Blog Archives
Happy Book Birthday to Love’s Revenge and @TerriRochenski #Historical #Romance #MeansofMercy
I am super excited to be able to wish my good friend and fellow author, Terri Rochenski a very happy book birthday on the day of the release of her latest novel in the Means of Mercy series, LOVE’S REVENGE. If you read the first in the series, Love’s Sorrow, then you are just as jazzed for this new release as I am.
Here are all the juicy ( and important) details…
Love’s Revenge
Means of Mercy #2
by Terri Rochenski
Release Date: January 26, 2015 (TODAY!)
Genre: Historical Romance
Keywords: Romance, Series, Civil War, 19th Century, America, Western
Description: Embittered by betrayal, Anne MacKay flees London for America, where she learns she’s pregnant with her abusive husband’s longed-for heir. In a society that doesn’t protect, or afford a well-to-do wife’s desire for divorce, Anne decides there is one way to exact revenge: deny the father any knowledge of his child.
Sought after by her husband’s henchmen, Anne travels by rail and horseback, far from civilization where silk and stays are worn, let alone thought of. Lies and deceit protect her identity for a time, allowing her to birth—and grow to love—the child who was supposed to be her vengeance.
With the help of her loyal and protective business partner, Jude Connagher, and the ranch hands in their Montana Territory valley, Anne attempts to rebuild her life under the shadow of her husband’s wrath.
One unwise decision lands Anne in her pursuers’ clutches, tearing her from the ranch, her child, and her growing love for the one man who could redeem her from bitterness. She’s left with no choice but to finally face her husband, knowing her freedom and life hang in the balance.
BUY LINKS:
Print
Createspace
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Digital (eBook)
Amazon
Amazon (UK)
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Bookstrand
Smashwords
Apple (iBooks)
eARC #Giveaway Event for ACCIDENTAL VALENTINE: Get your #Romance on!
Cover Reveal: Love’s Revenge by Terri Rochenski (@TerriRochenski) #Romance #MoM2 #Historical #CoverLove
A big hello and welcome to you all. It’s always so good to see you here. Love visitors. *grin*
As most of you know, I am quite a cover fiend, and a cover artist, as well. Today, is a special day, as I get to share in the reveal of a cover I not only LOVE, but one I also designed — for Terri Rochenski’s latest novel in her fantastic Means of Mercy series, LOVE’s REVENGE.
If you read the first novel in the series, LOVE’s SORROW, then you’re anxiously awaiting the release of this one along with me. Here’s the cover and the story blurb for LOVE’S REVENGE.
Love’s Revenge
Means of Mercy #2
By: Terri Rochenski
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: January 26, 2015
Keywords: Historical Romance, Sweet, Series
Embittered by betrayal, Anne MacKay flees London for America, where she learns she’s pregnant with her abusive husband’s longed-for heir. In a society that doesn’t protect, or afford a well-to-do wife’s desire for divorce, Anne decides there is one way to exact revenge: deny the father any knowledge of his child.
Sought after by her husband’s henchmen, Anne travels by rail and horseback, far from civilization where silk and stays are worn, let alone thought of. Lies and deceit protect her identity for a time, allowing her to birth—and grow to love—the child who was supposed to be her vengeance.
With the help of her loyal and protective business partner, Jude Connagher, and the ranch hands in their Montana Territory valley, Anne attempts to rebuild her life under the shadow of her husband’s wrath.
One unwise decision lands Anne in her pursuers’ clutches, tearing her from the ranch, her child, and her growing love for the one man who could redeem her from bitterness. She’s left with no choice but to finally face her husband, knowing her freedom and life hang in the balance.
* * * * *
Add the second installment of the Means of Mercy series, LOVE’S REVENGE to your Goodreads TBR pile today!
About the Author:
Terri started writing stories in the eighth grade when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not potty training or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
Love’s Sorrow Blog Tour and Exclusive Excerpt! Oh, and a #giveaway. #HistoricalRomance #NewRelease #MeansofMercy @TerriRochenski
Welcome to my stop on the Love’s Sorrow blog tour. Always glad to have visitors. *grins* Today, not only do I have an exclusive excerpt for you from the first chapter of Love’s Sorrow, I also have a great giveaway to tell you about when I’m done, so make sure to stay tuned for that.
For the moment, let’s get you acquainted with the first story in Terri Rochenski’s historical romance “Means of Mercy” series.
Title: Love’s Sorrow (Means of Mercy #1)
Author: Terri Rochenski
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: April 21, 2014
Keywords: Sweet, Historical Romance
Blurb: Hired as a nanny for her cousin’s children, Anne Tearle finds security and a loving family. The children are a dream, but London society is a world of its own, one where a displaced farm girl has no business being. But, wealthy rake, Gavin MacKay, helps her to see associating with the upper class might not be as horrid as she first assumed.
Like all things worthwhile, love comes at a price, and the cost soon bestows more anguish than joy. Lost, but not undone, Anne must find the courage to begin life anew, or succumb to sorrow’s unrelenting waves of grief.
BUY LINKS
Print
Roane Publishing | Createspace | Amazon
eBook
Roane Publishing | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Kobo | Bookstrand | Smashwords
Apple (iTunes/iBooks)
Now, I believe I promise you all an excerpt. I think I’ve teased you long enough.
Excerpt #5 – Love’ Sorrow
Joanna poured the steaming liquid into fragile teacups. “So Anne—” she passed me one of the cups “—Uncle Edward told me a little about you, but I would be delighted to hear your story from your own lips, if you don’t mind indulging my curiosity.”
I hesitated before taking a sip of the hot tea. The delicate china felt foreign in my ungainly and hardened grip. “Where shall I begin?”
“Wherever you like.” Joanna sat back in her chair, her smooth, white hands holding the cup and saucer with dainty ease.
“Would you care to know about how I came to live with Uncle?”
She nodded and swallowed a sip of tea. “Yes, please.”
I was thankful the story I began with was not a memory of my own, but one shared with me when I was old enough to understand. Both my parents perished in the fire that destroyed their bakery near Wolverhampton. My mother dropped me from the first floor window to a man below moments before the burning floor fell from beneath her. It was her brother, Uncle Edward, who caught me.
I accounted for sixteen of the eighteen years I lived on Uncle Edward’s farm in the Black Country—of my small pallet in the loft above the pantry, the kitchen I spent most of my time in, and the various chores expected of me. For love of Uncle, I made sure to keep my degrading thoughts of Aunt Martha to myself.
I described my studies and the tuition I had with Mrs. Littleton for eight years. I finished my story with the arrival of Joanna’s letter which brought so much joy to my life.
Uncle Edward had handed the parchment to me saying his wife didn’t know of the correspondence and instructed me to keep the contents a secret as well. I couldn’t imagine the misery I would have experienced if Aunt Martha hadknown I was leaving for London two weeks later.
She always reminded me I was an unwanted, bloody useless orphan—she should have been happy to see me gone, but I could hoe more rows of potatoes and cabbage in a day than either Mary or her two lazy brothers could in a week. I expected poor Uncle Edward heard a fair share of profanity when his wife woke and found me absent from their home.
“It really is a shame that I am just now making your acquaintance.” Joanna poured herself another cup. “I’m not sure if you knew, but my late father and Aunt Martha had a falling out of sorts while they were still children, and stopped speaking to each other not long after.”
I swallowed a sip of tepid tea. “I hadn’t known.”
“Well, their story is lengthy and sad, but if you’d like to hear it?”
“Please.”
“I’ll see if I can shorten it a bit.” She pursed her lips and frowned before launching into the tale explaining how Aunt Martha obtained such an offensive disposition.
Good, right? I honestly loved this novel and can’t wait for November and the release of the next novel in the series, Love’s revenge *wiggle*
As I mentioned at the top of the post, Terri Rochenski and Roane Publishing are offering a sweet giveaway as part of the blog tour – a signed paperback copy of Love’s Sorrow, a swag pack, and a $10 Amazon gift card. Since this is a WordPress blog, I can’t host the rafflecopter code here, so instead, I’ve provided a link to the giveaway below.
Love’s Sorrow Rafflecopter Giveaway
Bio: Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
Ms. Rochenski’s Links:
Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
Cover Reveal: Love’s Sorrow by Terri Rochenski (@TerriRochenski) #HistoricalRomance
Love’s Sorrow
Means of Mercy #1
by Terri Rochenski
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: April 21, 2014
Keywords: Sweet, Historical, Romance
Back of the Book:
Hired as a nanny for her cousin’s children, Anne Tearle finds security and a loving family. The children are a dream, but London society is a world of its own, one where a displaced farm girl has no business being. But, wealthy rake, Gavin MacKay, helps her to see associating with the upper class might not be as horrid as she first assumed.
Like all things worthwhile, love comes at a price, and the cost soon bestows more anguish than joy. Lost, but not undone, Anne must find the courage to begin life anew, or succumb to sorrow’s unrelenting waves of grief.
* * * *
About Terri Rochenski:
Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
Website: http://terrirochenski.com
Alone No More Blog Tour: Terri Rochenski’s Top Ten Romance Movies Plus a #Giveaway!
Things are really popping on the blog lately, which I love, and today is no exception. Actually, today is special in that one of my close friends and fellow authors, Terri Rochenski has stopped in today to share a bit about her newest release, ALONE NO MORE, as well as sharing her Top Ten Favorite Romance Movies with us.
I am a romantic movie junkie, so I am very curious to see what romances made Ms. Rochenski’s list and how many of them match up with my own. So, here is Terri with her list:
My top ten favorite romance movies of all time in no particular order
- Pride & Prejudice. While I enjoy any of the versions, the 2005 with Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen is by far the best.
- The Notebook. I always think of my grandparents and the love they shared. This one always brings a tear or two.
- Sense & Sensibility, the 1995 version. Love love love.
- Cold Mountain. JUDE LAW on that roof top. Le sigh. Need I say more?
- The New World. Colin Farrell. Mmmmmm Seriously, though, even as a child I was intrigued by Pocahontas and her story. Even got to be her once in a middle school play.
- 17 Again – the only romantic comedy on this list! I always thought Zach Efron was a punk, but he did such a believable job in this film, and Leslie Mann was a riot. They had great chemistry and their quirky expressions just made this a great one for me.
- Legends of the Fall. No, it’s not really a romance movie, but it’s one of those haunting movies that sticks in the brain LONG afterwards. Longing, lost love … ugh. Hurts just thinking about it!
- Last of the Mohicans. Like #7, this movie is heart wrenching. That cliff scene – I cry every. Single. Time.
- Princess Bride. No explanation necessary IMO.
- Far and Away. One of the few times I’ve enjoyed Tom Cruise on the big screen.
Wow… I am shocked to see we only have two in common, but one if the two is my all time favorite, so I was glad to see LAST OF THE MOHICANS on the list. If you are wondering, the other one I would also have on my top 10 romance list is Legends of the Fall (as a matter of fact, Brad Pitt in that movie was the inspiration for my historical romance hero, Daniel O’Rourke).
What are your top 10 romance movies? Feel free to share your picks in the comments section. Love hearing from you. 🙂
Now that I have put you all off long enough and heightened anticipation, here are the details on Terri Rochenski’s release:
ALONE NO MORE
by Terri Rochenski
Genre: Romance / Historical
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Release Date: December 18, 2013
Book Blurb:
Dismissed from her job as a scullery maid and cast aside by her lover, pregnant Cara Morland has no choice but to return to her father’s farm. While lies of widowhood keep her from disgrace, Cara is faced with a local landowner’s unwanted attentions. Without the social status to do much more than avoid the vile man, she loses hope of ever finding happiness.
A friendship based on mutual loneliness blossoms between Cara and James Elliot, a young farm hand hired by her father. He offers his protection, and one shared kiss reveals his heart, but propriety and her feigned grieving period hinders what they both desire.
When Cara’s stalker learns the truth of her circumstances, he gives her an ultimatum—submit to his possession or he’ll ruin her second chance at love with James.
Add it to your Goodreads TBR Pile today:
Buy Links:
Will be added as soon as possible
I bet you are wondering where the giveaway is, aren’t you? Terri is giving away a FREE ecCopy of ALONE NO MORE to a luck winner.
As promised, here is the link to the Rafflecopter giveaway
Bio: Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
Her Links:
New Release News: Winter’s Sweet Kiss – A Sweet Romance Anthology #Romance @RoanePublishing #Giveaway
Welcome, welcome… and a big fat happy release day to Winter’s Sweet Kiss and Roane Publishing!
Today is the day they officially unveil their first publication with the world. Pretty cool, right?
Here are all the details on the release:
Winter’s Sweet Kiss
by Various Authors
Genre: Romance (Sweet)
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: TODAY!
Description: Fight the winter chill with the heartwarming, romantic tales.
AN UNEXPECTED WREATH By Annabelle Blume
Stella’s got everything she needs in life: a great job, a beautiful house, and her independence. But on last minute trip to the local Christmas tree lot she finds something, or rather someone, she desperately wants – Grayson. An emergency trip to Target, an unexpected wreath, and a little Christmas magic make the season much brighter.
SANTA BEBE By Lily Carlyle
Disillusioned by men and her belief that they see her only as an object, Bebe is determined to find a man with money. Her geeky, but unfailingly kind, next-door neighbor James tries to convince her of the possibility of real love, even as she reveals to him the troubled childhood that made her so cynical about relationships. When her mother dashes her hopes for a perfect Christmas, Bebe finds herself turning to James once again, and in the process, learning a lot about herself and the promise their relationship holds.
MELT By Shaya Roy
Newlyweds in an arranged marriage, Naina and Dev go to the mountains of Shimla, India in search of snow. Unfortunately, they find fifteen inches more than they expected.
Being snowed in with her husband is not necessarily a bad thing. It gives Naina an excellent excuse to snuggle up to her deep, quiet man, but every time Dev spurns her, a little more of her heart drips away.
Melting the ice around her husband’s heart before the snow outside does might take more pride than Naina’s ready to surrender.
ONE IN A MILLION SNOWFLAKES By Michelle Ziegler
Angela is in love with someone she can never have–her best friend, Rebecca’s older brother.
Stranded in the bitter cold after a disastrous blind date with yet another company Christmas party looming, a standing offer from the boss’ nephew gets a little more appealing. Desperation. Not a good sign. Surely when Rebecca rescues her from the blinding snow, she can also convince Angela to just go to the party alone. She can always count on her best friend.
That is, as long as she never finds out about Angela’s secret crush.
BEGINNING OF FOREVER By Terri Rochenski
When Wayne Edwards moves to town, Lillian Douglas experiences stirrings she thought were long dead. Guilt ridden over betraying her deceased husband and the feelings Wayne inspires, Lillian reluctantly lets him in. Secrets of the past – an old promise emerges, but will it threaten their forever?
The big release blog tour kicks off today with a tour-wide giveaway!
Click on the button below to see the list of tour stops.
In addition, they are hosting a rafflecopter giveaway to celebrate — so swing by there to enter for your chance to win.
Good Luck!!
A Visit from a Special Guest: Terri Rochenski (@terrirochenski) Talks About #Writing #Fantasy #EotS
I cannot begin to tell you all how excited I am about today’s post. Not only do I have a fantastic guest for the day, but she is here to celebrate the release of her debut novel, Eye of the Soul, a story I can say I saw in the birthing stages, and have been watching grow, and rooting for ever since.
*happy dance*
Big congratulations to Terri for reaching the Release Day milestone. Looking forward to many more. She really is a fantastic author, and you can see my 4.5 Star review of Eye of the Soul on Goodreads HERE.
*collects herself*
Now that I’ve had my fangirl moment, here is Terri to talk about why she writes fantasy (my favorite genre) in the first place. Take it away, Terri!
Any stay-at-home mother of three little ones knows the importance—the NEED—to escape. For some, it’s through paranormal or romance novel which I do thoroughly enjoy reading. When it comes to writing, though, I want a true escape into the recesses of my imagination, the worlds made up of fairy tales, dreams, and magic.
It all started when I was a child and picked up Chronicles of Narnia. To a farm girl with three brothers who lived twenty miles from civilization, the idea that a magical world with talking animals lay beyond a wardrobe door filled me with wonder—and curiosity.
Needless to say, I checked every closet I could find. Reaching toward the back, I wished and prayed for my hand to encounter snow. Unfortunately, I never found that magical world beyond our own.
Some time in my teens I realized fairy tales are just that. Make Believe. I decided they might not be real life, but that wouldn’t stop me from day dreaming and putting those dreams onto paper to share with others.
So why fantasy? For me, because it instills a childhood sense of wonder that all too easily falls to the wayside in the everyday trials of true life. And, don’t we all need a little taste of long-lost wonder every once in a while? I know I do.
How about you? Where does your escape lie?
About Terri:
Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with the fantasy genre.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her two young daughters allow. When not potty training or kissing boo-boos, she can be found on her back patio in the boondocks of New Hampshire, book or pencil in hand.
Her Links: Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
* * * * *
Let’s take a moment to have a look at Terri’s fantasy novel, the first in the Pool of Souls series, EYE OF THE SOUL.
EYE OF THE SOUL
by Terri Rochenski
Series: Pool of Souls #1
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: J. Taylor Publishing
Release Date: October 7, 2013
Book Blurb: Escape.
That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason.
Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people.
Or so she believes.
Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.
Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on.
Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost.
Forever.
* * * * *
BUY LINKS:
Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
As part of the Blog Tour, Ms. Rochenski and J. Taylor Publishing are hosting a big Rafflecopter giveaway.
To get in on that, just visit this link, since I can’t host Rafflecopter on wordpress. RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
A HUGE thank you to Terri for coming by for a visit today. Make sure you all go grab a copy of her novel! It really is a MUST READ.
#Review: Eye of the Soul by Terri Rochenski (@TerriRochenski) #Fantasy #EotS
Eye of the Soul by Terri Rochenski
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
4.5 Stars for this wonderful fantasy series debut!
I have to premise this review with a short statement of truth.
I’ve known the author for a few years, and have seen this story grow and flourish over the course of that time. I am baised in my joy for Terri in getting this tale published, and for all of you for getting the opportunity to enjoy it. That being wholeheartedly admitted to, here is my review.
I’m an epic fantasy geek, and this story really appealed to this part of my nature. While reading, I was often reminded of the epic adventures I would take with my fellow gamers in some RP world or another. (Yes, that much of a geek…) Beyond the fabulously described world, the diverse cast of characters came to life in a way that appealed to that sort of group quest mentality.
Hyla, the faithful, spiritual one. Set on her mission and the good of her people, despite all obstacle and self doubt. Her two male counterparts, Jadon and Conlin, each with their own set of enviable traits, and personality “drawbacks”. They’re the best of friends, both virile, handsome… Room for romantic tension in later novels, perhaps? This thought bounced around in the back of my head throughout the adventure.
But, every band of potential heroes needs a nemesis. A bad guy to fight against.
This is where a story either rocks of flops in my book. Yes, for me, a story is only as good as its bad guy character. And, this is where, Ms. Rochenski’s debut novel really shined for me. The High Priest, Belwig, is perfectly ruthless, deadly in his intentions, and ominous to get my attention and keep it. He gave me the creeps, and I just love when that happens. I don’t write any spoilers in my reviews as a rule, so I have to leave it there, but I really, really liked the Belwig character. I do like my bad guys…
Anyway, if you are a fan of fantasy with some romantic potential peppered in, I would give this one high marks, and make it a highly recommend novel to pick up. A stellar debut from Ms. Rochenski, and I am looking forward to more from her and her Pool of Souls series.
A Little Taste of Upcoming release, EYE OF THE SOUL by Terri Rochenski (@terrirochenski) #Fantasy
Eye of the Soul (Pool of Souls #1)
by Terri Rochenski
The Machenwood Chronicles and Other Tales 