A.L. Vincent gets readers tangled up in romance

Today's guest blogger to Louisiana Book News is A.L. Vincent, author of several contemporary romances.

“Life was so much better with these people in it. They were her ‘seasoning.’ They added spice, comfort, and laughter to her life. Qualities her life had been missing until now.”–Tangled Up In You.

Tangled up in You in the first book in the Fleur de Lis Series, a series I’ve come to call the Boonie Books. It follows a group of characters that grew up together in a small Louisiana town. In Tangled, Emily, my main character, has come back to Bon Chance. She has started repairing her grandparent’s house that had been damaged in a hurricane. She finds an old cast iron pot that she and her Grandmother Ruby had used to make the gumbos, stews, and sauces that Cajuns are so fond of. These cooking sessions are also what has inspired Emily to begin thinking about opening her own catering company.

However, the years have weathered the cast iron, and she needs to “season” it before it can be used again. Basically, what she needs to do is to show the pot some love.

Emily scrubs the pot, wipes it down and throws it in the oven. As she’s sitting outside waiting, Carly (one of the Boonies) shows up for a visit. More people show up and in true South Louisiana style, it becomes a party. During the festivities, Emily has a few realizations about herself, her life (her love life in particular), and her friends. And, since it includes the incorrigible Ryder, it has its humorous moments. Any scene with Ryder is an adventure.  Throw in soon to be ex-husband Eddie, and you have some conflict in the pot as well. It turned out to be one of my favorite scenes in the book.

Here is an excerpt:

Carly came back with Ryder in tow. 

 “I found a straggler,” Carly said.

Ryder grinned. “Never turn down a meal from a pretty female. It’s a rule.” 

Noah said, “You would if you’d eaten Carly’s cooking.” 

“Yeah, but Carly’s not cooking. I know better than that.”  Carly grinned devilishly. “So, Emily, tell Ryder what you’re doing.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“When I sent you that text earlier. What did you say you were doing?” 

“Seasoning my pot?” Emily asked. 

“Yes, Ryder. Emily is seasoning her pot today.” 

Here we go, Emily thought.

“Is that right?” Ryder asked her. “I bet I can help with that. I’m spicy enough to season any pot.”

Emily shook her head. “Ryder, you’re about to talk yourself out of a free meal.”

Ryder took his black cowboy hat off and put it on Emily’s head. “Ah, but you see, I bet I can talk myself right back into it.” 

Want to read more? Tangled up in You is on Amazon, and free on Kindle Unlimited.

About the author:

A.L. Vincent is a teacher/writer who lives in the heart of Cajun Country. Born in Oklahoma, Vincent became fascinated with South Louisiana after reading Interview With the Vampire. Finally, she became a Cajun transplant in 2001. When not getting lost in a storyline, Vincent can be found cooking or enjoying live local music. She has one son, and a furball of a dog aptly named Furby.

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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: Blake's 'Louisiana Knights'

Best-selling Louisiana author Jennifer Blake, who has a career writing romance that spans 50 years, and Phoenix Sullivan are retiring from the ownership of Steel Magnolia Press. They won’t stop writing, but the sales and freebies they have been promoting will slow down after March 2018.

“But between now and then, we’ll be offering some really super deals,” they announced in an email.

Here’s one for the holidays….

LOUISIANA KNIGHTS
HOLIDAY PACK

Jennifer Blake
 

FREE through Dec 18.
Only available through January ($6.99).

CHIVALRY LIVES IN THE SULTRY SOUTH!

LANCELOT OF THE PINES
Mandy can take care of herself; she doesn't need a deputy to do it for her. Lance is determined to keep her safe. Thrown together on the run, can they survive bullets and betrayals—and their forbidden attraction?

GALAHAD IN JEANS
Carla is assigned the irksome job of writing the profile for her magazine's Perfect Southern Gentleman. Beau wants no part of it. Reluctant editor or reluctant gentleman—who'll win this contest of wills and hearts?

CHRISTMAS KNIGHT
When a dispute over a Christmas tree lands Jake Benedict flat on his back, the nurse he quarreled with renders first aid. He and Donna have a fiery past, brief as it was. Is it possible they also have a future?

PICK UP YOUR FREE COPY AT AMAZON NOW THROUGH DEC 18!

Louisiana Book News is written by Chere Dastugue Coen, award-winning author of several non-fiction books about Louisiana. She also writes novels under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her novel series all begin with a book that's available as a FREE download. 

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Tuesday Ebook Spotlight: Blake's 'Guarded Heart'

Book 4 of Jennifer Blake’s “Masters at Arms” series, featuring “the notorious swordsmen of New Orleans--charming by day, dangerous at night,” is now free to download as an ebook.

Here’s the book description of "Guarded Heart":

The last thing Gavin Blackford expects from an alluring and sophisticated lady at a New Year’s reception is a request to teach her how to kill a man. As a respected fencing master and duelist of renown, his usual clients are male. To refuse is his first impulse—but his curiosity is aroused by her unsettling combination of mystery and fiery intentions.

Ariadne Faucher never expected Gavin to be armored with intelligence and intuition as well as strength. It can’t be allowed to matter. All she requires it to get close to him to touch—preferably with the point of a sword.

Their lessons by candlelight are physically and emotionally intense, an escalating duel of hearts and minds. As tempers and passions rise, they draw ever nearer to the secret that has brought them together. But must it be a fight to the death—or can they turn and face their common enemy together?

Want more? Here are the other books in Blake's best-selling series:

Book 1: CHALLENGE TO HONOR
Book 2: DAWN ENCOUNTER
Book 3: ROGUE'S SALUTE
Book 4: GUARDED HEART
Book 5: GALLANT MATCH
Book 6: TRIUMPH IN ARMS

Jennifer Blake of Louisiana has been called "the steel magnolia of women's fiction" for her enduring career as an author. She has also been lauded as a "pioneer of the romance genre" and an "icon of the romance industry." A New York Times and international best-selling author from the publication of "Love's Wild Desire" in 1977, she is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, member of the RWA and Affaire de Coeur Halls of Fame, and recipient of the RWA Lifetime Achievement Rita. She holds numerous other honors, including two Maggies, two Holt Medallions, multiple Reviewer's Choice awards, the Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times Book Reviews Magazine, and the Frank Waters Award for literary excellence. She has written more than 75 books with translations in 22 languages and more than 35 million copies in print.

After three decades in traditional publishing, Jennifer established Steel Magnolia Press LLC with Phoenix Sullivan in 2011. This independent publishing company now publishes her work.

I borrowed all that from her Amazon author description but let me add, she’s a lovely person and oh, so very talented.

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.

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Tuesday ebook spotlight: Fournet's 'You First'

Stephanie Fournet is a contemporary romance author from Lafayette, and an Amazon best-seller. She just released her fifth novel, “You First,” which is once again set in Lafayette's Saint Streets area, an area where she lives with her husband John, her "needy dogs" Gladys and Mabel and her daughter when she's home from college. When she isn't writing romance novels, Stephanie is usually helping students get into college or running. You can learn more about Stephanie by visiting her website, http://www.stephaniefournet.com, or following her on social media.

Here’s the book description for “You First:”

Driven. Private. Insanely talented.

Gray Blakewood is the most successful crime writer under the age of thirty—and he has a secret that could cost him his life.

He just wants to finish his latest novel before his world unravels, and the last thing he needs is a beautiful distraction.

Meredith Ryan, his new personal assistant, has seen more than her fair share of hard knocks. And, still, she’s the sweetest person he’s ever met.

She deserves a lifetime of happiness—which he can’t offer.

But he can’t seem to stay away.

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.

Ebook Spotlight: 'Bayou My Love' and 'Christmas Bells'

Newly published is "Christmas Bells" by Linda Joyce, an author who lives elsewhere but claims Cajun blood. Her debut romance novel, "Bayou Born" is a 2014 RONE Award finalist and her second novel, "Bayou Bound" won first place in romance from the Southeastern Writers Association. "Christmas Bells" is only 99 cents to download. Here’s the book description:

After grieving the loss of her husband and son, TV host Morgan Marshall is ready to embrace life again. But she won’t risk a relationship with the father of her favorite cooking student, Avery, since the girl’s happiness is more important than her own.

Advertising executive Alex Blake never thought another woman could pique his interest after losing his wife to pneumonia, a complication of her cancer. Yet every time he’s in Morgan’s presence, she brings sunlight into the room. Plus, she’s a role model for his daughter, always assuring Avery that dyslexia can’t hold her back. But if he asks Morgan for a date and then she refuses a second one, the person he loves the most, Avery, could get hurt the worst because she adores Morgan.

When Alex is injured in a fall, Morgan insists on caring for him and Avery. As they share holiday fun, Avery topples Morgan’s beloved crystal bell collection, shattering it to pieces. Through it all, they discover love of one another is more priceless than any object money can buy. Love rings in the air at Christmastime. 

"Bayou My Love" by Family Circle Award-winning author Lauren Faulkenberry is only 99 cents to download right now (originally $10). Here’s the book description:

Thirty-year-old Enza Parker is at a crossroads. To prove to her overbearing father she can flip a house on her own, she takes on an ambitious project that brings back painful memories—and puts her in the path of the most alluring man she’s ever met. Enza plans to flip the house she inherited from her estranged grandmother in Bayou Sabine, Louisiana. As a child, she spent summers there until the day her mother inexplicably left. Since then, Enza hasn’t let anyone get close to her.

Arriving in Bayou Sabine, Enza finds her house occupied by bedeviling firefighter Jack Mayronne. Enza wants to kick him out, but Jack convinces her to let him stay in exchange for helping with repairs. With only six weeks to fix the house and sell, she’s determined to prove her father wrong, but she didn’t count on Bayou Sabine and Jack capturing her heart. When Enza’s fling with Jack intensifies, she finds herself entangled with a vengeful arsonist from Jack’s past. As she reaches her breaking point, she must decide: Should she sell the house and leave her past in Bayou Sabine behind for good, or can she overcome her fears and build a new life there with Jack?

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.

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Ebook spotlight: Maplesville bundle, 'The Promise'

First off, a little bragging. My "Cajun Embassy" series was spotlighted in the Santa Clarita Valley News this morning so I'm just a bit excited. The first book in that series, "Ticket to Paradise," was set in a Southern California town I called Santa Helena but it's based on Santa Clarita, a lovely town I lived in at the beginning of the 21st century. 

Here's the story.

On to today's free ebook. I'm excited about this as well. “Moments In Maplesville” bundle edition, which includes “A Perfect Holiday Fling” and “A Little Bit Naughty” by Louisiana author Farrah Rochon, is now free to download at Amazon.

Here are the book descriptions:
A PERFECT HOLIDAY FLING - Book One (Originally published December 2012)
It’s no mystery why veterinarian Callie Webber is having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit. When the residents of her small hometown aren’t pitying her because of her ex-husband’s very public departure, they’re attempting to hook her up with a man…any man. Fed up with being everyone’s favorite charity case, Callie considers closing her animal clinic and moving to the big city. But, before she goes, she decides to give herself a Christmas treat to remember: a romantic holiday fling. And who better to have a fling with than the gorgeous newcomer who is turning heads around Maplesville?

When injured Navy pilot Stefan Sutherland reluctantly rescues a gutter cat for the sake of his five-year-old nephew, he never imagined it would lead to him discovering Maplesville’s most fascinating attraction…its smoking hot vet. Getting involved with a woman was the last thing Stefan anticipated when he agreed to care for his nephew during his Army nurse sister’s deployment, but if he’s going to spend the holidays in this sleepy Southern town, why not make the most of it with the perfect holiday fling.

A LITTLE BIT NAUGHTY - Book Two (Originally published March 2013)
Sometimes a girl can't help being a little bit naughty...

Jada Dangerfield was living her fairy tale—married to her high school sweetheart and working in her dream job—until it all came crashing down. Struggling to make ends meet, the unemployed divorcée stumbles upon a decidedly naughty new income stream, selling erotic toys to the women of her small hometown. And when Jada gets the chance to host a "Naughty Nights" party at the home of her uptight life-long nemesis Mason Coleman, she realizes it’s the perfect way to get under the skin of the one person who has always made her feel as if she wasn’t good enough.

Mason Coleman relishes his career as a high-powered tax attorney, but his most important job is keeping the promise he made to his father to watch out for his baby sister...even though she hasn't been a "baby" in thirty years. When he learns that his sister may be in trouble, Mason is forced to call on the one person he's never been able to abide, her brash and sexy friend, Jada Dangerfield. There's just one problem...how does he stop Jada from corrupting his sister with her kinky new business?

When this unlikely pair is forced to work together, things get a little bit naughty. 

 

Also, “The Promise” by Ann Weisgarber, set in Galveston, Texas, during the historic 1900 storm that killed thousands, is currently only $1.99 as a digital download (regular price $14.99). Weisgarber is also the author of “The Personal History of Rachel DuPree.” She was nominated for England's 2009 Orange Prize and for the 2009 Orange Award for New Writers. In the United States, she won the Stephen Turner Award for New Fiction and the Langum Prize for American Historical Fiction. She was shortlisted for the Ohioana Book Award and was a Barnes and Noble Discover New Writer.

Visit Ann's website at www.annweisgarber.com.

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.