by Joanne Wadsworth | Jan 9, 2014 | Author Blog, Highlander's Captive
HIGHLANDER’S CAPTIVE
His mission is to capture. Hers is to turn the tide.
Twenty-two-year-old Julia MacLeod discovers a secret tunnel leading from Dunvegan Castle, the stronghold of her MacLeod clan. Her chief would never allow her to leave without a guard during this time of war, but up for an adventure, she scurries along the dank passageway and through a maze of twists and turns.
Highland warrior Ivor MacDonald is on a solitary mission to secure a bargaining chip against his chief’s rival clan. While scouting the cliffs near Dunvegan Castle for a way in, a lone woman topples from the cliffs and into the frigid waters of the ocean. Honor demands he rescue her, even though it might bring his mission into jeopardy. Then he discovers she’s the chief’s cousin, and his bargaining chip has just fallen right into his hands.
Ivor steals his captive away, and on a journey across the ocean, his mission soon takes a turn. Julia’s trust in him sees his honor battling to override his need for revenge. Has his captive now turned the tide, and became the captor instead?
CONTENT WARNING: Sexual Content
A Historical Highlander Romance
–ooO00–
HIGHLANDER’S CAPTIVE is a stand-alone novella within my HIGHLANDER HEAT series. These historical Highlander romances feature strong heroines whose paths collide with their delicious Highland heroes.
Highlander’s Castle and Highlander’s Magic, full-length novels, will release later this year. But in the meantime, come and get a taste of this series with this intriguing short story.
PS: Check out the inside-scoop about the cover at the end of this post.
EXCERPT –
Wind whipped through Ivor’s shoulder-length hair, drying it into a rakish look. As he held the ropes, his biceps bulged and his every muscle strained to control the wind power he’d harnessed in the skiff’s tight sail.
Oh, she should turn her gaze away. Only, so impressive. A warrior of great strength.
Mayhap she should enjoy this since she didn’t have a choice. She’d certainly never ridden in a boat moving at such speed that ’twas half out of the water. Awed by his ability, she peeked over his arm. The coastline was but a blur. Her heart near jumped out of her chest and she clutched him tighter. “How fast are we going?”
“Faster than usual, but the crosswinds will ease off soon.”
Plastered against the hard planes of his body, she almost hoped they didn’t. She smiled and lifted her face to the sky, allowing the moment to expand. This was life, and far more interesting than the confines of Dunvegan Castle, not that she’d ever tell Ivor that.
“You look happy.”
“I’ve never sailed like this before.”
“I should think not. Ah, look, the wind is easing. Keep holding on as the boat flattens out. Sometimes it can get a bit bumpy.”
Waves splashed over the bow as it settled down, but naught like the jolt that had first lifted it. Ivor held the ropes and her as he jumped from the edge and into the hull.
She scampered to the bench seat, patting her racing heart.
“Tell me how you came to be on those cliffs?” Ivor tied the ropes off to hold the sail in place then dropped in beside her. With the rudder in hand, he turned it a fraction.
“My father’s in Edinburgh and I didn’t wish to travel so far this close to winter. Margaret, my cousin, asked me to stay.”
“You’re traveling now.”
“A most unexpected trip, wouldn’t you say?”
“Most.” He winked. “But exceptionally glad for the company, I am.”
“So I see.” Along this expanse of rugged coastline, the village lay nestled beyond the forest. At high tide or on the rising and setting of the sun, half a dozen boats would be out, fishermen casting their nets. ’Twas unlucky all was quiet with no opportunity to raise the alarm. Although ’twas by far lucky Ivor had been at those cliffs. She lived now because he’d rescued her. Aye, she owed him for that. If only he’d turn this vessel around and take her home.
Hmm, mayhap she needed to work some magic to make that happen.
–ooOoo–
I hope you all enjoyed that.
And that cover? Here’s the inside-scoop. I’m not a cover artist by any means, or at least I wasn’t until this week. It’s certainly amazing just how many things an author has to learn. Fingers into everything. So, yep, this cover is my first ever design, and I actually had a ton of fun putting it together. What do all you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you so much for joining me today. Thank you. Thank you. 🙂
Just a wee note: Highlander’s Captive was a part of First Frost, an anthology published during November and December of 2013, although it’s now no longer available. If you didn’t get a chance to read Highlander’s Captive then, well now you can. I certainly didn’t want anyone to miss this story.
–ooOoo–
~~ Joanne Wadsworth’s Books ~~
Buy HIGHLANDER’S CAPTIVE (Highlander Heat Novella) at: Amazon Kindle
Buy HUNTER (Magio-Earth Novella) at: Amazon Kindle
Buy WITNESS PURSUIT (Bodyguards #1) at: Amazon Kindle / Amazon Paperback / B&N Nook & Paperback / iTunes / Kobo
Buy WARRIOR (Magio-Earth #2) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy PROTECTOR (Magio-Earth #1) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
TAKE CARE. 
by Joanne Wadsworth | Jan 3, 2014 | Author Blog
COOKING UP LOVE
Jemima George leads a charmed life as a personal chef and assistant to reality television’s latest darling. But that changes in a New York minute when her Aunt Caro dies under odd circumstances, bequeathing her a small restaurant. Jem plans to sell the café and continue her life in NYC, until a dramatic phone call from her cheating boyfriend convinces her to experiment with the ingredients for happiness and accept her Aunt’s legacy. Throwing herself into remodeling the restaurant with the help of the town’s delicious contractor, Jem revamps the menu and renews her faith in herself.
Jack Kerrigan considered Caro a surrogate mother and hates the idea that the café could be sold. He doesn’t need the remodeling project, but if it means Caro’s beautiful, fascinating niece will stay to run the restaurant, he’s all in. He wouldn’t mind being savory to Jem’s sweet.
Jack’s brassy ex-wife is cooking up a scheme of her own, where Jack tosses Jem like a salad and comes back to her. Fold in a creepy attorney hiding secrets of environmental mayhem, add Jem’s claustrophobia, half-pint niece and nephew twins, one mysterious lockbox, and bring to a boil–a recipe for romance.
A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance
A huge welcome to Gemma Brocato and her wonderful characters from Cooking Up Love. I’m so glad you’ve dropped by, Gemma, and brought two of your favorite people along with you for a character interview.
Joanne, Thanks so much for inviting me and Jack and Jem over today. We’re all eager to tell you a little bit about ourselves.
Let’s put Jack and Jem in the hot seat then. Jem if I can start with you. Did you ever consider your story would be told?
Jem: *smiling sheepishly* I worked for a reality TV star, and have appeared on camera often. This wasn’t the story I expected Gemma to tell, *sends and adoring glance toward Jack* but I’m so happy with the way it turned out.
What’s your favorite scene, one your writer portrayed just right?
Jack: *Jack grabs Jem’s hand* Can I answer this one, sugar? I found Jem in the café after she’d gotten a devastating phone call. We walked to the waterfront and watched the sunrise together. Gemma thought she was giving that sunrise to Jem. But, I knew the sun brought an exciting new promise for me, too. The promise of a happily ever after. *Jem sighs and blows a kiss at Jack*
Were there any particularly difficult scenes you’d rather your writer have never written?
Jem: I hated every scene where Gemma made me suffer from my fear of small spaces. *Shuddering*
What was your favorite thing to do in your book?
*They smile at each other*
Jem: We love to hang out at Red’s Tavern and play darts. I’m proud to say I usually win.
Are you happy with how everything turned out?
Jem: Oh yes!
Would you care for a sequel?
Jack: I think we’ve been in the spotlight long enough. It’s my sister’s turn to play the lead. Gemma was generous to her and her kids with her next story. That’s all I’ll say.
What was your favorite line?
Jack: It was right after Jem and I got locked in the pantry. She doesn’t like small spaces, you know. Gemma put some awesome words in my mouth. A foretelling of sorts. “We also have moments of glory and brilliance. Distracting you with a kiss was mine. As a matter of fact, kissing you could become one of my weaknesses.”
What’s your favorite time of the day?
Jem and Jack respond at the same time: Dawn
What’s your greatest fear?
Jem: *with a shiver* Small spaces.
Jack: *matter-of-factly* Losing Jem.
What’s your greatest weakness?
Jack: *smiles* Jem’s kisses. They make my heart flip every time.
What’s your strongest quality?
Jem: Can I answer for Jack? He is a kind man. He hates it when I say that, but it’s true. He’d rather I said he was a sexy strong stud with a wicked awesome sense of humor. And he is all of that. But a sweet, sensitive heart beats in his chest.
What makes you proud?
Jem: *A broad smile spreads over Jem’s face* Well, I hate to brag, but I had a role in reuniting a family torn apart by mistakes and pride. I helped a father be proud of his son again, when it seemed they’d never talk again.
Jack: *nod’s then adds his own moment of pride* I helped Jem heal after her aunt died, and her EX-boyfriend betrayed her. Oh, I also helped her find inventive ways to manage her claustrophobia. *He leers at Jem*
I have a couple of questions just for you, Gemma.
As the writer, is there anything you’d like to say in response to your characters’ interview?
Just that I’m pleased that they are happy with the end of the story. Although, it really isn’t an end, rather, it’s a delicious beginning for the rest of their lives.
Are you working on anything new and if so when can we expect to see it?
As Jack mentioned, his sister Pippa’s story, Hearts In Harmony, is due out in May 2014. That story tugged at my heart from the very moment I was introduced to her. Currently I’m working on finishing Sam Kerrigan’s story. He was one of my favorite characters in Cooking Up Love, so I’m delighted to be working on that. Since the story is based on the five senses, there are two more yet to come.
Here’s an excerpt to whet your appetite:
Jack smiled sadly and shifted on the hard rock. “That’s when I really got to know Caroline. She gave me a job and helped me figure out up from down. I’m ashamed to say I sort of lost myself in the bottle. Knowing how much I’d disappoint Caroline if I didn’t show up to work the breakfast shift kept me from drinking until dawn. My dad’s a patient man, but after putting me to bed drunk a few times, he got fed up. So the next time it happened, he poured me a strong cup of coffee, shoved me in the car and brought me here. He marched me down the pier and pointed toward the sunrise.”
Jack lost himself in thoughts of a long ago morning, as Jem stared at the horizon, waiting for him to go on.
“Dad doesn’t talk much. It’s just his way. He shocked me that morning by stringing a whole lot of words together. Said his heart was breaking for me. What I was going through was breaking my mother’s heart, too. He told me it was time to move on with my life, not stay buried in what I couldn’t change. Dad told me each sunrise offers a new promise. As bad as yesterday was, there’s new opportunity, new hope every day. He told me I was the only roadblock to happiness. I shouldn’t let Tessa destroy my essence. Yep, my dad talked about my essence.” Jack chuckled; the memory of the moment still amazed him. “Said I deserved more than the next guy to wallow in the misery. But I’d be better off accepting the new chance each dawning sun provided.”
He turned to face Jem and put his finger under her chin, turning her face his direction. Cupping his hand over her cheek, he rubbed his thumb along the smooth skin he found there. He prayed she’d lift her head enough to let him press a kiss to her lips, but she remained still, her eyes searching his. “That sun, right there, is your new opportunity. If you stay unhappy for a few days, or even years, it’s okay. Tomorrow, and every day after, the sun will come back with the same offer. And one day, you’ll be ready to accept it.”
He dropped his hand to her shoulder and scooted closer to her, easing his arm around her. Jem didn’t shift away from him, but didn’t lean into his solid warmth, either. Her sigh was audible as she turned her face back toward the brilliant orange globe on the horizon. Side by side, they watched the new sun rising over the water, brightening the day first with a rosy glow, then a fiery glare that made them squint. Bathed in an otherworldly glow, Clooney played in the surf as the rising sun painted vivid colors on the sea and sky.
“Thank you,” Jem said softly as Clooney finally wore himself out and trotted back to Jack’s side.
Jack rubbed his hands across the dog’s wet coat, slicking water off his back. “You’re welcome.”
How can readers find you and your book, Gemma?
Connect with Gemma on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gemma.brocato
Twitter: @gemmabrocato
Website: www.Gemmabrocato.com
Buy Links:
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Up-Love-Gemma-Brocato-ebook/dp/B00G36CD0K/ Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/cooking-up-love-3
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cooking-up-love-gemma-brocato/1117213296
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cooking-up-love/id688219548?mt=11
BIO:
Gemma’s favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a ’round tuit,’ and a fortune from a fortune cookie that said she was a lover of words; some day she’d write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss even the rejections, addressed to ‘Dear Author’, were gratifying.
After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue an avocation as a romance author.
Her gamble paid off when she was a 2012 Finalist in the prestigious Golden Pen contest for Romantic Suspense and she received contracts for her first and second book.
www.Gemmabrocato.com
by Joanne Wadsworth | Jan 1, 2014 | Author Blog
Happy New Year, everyone!
Here’s a little summer sunshine from New Zealand.
This is just a quick note to let you all know of an exclusive newsletter sign up I’ve just created. This newsletter will only come out quarterly, and I promise not to spam you. But I’m buzzing over the first newsletter I’ve just written which will come out later in January. It includes content I doubt you’ll see anywhere else. Truly, it’s that exclusive.
I’m also not the kind of person to just transfer my bloggers’ email addresses across to my newsletter sign up, because I really hate when that happens to me and all of a sudden I get a newsletter from someone I’ve never heard of before. I know you all know me, but your free will still prevails here.
So, if you don’t want to miss my super-exciting and exclusive news then click on the link and sign up. Also, don’t forget to confirm the sign up email that will arrive in your inbox. 🙂
Okay, here’s the link: http://mad.ly/signups/94643/join
And here’s to a fabulous 2014!
Take care.
~~ Joanne Wadsworth’s Books ~~
Buy HUNTER (Magio-Earth Novella) at: Amazon Kindle
Buy WITNESS PURSUIT (Bodyguards #1) at: Amazon Kindle / Amazon Paperback / B&N Nook & Paperback / iTunes / Kobo
Buy WARRIOR (Magio-Earth #2) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy PROTECTOR (Magio-Earth #1) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy FIRST FROST, A Lyrical Press Anthology (including Highlander’s Captive by Joanne Wadsworth): Amazon Kindle / All Romance Ebooks
by Joanne Wadsworth | Dec 30, 2013 | Author Blog, Hunter
HUNTER
To love and protect…across worlds.
Nineteen-year-old Lieska Alura, a Dralion warrior from the planet Magio, calls an Australian Outback station her home away from home. Hounded by her skilled hunter senses, she is on a mission to track down one man, her soul-bound mate.
Peacian protector and hunter, Cole Cyrano, is driven by his soul’s demand to find his mated one, a woman he knows is his enemy. Dralion and Peacio are at war, and he ignores his soul’s call. Except Lieska shows up during a fierce training session inside his protectors’ arena, and his soul demands he protect her.
Completely, yet impossibly matched, they decide to renounce their bond, only not all goes as planned when Lieska receives word bushfires rage across her Outback station. She leaves, and now nothing can keep Cole from the hunt. He joins Lieska in driving the station’s cattle toward the mighty river, and the chase is on…against both nature and each other. Can the mated pair find their place together in a world at war?
A Young Adult, New Adult Fantasy Romance
REVIEWERS: “Another great read from Joanne. I can’t wait for the next FULL instalment in this series ‘ENCHANTER.'” -Nicola Horner ~ Endless Reading
“I loved the humorous and sweet relationship between Cole and Lieska. This series has quickly become a favorite.” – Holly Underhill ~ YA/NA Reviewer
“Hunter is exciting, unforgettable and charming. Hunter is a must read for those who love this series as much as I do.” – Angela McPherson ~ Nocturne Romance Reviewer
–ooO00–
HUNTER has just released, a story which will take you deep into the Australian Outback and across those great plains. This is a stand-alone novella within my fast-paced YA/NA fantasy romance line, where across worlds, soul-bound mates battle against both love and land.
Before I bring you an excerpt, I just want to take a moment to thank all those fans who’ve embraced this series. Thank you so much for taking this journey with me, to where imagination and magic soar. It means the world to me.
And if you haven’t tried any of the books in this series, then don’t miss this one. HUNTER is the perfect short story to get you started, and likely hooked. PROTECTOR and WARRIOR (the first two books) have released, and ENCHANTER (book three,) is coming summer 2014. I simply adore reading books within a series, and in this line, each book is stand-alone, featuring a separate heroine and hero, so start anywhere you like.
Here’s an excerpt to tempt you:
Chains cranked, and the solid paneled iron gates at the entrance rolled open. This was what I’d been waiting for. Finally I’d be able to see inside the three-story high open-aired arena. It was a beauty with its ancient circular architecture.
“Wow. Do you see that?” Hope whispered to me from where we hid in a bush.
I shoved the brush farther aside, and we both poked our noses in. The protectors’ arena was close in size to our fighting force’s in Dralion. Their blocked seats were layered back and up and able to hold thousands of spectators. Groups of protectors trained on the central sandy floor with swords and spears and axes, with likely more beyond. Some of the men wore red tunics with leather-flapped skirts, and they lunged and parried, as accurate with their brutally sharp weapons as any warrior would be. The women trained in their battle leathers. So close. This was the chance I’d been waiting for. It had definitely been right to bring Hope. Hopefully she’d be able to help me keep a level head.
“Let’s go.” I gripped Hope’s hand and ’ported us. Everything darkened as I made the short jump through space.
Hope wobbled as we arrived near the wall. “Lieska, what the heck are you doing?”
“You saw the gate open. It’s an invitation I can’t turn down.” I plucked the sides of my hip-hugging black leather pants. “Look at us. I’m dressed no differently to any of the protector women, and you’re completely unassuming in jeans and a t-shirt. Except for this. The Stetson has to go. It screams Earth.” I nabbed it and tossed it behind a flax bush growing beside the wall. “Now no one’s going to suspect we’re from Dralion unless we announce it. We’ll be normal people, not catching a second glance.”
“Geez, I hate how my own words come back to bite me.” She shook her head. “Just make sure you don’t announce our arrival your way. No throwing any daggers at the protectors, because that would be announcing it, in case you weren’t aware.”
“I’m aware, and I’ll try and keep them sheathed, maybe.” I couldn’t stop from rubbing my hands together. Finally I’d have a chance to sort this problem. The hunt was on. I strode in and the breeze lifted my long brown locks and swept strands across my face. Two men battled close by and one of the men’s blade’s struck flesh and bone. Blood spurted in a wide arc. My blood thrummed to join the fight. Oh yeah. I wish I’d been the one to inflict that wound. The injured man grasped his arm, holding the edges closed. His blood ceased running and his skin began to knit together. A fast-healer. Damn. What a shame.
“Ew.” Hope puffed as she caught up. “Are your senses still on fire?”
“Burning bright. So stay close in case I need to ’port us out of here quick.” I followed the safety rail around the perimeter. My senses flared. There. A man in black jeans stretched as if readying himself for training. The denim molded his butt. Mm-mmm.
He selected a two-handed sword from the rack and twirled it in a precise figure eight. Slowly he built up speed, and moved through a series of fluid training moves. He held the battle skills, and only those who had such an affinity for their weapon did.
“Is that him? The one you’re after?” Hope hauled me to a stop.
“Yes, and it appears he needs a battling partner. Wait here.”
“I’ll wait provided you agree not to kill anyone.”
“We’ll see, just don’t draw any attention to yourself.”
“Huh, I can’t believe you’re telling me not to draw attention to myself. Hello. Give yourself your own pep talk.” With a harrumph, she snuck under the railing. She plopped onto the wooden bench and grasped the edge under her knees, squishing her knuckles.
“I would take my own advice, except I don’t think I’m up for listening. That’s why I have you.” She was one of my best friends, even though she’d accepted a protector as her mate. I could deal.
Stroking the hilt of my ever-present side sword, I walked toward the one my senses had flared on.
–ooOoo–
I hope you all enjoyed that.
Thank you all for helping me celebrate the release of HUNTER by joining me today. Thank you. Thank you. 🙂
~~ Joanne Wadsworth’s Books ~~
Buy HUNTER (Magio-Earth Novella) at: Amazon Kindle
Buy WITNESS PURSUIT (Bodyguards #1) at: Amazon Kindle / Amazon Paperback / B&N Nook & Paperback / iTunes / Kobo
Buy WARRIOR (Magio-Earth #2) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy PROTECTOR (Magio-Earth #1) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy FIRST FROST, A Lyrical Press Anthology (including Highlander’s Captive by Joanne Wadsworth): Amazon Kindle / All Romance Ebooks
TAKE CARE.
by Joanne Wadsworth | Dec 27, 2013 | Author Blog
GHOST LOVER
By Liza O’Connor
Contemporary Romance with a touch of paranormal
Two sexy English brothers. One irresistible ghost. Who would you choose as your lover?
Completely broke and with a criminal record to boot, Senna Smith is one day from eviction from her apartment when Brendon, her promiscuous roommate from London, suggests she go to England, marry him, and manage his fortune. With few other options, she agrees to an open marriage. But she’ll never, ever, have sex with him, knowing if she falls in love with him, he’ll break her heart.
As trustee of Brendon’s family fortune, there is no way Brendon’s older brother, Garrison Durran, is going to let him marry a self-professed American gold-digger. As Senna tries to embrace castle life and English society for Brendon’s sake, Gar discovers Senna is the perfect woman for him–beautiful and intelligent, kind and caring. Now, if she wasn’t already engaged to his brother…
The ancestral ghost of Durran Castle has to intervene if the Durran brothers have any chance of an heir. He can’t leave them to fix matters on their own. They are useless buggers when it comes to love. As counselor to Gar, matchmaker for Brendon, and lover to Senna, a ghost’s work is never done.
CONTENT WARNING: Allergy warning: Ghost cat in book.
A huge welcome to Liza O’Connor and her wonderful characters from Ghost Lover. I love this cover. I’m so glad you’ve dropped by, Liza, and brought your characters along with you for an interview. And thanks so much for offering a giveaway. Check it out at the end, everyone. Liza’s going to take it away here, while I head over to her blog. My characters from Witness Pursuit are going to answer the hard questions at her place.
Today, Joanne and I are swapping locations. I’m interviewing my unruly herd at her site in beautiful and warm New Zealand, and she’s interviewing her characters on my site in a cold castle set in England.
Liza: I’m glad to see everyone is here, because I want you all to contribute to this interview.
Gar: I’m not discussing the ghosts.
Liza: Not a problem. Today’s topic is about when one door closes, another one opens. I believe all you have experienced this.
Brendon: I thought the saying was: When a door is locked, break a window.
Senna: No, it’s: Don’t cry ‘why me?’ when a door closes, because the door was actually a portal to hell.
Liza: *grips head* Why did I think this would be easy? Okay, who would like to begin?
Brendon: I’ll go. About a year ago, I lost the only person who had ever loved me. The cook attempted to console me, but then declared I’d gotten her pregnant. Attempting to fix matters, I convinced the trustee of my fund to give me a million pounds, which I purposely lost on a single roll of the roulette table. I thought if the cook believed I’d lost all my money, she’d remember someone else who might be the father of her child.
Gar: The cook held firm and demanded I give her a million to go away. In a fit of anger over both the blackmailing cook and the roulette fiasco I sent Brendon to the states, instead of realizing what he needed was a brother who loved him. I will forever regret that.
Brendon: I forgive you, since in the states I discovered a fabulous woman who liked me.
Cat: What? Who?
Brendon: *grips Cat’s hand* I found Senna, broke a window and crawled into her one-room flat —
Senna: Several nights in a row. I couldn’t afford to replace anymore windows, so I gave him a key. Then after I fed and sheltered him for six months, he steals $400 from my bank account so my rent check bounces and the landlord evicts me.
Liza: Yeah, Brendon, I had to drop the first two chapters of my book because of you. My readers seriously hated you for stealing her money.
Brendon: I had to save her. No matter how hard Senna tried, she couldn’t get ahead. I was certain if she came to England where she’d never have to worry about money again, she’d be so much better off.
Liza: Then why didn’t you just ask her?
Brendon: Because she would’ve never accepted my offer of marriage until I made her really desperate. As in rock bottom. Otherwise, she would’ve kept living on the edge, miserable and one step from starvation every day, with no friends to help her in times of trouble.
Senna: He’s right. No one likes a convicted felon. I was destined for a hard and miserable life before Brendon stole my money, then offered me a way out of the disaster he’d created.
Liza: So this is an excellent example of when one door closes, another opens. Senna was a day from being homeless and look at her fabulous life now. Now Gar, I know you hate participating in my interviews but–
Gar: I’m not discussing ghosts.
Liza: Could you give us an example how something you perceived as a terrible event turned out to bring you great happiness?
Gar: Brendon calls and says I have to pay for him and his fiancée to return to England or he’ll sell the family teacups he’d stolen when he left. The idea of having my life disrupted with Brendon’s antics again gave me an ulcer, but I had to save the teacups, so I bought the tickets.
*grips Senna’s hand*
And once I stopped being a jerk, I discovered Senna to be the finest woman of my acquaintance. My life became so much brighter with her in it.
Liza: And you, Cat. I believe you had a major ‘one door shuts, another one opens’ moment?
Cat: I did. I had just met a really nice English dude who had bought three of my paintings, only two hadn’t been for sale and I wanted them back. When he told me he’d already shipped them to England, I kind of got violent.
Gar: Kind of? She knocked me to floor and was seconds away from stomping me to death. I got up and assured her I’d send all three pieces back to her and stormed off. I intended to return to England alone the next day.
Cat: Only the monster who claimed to be my father sent a bunch a goons to my apartment and took everything I possessed…even the toilet paper. I had three new paintings I’d done…that still upsets me. But his message was clear. Come home and be an obedient daughter or die on the streets.
Gar: Fortunately, she knew where I was staying and came there. When I washed her face clean of her Goth makeup, she looked incredibly like Senna, leaving me no choice but to bring her home.
Cat: *hugs Brendon.* And there I met my soul mate.
Lassier the ghost: *materializes* And finally I had the proper cast to set matters straight. But still, you would not believe how difficult they made it. Keeping this family line going is nearly impossible. How I long for the old days when women had no say in the matter of marriage and children.
Cat: If I kick Lassier in the balls while he’s materialized, will it hurt him?
Lassier: I’m out of here. *disappears*
Cat: *grins* I take that as a yes.
Brendon: I don’t think you should test your theory. Ghosts have long memories and excel at pranks.
Liza: Once again I have lost control of the interview. I know inviting only one or two would be easier, but then the rest would have been at the castle where Joanne Wadsworth is interviewing her characters on my site. Anyone want to lay odds her characters are better behaved?
*Everyone stares at their shoes, plucks lint, or stares out windows*
Liza stands: I’m calling this interview done. It’s a gorgeous day in New Zealand. I’m going rafting down a 21 foot waterfall. Who’s with me?
And now a short excerpt for those who didn’t fit in the raft:
Senna woke to her breast beeping. Trying to make sense of the oddity, she pushed herself up to rest on her elbows and discovered the noise came from Brendon’s wristwatch. Somehow, his hand had found its way beneath her bra during the night, and now chirped like a baby chick.
She contemplated tearing his hand off at the wrist, but he looked so angelic with his curly dark hair framing his handsome face. With a heavy sigh, she unlatched her bra and eased his hand out, then gently shook him until his face scrunched into a pained grimace.
He groaned and frowned at his noisy watch. “This is a god-awful hour to be woken up,” he said in his sexy British accent. “Never bothers me when I’m coming home at this hour.”
Senna rolled her eyes. “Speak for yourself.”
Pushing himself up, he shook his head. “Remember the second night I came around? You kept yelling at me, ‘Did I realize it was four in the morning?’ At the time, I couldn’t understand your fuss.” He groaned and scratched his scalp. “Well, I certainly understand it now. It’s bloody hell to be woken at this ungodly hour.”
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About Liza O’Connor:
Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog, Jess. They hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens.
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About Ghost Lover
–ooOoo–
FREEBIE!!!!
To One Lucky Commenter, I’ll give away one copy of Worst Week Ever
What do you get when you put a hardworking, can-do middle-class young woman together with an egoistical, outrageous, billionaire boss, then throw in the worst week of disasters imaginable?
A humorous disaster romance of epic proportions.
Just leave an email address in your comment and tell me you want Worst Week Ever.
–ooOoo–
Hey everyone, I’m back. My characters from Witness Pursuit are answering the hard questions over at Liza’s blog. If anyone wants to drop by, here’s the link-> http://www.lizaoconnor.com/2013/12/joanne-wadsworth-brings-her-witness.html
Don’t forget to leave a comment for Liza’s giveaway right here, along with your email address. Have a wonderful week. 🙂
by Joanne Wadsworth | Dec 16, 2013 | Author Blog
It’s breaking news!
I just heard. The next three movies in the Avatar movie franchise are being filmed in my backyard. It’s well known New Zealand is the home of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchise of films, but I can’t wait to see filming of Avatar begin Down Under. I’m not an actress by any means, but I did swing by Hobbiton last year and had a wee conversation with Gollum. Some of the LOTR and Hobbit film sets are just a mere five minute drive from the beautiful town of Matamata, where I was born and spent my entire childhood. It’s a fabulous place. Pre-cious as Gollum would say. 🙂
So, since it’s been reported that 93% of the cast for Avatar will be Kiwis, I thought I’d whip up a portfolio picture. What do you all think? Am I blue enough?
I know. This is a serious movie, so I’m going to have to drop the smile, grow several more feet, and somehow figure out how to don a tail, but I’m totally up for it. I’ll look into some archery, dragon-riding and tree-swinging training right after Christmas. I do have to say though, that Mr. Bean does a great Avatar impersonation. He’s clearly trying to get in on my game.
Now, I know I can manage that funny face, but I’m not sure about those glowing eyes. Wouldn’t it be cool though to be Avatarized? That’d scare my kiddies when I came home looking like this. 🙂
Okay, all laughter aside, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. I even found some delightful wish lists for writers. Do any of these ring true for you?
LOL. Cute, right? So, how will you all be celebrating Christmas? With family and friends? With roast turkey and mulled wine? Trying to find your way out of the snow?
Or perhaps if it’s the heart of summer-time where you are (as it is for me,) then it’s all about the surf and sand. I know I love building a sandman at Christmas time since there isn’t a chance of snow. Wherever you are, sand or snow, I wish you safe and happy holidays.
From your Kiwi author. I’ll catch you all after Christmas. I’ve four wonderful books already set to release in 2014, so next year’s going to be a blast.
~ Joanne Wadsworth’s Books ~
Buy WITNESS PURSUIT (Bodyguards #1) at: Amazon Kindle / Amazon Paperback / B&N Nook & Paperback / iTunes / Kobo
Buy WARRIOR (Magio-Earth #2) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy PROTECTOR (Magio-Earth #1) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy FIRST FROST, A Lyrical Press Anthology (including Highlander’s Captive by Joanne Wadsworth): Amazon Kindle / All Romance Ebooks
TAKE CARE.
