Judy Kentrus~ Making Dreams Come True on Last Chance Beach

Please welcome Judy today, who has come to share the story of her beautiful cover for WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE, Last Chance Beach Romance #14. Let's see what she has to say...

When an author thinks about her story, having a cover that reflects the storyline is important. When I thought about “Where Dreams Come True,” I knew I had to have a single person on the cover. Since Chelsea’s profession was dancing and her dream to become a prima ballerina, I started looking for cover images of dancers. It can be a long, frustrating process, but when the right image appears, you can feel it and know it’s right. I actually got goosebumps when I found the dancer on the beach. The dancer on the cover epitomizes Chelsea, but more importantly it depicts the storyline to a “T”.

Blurb ~

Chelsea Townsend runs a local dancing school in Last Chance Beach. Five years ago, her partner dropped her during a performance. The resulting injury killed her chance of becoming a Prima Ballerina. Her dancing career always took precedence, but she regrets giving up a chance to have a life with the only man she’s ever loved.

She’s worked hard to reopen the historic Gershwin Theater. When someone breaks into her dancing school, it sets off a chain of events that reveals the untold secrets surrounding the old theater, including a twenty-five-year-old murder.

It will take a police detective, the father of one of her students, to find out who is working against her.



Zachary MacFarland, a decorated NYC police detective, returned to Last Chance Beach eight months ago. He and his partner were ambushed, and the bullet that killed his partner came from Zach’s gun. He’s determined to find the real killer and clear his name.

Coming home also meant being close to Chelsea Townsend. She chose her career over the happily-ever-after he offered. It will take all of his detective skills to reveal who is determined to destroy her hopes and dreams.

Last Chance Beach meant second chances. Would they find the love and happiness they once lost? This is a page-turning romantic suspense.

YOU CAN PURCHASE WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE HERE:

https://amzn.to/3VGKObq

Bio ~

Judy Kentrus, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Seasoned Romance, Historical Romance

I’ve always been a romantic at heart and I married my high school sweetheart. I make my home in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. Before I let the dog out, I make sure there aren’t any bears around. I’m a mom with two grown children who have given me six grandchildren.

We love to travel. Many of the places we’ve visited have inspired me to use as a storyline. I never know what will give me an inspiration, but my mind is always working.

When I’m not giving couples their happily-ever-after, you can find me in the kitchen, baking, especially cookies. I’ve been dubbed the cookie queen by my family and friends. You’ll find a new recipe every month on my website.

Want to find out more about my books and what’s coming? Be sure to sign up for my newsletter, via my website. My stories are fun, sexy, romances that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love.


YOU CAN FIND JUDY HERE:

Website: https://www.judykentrus.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudyKentrus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judykentrus/?hl=en

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/judy-kentrus

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/jkentrus/_saved/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard?ref=nav_profile_authordash

Amazon Author Central: https://author.amazon.com/claim/join?query=Judy+Kentrus

Tiktok: lolababy687


Thank you, Judy, for sharing your cover story!

#RomanceGem Author Nancy Fraser Is MAKING CHRISTMAS!

The wonderful Nancy Fraser has joined us this morning to share a bit about the making of her cover for her Dickens Holiday Romance Prequel MAKING CHRISTMAS. So, without further ado...

One of my favorite parts of the process of publishing a new book is the cover. Whether it’s one I’ve created myself, or one created for me by one of my three publishers, it’s always a thrill to see the finished product.

For my new vintage holiday novelette, Making Christmas, the cover was quite an undertaking and it went through many incarnations before I was happy with it. It began as a fairly “normal” cover, with Christmas toys and the title and my name. Simple, and it was very pretty.

However, in the process of writing the story itself, I began formulating ideas for promotion. Because my heroine has returned to the small town where she grew up to write a magazine article on an old friend’s toy factory, I figured I needed a magazine cover. So, I created one.

When I showed the fake magazine cover to a writer friend, she said, “He’s hunky. That should be your cover.” Never one to shy away from a challenge or a good idea, the cover went through another makeover. I didn’t want to lose the magazine cover effect, so I incorporated it into the finished cover.

Never let it be said, authors aren’t a bit crazy and obsessive. Especially over our covers!

Let's hear a little bit more about the book...

Blurb ~

A 1980s Vintage Romance ...

It’s been five years since William Barrett returned to Dickens to take over as CEO of Wil-Bar Toys. He’s spent these past years helping build Wil-Bar into a leader in creative, handmade toys. His work ethic and drive has left him little time for a personal life. Or, perhaps he’s still pining for the one who got away.

Catherine Gates moved away from Dickens six years earlier. Now a staff reporter for a woman’s magazine, she’s returning to Dickens to do a story on Wil-Bar Toys new production methods and get the scoop on their upcoming holiday line.

When Will and Cat meet up again for the first time in years, it’s as if they’ve never been apart. Rekindling their friendship, and attraction, becomes more important than Cat’s article, or even the secrecy of the new toy lines.

Can these two childhood friends make up for lost time and pursue the romance they missed out on years earlier? Or, will Cat’s story expose too much and put them at odds with one another?

Excerpt ~

Catherine made her way through the front doors of Wil-Bar Toys and toward the reception desk. “I’m here to see Mr. Barrett. I have a ten o’clock appointment.”

“I’ll buzz Margaret and she’ll come to get you,” the young woman said.

Catherine waited for Margaret, obviously a new edition to the staff since she didn’t recognize the name.

Moments later, a woman who looked to be in her late twenties entered the lobby. “Hello, I’m Margaret Weatherby. If you’ll follow me, please.”

She fell in step behind the woman, going through the heavy oak double doors she remembered from her childhood. They continued down the hallway leading to the main offices, coming to a stop in front of the desk outside the large corner suite.

“How long have you worked at Wil-Bar?” Catherine asked.

“Two years now. I was originally hired to work for Mr. Wilfred Barrett but when the younger Mr. Barrett’s secretary left to get married, I took over for her as well.”

“That must keep you very busy.”

The woman nodded. “It does, especially this time of year. However, it’s such a wonderful place to work, I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else.” She paused, then added, “I’ll let Mr. Barrett know you’re here.”

“I’d appreciate—”

Her words of appreciation were interrupted by a man’s booming voice. “Margaret, do you have the report I left for photocopying earlier?” The voice was followed by the man’s appearance outside the office door, his footsteps coming to a halt when he saw her standing there.

She lifted her head, meeting Will Barrett’s intense gaze head-on.

“Cat? Cat Gates. I’ll be dam...darned.”

“Hello, Will.”

“You two know each other?” Margaret asked. When they both nodded at the same time, Margaret added, “Well, that certainly saves time on introductions.”

Will motioned for her to follow him into the office. “You’re the journalist they’ve sent to write a story on Wil-Bar?”

“Yes,” she said, taking the seat he offered. “I assume they thought I’d have an inside track on the place since I’m from Dickens.”

His chuckle sent a flurry of butterflies rushing her stomach.

“Inside track. I’d say so. You know every nook and cranny of this place—or at least you did before we remodeled.”

“Some I knew all too well, given I spent more time hiding than you and Tommy did seeking.”

“Sorry about that,” he said with a broad grin. “We were pretty mean to you back then.”

WHERE TO BUY MAKING CHRISTMAS:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094GF6R5L

ASIN: B094GF6R5L

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1566764279


B&N (Nook): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/making-christmas-nancy-fraser/1139435151


Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/making-christmas-3


Universal: https://books2read.com/u/3ye0ae

Custom: https://books2read.com/MakeXMas

Other:

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/making-christmas-a-dickens-holiday-romance-prequel-by-nancy-fraser

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57984424-making-christmas

Bio ~

 

NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.

 

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

 

Website: www.nancyfraser.ca

Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor  @nfraserauthor

Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/profile/nancy-fraser

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Fraser/e/B004AOL61Y/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3gC68iMStwKCr4v_S6fMIA

Newletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/bxkKvD

 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Bookbub

Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads ~ YouTube ~ Newsletter

 

Trailer:

 

 

Direct Link:  https://youtu.be/PzzY7komw-I

Jigsaw Puzzle Link: https://bit.ly/33wkGqI

 

Thank you, Nancy, so much for joining us. It was a delight having you!

Laura Hunsaker, #RomanceGem, Has It All Covered With AMETHYST HEAT!

Good morning! As I again set out to introduce you to all my Romance Gem pals, please welcome Laura Hunsaker! Take it away, Laura!

What makes a good cover?

 

Well, that is the question, isn’t it? For as much as we’d love to say don’t judge a book by its cover, we’re all guilty of doing that. The cover is usually what catches our eye first. I bought a book that had a very Keanu Reeves in John Wick feel. I regret nothing. :)

 

When you aren’t in control of your own covers though, you’re at the mercy of your publisher. I’ve been lucky that my publisher listened to my thoughts and applied them to the cover. Although my publisher put my nickname Laurie on the cover rather than my full name. That was kind of odd, especially as my other books through them all say Laura. Add to that, the cover is about 10 years old, and since the story is mine again, I wanted something new.

 

Amethyst Heat is my free short story (it’s like 7 pages long, so it’s a true short story). The old cover is fine. But it doesn’t capture the story as much as I think my new cover does. I sent my cover designer the story and let her have free reign (she’s pretty amazing). And I love what she came up with! Her cover really encompasses the story, short as it is.

 

And you can feel free to judge this story by its new cover.

 

Blurb ~

A sweet romance set in the Highlands of Scotland.

While out riding, Meg McMurray finds herself on unfamiliar lands. Gone are the long expanses of Oklahoma prairie, and in front of her are the wild Scottish Highlands. How did she come to be there, and did Aunt Gilly's amethyst ring have anything to do with it?

M.J. note ~ (Since this is a short story, it's a short excerpt, but even in this you can see what a great story it is!)

Excerpt ~

Meg nervously licked her lips and ran her fingers through her hair. His gaze followed the movements, settling on her ring.
"Where did you get that?" his voice was rougher, deeper, than before.
Glancing down Meg saw his eyes trained on her finger. "The ring? It's been in my family for generations. I recently inherited it." Meg dropped her eyes, hiding her pain at the thought of her Aunt Gilly. The note that had come with the ring was written by Gilly's own hand. It had said that her "destiny awaited," whatever that meant.

You can download AMETHYST HEAT for free here!:

     Kindle   |   Barnes and Noble   |   Kobo   |   Google Play   |   Smashwords |  Goodreads

I've got mine!

Thank you for joining us, Laura! So what do you think? I liked the first cover but the second cover is even better!