#FreebieFriday Pick up your free copy of TAKE A CHANCE BOX SET #2

TakeaChanceBoxset2Woo hoo, it’s Friday and I’ve got a freebie for you! Claim your copy of the TAKE A CHANCE Box Set #2 which has all 6 – YES SIX – stories in the Take a Chance Military Romance Series.

I have loved writing this series and am currently outlining the next three in the series that I hope to have out later in the year. I just love writing about our military heroes.

By the way, if you’ve read any of the stories, help a girl out and leave a review!

Just use this link to claim your copy: http://www.instafreebie.com/free/eENTm

#ThrowbackThursday My Funny Valentine

Since it is so close to Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d share of photo of me with my Valentine – my hubby. And yes, he’s funny and my friend. He’s been supportive through both good times and bad. Is it all perfect? Of course not. A marriage takes work and a give and take (a theme of the new story I’m writing by the way).

So here we are during our honeymoon in Hawaii. We were getting on a boat for a romantic dinner cruise.
Honeymoon in Hawaii

#WriteWed Boardwalk Inspirations

The title of my new story is UNDER THE BOARDWALK and it’s a sexy contemporary romance inspired by the Jersey Shore Boardwalk, in particular, the boardwalks in Ocean Grove and Asbury Park.

My hero and heroine are actually married, but separated. Their wish for their night together is to rekindle the passion and relationship that had begun on one very special night on the boardwalk. It was a tough story at first because I had to find a balance between them being angry with each other with the state of their marriage, but also being hopeful that they could restore what they once had. Now that I got that balance right, the story and sexiness is just flying along.

Under the Boardwalk will be part of the SUMMER HEAT box set which will be available for pre-order on March 9. I’ll have links and other info for you soon.

In the meantime, some photos of the locations and boardwalks that inspired my story!

#TuesdayTip Facial Toning Exercises

Let’s face it, gravity keeps us grounded, but it also isn’t the friendliest thing for some of our body parts. Regular exercise can help with keeping your body toned, but what about your face? Is there anything you can do to deal with the effects of gravity and aging?

Apparently there is! Check out the links to these sites and some facial toning exercises to help deal with some very common problems, including drooping eyelids and saggy skin along your jaws and neck.

You may notice that some of the above links mention yoga. My sister is really into yoga, so much so that she became certified to teach. I went to one of her classes the other day and then to a different class on Saturday. In the summer months there is yoga on the beach on Sundays and I love going. I’ve never had good balance or flexibility, so age isn’t necessarily to blame for those things. I find that I am improving both with some occasional yoga classes and doing some yoga at home with a DVD.

Hope these tips helped you today!
Yoga on the Beach

#FreebieFriday A Visit with Alexa Verde & RIVER OF DANGER

I am so happy to have with me today my buddy Alexa Verde who has a free read for us and some goodies! Leave a comment on this blog post for a chance to win an e-copy of Alexa’s debut book COLOR OF DANGER.

Here’s a little but about Alexa!

    A teacher and translator turned author of Christian romantic suspense, Alexa Verde loves writing more than she loves seafood and strawberry cheesecake, and that’s saying something. She has over 200 short stories, poems, and articles published in the five languages she speaks and has more diplomas on the wall than she knows what to do with. After traveling the world and living in both hemispheres, Alexa calls south Texas home. Please visit her online at www.alexaverde.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alexaverdeauthor and on Twitter at @AlexaVerde3.

Teaser from RIVER OF DANGER

RiverofDangerCoverHer body went limp. River breathed fast and hard, as if she’d run a marathon in front of a train. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

If she didn’t manage to stop soon, she’d make it to the bridge. Losing control of her car there meant falling into dark, deep waters. River gripped the steering wheel even tighter. It vibrated and moved in her hands, like a snake struggling to get away. The night when she’d faced death once before flashed in her mind, a sharp blade pressed to her throat, the metallic scent of her own blood hanging in the air.

Aren’t you scared, River? Aren’t you very, very scared?

Wincing, she got rid of the soft voice in her head and the memories.

“Lord, please forgive me. Please help me,” she whispered.

Cold drops formed on her forehead and trickled down her face, but she couldn’t wipe them off, couldn’t release the wheel. She held on to it, though her palms were clammy with cold sweat as well.

She was not going to die today.

Determined, River eased on the brake. Somehow, someway, she managed to slide to the shoulder. The tires whispered against the gravel and then the grass when she brought the car to a complete stop.

For several seconds, she couldn’t move, see, or draw a single breath. Her mind was blank, as if unable to comprehend she was still alive.

“Thank you, Lord. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

Still trembling, River looked in the rearview mirror. Whoever had messed with her tire could be following her. But no cars had stopped so far.

She knew she should call for road service to replace her tire. Judging by the sign she’d passed not long ago, she was close to her sleepy hometown, Rios Azules, in south Texas. So it wouldn’t be long until somebody would come to her rescue. But her hands were shaking, and as soon as she fished out her cell phone from her purse, it slipped and fell to the floor.

River dropped her head on her hands and let herself dive into a quick oblivion.

A knock on the window brought her to reality. She jerked up. How could she let herself zone out that way? Somebody had obviously unscrewed her tire, most likely at the last gas station where she’d gone to get coffee and her favorite beef jerky. That person could be knocking at her window now!

River ducked and reached for her purse, where she carried a .38 caliber pistol, a habit ever since she’d been attacked. She gathered her willpower to stop her fingers from trembling.

“Are you all right? Can I help you?” inquired someone with a deep baritone laced with worry. “River?”

She tensed and relaxed at the same time. She’d recognize that voice from a million voices.

Jacob Forrester.

Alexa’s Books are available at:

COLOR OF DANGER: http://amzn.to/1V8sEtP
RIVER OF DANGER: http://amzn.to/1V8sz9w

Have a great weekend!

#ThrowbackThursday The Very First Book Signing & Thanks

It’s not possible to talk about reaching the ONE MILLION BOOKS SOLD mark (still can’t get over it) without talking about the very first one as well as some people who have been so very very instrumental in giving me the opportunity to write for you!

First of all, a big thank you to the fabulous Fern Michaels who took the time to read my first works and put me in touch with her editor. Her advice and support was invaluable in my deciding I might actually be able to write.

Another big thank you to the late Gwynne Foster who I sat with at one meeting and basically told me, “What are you waiting for! Just send it to them!” I did and got a call just a few weeks later from my very first editor, Diane Stockwell. It was such a pleasure working with her on the Encanto line and if it wasn’t for her support (and buying my very first book).

Things don’t always go smoothly in the publishing world and when Encanto disappeared, it took me a few years to sell another book. This time it was to the awesome Stacy Boyd who always brought out the best in my writing and who has been a wonderful advocate at Harlequin. Thank you, Stacy.

There have been many many other people and I don’t want them to feel left out, but I’ll share more thanks in the future (since I really really really want to milk this moment – LOL!).

To end today’s Throwback Thursday, here is a photo from my very first signing in Menlo Park Mall.
samMeFirstsigning

#WriteWed One Million Books Sold!

I’ve been nearing a milestone for several months and I still have to tally some numbers, but even without them, I’ve hit a very special milestone: ONE MILLION BOOKS SOLD.

Wow. Now I know there are people who have hit that number and more. There are people who hit that number in a really fast time. I’ve kind of been like the tortoise and not the hare, but despite that, it’s reason to celebrate a milestone that many writers may never reach.

So, WOO HOO! I’m still in a little shock about it and deciding how to celebrate since it’s truly something to celebrate. I think we’ll have a giveaway for starters. Maybe even a little get together at a conference. I’d love to hear from you about how to share this very special moment with you!

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