Cowgirls Don't Cry by Janice Seagraves

Hot Time In The Summer Time collection

I’m in this collection with my short story Cowgirls Don’t Cry which follows Cowgirl Up in an early anthology with Romance Books ‘4’ Us collection.

As Gwen and Arthur’s big day approaches, will his father succeed in stopping the

wedding from happening, or will Gwen’s empathic gift soften his heart?

COWGIRLS DON’T CRY

(FOLLOWS COWGIRL UP)

Janice Seagraves

CHAPTER ONE

While interviewing his client, Arthur Castel felt an urge to wrap things up. A shiver of awareness went through him, and his heart beat a little bit faster. Gwen is in the waiting room. He didn’t need to look to see if she was there, he knew it. The bond that had linked them the first night they slept together told him so.

As the client, Mr. Ortega, told him about the case, Arthur nodded, but his gaze kept darting toward the door. He jotted down some notes, even though his heart wasn’t in it. Anything to keep his mind off Gwen. This was his first case as a trial lawyer and he should have been excited. He studied the file and asked a couple more questions. “Okay. That seems to be all I need from you. If I have any more questions, I can call you at this number, right?”

“Yes, or my office number.” Mr. Ortega, a well-dressed middle-aged man with silver in his dark hair, slid a card across the desk.

Picking up the card, Arthur clipped it to the file. He stood and held out his hand. “Thank you for coming in.”

Mr. Ortega stood and clasped his palm. “Think you can get me off?”

“I’ll do my best. Sexual harassment lawsuits can be a little dicey, but this one seems to be more of a he said/she said situation.” Probably why he, the newbie, was saddled with this case. “I’ll do the best I can.”

“That’s all I can ask for.” Mr. Ortega went out the door.

Arthur placed a few folders he needed to go over into a briefcase and hurried out. His entire body pulsed at the sight of his fiancée.

Gwen sat in one of the comfortable chairs in the waiting room. She wore one of the dresses he had bought for her—low-cut, and dark. The dress was made for her. He caught a tantalizing glimpse of her creamy white breasts. All he wanted was to take her right there on the floor.

Gwen’s green eyed gaze went to Mr. Ortega. Her expression seemed troubled.

“Did milady miss me?” Arthur offered a hand.

“Always, darling.” Gwen took his palm and rose.

The shock of skin to skin contact ran through his body.

She picked up her old leather-fringed jacket.

Arthur helped her into it and sniffed her hair, getting a lungful of cherry blossom from her shampoo.

“Your jacket does nothing for that sexy dress.”

She slipped her arms into the sleeves. “Sorry, but it’s all I have.”

He settled the coat on her shoulders. “I’ll have to buy you another one.”

“It never ends, does it?” Mr. Ortega shook his head before stepping through the doorway.

Gwen flipped her dark hair out of the coat and glowered after him. “Client of yours?”

“Yes. What are you feeling?”

“His disdain for women is like a throb in a bad tooth.”

A chill flowed up his spine. “What else?”

Gwen met his gaze. “Whatever he’s done, he’s guilty as hell.”

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And my Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Janice-Seagraves/e/B0056D223Y/

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Hot Fun in the Summer Time, our summer antho, releases 25 June.
Amazon preorder link:
 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RRRZP2Q

The weather is heating up, but it’s not just the sun and the sand which will keep you hot.
This summer anthology brought to you by the authors of Romance Books 4 Us will bring temperatures to your eReader that will set unheard of heat records, scorching the tips of
your fingers as you turn the pages.
Sultry temperatures.
Passionate couples.
Unbelievable desire.
This is your ticket to… Hot Fun in the Summer Time.

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY LINK:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ec8aae6733/?

Rebooting the Book

One thing that happens to authors sometimes is that their books, for one reason or another, drop out of publication. What do you do with a book that's already been published? Unless you're a household name, odds are, no major publisher is going to lift a pinkie finger to snatch it up, no matter how awesome it is.

The options left are limited:

1. Stuff it back in your shelf and forget about it: Once upon a time this was really the only option authors had. 
2. Self-publishing: Though the vanity press has existed for centuries, this has become so much more a thing during the digital age. It does, however, make the author responsible for every single aspect of the book--artwork, formatting, editing, and promotion, in addition to the actual writing. This gives you lots of control, and all the profits, if there are any, go straight back to you. But each aspect of the book can cost you hundreds, leaving the idea of profits slim, unless you're very good at the promotion angle.
3. Small Press: There are a bunch of publishers out there, primarily e-first companies that are perfectly willing to look at previously published novels, novellas, or short stories. You have to be careful though. Not all of them are honest and some of them couldn't care less if your book sells or not.

I'm at a position with my career where I have a lot of out-of-print material to handle, due largely to the dissolution of my largest pubisher. I've been really slow at getting the 30 or so works they had of mine back out, but I've taken a multi-prong tactic, basically including all 3 of the options above.

Why different options for different works? Here's a few things for anyone with that kind of backlist to think about:

• Cost and cost/profit analysis: These are not the same. Cost is straight up, do I have the money right now to pay a good cover artist? An editor, if the original wasn't that great (I'm lucky that way--most of my editors have been good.)? Promotion?  Cost/profit is figuring out if the book is going to eventually make back what you paid out. Both are important.
• Branding: Does the book still fit the brand you've established or are hoping to build? If not, the back of your hard drive might be where it belongs. At least one of my stories will not be going back up for sale, because it's just not where I want my readers to go.
• Series: Do you intend to write more, or is it being returned to you as a complete series? One reason I chose a publisher for my newest re-release is that I want to add more books to the series, and want an editor and cover artist, which I simply don't have the cash to pay out of pocket. It's a publisher I trust, run by people with both good romance pedigrees and good business sense. Yes, they take a chunk of the profit, so I am paying for all those things out of my sales. But their distribution department will help make sure my book reaches a wider audience than just my current readers.
• Updating, or putting it out as-is. I have a series of books which involve a lot of tech. Now that tech is 10 years out of date. So do I self-pub? The updates might actually change the plot. Would a publisher help me with that? I haven't actually made that decision yet.

At this point, I want to give a shout out to my newest publisher,. This coming week (Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019) one of my favorite novels is coming back out into the world. You'll be able to find it in e-book and print at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo, and Google Play. I'll come back in and post the links as soon as they're up! Hopefully a sequel will be scheduled later this year! It's so good to get back on the horse--or dragon--or dolphin again! Happy 2019, everyone!

Supernova distributes to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Kobo and Google Play.

Dead! Well, not quite. Yet.

Heidi’s day started out well enough, studying dolphins with best friend and research partner, but things took a turn when they got caught in the middle of a drug exchange. Her friend is missing, probably dead, and Heidi was shot at and left to die, too.

Girl meets…guy?

Then the hottest boat bum she’s ever seen rescues her. Tall, dark and handsome, Jake is every girl’s dream. Still, the last thing on her mind is romance. The drug dealers figured out pretty quick she wasn’t dead. Now, they want to finish the job, and her mysterious, drop-dead gorgeous rescuer might not be able to save her—or himself.

Cursed!

Jake’s got a fishy secret of his own—complete with fins. He’s exiled from his colony and cursed to shapeshift with the moon. As a merman, Jake can’t afford to be around humans, especially a marine biologist who might discover his species. But he can’t throw Heidi to the men after her. He’ll fight drug lords, pirates and even the gods to protect her. Piece of cake, right? It’s easier than the other problem, the biggest problem of all: the massive attraction growing between Jake and Heidi, an attraction neither can deny.

A centuries-old merman and an air-breathing, very human scientist might fall in love,  but where would they live? And can that love even survive?

To Hell and Back - My Journey as a Writer

Last month, I was featured for a week on Novelspot (a great site BTW), revealing my journey to becoming a writer. Trust me, my confession and the journey wasn't easy.

For those of you who missed my posts, here are the opening paragraphs to each of the seven days (titles are linked to the full articles). In many ways, my trek to writing was typical. In many ways, it was not.

It began with a letter to Santa

I had what might be termed a very unusual childhood, unless, of course, you’re one of those kids trapped in the TLC series Toddlers and Tiaras or on Lifetime’s Dance Moms.

How a Flea became my First Protagonist

Where I grew up, the summers are hot and muggy. Just going outside feels like you’re trying to breathe through mud. Even as a kid, I couldn’t wait to escape, with the West Coast and the Pacific Ocean being my ultimate destination. (Odd, because I eventually ended up in Palm Springs). However, I needed to get through childhood first.

You'll Never Make It

Anyone who knows me understands that I’m all about helping people reach their potential and goals. Lord knows I had enough negativity with losing pageants and dance contests when I was very young and very fragile.

A Glimmer of Hope

Having spent all of my high school years in an all-girl environment, I couldn’t wait to get away to a coed college. A party school, no less. At that point, I hadn’t settled on what to do with my life. I was leaning toward commercial art, since it was one of my strengths.

Don't Quit your Day Job

Being practical, I knew the chances of me becoming a bestselling author and supporting myself right out of the gate were slim to none. I switched my major in college from art to journalism, figuring I could always work for a paper while I wrote the Great American Novel. During my lecture courses, I wrote poetry, rather than notes.

It All Came Crashing Down

My early rejections often made me question my sanity in pursuing a writing career. Too often, I felt as though I was repeating the pattern from my childhood when I lost numerous pageants and dance competitions.

The end of the tunnel at last

In those first dark months without my husband, I simply tried to survive. Getting a job. Paying bills. Sobbing at night. Not thinking of the future.

Tina

Tina Donahue
"Heat with Heart"

SINFULLY WICKED (menage - Available NOW)
THE YEARNING (HOLT MEDALLION AWARD OF MERIT)
UNENDING DESIRE (BEST BOOK Rating - LASR Erotic)
SENSUAL STRANGER (BOOK OF THE YEAR 2010)
DEEP, DARK, DELICIOUS (HOLT MEDALLION AWARD OF MERIT)


Website: http://www.tinadonahue.com/
 Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue

The Good Citizen

As you read this blog post, I sit in the jury selection room of my county courthouse, waiting to learn if I’ve been chosen to decide a case. If so, the jury commissioner instructed me to reserve five days for duty. Payment is $9 per day, plus free parking. I pay for my own lunch. Failure to appear will result in a warrant for my arrest. I’ve opted for good citizenry, since that seems to be the smarter option.

In my absence, I hope you’ll enjoy an excerpt from my contemporary paranormal erotic romance INTIMATE ART. 

Best~Adele

INTIMATE ART by Adele Dubois

"Ms. Dubois casts a spell that ensnares you
before you're done with the first page."
~ Simply Romance Reviews

Summary:

When Jack Harris strides into the Special-T café each morning, wearing jeans hot enough to melt glass, the erotic fuel between him and waitress Legs Anderson almost ignites the room. That’s why Legs’ willingness to keep Jack at bay is Hartsville’s most bemusing mystery.

That and the fact that Jack Harris is the only person in town who doesn’t believe the Anderson house is haunted.

But Legs believes. And as long as her aunt’s ghost haunts the master bedroom of the house she inherits, Jack can’t spend the night. Ada had an ironclad rule she enforces from the grave:  No men allowed.

Especially Harris men.

Jack forms a plan involving paint, body stencils, and exotic ingenuity to chase Ada’s ghost from the house. Will erotic art help him claim the woman he loves?

Excerpt:

Legs set her coffee cup down on the desk and moved to the oak trimmed doorway of her aunt’s room. Jack was pushing too hard and she was growing more defensive by the minute. “Men aren’t allowed in her bedroom.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed. “You’re really serious about her haunting the place, aren’t you?” His question was heavy with controlled annoyance.

Legs nodded and folded her arms across her chest. “And she has very strong opinions about what you and I have been doing.”

His smirk told her he couldn’t care less. “Then we don’t need to sneak around anymore, do we? She knows.” He set his coffee cup on the dresser and plunked the bag on the floor. “Just because her husband ran out on her doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a life. I’m not like your miserable drunk of an uncle.”

He shifted his gaze around the room, a scowl forming on his handsome, angular face. Glints of gold in his long, thick hair caught the morning light, and Legs sucked in an admiring breath. His hair was combed back from his face and trailed to the center of his neck like rich butterscotch fudge glazed with real vanilla. It looked so good she almost wanted to take a bite.

She never could stay mad at him long.

The last time they made love she’d run her hands through his gorgeous hair and combed it with her fingertips. She’d reveled in the silky texture while he licked the swells of her breasts and sucked her taut nipples, groaning as his erection strained against her naked thigh. The memory of his hot skin against hers made her tremble inside.

Some of her defenses fell away.

Legs could tell Jack recognized the scent of Ada’s White Diamonds perfume gaining strength in the air by the way he tilted his head as his nostrils flared. His blue eyes flashed defiance. He looked around, shouting at corners. “Do you hear me, Ada? I’m not like he was. It’s time to let her go.”

A cold chill swept through the room. Legs shivered against the draft and ran her hands over her arms. She stared into the sunbeams shining across the floor, trying to focus through the dust motes in the early morning sun. If she looked in just the right way, and at just the right angle, she might see glimmers of her aunt. It had happened before.

Jack turned to face her with a slow smile curving his lips. “I know how to get her out of here, darlin’”. He reached out and pulled her to him. “Tough Love.”

“What?”

The scents of fresh lime soap and musk aftershave filled her senses, dousing the White Diamonds. Strong arms hugged her to his muscled chest. The smell and feel of him drifted over her like a safe, sensuous blanket.

She pressed her cheek against his pectorals and rubbed her face across the nipple that had hardened beneath his black t-shirt. The fullness of her bottom lip clung to the tip and she resisted the primal urge to nip it with her teeth and poke it with her tongue through the fabric.

His voice turned gruff. “We’ll fuck her out of here.”

*****

Buy INTIMATE ART on Amazon Kindle!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006IVYUY2

Buy INTIMATE ART on B&N Nook!

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intimate-art-adele-dubois/1019742967?ean=2940013482289

Buy INTIMATE ART on Smashwords!

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/117734