All her life Harmony Phillips has felt defective. Growing up in a paranormal community where magikal abilities come from the wavelengths of color, a color blind girl is worthless, and they haven't let her forget it. No one but her adoptive parents, Charlie a Were-Lion and Sarah a Witch, along with her best friend Tesch, a Siren, have ever given her an ounce of esteem. When a fit of outrage unlocks the color yellow to her eyes, Harmony passes out cold with shock over her eggs and accidentally glamours her nemesis Challen Parks into a cowardly golden retriever. As other colors unfold before her eyes, so do new abilities. Love and friendship get turned upside down as Harmony struggles to have faith in people, discovering they are not always as they seem. The misfit becomes the outlaw as she is once again different from everyone else. What began as joy turns to peril when the paranormal Council finds out she is more than a Witch, or a Were or a Fae... oh my.
For lots of fun games, q & a with the author and prizes head to the Facebook Party Event!
TITLE – The Borrowed Boyfriend
AUTHOR – Ginny Baird
GENRE – Romantic Comedy
PUBLICATION DATE – March 15, 2016
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 286 pages (print)
PUBLISHER – Winter Wedding Press
COVER ARTIST – Dar Albert
THE BORROWED BOYFRIEND
ISBN: (e-Book) 978-1-942058-14-4
ISBN: (Print) 978-1-942058-15-1
BOOK SYNOPSIS
A fun romantic comedy and a classic beach romance!
From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author GINNY BAIRD, a heartfelt and hilarious tale about two lost souls finding their way to each other.
Allison Murphy spends a week in March with the same group of girlfriends each year. What started as a college spring break tradition morphed into an annual reunion, ultimately encompassing boyfriends and husbands. Only Allison hasn’t brought along a love interest in years, inspiring the others toward goodwill efforts at fixing her up. Faced with the prospect of yet another beach week mismatched with a virtual stranger, Allison’s roommate Kate suggests a shocking alternative. Allison can “borrow” Kate’s handsome and successful boyfriend for the trip. The trouble is Grady O’Brien stands for everything romantic idealist Allison is against. He’s a ruthless businessman who will stop at nothing to get ahead. What Allison doesn’t understand is just how far Grady is willing to go…
Wine industry entrepreneur Grady O’Brien knows an opportunity when he sees one. Allison Murphy runs a boutique wine label design company, while Grady heads up a firm that buys those sorts of businesses out. When Grady’s girlfriend unexpectedly must attend a conference and their vacation plans are cancelled, she encourages Grady to accompany Allison to the beach instead. Grady agrees to participate in the ruse of playing Allison’s boyfriend with a secret agenda in mind. He hopes to pave the way for acquiring Allison’s Bella Fortuna Wines by winning favor with its pretty owner and her friends. The one thing Grady doesn’t count on losing in the bargain is his heart.
The waitress arrived speedily with their check and laid it on the table before hustling away to refill another customer’s coffee.
Grady was quick on the draw with his wallet.
“Here,’” Allison protested. “Let me!” But when she snapped open her purse it tipped sideways on the table then somersaulted onto the floor. Allison stared aghast at the mound of personal belongings that had landed on the carpet by her open bag that gaped wide like a landed fish. There in a heap were her wallet, a pack of tissues, lipstick, sunglasses, a chewing gum container, assorted wrappers, the ibuprofen bottle and…
“Eeek!” She dove onto the grimy carpet and got down on her hands and knees, scraping it all together.
Grady’s head dipped below the table. “Can I help you down there?”
Allison stared in mortification at the blatant box of condoms clutched in her hands, then tried to cover the label with her fingers. “Er, no thanks.”
Grady’s forehead rose. “Looks like you came prepared.”
“These aren’t mine!” she blubbered. “Actually, they’re yours!” Her face steamed. “For you!” That hadn’t come out right at all. What she meant was Kate had asked her to buy them for him, or for Kate and him! Oh, she didn’t know!
Grady grinned and her heart hammered.
“Sorry, Allison. I’m taken.”
CHARACTER BIOS
GRADY O’BRIEN – Wine Entrepreneur – Age 32
Tall, dark and sexy Grady O’Brien doesn’t play games that he can’t win. So when he signs up for a week of playing Allison’s fake boyfriend with a covert mission of taking over her company, he confidently predicts success. Of Irish decent and with slate blue eyes, Grady has faith in his powers of persuasion. He’s made a mint running a huge wine wholesaler, and keeps his 6 ft. 1 in. bod buff by restoring the 1920s Craftsman style house he bought and with rugged hiking and camping expeditions into the mountains. But beneath his tough exterior, Grady harbors an ultra personal secret—one that even his girlfriend Kate doesn’t know. Only the woman who can unlock it can find the way to his heart. Is it possible that person is someone who is his polar opposite? The totally free-spirited, disorganized and emotional Allison Murphy?
ALLISON MURPHY – Wine Label Designer and Small Business Owner – Age 29
Pretty and talented Allison Murphy has long blond hair, bright blue eyes and an artistic bent. She runs her own wine label design company, and due to some personal history has an extreme dislike of all things “big business.” This includes people like the very arrogant, yet admittedly hot, Grady O’Brien, who is obviously used to getting his way both on and off the job. Still, she’s in a pinch so agrees to let him play her boyfriend for the annual beach week she spends with her overly eager matchmaking girlfriends. They’re always trying to fix her up, but Allison doesn’t believe true love can be orchestrated that way. When the right guy comes along—as delivered by the fates—she’ll just know it. What Allison never expects is to find herself developing real feelings for the object of her pretend affections: the strong, sure and temptingly attractive Grady O’Brien.
AUTHOR BIO
NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling Author Ginny Baird has published novels in print and online and received screenplay options from Hollywood for her family and romantic comedy scripts. She writes heartwarming contemporary romance about single women facing everyday challenges. Known for featuring holidays and family themes in her work, Ginny frequently portrays the struggles of single parents or others who've given up on finding true love.
Ginny has two novella series, The Holiday Brides Series (holiday romance) and The Summer Grooms Series (summer romance), a Romantic Ghost Stories series (paranormal ghost romance), and additional single titles available. She is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling Author, a Top 10 Best Seller on Kindle, NOOK and iBooks, and a #1 Best Seller in several Romance and Women's Fiction categories. Visit Ginny's website www.ginnybairdromance.com to learn more about her and her books.
Interview
Where are you
from?
I
was born in Wilmington, Delaware, but raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. We
moved there when I was four, and I stay until graduating from high school.
Tell us your
latest news?
I’m
excited to have just finished a new romantic comedy novel, The Borrowed Boyfriend. This is my first time writing an Irish hero
(Grady O’Brien), and I had such fun with him, and his sweet Irish grandmother,
Abigail, who makes a few appearances. The Irish theme is fitting, since the
novel releases close to St. Patrick’s Day.
When and why
did you begin writing?
I
started writing poetry as a child and then wrote more in high school. By
college, I was writing for the weekly campus paper. I always knew I wanted to
write fiction, but it took me a while. I had to work a few day jobs to pay the
bills along the way first.
When did you first consider yourself a
writer?
Probably
when I got my first “paid” compensation for my writing. I had an article
published in a parenting journal and they sent me a check for something like
$20.00. I was so excited I took the whole family (husband and kids) out to
dinner… Er, yes, at a fast food restaurant. But, still! It was a moment.
What inspired you to write your first
book?
My
first romance novel was inspired by a trip to the Optometrist with my young
daughter. The glasses guy was very hot, and I decided he deserved a story! LOL.
That book, Real Romance, is about a
shy romance reader who meets the real-life hero of her dreams. She’s as blind
as a bat and meets him (you’ve got it…) while picking up her new eyeglasses.
Do you have a specific writing style?
My
writing style varies slightly, depending on whether I’m writing mysteries or
romantic comedy. The rom-coms have more physical comedy and laugh-out-loud
moments, whereas the mysteries involve a higher degree of suspense. In both types of writing, I include lots of
heartfelt emotion though.
How did you come up with the title?
I
was thinking of the phrase “something borrowed…something blue….” as it pertains
to weddings, and it occurred to me that borrowing someone’s boyfriend would be
something pretty novel. When Allison gets talked into borrowing her roommate
Kate’s boyfriend Grady for a week, in order to save face with her old college
friends, it presents a fun and unique hook.
Is there a message in your novel that
you want readers to grasp?
That
true love is out there… just not always in the places you expect to find it.
How much of the book is realistic?
Pretty
much all of it, particularly for those who have led adventuresome lives!
Are experiences based on someone you
know, or events in your own life?
Since
I’m such a klutz, I often include real-life things that have happened to me in
my books because I think they’re funny. There’s a scene in a restaurant between
Allison and Grady, where her purse tumbles onto the carpet and some of her most
personal (and embarrassing) items spill out. I had that moment on one of my
first dates with my husband. Fortunately, I lived to laugh about it!
What books have most influenced your
life most?
It’s
difficult to say which books have influenced me most, because I’m always the
most influenced by the books of the moment! Right now, I’m reading lots of
Sophie Kinsella (not her Shopaholic books, but the stand-alones), and I can’t
get enough of her British sense of humor. She is truly a stellar writer.
If you had to choose, which writer would
you consider a mentor?
Sophie
Kinsella. J
What would you
like my readers to know?
That
I’d love for them to sign up for my newsletter! I’m now offering monthly prizes
to my subscribers. They can find the sign up link and a complete prize list at
my web site here:
TITLE – BELOVED ENEMY
SERIES (& Book #) – THE DESTINY TRILOGY (Volume III)
AUTHOR – HYWELA LYN
GENRE – SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE
PUBLICATION DATE – 11TH March 2015
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - Page Count: 266 Word Count: 69,380
PUBLISHER – THE WILD ROSE PRESS
COVER ARTIST – RAE MONET
NOTE - Can be read as ‘Standalone’
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Cat Kincaid is obsessed with killing the man she believes is responsible for the torture and death of her sister, but when she eventually catches up with him, survival becomes a greater priority than revenge.
Kerry Marchant, haunted by memories, regret, and self-blame, shields himself from the pain of the past by committing himself totally to the starship, Destiny, of which he is part owner. However, the beautiful, red-haired woman who reminds him of his lost love, and who he suspects is working for a corrupt regime, represents a possible threat not only to the ship, but to his heart.
Marooned on an inhospitable planet, they need to work together to stay alive, fighting not only unknown assailants, but their growing attraction. But how can they learn to trust each other when he has vowed never to get close to a woman again, and she made a solemn pledge to destroy him?
Before she could activate the weapon, Kerry let off another barrage of plasma bolts into the river. He leapt toward her and ripped the severed tentacle from her leg. It flapped around on the wet grass. She scrambled to her knees, still slightly winded, and fired at the hideous thing. The foliage around it flared briefly with an eerie green flame, and the tentacle shrivelled into a slimy black mass, emitting a pungent odour and causing her to gag.
“It seems I was mistaken about the creature being dead.” Kerry prodded the smouldering mass with his boot and looked across over the water. “It is now.” He leaned down and grasped her wrist to haul her to her feet. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Her shoulder was sore and probably bruised but she’d live.
She tried to control her shivering. The incident affected her more than she wanted to admit. Kerry’s proximity—naked to the waist, his lithe body shining from the water droplets that still clung to his skin, and his legs swathed in tight black leather—did nothing to help. The last thing she wanted was for him to realize how scared she’d been when she thought a snake attacked her.
“Thanks. That was close. It would have been a bit ironic if I’d been killed by the same creature I saved you from.”
She realized he still grasped her wrist. She tried to move away, but he pulled her back, obliging her to turn to him.
“You’re trembling.”
“I’m fine.”
“No,” he said. “You’re not.” He pulled her closer and his eyes softened, his gaze holding her mesmerized. She opened her mouth to try to speak, but in the same instant, he put his hand under her chin and his lips closed over hers.
CHARACTER BIOS
KERRY MARCHANT - By nature something of a ‘loner’, as a young boy, Kerry nevertheless formed a strong friendship with Jon Quinlan. This friendship continued through adulthood, although both were from vastly differing backgrounds, Kerry having been raised as an orphan and Jon being the son of a family possessed of enormous wealth.
Disillusioned by a vastly overpopulated and oppressed Earth, and combining Kerry’s computer skills, intellect and brilliant astrophysical knowledge, together with Jon’s limitless funds and leadership skills and contacts, they designed and built a magnificent exploratory starship, The Destiny. They assembled a crew of like-minded individuals and left earth to escape the tyranny of The Global Union of Earth and Allied Planets.
His role as second-in-command of the Destiny suits Kerry perfectly and although on good terms with the rest of the crew, Jon remains the only person Kerry feels he can really relate to. Never one to reveal his innermost feelings he is now even more withdrawn and morose, blaming himself for the loss of Jestine Darnell, the young woman with whom he fell in love, and who still haunts his memories. Cat Kincaid is a lovely, red haired complication he had not counted on and would prefer to do without – except that there is something about her that, despite his better judgement, he finds tantalizingly attractive and intriguing.
CAT KINCAID - Independent and single minded. Cat has learnt to trust no one and to rely on her wits to survive. Raised on Earth with her only sister, her comfortable life was turned upside down when her father deserted them.
After several years in space, she has things in her past, secrets, which it would be dangerous to reveal, and one in particular which she has made a solemn promise to keep safe and to protect with her life, rather than allow it to fall into the wrong hands.
Having been betrayed by a man she thought she could rely on, she has sworn never to let another close enough to break her heart again. There is one man, however, who she has sworn to track down and confront – the man responsible for her sister’s death. When she finally meets the handsome, blue eyed man she seeks, she is confused by conflicting emotions which have nothing to do with revenge.
AUTHOR BIO
Hywela Lyn most of her life in Wales and the beautiful countryside and legends did much to insire her writing. Although she now lives in a small village in England, she is very proud of her Welsh heritage and background.
Her pen name is a combination of her first two names - 'Hywela’ is Welsh and her first name but it was never used and she has always been called by her second Christian name, Lyn, so she thought it was time ‘Hywela’ got an airing.
A hopeless romantic, she enjoys weaving romantic tales of the future, and distant, mysterious worlds, and one thing remains constant in her writing: The power of love. Love, not only between her heroes and heroines, but between friends and siblings, and for their particular world and the creatures that share it. This reflects her love of all animals, especially horses. She lives with her long suffering husband, Dave, and has two horses, a feral cat and an adopted lovable but slightly manic terrier called Choccy. (whose name also reflects her love of chocolate!)
Hywela Lyn’s debut novel, 'Starquest', a futuristic romance was published by The Wild Rose Press who also published her second book in the Destiny Trilogy, 'Children of the Mist'. ‘Beloved Enemy’ which continues the Destiny series is released on March 11th by the same publisher.
but what happens in Vegas might be more than the lovers bargained for!
Oksana must transform herself from victim to confident choreographer and producer of the sexy Las Vegas show she’s always dreamed of creating. Primo, who loves her, is with her all the way, risking his own life in a deadly grudge fight to finance the show. Will Oksana rediscover the passionate soul she learned to hide, or will the dark realities of her recent trauma drag her down, pulling the lives of her loved ones along with her?
Tania knew she was in love with Cole a few days after they met. They love hanging out, having fun, and working together to help Tania’s sister Oksana develop a successful show. They also love exploring the electrifying edges of desire together. So what will it take for Cole to say those three little words, “I love you?”
Daniella didn’t plan to fall for Jack, but she can’t stop thinking about the crazy, sexy times they’ve shared. He’s into fast, edgy living and so much fun – but is he ready to ditch the Peter Pan act and be her Number One?
What none of them know is that an old enemy lurks in the background, waiting for the right moment to take his revenge.
A lover not a fighter now, he felt her relax as his hungry lips kissed her there, and there, and THERE, the sweet magical kisses driving her insane as she writhed beneath him.
Skin browned by the Nevada sun, his thighs clenched while he moved this way and that under the shower.The raunchy glance they exchanged made him smile as she approached, and he kept the water running, pulling her into a big, wet hug from behind.
- EXCERPT -
OKSANA’S MOUTH FELL open and she grabbed Primo’s arm, squealing with excitement when she saw the retro pink Cadillac convertible parked just outside the tavern.
Aretha’s Pink Cadillac played on the car stereo and the driver, dressed in a sparkly Elvis costume, held the car door open. “Oh, my God, this is just… I cannot believe you remembered!”
Sitting on top of the backseat as they drove away, Oksana waved goodbye to Tania and the gang like a beauty queen in a parade.
She’d shown Primo a magazine picture of a pink Caddy exactly like this one when they flew here from London. In the photo, a smiling, wind-blown couple drove the jazzy old car down the Vegas Strip, which was lit by the massive digital billboards of the hotels lining Las Vegas Boulevard. “That is my fantasy of Las Vegas,” she’d said, and he laughed and started kidding her about it,busting her chops about the traffic, the noise, and the other tacky realities of the famous Strip. But here he was, making her fantasy come true, his arm around her shoulders as they snuggled together on the cushy backseat.
That was one of the great things about these big old cars—they had those broad bench seats, big enough for… well… anything.
Apparently Bruce Springsteen wrote Pink Cadillac, and the Boss’s sexy croon was next on the playlist while the driver navigated back streets to avoid some of the constant traffic.
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR: KARA KEEN -
After a career in public relations and advertising, I got tired of writing half-truths and decided to write the whole truth – love is all you need!
When I read Sylvia Day’s Bared to You, I started devouring romance novels and began fantasizing about my own characters and writing down their sexy thoughts and encounters.
After writing Captain’s Orders and developing four other novels, I can now look forward to embarrassing my family by writing hot stories about the many ways men and women get together.
You can visit my website and learn much more than you ever wanted to know about me at www.KaraKeen.com.
Interview
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? In high school, I wasn’t much of an athlete and I sucked at flirting. I could whip up a killer essay though, and that led to being part of the newspaper/yearbook crowd. Needless to say, I graduated high school a virgin.
How long does it take you to write a book? I’m picking up speed – my first novel took 18 months, the second one a year, and the novella currently at my editor took six months.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing? Much of writing doesn’t involve typing and doesn’t look like writing – it takes place all the time, especially (for me) while exercising in the mornings. So though my “golden hours” for words on the paper are between 3 and 8, thinking happens all the time.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I start out with characters and some kind of a setting or “hook,” but I have no idea where it’s all going. Direction appears like a deer in headlights.
How do books get published? These days, books are often self-published and acquire their own fan base. To get on Amazon’s “if you like this, you’ll like that” list, you have to write more than one book, preferably a series. I’m in the process of building up that series. To get picked up by a traditional publisher, it helps to know someone or meet and impress an editor personally at a conference. But many authors make more money without a publisher.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? Captain’s Orders takes place on a cruise ship and I have actually taken the trip described in the novel (no hot twin captains on the real ship though). I’ve been to Vegas many times for conventions and I’ve seen many of the Cirque-style shows like the one I describe in Romancing Vegas.
When did you write your first book and how old were you? I started out as a journalist, then worked for a publisher, then went into public relations and advertising. I wrote my first two books, both nonfiction, ten years ago.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? I love hanging out with family, traveling with my husband (we are museum and musical theater geeks), and I cross-train at the gym five mornings most weeks. I’m not the fittest person there, but I’m consistent.
What does your family think of your writing? My family thinks it’s awesome but the kids don’t want to talk about the sexy stuff.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? Characters actually do become real to you while you’re writing them. You think, oh she would never say that, and delete.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? Two books of nonfiction and three novels, no favorite.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? Sit in the chair and do it! Read a lot. Look for some other writers to get useful feedback from. Hire a professional editor if you’re self-publishing.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say? I’ve heard mostly from the happy people who really love the world I’ve created. I do get the occasional ‘meh.’
Do you like to create books for adults? Yes, I have no ambition to write children’s books.
What do you think makes a good story? A good story 1) keeps you turning the pages and 2) teaches you something about life.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? A dancer, a movie star, a mommy and Lois Lane.
What Would you like my readers to know? In this age of short attention spans, thank you readers for reading books! We love that you get off Instagram, Twitter and Facebook long enough to read a wonderful story.
We hope you enjoyed experiencing a little of the historic Pony Express trail as one of its riders helps a lady to get to California! If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out now...
What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?
I hope readers take away that we can each do hard things; that we don’t have to let others’ imposed stereotypes have sway in our lives or our hearts. Also, no matter where we are, the Lord is aware of us.
"So, this is now my favorite book in the Love Inspired line. . . . Lots of action and adventure kept the pace moving and I couldn't put the book down. Highly recommend!"
"With its epic scope and beautiful writing, The Express Rider's Lady ranks among the best of Love Inspired books that I've ever read. I’m glad to have discovered the writing of Stacy Henrie."
"I enjoyed the descriptions and characters in this sweet historical story. I've always been a bit fascinated with the Pony Express and how their system worked. Imagining the speed, danger, and dedication these riders experienced is exciting and I loved getting a taste of that."
"This book is pretty much close to perfect. . . . Stacy does an amazing job in writing this era. The setting itself is a character. I really enjoyed this book."
"A great read and page turner. I did not want to put the book down. I had to see of the Pony Express could pull this off. The characters work well together and a nice sweet story."
"As the characters encounter situations both perilous and mundane, they must learn to work together. . . . I enjoyed the banter between the characters, too. The story has a strong faith element, hidden behind the scenes."
"I loved this book. The story was great, and moved along at a good clip. . . . I would definitely read this again, and highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical romance. Hopefully you will love Delsie's grit, and Myles character just like I did."
Myles Patton is a rider for the newly created Pony Express, riding the trail from St. Joseph, Missouri to Guittard’s home station in Kansas and back. And while he has a way with horses, his people skills are a bit lacking. . . . the more Delsie learns to handle herself in the saddle and on the trail, her confidence begins to grow. She’s stronger than she ever thought she was—and her feelings for Myles are growing stronger too.
"The Express Rider’s Lady by Stacy Henrie is such an endearing, heart-warming romance with adventure and the lure of the wild west! . . . Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was easy for me to get lost in their adventure. I honestly didn’t want to stop reading! If you enjoy inspirational romance, than I highly recommend you get a copy of this book.
"The premise was not one I had heard of before and, while it did seem a little far fetched, it was fun and interesting. I liked Delsie's determination to make things right with her sister and her willingness to do most anything to make it happen."
"This has to be one of the best Love Inspired books I've read to date. The Express Rider's Lady is just my type of story: a Western journey with a delightful mixture of humor, peril, and tender romance. I truly enjoyed the adventure!"
I Am A Reader - Five Reasons to Date a Pony Express Rider
Adventurous Spirit
Express riders had to be adventurers at heart. To face what they did daily, in order to deliver the mail, they must have thrilled at the prospect of conquering danger over and over again. They didn’t observe life from the safety of the sidelines—they threw themselves into the fray and made a name for themselves that has endured.
"Like all good romance stories, this one is full of sweet moments and crazy moments too. The trip has a lot of action and the characters are ones you will fall in love with while you are reading. I love the ending of the story! If you’re a fan of clean, Christian romance, you will definitely love The Express Rider’s Lady."
Mel's Shelves - Five Reasons Why Being a Pony Express Rider Was the Ultimate in Adventure Professions
With only a trusty steed and a pistol or two for companions, Express riding was not for the lonely or afraid. Riders would spend hours in the saddle, only encountering people at stops every twelve to twenty miles, and then for just a few brief minutes as the mail saddle was thrown onto the back of a fresh mount. A number of riders were also orphans with little or no family waiting for them back at their home base.
"Stacy Henrie did a fantastic job of giving her characters depth and humanity. Their stories unfold gently and I felt like I was right there getting to know them. . . . I really loved this book. It was a great western historical fiction."
"Pony Express Map William Henry Jackson" by William Henry Jackson - Illustration: William Henry Jackson, American artist. Text: Howard Roscoe Driggs. Scan: US Library of CongressPhoto image obtained/rendered by Gwillhickers. Restoration by Crisco 1492. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.
I used a hard copy map, one which included the entire Pony Express trail on it, to mark where Delsie and Myles would be stopping each night. Not only did this help me know which home stations they would be lodging in, but I was also able to see which prominent settlements or landmarks they would pass by on a given day. All the stations mentioned in the book were actually used by the Pony Express.
"A truly sweet historical with some surprising twists and turns. . . . If you are looking for an exciting and romantic reading escape into the Old West days gone by, you should definitely check out Stacy Henrie's appealing story The Express Rider's Lady."
"This was a beautifully written story that involves a lot of adventure, trust, love and experiencing the unknown. . . . Anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction with adventure and romance should read this book. You will love it! "
"The Express Rider’s Lady by Stacy Henrie not only provides a sweet romance but also gives readers a compelling glimpse into the perilous conditions once common to cross terrain we now take for granted. Smooth writing, vivid settings, and heartstopping action bring the characters and the history to life. A quick read, as typical to the Love Inspired line, but very entertaining!"
"Pony-express-joseph". Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Commons.
Delsie Radford, the heroine of THE EXPRESS RIDER’S LADY, must travel from Missouri to California in just eighteen days if she wants to be to her sister’s wedding. But would such a feat have been possible?
"This is a slightly predictable, but heart-wrenching, story with enough twists and adventure to keep the reader's attention. It also teaches a few good lessons on misconceptions most experienced in life."
The Express Rider's Lady
by Stacy Henrie
Adult Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 288 pages
February 9th 2016 by Love Inspired
Westward Wedding Journey
Delsie Radford is going to make it to California, no matter the danger or difficulty. Her father may have kept her and her sister apart, but Delsie refuses to miss her sister's wedding—even with only eighteen days to get there. And she's found the perfect escort in Pony Express rider Myles Patton.
Myles can't believe it when a pretty socialite hires him to take her cross-country through rough terrain and dangerous territory. Surely she'll quit before they reach their destination—he's known girls like her before. But the longer they ride together, the more Myles notices Delsie's toughness and kindness beneath her polished exterior. And though they may be worlds apart…they might just be perfect for each other.
Stacy Henrie has always had a love for history, fiction, and chocolate. She earned her B.A. in public relations before turning her attentions to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances. Wife of an entrepreneur husband and a mother to three, Stacy loves to live out history through her fictional characters. In addition to author, she is also a reader, a road trip enthusiast, and a novice interior decorator.
$50 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally) Print copy of The Express Rider's Lady(US only) ebook of The Express Rider's Lady(open internationally)
Ends February 19th
TITLE – Her Dream Lover
SERIES – The Darkest Legion Series
AUTHOR – Siren Allen
GENRE – Paranormal Romance
PUBLICATION DATE – October 21, 2015
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 117,000 words
PUBLISHER – Driven Independent Media
COVER ARTIST – Classy Designs
EDITOR – Gina Fiserova
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Every time she closes her eyes, he’s there…waiting for her.
Working night shift at a mental hospital was never Brandi Connelly’s dream job, but in order to pay her grandmother’s medical bills she’s willing to do whatever she has to. Her new job seems like a piece of cake, there is only one thing keeping her from enjoying it – Draken Barrand, a patient.
Thoughts of her patient haunt her night and day and she’s too embarrassed to tell anyone about the strange dreams she’s having about him. Partly because she’s afraid they will think she’s crazy…mostly because the things that go on while she’s sleeping make her blush.
As the nightly visions become all too real she’s afraid they’re not dreams at all. If these nightly fantasies are real, that means everything her dream lover has told her is real, which means that the little mating ritual she so excitedly participated in was real. Soon she will change into a demon and there’s nothing she can do about it.
Claimed and marked, she now belongs to a creature of the night. There’s just one upside to this – he’s trapped behind the walls of a mental institution. That means she has time to figure out a way to stop the change… well, she would’ve had time, if her mate hadn’t broken out of his cell.
He’s tired of being alone.
Draken Barrand is determined to claim his mate. There’s just one problem - he’s unlawfully trapped behind the walls of a mental institution. The only way he can reach her is through her dreams, where he claims her and marks her as his own. But his mate’s life is threatened when the Leader of his Legion finds out about his unlawful mating.
Will Draken be able to break free of his cell in time to save his woman? If he does, will she finally accept him as the man of her dreams and her reality?
Though his demon couldn’t fully emerge, Draken still pulled back and stared down at his woman. She blinked up at him. The lust she felt showed in her expression. He wanted to satisfy her, wanted to slate her lust then tease her body until it returned.
“Why did you stop? I didn’t want you to stop.”
BOOK SOUNDTRACK /AUTHORS PLAYLIST
Check out the songs that inspired many of the scenes from Her Dream Lover.
CHARACTER BIOS
Draken Barrand:
Trapped in a mental institution, Draken has never experienced the outside world. There's been no first kiss for him, no first job, no first crush. The poor demon hasn't even tasted chocolate before. All of that changes when he meets Brandi. With new sensations coursing through his body, he's determined to claim her. First, he has to break out of the psych ward. Second, he has to learn to calm his inner beast. Both man and beast want a taste of Brandi. They refuse to let an annoying thing like cell bars and demonic rules keep them away from her.
Brandi Connelly:
Curvy with a hint of sass, Brandi has spent most of her life hiding in the shadows. Picked on as a kid because she was a little heavier than the popular girls, Brandi believed she would never meet a man who would appreciate her, curves and all. To her surprise, she finds that and more in Draken Barrand. Too bad he's a patient in the psych ward. Oh yeah, and he's a demon. Go figure. Did I mention she's his mate?
Josphe Barrand:
He's the Leader of the Legion. He doesn't have time for love, friends or even family. The only thing on his mind is getting the job done. He's willing to kill to make sure he achieves his goal. The only thing in his way is his cousin Draken and Draken's new mate. But they won't be in his way for long. Killing them will be easy. Or so he thinks...
AUTHOR BIO
Siren Allen is a writer and lover of all things erotic and romantic. She resides in southern Mississippi where she writes steamy romances that are guaranteed to make you blush. When she’s not listening to the characters in her head and jotting down their adventures, she’s busy working as a Clinical Laboratory Technician.
Her weekends are spent writing and having sleepover’s for her wonderful nieces and nephews. She loves to travel, preferably with her husband, so he can do all of the driving. She enjoys time with her family, who are just as silly as she is. She doesn’t have any children…yet!
Her hobbies are reading, writing and shopping, though she hates trying on clothing. If she wasn’t a writer or a Laboratory Professional, she swears she would be a Secret Agent. But that’s the beauty of being a writer; you can create your own world and be whoever you want to be. In her imaginary world she is Queen and her siblings are her minions.
I’m a southern gal, born and raised in Mississippi.
Tell us your latest news?
Well, I have a new release titled Her Dream Lover that is available now on Amazon. I will also release a short horror story called, DAWN, next month under my pen name M’Renee Allen. And, I’m working on a steamy sci-fi romance series that I can’t wait to share with you all. So, yeah, I’ve been very busy.
When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always loved reading and writing. Ever since I was young I’ve wanted to write a book. I started in high school, but didn’t take it serious until about three years ago.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think it was when I saw my first book cover with my name on it. It was an amazing feeling.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I just decided to take a chance. At first, I was nervous that no one was going to like it and that it wouldn’t sale. My husband told me to push those fears to the side and do it. So I guess you can say my hubby inspired me. However, let’s not tell him that. His head is already big enough.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I love writing from multiple point of views. Some people frown at that, but I think it’s awesome. I also love reading books that are written that way.
How did you come up with the title?
With Her Dream Lover, it was easy because the hero is the heroine’s dream lover. He seduces her in her dreams before they finally meet in reality.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The heroine in Her Dream Lover is curvy. I want readers of all shapes and sizes to know that their beautiful no matter what their size is. My heroine, Brandi, struggles with her weight, she lacks confidence. Of course, her mate loves her the way she is. However, I didn’t want her to start loving herself simply because a man said she was sexy. I wanted her to love herself because SHE believed she was sexy and by the end of the book, she does.
How much of the book is realistic?
Um, I would say 50 percent. It’s a paranormal romance so it’s created from my wild imagination. However, it takes place in Chicago Illinois, so the city is real, the locations are real but the characters and their powers are pure fiction. But, I hope it feels real to the reader.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
No, but I do wish I knew a sexy demon who would haunt my dreams.
What books have influenced your life most?
There isn’t a book that has influenced my life. My life, my goals, my dreams have all been influenced by my parents.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Kresley Cole, she’s my favorite writer and I love how she brings her characters to life.
What would you like my readers to know?
I hope they enjoy reading Her Dream Lover as much as I enjoyed writing it. Book two is coming soon! And thanks for having me.
GIVEAWAY PRIZES
Ecopy of The Makeover by Monica Garry-Allen
Ecopy of Christmas Confusion by Monica Garry-Allen
Ecopy of Mercy by Anne Bikov
Ecopy of Lovers Unchained by Siren Allen
Ecopy of Tease Me, Taste Me by Synful Syren
Ecopy of One Night With A Succubus by Synful Syren
Ecopy of Ruined Innocence by Melinda De Ross
Ecopy of Be My Valentine by Melinda De Ross
