​I love learning about other countries and experiencing them virtually, though I hardly ever make real trips. Most of my ‘traveling’ is actually ‘armchair traveling’ through books. And it’s just as much fun whisking my readers away to exotic locations. So hold on tight, you’re in for a ride!
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​I started my international / multicultural / interracial series “Romance Round the World” with Saved in Sri Lanka. That choice was easy because Sri Lanka is my second home country and I’ve been waiting for a chance to ‘show it off’. The plot circles around Sepalika, who is a Sri Lankan tour guide, and Daniel, who is a tourist from Ireland. By making Sepalika a tour guide, it was easy to take the leading pair on a trip around this beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, describing the scenery and sights. Places like Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Galle feature in the book. Many of my readers have said it’s the perfect mix of travelogue and romance novel.
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A country I’ve always been fascinated by is Spain, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. I studied Spanish at high school for 5 years and loved it, and a dear friend of mine is Spanish. So setting a novel there felt right. Seduced in Spain takes the couple (and the reader) through various picturesque regions of the Mediterranean country, from Valencia to Barcelona, from the cities to the coast and to a charming village nestled among vineyards. Though I’ve never been to Spain, research for the novel made me feel like a proper tourist. As usual, snippets of the language spoken in the country where the book is set make things more authentic.
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Although the first book of the FIRE TRILOGY, “Playing with Fire”, is set in America, the heroine Felicia – a fire witch – and the hero Joshua – an ice wizard – travel to Iceland for Book 2 and Book 3. “Dancing with Fire” and “Living with Fire” are filled with adventures in this fascinating country in the north of Europe. Many people ask me why I chose Iceland, and my answer is this: It’s not called the ‘land of fire and ice’ for nothing! Research for the novel was more intense than for any of my other novels, and it left me with a deep fascination for the country. All those volcanoes, all those waterfalls, all that rough natural beauty… If you read the books of the trilogy, you’ll realize how I’ve incorporated nature and made it come alive in the story, almost as if the setting were another character. You can download Book 1 for free, but the real ‘journey’ starts in Books 2 and 3.

I've long dreamed of visiting Scotland, Ireland, and England. That's one of the reasons why I chose the latter country as the setting for the first book in my "Inn Love" series, Tantalizing Temptations. It's set mostly in a charming cottage in the idyllic Lake District with its beautiful landscapes and quaint villages. And of course, it has a proper English gentleman as the hero (one of my favourites to write)! Prepare yourselves for tea, lots of mentions of 'darling' and another lovely stereotype or two...
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​A country not many can resist writing about is France with its rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes and fascinating language. A large part of the romantic suspense novel Forbidden that I coauthored with Mike Wells is set in Nice and Paris, two completely opposite parts of France. The setting further illustrates how out of her depth Jane is and how radically her life changes. Other settings appear in the book too, all of them important and chosen for a reason, among them England and Switzerland. You can download Book 1 for free, but the real ‘journey’ starts in Books 2 and 3.
Books 4 to 6 form the "Lady Sotheby's Curse" trilogy and explore even more countries, among them Spain and Switzerland.
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​I’m planning on more novels in the “Romance Round the World” series. And this month, Book 2 of the "Inn Love" series will release: Hidden Hopes is set in the Canadian Rockies, as Canada is on my bucket list. Book 3 will most probably take my readers to Italy.

Genre: Contemporary fiction, Whodunnit.
Release Date: 1st December 2015

Sally must deal with the grief of losing her father, a man she knew very little about. After the funeral she takes time out to be alone and reflect on her life. 
To find out the truth about him, she first has to make amends with her estranged mother and half-sisters, who she hasn’t spoken to for almost twenty years. 
In the meantime, Mr Leriche from Interpol opens a fascinating old case file, about a stolen painting potentially worth millions. Before long Sally finds herself in the middle of a criminal investigation. Having discovered she is the sole beneficiary to her father’s estate, she must decide whether to develop the business or walk away. 
 
Reflections is an emotional journey.
 
 
BUY LINKS
 
AMAZON UK
AMAZON US
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Eleanor Smythe was born in the east end of London but struggles to call it home as she moved away in her teens, and continued to live in various parts of the UK. After raising four sons, she went on to obtain a degree in Occupational Therapy. Although she took the opportunity to work in various medical settings, her greatest passion was working with clients within the community, where she claims real life takes place. 
Now retired and living primarily in Portugal Eleanor has more time to pursue her love of writing. Always intrigued by the way in which individuals cope with life's challenges and how they overcome the twists and turns of life, her stories embrace inner emotional turmoil that her characters might feel. They are brought to life by showing humour, tragedy, conflict, betrayal and emotions that many of us face daily. 
Her debut book, The Other Side of Town continues to receive positive reviews while her second book, Reflections, was recently released. 
Eleanor and her husband’s love of travel has led to the recent acquisition of ‘Dolly the Camper Van’. Dolly will enable them to pursue their individual hobbies of fishing and writing in new and exciting environments. Eleanor will be blogging about their adventures as well as inviting others to share their own.
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoreleanorsmith
Twitter: Http://Twitter@authoreleanor1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Chrissy-Smith
Google+
websites:www.eleanorsmythe.blogspot.com
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I'm currently working on another round of edits for my upcoming romance novel "Seduced in Spain", incorporating beta-reader feedback and falling in love with the story and characters all over again. So here's a Sneak Peek Sunday snippet for you all.
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​“Better?”
Emily suppressed a squeak. Speak of the demon… Alejandro stood so close their arms touched, towering about over her and also staring up at the sky while breathing in deeply. His scent and heat and nearness flooded and floored her. She swallowed and answered with a wobbly “yes”.
“Next time I make you labor like a slave-driver, please let me know,” he said. “You must be regretting you accepted the job.”
“No, I don’t.”
The words were out before she could stop herself, and she realized their truth. All complications and the nagging voice in her brain aside, she did not regret her decision.
Alejandro turned and peered closely at her. The illumination from the street lamps nearby made his chiseled features stand out, his prominent cheek bones and strong jaw looking as hard as if cut out of marble. Oh yes, he was a statue of a man. One of those Greek gods, a modern-day Adonis, but from Spain rather than Greece.
Dammit, there she went again!
He was still staring at her. Was he trying to figure out whether she had merely given the appropriate reply or really meant it? Not ready to face any deep discussions, Emily hitched the strap of her bag higher up her shoulder. Alejandro’s gaze followed the movement, and an odd look crossed his face. With a half-smile, he said softly, “You’re still doing that.”
“What?”
His smile intensified. He reached out and slowly traced a long finger across the strap of her bag until it rested lightly on the back of her hand. She realized only then that her fingers had been clenching and unclenching around the leather strap, tugging and twisting.
“I remember how you used to adjust your bag and worry the strap every time you were nervous those days,” he said in the same soft voice laced with an emotion she couldn’t place.
His finger was still on her hand, a feather-light touch that had her frozen. His gaze traveled back to her face, and she drowned in it. Somewhere deep inside, the lines crisscrossing her broken heart cracked upon, slowly but surely. Why? Why did he have to drag up memories like a child worrying a dried scab and making a half-healed wound bleed again?

Blurb-
The past has come back to haunt Lord Mathew and Lady Jessica. Even with extra precautions to keep them both safe from someone who was supposed to be dead their plans quickly change. With family and friends, they retire to the Winsome estate to await the countess’s annual Valentine Eve Ball.
What Lord Matthew doesn’t realize; this excursion will be rather costly for him as Lady Jessica insists on a proper gown for the ball. While she and the other ladies shop Lord Matthew and Lord Justin, the newest peer, search out where the person could be hiding. What they find is even more disturbing-a body. Immediately Lord Matthew knows who murdered the old man. Another individual who shouldn’t be living as he and Lady Jessica watched her die.
After passing this information on to their friends the men set about to hunt these people down. Will the persons be found in time so Lord Matthew and Lady Jessica can marry without worry?
 
Excerpt-
Stepping in, Matt was more focused on the powerful peer than anything which wasn’t his norm, considering his former duties to the Crown. Several feet from the desk, behind which the duke sat glaring at him, Matt stopped and gave a deep bow.
“Take a seat,” the duke ordered, or so it seemed to Matt.
Immediately, this gave him a hint as to how this interview would go. Interrogation. The only chair available, was a hard-seated, straight-backed one which reminded Matt of his youth and being called into his father’s office for a dressing down.
Knowing he wasn’t to speak until addressed by His Grace, Matt tried to calm his increasingly quaking nerves, but to very little avail. The stare he was getting could have rivaled any from the Grand Dames of the ton. Finally.
“So, you’re here to seek my approval in marrying my goddaughter, Lady Jessica? Can you give me one valid reason why I should give my consent?”
“Yes, Your Grace. I love Lady Jessica to the point of distraction and have ever since we met a year or so ago,” Matt barely got out.
“Then, I ask, why has it taken so long for you to approach me? Before you answer, I am well aware of your reputation within the ton and duties to the Crown.”
“As you said, Your Grace, you know of my past indiscretions but since I was formally introduced to Lady Jessica, not once has my eye strayed to another. As for my work with the Crown, many times I have been called away. Only now have I tendered my services with them, much to their displeasure,” Matt explained.
“If you receive my nod, what are your plans if Lady Jessica agrees to be your wife? Will you keep her shuttered away in some faraway estate thus not permitting her to come to London?”
“Your Grace, as I’ve no estate of my own until I, someday in the distant future, become the Earl of Winsome, we will reside either in the earl’s townhouse or the country estate. As for coming to London during the Season, I will be more than happy to accompany her that way we may keep acquainted with her and my friends.”
He could feel himself becoming more panicked that the duke wouldn’t give his permission to speak with the earl. When the office door opened, it was all Matt could do to keep from jumping up. Not hearing anyone approach but knowing someone had entered, it took all of his fortitude to keep his attention focused on the duke.
“Dearest husband, why on earth are you giving this boy such a hard time? You’ve known all along he would receive your permission, so just give it, and let him be on his way.” Matt heard the duchess declare.
Matt jumped to his feet, turned, and bowed deeply to the grand lady.
“Because I wished to see him squirm. After all, he’s about to depart on the most amazing adventure of his life, and I wanted to make sure he was ready,” the duke stated.
 
Buy Links:
US- http://tinyurl.com/hqf3uec
UK- http://tinyurl.com/gmbvofu
CA- http://tinyurl.com/jcuqcb7
AU- http://tinyurl.com/h7nvo5a
IN- http://tinyurl.com/jzqpb2g

​I’ve been an avid reader ever since I was old enough to hold a red leather bound first edition copy of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake in my lap.
So it only seemed natural at some point in my life I take up pen and paper to start writing. Over time my skills slightly improved which I attribute to my English teachers.
My breakthrough came about in the mid 1970’s when I read a historical romance written by Sergeanne Golon, Angelique. This French husband and wife team opened my eyes to the real world of fiction. Stories about romance, beautiful damsels, handsome heroes and plots which kept me hooked. Of course, being a man, I had to keep my reading hidden from others as that wasn’t appropriate reading for men.
With this new found appreciation of the written word I took up other books and devoured them as a starving person would a plate of food. I them attempted to write again. I still wasn’t satisfied so I put it aside for years as other events entered my life.
Finally, in the early years of the new millennium I tried again to write and once again met with limited success. At least now I was able to get past the first page or two. Then, in 2006 a life changing event brought me back to my love, I took a job as a security officer. This allowed me plenty of time to read different genres.
My favourite was regency. As I poured through everyone I could get my hands on I knew this could be something I wanted to attempt.
Since 2012 when my debut regency romantic suspense released I was hooked and have, except for a few contemporaries, focused on this genre.
Since 2012 I’ve lived in central Texas. I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America and their local chapter.
 
Where you can find Lindsay Downs-
Facebook- http://tinyurl.com/pgq8vzz
Facebook Page- http://tinyurl.com/nresq5j
Twitter- @ldowns2966
LinkedIn- http://tinyurl.com/e8t56
Goodreads- http://tinyurl.com/prcdmml
Lindsay Downs-Romance Author- http://tinyurl.com/kvfz468
Amazon- http://tinyurl.com/ktem76c

​Love is in the air… which is probably why I am even more focused on romance right now. “Seduced in Spain”, my next contemporary romance novel, is with my beta readers, and I can’t wait to start writing my new series of small-town romance set in Misty Springs. But for now, let’s celebrate LOVE. I’ve been wondering how the couples from my romance novels would celebrate Valentine’s Day, so here are some ideas.
Special thanks goes to my writer friend Ronald – also an admin of the Facebook group The Society of English Literature – whose post got my mind whirring.

​Cathy has faced a lot of trouble and left an abusive relationship behind when she meets Michael. With his help, she makes her dream come true and opens her own bakery. So for Valentine’s Day, she surprises her Prince Charming with Valentine’s Day Cupcakes! She’s opted for Vanilla Love Cupcakes with White Chocolate Truffle Centers. You can find the sinfully delicious recipe here.
 
Michael is a gardener and naturally loves everything connected to plants. So instead of buying fancy jewelry or unimaginative chocolate, he gifts the love of his life with a very unusual bouquet. It’s the meaning more than the beauty that counts: He includes heliotrope for endless love, forget-me-nots, goldenrod for encouragement, jasmine for sweet love, lavender for devotion, myrtle for the emblem of marriage, violet for faithfulness, red tulips as a declaration of love, and honeysuckle for strong bonds.

​Nadia fell in love with the enigmatic, brooding hero Lucas – tall, dark, and handsome indeed – who moved in next door with his daughter Melody. It took both of them a while, but they’ve jumped over their shadows and admitted to their true feelings. On their first Valentine’s Day, Melody has planned a surprise for her favorite two people in the world: She has used her pocket money to buy them a gift voucher for a romantic weekend getaway in a Golden Oak Cottage in Blackwood Forest in England.

​Sepalika and Daniel from Sri Lanka and Ireland are living proof that love knows no boundaries and transcends nationalities. While Valentine’s Day is only slowly catching on in Sri Lanka, Daniel doesn’t let this chance slip to surprise his love. He starts with breakfast in bed, then spends the day reading his favorite love poems to her because they both love literature. He cooks her a romantic dinner that includes typical Irish food – and for desserts he presents her with two tickets for a romantic holiday in Australia. If you’ve read the book, you’ll know why he chose Australia of all countries.

​What do you think, who had the best idea? And how are YOU spending this Valentine’s Day?