Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Whats new with Rebecca Heflin

Romance Writers of America   

 

As a romance writer, I look forward to attending our big national meeting every year in July. Romance Writers of America, affectionately known as RWA, recently wrapped up their conference in San Antonio, Texas, home of the Alamo, the Riverwalk, and awesome TexMex food. Me and Kristan Higgins

This year I had a slight handicap — a walking boot on my right leg. But I was a trooper, and attended workshops, author chats, the trade show, even the big award show at the end, all while hobbling along. The boot served as a conversation starter, or as a bonding moment with fellow authors. Take Kristan Higgins, who broke her ankle the week before RWA. I attended her workshop and afterward, approached her to commiserate. So here we are showing off our trend-setting boots.

I always leave RWA feeling energized and ready to write. Good thing, since Ship of Dreams, Book #2 in the Dreams Come True Series is due to my editor August 31st. Look for the release in February 2015.

Here's a sneak peek at the first scene in Ship of Dreams -

Laura Armstrong strode toward the building housing the New York offices of Imperial Cruise Lines. Her stiletto heels clicked a staccato on the sidewalk as she tested the limits of her snug pencil skirt.

Tapping out a message on her smart phone, her mind five steps ahead, she nearly took a header when the heel of her shoe plunged into a sidewalk seam. The text message all but forgotten, she twisted and turned, unable to dislodge the stubborn heel.

Risking a tear in the cherry red patent leather of her sky-high Louboutin ankle-straps — the ones with the plunging vamp revealing her sexy toe cleavage — wasn't an option. But between the ankle strap and her figure-hugging skirt, she couldn't slip out of the shoe, nor could bend over and unfasten it either.

Perfect. She'd be late for her meeting with Imperial's CEO.
Daddy Dearest thought Giddings-Rose couldn't handle an account the size of Imperial. Check that. He thought she couldn't win an account the size of Imperial.

Determined to prove her father wrong, she'd get the account and the corner office. That is if she could pry her heel out of the sidewalk.

Bustling New Yorkers in suits and skirts just stepped around her, dodging her like an out-of-place trashcan. "Well, sh—"

"Hold still, Sugar, or you'll break the heel." The masculine voice called to mind the mellow sweetness of the fine Kentucky Bourbon she'd once sipped at the Derby. Rich and mellifluous, with a hint of Southern graciousness. Even so, there was no denying the authoritative tone. "And that would be a damn shame." The hand that wrapped around her ankle from behind was broad and masculine, but well-manicured, topped with an elegant Cartier watch.

Not her type. She preferred her men with a little more grit than polish. So why did tantalizing warmth spread up her leg?

With adept fingers, he unbuckled the ankle strap and lifted her foot from the still-lodged shoe. Having no other choice to avoid either resting her bare foot on the filthy Manhattan sidewalk or the humiliation of falling on her face, she reached back and grabbed his shoulder.
Hmm. No padding there. Nothing but muscle beneath that expensive tropical weight wool suit. She caught a glimpse of charcoal gray fabric, dark hair, and Italian shoes in rich mahogany leather.
But she'd yet to lay eyes on her rescuer's face.

Nathan Maxwell took advantage of the up-close and personal view. Trim ankles met shapely, muscular calves, and judging from the fit of her skirt, a firm derriere topped off those swimsuit-model legs. Beneath his touch, soft skin beckoned further exploration. Long honey-blond hair hung almost to her waist in a sleek ponytail. The fragrance of her haute couture perfume drifted over him, reminding him of magnolia-scented summer nights.

Focusing on the task at hand, he gently pried the heel from the sidewalk seam and examined it. "No harm done." He grasped her ankle and settled her foot back into the shoe and fastened the strap, but not before noticing the firecracker red nail polish. He laughed. "Here you go Cinderella."

The warmth of his laugh slid over her, knocking her a little off balance even though she'd placed her foot firmly back on the ground. "Thank you, uh . . ." She turned and looked up into golden brown eyes the color of that same sweet Kentucky Bourbon.

"Nathan, Nathan Maxwell. My pleasure, ma'am." He flashed a devastating grin, igniting gilded sparks in his eyes.

There was that Southern drawl again — subtle, like the peach undertones of a fine Pinot Gris. "You're not from around here, are you?"

"My accent give me away?" Her sardonic smile weakened Nathan's knees more than any toothy grin ever did.

"No, your courtesy."

Nathan chuckled. "My grandmother would have expected nothing less." Her eyes, cool blue like the May sky overhead, captured his and held. No shrinking violet, this one, he mused. A full, determined mouth painted to match the red of her toenails set off an arresting face with high cheekbones, a stubborn chin, and aquiline nose.  

"Well, thank you, Nathan." Maybe she should add suave polished men with a hint of Rhett Butler to her menu, Laura thought. Her phone, all but forgotten in her hand, buzzed. "I, uh, I've got to go. Thanks again, Nathan Maxwell." Something about the way his name rolled off her tongue. She answered the phone as she walked away, "This is Laura."

Nathan watched as she strode down the sidewalk, hips swaying to some inherent rhythm. "Come on, Laura, glance back." She turned and gave him what he wanted, another look at that bold, beautiful face.

"It's going to be a great day." Glancing at his watch, satisfied with the outcome of the errand that brought him to this part of Manhattan in the first place, he hailed a cab back to his office.

 

Dreams of Perfection, continues to garner 5-star reviews! It is now available in ebook and paperback on Amazon.com.

Click here to read an excerpt and find the buy buttons of your preference.

Click here to purchase on Amazon.com.
 

Reading Romance Expo


I recently had the privilege of attending the Reading Romance Expo at the W.T. Bland Public Library in Mt. Dora, Florida. Twenty romance authors gathered for a book signing, giveaways, and to meet and greet their readers.

Meeting my fellow romance authors was a bonus! We had a great day and I look forward to the event next year. Thanks to the folks at the library who put on this special event!


 

The audiobook version of The Promise of Change is now available on Audible and Amazon! Get your copy now!


About The Promise of Change -

Sarah Edwards loves stability, but now finds life has other plans for her. Divorced, bored, and twitchy, she’s convinced her impulsive, sometimes irrational decisions are the sign of a mid-life crisis, and the contradictory actions and emotions are giving her family and friends mental whiplash. Her abrupt resignation from her job is the final straw. But a two-week trip to England seems the perfect pick-me-up for this Anglophile and Austenite.

Enter Alex Fraser, a.k.a. the Earl of Rutherford, who although a member of the lucky sperm club, prefers to be known for what he’s accomplished, rather than a fate of birth. Despite his family’s disapproval, he is determined to work in his chosen profession of acting. He’s always preferred casual flings with beautiful women who have no illusions of marriage. That is until he literally bumps into Sarah in an Oxford pub.

Despite an idyllic week together, Sarah gets cold feet and returns to the States determined to come back down to reality. A year later, the realization of Sarah’s life-long dream unexpectedly brings Alex back into her life, in what she believes is an ironic twist of fate. Will Sarah’s decisions leave her life in shambles, or will they lead to the promise of change?

Listen to an audio sample here

Get the Audio Book Now!


Rescuing Lacey is now available at these fine retailers:
Audible.com | Amazon
Listen to a sample by clicking here


 

Awards - Rescuing Lacey

  • Winner, 2013 Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence
  • Award of Merit, 2013 Holt Medallion
  • Finalist, 2013 Published Maggie Award for Excellence
  • Finalist, 2013 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence
  • Finalist, 2013 Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award
  • Honorable Mention, 2013 Show Me Your Covers Contest

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