More From Sweet Cravings and Secret Cravings Publishing

Are you following the Secret Cravings Blog? Come join us and keep abreast of the latest releases, giveaways, "Culinary Cravings" recipes, author interviews and more from both Sweet Cravings and Secret Cravings authors.

You'll find everything HERE.

Eclectic Collection from Secret Cravings Publishing and Sweet Cravings Publishing

Interview with Elly

This month's Cravings Magazine features an interview with the title character from BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY. I hope you'll stop by and meet Elly. She's on Page 6.
Here's the link: ELLY

                                        

Summertime - First Chapter / First Paragraph / Tuesday Intros and Teaser Tuesday

In Summertime, author Christina Cole takes a successful actress from 1914 San Francisco and returns her to her hometown in rural Kansas. At first, heroine Linn ("Linnie Mae") Sparks is not a likable character - much too full of herself. However, as the story progresses, her attitude and motives begin to make sense and she also changes her outlook. This book is a romance so there's an expected happy ending, but Ms. Cole kept me wondering - would the story end with Linn and Ed living happily ever after or merely happy for now?    


Beginning:
Brookfield, Kansas 1914
Three days. Not a moment longer. She would attend to business first thing Monday morning, and by Tuesday afternoon she would be on her way back home to San Francisco.
Back home where she belonged.

Teaser (at 80% on my Kindle):
"I figured out that it's not what's gone before that matters. It's what comes after that makes a difference in our lives."

Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 284 Pages
Amazon Link: Summertime
Other Books by This Author: Christina Cole's Amazon Author Page


Synopsis from Amazon:
      Linn Sparks wanted all life had to offer. Fame, fortune, glamour and excitement. She found it as a star of the stage at the Crown Theater in San Francisco.
      For Ed Ferguson, life was far less complicated. All he wanted was Linnie Mae, but she’d left him standing alone at the altar seven years before when she’d run off to pursue her dreams.
      Now, Linn Sparks has come home to Brookfield, Kansas.
      But coming back means facing a lot of unpleasant realities: a strained relationship with a father who never wanted her, a mother whose grasp on sanity is slipping away, and the feelings she still has for the love she left behind.
      Ed still wants Linnie Mae, but he knows she won’t stay. How can he spend the summer being near her and not get his heart broken again?
      Between them, passions flare in the heat of SUMMERTIME.

Share the first paragraph (or
a few) from a book you are
reading. Link up here:
Bibliophile By The Sea

  

Post two sentences from
somewhere in a book you're
reading. No spoilers, please!
Link up here:
Should Be Reading

Culinary Cravings

Sweet Cravings Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing have started a new weekly feature on their blog -- CULINARY CRAVINGS! Today's recipe is Caitlyn's Peach Cobbler. Stop by and take a virtual taste of this delicious dessert. It will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings! 

Here's the link:
Culinary Cravings: Peach Cobbler

Sweet & Historical Romance Blog Hop

Here's a chance to meet some great authors and take a look at their books. A group of writers from Sweet Cravings Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing have joined together for a giveaway today and tomorrow, featuring historical romances and sweet romances. Be sure to visit every blog along the way for excerpts and a chance at some great giveaways (including a $25 gift card!)

Here's a scene from BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY*, followed by details of how to win a free ebook copy. FYI: Reader's Favorite says, "This was a well written romantic comedy with a hint of mystery and enough kooky characters to keep you interested right from the beginning."

After lunch, Derek drove them to the home improvement store to buy locks and hinges, then to a nearby supermarket before taking Elly home. When he stopped under the carport and turned to her, he leaned forward as if to give her a goodbye kiss. She shook her head and pointed to the trailer. Sure enough, the blinds were parted with Granny’s face visible inside.

To Elly’s surprise, Derek put the truck into reverse and backed out of the driveway. She turned and asked, “Where are we going?”

“Not far.” He drove back through the neighborhood’s gate, took a left, and stopped by a roadside park. With only birds and squirrels as witnesses, he turned to Elly and pulled her into his arms. She lifted her hands to his neck and ran her fingers through the dark hair above his collar. When his lips touched hers, a wave of heat surged from her lips all the way to her toes.

Leaning back, Derek smiled and brushed Elly’s curls from her cheek. “I’ve been wanting to do that ever since I picked you up, and there’s no way Mrs. M was going to stop me.”

A blush warmed Elly’s cheeks. She leaned forward and they kissed until she could barely breathe. When his tongue explored her mouth, she leaned even closer, tilting her head, savoring his taste. Derek’s lips moved from her mouth along the curve of her jaw to a sweet spot right beneath her earlobe. She caught her breath when goosebumps traveled along her arms.

When they stopped to catch their breath, Derek looked around as if expecting someone to tap on his window and ask them to move along. Then he chuckled, and the low rumble of his laughter warmed Elly even more. “I feel like a teenager, making out in the car, don’t you? I guess I’d better get you home.”

Elly nodded and moved back to her side of the truck.

He’s right, of course. But, ooooh, he’s a good kisser.

*BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY falls into the sweet category. There's plenty of fooling around and sexual tension between Derek and Elly, but when they get down to the nitty gritty, the bedroom door is closed.

WIN A FREE COPY!!

Leave a comment below (along with your EMAIL ADDRESS) for a chance to win an ebook copy of Bluebonnets for Elly.

Then hop to the next blog on the "Sweet and Historical Blog Hop Tour" for more great prizes. Here's the link:  BLOG HOP

Keeping Faith - Teaser Tuesday

I think I'm in love with Tom Henderson, the hero in KEEPING FAITH. Tom and his sister were raised in poverty - neglected and uneducated - but in spite of that rocky start, he grew into a good and caring man. I'm enjoying the story of how this cowboy's life changes when he takes on his deceased sister's baby as his responsibility.

In my Teaser, Lucille (a local seamstress and the story's heroine) is teaching Tom to read and she's wondering if he's more than just a good-looking cowboy.

Teaser (from 35% on my Kindle):
He played hard, but he worked hard, too. He showed the world a devil-may-care attitude, but she wondered now if perhaps beneath the dimpled smile and light-hearted words, a far more serious side existed. She wanted to get to know him better.

Genre: Western Historical Romance
Length: 292 Pages
Amazon Link: Keeping Faith (The Sunset Series - Book 2)
Other Books by Christina Cole: Amazon Author Page

Synopsis from Goodreads.com:
      Everything they say about Tom Henderson is true. Born in a barn, the bastard son of a drunken whore, he’s got nothing to offer, and any dreams he might have are as far away as the distant snow-capped Rockies -- and probably as unattainable. He’s long had his eye on pretty Lucille McIntyre, but that’s just one more impossible dream.
      Lucille has always been considered the prettiest and most popular girl in Sunset, but her father’s sudden death has left her shaken and sad. Now, life seems to be passing her by.
      When a prim and proper spinster arrives to deliver a squalling 3-month-old infant to Tom, his life and Lucille’s both change. His decision to keep the baby girl sets off a firestorm among the good ladies in town who don’t consider him fit to raise a child.
      Together, Tom and Lucille will do anything in their struggle for keeping Faith.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away -- you don't want to ruin the book for others)
• Share the title and author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers
• Leave a comment on MizB's Teaser Tuesday post (HERE) and include your link so everyone can find your post.

Twitter: @sandynachlinger

MFRW Book Spotlight on Bluebonnets for Elly

Elly and Derek -- making out in his pickup truck? 
Read more on the MFRW Authors blog as they focus their Book Spotlight on Bluebonnets for Elly. 

Stop by to read an excerpt and say "Hi" HERE.

ELLY on Secret Cravings

Elly Macauley is a star!

My recently released book, BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY, is featured on the SECRET CRAVINGS / SWEET CRAVINGS blog today. I hope you'll stop by, read the excerpt, and say "hi."

Here's the link: BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY

Thanks a million!

Contemporary Romance Blog Hop

Sixteen authors of sweet and sexy contemporary romances have joined for a giant giveaway, hosted by Secret Cravings Publishing. To participate, start by leaving a comment on my blog, then hop from one blog to another and comment on each post for chances to win free books and other goodies!

Link to participating authors here: SECRET CRAVINGS PUBLISHING

I've posted a few of my photos that inspired settings in my recent book, BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY. To sign up for the chance to win a free ebook copy, leave a comment below. Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you! 

BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY takes place in
Shannon Ridge, Texas - a small town similar to this one.

Elly and Derek took a road like this to go on a picnic.

And of course, there are fields of bluebonnets - 

Texas's state flower.

THANK YOU for stopping by, 

and don't forget to leave a comment!

Without a Trace - Teaser Tuesday

Author Laurie White's mystery/romance opens with these words: Something wasn't right. What follows is the story of a missing sister, embezzled cash, and romance between a cop and a journalist. As LAPD Detective Matt Romero and Southland Life magazine writer Rachel Bennett search for Rachel's missing sister, their attraction for each other grows. But can they overcome traumas from their pasts? 

TEASER: 
Slowly, she stepped into the bedroom, toward the telephone. She needed to call for help.
2% on my Kindle.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Mystery
Length: 213 Pages
Amazon Link: Without a Trace
Other Books by this Author: Laurie White Author Page

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Magazine journalist Rachel Bennett has a reputation for getting to the heart of a story. However, when her sister disappears and is suspected of embezzling from her employer, the story has suddenly become personal. The last thing Rachel wants right now is the distraction of Matt Romero, the detective assigned to the case. She wants a “safe” man…and Matt is anything but that.

Matt accepts the risk that goes with his job. Two years ago, his wife was murdered, a tragedy he blames himself for. He's vowed to protect his family and friends because he doesn't want to go through the pain of loss again. However, the lovely journalist soon begins breaking through the icy wall around his heart.

As Rachel and Matt search for answers in order to find her sister, they uncover a corruption that puts them both in danger – and a passion that puts both their hearts at risk.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away -- you don't want to ruin the book for others)
• Share the title and author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers
• Leave a comment on MizB's Teaser Tuesday post (HERE) and include your link so everyone can find your post.

WINNERS! IF I LOVED YOU

Congratulations to Alicia Batista and J.C. Jones, the two lucky winners of IF I LOVED YOU by Jean C. Joachim. I'm sure you'll enjoy the story as much as I did.

Thank you to everyone for leaving comments on last week's Teaser Tuesday post.

If I Loved You - Teaser Tuesday

I recently read IF I LOVED YOU by Jean C. Joachim, and what a fun, sexy story it was! I loved the characters, and Jean's writing style kept me entertained from start to finish. This is the first book in her Hollywood Hearts series, and I'm looking forward to reading all the rest.

NEWS FLASH: Jean has graciously offered to give away two free books! For a chance to win, just leave a comment below, along with your email address so we can contact you if you're a winner.


Here's my TEASER - a little internal dialogue from Megan, the main character, during a business dinner with drop-dead-gorgeous movie star Chaz:
Focus. Stop drooling. Remember, he puts his pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else. Stop thinking about his pants!
(at 7% on my Kindle)

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Link: IF I LOVED YOU
More Books by Jean Joachim: Jean's Books

Synopsis from the Secret Cravings Publishing website:

Does love always mean total truth? Successfully shunning the limelight was one way for Megan Davis to keep her family secret. The press intruded on her life when her twin brother, Mark, became the star quarterback for the Delaware Demons. A smart, successful financial advisor, disrespectful of tabloid superstars, Meg was shocked when she was selected to launch a celebrity division in the prestigious investment firm, Dillon & Weed, and overwhelmed by the charisma of her first client.

Gorgeous, magnetic movie star, Chaz Duncan, wary of women who wanted to bask in his fame or sell his secrets to the media, valued privacy above all else. Would attractive Megan Davis, his new financial advisor charm the truth from him or would he continue his high profile but lonely existence to keep his secret safe? Jealousy, deceit and scandal threaten two careers and the quest for true love and trust in this roller-coaster-ride contemporary romance.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's the link to join in: Teaser Tuesday