Hi, readers! Great news…Blood Instincts and the Heiresses in Love Trilogy were both nominated for the 21st Annual Preditors and Editors Critters’ Readers Poll!
So, help me out and cast your vote for each book… You’ll find Blood Instincts, book two of the Blood at First Sight Series, listed in the Romance Category on the site here.
http://critters.org/predpoll/antho.shtml Reader votes wrap up on January 14th. There are SO many categories/genres in which you can cast your vote, including the Best EVER poll (of course I chose my favorite J.R. Ward novel)!
Happy voting, and wish me luck in the awards contest! 🙂
Happy New Year…and, of course, happy reading to all! ♥♥♥
Hi, readers! I’m so excited because Directions of the Heart, my romantic drama collection, was just nominated for the 2017 Readers Choice Awards!
Please vote for it at www.tckpublishing.com/readers-choice-voting. You can find DoH listed in #7, the Romance Category. Scroll down the page to find the book cover. Feel free to skip through to get to the right category, or vote for each one!
Hi, readers! I just wanted to stop in and announce that two of my books were entered in the big cover contest on Authors Database. Yay! When you get a chance, you can check it out and vote for the one you like.
Upon Your Love, book three of the Heiresses in Love Series, which is also a historical romance/family saga novel, is in there. As you can tell, Adrienne’s eyes were fixed recently, to honor their unique violet hue.
Additionally, the cover for Directions of the Heart, a modern romantic drama collection, was nominated for the contest. Woo hoo! 🙂 Many thanks to Sherry Soule at SwoonWorthy Book Covers for her awesome work on the romance cover! ♥
Wow, Meow. I have another character cat of author Marie Lavender here with me today. What is your name, pretty cat?
My name is Ivy.
Very mice name for a cat character. What book(s) have you appeared in? Please list them and their genre.
I appeared in Directions of the Heart. This is a modern romantic drama collection.
Are you in a series? If so, please give information about it.
Ivy’s human co-star, Victoria.
I’m not in a book series, but you could say there is a series since there are four different tales in the collection. I am only in one of them, however. That tale is titled “Strange Heat.” The story is about my owner, Victoria, who goes on a bizarre adventure when she pretends to be someone else for a week. One of the other stories in the collection includes a Golden Retriever. Uggh…dogs!
I am pleased to announce a great book release by well, yours truly! My modern romantic drama collection, Directions of the Heart, officially released this week!
Yay! Awesome!
When a new book comes out, it’s always an exciting time for an author!
I am thrilled to show Directions of the Heart to readers today. ♥
This is the blurb for Directions of the Heart:
Embark on a remarkable journey of drama, romance, and passion…
In all of these amazing stories, there’s one burning question…is love worth the risk?
Without You
Reece and Jenna are two childhood friends separated by time and distance. Can they find a way to heal their bond, or perhaps forge a new one?
Strange Heat
Spurred by her friend’s close call, Victoria decides to take a risk and prove the lifestyle she led was her downfall. But as Tory sinks deeper into the tumultuous…
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…
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.
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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)