UNDOING TIME by Author Rachel Dacus **BOOK BLAST** **Giveaway**

It’s my pleasure to welcome author Rachel Dacus to Notes From a Romantic’s Heart today to talk about her new book, Undoing Time, part of the Timegathering Series. You can find all of the stop for Rachel’s tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Also, don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win a $20 gift card. The entry form is at the bottom of this post.

GENRE: Sci-fi – Time Travel Romance

Liv Pomeroy’s high hopes and lavish lifestyle come horribly undone when her fiancé runs off with her maid of honor. Swearing off love forever, she goes on a summer escape to Florence, Italy. Agreeing to help her cousin May raise funds for an art restoration project, Liv is astonished to find they share a genetic gift for undoing time. Soon she’s joining a team of time travelers who rescue history from those who would change it. And fighting her attraction to a sexy time traveling colleague, who just might turn out to be working for the wrong side in the American Revolution. A thrilling tale of time travel, romance, and espionage.

Get your copy on Amazon

THE SAN FRANCISCO QUAKE

He turned to look at her, his brown eyes wide, but his brows pulled together in concern. “Are you going to be okay?”

The smoke from the 1906 earthquake was thick in the air. She repressed a choke. “I’ll be fine.”

“Are you cold? You look like you’re shivering.”

That wasn’t why she was shivering Liv looked down at her clothes and was startled to find herself swathed in a long skirt of heavy silk brocade. Her petticoat rustled its many folds. She was encased in so many layers, she might have been wearing an overcoat to shield her from the wind.

“I’m not cold.”

She turned again and looked down the hill, seeing the ferry building and docks, a familiar landmark. Her emotions calmed.

A man in a bowler hat passed them.

“What’s happening?” Tom asked.

“You’re aware, surely,” the man said. “You see the smoke, the rubble. Pardon me, I must find my family.”

He scooted down the hill.

“In a matter of days, people begin to thirst and even starve,” Tom said. “Half the city is homeless. I just wanted to know if that fellow was a helper.”

“A helper?”

“San Franciscans who had something left began to help the others. The city grew together under the devastation. I wasn’t kidding when I said half of everyone here is homeless, or nearly so.”

Liv couldn’t reply. The enormity of what she was seeing choked her. Tears rolled down her face, and when she wiped them away, soot came off her hand. Her face must have already grown gray with the ash from fires. Tom’s had too.

RACHEL DACUS writes about history, love, romance, and art – usually with a touch of the supernatural. If time travel were possible, she’d hop over to Renaissance Rome, and then check out how the American Revolutionary War is going, and maybe visit an 18th century London artist’s studio. A poet and novelist, Dacus has published four novels and four poetry collections. When not writing, she listens to music, new and old, from indie and progressive rock to classical and jazz. Once a dancer, she’s now an avid walker, often twice a day -- once for the Muse and once for the world’s liveliest Silky Terrier. She blogs about the writing life and has collected a wealth of writing and publishing resources.

Rachel's Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Rachel Dacus will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you so much for stopping by today. Please come back again on Friday, and then all next week, for more authors, books, and giveaways.

Nancy

KYLE & COREY AND THE GAME-STORE MYSTERY by Author Joe Stephens **REVIEW** **GIVEAWAY**

Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is pleased to welcome author Joe Stephens to the blog today to talk about his new book, Kyle and Corey and the Game-Store Mystery, Book 1 in the Kyle and Corey Mystery Series. You can find all the stops on this tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win a $25 gift card. The entry form is at the bottom of this post.

GENRE: Juvenile (or Y/A) fiction

About the Book

Kyle & Corey Holley (15 and 12) live in Fairly Springs, a small southern beach town. Kyle is a budding engineer; Corey is impetuous, funny and sports-crazy. Like most brothers, they fight often, but they also solve crimes—like the rash of recent robberies around town. When Kyle and Corey investigate, they learn that in each robbery, the thieves stole a high-end desktop computer. Why? What are they looking for? And how soon till they find it? Other complications include Corey's wheelchair-bound math tutor, Kyle’s after-school job in a local game store and a revolutionary new video game launching soon.

Kyle and Corey: Brothers. Best Friends. Detectives. They don't go looking for trouble; it has them on speed dial!

You can find Kyle & Corey hiding out at Amazon & B&N (Nook)

Add to your Goodreads TBR file

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Wanna have a catch outside?” Corey said after a minute. “Before it gets too 
dark?”

“I guess,” Kyle said without enthusiasm.

“Homework, Corey?”

“It’s Friday night, Mom. Can’t you chill out? Besides, I did it in school.”

“You always say you do it in school—then I get your report cards and they say 
you haven’t turned it in.”

“They must be losing it, then. I’m doing it.”

Mrs. Holley shook her head. She knew Corey and knew that nagging him about it was hopeless. “Clear the table before you go.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Corey cleared the plates, glasses and silverware, put the napkins and salt and pepper shakers in the kitchen, and covered the leftover food. Without being prompted, Kyle wiped down the table, the counter and the stove, and swept the floor.

Mrs. Holley watched through the sliding glass door as they hurried outside. As always, any sport absorbed Corey, but baseball was his favorite. He pitched for the local rec department team for most of the year, and hoped they’d eventually add a travel league. For his sake, she hoped so, too.

Outside, Corey and Kyle pulled on their baseball gloves and lobbed the ball back and forth across the wide backyard. “So what’s our next case?” Corey asked. “It’s been a long time since summer.”

Kyle snorted. “That was a one-off, dude. It won’t happen again. They do have a police force here, you know.”

“But we were great together! Bet we could make something happen again.”

“If we do, the cops’ll be after our butts, for sure. They didn’t like it when we made them look bad by catching those bank-fraud guys.”

“If we’re catching crooks, who cares if it’s us or them?”

“They care. They’re the ones paid to do it.”

My Review

4-Stars

A thoroughly enjoyable read, for young and old alike. I was impressed with the boys’ intelligence, their commitment, and their overall attitudes as teens and pre-teens. While they could be a bit stubborn when the situation called for it, over all they were respectful.

The adventure itself was predictable, but still well worth the read, especially for the middle school reader. My pre-teen grandson loved it and gave it two thumbs up as well.

This promises to be an excellent series with the ability to engage readers who might not always be inclined to pick up a book. Definitely reminiscent of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys of my youth.

Meet the Author

JOE STEPHENS has been a fan of boys’ adventure books all his life, and in this, his first series book, he’s created two boys as memorable as Frank and Joe Hardy. He has a background in education and has also visited more than thirty countries while pursuing his passion for scuba diving. He lives in Georgetown with his growing family and three thoroughly spoiled cats.

Enter the Giveaway

Joe Stephens will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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It has been my pleasure hosting today’s guest. Please come back again tomorrow for another author, book, and giveaway. Then, again on Monday to help us celebrate a Book Birthday!

Nancy

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY MAGIC by Author Tena Stetler

Today we welcome friend and author, Tena Stetler to Notes From a Romantic’s Heart to talk about her book, Chocolate Raspberry Magic, part of The Wild Rose Press' One Scoop or Two series. As usual, I’m being nosey and asking questions of my guest.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Is your book based on real-life experience or a figment of your imagination?

Some real life experience. Wildlife Rescue has always been one of my passions. I’ve been involved with several rescues and sanctuaries for wildlife, parrots, and all kinds of needy animals.

Some is a figment of my imagination. Like the cabin in the story and its secrets and abilities. That stems from a desire to have gourmet meals and a clean house. LOL

Is the setting for your book real? If so, have you been there? If it’s fictitious, is there somewhere real that you’ve used as a model?

Setting is purely fictional, but based on rescues that I have been involved with. Animal rescue is a difficult vocation for those with a soft heart.  Yep, I’d be one of those people. Probably the reason I abandoned my desire to become a veterinarian early on. LOL But the difficult moments are offset by all the good that happens in rescues.

 

What has been the most unusual experience you’ve had that you have written into a book?

We go camping a lot during the spring, summer and fall. It was during this time that we visited cabins built during the gold rush on Independent Pass in Colorado.  Obviously, the prospectors had no idea what the living conditions would be at 12,095 feet in elevation and abandoned the settlement.  However, while we were investigating these cabins, I walked around the back side of one and a whole scene played out in my mind. The longer I stood there, the more characters played out scenes. Then they faded away as quickly as they appeared.  I rushed to our truck and wrote down all I could remember (Always have a pad and pen with me).  I did return to the same spot, but nothing.  My book, Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement was born out of that experience.

 

Do you like to read in the genre in which you write? Or, are you adventurous?

I do read Paranormal Romance.  Also read a wide variety of other genres, the only thing I don’t read is Horror.  With my over active imagination, I create nightmares for myself that keep me up all night. Then my hubby hates when I leave all the lights on in the house at night to make sure none of those nightmares come to life. Silly I know, but…

 

About the Book

Prim and proper Trinity Shiloh is the assistant manager for Salem's Wildlife Sanctuary. She hasn't had much luck in the boyfriend department, but the new employee Paul is different. Deep and brooding she sees something special hidden below the surface. Besides she has secrets of her own.

Paul Thorp is a wounded Special Forces veteran now working in security and computer support. He's fought hard to keep his demons in check and for the first time feels he is ready for a real relationship.

When a fire breaks out at Puffin Cove Rescue, they are called in to help with the recovery and ice cream social fundraiser. Sometimes things are not what they seem, and neither are people. When magic is unleashed, will what they learn bring them closer together or push them apart?

Available on Your Favorite Platform

Read an Excerpt

As Trinity walked through the aftermath of the fire, she lifted the yellow and black caution tape and carefully stepped inside the building. Her gut clenched and that feeling of foreboding washed over her again. The farther she ventured into the burnt building the stronger the gut-wrenching feeling became. Something needs my help. This was a new sensation. She took a small flashlight out of her backpack, directed the beam over the scorched debris, and moved the rubble with her toe. Nothing.

One more sweep of the light and she’d return to the others. Probably not supposed to be here anyway. A weak squawk emanated from the far corner of the building. Picking up a scorched stick, she poked at the debris. A puff of smoke rose as she made her way to where the sound came from. Shining the light into the corner, she saw movement. She knelt down and carefully shifted the charred rubble. Laying on its side, head slightly raised, and using a wing in an attempt to right itself was a small parrot. Its little eyes locked on her for a moment before its head lowered to the ground.

Frantically, she glanced around, but there was no one in sight. How far had she ventured without telling anyone? The structure overhead groaned in warning. No time. “Okay little one, it’s you and me. I don’t have much experience at this, but I’ll do my best.” Shrugging out of her backpack, she unzipped it completely. “I’m going to scoop you up in my backpack and get help.” She didn’t raise her voice to call for help for fear of scaring the poor thing.

Clearing as much debris away from the bird as possible, she scooped up the parrot in her bag. Slowly she stood, so as not to jostle the little creature. Holding the bag gently against her chest, she picked her way across the downed wooden braces, charred remnants of cabinetry, and broken glass.

Meet the Author

Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal romance with an over-active imagination.  She wrote her first vampire romance as a tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends.

Colorado is home; shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.

Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.

Tena's Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads 

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Thank you so much for stopping by. We’ll be back again tomorrow with another author, book, and more fun!

Nancy

 

GEMINI RISING by Author Bianca Swan

Today we are welcoming author Bianca Swan to Notes From a Romantic’s Heart. We’ll be taking a peek at her latest book, Gemini Rising, from Black Lotus Books.

Let me begin this post by saying, Gemini Rising is not for the faint of heart. It pushes all the taboos and—because it does—Amazon has so far refused to carry it. However, that doesn’t make it less of a book. If anything, it made it more interesting to me. Yes, it does push boundaries, but it also holds surprises that make it more than what it appears to be and definitely an interesting and entertaining read.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Is your book based on real-life experience or a figment of your imagination?

No, I don’t even have siblings to love too much, and, in the romance department, I’ve never survived such a poignant love story.  Not to say my love life has been smooth sailing. Far from it! There was this young man 20 years younger than I—ahem, back to Gemini Rising. Alain and Alina own a special place in my heart. Their story might be fictitious but they were very present and real, almost as if I’d known them, which I have not. Gemini Rising was a difficult book to write because I felt their pain.

If you could trade places with one of the characters from your book, who would it be and why?

The book is currently out of print. When the rights reverted to me, I’ve been busy with other projects and haven’t taken time to go through Hot Spanish Nights.  I’d like to possess Erica DeLongpre (meaning the way a spirit would possess a human), a Virginia sociatlite, who goes to Spain to purchase the perfect horse meets the perfect man. Damián Xérès is handsome, wealthy, and can ride a horse as if he were a centaur. He is heir to a sherry dynasty and a renowned rejoneador (mounted bullfighter).  Erica is a beautiful, spoiled brat. It is also a coming of age for a twenties+ young lady. In Spain, she knows lust and love like no other. Yes, I’d like to possess Erica and live the adventure. I love the Andalusian horse, which is featured in Hot Spanish Nights.

Is the setting for your book real? If so, have you been there? If it’s fictitious, is there somewhere real that you’ve used as a model?

The setting, an island castle off the coast of England, is purely fictional. A long ago visit to St. Michael’s Mount, which is a tidal island off the coast of Cornwall, is the inspiration for Alastair Keep (the castle in Gemini Rising) and the setting in general.  If you’ve never visited St. Michael’s Mount, it is a spectacular experience. The island is connected to the mainland by a man-made causeway of granite setts, only passable during mid-tide and low tide. There is no causeway in Gemini Rising. The rocky coastline of my imagined island can be approached by small watercraft.  In fact, the Alastair family own a yacht for crossing the channel.  

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About the Book

The Alastair twins are a scientific impossibility. To parents who’ve tried every way to have a child, their male and female identical twins are a miracle.

Isolated in their island castle, the Alastair twins, Alain and Alina turn to each other for friendship and love. But when their love shifts from fraternal to frighteningly deep, they’ll each dance with their lust in their own way.

A dark fantasy of forbidden longings and midnight pledges, spoken only to be broken or kept. How can these phenomenal twins possibly unleash their innermost desires? The answer will shock you.

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Read an Excerpt

Alain tucked the in-flight magazine into the seat pocket and gazed out the window. The distance from one life to another vanished with the clouds fleeing beneath silver wings. The new 777-200 transported him from a sunlit future to a misty past…from a black-haired beauty to a fair-haired princess. Sunlight broke through cloud striking steel, blinding him for an instant.

Someone was going to get hurt.

Already he hurt—a low throbbing like a toothache. If he returned to Portugal, Alina would be devastated. His father would disown him. If he picked up his discarded heritage, a part of him would die and Maritza would grieve. For a time. He wasn’t vain enough to think she’d pine for him forever`.

The choice lay in his hands.

Damn, life got complicated when he tried to declare independence from The Keep. He shifted his long legs cramped beneath the airline seat. He preferred not to think, but fragments of memory plagued the corners of his eyes.

A vivid picture of Alina supplanted images of recent days drenched white-hot by a Portuguese sun. His twin’s presence was more corporeal than the woman sitting to his left. Welcome or not, Alina was there inside him, the mere thought of her a compulsion. He sensed her anticipation mounting as the miles melted. Expectation tingled over him. In self defense, he grasped at a memory of riding the splendid Lusitano stallions, their beauty and majesty a temporary refuge. Like Maritza. As he pictured his lover framed in an arbor of roses, his heart dived. Grief mingled inseparably with the mounting excitement.

His seat mate muttered something. He smiled vaguely at the tiny movie screen where imaginary figures acted out their roles. The film would end happily; every desire fulfilled. He hated the silver screen people. Things never turned out right—except in the movies.

The roar of jet engines and the spattering of conversation became a distant echo. Alina was journeying. When his sister took flight, despite the distance, she’d lead him down the path her imagination chose. Alina had always been the leader. Or is that a cop out to ease my own guilt? He laid his head back on the seat and closed his eyes. Why fight the inevitable?

The rumble of the sea surrounded him. July sunshine warmed his face. The light of home was different from any other place, diffused, like sunlight filtered through a special camera lens. He stood on the top tier of the formal garden, looking down on another sweeping flagstone terrace. A brisk waterfall sprang from an aperture in rock to feed the swan pond. Even in summer the water rippled clear, green, cool.

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Watch the Trailer

 About the Author

Bianca lives in Houston, Texas with her Z3 and baby grand piano. She has been writing all her life and loves to tell stories about hot heroes and the sexy heroines who love them. Her favorite things: Her two sons, music, sports cars, symphony, theater, the ocean, mountains, horses and travel.

Bianca's Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook Page

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Another wonderful day with an equally wonderful guest! Don’t forget to come back tomorrow when we welcome the writing duo of Liz Crowe and Desiree Holt. Until then, stay happy, stay healthy, stay well read!

Nancy