STORM OF THE HEART New Release and Giveaway!

I'm so pleased to share my new book with you! Set in the wilds of northern Maine in 1814, Storm of the Heart features a beautiful young widow who saves a half-drowned stranger. Is he a spy or a traitor?

Leave a comment below and be signed up for a free giveaway of an autographed manuscript (paper) and an e-book! Manuscript for US-based readers only, please, but the e-book is for anyone in any country!

Here's another scene you can enjoy in the meantime:

The moonlight only emphasized her loveliness. He brushed a tangled strand of hair from her wet cheek, and her eyelids fluttered. Her lips parted with a gasp, and he wondered if she kissed her ghostly husband in her sleep. Before he could stop himself, he gave in to his pent-up frustration and longing and brushed his lips across hers.

He expected her to sink back into the bedclothes, dead asleep, or, worse, wake up. Instead, her lips quivered against his. Her arms tightened around him, sliding up to grip his shoulders. The pads of her fingers dug into his back. He couldn’t help himself. He deepened the kiss, aware of his rising ardor, but unable to contain it. She twined her fingers in his hair, pulling her to him with an urgency he didn’t want to fight. Every fiber of his being vibrated with sparks ignited by her kiss. His muscles weakened with each passing moment, as did his resolve to leave in the morning. How could he sneak out of the cottage like a criminal, when she was so alone, so desperately alone?

He would have to go soon, regardless. His presence was too much of a risk for her. For himself, he cared little. But he could not put the burden of harboring an enemy upon her.

He broke the kiss gently so as not to awaken her. Cradling her in his arms, he lowered her to the pillow and pulled the quilt up to her chin. He kept watch by her side to ensure she didn’t have another nightmare, but she slept heavily. She resembled an angel in sleep, with her golden hair tumbled across the pillowcase. In sleep, she was more the young woman he sensed dwelled beneath her daily sorrow and mournful burden. It was a shame, truly a shame, that she could not cast the burden aside and give her heart again.

Despite the almost painful urge to hold her through the night, he pulled up a hard-backed chair and sat beside her. He did allow one indulgence, which was to take her hand from the coverlet and hold it lightly. Her fingers closed around his.

Just before dawn, he staggered from her room and unpacked the flour sack of Caleb Quinn’s belongings before falling into a dead sleep on his pallet.

 

Dear readers, do you prefer one historical setting over another? Looking for more dukes and fewer cowboys, or are you ready for some good, old-fashioned American heroes? Leave your comments and I will draw a name out of the hat in 2 weeks! Stay tuned for more excerpts and surprises!

Got Fangs? My Interview With Paranormal Romance Author, Dylan Newton

I’m thrilled to have a fellow Wild Rose Press author with us today. Dylan Newton writes sexy paranormal romance with alpha heroines! Not only is Dylan the mother of two, she is also the new president of our RWA chapter, the Sunshine State Romance Authors. Her new release, Despite the Fangs, tells the story of a foul-mouthed, werewolf heroine with overactive follicles!  Be sure to read the excerpt below, and leave a comment to win a free e-book.

 Anna: Dylan, thank you so much for joining us. I’ve enjoyed the workshops you’ve given at writers’ groups and your ideas and suggestions have inspired me.  You haven’t been writing toward publication for very long, yet your success feels like it was overnight. With three books now in print, what do you consider the most important writing strategy that helps you?

Dylan: A kitchen timer! Seriously, I can only sit if I have a definitive length of time (mine is usually 45 minutes at a stretch), so I use a kitchen timer app on my phone and I literally do NOT move from my chair until that time is up. Oh, and make sure you close out of social media during that time, too!

Anna: Your books feature strong, sexy heroines who are equal to any hero you throw their way. From where do you draw your inspiration?

Dylan: I was raised largely by a single mother and taught from an early age that a woman does not need a man to survive. We can hold our own, thank you very much! But I think that’s why my heroines always strive for independence, even in a relationship. And Aribella Lupari, the werewolf heroine of my new book, DESPITE THE FANGS, is by far the strongest heroine I’ve written to date. And she’s my favorite! J 

Anna: What do you love about this book?

Dylan: Typically, when you read a paranormal romance, it involves an Alpha wolf that’s male. In DESPITE THE FANGS, my Alpha is female, and I love her bad *ss, take-no-prisoners attitude…and I love the man I wrote for her—one that is so confident of his masculinity that he can be with a female Alpha and not be threatened by her strength. I think Aribella and Mason are my hottest couple yet!

Anna: Do you identify with any of your characters? Which ones?

Dylan: As writers, I think we put a little of ourselves into ALL of our characters, and I find a little of me in each of my heroines. My first book is about a psychic, and while I’m no spirit medium, I often have the same gullibility (and clumsiness) of Nola from DESPITE THE GHOSTS. In my New Adult novella, ANY WITCH WAY, my heroine, Lily, struggles with what she should do in her life, and finds herself at an early-life crisis—very similar to one I went through in college! And sometimes my attitude (and my language!) can be markedly similar to my tough heroine, Aribella, in DESPITE THE FANGS!

Anna: I know you just returned from a fabulous trip to Ireland. Did you glean any new stories from your experiences there?

Dylan: I did! I am contracted to write a story for the 12 Days of Christmas for my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, and I chose to set the piece in Ireland. One of the pivotal scenes takes place on the beautiful Cliffs of Moher.

Anna: Wow! So that new book will keep you busy. Have you considered writing in other genres, or is paranormal your thing?

Dylan: I’d like to branch out to other genres…eventually! But for now, I love writing paranormals and those spooky themes are what comes to me when I sit down to write every day.

Anna: Thank you for sharing with us. Here’s a peek at Dylan’s new book!

Excerpt from Despite the Fangs:

 “Aren’t you curious to know what I’ve decided to do with you?”

Mason turned his bronze gaze on her, and Ari’s pulse doubled even as she scoffed.

“Let’s see…either more dart gun practice with me as your target, or you’ve got some misguided fantasy that if I bite you, you’ll become a werewolf like me—”

Ari stopped speaking, but it was too late. Now her plan to protect Mason from knowing too much was shot to hell. She might as well parade around shouting, ‘I’m here. I’m were’. Get used to it!’

Mason grinned. “Two options I hadn’t considered. I don’t need target practice. However, a little biting might be nice.”

His words rolled over her like a pheromone-scented wave. Ari opened her mouth to reply, yet produced only an airy squeak. Mason’s eyes were doing that intense, dark glittering thing again—the look that made it difficult to concentrate. Or breathe.

With a gasp and a shudder, Ari managed a shaky laugh.

“Watch out. I’m not up to date on my shots.”

Mason voice danced along her spine as he leaned in.

“I like to live dangerously.”

Anna: Great chemistry with those two! I can’t wait to read it. Thanks again, Dylan, for stopping by. As for you, dear readers, do yourselves a favor and stop by Dylan’s website, where you can join her Newton Nation for free giveaways, sneak peeks, and other goodies!

Comment below for a chance to win an e-book version of Dylan’s latest book, DESPITE THE FANGS!

 

The lovely Dylan:

Get your book now!

Visit The Wild Rose Press for Dylan's page with links to buy all her books. Or, you can stop by Amazon and get your copy today! 

About Dylan: 

Dylan Newton was born and raised in a small town in Upstate New York where the local library was her favorite hang-out. Despite earning a degree in English Literature, Dylan spent more than a decade sidetracked by an executive position in corporate America where she swears she contracted testosterone poisoning. After leaving, she dedicated herself to more estrogen-rich passions, like motherhood, writing romance novels and her never-ending quest for the perfect date night. 

Dylan married her high-school sweetheart and they are busy living out their own happily ever after in sunny Florida with their two incredible daughters and a snoring Shih Tzu.  

Visit Dylan at www.DylanNewton.com or on Facebook for her author's page.

 

My New Book Cover is Born!

I haven't written on my blog for a few months because I've actually been doing what you want me to do - finish another book. I'm pleased to announce I signed with The Wild Rose Press again for a new Regency historical called HOW TO MARRY A ROGUE.

The release date will be sometime next year, and I'm in the middle of my editor's revisions and changes as I write this. Here's the story in a nutshell:

A trip abroad with her aunt is just what Georgiana Lockewood needs to forget her failed engagement.But her guardian brother insists Jack, his childhood friend, accompany them for protection.She enjoys renewing their friendship, but new emotions stir to make Georgiana question her resolve to remain single and independent.

His parent’s destructive marriage and a bitter grandfather have hardened Jack Waverly’s heart.He vows to remain a bachelor and never give up fighting or gambling.But that was before his trip to France.Mischievous Georgiana has grown up and is turning heads of various suitors.Jack has promised to protect her from all the men vying for her attention, but could he be the biggest threat?

Hope you like it! More info will follow, but I wanted to share the good news.
 

Celebrating my New Book! Available in all formats and paperback!

It's been a while since I had a new book out, and I'm thrilled to say that IN THE ARMS OF AN EARL is now available in paperback and all e-book formats from The Wild Rose Press. If you'd like to buy an autographed copy from me, please email me at annasmallbooks@yahoo.com for special information.

I was inspired to write this story after seeing a photo of Talulah Riley, the actress who played Mary Bennett in the Kiera Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice. In the movie, Mary is plain and obscure, and a bit of a know-it-all. I always liked her! But then I saw the photo of the actress, all made-up and styled and glamorous, and thought, this is how Mary Bennett would look if she were loved by a wonderful man! So that's how I came up with the character for Jane Brooke.

I'm thinking of sending a copy of the book to this lovely actress so she knows that her portrayal of a character inspired a book!

Frederick was found in a similar way, that is, inspired by a real person. I've discussed before about seeing "Wounded Warriors" coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and how it touches me. Young, strong men missing limbs but still living their lives as much as they ever did. Being the daughter, sister, and wife of veterans, soldiers are dear to my heart. I was also tired of reading "perfect heroes" in other romances. If they are "scarred" it's always something superficial or something that can heal itself. I wondered what it would be like to have a romance hero be one-handed. How would the heroine feel about it? More than that, how is he coming to terms with the loss of a limb?

I've seen more books coming out now with non-traditional characters in the lead. Overly plump heroines. Heroes missing a limb. Authors are breaking the boundaries of the svelte-yet-curvy beauty falling for the tall, dark and handsome hero.

And readers are loving it.

FREE Cookbook from The Wild Rose Press Authors!

Yes, I said FREE.  Yours truly has a recipe for some tasty lasagna roll ups in there! Just go to the link below to get your own free downloadable copy. You still have to "check out" but it's 100% free. The Wild Rose Press has award-winning, one-of-a-kind romances of all genres, so check out their books while you're there!

FREE Wild Rose Press Authors Cookbook

While we're on the subject of food, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! And to my international readers, Thanksgiving is an American holiday whereby we all eat a lot of turkey, watch football, and take long naps! Seriously, it is a time for reflection on what we are thankful for. Here's my list - that I have a healthy family, a roof over my head, a job I love, friends I adore, and the best readers in the world!

What are you thankful for? I'd love to hear it.