Monday, January 31, 2011

Give The Gift of Books on Valentine’s Day

Are you stumped on what to buy that special person for Saint Valentine’s Day? Are you tired of giving lingerie, flowers, chocolate or jewelry, yet again? Why not consider giving book(s) with a twist of romance, lust, deception, scandal and revenge. Following are some of the most tantalizing books that will definitely kick start a day of passion, intimacy and desire.


White Wedding by Ursula Sinclair

Shanna Stiles hasn't been a virgin for years, but it's still her dream to have a white wedding. Her dream becomes a nightmare when, just before she walks down the aisle, her fiancé is seen kissing his best man.

She runs away from her life, and a chance encounter with the gorgeous, successful Ross Marshall leads to a week of passion and a connection neither of them expected. Ross is determined to have a future with Shanna, but someone out there won't let it happen. Shanna returns home and soon discovers disturbing secrets about the people she trusts.

With so much stacked against her, she looks to Ross for protection and comfort, and it turns out he may be exactly what she needs--except the man she left at the altar isn't giving her up without a fight.

Buy Link: Decadent Publishing


Buttercup by Sienna Mynx

Ain’t nothing sweeter than the forbidden. Her name is Buttercup. And he’ll kill them all before he’ll let her go...

It is the 1930s, the era of Al Capone, John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, Ma Barker, and Bonnie and Clyde. When gangsters, bootleggers, bank robbers and racketeers ruled the night and the law. Amongst them, a young bank outlaw is blazing his way to infamy. He’s known as Silvio ‘Bloodshot’ Garelli. Bitter over the untimely death of his childhood friend and his wrongful incarceration, Silvio, now again on the outside, is determined to live his life by the gun. But his love for a colored hooch dancer at a carnival haunts him with painful memories that keep him seeking answers.

Her name is Buttercup. Born and raised in a dustbowl carnival by a midget named Tiny and a fading beauty ex-Vaudeville dancer, she’s got a secret. Fate intervenes. Silvio and his band of brothers stumble upon a rural country town—and Buttercup’s carnival. She fears he wants revenge for all he’s lost due to their brief love affair. But what he wants will ignite passions, and fury, beyond either of their imaginings. And when the dust settles, so does the matter of love between them.

Buy Links:
Romance e-books  
Amazon  
Barnes and Nobel


MessalinaDevourer of Men by Zetta Brown

When life imitates art...expect to be framed. Eva Cavell is a woman with an embarrassing secret. She is sexually frustrated and believes her size and race intimidates men. In an attempt to relieve her sexual tension, every Thursday she goes to a local movie theater and allows strangers to fondle her in the dark. During one of her escapades she meets renowned artist, Jared Delaney, a smooth Southern gentleman with irresistible violet eyes. He has been watching Eva on her weekly visits and sees through her icy defence straight to the hot passion burning underneath. But Eva has an image to uphold as a tenure-track instructor at a private Denver college and as the youngest child of a prominent black family. Will she ever be able to live her life how she wants and without shame? In order to do so, she has to own up to her own choices in life.

Buy Link: Logical-Lust Publications  - Available also at Amazon.com, All Romance e-Books, and many other online retailers


Lover's Brew by Dana Littlejohn

Summer is forced to go to a Valentine’s Day party with her boss. She’s reluctant because this is a day for lovers and she doesn’t have a lover and hasn’t for a long time. At the party she meets the charming Peter Cook and he takes an instant shine to Summer leading her down a path of sensuality that she follows without thinking twice. When their time together comes to an end she worries that she’ll be fired for ducking her boss to be with Peter. Will she be able to save her job and have Peter too when the party is all said and done?

Buy Link: Amira Press

Author’s Sites:
http://www.danalittlejohn.net/
www.facebook.com/danalittlejohn


ERIS (Eternal Truths Series, Book 1) by D. Renee Bagby

Time is on their side and they can be together, assuming the truth doesn't ruin everything first.

Immortals born in the thirteenth century, Lucien Riordan and Ranulf Styr have waited centuries to be reunited with their love. Want for her cemented their friendship through time even as it tore it apart. She changed their lives, made them want better, and they plan to show her that. There’s only one catch—she’s never met them before.

Eris Brue is flattered by Lucien and Ranulf’s attention but they are her bosses. She doesn’t want to get tangled up in an office romance, especially not with two men. Their joint seduction overcomes her resolve and she gives in even though she knows they are keeping secrets that could doom their relationship.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/eris

Author’s Site: http://dreneebagby.com/


RITE MEN FOR MAYA by Zenobia Renquist

Sometimes fishing for love requires two lures.

Maya is a half human, half merman who has decided to attend the fertility-virility rite and learn more about her merman heritage. The rite is meant to help mermen find their perfect mates, but Maya is only interested in using it as research.

Tam and Kessen are participants who are searching for their third. They are drawn to Maya and she to them. But, she refuses to acknowledge the bond and runs. Tam and Kessen must pursue her through her dreams if they hope to make their love a reality and prove they are the right men for Maya.

Buy Link: Changeling Press

Author’s Site: http://zenobiarenquist.com/


SNOWBOUND VALENTINE'S DAY (Book 3 in the Snowbound Series) by Veronica Tower

Valentine’s Day – It’s the most romantic evening of the year and Kara and Ron are planning to celebrate it right: the ballet, a romantic dinner, capped with a very special night in an expensive hotel suite. At least, that’s what they were planning before Kara’s sister calls desperately needing someone to replace her sick babysitter while she and her husband spend the long Valentine’s Day weekend in Jamaica. Suddenly Kara is exchanging roses for afternoon cartoons, the ballet for kids racing around the house, and a night with the man she loves for a long weekend snowed in at her sister’s home in suburbia. Can anything restore the fun and romance to this Snowbound Valentine’s Day?

Buy Link: Red Rose Publishing


NOT ANOTHER DATELESS VALENTINE'S DAY by Veronica Tower

It was happening again!

February was here and Kathy still didn’t have a date for Valentine’s Day. What was wrong with these guys? Kathy was sexy and fun, but no one ever noticed that come February. No, it was always some other woman who got the flowers sent to her office, the chocolates delivered to her desk, or that special piece of jewelry presented at the restaurant. And it was definitely always some other woman who got swept off her feet and taken home for a night of incredible, mind-blowing passion.

This year Kathy wanted in on the magic and she was pulling out all of the stops to make it happen. Slinky dresses, spiked shoes, alluring perfume, she’d do whatever it took to get the right man’s attention. This year, come February 14th, Kathy wouldn’t be the one sitting at home. Whatever it took this would not be another dateless Valentine’s Day.

Buy Link: Red Rose Publishing


Malicious Acts by Vivienne Diane Neal

Passion, Love and Romance Can be Shattered by Deception and Betrayal.

An anthology of five fictional short stories, focusing on men and women who will stop at nothing to get what they want. If it means disguising themselves as benevolent individuals and destroying lives along the way, they are up for the thrill. They will use romance, lust, greed, manipulation and deceit as preludes to suck unsuspecting people out of their nest egg. Some of the characters are ruthless and as well as amusing. Paradise Baptiste, a loner, wanted to have it all, at any cost and was going to fulfill her dreams at someone else’s expense. Tiana Bates was a successful realtor who bit off more than she could chew and would end up losing it all. Harry Goto, thought he was the world’s smartest con artist and above reproach, but fate was about to deal him a cruel hand. Faith Bell, a fashion designer and business owner fell in love with an attorney. For her it was love at first sight, but he had other ideas and would put together a plot that would destroy her company. Serenity Jones, thought she met the love of her life, but her dreams were about to become a nightmare on duplicity road. Which characters will end up having it all and living happily ever after or sadly ever after?

Buy Link: Lulu

Author’s Site: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003ONO6G4

Monday, January 24, 2011

Calls for The Funniest or Worst Valentine’s Day Gifts That You Have Ever Received

Have you ever received a Valentine’s Day gift that made you chuckle or cringe. If so, we would like to hear from you.

Send your submissions to hmcsromanceinternational@juno.com and in the subject line type Funniest Valentine’s Day Gift.

February 4, 2011 is the deadline for sending in your submissions. We will go live with the results on February 14, 2011 starting at 12 AM.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Meet Jacob Burrage, Author of Caught Up

If you haven’t heard of Jacob Burrage, it will not be long before this author takes the literary industry by storm if he hasn’t already. Jacob is the Publisher & CEO of J. Burrage Publications, LLC and the author of Caught Up, a contemporary urban literature (fiction). He wrote the book in 2006. Its First Edition was published in November 2007, and the Last Edition in June 2010. The sequel to Caught Up, The Forbidden Lounge, will be released in July 2011.
 
One World Singles Magazine Blog had the opportunity to talk with Jacob. He took time out of his busy schedule to share his reasons for becoming a writer and offers some inspiring advice to would-be authors.


Q. Jacob, Please, tell our readers something about yourself.

A. Well, I am a simple young man. I was born and raised in Mississippi and I left when I was 18 to join the Army. After spending nearly 11 years in the services, I left in March 2010 and went full force with my writing and with the development of J. Burrage Publications, LLC. I started writing at around age 10 and been writing every since. In addition to contemporary fiction, I am also a science fiction writer.


Q. Who or what inspired you to become an author.

A. I can't really tell you what inspired me to write. I was an introvert growing up but my best way of communicating was by writing. I also had a very active imagination so as a child the best way to make that come alive was by writing. Besides, I couldn't draw to save my life so I had to have an artistic skill somewhere...;).

Q. Are your stories taken from current or past events?

A. Depends on the genre. My contemporary fiction takes place in the present day. My sci-fi work normally is set a few hundred years from now.

Q. Have you ever had writer's block, and if so, how did you overcome it.

A. Writer's block...hmm. I'm dealing with that right now in one of my projects I am currently working on. When I get writer's block, usually I just step away and try to refocus. I do that by listening to music and sometimes placing myself in an environment to help stimulate the flow again. But my best cure is just giving myself a break and just letting it flow because you can't force. A little known fact...music is a big influence in some of my non-sci-fi writing.

Q. As a writer, what challenges, if any, have you faced and how did you overcome them?

A. Time. Life has a way with going on its own course and sometimes priority shifts. When I was in the Army, just having the time and the drive to write was the biggest challenge I've had. I have dealt with it by rearranging some of my priorities because writing really does require a lot of time and energy.

Q. You have a company called J. Burrage Publications. How did this company come about and what type of service does your company provide?

A. JBP was formed in March 2007, a few months after I first wrote Caught Up. I started it because I didn't want to turn Caught Up over to another publisher and risk losing the full meaning and power of the story. Also, I wanted my own business and I figured I might as well make a business out of something that I love. Right now, because JBP is still in the early stages I am publishing my own work but I am looking to publish other authors in the near future.

Q. Your book, Caught Up, sounds intriguing. Could you please give our readers a synopsis of and an excerpt from the book?

A. Thank you. Here is the synopsis to Caught Up: Jeremiah Blackwood is a young, dark and very eligible bachelor who is trying to defy the odds of the stereotypical black man in the dirty south and overcome the small-town mentality that constantly threatens his success. Through hard work and determination, he honed his craft as a writer and began making his mark in the community when he met a caramel complexioned girl who could make Buffy the Body look like Miss Celie in The Color Purple.

She seemed so innocent the first time they met. Her beautiful brown eyes beckoned him into her lonely soul. Her smile was enticing, yet friendly. He knew she was the woman of his dreams. Much to his surprise, he found that not only was she far from perfect, but soon realized that she was involved in some things bigger than he could wrap his small mind around.

Find out what happens when a man gets caught up in a tangled web of lust, lies, and unadulterated drama. An excerpt can be found at http://www.jbpublications.com/the_book_store/caught_up

Q. Are you planning to write any more books in the near future?

A. Yes. I am currently writing the sequel to Caught Up. It's called The Forbidden Lounge. It should come out July 2011. I am also working on a collaboration project.

Q. What advice would you give someone who is thinking about writing a book?

A. First, if you think that by writing a book you will automatically become rich and famous...forget it. Writing the book is the easy part. Getting it out there is that hard part. It will take a lot of research and a lot of hard work. But it is a very rewarding feeling. So don't do it for the fame. Do it because it's what you really want to do, whether you want to entertain, inform, or just release. In other words, do it for the right reasons.

Second, don't get discouraged. You got to put your game face on in this world. It's just like the music industry. You might face rejection. You might get people to tell you that it is garbage. But you got to have that passion like this is a Pulitzer's Prize novel and somebody got to read it.

Third, research, research, and research again. There are a lot of agents and publishers who do not have your best interest. The publishing world is a business and what is the main goal of business? Money. If you step out in the publishing world without your game face and your guns, you just might get taken advantage of. Decide what is best for you. If you plan on going for a publisher, hire an agent (but make sure that agent is legitimate). Most of your big publishers won't even look at your work without one. If you choose to self-publish, make sure you know the ins and outs. I do not recommend going to those companies that allow you to self-publish, such as Xlibris. While such companies work for some, they are not true self-publishers. My personal rule of thumb: If they have to slap on their own ISBN then they are the publisher, not you. So all you did was pay a company to publish your book. If you do choose to self-publisher, look for a company that offer services. I personally offer services for self-publishers but that's what it is. There are no offer to publish. JBP will publish with no charge when the time is right.

Q. How can our readers and future authors get in touch with you?

A. I have several. You can email me at jb39301@jbpublications.com. You can look me up on Facebook and Twitter. The username for both is JBBurrage. I'm on MySpace at jb39301. Caught Up has a fan page called Caught Up Fan Page. Also look up my fan page on Facebook at Jacob "JB" Burrage.

Q. Thank you for allowing us to talk with you. Do you have any words of wisdom?

A. You're very welcome. It was a great pleasure. All I can say is check out the book. It's hot! ;).


Contact Information:

Jacob L. Burrage
Publisher & CEO
J. Burrage Publications, LLC
Telephone: (800) 940-5604

Links:

http://www.jbpublications.com/

Follow Jacob Burrage on:

Facebook
MySpace
Twitter
LinkedIn

Monday, January 03, 2011

How to Maintain a Happy and Healthy Relationship in 2011 and Beyond By Vivienne Diane Neal

Time goes by so quickly, and we are only on this earth for a split-second. So, why not try to make the best of 2011 and beyond by making some important resolutions regarding relationships.

Whether you are in a business, family, casual, or committed relationship, there are certain shared qualities that men and women should strive for in order to maintain a happy, flourishing, and healthy union.

Before establishing any type of rapport with anyone, whether it is in the workplace, a romantic, spiritual, or casual merger, it is vital to know who you are first, because you usually draw people who have similar qualities or as the saying goes, “You attract what you are.” Ask yourself the following questions: What do I stand for or believe in? Am I open-minded and fair? Do I pre-judge others based on their color, features, age, size or gender? Do I possess good moral character? Am I trustworthy? Do I have a good sense of humor?

If you do not feel good about yourself, then you will definitely be a magnet for others who will have a low-opinion of themselves; they will pass on those same attitudes to you, and they will never value you as a human being. The name-calling, the offensive remark or the putting down of an individual will always be his or her main goal in life. These negative mind-sets, which can lead to physical abuse and violence, have no place in any type of relationship. If you are romantically involved with an abusive mate, remember, love is not supposed to hurt. If the office bully is your employer or an employee, morale and production will suffer and affect the company’s bottom line.

When it comes to dating, get to know someone first before getting romantically involved with that individual. The same can be true if you are seeking a friendship or a business partner. This means observing a person’s behavior around others, namely co-workers, associates, friends, family and parents. One should always follow his or her instincts. If something does not look or feel right, do not stick around for the outcome. If a person is abusive to family members, there is no way that individual is going to treat you any better. As the great author, and poet, Maya Angelou once said, “When a person shows you who they really are, believe them.” Do not think for one second that you can change someone’s destructive behavior, because you cannot. That caustic person will have to want to make a positive transformation on his or her own.

Communication is a key component in any relationship. Exchanging ideas involves not only talking but also listening. This does not mean that one has to agree with everything a person says; it just means that each person’s opinion is just as important. You can agree to disagree and still have a great connection.

Respecting one’s cultural, racial, religious, ethnic background, sexual orientation and political beliefs play an important role as to how well we hook up and interact with others. Certain behaviors and remarks may be acceptable by some but may not be sanctioned by others. Always think before you open your mouth, because once you say something, you can never take it back. Your choice of words, and I can attest to this, can sometimes get you in trouble.

Enjoying each other’s company is essential. While life is not always perfect, why continue to work or be with someone who is miserable and ends up making your life unbearable. All the pointless drama that people bring into your life will definitely bring you down. Your friend breaks up with her boyfriend, and you end up losing your significant other. Your lover despises his job, and you no longer love your work. People who are always complaining or finding fault about one thing or another will eventually have you following their footsteps. You can be unhappy or preferably carefree all by yourself.

So, Happy New Year. May 2011 bring you good health, prosperity and great friendships and a lifetime partner.

Valentine’s Day is coming soon, and we do not want you to be alone. Why not hop on over to One World Singles and browse through the thousands of singles who are searching for someone like you.