• RLF Gems

    Saying goodbye to the Romance Lives Forever blog #RLFblog

    As of today, Dec 1, 2023, I am closing Romance Lives Forever. Why? I'm organized and efficient, but with as much as I want to do going forward, I can no longer maintain RLF. I used Triberr to amplify the blog on social media, especially Twitter. The new requirements and limits from Twitter cut exposure by a huge margin. Triberr brought 80%+ of all readers to the blog. Since it's no longer active, that cost another huge drop in traffic.

    It costs a bit to run the blog, register its domain name, pay for the signup/reminder service, and it takes time to chase down people who send things last minute (or not at all). Plus I have to let authors know the service is available. Then I format the material, resize the images, upload everything, and schedule its promotion. Alas, time and money won out.

    I started the blog in 2009, and went to daily posts in 2010. I've explored many ways to do all this and still find time to write and market for myself. I hired an assistant last year, but only I can write the stories in my heart. I am loath to give up, not being a quitter by nature.

    When it's Time to Quit

    Last month, I heard Becca Syme (one of my mentors) say that it's time to quit when you no longer love what you do. Becca is brilliant. I took her Strengths for Writers and Write Better-Faster courses in the last 12 months. Each came with 6 months of follow up calls and targeted counseling. Changed my life in so many ways. Here's the video I'm referring to if you're curious. https://youtu.be/GRG5UeFYihE

    Daily monitoring this blog is not what I love. What I love is supporting other authors, and the blog was how I did that. I will still support them but in ways that leave time for my own priorities. It took more than a year for me to decide to do this (or rather, stop doing this). I almost didn't commit to 2023, but felt guilty for quitting. It wasn't until I heard Becca's comment last month that I gave myself permission to do what I had to do. She wasn't talking about blogging, or anything even close to what I was doing. She was talking about writing in the golden age of publishing (the new era we've recently entered), and how to know what to do next (or stop doing).

    The video was from Ream, which is a new subscription platform for authors. I've just launched mine. I attended an accelerator class with a handful of other authors in a small-group setting for mentorship. Wonderful support and I learned things I never expected.


    Some of the Many Authors Who Made RLF a Success

    Adriana Kraft, Alexa Aston, Alina K Field, Amber Daulton, Anne Kane, Brenda Sparks, Daryl Devore, Dee S Knight, Effrosyni Moschoudi, Faye Hall, Iris Blobel, J Arlene Culiner, Jami Gray, Jana Richards, Karen Cino, Kate Hill, Kris Bock, Linda O'Connor, Lisabet Sarai, Livia Quinn, NJ Walters, Seelie Kay, Tena Stetler, Tina Donahue, Veronica Scott, Vicki Batman

    I'll miss the blog. It's been a part of my life during most of my career as an author. I look forward to what comes after this, and having the time and freedom to pursue the next steps.


    Thank you for being part of my journey. If you'd like to support me and keep up with what I'm doing next, here's how:

    Become an immortal via my newsletter and get a starter set plus other exclusive perks. You can unsubscribe at any time.
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    Romance Lives Forever Blog (RLFblog) is closed as of Dec 1, 2023. Comments prior to 2021 have been deleted. This site will remain online until July 2025.


     
  • Book Release,  Historical,  Suspense

    Read Behind the Mask the new #Historical Romantic Suspense by Faye Hall @FayeHall79 #RLFblog #Romance Romantic Drama

    Read Behind the Mask the new #Historical Romantic Suspense by Faye Hall @FayeHall79 #RLFblog #Romance Romantic DramaA tale of two lovers ripped apart by their feuding families in Faye Hall’s new Historical Romantic Suspense Behind the Mask.

    Faye, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Behind the Mask.

    Behind the Mask by Faye Hall

    Genre Historical Romantic Suspense
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): M15+

    Two lovers are torn from each other by their feuding families.

    When Duncan Buchanan and Isobel Porter met at a masquerade ball, they thought they’d found someone to change their distaste for matrimony. When their mothers tore them out of each other’s arms, they found themselves trapped between two feuding families, each matriarch willing to destroy the other, even at the cost of their children’s happiness.

    Duncan and Isobel knew nothing of their families’ hatred for each other, nor did they care to become involved with whatever scheming acts of revenge their mothers are planning. Willing to sacrifice everything they have just to be together, they arrange an assignation. Nothing could prepare them for what happened in the churchyard that night though, driving them from town and each other.

    Heartbroken by their year of separation, and the rumours about his indiscreet associations, Isobel is hesitant to employ Duncan on her cattle station. Had his mother sent him here to use his seductive charms to take what she felt was owed to her?

    Having spent the last year drowning his sorrows in a whiskey bottle, Duncan was confused to discover Isobel was his new employer, eager to involve him in the running of her station. Why would she allow him back into her life after so long? Was this some trick instigated by her mother to ruin his family?

    As Duncan and Isobel continue working together, they can no longer ignore the love they once felt for each other, the intense raw emotion again burning so close to the surface. Will their families finally allow them a chance to be together? Or will the two lovers be separated once and for all?

    Why did you write this book?

    I’ve always loved the story of Romeo & Juliet and my own great-grandparents struggled to stay together through their feuding families. I wanted to explore a similar tale but do my best to give them a HEA.

    What is your favorite genre to read?

    Historical Romance.

    Who is your favorite character from fiction (not including your own)?

    This is always changing. Right now though it would have to be Phantom from Phantom of the Opera.

    What are you working on at the moment?

    I’m working on a collection of books with scarred main characters and the first of them should hopefully be out about October.

    What books will we see from you in coming months?

    There are two books with poems and scenes I wrote while I was in high school. They are very raw and not structured but I think it’s about time they get off my computer and into the real world.

    There will also be a few new series coming out, all historical and all set in rural Australia.

    Where to buy Behind the Mask

    Publisher https://4thavenuepress.com.au/behind-the-mask
    Amazon https://a.co/d/4mHgWvk
    Universal Buy Link https://books2read.com/u/m2q5Y7

    Faye Hall Social Media

    Faye Hall is an author of steamy Australian Historical Romantic Suspense novels, including the Sins of the Virtuous series. Born and raised in North Queensland, Australia, she uses the tales of local history, and the struggles and adventures of her own family, to bring her characters to life in a uniquely, rural setting.

    Website https://www.fayehall.com.au
    Twitter https://twitter.com/FayeHall79
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fayehallromanceauthor
    Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/fayehall79/
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21249189.Faye_Hall

  • Historical

    Read Seduction, Lies and Betrayal the new #HistoricalRomance by Faye Hall @FayeHall79 #RLFblog #RomanticSuspense

     

    Read Seduction, Lies and Betrayal the new #HistoricalRomance by Faye Hall @FayeHall79 #RLFblog #RomanticSuspenseHer journey to Australia should have been her new beginning in Faye Hall’s new Historical Romance Seduction, Lies & Betrayal. Instead what she found was a love her past was determined to destroy.

    Faye, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Seduction, Lies & Betrayal.

    Seduction, Lies & Betrayal by Faye Hall

    Genre Historical Romance
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

    1874

    Her journey to Australia should have been her new beginning…what she found was a love her past was determined to destroy.

    Maria Venetti fled the streets of London and the life of crime she’d been forced into, boarding a ship to Australia. Once aboard the Lady Douglas, Maria was determined to keep a low profile, isolating herself from the other passengers. Her plan was perfect…until she met the dark-haired stranger sitting across the dinner table.

    Nathaniel Ward was looking for a new start for himself and his daughter. When the Italian beauty, Maria, joined him in the dining hall, he was captivated by her wit, and ached to share so much more than a card game with her.

    When she agreed to model for one of his sketches, he feared he would no longer be able to deny his growing desire for her. What he feared most was losing his usually well-guarded heart to her, opening himself up again to heartache.

    Their relationship growing, Maria hoped that at last she would be free to start her life anew…that was until she learned a man from her past, Harold Beaxley, was also on the ship, threatening to destroy everything she’d hoped to find in Nathaniel’s arms.

    Arriving in Australia, they stumble upon a web of seduction and deceit weaved by Harold — a man whose lies are determined to rip the lovers apart all for his amusement and greed.

    Will Nathaniel and Maria’s love be strong enough to protect them from the pasts they so desperately wanted to escape? Or will they fall victim to the lies and betrayal that followed them across the ocean?

    Why did you write this book?

    It was inspired by the events surrounding our family’s migration to Australia during the 1800s. I also wanted to do something different than what’s been in my previous books, and I wanted to explore the character’s lives whilst making the journey to Australia.

    What is your favorite genre to read?

    Historical Romance

    Who is your favorite character from fiction (not including your own)?

    So many to choose from haha. Probably Mr Darcy.

    What are you working on at the moment?

    A few things. Currently trying to re-release one of my older titles, and working on a friends-to-lovers story with a twist.

    What books will we see from you in coming months?

    I should hopefully have another release out by mid-year that is about a pick-pocketing governess.

    Where to buy Seduction, Lies & Betrayal

    Publisher https://4thavenuepress.com.au/seduction-lies-betrayal
    Amazon https://a.co/d/03Ox0mm

    Faye Hall Social Media

    Faye Hall is an author of steamy Australian Historical Romantic Suspense novels, including the Sins of the Virtuous series. Born and raised in North Queensland, Australia, she uses the tales of local history, and the struggles and adventures of her own family, to bring her characters to life in a uniquely, rural setting.

    Website https://www.fayehall.com.au
    Twitter https://twitter.com/FayeHall79
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fayehallromanceauthor
    Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/fayehall79/
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21249189.Faye_Hall

  • Book Release,  Historical,  Suspense

    Read Lovers Ransom the new #HistoricalRomanticSuspense by Faye Hall @FayeHall79 #RLFblog #Drama

    Read Lovers Ransom the new #HistoricalRomanticSuspense by Faye Hall @FayeHall79 #RLFblog #DramaPhoebe Toulouse ran away from her family…from her fiancé…from her life…and straight into the arms of Raymond MacAllester in Faye Hall’s new release Lover’s Ransom. Will she let him play at being her knight in shining armour?

    Faye, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Lovers Ransom.

    Lovers Ransom by Faye Hall

    Genre Historical Romantic Suspense
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): M15+

    Phoebe Toulouse ran away from her family…from her fiancé…from her life.

    Upon arriving in the dusty outback town of Millchester, Queensland, Australia, Phoebe is certain she is finally safe from the bastard who wants to rob her of everything she has…including her life. Being swept up in the strong arms of a stranger, she finds herself tempted with pleasures she couldn’t refuse, and must face the uncertainty surrounding what was to become of her.

    This wasn’t a job Raymond MacAllester wanted to do, but he had no choice. If he didn’t take Phoebe back east to Inkerman, he’d be risking his sister’s life. Given that she was Gordon Marriot’s half-sister, he doubted it would be easy to find her, but he would not allow himself to feel guilt for any member of that heartless, corrupt family.
    When he meets Phoebe running for her life in the streets of Millchester, he couldn’t believe this beauty was any family of Gordon’s. When he finally took her into custody, he assumed she’d reluctantly agree to go back home. Never could he imagine that she would fight him as if her life depended on it.

    When Phoebe learns the true reason for Raymond coming after her, and his relationship with her brother, she is heartbroken and betrayed. Returning to Inkerman with Gordon, she resumes her place in his corrupt company.
    Desperate to find her and make her believe she was more than a business transaction, Raymond follows her to Inkerman and reluctantly reinstates himself into a life he hoped never to see again.

    Reunited with Phoebe, and desperate to save her from Gordon’s overbearingness, Raymond risks everything to try and get her to safety. Will she let him play at being her knight in shining armour though, or has he left it too late?

    Why did you write this book?

    I always loved the old westerns where the bounty hunter was sent after the helpless female – only to find her not so helpless – so I thought why not use that idea to put a twist on my own family’s story about their time on Inkerman Downs Station.

    What is your favorite genre to read?

    Any historical romance or drama.

    Who is your favorite character from fiction (not including your own)?

    At this moment it would be between John Thornton from North and South and Ross Poldark from the Poldark series.

    What are you working on at the moment?

    A book that should be out later this year about two strangers who meet on the boat taking them to Australia. Also a new series that focuses on scarred heroines and heroines and their second chances at happiness.

    What books will we see from you in coming months?

    I’m hoping for several releases this year, including one about a governess hard on her luck and forced into a less reputable lifestyle, and another series set in the pubs of Australia around the turn of the century.

    Where to buy Lovers Ransom

    Publisher https://4thavenuepress.com.au/product/lovers-ransom
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSPLKGF9
    Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/lovers-ransom

    Faye Hall Social Media

    Faye Hall is an author of steamy Australian Historical Romantic Suspense novels, including the Sins of the Virtuous series. Born and raised in North Queensland, Australia, she uses the tales of local history, and the struggles and adventures of her own family, to bring her characters to life in a uniquely, rural setting.

    Website https://www.fayehall.com.au
    Twitter https://twitter.com/FayeHall79
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fayehallromanceauthor
    Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/fayehall79/
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21249189.Faye_Hall

  • Historical,  Know the Hero,  Suspense

    Know the Hero from Carnal Transgression by Faye Hall @FayeHall79 #RLFblog #Historical #RomanticSuspense

    Know the Hero from Carnal Transgression by Faye Hall @FayeHall79 #RLFblog #Historical #RomanticSuspenseWhen Constance’s life comes under threat in Faye Hall’s new Historical Romantic Suspense, Carnal Trangression, Seamus has to choose between following the law and protecting the woman he loves from a killer.

    Faye, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We’re excited to find out more about your hero, but first, tell us about Carnal Transgression.

    Carnal Transgression by Faye Hall

    Genre Historical Romantic Suspense
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): M

    Constance Dunbar is desperate to discover who killed her sister. Her plea for help is ignored by the local police, so she advertises for a private investigator. Seamus Tynedale answers the ad, and she immediately recognizes him as the friendly stranger whose arms held her so tenderly as she wept after her sister’s death.

    Seamus longed to be reunited with the dark-haired beauty who’d kissed him in the churchyard. When he ends up working for her as a private investigator, he knows that his position as a police constable needs to remain a secret due to her mistrust of the department.

    As Seamus hunts for the murderer, he finds himself lured into a den of secrets and lies tracing back eighteen years to Ireland, and it all seems to be connected to Constance. Seamus delves into Constance’s past, hoping to understand the secrets she’s so intent on keeping hidden. What he finds is a passion that ignites his heart and captivates his senses.

    When Constance’s life comes under threat, Seamus has to choose between following the law and protecting the woman he loves from a killer. Will he be able to safeguard Constance, or will he lose her to the evil that seems to have followed her to Australia?

    Know the Hero from Carnal Transgression

    Here are some fun questions to help us know your hero.

    It’s late, he’s bored. What does he do?

    Go for a walk.

    What kind of food would he impulse buy if hungry?

    Fresh bread.

    Describe the kind of clothes he prefers to wear.

    Jeans and cotton shirt.

    Does he know how to fix things?

    Yes, he’s very skilled.

    He tried to do something and it went badly. Tell us about it.

    He’s been having trouble solving a case and he’s getting quite frustrated, so a walk in the cool night air usually helps to clear his mind and collect his thoughts.

    How does he act around children he doesn’t know?

    He keeps to himself mostly.

    What is he like first thing in the morning?

    Usually in need of a coffee.

    How does he handle things when in a “proper” social situation?

    Quietly yet politely.

    Valet or takes care of himself?

    He takes care of himself.

    Necktie/cravat or open shirt?

    Open shirt unless he’s in uniform.

    Sleeves buttoned or rolled up?

    Rolled up unless he’s in uniform.

    Powdered wig or natural hair?

    He has natural reddish hair.

    Carriage or horseback?

    Probably horseback, but he’s very capable of driving a dray wagon when needed.

    Where to buy Carnal Transgression

    Publisher https://4thavenuepress.com.au/product/carnal-transgression
    Kobo https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/carnal-transgression-1

    Faye Hall Social Media

    Faye Hall is an author of steamy Australian Historical Romantic Suspense novels, including the Sins of the Virtuous series. Born and raised in North Queensland, Australia, she uses the tales of local history, and the struggles and adventures of her own family, to bring her characters to life in a uniquely, rural setting.

    Website https://www.fayehall.com.au
    Twitter https://twitter.com/FayeHall79
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fayehallromanceauthor
    Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/fayehall79/
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21249189.Faye_Hall

  • Author Interviews

    Read Scandalous Behaviour the new #Historical #RomanticSuspense by Faye Hall @FayeHall79 #RLFblog

    Read Scandalous Behaviour the new #Historical #RomanticSuspense by Faye Hall @FayeHall79 #RLFblogWill John and Jennie surrender to their heart’s desire, or will they fall victim to the murderer they’re chasing in Faye Hall’s new Historical Romantic Suspense Scandalous Behaviour.

    Faye, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Scandalous Behaviour.

    Scandalous Behaviour by Faye Hall

    Genre Historical Romantic Suspense
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): M

    Inkerman, Queensland, Australia
    Fall 1889

    Jennie Stewart, an unemployed governess, is looking to escape the rule-abiding town of Inkerman. After the death of her childhood friend, Grace, Jennie takes refuge with several other friends at a beach house, needing to embrace the freedom she so craved…and hopefully find a clue that might lead her to discover who killed her friend and why.

    John Atheling, an estate steward, made many personal sacrifices to get to his position, including distancing himself from the fairer sex and their manipulative ways. His ordered life turns to chaos when he finds the nanny, Grace, dead.

    Being given leave from his job, John accepts an invitation from his childhood friend to join him and several others on a retreat to the beach. He reluctantly accepts after discovering one of the men joining them is suspected of knowing the truth about Grace’s death.

    Arriving at the beach, John discovers who the rest of his companions would be over the coming days, including Jennie, a woman who ignites a longing in him that both thrills and scares him. He hadn’t come to the beach to be lured into the seductive web of a woman, but nor could he deny the instant attraction he has to her.

    Jennie should have treated John as the stranger he was, but she was drawn to him, desires burning in her that she couldn’t — and didn’t want to — ignore. Struggling to remember why she’d come to the beach, she fought against the lure of love and passion, reminding herself that love at first sight was nothing more than a fairytale.

    Will John and Jennie surrender to their heart’s desire, or will they fall victim to the murderer they’re chasing before they discover if love at first sight really exists?

    Why did you write this book?

    This was my Covid book. House was in lockdown during the worst of the pandemic and we were talking about when we’d be able to take the kids to the beach again. It made me want to write a book set on our local beach.

    What is your favorite genre to read?

    I love historical romances of any kind and era.

    Who is your favorite character from fiction (not including your own)?

    It changes so often for me, but right now it would have to be Ned Ridley from Catherine Cookson’s The Girl.

    What are you working on at the moment?

    I’m trying to get the last of the titles re-released whilst preparing a new release about a budding relationship formed on a passenger ship coming to Australia.

    What books will we see from you in coming months?

    Hopefully several releases with station owners, pickpockets, scarred heroines and heroes, and maybe one with childhood friends become lovers.

    Where to buy Scandalous Behaviour

    Publisher https://4thavenuepress.com.au/product/scandalous-behaviour
    Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/scandalous-behaviour

    Faye Hall Social Media

    Faye Hall is an author of steamy Australian Historical Romantic Suspense novels, including the Sins of the Virtuous series. Born and raised in North Queensland, Australia, she uses the tales of local history, and the struggles and adventures of her own family, to bring her characters to life in a uniquely, rural setting.

    Website https://www.fayehall.com.au
    Twitter https://twitter.com/FayeHall79
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fayehallromanceauthor
    Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/fayehall79/
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21249189.Faye_Hall