A Behind the Scenes Look at A Witch’s Fate – A Witches of Lane County novel included in the Dark Fates box set. ~ An interview with USA Today Bestselling Author, Jody A. Kessler *BONUS* A $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
About the novel
A Witch’s Fate – Witches of Lane County – Brand new paranormal romance by Jody A. Kessler
Tori Morgan is a modern-day witch from Lane County—and she’s cursed. Falling in love is not in Tori’s astrological chart, her cards, or anywhere else in her plans for the future. Falling for a skeptic who debunks the paranormal for a living is even less likely.
Leif Andersen doesn’t believe in magic or the paranormal. When he’s hired to investigate the mysterious death of former Hollywood actress and humanitarian, Delana Smootz, Leif is led straight to Tori Morgan’s door. There’s no way he’s going to fall for Tori or her woo-woo mysticism, no matter how magical she feels in his arms.
Sparks fly and an undeniable attraction sizzles as Tori and Leif travel the globe in search of a suspect and the answers to Delana’s supernatural downfall.
Here’s a few extra details you may want to know about A Witch’s Fate:
Is the magic in the book out of the closet, so to speak, or is the world of magic still underground?
The existence of magic, and the witch and wizard community, is still underground. Even though the witches live among the general population, their magical abilities are not practiced openly. The world in A Witch’s Fate is set the present day, but there is an entire magical community living, working, and interacting along-side the non-magical people. This type of world building is comparable to the Harry Potter series or the Harry Dresden novels – two of my favorite series by the way. One of the differences in the Witches of Lane County series is that A Witch’s Fate contains steamy romance, and the murder mystery is the subplot.
What is the setting for the novel?
A Witch’s Fate is mainly set in Portland, Oregon. Portland is where Tori Morgan – the heroine of A Witch’s Fate – lives and works as a psychic/medium/healer for private clients. She’s a Morgan witch from Lane County, OR. The family home is on the coast about 3.5 hours from the city. The women in her family have endured a 500-year-old curse that makes marriage an unachievable dream. Tori moved to the city and away from her childhood home and magical family members as soon as she could. She loves her family, but she doesn’t want to live in the country. She’s definitely a city girl. The main characters, Tori and Leif, also take a trip around the globe to a resort hotel in the mountains of the Ukraine in search of a suspect.
What was the inspiration for the novel?
A Witch’s Fate was born from Heart of the Secret –A Witches of Lane County Novella, and it’s a fun sexy novel full of magic, mystery, and romance.
Tori first made an appearance in Heart of the Secret. She was a feisty, hot tempered, and skilled witch, and an intriguing character from the very moment I envisioned her.
In Heart of the Secret, Tori returns home to Lane County to escape a precarious and messy situation with the man she is currently seeing in Portland. I immediately started imagining Tori’s story. She’s determined to never marry or get involved in a serious relationship because of her family curse. I knew there would be someone who could crack her resolve and warm her heart to the idea of dating exclusively — and maybe even falling in love. *In walks Leif Andersen- the extremely sexy paranormal investigator and skeptic.*
**If you don’t already know what happens between these two fiery characters, you’ll have to read the novel to see how Leif wins Tori’s heart.
Thanks for visiting with me today. If you have any questions, please post ‘em in the comments and I’ll answer as soon as I can!
Today’s spotlight author is me!
Novel featured in the Dark Fates boxed set: A Witch’s Fate
This is a brand new novel in the Witches of Lane County series. I hope you enjoy it as much-or MORE-than I did writing it!
A Witch’s Fate (Witches of Lane County) by Jody A. Kessler
Tori Morgan is a modern-day witch from Lane County—and she’s cursed. Falling in love is not in Tori’s astrological chart, her cards, or anywhere else in her plans for the future. Falling for a skeptic who debunks the paranormal for a living is even less likely.
Leif Andersen doesn’t believe in magic or the paranormal. When he’s hired to investigate the mysterious death of former Hollywood actress and humanitarian, Delana Smootz, Leif is led straight to Tori Morgan’s door. There’s no way he’s going to fall for Tori, or her woo-woo mysticism, no matter how magical she feels in his arms.
Sparks fly and an undeniable attraction sizzles as Tori and Leif travel the globe in search of a suspect and the answers to Delana’s supernatural downfall.
Jody A. Kessler is the winner of the Readers’ Crown Award for Best Paranormal Romance and an international bestselling author. She writes paranormal romance, historical time travel fiction, and contemporary fiction. Jody invites you to stop by her website and see what’s new at: www.JodyAKessler.comSubscribe to the newsletter and receive a free eBook.
Today’s spotlight author: Joanne Wadsworth
Novel featured in the Dark Fates boxed set: Highlander’s Sword
Highlander’s Sword by Joanne Wadsworth
There can be only one…for both of them.
Year 1210, Scottish Highlands.
Annella, the fae-blooded daughter of a warrior, holds the spirit-walker ability. With her fae skill, she has only one goal, to find the man who captured her father and brother and seek retribution. The last thing she expects though is to connect within her dreams with an infuriatingly rugged Highlander of shifter blood who lives over eight-hundred years in the future. Her destiny is set, to free her nearest and dearest, although to find them she must now enlist the aid of the warrior from the future. He’s the best tracker there is, and also her best chance at finding them.
Highland warrior shifter Alec Matheson meets the most intriguing lass who visits him in his dreams, a woman who also poses the greatest challenge. His soul bound mate has come to him during her greatest time of need, and now he must travel back through time to aid her. His lithe, golden-haired enchantress wears lad’s clothing and is swift with the sword and trained in all manner of warfare. She is also nothing like he expects, yet everything he has ever desired.
Now, he must make certain they both survive her perilous mission, for seeking retribution could ensure their death, or unite their spirited souls. Let the battle for love begin.
Highlander’s Sword excerpt:
Up the stairs to the battlements, Alec bolted then stopped behind the woman who had every hair on his neck rising. He breathed deep, drew in Annella’s intriguing fragrance, one that held the golden and glittery enchantment of a night sky teeming with stars. Her scent evoked the dream realm she traveled within, and made his lower region harden with lust. She stared up at the blood moon as if it intrigued her, her long golden tresses fluttering in the breeze and whispering over his arms and chest. Hell, she was so small of stature, the sword belted at her side all that gave any indication she in fact knew how to battle.
Carefully, he spread his hands over her hips, then determined to prove his point, that she wasn’t his chosen one, he muttered, “Those who are soul bound can never harm the other, but all I want to do right now is sink my claws into you and rip you apart. You need to steer well clear of me, to leave and never return.”
“Since the night we met”—she turned in his embrace and he retracted his claws for fear he’d actually scratch her—“you’ve grumped and growled and snapped at me to be gone, but through it all I still sensed within you a deep need to have someone close. I am here if you wish to talk, can provide quite the listening ear if you were but prepared to accept me. We are meant to be together. A bond certainly wouldnae have formed between us otherwise.”
“I’m a warrior, born and bred. I fight, draw blood and have no issue doing so.” It would take only one wrong move on his part and he could so easily kill her. Why couldn’t she see that? “I fight within my clan’s specialist team who work high level government cases, and out of all my kin, I’m the one who gets called away from Ivanson Castle the most. My beast isn’t just aggressive, he’s bloodthirsty, which makes him the perfect assassin when needed to take down the vilest of criminals.”
“I’ve chased a few vile criminals myself.” She dissolved into a wisp and swirled around then reemerged behind him with her sword in hand. She tapped the tip of her blade against his belted sword. “Arm yourself and train with me for what remains of this night. I must be fully prepared to fight Duncan MacKenzie when I find him. I cannae lose my coming battle with him if I wish to free my father and brother.”
“You shouldn’t be fighting anyone on your own, and certainly not a warrior who managed to capture both of your closest kin.” He lunged, grasped her sword hand, his fingers sliding through nothing but air as she wisped back farther and reappeared.
“Nay, you willnae catch me out that easily, my mighty bear.”
“I’m not your damn mighty bear.”
“Please, that is no way to talk to a woman, and your chosen one at that.” With a wink, she wagged a finger at him, her royal blue tunic cinched in at her tiny waist with a golden tasseled belt that swayed to her knees as she moved. Her black breeches, of the softest rawhide, molded her legs and that pert backside of hers, which he really shouldn’t have noticed, wiggled as she moved.
“I don’t see you as a woman, but as a lethal opponent.”
“Then raise your blade.”
“Training with me is a very bad idea.” Still, he slid his sword free of his scabbard and rocked from foot to foot, his beast always prepared for any form of fighting. Perhaps if he trained with her then she’d realize how dangerous he was, leave then hopefully never come back. It was a plan at least. He’d grump and growl a whole lot more as he battled with her, make sure she understood just how fierce and grizzly he could get. That should scare her away.
Joanne Wadsworth is a USA Today Bestselling Author who adores getting lost in the world of romance, no matter what era in time that might be. Hot alpha Highlanders hound her, demanding their stories are told and she’s devoted to ensuring they meet their match, whether that be with a feisty lass from the present or far in the past.
Living on a tiny island at the bottom of the world, she calls New Zealand home. Big-dreamer, hoarder of chocolate, and addicted to juicy watermelons since the age of five, she chases after her four energetic children and has her own hunky hubby on the side.
So come and join in all the fun, because this kiwi girl promises to give you her “Hot-Highlander” oath, to bring you a heart-pounding, sexy adventure from the moment you turn the first page. This is where romance meets fantasy and adventure…
Today’s spotlight author: Heather Hambel Curley
Novel featured in the Dark Fates boxed set: Marked
Marked by Heather Hambel Curley
No name. No memories. No way to escape.
Awake.
She has no memory of how she ended up unconscious in a cellar, dressed only in a corset and petticoats, and with nothing but a candle, a pistol.
And a dead girl.
Her only clues her own identity are the blue lines tattooed beneath her mouth and a word marked in her chest: Healed. Now she’s on the run, pursued by man and fae alike. They claim they know what she did, who she is—and what she was. Her only ally is a man with a bloodstained past. A man she’s falling in love with.
A man who might be a concoction of her own mind.
Healed doesn’t know who is telling her the truth and who is lying; what is a dream and what she did to be a woman with no name, no past. Time is running out. A war is coming.
The oath is broken.
Heather Hambel Curley is a military brat/preacher’s kid—her dad was a chaplain in the US Army—and she spent several years moving between West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Her hometown though, is Pittsburgh, where she has lived since the age of fifteen, went to college, and dragged her husband to live. They currently reside outside of the city with their two sons and a spoiled cat.
She’s an unfiltered fangirl who loves everything from One Direction to Doctor Who to Captain America. She has a growing collection of tattoos, loves to run, and has an unhealthy obsession with all things historical.
Heather writes paranormal fiction with Evernight Publishing and, in 2016, published her debut historical fiction. When not writing or just being Mom, she is a corseted living historian with the Baltimore Light Artillery and has participated in events like Gettysburg, Antietam, Monocacy, and Harpers Ferry.
Today’s spotlight author: Gaja J. Kos
Novel featured in the Dark Fates boxed set: The Dark Ones
The Dark Ones (Black Werewolves, Book 1) by Gaja J. Kos
In a world ruled by lethal Slavic immortals, Rose and her pack of Black werewolves are drawn into the beginning of a war as they try to uncover the being behind the mass murder of White werewolves.
Because the nature of the killings obstructs the normal passage of souls, Veles, the sultry lord of the underworld, offers Rose his assistance; the were is left facing not only the new knowledge of the pack’s hidden lineage but also her growing fondness for the arrogant god…
To win the war, the pack must ascend to The Dark Ones. But to do so, they must be willing to risk being on the receiving end of the immortal community’s wrath.
The Dark Ones excerpt:
“Now now, put those away before you hurt yourself,” a magnetic voice washed over Rose as she woke with her claws lethally extended, her teeth already lengthened into sharp fangs. She wasn’t bound, however, two pairs of firm, unmoving hands kept her from springing forward.
Rose growled in response, her eyes gradually adjusting to the illuminated environment. The chamber – and it truly was a chamber in the aristocratic sense of the word – was richly decorated, cobalt blue walls lined with deep gold streaks, the same shade that tastefully framed the sizable arched windows embedded alongside the whole length of the wall, flooding the space with sunlight. Judging by the luxurious vintage upholstered furniture, she safely presumed she was standing, or rather was being forced to stand, in the middle of a sitting room.
“Oh,” she exhaled, bottling her anger as she traced the origin of the words to a tall figure leaning back in a gold-dipped futon. “Hello, Veles.”
Although Rose had never met the god in person, he was substantially linked to her bloodline, making it impossible for a descendant of Mokoš to be unaware of his existence – or his decadent reputation. Despite her combative instinct she slowly shifted back into her fully human form, with Veles’ olive green eyes observing her intently.
“That’s much, much better,” Veles’ seductive voice caressed her senses, making Rose even more angered by her indisputable abduction. “Let the hellion go.”
Rose scowled at the cocky god; nonetheless, both pairs of hands released their grip in flawless coordination, allowing Rose to let out a breath she wasn’t aware of holding. The figures disappeared through the door before she managed to catch a glimpse of them, leaving her alone with the god.
“Come, take a seat.” Veles tapped on the intimately small vacant spot next to him on the futon, the corners of his lips tugged in a devious smile.
Rose approached him, but confidently sat down on the adjacent sofa, returning the smile. Veles observed her, intrigue flaring in his glimmering green eyes.
“You are willful, aren’t you…” It wasn’t a question. He shifted upward, flexing his arm across the headrest, displaying his slender, yet muscularly build body clad in tight black leather pants and a black T-shirt that hugged the light swell of his athletic chest. A smug expression formed on his face as he caught Rose’s eyes wander over his outstretched body.
Silently, Rose cursed herself for the slight slip-up, and – fighting the blush that wanted to taint her cheeks – forced her gaze to stay on his eyes only. Not that Veles made it any easier for her, since she saw nothing but hunger within the rich olive green color, rimmed with a subtle line of pure black.
Gaja J. Kos is the international bestselling author of the Black Werewolves series, the erotic paranormal novellas Drowned, and the young adult epic fantasy The Iron Head Trilogy. She resides in Celje, Slovenia, with her husband and their two Chinese Crested dogs.
Today’s spotlight author: Christopher Coleman
Novel featured in the Dark Fates boxed set: The Dark Ones
Gretel by Christopher Coleman
Alone. Frightened. Captive. If you hear someone approaching, RUN. She is not there to help you.
There is an ancient evil in the Back Country, dormant for centuries but now hungry and lurking. When it sets its sights on an unsuspecting mother one routine morning along an isolated stretch of highway, a quiet farming family is suddenly thrust into a world of unspeakable terror, and a young girl must learn to be a hero.
Gretel excerpt:
And things took time. There was no patience in this modern world; everyone needed things now. And this System officer, Stenson, he seemed particularly hasty. She could see in the way he leaped for the spilled potion that he’d grown addicted to the idea of it. To the idea of immortality. It was a pattern she’d seen dozens of times in her past. No temperament to handle the wait. And as she’d also witnessed, the pursuit of the broth had caused his early expiration, an irony never lost on her.
But Stenson’s death was unimportant. Nothing more than a mess to clean. Her aims were different now. She’d found the true serum. The one she’d heard whispered of in the Old Lands by her ancestors. The myth sought by all. She could stay young. Forever. She was strong again, of mind and body. And Life. She would reconnect with It. Control It as she once had when she was young and zealous.
She walked back to the kitchen and stood over the twisted body of Officer Stenson, which now lay still, dead. The witch’s feet were planted irreverently in the remaining mixture on the floor, and she almost chuckled at the locked expression of fear and pain on the officer’s face.
She kicked the left side of his body and heard the sound she was listening for—the jingle of keys—in his right pocket. She reached over and pulled the ring of keys free, and then dangled them in front of her face, smiling at the confidence she felt inside of her. It was almost impossible to believe what she was considering—no, not considering, what she was going to do.
The world now seemed a platter to her, a buffet of opportunity and treasure. Every second in this cabin now seemed a waste of the eternal time she now possessed. If even yesterday she’d been granted this opportunity, the opportunity to drive off in this machine, she would have certainly hidden from it, afraid of the technology she’d shunned for so long.
She’d driven a car in the past, in the days before secrecy and privacy had taken over her life, but it had been years, and she’d certainly never controlled anything like the monster parked outside. Yes, her old self would have spent days, weeks maybe, figuring out some method to dispose of the car without ever starting the engine or even getting inside.
But now the machine excited her and the thought of driving released a burst of saliva across her tongue. The energy under her. The power and speed at her control. And, most importantly, the utility of the thing. There were more sources to find before this day ended, and the car would help her find them.
It was time to hunt.
Christopher Coleman lives in Maryland with his wife and two children. He received his degree in English Literature from the University of Maryland and has been writing professionally for over five years.
★•**•.★ Book Blitz & Giveaway ★•**•.★
Haunting Me
An Angel Falls #3
Genre: NewAdultParanormalRomance
I hope you fall in love with the newest book in the series! So much happens in Haunting Me. The 3rd installment of An Angel Falls is an emotional roller coaster ride – my editor was in tears – and my beta reader was laughing her butt off. Those are always good signs! 🙂 Keep reading to find out more.
On the Back Cover:
Angel of Death, Nathaniel Evans’, newest case sends him on a perilous and magical journey to the Irish countryside in search of one unattainable answer: How does an Angel of Death fall from grace and return to life?
Back in Colorado, Juliana’s mishaps with a book of spells and her well-meaning attempts to save her brother’s life could cost her more than a ghostly haunting and a deadly virus. It could cost her everything she loves – her family, her home and her relationship with Nathaniel.
While on the hunt for answers, Nathaniel finds himself imprisoned with fairies and fighting a battle of strength, skill, wit and sorcery to win his freedom back from a ruthless fallen angel. Nathaniel must survive the duel if he wants to change his destiny and fulfill his desire for mortality and a chance to be with Juliana forever.
Enter the Giveaway for a $10 Amazon Gift Card below.
Haunting Me is on sale for a limited time ~ .99 cents On Amazon (paperback available soon)
If you would like to start with book 1, Death Lies Between Us, it’s also .99 cents for a limited time: Amazon
Read an Excerpt from the Novel
“What happened? What’s going on with Jared?”
My mom’s lip quivers as she shakes her head. “His blood pressure is so low. And he has fluid in his lungs. They think it’s hantavirus, sweetie. It came on so fast. I didn’t know he was this sick. His heart… It’s not…. It’s struggling.”
She can’t say it aloud. I don’t blame her and I’m not even sure I want to know the details. I’ve never seen my mom like this. Being shaken to your core is a wake-up call like no other.
Letting go of Mom, I move around the side of the bed and take Jared’s hand in mine. Mom takes his other one.
I give the Angel of Death, Marcus, a death glare. Only for a second. Just long enough for him to see that I know he delayed me on purpose. I’d like to drill him with a few questions about our little adventure, then slap him halfway to Pluto, but I won’t let him distract me from Jared any longer than he already has.
“Hantavirus?” I say. “Can’t you get that from mouse droppings?”
“Yes, you can,” Mom whispers.
I close my eyes and sigh, feeling defeated. Even at home, being extra super-duper careful, Jared still couldn’t escape the grip of death. “He was searching inside the garden shed. He said it was disgusting inside.”
“That was probably it,” she says. Tears leak down her face and she looks up at the doctor to see if he’s listening.
I can’t stand to see my mom crying so I stare down at my brother in the bed. “Jared?” I whisper. He doesn’t respond. He’s unconscious. I lean over and kiss his forehead. “You can wake up now, baby brother. You have too much to do, remember?” I stroke the side of his hair and give it a little tug like I used to do when I was really little and wanted his attention. “You’re not done, and I’m not done being your sister.”
The doctor murmurs to my mom, “If he doesn’t start to respond soon, we’ll try what we discussed earlier.”
Mom gives the faintest of nods and the doctor slips out of the room. The nurse moves a chair from over by the corner and places it behind me. I give her a weak smile and sit down.
Before leaving, she hugs my mom and says, “He’ll wake up, Diane. He’s young and strong.”
Jared is young, but he’s just not as strong as he used to be after his last near-death experience. I take a deep breath and close my eyes against the heaviness in the room.
“Mom,” I say as I look over at her.
She tears her gaze away from Jared’s face. Her fear is the most frightening thing I have ever seen in my life. I dig deep, pulling every ounce of determination and faith I didn’t know I had from somewhere bottomless and profound. There must be a well of strength buried inside this body. It’s a place no one ever wants to unearth and tap into. Yet, people reach this unbearable level of pain and drink from the sacred hidden depths within themselves somehow managing to accomplish all that needs to be done. Nineteen years old happens to be my time for this bitter drink of reality.
“Take my hand,” I whisper as I reach across the cotton blanket covering Jared’s body.
The three of us form a circle. There’s still no response from Jared. The hum and beep of his monitors fill the room with the eerie reminder Jared may not make it through this one.
“Jules, his life was short, but not unacknowledged.”
I ignore Marcus and center my focus only on Jared.
“There is great value in the quality of life, not the quantity.”
I release my mom and Jared’s hands and get up from the chair. Mom hardly seems to notice what I’m doing. I walk over to Marcus and stomp on his foot. Of course, I only stamp the floor, but it helps me feel better.
“I was stuck in a ditch for who knows how long while my brother was dying,” I say as calmly as I can, but it still comes out like icy needles. Needles I hope are making their points felt in Marcus’s guilty conscious.
***~***~***
I have a new novella coming out in November. Unwrapping Treasure is the first story in my Granite Lake Romance series – a new adult contemporary romance – What?! You may be asking, no paranormal? That’s correct, but this lovely little story will hopefully capture your heart with a couple of new and intriguing characters. I’ll be sharing the full description and cover art soon! So be on the lookout.
As always, thanks for stopping by and good luck in the giveaway!
Whether real or only in the hearts of the bride and groom, the magic of weddings is undeniable and irresistible! As these 15 enchanting happily-ever-afters by bestselling and award-winning authors prove.
From sweet to spicy, the romances bundled into this set cross time and unite hearts, cast spells of laughter, battle wedding jitters and fight back tears, while weaving love’s hopeful magic throughout 1400 pages.
The box set is on sale for only .99 cents! (To help us celebrate – please feel free to enter the giveaway below.)
Her Wedding Wager by Leigh Michaels, National bestselling and Award-winning author of over 100 novels. Celia’s doomed to an arranged marriage–unless she can win the most important bet of her life!
~~~
The Last Wedding at Drayhome (Breens Mist Witches) by Aileen Harkwood. Never underestimate the power of a witch and warlock in love who have nothing left to lose.
~~~
The Dress by Eve Devon. Two couples, 400 years apart. From a masquerade ball in Venice 1615 to a wedding in England 2015, can a dress laced with magic weave its spell through the fabric of time?
~~~
Second Chance Bride by Raine English, USA Today bestselling and Award-winning author. She thinks she’s marrying the man of her dreams, until a telepathic rescue dog leads her to someone else… Will this bride-to-be say “I do” to the wrong man?
~~~
Two Hearts Surrendered by Tamara Ferguson, Bestselling and Award-winning author. Will two warring hearts be strong enough to survive the ultimate battle?
~~~
Something Borrowed, Something Blue by Lynda Haviland. She has a wedding to crash–until love gets in the way!
~~~
Heart of the Secret (Witches of Lane County) by Jody A. Kessler, Bestselling and Award-winning author. A 500 year-old curse, a witch who will do anything to marry her one true love, and the heart of a secret that will either divide them or bring them together…forever.
~~~
The Jealous Love of a Scoundrel by Jane Lark, National bestselling author. How do you fight a calling that comes from your soul?
~~~
A Wedding Across the Winds of Time by Bess McBride, National bestselling author. Darius and Molly found each other Across the Winds of Time. Now, it’s time for their wedding!
~~~
Kiss This by L.L. Muir, National bestselling and Award-winning author. You never expect the florist to catch the bouquet…
~~~
Caution is a Virtue by Jennifer Gilby Roberts. How much is too much to risk for love?
~~~
Loving Lindy by Jan Romes. In order to become the bank’s new Vice President, Gunther Justin has to be “settled.” With Lindy McPherson posing as his fiancé everything is set to go off without a hitch–until real feelings get in the way.
~~~
With this Kiss by Heather Thurmeier. Does a simple kiss have enough magic to reunite lovers?
~~~
Real Magic by Elsa Winckler. She’s the bridesmaid, he’s a best man. Will the magical evening stay just that or will it turn out to be real after all?
~~~
The Wedding Guests (A Tassamara Short Story) by Sarah Wynde. When unexpected guests attend Akira and Zane’s wedding, lives will change forever. But for better or for worse?
***Meet the Authors***
Leigh Michaelsis the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 100 books, including historical romance and contemporary romance. Her non-fiction book, On Writing Romance, has been called the best guide available for romance writers, and she teaches romance writing online at Gotham Writers Workshop.
Six of her books have been finalists in the RITA contest sponsored by Romance Writers of America, and more than 35 million copies of her books are in print in 25 languages and more than 120 countries. Her books have been published by Harlequin Books, Sourcebooks, Montlake Romance, Writers Digest Books, and Arcadia Publishing.
Aileen Harkwoodis a Readers’ Crown finalist who lives in the Southern Rockies. The Last Wedding at Drayhome is the prequel to two concurrent series of fantasy romances, Spell Touched: Breens Mist Witches, Book 1, and Wedding Spell, first in the Breens Mist Weddings series, due out in September 2015. She’s passionate about green chile and the mysteries hiding in antique photographs. Check in with her at:
Eve Devon: Growing up in locations like Botswana and Venezuela gave Eve Devon a taste for adventure. Her love of romances began when her mother shoved one into her hands in a desperate attempt to keep her quiet during TV coverage of the Wimbledon tennis finals. She lives in leafy Surrey in the UK, a book-devouring, slightly melodramatic, romance-writing sassy heroine with her very own sexy hero husband! Visit the author at her website: www.EveDevon.com
Raine English USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Raine English writes sweet small-town romance, paranormal, and Gothic romantic suspense. She’s a Daphne du Maurier Award winner and a Golden Heart finalist. Her new lighthearted contemporary romance series, Love Always, will be available June 2015. It features three childhood friends who encounter a lot more than anticipated while searching for love. Raine lives in New England with her family and her French bulldog, Bailey.
Tamara Ferguson: A member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as the FTHRW Chapter, Tamara
Ferguson is the best-selling and multi-award winning author of the Tales of The Dragonfly Romance Suspense Series. Tales of the Dragonfly Book II: In Flight was a 2014 WINNER at the Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards. Her latest release, That Unforgettable Kiss, was recently a top ten Amazon bestseller in Kindle Saga Fiction.
Lynda Havilandshares her chaotic and creative life with her chef husband, two artistic teenagers, and an aging bearded dragon. She admits to being heavily influenced by hazelnut coffee, chocolate with caramel, and romantic comedies. Something Borrowed, Something Blue is a stand-alone romantic short story written for the Magical Weddings Boxed Set. But Nellie Pearle can’t be contained. Look for her and other oddly entertaining residents of Pearl Key in an upcoming paranormal suspense series.
Jody A. Kessler’s debut novel, Death Lies Between Us, is a #1 best-seller and the winner of the Readers’ Crown Award. She writes paranormal romance, historical time travel fiction, and contemporary fiction.
Jane Lark: Jane is a Kindle bestselling author and a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult romances, and she’s a sucker for a love story. “I love the feeling of falling in love and it’s wonderful to be able to do it time and time again in fiction.” She loves writing intense relationships and she is thrilled to be giving her characters life in others’ imaginations.
Bess McBrideis the bestselling author of over fifteen time travel romances as well as contemporary, historical, romantic suspense and light paranormal romances. She loves to hear from readers, and you can contact her at bessmcbride@gmail.com.
L.L. Muir lives in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains with a charming husband who makes her laugh, but does not make her do pans. Like most authors, she is constantly searching for, or borrowing pens. The best ideas always begin on a napkin.
Jennifer Gilby Robertshas a degree in physics and a postgraduate certificate in computing, so a career writing fiction was inevitable really. She was born and grew up in Surrey/Greater London, but now lives in North Yorkshire with her husband, her small daughter, a middle-aged cat and a lot of dust bunnies.
Jan Romesis a hopeless romantic who grew up in northwest Ohio with eight zany siblings. Married to her high school sweetheart for more years than seems possible, she is also a proud mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She likes to read all genres and writes witty contemporary romance.
Heather Thurmeieris a lover of margaritas and a hater of spiders. Born and raised in the Canadian prairies, she now lives in New York where she’s become an odd Canuck-Yankee hybrid. Heather’s currently writing her next romance, which will probably be filled with sassy heroines, sexy heroes that make your heart pound, laugh out loud moments and always a happily ever after.
Elsa Winckler: Inspired by the writing of Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Henry James, and the Brontë sisters, Elsa Winckler likes her heroines beautiful, feisty, independent and headstrong. She married her college boyfriend who, after 40 years, still makes her weak in the knees. They have 3 interesting children, 3 beautiful grandsons and live in the picturesque little seaside village of Betty’s Bay, South Africa.
Sarah Wynde graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in English, which she actually managed to put to use by becoming an editor. She’s worked on magazines, websites, and books, including ten years spent as a senior acquisitions editor with Pearson. Eventually, her love of writing pushed her into independent publishing. She likes to think of the stories she writes as unexpected fiction—bending, blending, and occasionally breaking genres.
