by Anna Campbell
Don't you just love book recommendations? I do! I still think I pick up my best reading via word of mouth. I've come across some of my favorite current books via recommendations on this site - so please don't be shy about suggesting things! Just off the top of my head, I can think of writers like Julia Spencer-Fleming and Molly O'Keefe who are now autobuys for me, thanks to the wise comments of the Romance Dish fans.
For a long time, my friend, Rachel Bailey, who writes for Desire, has raved about the Nora Roberts Three Sisters Island Trilogy. Mind you, I've equally raved about the Chesapeake Quartet and I think she's yet to pay me any attention, so until now we've both missed out on some great books!
I imagine most of you have read these books so I'm speaking to the converted, but wow, they're great. I hadn't read Nora in a little while and I'd forgotten just how masterly she is at romantic tension and characterization and setting. You really feel like you're on this beautiful windswept island off the Massachusetts coast, smelling the sea and squeaking your way over the sand (hopefully to the cave - good things happen in the cave, LOL!). There's such beautiful texture in this writing. Not to mention the story features a great bookshop which I want in my hometown!
I read all of these within the space of 36 hours. Recommendation enough!
During the 17th century Salem Witch Hunts, three sisters, all witches and all representing an element, air, earth and fire, unite to create an island sanctuary off the coast. That's Three Sisters Island.
As you read the books, you discover that all three sisters come to a sad end, ends reflected in their modern-day descendants who are the heroines of this series. The last surviving 17th century sister creates a spell that will keep the island safe from the forces of darkness for 300 years. At the start of the Three Sisters Island trilogy, that 300 years is coming to an end and each heroine must face and defeat her fears if she is to save the island from sinking into the sea. So high stakes right from the get-go!
Book 1 in the series, DANCE UPON THE AIR, features battered wife on the run Nell Channing/Helen Remington. Nell, who represents the air element, has no idea that she's a witch so it's fun watching her come to terms with the woo-woo stuff that invades her life once she arrives on Three Sisters Island. Once there, she starts to heal. She finds a home and a place where she can exercise her talents as a cook (the meals in this will make you hungry, be warned!) and she also encounters gentle but strong local sheriff, Zack Todd. But can Nell accept love after all she's been through? And what happens when her violent husband discovers that she faked her death and she's still very much alive on the other side of America?
This is a great introduction to the series. We meet most of the major characters - even if only by description. We fall in love with the gorgeous island setting. Watching Nell and Zack come together is touching and emotional and you'll cheer as Nell discovers her new powers (both personal and witchy!) and searches for the courage to stand up to the man who nearly destroyed her.
Book 2, HEAVEN AND EARTH, is actually my favorite of the three, partly because I can't resist a really good geek hero. Although MacAllister Booke is more like Indiana Jones than Brains from THUNDERBIRDS. Mac is a paranormal researcher who comes to the island and falls in love with prickly Ripley, Zack's sister and deputy sheriff. Ripley represents earth - not that she wants to, she's got good reason to fear the strength of her powers and so she's deep in denial when the book starts. Her denial doesn't just include repressing her abilities as a witch, but also her once-close friendship with the heroine of the third book, Mia Devlin, who represents fire. One of the really lovely things about this book is seeing calm, centered Mac cope with Ripley's volatility. I laughed out loud at a few of these scenes. They really are beautifully done.
Book 3, FACE THE FIRE, brings the final confrontation with the evil that has stalked the witches since at least the 17th century. The heroine Mia knows that, as the direct descendant of the witch who conjured the protective spell in the first place, she's the island's last defense. But she needs to learn some lessons before she can defeat the darkness. One of these is that she's not a lone agent and she needs to work with the people who love her to have a hope of winning. Another is that she needs to come to terms with Sam Logan, the man she loved and lost in her late teens.
This is basically a reunion story and I always enjoy a good one of those. Sam left Three Sisters as a young man and now he's back to reclaim Mia, the woman he's always loved. Needless to say, after ten years, this doesn't go smoothly! And the bad stuff encroaching on the island doesn't help. But Sam is an intrinsic part of the island and an intrinsic part of the cosmic plan to defeat the forces ranged against the witches. He's the water part of the equation so when he's reunited with Mia, all the elements join to save Three Sisters Island. But will they be strong enough?
So have you read these books? Do you have a favorite? Are you a fan of the geeky hero? What's your favorite Nora Roberts book? I have to say, much as I loved these, I still think the Chesapeake Quartet just edged the Three Sisters Island books out as my absolute top.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Terri Osburn Winner
The winner of a copy of MEANT TO BE by Terri Osburn is:
Sharlene (another Sharlene!)
Congratulations! Please email us at theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com to let us know if you would like a print or e-copy of the book. If choosing print, please send your full name and mailing address.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Today's Special - - Terri Osburn
I can't put into words how excited I am to welcome debut author, Terri Osburn to The Romance Dish today. I met Terri online more than seven years ago and have since had the opportunity to meet her in person at various conferences. She's a gifted writer and those of us who have watched her travel this journey have known that it was only a matter of time before she published her first book. I am so happy to say that day is finally here. Meant to Be is a wonderful story; funny, heartwarming and worthy of your time. I hope you'll give it a try. (read my review here)
Born in the Ohio Valley, Terri relocated below the Mason Dixon line in the early 1990s after experiencing three blizzards in eighteen months. Seeking warmer climes, she landed in Nashville, did a stint in Arkansas, and eventually moved to the East Coast, where she settled near the ocean. Reading has always been a passion in her life, with Romance her chosen genre, but it wasn’t until 2007 she endeavored to write her own. Five years and many pages later, in 2012, she was named a finalist in the Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® contest. An agent and contract soon followed. Terri resides in Virginia with a teenager, a Yorkipoo, and two fat and happy tabbies. To learn more about this author and her work, visit her website at www.terriosburn.com.
A Tour of Anchor Island
My name is Terri Osburn and I'll be your tour guide for
today. Please make sure your seat belt is fastened and keep all hands, toes,
and noses in the blog at all time. Today we're taking in the sights of Anchor
Island, North Carolina. A remote island at the base of the Outer Banks, Anchor
is known for its pirate lore, impressive lighthouse, and diminutive size.
As I mentioned, the island is remote, so we'll
take the ferry across, then Highway 12 down to the village. On your left is the
ocean, with the sound on your right. This stretch of roadway is more like a
landing strip, but it makes for beautiful scenery in every direction. Oh, how
could I forget the wild horses? Not as wild as they used to be, penned in for
their own safety, but still beautiful beasts.
Now we drift into the village, passing Blackbeard's Museum
on your right. The feared pirate spent the last months of his life in this
area. Did you know Mr. Teach (Blackbeard's given name) was a pirate for only
two years? Fascinating when you think of the legend he created.
But we must keep the blog going, so no stops just yet. As we
cruise along Back Road, there's the Hava Java ahead. Lovely little spot to get
your caffeine fix. One could say the best espresso in town, but in a village
this small, one mile across and two miles long, it's the only espresso in town.
Now we see the quaint little arts and crafts
store run by Lola LeBlanc where Beth spends much of her time, and learns to
once again enjoy making jewelry. This is the beautiful bracelet she made using blue
beads that reminded her of Joe's eyes. Don't worry about the swooners among
you. We get that all the time. There's just something about a man with intense
blue eyes. Have I mentioned the dimple? Oh, there goes another one. I'd better
not mention the abs.
A quick left brings us around the harbor. We can't possibly
take the blog out to Joe's boat, but know it's docked right out there on your
right. Ah, and now we've reached the pinnacle of the tour. Anchor Lighthouse. Built
in the 1820s, it's guided many a sailor through these unpredictable seas. And
maybe it helped Beth find her way as well.
There's more to see, of course, but this is the condensed
tour today. But to give you an idea of how the sightseeing went when Joe took
Beth on a similar tour, here's a little snippet from the book.
As soon as he killed the
engine, Beth’s feet were on the ground. At the back of the vehicle she turned
to Joe, still sitting behind the wheel.
“Are you coming?”
“I’ll stay here with Doze. You go on
over.”
“Oh. All right then.”
Joe took a seat on the back gate of the
Jeep and barely noticed Dozer panting in his ear. Beth’s white skirt, what
there was of it, swung from side to side, then tightened across her ass as she
climbed onto the platform. So much for thinking distance would put his body
back in check.
“She’s hiding something all right. But
she’s not hiding it in that skirt.”
Dozer barked.
“Right. Eyes off the skirt. Got it.”
As I said, that Dozer is a total scene stealer. Now it's
your turn to wander around on your own. Feel free to ask questions if you like,
or just make small talk, as one lucky commenter will win a copy of MEANT TO BE
(digital or print, winner's choice, US and Canada only.)
PS: If you're interested in visiting the real thing, Anchor
Island is inspired by (read: copied directly from) Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. Looking
to get away from the world this summer? I highly
recommend checking it out.
Sometimes
the next best thing is what you’ve been looking for all along…
Beth
Chandler has spent her whole life pleasing others. She went to law school to
make her grandparents happy. She agreed to marry her workaholic boyfriend,
Lucas, to make him happy. And, despite her fear of boats, she took a ferry to
see Lucas’s parents just to make them happy.
While
suffering through a panic attack on the ferry, Beth meets a tall, sexy stranger
who talks her down from her fear—and makes her heart flutter in the process.
Soon, she has a new reason to panic: her gorgeous, blue-eyed rescuer is Lucas’s
brother, Joe.
But
could she ever leave her fiancé for his own brother…even if Lucas is more
focused on making partner than on making their relationship work…and even if
Joe turns out to be everything she never knew she wanted?
Buy
Links:
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Today's Special - - Kate Meader
As you know, we love introducing our readers to debut authors here at The Romance Dish. Today, it's my pleasure to welcome Kate Meader. Kate writes contemporary romance that serves up delicious food, to-die-for heroes, and heroines with a dash of sass. Originally from Ireland, she cut her romance reader teeth on Catherine Cookson and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Mills & Boons thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, and she’s there. She has a bachelor’s in law (useless), a master’s in history (not as useless), and another master’s in library and information science (yay, using). When not writing about men who cook and the women who drool over them, she works in an academic library. Her stories are set in her adopted home town of Chicago, a city made for food, romance, and laughter – and where she met her own sexy hero. For news, excerpts, and recipes, check out her website at http://www.katemeader.com.
The Caregiving Alpha Hero: Who
Better than a Chef?
Feel the Heat by Kate Meader
Thanks
to the Dishes for letting me talk about Feel
the Heat, the first in my Chicago-set Hot
in the Kitchen series about an Italian restaurant owning family and the
sexy, sizzling chefs who love them. As readers, we often say we want our
heroines to be relatable, but a book lives and dies by its hero. If the hero
isn’t making the grade, then Houston, we have a problem! The current trend
toward brooding, tortured alpha billionaires is probably going to last a while
but there’s room for other types of take-charge hero. How about the protective,
caregiving alpha? And who better to encapsulate that than a man who cooks for a
living?
A question for Romance Dish readers: do you like a protective alpha hero? Who are some of your favorites?
***
FEEL THE HEAT by Kate Meader
Hot in the Kitchen, Book 1
IF
YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT . . .
Photographer
Lili DeLuca spends all her time managing her family's Italian restaurant,
instead of following her dream of getting an MFA. When famous British chef Jack
Kilroy unexpectedly challenges her father to a cook-off, Lili decides she's
tired of playing it safe and vows to seduce the tempting Brit. But once a video
of her and Jack kissing goes viral and her luscious butt starts trending on
Twitter, Lili fears she's cooked up a recipe for disaster.
. .
. GET INTO THE BEDROOM
Jack
Kilroy's celebrity has left him feeling used and used up. While Lili's
oh-so-sexy moans when she tastes his delicious creations turn him on, he's even
more aroused by how unimpressed this beautiful, funny woman is with his fame.
He knows they could be amazing together, if she could only see past his bitch
fork-wielding fan base. Now, as he's about to start a new prime time TV cooking
show, can Jack convince Lili to realize her own ambitions - and turn up the
heat in his kitchen?
Links
Contact: kate.meader@gmail.com
Contact: kate.meader@gmail.com
Website:http://katemeader.com
Twitter:
@kittymeader
***
Giveaway Details:
I will be doing a Rafflecopter giveaway
during the Feel the Heat release
tour. One grand prize winner will get a Feel
the Heat Swag Bag containing a Supper Hero-Wonder Woman apron, a Feel the Heat tote bag, a Vespa-shaped
pizza cutter, a “Grate Love” cheese grater, heart-shaped measuring spoons, a Feel the Heat fridge magnet,
heart-shaped pasta, delicious cookies, and a recipe card for goat cheese
caramel gelato. I’ll also be giving away smaller swag bags of assorted kitchen
utensils and more!
Follow this link to enter the contest or enter at Kate's website.
Follow this link to enter the contest or enter at Kate's website.
Monday, May 20, 2013
It Had to Be You Winner
The randomly chosen winner of a copy of
IT HAD TO BE YOU
by Jill Shalvis is:
kayjax51
Congratulations! Please send your full name and mailing address to us at
theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com
Caren Crane "Kick Start" Winners
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to welcome debut author Caren Crane to The Romance Dish last week. The two randomly chosen winners of a digital copy of Caren's book, KICK START are:
Marcy Shuler
Kathleen O
Congratulations, ladies! To claim your book, please send an email to
theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com
Labels:
2013 Winners,
Caren Crane,
Kick Start
Read Humane Winner
Thanks to everyone who left comments and shared their rescue stories on our Jill Shalvis Read Humane® blog. The randomly chosen winner of a copy of RESCUE MY HEART is:
Ada
Congratulations! Please send your full name and mailing address to us at:
theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com
Review - - Meant to Be
Meant to Be
Anchor Island - Book 1
By Terri Osburn
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Release Date: May 21, 2013





What happens when you finally meet the love of your life and he turns out to be your fiancé's older brother?
Elizabeth Chandler has spent her life pleasing other people and living other people's dreams. She's a lawyer because that's the respectable career path the grandparents who raised her wanted for her. Her workaholic fiancé has no idea what she likes or dislikes because he makes all the decisions in their relationship right down to the type of wine she drinks and music she listens to and because it makes him happy, she lets him. She's suppressed every ounce of young Beth Chandler's creativity and zest for life in an effort to be what everyone expects her to be. But that's all about to change.
Only for Lucas Dempsey would Elizabeth Chandler, a woman deathly afraid of the water, be on a ferry to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to meet her new fiancé's family. Lucas was supposed to be with her but, once again, the law office where they both work has taken priority and left Elizabeth to make the crossing on her own. She's in the midst of a full-blown panic attack when an over-sized dog and his gorgeous owner come to her rescue. Charmed in spite of herself, by both this man and his dog, she introduces herself as Beth and allows herself to secretly indulge in the instant attraction she feels to this calm, sexy man with the adorable dimple. Then she discovers he's her future brother-in-law.
Joe Dempsey has a mental image of the woman his younger step-brother is bringing home and it sure isn't a sweet, sexy young woman who makes his own pulse race. They get off on the wrong foot and the instant attraction that sparks between them doesn't help matters but gradually, as they get to know one another, their feelings begin to shift and then deepen though they both fight it. Joe loves his brother, even if he doesn't understand him or approve of the way he puts Beth last on his list of priorities. He's not about to poach on his territory. As wrong as he may feel Beth is for Lucas, and as right as he feels she is for him, he has too much honor to come between them, no matter how much he grows to care for her. And Beth, no matter how much she comes to care for Joe, is not about to do anything to harm the members of the Dempsey family who have come to mean so much to her. With the odds stacked against them, does this couple have any chance of a happy ending?
First of all, let me say that love triangles are one of my least favorite romance tropes but this story is written in such a way that I'm okay with the situation. Once Elizabeth arrives on the island and begins to re-discover, as Beth, the person she is truly meant to be, it's obvious that she and workaholic Lucas would be a terrible match. It also helps that the author keeps Lucas in Richmond and contact between them to a minimum, placing the focus of the story on Beth's journey of self-discovery and the developing relationship between her and Joe. I also appreciated the fact that, in spite of their growing feelings for one another, both Joe and Beth have too much honor to betray Lucas. And while I don't feel Lucas is the right brother for Beth, Osburn doesn't make him a jerk, just a man with some misplaced priorities. It's my understanding that he will find his happy ending in the next Anchor Island book and that makes me very happy.
This is a debut book but you'd never guess it. Terri Osburn writes with the skill of a seasoned veteran, drawing the reader into the heart of her characters and the small island they inhabit and making us care about them. While there is plenty of humor and lighthearted banter, both Beth and Joe are complex characters with a depth of emotion that is slowly and skillfully revealed throughout the course of the book. A rich cast of secondary characters add to that depth. Particular favorites are Miss Lola, a spritely senior citizen with important lessons to impart, Dozer, a floppy-tongued dog that stole my heart - and Beth's - and Sid, a smart-mouthed but gorgeous woman, slowly learning to embrace her femininity, who ( I hope) is destined to lead Lucas a merry chase in the next Anchor Island story. I can't wait!
I've known Terri Osburn for a number of years and watched her grow as a writer over that time. Even though she's a friend, the process I followed in reviewing this book is the same as that for every book I read and I was fair and honest in my comments.
I'm delighted to say that I highly recommend this book. It's sitting on my keeper shelf where I'm sure it will be re-visited. Do yourself a favor and take a trip to Anchor Island through the pages of Meant to Be.
~PJ
Have you discovered any good debut authors lately?
What books will you be taking to the beach, pool or backyard this summer?
Do you have a favorite place to read in the summer? Is it different from where you read the rest of the year?
One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment will receive a Kindle version of Meant to Be.
Anchor Island - Book 1
By Terri Osburn
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Release Date: May 21, 2013





What happens when you finally meet the love of your life and he turns out to be your fiancé's older brother?
Elizabeth Chandler has spent her life pleasing other people and living other people's dreams. She's a lawyer because that's the respectable career path the grandparents who raised her wanted for her. Her workaholic fiancé has no idea what she likes or dislikes because he makes all the decisions in their relationship right down to the type of wine she drinks and music she listens to and because it makes him happy, she lets him. She's suppressed every ounce of young Beth Chandler's creativity and zest for life in an effort to be what everyone expects her to be. But that's all about to change.
Only for Lucas Dempsey would Elizabeth Chandler, a woman deathly afraid of the water, be on a ferry to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to meet her new fiancé's family. Lucas was supposed to be with her but, once again, the law office where they both work has taken priority and left Elizabeth to make the crossing on her own. She's in the midst of a full-blown panic attack when an over-sized dog and his gorgeous owner come to her rescue. Charmed in spite of herself, by both this man and his dog, she introduces herself as Beth and allows herself to secretly indulge in the instant attraction she feels to this calm, sexy man with the adorable dimple. Then she discovers he's her future brother-in-law.
Joe Dempsey has a mental image of the woman his younger step-brother is bringing home and it sure isn't a sweet, sexy young woman who makes his own pulse race. They get off on the wrong foot and the instant attraction that sparks between them doesn't help matters but gradually, as they get to know one another, their feelings begin to shift and then deepen though they both fight it. Joe loves his brother, even if he doesn't understand him or approve of the way he puts Beth last on his list of priorities. He's not about to poach on his territory. As wrong as he may feel Beth is for Lucas, and as right as he feels she is for him, he has too much honor to come between them, no matter how much he grows to care for her. And Beth, no matter how much she comes to care for Joe, is not about to do anything to harm the members of the Dempsey family who have come to mean so much to her. With the odds stacked against them, does this couple have any chance of a happy ending?
First of all, let me say that love triangles are one of my least favorite romance tropes but this story is written in such a way that I'm okay with the situation. Once Elizabeth arrives on the island and begins to re-discover, as Beth, the person she is truly meant to be, it's obvious that she and workaholic Lucas would be a terrible match. It also helps that the author keeps Lucas in Richmond and contact between them to a minimum, placing the focus of the story on Beth's journey of self-discovery and the developing relationship between her and Joe. I also appreciated the fact that, in spite of their growing feelings for one another, both Joe and Beth have too much honor to betray Lucas. And while I don't feel Lucas is the right brother for Beth, Osburn doesn't make him a jerk, just a man with some misplaced priorities. It's my understanding that he will find his happy ending in the next Anchor Island book and that makes me very happy.
This is a debut book but you'd never guess it. Terri Osburn writes with the skill of a seasoned veteran, drawing the reader into the heart of her characters and the small island they inhabit and making us care about them. While there is plenty of humor and lighthearted banter, both Beth and Joe are complex characters with a depth of emotion that is slowly and skillfully revealed throughout the course of the book. A rich cast of secondary characters add to that depth. Particular favorites are Miss Lola, a spritely senior citizen with important lessons to impart, Dozer, a floppy-tongued dog that stole my heart - and Beth's - and Sid, a smart-mouthed but gorgeous woman, slowly learning to embrace her femininity, who ( I hope) is destined to lead Lucas a merry chase in the next Anchor Island story. I can't wait!
I've known Terri Osburn for a number of years and watched her grow as a writer over that time. Even though she's a friend, the process I followed in reviewing this book is the same as that for every book I read and I was fair and honest in my comments.
I'm delighted to say that I highly recommend this book. It's sitting on my keeper shelf where I'm sure it will be re-visited. Do yourself a favor and take a trip to Anchor Island through the pages of Meant to Be.
~PJ
Have you discovered any good debut authors lately?
What books will you be taking to the beach, pool or backyard this summer?
Do you have a favorite place to read in the summer? Is it different from where you read the rest of the year?
One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment will receive a Kindle version of Meant to Be.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Sunday Sneak Peek
Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she’s a thief, and now she’s about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who’s as sexy as he is stern….
After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke’s own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?
EXCERPT:
She did her best to appear
as though she hadn’t just been sitting in an interrogation room for hours being
questioned about a crime she hadn’t committed.
But as it turned out, the pretense was far too much for her overloaded
emotions, and she closed her eyes, trying to disappear into the seat. If she disappeared, then he couldn’t see her
fall apart.
“You okay?” he asked.
Her throat tightened further, and she shook her head. Nope.
Not okay. Not even close. “Don’t,” she said.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t be nice to me right now. I’ll lose it.”
With surprising gentleness, he pushed the hair from her
face, then clicked open her seatbelt.
It was all the invitation she was going to get, and all the
invitation she needed. Turning to him,
she burrowed in as steady, strong arms closed around her. He stroked a hand down her back, and she
pressed her face into the crook of his neck, soaking in the warm comfort he
offered.
It was the safest and most secure she’d felt in far too
long and she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to let go.
“Ali.”
Afraid he was going to pull away before she was done
soaking him in, she squirmed a little closer.
“Please not yet.”
He tightened his grip.
“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
Thank God. For just this one second, someone had
her.
The Dishes are very excited that It Had To Be You will be released in just nine days! Are you reading the Lucky Harbor series? Do you like sneak peeks of upcoming books? What are you looking forward to this month?
Grand Central Publishing is giving away a copy of It Had to Be You to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's blog!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Guest Review - - Wish Upon a Matchmaker
Wish Upon a Matchmaker
By Marie Ferrarella
Publisher: Harlequin (Special Edition)
Release Date: May 14, 2013



Mazie Sommers, realtor and the original Matchmaking Mama,
has a new client: four-year-old Ginny Scarborough, a determined four-year-old
who is looking for a mommy for her daddy who has been sad too long. Ginny knows
that Mazie is up to the task since Mazie is the one who found a mommy for the
daddy of Ginny’s friend Greg (Once Upon a
Matchmaker, 2010). Her daddy’s current girlfriend is a pretty lady, but Elizabeth
is not mommy material. Ginny knows Elizabeth doesn’t even like kids. Ginny’s
daddy needs a mommy, and so does Ginny. Mazie is charmed by her young client
and accepts the challenge. In fact, she has just the woman in mind.
Stone Scarborough, a former aerospace engineer turned
general contractor, takes life seriously. Since his wife’s death eighteen
months ago, he has focused all his attention on his daughter and on his job.
The building industry has taken a big hit from the economic downturn, and Stone
is exhausting his savings between jobs. So when Mazie Sommers sends a request
via his sister that he contact her about a job, he’s not about to refuse even
if his instincts tell him there’s something strange going on.
Three years ago, Danielle Everette was just another cubicle
occupant in a big insurance office in Atlanta, working to pay off her late
father’s medical bills and her student loans. When the cooking and baking Danni
did for friends slowly turned into full-time catering, she was surprised, but not
nearly as surprised as she was when she received an offer to star in her own
cable cooking show, Danni’s Desserts to
Die For. The offer requires her to move across the country. Looking for a
place to live that is a bit closer to the Southern suburban home she left behind
than Burbank, she buys a house in Bedford. Her realtor? One Mazie Sommers, who
has become a good friend. Now that Danni’s contract has been renewed and all
those bothersome bills paid, she has the money for the renovations she’s
dreamed of making in her 1970s house. Nothing is more natural than accepting
Mazie’s recommendation for a contractor to do the work. Mazie recommends Stone
Scarborough.
The extroverted Danni with a smile as bright as California
sunshine and a personality that wins friends and delights people is the
opposite of the stoic, suspicious Stone whose reserve makes his name
particularly appropriate. But these opposites prove the rule of attraction.
Soon Danni is making home-cooked meals for Stone, and Stone is giving up free
time to help Danni select things for her house. Ginny and Danni are bonding
over cooking lessons and girl stuff. The future looks rosy, but Stone, who was
devastated by his wife’s death, is wary of risking his heart again. Also, he
finds it difficult to believe that a celebrity chef with an income many times
that of a struggling contractor could really be interested in building a life
with him. Danni’s too proud to question Stone’s decision. It takes a little
child, who proves the best matchmaker of all, to help them find their HEA.
I’ve been reading books by Marie Ferrarella since the 1980s.
Hers was a name I learned to associate many years ago with heartwarming stories
peopled with characters I liked and the family contexts I appreciated. All
these years later, these are the same qualities I still appreciate in
Ferrarella’s books. Wish Upon a
Matchmaker is a quick, sweet read with appealing characters. It was fun
seeing Mazie in action again, and I enjoyed watch Stone and Danni’s
relationship develop. I know some readers find precocious children in romance
lack credibility, but I’ve known enough kids to believe they come in all
flavors. I thought Ginny was a darling. I also thought the relationship between
Stone and his sister and between Danni and her co-workers added dimensions to
the story. This is the ninth Matchmaking Mamas book, one indication that
Ferrarella knows how to please her readers. This pleased reader recommends you
give her a try.
~Janga
http://justjanga.blogspot.com
~Janga
http://justjanga.blogspot.com
Friday, May 17, 2013
Today's Special - - Caren Crane
I am so happy to welcome debut author Caren Crane to The Romance Dish today! Caren is no stranger to the Dishes. I have had the pleasure of reading Caren's regular posts at the Romance Bandits blog for the past several years as well as experiencing her sassy wit and humor in person at various romance conferences. I've been waiting a long time to read a romance written by Caren and am so excited that her book, KICK START, is finally out there for everyone to enjoy. I read it last weekend and had such a good time in Caren's fictional town of Cross Springs that I'm ready to return for another visit. Fortunately, Caren plans to take us back there in her second book, CROSS TALK.
You can learn more about Caren by visiting her website and can connect with her at Facebook and Twitter.
Welcome, Caren!
My Love Affair with Do-Overs
I don't know when I first heard the term
"do-over," but I know that I grasped the concept with both hands. The
chance to try again, to fix mistakes, to possibly change your luck, your path,
your very future? I was all in!
The trouble is, Life doesn't often give you chances for
do-overs. Words cannot be unspoken, actions cannot be undone (or done if they
were neglected), no matter how much we might want them to be. We're all sort of
stuck with the messes we make. I have children who are 18, 20 and 27. As you
can imagine, I have had countless
opportunities for "teaching moments" about handling the consequences
of one's words and actions. In the interest of full disclosure, I had lots of
practice with this myself long before
I was a mother. J
So I know how rare the do-over really is.
About 12 years ago, I began writing fiction. It was the most
exciting thing I had ever done. I quickly realized I knew nothing at all, but
then set out to fix that minor problem. After I got the basics under my belt, I
figured out the secret of fiction—there
are NO RULES. There are tropes and reader expectations but there are no
hard and fast rules about what the writer can or cannot make happen. You can't
imagine how very exciting this was to me! I—the mostly rule-following good
girl—found this freedom a little scary. Okay, kind of terrifying, really. But
my characters didn't have to be as
scared of this as I was. They could
do anything!
When I hit on the concept for my debut novel, Kick
Start, I was worried. Not for me, but for Linda, my
heroine. I gave
this woman a lot of problems: a bitter divorce, three kids at challenging
stages of life, a huge mortgage, no higher education and very little job
experience. I also stuck her with a small town full of nosy neighbors, an
inferiority complex and a serious need to fit in at all costs. To counter all
that, I gave her a great sense of humor, a kick-ass best friend and a bit of a
rebellious past. Then I gave her a Secret Weapon.
Linda got a do-over.
Honestly, I was worried for her. Her do-over sort of scared
us both. It took her kick-ass best friend to force both of us into action. Her
best friend issues a challenge that Linda's long-buried rebellious streak can't
resist. She decides to go back to college (something that makes my brain hurt
to consider) and, in short order, begins to consider dating a younger man. Her
inner approval-seeker is strong, plus she has impressionable children at home.
She feels certain no one will approve...but... But. There's that do-over I forced on her. Her younger man, Jack,
is exactly her type of man. The kind
she dated early and often before she met the man she married. Her ex was not
really her type, but an unexpected pregnancy forced Linda to accept him as
"the one" for the baby's sake.
Nineteen years later, she has a chance to start again. To
consider a new life with a new man. If
she can give herself permission. The objections of her community are not all in
her head, after all. She gets plenty of unsolicited advice and knows, without a
doubt, that giving Jack a chance means life has no chance of ever going back to
any semblance of what it was. Life will never be the same. I was terrified for
her!
It was hard for me, as a mother and a wife, to think about
all the implications such a move would have. If I had to start over, I think I might experience a little of what Linda goes through. I'm
not a huge approval seeker, but I want people to think well of me. I think most
of us do. To defy the expectations of people you know and love is scary, so
seizing the chance for a do-over at love was a Huge Dilemma for my heroine! I
really do have a love affair with do-overs, though, and cannot resist giving
them to all my (poor, beleaguered) heroines. Watching how each one responds to
the challenges the do-over presents is the most exciting part of writing for
me.
What about you? Would
you seize the chance for a do-over? If so, what would you do again or do
differently? I would probably go to medical school, but I have a feeling I
would still want to write. Let me know about your do-over dreams!
PJ here. I'm giving away two digital copies (Kindle or Nook) of Caren's debut book, KICK START today so let's hear about those do-over dreams!
PJ here. I'm giving away two digital copies (Kindle or Nook) of Caren's debut book, KICK START today so let's hear about those do-over dreams!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Today's Special - - Regan Walker
We're happy to welcome Regan Walker back to the blog today. I recently read Regan's latest historical, AGAINST THE WIND, second in her Agents of the Crown series, and enjoyed it a lot. Regan joins us today to answer some questions about both this book, her Agents of the Crown series and other things going on in her life. Please join us!
Welcome
back, Regan! Congratulations on the
recent release of AGAINST THE WIND, the second book in your Agents of the Crown
series. Please tell our readers what
they can expect from this series and this book.
The idea for the trilogy came from my early love of
mysteries and spy stories and my knowledge that all branches of government have
their own agents. It wasn’t much of a stretch to conceive of the Prince Regent
asking a few of his subjects to take on “special assignments.” Kings have been
doing it for centuries. Hence my trilogy features heroes who have been asked by
the Prince Regent to take on unique tasks. First there was Racing With The Wind, and the British Lord who masqueraded as the
Nighthawk, the thief of Napoleon’s secrets. Next is my latest release, Against the Wind, the story of Sir
Martin Powell, the agent for the Crown in France who has come home to England
for one last assignment. The 3rd in the trilogy—Wind Raven—takes place on a schooner and in the Caribbean in 1817
and features a rakish sea captain and a pirate who plied the seas around Puerto
Rico at the time.
In Against
the Wind, Sir Martin returns from ten years in France during Napoleon’s reign
and before he begins his last assignment for the Prince Regent, he decides to
have one night of pleasure in the most elegant bordello in London, Willow
House. It is there he meets a beautiful redhead name Kit, never knowing she is
the daughter of an earl, and a dowager baroness. While still knowing little
about each other, he will sweep her away to the Midlands—and into the storms of
revolution.
I
fell in love with Martin and was firmly in Kit’s corner from the
beginning. What one thing do you want
readers to understand about these two characters?
Kit, the
beautiful redhead Sir Martin calls “Kitten,” is a wounded soul. When the story
opens she and her
sister have already lost their parents, and in the middle of her first Season, Kit was forced to wed an old baron who, though he treated her kindly, was more like a grandfather than a husband. The baron died two weeks into their marriage and Kit went to live with her sister and her husband the Earl of Rutledge. When Kit’s beloved sister dies, her brother-in-law, the earl tries to take her by force. She flees to the only place she can think of…and runs right into the arms of Sir Martin. In Martin, Kit finds a gentle man whose lovemaking stirs her passions and whose words of comfort soothe her wounded soul. But Martin is wounded too, as he saw his wife murdered on the streets of Paris five years earlier. Together they will help each other heal as they become embroiled in the Pentrich Rebellion of 1817.
sister have already lost their parents, and in the middle of her first Season, Kit was forced to wed an old baron who, though he treated her kindly, was more like a grandfather than a husband. The baron died two weeks into their marriage and Kit went to live with her sister and her husband the Earl of Rutledge. When Kit’s beloved sister dies, her brother-in-law, the earl tries to take her by force. She flees to the only place she can think of…and runs right into the arms of Sir Martin. In Martin, Kit finds a gentle man whose lovemaking stirs her passions and whose words of comfort soothe her wounded soul. But Martin is wounded too, as he saw his wife murdered on the streets of Paris five years earlier. Together they will help each other heal as they become embroiled in the Pentrich Rebellion of 1817.
What
one scene would you never cut from AGAINST THE WIND?
The scene in the bordello when Martin first makes
love to Kit. It is the point around which their relationship pivots and
essentially seals their fate.
I
love how you weave the fictional story together with both real historical
events as well as real people. It draws
me into the story and when I finish, it’s as if I’ve enjoyed a history lesson
without realizing it. Have you always
been fascinated by this period of English history? Are there other time periods and places we
might see in future books?
History and the people who lived long ago fascinate me.
The Regency period of history drew me because so much was changing. Wars were
ending, industrialization was coming and the common people were no longer
content to let the aristocracy decide their future. In the prequel, To Tame the Wind, which I haven’t yet
started writing, you will experience France in 1783 before the Revolution. And
I have a William the Conqueror medieval romance I started some time ago, The Red Wolf’s Prize, set in 1067. I
intend to come back to it when my trilogy is done. I am intrigued by how England
changed when the Normans conquered the land. We often forget how much French is
at the root of our English language because of that one event. For many years,
French was spoken at the English court.
Even
though our introduction to him was brief, I was intrigued by Martin’s
brother. I understand the third book in
the series is his story. When will that
be released and what can we expect from that book?
That would be Captain Jean Nicholas Powell, Martin’s
older brother, a rake, a former privateer and an English merchant sea
captain—named for his grandfather, a French pirate, Jean Donet. I’m writing
Nick’s story now. There is a lot of research involved in learning all the
nautical terminology for a schooner of the period and all that was going on in
the Caribbean. (My story will feature the pirate Roberto Cofresi as a character,
who was a real historic figure of the time.) The heroine is an American from
Baltimore who still remembers the English attacking her city in the War of 1812.
I hope it will be out late this year, but I’m moving this summer and that will
disrupt my writing.
Just
for fun, if you could host a dinner party for up to ten (real) historical
figures, who would you invite and why?
Oh, that is a challenge. Let’s see. Off the top of
my head, I’d say these: (1) Sir Winston Churchill (my hero), (2) the Apostle
Paul (the most quoted author by America’s founders), (3) Abraham Lincoln (not
just one of our greatest Presidents but a thoughtful man of faith and
integrity), (4) Germaine de Stael (an author and an amazing woman of her
time—and a character in Racing With The
Wind), (5) William Wilberforce (English statesman who fought against the
English slave trade and won), (6) Selina, Countess of Huntingdon (a member of the
nobility who became a committed Christian and did amazing work as a widow), (7)
C.S. Lewis, (8) Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (Irish born member of the
Protestant Ascendancy whose success as a British soldier earned him a dukedom),
(9) Queen Victoria and (10) King David (from the Old Testament). How’s that for
an eclectic group?
Wow, that's quite a group! Your
books sweep me away to another time and place.
If you could be swept away to any place or time for a romantic evening,
where and when would you choose?
Oh, this is fun! Well, it would have to be romantic,
and there would have to be stars above and a man, yes a man, who was handsome
and strong and who loved me. I think it might take place in a castle, perhaps in
Scotland with a Highland laird whose land was at peace (for the moment). There
is much to commend clan life where each person had a role and all were part of a
large family. If the laird was a good man and a generous leader, his people
could thrive. Being his mate could be very challenging—to help care for the
people and his lands. To stand on the top of a castle, looking out on a
moonlight-bathed loch and feel his arms wrapped around me, ah yes. That would
be romantic.
What
would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am actually a very serious lawyer, though I have
only practiced part time in recent years. My left brain is overdeveloped.
Another thing that might surprise people (especially those who know the first
thing) is that I am a rank sentimentalist—a complete and hopeless romantic.
I
never go anywhere without my camera.
What do you never travel without?
A book. Unless I’m looking at gorgeous scenery or
having a good conversation, I detest idle time just staring into space. I like
to think, of course, but I really like reading. Since my mother taught me to
read at age four, I have been an avid reader. And when people I’m meeting, say
for dinner, are late, I just whip out my book or my Kindle and I’m content.
What
are you working on now?
Wind
Raven. It’s the third in the trilogy and given all that
is going on in my life right now, and the amount of research involved, it’s
going a bit slow. I’m learning that Nick (Martin’s brother) and Tara (the American
heroine) are going to be a challenge. Two stubborn people fighting the
inevitable.
Thank
you, Regan! Do you have a question for
our readers today?
Yes! What would you like to see me include in Wind Raven? I’ve added a ship’s cat
because I know many of my readers love cats, but I’d be interested to hear of
any other things you might have in mind…a character’s name perhaps? Here’s your
chance to influence the book! If you do, I’ll give you credit in the
acknowledgements!
Labels:
Against the Wind,
Historical,
Interview,
PJ,
Regan Walker,
Series
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
New Releases winner!
The winner of a random book from my prize stash is:
Kathleen O
Congrats, Kathleen! Please send your full name and address to theromancedish (at) gmail (got) com with "Andrea's winner" as the subject and I'll get your book in the mail. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!
Labels:
Andrea,
New Releases,
Winners
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