May I introduce: Claire Fullerton "A Portal in Time"

 

A Portal in Time

By Claire Fullerton 

 

I'm very pleased to have Claire on my blog today. Her current novel is set in the wonderful town of Carmel in California - a must-see-place in the US according to my best friend.

1 –  What draws you to Carmel?

Carmel sits like a Cotswold village on the hauntingly beautiful, Monterey Peninsula in northern California. Although it is known for its unique facets of architecture throughout the town as well as in the residential area ( think picturesque Hansel and Gretel fairy cottages made of stone with pitched, shake roofs) I love the immediate environs.  There are pine tress and cypress groves everywhere, and there is typically an ethereal mist in the air, and always, the sonic ambience of the sea.  There is a sense of history to Carmel that is unmistakable. It would be the rare individual who wouldn't get swept up in the surreal feel of Carmel's personality!  

2 – “A Portal in Time” is a historical romance. What made you decide to write a historical romance?

Great question! The answer is: there was no other way to tell this story other than to construct it in two time periods!  In current time, young newly-weds check into an opulent, historic hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea where the spirited, naturally intuitive Anna circles around the lobby as her husband checks them in;  she can't shake the feeling that the hotel is haunted, and her curiosity becomes overwhelming. The reader comes to realize that Anna has a " dependable intuition" ( which I say many of us do!) that connects her with the history of the hotel where an incredibly unusual story is etched indelibly in the very air. The premise of "A Portal in Time" is a recollection that incrementally unfolds as the two time frames are bridged in what seems like pieces of a mysterious puzzle.

3 – Tell us about your current project.

I am thrilled to report my second novel, which is set on the western coast of Ireland, will be published this year. It's title is "The Spiddal Pier," and it tells the story of a twenty-five year old American who moves to Galway to work in the music business, and falls in love with a regionally famous, Irish traditional musician who won't come closer nor completely go away!  Everything feasibly compelling to an outsider to Ireland is in the novel.  I think the universal story will speak to many!  Also, I am writing my third novel, which is set in the American south. It's a rich, layered, family saga, of sorts with the title, "Mourning Dove."  

 

Blurb:

When we are inexplicably drawn to love and a particular place, is it coincidence, or have we loved before?

Enigmatic and spirited Anna Lucera is gifted with an uncanny sixth-sense and is intrigued by all things mystical. When her green, cat-eyes and long, black hair capture the attention of a young lawyer named Kevin Townsend, a romance ensues which leads them to the hauntingly beautiful region of California's Carmel-By-The-Sea where Anna is intuitively drawn to the Madiera Hotel. Everything about the hotel and Carmel-By-The-Sea heightens her senses and speaks to Anna as if she had been there before. As Anna's memory unravels the puzzle, she is drawn into a past that's eerily familiar and a life she just may have lived before.

 

 

Author:

Claire Fullerton is a two-time, award-winning essayist, a newspaper columnist and a contributing editor for numerous magazines. She hails from Memphis, Tennessee and now divides her time between Malibu and Carmel-By-The-Sea, California with her husband, two German shepherds, and two black cats.
Claire is a Ballet dancer, a Pilates teacher, and a former radio disc-jockey who is feverishly at work on her second novel.

Readers can learn more about Claire and her upcoming books by visiting her website.
 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Portal-in-Time/652046314828696

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7388895.Claire_Fullerton 

 

Purchase Links:

http://vinspirepublishing.com/book_pages/a_portal_in_time.html

http://www.amazon.com/Portal-Time-Claire-Fullerton/dp/0989063224/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384803538&sr=1-1&keywords=Claire+Fullerton

 

 

Review: Rachel Gibson "Simply Irresistible"

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN:  9780380790074

My rating: 3/5

Georgeanne Howard, charm school graduate and Southern belle extraordinaire, leaves her fiancé at the altar when she realizes she just can't marry a man old enough to be her grandfather, no matter how rich he is. John Kowalsky unknowingly helps her escape, and only when it's too late does he realize that he's absconded with his boss's bride. At the height of his hockey career, this bad boy isn't looking to be anybody's savior but his own, no matter how beautiful this angel may be. But a long night stretches ahead of them--a night too sultry to resist temptation.
When Georgeanne and John meet again, she is on her way to becoming Seattle's domestic darling and he is past his hellraising days. But he is shocked to learn that their single unforgettable night in paradise produced a daughter, and he is determined to be part of her life. Georgeanne has loved John since the moment she jumped into his little red Corvette seven years ago, but she doesn't want to risk her heart again. Is he really a changed man? And will he risk the wrath of his boss, and one final chance at glory, to prove that this time his love will be everlasting? (rachelgibson.com)


My thoughts

Another nice summer read, but I have to admit it reminded me A LOT of  Rachel Gibson's "No Man of Mine"

Georgeanne  meets John Kowalsky, a Chinook player when she runs away from her wedding. Although John knows he plays with fire, as the husband-to-be is Virgil Duffy, the owner of the Chinooks, but John can't keep his hands off her - the result, as he finds out seven years later, is a little girl "Lexie".

The characters are okay, but without any depth, yet I loved the moments between father and daughter. That was well done! And the dialogues between Mae and Hugh had some good pinch to them.

Bottom line - if you have read No Man of Mine ... you've read this one. Nothing new.

Also, lots of sudden scene changes confused me at times, so much that I the re-reading was annoying and I put the book aside. But I'm not sure whether that was just me.

May I introduce: Heather Gray "Just Dessert"

 

 

Just Dessert

By Heather Gray 

 

 

I've got another great author, and may I say friend, visiting my blog. Heather Gray is has been busy releasing one book after the other within the last twelve months, but she's here today talking about "Just Dessert"

 

1 – Where did you get the idea for “Just dessert” ?

Just Dessert is the second book in my Ladies of Larkspur series.  Mary, the heroine, has a cameo appearance in the first book, Mail Order Man.  The goal of that single appearance was to remind that heroine how good her life really was.  In writing the scene, though, I fell in love with Mary and desperately wanted her to have a happy ending.  (Her cameo appearance in Mail Order Man is a shortened version of the prologue to Just Dessert.)

After deciding she simply had to have her own story, I began to think about what Mary's life had been like up to that point and how deep her scars must be.  She would need a patient man, a loving and tender man who could see past her sometimes irrational reactions, but even then…even if she had the perfect man…the lessons she'd learned from life might prevent her from seeing it.  What would it take to open her eyes to how beautiful life could be?

And so a story was born.

 

 

2 – I love the comment in your blurb: “When you believe that everyone who ever loved you, including God, has abandoned you? You bake a pie, of course.” It sounds so very American to me. Is that something you do?

Ha!  I do love to bake, but for me it's more of a celebration.  I bake when something good has happened.  When it comes to drowning my sorrows or hiding from life, I have two fail-safes.  Expensive coffee and a good book.  (For average days I settle for plain ol' home-brewed coffee and a good book!)  J

3 – Tell us about your current project.

Redemption, the third book in my Ladies of Larkspur series, is in editing.  It should see the light of day sometime in the next 1-2 months.  The tagline is "Murder, mayhem, marriage, and a horse named Mutiny…"  The "mayhem" part covers a lot, too!  Everything from kidnapping to creative torture techniques.  (Who'd have thought that forcing someone to bathe would get them to spill all their closely kept secrets?)  It promises to be a fun adventure with enough suspense to keep it interesting!

In the meantime, I'm also working on a Regency novel for summer release.  It has a touch of espionage, a straight-laced hero who would much rather remain in the background, and a feisty heroine who is running from a lying solicitor and a dangerous betrothal contract.  The reluctant hero rescuing the daring damsel is only the start of their adventurous story.  The working title is The Jackal and His Jewel.

 

 

Blurb:

 Dessert…the perfect remedy when nothing in life seems to be going right.
What do you do when you are the sole protector of four children, your brothers and sisters? When each day is haunted by disappointment, disillusionment and desperation? When you believe that everyone who ever loved you, including God, has abandoned you?
You bake a pie, of course.
What do you do when you find a woman whose heart is consumed by fear? Who does not know how to trust? Who scoffs at your faith and throws your kindness back in your face?

You eat a pie, of course.

 

 

Author:

Heather Gray is the author of the Ladies of Larkspur inspirational western romance series, including Mail Order Man, Just Dessert, and soon-to-be-released Redemption.  Other titles include Ten Million Reasons, His Saving Grace, and Nowhere for Christmas – everything from Regency England to modern-day America.  Aside from a long-standing love affair with coffee, Heather’s greatest joys are her relationship with her Savior and family.  She decided years ago that laughing is better than yelling.  This theme is prevalent in her writing where, through the highs and lows, her characters find a way to love God, embrace each day, and laugh out loud right along with her. 

My Website – http://www.heathergraywriting.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/heathergraywriting
Twitter – http://twitter.com/LaughDreamWrite

 

 

Purchase Links:

http://amzn.com/B00F2Z9X9M
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-dessert-heather-gray/1116870950?ean=2940148526384&isbn=2940148526384
http://astraeapress.com/#!/~/product/category=662245&id=27798981
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/356300

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/just-dessert

 

Excerpt:

Seventeen year old Mary Fitzgerald stepped up next to the deacon, a beautiful looking strawberry pie in her hands. Today was the day she started taking lasting steps to protect her family. Pa was passed out at home, having drunk so much there was no way he would be waking up to come to the festivities at the church today.
She had been taking care of and protecting her younger brothers and sisters, the four of them, as far back as she could remember, but her pa was getting meaner and nastier with each passing year. Her brothers were getting angrier and more volatile, too. It was important to get them all out from under Pa's thumb before her brothers were ruined for life, sentenced to turn into men like their pa.
Hoping to find a man willing to wed her and take her brothers and sisters in, too, Mary had entered herself in the dessert auction at a picnic hosted by the church. The auction was one of many events at the picnic, but it was the only one in which Mary was interested. Only eligible men were allowed to bid, and she hoped to use the auction to find a husband. How old, ugly or poor – Mary didn't care as long as he didn't beat or terrorize them. That was her highest hope, to find a man who did not cause her to cower, who did not break her bones, who would not harm her brothers and sisters. She had poured all her hopes for escape into making this pie to help her find a husband. Harboring no illusions about love, Mary didn't even really care if the man was kind; she only needed him not to be too terrible.
As the diminutive deacon with thinning grey hair was about to begin the bidding, Mary glanced up. Fear grabbed hold of her heart and squeezed so tight she thought she might faint right there. Neither the sea of curious faces nor the beautiful blue Idaho sky drew her attention. Pa was coming, and he looked madder'n a hot, hungry bull. Mary couldn't move. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps as she tried to stay conscious. She was terrified of this man. They had been so certain Pa would stay passed out all day, that he wouldn't be able to discover their plan until it was too late. The kids had all dressed in their finest clothes and promised to be on their best behavior – no small feat for the boys – and now here came Pa, ruining their chance for escape.
The deacon had not seen Mr. Fitzgerald yet and was taking a big breath in preparation to start the bidding. His mouth was still open, sucking in air, when the bellow came from the back of the crowd, "That's my young'un and ain't nobody biddin' on her pie! I ain't raisin' no harlot to get paid for her favors!"

Release Day for "More Beginnings" (Beginnings #2)

 

 
It's release day for
More Beginnings
 

"More Beginnings" is the second book in the Beginnings series, which is very close to my heart. One reason is, that I strongly believe in Beginnings, no doubt there have been many in my life, but over the last 18 months I've fallen in love with the Levesque girls and their friends - so much so that I'm currently writing book #3 and have just jotted down ideas for #4. Watch this space.

 

This is what "More Beginnings" is about:

It’s been six years since Sophie and Mia inherited a house from Clara Bellinger.

Life is good for the now teenaged Mia, even if she does have to deal with a dragon lady for a teacher. But then a man named Darren Schuster shows up in Hobart. Mia knows something is up when Sophie and Mark cut their weekend away short and rush home in the middle of the night. When Sophie won’t answer Mia’s questions, emotions run high, and Zach, the neighbour from across the road, confirms Darren’s identity to Mia. Disappointed, angry and feeling alone, Mia runs away.

Zach had been watching Mia for his friends while they took a much needed weekend away. When the late Clara Bellinger’s ex-husband, Darren, showed up, bringing Sophie and Mark home from their trip, Mia is filled with questions. But it’s Zach who gives Mia the answers she’s seeking. When she runs off, he must find her. He enlists the help of her teacher, Miss Peterson, and finds out that the ‘dragon’, is really more of a kitten.


I will update the purchase links as soon as I get them:

 

 

~♣~ Astraea Press (Publisher) ~♣~

~♣~   Amazon.com  ~♣~ Amazon.com.au   ~♣~ Amazon.de  ~♣~

 

~♣~ Barnes & Noble ~♣~  Smashwords ~♣~  Kobo Books ~♣~

 

 

Excerpt:

Mia let out a mighty sigh. She had joined Zach at the front porch and sat next to him on the swing. Enjoying a cool drink, he asked her to grab a soft drink from the fridge as well. It was a warm summer day, and the air showed no sign of cooling down. A lot of people in Hobart were tired and weary of the unusual hot spell for the very southern Australian city.

With another hefty sigh, Mia raked through her long, blond hair and focused into the distance.

"Honestly, Zach, she’s a dragon. I’m sure she does that on purpose. She doesn’t like me. She thinks I’m spoilt."
The dragon was Miss Peterson, Mia’s high school English teacher. Mia liked school and enjoyed her classes. English wasn’t her worst subject, but it certainly was the toughest, with Miss Peterson piling on homework one after the other.

Zach sipped on his drink. "Hey, pumpkin, settle down. What is that supposed to mean ‘you’re spoilt’?"

She shrugged. "You know!"

His eyebrows shot up. "Actually I don’t know! Isn’t she Sophie’s good friend?"

Another shrug. "Kinda, I s’pose. They used to do the boxing stuff together, and since Soph’s carrying a baby, they go and enjoy cake instead."

Ignoring his laugh and the subject, she went inside and helped herself to cold lemonade. She opened the can with a simple click and took a long sip. "Man, it’s hot."

Zach seemed to ponder on that thought just like Mia, when she suddenly said, "You need to cut the grass, Zach."

He almost spilled the drink. "Good grief, thanks, honey." There wasn’t much yard in front of Zach’s house. A flagstone path crossed the patch of lawn, and he’d kept the rest of the garden as low maintenance as possible. But he loved sitting on the front porch, watching the world go by.

He placed his arm around her and drew her in a bit closer. "Have you talked to Soph about your teacher?"

She nodded. "Yes. Her reply was that for most fourteen-year-old girls all the teachers seem like dragons. She remembers her science teacher who gave her a hard time. She blames it on my hormones because she thinks," Mia snorted and then continued, "Miss Peterson is a really nice person."

He chuckled, which earned him a momentary glare from Mia.

Zach shrugged his left shoulder. "I s’pose she has a point."

Rolling her eyes, she moved away from him again. "Too hot for sentiments like that."

He laughed. She had come a long way from when he had first met her. That was six years earlier, and she had been only eight. Eight years old with already enough character for three teenagers combined. But he’d liked her from more or less their first meeting on. He had been helping the girls find some stuff in their attic when he had mistaken her for Sophie’s daughter. With hands on hips she’d said to him, "Do I look like her daughter? I mean, seriously." She had the genes to become a pretty girl and she was heading that way in big steps. The stylish haircut, a slight touch of make-up to emphasise her grey-green eyes, and always dressed in the latest fashion to compliment her slim figure. And she did have her heart in the right place.

"You’ll meet her tomorrow when you drop me off at the school sports."

Eyes wide open, he turned to look at her. "I will?"

"Oh man, didn’t Sophie tell you?"

"Apparently not. Or she might have." He scratched the back of his head. "I guess she probably left a note on my calendar."

"You’ll take me, won’t you?"

He gave a small nod. "Yup."

Zach lived across the road from Sophie and Mia Levesque. The sisters had moved into Sixty-Four Chestnut Avenue six years earlier. He had shared a hot kiss with Sophie, but in the end it was Mark she’d fallen in love with.

"Will what’s-his-name be there?"

Mia rolled her eyes. "Josh. Yes he will. Remember he’s in my class."

He chuckled. "Pumpkin, just because what’s-his-name is in your class ain’t mean he’s participating in a sports day."

"Doesn’t mean."

"Beg yours?"
She took a deep breath. "It’s doesn’t mean and not ain’t. You know it drives Soph mad when you use the American lingo."


He turned to look at her. "I honestly have no idea how I’ve survived the last few years with you guys across the road."

Checking the time, she stood. "Thanks for the drink." She leaned forward to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Eight o’clock tomorrow morning?"

Zach nodded. "Does your dragon spit fire?"

With her hands on her hips, she replied, "You’re not taking me seriously, are you?"

"I am!"

She tilted her head slightly. "Let me see," she paused for effect. "With your green eyes, athletic body, husky voice, blond hair, which, by the way, is in serious need of a trim, ... hmm... she might like you. But then again, your job as an escort might disturb her."
Shaking his head, he stood and took her empty can of lemonade. "Instead of giving me a hard time with my lingo, Sophie should keep an eye on the books you read. All that romance stuff is making you silly in the head. Husky voice." He laughed and went into the house.


"At eight?" she screamed after him.

"Yeah, I’ll be there."  

 

Review: Janet Evanovich "Takedown Twenty"

Publisher: Bantam

ISBN: 9780345542885

My rating: 3/5


New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum knows better than to mess with family. But when powerful mobster Salvatore “Uncle Sunny” Sunucchi goes on the lam in Trenton, it’s up to Stephanie to find him. Uncle Sunny is charged with murder for running over a guy (twice), and nobody wants to turn him in—not his poker buddies, not his bimbo girlfriend, not his two right-hand men, Shorty and Moe. Even Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, has skin in the game, because—just Stephanie’s luck—the godfather is his actual godfather. And while Morelli understands that the law is the law, his old-world grandmother, Bella, is doing everything she can to throw Stephanie off the trail.

It’s not just Uncle Sunny giving Stephanie the run-around. Security specialist Ranger needs her help to solve the bizarre death of a top client’s mother, a woman who happened to play bingo with Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur. Before Stephanie knows it, she’s working side by side with Ranger and Grandma at the senior center, trying to catch a killer on the loose—and the bingo balls are not rolling in their favor.

With bullet holes in her car, henchmen on her tail, and a giraffe named Kevin running wild in the streets of Trenton, Stephanie will have to up her game for the ultimate takedown. (Evanovich.com)



My thoughts

Same old, same old. More or less.

Nothing much really has changed. Stephanie and Lula are after a big bond Salvatore Sunucchi, but doesn't get very far - and after a few failed attempts, even Stephanie gives up her job.

Rest is the same ... it's a toss up between Ranger and Morelli (there are a few good one-liners from Ranger in this one!), Lula does her thing and Grandma Mazur is in the midst of all.

And then there's the Giraffe. But I won't even go there. 

 

May I introduce: J'aimee Brooker "Train My Heart"

Train My Heart

By J'aimee Brooker 

I'm thrilled to have J'aimee Brooker as a guest today on my blog. J'aimee's another very talented Australian author, but her current book is set in the wonderful country of Italy ... so the obvious question was:
 

1 – Your book’s set in Italy. What made you decide on the European location ?

My family background is Italian, our family originating from a small village in northern Italy with a to-die-for view of the Italian Alps. The Italian way has always intrigued me—the passion of the language, the people, the history is invigorating and restorative for the soul. In 2012, my husband and I took our three kids backpacking through Italy, Switzerland and France and it was whilst visiting the family village and getting off the tourist track in Italy that the concept for the Capello Brothers series came to me.

2 – Train your heart is part of a series. Can you tell us a bit about the other books?

Yes, Train My Heart is the third novella in the Capello Brothers series and is based around the youngest Capello brother, Luca. Book one, Draw on my Heart tells Roman Capello's story and book two, Command My Heart is Dominic's story. Very broadly, the Capello Brothers series centres around three brothers living in Australia who departed Italy due to problems within their family unit. Each story tells of their own unique journey on the quest to find love. The brothers, Roman, Dominic, and Luca are assertive, strong, handsome men who are chivalrous and true to their Italian roots.

3 – You’re one very busy woman and a mum of three children under 9. What’s your secret to time management?

I have a full-time job working in the radio industry and have always worked in the media, so being deadline- and outcome-driven and fluid in my approach to work is a skill that I've developed over the span of my career. I work daily until 3pm, then pick up the kids and do homework, dinner, bath, bed routine, then once they're in bed at about 8pm I start my writing time. Generally, I set myself a weekly word count goal (usually between 3000-5000 words) and work toward that as opposed to forcing myself to work for an exact period of time because let's face it, sometimes you can sit and write easily and other times it just doesn't happen at all.

4 – Tell us a bit about your current project.

I'm working concurrently on two projects—both of which I am writing under a pen name. Both are romance, one is set in Italy (of course!), the other is a darker more niche style of romance. I am planning for another four releases in 2014. 

Blurb:

Being the youngest of three brothers has always been one of life's greatest pleasures for Luca Capello, sheltered from many of the hardships his family has faced and spoiled as the baby of the family.

His successful personal training business gives him the structure and routine he wants and Luca's uncompromising attitude to fitness coupled with his inherited handsome looks has always ensured a steady stream of business.

But, growing up without his father hadn't been easy yet from what he can remember living with him in Italy had been worse. Luca's uncertainty about his past has always bubbled beneath the surface and when his relationship with his meek-and-mild girlfriend Imogen takes on a new level of intensity, Luca resolves to explore his past in Italy and make amends with the past.

From the busy backstreets of Venice to the foothills of the imposing Italian Alps; Luca's journey through northern Italy proves to be a life-changing decision. Will he lose everything by confronting his father; most importantly the love and future he has in mind with Imogen?

 

 

Author:

An avid bookworm and creative and commercial writer by trade, J’aimee is the author of contemporary romance novels and novellas focusing on romance, travel, and suspense.

A creative and commercial writer by trade; J’aimee also authors novellas and short stories focused within the contemporary romance genre and incorporating themes of travel, intrigue, and suspense.

J’aimee has written for industry trade publications and lifestyle magazines, and is a regular columnist for several lifestyle magazines and lifestyle/travel websites as well as having a full-time job in radio and three kids (under 9yrs). 

Website - www.jaimeebrooker.com.au

Blog - http://jaimeebrooker.wordpress.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jaimeebrookerauthor

Twitter - https://twitter.com/jaimee_brooker

Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/jaimee_brooker/ 

 

Purchase Links:

iTunes US - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/train-my-heart/id663545437?mt=11

iTunes AU - https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/train-my-heart/id663545437?mt=11

Amazon US - http://www.amazon.com/Train-Heart-Capello-Brothers-ebook/dp/B00DKT7NTO/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372134951&sr=1-3

Amazon AU - http://www.amazon.com.au/Train-Heart-Capello-Brothers-Series-ebook/dp/B00DKT7NTO/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1390179059&sr=1-3

Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/train-my-heart-jaimee-brooker/1115835619?ean=2940044588721

Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-au/books/Train-My-Heart/XpJGkbUoSkeiPtvcFTG34A?MixID=XpJGkbUoSkeiPtvcFTG34A&PageNumber=1&s=fDelwl2SEUeiY2jRy0BhhQ&r=1

 

Excerpt:

 Pulling up at Angelo's, Dominic walked over to the Jeep, opening Imogen's door for her, making her realize just how gentlemanly the Capello brothers were. She'd always thought Luca did these small things because they were dating, but it seemed this old fashioned chivalry was actually a family habit.

"Hope you don't mind Italian for lunch, Im" he laughed as they walked into Angelo's restaurant.

"Ha! Do you boys eat anything else?" she replied jokingly to raucous laughter from both Roman and Dominic.

"Roman, Dominic! Come in, come in!" exclaimed the older, matronly looking female who seemed overwhelmingly excited to see the boys. "Oooh… who have we here" she smiled, looking at Imogen then back and forth between Roman and Dominic, eyebrows raised playfully.

"Violetta, always so good to see you" Roman said genuinely, bending to kiss the woman on each cheek, "this is Imogen, Luca's girlfriend"

"Oooh, Imogen… A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Where is your Luca today, we are still waiting for him?" she enquired.

"Lovely to meet you too, Violetta" Imogen responded warmly. "Luca…"

"Luca's flown out to Italy today" Roman offered, rubbing Imogen's back in support.

The expression on Violetta's face spoke a million words—worry, concern, confusion. She obviously knew the family background, Imogen thought to herself.

Redirecting her thoughts, Violetta turned to Dominic and playfully smacked him on the rear. "Dominic, you are too grown up to give ol' Violetta a hug, huh?" she said cheekily, "sit, sit—your usual table is waiting, I'll get Imogen a menu"

Imogen stared at the menu for what felt like forever, the words jumping and blurring on the page. It all felt nonsensical, too hard, too overwhelming.

"Im, god help me, tell me you're not looking for the salad menu" Dominic joked, trying to lighten the mood at the table.

"No. I just… don't know. I feel like I should've told Luca not to go or insisted on going with him" she whispered.

"Ok, first things first; pizza or pasta? Meat or seafood?" Dom asked, clearly hungry and keen to get some food organized.

"Just something light, Dom, I don't know what to choose"

"Violetta" Dominic called kindly to the older lady, "Roman and I will have our usual, Imogen will have the spaghetti alla Genovese please"

"Yes, yes. I get Angelo to start now" she called back.

Within minutes, Violetta walked to the table balancing a massive tray of toasted breads, olives, cured meats, cheeses and all matter of sundried and charred delicacies, along with two bottles of wine. "You get started on this, your lunch will be here soon" she smiled, rustling Roman's hair lovingly before walking away.

Imogen stared at the platter, how on earth could three people possibly eat all this food, she wondered.

Roman picked up a plate, nudging her and asked "anything you don't eat Im?". She shook her head and smiled as Roman began plating her up a feast.

Looking over at Dom who was waiting impatiently for Roman to serve her food before serving himself any, Imogen realised the Capello boys not only had impeccable manners, they were kind, generous and caring to a fault. How had they survived such a horrendous childhood and still become such wonderful men?

"Can I ask you both a question, a personal question?" she asked meekly.

"Sure", Roman smiled weakly; locking eyes with Dominic who even with his mouth full looked concerned.

"What was your father like? Luca only recalls snippets of information, he's told me bits and pieces but he's sketchy on the details".

"Im, he's sketchy on the details because he was sheltered from a lot of it. He saw, and unfortunately copped, a bit of it but mostly he wasn't aware of how bad it was" Roman replied quietly.

"How? How, could he have been there and not known about it all—?" she asked, confused.

"We had a system" Dom interrupted, "Luca got hidden, he was younger, smaller than us, and he wasn't physically able to take… as much as us".

"Hidden?" she whispered, her body filling with emotion—just how bad were things for them growing up, she wondered.

"Hidden. Under the bed worked for a little while until our father figured it out, then we'd hide him in cupboards, the garden, under the house. You know, hidden". Dom answered, emotionless.

"But you guys, your Ma—what about you" she asked, looking between them both and seeing the pain of the memories the conversation had provoked flooding their faces.

"We're all fully aware of what happened and what a miserable old bastard our father is. With all the trips we've made home to Italy, none of us have ever made the effort to visit him, that's why we were surprised that Luca wanted to" said Dom.

"Will he… be safe?" Imogen whispered, the words almost not making it out of her mouth.

"He's strong Im; physically he'll be fine" Roman answered.

"And, mentally?" she asked, but the question was left unanswered, hanging uncomfortably between them all.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CAPELLO BROTHERS SERIES at http://jaimeebrooker.wordpress.com/capello-brothers-series/

Kelly Martin: The Afterlife of Lizzie Monroe Release Blitz Monday ( #aprocks )

 

Kelly Martin:

The Afterlife of Lizzie Monroe Release Blitz Monday

 

 

BLURB:

If Shane Davis had it to do over again, he wouldn't have gone out that night. He wouldn't have burned down the church. And he sure wouldn't have taken the annoying dead girl home with him.

Now that Shane has her, he has no idea what to do with her. He can't release her into the "wild" because people will recognize her (being a hundred and fifty year old town 'legend' will do that). He can't send her away because she can't take care of herself yet. And she can't stay because if people find her, they'll know he burned the church. Being eighteen now, Shane definitely doesn't want that fact coming out.

Unbeknownst to Shane, someone has figured out the girl's secret and will do anything to get it for himself... even kill the girl who isn't so immortal after all.

 

LIZZIE is on sale for 99 cents on Amazon. On Tuesday (1/21), it'll be regular price again $3.99
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

EXCERPT:

Shane jumped to his knees, but Lizzie grabbed his arm to keep him from attacking Drake. She wasn’t worth it.

 

Shane looked down at her, his face hard. “He needs to learn to keep his mouth shut.”

 

Lizzie opened her mouth to speak, but Drake beat her to it. “And I bet you are the one to teach me, right, Davis?”

 

“Shut up,” Cheyenne said, stepping in front of Drake. “You two just cool it. You’re acting like children.”

 

“He started it.” Drake sat back down on the rolling chair in a huff. He ran his hands thought his hair and sighed.

 

Lizzie tugged on Shane’s arm to pull him down to her. He complied, but didn’t seem pleased about it. He wrapped his fingers around hers, holding her hand. If Lizzie’s heart could beat, it would have beat out of her chest. Even though he was holding her hand, he kept his eyes on Drake and Cheyenne. Lizzie wasn’t even sure he knew he was holding her hand, but Lizzie knew and she didn’t try to let go.

 

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Afterlife-Lizzie-Monroe-Kelly-Martin-ebook/dp/B00HX89Q5W/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-afterlife-of-lizzie-monroe-kelly-martin/1118082347?ean=2940148261759

 

 

BIO:

 Kelly Martin is a bestselling author of four young adult/Christian novels: Crossing the Deep, Saint Sloan, The Deception of Devin Miller, and Big is Beautiful. Saving Sloan, the Saint Sloan sequel, will come out in early 2014. The first of the Hindsight series, Out of the Blue, comes out in February 2014.

 

 

Links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KellyMartinAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/martiekay

Website: http://www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com/

goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6552501.Kelly_Martin

 

 

Sign up for Kelly's newsletter:

 http://www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com/p/subscribe-to-our-newsletter.html

 

  

Join Kelly's street team to get exclusive content and prizes: http://www.facebook.com/groups/1451773008377850/

 

Amazon Reviews:

"...It's been quite awhile that I have picked up a book that I didn't want to put down! Once again you have outdone yourself Kelly!

The Afterlife of Lizzie Monroe is about 2 teenagers from 2 different Centuries with two different sets of beliefs. Set in a small local Tennessee Town, Lizzie is an innocent girl, and a local legend, who is a devout believer from the 1800's and Shane Davis is a child of the current century who has had,what some would call a rough life, and doesn't believe in anyone or anything. Brought together by one deliberate act of arson, the two are brought together to teach each other that life isn't always as bad as you perceive it to be.

Is there more to the legend of "Lonely Lizzie" than what Shane has learned from a 2nd grade field trip and tales spun through out the centuries?

Is it fate or some sort of Black Magic? Are they star crossed lovers? Or just two lost and lonely souls meant to meet at this particular place and time to teach each other that there is more to life than what you feel at the moment you chose to do something you may find yourself regretting forever? Is the destiny you chose for yourself in that one moment of hurt,sadness or anger, the destiny chosen for you for all eternity?." Gina, Amazon

 

~*~*~

 

"Oh Kelly, Kelly, Kelly. You had me a bit skeptical with this one. An dead girl who isn't actually dead after 150 years?! I've read my share of paranormal stories...some good and some not so good. You got me with this one though.

How the symmetry of events in this book went from one instance the next was perfect. And the last half of the book literally had me parked on the couch with my heating blanket unable to move until I finished. And let's not even get into the twists in the book...just wow.

I want to say so much, but I won't for fear of spoiling some major 'oohs' and 'ahhs' and 'ohemgees' in this book..." DMC, Amazon