It’s almost here! Conquests: A Smoldering Anthology of Viking Romance releases tomorrow! Let me know whether you’re a Viking fan, too!

If you’d like to chat with the authors who contributed to this book, go like our Facebook page at: Conquests: Viking Romance. We’re busy planning events to tempt you to play. And again, there will be prizes involved, so I know you don’t want to miss that either.

And in the meantime, you can pre-order our book. Right now, it’s just $0.99—but that price won’t last! Here’s the link: Conquests

And if you’d like to read excerpts from the stories inside Conquests, head to our blog: Conquests Blog

You probably already know what inspired the title of my story, “How to Train Your Skjaldmaer.” 

Yeah, I’m a big fan of the movie. I think I’ve watched it a dozen times with the kids. I never mind when they beg to see it one more time.

So, when I was trying to come up with a title for my story in Conquests, the phrase “how to train…” kept banging around. Add that to my love of stories about Viking shieldmaidens, who were female warriors who fought alongside the men, and there you have it.

I loved my story from the first scene when my hero, who has come to retrieve his bride,  first sees his wife. Enjoy!

*~*~*~*~*

How to Train Your Skjaldmaer 

A Viking jarl tricked into marrying a shieldmaiden
sets out to tame his fiery bride

Norway, 924 AD

“That creature is a Jarl’s daughter?” Left unsaid in Lothar’s wide gaze was the fact she would also be Torvald’s wife.

Given the sight that beheld their eyes, Torvald might have felt it unfair to chastise his companion, but he couldn’t overlook the disrespect. So he jerked his elbow backward and up, neatly breaking Lothar’s nose. While the man groaned and bent at the waist to keep the blood streaming toward the rushes covering the rough dirt floor, Torvald stepped deeper into the taproom.

The brawl was well underway. His bride seemed to have things well in hand. Something that might have amused him in his younger days, but he had a position to uphold and ambitions beyond his own jarldom. Bringing back such a wife to his holdings could prove a hindrance to his plans.

Not that she wasn’t a handsome woman. Beneath the dirt on her cheeks and the blood smeared on her chin, her face was nicely formed and her eyes a direct and chilling blue. Her hair was such a pale shade as to be nearly white, and so thick it escaped her braids to fly about her back and buttocks like a wild mare’s mane. And she had surprising strength and stamina in her tall robust frame, which admittedly intrigued him.

As he watched, she turned sideways, gripped the edge of a table, and flipped over it, planting her feet in the center of a large, brutish man’s belly to topple him. The man went down with a roar then kicked out his feet, pulling himself to stand in a single, astonishingly graceful motion.

His bride glanced up the big man’s frame then planted both fists on her hips in a fearless stance. “I tipped a bull once. He thrashed a bit, but didn’t get back to his feet nearly as quickly as you.”

Her words were brusque but admiring, and her expression gave away her cheeky lack of contrition.

The red-headed brute glanced down at her, nostrils flaring, his cheeks so flushed Torvald feared he’d pop a vein—and then suddenly, he tossed back his head and laughed.

The sound was large and loud inside the small, ale-saturated room. He clamped his arm around the woman’s shoulders and turned her toward the bar. “Mead for the lady,” he roared.

The brawl ended in an instant. Laughter and loud claps to shoulders filled the room.

Lothar sidled up beside Torvald, a cloth pressed to his nose as he stared through bruised and swelling eyes. “Will you break something else if I say she’s not exactly the woman Hagar promised?”

Torvald blew out a breath and nodded. “It can’t be the same woman. A sister, perhaps.”

Hagar, the chieftain of the neighboring jarldom, had promised a girl so fair roses blushed in dismay. A woman as slender as a reed, as graceful as a soaring falcon, with hair as dark as midnight, skin as pale as snow.

This harridan’s tall angular frame and blonde hair were the exact opposite of what he’d been promised, and her ruddy complexion was berry brown from exposure to the sun and weather.

“Is it a trick to save his treasure for a higher bidder for the beauty’s hand? This one’s more skjaldmær—shieldmaiden—than bride.”

“I don’t know, but this…” Torvald said, pointing toward the sturdy figure dressed in a man’s breeches and kyrtill wasn’t an acceptable trade. “This will never do.” No matter that she appeared strong and would likely birth warriors full-grown. She’d never stand up to the scrutiny a future queen would face.

Taking a deep breath, he indicated to Lothar to watch the door and strode toward the woman who’d raised a full horn of mead and drank it like water. He tapped her shoulder.

Her gaze swung toward him, a scowl digging a crease between her cold blue eyes.

“Are you Solveig, Hagar’s daughter?”

She set down her empty horn with a thump. “And who is asking?”

“Torvald Haroldson. I have come for you.”

Character Bio on Lia Cassidy…

I’m Lia Cassidy and I was born and raised in Ontario, Oregon, the heart sugar beet country.  My Dad is a farmer and I feel lucky I grew up with my feet in the dirt, wriggling my toes in that warm, sandy soil.  I didn’t really have much computer time because I loved being outdoors.  I came from a large family and often dreamed of having one myself.  When I rode my palomino horse, Goldy, bareback, I would throw my arms out at my sides, riding that rocking chair rhythm aboard my best friend.  I never gave a thought that my life would turn out so horribly different and difficult.  I look back on my wonderful growing up years, a loving set of parents, happy being in Nature, and shake my head.  That’s all gone, now.

Maybe it started because I loved adventure.  I joined the Army after graduating from high school.  I was really great at mechanics and the Army didn’t waste my talents.  I ended up being a mechanic in a motor pool at Bagram, Afghanistan.  I was one of the very few women and worked mostly with men in that building.  But I loved fixing things and I was very good at it.  Two years into my enlistment, I was attacked by two men who worked with me.  I had the duty that night and was alone in the huge building.

My father had taught me an Israeli fighting technique known as Krav maga.  When they pushed me into a corner, wielding knives, threatening to kill me if I didn’t let them rape me, my terror turned to rage.  I wasn’t going to lay down and let it happen,so I fought back.  They weren’t expecting it.  I still remember that terror-filled night like it was yesterday. Once they realized I wouldn’t capitulate?  They tried to kill me because they knew if I escaped, I’d turn them in.  Worse?  To this day, my body bears the scars of their knives.  My world was turned inside out.  I try to hide the scars from others by the kind of clothes I wear, but I can’t conceal all of them.  Men look at me, see the scars and turn away.  I never knew what loneliness was until this life-changing incident happened.

I survived the assault, but barely.  I left the Army and went to work for Delos, a global charity.  I wanted to hide and try to heal.  I was assigned to La Fortuna, Costa Rica, and became the manager for a Home School Foundation charity.  The jungle beauty of this country, the kindness of the people, the loving children who didn’t care about my scars, were exactly what I needed to continue to heal.

But even here, where I hid and was happy, evil stalked me again.  Dante Medina, the local drug lord who lived outside the village, attacked our small school and murdered the two teachers.  His soldiers came after me, to kill me, but I escaped, running for the jungle.  Tears ran down my face over the trauma of losing my two teacher friends.  If I survived Medina’s soldiers tracking me down, what was left of my twenty-five year old life?  Once, as a child I had dreamed of the man I would marry and how happy we would be.  Children would be just another form of love between us.  And since the attack?  I no longer dream those dreams.  And now, this demented monster who is going to hunt me down.  Was there nowhere to hide?

GIVE AWAY:  How do you think you would handle being badly scarred by violence?  Leave a comment below to be entered to win an e-book of NOWHERE TO HIDE.  International entries also accepted!  One winner will be chosen and notified.  Good luck!

NOWHERE TO HIDE

Welcome to my new series, DELOS!  Book 1, NOWHERE TO HIDE, introduces this romantic suspense series.  It features Lia Cassidy and ex-SEAL, Cav Jordan.  There is a FREE prologue, LAST CHANCE by Lindsay McKenna, so be sure to grab an ebook copy of it now!

This free novella is available on the five major ebook platforms (Amazon, KOBO, BN.com, and iTunes/iBooks/Apple on 7.13.15).

Don’t own an ereader but would like the ebook novella?  Come directly to my website, www.lindsaymckenna.com, and receive a free copy of it via the Selz software we have installed.  At the the end of the steps, you’ll receive a FREE copy of LAST CHANCE on your desktop of any device you want it on.

Paperback lovers, sorry, there is no paperback available on this free novella prologue.  But you can still download a copy from my website without any problem.  Try it!  It’s easy and quick!

Visit my website for all things Delos.  Family history, information on present and coming characters, their books, publishing dates, and so much more.  Just go to the Delos tab in the toolbar.  Download quote books on the Family and Delos charity.  Peek into the lives of the children you will read about!   This is a global, multi-national family who has a vision to help those who have less than they do.

Meet each of the siblings of General Robert Culver, USAF, and his Turkish/Greek wife, Dilara Badem-Culver.  Talia is first born.  Dilara then has twins:  Matt and Alexa.  Even though their family is worth billions because the Turkish-American-Greek family owns the largest fleet of container ships in the world, these three siblings learn early on that service to one’s country and being patriotic, is expected of them.

Follow their stories after the two above introductory ones.  Tangled Pursuit is Tal and Wyatt’s book, 11.11.2015.  Forged in Fire is Matt and Dara’s book, 12.3.2015.  Broken Dreams is Alexa and Gage’s book, 1.2.2016.  Paperback/ebook.  Sign up for my quarterly newsletter that brings you ongoing information about Delos and other series I’m writing.  Exclusive info.  A give-away. And more!  www.lindsaymckenna.com.

Thank you for having me, Delilah.

I am so thrilled to be in another boxed set with you.  Yay!!! The SEALS of SUMMER 2 is now available for purchase. Eleven BRAND-NEW NAVY SEAL ROMANCES by NY Times and USA Today bestselling authors!

My book, THE GUARDIAN, was a loooong time in the making. I’d actually written this book in 2009 about how a man and woman who are fighting personal struggles find love in Haiti. Bam. It was done and I sent to my editor.

While I waited for her to read it, catastrophe struck. On January 12, 2010, the 7.0 earthquake rocked Haiti to its knees. It was horrific. Scary. I live in California and know about quakes, 5.0 will freak you out of your skin, but a 7.0 quake? No, that’s beyond comprehension. It had to feel like the end of the earth for those poor people. Hundreds of thousands of people died.

I don’t know about you, but I held my breath watching the search and rescue teams on television. I cried as victim after victim was pulled out of the rubble. What I remember to this day was the human strength, the absolute determination to survive, and the kindness, generosity and love of everyone who jumped in there to help. Goodness, it was breathtaking.

But my book couldn’t be published the way it was. Obviously, I hadn’t known the earthquake was coming but now that it had arrived, I needed to change the book. All of it. The place I’d written about didn’t exist anymore.

I dove deep into the time period around the earthquake gathering all the data, pictures, articles, videos, and news reports I could find. I wanted to set my story inside the Montana, the beautiful five-story hotel that pancaked in the quake. It wasn’t easy to find the information I needed. Oh, there was plenty of information after the quake, but not much prior to. I needed to know what the inside of the hotel looked like on January 11, 2010. But how? I’d never been there.

Enter YouTube. The Montana was a beautiful five-star hotel in Haiti and people had been proud and delighted to stay there. And, bless them, they’d posted their family videos on YouTube. I couldn’t understand the language, but I could watch. Learn. Understand. I worked really hard to get the facts and little details right because the people who were there would want it that way.

It is my hope that I did the place and people justice. I am so grateful to the Search and Rescue teams and relief organizations who work so hard in these situations.

Thank you all for reading.

Kimberley Troutte
Website   NEWSLETTER  @KTroutte

Kimberley Troutte is a 2015 RITA® award nominated, NY Times, USA Today and Amazon Top 100 bestselling author as well as being in the Top 10 on Amazon for Romantic Suspense. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, a wild cat, an old snake and all the other creatures hubby and boys rescue.

To learn more about her adult novels and nonfiction books, please visit her at www.kimberleytroutte.com or sign up for the newsletter at https://ymlp.com/xgbqwswygmgj.

First, I’d like to thank the beautifully talented Delilah Devlin for having me on her blog once again! She’s both nurturing and kick ass. 😉

Most women are nurturing. It comes from a combination nature and our historical “place” in society. Hormones and history say we are loving, meek, homemakers. I say to you, there is nothing wrong with this. But aren’t we also more?

All the heroines in my books are kick a** in their own right. Not all of them are ninja-riffic, weapon welding, ball busters. But this one sure is. She takes every assumption about women and flips it on its ear.

DANGER MINE

Base Branch Novel 5

Released July 7th, 2015

One determined to avoid it. One determined to conquer it. Both on a wayward mission and unable to deny it.

Khani Slaughter has dealt with danger since the day of her conception. After thirty-one years dealing with the bullshit, she knows how to attack it, defeat it, and avoid it. Yet, for some unfathomable reason, she still gravitates toward it. When you’re the head—and sometimes-deadly hands—of the Base Branch, the special operations force for the United Nations, hazard is everywhere. Her personal life, though, is restricted territory for trouble. No strings flings. That’s what she went for. Uncomplicated rolls in the sack. That was all she allowed. Or it was … until the rookie showed up.

Base Branch operative King Street takes danger and molds it to his benefit. Only there’s not much advantage in screwing the boss when regret sends her across an ocean. The desire to make her see him for more than a mistake places his wide frame directly in her path.

He is cocky and way too brash. Not at all what she wants. But when her brother goes missing, he is who she needs. Someone willing to navigate a wasteland and dodge bullets and her prickly demeanor to help rescue her only family. And, just maybe, in the process they can save each other from their painful pasts.

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | B&N | All Romance

ISBN ebook: 978-1-941899-13-7
ISBN print: 978-1-941899-14-4
Length: 272 pages

You finish the sentence and leave your email address!!! I’ll give away a digital copy of Enemy Mine to the winner!!! Women are…

—

Megan Mitcham
USA Today Bestselling Author
Sizzling Suspense – Are you sizzling yet?

The Base Branch Series

The Blacklist Series

Anthologies

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

My sis and I have been busy with box sets! Thanks so much for your support of SEALs of Summer.

Here’s where we sat on Amazon at 6 AM:

Now, onto the quick note from my sister, giving you a heads-up regarding another soon-to-be-published collection… ~DD

*~*~*~*~*

I’m putting the final touches on my book HELLFIRE, TEXAS for the 12-ALARM COWBOYS boxed set coming August 4th. This is going to be a great set of cowboy firefighters. All new stories, by your favorite cowboy authors! Get your copy while it’s only 99 cents. Price is going up after release!

12-Alarm Cowboys

NYT & USA Today Best Selling Authors

AFTER THE FIRE
Cora Seton
WHERE’S THERE’S SMOKE
Becky McGraw
SADDLES AND SOOT
Cynthia D’Alba
CONTROLLED BURN
Delilah Devlin
HIS FIREFLY COWGIRL
Beth Williamson 
HER VOLUNTEER COWBOY
Donna Michaels
COWBOY’S MATCH
Lexi Post
HELLFIRE, TEXAS
Elle James
REKINDLED
Paige Tyler
TEXAS WILDFIRE
Sable Hunter
HOT IN THE SADDLE
Randi Alexander
COME HELL OR HIGH WATER
Sabrina York

Amazon US | UK | AU | CA
Nook | IBooks

Thanks for having me, Delilah!

I love sharing vacation memories. For our last vacation, we met up with other members of my family in Orlando. We had a blast visiting Universal Studios, since it was my daughter’s first time there. We even stayed at a fabulous resort (big SHOUT OUT to the Avanti Resort, which was sadly struck by lightning and nearly burnt to the ground earlier this week). We hit up Downtown Disney and Islands of Adventure, too.

This year, we’re going somewhere for my birthday, which is later this month. I have no idea where, but somewhere. We’re thinking Savannah, GA or Myrtle Beach, SC. I haven’t even ruled out Dollywood, yet. The only thing is I’m dreading the crowds. But, when you plan anything during the summer, the crowds are just as natural as the air we breathe. It is what it is. Either way, I can’t wait to add a set of new memories to my wonderful collection.

I think one of the best trips ever was when we were all going to reconvene at my grandmother’s house outside of Atlanta. My brother was coming from upstate NY and we were coming from Raleigh, NC at the time. Somehow, in the midst of a monstrous traffic jam near Charlotte, I ended up passing my brother on the highway. He texted, “Was that you in the green Sienna that just went by?” My eyes nearly ballooned out of my head. What were the chances, considering he had a 900+ mile drive ahead of him and I had about 300+ miles in front of me and both of us were coming from two different directions?

Another “best trip” ever story happened when my daughter was about two months shy of turning 3. I wanted to get her to Disney World before I had to pay full kid price for her. So, as we’re sailing across on the ferry, my baby’s eyes nearly fell out of her head when she saw “Mickey’s Castle”. She blurted out “Mickey’s Castle, Mommy! Mickey’s Castle!” Laughing, I turned and nodded before going back to talking to my mom. Genevieve, my munchkin, grabbed my cheeks and turned me to see it again, “No, Mommy! You have to look. It’s Mickey’s Castle!” I hadn’t noticed until now, but everyone on the ferry was staring at us and trying to hide their smiles and laughter. Yes, it was her first time. No hiding that kind of joy on a kid’s face. Even the Ferryboat captain came over and asked, “I take it you’re excited about seeing Mickey’s Castle?” Genevieve nodded. “Yeah! Do you see it? It’s magical.” Oh yeah. That trip was magical all right.

So share some of your vacation memories. I want to hear them. I’m always open to trying new places. And did I mention how much I love Trip Advisor?

Thanks again for having me, Delilah! Don’t forget to check out my latest releases!

Marcia Colette
~ Embracing the creepier side of writing ~

Stricken – Available in ebook and print!
The Light at the End of Judgment and Day – Available in ebook!
www.marciacolette.com
https://marciacolette.wordpress.com

Only $0.99 now! Order here!

FALL DARK (SEALs Undone) by NYT and USA Today bestselling author Zoe York.

HOT SEAL (The Hostile Operations Team) by USA Today bestselling author Lynn Raye Harris.

SEAL’S HERITAGE by NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Sharon Hamilton.

THE GUARDIAN (SEALs Beyond Battlefields) by NYT and USA Today bestselling, RITA-award nominated author Kimberley Troutte.

A SEAL’S DUTY, by NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer Lowery.

THE STRONG, SILENT TYPE (East Coast 8 prequel) by NYT and USA Today bestselling, RITA-award nominated author Elle Kennedy.

HER NEXT BREATH (Uncharted SEALs) by NYT and USA Today bestselling author Delilah Devlin.

SEAL’S DEFIANCE (Take No Prisoners) by NYT and USA Today bestselling author Elle James.

A SEAL’S CHANCE, by NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Cora Seton.

ONE HOT SEAL (When SEALs Come Home) by NYT and USA Today bestselling author Anne Marsh.

About my story, Her Next Breath…

Ex-SEAL Jackson Keller’s first mission with the Charter Group’s spec ops unit is a bust. Instead of capturing a drug lord in his Mexican compound, he finds a beautiful, naked woman. But she may have information they need to nail the narco-terrorist, so he takes her, sealing his fate. She’s his to watch, his to “manage” until the op’s done.

Suri McAnally’s made some mistakes—mainly trusting her college roomie who just so happens to be the son of one of Mexico’s most dangerous drug lords. If Jackson can save her, she’ll do whatever he says, mirror his moves, and try to keep her insta-lust under control. Her next breath depends on it.

Excerpt:

Jackson had washed in the kitchen sink and sat in his undershorts on his side of the bed. He’d rolled up a blanket and placed it in the middle of the mattress to reassure her they were only sharing a mattress, not sex. But all his concentration was needed to keep his cock from stirring inside the thin cotton.

The soft snick of the doorknob snagged his attention. Suri stepped out.

“What the hell is that?” he blurted, and then cringed inside because he’d shouted.

She crossed her arms over her breasts, a frown drawing her light brows together.

His gut clenched. Did she realize she’d just plumped up her very generous breasts?

“It is a night gown.”

She said it slowly, like he was a very stupid child. He couldn’t help himself, his gaze raked the flesh bared by the scanty, thigh-high garment. Silk shone in the light from the bare bulb above them, emphasizing her deep curves. Her breasts were nearly bare except for lacy cups that covered her nipples and the bottoms of her fleshy globes.

She turned to reach for the dress she’d draped over the side of the sink, and his jaw dropped. The damn thing didn’t have a back. It dipped so low he could see the dimples at the top of her ass.

Other than two rosy circles on her cheeks, she didn’t seem to be bothered by the fact she was nearly nude. She walked to the pillowcase and stored her clothing, then glanced at him again. “You’re sitting on my side of the bed.”

He clamped his jaw shut. She’d already accused him of being rude, so what the hell? “Since I’m the one who needs rest most—still on a mission, you know—I need this side.” He didn’t know why he didn’t simply give her what she asked for. Maybe if she’d said it more politely, or maybe if he wasn’t afraid she’d notice his boner, he’d have given it to her, but he sat, returning her glare.

His gaze dipped again. The tips of her nipples poked against the lacy cups.

“The water was cold,” she said, her voice breathy.

“I can see that.”

She pointed to the other side of the mattress. “I’ll be fine over there.”

“Good.”

Slowly, she walked around the bed.

Unabashed, he craned his neck to follow her progress. When she bent to plump the pillow, her cleavage deepened, and he could see down her belly in the narrow space. He snapped his gaze back to hers and caught a slight smirk before she wiped it off her face.

She’d played him.

Jackson simmered inside. Didn’t she know he was holding on by a thread? That he would likely have to take a cold shower after she fell asleep. He doubted that would be enough to cool him off; he’d probably have to take himself in hand. Would she hear him through the thin, uninsulated walls?

But in the meantime, two could play this game. He rose and walked across the floor to the light switch, turning as he raised a finger to the switch.

Her gasp was deeply satisfying. “Need a nightlight?” he asked, his voice purring.