• RLF Gems

    What’s New Pussycat? #RLFblog Blog Opportunities for #Authors

    RLF Blog
    Thank you for a great 2015! The Romance Lives Forever blog grew,
    and some wonderful features were added. For the year, there were 351 posts.

    Social Media

    The link between the blog and Paper.li helped get out the word about blog posts.
    The paper is an online daily ezine, and this one posts to Twitter. The blog uses
    the hashtag #RLFblog, and you can click on Twubs
    to check its reach.
    Triberr did a great
    job of sharing the news as well. Because of my followers, the tribemates I associate
    with, and their followers, RLF has a reach of over 3.5 million. The program works
    because it brings new readers, and reminds current ones of new material. It provides
    an average of 45 – 50 mentions on Twitter every day, and since each post has the
    guest author’s Twitter handle in the title, that means the guest gets mentioned
    too.
    Networked Blogs helped by posting automatically to Facebook.
    The blog goes to several pages, and is often shared. Did you know the blog has its
    own Facebook page? Come over and like the page, and then share the day’s post, especially
    if you’re one of the guests.

    Share your book cover on Romance Lives Forever

    Limited spots to share book covers are available. Cost is $5
    per month, with a 20% discount for one quarter and up to one year. Covers can be
    changed monthly.
    RLF Gem Award

    Sign Up!

    Request a date by clicking the Request a Date tab. Fill in the
    info, pick two dates, and I’ll do my best to get you one of them.

    RLF Gems

    This popular feature happens on the first of each month. I post
    a listing of the top bloggers,
    and send the top five a graphic to post on their
    websites or blogs. It’s almost always the most visited page of the month, although
    I don’t count it when listing which posts are the most popular. I want the credit
    to go to my wonderful guests. The top blogger each month gets a month of free ad
    space on the blog. The top blogger for the year gets a full year of ad space. The
    winner for December, and for 2015 will be announced Jan 1, 2016.

    Thank you…

    The blog has grown and changed in response to your requests,
    and I hope you’ve found it helpful. If there is something you’d like me to add or
    change, please let me know. Thank you for your support. It’s been a pleasure getting to know
    you, and I hope to see you back soon.
    Kayelle Allen

     

  • Character Sketch,  Regency

    Sir Phillip from A Devilish Slumber @ShereenVedam #RLFblog #Regency

    A Devilish Slumber 

    Shereen Vedam shares details about the creation of Phillip in the book A Devilish Slumber.

    About the Book

    Title A Devilish Slumber (The Rue Alliance Book 1)
    Genre Regency Fantasy Romance
    Author Shereen Vedam
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG13
    The last of her family, Rose is mired in grief at the recent death of her beloved sister and the abandonment by the man she loves. Wanting to avoid the cloying attention of friends, servants and well-wishers, she becomes a recluse. Then one day, she meets a woman who reminds Rose of her gentle mother . . . and then news comes of her new friend’s brutal murder. Rose refuses to accept this latest blow lying down. So she resurrects an ancient, magical, family talent to re-shape her features in order to disguise herself as a young man, and goes hunting for her friend’s killer through London’s seedier lanes and dangerous dockyards.
    Sir Phillip, the Regent’s favored spy, returns from war determined to win back the woman he was forced to leave three years ago. But when he witnesses Rose covered in blood, racing from a brutal scene while gripping the murder weapon, he goes on a desperate mission to unravel what he hopes is a case of mistaken identity.
    Will Rose ever get her happily-ever-after? Possibly. But first, she’ll have to convince Phillip of her innocence-before the killer strikes again . . .

    Introducing Phillip Jones

    Name: Sir Phillip Crispin Jones
    Age: 23 years old
    Gender: Male
    Birthplace: London, England
    Profession: the Regent’s favored intelligence officer
    Describe Phillip’s body build, skin tone, height and weight. Include any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars: 6′, lean, agile, narrow face, strong, generous, courageous, passionate and thrives on fast-paced adventures
    Who is the significant other in Phillip’s life?
    Lady Roselyn (Rose) Ravenstock
    Tell us about this character, please.
    Rose was inspired by the fairy tale character, Sleeping Beauty. She is the twenty-one year old daughter of an earl, who only wants peace and quiet to come to terms with an unquenchable sorrow and overwhelming remorse. Though none of it was her fault, she feels as if she might be jinxed to bring harm to anyone who cares for her. To avoid entanglements, Rose has become a recluse, even discharging all of her well-meaning but clinging servants. All but one, a loyal young maid fleeing her own troubled family who insists on staying to the point of harming herself with her incessant knocking at Rose’s front door. Rose relents and allows her to come inside and care for a now secluded house and its lonely, heartbroken mistress.
    On what special skills does Phillip rely?
    Phillip is an Intelligence Office for the Regent in 1814, London, England. He is often sent to war-torn Europe to infiltrate enemy camps and unearth military secrets. He has a keen sense for noting details and a quick wit that has helped him stay alive in dangerous times. Possessing a naturally suspicious mind, he also has a particular knack for uncovering deception.
    What kinds of things does Phillip always carry?
    He never leaves home without two things: 1) a walking stick with a handy rapier, a long thin sword, hidden within, and, 2) a circular tinderbox and accompanying candle, for his late night prowls down dark alleyways in search of suspects.
    Is Phillip close to family?
    He loves his cousin Rufus like a brother, but they had a falling out after a childhood misunderstanding resulted in Rufus paying a steep price for something Phillip had done. Though Rufus seems to hold no grudges, Phillip has never forgiven himself for that mistake.
    Can Phillip keep a secret (why or why not)?
    Phillip keeps lots of secrets. Though recently, one of his best kept secrets was leaked to the press.
    What is Phillip’s biggest need at the beginning of the story?
    Before she sent him away, Rose accused Phillip of being unable to trust anyone. So he wants to quiet his constantly probing mind in order to perceive the good in people as well as he does their darkness.
    Who has the power to hurt Phillip the most and why?
    Phillip’s first attempt to practice his rusty trusting skills is to befriend a young stranger he meets while on a case. Ben Turner is searching for the same ruthless killer that Phillip hunts. Except Ben has a secret that could devastate Phillip, and shake his ability to trust in anyone ever again, especially Rose.
    What is Phillip willing to give up to win Rose’s heart?
    He is willing to give up his lifelong goal to right wrongs.

    About Your Writer

    Shereen Vedam 

    To honor the person who chose to share your story, please answer the following questions.

    What do you wish your writer had not told others about you?
    My role as the Regent’s Intelligence Officer is a sensitive one that relies on absolute secrecy. Except, thanks to Shereen, I am now the talk of London. The events in her last book resulted in my greatest secret, my clandestine work for the Regent, being spilled to the press. As a result, the rags have even been printing cartoons about me! A cartoon. Can you believe it? My life’s work is now a public joke.
    Is there anything you’d like to say to Shereen?
    Considering my answer above, it might surprise you to learn that I wish to thank Shereen. For NOT portraying me a deuced deluded dummy. Did you read her first draft? She made me out to be some sort of idiot who couldn’t find a worm in an apple orchard. Thank heavens her final draft acknowledged my detecting skills as exemplary. And she also gave me a chance to win Rose back, not just her love but her invaluable friendship. For that latter accomplishment, I might even forgive Shereen for the cartoon catastrophe.

    Buy This Book

    Publisher ImaJinn Books, an imprint of Belle Books
    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/a-devilish-slumber?store=allproducts&keyword=a+devilish+slumber
    ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-adevilishslumber-1767197-143.html

    Author Bio

    Once upon a time, Shereen read fantasy and romance novels to entertain herself. Now she writes heartwarming tales braided with threads of magic and love, and mystery elements woven in for good measure. She’s a fan of resourceful women, intriguing men, and happily ever after endings. If her stories whisk you away to a different realm for a few hours, then Shereen will have achieved one of her life goals.

    Author Social Media

  • Contemporary

    Firebird a new #ContemporaryRomance by @JenniferTLoring #RLFblog

    Firebird 
    This quick interview includes info about the author, and introduces
    the story.

    Interview with Jennifer Loring

    Jennifer Loring’s short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines,
    webzines, and anthologies. In 2013, she won Crystal Lake Publishing’s inaugural
    Tales from the Lake writing competition; in 2014, DarkFuse published her novella
    Conduits, and in May 2015, Omnium Gatherum released her debut novel, Those of My
    Kind. She recently signed a deal for a contemporary romance trilogy with Limitless
    Publishing; the first book, Firebird, was published on October 20, 2015. Jennifer
    lives in Philadelphia, PA with her husband, their turtle, and two basset hounds.
    Why did you write this
    book?
    The idea originally came to me in a dream: What would happen
    if a woman ran into her high school sweetheart, now a famous hockey player, one
    night at a bar and one thing led to another? What if she was already in a relationship?
    I’m a huge hockey fan, and I couldn’t get the idea out of my head, especially when
    I started taking it further. What if he suffered a horrible injury on-ice, and how
    would that affect their relationship?
    What is your favorite
    genre to read?
    Horror and dark fantasy, actually. I first read Stephen King
    when I was 11. Horror is what made me want to become a writer.
    Who is your favorite character
    from fiction (not including your own)?
    That’s a tough one. I’m just going to throw a few out there.
    Irrylath from Meredith Ann Pierce’s The Darkangel Trilogy; Constantine from Robin
    McKinley’s Sunshine; Zach from Poppy Z. Brite’s Drawing Blood; Elphaba from Wicked.
    What are you working on
    at the moment, and will see from you in coming months?
    I’m working on the second book in the Firebird Trilogy as well
    as a paranormal romance. I have a couple of short stories coming out in anthologies
    as well. I’m also writing a proposal for a sci-fi romance novella, and toying with
    the idea of a hockey romance novella for next Christmas.
    Please tell us about your
    latest book.
    Stephanie Hartwell is a journalist chasing the story of her career…
    When superstar hockey player and notorious bad boy Aleksandr
    Volynsky is traded to the Seattle Earthquakes in a blockbuster deal, Stephanie demands
    the opportunity to prove herself by scoring an exclusive interview with a man with
    no love for the media…the same man she once thought, as a naïve teenager, she’d
    someday marry.
    An Olympian and Stanley Cup Champion, Aleksandr has achieved
    every goal he’s ever set…
    Now expected to carry a failing team on his shoulders, Aleksandr’s
    troubles deepen when he encounters Stephanie after a season-opening loss. His lifestyle
    of drinking and random hookups has been a futile attempt to forget the beautiful
    tomboy who stole his heart nine years ago. And worse, fame and fortune have made
    it impossible for him to trust anyone—especially Stephanie, who is engaged to another
    man.
    Romance rekindles, but tragedy reveals Aleksandr’s dark side…
    Being with Aleksandr in the first place jeopardizes Stephanie’s
    journalistic integrity and threatens her career, and when he spirals out of control,
    it reawakens fears from her own history, making her unable to commit to a future
    with him.
    When Aleksandr discovers the truth behind his self-destructive
    behavior, will his newfound self-awareness be enough to convince Stephanie to give
    him one last chance…
    Or will his revelation drive her away for good?

    About the Book

    Title: Firebird
    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    Author: Jennifer Loring
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

    Buy This Book

    Amazon http://amzn.to/1Ng214z
    Amazon Canada http://amzn.to/1lDoUF8
    Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1Z51vKW
    Amazon Australia http://bit.ly/1lDp5jF
    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/firebird-jennifer-loring/1122823220?ean=9781680583236
    Books-A-Million http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Firebird/Jennifer-Loring/9781680583236?id=6488022371018

    Author Social Media

  • Contemporary

    Modern Heart by @bwilliamsbooks #RLFblog #contemporaryromance

    Modern Heart 
    Cover Love includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media
    contacts for the author. Today’s featured book is Modern Heart by Belinda Williams.

    About the Book

    Answer on the same line.
    Title Modern Heart
    Genre Contemporary Romance
    Author Belinda Williams
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Limited time only: Dream career! Perfect man! The catch? Emotional
    availability.
    Scarlett Wong has a reputation for toughness. A talented and
    often feared Creative Director at an award-winning Sydney advertising agency, she
    doesn’t do relationships, she doesn’t invite men home, and she never stays the night.
    The only people who see her softer side are her three closest girlfriends, and they’re
    finally convinced they’ve found her perfect man: John Hart.
    Scarlett’s never been one to back down from a challenge and she’s
    not going to start now. But when John secures Scarlett an invitation from one of
    New York’s leading galleries to exhibit her artwork, it means putting herself out
    there like never before. Scarlett’s perfect man wouldn’t interfere in her life like
    this – would he?
    For a woman who thinks she’s not scared of anything, Scarlett
    is about to discover she’s not as tough as she thinks. Will she take the chance
    to turn her secret passion into a career, risk the safety of her advertising career
    and let John in? Or will old habits die that little bit too hard?

    Buy This Book

    You may list as many additional sites as you like. Please leave
    the headings in place (publisher, Amazon, etc.) for the ones you use. Delete any
    you do not use. Answer on the same line.
    Publisher Pan Macmillan Australia
    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/modern-heart-belinda-williams/1122632406;jsessionid=7B372ED95D93769CE2895D29D84B8771.prodny_store02-atgap02?ean=9781760300906
    Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/modern-heart-city-love-3?bookId=3f6fbeea-6f91-485e-a080-ae02f4aabff5

    About the Author

    Belinda is a marketing communications specialist and copywriter
    who allowed an addiction to romance and chick lit to get the better of her.
    Belinda is the author of the contemporary romance series, City
    Love, published by Momentum (Pan Macmillan). The Boyfriend Sessions, The Pitch and
    Modern Heart are available for purchase from all good ebook online retailers. The
    final book in the series, Wish List, will be released in May 2016.
    Belinda was named a top ten finalist in The Romance Writers of
    Australia Emerald award in both 2013 and 2014.
    Her other addictions include music and cars. Belinda is a music
    lover and her eclectic taste forms the foundation for many of her writing ideas.
    Her healthy appreciation for fast cars means she would not so secretly love a Lamborghini.
    For now she’ll have to settle with her son’s supercar Hot Wheels collection and
    writing hot male leads with sports cars.
    Belinda lives in Sydney, Australia.

    Author Social Media

  • Christmas or Holiday

    Were you surprised on Christmas? #RLFblog #family

    It’s Christmas Eve, and the
    end of a year in which everything Dara loves was lost. Everything but her little
    girl and a fierce determination to survive. When a cop brings Christmas to her door,
    he brings another gift she never expected to get.
    When you read A Romance for Christmas, you’re thrown into the life of Dara, a young widow with a small child, who meets a widowed cop who also has a small child. The two of them share a family Christmas, bringing hope back into Dara’s life.
    This sweet, feel-good romance will give you a feeling of joy and make you smile.
    Download a behind-the-scenes peek at the book. This free pdf gives you the meaning behind the names, the reason I wrote the book, and links to buy it anywhere you prefer.

    Buy This Book

    Amazon http://amzn.to/1wpW8qE
    Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/christmas-bnn
    Kobo http://bit.ly/christmas-kobo
    iBooks http://bit.ly/christmas-ibk
    Smashwords http://bit.ly/christmas-smw

    About the Author

    Kayelle Allen is a best-selling, award-winning author. Her unstoppable
    heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers,
    futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr.
    Homeworld https://kayelleallen.com
    Twitter https://twitter.com/kayelleallen
    Facebook https://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
    Pinterest https://pinterest.com/kayelleallen/
    G+ https://plus.google.com/+KayelleAllen/

  • Paranormal

    Midnight Shift (Midnight Shifters 1) by @reneegeorge2008 #RLFblog #PNRRomance

    Cover Love includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social
    media contacts for the author. Today’s featured book is Midnight Shift
    (Midnight Shifters Book One)by Renee George.

    About the Book

    Title Midnight Shift (Midnight Shifters Book One)
    Genre Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
    Author Renee George
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Can two alpha wolf shifters love Benie enough to put their differences aside to save her? 
    When Other Worlder monsters start hunting slayer Benoica “Benie” Dilian, she enlists the sexy genius Ian Arent and the hot telepathic werewolf Trace Calder to help find out who is trying to kill Benie–and why. 
    But as the investigation takes them deep into the Other Worlder community, Benie discovers a dark truth that may well destroy her. Only the love of the two very different men can help her survive and accept her ultimate destiny. 

    Buy This Book

    Publisher Book Boutique
    iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/midnight-shift/id1032851626?mt=11
    Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/midnight-shift-renee-george/1122154691?ean=9781625179968
    ARe – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-midnightshift-1875737-143.html
    Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/midnight-shift-1

    About the Author

    Renee George is a USA Today Bestselling author of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, erotic romance, contemporary romance, and romantic comedies that highlight varying themes including traditional, ménage, gay and bisexual relationships. A published author since 2005, she has written and published over 30 books in the past decade. Accolades include: EcataRomance Award for Best Paranormal Erotic Romance and Best Gay Erotic Romance and a Literary Nymph Blush Award for Best Paranormal Romance. 

    Author Social Media

    Blog – http://romance-the-night.com/Renee_George/my-blog/