I’m Blogging at Romancing Yesteryear: Beginnings and Rebirths!

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Author, Beginnings, books, Crocus, Endings, Fall, Happy endings, historical author, Katherine Bone, Life, Middles, Nelson's Tea, Rebirth, Romancing Yesteryear, Seasons, snowdrops, Spring, starting over, summer, Winter

Posted on February 22, 2018 posted by barbarabettis1

Photo by Sharon Talson

Every day is a new day –
a day for new beginnings, new dreams, new action –
a day for challenge, adventure, and discovery.
TODAY, what is your goal?
What is your dream?
What action are you taking to further your goals and dreams?
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I’m looking forward to 2018 because 2017 was a major struggle. I started battling personal issues; chief among them reintroduced neck problems. My doctor, who is awesome by the way, believes in preventative medicine. A let’s do everything we can to take care of this problem, saving surgery as a last option, type of physician. I’ve had two neck surgeries to replace discs in my C 5-7. So when I started experiencing pain in my neck again last March, I kind of suspected the direction my health was going to take in 2017. Unfortunately, I was right.

Check out the rest of my personal story at Romancing Yesteryear.

It’s #ReleaseDay ~ The Pirate Bride’s Holiday Masquerade by Cathy Skendrovich!

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#Holiday Romance, alpha male, Author, blogger, Cathy Skendrovich, Christmas, faithful, guest, hero, historical, historical fiction, Historical romance, Holidays, love story, New Release, pirate, pirates, release day, rich, romance, Sexy, willing

Welcome aboard, Author Cathy Skendrovich. We’re super jazzed you’ve come to share your new release with us today. Holidays and pirates! What’s not to love, eh? And you’re bringin’ ’em both. Huzzah!!!

Lady Cathy: Ahoy, and thank you for having me aboard, Lady Katherine!

For those of you who don’t know me, I write historical and contemporary romance. Today I’ll be talking about one of my favorite characters, pirate captain Andre Dubois, and giving you five reasons why you’ll fall in love with him in my Christmas novella entitled The Pirate Bride’s Holiday Masquerade, coming from Literary Wanderlust publishers on Oct. 1^st. You first meet him in my novel The Pirate’s Bride, when he is forced to marry Sophie Bellard, a spitfire with whom he eventually falls in love. He’s an extreme Alpha male of whom readers, and Sophie, can’t seem to get enough. Read on for a few reasons you might want him for yourself.

Untying the Knot, Historically Speaking and #NewRelease from Collette Cameron!

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Author, Collette Cameron, dissolution, Divorce, Elopement, England, Gretna Green, historical, Historical authors, Historical romance, history, marriage, New Release, Parliament, Passion and Plunder, regency, Scotland, Tying the Knot

Bestselling, Award-winning author Collette Cameron sails into port with a post about marriage and divorce. More importantly, she’s sharing her new release, PASSION AND PLUNDER! Huzzah and Hoorah!

Take it away, Lady Collette!

My most recent book had me digging into Scottish archives and researching the history of divorce in Scotland. Though it’s true, divorces were somewhat easier to achieve in Scotland than in England, where they were almost impossible to obtain, the process wasn’t so simple or all that common.

Captain Jack is Back ~ Author Alexandra Christian and Naked: Phoenix Rising!

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Alexandra Christian, Author, authors, Captain Jack Sparrow, interview, romance, southern belle, southern gothic

Oh, me hearties, you’re in for a treat. Captain Jack netted a very fine catch on board ship today. Join him as he interviews Author Alexandra Christian for a very rousing good time.

Jack: “Ahoy, Lady Alexandra! What a pleasure it is to have ye aboard. Imagine me surprise to learn ye enjoy ‘love monkeys’.” Shivers and aims pistol at movement in the rigging. “I’ve got one shot that won’t work on an undead monkey. Darn thing keeps pilferin’ me effects. Which brings me to me first question. Every pirate what’s ever been born steered their life by a compass. When ye were born, where did yer compass point to, eh?”

Alexandra: “Those curls at the base of Benedict Cumberbatch’s skull.”

2017 RONE Award Voting Opens Today!

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2017 RONE Awards, Author, authors, award, awards, excellence, nominations, nominees, Once Upon a True Love's Kiss, The Pirate's Debt, The Pirate's Duchess, votes, voting

Voting opens today for the 2017 InD’tale RONE awards and I’m fortunate that two of my books THE PIRATE’S DUCHESS, THE PIRATE’S DEBT, and ONCE UPON A TRUE LOVE’S KISS box set have received nominations. Huzzah and Hoorah!!!

I’m totally jazzed! This is definitely a first for me. None of my published books have ever been nominated for an award before, and I’m humbled and honored to be included with all of the other talented authors whose books have been selected this year. (Best wishes to all!)

But books selected in these categories cannot go on to the final round without your support. If you’ve read my books or would like to offer your support, you can vote here: 2017 RONE Awards.

My books include:

 

THE PIRATE’S DUCHESS is in the Novella category. (Voting takes place April 17th-23rd.)

 

 

 

THE PIRATE’S DEBT is in the Historical 17th Century – Regency category. (Voting takes place April 24th-30th.)

 

 

 

 

ONCE UPON A TRUE LOVE’S KISS is in the Anthology category including USA Today Bestselling Author Julie Johnstone, Collette Cameron, Jillian Chantal, Samantha Grace, Alanna Lucas, Lauren Smith, and Victoria Vane. (Voting takes place April 24th-30th.)

 

Below you can find the entire schedule, if you’re interested. (You will be required to sign in, in order to vote. Your information will not be used for any other purpose. After you register, you’ll be sent a verification link via email. Make sure to verify that link so that you can vote.)

2017 RONE Awards

The list of nominees in each genre can be found in the link of the corresponding week.

Week One (April 17th – 23rd)

Novella

Inspirational

Historical: Ancient – 16th Century

 

Week Two (April 24th – April 30th)

Paranormal: Long

Historical: 17th Century – Regency

New Adult

Anthology

 

Week Three (May 1st – 7th)

Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Time Travel

Chick-Lit / Women’s Fiction

YA: General

 

Week Four (May 8th – 14th)

Paranormal: Short

Suspense / Thirller: Long

Historical: Victorian – 20th Century

 

Week Five (May 15th – 21st)

Cops, Jocks and Cowboys

Contemporary: Sweet

Suspense / Thriller: Short

 

Week Six (May 22nd – 28th)

Mystery

YA: Paranormal

Contemporary: Steamy

 

InD’tale Magazine’s RONE Award is a very prestigious award for Indie Authors. Mega congratulations to all of the nominees in the 2017 RONE Awards!!! 😉

 

Wishing you fair winds and following seas,

Katherine

 

The Biggest Near-Disasters of Only A Mistress Will Do by Jenna Jaxon!

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Author, authors, excerpt, georgian, Georgian Romance, guest, historial, Historical authors, Historical romance, House of Pleasure Series, Jenna Jaxon, mistress, Only A Mistress Will Do

We’re in for a BIG treat today, me hearties! Author Jenna Jaxon is back to tell us about her latest release, ONLY A MISTRESS WILL DO!

Welcome, Lady Jenna!

Ahoy! I know I could read a book I’ve written (probably any other book as well) and no matter how many times I read the copy, I’ll find something new to change with each reading. Usually these are very minor—one space too many, a letter left off a word, a space needed between two words.

Back in October, when I was doing the final galley proofs for Only A Mistress Will Do, I ran into some truly major mistakes that could have been disastrous had I not caught them on the final round through the book. I fault no one but myself because we all read the manuscript numerous times and none of us caught these until the penultimate moment. (I won’t go back and read it again for fear I’ll find something else I missed and it’s too late!)

Captain Jack Interviews Author Barbara Bettis!

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Author, authors, Barbara Bettis, Captain Jack Sparrow, historical, Historical authors, Historical romance, interview, medieval, medieval history, Mercadier, mercenaries, Renaissance, Richard I, The Lady of the Forest

Unfurl the sails! Man the braces! Jack is back and he’s more clever than ever. Join us today as Author Barbara Bettis joins us on deck for an interview!

Jack: “Lady Barbara.” Sweeps a gallant bow. “It’s a pleasure to have ye aboard.” Pops open a jug of rum. “Drink?” Bows head. “I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’d forgotten me manners.” Downs a dram and pounds the stopper. “Where was I? Oh yes, I’ve got a compass that points to what I want most. Where does your compass point to, eh?”

Barbara: “East; no, West; no, North; no, South….”

Jack: Head spins.

Barbara: “Yep, sometimes I seem to go in circles. 😉 But usually I try to keep an Easterly, onward course. In other words, my compass points to optimism . I’m not a “cock-eyed optimist” nor Pollyana.  But sometimes our paths run up against obstacles and we lose direction. I like to always make the best of things and keep pushing forward.

Jack: Closes one eye. Opens it. “Cock-eyed optimist, eh? Would Pollyana happen to be one of the wenches in Tortuga? No? The name of Cotton’s parrot?” Follows Barbara’s head shake. “No? I can never remember names, but wenches and parrots are treasure, to be sure. Speaking of treasure, I’ve got pieces of eight in my pocket. If ye could have eight pieces with ye at all times, what would they be?”

Barbara: “A photo of my family all together; a couple of my favorite inspirational Bible verses; a pen and notebook for ideas; an iPad and a solar battery charger J; my phone; tea, coffee, and chocolate (of course!) Wait. That sounds like I’m being stranded on a desert island, doesn’t it! And you know all about that, right Capt. Jack??”

Jack: “Aye. There be nothing like having your own effects and a stash of rum too.”

Barbara: “Let me replace my pen and notebook with my health (I can write on my iPad). There were go.”

Jack: “I’ll drink to that. To the sun and rum.” Removes stopper and raises jug. “And the braces. There’s nothing like a good wind.” Takes a swig. “When has the wind taken hold of your sails?”

Barbara: “She’s been in my sails for as long as I can recall. I remember writing a play for us to perform when I was in second grade. But the wind turned me in the direction of romance about eight years ago. I didn’t listen to her for awhile, but finally I gave in a finished my first book.

Jack: “Aye, she can be a right stubborn wench. Hard to harness when the sea writhes like a lover.” Shakes head. “Where was I? Oh, yes. Were there times the Kraken tried to pull ye down to Davy Jones Locker? If so, how’d ye escape?”

Barbara:  “As a newspaper reporter/editor, I’d developed a thick hide.”

Jack: “Pirates have to protect their hides from wenches in Tortuga and Elizabeth Swan, Commodores, Governors, the Kraken, bloodthirsty heathens. Ye get the idea…”

Barbara: “I do. When I published my first fiction, I found my new skin as tender as a newborn’s. Why is it we can get a dozen terrific reviews but when a bad one comes in, that’s all we remember? When a Kraken digs in now, I turn to my friends and my crit partners—and my sense of humor—to throw him off.

Jack: “I can do this.” Raises hands and wiggles fingers. “Or this.” Flails arms and runs across the deck. “Of course, there’s always an undead monkey roaming about.” Glances at the ratlines and aims his pistol. “During a broadside, what do ye do to mend your sails?

Barbara: “I get away from writing, go to movies, read outside the genre in which I write. And I read straight history dealing with the eras in which I write. I usually end up finding ideas hidden there in real events or real people.”

Jack: Draws closer and whispers, “I’m real enough, mate.”

Barbara: Laughs. “My fascination with Mercadier, a mercenary who was a right hand to Richard I, led me to my series featuring mercenaries.

Jack: “Mercenaries are just pirates without a ship, m’lady.” Preens. “I’ve got a very nice ship as ye can see and a compass that points to what I want most.” Withdraws compass, flips open the lid and watches arrow spin until it points at Lady Barbara. “Once your coveted course had been charted, how long did it take ye to make port, eh?”

Barbara: “From the time of my first query, it was about two years. I really lacked confidence and had to learn to persevere.

Jack: “Perseverance is key, especially when you’re thrown in jail or shackled to a ship about to be devoured by a beastie. Which reminds me, pirates have a code, more like guidelines anyway. What code do ye live by?”

Barbara: “My ideas usually start with the characters, then a situation. Often I picture a scene in my mind with a character or two and the plotting spirals from there. What challenges face them? How do they react to the challenges? I usually complete a chapter or two of preliminary story which allows me to know the characters a little more. Then I complete a story summary which some might call a synopsis. I do a write-through of three or four pages telling what will happen and how the story will end. Then the real writing begins. After I get the characters set, I do a character outline but not before. I don’t do detailed plot outlines. This is the process I’ve followed to date, but it may change.

Jack: “Being flexible has saved my life on occasion. Improvisation is key. And now, we come to my final question, Lady Barbara. Who is your all-time favorite pirate?

Barbara: “I only know one pirate—You 😉 ”

Jack: Winks. “I knew we were going to get along well the moment I laid eyes on ye, m’lady.”

 

He must pursue his enemy; she must protect her people. Can their love survive the duties that drive them apart?

When her elderly husband dies, Lady Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn’t an enemy, he’s the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts her, she’s bound by duty.

Henry of Chauvere has found the one lady he wants for his own, never mind she’s tied him hand and foot. When he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill’s ruthless new master, he insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won’t desert her friends. Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the threat from Kate’s past catches her.

 When a daring rescue compels Henry and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t drive them apart.

Buy Amazon  /  Buy Wild Rose Press  /  Buy Nook

Award winning author Barbara Bettis has always loved history and English. As a college freshman, she briefly considered becoming an archeologist until she realized there likely would be bugs and snakes involved. And math.

She now lives in Missouri, where she’s recently retired as an English and journalism teacher and plans to spend more time creating heroes to live for.

Ahoy, Lady Barbara! Every tar what sets foot on a ship has a story. What story do you have to tell?

Ports of call:

Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook  /  Twitter

 

Thank you for sailing with us today, Lady Barbara!

Wishing you all fair winds,

Katherine

 

 

Capt. Jack Interviews Author Cathy Skendrovich and Helps Celebrate her New Release ~ The Pirate’s Bride!

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Author, authors, books, Captain Jack Sparrow, Cathy Skendrovich, historical, Historical authors, Historical romance, history, interview, New Release, pirate romance, pirates, romance

2017 is off to a great start! And today, we have a real treat in store. Jack’s back to interview another romance author. This time, he’s reeled in Author Cathy Skendrovich. Man the braces, me hearties! Lady Cathy brought her new release, The Pirate’s Bride. Pirates. Brides. Ah, this promises to be quite an adventure!

Take it away, Jack! 😉

Jack: Preens. “Happy to be back on deck, Lady Katherine. I’m awash with delight.” Bows then straightens effects. Turns and poses for his guest. “Ah, there’s the fine authoress Lady Cathy Skendrovich now. Welcome aboard, luv. Tis a pleasure to have ye.”  Winks devilishly and points to his rum jug. “Don’t be nervous. I brought rum. Let’s start at the beginning, eh? Everyone was born with a compass pointing somewhere. I have a compass that points to what I want most. Where does your compass point to?”

Cathy: “I was born with a compass that points to being the best.”

Jack: Jaw drops. “Kindred spirits, we are.”

#Holiday Romance # Recipe Exchange ~ Quick Peach Cobbler via Author Tina Gayle!

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#Holiday Romance, #Recipe Exchange, Author, Fiction, Holiday, Marketing Exec's Widow, Quick Peach Cobbler, romance, Tina Gayle

Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day, me hearties!

If you celebrate Christmas, I hope Santa Pirate was especially good to you this year! I’m grateful that my family and I got to spend wonderful moments together, moments that would have been much more satisfying if our oldest son and his family could have been with us. (He’s stationed in Japan, lives there with his family, and had to work on Christmas.) One of the sacrifices military families make each and every day is being separated from the ones they love.

Love, sacrifice, and commitment make the world go ’round. And celebrating the holidays also comes in many forms, like observing Boxing Day, a day my fictional characters would set aside to show gratitude to servants or those in need by delivering a Christmas Box.

Join me as I deliver this prized gem. Author Tina Gayle started this #Holiday Romance #Recipe Exchange. And to round out my blog series, she’s come aboard to share her FAVorite recipe with you today.

#Holiday Romance #Recipe Exchange ~ No Bake Cookies via Anita Philmar!

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#Holiday Romance, #Recipe Exchange, Anita Philmar, Author, authors, Cancun, chocolate, cookies, DNA, murder, mystery, no bake cookies, oatmeal, peanut butter, recipes, romance, romantic suspense, security, specialist, Tina Gayle

I’m really enjoying all the delicious recipes from Author Tina Gayle‘s #Holiday Romance #Recipe Exchange! If you’ve missed them, make sure to go back through my previous posts this month. (Look for the title #Holiday Romance #Recipe Exchange.) Scrumptious eats await!

Today, I’d like to welcome Author Anita Philmar back to Rogues, Rebels & Rakes. Anita writes erotic murder mystery, romantic suspense and we’re oh! so lucky she’s aboard today. Claps hands together with glee. She brought chocolate by way of a no back recipe for us to try this holiday season. Huzzah and Hoorah!!!

Take it away, Lady Anita!

Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Oatmeal no bake cookies.

• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 peanut butter
• 2 oz of chocolate unsweetened chocolate
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups oatmeal old fashion

Melt butter and add brown sugar, stir and microwave 30 seconds. Break up unsweetened chocolate and stir into butter and sugar mixture. Microwave 15 seconds at a time until chocolate is melted.

Add peanut butter and vanilla – stir until smooth

Add oatmeal.

Stir until oatmeal is coated.

Then cover cookie sheet with parchment paper, drop spoonful onto parchment paper.

Place pan of cookies in freezer and allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

Eat when ready.

Other alternatives reduce oatmeal 1/2 cup before add one of the alternatives

• 1/2 cup nuts
• 1/2 cup coconut

Special Security Agent Sebastian Berlin is eager to track down his partner’s killer. Instead, he’s assigned the job of baby-sitting a scientist. His boss thinks she’s the key to an Ancient Warrior Prophecy. Science never interested Sebastian, but the know-it-all female standing at the end of his Alaskan dock could persuade him to do a little experimenting. That is, if he can keep his Neanderthal Warrior genes from taking control.

DNA specialist Lily Sinclair is in need of a vacation, or so her over-protective ex-husband tells her. Arriving in chilly Alaska instead of sunny Cancun, she’s tired and cranky and so not in the mood for her bodyguard’s he-man tactics. Still, there’s something about the sexy eye-candy that makes her want to lick him all over even as she’s demanding to go home.

Then Lily’s ex is poisoned, and Sebastian is certain the two murders are connected and she could be next. She knows he’s hiding something, but with the worldwide release of Neanderthal DNA project only days away, she has no choice but to trust him to protect her. But can she trust him with her heart?

Buy Amazon  /  Buy Nook  /  Buy Kobo  /  Buy ARE  /  Buy Wild Rose Press

~ Excerpt ~

She blinked.

He had to be joking.

Lifting her hand to her chest, she sputtered, “Excuse me, what did you say?”

“Cain was murdered outside your lab.” He rephrased the sentence, but her brain registered only one word…—murdered.

She jumped to her feet and planted her hands on his desk. “Why didn’t anyone tell me this before now?” She glanced around for her purse. “I need to call Mark. We have to call the police and find out what the hell happened. Did they break into the lab?”

Without waiting for his reply, she turned and headed back down the hallway to where he’d left her suitcase. She didn’t see her handbag anywhere near it. Did she leave it in the small, tin-bucket-sized plane? Or had Bruce left it on the dock?

Desperate for answers to a whole host of questions, she rushed outside. “Damn it, Bruce, how do you expect me to stay in touch with home if you fly off with my purse?”

 

Anita Philmar likes to create stories that push the limit. A writer by day and a dreamer by night she wants her readers to see the world in a new way.

Influenced by old movies, she likes to develop places where anything can happen and where special moments come to life in a great read.

Naughty or Nice?

Read her books and decide.

Ports of Call:

Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook  /  Goodreads  /  Twitter  /  Amazon

Contact Anita via Email at: anitaphilmar@yahoo.com

 

Thank you so much for docking with us today, Lady Anita! I can’t wait to try these no bake cookies. I love Oatmeal Scotches so I’m sure these ARR going to be a great hit in my galley. 😉

Wishing you following winds,

Katherine