Medieval Monday: Author’s Choice ~ Only For You by Sherry Ewing

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Jenna Jaxon

Author’s Choice

This time around on Medieval Monday our theme is simply Author’s choice. Each author get to choose their own theme–celebration, food, betrayal–everything is on the table.

I have chosen a celebration–a wedding and more particularly a wedding night–for my snippet. My excerpt is from Betrayal can be found this week at Sherry’s blog if you’d like to keep up with my story.

This week on my blog, is an excerpt from

Sherry Ewing’s

Only For You

***Since this is an author’s choice theme for Medieval Monday, leave comments for Sherry on each of her blog posts to be in the running for one of her eBooks. She’ll choose a random winner from the comments left and you’ll be able to get an autograph from her through Authorgraph!

Excerpt:

’Twas a tragedy to witness the condition of his home, and even more so that he subjected his new wife and her friend to the dwelling. The rushes were a slimy mess beneath his boots, and he was almost afraid at what he might encounter were he to pass across the floor. Platters of rotting food had been left on several of the tables. He did not wish to speculate on how long it had remained thusly.

Blurb:

Sometimes it’s hard to remember that true love conquers all only after the battle is over…

Katherine de Deveraux has it all or so she believes when she begins her life with her husband Riorden. But as she starts to settle into her duties as the Countess of Warkworth Castle, she finds that an easy life is not only difficult but downright dangerous to her well-being.

Consumed with the haunting memories of his father, Riorden must deal with his sire’s widow who just happens to also be his ex-lover. Yet how could he know just how far Marguerite is willing to go in order to have the life she feels they were truly meant to live?

Torn apart by circumstances neither Katherine nor Riorden could ever imagine, Time becomes their true enemy even while Marguerite continues her ploy to keep Riorden at her side. With all hope lost, will Katherine and Riorden find a way to save their marriage and have their happily ever after ending, or will Katherine be whisked back to where Time truly feels she belongs?

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1MLVECd

AU: http://bit.ly/1EQxFBo

CA: http://amzn.to/1BUjhZj

UK: http://amzn.to/1CBMCHX

Follow along next week on Ruth A. Casie’s blog at www.RuthACasie.blogspot.com

Titles in the Time Enough to Love Series:

Posted in Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance, Promotion | Tagged historical romance, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Only For You, Sherry Ewing | 14 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 02/04/18 To Woo A Wicked Widow ~ Tactics

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Jenna Jaxon

More from my upcoming release To Woo A Wicked Widow, due out in 51 days!

I’m continuing the scene, at a ball, where Charlotte meets Nash, the Earl of Wrotham. We are in Nash’s POV. Charlotte has tripped, fallen into his arms, and he responded with “The pleasure is certainly all mine, my lady.” She has recovered and Nash makes his move. Unfortunately, his plan is interrupted by another man, Alan Garrett, who has a plan of his own to whisk Charlotte away onto the dance floor.

The first speaker is Nash.

(Creative punctuation utilized to conform to WWW rules.)

Well, if she didn’t want to dance with the man, he’d make sure she didn’t have to. “I’m afraid her ladyship has just engaged herself to me for the first set, Garrett. Perhaps her second is still free.” Nash took Lady Cavendish’s hand from the man and turned them toward the floor, where the orchestra was tuning up.

“The thing is, my lord,” Garrett stayed him with a touch on his wrist, “I have the prior claim.”

Nash stared into the insolent blue eyes and forced himself not to call the man out. He’d really like to pummel him into the floor, but such tactics were for the battleship, not the ballroom. He shook off the man’s hand. “The lady has not acknowledged that, sir. I think I will take her version of the events.”

BLURB for To Woo A Wicked Widow:

The war years are behind them.
The future is before them.
And one by one, the widows of Lyttlefield Park are getting restless . . .

Lady Charlotte Cavendish is still the spirited girl who tried to elope in the name of love. That dream was thwarted by her father who trapped her into a loveless, passionless marriage. But now widowed, Charlotte is free to reenter the giddy world of the ton—and pursue her desires. For hardly your typical widow, she remains innocent to the pleasures of the flesh. Yet her life is finally her own, and she intends to keep it that way . . .

Nash, the twelfth Earl of Wrotham, is beguiled by Charlotte at first sight—and the feeling is mutual. When he receives her intriguing invitation to a house party, the marriage-minded lord plans to further their acquaintance. But even he cannot sway her aversion to matrimony, and only with great restraint does he resist her most tempting offer. For unbeknownst to Charlotte, the misadventures of the past are revisiting them both, and bedding her could cost him everything—or give him everything he ever wanted . . .

Available for pre-order at Amazon.

I still have ARC copies of To Woo A Wicked Widow. If you’d like to review the book before its release, please contact me at 1jennajaxon@gmail.com. I’d love to share it with you!

Books in The Widows’ Club series:

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 Regency Romance, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Promotion, The Widow's Club, To Woo A Wicked Widow, To Woo A Wicked Widow, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged historical romance, Jenna Jaxon, Regency romance, The Widow's Club, To Woo a Wicked Widow, Weekend Writing Warriors | 22 Comments

New Release! The Storm and the Sea by January George in The Lawbreakers Collection

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Jenna Jaxon

Hi Everyone! Thank you, Jenna for hosting me today! I’m so excited to be a part of the Lawbreakers Collection.

The Lawbreakers Collection is available on Amazon!

My story, The Storm and the Sea takes place in Louisiana, one of my favorite places. I think it goes back to my Anne Rice obsession when I was younger, but whatever the reason I’ve been lucky enough to travel through Louisiana a few times, both in New Orleans and out towards Lafayette, where most of my story takes place. Unfortunately, for my characters, they are stranded out in the bayou with nothing to eat. Now, I should probably clarify at this point, I love the architecture, the faded, romantic beauty, the Spanish moss and the cypress trees, I love the jazz and blues, the ghost stories, the history of Louisiana…. But man, I love the food.

New Orleans is a melting pot of cultures, and because of that, has always held a place of revered honor in the culinary world. From the powder sugar on your shirt at Café du Monde, to the Turtle Soup at Commander’s Palace and the fried chicken at Willie Mae’s, the city is bursting with unique flavors that you can’t find anywhere else. So, in honor of my poor, starving characters (don’t worry, they get food and a happy ending), I’d like to share with you a recipe for one of my favorite New Orleans classics, Cajun Shrimp. This is a recipe that we used to make at a restaurant where I used to work, I’ve tweaked it a bit, but it’s really easy and delicious! Just not sooo figure friendly, but we all need to indulge a little, especially after being stranded in the bayou!

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter

1-pound shrimp shelled and deveined

4 cloves garlic chopped

2 tablespoon Creole or Cajun seasoning

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon Italian parsley

½ lb cooked pasta

Instructions:

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, I recommend a long strand pasta like spaghetti, fettucine or angel hair.

While the pasta cooks, toss the uncooked shrimp in the Cajun seasoning and chopped garlic until coated. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat and then cook the garlic seasoned shrimp until just transparent and starting to brown on the edges. Remove the shrimp from the pan and add the heavy cream, lower the heat before the cream comes to a boil and simmer until the sauce has reduced by half and thickened. Add back the shrimp to the sauce, add pasta and toss to mix. Sprinkle with parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Posted in Promotion | Tagged contemporary romance, January George, Lawbreakers Collection, new release, The Storm and the Sea | 1 Comment

Medieval Monday: Author’s Choice ~ Redeeming the Rogue Knight by Elisabeth Hobbes

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Jenna Jaxon

Author’s Choice

This time around on Medieval Monday our theme is simply Author’s choice. Each author get to choose their own theme–celebration, food, betrayal–everything is on the table.

I have chosen a celebration–a wedding and more particularly a wedding night–for my snippet. My excerpt is from Betrayal can be found at Elisabeth’s blog if you’d like to keep up with my story.

This week on my blog, the first excerpt from

Elisabeth Hobbes’s

Redeeming the Rogue Knight

Excerpt:

A knife stabbed Roger’s chest, knocking the wind from him harder than if the blow had
been real. He gripped the doorframe. He must have made a sound because the miller’s
eyes focused on him.

‘Wait your turn,’ the miller barked. ‘She hasn’t yet started on me.’

Lucy whipped her head round. Her face twisted with horror. She pointed a trembling
hand at the door.

‘Get out!’

The miller jerked Lucy round to face him once more.

Follow along next week on Laurel McDonnell’s blog.

Blurb:

The spy who sought refuge… When injured spy Sir Roger Danby comes asking for
shelter at her inn, Lucy Carew is wary. He may be strikingly handsome, but the
disgraced single mother has learned the hard way with men like him. Against her
better judgment, she gives him refuge. Sir Roger has never been at the mercy of a
woman before, and he’s never met one as mysterious and bewitching as Lucy. He
hasn’t come looking for redemption, but Lucy is a woman who could reach in and
touch his closely guarded heart…

Buy Links:

Titles in the Time Enough to Love Series:

Posted in Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance, Promotion | Tagged Elisabeth Hobbes, historical romance, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Redeeming the Rogue Knight | 7 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 01/28/18 To Woo A Wicked Widow ~ Ready to Bolt

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Jenna Jaxon

More from my upcoming release To Woo A Wicked Widow, due out in 58 days!

(Creative punctuation utilized to conform to WWW rules.)

“Your dance, Mr. Garrett?” Her brows puckered and she tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth. “I don’t recall we spoke about a dance.” The lady shot Nash a fleeting look, but he was unsure if it was a plea for help or an apology.

“I remember it distinctly, my lady,” Garrett said, claimed her gloved hand and squeezed it gently, “you said you would be glad when you could once again be out in society and that you couldn’t wait to dance.”

“Well, yes, I may indeed have expressed such a sentiment, but that did not mean—”

“To which I replied that I would be honored to partner you at the first opportunity, then you smiled and nodded and thanked me.” The blackguard raised his eyebrows, affecting an innocent air. “What else was I to assume except that you had given me permission to seek your first dance?”

She fidgeted, almost dancing now; her eyes had the wild look of a horse ready to bolt.

BLURB for To Woo A Wicked Widow:

Available for pre-order at Amazon.

I still have ARC copies of To Woo A Wicked Widow. If you’d like to review the book before its release, please contact me at 1jennajaxon@gmail.com. I’d love to share it with you!

Books in The Widows’ Club series:

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

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 01/21/18 To Woo A Wicked Widow ~ “I am Come to Claim My Dance”

Posted on January 21, 2018 by Jenna Jaxon

More from my upcoming release To Woo A Wicked Widow, due out in 66 days!

(Creative punctuation utilized to conform to WWW rules.)

“It is nice to see you again.”

“As it is to see you as well.” Her voice had a high pitch, but a sweet tone, lilting and light, which suited her down to the ground. “Do you know Lord Wrotham?”

“I have not had the pleasure, I believe,” Garrett said, nodding his head briefly, his eyes still on Lady Cavendish.

“Nor I, Mr. Garrett.” Nash bowed, then straightened to his full six foot three, pleased to see he looked down on Garrett by a couple of inches.

“It has been several months since we met, I think, Mr. Garrett?” she asked as she clutched her fan, but smiled politely.

“March, I believe it was, and I am come to claim my dance as promised.” His eyes glinted when her jaw dropped.

BLURB for To Woo A Wicked Widow:

Available for pre-order at Amazon.

I still have ARC copies of To Woo A Wicked Widow. If you’d like to review the book before its release, please contact me at 1jennajaxon@gmail.com. I’d love to share it with you!

Books in The Widows’ Club series:

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

Pure Innocence by Liza O’Connor

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Jenna Jaxon

Pure Innocence

The Extraordinary Life of Amy Winston, Book 1

Words can harm or heal, depending on the speaker.

While Amy hears only kind words from her uncle, and her four protectors, when she goes into town, or when she’s in the same room with servants the words she hears hurt like stones.

The only way those who love her can discover what is wrong is by saying:

“There once was a girl named Amy…”

And Amy will tell those she trust a story of evil witches and trolls.

BLURB

For some, Amy is an angel incarnate; for others, she is the child of Satan. In her early years, Amy learns the skills of a soldier and discovers she can heal with the touch of her hand. Upon the death of her beloved Uncle John, he stays as a protective ghost to assist the soldiers in their vigilant efforts to keep her safe. Never has a girl arrived at Madam Cousec’s School for Young Ladies with more charm, more friends, or greater protection. She’ll need them all to survive the head girl and set her future in motion.

Excerpt

“There once was a little girl named Amy…” Gunter began and then stopped, allowing Amy to take over the story.

“Whose mother some say was a demon. Amy knows this is a lie, but because so many think it is true, they watch Amy all the time, looking for some proof that Amy is a demon as well. Amy is always very careful not to do things that make them lock her up in pantries or in her closet. She stays with people who like her, like her friends Gunter, Tomas, Brick, and Sam, and she only eats sweet breads at Nelle’s house. But one day, a famous priest was supposed to come to the house and Amy’s uncle, who loves her very much, thought she’d be all too likely to want to watch Gunter get better, so he ordered little Amy to be locked up in her room.”

Amy scrunched her face. “The servants saw this as certain proof that Amy was a demon. Why else would the uncle hide the girl from a priest who casts out demons?”

‘“The girl may have bewitched the poor Earl…but, oh no, not them…not them indeed,’ cackled Mrs. Cole.”

“When they locked her in her room, Amy gets scared they plan to kill her. So, she doesn’t eat the food they give her and goes right off to bed. The moment they close the door, little Amy stuffs her pillows beneath the cover so it looks as if she is still there. Then she sneaks out of the window, and climbs down the tree. She runs like a deer into the woods, to Gunter’s house, where she peeks into the window. She cannot see a thing since all of the spirits have crowded in the tiny cabin. But then a nice old spirit finally takes pity on her and helps her through the window and pushes the others until she has enough room to sit down in the corner. While she cannot see Gunter and the priest, she likewise knows they cannot see her. She listens as the very nice priest calmly brings to light the misunderstanding that had caused the problem so long ago and makes it go away. Then poof, the spirits leave the room, and Amy’s not hidden anymore. The nice priest bends down and smiles at her. He tells her he is glad to meet her.

“After seeing the spirits on to heaven, the priest and Gunter carry Amy up to the house.” She paused and stared at the Father’s thin form. “Well, actually, Gunter carries Amy up to the house, but before they opened the door, he passes Amy over to the Father, so when they walk in, all the servants will know she cannot possibly be a demon. Then they will be nice to Amy and she’ll live happily ever after.”

***

At the door, Gunter kissed Amy on her temple and handed her over to Father Duncan.

Amy looked up at Father Duncan with concern. “I’m not too heavy for you, am I?”

The priest smiled. “No, not even if you weighed a hundred pounds more would you be too heavy for me to complete my task.”

SALES LINK

Amazon

Free for KU customers

More About the Author

Liza O’Connor’s favorite books are Pride & Prejudice and Douglas Adams’ five book trilogy, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Go figure…

Raised in the southern mid-section of U.S., Liza escaped to the East Coast once out of college. She’s worked as a journalist, a radio DJ, a security guard, a stock broker, a strategist, and a business solutions consultant to name a few of her many occupations. Again…go figure.

She learned to fly planes, jump out of planes, hang-glide, kayak and scuba dive, to name of few of her ‘let’s kill Liza’ sports. However, her favorite activity is to hike with her dog Jess among the shaved mountains of NJ.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT

LIZA O’CONNOR

Investigate these sites:

Liza’s Blog and Website Facebook Twitter

Google +

Check out Liza’s Many Books

Posted in Guest Bloggers, Historical Romance, Promotion, Regency Romance | Tagged historical romance, Liza O'Connor, paranormal historical romance, Paranormal Romance, Pure Innocence, Regency romance, The Extraordinary Life of Amy Winston Trilogy | 6 Comments

Southern Comfort Food ~ Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Southern Comfort Food, my weekly post with a recipe that will taste like home and warm your soul.

We’re under another snow advisory here in Virginia today, so I’m trotting out another cold weather staple for my house: Chicken Alfredo Casserole.

Warm and satisfying any time, but especially in these snowy months.

Chicken Alfredo Casserole

2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs

1 Tbs olive oil

1 box Penne pasta

2 jars Alfredo sauce

1 16 oz package of shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese

1 16 oz package broccoli florets

salt and pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a two quart casserole dish with olive oil.

To 4 quarts of water add 1 Tbs olive oil and bring to boil. Add penne pasta, return to boil and cook for 8-10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain.

Cook chicken (boil or bake) and cut into bite-sized pieces. (You can also use leftover baked or rotisserie chicken)

Cook broccoli florets according to package directions.

Mix penne, chicken, broccoli, salt and pepper thoroughly in the casserole dish. Add Alfredo sauce, 1/2 the mozzarella and half the Parmesan. Mix until noodles are well coated.

Sprinkle remaining cheeses on top and bake for 30-40 minutes until heated through.

Enjoy with crusty Italian bread and butter.

Boy! Now I’m really hungry!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I wish you a delicious 2018!

Come back next week for another recipe full of down-home southern comfort. 🙂

Posted in Cooking and Recipes, Southern Comfort Food | Tagged chicken Alfredo, chicken Alfredo casserole, chicken Alfredo with penne pasta, home cooking, Jenna Jaxon, pasta dishes, Southern Comfort Food, Southern cooking | Leave a comment

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 01/14/18 To Woo A Wicked Widow ~ An Interrupted Plan

Posted on January 14, 2018 by Jenna Jaxon

This week, I’m continuing to my upcoming release To Woo A Wicked Widow, due out in 73 days!

(Creative punctuation utilized to conform to WWW rules.)

“My lady, I would be honored if you would dance the first set with me.”

Her smile widened. “Thank you, my lord, I would enjoy that.”

He’d enjoy having her in his arms again too.

“Lady Cavendish?” A blond young man in elegant evening dress had approached so stealthily behind her, neither he nor the lady had noticed. He touched her elbow and she whirled around.

“Oh, Mr. Garrett, you startled me.” The pink had returned to her cheeks.

The buck immediately grasped her hand and had the audacity to kiss it.

BLURB for To Woo A Wicked Widow:

Available for pre-order at Amazon.

I still have about ARC copies of To Woo A Wicked Widow. If you’d like to review the book before its release, please contact me at 1jennajaxon@gmail.com. I’d love to share it with you!

Books in The Widows’ Club series:

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

Southern Comfort Food ~ Chili Con Carne

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Southern Comfort Food, my weekly post with a recipe that will taste like home and warm your soul.

We have had some seriously cold weather–including about 6 inches of snow at my house last Thursday. Whenever it gets cold, I want to counteract it with my mother’s chili recipe. Hearty, meaty, just enough spice for a kick to warm your cockles–any anything else that’s cold. You can cook it on the stove if you want to watch it for 4 hours. I usually cook mine in the crock pot.

I also have a couple of variations. If you want a lower fat version, substitute ground turkey for ground beef.

If you want a vegetarian version, eliminate the ground beef and increase eggplant to one large.

CHILI CON CARNE

1 to 1 1/2 lbs ground beef

2 onions, sliced

1 large can dark kidney beans

1 small can light kidney beans

1 can black beans

1 medium eggplant, diced (optional, but I think it makes the chili richer)

1 large or two small cans diced tomatoes

1 can tomatoes and green chilies

1 TBS chili powder (or to taste if you like it spicier)

salt and pepper to taste

Brown the ground beef or turkey with the onions and chili powder, salt and pepper until the meat is fully cooked. Drain. Spoon into the crock pot. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well. Set on High for two hours (to get it cooking good). Reduce to low and cook additional four to six hours.

Enjoy with cornbread, bread, sour cream, cheese. Any topping you can think of, this is a great meal.