The bad news: I have gone too long without reaching out to all of you and I am sorry. I could offer excuses. Yes, I’ve been in my writing rabbit hole. Yes, life has taken unexpected turns. Yes, I now have three part-time jobs plus doing all I can to write, butI truly should have written before now. Your support is everything to me. You enable me to share my passion and my heart—writing stories with heart. Thank you!

The good news: I have lots of great things to read.

My newest release is part of the LOVE CHRISTMAS collection. Twenty great authors have written new Christmas stories based on Christmas songs we all know and love. My story is Merry, Did You Know? I can’t express how much fun I had writing this story about Merry Christmas Love (yes, that IS her name) and how the love she finds with Doug Warren, a man who didn’t believe he could ever love again. The story blessed my heart and truly re-inspired me. The Loves’ have always been unlucky in love, but maybe this Christmas, their luck just might be starting to change with Merry’s miracle.

I’d love to know what you think about my Love sisters. And yes, I do know someone, a very good friend whose middle name is Christmas! Also share with me your story of Christmas love!

Come join our Facebook party today and tomorrow for lots of prizes and fun. https://www.facebook.com/events/312850912417076/

For a limited time, you can get the entire collection for just 99 cents. Share some Christmas love and put a song into everyone’s heart, gift LOVE CHRISTMAS to yourself and your friends. A lot of love went into these stories from each of us and I hope you get the chance to enjoy them and share them. Perhaps you will send us authors our own Christmas miracle.

Coming soon is THE JUSTICE CARD. A short story in the NEVER FEAR THE TAROT ANTHOLOGY that picks up Eva St. Claire and Adam Frasier where KAYLEE’S JUSTICE left off. This new series about a True Crime writer with unique paranormal gifts, is like Murder She Wrote with grit. So make sure you’ve read how Eva and Adam meet and stop twisted killers before the reading THE JUSTICE CARD.

In June, my story for the Kindle Worlds Southern Roads series by Stephanie Bond came out. BABY, BE MINE? Wounded warrior Reese Stirling has isolated himself and given up on life. He is a man with no hope. In Samantha Hart’s desperate search for her missing brother, her life becomes endangered and Reese discovers he has a reason to live again.

Now for the Giveaway:

Your support in sharing my news and posting reviews is greatly appreciated.

Happy Reading and Much Love

Love Jennifer St. Giles/ Jennifer Saints/ JL Saint

Remember Every Day to Dream, Believe, Create, Inspire, Love, Heal, Succeed, and Grow and Share Wealth..

One Matters.

 

 

Book Description:

Loss and betrayal have caused Heather Phillips to give up on love. She’s thrown herself into running The Lonely Loon, her Bed and Breakfast located on the boardwalk of Ocean City, Maryland. The “off season” in this tourist town is usually a time of rest and reflection for her; however, DB Atwell, a famous author, arrives at The Loon for the winter to finish his long-overdue novel. Daniel, too, has faced grief, and tragedy continues to haunt him. Once Heather and Daniel meet, their lives will never be the same.

Reminiscent of Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks and culminating in a happily-ever-after similar to the great Nora Roberts, Two Hearts in Winter is a story about learning to let go of the past, about realizing that, though hardship affects us, it need not define us, and about coming to understand and truly believe that beauty is sometimes covered in scars. The human heart has an amazing ability to forgive, to heal, and to hope, especially when touched by love.

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-939000-32-3
eBook ISBN: 978-1-939000-33-0

Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written 35 romance and women’s fiction titles. Her books have won awards, have been translated into two dozen languages, and have sold 4 million copies worldwide.

Buy Links:

US Kindle: http://amzn.to/1ooYAyR

UK Kindle: http://amzn.to/235L56Z

Nook: http://bit.ly/TwoHeartsNook

iBook: http://bit.ly/TwoHeartsiBook

Kobo: http://bit.ly/TwoHeartsKobo

Google Play: http://bit.ly/TwoHeartsGoogle

Paperback: Coming very soon!

Find Donna Fasano on social Media:

Blog: http://donnafasano.blogspot.com/

Sign up for her newsletter: http://madmimi.com/signups/110899/join

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonnaFasanoAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DonnaFaz

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/DonnaFaz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donna_fasano/

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/donnafasano

BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-fasano

GoodReads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1111480.Donna_Fasano

Add the book to your “Want To Read” shelf on GoodReads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29754379-two-hearts-in-winter

Reviews of Book 1 of the series:

“The pleasure of Fasano’s style lies in the scrumptious descriptions… and her characters’ sincere, mature desire to make things work.” ~Publishers Weekly

“Following His Heart made me go “wow”. . . I found it thought-provoking in ways I’d have never anticipated.” ~BooksAndPals.com, 5-Stars

Excerpt 1:

It wasn’t Heather’s aim to embarrass the girl; she just wanted to cut through the lies to get to the truth as quickly as possible.

“Listen, hon.” Heather leaned forward. “Why don’t you tell me what this is all about?”

She smiled, but she had to admit, after speaking with the woman at Atlantic Coastal this morning, she’d felt completely stumped. Why in the world would this girl approach her like she had? Why would she lie?

“I’m tired of proofing,” Sandra finally said. “And I don’t want to be an editor. I want to be a writer. And paying writing gigs are few and far between in this business. Newspapers are shutting down. Everyone is going digital. It’s… it’s hard.”

Heather gently pried the plastic lid off her tea. She lifted the rim to her mouth and took a sip. The heady tastes hit her tongue: cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, and the richly scented steam wafted around her face.

The answer Sandra gave was completely plausible. It seemed like a perfectly natural thing for a journalist wannabe to do… write an interesting story about The Lonely Loon and present it to the magazine’s publisher as proof of her writing skills.

Heather nodded. “I see.” She set the cup down again, pleased by the calm demeanor that she’d been able to present. As she’d driven over to the west side of town, she’d fretted about the confrontation. But it had been simple, really. Just asking for the simple truth had been the best solution.

There were still a couple of questions niggling at her, though. “But why lie?” she asked. “Why didn’t you just tell me you were going after a writing job at your magazine?”

Sandra’s chin tipped up, and she unwittingly slid her palm over the silver laptop that sat on the table, her gaze zeroing in on Heather’s face. “You would have helped me get a story?”

“Of course, I would help you.” Heather smiled. “I like to see people succeed. If I can help you, I will.” You silly twit, whispered through her mind, but luckily she was able to keep the offensive moniker from slipping off her tongue. “Who wouldn’t like to help someone advance in their career?”

“Oh, wow,” Sandra gushed. “I don’t know what to say. I just… this is so nice of you.”

Heather’s smile widened. Now that the truth was sitting like an open book in front of them, they could get down to work. She could tell Sandra that her mother had been the one who had established The Lonely Loon, and she could explain where the name had come from. And how she’d taken over the business after her mother had died of breast cancer. She’d be sure to name a few of the neighboring boardwalk businesses and their owners to offer as much promotion to her friends as she could. The owners of the shops, restaurants, and hotels on the boardwalk were a tight-knit group.

Sandra reached into her satchel and pulled out an eight by ten piece of paper and slid it across the table.

“What’s this?” Heather asked.

As her eyes scanned the short, full-caps header—WRITER DB ATWELL’S DAUGHTER MISSING. Heather’s blood froze and she felt like she were sitting in a vacuum.

“This is the story I want.” The words burst from Sandra like blustery wind during a nor’easter. “I have a friend who works at the Associated Press. He sent this to me just before Christmas. It’s taken me weeks to track him down. DB Atwell, I mean. The teachers at his daughter’s school aren’t talking. His publisher isn’t talking. Even his agent blew me off.”

Heather watched Sandra’s mouth moving, she even heard the words, but the situation had taken such a bizarre turn, that she felt truly dumbfounded.

“I’ve tracked him to Ocean City, I believe,” Sandra continued. “And although I haven’t seen him, I’m pretty sure he’s hiding out at your B&B. He’s the one you mentioned yesterday, isn’t he? The guest who needs quiet. I want you to tell me about him. I need you to tell me everything you know. About him. And his missing daughter.”

Excerpt 2:

“The worst of it was the stroke of midnight.” Heather sighed. “Everyone got a New Year’s kiss but me.”

“Well, that’s not quite fair, now is it?”

The tone of his voice had her gaze lifting to connect with his. Merriment sparkled in his eyes. Was he laughing at her? Poking fun?

She slid her fingers from between his forearm and hand, meaning to pull away from him, from the situation that could very quickly turn both awkward and embarrassing for her. Feeling vulnerable was not something she enjoyed. She mentally kicked herself for not keeping the conversation light and fluffy. That’s what he’d expected, wasn’t it? It’s the only kind of conversation that most guys liked. Nothing too intense. Nothing too sensitive. Frivolous. Insignificant. Superficial. That’s what—

He reached out and captured her jaw between his gentle fingers, and she went stock still. With light, steady pressure, he guided her toward him. With excruciating slowness, he leaned forward.

He was close, so close she could feel his warm, vanilla scented breath against her cheek.

What the hell was he doing? She should stop this. She should place her hand on his shoulder and give a good, hard push. But her muscles had gone all spongy and useless. She had no idea what he planned to do, but every cell in her body wanted him to do it.

Daniel tipped up her chin and closed the small gap between them.

His lips were soft and hot against hers. The kiss was—

…over before she had a chance to really enjoy it.

“Everyone deserves a New Year’s kiss.”

His silky soft voice sent shivers spiraling down the full length of her body. She felt giddy, and drunker than any rum runner could ever account for.

“Ha…Happy New Year,” she stammered.

Before she could finish, his mouth was on hers again. This kiss was longer, more lingering, and teetered on the edge of hungry.

When he broke away, Heather heard a strange whooshing, and she realized it was the sound of her blood throbbing at a wild rate through her veins. She swallowed, exhaled slowly, and blinked.

He smiled broadly. “That,” he told her, “was for telling your friends that I’m perfectly nice.”

Author Interview:

What are you reading now or what do you have in your TBR pile?

I just finished Learning to Swim by Sara Henry. I’m currently reading Julia’s Daughters by Colleen Faulkner. On my TBR pile you’ll find A Reluctant Hero by Jackie Weger, Creatus by Carmen DeSousa, The Neighbor by Dean Koontz, Three Junes by Julia Glass, One Way or Another by Elaine Raco Chase, Love Me Tender by Mimi Barbour…should I go on?

What flavor is your writing style?

I always tell people I write cotton candy for the mind. Think back to when you were a kid and you took a bite of that delectable confection. What did you do? You smiled. That’s what I’m going for in my romance novels.

Was writing always the first thing you wanted to do in life?

No, I wanted to be a teacher, but then I met and fell in love with my husband. We married and began raising a family. It wasn’t until my children started school that I started writing.

While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

I believe there’s a lot of me in my protagonists. I write about women who are strong, yet vulnerable. My main characters and my secondary characters have flaws and make mistakes (don’t we all?), but then most of them do all they can to learn, grow and become better people.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

One piece of advice I often give to writers is to READ. Don’t just read in the genre in which you write. Read everything. And then figure out what you liked and what you didn’t…and then think about why. Reading and analyzing the writing of talented people can help you perfect your own skills.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I bow down to readers! I am so appreciative that they spend their hard-earned money on my books and then take the time to read my stories. I am so blessed to have a job I love, and I wouldn’t have this job if there weren’t readers who love romance novels.

What inspired you to write your first book?

I came to writing through my love of reading. I spent many a Saturday as a kid in the local library. I loved books, but I never imagined I would ever write one. My husband gets the credit for my becoming a writer. When my children started school and I decided to find a part-time job, he looked around at the piles of romance novels in our home and said, “You’ve read a lot of those. Why don’t you try writing one?” So, you see. It’s all his fault.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Not my latest book, but one of my titles—Where’s Stanley?—features an ending that I didn’t come up with. I handed in the completed manuscript, and my editor suggested a different ending. I wasn’t happy, but I did as she asked. Personally, I think the book suffered for it, but readers seem to enjoy the story.

What books have most influenced your life most?

Old Yeller, Sounder, The Bell Jar, To Kill a Mockingbird…how can people read these books and not be influenced? There are so many titles that inspired me and moved me, molded and shaped me, there isn’t time to name them all. The characters in these wonderful books help young readers to decide what kind of individual they want to be.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

There was a time when I’d have said no. I have a plant-your-butt-in-the-chair-and-the-words-will-come attitude. But I did suffer writer’s block while my dad was battling cancer. It’s difficult to write feel-good happily-ever-after when your beloved father is dying.

Do you write an outline before every book you write?

I do, yes. I equate an outline with a road made; how do you know where you’re going if you don’t have a map? I might write the first chapter or two on the fly, but I always take the time to plan out where I want the story to go. Now that’s not to say that the characters are going to stay on the straight and narrow. They decide to veer off the highway every now and then, and that’s when I have to do a quick reroute.

Have you ever disliked something you wrote?

I’ve never published anything that I disliked. I have started projects that haven’t seen the light of day, either because I couldn’t figure out where to take the story, or I couldn’t make the protagonist sympathetic or likable. It’s a rare occurrence, and when it happens, I just set the story aside and hope I can someday come up with a solution.

Tell us why you’ve decided to set a series of book at a seashore location.

I love the ocean. There’s just something about a large body of water that induces a great calm in me. I think many people feel the same, so I decided to come up with a series that involves three women friends who live and work in Ocean City, Maryland. The first, Following His Heart, is Sara and Landon’s story. The second, Two Hearts in Winter, is Heather and Daniel’s story. I’m currently plotting out the third book of the series.[/fusion_text][/one_full][/fullwidth]

First, my GREAT news! KAYLEE’S JUSTICE, Exposed Series. Case File #1 Releases Monday, April 4th and YOU are invited to the party! 6:00 to 8:00 PM EST. https://www.facebook.com/events/999905823396892/

Share your pre-order confirmation number there and you’ll be entered to win a Kindle Fire.

Next, the miracle of Murphy’s Law.

Have you ever noticed how universal forces can send two people on a collision course that spells disaster? Or at least it appears to be a train wreck about to happen? I think the moment you say “never this or that” then wham that’s exactly what you get, all wrapped up in a package you absolutely cannot turn away from. This is what happens to True Crime writer, Eva St. Claire and FBI Agent Adam Frasier.

Adam thinks psychics are lowlife shysters. They took advantage of his mother and played a part in her downward spiral into mental illness. He is haunted by a tragic past and the one person he blames more than anyone else is himself. He doesn’t deserve anything good in life. He spends his life on the ragged edge of duty as he hunts for the elusive Artist of Death—a person who sends police the GPS of victims, their portraits, and mugs of their killers.

Eva is a psychic, as are all the St. Claires. It is a curse they can never escape that has always led each one to a tragic end. She and her siblings keep their gifts secret as they use them to fight against the many faces of evil in the world they live. Aside from her True Crime books, she and her sister are secretly the Artist of Death. Eva is driven to do all that she can, as quickly as she can, in hopes that her work will save others from falling into a killer’s trap. Everyone matters in her book. The very last person she wants invading her world is a nosy FBI agent.

But whoever gets exactly what they want in life? Not Eva or Adam. The subject matter may be dark but I absolutely love the cat and mouse dance these two begin in their first case together.

Those of you who have enjoyed my stories over the years and have supported and encouraged me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you have time to help me get the word out about KAYLEE’S JUSTICE, it would be amazing. Pre-sales now and sales during the first few days of a release are critical. Let’s see how far we can go from ground zero to the stars list. Each time you Tweet and Facebook about KAYLEE’S JUSTICE using the #KJEXP and you will be entered into a contest to win $25 Amazon Gift Card. The more times you tweet and Facebook message, the more chances you have to win!

Tell your family and friends to share the posts and retweet the tweets as well!

Huge thank you!

Happy Reading

Jennifer St. Giles/ Jennifer Saints /JL Saint[/fusion_text][/one_full][/fullwidth]

All alone in the battle? Life kicking your butt? Is it getting harder and harder to stay afloat? Does the world seem to be spiraling toward disaster? I know how you feel. The winning lottery ticket would be a nice, but just a temporary answer to problems and not everyone can win.

So what can everyone do to blast away the blues? Reach out and make someone matter by spreading a little love! Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know you’ve heard it before, but it is so true. I kind word, a smile, an unexpected hug, a call to say I love you, or any little thing that makes someone feel loved.

Just do it and you’ll be surprised at how the blues begin to fade away.

Then treat yourself to something that reminds you of the miracle of love and how love will always trump evil and conquer all obstacles. Since I’m a romance author, I will shamelessly suggest you chase the winter blues away with one of my stories! But, if you’ve got a special song, an inspiring poem, a favorite movie, then go for it! Feed that kernel of love and hope in your own heart.

Here’s my news to help chase the blues!

KAYLEE’S JUSTICE, CASE FILE #1, Exposed Series is now available for presale. The release date is Monday, April 4^th and yes, there will be a party. So, save the date!  Crime writer, Eva St. Claire and FBI agent, Adam Frasier’s lives will never be the same. Excerpt is below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

COLLATERAL DAMAGE and TACTICAL DECEPTION are now all mine! Check out their fabulous new covers. To celebrate, I’m selling COLLATERAL DAMAGE at 99¢ for a limited time. (P.S. Look this summer for the Silent Warrior Novella, WHAT DIDN’T HAPPEN IN VEGAS!)

COCKTAIL COVE, a fun romance between an older socialite and a younger man will be 99¢ on February 23 and 24 for a Bookbub promotion that you don’t want to miss. So please share the news to at least five friends and encourage them to do it, too.

Coming in April, my short story ILLUSIONS staring budding investigative reporter Hannity Valentine and Magician Lance Van Rathum will be part of the special ROMANTIC TIMES LAS VEGAS ANTHOLOGIES. Here’s the link to be the first one to grab these fabulous stories by some fantastic authors.

There are several more exciting things on the back burner, but I will save them for my March Newsletter! So, even though life is smacking me down! I’m staying in the fight. It’s a new day, a new year, and it’s great to be here. Spread a little love today.

Love you all and thank you for your support. Remember every day to Dream, Believe, Create, Inspire, Love, Heal, Succeed, and Grow Wealth

Happy Reading,

Jennifer St. Giles, Jennifer Saints, JL Saint

Excerpt from Kaylee’s Justice

Eva didn’t have any more time to waste. The sooner she tackled her agenda, the sooner she could ditch Adam. She gave an exasperated huff and started for the office. “Fine. We need to hurry.”

Adam followed. “Your wish is my command. What can I do to help?”

“Crawl back into your bottle and disappear,” she muttered, turning off the lights.

He chuckled and followed her as she closed the gallery, set the alarm, and locked the door. Once outside, she slipped her dark sun glasses on and still winced at the bright sunlight.

Adam fell into step beside her, too close for comfort. The combination of his hard ass handsomeness, size, and charisma left very little to ignore and she fought for distance. “We’ve a fire to catch, Frasier.”

He arched a brow. “Frasier, is it, Eva?”

She ignored the silky warmth of his tone and nodded. “St. Claire will do.”

“We’ll see,” he said. “What’s this about a fire?”

“The one near the governor’s. Angel Banning lived in the area.”

Adam caught Eva’s arm and swung her to face him. “The rescued girl whose testimony sent Smith to prison? Son of a bitch.” His face flushed. “If he got to her—”

Eva shook her head and set her hand on his then quickly pulled back at the heat she’d felt. “No. The family moved to an undisclosed location before the trial. As of last month, their mansion was still up for sale. I pray no one has bought and moved in since. We won’t know till we get there.”

“Let’s go, then.” He led the way to a souped-up Batmobile-Mustang, obviously not a rental.

This time Eva lowered her glasses and arched a brow at him. Did the man have super hero aspirations?

Adam shrugged. “My father’s revisiting his teens. Even had to have the responsible driver talk with him last month after he got a ticket for Exhibition of Acceleration because he smoked his tires at a red light. He’s had so many violations that he’ll likely have his license suspended if he gets one more.”

A reluctant grin tugged at her lips. “Are we talking about the same sedate, bookish gentleman I met yesterday?” Vince Frasier’s bifocal, absentminded professor-like image in no way matched the muscle car.

“Sedate?” Chuckling hard, Adam got into the car.

Eva sank into the seat, immediately set even more off kilter by the deep, rich rumble of Adam’s laughter, the twinkle in his green eyes, and his intriguing cologne.

At several inches over Devin’s six feet, and judging from the fit of his jeans and pullover, well honed, Adam cut an impressive figure that filled space—fast.

He maneuvered into the flow of traffic, adeptly shifting gears. His knuckles brushed her knee and her pulse sped at the tingling sensations that, surprisingly, diminished her headache. Only being able to lounge in the angled bucket seat, and not sit anywhere near normal, left Eva feeling more vulnerable and oddly more feminine than she had in a long time.

She clenched her jaw and shifted her knees toward the door, already cursing Iris for disrupting her status quo.

“I take a left at the next light, right?” He kept his gaze on the road, as if completely unaware of the havoc he created.

Blinking, Eva refocused her mind. “Yes.”

They reached the light, but traffic to the left onto West Paces Ferry Road sat at a standstill. “Take a right and we’ll circle around to come up Habersham. The Banning’s estate is a few houses from where Habersham intersects with West Paces Ferry. Smith kidnapped Angel off of Habersham. She wasn’t supposed to leave the driveway of her home with her scooter, but decided to visit her friend around the corner.”

“I’ve yet to understand how evil so often finds that vulnerable, split-second moment of human error to strike in.”

“It’s because evil is always there, lurking and looking to harm no matter what the surroundings are. People don’t realize the monsters are there until they fall victim to them. Even in neighborhoods like this, they’re there.

Happy New Year to everyone! I’m a little late to the party, but what’s new? 😉

After starting last year with a heart full of resolutions and the fortitude to put them all in motion, I closed out the year losing ground on every resolution that I made progress on. Between car woes and setbacks that made Forrest Gump’s bumper sticker a truth to be reckoned with, I’ve decided to take this year as it comes.

Oh, I keep my gaze on the horizon. I’ll keep moving forward on an upward path, but I’m going to do a day at a time thing, rather than pledging huge advances. So, today I spent less, a plus. I ate more than I’d planned, a negative. I wrote some on a secret project that I’ll let you know about soon and I’m getting this newsletter out the door, a huge plus!

I’ve several tidbits of good news to share.

BEWITCHING THE WOLF, Shadowmen Series Book 5 is currently in the works.

The rights to my military romantic suspense series under the J.L. Saint moniker are now mine. COLLATERAL DAMAGE and TACTICAL DECEPTION have been dusted off and improved. They have new covers and are up and ready. With the Silent Warrior series now in my hands you can expect to see more of Jack, Lauren, Roger, Mari, Rico, Angie, Beck, Holly, and Dekker. I’d love for you to share my new covers and hope you get a chance to read these emotionally satisfying, adrenaline pumping stories about real life heroes and heroines facing today’s complicated and harrowing problems.

KAYLEE’S JUSTICE, my paranormal crime story is done and will be out for consumption shortly. As soon as I can assure a release day, I’ll let you know. I am very excited about it. This is the first case file in the Exposed Series about crime fighting, paranormal siblings and their struggle to get justice for the victims they help. Here’s a taste to wet your appetite

About:

True Crime writer Eva St. Claire along with her siblings, Iris and Devin, carry a heavy burden. Each, in their own way, see the nightmare of evil hidden beneath the surface. Together or apart, they fight to expose the darkness no matter what the cost. Though prominent, but reclusive figures, they live in the shadows, keeping their secrets as they fight for justice until the day the St. Claire’s curse will rear its tragic head and claim them as it had those before them.

In KAYLEE’S JUSTICE, Eva’s determination to bring the death penalty to killer Mason Smith thrusts her from the safe parameters by which she strictly lived. Now, that she’s in the killer’s sights, she’s forced into an unwelcomed partnership with FBI agent Adam Frasier as she races against time to stop Smith.

Adam is no stranger to tragedy or the death evil left in its wake. Driven by guilt, he works relentlessly, leaving very little time for anything else in life. He didn’t deserve it. When his father reveals a blindsiding secret, Adam has no choice but to investigate and Eva holds the key. But her and her secrets prey on his mind, only he may never get the chance to figure out why. Not when a killer has Eva in his sights.

First off, I have a confession to make. I have P-cock envy. A couple of years ago I hand painted my dining room and thought Peacock accessories would go well with my green-gold color scheme and fan-like brush strokes. So every time I happened to be in a store, I’d search for peacock anything, but never really found anything of significance. Then, I happened to be at a dear friend’s house this fall and low and behold what did she have in the corner of her sunroom? A glittering, light flashing four-foot high beautiful peacock!

“OH, OH, OH,” I shouted. “Where did you get him? He’s awesome!”

She immediately gave me the scoop, which all started last year when she’d gone to visit family. She’d been out walking in the neighborhood and saw a lit peacock amid a woman’s Christmas decorations and fell in love. (Who wouldn’t right? I did, too.) So, at the neighborhood Christmas party my friend went on a fact finding mission. She cozied up to the woman, raved about her peacock and casually asked where it had come from. The woman soaked up the praise, but then shrugged her shoulders and simply said she didn’t remember where she’d bought the peacock. Well that obviously was a bald face evasion. How could you buy a four-foot peacock of such beauty and NOT remember?

Now super charged with determination to find a peacock like that for herself. My friend took to the internet and by the time she returned home from the family visit, she had a peacock on her doorstep.

When, I left my dear friend’s house, I too did an internet search at the stop sign on the corner. Not only did I find the peacock on-line, but I also discovered that a nearby store HAD the peacock IN STOCK. I drove directly to the store and arrived home with my precious peacock in tow. Since then, numerous visitors to my home have admired my peacock and I’ve heard two different people say that they are having a PEACOCK Christmas tree this year.

So, while I have my beautiful peacock with which I am quite satisfied and may keep as a year-round decoration, I’m already in the throes of envy for a peacock Christmas tree. Perhaps good book sales in 2015 will allow me to feed my weakness. LOL. Who thinks

I’m crazy? What Christmas Tree do you covet?

On a more serious note, my church is having a shoebox Christmas this year. Through Samaritan’s Purse we received shoe boxes that my daughter and I had the most fun filling to the brim with things to bring Christmas to kids around the world. I think our boxes were destined for Africa. From dolls to deflated soccer balls to tool sets, it brought joy to our hearts to see just how much stuff we could fit into a box. We sent them off with a prayer that they would bring love to the hearts of the children who received them this Christmas. So who is joining in the gift of giving this year and where is your love going to?

Downton Abbey Fun! This past week I joined some Amazing writer friends (Stephanie Bond, Wendy Etherington, and Wendy Wax) on an adventurous evening to the fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta to watch a preview of the first episode of Downton Abbey’s Season Five. I had to work that day and didn’t get off until an hour before the party started. So I dressed at work, rushed through nightmare traffic, putting on accessories and ran hurriedly to the theater before the show started. The Lord was with me in a big way. I made it and…I saw and rescued my diamond bracelet that was hanging by a thread to my dress BEFORE it fell to the sidewalk, where it would be forever lost to me. So I learned my lesson that it is better to go jewel-less than to drive and bejewel. Anyway, the show was awesome as was the speaker, Alastair Bruce. The man inspired greatness, especially in my writer’s soul. I feel another historical coming on.

Finally HOT IRISH LASS and a Tit-for-Tat! The story is coming along well! I had hoped to have it hit the shelves by Christmas, but I fear it will be after the New Year by the time it’s all said and done. As I am almost to the end, I am fairly certain this section of the book won’t change so I’m giving you a little peek at James and Cierra’s story. Now, if you remember from Hot Irish Lass and other fun news!when James’s brothers Jesse and Jackson momentarily disappear from his vision in the church ceremony, James fears it’s a premonition of their deaths. Only, it’s eight months later and nothing has happened to them. He doesn’t know what to believe, but he’s about to be forced TO believe.

Before sharing the excerpt, I have a huge favor to ask. Two important things are in the works. First, on December 8th and on December 9th is the Facebook release party for HEROES TO SWOON FOR. It is a 99¢ boxed set of sexy stories by eleven authors and features WILD IRISH RIDE, which I know most of you have read. If you can spread the word and come join our Facebook party, I’ll be hosting at 5:00-6:00 ET on Monday and again at 5:00-6:00 ET on Tuesday. We are all working hard to hit the bestseller list and any support would be appreciated.

For my eager fans, if you purchase HEROES TO SWOON FOR on Amazon at 99¢ and send me an email copying that purchase, I will gift you an advanced reading copy of HOT IRISH LASS, when I have it ready. Of course, a review in return would also be much appreciated.

Then Secondly, I need seventy-five people to support my Headtalker campaigns. Here is how it works. Click on the links to each of the campaigns, select what social media you want to share my ad through and then follow the steps and hit the support button at the end. You have to do each link separately and support each ad separately. What this will do is send out my ad for WILD IRISH RIDE, THE MISTRESS OF TREVELYAN, and TOUCH A DARK WOLF to thousands all at the same time on the same day. If I don’t get seventy-five people to support my ad, then the ad will not run. So I truly hope you can help. When you support these campaigns, and they go live, you will be entered to win a $100 Gift Card to Amazon!

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading.

Jenni.

Oh Wait. Here’s a bit of raw, unedited James:

Excerpt

Mike Mulligan’s instructions twisted the knot in James’s stomach tighter and tighter. “We’re booked into the WM Hotel. It’s adjacent to the Waldorf Astoria where Hassan has the Royal Penthouse Suite, close enough to use electronic surveillance if needed. It’s going to be tricky finding out what is going on beneath the surface. No one even passes Hassan on the street without being investigated. The moment he sees you with Cierra, he’ll do some digging. If anyone does a computer background search on you, they’ll find you live simply but made good money on real estate and investing in Sheridan Weldon Securities. You build because you like it not because you have to.”

“I have a fake bio now?” The bird’s eye view of New York’s skyline was just as surreal to James as the words coming out of Mulligan’s mouth and the stash of gadgets he’d been getting a crash course on. From belt-buckle mini dagger to a homing device glued to the back of his ear. All he needed was a pen that shot poisoned darts from Bond’s Q and he’d be set to go. Unlike bullets, darts delivered a silent, no mess death which meant less hassle. Back in his wannabe spy days of a daydreaming twelve year old, James had thought that’d be his weapon of choice. Now that a clandestine opportunity was being dumped in his lap, he wasn’t so keen on the spying idea. He eyed Mulligan, James had yet to say a word about Cierra’s horse-napping bomb and wouldn’t until he found out if she had lied to him and he wanted Mulligan to come clean as well. “When are you going to tell me what is really going on? This is way more than a simple fishing expedition.”

“Other than the fact that Jesse will kill me if anything happens to you?” Mulligan frowned as usual, but this time when he met James’s gaze, Mulligan looked more human and less sure than ever before. “The truth is I really don’t have a clue as to what is going on and that worries me more than anything else. I always do, or at least have a contact who knows something. Everything about this guy is dark, and what you can’t see, will always get you dead.”

Before James could recover from that bomb, Mulligan dropped another one. “If Hassan and Cierra’s limo leave the restaurant before you make it to her place, I’ve arranged for a little delay. A minor fender-bender or something. My guy will think of something. Have you figured out what you’re going to say to her?”

The situation went from surreal to totally unbelievable. He thought he’d call her again and play it by ear as to how to meet up with her. It wouldn’t be completely insane or untrue to say he hitched a ride with a jet-setting pal to party in New York for the weekend. What Mulligan was asking was too much. “What the hell? I’m supposed to go sit on her doorstep like a puppy left out in the rain?”

“Yeah. The whole point in getting here tonight is to meet Hassan and intervene into what might come after their private dinner.”

James clenched his jaw. He would have stayed in Savannah if he’d known this twist. “And what if they go to his penthouse at the Waldorf, Sherlock?”

“I’ve got that covered. Fire alarms are a beautiful thing.”

“Do you have any idea what this will do to my bachelor’s image?”

“No one will know.”

“I’ll know. Hell, she’ll know and as much as she posts on Facebook and Twitter, the world will know by tomorrow, too.”

“Maybe not. She’s broken her usual pattern. She hasn’t posted a thing today at all. That says a lot right there in my book.”

James paused. Cierra was a social media queen. If she hadn’t posted anything today then maybe she hadn’t blown him off with the horse-napping story. Maybe it was true and it wouldn’t hurt for him to arrive bearing something to help. “Better stop at a liquor store. Not only do I need a drink, but I need a bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream. It’s her drink of choice. If Cierra couldn’t make it to the party, seems like I’m bringing the party to her.”

“That’s lame.”

“You got a better idea?”

Mulligan shrugged. “Not really.”

“I also need a bike while I’m here. I’ll likely murder someone if I have to rely on taxis and sit in traffic.”

“Nobody drives in Manhattan.”

“Without wheels a man’s a sitting duck.”

“You aren’t solo on this. I’ve got your back, but I guess it won’t hurt. You’ll have temporary wheels by tomorrow.”

James hid is grin. Things for the weekend were looking up.

At least that’s what he told himself until he was standing on the sidewalk outside Cierra’s condo. Somehow Mulligan managed to stuff roses and expensive chocolates in James’s arms before he sped away. The limo that Cierra rode with Hassan in was five minutes out. He almost wished they’d gone to Hassan’s penthouse.

James felt like an idiot. Panic clawed up the back of his throat. What the hell would he do if Cierra looked at him as if he’d escaped a looney bin and told him to take a hike? Texting did not a relationship make—even just a casual-pop-over-and-see-if-you-need-help one.

What if her horse hadn’t been horse-napped? They weren’t involved in any way. She could have just texted that she had other plans instead. He didn’t like being lied to.

And just how damn awkward was it going to be if Cierra and Hassan were reigniting their old relationship? The image of her with another man irritated him–some. He’d kind of imagined himself kissing Cierra a few times since their Christmas outing, especially whenever she’d sent a late night text that somehow managed to sound sexy. And hell, he was a red-blooded Weldon; he’d be lying if he’d ended his fantasizing of his blue-blooded relation there. So, he already knew that if Cierra exited the limo with Hassan all hot and bothered that was going to really bug him.

Not good.

Not that he he’d been sitting on the sidelines for her since Christmas. If he’d wanted some action, he’d have found some. He’d just been busy with helping his dad on the farm and working with Jared on their new housing venture with Rocky’s charity.

Him being out of the singles game lately had nothing to do with Cierra.

He broke out in a sweat and was about to signal a taxi, then manned-up. What if there was something real behind Mulligan and Jesse’s suspicions? James’s parents could be in danger. Cierra could be in danger. Maybe what she’d said about Pegasus was true. He owed to everyone to find out the truth. And if she had lied to him and was hot and heavy with this Sheik, then surely he had enough grit, or as Cierra would say savoir-faire, to keep from being sent home like a dog with his tail between his legs and give her a warning about the guy.

Somewhat settled inside, he finally focused on his surroundings. His James-Bonding skills sucked. Were in a real situation, he could be dead already.

Better get your game on, bro.

He didn’t necessarily get concrete jungle living. He was born in the South and raised on a farm. He needed space with his urbanity. He needed quiet with his noise. Not constant, perpetual movement and disruption. Manhattan never slept and even though it was almost eleven at night, a steady hustle and bustle of activity surrounded him. Dogs dragging their owners to hydrants sent him a few steps up the entrance to Cierra’s building. With his recent karma-streak, he’d get peed on. Taxis vied for space outside an upscale piano bar called Sing Me to the Moon. The scents of Chinese takeout and car exhaust mingled with the sounds of people living the life and walking the walk of their urban oasis. Nobody stood out.

What you can’t see will always get you dead.

James drew another breath and scanned the area again as he pretended to look down at his phone. An illegally parked black sedan in the shadows had a rental tag. He put the company and the license number onto his notes app. A man, too bulky to be a punk, was wearing a hoodie and smoking outside the upscale piano bar. He didn’t mesh with the smartly dressed couple walking into the club. James made note of that as well.

Before he could spot anything else, he saw a white limo coming down the street. It was show time. The limo came to a stop. James’s heart hammered and his palms dampened.

What the hell was wrong with him? You’d think he’d hit gravel on a sharp curve and about to kiss asphalt.

The back door popped open and Cierra barreled out looking up at him in shock. “James! You’re here?”

He remembered her being beautiful, but he’d forgotten that she was this awesome. Her wavy blonde hair swung like a silk curtain to her hips and her sultry eyes made a man think that drowning in a purple sea would be pure heaven. She wore a tantalizingly short and tight black lace dress that played hide-and-seek with his hungry gaze. He sucked in air and held up the Bailey’s in one hand and the flowers and Godivas in the other. “Yeah I—”

“You’re so wonderful!” Cierra cried, rushing up the steps. She flung her arms around his neck, pressed her enticing body to his in a full frontal assault on his senses before she pressed her lush mouth to his. That lush mouth that he swore couldn’t be that good. That lush mouth that he’d dreamed of kissing.

Thrown off kilter, he fell back against the hand rail and had to wrap his arms around Cierra’s back for balance. He still held the Baileys and the flowers and the chocolates, but he didn’t know it. The only thing he could feel was her. Groaning, he adjusted his lips to hers and slid his tongue searching for hers. Hot honey. She tasted like hot honey. Their tongues tangled like live wires, sparking an electric shock that went all the way to his toes before zinging back to his groin. She must have felt what he had because she shuddered and pulled back. She blinked at him in awe then hugged his neck hard.

He wanted to throw the gifts he held away, wrap his hands in her luxurious hair and take that kiss to the next level. He wanted to intimately know the full curves pressed so snugly against him.

“You’re engaged to me. Don’t let me down,” she whispered, before backing away from him. It was a good thing she collected the gifts from his numb fingers. He was so stunned that he’d likely have dropped them.

Engaged?

Cierra turned away from him to face the bottom of the steps. “Hassan, my fiancé, James. James this is Hassan a fellow equestrian and…friend.”

James was all prepared to give Hassan the evil eye, because it finally dawned on his stunned brain that Cierra had greeted James the way she had with an engagement ruse in tow because this billion dollar SOB had done something to scare the hell out of her. Instead, James had to grab onto the hand rail behind for support as Cierra disappeared from his vision.

Right there on the steps between him and Hassan. One second she was there, the next she was gone. He blinked twice, reached his hand out to grab where he remembered her being, and the moment he touched what felt like her arm, she reappeared into his sight.

Hassan climbed the steps and held out his hand. James, on auto pilot because everything inside him had short-circuited, shook the man’s hand.

“I didn’t catch your last name,” Hassan said.

“Weldon. James Weldon.”

“Weldon?” Hassan narrowed his gaze at Cierra as if accusing her of a crime. “The same as yours?”

She shrugged and caught James’s hand in hers. “Fate. We share a common ancestor about two hundred years ago. Finding James’s family was a huge blessing for me. His mom reminds me of mine. Even the stories she shares sound like the ones my mom used to tell.”

James blinked again. Cierra and his mom were in touch with each other often?

“Nice to hear, Habiba. I will let you two catch up with each other then.” Hassan headed for his limo, his movements seemingly stiff.”

Cierra took a step toward the man. “You’ll let me know if you find out anything?”

Hassan glanced back. His gaze intense. “Of course, Habiba. Nothing has changed. I will find your horse.”

Cierra shivered and James went to her. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. It was his turn to take the Bailey’s and the chocolates from her. The roses had already fallen onto the steps. He wrapped an arm around her and watched Hassan disappear into the limo.

“What in the hell is going on?” James asked softy as the limo drove away.

Cierra leaned against him. “God forgive me. I am so angry right now I could kill him.” She stabbed at the tears on her face with her fingers as if ashamed of them. “It’s called being stalked and terrorized.” She bent down and picked up the roses, bringing them to her face and breathing deep. The velvety pink blooms had a blush center and reminded him of her delicate skin. She seemed so fragile, was so beautiful, and that SOB had harmed her in some way. The rage exploding inside James had his vision turning red.

She set her hand on his arm. “I can’t freaking believe you’re here at this moment. But whatever made you show up, I guess, I’m glad you did.”

He focused on her and drew a deep breath. In the past five minutes he’d been on one hell of a roller coaster ride and he needed to start thinking with a cool head on his shoulders. “Explain stalked and terrorized and horse-napped?”