UPDATE: The winner is…Ann Ivey!
*~*~*

Do you ever need a good cry?

Sometimes, I do.

Today, it is dark and rainy. The perfect setting for the broken-hearted protagonist staring out the window with tears running down their face. Yeah- I am that author. I love to write those scenes that make the tears flow, that make you feel. The ones that make you keep reading but you are hurting. Better known as “The Good Stuff.”

When I need to inflict that hurt upon my characters or I feel the emotions building up—I put on this playlist and I let my emotions flow.

The songs are in no particular order and I limited myself to one per artist.

1. “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Live Version from iTunes Festival 2011) by Adele.

To me, Adele is the Queen of Sad. However, there is something about this song being live and the vulnerability that I sense in her voice- instant tears.

2. “Colorblind” by the Cast of Glee

The words! “I only see gray.” I love the imagery in this song.

3. “I Can’t Tell You Why” by the Eagles

True story- I listened to this song on repeat when I was going through a break-up in college. It was my first adult break-up and Timothy B. Schmit’s voice is achingly sweet as he sings about the feelings of frustration and helplessness.

4. “i hate u, i love u” by gnash

Who hasn’t been stuck in this circle? This song speaks to the aggravation that you feel.

5. “Burning House” by Cam

I saw the artist perform this song on an awards show. It was stark and full of pain. Too little, too late.

6. “Hurt” by Johnny Cash

Is this a love song? A tale of drug abuse? Pain set to music? I would answer affirmative to all the above. The perfect pairing of Cash’s roughened voice to the angry, sorrowful lyrics

7. “Yesterday, When I Was Young” by Shirley Bassey

Such a powerful, smooth voice singing about loss and reflection. Dim the lights, sip your favorite beverage, and remember.

8. “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars

The first time I heard this song, I wrote an entire book in my head that became You Only. A list of the simple regrets that soon become a huge problem.

9. “Black” by Pearl Jam

Life and love are never simple. We can grow from pain and learn from our mistakes.

10. “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel

This is a great example of The Piano Man’s skill. The simple words paint a poignant picture of doomed love.

Grab your box of tissues, lock the door, and let go.

To win an e-book copy of one of my books (your choice) please comment below with your favorite sad song.

About the Author

Melanie Jayne has the best life. She spends her days chatting with feisty females, waking up to sexy men, eating chocolate, and wearing pajamas. Her books predominantly feature characters over the age of thirty-five, facing life head-on. They are woman-positive and advocate empowerment.

As M. Jayne she has been tasked with telling the tales of The Novus Pack. Where a human is dumped on a werewolf pack.

She lives a quiet life on a grain farm in central Indiana with her patient husband and their mastiff, Duncan Keith. She loves trashy TV and TMZ.

Learn more about Melanie Jayne:

https://www.facebook.com/ReadMelanieJayne
www.ReadMelanieJayne.com
readmelaniejayne on Instagram
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-jayne
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melanie-jayne 

This former SEAL thought BUD/S training was the challenge of a lifetime until he faced his biggest challenge, teaching a woman who’d never learned trust to trust in them…

Former Navy SEAL, Pierce Hardman, the new guy at Montana Bounty Hunters in Dead Horse, MT, finds that riding with his partner and trainer, Marti Mills, has some perks. Marti’s unlike any woman he’s ever met, and she intrigues him from the start. However, her tough demeanor hides secrets she’d rather keep hidden. Marti’s dedication to her trade leads her to take some interesting risks that only fuel his interest and desire.

Marti’s new partner proves to be her undoing. Until Hardman, she’d never been tempted to cross certain lines. All her old tricks to deflect a man’s interest backfire on her, and soon she finds herself thinking about a life outside of “the hunt” with him.

Just when she’s ready to surrender her solitary life, one last job might cost her everything, even her life.

Pre-Order HARDMAN here!

So, I wrapped up Hardman today! It’s why I’m posting this so late. I wanted to share another snippet from the book. I think you’ll really like this story. It’s very sexy. Much more so than Preacher. Sorry, if that’s not something you love, but Marti and Hardman wrote the story themselves. They were very “handsy.” Have a look at where Marti’s mind tends to go…

“Hardman…hard man,” Marti muttered. Then she thought maybe mumbling his name would make his handle less of an issue. “Har’man.” Now, she was reaching.

She considered calling him by his first name instead, but “Pierce” hit her straight between the thighs. She was double-fucked when she put both names together. Pierce Hardman. Had his mommy wanted him to be a porn star?

The double doors to the detention center entrance swung open, and Hardman strode outside, his gaze landing on his SUV. Wearing the dark, long-sleeved Montana Bounty Hunters T-shirt he’d pulled from his duffel earlier, he looked ripped and edgy. With his angular jaw and prominent cheekbones, he was a handsome man. His nose was slightly slanted, like it had been rearranged a little in a fight. It didn’t detract from his looks one bit. She liked that nose. Liked those gray-blue eyes, too, especially when they narrowed on her.

Yes, he’s very, very cute. And there’s tons of action in this story because Marti has to be a badass. And she’s…creative and fierce, and…can you tell I love her?

Anyway, Hardman will release next TUESDAY!

Inside Hardman, you’ll get a fun glimpse at my next hero, Chase. He’s… Well, I’m not going to give you any hints. He’s all about the job. In fact, he tried to scoop a bounty out from under Marti, because he beat her to guy she’d been trying her best to catch. As you can imagine, the interplay between Chase and Marti was…interesting. Not that kind of interesting—she’s a one-man woman. But Chase and she tend to bump heads. It’s fun. You’ll see. And if you want to go ahead and pre-order his story, follow the link! It will release in June!

Pre-Order CHASE here!

UPDATE: The winner is…Jolene!
*~*~*

My sincere thanks to Delilah for allowing me to return to her wonderful blog and share an update of Diana Cosby’s Romance Readers Build A Habitat For Humanity Home.

A bit of background.  Romance readers are AMAZING, and SO is Habitat For Humanity, a charity that I love supporting and volunteering for.  Several years ago I thought, why not pair the two and help a deserving family receive a home?  And, the Diana Cosby’s Romance Reader’s Build A Habitat For Humanity House fundraiser was born.

I contacted the Habitat For Humanity office in Grayson County, Texas, where I’ve had the honor of helping with several builds and spoke with Laurie Mealy, Executive Director.  She embraced the project and was thrilled at the thought of pairing romance readers, who love stories where heroes and heroines overcome challenges to make their dreams come true, with making the dream of homeownership for a deserving family a reality.

Goal:  Fund an entire home – $55,000. 

I kicked off the challenge by donating $200.  As I write this, we’ve raised $23,735, and we’re only $3,854 away from having raised ½ the funds needed to build a Habitat For Humanity Home!  Romance readers are amazing, and I have complete faith that as the stories they love, they will continue to join together to raise the amount necessary to give a deserving family a home.

How it works:

As readers send donations to Habitat for Humanity of Grayson County for the ‘Diana Cosby’s Readers Build A Habitat For Humanity House of Love,’ the total contributions are updated below the house graphic on the upper right side of their homepage.  Donations can be sent via PayPal by ‘clicking’ on the house, which takes you to the donation page, or by mailing a check or money order to:

Habitat for Humanity of Grayson County
901 N. Grand Avenue
P.O. Box 2725
Sherman, TX 75091

*Please note on your donation: ‘For Diana Cosby’s Romance Readers Build A Habitat For Humanity House.’

Again, my sincere thanks to Delilah for allowing me to return to her blog, and another huge thanks to everyone for helping make an incredible difference in a deserving family’s life.  For when they walk into a Habitat For Humanity house, it’s more thank mortar and wood, but a place where they can call home.

*Photos used with permission of Habitat For Humanity Grayson County, TX.

About the Author

A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothers series have been translated into five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.

After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. After the release of the bestselling MacGruder Brothers series and The Oath Trilogy, she released the bestselling The Forbidden Series.

Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.

Contest

***ONE winner will be drawn from everyone who posts on my Habitat For Humanity post on Delilah’s blog between 15 March 2021 – 21 March 2021.  The winner will receive a Mug.

God bless,

Diana Cosby, International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
The Oath Trilogy
MacGruder Brother Series
The Forbidden Series

Today’s post is just a reminder that I do have a book coming soon! If you want to read an excerpt, head over here! It releases on March 23rd! So, if you haven’t already pre-ordered this book, here’s the link!

Get your copy of Hardman!

OMG! I have EIGHT open contests and one FREE book offering! Several of these END SOON! Be sure to check out the list below and enter to win! And because I know some of you love the puzzles, I have one of those to flex your mental muscles. Enjoy!

The puzzle is a picture of the first place I want to travel to once this COVID stuff is under control! Share in the comments where you’d like to go!

Open Contests & Giveaway!

1. Have you ordered your copy of HARDMAN? (Excerpt & Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
2. I love Fridays! (Contest) — Ending soon! Win a FREE book!
3. Beach or Mountains? (Contest–2 Winners!) — Win a FREE book!
4. His make or break moment… (Puzzle-Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. What sounds like…? (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
6. FREE READ! Get your copy now! — This offer ends soon! Everyone, get your FREE read now!
7. Desiree Holt: Critical Density (Contest & Excerpt) — Win a FREE book!
8. Favorite Family Dinners? (Contest) — Win a FREE book!

UPDATE: The winner is…karen s!
*~*~*

I almost forgot to post today! Can I be blamed? Over the past week, I’ve been working on four sets of edits for other authors and trying to wrap up the book I have to have finished and uploaded by next Friday (I know, I’m cutting it close—again!). All that while dealing with my busted tailbone, which is making it hard for me to sit for long periods of time. I’m entitled to whine. I’m getting the work done (while popping copious amounts of Tramadol and Ibuprofen).

Anyway, when I’m searching for topics for this blog, sometimes, I just go with whatever’s on my mind. Right now, I have food on my mind, or rather on my belly. My dd cooked one of our family’s favorite meals—Indian chicken curry with naan bread. I added several large spoonfuls of mango pickle. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a very spicy mix of peppers and slices of mango. It sets my mouth on fire, but I love it. Anyway, we just finished the meal, and I was wondering what the rest of you enjoy for family meals.

Let me know a favorite dish you enjoy for a chance to win your choice of a download of one of my books!

Hello Readers,

I’m Sierra Brave, author of the Horse Mountain Shifters series. I’m excited to be back on Delilah Devlin’s blog today to share an excerpt from my newly released paranormal romance. Scarlett and the Big Bad is a fantasy Red Riding Hood retelling but also the first in a three-book series filled with magic, romance, danger, and angst.

Most everyone knows the original story of Little Red Riding Hood, but Scarlett Capuche, the heroine in my book, is a young woman, who in some ways is as naïve as the original. Imagine being raised away from society and only being taught what your captors want you to know?

I imagine everyone remembers the old lines of “What big eyes you have, Grandmother!” The only elderly matriarch in Scarlett and The Big Bad isn’t exactly on her side, but the (were)wolf is much more open with his intentions. He does reveal something huge to her though…but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Here’s a fun little compare and contrast:

Scarlett and the Big Bad
Fated Fairytales 1

Release Date: March 9, 2021

Promised power and position, Scarlett Capuche left her tiny village to join the prestigious Order of the Phoenix.

Monty Blackwolf never wanted a mate, especially not a human raised on a hidden farm for blood-ritual sacrifice. But his werewolf’s heightened sense of smell drew him to Scarlett’s sweet fragrance from miles away.

Duty-bound to protect her, he will break her of her religious devotion to the magical terrorist group responsible for the murders of his parents and older brother, even if he has to put her over his knee and turn her bottom as red as her hair.

She belongs to him now, and he will claim all of her despite his affliction with a unique, third shifter-form he doesn’t fully understand and isn’t able to control.

Will Monty save Scarlett, or will he prove more dangerous to her than anyone else?

Author’s Note: If you’re offended by steamy fairytale retellings with graphic language, explicit put-you-in-the-moment love scenes, elements of power exchange, and domestic discipline, you might want to look for a different book.

Buy Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VS2SS2N
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VS2SS2N/
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/mKyePP

Excerpt:

As she relaxed against him, his heart drummed against her back, the beat syncing with hers. The lump in her throat dissolved as her chest rose and fell with his.

She stared at the ceiling. The lights appeared to blur as she mewed and groaned. His hands, big and rough, worshiped her skin, every inch touched, washed, tenderly explored but never exploited. After a while, Scarlett blinked and stretched, realizing the naked girl staring at her was her reflection. Monty patted her dry as she sat on the edge of the tub.

“What happened?” Her heart pounded as confusion nipped at her brain.

Standing with only a towel wrapped around his hips, his six firm abdominals close to her eye level, he shrugged. “We had a bath. I think you might have dozed off a little. It’s been a long day.”

She tapped her finger against her lip as he hung up the wet towels before grabbing a fresh one. She most certainly had not been asleep. Now back in her right mind, she remembered every slight movement of his hand, every turn of his fingertips, the coiling in her stomach as the tantalizing sensations coaxed forth primal feelings she’d never imagined she’d possessed. She recalled breathing in his scent so deeply she could taste it even as they laved the fragrance away, and she had fantasized about him manhandling her, forcing her legs open and entering her even though he had not.

About Sierra

Sierra Brave is a multi-published author of heart-pounding, blush-inducing romance with put-you-in-the-moment love scenes. She enjoys writing about a variety of gorgeous alpha males who can’t resist head-strong heroines. Curvy girls have a special place in her heart and often grace the pages of her books. Tales of shifters, cowboys, twisted fairy tales, space pirates, Amazon warriors, and vampires capture her imagination as do tempting spanking and ménage scenarios, but she also engages in more down-to-earth themes such as office romance. You’ll find lots of unique characters and humor in all of her stories.

Follow Sierra:

Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/7332d9f55a11/blushing-press-sign-up-page
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sierra-Brave-Author-1422713414692067
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/BraveSierra
BookSprout: https://booksprout.co/author/2937/sierra-brave
Blog: https://sierrabrave.rocks/news-and-musings/
Website: https://sierrabrave.rocks/