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Christine Young

VBT (&Giveaway) – A Marriage of Inconvenience by Christine Young

By Barb Drozdowich 30 Comments

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel!

Today we are welcoming Christine Young to the blog! She is the author of A Marriage of Inconvenience and is touring her book with Goddessfish Promotions. She’ll be giving away a $25.00 Gift Card to a commenter from the tour. If you want to increase your chances of winning, click HERE for the list of blog to leave more comments 🙂

I hope you enjoy what Christine is sharing from her book. Be sure to leave a comment in order to win!

A Marriage of Inconvenience

by Christine Young

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

A REGAL BEAUTY

 

When the duchess decides to wed her to a wastrel and a fop, Ravyn Grahm takes matters into her own hands and declares her engagement to another man. Instead of fessing up and telling her great aunt what she has done, she goes through with the pretense. Aric Lakeland is the bastard son of an earl and has a dangerous reputation. But Ravyn is willing to do most anything to keep the duchess from discovering the lie.

 

A DEVIL-MAY-CARE SMUGGLER

 

He’d bought land in America, looking to put down roots and end his life of adventure, but Aric Lakeland got more than he bargained for when he encountered a beautiful heiress who made a promise she didn’t want to keep. But the promise could not be undone and standing between them were more obstacles than either ever dreamed. Aric had made plans to spend the rest of his life in America and that was at odds with Ravyn’s plan of living in England and running her father’s estate. Now, he’ll have to choose between his dreams and the woman he loves more than life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT:

“Well, I can see that marriage hasn’t trimmed Amorica’s tongue one bit,” Aric said wryly as he undid the saddle cinch. “She can still tear a mean strip when she has a mind to. Only thing she does better than make biscuits.”

 

“Of course,” Damian said, lifting the saddle one-handed from the horse’s back, “the fact that a man knows he has it coming tends to make it sting all the worse.”

 

Aric spun around, ready to vent his frustration, furious with Damian’s calm words, but the other man had already turned away. Saddle balanced on one shoulder, saddlebags and bedroll slung over the other, Damian was walking through the barn door, whistling.

 

Letting out another long breath, Aric made another stab at reining his temper. The whole point of bringing Ravyn to the farm had been to show her how completely unsuited to this lifestyle she was. It had not been to point out what a beast he had been to her. He knew that already. And he felt guilty as hell. He didn’t need Damian to make those feelings grow.

 

Just as he knew his plan to make Ravyn cry annulment was working. Slowly, surely, day-by-day, hour by hour, minute by minute, he was wearing her down. He could hold out longer than she could.

 

I shall not say the word.

 

Yes you will.

 

Every moment brought Ravyn closer to that time when she would have to admit defeat and free both of them from the cruel trap they had entered into that fated day in England. They needed to be free of a marriage that should have never happened, no matter how promising it had seemed at first.

 

Aric hoped Ravyn would give up soon. Each day with her became harder to endure. Her scent, the memories of how she felt in his arms and the knowledge of what they might have had tormented him. He didn’t know how much longer he could go on grinding a beautiful little imp into the dirt. He had never felt another person’s anguish so completely. He would rather suffer a thousand deaths than put Ravyn through this. He would rather be hurt himself than to inflict the pain on Ravyn. Long ago he had learned how to endure pain, how to control it. When he had learned he was a bastard and had suffered insult after insult from the very people who embraced his brother with respect and love, he had learned to hide the anguish and the loneliness.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master’s degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota’s Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children.  Christine’s newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

 

http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/

 

 

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Interview & Giveaway – Ann Christine, author of Safari Moon

By Barb Drozdowich

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel!

sugarbeat's books romance novels romance book reviews interview historical contemporary erotica author promotion

Today we are welcoming Ann Christine to the blog!  She is the author of Safari Moon, among other books.  She is currently touring Safari Moon with Goddessfish Promotions and is here today to answer some of my questions and share some information about her book.  She is giving away a generous selection of prizes to commenters!

* A Safari Moon bookmark to one randomly drawn commenter at every stop.
* ebook copy of The Gift (part of A Valentine Anthology) and Star Crossed (part of St. Patricks Day anthology) to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
* One commenter during the tour will win the right to have a character named for them in her next release–either Ghost Dance (a western historical romance) or Rebel Heart (science-fiction romance)
* Two randomly drawn commenters during the tour will each win a $25.00 GC to Starbucks

Nice list!  Personally, I want to win the right to have a character named after me….right….don’t think I qualify 🙂  Anyway, you all know how to qualify to win one of these giveaways – leave a comment at the bottom of the post.  To increase your chances of winning, click HERE to get the full list of tour stops and leave comments at as many stops as you can!

Sit back and enjoy!

 

Barb – Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing.

Ann – I began writing in the early nineties, ninety-two seems the right year, but I’m not positive. Even though I’ve been a math teacher for over thirty years, numbers just don’t seem to stick in my head. Six years later, with multiple rejections hanging on my belt as trophies, I was published. I have written western historical romances, regency romances, highland romance, fantasy romances and a contemporary romance, Safari Moon, which is featured here today.

Barb – Tell us about Safari Moon.

Ann – Safari Moon is my first contemporary romance. I am writing with an AKA Ann Christine; my historicals are written as Christine Young. Safari Moon begins in Bend, Oregon, a central Oregon small town which is a mecca for sportsmen and women. The story then moves to the Alaskan wilderness where Solo is employed to photograph wolves for a magazine article and cover. Nyssa and Solo have been friends since college. Even though Nyssa has been in love with Solo, they are comfortable in their best friend relationship. It is not until they are forced into a charade with no redeeming factors that Solo begins to see Nyssa in a different light.

Barb – What is your favorite part about writing?

Ann – For me, creating new characters and weaving their lives together is the most fun It’s like an intricate puzzle and all of the pieces have to match by the end of the story. When the characters evolve into seemingly very real people and they take over my head, look out because anything can happen. Many times the characters surprise me, but they always know what is best. Once I really get into the manuscript, I find the characters talk to me all of the time…when I’m driving, working out, watching TV and sometimes when I’m reading another book.

Barb – What is your least favorite part about writing?

Ann – I don’t really have a least favorite part about writing. But if I had to name anything, it would be the last word of the last sentence of the last paragraph. This ultimately means the end of the story. If there is no sequel—then the characters will stop talking to me. There is always a sense of exhilaration when the book is finished but there is a sadness too.

Barb – Do you start your story with an outline or do you just set the characters free to tell their story?

Ann – My stories almost always begin with the characters. I do in-depth profiles on each main character as well as the significant others. I know all of the noteworthy events of their lives, their favorite flowers, preferred scent, what they take with them in a situation where they were forced to leave their home. I know favored foods, etc. You get the idea. I then do a very basic outline dividing the story into four main parts. I decide the major turning points, three of them, then the black moment which will proceed to the resolution and the end of the book. After that every scene has a detailed outline of its own. But the scenes are not written all at once but as the story progresses. The characters may take over at any time.

Barb – Do you have a favorite character in Safari Moom? If so who is it and why?

Ann – Solo is my favorite character. I love the way he handles awkward situations. Even when there is no need, he tries to be the perfect gentleman. When women throw themselves at him, he doesn’t want to hurt their feelings. He treats Nyssa with such care and love, considering her feelings first. Crazy though, what he thinks are her wishes are really the exact opposite.

Barb – Who encourages you to continue writing?

Ann – My support group has always been extensive. In the beginning my husband gave me the most encouragement. He always believed in me. And he was the only person who knew I was writing. I have heard horror stories of husbands putting down their wives for trying to pursue their dream. I am so blessed not to have had this from anyone in my life. Over time I have had a tremendous support from my friends, critique partners, fans and family.

Barb – How can your fans follow you?

Ann – Links:

http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/

http://www.roguesangels.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=ff85431957b1187086157ac2bfb2bfdd&eu=M43G7mFwzlUHvaIxNutxUw

Barb – Where are your books available?

Ann – All of my books are available at Rogue Phoenix Press http://www.roguephoenixpress.com/

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

All Romance

They are available as print books as well as kindle, ebook, and nook.

Barb – Anything else you’d like to add?

Ann – I would like to thank Sugarbeat’s Books for hosting me today. I hope those of you visiting this blog leave lots of comments. I really enjoy hearing from you and reading your comments.

 I’d like to thank Ann for dropping by and sharing with us about her books!  Make sure you leave a comment with your email address below to be entered in the wonderful giveaway!

Bio – Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master’s degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota’s Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children. Christine’s newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

Website: http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/

Rogues Angels blog: http://www.roguesangels.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Young/350132315013316

Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/achristay

Publisher: http://shop.roguephoenixpress.ieasysite.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=SAFARIMOON

sugarbeat's books romance novels romance book reviews historical contemporary interview ann christineSolo St. John, a wildlife photographer, is preparing for a trip to Alaska. Suddenly, Solo finds women of all sorts invading his privacy, his home and his office, all cooing nonsense words and blatantly throwing themselves at him. Solo doesn’t know why, and he has no idea how to rid himself of the persistent women. He finally decides to beg a favor of his best buddy Nyssa Harrington.

In love with Solo for the past ten years and knowing he doesn’t return her feelings Nyssa doesn’t want to talk to Solo. She knows if she accepts his phone call, she will not be able to resist the temptation to hope again.

Safari Moon

Excerpt 1

Wanted: A professional wildlife photographer to take pictures in the Alaskan wilderness. Experience first hand a real safari moon. Call(555)381-1252 or send resumes to 2286 Main, Suite 2D Bend, Oregon.

Solo St. John was in the middle of an erotic dream about his buddy, Nyssa Harrington, when the click of his front door shutting brought him to instant alert mode.

Solo looked up, caught a flashing glimpse of a good deal of naked flesh; long legs, perfectly rounded derriere, and a waist he could span with his hands. The intruder’s long blond hair curled around her shoulders an inch above the ties of her bikini top.

Then he saw the skunk. He blinked twice.

This woman and the skunk were not the subject of his brief and very strange dream, a fantasy that made his mind speed along at sixty in a residential zone. This was someone he had never seen before and he resented the intrusion.

“Hello,” she cooed seductively from his living room. “Will you come out and play?”

The skunk stuck a black and white head around the open door to his bedroom. A second later the animal turned and lifted his tail before disappearing into the living room.

Solo was out of bed and pulling on his jeans before the count of five. Yet in that short time, the lady in question, along with the skunk that was now exploring his fireplace hearth, had taken over his living room.

The lithe, supple blond sported an expensive camera, and all the while the lady in question babbled nonsense words.

“I’m willing, able, and eager.” She posed for him, a pose meant to entice.

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Guest post & Giveaway with Christine Young of Highland Honor

By Barb Drozdowich

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel

Today we are welcoming Christine Young to the blog!  She is touring with Goddessfish Promotions to promote her new book – Highland Honor.  The prizes being given on this tour are pretty impressive so be sure to leave a comment here!  Then click HERE and go to the other blogs on the tour and leave a comment there as well!

The prizes are:

* a $50.00 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter for the blog tour.
* a Clan MacPherson book mark awarded at each stop to one randomly drawn commenter.

Christine is going to answer a few of my questions and then she’s going to share an excerpt from Highland Honor.  Here we go 🙂

Christine : I would like to thank Sugarbeat’s Books for hosting me.

Barb : Tell us a little about yourself and your writing.

Christine : Retirement is a joyous blessing. My 30 plus years in the classroom came to an end in June this year. I honestly can’t say I have more time for writing. With my husband I have been to Atlantic City and New York City to visit with my youngest daughter. I am now trying to organize my time better. I have several books in my head and just have to find the time to sit down and write. At the moment I am celebrating the rerelease of my Highland series beginning with Highland Honor. Colin “Hawke” MacPherson has won my heart again.

Barb : Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

Christine : There are many beautiful places in the world. But the most important thing to me is to live close to family. I have a daughter who lives in Brooklyn and I count the days until she can come visit in Oregon. For me Brooklyn is a nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there. I would live right where I live now Salem, Oregon.

Barb : Who are your cheerleaders?  Who encourages you to continue writing?

Christine : My biggest cheerleaders are my husband and my mom and dad. They all have played such an important part in my writing career. My mom initially encouraged me to start writing. My husband bought me a computer when I finally told him what I was doing and that I was using my college typewriter. My children have always supported my writing. My son is following in my footsteps. He has his first release in January, 2012; Blood Veins. Just a mini plug for him.

Barb : Tell us about your new release?

Christine : Highland Honor is set in the Scottish Highlands in the year 1512. Callie Whitcomb seeks out Colin MacPherson, hoping he will protect her from her evil stepbrother. They trek through the highlands and finally reach his castle where they fall in love and spend a glorious night aboard his family’s ship, the Aphrodite. Though faced with many perils, they work together to conquer all of their foes and search for a happy ending.

Barb : What is it you love most about writing? What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Christine : Creating strong alpha males who will do anything for the women they love is one of the elements I like best. Also, weaving the elements of the hero and heroine’s opposite characteristics and figuring out how they can compensate so they can have a lasting relationship. In Highland Honor Hawke is faced with letting go of the revenge he has sought for most of his life. For Callie she must find the answer to the questions about her father and the role he played in the feud between the Whitcombs and MacPhersons. The absolute hardest part is finding enough time to write. I love babysitting my grandchildren and my other hobbies such as needle work, knitting and of course there is my crazy addiction to Cityville—go figure.

Barb : Who is your favorite character in your new release?

Christine : Hawke, of course. He is brave and loyal and handsome. One could say he is tall, dark and definitely rugged. He protects his family and of course Callie. Hawke is intelligent and gentle. Being alpha he is also a bit arrogant but that all goes away when he is with Callie. He cannot find it in his heart to deny her anything even though he might want to. When he first discovers she is James Whitcomb’s daughter, his emotions and feelings are so conflicting he has to rethink everything he has ever wanted.

Barb : Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

Christine : I don’t see myself in any of the characters, but I could certainly fall in love with my heroes. After all, who wouldn’t fall in love with a man like Hawke?

Barb : What were the challenges in bringing this book to life?

Christine : The biggest challenge is this particular book was finding a way for Hawke to overcome his need for revenge and finally fall in love with Callie. He had been so positive that James was responsible for his father’s death, he did not want to give up on his need for revenge.

Barb : What is in the works for you next?

Christine : I am reediting Highland Magic and Highland Song and will celebrate their re-release soon. I have an April Fools Anthology in the works which will be released in April 2012.

Barb : What is the best way for your readers to keep in touch with you?

Christine : My blog, I no longer have a website.

http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/   This is my personal blog and I also share a blog with three other writers.

Rogues Angels blog

http://www.roguesangels.blogspot.com/

Barb : Where is the best place to purchase your work?

Christine : The best place to buy my books is Rogue Phoenix Press

www.roguephoenixpress.com

 

Author Bio:  Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master’s degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota’s Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. She is the author of 10 published romance books and 2 novellas. Christine is a retired high school math teacher. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children.  Christine’s newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

Links:

http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/

http://www.roguesangels.blogspot.com/

http://www.roguephoenixpress.com/

I’d like to thank Christine for dropping by and sharing with us!  Remember to leave a comment to be entered to win one of the prizes!

Willfully stubborn, innocently courageous, Callie Whitcomb braves a journey through the treacherous highlands to the MacPherson castle. Callie flees from an unwanted marriage as well as her ruthless half brother. Naively she believes Colin MacPherson, the head of the clan, is loyal to her father and will give her sanctuary, protecting her from the vile plans that have been made for her.

As hard and as unyielding as the winter storms that sweep through the countryside, Colin is irresistibly drawn to the impetuous beauty who has magically appeared on his doorsteps. Despite his vows of revenge against her father, she stirs his passion as well as his sense of justice…but to love her would violate all his vows of revenge.

 

 

Excerpt:

Scotland November 1512:

A heavy frost sat on the frozen earth, and a full moon shone clearly between the heavy clouds dotting the sky. Lady Callie Whitcomb looked over her shoulder as she raced through the deepening gloom toward the lighted tavern ahead. Every shadow, every mournful sigh of the wind sweeping through the trees, every chilling animal sound filled her with terror. Fear for her life drove her to put all thoughts of danger aside. He would follow her, find her, and drag her home.

Home.

“Don’t think of that now,” she reminded herself fiercely, even while tears stung in the back of her throat and fear made her limbs tremble. “Don’t ye dare think of home. It no longer exists.” Nothing and no one could coax her back or make her believe there was naught but terror in the home where she’d been born.

“I will never marry Lord Huntington. Never!” she whispered fiercely, the chill night air solemnly echoing her words.

Her stepbrother, Archibald Covington III, made sure she could never return.  

“There ye be, lass! I’ve been waiting for ye.”

The voice rose from nowhere and surprised her. Her heart froze, lurched, then began an erratic beat, while raw nerves snapped, sending a myriad of sensations racing down her spine.

“Archibald–” she whispered, panic sweeping through her. “He’s found me.” All she could hear was the pounding of her own blood in her ears. 

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