Author Spotlight: Laurean Brooks

Today my very special guest is Laurean Brooks. FYI: she also has her very first book signing today. Congratulations Laurie and good luck.

Author bio

Laurean Brooks was first spurred to write by a fifth-grade teacher who enjoyed listening to Laurean's cliff-hanger book reports and wild essays. The teacher announced to the class, "One day Laurie will become an author."Life got in the way and decades passed, but Laurean kept the teacher's words tucked safely away in her heart. Today, she is author of two short stories and a 291-page book titled, JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS.

Interview Questions

1. What was your purpose in writing JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS?

I would like for readers who have been abused either physically or emotionally, to realize that forgiveness is the only key to true emotional freedom. God can give you them a new start.

2. What do you want to convey through this book?

There is hope for the abused. Healing comes through letting go of negative emotions-bitterness, resentment and anger. And letting go comes through forgiveness.

3. What are your aspirations for JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS?That all (and I hope there will be many), who read this book will recognize emotional baggage in their lives and take the first steps to deal with the scars inflicted through past abuse. Whether physical or emotional.Secondly, I pray that those who have never experienced abuse will remember not to judge so harshly those who seem a bit distant or act a little different. We can never know what a person has experienced until we have gone through those same experiences.

4. Where did you get the idea to write this book?From my mother's childhood. Her father was physically abusive. She gave me a lot of information about the era around the Great Depression. The story about the farm-raising cotton, corn, and livestock-is true. Also, the journey to Chicago to find employment, and several humorous incidents. My mother is eighty-eight and her mind is as good as mine. Better sometimes.The story is based on my mother's life. Most of the occurrences are fiction, though the heroine and hero bear the same names and spirited personalities as my parents.In real life my mother and dad met on the Tennessee farm mentioned in the story. He was hired to help with the cotton crop. They married after my Dad returned from World War II, and after my mother returned from Chicago.

5. What else would you like to say about Journey To Forgiveness?

Abuse is a serious topic. It can affect a person for life if not dealt with. God is the only One who provides complete forgiveness and healing. But the victim must be willing to relinquish those harmful emotions.Journey To Forgiveness is loaded with rib-tickling scenes that give a lighter touch to the real issue of suppressed anger and the heroine's struggles. This heartwarming story will take the reader from tears to laughter, and finally to joy.

JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS by Laurean Brooks, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble site, and Target, online and White Rose Publishing.com

Synopsis

When Jenny Hinson's abusive father deserts the family, the responsibility of the family's Tennessee farm falls to Jenny and her mother. Four years later, in 1938, boll weevils infest the cotton crop, plunging the Hinsons into dire financial straits, and Jenny takes the train north to find work. Electricity has yet to reach rural Chicory Valley. But, not only is the young woman introduced to it in its tapped form in Chicago, but also encounters a few jolts along the way when she challenges the infuriating Austin Grant over a luggage mishap. Sparks fly outside the Kankakee train station when Jenny discovers her missing vanity case under Austin's arm. She immediately labels him a thief. And after Austin coaxes money from her aunt's congregation, Jenny determines to find enough evidence to expose him and his nefarious deeds. Why did Austin pull money from the mission strongbox and stuff a sizable roll into his pocket? Wasn't this just the proof Jenny needed? Then why was she reluctant to report the theft? And why did her heart race at every encounter with the notorious Austin? Jenny's personal convictions would never allow a relationship where trust was blatantly missing.

Can Jenny muster enough courage to ask Austin the tough questions that will ultimately make or break their relationship? Can she forgive her father's brutality? Find out as you follow Jenny's struggles in JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS. Find JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS and many more inspirational romances on the new White Rose Publishing site at www.whiterosepublishing.com

Come visit the White Rose authors at their blog, White Roses in Bloom at http://whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com

Visit Laurean at her blog and post a comment. Laurean's Lore at http://laureanslore.blogspot.com

JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS by Laurean Brooks "Love and Forgiveness rippled with humor."

Tonya's Tidbits

Hey Everyone! Not sure if I posted the link for my first column but here it is along with my second column which was posted yesterday. 1st March Column: Tonya's Tidbits http://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=1576 2nd March Column: Tonya's Tidbits http://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=1583 Enjoy, Tonya

Author Spotlight: Denyse Bridger

Today we have special guest Denyse Bridger. The book in which she is promoting is an excellent read. I have read it myself personally and enjoyed it and I am currently writing a review for longandshortreviews.com

At this point in my career, I’ve had published in the vicinity of 400 stories and novellas, in almost any genre you can name. “The only thing I haven’t tried yet is hard-core science fiction, and horror. Since I don’t consider vampires as I write them to be the fodder of horror, I classify those stories as Dark Fantasy.” Many of my vampire stories have appeared in Margaret L. Carter’s anthology, The Vampire’s Crypt, and Night To Dawn, published and edited by Dawn Callahan for the first two years, and now published by author/editor Barbara A. Custer.My poetry has been published internationally, as well. I’ve also been the recipient of numerous awards, most notably the Fan Quality Award, which is given annually for excellence in fan-written fictions based on film and television. As of May 2005, there are four awards in the collection, and no less than a dozen nominations to my credit. For more of her bio check out: http://denysebridger.com/bio.html And don't forget to check out her blog: http://fantasy-pages.blogspot.com/ Enjoy! Whom Gods Have Favored Genre: Historical - vampire - erotic ISBN: 9781894817066 Available at: Absolute XPress BUY: http://www.absolute-x-press.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=12&products_id=62 Price: $3.95

Pompeii lies complacent and decadent in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, the populace thriving on their depravity and their hunger for blood and Games. Within the elite aristocracy, games of another type are being played, deadly secrets are a threat to more than status, and conspiracy is a way of life for those who are unhappy.

Lucius has long been exalted as a warrior without peer. Adored and covetted by men and women alike, he is blind to the plots that are thickening around him. While total control is his on the bloody fields of war, on the battlefield of the heart, as he is about to discover, even the strongest man can be deceived by his ignorance. Watching over it all is the majesty of Vesuvius, sputtering smoke, promising retribution. In the midst of the looming destruction, an ancient evil emerges, and will claim not only a celebrated general of Rome, but the slave girl he has slowly grown to love and cherish. A girl who will follow him into hell itself?

To visit Denyse's website http://denysebridger.com/

Thanks Denyse Tonya XOXO

Tonya's Tidbits

Hey everyone! Check out my March column Tonya's Tidbits. As soon as Denyse Bridger sends me some information I will post her for author spolight day. We have been running behind this week...or should I say I have been running behind:) Tonya XOXO

Author Spotlight: Monica Burns

I apologize to all of you...including Monica, for this being a day late. Had some personal family problems I had to take care of yesterday and did not get hom until ealry in the morning and went straight to bed.

Today's author spotlight is from Monica Burns: A multi-published author of erotic romance, Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today. Even then she knew that Burns was a great last name for an erotic romance writer who writes burning hot stories. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica is a 2005 Golden Heart Finalist, 2009 and 2006 EPPIE finalist, a 2009 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice finalist and a recipient of JERR’s Silver Star award.

To read more about Monica Burns.

tDangerous by Monica BurnsSamhain PublishingeBook — ISBN 1-59998-882-8 MBaMPrint - ISBN 978-1-60504-121-6Available Borders, Amazon, MBaM and Other BookstoresBehind the mask lies love-a dangerous and deadly emotion. Constance Athelson, Viscountess Westbury has a gift she can’t reveal. She sees things others can’t, including the dead. The only thing she can’t see is into the heart of Lucien Blakemore, Earl of Lyndham. After one blissful night in his arms, she knows if she’s ever to win his heart, she must free him from his tortured past. Lucien Blakemore met the Egyptian goddess Isis at a masked ball, but she vanished into the night before he could learn her real name. It’s just as well, since the Blakemore Curse makes love a dangerous and deadly emotion for him. But the erotic night he spent with his mysterious lover makes him want to throw caution aside-if only for one more night with his masked goddess. Excerpt Without waiting for him to speak, she flew toward the door. In a flash he followed her. Before she could even touch the doorknob, his large hand was braced against the door, holding it shut. Heat engulfed her as he towered over her, his chest pressing gently, but firmly, into her back. The intimacy of the position made her pulse rocket out of control. Warm lips nuzzled the side of her neck, and she struggled not to give in to the hedonistic pleasure cascading over her. He made her feel out of control, and that made him more dangerous than any man she’d ever met. “Turn around and look at me, Isis.” The hoarse command pulled the air from her lungs as her body went rigid against his. He knew. He knew who she was. Unable to move, she trembled as his hand cupped the side of her neck then slid downward across her shoulder. It was a lover’s caress. She didn’t resist as he forced her to turn and face him. With her back pressed against the door, she looked up into his blue eyes. Desire flared in his gaze as he trailed the tip of his finger across her cheek before tracing the edge of her jaw. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a beautiful widow in London?” There was just a hint of irritation in his voice as his penetrating gaze locked with hers. Her heart skipped a beat. He really had been looking for her. Her dreams had not lied about that. The knowledge filled her with a sense of delight. Instantly, she swatted the emotion aside. Why had he been looking for her? Wetting her dry lips, she shook her head. “Since it’s not my habit to look for beautiful widows, I wouldn’t know.” She was pleased that her voice held just the right note of amusement so as to disguise her agitation. “It’s damned difficult,” he bit out between clenched teeth. “But I find it interesting how you managed to find me so easily.” “Find you so easily!” she sputtered. “I did no such thing, you arrogant beast.” “No?” he sneered. “And I suppose you expect me to believe you don’t know Malcolm Standish either.” Infuriated by his assumption that she found him so irresistible as to deliberately seek him out, she glared up at him. The blazing anger in his gaze made her try to push herself free from the way he had her pinned to the nursery room door. It was a futile effort. “Frankly, my lord. I could care less what you believe,” she puffed angrily as her hands shoved at his unyielding chest. “I don’t know anyone named Standish, and I most certainly did not try to find you. I had no idea Lyndham Keep was yours. If I had, I wouldn’t—” His eyes narrowed as she abruptly closed her mouth. “You wouldn’t what?” “This conversation is ridiculous. I wish to return to my room to pack my belongings.” She flinched at the determination in his gaze. She’d said too much. “Answer me.” “I wouldn’t have come here,” she snapped. “You wouldn’t have come here,” he murmured, almost as if he was speaking to himself. She experienced a brief moment of relief as she realized he wasn’t curious about why she would have stayed away from Lyndham Keep. His hand cupped her chin while his thumb rubbed across her lower lip. The action sent a stream of lava coursing through her veins straight to her nether regions. Sweet heaven, it was happening all over again. With just one touch he had stirred a fire inside her. His mouth beckoned to her, and she struggled not to lean into him like one of Pharaoh’s odalisques. Oh God, what was it about this man that made her respond to his touch so quickly? “My lord, I—” “Lucien. I want to hear you say my name again.” It was another command and she tried to stifle the thrill of it. She didn’t like anyone telling her what to do, but there was something about his dominating manner that excited her. “Lucien, please. I must pack.” “No, Isis. I want you to say it like you did before.” Desire darkened his blue eyes as his mouth hovered over hers. “I want to hear you cry out my name in the heat of passion.” She shuddered as his hand curled around the back of her neck and pulled her head toward him. Powerless to resist, she molded herself to his hard, muscular body as her mouth parted beneath his. In that split second, fire engulfed every one of her senses. Passion flowed hot and heavy through her as she gave in to the need gripping her body. Her tongue mated with his with a ferocity that stunned her, but she held nothing back as his large hand slid over her bare shoulders to trace the line of her bodice down to her breasts. God, how she wanted him to suckle her again. She craved him, hungered for him with the same intensity she’d experienced that night at the Clarendon. The desire to feel his skin against hers spiraled through her, and her fingers quickly undid the buttons of his shirt. She splayed the material open so she could caress the warm steel of his chest. Touching him wasn’t enough. She wanted to taste him too. She broke away from their kiss, her mouth edging its way along the line of his jaw, then down his throat to where his heart pounded against his breastbone. Breathing in his delicious spicy scent, her tongue flicked out to taste him. He was hot and tangy. Dear Lord, she wanted him more now than she had that night. What power did he wield over her to make her so willing to forget everything but the sensation of his touch? Hot and wet for him, she ached for his possession. Remembering the way his thick, hard length had filled her, she slid her hand downward as she continued to taste the hardness of him. The moment her fingers brushed over his rigid length he jerked with surprise. She wanted him—needed him inside her. With the palm of her hand, she rubbed him through his trousers. A deep growl rumbled out of his chest as he pushed his hips forward against her hand. Strong hands pulled her upright as he sought her mouth again. Base emotion skittered through her as another rush of heat dampened the area between her thighs. Clinging to him, she moaned softly, taking pleasure in the shudder that ripped through her body. The delight coursing through her only increased the ache he’d created inside her with his touch. Incendiary kisses singed her lips before heating her skin as his mouth glided across her cheek toward her ear. The moment his teeth nibbled on the soft flesh of her ear lobe, she whimpered a sigh of pleasure. Critical Acclaim 2009 EPPIE Finalist 4 1/2 Stars“Jane Eyre meets The Mummy...[her] characters are so multidimensional that readers will swear they’re based on real people.” — Romantic Times BOOKreviews “[She] writes lovely erotic romance with plenty of heart and passionate soul.” — Michelle Buonfiglio, Romance B(u)y The Book 84 out of 100 “Burns manages to have Constance breaking a few stereotypes without coming off too much like a contemporary character... I find Dangerous is a pretty good read...” — Mrs. Giggles “...a powerful, sensually driven historical paranormal that is a testament to Ms. Burns' gift of keeping her readers spell-bound. Highly Recommended Reading!” — ParaNormal Romance.org “Burns writes the kind of sexy, paranormal historical stories I want to read, and I look forward to her next offering!” — Romance Reader At Heart “Ms. Burns is masterful at escalating the sexual tension and suspense with her characters. Three generations of murder, stubborn ghosts, and an aging matriarch with attitude are the perfect compliment to a fantastic love story that is a joy to read.” — Coffeetime Romance “Readers will definitely find themselves riveted to the pages as Constance and Lucien’s story unfolds.” — Fallen Angel Reviews “I truly enjoyed reading Dangerous...it was a delightful and interesting read. Well written and imaginative.” — Romance Reader Connection

For more books and other fun stuff Monica has to offer just visit her site.

Tonya

XOXO