Jan Selbourne and her New Novel

Jan Selbourne grew up in Melbourne, Australia. Her love of literature and history began as soon as she could read and hold a pen. Her career started in the dusty world of ledgers and accounting then a working holiday in the UK brought the history to life. Now retired, Jan can indulge her love of writing and travel. She has two adult children and lives near Maitland, New South Wales.

2020 Character Interview

Beverley: What’s your name?

Adrian: Adrian Bryce

Beverley: Where did you grow up?

Adrian: Kent, England

Beverley: During what time period does your story take place?

Adrian: 1914, at the beginning of a war which enveloped the whole world.

Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you?

Adrian: I was wealthy, and I admit, an arrogant man with business interests throughout Europe. I had everything -influential friends, homes, servants, a boring wife and children at my country home. A beautiful mistress in London.  Unknown to anyone, I worked for the newly formed British Secret Service Bureau.  I had no idea that life as I knew it would blow up in my face.

Beverley: What’s your goal in this story?

Adrian: My goal was to not only survive a betrayal and a war but learn some painful truths about myself.

Beverley: What conflicts are you facing?

Adrian: I was ordered to accompany my estranged wife on her annual visit to her stifling, boring relatives in Belgium. The Secret Service Bureau believed her uncle Henri Meyvier was supporting the German Empire’s quest for war. It was there that life as I knew it crashed. I discovered my mistress, working for Meyvier, was spying on me.

Beverley: Do you have a plan for resolving them?

Adrian: I didn’t have time for a plan. Belgium was invaded, setting off the first sparks of a world war. My wife and I were horribly betrayed, forcing us to flee for our lives. For the first time we had nothing but the clothes we wore, we hid in barns and ditches, we stole food and a horse and buggy and, for the first time, we had to rely on each other to survive.

Beverley: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

Adrian: While facing death, injury, hunger and brutality I fell in love with the woman I had neglected shamefully for eight years. How can I convince her I am not the man I once was?

Excerpt from Perilous Love Excerpt

As the world rushes towards a war, Adrian Bryce, wealthy businessman, is ordered by the British government to leave his mistress and accompany his estranged wife Gabrielle to Belgium.  They require proof Gabrielle’s uncle is supporting the German Empire.  Adrian discovers secrets which plunge him and Gabrielle into a nightmare of betrayal.  Forced to run for their lives as Germany invades, they must trust each other in the midst of danger, brutality, and injury.   

Gabrielle enjoys her role of mother of their two children. Wanting only to be with her lover, and now fearful of exposure, she readies herself and her children for a difficult trip.  With no way out, Gabrielle knows the two weeks visit with her aristocratic traditional family will be a trial, and Europe is on edge.  She had no idea the danger she, Adrian and her children would be in.  

Will Adrian and Gabrielle reach safety? If they do, are they out of danger or will the intrigue and treason follow them back to England?

Buy Links for Perilous Love

Amazon.com : perilous love jan selbourne

Social Media Links

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Jan Selbourne (@JanSelbourne) / Twitter

Jan Selbourne | LinkedIn

2021 Super Foods

I try to eat a healthy diet. I’ve given up on all those fancy weight loss diets and those special ones for the disease of the month.  I have a few health issues and want a diet that’s healthy and good for my body without additives. For healthy nutrition I loosely follow the Mediterranean Diet. It’s ranked number one for the last four years.

But I still like to see the superfoods each year. It used to contain way out foods but this year they are mostly foods we’re aware of and may already include in our diet. Exotic fruits and ancient grains have different foods. I may look at trying them. And kale is still there. Sigh…

Here’s Cosmopolitan’s list of super foods.

Fermented foods such as kombucha, yogurt, and pickles 

Blueberries

Seeds

Exotic fruits are a source of antioxidants, potassium, and fiber. They are acai, Maqui berry, and pitaya

Green tea

Avocados

Spinach and leafy greens

Kale

Nuts

Ancient grains such as amaranth, millet, teff, farro and freekeh

Salmon

If you’d like to check out this list here’s the link. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/a34956688/superfoods-list-2021/

I also checked a second list to see what the differences might be. They weren’t all that different. This one came from Eat This, Not That.

Leafy greens

Nuts and seeds

Fish and seafood

Berries

Citrus Fruits

Nitrate-rich fruits and veges. They help with exercise performance, lower blood pressure, and help brain function. They include beets, green leafy vegetables (like spinach), celery, carrots, citrus fruits, pomegranates, and watermelon

Whole grains which, besides the ones listed above also include barley, buckwheat, corn (including whole cornmeal and popcorn), oats, quinoa, brown or wild rice, rye, sorghum, certain types of wheat.

Legumes which include chickpeas, peanuts, black beans, green peas, lima beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, Navy beans, great-norther beans, pinto beans, soybeans, and lentils.

If you want to check this list further, here’s the link.

https://www.eatthis.com/top-superfoods-to-add-diet-2021/

 

            Here’s to Good Nutrition in 2021

Writing in 2021

Happy New Year, everyone! Rhobin is starting the new year by getting us to focus. At least that’s how it’s working for me. Our topic for this month is - What is on your writing to-do list for this year? Do you have any long-range goals or just wrap-ups?

Covid is still here and I found that last year Covid fatigue began affecting my writing. Staying home, social distancing and no hugs left me with decreased motivation and diminished energy which worsened with cold weather, snow and ice. My writing suffered and I wrote less and less.

We’re still in lock-down, wearing masks and social distancing but there is a vaccine and a light in the tunnel that life will improve. And spring is only a few months away. So, I’m meditating, eating healthier and getting motivated again. My writing to-do list is a combination of both long-range goals and wrap-ups. I have my novel which I had hoped to finish last year. I didn’t, so finish the book and get it published is on the wrap-up list. I took a workshop last year on advertising and doing ads and I haven’t utilized the information. I want to start doing some ads on a regular basis – another wrap-up item. I need to finish reading a fe books and write reviews for them – another wrap-up.

My to-do list is to write a novella, which I want to put up on Amazon for free. I also want to write a short story to give away on my website to those who sign-up for my newsletter. I also want to do research for the short story, the novella, and for my next book which I would like to start in the fall.   

I look forward to seeing what’s on everyone else’s list for the year.

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2bY
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Get off Your High Horse by Cynthia Terelst

Get off Your High Horse

Love Down Under Book 3

by Cynthia Terelst

Genre: Contemporary Royal Romance

When two opposites collide, will their differences ignite a spark or send them into turmoil?

Frankie and Sebastian live totally different lives. Lives that are entwined through polo, the sport of kings.

Frankie’s a country girl, working hard toward her dream of turning the family farm around. She needs to endure one more polo season to make that happen. She has no interest in high society or the rich, arrogant riders she has to deal with, especially Sebastian. Her heart may be softening to his charm, openness and love of working with horses, but her brain won’t be convinced. She looks forward to her summer break on the farm, away from him, until her parents decide to invite Sebastian to stay.

Sebastian descends from royalty. Rich and arrogant come with his family title. But that status is something he’d rather avoid, just like he avoids returning home to a life he doesn’t want. Sebastian sees a freedom in Frankie he wishes he had. Her life is full of love, family and horses; something he can only dream of. And her, he can dream of her. But a dream is all it will be, seeing as Frankie does her best to avoid him.

If only he can convince her to look past his title, and see that his hopes and dreams aren’t so different from hers.

Excerpt from Get off Your High Horse

Sebastian

“Princes have many talents I’m sure you’re not aware of.”

“Such as?” She turned to face me; her body so close I could feel her breasts pressing against my chest.

“We like to roll around under the covers as well.”

“Is that so?” Her breath brushed against my lips. Her body pushed against mine, sending electricity through me. I imagined her standing there in her lace bra and matching knickers. I wrapped one arm around her back pulling her tightly against me. The other cupped the back of her head, tangled in her pony tail. Her lips met mine and opened and I sought out her tongue. Her hands found their way around my back and held tight.

I couldn’t let her go. I wouldn’t. I’d wanted to kiss her like this for months. This was so much better than what I’d imagined. My erection pressed against her. I deepened the kiss, holding her tight. She sighed into my mouth.

I shouldn’t have kissed her. I shouldn’t have invited her down the road of misery I would soon be facing. Only one of us should have a broken heart. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56239045-get-off-your-high-horse

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Off-Your-High-Horse-ebook/dp/B089Y1NDN9/

 About the Author

Cynthia Terelst is a project officer by day and a writer by night. She is a contemporary romance writer who likes to share a little bit of history, some Australian scenery and a whole lotta love. Cynthia does not shy away from difficult topics, as she feels that they should not be ignored.

She lives in Queensland, Australia, where the sun shines at least 283 days a year.

Author Links

Website: http://cynthiaterelst.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthiaterelstauthor

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/572605370313807

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CynthiaTerelst

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthiaterelstauthor

Bookbub: hookbub.com/authors/cynthia-terelst ttps://www.b

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cynthia-Terelst/e/B07ZCTX8SB

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19874340.Cynthia_Terelst

Giveaway

$20 Amazon

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/get-off-your-high-horse-book-tour-and-giveaway

Monique DeVere and her New Release

Monique DeVere grew up on a plantation on the beautiful island of Barbados, where her childhood was all about exploring and letting her imagination run free. She moved to the UK as a teen and soon fell in love at first sight with her amazing, strong-silent-type husband. They have four beautiful children and four incredible grandchildren.

Monique writes sweet ‘n’ spicy romance, and when she isn’t working on the next novel or movie script, she can be found spending time with hubby and family, armchair travelling, creating recipes, reading about health and nutrition, or working on her spiritual growth. She enjoys going for walks, gardening, or simply crazy-dancing around the house. Monique loves to hear from her readers. You can email her at monique@moniquedevere.com, or contact her by visiting her website: www.moniquedevere.com or blog: http://moniquedevere.blogspot.co.uk to learn more about her books. You can also visit her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/moniquedevere or follow her on Twitter: @MoniqueDeVere or Instagram: authormdv

Get The Forever Deal FREE when you sign up to Monique’s New Release Newsletter.

Character Interview

Beverley: What’s your name?

Sabrina: Hi, Beverley, I’m so happy to visit your blog today. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Sabrina Newton-Giordano, Matt’s Pregnant Runaway Wife, the heroine from Monique DeVere’s new release.

Beverley: Where did you grow up?

Sabrina: I grew up in Somerset, England. I have a huge close-knit family who mean the world to me.

Beverley: During what time period does your story take place?

Sabrina: My story is contemporary romance. Monique doesn’t wish to date my story, so COVID-19 doesn’t exist in my romance.

Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you?

Sabrina: I’m an award-winning pastry chef, and I worked in the London branch of Giordano’s Sicily, one of my husband’s chains of restaurants. I first met Matt when he visited the restaurant for a surprise inspection. When I saw him, his presence blew me away, but I think I hid my reaction well. Our romance was whirlwind, and I’m starting to wonder if we didn’t rush into things. How is it possible to be so intimate with someone, and, yet so distant at the same time? I know he doesn’t like to talk about his past, but I’m only now realising how little I know about the man I married.

Beverley: What’s your goal in this story?

Sabrina: I need to meet Matt’s family and discover why he’s so angry with them. What could they have done that was so terrible to keep him away for so many years? I have to fine out.

Beverley: What conflicts are you facing?

Sabrina: Matt and I are going to have a baby. I want our little one to know the kind of love I had growing up with two sets of adoring grandparents. I want our children to know their Sicilian culture and to be able to visit their grandparents in Sicily. But something happened in Matt’s past, and he’s estranged from his parents. I’m so sad that he refuses to let me in and wouldn’t talk about his past.

Beverley: Do you have a plan for resolving them?

Sabrina: I’ve decided to hide my true identity and find a way to meet the in-laws without causing too many problems. My curious nature and my own bad experience forces me to take action.

Beverley: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

Sabrina: Now that I’m pregnant, I’ve become super conscious of health—eating right, drinking more water. I’m thinking of going vegan. As a result, I’ve decided to look into the feasibility of vegan desserts. Matt doesn’t know this, yet. J

Blurb for Matt's Pregnant Runaway Wife:

This might be the biggest risk of her life.

When her whirlwind romance with gorgeous Sicilian-born restaurateur Matteo Giordano culminates in marriage, award-winning pastry chef Sabrina Newton-Giordano thinks she has it all...until Matt refuses to introduce her to his family. Sabrina desires their baby to have the same love she knew from her grandparents, but Matt’s outright rejection of his family could result in their baby never knowing his or her paternal grandparents, something Sabrina will not accept. Until that is, she hits on the perfect solution—run away to Sicily to meet the in-laws! 

Matt wants only one thing—to keep his wife and unborn child safe. For a man intent on never allowing anything to stand in his way, it should be an easy task. But Matt hasn’t bargained on how stubborn his irresistible, runaway wife can be. Despite his stern objections, she’s determined to form a relationship with his family. He knows, from past experience, they’d never accept her or the baby. Now Matt is torn between the urgent need to protect his wife and fear of causing her undue stress in her pregnancy. 

 Excerpt from Matt's Pregnant Runaway Wife

She kept him on his toes, he’d give her that. From the moment he met her he’d known she was unique to any other woman. The first hint was when he’d arrived unexpectedly to check on his London restaurant. Everyone, except Sabrina, had nervously tripped over themselves in his presence. She’d simply continued to work as though his arrival was as insignificant as a dust mote drifting past her head. The second hint had knocked him the moment she glanced up and locked eyes with his. Something he’d never experienced before had happened. His body had responded to the instant connection in a way that had been shocking and potent. He’d decided right then to make her his. Even then, she hadn’t made it easy for him. She’d resisted their attraction, had flat-out refused to have drinks, dinner, or—her words—anything else with him. To say that she’d become a challenge he’d fixated on was to understate the level of his attraction for Sabrina.

Then one day, after weeks of him putting his best moves on her and about to admit defeat, a delivery arrived at his office. It was a beautifully presented slice of his favourite dessert along with a note that read: if you want more, come and get it! He was pretty sure the soles of his handmade Italian shoes left scorch marks on his office rug in his haste to get to Sabrina. The rest had been white-hot sizzling sexy, whirlwind, and incredible. And now here he was, fighting to keep his marriage from falling apart only after eleven-and-a-half months of wedded bliss.

Matt washed his hands at the kitchen sink, then rummaged in the under counter fridge.

He chuckled. “Surprise, surprise, nothing but dessert and fruit.”

Yep, one thing he could be sure of was that he’d always find some sort of dessert in their fridge at home, thanks to Sabrina’s never-ending effort to create new and exciting after-dinner treats. And, oh look, she had his favourite dessert sitting in a small yellow and white cake caddy, as though she’d somehow been expecting him. When he grabbed the container his gaze landed on the four red apples in a bowl on the shelf below, so he snagged one of those, too.  

Buy Links for Matt's Pregnant Runaway Wife

Available on Amazon KindleUnlimited and to purchase from Amazon.

Book Purchase Link: https://smarturl.it/6mypb6

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