Happy Valentines Day

Like I need an excuse to eat chocolate, right?

What is your favorite Valentines Day treat or tradition? For me, the thrill will be tomorrow when all the candy goes on sale!

I have a treat for you today. A trio of delectable books all free for five days!

The Sasquatch Susies is about three Bigfoot hunters and their adventures with love. Add in some mystery and suspense, and you have a potent mix. Yes, the stories are a little naughty, but that just makes them even sweeter. Just click on the image above.

Is it hot in here? Big Burning release day!

Life for Susie Russell couldn’t be better. Her lingerie business won international fame and her sister had found irrefutable proof of Bigfoot’s existence. So confident about the authenticity of their evidence, Susie even agrees to let a skeptic join their group on a research exhibition near Mt. Hood. Her world comes crashing down when the man who broke her heart turns around to shake her hand. Brach Stevens might be smart and gorgeous, but Susie refuses to let him so easily charm his way back into her life. Their trek into the woods turns deadly when they’re trapped by a forest fire. Will they be able to escape the hungry flames or will Susie perish without letting Brach know she has always loved him?

Buy links:

Ellora's Cave * Amazon * B&N * Kobo

Add it to read on Goodreads.

This is the third and final book in the series. It's also my favorite. I loved writing Susie who is smart and fiery. She made me laugh a lot, even when she didn't mean to!

The Sasquatch Susies series was a lot of fun for me. I got to play around with Bigfoot mythology and get my characters into dangerous and intimate situations outside in the great outdoors. A big change from haunted houses!

Friday Five for April 15, 2016

1. I have a release date for Big Burning (Sasquatch Susies #3). April 28th! That's less than two weeks away. It's awesome how fast this series has come together. This third and final one is my favorite of the series. Add it to read on Goodreads.

2. I'm almost done Totem #4. One more chapter. I think I can do it today. I can do it. I don't have a title yet, but hopefully my critique partners and beta readers can help with that.

3. I'm still having fun shopping images this month. I found images of the same model used for my cover for Of Blood and Sorrow. They make me want to write more books in that series. I have a few ideas too. So many stories to write, so little time!

4. My mom's visiting next week, so I'll be absent from the net. Lots of fun is going to be had, because...

5. It's my son's sixth birthday next week! Six. Wow. Time really does fly by when you're a parent. His party is this Sunday at a local park, and the weather is going to be spectacular.

Have an awesome weekend!

Long for it no more! Big Longing is here!

Jill Russell never mastered the art of flirting like her sister. To get handsome nature photographer Theo James to notice her, she arranges a hike with him to find evidence of a Sasquatch in Umpqua National Forest. Thankfully Theo isn’t as shy as she is, but their steamy moment is interrupted…by Bigfoot? When Theo trips and falls into the river after they investigate hot springs and each other, Jill doesn’t hesitate to jump in to rescue him. Trapped on a rock in the whitewater, she can’t save either of them. Will their fiery kisses at the hot springs be their last?

Buy links:

Ellora's Cave * Amazon * B&N * Kobo

Add it to read on Goodreads.

Today I'm being interviewed by the wonderfully talented M. Pepper Langlinais. Come find out my inspiration for the Sasquatch Susies series and a few other fun things about me.

Friday Five for March 25, 2016

1. One week until the release of Big Longing (Sasquatch Susies #2)! I haven't had much time to prep for this release. But I hope when the whole series is out, I can do a big promo.

2. I finished the first big round of edits for Big Burning (Sasquatch Susies #3). Reading it again made me excited, and I remembered why it was my favorite one in the series. I predict it will likely be released in May.

3. I haven't done much else lately. A little critiquing and no writing. I'm aching for time to write. Not having that outlet is starting to affect my mood. My muse gets grumpy when she doesn't get her time!

4. I've been having lots of fun with my little guy during his two week long spring break. Though I think both of us are ready for school to start up again. He loves going to school, and I love that he loves it. Plus, you know, I love having a quiet house to write!

5. It's almost time for the Easter bunny to visit out house again. Tomorrow we'll be having breakfast with the Bunny at a local firehouse. The firefighters make an awesome breakfast and the kids get to do an egg hunt. Then we'll be munching on chocolate all weekend. Have a Happy Easter!

Friday Five for March 18, 2016

1. I have my release date for Big Longing (Sasquatch Susies #2). April 1st. It's no joke! You can add it to read on Goodreads.

2. My little guy's spring break had a rough start but the week went wonderfully. He was sick on Monday, but then we had a lake day, a park day, and a movie day. Zootopia was darn good! Today my husband has off work. Family day!

3. Tomorrow is my monthly local critique group meeting. I need to finish critiquing the two short stories for it. I wrote a flash piece that is either brilliant or badly odd. We'll see what they think.

4. The only one not enjoying spring break is the cat. He does not like the change in routine and is on my lap any time I sit down since I've not been at home much this week. Even as I type this, he's curled up on my lap!

5. When the Wii tells you to wear the wrist strap, wear it. My poor little guy had a scare and a cry when the controller flew out of his hand and smashed our TV. There is an impact mark and fractures all along the bottom of our screen. This weekend, we'll be shopping for a deal on a new TV. Hopefully wearing green yesterday has brought us some luck!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Five for March 11, 2016

1. Today is my final guest post with The Really Real Housewives. It's been such a fun week with those awesome ladies. I've been talking about geek parenting on a budget. Today we discuss SCIENCE!

2. I'm working on book #4 of my Totem series, and it's sounding more like a contemporary romance than a paranormal one. Where's all the creepy stuff? My protagonist is fighting hard to make it all about her. Sure, the theme is discovering her true self, but still, I need to drop more supernatural scares in there.

3. The final edits are done for the second book in my Sasquatch Susies series, Big Longing. The release date is April 1st. No joke! The third book in the series is my favorite, so I'm eager for my editor to delve in to that one.

4. Next week is my son's spring break. The first of two weeks. Yup. Wouldn't you have loved two weeks off as a kid? Since we haven't had many snow days, the kids have two weeks off. I'm making playdates and writing a list of things to do. This means I won't be around as much. So please forgive me if I get behind in visiting everyone.

5. Finally a big thank you to everyone who participated in the MEME Blog Hop. It was so much fun! And you made it difficult to judge. Plus a huge thanks to my amazing co-hosts Tara Tyler and C. Lee McKenzie. Here are the winners:

2 Grand Prize Winners of $20 Gift Cards

M Pepper Langlinais

and

Yvonne Ventresca

J. Lenni's

We also chose J Lenni Dorner (Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler & Double Negative by C. Lee McKenzie) and Juneta Key (Sudden Secrets by C. Lee McKenzie & Of Blood and Sorrow by Christine Rains) as 2nd runners up, winning two ebooks each!

Juneta's

And here's the rest of our winners, each receiving an ebook:
Michelle Wallace - Jolissa by Tara Tyler
Tamara Narayan - Pop Travel by Tara Tyler
Jess Haight/Fairday Morrow - (still deciding)

Have a fantastic weekend!

Big Cheers for Big Yearning

The first book in the sizzling Sasquatch Susies series from Ellora's Cave.

Suzetta Hughes has it bad for gorgeous forest guide Rayce Webb, but her best friend already called dibs on him. He hasn't shown interest in anyone else other than Suzetta, though. Clearly that means the claim is canceled, but when Suzetta shares more than a kiss with him by the river, she feels her guilt weighing her down. After an intense fight with her friend, Suzetta flees into the Oregon wilderness to search for evidence of a Sasquatch in the area. Rayce finds her, but a rock slide traps them in a cave. The water level is slowly rising, and while help is on its way, it might not arrive in time. Will Rayce and Suzetta be able to dig themselves free, or will this hunt for Bigfoot be their last?

Buy the book:

Ellora's Cave * Amazon * Kobo * Google Play * B&N

The idea for this series came about when I'd seen all the ghost hunting shows that were playing during the hour I worked out. So I started watching shows about monster hunters. The majority of the hunters searched for Bigfoot. Some of these men were hardcore hunters with bushy beards, camouflage, and guns. They had names like One-Eye and Beard. There's even a show where they set traps to catch monsters. Pretty clever traps... that never catch a thing. These shows were far more outlandish and less believable than the ghost hunting ones. Not one had women as the hunters. So I created my own team of Bigfoot hunters without the guns and traps and ridiculousness. Well, there is an old guy named One Tooth in honor of the shows that inspired me!

The Sasquatch Susies consist of Suzetta, Susie, and Jill. Two sisters and their best friend. When they were young, they saw Bigfoot while camping in the Oregon wilderness. A gentle Sasquatch they named "Our Guy." They've been trying to find him again ever since.

Friday Five for February 12, 2016

1. BIG news! I have the release date of my first novella in the Sasquatch Susies series. Big Yearning comes out.... IN ONE WEEK! *falls over* You can add it to read on Goodreads here. They're moving fast with this series. But they haven't skimped on the covers. Mmmm... Check out Rayce from Big Yearning.

2. This week, I didn't get a lot of writing done on my latest WIP. Monday was a short story day. I revised one story and sent it to my local critique group for our meeting on the 20th. I also edited two other short stories and submitted them. I'm on track with my short stories goal for the year.

3. I'm also on track with my reading goal even though I binge watched the latest season of Orphan Black. Now I have to wait several weeks for the new season! ACK!

4. I always get a lot of people asking me what I'm doing for Valentine's Day. That day is mostly for my little guy. We'll have a treat, and this year, we got him new swim goggles, so we'll likely be spending half the day at the pool! Though, my husband and I do have plans for tonight. Deadpool! Very romantic, yes?

5. Don't forget to sign up for the MEME Blog Hop. I'm hosting with the wonderful C. Lee McKenzie and Tara Tyler. Be it funny, encouraging, or inspiring, we want to see them. Join us the week of February 29th - March 4th. There will be prizes and a giveaway for participants!

 

Sign up HERE!

 

 

Friday Five for February 5, 2016

1. Today is the last day of The Paramours Tour. I'll be over at Megan Morgan's blog and Long and Short Reviews today. It's been a really fun week, but I'm ready for a break this weekend. You still can enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $20 gift card.

2. The edits are finished on Big Yearning, the first book of The Sasquatch Susies series. I'll have a release date very soon. I've also seen the covers. Oh my! When they're finalized, I'll unveil them... Well, there's no veils involved. In fact, there's very little clothing at all!

3. It's funny that while I write erotica, I do get all shy when seeing the covers. The Paramours' covers are conservative in the erotica world (even though I really love them), but the Susies books have a ton more beefcake! Everything about these novellas is BIG.

4. I've been working on the third book for my Totem series. It's going a lot slower than I thought it would. The protagonist and her hero aren't chatty types. And the protagonist swears a lot. I have threatened them that if they don't start talking, I'm going to throw the baddies at them much sooner than I planned. They think I'm bluffing. Ha!

5. I've no plans this weekend except to take full advantage of the unseasonably warm weather. Time to get out and enjoy the sunshine before crawling back into my writer's cave when the cold comes back. Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Five for January 29, 2016

1. I've been busy writing up the guest posts for The Paramours Tour next week. Eight stops in five days with a giveaway for a $20 gift card! Come talk about ghosts, inspiration, and the naughty stuff!

2. Big news! The subscribers of my newsletter already heard and now I can share it with everyone. I signed a contract for three more books with my publisher! Woo-hoo! Things are moving along quickly as they did with The Paramours. This time, I'm featuring a trio of lovely Bigfoot researchers out in the Oregon wilderness. The Sasquatch Susies! Who knew that love could be more difficult than finding Bigfoot? The first book is already being edited. I'll keep you updated on the details.

3. Between prepping for the tour, and doctors and dentists appointments, I haven't gotten much written this week. Book #3 of my Totem series has been started, and so far, two of my beta readers loved book #1.

4. This month, I've been drinking in Orphan Black. I'm in the middle of season two and I love it. I often find myself talking in a bad Ukrainian accent like Helena. A problem, I'm going to assume, any fan might have... right? Any other Orphan Black fans out there?

5. Typing with a cat on your lap isn't easy! But he's so darn cute. This isn't my number five this week, though. Today I'm thrilled to share with you Yolanda Renee's new cover for her thrilling mystery, Murder & Obsession. Here it is!

As wedding bells echo like the ring of toasting champagne glasses in the ice carved mountains of Anchorage Alaska, detective Steven Quaid rehabs his grandfather’s cabin into a honeymoon cottage for his new bride.

When he returns from a hunting trip, Steven’s faced with five police officers, who “Want to talk.” Plagued by two unsolved murders, the Department is searching for answers.

The conversation comes to a deafening halt as the team finds a bloody crime scene in the bridal suite. "Where's her body?" is a question Steven cannot fathom. 

Steven’s jaw clenches and his heart races. Images of Sarah streak through his mind.

The silence breaks as an explosion of accusations vibrate through every fiber of his being.

Steven bolts…

Although running is never the smart thing to do, Steven’s not thinking clearly and his escape into the wilderness of the Brooks Range proves almost fatal.

This Steven Quaid mystery is both personal and heartbreaking.

*****

About the author: At one time Alaska called to me and I answered. I learned to sleep under the midnight sun, survive in below zero temperatures, and hike the Mountain Ranges. I've traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and the memories are some of my most valued. The wonders, mysteries, and incredible beauty that is Alaska has never left me and thus now influence my writing.

Despite my adventurous spirit, I achieved my educational goals, married, and I have two wonderful sons. Writing is now my focus, my newest adventure!

You can find Yolanda at:

Blog: Defending the Pen

Facebook

Twitter 

Pinterest

 Amazon

Friday Five for October 30, 2015

1. Big excitement this week as Mayhem in the Air is now available. It's a marvelous collection of short stories from the talented authors of Untethered Realms. My horror sci-fi, "The Silent Wind" is included in the anthology. Next week, we'll start a two week tour with exclusive excerpts and a giveaway where you could win a $40 gift card! The collection is only 99 cents. A steal with all the awesome stories in it!

2. Oh, more fantastic short stories! I received word yesterday that 9Tales Told in the Dark #7 is available for pre-order and will be released November 23rd. My horror story, "All I Want For Christmas" is one of the nine scary tales. This makes up for the rejection I received earlier this week.

3. I've had a good writing week even with my son having a couple of early dismissal days from school. I finished the first novella in a new series for my publisher. The series is called The Sasquatch Susies. I'll leave it to your imagination what that's about for now.

4. My mom will be visiting next week. We do all our Christmas shopping, so we don't have to freak out at the last minute. It's nice to have it all done before December, but it's difficult to find places to store gifts in our little house! Not just store them, but keep them out of sight of my little guy.

5. One day until Halloween! I love this time of year. We had a fun time last weekend at the Trick or Treat Trail, and we went trick or treating at the university on Wednesday. Tomorrow I get to see all the costumes as the kids come to our door. My little guy, er, puppy is super excited.

(My son and his buddy at the Trick or Treat Trail.)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!