Live to Love on the Edge Blog

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#Throwback Thursday Colonial Williamsburg

One of our favorite family vacations was to Colonial Williamsburg. I’d been there many times as a kid since my mom really wanted us to learn everything we could about the United States. I loved all the times we went there!

My hubby and I did a trip together when we were first married and then took our daughter there. We had a blast. We got involved in a militia, did a court case, got shackled in the square and ate at each of the different restaurants. They were really interesting since each one represented a different class of people and showed you what they were likely to eat, their entertainment, etc.

If you get a chance to visit, please do so. You’ll really enjoy it. Here’s pictures of us on this #Throwback Thursday.

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Also, check out the new and funny Colonial Williamsburg commercials!

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#WriteWed Just One Night and the Boys of Summer

ONE NIGHT ONLYA lot of writers will tell you they have a playlist of songs in their head as they are creating their story.

Not me. I’m totally into the stories and characters on their own and it isn’t until after that I can match up songs with them.

For sure that’s the story with JUST ONE NIGHT, my contribution to the ONE NIGHT ONLY #Erotic #Romance anthology.

The initial inspiration for Jase, the hero in the story, came from my days at Villanova and awareness of the ROTC program there. It was always lovely to see the men and women in dress uniforms on campus and at other events.

The Jersey Shore location is thanks to my love of that area, but also because I grew up close to the water and spent a lot of time at the beach. I remember driving to Jones Beach, listening to the Beach Boys and later as a teen, to songs like this one by Don Henley. Actually, this is probably my anthem for my days on the shore and Jase is definitely a “Boy of Summer” for the heroine, Nicole.

I hope you enjoy this rendition by Don Henley from a Farm Aid concert. Thanks to Farm Aid for posting it on Youtube! If you can’t see the Boys of Summer video below, please click here.

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#TeaserTuesday FIGHT FOR LOVE Coming This Summer

Vampire Reborn, a novella in The Calling is Reborn Vampire novel seriesThese are the last days of the special .99 pricing for VAMPIRE REBORN. Many thanks to My Book Addiction and More who gave it 5 Stars and said it was “Packed full of passion and romance.”

I want to also thank everyone who has left a review for the novella! It is truly appreciated as it really does help authors. If you’ve read the novella and haven’t had a chance to leave a review, please help me out by doing so.

You can buy VAMPIRE REBORN at these online e-tailers and in print at Amazon.

Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Itunes    Kobo

But now for something I’ve never ever done before: A teaser from the next book in the series – FIGHT FOR LOVE – which will be out this summer.

In FIGHT FOR LOVE you’ll see the continuation of Diana and Ryder’s relationship, a new love story with slayer-turned vampire Benjamin and a delicious suspense with a villain who both kills and steals energies from his victims! Look for FIGHT FOR LOVE in August.

Teaser

Chapter 1

The first kill had been a spur of the moment decision and had brought too much scrutiny.

A mistake that would not be repeated.

It had taken a month of careful scouting to get to this point. A month of identifying the individuals who possessed sacred life forces and learning their habits, including this little meeting at the local santero’s shop in Spanish Harlem. A real santero gifted with enormous powers unlike some of the fakes who dotted the landscape of the barrio.

But the santero wasn’t going to the be first one taken.

The weakest link was always the easiest and this time, the evidence of what had been done would not be as obvious as with the slain Slayer Council member.

She strolled out of the santero’s shop with the other gifted ones, smiling almost beatifically. She really was very beautiful, with flawless coffee-colored skin and a body meant for sin. But her beauty would not save her. If anything, it would increase the enjoyment of what was to follow and the pain she would suffer.

Following behind at a discreet distance, hunting her, stimulated the growing core of blackness inside.

The thrill of the chase brought intense excitement, especially as she waved her friends goodbye and moved off on her own.

She never bothered to look around, even in the neighborhood that was so-so at best.

Youth never understood their own mortality.

Another block and there was a little more distance from friends and the santero’s shop. They were also a little closer to the small storefront just off the FDR drive where everything was waiting for her arrival and in a way, her departure.

Speeding up, the distance between them shortened and as if finally sensing a presence, she nervously looked over her shoulder. She offered an uneasy smile for a brief moment and increased her pace, but it was too late.

With a surge of speed, she was imprisoned.

A sharp blast of power made her knees buckle and she fell to the ground.

Lifting her, she was slight and her weight seemed almost non-existent, but power radiated from every cell in her body.

Delicious.

After tonight, there would be no turning back. No escaping the path to soul-eating darkness. It would be worth it for the incredible mind-blowing power to be possessed.

It would be as it should have been all along.

Nothing could stop it now.

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#ManCandyMonday Sexy Blonde Guys & Cover Reveal

There’s an interesting discussion at Heroes & Heartbreakers about why Ladies Do Not Prefer Blondes as Romance Heroes.

I never really thought about it, having had multiple blondes are romance heroes and the hero in my latest book, Jase, is a blonde surfer dude kind of guy. This is kind of how I pictured him.
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Plus, let’s talk about all those sexy blonde guys because there a lot of them that are drool-worthy. Kellan Lutz. The Hemsworth Brothers. Ryan Gosling. Paul Walker. So let’s here it for the blondes this morning! LOL!

And now the cover reveal for JUST ONE NIGHT which is in the ONE NIGHT ONLY Erotic Romance Anthology, but which will be out separately on June 9. These are your last days to get the anthology for only .99 cents. The price will be going up shortly. JUST ONE NIGHT will be specially priced at .99 for a limited time.

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Creamy Cheese Grits #FoodieFriday

Being a Southern girl (Cuba is pretty far South you know), I love grits in all forms. Whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner, if grits are on the menu, you can be sure I’ll ask for them.

Now, I know many of you either don’t like or haven’t tried grits, but seriously try this recipe! You’ll love it and you can change it up by changing up the amount of milk/half-and-half/water and the kind of cheese you’re using.

So here goes with today’s #FoodieFriday Recipe.

Creamy Cheese Grits

4 cups whole milk (you can change this up to be 2 cups milk, 2 cups water; 2 cups half-and-half, 2 cups water, etc.)
1 cup coarse ground grits (not instant)
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 oz grated cheddar cheese (for some spiciness use Montery Pepper Jack cheese)

Warm the milk and add the grits, salt and butter. Gradually bring to a low boil, stirring all the time. Stir until smooth and creamy and the grits are soft – about 20-30 minutes. Add the cheese and stir again until the cheese is incorporated and creamy.

That’s it! Pretty simple and you can serve it with eggs for breakfast. If you cool it and place it in a baking dish, you can slice and grill it to serve as a side dish to dinner.
yellow corn grits

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#WriteWed #OneNightOnly Playlist Teenaged Dream by Katy Perry

I love Katy Perry! Okay, now that I got that out of my system. . .

One of the things that Nickie and Jase banter about in JUST ONE NIGHT, my contribution to the ONE NIGHT ONLY erotic romance anthology is how Nickie reads romance novels during her summers on the beach.

Actually, Nickie also spends a lot of time fantasizing about Jase as he’s up in the lifeguard stand and pictures him as the hero in one of her novels. She finally confesses that to Jase during their one night together.

Somehow TEENAGED DREAM by Katy Perry came to mind when I asked myself what song might be right for the playlist for Nickie and Jase’s story. I could imagine Nickie listening to this on her Ipod while she kind of reads her romances and wishes she had the courage to finally take a chance with Jase.

If you can’t see the Katy Perry video below, please click here.

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#TeaserTuesday Guest Blog & #Giveaway with Alexa Verde

I am so delighted to have with us today Alexa Verde who I have known for so many years and is releasing her debut novel this month!

Here is a little bit about Alexa before we get to her teaser!

Alexa Verde fell in love with writing at age eight when she penned her first poem. After publishing 200 short stories, poems, and articles in the five languages she speaks, Alexa has turned her creative passion to writing novels. Her 2014 debut inspirational romantic suspense, COLOR OF DANGER, is the first in her Secrets of Rios Azules series—set in a fictional small Texas town where rivers and emotions run deep and the richest family in town has a taste for fine food, jewelry, and murder. For news, recipes, giveaways, and more, please visit Alexa at these links:

www.alexaverde.com
www.goodreads.com/book/show/22017076-color-of-danger
www.facebook.com/alexaverdeauthor

Blurb

ColorOfDangerCoverNewFormer runaway Mari Del Lobo works hard to save her struggling restaurant and to trust people again. Dallas surgeon Dr. Luke Goodman turns her world upside down with terrifying news. A recent murder has her late brother’s – aka the Smiling Killer – signature and MO. When attacks on her escalate, Mari fights her growing attraction to the good doctor as fiercely as she fights for her life. To rescue herself and those she loves, will she be able to stop the murderer before he strikes again?

Luke couldn’t save his fiancée from the Smiling Killer, but he’ll do anything to prevent more murders, even ask help from the serial killer’s sister. Finding a kindred tortured soul and the perpetrator’s next target in Mari, Luke is determined to protect the stubborn ex-rebel. But Mari would rather face danger than risk the safety of the man she comes to love.

Teaser

Luke approached the road Mari was taking at ninety degrees. Her motorcycle was dashing between cars. His jaw dropped. Was someone after her?

Saying a quick prayer for her safety, he floored the gas pedal and came to the intersection at full speed.

Ignoring the red light, he turned to the right, wedging himself into traffic before the oncoming car.

Angry honking exploded behind him. But he could only concentrate on Mari’s figure that was rapidly disappearing in front of him. With no opening to his left, he passed the car in front of him by driving on the shoulder. Now he had a duet of honking cars. Shrugging it off, he moved to the left, afraid she was running away from somebody. But what if it was her usual way of driving?

He turned on his left blinker, and the car in the passing lane slowed down, letting him in, probably the driver figuring it was safer anyway. He repeated the maneuver several times and arrived at The Café’s parking lot.

Mari’s lanky figure was moving toward the entrance. He jumped out of his car and gave chase. He caught up with her before she reached the door.

“What was it?” He was breathing hard. “Was somebody after you? Or do you like riding between cars?”

“I do.” She turned around.

He clenched his teeth. What was she thinking? “You were putting yourself and other people in danger!”

“But I haven’t done it for an adrenaline rush in forever. And not this time. Somebody tried to run me off the road. I had to get away.”

Cold ran down his back. “How do you know?”

“Something about the way he was trying to hit my motorcycle might have given him away.” Mari placed her hands on her hips, but her lower lip trembled slightly. “The guy was wearing dark glasses, a gray T-shirt, and a cowboy hat. Not much to go on. He was driving a black SUV with tinted windows.”

The same type of car that had rushed out of the hospital parking lot the night before. “Did you get the license plate number?”

Teasing sparks danced in her eyes, and her lip wasn’t trembling anymore. “Nope. I was too busy trying not to be run off the road. I’ll text Aidan about it regardless. By the way, I have doubts now you’re the one threatening me. You couldn’t be in SUV and your car at the same time.”

“Thanks. I think.” He heaved a sigh of relief. “I don’t believe you helped Antonio to kill those girls. And I’m sure you didn’t kill June.”

“Because I was at The Café at the time. You checked my alibi, didn’t you?” She narrowed her eyes.

“That, too. Do you trust me now?”

“I don’t have much choice. We have to find the murderer before he kills somebody else, me included. One more thing. I probably overreacted at home,” Mari said.

Luke opened his arms, and she accepted his embrace. He stroked her short hair, so soft under his fingertips, and her fragile shoulders, and his heart melted. How was it possible that in such a short time she’d become so important to him? Her fight was his fight now.

“I’ll keep you safe,” he whispered.

Mari was still alive, and he’d gained some of her trust back.

Probably just in time. It seemed that with Mari every extra day she lived was already a victory.

To purchase COLOR OF DANGER, please visit Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/qc37828

Also, Alexa is having a giveaway to celebrate this release, so for a chance to win a $20 Amazon GC, please use this Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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