New Romance Series With Heart and Heat

It’s always exciting to release a new book, but even more so when it’s the first in a brand-new series. I’ve had the idea for the Love Grows series in the back of my mind for a few years now, and on January 8, 2019, I can finally share my vision with you.

The Love Grows Series

The theme of this series ties in with my author tagline, which is, “Love Grows in Unexpected Places.” I love hearing how couples met, don’t you? Especially when there is some element of fate. Call me crazy, but I still believe in love that was meant to be.

If you like stories with strong, protective heroes, feisty, independent heroines, plenty of emotion and a good dose of heat, then you’ll enjoy this series. I’m exploring some of the usual tropes, but with a twist. I love writing about mismatching people who fight the odds to be together, whatever those odds may be. You can count on some twists and turns before they finally get to their happy-ever-after!

Not So Broken

Book 1 is entitled Not So Broken. Two unlikely lovers, Gibson and Sacha, are facing the biggest decision of their lives.

Here’s the cover blurb:

A billionaire in hiding. An independent woman. When they collide, love grows in a most unexpected way!

Gibson

After losing my wife and child in a devastating accident, I turned my back on everything—including my business empire. I was unworthy of anyone’s trust, convinced I would never find love again, let alone have a family. Then I met her—Sacha. One perfect night of passion forged a connection between us we never expected.

How can I convince her we are meant to be together?

Sacha

A bitter divorce left me reeling, but I forged a new life on my own. Now on the verge of a promotion, everything I want is in reach—except a family. I’ve all but given up on ever having a child.

Then one wild night changed everything. I was swept away by Gibson—now he and I are forever connected. But we barely know each other, and it seems we both have secrets.

How can I convince him we are better off apart?

The Love Grows Series- Strong, protective heroes. Feisty, independent heroines. When they meet, Love Grows in unexpected ways.

Not So Broken is now available for preorder at just .99. After release week the price will go up, so grab it now if you want the discount.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L3VLFF1

 

Book 2, Not So Wrong, is still a work in progress, but already the main characters are tugging on my heart. They have nothing in common, expect the one thing most important to each of them—music. Well, that and an undeniably hot chemistry! Will that be enough to keep them together?

Party Time!

For the release of Not So Broken, I’ll be doing some Facebook takeovers, with snippets, games and prizes. Won’t you join me?

My Blissful Books Blog Group Page, December 19 at 7pm est.*

Itsy Bitsy Book Bits Group Page, December 26, at 3 pm est.*

I’ll also be doing some release week specials on my Facebook Author page and in my reader group, Renee Regent’s Readers, so join us January 8-13.  Note:  * Times are subject to change, check my Facebook Author page (link below) for times and dates.

And Now…

I’ll leave you with a teaser sample of Not So Broken. I’m telling you, this couple broke my heart and put it back together again. I can’t wait for you to meet them!

In this scene, Sacha is trying to keep their relationship strictly platonic, and it’s not going as she planned…

 

His lips twitched, barely noticeable under the moustache and beard. His eyes had a feral look, and his husky tone reflected the hunger I saw there.

“Maybe we could be more. Maybe we can’t. But can you deny this attraction between us? It’s not going away.”

I couldn’t deny it, when every inch of me was at war with my brain. The smart thing to do was to leave, and only see this man when I absolutely had to. But what my traitorous body wanted right now was to wrap itself around him and never go home.

It would pass, but I had to get out of here before he touched me again.

Too late.

My back was against the wall. My purse slid from my shoulder to land on the floor near my feet. Gib was inches away, so close I could feel the heat radiating from his skin. One of his hands had settled on my hip, the other was brushing my jaw. His deep blue eyes, the color of a stormy sea, bore into mine. I had to look away. He was waiting for an answer. When I found my voice, it was thick, foreign-sounding.

“I don’t want you. It was just a one-time thing.”

“I don’t believe you, Sacha. You’re trembling with desire for me. Aren’t you?”

His hand was caressing my collarbone and moving lower. Why was I still standing here?

I laughed, but it wasn’t the confident, sarcastic sound I had been going for. It was more of a shaky, nervous warble. I had to push him away, to stop this madness. But his hands were leaving a trail of heat across my skin, and his now-obvious arousal was pressing against my thigh. My mental defenses were weakening as hormones raged out of control, stoked by the primal male now holding me in place. I moved my hands to his chest again, intending to push him away, but instead I gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him closer.

I love to connect with readers and other authors, so here’s my links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15611048.Renee_Regent

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/renee-regent

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReneeRegent

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneeregent/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/reneeregent/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Renee-Regent-Author-1625365841109181/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/801861879972801/

Website: http://www.reneeregent.com/newsletter-sign-up

 

 

 

Interview With Author Lexi C. Foss- Two New Series Debut

 

I am very excited to feature a debut author here on my blog. Her name is Lexi C. Foss, and I’m predicting she will be a well-known author in no time! She debuts in May 2017 with not one, but TWO new series, and already has the interwebs abuzz. Her paranormal romance, Blood Laws, and her Contemporary Romance, The Prince’s Game, will both be released in May 2017. Lexi took time out of her ultra-busy release schedule to tell us a bit more about her herself and her exciting new releases.

Welcome, Lexi! It’s unusual for an author to debut two separate series at the same time, so tell us how that came about.

I’m still debating if this was a good decision, or one made in a moment of insanity. I wrote both books around the same time because I needed to balance the dark with the light. Blood Laws is a bit edgier with darker elements, while The Prince’s Game has a humorous undertone and light subject matter. I’m curious to see how they do in comparison to each other with readers. I’ve always loved statistics, so I’m sure I’ll have some fun playing with the results of this case study.

When did you make the decision to write your books and how did you decide on indie publishing?

I’ve always been a daydreamer. On a boring day back in 2009, I decided to write down some dialogue that was floating around in my head. Then I added some description, and suddenly I was staring a 300,000 word monstrosity that I realized was a full blown series. I toyed with various voices, wrote a few other story ideas out, and then I went back to school for my Master of Public Health. My hobby was put on hold until last summer (2016) when a friend of mine encouraged me to get back into writing and take it seriously. She told me about indie publishing, introduced me to an awesome group of writers, and the rest was history.

In Blood Laws, you created a world with paranormal creatures, who appear on the surface to be everyday people. What challenges did you face to make your characters stand out?

I don’t know that I really faced any challenges in making them stand out, but I have faced challenges toning down some of their voices. They are all very loud in my head, demanding I write one thing or another, and sometimes I have to put them in timeout for unruly conduct. Balthazar is the biggest offender. He wasn’t supposed to be in Blood Laws at all, but he kept badgering me until I gave in (he would tell me – “I told you so” – because his scenes did make sense in the end). They all have their own quirks, and I love writing about them. Their voices and unique mannerisms are what makes brings them to life on paper.

The Prince’s Game is a bit different from the intensity of Blood Laws. Was it a challenge to write two series at the same time?

Not at all. The Prince’s Game offered me the mental break I needed after writing Blood Laws. It was a lighter, funnier story that is very different from darkness of Blood Laws. Writing both books so close together kept my creativity fresh, and gave me a break before starting on what will be a very dark novel – Forbidden Bonds.

Will you be attending any conferences this year, so readers can meet you?

I will be all over the place this year:

  • Romantic Times Convention in Atlanta, Georgia: May 2, 2017 – May 7, 2017
  • Romance Writers of America Conference in Orlando, Florida: July 26, 2017 – July 29, 2017
  • Book Obsessed Babes Author Signing Event in Destin, Florida: September 9, 2017
  • Indie Romance Convention: October 4, 2017 – October 7, 2017
  • For the Love of Books & Alcohol in Chicago, IL: October 14, 2017

What’s next? Tell us about your upcoming works in progress or new releases.

Blood Laws will be released on May 2nd and The Prince’s Game will be released on May 9th. So those are my upcoming new releases.  As for works in progress: I’m currently writing Forbidden Bonds, which is book 2 of the Immortal Curse series, and outlining The Charmer’s Gambit, which is book 2 of the Mershano Empire series.

Just for fun, let us know something personal about you…

I was born into a family of Eclipse Chasers. You might be wondering what the means… Well, it means I travel all over the world to see total solar eclipses of the sun. I have see 5 so far in my lifetime (Mexico 1991, Caribbean 1998, Zambia 2001, Turkey 2006, South Pacific 2012), and I will be adding a 6th one to my list in August 2017 (Nashville, TN).

Thanks Lexi! I’m so looking forward to reading all of your books. Here are the important links for everything Lexi C. Foss:

Website

Amazon Author Page

Facebook

Blood Laws Buy Links

The Prince’s Game Buy Links

 

 

 

Switching Gears Without Derailing- New Series Coming Up!

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Ever have to switch gears so rapidly your head was spinning?  That’s where I am now, and it’s nerve wracking, but also a lot of fun.  I’m finding that growing as an author means adding layers, by branching out and trying new things. It’s also learning how to discern which opportunities are the right ones to take advantage of.

Times are tough for indie authors right now, but they are also fantastic. As I mentioned in an earlier post, discoverability is the Holy Grail. There are so many books available, and tons more being added in a constant stream, that the admirable accomplishment of publishing a professional, well-written story is just the first step in a long journey.

It’s Raining Promo

It’s amazing how creative this industry is when it comes to promotion. Ads, Facebook Groups, Blog Tours, conferences, and other co-op type promotions are springing up faster than you can fill out a form to join them. Giveaways are raining all over social media, like confetti and beads at Mardi Gras.

Now that I have three books out (the Higher Elevation Series), I’m signing up for various events and promotions. I’m not sure what will work best, and what works for someone else’s book may not work for yours or mine. The best thing of course, is a recommendation from another author who has tried whatever marketing tactic you are considering, but that doesn’t guarantee results. So you make the most informed decision you can, keeping in mind your audience and your budget, and cross your fingers.

Unfortunately, this is how marketing and promotion work, most of the time.  It’s an educated crap shoot. But I started to wonder if it would help to have more than one product (series) to promote. Here’s how that played out:

A few months ago, after I launched my three-book series, I came up with a new Contemporary Romance series idea. I sketched out several good story lines, but nothing jumped out at me, begging to be written. But I also had the plot for Unraveled, Book Four of the Higher Elevation Series, in my head so I wrote an outline for it, and a few weeks later I am 10K in and it’s going well.

BUT!

As much as I was loving Sophie and Kane’s story (Book 4), I put it down to work on something else. What prompted the sudden switch was I had a new logo and a new author tagline, “Love Grows in Unexpected Places”. To me, the logo of a tree inside a heart represented enduring love that is meant to be. I love writing about mismatched people who beat the odds to be together, and my books represent that.

logo2back

So all those Contemporary storylines I jotted down now had a unifying theme, and they began yelling at me to be written. I’m thinking of calling it the “Love Grows” series. The first one, Cougar-ish, is about a couple, a younger man-older woman, who face many obstacles to be together. Once this series is underway, I can go back and finish Sophie’s story in the Higher Elevation Series. (Is it crazy I feel like I have to apologize to my characters for putting them aside?)

I think it’s an excellent idea to have more than one series to promote. I just wish I had four more hands and two more brains, so I could get them all done NOW!

What about you? Have you put down a beloved project in favor of something else? Was it the right thing to do?

 

Upcoming Series Release- Three Retro Romances With a Supernatural Twist

Couple holding hands rear view against sunrise over mountains

Are you tired of the same old tropes and settings in Romance novels lately?  Do you like a steamy romance that also leaves you wondering about the mystical side of love and life?

If so, you might be interested in my upcoming three-book series, Higher Elevation. The first book, Unexplained, is due to be released this fall (date to be determined). The other two books will be released within the months following, so readers won’t have to wait long to read the whole series if they enjoy the first book.

The Waiting

My strategy with this series was to have all three books complete before releasing the first one, not only to ensure continuity with the characters and their stories, but to make sure they would all be available in a short time frame. Personally, if I enjoy a book, I hate waiting too long for the next installment. It meant reigning in my excitement to finally be a published author, but I am so glad I waited. By taking my time, I was able to “flesh out” the stories, and add layers and references that make the series a cohesive whole.  That said, each book can be read as a standalone (no cliffhangers), but reading them in order will create a richer experience for the reader.

The Genre

So what does this series have to offer?  The official genre is Paranormal Romance, but there are elements of suspense and mystery.  I often use the term “Supernatural” to describe the stories, as my characters are ghosts and psychics, rather than the usual Paranormal creatures (ala shifters, vampires, etc).  Other themes explored are astral travel, remote viewing, soul mates, near death experience, and the afterlife.  I love exploring the unexplained, but don’t worry, it never gets too deep or heavy!  Just enough to make you wonder…

The Time Period

What is also different about the Higher Elevation Series is that it is set in the twentieth century─in the ‘seventies and ‘eighties. If you lived through that period, you may enjoy the nostalgia factor.  There are lots of pop culture references because they affected the lives of my characters.  If you weren’t around then, it might be a way to experience what life was like with less technology, without having to invent a time machine.  (I can’t believe no one has done that yet, by the way….)

The Description

So, here’s my official series blurb:

 

The Higher Elevation Series- True Love Transcends All Boundaries

Three Retro Romances, set in the 1970’s to 1980’s, about the power of love, with a supernatural twist

Fort Winston, Colorado is a small town nestled against the front range of the Rocky Mountains. Maybe it’s the wind that howls down the plains, or the jagged peaks that cast eerie shadows over the land. Whatever the cause, there’s always something going on there that not’s quite right…or easily explained.

Can love alone prevail against strange psychic powers, tortured ghosts and the secrets of the past?

 

Here’s the titles and a short description of the books:

 

Book One, Unexplained

When it comes to love, some things just can’t be explained…

Can a skeptical journalism student and an astral-traveling psychology major investigate their weird psychic connection (and their scorching attraction for each other) before his talents put them both in danger?

 

Book Two, Untouched

Love isn’t always what it seems, when you’re living in the past…

A hippie photographer with a painful past is haunted by a ghost only he can see. When the ghostly girl shows up in his photos, his beautiful but off-limits (because she’s a virgin) friend agrees to help him solve the mystery. Overcoming his past and getting rid of a ghost won’t be half as difficult as resisting his gorgeous read-headed friend, Amanda.

 

Book Three, Undeniable

Time and distance can’t break an undeniable bond…

After eight years apart, can two people rekindle a love that disappeared? It’s going to be tough, for a psychic astral-traveling dude and a lonely single mom who have lost the sexual-psychic connection they once had─or have they?

 

Okay, so there are some common tropes─opposites attract, trying to resist someone you shouldn’t be with, and taking a second chance at love.  But being set in a time when we didn’t exactly have the world at our fingertips makes the quest for love and solving mysteries a bit more difficult.  Plus it was just plain fun to write!

 

Stay tuned for upcoming excerpts, teasers and a cover reveal date.  I am so excited to share my stories and will be posting more information soon.  You can follow this blog by signing up at reneeregent.com, or my old blog at reneeregent.com/worpress.com.

 

I’ll leave you with the first line of Book One, Unexplained:

“There’s nothing in the world that can’t be explained, eventually.”

 

 

Oh, really?