Trading Guest blogs

Hello all, I am/was a guest at Marie Higgin’s blog. Please feel free to drop over and read the section, leave me a comment? I’d love to hear from you. AND, today I am hosting Marie on my blog. She has a wonderful new release that I think you are going to enjoy!

So, without further ado I would like to welcome the very talented Marie Higgins to my blog. She is not only a multi-published author, but also one of the nicest folks you could hope to meet. Please come on over and meet her! You’ll be glad you did! Sheri

 

What is it that draws readers to series books?

I can only speak for myself, but I enjoy family life. If there is a story about a family and the writer has written her characters so vividly that I feel as if I’m part of the story, I’m definitely going to read the rest of the series to find out what happens to the others.

I love the kind of books that tease the reader, giving little hints about the other characters’ lives without giving away the whole story. Because these are the type of books I like to read, these are also the type of stories I like to write.

Once upon a time, there were three brothers who did not want to become the scandalous, deceitful, irresponsible man like their father had been. Trevor, Tristan, and Trey—the terrible T’s—each had different trials in their lives, and each one had obstacles to climb which would make them emotionally stronger.

In book #1 of the Sons of Worthington series, you meet Trey Worthington—the youngest brother in the series. He’s been told all of his life he’s exactly like his father. Can the love of a woman make him want to change? Find out in—“The Sweetest Kiss”.

In book #2, you meet the oldest brother, Trevor Worthington, Duke of Kensington. He’s been hurt by a woman and he doesn’t think he wants to love again. Will the woman he almost killed be able to change his mind? Find out in—“The Sweetest Touch”.

Now, the much awaited book #3 is out, Tristan Worthington who is the middle brother. “The Sweetest Love”. After three years of only remembering pieces of his life, Tristan Worthington is kidnapped by the one woman he wishes to forget. Wanting revenge against the man who ruined her life, Diana Hollingsworth wants Tristan to suffer as she has. But fate has other plans… When both Tristan and Diana are accused of murder, their worlds crash down around them. Their only hope is to find the true killer so they can be together. Will they be able to find true happiness once again?

Watch the book trailer

(Book #4 of the series will be coming out later this year – “The Sweetest Secret”)

 

Excerpt from The Sweetest Love:

“Ever’one raise yer glass and toast ta Lord Tristan’s nup…nup…shuls.” Tristan Worthington slurred his words as he tried to ponder on what he wanted to say. Realizing his mind was too unclear, he laughed and stumbled against the man standing next to him, spilling his whiskey over the side of his tumbler.

The man rolled his eyes. “Worthington, will ye quit toastin’ to yer own weddin’? We all ‘no ye aren’t gonna marry the lady.”

Tristan scowled at the bloke. What was his name… “Ah, but my good man, ye’re wrong. T’morrow afta-noon, I’ll be there in church standin’ next to my beautiful bride, lady…er…lady…” Tristan rubbed the throb growing in his forehead.

The other men who’d gathered in the tavern, released a fit of laughs. One belched loudly and lifted his cup. “Worthington has fergotten her name already.”

Blast it all! Tristan grumbled. What was her name? “Doesn’t matter. I’m marryin’ her t’morrow.”

His legs wobbled and he plopped his butt down on the chair before he ended up on the floor like he had last night. Inwardly, he groaned. How many nights had he been visiting the taverns toasting his nuptials, anyway? Too many to count. Tomorrow his life—his very freedom—would end no matter how badly he wished for a different fate.

You’re making a colossal mistake, Worthington, the warning came from the back of his mind. Yet, he figured by marrying Lady Jane he would be able to put his past to rest once and for all, so it must be done.

“Ah-ha!” he called out loudly to his nameless associates. “I remember now. Her name is Lady Jane Fair…er…burn, or something like that.”

Once again, the men broke out with boisterous laughter so loud it nearly shook the walls. Tristan’s headache threatened to crack every bone in his head. He couldn’t take any more of this celebrating. He must return home and sleep off his drunken stupor, especially since he needed a clear head tomorrow when he walked into the church.

Glancing down at his wrinkled clothes, he tried to smooth out the material. He needed to change, as well. It wouldn’t be seemly to arrive at the church looking this unkempt. His mother would certainly not have her son acting—or looking—like a fool in public. And heaven knew Tristan had brought enough worry to the woman in the past few years. Her health couldn’t take any more. He must be clean and dressed appropriately for his wedding.

His mother had high hopes of Tristan marrying into a good family, especially after the turmoil he’d had the past three years… He’d nearly died and lost his memory for a good twenty-four months before his brother, Trey, found him. And because the one woman—the woman he thought he’d given his heart to—was not in his life any longer, he needed to do something to move on. Marrying the young widow, Lady Jane Fairbourne was exactly what he needed in order to put Diana in the past where she belonged.

“Milord?” The toothless bugger next to him grinned. “Do ye need me to stand with ye for yer big day t’morrow?”

Tristan waved a hand through the air. “As much as the idea sounds appealin’, I must decline.” He lifted his drink to his mouth and finished every last drop before slamming it on the table. “My friends,” he called out, “I shall take my leave now. The next time I come ta this fine ‘stablishment, I’ll be a happily married man.” Well…he wasn’t too sure about the happily part, but he most certainly would be married.

The men inside the tavern cheered his name and lifted their cups in a salute as Tristan left the building staggering his way toward his coach.

Although his fiancée was beautiful and wealthy—thanks to her late husband—this was a marriage Tristan didn’t really want. Lady Fairbourne had been paraded in front of him so many times in the past few years he’d grown tired of looking at her. But he was even more tired of trying to look for the woman he could give his heart to. Now he just wanted to marry and start a family, and it didn’t matter with whom. Most of the ton’s married couples didn’t love each other anyway, so why should he be any different?

He stopped and leaned against the building, blinking to clear his vision. Where is my bloody coach? He scrubbed his hand over his face, trying to think of where his driver had parked. “Ah, there it is!”

Taking slow and careful steps, he headed toward his vehicle. Tristan released an agitated breath. Lady Fairbourne would look as good on his arm as his wife. She knew how to tease men to make them quake, but Tristan had never really envisioned her by his side making him truly happy for the rest of his life.

As quickly as that thought came, another one followed, and he pictured a lovely, young woman with auburn hair—perfect ringlets framing her heart-shaped face.

Diana.

Stars had danced in her green eyes, and when she’d turned her gaze upon him, her smile had melted his heart. When he’d met her three years ago, he’d had his share of women, yet in her presence he truly felt like a man. How could he not when he knew she stared at him with so much admiration in her astounding eyes?

Groaning, he pushed the torturous memory aside. He’d been foolish then, believing that love could conquer all. He’d fallen hard and fast for this woman, and his head had literally been in the clouds during that time. Thankfully, though, reality crashed around him and made him realize there was no such thing as a faithful woman…or love.

 

Now tell me…as a reader, what do you like most about series books?

For a chance to win a PDF format of this story, please leave a comment with your name and email. I’ll choose one winner.

 

Marie Higgins is a best-selling, multi-published author of sweet romance; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her.

To buy Marie’s latest:

Building Your Story (How To)

Saturday, June 23rd, 2012

Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library

Building Your Story

Come join Lee Killough, Linda Madl, and Sheri L. McGathy for a “how to” morning of World Building, Character Development, and a bit of Show vs Tell. Lee will give you the foundation for crafting your world while Linda will discuss the how to’s of character development. Sheri will explain the differences of showing verses telling in your work. Finally, you’ll get a chance to put it all together.

Then, Saturday afternoon, Lee, Linda, and Sheri will present readings from their various works, and discussion various writing techniques from The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal Novels.