Tag Archive | Wild Rose Press

Catch a Sneak Peek on this Mother’s Day with CONVICTION OF THE HEART

May12

Mothers mean well.

Even once you’re grown up and on your own–and in the case of CONVICTION OF THE HEART heroine Suzanne Taylor, all the way through law school, one divorce and raising two teenaged daughters– your mom still wants to make sure you’re warm and happy. Despite the fact it makes you utterly crazy:

ConvictionoftheHeart_w5381_750***

Her mother bustled about with a clean rag in hand, wiping up messes that Suzanne couldn’t even see. “Now I’ve just put a macaroni casserole in the oven for lunch, honey, so tell me you’ll stay.” As Suzanne started to protest, her mother raised a finger. “You have to eat, and work can wait. Besides, the girls tell me you have a young man.” A smile inched onto her mouth. She sat in the chair opposite Suzanne, eyes sparkling. “Tell me about him.”

            Suzanne felt the furrow between her eyebrows dig deep. First off, she’d hardly describe Nick as a “young” man, and second, he was hardly “her” man, and third… She eyed her mother. “Mom,” Suzanne said, her tone calculated to discourage further inquiry.

            Her mother’s face radiated innocence. “I know. You’re a big girl now and you know how to take care of yourself. And it’s none of my business.” Suzanne nodded. “That being understood, when are we going to meet this detective of yours?”

            “He’s not ‘my’ detective, Mom. He’s…” How would she describe what had gone on between the two of them? Her mother wanted to hear that there was something promising in these beginning steps of their relationship, but Suzanne’s current mood would prevent any further meetings…no matter how well they’d melded between the sheets. They surely hadn’t approached the ‘meet the parents’ stage, by any definition. “Nick Sansone isn’t the kind of man that I could make any sort of commitment to, all right?”

            Her mother chewed her lip, but it was her father who commented from the doorway behind her. “Well, no wonder. He’s a Dolphin fan. The Steelers reign supreme here.” He pronounced the word “Stillers,” like most Pittsburgh natives. “Your man is clearly delusional.”

            “He’s not ‘my’ man!”

 

***

Oy. Mothers. And fathers, too!

Romantic suspense novel CONVICTION OF THE HEART features attorney Suzanne Taylor, who raised her children as a single mother at the same time she built a successful legal practice.  She’s managed to keep herself untangled from romance for many years, putting her kids and their financial security first.

But the case of a city councilman’s battered wife brings her complications in the form of police lieutenant Nick Sansone, whose interest in her comes right when she needs a little help from outside sources. The councilman strikes out at Suzanne, Nick, and eventually, anyone he can think of who might make Suzanne back off.

Will they be able to stave off the danger long enough for their love to blossom?

CONVICTION OF THE HEART is the first book in the Pittsburgh Lady Lawyers series, which follows up with SECOND CHANCES, and later this year, VOODOO DREAMS, a story set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Find out more on the tab above.

Sneak Peek Sunday BannerBuy one for you or for your mother here in ebook  or here in print.  Have a great Mother’s Day!

For more sneaky peekys, see the rest of the list at Sara Ellwood’s blog.

A new review! 4.5 at Satin Sheets Romance

Apr2

ConvictionoftheHeart_w5381_750Today’s review of CONVICTION OF THE HEART brought a 4.5 out of 5 review for this romantic suspense novel:

The characters are so well written, you feel like you’re in the story rooting for Suzanne for all she does for her clients and also that she’s an independent single mother who loves her kids more than life.

Nick, a sexy as hell  cop, is a third generation police officer who takes his job seriously and knows right from wrong . He never allows people ( no matter who they are ) to affect his decisions he makes on the job. Nick doesn’t take kindly to threats…

For the rest of this great review, visit Satin Sheets Romance and read Nanee’s opinion of this first book in the Pittsburgh Lady Lawyer series.

A great week ends with Sneak Peek Sunday!

Mar24

What a week! My first post for Authors by Moonlight, and a great cover for upcoming books! Encounter_ebook_Final I mean this one for ENCOUNTER is pretty awesome, though it’s more of a suspense story, not a romance. But it’s still gorgeous, and will be out later this summer from Hydra Publications.

I’m really finding some time to write and expand what I’m doing, teaching at conferences, and that’s very fulfilling. Balancing that with a busy family life and time to write too? Well, let’s all agree that the first person who can find six more hours in a day would really rank way up there in my book!

Today’s snip is from CONVICTION OF THE HEART, which came out last year from The Wild Rose Press. It’s the first book in the Pittsburgh Lady Lawyers series (see tab above), and tells the story of Suzanne Taylor, a single mom and family law attorney who gets mixed up in a dangerous case involving domestic violence. It’s good timing that a police lieutenant named ConvictionoftheHeart_w5381_750Nick Sansone takes an interest in her–but she’s not so sure she wants to be interested in him:

She had raised the girls alone for thirteen years. She’d met John Taylor in law school, and finished her last year pregnant with Hope. They married only when they’d both passed the bar. He lived with her until it became clear, to him anyway, that he was not cut out for living with a small child. When she told him she was pregnant again, he left. He moved from Pittsburgh to Nevada, lived there long enough to file for divorce and proceeded without even sending notice to her. She received a copy of the final decree. He probably thought she should be grateful. He then moved from his legal Nevada address, and the Taylor family had never had contact again.

  John Taylor’s exit, and the subsequent men’s behavior she’d seen in many of her divorce cases had convinced her she was doing the right thing by remaining single. One betrayal had been enough; she didn’t intend to let herself fall in love again.

            Particularly with a cop.

            She chopped zucchini and snow peas, thinking about her dinner with Nick Sansone. She’d truly enjoyed the chance to kick back and talk about something that wasn’t business. Just pleasure. She’d almost decided he was that rare beast, a nice guy, when he’d pulled the switch on her with that kiss. “Just dinner,” he’d promised.

            Yeah, so much for that.

            Sure, she’d kissed him, too, but that was something under her control. Her will. Because she’d wanted to, by then. And she’d even said she’d see him again. What had she been thinking?

***

Is it true that lawyers and cops mix like oil and water? Can a single mother let herself go enough to love again after thirteen years on her own?

Here’s a link to the book trailer for CONVICTION OF THE HEART: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a84IZoH-JKw

It’s filmed in the courtroom where I practice regularly, with local actors I’ve performed with on stage. What? Oh yes, I was a single mom of two girls who also is a lawyer–and I fell in love with a cop. Who says truth is stranger than fiction?

CONVICTION OF THE HEART is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and other online retailers as well as at The Wild Rose Press site.

But don’t stop reading here– stop by Sneak Peek Sunday to check out all the week’s snippets!

It might be true that there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but how about a free book?

Mar3

ConvictionoftheHeart_w5381_750And not just any book–the first book in the Pittsburgh Lady Lawyers series, CONVICTION OF THE HEART!

Here’s the blurb:

Family law attorney Suzanne Taylor understands her clients’ problems—her own husband left her with two babies to raise alone. Now that they’re teenagers, her life is full. The last thing she wants is the romantic attentions of a police lieutenant, no matter how good-looking.

Lt. Nick Sansone is juggling the demands of a new promotion and doesn’t need complications either. But when he sends a councilman’s battered wife to Suzanne for help, he realizes he wants to connect with the lovely, prickly lawyer on more than a professional level.

They are soon confronted with a different battle when the abused woman’s husband threatens retribution. The powerful, well-connected councilman can damage both their careers—not to mention hurt those they love. Can they bend enough to admit they need each other in a time of crisis? Or will a husband’s revenge take them down before they ever get a chance?

Here’s the VERY dramatic book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a84IZoH-JKw

An excerpt from the hero, Nick Sansone’s point of view. He likes her so much, but she’s already got too many balls in the air to juggle much more:

    He couldn’t believe she’d actually agreed to a date. Well, not a date. Dinner.IMGP0494

            But he wanted to consider it a date.

            He’d watched her for some time. Setting aside his natural attraction to redheads, he found something more compelling in her behavior, her demeanor. He found her different from the rest of the ambulance chasers he encountered in his work.

            During their midwinter case, he witnessed her inner fire and passion for what was right, whether or not it fell squarely within the law. She never let opposing counsel walk over her. She even used humor as a tool to pry open judges’ hearts to let her pleas inside.

            When the case concluded, he wanted to see her—unprofessionally—but she created a distinct distance between them that dissuaded him. He tried to put her out of his mind. She kept re-appearing. Every so often, he caught a glimpse of her in the court buildings, or in her favorite lunch spot in the inner courtyard of the old castle, and those feelings would bubble up again. He couldn’t forget her.

            Not that he hadn’t tried. Brother officers used his fascination with the standoffish attorney to rib him without mercy. A lawyer and a cop? Might as well be oil and water, one working to get bad people locked up, and the other working just as hard to set them free again. It could never work. Just asking for trouble. Who needed trouble?

***

So check it out while it’s free– leave a review, or a comment here at the website, and pass it on to your friends!  Thanks and have a great day!

Alana

Buy the book free at The Wild Rose Press here.  BUT TODAY ONLY!

Catch us on Facebook and become a fan!

Another good review!

Jan8

What a way to begin the new year!  Three and a half stars from Long and Short Reviews for THAT GIRL’S THE ONE I LOVE. “A  sweet story and gratifying.”

Hurrah!  Thank you, reviewer Lavender! Check out the rest of the review here: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/book-reviews/that-girls-the-one-i-love-by-alana-lorens/#comment-23691

 

Leyla Brand has one perfect day in her life: the day she meets rock singer Arran Lake at the Bele Chere Festival in Asheville. They have so much in common, Leyla is sure they are soulmates and will have a future together.

The very next morning, when Arran receives the call to hit the big time, he vanishes into the world of California rock and roll to become an international star, leaving her behind. Only a few phone calls keep them in touch — until his phone is disconnected. After that, all she has of him is every new song that hits the charts.

Five years later, she gets a message on the Internet from an unfamiliar address. Someone wants to know if she’s the Leyla of Bele Chere. Should she open that door and discover who this might be? Who else could it be? And if it is Arran, why does he want to contact her now, after all this time? Will he just break her heart again?

Rating: Spicy
Page Count: 63
Word Count: 17814
978-1-61217-438-9 Digital

Delicious Scotsmen, vulnerable Healers, and paranormal elements–who could ask for more?

Dec3

Welcome to Willa Blair, whose debut novel, Highland Healer, is winning awards even before it’s released!

Thanks for having me here today!

What area of the country do you live in, do you have a family, pets, etc. Are you a coffee fiend, or do you have another “addiction” you must have on your desk at all times?

I live in Texas, which used to be its own country.  Some people would like for it to be so again.  But I’m a recent transplant, so I don’t feel qualified to have an opinion on that debate.

I’m married to an Army veteran and golf fanatic, which is great for a lot of reasons, including the fact that I get undisturbed time to write while he’s on the golf course.

We have one cat left to us.  She’s fifteen and spoiled rotten, even more so now that she’s an only kitty.

I’m addicted to chocolate.  And caramel.

 Tell us about your most recent publication.

My debut novel is Highland Healer.  It’s a bestseller on Amazon (yes, I’m jumping up and down) where my wonderful publisher, The Wild Rose Press, put it up early on Kindle KDP Select.  On its official release date, January 4, it will be available from TWRP, Barnes and Noble’s Nook, in other e-formats, and in print!  So, no, I haven’t held it in my hands yet (except on my tablet) but I will soon!

Here’s the blurb:

HE NEEDS HER FOR HIS CLAN.

HE WANTS HER FOR HIMSELF.

CAN HE HAVE BOTH?

Toran Lathan never expected to become Laird, and never expected to meet a woman like Aileana Shaw. Her healing ability is just what his people need, but Toran cannot resist her beauty. Yet will loving him destroy her ability to heal?

Aileana Shaw has a healing touch – and a special talent she must keep secret. Stolen from her home by a marauding army, she’s kidnapped again by the Highland Laird she heals. Is she a prize of war, or the prize of his heart?

While Toran battles the invading lowland army, he also battles his desire for Aileana. And Aileana must decide if she can trust her secrets to this fierce warrior who needs her talent, but wants her love.

 What inspired you to write this story? 

I have a very visual imagination.  I saw the opening scene – a man being brought into a tent on a rough stretcher, a woman standing inside, watching.  I knew she was a healer and I knew he was the hero.  The rest followed from there.

What interesting thing did you learn or research to write it that you didn’t know before? 

Writing this book took lots of research of Scottish history.  The hardest part was deciding when to set the story.  Once I read that many clans were broken when their leadership died fighting the English in 1513 along with King James IV at Flodden Field, I had it.

How would you best describe your books? 

I loved reading science fiction growing up, especially stories about psi talents, so now I include them in my writing.  I’d call this series Scottish historical with a paranormal twist.  In addition, I’m finishing an award-winning contemporary that uses paranormal elements, and plotting a science fiction romance series that will also have paranormal elements.  Oh, and there’s one I started at my publisher’s retreat that will probably turn out to be romantic suspense with a paranormal element.

What is your favorite genre to write?

So far, the Scottish stories are my favorite.  There’s been so much to learn, and because the history of the highlands is not well documented, the time period I chose for these books allows me a lot of creative freedom.

 What is your favorite genre to read? 

I don’t have one favorite.  I enjoy Scottish historicals, science fiction romance, and romantic suspense, but I’m happy reading almost any genre if the writing is good, the story is compelling and the characters are people I want to get to know.

 What would you write if you could do write anything you wanted to write? 

A number one bestseller?  Then another.  And another.  And another?  Basically, I want to be Richard Castle – minus the people shooting at me.

What do you most like about writing?

The freedom to explore ideas, personalities and places, and to learn things that have no direct bearing on my real life.

 Least like? 

Sitting for hours.  I know, I have complete control over that.  But I really do need to get to the gym more often.  Or at all.

 When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Always. I must have been born to write.  I won a state-wide essay contest in junior high (middle school), wrote for my high school newspaper and literary publication, including poetry, and started books (handwritten in pencil – I still have them) as early as junior high.  I’m a voracious reader. But my day job took creative energy away from writing, so it’s great to be able to do it now.

What do you love most about writing and what do you not like? 

My readers are the best!  I enjoy connecting with them, and really appreciate it when they take the time to put a review on Amazon or Goodreads or anywhere else.   But like most authors, I don’t love doing promotion.  It takes time away from writing, and who likes selling themselves?

Do you belong to any writing groups?

Absolutely.  RWA, of course.  Several RWA chapters: Washington Romance Writers (WRW), San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA), Celtic Hearts, Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal, RWAOnline.  I even included WRW, SARA and RWAOnline in the Acknowledgements of my debut book – they’ve been incredibly supportive over the years with classes, online classes, speakers, and friendships.

 Are there any writing websites you find particularly useful?

Besides the ones associated with those RWA chapters, I use the heck out of an online etymological dictionary, online thesaurus, Electric Scotland and other Scotland-based websites, Wikipedia, and several baby-names websites, which are great for coming up with characters’ names.

 Is there any special music you like to listen to while writing?

I can’t listen to music and write.  I’ve always been musical, so it distracts me.  I get sucked into the song and out of the scene I’m trying to set in my book.

Do you belong to a critique group? What do you find most valuable about the experience?

I belong to one of the best, most experienced critique groups in the world.  The author who runs it has over 150 published books, and the other members are no slackers, either.  They took me from totally wet-behind-the-ears and taught me everything a writer needs to know, from the basics (POV?  What the heck is that?) to the business end of writing (agents, editors, and contracts, oh my!).   One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from them is that even the best writers have to work at it, edit, polish, accept criticism and keep writing.  Since I moved to TX, I still Skype with them when they meet.  I can’t do without them.  I’ve also started a group here.  I like the dynamic of a critique group – everyone brings their own strengths and uses them to help everyone else.

 Tell us a little about your path to publication.

Highland Healer is my debut book – and what a debut it’s been so far!  I’ve finished the second book in the series and given it to my editor to see what she thinks.  I’m working on the third book.

 How many books did you write before selling one? 

A handful of unfinished MSs currently languish in a drawer, several of which I will eventually finish and hopefully publish.  But only after I finish the highlands series and perhaps the SFR series, oh and there’s this romantic suspense idea I started writing up, so it’s safe to say they’re not currently on the front burner.

How did you find a publisher?

At a pitch session.

How did you receive the Call?

It was an email, but trust me, that’s just as good!

What’s your favorite thing about the book featured here today?

That it sold?  Kidding.  I love that so many people are enjoying it.

 Any special memories you have in the creation of it? 

Yes – the phone call I got telling me that it was a finalist in the Paranormal category of WRW’s 2011 Marlene contest.  I know precisely how actors feel when they get the call that they’ve been nominated for an Academy Award.  That was my  first major contest entry, so making the finals was a huge event for me.  And it went on to win!  That did wonders for my confidence as a writer.

 What are you writing now?

Book 3 of the Highland series.  I’m calling it Highland Troth.  Troth is an old word for truth and the heroine of this book is a soothsayer. And of course we associate it with plighting troth in weddings, which is perfect for a romance.

What’s next for you—will you be making personal appearances anywhere our readers can find you?  I’ve got a blog tour lined up for the official release of Highland Healer.  Check my website for upcoming dates!   And I’ll be part of a group book-signing on 9 February at the Shops at La Cantera Barnes and Noble here in San Antonio with other SARAs.

Website: www.willablair.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/willablair

Twitter: www.twitter.com/willablair

 Bio:

Willa Blair is the best-selling and award-winning author of Scottish Historical and Contemporary Romance, both with a touch of the paranormal.

She grew up reading science fiction, and her best-loved books focused on the relationships between the main characters, who often had psychic talents.  When she discovered Romance, she was thrilled to find that some of the books not only portrayed the journey of the hero and heroine, but included the special talents she’d enjoyed reading about.

With her Scottish heritage, it was natural for her to write a Scottish historical and incorporate those special talents.  The result is her award-winning debut book, HIGHLAND HEALER, the first in her Highland Talents series.

She realized her life-long dream of becoming an author after retiring from her day job to write, travel, and enjoy life.  Married to her own military hero golf fanatic, she lives in the Texas Hill Country north of San Antonio where she writes, feeds hummingbirds year-round and has too many hobbies to count.