What Your Favorite Avenger Says About Your Love Life by Author Phoebe Fox

Warning: May contain spoilers.

In your dating history you probably have a type — most of us do. But we can’t always see for ourselves unhealthy relationship patterns in the men we choose. Luckily there are Marvel movies, filled not just with common “types,” but larger-than-lifearchetypes, making identifying your hot-button dating issues a snap. Wondering which kind of guy waves your personal big red flag for you? Read on.

Ironman/Tony Stark — You know it means trouble, but you don’t care — you go for the bad boy every time. You can’t resist the sex appeal of a man who never makes himself wholly available, who rocks your world in bed and forgets you the moment you’re out of it. You love the challenge of a man who’s hard to tie down and the cachet of dating the guy every other woman wants. He’s the center of any crowd he’s in — a brilliant, charismatic grandstander who’s quick with a snappy one-liner and has the hottest tech, the fastest cars and a whole lot of family money.

He’s the guy everyone calls on in a pinch — and he’ll always come to the rescue, but he wants the glory for doing it, and he has no intention of sharing the spotlight. It’s his way or the highway, and you’re never going to mean more to him than his favorite suit.

Pros: Sexy, smart, and funny — the holy triumvirate.
Cons: Arrogant, a womanizer and doesn’t play well with others.

The Hulk/Bruce Banner — You know nice guys are good for you, and you’re actually pretty attracted to them. And there’s something utterly appealing about a shy guy you get to draw out of his shell. On the face of things, this type of guy seems like the perfect boyfriend. He’s smart, altruistic, gentle and humble. Not for you is the swagger and posturing of the alpha male; you like a man who’s modest and soft-spoken, someone who’s genuine and real, uninterested in self-aggrandizing.

But unless there’s also a dark side, a thick undercurrent of the bad boy running underneath a man’s docile exterior, you can’t help it — you’re going to get bored. You like the excitement of unpredictability, and part of you thrives on drama, unable to walk away from the thrilling roller-coaster ride of this type of relationship — even though you might get seriously, seriously hurt.

Pros: A good, gentle man who’s still capable of standing up for you.
Cons: Major anger-management issues.

Thor — You like ’em pretty. Really pretty. You’re also a fan of muscles, hair and, perhaps, power. Not to mention that he wields a really impressive tool. On the surface, this type of guy seems like someone any woman would want to date — an insanely hot trophy beau who’ll treat you like a gentleman, rock you between the sheets, and take you home to mama. (Though those two might be a touch close for your comfort.) He’s responsible, honorable and a born leader.

But this type of man has major responsibilities and takes them seriously — so seriously that you can probably count on always coming second to him protecting his kingdom and people. Planning a special date, or a party, or a vacation? Don’t rely on this guy. If something comes up that he feels needs dealing with, he’ll be worlds away — literally. Not to mention that he’s pretty firmly convinced that he comes from a superior people and place, which can make blending the families a little challenging.

Pros: Insanely hot. Powerful, but with honorable intentions.
Cons: Literally has a god complex.

Captain America — No chasing bad boys for you. You’ve always gone for the “good guy.” You like a man who says what he means and means what he says, someone whose word you can count on, and who’ll always — always — do the right thing. He’s not looking for glory or fame or praise — he only cares about justice and right. This is a guy you can trust — no games, no hidden layers, no pretense; what you see is what you get. And that appealing all-American handsomeness and rippling muscles don’t hurt a bit.

But then again… It’s hard to keep up with perfection. How good are you going to feel about yourself when you have that extra glass of wine at night, or indulge in gossip at a party, or run a red light, when you’re dating a guy whose biggest flaw is that he’s willing to tell a little white lie — but only so he can go defend his country? What about the night you want to cut loose with your honey and do something crazy — sneak backstage at a concert, or talk your way into an exclusive VIP party — and he staunchly refuses to do anything morally, legally or ethically dicey? There’s something to be said for reliability and honor… but it can come with a steaming side dish of dull predictability.

Pros: Honest and honorable, loyal, straightforward.
Cons: Saintly… and a little bit boring.

Hawkeye — You like the mysterious, silent type, men who guard their secrets… and their hearts. On the plus side, this kind of guy can be a wonderful puzzle to solve, a lovely onion to peel layer by layer. But men who play their cards close to the chest might be endearingly afraid to be vulnerable until they meet the right woman — or they might be hiding a secret wife and family no one had any idea about.

This type of guy is a great team player, always willing to step in uncomplainingly and do what needs doing. And he’ll never hog the spotlight — he’s content to let others shine. He knows what he’s good at, and he focuses intently on doing only that — which might, on the flipside, make him a bit tunnel-vision, slow to adapt to a changing world. (One of these days, someone’s going to realize that a bow and arrow isn’t really in the same league as superpowers, ancient magic, and tech that can obliterate worlds… and then someone’s going to be out of job and spending an awful lot of time on the couch.)

Pros: Great in a pinch, and someone you can trust with your deepest secrets.
Cons: Kind of gets lost in the background around his showy friends.

Bonus Types:

Loki — You can’t help your desire to want to “fix” a broken man. You’re drawn in by a painful past and hidden vulnerability, willing to overlook every red flag in your determination to help heal the wounded little boy within.

Pros: Charming and funny; resourceful and smart.
Cons: Utterly untrustworthy.

Vision/Jarvis — There’s something about the new guy in town. You like the mystery, the clean slate of a totally unknown past. Or maybe you like them young — the charming naivete of a man who hasn’t yet seen much of the world, who’s so much more easily impressed than a world-weary lothario–with the extra added bonus that he’s a virgin.

Pros: Strong, handsome, really, really connected.
Cons: More like raising a child than dating a man.

Thanks to Ms. Phoebe Fox, author of The Breakup Doctor and Bedside Manners, for sharing this article written for the HuffPost. You can find more about Ms. Fox at http://www.phoebefoxauthor.com, and have news and relationship advice delivered right to your in-box here. You can also find her on Twitter,Facebook, and Instagram.

Follow Phoebe Fox on Twitter: www.twitter.com/phoebefoxauthor

Meet Romance Author Ms. Carly Phillips

Ms. Carly Phillips, Author of the Dare to Love Series

After a successful fifteen year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers.

She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories.

Ms. Phillips lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website.  She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom.

In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Ms. Phillips at www.carlyphillips.com.

TRI: Thank you so much for taking time from your busy schedule to be here. Do you remember how we met? I think of it as very special. I got up early one morning to check twitter and saw you had tweeted about needing a small carrier for your dog. I was in awe that you would tweet to ask someone’s advice. I mean the Carly Phillips, famous author of over 15 years of romance books, needs to know where to get a small carrier for her dog. I had two yorkies, at the time, so I knew what you were looking for.

I quickly when on the web and found you one and tweeted it back. Not believing for one moment that you would respond to me because I was so sure you would have had millions of responses. But, to my surprise you did and very graciously thankful for my response. Since then we have been tweeting back and forth, especially when I discovered you were an All my Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital fan. The rest is history…a nice one…Who does not love an author with your amazing history of wonderful love stories, who takes the time to respond to a reader or a newbie, like myself?

CP: I am embarrassed to admit that I didn’t remember but I am so glad you reminded me! Thank you! I love social media because I love interacting with readers and other writers, people who love the same soap operas I do (you know I’m a soap junkie). I’m so touched that you remember meeting me online!

TRI: I will never forget. So tell me what got you started in writing? I read you were a lawyer but an unhappy one.

CP: Well yes but there’s a misconception that I left law to write. I left law because it made me emotionally unstable and insane. OK slight exaggeration but truly it was way too much for me. And so I left law, we moved out of NYC, we decided to start a family … and I began reading again. I fell in love with Romance and decided I had to try to write one. Seven years, ten manuscripts and too many rejections to count, later, I sold my first book. That was 1999.

TRI: As a temp I worked at a law firm and recalled it to be very intense. So, I understand totally. Was there an author, when you started out writing that you wished at the time you could be like, i.e., successful in their writing careers?

CP: Yes! In larger scope, LaVyrle Spencer and Catherine Coulter. As I found Romance and Harlequin, I wanted to be like the Harlequin Temptation authors who had a solid career of 2-3 books a year with the line of books. I met my best friends when I ultimately sold to Temptation, Janelle Denison, Leslie Kelly and Julie Leto. All originallyTemptation writers.

TRI: Who has influenced you a lot in your writing career? Is this person your favorite author, if not who is your favorite author?

CP: Oh wow. I can’t say there is one person. I have been so fortunate and lucky to cross paths with so many talented people who have had an impact on my career. I can say, former Harlequin editor, Brenda Chin, who bought my first book and believed in me long before that, absolutely set me on the right path.

TRI: I know marriage is not easy and no I have not been married before, but I just know relationships take time and a lot of patience, I believe I read somewhere you are on your 24 years together. With that said, and being one of the Queens’ of Romance fiction how does that make you feel?

CP: OMG I’m a Queen of Romance fiction? THANK YOU! That’s so very humbling! J I feel so lucky to be in a happy, stable relationship with my best friend. We met in college and no matter the ups and downs, through solid communication and respect, we’re still together 25 years later.

TRI: That is amazing and sadly rare, but I do feel that in relationships, communication and respect is key. Before your interview I did some research and found you are very open with your readers. I liked that about you. As a long time reader of romance, I love authors who are so open and relate to their readers―down to earth. Why is it important for you to do that?

CP: Thank you! I’m just me. I’ve always just been me … even when my books took off. When my girls were younger, I kept their pictures out of my “sharing” but the rest? I’m pretty much an open book. Now my daughters are 23 and 18 … so I can share even more. That said it’s a careful sharing. I still protect my immediate universe and home life.

TRI: You have two daughters. How do they feel about their mom being famous and a fabulous romance author? Are any of them interested in the writing bug? What advice would you offer to them if they were?

CP: Luckily (or unluckily) this is all they know, mom as a romance author, so they’re used to it! Now that they’re older they come to conferences, the older one acts as my assistant at signings. It’s great. It really is. The oldest is a reader and may have the writing bug. Not the youngest. And that’s fine. I want them to follow their own path! But if they want this path, the advice I’d give is this: nothing happens without hard work and a lot of paying your dues.

TRI: I think that is an awesome experience for them. How has the industry changed for you? I understand you’ve self-publish some of your stories. Do you prefer self-publishing from traditional publishing? Why?

CP: The honest truth is that as good as my publishers have always been to me, I looked at the raw numbers and knew I had to make a change. I needed to be able to control covers, price, length, and even more of content. I can do that with self publishing and I absolutely love it―all of it. Even the constant work because it really is a 24/7 job. As much as all writers think about writing ALL. THE. TIME … when you add self- publishing, you’re building your own world/mini-empire. You need to hire professionals to handle things the publisher used to do without you thinking about it. I used to think it would be overwhelming. I never knew I’d take to it and love it.

TRI:  That is great. It gives me hope, because sometimes I think it is overwhelming. What advice would you offer a newbie author?

CP: You only get ONE first impression so make it a good one. Just because you finished the first book you ever wrote doesn’t mean you should self-publish it. Maybe it’s a learning experience. My first 10 books were learning experiences. Granted I didn’t have the self publishing option back then but I know it wouldn’t have been smart to self-publish those early books.

TRI: Good advice. I see your Dare to Hold story from the Dare to Love Series is coming out in a couple of weeks. I read the excerpt and can’t wait to get my hands on it. I had the pleasure of meeting Nora Roberts and got to ask her what keeps her going. Her face lit up and she simply said, “I love the work.” She actually put me to shame. But she is right you got to love it, breath it, live it. Just as readers we love it, breathe it and live it. That is what keeps us coming back. What keeps you going?

CP: I have to quote Nora. I love the work. All of it. The writing, the promoting, the planning. All of it. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d still write. J

TRI: I feel the same way about the lottery. I see you are attending the Readers for Life Literacy Signing in New York in July. Is this a dear to your heart topic?

CP: Literacy is a very important topic … and I have been signing there since I first published. I love meeting readers at the different venues every summer. It’s always so much fun and the money goes to a fabulous cause.

TRI: Awesome! Last but not least, about your furbabies … I think it is great that you integrate them into your website. I love the way they answer questions on your behalf. Do you ever include them in your stories?

CP: Oh yay! I get to talk about my doggies! I used to include stories with animals. Not so much anymore … but my entire life revolves around my dogs. Their schedule is my schedule and they don’t let me forget it. I have a soft coated wheaten terrier girl named Bailey and a Havanese boy named Brady.

TRI: Yep, I totally understand. I still have a yorkie. She is going to be 15 next month. And I just rescued a beagle mix and she is as big as a horse, well almost. It was a shock, being used to small dogs. But she is a sweet heart. What is ahead for Carly Phillips the author?

CP: More writing! More Dare to Love series stories. Each book in the series stands alone but it’s fun to read in order too. Up next is Dare to Hold (Scott & Meg) 4/14/15. I’m currently writing Dare to Rock (Avery & Grey) 8/4/15. After that, I’ll be finishing up the legitimate and NY Dare siblings. Then I have three “illegitimate” Dare siblings to write if I feel reader reaction to the stories is still strong and they want them. I recently had an idea to keep the Dare stories going beyond that … but I can’t tell. I haven’t even told those closest to me yet! So we’ll see. I love, love, love what I am writing. If I weren’t writing the Dares, I’d still be writing sizzling hot contemporary series.

TRI: Sounds like a lot of work ahead of you. So, with that said, I want to thank you so much for allowing me to talk with you. I wish you success in your endeavors and I will let you know what I think of Dare to Hold after I’ve read it. My best…

CP: Thank you so much for asking to interview me. It’s been fun! I hope you love Scott and Meg in Dare to Hold!

TRI: From what I’ve read, I am pretty sure I am going to love it…

Lady Jane’s Salon Silver Spring – January 10, 2015

Dear readers,

Wishing you a joyous, successful and blessed new year. I hope you join us on January 10th as we welcome Ms. J. T. Bock, Author of A Surefire Way and Ms. Rebecca Rivard, Author of Seducing the Sun Fae to the first Lady Jane’s Salon Silver Spring Romance reading series of 2015. The ladies will be reading from their recent releases.

Ms. J. T. Bock, Author of A Surefire Way

When J.T. Bock was a child, she wanted to be James Bond or Indiana Jones or a vampire hunter or Wonder Woman. Whatever brought her the most action, adventure and romance while play acting on her stage—otherwise known as her grandmother’s basement.

Over the past few years, from a secret location outside of Washington, DC, J.T. has conjured pulse-pounding tales to share with kindred readers looking for an exciting escape. She’s written three novels and several short stories and is an active member of RWA and WRW. Her latest book, a superhero romance, A Surefire Way, was published in 2013.

The second book in the series will be released in early 2015 along with a new short story in a paranormal romance anthology. When not speaking at conferences or blogging about writing life, her alternate identity enjoys spending time with her workaholic husband and their sidekick rescue dog, traveling to interesting locales (San Diego Comic-Con), and enjoying life to the fullest with an amazing group of family and friends and a good glass of wine.

Ms. Bock will be reading from her latest, A Surefire Way.

________________________

A Surefire Way

Surefire’s plan was simple: Capture the genetically modified thief Raven. Win back the respect of her father. Get promoted from rookie to full-time UltraAgent–raise included.

Easy, right? Well, not so much.

An ancient god is threatening to take over the world and only Raven can stop him–with Surefire’s help. Now Surefire must team with Raven, who is more than he seems under his distractingly tight pants, and give up everything she had thought important to save the world.

To purchase your copy of A Surefire Way, please visit Amazon.com.

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Ms. Rebecca Rivard, Author of Seducing the Sun Fae

As a teenager, Rebecca Rivard read way too many romances, little realizing she was actually preparing for a career. After a detour through various forms of nonfiction writing, she has returned to her first love. She has placed highly in a number of romance writing contests, including first place for sexiest scene in the MRW Reveal Your Inner Vixen contest.

Like the river fada in her new paranormal romance series, Rebecca is happiest in or near the water, believes that the fae are beautiful but dangerous, and could happily exist in a world without cell phones—although not without her e-reader.

Ms. Rivard will be reading from her recent release, Seducing the Sun Fae.

________________________

Seducing the Sun Fae

Prepare to be ensnared…

A Dark, Shapeshifting Alpha…

Dion, alpha of a shapeshifting river fada clan, has had enough. The sun fae queen has seduced many of his best warriors, leaving them fit for little but fishing and drinking wine, and draining life-energy from his clan in the process. Then comes the final straw—she works her wiles on his youngest brother. It’s time to turn the tables on the shallow, pleasure-loving queen.

Sets Out to Ensnare a Fae Queen…

Cleia is a two-hundred-year old fae whose powerful glamour gets her any man she wants. But she’s bored. She wants something more—and all she knows is that the river fada men have it. So when she meets the big, untamed river fada, she wants him instantly, despite the fact that—or perhaps because—something whispers this man is dangerous.

She all but orders him to her bed.

That’s just what Dion is counting on…

2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,500 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 25 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Lady Jane’s Salon Silver Spring – November 15, 2014

Dear Readers,

I hope you join us on Saturday, November 15th to celebrate Romance Fiction. Check out our line-up of talented Guest Romance Authors reading from their latest releases.

…Sincerely,

Miguelina

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Ms. Emelle Gamble, Author of Dating Cary Grant

Ms. Emelle Gamble has been writing fiction her whole life…she wrote her first story at five, about a lost bunny asking all his fellow creatures if they could tell
him what kind of animal he was…From there she dabbled in teen poetry, stab-in-the-dark attempts at ‘real’ literature and then college, marriage, blessed motherhood, several moves throughout the United States, while she wrote, studied and submitted. She was first published by Harlequin Intrigue’s line of romantic suspense as ‘M. L. Gamble’ and wrote seven books for them.

After a five year hiatus due to something called LIFE, she started sitting at the computer again and Secret Sister was born. Her books are always relationship stories about women and the men they love and the friends they hold dearest, but they’ve also always had a little touch of something else, a mystery here, a ghost there, something extraordinary that gave the folks in my imagined world a little extra to deal with.

These ideas were not the easiest to sell to the New York publishers who wanted books to be one thing, and one thing only… ‘Romance’ or ‘Horror’ or ‘Vampire’ or ‘50 Shades of May’

But she wasn’t good at that “one-thing, and one-thing only” thing, so she submitted Secret Sister, a suspenseful tale about two best friends, one husband, and an extraordinary twist of fate, in a writing contest and won leading to a contract with Soul Mate Publishing, a company that embraces books that do not fall in the ‘one thing’ category.

Ms. Gamble will be reading from her recent release, Dating Cary Grant.

 Dating Cary Grant

A career woman in Manhattan. Her small-town husband. The ghost of a hunky screen icon…Welcome to the comic romantic novel, Dating Cary Grant.

Tracy Connor is mulling over what to do about her marriage, her career and her life.

While she’s mulling, she moves out of her family home in quiet Cukor, Connecticut and sublets a small apartment in a brownstone in Turtle Bay, Manhattan.

There she meets – and becomes great friends with –the ghost of her film idol, Cary Grant. He’s the best kind of friend to her, a man who appeals to her on every level, and man she’s always regarded as “Mr. Perfect”.

Cary proves a very charming and pragmatic ghost who only she can see, and he has a co-conspirator on page, a certain red-haired screen legend named Kate, who spars with him as she opines and helps show Tracy the errors of her views on men, marriage, and just what real love is all about.

Ms. Heather Heyford, Author of A Taste of Chardonnay

Born in the Northeast, Ms. Heather Heyford learned to walk and talk in Texas, and then moved to England. (“Ya’ll want some scones?”)

While in Europe, Ms. Heyford was forced by her cruel parents to spend Saturdays in the leopard vinyl back seat of their Peugeot, motoring from one medieval pile to the next for the lame purpose of ‘learning something.’

What she soon learned was how to allay the boredom by stashing a Cosmo under the seat.

Now a recovering teacher, Heather writes love stories, feeds hardboiled eggs to suburban foxes, and makes art in the Mid-Atlantic. See more at HeatherHeyford.com.

Ms. Heyford will be reading from her recent release, A Taste of Chardonnay.

Get “A Taste of Chardonnay” in print or for kindle at http://amzn.to/1tX3sep  For Nook at http://bit.ly/1u3zIKq or go to HeatherHeyford.com.

A Taste of Chardonnay

Join author Heather Heyford as she uncorks a sparkling new series following the St. Pierre sisters, heiresses to a Napa wine fortune who are toasting the good life and are thirsty for love…

Chardonnay St. Pierre’s father is as infamous for his scandals as he is for his wine, and it’s up to Char to restore the family name. The Challenge, an elite charity competition held in Napa, seems like the perfect opportunity for the socialite to cement her image as a philanthropist. But all eyes–including Char’s–are on the Hollywood heartthrob who’s also entered the race…

Long before his face was splashed across the gossip magazines, Ryder McBride grew up in a working-class family in Napa.

He knows all about the St. Pierre sisters and their notorious father, and when he learns he’ll be up against Char in The Challenge, he assumes the grape doesn’t fall far from the vine.

But the more they get to know one another, the more they begin to realize that nothing pairs better with a heated rivalry than a healthy pour of flirtation…

Ms. Afton Locke, Author of Jamaican Temptation

Ms. Afton Locke is a USA Today Bestselling Author who prefers romantic fantasies to everyday reality. Fantasies take her to different times, races, places, and beyond.

She lives with her husband, dog, several unnamed dust bunnies, and a black cat that can be scary or cuddly, depending on the current book. When she’s not writing, Afton enjoys hiking, cooking, crafts, and reading.

She will be reading from her latest release, Jamaican Temptation.

Jamaican Temptation

Shopaholic Kyra Mays decides to shop for a rich man on her Jamaican vacation. Instead, she meets Justin Lance, a white reggae singer who’s nearly as poor as the orphans he devotes his life to helping. Overwhelmed by his magnetism, she decides to have a fling with him.

All that matters to Justin is being a perfect Rastafarian. He vows to avoid succumbing to temptation with the dark beauty at all costs.

Unable to keep their hands off each other, they forge a bond that is just as emotional as physical as they explore their differences on the lush island of Jamaica.

But Justin’s secret will put their ability to compromise through an impossible test.

Ms. Erin McRae and Ms. Racheline Maltese,  Authors of Starling

Ms. Erin McRae and Ms. Racheline Maltese are authors of the gay romance series Love in Los Angeles, set in the film and television industry (Starling (September 10, 2014), Doves (January 21, 2015), and Phoenix (TBD)), all from Torquere Press.

Their gay romance novella Midsummer (Summer 2015), about a summerstock Shakespeare company, is from Dreamspinner Press.

Ms. Maltese is a NYC-based performer and storyteller. Ms. McRae is a writer and blogger based in Washington, D.C. They write stories and scripts about the intersection of private lives, fame, and desire.

The ladies will be reading from their latest release, Starling.

Starling

When J. Alex Cook, a production assistant on The Fourth Estate (one of network TV’s hottest shows), is accidentally catapulted to stardom, he finds himself struggling to navigate both fame and a relationship with Paul, one of Fourth’s key writers.

Despite their incendiary chemistry, Alex’s inexperience and the baggage they’re both carrying quickly lead to an ugly break-up.

Reeling from their broken hearts, Alex has an affair with a polyamorous co-star and Paul has an ill-advised reunion with an old flame.

Meanwhile, the meddling of their colleagues, friends — and even the paparazzi! — quickly make Alex and Paul’s real life romance troubles the soap opera of the television season.

But while the entertainment value may be high, no one knows better than Alex and Paul that there are no guarantees when it comes to love in Los Angeles.

Lady Jane’s Salon Silver Spring – October 18, 2014

Dear Readers,

The October 18, 2014 was unique in that it was small and intimate. Guest Author Ms. Emily Greenwood, read from her latest release, Mischief by Moonlight, and Ms. Lavinia Kent read from her release Mastering the Marquess.

We were joined by Ms. Mackenzie Lucas, Ms. Yvonne Pinney and Ms. Deborah Barnhardt for an intimate evening of what I termed “Authors on Romance”.

After the readings by Ms. Greenwood and Ms. Kent, the table discussion ranged from indie publishing, Romance writing to industry news.

Special thanks to our Guest Authors for taking time from their busy schedule to share their stories of struggles and Love and the attendees who also took time from their schedules to support our guests.

I hope you join us on November 15, 2014 when Lady Jane’s Salon Silver Spring welcomes Ms. Emelle Gamble, Author of Dating Cary Grant, Ms. Heather Heyford, Author of A Taste of Chardonnay, Ms. Afton Locke, Author of Jamaican Temptation, and Ms. Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese Authors of Starling.

These ladies will be reading from their recent releases.

(I apologize for I accidentally deleted the pictures for that evening…)

 

Washington Romance Writers Presents: Readers and Bloggers Luncheon – October 11, 2014

Dear Readers,

I hope  you join us on October 11, 2014 for WRWDC’s Readers and Bloggers Luncheon in celebration of Romance with our readers and bloggers.

Washington Romance Writers invites you to join us for lunch!

Come for an intimate meet and greet and dine with more than 40 of your favorite romance authors. Authors will be giving out swag, books and much more! Featured authors include:

Alexa Egan	Kieran Kramer	PA DePaul
Anne Barton	Kim Headlee	Rachel Rawling
Avery Flynn	Kimberly Kincaid	Robin Covington
Caryn Moya Block	Krista Hall	Sally MacKenzie
Christi Barth	Lavinia Kent	Shari Slade
Cristin Harber	Liz Everly	Solara Gordon
Debra Dunbar	Lynne Silver	Sonali Dev
Delancey Stewart	Mackenzie Lucas	Tamra Lassiter
Elizabeth Staab	Madeline Iva	Terri Brisbin
Geri Krotow	Mary Behre	Tracey Livesay
Hope Ramsay	Meredith Bond	Tracy Brogan
Jamie Farrell	Mia Kerick
Karna Small-Bodman	Miguelina Perez
Kelly Maher	Nicole Pouchet

To register, please visit wrwdc.com.

Sincerely,

…Miguelina

To Attend or Not To Attend the Conference? That Is the Question (for struggling writers) by Author JT Bock

Dear Readers,

 

Ms. J.T. Bock is the author of stories filled with action, adventure, horror, supernatural beings, romance, and crap like that. After recovering from pop culture overload (and too much wine) at the geek-fest known as the San Diego Comic-Con, J.T. will be adding more excerpts and free downloads of short stories for your reading pleasure—or maybe displeasure—depending if you like silly, creepy things. But they’re free, so get over it.

Also, Ms. Bock blogs periodically. Although she should be blogging more often (according to her PR friends), she’d rather be working on her next story, since her characters are bugging the hell out of her. For more on Ms. Block visit her at her website.

Here is a great article written by Ms. Bock about whether as a writer should you or shouldn’t you attend a writer’s conference at http://jtbock007.blogspot.com/.

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

…Miguelina

Nancy Weeks’ Latest Release

Nancy Weeks, Author of In the Shadow of Pride

I hope you join us as we celebrate and congratulate, Ms. Weeks, on her latest release In the Shadow of Pride, book four  of the “In the Shadow” series. Now available via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and ITunes.

 

In the Shadow of Pride

Lexie Trevena buried her murdered husband, discovered he had cheated on her, and signed to adopt his newborn son—all before noon. Now she just wants to raise her child in the loving, supportive home she never had. The last thing she needs is another man to complicate her life, but her best friends feel differently. Their matchmaking meddling accidentally places Lexie smack in the path of a terrorist who intends to use her as his pawn.

The only person who can help her is the FBI agent she holds responsible for her husband’s death.

Special-Agent-In-Charge Luke “Mac” McNeil watched his best friend and partner marry a woman he knew was too good for him, but he did nothing to stop the wedding. He stood by as Lexie adopted the cheating jerk’s son. But when someone goes to great lengths to make it appear that Lexie is responsible for launching a drone into the home of a prominent Texas senator, Mac’s conscience finally speaks up, and he fights for Lexie’s freedom … even though all the evidence leads to her door, and she has never given him a reason to trust her.

Can Lexie and Mac find the courage to forgive and trust, or will their pride stand in the way of love, allowing terrorists to bring another devastating attack onto United States soil?

Excerpt

Lexie leaned her back against the cool stone and made herself release Mac’s hand. She then took a breath of fresh, clean air and tried to hide the shakiness in her voice. “Now what?”

“I’m going to drop down to the roof. You will kneel on the ledge and, using the window to balance, turn so your legs hang over the edge. Let go of the ledge, and I’ll catch you.”

“Are you crazy? I can’t—”

“Lexie, look behind you.”

She turned her head slowly toward the open window. Flames appeared under the door and the small office was completely filled with smoke. One word escaped her lips. “Trapped.”

“Once we get down onto the roof, there’s a fire escape ladder to the street.” He reached for her hand. “Gabriel needs you. We can do this together.”

Finding her voice, she whispered, “Not fair using Gabriel.” She bit down on her lower lip and dredged up an ounce of courage. “Mac, do what you have to do.”

With the grace of a trained athlete, he lowered himself over the side until only the tips of his fingers were on the ledge. An instant later, he dropped, landing on his feet.

“Tag, you’re it, Lexie. Just drop and I’ll catch you. Trust me.”

Lexie’s heart pounded like she had just run the 100-yard dash. After a quick glance into the office, she knelt, and holding onto the window, rolled onto her stomach.

“That’s it. Now just ease your legs over the ledge.”

The instant her feet hit empty space, panic ripped through her and she swung a leg back onto the ledge as her fingers dug into the window frame. God, she couldn’t do this. It was freaking crazy.

“You have to let go of the window frame. I’m right under you.”

“This isn’t the time to be nice to me, Mac.”

“Okay, then how’s this? I’m loving the view of the sexiest red panties I have ever seen that barely cover an ass that will live in my dreams for years to―”

Lexie dropped. Before she could get out the ear-piercing, girly scream that roared in her head, she landed in Mac’s arms. The impact crushed the air from her lungs.

“You’re okay,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she allowed his strength and his herbal all-male scent to soothe her. He eased her legs back on solid ground, but she didn’t let go. She couldn’t remember a time in her life when she felt so safe, protected.

She raised her chin and met his amused stare. Of all stupid days to wear a skirt to work. As soon as she got out of this mess, it was going to Goodwill.

Heat spread up her neck and her chest tightened. “This one time, I’m going to let that go.”

“Let what go, Lexie?” Mac’s hand moved slowly down her back to her waist and pressed her tightly against him.

His touch sent a flash of need that had been dormant for too long into her gut. Lexie swallowed but couldn’t look him in the face. “That wasn’t my best moment on that ledge. You shouldn’t have looked.”

“You told me not to be nice. I was saving your life.”

Mindy Klasky’s Latest Release

Mindy Klasky, Author of THIRD DEGREE

Ms. Klasky learned to read when her parents shoved a book in her hands and told her she could travel anywhere in the world through stories. She never forgot that advice.

Her travels has taken her through multiple careers. After graduating from Princeton University, Ms. Klasky considered becoming a professional stage manager or a rabbi. Ultimately, she settled on being a lawyer, working as a litigator at a large Washington firm. When she realized that lawyering kept her from writing (and dating and sleeping and otherwise living a normal life), she became a librarian, managing large law firm libraries. Ms. Klasky now writes full-time.

For years, her dating life was a travel extravaganza as well. She balanced twenty-eight first dates in one year, selecting eligible gentlemen from sources as varied as Washingtonian magazine ads, Single Volunteers of D.C., and supposedly-certain recommendations from best friends. Ultimately, she swore off the dating scene entirely. After two years of carefully-enforced datelessness, she made one last foray onto Match.com, where she met her husband on her first match.

Her travels have also taken her through various literary genres. In addition to her light paranormal romances and category romances, Mindy has written traditional fantasy novels (including the award-winning, best-selling The Glasswrights’ Apprentice), short stories, and nonfiction essays. As Morgan Keyes, Ms. Klasky writes for middle grade readers.

In her spare time, she quilts, knits, and tries to tame her endless to-be-read shelf. Her husband and cats do their best to fill the left-over minutes.

Third Degree

There are a few things that make a book a Mindy Klasky book — most notably, fun descriptions of food.  And THIRD DEGREE is no exception!

if you can’t take the heat…

Chef Ashley Harris wants to own a restaurant – that’s why she attended culinary school, and that’s why she’s working for the world’s most lecherous restaurateur.

Raleigh Rockets third baseman Josh Cantor wants to launch his investment restaurant with the family recipes he loved growing up. Josh has been promised that treasure trove – but only if he can convince his grandmother that he’s dating again, after a traumatic divorce.

When a cooking reality show comes to Raleigh, Ashley and Josh must compete against each other to achieve their dreams – even when the flames in the bedroom roar higher than the ones in their kitchens.  In the end, only one of them can win Who Wears the Apron.  Will their relationship survive this trial by fire?

So?  What are you waiting for?  THIRD DEGREE is a perfect summer read — fun and sexy!  For a copy of  THIRD DEGREE by @MindyKlasky please visit amazon http://bit.ly/AmazonThirdDegree . Enjoy!