Is there a difference between doing what you love and loving what you do? #RB4U @ARLeighAutho

Hi there!

Anna Rose Leigh here.

And, my answer to the above question, “Is there a difference between doing what you love and loving what you do,” would be yes. Absolutely there is a difference.

As I write this post, I can’t help but to be thankful. I’m at a point in life where I’m able to do what I love—write, though I’ve spent years just loving what I do.

Now, before this gets too confusing, let me explain. For years, I’ve worked two and sometimes three jobs to make ends meet. At different times, I’ve been a single parent, and things were not easy but still, I knew to provide the life I wanted for my son, who’s now seventeen, I needed to be the one to make it happen. So, though I wasn’t necessarily doing what I wanted to be doing, I learned to love it all the same. Even today, as we all are, I’m faced with obstacles but I try my best to find the good that exist in all things. This is my way of taking control and steering the wheel in the direction in which I choose to travel, even when I’m faced with obstacles.

If you’re not quite happy with where you are in life, perhaps it’s because you haven’t taken control. The way we think about things can make a world of difference. Just remember, sometimes to get to where you want to be, you have to endure certain unpleasantries.

I learned to love working jobs I didn’t exactly like not for the sake of doing so, but, because doing so was necessary if I was to move forward. As an author/writer, I’m far from being rich. Believe me, the struggle is real. And even now, just to make ends meet, I sometimes write in genres that are not on my list of preferred genres to write in. Each day, I’m learning to embrace the good and bad, with the expectancy of better. It’s not always easy, but, with practice, it does get easier.

So, I want to encourage you to love what you’re doing until you’re able to do what you love. Remember, it starts with the way you think.

Thanks for reading my post. If you want to connect with me or check out any of my books, I’ve listed my contact information below.

Enjoy your summer! And, remember to make time for what you love. 😊

Anna Rose Leigh

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Website: annaroseleigh.com

Love sweet western time travel romance? Check out Timeless Outlaw, Timeless Honor, and Timeless Vows in the Timeless Hearts Series.

Timeless Outlaw

Available on Amazon

For some people love is within arms-length. But for others, it’s eras away.

Jesse Landers is a protector at heart. When tragedy strikes close to home, he promises to avenge the person responsible for the disappearance of someone he loves dearly. However, he soon realizes revenge comes at a high price. When his destructive life catches up to him, his only escape may be through time. 

Doctor Abagail Simmons is dealing with her own loss and must somehow, muster up the strength and courage to fulfill her father’s last wishes. Things are quickly spiraling out of control when a peculiar stranger shows up and seemingly, makes things better, until he reveals his truth. 

When two strangers are brought together under unlikely circumstances, will love be forth coming? Or, could undisclosed facts claim their happy ever after?

Timeless Honor

Available on Amazon

Emma-Jean Aldridge knows better than anyone that life isn’t always easy. The loss of her parents has left her with no money and no family. Yet, she’s determined to make her dreams a reality, even if the world she currently lives in may not be ready.

Austin McNeil is on the verge of losing his ranch and family business. Being a Marine was hard, but life as a civilian can be even more challenging, especially as a single parent. And if that isn’t enough, someone is set on ruining him.

Can two people from different times, searching for answers to their individual problems find solutions within each other? Or, will a promise made steal their chance at happiness, leaving all involved brokenhearted?

Timeless Vows

Available on Amazon

Following her heart, Miakoda pursued happiness but she never expected it to result in more pain, heartache, and grief than she could imagine. The physical and emotional suffering may be more than she can endure. 

Harry vowed to love and cherish his wife until the end of their days. There's just one problem; his wife has changed and his every attempt to take away her agony only leads to more misery. 

With few options, they try something beyond reason. But will a desperate attempt to make it all right tear them apart? 

Choices will need to be made before the clock stops ticking.

Say YES to the Scot! Highlander Quartet and #Giveaway

Say YES to the Scot! by Lecia Cornwall, Anna Harrington, May McGoldrick, and Sabrina York

You are formally invited to the Highland wedding event of the year. These four lasses are about to meet their matches in an original digital anthology featuring stories from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sabrina York, Lecia Cornwall, Anna Harrington, and May McGoldrick.

Get it Now!

HOW A LASS WED A HIGHLANDER by Lecia Cornwall
In this retelling of The Princess and The Pea, Laird Alex Munro of Culmore has just five weeks to find a bride and marry her...or else the clan will be cursed with ill luck. Cait MacLeod finds herself caught in a clan feud, and when she tries to stop a deadly raid, she ends up as Alex Munro’s prisoner. With timing running out, is this couple meant to be?

A MATCH MADE IN HEATHER by Anna Harrington
She was the laird's daughter. He was nothing more than a penniless, nameless Scot with nothing to offer but his heart. Fate tore them apart, but now he's back in her life with status, money and a title. Can they let go of past hurts and find love?

A MIDSUMMER WEDDING by May McGoldrick
Their marriage was two decades in the making. The young, educated woman and her highland, pirate husband, betrothed when they were still children. But on the day of their wedding, Elizabeth Hay and Alexander Macpherson are in for a surprise.

THE SCOT SAYS I DO by Sabrina York
Catherine Ross's world is turned upside down when her brother gambles away every penny they own. But to make matters worse? He’s lost everything to none other than Duncan Mackay, the rugged Scot who Catherine loved for years—but he never noticed her, and now she positively loathes him. But her brother’s in danger of going to Newgate, and the despicable Duncan has a plan– she can claim back the money and save her brother. If she marries him…

READ AN EXCERPT OF THE SCOT SAYS I DO

Duncan glanced at Peter who had dropped back down on the divan and covered his face with one arm. He was no use to either of them at this point. Besides, this business was between himself…and Catherine. He gently pressed her into the king’s chair, took one next to hers and scooted it around until he faced her. “You and Peter have no home now.”

“Not even the Wilds?”

“Not even the stables.” He tried to be as sympathetic as he could. This was difficult for her. Shattering. And it would only get worse. “For you, things are not so bad. You’re a lovely girl. You can marry well.” He ignored her snort. “But for Peter…” He let it hang there like a razor sharp icicle clinging to a roofline as a melt approached.

“But Peter?”

“He has other debts.”

“Oh no.”

“Small ones, but substantial enough for his creditors to ask for retribution.”

They both knew what that meant. Debtors’ prison. A truly nasty end for a feckless lad. But Duncan had the inclination to allow Peter to languish there—at least for a while—to teach the boy a lesson.

“Newgate would kill him,” Catherine whispered.

“It’s not all that bad.”

Her gaze snapped to him. “And how do you know?”

He lifted a brow. He had no intention of telling her that he’d visited and reprieved more than one foolish friend.

“Poor Peter.”

“He did bring this on himself. He gambles like a fiend.” A fiend who thinks he can never lose.

“Can’t you help him?”

Duncan swallowed an outraged laugh. “I believe I already have.”

“I mean, help him more?”

“Buy out all his debts? Return his wealth and property to him? Pat him on his head and charge him to go forth and risk it all again? What kind of fool do you think I am?”

“A heartless one.” She stood and whirled away, which gave him cause to follow.

But honestly, he was not the heartless one here.

When she spun back, he was right behind her and they were far too close. The tips of her breasts brushed against his chest and he nearly swallowed his tongue. She flinched as well, as though the touch had been like a bolt of lightning. She gazed up into his eyes, hers wide and damp. Her lips parted and her pink tongue dabbed out to wet them and his knees nearly failed him.

Damn she was so beautiful. So glorious. He wanted to kiss her now, ravish her. Claim her. He wanted—

“I cannot bear the thought of marrying one of my suitors,” she said, and he was brought back to the moment, his intent, with a powerful lurch.

“There may be a solution.”

She tipped up her delicate chin bravely. “And what might that be?”

So simple. So perfect.

“Marry me.”

Her jaw dropped and he fixated on the sight of her open mouth. If that was not a demand for a kiss, he did not know what was.

He pulled her into his arms, reveling in the warmth, the curves of her slight form, and lowered his head.

She tasted like heaven. Sweet bliss. Just like he remembered from that day when he’d pulled her from the loch and forced her to breathe again. Her scent infused him, enamored him, enraged a long-banked fire within him.

She would be his.

He would have her.

Finally.

Catherine Ross would be his bride, just as he’d dreamed of for so many years. Just as he’d fought and scrabbled and worked for. His life ambition had come to him and the moment was so sublime…

Until she pulled away and stared at him with an odd mixture of shock and fear limning her eyes.

And she hauled back her delicate fist.

And punched him in the jaw.

By the time he’d recovered from the shock of what he could only interpret as her refusal of his suit, she’d whirled away and flounced off to her chambers—God only knew where—in the bowels of the enormous mansion.

But this was only the first salvo in his campaign to win her.

And win her, he would.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Say-Yes-Scot-Highland-Wedding-ebook/dp/B06XFTN88N/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/say-yes-to-the-scot-may-mcgoldrick/1125898259?ean=9781250158383

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/say-yes-to-the-scot/id1212708385?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/say-yes-to-the-scot?utm_source=linkshare_us&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=linkshare_us&siteID=tT8CexMeqzg-YEr1P78pnBhYHVy4XihEEg

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#EnticeMe #WerecatLove #99centbooks by Janice Seagraves

My story Werecat Love is in the Entice Me Anthology.

When I first started Werecat Love it was little more than three scene that were crystal clear in my mind. And I had no title yet. But Jared was a very solid character to me and so was his sweetheart Morgan.

A yahoo group I was in at the time, and it's since been shut down, helped me hone the scenes, but unfortunately I still had no clue how to make it into a complete story.

All I needed for to bridge these three scenes. I needed to write about a cat in love. Fortunately my cat Baron helped me. He was a sweet cat and love to take him naps right on my chest.

Baron. We didn't have him long but he was such a sweet kitty.

I ran those three scenes through my critique group and talked about what I needed to do with the story. I got some really good feedback from some of my writer friends but it wasn't until the anthology that I finally put everything together.

I visited a lodge and went to the snow to help me with some of the scenes too.

Finally it all came together.

Werecat Love by Janice Seagraves

Morgan Brookhaven isn’t expecting romance when she accompanies her friend for a week of skiing, but when she meets Jared all bets are off. Ski instructor Jared Catterick has secrets that he doesn’t mind sharing with a special lady, and he hopes Morgan is the one.

Excerpt:

Morgan stumbled into the Mountain Lion ski lodge. Safe at last. She barely glanced at the

rustic, rough-pine interior, as she limped past the homey furniture. Her goal came into

view, the huge stone fireplace. Why the hell do I let myself get talked into these things?

What was I thinking? I’ve never skied in my life.

She removed her soaked gloves, laid them on the hearth, then spread her frozen fingers

toward the warmth of the crackling fire. Snow packed into the creases of her ski-pants,

jacket, and boots, but soon melted in the glorious heat. God, all this so Joan can flirt with

her Italian stallion.

When the circulation returned to her icy body parts, causing a pins and needles

sensation, she let out a slight whimper, then turned to let the roaring fire roast her rump.

Morgan found herself staring into the amused green-eyed gaze of a man who sat on a

leather chair. With wide cheekbones and a face that tapered down to a narrow chin, he

was definitely worth a look. His long legs stretched out, emphasizing his lean build and

athletic frame. He was attractively attired in hunter-green bib ski-pants, and matching

sweater. His shock of bright orange-red hair stood on end. How unusual, it’s the same

color as that cat I saw last night.

His full sensuous lips formed into a lazy smile. “You’re shivering as if you’re frozen right

through.”

“Oh, I am.” She didn’t doubt he had checked her out when her back was to him. Morgan

stopped rubbing her chilled behind, when she realized he watched her with unwavering

attention. She wrapped her arms around herself instead.

“What you need is a hot toddy.” He straightened. “It’s excellent for when you have been

exposed to the cold or had a shock to the system.”

Morgan arched an eyebrow. “Are you buying?”     

 https://www.amazon.com/Entice-Me-Luscious-Love-Stories-ebook/dp/B07284F6ZT/

Rebranding and Re-releasing--Discovering Desires by #MicheleZurlo

Eight years ago when I opened my email and got that first acceptance email, I was too excited to think long-term. I mean, getting your first book published is a huge deal. It's that magical foot in the door that says, "This publisher believes in my writing!"

Most small publishers offer contracts of about five years. That means three years ago, the rights of my books began to revert to me. It's when I decided to take a chance and indie-publish my Doms of the FBI series. That went well, and I've since grown to love the freedom that comes from being my own boss.

Recently rights from the first three novellas in the Safeword: Oasis series reverted to me. These were the first novellas I'd ever written--scorching tales of love that were short enough to fill an afternoon but still be satisfying. I've revised and extended these stories so that they're no longer part of the SO series. They each stand alone, and--just in time for beach reading season--they're available in a single-author anthology called Discovering Desires.

Discovering Desires contains three novellas:

Blurbs

Yes, Justin

After fifteen years and two kids, the romance has fled from Trish’s marriage. When a friend introduces her to BDSM, she decides it’s what she wants—to have her body and soul mastered by a man who is completely focused on her. And that’s not her husband, whose life revolves around his career.

Justin isn’t shocked when he finds out his wife is planning to cheat on him. They’ve been drifting apart for years, and he hates it. To save their marriage, he’ll carry out her kidnap fantasy, fulfill her desire to be dominated, and force her to confront the reasons she wanted to be there in the first place.

Out of My League

The reconstructive surgery that gave Mia the confidence to ask a friend to set her up with someone who resembles Kaelen didn't erase her insecurities, but she's hoping it will start healing the emotional scars she's carried for far too long.

Whenever he's around the breathtaking teaching assistant, Kaelen can't seem to keep from sticking his foot in his mouth. He'll do anything to show her that he's so much more than the incompetent graduate student he always appears to be.

When the two of them show up at the designated spot, they're both shocked to discover that Warren had granted the wish neither had the courage to make. After a mind-blowing day together, neither can find the courage to ask for more. They part ways only to end up assigned to the same room at a Caribbean resort. Will the sultry atmosphere help them both make their deepest wishes come true?

By My Side

Marcella Abbot has worked for Sean Winquist for more than a year. As his personal assistant, she manages nearly every aspect of his life. He's a Dom and she's a submissive. Through their year working together, they've become friends and colleagues, but Marcella yearns for more. She's in love with Sean, and she's frustrated that he can't see past her efficient exterior.

When Sean's submissive for a BDSM benefit show cancels unexpectedly two days before the event, Marcella jumps at the chance to take her place. Sean wants Marcella, but he's afraid to let the walls of professionalism come tumbling down and risk losing her.

What have reviewers said?

Two Lips: "Yes, Justin is a very powerful novella showing love can heal.."

The Romance Reviews: "Bondage, spanking, orgasm denial...it was all there and it was very, VERY hot. But, underneath all of that, there was a deep emotional connection between the two of them that made the sexual heat burn that much hotter."

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2qmWEcP
All other outlets, including BN, Apple, 24 Symbols and more: https://www.books2read.com/u/bxgW9v

Please enjoy responsibly! Having a cold drink nearby is highly encouraged.
Love,
Michele Zurlo