Falling Leaves

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Review: The Bargain Episode III by Vanessa Riley

The Bargain

by Vanessa Riley

Christian Regency Historical Fiction

ebook & print, 160 pages

August 24, 2015 by Gallium Optronics, LLC

A Port Elizabeth Regency Tale: Season One #3

In this Episode:

Precious Jewell has lived a life filled with disappointments, and it has caused her to wrestle with her beliefs. Port Elizabeth was meant to be a new beginning, not another chance to dance with death. With her eyes clouded in confusion, how can she protect young Jonas or even her new friend Mrs. Narvel? The guilt of kissing Eliza's husband and marveling at the black warriors who've attacked the colonists is gnawing at her, making her doubt her strength. What God is doing? Well, Precious is determined to figure things out and do what's best, even if it means forgetting her attraction to Lord Welling. Yet, will the man let her?

Gareth Conroy has exposed his young heir, a pregnant woman, and his late wife's feisty maid to the dangers of Port Elizabeth. He must make things right, but what is that: admitting defeat and returning to London, staying and committing to a loveless marriage of convenience, or negotiating with Xhosa, a people set on the colonist's destruction?

Whatever his path, there is one thing he's not ready to do. He's not letting the memory of Precious in his arms fade.

The Bargain:

Coming to London has given Precious Jewell a taste of freedom, and she will do anything, bear anything, to keep it. Defying her master is at the top of her mind, and she won't let his unnerving charm sway her. Yet, will her restored courage lead her to forsake a debt owed to the grave and a child who is as dear to her as her own flesh?

Gareth Conroy, the third Baron Welling, can neither abandon his upcoming duty to lead the fledgling colony of Port Elizabeth, South Africa nor find the strength to be a good father to his heir. Every look at the boy reminds him of the loss of his wife. Guilt over her death plagues his sleep, particularly when he returns to London. Perhaps the spirit and fine eyes of her lady's maid, Precious Jewell, might offer the beleaguered baron a new reason to dream.

The Bargain is a serialized story or soap opera told in episodes. Each episode averages from three to eight chapters, about 15,000 to 30,000 words. Each episode resolves one issue. Emotional cliffhangers may be offered, but the plot, the action of the episode, will be complete in resolving the main issue.

My promise to you is that the action will be compelling, and I will tell you in the forward the length of the episode. This episode, Episode III, is eleven chapters long, 30,000 words. There are 4 episodes total for Season 1. Enjoy these Regency Tales set in South Africa.

--VR

The Bargain is the first Port Elizabeth Regency Tale. Episode 3: Choices of a Leader, a Father, a Man

Amazon│B&N

The Bargain

by Vanessa Riley

Christian Regency Historical Romance

ebook & print, 135 pages

May 22, 2015 by Gallium Optronics, LLC

A Port Elizabeth Regency Tale: Season One #2

In this episode:

The vastness of the cresting ocean isn't enough to drown Precious Jewell's high spirits or her dreams of doing for herself, but a false move and an old nightmare have placed her in more jeopardy, Lord Welling's bedchamber.

Captaining his schooner to Port Elizabeth was his only refuge, until his ship was invaded by land lovers, his son and his challenging caregiver. Perhaps, Miss Jewell's vivacity and audacity are just what he needs to quell rebellion amongst his crew and his heart.

The Bargain is a serialized story told in episodes. Each episode averages from three to eight chapters about 15,000 to 30,000 words. Each episode resolves one issue. Emotional cliffhangers may be offered, but the plot, the action of the episode, will be complete in resolving the main issue.

My promise to you is that the action will be compelling, and I will tell you in the forward how long the episode will be. This episode is eight chapters long, 25,000 words.

Enjoy these Regency Tales set in South Africa. --VR

Coming to London has given Precious Jewell a taste of freedom, and she will do anything, bear anything, to keep it. Defying her master is at the top of her mind, and she won’t let his unnerving charm sway her. Yet, will her restored courage lead her to forsake a debt owed to the grave and a child who is as dear to her as her own flesh?

Gareth Conroy, the third Baron Welling, can neither abandon his upcoming duty to lead the fledgling colony of Port Elizabeth, South Africa nor find the strength to be a good father to his heir. Every look at the boy reminds him of the loss of his wife. Guilt over her death plagues his sleep, particularly when he returns to London. Perhaps the spirit and fine eyes of her lady’s maid, Precious Jewell, might offer the beleaguered baron a new reason to dream.

Amazon│B&N

The Bargain

by Vanessa Riley

Christian Regency Historical Romance

ebook & print, 88 pages

March 15, 2015 by Gallium Optronics, LLC

A Port Elizabeth Regency Tale: Season One #1

Coming to London has given Precious Jewell a taste of freedom, and she will do anything, bear anything, to keep it. Defying her master is at the top of her mind, and she won't let his unnerving charm sway her. Yet, will her restored courage lead her to forsake a debt owed to the grave and a child who is as dear to her as her own flesh? Gareth Conroy, the third Baron Welling, can neither abandon his upcoming duty to lead the fledgling colony of Port Elizabeth, South Africa nor find the strength to be a good father to his heir. Every look at the boy reminds him of the loss of his wife. Guilt over her death plagues his sleep, particularly when he returns to London. Perhaps the spirit and fine eyes of her lady's maid, Precious Jewell, might offer the beleaguered baron a new reason to dream. The Bargain is the first Port Elizabeth Regency Tale.

Amazon│B&N│Kobo│Smashwords

Review: A Cowboy Kind of Love by Melissa Storm

A Cowboy Kind of Love

by Melissa Storm

Western Romance

ebook, 90 pages

May 2, 2016 by Kindle Worlds

Game for Love Kindle Worlds Novella

He’s run away from everything that ever meant anything–but will he run away from her?

Rhett “the Jet” Alexander, the hottest new recruit for the San Antonio Bombers, has made a career of running—usually while holding a football. So, of course, when his long-term girlfriend saddles him with an ultimatum, he chooses to run away from both their relationship and his home state of California to pursue a new life in Texas. So why is it that when he meets the shy beauty Cassie, the only thing he wants to do is run straight into her arms and hold on to her forever?

Cassie Brown loves her simple life as a cowgirl on the outskirts of San Antonio. The Saddleback Ranch has been in her family for several generations, but now is in danger of closing down due to dwindling profits. She refuses to let her great-grandfather’s legacy dry up without doing everything in her power to save it. The last thing she needs is a distraction, especially a pretty boy running back who can barely commit to dinner plans, let alone a woman.

While Rhett and Cassie are as opposite as they come, they can’t deny the sparks that fly between them. Will he finally stop running long enough to offer his heart, and can she afford to risk hers? Find out in this sweet Western romance inspired by Bella Andre’s Game for Love.

Amazon

Book Tour: Playing Catch by Rachelle Ayala (Review, Giveaway)

Welcome to Playing Catch Book Tour!

Playing Catch

by Rachelle Ayala

Adult Contemporary Romance

ebook & print, 338 pages

January 26, 2016 by Rachelle Ayala

On the field and off the field, bartender Jeanine Jewell plays, collecting one-night stands like baseball cards. She doesn’t need a man, except to curl her toes and make her scream. She’s learned the hard way that the one who cares more is the one who gets hurt—and the last thing she can handle is getting hurt, or having anyone discover her shameful secret.

Scoring women is easy for catcher Kirk Kennedy—they don’t call him “Catch and Release” for nothing. He never goes back for a repeat performance. Being traded to a new city is an opportunity for new adventures—until he runs into Jeanine and she refuses to go home with him. Intrigued, Kirk is determined to catch the elusive blonde and keep her to himself. When he proposes a wingman to wingwoman friends without benefits relationship, he’s surprised she accepts.

The no benefits clause soon falls by the wayside when neither Jeanine or Kirk can resist their explosive chemistry together. But despite the sparks between the sheets, they both refuse to acknowledge they’re anything more than friends.

Everything changes when Kirk discovers his past is the one Jeanine is hiding from.

Trigger Warning: The heroine was sexually abused by her foster father and has flashbacks.

"A truly extraordinary story that fearlessly demonstrates the transforming power and the breathless wonder that love can bring to a life in need.” - Amber on Goodreads

"I couldn't put down this serious story about love overcoming all." - Chantel on Goodreads

Amazon│Amazon UK

Release Tour: Valentine Pets & Kisses by Rachelle Ayala, DelSheree Gladden, J.L. Campbell, K.L. Brady, Hope Welsh, Jade Kerrion, Sydney Aaliyah Michelle, Caroline Bell Foster, Suzette Riddick, Tina D.C. Hayes, Jeanne Bannon, Susan Oloier, Aubrey Wynne, Cindy Flores Martinez

Welcome to Pets and Kisses Release Tour!

Valentine's Day is all about the joy of love and romance, and who doesn't like hearts and flowers? Get a jump on that special day by pre-ordering your copy of the Valentine Pets & Kisses Boxed Set brought to you by a fourteen talented romance writers.

Valentine Pets & Kisses

by Rachelle Ayala, DelSheree Gladden, J.L. Campbell, K.L. Brady, Jade Kerrion, Hope Welsh, Sydney Aaliyah Michelle, Caroline Bell Foster, Suzette Riddick, Tina D.C. Hayes, Jeanne Bannon, Susan Oloier, Aubrey Wynne, Cindy Flores Martinez

Holiday Contemporary Romance

ebook, 1500 pages

February 2, 2016 by IndieWrites, Inc.

Candy and canines. Flowers and felines. Celebrate this Valentine's Day with your sweethearts of the human and fuzzy varieties!

Nothing is more heart-warming than kisses from the pet who adores you and the man who loves you, so snuggle up with VALENTINE PETS & KISSES -- an anthology of fourteen sweet romances from USA Today bestselling and award-winning authors -- and strike the perfect mood for moonlit walks and candlelight dinners with your pet and sweetheart.

Valentine Hound Dog by Rachelle Ayala

Fashion icon Jenna Hart, along with her basset hound puppy, tries to convince a burned former fireman that beauty is never skin deep and love's arrow strikes not only the beautiful, but the bold.

The Crazy Girl’s Handbook by DelSheree Gladden

Spending the weekend babysitting her two nephews and a puppy was supposed to be fun. Sweating to death at a baseball game while getting gum in her hair, soda down her shirt, and an ice cream pedicure wasn't part of the deal. Neither was finding out the best guy she'd ever missed a blind date with had witnessed it all. Longest. Weekend. Ever.

The Vet's Valentine Gift by J.L. Campbell

Matthias Laing has snagged the woman of his dreams, but his job as a vet keeps getting him into trouble. The situation is past complicated because of the growing assortment of animals in Toni's house and to top it all, the conflict between Matthias and her ex-husband. Can Matthias and Toni's budding romance survive their challenges and if it doesn't, will Jade, her precocious five-year-old find a way to play Cupid and fix things by Valentine's Day?

Her Perfect Catch by K.L. Brady

Nerdy, struggling sports writer Melanie Vincent needs a miracle when her dream of running a nationally recognized blog hits a snag due to low readership. After Mel is gifted a pair of Super Bowl tickets for years of faithful dog sitting, she has a chance encounter with her favorite football player that leads to the inside scoop on the biggest story of her career...and maybe the love of a lifetime.

Inflamed by Jade Kerrion

Debra Martinez doesn’t believe in happy endings, until Sean Orr, Havre de Grace’s newest firefighter, shows her and her son, Aidan, a new and beautiful kind of “normal.” But the happiness can’t last—not for Sean who is on the run from his own past.

Remember When by Hope Welsh

Laura and Brent really tried to make their marriage work, but in the end, it just wasn't meant to be. Or was it? When they meet to discuss joint custody of their Akita, they discover they have much more to talk about other than the dog.

Your Biggest Fan? by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Noah Patrick, NFL bad boy, has sworn off women, who only seem to want him for his fame and his money. Callie James is such a big Noah Patrick fan, she named her energetic Chihuahua after the man of her dreams. When they find themselves hiding out in the same Brooklyn Brownstone, a crazy blizzard, a never-ending supply of spaghetti, and a dog with identity issues bring them together even though they both have secrets that would tear them apart.

The Feline Fix by Caroline Bell Foster

Meeting Police Constable Callum Forde on the worse day of her life, makes cat lover and scientist Wendy Wilde question all that she values, her cat’s loyalty and the role science plays in love.

Trembling Hearts by Suzette Riddick

Recluse Jason Carr is living in rural Virginia after an accident leaves him physically scarred. While taking a stroll and minding his business, the spunky Lezlie Sharpe literally crashes into his life, stealing the heart of his beloved pooch, Trooper. Now, forced to share living quarters, will Lezlie capture Jason’s heart too?

Valentino, Be Mine by Tina D.C. Hayes

Kaylee Rose is thrilled when a neighbor moving out of the country asks if she'll consider taking in her teacup Yorkie, Valentino, but there are a few strings attached. When she finds out a man she can't stand is the other caretaker, she's forced to deal with the arrogant jerk until they decide who gets the pampered pooch permanently . . . or risk losing the dog to a heartbreaking fate.

Lost and Found by Jeanne Bannon

Lexie is so distraught after long-time boyfriend, Josh, dumps her, she takes a leave of absence from her teaching job. Josh leaves behind the puppy he bought for her just before things fell apart even though she’s not a dog person. Lexie contemplates giving it away but decides keep the little mischief-maker and get her some training.

While at puppy obedience school, Lexie meets Tommy, the happy-go-lucky type she could give her heart to if only she was ready. But Lexie gives Tommy the brush off and they lose touch. However, a series of events, some unfortunate, bring them together again.

Surviving San Francisco by Susan Oloier

When 23-year-old Leah Newland accepts a job in San Francisco and runs away from her small-town Illinois life, she expects things to change for the better. What she doesn’t expect is to lose her job, adopt a cat she hit with her car, and fall for a sexy and seemingly unavailable veterinarian. Suddenly, going back to the Midwest seems better than surviving San Francisco.

19 Ivy Lane by Aubrey Wynne

Eloise Kolby steps off the bus and greets Hollywood with high expectations and a smile. Two months later, she’s broke, hungry and rethinking her dream. An offer to house sit provides her with too much time alone, an adopted family of kittens and a sexy postman waiting at her gate.

Victor Burnham can’t stop thinking of the beautiful, mysterious woman who just moved into his hometown. She meets him each day at the mailbox, waiting for a letter.

When the envelope finally arrives, they both must face decisions that could make their dreams come true or jeopardize their relationship forever.

Three Plus Three by Cindy Flores Martinez

A year after losing her husband, a grieving widow, Violet, and their beloved bichon frise visit their favorite place the day before Valentine's Day. While they are there, Violet meets a handsome widower who makes her feel alive again.

Amazon US│Amazon UK│B&N│iBooks│Kobo│Google Play

Join the Release Party on Facebook.

About the Authors

Rachelle Ayala From romantic suspense to sweet contemporaries, I write from my heart and love to include children and pets in my stories.

DelSheree Gladden is a USA Today bestselling young adult and romance author, whose writing includes everything from dystopian and Native American mythology to sweet and funny romances.

J.L. Campbell is an award-winning author who writes sweet romance, romantic suspense, women's fiction, new and young adult novels.

K.L. Brady is a multi-award-winning author of sweet and sexy romantic comedies, young adult romance, and a spy thriller series based on her career in U.S. intelligence.

Jade Kerrion writes frequently award-winning, occasionally best-selling science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance novels.

Hope Welsh writes romance fiction. Her first love is paranormal. She's been writing since she was in third grade and has never looked back.

Sydney Aaliyah Michelle is a contemporary romance writer, a voracious reader and movie fanatic who hails from Texas.

Caroline Bell Foster writes contemporary women’s fiction with themes of substance that defy convention.

Suzette Riddick is a wife, mother and nurse practitioner who enjoys writing romance novels with a touch of reality.

Tina D.C. Hayes writes romantic suspense and cozy mysteries while her pampered pooches and parrots stand guard against writer's block.

Jeanne Bannon is an international best-selling author of paranormal and romance fiction with twenty-five years of experience in the publishing industry.

Susan Oloier is a mother and educator who writes memoir, as well as adult and young adult contemporary fiction.

Aubrey Wynne is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night.

Cindy Flores Martinez writes sweet romantic comedy and inspirational romance in both English and Spanish.

Tour Giveaway

Valentine Pets & Kisses Tote with swag

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Release Tour: Valentine Pets & Kisses by Rachelle Ayala, DelSheree Gladden, J.L. Campbell, K.L. Brady, Jade Kerrion, Hope Welsh, Sydney Aaliyah Michelle, Caroline Bell Foster, Suzette Riddick, Tina D.C. Hayes, Jeanne Bannon, Susan Oloier, Aubrey Wynne, Cindy Flores Martinez

Make your Valentine's Day tail-wagging and purr-fect with 14 brand-new romances from award-winning and bestselling authors.

Valentine Pets & Kisses

by Rachelle Ayala, DelSheree Gladden, J.L. Campbell, K.L. Brady, Jade Kerrion, Hope Welsh, Sydney Aaliyah Michelle, Caroline Bell Foster, Suzette Riddick, Tina D.C. Hayes, Jeanne Bannon, Susan Oloier, Aubrey Wynne, Cindy Flores Martinez

Holiday Contemporary Romance

ebook, 1500 pages

February 2, 2016 by IndieWrites, Inc.

Valentine Hound Dog by Rachelle Ayala

A fashion designer and her basset hound puppy convince a burned ex-firefighter that beauty is never skin deep and neither is love.

The Crazy Girl's Handbook by DelSheree Gladden

Watching her nephews was supposed to be fun and a relaxing weekend for Greenly, not a never-ending disaster all witnessed by the best blind date she ever stood up.

The Vet's Valentine Gift by J.L. Campbell

A veterinarian is caught between his job, an ex, a menagerie and love. Can a little Cupid fix things by Valentine's Day?

Her Perfect Catch by K.L. Brady

Years of faithful dog-sitting pays sweet dividends when a struggling sports writer scores tickets to the Super Bowl and encounters her favorite football player.

Inflamed by Jade Kerrion

A firefighter running from his past convinces a hard-luck single mother to believe in happy endings.

Remember When by Hope Welsh

A couple headed for divorce discovers common ground for joint custody of their Akita.

Your Biggest Fan? by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Snowed in with the man of her dreams, a football fan and her dog find love.

The Feline Fix by Caroline Bell Foster

A scientist questions her cat's loyalty when it comes to love and a hunky policeman.

Trembling Hearts by Suzette Riddick

A daring young woman crashes into the life of a disfigured recluse and his pooch. Can love be far behind?

Valentino, Be Mine by Tina D.C. Hayes

Sparks fly when two people who can't stand each other wind up dog-sitting a rambunctious little Yorkie that needs a new home.

Lost and Found by Jeanne Bannon

Stuck with her ex's puppy, a young teacher meets a new man after a series of unfortunate events.

Surviving San Francisco by Susan Oloier

A small town girl survives San Francisco after she hits a cat and falls for a handsome veterinarian.

19 Ivy Lane by Aubrey Wynne

A mysterious woman and her cat befriend a postman and set tongues wagging on Ivy Lane. But when he delivers a long-awaited letter, will his heart be "returned to sender?"

Three Plus Three by Cindy Flores Martinez

A grieving widow and her beloved doggie meet a handsome widower the day before Valentine's Day.