A Cup of Love Anthology for Valentine's Day

                                                      Buy it on Amazon Kindle


New From Gilbert Street Press on Kindle for only $2.99. Proceeds go to charity. Now there is a sweetheart of a deal.




There's a new anthology on Kindle - A Cup of Love: Stories From the Heart. 30 authors writing on love and life in this charming anthology in time for Valentine's Day. It is my latest project and I am darn proud of it. Thirty author friends (some personal friends and some those Facebook kind you love) contributed their work for charity. All proceeds from this book go to First Book, a non-profit that helps bring new books and educational opportunities to children in need. They are a wonderful organization and we are thrilled to do a little to raise money to contribute to them.

We did this before. November 2014 with A Cup of Christmas. 31 authors for First Book then, too.

It is amazing and heartwarming to share this adventure with so many wonderful writers. Some of the stories are by award winning authors and some by those published for the first time. It is a coming together of folks sharing love to give back.

From Amazon: A Valentine’s Day anthology filled with stories from the heart. Thirty writers, award winning to those published for the first time in this book, share fiction, memoirs, and a few tasty recipes to benefit charity. All proceeds go to First Book, the country’s largest network of educators serving kids in need. As in real life, these stories include moments that are bright and beautiful, happy and romantic, and in some instances, sad with loss. First love, first kiss, childhood memories, a ghost helping a widower, an angel bringing a mother to a child, a box of old letters, therapy dogs, rescue dogs, a visit to Paris, advice for the broken-hearted, chocolate mousse, and more. The common denominator is love. Why send a card when you can send an eBook. Send to your friends. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. Authors: Elaine Ambrose, Tori Bailey, Barbara Barth, Genie Bernstein, Susan Boswell, Kimberly Brock, Marlene Ratledge Buchanan, Jennie Campbell, Valerie Joan Connors, Doug Dahlgren, Kerry Alan Denney, Lori Duff, Nathalie Dupree, Audrey Frank, Cynthia Graubart, Sally Hamer, Tara Joyner Haussler, Jane-Ann Heitmueller, Lynn Hesse, Carol James, CeCe Landress, Georgia Lee, Mary Marvella, Karen Roberts, Jackie Rod, Amanda Stewart, Laura Templeton, Constance Walker, Randi Ward, and Renea Winchester.


And my story? Of course, it has a dog in it.

I hope you find this sweet book and buy it, send it to a friend, or, if you are so inclined, you can make a donation straight to First Book by clicking here.



 

Joseph M. Rinaldo, author Valerie's Retreat

 

 

Peek inside on Amazon!

 

 

About the book:

 

Trying to find happiness they happen to commit a little crime - make that a little felony, and dash out of the country. Now they're happy - mostly.

 

Valerie, a 40-ish Head Teller at a bank, has met Franco, 16 years younger and studying for a doctorate in archaeology. He is stunned yet eager to begin a relationship with this attractive "cougar", and they become lovers. Their lives begin to unravel when Valerie's female bisexual boss makes advances (and threats) toward Valerie and Franco is accused of the theft of an Incan artifact from a museum where he has been working part-time. Frustrated, under surveillance by the FBI, and seeing no way out of their dilemma, they decide to steal money from Valerie's bank and flee the country. They go to Peru to start a new life, but they find there the same type of corruption and threats. How can they escape their nightmares and make their dreams come true?

 

 

With a large cast of characters; two richly detailed descriptive settings; an intriguing look into the workings of the banking industry and the archeology field; riveting international political drama; and a steamy sex filled romance added into the mix, Valerie's Retreat takes the reader on one hell of a thrilling roller coaster ride that romantic thriller fans will appreciate. . . . Jersey Girl Book Reviews

 

 

Meet the author:

 

 

Joseph Rinaldo

 

Born in Illinois, I nevertheless spent most of my formative years in Kentucky. I attended The Ohio State University and am an avid Buckeyes fan. I currently work in finance, am married, and am the father of a wonderful young woman with Down syndrome.

I have written four novels that have been published. A Spy At Home, Hazardous Choices, A Mormon Massacre, and my newest release, Valerie's Retreat are currently available on Amazon.

The protagonist in Valerie's Retreat runs off with a man sixteen years her junior. My wife is sixteen years my senior, so many of our triumphs and trials have made their way into this book. Our relationship provided a good foundation for the two main characters’ lives together. The way his and her friends react to their age disparity also derives, at least in part, from my own experience.

For approximately one year I labored as a Head Teller at a bank. This employment history enabled me to create a believable bank robbery. The theft described in Valerie's Retreat is easy to conceive and execute, but leaves a very clear path to the perpetrator. That is why the characters had to immediately run. 

Valerie doesn't consider herself a "Cougar". Franco, her boyfriend, happened to attend the same church singles dance on the same night. They talked, talked some more, went on a date, and presto- they're boyfriend/girlfriend. That's how it happened with my wife and me. "Cougar" makes the women dating younger men seem somewhat predatory. That isn't the case at all with Valerie or my wife. For the record, my wife never considered robbing a bank either. Well, maybe considered, but never planned it out.

 

 

Links:  Author Website     Author Blog    Amazon Author Page    Goodreads

 

Google+   LibraryThing    FaceBook Author Page   Buy On Amazon   Shelfari

 

Pinterest      Twitter @jmrinaldo   

 

Audrey Frank Writing Again At 85 Has Three Books On Amazon

Meet Margret Helms

Margret, the lovable curmudgeon you will meet and take to heart in "Under Margret's Wing" has a way of popping up in the author's writing.  A trilogy starting with this book, moving into her second novella, "Whispering Angels" and a third book that will be in print by late spring. Margret has a way of loving from beyond and taking care of those who need her help the most. You can peek inside on Amazon just click on the links below the books.


The Books:

 

Available on Amazon and Kindle

 

Love Can Guide You From Beyond If You Listen With Your Heart “Under Margret's Wing” is a coming of age novella by St. Augustine, Florida, author Audrey Frank. A perfect read for young adults and adults who are young at heart. It is a story that will stay with you long after you finish it and make you want to tighten the bonds with your loved ones. Margret Helms was an old spinster who liked her privacy and was comfortable with her quiet life. A knock on her door was about to change everything around her, including her crusty attitude. “Aunt Maggie?” A pregnant teenage girl greeted her. No one had called her Maggie except for the sister she lost touch with years ago. “And you are?” “Annie Duggin. I'm your great-niece.” So begins a relationship that will span space and time between the two.

 

 Available on Amazon and Kindle

Margret Helms felt a strange sensation. She’d been dead for years. A quick death at eighty-five. She had returned for awhile to help Annie. Now she felt herself being pulled back, but to what? This could only mean trouble. Annie? And so starts the journey back to St. Augustine, Florida and her beloved great-niece, Annie. Danger and troubles surround Annie and her friends. Can Margret help with it all?

Look for the final in the trilogy late spring early summer.

Available on Amazon and Kindle

Stories on love lost and found again with a sprinkle of murder tossed in to add flavor. This collection of eight short stories is a fast paced journey through the hearts and minds of a variety of characters that will draw you in and keep you reading. From an ethereal young boy to a demon child, from a wheel chair ridden young woman to a motorcycle lover, the action and dialog zip along.


Meet The Author:

 After a life-time of raising children, pursuing a career as a  professional photographer, and pioneering the craft of art rubber stamping with her shop Stamp Augustine, Audrey Frank is back to her roots as a writer. Her early years of writing included many  published children’s stories in religious magazines and adult fiction in true confession magazines.

A romantic at heart, her stories for young adults, and grownups who like old-fashion romance, have recently been published in Nostalgia  Magazine, The Oxford So & So Magazine, and on many online sites, including A Quick Read  (a short stories app for the Android phone), Stepping Stones Magazine (a web based journal showcasing artists and writers) and Dew  On The Kudzu.In 2012, her essay Haunted  tied for grand prize in the Share Your St. Augustine Story contest and she won honorable mention in the St. Augustine Record  short story holiday contest.

At eighty-five, Audrey Frank writes from her historic home in St. Augustine, Florida. Her books are available on Amazon and Kindle.

Member of the Florida Writers Association (FWA).

Links:

Author's Web

Author's Blog

Tudor Rubato won Best Contemporary Cover at the RONE awards

 

Buy On Kindle

As a follow-up to our post on author Jamie Salisbury on August 6, 2013 (link to post) we are pleased to announce her cover for Tudor Rubato won  Best Contemporary Cover at the RONE awards Friday night in Las Vegas!!

From Jamie:

 I certainly cannot take credit because fantastic cover artists like Fiona Jayde is the person responsible for taking my ideas and making them come to life!! Thanks Fiona!! You rock girl!!

Jamie Salisbury "Life and Lies"

Available on Kindle and Secret Cravings Publishing

 

Life and Lies, the conclusion/sequel to Rockin' the Boss now available!

 

 

About the Book:

 

Heat Index: Sizzling   

 

The world is his oyster and Max Frazier knows that each and every pearl is his for the taking.  At the top, a theater bearing his name in Las Vegas, performances sold out months in advance and record sales through the roof. Things couldn't get any better, could they?

 

Ashleigh Thomas, the fiery, no nonsense businesswoman who orchestrated this success, the only woman he's truly ever wanted is his bed and life. But first he and Ashleigh have a mission to do, one he never wanted her involved in.

 

Alive and quite well, Ashleigh's thought to be dead husband Richard lurks in the background, teasing and taunting. He deals in the underbelly of life - the sex trade business. Max and Ashleigh infiltrate his world of sex clubs and more with one objective in mind…to put an end to Richard's evilness and bring him to justice.

 

In doing so Ashleigh and Max discover a bond which expands and deepens as Max introduces and schools Ashleigh in the BDSM lifestyle. Will she allow him to lead her into temptation, and ultimately submit to Max? Or is her stubbornness and independent nature too much for even Max to contain?

 

Life has a funny way of dealing the cards. One day you're in bliss with the woman and family you love and longed for, the next it almost disappears. Forever, in the blink of an eye. . .but for the sheer determination of one agent who secretly blames himself for pushing the couple too deep calls in every favor owed him. 

From Jamie:

August is on it's way to being awesome. Not only has Life and Lies released,  Tudor Reunion Tour will be out on August 14th.

Another new feature on the blog: Excerpts! I'll start posting excerpts, perhaps even a chapter there. Check it out!

Contest!!

Awesome August giveaway! I'll be giving you two chances to win copies of one or both Rockin' the Boss and Life and Lies! Now what do I do to enter? Simple! Go to my website (Click here)  Then to the 'contact' tab, fill out the form and voila! You're entered! Drawings will be August 15th and August 31st!


About the author:
 

 

 

 

In the two short years since Jamie Salisbury began publishing her Romance stories, she has seen her historical-romance westerns soar to #1 on Amazon, has been nominated for a 2012 RONE award for her novella Tudor Rubato making the finals, and has expanded her audience to include several now published by Secret Cravings Publishing. 

Currently Jamie lives in the American south. When she's not writing or plotting out her next story, she can be found with her camera, traveling or just chillin' reading a good book. 

This is Jamie's second visit to Book Talk. Read an earlier post on Jamie Salisbury from April 2, 2013 on Book Talk by clicking here.

 

Links:

Blog 

Website

Romance Novel Center

Facebook Author Page

Twitter @JamieRSalisbury

Kindle
 

Remember Contest Drawings August 15th  and August 31st. Check out the author's website! Details above.

                                                                 Jamie Salisbury

                                                                         Women's Fiction Author

                                                                         Contemporary and Historical Romance

 

 

 

 

  

Tracie Banister "In Need Of Therapy" Chick Lit Blog Hop Author

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About The Book:

Lending a sympathetic ear and dispensing sage words of advice is all part of the job for psychologist Pilar Alvarez, and she’s everything a good therapist should be: warm, compassionate, supportive. She listens, she cares, and she has all the answers, but how’s the woman everyone turns to in their hour of need supposed to cope when her own life starts to fall apart? 

While working hard to make a success of her recently-opened practice in trendy South Beach, Pilar must also find time to cater to the demands of her boisterous Cuban family, which includes younger sister Izzy, an unemployed, navel-pierced wild child who can't stay out of trouble, and their mother, a beauty queen turned drama queen who’s equally obsessed with her fading looks and getting Pilar married before it’s “too late.” Although she’d like to oblige her mother and make a permanent love connection, Pilar’s romantic prospects look grim. Her cheating ex, who swears that he’s reformed, is stalking her. A hunky, but strictly off-limits, patient with bad-boy appeal and intimacy issues is making passes. And the sexy shrink in the suite across the hall has a gold band on his left ring finger. 

When a series of personal and professional disasters lead Pilar into the arms of one of her unsuitable suitors, she's left shaken, confused, and full of self-doubt. With time running out, she must make sense of her feelings and learn to trust herself again so that she can save her business, her family, and most importantly, her heart.

About The Author:

Author Tracie Banister

Tracie is an author, blogger, co-host of #ChickLitChat on Twitter, and dog wrangler (She has three rescue cocker spaniels.) At present, she's working on her third Chick Lit novel and has a Regency series simmering on the backburner. She hates having her picture taken, which is why she's been using the same author headshot for 7 years, enjoys watching all kinds of TV for "research purposes," and hopes to cross "Learn how to Tango" off her bucket list very soon. 

Tracie visited Book Talk last year. View her May 29, 2012 post by clicking here.



Links:

Author Page on Amazon

Buy On Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble Nook

Author Blog

Facebook

Twitter  @traciebanister


Tracie started the Chick Lit Author Blog Hop last year and the tradition continues this year with Julie Valerie. Visit Julie's blog Chick Lit Chit Chat .

While the Chick Lit Author Blog Hop ends officially at midnight tonight you can still catch up with all the authors by clicking here.

Look for more Chick Lit Authors to be featured this week on Book Talk.

Courtney Rice Gager author The Buggy List

Em Barrett author Leaving Green Island

Lauren Clark "Stardust Summer" Perfect Holiday Weekend Read As Chick Lit Author Book Hop Continues

Buy On Kindle.

About the book:

Single mom Grace Mason doesn’t believe in miracles, magic, or love at first sight. She likes the quiet life, complete with her eight-year-old son, their tiny house, and her teaching job. For Grace, happiness means that nothing much ever changes in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Then, one thousand miles away, tragedy strikes. A massive heart attack leaves Grace’s estranged father comatose in an Upstate New York hospital. While a team of doctors fight to keep Henry Mason alive, Grace and Evan rush to his bedside to say their final goodbyes.

Henry’s passing brings little closure for Grace, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to her new surroundings. What begins as a short trip results in an entire summer spent with Henry’s second wife, Kathleen, and her next-door neighbor, Ryan Gordon, the town doctor. When a series of unlikely events lead to Evan’s disappearance, Grace must face her worst fears to find her son and bring him back home.

Stardust Summer explores the complexities of forgiveness, what it means to be a family, and the fabulous possibility of falling in love—again.

About the author:

Author Lauren Clark

Lauren Clark writes contemporary novels sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets. A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends.

Lauren is a member of the Gulf Coast Writers Association, the Mobile Writers Guild, and a regular contributor to Parents & Kids Magazine's Mississippi Gulf Coast Edition. Check out her website .

Lauren Clark visited Book Talk last year on May 30, 2012 with her novel Dancing Naked In Dixie. Click here to see that post.

Purchase Links:

Kindle

Amazon

Kobo

Smashwords

Nook

Other Links:

Author Web

GoodReads

Facebook

Twitter  @LaurenClark_Bks

Find More Great Chick Lit Authors and Join the Blog Hop. Click here for information!

Meredith Schorr "A State of Jane" on Chick Lit Author Blog Hop This Week

Available on Amazon. See other sales sites below.

About the book:

Jane Frank is ready to fall in love.

It's been a year since her long term relationship ended and far too long since the last time she was kissed. With the LSAT coming up she needs to find a long term boyfriend (or husband) before acing law school and becoming a partner at her father's law firm.

There's just one problem: All the guys in New York are flakes. They seemingly drop off the face of the earth with no warning and no explanation.

Should she join her best friend Marissa in singlehood, making cupcakes and watching True Blood? Or should she follow her co-worker Andrew's advice and turn the game back on those who've scorned her? As Jane attempts to juggle her own responsibilities and put up with the problems of everyone around her, she starts to realize that the dating life isn't as easy as she originally thought.

 

 

About the author:

 

Author Meredith Schorr

 

 

A born and bred New Yorker, Meredith Schorr discovered her passion for writing when she began to enjoy drafting work-related emails way more than she was probably supposed to, and was famous among her friends for writing witty birthday cards. After dabbling in children’s stories and blogging her personal experiences, Meredith found her calling writing “real” chick lit for real women. When Meredith is not hard at work on her current work in progress, she spends her days as a trademark paralegal at a law firm in New York City. Meredith is a loyal New York Yankees fan and an avid runner. She also loves to read and is always on the lookout for her new favorite author. A State of Jane is her second novel.

 

 

 

In Meredith's words:

 

I'm so excited to be participating in the International Chick Lit Month Author Blog Hop for the second year in a row.  Long before I started writing chick lit, I was an avid reader of the genre. I love chick lit because it is grounded enough in reality to be relatable, yet embellished enough to be entertaining. I love chick lit because the career, friendship and romantic woes faced by the characters provide a much-needed escape from my own. I love chick lit because it makes me laugh, sometimes makes me cry and almost always makes me believe in happy endings.

 

 

Links:

Website

Twitter @meredithschorr

Facebook

Sales Sites:

Amazon

B & N

iTunes

kobo


Keep up with all the authors on this year's Chick Lit Author Blog Hop by clicking here.

Samantha March "The Green Ticket" on Chick Lit Author Blog Hop

Available on Amazon and Kindle

About the book:

College junior Alex Abrams scores her dream job at the ripe age of twenty – manager to a successful salon and spa. Thrilled to finally have a real adult job, Alex enthusiastically jumps into the world of schedules, conference calls, and getting a massage when interviewing prospective employees. What she doesn’t expect are the very grown-up issues that comes with a demanding boss. Kevin Dohlman quickly becomes Alex’s worse nightmare – covering up his affairs, dealing with his enormous ego, and trying to protect her female staff from him becomes a full-time job in its own right. Alex has also befriended Kevin’s wife and co-owner, Dani, and is trying to keep Kevin’s secrets hidden from her. The situation only worsens when Kevin starts paying Alex off to make sure she keeps her insider knowledge to herself. While struggling to keep her wits and stay happy with her new grown-up job, Alex is juggling college courses, a new love interest, and keeping up with her close group of girlfriends. When her roommate and best friend Lila gets offered an opportunity to move to Los Angeles and sign with an agent, Alex realizes her life truly is changing, and everyone around her – including herself ­­–– is growing up. Knowing she is faced with some hard decisions ahead, Alex struggles with keeping her job at Blissful. But does she really want to throw away what she dreamed of as a career – or will the secret-keeping for Kevin become too much to handle? The Green Ticket is a story about morals versus money, and how one young woman navigates the shaky line between the two.

About The Author:

Author Samantha March

Samantha a book blogger, blog tour coordinator, editor, author and publisher. She loves all things books - and the GB Packers! While Samantha is keeping busy with her duties she is also in bridezilla mode – 3 months until the wedding!

Learn more about Samantha on the links below.

Links:

Website

Amazon

Twitter @chicklitplus

Facebook

GoodReads

Keep up with all the authors on this year's Chick Lit Author Blog Hop by clicking here.

"Perpetual Life" New Release by Jamie Salisbury, Final Installment in the "Albert & Anne" Series

New Release!

 Perpetual Life, the fourth and final installment of the "Albert & Anne" series is now

 available on Kindle for 99 cents!

Other purchase links listed below.

About the book:

Just when Albert and Anne think they're settling into family life with their newborn son, William, Anne's father is up to some high jinks of his own. Still determined to get his hands on Anne's inheritance by hook or by crook, John is getting more and more dangerous. And he has help!

Having previously dismissed Anne's so-called gut instincts when it comes to reading people, Albert learns quickly she's almost as good as George, his father's long-time Chinese cook. When George distrusts a stranger in Albert and Anne's house, Albert learns the hard way to listen.

Anne learns more family secrets her father has kept well hidden all these years. Secrets which are closer than she knows. 

Perpetual Life is the fourth and final installment of the "Albert & Anne" series, which include: Perpetual Love, Perpetual Emotions, Perpetual Family and now Perpetual Life.

About the author:

Jamie Salisbury cannot imagine a time when she did not write. A skill that has served her well throughout her diversified professional career that encompassed public relations in and around the entertainment industry, photography, editing, and special event planning.

 An avid reader of history, biographies, and romance it's only natural that she prefers to write romances with characters said to be "so authentic they spring forth from the page and shake the reader's hand." No stranger to life threatening situations Jamie pulls from life experience when she creates her stories. Such as when her family had to escape Chile when she was a teen because of the unstable political climate.

Finding herself unable to walk great distances any longer, she started writing once again as a way to pass the time. With the completion of her first novel Perpetual Love she dove head first into the eBook and digital publishing paradigm. She couldn't be happier with her decision to grab the publishing industry by the shoulders and force it to pay attention to all she has to offer.

Links:

Buy at:

Amazon Kindle

Author's Page on Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

More on the author:

Website

Facebook

Author Blog

Romance Novel Center

Twitter  @JamieRSalisbury

More books of contemporary and historical romantic fiction by Jamie Salisbury!