Category Archives: #sweetromance

Happy Publication Day! It Happened at Lake Louise is now available! #kindle #kobo #books2read

It’s been a long time coming, longer than I originally planned, but publication day is finally here!

publication day

I love this cover, but then I am biased. What can I say?

Here’s what the book is about…

Only the Brave meets Fallen Angel…

 A new name. A new look. A new identity. But is it enough?

Lori Brownlee, a victim of childhood sex abuse, has relocated to Calgary to try to put the sordid past and its unpleasant memories behind her. Although it’s been years, specific triggers bring the past roaring back.

Christopher Scott has also suffered a painful past. He currently works in the Oil Sands and, when he’s at work, entrusts the care of his Great Dane to his neighbour.

While Christopher is at work, the nightmare of the distant wildfires becomes a reality. During the mandatory evacuation on May 3, 2016, the dog runs away. With no time to spare searching for the animal, the family flees for their own safety.

Lori, an animal lover, spots the Great Dane on the news. She drops everything and rushes to Fort McMurray to rescue him.

She connects with Christopher Scott through social media, and they agree to meet near the Chateau Lake Louise so she can reunite him with his pet.

Can Christopher move beyond his pain and form a meaningful relationship with Lori? Will Lori’s past come back to haunt her?

Buy Link

You can buy the ebook edition of It Happened at Lake Louise for $2.99/£2.99 through books2read, which will allow you to choose your favourite ebook retailer. Unfortunately, it’s not live at Barnes & Noble yet for the nook, but once it shows live, I’ll add it to the books2read link.

Paperback copies will soon be available online.

I hope you’ll celebrate publication day with me, and I hope you find Christopher’s and Lori’s story heartwarming. The events in this book are darker than in the three previous It Happened stories.

 

 

 

the rough blurb and a scene #amwriting

Lately, I’ve not shared much of my own writing here at Celtic Connexions. I’ve been busy sharing and helping others promote their books and book-related ventures. Today, you’re in for a treat … or not. It depends entirely on your perspective. The good thing is I #amwriting. I’ve experienced a drought, but the thoughts are percolating once again. During my dry spell, I researched the plot thread that runs through this next project, and that’s the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire and the animals left behind. I know, pretty heavy subject matter. So without any further ramblings, here is the rough blurb and a scene.

The rough blurb …

Christopher Scott works in the oil sands at Fort McMurray and has to leave the care of his great Dane to his friend and neighbour when he’s away on the job. Unfortunately, while he’s at work, the nightmare of the wildfire becomes a reality and sadly, during the mandatory evacuation, his dog bolts and runs off.

A victim of childhood sex abuse, Lori Brownlee, has relocated to Calgary trying to put the sordid past and its unpleasant memories behind her. It’s been years, but she’s still plagued by the nightmares of those events from long ago.

Lori, an animal lover, joins forces with the volunteers risking their lives to save the pets left behind. She finds a great Dane and is able to persuade the dog to come with her.

Through social media posts about his missing pet, she and Christopher connect, and he heads for Lake Louise, where she is.

Is the great Dane Christopher’s missing pet? Will Lori’s past come back to haunt her?

and a scene (which could or could not hit the cutting room floor) …

Christopher Scott paused in front of the flatscreen TV mounted to the Millennium Lodge’s recreation room wall. News of the wildfire burning to the southwest filled the screen.

Earlier in the day, the sky was blue, as if no fire burned. A something inversion, they called it. Temperature possibly. The clear cerulean from before now replaced with brown, orange, and red closer to the horizon. Plumes of smoke rose from the ground as the fire ravaged everything in its path.

He pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and took it out of silent mode. Missed calls. Lots of them. Checking the callers’ list, he discovered most were from his mother. The other came from his neighbour Frank Connolly. 

Frank moved in a couple of years prior while Chris was on his two weeks off. They worked opposite shifts to one another. Unless one or the other took vacation time, they didn’t see each other. Wolfgang, Chris’s Great Dane, needed ‘doggie daycare’ and more while Chris worked. When the dog was a puppy, he took him to work with him. The women employed at the lodge looked after him while he worked. That arrangement worked well until Wolfgang got too big for his crate. Frank’s two daughters loved the big lummox. 

Pressing the screen on a call from his mother, Chris dialled. “Hi, ma. What’s up? You’ve only called me like a dozen times today.”

“I’m worried sick about you., and you not taking my calls hasn’t helped.”

“Sorry, but you know I can’t be on the phone when I’m working. There’s nothing wrong with any of the family, is there? You’re okay?”

“We’re all fine, but haven’t you heard?”

“What?” Chris paced back and forth in front of the television.

“Mandatory evacuation. Everyone. Especially in your neighbourhood.”

He pressed his thumb and fingers against his forehead. “Calm down, ma. I’m sure it’s just a precaution. It’ll be fine.”

But would it? Was that the reason for Frank’s call? Except for pictures of Wolfgang with the children, accompanied by a quick update, communication was usually minimal.

“I missed a call from Frank. Let me return it, and I’ll phone you back. Won’t take long. Love you. Bye, ma.” Christopher ended the conversation with his mother and immediately rang his neighbour. “Hey, Frank, what’s this about an evacuation?”

“You heard right. The authorities gave us fifteen minutes to get our stuff together and leave. We planned to take Wolfie with us, but he bolted, and we couldn’t find him anywhere. I’m sorry. We had to go.”

Christopher swallowed hard. The thought of Wolfgang, alone and scared, roaming the streets during a wildfire terrified him. He understood Frank’s position. If only his dog weren’t so strong-minded. His friend referring to the dog by his nickname brought back the memory of when he first met the Connollys. Becky, the youngest, wasn’t quite three years old yet, and she couldn’t pronounce Wolfgang or Wolfie. So when she said it, it always came out Woofie.

Rest assured, nothing happens to Wolfgang. I know better than to kill an animal in a book. That’s a sure-fired death knell for an author.

And here’s a picture of the big, lovable guy. Isn’t he cute?

blurb and scene
Wolfgang

 

What do you think of the rough blurb and a scene? I know it’s not much so far, but even the largest oak tree came from a little acorn.

Please leave your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to read them.

Do you want to know more about my It Happened series? You can read about it here.

Happy National Book Lovers Day!

Today is National Book Lovers Day!

I happen to love books every day of the year. There’s nothing better than curling up with a good book, whether it’s an ebook or print.

Book
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

How will you celebrate, participate?

There are many genres out there to choose from – crime, romance, erotica, YA, memoirs, creative non-fiction, non-fiction and the list goes on.

All these main genres have a multitude of sub-genres as well, so there is something out there for everyone’s taste in reading.

I write romance, primarily, although YESTERDAY TODAY ALWAYS has a psychological thriller element included. It’s probably my darkest work yet. I remember when I was having the computer read it back to me, my husband entered my ‘writing cave’, and the particular segment scared him. I guess I nailed the creepy, unnerving bit.

You can check out all my books on the novels page on my website. Perhaps, you’ll find a little something to your liking.

In what format do you prefer to read your book?

Are you a hardcover fan? Paperback (trade size or mass market)? E-book (kindle, kobo, nook, or other)? Or do you read from a combination of all of the above?

Leave a comment stating what your favourite genre and format is. I’d love to hear your thoughts and preferences.

It’s #Launch Day for It Happened at Percé Rock!

Welcome to #Launch Day for It Happened at Percé Rock!

I’m so excited to share #Launch Day for the third book in my It Happened series with you! It Happened at Percé Rock stars Melissa Scott, the youngest of the Scott siblings.

#Launch Day

Isn’t that a gorgeous cover? And look at the wee sausage dog on the back. Although another one joins him in the latter stages, he’s the main canine star in this book. But that’s a story for another day.

#Launch Day

Beaches meets Born on the 4th of July

When Melissa Scott flees to the village of Percé, she’s determined to leave her painful memories behind her.

Gareth Young, a soldier with the Canadian Forces, never got over losing his friend in the war in Afghanistan. Nowadays, he’s happier in his own company than that of others, until she enters his life.

Despite her recent breakup and knowing rebound relationships don’t work, Melissa falls head over feet for the handsome military man, only to discover he comes with enough baggage to fill an army cargo plane.

Will the couple be able to work through their issues and achieve a happy ending together?

Early readers’ comments on It Happened at Percé Rock

A book with so many twists and turns, with an ending that left me all warm inside.

After reading, I desperately wanted to visit Perce Rock in Canada!

The story is a powerful reminder that, just as in real life, the characters reap what they sow.

Good things come to those who do good—those who don’t are rewarded in kind.

You can buy It Happened at Percé Rock from your favourite online retailer at books2read.com.

You can see Melanie’s other books here, including the first two books of the It Happened series.

Everyone who leaves a comment will have their names put in a hat to win either a #mobi (Kindle) or #epub (Kobo, etc.) copy of It Happened at Percé Rock.

#PreOrder It Happened at Percé Rock #sweetromance

The countdown to launch day is ticking by. #PreOrder your e-copy of It Happened at Percé Rock today and get in at the special price of only 99c/99p!

#Launch Day

Beaches meets Born on the 4th of July

When Melissa Scott flees to the village of Percé, she’s determined to leave her painful memories behind her.

Gareth Young, a soldier with the Canadian Forces, never got over losing his friend in the war in Afghanistan. Nowadays, he’s happier in his own company than that of others until she enters his life.

Despite her recent breakup and knowing rebound relationships don’t work, Melissa falls head over feet for the handsome military man, only to discover he comes with enough baggage to fill an army cargo plane.

Will the couple be able to work through their issues and achieve a happy ending together?

#PreOrder

Excerpt:

At the set of wooden stairs leading to the shoreline, Melissa picked up Buddy and descended. It was a short walk from here to the shoal, where she would cross. Once she reached the bottom, she put the dog back down, and the pair struck out.

Water lapped over the edges of the causeway and pooled in the lower sections of the sandbar. Melissa lifted her dachsie before stepping from the drier beach towards the mammoth chunk of shale and limestone. A lump formed in her throat as she stood gaping at its near-vertical cliff faces.

With Buddy tucked under her arm, she picked her way across. Unsure if it was due to the time of day, the time of year, or the bad weather forecast, there were not many people wandering around. No one strolled along Rue Mont Joli either. Strange.

Because he was well behaved and came when called, Melissa had no qualms about unclipping Buddy’s leash and putting him down. At first, he stayed by her side, sniffing the ground or raising his nose to catch a whiff of something. The scent of rotten eggs wafted through the air, no doubt brought on by rotting seaweed, occasionally overpowering the more pleasant aromas.

Melissa made herself comfortable on a boulder and pulled out her phone while Buddy amused himself. She had no new messages. Not hearing from Iain was a blessing. Maybe he realized they were finished.

She took pictures of the village from this vantage point and Buddy playing on the sand and pebbled shore. She was far too close to the rock to photograph it. She would have to wait for another time. The quay where the tour boats left from would be the best location. Melissa snapped a couple of selfies with Percé looming behind her — some smiling, some with pouty lips before returning the device to her back shorts pocket.

Loud barking and growling jolted her from her reverie as Buddy antagonized a company of gannets. Squawking seagulls soared overhead. One landed nearby and stared at Melissa with its beady yellow eyes. It took a few steps closer, ruffled its feathers and stepped back again. Living and working near the water in Saint John, she was used to seeing them. This one was different. It was more intimidating, almost like it was daring her to move so it could attack, like in the movie The Birds.

Water splashed by her feet. The tide was coming in. She wasn’t here that long, was she? Pulling her phone out, she checked the time. Yes, she had been. She had to act and fast or be cut off. “Come on, Bud, it’s time to go,” she called to her dachshund, but the animal continued harassing the waterfowl. She lunged for him, and he darted away closer to the arch — the most dangerous place of all here.

A clap of thunder rumbled in the distance. Things were quickly becoming dire. Melissa had to get her dog and return to the mainland before the thunderstorm hit. Too late. The skies blackened, and the rains pelted down. Lightning streaked across the sky, followed by yet another crash. How close was the storm? If she counted between the flash and the thunder, the longer the gap, the farther away the inclement weather was. There was more to the calculation, but at this point, it made no difference.

Strong winds pushed the incoming tide and created whitecaps. Huge waves churned and crashed over the sandbar cutting the two off from the shore …

You can #PreOrder your e-copy at books2read.

Paperback copies have been ordered and will be available through me for $16.00 plus shipping and handling.

 

Ta-da! Let the #coverreveal tour commence!

Ta-da! I’m about to show off the cover of Book 3 in my It Happened series. The cover reveal tour is officially on!

Yes, I know. I’ve been a tease. Every day last week, I revealed a bit more of the cover until today when – Ta-da! The day has finally arrived when you get to see the complete cover.

Here is the list of stops I’ll be making as I take Melissa and the rest of the book 3 gang around the world. I hope you’ll stop by each day. There will be a Rafflecopter giveaway each day of the tour. You could win a .mobi (Kindle) or .epub (Kobo and other readers) copy of It Happened in Percé Rock.

Day 1 of the lead-up

As you can see from the countdown timer on the sidebar, time is ticking away until the launch of book 3 in my It Happened series.

Before I reveal my beautiful cover (I think it is anyway), let me tell you a bit about the series and what led me to write it. I might be a bit late getting to the show, but ta-da, I made it. I’ve followed other authors like Melissa Foster and Stacy Claflin, who write series centred around families, dedicating a book to each sibling. I figured if they could do it, so could I. I might not be in the same league as them – yet, but I’m willing to take a shot. So that’s it in a nutshell.

The Scotts – Christopher, Amy & Michael (twins), Roger and Melissa

The Laynes – Serenity and Erik

Did I mention there are dogs, too?

So now, without further ado, I give you the cover of It Happened at Percé Rock!

Ta-da

And the full cover wrap for the print edition …

Ta-da

 

Here’s what it’s about …

Beaches meets Born on the 4th of July

When Melissa Scott flees to the village of Percé, she’s determined to leave her painful memories behind her.

Gareth Young, a soldier with the Canadian Forces, never got over losing his friend in the war in Afghanistan. Nowadays, he’s happier in his own company than that of others, until she enters his life.

Despite her recent breakup and knowing rebound relationships don’t work, Melissa falls head over feet for the handsome military man, only to discover he comes with enough baggage to fill an army cargo plane.

Will the couple be able to work through their issues and achieve a happy ending together?

Each day of the tour, there will be a giveaway for either a .mobi (Kindle) or .epub (kobo or other ebooks) version of the book. Who doesn’t like free stuff?

Early readers’ comments on It Happened at Percé Rock …

A book with so many twists and turns, with an ending that left me all warm inside.

After reading, I desperately wanted to visit Perce Rock in Canada!

The story is a powerful reminder that just as in real life, the characters reap what they sow.

Good things come to those who do good. Those who don’t are rewarded in kind.

You can preorder your ecopy of It Happened at Percé Rock here books2read.com/u/b6OJdp for the low price of 99c/99p.

Ta-da

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day 6 of the lead-up to cover reveal #sweetromance

Today is Day 6 of the lead-up to the cover reveal of It Happened at Percé Rock, book 3 in my It Happened series of sweet romances.

As you can see from the countdown timer on the sidebar, time is ticking away until the launch of Book 3 in my It Happened series. Today on Day 6 of the lead-up, even more of the cover is peeking through.

Yes, I know. I’m a tease. Each day this week, a bit more of the It Happened at Percé Rock cover has been revealed until tomorrow when the cover reveal tour begins.

 

Day 6 of the lead-up

Each day, there will be a giveaway for either a .mobi (Kindle) or .epub (kobo or other ebooks) version of the book. Who doesn’t like free stuff?Day 6 of the lead-up

Here’s what it’s about …

Beaches meets Born on the 4th of July

When Melissa Scott flees to the village of Percé, she’s determined to leave her painful memories behind her.

Gareth Young, a soldier with the Canadian Forces, never got over losing his friend in the war in Afghanistan. Nowadays, he’s happier in his own company than that of others, until she enters his life.

Despite her recent breakup and knowing rebound relationships don’t work, Melissa falls head over feet for the handsome military man, only to discover he comes with enough baggage to fill an army cargo plane.

Will the couple be able to work through their issues and achieve a happy ending together?

Early readers’ comments on It Happened at Percé Rock

A book with so many twists and turns, with an ending that left me all warm inside.

After reading, I desperately wanted to visit Perce Rock in Canada!

The story is a powerful reminder that just as in real life, the characters reap what they sow.

Good things come to those who do good. Those who don’t are rewarded in kind.

You can preorder your copy of It Happened at Percé Rock here https://books2read.com/u/b6OJdp for the low price of 99c/99p.

Day 5 of the lead-up to cover reveal #sweetromance

Today is Day 5 of the lead-up to the cover reveal of It Happened at Percé Rock, book 3 in my It Happened series of sweet romances.

As you can see from the countdown timer on the sidebar, time is ticking away until the launch of Book 3 in my It Happened series. Today on Day 5 of the lead-up, even more of the cover is peeking through.

Yes, I know. I’m a tease. Each day this week, a bit more of the It Happened at Percé Rock cover will be revealed until next Sunday when the cover reveal tour begins.

Day 5 of the lead-up

Each day, there will be a giveaway for either a .mobi (Kindle) or .epub (kobo or other ebooks) version of the book. Who doesn’t like free stuff?

Day 5 of the lead-up

Here’s what it’s about …

Beaches meets Born on the 4th of July

When Melissa Scott flees to the village of Percé, she’s determined to leave her painful memories behind her.

Gareth Young, a soldier with the Canadian Forces, never got over losing his friend in the war in Afghanistan. Nowadays, he’s happier in his own company than that of others, until she enters his life.

Despite her recent breakup and knowing rebound relationships don’t work, Melissa falls head over feet for the handsome military man, only to discover he comes with enough baggage to fill an army cargo plane.

Will the couple be able to work through their issues and achieve a happy ending together?

Early readers’ comments on It Happened at Percé Rock

A book with so many twists and turns, with an ending that left me all warm inside.

After reading, I desperately wanted to visit Perce Rock in Canada!

The story is a powerful reminder that just as in real life, the characters reap what they sow.

Good things come to those who do good. Those who don’t are rewarded in kind.

You can preorder your copy of It Happened at Percé Rock here https://books2read.com/u/b6OJdp for the low price of 99c/99p.

Day 4 of the lead-up to cover reveal #sweetromance

Today is Day 4 of the lead-up to the cover reveal of It Happened at Percé Rock, book 3 in my It Happened series of sweet romances.

As you can see from the countdown timer on the sidebar, time is ticking away until the launch of Book 3 in my It Happened series. Today on Day 4 of the lead-up, even more of the cover is peeking through.

Yes, I know. I’m a tease. Each day this week, a bit more of the It Happened at Percé Rock cover will be revealed until next Sunday when the cover reveal tour begins.

Day 4 of the lead-up

Each day, there will be a giveaway for either a .mobi (Kindle) or .epub (kobo or other ebooks) version of the book. Who doesn’t like free stuff?

Day 4 of the lead-up

Here’s what it’s about …

Beaches meets Born on the 4th of July

When Melissa Scott flees to the village of Percé, she’s determined to leave her painful memories behind her.

Gareth Young, a soldier with the Canadian Forces, never got over losing his friend in the war in Afghanistan. Nowadays, he’s happier in his own company than that of others, until she enters his life.

Despite her recent breakup and knowing rebound relationships don’t work, Melissa falls head over feet for the handsome military man, only to discover he comes with enough baggage to fill an army cargo plane.

Will the couple be able to work through their issues and achieve a happy ending together?

Early readers’ comments on It Happened at Percé Rock

A book with so many twists and turns, with an ending that left me all warm inside.

After reading, I desperately wanted to visit Perce Rock in Canada!

The story is a powerful reminder that just as in real life, the characters reap what they sow.

Good things come to those who do good. Those who don’t are rewarded in kind.

You can preorder your copy of It Happened at Percé Rock here https://books2read.com/u/b6OJdp for the low price of 99c/99p.

Day 3 of the lead-up to cover reveal #sweetromance

Today is Day 3 of the lead-up to the cover reveal of It Happened at Percé Rock, book 3 in my It Happened series of sweet romances.

As you can see from the countdown timer on the sidebar, time is ticking away until the launch of Book 3 in my It Happened series. Today on Day 3 of the lead-up, I’m sharing a tiny bit more of the cover.

Yes, I know. I’m a tease. Each day this week, a bit more of the It Happened at Percé Rock cover will be revealed until next Sunday when the cover reveal tour begins.

Day 3 of the lead-up

Each day, there will be a giveaway for either a .mobi (Kindle) or .epub (kobo or other ebooks) version of the book. Who doesn’t like free stuff?

Day 2 of the lead-up

Here’s what it’s about …

Beaches meets Born on the 4th of July

When Melissa Scott flees to the village of Percé, she’s determined to leave her painful memories behind her.

Gareth Young, a soldier with the Canadian Forces, never got over losing his friend in the war in Afghanistan. Nowadays, he’s happier in his own company than that of others, until she enters his life.

Despite her recent breakup and knowing rebound relationships don’t work, Melissa falls head over feet for the handsome military man, only to discover he comes with enough baggage to fill an army cargo plane.

Will the couple be able to work through their issues and achieve a happy ending together?

Early readers’ comments on It Happened at Percé Rock

A book with so many twists and turns, with an ending that left me all warm inside.

After reading, I desperately wanted to visit Perce Rock in Canada!

The story is a powerful reminder that just as in real life, the characters reap what they sow.

Good things come to those who do good. Those who don’t are rewarded in kind.

You can preorder your copy of It Happened at Percé Rock here https://books2read.com/u/b6OJdp for the low price of 99c/99p.