Elizabeth Seckman, France, and Fate Intended

Hi there! I'm here with the fabulous Elizabeth Seckman. She's published several books and is an all around wonderful person, I'm thrilled to have her stop by my humble blog. Today, we're gonna talk about the French and the love shared between siblings, as well as Elizabeth’s new book, Fate Intended.

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Hello Elise!

Bonjour Elizabeth!

Long ago, you posted a get-to-know-Elise video (it was marvelous, by the way). In that video, you said some French people wonder...does America really hate France?

Yes, I remember that video. I still live in France and I've gotten that question a few times, especially during the time right after 911.

Lafayette at the Battle of Yorktown

Wow. What a sad question.

It really is, Elizabeth. 

If America ever had a solid friend, it's France.

I will venture to say, there would be no United States of America without France.

It was the French who had our back in the Revolutionary War against the British crown.

Without French gold, blood,and brains...the American Revolution might have gone down in history as a failed revolt.

I agree, Elizabeth--Vive la France! :)

So much gold was spent, the French government was deep in dept.

There were more French soldiers at the Battle of Yorktown (1781) than American. And that battle was a turning point in the war and it turned the war in our favor, thanks to the leadership of the Marquis deLayette (a French dude...can't you tell by the name?)

Yep, and one of his most famous quotes was: "Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country." 

Thank you France!

Our victory against England was signed, sealed, and a new country was delivered by the Treaty of Paris.

France even gave us our symbol of freedom. Yes, Lady Liberty welcomes her huddled masses with a smile and, “Bonjour!”

Bonjour!

So, see? France is like our big brother. And granted, sometimes big brothers and little brothers fuss, but behind every noogie and wedgie...there is real love.

I can't agree with you more, Elizabeth. France and the US are the best of siblings. And speaking of siblings, in your latest book Fate Intended, a hansome devil named Trip also happens to have siblings as well! Can you tell us a bit more about the story?  :) 

Fate Intended is the third book in the Coulter Men Series.  Trip is the last of the Coulter sons to find love. He’s a handsome man with all the skills a young spy needs to succeed. But when it comes to love, he misses the target. Jane is a sweet beauty who may or may not be wanted for murder. She’s hiding out as a cleaning lady when chance brings her and Trip together. It looks like a happily ever after is in the cross hairs until reality tries to destroy what fate has intended.

Elizabeth Seckman is a simple chick with a simple dream…to write stories people want to read.

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An Excerpt of MOONLESS

Alexia must choose safety and an arranged marriage, or true love and being hunted by the Soulless every moonless night.

Hi Everyone! I'm excited to be part of Crystal's blog tour for her book Moonless. I've really enjoyed the excerpts that have been popping up during the tour. Today, I get to share with you another great little excerpt so check it out and collect an additional hidden word while you're at it. Oh, and don't forget to enter her giveaway at the bottom!  (:

MOONLESS by Crystal Collier

Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.

Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Hidden in each of the 8 blog tour excerpts is a single word. Gather all 8 and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting!

Kiren unlatched the balcony door with a thin metal hook and slipped inside. He refastened the catch, gut twisting at the moonless sky beyond the glass. How long would his luck hold?

Alexia lay on her back, one arm lost in her mass of dark hair, the other tucked across her chest. A foot dangled off the edge of the mattress, tempting him to slip it back beneath her blanket.

He grinned, envying her carefree abandon. Her latest read lay on the bed beside an extinguished candle. He lifted it. Fanciful words danced back at him. They too made him smile. She wanted adventure. He could supply that.

His eyes landed on the card he’d given her father and his smirk died. It had been shredded and reconstructed. His chest tightened. “Oh Alexia . . .”

(READ MORE EXCERPTS)

Author Bio: 

Crystal, author of MOONLESS, is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

Links:

Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Website


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Félicite Found by Julia King

Julia King is here today to talk about her novel, Félicité Found! WOOT! I'm excited about her book in part because it takes place in Paris, France and I actually lived there for a few years. Anyway, enough of me bla-bla-blaing, Julia is here to introduce some of her main characters from her book. And, don't forget to check out her giveaway at the bottom for a chance to win a free copy! (:

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Character Introductions

Legend:

1. Role in Book
2. Physical Appearance
3. Personality/Attributes
4. What they want most out of life
5. What their favorite food is/would be
6. Favorite outfit


Félicité Moreau

1. Female main character

2. Petite girl with long blond hair and aqua blue eyes glittered with diamond-like flecks around the edges. Pretty much she will stop you dead in your tracks by her gorgeous looks

3. Amnesiac. She is conflicted, torn, a bit mysterious but tender and loving, especially with Pierre.

4. To remember who she is and keep Pierre in her life (there’s more to this but you’ll have to read it to find out more)

5. Apple Pie or a Big Mac, maybe…

6. A pretty dress


Pierre Rousseaux

1. Male main character

2. Tall, dark and handsome fits the bill. Ok, let’s just admit it, he’s a brown haired hottie!

3. He has probably the IQ of Einstein. He’s humble to the bone and pretty reserved with his emotions, guarded would be a good adjective (read the book to find out why…). He’s an amazing son. He’d be there to help anyone in a heartbeat.

4. To have a future as a police officer and actually have a family

5. Nothing his mom would cook. Pretty much anything else would tickle his taste buds. He wouldn’t pass up some Nutella on a croissant.

6. Scrubs that are way too small for him or a tiny pink jacket. *chuckles*

Hélène Rousseaux

1. Pierre’s Mother

2. Petite long, brown haired woman. She’s a pretty woman, for sure

3. Nice and willing to help others. Struggles with depression. She is a loving and devoted mother

4. To be a curator at Musée du Louvre, but for the most part, she wants to be a good mother to her son despite her issues

5. The first lunch she ate with her late husband

6. Something professional she would wear to visit an art gallery

Luc Broussard

1. Pierre’s best friend

2. Tall but slender blond haired boy, may have a zit or two

3. Class clown and friendly with the girls. He is smart, though but just doesn’t want to show it off. He’s got a reputation to uphold, ya know

4. To be the wizard of the all knowing

5. Anything that fits in his mouth (or doesn’t, for that matter)

6. His held-together-by-tape shoes


Madame Rose

1. Next door neighbor and surrogate mother/grandmother

2. Short and petite grey haired woman

3. Everything a grandmother would be—sweet, loving, and giving. She’s got pep to her clumsy step. Be careful, she might pinch your cheek

4. For her loved ones to be happy. She wouldn’t mind being with her late husband again

5. A home cooked meal accompanied with Pierre, Hélène, and Félicité

6. A pink skirt suit with matching high heels and lipstick will work beautifully


A Character Who Shall Not be Named Here… (Dun Dun Dun)

And a Couple Sub-characters You’ll Meet!

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Thanks Julia! 

You can meet up with Julia at the following stops during her blog tour:

Monday, August 12: Sara Bowers - http://spbowers.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, August 13: Elise Fallson - http://elisefallson.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, August 14: Jolene Perry - http://jolenesbeenwriting.blogspot.com/

Thursday, August 15: Nick Wilford - http://nickwilford.blogspot.com/

Friday, August 16: Rebekah Callor Grow  - http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Find her book at:

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Australia - A Source of Inspiration

I'm excited to have Carolyn Brown over as part of her Protector's of Aidensdein Blog Tour! Carolyn has a special post for us today so let me just move over and let her talk to you about one of her biggest inspirations for her two books. (:  

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Hi Elise and thanks for inviting me to discuss something which is of great interest to me and that I love…

The Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia!

This magnificent stretch of coastline runs from the north of Brisbane (which is the capital city of Queensland) to the Fraser Coast, which is an island off the coast of a country town called Gympie.  It stretches over 100 kilometres and is known for clean, beautiful surf beaches which are surrounded by tropical forests and backs up into the hinterland.

At the heart of the Sunshine Coast lies the city of Maroochydore, expanding along the Maroochy River which is flanked by coffee shops, restaurants and the main shopping complex of the region. 

To the north are several beaches and small towns, leading to the well-known coastal town of Noosa.  To the south lies another expanse of coastal beaches, stretching to the older coastal township of Caloundra and just at the southern stretch of Caloundra sits Bribie Island.

The Great Dividing Range is a continuous line of mountains running along the east coast of Australia.  The mountains are dotted with beautiful rock pools and water holes, hidden among the tropical forests, where small tourist towns are situated, which sell arts and crafts as well as restaurants and coffee shops.

There are many well-known surf beaches along this stretch of coastline and as the characters in The Protector Series all surf; it was a natural decision for me to include some of these beautiful destinations into the stories.

Jazz and her friends surf at the popular Alex Headland, which is part of the coastal city of Maroochydore.  As this is a tourist destination, there are cafes and restaurants, bars and night clubs, large shopping complexes and amusement parks scattered across the coast to provide entertainment and cater for a large number of visitors and residents.

In book one, He Came For Me, I introduce the surf beaches and the Hinterland, where Seb and Jazz take a short trip into the mountains to swim at a waterhole and while there, have lunch at one of the many cafes.

The beginning of book two is set in the city of Maroochydore, where Jazz lives.  The story concentrates on the restaurants in the area.  The infamous Loo with a View is also mentioned.  It is a very elaborate toilet block which overlooks the beaches and hosts a live web cam of the beach.  The Residents are still paying for its construction in our rates. Lol!

I have downloaded photos from the web, unfortunately with the wild weather we have been having, I just did not get the opportunity to take my own, also the beaches are a little worse for wear at present, but they always return to their former glory, a few weeks after onslaughts.

I hope you and your readers have enjoyed reading a little about the Sunshine Coast Elise and as this is my last stop for the tour, I would just like to say thank you to everyone who participated.  It has been fun, (although a lot of work) but certainly worth it and the lovely comments, support and genuine interest has been appreciated.

Carolyn

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BLURB: He Came For Mine, Book Two in 'The Protector Series'

Fending for herself for almost two years,

Jazz worries she will never see Sebastian again.

A new man enters her life, but he holds a secret.

Will Jazz trust him?

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Sebastian discovers an ancient ritual which must be performed

on the Chosen One's son before his first birthday, or he will die.

He returns to Earth to find Jazz in the arms of another man.

A man he knows very well.

A man he does not trust....

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About Carolyn Brown

Carolyn Brown lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia with her husband and two young adult children. She works in education, supporting high school students with Learning Difficulties, helping to improve their literacy and numeracy skills. 

Her novels target a New Adult audience and focus on the genre of paranormal romance.  Included in the stories are the wonders of the beautiful area in which she resides, sharing the different aspects of the coastal tourist mecca.

She spends her free time relaxing on the beautiful surf beaches of the area, walking, swimming, reading and writing.

Connect with Carolyn Online:

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AMAZON       SMASHWORDS        APPLE
BARNES AND NOBLE       KOBO     SONY        

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