February 29 comes around every four years, and when it appears, folks take notice. Leap Year Day in 2008 marks the release of my second romantic suspense, NO SECOND CHANCE, from The Wild Rose Press, in trade paperback format. This story about a horse rescuer and a corporate executive trying to outwit a lethal enemy has an added bonus. Proceeds from the sale of this book benefit Days End Farm Horse Rescue. 

Why horses you ask? Ever since I was a girl I loved horses. I lived for the times when I was allowed to ride my neighbor’s horses. I couldn’t get enough of horses. I brushed them for hours. I sat on them bareback as they grazed in their fields. I loved to race them across the salt marsh. I just flat out couldn’t get enough of horses. 

My oldest daughter had the same deep-seated affection for horses, so I got a double dose of horses. I ended up on the board of a therapeutic riding center. I was so impressed by the way chronically ill children responded to horses, and how these horses, all of them donated to the center, loved the children unconditionally. 

It was during that time that I wrote the first draft of NO SECOND CHANCE. I wanted to give back to the magnificent animals that had helped so many children, to give those who needed help a second chance. When I signed the contract with my publisher this year, I knew a horse charity would be a beneficiary of the proceeds. The nonprofit I selected, Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Lisbon, MD, assists in the rescue of horses across the U.S. (www.defhr.org)  

My book is about a woman named Hope who is about to lose the only home she’s ever known, Second Chance Farm, a horse rescue organization she founded. Devlin is the corporate mogul who needs her help to win his dream job. His dying mother gifted her stock and her board seat to Hope with the understanding that Hope and Devlin would help each other. Sparks fly from the boardroom to the barn to the bedroom when these two unite against a foe that is determined to win at any cost. 

Reviews for NO SECOND CHANCE are posted at www.maggietoussaint.com, as well as Buy Links for the electronic format. Print copies of the book are available at online vendors, such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or they may be ordered from any book store. (ISBN 9781601541628, The Wild Rose Press) 

I’m participating in a book give-away contest, the Wishing for Spring Round-up, which runs from March 1-16. Contest details are listed at www.maggietoussaint.com. While you’re there, check out my other titles including SEEING RED, a sweet romance from Freya’s Bower, and an upcoming hardcover mystery release in June from Five Star.

Happy Friday Junkies!!!

I have to say that I for one am proud to be a romance fan, especially when an author like Maggie comes along. So many of the genre’s authors take advantage of their public persona to support a worthyt cause and Maggie is no different. Maggie has generously donated all the proceeds from her novel NO SECOND CHANCE to the Day’s End Farm Horse Rescue in Lisbon MD.

Following this intro Maggie will be joining us to talk more about the horse rescue and answer your questions. For now here’s a bit about NO SECOND CHANCE and the Day’s End Farm.

A scientist by training, a romanticist at heart, Maggie Toussaint loves to solve puzzles.  Whether it’s the puzzle of a relationship or a who-dun-it, she tackles them all with equal aplomb and wonder.   Maggie writes romantic suspense for The Wild Rose Press, sweet romance for Freya’s Bower, and cozy mystery for Five Star. Besides being a member of Washington Romance Writers, she’s also a member of Romance Writer of America’s Kiss of Death, First Coast Romance Writers, Southeast Mystery Writers of America, Florida Sisters In Crime, and EPIC. She was awarded the WRW Magic Crystal Award in 2004. Locally, she writes for The Darien News and is on the Ida Hilton Library Board. Visit her at www.maggietoussaint.com

                                                         No Second Chance

Proceeds from this book will benefit a real life horse rescue farm in Lisbon, MD. Day’s End Farm Horse Rescue rescues horses from all over the country. Their mission: Fostering compassion and responsibility for horses through intervention, education, and outreach.Visit www.defhr.org to find out more about this worthy cause.

 

Hope Farrier rescues unwanted horses, but she’s saddled with debt. Without help she’ll lose Second Chance Farm, the first home she’s ever known. An endowment brings the promise of future relief and the presence of shrewd business manager, Devlin Temple. Trouble is Devlin has his dreamy blue eyes on more than her bottom line.

Playboy Devlin Temple lays a trap for the thief that’s fleecing his company. When his cousin sets his cap for Devlin’s job, Devlin needs Hope’s help to secure the CEO position. In her arms he finds the solace he craves, but their blossoming romance prompts the thief to raise the stakes.

Will Devlin and Hope pay the ultimate price for love?

E-book Buy it from The Wild Rose Press or Buy it from Fictionwise

Print Book Buy it from Amazon.com or Buy it from BarnesandNoble.com

Good Morning Junkies!!!

Today we have Michele Scott with us and she is gonna to take us on tour of wine. I for one agree that a good glass of wine with the one you love is romantic and relaxing. Michele is well versed on thew topic of wine since she writes a the WINE LOVERS MYSTERIES.

Sit back and enjoy and please let us know do you have a favorite wine or even a romantic hint for us. With the fast pace of living I for one can use all the help I can get to put a little romance in my marriage.

Welcome Michele!!

 

Great Italian Wines for Under $20.00 

I thought it might be fun to talk wines on the blog. I write the wine lover’s mystery series and I think having a glass of wine with your lover (I feel so Sarah Jessica-Parker “saying” that—did anyone see that episode when Carrie was dating the Russian guy Baryshnikov played, and she kept referring to him as, “My Lover? To her friends? I loved that episode. Every time she said lover, I cracked up. Sorry for the digression. I am a big SATC fan—anyway) at the end of a hard day is kind of romantic. But what would it “kick it up a notch?” Italy. Yes, I have been daydreaming lately about gondola rides, beautiful music and a free round trip ticket to the country so many associate with romance. 

What’s not to love about Italy? Just the mention of the various cities such as Rome, Sicily, Tuscany, Milan and all the villages scattered throughout this amazing country makes one want to steal kisses with that special significant other, sit down at an outdoor café and order a good bottle of wine and some delicious food. Well, let’s face it, many of us can’t hop the next flight on Alitalia, but we can create a bit of that Italian flare in our own homes amongst our friends and family. And believe it or not, we can do it without spending a lot of money at the wine shop and time in the kitchen. 

I’ve been on this Italian kick lately because pasta always goes over well with everyone in my house and a glass of wine at the end of the day with my husband is something the two of us savor. It’s more a lifesaver with three kids than romantic. But the idea is nice. Italy alone with him would be even nicer. We both agree that when we find a good wine for under $20.00, we’ve discovered something great. Here’s a list of some wonderful Italian wines that are all under $20.00. 

Südtirol Alto Adige

2006

Eisacktaler

Müller Thurgua T

he Müller Thurgua varietal is grown close to the Austrian border and is an off-dry wine that pairs well with light cheeses, salads, sea food and believe it or not, it’s terrific with macaroni and cheese! This is a crisp wine that contains no oak flavor to it and is fermented in steel barrels. It’s truly light and refreshing and terrific with or without food. If you’re thinking that a relaxing bath with a bit of lavender oil sprinkled in it and this wine on hand, then you are on target. What’s also on target with this wine is the price at $11.00. 

 The next wine is Teruzzi & Puthod                                      

2005

Vernaccia Di San Gimignano 

San Gimignano is a village in Tuscany about an hour south of Florence. The village is called the Manhattan of Italy because it is a pre-Renaissance village surrounded by tall towers. The vineyards in this area are surrounded by olive groves and if you focus on the flavors of this wine you will be able to taste a note of green olive. This wine is a dry white with a hint of fruitiness and not at all sweet. It pairs with cream sauce pastas, chicken, and seafood. However, I’d go simple with this and pair it with prosciutto and melon. It’s outstanding! You can pick this gem up for $11.00  

The last white I’ll include is a wonderful Pinot Grigio from Delle Venezie.  

Kris Pinot Grigio

2006

Delle Venezie 

This Pinot Grigio comes from North Eastern Italy where some of the best Pinot Grigios are produced due to the cooler climate. What’s wonderful about this wine is at its price point you won’t find it at all thin or watery. It shows good fruit, balance, and acids. It is a fantastic value at $12.00, and is perfect for chicken or seafood in a lemon or butter sauce.  

Onto the reds.

Terre del Nero D’Avola,

2003 vintage.

The Nero D’ Avolo is an indigenous grape to Sicily. This ancient grape dates all the way back to the pre-Roman era. It’s similar to a California Zinfandel because like the California Zin it has a touch of pepper and spice on the palette. This red pairs nicely with pizza, lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, anything with a red sauce basically. It’s also a great barbeque wine and is tasty with a good burger. At $10.00 you can’t go wrong.  

The Barbera D’ Alba

2005

Produced by Damilano from Piedmont, which is located in North Western Italy, not too far from Southern France, is a soft red that doesn’t contain too many tannins. A slight chill on this wine is really nice as it’s not heavy at all. This is a great cheese wine. It also pairs well with chicken, veal and lamb. The price on this fantastic wine is $17.00  

Cascina Castle’t

2005

Barbera d’Osti 

This wine is also from the Piedmont region, however, the Barbera wines coming out of Osti tend to be heavier than from Alba.  I picked this wine up because I liked the label (and who says that marketing isn’t everything?). The label is of four little girls on an old school Vespa circa early sixties. It struck me as cute and for $16.00, I couldn’t pass it up. Word is that the girl dressed in pink runs this winery, and I enjoyed the wine as much as I do the label. This red would is excellent with Osso Bucco or Veal Milanese, but if it’s been a long week and you’re thinking simple sounds good, then take out a pizza and enjoy. 

If you want to end the night with a bit of dessert Italiano style, then go for a bottle of Nivole Muscato 2006. It has a slight sparkle to it and is decadent in its own right or if you’re not counting calories, what the heck—add your fave from a bowl of berries, the classic tiramisu or lemon gelato—YUM! Be decadent, be romantic, mysterious and live life. Come on, you know you want to. Go ahead and bring a little Italy on home. 

Saluté my friends!  

Michele

www.michelescott.com

 

I’ve thought about what I should blog about for weeks. So I warn you now, I’m not very good at this. LOL After much consideration I decided to discuss dialogue and description.

I know a lot of authors who have difficulty with dialogue, they stress over it. Agonize over every word their characters utter. I never do. Why you ask? That’s easy, I see the story through dialogue. It’s the description I agonize over LOL

If you’ve ever been my critique partner, you’d know that my first draft of any story is illegible to anyone but me. Only I can tell who’s talking to who and why they’re saying the things they do. Hey but that works for me, everyone finds their own personal writing style. Once my dialogue is in place, I can add the description and fill in the holes.

Ok now for the advice hehe. Write what you know. When you create characters try to make their dialogue flow by basing your characters speech patterns on people you know until you feel comfortable creating dialogue out of thin air. Go to a crowded restaurant, or food court and people watch. Study people on the subway or the bus while on your way to and from work. You’ll notice people talk differently in the morning, then at night and that will help you determine how your characters speak.

Again, do what feels comfortable to you and the rest will come.

Aline de Chevigny