What’s Your Destination?

Award-winning and Amazon best-selling author, Vicki Batman, has sold many romantic comedy works to the True magazines, several publishers, and most recently, two romantic comedy mysteries to The Wild Rose Press. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and several writing groups. An avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Chocoholic. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking, "What if??"

Find Vicki

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Many years ago, Handsome and I decided the best memory we could give our children was travel. We cruised to Alaska and Hawaii. Hiked in Colorado. Marveled at the West Texas scenery. Sailed the Rhine River. I like to travel. See what is out there. Drive and take it all in. The U.S. is so big and there are many, many places to visit.

The most significant part of this memory making is #1 and #2 son were with us. Family. Family sharing laughs and love, meals and something extraordinary.

So when Angi tossed out the question about What’s My Bucket List?, I didn’t have to search far. Here’s mine (in no particular order):

1. Machu Pichu

2. Raft the Grand Canyon

3. Drive Highway 1 as far as it will go (I’ve done it in sections)

4. Big Bend

5. French river cruise

6. Danube river cruise

7. Australia and New Zealand

8. Hike some fourteeners

9. Go back to Paris and visit Normandy

10. Great Britain

11. Yellowstone

12. Maine

I could add more. However, I’m thinking this list will last until I’m in my eighties. Then I’ll hire somebody to drive me around in a cool RV. I can stretch out, stitch, read, eat, and relax and discover a new destination.

I bet you are also wondering what has Vicki been writing. LOL. Coming June 1 is a romantic comedy short story from the Just You and Me boxed set which also features 15 tantalizing reads written by today's hottest USA Today, Bestselling and Award Winning authors: Nicole Morgan, Desiree Holt, Jacquie Biggar, Ashlyn Chase, Dalton Diaz, Brenna Zinn, Kate Richards, Liz Durano, Deelylah Mullin, Tierney O'Malley, Caitlyn Lynch, Fiona Miers, Cate Farren, Krista Ames

What if the love of your life was in front of you all along?

It began innocently with a few margaritas… Kelly Stinson is persuaded to represent Yahoo! Ranch Steakhouse in the Chamber of Commerce’s beauty contest. After an unexpected swan dive off stage, her heart goes pitter patter over the orthopedic surgeon who repaired her ripped up ankle.

Daniel Ackerman has always had the hots for his twin sister’s best friend. Much to his dismay, her doctor has taken notice of the dark-haired beauty and invaded his territory. That’s about to change when he moves in to help Kelly recover physically and open her eyes to what’s been in front of her all along.

Excerpt:

"I can't believe I let your loony brother, who's tormented me all my life, talk me into this." With my eye on the teenage competition, I tugged the leg opening

of my swimsuit into place to better cover my hip. "Just because I did some modeling in college doesn't make me a pageant diva. Back then, I was incredibly skinny, and clothes fit easily."

"Daniel's a rat. He took advantage of your third or was it your fourth margarita, Kelly?" Maggie Ackerman, my best friend and roommate, adjusted the scarlet satin sash draped across my body. Glittery stick-on letters spelled out Miss Yahoo! Ranch Steakhouse. "Hold still."

With an old-fashioned teasing comb, she picked my brown hair into place at the crown of my head. The eerie suspicion I resembled a scary dame with Big Texas hair from the television show, Dallas, caused me to avoid looking in the mirror.

"Close your eyes." She hit me with super freeze-it hairspray. "Now, that ain't goin' nowhere."

My personal stylist needed to work on her aim, preferably with both of her eyes open. I spit-wiped the sticky spot on my right cheek. I hope nobody I know sees me like this.

"There." The scrunch of her nose reflected how pleased she was with herself. "Feeling better?"

Like a slab of beef.

Preorder Just You and Me

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WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

E.E. Burke's Best of the Contemporary West with Renee Vincent

Today, my very special guest is Renee Vincent, USA Today bestselling author of both contemporary

 romance, featuring cowboys, and historical romance featuring Vikings. Can you tell she loves creating Alpha heroes? You can't get much more Alpha than vikings and cowboys. 

Renee lives on a 100-acre farm with six horses, her favorite time period (other than present day) is the 10th century, which just happens to be the time period for her historical Viking romances. But today she's sharing about the latest release in her contemporary Western series, Mavericks of Meeteetse.

Be sure to leave a comment and enter the drawing for your chance to win one of 2 ebook copies of Longing For Langston, Brody & Liv, Book 1, Mavericks of Meeteetse.

Now, let's take a look at Falling For Forester...

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK
B&N |  iBooks | Kobo

Best friend and fellow cowboy cattle rancher Cole Forester likes things the way they are—quiet, no-frills, and uncomplicated. He’s a glorified bachelor with only a dog as his companion, totally content to live a solitary life next to the McKinley ranch. That is until a cute little barrel racer shows up looking for a job as a ranch hand.

Tomboy Crys Willingham hangs up her rodeo hat and heads to where her friend Ava Wallace lives, hoping to score a job that doesn’t involve the risk of broken bones every time she mounts up. Once she lays eyes on Cole, it’s her vulnerable heart that’s in danger of breaking.

Excerpt:

Cole gripped his beer and stared in the direction of the hallway. Although he’d much rather skip out on the dinner before Crys made an appearance, the anticipation of seeing the look on her face the second she laid eyes on him held him riveted to the chair.

In the passing minutes he spent waiting, Ava and Jonas made small talk, which might or might not have included him. He tried to listen, tried to follow their conversation about God knows what, but he couldn’t focus on anything save for Crys’s grand entrance.

When he heard the bathroom door open, his heart kicked into high gear. Sammy leapt to his feet and met her as she walked into the living room. She wore another pair of tight blue jeans, and a blue plaid flannel shirt that matched her eyes. Her long hair was loosely braided this time and brought to the front, innocently drawing attention to her buxom chest. Simply put, she stole his breath away.

“Here she is,” Ava announced, turning around in her chair. “Cole, this is my dear friend Crys Willingham. Crys, this is Cole.”

Crys looked up from Sammy and stopped petting him with a deer-in-the-headlights look on her face. Cole stood up from the table out of politeness and smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Crys.”

“Oh my God, it is you.”

Cole heard the shakiness in her voice and reveled in it. The brave and confident woman he’d met on the highway had vanished. For the first time since they’d met, she seemed approachable.

Ava looked between the two of them, confused. “Wait. You two know each other?”

“Informally, we’ve already met,” Cole explained. “But the last time she saw me, I was on the receiving end of her Remington.”

Jonas choked on his beer, coughing and laughing at the same time. “Cole’s the guy you pulled a gun on yesterday?”

Crys cringed. “I’m afraid so.”

Jonas beat his chest to clear his airway. “This is classic hilarious! I love it! You have no idea how this makes my day!”

Ava frowned at Jonas. “Get ahold of yourself, Jonas. This is not funny.”

“Fuck yeah, it is. Every single one of you is laughing on the inside.” He pointed at Crys. “You know you’re on the verge of laughter. I mean seriously, what are the chances that the one guy you pull a gun on is the same guy Ava’s trying to fix you up with.”

Meet Renee

RENEE VINCENT is a USA Today bestselling author who also pens humorous, sweet contemporary romance (with a smidgen of spunk) under the name GRACIE LEE ROSE. From the daunting, charismatic Vikings, to the charming, brazen Alpha male heroes of modern day (which now include cowboys) readers will be whisked away to a world filled with fast-paced adventure, unforgettable romance, and undying love.

Here's where you can find Renee:

http://www.reneevincent.com/

http://www.instagram.com/reneevincent33

https://www.facebook.com/reneevincentauthor

http://www.twitter.com/ReneeVincent

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3005290.Renee_Vincent

http://www.amazon.com/Renee-Vincent/e/B002Y117PA/

Q&A

What are the next five books on your ‘to be read’ pile?

1.     Big Rock by Lauren Blakely

2.     Anything For You by Kristan Higgins (love this woman)

3.     Prime Minister by Ainsley Booth & Sadie Haller

4.     All I Ever Need Is You by Bella Andre

5.     Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

What has been your most rewarding publishing moment?

Hands down, hitting the USA Today bestseller’s list! It had been a long time personal goal of mine and making the list was not only rewarding, but a huge relief to finally cross off my list. Next up…New York Times baby!

Wow! Renee is a cover model! How cool is that?

What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?

That I’m on the cover of USA Today bestselling author, Shelly Thacker’s AFTER SUNDOWN with cover model and friend Billy Freda. Here’s the beautiful cover (right).

What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?

One that is fast-paced, but emotionally charging. Whether it’s historical or contemporary, I want to be moved by the hero, touched by author’s words, and longing for the next riveting scene!

If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?

*squee* I’m LOVING this question, by the way…

If I could travel to the past, I’d definitely want to travel back to the 10^th Century during the time of the Vikings. I’d hope to either be a fearless shield maiden, fighting alongside my brave and handsome Norse warrior husband, or an Irish princess who has captured the attention of said Norseman whereby my father (obviously one of Ireland’s kings) bequeaths my hand in marriage to him and we live happily ever after! (Can you tell I’m also Viking romance author?)

Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

I read EVERY SINGLE review. I want to know exactly what readers think of my work, because let’s face it…readers keep me in business. And if they took the time to read my book and leave an honest review, then I should take the time to see what they have to say.

That said, I don’t take bad reviews personally. Every reader has their own opinion, and like them, I have mine. I do, however, take into consideration their suggestions and feedback. But at the end of the day, I write what’s in my heart.

What’s your favorite fairy tale?

Sleeping Beauty

What turns you off like nothing else?

Blatant cruelty

What sound or noise do you love?

The thundering sound of running horses. I live on a 100-acre farm and we have six horses so when they decide to run across the field, it’s such a powerful sound!

What will always make you smile, even on a bad day?

Hugs from daughters, or the sound of their laughter. Both are immediate mood lifters!

Renee's giveaway...

Whether it's Vikings, cowboys, or the charming contemporary heroes, I love to write series romance. I think the main reason is because I don't like to say goodbye to my characters after just one book. I want them to stick around, pay a visit on occasion, and be a constant presence is the hero and heroine's lives--just as friends and family would in real life.

My tagline for the type of series romance I write is: Familiar. Timeless. Unforgettable.

Do you prefer series romance as I do? What are your reasons?

And if you don't care for series romance, that's okay too. But tell me why. I can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts!

Comment and enter the drawing for your chance to win one of 2 ebook copies of Longing For Langston, Brody & Liv, Book 1)

Good luck!!!

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