Why I Love Romance Novels

When times are tough or when I'm just tired I like to curl up with a book, and what do I choose? A romance novel. Why are romance novels so satisfying?

1. Romance novels are cheerful. The characters are attractive. They face serious, or not so serious, problem

   ms and come out winners.

2. Settings in romance novels are attractive. In times like this most of us want to get away from our problems for awhile. Romance novels let you visit pleasant places, resorts, estates, and interesting villages. It's a cheap vacation.

3. The characters in romance novels provide good role models. Seeing how another person solves their problems often gives us clues in how to solve our own.

When I started writing seriously, I chose to write a romance novel. For many years my husband and I bred, raced and trained Standardbred race horses. The world of harness racing is very exiting, but more than that it's filled with heartwarming stories of winning horses and winning trainers, drivers and owners. In Summer's Story I created my own world of racing excitement, romance and conflict. For me, conflict is important in a romance. In order to be a winner you have to overcome obstacles and Summer Langston, the heroine of Summer's Story has plenty to cope with. Two men are in love with her and want to help her get her mare, Meadow, to the Hambletonian Oaks. How can she choose between Ned, a wealthy breeder, and Davis, a sexy racehorse driver? You'll have to read Summer's Story to find out. Of course, there has to be a villain. Max Schiller wants Summer's horse. If he can't have Meadow. He wants Summer out of the racing game – permanently. It's exciting stuff when danger lurks on the race track and in the bedroom.

If you read Summer's Story, I hope you get a good vacation with characters you come to love.

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What's new: Safe Sex Incorporated

"Safe Sex Incorporated" is a new release at Red Rose Publishing!http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=378

Blurb:

Skyla is a PR officer for a 22nd century company that makes a special kind of condom: one that protects the user from the 21st century disease called love. In her world, love is an obscene word and a banned emotion. As with all prohibitions, the love prohibition has given rise to a pro-love group, a group whose actions may jeopardize Skyla's dream of a promotion.

Jin is a school teacher - or is he something more? Skyla is instantly drawn to him and when they are together, she forgets about Love Condoms....

http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=378

Excerpt:

“Meet me for cyber-sex tonight,” whispered the teacher. 

She raised her eyebrow in a deliberately ambiguous reply. She had never done that before. Played silly games. 

The 21st century must be catching up with me, she thought as she listened to the familiar words:“It must have seized the body and the mind like a strong disease. Another plague that science has erased, even from the memories..." (Safe Sex Inc)

http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=378

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New Releases 23 April

Red Rose™ Publishing ~ April 23, 2009 ~ New Releases (eBook)

FOR THE LOVE OF HATTIE Pat Dale Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Comedy ISBN: 978-1-60435-310-5 Price: $4.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt For ten years, Hattie McCall has turned a deaf ear on her dad's sage advice. And for all those years she's found herself in a self-imposed prison. Unwilling to admit the mistake that cost her the love of her life, she's cloistered herself in her teaching. Now, her dad has died and she must return home to run the family store. Which means she has to face Brad Trimble, the young man she'd spurned all those years before. The man she still longs for in the heart she can't hear.

FANTASY FEST: BUY-BACK Robin Gideon Erotic Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural, Mystery/Suspense ISBN: 978-1-60435-318-1 Price: $3.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt LaTasha goes on her first assignment with the Atlantis Detective Agency when they are hired to buy back a million dollars worth of stolen jewelry. The assignment becomes complicated when the buy-back must happen on Key West during the infamously decadent Fantasy Fest. LaTasha gets an introduction into detective work and debauchery in this sizzling novella.

A CURSED HEART Sanctuary Moon Anthology Keelia Greer Erotic Romance: Paranormal (Shifter), Historical/Period ISBN: 978-1-60435-307-5 Price: $1.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Can a cursed warrior and a Druidess defeat deadly enemies and find true love?

MOTORCYCLE WOMAN Larry Hammersley Mainstream Romance: Contemporary ISBN: 978-1-60435-313-6 Price: $5.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Tess McBride relied on her motorcycle to carry her away from an unhappy past, one that involved her father leaving her mother for another woman and her mother dying a year later. Resolved to avoid men, judging them to be all alike, she meets Johnnie Parker, a stranded biker whose motorcycle she repairs. Her staunch resolve is undermined by Johnnie's kindness, respect and lack of a sordid agenda toward her, not to mention him being handsome. Should she stick to her plans to take to the open road again after replenishing her traveling bankroll from her motorcycle mechanic's job in Johnnie's hometown? In the past, that question was easily answered, but what about now? Johnnie has fallen in love with her. The answer is obvious when she knows he's genuine, he treats her special, and she realizes that she has fallen in love with him too.

RESEMBLANCE Y.L. Stokes Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-146-0 Print: $5.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Having beaten the odds, Ashley Miller graduated from college with a double majors, Architectural Design and Culinary Arts, accomplishing both without once neglecting her son. Being a single mother while attending wasn't an easy task, but to succeed she'd had to make sacrifices especially her personal life. Ashley had resigned herself to a life alone without the comfort of a man to love her and to accept her and love her son. Nicholas Maxwell had long ago given up happily ever after, because of a long ago tragedy, now his life revolved around growing his construction business and spending time with his family…that was until his eyes landed on his newly appointed Architectural Designer. Now he had a chance to have what he'd always wanted, but feared that he'd never have. Will an event from both their pasts come to light destroying what they are trying to build?

SAFE SEX INCORPORATED Eve Summers Mainstream Romance: Science Fiction/Futuristic ISBN: 978-1-60435-330-3 Price: $2.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Skyla is a PR officer for a 22nd century company that makes a special kind of condom: one that protects the user from the 21st century disease called love. In her world, love is an obscene word and a banned emotion. As with all prohibitions, the love prohibition has given rise to a pro-love group, a group whose actions may jeopardize Skyla's dream of a promotion. Jin is a school teacher - or is he something more? Skyla is instantly drawn to him and when they are together, she forgets about Love Condoms....

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The China Adventure

Angel Martinez

On Friday night, April 17th, my family and I returned from China. For our younger readers, this may not seem so surprising but for those of us born before Nixon, Westerners (especially Americans) going to mainland China still has a hint of unreality to it. Times have changed, of course, and enmity has transformed into an inextricable financial and economic partnership.

But this isn’t about politics or how economic crises are global now instead of local. This is about the people, (as opposed to Ren Min, ‘The People’) specifically the people of Chengdu in Sichuan. Although a large city, about the population of San Francisco and Cincinnati combined, the coastal cities like Beijing and Shanghai still regard Chengdu as something of a backwater, full of ‘country’ folk.

Fair enough, they do have some catching up to do, as most of the country does. It does create some interesting dichotomies, especially where technology is concerned – the bicycle cart loaded with melons competing for space on the street with the brand new Audi, the internet connection in the hotel room with no clock or working air conditioning, the monks visiting from Lhasa with their prayer beads and cell phones. Startling, perhaps, to Western eyes, but you might be surprised how quickly it all becomes part of the scenery.

Laowai (literally ‘round eyes’) or foreigners get lots of stares, though mostly curious. At the Giant Buddha in Leshan, my son, who is about 6’ 2”, held several people’s attention. Here we stood in front of this three hundred foot sandstone sculpture and a little woman stood with her back to the Buddha so she could stare up, open-mouthed, at him.

Communication problems? Yes, there were some but fewer than you might imagine. The Beijing Olympics encouraged the country to become more visitor friendly, especially in tourist and public areas. Most signs on highways and in parks and airports have Chinese characters as well as English translations.

But some of the translations are charming at the very least and often hilarious. A few examples:

A sign at the Panda Research Base: “Wildlife is not food.” (we could only assume this meant ‘please don’t feed the animals’)

The name of an establishment: Teahouse Takes a Bath (probably while Wine Shop Makes Dinner)

An advertisement for a new high-rise: “New Condominiums, more luxury than your money can buy!”

And, my favorite, on the box of a remote control toy helicopter: “Fun yourself!”

Awkward turns of phrase aside, with a taxi book, the ability to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ and the wonderful, universal language of numbers, fluency in Mandarin is not required. We were an oddity, certainly, but the people were friendly in their curiosity, the food was amazing and this country, full of history and culture ten thousand years older than anywhere else on the planet, continually astonishes.

It’s a big world, folks; go out and explore.

Angel Martinez

Finn - Coming Soon from Red Rose Publishing

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Scenes From A Love Song 2: This Kiss

by Shirin Dubbin

Adrenalin pumped a steady rhythm in Scarlet’s ears. Twirling her custom set of stakes she speared vampire after vampire, in sync with the pumping of her blood, leaving motes of dust on the night air. The mahogany weapons bore points sharpened to deadly and had been blessed by a pastor, a priest, an imam, a rabbi and a guru. (The girl liked covering her bases.) Hell, she’d even had her favorite baker dust them with cocoa powder. For Scarlet—formerly known as Rose Red—chocolate-mocha-almond-double-fudge cupcakes were a religion. Amen and hallelujah.

Shoot! A vamp scored her lipstick red motorcycle jacket with a five-talon strike. Keep your head in the game girl. Moonlight glinted off the offender’s long fanged grin. Scarlet hop kicked, smashing a steel toe boot into his chin and, following the move, impaled the sucker on the point of a stake. He fractured into dust.

Note: soon as this ordeal ended and her man was safe she’d be headed straight to the pastry alter for some chocolate healing. It wasn’t blasphemy. Scarlet had migrated to this dimension from the Realm of Fairytales where witchcraft was a daily occurrence and casting spells happened as often as saying good mornin’. She and religion were still getting to know one another.

Uppercut. Spin. Kick.

She’d hated living in the Fairytale realm. Girls from the HEA behaved like perfect ladies…or else. Plus, all the men over that side were preening princes, pompous knights or doddering old coots. Over this side she got to be an ass-kicking chick. If her famous sister, Snow, could see her now she’d smack a dwarf and spew apple bits.

Three more vamps went down beneath Scarlet’s whirling stakes.

His scent lit her senses before the man came into view. Blue. She smiled. He burst through the door and onto the roof, taking out vamps with a wooden sword sharp enough to cut a second into two. Blue knew how to make an entrance and Scarlet loved the way he moved.

“Woo weeee! Do it babe!” she hollered as he pivoted his rodeo lean body and took the heads off the vamps encircling him.

They’d been separated for going on two days. Seemed he’d followed the clues to the warehouse same as she had. A happy exhale. She dusted another vamp. She’d missed him something terrible. With things as bad as they were she’d had to face the possibility of never seeing him alive again. She couldn’t live with that.

She loved this man.

In her realm, his counterpart had been called Bluebeard, a stone cold wife killer. She’d tangled with that snake herself but took to dimension hopping before becoming wife number seven. Things were different here. In the Realm of Blood and Darkness he was good ole Blue, a navy haired, vamp slaying machine and body-rocking lover of the first degree.

Amendment to her earlier note: soon as this ordeal ended and her man was safe she’d run straight to the church of Blue for some sexual healing. Amen and hallelujah.

“I’m guessing you’ve got the totem?” he shouted across the moonlit rooftop, beginning to cut a path to her.
“Yep. Beat you to it.” A smile. “Sure seems like they want it back though.”
“Desperately,” he chuckled.
“Well, they can’t have it. You need it to live an’ I need you.”

He winked, punched a vamp so hard its fangs embedded in the wall behind them then cut another into thirds.

What a man.

Damn the vampire princess who’d cursed him. An’ all cause he wouldn’t sire half-vamp, half-slayer babies with her. He just wasn’t the kind of man who dreamed of ruling the world. It was enough for Blue to keep his corner of it safe.

Arcing beads of blood caught the moonlight and her attention. Swinging round she noticed the ragged wound in his abdomen. Desperation to get to him kicked in.

“You’re hurt.”
“Tis only a flesh wound,” he tossed back in his best Monty Python, impaling vamps on rapid lunges.

“No,” she said, “You’re slowing down.” She pulled the dragon totem from the inside pocket of her jacket. A vamp took the opportunity and pounced, looking to remove her head. Scarlet ducked and its talons sliced the band holding her ponytail in place instead. A mantle of garnet hued tresses floated down past her shoulders. The vamp paid for the hairstyling with its unlife.

“Catch!” a four-talon swipe opened her cheek. She ignored it and drew back to toss Blue the little dragon sculpture. (The only thing that would save him)

One second more and she would have made it.

Vamp physics flooded onto the roof and blew the pair to opposite corners. To her credit Scarlet held on to the totem, steeling herself against the blow as she hit the stone ledge. Blue skidded across the rooftop leaving a trail of blood behind and coughing up more as he slowed. He needed the totem to restore his nigh-invulnerability and he needed it now.

“Babe!” she screamed throwing the sculpture with dead accuracy. The vamps dove, seeming to freeze in mid-air, as the sculpture hurled end over end towards its target. One sucker came a hair from intercepting. Blue kicked him in the gut, reached up and caught the little dragon at the same moment a horde of vamps buried him beneath a pile-on tackle.

Scarlet leapt to her feet, scooped up one of her stakes and hightailed it to her love’s aid. A rumbling roar brought her to a sliding stop. Blue shot up from beneath the pile, sending vamps flying to the four winds and cutting them down before they hit the ground.

Oh yeah, he had his powers back. She took out the turn-tails and physics with only one thing on her mind.

Blue dusted the final vamp and ran toward her. They met halfway in an explosion of sparks. He laughed spinning her round and round. All the while staring into her eyes. Anticipation skyrocketed. The kiss he laid on her was so amazing it set her blood to boiling and seared her right down to the soles of her feet. Woo weeee… Steam built up inside her boots. Two seconds later the steel toes blew right off them and went sailing over the ledge. Two more seconds and the couple achieved lift off. Floating in lazy circles they continued to devour one another, setting off rapturous bursts of light. Amen and hallelujah.

Folks all over the city woke up, looked out their windows and swore the Fourth had come early this year. Some saw lovers silhouetted against the moon. And the music? They all heard that.

“This kiss, this kiss. Unstoppable.” Bliss.
Inspiration: This Kiss by Faith Hill

Hope you liked SFALS: This Kiss. If so look out for my urban fantasy romance, Keeper of the Way

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New Releases 16 April

Red Rose™ Publishing ~ April 16, 2009 ~ New Releases (eBook)

PICKING COTTON Cotton Series: Book 1 K.T. Bishop Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-234-4 Price: 4.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt How much would you give up to fulfill your dreams? ML Cotton spent his entire life pursuing to become a rare black quarterback at a Division I-A school in the Deep South. Searching for a part-time job in a restaurant, he accidentally finds out about a Cajun quarterback camp in the Louisiana Superdome for rising senior prospects. He arrived at the University of New Orleans, where getting lost was the best thing that ever happened to him. He met this sexy, Cajun Caucasian cheerleader named Jennifer Monet, who gave him directions to the camp and capturing his heart. Automatically he falls in love with the green-eyed beauty. Along the way, he lands a scholarship to Tampa University, fulfilling his lifelong dream. Can ML and Jennifer's romance overcame obstacles such as Hurricane Charo destroying her home and his mother disapproving their relationship?

CHERRY CRUSH Silk Feathers: Book 1 Stephanie Burke Erotic Romance: Urban Fantasy ISBN: 978-1-60435-327-3 Price: 1.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt "I want you to take my virginity..." Those were the last words that Swordmaster Chan expected to hear from his best friend and tenant. And it was the question awakened desires he had carefully hidden from Marlena. But the fates conspired to bring them together and they will have their way amidst an explosion of terror that could not be believed, and passion only imagined. In the face of danger, angst, and a paranormal passion, Chan will prove himself to be the perfect man (kind of) her dark defender, and the only male to ensure that her cherry is well and truly crushed.

THE WOLF'S REVENGE Sanctuary Moon: First Howl Aline de Chevigny Mainstream Romance: Paranormal (Shifter) ISBN: 978-1-60435-328-0 Price: $1.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Cain O'Toole had been the Alpha Male of his Clan, Alpha King of the City by night and a cop by day for so long he'd forgotten how to feel anything but dread. His life was always full of surprises but none as big as the day Yvette (Yvee) Geron, his mate and the love he'd never gotten over walked back into his life. Yvee was there to ask for his help, she was willing to do anything he asked, if only he'd help her escape from the rogue wolf who wanted her blood. What's a wolf to do when forced to choose between duty and love?

COUNTRY GOLD Leah Leonard Mainstream Romance: Paranormal ISBN: 978-1-60435-119-4 Price: $5.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Susie Bell goes to a psychic development circle to amuse her friend but never imagines that she would develop a powerful intuitive gift of her own and definitely never thought she'd meet the sexy country singer, Ronnie Vaughn. Tone deaf Susie is even more surprised when Ronnie's deceased grandfather began to visit her in her dreams, transcribing country music for his grandson to sing so he could launch his music career. Ronnie is overcome by the raw beauty and sensitivity of Susie and the sacrifices she was making of her time, and eventually of herself, to help him succeed. Soon the two are entwined both personally and professionally in a love affair to last their lifetime and Ronnie is destined to become one of the greatest country singers of all time.

~ New Releases (Print) ~

ACKNOWLEDGING MEIRION (Print) Zenobia Renquist Mainstream Romance: Science Fiction/Futuristic, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-918-3 Price: $8.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Also Available in eBook No acknowledgment—but is true love the exception? Meirion Flatt is one of a handful of people participating in the human version of a nature show for an alien race known as the Fey. Kiar, one of the three men chosen to film her, has awakened emotions in her she hasn’t felt since her husband died. She can’t tell if the feelings are mutual or one-sided, but she’s willing to find out. Kiar takes great pride in doing his job correctly and that pride means everything to him. The network he works for has a strict rule of no acknowledgment. He’s meant to observe, not interact—no matter what. When Meirion sets out to seduce him, his job becomes that much harder. Two of the universe's most stubborn people are about to clash in a new battle of the sexes. This competition has no rules and neither Meirion nor Kiar is willing to lose. It's her heart versus his pride. Will victory lead to joint happiness or both their defeats as Kiar struggles against... Acknowledging Meirion

HOLD ON LaVerne Thompson Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-954-1 Price: $8.99 Also Available in eBook Buy Now Read Excerpt One phone call changed both their lives. A real life knight in shining armor, except he isn't in armor he's in a suit. But the first time Lena Douglas lays eyes on Stephan Grayson that's what he seems to her. He saves her from a violence that still haunts her nights, but at least he's there to hold her should she wake. But the nightmare's not over, it stalks them both now. Something from her past that will not let go. But then neither will Stephan. He saved her once and he's not about to let anyone, especially Lena, stand in the way of what is happening between them. But will Stephan always be there to shield her from her past?

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I'm Delilah K. Stephans and I'm an addict

My name is Delilah K. Stephans and I’m an addict – but I have no desire to beat my addiction. I’m not addicted to alcohol or drugs or sex – well maybe sex as in hot romance novel sex. No, I’m addicted to creating worlds and characters then sharing them. I’m a writer. That’s what I do. I love the “What if…” that every story begins with. I love watching the words fly onto the page – it’s a high for me. I love that moment when the thought crystallizes into the perfect phrase and I even love helping other authors find the phrase.

Did you know that Johanna Lindsey started her writing career because she thought she could write a better book than she was reading? Or that Sherrilyn Kenyon wrote her first book at age 8? In the second grade I used to write stories on the backs of my test papers. Writers must write. It’s an itch that is always there, even when we convince ourselves that being published is impossible.

Why shouldn’t we convince ourselves of that? The world is full of naysayers that are more than willing to tell you that it’s impossible. I used to believe them! Not anymore. I know better and will let you in on the secret.

The secret to getting a publishing contract – Write it, Polish it, and submit it. You may get rejected. Harry Potter was rejected 9 times! Madeline L’Engles A Wrinkle in Time was rejected 26 times. The Diary of Anne Frank was rejected 16 times. Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind was rejected 26 times. So, don’t let one rejection stop you. Keep trying. Take online courses to improve your skills. Join critique groups. Find a writing partner that will kick you in the butt and not allow you to do one bit less than your best.

The only person who can give up on your dreams is you. I know I had given up on mine – until last year when a friend said “If you don’t submit this – I’m going to kick your ass.” Thanks Mickey! And thanks Antonia Tiranth for being my biggest cheerleader! So I did. Now I’m waiting for my release date.

Writing may never make me wealthy – but that’s ok. Working hasn’t . At least now, I’m enjoying what I do. Believe me – doing something you love and struggling is 1000 times better than doing something you hate and being comfortable.

Oh that book that Mickey convinced me to submit? Sarah’s Story: Time Displacement Corps Book 1 – coming soon from Red Rose Publishing. (That is such a cool thing to say!) http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=462

And I’ll leave you with an excerpt:


“Why did you grab me like that?” My father always said that the best defense was a good offense. Honestly, I hoped he’d jump up and throw a typical male snit fit, anything to keep my mind off wondering what he’d look like out of that uniform. The man didn’t answer me immediately, only stood and dusted the back of his pants off. It was then I noticed the two soldiers behind him with rifles, one pointed at me and the other behind me and to the left. Sam! No wonder he hadn’t leapt to my defense.

Oh shit! My temper and loathing of being grabbed had landed me in hot water—again.

Screw hot water. Think boiling Sarah, boiling.

Luckily, it seemed I had an angel standing next to me, because the man motioned to the soldiers behind him and the rifles lowered. My knees went weak with relief and I fought to remain standing as I brought my racing heartbeat back under control.

“Madam, I apologize for grabbing you so suddenly.” His voice, a sexy baritone rumble set my hormones humming. Then he smiled.

Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Johnny Depp might make the girls swoon in the future but they hadn’t seen this man! Jeez, I was in trouble. As furious as I had been about him grabbing me, a new emotion raced through me now. Desire.

Damn him for smiling.

Breathe, Sarah. Breathe.

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New Releases 09 April

Red Rose™ Publishing ~ April 09, 2009 ~ New Releases (eBook)

FOOL FOR LOVE Nâtâlicia Series: Book 1 Cassandra Gold Erotic Romance: Contemporary, GLBT (m/m) ISBN: 978-1-60435-321-1 Price: $3.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Forty-five-year-old college professor Vincent Norton expects to spend the rest of his life alone. After all, he had more than twenty years with the love of his life before losing him to an accident. When he meets his 21-year-old neighbor, Vince is shocked and upset to find himself once again attracted to someone, but this time, it’s a man half his age. College student Rob Bridges has always liked older men, but even he’s a little surprised at how attractive he finds his much older neighbor. Once he realizes he wants Vince, Rob sets his mind on catching him. Will Vince let himself be caught, or will his indecision ruin their chance at happiness?

TRAPPING A WOLF Sanctuary Moon: First Howl Michelle Hasker Mainstream Romance: Paranormal (Shifter) ISBN: 978-1-60435-308-2 Price: $0.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Trapping Malcolm in a mountain cabin for the weekend had sounded like fun at first. She's had the hots for him forever. When Malcolm doesn't return her enthusiasm, the dream weekend turns into the weekend from hell. Between the raging blizzard, and a sulking Malcolm who acts like a caged animal. With it more than obvious they'll never be more than friends, Kristi decides to drown her sorrows in a bottle. But as the night wears on, she begins to wonder if there may be a chance for them after all.

SHOTGUN WEDDING Cia Leah Mainstream Romance: Western, Historical/Period ISBN: 978-1-60435-317-4 Price: $1.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Luke Callahan is bound and determined that he isn't going to be tricked into a shotgun wedding no matter how tempting Cassie is. Sweet lips, a sensual body, and tempting a man isn't enough to give up a man's freedom, or is it?

SOMETHING PUMPING Marie Rochelle Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-326-6 Price: $3.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Plumber Cage Harrison didn’t have a clue that when he answered a plumbing problem at Nothing Too Old that he would meet her. She was everything and he meant everything he was looking for in a woman: Sexy, intelligent, beautiful and independent. He wanted to get to know her better, but would she be interested in dating a blue collar man like him? Jaleena Falcon could barely keep herself from falling over the man that came to her rescue about her plumping problem. Lord, she didn’t think the world made hunks like him anymore. She couldn’t wait to get to know Cage better. However, two things might prevent that from happening, her ex-con brother and Cage’s ex-girlfriend who doesn’t seem to be able to let him go.

VALKYRIE Angela Skaggs Mainstream Romance: Fantasy ISBN: 978-1-60435-304-4 Price: $1.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt The Gods and Mortals Ball is a once in a lifetime event and only those who are searching for their heart's desire gain entrance. Valerie Mason is tired of being alone with only her cat for company. When an invitation comes along with a chance to change her life, does she dare to take it and find her heart's true desire? Magni Thorson has been alone for 500 years. When he's asked to attend the annual God's and Mortal's Ball in his father's stead, will he find the passion to reawaken his heart?

THE APOLOGY Zena Wynn Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Inspirational, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-314-3 Price: 1.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Based on a true story. One woman’s tale of love, betrayal and ultimately, forgiveness. When Nina Wallace receives an email from an old lover apologizing for his behavior during their relationship four years earlier, it sets off a storm of emotions. Can she really forgive him for his mistreatment of her? If she does, will she give him another chance?

~ Re-Release (eBook) ~

FAITH'S TEARS Aliyah Burke Mainstream Romance: Urban Fantasy, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-325-9 Price: $2.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Can a woman who lives her life based on logic and tangible things trust in the love and belief of a man claiming to be a magical being, a selkie? From the moment his gaze landed on her dark beauty, Rowan Kilgour knew she was his life-mate. Despite his feelings, he knew she deserved a chance to experience life before she was tied to him forever. So he waited. Seventeen years. And now that he's found her again, he'll be damned before he lets her go. Faith Henderson still wore the pendant given to her years ago by a senior in high school when she was a sophomore. While visiting the Isle of Skye she is reunited with him. His dark hair, muscular body, and dark chocolate mousse eyes still had the power to turn her into a puddle. Add to that his thick Scottish brogue and she was putty. Can Rowan convince Faith that their lives are intertwined? Will she get past her disbelief in magic to see him for what he truly is? And accept him for it? Or will a darkness from her past keep them separated for all eternity? Sometimes all destiny needs is salt water, in Rowan's case all he needed was… Faith's Tears This title originally published as part of the Dark Waters Anthology.

~ New Releases (Print) ~

DRAGON STAR (Print) Dragonish Series: Book 1 Stephanie Burke Erotic Romantic: Paranormal - Shifters, Menage, Interracial/Multicultural, GLBT (m/m/f/m) ISBN: 978-1-60435-952-7 Price: $6.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Also Available in eBook Tempting and teasing, Dragons oh so pleasing! Or are they? Dragons, shape shifters, Oh My! Left to die in the searing heat of the desert floor, a sacrifice to the scavengers that inhabit its sandy depths, the nameless female struggled to save her own life. As a foundling, she had always done so. When she turned down the son of the leader of her village, she found herself cast to the vicious Scabs and their never-ending hunger. But then something came to her aid! A large talking lizard with more attitude than brains was there, carrying her off to a strange new world inhabited by the Dragonish. Now she was the future mate of a strange man, a submissive for breeding purposes, a desired and treasured female, and the fourth in an all male family quad that just didn't make sense to her. But when instincts take over and mating fever burns bright, who can resist being the Dragon's Star?

THE WATERMELON RIOT (Print) Melissa Glisan Erotic Romance: Interracial/Multicultural, Contemporary, Action/Adventure ISBN: 978-1-60435-910-7 Price: $7.99 Also Available in eBook Buy Now Read Excerpt What can be more boring than covering the local produce festival? Reporter Scott Reneau’s world changes forever when local history mixes with Michelle Butler, the newsroom wallflower, to explode in an uprising of emotions in The Watermelon Riot. Old letters drew Scott Reneau from his high paying journalism career in Portland Maine to the small southern town of Gallatin Arkansas. Now working the news desk for a rural paper, he found himself demoted and again staring at a pile of old letters. Michelle Butler was a local girl from the top of her head to the soles of her feet, but she’d been burned by big city dreams and men. When she decided to take a chance on Scott and share her family’s passionate history, she hoped to catch the sexy reporter’s eye, but her grandparents had other plans in mind. Will he be able to realize that there is more to local images? Will he be able to fight the fire within him that the caramel colored beauty erupts in him? This title was previously published. It has been revised and re-edited for Red Rose™ Publishing.

EUREKA POINT (Print) The Special Agent Series: Book 1 Betty Ann Harris Mainstream Romance: Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary ISBN: 978-1-60435-970-1 Price: $8.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Also Available in eBook Looking for your knight in shining armour? Running as fast as you can, trying to avoid danger, into the arms of safety or is it? Katie Montgomery, learns that her estranged husband, Craig Montgomery, has been deceiving her and is involved with a dangerous South American drug cartel. He becomes a fugitive and leaves Katie alone and in danger. The FBI is afraid that the drug cartel thinks Katie may know all about their drug operation, and to protect her the FBI assists her in assuming a new identity. Then enters Tom, the FBI special agent assigned to protect her. He is totally smitten with her and will do anything to protect her. They fall for each other but Katie cannot allow herself to give in and show her true feelings. Unexpected twists and turns keep you on your toes as you root for Tom, who turns out to be the modern day knight in shining armor. Are you up to finding out about a Special Agent?

ANCIENT WALLS (Print) Jennifer Mueller Mainstream Romance: Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary ISBN: 978-1-60435-962-6 Price: $8.99 Also Available in eBook Buy Now Read Excerpt What is the worst thing that could go wrong on a vacation? Maya Montgomery just wants a vacation with her son, that's it, but with her ex giving her trouble to the point of needing a restraining order, even relaxing involves a fight. At least until everyone in the hotel is kept inside with days of rain. After the way her ex has been all it will take is someone being nice to her and Carson is nothing but nice. Nice to look at, nice to talk to, nice to go to bed with. For once in her life, things are looking up, until her son is kidnapped and the note orders her to find a hidden treasure. Treasure not everyone is even convinced exists and her son's life depends on it. So much for a peaceful vacation. Will Maya be able to find her son? Is Carson involved in this whole mess or the nasty ex-boyfriend out for revenge?

BENEATH THE SURFACE (Print) Marie Rochelle Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-906-0 Price: $9.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Also Available in eBook Are you able to see what is hidden right under your eyes? Rynne Slater, a twenty-eight year old, gorgeous, intelligent African American woman has been tied to her desk for the past six years working on a miracle scar remover. She hasn’t thought about dating anyone until she meets the local town hermit, Pierce McMahon. Rynne promises not to let herself fall for Pierce, but that vow is put to the test as she wants to learn more about the man beneath the hood. Pierce McMahon hasn’t been approached by any woman since his ex-girlfriend cut up his face in a fit of anger. He always thought he didn’t want a woman’s company anymore. But that all goes out the window when he opens his front door and finds the alluring ebony beauty Rynne standing on his porch. More than anything, he wants to make her his and he refuses to allow the narrow-minded opinions of her brother or his sister to stand in his way. But how can he make that happen when a whole town hates him because of the way he look. Will Rynne finally be the one to look… Beneath the Surface?

ANGENI (Print) Cricket Sawyer Erotic Romance: Urban Fantasy, Interracial/Multicultural, Mystery/Suspense ISBN: 978-1-60435-971-8 Price: $8.99 Buy Now Read Excerpt Also Available in eBook Angeni sings her songs with a passion that melts men's hearts, especially Kaus' when he discovers a voice like angels singing at an out of the way Casino. He is immediately on a mission to capture her heart and make her his. She sees him as arrogant, head strong and not her type. Why does he warm her center with the slightest glance in her direction? Angeni is a fledgling shape shifter who can transport herself when she shifts into her spider form. She finds controlling anything around Kaus is nearly impossible. When her lecherous Casino boss breaks into her house one night, she flees into the woods, only to be run down by a large wolf. Fearing for her life, she soon discovers that the wolf meant her no harm. However the next day, she discovers the intruder dead, torn apart by a large animal. Remembering the wolf she encountered in the woods last night, he haunts her mind. His eyes, they look familiar where has she seen them before? This title was previously published. It has been revised and re-edited for Red Rose™ Publishing.

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Cassandra Gold interivew up on Radio Dentata!

Today at 1 PM PST and again at 4 PM PST, Listen to Sascha Illyvich interivew Red Rose Author Cassandra Gold as she talks sex, books and more :)

Listen Now

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Silken Sands Conference

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March 2009 Contest Winners

Pot o' Gold Scavenger Hunt March 2009 Winners:

Margaret Sneyd (Surrey, UK)
Food for the Gods by Camille Anthony

Afshan Nawaz (NY)
The Other Half of Your Heart by Janis Susan May

Katika Floyd (VA)
Skin Deep by Marilyn Lee

Iris Santiago (IL)
Dangerous Bet: Troy's Revenge by Marie Rochelle

Sonya Hucks (OH)
Chamberlain's Knight by Skyler Grey

Trish Wakeman (Queensland, AUS)
Road To Casablanca By Leah Leonard

Phyllis N. Crabtree (FL)
Feathers on the Wind: The Cygnets by Camille Anthony

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