EC/CP at RT Convention

(Click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Back home from a fun, productive, exhausting, relaxing, all of the above and more, convention.

Tuesday night: Ellora's Cave get together.


Guess who is the pretty lady with the lovely hat?

Cerridwen Press writers Joanna Wauch and Mona Risk framing our dear publisher Raelene Gorlinsky.

Seriously working on anatomy research for the next book.

On Wednesday evening, signing French Peril
at Ebooks Fair.

Meeting my dear friend Sandra Cox.

And signing my first printed book To Love A Hero at the Book Fair:

Eden Robins from Ellora's Cave was sitting next to me.

Sandra Cox (signing The Crystal) sitting next to Christie Craig (Dorchester: Weddings Can Be Murder, a hilarious romantic suspense).

Kate Poole from Ellora's Cave

Teri Thackston signing her Cerridwen Press book.

Joanna Waugh signing Blind Fortune,

sitting next to KyAnn Waters

A fun time: Kate Poole, Sandra Cox, Mona Risk and my favorite Romance Model Jimi.

Our book covers rolled on a screen during the Ellora's Cave Jungle Party

And we came back home with our paw.

More pictures tomorrow.

Beth Trissel: DAUGHTER OF THE WIND

Beth Trissel lives on a farm in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley with her husband, children and multiple animals.

The beauty of the valley and uniqueness of rural life has led her to write a collection of atmospheric personal essays compiled into a work of nonfiction, in addition to several historical paranormal romances.

I had the pleasure of meeting, Beth Trissel, two years ago on the Pink Fuzzy Slippers blog and we finally “saw” each other last year at RWA in San Francisco. Beth’s historical Through the Fire was nominated for a Golden Heart Award in 2008. It will be released by the Wild Rose Press on May 22nd, 2008, both as ebook and paperback. Beth has two other novels coming out at The Wild Rose Press, on May 1, Daughter of the Wind, and on May 8th, Enemy of the King.

[I am posing with Beth just before the Golden Heart reception].

Is Daughter of the Wind a historical romance?

Daughter of The Wind is a light paranormal romance with strong American Historical roots. Set among the clannish Scots-Irish in the mist-shrouded Alleghenies. It’s the tale of the clash between peoples and young lovers caught in the middle. Ever influenced by my regard for Eastern Woodland Indians, I interwove mystical Native American elements with “Daughter”.

How do you characterize your heroine?

A change was coming as surely as the shifting seasons; Karin McNeal heard the urgent whispers in the wind.

Karin yearns to know who she truly is. The secrets of the past are guarded by her fiercely possessive grandfather and uncles. Only an elderly aunt will shed any light on the tantalizing mystery. No one will speak of her father or utter his name as if fearing to conjure a demon from the shadows. Then a newcomer arrives at the McNeal homestead on the eve of Karin’s twentieth birthday and anniversary of her mother’s death.

What about your hero?

Leaves swirled through the blackened doorway and a young man staggered inside, his face partly hidden under a wide-brimmed hat, chestnut hair pulled back. He wore the rugged dress of a frontiersman, a brown, green-fringed hunting shirt, leggings, and deerskin moccasins well up his calves. Wet through from the blowing rain, he fell forward. Blood streamed down his sleeve from a wound to his shoulder.
Grandpa reached out to steady him. “What on earth?”
The injured man collapsed in his arms. “I’m shot—” His musket slid from the woven strap over his other shoulder and thudded to the floor.

Former Shawnee captive, Jack McCray, has known a lot of winter in his life. A man of war, he’s battled more years than not. The long bloody Revolution is finally behind him, but he didn’t fight on the same side as his former kinsmen and resentments run deep. His quest in returning to the clannish settlement must be kept secret or his homecoming will be his funeral. He sees in Karin’s eyes that she’s in ignorance of her past, one he knows well. He also has a scheme for her future; he just hadn’t planned on his overpowering reaction to this unusual young woman.

Jack fluttered his eyes and looked beyond his weeping mother to Karin.
His gaze drew her almost against her will. She leaned toward him.
“Someone seeks for you, Shequenor’s dahnaithah,” he whispered.
The message rippled through her with a prickling shiver. And she knew—his was the inviting summons in the wind.

Short Synopsis:
Autumn, 1784: A tragic secret from Karin McNeal's past haunts the young Scots-Irish woman who longs to know more of her mother’s death and the mysterious father no one will name. The elusive voices she hears in the wind hint at the dramatic changes soon to unfold in her life among the Scot’s settled in the mist-shrouded Alleghenies. Jack McCray, a wounded stranger who staggers through the door on the eve of her twentieth birthday and anniversary of her mother’s death, holds the key to unlocking the past. Will she let this handsome frontiersman lead her to the truth and into his arms, or seek the shelter of her fiercely possessive grandfather? Is it only her imagination or does something, or someone, wait beyond the brooding ridges—for her?

Daughter of the Wind is available at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.com

http://www.bethtrissel.com/

Easter Eggs

Yesterday, I spent a few hours coloring eggs with my granddaughters. In spite of the mess that resulted, I couldn’t imagine a more relaxing time than watching two adorable little girls, 3 and 5 years, performing their tasks so seriously.

The way they prepare themselves for the job was even cuter. They went to change and wear old shirts that could be spotted without damage, and then they each chose one of my aprons to protect their own clothes. There were no complaints when I insisted on tying their hair in ponytails.

Each one received a box with a dozen of previously boiled eggs and a coloring kit. You should have seen them pulling their sleeves, ready to start.

I opened the kits for them and they put the tablets of various color in the plastic little bowls of matching color. I added boiling water in each bowl and they started stirring and shaking their bowls to dissolve the tablets and obtained the blue, green, orange, yellow and hot pink solution.

That was when the real fun began. To carefully, very carefully transfer one egg at a time into the bowl. They tried it with their hands, and then with a tablespoon. For the next half hour, they kept on working and dying their eggs and fingers with a rainbow of colors.

In the end, we had two dozens of colored eggs, a happy mess around the place and two satisfied little girls, not to mention a grandmother with an ear-to-ear smile and a very proud mommy.

http://www.monarisk.com/

Booksigning in a Teahouse

What a fun day. We had a blast.

Six authors held a booksigning in an elegant old-fashioned teahouse, called Serenity Garden, in West Palm Beach. About twenty members of FRW came to support, cheer and share the fun. Some brought their mothers, mother-in-law, sister or friends.

And I brought my dear husband, a brave man, who didn't mind being the only male among the exclusively feminine assembly. Actually Sam said, he had a great time talking to every author or guest.

And guess who I held in my arms as I entered the teahouse, and then kept on my lap during tea? You guessed wrong!!!

It was my teddybear, General Sergei, a congratulations gift from my Playground friends when I sold my first book. My bear is dressed like the hero of my book.

We had tea in lovely English china and savored miniatures sandwiches and cakes. In the pictures below, you will see how the place is decorated with charming old nicknacks.

The authors signing were:

Mary Ricksen, Time Travel Romance

http://www.maryricksen.com/

Actually Mary Ricksen was the one who suggested and organized the event in the teahouse. She was signing her first book, a paranormal: TRIPPING THROUGH TIME- The Wild Rose Press

Mona Risk, Contemporary Romance in Exotic Settings, TO LOVE A HERO, Cerridwen Press.

http://www.monarisk.com/

Patrice Wilton, Contemporary Romance, Desperately Seeking Susie-The Wild Rose Press
http://www.patricewilton.com/

Jianne Carlo, Suspenseful Spicy Romance, MANACLED IN MONACO and D for DESIRE.
http://www.jiannecarlo.com/

Traci Hall, Young Adult/Paranormal Romance, Her Wiccan, Wiccan Ways - Samhain
http://www.tracihall.com/

Dayana Knight, Paranormal/Erotic Romance, CURSE OF THE MARHIME-TWRP
http://www.dayanaknight.blogspot.com/

At my table, FRW members present: Rosemary Letson, Lisa Manuel and Rita Cohl.

Kathy Pickering, FRW president, standing next to me. My husband bought me her book,

Flirting with Finances, a funny and very useful book that will teach me how to take care of money. Now I don't have any excuses for not handling and balancing my own budget.

In the same room, at the next table:

Jianna Carlo, Dayana Knight with her mother-in-law and sister, Judy De Witt, our dear librarian, and Tina Stitzer, hidden behind Mary Ricksen.

Click on the pictures to better see them.

Joan Hammond is a reviewer and long-time member of FRW.

In another room, Tracy Hall, Kathy and Lyn Armstrong.

And in the picture below, the lovely Patrice Wilton.

Thanks to Mary Ricksen's great idea, we had a fabulous time and we sold and signed several books.

Prescription For Trust

Today I received some good news. PRESCRIPTION FOR TRUST will be released by The Wild Rose Press on December 4, 2009. The ebook will be soon followed by the paperback book.
PRESCRIPTION FOR TRUST is the first medical romance of the Doctor’s Order Series, stories of doctors who struggle to save patients but fail to protect their own hearts.

“Mona Risk’s PRESCRIPTION FOR TRUST is really a prescription for a steamy reunion romance with loads of mystery and a French doctor to die for. Ms. Risk is known for her talent of writing sexy foreign heroes and the angsty heroines they can’t live without. Luc and Olivia are perfect for each other and PRESCRIPTION FOR TRUST is just what the doctor ordered.”~Carla Capshaw, 2004 and 2007 Golden Heart winner, The Heart Beckons

“Another compelling novel by Mona Risk, PRESCRIPTION FOR TRUST is a page-turner packed with intrigue, romance and heart-twisting emotion!”~ Stacey Kayne, RT Reviewer’s Choice Nominee

“Olivia’s heart-wrenching experience as a mother who gives up love to protect her child and Luc’s relentless effort to save the woman he loves from endless guilt will captivate you from the first page to the satisfying conclusion. The wonderful characters and emotional situations make this book a keeper.”~Helen Scott-Taylor, The Magic Knot, Dorchester, 2008 Romantic Times winner

PRESCRIPTION FOR TRUST awards:
First Place in Central Ohio Ignite the Flame Contest
Second Place in Heart of Denver, The Molly Contest
Third Place in FTHRW Golden Gateway

So here is for the first time, a short synopsis and an excerpt of my new book.

Blurb:
“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” Walter Scott.

Successful physician and loving mother, Olivia Crane fiercely believes youthful mistakes should be kept secret and skeletons are better left in closets. Unfortunately, Dr. Luc George, the French psychiatrist, she loved ten years ago, detests secrets and has a professional tendency to dig into people’s minds.

Determined to rekindle their former relationship, Luc strolls back into her hospital and her life, tries to unravel her many secrets and threatens to shatter her carefully constructed world. Against her better judgment, Olivia succumbs to his charm and welcomes her second chance, but on her own terms. The past forgotten, no questions asked.

Can Luc help her conquer her inner fears or will he get burned by the past too? Will Olivia grab her second chance and finally find happiness with the love of her life?

Excerpt:

“Don’t cry, please.” Luc waited for her to calm down. Olivia had braved a lot of problems on her own but collapsed at the mere mention of a threat to her daughter.

“I’m sorry.” She sniffled. “I hate to talk about that time in my life.”

“I understand.” He would have to be patient and tread carefully around her past secrets. Now that her daughter was grown up, Olivia had probably realized it was time to move on with her life, and she’d recommended him for the visiting professor position. What more could he ask for?
He cradled her face between his hands and smiled. “Feeling better?”

She nodded and returned his smile. He studied her features, the wetness of her lashes, the mauve shadows probably due to lack of sleep, and the dimple on her left cheek he used to tickle with the tip of his finger.

His eyes dropped to her luscious lips. Nothing cool or serene here. He watched them quiver as she followed the direction of his gaze. “Olivia, I will help you forget the past.”

He bent over her mouth for a quick peck, a soft comforting kiss. His lips fluttered against hers in a gentle caress, then paused. He couldn’t draw back. Not now when he was at the gate of paradise. With the slightest pressure, he pulled her closer. Uncontrollable need built inside him.
She, too, seemed to be waiting. He nibbled at the corner of her mouth and tried to ignore the way blood pulsed in his groin. “Ma chérie.”

She closed her eyes and leaned into him.

He trailed kisses along her cheek to her forehead. “How I missed you.” His chest burned, and his lungs filled with her perfume and the scent of her skin.

“Oh Luc.” She raised her head and took a deep breath. The luminescent aqua of her eyes held him enthralled but he wouldn’t rush her and risk losing her when he’d just found her again. Whispering French endearments against her hair, he waited for a hint of an invitation.

Years of frustrating loneliness flipped through his mind as he mentally urged her to come to him, to relax in his arms. She clasped her fingers around his nape and he instantly claimed her mouth in a searing kiss, the kiss he’d given her a thousand times in his fantasies. Parting her lips, his tongue explored and played and tasted as he molded her lithe form against him.

How he wanted her. She moaned and clung to his neck, returning his kiss with the same passion that had set him on fire in the past. He was home now, with Olivia in his arms. There was hope for them.

His lips glided along her cheek, and he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I am so glad you invited me. I will protect you and Melissa. Everything will be fine. I will help you get rid of your fears. I promise.”

Things would work out, and in time they would inform Melissa of the truth about her father.
For a crazy moment, Olivia tried to believe him, to imagine she could spend the rest of her life in his arms and make up for the time wasted away from him for her daughter’s sake. He still wanted her, in spite of the beautiful women who had hung on his arm and probably graced his bed.

Ten years ago, her heart bleeding with concealed love, she’d let him believe she’d never cared enough about him to give up a promising career at UC and follow him to Paris.

If it wasn’t for Melissa, she’d have followed him to the end of the earth.

Now Melissa was sixteen, soon to have her own life. Olivia touched her swollen lips, hesitating.

Kiss him. You’ll talk later.

But she wouldn’t lie now. No matter what it cost, she couldn’t let him build dreams based on a lie.

Other books by Mona Risk: From the Wild Rose Press:

Babies in the Bargain coming on July 3, 2009

Coming soon from the Wild Rose Press as part of the Doctor’s Order series: Prescription for HopePrescription for LovePrescription for Change

From Cerridwen Press:
To Love A Hero available in paperback
French Peril available as ebook

http://www.monarisk.com/

My First Trailer

My mother is feeling better and I am smiling again.

I even worked, more like played, at putting a video trailer about my romance To Love A Hero.

My trailer lasts exactly one minute and forty seconds.

As this is my very first attempt at creating a trailer, please let me know your impressions and suggestions.

Thank you.

Sorry

I was determined to post every day or every other day, but life has its way. My mother fell and broke two ribs. We spent Saturday night at the ER. She is in a lot of pain and I spend my days with her. No laptop, no Internet, no time to blog or email. Honestly even if I had the time, I am not in a mood to blog, except about assisted living, getting old, broken bones, hospital and other depressing things.

No wait. I can also blog about wonderful friends who come to visit and try to entertain her, about caring on-line friends who sent many emails with hugs and prayers. Thank you all.

I hope I will be back soon.