Update #2, 8/11/20: I forgot something. For my Rafflecopter, you need a “secret” word. It’s not all that secret. The word is
Courage
Update 8/10/20: We’re down to two giveaways, but still plenty of time to enter, and the BIG one is still on! Read on for info! Hi! I missed coming back last month—2020 put more rocks in my road (see June post for reference. 😊 ). I’m back this month though, and I’ve been pretty busy with a couple of new releases coming a few days apart. I’ll tell you about those, and then talk a bit about something that’s on my mind as an author… timelines. I also have news about a trio of giveaways going on right now!
On July 27, my co-author Anne Barwell and I launched our book, The Harp and the Sea. It’s presently 30% off at the publisher’s website, but widely available in ebook and print at retailers—so readers have choices!
In 1605, Robbie Elliot—a Reiver and musician from the Scottish borders—nearly went to the gallows. The Witch of the Hermitage saved him with a ruse, but weeks later, she cursed him to an ethereal existence in the sea. He has seven chances to come alive, come ashore, and find true love. For over a century, Robbie’s been lost to that magic; six times love has failed. When he washes ashore on the Isle of Skye in 1745, he’s arrived at his last chance at love, his last chance at life.
Highland warrior Ian MacDonald came to Skye for loyalty and rebellion. He’s lost once at love, and stands as an outsider in his own clan. When Ian’s uncle and laird sends him to lonely Skye to hide and protect treasure meant for Bonnie Prince Charlie’s coffers, he resigns himself to a solitary life—his only companion the eternal sea. Lonely doldrums transform into romance and mystery when the tide brings beautiful Robbie Elliot and his broken harp ashore.
A curse dogs them, enemies hunt them, and war looms over their lives. Robbie and Ian will fight with love, will, and the sword. But without the help of magic and ancient gods, will it be enough to win them a future together?
NineStar Press has been a joy to work with, and we’ve enjoyed seeing some great reviews roll in.
Elaine White at Divine Magazine concluded: “I fell in love with Robbie and Ian. Their love, their adventure, and their fight for freedom, victory and the welcome of the Bonnie Prince, grabbed me and refused to let go. […] It has bags of potential to be a re-read, permanent favourite, and I can’t wait to read more in the series. I’m looking forward to getting this one in paperback, and seeing what else these two authors bring to the series.
Maryann at LimFic said:
“I don’t often say “I loved the characters,” but Ian and Robbie were wonderful. Even though Ian is leery of Robbie he still accepts him magic and all. The romance the authors create for Ian and Robbie couldn’t be more perfect. Not only did the authors create a story with two lovable characters, but they transport the reader back to 16th and 17th century Scotland. […] I highly recommend this amazing, page-turning tale of fact, fiction, fantasy, magic, romance, suspense, adventure and action. “The Harp and The Sea” was not what I expected, and I thank Lou Sylvre and Anne Barwell for surprising me and keeping me thoroughly entertained!”
A Shot of Courage, book 6 in my Vasquez Inc series, was released just four days later by Changeling Press. It’s on sale 15% off at the publisher’s site, and it also releases from retailers today, August 7th.
You may recall this series is a true series, best read from the beginning. Book 1, A Shot of J&B continues to be available for 99¢ everywhere, so it’s easy to get started.
“…characters were extremely well written and the story very well told.” —Tappy on Amazon, on book 1
“In between the remarkably sexy scenes where we find Jackie bound intricately to pieces of furniture, Lou Sylvre also delivers some really sweet moments that ring true in Jackie and Brian’s unfurling relationship. But sweet loving was not the only thing making my heart race while reading this novel. Knowing that any moment the other shoe would drop, following along from the perspective of the criminals as their stories race forward to meet with the lovers, made putting the book down nearly impossible! —Alstromeria at Long and Shor Reviews on book 2
About the series:
“Great storyline and character development made this book a hot and enjoyable read! Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.” —Kathleen Bulfon on Amazon, on book 5
Series titles and taglines:
#1 A Shot of J&B—Gay American Dom with a fabulous sub juggles romance and bondage with Scotland Yard police work.
#2 A Shot of Fear—A Dom learns to love while Scotland Yard claims his time and a sociopath lays a trap for his sub.
#3 A Shot at Living—LA’s heat holds danger and mystery for a Dom and his sub aiming for love and a new life together.
#4 A Shot at Perfect—New trauma threatens the love of a Dom and his sub. Investigating crime may threaten their lives.
#5 A Shot of Trust—Deep love, hot kink. Secrets call for a shot of trust when true danger lurks in LA’s hidden places.
#6 A Shot of Courage—Kink, sex, and wedding vows can’t stop danger, but love gives a Dom and his sub courage to fight.
Here’s the full blurb on the new release:
After too much time apart from his lover and sub, Brian Harrison is thinking kink, a cowboy hat, and one more marriage proposal. When Jackie Vasquez finally says “yes” to a wedding, he also says, “why wait?” But their vows and the toasts to the happy couple have hardly faded when a phone call reminds them that trouble still awaits.
Despite his best intentions, Brian broke the law in his efforts to stop a powerful criminal from harming those he loves. He could go to prison, or he could risk his life going undercover to help bring one of Europe’s most nefarious citizens to justice. Friends and smart thinking can help him do the right thing. But only love can supply the courage he and Jackie need to prevail against schemes and guns and, if they’re lucky, stay alive to enjoy a honeymoon.
But talking about Vasquez Inc brings me to the subject of timelines. As many of you may know, this series is not only a continuous, true series within itself, it also spun off from the Vasquez and James series (another true series, lol). But what one reader got confused about is how the timeline works between the two series. So… I thought I’d just clear that up for everybody right here.
The six books of the Vasquez and James series happen over a ten-year span. The first four books happen in quick succession over a couple of years. The fifth book for reading order (it was published out of chronological order) is the novella, Yes, and it happens several years later when Luki Vasquez and Sonny James have been married for about five years. Then there is another (approximate) five-year jump before the events in the final book, because of Jade. All of the books in the Vasquez Inc series happen during that five years. I think it makes for the best possible reading experience to start with the Vasquez and James series and read the whole “universe” of the two series in chronological order, so I’m going to detail it here.
If you’ve already read Vasquez and James, the important point to remember is, for the Vasquez Inc books, the events in Because of Jade have not happened yet.
Start with Vasquez and James—
V&J 1: Loving Luki Vasquez
V&J 2: Delsyn’s Blues
V&J 3: Finding Jackie (Here’s where the lovers in the Vasquez Inc series first meet!)
V&J 4: Saving Sonny James
V&J 5: Yes (a novella)
Jump to the Vasquez Inc series—
VI 1: A Shot of J&B
VI 2: A Shot of Fear
VI 3: A Shot at Living
VI 4: A Shot at Perfect
VI 5: A Shot of Trust
VI 6: A Shot of Courage
(Book 7 is on its way—watch for news!)
And then finally, back to Vasquez and James—
V&J 6: Because of Jade
Now, finally, about those giveaways!
Number 1: 8/10/20 update! Sorry, this one is over. Read on for two more!)
Number 2: I’ve got another Rafflecopter going to celebrate new subscribers for my Sylvre Linings newsletter, and new followers on my Facebook Author Page and BookBub. You can find the links to subscribe and follow on the Rafflecopter (and then use those points to enter!). Find it here.
Number 3: This is a big one. Prize is a Kindle Paperwhite, a $100 Amazon GC, and 50 romance ebooks! As you might have guessed, this is a multi-author effort. There are numerous ways to enter, so you can stack your entries deep and increase your chances to win. Here’s the link!
Good luck in all the giveaways! Thanks for reading. As usual I love to hear your thoughts—please feel free to comment here, catch me on Social Media, or email me at louwrites@rainbow-gate.com. Stay safe and well!
Hi! I missed coming back last month—2020 put more rocks in my road (see June post for reference. 😊 ). I’m back this month though, and I’ve been pretty busy with a couple of new releases coming a few days apart. I’ll tell you about those, and then talk a bit about something that’s on my mind as an author… timelines. I also have news about a trio of giveaways going on right now!
On July 27, my co-author Anne Barwell and I launched our book, The Harp and the Sea. It’s presently 30% off at the publisher’s website, but widely available in ebook and print at retailers—so readers have choices!
A Shot of Courage, book 6 in my Vasquez Inc series, was released just four days later by Changeling Press. It’s on sale 15% off at the publisher’s site, and it also releases from retailers today, August 7th.“In between the remarkably sexy scenes where we find Jackie bound intricately to pieces of furniture, Lou Sylvre also delivers some really sweet moments that ring true in Jackie and Brian’s unfurling relationship. But sweet loving was not the only thing making my heart race while reading this novel. Knowing that any moment the other shoe would drop, following along from the perspective of the criminals as their stories race forward to meet with the lovers, made putting the book down nearly impossible! —Alstromeria at Long and Shor Reviews on book 2
