We have reached the end of the 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers series! Wow! The diversity in how each of these seven authors - Barbara Freethy, Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin Harber and Samantha Chase - each wrote a separate story while blending the collection together was nothing short of masterful.
Today's spotlight is on Samantha Chase.
Here's a bit about Samantha from her website:
Samantha Chase is a New York Times
and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet,
sweeter than hot. She released her debut
novel in 2011 and currently has more than sixty titles under her belt –
including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in
2017! When she’s not working on a new
story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of
Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug
Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 28 years and their two sons
in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
On to the series:
Fall in love with seven sexy and
irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before
in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary
romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy,
Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin
Harber and Samantha Chase. You won't want to miss a single one!
We've had glimpses of Ford Garrison throughout the series. We also saw that Eagle's Ridge is the last place Ford wanted to come back to for any extended length of time. Right down to the beginning hos his story when he thought this trip back to repair damage to his grandmother's house was a 'get in, get the job done, get out' kind of thing. He didn't count on the cute little kindergarten teacher, Callie Shaw, to give him a reason to stay. Well, you know what that reason is, right? It's the reason we read, and write, romance novels!
Unlike the previous six books, Ford's story wasn't about his struggle after leaving the military. Instead, we saw a real internal war with himself about the people he loved and a town he didn't feel like he had a connection to, other than those people. Nothing that made him want to stay and everything that kept him running away.
I loved this story for lots of reasons. One in particular... while Ford and Callie do wind up in bed in the very beginning, Samantha Chase took her time taking us to the heat level. Slow and steady won this race for me. Maybe that's why I've enjoyed a lot of Samantha's books including one made into a Hallmark movie (which I've watched repeatedly)
I've read and seen The Christmas Cottage, but I don't believe I've read the second in the series - Ever After - The Christmas Cottage Book 2. I'll have to fix that - maybe a Christmas in July?
Let's give this series, FORD in particular, a final ink & quil:
You will find Samantha Chase via the following links:
I just could not finish the book last night. My eyes had looked at a screen as long as possible. So instead, I got up early, made cup of coffee and curled up on the sofa to finish Noah's story. Cristin Harber was another perfect choice for this seven-stsory collaboration.
Today, I'm shining the spotlight on Cristin Harber:
Here's a bit about Cristin from her website:
Cristin Harber is a New York Times
and USA Today bestselling romance author. She writes steamy new adult, romantic
suspense, and military romance. Readers voted her onto Amazon’s Top Picks for
Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was both a #1
romantic suspense and military romance bestseller.
On to the series!
Fall in love with seven sexy and irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy, Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin Harber and Samantha Chase. You won't want to miss a single one!
While Noah's story didn't have the emotional tug we found in Jack's story (Book 5), the content shows Cristin understands what goes into a tactical operative and the 'checklist' of making sure all the boxes are ticked... whether you're talking about a SEALS mission, or making sure your new five-year-old charge has the perfect Halloween costume. (just typing the last of that makes me smile!)
Noah is barely treading uncharted waters when he's thrust into the task of raising his best friend's young daughter, Bella. (We were introduced to Bella and the situation in Wyatt's story). All of his military skills are called into play when he finds himself envisioning a family with Bella's best friend, Will and the young boy's mom, Teaden - who just happens to be the grade school counselor. Teaden and Noah are the perfect fit. They both are capable on their own but so much better together, as you will find out when you read their story.
Let's dip those quills....
You will find Cristin Harber via the following links:
I'm coming in a bit later this morning than I'd planned. I slept in later than normal, probably because I was up way past my bedtime swiping my kindle screen. Once I start reading one of these 7 Brides for 7 Soldier's books I can NOT put them down. I've been reading them from start to finish.
Today, we're shinging the spotlight on Julia London.
Here's a bit about Julia from her website:
Julia London is the New York Times
and USA Today best-selling author of more than thirty romantic fiction novels.
She is the author of the popular Cabot
Sisters historical series, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a
Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several
contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch
and The Perfect Homecoming.
Julia is the recipient of the RT
Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the
prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction.
She lives in Austin, Texas.
I love when author's take their bio to the next level.Make sure you check out her ABOUT page for a 'more like Julia' bio.
Julia wrote Jack's story in the series and I knew as soon as I hit a specific part in the story, this lady had to be a Texan. I also thought perhaps, she may have interviewed a friend of mine as part of her research. Maybe not, but as I read I seriously went 'Oh my God, this is Chuck's song' - a song by Texas musical artist (and he truly is an artist when it comes to songwriting - see my Interview with him HERE) Chuck Hawthorne and the story line of how Jack Carter came to have his struggle he needs to overcome in able to be with the woman he loves,
A reminder about this series:
Fall in love with seven sexy and irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy, Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin Harber and Samantha Chase. You won't want to miss a single one!
NOTE: Published in 2017
One of the best reviews you can give a book is to say this simple phrase: I could not put this book down! While the heroine, Whitney Baldwin, has her own struggle and tends to be a bit chatty, there's a reason. She tends to talk too much, and rapidly, when she's nervous. While I'm a big dialogue person, the chattiness bothered me until I understood why she talks too much at times.
Julia London did a superb job of getting into the soul of her character and his struggles with PTSD. I'm sharing a video by Chuck Hawthorne that while not talking about PTSD, does give us an incredible insight into what our men and women see over there. Things we don't even want to imagine and why so many come back troubled. Check out this video by Chuck:
As I've done with the previous books in this series:
Please check out Julia's BOOK PAGE to see a complete list of all her fabulous books!
You'll find Julia London by following the links below:
I am really enjoying 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers... though there is never an actual wedding - you just know there's one in the offing.
Today, I'm shining the spotlight on Lynn Raye Harris
Here's a bit about Lynn from her website:
Lynn Raye Harris is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the HOSTILE OPERATIONS TEAM SERIES of military romances as well as 20 books for Harlequin Presents. A former finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award and the National Readers Choice Award, Lynn lives in Alabama with her handsome former-military husband, two crazy cats, and one spoiled American Saddlebred horse. Lynn’s books have been called “exceptional and emotional,” “intense,” and “sizzling.” Lynn’s books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide.
Lynn loves to hear from readers!
Lynn also has a great collection of articles specifically for WRITERS! Check them out HERE.
Scroll down the sidebar and you'll see FOR WRITERS.
On to the series!
Fall in love with seven sexy and
irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before
in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary
romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy,
Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin
Harber and Samantha Chase. You won't want to miss a single one!
Lynn wrote Wyatt's story in the 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers collection. I think my favorite part was she opened up with what troubles Wyatt then later, with all the friends he has, it's sassy little Paige that gets him to open up. Lynn peels back the layers of Paige, letting us see who she is at her core a little at a time, while letting Paige be the one that helps Wyatt to heal. Lynn really works in the military aspect in a lot of her phrasing. Watch for them as you read. Then there's Mr. Fluffypants... but I'll let you discover him for yourself. lol
My daughter and her family live in WA state. I get a lot of pictures but none of them really bring the state to life the way these authors do by bringing us in to Eagle Ridge. I don't know if any of them have ever been to Washington or have just done internet research then created this magical 'Mayberry' town. Either way, I look forward to the remaining three books in the series and will be reading more from all of these authors.
I'm having to change up my scheduling just a bit so bear with me, please.
From now on the Author Spotlight will be combined with the Book Review by that author. This will free up Wednesdays for me to showcase things from my current book, release information, etc without having to post on the weekends.
This week, we are shining the spotlight on Christie Ridgway. Christie wrote the third book in the 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers series (released in 2017. More about the book in a moment.
Here's a bit about Christie from her website:
Christie Ridgway is a California native and author of over forty contemporary romances. A six-time RITA finalist and USA Today bestselling author, she writes sexy, emotional reads starring determined heroines and the men who can’t help but love them. Married to her college sweetheart, Christie lives in Southern California in a house filled with boys and pets. She writes as an escape from sports equipment, football on TV, and dog hair. Order Soma online , buy valiums,overnight tramadol,buy soma online, cheap soma
Make sure to check out the ABOUT page on her website for some fun facts about Christie!
Christie wrote Zane's story for the collection. I fell in love with Zane... maybe because my real life hero/ husband is also a big guy. One night as we stood in line to see a movie, a little boy in front of us turned around, took one look at Bob then turned back to his mom - 'Mom, there's a giant behind us!' Mind you, Bob is only 6'4" but seemed larger than life to that young man.
Fall in love with seven sexy and irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy, Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin Harber and Samantha Chase. You won't want to miss a single one!
NOTE: Published in 2017
In the story, Zane Tucker sees himself as an oversized, clumsy person, yet he's quite athletic as Christie shows us in various situations. Toss in a large dog that could use some serious obience school (we were introduced to Gambler in Book 1) and Harper Grace, the cute librarian with an agenda of her own. You will laugh right along with Zane and Harper as well as the recurring cast in ZANE.
I've giving all of the books in this series:
Christie's newest release is Book 5 in the 7-Stud Club series:
Fall in love with seven sexy and
irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before
in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary
romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy,
Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin Harber and
Samantha Chase. You won't want to miss a single one!
Adam Tucker is a man on a mission. After failing to save a troubled teen from drowning, Adam traded being a Coast Guard rescue swimmer for the dream of starting a youth adventure camp in his hometown. Adam is willing to do whatever it takes to help other kids navigate the deep, dangerous waters of adulthood. He’s even bet his twin brother that he can finish the transformation of a boathouse into camp living quarters before the summer season puts their watersports business in full swing. But when the key to winning that bet turns out to be an interior designer who is as enigmatic as she is gorgeous, things get complicated for Adam.
With its soaring mountains and rushing river, Eagle’s Ridge is the perfect place for Jadyn McAllister to stay “off the grid” until things settle down in Miami. No one from her old life would expect her to hide out in a small town, working for cash and keeping her real name—Jane—a secret, but that’s exactly what the FBI told her to do. They also told her to trust absolutely no one, which isn’t a problem until she meets Adam. From the first moment, sparks fly and temperatures rise every time they're together. She’s determined to keep him at arm’s length and in the dark…but the more time they spend together, the more she longs to wrap her arms around him and hold him close all night long.
~ ~ ~
I really enjoyed Adam’s story. Intrigue is a strong venue for Ms. St Claire and she put us in the thick of the whole plot from the very beginning.
Another thing I loved were that we knew immediately what Adam’s internal conflict was while holding off on Jane’s until the point where the information was pertinent for us to know. A lot of authors tend to dump everything ... leaving us without much of a ride to the finish.
While this entire series was released in 2017, they are still great reads, proving that a well-written story will stand the test of time. I encourage you to pick up this series and come along for the journey these talented authors have in store for us. Also, purchase any of their books - back list or current - I promise you won’t be disappointed.
After accomplishing very little last week, I'm healthy, energized and ready to work this morning. Let's begin a brand new week with lots of positivity!
First off, I finished the beta reading/ edits for June Faver's future book (2022 ?) ... DREAMING OF A COWBOY. Excellent book! Probably one of the best in the Garrett family line to date.I fall more and more in love with Big Jim with every book I read. Her most recent book, FOREVER MY COWBOY, came out in January. I reviewed the book HERE. You'll also find June's social media links on that post.
This week begins a 7-week series for the Author Spotlight and Wednesday Review. We'll be taking a closer look at the seven authors who wrote the 7 BRIDES for 7 SOLDIER'S series.The previous link will take you to Amazon where you can pick up all seven books rather than purchasing individually.
Tomorrow, I'll shine the spotlight on author, Barbara Freethy then Wednesday I'll review the first book in the series, written by Barbara, Ryder. I'm looking forward to delving in to the entire series and getting to know the authors behind these seven soldier heroes.
In the mean time, here is the list we'll be reading:
Ryder (#1) - Barbara Freethy
Adam (#2) - Roxanne St. Claire
Zane (#3) - Christie Ridgway
Wyatt (#4) - Lynn Raye Harris
Jack (#5) - Julia London
Noah (#6) - Cristin Harber
Ford (#7) - Samantha Chase
After I finished the edits for June last week, I wound up with a stomach bug that took me out the rest of the week. I'm planning to get back in to Book 2 tonight. To further encourage me (accountability) and so you can see how things are going, I'm going to add a word count widgit to my side bar. All I have to do is remember to update, which I will probably do on Mondays. That way when you see my week ahead, you'll also be able to see how I did word-count wise on the previous week.
Remember, we also have the Writer Tip Thursdays with our new video series. I don't know how many I can schedule ahead on blogger but I have them lined up for the next several weeks.
One more thing, I am speaking on BLOGGING as an author platform at the 54th Annual Ozark Creative Writers conference October 7, 8, 9 this year. I'll be talking about making the most of a blog (both as opposed to and in conjunction with a website) as well as the social media marketing required to make it viable. If you want more information about the conference just click on the button on the sidebar. I hope you'll join us for this fabulous conference!
