Showcasing: Melange Writing Duo- Ken Hicks and Anne Rothman- Hicks’s - Jane Larson series of mystery/thriller novels.

So I have something really special for you today. The Melange Books, unique writing team of, Anne Rothman- Hicks and Ken Hicks.

So how did it all begin?

Back in 1969, Anne was a graduate at Bryn Mawr College and Ken a student at Haverford College. Their writing partnership began here, when they joined in an independent study class to write a children's book.  

Anne and Ken married in 1971 and in addition to bringing up three children, together have written about twenty books:

 Theft of the Shroud, a novel; Starfinder, a non-fiction book about the stars for children; a series of books on individual names for children (for example Michael's Book, Elizabeth's Book, John's Book, Jennifer's Book, David's Book, Amy's Book); and, most recently, Kate and the Kid, Praise Her, Praise Diana, Mind Me, Milady, and Weave A Murderous Web, (four adult novels in all), two middle reader/tween novels, Things Are Not What They Seem and Remembering Thomas; and a series for young readers, Stone Faces, Brownstone Faces, and Splotch.

In 2016, Melange Books published the first in the Jane Larson series of mystery/thriller novels: Praise Her, Praise Diana. Since then, they have gone on to write two more:  Mind Me, Milady and Weave a Murderous Web.

Their latest novel in the Jane Larson series, Killer Soulmate, will be released by Melange Books 24/9/2019

Praise Her, Praise Diana  contains adult content

by Anne Rothman-Hicks & Ken Hicks

Call it life imitating art—author Maggie Edwards publishes a chapter of a book detailing seduction, murder and castration by a protagonist named Diana, and suddenly a woman code-named Diana begins to mimic her actions in real time. Women who have been abused find Diana to be an inspirational figure, and begin to fight back in her name. Soon violence erupting throughout New York City threatens to spiral out of control. As the police try desperately to identify Diana, Maggie's high-powered lawyer, Jane Larson, finds herself at the center of an investigation that threatens to upend the entire world around her.

Genres: Contemporary  Thriller

Heat Level: 3 flames

Boiling  Sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language may be more graphic and direct.

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Nook

Weave a Murderous Web

by Anne Rothman-Hicks & Ken Hicks

No good deed goes unpunished. When Jane Larson—a hot-shot litigator for a large firm in New York City—helps out a friend, she is sucked into the unfamiliar world of divorce and child support.

Jane's discovery of the deadbeat dad’s hidden assets soon unravels a web of lies, drugs, and murder that keeps getting more dangerous.

Soon, Jane is involved in a high stakes race to recover a missing suitcase of cash and catch the murderer before she becomes the next victim.

Genres

Mystery Thriller

Heat Level: 3 flames

Boiling  Sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language may be more graphic and direct.

BUY EBOOKS

Amazon Kindle 

Smashwords 

Nook

Mind Me, Milady

by Anne Rothman-Hicks & Ken Hicks

Jane Larson is an attorney on the Upper East Side of New York City, and the Gentleman Rapist has chosen her to receive his calls announcing each conquest. He also reminds her in chilling terms that he will one day twist his wire around her throat and bend her to his will.

Jane has professional and personal problems of her own, but she is forced to try to catch this monster when he stalks her newest client. Susan is a sweet young woman who cannot remember large time periods of her past and who has dreams about a prior life in which she was raped. Soon, the Gentleman escalates to murder, and Jane wonders if he was involved in Susan’s forgotten past, or if Susan is simply a means to get to Jane. Either way, Jane is caught in the deadly game of stopping the Gentleman before another woman feels the wire at her throat and hears his sinister whisper to Mind Me, Milad.

Genres

Mystery Thriller

Heat Level: 3 flames

Boiling  Sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language may be more graphic and direct.

BUY EBOOKS

Amazon Kindle 

Smashwords 

iBooks

Follow Anne and Ken Hicks

Website: http://www.randh71productions.com/page1.php

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/pages/Kenneth-Hicks-and-Anne-Rothman-Hicks/622272714477979

Interview 2- With Indi author Nancy Pennick

Welcome back to the second part of my interview with Author Nancy Pennick.

“Let me get this right. You have written YA, Historical Romance and now not only do you have a new Romantic Suspense series, The Secret Billionaire Society, you are publishing yourself? Wow! How is that working for you?

“Lots of work and research, but fun. I belong to some Indie Facebook groups and the people are very helpful. My son does the covers, my cousin is my editor and my husband is my final proof reader.”  

“I have to ask. What has your experience been like as a new Indie Author? Bruises, Highlights, and lessons?”

“Lessons: If you do nothing, your books sit and languish amongst the millions out there. You can’t write a book without knowing how to market. As I stated above, the Facebook groups for Indie Authors are super helpful. The lesson is to get great advice and follow it. I have the Secret Billionaire Society in Kindle Unlimited, exclusive to Amazon, a good recommendation. Amazon offers advertising for their books, too.
Bruises: Many times I have asked myself, “Why am I doing this?” after no sales for a period of time or a bad review. I want to bang my head against a wall, cry or give up. But I think a lot of authors feel this way at one time or another. Then I walk away or take a deep breath and dive back in again.
Highlights: Whenever I get a glowing review? Makes my day. I sell one book? Celebrate. Someone you don’t know says your book is great or contacts you to let you know they bought your book? Priceless.”

  “What is your advice to Indie Authors?”

“Fear holds you back. Be fearless. There is lots of free advice out there so take advantage. You don’t have to spend money. But! You do have to spend a little if you want your book to be seen.”

“Do you do book tours?”

“I have done blog interviews on-line. The Barnes and Noble in my hometown has been kind to me, offering me spots when they have a Young Adult weekend or when I debut a new book.”

“What has been the best compliment from your readers/fans?”

“The best compliment is when a reader describes my characters as I see them, flaws and all.  I like to find fresh storylines for genres and hope to keep the reader engaged so when they mention that in a review, I know I accomplished my mission.”

“Going back to The Secret Billionaire Society, you already have two books out, Chase and Nash. Is there another book, coming soon?”
“Yes, thanks for asking! Beau Book 4, Gabe Book 5 and Kade Book 6 are still in the writing process.”

“Nancy, I have to say, I really enjoyed talking with you today. As an author myself, wow! I find you a great inspiration. Is there anything you would like to say to my readers or your fans?”

“Keep reading. Use the library. Support authors you love. And read to the little ones. Instill the love of books at an early age.”

“Which just leaves me to say, keep reading this blog to learn more about The Secret Billionaire Society.

Chase: The Secret Billionaire Society Book 1   Kindle Edition 

by Nancy Pennick

Six billionaires. One unforgettable birthday bash. Now their livelihoods are in the hands of a stranger.

Serious Chase Young is chosen first by this ominous, never seen Smith and goes from billionaire to pilot for a small airline in a day. Unable to use money to fix the problem, he’s tasked to dig deeper into the airline’s problems. Chase never expects to meet Grace Edison, the owner’s daughter, and immediately wants her in his life. Undercover, Chase can’t tell Grace the truth. Never one to back down, he accepts the challenge ahead of him, win Grace and save her father’s company.

This romantic suspense book can be read as a standalone.

                                                  mybook.to/Chasebook1

Nash: The Secret Billionaire Society Book 2   Kindle Edition

by Nancy Pennick

Six billionaires. One unforgettable birthday bash. Now their livelihoods are in the hands of a stranger.

Easy-going Nash Gill is the second of the Society to receive his mission. Upset he won’t go undercover like his friend, Chase, he accepts the challenge half-heartily. Vanessa, Nash’s ex, works with him at Gill’s gym. He’d rather spend time winning her back instead of flying to Pittsburgh to help a high school teacher fulfill his dream and back to hire the other assignment in Miami. Tasked with aiding these two men, he finds juggling them complicated and turns to Vanessa for help. Unaware of the danger which lies ahead, Nash’s desire for a mission impossible role comes true, and he now regrets ever wishing for one.

This can be read as a standalone.

                                      mybook.to/Nash

Finn: The Secret Billionaire Society Book 3   Kindle Edition 

by Nancy Pennick (Author

Six billionaires. One unforgettable birthday bash. Now their livelihoods are in the hands of a stranger.

Golden boy Finn Larsson is the third of the Society chosen by the ominous, never-seen Smith for assignment. Sent to a sparsely populated area of California, he’s tasked to save the Wilde’s ranch and amusement park from ruin. Upon his arrival, his gut reaction is to quit. After learning more from the elderly couple who own the land and run the park, he suggests they get a lawyer and file for bankruptcy or sell the property. Enter Charlotte Wilde, their lawyer daughter, from L.A. One look, and Finn is smitten. Save the Wildes becomes his motto.

This is a standalone read.

               ( Release date Augus15) 

                getbook.at/finn

 Follow Nancy

Website: http://nancypennick.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/npennick

Interview 1: With Fire & Ice and Satin Romance Author Nancy Pennick.

Today I am interviewing the very talented author and proud to say, also my friend, Nancy Pennick.  Such a hardworking lady, I had to break this interview into two parts.

“Hi, Nancy. Thank you for joining us today.”
“Hi, Jo. Thanks for having me. I’m excited to get started.”

“Okay, so let’s start with your Young adult, debut novel, Waiting for Dusk. What made you think, or inspire you, to say, “I’m going to write this book?”

“A thought came to me after a recent visit to the Grand Canyon and watching a PBS show about National Parks. I kept thinking how fun it might be to have a young girl move between the past and present of this wonderful place.

I had no intention of writing a novel. So, it literally happened overnight. I woke up, walked to the computer and the rest is history as they say.”

“After a great success of six books in the Waiting for Dusk series, you then turned to writing, The Clan MacLaren, a sensual historical romance series. How did this happen? And how easy was it for you to adapt from writing, YA to adult love affairs?” 
“Broken Dreams, part of the Waiting for Dusk Series, is a YA historical romance following the lives of two girls who live in the 1920s. I had fun researching and writing it. I am a fan of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. I like reading historical novels and watching shows, such as Victoria, Poldark (both books and show), and The Crown. I would never have written a Scottish story if it wasn’t for our publisher. She put out a call for an anthology of Scottish tales and I decided to give it a try. At the time she didn’t receive enough stories, but I had become attached to the characters, I felt there was more to tell so the MacLaren series was born.”

“This series has four books, so let’s give you time to catch your breath, have a sip of tea, while my readers take a look at them.”

“You think of Glenhaven as home?” He rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb.

“No, Ross. You are my home. Wherever you are, that is where I want to be.”

Lady Juliet Kingston did not expect to find love in the Scottish Highlands. Sent by the king to marry a laird’s son, she had no expectations until she met the strong and stubborn Ross MacLaren. He won her heart, erasing her feelings for the man she left behind. Her happiness is short-lived as the threat of war becomes real, and she is reclaimed by her former love.

                                                                      getbook.at/MacLaren

“Aaron?”
“Yes?” He breathed in her ear.
“Ye never finished yer story.”
“I would like to never finish my story with you,” he whispered.

Glynis MacLaren longs to see the world, not get married and live a suffocating life in Scotland. She leaps at the chance to escort her sister to the colonies. She soon finds out the larger world is just as constraining for a woman. People expect her to marry and follow certain protocol. Then she meets the ship’s captain. He stirs feelings in her that she never knew she had. The trip across the ocean is filled with the adventure she sought, love she didn’t expect and a sudden heartbreak when the journey ends.

                                                                   getbook.at/MacLaren

““The Heart of the Emerald is the MacLaren story, Juliet. We need to remember it now more than ever.”

Ross, Juliet and son, Alec, return to Glenhaven in the Scottish Highlands with heavy hearts. They have reluctantly said goodbye to Ross’ two sisters. Glynis and Heather, along with Heather’s husband Jamie, who had to flee Scotland after the 1715 Uprising. When the couple returns home, troubling news greets them. While away, pompous and entitled John Alder and Juliet’s old suitor, had come to the castle looking for them. He is now on the brink of madness, driven by one thought. Find Juliet and make her his own. Fearing for her son’s safety, Juliet will do anything to protect Alec, but Ross may have a plan of his own.

                                                                getbook.at/MacLaren

Glynis married Aaron Redding, her beloved captain, and plans to sail the seas with him for the rest of her days. A turn in events reunites Glynis with her brother Ross and his family. Her happiness is short-lived as tragedy strikes at the most unexpected moment.

Ross will do anything to protect his family from the Duke of Essex, John Alder, even if it means crossing the ocean to live in the American colonies. Finding his sister, Glynis, makes everything better. He hopes to find peace in this new country, unaware new challenges await him.

                                                                   getbook.at/MacLaren

“Four amazing reads there, Nancy.  Your fourth book, Now and Forever has just been released. Can we look forward to another Clan MacLaren book soon?”
“Thanks for the break, Jo. A cup of English breakfast is my go-to favorite. To answer your question, yes, there are two more books scheduled for release in 2020.”

“Okay, time to relax some quick-fire questions now. Pen or typewriter or computer?”
“Computer.”

“Which famous author, would you love to spend the day with?”

“Ooh! Tough question. You, of course! and Diana Galbaldon. She has so much going on in her head, I’d love to pick her brain.”

“Favourite childhood book.”

“Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary”

“When reading what do you prefer, eBook or print?”

“Both? Ebooks are easier to organize and take with you but there’s nothing like the feel of a book in your hand.”

“What are you reading at the moment?”

“Seven Stones to Stand or Fall: A Collection of Outlander Fiction by Diana Gabaldon”

“That’s great. Do you have time for a few more questions?”

“Sure! (As my two-year-old grandniece likes to say.)”

“Well before we do, let’s take a quick break….”

“I’ll brew another cup of tea while I wait.”

COMING NEXT MORE AMAZING READS, IN PART TWO OF MY INTERVIEW WITH NANCY PENNICK.

Nancy Pennick Writing for Satin Romance

Other Books that feature Nancy’s amazing writing.

Click the link to find out more:

http://www.satinromance.com/authors/nancypennick/index.html

My Sizzling Summer Reads

I'm Your Man

by Joanne Rawson

Ruth Jones loves her boyfriend Justin. He is handsome, has a killer body, and the sex is awesome. He does have one major fault though. He travels so much with work that she only gets to see him once or twice a week, and that is his reasoning for always wanting to... stay in. At first she’s happy that he only wants to be with her, but over time, his habit of jibbing out at the last minute for every family occasion, work function, or any bloody occasion that involves socialising, really does her head in. All she wants, for goodness sake, is for people to get to know her boyfriend.

Okay, so she wants them to see she has a hunk of a boyfriend, but is that so wrong?

When Ruth wakes up in a hotel room one morning suffering from a major hangover, she tries to piece the events of the previous night together. Feeling let down by yet another no-show by Justin at a work function, she headed to the bar and ordered a drink. The last thing she remembers is sitting next to an average-looking guy with a nice accent and large hands, and wondering just what those hands could do given half the chance. When the bathroom door opens and Mr. Average walks out, she realises that at the ripe old age of thirty-three, Ruth Jones has experienced her first one-night stand.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pink Satin Sensual

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Tangled Web of Love

by Joanne Rawson

Faith has formed a unique relationship with her boyfriend Paul.

Liking their own independence, doing what they wanted without consulting the other, and they had never said those three significant words, I love you, that none of their friends or family can quite understand.

However, there is one complication in their relationship – Paul’s snobbish father, who thought Faith an unsuitable lady friend for his son. In fear that his son would marry Faith and interbreed, he demanded Paul to stop seeing her.

When Paul suddenly does a disappearing act, Faith decides whatever it was between her and Paul was over. He could come back on bended knee, begging and kicking but there was not a chance in hell that this time they would get back together.

However, when Paul returns unannounced he finds Faith in the arms of another man.

What happens next is a tangled web of double dating, secrecy, sexual favours and betrayal.

Genres

 Contemporary Roamnce

Heat Level: 3 flames

Boiling, Sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language may be more graphic and direct.

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 For Better or For Worse

by Joanne Rawson

Take a trip to the steamy side of English suburbia. To the envying eyes of the locals, three ordinary women in their forties seem to have wonderful families and excellent careers. Or do they?

Annie Fitzgerald's perfect marriage to the debonair Patrick falls apart when she discovers him having an affair. Struggling with a failed marriage, her world turns upside down. Suddenly being at home is not the ideal life she thought it would be. Annie finds solace in her salsa teacher. Patrick ends his affair, but with near fatal consequences.

Lorna Davies, mother of four children, is in a loveless marriage to Robin. Unexpectedly she literally runs into Ben Adams, an old flame from her teens. Secrets about her past that she has kept hidden for years are revealed, dramatically affecting her family, changing all their lives.

Celina Peel's ex-husband, Ethan, arrives at her office after being gone twelve years. She truly believes him when he says he has changed. As Celina makes plans for the future with Ethan, she can not help wondering, has he changed or not? She encounters another problem, her son's girlfriend. Unable to cut the apron strings, Celina has to accept Sam's girlfriend or lose him forever.

Genres

Chic-Lit  Contemporary

Heat Level: 3 flames

Boiling, Sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language may be more graphic and direct.

BUY AMAZON UNIVERSAL LINK

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Life's Unexpected Adventures Anthology
Volume One

by Joanne Rawson

No Strings Attached
Wedding invitations are supposed to bring a smile to your face, with thoughts of a happy occasion that two people would be joining in Holy matrimony, publicly declaring their love for each other. However, for Laura Lee, it was just confirmation that at thirty-three, she had spent all her time and efforts on her career and is still single.

After finding out that her ex will be attending the same wedding, Laura Lee has three days to find herself a date. In desperation, she calls on the help of her best friend Lisa, the who’s who of Nottingham’s eligible bachelors.

Discovering that Nottingham’s most rich and handsome men find her icy, Laura has to take her only option, the man she most despises, her work colleague, Adam Ford.

Learner Mum
Polly Wilkins is a successful freelance journalist slash writer. She has been living with her partner Steve in what her parents call sin for the last eight years. But, to her parent’s disappointment, there are no signs of wedding bells or the patter of tiny feet on the horizon. Why? Because Polly, is not in the least bit maternal. Can this all change after Polly and Steve have a torrid weekend looking after her nephew? Or will Polly stick to her guns and loose Steve forever?

Unexpected Blind Date
If any of Grace Worthing’s friends dared to suggest she should go on a blind date, her answer would have been, “Blind dates are so tacky; they are definitely for the desperate.” She was so over men! After her fifth Sex on the Beach cocktail, she told friends she would never have sex again, let alone have sex on a beach. Then, somewhere between her second and third tequila slammer, Grace found herself, agreeing to meet Adrian. Little did she know how interesting and unexpected her blind date would be.

Angel of Kindness
Megan Shepard was not looking forward to Christmas. Now divorced, all she had to look forward to was spending Christmas in Derbyshire, with her sixty four year old, bisexual, hippie mother, and a scrawny little sapling tree, overdressed with cheap decorations from the pound shop. However, her friends had other ideas, like taking her to Pinkie’s Night Club, their old stomping ground as teenagers. This brought back memories of rah-rah skirts, fishnets, and legwarmers dancing to Madonna, until the DJ played The Power of Love, whereupon Richie King would take her hand and lead her to the dance floor. Seeing Richie leaning against the bar in his unforgettable Danny Zucko pose, she knows the right thing to do would be to walk in the opposite direction, yet finds herself walking straight to him, and taking the advice of her unconventional mother. Swept off her feet to the winter wonderland of Manchester’s Christmas Market, romantic walks in the snow of the Derbyshire Peak District, and fireside dinners, she has to wonder if Richie really changed, or has he something to hide?

Genres

Chic-Lit  Contemporary Anthology

Heat Level: 3 flames

Boiling, Sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language may be more graphic and direct.

BUY AMAZON UNIVERSAL LINK

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 Life's Unexpected Adventures Anthology

Volume Two

by Joanne Rawson

Always Mr. Wrong
Clare Darby is feeling restless, but can’t quite put her finger on why. Her life is in order, so what is the problem? When her daughter asks what she really wants for Christmas how can Clare tell her all she wants is to get laid. All her life she has fallen for Mr. Wrong. Will she ever find Mr. Right?

Zoe North
Zoe North walked down the aisle, aware that all eyes were on her. She knew she should be savouring this moment, yet all she could focus on was the man at the altar the man that, in a few minutes from now, would be promising to spend the rest of his life with her. As the vicar starts the wedding ceremony, Zoe recalls her turbulent, two-year relationship with Dale Kennedy, literally, falling head over heels but not in love, when they first meet.

A night dancing at a salsa, club leads to more than she bargained for. An ultimatum that could change Zoe’s life forever and a honeymoon she will never forget.

A witty, spicy, story of love, friendship and never expecting the inevitable.

Coming Home for Christmas
After her husband’s death, Sophie and her young daughter return to her family in Derbyshire. The Ferguson’s seem like a perfect family until you scratch the surface. With so many emotional baggage, and only nine weeks to Christmas, can Sophie bring them altogether for the perfect Christmas she dreams of?

Thomas, the gorgeous, moody decorator, is a man with his own agenda that doesn't seem to include Sophie. Even in his paint-smeared tee shirt, faded jeans and scuffed boots, he is immodestly masculine, handsome and sizzling hot. But when his eyes reflect the pain she knows so well, Sophie cannot help but wonder if there is another side to the cold exterior.

Thomas finds his heart opening to this beautiful, wounded woman from his past. A passion smoulders as they work together in the months before Christmas. But he has been hurt before and hesitates to stoke the fire between them.

Will the magic of the holidays heal a family and bring two lost souls together?

Genres

Chic-Lit  Contemporary Anthology

Heat Level: 3 flames

Boiling, Sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language may be more graphic and direct.

BUY AMAZON UNIVERSAL LINK

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