• Historical,  Series Feature

    Read the series: Southworth Saga – Virtuous Intentions by Brita Addams #RLFblog #HistoricalRomance

    Read the series: Southworth Saga - Virtuous Intentions by Brita Addams #RLFblog #HistoricalRomanceBrita Addams, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your series.

    Thank you for having me, Kayelle. I’m happy to be back.

    Virtuous Intentions in the Southworth Saga

    Genre – Historical Romance/Historical Fiction, set in 1870s New Orleans

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG-13

    Lured by the promise of a substantial inheritance, ne’er-do-well English aristocrat, Avery Southworth, sets sail for America. Avery’s purpose is to revive his uncle’s war-ravaged plantation, and make it, once again, a profitable enterprise. A task made easier when one possesses land management skills, but that man isn’t Avery Southworth. He brings with him his valet, Elijah Goran, the man Avery has depended upon for years to make him look good in all things.

    Avery’s death at sea compels Elijah to make a well-intentioned decision. With the simple words, “Are you Mr. Southworth?” he buries Elijah Goran and becomes a better version of his employer.

    As Elijah’s recovery plan goes into full effect, he and the uncle’s ward, Cecily Petitpain, grow closer, a circumstance Elijah hadn’t foreseen, and one that threatens his tenuous grasp of the situation. Cecily has seen her share of disappointment and heartache, and considers honesty the single most important quality in a man.

    Time and again, opportunities to clear his conscience go the way of the wind. When circumstances unexpectedly force his hand, can he find a way to his virtuous truth, without destroying the delicate trust that is paramount to the woman he loves?

    Which book is this in the series?

    Virtuous Intentions is the first book in the Southworth Saga.

    How many books do you plan for the series?

    At the moment, I plan two, though there is the possibility that I’ll do more.

    How many books are completed?

    One, Virtuous Intentions, is completed. Raison D’Etre is in the works, and will likely be available early next year.

    What characters are the main stars in your series?

    Each book will have its own main characters, with many of the characters crossing over. Elijah Goran and Cecily Petitpain are the stars of Virtuous Intentions, and they will appear in Raison D’Etre, though briefly.

    What is the overall theme in this series?

    While we have romance, in all its incarnations, the first theme that comes to mind is selfishness vs unabashed selflessness. Of course, the story is deeper than that, but that is the tinder that kindled the flame that is the story.

    Please list the series titles below, in any order you prefer.

    Virtuous Intentions

    Raison D’Etre

    What did you like best about writing this series?

    As with any book I write, I love the research. That starts me on the journey I take to fashion the story, and takes a good six months to complete before I ever write a word. I do, however, love the creation of story. I’m considered a pantser, which means I create the story, for the most part, as I type. This is partially true, in that I let the story take me where it needs to go. On occasion, the characters lead me, other times, the story dictates are particular path.

    Outlining a story is something I rarely do, and knowing the end before I write a word isn’t something I wish to do. With each development in the story, the direction changes, so overall preplanning doesn’t work for me. I do take note of certain plot points I want to hit, and even they might change, but I strive to include them, if they continue to benefit the story.

    I enjoy setting my story against a historical backdrop, with actual historical events and historical figures playing a part in the story. Getting that part right is important. Details matter.

    In writing Virtuous Intentions, I explored the human need to help others, without regard for one’s safety, emotional or physical. The antithesis of that is, of course, selfishness, which abounds in one character. Redemption is also a part of the mix. With this book, I gave my characters the opportunity to put everything on the line, fully aware of the outcome, should things go awry. I believe they learned things about themselves they mightn’t have known. I certainly did, which set the story off in an unexpected direction.

    What other books (not in this series, have you written?)

    My writing journey started in 2010 with the Sapphire Club Series –
    Lucien & Serenity
    Prentice & Desiree
    Thornhill’s Dilemma.
    Standalones are:
    For Men Like Us
    Demands of the Heart
    Her Timeless Obsession
    The Tarnished Series:
    Tarnished Gold
    Tarnished Past – Beloved Unmasked
    Tarnished Souls – Frankie & Gent
    Delacroix Saga:
    Cedar Grove
    After Dark Rag
    Free Read:
    An Evening at the Starlight, available on my website

    All are historical romance, except the Delacroix Saga. That his pure historical fiction. There have been others, but as they fell out of contract, I withdrew them from availability. They didn’t represent my best work.

    Where can we find links for all your books?

    https://www.amazon.com/Brita-Addams/e/B003Y1ZAZW

    Where to buy Virtuous Intentions

    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Y85D4RF/

    Brita Addams Social Media

    Prompted by her love of history, writer of historical fiction and historical romance, Brita Addams has tromped around old cemeteries and dusty town hall basements for over twenty-five years as a non-professional genealogist. She’s uncovered some juicy stories about her ancestors that may, or may not have already found their way into her writing. For several years, she lectured on genealogy aboard cruise ships, as part of their Enrichment Programs.
    Having grown up in blustery Upstate New York, Brita has lived in the sultry South for many years. She has a loving, supportive family, including her native New Orleanian husband, who makes killer gumbo and potato salad. After years in the Big Easy, she and her husband moved to the Frog Capital of the World (yes, that’s a thing,) to be closer to two of their three grown children. She is Grammie to grandpuppy, Fiona, a maltipoo who has stolen her heart, as well as two grandsons and a granddaughter. She celebrates life everyday, well aware of how fragile life is.
    Website – https://www.britaaddams.net
    Blog https://www.britaaddams.net/blog-1
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/britaaddams
    Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/britaaddams
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4093476.Brita_Addams
    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Brita-Addams/e/B003Y1ZAZW/

     

  • RLF Gems

    Star Blogger 2015: Sabrina York @sabrina_york #RLFblog #historical

    In preparation for the move from Blogspot to WordPress, I’m sharing the RLF Gem Bloggers of this site. Each Saturday for the next few weeks, I’ll showcase a different author.
    2015 Star Blogger: Sabrina York
    Sabrina has appeared on the Romance Lives Forever blog twenty-two times. She has been an RLF Gem multiple times and was Blogger of the Year in 2015. The position is chosen by the amount of visits the author’s post receives.
    I’m proud to present Sabrina with the 2015 RLF Gem Award.
    Others who won monthly top blogger awards in 2015 were Collette Cameron, Paula Millhouse, Vicky Burkholder, KT Black, Rebecca Hunter, Mae Clair, KT Black, Susan V Vaughn, and Barbara White Daille.
    Authors who appeared frequently during 2015 included Brita Addams, Cynthia Sax, Daisy Banks, DP Denman, Heather Boyd, Kim Iverson Headlee, Kristina Knight, and Lauren Linwood.
    My thanks to each of them for making Romance Lives Forever a great place to find authors and books.

    About Sabrina York

    Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy
    readers. Her titles range from sweet and sexy to scorching romance. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Get updates and alerts from Sabrina here: HotSheet Sign Up.
    Newsletter and tiara contest: http://sabrinayork.com/sabrinas-contest-and-newsletter/

    Sabrina York’s latest book

    Susana and the Scot (Untamed Highlanders)
    New York Times bestselling author Sabrina York carries
    readers back to the wild Scottish Highlands in Susana and the Scot, where the bravest of men surrender to no one-except the boldest of women…
    Scotland, 1813.
    A Scandalous Temptation Andrew Lochlannach is famous for his conquests, on and off the battlefield. When a fellow warrior challenges him to a kissing contest, he wastes no time in planting his lips on ninety-nine lovely lasses-an impressive feat of seduction that gets him banished to the hinterlands. Still, Andrew has no regrets about his exploits-especially his embrace with the most beguiling woman he’s ever
    met…
    An Undeniable Passion With flaming red hair and a temper to match, Susana is not some innocent farmgirl who gives herself over easily to a man, even one as ruggedly handsome as Andrew. The wicked Scot may have won a kiss from the headstrong beauty in a moment of mutual desire, but Susana refuses to be just another one of his conquests. Andrew must convince the fiery lass that even though he is not playing a game, losing her is not an option…
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/125006970X/
    Coming next Saturday…Top Blogger for 2016. Come back and see who it is! Visit the new blog – still under construction: RLFblog. Since the hashtag is #RLFblog, that’s the url for the new site. It will keep the name Romance Lives Forever.

     

  • Gay or MM

    Tarnished Souls: Frankie and Gent @britaaddams #gayromance #RLFblog

    Today’s featured book is Tarnished Souls: Frankie
    and Gent by Brita Addams.

    About Tarnished: Souls Frankie
    and Gent

    Genre Historical gay romance
    Author Brita Addams
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Hollywood’s Golden Age is not all glitz and glamor. Mob boss
    Frankie Monetti controls the unions and the studios, which makes him and the
    syndicate very rich. But after five years, Frankie runs afoul of the law and
    those who put him in power.
    Primo hit man, and Frankie’s lifelong friend, Arvin “Gent”
    Vitali, goes west with orders to clean up the mess and then bring Frankie back
    to New York to answer for his double cross. But as the noose closes tighter
    around Frankie’s neck, Gent questions where his loyalty truly lies. Is business
    just business, or is freedom worth the risk?
    The following excerpt is raw in its language, much as
    gangsters are. I hope this snippet will entice you to check out the book and
    see who Frankie and Gent are beneath their tarnished souls.

    Buy This Book

    Dreamspinner http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4296
     
    Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Tarnished-Souls-Frankie-Brita-Addams-ebook/dp/B00GQQQ2GS/

    About the Author

    Born in a small town in upstate New York, Brita Addams has
    made her home in the sultry south for many years. In the Frog Capital of the
    World, Brita shares her home with her real-life hero—her husband, and a fat cat
    named Stormee. All their children are grown.
    Given her love of history, Brita writes both het and gay
    historical romance. Many of her historicals have appeared on category
    bestseller lists at various online retailers.
    Tarnished Gold, the first in her gay romance Tarnished
    series for Dreamspinner Press, was a winner in the 2013 Rainbow Awards,
    Historical Romance category. The book also received nominations for Best
    Historical and Best Book of 2013 from the readers of the Goodreads M/M Romance
    Group.
    A bit of trivia—Brita pronounces her name, Bree-ta, and not
    Brit-a, like the famous water filter. Brita Addams is a mash-up of her real
    middle name and her husband’s middle name, with an additional d and s.

    Author Social Media

    Blog http://www.britaaddams.net/blog/c1zoe
    Newsletter https://www.facebook.com/BritaAddamsEroticRomance/app_100265896690345
  • Gay or MM

    Lucien and Serenity: Sapphire Club 1 by @britaaddams #RLFBlog #Historical

    Today’s featured book is Lucien and Serenity: Sapphire Club 1 by Brita Addams.

    About the Book
    Title  Lucien and Serenity: Sapphire Club 1
    Genre  Historical Erotic Romance
    Author   Brita Addams
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings G, PG, PG13, R):  R
    USA Today Recommended Read
    Serenity Damrill has returned to her husband, Lucien, after a ten-year absence. She carries with her a secret that could destroy her life and possibly all that Lucien has built. She needs Lucien’s protection, and she is determined to repair her marriage.
    Quite happy running the Sapphire Club, where his clients live out their wildest fantasies, Lucien has no need for the frigid wife who deserted him the day after they were married. Though he still desires her, he doubts she’ll consent to the type of intimate relationship he craves.
    But in the Sapphire Club, where rules don’t exist, anything is possible…
    CONTENT ADVISORY: This historical title includes spanking, voyeurism, and has one MFF scene. It is a rereleased title. 
    Buy This Book
    Publisher – Brita Addams

    About the Author

    Born in a small town in upstate New York, Brita Addams has made her home in the sultry south for many years. In the Frog Capital of the World, Brita shares her home with her real-life hero—her husband. All their children are grown.
    Given her love of history, Brita writes both het and gay historical romance. Many of her historicals have appeared on category bestseller lists at various online retailers.
    A bit of trivia—Brita pronounces her name, Bree-ta, and not Brit-a, like the famous water filter. Brita Addams is a mash-up of her real middle name and her husband’s middle name, with an additional d and s.

    Author Social Media

    Website/Blog  http://britaaddams.net
    Monthly column at The Novel Approach http://thenovelapproachreviews.com
    Please stay in touch by subscribing to my monthly newsletter https://www.facebook.com/BritaAddamsEroticRomance/app_100265896690345
    Cold Coffee Café http://coldcoffeecafe.com/profile/britaaddams
  • Gay or MM

    Tarnished Gold by @BritaAddams #Historical #RLFBlog

    Cover Love includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the author. Today’s featured book is Tarnished Gold by Brita Addams.

    About the Book

    Title – Tarnished Gold
    Genre – Historical gay romance
    Author – Brita Addams
    Book heat level – R 
    In 1915, starstruck Jack Abadie strikes out for the gilded streets of the most sinful town in the country—Hollywood. With him, he takes a secret that his country hometown would never understand.
    After years of hard work and a chance invitation to a gay gentlemen’s club, Jack is discovered. Soon, his talent, matinee idol good looks, and affable personality propel him to the height of stardom. But fame breeds distrust.
    Meeting Wyatt Maitland turns Jack’s life upside down. He wants to be worthy of his good fortune, but old demons haunt him. Only through Wyatt’s strength can Jack face that which keeps him from being the man he wants to be. Love without trust is empty.
    As the 1920s roar, scandals rock the movie industry. Public tolerance of Hollywood’s decadence has reached its limit. Under pressure to clean up its act, Jack’s studio issues an ultimatum. Either forsake the man he loves and remain a box office darling, or follow his heart and let his shining star fade to tarnished gold.

    Buy This Book

    Dreamspinner – http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3667
    Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Tarnished-Gold-Brita-Addams-ebook/dp/B00C0LY2JM/
    ARe – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-tarnishedgold-1148111-340.html

    About the Author

    Born in a small town in upstate New York, Brita Addams has made her home in the sultry south for many years. In the Frog Capital of the World, Brita shares her home with her real-life hero—her husband, and a fat cat named Stormee. All their children are grown.
    Given her love of history, Brita writes both het and gay historical romance. Many of her historicals have appeared on category bestseller lists at various online retailers. 
    Tarnished Gold, the first in her gay romance Tarnished series for Dreamspinner Press, was a winner in the 2013 Rainbow Awards, Historical Romance category. The book also received nominations for Best Historical and Best Book of 2013 from the readers of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group.
    A bit of trivia—Brita pronounces her name, Bree-ta, and not Brit-a, like the famous water filter. Brita Addams is a mash-up of her real middle name and her husband’s middle name, with an additional d and s. 

    Author Social Media

    Monthly column at The Novel Approach http://thenovelapproachreviews.com
    Newsletter https://www.facebook.com/BritaAddamsEroticRomance/app_100265896690345
  • Regency

    Her Timeless Obsession by @BritaAddams #HistoricalRomance #RLFBlog

    Today’s featured book is Her Timeless Obsession by Brita Addams.
    About the Book
    Title  Her Timeless Obsession
    Genre  Regency Historical Romance
    Author   Brita Addams
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings):  R
    A love that transcends time. 
    Ever the explorer, Honey Danby discovers a treasure trove in her dusty 1910 London attic. Old trunks filled with clothes, journals, and love letters written between two lovers in 1810 entertain her and leave her longing for a time and a man long past. Dressed in an irresistible gown from one of the trunks, Honey discovers a heart-wrenching love story. When she learns that all was cruelly torn asunder, the handsome soldier’s loving words written to his H. catapult Honey into an adventure that defies logic. 
    When, dressed in a crisper version of the gown, Honey inexplicably awakens inside a rumbling horse-drawn carriage, she discovers she shares the antiquated vehicle with the man who tore the lovers apart. Can she convince this stranger to forego his unreasonable demands, or will history repeat itself on a misty August morn in Green Park?
    Buy This Book
    Publisher – Brita Addams

    About the Author

    Born in a small town in upstate New York, Brita Addams has made her home in the sultry south for many years. In the Frog Capital of the World, Brita shares her home with her real-life hero—her husband. All their children are grown.
    Given her love of history, Brita writes both het and gay historical romance. Many of her historicals have appeared on category bestseller lists at various online retailers.
    A bit of trivia—Brita pronounces her name, Bree-ta, and not Brit-a, like the famous water filter. Brita Addams is a mash-up of her real middle name and her husband’s middle name, with an additional d and s.

    Author Social Media

    Website/Blog  http://britaaddams.net
    Monthly column at The Novel Approach http://thenovelapproachreviews.com
    Please stay in touch by subscribing to my monthly newsletter https://www.facebook.com/BritaAddamsEroticRomance/app_100265896690345
    Cold Coffee Café http://coldcoffeecafe.com/profile/britaaddams