Monday, May 29, 2017

Author Interview: Winning Ace (Winning Ace #1) by Tracie Delaney

Release: May 29th, 2017
Type: Contemporary Romance
Series: Winning Ace #1

When the opportunity arises for journalist Tally McKenzie to meet tennis ace Cash Gallagher, she grabs it without hesitation. Desperate for a killer story to advance her career, she’ll have to betray her idol and her own morals into the bargain if she is to succeed.

Renowned bad boy Cash wants one thing; to remain at the top of his game. He’s fought hard to get there, and he’s not about to lose his crown, especially over a woman.

When Cash divulges personal information, Tally seizes her chance and writes an explosive article. Incensed, Cash sets out to get his revenge. Except the darling of centre court gets more than he bargained for—a passionate affair with a woman he should detest.

But Cash is a man with secrets—secrets that could destroy his career. Dare he take the risk? Or is the cost too great, even for his perfect match.

I'm excited to have author Tracie Delaney on the blog today to discuss her newest release, WINNING ACES.
Thanks for sharing, Tracie!

Give us your "elevator pitch" for this series
Young journalist, Tally McKenzie, needs a killer story to advance her career.
Tennis star Cash Gallagher despises the press.
Two people from different worlds brought together by an explosive story begin a passionate affair, but trust issues, secrets from the past, and habitual fears of abandonment threaten to destroy their relationship before it has had chance to begin.

What will readers who pick up one of the Winning Ace serials find unique in your work?
My voice. I’ve been told on several occasions that I have a very unique writing voice. I believe this comes from my snappy dialogue which I ensure isn’t overly drowned with narrative. Description is very much required to set the scene, but large paragraphs of ‘info dump’ simply slow the action. My novels are very fast paced.

What is your favorite scene in the Winning Ace world??
My overall favourite scene is in Book 3, Grand Slam, but to avoid spoilers, I’ll pick my favourite scene in Book 1 which is when Tally runs out on Cash after an argument and he finally has to admit that she is making him question his whole belief system. It took a lot for Cash to show his vulnerabilities and my heart breaks for him because he finds it so difficult to let people see the real man behind the veneer he shares with the world.

What is your favorite underappreciated romance novel?
Blood Shadows by Lindsay J Pryor. It’s a Paranormal Romance novel in the Blackthorn series. I love those books so much. The world is complex, the writing sublime and the alpha’s hot! In my opinion, they should be topping the bestseller lists worldwide.

Do you listen to music while you write? What are some tunes on your playlist?
When I’m writing a first draft, I don’t mind having music on in the background. My go-to stuff is anything by Snow Patrol, although I also love Adele. When I’m rewriting or editing it’s complete silence. My husband has suffered from the odd death stare if he interupts me when I’m editing!




Tracie Delaney is the author of the Winning Ace trilogy. She loves nothing more than immersing herself in a good romance, although she sometimes, rather cheekily, makes her characters wait for their HEA.

When she isn’t writing or sitting around with her head stuck in a book, she can often be found watching The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones or any tennis match involving Roger Federer. Her greatest fear is running out of coffee.

Tracie studied accountancy, gaining her qualification in 2001. Her maths teacher would no doubt be stunned by this revelation considering Tracie could barely add two plus two at high school.

Tracie lives in the North West of England with her amazingly supportive husband. They both share a love of dogs, travel and wine.




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Monday, May 22, 2017

Author Interview: The Disappearance of Lady Edith (The Undaunted Debutantes #1) by Christina McKnight

Release: May 23rd, 2017
Type: Historical Romance
Series: The Undaunted Debutantes #1

One tragic night changed sensible, proper Lady Edith Pelton’s life: when her best friend fell to her death, pushed down a flight of stairs by a nefarious lord. Now, Edith dedicates her time to watching the man she thinks is responsible, while gathering information to expose other scoundrels posing as gentlemen of honor about London. When her spying is noticed by a perfect stranger, Edith finds herself with two mysteries—what happened to her friend, and how to win the heart of this brilliantly handsome lord.

Triston Neville, Viscount Torrington, has been tasked with two duties for the upcoming Season: see that his sisters make the most of their debut, and avoid embroiling himself in another scandal. What he does not expect is the captivating, fair-haired beauty that literally falls into his path. When the mysterious Lady Edith suddenly disappears without a trace, Triston fears his past misdeeds may have returned to destroy his life once more.

Can Triston piece together the puzzle in time to save Edith and prove that his love is nothing less than honorable?

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Author Interview
I'm excited to have author Christina MnKnight on the blog today to discuss her upcoming release, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LADY EDITH. Thanks for sharing, Christina!

Are there particular tropes you are fond of using?
Tropes are an odd concept to me. Until recently, I’ve never viewed my books in terms of tropes.

Give us your "elevator pitch" for The Disappearance of Lady Edith.
Three innocent debutantes must work to solve the mysterious death of their childhood friend. With undaunted determination they pledge to not only expose the man responsible for their friend’s tragic death on her wedding night, but to also uncover the many unscrupulous men of the ton who would jeopardize the future of other young women. Will they survive or become victims themselves?

What is your favorite scene in The Disappearance of Lady Edith?
My favorite scene in every book I write the when the hero and heroine meet. There is always something to uniquely foreshadowing in these scenes. In The Disappearance of Lady Edith, Lord Torrington meet his heroine after she’d fallen from a tree and her cloak and skirts have been tossed over her head. The witty banter between a man and a woman when they think they will never see a person again creates an amazingly compelling, and something hilarious, scene.
What's your favorite underappreciated romance novel?
That I’ve written? I’d have to answer Scorned Ever More, A Lady Forsaken Series (Book Three). For readers of this series, they already knew my heroes fate before the book was written, but they did not know WHAT made him who he in Forgotten No More (Book Two). I took readers back in time and explore the past of my villain. This story started off as a companion novella to my series. Unfortunately, my hero and heroine took over and demanded a full length book. The story of the Marquis of Drake and his one, true love was imperative for readers to understand the full impact of the remaining books in the series. Drake had no HEA, BUT it was because of his loss that his daughters found their Happily Ever Afters.

What question do you want your readers to answer?
I want to know what story lines readers LOVE! Second chance love? Love at first sight? Stranded strangers? What makes the most fulfilling love story? This is something every writer struggles with; finding a balance between telling the stories that come to them and meeting their readers’ expectations.

What is your very favorite place to write?
My office…I know, it isn’t very inspiring to most but I thrive on routine and structure. My office is quiet, secluded, and very cozy. I’ve created the perfect atmosphere for my creative flow to, well, flow!





About Chrstina McKnight
Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since.

Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.







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Thursday, May 18, 2017

Author Interview: For the Brave (The Gentrys of Paradise #1) by Holly Bush

Release: May 16, 2017
Type: Historical Romance
Series: The Gentrys of Paradise #1

1869 – Matthew Gentry joined the Confederate Army at eighteen years of age after an argument with his father, leaving Paradise, his Virginia home and famed horse breeding stables, for the fields of Gettysburg. Having survived the War Between the States, Gentry is haunted by the violence and inhumanity of the war. He continues to roam the country long after the conflict is over, finding solace in the arms of soiled doves and at the bottom of whiskey bottles. Finally traveling home after learning of a family tragedy, he nearly loses his life in a spring-flooded riverbed.

Annie Campbell, lone survivor of her family, lives at a remote farm near the North River, raising pigs and trying to grow enough to feed herself, and to stay out of the cross hairs of the Thurmans, violent men who run the town of Bridgewater. Annie’s secrets threaten her safety, even as she rescues and nurses Matthew Gentry.

Matthew knows he must return to Paradise, to grieve with his family. Will his heart lead him back to Bridgewater and Annie Campbell?




Author Interview
I'm excited to have author Holly Bush on the blog today to discuss her new book, For the Brave. You can see my review of For the Brave over on Straight Shootin' Book Reviews. Also, find a giveaway for an ebook copy of For the Brave over on Straight Shootin' Book Review's Instagram! Thanks for sharing, Holly!


Hello and thanks so much for having me at the Romance Playlist!

How did For the Brave come to be? What was your inspiration to write the book?
I wrote the novella, Into the Evermore to be included in a Christmas anthology. Set in 1842, it was the story of the daughter of a minister, Eleanor McManus, who is kidnapped after her family is set upon by thieves and murdered. She is rescued by Beauregard Gentry, a trapper heading to Winchester, Virginia, to claim property left to him by a distant relative. She is alone in the world and he admires her strength and beauty. They marry and begin raising horses at their farm, Paradise, after acquiring a direct descendent of the original Morgan horses. I love these two people! I guess that’s a strange thing to say about one’s own characters but it’s true. I could hardly wait to begin on their children’s stories set post-Civil War. For the Brave’s Matthew is the middle child, and a veteran of the Confederacy. I’m writing the youngest Gentry, Olivia’s book, right now and will conclude the series with Adam’s story.

How would you describe For the Brave in only five words?
Adventure. Danger. Redemption. Rescued. Beloved.

Do you listen to music while you write? What are some tunes on your playlist?
I cannot listen to music when I’m writing. I prefer complete quiet, especially as my brain gets older (along with the rest of me) and needs no additional distractions!

What are you reading right now, or what is on your TBR list?
I’m reading Enchanting the Earl by Lily Maxton and it’s proving to be a lovely story! Just finished rereading The Captive by Grace Burrowes. It’s a favorite of mine!




About Holly Bush

Holly Bush was born in western Pennsylvania to two avid readers. There was not a room in her home that did not hold a full bookcase. She worked in the hospitality industry, owning a restaurant for twenty years and recently worked as the sales and marketing director in the hospitality/tourism industry and is credited with building traffic to capacity for a local farm tour, bringing guests from twenty-two states, booked two years out. Holly has been a marketing consultant to start-up businesses and has done public speaking on the subject.

Holly has been writing all of her life and is a voracious reader of a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction, particularly political and historical works. She has written six historical romance novels, all set in the U.S. West or Victorian London in the mid 1800’s, and one Women’s Fiction novel. She frequently attends writing conferences, and book fairs. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, and is a sponsor with Megan Hart of the Lancaster Lady Jane’s Salon held quarterly.

Holly is a gardener, a news junkie, and was the vice-president of her local library board for years. She loves to spend time near the ocean and is the proud mother of two daughters and the wife of a man more than a few years her junior.


Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Release Day: Your Tempting Love by Layla Hagen (audiobook)


Audiobook Release: May 16, 2017
Type: Contemporary Romance
Series: Bennett Family #5


Christopher Bennett is a persuasive man. With his magnetic charm and undeniable wit, he plays a key role in the international success of his family’s company.

Christopher adores his family, even if they can be too meddling sometimes… like when they recommend him to employ Victoria Hensley’s decorating services for his new apartment in an attempt to set him up with her. Christopher isn’t looking to settle down, but meeting Victoria turns his world upside down. Her laughter is contagious, and her beautiful lips and curves are too tempting.

Victoria Hensley is determined not to fall under Christopher’s spell, even though the man is hotter than sin, and his flirty banter makes her toes curl. But Christopher is her client, and she knows better than to get involved with clients. Besides, Victoria isn’t looking for love. After her parents’ death, Victoria is raising her much younger siblings, and she can’t afford any mistakes.

But Victoria and Christopher’s chemistry is not just the sparks-flying kind, but the downright explosive kind. Before she knows it, Christopher is training her brother Lucas for soccer tryouts and reading bedtime stories to her sister Chloe.

Victoria wants to resist him, but Christopher is determined, stubborn, and oh-so-persuasive.

When their attraction and connection both spiral out of control, will they be able to risk it all for a love that is far too tempting?

AUDIOBOOK / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks



Get your hands on the rest of the Bennett Family Books:

Your Irresistible Love (The Bennett Family Series, Book 1):
Amazon / iBooks / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / GooglePlay / AUDIOBOOK


Your Captivating Love (The Bennett Family Series, Book 2):
Amazon / iBooks / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / GooglePlay / AUDIOBOOK


Your Forever Love (The Bennett Family Series, Book 3):
Amazon / iBooks / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / GooglePlay / AUDIOBOOK


Your Inescapable Love (The Bennett Family Series, Book 4):
Amazon / iBooks / Barnes & Noble / Kobo


Your Alluring Love (The Bennett Family Series, Book 6):
Amazon US / iBooks / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Amazon UK / Paperback



About Layla Hagen


Layla Hagen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She fell in love with books when she was nine years old, and her love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.

She writes steamy and romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.

She is represented by fabulous Louise Fury (The Bent Agency)


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Friday, May 12, 2017

Author Playlist: Cask Strength (Agents Irish & Whisky #2) by Layla Reyne


Release: May 1st, 2017
Romance Subgenre: M/M Romantic Suspense
Series: Agents Irish & Whisky #2

Professionally, the FBI team of Aidan "Irish" Talley and Jameson "Whiskey" Walker is as good as it gets, closing cases faster than any team at the Bureau. Personally, it's a different story. Aidan's feelings for Jamie scare the hell out of him: he won't risk losing another love no matter how heart-tripping the intimacy between them. And loss is a grim reality with the terrorist Renaud still on their trail, leaving a pile of bodies in his wake.

Going undercover on a new case gets them out of town and off the killer's radar. They're assigned to investigate an identity theft ring involving a college basketball team in Jamie's home state, where Jamie's past makes him perfect for the role of coach. But returning to the court brings more than old memories.

As secrets and shocking betrayals abound, none may be more dangerous than the one Jamie's been keeping: a secret about the death of Aidan's husband that could blow his partner's world apart and destroy forever the fragile bonds of trust and love building between them.





Author Playlist

I'm excited to welcome author Layla Reyne to the blog to celebrate her new release, Cask Strength. Thanks for sharing, Layla!



Thanks for inviting me to Romance Playlist! I’m thrilled to be here to celebrate the release of Cask Strength, the latest Agents Irish and Whiskey romantic suspense novel. Agents Irish and Whiskey follows FBI agents Aidan “Irish” Talley and Jameson “Whiskey” Walker as they investigate cybercrimes and the murder of Aidan’s late husband. Aidan, whose family fled Ireland, is the top field agent in the FBI’s San Francisco office. Jamie, twelve years his junior, is a former basketball star who fled the arena’s bright lights for the FBI’s Cyber Division. Jamie’s player past comes front and center in Cask Strength, when Irish and Whiskey go undercover—as sports agent and basketball coach—to investigate an identity theft case at a university in Jamie’s home state.

To get in the Cask frame of mind, especially for writing those game scenes, I created a playlist of all the arena songs I, as a sports fan, remember hearing at events through the years. These anthems would also be the songs in Jamie’s player soul that get him hyped for game time. Pulse-pounding, up-tempo, these are the tunes you need for overdrive! And at the end, you’ll find a little ode to mine and Jamie’s alma mater ;)





More favorite arena anthems? List them in the comments, and I’ll add them to Whiskey’s playlist!






About Layla Reyne


2016 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist, Layla Reyne, was raised in North Carolina and now calls San Francisco home. She enjoys weaving her bi-coastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline fueled suspense and heart pounding romance. When she’s not writing stories to excite her readers, she downloads too many books, watches too much television, and cooks too much food with her scientist husband, much to the delight of their smushed-face, leftover-loving dogs.





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Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Author Playlist: Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney

Release: February14th, 2017
Romance Subgenre: New Adult, Young Adult

The end of an Empire, the rise of a Queen

Emory Fae enjoys leading a quiet, normal life. That is until two mysterious, and handsome soldiers show up at her apartment, and the life she knew is instantly whisked away. Memphis Carter and Brokk Foster come from the magical and war ridden world of Kiero, and upon Emory's arrival she will discover she is the long-lost heir to the Royal Line and is thrown into the Black Dawn Rebellion with a dynamic role to ignite the rebels and reclaim her throne.

With both men being darkly woven in her past Emory uncovers hidden secrets, a power held long dormant, and will soon realize there are worse things than supernatural humans, love, loss, betrayal, and a Mad King.

Some things are better left in the shadows.



Author Playlist
I'd like to welcome author Mallory McCartney to the blog! Mallory has been extremely generous in the sharing of her playlist for Black Dawn. Seriously, look at all those videos! Thanks for sharing, Mallory!



Thank you for having me! 😊 A little backstory before I get into my playlists, music and I have had a long-time love affair. When I was younger, I would go through obsessive phases where I would discover every musical and indie band I could get my hands on, and listen to them on repeat. This hasn’t changed much. Not saying that I don’t love listening to the top radio songs (believe me I do) but I have a love for finding the underdog bands, and just musicals in general. When I started high school, I was in choir, Concert Band and Jazz band. In grade twelve I took vocal lessons, and throughout college, and to this day, going to live concerts is my favorite thing to do. Losing myself completely in live music, is the same feeling I get when I write, and it consumes me.

So, saying that, all my books that I write have very specific influences and Playlists! Black Dawn was fun, writing third person, with each chapter a different character, I found bands that would help me construct the core of each character, or the echo of their emotional traits. When I write, it’s like I’m watching a live scene in my head, and I am running behind, trying to catch what the music paints for me, and what the characters are unfolding in my head.

Here is Black Dawn’s Playlist:

"Glass Heart Hymn" by Paper Routes (this song is Memphis through and through for me)


"Sweet Spot" by Wild Beasts


"Organs" by Of Monsters & Men (Nyx)


"Only You" by Ellie Goulding (Nyx)


"Colors pt. II" by Halsey (Emory & Adair)


"Palace" by Wild Beasts (Memphis)


"Good Gracious" by Ellie Goulding (Emory)


"Pull me Back to Earth" by Friendly Fires (Brokk)


"Childhood’s End" by Majical Clouds (Adair)


"Mecca" by Wild Beasts (Adair)


"Love the way you Lie" by Eminem (Memphis & Nyx)


"Run" by AWOLNATION


"Windows" by AWOLNATION (Memphis)


"Drinking Lightning" by AWOLNATION (Nyx)


"Jailbreak" by AWOLNATION (Adair)


"Woman, Woman" by AWOLNATION (Memphis)


"Dream" by Imagine Dragons (Emory)


"Midnight City- " by M83


"Beyond The Flames" by Killswitch Engage (Brokk)


"Always" by Killswitch Engage (Brokk & Memphis)


"Time will not remain" by Killswitch Engage (Brokk)


"Love Like Ghosts" by Lord Huron (Nyx)


"Yawning Grave" by Lord Huron (Adair)


"The Arena" by Lindsey Sterling (a big one for Emory, Memphis and Adair)


"Night Visions" by Lindsey Sterling (Nyx)


"Take Flight" by Lindsey Sterling (Emory)


"Tiptoe" by Imagine Dragons (Black Dawn Rebellion)



I’m going to throw in an extra in for you this time as well! Here is one song for each of my main characters that are shaping them for book two, Queen to Ashes.


Azarius & Lana- "You’re Mine" – Phantogram


Adair- "Bloom"- Paper Kites


Emory- "Brave Enough"- Lindsey Stirling


Nyx- "The Phoenix"- Lindsey Stirling


Brokk- "Pools"- Glass Animals


Memphis- "Stubborn Beast"- Bear’s Den



About Mallory McCartney
Mallory McCartney currently lives in London, Ontario with her husband and their two dachshunds Link and Lola. Black Dawn is her debut novel, the first in a series. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found dog grooming, book shopping and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.




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