Jun 28, 2019 | Authors Dish, Blog, Christi Barth, June 2019, MK Meredith, Samantha Chase
If you’re heading to New York City July 24-27, 2019 for RWA2019 or another conference reminders and tips are always helpful. Especially when it comes to packing, and as a first timer commuting to the hotel each day I am hoping I remember to pack all the things in one suitcase ;).
Hopefully you won’t find yourself waking up in the middle of the night panicked that you now need the very thing you forgot to pack. Or, finding out moments before you have a meeting or fun place to go, you ran out of or forgot something essential.
So, to all the newbies, and seasoned travel veterans, I’m running an Authors Dish specifically targeted on what authors and industry professionals always include in their suitcases, what they stash in their conference bag to avoid hunger pains and the things they forget once and hopefully never again. While some of the authors contributing are not attending we love that they want to contribute.
May this inspire you to plan, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything. If you’re heading to RWA2019 I’d love to say hi. Comment below so we can be sure to meet up in NYC.
Stay tuned as we’ll have plenty of tips and tricks in the upcoming weeks so check the blog daily.
Today in the cafe are NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Samantha Chase, USA Today Bestselling Author Christi Barth, and Author MK Meredith.
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Samantha Chase: My laptop, my Kindle, way more clothes than I will ever wear, Zzzquil (to help me sleep), and my travel fan.
Christi Barth:
5 things:
- I’m an overpacker extraordinaire (#noregrets) so I bring medicine for everything – you never know what will hit mid-con! Paranoid? Maybe. Super useful to either me or a friend-in-need? You bet!
- I always bring both a kindle and a paperback (in case the kindle breaks) because sometimes you have a 7 minute break and just need to read.
- A water bottle – it is too easy to not hydrate sufficiently. And the tiny cups in panel rooms are worthless. Bring your own bottle and refill in every workshop!
- A Tide Stick – again, either useful for you or a friend.
- A notebook – really, the clacking of keys on laptops is disrupting and rude to everyone else in a workshop. Go old school – stick to paper and pen!
MK Meredith: business cards, marketing materials, lip balm/gloss, phone charger, jacket or sweater to layer.
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Samantha: Lindt dark chocolate (70% cacao) and Coca Cola
Christi: Besides the aforementioned water bottle? Nuts/dried fruit. Easy to fill ziploc and have all week.
MK Meredith: PEANUT BUTTER!!!
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Samantha: I’m ashamed to say I never forget. I start packing a week in advance, make a list, check it twice (or fourteen). I usually overpack because I prepare for any and all situations! Yeah, I’m a dork like that.
Christi: Nothing – and here’s why – I have an Excel spreadsheet packing list. My friends mock me mercilessly about it, but everything is on it, and I just print a fresh one for every trip.
MK: Cash.
Rae: Thank you so much authors! I’ll be keeping a running list and will post it a week before RWA2019 so that hopefully no one needs to make a quick run to the lobby market or drug store around the corner. I’ll see you soon for new authors and more ideas!
** Author Bios **
Samantha Chase: Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than forty titles under her belt! When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 28 years and their two sons in North Carolina.
Christi Barth: USA TODAY bestselling author Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary romance, including the Naked Men and Aisle Bound series.
Christi can always be found either whipping up gourmet meals (for fun, honest!) or with her nose in a book. She lives in Maryland with the best husband in the world.
MK Meredith: MK Meredith writes single title contemporary romance novels which promise an emotional ride on heated sheets. A member of several writing groups, she believes the best route to success is to never stop learning.
She’s had a lifelong love affair with peanut butter — the only two things coming close in the battle for her affections are gorgeous heels, and maybe Gerard Butler…or was it David Gandy? Who is she kidding? Her true loves are her husband and two children who have survived her SEA’s (spontaneous explosions of affection) and live to tell the tale.
MK’s been reading romance long before she should have and can’t think of anything better than to fill her life with the promise of happily-ever-afters. When people ask, “Why romance?” She replies, “There is nothing more exhilarating than to write about one of the most powerful entities on earth. Love can be the fall of kingdoms and move mountains, destroy lives and create new life, inspire the dark and summon the light. Love is a challenge, a hope, and a miracle all wrapped into one. Love is life. I write about life.”
The Meredith’s live in the D.C. area with their two large fur babies…until the next adventure calls.
Jun 23, 2019 | Blog, Blog Tour, June 2019, Samantha Chase
We are so excited to be celebrating the release of A GIRL LIKE YOU, the next book in New York Times bestselling author Samantha Chase’s Magnolia Sound series. If you’re looking for your next beach read, hurry up and grab your copy today!
The Whole Latte
Summer is underway and it’s time to discover your next bookadventure – Magnolia Sound. The Westbrooks and their friends are ready to share their homes and hearts with you. This series is the perfect addition to your summer reading list.
A Girl Like You takes through the trials and tribulations from where we left off in Remind Me. Haven’t read it? One-click here and catch up. While the books in this series can be enjoyed as standalone reads, I highly recommend reading in order to get the full experience ;).
Always ready for the next adventure, Sam Westbrook must comply with the demands set forth by his late great-grandfather and return home. Years ago Sam ran from the town and the people, will they see the man he’s become or forever remember him as the reckless teenager he once was. If he can overcome the obstacles from his past, he might discover that what he was running away from wasn’t the town, but his own fears. It’s time to do the things he was meant to be. Others saw his potential, it’s time for him to put roots down.
Always up for a one-night fling Sam will discover that Shelby is the one woman he can’t walk away from. There is so much heart and passion in Sam that you are drawn into Mangolia Sound. If you’re rooting for the wild brother to settle down, this book satisfies that and more.
Shelby Abbott is the local librarian, and the daughter of the town Pastor. A man that Sam once had a few “special encounters” with and impacted the way many in town treated him. It’s difficult to live in the shadows of your family and the reputation they have established, it’s more challenging in a small town. If Shelby can find a way to fight for what she wants, she might finally move into the spotlight and live life on her terms.
Both want to be accepted for who they are and not their family connections, can they overcome the past and pave their own way? Shelby is tired of her parents dictating her life and the excitement of Sam Westbrook is the one thing she thinks might push her out of her book bubble. It will take courage to stand up and demand her independence, a journey we are excited to take with both her and Sam. It’s sure to be a journey of the heart and soul.
This must read has it all and the characters are everything you expect when picking up a Samantha Chase book. I enjoyed the small-town charm and can’t wait to read the next installment. I received this book from Inkslinger PR for a fair and honest review. This sinfully sweet, hotter than sweet with bedroom romance tingles in all the right places, and adds a dash of spice to satisfy that slightly spicy craving.
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 purchases. 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
Don’t miss the other books in the Magnolia Sound series!
About SAMANTHA CHASE
Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than forty titles under her belt! When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter | BookBub
Jun 6, 2019 | Blog, Excerpt Reveal, June 2019, Samantha Chase
We are just days away from the release of A GIRL LIKE YOU by New York Times bestselling author Samantha Chase. Read on for a sneak peek and be sure to pre-order if you haven’t already!
About A GIRL LIKE YOU
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 purchases. 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
Read an excerpt from A GIRL LIKE YOU
She was so bad at figuring men out, she thought miserably.
“I want to say no, but…” She yawned again. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay, Shelby.” Standing up, Sam reached down for her hand and gently pulled her to her feet. “Can I see you tomorrow?”
Frowning, she looked up at him. “You mean to hang out again?”
His dark eyes blinked at her several times as if not understanding her question. “Um…I was hoping to take you out properly – dinner and whatever else it is you might like to do. Other than sailing, you never really answered my question that night.”
Taking a step back, now it was Shelby who didn’t seem to get it. “Why do you want to take me to dinner? We…we hung out tonight and…there’s no hard feelings. I mean, I’m still sorry for not being honest with you the night we met, but…don’t feel like you need to keep hanging out with me.”
The fierce look from earlier was back as he took a step toward her. “Are we back to that again? Why exactly do you think I’m here, Shelby?” he asked, frustration practically bristling off of him.
“I…like I said…I figured we were just hanging out to…you know…talk things out. And we have.” Hopefully he couldn’t see her slight tremble. She wasn’t used to someone questioning her like this.
But then again, she wasn’t used to dealing with anyone quite like Sam.
He took another step toward her. “Is that why you agreed to let me come over? Because you needed to clear your conscience? Or thought that I needed to?”
“Um…I don’t know. Maybe.”
Another step toward her. “You want to know why I’m here?” He didn’t wait for her to respond. “I’m here because for two damn weeks you’ve been all I can think about. Seeing you earlier in the library parking lot had me feeling like I won the damn lottery – like I was getting a second chance with you!” Another step and now he towered over her. “But more than anything, I’m here because you’re someone I want to know better, dammit!”
“Sam, I…”
“But if that’s not what you want – if I’m not someone you want to know – then say something right now, Shelby,” he demanded. “Right now, before my feelings grow even deeper. Because believe it or not, what I felt for you that night at the bar is nothing compared to how I feel right now.”
She gasped softly and her foolish heart began its wild dance again. Swallowing hard, she looked up at him – saw the sincerity and the anguish in those dark depths. “I…” She paused and collected her thoughts which were going a million miles a minute in her head. “How do you feel?”
It was something she needed to know. It was one thing if he was casually interested in her – which was what she expected him to say. But what if it were more? What if it were something deep and warm and wonderful and scary and everything she was feeling too?
Reaching out, Sam cupped her face in his hands and rested his forehead against hers. “I feel like you’re someone I need to know.”
His voice was low and gruff and rumbly enough that she felt it all the way down to her toes.
How could she possibly explain to him that she was too afraid to believe him? That she didn’t have the confidence in herself to believe him?
As if sensing her thoughts, he quietly said, “You’ve been brutally honest with me all night, Shelby. Don’t stop now. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
There really was something about Sam that made her feel like she could say anything – even if she shouldn’t.
“I guess I’m afraid to believe that you really want to get to know me,” she admitted softly. “I’m nothing special, Sam. I’m not the type of girl you usually…”
He placed one finger across her lips to stop her flow of words. “Please don’t keep throwing that back in my face.” He closed his eyes as if in pain. “I know I’ve done a lot of stupid things and I’ve made a lot of bad choices, but that has nothing to do with you and me. When I saw you that night, all I remember thinking was…finally, there she is.”
Her eyes went wide at the intensity of his words. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. She wasn’t the kind of girl or woman who caused that kind of reaction – she knew that and she was okay with it. But after seeing the look on Sam’s face as he spoke, Shelby knew she had to have more – needed to see where this went and what would come from an admission like his.
“Wow,” she whispered, because it’s all she could force herself to say.
The smile Sam gave her was one of sweet relief. Unable to help herself, she placed her hand on his chest, and, feeling his rapid heartbeat, she grew bold. Her hand smoothed up and over his shoulder and then raked up into his hair. Up on her tiptoes, she pressed her lips to his and prayed she wouldn’t panic or freak out again.
When his arms slowly banded around her waist, Shelby knew this time was different. He was being cautious and careful and, undoubtedly, holding back so he didn’t spook her. The kiss was chaste – slow and sweet. Only this time, she was the one to seek more. Her tongue tentatively reached out and skimmed along his bottom lip and she heard his sharp intake of breath. It made her bold. Pressing herself more firmly against him, she reveled in the feel of his warm, hard body. And when he maneuvered them back over the sofa, she felt her excitement grow.
Sam sat and gently guided Shelby down so he could cradle her in his lap and, if anything, she thought it was the perfect position for them. His arms were around her, holding her securely to him, all the while their kiss just continued. There wasn’t the same intensity as there was the night they met, and that was more than okay with her. She was enjoying this – the way they were slowly getting acquainted with each another.
Squirming slightly against him, she gulped for air when Sam broke the kiss and gazed at her face. His breath was coming just as raggedly as hers and she wished more than anything that she didn’t need oxygen quite so much because she already missed the feel of his mouth on hers.
One of his hands came up and took the clip out of her hair. She let out a small moan of pleasure because it had been bothering her all night, but when that same hand anchored up into her hair and began massaging her scalp, it felt like she had died and gone to heaven.
Good lord, if a three-second scalp massage feels this good, what would sex with him be like?
Hopefully she’d find out.
Diving in for another kiss, Shelby was pleasantly surprised that Sam seemed just as anxious as she was for another taste. She twisted and turned in his lap until she was straddling him and it was like she didn’t even recognize herself. She wasn’t normally this forward or – dare she say, aggressive? – but there was no way for her to fight what she was feeling. For two weeks she had kicked herself every day for running like she did and now that she was getting a second chance, she was taking it.
With everything she had, apparently.
They kissed, they rolled over and stretched out on the sofa until Sam was on top of her and Shelby wrapped herself completely around him. So many times she thought to break their kiss and simply ask him to stay – to move things into the bedroom – but his hands and mouth kept distracting her until she didn’t know her own name, let alone where they were half the time.
At some point – it could have been minutes later, it could have been hours – Sam raised his head and smiled down at her. He was so handsome, so sexy, so…everything she ever fantasized about…and he was here with her.
“Shelby,” he said, low and thick. “Damn.”
Yeah. She knew exactly what he meant.
Her hand smoothed up his back and up into his hair in hopes of guiding his mouth back to hers, but…he moved.
He stood.
She stayed where she was on the sofa and looked up at him in confusion.
“I should go,” he said after a long moment.
“Go?”
He nodded. “Dinner tomorrow night, right?”
He was leaving? Now? Seriously?
“Um…”
Doing a move that was clearly becoming his thing, Sam reached for her hand and gently pulled her to her feet. He kissed her one last time on the lips before letting out a low growl. Clearing his throat, he said, “You know how badly I want to stay, right?”
Shelby nodded and wanted to say she felt the same, but she couldn’t seem to make her voice work.
He hugged her tight. “But I don’t think it’s the right thing to do,” he said, and her only consolation was that he sounded as miserable about it as she felt. “Let me take you out tomorrow.” He pulled back and studied her face. “I want to do this right. I feel like I came on too strong that night and…and I’m not willing to do anything that you might regret.”
Well, damn. He was sweet, sexy, funny, and considerate? How was she supposed to resist?
“That night…that was my own issue, Sam. It wasn’t about you. Not really. I want you to know that.”
With a lopsided grin, he pulled her back into his embrace. “Thank you for saying that.”
“It’s the truth.”
Slowly they broke apart and walked over to the front door. He opened it and kissed her one more time. “You are pure temptation. You know that, right?”
Blushing, she shook her head.
“It’s true.” Tucking a finger under her chin, his expression turned serious. “Thank you for inviting me over and for giving me another chance. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven. Will that work?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone so they could exchange numbers. Once that was done, he kissed her one last time and walked out the door.
And Shelby swore part of her heart went with him.
About SAMANTHA CHASE
Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than forty titles under her belt! When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter | BookBub
