Will Wonders Never Cease?

Finally! All of my books are now in print! It’s been an amazing journey–switching from the Microsoft OS to a Macbook Air after Word kept eating part of my manuscript. After rewriting a week’s worth of text three days in a row, I asked my engineer husband for help. He asked me the usual questions–was I saving after every writing session? Yes. Yet there was no backup. What was going on? I had no clue. He checked the cloud. It wasn’t there, and it hadn’t saved anything for the previous 30 days. But it was on, saving nothing.

My work was just gone.

I was done with the Microsoft OS after that and told my husband so. A few days later, I had my first Macbook AIr. There was definitely a learning curve for someone who had never used anything but Microsoft, but I stuck with it. It’s been about three years now, and I’ll never go back. Issues have been few, and I love it.

It’s taken me eight to ten months to format my eight novels for print publication, but now it’s done. Those who read ebooks might enjoy holding a real paperback in their hands. I have fewer than ten ebooks, and I almost always buy paperback. The smell of a new book is wonderful.

If you’d like to travel to Medieval England, Victorian England, or the Deep South turning the pages of a book, now you can. Simply click the Amazon link, and you can browse to your heart’s content.

Happy reading!!

Another Star in the Sky!

I’ve been hard at work the last few months preparing books for paperback editions, and the Majesta Landing contemporary romance series was first to go to print. By early June, the romantic historical Heart of a Rose series will also be available in print, followed by Forsaken, the first romantic medieval book in the De Montbrai saga. I’m so proud to offer these at major ebook retailers and in print at Amazon–click here.

Just an aside–I will be autographing copies of my books, as well. These will be available at Jones General Goods, my favorite online store for skin sensitive, hand crafted soaps and home goods made right here in the U.S.–click here.

They offer great, affordable gifts for the bride-to-be, as housewarming gifts, for mothers and fathers, college students, and kids. I have it on good authority that items for pets will be added in the future. I’m a proud supporter of small businesses.

A Dream Come True!

Ever since I was old enough to hold a book in my hands and read the story inside, I’ve wanted to write my own book and see it published in print–something I could hold. The ebooks came first, and I was satisfied with that for a long time. But now–now I’m proud to announce that the Majesta Landing Series is in print! It’s been a long time coming, but it’s done! They are beautifully done and a pleasure to hold.

You can order the paperbacks from Amazon: Pictures for Maddie; His Norse Star; and Midnight by Day.

Cover Reveal! ~ Midnight by Day

Fans of the Majesta Landing Series have waited long enough! Kody and Tec Raines’ brother Kav has his own story, and I’m proud to reveal the cover that will accompany the story. Get ready for a wild adventure in Alaska! Release date coming soon.

 

Fashion designer Aubree Scott is living her brass ring dream life–until she wakens from a coma, badly broken, and unable to remember what happened. Placed in protective custody with a new identity, she’s whisked away to a remote island in Alaska.

Former FBI agent Kavik Raines has shunned family and friends on a secluded island. Intruders aren’t welcome—including those from his past. He balks at signing on as Aubree’s bodyguard, and she makes it clear she doesn’t want one.

Forced into an alliance, they’re in a race against time. International criminals are in pursuit, convinced she’s alive and has what they want. Aubree must put a face to the nightmares before it’s too late, and Kav must protect her at all costs, even if it means giving up his own secrets. Will her memories return before it’s too late? And will she discover what’s so important it’s worth killing for?

Why is Mairenn Vestergaard an Archaeologist?

Was it necessary for Mairenn Vestergaard to even be an archaeologist? That’s a good question. As authors, we have the privilege of playing God with our characters, to make them live or die, to fall in love or to never find it, to succeed or fail. We create the broader landscape and populate it with people who have a story to tell. And while we type, we hope they tell it well.

I thought I’d share with you how I found Dr. Mairenn Vestergaard.

A couple of years ago, I read an article about a Native American site two hours south of where I live. An incoming business had been given permission to use the mound for fill dirt. There was public and academic outcry over the destruction and loss of such a valuable and irreplaceable site. The last update I saw was dated 2013.

And another story. Later, I read an article about Native American mounds that had graced the landscape near Bessemer, Alabama. They were 400 years older than the more famous mounds at Moundville. Over the years, treasure hunters had left their mark, and numerous excavations beginning in 1890 yielded many artifacts, but destroyed the mounds. A large portion of the Indian village has, in recent years, been developed over.

Then I learned that here in Alabama, when Native American sites are on private land, the landowner can pretty much do whatever he wants. However, the state hopes that the owner will seek advice from archaeology experts in order to preserve and protect the site for future generations.

I also watched a documentary about the Viking explorers, their travels in Europe and west to Canada, settling for a time at a place that has become known as L’Anse aux Meadows. What intrigued me was the mention of butternut tree seeds discovered there. The tree isn’t native to Canada and that suggests that the explorers sailed south, at least to the Gulf of St. Lawrence area.

So, all the information jelled and Mairenn Vestergaard was born–an idea with a few sentences. She was the right heroine for His Norse Star. I know–she’s not real, she’s just a fictional character, but I’ve known her all her life. She’s smart. Well-educated. Steeped in Norse culture. Loves Turkish style coffee and Bubble and Squeak. But she’s far from perfect, although she’s perfect for Tec Raines. She has insecurities, too. And fears. Just like all of us.

Her role in the story began with a what if? What if the land the Raines brothers inherited contained a previously unknown Native American site? What if artifacts had been stolen, including several that shouldn’t logically be there? What if those illogical items were tied to the Norse who settled L’Anse aux Meadows? And a final consideration – what if the Raines brothers were considering selling the land to developers?

Did the Norse explorers travel farther south than the area where they found the butternut tree seeds? I’ll leave that to the experts. Maybe they didn’t, but I like to think they did. Perhaps not as far south, perhaps not to Alabama, but somewhere.

Finally, to answer my first question – yes, Mairenn Vestergaard had to be an archaeologist. There was no other way for the story to go. She had to be the one to find the glass bead that started the ball rolling.

His Norse Star Is Now Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

I’m so excited! His Norse Star is available on more online retail outlets – Amazon and Barnes & Noble have joined Smashwords just in time for Christmas. EBooks make great last minute gifts for the romance lover in your life.

The Majesta Landing Series is about three brothers. Pictures for Maddie (Book 1) told Kody’s story. Book 2, His Norse Star, tells Tec’s story. The elusive middle brother’s story has yet to be written.

Tec Raines loves life. And flying. He owns his own charter business and enjoys life as a bachelor. He has everything he wants in life, and anything he doesn’t have, he can get. Including women.

Then, the beautiful Dr. Mairenn Vestergaard walks into his life. Driven by her career as an archaeologist, she’s searching for the find of a lifetime, the one artifact that will rival some of the world’s most important discoveries. She doesn’t have time for a love life. Until she meets Tec Raines.

Together, they explore the world of the Norse, the Mississippi Mound Builders, pioneer America–and cheesecake! It’s smokin’ hot romance! Join them on their journey. Here’s an . . .

EXCERPT:

“A beautiful woman should always have men falling at her feet.”

“I think men prefer having beautiful women falling at their feet.”

“So cynical. What can we do to change that?” He slowly lifted the edge of her glove to press his lips to her wrist. Watching her through narrowed eyes, he drew off the glove, kissing his way from wrist to fingertip, his teeth catching the small pads at the base of her fingers. “A woman should hear how lovely she is.”

Her throat closed as the heat of his breath teased the sensitive nerves in her skin. She shivered despite the sun’s warmth, his caress sending delicate arcs of pleasure through her body. He traced the center line of her index finger, gently biting the tip. The rush of her exhale was the gasp of wanting more, and he didn’t disappoint.

The second glove met the same fate as the first—slowly, with exquisite care as he made a torturous route, tugging the tip of each finger and exposing her skin by the millimeter. He nibbled the thin sheath of skin between her thumb and index finger before turning her hand to kiss each knuckle, following each finger to the tip.

No one had ever given her hands such attention, such adoration. It was more erotic than if he were undressing her. The thought shot through her, dancing over her skin and filling her with desire. “Does a man need to hear that, too?” she murmured, closing her fingers around his hand.

“Only if it’s true,” he said, leaning toward her.

“You are.”

“Lovely?”

He was one breath from kissing her. “Handsome.”

“I like the sound of that.”

Her heart jumped into her throat. “That you’re handsome?”

“No, that you think I am.”

As his lips touched hers softly, one rushed, barely audible word escaped her. “Oh.” How long had it been since she’d been kissed, since any man had called her lovely? Too long, her mind whispered. She inhaled the scents of aftershave and musk lingering on his skin, her hand creeping around his neck.

“You taste like coffee,” he whispered, sipping her lower lip.

“So do you.”

Cover Reveal ~ His Norse Star!

It’s finally here! The cover of His Norse Star, Book 2 of the Majesta Landing Series. This contemporary romance novel will be released to ebook retailers on December 15th.

The Story ~ The Raines brothers have a problem. Looted Native American artifacts buried on their land are recovered including one glass bead. A mystery begins. Are the artifacts real? Or are they a hoax? Enter Dr. Mairenn Vestergaard, archaeologist. She’s invited to investigate the mounds, and reluctant helicopter pilot Tec Raines becomes her trusted right arm. He wants to sell the land. She’s an obstacle – a beautiful one. The summer heats up, and so does their attraction. They must work together to solve the riddle before priceless artifacts are lost forever. Did the Norse who came to Newfoundland in 1000 AD explore deeper into the New World’s interior?

Those who have read Pictures for Maddie will enjoy getting reacquainted with familiar characters while they join Tec and his Norse star on their journey of love and discovery.

His Norse Star Cover Reveal on December 1st!!

Just one day to go! The cover is beautiful and tells the story in one image! But before then, here’s one last teaser.

His Norse Star Cover Reveal in Six Days!

The New Book Has a Title!

Drum roll, please! Book 2 of the Majesta Landing Series has a title! Here it is along with a teaser. Cover reveal coming soon!!