RomCon Reader - April 2015

Contemporary | Erotic | Historical | Inspirational | Paranormal | Romantic Suspense | Urban Fantasy | YA | NA

April 2015

RomCon 2015 Schedule

An interview with

LUCY MONROE RomCon 2015 Promoting Authors: Dianna Love Michelle Howard Diane J. Reed Silk Jones JS Scott Sandra Kerns Cynthia Woolf Marsha R. West ...and more!

RomCon速 2015 | Interviews | Articles | Excerpts | Reader Recommendations | Top Rated Books

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ISSUE #6

Cover Spotlight: CONTEMPORARY AUTHOR LUCY MONROE An interview with the author, plus an excerpt from her latest book, Wild Heat

Genre Spotlights & Book Excerpts: 10

SCI-FI: MICHELLE HOWARD

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Cora

Torkel’s Chosen

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PARANORMAL: DIANE J. REED

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Twixt

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ROMANTIC SUSPENSE SANDRA KERNS Harlan’s interview plus an excerpt from Harlan’s Haven.

EROTIC ROMANCE: SILK JONES

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CONTEMPORARY: J.S. SCOTT Mine For Tonight

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE DIANNA LOVE Stolen Vengeance

The Interview

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HISTORICAL: CYNTHIA WOOLF

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ROMANTIC SUSPENSE MARSHA R. WEST An author interview plus an excerpt from Second Act.

RomCon 2015: 16 32 38

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ROMCON READER WEEKEND/UNIVERSITY EVENTS/WORKSHOPS READER LUNCHEON 411 ATTENDING AUTHOR LIST

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AMAZING BOOKS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE!

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Editor’s Note From the Desk of Michele Callahan

R

omCon had a lot of exciting things on the horizon. If you haven’t visited the website lately, you’ll find a brand new romance feature section featuring wonderful excerpts, interviews and features taken from our RomCon Reader emagazine. The final round of Readers’ Crown judging is underway with the final hundred books receiving their score from dedicated reader judges. And we are gearing up for RomCon Reader Weekend and RomCon Writer’s University with a great line-up of fabulous author hosts who are bringing new and exciting energy to our game plan for the weekend. New authors means new ideas and new games.You won’t want to miss a single moment.

And if you’re a writer, or thinking about becoming one, we’ve got another fabulous line up for our second annual Writer’s University schedule.

From Smashwords insider Jim Azevedo, to NYT Bestselling Indie authors willing to share their tips and tricks, the weekend promised to be a can’t-miss-it event.

If you haven’t already registered, why not? Give yourself a gift for spring and reserve your seat today. I look forward to seeing you there.

Happy Reading!

Hugs and Happy New Year!

Michele Callahan Michele Callahan is a certifiably obsessed romance fan, an author, and the founder and President of RomCon®.To find out more about Michele and her books visit her website: michelecallahan.com.

RomCon® & The Readers’ Crown® are registered service marks of Romance Conventions Inc., 992 S. 4th Ave Ste. 100-422, Brighton, CO 80601 CORPORATE OFFICERS: Founder & President: Michele Callahan Vice President: Jennifer Zane RomCon® STAFF & VOLUNTEERS: Websites and Social Media: Blog Scheduling: Karen Docter Advertising: Heather Cole Book Cover Store: Heather Cole Stock Photography: Jennifer Zane Graphic Design: Tabatha Hansen, Jennifer Zane Content Editor: Michele Callahan Social Media Coordinator: Lori Kander Erotic Romance Group: Heather Cole Readers’ Crown: heather@romconinc.com Reader Judges: 500+ and counting Elite Level Reader Judges: In no particular order - (Thank you!)

Amy M., Janon S., Candace C., Debbie S., Lori Y., Lorie K., Jessica D., Rebecca C., Pua T., Elaine B., Toni L., Pat R., Jan K., Dottie A., Christina M., Anita M., Laura Y., Amy W., Sheila H., Wendy P. RomCon® 2015 Reader Weekend & Writer’s University - Convention Convention Director: Michele Callahan Programs and Author Liaison: Karen Docter Programs: Maggie Mae Gallagher, Cynthia Woolf Registration and Staff: Michele Callahan Advertising: RomCon Reader eMagazine: Ciick here.

RomCon Website: Click here.

Questions: heather@romconinc.com

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EROTIC ROMANCE: VANESSA VALE THE COWBOY

CLICK HERE.

For Emily Winston, leaving her old life as her aunt’s ward to become a male order bride in Montana constitutes a much-needed fresh start. But among the baggage she’s hauling on her way to meet her new husband is a dark secret.The aunt who raised Emily also ran a brothel, and the young woman’s sexual knowledge and exploration at her own hands has left her something other than a typical virgin.

Wyatt Blake is a successful rancher in need of a wife, but his desire for someone other than the prim, obedient women of his territory has led him to select a made-to-order bride. Emily is everything he could ask for in bed, but when her secrets start to unravel, the handsome dominant employs the use of hard spankings to extract the truth of Emily’s past. Will her guilt and shame mar a budding relationship further complicated by Emily’s willfulness and lack of domestic skills? Or will Wyatt Blake’s firm hand and sexual domination force Emily to accept her place at the side of a man who knows exactly what he wants?

PARANORMAL: MICHELE CALLAHAN CHIMERA’S KISS Prepared to lie, cheat death, and steal the unimaginable power of an alien male who claims he was sent to save her, Haley is drawn into a dangerous world she never imagined existed, but she refuses to be a pawn in an alien war. She will stop at nothing to save her cousin and give her Marked Mate exactly what he needs...freedom. She’s a Timewalker, after all. It should be a simple thing to travel back in time to prevent her cousin’s death, even if that means the scarred warrior she’s grown to love won’t remember her at all.

But in love, and in war, nothing ever goes according to plan...

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ROMANTIC SUSPENSE: KL DOCTER KILLING SECRETS

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Some secrets are better left dead.

Rachel James’ ex-husband is released from prison determined to reclaim her and her little girl — the child is his key to controlling the James fortune. Frightened, Rachel flees to Denver with the child who hasn’t uttered a word since her daddy went to prison.

Contractor Patrick Thorne wants nothing to do with another of his parents’ charity cases. He failed his own wife so abysmally she took her own life as well as his unborn son’s. After two years, it’s time to concentrate on the bid he’s won and the saboteur trying to destroy his construction firm.

There is no room for trust in either of their hearts. But trust is all that will untangle the secrets that dominate their lives, free a little girl of her silent prison, and save them all from a serial killer who stands too close.

CONTEMPORARY: JENNIFER ZANE HOME SWEET GNOME

Daphne Lane has a life. As a travel journalist, she travels the world. Sure, she’s lonely and has no real home. She also has a crazy Aunt Velma. Raised by the woman who defined mischief and mayhem, Daphne uses her career to put distance between them. After spending a week back in Montana for the woman’s birthday, Daphne is ready to escape to her next assignment. Fate has other plans in the form of JT McCade, a hot detective with a sensitive trigger finger. JT McCade is ready to settle down, find a nice, normal woman, get a dog. The whole white picket fence fantasy. When he pulls Daphne over for speeding, not only does he blow her chance to make her next writing assignment, but he ruins his vacation. Now they’re forced to road trip across the west together in a vintage RV. Alone wouldn’t have been too bad, but add in Aunt Velma, Goldie, the meddler, and their crazy friend Esther Millhouse makes it an adventure. Can the two survive three geriatric women, a feral cat, a flying gnome, a mistaken identity as a porn star and other twists of fate or will they fall victim to the insanity?

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Sci-Fi & Urban Fantasy

Sci-Fi

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Urban Fantasy

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Sci-Fi & Urban Fantasy

MICHELLE HOWARD TORKEL’S CHOSEN EXCERPT

“

Nice to meet you, Faye. Have you decided where you’re going?”

Faye froze. Lindsey meanwhile dug through her navy duffle and pulled out a handful of colorful papers and brochures.

Faye cleared her throat. Her packet was stuffed inside her suitcase. She’d planned to review the information in her cabin.

Lindsey jammed papers in her face. “I’ve narrowed my choices down to three planets.”

Faye took the papers and stared at Lindsey’s blue eyes. “I thought we had the whole trip to decide.” It would take at least a week to reach the first planet on the list for the women making the SP trip.

“Sure,” Lindsey replied with a casual shrug. “If you don’t care where you’re going. Otherwise you might get stuck on Ontar Z.” Was that bad? “I thought most of the planets in SP were compatible with humans.”

Lindsey curled her lip and offered Faye a stick of gum. Faye waved it away.

“Well, yeah. Compatible is as compatible does.”

She scrimmaged through her duffle and pulled out a wrinkled paper. “Ontar Z.” Faye glanced over and blanched at the seven foot hairy giant on the cover. He reminded her of those history texts with images of cavemen.

“Now him,” Lindsey continued. “I’m not interested in.”

Faye let loose a nervous chuckle. She couldn’t help it.

“I’m not either.” She reached back for the other papers Lindsey had given her. Maybe she should have started her selection sooner. She’d been too overwhelmed and relieved to get accepted. “Why these three?”

Lindsey leaned over, hitting Faye with a hint of cinnamon from the gum she chewed. “Langhorn.” She tapped the top page. “Men are highly sexual and very fertile. Average families run up toward seven kids per couple.”

Faye flinched. “Seven kids.”

Lindsey snickered. “I know, right. But I chatted in a 10

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couple of forums and the women are pleased with their lives.They don’t have to work and the men adore them.

They just don’t believe in birth control on Langhorn if you decide to go there.”

“Hmm.” Faye set the paper on the side, not quite sure she was ready for more kids than she could carry in her two arms.

“Ooohhhhh, this is my top choice.” Lindsey fanned her self and pretended to swoon.

Faye’s mouth curved up at the display. Lindsey couldn’t be more than twenty-one. Her enthusiasm and attitude were irresistible. It had been a long time since Faye had talked to another woman in such an easy manner. Most women since the epidemic had become cruel and malicious. Sadly, the scarcity of men fanned the competition in every of life.

“Why is…” she struggled over the name. “Garulax your favorite?”

“Menage,” Lindsey sighed. “On Garulax every woman is shared by two husbands. Can you imagine?

Two men devoted to your happiness.”

Faye quickly set the brochure of the orange planet to the side. She needed to handle one man, not two.

The last paper displayed a purple world with blue skies and two moons. When Faye flipped it open, there were muscled-bound, shirtless men in leather. Long hair, short hair, some holding swords, others flexing fists. Her breath caught on the words in quote. ‘Every woman will be honored and loved by her Chosen.’

“This one looks good.” Faye could see why Lindsey added it. Enotia “Maybe.” Lindsey reached for the paper and tapped her glitter-covered nail on the small print. “You have to go through an auction or something silly. The men line up and the women have to pick which one they want for a husband. No meet and greet or anything. Plus, what if someone picks the guy you’re eyeing.”

Interesting. “Well why is it in your good stack?”

Lindsey chuckled. “Duh…did you see what the guys looked like?”

They both laughed because the men were hot.

“I think I’m going to Garulax. You should pick early too so you don’t get stuck with just any world. I hear

Sci-Fi & Urban Fantasy

they fill up fast because they include women from other worlds too in the Singles Program.”

Faye straightened. “How do I do that?”

“As soon as you get to your cabin, log in with the password in your packet and pick your planet. It’s best to get it out of the way.”

“Thanks.”

Lindsey leaned over and hugged Faye. “We women from Earth have to stick together right?”

“Absolutely.” Faye didn’t have any girlfriends.

Despite her age and curves women considered her a threat. On Earth, every woman was a threat.

What would you do if Earth didn’t have enough men?

Would you take a chance and leave the only world you knew behind?

This is the decision Faith Reid faces. Placing all her hope in a new government program, she seizes the opportunity that offers a chance for the women of Earth to find love among the stars, on a world beyond the one they know.

How many times can one man risk rejection?

Would you give up on your dreams?

Torkel Alonson has had enough of being ignored and looked over by females on his adopted home world of Enotia. His pride has suffered and he must accept the painful truth.

Females will never choose a male with his evil lineage despite his honorable service to his government’s military.

Can two people looking for the same thing find not just what they want but what they need in one another?

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PARANORMAL

PARANORMAL

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PARANORMAL

DIANE J. REED I

n this “First Encounter” excerpt from my paranormal romance Twixt, the main character Rose meets Chance for the first time in a dream—a man who’s been her soul guardian for centuries—with fiery consequences: “Welcome back,” he said, striding toward her from the shore. His voice was like the roll of the ocean, tinged with a smoky resonance. When he stepped closer, Rose realized his eyes were a dusky brown, nearly as black as a raven’s. And there was a deep scar that sliced across his nose. As he drew near, she noticed he smelled of turf fire and wild grass. She inhaled the soft aroma like a fresh fragrance offered by the breeze.

He gazed at her with traces of intrigue in his eyes, the way people do who harbor a secret.

Yet something in his expression appeared wise, as if he’d witnessed the ebb and flow of life, an eternal restless churning, as constant as the waves of the sea. How long has he lingered at this shore, waiting for me? Rose wondered. A shiver ran down her spine. Something in her soul whispered, Beyond time.

“You know me,” he nodded. Rose could’ve sworn his 14

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voice pulsed down to her veins. “I am as close to you as your own shadow.”

He paused and gazed at a ring of silhouettes cast on the sand by the clouds. Then he stared at her with such piercing sadness and dignity—two qualities she’d never before seen in a man. The wind swelled again and he leaned his head back as if listening.

Rose studied his face—the roughcast cheekbones, eyes as dark as burnished ebony, but lips surprisingly tender.

And then there was that scar, a mysterious emblem that spoke of a story—perhaps even a battle—which she wondered if she would ever know. Rose couldn’t tell why, but she had the most irresistible urge to touch him. I’m only dreaming, she thought with a whimsical smile, I can do whatever I like!

She reached up her finger to caress the scar across his nose, watching his thick eyelashes dip in surrender, trembling, as if he cherished her touch. Yet he kept his spine rod-straight and his wide shoulders as stiff as compressed coils, like a soldier prepared at any moment to strike. Rose lifted her chin to admire his lean, muscular frame, and she ran her hand down a

PARANORMAL

strand of his long hair. The color was lush and dark, yet it felt brittle, as though it had seen months or even years of sun and wind.

All of a sudden, the man wrapped his big arms around her with a force that rocked her to her bones, enveloping her in a wild, reckless kiss. His breath warmed her cheeks, her chin, her temples as his lips searched every facet of her face until her soul began to lift. Inside, she was flying—soaring so free her body felt weightless.

Yet strangely, she felt her boundaries begin to waver, as though a fire had ignited within her. For a moment, while his warm lips pursued hers, she wondered if the two of them had somehow blended into the morning sun.The feeling was so strong that when he pulled away, gasping, she was surprised to see their feet were still planted on the beach.

Suddenly, he seized her by the shoulders.

“Oh Rose, don’t you understand?” His moist breath caressed her face even as the strength in his hands made her quiver. “You did conjure love! I don’t know how, but you brought up the past and the future all at once.” He reached up to touch her cheek. His fingers felt rough but strong, trembling in restraint as they swept over her skin.

The man spotted a raven’s shadow hovering on the sand. He quickly took her hand as though time might be slipping away.

“Don’t you see?” he said, pointing to a pattern in the clouds that looked like a pair of wings. He appraised her face again, studying the way the shifting pewter light poured over her features and made her eyes gently shimmer. “What if I told you I’ve watched over you for centuries,” he said, “and I know your good heart?” His voice resounded in her ears like a deep gust of wind.

“How could I help falling in love with you?” He curled her fingers tightly into his as if he never intended to let her go. A ring of leaves softly swirled at their feet, rustling with auspicious whispers. “Oh Rose,” he sighed, gazing into her eyes, “would you believe me if I told you I’m a shadow that never leaves your side?” He shook

his head. “No matter what I say, you’d think I was crazy.”

The sun broke free from the clouds, and Rose shuddered at the bright slices of light that cut across the beach. She searched the man’s face, her mind filled with a thousand questions. But when she opened her mouth to speak, all that escaped was her breath.

“I’m mad, I know!” the man exclaimed, his eyes fixed upon hers. “You think this is all a dream, right?” He scooped up a palmful of sand and placed it in Rose’s hands. It felt smooth as it filtered through her fingers.

“Does that feel like a dream?” he said. He quickly lifted a seashell and thrust into in her palm. “And how about that?” Grasping her fingers, he ran them over a curve in the smooth shell. Rose stared at its pink swirls, when he abruptly clutched her shoulders. “Does THIS?” he said, wrapping his arms around her for another deep kiss.

Rose felt her whole being surrender, as if she’d fallen into a pool of light—and again, that weightless sensation, as though time itself had ceased to register. In that moment, she could no longer feel the edges of her skin, hair, or bones. She could’ve sworn that she and this man had merged into one soul. She almost expected them to melt into the sunlit sky, simply evaporate, like so many dancing particles in air . . .

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RomCon 2015 Events/Workshops September 25-27, 2015 | Denver, CO Editing With Purpose with Meg Jacobs Aspiring and new authors will learn what it means to “Trim the Fat” from the initial drafts. Authors will learn the importance of the editing process and letting it go to outside editors in order to make it the best manuscript possible.

Feel The Fight Scene with Thomas Casale An daytime two hour event! Join 7th degree black belt Thomas Casale who will share insights into the internal thoughts and feelings of winners & losers, aggressors & victims, the mechanics of escalation of daily street violence & actual mortal combat.

A fun, NO contact event!

Exclusive Wine Tasting Adventure – Join your event host authors Suza Kates & Misha McKenzie from Icasm Press on a field trip to a local Colorado winery for a night of wine, cheese, and good company.

DPI Is Not A Secret Government Agency! with David Gregg Enhance working with graphics designers and other media. Focusing on: Basic formats, specifications (Web, Print) and terms.

Branding and the Author with Maggie Mae Gallagher and Barbara Vey It’s important to look your best--even authors. Identify how to create your personal brand with tools to build it through a combination of traditional publicity, online publicity, and social media marketing.

Taxes For The Author with Margaret Taylor This workshop will give an overview of Taxes as they relate to Authors.

Fast Talk - Have you ever played the game Catchphrase™? We’ve modified the game for a hilarious reader/author shared event. (Event Chair Kristen Painter) Show vs. Tell and Deepen POV with Gina Ardito In this hands-on workshop, we’ll employ techniques used by some of the world’s greatest actors and actresses, to really know our characters, enhancing show vs. tell, and deepening point-of-view.

Word Hot Potato – Readers and Authors will play a modified version of the age old classic Hot Potato, but the game won’t hinge on a musical timer, but on the magical power of words.

Co-Writing In’s and Out’s with Yelena Casale and Tina Moss Co-writing can be a tempting idea for both newbie and seasoned writers. The reasons are wide and varied – from dipping one’s toes into the writing world with a partner by their side, to putting two great minds together to see what may come of it, to just exploring a different facet of the writing experience.

S. E. Smith & Eve Langlais host Puzzle Mania – Join a group of fun-loving authors and take the puzzle challenges. Race to be the first to finish!

Sweet & Sassy Bingo – Not a fan of the racy, erotic evening events? This year we’re also offering a something on the sweeter side. Join sweet and Inspiration authors as they host a evening of fun, games and bingo – on the sweeter side of things.

*All workshops are subject to change without notice at any time.

Introduction to e-Book Self Publishing with Smashwords A discussion of trends that are impacting the publishing industry.

Q&A/Writing a Series with Jodi Thomas Everything You Want To Know About Indie Publishing-If You’re Not Afraid to Ask Join Kallypso Masters, Liliana Hart, JM Madden, Red Phoenix and Debra Holland for an hour of ‘how did they do it?’

Chat Panels – Multiple chat panels where you can hear from your favorite bestselling authors.

Bad Boy Roulette - (Chair Diane Reed) Join a host of fantastic authors as they tempt you to gamble on their heroes in a game of Bad Boy Roulette Agents of Doom (Chair Maggie Mae Gallagher) – Do you love the post apocalyptic scenario? This game is for you! Choose a superpower and choose a side. It’s war, and you’re in the middle of the action. (Hosted by Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Paranormal authors) Pictionary™ Style Reader Event – It’s BACK! We get loud and crazy, but screaming out the answer it what makes it fun. Authors and readers will divide into teams and compete for prizes.

Speed Date An Author – Want to meet them all? We’re hosting a special Speed Dating session where you’ll have two minutes of face time with every author at RomCon! Stick Horses In Pants Improv Troupe returns for another crazy and hysterical Comedy Hour! We promise, you’ll laugh until it hurts.

Friday Night Fun! A Bachelorette Party! – Our annual event will return with new naughty games, new desserts, and new authors. Don’t miss it.

Reader Appreciation Luncheon – Reserve your seat at your favorite author’s table today!

HUGE AUTHOR SIGNING! Two hours. All the authors. All the readers. Bring your books. (Open to the public!)

Wild West Cowboy Party – Throw on your hat and boots! Learn how to line dance with our line dance instructor, get your photo taken with a cowboy, or just have fun with friends. We’re throwing a cowboy party, and we hope you can make it.

Reader Round Table and Book giveaway! – Sunday morning we’re bringing in an all new special host to get things started. Authors might be lining the walls to hear what you have to say. Reader led, reader focused, and reader specific, don’t miss this opportunity to let the authors and fellow readers know what you love, hate, and want more of in your books – and take some new ones home!

REGISTER NOW!

Erotic

Erotic

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Erotic Erotic

Silk Jones THE INTERVIEW: LAW FIRM EROTICA BOOK I

L

aura smoothed her jacket and stepped carefully through the door into the offices of Dunbar and Associates in her four inch platform pumps.

It looked like the reception area of any other law firm to her. The receptionist manning the sleek black desk, however, could have been a model. Her ash blonde hair fell in thick luscious waves to her shoulders and were set off by high cheekbones and magnificent green eyes. Even though she was seated, Laura could see she had a slim, elegant build molded beautifully in a body skimming red dress.

She thought about her own too generous curves threatening to spill out of the black form fitting jacket and pencil skirt and wondered if she should have worn something else. Like what? What did one wear to an interview for a submissive legal assistant position?

Lingerie?

She almost giggled.

The receptionist looked up and flashed a friendly smile. “May I help you?”

Laura cleared her throat.“Yes. My name is Laura Hobbs. I have a 10:30 appointment with Mr. Dunbar.”

“Just a moment.” The receptionist clicked a few

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buttons. “Sir,” she said after a moment. “There’s a Ms. Laura Hobbs here to see you.” She paused. “Yes, Sir.” She tapped her earpiece and looked up at Laura.“You’re to have a seat. He’ll be right with you.” She gestured to the seating area across the room.

Laura chose a stiff backed leather chair. She crossed her legs and admired her patterned stockings.They were actual stockings with a garter belt and all -- not the pantyhose she normally wore. They made her feel a little naughty.

After she and her boss had been laid off from the law firm at which she had worked for the past ten years, she’d found herself at loose ends.The firm’s generous severance package afforded her the opportunity to take a little time before looking for another job. She’d used that time to take a good hard look at her life such as it was. The long hours at the firm and the night classes she took at a local college towards her accounting degree had left little time for a social life. She hadn’t gone out on a date in over a year. She hadn’t seen the point. The guys she met were just boring. Where were the real men?

The last guy she dated had taken forever to kiss her. Three dates in fact. When he finally did, it was

Erotic

pathetically awkward and tentative. He’d even asked permission first.What a turn-off.That was the last time she went out with him.

She liked alpha men who took charge -- especially in bed. She wanted to be swept off her feet. Screwed senseless. Overwhelmed. That’s how she’d wound up here -- in the reception area of Dunbar and Associates.

She’d spent a lot of her free time catching up on her reading. She’d always enjoyed reading erotica and now it was readily available for her to download. She read a series detailing a young submissive’s training exploits that had intrigued her. Hell, the book had more than intrigued her. It made her hot. So hot she’d gone online and researched B.D.S.M. The more she had researched, the more intrigued she had become.

She’d always enjoyed dominant lovers who took what they wanted once they had her general consent.

She’d even enjoyed being tied up and blindfolded. Did that make her a submissive?

During the course of her research, she’d run across an ad for a submissive legal assistant on a B.D.S.M. website. It had taken her by surprise. She’d never known such positions existed. She’d wondered what sort of duties the position entailed. Fantasizing about the possibilities had titillated her.

The ad didn’t go into much detail. It just said that the dominant head of a downtown law firm sought an experienced submissive legal secretary. After much internal debate, curiosity caused her to apply online. She followed the instructions to upload a full body photo and her resume and had received a call the very next day from the human resources manager to schedule an interview.The woman had been all business.They could have been discussing a position at any law firm.

She’d pulled up the law firm’s website and searched

the Internet for pictures of and information about the head of the law firm -- Philip Dunbar. His picture on the firm’s website depicted a ruggedly handsome man with dark hair, a strong jaw, a serious smile and power radiating from his dark eyes. Just looking at the picture caused a response deep in the pit of her stomach. She’d spent the last few days and nights fantasizing about what it would be like to work under him in every sense of the word. To be at his mercy.

What would the interview be like? Would he ask her questions and then send her on her way? Would he test her in some way? Her mouth went bone dry at the thought. She licked her lips. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. She must have been out of her mind to respond to an ad posted on a B.D.S.M. website.

For all she knew, it could be a hoax. Or worse, she could be setting herself up to be raped. She had to get out of here. She stood up, turned toward the reception desk and stopped in her tracks. Phillip Dunbar stood next to the desk, his arms crossed, watching her.

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CONTEMPORARY CONTEMPORARY

Contemporary

APRIL 2015 MAY/JUNE 2014

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LUCY

CONTEMPORARY

An Interview with

Q: Your new series, Northern Fire, takes place in a small Alaskan town. Exactly how small is it?

A: Cailkirn is pretty dang small, but the unique population is anything but boring. Situated near Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula, Cailkirn is the sunniest city in Alaska, if not the warmest. Of the 2,127 inhabitants, there are descendants of the Innuit, Russian fur traders, Scottish immigrants and gold miners of the 1890s.

Q: What is the series about?

A: Each of the books will be a steamy stand-alone romance set in community of Cailkirn, peopled with both new characters and those introduced along the way.

Q: In a town so small, everyone must know one another. Is there a lot of drama in Cailkrin?

A: Passions defiantly run hot here (both in and out of the bedroom), but it’s easy to understand why. With typical Alaskan independence, the townspeople oversee their school system, as well as the local parks and tourism. Some of the businesses are owned by out-oftowners and the natives will be sure and tell you just which ones.

Q: What are the people like in Cailkirn?

A: This town is populated with strong alpha men looking for hot sex and in need of true love. Most would rather sleep in an ice cave than admit it though. As for the women of Cailkirn, a few are seeking refuge in the sparsely populated state, others were born in Cailkirn and have chosen to stay, while some have even returned home when life in the Lower 48 did not work out like they’d expected it to.

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Y MONROE CONTEMPORARY CONTEMPORARY

h the USA Today Bestselling Author Q: Can you tell us about the characters in book #1, Wild Heat?

A: Although he’s now an ultra-sexy, athletic man, Taqukaq “Tack” MacKinnon grew up a chubby, uncoordinated boy who didn’t quite fit with either his mother’s Innuit family or the MacKinnons.

His child-hood best friend, Kitty Grant, couldn’t have been more different. A beautiful redhead with pretty blue eyes, she was beloved by her family and the townsfolk alike.

Q: So it seems opposites attract.

A: Yes! As they grow older, Tack’s feelings for Kitty change from friendship into something more, a combination of lust and tender feeling that overwhelm his youthful heart. He dreams of marriage and babies with the one girl who gets him, but Kitty has her eye on a way out of their small Alaskan town and she plans to take it.

Q: I can’t really blame Kitty for wanting to explore outside of such a small town.

A: Tack can’t either. Though he has no desire to leave Alaska, Tack goes south with Kitty to attend USC, sure she’ll get her wanderlust out of her blood and return to Cailkirn with him after they graduate.

Q: How did Tack enjoy California?

A: Well, he dislikes the constant warm weather and the way he fits in worse with the beautiful people than he did back home. In their junior year, she marries a high-powered businessman and drops out of college.

Tack finishes his degree and then he goes home with no intention of ever setting foot in the Lower 48 again.

Q: Do the two ever reconnect?

A: In time. It’s eight years later and Caitlin’s freshly divorced. She’s come home, her pretty blue eyes shadowed with pain, her body thinner than Tack can remember since their first year of high school. Her effervescence is gone, but he knows the same woman that broke his heart is still there somewhere inside.

Q: Good for her, does this mean rekindling flames between her and Tack?

A: These two people need a little help from some wellmeaning meddlers to fall into bed...together. Even then, though, their path isn’t a smooth one.

Kitty has to learn to love herself again before she can give her heart to Tack and he has to unlock the fortress he’s built around his own heart for that to happen.

Q: Can you tell us about some of the wellmeaning meddlers we will read about in the Northern Fire series?

A: A trio of elderly sisters, the Grant sisters, oversees much of what happens in the town. Its unofficial matchmakers often referred to as troublemakers. As they’re fond of saying, “It takes babies to keep a town from going ghost and you don’t get those fishing on your boat.”

All of Cailkirn’s meddlers are in agreement about one thing: the current generation needs to keep the under eighteen population growing. And that means matchmaking.

Not that they need to do a lot. With six months of the year spent in cold isolation, sex plays pretty heavily in the townspeople’s thoughts and we all know sex can lead to love...when we’re lucky.

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CONTEMPORARY WILD HEAT THE NORTHERN FIRE SERIES #1

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haking his head, Tack climbed the front porch steps. Form the way they squeaked, he decided they could use a little maintenance as well. He added that to his to-do list in his head. The sound of all three sisters talking at once led him to the front parlor, but his steps slowed as he heard another voice mixed in.

Soft feminine tones he would never forget still echoed in whispers as he woke from the kinds of dreams men were supposed to stop having once they’d left their teen years.

Kitty Grant was here.

Miss Elspeth had to have known Kitty was coming in today, but she hadn’t said so. She’d told him her niece was coming home, but Tack had thought that meant at some point in the future.

Not today.

Not right this minute when he wasn’t prepared for or expecting it.

Nik’s words made more sense now too. The other man knew about Tack’s history with Kitty, so his words has been a warning, but damned if Tack hadn’t gotten it.

He considered turning around and leaving, but his feet just kept moving forward as the sound of her voice grew more and more discernable and had its typical impact on his libido. It had been years, but hearing her voice still turned him on faster than a woman’s friendly hand on his thigh when he was in the mood to scratch that itch.

His heart beating as fast as if he’d jogged a sevenmile trail uphill, he stopped in the open doorway to the 28

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parlor and got his first view of Kitty Grant.

All the air expelled from his lunges and he couldn’t seem to suck any back in.

He’d expected Kitty to look emaciated; after the research he’d done, he’d rehearsed in his mind how he wouldn’t react outwardly to her appearance when he finally saw her. He hadn’t prepared himself for the woman who stood before him. No, she didn’t have the same curvaceous allure she had six years ago, but even from the back, Kitty was still breath-stealing.

She was thin, but her limbs didn’t have the fragile skeletal appearance form the previous winter that had so concerned Miss Elspeth, and her clothes fit over obvious feminine curves. Gratitude that he hadn’t had to come face-toface with signs of her illness gave him the wherewithal to finally take in another breath.

He didn’t ever have to admit it to anyone else (or acknowledge it to himself again if he could help it), but it would have destroyed something inside Tack to see her as sick as Miss Elspeth said Ktity had been.

The female form he had always considered perfect was encased in a pastel pink suit that highlighted her understated curves. No doubt by some big-name designer, the jacket had a ruffle thing around her hips that accented the gentle slope of her ass. He liked it. The skirt hugged her hips, its hem a few inches above her knees, giving him a view of her toned legs.

Her heels had to be at least three inches high. They looked neither comfortable nor suitable for life in Cailkrin, Alaska. But hell if they didn’t make her calves look delicious and spark his imagination about what

CONTEMPORARY CONTEMPORARY she’d look like from the back walking in them.

Undeniable arousal hit him hard and without provocation. Worse than the sound of her voice, the sight of her had him craving things he knew damn well no good could come from wanting. Renewed sexual attraction to the woman who’d decimated his heart was not in Tack’s list of approved scenarios.

He once again considered turning around and leaving before anyone noticed him. What were the chances Miss Elspeth would remember inviting him to dinner?

Who was he kidding? That woman remembered everything. Including how many times she’d changed Tack’s diaper when he was a baby.

Besides, his feet weren’t listening to his brain. He’d kept moving and now he stood right behind Kitty, her subtle floral perfume mixing with her natural scent and reaching out to tug at his senses.

The urge to touch her nearly overwhelmed him. He had to squelch it, and fast.

“I would have expected you to arrive in a limo, Miss Barston.” His words acted like an anvil on the feminine chatter.

Kitty’s back went rigid, her head jerking, like the sound of his voice had shocked her even worse than hearing hers had shocked him moments ago. There went his chance of leaving undetected. Shit. Why hadn’t he kept his mouth shut?

All three of the older women turned to face him with varying expressions. Miss Elspeth glowed with delight. Miz Moya’s eyes were suspiciously moist, her smile a little wobbly. Miz Alma’s usual dour expression was lightened enough for an almost smile to curve her precisely painted lips.

Kitty turned too. Slowly, as if cautious about what she was going to find. Her eyes locked with Tack’s, their blue depths filled with a hell of a lot of emotion. None of which he could, or wanted to, interpret.

Author Bio Lucy Monroe

Contemporary Author

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ith more than 6 million copies of her books in print, USA Today bestseller Lucy Monroe has published more than 50 books and had her stories translated for sale in dozens of countries. While she writes several subgenres of romance (paranormal, historical, single title and short contemporary) for multiple publishers, all of her books are sexy, emotional and show that love will conquer all.

She’s a passionate devotee of romance and shares her love for the genre with her readers through her books and a policy of open communication.

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CONTEMPORARY

J.S. SCOTT EXCERPT FROM MINE FOR TONIGHT

Down on her luck, nursing student and full-time waitress Kara Foster gets a massive blow to her already desperate financial situation that will surely find her living on the streets.

S

Needing nothing less than a miracle to save her, Kara gets rescue from an unknown, unlikely and overwhelming source. Billionaire Simon Hudson makes her an offer that is impossible to refuse, but terrifying to accept from a man that she’s never met. Will the handsome, alpha billionaire really be a solution to her problems, or will he end up being a major complication and a danger to her emotional sanity?

Reclusive billionaire Simon Hudson would rather be behind a computer creating computer games than rubbing elbows with the elite and he knows exactly what he wants…until he meets Kara Foster. Something about Kara touches Simon in ways he’s never experienced and definitely doesn’t like. For over a year, Simon watches over Kara, but stubbornly refuses to admit his desire to possess her, not even to himself. But when she ends up in a situation that could very well be her destruction, Simon steps up to help her, not realizing that in saving Kara, he might very well be salvaging his own soul.

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imon Hudson stood silently in the shadows of the opulent lobby, his hands in the pockets of his jeans and one shoulder propped against the frame of a large window that faced the street. His whole body was tense, his dark brown eyes scanning the sidewalk with the intense and total focus of a madman.

Where in the hell is she?

It’s ten forty-five.

He knew Kara was working tonight. She had called in sick for the last two evenings, but was back to work at Helen’s Place, waiting tables on the swing shift. He had checked. His mother owned the bistro where Kara worked and was generally pretty forthcoming with information when Simon wanted it, but he was careful. If he wasn’t, his only parent would be hounding him to find out why he wanted information on Kara. His wonderful but inquisitive mom would be like a bloodhound after a scent if she thought that Simon’s interest was anything but casual. He would be nagged to death, his mother wanting to know exactly what his intentions were with Kara.

Simon frowned. Like he had any intentions? He had

CONTEMPORARY CONTEMPORARY fantasies and all of them involved Kara spread out on his bed, screaming his name as he made her come, over and over.

Simon took a deep breath and slowly blew it back out, trying to get his body to relax and telling himself that he must be insane to take exactly the same position, night after night, for some woman who he had never officially met. But here he was…again, his back to the curious doorman, leering out the window like an unbalanced stalker, waiting to get a glimpse of Kara Foster. Something about the woman brought out strange, territorial, and protective instincts that kept him here, keeping watch, waiting for her to walk by his condo building on her way home from work.

And then, when he spotted her, he’d do the same thing he always did. He’d follow her at a distance, trying not to alarm her, and wait until she had let herself into her apartment safely before he turned around and walked back home.

He wouldn’t talk to her, or even get close to her.

He never did. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but Kara was going to nursing school and working full-time at his mother’s restaurant. According to his mom, Kara adamantly refused to date because she didn’t have the time or energy to put into a relationship. She was probably right about that.The insane woman didn’t sleep enough, eat enough. She had no one who even worried about her except for his mother…and Simon. Hell, in the last year, Simon had probably cared more about Kara’s well-being than a dozen family members would have, and he couldn’t even call her a friend. Problem was…he wasn’t a family member, and his feelings were far from brotherly.

God, she was sweet!

Simon had to bite back a groan of frustration as he thought about the first time he had seen Kara, her blue eyes flashing with humor, black tendrils of silky hair escaping from her ever-present ponytail and her lithe body moving gracefully from table to table at his mom’s restaurant. At the age of twenty-eight, she still retained a look of innocence and vulnerability that had Simon caught in her unintentional web. He’d been a prisoner there ever since.

His mother spoke about Kara as if she were her daughter, and Simon knew that Kara and his mother had a special bond: one not formed by blood, but by a special friendship. Shit…if Kara were younger, Simon was pretty sure his mother would adopt her. Lips twitching slightly, Simon hoped his mother never expected him to be like a brother to Kara. It wasn’t happening. His cock stood at attention, rock-hard and ready, every time he saw her. What in the hell was it about this particular woman that made him so edgy and restless?

Simon had fucked women who were more attractive or more sophisticated, and not a single one of them had ever touched any of his emotions. He was a loner, preferring to spend his time with his computer rather than attending social functions, but there were times when he needed a woman’s company for physical relief.

Occasionally taking himself in hand just wasn’t getting it done. Simon had certain female acquaintances for those occasions, women who gave him the control he needed and had to have in the bedroom, without a lot of demands or questions. Damn it! That had been enough for him…until he had seen Kara.

Grimacing, his eyes never leaving the street, Simon shoved his hands deeper into his pockets and adjusted his position, giving his shoulder a break by resting his hip against the wall. God, he was getting pathetic.

How long would he moon over a woman who had never even acknowledged him? Until she finished nursing school and moved away? Until she got married?

He nearly growled at the thought of another man putting his hands on Kara’s delectable body. Simon fought a purely feral instinct that rose up at the thought of another man touching his woman.

She’s not your woman, asshole. Get a grip.

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ROMCON 2015- READER WEEKEND Don't Miss Out! Register Today September 25-27, 2015 Denver, Colorado The Renaissance Hotel 3801 Quebec Street Denver, CO 80207

3 days you won't forget...

• 60+ Authors of all genres of romanceContemporary, Erotic, Historical, Inspirational, Sci-Fi, Paranormal, & Suspense • 20 Author-led games and eventsInteract and play with awesome authors!

• University events to learn about writing & publishing • 15 Intimate Chats- Ask those burning questions!

• 4 After Hours events- Learn to line dance at Wild West Night, Sweet Friday Night, Bachelorette Party, and Comedy Show!

• Chat Panels • 1 Epic Author Signing- Perfect Fan Girl Time • 1 Amazing Reader Appreciation Luncheon- Sit with your favorite author, listen to great speakers, and win one of their amazing gift baskets • Incredible vendors with lots of great stuff • Tons of author prizes, gift baskets, raffles and free books • Support Breast Cancer Research with our annual raffle

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!

Saturday Luncheon SpeakerNew York Times & USA Today Bestseller Jodi Thomas Jodi Thomas has published over 30 books in both the historical romance and contemporary genres, the majority of which are set in her home state of Texas. Publishers Weekly calls her novels “Distinctive...Memorable,” and that in her stories “[tension] rides high, mixed with humor and kisses more passionate than most full-on love scenes.” In 2006, Romance Writers of America (RITA) inducted Thomas into the RWA Hall of Fame for winning her third RITA for THE TEXAN’S REWARD. She also received the National Readers’ Choice Award in 2009 for TWISTED CREEK (2008) and TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN (2008). While continuing to work as a novelist, Thomas also functions as Writer in Residence at the West Texas A&M University campus, where she inspires students and alumni in their own writing pursuits.

Historical

Historical

cora by cynt

EXCERPT FROM CORA, THE BRIDES OF SAN FRANCISCO, BOOK 3

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he ship arrived after hitting bad weather for just two days during the entire trip. They’d had one day with no wind at all and another that was almost a hurricane, the winds were so strong. The captain said the weather on a trip like theirs always varied.

He was grateful they had mostly fair days which had resulted in a very good trip during which they’d made good time. They actually arrived two weeks sooner than they’d expected to.

As soon as they disembarked in San Francisco, cabs whisked them away to the Golden State Hotel where Mrs. Selby had arranged for them to stay for up to two months. She wanted the women to get to know the men they were to marry and not be rushed into a quick wedding.

The inside of the hotel was not something that Cora would ever have dreamed of. The walls were white, the carpets and furniture all varying shades of red. The result was generally gaudy but the place was clean and seemed to be well kept.

Cora checked in and found a message waiting for her from Harry Belcher.

My dear Cora, I have instructed the staff at the hotel to send a messenger to me when you get there. I should be arriving shortly after that as my bank is only minutes away. I can’t wait to greet you in person.

Yours truly, Harry Belcher Cora read the missive and smiled. It was so like Harry to come to greet her right away.

“Cora?”

A deep, familiar voice came from behind her. But that was impossible…she slowly turned toward the sound.

“Cora. It’s me.”

“Asa?” Cora shook her head slowly back and forth.

It couldn’t be. Asa was dead. They’d told her he died at Appomattox more than two years ago. Her eyes filled

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with tears. “No. No.You’re dead.”

He held his hat in his hands, rolling the brim and crushing the felt between his fingers. His black suit and tie fit him well and his tanned skin was stark against the white of his shirt. She remembered his beautiful blue eyes, but the gray in his brown hair was new.

“I wanted you to think that. I was wounded and I…” He took a step toward her and she saw his limp.

She stepped back. “Asa, I—” “Cora Jones?”

Another male voice called to her from across the hotel lobby.

She looked up and saw Harry Belcher crossing the room toward her. He looked just like the picture he’d sent her. He had blond hair, parted in the middle and

Historical Historical

thia woolf slicked down. She knew from her correspondence with him that his eyes were green. The tan three piece suit, with brown tie and top hat would have washed out his pale skin, but the blue shirt he wore with the suit added color to his face.

“Cora, I’ve come home to you,” said Asa. Harry reached them and took Cora’s hand, brought it to his lips and kissed the top. “You’re as beautiful as your picture and such a tiny little thing.”

“Harry, I—” “Cora, you can’t mean to marry this man since I’m back,” said Asa. “You belong to me.”

“What does he mean you belong to him? Who is this man and what does his being here have to do with anything? You’re going to marry me. We have a contract.”

She looked back and forth between Asa and Harry and burst into tears.

“Cora, are you alright?” called Nellie on her way to her room.

“Yes, I’ll be fine,” said Cora, sniffling.

Nellie nodded and went on her way.

Cora turned back to the two men, each vying for her attention and each demanding that she marry him.

She took a hanky from her reticule and dabbed at her eyes. “Asa, I have no idea what you’re doing here, but after two years, you cannot really believe you have any hold upon me. You could have contacted me anytime in those years but you didn’t.”

She turned to the other man. “Harry we do have a contract, but that was when I thought myself a single woman. With Asa back I must give all of this more thought. I have two months here at the hotel and I won’t be bullied by either one of you into making a decision right this second.”

“Well, I never,” huffed Harry.

Asa looked smug and Cora wanted to wipe that look off his face.

She narrowed her eyes and stared at the both of them. “You’re going to have to convince me before I’ll marry either one of you. In other words you’re both going to have to court me. I’ll make my decision within

the next two months. And let me warn you, I may decide not to marry either of you. Right now, neither one of you is showing me your best side.”

“Well, I want to court you,” said Asa. “I didn’t have time before I went into the army. I want to prove to you I’m the man you should marry.”

“I’ll be the man you choose. I’ve never lost something that was important to me and you, Cora,” Harry looked her straight in the eyes, his green ones meeting with her brown ones, “are important to me.”

“Very good. We’ll start tonight. One of you is going to take me to dinner. I’ve got a number in my mind.

The one of you closest to the number will take me to dinner.”

“Six,” said Asa. “Five,” said Harry.

“The number is seven. Asa it is. Pick me up here at seven o’clock.” Cora turned on her heel and walked toward the stairs to her room.

“I’m going to win her,” said Harry. “I never lose.”

“Prepare to lose this time. I’ve loved Cora all my life and I’m not going to lose her to you.”

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RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A Jerrie Alexander- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- A student of creative writing in her youth, Jerrie set aside her passion when life presented her with a John Wayne husband, and two wonderful children.

A career in logistics offered her the opportunity to travel to many beautiful locations in America, and she revisits them in her romantic suspense novels. But the characters went with her, talked to her, and insisted she share their dark, sexy stories with others. She writes alpha males and kick-ass women who weave their way through death and fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite of, their love for each other. She likes to torture people, make them suffer, and if they’re strong enough, they live happily ever after. Jerrie lives in Texas, loves sunshine, children’s laughter, sugar (human and granulated), and researching for her heroes and heroines.

Melody Anne- CONTEMPORARY- NewYorkTimes and USAToday bestseller- She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and left behind a career in the airline industry to pursue her longtime passion— writing. Her fascination with the corporate world and strong, powerful business men radiates through her captivating stories. Melody Anne sets many of her books in small-town locations, a reflection of her own upbringing. She hails from the picturesque coastal town of Florence, Oregon, and currently resides in Oregon’s beautiful wine country—the Willamette Valley. She loves spending time with her family and friends in her small town, and is involved in many community projects. She will always be a country girl at heart.

Gina Ardito- CONTEMPORARY & PARANORMAL- Gina Ardito is the award-winning international author of more than twenty romances, a legendary singer in confined spaces (her car, the shower, her office cubicle), and a killer of houseplants.​She hosts fun, informative workshops for writers around the country. In 2012, Gina was named a Woman of Outstanding Leadership by the International Women’s Leadership Association, but to her friends, she’s still just a shenanigator.A native of Long Island, New York, she lives with her husband, two children, a bionic dog and a brand new superstar puppy, and two cat overlords.

Sheila Athens- CONTEMPORARY- Sheila grew up in the Ozarks, vacillating between climbing trees, reading books and neurotically working toward straight A’s. Many years later—after marriage, two sons, a couple of careers, and a Master’s Degree—she discovered her first romance novel in the gift shop of a hotel when she was supposed to be networking with fellow conventioneers. Now, she’s got a bright red study filled with romance novels. She’s a creative lefty who loves quiet spaces and eccentric people. She’s lived in the coastal south for more than twenty-five years, but looks forward to one day moving to the serene mountaintop cabin she and her husband have built at the edge of a national forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Aidy Award- EROTIC ROMANCE- Once upon a time, there was a girl who lived to write stories of happy ever after. During the day. But at night, oh at night, her world transforms into one of dark desires, deep passions and the forbidden.This duality is what makes her so interesting. She combines the two sides of her imagination by penning stories of romance and true love. Read the delicious fantasies of heroes and heroines you want to be or want to be with, come to life under the covers and between the pages of Aidy’s books.

Deborah Bladon- CONTEMPORARY- New York Times & USA Today bestseller- Deborah Bladon has never read a romance hero she didn’t like. Her love for romance novels began when she was old enough to board the bus, library card in hand to check out the newest Harlequin paperbacks. She’s a Canadian by heart, and by passport, but you can often spot her in New York City sipping a latte and looking for inspiration for her next story. Manhattan is definitely her second home. She cherishes her family and believes that each day is a gift for writing, for reading, and for loving.

AUTHORS Carolyn BrownCONTEMPORARY- New York Times and USA Today bestseller- RITA® Finalist, Carolyn Brown, has published more than sixty books. Brown presently writes both women’s fiction and cowboy romance. She has also written historical single title, historical series, contemporary single title and contemporary series. She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher, who is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.

Michele Callahan- PARANORMAL- Amazon Bestseller- Michele Callahan is a wife, mother, romance and science fiction addict, and founder of RomCon, the only Fan Convention geared toward women who read romance and genre fiction. She suffers from a dangerous case of sci-fi/fantasy fever and never turns down an opportunity to sit through a Star Wars, True Blood, or Matrix marathon. Her favorite things in books; hot heroes, superpowers, freakish things that can’t be explained by modern science, and true love!

Yelena Casale- URBAN FANTASY- An award-winning author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance.Yelena was born in Kiev, Ukraine and moved to New York at 13. Being very curious and inquisitive, she has been a devoted reader and writer since childhood. As a 2nd degree black belt and instructor in Shotokan karate, an avid traveler and history and art enthusiast, she weaves universal themes with martial arts philosophies into her stories. She lives with her amazing, super supportive husband and the best Siamese cat. In her spare time, she reads, paints, watches cool shows on TV and tries to get more sleep. Like the samurai of the old, as well as the ultimate Renaissance man and Yelena’s favorite historical figure, Leonardo da Vinci, she believes that nothing is greater than mastery of oneself.

Misty Dietz- PARANORMAL- Misty’s love affair with words started in middle school with moody stories set in exotic locations she’d never been to. In college, her boy-angst erupted in disturbing reams of poetry. After grad school, the writing went into hibernation until she found her own happily-ever-after with an ultra linear man who is the long-suffering counter-balance to her zig-zagging ways. Now, she spends her days writing sexy, adrenalinefueled stories, teaching Zumba, enjoying family and friends, and praying her children don’t come home with math homework.

Karen Docter- CONTEMPORARY/ROMANTIC SUSPENSEKaren Docter, also writing as K.L. Docter, writes two different kinds of romance novels....

K.L.’s romantic suspense novels are filled with romance, although the dangers the hero and heroine face are intense, usually because a serial killer is bent on ending one or both of their lives before they can fall in love. Her contemporaries (written as Karen Docter) are cute & spicy romances. She loves writing about real men and women with dreams and goals that don’t allow for a relationship just so she can throw them in each other’s path...with a tickle and a smile.

RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A Geri Foster- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Amazon Bestseller- For as long as she can remember, Geri Foster has been a lover of reading and the written word. By the seventh grade she had worn out two library cards and had read every book in her age area of the library. After raising a family and saying good-bye to the corporate world, she tried her hand at writing. To her surprise, she won a couple of contests, hooked up with a really great critique group and her writing career was well on its way. She spent several years studying her craft and developing her voice. Action, intrigue, danger and sultry romance drew her like a magnet.That’s why she had no choice but to write action-romance suspense.While she reads every genre under the sun, she’s always been drawn to guns, bombs and fighting men. Secrecy and suspense move her to write edgy stories about daring and honorable heroes who manage against all odds to end up with their one true love.

Maggie Mae Gallagher- URBAN FANTASY- Bestselling Author Maggie Mae Gallagher doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing. When she was a kid she acted out her favorite scenes, only better, with her brother and cousin. As a teenager, she wrote reams of poetry, but realized her true love lay with creating characters and stories. A former music and history major, Maggie is a total geek at her core. When she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She lives in St. Louis with her two furry felines.

JoAnna Grace- PARANORMAL- From the time I started holding a crayon I began creating magical worlds. My very first book was a series of pictures about a puppy princess. The story changed each time I told it, but there was always a happy ending! My first written story was about girls who changed into tigers. Hmmm.... I guess some concepts stick with you. Now my stories have become a bit more complex! And I’m glad to share them with you. My tales are spun in my home in East Texas where I live with my husband, three kids, a couple dogs and a few fish. When I’m not hiding behind my computer screen you can find me camping, boating, and shopping. I’m active in ministry and hope to pass on the unconditional love given to me to others. Occasionally I get to sing and no one runs screaming, so I guess it’s not too bad!

Joni Hahn- PARANORMAL- By day, Joni Hahn keeps her secret decoder ring hidden while she works as a mild-mannered HR manager and accounting generalist. She believes the world can never have too many superheroes, and anxiously waits for the call when one will need help saving the world... or getting into his costume. Joni was born with a hopelessly tender heart and believes there is nothing on earth more exhilarating than falling in love (Other than the rear shot of Chris Evans in The Avengers - that was pretty darn exhilarating). A native Texan, she thinks cowboys are the epitome of masculinity, and that country music is the other soul music.

Sharon Hamilton- CONTEMPORARY/MILITARY ROMANTIC SUSPENSENew York Times Bestseller- Known for her award-winning SEAL Brotherhood series, Sharon also writes hot paranormals with her Golden Vampires of Tuscany and Guardians series. A lifelong organic gardener, Sharon lives with her husband in the Wine Country of Northern California, where most of her stories take place. When she’s not writing, she’s getting verra verra dirty in the mud, or wandering Farmer’s Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers.

Debra Holland- HISTORICAL- New York Times & USA Today bestseller- Debra Holland wears several hats when it comes to writing. As a psychotherapist, she writes nonfiction books. The Essential Guide to Grief and Grieving is her first nonfiction book. More nonfiction books about grieving, boundary setting with difficult people, and relationships, are forthcoming. Debra also writes fiction--Historial Western Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy Romance, and Science Fiction.

AUTHORS Michelle Howard- PARANORMAL /CONTEMPORARY- Michelle Howard enjoys a crazy life that involves wild kids, a loud dog, and a husband who tolerates the madness. Like many authors, she’s dreamed of writing since reading her first romance novel many years ago. She loves paranormal and contemporary romances and is a fan of the classic romances, such as Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood.

Jenna Jacob- EROTIC ROMANCE- Bestselling Author Jenna Jacob’s erotic romance comes from the heart of submission.

With over twenty years experience in the Dynamics of the BDSM lifestyle, Jenna strives to portray Dominance and submission with a passionate and comprehensive voice. Her stories will make you laugh, cry, and may Leave you with a better understanding of the fulfillment found in the BDSM power exchange. A married mom of four grown children, Jenna and her husband lives in Kansas. Her passions include her family, reading, camping, cooking, music, and riding Harleys. She loves to make people laugh with her outgoing and warped sense of humor. If you’re looking for hot romance with a kinky twist, pick up one of Jenna’s books.

Amelia James- EROTIC ROMANCE- I got hooked on trashy romance novels in junior high, but my mom took them away from me, But she couldn’t stop me from daydreaming. After I got married, I wrote some of my naughtier daydreams down and sent them to Playgirl magazine. Two of them got published. I kept daydreaming and writing stories until my dirty stories turned into trashy books. I live in Colorado, but I’ll always be a loyal Wisconsin Cheesehead.

When I’m not lusting after my next bad boy hero, I’m looking for inspiration in sci-fi and action movies, football players, morally ambiguous lawyers, muscle cars, and kick-butt chicks.

Jean C. Joachim- CONTEMPORARY- Jean Joachim, wife and mother of two sons, is owned by a rescued pug, named Homer. She’d been writing non-fiction for what seemed like forever until she got up the nerve to try fiction. It was love. Now she spends her days in New York City in the company of her characters, with a cup of tea and a secret stash of black licorice.

Silk Jones- EROTIC ROMANCE- Silk Jones writes erotica, erotic romance and erotic poetry.

Although she began writing poetry, song lyrics and fiction as a child, Silk wrote her first novel during National November Writing Month in 2007. Since then, she has written three novels (outside the erotica genre) and several erotic spanking stories to entertain her friends. She hopes that you enjoy her sexy stories and her journey to publication.

Suza Kates- PARANORMAL- Suza Kates writes the Savannah Coven Series along with other romantic suspense and paranormal novels and was a 2014 Readers’ Crown finalist.As a self-proclaimed twisted romantic, she enjoys magic, danger, and love in equal measure. She lives in Savannah with her family and four imperialistic cats and is working on her next two series.

RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A Megan Kelly- CONTEMPORARY- Megan Kelly writes contemporary romance. Whether set in Missouri, Illinois or Montana, all feature matters of the heart, family dilemmas and quirky citizens. She lives in the Midwest where the weather has an imagination (and sense of humor) of its own.

Sandra Kerns- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Born in upstate New York, Sandra is officially the only Yankee in her family (and yes, a die-hard Yankees fan), as the rest were born in Kentucky. If you ever speak to her in person, don’t be surprised when a “y’all” pops out. Sandra has always loved words. By seventh grade she should have known she would be a writer, when much to the regret of her classmates, she chose idiosyncrasies as a spelling word. One of the high points of her life was the first time she beat her mother at Scrabble! Sandra now lives in Northern Colorado where she writes her stories of love from a sweetheart-of-a-town. With the majestic Rocky Mountains, family, and friends to inspire her she never lacks for ideas.

Jody A Kessler- PARANORMAL- When Jody isn’t navigating the terrain of her imagination and writing it down, she can be found exploring the wilderness of Colorado with her family, or in the kitchen baking cookies & brownies – and then trying not to eat them all. She’s passionate about continuing to learn and reads anything and everything that catches her interest. Jody is a full time mom, a Reiki Master, and has taught Hatha yoga for over a decade.

Eve Langlais- PARANORMAL- New York Times & USA Today Bestseller- Hello, my name is Eve and I am a Canadian author who loves to write hot romance, usually with werewolves, cyborgs or aliens. I should warn you that I possess a twisted imagination and a sarcastic sense of humor something I like to let loose in my writing. I enjoy strong alpha males, and shifters. Lots of big, overprotective shifters. I am also extremely partial to aliens, the kind who like to abduct humans and then drive them insane...with pleasure. Do you like something a little darker? Then check out my cyborgs whose battle with humanity have captivated readers worldwide.

Evelyn Lederman- PARANORMAL- When Evelyn Lederman retired from her career as an insurance executive, she cheerfully anticipated the freedom to finally spend as much time reading as she’d always wanted.The twist in her story came when as -yet unwritten characters started cropping up in her thoughts, asking her to tell their stories. Now, she spends her days in Florida on the beach… with her laptop. ‘The Chameleon Soul Mate’ is the first book in her paranormal romance series, ‘Worlds Apart’.

Dianna Love- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE/FANTASY- New York Times bestsellerDianna Love once dangled over a hundred feet in the air to create unusual marketing projects for Fortune 500 companies. She now writes high-octane romantic thrillers, young adult (as USA Today bestseller Micah Caida) and urban fantasy. On the rare occasions Dianna is out of her writing cave, she tours the country on her BMW motorcycle searching for new story locations.

Dianna lives in the Atlanta, GA area with her husband who is a motorcycle instructor and with a tank full of unruly saltwater critters.

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AUTHORS JM Madden- CONTEMPORARYNew York Times and USA Today BestsellerJ.M. Madden writes compelling romances between ‘combat modified’ military men and the women who love them. J.M. (the J stands for Jennifer, not Jim as she’s been asked MANY times!) loves any and all good love stories, most particularly her own. She has two beautiful children and a husband who always keeps her on her toes. J.M. was a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio for nine years, until hubby moved the clan to Kentucky. When not chasing the family around, she’s at the computer, reading and writing, perfecting her craft. She occasionally takes breaks to feed her animal horde and is trying to control her office-supply addiction, but both tasks are uphill battles.

Happily, she is writing full-time and always has several projects in the works.

Kallypso Masters- CONTEMPORARY- USA Today BestsellerKallypso Masters writes emotional, realistic Romance novels with dominant males (for the most part) and the women who can bring them to their knees. She also has brought many readers to their knees— having them experience the stories right along with her characters in the Rescue Me series. Kally knows that Happily Ever After takes maintenance, so her couples don’t solve all their problems and disappear at “the end” of their Romance, but will continue to work on real problems in their relationships in later books in the series. Kally has been writing full-time since May 2011, having quit her “day job” the month before. Kally lives in rural Kentucky and has been married for almost 30 years to the man who provided her own Happily Ever After.

Sylvia McDaniel- HISTORICAL- Sylvia McDaniel is a best-selling, award-winning author of historical romance and contemporary romance novels. Known for her sweet, funny, family-oriented romances, Sylvia is the author of The Burnett Brides, a western historical western series, The Cuvier Widows, a Louisiana historical series, and several short contemporary romances. Former President of the Dallas Area Romance Authors, a member of the Romance Writers of America®, and a member of Novelists Inc, her novel, A Hero’s Heart was a 1996 Golden Heart Finalist. Several other books have placed or won in the San Antonio Romance Authors Contest, LERA Contest, and she was a Golden Network Finalist.

Misha McKenzie- PARANORMAL- I have always loved to read. It’s said in my family that I refused to start kindergarten because I didn’t know how. So my grandfather sat me down, at four years old, and showed me how all those words became amazing stories. All these years later, and I still love to loose myself in the pages of a book. After graduating from high school, I attended college and earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration. I married the man I met in high school and we had two handsome boys. For the next few years worked and took care of my family. The writing bug didn’t hit me until much, much later. It was shortly after I started working as an office manager in a construction company that a family of witches started clamoring for attention.The next thing I knew, I was writing my first novel. And because these witches insisted on having their stories told, it turned into The Magic of the Heart Series.

Tina Moss- URBAN FANTASY- Tina Moss is an award-winning author of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and New Adult novels. She lives in NYC with a supportive husband and alpha corgi, though both males hog the bed and refuse to share the covers. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching cheesy horror flicks, traveling, and karate. As a 5’1” Shotokan black belt, she firmly believes that fierce things come in small packages.

RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A Nancy Naigle- CONTEMPORARY- USA Today bestseller- Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her contemporary romance series, Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, cooking, and the occasional spa day with friends.

A native of Virginia Beach, she now calls North Carolina home.

Kristen Painter- PARANORMAL- I’m a former college English teacher, but I’ve held a crazy mix of other jobs including maitre’d for Wolfgang Puck, personal trainer, and sales for Christian Dior Bijoux. I have a *slight* shoe addiction and occasionally indulge in an unnecessary handbag. Hah! That was a joke.

There is no such thing as an unnecessary handbag. I love make up and jewelry and spa days.Yes, I’m a girly girl. But don’t think that makes me weak. I can (and do) kill off characters with the best of them. Speaking of which…My forays into writing have been as varied as the jobs I’ve held. I’ve written poetry, articles for magazines, short stories, paranormal romances (that include fantasy, contemporary and steampunk genres) and now I’ve found a home with urban fantasy. I love worldbuilding and few genres give you the kind of license urban fantasy does.

Bonnie Phelps- CONTEMPORARY- Bonnie used her writing skills throughout her professional life as a fundraiser and marketer for several nonprofits. She enjoyed the chance to tell and share the story of worthy organizations. In the late 1980s, Bonnie authored a syndicated column in several California newspapers in which she shared the experiences and misadventures of life as a wife and mother. The jury is out on whether or not her children always appreciated her candor. Because Bonnie has romance in her soul, she also worked as a Wedding Planner for several years. Absolutely loved it!! She craves anything sweet, revels in any chance to travel, is addicted to Ancestry.com and sees a family saga novel somewhere in her future featuring her German immigrant great grandparents. A native Californian, the author lives in Northern California with her husband.

Red Phoenix- EROTIC ROMANCE- USA Today Bestseller- Red Phoenix is an award-winning erotica author who gained popularity with her book, Brie Learns the Art of Submission - #1 Best Seller in Erotica.

Brie Embraces the Heart of Submission: After Graduation is the second book in the series. She has won 3 reader choice awards at the Indie Romance Convention in 2013 for her various novels and continues to inspire couples with her writing.

Caridad Pineiro- CONTEMPORARY- New York Times & USA Today Bestseller- Caridad was born in Havana, Cuba, and settled in the New York Metropolitan area. She attended Villanova University on a Presidential Scholarship and graduated magna cum laude. Caridad earned her juris doctor from St. John’s University and became the first female partner of Abelman, Frayne & Schwab, an intellectual property firm in midtown Manhattan.

Allie Pleiter- CONTEMPORARY/INSPIRATIONAL - An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two,Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework.

Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois.The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, twelve novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing.

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AUTHORS Michel Prince- CONTEMPORARYMichel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes new adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance. With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you. When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, cat and new puppy.

Jewel Quinlan- CONTEMPORARY- Jewel Quinlan had an abundant imagination and strong desire to write novels since she was very young. She has a passion for writing paranormal and fantasy romance but often finds herself straying into new areas like contemporary and suspense because her imagination just won’t let up. An avid traveler, she has visited fifteen countries so far (which she enjoys using as setting in her novels) and has plans to see more of the world. She has a particular fondness for Bavaria and studies the German language as one of her hobbies. During the day, she work as a pharmaceutical sales representative and, at night, she writes romance. She currently lives in Orange County, California with her dog Penny. Jewel is kept in shape

by Penny’s frequent demands for walks and squeak toy time.

Diane J. Reed- PARANORMAL- Diane J. Reed is a multi-award winning author who writes novels that are infused with enchantment, where characters dare to break through boundaries & believe in true love. She has a soft spot for artisans & outlaws of the heart, those of us who burn brightly to live each day as a gift--because it is! Along with her passion for books, she enjoys hiking, painting, chocolate & spending time with her family in the Rocky Mountains.

Teri Riggs- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Teri Riggs was destined to be a writer. As a small girl she didn’t read bedtime stories, she made up her own. Who needed Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs when there were so many great tales bouncing around in her head? When she grew up and became a mother to three little girls, she continued the tradition of making up bedtime stories. On the occasions she chose to tell conventional fairytales, Teri usually gave them a bit of tweaking here and there or added a new ending. Her girls loved it. After her daughters had the nerve to actually grow up and leave home, Teri discovered she had a passion for writing and jumped right in. It came as no surprise she chose to write mysteries and happily-ever-after’s since that’s the genres she loves to read.Teri lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, one of her daughters and two dogs that seem to think they rule the world. And some days Teri thinks maybe they do. Teri still frequently tells herself stories as she falls asleep. The only difference now is she wakes up the next morning and turns her bedtime stories into books.

RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A Kym Roberts- MYSTERY- Three career paths resonated for Kym during her early childhood: a detective, an investigative reporter, and...a nun. Being a nun, however, dropped by the wayside when she became aware of boys--they were the spice of life she couldn’t deny. In high school her path was forged when she took her first job at a dry cleaners and met every cop in town, especially the lone female police officer in patrol. From that point on there was no stopping Kym’s pursuit of a career in law enforcement--even if she had to duct tape rolls of coins to her waist to meet the weight requirements to be hired. Kym followed her dream and became a detective that fulfilled her desire to be an investigative reporter, with one extra perk--a badge. Promoted to sergeant Kym spent the majority of her career in SVU. She retired from the job reluctantly when her husband drug her kicking and screaming to another state, but writing continued to call her name, at least in her head.

Cate Rowan- FANTASY- Cate has washed laundry in a crocodile-infested African lake, parasailed over a Mexican beach, swum with dolphins in the Florida Keys and had Costa Rican monkeys poop in her hair, but her favorite adventures are in story worlds.Writing became a force in her life when clever elementary school teachers assigned weekly creative writing projects. She wrote through high school, particularly when bored in class. (Rumor has it those early pages consisted of fantasies about Duran Duran, but she is silent on the issue and keeps those notebooks from prying eyes.) She put fiction aside to earn a Ph.D.--but her muse, even while stuffed in a dark closet, never shut up. Now her lush fantasy romances about magical deeds, kismet, and true love in realms near and far have won more than thirty awards. At RomCon2014, Cate wore medieval gowns and hip-length purple and red wigs. (Yes, the wigs hurt her head, but sometimes fantasy fashion is worth the pain.) She might do the same in 2015, so keep an eye out for unusual hair and garb!

J.S. Scott- CONTEMPORARY- New York Times & USA Today bestseller- She’s an avid reader of all types of books and literature. Writing what she loves to read, J.S. Scott writes both contemporary steamy romance stories and paranormal romance erotics. They almost always feature an Alpha Male and have a happily ever after because she just can’t seem to write them any other way!

Pat Simmons- CONTEMPORARY/INSPIRATIONAL- Amazon Bestseller- Pat Simmons is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth. She is passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels, in hopes of tracking down distant relatives who happen to pick up her books. She has been a genealogy enthusiast since her great-grandmother died at the young age of ninety-seven in 1988. Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience. She believes God is the Author who advances the stories she writes. Pat has a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She has worked in various positions in radio, television, and print media for more than twenty years. Currently, she oversees the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions.

SE Smith- SCI-FI- New York Times & USA Today Bestseller and #1 Amazon Bestseller- Susan enjoys sharing her amazing worlds filled with action, adventure, love, laughter and tears with her readers. Her stories focus on strong characters and the dynamics of their relationships as they deal with diverse situations. She is known for her world building that takes readers away. She is a true dreamer who believes in HEA.

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AUTHORS Tiffany Snow- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Tiffany attended the University of Missouri – Columbia, attaining two degrees in History and Social Studies Education. After working many years as an instructor and consultant in the Information Technology field, Tiffany now writes full-time. Tiffany loves to read and has been reading romance novels since she was way too young to read such things. She has an unhealthy obsession for all things Doctor Who, prefers Pepsi to Coke and Absolut to both, thinks men who drink girly cocktails are wusses, has learned to never stop believing in her beloved St. Louis Cardinals, and can recite the entire scripts of When Harry Met Sally and Apollo 13. George Washington is cool, Bon Jovi still rocks the house, and Bruce Willis is the ultimate alpha-male hero. Married with two wonderful daughters, Tiffany and her family make their home in Kansas City, Missouri, not far from where she was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.

Sandy Sullivan- EROTIC ROMANCE- My journey to being a published author began when I was in between jobs a few years ago and sat down to write. I’d thought about it for years and just decided to do it.

It took me about 2 months to write Texas Lady. I sent it off to a couple of friends and asked for some feedback. All I got was, “you need to get this published!”

So off it went. I got the standard rejections so I decided to self-publish it. I did the same thing with two other books before I broke down and sent one of them out to a publisher again.

I live in Middle Tennessee on my 6 acre farm with my husband, 4 horses, 3 dogs and 2 cats who are more spoiled than kids. When I die, I want to come back as a spoiled cat. Mine do nothing but lay around, sleep, eat and use the litter box.

I’m also a registered nurse by education and usually work the emergency room, medical/surgical floor or cardiac floor and you’ll find lots of medical information within my storylines.

CA Szarek- PARANORMAL/ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Bestselling, award winning author of romantic suspense and epic fantasy romance, C.A. loves to dabble in different genres. If it’s a good story, she’ll write it, no matter where it seems to fit! She’s a hopeless romantic and always will be.

Risking it all for Happily Ever After is what she lives by! She’s originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She’s happily married and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She works with kids when she’s not writing.

Jodi Thomas- CONTEMPORARY/HISTORICAL- New York Times & USA Today Bestseller- Jodi Thomas has published over 30 books in both the historical romance and contemporary genres, the majority of which are set in her home state of Texas. Publishers Weekly calls her novels “Distinctive...

Memorable,” and that in her stories “[tension] rides high, mixed with humor and kisses more passionate than most full-on love scenes.” In 2006, Romance Writers of America (RITA) inducted Thomas into the RWA Hall of Fame for winning her third RITA for THE TEXAN’S REWARD. She also received the National Readers’ Choice Award in 2009 for TWISTED CREEK (2008) and TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN (2008). While continuing to work as a novelist, Thomas also functions as Writer in Residence at the West Texas A&M University campus, where she inspires students and alumni in their own writing pursuits.

RomCon 2015- READER WEEKEND ATTENDING A LaVerne Thompson- CONTEMPORARY/FANTASY- I am an award winning, bestselling, multi-published author, an avid reader and a writer of contemporary, fantasy, and sci/fi sensual romances with interracial characters. I also write romantic suspense and new adult under the pen name Ursula Sinclair my alter ego who likes her relationships a little more complicated.

Marie Tuhart- EROTIC ROMANCE- Marie Tuhart can’t remember a time when she didn’t have a book in her hands. A voracious reader since childhood, she has a TBR pile so big that she finally gave up and rented storage space! Though her family doesn’t really understand the stacks of books in her study, or the way Marie will stare off into space when she’s thinking of yet another sexy scene between her hero and heroine, they support her completely in her writing endeavors. She began writing at 19, and in 1994 decided to join RWA and get serious about publishing. When she isn’t reading or writing, Marie loves to spend time in bookstores. A world traveler, she enjoys searching out corners of the glove she hasn’t experienced yet. While still totally open to finding her own tall, dark and handsome, she is certainly enjoying the journey. Her Aries Sun makes her impatient, courageous, and something of a daredevil. Her Virgo Moon makes her exacting and a perfectionist for that telling detail.

Julie Ann Walker- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- New York Times & USA Today Bestseller- Julie Ann Walker is the author of the award-winning Black Knights Inc. romantic suspense series. She has won the Book Buyers Best Award, been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award and the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award. Julie is prone to spouting movie quotes and song lyrics. She’ll never say no to sharing a glass of wine or going for a long walk. She prefers impromptu travel over the scheduled kind, and she takes her coffee with milk.You can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission.

Marsha R. West- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Marsha R. West, a retired elementary school principal, is also a former school board member and threatre arts teacher. She writes Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required. Marsha lives in Texas with her supportive lawyer husband. Her grandchildren live nearby.

Jude Willhoff- CONTEMPORARY- Some of Jude Willhoff’s earliest and happiest memories are of reading and writing. She started reading at an early age. Being an only daughter and living out in the country far from friends, she had to find other outlets for entertainment. In good weather, she’d climb into her treehouse with a book and be content for hours hidden among the branches.

In lousy weather, she was happy to spend time in her room, reading,or writing in her journal. At one time, she thought she’d like to be an investigative reporter, but became sidetracked in college. A husband, children and life have a way of changing things. Currently, Jude resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado with her beloved husband, Rob and their longhaired, tabby, attack cat. She is the mother of four and grandmother to six precious granddaughters who keep her busy when she’s not writing.

Delaney Williams- EROTIC ROMANCE - Delaney Williams was born on a hot summer day in Oklahoma but quickly moved to outside San Fran, which only slightly explains her oddities.

She writes romance and erotica with a purpose (bullying/Cancer). She is addicted to tattoos and hard rock/heavy metal. She loves reading all types of books and reads voraciously. She oves all readers and can’t wait to meet any and everyone there!

AUTHORS Cynthia Woolf- HISTORICALAmazon Bestseller- Cynthia Woolf is the author of six historical western romance books and one short story with more books on the way. She was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends. Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug.

She wrote her first story at the age of ten. Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she’s made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.

Jennifer Zane- CONTEMPORARY/ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- Jennifer Zane has lived all over the country--from Georgia to Maryland, New York to Colorado, including an exciting five years in Montana. Her time in Big Sky country was the basis for her Gnome series. When she’s not writing, she savors the insanity of raising two boys, is figuring out how many meals she can make with a pressure cooker, and teaches a pretty mean karate class. She currently lives with her family in Colorado.

Rebecca Zanetti- CONTEMPORARY/ROMANTIC SUSPENSE- New York Times and USA Today Bestseller- Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner - only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romances. Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day--or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

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Romantic Suspense

Romantic Suspense

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Romantic Suspense

SANDRA KERNS INTERVIEW WITH HARLAN FROM HARLAN’S HAVEN, BOOK 6 IN THE COLORADO SKIES SERIES

A

re you ready for a Colorado style treat? Well, have one for you, the hero from my latest release, Harlan’s Haven, Major Harlan Granger from Bluff’s Corner, Colorado. It was tough getting him to agree to an interview. He prefers to be the one asking questions, so I decided to let him tell us what he wanted. With that, let me turn the floor over to him.

Let me set the record straight before we continue.

It’s Harlan or Granger. I’m not in the U.S. Army anymore and prefer you didn’t remind of that fact, so no Major. Also, I’m no hero. The men and women who died serving with me, they’re the heroes.

Now, you said you wanted some history.

I was born in Bluff’s Corner, a small, quiet, mountain town in Northern Colorado. I’m the oldest of four children and have two brothers and one sister. Both of my parents are alive and still live in the same house where I grew up. Larry, the brother after me, owns a bar and has an apartment upstairs from it.That’s where I’m staying while I’m in town. Larry is a homebody.

Always has been. Gil and Priscilla are more like me.

They want to see the world and don’t spend much time in Bluff’s Corner anymore. It’s not that there were any problems at home, just typical small town growing pains, I’d guess. Anyway, I’m home now, at least for a while.

The town took a big hit when the Big Thompson River flooded last year. A lot of places and families aren’t coming back. Our family home has some major damage. My parents are staying with my grandmother for now. I plan to get the house back in livable condition while I wait for the shrapnel in my back to decide my fate. It will give me time to figure out where I’m going to go when the worst happens.

One thing I can tell you is it won’t be here. I’m not 52

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watching my family pity me for the rest of my miserable life. They’re all used to me taking care of business, not being the one needing care.

Anyway, that doesn’t matter.What matters is figuring out what or rather who is causing my brother and Rilie, his pixie neighbor, trouble. With luck, not that I’m well acquainted with lady luck, I can take care of the problem before I have to leave. I know it won’t be easy with her in the mix. The woman’s determined to bring sunshine and smiles everywhere she goes. What if a man wants to be in the shadows? What if he likes being alone? Did she ever consider that? Doubtful, she’s as stubborn as the Colorado River is long. She has nice curves like the Colorado, too.

Yeah, I noticed, but that’s it. I’m not messing anyone else’s life up. I’ve done enough of that. From now on, I’m only messing up my own.

Romantic Suspense

EXCERPT: Bright lights and an air horn blaring catapulted Harlan from his thoughts. He cut the wheel hard to the right.

“Sonofabitch,” he hissed. His heart did a staccato beat on his ribcage. He pulled to the shoulder for a minute. After popping the gearshift to neutral, he pulled on the emergency brake and then fell against the back of the seat.The dust and dirt whirling in the beam of his headlights echoed what he’d been remembering before the air horn. At least this time his blood pressure had a reason other than his memories for being in the stratosphere.

Maybe he should have flown home and had Larry pick him up. The thought that he would have had to return to the base to pick up his truck reminded him of why he hadn’t done just that. The pity in the eyes of those at the hospital had been bad enough when he was still commissioned. There was no way he would survive going back on base again now that he’d been discharged.

He gave his heart a few minutes to recover while he considered his options. There weren’t many. Releasing the emergency brake, he put the truck back in gear, checked his mirrors, tapped his lights to high since there was no other traffic, and pulled back onto the road.

“You’re almost there. No reason to stop now.There’s nothing to go back to anyway. Besides, Larry’s expecting you. If you don’t show up soon he’ll panic and send out a search party.”

Hearing himself say the last made him grin. When he’d called his brother last night, Larry was already worried because the drive was taking twice as long.

Usually laid-back, Larry became a world-class worrier if he had an inkling something might be wrong. That tone had come through the phone line loud and clear. Harlan knew if he didn’t make it home tonight, there would be hell to pay.

The extra illumination from his high beams gave him a look at more of the flood damage he’d noticed while driving across the plains. Now in the foothills, he could see places where the river’s path had changed.

“I guess nothing stays the same forever,” he said as he took the next ramp off the highway. Twenty minutes and four turns later, he was on the main road through town.The small mountain town near the Big Thompson River had changed from more than just the flood since he left almost fifteen years ago. If it wasn’t almost midnight, he expected he would notice even more differences. He’d had a chance to talk with his brother shortly after the flooding. Larry had said the town had some major damage, but everyone in Bluff’s Corner pitched in and it had bounced back.

He saw the new sign above the door to his brother’s bar a block down the street. Taking a deep breath, Harlan turned right onto the street then right again into the back parking lot. He pulled up beside his brother’s old car. The kid had bought the car in high school planning to fix it up. Obviously, that never happened, he thought with a grin.

After pulling the keys from the ignition, Harlan leaned on the steering wheel and looked at the back of the building. It was quiet. He thought back to when he’d grown up in this town. A few times over the years, there had been minor troubles, but nothing huge. The peaceful area, with the nearby creek, stream, or river depending on whom you talked to, fit Larry and their parents well.Their brother Gil and their baby sister, Priscilla were more like him. They wanted to see what else was out there. He had been more than ready to leave by the time he graduated from high school.

Now he wondered why.

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Romantic Suspense

DIANNA LOVE EXCERPT: STOLEN VENGEANCE BOOK 6 IN THE SLYE TEMP ROMANTIC SUSPENSE SERIES

“

If you need another favor, Dingo Paddock, the answer is no.” Valene’s words held enough edge to cut through the tension crowding the air. “I’m busy and I don’t have time for any of this, this ... whatever it is you’re here for.”

“I know you’re busy and I just need to talk to you,” he repeated gently. He couldn’t get past just taking her in. How many days and long nights had he imagined being this close to her again?

She was the sexiest thing he’d ever known.

One of her smiles would be worth the punishment he’d put his body through since yesterday to get here, just to see her alive and safe. He knew every inch of the beautiful body hidden inside that black-on-black mandarin style suit.

Damn. If he didn’t stop thinking about her sans the suit, he wouldn’t be able to walk.

“Well?” Valene snapped. “You got what you wanted.

I’m sitting here.”

If he had what he wanted, she’d be in his arms and he’d be kissing the lips he missed more than he’d thought possible.That was never going to happen again, especially now when he had to open a wound that had never healed.

He asked, “Remember back when I was looking for information on a man named Giuseppe?”

Her gaze sizzled with fury. She crossed her arms.

Yes, she remembered.

Shaking her head, she laughed and it came out as a dark sound.“Seven years.You disappear for seven years, then show up out of the blue a month ago needing help, and now you want to talk about the last time I saw you before you walked away without a word?”

He’d left her seven years ago, knowing she’d hate him.

He’d hurt her by leaving and saying nothing. But if he’d taken that risk, then the gamble to get inside 54

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Satan’s Garden Club and stop them from touching her would have been for naught.

But he wasn’t going to reach for the sympathy vote by explaining it now, even if he could share that information, which he couldn’t.

“Giuseppe went missing–” Dingo started.

“So you need to find him again?” she broke in, acid dripping off her words.

“Forget it. I made one exception to stop a terrorist. All your good deals are gone.”

She’d been their key to a successful mission last month. He admitted, “We were lucky to prevent the Orion Hunters from pulling off that attack in May, but more than being lucky we had you.

If not for you, we might have lost that battle, Val. You saved a lot of lives.”

Romantic Suspense She glanced away. “Whatever.”

He’d seen her eyes glisten. She’d never been one to preen over compliments. If anything, they made her wary. He’d like to know why, wished he’d have a chance to find out.

You could have dug around online and found out about her past.

He didn’t have a lot of rules, but unless it had to do with stopping a criminal or protecting someone, he respected the privacy of those people who meant something to him.

He’d bent that rule just to find her today by triangulating her phone signal, but as far as he was concerned, this fell under protecting someone important to him.

He explained, “About Giuseppe.

I thought he was a distant relation of the man I was looking for back then, but I was wrong.”

Understatement of the century.

“Then you should have had me look for the guy you wanted, not his neighbor or cousin or whatever.

That’s not my fault.”

“Let me get this out,Valene. Please.”

She waved her hands in an exasperated youhave-the-floor motion.

“Giuseppe was

connected to a very dangerous group back then. If I’d had any idea that he was running guns for the man I was hunting, I’d have never asked you to do it.”

“Guns. As in black market guns?”

“Among other things, yes.”

She groused, “It seems to me that some alphabet agency with hotdog operators like you should be able to find a gun runner.”

“We did.”

She flipped her hands in the air again and let out a long growl of exasperation. “So what’s the problem, 007? Still need help finding Giuseppe? Again? Run out of women to do your research or are they not letting you pay in trade?”

He flinched at the verbal strike. “I never treated you that way.” What they did after hours had nothing to do with his job or her contract work for him. She knew that, but she’d waited seven years to rail at him and he deserved it. That didn’t mean he could take it without grinding his back teeth.

Her gaze darted all over the place before it zeroed in on him again.“How am I supposed to know what was true and what was your job?”

“Believe whatever you will, but I have never mixed business and pleasure. I would never show you that lack of respect.”

She was holding on to her righteous anger and she had every right to it, but he saw her chin quiver before she sat up straight and put on her game face. “You’re burning my daylight and I’m not on your payroll now. If you need Giuseppe–” Dingo said, “No. Giuseppe died six years ago. I only came to make sure you’re safe.”

Her face softened and she got that dewy look she used to have when he’d show up after being gone weeks–or months. They’d stare at each other for all of five seconds, then shred clothes in an explosion of kissing and hot sex.

God, he missed the way she kissed.

He missed holding her when she slept.

He’d give up all his tomorrows for an hour with her in his arms, but not until he had her tucked away out of view.

When she didn’t say anything, he took this calm moment to explain. “I need you to leave LA for a while.

Maybe three or four weeks tops. I can put you in a safe house, just–” “No.” Whatever softness had been there vanished under the return of an anger flash fire. “In fact, hell no.”

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Romantic Suspense Dingo leaned forward. “There’s a chance that some of those people from seven years ago are back.”

“And how is that a problem for me? I’m not involved with any of them.”

“I don’t want to risk you being out in the open until I can confirm that you are definitely not on their radar.”

She leveled him with a you-must-be-kidding glare.

“Oh, so let me get this straight. You want me to go into hiding because of someone who might figure out that I gave you information on Giuseppe like ...” She dropped her hands. “Seven freaking years ago? Who is this supposed threat to me?”

This was where it got difficult. If he told her,Valene’s insatiable curiosity would push her to find answers.

That’s why Dingo had ended up taking the gamble of his life to get inside Garcia’s organization. He was not going to allow her to make that same mistake twice.

He said, “I don’t know yet.”

She shook her head at some thought then stared at him, counting off each point on her fingers as she spoke. “You vanish for years and show up again only because you need something. I do my part for mankind and the US of A, help you out then you’re gone again–” “I would have come back this time,” he muttered, but she ignored him and kept going.

“–and now back once more with some wild story about how someone from forever-years ago might find out I helped you locate Giuseppe. Oh, and he’s dead!

Now you want me to go into hiding while you do what exactly?” She gave him a half beat then added, “No, let me answer. You won’t tell me because you don’t trust me with anything but your dick.”

He wouldn’t trust her with that right now. “I know how it sounds,Val, but–” “I’m. Done. This bullshit stops here.”

“Valene, I’m serious about this. Just work with me–” “No.” He knew that voice, it came with a rigid backbone that bent for nothing and no one.

Don’t lose your temper with her. He’d had spectacular rows with Val in the past, but this was not one of those times he could let her blow off steam then seduce her.

Could he?

He reached out to touch her face.

She leaned away, giving his hand the same consideration someone would give a rattlesnake coiled to attack.

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Nope. Seduction was not on the menu.

He said, “Just consider what I’m asking and we’ll talk more later.”

She pointed her finger. “You come near me again and I’ll, I’ll ...”

“What?”

“Have a restraining order issued.”

“You don’t have enough information on me to do that.” Damn, the minute those words were out he wanted them back.

She dropped her finger, hurt flowing across her face.

“And that will never change, will it, Dingo?”

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Romantic Suspense

Marsha R.

WEST

H

ave you always gravitated towards being an author?

The short answer is probably, “No.” Have I always used my imagination? Now the answer to that is a decided, “Yes!” As an only child moving around a lot in a military family I frequently only had imaginary friends to play with. I wrote a play in 8th grade about the Civil War. I was born in Columbia, South Carolina and think I was searching for my roots. Then again shortly after I was married, I took a creativity class and wrote a short story about a couple’s first Thanksgiving.

My memory is that it was very autobiographical.

What is your latest book about? Was it inspired by a certain event/person/ memory, etc?

My latest book, SECOND ACT, just released the end of March. It’s Book 1 of a series about four women who first met at summer camp as kids. The idea was suggested by my younger daughter who with her sister went to a summer camp in east Texas from the time they were in elementary school through college when they were counselors.The friends they met so long ago are still very important to them and are close whether they see each other frequently or not.

What genres have you written besides romance? Is there a genre you haven’t tried yet but want to in the future?

I’ve only written romantic suspense, which I love to read, cutting my teeth on Victoria Holt, Mary Stuart, and Phyllis Whitney. I specifically write Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required.

My characters are a bit older, but love still finds them after murder, mayhem, and family strife. If I were to branch out, it would be with a touch of paranormal of the psychic variety. But the three more books in the Second Chances Series, will keep me busy for a while.

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What are some of your hobbies when you are not chained to the computer?

Don’t laugh, please. I love to watch HGTV, specifically House Hunters, Fixer Upper, and Beach Bargain Hunt.

Even when I’m not watching, the station is on in the den. I love to look at real estate. One of my daughters is an agent and sometimes she needs me to go along to help with the kids. And then, probably my favorite thing is to plan vacations, especially ones in New England and specifically in Maine. It’s so easy when you can look on line. Helpful hint to anyone trying to rent your place: Make sure you have good pictures of your bathroom and the view! For me those are the deciding factors.

If you had three things on your writing desk at any given moment what are they?

Unsweet iced tea in any weather, my iPhone, and a plaque my husband got me in Maine that says, “Everything will be alright in the end. If it is not—it is not the end.”

Perfect for a romance writer.

Romantic Suspense EXCERPT FROM SECOND ACT Monday, September 24

“

You promised this wouldn’t happen again, Clay.” Addison Greer glared at the man sitting across from her in her Cowtown Theatre office, the pitch of her voice higher than she intended. She hated confrontations, but those red numbers marching across the spreadsheets covering her desk made her stomach roil and her hands shake.

“Yeah, I know, Addison. I needed more wood than I’d anticipated. After we put the first set together, it didn’t work out, and we had to start over. It wasn’t my fault.” His leg draped over the arm of the chair as if he had no worries, but his voice had taken on the whiny tone that sent Addie’s blood pressure into the stratosphere.

Her fingers tightened around the marker she’d used to highlight the deficits. “No? Then whose? Going over budget isn’t an option, Clay.

The theatre can’t survive this way, and since you can’t change, you won’t make it here either.” Addison hated to put it that way, but damn, she’d been plenty patient with Clay Bennett, the theatre’s artistic director.

“What do you mean, I won’t make it. Are you threatening my job?” He set both feet solidly on the floor, jutted out his chin, and clenched his hands on the arms of the chair.

Good thing she wasn’t alone in the building with him. She suspected he’d like to take a swing at her.

The first show of the fall season closed last night,

and crewmembers were working all over the place disassembling the set, cleaning the costumes, and evaluating make-up needs.

“That’s exactly what I mean, Clay.” The steel in her voice was unmistakable.

“We had full houses during the run of the show, but we didn’t make enough to pay for the production. You have failed consistently to bring in shows on or under budget. I won’t let you continue to drown us in red ink.”

She shoved the pages on her desk in his direction. He glanced at the sheets and broke into hysterical laughter. Chills scampered down her back like mice escaping a cat. The man was a creative genius and scary as hell right now, but Addie wouldn’t cut him any slack on the financial issue. She’d given him enough second chances to last two careers.

“Being executive director doesn’t give you the power to fire me, unless you get the support of a supermajority of the board.” His lip curled into a sneer that matched his voice. “And you don’t have that.” He stood up and walked toward the door. His knuckles whitened on the knob before he yanked it open and turned to face her.

“Don’t screw with me, Addison. You’ll lose.” His whiny tone switched to a menacing one.

Her face warmed with the rush of blood at his language. She stood, met his gaze, and clenched her hands into such tight balls the nails cut into her palms. “You mess with this theatre, and I’ll make you sorry, Clay Bennett.”

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