One More New Release...by Kristin Wallace

So, I seem to be going with a theme the last few months. Once again, I have a new book out. This time it's THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS, Book 3 of The Heiress Games. For those who've been following the series, this entry finally reveals the winner and the identify of the saboteur.

Here's a blurb...

Eccentric heiress, Victoria Armington, has died and left her vast fortune to her pet pig, Matilda. Now three Armington descendants have been chosen to compete for custody of the pig…and control of the money. Then there’s the lawyer in charge of overseeing the competition, and his two best friends, who arrive to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Heiress #3: Bailey Tenant – The Forgotten Heiress

Once upon a time, songwriter Bailey Tenant’s mother was cut off from the Armington family for daring to love the wrong person. Bailey doesn’t want anything to do with them now, but she has a mountain of medical debt, and without that fortune her grandchildren could still be paying it off. When Grammy-winning singer Jackson Stone shows up to escort her to Palm Cove, she agrees to compete. She just never expected the most dangerous aspect of the competition would be losing her heart to Jackson.

Jackson Stone lost the love of his life in a fiery plane crash and then he lost the music. He has to find a way to reawaken the muse, and helping his friend oversee The Heiress Games might work. Soon, Bailey Tenant is reviving his buried heart and tempting him to see forever again. Bailey and Jackson have both vowed to avoid love, but sometimes there’s no choice but to surrender to the promise of a fortune in love.

In the midst of it all, there’s a saboteur at work. Someone who might stop at nothing to make sure no one wins.

And here's an excerpt showing how Bailey & Jackson meet....you'll love it!

Chapter One

            Jackson Stone watched in reluctant fascination as Marilyn Monroe slowly stripped right in front of him. The screen goddess reached up and removed her platinum-blonde wig, revealing a skullcap underneath. He found himself holding his breath as her arm rose again, this time to pluck the cap off her head. A few strategic bobby pins later and a mass of ginger-colored curls spilled across her creamy-white shoulders. It was like watching a curtain of cinnamon rain down on a frothy cappuccino.

            Raining cinnamon?

Where had that come from? He must be out of his mind.

            The striptease continued as Marilyn reached under the hem of her iconic white dress. Jackson caught a glimpse of a shapely thigh as she flicked a fastener and began rolling a silk stocking down her leg.

Old-fashioned garters…

            He shifted on the couch as a part of him that had mostly been dead for the last year stirred to life. Heat washed over him as a savage want surged through his veins.

Two days ago Jackson’s best friend, Cameron Reed, had asked for a favor. A high-priced lawyer with a large estate to probate, Cam needed help looking after three women who were possible heiresses to an immense fortune. Jackson didn’t know the whole story about the will. He did know there was some kind of competition…and a pig was involved…somehow.

Jackson had been cursing his friend for sending him on this fool’s mission ever since he left Miami, but now he didn’t know whether to be grateful…or run like hell. He hadn’t traveled to the outskirts of New Orleans expecting to take part in a peep show. Then again, he hadn’t expected to find a fake, long-dead actress taking off her clothes, either.

He should alert her to his presence.

Yeah…absolutely, positively should do that.

Then she raised both arms to her chest and Jackson forgot all about being a gentleman. Except, instead of untying the top, she reached inside and removed what looked like two huge, raw chicken breasts.

Jackson’s startled laughter filled the room.

Buy Links:  AMAZON    /     ITUNES       /     BARNES & NOBLE     /   KOBO

Don't forget to go back and read the first two books: LEAST LIKELY HEIRESS (Book 1 - Eve & Cam's story); and NOT QUITE AN HEIRESS (Book 2 - Abby & Killian's story).

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and contemporary romance, and women’s fiction filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. She is the author of two other best selling series, Shellwater Key Tales (sweet contemporary romance) and Covington Falls Chronicles (inspirational romance). 

Sneak Peek at Jean C. Gordon's June 11 New Release

This month I'm sharing my excitement about being part of the Spring 2018 launch of the Indigo Bay Sweet Romance series with an excerpt from my Sweet Entanglement. It releases next Monday, June 11 (available for preorder now).

What is the Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series? It’s tons of fun for readers! But more specifically, it’s a set of books written by authors who love romance. Grab a glass of sweet tea, head to the porch, and get ready to be swept away into this charming South Carolina Beach town.

The Indigo Bay world has been written so readers can dive in anywhere in the series without missing a beat. Read one or all—they’re all sweet, fun rides that you won’t soon forget. Also as special treats, you’ll see some recurring characters.

Excerpt: From Chapter One

Jesse Brewster ran his tongue around the inside of his mouth and tried to swallow the grit. He didn’t know if it was actual sand from the South Carolina beach he tried to sleep on last night or the tequila shots he’d downed like water after he’d gotten a good look at the monstrosity that was supposed to be his life-saving legacy.

“Sir, your public defender is here,” a male voice said.

Jesse opened his eyes to the neon yellow walls surrounding him, reflecting back every sharp ray of light from the inside lighting and small window. He squinted against the pain to his head. Someone here at the Indigo Bay, South Carolina, police department had some sense of humor painting the combination interrogation room/holding cell walls bright yellow with royal blue trim. The sleeping block and covers he was sitting on the and the table and chairs were the same blue. 

 “Thanks.” Jesse squinted again at the police officer’s name badge. “Officer Andrews” The man looked vaguely familiar. Probably his arresting officer. That would make sense, him being here for his arraignment.

“The dispatcher will bring you some breakfast. You can eat while you talk with your lawyer. The judge will be over as soon as he finishes her coffee at Caroline’s.”

“Coffee will be fine,” Jesse said. He closed his eyes against the yellow and held his head in his palms.

A minute later footsteps sounded. “Sir.”

What was with all this sir? Jesse shook his head to clear it. The bright paint hadn’t just affected his sight. His ears were also hallucinating.

“I’m Lauren Cooper, the public defender.”

He raised his head. No, his ears were right. It was Lauren.

“Jesse?” 

Her voice dripped with disbelief that matched his own. And he’d thought things couldn’t get any worse. “In the flesh.” He flexed his bicep, unable to resist going full obnoxious, in case she still harbored any positive thoughts about who, what he was.

“You didn’t have any ID on you, and apparently declined to identify yourself to the officer.”
By reflex, Jesse patted the back pocket of his jeans. No wallet. A vague picture of it on bar swam before his eyes.

Lauren dropped the folder she’d held to the table and pulled out one of the chairs, giving him a moment to study her. He raked his hand though his matted hair. She looked good. But when didn’t Lauren look good? Her crisp power suit did nothing to hinder his memories of the soft curves beneath them. His stomach churned with something that had nothing to do with his excess of tequila.

She motioned to the other chair. “If you’d care to join me, I’ll go over the charges. Ben … Officer Andrews said you may not have had the capacity to understand them last night.”

Ben, was it? Jesse’s gaze darted from Lauren to the hallway the officer had disappeared into. He stood, letting the spinning in his head stop before he took the two steps from the sleeping block to the table. What did he care? He and Lauren were over. He’d made sure of that. They’d been growing apart, going in different directions. He didn’t need to get into the direction he’d been headed after his accident and his mother’s death—with himself or anyone else. Jesse looked around. He’d arrived at his destination. There was nowhere to go now, but up.

“Any questions?” Lauren pinned his gaze with hers. “Let me rephrase that. Did you listen to a word I said?”

“Public intoxication. Vagrancy. How’d I do?”

Officer Andrews appeared at the door. “Lauren, the judge is here.”

She rose. “We’re ready.”

He didn’t get a say? Jesse wasn’t sure he liked this take-charge Lauren. But wasn’t that one of the reasons he’d let her go? So, she could reach her potential, as his Mom might have said. His throat clogged with the loss that would always be too fresh.

“Before we go into the court room, I have an ID for your vagrant. Jesse Brewster and I are old friends.” She handed the officer a sheet from her folder.

So, they were still friends. Some of the darkness in Jess’s soul lifted, not that meant much. There was plenty left. He gauged the other man’s reaction. Aside from a raised brow, he didn’t have any outward reaction to Lauren’s statement.

“Brewster,” the man said, offering his hand.

Jesse wiped his gritty palm against the pant-leg of his jeans. “Under different circumstances, I’d say nice to meet you.” He forced a smile.

“Brewster,” the officer repeated. “You used to race. Motocross.”

“Yes, yes, I did,” Jesse said tightly, bracing for the judgmental look from the officer and Lauren. 

“We shouldn’t keep Judge Trexler waiting,” Lauren said.

If she’d interrupted for his benefit, because of their friendship, she shouldn’t have bothered. He knew what he’d done, who he was now far better than she did, and he was a big boy, ready to move past it.

They walked upstairs to the city hall adjoining the police department and into a large room with rows of chairs facing the court bench. A middle-aged woman sat behind it with another woman seated to her right and a man in a suit standing in front of the bench talking to them.

“Judge Trexler, the court clerk, and the city attorney,” Lauren explained as they entered the room.
 
Officer Andrews led Jesse to the front row, where the three of them took their seats, Lauren on one side of him and the officer on the other. The city attorney sat next to officer Andrews. 

The judge called the court into session. “Mr. Johnson and Ms. Cooper, please approach the bench.”

Jesse shifted in his chair as bits of the conversation drifted back to him. “Identified. No damage. Vagrancy. Vouch.”

“Mr. Brewster.” 

The judge’s voice jerked Jesse’s gaze from where it rested on Lauren’s back.

“Please join us.”

Officer Andrews walked him the few feet to the bench, as if he were going to make a break for it.

“You honor.” Jesse nodded in respect.

“The city attorney has agreed to drop the vagrancy charges since your wallet with ID has been found and turned into the court and to reduce the other charge to sleeping on the beach, a violation with a fine. How do you plead to the charge? You can consult with your attorney.”

“Guilty.” He had several things he’d like to consult with Lauren about, but his sleeping on the beach wasn’t one.

“Your plea is accepted. You can settle the fine with my clerk. Any questions?”

“No, but I want to clarify that I definitely am not a vagrant, and further, I’m not a tourist. I’m Indigo Bay’s newest property-owner.”

Team Macachek: Fall in love with the strong women and fearless men of the motocross circuit.

This is the 12th novel in the Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series, but all books can be read as standalones.

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Five Things That Sweet Romances Can Have and Still Be Sweet

Sometimes, we think sweet romances are light-hearted and fun, which they can be. The word sweet connotates sugar, dessert, celebrations, and happy times. We have sweets at birthdays, anniversaries, and parties.

But dark and serious topics do have their place in "sweet" romances, because they explore life as it sometimes can be. Here are five characteristics of my darkly sweet romances.

1.      Emotional characters who have strong convictions.

Characters who are strange or different are not always likeable. They may have a one-track mind, are overly sensitive, paranoid, or critical. These characters are on a mission.

2.      A boatload of drama in the plot line filled with difficult or impossible situations.

3.      Mysteries with plenty of plot twists and unexpected endings.

    4.      Tortuous love story with lots of angst.

    5.      Honesty in internal thought, even if it makes the character look bad. To me, it makes the character more authentic.

Readers may squirm because it reminds them of their own dark thoughts they don’t want anyone to know. Some readers are looking for an escape and do not appreciate gritty characters who make bad choices.

 What about you? What are the characteristics in fiction you most like to read about? What can authors do to make that more believable and enjoyable?

Broken Build and Hidden Under Her Heart are two of my gritty, but sweet romances.

In Broken Build, Jen Jones' shady past ruined of the man who would become the man she falls in love with.

In Hidden Under Her Heart, Maryanne Torres made some mistakes and is haunted by them when she decides to have an abortion and her new boyfriend heavily discourages her.

Broken Build is FREE at your favorite ebook vendor. Both books carry an inspirational message. I hope you'll be uplifted by these sweet suspenseful romances.

Springtime in Paris--and now back to work! Roxanne Rustand

My husband and I got to travel quite a lot before he retired--he earned trips through his job, and we got to go to places I never dreamed I would see. For the final trip, he chose to let our daughter Emily go in his place, knowing the two of us would love going to Paris together.

Here are some photos of just several small parts of Monet's Gardens, in Giverny.  A riot of color, everywhere--planted by Monet for inspiration for his paintings.  Click on the photos to enlarge them--especially to see the detail on the ceilings!!





I was honestly a bit nervous before leaving...I'd always heard that Americans aren't liked there, that the people could be unfriendly in general, and that the language could be quite a barrier.

Boy, was I wrong.

Just as everywhere else we've ever gone, the people were delightful--friendly, helpful, charming--and all but one Uber driver and a delightful restaurant owner spoke excellent English, and even then we got along fine.  Emily and I had a wonderful time.

I'd love to share all 1000+ photos with you --LOL!  But, in the interest of space and common sense, I'll share just a few, and will put more up on my Facebook page later this week.

This is a ceiling in Opera Garnier--where all the fashionable, wealthy folks went to be seen in their finery. It's hard to imagine that they came even close to competing with the gorgeous decor!

If you are ever planning a trip to Paris, I would love to share our fourteen-day itinerary with you, with recommendations about our favorites on what you should definitely try to see!

 All of this dazzling beauty--not to mention the Louvre, Versailles, Veaux le Compte and so many other fascinating places--were great research for the novella I am writing for our Sweet Romance Reads annual anthology, Sweet Christmas Kisses, that will be available this fall.

 Here is my daughter Emily--on our third day at the Louvre. We did our best but still didn't see it all. My poor old feet were tired!



Something completely new to me--did you know that Marie Antoinette built a complete little rural village at Versaille--though she never slept there, and no one else did, either.  She built it as her own little Disneyland--so she could go for strolls and imagine her life when she was young. Here is just once of the charming buildings



Between this village and her 150 new ball gowns every year, not to mention all of the other extravagances at Versaille no wonder the peasants revolted!

I can't wait to get back to writing my sweet romance novella for the anthology, about two people who just might find love in The City of Light!

Roxanne Rustand

Rich Cocoa Cake with Peanut Butter Drizzle

Do we need another cake recipe? I say yes because, well, we can never have enough cake recipes. :) In our house, I bake the cake and my husband makes the drizzle. We're a team. 

Rich Cocoa Cake with Peanut Butter Drizzle

For the cake:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

2/3 cup cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1.      Preheat oven to 350º F. Lightly coat a 13” x 9” baking pan with cooking spray.

2.    Beat all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until combined. Do not over beat.

3.    Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap pan lightly on counter to remove any air bubbles.

4.    Bake 35-40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

5.     Cool before serving.

For the topping:

1/2 cup PB2

2 Tablespoons water

2 Tablespoon honey

1.      Mix together the PB2, the water, and the honey until smooth.

2.    Drizzle over cake slices.

Note: PB2 is powered peanut butter, a great product that has 85% less fat than regular peanut butter. You can find it in your grocery store or purchase it on Amazon. If PB2 doesn’t interest you, simply measure out a half cup of your favorite peanut butter and thin it with 2 tablespoons honey.

I hope you enjoy this delicious cake!

~  ~  ~

I am currently working on making my book, THE SINGLE DADDY CLUB: DERRICK, free on all venues. It's free at these stores:    

Nook * Kobo * iBooks

Amazon Kindle hasn't cooperated yet, but I'm hoping it won't be long before they do. Please download the book and enjoy!

Lyn Cote Reveals New Cover Art

TIME FOR ANOTHER COVER REVEAL

Many Readers Weighed in

On Choosing a Cover Model for my UPCOMING LATE JUNE book

SPRING'S STORM. 

the next book in my Northern Intrigue series, 

"Welcome to Steadfast, a town whose people and mysteries

 you may never forget~"

AND here it is!

If you'd like to learn more, click here

So what do you think? Would this cover grab your attention?--Lyn Cote