Author Spotlight - A.D. Ellis

A.D. Ellis holds a special place in my heart.  I'm not sure how I "discovered" her - probably Facebook, as that really is a most awesome place for finding new-to-you authors & not only being able to check out their books, but to connect with them as well.

She currently has a M/M series that has been VERY well received.  

(I don't read M/M, but because I know and adore her writing style & story telling, I'm more than comfortable recommending her!  If you're a M/M reader, check out book 1 in her Something About Him series, Bryan & Jase!)

She also has a couple contemporary series, and these are the ones I've read and fallen in love with.

The Torey Hope Series (book 2, Because of Beckett is FREE at the time I'm posting this) & Torey Hope: The Later Years follow a group of friends/family making their way & finding love in the midwest town of Torey Hope.  They are amazingly sweet, in-depth, heartwarming & sexy!  

Each story can be read as a stand alone (tho they're obviously all connected!) & tackles real-life situations, both individually and as couples.  I LOVE that about her stories!!! 

While I love all of them, one young man from The Later Years stole my heart & just refuses to give it back!  Knowing this, our dear A.D. had a little something extra in store for me at last year's Writers On The River signing.

That's right, a personal message from Zach!!!

*hearts*

When I saw this, not only did I about cry, but my heart got so warm!!

I'm totally fangirling here, and it wasn't even the first time meeting her!  : ) 

Speaking of the first time we met - THIS cemented that special place in my heart that is all hers.

It was my first big multi-author signing - I'd been to a signing w/ 10 authors the year before, and I thought THAT was big, but Rochelle highly encouraged me to come to an even bigger signing in Indiana, and A.D. was there.  And as I walked up to her table a bit nervously, she squeaked, rounded the table, and tackle hugged me!  ME!

SHE KNEW WHO I WAS!

My heart still goes all happy at that memory.  : )  

My heart still goes all happy ANY time someone knows who I am, and is happy to see ME - but she gets the honor of being the first.  

She also surprised me with this little gem in St Louis.  

Zaaaaaach!  

Sadly, about a month after that signing, someone broke into my car & my house, stealing my purse (among other things) and this was one of the treasures I had in there (along w/ my signature book that had been w/ me to all my signings.  Anya Breton - who will also be at WOTR! - was my last signature in that book, WITH a llama stamp, darn it!).

So, altho the necklace itself is gone, I'm grateful I have this picture and will always treasure the gift.

: ) 

I can't wait to see & hug her & get more books next weekend!!  

Be sure to leave a comment & let me know what you think!

And check out this list of authors attending this year's WOTR.  If there's an author you'd like to see a Spotlight on, let me know.

ttfn!

(All links are for Amazon, as usual, not because I get anything from them when you click, but because I figure it's more convenient for you!)  

Author Spotlight - Susan Stoker (and a FREE book)

I have been very blessed to meet many of my favorite authors.  It's a blessing I never could have imagined when I started reading indie romances a few years ago.  Every time I would discover a new author, it floored me when they would reply to a comment, or "like" a post on Facebook.  And even tho I've now met them in person, and known some of them for years, I STILL get a little (sometimes a lot) ferklempt by the fact that they KNOW WHO I AM.  

One such author is the amazingly talented Susan Stoker.

Nashville 2016 - our first in person meeting!

I stumbled across Protecting Fiona randomly, somehow, and even tho it's book 3 in the SEALs of Protection series, I wasn't lost.  Susan became an IMMEDIATE favorite, and I have devoured every single one of her books after it.  It took me a little while to go back & read Books 1 & 2, but they were soooo good!  : )  

(She & Beth MAY have been shocked upon recently hearing I hadn't read them yet...and challenged me to do so... *grin*)

(P.S. Book 1, Protecting Caroline, is FREE at time of posting, click that link above!)

Her stories are full of damsels in distress, adventure, interesting locales, and happily ever afters that are made even sweeter by all the rescues!  They're safe reads in that there's no cheating, none of that triangle nonsense (no offense to ppl who like triangles - just not my bag!), and you know what you're getting when you settle down to enjoy one of her stories.  They deal with REAL issues or concerns or whatever you'd like to call them.  Her heroes & heroines have challenges to face in life - and they do so brilliantly.  

As I'm writing, I'm trying to think of a "favorite" story, but I can't pick just one.  In the Seal of Protection series, Tex could be my favorite because he makes an appearance in each book before "his" story (Protecting Melody) and he's SUCH a presence throughout each series.  But then there's also Cooper (Protecting Kiera) - he is full of swoony goodness!  And his cover miiiight be one of my favorites.  ; ) 

Swaggy goodness & upcoming covers - how heroic does Wander look on the cover of Protecting Dakota?  And the artwork for Fish on Rescuing Bryn?  Thumbs way up!  

It's not all about the guys.  I mentioned "damsels in distress" earlier, but these ladies also kick some serious butt!  They might need saving, but they save their men right back - sometimes in surprising ways!  A couple characters appear as supporting cast along the way - and boy do you NOT like them.  And then... Then Susan shows her talent, and those women get a book (and a hero) of their own, and they redeem themselves from all the bad thoughts you were previously having about them!  

(No.  I'm not telling you who they are or which books they're in, because it's much more fun if you discover them naturally!  ; ) ) 

My most recent meeting with Susan, at the Cleveland Author Event, we actually got to sit down (with Beth - hiiiii Beth!!) and really TALK about books.  I got to experience how her mind works when creating these stories; it made me even more excited for what's coming down the pike w/ them!  And, in case you couldn't tell, I was already pretty excited about them.  : ) 

Cleveland, 2017

So!  If you're looking for awesome adventures, with characters who will stick with you, in a world full of connected stand alone stories - give her a shot.  Each of her books CAN be read on its own.  You don't need to start at a particular spot or with a particular series to enjoy any one of her books.  However, if you're like me, your reading experience will only be enhanced by starting from the beginning & immersing yourself in the world of SEALs, badge holders (hello, cops & firefighters, EMT's & troopers), security specialists,  Delta Force... *hearts*  

Be sure to leave a comment & let me know what you think!  

ttfn!  : ) 

(All links are for Amazon, not because I get anything from them when you click, but just because I figured it'd be more convenient for you!)  

Back In The Saddle

Hello, my bloggy peeps!  It's been a year since I've posted something new in this forum - although I post on my Bookshelf page on Facebook regularly.  I apologize for neglecting this page!  

Recently, my dear friend, Susan Stoker - who is a fantastic author of stories I LOVE - did something AMAZING to cheer me up, because I'd been having a rough time of it.  She shared my blog page with her group on FB, encouraging them to give it a shot.  Because of her post, my "likes" more than doubled.  In less than a day!!  I'm ever so grateful for that - I love to share my love of stories & authors & the book community!  God is so good to have blessed me with these friendships and stories!  : )  

SO!  That inspired me, and I've decided that I need to get back to spotlighting my favorite authors & signings & general bookie love!  

Stay tuned for Spotlights, Reviews, and LOTS of pictures!  

Be blessed, my friends!  

ttfn!  : )