Guest: Renee Vincent + Book Giveaway!

Today our special guest is Renee Vincent. Welcome, Renee! Please tell us about yourself.

I am an author with a passionate interest in Irish and Norse history. I live in the rolling hills of Kentucky with my husband and two children on a beautiful secluded farm of horses and hay fields.

When I am not writing, I love to spend my time on the back of a horse, whether with my family or with my friends. There is nothing like feeling the sunlight on your face, the wind in your hair, and the power of the animal beneath you as you enjoy the beautiful scenery. Seeing the world from a saddle is, by far, the best view and the best therapy for a heavy heart or a troubled mind. My therapist's name, or my horse's, rather, is  "Statues Suddenly Lucky", a full-blooded Tennessee Walker, and of course, he goes by the name of Lucky for short.

I am a sucker for a good cup of coffee (lots of cream and sugar...and whipped cream if I can get my hands on it), great conversation, and a lilting Irish accent. I love to read and I can't resist watching great epic historical movies.

Q: Your cover is beautiful! Please tell us about The Fall of Rain. Do you have a review you could share with us?

A:  Here’s the blurb for The Fall of Rain:

Leif Dæganssen, an archeologist from Norway, is determined to trace back his Scandinavian roots as far as the Dark Ages and find proof of their existence on the Emerald Isle. After several years of living off the west coast of Ireland, he finally uncovers an ancient artifact—an intricately decorated chest with pagan carvings—buried beneath the very porch of his coastal cottage. Knowing it only confirms the presence of a glorified Norse-influenced settlement on Inis Mór, he’s determined to establish a link between himself and those who once inhabited the rugged isle.

For as long as she can remember, Lorraine O’Connor has had dreams of a Norse warrior kissing her. And even though she’s never fully understood the reason for her vivid subconscious imagination, she welcomes the meaningless and wanton pleasure of being in a Viking’s protective embrace—until the day she meets that brazen Northman on an impulsive vacation trip to Ireland.

Though blindsided by the relevance of her dreams and the strange familiarity of the man within them, Lorraine can’t help but feel a deep-seated intimacy toward Leif. And the more she gets to know him, the more she’s convinced they’ve shared a life together in a time long forgotten.

Are the clues to their ancestral past hidden within the contents of the chest or buried deep within their hearts?

Reviews:

"I know for myself I enjoyed the first two books very much. So much so, that I was excited for the third book to come out. Little did I know what book three really had in store for me. OMG doesn’t even cover it. This is my absolute most favorite book of this series. Where the first two take place deep in the past, book three finds us in the present time. How does that work, you may be asking . . . well, I would have never thought it possible until I read it for myself. Taking present time activities and adding in flashbacks from centuries past, this book offers the reader everything; drama, romance, comedy and even mystery. People and things aren’t always what they seem. In fact, you may walk away from this book never looking at that moment of déjà vu the same again. Maybe, just maybe when something feels right . . .we should remember, just who are we to question it? If you enjoy historical romances and love a story with men you would love to sink your teeth into, this is your series to get lost in. Not an ounce of disappointment to found in the pages of these books."
~ Rose That Rules All - MAGNIFICENT! ~ Romancing The Book ~ Read more >>>

Q: What inspired this story?

A:  The credit would have to be given to my little sister, Lindsey, who passed away in 2005. She was the only one who read the first chapter of Raeliksen (Book 1 of The Emerald Isle Trilogy.) Her inspirational words of “finish it” months before she died led me to complete the whole story and then some. Her encouragement had helped me more than she ever probably thought possible.

Q: Why do you write romance?

A:  It’s a genre I dearly love. I read only romance and they always say to write what you know. Consequently, writing heartwarming love stories comes very easy to me. If I didn’t write, I don’t know what I’d do with all these great stories in my head.

Q: Why did you choose your setting and why was it perfect for your book?

A:  I chose my setting of Ireland because it’s a place I feel most at home with.  Most of my research into the Viking era led me to this magical land, when the courageous men of the North stepped foot on the beautiful isle and intermarried with many of the Irish king’s daughters. I had always been intrigued by this time period in history and the brave men who ventured out on their longships with only a dream and the stars to guide them.

Q: Which of your characters is most like you? And why?

A:  Lorraine O’Connor from The Fall of Rain is me to a T. The things she likes (i.e. the specific way she enjoys her coffee, the car she drives, the farm she lives on etc.) and the personality she bears, are all pieces of myself. Those who know me, should recognize the subtle character traits in the story and, honestly, it was so much fun to inadvertently put myself into the thick of the plot.

Q: Did you choose the title of your book and if so how did you do it?

A:  Yes. This title (along with the heroine’s name) came to me on the day of my grandmother’s funeral.  She had told the family once that her nickname growing up was Rain (short for Lorraine) and since my story takes place in Ireland, the play on words for the title was ideal. My search for the perfect title, which helped to put closure to my Emerald Isle Trilogy, had ended on that fateful morning.

Q: Where is your favorite place in the world?

A: Ireland first. Norway second. I’ve not been to either, but have hopes to go to the Emerald Isle in the very near future. I’ll keep you all posted. haha

Q: Please tell us about your other books.

A: The first in the trilogy is Raeliksen. It begins with the love story of a Norse warrior who’s in love with an Irish princess. The second book, Mac Liam, introduces the reader to an Irish hunter, also in love with the same heroine. Both books show how much the heroes love this VERY lucky woman, but The Fall of Rain, lets the reader know just how far a man in love is willing to go for that woman, even if it means sacrificing everything for her. The Fall of Rain will bring the reader full circle, and leave them with an utter feeling of content. It’s a love triangle, I swear, no romance fan should miss out on.

Q: What’s next for you?

A:  I am currently writing the first book in another series called the Warrior Saga series. The hero is the older brother of Daegan Raeliksen, by the name of Gustaf, and the heroine, Aesa, is a fiery redhead he’s fallen in love with as he’s avenged his father’s murder. Gustaf was a character I introduced in Mac Liam and he’s gotten a lot of fan mail on the subject of his story. The book is called The Temperate Warrior and since I aim to please my readers, I felt compelled to give them a story they’ve begged for.

I’ll be giving away an ebook copy of any one of my backlist (Raeliksen, Mac Liam, Silent Partner – winner’s choice.) Please remember to leave your email address with your comment so we can contact you if you win. Thanks!

To buy The Fall of Rain please click below.
Amazon print
Kindle
Nook
Turquoise Morning Press
All Romance eBooks
Smashwords
Bookstrand

Places to find Renee Vincent

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Deep In The Heart Romance

Thank you, Renee, for being our guest!

Saints and Sinners for St. Patrick's Day

With St. Patrick’s Day two days in the offing, here are some interesting tidbits:


WB Yeats, Irish poet, won a Nobel Prize in 1923
Jonathan Swift wrote one of the most-beloved children’s novels, Gulliver’s Travels
Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, was born in Dublin
Scarlett O’Hara is the Irish heroine of one of the most celebrated novels and movies, Gone With the Wind
On St. Patrick's Day, Chicago dyes its river green. Savannah dyes its downtown fountains green
Boston has celebrated St. Patrick’s Day since 1737
You may get pinched if you’re not wearing green


Many Irish immigrants settled in New York City, particularly in the Five Points district. As I’m fond of studying the Jazz Age and the social climate in New York City at that time, I wrote the erotic romance novel, SAINTS AND SINNERS. SAINTS AND SINNERS became my first published novel and will always have a special place in my heart.



A flapper falls for a gangster's nephew and lets down her garters and inhibitions. Shopgirl Moira Monaghan longs to leave Manhattan's Lower East Side behind. Clothier Reilly Dunne desires an honest woman for his wife. Temptation abounds, and they explore their passion amidst a backdrop of Prohibition parties and police raids. The saint in Moira brings out the sinner in Reilly, but love soon delivers their destiny.

Click here for more information


In celebration of the upcoming holiday, I’m posting an excerpt from this published novel.


Greenwich Village, 1923

“Just realize, you’re about to make a deal with the Devil and there will be no turning back. I pray for mercy on you and your soul, Moira Monaghan.”

Concentrating on Helen Flynn’s words as opposed to where she walked, Moira collided with something much sturdier than the wooden counter at Bainbridge’s Department Store. The boxes in her hands shifted and threatened to spill. Oh, to be sure, the man’s blazing blue eyes could hold her captive for the rest of the afternoon. Or the rest of her life. No. Now wasn’t the time to waste on matters of the heart. If she didn’t stop dawdling and concentrate, she’d never get the window display completed.

“Here, let me help you with those.” A tall, flame-haired man flashed her a smile. His hands, rough from work, played against hers as he steadied her. His Irish whiskey voice caressed her.

She shivered at the contact with his body. Her loins flooded with warmth.

Despite her tightening grip, various and sundry empty boxes scattered over the floor.

Moira swallowed several improper words. If one of those prettily wrapped packages were damaged, the owner, Horace VanMuir, would deduct it from her wages.

“Thank you,” she said, still mesmerized by the man who’d set her heart hammering. If she managed to get the window display finished before lunch, it would be no small miracle.

Gallant to a fault, he picked up the packages and carried them to the front window. “Over here, right?” He balanced the boxes one atop the other.

Dry-mouthed and unable to do more than nod, Moira followed him. Only two steps into her journey, her worn garter gave way. Of all times. She should spend her money on a new garter belt instead of rouge and face powder. Soon her stocking would slip down her to her ankles, revealing more than was proper.

She sought refuge beside a display counter. From here, no one would see her dilemma. Moira inched her hand underneath her hemline. Her fingers trembled as she quickly rolled the stocking around itself and the overstretched garter for support. The fact her hemline rested a few inches above her ankle would buy her time. She looked up and met his hot gaze. Too late for high hopes.

“Reilly Dunne. Pleased to meet you. Moira, is it? Let me get that for you?”

His husky tone set her on edge. What did he want to get? The boxes? Surely, not her garter that had come unfastened? Had he noticed it? Her fingers froze over a spot above her knee. There. That should conceal the stubborn thing until I can escape and adjust it in private. She looked into his face. His eyes the color of a cloudless summer sky shone with mischief.

How did he know her name? “Yes, Moira Monaghan. I can fix it myself.”

As he bent and swept his arm toward the floor, she noticed her earring and heaved a sigh of relief. Time to fix the clasp on that one. Reilly wasn’t interested in her garter belt but wanted to retrieve that silly bauble. Or did he? He winked and passed her the piece of jewelry.

“Some women prefer to do things for themselves,” His smile widened. “Doesn’t hurt to have a man around in case you change your mind.”

The honeyed tone of his brogue washed over her, and her thoughts became even more muddled. His nostrils flared with each breath he took. Like a wild beast, he was.

What type of heart beat beneath his striped linen shirt and gray woolen vest? Lusty? A sort who devoured women like a pot of Sunday stew? Or did he savor them slowly like a glass of fine wine?

Click here to read reviews and another excerpt


Wear your green and smile. Here’s hoping you find a shamrock or two. Sláinte!

Wishing you all many happy reading moments,

Shawna Moore
TORMENTED -- Ellora's Cave (MUST-READ from Dark Angel Reviews)
ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave Exotika
HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave Exotika
TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN -- Coming soon to EC Exotika
Shawna's Myspace
Helle's Myspace

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I wanted to send some Irish wishes your way...

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light.

May good luck pursue you each morning and night.

May you always have walls for the winds,

a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,

and all your heart might desire.

Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter

Lullabies, dreams, and love ever after.

Poems and songs with pipes and drums

A thousand welcomes when anyone comes.

- Anonymous

And may we never miss an opportunity to look at men in kilts.

Hugs!

Nicole

http://www.nicolenorth.com/

And for those who wanted to see more...

Today Shawna is guest blogging at Novelspot about heroines in romance fiction. Please check it out and leave a comment.

Nita Wick tells us How Faerie Dust is Made

Today we have a wonderful guest here, my friend, Nita Wick, talking about her book, How Faerie Dust is Made... released today!

NN: Welcome, Nita! Thanks for being a guest at Fierce Romance! What a beautiful, creative cover. Please tell us about How Faerie Dust is Made.

Nita Wick: Hi, Nicole! Thank you so much for inviting me. How Faerie Dust is Made is part one of The Roscommon Faerie Tales. In the series, a colony of faeries lives among the lush green forests of Roscommon, Ireland near the Arigna Mountains. Their lives would be peaceful were it not for the humans who live in the area with them. The humans dislike faeries and their magic, and the two races are often at odds. But faerie or human, love makes no distinction. And both will soon find that love is the greatest magic of all.

In How Faerie Dust is Made, Conall may be human, but he is Aisling’s life mate. She’s certain of it. After all, a faerie knows these things. Can her magic end the feud between their families? And just how is faerie dust made?

NN: Sounds like a fun, entertaining, romantic story! Please tell us more about your faeries and their world.

NW: The faeries of Roscommon have the ability to be both human size and small. With their magic, they can take their smaller form which is about six inches high. In this form, they have wings. Their magic can be put to many uses such as helping plants to grow and healing arts. Some faeries are more powerful than others. And some even practice other, darker forms of magic like witchcraft. Just like humans, the faeries have their faults as well as virtues. Some of them are very nice people you’d love to befriend. A few you might want to avoid.

NN: They sound charming! What a unique world. Please tell us more about the hero, Conall.

NW: Oh, Conall is one handsome Irish man. He stands well over six feet, has auburn hair and blue green eyes, and that lilting Irish brogue that makes a woman’s heart flutter. If he weren’t so blasted opinionated and stubborn, he’d be almost perfect.

NN: He sounds yummy!! What inspired you to write this story?

NW: I’ve always been fascinated with stories of faeries. I suppose like all my stories this one began when I was daydreaming – again. I imagined a very handsome hero stumbling across a lovely, petite woman in the forest. I didn’t understand at first why he was so upset to discover that the woman was faerie. Turns out, the humans of Roscommon don’t much like faeries.

NN: Interesting! Which element of this story was hardest for you?

NW: I can’t say that any of it was really hard to write. I loved my characters and my imaginary world so much I didn’t want to leave it. So I didn’t. I’m about half finished with part two and I’ve begun an outline for part three.

NN: Wow that's super! I'm sure everyone will want to visit this world again and again. Do you have any advice for unpublished authors?

NW: Hang in there. Don’t give up. And write what you enjoy writing. Don’t force yourself to write what’s hot in the industry right now. By the time you get it written and submitted, the trends will have changed anyway. You can always tell when an author has put her heart and soul in a book. That’s the kind of book a reader remembers. That’s the one on their Keeper Shelf.

NN: Great advice!! Would you like to ask blog readers a question?

NW: Yes! Do you like faerie stories? Did you ever imagine yourself as a faerie princess?

Oh, and I’d also like to ask everyone to stop by my web site. I have several pages with more information about The Roscommon Faerie Tales. You can learn more about the characters, the setting, Irish Gods & Goddesses, and some Gaelic words used in the book.

I’ll be having a contest to celebrate the release. There will be a print copy of How Faerie Dust is Made as well as other prizes! Every member of my newsletter mailing list will automatically be entered to win! So sign up for my newsletter at www.nitawick.com! You’ll find more info about the contest on my site soon!

Available in ebook and print – http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Direct link to purchase: How Faerie Dust is Made