award winning authors Archives - The Authors' Billboard

Taking My Cues From Nature For Spring Romance Suspense #mgtab

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Tamara Ferguson — 5 Comments ↓

I Have Two New Releases In Romance Suspense!!

Plus Authors’ Billboard Will Be Publishing Several Romance Suspense Boxsets Very Soon.

I’m excited to say I’ll be a part of at least two of them this year.

Crystal Rock, Wisconsin…

Is a purely fictional resort town where my stories take place. The Dragonfly Pointe Inn has been restored, and in the process, it’s discovered that a human trafficking ring has been operating in the area during the years when the inn was abandoned.

Or has the trafficking been going on for much longer?

I do weave a slight element of fantasy through my stories.

Once two lovers kiss at Dragonfly Pointe? Their love is meant to last forever.

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Tamara Ferguson

Writing steamy yet sweet compassionate stories of fate that are wonderfully romantic, Tamara Ferguson is the multi-award winning, #1 international bestselling author of the Tales of the Dragonfly romance suspense series, the Kissed By Fate new adult romance series, the Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance series and the Daydreams and Dragonflies sweet romance series.

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FEBRUARY BRINGS VALENTINE ROMANCE #mgtab

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Tamara Ferguson — 4 Comments ↓

This year, I can’t wait until Spring. It’s been soooooooooooo cold in Illinois. But meanwhile, February’s here and I have two new releases coming out this month, as well as stories in two new anthologies now available for Valentine’s Day with The Authors’ Billboard!!

First Is A Valentine She’ll Remember. Two Hearts Unbroken (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 6) is my latest wounded warrior story, and this story is slightly different from the others in that my wounded warrior is a woman, who’s been through unimaginable horror when she’s captured in Iraq.

But despite her injuries as well as deep personal issues to resolve, Sarah Benton is finally ready to move forward two years later, and Lieutenant Brand Reardon is there to pick up the slack when Sarah’s life is once again endangered.

As my wounded warrior series continues, one element that’s changed is the twist of intrigue I began weaving into the stories beginning with Two Hearts Find Christmas. But despite the serious undertones, I still enjoy adding humor wherever possible.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Sarah. Sarah, are you okay?” Mel was asking with obvious concern. “Oh, I’m so sorry. What did I say?”

But Sarah didn’t seem to have the energy to open her eyes and respond as her whole body began shaking.

Suddenly, she found herself lifted to her feet and pulled into a warm masculine embrace.

“It’s okay, Sarah,” he whispered. “Everything’s alright. You’re alright.”

Opening her eyes, she blinked. “Brand? Uh…I mean, Captain Reardon?”

“Yeah, it’s me. And I’m even a Lieutenant now. I wasn’t sure it was you, though, when I first saw you come in. You look, uh…wow, like gorgeous. Not that I didn’t think you weren’t beautiful before.”

Sarah’s mind immediately snapped back to the present as she muttered, “You thought I was beautiful?”

He wore a wry grin. “Oh, yeah. Especially after seeing those legs.”

Wrinkling her nose, Sarah backed up and punched him in the shoulder.

Although Mel still wore a look of concern on her face, she began laughing.

“Um,” Sarah began. “What are you doing here in Crystal Rock?”

He gave her a huge smile, and Sarah remembered the reason she’d tried to stay away from him, even when she was part of his team.

She’d been attracted to him, this big giant hunk of a man, and it’d made her uncomfortable thinking of Jim, who’d been waiting for her back home.

“I’m here for the same reason you are,” he answered. “Retraining wounded warriors who want to remain in active service. I’ll be the Air Force liaison.”

She shook her head in amazement. How crazy was this? She’d never thought she’d ever see Brand again.

A VALENTINE SHE’LL REMEMBER

Memorable Valentine romances to sweeten the season of love.

There is no better way to celebrate the season of love than with each of these eight heroines and that one special Valentine they’ll remember forever.

And so will you…

SWEET AND SASSY VALENTINE

If you’ve ever been struck by Cupid’s Arrow, you know Love has the power to change you and your world. If you’ve ever been in love, then you know there is no feeling more exquisite than being held by the one you love. We, the twelve authors of SWEET AND SASSY ROMANCE, dedicate this Valentine Collection to you, the Hopeful Romantic!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Connect With Tamara Ferguson

Kissed by Fate homepage

Tales of the Dragonfly homepage

Twitter @Tammysdragonfly

Twitter @KissedByFate2

Facebook

Kissed by Fate Facebook

Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance on Facebook

Tamara Ferguson

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FALL INTO THANKSGIVING #mgtab

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Tamara Ferguson — 3 Comments ↓

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and because my family is divided throughout the Midwest, it’s easier for most of us to get together then as opposed to Christmas.

Fall foliage makes for a brilliant display here in Illinois, and decorating for the holidays is a pretty big thing in our area of the country. So, as both a former wholesale and retail florist, I’m sharing some methods for preserving greens.

PRESERVING FALL FOLIAGE

Glycerin/Water Method keeps the leaves fairly flexible. This preserving method works because the natural moisture present in the leaves is replaced by the glycerin solution, maintaining the leaf’s texture and form.

Glycerin
Water
Flat pan or disposable plates
A weight or something to keep leaves submerged
Leaves

Mix the glycerin and water so that it is one part glycerin and two parts water. You only need enough to submerge the leaves — about one cup.
Pour the solution into a flat pan, place the leaves in the solution, and then put the weight on the leaves to keep them submerged. (Tip: try using two Styrofoam or other disposable plates. Put leaves and enough glycerin solution to just lightly cover the leaves in the bottom of one plate. Then put the other plate on top of the leaves and solution. Now you can put a weight of your choosing on the top plate without getting the weight in the solution.)
Keep the leaves submerged in the solution for 2-6 days.
Dry the leaves gently with a paper towel. They should feel soft and pliable.

Pressing between wax paper.

Leaves
Wax paper
Thin towel or paper
Iron
Ironing board

Place a leaf between two pieces of wax paper.
Put a towel or a piece of thick paper over the wax paper.
Press on the towel or paper with a warm iron to seal the wax sheets together. This takes about 2-5 minutes on each side, depending on how moist the leaf is. Once you have finished one side, flip the leaf over and do the other side.
Cut around the leaf, leaving a small margin of wax paper to ensure that it will stay sealed.
Rather than cutting out the leaves, you may want to try to peel the wax paper off the leaves, leaving a coat of wax behind to protect the leaves. Try this on one leaf first to see if this method works for you.

Using a microwave:

Fresh leaves that have not dried out
Paper towels
Microwave
Acrylic spray from a craft store

Arrange the leaves on top of two paper towels. Lay another towel over the leaves to cover them.
Microwave the leaves for 30-180 seconds. Be very attentive and careful. Leaves that are cooked in the microwave too long can catch fire. The drier the leaves, the less time they will need. Leaves that curl after removal from the microwave have not been in long enough. Leaves that are scorched have been in there too long. Only dry them for a few seconds at a time.
Let the leaves sit for a day or two and then finish by spraying an acrylic sealant on both sides of the leaves.

Learn more (includes some other cool projects): https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/how-to-preserve-leaves/

And how does something like designing relate to my writing?

Sometimes the easiest way to come up with a new story is to write about what you know, and since I have a degree in Ornamental Horticulture, Tales of Dragonfly includes a heroine who’s not only a florist, but a wedding planner and designer.

In Flight: A Tales of the Dragonfly Novel

A woman who’s afraid to trust. Successful designer, Penny Wentworth has arrived from New York to take charge of the wedding flowers for the new owners of the Dragonfly Pointe Inn. As a single parent of a severely autistic and mentally impaired son, she has no romantic illusions; her experience with an abusive husband has left her wary of relationships.

A man who’s afraid to love. Haunted by his past since discovering a six-year old girl brutally murdered at Dragonfly Pointe over twenty-two years ago, Sam has intentionally avoided returning home. But after resigning from his job as a homicide detective in New Orleans when his marriage fell apart, Sam is now the chief of police in Crystal Rock, Wisconsin.

An undying passion that’s endured throughout the years. Penny’s escort for the wedding, Sam had once been the object of every single one of her teenage fantasies.

When Sam’s search for a killer leads him back through his tarnished past, will a woman who’s afraid to love be able to forgive a man who feels undeserving of her love?

My newly revised story, In Flight, is also included in the Bestselling Hotshot Charmers for only 99c.