Showing posts with label Diana Cosby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diana Cosby. Show all posts

11/11/2015

Get Lost With Our Veterans!

Hi, folks! Veterans Day is here and it's always had a special place in my heart. From my days in high school (a looooooooong time ago), I've read about, learned about, and worked for our soldiers. When I was in college, I spent every Veterans Day in Washington, DC participating in activities to honor our soldiers. I originally wanted to write military heroes until I realized how many details I could easily screw up. So I left that work to those who are so much better, the ladies I'm showcasing below.

In my own book, Dance Away, Danger, the hero used to be in the Army. Since I don't know the specifics about Army life, I did the next best thing. I made Matt a former soldier, which helps with the suspense angle of the story.   AMAZON
  
BLURB:  Sensible dance instructor Tessa Gage likes her life organized, risk-free and on her own terms. When her cop brother goes missing, his crooked partner tries to kill her, and a handsome stranger claims he’s come to protect her, she’s forced to leave her comfort zone. With more dance and business sense than survival skills and no idea who to trust, Tessa has no choice but to rely on this man who’d rather be anywhere but by her side.

When carefree carpenter Matt Rylan gets a late night call from an Army buddy who once saved his life, he finds himself where he never again wanted to be—responsible for someone else. Honor demands Matt cooperate, but he never expects his simple babysitting job to test the limits of his self-control. Nor does he expect it to explode into a race against time for his very freedom.
As Tessa and Matt get closer to the truth, and to each other, Tessa learns to step outside the safety of her world to help set the wheels of justice in motion. For Matt, supporting this courageous woman suddenly becomes everything to him.  Yet, his biggest challenge remains sharing his closed-off heart with her before the danger silences them both forever.
AND NOW......
SILVER JAMES likes walks on the wild side and coffee. Okay. She LOVES coffee. Warning: Her Muse, Iffy, runs with scissors. A cowgirl at heart, she’s also been an Army officer’s wife and mom, and has worked in the legal field, fire service, and law enforcement. Now retired from the real world, she lives in Oklahoma and spends her days writing with the assistance of her two Newfoundland dogs, the cat who rules them all, and the myriad characters living in her imagination. www.silverjames.com

BLURB: The HARD TARGET Team: Judge, jury, executioner. The multinational Hard Target special operators hunt the worst of the worst, and each brings their own brand of special to the mix. Genetically enhanced Navy SEALs. Wolf shifters from the SAS and Irish Marines. An Israeli Oketz officer. And a team of former USAF pilots and pararescue jumpers whose humanity doesn’t keep them from the fight. All corralled by Mother Goose, who commands the undercover group with steel-toed combat boots and cold beer.

Double-crossed… 

Duke Reagan’s mission went to hell. His SEAL teammates dead, abandoned by Command in the middle of an African warlord’s territory, he’s wounded, blind, and on the run with a terrified American, Coreen Prince, a doctor who was supposed to be collateral damage. Somehow, they survive, but not before they lose a bit of their hearts to each other. It takes a year to restore Duke's vision, and the return of his sight comes with the opportunity to join the Hard Target team, a not-quite white hat organization doing what government coalitions can’t. His first mission as the team’s sniper puts a drug cartel boss in his sights, but a familiar face that’s haunted Duke since Africa crowds the scope. 
Dr. Coreen Prince struggled to put her life back together after her African ordeal, but a slight detour one night in Key West offers her the chance to apologize to the man who saved her at such great cost to himself. Too bad Duke didn't recognize her. On special assignment in South America, Cory once again finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. But rescue comes from the last man she expects to see, the one man she can’t forget. Will they get a second chance at love or will he just see her as another double cross… AMAZON 

ANNE WILSON lives just outside of Phoenix with her husband and two children. She served nine years active duty as a navy helicopter pilot, which included deployment to the Persian Gulf. Never in her wildest imaginings did she think she would be a writer one day, but now she’s found her passion. Her books are a combination of romantic suspense, military thriller, and women’s fiction. Hover is her debut novel. www.anneawilson.com
 
BLURB: Navy helicopter pilot Sara Denning wants nothing more than to disappear into the uniform, but her talent at the controls make her a stand out to Eric Marxen, a driven lieutenant with a few secrets of his own, and uncovering them may lead her to actually finding herself.  AMAZON

NANCY S. BRANDT is a stay-at-home mother of two children, a daughter, 25, who is an appointment's clerk at an orthopedic clinic and an editor and book reviewer; and a son, 12, who studies karate, and wants to be either an historian or an artist. Nancy's husband, Steven, is also an author and an adjunct professor of computer science at Louisiana State University.

In about sixth grade, an English teacher gave an assignment to write a descriptive essay. Nancy's was all about a wonderful cave filled with diamonds, emeralds and other precious gems. From that experience, she walked into every English class hoping to get to write something, and she learned three things:

1. The difference between stalactite and stalagmite,
2. That fantasy was probably the genre she should concentrate on, and
3. Never end a story with "It was all a dream."

Nancy is a kidney transplant recipient (her husband was her living donor), a thyroid cancer survivor, and an Army veteran. She is currently working on the sequel to Pigsty Princess, called Questionable Queen. www.nancysbrandt.com


BLURB: In a country where Elemental Sensitivities determine a person's place in society, Mariana, fourth child of King Jonathan and Queen Alexandria, was born an Insensitive. She is given the made up title of Progenna, because she can't be in line for the throne and therefore, can't be a Princess. All her life, she is reminded that she isn't quite good enough. When her father decides she is to marry Pir Leo Valentine, an eighty-four year old man with a scar across his face that took his eye and only one hand, she runs away from the palace.

Orlando of Talla is a pig farmer and former soldier who served the King until he watched his Sovereign burn an entire harbor town rather than lose a battle. Now he tries to live a quiet life while leading a band of rebels who steal from the nobility to bring prisoners home from that war.

Orlando is also the bastard son of a nobleman, and therefore, he has a Sensitivity, one of Blood that allows him to feel the Sensitivities of others.

He finds the injured Progenna in the forest and immediately realizes that the stories about Mariana aren't true. Rather than being an Insensitive, Mariana may be the most powerful Sensitive in Valborough.
AMAZON

DIANA COSBY A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense.  Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothers series are translated in five languages.  Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.

After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world.  With the release of her first two books in her new Scottish medieval The Oath Trilogy, An Oath Taken and An Oath Broken, both which hit bestseller lists in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as the release of the e Box Set of the MacGruder Brothers series, she is now preparing for the release of the last book in The Oath trilogy, An Oath Sworn on 23 December, 2015!

Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey. www.dianacosby.com

BLURB: Colyne MacKerran is on a mission for his king, and he’s well aware that spies are lying in wait for him everywhere. Wounded en route, he escapes his attackers and is aided by an alluring Frenchwoman…whose explanation for her presence in the Highlands rings false. Even if she saved his life, he cannot trust her with his secrets. But he won’t leave her to the mercy of brigands, either—and as they race for the coast, he can’t help but wonder if her kiss is as passionate as she is.

With nothing in common but their honor, Colyne and Marie face a dangerous journey to safety through the untamed Scottish landscape—and their own reckless hearts…
AMAZON


GWEN HERNANDEZ was a manufacturing engineer and programmer before she turned to writing romantic suspense. She’s also the author of Scrivener For Dummies and teaches Scrivener (writing software) to writers all over the world.

She loves to travel, read, jog, practice Kung Fu, and explore the Boston area where she currently lives with her Air Force husband, two teenage boys, and a lazy golden retriever.
www.gwenhernandez.com

Message: Happy Veterans Day! As a former military brat (Army and Navy), and a current Air Force spouse, I’ve been surrounded by honorable, self-sacrificing men and women my entire life. My own personal heroes. I honor them in the best way I know how: writing about them. To all veterans—and those still serving—thank you!
 

BLURB: 

Rescuing a kidnapped aid worker from St. Isidore’s dangerous rebels is just another day at work for former pararescueman Dan Molina. But his mission falls apart when the woman—who once shattered his heart—refuses to leave the island.

Alexa Alyssandratos can’t return to her life as a nurse on the hurricane-ravaged Caribbean island, but she won't leave until she’s certain the orphans she cared for—especially one sick little girl—are safe from the rebels. Denied their ransom, a would-be dictator and his soldiers are hunting Alexa, and Dan is the only person who can protect her. Old passions reignite as she and Dan race to save the children before they disappear forever.
AMAZON

 
HEATHER ASHBY is a Navy veteran who writes military romantic suspense with Major Christopher Bergeron, USMC, (Ret.) In thanksgiving for her Army son’s safe return from war, she donates 50% of her royalties to Fisher House Foundation, which provides free family lodging at military hospitals. Suzanne Brockmann says, “My readers will love Heather Ashby!”  (P.S. My handsome son is my cover model :-))  www.heatherashby.com

BLURB:
With 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel melted into her bow, what if there are more souls aboard the USS New York than the sailors and Marines stationed there? And what if those souls can help the troops defeat al-Qaeda this time?

When Royal Navy officer Gwyn Pritchard reports for exchange duty aboard USS New York, she’s the only person who sees 9/11 spirits roaming the decks. The daughter of a famous psychic, Gwyn learns they must complete a mission in order to pass to the other side. The sole survivor of an IED blast in Afghanistan, Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Adam Connor has his own issues. But when he discovers that the British officer sees ghosts aboard their ship, he becomes her confidant—and lover.

Passions rise to fever pitch when the New York rushes to liberate British and American hostages in North Africa. Can the spirits gather the right intelligence to help the Marines save the prisoners? Can Gwyn help the ghosts move on to the light? Can Adam and Gwyn find the love they’ve searched the world over for? AMAZON

 
 
 
 

1/27/2011

Diana Cosby

GET LOST IN A STORY WITH DIANA COSBY

Diana Cosby has been a generous, longtime participant of Romance Writers of America. She is not only a talented author but constantly shares her expertise with fellow writers. (Now, if you can take your eyes off the male model she's pictured with), please help me welcome Diana Cosby to Get Lost in a Story. ~ Donnell

HIS CONQUEST ~ Seathan MacGruder, Earl of Grey, is not unused to cheating death. But even this legendary Scottish warrior is surprised when a beautiful Englishwoman creeps to his cell and offers him his freedom. What Linet wants in exchange, though--safe passage to the Highlands--is a steep price to pay. For the only thing more dangerous than the journey through embattled Scotland is the desire that smolders between these two fugitives the first time they touch . . .


Donnell: What’s in your refrigerator right now?

Diana: ~Starbucks breakfast blend, Ghirardelli peppermint bark and whole milk with which I make my daily cafe con lèche. Orowheat sandwich thins, apple butter, Virginia ham, swiss cheese all for sandwiches. And, a box of blush wine. :) With those staples, everything else in food life is negotiable. LOL

Donnell: Is Elvis really dead?

Diana: ~I believe his 'death' is a magnificently orchestrated sales plan that has exceeded expectations. Upon his supposed demise, a wax figure of Elvis was 'removed' from Graceland while the real Elvis was whisked away to a secret tropical location for facial reconstruction surgery so no one would ever recognize him. Elvis now lives a comfortable life in a tropical haven and travels to the U.S. on occasion to visit family. But after a life crowded with people, tours as a constant demand for his time, he enjoys the luxury of sitting back and diving into his secret passion, reading medieval romance novels. :)

Donnell: What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

Diana: ~My goal is to become a NYTimes Best-Selling author as well as to inspire others as to make a positive difference in others lives. To date the dreams I'm proud to share that are realized are:

-I 've started a writing scholarship at a local high school.

-I support as volunteer for Habitat For Humanity as well as organize writing groups to pick up build days.

-I support as volunteer for Ducks Unlimited.

-I give workshops on various topics of writing.

-I am a Lifetime Member of the National Trust For Scotland.

-I'm an award-winning international best-selling author.

-My latest release, "His Conquest," has remained on the Amazon Best-Seller list for over 12 weeks.

Donnell: Congratulations! What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing/researching a book?

Diana: ~The fact that early in the 1290s, William Wallace was thrown into jail by the English, fed gruel and rotting herring. He fell into a coma. Believing him dead, they tossed Wallace into a dung heap. The nurse of his youth retrieved his 'body' to bury him, but once home she discovered he still lived. Years later, Wallace alongside Andrew de Moray led their combined troops to win a decisive battle against overwhelming odds at Stirling Bridge.

Donnell: Dog person or cat person?

Diana: ~Both, I have a German Short-haired Pointer named Duncan, a part-time Great Pyrenees - Annabelle, and two rescue cats, Bad & Brat. :)

Donnell: Which is your favorite language other than your native language?

Diana: ~The language of the night, the quiet sounds that barely reach you, the soft brush of wind against grass, the scrape of leaves against stone, or how the cool wind shuffles it's way through the trees and at times casts harmonic sighs.

Donnell: What question are you never asked in interviews, but wish you were?

Diana: ~Do you enjoy cooking or baking? If so, are you a follow-the-recipe kind of person or is a recipe your base to explore and create?

And, to answer this, I'm the latter. Unlike my plotter ways when I write, when I cook, I tend to be a seat-of-your pants cook! I love to cook but rarely measure anything. I have fun creating new recipes, and at the end of the interview, I'll add on a chocolate cake I invented. :)

Donnell: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

Diana: ~Painting recreations of the masters. I love painting, but my passion for writing leaves me little time to pursue this pleasure. One day in the future I know I will begin again. :)

Donnell: If you could interview one person (and it doesn’t have to be a writer) who would it be?

Diana: ~The Bishop Wishart, because he was one of the original Guardian's of Scotland after the death of King Alexander III and was such a tremendous force behind the Scottish War of Independence. Braveheart portrays William Wallace as a fierce man who inspired many. While true, it negates to mention that it was the Bishop Wishart who sent nobles to support Wallace thereby raising his importance. I believe Wishart was also elemental in uniting the leadership of Andrew de Moray and William Wallace for the monumental battle at Stirling Bridge. There are so many unknown venues that the Bishop Wishart was active in, to me it would be fascinating to truly learn the entire truth.

Donnell: Sounds like a potential nonfiction historical book in the making.

And, as promised the cake I created:

Awesome Texas Chocolate Cake

by Diana Cosby

Devil’s Food Cake mix

Ganache

Cool Whip

Chocolate shavings

Chocolate frosting (*I make homemade.)

Ganache:

.1/2 cup heavy cream

.1 lb. semisweet dark chocolate

*In a heavy saucepan, bring heavy cream to a boil. Remove from heat, mix in chocolate, stir until melted. Chill ganache until consistency you need.

Directions:

Bake two 9” layer cakes according to directions. Once cooled, set first layer on a cake plate. Add coat of ganache. Layer with Cool Whip. Next, add second layer of cake. Coat with ganache. Frost side of cake. Layer top with Cool Whip. Sprinkle on top with chocolate shavings. Chill until served.

*Do you cook/bake? If so, what is your favorite thing to make and why? My sincere thanks for stopping by!

Diana Cosby, Best-Selling International Author

http://www.dianacosby.com/

Diana’s third novel in the MacGruder series, “His Conquest – Seathan’s story,” is available now:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Booksamillion.com
Borders
Kindle Edition

"Readers will fall in love with this third MacGruder Brother." - Romantic Times

"Diana Cosby weaves fabulous tales of Medieval Scottish romance." NYT Best-selling Author - Pam Palmer

ABOUT DIANA:

Most people think of retirement as a time to relax. For me, retiring at 36 from my job as a Navy Chief Meteorologist/Oceanographer allowed me to pursue my passion – writing romance novels. With 32 moves behind me and having traveled through many countries, I was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people I’ve met over the years.

After nine and a half years of writing and while I was working on my eleventh novel, I received “The Call” from Kensington and sold the first two in the MacGruder brothers series. A couple of years later Kate Duffy bought the third and fourth books in the series.

I have many passions, but one that resonates most in my life is that of giving. I firmly believe that each of us can make a positive difference in another person’s life. There are so many charities, and, with each book I sell, I will tithe a percentage of each novel to a charity of my choice. In addition, I enjoy volunteering for Habitat For Humanity, Ducks Unlimited, and at a local high school I have an annual Diana Cosby Writing Scholarship.

I am currently working on the next Scottish medieval romantic suspense book in the MacGruder brothers series. I look forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share my journey.

Diana Cosby, International Best-Selling Author
http://www.dianacosby.com/
His Captive-Alexander MacGruder/ His Woman-Duncan MacGruder/ His Conquest-Seathan MacGruder
His Destiny - Oct 2011

For those who comment or ask questions on today's GLIAS blog, Diana is giving away book one in the MacGruder Series, HIS CAPTIVE.

Join Get Lost in a Story tomorrow, January 28th, as Heather Snow hosts Grand Central Historical Author, Cara Elliott.