This week in The Loft: Author Holly Bargo!

After much delay, I am back. I will be playing catch-up for the next few weeks, so I will be publishing author interviews at more frequent intervals.

Joining me this week in The Loft is author Holly Bargo. Holly has been writing since she first learned to hold a pencil. The author of more than 20 books, she has penned everything from contemporary to paranormal and fantasy romance. She currently resides on a hobby farm in southwest Ohio with her husband and a menagerie of four-legged critters. 

Author Holly Bargo

S:  Welcome, Holly! I have to tell you, you are living my fantasy life. I dream about living on a hobby farm. For me, that's the perfect setting for retirement.

Tell me, why did you become a writer?

H:  I have always told stories, even if I only told them to myself. Eventually, I realized that I was writing and telling stories that I liked and wanted to read, but could not find. Convinced of my own worthiness, I began writing for publication. 

S:  What attracts you to the romance genre? 

H:  I like romance because I believe in love. Since I began reading romance in the 1970s, I’ve seen some distinct trends come and go. Currently, I think romance is backsliding with regard to social responsibility to readers, but it’s still my go-to genre. I love the way it assumes that women’s happiness and fulfillment are of crucial importance. No other genre does that. 

S:  I have to agree with you. I think our responsibility to readers is an issue that has to be addressed. We have a lot of influence, so we need to be careful about the way we craft stories. It is just too easy to lead impressionable readers astray.

Do you believe in love at first sight? 

H:  Absolutely, but it’s never happened to me, unless you include me and various four-legged beasties. The first time I saw Holly Bargo, with a foal at her side, I knew I had to have her. Something about that horse struck me as perfect. The same thing happened years later when I saw my other horse, Lady Anastasia, a spirited, demanding horse who gave me what I needed when I needed it. Love at first sight these days is often portrayed as “instalust,” a term I consider derogatory.

S:  What attracted you to your current partner? 

H:  My current partner is the first man I kissed and to whom I lost my virginity—on our wedding night. I met him when he was still dating a girl who worked for my father. I thought nothing of it: we traded quips and friendly insults. In college, we finally connected on a romantic level. He’s my best friend who understands me better than anyone else and can always makes me laugh.

S:  These days, that's a pretty amazing story, but a lovely one. 

How do you want to be remembered? 

H:  The answer to that depends upon who remembers me. I hope my children will remember me as loving them, even if that love was tough. I hope my husband will remember me as his best friend who supported him regardless of whatever hobby captured his fancy. I hope that my brothers will remember me with fondness, despite knowing that their sister never really got it all together. I hope my friends remember me as someone they could count on, someone who was always glad to see them and hear from them. And I hope readers remember me as an author whose books they enjoyed.

S:  What a great answer!

Tell me about your book, "The Eagle at Dawn."

H:  Sure. "The Eagle at Dawn" is the fourth book in the Immortal Shifters series, but can be read as a complete, standalone novel with no cheating and a guaranteed HEA. Here's the blurb--

When Rachel's brother uses her as collateral to settle a debt with an outlaw motorcycle gang, she flees to a local bar and pleads with a darkly handsome stranger to help her. His help results in homicide. When eagle shifter Diego's vacation is interrupted by the innocent young woman he recognizes as his mate, he flees with her across national borders, because she's his and he's not letting her go.

Having essentially swapped one captor for another, Rachel knows the dashing, sexy Spaniard is keeping secrets from her. He showers her with kindness and generosity in exchange for her obedience. Diego's control over her and his secrets elicit her distrust and resentment.

When freedom beckons, Rachel answers its call; however, freedom brings hardship and indignity. Will she return to the controlling alpha make who stirs her blood or cling stubbornly to her freedom?

S:  Wow. That sounds fascinating. Where can readers find your book?

H:  It's available on Amazon. Here's the link--

https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Dawn-Immortal-Shifters-Book-ebook/dp/B07SLP5JGT

S:  Holly, thanks so much for joining me today! If you would like to learn more about Holly and her books, visit--

Website:  https:/www.henhousepublishing.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HenHousePublishing1/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/HollyBargoBooks

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Holly-Bargo/e/B00JRK6VGQ/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12756589.Holly_Bargo

Meet Hope!

Meet Hope, the newest addition to the Agency and the Feisty Lawyers Series! Now on sale at https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2658-3-hope/. On sale soon at all major booksellers.

Catch up on other feisty lawyers:

https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2263-9-snatching-diana/

https://www.extasybooks.com/978-4874-2291-2-infamy/

https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2538-8-cult/

Now on sale!

Blurb:

At only age twenty-two, she’s the best Probie the Agency has ever had—until her past catches up with her, leaving her devastated and broken. Without hope.

No one knows what they’re made of until they’re broken. At the tender age of twenty-two, Hope Ali has finally joined the organization of her dreams, the Agency, an elite group of attorneys who go undercover to right wrongs the law can’t. The requirements are stringent, the training exhausting.

After seeking asylum in the United States when she was sixteen, Hope and her father, Sheikh Harun Ali, settled in a quiet Wisconsin town, hiding from those who had placed a price on their heads. Still, she excelled, finishing her university and law school education by the time she was twenty-one.

Now, after breezing through the Agency training program, Hope appears to be indestructible—until she is assigned a simple task during the rescue of an author among the disappeared in the UAE. The task? To distract the woman’s captors until she can be spirited out of the country.

Unfortunately, a member of MISix has other plans. In an attempt to disrupt the Agency’s mission, she tips off one of Hope’s enemies, alerting them to her location. Hope manages to lead the author’s captors on a merry dance, freeing others to rescue her, until she is unexpectedly confronted with a violent angry mob intent on harm.

She is left bloody and broken. No one knows whether Hope’s body or her mind will heal. Suddenly Hope is no longer just her name. It is also the one thing she must embrace to find her new normal.

Excerpt:

      Hope stared at the pit full of ice, then gazed at Dianna. “You want me to do what?”

Dianna smiled. “This is your new obstacle course. It’s called The Ballbuster. Obviously, the other one wasn’t challenging enough for you, so I thought we’d try something else.” She smirked. “What’s the matter, not up to it, Probie?”

Hope scowled. “I thought you were my friend.”

“When you’re on Agency grounds, I’m your trainer and mentor first. You know that, Hope. My job is to make sure that when in the field, you can overcome every obstacle. Failure isn’t an option. Failure could mean death.”

Hope snapped, “Don’t you think I know that? God, everyone seems duty-bound to remind me of that every damn day. I’m not a child. I know my limits. I know my weaknesses. You don’t have to bludgeon me over the head with a cudgel.”

Dianna’s expression hardened. “Here’s the thing, Hope. The second you begin to believe that you can overcome every obstacle put in front of you is the day you should quit. Confidence is one thing. Feeling that you’re omniscient is another. Out in the field, fear is what drives you, and it could very well be what saves you. I don’t need you taking stupid chances because you think you’re Wonder Woman, able to thwart every threat. I need you to calmly assess each situation and rationally weigh the risks. You need to know when to walk away. Just as you need to know when a risk is worth taking. You have no real superpowers, woman. And you need to remember that. That’s why you’re on probation until we’re confident you can survive, Probie.

“This job isn’t about physical skill. It’s about being able to clearly, quickly, and competently analyze the risks. What I see right now is a young woman without fear, willing to take on any roadblock. I need you to recognize your limits and work around them. There is no shame in admitting defeat. And there most definitely is no shame in asking for help. That’s why each obstacle has a kill bell. Hit that and the exercise stops.”

“And then what,” Hope muttered. “I get kicked out?”

“No, then we step in and help. This Agency leaves no man or woman behind, Hope. They proved that to me when I was sent to Bolivia. The minute I sent out the Bat Signal, they began putting together a team to extract me. They saved my life.”

Buy links:

Publisher:  https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2658-3-hope/

Coming soon to all other major booksellers! 

Today in The Loft: Canadian author Maggie Blackbird!

Joining me today in The Loft is fellow eXtasy author Maggie Blackbird! An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes. When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house.

The avatar for author Maggie Blackbird

S:  Welcome, Maggie! I am so happy you could join me today!

Tell me, why did you become a writer?

M:  I became a writer because I have to write.  It’s that simple.  (Laughs.) I write whether I publish or not.  So I thought, “If I’m doing all of this writing, why not see if I can make a career out of it.” I have the wonderful eXtasy Books author V.J. Allison to thank for introducing me to eXtasy Books. 

S:  (Nods.) V.J. is a wonderful friend to have in the book world. She is very supportive of other authors.

What attracts you to the romance genre?

M:  I love the build-up and tension of two characters meeting, overcoming the internal or external problems they face that’s keeping them apart, and watching them overcome the hurdles, all in the name of love. There is nothing more romantic than that.

S:  (Smiles.) My grandma always told me that true love doesn't just happen, you have to work for it. I enjoy that tension in love stories as well. The willingness to struggle and overcome differences.

Do you write in other genres?

M:  Just romance.  I’ve read romance since I was about 12 or 13 years old, so it’s a genre I’m very familiar with, writing or reading.  If I was to delve into other genres, I’d have a lot to learn first before attempting a book. 

S:  Well, they do tell you to write what you know, which is why I write about lawyers in love. 

Tell me, what’s your definition of romance?

M:  I went over to Webster's Dictionary to see how romance is defined as a noun, and there are five answers, with number one having two categories and three sub-categories. So I guess even the world has a hard time defining romance. (Laughs.) I see romance as respect. Two people respecting one another as individuals:  Physically, emotionally, mentally, intellectually, and spiritually. To me, that’s about as romantic as you can get.

S:  You've just described the components of intimacy, the bond that couples need for love to thrive.

What is your favorite thing about writing romance?

M:  Two people with conflicting needs who overcome all the obstacles I place in front of them as a mean ol’ writer, so they can have their Happily Ever After. I love reading it and writing it.

S: (Chuckles.) It is nice to have that kind of control, isn't it? Though sometimes, I think my characters take over and tell the story the way they want it told. They seem to feed me the words that flow from my fingers.

Tell me about the Matawapit Family Series, which is being published by eXtasy Books.

M:  Sure. Here's the series description--

In the wilds of Northwestern Ontario, the adult children of a domineering Ojibway church deacon find their faiths crumbling and their beliefs faltering when a vengeful former lover, an ex-fiancé out on parole, and a seductive family enemy challenge Emery, Bridget, and Jude in a duel of love, loyalty, and values that threatens to destroy their perfect Catholic lives and family.

S:  Tell me about "Redeemed," the first book in the series.

M:  "Redeemed" is Book One in the series and can be read as a standalone. It's a story about a single woman who battles to keep her foster child from his newly-paroled father, a dangerous man she used to love. Here's the blurb--

Bridget Matawapit is an Indigenous activist, daughter of a Catholic deacon, and foster mother to Kyle, the son of an Ojibway father—the ex-fiancé she kicked to the curb after he chose alcohol over her love. With Adam out on parole and back in Thunder Bay, she is determined to stop him from obtaining custody of Kyle.

Adam Guimond is a recovering alcoholic and ex-gangbanger newly-paroled. Through counseling, reconnecting with his Ojibway culture and twelve-step meetings while in prison, Adam now understands he’s worthy of the love that frightened him enough to pick up the bottle he’d previously corked. He can’t escape the damage he caused so many others, but he longs to rise like a true warrior in the pursuit of forgiveness and a second chance. There’s nothing he isn’t willing to do to win back his son–and Bridget.

When an old cell mate’s daughter dies under mysterious circumstances in foster care, Adam begs Bridget to help him uncover the truth. Bound to the plight of the Indigenous children in care, Bridget agrees. But putting herself in contact with Adam threatens to resurrect her long-buried feelings for him, and even worse, she risks losing care of Kyle, by falling for a man who might destroy her faith in love completely this time.

S:  That's sounds like a pretty intense love story!

Where can readers buy your book?

M:  It's available from all major booksellers, including--

eXtasy Books:  https://www.extasybooks.com/product/product/?series_id=1534&product_id=6400

Amazon.com:  https://www.amazon.com/Redeemed-Matawapit-Family-Book-2-ebook/dp/B07R1VSKL1/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=maggie+blackbird+redeemed&qid=1556066662&s=digital-text&sr=1-1-fkmrnull

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/redeemed-64

Barnes and Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/redeemed-maggie-blackbird/1131420357?ean=2940156449866

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/936605

S:  You also have a book coming out this fall, "Sanctified." Can you share something about that?

M: "Sanctified" is also part of the Matawapit Family Series.  Here's the blurb--

In the midst of a battle for leadership at their Ojibway community, two enemies of opposing families fall in love...

After suffering a humiliating divorce, infuriated Catholic, Jude Matawapit, bolts to his family's Ojibway community to begin a new job--but finds himself thrown into a battle for chief as his brother-in-law's campaign manager. The radical Kabatay clan, with their extreme ideas about traditional Ojibway life, will stop at nothing to claim the leadership position, and rid the reserve of Western culture and its religion once and for all, which not only threatens the non-traditional people of the community, but Jude's chance at a brand-new life he's creating for his children.

Recovering addict, Raven Kabatay, will do anything to win the respect and trust of her older siblings and mother after falling deep into drug addition that brought shame and anger to her family. Not only does she have the opportunity to redeem herself by becoming her brother's campaign manager for chief, if he wins, she'll have the reserve's backing to purchase the goldmine diner where she works--finally making something of herself. But falling in love with the family's sworn enemy--the deacon's eldest son, Jude--will not only betray the Kabatay clan but everything Raven believes in and has worked so hard for. 

S:  Wow. That sounds like another intense tale! 

Maggie, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Maggie and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://maggieblackbird.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/maggieblackbirdauthor/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BlackbirdMaggie/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18176196.Maggie_Blackbird

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Blackbird/e/B07KQP1FFG

Next week in The Loft:  Author Holly Bargo!

Congratulations to Tina Donahue on her new release!

 Blurb:

Where there’s a will, there’s wicked fun…

Drowning in bad luck, Cari doesn’t know where to turn when the unexpected happens. A loyal customer at her Key West café has left her an inheritance. She hopes for cash to save her restaurant but receives an old brass bottle that looks like a sex toy…and has Jez inside.

At six-four, he’s built like a gladiator, has looks to die for, and oozes sexuality. He’s also a jinn.

Color her enthralled and excited. Besides being one hot dude, he grants wishes, right?

Not for her. Ironclad tradition demands he serve men, not women. Of course, if she wants to get down and dirty with him, he’ll gladly oblige.

Let the battle of the sexes begin. Before long, their differences fall away as they indulge in every lusty desire, while falling hard and fast. Ah, paradise. Until trouble arrives, threatening to pull them apart forever…

Excerpt:

This can’t be happening.

She raised her face.

The smoke broke apart, floated to the ceiling, and disappeared.

Leaving a thirtysomething man standing before her.

He opened his lushly lashed eyes.

Her breath caught. His irises were closer to gold than hazel, his shoulder-length brown hair thick and wavy, stubble outrageously sexy, mouth sensuous, one dark eyebrow arched at her.

He planted his hands on his lean hips.

Holy fuck. A gladiator couldn’t have owned more muscles, though they weren’t overdone like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s, but totally male.

Her pussy creamed.

An odd reaction since this couldn’t be real.

When the knob flew off the bottle, it must have ricocheted off the wall and hit her head, causing her to hallucinate this, or rather, him.

Only one way to find out. She grabbed his calf. Its brawn and heat made her ears buzz.

Grinning lewdly, he flexed his muscles and pressed into her touch.

This was no dream. She snatched back her hand. “Who-who-who-who—” She shivered so badly, she couldn’t speak, but had to. “Who are you? What are you?”

His eyebrows shot up to his hairline. He lifted his chin. “You, a mere woman, dare to question or demand anything from me?”

“Huh?” Not liking his sexist attitude, she scrambled to her feet. At five-seven, she couldn’t match his height. By her guestimate, he topped out at six-four and was the most perfect man she’d ever seen, except for his patronizing gaze. Precisely what she didn’t need. “Again, who or what are you? This is my place. My kitchen. Not yours. Answer me.”

“I answer only to my master. Go on.” He gestured her away as Antonini had. “Fetch the man in charge.”

As if. Before she could slug him, he pivoted and regarded her kitchen warily, as a one-percenter would, seeing only how small and simple it was.

She couldn’t have cared less if he found her digs lacking.

He next focused on her buñuelos.

If he gave them a pissy look or said one unkind thing about her cooking, he wasn’t long for this world, even if she didn’t know how to off him.

Bent at the waist, he sniffed the treats and licked his lips.

Growling sounded.

His stomach?

Holding one buñuelo between his thumb and forefinger, he examined the fried dough carefully, licked the contours, then popped the treat into his mouth. As he chewed, his lids slid down and he moaned the way guys do during orgasms.

Buy links:

Publisher: https://www.extasybooks.com/product/product/?product_id=6470&search=well%20endowed&sub_category=1

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Well-Endowed-Tina-Donahue-ebook/dp/B07VH7MX1S/ref=sr_1_1keywords=Well+Endowed+tina+donahue&qid=1563992798&s=books&sr=1-1

Win Books 1-3 in the Feisty Lawyers Series!

In preparation for the fall release of Book 4 in the Feisty Lawyers Series, “Hope,” Seelie is giving away the first three books in the series! To enter to win, send an email to seeliekay@gmail.com with the subject line, “I want my Feisty Lawyers fix!” and include your name, email address, and your preferred format for eBooks. One name will be drawn at the end of August. You will be contacted by email if you win. Only one entry per person, please!

This week in The Loft: UK author Alice Renaud

Joining me this week in The Loft is UK romance author Alice Renaud. The author of numerous published short stories, Alice's first book, "A Merman's Choice" was published in January 2019. It is the first book in a fantasy romance trilogy inspired by the landscapes and legends of Brittany and Wales. Born and raised in Brittany, Western France, Alice now lives in London with her husband and son.

Author Alice Renaud

S: Welcome, Alice! Thanks so much for joining me today!

Tell me, what's your favourite thing about writing romance?

A:  I can fantasize about hot men and call it work. It does wonders for my love life.

S:  (Smiles.) I think all romance writers understand that. Is that what attracted you to the romance genre?

A:  I like to see people overcome their problems and find happiness. I love happy endings. I hate gloomy books and sad endings. There’s enough of that in real life.

S:  Do you write in other genres? 

A:  I have written fantasy novels and family-themed short stories, but I prefer romance. Still, I am a big fan of fantasy. My favorite writers are Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, and Ursula Le Guin. I currently write fantasy and paranormal romance, which is a blend of my two favorite things. In addition, I wrote a short time-travel story this year, "The Sweetest Magic of All," and enjoyed that very much. It will come out in the BVS supernatural romance anthology, "Mystic Desire" this year. It goes up for presale on September 1.

S: Congratulations on the anthology. That's very exciting!

What’s your definition of romance? 

A:  Finding the person who will love you just as you are, and loving them back.

S:  (Nods.) Acceptance is very important for unconditional love. 

However, they say before we find our prince, we must kiss a lot of frogs. So I have to ask. What was your worst date ever?

A:  This guy talked at length about his favorite hobby, which was bell-ringing. Then he told me that he had weirdly shaped feet, and proceeded to describe them in detail. Oddly, I didn’t find that much of a turn-on.

S:  (Laughs.) Wow, that's pretty creepy!

What attracted you to your current partner?

A:  He was very easy to talk to and had lovely blue eyes. On our first date, he brought me red roses. And didn’t mention his feet once!

S:  Now he sounds like a keeper!

Tell me about your book, "A Merman's Choice."

A:  "A Merman's Choice" is Book 1 of the Sea of Love series. Here's the blurb--

For centuries the shape-shifting mermen of the Morvann Islands have lived incognito among humans. But one of them, Yann, has developed some bad habits. Like rescuing humans, even when doing so risks revealing his true nature. When he fishes Alex out of the sea, he doesn’t expect her to reappear eight months later, and turn his life upside down by asking him to be her guide.

Alex is determined to fulfill a promise to her dying grandmother, by gathering pictures and stories of the Morvanns. But she soon discovers that, on these remote Welsh islands, legends have a habit of becoming true!

Over the course of a few days, Yann and Alex grow close. But some mermen hate humans. Their hostility, and Yann’s secret, threaten to tear the couple apart just as they are discovering that they are soul mates. Can Yann overcome the obstacles in his path and make the right choice?

S:  Now that is good fantasy! Where can readers buy your book?

A:  It's available through the following buy links--

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2Qglyel

Other:  https://books2read.com/u/31xw7a

S:  Alice, thanks so much for joining me today! If you would like to learn more about Alice and her books, please visit--

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AliceRenaudAuthorRomance/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/alicerauthor

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-renaud-author-4219b6166/

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

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18670218.Alice_Renaud

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alice-renaud

Next week in The Loft: Author Maggie Blackbird!