I'm psyched to be here at Becks Book Picks! *Waves hi* Thanks so much for hosting a stop on my book tour with Sizzling PR, and helping me celebrate the release of Sweet Irish Kiss which is my first addition to the multi-author www.decadentpublishing.com series called 1NightStand. Yes, I said my first because I've a second that comes out in October. Dracula's Kiss. If you love vampire romance, and are rather partial to a sexy Scotsman and spooky castle ruins with connections to Bram Stoker's Dracula, then you'll LOVE IT!
The series is based around Madame Evangeline's match-making skills. A woman to be reckoned with, and owner of a highly successful matchmaking service; put the right two people together for just one night and anything is possible. Especially when the dates take place at the fabulous Castillo Hotels and Resorts in some of the most exotic places in the world. As a Brit myself, you'll notice a strong British flavor to all my 1NightStand stories.
With that, I thought what better way to celebrate the release of my Irish Romance than to chat about my own trip to Ireland and to share some piccies. Only a few though, somehow, all our tour photos have gone walk about. My dear husband did manage to find a few for me, though, that he'd taken.
I've only ever visited Ireland once, almost twice, both times with MY exception. The first, and almost attempt, was supposed to be a 'dirty weekend away' with my, at the time, boyfriend. But the weather turned bad, and the ferries to Dublin out of Holyhead in North Wales (a few hours drive from my home town) were cancelled. Darn it! Rain was pouring down, and our transport was my fella's motorbike. I was not best impressed. And for those who didn't know, Holyhead is apart of Anglesey where the newly weds of the Royal family now reside, Kate and Wills.
The second time, and many years and moves later, was with my husband. Yes, same bloke. We flew into Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the American Embassy. That seemed a more pleasant way to do a necessity for us to move to America, than in London. More expensive travel wise, but nicer. And we were right. I don't like visiting London; I think it's ransacked with commotion, has annoying road congestion charges, it's dirty, and too expensive. Not to mention we can never find anywhere to park. So Ireland was a real treat. And in between the official business, and a unexpected fire drill in our hotel (I still blame that on the 'spa' because the hallways stank of cheap lavender oil), we got to enjoy our surroundings. A few years earlier, and it perhaps might not have been safe for us to do that in Belfast. It certainly was a different picture than that has been portrayed in movies and documentaries. I'd say times are a changing for them and if you ever find yourself doing the whole UK tour thing, please do consider adding both Belfast and Dublin to your plans. They won't disappoint. Historical buildings, wonderful shopping, excellent food and friendly people. Kinds reminds me of the reasons I loved living in Scotland!
While we were there, we got to see the shipyard, Harland and Wolff, where the Titanic was built, and where infamous battles were fought, and we got to munch down on some very tasty bangers and chips! Oh, and they have the most awesome science museum for the kids ,along with one of the original passenger 'bus' boats that took folks up to the Titanic. Pretty special. And in my experience, the Irish are chatty, and remind me very much so of Australians in their nature to be welcoming and open. When they ask if you've had a good day, they mean it...even if they have no clue who you are. And that countryside, oh my, it's easy to see why it's often referred to as the Emerald isle. All the lush green.
BLURB: Shaun Bell, a divorced workaholic, spends all his time tending bar in his Irish Pub. He's ready to love again, but the women who visit his bar are only after his infamous Irish cocktails. At the advice of his darts team over a tanker or two of Beamish, he applies to 1Night Stand to get back into the swing of things and enjoy the company of a woman specially selected for him by Madame Evangeline.
Rachel Taylor has issues. Her father broke her mother’s heart with his cheating and Rachel swore never to let that happen to her, but one ruined relationship after another and she’s realized she's got to get over being closed off to men. Perhaps a one-night stand is just the baby step she needs to begin to build trust again.
A match seemingly made in heaven...until morning rolls around and Shaun can't bring himself to say good-bye. Can he win her over with his secret weapon, a Sweet Irish Kiss, or is Rachel still too scared to love?
JoAnne Kenrick, an ex-Ghost Tour Guide turned Romance Author, is a Welsh lass who has lived in various countries around the world. She now calls North Carolina her home, where she lives with her husband, two children and a lazy cat. When they aren't demanding her attention, she can most likely be found watching a vampire movie, reading or baking up a British favorite in her N.C. kitchen. That is, when she isn't writing or chatting up a storm on social networking sites. www.joannekenrick.com
3 comments:
Thanks so much for hosting on your awesome book blog today xxx It's an honor to be here :)
Wow! Sounds like you met some great people on your trip as well. Ireland is my fantacy vacation.
The book sounds wonderful. Congrats!
Loved hosting you and reading your post.
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