Sandy's Spotlight
NEW RELEASE
Love and Diamonds
Romance Anthology
Click on book cover to be directed to Goodreads The Romance genre in and of itself covers almost every other genre available to an author, so it’s no wonder that if fifteen authors are challenged to write a short of around 5k words, every one of those stories will be completely different, and still come under the Romance umbrella.
Last year Astraea Press challenged its authors to participate in a Valentine’s Day Short Story Anthology. Each story must be around 5000 words and incorporate love and diamonds. Using their varied talents and creativity, fifteen Astraea Press authors were up for the task. And the stories covered so many romantic genres, from hard-hitting to soft and gentle, and all with HEA, this anthology should please almost every reader of romance.
Most authors when asked will claim to be solitary in nature, so how can they come together within such a challenge? In the case of Love and Diamonds – very easily. The sense of camaraderie and desire to get our stories out there was awesome. The input changed up a gear as fifteen people came together to plot, plan and execute those plans to create a promotional valentine blog hop. Okay, so that’s done and dusted so why mention it again here? Because, to coin a phrase, Fifteen into one = Love and Diamonds the anthology. Available at all online stores for only $3.99. I am no mathematician but I gather that’s around .27cents a story.
The roll call of authors included is impressive, and are:-
Sherry Gloag “Queen of Diamonds” Will Sybil's future be determined by diamonds? http://sherrygloagtheheartofromance.blogspot.co.uk/
Patricia Kiyono “Operation Rhombus” Can a forgetful math teacher find the right formula for love? http://patriciakiyono.com
Heather Gray “Even When It Hurts” Will he help her...even when it hurts?
http://www.heathergraywriting.com
Kathy Bosman “The Engagement Ring” Could the object of Rosalee’s pain bring hope and healing? http://www.kathybosman.com
Jennifer Rae Gravely “Love and Diamonds" He struck out the first time.
www.facebook.com/JenniferRaeGravely
J. L. Salter “No Love, No Diamonds: The Story I Couldn’t Write” Is that muscular man digging a mysterious hole next door just a distraction from Susan’s romantic story submission deadline, or could handsome Randy be her story?
http://www.amazon.com/J.L.-Salter/e/B00D4F1YTE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1390835362&sr=1-1
Amy Mullen “The Flood” Sparks fly as the water rises.
www.authoramymullen.com
Vivian Roycroft “Treasure Hunt” Men don't do romance worth a hoot. Women don't do adventure…, that is, not until challenged. http://taketwoonromance.weebly.com/vivians-blog.html
Liz Botts “Delusions of Love” Love can make you crazy.
www.lizbotts.com
Zanna Mackenzie “One Of These Days” Is losing something precious about to turn Megan’s world upside down?
www.zannamackenzie.blogspot.co.uk
E.A. West “The Heart of Africa” Diamonds are a girl's best friend... unless they’re bloody.
http://eawest.mcphitty.com
Brenda Maxfield “Meet Me in the Copy Room” Beware when your ex returns to charm you!
http://www.brendamaxfield.com
Kelly Martin “The Best Catch” One man. His Boat. And the woman of his dreams.
https://www.facebook.com/KellyMartinAuthor
Kristine Cheney “Facets of the Heart” A Jewel Heist had Never Gone So...Right
www.kristinecheney.com
Nicole Zoltack “All for Love” Can revenge ever bring back your love? http://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleZoltack
Tag Line: Will Sybil Diamond’s future be determined by diamonds?
Blurb:
After four months of denying his feelings for Sybil Diamond, Culley Maccailin enlists her brother help to set up a poker game between them. He knows Sybil learned the game from her professional poker-playing father, and is just as good.
If he loses, he’ll fold. If he wins… The sky’s the limit.
As far as Sybil is concerned, love sucks. She’s been burned once and isn’t interested in a repeat performance. When her brother sets her up – again – she’ surprised to learn it’s against Cully Maccailin, the only man who’s stirred her heart since her ex-fiance walked out on her.
Let the game begin.
Back Cover Blurb:
If Sybil Diamond wins this poker game, Culley Maccailin risks losing the love of his life.
Top-level poker player Sybil Diamond isn’t phased when challenged to play against Culley Maccailin – until she loses. The stake is astronomical… Her heart.
Excerpt:
“How could you do this to me — again?” Sybil Diamond stormed round her brother’s living room.” I told you I wasn’t interested, and it’s the third time you’ve pulled this stunt without my permission.” She whirled on Ritchie and aimed her fist low into his gut. It did nothing to appease her rising fury when he deflected her punch. Ritchie worked out more hours daily than she spent shopping.
When she nearly tripped on his discarded shirt she swore, bent to pick it up, and threw it on top of the pile of clothes on a nearby chair. “When are you going to shovel some of this lot into the washing machine?” she demanded; hiding a satisfied smirk at her brother’s wince. He may be a world champion surfer, but much as she loved him, the guy was a slob when it came to his living quarters.
“Instead of trying to fix me up with all your friends, you should concentrate on clearing up this mess and getting a girl of your own.”
“Aw, Sis, don’t be like that. Culley’s okay.”
“Culley! Culley? What sort of name is that? Are you telling me this guy has the same name as on that TV show?” Sybil struggled to recall the name and gave up. She was too busy expanding her own party planner business and didn’t have time to watch TV.
She’d met the man four months ago, but decided to keep that information to herself. It couldn’t be the same Culley, she’d not heard from him since that meeting, and she admitted now she’d expected to.
“Do you realise how busy I am next week? I have three children’s birthday parties, an engagement bash, a baby shower, and a massive Valentine party to organise for Aila Metaxas on the14th, Friday night. And before then,” she added before Ritchie could interrupt, “I have my normal weekend rush of venues to deal with starting this afternoon with a fiftieth wedding anniversary.” Sybil stalked into the pocket-sized kitchen, dug a bottle of cool water from the fridge, and, unscrewing the bottle cap, stalked back again. “I don’t have time to play some stupid game of poker with this Culley just because you and your buddies think it’s cool to ‘play for the girl.’”
“So, you’re making excuses because you expect to lose?”
Sybil whirled round so fast, water spewed from the bottle and soaked Ritchie’s shirt and the pile of clothes on the chair, her satisfaction rapidly morphing to irritation when she recognised her brother’s tone. And knew, too, he’d won.
LOVE AND DIAMONDS is available at:
B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-and-diamonds-astraea-press-authors/1118588769?ean=2940148209317
Astraea Press http://www.astraeapress.com/#!/~/product/id=33481096
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Love-Diamonds-Amy-Mullen-ebook/dp/B00I9MR450/ref=la_B0042QD6S6_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391712254&sr=1-10
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Diamonds-Amy-Mullen-ebook/dp/B00I9MR450/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391681646&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=Asraea+Press+Love+and+Diamonds
Last year Astraea Press challenged its authors to participate in a Valentine’s Day Short Story Anthology. Each story must be around 5000 words and incorporate love and diamonds. Using their varied talents and creativity, fifteen Astraea Press authors were up for the task. And the stories covered so many romantic genres, from hard-hitting to soft and gentle, and all with HEA, this anthology should please almost every reader of romance.
Most authors when asked will claim to be solitary in nature, so how can they come together within such a challenge? In the case of Love and Diamonds – very easily. The sense of camaraderie and desire to get our stories out there was awesome. The input changed up a gear as fifteen people came together to plot, plan and execute those plans to create a promotional valentine blog hop. Okay, so that’s done and dusted so why mention it again here? Because, to coin a phrase, Fifteen into one = Love and Diamonds the anthology. Available at all online stores for only $3.99. I am no mathematician but I gather that’s around .27cents a story.
The roll call of authors included is impressive, and are:-
Sherry Gloag “Queen of Diamonds” Will Sybil's future be determined by diamonds? http://sherrygloagtheheartofromance.blogspot.co.uk/
Patricia Kiyono “Operation Rhombus” Can a forgetful math teacher find the right formula for love? http://patriciakiyono.com
Heather Gray “Even When It Hurts” Will he help her...even when it hurts?
http://www.heathergraywriting.com
Kathy Bosman “The Engagement Ring” Could the object of Rosalee’s pain bring hope and healing? http://www.kathybosman.com
Jennifer Rae Gravely “Love and Diamonds" He struck out the first time.
www.facebook.com/JenniferRaeGravely
J. L. Salter “No Love, No Diamonds: The Story I Couldn’t Write” Is that muscular man digging a mysterious hole next door just a distraction from Susan’s romantic story submission deadline, or could handsome Randy be her story?
http://www.amazon.com/J.L.-Salter/e/B00D4F1YTE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1390835362&sr=1-1
Amy Mullen “The Flood” Sparks fly as the water rises.
www.authoramymullen.com
Vivian Roycroft “Treasure Hunt” Men don't do romance worth a hoot. Women don't do adventure…, that is, not until challenged. http://taketwoonromance.weebly.com/vivians-blog.html
Liz Botts “Delusions of Love” Love can make you crazy.
www.lizbotts.com
Zanna Mackenzie “One Of These Days” Is losing something precious about to turn Megan’s world upside down?
www.zannamackenzie.blogspot.co.uk
E.A. West “The Heart of Africa” Diamonds are a girl's best friend... unless they’re bloody.
http://eawest.mcphitty.com
Brenda Maxfield “Meet Me in the Copy Room” Beware when your ex returns to charm you!
http://www.brendamaxfield.com
Kelly Martin “The Best Catch” One man. His Boat. And the woman of his dreams.
https://www.facebook.com/KellyMartinAuthor
Kristine Cheney “Facets of the Heart” A Jewel Heist had Never Gone So...Right
www.kristinecheney.com
Nicole Zoltack “All for Love” Can revenge ever bring back your love? http://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleZoltack
Tag Line: Will Sybil Diamond’s future be determined by diamonds?
Blurb:
After four months of denying his feelings for Sybil Diamond, Culley Maccailin enlists her brother help to set up a poker game between them. He knows Sybil learned the game from her professional poker-playing father, and is just as good.
If he loses, he’ll fold. If he wins… The sky’s the limit.
As far as Sybil is concerned, love sucks. She’s been burned once and isn’t interested in a repeat performance. When her brother sets her up – again – she’ surprised to learn it’s against Cully Maccailin, the only man who’s stirred her heart since her ex-fiance walked out on her.
Let the game begin.
Back Cover Blurb:
If Sybil Diamond wins this poker game, Culley Maccailin risks losing the love of his life.
Top-level poker player Sybil Diamond isn’t phased when challenged to play against Culley Maccailin – until she loses. The stake is astronomical… Her heart.
Excerpt:
“How could you do this to me — again?” Sybil Diamond stormed round her brother’s living room.” I told you I wasn’t interested, and it’s the third time you’ve pulled this stunt without my permission.” She whirled on Ritchie and aimed her fist low into his gut. It did nothing to appease her rising fury when he deflected her punch. Ritchie worked out more hours daily than she spent shopping.
When she nearly tripped on his discarded shirt she swore, bent to pick it up, and threw it on top of the pile of clothes on a nearby chair. “When are you going to shovel some of this lot into the washing machine?” she demanded; hiding a satisfied smirk at her brother’s wince. He may be a world champion surfer, but much as she loved him, the guy was a slob when it came to his living quarters.
“Instead of trying to fix me up with all your friends, you should concentrate on clearing up this mess and getting a girl of your own.”
“Aw, Sis, don’t be like that. Culley’s okay.”
“Culley! Culley? What sort of name is that? Are you telling me this guy has the same name as on that TV show?” Sybil struggled to recall the name and gave up. She was too busy expanding her own party planner business and didn’t have time to watch TV.
She’d met the man four months ago, but decided to keep that information to herself. It couldn’t be the same Culley, she’d not heard from him since that meeting, and she admitted now she’d expected to.
“Do you realise how busy I am next week? I have three children’s birthday parties, an engagement bash, a baby shower, and a massive Valentine party to organise for Aila Metaxas on the14th, Friday night. And before then,” she added before Ritchie could interrupt, “I have my normal weekend rush of venues to deal with starting this afternoon with a fiftieth wedding anniversary.” Sybil stalked into the pocket-sized kitchen, dug a bottle of cool water from the fridge, and, unscrewing the bottle cap, stalked back again. “I don’t have time to play some stupid game of poker with this Culley just because you and your buddies think it’s cool to ‘play for the girl.’”
“So, you’re making excuses because you expect to lose?”
Sybil whirled round so fast, water spewed from the bottle and soaked Ritchie’s shirt and the pile of clothes on the chair, her satisfaction rapidly morphing to irritation when she recognised her brother’s tone. And knew, too, he’d won.
LOVE AND DIAMONDS is available at:
B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-and-diamonds-astraea-press-authors/1118588769?ean=2940148209317
Astraea Press http://www.astraeapress.com/#!/~/product/id=33481096
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Love-Diamonds-Amy-Mullen-ebook/dp/B00I9MR450/ref=la_B0042QD6S6_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391712254&sr=1-10
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Diamonds-Amy-Mullen-ebook/dp/B00I9MR450/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391681646&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=Asraea+Press+Love+and+Diamonds
RSS Feed
