Monday, February 27, 2012

Flirting with Love: Giveaway Winners


Thanks to everyone who participated in this blog hop! I appreciate everyone who took the time to leave a comment, and I hope you'll come back often.

And the winners are:

Melanee
Book Attict
(each of whom will receive their choice of Sacred Ring or The Parting Gift)

and Tammy Ramey
(the Grand Prize winner, who will receive a copy of each)

Congratulations to the winners! I will be contacting them by email today. Thanks again, to all the participants. Have a wonderful day!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Sweet Saturday: Just a Dream


Gem!
Gryff? Where are you?
I'm here. Right here... I've missed you. His arms engulfed her and she sank into him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. It's okay. It's going to be okay. His hand smoothed her hair in a comforting gesture. Gem buried her face in his broad chest and sobbed convulsively.
Please don't leave me again, Gryff. I can't handle it.
You're going to make it, Gem. Just keep going. I have to go now, Gem. Don't forget me. She clung tighter to him, but he began to fade from her grasp and dissipate into mist.
Gryff! Don't go! Don't leave me!
"NO!" Gem's audible scream sliced through her haze and brought her abruptly to consciousness. The pillow was drenched with her tears, and she lay there paralyzed by the fresh abandonment she felt. In her mind, she re-played the sensation of Gryff's arms around her. The comfort she had derived from his touch. His closeness. It was new to her, but it had felt so familiar and natural.
While he was still here, they rarely touched. Honestly, it never occurred to them to do so. The expectations were so strict about that kind of thing. The dream had been a vision of what might have been, and suddenly she ached for what never was — and what never would be — Gryff's touch.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Flirting with Love: It's All About the Romance Blog Hop Tour (Feb. 24-26)


FLIRTING WITH LOVE: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ROMANCE BLOG HOP TOUR (FEB 24-26)





TOUR RULES:
1) HAVE FUN!!!



2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!


3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Friday, February 24 (Arizona Time)


THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, February 26, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
Winners will be drawn and posted February 27th! ***


4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS AND BOOK PAGES! EXPERIENCE A NEW PARTY DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR AND BOOK PAGE IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERYONE SOME LOVE!


6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!


***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***


Sometimes when writing romance, you have to also write the hard stuff. The things in life that aren't extremely romantic, but more realistic. The things that are real. In my latest novel The Sacred Ring, young Kenyan struggles with the idea that his parents once perfect marriage is crumbling at his very feet. 
A stroke of genius hits, and he is soon on his way to discovering the one object that he believes will keep his parents together--Saint Valentines Ring! 





Here is the blurb:


Nothing in Kynan Murphy's life is going right. His grades are horrible, he's always in trouble, and the girl he likes doesn't know he exists. But things go from bad to worse when his parents tell him they have decided to split up. Angry and confused, he wants nothing more than to lash out against the world. The closest thing he can find, however, is the Saint Valentine shrine during a school field trip. Armed with some fireworks and encouraged by his best friend, Michael Connell, he's all set to vent his frustration with life.

His best laid plans fail when a mysterious priest confronts him, sharing an ancient secret about a hidden ring with special powers. Kynan believes the answer to all his problems and the only way to fix his parents' broken marriage is to find the ring — a task he won't be able to accomplish on his own.

It was easy enough to convince his friend Michael to join him, but the irritating Brianna Collins insists on tagging along. Fortunately, her knack for language and interest in history is a valuable asset in the search. Their quest leads them to the northern coast and into dangerous territory where, in spite of theirgood intentions, they may lose their own lives.



But what if the true love, no matter how difficult is really the type of thing you like to read? My latest romance novella "The Parting Gift," deals with love and loss, and yes a lot of romance. Come on, who doesn't think a pilot in uniform is sexy?
Meet Blaine Graham, the confident hero of "The Parting Gift," who can't seem to forgive his father for the wrongs done to him as a boy.
It takes one womans love to bring him back.
With her forgiveness and care, he can finally become the man he was created to be. He can finally be whole.



Blaine Graham lost his mother at the tender age of eleven. Grief over the loss drove a wedge between him and his father, and soon proved too difficult for him to deal with. At the age of sixteen, he falsified his papers and made the trip across the border into Canada with his best friend to join the Royal Canadian Air Force and enter the war in Europe as a pilot. Ten years later Captain Graham finds himself flying commercial jets in Boston – his estranged father and his past life all but forgotten, until the day he receives a telegram from his dying father asking him to come home.

The persistent Mara Crawford, a live-in nurse, has experienced her fair share of loss as well. Her attachment to Blaine’s father drives her desire to bring reconciliation between the two men before time runs out for her patient. But her best laid plans didn’t include falling in love again.









Contest!
1. Follow my blog and find me on Facebook: Leah Sanders
2. Leave a comment with your name and email, you don't necessarily have to comment about anything in particular, I just need your info to put you in the drawing!

GRAND PRIZE:
A copy of both The Sacred Ring and The Parting Gift
1st and 2nd Place
A copy of your choice of The Parting Gift or Sacred Ring 

Need to go back to the linky list? Click HERE

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Sweet Saturday: Saint's Ransom


Elias felt a hand on his forearm. “Will you walk with me, monsieur? I am in need of fresh air,” Pepiot’s daughter asked. He nodded.
“With pleasure, mademoiselle.” He offered his elbow and she hooked her thin gloved hand into the crook of his arm. 
Out in the garden, the sun was disappearing behind the horizon, painting the darkening sky in hues of orange and pink. A translucent crescent moon hung just over the trees. The soft breeze played with the wayward strands of Jaime’s dark curls along her ivory neck. Elias led her down the path into the garden maze, sauntering slowly and silently, unwilling to break the spell of the sultry night falling around them.
She spoke first. “Tell me of your country. Are there nights like these?”
Her eyes reflected the sunset. “Morocco is a land of great mystery. And it is hot.”
With a raised eyebrow, she glanced at him sideways. “Ah,” she mocked. “A romantic description… How will I know if I would like to travel there someday if you do not describe it to me properly?”
“It is not a place for a woman such as yourself, mademoiselle.”
“Would you care to explain that, monsieur?”
Elias spied a garden bench and led her to it. As they sat, he expounded. “To begin, women wear far more – clothes.” He waved at her in a sweeping gesture from her head down to her toes.
She glanced down at her own attire. “Is there something wrong with my wardrobe?”
“No, mademoiselle. It very much becomes you. But in Morocco there are laws. Laws which require a woman to be covered, to save her from the marauding eyes of men – and to save the men from desiring that which does not belong to them.” He was careful not to look at her as he spoke.
“I see. Does it bother you then? To see women uncovered, as you say?”
And here is where he made his first grave mistake, for when he turned back to her and met her gaze, his heart leapt within his chest and rose to his throat, choking the words from him. Elias must have appeared to have something incredibly interesting to say, because the lady leaned in expectantly, awaiting his reply.
Her eyes imploring dark almonds, her full lips red and inviting, and her creamy white velvet skin – so much skin, tantalizing him into submission. He would keep up his charade of servant-hood indefinitely if it meant forever with her.
To his credit, he did try to stop himself, but in the end his hands betrayed him and moved independently of his will. Before either of them knew what was happening he had removed his gloves, and his hands impulsively cupped her face – the fairness of her skin fairly glowed in contrast to his dark complexion.
The feel of her smooth flesh against his hands spurred him forward, and he pulled her face to him and crushed her lips greedily with his own. In the back of his mind a still small voice whispered, If you are caught, you are as good as dead.
He answered the voice with a thought of his own, Ah, but without her, what difference does it make?
So intense was his passion, so imbibed with an overwhelming fog of desire, Elias could not say how she had responded. His mind was in a haze as he drew back from her.
Therefore, he did not see it coming.
Not until her tiny gloved hand burned across his face in a scorching blur of fury did he realize perhaps he had overstepped his bounds.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Random Acts of Kindness


Welcome to this segment of the 
Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop!

There are many legends surrounding the martyrdom of Saint Valentine. One such story is that of the beloved saint and the jailer's daughter. Valentine had been imprisoned for defying Caesar's orders against military aged men getting married.

The jailer who was entrusted with Saint Valentine's captivity had a young daughter who was blind. Valentine had a reputation as a healer, so the jailer brought his daughter to see him on several occasions. Valentine would pray for her and try different treatments on her eyes. The two became friends.

On the day he was to die, Valentine asked the jailer to deliver a letter to his daughter. He wrote her a note and signed it Your Valentine. Inside the envelope, he put a beautiful crocus flower. He was taken and executed shortly after giving the letter to the jailer.

According to the legend, when the little girl opened the letter, her sight was miraculously restored.

Saint Valentine lived a life full of random acts of kindness. He helped the Christians, healed the sick and befriended the friendless. We can all do with a little more Valentine in our lives.

In Sacred Ring, Kynan Murphy and his two friends go searching for Saint Valentine's ring, which they believe has the power to fix broken relationships. The quest leads them to the northern coast of Ireland where they risk their lives in a dangerous coastal cave in order to find the Sacred Ring.

Sacred Ring is now available for e-readers on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Want a free copy? Leave a comment here with your contact email for a chance at your free copy in the e-format of your choice. Recipient of this giveaway will be chosen at random and will be notified on February 22nd.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Romancing the Valentine Recipients

Thank you, everyone, for stopping by inklings and showing The Parting Gift some love!
In order to choose the recipients of this giveaway, I had one of my students draw three names from the hat for me.

And the winners are: 
*drum roll, please*

Sophia Rose
catherine0807
shadow_kohler

I have notified the winners via email, and they will be receiving a free electronic copy of The Parting Gift. Thanks again! And be sure to check out Sacred Ring as well.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day: New Holiday Reads!


The Perfect Rose by Felicia Rogers


Abandoned by his wife and left to raise a child alone, Caleb Reed falls short of the ideal work-from-home dad. He needs a woman to help him, in every sense of the word. At the suggestion of a friend, Caleb agrees to hire Ariel Lauren on a trial basis.
As an orphan, Ariel has more issues than just how to make it on her on. Yes, she needs the money that Caleb offers her, but more than anything she finds she desires his love. One calamity after another befalls her and jeopardizes her new job and her chance at having a family. But through it all, Caleb is by her side, his gruff exterior threatening to melt in the face of their shared attraction. Will they decide to continue life alone or will the magic of Valentine's Day bring them together?


The Key to Love by Meg Mims
Artist Jennette Jacobson clashes with a handsome visitor at a gallery show. He claims that artwork is just “more junk to dust.” Ouch. When she finds a small metal object on the floor, she uses it later in a new collage.
Her world soon crumbles with family problems and a friend’s betrayal. And wouldn’t you know that the same hunky guy claims he lost an important key the night of the show! When Steve Harmon offers to buy Jenn’s work, she refuses to sell. He’ll just trash it to free his precious key.
Or is it possible that key will unlock her future happiness?




Minna & the Valentine by S.G. Rogers
Minna has a secret. Her father, ex-dragon jockey Wynn Westerfield, will forever hold a grudge against wizards. Because it was a wizard who caused his career-ending accident, Minna struggles to hide her incredible magical powers from him...and from the world.
Evan Valentine has attended a prestigious magical academy on scholarship, although he's managed to conceal that fact from everyone. He's on the fast track to success with his apprenticeship to wizard Thaddeus Bartholomew, and Evan's carefully constructed life doesn't include a certain beautiful girl whose powers rival his own.
Although Minna and Evan don't realize it yet, their destinies have been intertwined for years. When a threat arises, Minna and Evan must travel to another reality to retrieve a dangerous magical artifact. Can Minna and Evan learn to work together, despite their mutual mistrust? Or will their explosive romantic attraction lead to disaster?


An Unlikely Alliance by Rachel Van Dyken
Spoiled New York rogue Royce Mc Arthur lives a charmed life. He sees no reason to settle down, until his mother issues her decree that he must grow up, find a wife and produce some grandchildren, preferably before she dies of old age. But his choices are quite limited considering the only women of his acquaintance are ones of ill repute.
 Meeting the beautiful Evelyn DeJarlias at a ball gives him hope he may have found the one. Her southern blue collar outspokenness and lack of refinement draws him like a moth to a flame. Unfortunately, she does not find him nearly as endearing -- consistently refusing his lavish gifts and his attentions, she poses a challenge he simply cannot ignore.
 When his mother and her widowed father begin to keep company together secretly, it provides the perfect excuse for him to spend time with Miss DeJarlias. But figures from Royces past threaten to destroy the blossoming love between the couple. Evelyn must decide if she is willing to trust the man or hold his past indiscretions against him.


Matching Wits with Venus by Therese Gilardi
For centuries, Cupid has longed to be more than Venus’s arrow boy. When he’s sent to eliminate “Happily Ever After by Amelia”, the matchmaking business threatening Venus’s status as the goddess of love, Cupid decides to steal Amelia’s methods and make his own matches. While spying on Amelia, Cupid accidentally shoots himself with his magical arrow and falls in love with her. But bereaved Amelia doesn’t believe in the existence of Roman gods, and she’s certainly not looking for romance. She’s too busy perfecting the patented personality profile that’s made her Hollywood’s favorite matchmaker.
 Disguising himself as a mortal financial advisor, Cupid manages to break through Amelia’s guarded exterior. As their passion deepens so does Cupid’s guilt about deceiving Amelia. Cupid’s interference with Amelia’s life causes her business to falter, leads to a sterile spring that threatens the animal kingdom and shatters the longstanding peace between the Roman and Greek gods. With the fate of the natural and under worlds at stake, Cupid must decide whether to reveal his true identity and risk losing the chance to live happily ever after with Amelia.


Nothing in Kynan Murphy's life is going right. His grades are horrible, he's always in trouble, and the girl he likes doesn't know he exists. But things go from bad to worse when his parents tell him they have decided to split up. Angry and confused, he wants nothing more than to lash out against the world. The closest thing he can find, however, is the Saint Valentine shrine during a school field trip. Armed with some fireworks and encouraged by his best friend, Michael Connell, he's all set to vent his frustration with life.
His best laid plans fail when a mysterious priest confronts him, sharing an ancient secret about a hidden ring with special powers. Kynan believes the answer to all his problems and the only way to fix his parents' broken marriage is to find the ring — a task he won't be able to accomplish on his own.
It was easy enough to convince his friend Michael to join him, but the irritating Brianna Collins insists on tagging along. Fortunately, her knack for language and interest in history is a valuable asset in the search. Their quest leads them to the northern coast and into dangerous territory where, in spite of theirgood intentions, they may lose their own lives.





Friday, February 10, 2012

Sweet Saturday: Lake Sanguine

Edward S. Curtis, Piegan encampment, 1900
The day had aged three trees to the east by the time the body washed up on the banks of Lake Sanguine. When the women who had been fetching water came scurrying back into the camp, they were all talking at once, eyes wide with shock. Soaring Eagle listened in stoic interest. His expression did not change as the women prattled out their tale, wailing and pointing in the direction of the lake. Lifting a hand, he silenced them and turned to his chief warrior, muttering a low command. The warrior gestured to two braves and the three of them disappeared behind the chief’s lodge.

From where she stood by the cooking fires, Bright Star waited with bated breath for them to return.

Her husband had been gone too long. Just a routine scouting mission. That’s what he had told her when he left, but she had had a premonition even then and begged him not to go. He had laughed at her, a soft loving laugh, and kissed her on the top of the head, then flung himself up onto his horse in one fluid motion and rode out of the camp without looking back.

One of the young braves rounded the chief’s lodge in swift stride and spoke to Soaring Eagle. Was that a nod in her direction? Bright Star stared at the exchange from where she stood, trying to make out the words. Her blood froze in her veins when the chief’s solemn eyes settled on her.

When she saw the chief’s wife shuffling toward her, she knew what the news would be.

“Bright Star.” The older woman leveled her gaze into Bright Star’s face, a hint of sorrow in her deep black eyes. Her knees buckled beneath her. The camp whirled around her and the muscles in her abdomen constricted, causing the child within her to squirm in revolt. Then the darkness encompassed her; the light of day dissolved from her view and her head swam with the dizzying sensation of falling from the sacred mountain. Her last conscious thought.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

It's the Thought that Counts

Romancing the valentine giveaway hop

The Romancing Christmas Giveaway Hop is being hosted by Reading Romances!


Valentine's Day is a big day for gift giving -- but not just any old random gift. Flowers, jewelry, chocolate... mmm, chocolate. You know, the gifts that most say, "I love you."

I like getting flowers and jewelry (although my husband seems to think I don't like either of those things). And, naturally, I love chocolate. But the best part about any gift I receive is the thought behind it. I know it sounds cliche -- It's the thought that counts -- but for me that thought translates as time. And I always feel most loved when someone spends time with me, or in this case, spends time thinking of me.

My dad would buy gifts for us for Christmas and Valentine's Day. He went and picked them out himself. He didn't send Mom to do it. And when he handed the gifts to each of us, he had a great big smile, because he knew we would like them. He knew just what to do to make each of us feel special (and when you have a group of six daughters, that's not an easy feat.).

The best gifts are those that have meaning for both the giver and the receiver. And sometimes the gift isn't a thing at all, sometimes it's just a sentiment. Like when my son said to me, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a chef, so you'll never have to cook again!" See? Now, he knows the key to my heart!

In The Parting Gift, David Graham put a lot of thought into the gifts he chose for his loved ones, knowing it would be his last chance to offer them something of himself.

Here's the excerpt:

“Not hungry this morning, Mr. Graham?” Mara inquired, moving closer to him to check his pulse and other vital signs. He shook his head feebly. She was busy fussing over him, when he put his hand on her hand to settle her. She stopped abruptly and met his gaze. “What is it, Mr. Graham?” He pointed a weak finger toward the dresser by the door. “Do you need something from the drawer?” she asked. He nodded, his breath ragged.

Mara opened the drawer and pulled out two small packages wrapped in brown paper. Blaine recognized one of them as the one he had helped his father wrap a few days earlier. The same day they had visited his mother’s grave. David gestured for Mara to bring them to him, and then struggled to sit up further in his bed. Blaine supported him as Mara adjusted his pillows. His breaths were labored, and his voice was barely a whisper when he spoke. They both leaned in closer to hear his words.

“Mara, your gift to me was grace. I was angry and bitter and a wounded soul. You didn’t let me waste away like that. You gave me a second life. Thank you.” He took her hand and squeezed it gently. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she continued to smile at the dying man. He held her gaze a moment in silence.

When he turned toward Blaine, a knot formed in his chest, threatening to squeeze all the air from his lungs. “Son,” his voice rasped. Blaine remembered how he had reacted to that name when he had first arrived. “Your gift to me was forgiveness. My heart’s one wish. You reached past the years of pain and took my hand in spite of all my mistakes.” With his free hand he reached out and took his son’s left hand in a frail grasp.

“I know you would give me anything I asked for, but these are the only things I can take with me where I’m going.” He fell in to a weak coughing fit. At the end of it, he gave each of their hands a light squeeze. “I do ask one more thing,” he whispered as he sucked in another labored breath.

“Name it, Pop,” Blaine replied. He could feel the emotion building in his throat. Mara nodded her assent beside him.

“Promise me,” David started, then his voice seemed to catch behind another series of coughs. “I don’t want you to be angry about me dying.” Blaine shook his head.

“It’s gonna be fine, Pop.”

“I know. I know.” A big smile broke across his thin, frail face. “I get to see my wife today. I get to be with Emily.”

Blaine’s heart skipped a beat at his father’s words. “It’s okay, Dad. We don’t begrudge you that reunion.” He slipped his right arm around Mara’s shoulders for comfort. Her tears were flowing unashamedly now, though her smile was ever-present. To Blaine, her smile was like the sun shining through the clouds while it was raining. A perfect recipe for a rainbow. A promise of a future. Even here at the side of his father’s deathbed.

The packages were still lying on top of David’s blankets. He released his hold on their hands and took the packages from his lap. He handed one to each of them. “These are the gifts I want to give you… One for each of you… But I think… you’ll find… they may go together… someday.” His breaths were shallow now. “I love you both,” he sighed.


What is the best gift you've ever received?

For the giveaway: The Parting Gift by Rachel Van Dyken and Leah Sanders 
(heat level: sweet -- genre: Christian romance)

Blaine Graham lost his mother when he was the tender age of eleven. Grief over the loss drove a wedge between him and his father, and soon proved too difficult for him to deal with. At the age of sixteen, he falsified his papers and made the trip across the border into Canada with his best friend to join the Royal Canadian Air Force and enter the war in Europe as a pilot. Ten years later Captain Graham finds himself flying commercial jets in Boston -- his estranged father and his past life all but forgotten, until the day he receives a telegram from his dying father asking him to come home.

The persistent Mara Crawford, a live-in nurse, has experienced her fair share of loss as well. Her attachment to Blaine's father drives her desire to bring reconciliation between the two men before time runs out for her patient. But her best laid plans didn't include falling in love again.

I will randomly choose three winners from those who enter.Anyone who is interested may enter. To be eligible for your chance at a free copy of The Parting Gift leave me a comment with your contact email and follow my blog.

Good luck in the giveaway
and thanks for stopping by today...
Hop and enter the other giveaways!

Friday, February 3, 2012

New Release: Sacred Ring

I am pleased to announce the release of my Valentine's Day novella, Sacred Ring.

Here's the cover blurb:


Nothing in Kynan Murphy's life is going right. His grades are horrible, he's always in trouble, and the girl he likes doesn't know he exists. But things go from bad to worse when his parents tell him they have decided to split up. Angry and confused, he wants nothing more than to lash out against the world. The closest thing he can find, however, is the Saint Valentine shrine during a school field trip. Armed with some fireworks and encouraged by his best friend, Michael Connell, he's all set to vent his frustration with life.

His best laid plans fail when a mysterious priest confronts him, sharing an ancient secret about a hidden ring with special powers. Kynan believes the answer to all his problems and the only way to fix his parents' broken marriage is to find the ring -- a task he won't be able to accomplish on his own.

It was easy enough to convince his friend Michael to join him, but the irritating Brianna Collins insists on tagging along. Fortunately, her knack for language and interest in history is a valuable asset in the search. Their quest leads them to the northern coast and into dangerous territory where, in spite of their good intentions, they may lose their own lives.


I'm pretty excited about this book. It is amazing how much you can learn about a subject when you are going to write about it. I feel like a veritable font of information about Saint Valentine right now. :) Interesting bit of trivia about the writing of this book. Several of the characters (minor and major) are styled after my students, with their permission, of course. In fact, Brianna is so much like one of my girls that I have called her by the name Brianna on more than one occasion. Scary. Luckily, she doesn't seem to mind.


My favorite thing about this book is the way the characters interact with each other. Very much the way my students are with each other, which can be rather amusing most days.


Sacred Ring can be purchased on Amazon or Barnes and Noble or Astraea Press. I hope you enjoy it! And please let me know what you think by leaving a review on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Thanks!

Spread the Love




Spread Love, Not Hate

When I was in seventh grade we moved to Alaska from Idaho. It was a whole new world, and a very small school in comparison to the place I had been. Everyone there knew who I was before I showed up on my first day, because a new student was big news.

Before my first day was over, I was targeted by the seventh grade bully. She walked up to me in the hall after school and said, "I heard you want to fight me." Hmmm... news to me. I told her I didn't want to fight, but I'd oblige her if that's what she wanted. She backed down. And she never bothered me again.

Instead, she moved on to weaker targets. In P.E. one day one of the smaller girls accidentally hit her with a hockey stick in the shins. She started hitting her back until one of her friends stepped in and told her to stop picking on the smaller girl. Later in the locker room, the bully grabbed her friend by the neck and started choking her. We all had to pull her off.

I don't know why she backed off when I stood up to her, but attacked when the other girl did. I guess it doesn't always work. But both of those incidents are forever ingrained in my mind. Which is a glaring example of what kind of damage bullies can do. Not only do they cause a person to live in terror, but they can scar someone emotionally for life.

That's the real damage. Physical wounds usually heal. It's the emotional wounds that hang around long after the bully is gone. And that means that words can do even more damage than anything else.

Don't be a bully. Use your words and actions to build each other up.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

An Unlikely Alliance: Rachel Van Dyken

It is my pleasure to present to you the newest release by Rachel Van Dyken, An Unlikely Alliance, a Valentine's Day novella.


Cover Blurb:



Spoiled New York rogue Royce Mc Arthur lives a charmed life. He sees no reason to settle down, until his mother issues her decree that he must grow up, find a wife and produce some grandchildren…preferably before she dies of old age. But his choices are quite limited considering the only women of his acquaintance are ones of ill repute. 

Meeting the beautiful Evelyn DeJarlias at a ball gives him hope he may have found the one. Her southern blue collar outspokenness and lack of refinement draws him like a moth to a flame. Unfortunately, she does not find him nearly as endearing -- consistently refusing his lavish gifts and his attentions, she poses a challenge he simply cannot ignore.

When his mother and her widowed father begin to keep company together secretly, it provides the perfect excuse for him to spend time with Miss DeJarlias. But figures from Royce's past threaten to destroy the blossoming love between the couple. Evelyn must decide if she is willing to trust the man or hold his past indiscretions against him.

My favorite part of the book is the banter between the two main characters. Evelyn's southern spirit gives rise to many snarky comments aimed at bringing Royce down a peg or two. I'm not gonna lie, it always gives me a little thrill when over-confident male characters get their just desserts.

Rachel weaves a fun plot. Royce decides early that Evelyn is the girl for him. Evelyn, however, takes a little longer to convince, and even then she falls for him against her better judgment. This book is set in Regency period America, so the flavor is similar to Rachel's House of Renwick books. A delightful comedic story full of hiding, spying and scandalous adventures. I loved it!

I asked Rachel to drop in and tell us a little about her newest release.

What is your favorite scene in An Unlikely Alliance?
My favorite scene in Unlikely Alliance, is where Royce meets Evelyn for the first time. She's trying not to faint from lack of food and he thinks she's the most delicious thing he's seen in years...


How does Royce McArthur measure up to your other male lead characters?
He is a lot goofier than my other male leads, but still cocky. Apparently, I like to write about cocky men!!! He's hilarious and spoiled, and has always gotten what he wants in life... until now.

What are you working on now?
Right now I'm just finishing up The Redemption of Lord Rawlings, the third book in the Renwick House series. It's probably one of my favorite stories I've written! I'm pumped for it to release this March!

Thanks for stopping by, Rachel. Congratulations on your new release and your upcoming releases Compromising Kessen and The Redemption of Lord Rawlings.

All of Rachel's books are available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Astraea Press. Be sure to check out her whole collection.

You can purchase An Unlikely Alliance HERE. If you enjoy it, be sure to leave a review for Rachel on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.