Contemporary
Romance set in modern times during present day.
-
Know the Heroine from Sweet Love, Bitter Fruit by Lyndell Williams @laylawriteslove #RLFblog #urbanromance #contemporaryromance
Lyndell Williams, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We’re excited to find out more about your hero, but first, tell us about the book.Sweet Love, Bitter Fruit by Lyndell Williams
Genre romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
From Lyndell Williams, author of My Way to You, a new novel about keeping the flames of love and passion burning in a world determined to snuff them out.
Harlem lawyer Marcus Kent fights for justice while preserving a stable, passionate marriage with wife, Toni. Smart and confident, he has it all together—that is until his world turns upside down.
Not only is someone stalking his sister, but an intern at work is also getting too close for comfort.
On top of all of that, Toni’s renewed infertility obsession causes them to continually argue, adding more strain and cooling off their steamy union.
Struggling with insecurities and yearning to have a child, successful psychologist Toni Kent looks to her husband for support. Unfortunately, relentless distraction and stubbornness prevent Marcus from being there when she needs him the most and jeopardizes their happy home.
After multiple failed in vitro attempts, Toni is ready to try again, but Marcus is done. He doesn’t want another headache or more heartache. Will infertility tear this dream couple apart?
Know the Heroine from Sweet Love, Bitter Fruit
Here are some fun questions to help us know your heroine.
It’s late, she’s bored. What does she do?
Ever since Toni married Marcus, boredom became nonexistent. They have a very full life together. If she is not helping clients at her private therapy practice, she is helping at the community center, travelling or spending couples time with Marcus. She makes sure to align their schedules so there is plenty of that.
What kind of food would she impulse buy if hungry?
Toni’s mother, Whitley raised her to be conscientious about everything that goes into her mouth. So, she rarely eats on the fly.
She packs her fridge and cabinets with health, organic foods. There is very little processed stuff. She plans every meal so it doesn’t have to be. If she finds herself stuck out there with a growling stomach, the bag of unsalted almonds and vegan protein bar will do just fine.
Describe the kind of clothes she prefers to wear.
Toni’s fashion flare reflects her Westport, CT upbringing and time living in Greenwich Village before moving uptown to Harlem when she married Marcus. She has a walk-in closet filled with designer labels to don for work, professional networking and partying. Whether a cocktail party or fundraising event for Marcus’ center, she is red bottom ready.
When she is home, feeling sexy helps her shed the day’s tensions. Clients dump a lot on her, so walking around their uptown apartment like a seductress with all of Marcus’ attention hits the spot for her ego. She floats around in her silk cami pant set, knowing is the one.
Does she know how to fix things?
Marcus is pretty competent when it comes to keeping things at home working. Toni concentrates of making sure he and the family are coping. So as far as fixing anything, she is really good at repairing a tense situation—that is—unless she is the one causing the tensions. She is the most stable person in the Kent family, but she is not a saint.
She tried to do something and it went badly. Tell us about it.
Toni felt really badly about how her need for some space impacted her best friend Regina. Sometimes, things are too hard to handle for even the strongest person. When the news that her sister-in-law was having another baby while she struggled with infertility tore into her, Toni headed for the hills. The guilt that she wasn’t there for Regina plagues her.
How does she act around children she doesn’t know?
Toni and Marcus are childless, so their niece Justine is the only kid she consistently spends time entertaining. She likes kids, but when she is at the center, she is helping the adults, so she is not around them too much. She wants a baby, and will make a great mother, but kids are not a major factor in her life.
What is she like first thing in the morning?
Toni loves her bed and fights hard to keep from being separated from it. She will snuggle deeper under the blankets while Marcus jumps up and prepares for his run. She calculates when he should return, and stays in the cushy warmth until the last possible minute. It is her sanctuary. When she has no other choice, she slips from the sheets and heads right for the coffee machine. No one better speak to her until that cup of brew is empty.
Can she use chopsticks?
Toni, Regina and Simon usually have a grand old time watching Marcus struggle with chopsticks. She shakes her head as her loving husband tries to balance them in his big hands, finally lifting some food to his mouth while he grabs a fork.
Does she drink coffee? If so, how does she take it? If not, what does she drink instead?
Coffee is on tap throughout Toni’s day. She starts at the machine on the kitchen counter and continues with stops at the local coffee shop near her office. She likes it with half-and-half and no sugar. She refuses to drink that Seattle stuff. How anyone can call it coffee is beyond her.
What apps would she have on her phone?
Toni’s phone is loaded with social media and calendar apps. She loves posting images and gliding down timelines for the latest fashion. She is a makeup and hair tutorial junkie, watching videos between clients.
Android or iPhone?
Marcus brought Toni to the iPhone darkside when they married. For her, it was easier to communicate with him. Facetime during business trips is a must.
Earrings or unpierced ears?
Toni rocks hoops with her bob. She has four piercings in each ear from when she work rows of them and diamond studs during her teen years. They drove her mom crazy. Now, she will wear only one pair unless she is feeling nostalgic.
Tattoos or unadorned skin?
Toni has a needle phobia. The rebellious teen she was, she probably would have gotten a tattoo if she wasn’t so scared of being stuck.
Personal vehicle or public transport?
New York City traffic is not a joy to navigate. Toni will hop a train or hire a car before getting behind the wheel. She occasionally drives when going to visit Marcus’ parents or when they go for a weekend away from the city.
Recycle or toss?
She better recycle. Marcus is a drill sergeant about it.
Thanks for helping us get to know your heroine!
Where to buy Sweet Love, Bitter Fruit
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Love-Bitter-Fruit-Brothers-ebook/dp/B07WZ9LT97
Lyndell Williams Social Media
Lyndell Williams (Layla Abdullah-Poulos) holds a B.A. in Historical Studies and Literature, M.A. in Liberal Studies, and an AC in Women and Gender Studies. She is an adjunct instructor as well as an anti-racism and gender equity advocate. She is the senior New York trainer for the Muslim Anti-Racism collaborative.
Williams is a cultural critic with a background in literary criticism specializing in romance. She has been published in peer-review journals and presented at national conferences about Muslim and interracial romance fiction as well as racism, sexism and the Black Muslim experience.
She is the founder and managing editor of the NbA Muslims blog on Patheos and a cultural contributor for Radio Islam USA. She is a contributor to the online publications About Islam and Haute Hijab.
Williams is the lead content editor WriteType Editorial Services and mentors aspiring writers across genres.
She’s had numerous short stories published in collections and enjoys a growing list of subscribers to her Layla Writes Love online short story series.
Williams self-published her first interracial romance novel My Way to You. The novel made it onto four Amazon bestsellers lists its premiere weekend.
She is committed to the traditional use of literature as social commentary to affect positive social change.
Williams is married and the mother of six children.
Blog https://laylawriteslove.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/laylawriteslove/
Twitter https://twitter.com/laylawriteslove
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laylawriteslove/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWpN2YTkr9cGO9Z7-AB8xNw
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/laylawriteslove
Amazon http://amazon.com/author/laylawriteslove
Soundcloud https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/layla-writes-love-the-woes-and-triumphs-of-a-romance-author/id1478573350
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/layla-writes-love-the-woes-and-triumphs-of-a-romance-author/id1478573350
Google Play Music https://play.google.com/music/m/Ives5gtsmyhryktswhjdtkixb54?t=Layla_Writes_Love_The_Woes_and_Triumphs_of_a_Romance_Author
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4G0FXyBdBJUol2ixhQtYta
Newsletter http://bit.ly/2keDszX -
Fiction Furbaby: Meet Reginald from The Gift by Daryl Devore @darydevore @RobsRescues #RLFblog #Pets
Daryl Devore, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We support all furbabies, real life or fictional. We want to know all about your Fiction Furbaby, but first, please tell us about your book.The Gift by Daryl Devore
Genre Sweet Contemporary Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G
Daryl Devore’s latest is a sweet whimsical romance with a touch of mystery
Darcy O’Calahann, a junior gardener from a small mid-western town, is trying to make her way in the big city. After a stranger asks a mysterious question, Darcy finds a red tulip inside her locked gardening shed.
Shamus McTavis is a wealthy bachelor with a mysterious family past. But more surprising is his resemblance to the stranger who offered her the red tulip.
Are Darcy’s eyes playing tricks on her? Is she losing her mind? Or is there really a red tulip trying to link Shamus and her together?
Note- This book was previously published under the title Red Tulip and under the author’s pen name – Victoria Adams.
Meet Reginald from The Gift
Full name: Reginald
Nickname:
Gender: Male
Species: Canine
Physical description: large dog, grey and white
Relationship to main character: Hero’s pet
Where this furbaby came from: Reginald was a rescue. Shamus saw him in a shelter and instantly fell in love. Shamus had no idea the energy and future size of a sheep dog.
What inspired you to create this character?
I needed a cute-meet to get the main characters together.
What does the main character think about this furbaby?
He adores Reginald. He loves the boundless energy and joy for life the dog’s exhibits.
How do other characters react to or interact with this furbaby?
Reginald charges up to aand knocks Darcy over. After the initial shock, she immeditaley falls in love with the over-sized puppy.
What does this furbaby eat?
Pretty much whatever he wants. He’s been known to chew up a leather shoe. He gobbled down a steak that was destined for the BBQ. And he’s been given more than his fair share of treats from Shamus. But his main meal is a special diet of raw meat.
What is this furbaby’s natural habitat?
The acres of open space at Shamus’s estate and long walks in Central Park.
Describe a humorous incident involving the animal character.
Darcy is quietly tending to one of the gardens, placing out new spring flowers when she is knocked over by what she thought was a small elephant. Shamus hurries over and apologizes, but Darcy is already in love with the dog and is scratching his ears. She looks up with a smile and meets the gaze of the man she is going to marry.
About Licorice and Ginny-furr
This post is called Fiction Furbaby, but perhaps your own pet does not have fur. If you have a pet that has fins, wings, scales, or other features, please tell us about them here.Which, if any of the pets in your writing are modeled after your own pets? In what way?
None of my pets, which over the years is about the equivalent of a zoo, none has ever made it to a book.
What do your pets do when you are writing?
The same thing they do when I am cleaning, cooking or anything else – they nap.
What’s the most unusual pet you ever had?
A blennie. It’s a kind of saltwater fish. I called it (we had no idea what gender it was) – Blenni and the Jets
Where did you find your pet?
Licorice is a black cat whose very young feral mom had her in our barn. The mom disappeared when Licorice was about 6 wks old and we rescued her. Ginny-furr was a drop off. We live in the country and city people think a domestic cat can survive when tossed out of the house. She was only a small kitten at the time and is very lucky that we accidently found her.
Note – life in the country is not idyllic for animals – especially in July heat which was when this poor little thing was tossed away.
What do you feed your pet?
According to them – I feed them all the wrong food. For two rescues, they certainly have gotten spoiled. There is always a bowl of water, a bowl of crunchies and some wet food.
Describe a toy or favorite item your pet loves.
We have probably 10 different versions of a toy mouse. Some squeak. Some look real. They are constantly being carried around the house, hidden then relocated and attacked.
Where to buy The Gift
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XNH3JDJ
Daryl Devore Social Media
Two writers in one. Daryl Devore writes hot romances with sexy heroes and strong heroines. Victoria Adams is Daryl’s alter ego when she’s inspired to write sweet romances with little to no heat.
Daryl lives in an old farmhouse in Ontario, Canada, with her husband, two black cats – Licorice and Ginny-Furr Purrkins – and some house ghosts. Her daughter is grown and has flown the nest. Daryl loves to take long walks on her quiet country road or snowshoe across the back acres, and in the summer, kayak along the St. Lawrence River. She has touched a moon rock, a mammoth, and a meteorite. She’s been deep in the ocean in a submarine, flown high over Niagara Falls in a helicopter, and used the ladies room in a royal palace. Life’s an adventure and Daryl’s having fun living it.
Website https://daryldevore.wixsite.com/mysite
Blog https://daryldevore.blogspot.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/daryldevore
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Daryl-Devore-Erotic-Romance-Writer-280168402052520/
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.ca/daryldevore2013/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4686566.Daryl_Devore
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004TJ1354Shout out to Rob’s Rescues – founded by a 9-year-old animal activist
Rob’s Rescues is a non-profit organization in Georgia helping people in need care for and feed their pets. It was founded in 2014 by a then nine-year-old boy. Rob’s Rescues is dedicated to collecting pet food for people in need to reduce shelter surrenders, and to advocating for the adoption of shelter pets. Rob writes monthly articles advocating for shelter animals in the Around About Local Media magazine publications. His column was first published in 2014. He also has pet food collection sites for people in need in the community and interviews amazing people. His interviews appear online once they are published in his column.
Rob volunteers for Pet Buddies Food Pantry, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter and Cobb County Animal Control and collects pet food for these organizations and the communities they serve. He also wants to bring attention to smaller, rural shelters. Mostly he wants to get kids to be Rob’s Rangers to teach kids that they can help shelter animals. Rob has also talked to kids in a classroom setting.
Rob’s Rescues is a Non-Profit Corporation and all donations are tax deductible.
Website http://www.robsrescues.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/robsrescues/
Twitter https://twitter.com/RobsRescues -
Read the new No Good Without You by Emma Ames @EmmaAmes11 #RLFblog #sweetromance
Welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your book.No Good Without You by Emma Ames
Genre Contemporary Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG13
Swan Malone never imagined leaving Sparrow, Texas, but when her college cheerleading gig leads to fame, and her first film becomes the top-grossing movie of the year, she realizes dreams really do come true. However, not everything in her life is as good as a fairytale.
Nothing could have prepared Army Sergeant Teague Shanahan for what he endured while held hostage in enemy hands. Battered and scarred, he returns home hoping to put his life back together but finds he’s still a prisoner of his past–too broken to be fixed, even by the woman he loves.
QUICK
Do you write more than one genre? If so, what are they?
Contemporary romance and romantic mysteries with a kick of humor.
How do you come up with ideas?
Everywhere from something I hear in a doctor’s office to a picture on a magazine.
What is the single most important part of writing for you?
The expected answer here is editing. However, I think every part is equally important. Without an idea–no book. Without a plot–no story. Without a good cover, title, and opening line–no interest. Without a good story–no readers.
When did you write your first book?
I’m just getting started in the ‘sweet’ romance department. No Good Without You is my first book, which is a ‘cleaner, sweeter, version of Ann Everett’s steamy romances.
FUN
Leather or lace? Leather
Black or red? Black
Satin sheets or smooth cotton? Cotton
Ocean or mountains? Mountains
City life or country life? Country
Party life or evening at home? Evening at home.
Dogs or cats? Cats
Where to buy No Good Without You
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X1ZWDD5
Emma Ames Social Media
Emma Ames is an alter-ego of Ann Everett who is an alter-ego of a real person. All three live in Texas. Emma’s books are sweeter versions of Ann Everett’s steamy romances/mysteries. They contain no graphic love scenes or language and always end with happily ever after.
To find out more about Emma, visit Ann Everett’s website listed below. Hopefully, by the time this is posted, Emma will have her own page there–fingers crossed.
Website https://www.anneverett.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/EmmaAmes11
Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/author/emmaamesYou May Also Like
Seduction – One Fortune at a Time Anthology @annekane #RLFblog #contemporary
Cover Love: Naughty List 13 Holiday Stories @NaughtyLiterati #RLFblog #HolidayRomance
Fiction Furbaby: Meet Cleo from Finding Home: Caveman Creek Book 1 by Pia Manning @PiaManning @RobsRescues #RLFblog #Pets
-
Know the Hero from Sweet Love, Bitter Fruit by Lyndell Williams @laylawriteslove #RLFblog #urbanromance #contemporaryromance
Lyndell Williams, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We’re excited to find out more about your hero, but first, tell us about the book.Sweet Love, Bitter Fruit by Lyndell Williams
Genre romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
From Lyndell Williams, author of My Way to You, a new novel about keeping the flames of love and passion burning in a world determined to snuff them out.
Harlem lawyer Marcus Kent fights for justice while preserving a stable, passionate marriage with wife, Toni. Smart and confident, he has it all together—that is until his world turns upside down.
Not only is someone stalking his sister, but an intern at work is also getting too close for comfort.
On top of all of that, Toni’s renewed infertility obsession causes them to continually argue, adding more strain and cooling off their steamy union.
Struggling with insecurities and yearning to have a child, successful psychologist Toni Kent looks to her husband for support. Unfortunately, relentless distraction and stubbornness prevent Marcus from being there when she needs him the most and jeopardizes their happy home.
After multiple failed in vitro attempts, Toni is ready to try again, but Marcus is done. He doesn’t want another headache or more heartache. Will infertility tear this dream couple apart?
Know the Hero from Sweet Love, Bitter Fruit
It’s late, he’s bored. What does he do?
Marcus Kent is never board. He has an intense schedule at work. When he gets a minute, he will chill with his boys Simon, Faisal and Quinn and then head home to his wife Toni. For Marcus, twenty-four hours is not nearly enough, so he needs to be strategic about his time so he can fulfill all of the demands on him. He’s all about getting things done with efficiency.
What kind of food would he impulse buy if hungry?
Marcus is a carnivorous alpha. Red meat is his food of choice, especially burgers. He doesn’t eat just any meat. Although he is not Muslim, he prefers halal meat, so he will stop by his favorite halal spot or another one (NYC is packed with them) to grab a quick bite. Of course, he’ll have to go a little longer on his daily morning run but having some ground beef goodness is worth it.
Describe the kind of clothes he prefers to wear.
Marcus has a walk-in closet with a wall stacked with high-end sneakers. They are his award for working hard at the community center he directs, keeping wife, Toni happy and being there for family and friends. He sheds his business suits as soon as possible and slaps on a pair of those bad boys with some sweats and a tee shirt to run through Harlem or have a game of basketball, completely elephant trunkin’ it.
Does he know how to fix things?
Marcus’ father, Deverill made sure his son was a “real man” who can fix things. He does minor repairs around the apartment and at the community center in a pinch. He can take a hammer to a nail or wrench to a pipe, but with his busy schedule, anything bigger would have to be done by somebody else. So, he has the contact information for plumbers, electricians, etc. right in his phone. A natural leader and delegator, he makes sure things get fixed as soon as possible.
He tried to do something and it went badly. Tell us about it.
A big miscalculation Marcus made was when he thought he was protecting his younger sister, Regina from his best friend, Simon. He knew Simon was a playa and wasn’t even going to let his sister get used. When he found out about them, he blew a fit and went straight to Simon to drive a wedge between them, not know that Simon was actually in love with Regina. He caused a split between the two of them and broke his sister’s heart.
How does he act around children he doesn’t know?
Marcus is thoroughly in love with his niece, Justine. He will do almost anything she asks, including sit on the floor with a tiara on his large, bald head, holding a tiny plastic teacup. The kids at the center where he is in charge adore him. He loves the little ones and planned to have a bunch of them. He gave up on the dream of fatherhood when he and his wife Toni went through multiple failed in vitro attempts.
What is he like first thing in the morning?
Marcus is a morning person times five. He is usually up before the crack of dawn and heading out to pound the city pavement with a morning run while the plans for the day go through his head.
Can he use chopsticks?
Marcus and chopsticks do not get along. Simon has tried to teach him, but to no avail. It is one of those things that he is comfortable with not being able to do and just reaches for a fork.
Does he drink coffee? If so, how does he take it? If not, what does he drink instead?
Coffee is the first drink Marcus reaches for after his morning run. He likes it with half and half and no sugar. Sometimes he will stop by the coffee shop on his way to work and treat his staff to cups, ordering each just the way they like it from his memory.
What apps would he have on his phone?
Marcus is all about productivity, so he has a bunch of calendar and appointment apps. He has a word processing app so he can write while traveling as well as a speech-to-text app to make notes. He manages the community center projects with his team using a project management app and downloaded a couple of games for those times he’s with his niece Justine.
Android or iPhone?
Unfortunately, he is a die-hard IOS fan. I’ve argued with him and Simon about it, but he won’t budge.
Beard or clean-shaven?
Marcus sports a long-stubble beard that he keeps super soft through careful grooming and conditioning. Toni loves and always plays with it whenever they’re alone.
Earrings/piercings/tattoos or unadorned skin?
Marcus refuses to pierce anything or stain his smooth chocolate skin with ink. He is all about treating his body as a temple, and you don’t put holes in or graffiti on the walls of a temple.
Personal vehicle or public transport?
As a city dweller, public transportation is a must most of the time. Marcus has a metro card and travels the city underground in the subways. When he travels outside the city to places like his parents’ house on Long Island, he has his black Dodge Charger taken out of the garage and hits the road with Toni.
Recycle or toss?
Marcus and Toni have little blue cans underneath their sink, and he made sure the center has plenty of big ones around the facility and even at the playground and basketball courts. One of the things he budgets for each year is to have a service take away the recycling. He makes sure the material is sorted and leaves redeemable bottles and cans at the front door for people to take.
Thanks for helping us get to know your hero!
Where to buy Sweet Love, Bitter Fruit
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Love-Bitter-Fruit-Brothers-ebook/dp/B07WZ9LT97
Lyndell Williams Social Media
Lyndell Williams (Layla Abdullah-Poulos) holds a B.A. in Historical Studies and Literature, M.A. in Liberal Studies, and an AC in Women and Gender Studies. She is an adjunct instructor as well as an anti-racism and gender equity advocate. She is the senior New York trainer for the Muslim Anti-Racism collaborative.
Williams is a cultural critic with a background in literary criticism specializing in romance. She has been published in peer-review journals and presented at national conferences about Muslim and interracial romance fiction as well as racism, sexism and the Black Muslim experience.
She is the founder and managing editor of the NbA Muslims blog on Patheos and a cultural contributor for Radio Islam USA. She is a contributor to the online publications About Islam and Haute Hijab.
Williams is the lead content editor WriteType Editorial Services and mentors aspiring writers across genres.
She’s had numerous short stories published in collections and enjoys a growing list of subscribers to her Layla Writes Love online short story series.
Williams self-published her first interracial romance novel My Way to You. The novel made it onto four Amazon bestsellers lists its premiere weekend.
She is committed to the traditional use of literature as social commentary to affect positive social change.
Williams is married and the mother of six children.
Blog https://laylawriteslove.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/laylawriteslove/
Twitter https://twitter.com/laylawriteslove
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laylawriteslove/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWpN2YTkr9cGO9Z7-AB8xNw
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/laylawriteslove
Amazon http://amazon.com/author/laylawriteslove
Soundcloud https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/layla-writes-love-the-woes-and-triumphs-of-a-romance-author/id1478573350
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/layla-writes-love-the-woes-and-triumphs-of-a-romance-author/id1478573350
Google Play Music https://play.google.com/music/m/Ives5gtsmyhryktswhjdtkixb54?t=Layla_Writes_Love_The_Woes_and_Triumphs_of_a_Romance_Author
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4G0FXyBdBJUol2ixhQtYta
Newsletter http://bit.ly/2keDszXYou May Also Like
Read the urban romance My Way to You by Lyndell Williams @laylawriteslove #RLFblog #UrbanRomance #interracialromance
Read Attention to Desire by Monique Lamont @sasseYvetteH #RLFblog #ContemporaryRomance
Read the #interracialromance Building on Broken Dreams by Lyndell Williams @laylawriteslove #RLFblog #bwwmromance
-
Is It True: Roses by Karen Cino @karencino #RLFblog #Contemporary #Romance
Welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Let’s play Is It True with today’s guest, Karen Cino, author of Roses, a Contemporary Romance. This is a game with yes and no questions. Writers can elaborate on answers as much as they choose.Roses by Karen Cino
Genre Contemporary Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
After the untimely death of her husband in the line of duty, Nikki Petrino still grieving three years later, goes on retreat to Mexico to finish her novel, where she meets musician Drake Dente a 90’s rock icon working on lyrics for his comeback CD.
After meeting at dinner, Drake and Nikki can’t keep their eyes off each other. Sparks fly and they instantly became an item. Upon returning to New York for Nikki’s high school reunion, she learns shocking events from her best friends.
After a misunderstanding, Nikki is missing and Drake is desperate to find her.
Is it true:
this is your first book?
No. But it was the first book that I wrote. I write it while my son for in infant, with his nights and days mixed up over thirty years ago. I put it on the back shelf and then ten years ago, took it back out and continued to edit it until I felt confident to send it out.
this book is part of a series?
No it isn’t. It’s a stand alone.
you lost sleep while writing this book?
Yes, absolutely. I wrote it on very little sleep.
you did research for this book?
Yes. The first part of the book takes place in Mexico. It had been years since I had been there, so I had to catch up on what had changed at the hotel.
some characters in this book are not human? (pets for example)
No. My characters are all humans.
this book has more than one genre?
Yes. It is a contemporary romance, but there is a part of it that’s women’s fiction.
you speak more than one language?
No. But I do wish I knew how to speak Italian.
you grew up where you live now?
No. I was born in Brooklyn, New York. When I was twelve my family moved to Staten Island, New York where I lived until I I moved with my husband to the New Jersey Shore five years ago.
you love to read?
Yes. I have six bookcases full of books. So far this year I have read forty-three books. Each year I have to up my Goodreads challenge.
you are never late?
Never. When my kids were young, yes I was. But once they grew up and went out on their own, I have never been late. In fact I wind up getting to places earlier.
you love pizza?
Yes, who doesn’t.
you love sushi?
No, not at all.
you have a pet?
Not since I moved to the Jersey Shore. Prior to that, I had three cats. But I do love animals. I have a bunny who is in my backyard everyday eating my grass. I could swear that he recognizes my voice.
Where to buy Roses
Publisher Mandolay Press
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Roses-Karen-Cino/dp/1618853244/
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/575939
Karen Cino Social Media
Karen Cino is multi-published and has been writing since she was fourteen years old. She started her career by writing poetry, short stories and writing articles for her high school newspaper. Her daily walks down at the boardwalk are what gets her muse going. It clears her mind and helps her find realistic plot ideas and the characters boosting up her muse. Karen loves writing about local places that people can relate to.
Karen loves the summer, loves the beach. Her previous books were written and take place in various places across Staten Island. Karen relocated to Barnegat, New Jersey in 2015. She traded in the Staten Island Boardwalk for the shoreline in Long Beach Island. Her Camp Mirage Series takes place in Barnegat, NJ.
Karen is a member of Romance Writers of America, Women’s Fiction Writing Association and Liberty States Fiction Writers. She was Vice President of the New York City Chapter for four years and President for three.
Karen has two adult children, Michael Giordano who’s a singer, songwriter and producer and Nicole Giordano who works in Retail Management and is also a photographer. In 2014 Karen married John Gatti. Her husband is an actor, teacher and attorney.
Website http://karencino.com
Blog http://karencinobooks.com
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/karencino
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008LCG31Y
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4444484.Karen_Cino
Newsletter http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/home/?u=372e9cad72e3faf1c0a8b9a4e&id=9ac84ba873
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/karencino
Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/Karen-Cino-296585170371401/You May Also Like
Fiction Furbaby: Meet Abby, Goliath and Daughtry from Rescue Me in the Yesterday’s Promise anthology by Cheryl St john @_cherylstjohn_ @RobsRescues #RLFblog #Pets
Character Interview: Tim Stone by Jennifer Young @JYnovelist #RLFblog #contemporary
Read Runaway Love Story (Book Nirvana Series) by Sadira Stone @SadiraStone #RLFblog #ContemporaryRomance
-
Is It True: Swan, A Bluebird, Texas Romance by Ann Everett @TalkinTwang #RLFblog #Contemporary #Romance
Welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Let’s play Is It True with today’s guest, Ann Everett, author of Swan, A Bluebird, Texas Romance, a contemporary romance.Swan, A Bluebird, Texas Romance by Ann Everett
Genre Contemporary romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
A small-town girl rising to fame.
Swan Malone never imagined leaving Bluebird, Texas, but when her college cheerleading gig leads to fame, and her first film becomes the top-grossing movie of the year, she realizes dreams really do come true. However, not everything in her life is as good as a fairytale.
A soldier barely hanging on.
Nothing could have prepared Army Sergeant Teague Shanahan for what he endured while held hostage in enemy hands. Battered and scarred, he returns home hoping to put his life back together but finds he’s still a prisoner of his past—too broken to be fixed, even by the woman he loves.
Welcome to Bluebird, Texas
Where a girl with stars in her eyes fights to save a man with demons in his soul.
Is it true:
this is your first book?
No. I have 9 published novels, 3 non-fiction books, and a cookbook.
this book is part of a series?
Yes. This is third book in my Bluebird, Texas Romance series.
you lost sleep while writing this book?
Yes. I lose sleep regardless if I’m writing a book or planning a book.
you did research for this book?
Yes. I’m lucky to have some excellent sources to help me with research, as well as using Google.
some characters in this book are not human? (pets for example)
Yes. My hero has a service dog. His name is Bandit…the dog, not the hero.
this book has more than one genre?
No…yes…sorta. Funny you should ask. This book is steamy romance, but for years, members of my local critique group have suggested I write ‘clean’ versions. Swan, is the first novel I’ve done this with, so I’ve also published it under a different pen-name, cover, and title for those who might enjoy a ‘sweeter’ romance.
you speak more than one language?
No…unless you count Texas twang.
you grew up where you live now?
No. I grew up in Texas, but in a teeny-tiny town. I still live in Texas, but in a larger city.
you love to read?
Yes. I’m currently reading about 12 different novels on a critique site I belong to, as well as one novel on my Kindle, and one paperback. I’m also judging an online short story contest, so I’m reading a LOT of stories there.
you are never late?
No. That is one of my pet peeves. I’m early everywhere I go.
you love pizza?
Yes. I prefer thick crust, but I’ll eat any kind.
you love sushi?
No…or should I say…hell no.
you have a pet?
No. I lost my two feline fur babies a couple of years ago, and I can’t bring myself to get that attached again…just yet.
Where to buy Swan, A Bluebird, Texas Romance
Publisher Self-published
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/1689130423
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WYVKPBC
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07WYVKPBCAnn Everett’s Social Media
Award-winning and Amazon Bestselling author, Ann Everett embraces her small-town upbringing and thinks Texans are some of the funniest people on earth. When speaking at conferences and to writing groups, businesses, book clubs, and non-profit organizations, she incorporates her special brand of wit, making her programs on marketing, self-publishing, and the benefits of laughter, informative and fun.
A top reviewer on thenextbigwriter.com, she lives in Northeast Texas where she writes, bakes, and fights her addiction to Diet Dr Pepper.
Ten things you won’t know about Ann by reading her bio:
She’s married to her high school sweetheart.
She loves shopping at thrift stores.
She doesn’t remember her first kiss.
She hates talking on the telephone.
A really sharp pencil makes her happy.
She secretly wants to get a tattoo.
She’s thankful wrinkles aren’t painful.
She thinks everyone should own a pair of cowboy boots.
She sucks at math.
Website https://www.anneverett.com
Blog http://www.anneverett.com/blog/
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/TalkinTwang
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnnEverett/
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/loacl/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5195211.Ann_Everett
Amazon Author page http://www.amazon.com/author/ann.everett
Newsletter http://www.anneverett.com/join-my-email-list/
