Valentine Countdown Blitz Day Six: Robin and Marian by Stephanie Fowers

Stephanie Fowers loves bringing stories to life, and depending on her latest madcap ideas will do it through written word, song, and/ or film. She absolutely adores Bollywood and bonnet movies; i.e., Jane Austen. Presently, she lives in Salt Lake where she's living the life of the starving artist.

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Who says Chivalry is dead?

Robin King lives up to the legendary name of Robin Hood more than he should—a bigshot billionaire and successor of King enterprises, a Prince of Mischief and a rogue who steals hearts ... and maybe even a few kisses. He never thought he’d follow the storyline so closely, until the day he gets in trouble with the law and pays the price—all for protecting his younger sister Scarlett.

Taken in by an Outlaw

Marian is a hard-hitting reporter … or would be if the New England Chronicle would stop assigning her puff pieces. Now she has the chance to prove herself, but it could prove her undoing—since the story of a lifetime might just be Robin King, a ruthless scoundrel, who she swore would never break her heart again.

Making New England Olde again

Together, they must overcome their differences to save their hometown from thieves and corruption. And they’d better do it before someone gets killed. As danger lurks closer, legend becomes life, and Robin’s feelings for Marian deepen as he struggles with sharing the secrets that could clear his name and ruin his sister."

Join Author Stephanie Fowers on Tour with Roman and Jules for a fun look at this book and a chance to win more prizes!

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Q&A With the Author:

 1. Why do you choose to write romance? Do you write any other genres?
I love taking my bad dating stories and making them turn out fantastic, haha. But seriously, I love happy endings and I believe in love and think that it makes the world a better place. I have all sorts of theories on love and relationships and connections and I'm happy to share them with others through my writing. I also enjoy throwing in humor and mystery and adventure, depending on my vision for the project. I also write fantasy, some fairy tale remakes, though mostly dystopian (though NONE of my dystopian have seen the light of day yet). I also have plans to write some epic historicals (think Braveheart), but I'd like to get my foot more firmly in the romance genre first AND I'll probably write under a pen name when I really starting getting into those other genres. 

2. How long does it take you to write a book, typically?
It depends on the book--if it's a shorter romance, then I can write the rough draft in about two weeks. If it's a longer romance, about a month, and fantasy and historical, about two months. That's ONLY the rough draft though. It takes me about two weeks to plot out a book (short OR long, they take me equally as long, though sometimes it can take me longer because I am VERY detailed with my outline and even cast my characters and make slideshows, etc.), and the editing process takes about a month or two after I write the rough draft. And then I'm working with cover designers and beta readers and editors and marketing, so one book, even a short one, can be very time consuming. Robin and Marian took me about four months because my mother was in the ICU and then rehab, so I'd take my laptop to the hospital and type... well, I planned to do that anyway. It didn't quite work out that way ;-) 

3. Since a lot of romance books show both male and female perspectives, share with us the most difficult thing about writing the perspective of the opposite gender?
It's interesting because male and females ARE so different, but at the same time we have much more in common than we think. I have a lot of brothers and guy friends and I used to interview them to figure out why they broke up with girls and/ or relationships didn't work and/ or why they did work, first things they noticed about a girl they liked, etc. And then I used to put my manuscripts past guys to get their input. I feel like I got a pretty good handle on that and I don't do that as often now, even though I learned that guys are pretty different from each other too and also some weren't even that self aware about what they were doing, which also plays into my books. I watch a lot of online dating gurus (like Matthew Hussey, etc.), still watch my brothers and guy friends navigate through life, and OF COURSE, I use a lot of creative license when creating my guy characters. My biggest trick now is to not overthink it. I cast my guy character, squint my eyes at the pictures I gathered, and try to imagine how he'd act and think in any given situation.  

4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I always think that my book is the WORST thing ever when I start writing my opening chapters. I have to get into it before I can start getting a handle on my characters. So, during this process, I really have to work with myself. I block social media, set alarms, give myself rewards, keep a writing journal, isolate myself for a bit. After about three chapters in, I start to relax and start to enjoy writing again. Obviously I have to return to those first few chapters after I've finished my rough draft to fix those up.

5. Tell us a bit about a future project you are working on? Do you have any little sneak peeks you can share?
I'm writing a romance starring a firefighter--I interviewed friends, toured a fire station, read books, binge-watched firemen shows on Prime (especially while writing those first few chapters). It's very rough right now, but I threw in some motorcycles, reality TV, and love, lots of love :-)

6. What is the most romantic date you have ever been on? Or, what is your idea of the perfect Valentine Date?
Honestly, it's ALL about the company. I don't care what I'm doing as long as it's with a guy who makes me feel attractive and fun (and vice versa). We could go hiking or binge watch Netflix, I don't care as long as we're spending quality time together. However, expensive, elaborate dates aren't as fun for me because those just end up being awkward, complicated and uncomfortable. My favorite dates are spontaneous and/ or active. Walking back from a show, jumping in a friend's hot tub, going to haunted houses are generally my favorite types of dates. 

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Great Summer Reads Day 4: Monk's Bride by Caroline Clemmons

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their three rescued indoor cats as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, four feral cats, a fox, a raccoon, and two possums. 

The books she creates in her pink cave have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series include the Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas Time Travel, Texas Caprock Tales, Pearson Grove, and Loving A Rancher as well as numerous single titles and contributions to multi-author sets. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends’ books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap.

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A destitute widow; a reformed con man; the danger that links them…

Betsie Galloway Hirsch has escaped Memphis with her son. Her gambling husband tricked the wrong people and they’re demanding Betsie pay his debts—or else. She’s come to Kincaid Springs to stay with her mother and seek a safe place for her son. Being so far from her former home, she feels secure. That is, until danger confronts her.

After 34 years alone, Michael “Monk” Magonagle is falling in love with Betsie and is fond of her son. Monk is certain she is not free of the men her late husband cheated. Although he is not a violent man by nature, Monk is willing to fight for Betsie’s safety. He and the men of the Kincaid family prepare to meet the enemy.

How can Betsie and Liam be protected from the approaching danger? Will she and Monk be able to forge a love that endures or will one of them be silenced forever? What toll will the enemy exact? 

  
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Snippet:

Betsie leaned down to look at Liam. “Stand right there until I’m in the buggy.”

After helping Betsie onto the front seat beside Sarah, Monk lifted Liam to hand to his mother. The child made a weird noise and threw up his lunch, most of which landed on Monk’s clothes and shoes. Enough landed on Liam’s front that he was a mess too.

“No, please no. Oh, Mr. Magonagle, your clothes.” Betsie hid her face in her hands. When she lowered her hands, tears were in her blue eyes.

“Forgive me for leaving you in such a mess and holding my son.” She stretched out her arms for her son. “Liam, come here.” She took the boy. “I should never have let you eat so much after. . . .” She trailed off as she settled her son on her lap.

Monk figured she almost said after not having enough to eat for so long. He used his handkerchief to dab at his clothes. There was no hope. “Guess I’d better rush home and change clothes.”

Sarah shook her head. “I should think so. Climb in and I’ll drop you there on our way. You don’t want to walk through town looking as you do.”

His house wasn’t really on the way, but he climbed onto the back seat anyway. His position at the bank required him to act with impeccable dignity. He wasn’t eager to walk through town looking a foul mess and smelling like a chamber pot.

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Great Summer Reads: Dark Days of Promise by Shaunna Gonzales

Shaunna Gonzales currently resides with her family in the greater Seattle area. Married

over thirty years, her role as wife and mother of four continue to be her priorities.

A storyteller in her youth, she endevored to extend her love of stories to the written word and in 2005 began to write her first novel. Though that manuscript will remain buried, she has continued to learn.

Once told by her doctors that she would never leave her wheelchair -- due to her Multiple sclerosis. It has been tucked in a closet while she continues on. (In other words muddles on.)

Shaunna has worked as a professional reviewer for InD'Tales eMagazine for three years. In 2012 she also served as the vice president of Moonwriters, the on-line chapter of American Night Writers Association (ANWA She prefers to write romantic fiction and has ventured into the romantic suspense, and time-travel genres. Her debut novel, Dark Day s of Promise was released by Desert Breeze Publishing in 2012 re-released 2015.

Although she prefers to spend her days writing, she is willing to share what she has learned from the school of life and is often found "giving back." 

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Thirty-four year old Vicki Laramie must learn to trust before she can love, but she might die trying.

While Vicki’s children grapple with the death of their father -- a man whom she’s successfully fabricated as loving, a lie her rebellious teenager recognizes -- she must find a way to support her family and find a role model for her boys. 

She never intends to fall for Staff Sergeant Chase, her best friend’s son, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She’d much rather choose a safer man to love, but her children have a voice in the decision she makes. 

With two deaths to deal with, a suitor after her money, a rebellious son, and Sergeant Chase’s repeated attacks, she can only hope to survive the danger she faces. If she doesn’t, her children will be left without either parent.

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Snippet:

"Um... Janine?" I dropped the letters I'd just tugged out of the mailbox decorated like a big, orange jack-o-lantern, and pointed at the four men in green dress uniforms approaching my front door. My mouth tasted like the Salt Flats.

Janine, my best friend and elderly neighbor, glanced at the house and back at me. "Vicki, it's going to be okay. Even the darkest of days hold a promise of good things. I'll be right here beside you."

I tried to breathe. I thought I had shielded myself from this ever happening to me with the divorce. I was wrong. Dead weight in both legs impeded my instinct to flee. With Janine leaning on her cane at my side, I raced for my front door in slow motion, each step seeming to come slower than the previous one. Struggling with the implications, I willed my feet to move. Step, step…now lift yourfoot. One step... two, you can do it, just one more. I couldn't breathe. I advanced to the porch.

I sidestepped between the army green uniforms, ignoring the need for a polite acknowledgment. My hand, below the frayed sleeve of my faded red shirt, looked old and froze to the doorknob before resorting to automatic pilot. An unconscious reflex spurred me to open the door and usher them inside. The door hung wide, welcoming what I dreaded. I shrank back as though the officers would assault me. Janine came through the door, accompanied by the chaplain.

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