Sunday 20 October 2013

The Journey Collection Cover Reveal

A little later than originally planned to post this, but better late than never. Cover reveal for Renaissance Romance Publishing Author Lisa Bilbrey.




Summaries 

The Journey Home

The Sharks’ star quarterback, Travis McCoy has it all, until an injury ends his season early. When he receives an invitation to attend the big homecoming game from his alma mater, Travis decides it’s time to face his past. The journey home sends Travis down a path that he never expects. Will he be able to come to grips when everything around him is spiraling out of control?

The Journey of Champions

Travis McCoy thought the journey home would be the hardest choice he ever had to make. It isn’t until he finds himself walking out the door and leaving his family behind that he realizes his journey is only just beginning. Now, with only a handful of weeks until Christmas, Travis tries to find his way back home. This time, he plans on staying forever.

The Journey to Forever

Finally back in the warm embrace of his family, Travis McCoy relishes every moment he gets to spend with his wife and son. After almost losing them due to his own selfishness, he makes the decision to never let go of his family again. With his plan set in motion, Travis, Penelope, and Max start a new journey, one that leads them to forever.

The Journey to a New Life

Travis McCoy’s journey has led him down a road of changes where he found the love of his life and their child. Travis, Penelope, and Max have struggled during their time apart, found their way back home, and finally tied their lives together as a family. Now, Penelope and Travis find themselves on a new journey, one that leads them to the greatest gift of all.



Biography


Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996. 

Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller. 


In late 2011, Lisa opened Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley. 







Links To Author

Saturday 12 October 2013

Take a Gamble cover reveal

Its cover reveal time again! Drum roll . . . 




Summary

Each Friday night, a mysterious man enters Blackjack’s Bar, orders the same drink, and sits in the same seat in the furthest corner. His presence is a welcome sight for Isaac Anderson, a regular bartender at Blackjack's. There's just something mysterious and intriguing about Caleb Miller that Isaac can’t ignore. Perhaps it's his pale and sickly appearance, or the smart way in which he dresses. Isaac just can’t put his finger on what makes this man so different. Another thing he can’t do is stop staring at this fascinating, special person. Encouraged to take a gamble and to get to know this quiet stranger, Isaac invites Caleb to watch a rock band with him. All seems to be well, until Caleb suddenly makes a mad dash for the door. 

Caleb doesn’t know what to think when Isaac Anderson pursues him that night. A lifetime of rejection has taught him to expect the worst, but the attractive and warm bartender’s response to him confuses him. Isaac sees him at his worst, and Caleb is prepared to protect himself from judgment and heartache. He is shocked when he is instead given kindness and compassion. As Isaac continues to reach out to him, Caleb struggles with the choice to trust the new man in his life. Even if Isaac wants to build a relationship with Caleb, there are other people in their lives who would be happier if they stayed apart. And even if he allows Isaac into his heart, it still may not be enough for Caleb to learn to accept himself.

Anger, judgment, distrust, and violence all threaten Isaac and Caleb’s newfound love. Their relationship faces too many challenges for either man to overcome on his own. Will taking a gamble pay off, or do they both stand to lose everything?






Author Biography

N. Wood is a budding young author living in Cornwall, United Kingdom. She developed an interest in writing when her poetry was first published at the age of nine. Since then, she has moved onto writing both short stories and novels focusing on gay romantic themes.


Also by N. Wood:

“Woodshed Wishes,” Fall Fires Anthology







Monday 23 September 2013

Our Walk To Remember

Our Walk To Remember.



This is my first novella to be released as part of the Fall Fires anthology, through Renaissance Romance Publishing. The release date is 23rd October 2013, so keep an eye out guys.

Summary:

For the Robinson-Shae family, an annual charity walk means to them more than any expensive holiday abroad. After all, it's where Elisha's fathers met, and this year it's even more important to her. Sammy couldn't make it this time, so she asks Charlie to share memories of how they met, and fell in love.





Excerpt:


I sometimes wonder where her energy comes from. Clearly not from her fathers, who like nothing more than lazy mornings and nights in front of a blazing fire. Sweet memories of waking in Sammy’s arms tease me, reminding me of how he likes to run his fingers through my short, dark hair before pulling my lips to his letting me taste his morning love while he kisses my sleep away.


“Sooner we’re done, the faster we get to Daddy and my aunts,” Elisha giggles. “Just fifteen miles to go.”

Just fifteen! It’s such an easy statement for someone so young and willing to lead the way towards her destination. Elisha laughs at the dismay on my face while we move our feet forward, surrounded by the regulars who have done this same walk for years.

This is the place where I first met my Sammy. Through the bustle of the crowd, I lose myself in memories, taking a moment to think of him again. Everything around my daughter and me is the same as it’s been for so long, just less than perfect without having his melodic laughter as the soundtrack to our day.

Elisha looks back at me and pulls on our adjoined arms, giggling happily to herself while dancing her knee-length, yellow summer dress around her body so it moves with the warm breeze. I forget how much she loves this annual event. We’ve always done it together. She gets excited to see all the people she’s grown up around. I hope she never grows tired of this venture, never loses herself to the world of television and computer games when she could make a difference doing something small, yet huge.

Such thoughts make me shudder, thinking someone as delicate as little Elisha could ever be a slave to the mediocre. Not our baby, no way!

“Tell me again, Dad,” she interjects, turning towards me and smiling with joy. “Tell me about when you met Daddy?”

Her brown eyes sparkle when she looks up at me, lighting her porcelain face. Can a father ever refuse his daughter? How do you say ‘no’ to the product of your love, the person who found a home in your heart without trying and looks to you to lead them along the right paths?

“Again?” I tease. “You know this story so well, you can probably tell it better than me.”

Warmth fills my cheeks, bringing colour back into this aging man’s face while he toys with the light of his life, the only other person he loves without question. So many times Sammy and I have sat before a roaring fire while Elisha recounted our history like she’s reading a book. Her voice is always filled with such passion that we hang on her every word. One would be forgiven for thinking it’s her past she is detailing, but I guess my husband and I never get bored with sharing how we came to be the lovers we are today.

“I like it better when you tell it, Dad. Don’t worry; I will fill in any parts you miss,” she chimes in an assertive manner, and I know without a doubt she will.

“Okay, baby,” I commence, drawing her in close so I don’t have to shout too loud.

I don’t need unwanted ears to hear something that will forever remain unwritten, a story that’s stamped into my heart and is ours alone. Sammy has his own version of the life we share, but this is all from the very soul of Charlie Shae — this is how I found my love.

This shouldn’t be so hard to recollect, but I’ve never had to share our story without my counterpart sitting next to me, relishing my retelling. While the warm breeze runs through my free fingers again, I try to grab onto the emptiness and envision that Sammy isn’t very far away. Sadly, my mind isn’t that creative.

Swallowing the pain, I lose myself to the words flowing from me and find myself on auto pilot.

“It was the summer of 1996. I had just finished college. . .”

Want to add this to your reading list? Follow the links below for my story, and the anthology:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18456950-our-walk-to-remember
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18456705-fall-fires




Sunday 22 September 2013

Lisa Bilbrey - Interview

Renaissance Romance Publishing author and one of the founders of the house, Lisa Bilbrey has released her final book in The Journey Series, and she joined me on my blog for a little Q&A.

Check out what she had to say, then pop along to one of the online stores and grab a copy of the series if you haven't got it already.







Summary

Travis McCoy’s journey has led him down a road of changes where he found the love of his life and their child. Travis, Penelope, and Max have struggled during their time apart, found their way back home, and finally tied their lives together as a family. Now, Penelope and Travis find themselves on a new journey, one that leads them to the greatest journey of all.






Authors Bio

Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996. 
Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller. 

In late 2011, Lisa opened Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley. 



Interview Time

As an author of many genres, which do you feel more comfortable in, and are there any you wish to try?

All of my novels and novellas are generally focused around romance. I’m a believer in the power of love, so I try to build strong family bonds and strong relationships between my characters. While I love my paranormal romance, I don’t know that after I write the second book in the series, I will attempt the genre again. It’s a difficult genre to write. I’m currently working on an erotica, but I’m finding it difficult to balance the sexual nature of the book with the plot line.

Your publishing house, which you established with friends, loves romance themed stories, so can you describe your idea of the most romantic date?

Oh, well, I don’t know. First, I’d have to say a nice, quiet dinner — lots of candlelight, soft music playing in the background, and good conversation. Then, maybe a walk on the beach, where the moon illuminates our way, and a gentle breeze keeps us from overheating as we embrace. Then when he takes me home, he walks me to the door, cups my face between his hands and places a soft kiss on my lips. A simple night between two lovers.

You’re a full time mother, run a new and exciting publishing house, AND publish your own work - where do you find the time?

I don’t sleep? No, seriously, it’s a matter of time management. I’ve learned to balance my time, stick to a schedule, and prioritize my commitments. 

What made you decide to set up RenRom and how did you come up with the name?

Renaissance Romance Publishing was started one night, or early morning depending on your view point, when my partners and I decided we wanted to write a compilation of books together. Michele Richard had suggested the name Renaissance Romance, but we found that it was already in use, and since we all loved romance, we decided to add it to our house name.

While writing, what do you do to keep you at the computer/pad and away from distractions?

I listen to music nearly all the time. If I don’t have my music on, it’s usually because one of my kids is watching television in the living room, where my desk is at.  When I get into the zone, it takes a lot to break my concentration.

Random question time, for fun - what came first, the chicken of the egg?

The ultimate question! I believe the egg came first. I don’t have a reason why, but my coin toss indicated that the egg came first!

Random question number two - is there anything you can do that not many others can, such as touch your nose with your tongue?

Um, I don’t know. Not really; not unless you count sticking my child with a needle without making her cry. Hundreds of diabetes sticks have made me an expert.

I just gave you a crystal ball; can you tell me what the future has in store for author Lisa Bilbrey?

A lot more books! I doubt I will ever stop writing! I love it too much to ever stop. I have an erotic series that I am working on now, and more than a dozen ideas for other stories.

What advise can you give to someone thinking about putting pen to paper?

Don’t overthink it and just do it. It won’t be perfect, and it probably won’t be good in the beginning. But you keep writing, you take advice from those who have been in the game for longer, and you learn and grow as a writer. If you’re lucky, someone else will love your work, too.








Links To Author

Rafflecopter code 

The giveaway will begin on September 10th and end on October 1st, to ensure that everyone on the tour has a chance to benefit from its exposure. 




If you signed up to do a review, and don’t mind, please post your reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes and Noble. 



TOUR SCHEDULE

9/10: Promo/Excerpt: Fandom Fanatic 
          Review, Promo/excerpt: FS Meurinne
9/11: Guest Post: Lorenz Font 
9/12: Interview: Jude Ouvrard
9/13: Review: Lindsey Gray
          Review: Sarah Carroll
9/14: Promo/Excerpt: S.A. Jones
9/15: Review: N. Wood
9/16: Review: Mich’s Book Reviews
9/17: Guest Post: Michele Richard
9/18: Guest Post: Jude Ouvrard
9/19: Guest Post: Donna Huber
          Review: Anna Crosswell
9/20: Guest Post: Laura Braley
9/21: Guest Post: Elizabeth M. Lawrence
9/22: Interview: M.C. Rayne
9/23: Promo/Excerpt: Jennifer Garcia
          Guest Post: Elena M. Reyes
          Review: R. E. Hargrave

Fall Fires Cover Reveal

Well I cant believe its finally here, well close anyway, the release of the Fall Fires Anthology by the Renaissance Romance Publishing Authors is just around the corner and I'm in it!!! The actual books will be available from 22nd October and you can purchase the whole anthology, or just one of the individual books. 
With the release being so close, below are the cover reveals along with little details on each book. I have tried to lay out each one the way they run in the actual anthology.

Enjoy x


The Fall Fires Anthology.








Winter's Love, By N. L. Leeks.




Summary;

A past relationship has left Jared Winter broken. When Eric Healey runs into him, Jared finds a reason to learn to trust again. The two men begin to fall for one another, but the prejudice around them threatens to tear them apart. Can their love survive in the real world?






Author Biography;

N.L. Leeks lives in England with her fiancé, whom she has been with since the age of eighteen. She first began writing when she was a child. Her friends, Matt and Lou, helped her reignite that passion as an adult, and her journey into writing began once more.


Links To Author;




Wonderland, By Jude Ouvrard.






Summary;


Lucas Colton is far too young to go through all this pain but meeting poetry teacher, Preston Davidson, changed everything. His life went from heartbreak to joyful and then, from friendship to love. The impact Preston had on Lucas’ life was mesmerising.  What would you do if you knew you may not have a tomorrow?






Author Biography;


Jude was born and raised in a small village named Lacolle. She now lives in Montreal, Canada. She is the proud mother of a beautiful four year old son, and has spent the last twelve years with her partner, Cedric.
French is her native language, but she prefers to write in her second language, English.
Besides working full time for a Title Insurance Company and being a mother, Jude has a passion for books, both reading and writing them.
She is currently working on a novel called Body, Ink, and Soul. Coming soon!


Also by Jude Ouvrard;

Under the Sun, Heat Wave: Volume Two 

Links To Author;





If This Is Wrong, by K.L. Platt.





Summary;

As children, Thomas and Caleb formed an unlikely friendship, which has continued through tragedies and celebrations and into manhood. They have grown together over the years, but now their relationship is changing into something more. Can their bond survive the challenges that life will bring them? Is it wrong to risk everything for the chance of something more?





Summary;

K. L. Platt lives with her family in the Devonshire countryside in the UK. She is a nanny, but her dream is to be a full time author. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t have a pencil, pen, or book in her hand. It was, however, the likes of J K Rowling and Stephenie Meyer that gave her the fire to drive herself to where she is today.
Always encouraged to follow her dream as a child by her own parents and grandparents, her grandma told her, “If you believe you can do it, then you can.” Her uncle was also a writer but sadly never got to have any of his stories published.

Links To Author;





Our Walk To Remember by M. C. Rayne (cough . . . me!)





Summary;


For the Robinson-Shae family, an annual charity walk means more to them than any expensive holiday abroad. After all, it’s where Elisha’s fathers met, and this year it’s even more important to her. Sammy couldn't make it this time, so she asks Charlie to share memories of how they met, and fell in love.






Author Biography;


M. C. Rayne got into writing after the passing of his mother, and used it as an outlet to get through the difficult time. He never really thought about becoming an author, but since putting pen to paper he has never looked back

Currently he lives in Leeds with his two best friends Dae and Pete, and his guinea pig, Bean. He spends a lot of time reading and writing, and far too much time procrastination online.


Links To Author;





Love, Unexpected, by C. W. Stevens.




Summary;

As Michael and Chuck's loving union comes to pass, two, gay members of the wedding party discover the sweet bonds of a comfortable companionship. Attraction becomes more as they recognize their true soul mate in each other, which fills the romantic void in their solitary lives. It seems only one, small obstacle stands in their way.






Author Biography;


C.W. Stevens lives in the United States, in the Midwest, where the winters are cold and icy, and the summers are disgustingly hot and humid. Spring and fall are her favorite times of the year. Reading is one of her favorite pastimes.

She enjoys writing and loves meeting new people along the way. Music and Abstract are a couple of her favorite Arts. She enjoys the challenge of trying to unlock the meaning of what the artist is trying to express. She enjoys solitude and hates crowds.

C. W. has two, grown sons, and loves spending time with her three grandchildren. Life is good!


Links To Author;

Goodreads



Woodshed Wishes, by N. Wood.





Summary;


Ben, a young gay romance author, loses his way in the forest one stormy evening and is found by a ranger. When Ben pitches in to help his new friend Peter in the woodshed, he discovers that he may have met his match. Will Peter make Ben's woodshed wishes come true?





Author Biography;


N. Wood is a budding young author living in Cornwall, United Kingdom. She developed an interest in writing when her poetry was first published at the age of nine. Since then, she has moved onto writing both short stories and novels focusing on gay romantic themes.


Also by N. Wood;

La Cala
Waves Of Healing

Coming Soon from Renaissance Romance Publishing:
Take A Gamble, Second Edition, on November 12, 2013.


Links To Author;






Remember guys, not long now so start finishing your current reads to make room for us :-)








Tuesday 3 September 2013

Guest Post - Jennifer Garcia

I love a good blog tour, and today I have the lovely Jennifer Garcia joining me with a guest post, and details of her new book. My Mr Manny is available at the moment, so please pop along and collect your copy.




Summary:

Mia Balducci misses her childhood days and yearns for the big, Italian family that she left behind in small town Massachusetts. At the tender age of sixteen, Mia moves with her bachelor father to Los Angeles, but no matter how many years pass, it never becomes home to her. The years spent living with her father aren’t easy, especially since she can’t stop thinking about what she once had. Her enrollment in the University of Southern California promises to bring exciting changes to her life, but Mia winds up with big problems instead. When she runs into an old friend from her old hometown of Winthrop, she gets swept up in nostalgia, and she soon loses herself in a quickly-progressing romance. When the fantasy falls apart, she is left to raise her precious little girl, Lucia, on her own. The demands of Mia’s work schedule and Lucia’s needs increase, and their lives become increasingly hectic. It is soon clear to Mia that she needs help. Luckily, her life-saving cousin saves the day and brings the mother and daughter a male nanny – their new “manny.”

After losing his high-pressure job on Wall Street, Dominic Roberts wants to follow his dreams to have a family. He’s already one fiancĂ©e down, and there are no likely prospects for another. In order to find the family he so desperately wants, he finds himself getting into the manny business. Since he is fully qualified to provide child care and is eager to leave New York City behind, his sister-in-law is able to land him a job in California working for his first client – the beautiful and intriguing Mia Balducci.


Will Lucia like the new man in her mother's life? Will Mia? And will this new trio discover the happily ever after they all so desperately seek?





Excerpt:

I rolled over to face Dominic and he began to stir. I watched him breathe and took inventory of his precious face. His lashes were thick and short against his cheek. The stubble on his face had thickened a bit more and his lips stuck out in a pout. I pecked them and his eyes opened.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” I said as he stretched and yawned. He scratched at his stubble and rubbed his eyes. He was adorable in the morning.
“Mhmmm, it is a good morning,” he said with a sleep-coated voice. He wrapped and tightened his arms around me and then squeezed. “A very good morning.”
“I need to get up and get ready for work. Lucia will be up in a bit. But ...” I began to say.
“What’s wrong?”
I exhaled a deep breath. “No, nothing’s wrong, but ... well I really want you to move into my room now. Too soon?” I wasn’t afraid he’d say no, but for some reason I felt strange asking him that.
He scoffed. “Did you think I was going to sleep in my room after last night? I had the best night of my life” he said while peppering soft, slow kisses on my face.
“It was my best night, too, baby.” I kissed him one more time and got up. “So, it’s official then. You’re moving in here and we’re a real couple.” I jerked my head in a nod to emphasize my statement.
He rolled on top of me, pinning me down on the bed. “I thought it was a given, Mia. You’re stuck with me forever now. I hope you can handle me.” He laughed.
“Mhmmm, I can handle you all right. I just hope you can handle me.” I kissed his lips.


Guest Post - What inspired me to write this book?


The initial inspiration to write about a manny (male-nanny) came from a writing prompt someone sent me. Somehow reading it sparked an idea in my mind. See, I needed a background for this to occur. Why would a woman need a manny? Then it just hit me, the idea of starting from childhood of a girl playing on her street with other kids. How growing up and moving on could call back the memories of those times. The nostalgia. Until one day she runs into one of those boys from her street and she feels more connected to her past. 

I did not marry a kid from my block, but I did move away from my mother’s house at sixteen to live with my father. Those feelings of missing my friends, family, and the things that were familiar to me were familiar to me. From there I was able to weave a story of Mia marrying him and mistaking nostalgia for love. She made a huge mistake but one that gave her the best thing in her life, her daughter, Lucia. And after that marriage did its time, Mia was left in need of some help. Here comes the Manny. 

I enjoy taking one feeling or one scene from my life and allowing it to blow up and expand into a story of its own. The amazing feelings of watching it grow into this wonderful world. And at the end of the creative process, it all feels so much more special because it has a piece of me in it. 







Author Bio:

Jennifer Garcia’s (aka Forbes Arnone) love of travel began when she went to the West Coast to visit her father at the age of three. Her home until she was sixteen was a small coastal town near Boston. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
Her lifelong love for reading and writing was put aside for many years while she made her way in the world and nurtured her young family. Even though she is older, and life never seems to settle, she’s finding her way while attending college full-time in pursuit of a B.A. in English Literature. She also runs a business, and is still caring for her family. Believing she can do it all, with the help of her family, she worked on her first novel during the late hours of the night while balancing the rest of her life during the day. Her hard work paid off, as her first novel, My Mr. Manny, will be published August 2013.