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Sunday, December 30, 2018
Romance Books 4 Us Author of the Month
I'm Author of the Month at Romance Books 4 Us! That means I'm on the front page in all my glory:
http://romancebooks4us.com
Come visit and check out all the great authors.
http://romancebooks4us.com
Come visit and check out all the great authors.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
First Encounter: Excerpt from For the Love of a Spy at Melissa Keir's
What does Maris do when she
gets a full blast of the handsome face of Michael? Find out in the
new excerpt from my new romantic suspense release, For
the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman.
Friday, December 28, 2018
Secrets of My Success Revealed: Amy Bernal Interview
Secrets revealed: M. S. Spencer in all her glory.
The lovely Amy Bernal interviews me today and forces me to reveal all kinds of secrets about my latest releases and (the horror!) my works-in-progress. Go ahead—revel in the gossip!
Thursday, December 27, 2018
For the Love of a Spy Goes LIVE Today
For the Love of a Spy: the
Scrivener and the Handyman GOES LIVE today! December 27 my new romantic
suspense is released by I Heart Publishing.
Read about it at Sharon Buchbinder’s New Release Blast:
When
Maris Graystone, political writer, and Michael Kinder, CIA troubleshooter,
meet, sparks fly. Their love affair
intensifies against the backdrop of the dramatic world events of 1991. Michael appears and disappears at
unpredictable moments, leaving Maris limp and lovelorn. Looking for safe harbor
for her emotions and her body, she accepts the advances of a dashing French
diplomat.
Torn
between the luxury and comfort of Émile and his chateau, and the romance of
international intrigue with Michael, who will she choose?
FOR THE LOVE OF A SPY: THE SCRIVENER & THE HANDYMAN RELEASED!
FOR THE LOVE OF A SPY: THE SCRIVENER & THE HANDYMAN RELEASED!
Is it December 27 already? I know you’re all Christmas’ed out, but you probably have some lovely gift cards to spend. Have I got a deal for you!
From I Heart Publishing comes my new romantic suspense…
For the Love of a Spy:
The Scrivener & the Handyman
In an era electric with possibility and peril Maris Graystone, political writer, and Michael Kinder, CIA troubleshooter, meet under oddly conventional circumstances. Despite the instantaneous sparks, they both sense there is more between them than physical attraction.
Their love affair intensifies against the backdrop of the dramatic world events of 1991—a disintegrating USSR, Middle East peace talks, and Vietnam’s reemergence on the world stage. Michael appears and disappears at unpredictable moments, leaving Maris limp and lovelorn. In her quest for answers, she is yanked into the dangerous world of Michael’s work—in Washington, DC, in France, and in Spain. Looking for safe harbor for her emotions and her body, she accepts the advances of a dashing French diplomat.
Will she embrace the luxury and comfort of Émile and his chateau or the romance of international intrigue with Michael?
Here’s where you can get it:
It will also be available at Walmart and I Tunes.
So get out there and swim through the post-holiday crowds and get your copy.
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
All My Ebooks 40% Off at Wild Rose Press
DON'T FORGET--ALL EBOOKS ARE 40% OFF AT THE WILD ROSE PRESS
FROM NOW THROUGH NEW YEAR'S DAY! THAT INCLUDES:
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
To
all & Sundry
Near
& Far
F.
Christmas in particular
And
oh
Father
Christmas
My blessings
on you fall
For bringing
him a
Big, red,India rubber ball.
King
John’s Christmas
By A.
A. Milne
Monday, December 24, 2018
Rave Review of Flotsam and Jetsam! #WRPbks #MSSpencerbks #Flotsam&Jetsam #NetGalley
NetGalley rave review of Flotsam & Jetsam from Anna Maria:
“A good
mystery, engaging and entertaining. I loved the style of writing and the well
written characters. The plot was sound, no plot hole, and interesting. Recommended!
#WRPbks #MSSpencerbks #Flotsam&Jetsam #NetGalley
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Final Day for Romance Studio's Holiday Party
See you there! I'm talking about one of my favorite Christmases--and a bit about the gifts of three Magi.
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Sixth Day for the Romance Studio Holiday Party!
Drop by the fabulous Romance Studio Holiday Party! Today I'm talking about For the Love of a Spy, coming December 27. I have a short Christmas excerpt and you can enter to win one of Triptych, Artful Dodging, or Whirlwind Romance. Wonderful recipes, stories, and posts!
Goes through December 23 so get over while you can!
https://www.trsparties.com/just-in-time-for-those-gift-cards-for-the-love-of-a-spy/
Also check out my other posts:
https://www.trsparties.com/yay-party-time/
https://www.trsparties.com/two-yummy-christmas-recipes-to-enjoy-with-or-without-snow/
https://www.trsparties.com/so-where-the-heck-is-amelia-island/
https://www.trsparties.com/stranger-things-are-sighted-in-amelia-island-than-corpses/
https://www.trsparties.com/what-to-give-the-mailman/
The First Kiss--Simon & Ellie at Delilah Devlin's Today
Ah, that first kiss. Romance readers love that part. Today at Delilah Devlin’s fantastic blog you’ll get to savor Ellie and Simon’s first kiss. Unfortunately, for Simon the bliss didn’t last long. Read all about it—and about Amelia Island, setting for my new mystery romance Flotsam & Jetsam: the Amelia Island Affair. Here’s the link:
Featured Author at Christmas Romance Saturday
Flotsam & Jetsam: the Amelia Island Affair, released
December 17, is all the rage at Romance Lives Forever today.
I’m a featured author December 22 at Christmas Romance
Saturday:
Friday, December 21, 2018
Stranger Things are Sighted on Amelia Island than Corpses
I’ve told you about the crazy history of Amelia Island,
setting for my new mystery romance Flotsam & Jetsam: the Amelia Island
Affair. What I didn’t tell you is that odd things continue to happen on the
island—and I don’t just mean murders. When I was visiting the island a couple
of years ago, I saw a great crowd of tourists ogling at something. When I got
closer I saw it was the Wienermobile! Yes, it still exists (see photo).
Couldn’t help but put it in the book. Here’s a bit:
They passed a large
gathering on the sidewalk. Many were pointing and taking pictures. Ellie
stopped. “Must be something going on.”
Simon stood on tiptoe to
peer over the arms brandishing cell phones in the air. “Why, it’s the
Wienermobile!”
Just then the pack
parted, revealing a red hot dog in a bright yellow bun the size of a blue whale
sitting on top of a souped-up station wagon. Simon turned excitedly to Ellie.
“I drove one of these back in college. Great summer job.”
“You’re kidding.” Ellie
looked at her companion with a mixture of awe and mirth. “You have hidden
depths.”
“Aw, shucks. Actually, I
think that’s how I landed the job in the park service.”
“I guess it really stood
out on an otherwise humdrum resume.”
Wild Rose Press, December 17, 2018
Mainstream Mystery, Cozy Mystery,
Humorous/Romantic Comedy
Rating: Spicy (PG13)
430 p.
Rating: Spicy (PG13)
430 p.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Guest at Wild Women Authors December 20-24--Georgia is Interviewed (God Help Us All)
I’m talking about my
new romantic suspense/cozy mystery Flotsam & Jetsam: the Amelia Island
Affair, but this time it’s a little different. The ladies are interviewing one
of my characters. Georgia Petrie is the hero Simon’s best friend. They’ve been
sparring and sharing and getting in trouble since kindergarten. Georgia is in
law school and an absolute treat for the eyes but a bit of a handful. She adores
Simon and wants what’s best for him—which means Ellie.
I’ll
let her speak for herself. Here’s the link:
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Making Up--Ellie & Simon Style--Excerpt from Flotsam & Jetsam at the Reading Nook
Please drop by Dawn Roberto’s Reading Nook today, December
19, for a pleasant interlude with my new mystery romance Flotsam & Jetsam:
the Amelia Island Affair.
Today’s excerpt is “Making Up…With a Little Help from Your Friends.” Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Flotsam & Jetsam Available for Review on Netgalley
For those of you who review on Netgalley, drop by the site and check out
my new cozy mystery romance Flotsam
& Jetsam: the Amelia Island Affair:
Blurb:
State Park Rangers Simon Ribault and Ellie Ironstone are
used to dealing with messy campers and ravaging raccoons, but when three bodies
wash up on the beach, they mobilize all their powers of deduction. Who are they
and how did they get to the shore of Amelia Island? Are they connected to the
secretive League of the Green Cross? Or linked to a mysterious Jamaican drug
ring?
Ellie, new to Amelia Island, must penetrate a close-knit
community if she wants to find answers to the mystery, all while deciding
between two rivals for her affection: Thad, the handsome local idol, and Simon,
the clever, quirky bookworm.
Simon, for his part, will have to call on his
not-so-well-honed romantic prowess to lure Ellie away from Thad and at the same
time use his wide-ranging research skills to solve the case.
I’d love to hear what you think!
Hope Springs: Flotsam & Jetsam at Carroll-Bradd's Musings about the Writing Life
 |
| Simon's beloved car |
Today I’m at Linda
Carroll-Bradd’s wonderful site Musings about the Writing Life, with a new
excerpt from my just-released cozy mystery/romance Flotsam & Jetsam: the
Amelia Island Affair.
Pirates, smugglers, patriots? Who’s
responsible for the three corpses found on the sand? Two State Park rangers
look for answers & find both romance and murder.
Today’s
excerpt is Hope Springs, in which our hero begins to wonder if maybe, just
maybe…
Read for fun!
Monday, December 17, 2018
RELEASE DAY!!! Flotsam & Jetsam is Born
Flotsam & Jetsam: the Amelia Island Affair, a cozy mystery romance set on a barrier island in north-east Florida, was released today.
Three corpses strewn across the sand. Who are they and how did they get to Amelia Island? State Park rangers Simon Ribault and Ellie Ironstone must find the answers while contending with a secretive group called the League of the Green Cross. Are the deaths linked to it? Or could they be tied to the colorful history of the island, which was won and lost eight times? Mucking up the investigation is the crucial question—who will Ellie choose: Thad, the handsome local idol, and Simon, the clever, quirky bookworm?
I’m visiting Brenda Whiteside’s wonderful blog today to talk about Amelia Island and its crazy patchwork of history, which inspired me to write Flotsam & Jetsam. Find me here—and a thrilling excerpt:
Thursday, December 13, 2018
What a Cold Hand You Have--A Second Chance at Love
Drop by the Wild Rose Press Holiday blog and read my story
of a second chance at love, Che Gelida Manina. It will warm your heart.
Originally published in 2015 as part of the Exquisite Christmas: 21 Romance
Authors Share Holiday Stories & Recipes, you can find it here:
Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/5892101
B&N print: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/exquisite-christmas-victoria-adams/1123047064?ean=9781519495358
B&N ebook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/exquisite-christmas-victoria-adams/1123051071?ean=2940157928698
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/498109
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Coming Soon! Flotsam & Jetsam: the Amelia Island Affair--A TEASER
Mark your calendars: December 17 my new cozy mystery romance releases, hopefully to great fanfare!
Who's littering the park with corpses?
State Park Rangers Simon Ribault and Ellie Ironstone are used to dealing with messy campers and ravaging raccoons, but when three bodies wash up on the beach, they mobilize all their powers of deduction. Who are they and how did they get to the shore of Amelia Island? Are they connected to the secretive League of the Green Cross? Or linked to a mysterious Jamaican drug ring?
Ellie, new to Amelia Island, must penetrate a close-knit community if she wants to find answers to the mystery, all while deciding between two rivals for her affection: Thad, the handsome local idol, and Simon, the clever, quirky bookworm.
Simon, for his part, will have to call on his not-so-well-honed romantic prowess to lure Ellie away from Thad and at the same time use his wide-ranging research skills to solve the case.
Okay, here’s the teaser:
Ellie systematically searched the stern, lifting up seat cushions soaked from the rain and opening storage lockers. A rope sat in a jumbled heap by the cockpit wall. Under a small fold-out table, she noticed a red stain and bent down. It was dry. She scraped her fingernail in it and brought it to her nose. “Blood. I found blood, Simon!”
“A lot?”
“Puddle about six inches in diameter.”
“That’s nothing. I found a lot of blood. Oh, and a body.”
 |
| Where they find the blood. |
Pre-order links are here:
The Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6345-flotsam-and-jetsam-the-amelia-island-affair.html
It is also available for pre-order at Amazon, I Tunes, and Barnes and Noble.
Friday, November 9, 2018
New RWA PAN member
Tooting my own horn a bit, I've been incorporated into the ranks of Romance Writers of America's PAN (Published Authors Network).
I'm listed right there in the November issue of Romance Writers Report (p.30).
Cool!
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Interviewed by the great Rochelle Weber Today
Drop by Rochelle Weber’s lovely site for an interview in which I reveal
all (from embarrassing moments to what I do when a character gets all uppity—and
an introduction to my soon-to-be released mystery romance Flotsam & Jetsam:
the Amelia Island Affair. Prepare to be amazed!
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Quirky Secondary Characters in the Pit & the Passion
At midnight, in the darkness of a deserted hotel, comes a scream and a splash. Eighty-five years later, workmen uncover a skeleton in an old elevator shaft. Who is it, and how did it get there? To find out, Charity Snow, ace reporter for the Longboat Key Planet, teams up with Rancor Bass, best-selling author. A college ring they find at the dig site may prove to be their best clue.
Although his arrogance nearly exceeds his talent, Charity soon discovers a warm heart beating under Rancor’s handsome exterior. While dealing with a drop-dead gorgeous editor who may or may not be a villain, a publisher with a dark secret, and an irascible forensic specialist, Charity and Rancor unearth an unexpected link to the most famous circus family in the world.
I love bringing the secondary characters in my stories alive. In The Mason’s Mark: Love & Death in the Tower, I have two old ladies who the heroine calls the Marples for their sleuthing skills. In Artful Dodging: the Torpedo Factory Murders, the heroine’s best friend is a wild-haired Russian artist who sculpts enormous metal objects. In The Pit & the Passion, the hero’s Aunt Gertrude is the quintessential Mainer—a rock.
Rancor comes from an old Maine family, and as families go, this one is quite colorful. Gertrude, Rancor’s aunt, is a remarkable person—custodian of the family records, compiler of family foibles and accomplishments, and stickler for proper form. Rancor calls on her to help with their search for the owner of the ring they found in the pit, and she comes through.
 |
| Strong Maine Women |
Excerpt (G) Aunt Gertrude
“Is that you, my boy? Where are you? I can’t hear you.”
“I’m here in Florida, Auntie.”
“Florida? I don’t want you staying in that godforsaken place, Rancor. That’s where your grandfather met that hussy and abandoned his wife and family. Come back here to Camden where you belong. You hear me?”
“Yes, Auntie. I will soon, Auntie. Now, were you able to answer my question?”
“Question? Oh, yes. Now where did I put that note…” A loud clunk sounded, then a lot of rattling. “Hello? Hello? Rancor? Are you still there?”
“Yes, Auntie. I asked you if any men with the initials RB went to the University of Maine.”
“Yes, yes. You don’t have to ask me twice. I’m not deaf. Or feeble-minded.”
“I know that, Auntie.”
“Well, all right then,” she huffed. “I checked with the chancellor, who is an old friend of the family’s, although considering the circumstances, I don’t know how we remained on cordial terms.”
Charity squinted at Rancor.
“Excuse me?”
Gertrude went on with her monologue as though there’d been no interruption. “He was most gracious and looked up the student rolls from the 1930s. He found Basses, which doesn’t come as a surprise to me. I mean—”
“So Basses went to the University of Maine?”
“Of course. In fact, your great-great-grandfather Robert graduated in the very first class of the Maine College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts in 1873. He was a handsome man. I have a picture of him here. He’s standing next to his sister, and—”
“Auntie? Any others?”
“Of course. Basses were among the most celebrated graduates of the university—possibly because we donated masses of money to the endowment fund. Until your grandfather, that is…”
“What happened?”
“Well, Robert’s son, Robert Junior, finished in 1903 and his son, Robert the Third, three decades later. They both managed to avoid serving in the Great War, which was a real comfort to the women of the family, I can tell you. The Bass men have been singularly lucky—why, the last Bass to carry a gun was Robert T. back in the French and Indian War. Of course, he shot himself in the foot. Come to think of it, most of the Basses were not accepted into the armed forces for one reason or another. Gerald Bass—my cousin—had flat feet, and Elmer…well, let’s just say he was rather a dim bulb. Then there was—”
“Aunt Gertrude? What happened to my grandfather?”
“Robert the Third? You know what happened to him. He ran off with that tramp. It’s not something we’re proud of, but I don’t hold with keeping secrets in a family, so I made sure you children all heard the story, if only as a cautionary tale. At the time, my grandfather, Robert Junior, blamed it on the intemperate social life at the university, and he cut the school out of his will. That’s why Rupert didn’t go.”
“So the last Bass to attend the University of Maine was my grandfather Robert?”
“Yes. Now, I’ve got a list here of Bass women— we all proudly attended Vassar of course…that is, until that awful man forced us to go co-ed. I can’t tell you—”
“Oh, but you have, Aunt Gertrude. Many times.” Rancor paused. “Do you know the year of Robert Three’s graduation? Would it be 1931?” He looked through the door at Charity.
“Mmm, let me see…1931? No, it was 1932.”
His eyes widened, and so did Charity’s. “Thank you very much, Aunt Gertrude. You’re a doll. Give my love to Uncle Orville.” He hung up over her loud protests. “Well.”
 |
| Camden Maine |
Buy Links:
Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5533-the-pit-and-the-passion-murder-at-the-ghost-hotel.html
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-pit-and-the-passion-m-s-spencer/1127750685?ean=2940158925351
Saturday, October 6, 2018
A True Story that Inspired My Mason's Mark
The Mason's Mark: Love and Death in the Tower, arose in part out of a true story. Starting in the 1940s an Italian named Licio Gelli embarked on a lifetime of bizarre scams and crimes. Alternately linked to rightists and leftists, he bilked or used people from Italian politicians, to the Nazis, the Communists, the CIA, even to Juan Peron, dictator of Argentina. His exploits cross the globe and spanned four decades. At last check, he was still alive, in his nineties and writing poetry from prison. In 1996 he was even nominated for the Nobel prize in literature.
 |
| Gelli with Masonic symbols from his renegade lodge |
The Mason’s Mark: Love & Death in the Tower
In both the best and worst first day at work ever, docent Claire Wilding meets the man of her dreams, but her carefully rehearsed guided tour of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial collapses when she discovers a body and is drawn into a dark world of black ops and Italian renegade masons, of secret cabals and hidden treasure. Also cloaked in mystery is handsome Gideon Bliss, a George Washington expert who haunts the Memorial, his manner evasive. What is his secret? Claire fears she'll fall in love with him only to learn he's a thief or even a murderer. Juggling two eccentric mothers, an inquisitive sister, and an increasingly smitten detective, Claire must find answers to a complex web of intrigue, including who to trust and who to love.
Wild Rose Press, May 6, 2016 (Crimson Rose imprint)
Mystery/Cozy Mystery, Romantic suspense
ebook 79,000 words; print 322 pp.
Mystery/Cozy Mystery, Romantic suspense
ebook 79,000 words; print 322 pp.
M/F; 3 flames
 |
| Where Gideon & Claire meet |
Excerpt (PG): First Meeting
“Next we’ll be visiting a museum devoted to George Washington. The Masonic Memorial houses an impressive collection of artifacts, some of which were donated by the Washington family and some rescued from the fire in 1871 that destroyed the first lodge. Please be sure to check out Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick’s pocket watch. He was George Washington’s close friend and presided over his death bed.”
As they filed out on the fourth floor and automatically turned right as all human flocks do, Claire surveyed the room. The black and white parquet floor sparkled. Around three sides ran a balcony, filled with small alcoves and paintings. The light from a porthole window flooded the room. As she headed toward a bust of George Washington, a shadow moved behind a column. She took a step toward it, but Mrs. Malloy’s voice stopped her. “Frank, Luther—you be good, hear? I’m gonna sit down for a bit.”
Claire watched, horror-struck, as the woman plunked down on the Chippendale chair Washington had used as Worshipful Master of the Lodge. The yellow tape meant to prevent access to it lay in tatters on the floor. She had lunged forward, one hand stretched out to grab the transgressor, when the shadow flitted across her vision again. Feeling like a spectator at a tennis match, she spun around. There. Shaking a finger at the woman and barking “No!” in her most imperious voice, she rounded a pillar. Sure enough, a man stood there by a small bookcase built into the wall.
During Claire’s training, Mr. Quinn had ground into her the absolute prohibition against unauthorized individuals wandering around in the Tower. Oh God, I hope I don’t have to call for backup. “Sir? Can I help you?”
The man jumped and turned to her, his eyes wide, giving Claire the opportunity to admire two very large orbs tinted a luminous tourmaline green. His mobile face sported a Roman nose of reasonable proportion, a strong chin only slightly marred by a salt-and-pepper stubble, and the high cheekbones of an Aztec chief. His tan was not so deep as to seem artificial. Claire had raised her eyes to behold a head of wavy, chocolate brown hair when he began to speak. His sonorous baritone—a cross between Dean Martin and Elvis Presley—captivated her and she found herself humming “That’s Amore” under her breath.
“No, thank you…er…” He peered at her chest. Her hand went protectively to the bosom that drew most eligible bachelors’ attention until she realized he was trying to read her name badge.
“Um…Claire. Claire Wilding. I’m the docent here.” She indicated her troops, at least two of whom were attempting to wreak irreparable damage on each other with a wooden staff carved in the likeness of John the Baptist. “Who are you?”
He smiled suddenly, revealing brilliant white teeth. His whole face lit up, and Claire swallowed hard. “I’m Gideon Bliss. And in case you’re wondering whether I’m here lawfully, the answer is yes.” He stuck out a large hand, calluses prominent on his trigger finger. They reminded Claire of her father’s hands. “David—Mr. Comfrey—gave me permission to visit the museum.” His eyes glinted with little flecks of gold and humor.
Claire found herself at a loss for words and not just because he’d invoked the name of the Worshipful Master of the Alexandria-Washington Masonic Lodge. She sank into the depths of his verdant eyes, while the mellifluous voice rolled over her. Just before she nodded off, he stopped speaking. She shook herself. “Oh, I see. Well, I’ll leave you to it.” Sheesh, Claire, are you shooting for the most pitiful female in Washington award?
Bliss hadn’t moved. “You say you’re the docent here? Could you help me find something?”
Claire dropped her eyes and mumbled, “Uh…”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“Um…this is my first day. I…I doubt if I can help you.”
He chuckled. “So you didn’t actually mean anything by your first question.”
“My first…Oh, well, you know, that was sort of…rhetorical. I mean, no one is supposed to be here. Other than me. And of course them.” She waved at the group, who had now begun to congregate by the elevator doors. All except for the two boys, who were nowhere to be seen, and their mother, who continued to sprawl blithely on the President’s priceless antique chair.
Her abrupt answer seemed to annoy Bliss. “I see.” He turned back to the bookcase and pulled a large, dusty leather tome off the shelf. Claire spent a painful second staring at his rigid back and finally tore herself away, visions of emerald eyes filled with admiration at her beauty quickly evaporating.
 |
| A Mason's mark penny |
Buy Links:
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-masons-mark-m-s-spencer/1118052638?ean=2940157863760
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