Hi, readers! I just wanted to jump in here and let you know that I officially have a release date for the second edition of Upon Your Return. Yay! 😀
I am so excited to know that the Heiresses trilogy, my first historical romance series, is quickly returning to us. I’m not allowed to show the book cover just yet, but I’ll tell you when I can. Let’s just say it’s a fabulous cover! 😉
Mark your calendars for the release date on this book. It’s coming out on November 23rd. That’s right, this year!
Hi, readers! Just wanted to inform you that Blue Vision, a science fiction romance and book one of the Code of Endhivar Series, is available on Amazon again. I republished it this week…yay! 🙂
If you need to get it from somewhere other than Amazon, it is on Smashwords now, and should be distributed to Barnes & Noble and Kobo soon.
In any case, if you’ve never read this book, I hope you have a chance to do so. I guarantee you’ll enjoy Brooke and Colin’s journey the way I loved writing the story. 😉
Happy reading, as always! And have a wonderful holiday season!
How Shopping Correlates with Dating and Relationships
I love, love, love shopping…well, for almost anything! I can never be trusted with a credit card. 😉 Most of the time I resist temptation, but now and then, especially if I have some extra money on my hands, I indulge in one of my hobbies – shopping for clothes, or even books.
But whether you’re browsing online or in the store, shopping for clothing items is a whole other animal. At least with a book, you can be sure you will usually end up a satisfied reader. The only issue, for me at least, might be a bunch of glaring grammatical errors, or so much head-hopping that I get fictional whiplash.
Amanda Jones, Unsplash
Shopping for clothes, however, is a different story.
Do you remember the first romance novel you ever read, or even which romance story in a film, that made you ‘swoon’?
As a child I’d always been swept away by the tales of Snow White, Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. And romantic comedy movies were wonderful! While I was growing up, I savored the Mary Anne/Logan couple dynamics in The Baby-Sitters Club book series.
Being a writer and a bookworm at heart, however, I must be true to my passion. The first romance novel I remember being simply thrilled with was Annette Curtis Klause’s The Silver Kiss. I was browsing my library at school. I think was about twelve or thirteen. I had just finished two other reads, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (YA historical), and Say Goodnight, Gracie (YA fiction/drama).
I needed a change, something altogether different. And it worked well, since I’ve always been fascinated with the supernatural.
The Silver Kiss turned my fledgling romantic’s heart on its axis. It was the first paranormal romance I ever encountered, even though the title was aimed at young adults.
Sa-wooon! The chemistry between Zoe and Simon is undeniable.
Do you remember the novel that made you rethink the whole romance genre?
I recall sneaking my mom’s Harlequin books when she wasn’t around. But the year I turned sixteen, we went on vacation to Tennessee. For the first time ever while I was on break then, we stayed in a fancy cabin and I had my own room. That evening, the writing observer in me couldn’t leave the place alone. I just had to snoop! 😉
Lo and behold, there was a somewhat worn copy of Catherine Coulter’s Devil’s Embrace, tucked into a nook. I wasn’t sure if the owners meant for an occupant to have a book to read while staying there, or if a previous tenant had left it behind. I was always a bit of a night owl, so I dove into uncharted waters. I wasn’t disappointed!
Needless to say, as the novel was a true bodice ripper in style, it blew away all my expectations for a romance story. I never knew historicals could be so hot! ♥♥♥
Coulter is at fault, setting the stage for me to read slightly dark, racier reads later on. LOL.
So…what about you? Do you recall the romance books that first compelled and inspired you?
Let’s take a poll. Your answers will probably be limited in the polls, but feel free to go into more detail in the comment thread below. Tell us your history as a romance reader! 🙂
Give us more info below…
Which romance novel did you first read, and where were you at the time? Same goes for the second question.
Which novel caused you to rethink the whole romance genre?
Hi, readers! I am excited to announce the official launch of Second Chance Heart, a contemporary romance release! 🙂
Here is the blurb:
After a wild storm forces her to take shelter in a small town inn, Dana Nelson thinks that all she has to worry about is a brief stay before she heads back to the city. She gets far more than she bargained for…
The last thing she expects is to run into an old flame, and even worse, the man who broke her heart twelve years ago. She’s sure that the only thing remaining between them is a strong attraction for another.
She can’t be more wrong…
The more time she spends with Vince Reynolds, the more she begins to believe she can trust him again. But, can she put her faith in the one man who captivates her, body and soul, or are some wounds too deep to heal?
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Noteworthy Quotes from Marie’s Books!
__“We cannot choose who we love.” – Captain Grant Hill, UPON YOUR RETURN
__What was it, and why was she drawn to him? “Tell me,” she demanded, echoing his words from before as she gripped the lapels of a fine black silk shirt he wore. Its coolness penetrated her fingertips. What an odd fabric for a thief to wear. “Who are you?” she asked in a hoarse tone, oddly desperate to know. – Myah, BLOOD INSTINCTS
__“Play nice, sweetheart. I don’t have to be easy on you.”
“You’ve certainly proven that already.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” – Alec and Desiree, SECOND NATURE
__He remembered the strange chanting he’d heard before. “You’re practicing witchcraft? That’s a new one.” – Ethan, MAGICK & MOONLIGHT
__Mortified, she stammered, “Ah, forgive me. I’m clumsy.”
He grinned. “No harm done.”
Oh, damn…why did he have to smell so good? His unique cologne was like heaven in her nose. Her insides unfurled, stirring in a way she’d never felt before. She clenched her nails on his silken dress shirt, as he’d discarded his blazer in the car. Exposed now, his shoulders appeared broader. Irresistible. She wished fate would stop sending signs this man was the type she should be attracted to; she knew better than to fall for such a fairytale. – Ginger, CHASING GINGER
__Then, it seemed her body was leaning toward him of its own volition. His gaze fell to her mouth and she began to tremble before he set his lips to hers. Her hands grasped his shirt, and she detected a set of fine muscles there.
Sure, she’d been kissed before, but never like this. His kiss was a wonder not often spoken of, an exploration of certainty and passion. As she melted into his arms, she wondered why no one had described it to her before, the insistent thud of her heart or the warmth in her stomach, the way her fingers itched to touch or pull him closer. How could lips provide such comfort yet also a passage into a world she hadn’t known before but yearned for now? – Aly, THE MISSING PIECE
__He reached out and touched her cheek. The contact was cool, yet it sizzled with energy. “Too curious,” he murmured. “What will I do with you?” – Colin, BLUE VISION
__She touched her lips. She had been with one man long before she was kidnapped, and kissing had certainly never felt like that. “You can’t exactly call this platonic.” – Caitlyn, DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART
__“You’re mine,” he muttered hoarsely against her mouth. “I should never have forgotten that.” – Vince, SECOND CHANCE HEART
__“It’s short for Rosanna. It’s spelled with an A, but it sounds like ‘ah’.” She lifted her chin. Suddenly, she liked her name. It was different and that wasn’t a bad thing. – Rosie, A LITTLE MAGICK
__“Are you seducing me?”
He chuckled. “How am I doing?” – Patrick, LEATHER AND LACE
__“Not into bondage, sweetheart? That’s a pity.” – Lance/Damien, RANSOM – Won the One Liners’ Contest on Facebook!
__His eyes were steady on hers. “It’s going to be okay. I swear I won’t let anything happen to you.” – Joe, PURSUIT
__She flinched as the gun clicked in the empty chamber. He laughed, then stepped away. “Bastardo!” she yelled. – Carmen, HAUNTED
__“Why did you come back?” he groaned against her lips, holding her to him with a hand cupping the back of her head and neck. – Daniel, PERFECT GAME
Want to learn about your favorite character’s name? Look no further!
Marie’s Indie Books
Historical Romance - Victorian
Futuristic Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Paranormal/Fantasy/Sci-Fi Romance
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Light Contemporary Fantasy Romance
Steamy Romantic Comedy
New Adult Romance Story
Science Fiction Romance
Modern Romantic Drama
Contemporary Romance
Lighthearted Children's Fantasy
Universal Books Page
Marie’s Backlist (will be revised and released into collections)
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Marie Lavender- Multigenre Author 