Interview with Danielle Thorne and a Giveaway!

Alexis: Today we have Sweet Romance author, Danielle Thorne, who is giving away a copy of Proper Attire to one lucky commenter.Welcome Danielle!

So which authors inspire you?

Danielle: My first real motivation to pursue publishing came after I read the Age of Sail series, Master and Commander from Patrick O'Brian. He writes beautiful prose and delivers gripping action which inspired my historical, The Privateer. A huge Jane Austen fan (her style and themes appeal to me), I find I base my Regency fiction on the influence she has had on my ideals of romance and chivalry. My books are all sweet and clean romances in different genres.

Alexis: How long did it take you to write your most recent release? Why?

Danielle: My most recent release is .99, Proper Attire, set in the West Indies. I wrote it

over the course of four months while I took off a semester from school. Originally, I planned for it to be a short story, but it evolved into a short novel as I unraveled its quirky plot from pirates to cannibals to the bustling Caribbean island of Antigua.

Alexis: I love the Caribbean! What are you working on now?

Danielle: I've gone back to school to get a second degree and to learn more about classic literature and business. Currently, when I have time, I am working on my next Regency. Inspired by the theme of a beauty and a beast, much like Jane Eyre, my next novel will feature a very new Jane Austen-inspired heroine with a stranger next door.

Alexis: Sounds great! What has been the most memorable fan comment you ever had?

Danielle: Well, I can't say it was a fan… I've only ever received one terrible review for one of my books, and it was sure memorable. It actually made me chuckle. I believe the line was, "The best part about this book was the end." I tend to take things with a grain of salt, and though the low rating was hurtful, I realized it was nothing more than a spiteful remark. Actually, I thought the ending of the story was pretty good, too, so I just have to laugh about that one. If I can't learn something from criticism to improve my work, it's not worth getting worked up over. On the other hand, I've received lovely remarks about my historical voice and descriptions.

Alexis: I’m so glad you didn’t take that one bad review to heart :-) Of all the books you’ve written, which is your favorite character?

Danielle: Of all my books, Captain Julius Bertrand from The Privateer is my favorite character. He is quiet and mysterious, but those who really key in on his persona realize he is intelligent, courageous and fair with a dry wit. He really wants to do the right thing, but the world and its ways in the early 18^th century are cruel and tempting. Finding love is not what he wants, but he is a romantic at heart, and he needs it.

Alexis: Thank you so much for stopping by to visit, Danielle. And thank you for offering one lucky commenter your recent release.

Check out the blurb for Proper Attire

Blurb:

Pressured to marry for money, Julia Scott flees England and a cruel stepmother to determine if the West Indies is the paradise of her dreams. Attacked by pirates and desired by island natives, the only person she can trust is John Smith -- if that's her rescuer's true name. Reaching her uncle's station in English Harbor, Julia must find a way to face her feelings and deal with her traitorous family, a dashing new suitor, and the guardian angel, John Smith, who has no qualms sporting counterfeit names and less than what is proper attire.

More about Danielle:

Danielle Thorne writes from south of Atlanta, Georgia. She is the author of sweet romantic adventure books, both historical and contemporary. Danielle has published poetry and short fiction as well as novels. Besides her quirky romances, she has a new Death Cheater series of Young Adult paranormal books. Her popular blog, The Balanced Writer, focuses on life and the pursuit of peace and happiness.

Visit Danielle at www.daniellethorne.com

Follow The Balanced Writer: www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com

Tweeting daily @DanielleThorne

Friend Danielle @Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielle.thorne.184

Alexis: Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win Proper Attire

Cover Reveal! DIRIGIBLES ARE FOREVER by Tina Christopher

Working as an Aether Traffic Controller saved Holly Acklin after the death of her husband, but now she wants more—including a night of uninhibited passion with Jack Smith, whose very presence has kept her body tingling for months.

Special Agent Jack Smith kept his identity a secret when he came to the London Royal Port Authority with one assignment, one he cannot fail. It holds him back from following his attraction to Holly. But on the eve he must complete the mission, Holly asks for one night with no rules or boundaries, and his control snaps.

When London experiences an unexpectedly white Christmas, all dirigible traffic is grounded, leaving Holly and Jack free to act upon their stormy passions. Holly finds her determination to stay emotion-free crumbling unaware Jack is experiencing the same need. Each lover wishes for more, but fears it can’t be. Instead they focus their desires in mind-blowing passion.

But when Holly discovers that Jack isn’t who he claimed to be, everything is thrown into turmoil. Can she trust the man she thought she knew?

Want more? Check out the first chapter on Loose Id. 

http://www.loose-id.com/dirigibles-are-forever.html

About Tina:

Tina Christopher spent her early years flitting across the Channel between Germany and England. 

After touring the world extensively—from hanging out with elephants in South Africa to hiking through the wilderness in Alaska—she finally laid down roots in Toronto. Although Canada’s winters may be frigid, Tina’s characters are anything but!

Like most writers, Tina often hears voices in her head, but it took the encouragement of an editor friend to have her actually put fingers to keyboard. While those first stories will never see the light of day, she’s subsequently honed her craft and learned to build not just worlds, but entire galaxies. History has always been an area of interest for her, and she’s enjoys few things more than imagining what could happen when history and future meet.

When not imagining far-away worlds and scorching-hot encounters, Tina can be found on her sofa working through her never-ending TBR pile or venturing into the real world—whether to a nearby café or a passport-required destination. She’s a member of the Romance Writers of America Toronto chapter and looks forward to where her characters take her next!

  

Find more of Tina's books at http://tinachristopherauthor.com/

Aim For Love by pamela Aares

 

Aim For Love is a fabulous choice for readers of contemporary romance with a twist of suspense mixed in. 

I like the mix of Kaz Tokugawa’s buff and handsome body training to get into the big leagues of baseball and his warm “side” job of running his family’s peach orchard.  Even better, he practices the art of the samurai.  How hot is that?  Calm, cool and collected, yet deadly when necessary.

Kaz needs to concentrate on his goals.  Another “side” job is mandatory for his best friend.

And in walks Sabrina Tavonesi.

She’s beautiful and a Hollywood hit. 

Sabrina has a lot of problems not seen on film.  Other than her costar-boyfriend’s marriage proposal that she isn’t getting any good feelings from, she needs pain in her shoulder fixed before her next filming.

The art of samurai heels the body and Kaz has promised to help her.

A luscious tale unfolds as Kaz works Sabrina’s body into health.  He’d like to work on her more than just for her health, but he has a vow that gets in the way and she has the boyfriend. 

With a lot of variables against them, it’s a must read to find out how Kaz and Sabrina satisfy everyone including themselves.

Happy reading,

Dawn

 

Cover Reveal: COWBOYS NEVER FOLD by Lexi Post

Coming December  Cowboys Never Fold

 

Former professional poker player, Kendra “Night Owl” Lowe, is determined to make her new Poker Flat Nudist Resort successful, even if it means relying on her own two hands and a few misfit employees. All bets are off, however, when Wade Johnson, her fourth stable manager in less than four months arrives and her attention wanders to his broad shoulders, six-pack abs, and polite ways.  But she’s his boss and giving in to temptation could mean jeopardizing her operation. Something she refuses to do.

Wade Johnson only agreed to work at Poker Flat because he owed his best friend a favor. Now he has to discover why the last three stable mangers quit and fulfill the requirements of his position, while trying to keep his hands off the smart, sexy, unreadable owner. But even as his body and heart become more involved, new “unfortunate events” occur to threaten the resort.

As Wade draws closer to learning the truth, his own truth is revealed. Kendra will do everything she can to make her resort a success, which could include letting him go. To win her heart and save her dream, he will have to go all-in and that could mean baring more than his soul.

http://www.lexipostbooks.com/cowboys-never-fold/ 

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               Always, Lexi

 

Cruise of a Lifetime: Day 7 – Mykonos, Greece

On this morning we were especially excited because a friend of ours had recommended a particular beach for us to try. However, when we docked, the weather was not conducive to tanning. In fact, we had 35mph-40mph winds, so it turned into a bundle up and explore day…and we did :-)

Mykonos, unlike Santorini, was close to sea level which made access to the town of Salparo fairly easy. 

We discovered many little Greek Orthodox churches with their signature blue domes and found this quaint one, right on the ocean’s edge.

We walked down the many “streets” enjoying the architecture and views. It was a bit like walking through a maze, but I’m sure the locals are familiar with every corner.

At one point we entered a museum which gave us a glimpse of what the inside of some of the older, preserved homes would look like.

 

I loved wandering through the walkways as we never knew what we would discover.

One quaint little courtyard was so beautiful that we stopped in a restaurant there for refreshments. Yes, my husband just had to try another local beer.

 

What was different about the walkways in this town, was they had used white paint between all the stone as if they wanted to draw attention to it. Also, scooters and even small cars drove through.

 

Of course we didn’t have a map, so sometimes we got lost. One wrong turn brought us to a dead end and a grammar school. 

But getting lost was no problem because all we had to do was look for the sea and we could find our way back to the ship. And though we didn't go to a beach, we did get to sit by the water and dangle our hands in it :-)

I was so glad that I found the one Celebrity cruise that stopped at both Greek islands, Santorini and Mykonos, as each had its own special atmosphere and both were very friendly places.

Always, Lexi

www.lexipostbooks.com

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Next: Day 8 – Athens, Greece