Author Mary Gillgannon

I don’t know why, but I consider Wales my spiritual homeland, and when I set out to write my first romance, I knew it would be set there. I discovered a historical 6^th century king and used him as the hero in The Dragon of the Island and a follow-up book, Dragon’s Dream. Quite a few years later I visited Wales as part of a trip to Ireland with my husband and son. We took the ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the island of Anglesey and got a rental car. My husband intended to drive, but after a few terrifying blocks, he realized he couldn’t adjust to driving on the wrong side of the road and the narrow streets. I ended up driving and somehow never got us in a wreck.

My favorite part of that visit was visiting an ancient passage grave called Bryn Celli Ddu. The 5,000-year-old grave is aligned to coincide with the rising sun on the longest day of the year. Despite being one of the most famous archeological sites in Wales, it’s tucked away among several working farms. I featured Bryn Celli Ddu in my historical fantasy The Silver Wheel, which is set at the time of the Roman conquest of Britain.

My next trip to Wales was a few years later with my daughter. My biggest thrill on that trip was visiting Deganwy Hill, which was the actual site of the stronghold of Maelgwn the Great, the heroic king in my first book. We climbed to the top of the hill at sunset and enjoyed spectacular views of the Welsh coast, including of Conwy Castle, glowing in the last rays of sunlight.

My third trip to Wales was with my husband, and we focused on seeing the countryside. Although we didn’t climb Snowdonia, we did climb to the top of a nearby peak. For someone who lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which has an elevation of 6,200 feet, it wasn’t too difficult. Snowdonia, although the highest peak in Britain south the Scottish highlands, is only 3,560 feet. We climbed in classic Welsh weather, but despite the mist and rain, it was thrilling to look out at the rugged, wild landscape and imagine myself transported back in time.

My most recent visit to Wales was my first solo trip outside the U.S. (One of my sisters was supposed to accompany me, but couldn’t because of a family emergency.) Traveling alone I could do whatever I liked, including visiting four castles in three days. I think I enjoyed Conwy Castle most of all. The views from the ramparts were spectacular.

I’m currently writing the second book in my Medieval Ladies series. This romance is set in Wales in the 13^th century. Of course, journeying there in my imagination makes me yearn to return to the real place. Health and finances permitting, I’m planning another trip to Wales in two or three years. 

View from Deganwy Hill

Me on the ramparts of Conwy Castle.

Me on our mountain climb near Snowdonia

 Me at Bryn Celli Ddu

Me at the base of Deganwy Hill

***

 

Title: Lady of Steel, Medieval Ladies #1

Author/pen name: Mary Gillgannon

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, 1/15/18

ASIN: B078CJZQN8

ISBN: 978-1-5092-1833-2

Number of pages: 317

Word Count:  114,000

Blurb: 

One rapturous hour sparks unforgettable passion between Lady Nicola and Fawkes de Cressy. But when Fawkes returns from Crusade, he finds Nicola enmeshed in a dark web of castle intrigue. Surrounded by enemies, the battle-hardened knight and the aloof, wary woman must rebuild the bond between them or a sinister plot will destroy them both.

Buy links: 

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Steel-Medieval-Ladies-Book-ebook/dp/B078CJZQN8/

The Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5499-lady-of-steel.html

B & N:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lady-of-steel-mary-gillgannon/1127750668

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ladyofsteel/isbn9781509218349  

Excerpt: 

Fawkes’s eyes flared with violent emotion. “You forget. I knew Mortimer. He tried more than once to kill me. I have no sympathy for him. None at all.”

Nicola let out her breath. Perhaps now they could begin again, and he would stop playing this game of cat and mouse with her. She nodded. “I’m very grateful you understand. I’d worried you might have heard tales of me, stories meant to portray me as wicked and manipulative.”

He watched her intently. “Aye, I have heard tales. ’Tis good you saw fit to reassure me. Perhaps now, perhaps we can…”

He let his words trail off and the atmosphere between them shifted. His dark eyes no longer seemed stern and implacable, but smoldered with frank sexual desire. The tension between them altered, erupting with blazing arousal. Fire started in her loins and spread outward, making her skin ache for his touch. She tilted her head, awaiting his kiss.

He hesitated, as if even now he feared to take this final step and give into what his body obviously desired. Observing his forbearance, she thought for the dozenth time of how different he was from Mortimer. Mortimer had been a slave to his emotions. This man sought control at all times.

But at last he brought his lips to hers. The blaze took them both.

Author bio:

Mary Gillgannon began writing historical romance soon after she discovered the genre. She loves how these stories allow her to portray the excitement and high stakes of past eras, yet focus on relationships and create a happy ending. She’s written seventeen novels, including romances set in the dark age, medieval and Regency time periods. She married her own hero many years ago and has two children. Now that they’re grown, she indulges her nurturing tendencies on five very spoiled cats and a moderately spoiled dog. When not writing or working—she’s been employed at the local public library for over twenty-seven years—she enjoys gardening, reading and travel.

Author website and social media links:

Website:  http://marygillgannon.com

Blog: http://marygillgannon.blogspot.com

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MaryGillgannon

Author Jennifer Wilck

I love traveling with my family. We don’t get to do it often—there are four of us and we all have crazy schedules—so when it happens, it’s extra special. We spend time together without our phones. We plan activities so that while not all of us loves everything, we each get to love at least something. We talk and laugh and make great memories.

The most recent vacation the four of us took was to Bermuda this past December. My oldest daughter graduated from high school in June and her present was a vacation. After a few snags and scheduling snafus, we ended up with Bermuda over winter break. It was fantastic. I had been there several times with my parents as a child—only two hours away, it was one of their favorite quick getaways—and once with my husband when I was pregnant with my oldest, but my girls had never been.

They loved the pink beaches, laughed at the Bermuda shorts and were dying to ride the mopeds. We spend days exploring the island, shopping, sightseeing and just relaxing. Coming from New Jersey, the 60-70 degree weather was fantastic. We were all rejuvenated by the sunshine, and didn’t even mind the occasional rainy days we had. We ate at delicious restaurants and chatted with the locals.

My favorite encounter was on New Years Eve. An older couple was sitting near us and called us over at the end of the meal. We’d spent our entire meal talking and laughing, and I assumed we had been too loud for them. But they were delighted to talk to us, asked us about ourselves and our trip and were lovely to meet. I think they were impressed that we’d spent the entire meal talking, instead of on our phones (my husband and I try to enforce a “no phones at the table” rule, to varying degrees of success. They were the quintessential old British couple and we all enjoyed meeting them.

On one of our last days, we explored an old Navy yard and the girls were able to swim with dolphins. They learned about how the dolphins are being cared for and rescued and we took some fantastic photos.

The peace and quiet that I was able to find there helped my writing muse. Since I’ve been back, I’ve started a manuscript I’ve been thinking about for a while. I’ve figured out the hero and heroine and their goal/motivation/conflict. And I’ve created a host of secondary characters—I may even add the old couple we met at the restaurant!

***

Title: Five Minutes to Love

Series and Book #: Serendipity Series, Book 2

Author/pen name: Jennifer Wilck

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Date of Publication:  March 21, 2018

ASIN:  B079WMLNJB

ISBN: 1509219544

Number of pages: 210

Word Count:  70,425

Blurb: 

Aviva Shulman has had enough of the dating scene. Her father valued his high-powered career over his wife and family. She wants something more, someone who values her. But her roommates are determined to find her the perfect match.

Jacob Black doesn't have time for relationships. A third-year law student, he's focused on studying and getting a high-paying job with a top-notch law firm. But his overbearing mother wants him to find someone and settle down.  

Their paths cross at a speed dating event and sparks fly. But is five minutes long enough to determine a future together?

Buy links: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Five-Minutes-Love-Serendipity-Book-ebook/dp/B079WMLNJB

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/five-minutes-to-love-jennifer-wilck/1128011304?ean=2940158814495

The Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5742-five-minutes-to-love.html?search_query=jennifer+wilck&results=6

Excerpt: 

“You’re up.”

He jumped off the white plastic chair, unaware how lost he’d been in his thoughts. “Sorry.” He checked the scoreboard. “You’re beating me.”

She smiled.

Was it his imagination, or did she stand a little straighter, preen a tiny bit? Definitely not a girly-girl. In her heels, she’d only come up to his chin; now, in the ugly bowling shoes, she barely reached his shoulder. Her eyes twinkled. With her short hair, she resembled a pixie. He was tempted to search for fairy wings.

“Yes. Yes, I am.”


“I’m not sure my manliness can handle this.”


“Oh, I don’t know.” She lowered her gaze from his face, down his body to his feet, and up again. “I think your ‘manliness’ will survive. Flourish, even.”

Jacob’s neck heated. He shifted from one foot to the other at her unexpected perusal. He reached for the bowling ball.

When he turned to her again, she was smiling.
Two could play this game.
“Oh, yes, I’ll flourish.” Standing next to the ball return, he raked his gaze from the top of her short- cropped, pixie haircut, down to her chest, where he lingered for a moment. He continued past her waist and hips, down her legs to the tips of her ugly bowling shoes. When he finally returned to meet her face, it was bright red, almost matching the neon sign pointing to the snack bar behind her head. He leaned toward her, his bowling ball between them.

Her breath brushed his chin, warm and unsteady. A lock of hair fell across her forehead. He pushed it in place with one finger, one finger that drew across her smooth skin and traced her fine-boned skull. She bit her lip. He pulled away, millimeter by millimeter, though he wanted to do more.

“But first, I’ll win.” He winked, walked toward the foul line, adjusted his stance, took a few strides, swung his arm, and let the ball go. It spun down the lane. At the last moment, it veered into the gutter. Jacob’s jaw dropped. He shook his head, turned, and stopped short.

Aviva tapped her fingers on the table. “Interesting strategy you’ve got there.” Her eyes sparkled. Her tone told him she wasn’t being mean.

He’d liked her sense of humor before; he couldn’t decide to not like it when she was teasing him.

He nodded in acknowledgment, turned and swung the ball. It knocked down seven pins.

Aviva grabbed her ball, patted his arm, and aimed at the pins. Strike. She didn’t move. Jacob couldn’t figure out why she stood still, until her shoulders began to shake.

She was laughing. At him.

She turned around. Tears ran down her face. She inhaled. “I’m sorry. I swear I have no idea how it happened.”

“Sure you don’t.” As his grin widened, he bit the insides of his cheeks, folded his arms and did his best to look sad. “What a way to get a guy when he’s down.”

“You’re not down. You just challenged the bowling gods. They don’t like human challengers.”

“Bowling gods?”

“Of course. How else do you think we recreational bowlers manage it?” She stepped toward him. Her green eyes were wide with fake innocence.

“Bowling gods.”

“Exactly. You challenged them.” At this point, they were toe-to-toe. Her floral scent wafted around him. He refocused on her words.

“As you like to say, Aviva, technically, I challenged you.”

“Yes, but with bowling skill, so you actually challenged them too.”

She looked supremely satisfied with her circuitous bowling logic. Jacob had an urge to kiss her. Her lips were full and pink and tantalizingly close. He rested one hand on her waist and clasped the other hand behind her neck. She rose on tiptoe. This close, the brown flecks in her eyes shone. Her pupils widened. He tilted his head, leaned down and softly kissed her lips.

Author bio: 

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. When she’s not writing, she loves to laugh with her family and friends, is a pro at finding whatever her kids lost in plain sight, and spends way too much time closing doors that should never have been left open in the first place. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

She writes contemporary romance, some of which are mainstream and some of which involve Jewish characters. She’s published with The Wild Rose Press and all her books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Author website and social media links:

Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/

Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2055470311366345/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck

Author Carolyn Walker

My favorite vacation spot is the beach. I live in Florida, so I’m always within a few hours of a beach somewhere, and I go often! My favorite one is Palm Beach on the southeastern side of the state. The weather is tropical, there are beautiful shells, and water is a gorgeous clear turquoise where you can see down to the marshes in some parts. There are some great lazy beach-bum spots, glamourous waterfront hotels, and some amazing eats, along S. Ocean Blvd!

A close second to the Palm Beach area is Destin Beach up in the Florida Panhandle. The sand is so soft there, it’s like walking on powder. The waters face the Gulf of Mexico so the water is slightly cooler but it’s beautiful. There’s also some really beautiful scenery and forests in this part of the state too! I went to college in the Tallahassee, FL (right near the crook of the panhandle) and the area inspired me so much, I used it as the setting at the opening of my novel Immortal Descent! 

Thanks for the opportunity to share my escape with you!

My Husband, our daughter, and I at Destin Beach!

Me and my chihuahua Dixie in the sand!

I’m hiding behind my big hat and sunglasses but still enjoying the beach breeze in Palm Beach!

***

Immortal Descent

Carolyn M. Walker

Book Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy

Release Date: 4/3/2018

Publisher: Clean Reads / Astrea Press

Book Description:

Deep in the caves of rural Western Germany, the truth about immortality has remained a secret for centuries, but now that secret is about to break free...

Ethan West knows what it means to be different. With a haunted past and a strange sixth sense he sometimes can’t control, Ethan’s in search of a better future. Instead, he’s brutally attacked. Narrowly saved by the beautiful and mysterious Rue, Ethan quickly learns the world is darker and more bizarre than he had ever imagined. And sparing his life comes with a price: being reborn immortal. Now, a dark faction of ancient, cursed immortal beings known as Lorns are after him. And they want his rare, newly awakened soul.

Descended from the mythological Nephilim, Lorns are bound by either the divine force of order or the mortal force of chaos. Ethan is a rarity, bound by neither, yet he is ruled by both. Now, wielding an ancient and volatile power, Rue and her Alliance work to keep Ethan from spiraling out of control. At the heart of a terrifying underground war between Lorns, Ethan becomes the target of one side and a savior to the other. Amid everything, Ethan struggles to understand his own purpose and power—an ordeal that tests his loyalties, beliefs, and sanity in ways unimaginable. And the greatest danger is yet to come.

Amazon

Book Excerpt #2:

Now or never.

Using all the strength she still had within her, Victoria reared back and rammed her shoulder into Tristan’s chest, shoving him back off the small bed. As he fell back, she leapt up, her weak but determined feet hitting the cold stone ground. Stumbling forward, Victoria almost fell but corrected herself and managed to make it to the door, which she hastily unbolted, and ran out.

Tristan stood and dusted off the pant legs of his slacks then gave a sigh. “What a naughty little girl,” he said and strolled out the door after her.

Victoria was frantic as she ran down one corridor then another before reaching a short flight of stairs. She hurried up them two at a time until she found herself in another darkened room. She dashed through the space, searching for the exit. At last, she saw a thin slip of light beneath the doorway at the end of another hall. She increased her speed, pushing through it and out into the bright, hot light of late day. Spread out before her was the expanse of golden wheat fields as far as the eye could see. She looked around and around but only saw fields for miles in every direction.

“Where am I?” she said to herself, realizing she was no longer in Switzerland.

“I’ve just acquired this place,” Tristan said, standing back in the doorway to the desolate, oversized farm house. “Quite a find. It came ‘as is,’ and I can’t wait to improve it.”

Victoria spun around, taking in the whole of the house and the land surrounding it. “Why have you taken me here? And what did you do to me?” she asked again.

“As I’ve said before, you belong to me now. So, you go where I deem you fit to be.”

“No,” she retorted.

“Yes,” Tristan countered. “Soon, you will transition into my faithful Lorn, and in time, you will see everything in a much clearer light.”

About the Author:

Carolyn M. Walker is a California native and lover of all things literary. As an avid reader, she always enjoying new and exciting reads. Now as an avid storyteller, it is her mission to bring that same joy to her beloved readers. After earning her Bachelors in English Literature and Psychology, Carolyn went on to pen the draft for her first fiction novel and hasn’t looked back since. Aside from writing, she is also passionate about art, food, travel, history, and music. Carolyn has a soft spot for holiday cooking and loves experimenting with new recipes and treats. She also loves the beach, snorkeling and diving. Carolyn now lives in sunny Florida with her husband and daughter.

Website: https://carolynmwalker.wordpress.com/ 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissWriteWise  

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/misswri/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Carolyn-M.-Walker/e/B079VJ3N9M

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17271041.Carolyn_M_Walker

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Author DW Marshall

Our family took a trip a few years ago to Oahu, Hawaii. We stayed on the Northshore in a tiny little beach house right on Kamehameha highway. We stayed for 11 days and basically lived like locals. We didn’t spend as much time in the water as we would have liked because some of the days the tide was high and there were jellyfish in the water! Our favorite beach was Sunset beach because the sand was soft and golden, and I enjoyed watching the surfers. We picked Oahu because there was a lot to do for the kids.

We spent a day at Waimea Falls, eating lunch in the company of rare birds, before making the 3.5 mile beautiful hike up to the falls. My son’s friend was taking pictures under the fall and dropped her phone, and seeing how it’s 45 feet deep, we said bye-bye to her phone and all of her photos.

We also visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation. When we went through the maze we decided to have a  code if we got split up. If one of us says Marco, the other would yell Polo until we found each other. That didn’t work out so well because every family in the maze joined in.

A highlight was our visit to Turtle Bay. The shape of the bay prevents large marine predators from getting inside, so the humungous sea turtles live long glorious lives and even come and sun on the beach, but people can only look and take pictures. No touching allowed. It was on or drive to turtle beach that youngest son and I saw a unicorn! No one believes us, but we both caught the brief glimpse and said at the same time “Did you see that unicorn!”

Another funny moment from my younger son was one of our first days on the island. We were sitting at a picnic table surrounded by food trucks. There were chickens everywhere. I’m thinking they might be the state bird. One of them walked up to our son and he decided to feed it. Then he panicked and shouted. “I just fed chicken to a chicken!” It was hilarious, but we did feel bad for the chicken.

Oh and the food trucks and fresh fruit on the side of the road are everything! Our best day as adults was when my husband and I left the kids at the house. Don’t worry, our oldest was and his friend were both 16 and our youngest 13. We snuck off and found a food truck that was featured on the travel channel cause we were tired of spending money on all five of us to eat out, when we stocked the fridge the day we arrived. We sat outside and devoured everything and even when the clouds opened up and it began to pour we didn’t budge.

Our trip ended with a tropical storm so bad we thought our little beach house on stilts was going to blow away. When we woke the next morning the flooding was so bad that we almost missed our flight home because we couldn’t get into the rental car.

The trip was filled with amazing sights, we were dog tired from trying to see everything. The next time we go to Hawaii we are going to do it resort style, because keeping up a house, no matter how small, was rough.

The sea turtle on Turtle Bay

A gorgeous park setting on the hike to the falls

The kids body surfing, yes we made them wear life jackets!

A sunset on Sunset Beach

My son and me on the way to the falls

Our little beach house on stilts

***

Title: Dominic

Series and Book #: Book 6 in the Seven Chamber Series

Author/pen name: D.W. Marshall

Genre:  Contemporary Romance/Saga

Publisher: Wicked Moon Penning

Date of Publication:  July 2017

ASIN: B073YD6P46

ISBN:

Number of pages: 177

Word Count:  50438

Blurb: 

A life of darkness. That’s all Dominic has left after enduring an unimaginable tragedy. Without the capacity to feel love or empathy, he turns to life as an assassin. When Mason Wilde appears seemingly out of nowhere and offers him a job at a lavish estate, Dominic jumps at the opportunity, if only to hold on to what little humanity he has left.

Heading up the security staff at The Chamber is certainly an easier career path, once he gets past the fact that each year a group of women is kidnapped to pleasure rich and powerful men. Dominic struggles with the morality of his new vocation, but he knows the women would be in the same circumstances regardless. At least he is a protector, not a killer.

Then her face flashes across a surveillance monitor and everything changes. Vivian Marie Travis. A raven-haired beauty who heals his heart immediately. She’s been selected for the next Chamber, but the thought of her suffering in any way incites emotions in Dominic that he never thought he’d feel again. 

His instincts tell him to try and save Vivian, but he is a stranger to her. Even worse, when she realizes his association with The Chamber, how will she not think of him as a monster? There is no way she could ever fall for him—he has nothing good to offer her. The strangest part is, Dominic wants to try.

Dominic is the first of The Men of The Chamber Series from D.W. Marshall, author of The Seven Chambers contemporary new adult romance novels, and a retelling of Stolen Flame from the guy's point of view. For a richer reading experience, consider reading Stolen Flame before Dominic.

Buy links: http://amzn.to/2eV0zgg

Excerpt: 

That year the graduation ceremony was being held at the Polynesian Cultural Center. When Dallas Luke’s name was announced, I clapped and cheered the loudest, because I was clapping and cheering for Ma too. It was the one and only day since I was sixteen that I allowed myself to smile.

Of all the places to make Mason’s acquaintance, it was in the bathroom.

“Hello. Are you by chance Dominic Luke?” he asks me when we’re washing our hands at the sink.

I don’t say a word to him. Instead I assess him. Just under six feet, strong, but not bulky. Dark hair, white skin, dark piercing blue gaze. I can take him out without thought, and since he knows me and I don’t know who the fuck he is, I see the cold bathroom floor in his immediate future. “Who the fuck is asking?” 

I’m not the same person I was when I was a teen. I grew an additional three inches to a full six-three, and a well-muscled two hundred and forty pounds of lethal don’t fuck with me.

“I’m not here to cause you any trouble. I am here to offer you a job. One in security, high paying, and no killing,” he says, handing me a business card.

I don’t take my eyes off him to take the card. Never take your eyes off someone you may need to beat the shit out of. Instead I stuff it into my back pocket. I grab a couple paper towels, continuing to assess him. One thing I notice is his confidence as he too is maintaining eye contact.

“You would be in charge of my entire security team. The job starts immediately, pays four million per year, and requires travel and complete discretion. Call me by tonight if you are interested.”

And he was gone.

Hmph. That was some weird shit. Random intense dude follows me into the bathroom to offer me a job.

I meet up with my family for dinner. I am quiet as usual. Listening to my family chatter about this and that. We were always a chatty bunch. Animated mother and father equals animated kids. Thankfully, my sisters haven’t lost their sparkle. Unfortunately, mine is forever gone. My sister is going out with her friends after dinner. My dad and other sister Dacia were headed home. I give them all hugs, promise to visit soon and make my way to my hotel. I’m sure my old room is an option for me, but I am not ready for more of a reunion than this. I come from shiny happy people, and I am dull and depressed. Spending any more time trying to stuff a square peg into a round hole would only lead to problems.

Author bio:

D.W. Marshall an author of an eclectic array of romance novels writes direct and distinctive dialogue wrapped in strong characters. D.W. lives in Las Vegas with her husband and teenage sons. When she isn’t writing, she’s reading, watching movies, or indulging in her long time obsession with the television show The Flash.

Author website and social media links:

https://twitter.com/dwmarshall7

https://www.facebook.com/SevenChamberSeries/