• Character Interviews,  Contemporary

    Character Interview: Kiley St. Claire from A Late Thaw @ana_blaze #RLFblog

    A Late Thaw 
    Ana Blaze, welcome back to Romance Lives Forever. We’re excited
    to interview your character, Kiley St. Claire from the book, A Late Thaw.
    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    Publisher: Entranced Publishing
    Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde
    Length: novella, approx 60 pages
    Heat rating: spicy
    Tagline: Somet

    imes cool words hide warm hearts.

    Blurb: The town’s too small for Kiley St. Claire’s
    reappearance to be a surprise, still seeing her hits Cole Thomas like a punch
    to the gut. She ripped his heart apart when she turned to ice and ran away all
    those years ago. Now that she’s back, Cole’s going to say his piece and move
    on.
    Even if she does look damn good in that uniform.
    Kiley St. Claire is back in the small town of Barrett, Vermont,
    for one reason and one reason only: to earn some cash so she can survive her
    final semester of grad school. She’s not there for the sexy Christmas tree
    farmers.
    Even the one who once held her heart.
    Buy links:
    Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00G8UKWEK
    Barnes and Noble:http://goo.gl/MoaObg
    What are your main
    characters’ names, ages, and occupations?
    Kiley St. Claire is a meteorology graduate student in her
    mid-twenties.
    Cole Thomas, also in his mid-twenties, has recently taken
    over his family’s Christmas tree farm.

    Interview with Kiley
    St. Claire

    Tell us about yourself.
    There’s really not much to tell. I’m focused on school right
    now. I have one more semester until I complete my Masters on Meteorology. After
    that, I’ll probably take a position forecasting for agriculture or maybe
    something research-based. I guess I’m a little boring, just a regular girl.
    Tell us about Cole.
    Ha. I guess you’d say he’s the opposite of regular. Cole is
    kind of gifted. He’s handsome and charming. You know how some people are just
    really good with other people, like they make friends and keep the peace
    without even trying? That’s Cole. I’m not saying he doesn’t work hard. He does.
    He grew up on a farm, so he’s never not worked, but he has this way about him
    that makes things look easy when they’re not. He’s also insufferably honorable,
    so even when your mad at him you can’t help but love him. Yeah. That sucks.
    What was it like where you
    grew up?
    Barrett. Ugh. Barrett,
    Vermont has two traffic lights.
    That’s actually a big deal. We got the second one when I was fifteen and it was
    the biggest news all year. So, yeah, Barrett is a really small town. And of
    course there are some things about growing up in a small town that are nice.
    It’s safe, like leave your keys on your car seat safe, and pretty. Even having
    grown up there I can’t deny that Barrett is an especially lovely place. But
    it’s also a tiny dot on the map filled with people who spend way too much time
    gossiping. There’s no movie theater much less anything more culturally
    satisfying and our library is literally a single room off the side of the Moose
    Lodge. A few years back the librarian retired and now people just check out and
    return books on their own. Seriously.
    If you were given your
    fondest wish, what would it be?
    Wow. Well, if you can keep a secret, I’ll admit that it used
    to be Cole. I loved him.I mean really loved him. I suppose when you’re young
    it’s usually just a crush, but when it’s your best friend–the person you know
    best in the world– that’s a little different. That’s real. Of course Cole was
    clueless. He was way too busy being the most popular guy in school to notice.
    Which is good. I mean, he clearly doesn’t think of me that way. He loves me and
    all, I know he does, but it’s like I’m his kid sister or something. I sometimes
    doubt he even remembers that I’m a girl at all. So I’m glad he never figured it
    out. A broken heart hurts plenty without a walloping dose of humiliation as a
    side dish.
    Describe a place of perfect
    refuge.
    A library. A real one, not Barrett’s tiny space, but a giant
    multi-floored building filled with dark wooden bookshelves and big comfy
    chairs. The kind of place where you can get lost and learn anything.
    As a child, who was your
    best friend? Tell us about him/her.
    Cole, actually. My mom used to get some work from his
    parents during the Christmas season. She’d help make wreaths or work the cash
    box and I tagged along and played with Cole once we got his chores done. I
    loved being on the farm with Cole, we used chase the cats around the barn and
    hike around the forest pretending to go on quests.
    A Late Thaw 

    Buy links:

    Amazon http://amzn.com/B00G8UKWEK
    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-late-thaw-ana-blaze/1117254102?ean=2940148554080

    Previous Books

    The Best Man
    Love and Other Games

    About the Author

    Ana lives just outside Washington
    DC with her very supportive husband
    and three rather demanding cats. She loves the ocean, Indian food, Ikea, and
    cooking. Ana admits to watching too much television and she swears that someday
    she’s going to learn how to play the guitar resting on the bookshelf in her
    office.

    Find Me Here

    Ana’s inspiration board for A Late Thaw: http://www.pinterest.com/anablaze/a-late-thaw/
  • Contemporary

    Contemporary: Loving Link | Interview @TDHassettauthor #RLFblog

    Loving Link 
    TD Hassett, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s talk about
    your book, Loving Link.
    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
    Length: 315 pages
    Heat rating: hot
    Tagline: Can two artists salvage true love out of the unexpected
    consequences of one night of passion?
    Blurb: Link Jacks is done with women and determined to focus
    solely on music and rock-band Becket’s upcoming album. He’s been living as a marketing-prop
    bad-boy rock star for so long he doesn’t remember who he really is anymore. Not
    until he meets Madison, the emotionally guarded and theoretically off-limits younger
    sister of his best friend’s wife.
    Madison
    just wants to get her fledgling tattoo career off the ground and stop relying on
    the generous charity of her wealthy brother-in-law to get by. She knows she should
    never get involved with the likes of Link but his presence is downright intoxicating.
    Her indiscretion will lead to an Internet sex video and media frenzy. Their one
    wild night of passion will have scandalous repercussions and force each of them
    to confront their inner fears and emotional demons.
    Buy links:
    Amazon http://amzn.com/B00G8UV4A6
    What are your main characters’
    names, ages, and occupations?
    Madison Clarke – tattoo artist, 23
    Link Jacks – musician, 30

    Interview

    How did you get
    your start in the industry?
    I got my start as a writer by accident. I wanted to try writing
    a story about inner city education but it turned into a romance novel with some
    pretty explicit love scenes. Once I had about 100 pages written I knew I had to
    finish it. I kept what I was working on very quiet, worried about what friends and
    family would say, fearing that old saw about everyone always says they are writing
    a book and blah, blah, blah. I took my manuscript and submitted it to a dozen publishers.
    Two came back with interest but only if I would change the book to 3rd person. I
    rewrote the story and submitted to several more publishers and finally two of them
    offered contract. I chose Liquid Silver Books and have appreciated the support they
    have provided me as a new author.
    Do things your
    family or friends do ever end up in a book?
    All the time! I hope they don’t get too mad at me. I often use
    the names of friends and family for characters and sometimes things they have done
    or said wind up as part of the backstory. Writers need something from real life
    to tether them to reality when floating in their story worlds and that’s what adding
    some friends to my plots accomplishes for me.
    What are some jobs
    you’ve done before (or while) you were a writer?
    Isabel’s Awakening
    I have had some real gems that is for sure. The worst was working
    as a counter person at a dry cleaners; long shifts on your feet in a wretchedly
    hot building. I had trouble keeping that cheerful expression on my face all day.
    I spent may years working at a veterinary hospital and still love animals. Eventually
    I became a high school teacher which is a new adventure every day. You never know
    what the kids are going to say or do next and no two days are the same. I work a
    ton of hours after school so writing is very much a late night activity for me now.
    Which of your books
    would you recommend to someone who doesn’t normally read your genre, and why?
    I think everyone should read Isabel’s Awakening – especially
    men! It is a combination of erotic love story, guide to great sex, light mystery,
    social commentary and fantasy so there is something for everyone. I’ve had several
    people who never touch romance novels read that book (because they know me and felt
    obligated, lol) and get hooked on the genre and nag me to get the follow up story
    out pronto. They really got into the love story and were taken by surprise by the
    plot complexities.

    Please complete the sentences

    I love pizza with spinach and ricotta cheese.
    I’m always ready for a nap!
    When I’m alone, I read and watch really bad television.
    If I had a halo it would be quite dented but not because I
    meant to be a sinner.
    If I could have a super power I’d want to be able to
    become invisible on demand.

    Books Coming Soon

    Darling’s Desire

    About the Author

    T.D. Hassett, romance author, grew up certain that life should
    be like a romance novel; lots of passion, some incredible adventures and a guaranteed
    happily ever after. She earned a B.A. in history and a M.S. degree in clinical psychology
    before studying education. Ms. Hassett lives in Connecticut with her very patient husband and
    two young children. Her rambunctious family shares their home with 3 crazy cats
    and a darling golden retriever named Delilah. Her relatives make her feel like the
    only normal nut in the family tree inspires her writing.

    Find Me Here

    Website: http://tdhassett.wordpress.com
    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/TDHassett
  • Character Interviews,  Science Fiction Romance

    Character Interview: Lady Alexa from Pirate Queen’s Rebellion @cynnara #RLFblog

    Pirate Queen’s Rebellion 
    Cynnara Tregarth, welcome back to Romance Lives Forever. We’re excited
    to interview your character, Lady Alexa Vandercruys from the book, Pirate Queen’s
    Rebellion.
    Genre: Science Fiction romance, BDSM romance
    Publisher: Loose Id
    Cover artist: GD Leigh
    ISBN: 978-1-62300-534-4
    Length: 74,486 words
    Heat rating: 5 flames
    Tagline: The woman of his heart is his sworn enemy. The man who
    haunts her dreams can destroy everything she works for. Together—they can save their
    universe.
    Blurb:
    The Federated Planets have known war from within and without.
    Lord Alan Robertson, Gamma Quadrant’s Overseer understands and battles the conflict
    daily. Only Lady Alexa Vandercruys, renowned technological genius, willingly helps
    him to protect their quadrant from raiders and space pirates.
    Yet things aren’t always what they seem.
    In truth, a pirate protects the people, while FP authority siphons
    their sector’s resources. The captivating Pirate Queen Captain Dria Von Carnelian
    is their savior, and once she has Lord Alan in her grasp, she plans to show him
    the error of his ways. Even if he haunts her dreams at night and drives her crazy
    by day.
    When Lord Alan learns his ally, Lady Alexa, is actually the pirate
    queen of his worst nightmares and wildest dreams, he’ll have to put aside his prejudices
    to save his worlds…and win the heart of his sexy scourge.
    Buy links:
    Loose Id http://www.loose-id.com/authors/a-f/cynnara-tregarth/pirate-queen-s-rebellion.html
    Barnes and Noble, Amazon, ARe coming soon
    What are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?
    Lady Alexa Vandercruys (aka Captain Dria von Carnelian), early
    30-something, scientist/pirate
    Lord Alan Robertson, late 30-something, overseer of Gamma quadrant.

    Interview with Lady Alexa Vandercruys

    Tell us about yourself.
    I am a scientist first
    and foremost. Though my family might wish it different, I adore science. It’s precise,
    and there are so many permutations in things that you can repeat tests and get not
    only the same answer but variations on the theme, depending on the test. I love
    exploring the world around me, especially that of the Gamma quadrant, which is where
    I make my home. The crystals found on one particular planet of this quadrant are
    special to my family and to myself as I made my name with how they work and their
    practical applications in science.
    I take my responsibilities
    very seriously, especially those of position within the ranked families of our society.
    I might not always agree with how things are done, but I do believe in caring for
    those without the same advantages. It does mean however, that I do find myself at
    odds with those in power, including the Overseer of the Gamma quadrant.
    What do you think is your strongest point?
    I stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. I use
    my abilities and my rank to better others. Perhaps I can be a bit rash at times,
    but my strength lies in the fact I use my mind and my resources efficiently, sometimes
    ruthlessly to protect those who fall under my protection.
    What do you wish was different about your life?
    I miss my parents desperately. Because of what happened in the
    past, I didn’t get much time with them after I was ten years old. They were whisked
    off for their protection and very rarely do I get to see them. Due to that, I often
    wonder what my life would’ve been like to be raised by them completely and not by
    my grandfather.
    If you were given your fondest wish, what would it be?
    It would be to have a Federated Planets government without corruption
    and that truly considered everyone from the least among us to the fully vested.
    I know it’s idealistic, but if I could have that wish come true, it would be that
    one- I think many things would fall to the wayside because there would be better
    balance if we had a clean government where everyone was treated equal and possessed
    equal opportunity.
    Describe a place of perfect refuge.
    I don’t know if I have a perfect refuge.
    There is a conservatory on Hypatia, my home. When I’m there, I relax as it reminds
    me of one of my favourite places on a world I can barely go visit nowadays to protect
    my parents. Otherwise, my only other place of refuge is my bedroom. It’s a place
    where I let go of myself, indulging in my passionate nature.    
    What do you wish I had asked you? Please ask and answer it
    now.
    Ride Me Baby 
    I wish you would have
    asked me about who annoys me the most. The answer to that is easy—Lord Alan Robertson,
    Overseer of the Gamma quadrant. Well, him and his staff. I’ve tried for weeks, no
    months now to get help for those in our quadrant who’ve been starving or promised
    goods from the other quadrants, but have received nothing. Yet, every time I go
    to talk to Lord Robertson, his second-in-command, Trag, brushes me off and dismisses
    me like I’m a useless woman. Treat me like crap, will you? Just you wait. You’ve
    just unleashed something you can’t call back. You won’t deal with one of the foremost
    scientists in our universe? Then you’ll deal with people who won’t take no for answer,
    people who aren’t afraid to steal from the rich and the greedy. You can deal with
    the Pirate Queen, Captain Dria Von Carnelian. Long may she kick your sorry ass.

    About the Author

    Cynnara Tregarth loves stories of all kinds and always wanted
    to write. When she finally moved to Florida,
    she knew she it was time. In 2003, her dream came true. Since then Cynnara has never
    looked back, instead gazing on the vista of genres waiting to be conquered.

    Previous Books

    Games Empaths Play
    Treaty of Desire
    Match Game: Ghost Style
    Cupid Shoots, She Scores
    Dragon Chef: Pixified
    Love Games
    Mark of the Blood (Book 1 of the Marauders)
    Call of the Wylde (Book 2 of the Marauders)
    Ride Me Baby

    Books Coming Soon

    Bardic Tales (Book 3 of the Marauders)

    Find Me Here

  • Contemporary

    The Samurai’s Garden @PatriciaKiyono #RLFblog #romance

    The Samurai’s Garden 
    Today’s featured book is Samurai’s Garden by Patricia Kiyono.
    Hiro Tanaka prepared for a life as a samurai warrior. But his
    world changed when Ja-pan’s feudal system was abolished by the Emperor. Now, he
    must find a new vocation. Disillusioned with fighting and violence, he travels alone,
    going north to the island
    of Hokkaido. Many other samurai
    wander through the country and are known as ronin. Some have forsaken their honorable
    way to prey on the less fortunate.
    Hanako Shimizu experienced first-hand the devastation caused
    by these disreputable wanderers. The previous winter, they raided her farm and killed
    her husband. Now, she needs to rebuild but has no money and no prospects — except
    for the dubious intentions of the town merchant.
    When Hiro, tired of his wandering, encounters Hanako in the market,
    arguing with the merchant, he poses as her late husband’s cousin then offers to
    help her on the farm in ex-change for a place to stay. Working on the land, Hiro
    finally finds the peace he has been seeking. But the reappearance of the rogue ronin,
    led by an unscrupulous leader from Hiro’s past, forces him to take up his swords
    again. But now, the stakes are higher.
    This time, he’s fighting from the heart.

    Buy links

    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-samurais-garden-patricia-kiyono/1113750260?ean=2940015936278

    Find Me Here

  • SEALs

    Breaking Away @teresareasor #RLFblog #SEALs

    Breaking Away 
    Cover Love at Romance Lives Forever is a short intro to a
    book and includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the
    author. Today’s featured book is Breaking Away byTeresa Reasor.
    Breaking Away (Book 3 of the SEAL Team Heartbreakers)
    When lone wolf, Navy SEAL Harold “Flash” Carney agrees
    to act as an undercover operative for the FBI in an international smuggling sting,
    he revisits a past he hoped to leave behind forever. During the sting his handler
    is killed. Neck deep in a double cross and cut off from his team, Flash goes on
    the run with only his training to keep him alive.
    Samantha Cross is desperate to leave her past as a battered wife
    behind, but her ex-husband is attempting to gain custody of their daughter, Joy,
    to keep them in his life. When her ex turns stalker, Sam is determined to do whatever
    it takes to protect her daughter and break his hold over them for good.
    Despite their mutual wariness, Samantha and Flash are drawn to
    each other. But trust comes hard. When the walls both have erected start to crumble,
    trouble surfaces from all fronts, and Flash has no choice but to break away from
    the ingrained habits of a lifetime to save the one thing he’s always wanted and
    thought he’d never have—a family.

    Buy Links:

    Amazon http://amzn.com/B00G9PLY7I

    Find Me Here

    Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/Teresa-Reasor/e/B0056ZRB7E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1384233916&sr=1-1

  • Suspense

    Whispers in the Dark @Kris_Bock #RLFblog #suspense

    Whispers in the Dark
    Cover Love at Romance Lives Forever is a short intro to a
    book and includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the
    author. Today’s featured book is Whispers in the Dark by Kris Bock.
    Genre: Romantic Suspense
    Publisher: Pig
    River Press
    Length: 218 Pages
    Sensuality Level: PG
    Young archeologist Kylie Hafford heads to the remote Puebloan
    ruins of Lost Valley, Colorado, to excavate. Her first exploration
    of the crumbling ruins ends in a confrontation with a gorgeous, angry man who looks
    like a warrior from the Pueblo’s
    ancient past. If only Danesh weren’t so aggravating… and fascinating. Then she literally
    stumbles across Sean, a charming, playful tourist. His attentions feel safer, until
    she glimpses secrets he’d rather keep hidden.
    The summer heats up as two sexy men pursue her. She finds mysteries
    – and surprising friendships – among the other campground residents. Could the wide-eyed
    woman and her silent children be in the kind of danger all too familiar to Kylie?
    Mysterious lights, murmuring voices, and equipment gone missing
    plague her dig. A midnight encounter sends Kylie plummeting into a deep canyon.
    She’ll need all her strength and wits to survive. Everything becomes clear – if
    she wants to save the man she’s come to love and see the villains brought to justice,
    she must face her demons and fight.
    Whispers in the Dark is romance and suspense set in the Four Corners region of the Southwest.

    Buy Links

    Paperback: http://bookShow.me/B006M6P6FA
    Kindle: http://bookShow.me/B006M6P6FA
    Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whispers-in-the-dark-kris-bock/1108066717

    About the Author

    Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance involving outdoor
    adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Counterfeits starts a new series about art
    theft. Whispers in the Dark features
    archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a mystery with strong
    romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. Rattled follows the hunt for a long-lost
    treasure in the New Mexico
    desert. Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com
    or visit her Amazon page.

    Find Me Here

    Website http://www.krisbock.com/
    Barnes and Noble Author Page http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/kris-bock