Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Bridesmaids' Tales and the release of ROCK SOLID by Lisa Olech!

I'm thrilled, thrilled, thrilled to be hosting Lisa Olech today, with a post about being a bridesmaid and in celebration of her new release, Rock Solid, Book II in her Stoddard Art School Series out NOW from The Wild Rose Press! Whoot! The floor is yours, hon! Take it away!

~ * ~

Fall in New England is one of the most beautiful times to get married. It seems everywhere I turn there is a wedding going on. Backyard, harvest-themed. Elegant autumnal events. Stunning scenic spectaculars. And no matter whether the bride is wearing the latest Marchesa gown, or sporting cowboy boots, there is one common element…BRIDESMAIDS.

Something happens to a woman when she’s planning her wedding. For some reason she feels the need to rope all of her friends into her madness. Sisters, cousins, old college roommates, BFF’s, none are immune! Have you seen some of those hideous bridesmaid dresses? I’ve been in several weddings, and thankfully the brides have behaved themselves and not asked me to wear anything with a huge butt bow, but I was always told the same thing…oh, you’ll be able to shorten this and wear it as a cocktail dress! Never happens! That dress you paid way too much money for in a color that only looks good on the mannequin will end up in the back of the closet along with their matching shoes, parasol, and hats.

There are tales of brides using their maids as wedding staff. “Volunteering” them to spend hours stuffing Jordan Almonds into little bags or hand-lettering three hundred and fifty place cards or plucking roses apart an hour before the wedding so the flower girl has something to scatter. How about that bride with the frothy princess skirt that fills the aisle and trails behind her for yards? Who do you think holds all that tulle while the bride uses the ladies room?

In my new book, Rock Solid, my heroine, Emily Baskins is coerced into being Bridesmaid #6 for her ex-boyfriend’s wedding. The bride actually asks her to wear platform shoes and a wig so she won’t ‘stick out’ in the parade of tall, willowy brunettes the bride has purposely chosen to accompany her down the aisle.

What about you? Have you been a bridesmaid? Worn a butt bow? I’d love to hear your stories of weddings gone wrong. I’m not going be a spoiler and tell you what happens to Emily. You’ll have to read that for yourselves!

MAXIMO VEGA is a “rock” star! The media proclaimed him 'The Sculptor for the New Generation,' but he’s a reclusive artist ensnared by fame. Driven and intense, his isolation only adds to his mystique. Couple that with his smoldering good looks and rich Italian accent… Fans sigh his name.

EMILY BASKINS is a gifted graduate student at the Stoddard School of Art. To land an internship at the Vega Studio is her golden ticket. All she has to do is follow the rules. And stay out of trouble. Two things Emily has never been able to do.

As Max becomes trapped in the glare of the limelight, he discovers his greatest muse. He teaches Emily to breathe passion into clay and give marble a soul. But is their fiery relationship as rock solid as they believe? Or will a lie shatter the illusion?
 
~ * ~
 

Maximo Vega gathered his composure. He wore a black T-shirt, gray across the shoulders with dust, worn jeans, and heavy boots under a thick leather apron that reached to his knees. Hanging his head and bracing his hands on his hips, he was a study in frustration. The sleeves of his shirt hugged defined muscles of steely arms. And his hands…they were artist’s hands. Sculptor’s hands. Beaten by stone and scarred by tools. They spoke of years of rugged, blistering work
He was tall. His shadowed jaw, rigid with anger, cut sharply against the tanned column of his neck. Maximo slapped the chisel on his leathered thigh. “I pay you. You find me good hands! Not idiota!”
“I’m sorry, Maximo. He’s gone. You’ll never have to work with him again.”
“Good.”
The great artist’s gaze slid over Emily. His eyes stopped at the white-knuckled hold she had on the large black portfolio.
He waved a hand toward her. “What are you?”
Emily’s throat slammed shut.
“A new intern possibly,” offered Dante. “She’s here from the Stoddard School of Art.”
Deep brown eyes the color of rich coffee, no cream, speared her beneath frowning brows. He flipped his hand toward the portfolio. “Come. Show me.”
Emily shot a look to Dante. He gave her a tiny nudge, like a parent pushing a frightened child toward Santa’s lap.
“Come, come, come.” He snatched the portfolio from her numb fingers, unzipped it and laid it open across a crowded worktable. He used the rag in his hand to wipe the sweat from his lip as he flipped through photos and sketches of her latest works.
“Nice. Hmm. No.” A nod for this one. A shake of the head for another. “Yes. This one is good. Good.”
He looked away from her sketches and gave her a hard stare before looking down the full length of her and back again in a slow appraisal. Emily released the breath she was holding.
“Let me see your hands.”
She held them out and he grasped her wrists and examined first her palms before turning them over. “Cold,” he said just loud enough for her to hear.
The smell of the heat of his body and the spice of soap drifted past her.
“Nervous.”
He lifted a quick eyebrow. “Good.”
~ * ~
AMAZON / B&NTWRP (E-BOOK) / TWRP (PAPERBACK)
 
Lisa A. Olech is an artist/writer living in her dream house nestled among the lakes in New England. She loves getting lost in a steamy book, finding the perfect pair of sexy shoes, and hearing the laughter of her men. Being an estrogen island in a sea of testosterone makes her queen. She believes in ghosts, silver linings, the power of a man in a tuxedo, and happy endings.



You can find her at:  www.lisaolech.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lisa.A.Olech.Writer
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LisaOlech

Monday, October 6, 2014

Secret of the Souls by Terri Rochenski is HERE!



Secret of the Souls, the second and final installment of the Pool of Souls series by Terri Rochenski is now available!

Pool of Souls #2
By: Terri Rochenski
Release Date: October 6, 2014
Publisher: J. Taylor Publishing
Target Reader: Adult
Keywords: Fantasy

Thrust out of their homes by a human High Priest on a vengeful mission, the Natives of Derlund no longer have a place to call their own. One escaped capture, however, and now she, Hyla, is the only one who can save her people.

For, Hyla, though, saving her nation isn’t her ultimate goal—returning to the Pool of Souls is. Becoming its Guardian and preserving their faith is her heart’s desire. The perils of her current journey, though, could leave her unable to fulfill that dream.

To find her way back to the Pool, Hyla must live among dangerous, powerful humans willing to defend the Natives, and must submit herself—her Talents—to them. While her protection is paramount, plots to end Hyla’s life will push her to her physical and emotional limits.

On the edge of sanity, her courage tested, and convictions nearly broken, Hyla’s final test of loyalty to her faith comes with the death of one she could have loved.
Purchase Links:
 
PAPERBACK:
 
E-BOOK:
 

~~~oOo~~~
In celebration, Eye of the Soul, Pool of Souls #1, is on sale for only .99 cents from now until October 17th!

Escape. 
That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason. 

Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people.

Or so she believes.

Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.

Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on. 

Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost.

Forever.
~~~oOo~~~
Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling.

Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
Tour Schedule
GIVEAWAY!!
Grand Prize:  Grand Prize – Signed copies of EotS & SotS, EotS notebook & pen, and SotS mug
Second Prize:  2 nd Prize – Ecopie of EotS & SotS
Enter Rafflecopter:
No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Terri Rochenski.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Rachel Brimble Visits Tattered Pages!

I'm thrilled beyond the stratosphere to be hosting Rachel Brimble today, who brings with her a sneak peek inside TWO of her latest historical romances! Read on and enjoy! Whoot!

Seduction is a wicked game, and no one plays it better than the devilish Will Samson in Rachel Brimble's captivating new novel.

Since girlhood, Emily Darson has accepted that she will marry Nicholas, the son of her father's trusted business partner. The marriage contract safeguards her family legacy, Emily's fortune, and everything she values--except her independence. Only when a sinfully handsome scoundrel enters her life does Emily realize quite how much a loveless match will cost her.

Will Samson has advanced from expert pickpocket to confidence trickster of the highest caliber. Now he has come to Bath to exact vengeance on the man who destroyed his mother--the man Emily will soon marry. But from his first glimpse of the enemy's bewitching, spirited fiancée, Will's plan changes.

Amid the ballrooms and salons of elegant society, heated glances explode into scandalous kisses. Revenge is sweet, but surrender will be irresistible. . .


Laura Robinson has always been dazzled by the glamour of the stage. But perhaps acting and selling one’s favors are not so different—for Laura must feign pleasure with the men she beds to survive. Now, with her only friend at death’s door and a ruthless pimp at her heels, escaping her occupation seems impossible. Hoping to attract a gentleman, she attends the theater. Yet the man Laura captivates is no customer, but a rising star and playwright…

Adam Lacey has been driven to distraction since the moment he saw Laura. She is his ideal leading lady come to irresistible life—and so much more. Certain they can make the perfect team on and off stage, he is determined to win her heart—and discover her story. But that is precisely what Laura fears. And she has no idea that Adam harbors shameful secrets of his own. Will the truth free them to love—or destroy all their dreams…?


About the Author:
Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance and a further three in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013 and she has since signed for three more.
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.
She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Find her on the Web at:
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Law of Attraction by Darlene Fredette!

Whoot! Whoot! I'm super excited to be hosting the uber-talented Darlene Fredette today, with her newest release...

Law of Attraction
Determined to win back Christina, Steven will take the law into his own hands...
even if he has to play dirty.

 
Sweet Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 01, 2014
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Sweetheart Rose Line
 
Lawyer Christina Crawford has a successful career and stable financial future, but is it enough?  Her world is disrupted when a routine divorce case means working with a man she never expected—or wanted—to see again.  During their first meeting, she can't deny a connection still exists.  Her head warns her to run, but her heart yearns to stay.
 
Steven Mitchell is ruthless in the court room, but outside those doors, his easy charm, good looks and unlimited stream of female companions gives him an unscrupulous reputation.  Six years ago Christina saw beyond his façade, but the emotions she evoked scared him and he pushed her away.  Now he wants a second chance and he is determined to get her back...even if he has to play dirty.
 
Available for purchase at:  TWRP / Amazon
 
~ * ~
 
Heart pounding in her chest, she closed the door behind him. Wearing her best business face, she returned to this disastrous meeting and sat. Christina drew in a deep breath, and a measure of control was restored. She picked up her pen and flipped open the case file. “So, according to these documents, your client is contesting the divorce?”
Steven reached across the table and snatched the pen from her hand. “What’s the rush, Christina? We haven’t seen each other in years. There’s a lot of catching up to do.”
            She clenched her teeth together, barely parting her lips as she spoke. “We have nothing but this case to discuss.”
“Come on, don’t be like that.” He leaned back in his chair, frowning. “You’re not still holding a grudge, are you? What happened was so long ago. I hoped we could start fresh, as friends.”
“Are you freaking serious?” She glared an icy stare. Forget a slow death by high heel. She’d get more pleasure strangling him with her bare hands. “You accused me of misconduct, had me fired, and now you want to be friends?” Her heart thumped a rapid beat in her ears. “You’re out of your mind.”
 
~ * ~

An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to put a pencil to paper and plot out stories of her own. She writes heartwarming contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners. When Darlene isn’t writing, editing, or reading, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and Yellow Lab.
 
 
Find Darlene and her other awesome stories on the web:
Website/Blog     Facebook     Twitter     Goodreads
 
 
Don't forget to enter Darlene's
GIVEAWAY!
Be sure to drop by Darlene's web site during the month of October to enter an awesome giveaway to celebrate the release of Law of Attraction!