EXCERPT

David listened carefully, not certain she realized tears were trickling down her face. She spoke methodically between gasping inhalations. She’d obviously put a great deal of careful thought into what she said and now concentrated mightily on getting all the words out in the right order.

Rochelle grabbed his hand, kissed the back of it then gripped it tightly between both her own hands. “I want to say that I am sorry for all of that. It is an immense number and magnitude of things to be sorry about, but I am. And the most important thing I want you to know is that I love you. I realized it too late, but I do. I love you and I want to be with you, no matter what happens.”

David stared at his hand held in a deathgrip. He cleared his throat. “I must confess, the combination of hearing your words and seeing you weep leaves me speechless.”

She released him, her hands wiping at her cheeks in distress. “ Oh, I did not want to cry! You will think it is some female trick!” She began to sob in earnest, dropping her head to her knees.

“Rochelle,” he murmured, putting an arm around her waist to straighten her. She curled toward him so easily, so naturally, to press her wet face to his neck, spasms of remorse wracking her frame. “Go easy now. Calm yourself.” He rubbed her back and spoke soft nonsense until she was able to recover.

She held on around his waist, drinking in his warmth and solidity and familiar scent, in full knowledge that this could be the last time she was this close to him.

“By this time tomorrow, all will be decided,” he said firmly.

She nodded, afraid to ask exactly what his decision would be.

“We will talk again, after the tournament.”

“Oh, David, please,” she cried, “please do not ask me to wait another day!”

“After the tournament,” he said firmly.

“You do mean tomorrow after the tournament, not five days after it?” she asked with a sniffle.

He chuckled. “Yes, tomorrow, as soon as I am able.”

END OF EXCERPT

Unbidden is book one in the Evolution Series and is free on most vendors. Learn more about Unbidden here, and leave a comment on this blog for a chance to win a print copy of my Evolution Series novella, Little Witch. Please have a mailing address in the continental US, and make sure you leave your email address so I can contact you. But don’t stop here, there’s more blogs to visit and a Rafflecopter to enter!

Enter the Rafflecopter at Love Historicals Valentine’s Day Blog Hop and Giveaway, and visit the other Love Historicals Valentine’s Blog Hop participants by using the “Click here” link below. Thanks for visiting!

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Click here to view the other Love Historicals authors participating in the Valentine’s Day Hop.

I’m excited to share my latest release from The Wild Rose Press on what would have been Elvis’ eightieth birthday. End of Lonely Street is a Vintage Romance Short Story set in 1957, in the era when Elvis first burst on the scene. Like my heroine in the story, I am a diehard Elvis fan. (As you probably figured out, I took the title from a line in Heartbreak Hotel, which was Elvis’ first million selling record).

Check out End of Lonely Street and enter to win GREAT prizes…

GIVEAWAY: – Entries accepted from January 8, 2015 through noon on January 22, 2015

Three prizes –

Elvis Gift Basket including DVD, CD, plus more

$25 Amazon Gift Card

$10 Amazon Gift Card

First place winner has first choice, second place winner has second choice, third place winner receives remaining prize.

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BLURB:

Can she let go of the past, before it destroys her future?

All Toby Lawson wanted was to go to college to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and the painful memories of finding her and the guy Toby loved kissing. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away, helps her escape from everything wrong in her life.

Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, and even though she knows her mother initiated the kiss, and that he didn’t kiss her back, she can‘t seem to get past what happened. He soon realizes that the true problem lies in Toby’s belief that she’s not good enough for him and in her fear that she will be just like her mother.

What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?

EXCERPT:

Chapter One

Mapleton, Tennessee, November, 1957

Toby Lawson closed her eyes and shut out all sounds of the diner, except for Elvis Presley’s voice. He was crooning about how she was the only one for him…no matter where he went or what he did… he’d spend his whole life loving her…

Rough hands landed on her waist and shattered the fantasy. She caught a whiff of hair tonic and too much cologne, and she snapped her eyes open. Wes Markham’s hateful face replaced the image of Elvis’ beautiful, crooked smile and smoldering blue eyes.

“Let me go.” She gritted her teeth, keeping her voice low. If her boss, Mr. Winstead, knew there was trouble on account of her, he’d explode. He’d barely let her have the job in the first place. Everyone in Mapleton knew the Lawson women were trouble.

“Come on, honey. If you like that hip swivel, Presley ain’t the only one who’s got it. I got it too.” He released her with his left hand so he could run it over his slicked down hair and gave her a big-toothed, wolfish smile. “Only we’d be naked.” He shot a cocky grin over to his two companions—Chuck Stenson and Billy Garfield—who were leaning against the jukebox making kissing and whooping sounds.

Toby gripped his right wrist with one hand, tightening her hold on the utensils she held in the other. “I said let me go. Now!”

“Aw, be a sport, Green-Eyes.”

The bulge of his pelvis pressed into her abdomen, and she gasped in shock. Nausea tightened in her esophagus. “Wes Markham, I’m warning you…”

She shoved against him, but he didn’t budge.

He pulled her tighter. “Your momma’s a whole lot friendlier than you are. They say the apple don’t fall far from the tree, so how’s about you cut the pretense and we go someplace quiet? Winstead won’t miss you for a few minutes.”

Her cheeks heated. She didn’t dare look around. No doubt the customers were watching, listening. Elvis had stopped singing and everyone in the place could hear what he’d said about her mother. It wasn’t like they didn’t all know, though. Constance Lawson hadn’t exactly kept her escapades a secret.

Toby clenched her teeth and brandished the utensils. She spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. “Release me this instant, or I swear, you’ll be pulling this steak knife out of your eyeball.”

He held her gaze for a split second, then gave a laugh that was somewhere between nervous and furious. “Sure, sure. Okay.” He released her and stepped back. “I was just foolin’ around anyway. I got better things to do with my time than waste it on a used up chick like you.”

Muffled laughter rose around her. Oh God, she could crawl into a hole.

“How about you apologize to the lady, then beat it?”

Toby whirled at the male voice. Noah Rivers stood behind her, looking handsome and sharp in his police uniform—even with his dark hair in the military buzz cut. Her knees weakened, and tingles swept over her skin. She swallowed against the sudden dryness in her throat. She’d heard he was back, but hadn’t seen him until now. And what a time to have a reunion.

*** 10% of all of Alicia Dean’s net royalties for End of Lonely Street will go to The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation(http://www.elvis.com/about-epe/giving.aspx) ***

Amazon Buy Link: http://amzn.com/B00QQO3BK0

Alicia Dean lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage historicals.

Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she usually works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and watching her favorite televisions shows like Vampire Diaries, Justified, Sons of Anarchy, Haven, The Mindy Project, and Dexter (even though it has sadly ended, she will forever be a fan). Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan Dane, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.

FIND ALICIA HERE:

Website: http://aliciadean.com/

Blog: http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008364070487

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Alicia_Dean_

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aliciamdean/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468339.Alicia_Dean

Thanks for visiting, Alicia. "Heartbreak Hotel" is my parents song from their dating days, so I'm happy to support your vintage romance!

Such a variety of authors should mean there will be something for everyone and, as a bonus, in the middle of the show Mallory Kane shares a few minutes of recent news in the world of romance books.

Hummingbird Place is also super-convenient. Recorded every Monday at 7PM EST, shows remain available for listening long after the broadcast, hence the term blog radio. Recent topics included “Naughty and Nice — Bad Boys/Bad Girls,” and historical romances separated by genre such as Revolutionary War, and Regency.

Check out Hummingbird Place if you need a few minutes to put your feet up and listen to a chat with real people who create the characters we all grow to love.

• Melissa Snark is published with The Wild Rose Press & as an Indie author with five unique titles: A CAT’S TALE, THE MATING GAME, LEARNING TO FLY, THE CHILD THIEF, and HUNGER MOON.
•  Her Loki’s Wolves series includes THE CHILD THIEF, HUNGER MOON and BATTLE CRY.
•  She lives in the San Francisco bay area with her husband, three children and a glaring of cats.
•  She is a professional cat herder and unrepentant satirist who blogs about books and writing on The Snarkology.

Here’s a message to you directly from Melissa!

Hello! My name is Melissa Snark, and I’m a fantasy and romance author. If I could have a moment of your time, I’d like to ask for your help as a reader. Please consider nominating my Norse folklore fantasy novel Battle Cry on Kindle Scout.

Amazon’s new publishing program is called Kindle Scout, an innovative platform that provides readers with a sneak peek at unreleased books as well as the opportunity to have a say in what gets chosen. The timing of Scout was amazing. The announcement came just as I neared completion of my novel. The terms being offered are attractive. As a publisher, Amazon has as much clout as one of the traditional publishers. This simply seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass on, so I submitted Battle Cry for consideration.

Per the FAQ: How does Kindle Scout benefit readers?
Kindle Scout readers get to preview new, never-before-published books and influence which ones are made available to millions of readers on Amazon. In addition, any time a reader’s nomination gets published, they will receive a free copy.

I appreciate your support!  To nominate Battle Cry, you only need to be logged into your Amazon account. You can head over to the Kindle Scout website and view Battle Cry’s profile page. If you like what you see, please consider voting for Battle Cry.  Thank you so much!

Battle Cry Kindle Scout Giveaway – enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance at one of thee great prizes!

1. Nordic Lights Jewels of the Moon Pendant Amulet Talisman for Psychic Ability by Maelstrom Oddsonn.

2. Chance for one of three signed paperbacks of Hunger Moon.

3. Chance for one of two $10 Amazon gift cards.
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EXCERPT

Shade enshrouded Skuld, and her voice manifested upon the air, thick and oppressive, closing in from all sides. “Your daughter will not grow to adulthood in Midgard.”

Victoria’s heart slammed against her breastbone. Her breath expelled in a horrified gust. The bowl dropped from her hands and flew to protect her abdomen. “What do you mean?”

“Your daughter will be taken from you on the eve of her third birthday,” Skuld said. “The one you trust most, a member of your own pack, will give the child over to your greatest enemy.”

A growl trembled in Victoria’s throat, and her entire body shook under the dual assault of fear and rage. The suggestion of betrayal from within her own pack filled her with disbelief to the core of her being. It was unthinkable. Gritting her teeth, she sought a solution, refusing to dwell on it. “How am I to prevent this?”

“We speak of what will come to pass,” Verðandi said in a sympathetic tone.

“Your predictions are not carved in stone,” Victoria said. Arguing with Fate was a foolish endeavor, but she refused to accept their prophecy.

The old woman, Urðr, smiled with a frightening gleam in her eyes. “Predictions, carved into the trunk of the World Tree, carved into the spiritual fabric of the world.”

Stubborn determination settled over Victoria like armor. Her mother had taught her there was no absolute fate, just as there was no absolute free will. Life consisted of a wide range of possibilities between the two extremes. She refused to allow her daughter to die at three years of age. She would move worlds, alter fate, slay gods.

Whatever it took.

“Do you wish to save your child?” Skuld asked.

Victoria answered without thought. “Yes. I’ll do anything. Tell me. Please.”

“The final days are upon us,” Verðandi said.

Skuld took over speaking. “To save your daughter, you will side with Loki against the Aesir. You will use your enchanted dagger to cut the binding of the great wolf Fenrir. You will be responsible for freeing the beast that kills Odin.”

Victoria’s stomach turned. Her head shook in automatic denial. “When the gods imprisoned Fenrir, my people pledged fealty to the Aesir. We have served them loyally ever since. Even when we were driven from the homeland, almost a millennium ago, we remained faithful. I will never cut Fenrir’s bonds. To do so would end the world we live in and doom us all.”

Skuld’s gaze held steady. “You will.”

Victoria snarled her denial. “No. I will never become the servant of the Trickster or willingly take part in bringing about Odin’s death.”

Skuld turned her head and pinned Victoria with one black eye that rolled in its socket like a liquid marble. “To save your daughter, you will.”

END of EXCERPT

Just a reminder to help Melissa out with Kindle Scout. To nominate Battle Cry, you only need to be logged into your Amazon account. You can head over to the Kindle Scout website and view Battle Cry’s profile page.

Connect with Melissa Snark:

Author Website

The Snarkology

Email: melissasnark at gmail.com

Facebook Author Page

Twitter: @MelissaSnark

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Of course, I love historical romance. It’s my favorite genre to read. So, my selfie is with Judith McNaught’s A Kingdom of Dreams, a classic historical romance from 1989. I’m showing very little of myself because it’s a writing day and nobody wants to see me on a writing day….

Saturday is usually reserved for a first meeting excerpt, so I’m going to share a few paragraphs of Ms. McNaught’s story, and you’ll wonder how she ever brings these two people together for their happy ending.

EXCERPT

‘Tis said he eats the flesh of those he kills…. Young Thomas’s words came back to her while rage blended with the sound of Brenna’s scream and the calls for pity from the prisoners. The rope around her arms was suddenly jerked loose. Driven by the twin demons of fear and fury, Jenny surged clumsily to her feet, her arms flailing at the cloak, looking like an enraged ghost trying to fling off its shroud. And the moment it fell away, Jenny doubled up her fist and swung with all her might at the dark, demonic, shadowy giant before her, striking him on the jaw bone.

Brenna fainted.

“Monster!” Jenny shouted. “Barbarian!” and she swung again, but this time her fist was caught in a painful viselike grip and held high above her head. “Devil!” she cried, squirming, and she landed a mighty kick at his shin. “Spawn of Satan! Despoiler of innoc—!”

“What the—!” Royce Westmoreland roared, and reaching out, he caught his assailant at the waist and jerked her off her feet, holding her at arm’s length, high in the air. It was a mistake. Her booted foot struck out again, catching Royce squarely in the groin with an impact that nearly doubled him over.

END OF EXCERPT

Not a very promising beginning, but believe me, they do warm to one another. Lovely stuff.

Anyway, go revisit one of your favorite historical romances and join in the fun by posting your own selfie on whatever social media you like. You could share in on the event page or my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jillhugheyromance, or mention @jillhughey if you tweet it. Just remember to use the #FallBackInTime hashtag. And then check out other people’s posts to discover some new authors!

And set back your clock tomorrow….

I wish I’d experienced a true college romance. I had a couple of boyfriends but always seemed to start the relationship about a month before the end of spring semester and by fall the long distance killed the spark. For the guy, not me, which meant I’d wasted my whole summer pining for a boy who lost interest by July 4th.

What’s special about a college romance? I picture sitting together at football games, studying on a dorm bed, holding hands as you walk across the leaf-strewn quad. Something about being part of the student population but also having that one special flame burning, that one face you really hope you see as you walk into the food court/library/post office.

As a consolation, I’ve started the ideal college romance in my newest release Eruption. Violet, the main character, experiences many of the benefits of an autumn boyfriend. Until the Yellowstone volcano erupts. And that interrupts her love story in a whole different way than summer break.

You can learn more about Violet here, and if you want a chance to win your choice of some Eruption swag, sign up for my newsletter at www.jillhughey.com/contact before September 27.

Hope you continue to enjoy the Fall Into Romance blog hop. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a $75 Amazon gift card.
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To find all the authors on the Fall Into Romance hop, visit www.hopswithheart.blogspot.com

http://www.digitalbookday.com/