• Historical

    Sky Tinted Water by Keta Diablo @ketadiablo #RLFblog

    Cover Love at Romance Lives Forever is a short intro to a
    book and includes only a blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the
    author. Today’s featured book is: Sky Tinted Water by Keta Diablo.
    Genre: Sweet Historical Romance
    Familial bonds, malevolent schemes, and passion collide in
    this sweet historical novel. Set in Minnesota
    during the Civil War and the Sioux uprising, this is the story of Rory Hudson,
    the exquisite Irish lass with an unbreakable spirit and the enigmatic Dawson
    Finch, a man bound by honor, duty, and loyalty.
    When Dawson
    enlists in the army to bring peace to nation divided, Rory’s world plummets
    into a tailspin. War, distance, and time separate them, but nothing can dispel
    the haunting memories of their love. Not even death can destroy their fierce
    passion or a love so strong it beats the odds of the impossible.

    Buy links:

    Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/UjeU4W
    Kobo: http://bit.ly/11xUc3e

    Find Me Here

    Keta’s Keep, http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com
    Keta Diablo Books: http://ketadiablobooks.blogspot.com
    The Stuff of Myth and Men, http://thestuffofmythandmen.blogspot.com
  • Character Interviews

    Character Interview: Phoenix @SerenaZane #RLFblog

    Insidious Whispers

    Serena Zane, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. We’re excited
    to interview your character Phoenix
    from the book, Insidious Whispers.
    Genre: Paranormal Romance
    Publisher: Books To Go Now
    Cover artist: Books To Go Now
    Length: 46 pages
    Heat rating: 4
    Tagline: It’s her duty or her life!
    Blurb:
    Abducted from her quiet life as a New Age store owner, Beth Stark
    is thrown into a dangerous world of intrigue and magic. Beth’s legacy as Guardian
    of the Black Tome is to protect the book from those who would seek to use it for
    dark purposes.
    Phoenix,
    enforcer of the Vampire world, is sent to destroy the Black Tome before the Queen
    of the Fae can use it to annihilate the vampire race. Phoenix comes face to face with the tome’s Guardian,
    but he doesn’t expect the feisty little spitfire to make his blood boil, and his
    passions rise.
    Buy links: http://amzn.com/B00AU3NA4U/
    What are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?
    Beth Stark, New Age Store Owner and half-Fae, Guardian of the
    Black Tome
    Phoenix,
    Vampire Enforcer
    Prince Arlen, Prince of the Fae
    Queen Genevieve, Queen of the Fae
    Jean-Luc, Vampire Elder and head of the High Council

    Interview with Phoenix

    Tell us about yourself.
    I am the strong arm of the vampire council. Head enforcer, and
    ancient vampire. Ensuring that vampires follow the law of the High Council and Other-kind
    do not reveal our existence.
    Tell us about Beth Stark.
    She is a feisty spitfire that I cannot eradicate from my heart.
    I burn for her. She is Guardian of the Dark Tome and a half-Fae who torments me
    with every waking thought.
    What do you think is your strongest point?
    Well…are we talking metaphorically? Or figuratively? I believe
    that honor comes before all things.
    What would Beth say is your strongest point?
    (Phoenix
    laughs) I can’t really discuss that on an open forum.
    What would Beth say is your biggest weakness?
    I find it suspicious that you would ask such a question. One
    does not reveal their weaknesses.
    What was it like where you grew up?
    Belief
    I grew up in what is now the Basque Region of the Pyrenees Mountains
    between Spain and France.
    It was a hard existence, and my family struggled.
    What do you wish was different about your life?
    There are always things one regrets. But I cannot change the
    past.
    If you were given your fondest wish, what would it be?
    That is something I shall keep close to my heart.
    Describe a place of perfect refuge.
    Once many years ago I came upon a place, far away from society.
    Isolated, but beautiful. The waves of the ocean crashed against the cliffs as I
    watched the sun sink beneath the horizon. This would be my perfect place, if there,
    in the arms of my love.
    As a child, who was your best friend?
    I prefer not to dwell in the past of dim memory.
    What do you wish I had asked you?
    I would have had you ask me if I am satisfied with my existence.
    I would say that is a good question. Again, there are things I regret, and now that
    I have found my love, I am not sure if my position will remain the same with the
    High Council. But, yes, overall, I am satisfied with my existence as it stands.

    About the Author

    Serena Zane is an eclectic author of paranormal romance, sweet
    romance, and action-adventure romance. She lives with her husband and her son in
    the Northwest. Balancing her time between writing, time with her family, and crossing
    swords on the battlefield, Serena is never bored.

    Previous Books

    The Jewel series
    Dark Diamonds, Crystal Clear, Ruby Red, Tiger Eye
    The Hunter Diaries
    The Christmas Present, Bite Me, Belief, Insidious Whispers
    The Dark Warrior series
    Snow Beast, A Cross to Bare, Bane
    Follow the Heart, Moonlight in a Pickup Truck

    Books Coming Soon

    Serena Zane
    The Hunter Diaries Anthology, Mortal Ice, The Change, and The
    Locket

    Contest

    Riddle me this: “Voiceless it cries, wingless flutters, toothless
    bites, mouthless mutters.” What is it?
    If you are the first to answer this question you will win a free
    copy of The Christmas Present.

    Find Me Here

    Blog: Tales of the Night  http://serenazaneauthor.blogspot.com/
  • Book Release,  Modern Western

    Western Romance: Heap of Trouble #RLFblog

     

    Lorrie Unites-Struiff, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s talk about your book, A Heap of Trouble

    Genre: Western Romance, Action, Humor
    Publisher: MuseItUP Publishing.
    Cover artist: Suzannah Safi
    Length: 150 pages
    Heat rating: PG
    Sheriff Cole chases Mattie, who steals his heart, Beggar, a monkey who steals the townspeople’s jewelry and a gang that steals cattle.
    Sheriff Cole Walker is fearless– except when it comes to critters. When a thieving, runaway, ringtail monkey decides to move in with Cole and won’t leave, he has more woes than he can handle. Cole has a powerful yen for the newly arrived Mattie Wells, the pretty woman who can jingle his spurs with just a smile. Mattie takes a shine to men who have pets, and she adores the monkey—as does all the townsfolk. So, Cole must put up with the troublesome critter. Mattie is holding a dark secret and refuses to get married. Cole pushes to pry out her secret and change her mind while harboring a secret of his own.
    A gang of rustlers is roaming the hills and stealing the Double J’s cattle. JJ blames the farmers and an all out war is in the making. Cole and his deputies, Wade and Sully, are given a month to find the thieves before Mayor Farley calls for outside gunslingers. Yep. Cole has a heap of trouble on his hands.
    Buy links:
    Amazon http://amzn.com/B0099VXLLG/
    What are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?
    Cole Walker 28 Sheriff of Cold Creek
    Mattie Wells 22 Shopkeeper’s daughter.
    Beggar, the runaway monkey. Who knows how old the imp is? Occupation-
    Petty thief.

    Interview

    How did you get your start in the industry?
    By writing short stories for ezines.
    What is the most important thing you do for your career now, as compared to when you first started writing?
    Promote my books. With short stories I didn’t really have to, but now I’m trying to get my name and my books out there to readers.
    What websites do you visit
    daily?
    Facebook, Pintrest, LinkedIn
    If you could change something about your first book, what would it be?
    Make it longer. I enjoyed writing it so much, I wish I had added more twists.
    What do you enjoy most
    about writing?
    It’s fun, at least for me. I can let my imagination have free rein.
    If you could give the
    younger version of yourself advice what would it be?
    Start writing now, stupid, while you’re young.
    How do you cope with stress
    as an author?
    Not well. Lol. There is always so much to do and not enough time in the day. Besides, I poop out fast.
    Do things your family or friends do ever end up in a book?
    Heaven’s no. They would lynch me.
    What are some jobs you’ve done before (or while) you were a writer?
    I was a gold medalist dancer/teacher/manager of a big name ballroom studio. Ah the good slim and trim days.
    Which of your books would you recommend to someone who doesn’t normally read your genre, and why?
    A Heap of Trouble. It’s fun, has PG romance, action with cattle rustling, and a lot of humor with Beggar the monkey who is a petty thief. You can’t
    help but like the combination.
    What do you think is the future of traditional publishing?
    I wish I knew, but I do think e-books are the wave of the future.
    What was the proudest moment of your life so far?
    My grandson is a classical pianist and in his first year of college. He is gifted. He started older than most kids and is already number one musician
    in his school. To hear him play brings tears of pride to my eyes.
    Imagine you get to go on a dream vacation, but you have only one hour to pack and leave, and it starts
    as soon as you finish this interview. What will you take with you and where will you go?
    A little cabin in the woods. I’d take my computer, sloppy clothes, and be totally alone to write. Hmm. Better take some food with me, too.
    What is your favorite holiday and why?
    New Year’s Eve. I like to watch the ball go down. I sigh, lean back in the chair and think, ‘whew, I made it another year.’ I know. I’m strange.
    What do you like to do when you’re bored?
    Watch the TV programs I have taped. I like many of them and thank goodness for DVR’s.
    If your life became a movie, who would you want to play you?
    Hmm. Tough one. Can I choose a young Kim Novak? Lol. Maybe I best go with the older one.
    If you were a color, what color would you be?
    Red.
    Please underline which statement is more like you:
    “I am a vacation spa because I am laid back and relaxed.”
    “I am a ten-countries in ten-days tour vacation, because I do things as fast as possible.”

    Please complete the sentences

    I love pizza with mushrooms.
    I’m always ready for a dinner out with friends.
    When I’m alone, I love to do anything I feel like.
    You’d never be able to tell, but I always laugh at myself when I do stupid things.
    If I had a halo it would be tarnished.
    If I could go a vacation I’d take a 90 day cruise and see the world.
    I can never say no to a friend because I value them too much.

    Find Me Here

    Facebook:https://facebook.com/home.php#!/lorrie.struiff
  • Author Interviews

    Paranormal: Blood Promise @qlane #RLFblog

    The Progeny
    Ashlynne Laynne, welcome back to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s talk
    about your book, Blood Promise.
    Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
    Publisher: Novel Concept Publishing
    Cover artist: Faleasha Myers
    Length: 320 pages
    Heat rating: 4
    Tagline: Their love is fated by an ancient prophecy. Now the
    promise is fulfilled.
    Blurb:
    Ascher Rousseau is a half-human, half vampire whose life has
    been a series of prophecies and predictions. After finding incredible love and passion
    with Shauna–a Wiccan with powers beyond anything he’s ever known–he seals to her
    and hopes for happiness. But his enemies seek to destroy all that he loves, and
    he finds that happiness never lasts for long.
    Darkness is descending and a vampiric revolution is nearing.
    A new brood of hatchlings is born to join their darkling brothers, in preparation
    for war. A preordained chain of events is set into motion that could lead to the
    rise of the demonic “cloaked one” and his half-human fallen children, while ending
    humanity–as we know it.
    Can a supernatural love and the loyal bond of a family save the
    Rousseaus and the world from certain extinction?
    Buy links:
    Smashwords  Amazon US  AmazonUK  AmazonSpain  Amazon
    France
      AmazonAustria  AmazonItaly  AmazonGermany  Barnes and Noble
    What are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?
    Ascher Rousseau- 87 year old half-blooded vampire, one third
    owner of Rousseau Incorporated and medical student
    Shauna McCutchin-Rousseau- 21 year old bartender and second year
    college student

    Interview

    What do you enjoy most about writing?
    The thing I enjoy most about writing is connecting with readers
    and chatting with them about my books and characters.
    If you could choose anyone to be your mentor who would it
    be?
    Stephen King
    Do things your family or friends do ever end up in a book?
    All of the time. This drives my husband crazy, because he’ll
    read a part of one of the books and say, “Hey, I remember saying that to you once.”
    What are some jobs you’ve done before (or while) you were
    a writer?
    I currently work full time for a major power company.
    What kind of books do you read when taking a break from your
    own writing?
    I’m a romance junkie, and I will read any sub-genre of this genre.
    What do you think is the future of traditional publishing?
    Honestly, I believe that e-books will become the majority of
    book sales in the future, leaving a small portion of sales as paperbacks.
    What is your favorite holiday and why?
    Thanksgiving, because I enjoy cooking a huge family meal.
    What do you like to do when you’re bored?
    My guilty pleasure is watching Lifetime in my pajamas.
    If you were a color, what color would you be?
    I’ll say pink, because it happens to be my favorite color.
    Please underline which statement is more like you:
    “I am a vacation spa because I am laid back and relaxed.”
    “I am a ten-countries in ten-days tour vacation, because
    I do things as fast as possible.”

    Please complete the sentences

    I love pizza with pepperoni, black olive and mushroom.
    I’m always ready for sex.
    When I’m alone, I write.
    You’d never be able to tell, but I write erotica.
    If I had a halo it would be in
    flames
    .
    If I could disappear, I’d prank my friends.
    I can never skydive because I’m a big chicken.

    Previous Books

    The Progeny (Book One)
    Blood Bonds (Book Two)

    Books Coming Soon

    Blood Promise (Book Three)

    Contest

    For one commenter, I am offering free PDF copies of all three
    Progeny series books and two autographed Progeny series trading cards (Ascher and
    Shauna).Open to US addresses only.

    Find Me Here

    Website: http://ashlynnelaynne.com/
  • Contemporary

    Contemporary: I Do…or Die @BookEmDonna #RLFblog

    Donna Cummings, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s talk
    about your book, I Do…or Die.

    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    Publisher: Crimson Romance
    Length: 272 pages
    Heat rating: Sensual
    Tagline: Getting shot at during a wedding was the best thing
    to happen to her love life.
    Blurb:
    “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” is Shelby Atwood’s personal
    credo. She’s managed to avoid commitment all her life – no pets, no plants, not
    even a long-term lease. Heck, she’s had colds last longer than her romantic relationships.
    How could she be any other way when she has a gigolo for a father?

    But then gunfire erupts at the latest wedding she’s agreed to
    be in, and it ends up being the best thing to happen to Shelby’s love life. Detective Ryan Nichols is
    assigned to the case, and when the shootings don’t stop, he becomes her 24-hour
    bodyguard. Shelby
    wouldn’t mind except Ryan is too appealing, too sexy, and too happy to remind her
    of the raucous bachelorette party when she mistook him for a stripper.

    Shelby’s
    plan is simple: find the shooter, have a fling with Ryan, and return to her non-committal
    life. Unfortunately, the shooter is very elusive. Shelby’s feelings for Ryan are way more than adrenaline-fueled
    lust. And returning to her normal life is now impossible since, despite her lifelong
    resistance, she’s managed to put her heart smack dab in the line of fire.
    Buy links:
    Crimson
    Romance http://crimsonromance.com/crimson-romance-ebooks/crimson-romance-book-genres/contemporary-romance-novels/i-do-or-die/
    Amazon
    http://amazon.com/dp/B00AB3TBOC
     Barnes and Noble http://barnesandnoble.com/w/i-do-or-die-donna-cummings/1114001417?ean=9781440560514
    Kobo http://kobobooks.com/ebook/I-Do-Or-Die/book-H9enFejPcUi4zqyj0hCYEw/page1.html
    What are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?
    Shelby Atwood, early
    30’s, TV food personality
    Ryan Nichols, mid-30’s,
    detective

    Interview

    What inspired you to write this book?
    This book started out
    with a little riff from a bridesmaid chatting about all the outrageous bridesmaid
    dresses she’d had to wear. And then all of a sudden this chatty character became
    the heroine, Shelby, who had been a bridesmaid for her best friend four different
    times, only Shelby
    hates weddings. And then there was gunfire at the latest ceremony. . .Things just
    kind of went crazy from there!
    Which character in your current book do you think readers
    will like the most? Why?
    Shelby seems to endear herself to readers, probably
    because of her kooky adventures, and her commitment-phobe qualities, as well as
    her hilarious commentary on all of it. There’s definitely a fan base for the hero,
    Ryan, though.
    When you’re not writing, what would we find you doing?
    Probably “getting
    ready to write” or feeling guilty for not writing! I hang out a lot on Twitter,
    and I love to get inspired by looking at things on Pinterest, and I count them as
    invaluable research tools. *cough* Because they are!
    Are you a plotter, or do you prefer to make it up on the spur
    of the moment?
    I am a confirmed pantser.
    I’m not even sure I make stuff up–it just shows
    up in my brain, and I write it down. It feels like I’m the official stenographer
    for these characters. They say and do what they want to, and I type away. Sometimes
    I’ll pretend like I’m the movie director and suggest they move over here, or say
    such-and-such. When I’m done, they go back to what they were doing in the first
    place, and I just start typing again.
    What’s your writing schedule like?
    It’s pretty much a variation
    of this: “Okay, I’ve got my coffee, so I’ll open up the WIP and get my word
    count done for the day. Oh, wait. I better check Twitter one more time. And Facebook–I
    think somebody left a comment, and I don’t want them feeling ignored. Wow, it’s
    lunchtime already. Well, I’ll just go ahead and check the sales stats on Amazon
    and then really hit it at 1:30. No, 1:45. Heck, I might as well just round it up
    to–how did it get to be 6 p.m. already?!”
    Any advice for new authors?
    Write the story that
    won’t leave you alone. It may be slightly outside your current skill set, but work
    at it anyway. You’ll discover what you like, what your strengths are, and most importantly,
    you’ll find your voice. THAT is your most valuable tool as a writer. It’s what will
    keep readers wanting to read everything you write.
    If you could time travel what era would be your first stop?
    I didn’t even have to
    think about this one! I would go to Regency London, and have a grand time with all
    those rogues and rakes.
    Do you believe in luck?
    I’m not sure if I’d call
    it luck, but I definitely believe there’s something
    that happens outside of the normal everyday plane. It feels like coincidence sometimes,
    the way things happen, being in the right place at just the right moment. Or having
    someone show up just as you need them to.
    What’s your favorite movie?
    I love romance and humor,
    so I have a few movies I can watch a zillion times and never get tired of them.
    Strictly Ballroom is one, and Notting Hill is another.
    Donna Cummings

    Please complete the sentence

    I love pizza with forty-eleven kinds of cheese on it.
    I’m always ready for coffee, and more coffee.
    When I’m alone, I crack myself up all the time.
    You’d never be able to tell, but I’m thinking up a new tweet
    right now
    .
    If I had a halo, it would be
    marking my place in whatever book I’m reading.
    If I could learn how to drive a race car, I’d use that
    research for an upcoming book
    .
    I can never eat Brussels sprouts because they are incredibly
    gross
    !

    Previous Books

    Lord Midnight, Regency historical
    Summer Lovin’, contemporary romance novella

    Find Me Here

    Website/Blog: http://AllAboutTheWriting.com
  • Suspense

    Romantic Thriller: Byzantine Gold @BookstoGoNow #RLFblog

    Byzantine Gold

    Chris Karlsen, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s talk about
    your book, Byzantine Gold.

    Genre: Romantic Thriller
    Publisher: Books to Go Now
    Cover artist: Elaina Lee from For the Muse Design
    Length: 72K words
    Heat rating: 4
    Tagline: A Turkish agent and an American archaeologist find themselves
    in the crosshairs of dangerous enemies in this undersea thriller.
    Blurb:
    A sunken warship from the Byzantine Era carrying an unusual cargo
    of gold has been found off the coast of Northern Cyprus. News of the valuable
    cache has attracted the attention of a terrorist cell. They plan to attack the recovery
    team’s campsite and steal the artifacts. On the Black Market, the sale of the relics
    will buy them additional weapons.
    Charlotte Dashiell, an American archaeologist, and her lover,
    Atakan Vadim, a Turkish government agent, are scheduled to be part of the recovery
    team that brings up the artifacts. While en route to Cyprus, they find themselves caught
    in the crosshairs of Maksym Tischenko, a Ukrainian contract killer bent on revenge.
    Charlotte, Atakan and Tischenko share a grim history. As a result, Tischenko is
    a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal–seeing them both dead.
    Buy links:
    Amazon http://amzn.com/B00AVMIHDE/
    What are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?
    Charlotte Dashiell, 30,
    nautical archaeologist
    Atakan Vadim, 38, agent
    for the Turkish Ministry of Culture.
    Maksym Tischenko, 40,
    contract killer.
    Golden Chariot

    Interview

    What is the most important thing you do for your career now,
    as compared to when you first started writing?
    I allocate time for promotion
    work and I start asking for reviews as soon as I can.
    What websites do you visit daily?
    The Animal Rescue Site
    and the Rainforest Site, I click on the pages. For every click a bowl of food goes
    to a shelter animal and every click goes to purchase rainforest land at risk. It’s
    free to the person who clicks as corporate sponsors and/or private contributors
    take care of the costs.
    What do you enjoy most about writing?
    When a reader tells me
    they felt like they were there, in a scene, with one of my characters or when they
    say they felt part of the setting from the narrative description.
    If you could choose anyone to be your mentor who would it
    be?
    Tough call but I think
    (if you mean another author) it would be either Bernard Cornwell or John Sandford.
    I have several favorite authors but they combine setting with action remarkably
    well.
    If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what
    would it be?
    Start writing now. Don’t
    wait.
    What is your work ethic when it comes to writing?
    It’s pretty good. I do
    allocate time every day if I can to write, generally the afternoons. I don’t set
    page goals and don’t allow myself to not write because I’m “blocked.”
    Do things your family or friends do ever end up in a book?
    No.
    What are some jobs you’ve done before (or while) you were
    a writer?
    Before I became a writer
    I was car rental agent, a receptionist in a law firm, a switchboard operator, a
    grocery clerk and a police officer.
    Which of your books would you recommend to someone who doesn’t
    normally read your genre, and why?
    I’d recommend Golden
    Chariot or Byzantine Gold. They are romantic thrillers and the romance is the subplot
    rather than the main plot. I think it’s a nice way to introduce someone to romance
    and the thriller aspect has wider appeal.
    What kind of books do you read when taking a break from your
    own writing?
    I read historical fiction,
    like Bernard Cornwell’s books, Mike Connelly, John Sandford and Joe Wambaugh’s cop
    books, Julia Quinn’s historical romances along with Julie Anne Long and Deanna Raybourn.
    I also like Stephen Coonts’ thrillers.
    Imagine you get to go on a dream vacation, but you have only
    one hour to pack and leave, and it starts as soon as you finish this interview.
    What will you take with you and where will you go?
    A couple pair of shoes
    as I wear a 10 and can’t always find that size abroad. Toothbrush, toothpaste, some
    other toiletries and my makeup so I look halfway decent when I arrive. Kindle and/or
    Nook, tablet for emails, and my iPod with my music. A couple of changes of clothes.
    I’d go to Bodrum, Turkey,
    where I can lounge by the Aegean Sea and enjoy
    the sidewalk cafes at night.
    What is your favorite holiday and why?
    Driving around England and Scotland is a fave. I love it there.
    I love there’s so much history and castles, and picturesque villages, and nice people.
    I can never see all I want in a visit.
    What good book have you read recently?
    Death of Kings by Bernard
    Cornwell and I’m currently enjoying Mad
    River by John Sandford.
    Where were you at midnight, on December 31st when the new
    century started?
    Watching a Castle rerun.
    Dull I know.
    If your life became a movie, who would you want to play you?
    Stana Katic
    If you were a color, what color would you be?
    Bright Copper
    Please underline which statement is more like you:
    “I am a vacation spa because I am laid back and relaxed.”
    “I am a ten-countries in ten-days tour vacation, because
    I do things as fast as possible.”

    Please complete the sentences

    I love pizza with pepperoni, sausage and onions.
    I’m always ready for a glass of champagne.
    When I’m alone, I listen to music and read.
    You’d never be able to tell, but I’m not at all talkative
    at parties where I don’t know many people
    .
    If I had a halo it would be ornate
    like Byzantine jewelry
    .
    If I could get the courage I’d take a hot air balloon
    over part of Turkey
    .
    I can never dive because I cannot manage to clear my
    mask properly
    .

    Previous Books

    Heroes Live Forever
    Journey in Time
    Chris Karlsen
    Golden Chariot

    Books Coming Soon

    Knight Blindness

    Contest

    Commenters will have a chance to win an ebook copy of Golden Chariot.

    Find Me Here

    Website: http://chriskarlsen.com/index.html