Around and Around We Go!

When I first started writing, I would write a great little story and then move onto the next fascinating tale. It would be easy and fun. I’d find the new names, the new setting, and the new conflict with the next couple.

But then my brain expanded and did something strange. It started soft whispers that I might like writing a series. Huh. It was an idea I hadn’t thought of before. Why not give it a chance? So, I wrote a 4 couple novella series. The stories weren’t well written yet (we’re talking back in 1999), but I enjoyed having a band of characters who interacted. They showed up in their friends’ stories and we got to see what happened to them after their own happily-ever-after. From that point, I toyed with the idea of writing series on a more regular basis.

Time went on, I got better as a writer, and then Decadent Publishing offered me my first contract. Of course I was over the moon, but…I soon had brilliant ideas about how to make the first story one of at least three, if not more. What emerged, after many months, was my Scottish contemporary and my Scottish romantic suspense novellas. Yes, all are individual stories and they do not have to be read in one specific order to understand (I’m not a fan of those), but they are all connected in at least one way. Readers, so far, have enjoyed that. So what did I do? I wrote another book for Decadent, which eventually became Liar, Liar. The full-length romantic suspense book that stood alone…until…

I met the hero, Grady Cooper, of Liar, Liar and his hot brother. As I wrote Grady’s story, I found his brother, Scotty, played a bigger role than I’d originally planned. By the time the book was finished and for sale, I’d already accepted both Grady and Scott’s plea for the younger brother to get his own book.

Lately I’ve started taking notes about how Scotty finds love. You’d think that would be enough for now, right? Nope! While I’ve been jotting down little details on my brainstorming notebook (yes, I still write longhand), Scotty has been subtly pushing for me to give his partner a woman, too.

{{Sigh}} I guess I’ll be busy for a while!

What about you? Do you enjoy series? If so, do you like the ones that are just connected but each story is its own or do you like the type that must be read in order?

Today is DAY 3 of my Liar, Liar Blog Tour! Come follow me on this path, tweet about the tour and share the details on Facebook. For each comment you make (or tweet or Facebook post) along the way, you’ll move closer to winning one of three great prizes!

3/20-3/21- http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/

3/20- http://romancingthepentoday.blogspot.com

3/21-http://leighwantsfood.blogspot.com/

3/22- http://teririggs.blogspot.com/

3/23- http://saradanielromance.blogspot.com/

3/24-http://jewelquinlan.wordpress.com/blog/

3/25- http://www.bridgingthegappromotions.blogspot.com/ 

3/26- http://dreamvoyagers.blogspot.com/

Blurb:

Unable to protect her mother from her father as a child, Devin McQueen has made it her mission as an adult to protect as many abused women and children as she can. The rare moments she’s not consumed with work as a victims’ advocate, she limits her involvements to safe, predictable men….until she meets bounty hunter Grady Cooper. He is big, bold, brash, and has no problem speaking his mind.

Growing up in a broken home, Grady realized early on that good deeds had a price.  To survive, he learned to weigh every decision by what he could gain. Unfortunately, the successful, solitary life he’s worked so hard to create spins out of control when demons from his past shake his confidence. His boss has given him one last chance—bring in Devin’s latest client quickly, and quietly and maybe he’ll still have a job. It didn’t sound unreasonable until he met Devin.

 Suddenly, Grady must make a decision: save his career or follow his heart?

Alexa Bourne is a teacher by day and a romance writer by nights, weekends, and all school holidays. She also teaches online classes for writers throughout the year. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance and is thrilled to have the chance to share her stories with readers everywhere.

When she’s not concocting sinister plots and steamy love scenes or traveling and exploring new cultures, Alexa spends her time reading, watching brainless TV, and thinking about exercising. Okay, she also spends way too much time interacting with readers and writers on social media sites. But don’t tell her editors! Find out more about her and her books on her website, www.alexabourne.com.

alexa@alexabourne.com

http://alexabourne.com/cuan-macdougall-pub/

https://twitter.com/AlexaBourne

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaBourne

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5818611.Alexa_Bourne

Coming Home Again…

By Alexa Bourne

I joined the Decadent Publishing team in November 2011. Since then I’ve had loads of fun seeing my books get published, meeting great people and learning so much. When I first joined, the stories I wrote were set in the UK. Why? Because it is my happy place. When my day gets tough, I close my eyes and imagine myself roaming the Highlands of Scotland or walking across the bridge in Sunderland, England. I think of eating English Mars Bars and having scones. I think of hearing bagpipes and enjoying a pint in the local pub. With all these great visions, it was no wonder why I set my books there.

Then, I decided to venture out into the world. A couple of my latest books were set in my home state of Rhode Island. A couple more I’ll be writing this year are set in other countries. I’m a traveler and I love sharing details of my vacation locations in my manuscripts. I like to give people the chance to learn about different cultures and a chance to picture in their minds somewhere they may never have been.

My latest release, BROKEN ROAD, brings me back to my fictional Scottish Highland village. I’ve spent so much time “out of the UK” that when I started working on this story, it felt like coming home. I reacquainted myself with the characters, since some of them are related and some are good friends. Indeed, it felt like I was catching up with old friends. I immersed myself in the community details so I could share them with you and also to remind myself why I love writing stories set in the UK. I have other countries to explore, both in my real world and in my books, but I think I’ll return to the UK often. Why? Because it will always be my happy place.

Blurb:

Catriona MacGregor leads a quiet life, working in the local school of Glenhalish, Scotland and spending time with close friends. She’s content to sit back and be an observer of the life around her. But all that changes when a recently deceased family friend leaves her a flat in Edinburgh and challenges her to spread her wings.

With his work as an international bodyguard, Ian MacKenzie has no time for a serious, committed relationship. Yet when he comes home to Glenhalish for a visit and to clear his mind, he is drawn to down-to-earth Cat. The more time they spend together, the more he wants her.

Though they agreed to a friends-with-benefits arrangement, Cat soon discovers exactly what she wants for herself and it involves all of Ian—body, mind and soul. Their connection ambushes Ian. He’s not ready for the intensity they share.

Can this Highland lassie steer her lad back onto the right path to a love that will last a lifetime? 

Excerpt:

Cat sat at one of the foldaway tables and sipped her wine. A pleasant breeze rolled off the loch and made the candlelight shimmer. So much laughter and chatter whooshed round her, and again her heart hung heavy. Could she give up all she had here for a new life in Edinburgh? Did she have the courage to try? What if Fiona had been wrong in her will and given Cat more credit than she truly deserved?

Ian marched toward her, pulled her glass from her hand, and set it on the table. “Come.” With a firm but gentle grip, he tugged her out of the chair.

“Where?”

“I need you to save me.” He whirled her round and pulled her close to his hard-muscled body. She pressed her palms to his chest. The heat under her fingers shot straight into her center. He wrapped his arms round her waist and eased them onto the dance floor in time to the slow rhythm of the music.

Cat laughed. “You, a big, braw lad, need me, a wee lass, to rescue you? I find that hard to believe.” But, she was ever so grateful for whatever sent him to her. They’d always been friendly with each other, sort of like her relationship with Ewan, except…not.

He spun her round so she could see the other side of the dance floor. “See those lasses flirting with the MacDougall brothers?”

Women with tight clothes and high-pitched laughs dangled over the makeshift bar. “What about them?”

“Two of them are trying to lay claim to me.”

“And?”

“I don’t do romantic relationships.”

“What?” Handsome, smart, strong. He had it all.

Buy Links:

Decadent Publishing: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=898&osCsid=d32bk1l557bg13b6u8r51jeas2

Alexa Bourne is a teacher by day and a romance writer by nights, weekends, and all school holidays. She also teaches online classes for writers throughout the year. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance and is thrilled to have the chance to share her stories with readers everywhere.

   When she’s not concocting sinister plots and steamy love scenes or traveling and exploring new cultures, Alexa spends her time reading, watching brainless TV, and thinking about exercising. Okay, she also spends way too much time interacting with readers and writers on social media sites. But don’t tell her editors! Find out more about her and her books on her website, www.alexabourne.com.

Social Media:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5818611.Alexa_Bourne

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaBourne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexaBourne

Website: www.alexabourne.com

Blog: http://alexabourne.com/cuan-macdougall-pub/

Email: alexa@alexabourne.com 

Happy Holidays!

By Alexa Bourne

Happy Holidays, Everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the season. I’m eating too much, relaxing and hanging out with family. Of course, we’re all excited to see what Santa leaves us on Wednesday morning, right? Or are you the type to open gifts the night before?

When I lived far away from family and I worked on Christmas morning (by choice…I switched days with coworkers with kids so I could go out and celebrate on New Year’s Eve), I had a big production Christmas Eve. I would put my Christmas lights on, light some candles, stick the movie Scrooge (with Alistair Sim) in the DVD player, and have dinner. When the movie was over, I pulled out all my presents and opened them to Christmas music or another Christmas movie. When I moved closer to family, I got back in the habit of waiting for Santa and opening gifts the next morning.

What about you? Do you open gifts one time or another? Or do you open 1 gift Christmas Eve and then the rest on Christmas morning?

This year one of the best presents I could ask for is coming from my FANTABULOUS publisher! What’s the gift, you ask? My very first full-length romantic suspense book, Liar, Liar, is being released this coming Friday! (That’s the 27^th.) I can’t wait to share Devin and Grady’s story. Two people who are complete opposites and don’t trust each other join together to fight the bad guys. Grady and Devin have lived in my head for quite a long time. They’re both so much larger than life sometimes I forget they aren’t real people.

Want to find out more about Devin and Grady? Here’s the blurb:

Unable to protect her mother from her father as a child, Devin McQueen has made it her mission as an adult to protect as many abused women and children as she can. The rare moments she’s not consumed with work as a victims' advocate, she limits her involvements to safe, predictable men....until she meets bounty hunter Grady Cooper.  He is big, bold, brash, and has no problem speaking his mind.

Growing up in a broken home, Grady realized early on that good deeds had a price.  To survive, he learned to weigh every decision by what he could gain.  Unfortunately, the successful, solitary life he’s worked so hard to create spins out of control when demons from his past shake his confidence. His boss has given him one last chance—bring in Devin's latest client quickly, and quietly and maybe he'll still have a job. It didn’t sound unreasonable until he met Devin.

Suddenly, Grady must make a decision: save his career or follow his heart?

So…what do you think? Sounds pretty good, huh? Well, you’ll have to wait a few more days for it, but I guarantee it will be worth it! Until then, have a Merry Christmas!

Find Alexa:  website||blog||Twitter||Facebook||Goodreads

Alexa's Thankful List

Simple Treasures available HERE

by Alexa Bourne

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I’m starting to get excited for the holiday season. Football plays a big part of Thanksgiving in our family and, of course, food. We all bring favorite dishes or beverages to my brother’s house, have a lazy long weekend and just enjoy the time we get to spend together. One of our other brothers and his wife come in for the week, too.

When I realized I had this blog post to write, I thought, “How perfect!” So I’ve decided to share the things I’m most thankful for this year.

I’m thankful for my full-time teaching job. I get to teach what I love and I get a steady paycheck.

I’m thankful for my relative health. I’ve had a few bumps in the road this year, but at the moment I’m doing well.

I’m thankful for the new book contracts I’ve landed this year. My 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th books will be out in 2014.

  

I’m thankful, of course, for the family and friends I have and everything they do for me…and with me.

I’m thankful for Decadent Publishing for offering me my first publishing contract 2 years ago. It’s been an amazing ride so far and I look forward to submitting and publishing more books with them in 2014.

I could go on and on and make a huge list, but these are the top things I care about. I wake up every day being thankful that these people and things are part of my life and, indeed, make my life richer.

In my holiday romantic suspense, Simple Treasures, my heroine reflects on her life during the holidays, too. Joanna realizes that even with the difficulties she has faced before while in the military and is facing as she tries to help put a criminal behind bars she is a lucky woman. She is healthy, smart, and on her way to a successful life. And if she’s willing to open her heart during the holidays, she just might find the love she deserves.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Simple Treasures blurb:

Take-charge bodyguard Colin Munro believes working for the International Protective Network will be the perfect occupation for him. Unfortunately, his trial assignment is protecting a woman who has no intention of blindly following orders. Aye, he’ll bring the bonnie lass in line because there’s no way he’ll allow her to ruin his chance of securing his dream job.

Physically and emotionally scarred during her stint as a US soldier, Joanna Grainger wants nothing more 
than to enjoy life. New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh marks the beginning of her transformation. But when 
she witnesses a crime no one believes occurred, her plans come to a screeching halt. To make matters worse, her sexy but headstrong bodyguard has no compassion for her or the victim. 

As danger hunts them through the city during one of the busiest time of the year, Joanna must convince 
Colin she’s a worthy partner. But first, can she convince herself? 

I’d like to offer a UK gift to one commenter! Please leave your email address in your comment and I’ll choose a winner Saturday morning! 

Silent Surrender is Here!

Buy Silent Surrender HERE

By Alexa Bourne

Have you ever had a wild weekend in another city, one where you did bizzare activities with crazy people and then didn’t want to tell anyone? I have and well, only my closest friends have any idea of the wacky decisions I made back then. When I think of all the trouble I could’ve gotten into…ahem, I’ve grown up a lot since then. But oh how I wish I’d met a man like Quinn O’Connell, the hero from my latest Tease book, Silent Surrender.

Meggie MacDougall, the heroine, took a long weekend away from her Scottish village to play in Dublin and the only person who knows anything about her “playing” is Quinn, the sexy Irish football coach who sweet-talked her into his bed. Indeed, Meggie had a magical time with a man she never imagined she could have as her own. Together they celebrated life and each other. Then, when the weekend ended, Quinn went back to work and Meggie returned to Scotland.

Only, Quinn never left her mind. And many months later he arrived in her wee Highland village to find out what other fun they could have together.

How did Meggie react? She panicked because she is a pillar of her community, a model citizen. Granted she has a big mouth (Sorry, Meggie!) and she knows everyone’s business, but she’s got a big heart. And she damn well doesn’t want anyone to know how many hours she spent in bed with Quinn. What happened in Dublin was supposed to stay in Dublin.

Of course, Quinn has no intention of letting her off that easily. He hasn’t traveled all that way to be denied. And besides, he’s pretty sure Meggie wants him just as much as he wants her. Hopefully he’ll be able to convince her, maybe with just another searing kiss or a gentle touch….

Blurb:

Meggie MacDougall often dreams of Quinn O’Connell, the sexy Irish football coach who swept her off her feet in Dublin. But what happened in Dublin must stay there. She has responsibilities at home, and she refuses to fuel the gossip fires in Glenhalish.

Quinn has never forgotten Meggie and the explosive weekend they shared. Overwhelmed by memories of her passion, beauty, and zest for life, he jeopardizes his cushy career to find her and test the connection between them.

When Quinn arrives in her Highland village, Meggie is determined to ignore him. However, she isn't prepared for the claim he lays on her heart with his sexy charm and his tender soul.

Will pride and fear keep Meggie from embracing possibilities, or will Quinn's gentle persistence break down her defenses and lead her to a silent surrender?

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!

Buy Carry Me Home HERE

By Alexa Bourne

My latest book, CARRY ME HOME, is out this week! I’m so excited for so many reasons, but especially to be a part of the Decadent Tease series. Tease stories are shorter, but they pack a punch! To find out more, visit www.decadenttease.com. For now, I’d like to tell you a bit more about my hero and heroine.

Jamie and Mary MacDougall have been friends since early childhood. They’ve fought against and for each other on a number of occasions. They’ve shared celebrations and also mourned together. When they became adults, they married.

But a HUGE difficulty arose and changed their relationship. They stopped talking and so they couldn’t help each other get through the most difficult time of their marriage. CARRY ME HOME begins months after this, after the wound has scabbed over but is in no way healed.

Fighting with our loved ones is a fact of life. Who among us hasn’t hollered at a significant other or a family member at one time or another? There are many reasons people fight and they may all seem legitimate, but to be true to ourselves and our relationships, we absolutely must be willing and able to share our comments about why something isn’t working. Communication is key. Yes, it may be painful, but if the bond means something to the people involved then sooner or later love will win. Not everyone is strong enough to wait and work through the issues. Jamie and Mary want to be strong enough, but they’re really not sure if they are. 

I promise you that they can rise above their challenges. Plus, I guarantee you’ll love how they guide (and sometimes drag!) each other to their Happily Ever After.

Fractured Paradise

Buy Fractured Paradise HERE

By Alexa Bourne

I’ve heard writers say that choosing a favorite of their own books is like choosing a favorite child: impossible. I admit it’s very difficult to pick one when so much of ourselves goes into every single story. I’ve found that I love each of my 3 published stories (and my 2 contracted Tease stories!!) for a different reason. But if I really, really had to choose just one as my absolute favorite, I’d have to choose my second story, Fractured Paradise.

Fractured Paradise became my 2^nd published story and it was released last November. Yes, I had an online party for its release and Decadent Publishing sent me on a blog tour, but I don’t feel I gave Fractured Paradise all the attention it deserved. Like a middle child, this story was pushed aside because I was prepping for my December release, the “baby of the family”, if you will.

But Fractured Paradise has so much to offer readers. It was my chance to bring to life my mother’s hometown of Sunderland, England. I honored my heritage by describing my views of the picturesque town and giving my own thoughts about the place to my American heroine, Rachel. It has a great community and a comfortable, growing romance from the first page.

Fractured Paradise is also my favorite story for another reason. I think, in my heart, that the hero, Aidan, is the one hero most like the man I’d want in real life. He’s a sweetheart, he’s honest even when Rachel doesn’t want to hear it, and he’s got a good soul. (And of course he’s hot!) In all my stories, I have to “cast” my characters before I can truly get into the scenes and the real-life guy who helped shape Aidan is actually my favorite football (or soccer to Americans) player. He’s a good player, a smart player, and a solid team player. He’s not the most handsome (except to me and his wife, probably!) or the youngest or the most outspoken. However, he leads by example and has earned the respect of many players, coaches and reporters as well. That’s the kind of man I wanted Aidan to be.

I haven’t reread Fractured Paradise since I was working on its edits, and now that my new babies (my Decadent Tease books) will be released in the next few months, I have a lot of work to do for them. But Rachel and Aidan deserve their story to be read. Maybe I’ll take the virtual trip back this weekend to my extended family’s village and fall in love with my favorite characters again. (But don’t tell the couples from my other stories! They might get jealous.)

Book Blurb:

Technical analyst Rachel Grant arrives in Sunderland intent on tidying up her grandmother’s cottage, but the disaster she discovers requires more than a gentle sweep of a dust rag. Determined to please the most important person in her life, she trades her computer keyboard for a hammer and nails to make the repairs. She doesn’t count on the chilly reception from the locals who want to claim Nan’s home as their own.

Tour guide Aidan Camden wants to buy the cottage. He’s determined to acquire the property no matter how attractive he finds the current occupant. However, when tragedy strikes, throwing them both into a tailspin, he discovers he wants more than the house. He longs for the sexy American as well. Can Aidan put his own ghosts to rest in time to save the woman who’s claimed his heart?

Excerpt:

   “A bit of a disappointment, I expect.” A rich, deep voice with a twinge of an English accent drifted from behind her.

   She whirled around. Her hair whipped against her cheeks and made her wish for the hundredth time today she hadn’t packed all her hair clips.

   “Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

   The stranger paused beside the edge of the clearing, and her heart stuttered. Although no one would mistake him for a Hollywood leading man, this guy could command attention by stepping into a room. Or onto an island.

   “That’s okay. You didn’t.” She permitted her gaze to wander over him.

He kept his hands stuffed into the front pockets of faded jeans. The wind tore at his gray long-sleeved shirt, outlining the contours of a well-defined chest. Unruly light brown hair touched his collar. High cheekbones accented his deep-set eyes. Not friendly eyes, but no threat lay behind them either, at least none she could uncover.

   He pulled a hand from his pocket and held it out. “Aidan Camden of Dawson Tours, your neighbor from across the water.” He tipped his head toward the way he’d come.

   Camden. His name sounded familiar, but why? She shook his hand with a hint of hesitation. “Rachel Grant.”

   His fingers warmed her skin, his grip strong and confident. Awareness trailed along her arm. Then again, it could be the accent that made her skin tingle. British accents never failed to stir her emotions.

   A trace of a smile danced on his lips. “Aye, the American.”

   Huh. “You know of me?”

   A low rumble of laughter slipped from his mouth, the sound relaxing her from deep within. “Word travels fast here. I saw you paddling your way out.”

   Paddling? No, he’d seen her fighting with the oars. Until today, she’d never set foot on a boat, much less held an oar. But she would consider swimming across the Atlantic Ocean if it would make Nan happy.

   “Tell me, Mr. Camden, are you in the habit of following foreigners?”

   “No, lass, but you’re all the talk of the Roker area. The mighty Grant descendant, come to see about selling the family cottage.”

   Selling?

Prepare to be TEASED

By Alexa Bourne

Pssst. Hey you. Over there. Have you heard the AWESOME Decadent news? No? Then come a little closer and I'll fill you in. But don't tell my editor!

Pretty soon Decadent Publishing will launch a brand new line of FANTABULOUS stories. I know! How can they keep getting better, right? But they are! These stories will knock your socks off. The line is called Tease and what kind of stories are they, you ask? They're novellas meant to tease you with a little romance. There will be historical, contemporary, and paranormal stories for you to choose from.

I'm honored to be a part of this new series. I've been part of the Decadent family, writing Honor Guard romantic suspense stories, for over a year. When one of the editors emailed me and asked me to be one of their Tease authors, I was as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning. To be part of a new project, to bring sexy, short stories to readers everywhere, is so very exciting. Indeed, we’re having a lot of fun getting ready for the launch of these exciting new lines. And yes, the editors are teasing us a bit along the way.

Decadent's editors and the Tease authors are making great plans for our launch. So stay close and keep your eyes open for us. We'll be celebrating the launch sooner than you think! But, you can be “in the know” and celebrate with us right from the start. Get the deets here: www.decadenttease.com and join us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/DecadentTEASE.

Okay, since you can’t get any Tease books yet, I’ll give you something to tide you over. One commenter here or on my own blog (http://alexabourne.blogspot.com) will win a signed copy of my print book, Through the Eyes of Darkness! Good luck!

Check out Through the Eyes of Darkness!

If My Characters Were Sick...

by Alexa Bourne

Like so many other people throughout the country, I’ve been fighting some kind of cold or stomach virus for almost a week. I’ve had fever, aches, stomach issues and I haven’t wanted to eat. I’ve slept more than I have since college (which was a looooooooong time ago!) and I’ve put off some of my author duties. (Don’t tell my editor!) In short, I’ve felt just crappy enough to be miserable, but not crappy enough to stay home from work.

So I got to thinking…how would each of my couples from my Honor Guard romantic suspense novellas handle being sick?

Her Highland Champion

Heather-It would depend on how severe her cold was. If she had a fever, she’d stay in her room and away from the kitchen since she and Malcolm run a bed and breakfast. She wouldn’t want to get her guests sick! But once her fever broke, she’d think nothing of shuffling down to the kitchen or to the office in her pajamas to check on the staff and lend a hand.

Malcolm- He hasn’t gotten sick in years. Heather’s not sure how he’d react, but his mother told her as a child he just suffered and didn’t complain. He slept a lot and accepted his mom’s comfort when she offered, but he never asked for anything. Heather’s pretty sure he’d be the same type of sick person as an adult.

Fractured Paradise

Rachel- Only a doctor’s note would keep her away from work. She would take medicine, rest when she could and then go to work to soldier on. Too many people depend on her computer expertise for her to be out of work. Besides, she can hole up in her office and keep everyone else out.

Aidan- He may be a happy man when he’s traveling through northern England with tourists, but you’d want to stay far away if he was sick. Aidan is grumpy, short-tempered, and likes to be left alone unless he needs something. In short, he’s the complete opposite of the Aidan we all know and love. He also indulges in LOTS of comfort food.

Simple Treasures

Joanna- Since Joanna was in the US military, she learned to “suck it up and deal with it” when she was sick. Now that she’s out of the military, she’s okay with pampering herself a bit when she’s got a cold. She’ll spend the day under the covers and drink lots of liquid when she’s awake. She doesn’t ask for anything from Colin. If she wants or needs something, she takes care of it herself.

Colin- Colin may be a kick-arse bodyguard with a sharp mind, but when he gets sick, he’s like a little kid. He whines and milks it for all it’s worth. He lays on the couch or bed, acting like he’s dying, and begs Joanna to cater to his needs. (I don’t know about you, but this sounds horrible! Luckily, Joanna is smart enough to leave him alone quite a bit when he’s like this.)

I guess I’m most like Rachel. I didn’t call in sick all week and I tried to space out my author duties so I wasn’t overwhelmed any night. I made sure to get enough sleep and to take medicine on a regular basis. What about you? How do you handle being sick? How does your significant other handle it? Which one of my characters are you most like?

Simple Treasures

By Alexa Bourne

Are you ready for Christmas? I’m not! I’ve still got shopping to do, gifts to wrap, and that necessary trip to the post office. With only a week and one day left, I’m determined to enjoy every moment I can. One thing I KNOW I’m going to enjoy is the release of my next Honor Guard novella, Simple Treasures. It will be available on December 25^th! Merry Christmas to me!

Simple Treasures is a modern-day New Year’s story set in the beautiful city of Edinburgh, Scotland. I chose to write about Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, or New Year’s, event because it meant the world to me when I participated two years ago. From the Ferris wheel ride next to the Scott Monument to the burning of the Viking ship at the end of the Torchlight Procession, every moment made me giddy like a little kid waiting for Santa. My heroine, Joanna, reacts in much the same way as me, but, unlike me, she has trouble to deal with while wandering the streets of Edinburgh.

Joanna is an American exchange student studying in Scotland. After spending Christmas with her friends in the Highlands of Scotland (Heather and Malcolm from HerHighland Champion), she returns to Edinburgh ready to enjoy every aspect of the Hogmanay experience. A former US soldier injured on the job, she has learned to appreciate all the wonderful, simple treasures in the world around her.

Unfortunately, Joanna witnesses a crime on the train ride back home and her Hogmanay plans get put on hold. Luckily, my plans in Edinburgh weren’t interrupted, although I wouldn’t have minded meeting a man like Joanna’s hero, Colin.

He’s a man on a mission, hoping to land the perfect job with the International Protective Network, or IPN. He’s tall, dark and sexy, but he’s definitely not ready for Joanna and her passion for life. She throws him off guard because he’s always very driven, very focused on one thing at a time, and he has no time to smell the roses. But Joanna forces him to slow down, to take a good look at the world around him and appreciate all that he has. And soon, she becomes the one thing he’s focused on. Which, in itself causes more problems for the both of them. What kind of problems? Well, for that you’ll have to read the book! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and a Happy Hogmanay!

Book Blurb

Take-charge bodyguard Colin Munro believes working for the International Protective Network will be the perfect occupation for him. Unfortunately, his trial assignment is protecting a woman who has no intention of blindly following orders. Aye, he’ll bring the bonnie lass in line because there’s no way he’ll allow her to ruin his chance of securing his dream job.

Physically and emotionally scarred during her stint as a U.S. soldier, Joanna Grainger wants nothing more than to enjoy life. New Year's Eve in Edinburgh marks the beginning of her transformation. But when she witnesses a crime no one believes occurred, her plans come to a screeching halt. To make matters worse, her sexy but headstrong bodyguard has no compassion for her or the victim.

As danger hunts them during one of the busiest time of the year, Joanna must convince Colin she's a worthy partner. But first, can she convince herself?

Fractured Paradise

Buy Fractured Paradise HERE!

by Alexa Bourne

Hello there. Aidan Camden here. I live in Sunderland, England and I’m a tour guide with Dawson Tours. Alexa Bourne is off partying on her blog for the release of our Honor Guard book, Fractured Paradise. So she asked me to come and fill in for her today.

I know American’s celebrate Thanksgiving later this month and part of that is eating a big meal with family and friends and watching your version of football (in which the foot isn’t really used- daft Americans!) We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but in the spirit of your holiday, here’s a list of some of the things I’m most thankful for:

1.   Sarsparilla Tablets, a hard, red sweet (or candy, to you Americans)

2.   Proper football, where the players actually use their feet to play. (Haway the lads!)

3.   My health and the health of those I care about. I learned the hard way what it’s like to lose someone you love.

4.   Craig Barnes, my mate from school who is now my boss. He gave me a job when I needed to return to Sunderland.

5.   The Roker Pier Lighthouse. Many afternoons when the world closed in ‘round me, I walked out there to listen to the waves and save meself.

6.    For Rachel’s grandmother. If she hadn’t wanted to return to Sunderland, I never would have met Rachel, me lass in the book.

7.   Rachel, for showing me life can go on and be grand after suffering a tragedy.

8.   Rachel again, for taking a chance on me and helping me to forgive myself.

I could go on talking about me lass, but some of the things I’m thankful for aren’t suited for the Internet. So, I’ll be off. I’ve a tour to guide to Penshaw Monument. If you have time, stop in to see Alexa (http://alexabourne.blogspot.com) anytime this week and you’ll learn more about me, Rachel, and Sunderland. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win a FREE copy of my story!

Blurb:

Technical analyst Rachel Grant arrives in Sunderland intent on tidying up her grandmother’s cottage, but the disaster she discovers requires more than a gentle sweep of a dust rag. Determined to please the most important person in her life, she trades her computer keyboard for a hammer and nails to make the repairs. She doesn’t count on the chilly reception from the locals who want to claim Nan’s home as their own.

Tour guide Aidan Camden wants to buy the cottage. He’s determined to acquire the property no matter how attractive he finds the current occupant. However, when tragedy strikes, throwing them both into a tailspin, he discovers he wants more than the house. He longs for the sexy American as well. Can Aidan put his own ghosts to rest in time to save the woman who’s claimed his heart?

www.alexabourne.com