Harlequin Top 50!

Good morning all! I’ve got some exciting news… I’ve made it to the top 50 in the Harlequin So You Think You Can Write contest. And yes I’ve been dancing, jumping, screaming and all the normal things, but after a somewhat good nights sleep it’s time to get to work. I need your help!

What help you might ask? Well, I need your votes. In order to get to the top 25, I need as many votes after 5:01 EST today on the pitch part of my entry. I’ll post later the promotional package from Harlequin. Boy, that sounds good saying that. If you can, please forward, share, do whatever you have to do to get it out there. I’m forever grateful for whatever help you can give. You guys have had my back for a long time.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You… He blessed me with this opportunity!

Tuscany

tuscany front coverIf you haven’t figured it out yet by all my reminders, I’ve entered a new manuscript in Harlequins So You Think You Can Write contest. This book is a new concept for me as it’s based across the world and it’s not a western type theme. I’m enjoying this one so much.

I’ve always wanted to go to Tuscany and through my writing and research I’m there. It’s a magical time for me as I write this book and explore the country in my dreams. I’ve learned so much about their customs, foods and the olive oil industry I could probably start one here. Amazing what a writer learns when doing research. I want to share some with you now, but please if you get a chance run, don’t walk over to Wattpad at the link https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085-tuscany and view then vote on each segment of the story. The more votes the better chance I have.

I’ve entered this contest before and happily made it to the second round, which made me do a happy dance. So if you like Italian books or Italian anything oh yeah and romance, come by and check it out….

Roberto put his arm around his wife lovingly, as she reached up to place her hand over his. It was evident that their love was part of this place too. Lana wondered longingly if she’d find a love like that here. Then shaking her head, things like that didn’t happen for her. She stood up and walked over to the edge of the veranda, looking out over the olive grove as the sun slowly set. The colors were vibrant as they went from lavender to light pink.
She watched it until the colors faded into the night sky. Romeo walked up beside her, placing his hands on the wrought iron railing. “It’s like Heaven is showing off every night.”
“I’ve never seen such beauty in nature as I have here. It’s like I’ve stepped into another world.” Closing her eyes as the emotions of the evening took over.
“It is another world Lana. This is Tuscany at it’s finest. There’s not another place on earth like it.” The pride in his voice was evident.
“I’m glad to be a part of it, although it’s a small part.” Wrapping her arms around herself as a feeling of something she couldn’t quite put her hand on, but she knew it was something bad, passed over her. “Is everything alright at the mill?”
He spun around quickly, “Why would you ask such a thing?”
Putting up her hands in defense, “Sorry I asked, but I just noticed you were a little upset when you saw that woman in the plant earlier.”
Romeo ran his fingers through his dark, long hair. “It was nothing to worry about, just a nosy employee.”
“It looked like more than that to me.”
“Look lady, I’ve been taking care of this place for a long time. If there’s a problem I’ll take care of it, not you. Are we clear on that?” She could feel his breath on her face as he roared in anger.
“Don’t get a wrinkle in your toes, I was just asking a question.”
He turned and walked down the path toward the pool. For some reason she rubbed him the wrong way, but why? All she’d done was ask a question and he’d blown a fuse.
Marianna walked up to stand beside her. “Overlook my grandson. He’s a little protective of this place.”
“I’ve noticed.” Lana said with a slight frown as she looked in the direction he went. “But shouldn’t we work together, not against one another.”
“Moo Caro, he thinks you’re here to change things and that makes him agitated.” She put her hand on Lana’s shoulder, “He’s a passionate man, but deep down Romeo is a softy.” The older woman smiled and looked up toward Heaven. The smile broadened as she thought about the two young people. Maybe something would come of it.
“I look forward to meeting that side of him.” Lana said as she closed her eyes. Would he trust her one day?

Hope you enjoyed just a tidbit of the stormy relationship between Lana and Romeo. Don’t forget to check out the new chapters on Wattpad. Also check out the Romancing September Across the World Blog Tour every day of September.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

One more day until the tour!

2015 cover

Heads up romance readers! Tomorrow, September 1st is the start of the third annual Romancing September Across the World Blog Tour. Rosie Amber and I will be doing posts for 30 romance authors. Rosie’s will be first in the morning on UK time and mine later on US time. It’s looking to be a great tour this year.

We start tomorrow with Bestselling author Melissa Foster. Here’s the list of great authors that we will be featuring:

30 Authors, 30 Days, 2 locations.

Here is the line-up;

September 1st – Melissa Foster with Taken by Love

September 2nd – Helen Hollick with Sea Witch

September 3rd – Linda Lee Williams with Old Town Nights

September 4th – Michelle Betham with Shirley Valentine goes to Vegas

September 5th – Georgina Troy with A Jersey Dreamboat

September 6th – V. Steele with How My Cowboy Loves Me

September 7th – Pamela Beckford with Love Aflame

September 8th – E.L.Lindley with Blood Money

September 9th – F.J. Thomas with Lost Betrayal

September 10th – Lizzie Lamb with Scotch On The Rocks

September 11th – Adrienne Vaughan with Secrets Of The Heart

September 12th – Monica La Porta with The Lonely Wolf

September 13th – Margaret Cullingford with Twins Of A Gazelle

September 14th – Nicky Wells with 7 Years Bad Sex

September 15th – Felicia Myers with A Fake Engagement, A Real Wedding

September 16th – Zee Monodee with Whisk Me Up

September 17th – Kimberley Wenzler with Both Sides Of Love

September 18th – Daisy Banks with Christmas Carols

September 19th – Joanne Phillips with Cupid’s Way

September 20th – Sonya Loveday & Candace knoebel with Love Always

September 21st – Della Connor with The Burning

September 22nd – Hilda Vaughan with Here Are Lovers

September 23rd – Bethan Darwin with Two Times Twenty

September 24th – Lorraine Jenkin with Chocolate Mousse & Two Spoons

September 25th – Annie Crux with The Lavender House Mob

September 26th – Sam Cheever with Slow Burner

September 27th – Jane Cable with The Faerie Tree

September 28th – Jane Linfoot with The Vintage Cinema Club

September 29th – Olga Miret with I Love Cupcakes

September 30th – Marcia Meara with Wake Robin Ridge

So, mark your calendars and set your timers, it’s going to be a romance filled ride…

As for me, I have exciting news! Chase is now in the hands of my Editor Kaleigh. Yep, I typed over 8000 words Saturday to wrap his story up. He’s on preorder over at Amazon and will be officially released on September 26th!

http://www.amazon.com/Chase-Five-Oaks-Ranch-Book-ebook/dp/B014OQA6V8

Don’t forget to head over to Wattpad to vote on Tuscany! https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085-tuscany

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Coffee, love, laughter…

IMG_0907

Good Saturday morning all! How do you like one of my new rugs? I’m super excited about this one. Can you see why? If you’ve been reading my posts for the last three years then you know why. Hint, there’s three of them… Did you figure it out yet?

This morning as soon as I opened my eyes it was evident the rain was here. So much for some yard work this morning, but I can’t complain because we need the rain. Saturdays at our house are for cleaning and writing. For some reason this week and I’m still a little confused about this one, I actually finished most of my laundry early. That means more time for writing today 😉

If you haven’t checked out my Wattpad entry, then run, don’t walk over there. Votes and views are important for this one. I also enjoy the commments. As a firm believer in the close knit writer community, I want to hear from you. One friend has already helped out by pointing out something that needed tweaking. I’m ever grateful for that too! When someone that doesn’t see the story from your head makes an observation, then you can see it clearer.

Also, for you Five Oaks Ranch fans I have a nifty little surprise that I slipped in this week when you weren’t looking. Ridge is free on most sites for a while. With Chase riding on the heels of publication I had to get some things happening. The downloads have been pouring in, which means there’s an interest in catching up. As I’ve said before, i can’t wait for you to meet Chase, my favorite of the Cauthen brood.

So, what’s your plans for today? Writing? Cleaning? Just being alive? For me, all of the above! My advice for you on this rainy Georgia day, drink a pot of coffee, hug someone you love and laugh a lot…

As always, good writing and May God Bless you…

https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085-tuscany

One more thing before you go! When Tuscany’s entry on Wattpad reaches 25 views I’ll be doing a sweet giveaway, then at 50 and 100! So pass the word around and give me some reader/writer love!

Thursday morning News…

tuscany front cover

Good Thursday morning everyone! I’ve been telling you about a manuscript that has been in the works. I know I’ve been a little secretive about this one, but I wanted to make sure that the concept worked. Well the outline is complete and I see the whole story in my mind and I feel it in my heart, if only my fingers typed as fast as my brain tells the story.

The exciting thing is I made the decision yesterday to enter it in the So You Think You Can Write contest over at Harlequin and Wattpad. This was a hard decision because this manuscript is not complete yet. That means that I have to hit the 50,000 word mark in less than a month. Good grief! But I need a little help from me peeps here. If you get a chance, could you please go over to the link, https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085-tuscany, and let me know what you think. Please be honest. If you like it then please vote for it because the more votes I get the better chance I have of getting past round one.

I’ve entered this contest before and had great results. Two years ago I entered “Finding the Right Time” in this contest and made it past round two. That was exciting. I received so many great responses for that book on the contest site.

Another bit of news is that Chase is almost completed. For those of you following the “Five Oaks Ranch” series, then you know this is the one I’ve been so excited about. Chase is the rogue of the Cauthen brood and his story has pulled at me harder than any of the other ones. I can’t wait for you to meet this stubborn cowboy. You’ll fall in love instantly.

Just a reminder, today is Thursday people, that means the weekend is almost here. Since my son started back to school Monday, I’ve been getting up earlier, so I can’t wait to sleep in Saturday. Not that I will, my body wants up at seven, even on Saturdays.

So, as always, good writing and May God Bless You!

P.S. Go by my website and sign up for my newsletter or even my street team. The link is www.stephaniehurtauthor.com. So sign up today for your chance at some great prizes. If you join my street team you’ll get to see chapters before they’re published and so much more. Also I have some great swag and book giveaways planned for the near future.