I wrote a Valentines Day story several years back.
Today it’s free, from me to you.
Happy Valentines Day! XOXO ~DD

DOWNLOAD NOW:
Love in Bloom (PDF) (4377 downloads )

I’m very excited about my new book release, Mystic’s Touch.

The world they live in is fantasy – a kingdom and a culture based on ancient Egypt. It was great being able to live in that place, in my head, for a while. And the characters were fun. I was surprised when two more of the hero’s friends showed up half way through the book!

And it all started with a dream.

Yup! I dreamed about my characters before they ever landed on the page. It just took a couple of years to figure who they were and what they were trying to tell me.

I don’t always remember my dreams, but some have been doozies! I try to record the really interesting ones so I can figure out what was on my mind or what the universe was trying to tell me. More than one of those may end up in a story someday.

Once I dreamed about getting a new job before being called for an interview. Then there was the time I dreamed that the place I used at was falling down – as in, the building was being evacuated in my dream because it was crumbling. A short while later a buy-out was announced. I’ve been told by friends that still work there that the company is no longer the same place.

A couple of years ago I had a dream about my son being kidnapped that freaked me out so bad I disabled his online gaming account for weeks. I hope that one NEVER comes true. *shudders*

And, naturally, there have been a few dreams that could only be recorded with adult-content labels. *blushes*

Dreams are important to Danet and Ceros, the main characters in Mystic’s Touch. They see each other in dreams for years before ever meeting. Their soul-deep bond strengthens their relationship and makes it hard to resist. No matter the odds.

Have you ever had a significant dream? One that came true or one that was so vivid it stuck with you for days after waking?

Leave a comment and let me know. And link over to my Rafflecopter to be entered in the drawings for goodies. I’m giving away books, jewelry, and lots of other fun stuff! Follow this link:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

When Prince Ceros returns home to take his place on the throne, he falls prey to a mysterious malady that leaves him unable to speak or move, though his thoughts and awareness remain intact. Danet, a talented healer, realizes the prince is alert inside his body. The two are able to share thoughts telepathically. Unfortunately her connection with Ceros may bring unwanted attention to her abilities and result in her banishment from the city.

Their unique bond grows as Danet races to find a remedy for the prince’s condition. Desire turns to love, which makes Danet fear for their future when he awakens. They seek out the villain attempting to take the throne and endeavor to find a way to stay together.

Inside Scoop: Ceros’ secret shifter status adds complication and intrigue to their budding romance.

Buy Links:
Ellora’s Cave  /  Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble
Book Trailer Video:  http://youtu.be/4rcPumYSe5w

Dena Garson loves to read romance—the hotter the better. When one of her BFFs said “one of us should be writing this stuff”, she took up the challenge. If she isn’t writing, she’s designing jewelry but somehow she still manages to make it into the office on a regular basis.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | Ellora’s Cave | Amazon Author Page

Thanks for having me today Delilah.

We do crazy things as authors, and we get our inspiration for our stories from just about anywhere. I am working on my 5^th book in the SEAL Brotherhood series, called Cruisin’ For A SEAL. It’s the first time I’ve taken a long, extended vacation to write a book, and wrote nearly 1/3 of it onboard a cruise ship traveling from Italy to Brazil. This is where my story takes place.

First, I had never been to any of the ports we stopped at: Marakesh, Casablanca, Tenerife, Cape Verde, Sao Paolo, Rio, Santos. The crossing took us over the Equator, taking us from Winter in the Northern Hemisphere, to Summer in the Southern Hemisphere. There was a ritual in crossing this line we fully participated in. Salsa and flour and egg in the hair, jump into the salt water pool. A memorable experience.

My story follows the same itinerary: several members of SEAL Team 3 are on a vacation together with their wives and girlfriends, when terrorists take over the ship. Of course they save the day, and nearly everyone on board. Being the only Americans on this particular cruise, I met people from all over the world, and got a good cross-section of peoples and cultures to use in the story. I wrote late at night, early in the AM. Anywhere and everywhere. I wrote when I couldn’t sleep.

My hero and heroine meet before the cruise sets sail, in Savona, Italy. They spend a night together and expect they will never see each other again, which of course doesn’t happen.

Here’s the excerpt from Cruisin’ For A SEAL:

She was a pretty brunette with skinny legs, wearing high heeled camo boots, which is what got his attention originally. Waiting on a street corner, he thought perhaps she was a working girl. Marc decided to sit, have a cappuccino and watch the passers by.

She was joined by an older woman who could have been her mother. The two took a table next to him and the Italian flowed all over his body like a gentle rain.

The coffee was delivered to him and he nodded without speaking, not wanting the ladies to identify him as American. Not that it would make any difference, of course, because he had no intention of talking to them.

The heart-shaped design in the foam floating on the top of his cappuccino put a fishhook to his heart. He stared down at it with a wince, but welcomed the creamy taste. The shot of caffeine gave him the jolt he was seeking.

His eyes drifted from the cluster of pigeons trying to dodge scooters and pedestrians to the table next door. The younger woman was slipping off her
black raincoat, revealing an ample chest delicately restrained in a stretchy black dress that came down low in a dangerous V. She held her water glass with long delicate fingers and short red nails. A colorful charm bracelet encircled her small wrist.

He followed the glass she was holding until it mated with her full red lips. Her large brown eyes darted in his direction, then she repositioned them on the face of her companion across the table. But then she smiled. He knew that smile was intended for him as such as he understood his dick was interested for the first time in three months.

The Italian was luxurious. No other way to describe it. An Italian love ballad was playing somewhere down the arched tunnel between the piazza and the homes of the locals above.  He didn’t know the words, but loved the feeling it imparted to him. He understood some of the words, like Amore. He’d not have tolerated this sappy show or sensual drifting until tonight, but he was fantasizing the lady was rubbing the glass against her bottom lip for him, sucking the ice cube she held in her left hand as she flipped it inside and out of her lips, wrapping it in her pink tongue.

She smiled at her companion, and he wanted to lick the dimple that dared to show itself on the left of her cheek. He knew she’d taste good. He knew just a drop of her juices on his tongue would send him places he’d missed. His little brain had the pompoms and the little cheering section. Was already nekked with the young lady with the big tits and the beautiful full red lips. His fingers had found how her silky inner thighs quivered under his touch.

What are you doing?

She was a pleasant fantasy, and if he was completely honest and felt she would understand him, he’d thank her. But he was a dog. He was a dog about ready to embark on a cruise out of port with some of his best buds. He’d never come back here to Savona, and would never see her again.

I will reward a free audio book to one person who leaves a comment, chosen at random. Here’s your question: If you were going to go on a cruise with your favorite author, where would you go, and what story would you want to read/write?

Enjoy the sample audio clip from this book, which is on Preorder until March 1st.

http://youtu.be/TVeT8IbV6ZU

Sharon Hamilton
Life is one fool thing after another.
Love is two fool things after each other.
Author Page ** Sharon’s Blog ** Sharon’s Website ** Facebook**Twitter

I’m just jumping in with a couple of quick announcements and a question….

First, just wanted to be sure you know that SEALed is out! I gave you the run-down on Saturday’s blog, even shared an excerpt or two! If you click on the cover, you can read the first scene of the story. The whole collection of ALL SEAL STORIES is only $.99. Get your copy now, because that price won’t last! And after  you do get your copy and settle down to enjoy the spicy, exciting stories inside, please consider posting a review. Those reviews help other readers decide whether to purchase. Let them know whether you think it’s money well-spent.

Buy Links: Amazon | B&N

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Book 7 of the Lone Star Lovers series, Reined In, is almost here and ready for pre-order! Click on the cover to read the first scene!

Think…daddy’s spoiled little girl, two ranch hands she’s teased mercilessly for years, and sweet resolution… Yeah, I had fun writing that one!

Pre-order Links: Amazon | Samhain

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Now here’s your question…

If you could make one change to your current work (or home)
environment, what would it be?

Writing more than one book at the same time?

So, call me a glutton for punishment, but I often write more than one project at a time. Sometimes they are the same genre, sometimes they’re different. I just can’t help it. Sometimes a character will stand up and wave at me. They don’t like it when I say “Sit down and shut up.”

Sometimes I just dabble in one while concentrating mostly on another, or sometimes I work on both (or more) consistently.

And any writer knows that characters can be obnoxious. That’s how I got myself in my current predicament—but my 2^nd predicament in a row like this.

I finished the third book in my romantic suspense series, Calculated Collision (Crossing Forces Book Three) and jumped right into book four. I was so proud of myself because I tend to procrastinate.

The hero of this book, Jared, had interrupted my writing flow when I was working on book three, so perhaps what happened next was Karma? (For him, or me?)

I had started book three (Nate and Lee’s story) and everything was going well. I had a plan of attack, so to speak, and hit the words hard. But then, out of the blue…I had a dream. Now that might sound cheesy, but it’s true. The dream was of the opening scene of book four of this series—Jared’s book.

The hero stood up and hollered, “Hey, what about me?” He didn’t appreciate or heed my answer, which went something like, “Wait for your turn.” Jared is stubborn like his partner, Cole (hero of Collision Force—book one), so I actually wrote great chunks of book 3 and 4 together, but ended up breaking off and finishing book three like a good little author.

So then of course, Jared gained all of my attention. Things were going well, and I got to 40k quite easily.

Then what happened? BAM! I had one of those sit-up-in-bed-gasping and scramble for the notebook moment to jot down this idea for this time travel story.

That little idea was supposed to be a 15k short for an anthology and turned into a trilogy. The Tartan MP3 Player ended up being about 33,000 words and the first of the Highland Secrets series. It will be out in March, 2014. I also did something I NEVER do: plotted the next two books. I am excited, and they should follow book one and two rather quickly in release.

So Jared pouted as I worked on Claire and Duncan’s story, but then I got back to him. My best-laid plans don’t always work out, but I really hope it doesn’t happen again. (Note to my characters: this is not a challenge for you.)

The writing process is different for every writer. The more I write, the more I realize there is no right or wrong ways to write. As long as we do just that: WRITE.

It also seems the further I go, the more stories swirl around in my head. I guess that’s great, I won’t run out of stories to tell. It’s just about having the time to write them all down. Writing a book is hard work. But it’s something enjoyable, and something that’s so much a part of me I couldn’t imagine not writing.

There’s nothing better than writing a good book…or two.

Vowing to protect her had nothing to do with feelings.

Detective Pete Crane catches a new shooting case and considers it business-as-usual. But when the lead witness is the Chief of Police’s fiery assistant, he never anticipated she’d challenge him—personally and professionally. Especially while under his protection.

Little do they know, the shooting she and her grandmother witnessed was anything but random.

Thrown together, their attraction sizzles, even though she’s squarely in the no-fly zone. She makes him break every rule in his little black book.

Nikki Harper has been attracted to Pete since they met two years ago. Witnessing a brutal shooting throws her into a stigma that’s always been her greatest fear: a victim. She has no choice but to accept his protective custody and let him help save her and her beloved grandmother.

Can Pete protect his witness and solve the case, while fighting the intense heat with Nikki?

Buylinks for Chance Collision:
ARe | Totally Bound  | Amazon UK  | Amazon CA
Amazon | Sony | KOBO | Barnes & Noble 

C.A. Szarek Bio:

Sword’s Call is C.A.’s first book, and is the first in the King’s Riders Series, published by Paper Dragon Publishing. Love’s Call (King’s Riders Book Two) recently released. Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book 1), and Chance Collision (Crossing Forces Book Two) are part of a steamy romantic suspense series published by Totally Bound Publishing. ALL FOUR BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!

C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She is married and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

She works with kids when she’s not writing.

She’s always wanted to be a writer and is overjoyed to share her stories with the world.

Find C.A. Szarek:
Website: www.caszarek.com
Blog: www.caszarekwriter.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caszarek
Twitter: https://twitter.com/caszarek
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5815085.C_A_Szarek

Music and Coffee: Fuel for an Author

Hi there! Thank you to Delilah for allowing a newbie like me to make an appearance on her blog!

My name is Morgan, and I’m an addict.  Phew, I feel better.

I admit to being addicted to music and coffee.  One started at a much younger age than the other, I’ll let you guess which, but both are now so deeply ingrained that I need a fix.  Often.  I am one of those people who if I am not watching a movie or one of my shows, I’ve got the music going.  Sometimes I’ll even toss in my ear buds and boogie along to my jams while doing the dishes.  Much to my kids chagrined and my husbands delight.  He thinks I’m ridiculous, but I know I’m made of awesomesauce.

My debut novella and subsequent series, Moonlight Nights, was spawn by a late night fueled by Starbucks coffee and a long drive under the stars.  I’m a big huge fan of windows down, radio up and singing like a rock star in my car.  On this night I was listening to a new to me artist, Bruno Mars.  By now most people knew him but I had just recently came across of a few of his songs.  I immediately downloaded his EP that was available and was jamming out, as I always do, and this song came on and I swear my everything just stopped.

“Talking to the Moon” was a song about staring at the moon every night and hoped that his former lover was too.  It speaks of when the stars come up and light up his room, he just sits there talking to the moon.  Right?  It tugged at my heart and in an instant a story was born.  If you aren’t familiar with this song, head over to my website and I’ve got it posted.

I know a lot of authors are inspired by random things, which I always found fascinating.  When I first started writing I was able to use prompts to help me create a story, whether it be for submission calls or fan fiction. I know, I know. I didn’t stay there for long.  But now with the birth of this one. story inspired by something so random as one song, I felt that I was part of the cool kids.  I’m not, but one can hope.

Since then my inspiration has grown and has spun into a five book series, all surrounding one young couple and their connection to the full moon.  The first book, a prequel of sorts, features the father of the young man.  Sunrise is about a mature couple who meet by chance month after a steamy, anonymous weekend in Mexico.

After I wrote the first book, titled Talk to the Moon, I was further inspired by music and Sunrise is heavily influenced by the sexiness of Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles.  And of course, coffee. There is something incredibly enchanting about the lyrics from Fleetwood Mac but the song Tequila Sunrise was the official inspiration for Sunrise. Not so much lyrically but more so the theme of a woman who is a bit lost and just numb from life.

So that’s a brief look into my crazy mind, what inspires you?

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter or my blog for the upcoming New Adult release, Talk to the Moon on February 22nd! Be sure to pick up Sunrise for free in the meantime.

Talk to the Moon 

When Kyle Chase was eighteen, he had his life all mapped out: a business degree and a long, happy life with his childhood sweetheart.Seven years later, Kyle is still haunted by the girl who declared her undying love to him before disappearing without a word as soon as he left for college. With the realization that the memories are stopping him from living his life, Kyle posts an ad in hopes of making contact with the woman who broke his heart. Read the rest of this entry »

UPDATE: Sealed with a Kiss is available now on Amazon! Click the link to get your copy!
And the winner of a free copy of Uniform Desires is…Sophia Kimble!

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Thought I’d lead with that cover. Don’t you love it? It’s the cover for a collection of eight ALL SEAL stories that will be releasing this coming week, just in time for Valentine’s Day! I don’t have a link yet, but as soon as the collection goes live, I’ll be sure to share it! Here’s the pic of the boxed set…

Note the line at the bottom of the front. The Only ALL SEA Anthology. Eight NYT, USA Today and National Bestselling Authors.

And if you read my story in Uniform Desires, you might want to read the next story in my trilogy of travel agents who wind up with more adventure than they wanted with smexy men to the rescue.

Here’s the list of blurbs for the stories that comprise the collection. Get ready to drool! Read the rest of this entry »