June Bride Celebration - June 20-21

You're invited -- save up to 80% on 8 Bridal Romance titles!

99 cents each

June 20-21

Wedding bells, bouquets, dresses and quilts! What's more romantic than a wedding? And we know these weddings will all go off without a hitch. Right?

Participating authors include Jennifer Blake, Pat McLinn, Sandra Edwards, Shadonna Richards, and Geralyn Dawson. Check their pages for steep discounts on other titles.

Historical

Pieces of Dreams
by Jennifer Blake
(REG $2.99)

Amelia "Melly" Bennington's dream of married bliss comes undone when she mistakenly kisses the wrong man -- not her staid, hard-working bridegroom but the dashing sea captain who is his twin brother.

As the wedding draws near, she is torn by long-held affection for one man and sensual attraction to the other. Animosity between the two men reaches such a fever pitch that a tragic break seems inevitable -- unless Melly can force her unruly heart to decide which brother to favor and which to send away forever.

Novella. 30,000 words -- about 100 pages. 

Originally published by Berkley in THE QUILTING CIRCLE anthology and by Jove in the WITH LOVE anthology.

Contemporary

The Rent-A-Groom
by Jennifer Blake
(REG $2.99)

Even though Gina cancels her wedding mere days before the ceremony, she's determined to keep her reservation for a famous honeymoon suite in Dallas.

Enter Race, a Texas cowboy who cleans up rather well, and who declares himself her substitute groom for the week.

Thinking her best friend hired Race, Gina goes along with the fun - at first. But is Race really who he seems? Why is Gina's ex-fiance staying at the same hotel? And just how far is Gina prepared to go with Race and that model-worthy face of his on their "honeymoon"?

The Wedding Series

Prelude to a Wedding (Book 1)
by Patricia McLinn
(REG $2.99) 

The Wedding Series
You are cordially invited ... to join the celebration as college friends embark on the greatest education of all -- falling in love.

Charming Paul Monroe has the Peter Pan thing down pat. As an antique toy appraiser, even his work involves play. Which is fine, unless your job is to keep his Chicago business running smoothly . . . and all that charm -- and sexiness -- is aimed at you.

Organization and reliability are Bette Wharton's hallmarks. She handles the toughest clients with aplomb, until Paul provides a challenge that goes way beyond the office. She has a plan and a timetable. How can she let herself fall for Mr. Live-for-the-Moment when all he offers is Love-for-the-Moment?

Wedding Party (Book 2)
by Patricia McLinn
(REG $3.79)

Michael Dickinson is delighted to be best man at his friend's wedding - but there's one complication. Tris Donlin is a bridesmaid. He's wanted her for longer than he cares to remember, but to her, he's just good old Michael - college pal, confidant, best buddy ... Would a few days of wedding celebration let him finally get her out of his system once and for all?

Her cousin Paul's wedding party has Tris's head and heart full of memories of college days with him, Michael and their friend Grady. Grady was her college crush and Michael was her buddy. Now that they're all grown up, my how things have changed.

She's certain she's found the best man for her . . . if only she can convince him.


Contemporary

The Marriage Bargain
by Sandra Edwards
(REG $4.99)

Camille Chandler is a tabloid journalist whose career is right on track--until her boss sees a curious ad in the L.A. Trades.

Wanted: Single actress for an extended gig abroad.

France's mega-rich playboy Julian de Laurent is up to something and Camille's boss expects her to find out what. Who knew the eccentric gazillionaire was looking to hire a temporary wife?

When Camille refuses to accept Julian's proposal--and secretly write a juicy tell-all about the de Laurent family--she's fired and left financially destitute, forcing her to entertain Julian's proposal for real.

But what'll happen at the end of the contract period, after Camille has spent six months as the wife of a man she learns is capable of stealing her heart?

Approximately 60,000 words. About 236 pages.

This is a re-release of The Marriage Bargain, originally published in August, 2010. This version has an ALL NEW ending.

The Bride Series

The Bride Series (5 Bestselling Novels in 1 Volume)
by Shadonna Richards
(REG $4.99) 

Over 87,000 copies of the individual titles sold in 9 months!

AN UNEXPECTED BRIDE - Book 1
Emma Wiggins is about to marry her heart-stopping gorgeous boss, CEO Evan Fletcher, in seven days--too bad he doesn't know it yet! Desperate to fulfill her ailing grandfather's last wish to see her settle down, she tells him a little white lie on his deathbed about being engaged to her secret crush--commitment-phobic Evan. Can love blossom in the most unlikely situation? 

THE JILTED BRIDE - Book 2
Jody Anders' adoptive grandparents surprised her with a short one-day visit from New York and they can't wait to meet Gregory, her wonderful new husband with whom she eloped. Trouble is, she forgot to mention that he jilted her at the altar and is no longer in the picture. Will her gorgeous neighbour, Jake help her out? 

THE MATCHMAKER BRIDE - Book 3
What happens when a lonely matchmaker unexpectedly falls in love with a forbidden client-- a gorgeous, high-flying CEO with a secret past? Read the story of Sophie Wilson and Carlos Bradley III. 

HIS ISLAND BRIDE - Book 4
Jessica Mills wasn't looking for love, but love found her...while vacationing on the sunny island of Jamaica. Undercover billionaire, James Carrington thought he was through with serious relationships...that was until he met darling Jessica. 

AN UNEXPECTED BABY - Book 5
Getting a man is one thing...keeping him is a whole different story!

Recently wed to her hot boss, CEO Evan Fletcher, Emma Wiggins-Fletcher thinks her sizzling hubby is avoiding spending quality time with her...that is until Emma discovers that her pregnancy test is positive.

A baby changes everything. Jetsetter Evan discovers his new wife is pregnant and cancels an important business trip and prepares to rearrange his workaholic life to pamper his newlywed princess. Emma is over the moon about the new special affection from her spouse and her ill grandfather. Gramps has been given six more months to live, and he is so delighted about the baby news, he plans a surprise for the couple.

Too bad her world is turned upside down when she discovers the pregnancy test was false. Emma has been enjoying Evan's renewed attention and he's already shifted his life around to be daddy to their unborn. How could she possibly break the news to her husband and to her ailing grandfather without breaking their hearts? Still, pretending to be pregnant is a whole different story and can only last so long before they find out the truth.

The Bad Luck Wedding Series -
Books 3-7 Also on Sale!

The Bad Luck Wedding Dress (Book 1)
by Geralyn Dawson
(REG $3.99) 

Finalist for Romance Writers of America's RITA award!

They call it the Bad Luck Wedding Dress, and now Jenny Fortune's dressmaking clientele has begun staying away in droves. Yet, Jenny is sure that she can turn her luck around if she wears the dress herself at her very own wedding--all she needs is a groom.

Trace McBride is an attractive widower raising three little girls--or outlaws--and he badly needs a woman's loving touch. Jenny isn't sure she knows how to win a marriage proposal, but she is willing to take off her spectacles, let down her golden hair, and even give flirtation a try. When seduction turns to passion, Jenny risks everything--even her life--in the hope that she'll be lucky in love.

The Bad Luck Wedding Cake (Book 2)

by Geralyn Dawson

(REG $4.99) 

Finalist for Romance Writers of America's RITA Award!

Sexy Tye McBride steers clear of marriage hungry females, but when the McBride Menaces, his three incorrigible nieces, need protecting, he's willing to do just about anything to save them--even take a bride in name only.

Bakery owner Claire Donovan is dead-set against marriage, but when Tye makes her a proposal she can't refuse, the marriage of convenience is on.

It's their bad luck that sometimes, convenience isn't very convenient.

The Appeal of Romance

Ah, romance, it’s everywhere. It shows up in ancient plays and troubadour tales, in grand opera, in thrillers and suspense stories, in western and sci-fi adventures, paranormal epics and even hard-boiled mysteries. It is an important element in thousands upon thousands of movies, giving light to the darkest of dramas and sanity to the zaniest of comedies. If romance lurks in nearly every story, why shouldn't novels dedicated to the subject be wildly popular?

And yet, just what is their appeal? It’s not the love scenes -- the sex -- alone, though romances have been labeled “soft porn for women.” Unfortunately, those making this claim can’t recognize the eternal theme of romance novels for concentrating on the emotions which drive them.

The purpose of love and its accompanying desire is to forge a pair bond that will lead to successful procreation. The eternal question -- the one which animates romance novels -- is whether any particular pair bond will prove strong enough, permanent enough, to insure the wellbeing of the children born of it. Romance novels, then, are about the human relationships which allow survival of our species. Is it any wonder that women, the gender most intimately concerned with childbearing and rearing the next generation, should be enthralled by stories which help point the way to this essential happy ending?

It’s as simple, and as life-affirming, as that.

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Since publishing her first book at age 27, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Blake has gone on to write over 65 historical and contemporary novels in multiple genres. She brings the story-telling power and seductive passion of the South to her stories, reflecting her 8th-generation Louisiana heritage. Jennifer lives with her husband in northern Louisiana.

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Lazy Days of Summer

Summer is here!  School is out!  There are happy dances, big grins, lively chatter, bubbling enthusiasm over vacation plans and a ton of excitement! Oh … I guess I should mention the students are thrilled too!

Yes, it is that time of year again and I don’t know who is more excited. The teachers or the kids. As a fourth-grade teacher, I know I’m ready to enjoy those lazy days of summer with a vacation or two thrown in for good measure.

There will be swimming, grilling and leisurely reading. And, of course, writing. Lots and lots of writing. Hmm ... I guess that means summer for me is not really a break, just more time to do what I love. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’ve given some thought to what my next project will be and I’m leaning toward a Christian suspense novel. This particular story has been slowly taking shape in my mind for the past few months and now my characters are getting a bit antsy to have their story told. As you can see, I’ve never been one to write just one type of story. The jury is still out on whether or not that is a good thing, but I’ve come to the conclusion that for me it is best to write whatever I’m in the mood for at the moment rather than to stay with one genre.

I’ve always enjoyed reading the Love-Inspired Suspense books Harlequin releases, so my next novel will probably be similar to that line. A pinch of suspense, a spoonful of romance and a sprinkle of faith will hopefully be the recipe for an uplifting, nail-biting romance that will take up the first portion of my summer break. If all goes well, I plan to finish, polish and release it within the next couple of months. Maybe even before I take that much-needed vacation to Florida where I might just get a glimpse of those peacocks Lindy blogged about earlier. Sounds fascinating!

Summer should be a fantastic time for Steel Magnolia Press as well. Jennifer will be releasing some of her backlist novels and possibly even a new novella, other Magnolias will be launching their first titles (oooh ... I can feel the excitement already), and the rest of the Magnolias will be gearing up to release another new title or two over the next few months as well.

So it looks like we will be busy here at Steel Magnolia Press as well as home with our families. Summer holds such promise, I can't wait to get started. I’m ready to pull out my Kindle and escape with a good book. Or two. Or three. Or ... you get the picture. And, of course, I'll be putting my fingers on the keyboard to write, write, write.

So, what are your plans for summer?

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Tamelia Tumlin has worked with several online publishers, but is now writing exclusively for Steel Magnolia Press. Juggling motherhood, teaching and writing is a challenge, but one she welcomes to pursue her passion. Her romance novels range from sweet and sassy to dark and dangerous.

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The E-Organized Story

The medieval kings and queens of England—what a confusion of Edwards, Richards and Henrys, of Elizabeths and Margarets! Keeping them all straight was a problem while writing my Three Graces trilogy set at the court of Henry VII.  

That was, until I hit upon the idea of using my genealogy program, Family Tree Maker, to keep track. Creating a family chart for Henry Tudor, father of Henry VIII, was just a matter of typing in his name as the “home person” in a new tree. The same was true for Edward IV and the rest of the Plantagenets involved in the story.  Every name entered was greeted by the ubiquitous “leaf” icon which indicated more information available on Ancestry.com. Clicking a few times added the appropriate birth and death dates, plus the spouses and children, brothers, sisters and ancestors for each royal personage. An hour later, I had the pedigree charts I needed for fast and easy reference.

Not everyone is writing about royalty, of course. But a genealogy program can also be used to track fictional characters, particularly the siblings, cousins and other relatives in a connected series or multi-generational family saga. Using the “New Tree” feature, you might begin with your main character. Type in his or her given and surname names, give them a birth date, then add a father and mother and any siblings along with their appropriate dates. From there you can create as many grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins as your heart desires or your story requires.

If you are feeling super organized, you can add other details such as previous spouses or, in the “Notes” field, include detailed character descriptions and any unusual features, scars or habits. Save and print this “family tree,” and you’ll never have to search your manuscript pages again for that name, age, relationship or description that you can’t quite remember.

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Since publishing her first book at age 27, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Blake has gone on to write over 65 historical and contemporary novels in multiple genres. She brings the story-telling power and seductive passion of the South to her stories, reflecting her 8th-generation Louisiana heritage. Jennifer lives with her husband in northern Louisiana.

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The Peacocks Are Meowing Again

Florida is known for many things: warm winter weather, miles of beaches, Disneyworld and the cosmopolitan city of Miami. There’s also a dark side: wildfires, hurricanes and swamps teeming with alligators and boa constrictors. Not to steal the spotlight from fellow Steel Magnolia Press writer, Phoenix Sullivan and her Vet Tech Tales: The Early Years, but living in Florida, I’ve encountered all manner of wild beasts.

Parrots, escaped from their owners, flocked to the mango tree in my back yard every morning at dawn, feasting and fighting over the fruit with their raucous cries. One year, my children weren’t allowed to play outside until a female cougar and her cubs had moved to a new hunting ground. An importer of tropical plants brought in Madagascar Day Geckos along with the pots of flowers. My family named the pair of lizards who lived in the downspout of the gutters on the house Spot and Dot. As they called to each other in the night with an echoing moan, I wondered who had ironically named them day geckos.

Recently, I moved to Orlando where the wildest creature I expected to encounter was a squirrel. As I lay in bed listening to the whistle of the train that passes through the city center and the whine of jets from the executive airport nearby, I heard what I thought was the yowl of a stray cat, reverberating across the lake, or perhaps a parrot, mimicking a cat. Night after night, the sound kept me awake while I wavered between feeding the poor cat, requesting Animal Control to pick it up or, if it was a parrot, demanding that the owner take its cage indoors for the night.

On a foggy morning, when a young peacock streaked across the road in front of me, I had a Eureka! moment. Searching the internet for videos, I found one with two peacocks facing off at a zoo. In the background, as if they were noisy spectators wagering on the fight, birds shrieked the plaintive cry that had caused my insomnia.

Sometimes, the peacocks take an evening stroll down the street, pecking the ground like hens in a barnyard. While it amuses me to see drivers stop their cars to take photos, not everyone shares my enthusiasm for the birds. Once, as my daughter and I said good-bye on the front steps of my house, she rolled her eyes and grumbled, “Mom, the peacocks are meowing again.”

As a writer, I believe that truth is stranger than fiction. If my upcoming novel, Niko’s Stolen Bride, wasn’t set on a yacht in the Gulf of Mexico, I’d find a place for the neighborhood peacocks in the story. It’s possible the birds will be the catalyst for my next work, set in Central Florida. A select few people will know they’re not a figment of my imagination. I’m glad you’re in on the secret.

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Lindy Corbin published her first novel in 1988 with Pageant Books. Babies and bills intervened, but she is finally weaving words together again. She lives in the lush oasis of South Florida, a sizzling backdrop for her contemporary stories.

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