Happy Father's Day!

I miss you, Daddy.

And to my husband, the father of our two sons, bless you and thank you. I love you forever.

Check out Layla Hunter's Free Read This Week!

Check out Layla Hunter's Free read this week over at the Truly Madly Deeply Romance Authors blog!  It's based on the song "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" by Cage the Elephant.

***

Music has always been an important part of my life and there isn't a day that goes by we don't have some type of music on in our house. I remember the day my daughter asked me (okay, harassed me mercilessly until I relented) to listen to Ain't No Rest For The Wicked by Cage the Elephant. No doubt it is a song that is fun, funky and easy to sing along to. And we did; about a dozen times! *laughs*

Knowing I had to choose a song for TMDRA, I was torn between this one and another but as Fate would decree, I was meant to write this story.
Of course, as I always do, I had to look up the lyrics. When I read through them, I realized that although the song was 'fun' to listen to and sing along with, there was a message within that held true to today's current state of affairs. We all have bills to pay and mouths to feed and sometimes, we are forced to pursue options we would have otherwise never considered in order to keep a roof over our family's heads or food on the table.

I've never been one to judge, nor would I want to be judged. We all have our own 'code of honor' we live by and make choices that fit within those boudaries; boundaries which can sometimes become blurred and are pushed to the limit in these uncertain times.

If each one of us took a moment to reach out to one person, imagine the impact we'd make on the world.

Enter Sarah and Sam. The story of Sarah (aka Sherry) and Sam began last year with a two part story published at Every Night Erotica entitled "Whisper Sweet Nothings: Something about Sam." My story for TMDRA is a continuation of that first story, but it also stands alone. If you'd like to discover how it all began for Sarah and Sam, you can read their story for free at http://www.everynighterotica.com/whisper-sweet-nothings-something-about-sam-part-1-layla-hunter/

Rated – R - Some adult themes, activities, language or other elements may be present.
Genre - Contemporary
Heat Level - Sensual

You Know the Barbeque Has Got to be Good...

...when it's served in a "dumpy" looking place like this.  Welcome to Mumphord's BBQ, where you can smell it cooking a mile away!  (Click for larger photo.)

Another Romantic Get-Away

Makes you wonder, how deep is the pool?

(Thanks, David!)

Now Available! CUT GLASS: JEWELS, Book 1 - Diamond

New!
CUT GLASS: JEWELS
Book 1 - Diamond
A dark erotic urban fantasy romance
From Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=587
Word Count: 79.4K

Forget everything you think you know about mass murderers and crimes of passion, because now you’re going to learn the truth. People don’t decide one day to go out and kill as many people as they can, or wake up one morning, grab the nearest shotgun or axe, and proceed to hack apart their loved ones. They do it because they’re infected with a jewel, a creature of intense beauty and danger. Once the jewel takes over a host’s body, that person dies, leaving the jewel in total control to thrive on fear and horror.

Cutler Glass is a lapidary, one of an unknown group of people who’ve dedicated their lives to destroying jewels. But in order to keep the jewels from slaughtering innocent victims, she has to kill the host and then eat the jewel that emerges from the body.

Except this time the jewel she's assigned to go after, a diamond, has infected a very wealthy and influential man who has hired police protection. When Detective David Fellowes clashes with Cutler, it’s going to take more than a simple explanation before he believes her outlandish tale.

Warning: Contains creatures of unbelievable horror, a woman facing a future of bitter solitude, a man willing to sacrifice everything to be with her, and their burning love that one person is determined will never be allowed to continue or flourish.

Hanging With Friends

From the people who gave us WORDS WITH FRIENDS comes HANGING WITH FRIENDS.  It's an app for the iPhone and iPad.  It's a different version of Hangman, where you choose an avatar, and you're suddenly holding onto 5 helium balloons over an active volcano on a Polynesian island.  If you cannot solve your friend's word, you lose a balloon.  First person to fall into the flowing lava loses, natch.

Wanna play?  I'm MacWombat.

Tonight, Come Listen to Me Read From My Newest Release, and You Might Win a Copy!

Tonight I'm celebrating my new release, Cut Glass: Jewels, Book 1 - Diamond, with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid by reading an excerpt from the book, then giving away a copy to one lucky listener!  So join me at 11 pm et/10 pm ct/8 pm pt at "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio.

***
Forget everything you think you know about mass murderers and crimes of passion, because now you’re going to learn the truth. People don’t decide one day to go out and kill as many people as they can, or wake up one morning, grab the nearest shotgun or axe, and proceed to hack apart their loved ones. They do it because they’re infected with a jewel, a creature of intense beauty and danger. Once the jewel takes over a host’s body, that person dies, leaving the jewel in total control to thrive on fear and horror.
Cutler Glass is a lapidary, one of an unknown group of people who’ve dedicated their lives to destroying jewels. But in order to keep the jewels from slaughtering innocent victims, she has to kill the host and then eat the jewel that emerges from the body.

Except this time the jewel she's assigned to go after, a diamond, has infected a very wealthy and influential man who has hired police protection. When Detective David Fellowes clashes with Cutler, it’s going to take more than a simple explanation before he believes her outlandish tale.
Warning: Contains creatures of extreme horror, a woman facing a future of bitter solitude, a man willing to sacrifice everything to be with her, and their burning love that one person is determined to never allow happen or flourish.

Check Out R. Ann Siracusa's Free Read Over at the Truly Madly Deeply Romance Authors Blog!

Check out R. Ann Siracusa free read this week over at the Truly Madly Deeply Romance Authors blog!  It's a sensuous paranormal story based on the song "Time in a Bottle".

***

If Mona believed wishes could come true, hers would be modest and simple. A job in her field of expertise…and to be left alone. But Mona has a secret, and it’s about to be revealed.
Rated - Adult - Appropriate for ages 18 and over only
Genre - Paranormal / Contemporary
Heat Level - Sensual

Even Tarzan Would Approve!

Lost the link to this on my old computer, but this is a real place!

Too Cute Not to Share

(Thanks, Monica!)

I Don't Feel Stupid Anymore

As soon as this happens, it will be time to retire with dignity.

(Thanks, Mark!)

Bequeathed is Now at ARe, and Sand Castle and The Gifted are Available in Print!

Great news!

The Gifted is now available in print at New Concept Publishing and Amazon!

http://newconceptspublishing.com/books/TheGifted.html

http://www.amazon.com/Gifted-Linda-Mooney/dp/1463520980

Sand Castle is also available in print on the Red Rose Publishing website, or on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Sand-Castle-Linda-Mooney/dp/1604358653

http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=265&products_id=425

In addition, Bequeathed is now available at All Romance eBooks!

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-bequeathed-560030-140.html

http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=265&products_id=933

Dear Linda - Will there be a sequel to The Gifted?

I really loved your book The Gifted. Are you planning to write a sequel for The Gifted? I ask because you left a lot of questions unanswered for me. Such as what was the anomaly that brought Sah'Reena to earth and what became of her home planet? Please say you will be writing a sequel to The Gifted. Love all your other books as well but The Gifted was my favorite.


Hi!
 
Thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement! Yes, I am working on a sequel to THE GIFTED. In it I do address the anomaly and what happens to Sah’Reena’s planet. At the moment I don’t know when it will be finished, contracted, or published, but know it’s already in the works.

Thanks for getting in touch with me!

Come Leave a Comment to Win!

I'm over at Whipped Cream Reviews Goddess Fish Party Pavilion all day dropping news and excerpts about my new and upcoming releases.  Stop by, leave a comment, and you'll be eligible to win!

Mila Ramos is my Guest Author Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance"

Come listen to "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio where guest author Mila Ramos will be reading from her paranormal romance novel Echoes and Illusions.

Show time begins at 11 pm et/10 pm ct/8 pm pt

Don't miss it!
*****
Smoke & Mirrors
Dr. Ana Fiore has earned her reputation “Dr. Ice” by her solid work and rigid personality. Sent to a conference for determination of Chief of Staff, she is snowed in with rival and colleague Dr. Dakota Hastings. Face-to-face with Dakota, she learns she isn’t the only expert at illusion.

Reel-to-Real
A curious invitation mystifies acclaimed movie critic Moira Castle. In an industry where word of mouth is reality, Moira comes back home to the unexpected. Memories surge as an old movie reel and theater owner Toren McCann hold answers that have lain quiet for far too long.

Check out Elizabeth Silver's Free Read This Week!

Check out Elizabeth Silver's free read this week over at the Truly Madly Deeply Romance Authors Blog.  It entitled "Put You in a Song", and it's based on the song by Keith Urban.

***

Deeply closeted country musician James Johnson’s career is on the rocks when he goes away on writing retreat with his on-again, off-again lover and song writing partner, Whitney Turner. Except the harmony turns to discord when the old fight threatens to split them for good. Can they work on the same page, or is James’s career (and love life) done for?

Rated – Adult – Appropriate for 18 years and older only
Genre – Contemporary M/M
Heat Level – Erotic

Orwell's Rules for Writers

Found here.

"Bequeathed is a spooky, sexy ghost story."

Reviewed by Kimberly, Sizzling Hot Book Reviews


Claire has traveled 11,000 miles to her new home, well new to her. Claire Stines has just inherited the old Upton Place. She is moving from Dallas to a log cabin in Lake Weemonaka, Minnesota. She is hoping for a better life for her and her beloved Bengal cat, Mike.

Homeless and destitute, Claire Stines has no choice but to move into the log house bequeathed to her out in the Minnesota wilderness. Although she has little else to sustain her other than a few dollars and even fewer seeds of hope, she believes she can make a fresh start for herself, and if she’s lucky, maybe find a little romance.

But first she has to overcome the rumors of the house’s supposedly dark past. More importantly, who is that young man she’s seen in the woods, and why has he been watching her from a distance ever since she arrived?


And why does he both fascinate and terrify her?

Warning! Contains a decades-old curse, hidden compartments, dead fairies, spirits in the forest, unrelenting winter cold, and a possible explanation for people gone missing in the woods.

Claire enjoys exploring her new home. The complete darkness and silence of the forest is strange to her. As she gets ready for bed on her first night, a face peers out from the darkness.

The next day was spent emptying the U-haul trailer, so she could return it on time. As she walked out the front door, a man is standing at the corner of the cabin. His presence startles her so much that she calls out to him. When he doesn’t answer, she calls 911. When the sheriff’s cruiser arrives, the man has disappeared. The deputy searches around by can’t find any trace of the man. The officer believes the intruder to just be passing by and probably as startled as she is. She explains that she just inherited the cabin and decided to move here when she lost her job and apartment in Dallas. She is at Lake Weemonaka to make a fresh start.

As she explores her new home, she discovers the mysterious stranger. This time he talks with her. His name is Horne and he lives in a nearby cabin. He tells her that it is not safe to be out after dark, and abruptly leaves after asking if she knows the history of the cabin. The next day, he arrives again to show her where her pump is located. He startles her but soon begins the tour of the pump house. He blurts out that the house is cursed.

She is suddenly startled by the arrival of a car. It is the deputy back to check on her. When she turns back, Horne is gone. She tells the deputy about her visitor. He doesn’t recognize the name and says that he will check around. Claire discovers that while she is able to relax when talking with the deputy, Horne is a more comfortable companion. The deputy shares the story of the cabin’s curse with Claire. The story goes that the builder of the cabin angered the spirits of the forest by cutting down the sacred trees and other atrocities. The original owner, Oren Palmhurst, sold the cabin to Claire’s grandparents. On the same day that he sold the cabin, Palmhurst died of a heart attack.  Claire wonders if the curse will extend to her.

Claire wanders into the forest searching for Horne. She wants to know more about the curse. What is the curse? Why was the owner cursed? Who is Horne? Why does her normally skittish cat like Horne so much? Why is she so comfortable with Horne? What has she been Bequeathed?

Bequeathed is a spooky, sexy ghost story. I enjoyed the foreshadowing and all the creepy undertones. This story has a lot of character development and it really draws you into the story. Make sure you keep the lights on for this one.

Romance Movie Review - Beastly

Anything that has to do with Beauty and the Beast is automatically on my DO IT list.  DO IT as in rent it, buy it, listen to it, or whatever I need to do in order to check it out.

The moment I heard about BEASTLY, it went on my DO IT list.  And I'm very glad I did.  The story set in New York in today's time follows the original fairy tale quite closely.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some literary teacher somewhere did a comparison study between BEASTLY and the original fairy tale, or even Disney's version, for that matter.

At no point does the romance become sappy.  It's fully believable.  And Kyle's beastly self (in his handsome guise) reminds me of the best-looking guy in high school whose parents always gave him everything he ever wanted, but he turned out to be an obnoxious jerk anyway.

Of course, to me, the people who nearly stole the show was a tug-of-war between Mary-Kate Olsen as the goth girl cum real witch, and Neil Patrick Harris playing Kyle's blind tutor.

And the ending was perfect.  Just...perfect.

Which is why my recommendation is a total High Five!   

Soliciting Your Vote, Please!

POSSESSION is up for Top Pick for May!  So I'm asking for your vote, please!  If I win, I get a month of free promotion at their site.

http://www.mizlovelovesbooks.com/

Thanks!