partner — Oops! The greatest sleuth in Victorian England goes missing, leaving Vic to rescue him, a suffragette, and about 100 servants. Not to mention an eviscerating cat. Yes, let’s not mention the cat.

A Right to Love — A romantic detour for Jacko. Want to see how amply rewarded Jacko was when he & Vic save an old woman from Bedlam?

The Mesmerist — The Mesmerist can control people from afar and make them murder for her. Worse yet, Xavier Thorn has fallen under her spell.

Well Kept Secrets — The problems with secrets is that they always come to light, no matter how you wish to silence them.

Pack of Trouble — Changes are a part of life, but these changes almost kill Vic.

The Darkest Days — Muddled cases make Vic very grumpy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT

LIZA O’CONNOR

Investigate these sites:

Liza’s Blog and Website Facebook Twitter