On today's blog, I wanted to honor Ginger Simpson. http://mizging.blogspot.com/


She has been a good friend and mentor to me for many years.  I first met Ginger when we were with the same publishing company.  Seven of us were treated poorly with this publisher, and we broke away.  We kept in touch all the time in order to help boost the other's spirits. At this time, Ginger had started a critique group, which I joined.  I never realized until this point just how awesome Ginger's stories are!  I was hooked - and will forever be her fan.

Ginger has called me on the phone on a few occasions in my life when I've been depressed, and she's lifted me up and gave me the support I needed.  She has helped me so much in my writing career - and even made some of my book trailers!

Ginger, I just wanted to let you know...


I LOVE YOU!!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I want to introduce you to Lilia Birney. She is one of the authors in Regency Christmas Anthology series. I've read her story "A Second Chance For Christmas", and it's to DIE FOR!!

Lilia, tell us about yourself:
Well, I live in North Carolina and I have been writing professionally for about five years now. I have only written fiction for about a year, though. I have always loved reading Regency romance novels but never thought I could write one--until very recently, when I decided what the heck and took the plunge.


What made you start writing?
I was always a good writer in school, meaning that the teacher would read things I had written for assigments out loud to the class (most of the time without my permission, which pissed me off, LOL). But I never dreamed I could write things and actually earn money for them. This didn't occur to me until I got a gig writing restaurant reviews when I was staying at home with my newborn daughter. It just mushroomed from there.


That's awesome about your school teacher! You must have had a true talent back then. Tell us about your experience in writing a short story for the Regency Christmas Anthology.
What is this story about? My story is about Philip Whitton, the second son of Lord Norland. He's the Regency equivalent of a messed up rock star. He has this enormous talent but squanders it on drinking and drugs. He's still bitter that Emily Ware jilted him two years ago.

Here is the blurb:
Philip Whitton has been summoned back home by his grandfather after a wastrel existence in Italy, studying music and trying to forget his first love. Emily Barlow, nee Ware, is picking up the pieces of her shattered existence following her husband's death. Thrown together by chance on the road back home to Danby, Emily and Philip rekindle the flames of their old passion. Will the fire burn itself out like it did before, or are they ready to follow their hearts and live out the truth of their love?


A messed-up rock star? How funny! Do you have an excerpt to tease us with?


Buy link from Kindle - http://amzn.com/B0061ETYGA
Buy link from Nook - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/a-summons-from-the-duke?keyword=a+summons+from+the+duke&store=ebook


Great beginning! Do you have other stories?

I'm thrilled to announce my next story will be out Nov. 1st in a Regency Anthology. I'm with some very talented authors, and I'm happy to have my story with theirs.

I'm so happy to announce my newest release. A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER is finally available!  I've had many readers ask about this book, and I'm excited it's finally here!  WOO-HOO!  My publisher, Dark Castle Lords Publishing gave me the PERFECT cover! Don't you think it looks romantic?


Revenge and passion come together as Cecily Lawrence attempts to make right the scandal that ruined her six years ago. Garrett Hastings, Earl of Blackmore, may not have taken her virginity that night they secretly met in the greenhouse, but being caught in an intimate embrace with the rogue definitely ruined her for any other man. Now, on his wedding day, she is determined to kidnap him but make it look like he’s running out on his own marriage to be with his mistress.




EXCERPT

“That was close,” he said.


“I know.”

She sighed and relaxed her back against the girder, then chuckled. “Garrett, being with you has certainly been an adventure tonight.”

He smiled. “Shall I assume you’re enjoying yourself, then?”

“Yes.”

“Splendid. I am certainly enjoying the evening.”

A fly buzzed by her head and he moved it away with his hand. The only discouraging thing about being this far in the shadows was he couldn’t see the blue of her eyes. But if he stepped closer… He followed his thoughts.

Her chest moved with quick breaths. She licked her lips, and he couldn’t tear his eyes from that spot—except when the fly buzzed between their faces, pestering him once again. Just as he was ready to knock it aside, an idea hit him, making him grin. “Why don’t you blow away the fly like you did the bee earlier?”

She laughed and shook her head. “I fear if I do, you may get the wrong impression of my intensions.”

“But my dear, sweet Cecily. I am led to believe your intensions are as wicked as my own.” He arched an eyebrow. “Or am I misreading you?”

Even in the dim lighting, he detected a blush on her cheeks. He swept his knuckle across her heated skin to get his answer.

“Garrett,” she said as she fingered one of the gold buttons on his over jacket. “I don’t know why I’m here with you now. Propriety dictates this is wrong.”

The fly darted by his face again, and he tried to swat it. Soon, her hands were trying to make the insect go away as well. After missing their target, they started laughing.

“Hold still,” he instructed, keeping his eyes on the fly. When it neared her hair, he batted his hand. Instead of knocking the fly away, he bumped her styled hair, making the pins fall out. Her curls tumbled out of the bun and hung around her shoulders.

“Oh, dear,” she gasped and tried to fix it.

Mesmerized, he stopped her hands, lowering them to his chest as he held her palms against him. “Don’t,” he spoke in a deep voice. “I’ve never seen hair so beautiful before.”

“Garrett…this is indecent.” Her voice cracked.

“Please, allow me this one thing.” He caressed her hair, running his fingers from the top of the curls all the way to the bottom where they rested against her bosom. She inhaled sharply but didn’t remove his touch. “Your hair is so silky.”

Against his hand, her chest heaved with quick breaths. He ran the tip of his fingers up her hair once again, until reaching the curve of her neck before sliding his touch to her skin. Creamy, just as he’d imagined it would be. In slow circles, he rubbed his fingers along her collarbone, and down the swell of one breast. The Lord had certainly blessed her, and Garrett thanked the Almighty that she hadn’t put a stop to his exploration.

When he reached the edge of her bodice he stopped, but only to move in a different direction as he traced her gown. Her breaths grew quicker, as did his own, but something else grew as well. His arousal leapt by leaps and bounds the longer she allowed his ministrations.

Hesitantly, he slipped a finger inside her bodice, searching for a nipple. The bead rubbed his finger, creating a deep groan from Cecily, and he was surprised when one came from his throat as well. “Cecily, I want to hold you so bad it’s killing me.”


Want to read more? Buy now for only $4.50!!


~Phyllis~

Before I announce the winner, I want to say THANK YOU for everyone who entered my contest. This was my first, and I had such a great response I will definitely have another one.

So, let me announce the winner now.

LATISHAJEAN won the $10 gift card from Walmart!  I will email you to get your mailing instructions.

THANKS again everyone!

I'm participating with other authors in this exciting event! All these authors are also having giveaways, so be sure to visit their blogs and enter!  Go here for other giveaways - http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/giveaway-hop_17.html


For my contest, I'll be giving away a $10 gift card from Walmart. To enter, all you have to do is follow my blog and leave a comment with your name and email so I can contact the winner. The contest runs from August 1st - 7th. You can enter the contest during these days.


Thanks for entering! And have fun with the other authors who are participating in this blog!


~Phyllis~

I really enjoyed reading this story. Mary Martinez has a way of pulling her readers into the story and keeping them there until they've reached the end. I pride myself on trying to figure out the mystery when I read a book, but I confess, I couldn't figure it out this time. Mary did a wonderful job on the suspense. Oh - and I can't forget her yummy hero! Dang!! Why can't there be more men like that? I found myself sighing dreamily along with the heroine while reading this, and I'm quite sure my dreams will be happy tonight! A job well done, Mary Martinez!

Adam enjoys a lifestyle most men only dream of. Then one day he wakes up to find the morning headlines blaring, "Another victim falls prey to Mr. Romance. Who is next?" He suddenly realizes his way of life is not only frivolous, but deadly.


Dubbed Mr. Romance by New York society for his romantic adventures, Adam Fernando Russo loves women. But lately he realizes how lonely it is coming home to an empty house. Can he settle for only one woman? After he makes a list of qualities worthy enough to merit giving up his desirable existence, suddenly recipients of his coveted attention mysteriously fall prey to a murderer. The murders seem unrelated with one exception--all the victims have recently returned from a fabulous weekend rendezvous with Mr. Romance.

Adam’s assistant, Katie Sinclair, knows Adam is innocent with airtight alibis. The police are at a loss so Adam and Katie work together to discover the link between the murders. As luck would have it, their plan to prove the murderer is copying classic Cary Grant movies goes astray just as Adam realizes his perfect woman has been by his side all along.


Check out other books by Mary Martinez - http://www.marymartinez.com/


~Phyllis~