Sweet, but Sexy
Sweet Contemporary
Romance Boxed Set
Sweet can still
be sexy!
Turquoise Morning Press presents eight sweet
contemporary romance stories that will convince you that sweet, can still be
sexy! We’ve selected stories from some of our most popular romance authors to
showcase in this set – stories that will take you from the beach to Christmas,
from small town to big city, from keeping secrets to building dreams.
After all, sweet
and sexy romance, comes in all shapes and sizes, right?
Sweet Contemporary
Romance
5 full-length
novels, 3 long novellas, plus two bonus stories!
Digital Only.
Price: Promotional Price,
$0.99 (limited time)
Retail $5.99 (October, 2014)
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
& INTERVIEWS
Bottle Beach
by Amie Denman – Mitchell finds Jackie irresistible as he
romances her on Blue Bottle Beach, but he has no idea she should be in her
cubicle in Chicago balancing the sheets for one of his many
companies. Amie is an Amazon bestselling author (Unforgettable Heroes).
What or who inspires you?
Daily
life! Just yesterday, I was out for my morning walk when a handsome runner
passed me three times! He even talked to me a little. Probably because I asked
him if he was stalking me. I started writing a whole story about him in my
head. When I got home, I raced to my laptop and typed up all my ideas. I named
him Todd. He looked like a Todd.
What has
been your favorite book to write?
The
Gull Motel was so much fun to write. I do my best writing during the long cold
winters in Ohio. This explains why I like the beach and summer settings. The
Gull Motel made me laugh and kept me warm last winter!
What is
your greatest achievement?
Being
a finalist in the EPIC eBook Awards Competition with my novel Her Lucky Catch. Also, making an Amazon
bestseller list with the boxed set Unforgettable
Heroes.
How do you
relax when not reading or writing?
I
love textiles, so I sew and knit. I love to sew complicated things like wedding
dresses and knit simple things like scarves.
For those
who don’t know much about you, what is the one thing you want to be known for?
I
want readers to laugh and forget their dirty dishes and car payments when they
read my books. Falling in love is fun, and so is life!
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All
That’s Unspoken
by Constance Phillips – The only thing
standing in Nate’s way is Hailey, the woman who left him eight years ago
without even saying goodbye. Constance is a TMP 2013 Reader’s Choice Award
nominee (All That’s Unspoken).
For those of you
who write Romance and Paranormal - what do you find easier to write? How
do you find moving from one genre to another - is it easy or
difficult?
My paranormal books are paranormal romance, so it’s not that
different. For me, writing about the paranormal is that extra step into a
fantasy world though. I really enjoy writing about magic and the unexplained.
What has been your
favorite book to write to date and why?
This is the kind or question where the answer might change
next week or next month, but right now—without a doubt—it’s the one I just
finished. All That’s Unrealized will be the third book in the series that
starts with All That’s Unspoken (contained in the Sweet, But Sexy Boxed Set). I
really connected with the heroine in this one, and the hero’s struggle.
I’m so excited to share this one with the readers!
How do you relax
when not reading or writing?
Watching TV or going to a movie. It’s all about a good story
with me!
What is the best way for readers/fans to get in touch with you?
There is a contact form on my website, or you
can friend me on Facebook or follow on Twitter. I’m active on both sites and
love talking to readers.
How do you find the time to write?
I’m very lucky that I
was able to let go of my day job so that I can write full time.
************************************************************************************
Secrets
by Jan Scarbrough
-- How was
she going to keep her secret? It had been with her like a living thing for
twenty-one years. Jan is an Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town)
For those of you who write Romance
and Paranormal - what do you find easier to write? How do you find moving from one genre to
another - is it easy or difficult? Which
do you prefer to write?
I
grew up reading first person gothic romances. They were set in a spooky mansion
with a heroine in danger, and a dark, romantic hero. I am better known for my
Bluegrass Reunion series romances or my Ladies of Legend novellas, but I’ve
written two first person gothic romances. They are paranormal because both
books explore reincarnation.
Tangled Memories was a RWA
Golden Heart finalist. In it, the heroine and hero come together in this
lifetime after being together in 1280 England. Timeless is a bit more paranormal with a ghost in the plot. In this
story, the hero and heroine were together in 1890 Kentucky and reincarnated in
present day.
I
enjoyed writing both books. For some reason, first person comes naturally to
me. I would love to write more of it, but Tangled
Memories and Timeless do not
sell well. I don’t know why. Is it that readers don’t like first person? Or
does the subject of reincarnation put people off? Both books are favorites of
mine so I’d really love it if more people took a chance on them.
What does
writing bring to you? How does writing
make you feel?
Writing
a well-written novel is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I want to
write the best book I can. I’m constantly learning and improving. If I don’t
write, I feel as if I’ve wasted my day. Completing a novel is the best feeling
of accomplishment in the world.
How do you
relax when not reading or writing?
Every
week I take a horseback riding lesson. I’ve been doing it for years. The weekly
lesson allows me to get my “horse fix” without owning one. During a lesson, my
mind is focused on riding. When I dismount, I feel “high.” All the day’s stress
is gone. I ride American Saddlebred horses. They are a great breed and love
people. They are “show” horses, but they make great lesson horses.
What was
your big break in the writing world?
My
friend Maddie James had sold to Kensington Publishing. She told me Kensington
was looking for fifty thousand word manuscripts for their Precious Gems line. I
had a completed novel that was eight-five thousand words. So, I cut out a
sub-plot and thirty-five thousand words and submitted it to New York. It was a
thrill of a lifetime when Kensington bought the manuscript and turned it into Reunited, my first published book.
Later I received my rights back and thanks to the magic of e-publishing, I
added back the thirty-five thousand words and published it as Kentucky Flame, part of my Bluegrass
Reunion series.
What is the
best way for readers/fans to get in touch with you?
My
website is http://www.janscarbrough.com/.
My email address is there and so is the signup for my newsletter. I’d really
love it if you subscribe to my newsletter. I send it only once a month. It’s
short, because I know readers are like me without enough time in the day to do
everything.
You
can follow me on Twitter @romancerider.
Facebook
http://on.fb.me/1pZW7oy
How do you
find the time to write?
It’s
hard. I work daily. Being a morning person, I don’t like to write at night.
Getting up Saturday or Sunday mornings to write is my best way to get any
writing done. But something always comes up during the weekends to prevent me
from doing it that way. I need to do better. Note to self—get busy!
*************************************************************************************
My Brother’s Wedding by Jennifer Anderson – Allison
Daughtry is catapulted into a past life when she returns to her childhood home
to attend her brother’s wedding. My
Brother’s Wedding received a StoryFinds.com cover award.
How do you feel writing sexy, erotic scenes?
Honey Creek books
are sweet, clean and family oriented, so sex isn't included, although they are
YA and so there is the mention but my characters never venture that far. With
my contemp romance short in Men In Uniform and now My Brother's Wedding, they
are both sweet and if their story moved that far forward, the doors would be
closed, but there are some heated kisses. Now, I have 2 NA stories under my
belt and both fall more on the sizzling side. Writing sexy scenes doesn't make
me uncomfortable anymore. I think at first, yes, but I wrote mainly YA then.
How do you relax when not reading or writing?
I confess, I watch A
LOT of TV in a wide array of genres. YA, paranormal, action, western, love,
family conflict and comedy. And when I zone out, I want to be left alone! I
think I need a sign to hang on my bedroom door: Go Away. Mommy is unwinding!
What is your favourite thing to do?
I love to visit our
local zoo with my 3 kids and husband and just walk around. We don't have to
really see all the animals, but spending the time together is great. We tend to
relax, let our guard down and act silly.
What was your big break in the writing world?
Three years ago, a
friend turned me onto Honey Creek, which is a specialty line by Turquoise
Morning Press. I wrote a 25k sweet YA. While I waited for a reply (oh, the
slush pile!), I attended a reader author even in Cincinnati, OH. I probably
should add that up until this point, I've never driven anywhere, past 30
minutes by myself. This event was a big deal for an introvert like me! I
decided to attend the conference to meet a Twitter friend and fellow writer and
not only did we click, immediately, but I met Kim Jacobs. She is the owner of
TMP and in her meeting I asked how long should someone wait to hear back if
they've received a "we are currently discussing your book" email. In
front of the entire room, she announced that she was 99% sure I was receiving a
contract for Ice Princess. Talk about a memorable moment!
What types of books do you like to read?
I love to read YA,
NA, romance, paranormal romance, historical, dystopia...the only genre I'm not
a fan of is non-fiction!
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Double Dog Dare by Jennifer Johnson – When Cheris McDowell wakes up in a hotel room next to
the husband she doesn’t remember meeting, she decides the only practical
solution is a quiet divorce. Jennifer is an Amazon bestselling author
(Unforgettable Heroes).
What is your greatest achievement?
Making it through the day without yelling at
my kids or husband. Haha.
How do you relax when not reading or writing?
Recently I’ve learned some mindfulness
relaxing exercises. They really work. Also Andrew Weil has an audio book on
breathing—really helpful.
What is your favourite thing to do?
That’s a hard one—so many things! Probably
being at home with friends or family, and of course the dog.
What is the best way for readers/fans to get in touch with you?
Facebook probably. I’m there all the time!
How do you find the time to write?
Sometimes I get up at four in the morning to
write. Then I’m a zombie the rest of the day, but some of my story got written
so my family just has to put up with the walking dead (without the gross
tearing into their flesh part).
*************************************************************************************
Hard Candy Kisses by Maddie James – New
Year’s Eve is just around the corner and Patti Jo Baker has tried every trick
in the book to land a date for the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at The Lodge.
Maddie James is an Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town, Falling for
Grace, The Heartbreaker, and more).
For those
of you who write Romance and Paranormal - what do you find easier to
write? How do you find moving from one genre to another - is it easy or
difficult?
I
write in many different sub-genres of romance, and I do write both contemporary
romance and paranormal books. Moving from one to one is not difficult for
me--it's a matter of getting my head deep into the story. Once I'm in the
story, I'm good to go. I prefer not to hop around from book to book when
writing, but sometimes it's unavoidable. To me, it doesn't matter the subgenre
-- it's the story that matters, and how it comes to me. My job is to simply
deliver it, no matter what it is.
Which do
you prefer to write?
No
preference! Each story is written when it's time, generally after it has rolled
around in my head for a while. (sometimes years!)
How long
have you been writing?
A
long time. I wrote my first book in the late 1980s on an electric typewriter,
and then mailed off the hard copy manuscript to Harlequin--I think it was 1988.
Of course, it was returned in a couple of weeks with a very clear rejection. I
persevered and finally landed a Kensington contract in 1996. After six books
with them in the late 90s, I was on my way. (I actually sold that first book in
2008, but after extensive revisions)
What does
writing bring to you? How does writing make you feel?
When
a story is finished, it is the best thing ever. The satisfaction of getting the
story told is a powerful feeling. Right now there are a number of stories
running around in my head that are really eager to be told! I feel
a responsibility to the characters to share their story with the
world. I think it's a matter of timing. I've been told by a medium that I
channel when I write, and I really do believe that at times, I do. I think
stories pick you to be told, and I'm honored to tell them, and quite happy when
I get it right. Weird, huh?:)
What is
your greatest achievement?
Raising
independent, intelligent children who are self-sufficient and happy. That means
the world.
Have you
written anything other than romance or paranormal?
Oh
yes. I've written a lot of non-fiction, mostly in the academic world -- journal
articles, training manuals, teacher materials, book chapters, and so on. I
started out writing freelance for local magazines and newspapers. I still have
a hankering to write those "last word" articles on the last page in
women's magazines.) I also write erotic fiction under another pen name. Doesn't
everyone these days? LOL
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Building a Dream by Magdalena Scott – Chloe
McClain is an artist, so she’s used to creating something from nothing. This
time, though, the project is bigger than her usual canvas. Magdalena is an
Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town).
How long have you been writing?
Since I
learned cursive in second grade. I wrote a play that was performed on the
playground. I wrote long newsy letters to my aunt and uncle in California. Now
if I write without a keyboard, I do it in cursive. Not sure any of that would
have happened if I’d had to print everything instead. There’s no flow to
printing, is there?
What does writing bring to
you? How does writing make you feel?
It
makes me feel alive, as if I’m doing exactly what I was put here to do. (That
may sound nutty, but hey—you asked!)
Who is your favourite character in
any of your books and why? How do you connect with your characters?
Midnight
Shelby of MIDNIGHT IN LEGEND, TN. She’s the first character I created for the
Ladies of Legend series, and remains my favorite. She left a painful past
behind and moved to a town where she had no connections. Immediately she began
to connect with people, and largely because of her networking and creative
ideas, Legend started to reinvent itself. She’s a strong heroine, which I think
we all prefer these days, but has a soft side for those she loves (her absent
absent parents) or comes to love (the people of Legend, most notably Martin
McClain and his motherless son, Daniel).
I
connect with my characters by letting them do whatever they want, for the most
part. I set the stage, they walk on and start talking, interacting, throwing
monkey wrenches into what I might have considered the plot we were going to
follow…
How do you find the time to write?
I quit
my job this year. That was the only way for me to increase productivity,
because I require long stretches in order to get into a story.
What or who inspires you?
People
who are following their dream, doing their own creative thing. I was very
inspired at a lecture earlier this year by Jeff Hoffman (founder of Priceline
among other things). At the time he was traveling the world, doing motivational
speeches and meeting with start-up entrepreneurs. Very different from me, a
person who sits in a big chair writing romance novels, but it’s the same in a way.
He’s doing the work that is meaningful to him and helpful to others. I very
much recommend attending a lecture of his if you get the chance.
I was
thrilled to attend the national conference of Romance Writers of America (RWA)
in July of this year. That was four days of constant inspiration!
I get
story inspiration from anything and everything these days. I think it’s because
I’m constantly in the mode now.
What is the best way for
readers/fans to get in touch with you?
I have a
contact form on my blog and website. Readers can email me through that, and/or
sign up for my newsletter. I love hearing from readers!
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Crossroads
by Janet Eaves – Desperation has a way of changing
everything…. Janet is an Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town,
Unforgettable Heroes).
Social Media Connections
Turquoise Morning Press:
Twitter: @turquoisemorn
Hashtags: #sweetbutsexy #tmpress
Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card
3 comments :
Thank you for hosting our Sweet,But Sexy boxed set! I loved reading all of the authors responses to the questions. Love your blog!
Thanks for hosting us on your site!
Love the site! Thank you again for hosting us!
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