Do you enjoy historical romance full of mystery and suspense? Then don't miss this promising new release by author Lindsay Downs!

Blurb

Accused of murdering her husband, Lady Donna Kersey turns to the only people who can prove her innocence, her brother and his new bride.

As Robert and Kristina start their search for the real killer they learn the murder might be more complicated than first thought. Uncovering evidence sends the three in pursuit of a possible suspect only to find this person is innocent, or is he not guilty of the murder but not something else.
When Robert and Kristina learn Lord Kersey might not be exactly who they believe him to be that’s when the facts become murky. It takes a surprise visit by Kristina’s brother to help set the record straight which only adds more confusion to the facts.

Will Robert and Kristina find the killer of Lord Kersey before the authorities take Lady Kersey away in irons?


Excerpt

After taking a calming breath, she nodded to the butler then heard several footsteps come up behind her. Turning her head, she was relieved to see several footmen, scowls on their faces, step up to her and Robert. She didn’t have to be told why they were here, for her protection.
“Let’s deal with him.” Once the door was opened, she stepped out into the sunlight to see the runner standing at the far edge of the step.
“You’re not Lady Kersey?” the man stumbled out.
“Of course I’m not, you bumbling fool. What brings you here? I’ve things which need doing to maintain the smooth running of this household,” she demanded.
“Yes, I asked Lady Markson, as Lady Kersey is my sister, if she’d assist until the mistress returns.” Robert stepped in to help with the ruse as to why they were here.
“Well, I got a report Lady Kersey, wanted for the murder of Lord Kersey, was here. It’s plain someone was mistaken. If you’ll excuse me then I’ll be on my way,” the man stuttered out as he started down the steps.
“You’re not excused,” Robert snapped at him.
Kristina was a little alarmed when the runner continued on his way. To her it seemed he had something to hide. Stepping aside, she glanced over her shoulder to the footmen and cocked her head to the retreating man.
She was amazed at the speed they responded and deposited, very unceremoniously, the runner at her and Robert’s feet.
“Lord Markson said you weren’t dismissed as he has a question that demands a truthful answer,” she snapped at him before Robert could say anything. She loved the look of fear in the man’s eyes as she knew exactly what her husband, and she, needed to know.
“You said an informant told you Lady Kersey was here. I want this person’s name and direction as I wish to interrogate him myself.” Lord Markson demanded.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not at liberty to give you his name.”
Kristina kept the smile from him as now she, along with Robert, knew more than a moment ago. Granted, it could be any man but now it had to be someone who’d been watching the house. This information they’d learn upon returning to their townhouse but first they needed to find the files Donna had mentioned.
“Now you may go,” Robert announced.
“If you’ll excuse me, my dear, I still need to discuss a few more details with Mrs. Raymond,” Kristina said.
With a grin, she watched as the runner rushed away then turned her attention to Robert.
“I believe we still have work to do, so shall we be to it then return to see how Donna is faring?”
She accepted his nod of approval, settled her hand lightly on his sleeve and let him escort her back into the townhouse and up to Bryce’s office.

 
Buy Links

Amazon US- http://www.amazon.com/Guilty-Countess-Markson-Regency-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00L3S3ZOG/ref=la_B007NQAIIS_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405323664&sr=1-7

Smashwords- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/456800\

What does it take to be a bestselling author? Determination, skill, talent, luck or taking a risk with a venture into a totally new genre. For me it was a little of some and a lot of the others.

In 2008 when I got two books published I thought it was due to skill; little did I know it was more luck than anything. Over the next three years I wrote, submitted, got rejected. I then did what I tell everyone who asks; I wrote some more. I didn’t give up.
More on a dare than anything I tried my hand at a regency, one of the most difficult genres because of the rules, which I might add I broke almost every one. Within two days of its release the book was on a best seller list and stayed there for two months.
Turns out it is all of the aforementioned.
After two failed marriages, one from divorce while with the other died unexpectedly I decided upon retirement to move. That opportunity came in September 2012 when I migrated to Texas.
For me, as a multipublished author, it was one of the best things I’ve done to date. Now, every day I can write, creating stories to take my readers to places they can only dream about.
I’m also a member of the Published Authors Network (PAN) by the Romance Writers of America (RWA).


Where you can find me:

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/lindsay.downs.7
Facebook Pages- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lindsay-Downs-Author/325132754200597?ref=hl
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Regency-by-Lindsay-Downs/421654731286944
Twitter- @ldowns2966
LinkedIn- http://www.linkedin.com/home
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3210224-lindsay
Lindsay Downs-Romance Author- http://lindsaydowns-romanceauthor.weebly.com/

Now that my second book, 'Playing with Fire', is released, I want to share my third book with you. 'Kaleidoscope of Hopes' is a contemporary romance novel, circling around second chances. Here's the cover I designed for it, along with the blurb and an excerpt to whet your appetite.

High hopes mean big disappointments. Nadia has learned that lesson the hard way. Single, struggling to make ends meet, and hurt by the past, the last thing she needs is another complication. When her new boss – a handsome, secretive widower with a child – moves in next door, their worlds collide. Sweet hopes bloom again, but both of them are burdened by tragic secrets. Should she give love a second chance?

Lucas was not who she had thought, and would never be who she wanted him to be. Period. That was her strategy for getting over him and on with life.
But when did strategies ever do a woman in love any good?
Now with him here, her carefully laid plans scampered off through the backdoor like dogs let loose, and Nadia was left with the memories of her hurt and the vestiges of her longing for him.

Yay, it's interview time again! Grab a seat and have a treat. This time, author Adiana Ray talks about life and writing. She sure has an interesting story to tell.

What do you like most and least about being a writer?

I love the fact that you can travel as far and do as much as your imagination allows. I love being able to make up characters and watch them grow and take on a life of their own. What I don’t like is that people don’t take writers and writing as a profession very seriously. As any writer knows, it entails a lot of hard work but many who are not in the line look on it a bit patronizingly as your ‘little hobby’. Grrrrrrr!

How has living in at least 16 cities shaped your character?

You realize very soon that any experience is as good or as bad as you make it. So you can choose to dwell on what you have left behind or you can look forward to what is to come.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

The third, fourth and fifth chapters. The first two went smoothly as you have this awesome idea that you are absolutely convinced will put you up there with J.K Rowling and then you get to Chapter Three and the ideas are not coming through that well. Four and five…aargh! Once I got past that though, I found my characters were better developed and as I said they started leading me.

Do you have any writing rituals?

No not really, besides the fact that I am easily distracted and try and turn off the internet on my computer.

Any hidden talents or crazy facts about you?

You mean besides the fact that I am a 10’th Dan Black Belt, have George Clooney on speed dial and design Sunny Leone’s outfits? Okay, kidding. I like weird food combinations like Tandoori Fish Tikka with strawberry jam and I can argue the hind-legs off a donkey. That is why I like writing, I am only wrong when I say I am wrong.

Do you prefer eBooks or printed books?

I am okay with both. For me a book is a book, is a book.

What is the most important character trait the hero and the heroine should possess?

Humor, they shouldn’t take themselves too seriously. I hate pomposity and pseudoism.

Do you have any advice for (aspiring) authors?

Firstly listen to your characters speak. They will tell you where to go. Secondly, start working on your marketing effort as soon as your manuscript is accepted. Indirectly of course. I didn’t have a clue on what is to be done; in fact still finding my way around.

Your book "Rapid Fall" includes adventurous water sports. Would you enjoy such a thrill, too?

I am an outdoor person and enjoy adventure sports, however not specifically ‘white river rafting’. I suffer from motion sickness and unfortunately cannot do it.

What are you currently working on?

Whew! Tough one. Have so many works in progress. I would have to go with the two that seem to be progressing best at present. One is an absolute contemporary, racy romance novel whereas the other one is a beautiful, slow paced historical romance. Now I just need to cross my fingers that I finish them.

Can JD learn to trust himself enough, to fall in love again?

Golden girl Sonia has it all till she comes to Mumbai. She has to learn and learn fast that if she is to survive and thrive in this city it isn’t only about all your degrees but rather about how street smart you are.

Suave and sophisticated JD, is a self made man who knows what he wants and how to get it. As the head honcho’ of a media company he has a smooth answer for everybody. Previously divorced he is unwilling to commit to a relationship.

Thrown together on the rapids of the Ganga, far away from Mumbai, the icy waters can’t douse the sparks that fly. Undeniably attracted to each other Sonia struggles to come to grips with what her heart is telling her. Her first big attraction has her in at the deep end. She is not used to floundering and being out of control and she doesn’t like it.  JD is not willing to put any other name to their attraction but physical chemistry.

Will they get past this to find love?

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H0NPS16
Flipkart: http://www.flipkart.com/rapid-fall/p/itmdrvkufsyd55mc?pid=DGBDRVYYGFSYX8RB&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=Adiana+Ray&ref=d435204f-7747-489a-b6a2-8497072bccf9
Barnes & Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rapid-fall-adiana-ray/1117650649?ean=2940045475846
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/rapid-fall
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/383326

Adiana enjoys reading murder mysteries, classic romances and playing Pictionary (the noisier the better). She believes in the Zen tenet “each state has a 1000 truths”. Every person brings their own unique experiences to a situation which makes them see things differently and interpret it in their own way.

Couple this with the winds of change that are sweeping across the Indian sub-continent, with the rise of the meritocracy, breaking down of social barriers, rising education levels and professional representation for women in the work force, and more and more men and women working side by side on a daily basis:  albeit at the same time family ties, ideas of beauty and attractiveness in a partner and cultural expectations haven’t exactly been thrown out of the window.

Put all these together and they throw up interesting circumstances, actions and reactions among people. She says this is what inspires her to write…trying to see each relationship in a different way and always having a new story to tell. When she writes, she wants it to be a fantasy but at the same time a believable one. One that could happen to anyone of us and above all is entertaining to the reader.

Rapid Fall is the first part of a trilogy set in Mumbai aiming to weave a story around the lives of a group of young professionals, who are urban, connected, spunky and driven. Yet at the same time they live, love and hurt the same way all of us do. They could be you, me or the person next door. She has also done a quite a few short stories which have been published by efiction India under her name and a pen name M.X. Steele.

Happy reading!

She can be reached at
Twitter handle: @adrayyyed
Blog:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adiana.ray
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/adianaray-author