Well, the lovely Sharon Struth, author of The Hour Glass--Finalist National Readers' Choice Awards for Best First Book​ and
Winner of the Chatelaine Award For Romantic Fiction--got muscled off my 5 Things never to do posting by Sophie Shaw, heroine of Sharon's up-coming title Share the Moon. Sharon didn't put up a fight, so never a fan of slapsies, I figured she knew something about Sophie that I didn't. Hence, I ducked and let the pair of them get on with it...(and I'm very glad I did, looks a mega cool book).

Thanks for inviting me to your great blog, Incy! I was about to write this blog post myself, but Sophie Shaw, heroine in SHARE THE MOON, reminded me she had some pretty sound advice for both the ladies and the guys on a very important matter. So take it away Sophie…

        5 Things Never to do When You Meet that “Special Someone”
                                By Sophie Shaw, Senior Reporter, Blue Moon Gazette

Small town life is great, but it has its limitations. Since my divorce, I’ve concluded the available men in Northbridge, Connecticut are as predictable as the assortment at the dollar rental video store, filled with decade-old hits I’ve seen so many times they hold little interest.

So the day I stumbled upon Duncan Jamieson at the lake, I was ready to high-five the trout!

It’s not like I’m desperate. Let’s just say my dating life has been as meager as the line of men waiting for a pedicure. It isn’t non-existent, simply short. So a man like this falling from the sky was kismet.

                                                                   Or so I thought.

We both tripped up in our courtship journey and did stupid things along the way. I’d like to offer this advice to my readers—both male and female—about what you shouldn’t do when you meet the man/woman of your dreams.

Early reviews are in! 5-Stars for Share the Moon

“There is not a detail of setting or character left for us to guess at. Struth gives her readers exactly what is in her head to create a fully-realized town and the people in it. We know every facial tick, every thought--what we don't know is the mystery hiding just behind each face, in each head. Struth gives her readers just enough to pull us along, to make sure we keep turning the pages--and just when you think the mystery is solved, it takes another turn.”

Blurb Share the Moon Blue Moon Lake Novels, Book One

Sometimes trust is the toughest lesson to learn.

Sophie Shaw is days away from signing a contract that will fulfill her dream of owning a vineyard. For her, it's a chance to restart her life and put past tragedies to rest. But Duncan Jamieson's counter offer blows hers out to sea.

Duncan still finds Sophie as appealing as he had during boyhood vacations to the lake. Older and wiser now, he has his own reasons for wanting the land. His offer, however, hinges on a zoning change approval.

Bribery rumors threaten the deal and make Sophie wary of Duncan, yet she cannot deny his appeal. When her journalistic research uncovers a Jamieson family secret, trust becomes the hardest lesson for them both.

Book Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOsUDbViLQk

Author bio:

Sharon Struth is an award-winning author who believes it’s never too late for a second chance in love or life.  When she’s not writing, she and her husband happily sip their way through the scenic towns of the Connecticut Wine Trail. Sharon writes from the small town of Bethel, Connecticut, the friendliest place she's ever lived. For more information, including where to find her other novels and published essays, please visit www.sharonstruth.com

JM Stewart joins me today, to share five things never to do with the hero and heroine in her terrific romance Her Knight in Black Leather, so:

5 things never to do to hot Michael Brant:

1: Assume you know all about him just because you’ve heard the rumors. 

2: Assume he gives a crap what you think about him. Because he doesn’t.

3: Bother giving him rules you expect him to obey. Because chances are, he won’t. He’s very comfortable walking outside the lines. The only time he’ll follow your rules is if it suits him. 

4: Threaten the woman he loves. Because if you do, you’ll be dealing with him, instead.  

5: Touch his bike. 

Yikes. As character reveals go, *gulp*...just *gulp*.  (I want him. You can't beat a forceful, independent, but protective hero. Lucky, lucky Cat Edwards, his woman. 




Now, what 5 things should you never do to her?

1: Drag her to a crowded bar.

2: With music loud enough to make the walls shake.

3: Then leave her there to fend for herself and assume the introverted bookworm knows what to do with herself. Chances are, she’ll leave you there and go find somewhere quieter. To do geeky things like read. Or hang out with that quiet hunk who came to her rescue. ;)

4: Make her the center of attention. It makes her uncomfortable. She’d rather blend in with the shadows, thank you very much.

5: Force her to choose between her family and her heart. It’s torture, of the worst variety. Because it means someone has to lose, and it breaks her heart to have to do it.  

Another excellent character reveal to intrigue. How does a shy mouse pull a man like Michael? What happen's when he does pull?--unapologetically, a very British term, 'to pull', slang for 'to attract'. What happen's when opposites protect? Do they bring out the best or the worst in one another? Well, no spoilers here, you have to read to find out, but what I can guarantee is that JM Steward is a mistress/master of the the sublime character sketch that sucks the reader right into the story.

Her Knight in Black Leather is now part of a bundle! Only $0.99! And, for which you get 10 amazing reads.

When love calls, it’s rarely easy but always memorable, and definitely worth turning the pages. Recapture the thrill, the delicious anticipation of finding your happily ever after in these 10 unforgettable, hot stories by some of today’s brightest names.

Her Knight in Black Leather – J.M. Stewart
Destination Wedding – Robyn Neeley
Drawn to Jonah – Jennifer DeCuir
On the Fly – Katie Kenyhercz
Wildly – Debra Kayn
Falling for You – Heather Thurmeier
Beginning Again – Peggy Bird
Spiraling – Rachel Cross
Save My Soul – Elley Arden
Sweet Gone South – Alicia Hunter Pace

Buy links: Crimson Romance (ePub) --  Amazon (kindle)

 Author bio:

JM is the author of passionate, heartfelt contemporary romance. She’s a wife, a mother, a spiritualist, and lover of puppies, and happily addicted to coffee and chocolate. She lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest with her husband, two sons, and two very spoiled dogs. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have their happily-ever-after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her obsession. For more about JM Stewart and her books, please visit: http://authorjmstewart.com/

A question oft posed of authors: What kick started your desire to write? 
A safe question. A great question. It never grows tired. We all want to know. But, having been through the publishing wringer (mangle), it occurs to me the more pertinent question is: What keeps you going? Because writing is hard--the opinion of your peers and the reading public-at-large is harder still--and the continuing road to publication can be brutal, with self-doubt and cynicism (certainly, my two constant companions) always bickering.

So what keeps me going? Frankly, I'm fucked if I know for certain, but my need to read--near on a bankrupting addiction--ranks right up there, and I'm unapologetically evangelical in my conviction that reading is the answer to...'World Peace'. (Not really, but how else to explain something which has always provided me with exquisite pleasure.) 

And, so begins another of my blog series: