Tuesday Ebook Spotlight and a California Flashback: The amazing authors Lauren Royal and Glynnis Campbell

When writers decide to tackle the enormous task of penning a novel, it's a long road of learning, writing and then rewriting and getting beaten down and rising to start again. Not for the faint of heart. What keeps us sane in this arduous process is friends, people who not only keep you company but read your books and offer solid advice, share vital information and support you in all that you do.

A 2001 group book signing with the three of us participating.

I'm lucky in having two awesome friends, Lauren Royal and Glynnis Campbell, who have done all of the above. We three were published at the same time and met on the Internet in a group called the Tobeez, which stood for To-Be-Published. It was a list serve of several authors sharing information about what to do when you get published.

When I moved to Los Angeles, Lauren and Glynnis and I hooked up and shared lunches, writing chapter meetings and book signings. Some people called us the Three Muskateers. In 2001, we attended the Romance Writers of America conference together in New Orleans, when Glynnis was a finalist for the prestigious Rita Award. Since New Orleans is my home town, I got to proudly show them around.

Glynnis Campbell, Lauren Royal and me
at the RWA convention in New Orleans, 2001.

When I recently felt at the end of a rope and wondering which way to turn regarding my novels, they took me to lunch and taught me all about the world of e-publishing. 

So, on this Tuesday Ebook Spotlight, I want to highlight these two special people — and I have spotlighted their books before. They are both best-selling and extremely talented historical romance authors. And guess what? They have free or close to free books to download right now.

First up is Royal's "Lost in Temptation," a Top 10 bestseller and book one in the Chase Family Series. Although it's part of a series, it also stands alone. 

Here's the book description:

England, 1815: The eldest of three sisters, Lady Alexandra Chase has always done what was expected of her. But when the man she's loved since her girlhood returns from a long spell abroad, she quite suddenly finds herself hoping the fine lord her brother has picked for her won't propose. She decides that if he does, she'll quite improperly turn him down—that is, until the man of her hopes and dreams informs her he has no intention of marrying her.

The last time Tristan Nesbitt saw Alexandra, he was a common man with no hope of ever wedding the daughter of a marquess. Seven years later, he's now Lord Hawkridge, which should make him eminently suitable for the woman who long ago captured his heart. But a dreadful scandal has tarnished his name in England—a scandal so horrid that marrying Alexandra would ruin not only her flawless reputation but her whole family. For Alexandra's own good, he must fight his relentless desires and stay far away...

Next is Campbell's "The Reiver," available to download for only 99 cents.

Here's the book description:

Rogues, rapscallions, knaves, scoundrels, hellions, scallywags, blackguards, outcasts, and firebrands. They may be villains, but they're irresistible, and sometimes the right hero can steal their hearts and help them mend their wicked ways.

Raised by her abusive uncle, Cristy Moffat will do anything to impress her brawny cousins, including reiving the neighbor's cattle…until she steals the wrong cow and is caught in the act by the new laird. Brochan Macintosh has his hands full, repairing his tower house and raising his motherless twins. But when his plans to trade Cristy for his cattle go awry, he wonders if he wants to ransom her after all. Can he tame her wild ways and give her a family to love, and will Cristy be the one to heal his loneliness?

So, what are you waiting for? Two great discounted books for summer reading.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

Tuesday Ebook Spotlight: Campbell's 'California Gold'

On sale today, just in time for Mother’s Day, is the boxed set of the “California Gold” trilogy by Glynnis Campbell. Separately the books cost $14.98, but the boxed set sells for $7.99.

Campbell is an award-winning, best-selling novelist who lives in Los Angeles and if you’re wondering how this relates to Louisiana, she’s a dear friend of ours and a fabulous writer. Here’s the description of the books:

These are chronicles of the Old West--of the native people who lived on the land for generations and the pioneers who came from all over the world in search of riches…the struggle to survive in a land without laws…the strange bedfellows that resulted from the clash of cultures…and the common language of the heart that spoke of a love more precious than gold.

Book 1: NATIVE GOLD - A rebellious artist becomes a Gold Rush mail-order bride, but when fate makes her a widow, she's tempted by a fierce native in whose arms she discovers a forbidden love.

 

Book 2: NATIVE WOLF - A half-native's plans for vengeance backfire when he falls in love with the woman he kidnaps, who finds being stolen by a handsome savage a breathtaking adventure. A posse may be hot on the trail, but she's not so sure she wants to be rescued.

Book 3: NATIVE HAWK - A half-native gambler on the run tangles with a spirited Italian beauty who takes his money and steals his heart, but the scheming young miss can't resist the handsome gunslinger, even when she learns he's a wanted man.

Campbell is also participating in a giveaway featuring 80 historical romance authors. Follow her on BookBub and Amazon for a chance to win a large collection of novels as well as bookstore gift cards, plus a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet to the grand prize winner. 

Enter the giveaway by clicking here.

Louisiana Book News is written by journalist Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. The first two books in her award-winning series are FREE as ebooks! For more information and to sign up for her newsletter visit www.cherieclaire.net.

Tuesday ebook spotlights

If you love ebooks, you'll be happy to learn about several that are discounted or free. We spotlight these every Tuesday so be sure to check back often.

“Lady Danger,” the first book in The Warrior Maids of Rivenloch by Glynnis Campbell, is FREE. Deirdre, Helena and Miriel, three kick-arse Scots wenches known as The Warrior Maids of Rivenloch, aren’t about to become any man’s chattel, until they meet heroes who are strong enough to tame their wild ways and worthy enough to win their wayward hearts.

In “Lady Danger:” Born to the blade and raised to fear no one, Deirdre of Rivenloch never shies away from a fight and never turns her back on a threat to her land or her family. But she’s never met a man like Sir Pagan Cameliard, the bold and powerful knight who comes at the king’s command to make a marriage alliance with Rivenloch. To save her younger sister, Deirdre tricks Pagan into marrying her instead, and now she faces a new kind of enemy who crosses swords with her by day and lays siege to her heart by night.

And speaking of Glynnis Campbell...she's part of a new anthology titled "Once Upon a Bride" featuring six New York Times and USA Today best-selling authors. In addition to Campbell, the novellas are written by Lauren Royal, Jill Barnett, Cynthia Wright, Cheryl Bolen and Annette Blair.  Fall in love with six grooms-to-be as you escape to medieval Scotland, 17th century England, 19th century America, Georgian London and the high seas. The book is available for 99 cents for a limited time only.

And my historical romance “Emilie” (written under my pen name of Cherie Claire) is the first book in The Cajun Series and may be downloaded FREE. Emilie Gallant and her Cajun family have traveled to Louisiana in search of their father, separated thirteen years ago during le grand dérangement, the brutal exile by the British from their Nova Scotia homeland. The last thing Emilie has on her mind as she enters the rugged bayou country is marriage to her longtime companion, Lorenz Dugas. Beautiful but stubbornly defiant, Emilie worshipped Lorenz as a child but having to fight to preserve her family has built a wall around her heart. But Lorenz is equally determined and his passion will prove that their love cannot be denied. As they make their way across the untamed Louisiana wilderness, hoping to reunite the Gallant family, Emilie learns that love has a way of healing all wounds — even in the most unusual places.

Read what others have said:

“Pick up a copy of Emilie for your reading pleasure, and take a journey into the historical Acadian (Cajun) country of Louisiana for an educational, romantic read.”
—Carol Carter, Romance Reviews Today

“The beauty of Ms. Claire’s tale is in the message that love makes one a stronger and better person. She leaves just enough hints to keep readers eagerly anticipating the next two sisters’ tales. As a history buff, I enjoyed learning about the Acadian (Cajun) culture, as well as the story’s characters.”
—Evelyn Feiner, Romantic Times magazine

Please remember, 99-cent and free Kindle books are gifts from authors. You can show your gratitude by leaving reviews on the websites where you downloaded the books. And, of course, buy their other books.

Louisiana Book News is written by journalist Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. The first two books in her award-winning series are free as ebooks! Visit http://www.cherieclaire.net/.

Cherie Claire's Rose only 99 cents this weekend

Rose, the second book in The Cajun Series of historical romances by Cherie Claire, will be on sale for only 99 CENTS this weekend, April 16-17, on Amazon. Be sure and download this heart-warming story while it's discounted for a limited time.

Rose: The Cajun Series

Rose Gallant was always the agreeable sister, which is why she’ll do anything to help her Cajun family find their father in the wilds of Louisiana. Joseph Gallant was separated from Rose and her two sisters thirteen years ago during le grand dérangement, the brutal exile by the British from their Nova Scotia home. So when a rich Louisiana Creole offers marriage and a chance to help, Rose believes the union will reunite her family. But it’s the passionate and handsome Coleman Thorpe that sets her heart to flame. Thorpe is both English and Protestant and therefore forbidden, but Rose will soon learn how determined a man can be in love, able to break down all boundaries and bring a family together.

Purchase Rose by clicking here.

"Ms. Claire's tale of the Acadians (Cajuns) is rich in Old World traditions as she explores the early beginnings of what was to become the melting pot of American society. Rose and Coleman's love is the stepping stone to a new beginning and readers' hearts will be warmed by their love and its powerful message."
—Romantic Times Magazine

“I’m saving a spot for Cherie Claire on my keepershelf!”
—Heather Nordahl, Affaire de Coeur 

The Cajun Series follows a family of Acadians (Cajuns) who travel to South Louisiana and start anew after being exiled from their Nova Scotia home. The first three books follow the Gallant sisters as they attempt to reunite with their father in the wilds of Louisiana and Delphine (Book Four) takes place during Louisiana's role in the American Revolution. The Dugas family saga continues with A Cajun Dream (Book Five) and The Letter (Book Six).

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of several Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. She is also the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.