October 2013 – Anna Kristell Romance

Sable Hunter’s Halloween Blog Hop…A True Ghost Story…

Published on October 21, 2013 by Anna Kristell RomanceLeave a comment

Welcome to Anna’s World. I am taking part in Sable’s Halloween Blog Hop today and I want to share a true to life ghost story that was told to me by a friend. I am familiar with this bit of local folklore and thought it would be fun to let all of you read it during this Halloween season.

Huron, IN is a small town located in southern Indiana and it is also the home of a real life ghost story. The local cemetery is the home of a headstone with a chain link that grows each year. The stone has been replaced numerous times, but the chain just keeps appearing. The story goes that the chain represents the love of a man that was in the army and his girlfriend that waited for him. They were going to get married before he left, but his parents kept them from seeing each other and from getting married when they heard about the news. He went off to the war and she waited for him even though they couldn’t be together. The guy was killed in the war and they brought his body back here for a proper burial. The young girl attended the funeral, but she stood across the road and watched it from a distance. They say that today you can see the chain glow at night, and sometimes during the day you can see the young lady dressed in black standing on the other side of the road watching the funeral. I researched this story as part of a Folklore class that I took at Indiana University. The day I visited the gravesite, I could sense that I was being watched. When I looked around I saw, what appeared to be, a woman in black dress, a veil covered her face, and then she disappeared.

Wow! Gave me goosebumps, how about you? We all have a ghost story or have heard one, but this one is a well-known story in the area I grew up in. People actually do visit the gravesite in hopes of seeing the chain grow another link or to catch a glimpse of the young girl dressed in black…

Now that I’ve treated you to a proper ghost story and haven’t tricked you, how about a contest? I’m giving away an ARC copy of Isabella Kole’s Accepting His Terms. She’s the spicier side of Anna, you know. I’m also giving away a signed paperback copy of Remember Our Promise and an Anna Kristell tote bag.

All you have to do is provide me with a pic of your Halloween decorations…from this year or years past. At the end of the blog hop this weekend, we’ll pick the best one, that’s all there is to it. So get out your cameras or your old pics and get busy! We’ll post the winner’s pic here next week.

Email your pics to: lee_vanhoy@hotmail.com and I, along with my assistants, Anne and Lee, will pick a winner.

A Visit With The Beautiful Ginger Ring

Published on October 12, 2013 by Anna Kristell Romance2 Comments

I am so pleased to have Ginger Ring visiting me today in Anna’s World! Ginger and I became fast friends…she is another one of the fabulous people I met through Ryan O’Leary. I have followed her career along the way because she was just in the process of writing her first romance when we met. I can’t tell you how proud I am of her. The day she received her first publishing contract was a happy day not only for her, but for all of us who know and love her. I’ve asked her some questions about her writing and about her book so get comfy and let’s see what she had to say…

What inspired you to choose your genre (genres)?

I like to write what I want to read. I enjoy contemporary and historical books the best but I would like to try my hand at just about anything. I have a lot of stories lined up to write including a time travel, a small town series, a historical. You name it, I want to write it.

And I’m sure we’ll love all of them. You are such a woman after my own heart. We all have issues with balancing our time between writing, editing, promoting, along with other obligations and personal time. What works best for you?

I am still struggling with that one. I am married and work full time so I really have to limit myself on what I can do so that I don’t bite off more than I can chew. I have so many thoughts in my head and things I want to write but I really just don’t have the time. I just try and do what I can when I can.

We could be twins…this is my problem too. Tell us about your characters. What type of hero do you normally choose? What type of heroine?

I like complex characters in a simple plot or simple characters in a very complex plot. The characters in my current book Getting Down to Business are pretty straight forward. They know what they want and work to get it. My WIP Best of both Words is the opposite. I have two characters that are forced to work together. Although attracted to each other, they are both still dealing with tragic loses as the result of losing the ones they loved and struggle with wanting or avoiding being in a relationship again.

Who are some of your favorite authors? Did they inspire you to write?

I love LaVyrle Spencer. She is a storyteller and that is something that I inspire to be. There are so many authors that I like to read today that it would take too long to list them.

What has been the most difficult aspect of your writing career?

I am quite shy so I have a problem with being in the spotlight. I prefer to be in the background. I write so I don’t have to speak. lol

You are shy? I would never have guessed that…Give us a little dirt about

yourself. What’s your favorite guilty indulgence?

Books, chocolate, and finding ghost or old gangster haunts.

We all know you write a blog featuring Cougar Worthy Men…who is your

favorite?

My friend, Ryan O’Leary is my favorite. He is great about giving me advice about my writing and isn’t afraid to give suggestions or tell me to do something over so that it can be better. I really enjoy reading his work as I can see things though a male perspective, which I love.

Yes, we share a common love of that one…Ryan is a sweetheart and I’ve often told people that it is through my early Facebook connection to him that I met a lot of the wonderful people I know today. Now, the part we’ve all been waiting for…tell us about your newest book.

My first book to be published is an erotica romance called Getting Down to Business. It’s about a woman and a man that have been so busy working on their careers that they forgot about having a love life. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot but I used a little word play with the title as they get down to business in more ways than one. It is available on Amazon right now and you can find it here.

http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Down-To-Business-ebook/dp/B00FMFSJLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381089791&sr=8-1&keywords=getting+down+to+business+by+ginger+ring

Here’s the blurb for Getting Down To Business:

Tired of living life out of a suitcase, traveling auto parts sales representative Jessie Knutson jumps at the chance for a position close to home. When a flat tire keeps her from an interview appointment and the hot tow truck driver awakens her inner cougar, she realizes too much time away has done a number on her libido. Now the only position she wants involves being naked and pressed tightly against a hot, younger man whose eyes say she’s more than a roadside pickup.

BJ Spencer has no time for love with an auto parts store to run, though he yearns to find the right woman someday. So when the smoking hot redhead he rescues alongside the road gives him a sexy smile, he remembers sometimes a man needs to enjoy the finer things in life. Long legs encased in thigh-highs are definitely fine, but Jessie seems to be total perfection in a tempting package. BJ just might be able to make both business and pleasure work for him this time.

And now…drumroll please…here’s the Excerpt:

“I hope you like the blues, ma’am. We don’t get too many channels back here.”

Jessica nodded her approval. The sultry vibrations of Southern blues serenaded her. It didn’t take long for BJ to unload her car, pump up the jack, and start working on her tire. Watching the hunky mechanic work, listening to calming music, and feeling the wild rush of pre-storm air was exciting and nostalgic at the same time. She had grown up in a garage like this and instantly felt at home. The place was organized, quaint, and had the distinct smell of rubber and oil. A dark patina of grime coated the walls and worktables. A girly calendar and a time card machine graced the wall above the radio. Even the zip zip sound of the impact wrench was music to her ears.

Somewhere along the way—she really didn’t care when—BJ had shed his shirt. His arm muscles bulged as he pulled off the tire. His sculpted chest glistened, broad shoulders flexed, muscles tightening. Her breasts ached to be pressed naked up against his chest, her body wanted to be held tight in those strong arms. She loved a man with chest hair. Springy black coils enhanced his pecs before tapering to a neat treasure trail heading south. She clasped her hands together, but they still involuntarily wiggled on their own, itching to run their way through the thick, dark curls.

Jessie had time to think while watching him work. Her mind reeled with plans to seduce him, but she was starting to think that was what he wanted her to do. Maybe she would wait and enjoy the show a little longer. He didn’t seem to be in that big a hurry to get the job done.

He checked air pressure in the other three tires for possible leaks as well. BJ stretched and flexed his muscles several times—not that she was counting or anything. Her concentration broke only a couple times to listen to the severe weather warnings beeping on the radio.

BJ strutted by her again and returned from the office carrying a big towel. He headed to an outside water pump. Pulling the pump handle up, he splashed water from the hose over his glistening upper body and head. He shook his head sending a spray of droplets in every direction. Jessie smiled as she enjoyed the show. Boldly he glanced her way every so often and flexed a muscle or two. Yes, he was definitely hoping for some kind of response. She’d let him beg a little more. The click of the water handle hitting the pump ended his shower. Drying off with the towel, he headed back toward her chair.

His eyes locked on hers, a suggestive smile on his face. “Anything else I can interest you in today, ma’am, since we’re already here in the garage? Need any spark plugs, a battery check…” He grinned and raised an eyebrow. “Lube job?” The Southern drawl rumbled slow and exaggerated.

Jessica almost laughed out loud. If she was anymore “lubed up,” she would slide right off the chair.

Want to know a little more about Ginger?

Ginger Ring is an eclectic, hat-loving Midwestern girl with a weakness for cheese, dark chocolate, and the Green Bay Packers. She loves reading, playing with her cats, watching great movies, and has a quirky sense of humor. Publishing a book has been a lifelong dream of hers and she is excited to share her romantic stories with you. Her heroines are classy, sassy and in search of love and adventure. When Ginger isn’t tracking down old gangster haunts or stopping at historical landmarks, you can find her on the backwaters of the Mississippi River fishing with her husband.

And here is where you can find this beautiful lady…

Ginger’s hangouts

Webpage and blog:

http://gingerring.com/

Facebook writer page:

https://www.facebook.com/romancewritergingerring

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/GingerRings

Pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/Gingernovel/

Who Is Isabella Kole?

Published on October 9, 2013 by Anna Kristell RomanceLeave a comment

Welcome back to Anna’s World! Today I have a surprise for you. I’m going to introduce you to someone very near and dear to me. Her name is Isabella Kole, or as I affectionately call her, IzzyB. Just who is Isabella Kole? Well, to be quite honest, she’s me…or the spicier side of me…

A few months ago, a group of writer friends who write erotic romance and spanking stories asked me why I didn’t try one. As most of you know, if you’ve followed me at all, Anna writes mainstream romance, some dramatic, some light, but all just a little sweet and sexy. I mentioned this to one of my publishers in passing one day and she wasn’t opposed to the idea, so I wrote a rough draft. Then one night, Sable Hunter invited me to chat with her street team and promote my books in her group. She encouraged me to come forward and tell them about IzzyB. Up until that time, I was keeping the fact that IzzyB and Anna were the same person a secret. So I told them a little about the story, Accepting His Terms, and was met with such enthusiasm I couldn’t believe it. In fact, several of the people I met that night, came to me a few weeks later and asked if they could start a street team for me. And that’s how Anna’s Fab Friends began.

The writer friends who had first encouraged me came together and helped me too. One helped me kick around different ideas for a title until together we came up with the perfect one, another read the story and offered suggestions, another one did the same. All were supportive and encouraging. Members of the street team beta read for me as the story progressed. As I began to tell people about the new book, other author friends offered to host Isabella on their blogs. Everyone, including my readers, were very receptive to the idea.

My street team and I decided to market Isabella as the spicier side of Anna…because that’s exactly who she is. Isabella’s debut erotic romance is an Anna love story with Isabella spice. There is no better way to describe it. So if you like Anna’s romances but would like it spicier…Isabella’s your gal. If you prefer Anna’s sweet and sexy stories, there are plenty of them around and more to come.

Accepting His Terms by Isabella Kole debuts October 9th from LazyDay Publishing, the same publisher who released Anna’s Fab Five series. Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as an ebook, it’s one you won’t want to miss. Not your ordinary spanking story…I wanted to do something just a little different…I did it my way…and I hope you’ll give it a chance. Branching out is never easy but I was determined to see this through because of all the support I was given from author friends, readers, friends, family, and my publisher. Will there be another Isabella Kole book in the near future? That remains to be seen as Anna is very busy at the moment, but if you like it, please let me know by leaving a review. If I know you like it, Isabella might be persuaded to do an encore.

Now here’s the blurb for Accepting His Terms:

Jill Lincoln has the hots for her stern, hunk of a boss, Jarrod Baine. With his piercing steel-gray-blue eyes, hair as black as coal, and a body to be enjoyed, she wonders what it would be like to be his woman. But she’s only one of many who would give her eye teeth to be in his bed.

The day Jarrod rescues her from a would-be assault by a young mail clerk; she finds that he is as attracted to her as she is to him. As the two begin a relationship, it becomes very apparent to Jarrod that Jill is a nervous, high-strung lady and he searches for the best way to ease her tensions. Together they begin to form a strong bond as they experiment with discipline.

As the couple realizes their feelings run much deeper than an office affair, Jarrod asks her to be his wife. As they enter into a hot, passionate marriage, complete with the discipline, by mutual consent, a deeper emotional bond is formed that continues to grow much stronger over time.

But when Jill suffers a heartbreaking miscarriage and Jarrod is not by her side, she retreats into a deep, dark depression, turning away from the one man who can save her.

Will their bond be severed forever?

Did that whet your appetite at all? Just in case, let’s throw in a small excerpt:

On Saturday morning, Jarrod kept his word and phoned Jill to tell her he would pick her up at noon.

She flew around her apartment, straightening, fluffing pillows, and making sure everything was in place. Then she treated herself to a long soak in a cherry-blossom scented bubble bath before getting dressed for their date. She chose a green floral sundress and a pair of sandals. It was spring in Tennessee and the weather had turned warm. After her makeup and hair were near perfect, she sat on the couch waiting for him to arrive.

At eleven-forty-five, her doorbell rang, she sprang from the couch and let him in.

“I’m early, I know, these are for you,” he said as he entered the room and handed her a bouquet of flowers.

“Flowers?” she asked, “Thank you.”

“Have you eaten?”

“No, I had a late breakfast,” she replied.

“Good, there’s a nice little Italian restaurant in the winery. I thought we could have lunch there before we do our wine tasting.”

“Oh, that sounds fantastic. I love Italian food.”

He grinned. “Are you ready to go?”

As he drove to the winery, she said, “I thought it would seem odd to be out with you, but it doesn’t. The other night at dinner was the only time we’ve been together outside the office.”

“It feels perfectly natural to me, Jill,” he replied as he cast a sideways glance in her direction.

She smiled and asked him about the music playing in his CD player.

When they reached the winery, he walked around and opened her car door, helped her out, and took her hand as they walked inside.

They sat at a corner table and as Jill looked around, she said, “This is nice. I like the atmosphere.”

“Romantic?” he teased.

She blushed and took a sip of her water.

“So after we finish touring the winery, what would you like to do?” he asked.

“You mean there’s more?” she asked with a smile.

“If you’d like; we can extend this afternoon date into an evening date. Do you dance?”

“I love it,” she replied.

As his hand reached across the table to caress hers gently, she shivered. As her gaze met his, she saw amusement in his eyes.

“Are you cold, sweetheart?” he asked with a sexy grin.

“Uh… no…” she stammered.

Their lunch arrived and the moment passed. As they made pleasant small talk and enjoyed their food, Jill found herself becoming aroused. The sound of his voice, the look in his eyes, and the touch of his hand made her nipples harden and heat to flow through her veins. She caught him watching her and she was sure he’d looked down at her breasts. She shivered again.

“Are you sure you’re not cold?” he asked again, the amused look back in his eyes.

“I’m really quite… warm,” she answered with her sweetest smile.

“I can see that,” he said in a low voice as he leaned across the table. “I think we should get started on our tour before you get any… warmer.”

She stood up and took the hand he offered. As they made their way to the winery, he leaned over and whispered in her ear, “You’re cute when you’re… bothered.”

“Bothered? What makes you think I’m bothered?” she asked.

“Your body betrays you, my dear,” he teased as he leaned over to kiss her.

They began their tour, tasting many of the different wines offered and finally Jill chose her favorite, a sweet red.

“We’ll save it for a special occasion,” he said as they walked to his car.

“Where are we going dancing?” she asked.

“Well, this is Tennessee. Where else but a good old country dance hall?” he asked.

“You… like country?” she asked in surprise.

“I’m an old-fashioned southern country boy at heart.”

“I never would have guessed that,” she said as he pulled out of the parking lot.

They arrived at one of the well-known bars in town and as they sat waiting for the band to begin playing, he asked if she was hungry.

“A little, how about you?” she replied.

“They have great wings here, how about it?”

“Sure, that sounds good.”

They talked some more about movies they’d like to see, books they’d read, and when their wings arrived, they ate, laughed, and talked some more. It was becoming more and more natural for her to be in his company. He really was quite different away from the office. There was still a commanding presence, but there was also a softer, more romantic side to Jarrod Baine.

“Oh, look, the band is ready to play,” she said as she looked up at the stage.

“And they’re starting with a slow song. Let’s go,” he said as he stood and took her hand.

As she was whisked into the arms of the man she’d spent months dreaming about, Jill melted. The moment he pulled her close to his chest, she knew there was nothing she wouldn’t do for this man. She was his. Whether he knew it yet or not, she would surrender to him, and she would love him for as long as he wanted her in his life.

She looked up at him and caught sight of the corners of his mouth turned slightly upward. His eyes danced as they gazed at her. She put her head on his shoulder and as he pulled her closer, he whispered, “I could stay like this all night.”

She nestled closer, letting her right hand tease the hair at the nape of his neck. Her body was on fire, as a warm wetness flowed from within. Her nipples were aching, begging for attention. Her left hand moved down his back.

“If you don’t stop that, I’m going to take you to the parking lot and have my way with you in the car,” he warned as he nibbled at her ear.

“In that case, I won’t stop,” she teased.

“Oh, you’ve got such sass… you know I owe you a spanking for putting yourself at risk, for staying late that night, and now with all the sass and teasing you’ve been throwing around, I think you’ve had your three strikes. You’re out, baby.” He spoke in a low, husky voice.

“Three strikes? I’m out?” she asked as she raised her face his.

Hmmm…what’s gonna happen next? You can find out by downloading Accepting His Terms at either Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

http://www.amazon.com/Accepting-His-Terms-ebook/dp/B00FPWB1QK

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1117061855?ean=2940148463177

You can find Isabella on Facebook. Please swing by and give her a “Like”…she’ll appreciate it.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Isabella-Kole-Author/580591041984962

Thanks for stopping by. I’ll have my good friend, Ginger Ring, here on the twelfth talking about her first release which comes out on October 10th!!!! So excited for her!!!! And on the 22nd, I’ll be telling ghost stories…as part of Sable Hunter’s Halloween Blog Hop so you’re not going to want to miss that…contests and prizes too!!!

Chatting It Up With Alicia Sparks!

Published on October 7, 2013 by Anna Kristell Romance4 Comments

Welcome back to Anna’s World! Today I am honored to be talking with the talented Alicia Sparks. I’ve asked her my usual questions and she’s provided me with some very interesting answers. Let’s see what she has to say!

What inspired you to choose your genre (genres)?

I’ve always had a love for all things supernatural and paranormal. When I was younger, I wanted to be a parapsychologist and I’ve worked with several groups on “ghost hunts.” I guess you could say I’ve always been attracted to the unknown. My first love was Lestat but now I’m more of a werewolf/shifter kind of girl.

We all have issues with balancing our time between writing, editing, promoting, along with other obligations and personal time. What works best for you? There’s nothing that works! I teach full time and our state has instituted a new curriculum this year, so I constantly find myself having to go to meetings and stay late for work. I have four boys and a wonderful husband at home who help keep me balanced and a little crazy. Most of my writing takes place marathon style. I’ll write for several hours in one evening then won’t write again for two weeks. I try not to pressure myself to get the work count!

I know that feeling. It’s hard when you work another job and have other obligations. Tell us about your characters. What type of hero do you normally choose? What type of heroine?

I love Alpha males who are strong, big and know what they want. But I also want them to have a soft side and not be afraid to say those three magic words. I like a little bit of mystery as well. I want my heroines to be strong. I don’t like those who are too weak to handle themselves. They don’t need to be rescued but they sure don’t mind an extra hand in the battle!

Who are some of your favorite authors? Did they inspire you to write?

I grew up reading anything with a romance cover on it. I love the old bodice ripper romances. I want something sexy, fun, dark, mysterious with a kickass heroine and a hunky hero. My first big inspiration was Anne Rice. I read her Beauty books and her Vampire Chronicles as a teenager. Talk about changing your perspective on things! I’ve always thought of Rhett Butler as the ultimate romantic hero because he loves Scarlett but he also calls her out on all her bs. I like that in a hero. I love the Black Dagger boys even though the stories got tedious in places. One of my all time favorite books is a little novella by Cara McKenna called Willing Victim. It contains all the elements I love in a story…well almost all. There’s nothing paranormal but the hero is definitely out of the ordinary!

OMG! We could be twins! I too, read those kind of books for as long as I can remember. Rhett Butler is my ultimate hero…Now tell me what has been the most difficult aspect of your writing career?

The most difficult aspect is probably what everyone else says. I have a constant Catch 22. When I have the time to write, I don’t feel “inspired” and when I can’t do anything other than think about the story, I don’t have the time. Every moment of my day is spent thinking about a story, researching a story, talking to people and collecting their stories or listening to music to set the tone for a story. If I had as much time to write as I do to think and plan, I’d have a million books out!

This summer has been that way for me…so many ideas and not enough time to write. Moving along…give us a little dirt about yourself. What’s your favorite guilty indulgence?

I love trash tv. I used to watch Dance Moms and Project Runway but decided to give

up cable this year. So right now my indulgence is Netflix. I’m rewatching all of Lost

from the beginning, and let me tell you, it is just as fun the second time around. I’m

also hooked on the very bad remake of Beauty and the Beast on the CW. It’s awful

but I can’t look away. I like to watch bad tv and think about what I would do to

change those shows. How would I add depth to the characters? Where would I add a

plot twist? I’m absolutely no fun to go to the movies with! Oh, and I am slightly

addicted to chocolate and diet coke!

Now for the important stuff! Tell us about your newest book.

My newest book is actually a series that will be coming out soon from Beau Coup. It is set in Louisiana and deals with Louisiana’s strange obsession with all things tigers. You may have heard of our little football team down at LSU. Anyway, years ago, I drove through town (I live in a tourist town in Central Louisiana) and I saw a sign advertising white tigers, like a sideshow attraction. I always thought that was strange. The sign only stayed for about two days and I never went to see the tigers, so as far as I know, they weren’t even real. But it had me wondering what would happen if a tiger was trapped in a roadside attraction but the tiger was actually a shape shifter. As time progressed, I saw that the Ian Somerhalder Foundation was working to help free some tigers that were being held at a truck stop near Baton Rouge. All this culminated into the story of the Maddux family, a group of shape shifting tigers in South Louisiana. Kenyon, the hero of the first story, is trying to break his brother out of the roadside attraction before his identity is discovered. In order to do so, he needs help from Sage, a wolf who is destined to be his mate. However, Sage is tired of cleaning up Kenyon’s messes and is determined for this to be the last time she bails him out. When they attempt to rescue his brother, Nik, Nik escapes into the swamp. His story is the second part of the novel. We learn why he was in the roadside attraction in the first place and what kind of woman it will take to tame the beast inside.

Bio: Alicia Sparks is a Southern girl with a flair for all things a little naughty. From writing about sensual ice cream to sexy tigers, her stories all contain a high level of heat, which she blames on her Southern surroundings and her smoking hot husband. She has been writing for ten years and shows no signs of stopping any time soon!

Book Blurb 1: Wild Shifters Anthology: When Hailey Conrad and her best friends head to New Orleans for her fortieth birthday, she has no plans for a hook up, but the mysterious stranger in the French Market seems to know exactly what she needs to mark the big 4-0. He gives her a wishing lamp with one warning: don’t make a wish. Of course, when she rubs the lamp, her most carnal fantasies come to life in a way she never imagined, leaving her knowing exactly what to wish for. http://jupitergardenspress.com/shop/wild-shifters-copy/

Blurb 2: Dragon’s Law: Damon Dragon’s Law – Damon By Alicia Sparks Second in the Dragon’s Law series. Damon has lived with guilt and regret for six long years and has finally decided to put an end to it. He knows his betrothed, Kira, is alive, and now it’s time to find her. When he travels through space and time and lands on the foreign planet, Earth, he finds more than he ever dreamed. Kira awoke six years ago with no memory of her past and no idea about the strange bite mark on her shoulder. The only thing she knows for sure is that the moon controls her, forcing her to have feverish dreams of a time and a man she doesn’t remember. Their destinies collide in New Orleans as Kira goes to a sci-fi convention to unveil her latest video game created to help rid her of her demons. Standing before the audience, she never expects the man of her dreams to literally step forward and cause her entire world to come spiraling down around her.

http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Law-Damon-Alicia-Sparks/dp/1419952765/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379283887&sr=8-1&keywords=Alicia+Sparks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alicia-Sparks

Thanks so much for stopping by today, Alicia! It’s been fun chatting with you and good luck with your series. It sounds great!

Now, don’t forget to stop back by in a few days when my spicier side, Isabella Kole, is debuting her first erotic romance. I’ll introduce you to IzzyB and tell you how she came about. And I’ll give you a sneak peek into Accepting His Terms!!!!

Love,

Anna

IF YOU LOVE ME…My first novella

Published on October 2, 2013 by Anna Kristell RomanceLeave a comment

My first novella came out today. I normally write novels, but someone suggested I try a novella, or two, or three for the readers who like a shorter read. Actually, I did write three of them. If You Love Me was released today by Rebel Ink Press. It will be followed by a sequel, A Woman Like Her, on December 17. And for the holiday season, A Holiday Hideaway, will be released by Rebel Ink Press on December 3!!! These were all fun for me because they each take place in Indiana, my home state.

I’ll give you the blurb and then I’ll treat you to an excerpt! I’ll also give you some of the buy links at the end of this post!! Enjoy!! It’s already received two 5 ***** star reviews!!! It’s a quick read!

BLURB:

Ashley Brant often wondered what might have been. If the one who got away hadn’t gotten away. Now, she may have a chance to find out. After a horrendous argument with her handsome husband, Adam, he tells her to do just that, find the one who got away.

Realizing finally, she has all she’s ever wanted with Adam, Ashley plans to tell him and make things right with him. But Adam’s left her, giving her the space he thinks she needs. And to make matters worse, Ross, her ex, is back in town and making it known he’d like a second chance with her.

When Adam files for a divorce after seeing Ashley and Ross together, things begin to unravel for Ashley. Ross always seems to show up at the wrong time, fueling Adam’s belief he’s lost his wife.

Can Ashley convince her husband he’s the only man she wants in her life or will Ross succeed in tearing the lovers apart forever?

And here is the EXCERPT:

Ashley Brant’s green eyes flashed with anger as she glared at her husband, Adam, from across the room. “What is your problem?”

Adam ran his hand through his thick, reddish-brown hair and sighed. Finally he moved closer until he stood in front of her. He replied angrily, “My problem, Ash? I think you’re the one with the problem. You find fault with everything I do lately. There’s no pleasing you.”

“If you tried a little harder, maybe I wouldn’t have so much to find fault with,” she answered sarcastically.

“Maybe my little brother was right after all. He always said we rushed this marriage. He couldn’t believe we got engaged three months after we met. I always scoffed at him, but now I don’t know.”

“Are you saying you regret marrying me?”

“No, Ash. I don’t know. Things were great between us until these past few months. I don’t understand what’s happening to us. We can’t seem to agree on anything these days. We fight about everything, from who’s going to take out the trash to whether or not we’re going to start a family. Is that the problem? You aren’t ready for kids and you don’t want to tell me?”

“That’s not it and you know it, Adam. I want a baby as much as you do. But I refuse to bring a child into this world with things the way they are between us. Something’s got to change.”

“And it’s got to be me, is that what you’re saying?”

“Think about it. Lately, you’re, well, just different. You’re not the fun-loving, hot-blooded man I fell in love with. You’re distant. You never want to go out and when we stay in, you ignore me. You’re either glued to the television or the computer. That’s not what I signed up for. I miss our good times together.”

“Is that what you think? Well, lady, I’ve got news for you. You’re way off base. You’re the one who’s changed. That sweet, crazy, happy-go-lucky gal I fell in love with has left the building.”

“Adam, we’re not two kids dating. We’re married. We’re grown-ups with real, everyday problems. We have responsibilities. Life isn’t always fun and games in the real world. We have jobs, housework, bills to pay. Do you see where I’m going with this? Add a baby or two to the mix and our lives will be even busier. Until we can learn to balance the rest of it and still manage to love each other like crazy, we can’t move forward and have a baby.”

“Are you saying you don’t want to move forward with me now? Are you saying you want out?”

Ashley sighed deeply as the tears threatened to flow. “I’m not saying that at all. What I’m saying is we need to grow up. We should be able to handle the responsibility and still have fun. We don’t seem to be able to do that.”

“So what you’re really saying is marriage to Adam Brant isn’t what you thought it would be. I don’t measure up to your idea of the perfect husband. News flash, baby, no husband is perfect just like no wife is perfect. You’re going to have to learn to accept my faults or move on.”

“You just don’t get it, do you?” She turned to go.

“Everyone tried to tell me I was just your rebound guy. I guess I should’ve listened. I let my heart rule my head when it came to you. I was so crazy in love with you I didn’t care. I wanted you, and I was determined to have you at all costs. I thought we could make it work.”

Ashley turned to face him. “I can’t believe you just said that to me. I wouldn’t have married you if I didn’t love you, Adam. I still love you. I just think we need to work out our differences and stop talking about having a baby until we do. I don’t find fault with everything you do. You just infuriate me at times, when you don’t help out around here, or when you think just because we’re married we have to stay home every weekend.”

“Is that what this is really about, Ash? Because I can assure you, your darling Ross wouldn’t have been perfect either. Hell, he wouldn’t even stick around when you started talking marriage.”

Smack! Ashley slapped him hard across the face. “You’re a son-of-a-bitch, Adam. To bring up what happened between Ross and me when you know how hurt I was about it. I told you about our break-up because I wanted you to know what happened, not because I wanted you to throw it in my face every time we argue. I was being honest with you. When I met you, I was still afraid to let myself fall in love again. By telling you why I was afraid, I thought you’d understand my hesitancy to start a relationship with you. Once you convinced me you weren’t going anywhere, I fell and I fell hard, Adam. For you, not Ross. Apparently you don’t believe that.”

Adam rubbed his cheek. “Go find the one that got away, Ash. That’s what you really want. That’s what this is all about. You’re still in love with Ross Canter. You can’t stand the fact he walked out on you. If it wasn’t true, you wouldn’t be so angry with me for bringing his name up. I really thought I could make you forget the guy. But I guess I was wrong and everyone else was right. So, no, I don’t believe you when you say it’s me you want. Because everything about you tells me you’re still not over him. You may love me in some way but not the way I want you to. You’ve never fully given yourself to me. I know he’s still in the back of your mind and in your heart. So go find him. See what you’re missing out on. See if he’s changed his mind. Maybe the two of you will be ecstatically happy together.”

Hmmm….will Ashley go after “the one that got away” and what will happen if she does????? Find out in If You Love Me…available now.

AMAZON: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ifyouloveme-1310172-149.html

Allromance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ifyouloveme-1310172-149.html

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/if-you-love-me

It will also be available at Barnes and Noble soon!

Stop back by on the 7th when I’ll be interviewing Alicia Sparks and on the 9th when the spicier side of Anna, Isabella Kole, makes her debut with Accepting His Terms…it’s going to be a fun month in Anna’s World!

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