A MAJOR AFFAIR in #TropicalTryst - 25 #SexyReads #Romance #AMAJORAFFAIR #summerreads #RB4U @CJMatthew

Today we have a special guest at RB4U, telling us about herself, her writing and her part in the new and upcoming boxed set Tropical Tryst.  Please extend her a huge welcome !!!

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Hi! I’m CJ Matthew, author of full-length romance novels in several different genres: contemporary military, suspense, and paranormal/fantasy. 

My contribution to the Tropical Tryst boxed set is A Major Affair, a contemporary military romance novella, book 1.5 in the Colonel’s Daughters quintet and the story is set on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

I began writing my first-ever book, A Major Seduction, in 2009 following the adage, “Write what you know”. Since I grew up an Air Force brat, living all over the US and around the world, I outlined a quintet of books based on 5 AF sisters, all born in different countries. As each sibling happens to return to her birth place (Japan, UK, Italy, Germany, US) where she meets her true love and must face her destiny. After finally publishing that contemporary military romance in Oct. 2016, I returned to writing book 2, Compromising the Captain. I was surprised by the amount of fan mail I received asking to hear more about a secondary character, Major Quinn. So, here is his story.

My favorite genre is paranormal/fantasy romance. I love world-building and writing my dolphin shape shifter series- but I also manage to stay true to my other genre loves by bringing an Air Force hero into the Dolphin shifter series, filling the suspense series with veterans, and adding a pod of non-shifting Dolphins to A Major Affair. So much fun when I get to make the rules! For personal reading, I go for paranormal romance, all kinds of shapeshifters, as well as military romance and suspense. Historical romances relax me, especially Regency. My all-time favorite author is JD Robb and her futuristic crime series, In Death. I shy away from most horror stories and certain thriller themes.

A writing routine: While prepping, before I start writing a book, I make a comprehensive outline of the story and consult/add to the series bible. I finish GMC and character interviews, add to the series spreadsheets (new character names, places, jobs, etc.), finish all the research, create a picture board. One jumpstart tip I use (and cherish) is from the W Plot Method: write 20 favorite scenes on post-its and then place them in the appropriate spots on the outline.

During the time I’m writing the book, I try to stick to a set schedule. Up at 5:30, at the laptop by 6 a.m. Since I live in a cabin in the woods of Northeast Georgia, it’s quiet except for the birds. I share the cabin with a cat, Max, who keeps me company while I write and demands I play with him during stretch breaks. My morning beverage of choice, for all seasons, is hot coffee. After lunch, I switch to Cherry Coke or iced tea.

When I’m not writing I enjoy spending time with family and friends. The cabin doesn’t have cable but there is wifi so I sometimes binge watch Netflix. Secretly, my favorite binge is my collection of Jane Austen books made into movies, and Shakespeare’s plays in movie form.

Website: www.cjmatthew.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CJMatthew

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CJMatthewauthor

Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14216343.C_J_Matthew

BookBub page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-matthew

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cjmatthew88/

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A Major Affair is one of 25 brand new sexy romances in the Tropical Tryst Boxed Set. Escape with us to a hot and tropical setting for only 99 cents. It’s available for pre-order now and will be released Aug. 1. 

Buy links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble  | Kobo | Google Play

And bonus: visit www.tropicaltryst.com for special pre-order giveaways and join the Tropical Tryst Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TropicalTryst/) for updates and a chance to win Tropical Tryst swag!

Where The Wild Horses Are...

Beach time is a favorite way to spend summer vacation. As we make plans to get away, here is an idea for those who’d like to reconnect with the power of nature. If you're feeling the need to reclaim your wild inner child… add wild horses to your beach escape.

                      5 Wild Spanish Mustangs—Corolla, NC—June 28, 2007 by Kevincollins123

Nothing quite captures the essence of freedom and sparks joy deep within us like the vision of wild horses racing down an otherwise deserted beach. These free spirits inspire us to tap into our own wild, free core. Be ready for a soul-stirring and awe-inspiring experience.

Historical and modern romance authors--especially those who write Western romances--often write about horses. A horse has starred in many famous novels for children and teens of all ages.

Wikipedia states that in 1971, US Congress recognized the mustang as ‘…living symbols of the historic and pioneering spirit of the West…”. Today, they are entrusted to the Bureau of Land Management and protected by US law.

Wild horses are more commonly known as feral horses. More than half the mustang population is found in Nevada, with large numbers also in Wyoming, Montana and Oregon. The Atlantic coast is the other most likely area to find them. Here are some (but not all) of the best places to see these pillars of strength and freedom.

The CBS Sunday Morning News recently presented a segment about Cumberland Island, an enchanting island just off the coast of Georgia, where wild horses roam and outnumber the human population. The original horses arrived along with the Spaniards in the 1500s. Historically, Cumberland Island was a cotton plantation prior to the Civil War. Later, it became the private retreat of the famous Carnegie family. In 1972 they sold and gave most of their land to the National Park Service, creating Cumberland Island National Sea Shore. This is where John F Kennedy Jr. married Carolyn Bessette, in a small shack of a church built by freed slaves.

Another place you can find herds of wild horses is the seashore where Maryland and Virginia meet at Assateague Island and Chincoteaque. The two herds found here – one in each state – are probably the best known to tourists. On the Virginia side, there is an annual salt water round up and pony swim that takes place every July before the auction where most of the foals are sold to manage the herd size. The Maryland herd roams free and their population is kept under control by selected mares being shot with a dart vaccine that keeps them from getting pregnant.

                    Wild Pony at Assateague Island National Seashore, MD, June 27, 2007 by dbking

In North Carolina, there are four parks where you can watch wild horses:

~Corolla on the Currituck Outer Banks, where wild horses roam free and you can drive along the beach to view them.

~Ocracoke Island, where the herd has dwindled to less than two dozen horses. These 'ponies' are far from wild anymore. They are fed twice daily and receive veterinary treatments. A visit to the Pony Pen can be fun.

~Shackleford Banks, Cape Lookout, is an island three miles offshore. It is cut off from the mainland and accessible only by ferry. Over 100 wild horses roam here and a visit to this island is said to be highly satisfying for wild horse watchers.

~Rachel Carson Coastal Reserve is a series of islands where you can see wild horses galloping along the beach. You can get to the island by ferry, or enjoy a boat tour around the island.

Nevada has a number of locations where you can enjoy wild horses. A very informative website with tips and locations is animaltourism.com/animals/horse.php.

Who knows, the wild horses may inspire you with a plot involving horses while you are there. Enjoy your summer and keep these safety tips in mind no matter what sort of vacation you plan: stay hydrated, don’t get sunburned, and be safe in the water.

GEMMA JULIANA is a multi-published author who lives in an enchanted cottage in north Texas with her handsome hero, teen son and a comical dog. She loves making new friends and hearing from readers. Exotic coffee and chocolate fuel her creativity. You can buy Gemma’s books on Amazon.  

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