Diana Cosby & 'Forbidden Legacy' @GoddessFish @lyricalpress #Historical #Romance

Today we have author Diana Cosby, a Lyrical Press historical author, visiting. Welcome!

What would you like to tell readers about yourself?

* A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothers series are translated in five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.
* After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. With the release of her first two books in her new Scottish medieval The Oath Trilogy, An Oath Taken and An Oath Broken, both which hit bestseller lists in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as the release of the e Box Set of the MacGruder Brothers series, she is now preparing for the release of the last book in The Oath trilogy, An Oath Sworn on 23 December, 2015!
* Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.

A look into...

~ Blurb ~ * A betrothal neither wants . . . a passion neither can resist.
* When the English murder Lady Katherine Calbraith’s family, she refuses their demands to wed an English noble to retain her home. Avalon Castle is her birthright, one she’s determined to keep. After Katherine’s daring escape, she’s stunned when Scotland’s king agrees to allow her to return to Avalon, but under the protection of Sir Stephan MacQuistan . . . as the knight’s wife. To reclaim her heritage, Katherine agrees. She accepts her married fate, certain that regardless of the caliber of the man, Stephan may earn her trust, but he’ll never win her love.
* One of the Knights Templar, Stephan desires no bride, only vengeance for a family lost and a legacy stolen. A profound twist of fate tears apart the Brotherhood he loves, but offers him an opportunity to reclaim his legacy—Avalon Castle. Except to procure his childhood home along with a place to store Templar treasures, he must wed the unsuspecting daughter of the man who killed his family. To settle old scores, Stephan agrees, aware Katherine is merely a means to an end.
* The passion that arises between them is as dangerous as it is unexpected. When mortal enemies find themselves locked in love’s embrace, Stephan and Katherine must reconsider their mission and everything they once thought to be true . . . ~ Excerpt ~ * “I am familiar with the towering cliffs, the treacherous currents, along with the near-impenetrable defenses.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “There is naught you can say that will change my mind.”
* He couldna forbid her now! Screams of battle assaulted her mind, the English noble’s brutality as he’d forced her to witness her parents’ deaths and, after, ordered her locked within her chamber until she agreed to wed. Except, as had the English lord, her sovereign underestimated her. “Along with being aware that hidden catacombs lie beneath Avalon, I know of a secret passage into the castle.”
* Interest flickered in the king’s eyes, as if he were weighing the truth of her declaration. “Your father informed me of the catacombs, but I wasna aware of a secret passage.”
* “Aye. However,” she continued, mindful of her boldness, even risking his incarcerating her in the dungeon by her next words, “I willna reveal the location of the tunnel’s entry unless I am allowed to return with the assaulting force.”
* The Bruce’s eyes widened at her defiance. On a sharp hiss, he lowered his hands and stepped closer, towering over her. “You dare to make demands of your king?”
* “Nay, Your Grace,” Katherine breathed, “I–I only wish to help. I am skilled with a sword.”
* “You will remain here!”
* Her heart dropped. ’Twas a risk to push him, but she was desperate. Who wouldna be after the gruesome events she’d witnessed? “I know I speak out of turn. It wasna my intention to usurp your authority.” At his hesitation, she pushed on, her words spilling out. “I am loyal to you, I swear it, but Avalon Castle is my home; ’tis all I know,” she rasped, her words trembling with grief. “If necessary, for my home and my country, I shall sacrifice my life.”
* He glared at her. “You are but a wee lass.”
* “Mayhap.” She drew herself up to her full height. “But one who fights with the fury of a thousand warriors!”
* For a long moment he studied her. Then his mouth twisted into a wry smile. “If I agree to let you return, you will comply with my wishes?”
* “Aye, Your Grace, anything.”
* The king nodded. “At first light you will depart with a seasoned force to recapture Avalon Castle.”
* Relief swept through her. A smile trembled on her mouth. “Your Grace, I—”
* “But,” he continued, “for your protection, before you go, you must agree to wed the knight who leads the attacking force.” Buy Forbidden Legacy here... Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo Find Diana Cosby here... Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Goodreads | Mailing List | Website Thank you for joining us here today, Diana Cosby! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your story.

ANNOUNCEMENT! The Lyrical Press historical authors will be awarding digital copies of all the books featured to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour! So be sure to leave a comment AND use the Rafflecopter below. Also, visit the other tour stops for a greater chance of winning!

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Tough opponents... Kristina Mathews & 'Better Than Perfect' ~ @KristinaMathews @GoddessFish #romance

Today we have author Kristina Mathews visiting. Welcome!

What would you like to tell readers about yourself?

* Kristina Mathews doesn't remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. Or in her head. But it wasn't until she turned forty that she confessed the reason the laundry never made it out of the dryer was because she was busy writing.
* Kristina lives in Northern California with her husband of more than twenty years, two sons and a black lab. A veteran road tripper, amateur renovator and sports fanatic. She hopes to one day travel all 3,073 miles of Highway 50 from Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, MD, replace her carpet with hardwood floors and serve as a “Ball Dudette” for the San Francisco Giants.

What book are you going to tell us about today?
* Better Than Perfect is Book One in the More Than A Game series. It is my debut novel and the second book, Worth The Trade, comes out in July. I don’t have a publication date yet for the next two books in the series. Each book is a stand-alone story, they are connected in that the hero and/or heroine are affiliated with the San Francisco Goliaths baseball team.

How'd you/your muse come up with this story?
* I wanted to write a story about an athlete hero who was heroic both on and off the field. After too many sports scandals, I wanted to write a guy who was nearly perfect. As a pitcher, he was perfect once, for nine innings. But of course, without the heroine, his personal life was far from perfect.

Describe the hero in five words.
* Johnny is a good guy.

Describe the heroine in five words.
* Alice sacrifices for loved ones.

Who's your favorite character in the book & why?
* I love Johnny Scottsdale. He’s the kind of guy I would want my sons to look up to. I first got the idea for his character after hearing one too many sports scandals. Having a son who is a student athlete we talk a lot about the responsibility. When he puts on the uniform, he represents his team, his school, and his community.

What's your favorite line in the story?
* Johnny went for a run down the Embarcadero, dodging seagulls and skaters and street performers. He was really dodging his feelings. His past. And the realization that he needed to start thinking about his future.

A look into the story

~ Blurb ~ * The woman he left behind and the son he never knew are tougher opponents than any he’s met on the field.
* Pitcher Johnny “The Monk” Scottsdale has won awards, been named an All-star and has a perfect game to his credit. Known for his legendary control both on and off the field, his pristine public image makes him the ideal person to work with youth players in a preseason minicamp. Except the camp is run by the one woman he can’t forget…the woman who made him a “monk.”
* Alice Harrison’s three strikes include an unexpected pregnancy, a marriage of convenience and young widowhood. She once traded her dreams so Johnny could have a chance at making it to the Majors. Johnny comes back into her life just as she’s ready to resign as foundation director and pursue her own dreams of finally earning her teaching credential. Her plans may go on hold, though, depending on the reaction when she confesses she may have kept a major league secret from Johnny and her son.
* With the minutes ticking by until Johnny will leave for spring training, they’ll need to let go of the past and work together in order to win the game of love.
* CONTENT WARNING: Some strong language, consummated love scenes ~ Excerpt ~ * “Alice.” Just saying her name sent a line drive straight to his heart. Even fourteen years later.
* “Congratulations on your new contract. I know you’re going to have a great year.” She sounded like any other fan, wishing him well. She just marched right up to his table to ask for an autograph. A freaking autograph? Like he meant nothing to her.
* A slight breeze blew her hair around her face. She tried to smile as she tucked a loose strand behind her ear. Blond, straight, silky—and if he remembered correctly—oh-so-soft. She wore modestly cut jeans and a soft blue sweater that on anyone else would have looked plain and proper. He didn’t need to glance at her left hand to know she was off limits. Yet, she still moved him like no other woman ever could. Made him long for what he’d had. What he’d lost. What he’d tried for years to forget.
* Johnny nodded, giving his most sincere smile, even though seeing Alice, and her kid, hit him like a 97-mile-an-hour fastball.
* They started to walk away.
* “Give my best to Mel.” As if he hadn’t already done that.
* Alice turned around.
* “Mel died. Eight years ago.”

Buy Better Than Perfect here...
Lyrical Press | Kobo | Amazon | B&N

Find Kristina Mathews here...
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Page

Thank you for joining us here today, Kristina Mathews! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your story.

ANNOUNCEMENT! Kristina will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC plus a digital copy of the book to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour! So be sure to leave your name and email with your comment, visit the other tour stops (find them here: goddessfishpromotions-virtual-book-tour) for a greater chance of winning!