Guest Posts and Features

NO MORE LONELY NIGHTS @nmcgeheefiction #EBBB

As a special treat, Nicole McGehee, author of 'No More Lonely Nights', stopped by to shed some light on her novel and to tell a little about herself and the story. (And doesn't it have a gorgeous cover?)

Book Description

Heroine Dominique Avallon has been raised in the opulent French expatriate community of WWII Egypt. But revolution and a doomed love affair with a British officer drive her into an arranged marriage with an older man who promises her a new life in America. Chafing under the stern gaze of her aristocratic mother, she is ready to escape the danger and heartbreak of Egypt.

When Dominique discovers her husband is a fraud, she flees their home in San Francisco for New York. For the first time, she is alone and impoverished. Desperate, she puts her glamorous experience to use, and triumphs as the mastermind behind sparkling galas for the city's most stylish department store.
Her good luck seems confirmed when a devilishly handsome New Orleans shipping heir sweeps her off her feet into marriage. But when her fairy tale becomes tarnished, her self-reliance is tested again, only now she has her mother and her daughter depending on her.
The homemakers of the 1950s and '60s have become the career women of the '70s and '80s. Facing hard times once more, Dominique must hurry to catch up, fighting for her true identity and career. Yet even as her struggling career starts to succeed, Dominique is faced with her most difficult choice yet. Will she risk her hard-won independence for the possibility of another chance at love?
No More Lonely Nights is inspired by the true story of the author's mother and grandmother, and their tales of the glamour they once knew.

Author Bio

Nicole McGehee was born in South Carolina, but spent most of her adult life in the Washington, DC, area. She began her career in politics as a lobbyist and event planner for several medical non-profits. Later, she worked as a speech writer and legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives. From there, she went to work in the West Wing of the White House.

After leaving the White House, Nicole started her own publication on business and trade in Latin America and the Caribbean. She owned the journal for seven years, then sold it shortly after signing a two-book contract with publishers Little, Brown and Company (hard cover) and Warner Books (paperback). Her books have been translated into French, Spanish and German, and were also published in the United Kingdom and Canada. In addition, her travel writing has appeared in the Washington Post, the Denver Post, the Miami Herald, and Honeymoon magazine. Nicole is co-author of The Insiders' Guide to Washington, DC, 3rd edition.
In 1997, her first husband, Michael, died in a car accident. Devastated, Nicole sold their home in Virginia and moved to ski country in Colorado. Five years later, she met her second husband, David. They continue to live in Colorado.
Nicole has an Associate's degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and a BA from Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Nicole's novels are now available in e-format. Her website is nicolemcgeheefiction.com.
 

What Readers Are Saying

"Dominique is strong, compelling, poignant. . .4½ stars out of 5"

-Affaire de Coeur

"This highly entertaining novel by the author of Regret Not a Moment will be devoured by patrons who enjoy Belva Plain, Barbara Taylor Bradford, or Cynthia Freeman. Recommended for fiction collections."

-Library Journal

"Author Nicole McGehee shines with this absorbing emotional drama which outlines the life of a complex woman who learns to face her challenges and feelings head on."

-Romantic Times

"Passionate romance spanning three continents and three decades. . ."

-Kirkus Reviews

"The book's main character is a strong, intelligent, witty and independent woman."

-Shirley Eder Backstage for WWJ News Radio 95AN

"Let me say it straight out: Nicole McGehee is an enchantress of a storyteller. She writes in cinematic scenes, each infused with powerful and persuasive emotion, ranging from romantic ecstasy to a depth of heartbreak at times almost unbearable to read. Scenes are rendered with a descriptive skill that dissolves words and phrases into immediate sensation and emotion. With Dominique, we move through the elegantly observed homes and offices and playgrounds of the rich and powerful in a series of great cities-Cairo, San Francisco, Manhattan, New Orleans and Washington. But the power of the story is in the vivid characters, and none more vivid than Dominique, whose fighting spirit in every crisis of her turbulent life reminds one of Scarlett O'Hara. (From another book outside my genre of choice that I couldn't put down!)

-Dan Pollock, NY Times acclaimed author of four thrillers

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Cover Reveal of Body Ink and Soul by Jude Ouvrard

Phoenix Silverstone more commonly known as Nix, is a twenty-one year old that has finally discovered her freedom. After living under the strict rules and protection of her mother, Nix moved out with her two best friends in a quaint little Seattle apartment.  For the first time Nix is finally able to spread her wings and breathe. Together, they get a job working at a bar and for the first time everything is perfect.

Freedom, friendships, a great job and fantastic man on the verge of becoming hers. Tristan is the suave, intelligent, not to mention gorgeous law student that Nix has her eyes and heart set on. For the first time, she has her life together; that is, until her path crosses with Levi. The charming, tattooed and downright sexy bad boy that Nix knows she needs to avoid.

But when one of her friends moves out she is shocked to find that her new roommate is none other than Levi. Flirting. Desire. Undeniable temptations. Nix can’t deny the chemistry surging between them but she can’t forget her mother’s extreme hate towards bad boys.

Will Nix have the strength to listen to her heart? Or will her mother’s rules cost her everything?

About the author...

Jude was born and raised in a small village named Lacolle. She now lives in Montreal, Canada. She is the proud mother of a beautiful five year old son, Isaac and has spent the last twelve years with her boyfriend, Cedric.

French is her native language, but she prefers to write in her second language, English. She has a passion for books, both reading and writing them.

Also by Jude:

• Under the sun
• Wonderland

To learn more about Jude Ouvrard, here are her links:

Website/blog: www.judeouvrard.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JudeOuvrard

Twitter: @JudeOuvrard @AuthorJude_O

Street Team: www.facebook.com/groups/judesbooks

Excerpt:

''Can I get you anything?'' I asked him, while taking all the empty plastic glasses off the counter.

''A smile. Give me that and you’ll get the biggest tip tonight.'' The slow seductive tone rolling off his shapely lips told me he wasn’t just fooling around. His green eyes were staring at me like I was dessert. This guy was hot and he knew it. The way his tousled light brown hair went every which way, hanging down onto his forehead, told me right away he didn’t care about his looks. He didn’t have to.

He wanted a smile? I shook my head. ''You don’t want a drink? Just water, maybe?''

''No, just a smile. You're the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen and it's just a smile I want.'' He brushed his hand through his hair, making it even more distressed.

I knew I was blushing and biting my lips in embarrassment. His eyes refused to stray from mine, pinning me in place. I smiled, but not because he asked.  No, this was solely because this very random man had pulled one out of me on his own. I saw the humor in his eyes. He slid fifty bucks out of his pocket and onto the counter. ''Thank you, Princess. You just made my night.''

He got up and walked away. I could see the hint of tattoos peeking out of his neckline and rolled up sleeves, but I was too astonished to call after him or say anything. He was wearing simple black converse, washed out jeans and a black long sleeve henley. There was something about him - mysterious and inscrutable. If he wanted to get my attention, well - he got it.

Who the hell was that? I kept asking myself as he walked away. I knew he was the guy Tyler had been excited to see, but I had never seen him around here before. I knew I would have remembered that piece of man candy.

He didn't give me his name and I didn't give him mine. Not that he had to ask - I had a name tag with my name on it. It was the strangest thing that ever happened to me. My eyes remained trained on him until he opened the door of the club and left. I found myself still watching the door, even after it was closed, like I wanted to chase after him – which was insane. I shook my head, willing myself to move on.

I began wiping the counter, pausing to watch Val entertain her groupies at the station next to me. As I turned to grab more lemons, my eyes were drawn again to the door. Tristan walked in with few of his friends. I had never seen Tristan here before and even after our dinner date tonight, I still didn’t expect it. I couldn’t tell if I was excited by the surprise visit or nervous about it. I felt like he was parading a bunch of his buddies around my bedroom, looking through all my dirty laundry. This was my home away from home and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to let him in—yet. Not to mention I was still shaken up from Mr. Mysterious.