Which Will It Be, Readers?

Hi, everyone! Halloween's coming up fast, and we'll all be very busy so I wanted to jump in here and let you know of a cool contest happening over at Authors Database. Two of my book covers were nominated for the next book cover contest. Cast your vote as soon as you can! ;)

Allow me to offer you more details.

First of all, Upon Your Love, book three of the Heiresses in Love Series, which is also a historical romance/family saga novel, is in there. As you can tell, Adrienne’s eyes were fixed recently, to honor their unique violet hue. 

 
This is the voting page for UYL:

https://authorsdb.com/2018-cover-contest-results/25047-cover-contest-2018-upon-your-love

Additionally, the cover for Directions of the Heart, a modern romantic drama collection, was nominated for the contest. Woo hoo! Many thanks to Sherry Soule at SwoonWorthy Book Covers for her awesome work on the romance cover! ♥  

 
Here’s the voting page for that book:

https://authorsdb.com/2018-cover-contest-results/25046-cover-contest-2018-directions-of-the-heart

Also, check out my author page over at AuthorsDB here.

You can visit the current contest and all the participating covers at the site here. 
 
Have a great week, and as always, happy reading! :)

 

Fly away, UYL! Soar!

In 2002, I came up with an idea for a story. This was a historical romance. I pictured the hero and heroine so vividly, fighting about politics, about the danger he faced in times of war. It was quite an emotional moment for young Fara, knowing what she did about the man she desired. 

But after so many years writing and polishing UYR, I needed to release it from its chains. In 2012, I was offered a book contract for Upon Your Return.

The series just built from there...

Fast forward fifteen years from its inception, and recently, the final book of the series, Upon Your Love, was released in February. 

 
Today I come to you, feeling as if at last the children of my heart - all of the characters from the series - are off on their own for the world to see. 

 
Below, you'll catch a great review from David, who was kind enough to leave these awesome words on Amazon about UYL:

"Marie Lavender's books revolve around strong female characters who find themselves struggling to attain their goals in spite of opposition from the social conventions of their times and the attempts of men to control their lives. Upon Your Love is no exception. Set in the nineteenth century, it is the story of Adrienne Hill, the daughter of a sea captain, who lives on a plantation near New Orleans.

Adrienne is no 'shy flower.' She fences and she rides. She travels about the plantation without a chaperone or a guardian, protected by weapons hidden on her person. She goes to sea with her father, and at times, wished she were a sailor.

The book traces the rocky development of her love for Christian, a strong man with a "bad boy" reputation who is attracted to the independent, strong-willed Adrienne.

If you enjoy historical romances with strong characters, plot twists, danger, and love, you will like this book."

Wow! Thank you so much for your awesome commentary, David! :) Readers, don't forget to check out the Heiresses in Love Series, full of romance and maritime adventures! 

 

Quite a week for the Heiresses in Love Series!

A lot happened this week!

Some of you may already know by now, but if you check out this post on Fiona Tarr's blog, you'll get a chance to win a copy of book one of the Heiresses in Love Series, Upon Your Return! Woo hoo! :)

Guess what happened next? My publisher offered me a second contract for book two, and Upon Your Honor got an awesome cover revision!

The print version is already updated through CreateSpace and Amazon, but the Kindle should be altered soon.

Additionally, Upon Your Love, book three of the series, just came out on February 26th! 

 
Yes, it's true. The trilogy is completed. I am very excited to show all of you the Hill family saga:)

 

So check out the Heiresses in Love Series, a historical romance/family saga set in the Victorian era. I guarantee it will be a maritime adventure you'll never forget! ;)

Ready...Set...Go! Hey, We've Got This!

Judging by the title of my post, well, you know it's something big, but what? Can I get a drumroll please?

So, here's the mega awesome news! My publisher not only accepted Upon Your Love, the future book three of the Heiresses in Love Series, they also accepted Blue Vision, book one of the Code of Endhivar Series. Yeah, it's true! Another new series is hopping along. Woo hoo! :)

Just today, I was officially assigned my editor for UYL, AND...I received a contract from the publisher for Blue Vision. Yeah, so we got this, everyone! Things are looking up!

That means you not only have another historical romance to look forward to, but a sci-fi romance. That's right. Marie conquered science fiction somehow. LOL. 

Anyway, before I scare everyone by talking about myself in third person POV, let's just say I'm bouncing off the walls because not just one, but TWO of my manuscripts have a home. So, I hope to come back here and announce release dates at some point. 

What else is in the pipeline? Well, I'm about to get set on edits for Directions of the Heart, a romantic drama anthology. I'll even throw in the cover for a sneak peek!

And...I also hope to finish edits and release a paranormal thriller, titled Awakening, later this year.

So, yeah. A LOT is happening!

Enough about me. I wish you all a wonderful rest of your week and please go enjoy yourselves, have a little vacation - or stay-cation, if it suits you. Savor the summer while it's still going on (yes, despite the utter madness happening in the world...things we can't fix or change right now)!

Until next time. Please, please, please take care of yourselves. And, of course, have a lovely July evening. :)

Encouraging News!

I know I haven't posted on here for awhile, and I apologize for that. I got busy editing two manuscripts, had a brief hiatus from promotions and spent some time launching a little graphic design business called Ambrosia Innovations.

Well, I have some good news. I just hit the 'submit' button for Upon Your Love, book three of the Heiresses in Love Series. 

 
That means it's off to the publisher, and the fate of the book rests in their hands. I hope they like it! I'm very excited to show this one to you, and I hope I can come back and give you a release date soon once they approve it! So, wish me luck! :)

In the meantime, here are the previous two books in the series, if you still haven't had a chance to read them. The Heiresses in Love Series is a riveting, Victorian romance/family saga with a maritime angle. Don't miss out!

Oh, and here's some other news...Solstice renewed my contract for Upon Your Return, the first book in the series, recently! How exciting! I'm so happy to have a comfortable home for my book baby with them. ;)

Stay tuned for more news on the Heiresses in Love Series, and other book projects this year...