Oct 20, 2020 | Blog, Coffee With, M. Spencer
Rae: Welcome to the blog. I’ve got a spiced Latte with Almond Milk and a drizzle of chocolate in my mug. What’s in your cuppa?
MS: Thank you for hosting us! Your drink sounds heavenly! I’m among the dullest people in this regard. My morning beverage is usually water, though if there’s one nearby, I’ll grab an iced coffee from Dunkin’. My go-to evening drink is a cold beer. My husband bought this excellent sour beer from RAR Brewing called Stunts. When that runs out, I’ll go back to my stash of Seaquench from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.
Rae: Congratulations on your recent release of Lease on Love in the Anthology Love Gone Viral. I love that all the proceeds from the sale will be donated to World Central Kitchen and Feeding America. Romance fiction is so powerful and the community is so giving. I can’t wait to hear how much you all raise.
MS: Thank you! When Meg announced the project and its mission during a book club meeting she and I participate in, I jumped at the chance. It is shameful that anyone goes without food at any time and it is especially egregious that anyone goes hungry during a pandemic. If nothing else, I hope this collection brightens someone’s day. We, as readers and writers, must not forget that romance as an art form is a statement of hope and hope is revolutionary.
1. What is your must read book and why? That answer never stays the same for me. The book I currently can’t stop shouting about for everyone to read is Sarah Kendzior’s Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of America. For your romance fix, I recently finished Joanna Shupe’s The Devil of Downtown and thoroughly enjoyed it.
2. If I visit your hometown, where am I going and what’s the best place to grab a bite? You’ll be heading to Fredericksburg, Virginia and if you want quality soft-serve ice cream, make your way to Carl’s Ice Cream.
3. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you? I’ve been writing erotica under a pseudonym since early 2016 and regardless of what I’m writing at the time, I turn to my playlist of religious choral music. Some of my best work has been produced while an all-male Russian Orthodox choir sings hymns on a low volume.
4. What is your guilty pleasure? This is gross, but I can’t get enough of dermatology procedures. I followed Dr. Pimple Popper before she got her show on TLC and am a frequent lurker on the r/popping subreddit.
5. What are you afraid of? Authoritarian creep, spiders, and needles
6. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one? No tattoos for me. When I say I’m afraid of needles, I mean I’m one of those people who needs to lie down while getting bloodwork. In the aforementioned pimple popping videos, I either turn away or fast forward through the local anesthesia.
7. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)? It depends. I binge-watched the first two episodes of HBO’s I’ll Be Gone in the Dark and am incredulous that I have to wait for the next one. During the lockdown, my husband got me on to Top Chef and I have been devouring that, making commentary on the dishes, which I have no business doing since I am a terrible cook.
8. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )? I have to alter the question a little to answer this accurately. If someone from Hulu’s Harlots could get a hold of Sarah Maclean’s The Bareknuckle Bastards series and delve deeper into her depiction of Covent Garden, I’d be delighted. I’m an absolute glutton for the antics between Devil, Beast, and Grace.
9. What is the one thing you can’t live without? Forgive the saccharine answer, but I’ve come to rely on my husband for more than I should. He’s the first person to read my work. There are, of course, numerous qualities on which I could wax poetic, but I’ll spare everyone.
10. What’s the one career gives you the shudders? Coroner or medical examiner
11. If I opened up your handbag/bag/briefcase, what item would I be shocked to see? There’s an unused Starbucks gift card in there.
12. What app on your phone/ipad gets the most use? Twitter, for sure.
Rae: Thank you for hanging out today.
MS: Thank you so much for having me!
M Spencer is a little too excited that SCOTUS oral arguments are now available for livestream, especially since she’s not a lawyer. A bona fide bibliophile, she hides her piles of romance paperbacks in tote bags because her bookshelves are already stuffed with other titles. Her hobbies include wearing red lipstick, studying French and Russian decorative art, and replaying the Assassin’s Creed games. She is eternally grateful that she can count on the hero of her own romance to read her first drafts and point out any plot holes. She writes erotica under a pseudonym and dwells in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MSpencerAuthor/
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mspencerauthor/
Twitter at https://twitter.com/MSpencerAuthor
Aug 24, 2020 | August 2020, Blog, M. Napier, M. Spencer, Meredith Bond, Pru Warren, Randi Goldleif
Editor’s Introduction:
The pandemic hit, and the world shut down. Yet everywhere we looked there was evidence of people reaching out: working at food distribution centers, making masks, or adopting shelter animals. And then the world’s attention rightly shifted to racial injustice, and people took to the streets. But some of us were flummoxed. Personal or family health concerns kept us sealed inside our walls. Sewing? Not a clue. Animals? Either prohibited or just not possible. The feeling of helplessness was constant.
What could I do? After years working in various fields, I’ve recently returned to my first love: writing. Stories have a way of lifting the heart and making a bad day more bearable. And so I reached out to fellow writers and asked them to join me. Four brave and talented authors did so, and we set ourselves an ambitious timeline.
Despair and hate are strong, but love is stronger. People found love in the rubble of the World Trade Center and in the damage left by Hurricane Katrina. Widows and widowers find love in support groups, and addicts find love in recovery programs. Activists find love in protest marches. Deep scars will remain, but love will emerge from this year of tribulation as well.
We hope these five stories of love will bring a smile to your face and a lightening of the burdens you may be carrying. All proceeds from the sale of Love Gone Viral will be donated to World Central Kitchen and Feeding America. We are neither affiliated nor endorsed by these charities; we simply want to help. Thank you for joining us.
Meg Napier, July 2020
Another week means more books to read and this time it’s a bookcation with characters that are discovering in their own time the disease unfolding, the impact in their world, and how they have navigated through these challenging situations with Covid-19.
Yes, that’s right … Covid-19. Within this anthology our characters are just discovering all the things. Each tale delivers behind closed doors romance, a variety of genres, writing styles, and plot twists in their own Covid-19 world. One that includes uncertainty and ever changing information. Yes, there is something for everyone.
I admit I was a bit skeptical at first to read a Covid-19 romance but loaded it to my kindle and gave it a read. Readers, please keep in mind these tales were written and published last month. Any recent developments will not be reflected in these stories and that’s totally fine. The stories are worth a read and I’m excited to read more from these new to me authors.
Love is love and we all want a chance to experience it.
Despite it all, there is still a desire to be loved and have a happy-ever-after. These behind closed doors tales have enough sweetness to put a pink blush on your cheeks and leave your heart full of joy. Warm, sensual, and delicious.
For more information on spicy latte ratings read here.
Falling Through Air by Meredith Bond is a time travel romance set in an ER in a Georgetown hospital in Washington, DC. Susie and Michael will discover a connection that just might be the key to surviving an illness with no treatment and no cure. Fantasy, time travel, and a lot of powerful energy bring two souls together. You can’t fight your destiny even in times of Covid.
Author Bio:
Meredith Bond‘s books straddle that beautiful line between historical romance and fantasy. An award-winning author, she writes fun traditional Regency romances, medieval Arthurian romances, and Regency romances with a touch of magic. Known for her characters “who slip readily into one’s heart,” Meredith loves to take her readers on a journey they won’t soon forget.
Merry loves connecting with readers. Be sure to find her:
Website: http://www.meredithbond.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meredithbondauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/merrybond
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/merrybond/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/847484.Meredith_Bond
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Meredith-Bond/e/B001KI1SNE/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredith_bond/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/meredith-bond
And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter: http://meredithbond.com/subscribe/ and get a free short story every month along with all of Merry’s news and the opportunity to get her next book before it’s even published!
Second Drop by Meg Napier takes us on a road trip adventure. When Lizzies car collides with a tree in the middle of nowhere a good samaritan will save her from a night in the woods. Will she let him drive her to safety?
An epidemiologist, a meddling mother, a furry friend, and the desire to be connected make this a fun, light read. Dating is always challenging, and during times of social distancing connecting with strangers is like nothing we’ve ever experienced.
Author Bio:
Meg Napier’s friends during her high school years all expected her romance novels to hit the shelves decades ago, but she foolishly allowed “serious pursuits” to get in her way. Now that her beloved children can feed, clothe, and most importantly, support themselves, she’s free to turn her attention to her first passion – putting words to paper that capture your attention and make your heart sing in quiet joy. Her stories tell most frequently of second chances–in life, love, and sometimes even at rediscovering a soul-mate from a previous life. Writing is as fundamental as breathing, but when little roadblocks appear, it is the support of her wonderful husband and family that gives her the motivation to carry on. Email her at [email protected] or find her at:
Website: MegNapier.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MegNapierAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NapierMeg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megnapierauthor/
Bending Love by Randi Goldleif is a time-travel romance that travels through time during Covid-19. Rosalind and Ashley will need to have faith if their love will survive. One note has the power to change everything in this bite-sized read.
What would you do to find your way to the one person you loved? Would you let a mistake define your life, or do everything in your power to fix it?
Author Bio:
Randi Goldleif lives in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee with her partner. Always drawn to reading and writing, she dictated her first story to her mother in the first grade.
She constantly found herself in trouble during elementary and middle school because she was either reading books in math class or reenacting grand adventures of damsels in distress on the playground.
When not creating stories, she can be found hiking, running, or hanging with friends.
Website: TheRandiGoldleif.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandiGoldleif
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RandiGoldleif
Joan’s Journal by Pru Warren is set at the beginning of the pandemic at a quaint Bed and Breakfast. A dutiful daughter returns to help her parents only to discover they allowed visitors to stay despite the warning from local officials to shut everything down.
What will happen when sparks fly during a quarantine? I love the twist at the end of this tale and must admit I was a bit skeptical to read an anthology about Covid-19. Pru’s story takes us back to the early days of discovery with lots of humor back when we didn’t fully understand the mechanics of this crazy illness, the lack of supplies and the belief that we could outsmart an invisible virus.
Author Bio: Pru Warren believes strongly in the “Happily Ever After” – and that romance novels are crucial when life isn’t living up to expectations. (Note to the wise: writing them is even more fun than reading them. Come on in – the water’s fine!) When not plotting or writing her next romantic comedy, Pru flagrantly wastes time, avoids cooking, and both tries and fails to improve her health. Follow Pru (and download the epilogue to “Joan’s Journey” – choose from a clean-and-sweet or a down-and-dirty version!) on her website.
Website: www.pruwarren.com
Lease on Love by M. Spencer is a second chance romance, sometimes love is sweeter the second time around.
A cup of tea will spark a friendship and possible romance when the world is unsteady and a new virus is impacting more than just our health.
Author Bio: M. Spencer is a little too excited that SCOTUS oral arguments are now available for livestream, especially since she’s not a lawyer. A bona fide bibliophile, she hides her piles of romance paperbacks in tote bags because her bookshelves are already stuffed with other titles. Her hobbies include wearing red lipstick, studying French and Russian decorative art, and replaying the Assassin’s Creed games. She is eternally grateful that she can count on the hero of her own romance to read her first drafts and point out any plot holes. She writes erotica under a pseudonym and dwells in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSpencerAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspencerauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSpencerAuthor
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Jul 15, 2020 | Anthology, Blog, July 2020, M. Spencer, Meg Napier, Meredith Bond, Pru Warren, Randi Goldleif
Happy Book Birthday Love Gone Viral – Five COVID-19 Related Romances. Over the next few days get to know the authors behind this collection, a giveaway, and the inspiration for this collection.
Editor’s Introduction:
The pandemic hit, and the world shut down. Yet everywhere we looked there was evidence of people reaching out: working at food distribution centers, making masks, or adopting shelter animals. And then the world’s attention rightly shifted to racial injustice, and people took to the streets. But some of us were flummoxed. Personal or family health concerns kept us sealed inside our walls. Sewing? Not a clue. Animals? Either prohibited or just not possible. The feeling of helplessness was constant.
What could I do? After years working in various fields, I’ve recently returned to my first love: writing. Stories have a way of lifting the heart and making a bad day more bearable. And so I reached out to fellow writers and asked them to join me. Four brave and talented authors did so, and we set ourselves an ambitious timeline.
Despair and hate are strong, but love is stronger. People found love in the rubble of the World Trade Center and in the damage left by Hurricane Katrina. Widows and widowers find love in support groups, and addicts find love in recovery programs. Activists find love in protest marches. Deep scars will remain, but love will emerge from this year of tribulation as well.
We hope these five stories of love will bring a smile to your face and a lightening of the burdens you may be carrying. All proceeds from the sale of Love Gone Viral will be donated to World Central Kitchen and Feeding America. We are neither affiliated nor endorsed by these charities; we simply want to help. Thank you for joining us.
Meg Napier, July 2020
Be sure to check the blog tomorrow for my thoughts on the collection and my first Coffee With.
Click the cover to get your copy today.
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Thank you in advance for your continued support.
