Wards of the Women by Denise Wheatley

Blurb 

They bought men from prison to fulfill their every need. What could possibly go wrong with such a simple little purchase?

WARDS OF THE WOMEN introduces three desperate girlfriends who, on the surface, appear to have it all, but underneath are in the midst of various crises. Mysterious deaths, extortion, straying husbands and illegitimate children have suddenly overtaken the lives of Violet Christianson, Shayne Wentworth, and Fifi Gentry. Eventually, when Violet becomes fed up with all of their circumstances, she does what any sensible woman would do—blackmails the state prison warden into letting each of them buy an inmate from the jail for their own personal fulfillment. But never in their wildest dreams did they imagine all the chaos that would ensue from a simple little purchase…

Chapter One

Violet Christianson was a woman who knew what her name meant to most. Perfection. Everyone either wanted her, wanted to be her, or simply wanted her to go away.

Violet considered herself to be the most beautiful woman on her block, and never missed an opportunity to ponder her stunning image. At five-eight, she kept her lean, size two figure draped in outrageously expensive designer clothing at all times. Her dazzling, widespread hazel eyes were framed with long, lush lashes. Her retroussé nose had finally been perfected after several invasive surgeries. Her soft, plump lips accentuated high cheekbones when they puckered. Her raven hair swung so low that she could practically sit on it.

Violet’s husband, Elliot, was rich. The richest man on the block, to be exact. Elliot worked as a real estate developer and closed more big-money deals than a little bit. As a result, he allowed her to spend his money on whatever she wanted, and whenever she wanted. As he should have, considering how unsightly he was. Elliot’s pockmarked skin, hair plugs, bifocaled eyes, rat-like teeth, pot belly, and squat body were enough to send most into hysterics the moment they laid eyes on him. But Elliot was wise enough to hide his ghastly appearance behind his vast fortune. So by the time people noticed his looks, they’d already been so blinded by his Benjamins that his ugliness became a blur. Which is exactly how he said he wanted it.

Violet’s house was big. The biggest house on her suburban block, to be exact. It boasted a huge great room, six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, an Olympic-size pool, and even a room designated just for gift wrapping. The house had been designed by Jacques Lolique, interior decorator to the stars, which meant that her contemporary décor was nothing short of flawless—as was the house’s appearance, which was constantly being serviced by a small army of workers.

To top it all off, Violet was smart. Smart enough to have earned a doctorate in psychiatry. But rather than open a high-end practice and service the rich and famous, she’d gone with her heart and decided to work with inmates at the local state prison.

Violet Christianson. Beautiful, lucky, and charitable. All the reasons why most people either wanted her, wanted to be her, or simply wanted her to go away.

Chapter Two

Shayne Wentworth loved how the mere mention of her name brought smiles to most faces. She knew she may not have been the most beautiful woman on the block, but she certainly was the sweetest.

Shayne was an ex-pageant queen. Ex, simply because she now had five beautiful children and a wonderful husband to look after. If it weren’t for them, she could certainly still be competing. Because, after all, when she looked at herself, her bright-green eyes still danced. She made sure her straight white teeth still gleamed. And her creamy, clear skin still glowed. As for her shoulder-length platinum blonde locks, all she’d have to do was pull them out of the bun that she usually wore and shake it out a bit. As for her figure, all it would take was a crunch or two to get back in fighting shape. And as for the rest? Nothing a tube of lip gloss and a dazzling evening gown couldn’t fix. So, all things considered, she was still a contender.

Shayne’s husband may not have been the richest man on the block, but he certainly was the most powerful. Russell worked as a criminal defense attorney and had a reputation for being ruthless and cutthroat. At home, however, he was a different man. Russell was a gentle pussycat who worshipped his wife and doted on his children. He allowed Shayne to stay at home while he worked to provide for the family. Which was good for her, considering she knew nothing beyond the world of pageantry.

Shayne may not have had the biggest house on the block, but the one she did have was bursting with energy. Her sixteen-year-old son, Matthew, was following in his father’s star-studded footsteps by playing football at Russell’s high school alma mater. Her fourteen-year-old daughter, Sloane, was a straight-A student who’d managed to skip two grades and was taking accelerated courses in high school. Her twelve-year-old son, Ryan, already knew he wanted to be an attorney, so he spent every possible moment with his dad at the law firm. Eleven-year-old Cadence was carrying her mother’s torch by competing in statewide beauty pageants and winning numerous trophies and prizes. And Basil, Shayne’s ten-year-old son, was simply brilliant. His wit, intellect, and cunning sense of humor amazed all who knew him.

Shayne Wentworth. Nurturing, fortunate, and fulfilled. She may not have had the best on the block, but at least she had her family.

Chapter Three

Fifi Gentry knew that the mere mention of her name meant only one thing to most. Business. And while she may not have been the sweetest woman on the block, she certainly was the feistiest.

Fifi was a go-getter. A five-foot dynamo. A twenty-eight-year-old spitfire who was too busy fighting for the rights of others to worry about trivial things. Like looks, for instance. Fifi would much rather spend her time amending proposals than getting a makeover. She did, however, put forth an effort to appear presentable, considering she wanted to be taken seriously.

Fifi never missed her monthly hair appointments to have her sleek brown bob, which complemented her almond-shaped eyes, dyed and trimmed. She cleansed her flawless olive skin with plain water and smoothed Vaseline over it every night, which was her secret to keeping it radiant. She followed a strict macrobiotic diet and practiced Ashtanga yoga to help keep her enviable size zero in shape. And she did take the time to lengthen her lashes with mascara, brighten her cheeks with blush, and accentuate her lips with gloss every day.

Fifi may have been the only woman on the block without a husband, but her boyfriend certainly was the most influential man in the state. Senator Edward Hynes was Fifi’s current beau, and the buzz amongst politicians was that he’d be the one to beat during the next presidential election. And even though Fifi and Edward didn’t share many of the same political views, she couldn’t have been prouder of him.

Fifi’s house may not have been bursting with energy, but at least it was all hers. She still lived in the home she’d grown up in, which her parents had been kind enough to give to her. She hadn’t changed much by way of décor because she loved having the feel of her parents and memories of her childhood surrounding her. And the house would be perfect for raising a family in, which she was definitely looking forward to doing one day.

Fifi may not have the goods to compete in beauty pageants, but her advocacy work more than made up for that. Fifi worked as a lobbyist assistant, fighting to have bills passed that would enforce tougher child protection laws. She was currently lobbying to have convicted child molesters serve harsh, mandatory jail sentences, then once they were released, have electronic tracking devices implanted inside their bodies so their whereabouts could be traced at all times. More importantly, she was working to have a bill passed that would force child molesters to undergo physical castration.

Fifi Gentry. Purposeful, altruistic, and unrelenting. She may not have had the most on the block, but at least she had a mission.

THE TRUTH…

Want more? CLICK HERE to purchase WARDS OF THE WOMEN!

Early Reviews

“WARDS OF THE WOMEN uniquely explores the lives and misfortunes of three strong, distinctly-written female characters. The book is bold, the tone is inimitable, and the various twists and turns that occur throughout will be sure to captivate readers and keep them on the edge of their seats. The concept is compelling, outrageous and unusual, and just when you think that the characters have gone too far, they somehow manage to make a way out of no way and come out on top.”

“I love this story! It’s funny, sad and had me wondering what could go wrong next.”

“Loved this book! It was truly original and I could not put it down. Enjoyable and easy read.”

Author Bio

Denise N. Wheatley is a lover of romance, happy endings and the art of storytelling. She’s best known for her chick lit novel I WISH I NEVER MET YOU, which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2004. She has since traditionally published several novels and novellas, including contemporary, suspense and paranormal romance. She strives to creative characters who are strong, colorful and relatable, and tell entertaining stories that embody matters of the heart.

Denise received a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, the city where she was born and raised. She’s written screenplays and ghostwritten for some of your faves, and when she’s not sitting behind a computer, you can find her in a movie theater, on a tennis court, watching true crime television or chatting on social media.

Buy Links

eXtasy Books/Devine Destinies

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Newsletter Giveaway September 2019

To celebrate the fact that I am about to embark on a seriously exciting project arising from my current obsession with D&D this Giveaway is not so much book related as gaming related, namely a set of D&D dice.

I suppose they are not of much use if you don't play D&D but they're a really cool thing to have anyway, and you get a sweet bag to go with them, so why not.

Anyway, just put your name and email in the comments and a random person (and let's face it you need to be random to enter this one :D )

Interview with Colin R. Parsons

Sales Link Amazon.com

Today, I am talking to Colin R. Parsons, writer of children's stories and sweeping fantasy. It was great to find another author living and working so close to home. Since discovering Colin and the amazing event he organises every year (and we all know how hard it is to organise anything in the literary world), I've not only found a future outlet for my own works in the future but a whole nest of local writers I had no idea existed. So, I would like to start by saying thank you to Colin for all his hard work and his vision that looks beyond the narrow confines of the valleys.

Let’s start by telling us, in twenty words, or less, what your book’s about.

Valusha has been taken over by Jenta-Lor. He’s banished all wizards. The quest is to find Obsidian and restore balance.

What was it that led you to write in the genre(s)?

I write in many genres. Mythical fantasy is just one of the many paths I take. This particular book was bubbling away in the back of my mind. I started my writing career with a children’s book about wizards and so fifteen years later I went back to my roots. This time I made a story that was a bit more modern.

Are your books character led or plot led, or both?

I would say both. The plots and the characters intertwine like any adventure should. Sometimes the plot sways one way and takes on a life of its own. Great characters are born and they tell me where they want to go.

What is your favourite part of the writing process?

My favourite part is creating something from a spark of an idea. It has to thrill and excite me, but also pull at all the other emotions from within.

What is your least favourite part of the writing process?

There are two. Editing, yuck. And fight scenes. Editing is laborious but necessary. Putting together the choreography for a battle scene is way too difficult. Doing the Choreography for a one-to-one sequence is even worse.  

I am one of those weird people who actually likes editing. I'm with you on the fight scenes though.

Where do you get your inspiration for your characters?

Easy-Peasy… absolutely anywhere and everywhere. Friends, family and strangers.

Tell us a little about the characters in your book and their story. You can use more than twenty words this time.

There are many and I don’t want to give too much away. 

Red is a young boy who has a secret even he doesn’t know about. He wants to learn, but is a pain in the bum to the older characters in the story. 

Rhidian is an engineer who is self-obsessed with his work, until he realises what he’s lost and wants to mend his ways. 

Rebus is a wizard with only one goal in mind and he doesn’t care how he gets it.

If you could have one wish what would it be?

World peace and hoping everyone has a healthy life is too easy. I wish that I don’t lose my creativity.

What's your deepest fear?

Being buried alive! Having that thing that you’re clinically dead, but you’re alive and can’t do anything to stop it.

(Noooo not that. Anything but that!!!! This is my deepest fear too)

If I came to dinner what would you feed me?

My speciality – sausage and chips. Sorry if you are a veggie.  

Nope, not a veggie and I love sausage and chips. Maybe it's a valleys thing.

Which of your characters would you like to be sharing the dinner table with us?

Killian Spooks from my book Ghosted. He’s a supernatural and loves beer and pub food. He’d make great conversation and I would listen for hours.

Tell us in the character’s own words, what he/she would have to say about you.

Let me see. ‘You’re a great writer but you could have given me a girlfriend dude.’

Yours are a lot more polite than mine. 

What would they say (again in their own words) about themselves, and their story that will make us want to read about it?

‘I never thought I’d work alongside kids, that’s not my thing. But once I trained them up to fight against the enemies that awaited in the land of the dead – that gave me so much self belief.’

Which other fictional character(s) would you like to be present at the dinner party?

Ebenezer Scrooge. Skulduggery Pleasant. George Wells (Inventor of the Time Machine - HG Wells). China Sorrows (Skulduggery Pleasant books). Gollum. Crasmont (wizard from my book Wizards’ Kingdom).

I would definitely want to come to that dinner party.

What other authors would you say have either influenced your writing or you would like to emulate?

Definitely, Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book was totally inspirational. Kenneth Oppel is an amazing author and influenced my writing for Wizards’ Exile. Philip Pullman for his vision.

Which character from literature, would you most like to have invented?

Ebenezer Scrooge.

What do you prefer writing. A one off novel, a series or short stories?

I love writing novels, but short stories take on a life of their own and you can finish and just go on to the next one.

What kind of books do you read (if you have time to read)?

Mostly children’s and teen fantasy fiction. Sometimes a biography.

Where do you see yourself personally and professionally in 5 years time?

I would like to see myself still writing and cutting a career as a Youtuber.

Do you have any other projects in the offing we should look out for?

I’ve a book of short stories coming out in 2020. I’m editing a manuscript for a publisher as I write this. I have a half-done manuscript which a publisher is interested in.

Where can we find you?

Deep in the heart of one of my books! And my website:

www.colinrparsons.com

YouTube

Facebook.

Twitter

If you are anywhere near the Rhondda Valleys this coming weekend, then come and visit the book fair. I won't be there all day but I'll be popping in and there are plenty more exciting things going on. 

Facebook Event Page

GIVEAWAY Buchanan House Series - Charley Descoteaux

Kindle Countdown Deal: 8/27-9/02 

featuring all five books in the Buchanan House series!

Series Blurb:

Buchanan House, a queer retreat on the Central Oregon coast, welcomes everyone under the rainbow. A diverse group of characters touch each other’s lives—sometimes to stay, sometimes just while they’re needed—enjoying good food, friendship, and the chance for love. In a Buchanan House love story, family doesn’t always mean blood and everyone deserves a happily ever after.

Amazon Universal Series Link: http://mybook.to/BHSeries

 

Pre-order The Pinch of the Game, only at PayHip through 9/29!

PayHip Link: https://payhip.com/b/yRMF

Being a witch doesn’t mean one can beat the devil forever.

Jeffrey Overton, unemployed IT professional turned poker player, pushes his luck once too often and runs afoul of the host of an illegal card club. The man sent to escort Jeffrey to a “meeting” about his supernatural winning streak arrives at Jeffrey’s crappy North Portland apartment, lock-picking tools in hand and a charm to block Jeffrey’s magick.

Head muscle for said host, Mike Wells, is a Daisy from Daisyville. He isn’t a witch. What he lacks in magickal talent he makes up for in brawn, so he doesn’t expect the guy he’s after to overpower him. But once Mike renders Jeffrey helpless, he’d rather seduce him than bring him in.

Jeffrey and Michael ditch the “meeting” and end up hunting some of the same people they ran from, trying to get Jeffrey back into his own body. And that’s only part of the adventure. The pair travel halfway across the country on the quietest road trip in history and find missing people, empire-building witches, and maybe even the families they’d both thought lost to them.

Subscribe to Charley's newsletter and get a free ebook!

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Bio: 

Charley Descoteaux is the author of the Buchanan House Love Stories. Book One was a USA Today Must-Read Romance.

Charley has always heard voices. She was relieved to learn they were fictional characters, and started writing when they insisted daydreaming just wasn’t good enough. In exchange, they’ve agreed to let her sleep once in a while. Charley has survived earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods, but couldn’t make it through a single day without stories.

Why Writing Fantasy Is Awesome

I have never really thrown myself into the world of high fantasy. I've tended to focus on contemporary reality, even when including paranormal elements. In many ways my books, even those involving

VAMPIRES

ANGELS

FAIRIES

have been rooted very much in reality with the paranormal elements weaving themselves into everyday life, or at least as every day as you can get with the fey or shifters or vampires.

I've thought about writing fantasy for a long time. I love to read it after all. I hate the thought of being one-note in my writing and love to experiment with everything from setting to point of view to genre. I've dabbled in sci fi and toyed with paranormal but never committed myself all the way.

Then, an idea came to me and I ran with it. The result is not yet fully crafted but has been contracted with eXtasy as my first series.  I have a well-formed idea for three books, with possibly a fourth bubbling away in the back of my head. It's so new that, although I have named each book, I have no idea what to call the entire series. I'm hoping it will come to be soon.

Creating a world is, in itself, an exciting project. "Fairyland" is such a huge concept and has been written about so many times, it was a challenge to come up with new things. Thankfully, my twisted imagination and experience of living for more than fifty years in my own world, has come in handy in that department.

As usual, I started in the "real world" with a very ordinary sixteen-year-old boy and his ordinary friends, who are in the middle of their school exams. Tay has plans. He's going somewhere, although the last place he expected to go was Fairyland. This is a new take on the old trope of "Fairy prince sent to the human world to hide from demons". Tay takes his ordinariness into the other world, along with his best friend Caleb who's possessed by the very demons Tay was unknowingly hiding from. From there, he dodges assassins, makes powerful friends and tries desperately to come to terms with the fact that his parents were never his parents and his true family are fairies, people he's never met who expect him to slot into the role that should have been his. He's so lost he needs a map to find his way around his own head.

We follow as the strange new world unfolds, and my imaginations does crazy things to everyday animals and even inanimate objects. Feathered flying panthers, amphibious foxes, double-ended snakes and buildings that turn out to be sleeping dragons.

This is one of the places featured, where Tay meets the feathered panther with Wisp.

With images like that to work with, it's easy to let your mind go crazy about the wondrous creatures that might inhabit this place. Other things, like the skink wizard, are just plain crazy

The biggest challenge I've come up against is what the heck to name the series. I have names for the individual books - Willow's Way, Tay's Trials and Cale's Cunning, but what to call them all together?

Look out for Willow's Way coming soon (hopefully by the end of the year) from eXtasy to find out what I finally chose as the series name.

COVER REVEAL: V. J. Allison Away to Me

Hi everyone! V.J. Allison here. I’m so excited to show off the cover for my new book, Away to Me, which is Book 1 in the Tri-Town Series. It will be published by eXtasy Books later this year, so keep watching for it!

Many thanks to eXtasy Books/Devine Destinies cover artist Martine Jardin for her amazing work on the perfect cover. It’s so Nova Scotian, which is exactly what I wanted. I adore it!

The town in the background is Lunenburg, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home of one of the most famous schooners in Canada – The Bluenose II. The couple represents Neil and Kelsey perfectly… It’s amazing seeing them come to life for the first time. I’m so happy!

Before we do the big reveal, here’s some information about the book:

What would you do if you found out your late spouse wasn’t the biological parent of your stepchild as they had led you to believe? Would you let it go, in hopes the child wouldn’t go looking for their birth family, or would you help them in their search?

This is the dilemma Neil Falcon faced when he first discovered his late wife, Rita, wasn’t the biological mother of his teenage stepdaughter, Rikki.

His decision to look for her roots puts them on a path that leads them to a part of Neil’s past, one he thought was locked away forever.

Away to Me is about family, overcoming one’s troubled past, and finding that one special person to love forever.

Here it is, the gorgeous cover for Away to Me, Book 1 of the Tri-Town Series.

Away to Me

Book 1 of the Tri-Town Series

Tagline: Sometimes you have to go back to move forward…

“What doesn’t lie? The evidence.”

The evidence in front of Neil Falcon proved that his late wife wasn’t the birth mother of his stepdaughter, Rikki. If Rita lied to him about Rikki’s roots, what else did she hide from him?

The confused pair begin a search that leads them down a road that makes an unexpected backwards turn, to Neil’s past, and the woman who once held his heart.

Kelsey Wagner is shocked to see the man she once adored appear on her doorstep with claims that Rikki may be her biological child. After finding out her daughter wants her to be a part of her life, she agrees. With Neil’s help, Kelsey settles into the role of helping him raise their daughter.

Amidst the confusion of raising a teenage daughter and dealing with the antics of a mischievous corgi, the old feelings resurface.

They know their daughter wants them to become a family, but can they make it work?

Coming soon from eXtasy Books!

(Book 2 is currently “under production”, keep watching for updates on my blog!)

Away to Me on eXtasy Books website

About the Author

V.J. Allison was born and raised in southern Nova Scotia, Canada, and her work reflects her strong Maritime roots. She is a stay at home mother to a son on the autism spectrum, married to the love of her life, and “mama” to a rescued Maine Coon cat named Marnie.

She has been writing various stories of novel length and short stories since her school days, and sees writing as a vital component to her life.

When she isn’t writing, she loves to read romance and science fiction novels (notably Star Wars); listen to music (heavy metal, rock, alternative); watch various crime and forensic dramas; watch science fiction television shows and movies; and spend time with her large family and many friends.

This self-proclaimed geeky rocker chick is a warrior and advocate for various chronic illnesses including Occipital Neuralgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Diabetes, Migraines, and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia. She is also an advocate for the prevention of animal cruelty and is a voice for Autism Awareness.

Her first book, Stricken, was released by eXtasy Books on March 17, 2017, and has garnered positive reviews.

Website – eXtasy Books (profile) – Twitter – Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed (Blog) – Goodreads – Facebook Profile – Facebook Page – Romancing The Maritimes (Facebook Group)

*Special Thanks to Maggie Blackbird, Denise Wheatley, Cheryl Headford, and Taryn Jameson for doing the cover reveal for me. Y’all are amazing! Big hugs, and love to all of you!*

Writing Hints and Tips: Dialogue

Some people love writing dialogue. It comes easily to them. They are simply the scribe for the voices in their head, living the conversation and letting it flow onto the page. For others, it's not so simple, and even when your dialogue flows well there's no guarantee it's punctuated properly.

I am by no means an expert on dialogue in particular or grammar/punctuation in general, but I have picked up some tips along the way that I would like to share.

1. Listen to people. If you want to write dialogue with good flow, using age/class/area etc appropriate words, particularly slang or accent, there are no better teachers than the people themselves. Listen to the conversations going on around you - on the bus, in the restaurant, hanging around outside the liquor store, etc - and think about it. What words are they using? What kind of things are they talking about? How might the accent look on the page?

2. Following on from above be careful that the words you put in the mouths of your characters are appropriate for that mouth, that person. There is nothing more frustrating than to read a young character using words or phrases their grandmother might have been familiar with but have never, realistically, entered their head. When was the last time you heard a teenager say things like "atop", "unseemly", or "uncouth"? Unless they're members of the aristocracy in which case they use ancient language all the time.

3. Make sure the words used are appropriate to the setting. You won't hear British characters using words like "diaper", "sidewalk" "store" or "trunk"(of a car). Think about who your character is, where they're from, how old they are and what social class they belong to.

4. Consider names carefully. During your eavesdropping...er...research, notice how many times people use the name of whoever they're speaking to. Not often. You can spend a whole day with someone and say their name no more than a handful of times, if at all, and usually when you're calling them. It's particularly frustrating to read dialogue that's full of names. If you have to rely on dialogue to convey who is speaking to whom then dialogue is not your main issue.

5. Free up on the grammar. We don't always speak correctly, so get into the head of the character and if the character would say something that is not grammatically correct then be true to them when you write them.

6. Some punctuation tips

If dialogue ends with the end of a sentence, punctuate it as if it was the end of a sentence then start a new one.

"It's raining outside." She picked up the umbrella to keep dry.
"Is it raining outside?" She picked up the umbrella to keep dry.

If dialogue does not end with the end of a sentence, punctuate it with a comma, and continue with no capital.

"It's raining outside," she said, picking up the umbrella.
"Is it raining outside," she asked and picked up the umbrella.

The same thing applies at the other end. If the dialogue continues afterwards, then think about whether a new sentence is required or whether the bit in the middle simply interrupts a sentence.

"It's raining outside," she said, picking up the umbrella, "and I really don't want to get wet."
"It's raining outside," she said, picking up the umbrella. "I really don't want to get wet."

Dialogue that ends with things such as ellipses and dashes do not have any punctuation after them whether they end a sentence or not.

"It's raining outside and..." She sighed and picked up the umbrella.

7. Action tags. Try to avoid "he said", "she said" and be careful about adverbs (the "ly" words). It actually hurt me to say that because I love adverbs, but it's true. Instead of saying things like, "It's raining outside," she said miserably, picking up the umbrella." use an action tag. An action tag is simply a short sentence conveying an action or emotion. "It's raining outside." She thrust out her bottom lip and gave me than hangdog expression. "I'd better take the umbrella."

Not particularly inspiring examples of dialogue I know, but I hope you get the idea and have a little bit more confidence about writing good dialogue.

Note: I am not particularly good at punctuation generally. I'm confident that the specific comments regarding dialogue are correct, as for the rest...maybe not so much.

Wendy Rathbone. The Foundling Trilogy

I'm happy to announce all three books in The Foundling Trilogy are now live on Amazon and in KU! The third book just went live today!

#Billionaire, #amnesia, #organized crime, #romantic, #hurt/comfort, #tropical hot-hot, #happy ending

Great for summer reading! But have a cool drink or breeze on hand. These books are erotic.

"Rescue Me"

What do you do when you find an unconscious man floating on a raft in the middle of the Caribbean?

Rescue and fall in love with him, of course!

"Sacrifice Me"

What do you do when your beautiful new lover’s life is in danger and he wants to be bait to catch the enemy? You protect him with all your might.

"Remember Me"

What do you do when your memories return and the most horrific nightmare you can imagine is real?

You try to bury it. You try to run. But none of that works.

Your lover is rock solid. He is always there for you, but is it enough?

Book 1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TW2Y5Y2/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

Book 2 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V5RMGCT/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Book 3 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V78PWRT/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Remember+Me+Wendy+Rathbone&qid=1563171748&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

NEW RELEASE: UPSTAGED 4: ARIA

Buy Link

Due to a tad of miscommunication, we were taken by surprise with this release. It's out today guys! Head over to eXtasy and get your cope and find out what our boys are up to now. 

WARNING: This book contains serious issues of mental health and suicide. Also, there is some stereotyping of women with regard to taking over weddings.

Blurb

You think you’re holding someone close, but if you’re not paying attention, they could slip right out of your arms and fall.

Asher and Erik are getting married, but Asher isn’t happy about the pressure being put on him by their families and unwittingly by Erik himself. Issues that have plagued him for a long time come bubbling to the surface and threaten to overwhelm him. Although he cries out for help, no one hears; instead they write it off as Asher throwing a tantrum again. Only Angel sees the cracks, but it’s too much for him to handle on his own, although he tries.

The pressure builds, and even though there are breakouts, still no one sees the extent of the problem until the night before the wedding, when Asher is confronted by Erik in front of all their family and friends, and bolts.

Fortunately, Asher is rescued by Vince’s Uncle Tony, who makes him an offer he can’t refuse.

The Band heads off to London for a three-month tour, and not everyone is happy about it. Vince is stressed out and worried that Angel is not being entirely faithful. Should he say something? Then Connor meets an old friend, just when he starts having doubts about his relationship with Angel, and the fur starts to fly.

Will any of the couples survive?

Excerpt

“So, how’re the final touches on the wedding coming, guys?”

Erik waggled his eyebrows in mock horror. “For heaven sake, Vince. Don’t say the W word in front of Asher. He might explode…or kill someone.”

Asher punched him in the arm, none too gently, and scowled. “I told you from the very start this would get out of hand and we’d have been better off eloping. But no, Mr. Von Nordgren had to have his day in the spotlight. Not as if he doesn’t have enough of them. I knew damn well as soon as the women got their hands on it, things would get out of control.” He said women as if it was a swear word. “I feel like I’ve been catapulted into hell and surrounded by she-demons, constantly beating me over the head with seating plans and menus and flowers.” He shuddered. “Can you believe my mother actually believes she’s going to get me into a suit?”

“And so she will,” Daisy said, firmly. “It’s your wedding. You have to be smart.”

“What’s smart about wearing a suit? When have you ever seen me wearing a suit?”

“At Grandma’s funeral.”

“It wasn’t a suit. It was black slacks and a vintage jacket with silver buttons and—”

“It was close to a suit,” Daisy snapped, “and this time it’s your wedding.” She sat back as if the point was decided.

“And, because it’s my wedding, how about cutting me a bit of slack?” Asher growled back. “You’ve already blown every idea I’ve had about the stupid wedding right out of the water and if you really think—”

Daisy huffed. “Your ideas have been ridiculous. Who gets married at midnight in a cave with the officiant dressed as death?”

“I do,” Asher said grimly. “Or rather, I don’t.”

“We’ve reached compromises—”

“Compromises? You mean you’ve thrown me a few scraps, like agreeing to have the wedding in the evening, putting some black serviettes on the table, and going for red roses instead of white ones. Big deal. Well, I’m warning you, keep pushing me and you’ll be sorry. If you force that fucking suit on me, I’ll walk down the aisle in a dress.”

Vince nearly dropped his drink. “Oh gawd, Asher. I shudder to think what else you’d wear. You’re at the very least—er, how can I put it—shocking with what you choose to wear.”

Billy nodded. “Truth there, baby. You looked smokin’ hot at our wedding, but I can’t fathom what you’d wear to yours if you had the chance. Something toeing the line of legality, I’m sure.” He laughed. “Aw, Ash. You’re setting a bad example for Angel. That boy looks up to you, you know.”

“Tsk, tsk. Must behave now, mustn’t we?” Vince joked, catching the scowl Asher sent to Billy. 

Thankfully, Asher smiled and relaxed back into his seat. He was such a powder keg lately, and the last thing Vince wanted was a stand-up row. “You’re not the only ones, you know. Our mothers took 

over our wedding, and the hens clucked so damn much together over it they became best friends.” He chuckled, lost in memories.

“Sure did. How are yours getting along? Have you had much of a chance to help out, Daisy, or have the moms just hoarded it all?”

“Are you serious?” Asher said, still hyper. “She’s a fucking woman, of course she’s doing her bit to help. And as for our mothers…” He shuddered. “You’d swear they were twins separated at birth.”

“Whoa, there. Just simmer down, Asher.” Erik laid a hand on his arm.

Asher shook it off. 

Biographies

S.L. Danielson began writing at the age of six. She knew it was her calling from the moment she put pen to paper. In her teens, she began writing alternative works, and the genre stuck. She also wove more elaborate tales and finally, in her college years, began to weave her new love of male romance into long novels.

She is classically trained in business, accounting, and education, holding both undergrad and graduate degrees. Her other hobbies include painting, gaming, and spending time with her husband and two cherished cats.

Contact S.L. at:

ladyauthorsld@gmail.com

or follow her blog at:

www.ladyauthorsld.blogspot.com

Cheryl Headford was born into a poor mining family in the South Wales Valleys. Until she was sixteen, the toilet was at the bottom of the garden, and the bath hung on the wall. Her refrigerator was a stone slab in the pantry, and there was a black lead fireplace in the kitchen. They look lovely in a museum but aren’t so much fun to clean.

Cheryl has always been a storyteller. As a child, she’d make up stories for her nieces, nephews, and cousin, and they’d explore the imaginary worlds she created, in play.

Later in life, Cheryl became the storyteller for a re-enactment group who travelled widely, giving a taste of life in the Iron Age. As well as having an opportunity to run around hitting people with a sword, she had an opportunity to tell stories of all kinds, sometimes of her own making, to all kinds of people. The criticism was sometimes harsh, especially from the children, but the reward enormous.

It was here she began to appreciate the power of stories and the primal need to hear them. In ancient times, the wandering bard was the only source of news, and the storyteller, the heart of the village, keeping the lore and the magic alive. Although much of the magic has been lost, the stories still provide a link to the part of us that still wants to believe that it’s still there, somewhere.

In present times, Cheryl lives in a terraced house in the valleys with her son and two cats. Her daughter has deserted her for the big city, but they’re still close.

Website: http://cherylheadford.com/

Blog: http://nephylim-author.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nephylim.author/

The Upstaged Series also has it’s very own Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/Upstaged-153971548762625/

And if you want exclusive snippets, gossip, more information about the group and what our boys look like as Sims then you can have an exclusive Backstage Pass

June Newsletter (Received in July)

First, why am I sending out the June Newsletter in July? Answer: because it was mostly completed in June and I'm hopeful I will be able to get another one out in July with some more exciting news.

To enter the giveaway for June's newsletter, please comment below.

COMING SOON Upstaged #4 Aria

Upstaged is back for its fourth installment

Erik and Asher are getting married, but the pressure is getting to Asher and the lid is about to fly off the pressure cooker. 

Vince and Billy are celebrating a year of married life, but stresses of separation and new life are plucking at the seams of their relationship.

Connor and Angel are steaming forward, but one of them is pulling a little too far ahead.

The Von is on its way to stardom, but it's a bumpy ride for members and their partners. 

If you thought these guys had settled down and the angst level must be dropping by now, you're so wrong a whole different ballpark.

With the book in final line edits we're hoping for a release date at the end of this month or the beginning of the next. Keept watching this space or head over and get a Backstage Pass for news, views and snippets.