My, my, I’m spread over four pages of the fabulous Marketing
for Romance Writers Magazine, January issue. Interview, plus a look-see at my
two December releases: 
Enjoy it here:
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Featured Author at Marketing for Romance Writers Magazine!!
My, my, I’m spread over four pages of the fabulous Marketing
for Romance Writers Magazine, January issue. Interview, plus a look-see at my
two December releases: 
Monday, January 14, 2019
For the Love of a Spy--New Excerpt & Speed-date at Jean Grant's
What would be a perfect writing day?
Find out at Jean Grant’s today. Also get a little tease of my new romantic suspense/thriller For the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman.
Check them out here:
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Five Stars for the Penhallow Train Incident
What can I say? I’m
honored that one of my favorite authors loved my cozy mystery/romantic suspense The Penhallow Train Incident.
Here’s a bit of her FIVE-STAR review:
“I read a lot of mysteries, and I have
to say, I fell for some of the red herrings in this book. :) A great read!”
In the sleepy Maine
town of Penhallow, a stranger dies on a train, setting off a chain of events
that draws Rachel Tinker, director of the historical society, and Griffin
Tate, retired professor, into a spider’s
web of archaeological obsession and greed. Before Rachel can unlock the soft
heart that beats under Griffin’s hard crust, they must find the map to the
Queen of Sheba’s tomb, and solve not one, but three murders.
You can read the
rest of the December 2018 review on Amazon here:
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Is He a Handyman? Or Something Else? Excerpt from For the Love of a Spy
Is he a handyman?
Or something else? Maris wades into international intrigue to find out.
I admit it: For the Love of a Spy was born out of a
delicious dream. I woke slowly, savoring the romance, and latching onto the
last line. It is in fact, the last line of the story. But you have to read the
whole book to get to it. Thankfully, there’s quite a lot of good
stuff—adventure, action, and romance—to help you through.
Blurb:
Maris Graystone, Washington pundit,
meets Michael Kinder, handyman with an air of mystery, and sparks fly. But he
appears unpredictably, leaving Maris limp and lovelorn. Looking for safe harbor, she yields to Émile, a
dashing French diplomat. Will she embrace the luxury and comfort of Émile and
his chateau or the romance of international intrigue with Michael?
 |
| Zagreb |
Excerpt: Zagreb
Something is wrong. He
cares about me, of that I’m sure. So
what is it?
In the beginning, a lifetime ago and before they surrendered to their
desire, he had said something about it being neither the time nor the place. What
did he mean? She didn’t want to know just yet, but she would ask him. Yes,
when he wakes up.
Over his shoulder, she glimpsed the clock—five p.m. We’ve been in
bed for four hours! She sat bolt upright. He hadn’t fixed her air
conditioner. He hadn’t called his office. She hadn’t finished her column. What
on earth were they thinking? Or on what other planet? Did we beam up to
Mars, where this sort of behavior is acceptable?
She shook him. “It’s late. You have to go.”
He came instantly awake. His azure eyes fastened on hers; his arms went
automatically around her.
She felt herself slipping into their world but fought it. “You have to
go!”
He kissed her tenderly. “I know. I have to…pack. I have to go.”
“When?”
“I’m leaving Thursday. I told you.”
“No, you didn’t.” Maris wanted to be indignant, but in the back of her
mind, a little voice nagged that he was right. “But—where are you going?”
He opened his mouth and closed it. He peered at her, his eyes
questioning. Finally, he said flatly, “To Zagreb.”
“Zagreb? As in, Yugoslavia? Why?”
“It’s not important.” His serious tone told her that it was indeed important,
but it also stopped her from asking any more questions.
Buy Links:
I Heart Publishing: https://www.iheartbookpublishing.com/for-the-love-of-a-spy-the-scrivener-and-the-handyman.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KWW84WQ
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/909525
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Five stars for Flotsam & Jetsam!
OMG!!
I just found a fabulous five-star review for Flotsam & Jetsam:
the Amelia Island Affair, on NetGalley. Barbara T. says:
“This book has it
all. A smidgeon of romance. A murder or two or more. Drugs, lies, sinister
plots, friends, family, history, interesting factoids, and so much more.
Entertaining, amusing, and page turning.”
Read this and
another great review here:
Thursday, January 3, 2019
For the Love of a Spy at Rebecca Grace’s Today with New Excerpt
Please drop by Rebecca
Grace’s My Writing Corner today for a look at my new romantic suspense For
the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman . In this new
excerpt, Maris asked a most important question.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Liv Arnold Interviews Me Today--Tips on publishing
Liv Arnold has
graciously offered to host me and my new romantic suspense For
the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman at her lovely
site. Please drop by for tips on publishing and marketing and a taste of the
story.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
For the Love of a Spy: A New Excerpt--Tailed
When Maris Graystone, author of the political column The Scrivener, and
the mysterious Michael Kinder, 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 Paris flat, and the romance of international intrigue
with Michael, she must choose…but which one?
To
celebrate the release of For
the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman I thought I’d treat you to an excerpt.
Our heroine, Maris, is in Paris when she gets a
strange telephone call telling her a man is dead. She fears it’s the man she
loves, but the caller did not specify. She is distraught, then afraid.
Excerpt: Tailed
She had to get out of the apartment. She grabbed her purse and stumbled
down the broad circular stairway, running blindly down the street. At the end
of the block, she turned left, heading toward the Place de l’Opéra. She
crossed the busy square before the Opera House and made her way down the
Boulevard des Capucines to the Madeleine. She found a bench and tried to calm
down.
She regarded the Napoleonic-era church with sad eyes. Normally, its
perfectly balanced Greek lines soothed her. Not today.
As she worked on her breathing, a tall man in a heavy, fur-trimmed coat
sat down on the bench next to her. He stared straight ahead. Maris watched him,
a little perplexed that a Frenchman would ignore a beautiful woman sitting
beside him. Oh well, I’m not exactly well-coiffed this morning.
She stood up abruptly, and the man rose as well. She turned down the
Rue Royale, heading toward the Place de la Concorde. Something made her turn
around. The man was right behind her, matching her stride. She went right at
the circle and headed up Avenue Gabriel. He still followed her. She noticed he
wore dark glasses—hardly necessary in the pale autumn light. She quickened her
pace. Her heart pounded. What is going on? Could this be the man who had
called her? Why hadn’t he spoken to her then? Should I stop and see what he
wants? No! Every instinct screamed. Don’t let him catch up with you.
She ducked into a linen shop, people crowding in behind her. They were
apparently having a sale. Maris sidestepped a diminutive Frenchwoman with
hennaed hair towering in outrage at the proprietor’s unwillingness to come down
on the price of a tablecloth, and crouched behind a display case, hoping no one
would draw attention to her strange behavior.
She waited a full ten minutes, panting raggedly. When at last she
steeled herself to peek over the case, the man was nowhere to be seen. At the
door, she peered right and left. No sign of him. She insinuated herself into a
crowd of tourists heading down the avenue de Marigny. A sign on her right said
Le Marché des Timbres. I remember this. It’s the open-air stamp market I
used to go to that year I was in school at Sèvres. She turned into it.
The kiosks were closed. Oh, right—it’s open on Thursdays. That was
my day off from school. What day was it, anyway? Friday. Friday?
Now, what…Oh no. She’d almost forgotten the state dinner with the
Russian delegation tomorrow night.
Émile had told her to find a suitable dress, a formal gown. She took
one last sweep of her surroundings. Whoever her stalker was, he must have given
up. Hopefully for good.
I Heart Publishing, Dec. 27, 2018
Romantic suspense; Action/Adventure; Contemporary
Romance; Spies/Espionage
220 pp.; ebook 74,000 words
Spicy (PG-13); 3 flames
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:
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