• Boxed Sets,  Contemporary

    Hot Beach Romance: Sand, Sunshine and Sizzle #boxedset by @emkayconnor #RLFblog

    This quick interview includes info about the author, and
    introduces the story.

    About the Author

    EmKay Connor is an award-winning
    romance author and freelance writer.
    She is a member of Romance Writers
    of America and numerous RWA chapters, including RWA-San Diego, Outreach
    International RWA, Yellow Rose RWA and RWA Kiss of Death. A firm believer in
    paying it forward (and backward and sideways), she has served as president,
    vice president, secretary, newsletter editor, workshop presenter and committee
    chair at the local and national level.
    An exuberant and outgoing type who
    doesn’t do well with just a desk and a computer for company, EmKay is a
    participant of several critique groups. She is a founder and alumni of Pro-SAC
    (PRO-Seeking Authors Commit), a page-producing work group headquartered at the
    Mira Mesa Panera in San Diego, CA.
    Her manuscripts have finaled and
    won in numerous contests, including Spring Into Romance, The Unpublished Beacon
    and RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart.
    She lives and writes in
    northeastern Florida.

    Interview with EmKay Connor

    Why did you write
    this book?
    I saw an invitation on Facebook to participate in a box set
    featuring steamy beach reads. I’d been plotting a new series and this was the
    perfect opportunity to launch the Hideaway Bay series. The first four novellas
    feature the Delaney sisters-Joy, Hope, Grace and Faith. Each has a secret that
    is ultimately revealed when they journey to Hideaway Bay, a tropical Caribbean
    resort.
    What is your favorite
    genre to read?
    In addition to writing romance, I work as an author
    assistant to several romance authors. That means I read a lot of romantic
    fiction, across all genres, in the course of my day job. When I’m on my own
    time, I read Robert Crais, Stuart Woods and good post-apocalyptic fiction. I’ve
    recently discovered the Purge of Babylon series by Sam Sisavath.
    Who is your favorite
    character from fiction (not including your own)?
    While I love Elvis Cole and Joe Pike (Robert Crais
    characters), one of the most charming and engaging heroines I’ve ever
    encountered is Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum.
    What are you working
    on at the moment, and will see from you in coming months?
    I’m currently working on the remaining novellas in the
    Hideaway Bay series, but I tend to have several projects in the works
    simultaneously. The best way to stay in touch and see what’s next is to connect
    with me on social media.

    About the Book

    Title Finding Joy featured in Hot Beach Romance: Sand,
    Sunshine and Sizzle Box Set
    Genre Contemporary Romance
    Authors Tawdra Kandle, Jami Davenport, Lisa Marie Rice,
    Chris Almeida, Cecilia Aubrey, Emkay Connor, Jenna Dales, Sylvie Fox, Amber
    Lin, Alannah Lynne, Éirinn Brennan, Layla Wilcox, Suzanne Rock, Nancy Warren,
    Margaret Taylor, Scarlett Metal
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

    Buy This Book

    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-beach-romance-tawdra-kandle/1121923239
    ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hotbeachromancesandsunshineandsizzle-1819248-166.html
    Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hot-beach-romance-sand-sunshine-and-sizzle-1
    iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id991035178
    GooglePlay https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Chris_Almeida_Hot_Beach_Romance_Sand_Sunshine_and?id=fBNFCQAAQBAJ

    Author Social Media

  • RLF Gems

    RLF Gems: Blog Stats for Jan 2013 #RLFblog

    RLF Gems

    January on Romance Lives Forever had two ties, one for third
    place and a three-way tie in fourth. We had 1 model interview, 16 author
    interviews, 4 character interviews, 3 book releases, and 2 articles, and one new
    feature article for 28 posts in a 31 day month.
    We introduced a new feature this month: Cover Love. This is a short intro to
    a book and includes only a blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the
    author. We use it if one of our scheduled authors is unable to appear, and no
    other material is on hand. If you would like to submit your book for this
    feature, see the FAQ page for more information.
    The top posts are all interviews this month. Here are the top five posts (judging
    by page hits).
    Of special notice: In the history of the blog, only eight
    other people had more hits than our first place winner, John Steiner.
    1. John Steiner
    2. Charley Descoteaux
    3. Patricia Yager Delagrange 
    3. EmKay Connor
    4. Synithia Williams
    4. Gemma K Murray
    4. John Quinlan (fitness model)
    5. Tara Lain
    John Quinlan
    Authors who guest with us are promoted on Facebook, via
    Triberr to over 549k potential readers, are featured front page in the daily Romance Lives Forever Paper.li ezine,
    and the blog has its own hashtag (#rlfblog) on Twitter. This year, we also
    created the Booklover’s Guide to Romance
    Lives Forever
    with links to guest authors’ books and social media. It is
    110 pages crammed full of who to follow and what to read. The FAQ page provides
    updated downloads of optional interview questions, and a guide to the blog. You
    can also grab our button to promote your visit.
    My thanks to all who took part this month. You made Romance
    Lives Forever a great place to discover new books and new authors.
    Other participants this month in alphabetical order by first
    name are:
    Angela Plowman, Cheryl
    Rhodes, Ciar Cullen, Coleen Kwan, Selena Illyria, Danica Winters,
    Manisha Kumar, Elisabeth Silvers, Jane Wakely, Jerome Brooke, Kate
    Hill, Kissa Starling, Kristina Knight, Krystal Shannan, Lillian Grant, Rosanna
    Leo, Toni Noel, Xavier Axelson
  • Character Interviews,  Contemporary

    Character Interview: Meredith @emkayconnor #RLFblog

    Willing to Learn

    EmKay Connor, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. We’re
    excited to interview your character, Meredith McKenna from the book, Willing to
    Learn.

    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
    Cover artist: Kim Killion
    Length: 50,000+ words
    Heat rating: Spicy
    Tagline: The fiancee of a prince visits the tropic paradise
    that is Trésorier du Coeur to learn how to make love, and instead she finds it.
    Blurb:
    Meredith McKenna is neither graceful nor a beauty, but
    that’s never stood in her way. She knows who she is and, more importantly, what
    she deserves. Not one to wish on a star or hang her hopes on a fairy tale like
    true love, her practical nature won her the hand of a prince. That’s how she
    ended up here: Trésorier du Coeur. An island paradise.
    But becoming a princess is no simple matter. Regardless of
    the mysticisms mouthed by the island’s proprietress, the jungle waterfalls, and
    long, pristine beaches, the resort is first and foremost a school for
    seduction, an ancient tradition of her fiancé’s family, and she must select a
    man to be her “tutor.” Anders Collier is the most insubordinate and infuriating
    of the lot. But behind those cool gray eyes lurks a white-hot secret, and
    behind closed doors lies everything their hearts and bodies have yet to learn.
    Willing to Learn is being published by Boroughs Publishing
    Group in February 2013. Prior to this book, EmKay Connor’s manuscripts finaled
    in numerous contests, including Spring Into Romance, The Unpublished Beacon,
    and RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart. Her freelance writing has been published in
    print and online media, as well as being featured in several issues of the
    Romance Writers Report.
    What are your main characters’ names, ages,
    and occupations?
    Meredith McKenna, 27 years old, holds the
    title of Vice President, Foreign Philanthropy in her father’s billion-dollar
    corporation, McKenna Enterprises.
    Anders Collier, 35, is an (ahem) undercover
    special agent with the FBI.

    Interview with Meredith McKenna

    Tell us about yourself.
    I’m not typically one to grant interviews
    unless it’s related to the philanthropy work I do for my father’s corporation,
    McKenna Enterprises. I prefer to guard my privacy. After all, people tend to
    judgmental, especially when it comes to the wealthy or celebrities. Not that I
    consider myself a celebrity.
    But, since you asked, I’ll give you the
    condensed version of my bio. I am the only child of a billionaire entrepreneur
    and an ambitious gold digger. My mother died when I was very young so
    essentially I was raised by my father. Let me correct that: I was raised by
    staff members who worked at my father’s Beverly
    Hills mansion. Our relationship improved after I
    completed my education and took at job in the family business. Now I see him
    regularly at our weekly business lunches.
    My upbringing was typical for anyone born
    into money. Lots of lessons–riding, dance, foreign language, private schools,
    summer vacations in Europe, shopping sprees,
    parties. However, for as long as I can remember, I never fit in with the other
    richies. I have little tolerance for the back stabbing and air kisses and game
    playing that seem to come with the territory. Most of these socialites have
    their heads in the clouds; instead of building a career or doing something
    constructive with their lives, they seem content to wait for Prince Charming to
    show up.
    My straight forward, practical attitude
    seems to have paid off though. I’m engaged to Darik Bhantarin, Crown Prince of
    Tano’air. That’s what brought me to Trésorier du Coeur. Before I can become
    Darik’s princess, I have to go through this Princess 101 so-called orientation.
    Darik failed to mention the training program includes the “bedroom arts.” Can
    you believe that kind of nonsense exists in today’s modern age? I’m expected to
    choose a mentor, one of Madame Duval’s gigolos, to instruct me on how to give a
    royal blow job.
    Tell us about Anders Collier.
    Argh! Just hearing that man’s name is enough
    to make me scream. He’s the rudest, most infuriating, disrespectful, boorish,
    insensitive, condescending person I’ve ever met. At the opening reception where
    I was introduced to the staff–a.k.a. Madame Duval’s lineup of professional
    lovers–he actually snubbed me. There were more than a dozen men competing for
    my attention. Any one of them would be thrilled to be chosen as my mentor. Not
    Anders Collier. As if he can afford to be choosy. Sure, he’s attractive if you
    have a thing for the clean-cut type: short blond hair, cool gray eyes, tall and
    lean. Other than that, he wasn’t very impressive. I have to say, he was the
    only guy at the formal reception who actually appeared comfortable in his tux.
    It could have been a pair of jeans and a polo shirt as relaxed as he looked.
    What do you think is your strongest point?
    My realistic outlook on life. I don’t delude
    myself with fairy tales like riding off into the sunset with a hero or myths
    like love at first sight. I don’t believe in playing games or lying or
    misrepresenting one’s self when it comes to relationships. That’s why Darik and
    I are such a good match. Our mix of qualities and skills is perfect for a
    mutually beneficial marriage.
    What would Anders Collier say is your
    strongest point?
    Gives an unladylike snort.) Anders Collier doesn’t know me well enough
    to speak to my personal traits. And even if he was acquainted with me, I doubt
    he’d have anything nice to say. He would probably point out the fact that my
    breasts are too small and my hips are too wide.
    What do you wish was different about your
    life?
    I don’t “wish “anything was different
    about my life. I don’t believe in wishing for things. You have to face facts
    and deal with what’s in front of you. With enough determination and hard work,
    you can achieve anything. Wishing for things to happen is nothing more than a
    convenient excuse for people too lazy to take accountability for their own
    success and happiness.
    I have everything I want in life. I love my
    job and I’m engaged to a prince. Did you happen to notice my engagement ring?
    It’s a nine-carat, two-million-dollar diamond solitaire. Once Darik slides the
    platinum wedding band on my finger, I’ll have not only a man who shares my
    honesty and practicality toward marriage but a huge contract for McKenna
    Enterprises, as well. My father can’t stop telling me how impressed he is with
    his amazing daughter’s business acumen.
    What do you wish I had asked you? Please ask
    and answer it now.
    Again, I don’t believe in wishing for things
    to happen so I’ll tell you the most important question to be asked: What am I
    going to do about this ridiculous princess sex-ed training? I have no intention
    of sleeping with a stranger, not even to become a princess. The key is to find
    a mentor who wants to avoid an entanglement with me as much as I want to avoid
    one with him. If I can convince Anders I won’t rat him out and jeopardize his
    future as a gigolo, I’m pretty sure I can skate through this royal orientation
    without Madame Duval or Darik any the wiser. What do you think? Is there any
    possible way I can carry it off?
    EmKay Connor

    About the Author

    EmKay Connor is a member of Romance Writers
    of America and several specialty chapters, including RWA-San Diego, Georgia
    Romance Writers, Yellow Rose Romance Writers, Outreach International RWA, and
    RWA Kiss of Death. A firm believer in paying it forward (and backward and
    sideways), she has served as president, vice president, secretary, newsletter
    editor, workshop presenter and committee chair at both the local and national
    level. She also contributes her time and experience by volunteering to judge
    numerous writing contests each year.

    Find Me Here