Lizbeth's Name-dropping Birthday Weekend Part 2

Welcome to day two of my Name-dropping Birthday Weekend Indulgence. This weekend I'm sharing three short posts about my relationship with a couple of my author heroes: some "big names" I’ve been blessed to meet and, in some cases, more-or-less befriend. Each one has inspired me in my own writing and has something special that makes her a superstar not just to me but to all her readers.

Today's dropped name is the incomparable Grace Burrowes! Grace is one of those rare authors who has built herself such a niche that she can carry it from historical romance to contemporary and have fans love both equally. Her Scottish historicals are snapped up by rabid readers and her Scottish contemporaries are snapped up by, well, me!

This is because Grace is one of the smartest authors I know. The way she built her writing career after her only daughter left for college is so inspirational--and so prolific. I would definitely like to nab a little of her author's spirit and pour it straight into a vein! Here's why:  check out "Grace's Bookshelf" on her website--it's an amazing collection of work! In addition she has worked as a piano teacher, a technical writer, an editor and a lawyer!
 

I don't remember the exact moment I met Grace but what I do remember is that she wowed me with her clever humor, her straightforward answers to questions, and her no holds barred honesty. This is not to say she is ever dismissive or mean--she is

definitely the embodiment of her name. Still, I know if I want an honest look at the romance industry, the state of publishing, the advantages and disadvantages to indie versus traditional publishing, and her opinion on various sub-genres--I can ask Ms. Burrowes and her answer or opinion will be erudite and informed. 

(Check out Grace's latest book 
MY OWN TRUE DUCHESS

and her brand new 

pre-order book 

A TRULY PERFECT GENTLEMAN)

So what I've learned from Grace is that you can be a romance author, write fabulously inventive books and still be so dang smart. In fact, if you want to make it in this industry, you SHOULD be smart and you have to keep making yourself smarter--about your craft, your business, and your books. Plus you should pass all this information on to your colleagues willingly and entertainingly! 

Tell me about the smartest person you know. Is this somebody book smart, intelligent smart or street smart? And how has this person changed your life

I’ll be giving away four books on Monday August 13^th (my actual birthday!) to commenters over this weekend!Come on back tomorrow when I'll talk about one of my favorite authors ever (in truth she's almost everyone's favorite authors) Kristan Higgins.

 Check out my two most recent releases!

BETTING ON PARADISE

and

MISSING BY A HEARTBEAT

Celebrate Christmas in Scotland!

Regan here. I'm so excited to tell you about my new release. If you are looking for an escape this holiday season, or if you're home alone and wish you were celebrating Christmas with a group of wonderful friends, I have the story for you!

My brand new release, A Secret Scottish Christmas, is a Regency set on the northeast coast of Scotland. Celebrate Christmas in Scotland with spies, Scots and shipmasters—and the Agents of the Crown!

“A bit of a love triangle, handsome spies, artistic heroines and secrets, traditions and romance all wrapped up with a big Christmas bow. Seasonally enchanting and romantically perfect!” 

– Chicks, Rogues & Scandals

Scotland 1819

Twin brothers Nash and Robbie Powell of Powell & Sons Shipping, London, sail with their fellow Agents of the Crown to Scotland for a secret celebration of Christmastide, a holiday long frowned upon by the Scottish Kirk. But more than Christmas is being kept secret. The two brothers have accepted an assignment from the Home Secretary Lord Sidmouth to ferret out a fugitive fomenting rebellion among the Scots.

Aileen Stephen, the only daughter of an Aberdeen shipbuilder, had to be clever, devious and determined to gain her place in the family business. She succeeded to become a designer of highly coveted ships. One night, a man’s handsome face appears to her in a dream. When two men having that same face arrive on a ship full of Londoners, Ailie wonders what her second sight is telling her. Is the face she saw a portender of the future, a harbinger of danger, or both? And which of the two Englishmen is the one in her dream?

Two brothers vie for the affection of the Scottish lass but only one stirs her passion. Which one will it be? And what will she do when she learns they are spies?

On Amazon US, UK & Canada 

Read an excerpt and join Ailie and the Powell twins in the woods for a snowball fight:

After traveling for a while, Will had the groom stop in a wooded area where there was a stand of mature birch trees, the bark partially covered by snow. “Will’s been scouting the best trees for the Yule log,” Ailie explained.

Nick and Tara alighted from the sledge first. Nash climbed down and helped Ailie to the ground, Robbie right behind her.

They all gathered around Will, who pointed to the trees behind him. “There are some good choices for your Yule log behind me, but to save a lot of labor, I’ve spotted a few we can root out of the ground where they fell. The older ones are better for burning, too, the more knotted the better.” The groom handed Will a rope. “We’ve brought a sled to haul the log back when you’ve found the one you want.”

With that, Will released them to hunt for the log.

Ailie gazed into the forest. The carpet of snow made the woods appear lighter. She surveyed the birch trees within easy range, almost certain her brother had identified a log he liked. But Will would not deprive their guests of having a hand in selecting the one that would burn during the celebration of the English Christmastide.

Plunging into the woods, Nash cried, “Come on, Ailie, let’s find a good one.”

“Not without me,” said Robbie, taking her elbow and urging her forward.

Though it was low in the sky, the sun had not yet set as they entered the woods, their boots crunching on the ice-crusted snow.

A snowy owl, disturbed by the invaders, launched from its perch. Their English guests gasped as the huge bird with its five-foot wingspan flew over their heads.

“Never seen one of those before,” remarked Nick.

“Magnificent bird,” said Nash. “I’ve read about snowy owls.”

When the owl had gone, Hugh leaned up against the thick trunk of one birch, crossing his arms over his chest. Fixing his eyes on Will, he grinned. “Are you certain you don’t want to cut down this one?”

Before Will could respond, Mary pelted her husband with a snowball.

Hugh’s searching gaze found her, a teasing smile on her face. Looking highly offended, he said, “We’ll see about that!” Ailie could tell by his expression as he reached for the snow he was not offended at all, but excited. Forming his own snowball, he launched it into the air to hit Mary’s back just as she turned to run.

The fight was on.

Ailie joined up with Tara, who led the ladies in a battle of great proportions as snow flew all around them. “We shall bury you in snow,” Tara shouted to the men.

Nick tossed a snowball, hitting his wife’s head, thankfully covered with the hood of her cloak. “Not likely!”

Ailie threw a snowball at one twin and then the other. Everyone was so covered in snow she couldn’t tell one Powell twin from the other. She, too, was covered in white, panting for the effort at returning the many snowballs aimed at her. It was great fun.

After a blizzard of snowballs whizzing everywhere, Will called a halt to their battle. “My hands are frozen. Time to hunt the log before ’tis full dark.”

 

GIVEAWAY: Tell me why you’d like to spend Christmas in Scotland (in your mind, at least) and enter to win one of three copies of The Holly & The Thistle, the “prequel” to A Secret Scottish Christmas. It's the story of William Stephen, Scottish shipbuilder, and Lady Emily Picton, who host the Agents of the Crown for Christmastide. 

A chance meeting at Berry’s wine shop, a misunderstanding and Christmastide all come together to allow the most handsome Scot in London to give Lady Emily Picton the best Christmas gift ever: a marriage not of convenience, but of love.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Matchmaker meets Fisherman, A Delightful Scottish Romance in the Kilts & Quilts Series

Welcome Patience Griffin back to Get Lost in a Story. 

Patience is an award-winning author who has recently been nominated for two RITA® awards.

Her debut novel, To Scotland with Love, received a Publishers Weekly starred review. It also won the New England Readers’ Choice for Best First Book and the Golden Quill’s Best First Book award. And the next books in the series are receiving rave reviews.

She grew up in a small town along the Mississippi River, living life in a close-knit community. She loves to quilt and has gained some recognition with her September 11th Story Quilt which has toured the country as the property of the Pentagon. With a master’s degree in nuclear engineering, she’s a nerdy girl to the core, but loves to read books which make her laugh. She lives in Texas, writing her stories of home, heart, and community alongside of her hyper Sheltie, a cuddly Bichon-poo, and a bulimic stray cat.

THE BOOK

Some Like It Scottish

Kit Woodhouse’s matchmaking business is such a success, she’s expanding to the Highlands of Scotland where the hot, prosperous, and kilted are anxious to connect. Now, looking to fill her stable with eligible bachelors, Kit’s arrived in Gandiegow to recruit potential Real Men of Scotland. It’s not until she meets her tour guide that she discovers just how real they can be.

With his sexy grin, jeans, and black wellies, Ramsay Armstrong is an unpolished hulk of a Scottish fisherman—and a skeptic when it comes to romance. Not exactly a man of “pairing attributes” when talking marriageable matches, but he does make Kit’s heart beat a little faster. Maybe it’s the scent of the sea in his hair. Maybe it’s the challenge. Maybe it’s the thrill of the unexpected. Then again, maybe it’s love. 

Excerpt:

Twenty-six year old Ramsay Armstrong pulled the fishing boat alongside the dock and hollered to his oldest brother, John. “What’s so important that ye’ve called me back? I haven’t checked the north nets yet.” He threw the rope to his brother.

“I’ll take care of the damned nets.” John tied off the boat. “I have a job for you, and it can’t wait.”

“Do it yereself!” More often than not, Ramsay got stuck with the crap jobs in the family.

“I had planned to.” John ducked his head and, stepping aboard, muttered, “Maggie won’t let me.”

Ramsay grinned. “Yere wife telling you what you can and can’t do.” He pounded John on the back. “There’s a reason I’m still single, brother.”

“Nay.” John shook his head. “Ye’re an arse, Ramsay. That’s why ye’re still single. No woman would have ye.”

“So what’s this job you need done?”

John didn’t meet his eye. “It has to do with the maintenance we scheduled for the boat.”

“I thought we set enough money aside for that.”

“I thought so, too, but a revised quote came in. The price has gone up. Way up.”

“By how much?”

John shook his head.

Ramsay frowned. John never shared the actual numbers with him, always keeping him in the dark, always treating him like the babe in the family. “So what’s this have to do with the favor you want?”

“Ross and I’ll take care of the boat while ye’re doing it,” John hedged.

“Spit it out, man.” Ramsay was about to knock his brother into the drink. “What is it?”

John pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket and thrust it at him. “It’s all there. Her itinerary.”

Ramsay took it and opened the crumpled paper. The letterhead read:

Kit Woodhouse Matchmaking, Inc.

Kit Woodhouse, CEO

Real Men of Alaska                                         Real Men of Scotland

Ramsay snapped his head up and glared at his brother. “What the crank is this? Matchmaker? From the U.S.?”

“Read on.” John busied himself with two empty buckets, but really he was avoiding Ramsay’s glare. He should be chagrined.

It was indeed a detailed itinerary—beginning with when this woman would land and her schedule for each day.

“For the next three cranking months?” Ramsay yelled. “Surely, you don’t expect me to play nursemaid for three months to some sappy matchmaker!” The word made him feel like he could breathe fire.

John hung his head. “I saw her ad for a driver on the Internet. We need the money. I thought you and Ross could run the boat for the summer and I’d  put up with driving Ms. Woodhouse around. But when Maggie found out, she nearly chopped off my balls.”

“It would serve you right.” Ramsay ran his eyes down the length of the paper. “Did you never think to consult Ross and me in your scheme?”

“I’m the oldest;  I make the decisions.” John acted like he had decades on him, but he was only thirty-five, nine years older than Ramsay.

Ramsay huffed. “Well, ye’ve screwed up this time. You better call it off and tell this woman we can’t do it.”

“But I signed a contract.” John’s brow furrowed as he ran a hand through his hair. “Ms. Woodhouse doesn’t care who lives up to the contract, as long as somebody does.”

Ramsay wadded the paper into a fist. “So you volunteered me.”

“Ye better get back to the house and clean up.” John started the motor. “You’ll have just enough time to get a shower, and shave, before you have to rush off to the airport.”

Ramsay considered cramming the itinerary down his brother’s throat. He stepped off the boat instead, too angry to speak. On autopilot, he loosened the line and pushed the boat away with his foot.

John shouted above the motor. “Be on your best behavior and don’t screw this up. We need the money.”

Ramsay flipped him off, and then shaking his head, trudged off the dock.

He sure as hell wasn’t going to let John’s asinine matchmaker interfere with his own plans. In one month Ramsay intended to have enough money to buy ole man Martin’s boat. Between the odd jobs at the North Sea Valve Company and helping the surrounding farmers after he was done fishing for the day, he would have enough. One month. And dammit, if he didn’t get the old codger the money by then, the boat would be put up for auction and go for twice what Martin had agreed to.

Well, Ramsay had no intention of losing his chance to get out from under his brothers’ thumbs. He wasn’t born the youngest for nothing. He’d learned early on there’s more than one way to wiggle out of a chore. He would make short work of the matchmaker, he decided. Three days with him and the interfering ole biddy would be paying him to go back to her nice cushy life in the States where she belonged.

RT Book Reviews…

Griffin’s third Kilts and Quilts novel reads like a fun romantic comedy, with plenty of back-and-forth banter, unexpected surprises and a delightfully colorful supporting cast who bring this wee island to life…the inhabitants of Gandiegow are a joy to visit, and the women who make up its quilters’ circle provide a safe haven for anyone looking for a place to call home.                                 -RT Reviews, 4 stars

Find SOME LIKE IT SCOTTISH at:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1IEtNBZ

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/some-like-it-scottish-patience-griffin/1120795127?ean=9780451468314

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/some-like-it-scottish/id943230243?mt=11

Walmart: http://bit.ly/1Us8zj

Connect with Patience at:

www.PatienceGriffin.com

https://www.facebook.com/PatienceGriffinAuthor

@patiencegriffin

 

What’s up next:

The Accidental Scot, book 4 in the Kilts and Quilts series, comes out December 1^st. Christmas in the small village of Gandiegow brings holiday cheer—and a chance for love between two strangers.

THE GIVEAWAY:

Patience Griffin is offering two (2) chances to win today:

• She’ll giveaway Some Like It Scottish to someone who tells what they love about Scotland in the comments (include your email if it's not on your blogger id.)
• Or enter her Kilts & Quilts rafflecopter to win a quilt (US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Highland Illusion

Since the day his father strung him out as bait for being a tainted magical being, Lance Sheppard has vowed to never use his illusion to harm, thereby proving dear old demented dad wrong. Yet here he is in the middle of a colony of vampires, his magic drawn out and at the ready to strike.

His mission: Convince the largest vampire colony left on earth to join the humans in their fight for survival.  Not to get sidelined by a beautiful headstrong vampire.

Or become another vamp's diversionary plaything. 


How could it all have gone so wrong so fast?

Buy links at my blog


Guys, I gotta tell ya: Out of all the Highland Sorcery novels this one is a little different than the rest.

First, it's less action and more relationship building than how I tend to write. I love action. About 90 percent of this book takes place in the same building. The Same Building!

Also for a little switch-up, the hero tends to be the damsel-in-distress more so than the heroine. But he's the only human in the midst of a colony of vampires who are all stronger, older, and predatory. Plus there is no hiding anything he is feeling. The heroine--vampire, also stronger and older than him--can sense every nuance of what's going on internally with him so when he's feelin it for her, there's no hiding where the drop in his blood pressure has gone to. 

I also go into religion more in this one. I couldn't help it. In the previous book Highland Son where Lance was first introduced, he is the son of a religious fanatic who preaches that anything with magic is as evil as the monsters running around eating people. Well guess what, Dad? Lance has magic. He can cast illusions, the same illusions that have been saving your butt. So dad tries to kill him. Try coming out of that with an intact love of God and religion. I don't think so.

So who does he become attracted to? A Christian vampire. Yup.

All that said, my editor didn't have any major rewrites for me. Must have been all the focus on romance. She did have a great line for me when I misspelled "monster plague". Mac wrote: "plague (not plaque, though oral hygiene might be important to vampires). Love her. 

Anyhoo, here's a short excerpt from the latest installment of the Highland Sorcery series: 

Lance caught her wrist. “My trousers?”

“Are ruined. I had to cut them off.”

So it had been her. Heat prickled beneath his skin. The image of her…and him…her capable hands… He willed his libido to settle. Not an easy thing with her so close, so— He hitched the blanket tighter around him and chuffed out, “Lance.”

Celestine's brows drew down.

“My name. Since you’ve undressed me, you should at least know my name.”

“Oh.” She seemed a little startled by that, especially since her assessing glance revealed she knew exactly what his body had been focused on instead of his name. “Lance. It’s a nice name.”

“Thank you.” He fished out his cockiest grin to put them back on equal footing.

Which she must have picked up on for she lobbed out one better. “Do not worry, ma petit, your virtue was safe with me.”

That teasing sultry tone nearly destroyed him. So much for equal footing. The blanket around him was suddenly too heavy, too confining. Hell, her clothes were too confining. “Don’t you worry about that, sweetheart. I’m just put out that I wasn’t awake to enjoy it.”

“Hmmm.” She leaned close, smooth cheek sliding against day-old whiskers to whisper near his ear. Her breath was cool, slightly damp. “I enjoyed it enough for us both.”

The groan he emitted came from a place deep down in his abdomen, laced with desire and need, cresting on a rush of adrenaline. Wounded leg? What wounded leg?

Smiling wickedly, Celestine whisked away and began searching through her dresser drawers as though she hadn’t just ramped up his blood to the point of boiling. She thrust a shirt and pair of pants toward him.

Damn, she was something. His grin left half-formed. “I’m not wearing women britches.”

And because I'm in such a good mood to have this book released, I'm giving 3 commenters their choice of one of my ebooks. So get chatting my friends!!!

Hmmm, maybe a topic...If you could travel through time, would you go to the past or the future? 

Highland Moon Sifter Giveaway

At her movement the man, the Moon Sifter, turned, the sole person she left everything behind to come here to kill.

She snatched the blanket back up. “Where are my clothes?”

One shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I needed something to start the fire with.”

“The whole thing?”

The fire blazed behind him, fueled by varied sizes of split logs. He was being spiteful or…she studied his smug expression…he believed by taking her clothes away he’d make her vulnerable, having to hold a blanket up for modesty. Well, he’d underestimated her resolve. She had no qualms about killing him while bare-butt naked and then she’d take his clothes for her own after doing it.  Which, no time like the present.

She flung herself at him, leaving blanket behind, intending to knock him off balance into the hearth where he’d either fall in the fire or hopefully knock his head against the stone mantle. Either way, it would give her enough of a distraction to grab up his blade again.

Except her forward momentum came to an extreme stop. One second she was moving, the next she wasn't, hands flat and arms jolted against an immovable chest. Holy crap. What was he made of, unbreakable granite?

His arms swept up, long hands clamped around her. Flat gray eyes glared down at her and she swallowed. Fear, or something else, swirled in her belly, rising upward into her breasts.

Had to be fear. Or the sudden chill, though she had to admit there was something uncharacteristically strange happening to her, something sensual and unsettling about being so close to the Highlander while he was fully dressed and she was completely bare.

She shook her bangs over her eyes, hiding the only way that she could.

I'm ecstatic to offer the 4th book and conclusion to my Highland Sorcery series. So I want to give at least 3 commenters your choice of a digital copy of any of the books in the series, whether you want to start at the beginning with Highland Sorcerer or any of the other books in the series. 

  

Amazon       Barnes and Noble      Blog      

  

How did I treat myself after finishing a series, you ask? I went flying...

Note: Please leave an email address for notification. Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address. 

DON'T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes.  And join us tomorrow for a special hosting with the Group.  ~ Clover 

Get Lost With Victoria Roberts

Victoria Roberts writes Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. She was named by RT Book Reviews as one of the most promising debut authors across the genres for her debut novel, Temptation in a Kilt. Her second novel in the series, X Marks the Scot, will be released February 2013 and the third, To Wed a Wicked Highlander, September 2013. Victoria is a member of Romance Writers of America®, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, Western Pennsylvania Romance Writers as well as a contributing author to the online magazine, Celtic Guide. Visit Victoria on the web at www.victoriarobertsauthor.com.

THE STORY BLURB

She’s on her way to safety

It’s a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong’s desperation that she’s seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging as the Scottish Highlands. She doesn’t care about hardship and discomfort, if only she can become master of her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is completely beyond her control…

He redefines dangerous…
Ciaran MacGregor knows it’s perilous to get embroiled with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as headstrong as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise to escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he’s stuck with her, even though she challenges his legendary prowess at every opportunity. When temptation reaches its peak, he’ll be ready to show her who he really is…on and off the battlefield.

Where's Victoria?
Website
Facebook
Goodreads
Victoria's Blog
The Celtic Guide
Amazon

ALEXA: How often to you get lost in a story?

VICTORIA: Not as often as I’d like. As a debut author, I find writing takes up the majority of my time. But I’ve been known to escape a time or two!

 

ALEXA: What turns you off like nothing else?

VICTORIA: I would have to say my biggest turn-off is insincerity. 

ALEXA: What’s the first book you remember reading?
VICTORIA: I remember many, but I think the first book that ever hooked me was The Devil and Daniel Webster. A farmer sold his soul to the devil and Daniel Webster is the attorney who defended him. It’s a story about patriotism, faith; it was deep and definitely made me think.  

ALEXA: What was the first story you remember writing?

VICTORIA: When I was sixteen, I penned my first young-adult novella about a girl who fell in love with an older motorcycle hero. I pounded out the story on my old typewriter for days on end. There were no auto-correct features so it was me with a stack of paper and a bunch of white out. Oh, the memories!

ALEXA: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?

VICTORIA: Writing is definitely easier. I can always go back and edit. Story-telling, not so much. When the words are out of your mouth, it’s hard to take them back.

ALEXA: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?

VICTORIA: I honestly do not. For me, it’s a distraction and I can’t concentrate. Even when my daughter is in her room practicing her violin, I can’t do it.

ALEXA: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?

VICTORIA: Breathe a sigh of relief. I usually walk downstairs and high-five the kids and my husband. We usually go out to dinner to celebrate. It’s kind of bittersweet. I give myself one to two days of brainlessness and then I find myself going through withdrawal. I’ll start writing the next story within a few days.

ALEXA: Which of your characters would you least to invite to dinner, and why?

VICTORIA: Lady Armstrong (Rosalia’s mother.) She is a horrible, horrible woman. After everything she did to Rosalia and her own husband… She is the type of person who makes me cringe. Ugh! Writing those scenes even ticked me off. I couldn’t imagine sitting at the same table with that woman for a meal and trying to be cordial.

ALEXA: What's up next for you?
VICTORIA: Coming February 1, 2013… X Marks the Scot.

ALEXA: Oooh, I like the sound of that! Victoria, do you have any questions for your fans?

VICTORIA: Do you prefer sweet, tender romances or hot and spicy-or both?

ALEXA: Thanks so much for joining us today, Victoria. Good luck with all those hot Scots!
VICTORIA: Thank you so much for having me today. It’s been great fun!

Folks, Victoria is offering a copy of Temptation in a Kilt to one commenter. Remember to leave your email address if you'd like to be in the drawing!

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North American or Canadian addresses only. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author  may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.