Welcome Shirley Martin to Dishin' It Out!

Blurb for “Magic Mountain”

Gold!  Legend tells of a fortune in gold, hidden in a cave at Misty Mountain, in a land faraway. 

Princess Olwen must find the treasure . The neighboring warlike country of Volanar has held her brother hostage for years and demands a fortune to free him.  Olwen’s country of Airenn Tir is too poor to pay the ransom.  Her father doesn’t believe the legend of hidden gold and refuses to send anyone to search for the treasure.

So she’ll find the gold herself, Olwen determines.  Disguised as a man and traveling alone, she leaves in the dead of night and travels to a distant land to find the treasure.  Painful surprises await her, for she has no idea she’ll encounter a land of magic . . . and danger.

In Volanar, the king sends his son, Prince Garth, on a mission to find the gold.  The king must have more money to wage war against Airenn Tir.  He knows something the king of Airenn Tir doesn’t know, something his soldiers discovered while occupying part of that land.  Greenstone lies beneath the earth, a precious gem believed to protect people against fatal illnesses.

By accident, Olwen and Garth meet at an inn, neither knowing they have the same goal.  Agreeing to travel together, they each make up a story to mask the true reasons for their trip.  When they both realize they seek the same treasure, trouble follows, and plenty of it.

When Garth discovers that Olwen is a woman, he fights his blossoming attraction for her.  He must not fall in love with her, for they are enemies, each seeking the treasure for their countries. 

 Too soon, Olwen discovers that Garth is a prince, from the very country that is holding her brother hostage.  She wants nothing more to do with him and travels on alone. 

The evil sorceress, Gitta, vows to seize all the gold for herself and kill anyone who stands in her way. 

Who reaches the treasure first becomes a matter of life or death5 star review

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Magic Mountain - Adventure, Intrigue and Romance!

By Nancy Bell on October 11, 2015

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Magic Mountain by Shirley Martin

A great read!

A runaway princess seeking to discover gold to ransom her kidnapped brother finds herself in all kinds of hot water. Disguised as a young man, Olwen sets out to find a stash of mythical gold. Along the way she befriends a fellow traveler, who unbeknownst to her is seeking the same treasure. Many trials and tribulations have to be endured before the story roars to its satisfying end. A wonderful adventure full of intrigue and romance. If you enjoyed Magic Mountain take a moment to look up Ms. Martin’s other books.

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 Chapter Seven

 “Now, madam, please tell me your real name.”  Dawn was breaking over the meadow, sunlight glimmering on the lake, its waters sparkling like diamonds.  Bird song trilled from the trees, a sound that had awakened her.  She stood before Garth, ready to continue her journey.

  
 Olwen’s face heated. “Wh-what do you mean?”  Just how much had he seen last night?  She’d thought he was asleep when she went swimming.  

 “I mean this.”  Garth reached over and grabbed her cap off, and spiked hair jutted out from her head.  “So I’ll ask you again, what is your real name?”

 Her heart sank, her stomach churning.  Smoothing her fingers over her tousled locks, she turned away for a moment, then faced him again. “Olwen,” she murmured.  What would he do now?   Leave her to travel the rest of the journey alone?  But that had been her original plan, so why should she care? 

 He nodded. “Now we’re getting somewhere.  So tell me the reason for your journey.  And I must say it’s surprising indeed to see such a well-bred lady as you traveling by herself.”

 “Which is why I posed as a man.”

 “And not doing a very convincing job of it.”

 Despite his apparent displeasure with her, she saw how his gaze roamed over her, his eyes alight with interest; dare she call it passion?  She looked up at his blond hair, tousled in the breeze, his straight nose and firm mouth.  He stood tall and well-built, as if no man could ever get the best of him. What would it be like to be enclosed in his arms, his lips on hers?  A rush of warmth captured her body.

 But it was not to be.  He fixed a stern look on her. “And your reason for traveling to Misty Mountain?”

 ‘None of your business.  If you recall,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm, “I started on this sojourn alone.  It was you who asked to accompany me.”   She shook her head. “I’m not beholden to you. And I’m perfectly capable of continuing this trip by myself.” 

 He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again.  He gestured toward the horses. “We’re wasting our time.  Let’s go.”  He turned away from her, but not before she saw the look of chagrin on his face.  She should have been happy that she’d gotten the best of him in this discussion. Then why did a feeling of discomfort settle over her?

You can find your very own copy on Shirley's Books We Love Page.

FRIDAY FREEBITS WITH SHIRLEY MARTIN #frifreebits

Jennifer stepped outside on the brick patio, needing to escape the continual bragging of the stockbroker whose only subject was himself.  Closing the French doors behind her, she shut out most of the noise and laughter from the party inside, a welcome relief.  

Surprised she had the patio to herself, she rested her hand on the iron railing and inhaled the cool November air, her gaze absorbing the magnificent houses and lush foliage of this elegant Coral Gables neighborhood.  Some day she hoped to have a home of her own, but she knew she could never afford a spacious mansion such as this.  But that was fine with her: a more modest house would suit her nicely.  The fragrance of night-blooming jasmine drifted her way, carried by a light easterly breeze.  She stared upward at the clear sky where a sprinkling of stars and a couple of planets overcame the competition of bright city lights.  She’d return to the party in a few minutes, but for now, she wanted time to herself.  She’d had a rough week and wanted just a few moments alone.

 “A beautiful night, isn’t it?” 

 “Oh!”  She swung around to stare at the stranger,. “You scared me!  You shouldn’t sneak up on a person like that.  I didn’t hear the doors close.”  Dressed in a black suit, white shirt and dark tie, he stood a few feet away, next to the door.  Tall, dark, and handsome.  The cliche slipped easily from her mind, but it was true.  At least his hair was dark, but his skin was the palest she’d ever seen, as if he never got enough sunlight.  On him, the combination was fascinating.  If Helen of Troy had a face that could launch a thousand ships, this man had the good looks to send a rocket to Mars.

 He smiled.  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”  He nodded toward the party inside.  “It was getting much too noisy in there.”

 She tilted her head at him.  “I didn’t see you there.” 

 “But I saw you across the room, and I wanted to meet you.  I hope you don’t mind.” 

  His dark eyes focused on her.  Those eyes!  She could gladly sink into them and never come up for air.
 Even here, she caught a faint trace of laughter from inside.  “Normally, I like parties, but sometimes–“  She shrugged.  “–sometimes I like to be by myself.”

 “I, also.  Present company excepted.”  He smiled and moved closer.

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http://authorshirleymartin.blogspot.com

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Now hop on over to Juliet Waldron's blog for another interesting post:  http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/

A Page Straight From Shirley Martin - #apagestraightfrom

Forbidden Love

by

Shirley Martin

 Combing her fingers through her hair,Lisa tried to hold back the tears, never in a million years willing to let him see her heart was breaking.  Later, after he left, she'd cry her heart out, but not now, not in front of him.  She released the strands of hair, and silky locks brushed her shoulders and grazed her breasts.

 "You have beautiful hair," he murmured.  Tentative fingers touched her hair, his gentle stroke as sensuous as a lover's caress.

 "You like my hair?"  With one quick, sinuous movement, she shook her head, letting the strands cascade past her shoulders and down her back. 

 "Lisa!" 

 Within a heartbeat, she found herself enclosed in his arms, his body molded to hers, as if they were part of the same whole.  His lips, warm and demanding, claimed hers.  Shifting his position, he held her ever closer, his hands playing across her back and down to her hips.  He drew away to feather kisses on her cheeks, behind her ears, her forehead, his warm breath fanning her skin.

 "My darling!"

 This was wonderful, beautiful, everything she'd ever imagined his kiss could be, and so much more.  Oh, so much more! To be held in his strong arms, his lips on hers!  Drifting in a dreamworld of new sensations, she tightened her arms around him, drawing his mouth to hers again as she returned his kisses with a passion she'd never imagined, no, not in her wildest fantasies. 

 She raised her hand to run her fingers through his hair, something she'd dreamed of doing for the longest time.  Her fingers trailed down to his crisp collar, then up to the nape of his neck, then farther up to his hair again, loving the taste, touch, and smell of him, the very essence of his being, everything that made him the man she loved.  Not caring if he'd think her a wanton, she brushed her thigh against his. 

 "You don't know what you're doing to me!" he gasped.

 “It’s the same with me.”

 Lisa reveled in his hard body close to hers--such a new, strange feeling, more glorious than anything she'd ever imagined.  She loved the tangy scent of his shaving soap, the touch of his clean-shaven cheek next to hers.  Her fingers brushed across his back, and she found a strange comfort in the rough texture of his wool suit and the play of his muscles, hard and firm, beneath the pressure of her straying fingers. 

 Above all, she wished his caresses would go on forever.  With an ache that brought her to the edge of despair, she realized her wish could never come true.  The tears she'd tried so hard to restrain streamed down her cheeks.

 "Don't cry, darling."  He kissed her tears, then pressed his mouth to the hollow of her throat.  Effortlessly, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the sofa, where he cradled her close to his chest.  

"Owen!"

 As if snapped back to the moment, Owen raised her from him and eased her aside.  "What am I doing!"
 Bewildered and hurt, she stared at him as her body and soul cried out for him.  Take me in your arms again, she silently cried.  Never let me go!

Buy Link

ENCHANTED COTTAGE BY SHIRLEY MARTIN

Enchanted Cottage

A fantasy romance by Shirley Martin, published by Books We Love.

An evil witch places a curse on Alana Cullain, turning the once beautiful woman into an ugly hag. Chased from her village, Alana seeks sanctuary in the dark forest. There she finds a strange cottage, one she had never seen before, and makes her home there.

Demoted and badly wounded in battle, mercenary soldier Colin Duffrey heads home to recover. Along the way, he discovers a cottage in the midst of a forest and finds refuge there. 

A woman, marred on the outside, and a man, afflicted on the inside, meet in an isolated cottage. There, they learn that they can help each other. And with a bit of magic, miracles can happen.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the money and a keeper for sure! January 11, 2013

By Victoria Goldy-Rhodes

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was a very sweet, engrossing, fantasy romance that I read in about a day. A kind and beautiful woman is cursed by a jealous witch, causing a marring of her beauty and her shunning from her village. She retreats to the woods where she stumbles upon a cottage in a clearing that she knew did not exist prior to the day of her shunning. She accepts her fate and begins a solitary existence in the cottage, caring for a wounded soldier that also stumbles into the cottage. I liked how the heroine, Alana, was determined to stand on her own two feet and work with the changes that her life had undergone. The romance and love was glossed over for most of the book, its only detracting factor, but the interaction between the characters was intricate, believable, and well written. It was an enjoyable read and one I plan on rereading as the mood strikes.

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Video:

 http://youtu.be/QERxy_QBRhY

If you'd like to read more about the mythical kingdom of Avador, please check out these books:

"Night Secrets" A fantasy romance

"Night Shadows" A fantasy vampire romance

What a Bargain!!!

Considering the price of some ebooks, it's quite refreshing to be able to purchase reasonably priced reads, and even get freebies every day.  To say my Kindle is bulging is an understatement, and I imagine your's is too.  Good news, though...I'm not the only BWL author with three combined novels.  I'll list the links to others below, and highly recommend each of them as I've read most of them.  So far, I haven't found one I didn't love.

I hope you can find room for my newest release, which is a combination of three of my best selling novels...and all for just $5.95 and available this week on Amazon.  Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094A9OWC

I can always use some positive reviews. (hint, hint).  :)

Here's the link to the other newly-released collections:

Jamie Hill:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009515V3Q

Renee Simons:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00951B3OM

Joan Hall Hovey:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00951DKJ8

Sydell Voeller:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00942J1BY/

Ann Herrick:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009511VDK

Shirley Martin:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009511SWE

All of the covers will look like mine, but are color coded to indicate the genres.  Aren't they beauties?  Michelle Lee is awesome with all the covers she's done for us.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094A9OWC#reader_B0094A9OWC

Welcome, Shirley Martin

 Today's guest is a fellow author and friend from Books We Love Publishing.  She's sharing with us an excerpt of one of her many books.  Without further delay, I introduce you to a sample from Shirley Martin:


BLURB:

Married to a man she doesn't love, Lisa lives a lie to saved her widowed mother from poverty. When she meets Owen, a steelworker from the wrong side of the tracks, heat sizzles between them, a passion that grows stronger with each stolen moment together. Lisa finds herself torn between her darkest desires and her family obligations.

Owen wants to better himself and escape the grinding brutality of the mill. But labor troubles--and love--intervene. After he meets Lisa, all he can think about is this woman whose image haunts him night and day. A woman whose husband will not release her from a loveless marriage.

"Historical romance at its finest." Julie Bonello at eCataRomance

"Nothing short of a masterpiece." 5 Angels, Fallen Angel Reviews

Excerpt from Forbidden Love:

 Lisa hurried along the sidewalk on her way to the literary club, looking forward to the meeting, as she did every week.  Of course, she enjoyed reading, but it would take more than that simple pleasure to explain her excitement when the hour for the meeting arrived....

 While Mrs. Rowe read Andrew Marvell's, To A Coy Mistress, Lisa glanced up to see Owen again, her gaze locking with his.  She could scarcely concentrate on the words of the poem, her every thought on him.

 While Mrs. Rowe read Andrew Marvell's, To A Coy Mistress, Lisa glanced up to see Owen again, her gaze locking with his.  She could scarcely concentrate on the words of the poem, her every thought on him.

 She saw herself in its lyrics, but the recitation disappointed her.  Such a beautiful poem, but Mrs. Rowe read it like a shopping list. 

      Had we but world enough and time . . .
   
 She caught Owen's gaze on her again before he quickly turned away.  Did she see a deep longing on his face, as if he wanted her as much as she wanted him?  Aware she'd gain nothing by daydreaming, she tried to dismiss her fantasies.  Tried, and failed   Did Owen care for her?  The very idea made her catch her breath, her heart beat faster.  But wait, what made her think he cared for her, just because he looked her way a couple of times?  Now she was letting her imagination run away with her.  

She wrenched her attention back to the poem.  World enough and time!  Would there ever be time for her happiness?  And with a steelworker from a mill town?

      But at my back I always hear
      Time's winged chariot hurrying near . . .

 She must forget Owen, dismiss these foolish dreams.  What did she accomplish by dwelling on someone unobtainable?  Even if he felt the same as she, she saw no hope for them.  She had a husband . . . William, hers to love--love!--honor, and obey for the rest of their lives. . . .

With a pretense of listening, Owen stared at the flames in the fireplace while he pondered the indefinable expression on Lisa's face.  What did that look imply?  Sadness?  No, a newly-married lady as lovely as she would never be unhappy, for surely her husband loved her very much.  For reasons he wished he could deny, he wanted to rush over to Lisa, comfort her, make everything right for her.

A knife twisted inside him, and he knew with sudden clarity the truth he'd tried to reject for so long.  He loved her, as simple as that.  No use questioning the why or wherefore.

His heart recognized the feeling, and this was no mere lust as he'd known for other women.  No, this was something sweeter, something deeper, something . . . futile.  Lisa was an upper class lady, married to a wealthy man, a man who had the right to hold her close and kiss her, take her to bed, make fervent love to her. . . . a man who could give her everything her heart desired.  Dear God, how it hurt.

More than anything in this world, he wished he could take her in his arms and hold her next to his heart, press his hungry lips to hers, absorb the warmth of her body.  If dreams alone could send this rush of heat through his body, what would actual lovemaking do?  

 The knife twisted deeper as he questioned life's ironies.  With all the women in the world he could love, why should he choose another man's wife, and a lady so far out of his class?  What she must think of him--a rough steelworker from Homestead!  Still, he knew this desire, this love, was no passing thing.  This yearning would stay with him for the rest of his life.  
 
 Emerging from his painful reflections, he tried to focus on the reading . . . tried and failed.

www.shirleymartinauthor.com
http://bookswelove.net

And, find your copy of Forbidden Love for sale on Amazon.