An interview with Diane Demetre discussing Island of Secrets and the writing process in general. #womens #fiction #suspense @DianeDemetre .@rararesources

Island of Secrets

A captivating story of love, mystery and hope

Two love stories separated in time. Two women following their dreams. In a paradise littered with painful secrets, will love turn the tide?

 

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1973. Cecilia “CiCi” Freemont has a restless soul and the voice of an angel. Leaving her privileged upbringing behind, she chases her dreams to the sandy beaches of an unspoiled Hawaiian paradise, Harbor Island. But life takes an unexpected turn when she falls for the island’s young heir-apparent and her newfound adventure becomes too much to bear…

2017. Investigative journalist Tina Templeton has dedicated herself to the pursuit of truth. But when she inherits Harbor Island, her career plans take a confusing twist. Managing the sprawling island estate is tough business even with the help of aging cabaret singer, CiCi Freemont. Especially when a massive ecological disaster threatens to destroy her beautiful beaches—and the responding coast guard captain steals her heart.

As the investigation into the disaster reveals a 40-year-old mystery that could change their lives forever, will Tina find love among the secrets, or will CiCi’s painful past dash her dreams on the rocks?

Island of Secrets is an epic love story. If you like generations-spanning drama, characters with hidden pasts, heart-warming romance and intrigue, then you’ll love Diane Demetre’s powerful romantic mystery in paradise.

 

An interview with Diane Demetre discussing Island of Secrets and the writing process in general.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Writing always energizes and inspires me. It’s a soul connection and conduit to my creativity.

Why did you write Island of Secrets?

I remember when the idea for this book came to me. My husband and I were out in our boat on the Broadwater on the Gold Coast in Australia. It was one of those magnificent boating days—calm, sultry and cloudless. Having just completed Retribution, I’d been waiting on the inspiration for my next book. Nothing yet had beamed in. As someone who is willing to wait for inspiration rather than forcing my creativity, I was enjoying a couple weeks off from my writing schedule.

While we were relaxing on the Broadwater and lapping up the beautiful weather, an old Huon pine cruiser drove past us. Like a bolt out of the blue, Island of Secrets landed in my consciousness. The story arrived well-formed, with characters I immediately visualized.

I’d visited Hawaii a couple of years earlier, and Maui, with its volcanic geography, lush vegetation and captivating sea life lived up to its name of the Magic Isle. It was the ideal location for Island of Secrets.

What is Island of Secrets about? 

In the vein of Iona Grey and Nicholas Sparks, Island of Secrets is a contemporary multi-generational love story which transcends time and speaks to the profounder meaning of love, loss and belonging. Island of Secrets is romantic women’s mystery with the narrative woven across two time-lines—1973 and 2017. It is written in third person and told from the heroine’s POV through each timeline.

Give me the first, middle and end line from Island of Secrets.

FIRST LINE - For a day that had started out so right, she had no idea how it went so horribly wrong.

MIDDLE LINE - In contrast to the solemn reason for her visit, the magical mosaic of color tinged everything with its vibrancy.

END LINE - At last, everyone had found their home, their happy place.

Does (and how) your protagonist change/learn by the end of the book?

Though the story is told in two parts and from two female protagonist’s point of view, both women are transformed firstly, by self-love and then love for another person.

Is there an underlying theme to Island of Secrets?

At its heart, Island of Secrets examines the lives of not just Cecilia and Tina, but all the empowered women—Leilani, Victoria, Beatrice, Loretta, Silly Suzie et al. Women from different times and cultures who face similar challenges and find the courage and strength to overcome them. It is an exploration of how we view the fundamentals of life. Is it love or money that motivates us? Where does loyalty lie in the equation? What moves us to make the decisions we do? And no matter the dilemma we face, there comes a time when we must acknowledge that love is the ultimate answer.

Would you have the main character as a best friend?

 I would have both Cecilia and Tina as close friends. Both women are strong, independent, kind and intelligent.

What’s the best/saddest/funniest/shocking one-liner from Island of Secrets? 

Harbor Island V listed in the ocean in the same way she did, alone and unmanned.

Is there a dedication?

 Yes… the dedication is to all the readers who believe in the power of love. This book is more than a story about romance, it is about the how love can transcend time and space.

Can you share a few lines from your best review of Island of Secrets?

Amazon 5 Stars

I love, love, love, this book! – Tasha Thomas

This book was so good! It jumps over a span of about forty years. It has everything in it. From first love to first discovery. It has suspense, love lost, and love gained. It also has a friendship that stood the test of time, and sibling rivalry. If you read another book this year, this is the one! I highly recommend this wonderful book!

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About the author:

Diane began her career as a school teacher before moving into the entertainment industry as a choreographer, director, event manager, dancer and actress, working in television and live theatre, and managing multi-million-dollar productions.

Following her onstage career, she spent many years as a stress and life skills therapist, keynote speaker and presenter, appearing on national radio and television.

When she launched into a writing career, Diane’s debut erotic romance series, the Dance of Love was voted Luminosity Publishing Readers’ Choice Best Books and Best Covers for 2015 and 2016.

Her romantic suspense, Retribution won the Romance Writers of Australia Emerald Pro Award 2017 for Best Unpublished Manuscript. Diane loves to write genre-busting stories with a twist. Her works are packed with emotional punch and feature empowered heroines who live life to the fullest, much like the author herself.

Ebooks:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J5CSHPS

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07J5CSHPS

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07J5CSHPS

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07J5CSHPS

 https://luminositypublishing.com/book/island-of-secrets/

 https://www.bookstrand.com/island-of-secrets

 https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/899908

 https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Diane_Demetre_Island_of_Secrets?id=tIhxDwAAQBAJ

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/island-of-secrets-16

 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/island-of-secrets-diane-demetre/1129715424?ean=2940155837329

 https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/island-of-secrets/id1438526411?mt=11

Paperback:

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1999306619        

Sounds like the perfect beach book! Poppy's Place in the Sun by .@Romanceminx #womens #romance #harpercollins .@rararesources #bookextract #giveaway

Poppy’s Place in the Sun

By

Lorraine Wilson

Sometimes you need to lose yourself to find your way home…

With only her trusty dogs Peanut, Treacle and Pickwick by her side, Poppy Kirkbride could be forgiven for having doubts about her move to a quiet village in rural France. But as the sun shines down on her ramshackle new home, Poppy knows she’s made the right decision. A lick of paint, and some TLC and her rustic farmhouse will be the perfect holiday retreat – Poppy’s dream come true.

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Poppy is welcomed by her fellow villagers, except for brooding local vet Leo Dubois, who makes it clear Poppy isn’t welcome in his village – or his life! Leo might be gorgeous, but Poppy won’t be told what to do by an arrogant Frenchman – no matter how kind and gentle he is to her dogs!

Determined to stay, Poppy tries to understand the enigmatic Frenchman better. But as the two get closer, Poppy sees another side to Leo – a man with heartbreak of his own.

Falling in love with Leo is easy, but can he ever return Poppy's love?

And what would this mean for her dream life and place in the sun?

 ‘She had me at Bonjour! Warm, funny, deliciously French…this lovely story filled my heart with sunshine’ Jane Linfoot

An extract to whet your appetite!

“Let me walk you back.”

“In case I get lost?” I raise an eyebrow and would laugh if I hadn’t just got lost so close to my own house. I’m never going to live that one down.

“Something like that.” Leo grabs a torch and whistles to Maxi to follow him, he trots off ahead of us, sniffing at the grass and pricking his ears up at the faint sound of Peanut barking in the distance.

Leo rolls his eyes at Maxi. “It must be love.”

“Must be,” I reply lightly and my skin tingles when he takes my hand again.

He’s talking about the dogs, right? Yes, of course he must be.

I lower Treacle out of his sling so he can have a loo trot. He seems much more alert now and is following Maxi along as though nothing has happened.

We pass the ruined chapel that borders the woodland and Leo stops. As his hand is holding mine he pulls me to a stop too.

“Do you know I had my very first kiss here in this ruin?”

He tugs me closer and places his other hand firmly in the small of my back, holding me in place so I’m pressed up against the hard length of him, soft flesh yielding to hard muscle. For a moment I think I forget to breathe. I know instinctively he’d let me go if I wanted.

But I don’t want Leo to let go of the tight hold he has on me.

He’s a fair bit taller than me, my head only reaches his chest so I have to look up to meet his gaze. From what I can make out in the shifting shadows and patches of moon-light Leo’s eyes are dark, glittering with intent.

“Did you now?” I whisper, trying the breathing thing only to find my breath catches in my chest. I steady myself in his arms and try again, breathing in the cool night air tinged with pine needles and distant wood smoke.

“You know you said you couldn’t get the hang of the French kissing thing?”

“Uh huh,” I say casually, as though I haven’t cringed a million times since I uttered those words at the welcome party at the chateau. Leo knew full well I’d meant the timing of the triple air-kissing greeting, but of course he’d had to choose to misinterpret. I thought it had been purely meant to embarrass me but maybe there’d been an element of flirtatious teasing all along and I missed it because I was so busy being pissed off.

“Would you like a lesson now?” Leo’s voice is low, both the tone and the words send a tingle down my spine.

“It’s always good to be familiar with local customs,” I say breezily, as though my heart isn’t beating so hard I’m worried he can hear it. My ear is pressed against his chest and it reassures me that his heart rate increases too.

“Ah, Poppy.” Leo laughs softly and adds something in French I don’t catch.

I look up as he lowers his lips to mine, and I meet his mouth hungrily. He doesn’t dominate my mouth by instantly invading and thrusting with his tongue as I might expect but instead he takes the lead gently. Our tongues slowly explore and stroke as I open up to him, letting him dominate. He trails kisses along my jawline and down my neck. Then he grazes my earlobe with his teeth and my knees go weak. Only the firm hand at the small of my back holds me upright. I plant soft kisses along the rough stubble of his neck, wondering about how and where it might graze me. Then I reach up to meet his mouth and tongue again. I could kiss like this forever. I didn’t realise how tantalising it could be -full of promise and hope, loaded with intent. I arch my body up against his and warmth pools in my stomach and between my legs. My kisses grow more hungry. I’m positive Leo must feel my nipples tightening into hard buds as I press hard against his chest. It’s a nice sensation without the barrier of a bra between our T-Shirts.

Then Leo cups my bottom with one hand and squeezes so that I gasp into his mouth. I guess he noticed the nipples, was that his revenge? Relentlessly he kisses me, probes and teases me. I don’t notice how or when it happens but the torch is now on the ground and Leo slides the hand not caressing my bottom up inside my T-Shirt. I raise my arms and loop them around his neck so that he has access to first gently trace the outline of my breast and then stroke closer and closer to my aching nipple. He’s tormenting and teasing me, touching everywhere except where I need it. I deliberately twist my body so the next sweep of his palm encounters the tight bud of my nipple.

I groan and press against his palm, wanting, needing more. He cups my breast and squeezes, lightly pinching my nipple. The hand cupping my bottom moves round and strokes up and down the top of my inner thigh above the layer of my leggings. I shudder instantly and violently, jerking when his fingers dance lightly between my legs. I’d be embarrassed by how quickly my body responds to his touch if I weren’t so utterly immersed in the sensations and if I didn’t know by Leo’s own rapid breathing that he’s as turned on by this as me.

I’m gasping, panting against his open mouth, my body melting and dissolving into him, when I hear Joanna open the back door of Les Coquelicots and the dogs set up a medley chorus of barking, welcoming me home and greeting Maxi and Treacle.

“Are you okay Poppy, is that you out there?” Joanna calls out, her voice tinged by anxiety.

The anxiety pierces the haze of my longing and brings me back to reality. I pull away from Leo, feeling weak-limbed and as unsteady on my feet as a fledgling foal.

“Yes, it’s just me, Joanna, there’s nothing for you to worry about,” I call back, trying to sound normal but, I suspect, failing miserably. “Treacle is okay now. Leo was just … seeing me home safely. I forgot my torch.”

I hear Leo’s low chuckle next to me as he retrieves his torch from the grass and feel my cheeks flame a response.

“Thanks for the French lesson by the way, Leo,” I whisper, suppressing a fit of the giggles. “I think I’ve got the hang of it now.”

I move forward to welcome Peanut and Pickwick and to reassure them that Treacle and I haven’t been eaten by the boogie-dog.

“Bye Leo.” I don’t dare turn back or look at him, even though I’m sure the dark must hide my flaming face.

Instead I hurry towards Joanna to tell her all about Treacle.

All in all I’d say it’s been an eventful evening. “Goodbye Poppy. Anytime you want to practice your French … just let me know.” I can hear the grin in Leo’s reply as surely as I can hear the crunch of gravel as he turns and walks back into the night, whistling for Maxi to follow him home.

I’m not sure I’ll ever look at that ruin in quite the same light again.

 

Author Bio!!!

Lorraine Wilson writes flirty, feel-good fiction for Harper Impulse - a Harper Collins imprint - and is unashamedly fond of happy endings. She loves hearing from readers and feels incredibly grateful to be doing the job she always dreamt of.

She splits her time between the South of France and Cambridgeshire and is usually either writing or reading while being sat on, walked over or barked at by one of her growing band of rescue dogs.

You can find her online either via her website: http://www.lorraine-wilson.com or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LorraineWilsonWriter and Twitter @Romanceminx

And now for the competition!!!

Giveaway – Win a PB of Poppy’s Place in the Sun and a crossbody hand bag (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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A #fantasy novel to throw you head-first into the #mystery, #passion, and the harshness of #fictional #Norman times .@rararesources .@ToraWilliams1

 Bound to Her Blood Enemy

by

Tora Williams

Norman heiress, Matilda Comyn is desperate to escape her grasping guardian and reclaim her inheritance.

After a lifetime of being let down by men, she wants to rule her lands on her own terms. She can’t escape without help and battles her mistrust when compelled to join forces with a Welsh spy.  

Huw Ap Goronwy has a rival claim to Matilda’s castle and has sworn a blood oath against the Comyns. When his king rules they must marry, he struggles to reconcile his attraction with his need for revenge. But they must form a truce if they are to seize their castle.

 Risking capture and death, they will only succeed if Matilda learns to trust, and Huw allows his love for Matilda to overcome his need for revenge.

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Excerpt

Bound to Her Blood Enemy

She reached for the ointment, only to gasp when Huw gripped her wrist.

“Hold—you’re Reginald Fitzjohn’s ward?” There was an odd look in his eyes that she couldn’t

read.

“Yes. What—?”

He let her go. “You’re Matilda Comyn.”

A shiver of unease trickled down her spine. “How do you know my name?”

“I keep my eyes and ears open.”

“That’s no answer.” Suddenly she was afraid. Not the same fear she held for Sir Reginald, but the fear that came when standing on a precipice, knowing one misstep would send her plunging into the unknown. She moistened her lips which had grown dry. “You still haven’t told me why you’re here. Give me a reason why I shouldn’t turn you in.”

“Even if I tell you, what guarantee do I have that you won’t turn me in anyway?”

“Because I’m no…” She stopped. This wasn’t how the conversation should be going. So far, she’d learned his name, and that he was Welsh. She’d as good as told him her life story. Trying to get information from Huw ap Goronwy was like wrestling with eels.

“There’s no guarantee. You’ll just have to trust me.”

“I trust no one.”

This was getting them nowhere. “You’re right. I could turn you in.” She stabbed a finger up toward the main body of the keep. “There’s any number of men up there who would be very interested to know why a Welshman is here, disguised as a beggar.”

“What’s stopping you?”

“In case you hadn’t noticed, Sir Reginald and I are not on the best of terms. If he caught you and found out I’d spoken to you, he’d punish me. So, believe me, I want you to stay hidden.”

Huw’s face darkened. “He beats you?” It gave her a thrill to hear the concern in his voice. It wasn’t something she was used to from a man.

“Only when…” She caught herself. She was doing it again. Giving him information when he volunteered none. “That’s not your concern.”

Huw shifted on the bench as she was speaking, and his cloak parted. The tunic underneath was just as ragged, but a glint caught her eye. Before he pulled the cloak closed again, she caught a glimpse of a dagger at his hip. Although its ornamentation was simple, the quality of the workmanship was clear. No ordinary man would bear such a weapon. A suspicion of the truth formed in her mind, and she grasped it. Anything to break through this man’s reserve.

“You’re Owain Gwynedd’s man, aren’t you?”

She’d heard rumors that the King of Gwynedd was seeking to reclaim the lands taken by the Normans, taking advantage of the chaos in England.

A muscle jumped in his jaw, betraying him.

“That’s it.” Her voice, which she had kept pitched low, now rose in excitement. “You’re here as his sp—”

“Quiet!” He clamped a hand over her mouth and spoke in an undertone. “Do you want to get me killed?” He glanced over his shoulder toward the open doorway, his body tense. Matilda forced her breathing to calm. If he’d wanted to kill her, he would have done so by now.

The sound of the armorer whistling, accompanied by the rasp of whetstone upon iron, drifted into the room. Huw relaxed and loosened his grip. “Promise to keep your voice down, and I’ll let you go.”

She nodded. His reaction had dispelled any doubt about the rightness of her guess. The plan that she had been turning over in her mind was looking ever more possible.

He removed his hand from her mouth, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm.

“Did I hurt you?”

She shook her head. She picked up the jar of ointment and fumbled with the stopper, fighting the urge to speak. Two could play at this game. This time he was going to talk, and she was going to listen.

One corner of his mouth tilted up. “Very well,” he said. “You’re right. I am the King of Gwynedd’s man.”

“And you’re”—she dropped her voice to a murmur—“spying out the Norman strongholds for him?”

He nodded.

“Is that why you’re here at Redcliff?” She frowned. Redcliff was a few miles east of Shrewsbury. Not far from the Welsh border, but surely not close enough for the Welsh to have a claim.

“Not in this instance, no.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I came to find you.”

~~~

Tora Williams lives in Shropshire in the United Kingdom.

On childhood holidays her interest in history was fired by exploring castles in Wales and the Welsh borders, and she would make up stories about characters living there. When she started writing, it seemed only natural to turn to the settings that inspired her as a child.

In her free time, when she can drag herself away from reading, she enjoys walking and cycling.

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