Author Interview with romance author: Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Good Morning everyone, let’s all welcome romance author Sue-Ellen Welfonder and her Highland Warriors series with us today.

                                                                     

First off please tell everyone a little about your series?

SEW:  Highland Warriors is a Scottish medieval trilogy. I wanted to explore the deep love Highlanders have for their home glen. The glen in the series is shared by three clans and each one believes they have sole claim to the land. The three heroines are sisters of the warring chieftains and they are weary of the strife and bloodshed so they join together to end the feud by each vowing to wed a man from an enemy clan. 

Here is a mini-blurb for Sins of a Highland Devil:

When a king commands three feuding clans to resolve their dispute with a trial by combat, a proud Highland warrior soon learns that he’s fighting for much more than his beloved glen and that his greatest triumph will be winning the love of his enemy’s sister.

Introduce everyone to book one Sins of a Highland Devil hero and heroine.

SEW:  James ‘The Devil’ Cameron is a proud clan chieftain who, though fierce, is known for his honor as much as the strength of his sword arm. When the Scottish king orders him to fight or see his people banished, he has no choice but to enter a staged battle that will determine which clan is to possess the glen. Highlander to the bone, he believes the glen clans should resolve their feuds without royal interference. He never expects to find an ally in Catriona MacDonald, the fiery, high-spirited sister of his worst foe, but he does – and when they come together, their lives are forever changed.

What year are the story settings?

SEW:  Sins of a Highland Devil, book one, opens in 1396 with the other two books set progressively a year onward. This was the turbulent reign of King Robert II (Robert Stewart, grandson of Scotland’s great hero king, Robert the Bruce)  

Can you tell our readers a bit about the paranormal elements that are added in the story?

SEW: All my books have paranormal elements. Celtic legend and lore, Highland magic, belief in curses, second sight, mythical creatures and such, were all an integral part of life in medieval Scotland and so I enjoy weaving in these elements. Readers can expect the following paranormal threads in Sins of a Highland Devil: myth and legend, curses, magic, standing stones, ghosts, enchanted beasties, ancients who practice the old ways, and more.

One of my favorite magical elements is an enchanted white stag. He was created in honor of Big Boy, a friendly red stag who enjoyed greeting visitors at a viewpoint in Glencoe. Tame and trusting, Big Boy delighted travelers from all over the world. I’d seen him a few times on my own visits to Scotland and was heartbroken to learn he’d met a bad end. So I put him in this series and named him Rannoch after the Rannoch Moor which is where ‘his’ overlook is located.

For the readers out there who have never tried your books can you please add a few of your favorite teasers from the book?

SEW:  Sure, here are two with James and Catriona, and one with Grizel, the magical wise woman in the series…

Excerpt I ~ Sins of a Highland Devil

A Fiery Wench…

     The MacDonald wench stood at. He stepped closer to the wall, hoping he erred. Unfortunately, he hadn’t the edge of the chaos. On seeing her, James felt an even hotter flare of irritation. She was truly there, hands on her hips and looking haughty as always.

     Joining him, his cousin gave a low whistle. “She’s Catriona MacDonald, the chief’s sister. The wildest of that heathenish lot.”

     “I know who she is.” James did. “And she is wild - so prickly some say she sleeps in a bed of nettles.”

     Colin laughed. “She’s bonnie all the same.”

     James scowled at the lass. “So is the deep blue sea until you sink in its depths and drown.”

~*~

Excerpt II ~ Sins of a Highland Devil

         

 A Laird and a Lady Clash…

     “Lady Catriona.” His smile deepened, turning devilish.

     “You…” She took several steps closer to him, then stopped when she realized she’d moved. “You shouldn’t be here with me-” She started to tell him to leave, but broke off when he raised a hand.

     “I am no’ with you, regrettably.” His meaning brought a flush to her face. “If I were” – he gave her a look that made her feel naked – “rest assured you’d no’ be spluttering like an angry hen. You’d be purring in sweet, female contentment.”  

~*~

Excerpt III – Grizel & Gorm (her partner)

A Crone Interrupted…

    

     “What are you about, woman?”

      Grizel spun around, sending the peat-bricks flying through the air. Gorm stood just inside the threshold, his face stern. His usually merry eyes were suspicious. And his splendid, near-to-his knees beard riffled in an unseen wind, a sure sign that he was in a dangerous mood.

     Grizel glared at him, peering past his shoulder at the now-empty door stoop. Even the fine bed of heather and bracken that she’d made for her four-legged friend had vanished. Everything was gone except the rocks and whirling mist.

     “Glower all you wish, it’ll change naught.” Gorm’s beard ends fluttered wildly. 

     “Where be Rannoch?” Grizel thrust out her chin, ignoring the beard-riffling.

     “No’ doing the fool guarding you ordered him to do, that’s true.” Gorm shut the door and came forward, bending to snatch up one of the peats as he crossed the stone-flagged floor. “Thon creature heeds me more than he does you, if ne’er you noticed.”

~*~

What can readers expect next any upcoming releases?

SEW:  Books two and three in Highland Warriors will be out this autumn. Likewise, a holiday novella connected to the series…

Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel, #2

Seduction of a Highland Warrior, #3

Once Upon a Highland Christmas, series-related holiday novella

I also have a story in Meows and Mistletoe, a Cat’s Paw Cove holiday collection. It’s set in a Florida beach town full of cats, magic, and romance. The Cat’s Paw Cove series was created by Wynter Daniels and Catherine Kean.

    

Are you working on any more series or books? 

SEW: A spin-off on my Ravenscraig Legacy series, Scottish contemporary paranormals. I’m hoping to get it out this summer. After that  – so many ideas and too little time.  

~*~

Thank you so much for having me. If any readers would like a closer look at Highland Warriors, they can download Highland Interludes from my website. It’s a free mobi download and includes two series prequels…

Highland Interludes

http://www.welfonder.com/Highland-Interludes.mobi

The Foretelling is a series prequel that lets you meet the three heroes as lads. It sets the stage for the events that unfold when they are grown men, proud and powerful Highland warrior chieftains.

         

The Glen of Many Legends – A Tour is also a prequel but is set immediately before the series opens. With a fierce battle on the horizon, a danger that could destroy a sacred glen, one of the warrior chieftains makes a journey across the story world.     

~*~

Also, I’ll draw a reader from all comments for a Mobi file of Sins of a Highland Devil.

I’ll sign off by with my contact info…

Mailing list:

https://madmimi.com/signups/102456/join

Website:

www.welfonder.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/SueEllenWelfonderAuthor

Facebook Personal Page: http://on.fb.me/1N5fSqg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SE_Welfonder

Romance review of Happily Ever After, Again by D.F. Jones

Title: Happily Ever After, Again
Author: D.F. Jones 
Source: Author Request
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Length: Novel
Rating: 4
Sexual rating: 2
Reviewed by Laurie 

Happily Ever After, Again is electrifying, heart-pounding romance suspense melding sensuality, danger, and intrigue in this fast-paced page-turner.

Who killed Bratten Drake?

Bratten’s murder leaves Lauren grief-stricken while questioning the motives of his partner, his assistant, and his best friend.

Against Ever-After protocol, Bratten’s ghost mysteriously appears to help Lauren solve the murder, but places her in danger.

Will Lauren live Happily Ever After, Again?

If you like mystery, paranormal and romance this book is for you.

As a mystery lover, I was totally surprised as I kept turning the pages to try to find out who done it.

Lauren and Alex's romance is very different, you see, Lauren just lost her husband in death and Alex was her husband’s best friend. These two quickly find romantic connections with each other as they are forced together to find out who killed Bratten’s. Oh, and Bratten also comes to help them, hint, the paranormal elements in the story. The romance between these two starts rather quickly, but I have to say it’s done tastefully considering the turn of events that happens rather fast. 

Romance book review Say Yes by L.K. Shaw

 Title: Say Yes 

Author: L.K. Shaw 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Length: 134 pages 

Source: Author request

Reviewed by: Laurie

Rating:5

Sexual Rating 4

Friends make the best lovers. Or so Casey Santiago thinks.

For ten years, she’s lived with the memories of an abusive childhood. Now, she’s ready to make new ones. Who better to help her than her best friend, Philip Maxwell?

When she approaches him with her shocking proposal, he hesitates. Sex complicates things.

Can Casey convince Philip that their friendship is strong enough to withstand anything, including falling in love?

Say yes, will melt hearts of romance readers.

This is a short story about two longtime friends saying yes to taking their relationship into the love waters, it’s both emotional and sweet. You get a good glimpse of the characters past, present, and future lives.  The characters are very likable so once the story ends you’ll be saying I want more, but it’s not meant to be anymore. 

I recommend this to anyone who wants a quick hot read about two friends saying yes to taking their friendship deeper and with complications in their way. 

Avalanche by Cambria Hebert

Title: Avalance (BearPaw Resort #1)

Author: Cambria Hebert

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Independent

Release Date: March 26, 2018

Don’t get caught in the surge.

Through a bullet hole in a wall, I watch a man bleed to death.
Those responsible think their crime died with the victim, until I identify them.
What’s a girl to do when she’s being hunted by murderers
witness protection can’t even stop?
Run.
My only refuge is a place I vowed to never go again.
When it’s do or die, an eight-year-old heartache suddenly seems trivial.
Besides, he won’t be there anyway.
But he is.
Turns out my old pain feels brand new the second his eyes meet mine.
I can’t leave. I can’t stay.
This snowy town that’s supposed to be my shelter
suddenly exposes me more than before.
With no one else to lean on, Liam becomes my lifeline.
Now we’re both running for our lives,
trying not to get swept away.

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Excerpt from Avalanche:

I got up and went to the bed, yanking down the blankets in one move.

“What are you doing?” She was cautious.

“In you go.” I pointed.

“I’ll walk you out.” She glanced between me and the door.

I laughed. “Subtle. I’m not leaving.”

“Well, you aren’t sleeping with me!” She planted her fisted hands on her hips.

I tried real hard not to smile. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

A little bit of hurt flashed in her eyes, and I was a bastard because I was glad for it. I wanted her to want me—even just a fraction of the way I wanted her.

I cleared my throat and added, “At least not tonight.”

Her eyes whipped up to mine.

This time I smiled, letting some of the desire and possessiveness I felt shine through.

She ran for the bed and jumped in, pulling the covers nearly over her head. “You can see yourself out!”

I threw my head back and laughed.

Then I returned to my chair.

Making a noise, Bellamy sat up, pushing down some of the covers to glare. “What are you doing?”

“Staying ‘til you fall asleep.”

Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. “But why?”

“Because you want me to.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“You didn’t disagree.”

She fell back on the bed with a groan.

I grinned and settled my hands over my middle. “Go to sleep, Bells. I’ll watch over you.”

AUTHOR BIO:

Cambria Hebert is an award winning, bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.

Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).

Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: The Hashtag Series, Text, Torch, and Tattoo.

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.

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Misadventures of a College Girl by Lauren Rowe

Misadventures of a College Girl, an all-new standalone romance by Lauren Rowe is NOW AVAILABLE!!

Title: Misadventures of a College Girl

Author: Lauren Rowe

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Length: 280 pages

Publisher: Waterhouse Press

***MISADVENTURES ARE STANDALONE ROMANCES THAT CAN BE READ IN ANY ORDER***

Straitlaced freshman Zooey Cartwright has arrived at UCLA determined to have a heck of a lot more fun in college than she did in high school. What’s the first item on Zooey’s agenda before classes start in two days? Losing her pesky V card. She’s definitely not looking for a boyfriend, so where can Zooey find the right guy to do the deed and move along without a backward glance? At a party thrown by a bunch of football players, of course. Enter Tyler Caldwell. A beast on the field and off, cocky as heck, and often wearing T-shirts with sayings like “God’s Gift to Womankind,” Tyler is most definitely not boyfriend material. After a make-out session with Tyler leaves Zooey entirely unsatisfied, she is determined never to see him again. But her schedule lands her in not one but two of his classes, and it doesn’t take long before Tyler and Zooey have reached an arrangement for Tyler to teach Zooey exactly what she wants to know―and a whole lot more she never bargained for. Can Zooey surrender her body to this bad boy without giving him her heart, too?

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About Lauren Rowe: 

USA Today and internationally bestselling author Lauren Rowe lives in San Diego, California, where, in addition to writing books, she performs with her dance/party band at events all over Southern California, writes songs, takes embarrassing snapshots of her ever-patient Boston terrier, Buster, spends time with her family, and narrates audiobooks. Much to Lauren’s thrill, her books have been translated all over the world in multiple languages and hit multiple domestic and international bestseller lists. To find out about Lauren’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for Lauren’s emails at www.LaurenRoweBooks.com. Lauren loves to hear from readers! Send Lauren an email from her website, say hi on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook by searching for @laurenrowebooks.

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Esmeralda and the Second-Hand Suitor by Hebby Roman

Title: Esmeralda and the Second-Hand Suitor (Snowbirds #2)

Author: Hebby Roman

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 189 pages

Publisher: Estrella Publishing

Release Date: March 12, 2016

Reviewed by: Jasmyn

What’s a forty-year-old virgin doing in a predicament like this? Looking for a husband because her late father’s will decrees she must marry or forfeit her orchard, her only means of support. Hank McCall, as a perspective husband, leaves a great deal to be desired—he’s twice divorced and older than Esmeralda. Scarred by their pasts and challenged by the gap in their ages, Esmeralda and Hank struggle with their new-found relationship. But when Hank is faced with losing Esmeralda or surrendering to her yearning to have a real family, their fates hang in the balance. 

**********

Esmeralda and the Second-Hand Suitor was a cute story. At times a little unbelievable, but other times incredibly down to earth. It was also quite refreshing to see an older couple portrayed as....asn older couple. I know, crazy right? Esmeralda and Hank are both over 40 and living real life with real life problems. Divorce, paying bills, meeting people, family drama, and wondering if it's even worth looking anymore.

Esmeralda was a bit on the unbelievable side for me. A little too much of her character seemed to be determined by what would help the story work better. She's a virgin - which I know can still happen - but let's be honest. It isn't very likely anymore. She can only have her inheritance if she's married - because her father is a chauvanistic jerk - which I am more inclined to believe, but it still seems far-fetched. Especially to have all these things fall on one person's shoulders.

Hank is a divorced, fighting to keep enough from his recent ex so that he can retire in peace, and is really and truly going through what seems to be a mid-life crisis. Flying south to spend some time away from it all, he meets Esmerelda, and they are both faced with some serious adult-like problems (such a refreshing prospect).

This book dealt with real-life people facing real-life issues that would (mostly) affect any one of us that is no longer hovering in that 20-something age group. I really enjoyed seeing an older couple than I usually see in a romance with experiences and personalities that fit them well. 

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The Wrong Kind of Compatible by Kadie Scott - Spotlight and Giveaway

Title: The Wrong Kind of Compatible (Love Undercover #1)

Author: Kadie Scott

Genre: New Adult, Romantic Comedy

Length: 192 paged

Publisher: Entangled: Lovestruck

Release Date: June 12, 2017

Data analyst Cassie Howard may be brilliant (and, okay, a little awkward), but she’s worked hard to get where she is. She definitely doesn’t need some sexy new analyst coming in and taking credit for her work. Or the inappropriate thoughts that keep popping out of her mouth she’d rather he not hear.

For undercover FBI agent Drew Kerrigan, computers have always made more sense than people, but he’d better develop some slick social skills in a hurry if he’s going to win over the too-tantalizing-for-his-sanity Cassie. Hacking their systems was easy. Now he’s just got to hack the one person in the company most likely to see through his ruse…

On sale for 99¢ for a limited time!

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AUTHOR BIO:

Award-winning contemporary romance author, Kadie Scott, grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

No matter the genre, she loves to write witty, feisty heroines, sexy heroes who deserve them, and a cast of lovable characters to surround them (and maybe get their own stories). She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero, her husband, and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.

Kadie also writes award-winning paranormal romance under the name Abigail Owen.

For the latest news and exclusive excerpts, subscribe to Kadie’s monthly NEWSLETTER.

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Lustful Longings by Maggie Adams ~ Release Blast and Giveaway

Title: Lustful Longings

Author: Maggie Adams

Series: Lustful Trilogy #3

Genre: Women’s Erotica

Release Date: February 13. 2018

Length: 76 Pages

Blurb:
I have found my dream lover and, appropriately, his name is Morpheus. He has shown me how to be truly free in my sexuality; to trust another human being with my deepest desires; and to love without reservation or fear. We have a true power exchange when we play – no, we do not play, we live! Our lives and our sexual lifestyle have evolved so that one constantly compliments the other. I can’t imagine a happier, more fulfilling life.

Then, my world tilts on its axis.

Reality returns with a vengeance. My lover becomes ill and I find myself fighting for my former, happy life. Morpheus is ambivalent to his fate. He is more concerned with my future happiness without him. His abhorrence to leave me “a Widow” again, alone and afraid, leads him to formulate a plan to send me into the arms of another man. But his desperate longings to see me in passion’s embrace make him take the role of a cuckold. He has picked the man to help me if he should not survive, but it’s a double-edged sword as he forces himself to watch me falling deeper into the arms of the man he has chosen to replace him in all ways.

My guilt and longing for this man sends me to seek the help of an old friend. While I am welcomed with open arms, the lovely Bianca has plans of her own. In the end, it is up to Morpheus to either release me into the arms of new lovers, or allow me to ease his Lustful Longings in a new way.

Find out more at: Goodreads | Amazon

Excerpt One:

I lounge upon the chaise, sipping sparkling champagne as the New Year begins. My lover is poised on the tufted velvet arm, his fingers gliding along the exposed skin of my collarbone. The mirrored walls reflect the beauty of our surroundings and the people within. The chandeliers twinkle brightly near the mahogany ceiling, the gilt and glamour of the 1920’s permeates this particular party, and yet, the myriad collection of apparatuses for bondage, pain, and pleasure take up most of the room. A surrealistic interpretation of the predilections (or perhaps peculiarities is a better word), of the Master of House.

And here we sit in the middle of it all, my lover and me. He is adorned in the requisite tuxedo, it is a formal affair after all, with the only nod to the true nature of this gathering, a slim crop in his hand. He told me he really should have a walking stick to complete the outfit, but I wasn’t quite ready for that type of fun yet.

While he was the epitome of formal elegance, I, on the other hand, was resplendent in a red satin Merrywidow with black lace overlay and pretty red bows fastening the finest silk stockings that encased my legs. Black opera gloves covered my hands and arms, pearl bracelets and ruby rings adding charm.  The large ruby and gold earrings that swayed when I turned my head and the diamond clip that held back my hair were the real thing.

My Master was a generous man and wanted everyone to know it, so for me it was jewelry; for others, it was a simple offer to one and all to sample the delight he was privileged to call his own. So, I sat with him, the corset pushing up my breasts until my nipples tipped the edge of lace and allowed strangers to rub or pinch “the raspberry perfections” that my Master tasted every night. I didn’t mind. There was something quite exciting about another man or woman touching me while my Master looked on. It stirred the recklessness within me and made our love play more explosive.

I smiled to myself and took a sip of the champagne. If the folks back home could see me now. They would raise scandalous eyebrows to the ceiling, send prayers for my sinful ways in the Sunday sermon, and whisper of the “Merry Widow” at the local Moose club.  All would be filled with righteous indignation that someone like me had ever graced their idyllic community.  

I parted my legs on the chaise as my Master requested, the warm air hitting my nakedness. The scent of my arousal permeated the air while a woman tentatively touched my slick labia. Yes, the old town would be in an outrage at my debauchery.  Especially if I ever published my dear diary.  More specifically, if I didn’t change the names to protect the not-so-innocent of their town within the pages of my sexual journal. That’s right; although many wore masks to the dungeon parties, I knew who each member or guest was. After all, my Master owned the most exclusive club in town.

I sighed as a wave of pleasure coursed through me while the young woman licked her fingers. I raised my glass as her companion shouted, “To the Widow and her Morpheus! You make all our dreams come true!”

About Maggie Adams:
Maggie Adams is an Amazon Best Selling contemporary romance author. Her first book in the Tempered Steel Series, Whistlin’ Dixie, debuted in Amazon’s Top 100 for Women’s Fiction, humor, on November, 2014. Since then, she has consistently made the Amazon best seller 5-star list with Leather and Lace, Something’s Gotta Give, and Love, Marriage & Mayhem. She is also the recipient of the Dayreader Review’s Best New Series Award for 2015. Her series has launched the tiny town of Grafton, Illinois, into International recognition with sales in Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and the UK.

Back home, she resides in the Midwest, with her high school sweetheart, Ned, and their children, Katie (Kyle) and Ross (Valerie) and first granddaughter, Lorelei, otherwise known as “The Boss”

You can connect with her online at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest | BookBub

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The Wrong Kind of Love by Lexi Ryan - Spotlight

Title: The Wrong Kind of Love

Author: Lexi Ryan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 363 pages

Publisher: Ever After LLC

Release Date: February 12, 2018

From New York Times bestseller Lexi Ryan comes a sexy new standalone romance novel about a runaway bride, a single dad who’s sworn off love, and the kind of family secrets that can threaten to break even the deepest bonds.

***

You never forget your wedding day. Or the moment your twin sister pukes on your bouquet and confesses she’s pregnant . . . with your fiancé’s baby.

I wanted to get away, to hide until my heart mended. I found myself in a strange town with a mysterious stranger whose talented mouth and hands almost made me forget it was supposed to be my wedding night.

Afraid to go home to face my broken life, I pretend to be my twin so I can take her job in Jackson Harbor caring for a six-year-old girl. Imagine my surprise when I find out my new boss is my mysterious stranger—Dr. Ethan Jackson.

I never meant for Ethan to discover my secrets. I never meant for them to matter. But the longer I work with him and his sweet daughter, the harder I fall, and the clearer it becomes that I’m not the only one carrying a secret that could tear us apart.

Get ready to fall for the boys of Jackson Harbor in Lexi Ryan’s sexy new contemporary romance series. These books can all be read as standalones, but you’ll enjoy reading them as a series!

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Meet Lexi:

Lexi Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of emotional romance that sizzles. A former academic and English professor, Lexi considers herself the luckiest girl around to make a living through storytelling. She loves spending time with her crazy kids, weightlifting, ice cream, swoony heroes, and vodka martinis.

Lexi lives in Indiana with her husband, two children, and a spoiled dog. You can find her at her website: www.lexiryan.com

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