FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

I believe this makes me prepared for an emergency!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to last week's WORDLESS WEDNESDAY winner: BN!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of [photostock] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

SUMMER LOVE

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [m_bartosch] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "You captured my love"

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

MONDAY MUSINGS--RELEASE DAY FOR GIRL OF MINE!

My newest book is now available!

GIRLOFMINE

GOODREADS     AMAZON    AMAZON UK

GIRL OF MINE includes a story about a soldier going off to war, therefore it seems fitting to release it on MEMORIAL DAY, in honor of our fallen soldiers.

Image courtesy of [Stuart Miles] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

To all of our military, thank you for your service.

The book trailer:

            

The song that inspired me while writing GIRL OF MINE: 

(Watch until the end. There's a surprise!)

            

A interesting tidbit about GIRL OF MINE:

My dad always worried about the cost of the electricity bill. If he walked past my bedroom and noticed that my light had been left on, he would turn it off and holler,

"That's okay, Taylor, I got your light." 

It became a bit of a joke in our household. My siblings and I loved to try and catch my dad leaving on a light, just so we could say,

"That's okay, Dad, I got your light."

Now that I'm an adult with my own family, the term takes on new meaning. 

The message behind it has worked its way into my new novel, Girl of Mine.

My father brought me into this world, he cared for me, and he taught me well. He gave me my "light," my life.

He nourished my "light" and helped me become the person I am today.

So, Dad, thanks for getting my light.

I'll always be grateful.

In honor of our men and women in uniform, I'll close this post with this song.  

           

                            

ALWAYS REMEMBER

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

I love this--except for the one about feeling time. When I write, time slips away from me and I can't believe how fast the day goes by. Sometimes I'm so absorbed, I come to my senses and look around, and realize darkness has fallen and the entire house is dark except for my office.

Now that's escaping!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to last week's WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 

winner: Linda!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of [ Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee ] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

CHECK-OUT OUR LOVE

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [photostock] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "Fleeting love"

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

MONDAY MUSINGS

GIRL OF MINE is about a choice.

The hero of the story is rushing home to make amends for the choice he made.

When the heroine realizes what he's done, her heart is broken.

As she cries, the meme below depicts some of her thoughts.

Pre-order GIRL OF MINE:

AMAZON    AMAZON UK

RELEASE DATE: 5-25-15

My first review of GIRL OF MINE from an ARC reviewer.

I love it! Thank you, Lisa!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love Taylor Dean's books because she is a fantastic author. Unfortunately, because she is not very well-known, I have a feeling that many people are still unaware of her books. Personally, I found out about this author by word-of-mouth on a romance reader's forum, and I notice that her name still comes up on these forums.

Girl of mine is her latest book. It takes place in the year 2003. Luke Graham is planning to marry his fiance, Jill Barrett next month when he gets word that he is being deployed to Iraq. Before he leaves, he breaks up with Jill without any explanation whatsoever. Jill is devastated as he leaves with no plans to ever see her again.

As it turns out, Luke has second thoughts and realizes he can't leave without an explanation to Jill. So he gets a four day pass to see her and hopes that she understands his reason. During this time, the author uses flashbacks to show how the couple met and fell in love. 

I can't say much else about the story without spoiling it, but I can say that this is not the usual breakup-makeup story. In fact, I was surprised when I finally found out the reason for the breakup. And, even though there is a happy ending, I was even more surprised at how it all happened.

This book has no graphic violence and no graphic sex. There is somebody who can be blamed for all of the problems, yet There is no hatred or bitterness against this person. In spite of this, I couldn't put this book down. Taylor Dean doesn't need to use those other writer techniques because she relies on excellent prose, unusual plots and genuine love between characters. 

I highly recommend this book and every other book this author has written. And if you enjoy this book as much as I did, please pass the word on that Taylor Dean's books are the biggest secret in the romance world!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

Lately, I can't complain at all, my reviews have been wonderful.

However, this made me laugh!!

Speaking of Pirates of the Caribbean, did you see this AMAZING dance on Disney night on Dancing with the Stars? I LOVED it!

Enjoy!

           

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to last week's WORDLESS WEDNESDAY winner: Sherry!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of [Phaitoon] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

OUR LOVE SHINES THROUGH

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "Shopping for love!"

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.
Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

MONDAY MUSINGS: A TRUE SCARY STORY IN GIRL OF MINE

GIRL OF MINE is now available for pre-order.

Get your copy here:

AMAZON    AMAZON UK

RELEASE DATE:

5-25-15

Holding the final finished product in my hands!

A few years ago, on a business trip with my hubby, we were traveling home and made a pit stop for the night. My hubby had made reservations in a very nice hotel. This made the trip into a bit of a vacation rather than a drudgery-filled business trip.

Wonderful, right?

Wrong.

Instead, my overactive imagination took over.

The hotel was beautiful, but practically deserted. I turned into Stephen King for the night. I creeped myself out and scared myself to death.

The next morning, when we made it out of the hotel alive, I told my husband what had been in my thoughts the entire night. He was shocked by my dark thoughts. I feel like I could easily write horror novels. My mind goes there--and it's a frightening place. I seriously don't know how Stephen King sleeps at night. 

At any rate, I'm not going to write horror novels, because I'd scare myself to death.

Image courtesy of [Stuart Miles] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

But I couldn't help adding my imaginary experience into GIRL OF MINE. 

Obviously it didn't really happen and, of course, no one died. But the story tells what my mind conjured up while staying at a creepy hotel.

And when we left the hotel, I felt sooooooo relieved. . . . and so grateful my husband could come with me . . . 

A writer's mind can be a scary place.

Needless to say, I will NEVER stay in that hotel again.
Seriously, if it was the only place available and there was a huge snow storm outside . . . I'd sleep in the car.

Curious? Read on.

Here's the excerpt:

(Background: Troy, having been through a traumatic experience as a child, writes horror novels as an adult. He's sharing a short story he wrote with his friends, Luke and Jill.)

  “There’s this middle-aged couple, deeply in love with each other. They decide to treat themselves to a night at a fancy hotel for their anniversary. They arrive and the wife sees that the hotel is this huge high rise in a somewhat rundown area of downtown. She doesn’t really know why, but she feels uncomfortable. The hotel is beautiful, with lots of charm. It’s an older building that has recently been renovated and refurbished. But the area feels weird and kinda eerie. There are lots of cars in the parking lot, so she figures it’s a popular place and she’s just being silly.

  “They go inside and there’s a wedding reception going on in the hotel’s party room. People are arriving in their finest clothing, bearing brightly wrapped gift bags. The atmosphere is happy and festive. The wife feels a little more comfortable. They take the elevator up to their tenth floor room. The floor is deserted and the wife feels a chill up and down her spine. For the sake of her husband, she squelches her fear, feeling silly. Their room is immaculate and superbly decorated. They relax for awhile and flip through the TV channels. They get amorous with each other, but we’ll leave that part out for now.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?” Luke says under his breath, making Jill grin.

  “Get your mind out of the gutter, Graham.”

  “Too late.” Luke winked at her and Jill felt herself blush.

  Troy ignored him. “They dress and decide to head down to the hotel’s restaurant for dinner. They find everything is closed downstairs: the main restaurant, the snack kiosk, the salon, and the gift shop. Every single thing is closed for the evening, even though the posted hours say they should be open. Other than the party room, the place is deserted. There is a distinct lack of hotel patrons and employees, which the wife finds odd. The lone man at the front desk informs them that the hotel is catering their usual fare for the wedding reception and a limited menu for room service is available. The wife is feeling creeped out and really wants to pack up and leave, but she stays for her husband’s sake. This was her anniversary gift and she doesn’t want to ruin it.

  “They go back to their room and decide to order room service. The husband makes a quick run to the ice machine and when he returns, he places a bottle of sparkling cider on ice to chill. The wife is touched by his thoughtfulness. They eat dinner in bed, watching a movie they chose on pay-per-view. Overall they have a romantic evening, filled with tender moments. In rare form, her husband constantly professes his love and how happy he is with her. He’s doting and speaks of some of their most treasured memories, things she hasn’t thought about for years. She’s thrilled, pleased with the state of her marriage, but the eerie feeling never leaves the wife and she has a hard time relaxing.

  “She sleeps clinging to her husband and has several nightmares during the course of the evening. She awakens a few times to find her husband awake and simply staring at her. He tells her he loves her and to go back to sleep. She does, knowing she is safe. The husband works long hours and had been looking forward to sleeping in, but they both arise early and are eager to get on the road at first light. By unspoken agreement, a leisurely morning is nixed.

  “The wife wonders if he is as creeped out by the hotel as she is, but doesn’t broach the subject. It’s almost as if speaking of the eerie feeling will make it real and bring it to life. They pack up and leave the room and the wife breathes a sigh of relief. She can’t get out of the hotel fast enough. As they walk down the hall toward the elevator, they pass the alcove where the ice machine is located. The wife glances inside and nearly trips on her own feet. The husband wraps his arm around her shoulder and whispers in her ear, ‘Just keep walking. Keep your eyes forward.’ The wife gulps in air, her breathing labored, but she does as he says, even though tears are now pouring down her face.”

  “Wait. What did she see in the alcove?” Jill asked, absorbed in the story.

  “Her husband’s dead body, lying in a pool of blood.”

  Jill let out a shaky breath. “So . . . he’s . . .”

  “A ghost,” Troy confirmed. “He walks her to the elevator in silence. Several people are in the elevator already. Her husband whispers in her ear, ‘Look no one in the eye.’ She does as he says, her hands shaking and her knees wobbling. When the elevator opens, the lobby is filled with nameless, expressionless people, staring blankly and wandering around aimlessly. ‘Just walk forward,’ her husband says and she obeys. He walks her to the glass door at the front of the hotel and pushes the door open. ‘Go,’ he says. ‘Don’t ever come back. Don’t even look back.’ The glass door closes, but the husband stays inside the hotel. Panicked, the wife turns back and tries to open the door. It’s locked. The husband stands there, his hand on the glass, a last farewell. ‘No!’ the wife screams. ‘Come with me.’ He shakes his head in the negative and mouths the words, ‘I love you.’ Suddenly the expressionless people come forward and the husband is engulfed by the masses, disappearing in the crowd. The wife turns and runs to her car.”

  Troy didn’t say anything more as he looked between them with a sly grin.

  “And?” Luke asked.

  “And that’s the end,” Troy finished with a satisfied air.

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

So . . . this made me smile. Amazing that Harry Potter is so well known that everyone gets the joke!

(Or is it a joke?)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to last week's WORDLESS WEDNESDAY winner: Rose!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of [stockimages] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

SECRET ADMIRER

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [Phaitoon] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "Love is forever."

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

GIRL OF MINE GIVEAWAY ON GOODREADS!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Girl of Mine

by Taylor Dean

Giveaway ends June 05, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to Win

MONDAY MUSINGS--ARCs FOR GIRL OF MINE ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

This week I am ready to send out ARCs for GIRL OF MINE!

If you are interested in reading a free ARC of GIRL OF MINE in exchange for a fair and honest review, please message me at
taylordeanbooks(at)gmail(dot)com

Here are the guidelines:

~ARC is available in Kindle only.

~Please post your review on Goodreads and Amazon within one month of receiving your ARC. (publication date is May 25th, 2015)

~Please post the following along with your review: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

GIRL OF MINE teasers!

Sometimes I marvel at how long it takes me to write a book, and yet the reader can sit down and read it in a couple of hours!

However, when a reader reads my book that quickly, I consider it a great compliment. I love when readers say, "I couldn't put it down." It's exactly what authors LOVE to hear.

~

I got to have my grandson, Gavin, with me all last week.

I sat in the living room, proofing the ebook of GOM, while he played and climbed on my lap.

Great way to work!

(He thought that silly duck puppet was the most hilarious thing he'd ever seen!)

~

Congrats to the winner of last week's ebook giveaway: Christy!

She's already read all of my books, so she chose to gift Joshua's Folly to a friend.

More ebook giveaways to come in the future!

Have a great Monday, everyone!

  

KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY

              In honor of Mother's Day, I'm participating in this Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Enter to win!

                 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Mother's Day Kindle Fire Giveaway Sponsor List I Am A Reader Donna @ OnDBookshelf Diana's Book Reviews Krysten Lindsay Hager author Raven Haired Girl Stephanie Keyes Mother Daughter Book Reviews The Lovely Books Simple Wyrdings Amiabooklover Orsayor @ The Book Referees What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know Talia Jager LeahSay's Views Kimber Leigh Wheaton Author Camelia Miron Skiba Paij Slater @ My Love for Reading Keeps Growing BookHounds Jennifer Lane Heather Boyd The Page Unbound Tamara Gill D.E. Haggerty author Glistering Bs Blog Rockin' Book Reviews Author B. Kristin McMichael Home Is Where the Wine Is Book Blog TMBA Corbett Tries to Write Emma Right Books for Children Unshelfish The Discerning Reader Taylor Dean Books A Leisure Moment ExtraordinaryReads Connie Sokol  

Giveaway Details Prize Valued at $250. Winner's choice of an Amazon.com gift code to purchase a Kindle & ebooks or alternately winner can choose to receive $250 in Paypal Cash. Ends 5/10/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or an Amazon.com gift code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.