Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Release day Blitz: Ryan at Last (Amy Gregory) Finding Perfect #5


RELEASE DAY BLITZ



Ryan at Last
Finding Perfect #5
Amy Gregory



How can one man’s tux fitting change a life forever? Ryan Seely has no idea, but she can’t seem to escape the storm blowing through her world when Blaine Decklen stops by for what should have been a routine appointment.

Jaded. Tired. Loyal. Blaine Decklen wouldn’t miss his brother’s wedding for the world, even if spending time in small town Kansas is the last thing he has time for. The summer heat isn’t the only thing that has Blaine’s nerves snapping and popping when he reaches for the door handle of Ryan Seely’s bridal shop, though.

She’s firmly planted in Kansas. He’s certain he’s lost his mind. Can Blaine prove fairy tales really do come true? Or is he too late to get the girl?



He reached for the old door handle on the store, his thumb pressing the worn metal piece downward as the sign hanging inside from the old beveled glass was being turned over. The woman on the other side jumped backward letting out a squeak.
Blaine opened the door, peeking his head in, “I’m sorry. Are you closing early?”
His first instinct was to be frustrated, after he’d changed his plans, flown half way across the country, but the woman standing with her hand still on her chest made the air in his own lungs catch.
“I. Did I forget? Did you have an appointment, sir?”
Her voice stopped him cold. She was unlike any woman he’d ever met. In worn jeans, a fitted plaid shirt, her sleeves rolled up, this beauty was a wreck. Her deep auburn hair was piled on her head in a jumbled mess with curls spilling out from every direction. A sprinkling of freckles across her cheek bones and nose, along with dark eyelashes went perfect with her blue eyes and pink lips, all vacant of any drop of makeup, yet, Blaine was certain he’d never seen a more beautiful woman in all his life.
“Sir?” Her voice again, kept him frozen, not wanting to lose this moment in time. “Excuse me?”
“I’m so sorry. You just caught me so off guard, my apologies. I was supposed to fly in for a fitting. I thought the appointment was made already.”
“Fly? In?”
She visibly turned green in front of his very eyes as she opened the door to let him enter. “I can come another time, except, well, you’re probably not open tomorrow are you? Sundays, small towns and all.”
“I am open tomorrow. But come in, you’re here. I don’t want you to make a special trip back.” She ushered him through the front of the store toward the middle. “So, when you said you flew in, I’m assuming you’re with…the Wellington wedding party?”
This poor girl was failing miserably at trying to remain professional, the dark circles under her eyes were probably the reason why her mask was falling away. Blaine wanted to chuckle as a business man himself, but the other part of him wanted to take this poor woman and hold her close and protect her from the Wellington mother from hell. She stopped near the mirrors and turned back to face him. Her brow was furrowed and her lip between her teeth.
“I’ll let you in on a secret.” He leaned close enough to smell her perfume. If he wasn’t sure he’d get slapped he’d have rested his cheek on hers. “I’m not a Wellington.”
She buried her face in her hands. “Oh my God. I’m so awful. And seemingly transparent. I do like Cassandra, I promise.”
“Are you the famous Ryan?”
Her hands still covered her face, but she moved one finger to peek at him. “Famous, no. But Ryan, yes, that’s me. Put me out of my misery, please. Tell me who you are?”
Blaine reached out, ran his finger against the back of her hand, noticing many of her fingers had bandages over them. For someone he’d never met, he was instantly drawn to her soft soul. He lightly pulled one hand away so he could see her again.
“I’m Blaine…Decklen. Travis’s brother. And judging by your reaction, you feel the same way Trav and I do?”
“I promise. I—”
“Don’t bother, sweetheart. Your face is way too telling. You couldn’t pull off that lie if you had to. Trust me. Cassie is great to my little brother, but neither of us, nor our parents can stand her family.”
The lines in Ryan’s face faded and Blaine’s heart sped up once again. Her scent, her voice, the feel of her skin, everything about her affected him unlike any other woman had. She was a siren, just as he’d read about in school. The teacher had said they were a sailor’s myth, Blaine now knew otherwise. He was beginning to think his brother had put him up to this, maybe tried to play a little match making while wedding planning, except his brother hadn’t been to Kansas yet for his fitting.
“Cassandra talks so highly of your brother. You can tell she is completely in love with him. And they are going to be so happy after the wedd—”
Blaine’s brow went up as Ryan stopped mid-sentence, then he caught on. Apparently Cassie had shared more of herself in less than a few months’ time with this sweet woman in Kansas than any of her so called best friends from Connecticut. In her circle, the families danced around each other, only allowing the best last names into their lives. Blaine had no idea how Cassie thought she’d really have half a chance in pulling herself from their hold. He knew of the man she  was supposed to marry, probably had been talked about since high school, maybe middle school—and it sure as hell wasn’t his brother.  
“It’s okay. Travis has let me in on their big plan to break free of the Wellington chains. You aren’t spilling any secrets.” He winked.











When asked ‘when do you have time to write’, Amy Gregory simply laughs.  The real answer is, “in bits and pieces”.  She and her husband live in Kansas City with their three fantastic kids that keep them running in three very different directions.  Because she sits so much, she always carries a notebook with her at all times.
She has an off the wall, snarky, off the cuff sense of humor that often shocks even those who’ve known her for years.  And she loves that her children have all been blessed that ability to make others laugh as well.  At least she’s grateful most of the time!  Her husband often teases her about how she “makes this stuff up” when he’s reading a piece of her work. … The answer—“it just comes to me when I’m typing”. Scary thought, huh!
Connect with the Author:  Facebook | Twitter  | Goodreads



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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

COVER REVEAL: Ryan at Last (Amy Gregory) Finding Perfect #5


COVER REVEAL



Ryan at Last
Finding Perfect #5
Amy Gregory



How can one man’s tux fitting change a life forever? Ryan Seely has no idea, but she can’t seem to escape the storm blowing through her world when Blaine Decklen stops by for what should have been a routine appointment.

Jaded. Tired. Loyal. Blaine Decklen wouldn’t miss his brother’s wedding for the world, even if spending time in small town Kansas is the last thing he has time for. The summer heat isn’t the only thing that has Blaine’s nerves snapping and popping when he reaches for the door handle of Ryan Seely’s bridal shop, though.

She’s firmly planted in Kansas. He’s certain he’s lost his mind. Can Blaine prove fairy tales really do come true? Or is he too late to get the girl?







When asked ‘when do you have time to write’, Amy Gregory simply laughs.  The real answer is, “in bits and pieces”.  She and her husband live in Kansas City with their three fantastic kids that keep them running in three very different directions.  Because she sits so much, she always carries a notebook with her at all times.
She has an off the wall, snarky, off the cuff sense of humor that often shocks even those who’ve known her for years.  And she loves that her children have all been blessed that ability to make others laugh as well.  At least she’s grateful most of the time!  Her husband often teases her about how she “makes this stuff up” when he’s reading a piece of her work. … The answer—“it just comes to me when I’m typing”. Scary thought, huh!
Connect with the Author:  Facebook | Twitter  | Goodreads





Sunday, February 1, 2015

BOOK TOUR: Dead in a Dumpster: Leah Norwood Mystery #1 (B.L. Blair)



Title:
Dead in a Dumpster: Leah Norwood Mystery #1


Author:
B.L. Blair






When Leah Norwood finds the body of Isabel Meeks in the dumpster behind her store, she can’t believe the police consider her a suspect. Sure, she didn’t liked Isabel, but then again, neither did anyone else. Isabel had a condescending attitude and a bad reputation. As manager of the antique store, Patina, she had made a lot of enemies.


There is Patina’s assistant manager, the handsome and charming Trent. Isabel was blackmailing him. There is Patina’s owner, the aloof and influential Anthony Thorpe.  Isabel was smuggling drugs through his store. And there is the entire drug dealing Cantono family. Isabel had lost a box containing heroin from one of their shipments. That is just to name a few and didn’t even include the stranger who was seen arguing with Isabel just hours before her death.


The police have too many suspects and too many soft alibis. Leah needs to prove to the sexy new chief of police that she had nothing to do with Isabel’s death.


Leah loves a good mystery. Can she find the killer before the police arrest her for murder?




“So you found the victim about seven fifty?” asked the baby-faced young cop.
Why was everyone so young?  The name on his badge read Keith Cisneros.  I have always been a little nervous around police officers.  I’m not sure why.  However, I couldn’t be nervous around Keith.  First, he was just too young.  Second, I didn’t have any nerves left.  I was too wet, too cold, and too miserable.  And third, I knew Keith.  Not well, but well enough to not find him intimidating.
We were standing by the dumpster and trying not to look at Isabel.  I don’t think Keith had ever seen a dead body either because the look on his face made me think he wanted to follow in my footsteps – scream, run into the nearest building, and lose his lunch.  But the kid was made of sterner stuff.  My estimation of him rose as he held his ground and questioned me.
“What were you doing out here?” he asked.  Okay, so my estimation of him fell a little.  I glanced at the trash bags sitting at our feet and tried to keep my voice even as I answered.
“I was taking out the trash.”  I don’t think I succeeded as he looked at the trash and then flushed.  Now I felt bad, like I had kicked a puppy.
“So did you …”
“Cisneros.”  A deep, smoky voice cut through the night.  Both of us jumped and then turned toward the voice.  From the shadows, a figure emerged.  If I had any nerves left, I might have been a little anxious.  The man walking toward us moved like a stalking panther.  Smooth, long strides that ate up the space.
He was breathtaking.  Not gorgeous or handsome but there was a power about him that drew the eye.  He wasn’t exceptionally tall, standing about five eleven, but his shoulders were broad and his hips narrow.  Dark hair cut short in a military style, covered his head.  His face was attractive in a timeless way.  Chiseled and clean-shaven but with just a hint of a five o’clock shadow.  He had a small indentation on the right side of his mouth that was trying very hard to be a dimple.  It was as if he was willing it not to appear with the strength of his personality alone.  He had intense green eyes that swept over me briefly before settling on Keith.  
He looked familiar, but I knew we had never met.  I would have remembered him.  He stopped between us and turned to Keith.  “What have we got?”
“Victim identified as Isabel Meeks.  Gunshot wound to the chest, close range.  She was found about seven fifty p.m. by Ms. Norwood.”
Keith pointed to me, and the man turned his eyes to mine.  His gaze swept down my body and back up.  He then dismissed me without a second glance before turning back to the rookie.  “Has the ME been called?”
Now, I know that I am not the most attractive person in the world.  I am what most people would call average.  Average height, average weight, average looks, but being dismissed so completely really pissed me off.  I was cold, wet, tired, and quite frankly, still a little queasy.  And it had been a really bad day.  
“Can I leave now?”
Both of them turned toward me.  Keith seemed a little surprised that I was still there.  The other man just seemed irritated that I had interrupted him.
“You found the body?” he asked and then continued when I nodded, “We will need to ask you some questions.”
Keith had been asking me questions.  My nerves were shot and my temper short.  I am not usually such a bitch, but I had enough of standing out in the freezing rain.  I probably shouldn’t have mouthed off to a police officer, but I figured my day couldn’t get any worse.  I summoned up my inner diva, gave him my most haughty look, and asked in a snooty tone.  “And you are?”
He stared at me a minute, his eyes hard and unyielding.  He raised his eyebrows just a notch, pulled out a badge, and held it toward me.  “Chief of Police Alexander Griggs.”
Well, damn, my day just got worse.








B. L. Blair writes simple and sweet romance and romance/mystery stories. Like most authors, she has been writing most of her life and has dozens of books started. She just needs the time to finish them.


She is the author of the Holton Romance Series and the Leah Norwood Mysteries. She loves reading books, writing books, and traveling wherever and as often as time and money allows. She is currently working on her latest book set in Texas, where she lives with her family.











Sunday, January 25, 2015

BOOK BLITZ: Dead in a Dumpster: Leah Norwood Mystery #1 (Jan 26-28)


Title:
 Dead in a Dumpster: Leah Norwood Mystery #1

Author: 
B.L. Blair




When Leah Norwood finds the body of Isabel Meeks in the dumpster behind her store, she can’t believe the police consider her a suspect. Sure, she didn’t liked Isabel, but then again, neither did anyone else. Isabel had a condescending attitude and a bad reputation. As manager of the antique store, Patina, she had made a lot of enemies.

There is Patina’s assistant manager, the handsome and charming Trent. Isabel was blackmailing him. There is Patina’s owner, the aloof and influential Anthony Thorpe.  Isabel was smuggling drugs through his store. And there is the entire drug dealing Cantono family. Isabel had lost a box containing heroin from one of their shipments. That is just to name a few and didn’t even include the stranger who was seen arguing with Isabel just hours before her death. 

The police have too many suspects and too many soft alibis. Leah needs to prove to the sexy new chief of police that she had nothing to do with Isabel’s death. 

Leah loves a good mystery. Can she find the killer before the police arrest her for murder?




“So you found the victim about seven fifty?” asked the baby-faced young cop.
Why was everyone so young?  The name on his badge read Keith Cisneros.  I have always been a little nervous around police officers.  I’m not sure why.  However, I couldn’t be nervous around Keith.  First, he was just too young.  Second, I didn’t have any nerves left.  I was too wet, too cold, and too miserable.  And third, I knew Keith.  Not well, but well enough to not find him intimidating.
We were standing by the dumpster and trying not to look at Isabel.  I don’t think Keith had ever seen a dead body either because the look on his face made me think he wanted to follow in my footsteps – scream, run into the nearest building, and lose his lunch.  But the kid was made of sterner stuff.  My estimation of him rose as he held his ground and questioned me.
“What were you doing out here?” he asked.  Okay, so my estimation of him fell a little.  I glanced at the trash bags sitting at our feet and tried to keep my voice even as I answered.
“I was taking out the trash.”  I don’t think I succeeded as he looked at the trash and then flushed.  Now I felt bad, like I had kicked a puppy.
“So did you …”
“Cisneros.”  A deep, smoky voice cut through the night.  Both of us jumped and then turned toward the voice.  From the shadows, a figure emerged.  If I had any nerves left, I might have been a little anxious.  The man walking toward us moved like a stalking panther.  Smooth, long strides that ate up the space.
He was breathtaking.  Not gorgeous or handsome but there was a power about him that drew the eye.  He wasn’t exceptionally tall, standing about five eleven, but his shoulders were broad and his hips narrow.  Dark hair cut short in a military style, covered his head.  His face was attractive in a timeless way.  Chiseled and clean-shaven but with just a hint of a five o’clock shadow.  He had a small indentation on the right side of his mouth that was trying very hard to be a dimple.  It was as if he was willing it not to appear with the strength of his personality alone.  He had intense green eyes that swept over me briefly before settling on Keith.  
He looked familiar, but I knew we had never met.  I would have remembered him.  He stopped between us and turned to Keith.  “What have we got?”
“Victim identified as Isabel Meeks.  Gunshot wound to the chest, close range.  She was found about seven fifty p.m. by Ms. Norwood.”
Keith pointed to me, and the man turned his eyes to mine.  His gaze swept down my body and back up.  He then dismissed me without a second glance before turning back to the rookie.  “Has the ME been called?”
Now, I know that I am not the most attractive person in the world.  I am what most people would call average.  Average height, average weight, average looks, but being dismissed so completely really pissed me off.  I was cold, wet, tired, and quite frankly, still a little queasy.  And it had been a really bad day.  
“Can I leave now?”
Both of them turned toward me.  Keith seemed a little surprised that I was still there.  The other man just seemed irritated that I had interrupted him.
“You found the body?” he asked and then continued when I nodded, “We will need to ask you some questions.”
Keith had been asking me questions.  My nerves were shot and my temper short.  I am not usually such a bitch, but I had enough of standing out in the freezing rain.  I probably shouldn’t have mouthed off to a police officer, but I figured my day couldn’t get any worse.  I summoned up my inner diva, gave him my most haughty look, and asked in a snooty tone.  “And you are?”
He stared at me a minute, his eyes hard and unyielding.  He raised his eyebrows just a notch, pulled out a badge, and held it toward me.  “Chief of Police Alexander Griggs.”
Well, damn, my day just got worse.





B. L. Blair writes simple and sweet romance and romance/mystery stories. Like most authors, she has been writing most of her life and has dozens of books started. She just needs the time to finish them.

She is the author of the Holton Romance Series and the Leah Norwood Mysteries. She loves reading books, writing books, and traveling wherever and as often as time and money allows. She is currently working on her latest book set in Texas, where she lives with her family.




Thursday, December 18, 2014

COVER REVEAL: Drew's Last Hope (Amy Gregory) Finding Perfect #4



Title: Drew's Last Hope
Series: Finding Perfect #4
Author: Amy Gregory



Drew McKnight has always had a killer smile. Girls first, then women fell for it. Add that to his magnetic personality and Drew has never known a stranger. Growing up in the quaint town of Renlend, Kansas he had everything he’d always wanted, including his high school sweetheart. Then he blinked. In one moment of sheer hell, his entire world crashed down around him. His heart was torn in two pieces and he didn’t know how to move forward. Except…he had no choice not to.

Hope’s career came to a screeching halt one night on stage in front of a packed house. Her entire life’s work went down the drain. Using the same determination that got her to New York in the first place, she started over. She’s been dealt a crappy hand—twice, but she won’t let any of that interfere with her new life. No more toe shoes, tutus or men. She’s in a new town, ready for a new start. Until she turned around and fell in love with the most precious brown eyes she’d ever seen.


The Finding Perfect Series:


Purchase Links
Tyson's War: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Gabby Revealed:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Mike’s Way Back:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble





When asked ‘when do you have time to write’, Amy Gregory simply laughs.  The real answer is, “in bits and pieces”.  She and her husband live in Kansas City with their three fantastic kids that keep them running in three very different directions.  Because she sits so much, she always carries a notebook with her at all times.
She has an off the wall, snarky, off the cuff sense of humor that often shocks even those who’ve known her for years.  And she loves that her children have all been blessed that ability to make others laugh as well.  At least she’s grateful most of the time!  Her husband often teases her about how she “makes this stuff up” when he’s reading a piece of her work. … The answer—“it just comes to me when I’m typing”. Scary thought, huh!
Connect with the Author:  Facebook | Twitter  | Goodreads