Snippet Sunday and Weekend Writing Warriors

Welcome to Snippet Sunday and Weekend Writing Warriors, your chance to sample the work of a talented group of authors. My excerpt today is from Return Engagement one of my Whiskey Creek Press releases. When you finish here you can find more excerpts at:

http://www.wewriwa.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SnippetSunday/

An accidental meeting on a California beach leads to a proposal after a long separation brought about by my hero's father who didn't think my heroine was good enough to be in his family.



He exhaled noisily as his head dropped to her shoulder.
“Not that it matters,” he murmured, “but why’d you say yes?”

“I…I’m not sure. Maybe it’s the way I feel when you
hold me. Maybe it’s because you’re so darn forceful. Maybe
it’s because I’ve never been able to forget you.” She paused.
“Maybe it’s even because I love you.”

Buy link for paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Return-Engagement-Elaine-Cantrell/dp/1603139990/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422761077&sr=8-1&keywords=return+engagement+by+elaine+cantrell    

Buy link for ebook: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=819

Saturday Sample: Rest Thy Head

Welcome to Saturday Sample. My excerpt today is from Rest Thy Head. In this excerpt my heroine has been accused of theft by an inn guest. She insists that Jake inspect her bag to prove her innocence.

“Just search,” Peyton interjected. She ran over to the closet and thrust a small bag at Jake. “Here. Take this.”

With a scowl, he unzipped Peyton’s bag and started to rummage around. “There’s nothing inside.”

Mrs. Haynes pointed to a side compartment. “Look in that little side compartment.” Her voice was so shrill it grated on Jake’s ears and made them ring.

He thrust his hand into the side pocket and bumped something smooth and cold. His head spun; he hoped he wasn’t about to pass out.

“You found it, didn’t you? I can tell by the look on your face,” Mrs. Haynes crowed. “I told you so.”
Heart burning, Jake withdrew the missing jewelry. 

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1uKJ3Xv

Just a Heads Up

I have two guests today, both of whom write inspirational fiction, and you won't want to miss either one. I also have the usual Fashionista Friday post. Scroll on down for a look at all three. Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I appreciate each and every one of you. Leave a comment if you'd like so we can get better acquainted. Have a piece of cyber chocolate and a great weekend.

A Scoop of Love

Author is giving away Two (2) $10.0 Gift Cards from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Enter contest below. Title: A Scoop of Love Author: Unoma Nwankwor Released: January 30th 2015 Publisher: KevStel Group LLC ASIN: B00RPI2616 Genre: Christian Romance Fiction The oldest of the Danjuma brothers, Rasheed was a self-made man. He’d learned at an early age that love and commitment brought with it complications he didn’t want to deal with. His single-minded focus had paid off. He was able to step into the shoes of his absentee father by taking care of his mother and twin brothers. But just when he thought he could stop carrying the weight of his family on his shoulders, he gets a call that could change the trajectory of Rasheed’s life. Ibiso Jaja, a professional caterer, had gambled on the love of a man and lost. Through the redeeming love of God, she had picked herself up and was now living her dream as the owner of Bisso Bites, a bistro in the heart of Abuja. However circumstances conspire to threaten the bistro and bring her face to face with the type of man she has vowed to avoid. The attraction is instant. Once again, Rasheed is forced to do something he has done all his life – put the needs of his family ahead of his own. This time however, he crosses path with the sassy, independent, Jesus-loving caterer who is bent on making him see the power of forgiveness and God’s love. Just when Rasheed lets his guard down, a deadly sabotage causes old demons to rise. Will Rasheed continue to pursue power and success or surrender to the light of God’s love? Unoma Nwankwor is a self- proclaimed romantic. She is passionate about telling stories that are uplifting and life changing sending the message of faith, hope and love. Her readers are in love with her unique way of telling stories that capture the essence of her present home base; Atlanta Georgia and her Nigerian culture. Her stories which center on forgiveness, faith and hope have been described as a fusion of faith, romance and African spice. Unoma is also the published author of An Unexpected Blessing (2013) , The Christmas Ultimatum(2013) and When You Let Go (May,2014).

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www.wnlbooktours.com

Author is giving away Two (2) $10.00 Gift Card from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Two winner will be randomly chosen via rafflecopter.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE Rafflecopter giveaway Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Unoma Nwankwor and is hosted and managed by Paulette from Write Now Literary Book Tours. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Paulette @ pharperjohnson@gmail.com

Forty Days of Grace: A Prayer Devotional

Author is giveaway one copy of Forty Days of Grace and Journal. Enter contest below. Paperback: 140 pages Publisher: God's Glory (December 18, 2014) ISBN-10: 0974374938 ISBN-13: 978-0974374932 Forty Days of Grace is a prayer devotional full of wisdom orchestrated by God to manifest His purpose through a chosen nation. As you read Forty Days of Grace, God will daily impart into you revelation and knowledge for strength and encouragement. On each page God depicts His grace given for you to complete the work He has chosen for you to do. Everyone who takes the journey through Forty Days of Grace can anticipate receiving God’s triumphant Victory. As you travel within the pages of Forty Days of Grace - A Prayer Devotional, the power of God is unveiled for you to know that His Grace is Sufficient and for you to daily experience His Abundant Grace. Elder Kim Y. Jackson, M. Divinity is a licensed Elder at Greater Bethlehem Church (Bishop Jason Nelson). An anointed writer, conference speaker, teacher, oracle and psalmist for the Lord, Elder Jackson is called to write the plans of God for His people. Her self-published non-fiction Christian books include In the Garden: A Woman's Journey Orchestrated by God for Deliverance and Spiritual Maturity, Forty Days of Grace: A Prayer Devotional and True Worship: Understanding the Command of God for a Chosen People. She has also contributed to the anthologies This Far By Faith, Have A Little Faith and Keeping the Faith. Her written works have also been featured in numerous print and online publications. Elder Kim Jackson is also the founder of the Women Writers of God’s Word Author’s Tour. Through the power of the Holy Spirit Elder Jackson imparts revelation knowledge to empower believers of Christ. As an oracle and scribe for the Lord, God has released her to effectively minister in the areas of healing and deliverance. Elder Jackson ministers at several recovery houses, transitional homes and support groups. Elder Jackson has fully accepted her calling to preach, write for the Lord, teach God's word and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She stands on God's word and encourages other believers to "Write the Vision" (Habakkuk 2:2) that God has given to them.

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  Enter Giveaway Raffle code Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Kim Y. Jackson and is hosted and managed by Paulette from Write Now Literary Book Tours. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Paulette @ pharperjohnson@gmail.com

Fashionista Friday

Stories from the city by helleka featuring equestrian boots

Emilio Pucci black military jacket
$1,335 - farfetch.com

Gucci zipper pants
$475 - farfetch.com

Frye equestrian boots
bloomingdales.com

Beige purse
piperlime.gap.com

Set ring
americanapparel.net

River Island tartan shawl
$15 - riverisland.com

Causse black leather glove
$275 - theoutnet.com

Ray-Ban aviator glasses
gaffos.com

Moving On

Moving On

by Annette Bower

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Anna Jenkins, a mysterious woman arrives in the resort town of Regina Beach as the heir to a cottage, even though there isn’t an obvious family connection. The residents of the town know everyone’s business and they are very keen on discovering Anna’s secrets. Anna meets Nick Donnelly with a secret of his own.  As a soldier, the injuries he sustained in an IED explosion were greater than most people realize.

During his rehabilitation, Nick and Anna become friends. Nick begins to dream of a life on the land with a family of his own. When Anna discovers that Nick plans to return to active duty, she puts the brakes on loving a man who might die because of his career. Nick must convince Anna they have a future to live for.

Moving On: Sweet contemporary romance with an heiress, a soldier, a small town and secrets.

EXCERPT: 

Anna was drawn to the large windows that revealed small waves washing onto the shore while his voice rose and fell in the background. She jumped when Nick spoke from behind her. “Looks like you’ve got a big job to make this old man’s house a place you’d want to live.” He had picked up a ship in a bottle and held it to the light.

She stood with determined confidence. “They say work is good therapy.” She felt a pang of intuitive kinship with him again, and smiled. “Do you ever wonder if they really know what they are talking about?”

Nick raised his hand and gently touched the side of her face, turning it toward him. He looked deep into her eyes as if searching for recognition. “Yeah, they’re probably just a bunch of clowns who think up Pollyanna sayings to make us feel better about our lives.”

She would have returned that gentle touch in a moment of shared intimacy, if his stance hadn’t changed. He shifted away from her as if he sensed danger. Nick pivoted on his rubber-soled boots and almost leapt through the door. The moment was thick with uncertainty.

She caught a chuckle that ended up more of a snort. They were like two wounded animals who suddenly found themselves in the same pen, wondering who was stronger and would survive. Surely she wasn’t attracted to Nick Donnelly just because they were both grieving their severed pasts.

My Review:

Moving On is the story of two wounded individuals who finally get their emotional houses in order and move on with their lives. I found both of the major characters to be likeable and sympathetic. The secondary characters added some nice depth to the story. The plot was well done and hung nicely together, and it brought the story to a satisfying conclusion. I also enjoyed the author's ability to do descriptions that made me 'see' the place. If you're a romance fan I think you'd like Moving On. Four out of five stars.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Annette Bower explores women’s roles in families, in communities and women’s emotions at the beginning and end of love in her home office in Regina, SK.

Her short stories are published in magazines and anthologies in Canada, United States, and United Kingdom and most recently in the Lake Winnipeg Writers Journal, Voices V 14/1.

She pursues the writing craft in workshops through the SWG conferences, Writing with Style, Banff Centre for the Arts, Surrey International Writers Conference, and Romance Writers of America Conferences. She is attending the Novel Colloquium at Sage Hill Writing Experience in July, 2014.

Her women’s fiction novel, Woman of Substance, is published by Soul Mate Publishing. Her novel Moving On re-released electronically by Soul Mate Publishing in October 2014. 

Web page: www.annettebower.com

Blog: www.annettebower.com/blog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MovingOnAPrairieRomance?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/annette.bower1author

Buy link Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Moving-Annette-Bower-ebook/dp/B00O2HZ4LW/ 

 
Annette will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Kobo or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Use the rafflecopter link below to enter. You can find her tour schedule at
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/12/review-tour-moving-on-by-annette-bower.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't Say No

Don’t Say No

by Naomi Bellina

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Mixing business with pleasure has never been so much fun.

Amber’s life sucks. Her ex got her thrown out of college, then fired from her job. When she’s hired for a mystery shopping assignment, she hopes this is exactly what she needs to kick-start her life and get her back on track.

Jaeger is all business when he hires Amber to check out the spa he’s purchasing. If she can help him prove that the venture will be a success, then he can build his own future, not the one his family has mapped out for him. Becoming attracted to his sexy spy isn’t part of the plan.

Amber can’t see how she fits into Jaeger’s world, and he’s too uptight to ever fit into hers. Circumstances bring them together, in bed and out, but when a secret from his upper-class life is revealed, Amber must decide if she can trust him. Or is her life going down in flames all over again?

EXCERPT:

She reached across the table and pinched his cheek. He caught her hand and held it. A little zing went up her arm at the touch. He had a nice, firm grip, and she enjoyed the sensation of his skin on hers.

“Thank you for doing this.” He didn’t let go of her hand, looking intently into her eyes.” It really is a good idea, and I know you're going to help us out a lot.”

“Well hell, thank you for hiring me. I'm actually kind of having fun,” she said, breaking his stare but not pulling her hand away.  The zing turned into a tingle that moved down her body, all the way to her toes.

He rubbed his thumb along the skin. “Such soft hands. Don't let them work you too hard, and make sure to wear gloves.”

As if he suddenly realized he was caressing her in the middle of a diner, Jaeger let her go.

They both bent their heads over their menus, though by now Amber almost had it memorized. A small smile crept to her lips. A little hand-holding was an unexpectedly nice way to start the day.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1.What's the best and worst part of being an author?
2.Which book of yours is your favorite? Why
3.What are your favorite authors in the genre that you write?
4.Which of your characters is most like you?

1. One of the very best parts is getting fan mail and good reviews. I love when readers enjoy my work! Getting checks is pretty awesome too, of course. Oh, and some of my research has been downright fun. The worst? Bad reviews, publishers who do weird stuff, writer's block.

2.  Awww, that's like asking a mother which of her children is the favorite. I love them all in different ways. Since Don't Say No is my first New Adult, it does hold a special place in my heart. It was cool to take the opportunity to write about a younger hero and heroine. They get to act a little crazier than my older ones, as you'll see in the opening chapter's café scene.

3.  I'm almost finished reading a Christmas box set (yes, I'm behind) so now I have a whole new bunch of authors to love. I have a hard time picking favorites, can you tell?  J

4.  A little of me goes into all my heroines, and some of the heroes too. Amber, from Don’t Say No, has my don’t-take-crap and never-give-up attitude, so she's right up there at the top of my favs.

Thanks so much for having me here today. I hope you and your readers enjoy Don’t Say No.

I'm sure we will. Thanks for coming to my blog.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I love spas! Even as an employee at several, I've always enjoyed the relaxing, pampering atmosphere in a place that's designed to be all about feeling good. This book is a work of fiction and most of the craziness that went on at Bella Sun doesn't really happen at spas. Mostly. I like to think there's always a romance or two going on behind the scenes. I've also been a mystery shopper, though I never received spa treatments on any of my assignments. Some girls have all the luck!

I hope this book encouraged you to not only search for your own true love, but to follow your dreams, no matter how many setbacks you encounter.

Website: http://www.naomibellina.com/

Reader Email: naomibellina@live.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGoddessNaomi

Buy Links:

B/N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-say-no-naomi-bellina/1120749253?ean=2940150444966

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Say-No-Naomi-Bellina-ebook/dp/B00PMKZPGC

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/493438

Naomi will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Use the link below to enter. You can find her tour schedule at http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/12/vbt-dont-say-no-by-naomi-bellina.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway