UPDATE: The winner is…Pansy Petal!
*~*~*

My degree is in Costume Design and Construction, so I make the BIG MONEY! Just kidding, but you knew that already. What I love about costuming, especially on a big scale with a small budget, is just how creative you have to be.

I guess, when you look back at my life, my passion has been in the arts. I was a type-A student for the academics stuff, but I loved the arts. As I grew older, it wasn’t just being a dancer or an actress, the background/technical theater “stuff” became my new focus.

Now, I never made a living as a costumer, but when my son was in middle school, they did a small scale production of Pirates of Penzance. There was already a costumer on the show, but I enjoyed finding cheap alternatives for costumes… and that continued on into my son’s high school years. When they did a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, I had a blast!

But I also had a huge headache!

How do you take $600 dollars and make a complete production with one seamstress (me) and my costume assistant (my son)? Well, my mother’s curtains became Peaseblossom’s bodice and hood, a bag of ripped T-shirts from Goodwill were cut into leaves for Oberon’s costume so he could hide as part of the forest…and on and on…

But my biggest “make it work” moment was Bottom’s donkey head. It started out as a random concept of putting foam on a hat and then adding the “skin.” So out I went to get foam scrap, some super glue, a yard of grey felt, and a few random odds and ends.

I had to chop the foam and stick it here and there on the baseball cap from my son’s peewee days, and then carve away the mound of foam until it looked like a donkey head. It’s a random, learn-as-you-go process, but that head cost me less than ten dollars and it was a complete labor of love…and creativity.

Now, why am I telling you all of this?

Well, writing a short story, for me, follows the same process.

Get the idea, gather some parts (plot points), and start adding in the magic. For the First Response: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology I started with the idea…a rescue.

Firefighters. Good one.

Oh, a firefighter rescuing a firefighter. Okay…then what?

Rival firehouses? Okay…that’s good for conflict!

Maybe they knew each other in the Academy? And they were almost a thing? Okay, okay, keep it coming. And now that he…no, now that she pulled his hot ass from the frying pan…oh…someone’s getting lucky! Oh, wait! No, they both are!

Once I had those pieces together, I realized I needed more pieces. I went to a talk done by Kristin Higgins’ husband about firefighters, and when I asked him for his advice about what kind of an accident would require time off but not endanger his job or career, he answered and I’m so grateful.

All of this for a short story?

Yep! Absolutely! And writers? We do it over and over again. It’s a rush, it’s a drudge, it’s a crazy random happenstance sometimes! So, here’s hoping you’ll order your copy of First Response: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology and discover the rollercoaster that I took Webb & Gina on!

You’ll also see them in my Center City First Responders Series! So make friends with them now!

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope you’ll enter the giveaway, too!

Contest

Sometimes, we have to create on the fly. A missing ingredient in a recipe. Or a Halloween costume created from some bedsheets and bungee chord? Tell me what’s a moment that made you celebrate your own creativity!!

Win your choice of one of my books, like Justice for Sloane!

UPDATE: The winner is…Ani Stubbs!
*~*~*

Next Tuesday, I’m releasing the next SEALs in Paradise story, which is related to my New Orleans Nights series! This is our third collection of related stories. If you remember, I released these previous SEALs in Paradise stories:

Click on the covers to learn more about these stories!

Tuesday’s story is related to New Orleans Nights, and the first book in the new series named after it, One Hot Night, which released last month!

If you’ve read New Orleans Nights and One Hot Night, you’ll see some familiar faces. However, Decoy Bride is a standalone story, so you don’t have to have read either of the two previous stories.

Anyways, long story short, I hope you’ll pick up a copy of Decoy Bride when it releases!

Decoy Bride

A former Navy SEAL is teamed with a feisty ex-Marine to provide protection for a Greek tycoon’s daughter to make sure the bride gets safely to her destination wedding…

Former Navy SEAL, Trigger Matthews, now a special operator with Justin Ballard’s Black Knight Security in New Orleans, is teamed with a feisty ex-Marine as part of the protection detail for a Greek tycoon’s spoiled daughter. The prickly woman proves to be a challenge he’s eager to explore.

Due to her uncanny resemblance to their client’s daughter, Cassandra Locke is tasked with being a “decoy bride”, a job that sees her going through some matrimonial hoops while fighting her growing attraction for her partner for this operation. Together, they create diversions to make sure the real bride has a chance to prepare for her coming nuptials.

Both loners, and unaware of the fact that they are indeed lonely, Trigger and Cass find out they have many more qualities in common, including an inability to stay away from each other. As the real bride’s day draws closer, they learn that she’s more than a girl born with a silver spoon in her mouth and find unexpected friendships along the way.

When danger draws nearer, they must trust each other’s strengths to get them through it.

Get your copy here:
Kindle | Nook | Kobo | iBooks
Available in Print now!

Contest

Have you already ordered your copy?
Comment for a chance to win a copy of S*x on the Beach or New Orleans Nights!

UPDATE: The winners are…ALL 5 commenters!
*~*~*

Thanks for having here today to talk about the box set reissue of The Anthem Trilogy from Pride Publishing. This is a real pleasure for me, as the Anthem books are very close to my heart. I spent the best part of three years working on the trilogy, and the characters became part of the family for that time.

My original plan was to write one big novel, but I realized very quickly that would be commercially impossible. No romance publisher would take a 600-page book at that time, and instead, I set about telling Daniel and Elijah’s love story across three books. I always plan my books in advance, working out all the character and plot details, and that was even more important when telling such a big story. The three novels are thrillers as much as romances, and I had to make sure that all the elements fit in place before I began.

But at the heart of everything is Daniel and Elijah. I love these guys. They meet in the first book while working on a luxury cruise ship. Daniel is a singer, Elijah a comedian, and they hit it off right away, but it’s far from smooth sailing for this pair. Across the three years in which the story takes place, I put them through hell. The guys get caught up in a horrific storm at sea, murder, betrayal, and revenge.

The timing of this reissue is kind of fitting, too. I should have been on a cruise right now, but like everyone else, those plans are on hold indefinitely. So why not join Daniel and Elijah onboard the Atlantic Anthem and take a trip to sea with them? It will be a bumpy voyage, but definitely worth the risk.

THE ANTHEM TRILOGY

1. Anthem of the Sea
2. Anthem of the Dark
3. Anthem of Survival

When Daniel Blake meets Elijah Mann the attraction is instant. Handsome and talented, they are immediately drawn together. The perfect men for each other. Daniel has never been in love before. Most of his adult length has been focused on his career, first in a failed boy band, before cutting his teeth on the cabaret circuit and finally finding success on a TV talent show. At twenty-nine, he’s achieved more than most. The time is right to focus on his personal life. Tall, dark, sexy and funny, Elijah has it all and Daniel can’t resist him.

But a figure from Daniel’s past comes back into his life just as he meets Elijah. Jealous, bitter and twisted, Oliver Gill has never forgiven Daniel for his success. A success that was rightfully his. Fueled by hatred, Oliver’s actions set in motion a catastrophic chain of events that have far retching consequences for Daniel and Elijah, a threat not just to their happiness, but to their lives.

GET IT NOW:
Amazon USA
Amazon UK
Pride Publishing
Barnes and Noble
Kobo

Contest

Comment for a chance to win one of THREE copies of the ANTHEM TRILOGY!

About Thom Collins

Thom Collins is the author of Closer by Morning, Gods of Vengeance, Silent Voices and the Anthem Trilogy. His love of page-turning thrillers began at an early age when his mother caught him reading the latest Jackie Collins book and promptly confiscated it, sparking a life-long love of raunchy novels. He is currently working on a new series.

Thom has lived in the North East of England his whole life. He grew up in Northumberland and now lives in County Durham with his husband and two cats. He loves all kinds of genre fiction, especially bonk-busters, thrillers, romance and horror. He is also a cookery book addict with far too many titles cluttering his shelves. When not writing he can be found in the kitchen trying out new recipes. He’s a keen traveler but with a fear of flying that gets worse with age, but in 2013 he realized cruising is the best way to see the world.

Check out his website for news updates and a free ebook The Night!

Links:
Website: www. thomcollins.co.uk
Twitter: @thomwolf
Instagram: ThomCollinsAuthor
Email: thomcollinsauthor@aol.com

You can still enter these contests!

1. A. Catherine Noon: The Great Pause (Giveaway) — Get a free app!
2. Flashback: Crescent Moon (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Open Contests & a New One! And Story Time — Your Story! — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Happy Mother’s Day! (and a Puzzle!) — Win a $5 Amazon gift card!
5. My Mother’s Day (Contest) — Win an Amazon Gift Card!

FREE Short Story

Hey there! I know many of you are self-isolating and reading like mad! Here’s a short story you can read quickly. Be warned: there’s a threesome involved! Enjoy!

Fraternizing just got hotter—before, during, and after business hours…

Zoe and her stepbrother Grayson get caught by Grayson’s boss “playing” in his pool. He holds their futures in his hands, and Zoe couldn’t be more thrilled…

Get your FREE copy here!

Are you ready for more great Hot SEAL stories? Well, begin the new series right here with Elle James’s Hot SEAL, Bachelor Party! Meet the team and dive into some wedding fun! Get your copy today, then settle in for the ride. All book links are below!

Hot SEAL, Bachelor Party

If you want something done right, pick the best man for the job

As the best man, Navy SEAL Jacob “Rooster” Fowler is only responsible for two things—the bachelor party and getting the groom to the wedding on time. Enlisting the help of the wedding planner, he has a hell of a bachelor party planned. While trying unsuccessfully to keep his hands off the wedding planner, he’s in charge of a party complete with a stripper popping out of a cake. What could possibly go wrong?

What can go wrong will, at the worst possible moment

Casey Wesson promised the bride, the groom and a potential client that she’s an expert and can manage a wedding beautifully. Her friend is counting on her, the groom trusts her, and her business depends on this wedding going off without a hitch. When the stripper doesn’t show up to jump out of the cake, Casey has no choice but to fill in. One thing leads to another and she ends up in bed with the best man, waking up to a missing groom the day before the wedding.

On a mission to locate the groom, the best man and the wedding planner discover a plot to stop the wedding and a love they never expected.

** BACHELOR PARTY ** is part of the Brotherhood Protectors Series. It is also in the “SEALs in Paradise” connected series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone. They do not have cliffhanger endings and do not have to be read in any particular order.

More Hot SEALS on the way! Pre-order now!

Hot SEAL, Bachelor Party by Elle James
Amazon: https://bit.ly/BPHSBPAMZ
iBooks: https://bit.ly/BPHSBPAPPLE
Nook: https://bit.ly/BPHSBPNOOK
Kobo: https://bit.ly/BPHSBPKOBO

Hot SEAL, Decoy Bride by Delilah Devlin
Coming May 19th!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/36Ks291
APPLE: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1497210586
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-decoy-bride-delilah-devlin/1136286286
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-decoy-bride

Hot SEAL, Runaway Bride by Cat Johnson
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hot-SEAL-Runaway-Bride-Romantic-ebook/dp/B07XB3J3QJ/
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-runaway-bride/id1462469622
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-runaway-bride-cat-johnson/1132250756?ean=2940161402375
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-runaway-bride

Hot SEAL, Cold Feet by Becca Jameson
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084D76SXM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i31
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-cold-feet
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-cold-feet-becca-jameson/1136295939?ean=2940163059751
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-cold-feet/id1497397358

Hot SEAL, Best Man by Parker Kincade
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2uTjL5m
Apple: https://smarturl.it/HSBMAPPLE
Nook: https://smarturl.it/HSBMBN
Kobo: https://smarturl.it/HSBMKOBO

Hot SEAL, Confirmed Bachelor by Cynthia D’Alba
Amazon: https://amzn.to/37L3U7B
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-confirmed-bachelor
books2read.com: https://books2read.com/u/bpOKgk (THIS ONE LINKS TO ALL OF THEM)
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=2940163031887
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-confirmed-bachelor/id1497356729

Hot SEAL, Taking the Plunge by Teresa Reasor
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3b0zv7i
Apple: https://apple.co/2UiSZxV
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2UgX0TR
Nook: https://bit.ly/2RPwteo

Hot SEAL, Undercover Groom by MaryAnn Jordan
Amazon: https://smarturl.it/MaJGroomSSAmazon
Apple: https://smarturl.it/MaJGroomSSApple
Kobo: https://smarturl.it/MaJGroomSSKobo
Nook: https://smarturl.it/MaJGroomSSNook

Tread lightly . . . This subject is not for those wanting to hide under a rock—out of sight, out of mind. My mission is to bring awareness to a dark topic that can turn quickly to death, destruction, and chaos. I’m okay with that. We can no longer push this dirty little secret under the rug. Photos of kids show up daily in media/social media—“Help find this missing child.” I wrote Hart’s Girls as the first of a series that strikes against what is most dear, sacred—our children. I don’t want to ever feel I’m profiting from someone’s pain. This book is my strike against this most heinous crime.

I’ve worked hard to become a spinner of romantic mysteries and studied this subject with an FBI agent who specializes as a Human Trafficking Investigator. Before that, she was a cop for 15 years first in Germany then Colorado working Vice & Human Trafficking Unit, focusing on underage sex trafficking. I have researched the trafficking industry extensively. I’ll delve into aspects of a real case to help relate and understand trauma-bonding, loyalty, love and the perpetrator mindset.

How do we triumph over this evil? My goal in getting this information to the public is to make a lasting impact and save human lives. We can do this by:

•  Shed light on the subject.
•  Become situationally aware.
•  Educate parents, children, and schools.
•  Provide awareness training to industry professionals with opportunity to spot trafficking
•  Help prevent further spread of this disease.
•  Help victims heal.
•  Empower those who have lost power.

Our children are NOT FOR SALE.

About the Book

HART’S GIRLS BY AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, LYNDA REES

The highly profitable, disgusting human trafficking industry puts children in all neighborhoods at risk, especially prevalent along the I75 corridor. FBI Special Agent Reggie Casse and U. S. Marshal Shae Montgomery are determined to stop abductions of innocents in and around Sweetwater, Kentucky. The professionals clash. Antagonism turns to attraction they can’t act on without putting lives in danger. A break in the investigation leads to powerful players. Return of Shae’s ex-fiancé, relocation of a WITSEC witness and wedding plans interrupt any possibility of romance.

♥ AMAZING!!! Once I start reading one of Lynda’s books I CAN’T put it down. Karen Dawn

♥ I live vicariously through books like yours, Janet Evanovich, and Sue Grafton. Thank you for sharing them with all of us. From an avid reader,

Thank GOD, Sincerely N. Anderson

Order Yours NOW! Here’s the link.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086FSRLLT?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Love is a dangerous mystery. Enjoy the ride.

Lynda Rees
www.lyndareesauthor.com
lyndareesauthor@gmail.com

MY LINKS:
https://amazon.com/author/lyndarees Amazon
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lynda-rees Bookbub
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17187400.Lynda_Rees Goodreads
https://eepurl.com/cTtS09 Become a VIP, get FREE gifts and latest news
https://www.lyndareesauthor.com Website
https://twitter.com/LyndaReesauthor Twitter
https://www.facebook.com/lynda.rees.author/ Facebook
https://www.pinterest.com/lyndareesauthor/pins/ Pinterest

UPDATE: The winner is…flchen1!
*~*~*

Open Contests! Enter while you still can!

1. Poll About Prizes & a Contest! — Win an Amazon gift card!
2. A Reminder, a Puzzle, and Another Chance to Win! — Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Simple Delights (Contest–3 Winners!) — Win a recent release or a short story!
4. Angela Addams: Dream Cast for Wicked Disclosure (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

Another Month Gone

Whew! Someone on Twitter said that March seemed to last months but April lasted a day. Was it the same for you? Self-isolation, truthfully, hasn’t been so hard for my family. They’ve adjusted, and even thrived.

For me, already a hermit writer, not going out in public was barely a change. The kids, at first, felt like staying home was a vacation. However, as soon as online school and AMI packets became the daily routine, the vacation aspect ended, but they’ve been troopers. My dd took advantage of having so many home to do all kinds of domestic chores and projects. The big event in April was purchasing a pair of baby goats.

The older kids helped build the pen. Everyone has pitched in feeding them and watching them when they are put out in bigger fields to eat leaves and brush. I think the kids will have many good memories of this time.

We’ve had movie nights, special meals, game nights… And while they’ve missed their friends, they have kept in contact using FaceTime, TikTok, and phone calls. As restrictions ease this summer, we plan to keep isolating, but the kids will be allowed to have a “designated” friend come enjoy the pool, only one guest at a time, and only after we make sure their parents aren’t being stupid about safety.

I have been challenged to find time to write with so many people in the house all the time. However, I did write and publish one book, so far. Here’s just a reminder about my April release, the sequel to New Orleans Nights, and the first of a new New Orleans Nights series…

NEW RELEASE! FREE IN KU!
🔥🔥Things get complicated in a hurry between a NOLA cop freelancing as protection for visiting dignitaries and a reporter determined to get her story…🔥🔥
https://amzn.to/2VVrIB9

I hope you have all picked up a copy. It’s very sexy, filled with action and humor. You know, something I would write. 🙂

Right now, I’m chugging away at the book that will release on May 19th! Here’s hoping I get there on time!

Click on the cover to pre-order your copy!

More fun there. Also set in New Orleans, with connections to my Montana Bounty Hunters through the RIP agency, which will have its own series beginning sometime this year.

For my sanity’s sake, I’m also plowing into some other artistic pursuits. I’m taking online watercolor classes. I’m working on the #100dayproject challenge which requires that I produce some small painting or collage every day. I’m learning a lot, which is keeping me looking forward to more days spent in isolation because if I was out and about I’d never apply myself so well!

Contest

Let me know how you guys are dealing with the lockdown and how you’re preparing for the easing of restrictions for a chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card!