Please welcome Allyson Carter and her new release Buried Secrets

I am super excited to have my friend, Allyson Carter on my blog today. Her new romantic suspense, Buried Secrets releases TODAY! It sounds absolutely delightful! I've already went on over and bought my copy. You can buy your copy: Sweet Cravings Publishing & Kindle, 

 Here is the blurb and an excerpt.

Oh and hop on over to Allyson's website as she is giving away a free copy of Buried Secrets.

Blurb

A message from her dead husband turns Mary Cox’s life upside down. Someone wants to kill her and her daughter, Faith. They’ll stop at nothing to track her down. The only man she trusts is her best friend’s brother Jace, except, he lied to her before. Will secrets from her past destroy the life she’s made for herself or bring them closer together?

Just as Jace Smith begins to adjust to civilian life, a cry of help from the only woman he’s ever cared for sends him back into the heat of battle. The type where someone—may not come out alive in the end. Secrets are revealed and nothing will ever be the same again. He’d do anything to keep Mary and her daughter safe from the danger after them. But a secret from his past threatens everything. Can they ever get back what they once had or die trying?

Excerpt of Buried Secrets

“Jace,” she whispered.

“Yes Kitten. I’m right here.”

She shot up and looked at him with shock in her gaze. Confusion was written all over her face as her eyes darted around the room, landing on the clock and then back on him. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head on what he’d been doing in her room at this hour. She crossed her arms over her chest and it did nothing but draw more attention to her breast. He averted his attention and smiled at her to try and reassure her all was fine and nothing happened.

“What are you doing here?”

Silver streaks ran down her cheeks from where her tear had dried. He reached out to brush them away with his thumb, knowing they wouldn’t go anywhere. Her satin skin under his fingers called to him in a way no one else would. She took a ragged breath in and bit down on her lower lip. Sexy.

“I heard someone crying and went to check on Faith. She was sleeping and then I heard it again.”

“Me?” She blushed a bright red that traveled to her hairline and down her neck. He loved the way she did this so easily.

“Yes,” he answered and took a step back. Heat coursed through him and he didn’t trust himself not to grab and kiss her senseless in the moment. The innocent way she asked the question and reacted always got to him. She didn’t have a clue how she affected him or how pretty she was.

“I’m so sorry I woke you.”

“Don’t worry about it. What were you dreaming about?”

Her curls bounced from side to side as she shook her head. Panic filled her eyes before she looked down and he knew he’d not like the answer to this. Did she have a nightmare about earlier today or something else? He needed to know the answer so he could make her feel safe again. She looked down and mumbled an answer he didn’t hear and then crawled across the bed and stood up. She turned her back to him, shoulders bunched up with her hands shaking. She wouldn’t realize he saw this, but he had and even more than before had to get an answer from her.

Jace placed his hands on her shoulders. She pulled away from his touch. Burn. Talk about a way to wound a man. The best way to do that was to turn away from him when you need a shoulder to cry on. “Tell me.”

“No. I can’t.” She got off the bed and moved across the room.

“What could be so bad that you can’t tell me?” He asked and regretted it almost as soon as the words left his mouth. Closing his eyes he prayed silently for her to confide in him. She needed someone else in her corner besides her best friend. Who better than the man who loved her and wanted to keep her safe?

“Because,” she sighed and turned around. Unshed tears glistened her eyes. This tough woman had been tough and all together for too long and didn’t want to let go. Afraid. She was afraid to admit she needed help and to lean on someone again. He longed to have her fall in his arms and rely on him for a change. The urge chewed its way through his body until he didn’t think he could take it anymore.

“Because what?” he prompted gently as he he went to her.

“This man or group or whatever they are has the power to take everything I love away. They already killed Bruce and now seem hell bent on killing me and Faith.”

“I won’t let them get to you two.”

Mary snorted and raised a skeptical brow at him. He saw denial written all over her face. She didn’t think he could keep her safe. After she said she trusted him, those were apparently only words. “You can’t stop them all by yourself.”

He stepped closer.

“For crying out loud! You don’t trust me to do as I say I will.”

She huffed out a breath and met his gaze with a hard one of her own. Her chin inched up a little more to try and not to show any sign of backing down from her position. He took another step and watched surprise come into her eyes. That’s right.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I–just…

Allyson writes in the sweet, suspense, and Christian romance genres. In her books, you’ll find emotionally stirring story lines, along with suspense with faith mixed in. She resides in the beautiful mountains of southern West Virginia with her loving husband and four wonderful children, who put up with her love for writing. When not spending time with her family you can find her knitting, and watching way too many suspense shows and reality TV.

You can find her on Facebook, Twitter and at her website

Cover Reveal: Deadly Curses Book One

It seems like I've been waiting an eternity for my cover art for my new paranormal romantic suspense, Deadly Curses. I tried hard to picture what it would look like, if a couple would be on it, maybe a little creepy looking, the colors used, background or no background, how the font would appear for both my name and the title, and of course would he/she understand what I was getting at by wanting a finger bone on it?

I think I may have driven myself along with others fairly nuts lying in wait. But finally, I've received my cover art and approved it. And here it is at long last:

Oh my ... I'm in love! First off, my absolute favorite color is purple. I never mentioned purple at all. I believe that was fate. Love the quirky lettering for the title. The hero resembles my hero and the same goes for my heroine.

Lo and behold, there is my finger bone :) Weird you say? Of course! That will make sense once you buy and read it in the fall. In the meantime, here's the blurb:

Dr. Trent Moore’s life is complete – a no-strings relationship, financial security, and great health – until he is summoned to his father’s grave and discovers a grave robber stole one of his father’s bones ... a finger bone. From there, Trent’s seemly perfect world spirals out of control. Strange occurrences happen, and the sexy lead detective informs him a grief stricken mother has placed a curse upon him. As his near death experiences ramp up, and he finds himself falling in love, he’s beginning to believe there may be some truth to it all. But, will he run out of time before he can tell her he loves her?

When Detective Ciarra Pacelli is assigned to a prominent judge’s suspicious death, she doesn’t know her little world is about to be turned upside down. She discovers other possible victims of a deadly Voodoo curse, one being the gorgeous and stubborn doctor. As she becomes wrapped up in protecting him at all costs, she finds she’s fighting against her developing feelings for him. Once she realizes she can’t, she gives her all in finding a cure against the curse that promises to take him away from her for good.

Allyson Carter and Wounded Hearts!!

I'm super excited to have Allyson Carter here with me today!! Her new release, Wounded Hearts, came out last Saturday. So, she has graced my blog to sit down for an interview :) Let's get this started:

Welcome Allyson! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I always hate this question. Okay, so here goes nothing. I’m a wife and mother. I home school my four children and have three on the Autism spectrum. In my free time, yeah like that happens often, I knit.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you? That’s a hard one cause my hubby has done a lot of things that are romantic.  I guess one would be at times he’ll make supper for the both of us after the kids are in bed. We can sit and relax and talk.

Awww. See, now that is romantic. Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

Oh my goodness, yes I sure do.

What are your pet peeves?

Lying. I can’t stand when people do this. I guess though my biggest one is when I see those who have Autism or any special needs getting treated wrong.

Cats or dogs?

I have 3 cats.

White wine or red?

Either

Coffee or tea?

Both. Coffee in the morning is a must and then sweet tea in the afternoon.

 Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

 Chocolate.

 What are 4 things you never leave home without?

My purse, cell phone, mascara and car keys

Laptop or desktop for writing?

Laptop

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I’d prefer to do it in the morning but that isn’t always possible when homeschooling. I sneak time in throughout the day when the kids are doing their school work. Usually, I sit in the recliner to write.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

Oh, this question could get me into a lot of trouble. Let’s hope hubby doesn’t read this interview. LOL Channing Tatum, Chris Young and Luke Bryan.

Now those are some great ones to have along! An actor you have a crush on?

Channing Tatum

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

DR. Who

What made you decide to be an author?

I was going crazy 5 years ago stuck in a snow storm with the kids. I remember waking up with this idea in my head. At this time, I’d not written anything since high school. Only a couple friends knew that I wrote and back then it was mostly poems. This idea for a YA book wouldn’t go away, so I got my two oldest daughters going on their schooling for the day, and then sat down at the computer and started typing. The book just poured out of me. That’s when it all clicked and I knew I wanted to be an author.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

ell, that took some time. I first started writing YA (nothing published there yet.) I then went into another genre under a pen name, but after awhile got bored of writing really hot. So, I guess the sweet genre picked me. I’ve always written romance and suspense. Both are something that I love.

Are you a punster or a plotter and why?

I’m a plotter. It just works better for me this way to know where things are going. My characters still surprise me all the time though.

 

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?

Yes, there is one who really did influence me as I switched genres. That’s Julie Lessman.

What is your all time favorite book?

I can’t pick just one. There are too many!

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?

That would have to be from the heroine’s daughter Hannah. Actually there are a couple from her that are my favorites.

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?

A lot! Mark was a pain in the behind. He didn’t want to admit how tortured he was. Shelby didn’t want to admit how much she cared for Mark. I wanted to slap them both.

Where do you get your ideas from?

Everywhere.

How did you choose your title?

I just picked a few and asked feedback from some close people to me.

 How do you cure writer’s block?

By slamming my head on the computer…not really but at times I want to. I usually go clean, cook, play with the kids, knit or something else. It always passes.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?

Yes. Don’t give up … no matter what someone tells you. It takes a lot of hard work to get published. Keep working on polishing your craft and learning. And of course most importantly, keep writing.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?

To never give up and push through when something isn’t going right with the book. Don’t be afraid to break the rules at times as well.

Where can your readers stalk you?

They can stalk me at Facebook, Twitter and my website.  

You can buy Wounded Hearts HERE

 

Tell us about your new release:

After a bitter divorce, Shelby Johnson is looking to rebuild a life for her and her daughter, Hannah, while avoiding the thing she mistrusts most: men. Her resolve is tested, however, when her brother’s best friend, Mark, moves in across the street and her long-buried feelings for him return. Can she possibly open up her heart again? Is she willing to let herself love? When someone threatens her life she quickly realizes that her heart isn’t the only thing on the line and she turns to the only man she feels she can trust.

Reliving everything he lost overseas, Mark Daniels goes back to his hometown to try and live a peaceful life but instead gets caught up in Shelby’s troubles.. He knows she needs someone to protect her but can he be that man? Except, being near Shelby again is making him feel things he’d rather never feel—again. When his past comes to haunt him in a way he never expected, he vows to protect Shelby and her daughter until his last breath.

Excerpt

“Stay right here, sweetie.”

Reaching in, she picked up the paper. At first, the words written on the thing didn’t register. She had to re-read them twice.

Keep quiet or else.

Her hands shook. A lump formed in her throat. When Mark walked out to the car, their gazes met. She noted the concern on his face as he stared at her.

“What’s the matter, Shell?”

She tried to talk, but nothing would come out. When he rushed to her side, she gave him the note. The words had been created with letters out of magazines or something, glued to the paper. She tightened her hold on Hannah. Someone had put the paper there when they were a few feet away. Why?

“Take Hannah and move to the sidewalk.”

Shelby nodded then moved to where he told her. He pulled out his cell and punched in a number. Mark moved with determination as he talked on the phone with the police. Within moments, a squad car showed up. So much for not having attention on her while she was out with Mark. Who had put the note in her car? Better yet, how did they get in when she’d locked the car?

“Shelby, do you have someone mad at you?” Detective Moore asked as he shut the door to his car and made his way over to her.

The Romance Reviews' Sizzling Summer Reads Party is Here!!!

TRR Party link

It's here! The Romance Reviews' Sizzling Summer Read Party runs from June 1st-30th with lots of games and some great prizes. Not mention all the great books you can discover while having fun!

 

Be looking out for The Swan Cove Murders to be featured June 6-10th. Oh and my own Q&A will be on June 12th! Be sure to play every day to increase your chances of winning! Lots of great books will be given away and the grand prize is $100 gift card! 

Be sure to register for free on The Romance Reviews and log in to play the games. Points rack up daily.

Go get your game on HERE

I'm Back!!!

I know...I've been away for way too long. And I can make up all kinds of excuses...hectic life...kids...work...school. No excuses. I should have been blogging all along. Even just once a week. I haven't made the time to read and respond to anyone's blogs. For that, I'm sorry. I will get back up to par.

So, what have I been doing? Well, I realized when I went looking to see when the last time I had blogged (January!), that there would be some ground to cover. But really, nothing much has changed. Okay, maybe a little. Where to start?

I have returned to school taking online classes. However, I will more than likely return to the local college here to get my RN degree. It's definitely a different experience taking the classes online versus the classroom. I think I'm more oriented for online classes. But, I very well can't do any science labs online, lol. So that's my immediate plan as far as my education goes.

A local lady writer and I have started a small writer's group in our community. And it's great to meet with other writers to talk and discuss our current projects or whatever workshops we are taking, etc. And for the camaraderie too. It also gives me a break from reality for a couple hours a month. So far, so good!

After months of waiting, I received my manuscript back for Deadly Curses from my editor for the first round of edits. Gotta say I see this horrible obsession I have with the dreaded ADVERBS. UGH!! I'm learning how to change around my sentences or change up the description real fast. I'm so ashamed of myself that I actually use that many -ly words. At any rate, Deadly Curses is set to release tentatively late Summer, early Fall.

Of course I can't wait to share it. Here's a little excerpt from Deadly Curses, the first book in my Magnolia Valley paranormal series:

“Doctor Moore, would you like for me to discharge the young man in Room three with the prescription of antibiotics?” the nurse asked.

Trent stopped at the doorway. “No, I want to change his chart orders now that we have his records and know the underlying root of the problem. I want him started on IV Therapy and admitted for observation. His cancer has created the weakened immune system that may open the doorway from having influenza to the possibility of developing pneumonia. I want to add a painkiller to the IV with his antibiotics to help him rest easier as well. Once I grab my cup of coffee, I will join you at the nurses’ station to add the change of my orders into the notes on his chart.”

Walking into the break room and over to the counter, Trent stopped, a cold chill washing over him. Visions of a black skull painted face slipped into his mind, chanting unheard words, and then vanished. A smell, like the incense from a funeral, assaulted his nose with the feelings of extreme grief ...  and quickly left.

What in the hell happened? Shaking his head to clear the vision that had been haunting his dreams for weeks, Trent added cream to his coffee, took the spoon lying on the counter nearby and stirred it. Where were these nightmares and visions coming from? Grabbing the steaming cup and taking a careful sip of his coffee, he focused his mindset once again on his patients and left the room.

*   *   *

That had been too close. A few more seconds, and he would have caught her.

But, he was drinking the coffee. The powder would open his auric field. That’s all she needed. Now, she could return home and begin once again. Everything was in place waiting for her. Dr. Trent Moore was the last one.

Kiyana left her hiding spot from behind the door and slipped out of the ER through a back door. For the fourth and final time she whispered, “Let the Finger Point the Way.”

IWSG-Starting Over

The purpose of IWSG is to go forth encouraging and supporting each other in our writing journeys. We post the first Wednesday of each month. Whether you would like to support or you have your own insecurities in this large writing world, we would love to have you come on board. Please go here and sign up.

 My insecurity this month is starting over. Yes, back at the beginning of writing a new book. All the seeds of doubt are there. Not as strong as with the first book I wrote, but still present. You wouldn't think that after writing four stories, the doubt would linger.

All the same questions: Can I actually make a story out of this? Will it sustain itself throughout the entire process? Will others like it? Will my publisher like it? What if no one does?

All the same hair-pulling questions. I force myself to tune them out. But, lo and behold, a couple pages later and they creep back up for me to pound them down back into their rightful place.

And as if I couldn't possibly complicate it more, I go and decide to write a series. Am I crazy???

Maybe I am, but I love to write so much more than allowing those seeds of doubt to overcome me.

How about you? With each book you begin, does the same nagging questions pop up?

Dilys J. Carnie: Dancing With Temptation

 Please welcome Dilys J. Carnie and Dancing with Temptation.



Her trust in men is sorely blighted by past experience.
But when Bronwyn and Jessie meet, the chemistry between them is electrifying. The barriers come up and she refuses to acknowledge any kind of relationship between them.
He can’t understand what’s holding her back.
Jesse is confused by her resistance, yet he knows she is attracted to him. When an old boyfriend turns up determined to hurt her he fights to give their love the chance it deserves.


 Amazon | Barnes & Noble





Dilys has generously provided an excerpt:

She knew he was going to kiss her, making every coherent thought vanish from her mind. She didn’t seem to be able to focus on anything except those sexy lips coming toward hers. When they reached hers it was like a whisper, just the smallest touch feathering on her lips. Pulling away from him his warm breath caressed her skin and his unguarded gaze sent a shiver down her spine.
Bronwyn’s heart did a cataclysmic shift as she stood on tiptoes grasping his soft leather jacket as he returned his lips to hers with a passion not denied by either of them. His hand cupped the back of her neck as his fingers threaded through her short hair.
His lips made small firm strokes setting her skin on fire. She leaned in wanting to feel more. His other hand massaged the small of her back pulling her even closer. His hands moved, she sighed when he reached for her waist lifting her so they were together, shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip.
The tight pressure of his hands as he gripped her excited her, then he maneuvered her body against his. She could feel his arousal causing her to elicit a little mew of pleasure. The impact was…pleasurable
she’d completely forgotten where she was letting her body move against his. She opened her mouth even more to his tongue, hot and wet as it tantalized hers. It felt amazing, like a duel of pleasure.
She tasted the rawness, the magnetism was powerful enough to completely clear her mind of all the reasons why this was wrong. The tightening of her breasts made her shiver as her nipples tingled. She
absorbed the pure maleness of him with all of her senses gripping the hair at his neck with her fingers as an unexpected hot wave of pleasure hit her like a wave of molten lava.
“Can you feel it?” he breathed into her mouth. “Can you?” His voice throbbed against her lips.
She moaned against his mouth as chaotic sensations cascaded down her body to the tips of her toes. Her body tingled with the expectations she didn’t understand.
Her fingers gripped his shoulders. His lean warm hands created a path of intense heat as they slid beneath the hem of her dress. The surprised roughness of his skin came into contact with her lacy black
stockings, his groan was deep as his fingertips tentatively touched the bare skin at the top of her thighs. His deep growl permeated the air and a warning bell imbued on her senses.
Hell fire, didn’t she ever learn her lesson…what was she doing?
With those thoughts she pushed him away only to realize her feet were not touching the ground, he was leaning against the car holding her up.
“Put me down.” Her voice was a whisper; the truth was she was out of breath leaving her voice cracked. “Now.”
Her heart was racing; the thumping reverberated in her ears. She was shocked by her behavior; the ferocity of the passion between them was frightening. He put her down allowing her to step away. He didn’t say a word as he watched her through narrowed eyes. His chest was heaving but she ignored the movement.
She was having enough problems breathing herself.
God what kind of a kiss was that?
It had been earth shattering; however, she had been more than willing to accept the way it had been given. But it could only lead to one conclusion and she didn’t do one night stands. He was a fantastic kisser which could only mean he’d had plenty of experience. Her passion turned to anger at the way she had betrayed herself her dignity was in tatters.
Would she never learn her lesson?
“Goodnight,” she muttered before opening the gate slamming it shut behind her as she searched in her purse for her key. Putting it in the lock she looked back. He was where she had left him, leaning on the
car, his feet spread wide apart his arms folded across his chest. In the lamplight she could see him smile, giving her a casual wave before he put his hand into his jacket pocket. Agitated she opened the door
and without another look closed it behind her. Dropping her purse on the floor she went to sit in the rocking chair toeing off her shoes, bringing her legs to curl beneath her.
Oh boy, big mistake, humongous!


About Dilys J. Carnie:

As a young child I loved to write. I always carried a notebook and pen around with me and wrote about everything. It was a dream to become a published author. However sometimes in life our dreams get pushed to one side as mine did. So, dare I say at the young age of fifty I think it is time for me to see if those dreams are everything I hoped they would be…and hey it’s never too late to go and grab that dream!
I have been through many major changes in my working life ranging from a Diana nurse, running my own skin care business, helping with the family run bus company and even hairdressing but my heart as always belonged to putting words on paper and making them come to life.
Recently I managed to get in contact with my best friend from Scotland who I hadn’t seen for over forty years. She lives in America and every year without fail I make the trip over to North Carolina and visit with her and her gorgeous family. This is where I have gained a lot of inspiration for many of my stories. I am lucky that my mum and two sisters live close by and I can say that we are all best friends. I lost my dad four years ago and if it wasn’t for the story I wrote after his death where I came second in a competition I probably wouldn’t have started writing with a view to publication.
I am living my lifelong dream of becoming an author something which I never imagined happening. If I had to give any advice to an un-published author it would be ‘Never give up the dream’ because I never did…




You can find Dilys:  Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Sexy Snippets

It's Sunday. And what does that mean? Yes, it's time for Sexy Snippets! What's that you ask? Every Sunday, some of us girls post up 7 sentences (and at times quite steamy) either from one of our published works or from a WIP we're currently working on. To sign up or to check out other great snippets, click here. 

Last week in the snippet from The Wishing Wreath (All I Want For Christmas Is A Soul Mate), Antoine told Vivian he would follow her around the world until she gave in. And she would never ask him to give up his homeland for her. She tells him she wants to stay on the island. Let's find out what happens next ...

He gathered her as close as he could within the car's confines and looked into her eyes. "And have babies?"

"Lots of them," she smiled through the tears.

"We can begin practicing immediately."

She arched a brow. "We're not going to have a proper courtship, are we?"

"You can bet not."