Announcing the Best Ever Summer Blog Tour! Sixth Stop: Author Christine London

This week I am so very thrilled and excited that the fabulous author Christine London will be visiting on my blog as part of the Best Ever Summer Blog Tour!

You can find me this week visiting with author Lynn Hones at her blog:   lynnhones.wordpress.com

Welcome, Christine!

Here’s this week’s topic:

July 8th –Week 6 – “If you could organize a dinner party, which fictional characters (choose some from your own books too) would you invite and what would you cook?”

It is a pleasure to be on your blog this week Regina. Such a great topic too.

I would dip into my favorite books and invite Jamie Fraser of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Jamie is a charming, faithful, young alpha rogue when we meet him in the first book, ‘Outlander’. In the rest of the series (which is promised to continue) Jamie is a mature man of forty plus. His years of struggle without his beloved Claire have not embittered him. Rather, he has grown into a man sensitive to the needs and desires of all he meets. He overcomes the mandates of his time (eighteenth century Scotland and New World) to take under his wing those of low social status, questionable morals, racial underdogs and even those who have wronged his beloved Highlanders. As a time travel piece, Jamie is called upon to accept the sensibilities of a far future time in which he will never feel comfortable.

If I could bring along two characters from my contemporary novels Shadows Steal the Light and its spin off, Hog Wild, I would invite rock star recovering alcoholic Colin Dulow and his manager and childhood friend, Kyle Matthews. Both these men have demons that require them to stretch the very fabric of their beings to grow into the men they want to be. Both men fall in love with the same women. One is not allowed to pursue her; the other knows he should not. These life long friends have that friendship severely tested. Each is strong beyond even his private imaginings. Both are proud Englishmen who have grown into international celebrity, handling the super human restraint required to remain ethical and intact in the spotlight. As is truly said of power, fame too corrupts absolutely.

It would not matter what I served these men as they are so much more interested in the woman before them. Each of them are consummate gentlemen. Each knows it is well worth his time to display genuine interest in his hostess. Each knows that patience and attention to detail will win respect. Each is charming in his unique way. We could be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches–it would not matter. The conversation would be fascinating.

Sharp wit and pervasive intelligence would run as undercurrent. Each the definition of Alpha, none would take advantage of that strength.

Jamie’s rendition of the ‘45 and the aftermath of the disastrous Culloden massacre would be riveting. Colin and Kyle, through their modern paradigm, might provide perspective across the centuries and convey the healthy respect in which present day England holds the proud and powerful Scot.

And I—I would revel in the magnetic presence of these men.

You can find Diana’s Outlander series worldwide in brick and mortar bookstores as well as online. It is a powerful legacy that shall live in the hearts of its readers for generations to come.

The year is 1945. Claire Randall is traveling with her husband when she touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is hurled back in time to a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord 1743. Catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, she soon realizes that an alliance with James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, might be the only way to survive. Thus begins a work of unrivaled storytelling that has become a modern classic.

http://www.amazon.com/Outlander-20th-Anniversary-Diana-Gabaldon/dp/0440423201/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341623737&sr=1-1&keywords=outlander+series+in+order

Shadows Steal the Light is available thorough Amazon and other fine book purveyors everywhere in both electronic and print format.

It’s love at first sight for rock star Colin Dunlow when he runs into sultry jazz singer, Jenna Lindstrom, with a few complications. The woman of his dreams hates rockers and there’s someone who wants him dead.

http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Steal-Light-Christine-London/dp/1927085942/ref=la_B003MX4AW6_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1341622367&sr=1-4

Hog Wild is a fast, fun and sexy electronic read downloadable through e-book distributors everywhere.

Kyle Matthews might have the music world by the horns, but when he loses out in love to his most famous client and best friend, he escapes into the wilds of the desert southwest on a restorative motorcycle trip. Will the hard driving, salty tongued gorgeous mechanic he relies upon to fix his Harley be able to mend his heart, as well?

http://www.amazon.com/Hog-Wild-ebook/dp/B0057AGFSY/ref=la_B003MX4AW6_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1341622367&sr=1-7

Other places Christine comes out to play:

Website : www.christinelondon.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-London/71009389201

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ChristineLondon

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/christinelondon/

Google plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/114588027061857681170/posts

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Christine-London/e/B003MX4AW6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1339640330&sr=8-1

Christine London

Author of 100 Romance’s Best of the Year –  When We Were Amazing

AMAZING photos at my PINTEREST page: http://pinterest.com/christinelondon/

Sample or Purchase When We Were Amazing http://amzn.to/J3iU11

Christine on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-London/71009389201

Christine At Amazon Author Central https://www.amazon.com/author/christinelondon

Website: www.christinelondon.com

 

If you’ve read this far, please take the time to leave a comment. You might just win a book by one of the Best Summer Reading Blog Tour authors and qualify for a $50 Amazon gift certificate to be awarded at the end of tour near the end of July.

This is a stop on the Best Ever Summer Blog Tour.

Eight authors in mixed genres trading blog space for eight weeks for your enjoyment. Someone on the blog tour is giving a prize every week – this week find me, Regina Andrews, with Lynn Hones at her blog:  lynnhones.wordpress.com

There will be a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift certificate awarded at the end of the tour. Enjoy the blogs and leave comments for the opportunity to be the grand prize winner. One entry ticket per comment!

Want to continue the tour? Here’s a list of the blogs:

Ann Tracy Marr –

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-Tracy-Marr/114711658247?ref=ts

Susan Roebuck – http://lauracea.blogspot.com

Sharon Poppen –http://poppensthoughtsonwritingandstuff.blogspot.com

Regan Taylor – http://regantaylorsworld.blogspot.com

Corinne Davies – www.daviesromance.blogspot.com

Regina Andrews – https://reginaandrews.wordpress.com

Christine London – www.christinelondon.com

Lynn Hones – lynnhones.wordpress.com

 

Thank you, Christine, for a fabulous visit!!

Read Full Post »

Welcome, Author Jillian Chantal!!

Today, it’s a real joy to welcome author Jillian Chantal to Romance Novels @Reginaandrews blog! I am thrilled! Jillian, thank you for visiting and I can’t wait to hear what you have been up to. “The Gambler” is your first book in “The Gambler’s Inheritance” Series. How exciting, congratulations! You are always so much fun, so talented..and, wow! So busy! Let’s hear everything, now!

RA: As an author, what makes a book great in your eyes?

An awesome beginning, middle and end. LOL!  No, seriously, I think a book is great if the characters are fully developed and make me care about what happens to them. There are a number of books I love because the characters almost become friends. Friends that I miss when I finish the book. I think this is vital as I’ve read a few books where I didn’t care at all about the protagonist and I usually don’t finish those. I used to feel compelled to finish any book I started but as I got older, I decided that was ridiculous and if I can’t get invested in the story, I need to move on to the next one.


RA: Tell us a little about what you are working on.

I’m starting a new novel that has a hero with a disability. The working title is Moon Dance.  It’s a romantic suspense. I like to have a lot going on in my stories and as a lover of thrillers and mysteries, I love to add those elements to my tales. It’s a very new story and I’m not far a long in it at all but I’m enjoying the journey of Gabriel and Olga.

RA: What is the hardest scene you had to write in this piece?

The opening scene. I couldn’t decide whether to start with the hero’s point of view or the heroine’s. I have two openings to choose from and have still not decided which will actually be chapter one, scene one.  It’s driving me a little bit insane but it’ll all come together in the end. It always does.

RA: Let’s talk about the book you’d like to promote today.  How did you come up with the title and where can we find it?

Titles are sometimes hard for me and this book was really no different. The book had two prior titles. I changed once as I thought I had a great idea for a different title. When I pitched the book to an editor, she said I needed to change the title as the one I had gave away too much information. So, I decided to use the hero’s nickname as the title. As this book is a series, I left it to the editor in chief at Desert Breeze Publishing to figure out a series title. She gave me some ideas and the one I chose was The Gambler’s Inheritance.

You can find it here: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-286/Gambler’s-Inheritance-Book-One-cln-/Detail.bok

RA: What was your first reaction when you got a glimpse of your cover art?

Interestingly enough, I went through about four mock-up covers on this one before we hit on the right look for the book. The initial cover was lovely but looked too western. This book is called The Gambler, but none of it takes place in the western United States. When the cover artist sent me the mock-up of the gambling room that looked right for the era (1937), I was thrilled with it.

RA: Please give us a blurb and excerpt!

BLURB:  In 1937, Dirk McSwain, known as The Gambler, makes his living on the turn of a card. When his family home is in jeopardy of being lost, he boards the Queen Mary ocean liner, playground of both royalty and the wealthy alike. He hopes to win big to save his property. He meets three beautiful, unchaperoned, Irish sisters the first day at sea and determines to deprive them of some of their fortune. What he doesn’t count on is an obnoxious passenger accusing him of cheating at cards and then dying the next morning. At the captain’s request, he teams up with one of the sisters to try to solve the mystery of the man’s death
and gets more than he bargained for in the process.

EXCERPT

The man grabbed her by the shoulders. “Whoa there, filly. This ain’t no horse race here, ma’am.” She jerked back from him as if his hands had burned her. “Sorry, sorry.”

He didn’t let go. If anything, his grip got tighter. “Where’s the fire? I want to steer clear of it.”

Eden tried to jerk away from him as her two sisters came off the elevator themselves. As soon as the man saw the twins, he abruptly let go of her. She staggered across the lobby, trying to catch her balance.

The man looked Lilith and Eve up and down. “My, my, what do we have here? Double my pleasure?” His grin showed his dimples. Very deep dimples that Eden tried to ignore.

“We’re Lilith and Eve McGill. Twins, if you couldn’t tell,” Lilith said. She simpered and struck a pose. She patted her small hat perched over her left eye.

“Lilith and Eve? How interesting.” He tipped his hat and bowed. “Your mum and dad disagree on who was Adam’s wife?”

Lilith’s smile got larger. “They almost caused the Reverend to have a heart attack when they named me Lilith. People think it’s sacrilege. Even though we aren’t Jewish, my parents are into studying the religions of the world. I’m surprised you caught the reference. Most people don’t.” She stopped and patted her hair. “And I guess the name Lilith fits me. I’m a little bit sacrilege myself.”

Eden had recovered herself and stalked over to Lilith. “Stop it, Lil. Mum will kill me if I let you go wild, child.” She took Lilith’s arm. “Come on. Let’s go and leave this…” She looked the man up and down.

“Gentleman,” she paused for effect, “alone.”

The man looked down at the shorter Eden. “Who are you? You’re too young to be the mother. So, who could you be?” He put his index finger to his chin and tapped it. “Hmm. Maybe the serpent?” He slapped his forehead with his hat. “No. You can’t be. The serpent liked to lead people into sin. You seem like the prude of the group.” He turned back to Lilith. “Who’s the wet rag?”

Eden gasped at his rudeness as Lilith laughed out loud. “That would be the big sister, Eden. Eden, bossy britches, McGill to be exact.”

The man laughed louder. “Eden? Really, your parents are a bit insane, aren’t they? They couldn’t get past Genesis?”

RA: Now for the fun stuff.  Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Yes, I do. My favorite comfort food is toast with butter and sugar on it. I can only make it when no one is home as they all think it’s gross. When I’m the only one home for dinner, I’ll make it for myself. My maternal grandmother who lived way out in the country always made it and it makes me think of childhood and cold winter days. Living in hot Florida, I sometimes need that escape to the past.

RA: OH, I love toast with butter and sugar, too! 🙂 Glad we share that, not many folks have heard of it, and it’s SOOOO good! Now, could you please name one (other) thing readers would be surprised to know about you?

I’ve been skydiving and I loved it. I was seriously considering doing it as a hobby until the friend who took me had an accident when his chute grabbed the wind the wrong way. He broke his pelvis. He was laid up for six weeks flat on his back as they can’t set a broken pelvis. I decided I’d better keep my klutzy self on terra firma.  BUT, it was amazing when I did it. I also love, love, love roller coasters.

RA: Yikes, thrill-seeker Jillian! So, if you didn’t have to worry about counting calories or fat, what’s the first food you’d reach for?

See above answer about the toast.  Also, an Oreo or two (or twelve!) would be good.

RA: Since you write romance, let’s talk.  Have you ever read the “Grande Dames” of the genre like Jane Austen, Barbara Cartland, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts?  What do you really think of their books?

Yes, I’ve read some of each of them. I’ve read all of Jane Austen’s work. Barbara Cartland and Danielle Steele not since middle school. Nora Roberts? I’ve read a few. I like the Eve Dallas books, which of course, are written under a pseudonym, but I’ve only read the first few. I’m actually more of a thriller/mystery reader. I do like romance but I want a lot more going on than merely the journey of the love story. I guess I’m an armchair adrenaline junkie.

RA: If someone hasn’t read any of your work, what book would you recommend they start with and why?

It would depend on what era the reader  is interested in. I have two historicals which are both with Desert Breeze Publishing. I’d recommend either of them. I love both of those stories. One is The Gambler and it’s a murder mystery. The other is Redemption for the Devil. That one is more of a romantic adventure.  For a contemporary, Sebastian’s Salvation is one that’s a romantic suspense and has a pretty wicked villain as does Surfer Bride, which is another contemporary romantic suspense/adventure.

Thanks for spending a bit of time with Romance Novels @reginaandrews’ blog, Jillian! Best wishes for your continued success.  Where can readers find you on the Web?
Thanks for letting me pop in. It was fun!
http://www.jillianchantal.com
https://twitter.com/#!/JillianChantal <https://twitter.com/%23!/JillianChantal&gt;

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/JillianChantal/Page.bok

Read Full Post »

Welcome, Author Tina Pinson!

Today I am so happy and thrilled to have author Tina Pinson visiting! I can’t wait to hear about her new book, “When Shadows Fall,” Book One in her brand-new “Shadows” Series, presented by Desert Breeze Publishing.

Regina, first, let me say thank you for inviting me to your page and making me so very welcome.

RA: As an author what makes a book great in your eyes?

A great book, a truly great book, catches a reader’s interest and imagination then carries them into the story. So far, one can almost feel themselves in the storyline. A great book, takes one on a journey, transporting them to new worlds, new realms, with characters they learn to love and sometimes hate. A great book stands the test of time and criticism.

RA: Tell us a little about what you’re working on.
I am, of course, editing to get the next installments of the Shadow Series ready for print. Shadowed Dreams is slated for release in Nov. So I am also praying readers fall in love with my characters and story in When Shadows Fall. I am also working on a sequel to Touched By Mercy, a take on Taming of the Shrew called, Tamed By Mercy and another little story, a speculative fiction, Demon Chronicles. I have a few other stories to work on, but that’s where my energies have been vested as of late.

RA: What is the hardest scene you had to write in this piece?
Death scenes can be tough, emotionally draining, but I also had an attack scene to write and those can be hard.

RA: Let’s talk about the book you’d like to promote today. How did you come with the title and where can we find it?

When Shadows Fall, the first in the Shadow Series, was actually the full title, but the book was nearly a 900 pages sooo, had to cut it down. But the whole idea behind the name has to do with the shadows that come into our lives and how we walk through them. The opening poem from the stories heroine, Rebekah, hopefully says a lot about the meaning behind the name.

Life is a mixture of joy and sorrows. Where darkness and light mingle to cast shadows upon your soul. These shadows, often fleeting, touch us far deeper than their hazy essence ever deemed possible.

Some bring a happiness that shelters one in peace like the calm after a storm. Others bring a distinct source of pain. Pain that envelopes the spirit in a fog. It holds you and drags you on a seemingly endless downward spiral of hopelessness and despair, oft times, wrought and nourished in your own mind.
There’s the shadow of a smile, the cooling shadow of clouds on a hot summer day; the shadow of tree limbs dancing on walls in the moonlight. The long shadow of a man cast across a barren land, carried on the wings of a prayer — like a dream he means to possess.
There’s the shadow of memories, some dear, some not soon enough forgotten. The shadow of sorrow and the shadow of death, boring your heart and mind — lingering long after the soul has been seared.
There’s the shadow of a kiss, and the shadow of a hand across a weary brow. Whatever they are, in whatever form, know that shadows will come, and fall where they may. However they touch you, it is my prayer that you will have a hand to hold, and a hand to guide, When the Shadows Fall.

RA: What was the first reaction when you got a glimpse of your cover art?
It was very pleased, my cover artist, Caina Fuller, really listened to my vision and brought it to life on the page.

Please give us a blurb and excerpt.

Blurb:

As the Civil War rages, Rebekah fights to keep her world intact. But loss and sorrow has seeped into her heart and mind. She sets her sights on Oregon, praying this new Eden will allow her a place of peace and a place to put her life, and that of her son’s, back together again. She travels to Independence, Missouri ready to take the train west, but is denied the opportunity to join the train because she is woman alone. Matthew battles his way through one fight after another, all the while thinking of Rebekah. The woman who holds his heart. He longs to help her west, but fears his biggest battle lies ahead of him. Will Rebekah open up her heart to him and allow him to be the one to hold her When the Shadows Fall?

Excerpt:
Matthew’s voice was soft, and appealing. Too appealing. His closeness, and the warmth radiating from his body, caused her heart to thrum. Rebekah decided to go in.
Robert had been gone and thought dead for over a year. How easy it would be to fall into Matthew’s arms. Let him comfort her like he’d done when she was a girl. They seemed like such strong arms. But she wasn’t a child anymore. She was a married woman with a child and a sick husband who needed her.
Her first love could be nothing more than a precious memory. Her heart grew heavy. She turned and was about to take her leave when Matthew asked about Robert. “If you’d rather not talk about it, I’ll understand. I only wanted you to know if you need anything, I’m here for you. I’ll help in any way I can.”
“That’s very kind. Things are okay for now. Besides, I couldn’t expect you to help the enemy.” She stood still, afraid to face him. Afraid of the concern he’d show.
“Rebekah, if you love him, and he cares for you, he’s no enemy of mine.” His reply was tender. He caught her shoulders, turned her to face him. “I mean that with all my heart.”
Rebekah nodded. He meant it. Her eyes misted. Her tears were building. If she fell into his arms, it was wrong to even think it, but… would he hold her close? Or had time changed everything? Still, she wasn’t his to hold anymore. In reality she never had been, though she wanted to be. Did he wish it were different? She wished they could go back, but they couldn’t. She had to accept that she would never be his, and be grateful for the chance to see him again.
“I should go. Can I walk you to the house?”
Raising her head, she found his gaze in the moonlight. “You go on. It’s such a lovely evening I think I’d like to stay longer. I’ll look for you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight then.” Her heart lurched as she considered him leaving. She wondered when he’d have to say goodbye. Perhaps for forever.
“Goodnight,” she whispered as she watched him cross the yard to his horse and swing his tall body effortlessly into the saddle.
“Goodnight,” he called again. She waved, and watched him disappear into the darkness — melding with the shadows on the road. Then she went to the bottom of the oak, and kneeling, tenderly brushed the ground where her old friend lay.

RA: Now the fun stuff; Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Oh my goodness, I have so many and if you found out about them I’d really feel guilty. LOL  Sometimes I like to get up and sit down with a cup of hot tea flavored with cream and honey, and watch the world go by. Sometimes I like to stay in bed and veg and might not get dressed til afternoon. Hot baths are nice and so are chocolate covered donuts, my hips especially thank me for those and pretty much any chocolate covered dessert out there.

RA: Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you.

I like to garden. If I could stop killing off some of my plants I might like it more. I can veggies and preserves. I like to sing and draw.

RA: If you didn’t have to worry about counting calories or fat, what’s the first food you’d reach for?

Hmm. The first? Well, I love homemade biscuits slathered with butter and honey. I love cheesecake and lemon tortes. And of course chocolate.

RA: Since you write romance, fess up. Have you ever read the “Grande Dames” of the genre like Jane Austen, Barbara Cartland, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts? What do you really think of their books?

I have read the “Grande Dames”. And must say they have their formulas down. So much so, I can pretty much tell you how it will turn out and that begins to take the thrill of story away for me. As for Jane Austen, though, I’ve only started to read her works.

RA: If someone read any of your work, what book would you recommend they start with and why?

Wow! Well, I would like to say the first one in print. But my first one in print was self-pubbed and riddled with errors. But the story was still good. I did go on to redo that after I’d learned a bit more. So, I’d have to say read any one of my books, I’m growing in my craft with each one. I hope. When Shadows Fall is the first book I ever finished. So it is very dear to me. I love the characters and want people to do the same. I hope they fall in love with the story.

RA: Thanks for spending a bit of time with me, and all of us at Romance Novels @ReginaAndrews’ Blog, Tina! Best wishes for continued success.

                       
And here’s a brief biography of Tina, plus all her links and contacts.

 

Biography, Links and Contacts
Tina Pinson resides in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of thirty plus years, Danny. They are blessed to have three sons, and five grandchildren with one on the way.

Tina started her first novel in elementary school. Her love of writing has caused her to seek creative outlets be it writing poetry, songs, or stories.

In the Manor of the Ghost and Touched By Mercy were published through Desert Breeze Publishers.

When Shadows Fall, Shadowed Dreams, and To Catch a Shadow, the first three installments of the Shadow Series about the Civil War and the Oregon Trail, will be available through Desert Breeze May 2012, November 2012 and June 2012 respectively.

My website — http://www.tinapinson.com/
Twitter:@Tina_Pinson
Facebook– http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=754617103

Purchase my books at:

Desert Breeze Bookstore.
When Shadows Fall http://tinyurl.com/d93p77a
Touched By Mercy – http://ning.it/9OJZ5r <http://ning.it/9OJZ5r>
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/we4ul

Amazon:
Touched By Mercy http://tiny.cc/k5tgw
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/doc8w
When Shadows Fall

Barnes & Noble
Touched By Mercy— http://tinyurl.com/7ztzjno
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/oh767
When Shadows Fall

Christian Books Distributors
Touched By Mercy – http://tinyurl.com/72p4pml
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/4u5h9
When Shadows Fall

Thank you again, Tina! Now, let’s hear from everyone out there.

Read Full Post »