By nature, I’m an inquisitive person. I love watching documentaries about history and various topics from science fiction to who killed President Kennedy to how crayons are made. It’s all so interesting, and I always find myself asking the “what if” question. What if I’ve already been kidnapped by aliens and my life is playing out in an alternative universe? What if my character finally figures out who the murderer is but the hunt culminates during a national crisis or a weather emergency? What if the bad guy commits murder by hacking into his victim’s pacemaker?

The sky is the limit on imagination, and I find inspiration in everywhere.

Music is a huge inspiration for me. I’ve attached particular songs for each of my books which  represent the theme of the book or is somehow pivotal for a specific character. I will often play that song on repeat if I’m having an especially difficult writing day or I’m working on a crucial scene. Listening to certain playlists helps me transpose the movie playing out in my head into written words.

Inspiration can come in any form. A weird cloud, the loud, unexpected boom from a construction site, an airplane taking off for parts unknown, or firetruck, siren blasting, rushing by. These everyday images have inspired me to dream and create. I get the greatest joy from creating stories springing forth from various sources of inspiration and it’s my hope that these stories can bring entertainment, intrigue, and escape to others.

The Order Series is a four-book romantic suspense series (book four is in the works now and will be released early summer 2019). The inspiration for this series came after watching a documentary on the Illuminati and Free Masons. Both of these organizations were heavily influenced by the concept of a secret society and held religious undertones. I was particularly inspired by the use of numbers and symbols, employed by both the Illuminati and Free Masons in creating a sense of mystery and maintaining an elite membership. My series is based on a cult-like organization that began with a basis in religion but transformed into a group with a quest for money and power.

What inspires you? To win a signed copy of the first book in The Order series, Order of Fear, let me know your greatest inspiration. One winner chosen at random.

The Order Series

Order of Fear

When Marissa Nash’s life is turned upside down with the death of her fiancé, she is comforted by the friendship of the would be best man, Justin Tanner. But as Marissa and Justin grow closer, they soon discover they’ve fallen into a wicked web of lies and danger.

https://www.amazon.com/Order-Fear-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01ENW8ZCU/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/order-of-fear/id1107420740?mt=11
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/order-of-fear
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/631896
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940158181658

Order of Malice

Reid Patterson plans to join the FBI hoping to right the wrongs of The Order, a sinister faction controlled by his family. When he meets Holly Babson, a child psychologist, sparks fly as they both must deal with past hurts and fresh danger.

https://www.amazon.com/Order-Malice-Book-2-ebook/dp/B07318J71Y/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/order-of-malice/id1255377368?mt=11 https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/order-of-malice
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731433
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940158932281

Order of Rage

Carson Maxwell escapes the grip of her family’s insidious organization, The Order, and carefully crafts a new life as a medical researcher in Boston. When her identity is exposed and she meets Adam Forrester, FBI agent, her life careens off course again, delivering her and Adam into the clutches of the very people Carson ran from.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CVQWRS7/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/order-of-rage/id1391242682?ls=1&mt=11 https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/order-of-rage
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/834566
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940162128151

Let’s Connect!

Website:https://www.lisacavinessauthor.com
Twitter:https://twitter.com/LisaCaviness1
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/lisaCavinessWriter
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Halloween’s over, Thanksgiving is coming and then it will be Christmas. It’s only 47 shopping days to go. Do you make Christmas decorations? Christmas gifts? I’d love to hear what sort of things you make, if you do.

I do glass fusion. You can make all sorts of things doing glass fusion – jewelry, decorations, candle holders, pictures, plant and garden stakes, the list goes on. I go to a small shop where they have all the tools you need – glass cutters, both hand ones and different machines to make various types of cuts, like circles, and small and large kilns to fuse the glass. They have grinders to smooth the edges and adjust some of the sizes. You can buy various sizes, colors and designed glass. I think I’ve made most things. Now I’m going to be working on a Christmas platter and several Christmas decorations. It’s a good hobby, great fun and it can be challenging coming up with designs. I do it for gifts but many of the women there actually sell their stuff at craft markets. If you do glass fusion or have tried it, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The Fourth Victim

Sara’s emotionally abusive husband dies unexpectedly. She’s struggling to reclaim the intelligent, independent person she was before she married. She vows never to let a man take over her life again. Now she’s part of a special team, training to help other women.

Mac is responsible for training women in special ops techniques, so they are prepared when they are challenged to save other women. When he meets Sara, sparks fly between them. He wants her to quit the training and let him take care of her.

Sara graduates and now she and her team have to save Sara’s daughter from a serial killer. Can Mac step back and trust her in a dangerous situation? Can Sara and Mac resolve their issues, or will they go in opposite directions?

Buy Links for The Fourth Victim:
Kindle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ97L8M?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-fourth-victim-9
Apple https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-fourth-victim/id1440048796?ls=1&mt=11

You can find Beverley at :
Website – https://www.beverleybateman.com
Blog – https://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Twitter @kelownawriter
Facebook Authorpage – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeverleyBateman?ref=hl

UPDATE: The winner is…Betty Sue Payton!
*~*~*

Masquerade: an action or appearance that is mere disguise or show

Book #3
Corporate Heat

Leave a comment for a chance to win a $10 Amazon GC

There are too many masks in place. Too many false fronts. Everyone seems to be playing a role, including the modeling agency, the marketing representatives, the gracious Caribbean host and the owners of the high-end spa. But what were they all hiding?

Everything is turning upside down. The owner of the marketing agency dies in a mysterious one-car crash. Girls are disappearing and so are large chunks of money.

When hot, hot forensic accountant John Martino is reunited with very sexy Lindsey Califaro, with whom he had a short but intense fling, the heat between them rises high enough to burn down the town. So does the emotion. Lindsey is afraid tot rust him again, and John is trying to correct the biggest mistake of his life. But first they have to find the answers to a puzzle that reaches international proportions.

Excerpt:

The elevator car arrived and they stepped into it, the only occupants from the high dollar floor. He followed her in and as soon as the door closed he pressed the button to hold the elevator car in place.

“John, we can’t do this now. People will be looking for the elevator. And I think a warning sounds if it doesn’t move for a certain amount of time.”

“Then I’d better talk fast.” He leaned forward, caging her with his arms. “Any excuse I can give for not calling you all this time is going to sound lame. Business crowded my schedule, time got away from me, all of that is true. But that’s not the whole story.”

“Oh? Then what is?”

“We need more time than five minutes for me to tell you. I was a first class jackass and I suffered for it. I’m not going to let that happen again. I’ve spent four years kicking myself for being such an asshole. When Taylor called, I pushed another job off on my partner so I could take this one. So I could see you.”

Lindsey stood there, scarcely able to breathe. Her heart was beating hard and her throat was so dry she could barely swallow.
“John.” She wet her lips. “I don’t think—“

“Don’t think. Listen. Like I said, I’m an asshole. I’ll be the first one to admit it. And any other names you want to add. When I left you four years ago I had every intention of calling you within the month. Hopping a plane to Miami or wherever you were by that time. Following up on what had started between us. Having a fun weekend.”

“A fun weekend,” she repeated.

“Because whatever it was, everything else aside, it was fucking good. Agreed?”

She just stared at him, unable to say a word.

“Okay. Don’t say anything. I don’t blame you. I got caught up in some international finance shit, used it as an excuse and time just kept passing. I’ve been single a long time, Lindsey. I told myself I wasn’t interested in anything more than a good time. I kept myself busy and after a while too much time had gone by. It suddenly hit me I’d tossed away what could be the best thing that ever happened to me. When Noah called and asked me to come here, told me who I’d be working with, I jumped at it. Saw a chance to make up for being such a jerk, even if I had to get down on my knees and beg you. Because that’s what I’m ready to do.” He blew out a breath. “Listen. You have no reason to believe anything I say after what I did. Or didn’t do. But I’m asking you for another chance, Lindsey. Begging you. Please. At least listen to what I have to say.”

While she was still trying to figure out how to answer him, his mouth descended on hers, his lips warm and smooth. He ran the tip of his tongue gently over her mouth, tracing the seam and urging her to open for him. Without thinking she did just that and he thrust his tongue inside.

And she went up in flames.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/masquerade-desiree-holt/1129574220?ean=9781786864345
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/masquerade-159
https://www.totallybound.com/book/masquerade

I love to hear from readers.
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UPDATE: The winner is…Keri Richards!
*~*~*

Morning all! Cynthia D’Alba here. Thanks to DD for having me back!

As I said last time, I’ve taken A LOT of time off from writing during 2016, 2017 and 2018. Those who follow me in Facebook, you know all about my illness. Those whose do not, no biggie. That’s in the past. My point is I am finally back to writing. My brain can once again string together words. WOOT! Progress.

I have TWO new releases out in October. I hope you’ll enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

First up, Hot SEAL, Cold Beer – which released October 9th!

©Cynthia D’Alba 2018

Hot SEAL, Cold Beer is about a destination wedding, a blind date, and a SEAL who isn’t looking for love. Well, actually, my heroine isn’t looking either! Here’s a little more about the story…

Nicholas Falcone, aka Nikko, aka Falcon, is five months out from active SEAL duty, putting his pre-service accounting degree to use while going to law school at night. He’d love to take a vacation between semesters, but every buck is earmarked for his education. When a fellow accountant approaches him about his sister needing an escort for a destination wedding, Nikko jumps at the idea. With the wedding families footing the bill, what does he have to lose?

Surgeon Dr. Jennifer Pierce is still stinging from a broken engagement. Going to a destination wedding at the Sand Castle Resort in the Caribbean would be great if only her ex-fiancé and his new wife weren’t also attending. Her options are to find a date or not go, but not going isn’t really an option. That means letting her brother set her up with a guy from his accounting office…Heaven forbid. When did accountants start looking like this?

Amazon 📷https://bit.ly/2Of9GnZ
Barnes and Noble 📷https://bit.ly/2LT2EIO
KOBO 📷https://bit.ly/2Mm4NsK
Apple/iBooks 📷https://apple.co/2MiODQO
Add to Goodreads TBD! – https://bit.ly/2MkktMV

The second, Hot SEAL, Black Coffee, released yesterday!

©Cynthia D’Alba 2018

Dealing with a sexy ex-girlfriend, a jewel heist, and a murder-for-hire can make an ex-SEAL bodyguard a tad cranky.

Trevor Mason accepts what should be a simple job…protect the jewels his ex-girlfriend will wear to a breast cancer fundraiser. As founder and owner of Eye Spy International, he should send one of his guys, but he needs to get his ex out of his system and this is the perfect opportunity to remind himself that she is a spoiled, rich debutante who dumped him with a Dear John letter during his SEAL training.

Respected breast cancer doctor Dr. Risa McCool hates being in the limelight for her personal life. Her life’s work is breast cancer treatment and research, which she’d rather be known for than for her carefree, partying debutante years. She agrees to be the chairperson for the annual breast cancer fundraiser even though it means doing publicity appearances and interviews, all while wearing the famous pink Breast Cancer Diamond for each public event. The multi-million dollar value of the pink stone requires an armed bodyguard at all times.

Past attractions flame, proving to be a distraction to the serious reality of the situation. When Risa and the millions in diamonds go missing, nothing will stop Trevor from bringing her home, with or without the jewels.

Here are the preorder links. Order both and I’ll publicly thank you on Facebook and Twitter! Seriously, I don’t usually do preorders so this makes me nervous!

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H7W28XF
Apple/iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-black-coffee/id1435829603?mt=11
Nook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1129508808?ean=2940161795552
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-black-coffee

Leave a comment here on the blog to be in the running for a prize,
TBD by the winner!

AND here’s all my online homes where we can visit!

https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.dalba
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCynthiaDAlba/
https://www.amazon.com/Cynthia-DAlba/e/B0067UOSH8/
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cynthia-d-alba

Hi everyone!

A big shout out of thanks to Delilah for having me on her blog. This time of year, I’m all about Halloween… and of course murder…and well doughnuts…and vodka. My newest book is a novella about all those things!

Murder and Treats

Lila Maxwell is coaxed into attending All Treats, a Halloween speed dating event by her best friend. Instead of the soul mate promised one Halloween ghoul after another appears at her door until Cowboy Bill.

Jax Carlson has spent the last year focusing all of his attention on starting his own business. Hiring Lila Maxell over the Internet as his project manager was the final piece to his prefect plan. Set to open for business in three days, Jax plans on spending a couple of days on his boat relaxing. However, his friend Erik has a different idea – a speed dating Halloween party.

Jax has spent the night plotting the best revenge possible for Erik until Sally opens the door. The woman dressed in the pale lavender Harem costume ignites a fire that Jax thought was impossible without the aid of his formulated dating list.

After a night of mind-blowing sex, Lila sneaks out before they exchange real names believing it was no more than a one-night stand.

Lila’s first day is full of surprises, the biggest being Cowboy Bill is actually her new boss, Jax Carlson. She thinks keeping her hormones in check while convincing Jax that love doesn’t follow a formula is complication enough until she learns the participants of the All Treats speed dating event are being killed.

My favorite Halloween doughnut trick is…insert vamp teeth into a sugar doughnut. Drizzle red frosting for blood, or have gummy worms crawling out of the mouth, or decorate with gummy boogers. 

My favorite Halloween drink is the wicked witch… it’s caramel vodka, apple vodka, and whip cream vodka all equal parts mixed with apple cider. Sooo good and so wicked.

And just a peek…

Walking into her bedroom, Lila froze mid-stride. On her bed was a knife coated with blood and small plastic number five. The glass slipped from her hand and fell to the floor, spraying her foot and leg with red wine.

Murder and Treats is available at https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/murder-and-treats

Come and hang out with me… we will talk about doughnuts and vodka…
Blog: https://lynceeshillard.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lyncee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Romance-with-a-Bang-422236758284798
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3344793.Lyncee_Shillard
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Lyncee-Shillard/e/B007WGBKYK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1534257851&sr=8-1

Thank you, Delilah for sharing your blog with me today. It is my pleasure to be with you and your readers.

Where does that fit in today’s world of #metoo and the constant barrage of negativity, violent and crass behavior anywhere from our child’s sports games to all the way to the President? We have seen OJ Simpson, Chris Brown and most recently Rob Porter in the White House.

Civility is missing. Anger is the replacement. Our environment is ripe for abuse. A sobering statistic is 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience severe intimate partner physical or sexual violence or stalking by an intimate partner.

With the #metoo movement going viral, we saw the tidal wave of support for victims. Women of all races, religions and economic backgrounds received encouragement to share their stories and when the courts allowed it, prosecute their offenders. It was often the case that an offender had multiple victims. The strength and power in numbers.

The #survivorspeaks movement created by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a lonely journey. Domestic violence occurs in the vacuum of a consenting adult relationship. The abuse takes place over months and years. The stigma rings like church bells. “Why doesn’t she leave?” Abused men suffer a double stigma. “Why doesn’t he leave? What a weak man that a woman could do that.”

In my many lives I was a collegiate date rape victim, an Emergency Medical Services first responder, and an advocate for victims of rape and domestic violence. I am also a wife and mother of sons and daughters. Where does the conversation start? Parents want to believe everything is going to be okay in the world they grow up in. In reality, their future is a minefield. My advice is to begin at the beginning.

Awareness. It begins early with teaching your child the names of their body parts and the understanding that some parts are private. Body secrets are never okay. No one should take pictures of your body parts. Teach them they will never be in trouble for telling a body secret. Teach them how to get out of a bad situation—scream, run, find a safe adult—police officer, firefighter, postal person, teacher and even a mom with a group of kids. The rules apply to people you know too. Importantly, there is a lot of discussion about good touches and bad touches. Sometimes an inappropriate touch will tickle or feel good. Without understanding that, every stigma is enhanced by guilt. If a child grows up with the understanding about their own body, they learn to set boundaries. Knowledge is power.

Teens have a growing need for greater understanding. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence.

Victims of abuse do not bring it on themselves. They do not necessarily lack confidence. They are not a co-abuser. Abuse occurs when the abuser feels entitled to the power and control and uses verbal, physical or sexual abuse to get there. POWER AND CONTROL. THIS IS NEVER ABOUT LOVE.

Why stay? That’s the biggest question outsiders ask. An advocate and a provider of emergency care, I have seen many reasons. All I can understand. Love. They love the abuser. He or she wasn’t always like this. Stigma. What will people think. They want the relationship but not the abuse. A nice version of the abuser is very nice. Niceness creates a false sense of security. Isolation–abuser controls all aspects of the victim’s life. Fear to reach out to old friends. Depression. Retribution. Loss of custody. Don’t want to leave a pet. Every potential bad outcome of reporting is seen on TV, online and in the movies. They are caught in a vicious cycle with law enforcement. In some states, if an incident is called in and there is evidence of abuse, the abuser will go to jail. This occurs no matter what the victim says. The police know you didn’t fall down the stairs, walk into a door, or are so flexible that you reversed your hands to leave hand prints on your upper arms or cheeks. A police officer who arrives at the same address often, easily can become less attentive each time. They are keenly aware that one in three female and one in twenty male murder victims died from an intimate partner crime. The responders feel helpless when a victim returns over and over again. The victim is so tired, and they feel their options are few, but there is light at the end of this tragedy.

One phone call. One hand reaching out. For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) and Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center International Toll-Free (24/7) 1-866-USWOMEN (879-6636).

*~*~*

I write Romantic Suspense, often using what I know. The journey to writer took a more twisting route. A mom of four, and wife of a fellow first responder, my life was filled to the brim. In 2001, New York was victim of a heinous terrorist attack. That day, I watched my husband leave and for the first time in his law enforcement career, I thought he wouldn’t come back. My oldest son, 11 at the time lost his innocence. He realized truly what daddy did. He got off the school bus and asked will Daddy die. In 2006, a parent’s nightmare, my youngest was diagnosed with Leukemia. I’m proud he is a survivor today. In 2010, my health declined. A stent in the main coronary artery, followed by a tumor on my kidney, followed by a Lupus diagnosis and two strokes–on either side of the front of my brain left me reeling. Unable to read more than a newspaper headline, I began an arduous rehabilitation. Add mega-doses of steroids to alter dreams and play with sleep, I started to create a story. Ian Chase came to me in a wildly, wicked dream.

I’d like to introduce you to the results of that effort. Secure Desire: A Chase Group Story. The story is the opening of a series about the men and women of the Chase Group. Designed by Billionaire brothers Ian and Kieran Chase, a high octane venture capital company stakes a private security company that takes on cases where justice has been skewed. This first novel tells the story of Chase Group CEO Ian Chase, and Art Historian/FBI agent, Cassie Ellis. Six years after a first meeting, their paths cross for the second time, Ian leads his personnel to save Cassie and in turn the future of the United States. Part romance, part thriller, filled with political intrigue and modern medicine, Secure Desire is a cover to cover page-turner. Secure Again will be coming soon.

Visit me at https://www.rldunnauthor.com. Ask a question or leave a comment. Include you are from Delilah Devlin’s blog and three of you will have a chance to receive your choice of a piece of jewelry from the five (5) dollar collection at 8thaveemeralds.com (No purchase required.)

Autumn is my favorite time of year. Crisp air, bright colors, and I can wear my favorite sweaters without having an instant hot flash!

I’m a knitter so when I get my words done for the day I can be found in front of a good movie or binge watching a new series, sipping my favorite coffee or tea.

We’ve been blessed with two baristas in the Krotow family, one of which is my husband. He makes me a London Fog and I have to tell you, it’s the best non-coffee hot drink I’ve ever had. You don’t need an espresso machine or frother for this, either. A little handheld battery whip or frother is nice, but again, not necessary.

Here’s how I like my London Fog:

Steamed Milk (you can heat it in the microwave, just make sure to stir it so that you don’t get burned)
Brewed Earl Grey tea (or any other favorite tea)
Vanilla syrup (I like all natural, without corn syrup)

Pick out your favorite mug from your cupboard, which is probably way neater than mine.

Brew the tea of your choice according to instructions. Usually for black tea it’s best to steep it for 3-5 minutes.

Steam/heat the milk. If you can, froth it with a frother or whip.

Add vanilla syrup to your taste, to the hot tea. I like the bare minimum, as I enjoy the full flavor of the tea. But a lot of folks love tablespoons of the stuff. Do whatever works for you! Stir.

Top with steamed milk.

Enjoy with a great book or pair of knitting needles. Preferably both!

Thanks for having me! It’s always great to connect with Delilah Devlin readers. You all rock!

Peace,
Geri

The Pregnant Colton Witness

One night of passion with Officer Nash Maddox left Dr. Patience Colton breathless—and pregnant! The two are unexpectedly reunited when Patience becomes a witness to a murder and K-9 cop Nash rushes to her rescue, along with his canine companion. The two will stop at nothing to protect their growing family, but a killer has other ideas

THE COLTONS OF RED RIDGE Harlequin™ Romantic Suspense Continuity
Buy Links:
Amazon
https://amzn.to/2Ip32d2
Nook
https://bit.ly/2OWwsle
Apple Books
https://apple.co/2RalKZE
Google Play
https://bit.ly/2DEq8h4
Kobo
https://bit.ly/2R8B0Xh

About the Author

Geri Krotow is the bestselling author of the Silver Valley PD series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and the Bayou Bachelors series with Kensington Lyrical Caress. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Intelligence Officer, Geri left her Naval career to pursue writing. Geri enjoys creating sexy contemporary romances and tingling suspense.

Geri loves to connect with readers!

Please sign up for her newsletter: https://gerikrotow.com/contact/

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