• Contemporary

    Isabel’s Awakening by @tdhassettauthor #RLFblog #romance

    Today’s featured book is Isabel’s Awakening by TD Hassett.

    About the Book

    Title Isabel’s Awakening
    Genre Contemporary Romance
    Author TD Hassett
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Who didn’t know the biggest rock band in the world?
    Singer and front man Thomas Morgan was destroyed by the loss of his brother and total destruction of his marriage. To avoid entanglements with others, even his young son, Thomas focused on promoting his music and newly formed record label. He thought he had everything at a safe distance, at least until Isabel literally slammed into his life.
    High school teacher Isabel Warren finds herself falling head over heels in love with the sexy-as-sin singer for the rock band Becket. Soon Isabel’s orderly world of lesson plans, thesis writing, and student loan debt is competing against desire, passion, and her vulnerable heart.
    As the sex sizzles, the two lovers will have to decide which parts of their dreams they will sacrifice for their fledgling relationship.

    Buy This Book

    Amazon http://bit.ly/isabelsawakening
    Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/Isabelsawakening
    Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/619754

    About the Author

    TD 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 Beta fish named Dorothy. She teaches history and loves the TV show The Vikings. She also writes under the pen name of Tiffany Dawn.

    Author Social Media

    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/TDHassett
    Amazon Author Page http://amazon.com/author/tdhassett

    Want a Book Boyfriend IRL?

    Would I want one of my book boyfriends to magically come to life? Hmm, ahh, what to say?
    After that magical second glass of wine was poured my girlfriends and I got into the more interesting discussions of our weekly happy hour. We all agreed on the answer once the husband issue was dealt with (we pretended they didn’t exist). Hell yes was the verdict. But wait. There could be some issues beyond trying to get a fictional character a social security card… And so the conversation got more nitty gritty.
    “Issues, smissues,” my old college roommate declared. She’s right; these guys are worth it. Most romance heroes are gorgeous, rich, intelligent, sexually accomplished orgasm conjurers and devoid of normal human faults. They don’t pass gas at the table, beat their partners, or prefer watching football to talking with their significant other. These guys are pretty close to perfect with only minor excusable flaws. He might have a problem committing or perhaps he has to learn to enjoy the simpler pleasures in life – but be assured he will conquer these issues by the story’s end. I have yet to read a romance novel where the male protagonist has a small penis, is missing teeth, works third shift at a convenience store and lives in his mother’s basement but maybe someone has written it. Either way, I still don’t want to read it. I want the fantasy version, perfections and all. Lots of head nods around the whole table. The happy hour girls agreed: Book boyfriends coming to life would be good.
    Okay so what’s the counter argument against bringing that fantasy to life? It took a few minutes but I threw out some ideas. I enjoy reading about the super duper alpha guys but that doesn’t mean I’m confused about fantasy versus reality. In a book, it can be a great voyeuristic thrill to read about a shape shifting threesome that battles evil in between bouts of toe curling group sex. Admittedly, I don’t want that in real life (at least most of the time I don’t ). Ménages can turn into a whole lot of elbows and knees–or so it seems like that whenever I write one and have to use a diagram to make sure it’s possible to get in those positions. It’s hot stuff to think about but frankly, after working all day at the office, I don’t know if I would have the energy to get it on with multiple supernatural alphas! But would I possibly consider trying it? Depends if my husband is reading this post or not.
    Romances are exaggerated make believe with plots that no one would want to experience first hand. The heroine often goes through sheer hell before being rewarded with her happily ever after. She may have suffered agonizing abuses, emotional miseries and extreme hardship before finding resolution and true love. I’ve never dreamt of running for my very life so that I could meet a hot FBI agent with smoldering good looks. What I crave from a book is some escapism, a little daydreaming and a healthy dose of titillation. What do I want in my real life? I want a real person, faults and all, that loves me for the real person I am too. The happy hour girls reluctantly nodded their agreement. How about you?
  • Book Release,  Suspense

    Interview: TD Hassett author of Darling’s Desire @TDHassettauthor #RLFblog #Suspense

    Darling’s Desire

    About the Book

    Title Darling’s Desire
    Genre Romantic Suspense
    Author Name TD Hassett
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Buy This Book
    Barnes and Noble : http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/darlings-desire-td-hassett/1119722876?ean=9781622101122
    Kobo : http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/darling-s-desire

    Interview with TD Hassett

    Why did you write this book?
    I didn’t mean to write this book, it just wouldn’t leave me alone.
    I had been working on my first paranormal romance and this suspenseful love story
    kept bugging me. I couldn’t stop thinking about Darling Roberts and her story. Maybe
    it was because I named my Siamese cat after her character but whatever, I couldn’t
    get her situation out of my head.
    Perhaps another reason the story wouldn’t leave me alone was
    the setting. The story takes place primarily on a secluded lake in Connecticut where some folks
    have gone missing. I live on just such a lake, although to my knowledge no one has
    turned up murdered around here. For a variety of reasons the hero and heroine will
    have to weather a couple of weeks together in a spooky lake house. Passion, drama
    and mystery ensue. I promise a happy ending but I refuse to make it easy for this
    couple!
    What is your favorite genre to read?
    I love contemporary romance the most, followed closely by historical
    romance and mystery.
    What is your favorite character from fiction (not including your own characters)?
    I just finished reading another author’s series and fell a little
    in love with Jack Storm. He’s another sexy rock god with a good heart. What’s not
    to like?
    Do you enjoy films and/or TV shows? Which are your favorites?
    I watch a lot of movies but not so much television. I did really
    enjoy Lost, especially all those episodes where Sawyer takes his shirt off. His
    character called to me.
    What are you working on at the moment, and what are we likely to see from you in the coming months?
    I am working on two books right now. One is about an Incubus
    that falls in love with a veterinary technician. Will his love be strong enough
    to let her go with her soul intact? I am also working on the prequel to my Love
    and Music Series. The band is just starting to get off the ground when Rick Houston
    is injured on stage. Troubled nurse, Jenni Mitchell can’t stand this rude rocker
    and can’t wait to get him off of her floor. Unfortunately for her, Rick is going
    to be sticking by her for a while and there’s nothing she can do to change that,
    at least not for three months. She needs money after Rick’s advice gets her fired
    and he needs a fiancé for a K1 visa to stay in the States. They’re both hiding something
    from the other but neither will be brave enough to show their true selves. It has
    been fun writing about this opposite attracts couple.
    Please tell us about your
    latest book.
    Darling Roberts is going back to the lake house her mother disappeared
    from thirteen years ago. She needs to decide to stay or sell. The locals believe
    the place cursed, but her best friend thinks it would be a blast to spend the weekend
    there before heading to Europe. BFF Madison is
    determined to set Darling up even if that means dragging a recently widowed rock-and-roll
    drummer to the scene of a murder.
    Ross Daniels has a secret. He can’t stand the pitying looks well-wishers
    have given him since his wife’s accidental death. The European leg of the Becket
    tour can’t come soon enough. A weekend stay at a mutual friend’s lake house seems
    like a decent way to kill a couple of days before hopping a plane, at least until
    he spends some time with temptation herself. Passions ignite and Ross feels his
    heart beginning to beat again. Darling isn’t who he thought she was and he can’t
    get enough of her sweet soul and lush curves.
    Darling is determined to take charge of her life and the lake
    house is just the place to begin. Ross is a scrumptious distraction but she knows
    she has to keep things in perspective. Why would a world famous drummer want to
    hang out with her in a small town that even the locals want her run out of?

    Author Bio

    T.D. Hassett grew up reading the romance greats–Jackie Collins,
    Julie Garwood, and Judith McNaught. She was certain that life should be like a romance
    novel, with lots of passion, some incredible adventures, and a guaranteed happily
    ever after. She attended college in New England,
    earning a B.A. in History and an M.S. in Clinical Psychology before changing her
    mind again and studying education. Currently Ms. Hassett lives in Connecticut with her very
    patient husband and two young children. Her rambunctious family shares their home
    with three crazy cats and a darling golden retriever named Delilah. Her eccentric
    relatives and their quest to make her feel like the only normal nut in the family
    tree inspire her writing.

    Author Social Media

    Website
    Visit her at
    http://tdhassett.wordpress.com
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/TDHassett

     

  • Character Interviews,  Contemporary

    Character Interview: Link Jacks from Loving Link @tdhassettauthor #RLFblog #contemporary

    Loving Link 
    About the
    Book
    Title Loving Link
    Genre Contemporary Rock Star Romance
    Author Name T.D. Hassett
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Blurb
    What
    happens backstage doesn’t always stay backstage. Recent college grad Madison Clarke
    shared a sizzling one-night stand with bad boy guitarist Link Jacks. She expected
    it to be just one incredible memory but a well placed web cam will make her indiscretion
    a viral sensation and have consequences for both of them.
    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
    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 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 This Book

    Barnes
    and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/loving-link-td-hassett/1117447875?ean=9781622100446
    Kobo
    http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/loving-link

    Interview with Link Jacks

    Tell us about yourself,
    please.
    I used
    to be a pretty normal guy. I grew up middle class, raised by two music teachers.
    I had a talent for music so I got a partial scholarship to Julliard. Never had much
    luck with girls at least not until I was discovered and joined rock band Becket.
    Once the image consultants, wardrobe people and public relations advisors got their
    hooks into me, well life changed. All the sudden I couldn’t keep the women away
    and everyone wanted a piece of me. I’m not really the bad boy monster the press
    makes me out to be, but it sells albums and keeps my name current. At least that’s
    the way I used to feel before I met her, Madison.
    She brought out the real me and made me strong enough to face the world as myself.
    Oh, I’m also thirty years old and questioning everything.
    What is it that you want,
    but cannot have? Authors call this the conflict of the story.
    I want
    Madison but I want
    her fully in my world. She’s determined to not disappoint her sister by hooking
    up with me but I know I can get her family to see things my way. I’m not who the
    all think I am, I’m the real me when she’s around. I want to wake up with her every
    day of my life but she just keeps on running.
    What’s your external complication?
    In the story world your author created, explain what it is you fear most.
    I know
    she’s attracted to me; she even seems to care. The trouble is being with me has
    practically ruined her life. She lost her job, she’s been shamed in front of everyone
    she knows and the whole on-line world got to see her fucking me. The press is hassling
    her, people are giving her the stink eye and I can’t get her to forgive me for something
    I didn’t really even do.
    What is your family like?
    My mom
    passed away but my dad is still around. He’s actually part of the problem. He thinks
    the best way for me to stay on top is to keep my name in the tabloids. He’s always
    working on some scenario that will get me press, whether it be dates with supermodels
    or rumors of trashed hotel rooms and drug addictions.
    What special skills do
    you rely on?
    I am
    an incredible pianist and guitar player. I can really sing although I usually only
    sing back up. I love building small models and like to think I can teach anyone
    how to play an instrument – heck, I wanted to be a music teacher when I was growing
    up. I also have a head for business – I sure don’t want to be hopping around on
    stage in my fifties so I have diversified.

    About the Writer

    Why did you choose to
    write about this character?
    He seemed like such a loveable, misunderstood bad boy and he
    made my pulse quicken just thinking about him.
    Was there anything you
    discovered about this character that was a surprise to you?
    When I started writing about Link I didn’t expect him to be so
    smart. I was originally going with musical prodigy with a make over. He came into
    his own and proved to be a truly kind person, motivated business man and stand up
    guy.
    What do you want to write
    next?
    I am finishing up a third book right now. It is a bit of a romantic
    mystery that I hope will give readers a sexy love story and a who dunnit all at
    the same time.
    What other character from
    this book do you want to write about? Care to tell us why?
    I have already begun writing about the female protagonist’s best
    friend, Darling Roberts. Link will also feature in the book as he really wants to
    see his friend find love, even if that means a little manipulation!

    Author Bio

    T.D.
    Hassett grew up reading the romance greats–Jackie Collins, Julie Garwood, and Judith
    McNaught. She was certain that life should be like a romance novel, with lots of
    passion, some incredible adventures, and a guaranteed happily ever after. She attended
    college in New England, earning a B.A. in History
    and an M.S. in Clinical Psychology before changing her mind again and studying education.
    Currently Ms. Hassett lives in Connecticut
    with her very patient husband and two young children. Her rambunctious family shares
    their home with three crazy cats and a darling golden retriever named Delilah. Her
    eccentric relatives and their quest to make her feel like the only normal nut in
    the family tree inspire her writing.

    Author Social Media

    Blog: http://tdhassett.wordpress.com
    Twitter: http://tdhassettauthor

    Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/T.D.-Hassett/e/B00CJE2MPQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1394146175&sr=8-1

  • RLF Gems

    RLF Gems: Blog Stats for Nov 2013 #RLFblog #BloggerAward

    RLF Gems 
    In November, Romance Lives Forever had 29 posts in a 30 day month.
    On the 11th, there was a tribute to authors who are also veterans. Here are the
    top posts (judging by page views).
    1. Elle James, Delilah Devlin (authors who are sisters and
    veterans)
    2. Jenna Storm
    3. Sharon
    Hamilton
    4. Sascha Illyvich
    5. TD Hasset
    Honorable mention: Diane Saxon, DP Denman, Nancy
    Corrigan, Rue Allyn, and the Salute to Author Veterans, all of whose posts
    scored within a few points of the top five.
    Romance Lives Forever
    features authors and new books. It has a blogger’s FAQ page with a downloadable
    guide and optional interviews. Readers can follow via Google Friend Connect,
    Networked Blogs, Bloglovin’, Linky Followers, email, an RSS feed, and there’s a
    blog button readers and authors can grab.. RLF takes up to three images per
    article, so authors can share previous books. The blog uses author or publisher
    names as SEO tags on posts, and author Twitter handles in the titles. The site
    is broadcast over Triberr with a potential reach of over a million readers via
    its Twitter-linked network. Twitter mentions are also gathered in several
    Paper.li ezines, giving the author an additional opportunity for promotion. At
    the end of each year, a pdf version of the blog is available for readers to
    download and share.
    The Romance Lives Forever
    Paper.li ezine
    features guest authors on its front page every day. The Yahoo Group Romance Lives Forever has
    nearly 1200 members, and is Kayelle’s private group. It is open once a month to
    authors who have been guests on the blog. Guests get one day to post info,
    share news, book releases, offer contests, and so on. For that day, the group
    is open and members are allowed to reply and take active part. It’s like an
    old-fashioned chat, where you can share and answer questions. Only authors who
    have reserved the day are allowed to post, so it’s exclusive. There is no
    charge. You can read more about it here: http://is.gd/rlfauthorday

    Advertise on Romance Lives Forever

    Book cover ad spots are available for 2014, with limited
    space. Cost ranges from $1 for a week, to $3 for a month. Discounts are given
    for ads posted for one quarter and up to one year. Covers can be changed
    monthly.

    Sign Up for a Future Post

    Click the tab above or click here: http://is.gd/rlfblog_request
    My thanks to all who took part this month. You made Romance Lives
    Forever a great place to discover new books and authors.
    Other participants this month in alphabetical order by first
    name are:

    Ana Blaze, Christina
    Phillips , Cynnara Tregarth, Erin Moore, Gray Dixon, Jan Meredith, Jess Mahler,
    Johnee Cherry, Keta Diablo, Kris Bock, Martha O’Sullivan, Michaela Rhua, Nancy
    Corrigan, Patricia Kiyono, Rue Allyn, Sarah Grimm, Susana Ellis, Teresa Reasor,
    Veronica Bale
  • 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
  • RLF Gems

    RLF Gems: Blog Stats for Jun 2013 #RLFblog

    RLF Gems 
    In June, Romance Lives Forever had 30 posts in a 30 day
    month. Here are the top posts (judging by page views). Liquid Silver Books
    would have taken the entire prize because they broke every record set on the
    blog. They filled in an entire 7 days during Publishers Week from June 2nd – 8th. However, I adjusted the settings to give them top place, and filled in
    the rest of the top five with the authors who came next in pageviews.
    1. Liquid Silver Books (Flash Fiction Day shot numbers through the roof!)
    2. Eva Caye
    3. TD Hassett
    4. Big Gay Wedding (Tour), Rosemary Lynch
    5. Rick Reed
    Honorable mention: Kara Leigh Miller
    Authors who guest with us are promoted on Facebook, via
    Triberr to thousands of potential readers, are featured front page in the daily
    Romance Lives Forever Paper.li ezine,
    and the blog has its own hashtag (#rlfblog) on Twitter. This year, we also
    created the Booklover’s Guide to Romance
    Lives Forever
    with links to guest authors’ books and social media. It is
    110 pages crammed full of who to follow and what to read. The FAQ page provides
    updated downloads of optional interview questions, and a guide to the blog. You
    can also grab our button to promote your visit. Your cover can be featured on
    the blog for a small fee. Check out our advertising
    link for more information.
    My thanks to all who took part this month. You made Romance
    Lives Forever a great place to discover new books and authors.
    Other participants this month in alphabetical order by first
    name are:
    Aria Kane, Christy
    Gissendaner, Cynnara Tregarth, John Steiner, Kristina Knight, Lila Munro, Maggi
    Andersen, MFRW AJ Williams, MFRW Kristyn Phipps, MFRW R Ann Siracusa, MFRW SC
    Dane, MFRW Stacy Juba, MFRW Tina Gayle, Stacy Juba, Susan Taylor.