Hi, readers! Let’s hope you all are doing well, and that you’ve stayed safe in these challenging times.
Wow, it’s February already! How did that happen? It seems like everything during the holidays just flew right by. I hope you had a wonderful New Year’s Eve celebration.
In any case, today’s newsletter will provide updates about events you may have missed since the previous edition, and some news to look forward to. Brace yourself for surprises!
Updates
Let’s start where we left off. From December 24th to January 14th, voting occurred for the 23rd Annual Critters Readers’ Poll. There were nominations for my books in the following categories: ‘Romance Novels’, ‘Romance Short Stories’, ‘Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Stories’, ‘Book Cover Artwork’, and ‘Authors’. The categories in the contest covered all relevant works, authors, editors, artwork/artists, and services which were active or published in 2020. Here are the results! I made it into the TOP 10 on several of them. 😉
At the end of December, for New Year’s Eve, I had the usual annual review posts on my blogs. The only difference is that due to the pandemic and a few other reasons, I took a slightly different approach. On the MLB blog, you’ll find an overview of my year as an author, and a brief mention of the posts in 2020. The I Love Romance Blog listed the year’s blog posts, of course, but most of the focus was on a group of medical romance reads for interested book lovers. And over on Writing in the Modern Age, you might discover some authors you haven’t heard of in my broad list of featured writers for the year – 174, to be exact. I made sure to include their latest books, as well as a main site where readers could follow them. In early January, I reshared a useful article about how to have a sustainable or completely ethical wedding.
That was on ILRB. Also, three days later, J.D. Bass came to the same blog to give us a look at her life and the meaning behind her family holiday book with a touch of romance, Tale of the Winter Lands. On the 15th, we had a unique type of feature on Writing in the Modern – a dual feature about a movie and a book. Learn all about Natalie Rodriguez’s The Extraordinary Ordinary, plus a fun interview with her, and she also informs us of her YA thriller novel, Elephant. Three days passed, and Seralynn Lewis gave us a look at her inspirational romance, Cassie’s Secrets. Love the sound of this one. Great cover!
On January 22nd, character Dillion from Debby Grahl’s western holiday romance, Mountain Blaze, came to the Writing in the Modern Age blog, plus we had a great chat with the author! A week later, there was a spotlight on a steamy small town romance new release, R.V. Asher’s Jinx, and I asked the author a few questions. Check out her whole small town series! And on February 1st, readers could take a look at James Morcan’s psychological fiction novel, ANNO 2020. This is even more relevant right now, as the book covers how eleven individuals handled the Coronavirus lockdowns.
As a reminder, I’m taking a big guest hiatus with my blogs for a while. I’ve had too many health issues and family emergencies this year, and it’s time for me to slow down. This will also give me more time to focus on writing books. I am not sure when I will be ready to start taking guests for interviews and such in the future. I just know my attention span is not what it used to be, and multi-tasking is much harder these days. LOL. In any case, in the meantime, what lands on those three blogs will only be articles that I specifically write. Look out for one on ILRB that I pre-scheduled for March. A little hint…it’s about the wonder of the historical romance genre. I may even host mega giveaways again sometime. However, I wouldn’t object to the occasional guest book review for my romance blog if anyone is willing to submit one. If you’re interested, please contact me for more details. I’m willing to provide a complimentary review copy of a title from my enormous literary e-book collection (definitely not my own work, just so you know!). ♥
Book News
In case you missed it, the next edition of Second Nature, my first paranormal romance book, came out in the middle of December. Right now, it’s available on Amazon in both formats, but the other booksellers should be up soon.
Also, keep an eye out for another book, which is coming very soon. I’ll be releasing Phenomenal Touch, a supernatural romance collection and starter series boxed set. I’m so excited to have books from separate series in one set for the first time. 😊
After that, I hope to have First Target, my romantic mystery collection, out for you in a timely manner…
Upcoming Events for Marie
March 10th –“Historical Romance: Personal Not Just Factual”, my article on ILRB here.
As always, to stay apprised of the latest events, please refer to the ‘Updates/News’ section of my author website. I keep it updated. Or, just simply make sure that my newsletters don’t end up in your junk mail or spam folder! 😉
Bizarre & Unusual
If you’ve followed my newsletters thus far, then you know it’s my habit to include a bizarre or unique holiday for the month. Below are some that stood out to me for February. Maybe a few will catch your eye as well…
February Holidays:
Month:
- American Heart Month
- An Affair to Remember Month
- Black History Month
- Canned Food Month
- Creative Romance Month
- Great American Pie Month
- National Bird Feeding Month
- National Cherry Month
- National Children’s Dental Health Month
- National Grapefruit Month
- National Weddings Month
Weekly Celebrations:
3rd Week International Flirting Week
There are so many to choose from! For this newsletter, I will do something different. With a nod toward Valentine’s Day, I am going to pick ‘Creative Romance Month’. In a time when it’s quite a chore to get together with your loved ones – especially with the anxiety of the pandemic still over our heads – think about giving someone a unique gift, a little more of a DIY project.
Miscellaneous Book Releases and Freebies
In other news, here are some special recent releases from my author pals!
#1 – Two Souls United
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Book #5.5 in the Etherya’s Earth Series
Two of the most beloved characters in the series find their happy ever after in this sweet, steamy novella…
Sam, uncle to Jack, whose strength and bravery are only matched by his kindness and compassion.
Glarys, the feisty, caring estate manager who puts everyone else first.
Two souls who aren’t searching for love but might still find it nevertheless.
Enjoy your time in Etherya’s Earth!
**The Etherya's Earth series is best read in order so the reader can enjoy the evolution of the characters. After all, the author loves a good twist and wants the reader to uncover them organically. However, readers of romance rest assured that each book has its own featured hero/heroine and HEA.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Universal Reader Link: https://books2read.com/u/mdnJ5l
#2 – Shifter’s Valentine
#3 – Prince Theo
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Prince Theo is unable to stop thinking about his human servant and childhood friend, Marquette. This obsession has gotten him in trouble in the past.
There is an unspoken truth in the Kingdom. Beasts are to never get involved with the human class.
Theo goes great lengths to make sure that he keeps his distance from her, as his impulsive wolfish nature cannot be stopped once it's turned on.
Marquette's life isn't as simple as the other humans. She's in danger, and the only one willing to help is the Prince.
To his surprise, Marquette has known his family secrets all along.
She is not only unafraid, but very much enamored with him.
Only fate decides who Theo's true mate may be. If he commits himself to Marquette, it will mean the end of his Royal bloodline's rule.
Steamy, Fun Standalone romance with a HEA. Contains mature themes, adult language, and sexy shifters. 18+ Readers Only!
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Fantasy Romance
Universal Reader Link: https://books2read.com/u/bzg7D2
#4 – True Angel
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What do a talking cat, a 70-year-old virgin, and a determined twenty-something searching for her sister have in common? More than you would think...
In a world where paranormals live side by side with humans, mortals get one look at Camiel and think that he’s an angel… until his black wings unfurl and it’s all, “ Oh, no! Demon!”
Yeah. Not quite.
Cam is an Othersider. Which, okay, just means that he’ll eventually be one of the two… just not yet. Formally known as the Fallen, Othersiders walk—and, yes, sometimes fly—among the humans, knowing that their every step, their every move, their every thought adds to their tally. If he’s good, he’ll finally earn his halo.
If he’s bad…
He’s working damn hard to resist any urges to be bad.
It’s a good thing he has his auditor at his side. Dina might look like a neighborhood stray, but it’s the cat’s job to help Cam get the points he needs to go from Fallen to Angel. And it’s working… until Cam meets Avery.
Avery is human, she’s in trouble, and Cam decides that she needs her very own guardian angel. If he can help her save her sister from the feral shifter that ran off with her, then maybe he’ll finally prove that he’s a good guy.
If only it was that easy. Because Othersiders? There’s a reason why they’re stuck on Earth, working hard to prove where they belong: they’re cursed.
So when it comes to falling in love? There’s one rule.
Don’t.
Now Cam is losing his feathers at an alarming rate. In the middle of his mission, Dina disappears. Avery is a temptation he can’t ignore, and when he doesn’t, that’s when all hell breaks loose.
Literally.
** True Angel (~70,000 words) is the first in a new series by the author of the Claws Clause series. Think The Good Place but set completely on Earth, where every action means our hero is one step closer to earning his halo or his horns. And when he meets his fated mate, he realizes that he’d take either—or none—if it meant that he could have her by his side for all eternity. Fully intended for adult readers! Also, Ain't No Angel, a prequel short set directly before the start of the series—featuring Avery's sister, Heather, and the shifter who took her—is available now!
Genre: Steamy Paranormal Romance/Suspense
Universal Reader Link: https://books2read.com/u/4NXBrz
The prequel is FREE here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T6MR7L9
#5 – The French Fraud
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When making a fresh start, try to avoid finding bodies in the forest.
If the worst happens, and you stumble upon a crime scene, do not get personally involved with the subsequent police investigation.
Especially if you’re a fake psychic who already knows too much about the murder.
All Justine French wants to do is forget she ever used the word ‘psychic’ to describe her extraordinary powers of observation. Unfortunately, it’s the only word on the mind of the man who has been sent to expose her as a fraud.
And there’s no limit to how far he’ll go to get the job done.
To make matters worse, when she reveals one too many details about the murdered man covered in mushrooms that she found in the forest, she risks ending up on the wrong side of the law.
Settling down in a quiet little French town and starting her therapy business will have to wait until the murder has been solved, but when the gendarmes choose an easy confession over a proper investigation, it looks like justice won’t be done.
Someone’s got to solve this murder.
One last mystery can't hurt... can it?
This is the first book in a funny and uplifting cozy mystery series set in France. If you love quirky British sleuths, laugh out loud drama, and clever crimes, you will love the Justine French Mysteries!
Start reading today!
#6 – Rancher Wolf’s Sassy Mate
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Her father is responsible for my father’s death.
I’m not supposed to love her.
But the alpha wolf shifter in me is obsessed.
Marissa is an entitled little brat.
But she’s my brat.
Her reputation precedes her, and everyone knows that she’s never up to any good.
How could she be?
She was raised by an evil father who happens to also be my neighbor.
I’ve tried to get her out of my head.
There are more pressing issues that I have to deal with.
Issues like finding a mate so I can inherit the ranch that’s supposed to be mine.
Just like always, Marissa has trouble cooking up inside her head.
She’s planning something.
And more importantly, she’s in trouble.
It’s my responsibility to protect her.
She may not be mine… yet… but she has my heart.
And I’ll go to any lengths to save her from her father.
Each book in this sexy-as-sin series can each be read as standalones, and has no cliffhangers, but are best read in order.
Warning: Adults Only
Genre: Western Paranormal Romance
Universal Reader Link: https://books2read.com/u/bMXoGX
#7 – Sultry Shifter Nights
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Did someone say shifters?
Stuffed with hot alpha males, kick-ass heroines, and dark-eyed, brooding shifters of all kinds, this collection will deliver hours of decadent, pleasure-filled reading from bestselling and award-winning urban fantasy and paranormal romance authors.
If you can't get enough of those dreamy shifters and other supernatural creatures like vampires, ghosts, witches, demons, and more, this limited edition anthology will feed your cravings. Come now, and follow us into these fantasy worlds where sultry shifters meet their fated mates and always get their happily-ever-after ending.
★★★ Authors & Stories Featured in Sultry Shifter Nights ★★★
COMING SOON in April!
C.D. Gorri
Erzabet Bishop
Gina Kincade
Julie Morgan
Kiki Howell
Shifters Unleashed
Julia Mills
Kate Nova
T.M. Payne
Margo Bond Collins
N Gray
S. Cinders
Reina Torres
Jules Crisare
Dena Garson
Crystal Dawn
Zoey Indiana
Roxy Matthews
Terri A. Wilson
Roxanne Witherell
Genre: Shapeshifter Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Anthology
Newsletter Conclusion
Well, that time has come once more. For now, I’ll sign off. I will check back with you in March, unless I need to inform you of a pressing event before that time.
Take care for now, and, as always, happy reading! 😊
And Happy Valentine’s Day!
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