A Love That Takes Your Breath Away!

February…Valentine's Day…a great time for Romance, especially if you're a romance writer. Love. What's better than a great love story?

Taking a quote from Pablo Neruda

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straight forwardly, without complexities
Or pride; so I love you because I knew no other
Way than this, where 'I' does not exist, not 'you'.
So close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so
Close that your eyes close as I fall asleep…

Isn't that what we all dream of? A love that takes your breath away.

When asked recently what was my favorite romance novel, I answered Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen Woodiwiss, a beautiful tale of love persevering. Then I began to wonder who influenced me to write romance. It was bigger than the love of one book. I considered all my favorite authors which would include Kathleen Woodiwiss and Margaret Mead, but the one author that influenced me the most would have to be Victoria Holt.

THE JUDAS KISS

Victoria Holt…the dame of romantic suspense! I grew up reading all her works even those under her pen names, Philippa Carr and Jean Plaidly. I suppose she is even responsible for my inability at times to follow the standard romance formula. She didn’t. She seemed to let the story write itself. I love the twist in Kirkland Revels with the threat of the asylum looming large for Catherine. Couldn’t have a more touching love story than On the Night of the Seventh Moon—poor Helena’s long suffering with questions on whether what she experienced was real or fantasy. Or Harriet not knowing if her husband whom she loved since she was child was trying to kill her in Menfreya in the Morning.

I had two books released in January. The first The Judas Kiss, Tides of Charleston Series, follows in the footsteps of Victoria Holt. Cathryn is caught in circumstances she has no control. When her life is endangered she believes the man she loves deserted her; he believes she has betrayed him with his best friend. The ultimate betrayal?  The Promise coming out in May will conclude the story between the two lovers following Cathryn back to Charles Town.

DAUGHTER OF DECEIT

Daughter of Deceit wrapped in mystery and intrigue with a touch of paranormal. Julian Casvelyn, who has long lived with the guilt brought on by the death of his brother, a brother killed by George Hythe, England’s most notorious spy. For years, Alyce Hythe, daughter of the infamous traitor, has been hidden away from the prying eyes of London Society, given a new identity and told to forget who she was. Thrown together by fate, the two search for answers long denied them and along the way discover a love that can free them both.

A love that takes your breath away.

The connection between my two releases? Both have titles once used by Victoria Holt. Coincidence. No. It’s my way of honoring a writer I greatly admired.

Have a great romantic month! Happy Valentine’s Day! You can find my books on the links below!

The Judas Kiss- Whiskey Creek Press

 Daughter of Deceit- Amazon Select