WELCOME BACK ANDREA R. COOPER

Happy Saturday, everyone!

I would like to welcome back to my blog my friend and wonderful author, Andrea R. Cooper. I invited Andrea back so we can all get caught up with what has been going on in her life.

Andrea, I’m so thrilled to have you here today. To start off this interview, tell us three things about yourself that readers may not know about you.

Thank you for having me, Nancy. I’m excited to be here with you and all of your fans.

Three things about me …

1)            I was a stay-at-home mom for four years, until this July. Now I’m a career-mom juggling everything I did and my new job.

2)            I love to dance (notice I didn’t say I was any good at it). I used to choreograph dances to my favorite songs. Now I just follow the Zumba teacher

3)            I’m a SciFi geek. I love watching space and fantasy movies. If I had to make a choice, I’d rather watch the new Hobbit movie than the latest romance—unless it is a really great romantic movie. Sorry, I just enjoy romance novels more than the movies – they never seem to be as good as the book.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always told stories. In Elementary school, I created characters, plots, and my friends and I would act out the parts. When I was fourteen, I wrote poetry for almost ten years, then nothing. I didn’t write. I still thought up characters and stories, but I no longer had anyone to act them out with.

Then in my late twenties, after reading a romance novel that I thought could have been better logically, I decided to write a story. I thought it would be short story or fizzle out. Instead, when finished, it was a two hundred and fifty page novel. By the time I had written a few more novels, I started thinking about being a paid writer.

Andrea, it sounds like you caught that writing bug that's going around. I caught it too and it's thrilling. What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least?

The best thing about being a writer, to me, is showing the world my stories and characters. Having them laugh, and love them like I do.

I like marketing the least. Selling is my weakest point – I could barely sale candles and candy to my relatives in school. If I won the lottery, the first writing investment would be to hire a professional PR/Marketing guru.

I just love the your cover for Sons of Dragons. And what a fantastic title. Please tell us a little about Sons of Dragons and anything else you are working on now.

My latest release is Son of Dragons – Book 2 Legends of Oblivion. This novel features Mirhana, an Elvin warrior, and her love interest, Landon—a human.

Together they battle the Warloc and his progeny.

Here is a short blurb and excerpt Andrea brought with her to share with us.

  

Excerpt Son of Dragons Book 2 Legends of Oblivion series:

Clean from the bath, Landon let the air from the open window dry his hair. Dressed only in trousers, he leaned against the windowsill.

He thought he smelled the hint of roses and heat on the breeze. Movement from the street below caught his eye. He leaned out, squinting into the night.

Torches lined the cobbled street corners. A cloaked figure waited. Then the innkeeper rushed outside. His hands flew in gestures as the figure nodded.

Then he pointed to the window where Landon watched. At the same instant, the cloaked figure followed his finger’s path to Landon. Green eyes that seemed to glow met his.

Landon jumped up and cursed when his head hit the bottom of the window. When he looked back, both figures were gone.

Thinking the innkeeper would send guards, he waited with his sword in hand and his stare riveted on the door. No one came. He must be getting paranoid, thinking there was a ghost or enemy around every corner. His eyelids grew heavy as he waited for a fight that failed to materialize. Finally, he rolled his shoulders back to ease out the tension.

Still, he couldn’t stop thinking about those piercing emerald eyes. They’d belonged to a woman; he could tell. There was intelligence and cunning in them. Her stare felt as though she saw through the façade he often wore as prince and to please others, and into his kajh.

A woman who was not afraid, but used to being feared. It unnerved him, yet excited him. His pulse quickened and his loins tightened at the thought of those eyes filled with passion for him.

Better get some sleep before the night was gone. Tomorrow, he’d tell Gillespie about what he saw. He doubted he could explain those captivating green eyes that continued to haunt him even now.

Here is the book trailer:

http://youtu.be/MF-W60brqL8

Andrea, that sounds fascinating. 

I’m also working on revisions and rewrites of War of Darkness – Book 3 Legends of Oblivion. This novel, while having all the characters from books one and two, will focus on Gillespie—a human with prejudices against dragons, and Mere—a water mage.

The Legends of Oblivion series is a fantasy / paranormal romance.

I’m also working on other novels including a YA Fantasy, and a sequel to Viking Fire – my historical romance.

I love how you expand your writing brain by jumping into other genres. What genre do you enjoy the most and how do you decide?

I primarily write in fantasy, paranormal and historical romance. However, I have a few contemporary romances I’ve written and am plotting out. I write whatever story the characters fit into—but my first, second, and third loves are fantasy, paranormal and historical romance.

Because I enjoy reading those genres. I think it’s good to develop and stretch as a reader and writer, so I read and write other genres as well.

You mentioned working on several other novels besides the ones listed above. Would you give us a few more details?

Certainly. I have a few chapters written of an Asian historical romance featuring the women assassins known as kunoichi – “deadly flowers” in sixteenth century Japan.

I have another Viking Romance (not affiliated with Viking Fire) that I need to tweak. And finish plotting out my next contemporary romance. Rewrite the first part of my Native American historical romance … I’ll stop with those, but I could list half a dozen more.

You are a very busy woman. I'm so impressed with your work ethic. Now for a couple advice sharing questions. If you had one take away piece of advice for new authors, what would it be?

Use a pen name … or abbreviate your name somehow. It’s difficult to create a platform/persona using your real name. People that know you will think you are being weird, egocentric, or just arrogant. But that’s what this business takes. Being proud of yourself as a writer, and sharing it.

Also, having a pen name for a group of genres might also be helpful. But something that ties all of it together for fans. If I could do mine over again, I’d write fantasy/ paranormal and historical romances as A.R. Cooper. Then maybe my contemporaries as Andrea R. Cooper or A.R. something or etc.

Do you believe writers are born to write or learn to write?

Both. I’ve come a long way as a writer. Constantly, I’m learning something new. And I know I’ll never get to a point when I know everything and am perfect.

However, there has to be a bit of a storyteller. There has to be a good story. I’ve read some book were the writing was fine, but the story wasn’t that interesting or exciting. Beta Readers, critique groups, editors, etc. are invaluable.

What is the theme song to your latest novel, Son of Dragons?

I have two – Radioactive and Demons by Imagine Dragons – I know, ironic right?

What is up next for you?

A lot! I hope to finish War of Darkness Book 3 Legends of Oblivion before the end of the year. Send a publisher my contemporary romance by October. Finish and send off my YA Fantasy to publishers, and begin Viking Fire’s sequel. Also manage to squeeze in a few short stories as well.

I'm sure your loyal fans are going to be very pleased with that list. Isn't your first book in this series now part of an amazing bundle?

Yes. The Garnet Dagger Book 1 Legends of Oblivion is bundled with nine other fabulous paranormal romances by nine other authors in the Extraordinary Love package for 99 CENTS for a limited time.

Here’s the Amazon link, but it is also available on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Books, etc.

http://amzn.com/B00MEWCG4A

Where you can find Andrea R. Cooper:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndreaRCooper.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndreaRCooper

Author Website: www.AndreaRCooper.com

It has been a blast catching up with all that is going on in your life, Andrea. Thank you so much for spending time with us today. I wish you great sales. To all my readers, have a wonderful weekend, and as always, be nice to one another.

((Hugs to all))

Nancy C. Weeks

"THERE ARE OTHER WORLDS TO SING IN"

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Every now and then I run across a story that gives me an extra lift in my step, makes my heart feel all warm and fuzzy. Today, I received this adorable little tale from my mother-in-law. The story is heartwarming but the message is something we should always keep close to our hearts. I don't know who wrote it or how long it has been out in cyberspace. I take no credit for it, but thank the author for taking time to write it. I hope you enjoy it. 

The Black Telephone

When I was a young boy, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the Wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination
when my mother talked to it.

Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.

My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy. 

I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear.

"Information, please," I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.

A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear.

"Information."

"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.

"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.

"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.

"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.

"No,"I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."

"Can you open the icebox?" she asked.

I said I could.

"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice..

After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my maths.

She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.

Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, "Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?" 

She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Wayne, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."

Somehow I felt better.

Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please."

"Information," said in the now familiar voice.

"How do I spell fix?" I asked.

All this took place in a small town in the  Pacific Northwest . When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston . I missed my friend very much.

"Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me.

Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity, I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.

A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in  Seattle. I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information Please."

Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well.

"Information."

I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying,

"Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"

There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."

I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?"

"I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me.  I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."

I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.

"Please do," she said. "Just ask for Sally."

Three months later I was back in  Seattle .

A different voice answered, "Information."

I asked for Sally.

"Are you a friend?" she said.

"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this," She said. "Sally had been working part time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."

Before I could hang up, she said,

"Wait a minute, did you say your name was  Wayne ?" "

"Yes." I answered.

Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. "Let me read it to you."

The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to sing in.  He'll know what I mean."

I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.

Never underestimate the impression you may make on others.

Hugs to all,

Nancy C. Weeks

WELCOME SUSANNE MATTHEWS

Happy Friday, Everyone!

I hope you have all had a wonderful week. I'm thrilled to introduce my friend and fellow Crimson Romance author, Susanna Matthews. She has dropped by to tell us a little about herself and her very exciting new release, On His Watch. Just wait until you read the blurb on this story.

Susanne, thank you for dropping by. I know how crazy your life is right now. On His Watch releases Monday morning!!! I can't wait to get my hands on this book. The blurb sounds amazing. To start off this interview, why don't you tell us when you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I didn’t realize it was possible until the fall of 2012.

What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least?

One of the things I like best is the independence. The other thing I enjoy is being able to give free rein to my imagination. What I like least is the amount of time it takes for self-promotion—I see that as time during which I could be writing. I also hate waiting to hear whether a manuscript has been accepted or not.

I know exactly what you mean by promotion being so time consuming. I could spend days at it. Sometimes, I just have turn it off and make myself write. As for the wait time after submitting a manuscript, I have only one word---excruciating. So, why don't you tell us a little about how you think your life experiences have prepared you for a writing career?

As a teacher, I constantly worked with deadlines. I’m used to them, and meeting them is one of the easier aspects of this career. I’m also well-organized and focused. If I say I’m going to spend 8 hours at the computer, then I will. Nothing short of a major emergency will interfere.

Wow, I wish you could bottle that determination. If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be?

Never give up your dreams. Learn from the editors, the rejection, and other authors. Writing is a lifelong learning commitment. You need to change and adapt to the market.

Susanne, that is perfect advice. Dreams need to kept alive. Sometimes it's hard to learn from rejection, but rejection doesn't mean you have failed.

So please tell everyone what genre you write?

I write romance in a number of subgenres. I have published books in romance/suspense, historical romance, contemporary romance and paranormal/romance suspense. I’m currently working on 2 paranormal romances and a sci-fi romance.

Wow, I'm so impressed. Tells us about your newest book release, On His Watch. Oh, by the way, I think that is one sexy as heck cover.

On His Watch is a romance/suspense. My heroine, Nikki Hart, is the victim of a severe beating in a home invasion/assassination attempt. She wakes up with amnesia. She remembers nothing about herself or her past. She’s plagued by vicious nightmares. The only thing she remembers from them is the angel who brings her comfort, but when she awakens, no one resembles her savior.

My hero, Jason Spark, is the FBI agent, who found Nikki and blames himself for not getting to her sooner. Forced together by circumstances, they fall in love, but someone will stop at nothing to see her dead. If Jason isn’t vigilant, this time he’ll succeed.

What an exciting premise. Tell us a little bit about how you came to write On His Watch.

Once a teacher, always a teacher. I have a need to learn and pass on that knowledge when I write. I’ve written several romance/suspense novels, and I try to find a different set of circumstances for each one, and I need to research the area I choose. In Fire Angel, I had an arsonist terrorizing a small town, so I had to learn all about fire and how it behaved. In In Plain Sight, I had a woman in the witness protection program hiding from the Irish mob and a hero with psychosomatic blindness. I did a lot of research on conversion disorder which is the modern term for it. In Echoes of the Past, I had reincarnated Mohawk lovers, a meth lab to take down, and a heroine who spoke to ghosts. Since she was a forensic coroner, I had to do research on that as well as on meth, and the dangers involved in its fabrication.

This time I decide to write about spousal abuse, amnesia, vendettas, and misplaced guilt. Spousal abuse comes in a lot of different formats, not all of which leave physical bruises.

Do you believe writers are born to write or learn to write?

I think it’s a combination of the two. The creative side has to be there, but so does the ability to string words together in coherent sentences.

What is up next for you?

I have a few irons in the fire, books to be edited and released in the coming months. That’ll keep me busy. I’m also working on a short story for an anthology. I hope to start a couple of new projects after Christmas.

Thanks for having me and best of luck with your own writing career.

It was such a pleasure to have you, Susanne. All of your novels sound so exciting. I can't wait to work my way through them. 

So Suzanne has brought us an excerpt to tease us. I hope you enjoy the read as much as I did. 

Excerpt for On His Watch.

The sound of breaking glass coming from downstairs shattered the stillness. Nikki tensed. Had the sound come from the kitchen? Had she left a window open? She’d shut the bedroom window a few moments ago because the wind had picked up and its whistling sound bothered her. Could it have knocked over the crystal vase of roses Sam had sent her this morning? Perhaps Mrs. Olsen’s tabby had jumped in the window and knocked the vase over. The cat had been a regular visitor when the previous owners had lived here, and he saw no reason to curtail his visits. She’d almost had a heart attack the last time he entered, bringing her a gift—a dead mouse—and Danny had laughed himself silly at “Mommy’s girliness.” Sam, not an animal lover, had threatened to poison the animal if it came into the house again. If the cat had broken the vase, its days were numbered.

Or what if someone was in the house? She’d noticed a lot of strangers in town, some looking more unkempt than others. There were plenty of family campers, but every now and then, she’d seen so-called gold prospectors combing the Larosa hills. Trudy, Mandy’s best friend Lily’s mother, had said they were harmless but to a girl like Nikki from San Francisco, dirty, half-starved men meant trouble. They could easily be junkies desperately needing a fix.

She took a deep breath. She didn’t hear any other suspicious sounds. As Sam would say, she was letting her imagination run wild. Most likely it was one of Larosa’s minor quakes that had caused a glass to slip off the table. Just a few miles off the San Andreas Fault, the town was constantly trembling. She barely noticed the Earth’s slight shaking anymore.

Even though she’d convinced herself nothing was amiss, Nikki tiptoed to the guest room, got down on all fours, and peeked under the bed. Mandy was asleep. The child slept like the dead once she was out. Nikki reached for the flashlight, turned it off, and used the bed to leverage her body upright again.

She picked up the cell phone she’d left on the dresser earlier, made sure it was on in case Sam called, and dropped it into the right pocket of her pajama top. Carrying the flashlight, she slipped out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Maybe getting a dog’s a good idea. It would keep the damn cat out of the house.

Nikki stood still in the hallway and listened. The only thing she could hear was the sound of the television in the den. Someone was buying a vowel.

She reached Danny’s room and opened the door. When she saw his bed was empty, she relaxed and shook her head in resignation. As much as it annoyed her to admit it, this time Sam was right. Her imagination did tend to look for boogeymen where there weren’t any. Clearly her eight-year-old and his bottomless pit of a stomach had decided to have another bedtime snack. No doubt he was the culprit. She left the room and placed the flashlight on the hall table where it usually sat in case of a power outage.

“What did you break this time?” she called as she headed down the stairs. “I swear, you’re like a bull in a china shop.”

The sound of the garage door opening indicated Sam’s arrival. Although the clinic was nearby, since he carried major opiate drugs back and forth, Sam always took his car to work. He’d enter the house through the garage, leaving his lab coat and shoes out there and washing his hands at the sink he’d had installed for that purpose.

“Let’s get this cleaned up before your father comes in.” She turned the corner into the kitchen and stopped cold.

The fridge door was open, the pitcher of orange juice shattered on the floor beside what was left of her crystal vase full of roses, the red petals vanishing in her son’s blood. So much blood! Danny lay there, his head at an awkward angle, his eyes open, looking into the face of death. A scream froze in her throat as arms grabbed her from behind, and the sting of the knife bit into her upper back.

You can pre-order On His Watch from:

Amazon

Kobo

Barnes and Nobles

For more information on Susanne, you can find her here:

Susanne also coauthors books under the name Misty Matthews. Follow Susanne on her blog at: http://mhsusannematthews.wordpress.com/

or visit her website http://www.mhsusannematthews.ca/

As always, Susanne and I love interacting with our readers. If you have any questions, please don't be shy. You can either leave a comment by clinking on the little pencil or use the Contact Me icon in the top right corner of this post. Have a great weekend and please be nice to one another.

Hugs,

Nancy C. Weeks

COVER REVEAL OF IMAGES ETERNAL BY TONI DECKER

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

This is an exciting day because I have been given the honor to introduce two new authors, my crazy and wonderful friends, co-authors, Toni and Kira, AKA, TONI DECKER. They have dropped by to unveil their debut novel's cover of IMAGES ETERNAL, THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SHOALMAN CHRONICLES. This day has been a long time coming and I'm so very proud of them for making their dreams come true!!


So without further ado, drum roll please....

IMAGES ETERNAL, THE SHOALMAN CHRONICLES BOOK ONE

Sharon Carpenter, Behind the Images

Images Eternal is the first book in The Shoalman Chronicles by Toni Decker. It will be available for purchase September 15th.


Toni Decker left us a blurb. 


The blood of a Guardian, the heart of an artist, no one can hide the truth from Amanda Hayworth. Focusing her visions through her camera lens, she reveals secrets no one plans to expose, even her own. To protect herself, Mandy hides her ability in plain sight, photographing local bands and showcasing the dramatic images on her website. Most bands beg for a feature article. But the new lead singer of one particular up and coming band isn’t like anyone she’s ever met. Lucien entangles her with his mystery and makes Mandy want things she’s never wanted before—strings.

Lucien Solvak has to impress an influential music blogger whose promotion could skyrocket his new band to stardom or flush them straight into the gutters. But the moment Mandy aims her camera his direction, he fears the images will expose his ties to the immortal he’s sworn to protect and destroy his one chance to live out his musical dream. Hiding from her camera is tough enough. Denying his growing feelings becomes an impossible feat, forcing Lucien to choose between oaths as a Guardian, his rock-star dreams, and the girl he wants.

Secrets define them. Lucien’s bind him to silence; Mandy’s bring her nothing but pain and disappointment. Only when they focus on what’s behind the images can they embrace their secrets for what they are—truth.



Who is Toni Decker? 

Yup, that's them below, Toni on the left and Kira on the right. AND yes, they are that silly and wonderful. They are the best of friends and so much fun to be around. 

Two authors telling one sizzling story after another about twenty-somethings getting along in their own crazy, fantastical worlds. Both women are wives and mothers, sharing brain cells and characters as if they only exist with the other.Toni, one half of the Toni Decker brain, is an avid reader of all things Young and New Adult while Kira, the Decker half of Toni Decker brain, devours fantasy for midnight snacks.

The cover for Images Eternal was designed by an incredibly talented graphic artist, Sharon Carpenter, Special Behind The Image Exclusive. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to work with her and we can't wait to see what she comes up with for the next cover in this series. 

Want to see how she works her magic? Check it out here:

Sharon Carpenter: Behind the Images

I wish Toni Decker great sales and the best life can offer. Did I mention that Images Eternal by Toni Decker will be available for purchase September 15th? That's September 15th. Mark your calendars. AND you can look for Shoalman Immortal, Book two in The Shoalman Chronicles in January 2015.

I hope you have a great day and please be nice to one another.

Hugs to all,

Nancy C. Weeks

MEET MY CHARACTER BLOG TOUR

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  

Today, I have something a little different to share with you.

First of all, Rowena May O'Sullivan, thank so much for inviting me to be part of this Meet My Character Blog Tour. I brought along someone I would like our readers to meet. It is my pleasure to introduce you to my hero in my recent release, In the Shadow of Pride, Special Agent-In-Charge, Mac McNeil. Mac is here to tell us about the woman who has turned his world upside down.


Mac, I’m sure everyone is dying to hear this story from your point of view. If you don’t mind, I’ll turn this interview over to you. 

[Psst….Ladies and Gents, I know I gave you a peek of my inspiration for Mac the day Pride was released, but I just want to remind you how incredible he is. Seriously, isn't he knock- dead gorgeous dreamy...









So Mac the floor is all yours….

Mac …

It’s nice to be here, if not a little weird. I have these questions that were handed to me so I’ll just go down the list. The first question is when and where is our story, In the Shadow of Pride set?

Well, that’s an easy one. Lexie and I both live in Austin, Texas.

The next question is a little harder. What should we know about Lexie Trevena?

I'm not sure where to begin. Lexie has had a lifetime of seeing what crazy can do—her mother did everything in excess, including occasional abuse and neglect. I can’t imagine being raised in the conditions Lexie had to endure. It’s remarkable she is such an amazing woman.

I think it would help if I told you about meeting Lexie for the first time. My best friend and fellow agent, Rico Trevena and I walked into a bar off 6th street one evening after a horrible day on the job. Rico spots Lexie sitting on a bar stool with her friends and heads straight to her. She was only twenty one at the time and I watched her fall hard for that crazy, bad ass agent. All women fell for Rico. I should have done something then to keep Rico from hurting her. She was innocent, sweet—well, to make a long story short, Rico ended up breaking her heart in the worst possible way. I’m not sure if I can give away a little spoiler, but I think this is okay. Rico gets himself kill on an undercover job. Lexie already hates my guts because she believes I assigned that job to Rico. The day of his funeral, she discovers Rico had a child with another woman, and against my better judgment, Lexie agrees to raise the child. She couldn't allow Rico's son to be placed in the same system that failed her so many times. If you want to know what kind of person Lexie is, well that shows it--plain and simple. 

So anyway, next question. What is Lexie’s personal goal?

This is another easy question. Lexie’s one goal in life is to give her son Gabriel the one thing she never had, a loving mother and a stable, happy home.


What is the main conflict? What messes up Lexie’s life?

Oh crap... this question is going to be hard to explain, but I’ll give it a go. We have conflict out the wazoo. Wait, maybe I can come at this a different way. I think the blurb says it the best, and this way, I don’t give too much away. So here is the blurb of In the Shadow of Pride.

The last thing Lexie needs is another man to complicate her life, but her best friends feel differently. Their matchmaking meddling accidentally places Lexie smack in the path of a terrorist who intends to use her as his pawn. The only person who can help her is the FBI agent she holds responsible for her husband’s death. [That's me..]
Special-Agent-In-Charge Luke “Mac” McNeil watched his best friend and partner marry a woman he knew was too good for him, but he did nothing to stop the wedding. He stood by as Lexie adopted the cheating jerk’s son. But when someone goes to great lengths to make it appear that Lexie is responsible for launching a drone into the home of a prominent Texas senator, Mac’s conscience finally speaks up, and he fights for Lexie’s freedom ... even though all the evidence leads to her door, and she has never given him a reason to trust her. Can Lexie and Mac find the courage to forgive and trust, or will their pride stand in the way of love, allowing terrorists to bring another devastating attack onto United States soil?

You see, I wasn’t kidding. Nancy didn’t even add half the crap that happens to us. 


So, last question. This wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. When can we expect the book to be published?

Folks, In the Shadow of Pride is out everywhere books are sold. I know Nancy posted a photo of me, but what you really want to see is how adorable my wife is. 

That’s right. After all the hell our drone killing terrorist put us through, we fell in love despite him. And know one thing, I know what I have in Lexie Trevena McNeil. There is no way on God’s green earth I’m every letting her go. She’s become my heartbeat. The other beat is for Gabriel. I love that kid and will protect him with my life. 





So, head on over to where books are sold and pick up our happy-ever-after, In the Shadow of Pride. I can tell you from personal experience, you will not be disappointed. Oh...and before I forget, you can read free chapters of Pride by clicking on the Book Preview icon above or click here:

http://blogspot.nancycweeks.com/p/in-shadow-of-pride-preview.html


Until then, see you in the pages…

Mac McNeil



Thank you, Mac so much for taking time to visit with us today. I just want to say that I really loved writing your wonderful love story. To all my readers, the Meet My Character Blog tour continues next Tuesday with the wonderful, suspense author, Shelley K. Wall. 

If you have a question for Mac, he said to ask him anything. If you leave a comment, your name goes into a drawing for a free digital copy of In the Shadow of Pride. You can either use the Contact Me icon at the top right of by website and send me an email, go to my Facebook author page and leave a comment under this posting, or just click the tiny pencil below. 

Hope everyone has a great day. Please be nice to one another.

Hugs to all,

Nancy C. Weeks

MEET OUR SEXY HEROES FROM RACING HEARTS ROMANTIC SUSPENSE BUNDLE

Hello all! 

I hope you are having a great week. I thought I would have a little fun today and introduce you to a few heroes in Crimson Romance's release of RACING HEARTS. Every writer now and then needs a little inspiration during the writing process.  We stare at freak'n amazing men for our readers and the story! It's a hard sacrifice but it's what we are willing to do for you. 

I'm placing the cover and buy links handy just in case...hehehhehe

10 wonderful authors, 10 full-length novels

Very limited time only 99 cents. 

Amazon  | Kobo | Google Play/ 

OUR HEROES

IN THE SHADOW OF GREED by Nancy C. Weeks

First up, let me introduce you to the photo that inspired my FBI Special Agent, Jason McNeil. If Jason looked anything like this guy, how in the heck did Dr. Sarah Tu hold him off for so long? Seriously...

I know she was surrounded by botnets, cyber criminals, and dodging bullets at every turn, but if I were her, I would have run into his arms the instant an opportunity presented itself--like chapter one.

IN THE SHADOW OF GREED 

 Brilliant cryptologist Dr. Sarah Tu races against time to block the most dangerous Internet malware ever created, a botnet called QUALNTO. While Sarah is closed off in her computer lab, her sister, Hanna, is brutally attacked and left in a coma. As Sarah reels with guilt over not being there for her sister, a web of deception closes in, threatening her and everyone she loves.

Hanna’s condition is misleading. In her coma state, she is able to build a psychic bridge with FBI Special Agent Jason McNeil. Her cryptic messages plague Jason to keep Sarah safe.




Tough and street-smart Jason McNeil doesn’t believe in visions or telepathic messages, and he fights the voice inside his head. His first impression of Dr. Sarah Tu is another stiletto wearing ice-dragon on the war path―until he witnesses her façade crumble after seeing her sister’s bloody, tortured body. Jason’s protective instinct kicks in. He falls for Sarah―hard.

When an extremely dangerous arms dealer and cybercriminal discovers that Sarah blocked his botnet, he kidnaps Sarah. Placed in an impossible position, will she destroy the botnet to protect national security or release it to save the man she loves?

RELENTLESS by Winter Austin

Meet Winter Austin's inspiration for her hunky, Cajun hero, Detective Remy LeBeau in RELENTLESS. I read RELENTLESS and this is just how I pictured Remy. Not only is he incredible to look at, but oh my, the way Winter's writes his Cajun accent will make you melt.

 

RELENTLESS

Dallas homicide detective Remy LeBeau trusts no one. He hides from a past that could kill him and anyone involved with him. What he’s not prepared for is the return of an elusive serial killer . . . and an unwanted desire to protect a witness at all costs.

 Professional barrel racer Cody Lewis’s dream of being top in the nation is within reach until she discovers a murdered woman in her horse trailer. The event pulls her into the sickening world of the Rodeo Sweethearts serial killer—a madman who terrorized Dallas’s rodeo circuit five years prior and is now back for more. But what’s worse is that Cody fits the profile of the Rodeo Sweetheart victims. . . .

As Remy dives into the investigation, he uncovers secrets of a botched investigation and a tight-lipped boss, while attracting unwanted attention from the killer. Battling his partner, his attraction to Cody, and the demons of his past, catching the killer could cost Remy everything. Even Cody’s life.

THE LIBRA AFFAIR by Daco

Next, meet Daco's inspiration for her hero, NASA scientist, Ben Johnson in THE LIBRA AFFAIR. While I'm reading THE LIBRA AFFAIR, I'm keeping this photo very close so I can get the true understanding of Ben Johnson. Again...a sacrifice but it's what I'm willing to do to be a good reader. [insert huge blush here]

THE LIBRA AFFAIR
Her Mission: Launch an ICBM
Code Name: Libra
Obstacle: Love

When it’s time for double-agent Jordan Jakes, a CIA covert operative, to launch a missile in the remote desert of the Middle East, she’s forced to tell her blind asset, NASA scientist Ben Johnson, that their love affair is finished. 

Only the breakup turns out to be more difficult than she anticipates – and it’s not just because she’s developed intense feelings for the guy.

When she disappears without a trace, Ben will stop at nothing to find the one woman who he’s fallen for hard and fast even if it means boarding a plane that lands him in the middle of a country most Americans might think twice about entering – Iran.

Surviving takes more than being one step ahead of their enemies.

Jordan and Ben must peel back the layers of their emotional armor to overcome a series of obstacles before they can accomplish Jordan’s mission. If they have any hope of making it out of the Middle East alive and forming a lasting relationship they must surrender to love.


DANCING WITH DETECTIVE DANGER by Lynn Crandall


Last, but far from least, meet Lyn Crandall's inspiration for her novel, DANCING WITH DETECTIVE DANGER, Detective Ben Kirby. I can look at this guy all day long. 

DANCING WITH DETECTIVE DANGER 

A body in the bathtub and pleas from a jilted wife to find her wayward husband mean a welcome break from the usual humdrum cases Sterling and her sister, Lacey, are called to investigate. But when Sterling’s old flame, Detective Ben Kirby, walks into the murder scene, she feels her world spin out of control. 

Danger from thugs and murderers poses no greater threat than the peril she’d suffer if she lets daredevil Ben get too close.

Seeing Sterling for the first time in two years is for Ben like drinking in a healing tonic. He could never forget the way it felt to run his hands over her delicious curves or the way she touched his soul. She remains the one person who can make the emptiness in his gut go away. Finding the murderer is his job, but protecting Sterling from seriously dangerous people is his mission.

As the case unfolds, Sterling and Ben not only solve the murder and locate the missing husband, they confront secrets that set them each free from a painful past.

Well, that's all for today. Tomorrow, I may post more heroes or maybe the women they fall crazy in love and find their happy-ever-after. 

RACING HEARTS will only be available at 99 cents for a short time. Here again is where you can find it. 

Amazon  | Kobo | Google Play

I hope you enjoy reading these amazing romantic suspense stories as much as we loved writing them. 

As always, have a wonderful weekend and be nice to one another. 

((Hugs to all))

Nancy C. Weeks