Book Blitz: Mail Order Man by Heather Gray

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

A well-meaning friend places an ad to find a mail order husband for Sarah, the proprietress of Larkspur’s stage and mail office. Sarah, who is generally quiet and reserved, doesn’t know about the ad and has no idea what to do with all the people that are showing up in her community. Before long, the town is overrun with men and mail alike. Sarah is trying to avoid some men who have accosted her on the street when she stumbles into Samuel. Through long days spent together at the stage office, some very adventurous pots of coffee and a shared faith, the two become friends.

Sarah knows that Samuel is hiding something from her, something important, but that doesn’t stop her heart from leaping wildly into love. Lacking the confidence to trust her heart, Sarah wars with herself over the feelings she can no longer deny. When some of the men who have come to town show their true intentions, a shootout follows. Sarah finally gets answers to many of the questions circling through her mind. One question remains, though. Where will her mail order man go when the dust settles?

**Excerpt from Mail Order Man:**

Right then Claudio and Cesar came through the door. Both boys chimed a “Good morning!” in Sarah’s direction as they headed straight for the coffee on the stove. Sarah saw their intent and inwardly cringed. Not only was she not sure about how many scoops of grounds she’d put in, but the coffee had been percolating much longer than normal because she got distracted with the letters.

Samuel had his back to the stove and did not see the boys as they each poured a cup of coffee. Sarah was about to warn them as Claudio, the middle boy at age sixteen, took a big swig of the hot brew while Cesar, the youngest, opted to blow on his first. Claudio’s eyes grew wide as he swallowed. “Miss Sarah, I do believe that’s the best coffee you’ve ever made. That’s the kind of coffee vaqueros drink!”

Samuel visibly perked up at the mention of coffee. Sarah was sure he couldn’t know a vaquero was a Mexican cowboy and that they drink their camp coffee strong. If he understood what the boys were saying, he definitely wouldn’t be in a hurry to get a cup of his own. Cesar finally took a drink of his coffee. Sarah could see him trying not to make a face as he swallowed the brew. “Vaquero coffee for sure, Miss Sarah. Papa would be proud.”

Sarah had barely started to warn, “Uh, Samuel…” when he took a big gulp of the coffee Claudio had poured for him. She watched the shock on his face as he first paled and then grew red. His eyes flew wide as he tried desperately to swallow the coffee. He finally ran out the front door and spit the coffee out over the edge of the stage platform.

The boys could not contain their howling laughter as Samuel walked back into the stage office, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Mail Order Man is available at

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books

About Heather Gray

Aside from her long-standing love affair with coffee, Heather’s greatest joys in life are her relationship with her Savior, her family, and writing. Years ago, she decided it would be better to laugh than yell. Heather carries that theme over into her writing where she strives to create characters that experience both the highs and lows of life and, through it all, find a way to love God, embrace each day, and laugh out loud right along with her.

Heather’s Website | Twitter | Facebook

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Weekend Writing Warriors: 05/26/13 Speed Date: The Evil Gabriel

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS

Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors again. And Happy Memorial Day Weekend to everyone!

Once again I’m taking my 8 from my new WIP, Speed Date. I’ve skipped ahead in this scene: Roberta is at Gabriel’s apartment for dinner, although she’s only just met him. In this scene, he handed her a glass of wine then made an outrageous statement. (For the previous post–and that outrageous statement–click here.)

I was caught with a mouthful of wine and nowhere for it to go. He had said that on purpose and it would serve him right if I spewed all over his expensive carpet.

“If it comes out your nose, Bertie, I promise you I will laugh.”

He grabbed my glass as I bolted for the kitchen, making it to the sink just in time. Laughter rolled out of me as the not-too-dry wine dripped from my lips. I grabbed a dish towel to save my blouse. “That was evil, Gabriel.” I wiped my face; my eyes were now streaming with tears of laughter too.

Thanks so much for coming by! I’ll be at my annual writer’s retreat next weekend–four glorious days of non-stop writing! So I won’t be posting on either SSS or WWW as we are out in the woods with no internet. The week after I’m back to SSS, so please come by for more of Speed Date then.

Remember, I’m taking a semi-hiatus by alternating weeks between WWW and Sweet Saturday Samples this summer. And the alternating seems to be working–I finished the revision of Betrayal yesterday and it’s off to my editor! Today I start a new WIP! I guess a vacation is a good thing. 🙂

Right now, you can click here to hop on to more Writing Warrior posts! And thanks for coming by!

Posted in Blog Hops, On Speed Date, On Weekend Writing Warriors, On Works in Progress, On Writing Romance, Promotion, WIP | Tagged blog hops, contemporary romance, Eastern Shore, Jenna Jaxon, red wine, Speed Date, speed dating, Weeked Writing Warriors | 27 Comments

L is for Love at First Sight

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

I really am a fan of the “Love at First Sight” romance trope. I’ve written several stories and novels that have characters who see the man or woman of their dreams and Boom, it hits them like a ton of bricks. This is the one!

I hadn’t really thought about why this trope is one of my favorites until I looked at the date of this post: May 24. That date stands out to me each year because that was the date I fell in love at first sight. When I was 13 years old.

My cousins had a beach band and they played a Battle of the Bands on May 24th. I went to see them with two of my girlfriends (under the chaperonage of my aunt and uncle), so excited to be out at a “teen” function for the first time.

When the band finally played we were all attention and I noticed for the first time the very

cute singer in my cousin’s band. And I mean Very Cute! Youngest in the group (I later learned he was 15), he was my dream come true. When he opened his mouth to sing I began to melt. Then the band performed “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” by Blood, Sweat, and Tears and at the end this dreamboat went down on his knees.

And that was it. I fell hook, line, sinker, boat and motor in love with him. I have always been a sucker for romance and theatre and that little gesture went straight to my teenaged heart. The crush lasted for several years and I was never very subtle about it (that thought makes me cringe to this day). The band broke up and I didn’t see him for probably fifteen years.

One Christmas we re-met each other, went on a date, and that was it. Fizzle. No spark, no chemistry. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great guy, and I do see him occasionally when the band gets back together to play. I smile when I see him, secretly pleased to have had that ‘love at first sight’ experience.

That experience was so intense that I can still feel the depth of emotion I went through as a teenager. I’m able to tap into those emotions and channel them into some of my writing.

The infatuation Alyse feels for Thomas at the opening of Betrothal is based in part on my own first-hand experiences of a “crush.”

So May 24th will always be special to me. Do you have a certain date or a love at first sight experience? Please share on my special day!

Posted in About the Author, Alphabet Post, On Writing Romance | Tagged beach band, crush, historical romance, infatuation, Jenna Jaxon, love at first sight, puppy love, singer | 11 Comments

Horny Hump Day 05/22/13: Betrothal–Bliss #HornyHDay

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

If you are looking for the Wet & Wild Blog Hop click the icon in the sidebar. But you might want to check out my Horny Hump Day post first!

WARNING: MATERIAL NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 18!

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

Participating authors in Horny Hump Day post three sentences from their published works or WIP, hot like a firecracker! LOL

The lusty month of May continues with more medieval misbehaving!

So we return this week to Geoffrey and Alyse and their first hot encounter.

Once more, he dipped his head and stroked his tongue against her breast. He slowly moved his finger, caressing her inside. A sobbing moan burst from her lips as she arched upward, her body gripping him, convulsing as wave upon blissful wave coursed through her.

Hope you enjoyed that snippet of medieval mischief. LOL Things are burning up in that bed!

Please check out the Horny Hump Day blog site for the other sites on the hop and go visit the other hot authors.

Thanks so much for visiting the Journal once more for Horny Hump Day!

Posted in Betrothal, Blog Hops, On Horny Hump Day, On Time Enough to Love, Promotion | Tagged Betrothal, blog hops, historical romance, Horny Hump Day, Jenna Jaxon, medieval mischief, medieval romance, Rising Phoenix Publications, sensual sex scene, Time Enough To Love | 8 Comments

Let’s Get Wet and Wild at the Bloghop! #Wildhop

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to the Wet & Wild Blog Hop!

We’ve got some truly wild things going on here and all over the hop, some wet, some not, but everything’s hot!

Let’s start with the Grand Prize!

Now that’s a Wonderful Wild Thing to behold!

My personal giveaway isn’t nearly that grand, but it’s got its wet and wild side as well. To the lucky commenter on my blog who tells me what you’re reading this summer and leaves an EMAIL ADDRESS, I’m sending a copy of my steamin’ hot erotic contemporary 7 Days of Seduction, a 7 Days Swag Pack as well as a copy of my new historical novella, Betrothal.

Here’s the blurb and excerpt for 7 Days of Seduction:

Blurb for 7 Days of Seduction:

Ashley Thompson had a wild time at her party last Friday night. Maybe too wild. She wakes to find a video of her in the middle of a ménage a trois with her ex-boyfriend and a gorgeous stranger. Unable to remember anything about the night, other than the hot sex she sees on the computer screen, Ashley begins a search for Mr. Hunk. She has no luck until he unexpectedly shows up–in her shower.

Hunter Hopewell intends to introduce Ash to a variety of sexual experiences he finds fun and exciting. He proposes a week long series of “colorful” encounters designed to seduce Ashley out of her kink comfort zone.

As their week of escalating pleasure intensifies, Ashley must choose to let go of her inhibitions or risk losing the best damn lover she’s ever had.

Excerpt for 7 Days of Seduction

The bathroom door opened and closed. Her hands froze.

“Damn it, Sam. Why is it every time I take a shower you have to pee? Couldn’t you just hold it for once? Or pee in a cup, for God’s sake?”

“I’m not Sam. And I don’t have to pee.”

Ashley’s eyes popped open and the bottle of body wash hit the tub with a loud thunk. The husky voice she’d heard on yesterday’s video and in this morning’s dream was richer in person. Sexier. Her heart took off like a deer after a shotgun blast. She peered at the shower door, seeing only a shadowy figure through the opaque glass. Well thank, God, for that. He couldn’t see her either.

“Hello? Are you there, Ash?” The amusement in his tone brought her back to earth.

“Yeah, I’m here. And just who the hell are you?”

“I’m Hunter Hopewell. Sorry we didn’t really get introduced the other night.”

“No shit.” Damn. The all-important name meant nothing. The spray from the shower roared in her ears and Ashley took a step toward the shower door.

“So who are you? I mean, you say Hunter Hopewell, but I don’t know you. And you know me.”

“Yes, I do. I’ve never met you, but I’ve been interested in you for a while now.”

Despite the hot water, chills raced over her body, standing her hair on end. Oh, my God. A stalker. I’ve attracted a stalker. And I’m shut in a bathroom with him. Suddenly, she couldn’t breathe.

“You work over in English at the university.” He knew where she worked. “And I’ve seen you around the campus.” He’d been watching her.

She wrapped her arms around her chest, shielding her body as best she could. Maybe Sam would come in.

“You’re a beautiful girl, Ashley. With lots of potential.”

Potential for what? Needing to breathe or pass out, she gasped in air.

“I think you should leave.” Where the balls came from to utter that sentence, she had no idea.

“Why?” His voice rose an octave.

“Because you’re scaring the crap out of me.”

7 Days of Seduction is available at Amazon, New Dawning Bookfair, ARe and most other e-tailers.

Thanks so much for coming by on the hop! To hop on, click the icon below and have a great time!

Posted in Betrothal, Blog Hops, Giveaways, On Seven Days of Seduction, Promotion | Tagged 7 Days of Seduction, Betrothal, giveaway, Jenna Jaxon, Victoria's Secret Gift Card, Wet & Wild Bloghop, Wildhop | 49 Comments

Spotlight: A Summer’s Journey by Kathleen Gallagher

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

Savannah Mason, the career minded journalist, spends long hours at work, hoping to take the spot as anchor. She continues to fight for independence and refuses to allow her demanding father to take control of her life, despite his wish for her to take over his surgical practice.

On her darkest day twelve years ago, she agreed to give her baby up for adoption. Now, on her daughter’s birthday, a chance encounter gives Savannah an opportunity to explore a corner of her heart she thought was lost forever.

Rob Sinclair a renowned surgeon and NY Times best-selling author has a new release and needs a promo spot on the television show, The News Stop. When Savannah gets to conduct the interview over the senior reporter, a door opens to her future. However, first she must face the unsettled issues in her life, before she is free to accept love.

The last thing she wants is a relationship, especially one with a divorced doctor who happens to have two small children.

A man, who seems all wrong for her, slowly weaves himself into her heart. Can he accept her when he learns about her past?

Rob’s commitment to climb the ladder of success and provide a good life for his family, keeps him on the road for days at a time. When he meets the assertive newswoman, desire and passion awaken his broken spirit. How will he ever be able to trust another woman?

Savannah and Rob’s strong attraction is undeniable as they journey to a place where honesty and the power of forgiveness, can guide them both home. Will it be enough to heal the scars of the past and allow them another chance for love?

Excerpt :

Rob slowly approached her. The look in his eyes told her he had more than the view on his mind. Savannah turned away, afraid of what might happen next. Before she could stop him, they were too close for comfort. An electric energy surged between them. With one swift movement, Rob reached for her and gently placed his lips on hers. He cradled her head in his hands as if she was a precious jewel. The warmth of his touch sent shivers down her spine and the world stood still. When Rob’s hands moved slowly across her back, her body went limp and it took her to a level of arousal she never expected. It all happened so quickly, she didn’t have time to react. She found herself spellbound by the feel of his rock hard body pressed up against her chest. All of the emotions she’d kept inside emerged when Rob held her tight. When they finally parted, Savannah stood frozen in shock with her heart pounding and her ears ringing.

Rob’s expression made him look as if he broke the law. He quickly took a step back. “I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry for my rude behavior.”

“You weren’t rude. I didn’t stop you.”

“I don’t know what got into me. You’re an amazing woman and I find you terribly attractive.” He stared deep into her eyes.

“Thank you.” Savannah looked down, still shocked, but flattered.

A Summer’s Journey is available at Amazon.

Posted in Book Spotlights, Promotion, Sizzling PR Blog Tours | Tagged A Summer's Journey, contemporary romance, journalist, Kathleen Anne Gallagher, surgeon | 14 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors: 05/19/13 Speed Date: A Wickedly Good Wine

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS

Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors again. I’m so enjoying seeing my old friends and finding new authors.

Once again I’m taking my 8 from my new WIP, Speed Date. I’ve skipped ahead in this scene: Roberta is at Gabriel’s apartment for dinner, although she’s only just met him. In this scene, he’s just handed her a glass of wine.

I sniffed the bouquet—this was a wickedly good wine—but instead of sipping, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing to see if he had tasted his yet.

“I promise you it’s not poisoned. Nor does it have any sort of drug to induce you to have wild passionate sex with me tonight.” His tone was amused, but something in his eyes suggested he would not turn down such an offer should I care to make one. Which was flattering. At thirty-two, I had not had many such invitations. Cautiously I took a sip.

“I wait until the second date to bring those drugs out.”

Thanks so much for coming by! I’ll be back next week with 8 more, but for the summer, until I’ve finished the several manuscripts I’m working on, I’m taking a semi-hiatus by alternating weeks between WWW and Sweet Saturday Samples. I guess a vacation is always a good thing. 🙂

Right now, you can click here to hop on to more Writing Warrior posts! And thanks for coming by!

Sweet Saturday ~ 5/18/13 Speed Date: A Premonition

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

I’m back with more of the new WIP, Speed Date. It’s a short story I have hopes of turning into a novella or novel.

Because I’ve got a lot of writing to do this summer, I’m going to be taking a semi-hiatus for a couple of months. I do both SSS and WWW, so starting next weekend, I’m going to be alternating them, one week on SSS and the following week on WWW. Hopefully by the end of the summer I’ll have Speed Date and some other books finished!

This excerpt is from where I left off last week, including the eight from Weekend Writing Warriors.

Those words should have sounded an alarm bell, but something in his voice, an appreciation I was not used to hearing, resonated deep inside me. This guy could be a serial killer for all I knew. Hell, I didn’t even know his last name yet. But he was more exciting than anything that had happened to me in years—maybe ever. If it killed me, then by God I was going out like a Fourth of July firework!

“It sounds wonderful to me, Gabriel…?”

“Townsend. Gabriel Townsend.” He extended his hand and we shook. A very warm, masculine-rough hand.

“Roberta Maxwell.” I smiled into his vivid blue-gray eyes. “Or Bertie if you prefer.”

Bong!

Gabriel stood and I reached down to grab my bag. When I looked up he was behind me, pulling the chair out. If he was a serial killer, he was one with manners. He took my hand—another thrill for Bertie—and led the way out.

* * * *

I followed Gabriel’s silver Volvo through the streets of Virginia Beach, wondering where the hell this restaurant was. We seemed to be entering a residential area, but I knew that didn’t mean anything. One of my favorite restaurants, Steinhilber’s, was in one such neighborhood.

It was almost eight and I had been too nervous to eat any lunch, so I hoped we’d be dining soon. He pulled into what was obviously an apartment complex parking lot. Uh oh. I pulled my red Camry in beside him and got out.

“Where’s the restaurant?” I tried to keep my tone light, despite the thoughts of mayhem dancing in my head.

“Welcome to Chez Gabriel. I’m a chef at La Maison over in Norfolk, but I thought my place would be closer.” He came around the car and took my hand. “Don’t worry, Bertie. I’m completely harmless.” His blue-eyed gaze exuded confidence. “But what’s more important, I’m a great cook.”

My heart was beating a little weirder than usual, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of my attraction to Gabriel or my fear that he might turn out to be the stranger you don’t take candy from. Or dinner. But I’d have a premonition or something if he was a really bad guy, wouldn’t I?

“Look,” he said, still holding my hand but not urging me toward the bank of apartments. “I know this is crazy fast. You don’t know me, I don’t know you. But take a chance, Bertie. Trust me. The worst thing I’ll probably do tonight is burn the Béarnaise sauce.”

I must not have looked convinced, because he continued, “If it will make you

feel any better, take out your cell phone, put your finger on the speed dial for 911 and leave it there.”

“That’ll make it pretty difficult to eat.” Something was telling me—no shouting at me—that I should trust this guy.

“Then I’ll hand-feed you. Please?” Oh, and now he was bringing out the sad puppy dog eyes. They worked.

“Okay.”

I hope you enjoyed that little snippet. There will be more from Speed Date tomorrow on Weekend Writing Warriors! But for now, you should check out some more Saturday Samples. Thanks for coming by!

Posted in On Speed Date, On Sweet Saturday Sample, On Works in Progress, On Writing Romance, Promotion, WIP | Tagged contemporary romance, Jenna Jaxon, Speed Date | 12 Comments

K is for Killer…Brownies

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

And now for something absolutely different.

Killer Brownies.

I stole this recipe from the costumer I worked for when in grad school. He was a fantastic designer and an excellent cook. Whenever we had a dress parade (a parade of all the costumes in the show) he would work us extra hard, but he would always bring in a huge pan of what he called Killer Brownies. To die for.

Like I said, I kind of stole this, just by asking what was in them. I wasn’t given exact proportions, so over the years I’ve improvised and what I have now is delicious! So moist (because of the Amaretto) they melt in your mouth! If you want a ginormous batch, just double everything.

Ingredients:

1 pkg brownie mix (can be the ultra good mix, or the .99 basic mix) I think my costumer actually made them from scratch, but I take this short cut and no one’s complained so far.

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or more if you like nuts)

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup Amoretto di Saronno liqueur (more or less. If you use more, decrease amount of water in brownie mix instructions.)

Prepare brownie mix as called for on package. Add additional ingredients and bake as called for on package. You may need to cook them a little longer so the liquid will be absorbed. Check doneness with a toothpick. When it comes out clean, brownies are ready to cool and eat.

Try these on a romantic evening picnic for two, add even more Amoretto in your glass, and go watch the submarine races in the back yard. 🙂

Leave me a comment listing your favorite brownie add-in and I’ll throw your name into the hat for a copy of Betrothal. 🙂

Posted in Alphabet Post, Recipes | Tagged Amoretto di Saronno, brownie recipe, historical romance, Jenna Jaxon, Killer Brownies, recipes, romantic evening picnic | 11 Comments

J is for Joust

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

I’m still playing catch-up on my Alphabet posts from when I missed one a couple of Fridays ago. And I really want the letter “L” to land on May 24th as it would have done if I hadn’t missed. So I’m making up that post today with the letter “J,” which stands for Joust.

I’ve already done a post on Jousting on D’Ann Lindun’s blog several weeks ago, and if you want to read that one, click here. I’m also on Sarah Ballance’s blog today talking about medieval pastimes, of which tournaments and jousting are one of them. And you can check that one out here.

So my Joust post is going to be a photo post–with all the cool period and non-period pics of jousting.

The joust between Henry II and Lorges

Straddling the Fence:

Punishment at tournaments for breaking the rules.

The delinquent was put across the fence of the tournament area and beaten.

Modern jousting re-enactment

The horses are garbed in comparisons, which are made in the Knight’s colors. But they don’t protect the horses.

The horses are covered in a comparison.

John de Beaumont, 2nd Lord of Beaumont, is deathly wounded in tournament at 14 April 1342.

One of my favorite movies set in the medieval period is actually A Knight’s Tale. It’s got a ton of anachronisms, but the jousting scenes are done very well. Do you have a favorite medieval-set movie? Tell me in a comment, leave your email, and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Betrothal–set exactly in the time frame of A Knight’s Tale. 🙂