I have a new book out....

Hello!

Happy new year and all that jazz. I'm not usually one for believing in the whole 'new year, new slate' bla bla, but after a really, really and I mean REALLY rubbish 2013 and 2014 I've decided that I need to 100% give this believing malarky a try. SO yes, 2015 is going to be a great year. A fantastic 365 days! A bloody magnificent 8760 hours! An amazing 525,600 minutes....you get the picture :-) And kicking me off just five days into this totally wonderful 2015 is the release of my new book, Time.

It took just over a year to write and I love it. It's published with Emerald Romance and to be released tomorrow, 5th January! I'm so honoured and flattered that THE Amy Andrews read an advanced review copy and has quoted on my cover #fangirlmoment. Here's a peek at the blurb and cover, created by the uber talented Annie Seaton 

“Babe, it’s okay. Let the doctor finish.”
With those words, Isobel Smith had no idea of the months ahead. Not long married, pregnant and a wonderful future promised with her husband, Jason, her hopes and dreams die in that one simple sentence.
Follow her in her harrowing journey as Isobel learns the resilience of the female spirit, and gradually puts her life back together for the sake of their child.

James, her husband’s best friend, is the rock that keeps her together.

But will James’ own battle with his grief end up tearing them apart?

Harrowing and gritty, you must not miss this emotional read from debut author, Samantha Darling, as she takes you on a heart wrenching but ultimately uplifting journey.

You can still pre-order, just a few hours left then it will be winging it's way to your Kindle!

Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

Tomorrow I'm having a Facebook launch party and everyone is welcome....here's the link....party time!
I'm having lots of guests and lots of giveaways at the party, including a huge $50 Amazon gift card...you can start entering into that by visiting the rafflecopter on my website.

Hope to see you at the party tomorrow!

Night!

Sam :-)
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COVER REVEAL - Italian Affair by Annie Seaton....

We can finally share the GORGEOUS cover for Annie Seaton's new release, Italian Affair. It's just beautiful and I can see why Annie is head over heels in love with it......

Blurb:

Free-spirited sex therapist Brianna Ballantine has four days to find a fiancé so she can inherit her birth mother’s Italian villa. Commitment is not on the agenda. Writing her sex therapy book and signing legal papers are. And once all is said and done, she’ll return home to Australia.

For finance guru Tomas Richards, relationships have been a bad investment—give him stocks and shares any day. When Tomas offers a marriage of convenience to help Brianna secure her inheritance, the sizzle between the sheets promises an affair to remember, despite family complications at every turn.

But Tom must convince Brianna to stay, and make this Italian affair a lifelong commitment.



Release day 10th June but you can sign up to order here

'Til next time!

Sam :-)

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Just a quick drop in....

Hi folks

This is the briefest of blogs but I just wanted to keep drop by and keep in touch with you all. 

Things have been crazy manic here (family stuffs) but I'll fill you in on all of that another time. As for my writing, well still plodding along slowly but surely (every day life seems to throw obstacles in my way all the of the time!) Daniella and Luca's story is FINALLY finished!! Yes, you heard me, FINISHED! Thanks to the lovely Annie Seaton for her editing service (which I would recommend!) over the last few months, Revenge in Rio is ready to submit to publishers. So, watch this space :-) 

I have started on two new stories. One is a paranormal, vampire hero named Malakai and human heroine, Sophie. The second...I'm not quite sure what it is...but I do know it's something quite different, romance, true life, tragedy, a right mixture - character - Jason, Isobel and James. 

So, there you are now up to date with the life of Sam ;-) When I have some more info on Daniella and Luca's progress I will definitely be sharing with you! 

'Til next time!

Sam :-) 
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Update on my WIP

Hello folks

As some of you already know, I've been working on a story for a while now and I'm so excited to say....it's very, very nearly finished! Eeeeek! I've been working with my fab Crit Part, Faith Thomas and the equally lovely Annie Seaton, who both have been helping me to wip my WIP into perfect shape :-) Just two more chapters to edit and then my 'baby' will pretty much be ready to submit to publishers.

Double eeeek!

I have a couple in mind and always open to the idea of self pub'ing too. So we will see nearer the time when I'll go with it.

I'll keep you all updated with the rest of the 'journey' over the next couple of months. Exciting time ahead I'm sure! Before I go, I thought I'd share a small excerpt from my still nameless story....without further ado, its over to Luca....

***

In the distance he could see the Corcovado Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue situated at its peek. The last of the evening sun’s rays glittered around the edges of the solid concrete and soapstone artwork, illuminating its beauty and presence for the whole of Rio to adore. Its arms were open wide and ironically, Luca felt as if the statue was welcoming him back to his motherland.

No.

He needed to remain focused and remember exactly why he was here and what he had to do. Once it was done, he’d be on the first jet back to New York. Brazil and Rio held nothing for him anymore. 

***

'Til next time! 

Sam :-) 

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The Next Big Thing....

A few weeks back I was tagged by Evangeline to participate in The Next Big Thing blog hop. I really had good intentions to partake but time seemed to just carry me away into a parallel universe....okay, maybe that's a bit extreme...but you know what I mean, time just ran away with me. So, last week, the lovely Ruchita tagged me once again and this time I managed to wing my way back to the Earth's orbit and grab a few minutes to answer the TNBT Q's! (Or in other words, sit down quietly for half an hour whilst the kids nap!)Here goes....

Q. What is the working title of your next book?

The Venancio's Revenge (but it's possible it will change).

Q. From where did the idea come?

Umm, good question. Honestly, I'm not too sure. My head, but inspiration wise, I have no idea! After seeing Rio and favelas in a few films and having always wanted to visit there, I decided to write a story that included these things. I am also a huge fan of strong heroines and Alpha males, modern/contemporary/presents type stories, revenge plots and surprise pregnancies, so wanted to somehow incorporate it all into one great story! 

Q. Under which genre does your book fall?

Contemporary romance. 

Q: Which actors would you choose to play the part of your characters for a movie?

Daniella would be played by Natalie Portman and Luca by Eduardo Verastegui. These two are EXACTLY how I envisage D & L in my head. Luca is the ultimate alpha male and isn’t afraid to use his money and authority to get him through life. He believes he is well controlled until he reunites with Daniella who gradually softens his harsh demeanor with the truth. Daniella is strong in every sense and understanding of the word. She can appear shy and feeble but ultimately she is the strength of the relationship   my Pinterest board if you'd like to check out more pics of D & L and the settings etc...Pinterest

   

Q. What is a one sentence synopsis of your book?

Hmm...that's a really tough one, synopsis's are a weak spot, but here goes....

Brazilian tycoon, Luca Venancio is returning to Rio to have revenge against his once fiance, now widowed and pregnant sister in law, Daniella, but will it be too late to save their relationship when she reveals the true reason for her actions?
   

Q. Will you self-publish or be represented by an agent?

I have no idea at the moment! Will wait and see...but I am really hoping to submit to a publisher and go via that route. 

Q. How long did it take to write the first draft?

I'm still going after 2 and half years! (Don't laugh!) What with work, children, family, etc etc etc it hasn't always been possible to write as often as I would have liked to but I've been determined to finish it, however long it took! The first draft is complete, now I'm just sending piece by piece to the lovely freelance editor, Annie Seaton to work her magic and help polish it up from a rough stone to a bright, shiny diamond (I hope!)

Q: With which books within your genre would your story compare?

Although it uses several stereotypical tropes of pregnancy, revenge and reunited lovers,(oh yes, I've been doing my blog reading, peeps), I'm hoping my story is as unique as possible and not compared to any? But I do believe it fits neatly in amongst the genre of contemporary romances perfectly.

Q: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I have always loved to read any genre, but especially romance. Seeing brilliant authors like Jane Porter and Jennie Lucas weave such beautiful and emotive stories that offered true escapism, I instantly knew that was what I wanted to do. I wanted (want) to make people feel exactly how I had felt when reading their stories and be able to pass on that experience. I have always wanted to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys!) but never seemed to have the time (poor excuse, I know!) So, I bit the bullet one day after my twins were born I thought I'm just going to start and see where it leads me....So far the journey has been great! I have met some fantastic, lovely and extremely supportive people along the way, majority of the thanks goes to the wonderful power of Facebook and Twitter for allowing this happen. 

Q: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Well, there is jet setting (Luca's private jet, OBVIOUSLY!) across the globe between Rio and New York...Vibrant locations whisking you away from the day to day, including the Rio carnival, Sugar Loaf Mountain and slinky Gala events. If you enjoy intensely romantic stories, which have you rooting for the heroine and initially despising but ultimately loving the alpha,  I'm positive you will like The Venancio's Revenge!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about my WIP, characters and inspirations! For next week, I am tagging...

Faith Thomas 

Aurelia B Rowl

Gabrielle Battistel

Susie Medwell 

Louise Rose-Innes


'Til next time!

Sam :-)

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