New Release ~ Darien’s Desire by Daryl Devore

How do writers do it?

Everyone knows writers live in dark caves and every so often toss out a Pulitzer Pride winning novel. So, how do they write those amazing books?

Magic!

Not going to buy that answer? Okay – let’s try an off-the-cuff answer -B.I.C.H.O.K. Butt in chair – Hands on keyboard.

Because if the writer isn’t putting words onto a screen or paper then the story is not going to get written. And as we all have sadly discovered there are no little writer elves who come out at night and finish that annoying chapter.

Writers get asked – a lot – what advice to give to a new author and I always have 2 pieces. The 1^st  I just told you and the 2^nd is find a critique group.

Now, that is way easier said than done. Most writers can tell horror stories about being in the “wrong for them” group. Don’t get me started on the group that wanted a 5 page critique for each chapter. FIVE PAGES!!! Some of the chapters weren’t even 5 pages long.

A critique group is a – wait for it – a group!! of people who read each other’s chapters/books and offer advice on what jumped out to them – what possibly needed the author’s attention – or in other words – what possibly to them was the largest use of over-used words, passive verb filled sentences of awkwardness that ever existed. (A good critique partner would highlight that sentence and tell me it’s 56 words – which is way too long – so I’m not sending this to my critique partner – sorry Mart.)

What I’m trying to tell you – in my slightly ADHD way – is first – the writer needs to get a chapter written and then a critique partner can offer helpful suggestions and then the writer fixes the chapter and then a different critique partner offers new suggestions and then…yup, we’re heading for another long sentence. This process can go on for a while until that moment when the bell goes Ding! Ding! Ding! this chapter is done (for now) and on to chapter 2.

Then there is a beta reader – someone reads the whole book looking for issues. And possibly more than one beta reader.

Let’s skip the searching for an agent and go right to publication – there are editor edits – more than one round- and lastly gallery edits.

So how does a writer do it? With talent. Hard work. Dedication. And a mass of wonderful behind the scenes people who also put hours of their talent and hard work into helping an error filled mess of a chapter become the latest you book you want to read.

To all of those who have helped on my latest book and all the ones before – I offer my humblest, heartfelt thanks.

Art is messy before it is beautiful and even song writers go through a messy phase before the song is written.

Darien spends an afternoon working in his private recording studio.

EXCERPT from Darien’s Desire –

Past the small kitchen and eating area was the sound studio with a piano, guitar, and a set of drums. That was where the magic was created. The magic that had earned him several Grammy nominations and five Grammys, plus a stupid amount of money. And the adoration of millions. He chuckled. Scratch that. Ego’s big enough as it is.

The cool air-conditioned air chilled his skin as he entered. He pulled open the fridge door, grabbed a Diet Coke, popped the tab and sat at the piano. Staring down from the wall was a poster of his rock idol, Jim Morrison, and leaning on the piano’s music desk was a messy sheet of music. There were scrawls in red, blue and black ink, with large sections scribbled over, other parts crossed out and some circled with arrows highlighting them. The chaos that turned into beautiful music.

He glanced up at his walls. Two sides were lined with framed versions of the same multi-colored chaos with a gold record next to it. His musical legacy.

Mr. Stichler, the local reverend, had noticed his musical talent at choir practice and suggested lessons with Mrs. Greise, who after six years passed him up to The Music Academy, where his talents shone. He honed his piano skills, along with his voice and his composing, and all that hard work paid off. Although there’d been a lot of days when he just wanted to throw it all away and go play baseball.

He flipped the page over and scanned the chorus.

Here I stand

I’m just a man

In love

With you.

He shook his head. Lyrics always sounded so lame without the music.

 

BLURB:

It’s complicated is not only her relationship status, but the definition of Erika Bailey’s life. She loves managing her drag queen club in Bangkok, Thailand, but her rock star boyfriend resides in North Carolina. And to top it off, her father threatens she must stay away from Darien or lose the Pink Flamingo. Does she protect her club or her love?

Darien Scott, Grammy award winning international superstar, wants nothing more than to wake up in the arms of Erika, the woman he loves, but contractual obligations force him to exotic video shoots and an isolated movie set with one of Hollywood’s sexiest stars.

With the feeding frenzy of social media trending every aspect of Darien’s life—real or not—it’s hard for Erika to know the truth. Will she be able to see through the lies and trust Darien? Or will evidence from damaging Internet rumors condemn their relationship?

Darien’s Desire is available at Amazon and Extasy Books.

Follow me on Twitter – @daryldevore

Books in the Two Hearts, One Love series:

 

 

 

 

 

Reviewed by Jenna ~ What Happens in Bangkok by Daryl Devore

Because one of my favorite movies is The Birdcage, and because I had a friend in college who was in a drag show once (I was his dresser, but that’s a story for another day), the premise of this book grabbed me from the moment I read the blurb. It’s a fast-paced erotic, romantic thriller that will keep you turning pages late into the night. I did that a couple of nights, despite knowing I had to get up the next morning. Couldn’t put it down.

The premise concerns a rock singer (Darien) who witnesses a mob-like hit in a bar in Thailand. He escapes alive and finds his brother (Brian) who is working as a drag performer in the city. The brother gets the great idea for the rock star to high out in the drag club as a performer. The catch: he’s straight, the owner of the club (Erika) is a straight woman, they’re interested in each other, but not willing to confess their feelings or identities. Oh, and the mob (Triad) is still trying to find the rock star.

There are more than enough complications to go around, to keep the reader wondering if and when Darien and Erika will realize the truth about each other before the mob can gun both of them down. It’s not just your run of the mill romantic suspense, however. Daryl Devore makes you care about these characters, makes them come alive, as well as the drag club and that very colorful culture.

I will warn you that the book ends on a bit of a cliff hanger, but book 2, Darien’s Desire, is already out and continues the story. Book three is still in the works, but should be out shortly.

If you like a great romantic suspense that includes an exotic setting, colorful secondary characters, a strong hero and heroine, and a pretty dastardly villain, you should love What Happens in Bangkok, even though what happens in Bangkok doesn’t tend to stay there. 🙂

What Happens in Bangkok is available at Amazon.

BLURB:

Erika Bailey, owner/manager of a drag queen club in Bangkok, Thailand has happily settled into all aspects of her new life, except for her lack of a love life. When a new diva auditions, Erika is bewildered over her instant attraction to the blond God, Apollo.

Darien Scott is on vacation after a world tour and mistakenly figures the safest place to be is at The Black Dragon with the head of a Triad. When the club is hit, Darien is the only person to get out alive. Now he’s running from the police and a Triad. Mistake number one.

Disguised as a drag queen, he’s hired by Erika, but falls hard for his new boss, then struggles with not coming clean with her. Mistake number two.

Can he fix his mistakes and find a life filled with love or is he headed straight for mistake number three?

Cover Reveal: Handful of Hearts, Volume 1 by Jenna Jaxon

I have just collected the first three books of my Regency novella series, Handful of Hearts,  into one volume. It includes Hearts beneath the Mistletoe (formerly A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe), Heart of Desire, and Heart of Delight.  Here’s the gorgeous cover by Danielle Fine.

Handful of Hearts, Volume 1, is now available at Amazon for pre-order at the pre-order/release price of .99. The book will release on June 27. The release price will be valid for one week, so get this bargain while you can!

Books in the Handful of Hearts series:

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 06/18/17 Handful of Hearts ~ Expectations

 Happy Father’s Day

to all those Dad’s out there. We’re having two celebrations at my house this year–one yesterday because one daughter is working today, and one next week because the other daughter won’t get home until next week. So lots of good wishes and food for Dad this week and next.

I tried to find a snippet in which there’s a positive portrayal of a father, but sadly most of my fathers are real SOBs. So I’ve compromised with a snippet showing a father who is trying to do the right thing for his family, even if it isn’t what his son wants. This excerpt is from the newly renamed Hearts beneath the Mistletoe, part of my soon to be released Volume 1 of Handful of Hearts, an anthology of the first three books of the Handful of Hearts series, now available in one place. here is a sneak peek of the brand new cover (the proper reveal is set for Tuesday on my blog.

Now, from Hearts Beneath the Mistletoe: Alec is furious with his parents for suddenly announcing that he and Jenny Crowley have been betrothed from birth. Neither he nor Jenny wants this marriage and after the explosive announcement, Alec wants some answers of his own. his father informs him of a certain wager that was made, and that the results of it was the expectation of Alec and Jenny’s marriage. Alec’s father is the first one to speak.

 

 (Creative punctuation utilized to conform to WWW rules.)

“And over the years, I’ve borrowed against the expectation of the marriage.”

Alec sprang upright in his seat, stunned into silence before asking, “Why would you do that, Father? Why would you need to? The estate brings in more than a sufficient income.”

“And how would you know that?” his father snapped, crossing his arms, his frown deepening. “You’ve never even looked at the ledgers; you have no idea of the problems that have plagued us for the last ten years.”

“You never wanted to share the financial side of running the estate,” Alec shot back. “God knows I’ve asked often enough for you to teach me for I will have the running of the manor one day,” he said, rubbing his temple, sensing a headache on its way. “How much did you borrow?”

     “Twenty thousand pounds.”

 

BLURB for Hearts beneath the Mistletoe:

Jenny Crowley has been duped! At her eighteenth birthday celebration her parents announce that instead of having the London Season she’s dreamed of for years, Jenny has been betrothed from birth to Alexander Isley, son of family friends and heir to a title. A distraught Jenny refuses point-blank to marry Alec, and when her aunt offers to whisk her away to a Christmas house party, complete with many eligible young bachelors, Jenny jumps at the chance to enjoy a variety of entertainments, be courted, and perhaps fall in love.

Alec Isley is between a rock and a hard place. He desires a marriage with Jenny no more than she does, but when his family’s dire financial status is revealed, he follows Jenny to the house party in hopes of convincing her to marry him after all. When he discovers who else is courting her there, Alec is frantic to keep her from making a dreadful mistake. Struggling with new-found feelings for his childhood friend, can Alec convince her of his love in time to save her from being ruined under the mistletoe?

 

 

Handful of Hearts, Volume 1 is available for pre-order at Amazon for .99 for a limited time only!

Books in the Handful of Hearts series:

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here.  There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

 

 

Spotlight: Not Without Risk by Jennifer Lowery

Hi Jenna Jaxon and all you fabulous readers out there *waves* Thank you so much for having me today! I’m super excited to be here! The second book in my Wolff Securities series is now available for pre-order—Woot!! It’s been a long time coming, but I’m hoping it’s worth the wait! Nate and Macy were particularly tight-lipped during the writing of this book but I finally managed to get them talking, lol. I’ve included a little taste of what’s to come when the book releases on July 6^th!

Not Without Risk (Book #2, Wolff Securities)

Romantic Suspense

Blurb:

He always keeps his promises…

Private security specialist, Nate Wolff promised to rescue humanitarian aid worker, Macy Gibbs, not harbor a fugitive. Determined to keep his promise and not make the same mistakes his brother made, he risks his life to protect her from the terrorist group hunting her.

Keeping this one will be the hardest thing he’s ever had to do…

With a bounty on her head for the murder of a man who bought her in an illegal human trafficking ring, Macy Gibbs puts both her life, and the life of the tall, handsome stranger who’s vowed to rescue her, in danger. Emotionally scarred from her ordeal, she trusts no one. But, can the biggest danger she’s about to face be the impact this former SEAL has on her heart?

Content Warning: Sexual content.

 

Excerpt:

Copyright ©2017 by Jennifer Lowery

Blood. Everywhere.

Macy Gibbs looked down at her shaking hands, stained red, still clutching the bloody knife. Her gaze dropped to the man lying on the floor at her feet. His eyes stared empty into space. Fluid oozed from the wound in his chest where his heart should beat.

Her ears began to ring, her vision dimming. They would execute her for this. In this country, she wouldn’t get a trial. Women had very few rights here. An American woman had none. Especially one married to an Azbak man.

Revulsion turned her stomach. Married. What she’d been in was anything but a marriage.

The sound of the door handle turning snapped her out of her stupor. One thought ran through her head as she dropped the knife. Run.

Panicked, she spun in a circle, searching the small bedroom for an escape she knew she wouldn’t find. She’d been locked inside this room for weeks. Had there been a way out she would have found it.

Her eyes trapped on the door. Only one way out. One choice.

To keep fighting.

Forcing her legs to move she slipped behind the door just as it opened. A tall figure moved stealthily into the darkened room, lit only by a dim lamp in the corner. On auto-pilot, Macy struck, aiming for his jugular.

He ducked her blow, his hand coming up to capture her wrist. With a forceful tug, he had her arm pinned behind her, her back pressed to the wall and a forearm against her throat. Not enough to hurt her, but it felt like an iron bar across her neck. Afraid to breathe, she looked up into a pair of stunningly beautiful green eyes. The way he stared back at her made her blood race. Direct, lethal.

Her vision narrowed. Warmth slid down her leg but she didn’t feel the pain of her injury. Memories of what her bastard husband had tried to do to her filled her head. If she hadn’t fought back…

“Hey, breathe.”

Her attacker’s voice, low and smooth, broke through her thoughts. Macy blinked. Why did he sound so far away when she could feel every hard inch of him?

The arm on her throat loosened. She drew in a breath that made her head spin. “American,” she whispered, fighting to remain upright. He wasn’t one of Aziz’s men. Where were the guards? Surely, they must have heard her tussle with their leader. Then again, they were fully aware of what went on in this room and had not once intervened.

A hand gripped her chin, warm despite the chill in her bones. Gave her a shake. Her eyes snapped open.

“Come on, we’re getting out of here.”

 

Pre-order Your Copy Now!!

Amazon

(Kindle Unlimited Subscribers Read for Free!)

Meet Jennifer: 

NY Times & USA Today bestselling author, Jennifer Lowery grew up reading romance novels in the back of her math book and on the bus to school, and never wanted to be anything but a writer.  Her summers were spent sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters spinning tales of romance and intrigue and always with a tall glass of ice tea at their side.

Today, Jennifer is living that dream and she couldn’t be happier to share her passion with her readers.  She loves everything there is about romance.  Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet their match with strong, independent heroines.  She believes that happily ever after is only the beginning of her stories. And the road to that happy ending is paved with action, adventure, and romance. As her characters find out when they face danger, overcome fears, and are forced to look deep within themselves to discover love.

Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and two children.  When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

 

Connect with Jennifer:

Read more about her books on her website: http://jenniferloweryauthor.com/

Join her on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferlowery/

And on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLoweryauthor

Please “like” her Facebook author page! https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferLowery/

Sign up for Jennifer’s Newsletter and get a FREE book: http://jenniferloweryauthor.com/join-my-newsletter/

Join Jennifer’s Street Team: http://jenniferloweryauthor.com/join-my-street-team/

Join her on Google+: https://plus.google.com/+JenniferLoweryauthor

And Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferloweryauthor/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferloweryauthor/

 

***BONUS***

For everyone who signs up for my NEWSLETTER you will receive an e-book copy of my short story, Taking Chances ($.99 value) for FREE!

Thank you for having me today, Jenna!! I just want to send out a big THANK YOU to all my readers out there! Without you I wouldn’t be here. My wish is to one-day meet each and every one of you so I can personally thank you for your generosity and support! 

All my best, 

Jennifer

 

 

Reviewed by Jenna ~ Lord of the Jungle by Sheri Fredricks

On most Mondays during the summer, I’ve decided to review some of the books I’ve been reading (once I let Outlander go I’ve been reading a fair amount of shorter books). And my first review is of a novellette I picked up again a couple of nights ago for a fun, sexy quick read, Lord of the Jungle by Sheri Fredricks. Since it’s so fresh in my memory, I thought I’d put that up first.

If you enjoyed the Tarzan movies of the 1940s or the Disney animated Tarzan of the 1990s, then you may very well love this erotic take on the story. From the first movies, I’ve always wanted Tarzan and Jane to “get together.” If you look at the movie posters they almost drip sex and domination, leaving you wondering why there isn’t more physical contact in the movies.

Well, in Sheri Fredricks’ version there certainly is. In a very big way.

Jane has been marooned on an island after pirates attack her yacht. She’s rescued from drowning in the surf by a wild man, Tarzan, whose animal magnetism works wonders on Jane’s libido. Tarzan is thrilled to find a female who is like him and not one of his gorilla family, and wastes no time in showing he’s king of the jungle in oh so many ways.

Sex in this jungle is steamy and Ms. Fredricks manages to make it fun and sexy even while describing it as less than comfortable for Jane. I can’t imagine having sex in a tree (even in a nest), but the first encounter is quite hot and the couple’s attraction genuine. I read the novelette very quickly, in one sitting, in about an hour (and I’m a slow reader), and was very highly entertained and engaged with the story (and the hot sex).

And even though the book is short and it has a cliffhanger ending, there are two more books in the Jungle Island series, so there is apparently more jungle love ahead for these two. Therefore, if you’re looking for a hot series to read under a palm tree on the beach, look no further.

BLURB:

Jane Porter craves a thrill but when marauders scuttle her ship and she washes ashore onto an island inhabited by animals and one sexy wild man, that’s when the real adventure begins.

Dependent upon her vine-swinging rescuer who acts more ape than musclebound man, she places her survival in his rugged hands and relinquishes her desire to his raw sensuality.

For more seasons than he can remember, Tarzan has lived among the tiny island’s gorilla band. Instinct propels him to save the female he finds half-dead in the surf, but gazing into her eyes, his mating tool dances an ancient tribal beat.

While the pirates search for their bounty, Tarzan and Jane are in danger. To survive, they’ll have to hang onto each other as they swing for dear life. Their adrenaline-rush of passion among the canopy of the jungle threatens not only a dizzying fall from a great height, but also into love.

Lord of the Jungle is available at Amazon as are the rest of the series.

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 06/11/17 To Woo A Wicked Widow~ The Toll Booth

I’m back after my May hiatus, and starting with a new work (well, it’s one you may have seen a year or so ago), To Woo A Wicked Widow, the first book in The Widow’s Club series, set to release in April 2018.

I’ll start with the beginning, as Lady Charlotte Fownhope is running away to Gretna Green to marry her groom, Edward. This snippet has been slightly modified from the final copy to conform to WWW rules. Edward is the first to speak below.

“Toll keeper!” he called, rending the silent night; after a moment he called again, still with no result.

“He must be dead asleep.” The wind had risen, causing Charlotte to tug her cloak closer.

 “Dead drunk’s more like.” Edward dismounted, strode to the toll house door, and knocked.

The door jerked open and a huge hand grasped his shoulder, dragging him inside.

“Edward!” Charlotte dropped the reins, peeled her aching leg from around the horn of the sidesaddle, and slid to the ground. As her boots hit the dirt, two men appeared from nowhere.

BLURB:

Charlotte, Lady Cavendish has been nothing but unlucky in love. Ripped from her lover’s arms and forced by her tyrannical father to wed a man she hated, the now widowed Charlotte swears never to marry again. A discrete affair, however, with the Earl of Wrotham would be an excellent compromise. Yet the dashing earl sets off alarm bells in her heart, and her vow of independence slips as she grows closer to Nash.

Although drawn to the vivacious Lady Cavendish, Nash, Earl of Wrotham, deplores her outrageous conduct. The beautiful woman was all but compromised by the ton’s most notorious rakehell, garnering her the nickname “The Wicked Widow.” It’s enough to take her off Nash’s list of possible wives. When her father blackmails him into wooing her, however, Nash reluctantly agrees to keep the lovely widow out of the rake’s bed, off the scandal sheets, and totally unaware of her father’s scheme for their marriage.

But when Charlotte discovers Nash’s treachery and her father’s involvement, can she trust him enough to risk her heart again?

Thank you all for coming by. One book has been sent to my editor, and with the second one the deadline was moved to August. So  I’m really glad to be back!

 

Coming in late June,  Handful of Hearts Volume 1:

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here.  There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.