Category Archives: Romance
Thursday Trilogies and More: Marie Lavender and Magick!
Posted by Marie Lavender
Get a sneak peek of my future lighthearted romantic fantasy, Magick Sunrise, book three of the Magick Series, here!
Hello and welcome to Living the Dream. Today, I would like to highlight one of my favorite authors, Marie Lavender. One of the most difficult things for an author to do is write a series of books. The key is keeping the reader hooked from one book to another. J.K. Rowling mastered this with her Harry Potter books and I believe Marie is on her way to doing the same. Read on to learn more!
Blurb for Magick & Moonlight, book one of the Magick Series
Genre: Lighthearted Romantic Fantasy
Messing with free will is always a bad idea…
Ethan Hamilton moves to a lazy little town in Oregon, hoping to escape his demons. But, instead he discovers a woman dancing nude in the moonlight. This woman who claims she is a witch dazzles him with her sensual presence. He thinks she’s crazy, but what if she’s not?
Jessie…
View original post 2,597 more words
Share this:
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Posted in Authors, Books, Children's Books, Contemporary Romance, Event, Fantasy, Fiction, News, Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy, Readers, Romance, Romance Novels, Updates, Writing
Tags: A Little Magick, children's books, children's fiction, fantasy, futuristic, kid lit, magic, magick, Magick & Moonlight, Magick Series, Magick Sunrise, Marie Lavender, news, romantic fantasy, series, sneak peek, Susanne Matthews' blog, trilogy, update, witchcraft, witches, wonder
2017 A to Z Challenge Blog: M is for Marie and Magick
Posted by Marie Lavender
Welcome to the thirteenth day of the 2017 A to Z blog challenge. I’m later than usual this morning because I slept in and had family visiting yesterday–long story short, we had a great time yakking, laughing, and drinking lots of wine.
Today’s letter is M, and in keeping with my decision to introduce you to authors you may not have had a chance to meet before. Today’s author is Marie Lavender, and I’ll be showcasing her new books, The Magick Series
M is For Marie and Magick
Let Marie tell you about herself.
I have been writing for over twenty-five years. From the tender age of nine, I knew I wanted to be an author. I’ve spent most of my life trying to fulfill that dream. I began publishing in 2010, and was fortunate enough to be discovered by Solstice Publishing when they picked up and published my first historical romance novel, Upon…
View original post 500 more words
Share this:
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Posted in Authors, Books, Children's Books, Contemporary Romance, Event, Fantasy, Fiction, News, Readers, Romance, Romance Novels, Updates, Writing
Tags: A Little Magick, A to Z Challenge, children's books, children's fiction, fantasy, featured, kids, magick, Magick & Moonlight, Magick Series, Marie Lavender, romantic fantasy, spotlight, Susanne Matthews' blog, witchcraft, witches
Radio Interview!
Posted by Marie Lavender
Check out a radio interview tonight at 8PM EST! 🙂
For our lovers of paranormal romance, you’ve gotta check this out…
Later today, I’ll be chatting with awesome author team and radio hosts of the Haunted Nights Live! show, Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross. This radio show is quite popular, and the Thorne & Cross team has seen some very famous authors on there. Check out the list of past guests here.
Check us out at 8PM EST to get some sneak peeks of two books I have coming out later this year, a futuristic paranormal romance/urban fantasy, Blood Instincts, book two of the Blood at First Sight Series, and Awakening, a paranormal romantic thriller collection.


Plus, for those who have a fascination with the supernatural, we’ll be talking about that too. 😉
So stop by tonight! You can call in with questions or sit back and listen in. I’m not sure if the interview will…
View original post 69 more words
Share this:
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Posted in Authors, Books, Event, Fiction, Interview, News, Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy, Radio, Readers, Romance, Romance Novels, Writing
Tags: Authors, Blood At First Sight Series, Blood Instincts, Books, collection, coming soon, event, Fiction, futuristic, ghosts, Haunted Nights Live!, interview, metaphysical, mystery/thriller, novel, novellas, paranormal, paranormal romance, Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, radio, radio interview, readers, Romance, romantic thriller, shifters, supernatural, theme, thriller, Thriller/Suspense, vampires, vampires rule, witchcraft, witches, Writing
Upon Your Love by Marie Lavender
Posted by Marie Lavender
A spotlight on my latest release!
I have added some pics her of Marie Lavender’s cool new book titled Upon Your Love.
Sales links here; pick one up!
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B06XBPVS7D
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-love/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/upon-your-love-marie-lavender/1125931721
Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Upon-Your-Love/Marie-Lavender/9781625265401?id=6842447479054
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/6969887
Share this:
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
OUTSIDE THE LINES: MARIE LAVENDER
Posted by Marie Lavender
Please welcome back to the blog, crowd-pleaser Marie Lavender. With a shiny new release out, Marie takes a pause to answer some questions about multi-genre writing and staying outside the box. Oh! And she has a WIP on the go too. Hey, Marie.
1.
With so many sub-genres to choose from, romance fans are truly fortunate. How do you define your work? Are you a traditional romance writer?
I actually prefer to define myself as a multi-genre author because I’m truly all over the place when it comes to the type of books I write. After releasing a children’s fantasy in 2015, I took a hard look at my works-in-progress, and then realized I needed to make a change instead of just calling myself a romance author. Some of the stories I have planned are dystopian or have time travel themes. I’ve even tried my hand at horror. Compared to…
View original post 2,758 more words
Share this:
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Posted in Authors, Books, Event, Fiction, Historical Romance, Interview, new release, News, Readers, Romance, Romance Novels, Writing
Tags: author interview, book interview, family, Heiresses in Love Series, Historical, Historical Romance, interview, Marie Lavender, multi-genre, romance book, romance novel, romance novels, romance readers, saga, Upon Your Love
New Release: Upon Your Love!
Posted by Marie Lavender
I am happy to announce that the final book of the Heiresses in Love Series, Upon Your Love, is officially out! Woo hoo! 🙂
This full-length, historical romance/family saga novel is available on Amazon, through my publisher and CreateSpace. Usually, sites like Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million are added later.
I’m very excited to show this book to readers! ♥
Here is the blurb:
The Hill family saga concludes as loyalties are questioned, faiths will be tested and undying love may come at a terrible cost…
Fara Hill, mother and faithful wife, is torn between her family at home and her urge to be at sea. Soon, she learns some disturbing truths. Was the past a fairy tale instead of reality?
Chloe Hill, loving wife and young mother, questions her faith when her husband sets an ultimatum she cannot meet. Will she be able to keep her marriage from falling apart?
Adrienne Bellamont Hill, born of a valiant captain and a fiery redhead, is untamed to her core and will bow to no man. Then Christian du Plessis enters her life with an offer she can’t refuse. Discovering the man behind the polished gentleman, she is drawn to him in many ways. Holding out for love is a family tradition, but can she resist the temptation of passion?
Christian finds this young woman to be a fascinating challenge, and is torn between keeping his distance from her and succumbing to her charms. A fierce battle of wills ensues as he sees she is much more than he ever imagined.
But danger lurks, threatening to destroy everything…
Can these two strong-willed individuals unite in the cause before time runs out?
And here’s a brief excerpt:
“Then, it’s settled. Shall we pick you both up at eight o’clock?”
Adrienne nodded. “That is fine.” Her mother sent her another warning glance, which she couldn’t interpret this time.
After the gentlemen said their goodbyes and left, the ladies went their separate ways, but not before Adrienne’s mother grasped her arm, staying her. She groaned inwardly as she realized she was in for a lecture.
“Tell me what is wrong. You were quite rude to Monsieur du Plessis.”
“Was I? I don’t remember.”
When her mother narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, she felt a sense of unease. Fara Hill could be formidable when she wanted to be.
“What has transpired? Did he offend you in any way at the Broussard’s party? Are you pretending for Elena’s sake? I saw the way she looked at his friend, Monsieur Laroque.”
That her mother struck a little too close to home made her stomach reel. She sighed and mimicked her Maman’s move, her arms over her breasts.
“No, of course not. I suppose I did behave poorly. That was never my intention.”
“You can tell me anything, chére,” her mother claimed, softly.
She was grateful, but she had the feeling she shouldn’t tell anyone about the matchmaking scheme. Only Eric knew at this point. No one else would understand, and she couldn’t guarantee that Elena wouldn’t find out somehow. There was, however, a deeper concern at the moment.
“He… unsettles me.”
“You don’t trust him?” her mother’s brow furrowed.
“I believe I can. That’s not the disturbing part.” She felt the heat settle on her cheekbones as she blurted, “I feel different around him. Maman, I couldn’t stop staring at the man the other night. And today, I felt jealous. Jealous! How ridiculous!” she cried. “Something is certainly wrong with me.”
Fara pried Adrienne’s hand loose from her clasp on her upper arms, and then led her back to the settee. “There is nothing at all wrong with you. It seems you’ve developed a tendre for this man.”
For a moment, it seemed she had no breath in her lungs. “What? That’s mad. For Christian? No! I can’t… not after Robert.”
Her mother squeezed her hand. “It is perfectly all right to move on; it is natural even. You are allowed to love again, chére.”
“I have to stop this now,” she muttered, appalled that her mother thought she might be infatuated with Christian. “I can be a reasonable woman. I will be around him for Elena’s benefit, oui? But, I can’t have feelings for someone I just met.”
Her Maman’s quiet reply was disturbing. “You’d be surprised.”
“We are only friends,” she protested. And were they even that? Beyond their matchmaking plans, what were they exactly? Business partners perhaps, but even that seemed a trivial way to define it. Still, it was too disconcerting to entertain.
“Some of the best unions begin in friendship.”
“No,” she said, with a scowl. “We can only be friends.” She just had to keep telling herself that. And perhaps her body would listen as well, as she’d noticed the strange magnetism which drew her to him. She burst to her feet. “I can’t think about this right now. I must go.”
“Chére—”
“No, Maman. I… I need some air. Pardon me.” She fled from the room.

Here’s the trailer!
Purchase links:
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B06XBPVS7D
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-love/
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/6969887


I hope you all get a chance to check it out! Enjoy! 🙂
Share this:
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Posted in Authors, Books, Event, Fiction, Historical Romance, new release, News, Readers, Romance, Writing
Tags: book release, Books, Heiresses in Love Series, Historical Romance, Marie Lavender, maritime, new book release, new release, news, Romance, romance novel, romance readers, Upon Your Love, Victorian
The Process: A Writer’s Perspective
Posted by Marie Lavender
Guest post by: Marie Lavender
It starts with the seed of an idea. For a writer, it’s one of the most exciting parts of the book process. Perhaps it’s the flash of a scene in your mind, stemming from current events, something you read or witnessed in life. Or an object caught your interest, a mere speck of dust from the comet streaking across the night sky.
Suddenly, a plant has begun to grow. Scenes materialize in fits and starts, gradually forming a loose storyline. If you’re lucky, you know some of what might occur from the beginning. If that’s not the case, discovering each section of the whole is akin to the exhilaration of an archaeologist on her first dig. Soon enough, however, you’ve accumulated sufficient knowledge to get an idea of the overall picture. If the writer has any hope at all of finishing the project, he or…
View original post 557 more words
Share this:
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Posted in Authors, Books, Fiction, Readers, Romance, Romance Novels, Writing, Writing Tips
Tags: blog post, Fiction, guest post, journey, Marie Lavender, Nina Soden's blog, techniques, writer's life, writers, Writing, writing process
New Release!
Posted by Marie Lavender
The Missing Piece, my new adult romance, is finally out on its own! Yay! ♥
Purchase Links:
Universal Amazon link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B06W5RYBD8
myBook.to/MissingPiece
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/the-missing-piece/
CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/6933779
Wow! ♥♥♥ Thanks, Solstice, for giving my work a wonderful home!😉
Share this:
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Posted in Authors, Books, Contemporary Romance, ebook, Event, Fiction, new adult, News, Readers, Romance, short stories, Updates, Writing
Tags: book, book release, Books, college, Contemporary, contemporary romance, Fiction, Marie Lavender, new adult, new adult romance, new book release, new release, news, Romance, romance readers, Solstice Publishing, Summer Solstice, The Missing Piece
New Release Feature: Cupid’s Arrow Anthology by Solstice Publishing
Posted by Marie Lavender
One of my stories is in this great anthology! 😉
I am pleased to announce a great book release by Solstice Publishing, my very own publisher!
This special romance collection, Cupid’s Arrow, officially released yesterday! Yay! That’s awesome! Congrats, everyone, on your new release!
When a new book comes out, it’s always an exciting time for an author!
Here’s a brief look at Cupid’s Arrow, just in time for that special romantic holiday tomorrow.
Valentine’s Day is filled with romance and special relationships. The sweetness of a couple coming together is perhaps the best part of this very special day. Will these couples share that very important first kiss?
Fun cover!
This is the blurb for Cupid’s Arrow:
Will Millie be a victim of, hot, passionate, and fleeting war kisses?
Romance has no age barrier
The biggest mistake of Aly’s life could turn into the promise of new love…
Can love be rekindled after a lifetime?
Victorian…
View original post 384 more words
Share this:
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Posted in Authors, Books, Contemporary Romance, ebook, Event, Fiction, Historical Romance, News, Readers, Romance, Writing
Tags: anthology, Archimede Fusillo, Authors, Blogging, book release, Books, Contemporary, contemporary romance, Cupid's Arrow Anthology, Debbie De Louise, E.B. Sullivan, early love, event, first kiss, Historical, Historical Romance, K.C. Sprayberry, Leah Hamrick, Lois Crockett, love, M.A. Cortez, Marie Lavender, new adult, readers, Relationships, Romance, romance books, romance readers, romantic comedy, romantic suspense, short stories, Solstice Publishing, stories, Summer Solstice, theme, thieves, When Jack Trumps Ace, Writing, youth to seniors
Here is my interview with Marie Lavender
Posted by Marie Lavender
Name: Marie Lavender
Age: 36
Where are you from
I’m actually from the Midwest. I was raised in a family of five, with many extended relatives as well. In college, I majored in Creative Writing, and well, here I am.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
My latest news is that I have two books coming out in February. One is a story that will be featured in the Valentine’s first kiss anthology, Cupid’s Arrow, and then subsequently released on its own. The story is called The Missing Piece, and it’s a new adult romance. The second is Upon Your Love, a historical romance/family saga and full-length novel, as well as book three of the Heiresses in Love Series. I am very excited for readers to discover both of these books!
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I began writing at the age of nine…
View original post 3,200 more words
Share this:
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Posted in Authors, Books, Contemporary Romance, Event, Fiction, Historical Romance, Interview, News, Readers, Romance, Romance Novels, Writing
Tags: author interview, Books, coming soon, contemporary romance, events, family, Fiona McVie's blog, Heiresses in Love Series, Historical Romance, interview, new adult romance, new book release, new releases, news, novels, romance books, romance novel, saga, short story, tips, upcoming, Writing, writing process




















































