ARE YOU A COWGIRL AT HEART? PART II

My first visit to Deadwood, South Dakota last summer was during Wild Deadwood Reads, a newer reader/author conference unique from any other in that the events are set up to be enjoyed by readers and authors together.

We’re coming up on the second annual WDR June 7-10, 2018 up in Deadwood and if you’d like to learn more, we’d love to have you join us!

http://wilddeadwoodreads.com/

While there, we attended together (authors & readers) the PBR Rodeo Velocity Tour and inspiration struck one of our own here at GLIAS. Elisabeth Burke came up with the idea to gather together authors to write short stories set in Deadwood (contemporary or historical) and donate all net proceeds from the eBook & Print books to the Western Sports Foundation. An organization that picks up with support when traditional means end in health insurance for those that risk life and limb on the rodeo circuit.

It’s taken a great deal of blood, sweat, and tears, but the idea has taken on a life of its own and with the support not only of its best-selling authors, but the Western Sports Foundation, the PBR and all the rodeo fans and readers out there, it’s sure to continue to benefit this very worthy cause!

Official website: http://bit.ly/DeadwoodTales

My humble contribution to this wonderful anthology that I am proud to be involved in is called ONCE UPON A DEADWOOD DREAM. It’s a contemporary western with a decided paranormal twist and (spoiler alert) the hero and heroine do ultimately cross over into my contemporary western romance, WORTH THE WAIT—next in my Last Hope Ranch series.

Once Upon a Deadwood Dream (in Wild Deadwood Tales anthology)

Sometimes to find your future you must face the past. Searching for clues to her great-great-grandmother’s her past, Crystal Lake finds love in the unexpected form of Hunter McCoy, a Deadwood street actor, portraying Wild Bill Hickok. But when a deadly twist of fate threatens the budding new romance, Crystal must rely on the past to hold on to her future.

Excerpt:

Each of the acting troupe went around the saloon room and introduced themselves. There were all varieties of personalities, he noted, but his instincts kicked in high when it came to one man in particular.

“Name’s Travis Cole. I play the man who murders you—the infamous Jack McCall.”

A round of boos went up from the group, followed by a smattering of laughter and nudges toward the man.

Hunter glanced at Anton. Teasing or not he didn’t care for the cocky tone in the Travis’s voice. Maybe that’s because Hunter understood what it meant to kill another person. Being cocky about it hadn’t been part of his training. “I’ll try not to hold that against you,” Hunter joked, then his gaze drifted to the pretty woman standing next to him. She was likely in her mid to late twenties, maybe, with a body made for sin and snapping dark brown eyes that captivated his attention.

 He also noted how quickly Travis dropped his arm over her shoulder in a typical possessive move. He tried not to smile at the gesture, focusing instead on the woman’s reaction. 

She stepped forward and held out her hand in greeting, breaking the contact.

Hunter couldn’t say why that pleased him.

“Crystal Lake,” she said, with a firm grip of his hand.

“That’s a lovely name,” he commented politely.

“Oh, that’s the stage name I’ve taken as the saloon girl, my full name is Crystal Lake Holmes.”

“Still…lovely.” Hunter released her hand slowly, not taking his gaze from hers.

“She’s the granddaughter of Agnes Lake,” Sally, another member of the troupe piped up.

The dark-haired woman shot a look of warning to her friend, giving time for Hunter to take in how well the faded grey t-shirt and equally worn to holes jeans the woman named Crystal wore. She tugged unconsciously at the hem of her shirt, stretching out the logo for Cheyenne Frontier Days on its front.

“Is that so?” Hunter smiled, enjoying how her cheeks pinked a bit with a pretty blush. Just the same, it appeared to him after a few short moments that this was a no-nonsense type of woman. That wasn’t going to bode well, he thought for poor Travis.

As you can see, Crystal has all the qualities of being a cowgirl at heart! (Hunter sure thinks so!!)

Enter via comment, what about YOU that makes you a cowgirl at heart for your chance to win a signed copy of Wild Deadwood Tales, a “cowgirl at heart” bangle bracelet and a beautiful sunset infinity scarf. 

*Be sure to include your email info so I can contact you!

**One winner chosen form comments will be announced on Sunday right here at GLIAS!! Good luck!

Too Steamy for the Penalty Box ... Period Three

The New Orleans Cajun Rage professional hockey team just won the Cup. No one thought they'd do it: they were a team of shoulda beens, never coulda beens and a star or two. They'd only been in the Crescent City for three years before this year's Cinderella run that had them skating off the ice with the championship. Over the following summer, each player gets to keep the Cup for a day. Nobody knows why, but whoever has the Cup falls in love. 

18 romances with smoking hot heroes--both on and off the ice

Thanks for joining us today for Period Three: Robin Kaye, Katie Kenyhercz,  USA Today Bestseller Heather Long

Don't miss Period One: Xio Axelrod, Christi Barth, Andie J. Christopher, & Avery Flynn
Period Two : USA Today Bestseller Robin Covington, Kim Golden, Lena Hart, & USA Today Bestseller Desiree Holt 
Overtime: Nana Malone, Kate Meader, Virginia Nelson, Susan Scott Shelley, and Misty D. Waters.
OR Scoring the Winning Goal: Publisher's Weekly Bestseller Angi Morgan

20% of all royalties from sales of Hot on Ice 

will go to Homes for our Troops.

HOT ON ICE LAUNCH PARTY   pre-Order @ .99 for a limited time

 Goodreads | iBooks | Kobo | B&N | Amazon

PENALTY BOX BLUES

Robin Kaye

Stryker Gyllenhaal, enforcer on the Ragin' Cajun's, knows that once he hits Boise, his time spent in the penalty box is nothing compared to the payback Karma Kincaid has in store for him. When he finds out she has hired a handler, Trish Reynolds, his old college tutor, he's not sure who the real enforcer is. Karma, because she owns him for an entire week, or Trish, the only woman who knows his secret, and can slam his heart against the boards with a sideways glance. He is so pucked.

Amazon | website | Twitter | Facebook | GLIAS



BEAR NAKED

Katie Kenyhercz

First Nations defenseman Bear Thompson wants to spend his day with the Cup back home on the reserve, but first he has to convince his childhood sweetheart and current band chief Aria Paul to give him another chance and that letting the media in won't be the end of the world. The last thing Aria wants to do is fall back in love with the man who broke her heart and left her in the dust, but old feelings spark new ones, and when Bear sets his sights on a goal, it's only a matter of time.

“The sexiest thing about Bear is his dedication to what matters to him.”

Amazon | website | Twitter | Facebook

DEEP CHECK

USA Today Bestseller Kimberly Kincaid

Hotshot hockey center Finn Donnelly wants nothing more than to take The Cup to his best friend's grave after the Rage's big win. The problem is, that also means going back to his hometown and seeing January Sinclair, a.k.a., the woman he left behind. Will Finn and January learn to build new trust--or will their ghosts keep them from falling in deep?

"The sexiest thing about my hero is his drive. Finn will do whatever it takes to get what he wants, whether it's the Cup or a shot at proving himself to his heroine, January."

Amazon | website | Twitter | Facebook | GLIAS

BLOCKED

USA Today Bestseller Heather Long

Archer Durham's career has been defined by his badass attitude both on and off the ice, unfortunately it's biting him in the ass. After one too many unfortunate videos of him turned up on social media, both his fans and the press have turned against him. The win shines spotlight on the whole team and he needs to clean up his act...but what the hell does he know about being a knight in shining armor? 

“The sexiest thing about Archer Durham is his loyalty and compassion, two traits he doesn't flaunt but yet drive the choices he makes.”

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18 ORIGINAL STORIES ~ 1 AMAZING TEAM

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LET'S PLAY FILL IN THE BLANK

The sexiest thing about a hockey hero is his _______.

Get Lost in a Collection of Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart

Jane Austen Made Me Do It

Ballantine Books

Regency or contemporary, romantic or fantastical, each of these marvelous stories reaffirms the incomparable influence of one of history’s most cherished authors.

“My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” If you just heaved a contented sigh at Mr. Darcy’s heartfelt words, then you, dear reader, are in good company. Here is a delightful collection of never-before-published stories inspired by Jane Austen—her novels, her life, her wit, her world.

Stories by: Lauren Willig • Adriana Trigiani • Jo Beverley • Alexandra Potter • Laurie Viera Rigler • Frank Delaney & Diane Meier • Syrie James • Stephanie Barron • Amanda Grange • Pamela Aidan • Elizabeth Aston • Carrie Bebris • Diana Birchall • Monica Fairview • Janet Mullany • Jane Odiwe • Beth Pattillo • Myretta Robens • Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway • Maya Slater • Margaret C. Sullivan • and Brenna Aubrey, the winner of a story contest hosted by the Republic of Pemberley




A blurb or two from the anthology...



In Lauren Willig’s “A Night at Northanger,” a young woman who doesn’t believe in ghosts meets a familiar specter at the infamous abbey; Jane Odiwe’s “Waiting” captures the exquisite uncertainty of Persuasion’s Wentworth and Anne as they await her family’s approval of their betrothal; Adriana Trigiani’s “Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane” imagines a modern-day Austen giving her niece advice upon her engagement; in Diana Birchall’s “Jane Austen’s Cat,” our beloved Jane tells her nieces “cat tales” based on her novels; Laurie Viera Rigler’s “Intolerable Stupidity” finds Mr. Darcy bringing charges against all the writers of Pride and Prejudice sequels, spin-offs, and retellings; in Janet Mullany’s “Jane Austen, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!” a teacher at an all-girls school invokes the Beatles to help her students understand Sense and Sensibility; and in Jo Beverley’s “Jane and the Mistletoe Kiss,” a widow doesn’t believe she’ll have a second chance at love . . . until a Miss Austen suggests otherwise.



And introducing our guest blogger, Brenna Aubrey, the “debut voice” who won the JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT Short Story contest at Pemberley.com bases her story on her favorite novel, Persuasion:

Young doctor Mark Hinton thinks his life is perfect. He is just about to finish his residence and has accepted the offer of a fabulous new job. Things could not be better… until the arrival of an anonymous letter in the mail forces him to confront the truth he’s been hiding from for seven years. Sent on a quest by the mysterious contents of the letter, he is forced to discover the contents of his own heart thanks to Jane Austen, a canny librarian, a cantankerous patient and a coolly observant sister.

Brenna Aubrey has always sought comfort in good books and the long, involved stories she weaves in her head. Brenna’s favorite author is Jane Austen and her favorite novel is Persuasion. She loves to write epic fantasy and historical romance. She also loves to read, garden and spend time with her family. She is a city-girl with a nature-lover’s heart. She therefore finds herself out in green open spaces any chance she can get. Brenna is a mommy, a teacher and a perpetual student, even when not in class. She resides on the west coast with her husband, two children, an adorable husky dog, a parakeet, and some fish.

Get Lost in a Story interviews Brenna:

Jillian: What’s your favorite fairy tale?

Brenna: “Beauty and the Beast” is easily my favorite. Beauty is a different kind of heroine, one with the substance to see through beastly appearances to the heart and soul of a man beneath the surface.

Jillian: Where do you read and how often?

Brenna: I read in bed practically every night. It's like a soothing nighttime ritual for me. Thanks to my e-reader, I also can bring my book along anywhere I go and read while waiting in line, sitting at the park watching my kids play or just about anywhere. Reading has always been a comfort to me and books have been my dear friends.

Jillian: What sound or noise do you love?

Brenna: The sound of waves crashing against the shore. I live near the coastline though because of my hectic life, I don’t get to the beach nearly as often as I’d like. There’s something wild and primal about the sound. And the rhythmic compulsion of the tide to follow the Moon. It’s ancient and timeless.

Jillian: Describe your favorite kind of hero to read/write?

Brenna: I love a man of honor, bound to his word and a higher code of ethics. I love a man who falls in love irrevocably with his heroine, even if he knows she might not be good for him. I love men of logic, who have a cool head and can take charge in chaotic situation. A man who can be relied upon.

Jillian: What was the first story you remember writing?

Brenna: I saw a book at the library when I was in 2nd grade and for some reason was unable to check it out. I loved the title of the book "The Mouse Who Fell Off the Rainbow," so I went home and with crayons and construction paper, wrote my own book with that title. My mom bound the pages by sewing them with her sewing machine. I can't remember the details, only that much later, I found the real book again and finally read it and I remember I was disappointed.

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

Brenna: I love a story with a strong setting—a place that I can explore through the character's eyes. I love to escape to fantastical worlds with living castles, to slide across the Antarctic, to motor up a forgotten river in the Congo, to amble down a deserted New York alleyway and climb a fire escape—things I would never do or places I might never see in real life.

Jillian: What do you do to unwind and relax?

Brenna: I get out of the house! I love to camp but since I live in an urban megalopolis, it is not always easy to break away and get into the woods or mountains. I try to find any kind of nature and I love to sit quietly with my own thoughts, watch the clouds float overhead and feel a fresh breeze on my face.

Jillian: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?

Brenna: Both. I’m one-quarter English so I do love my tea. With a little sugar or honey and nothing else. Coffee, well I am American and I don’t get enough sleep so I love me some Joe as well: with milk and sugar.

Ladies? Shall we take a break and enjoy the Darcy love confession scene!?! Talk about tension and conflict! The recitation is by Matthew MacFadyen, Mr. Darcy circa 2005 (Part 2 on YouTube)

Jillian: I'd love you tell us us something about the JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT writing contest. Did you receive a call, an e-mail? I understand you had to wait some time before you could announce that you won. How excruciating was that?

Brenna: On New Year’s day, as I was drafting up my writing resolutions for the year, I happened upon a tweet from a blogger that I follow closely, Laurel Ann Nattress of the Austenprose.com blog. She was promoting a writing contest for unpublished authors for her new anthology that would be published later in the year. To be included with the likes of these amazing authors is a dream come true and a real opportunity to break out and be noticed in the writing community. To do so while also paying homage to one's favorite author ever, well, it's once in a lifetime.


I therefore set to work writing the story: no more than 5,000 words and it had to be inspired by Jane Austen’s life or works. I read Persuasion practically every year and I know it inside and out. I love that book so I knew that I would draw my inspiration from that.

After I submitted the story, my fellow aspiring authors and I were subject to two weeks of public voting and private nail-biting. On March 1st, I learned that I was one of the top ten finalists. My story, along with the other nine were forwarded to Ballantine for consideration by the editors there.

I received a phone call in early May from Laurel Ann. In fact, I had received a voicemail from her earlier in the day and knew she was trying to get a hold of me but because I was at work, we couldn’t connect. Finally, that evening when she called, I did not let myself hope that she was calling to tell me I had won. I didn’t believe it until I heard her say it. What an amazing moment that was!

Brenna has a question for readers: Who is your favorite author and what did he or she make you do? Brenna has a combo-pack giveaway for one lucky commenter. A copy of Jane Austen Made Me Do It (either hard copy or ebook) and an ebook novella (Tessa Dare’s Once Upon a Winter’s Eve)

For more about JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT, check in with Brenna at the following addresses:

Website: BrennaAubrey.net

Twitter: @BrennaAubrey

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brenna-Aubrey/224585500901920

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.