Kelli Ireland
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Love At First Sight...Pffft...Or Is It?

6/11/2017

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I had a conversation the other day while traveling--total stranger seated next to me on a flight who had no idea what he was getting himself into when he asked, "So, what do you do?" When I responded, "I'm an author," he was openly intrigued...until I told him I write romance. "Why feed the lie that people can meet and fall in love in days or even weeks? It's utter bullshit." (His words, not mine.) To which I smiled and responded, "Thanks for clearing that up. I'll have to let my husband know just as soon as I'm home that we're not really in love." The man looked at me, clearly confused, so I clarified. "We met and were engaged within two weeks, and we married within 9 months. And no, for the record, there was no baby or 'need' to marry other than that we loved each other." The man made a weird noise and asked, "Sure, and how long ago was that?" 

I smiled. "Twenty-one years ago last week."

I kind of get a kick out of telling the story, though very few people have ever heard the whole thing. I don't share the most intimate parts of our meeting, the personal exchange that stole my breath or the fact he was wearing the ugliest cowboy boots I'd ever seen. (True story...) My husband is a bona fide, poop-on-the-boots, black-hatted, Wrangler-wearing, Quarter-horse-master of a cowboy, thanks. Some things he wouldn't want shared. Others? Well, they end up in my books. (What? I'm an author.) LOL

The point of this little ramble is this: do I believe two people can meet and fall in love and be married for a lifetime? Absolutely. My grandpa was a hobo; my grandma was dressed as a boy because her physician father had the family living in a tent in the Texas oil fields and she was damned beautiful. They met and married in five days. If you have the guts to face her down and tell her that he didn't worship the ground she walked on for fifty-six years? Your balls are mighty big or your sense of self-preservation is incredibly small. One or the other, and possibly both.

Now ask me this: do you believe it's the norm for people to meet and fall in love that fast? Of course not. Look around you and tell me how often you've known it to happen. Not often and, when it does, it's rarely successful. But when it is? It's a love story for the ages. And really, isn't that what we read romance for--the love stories that defy the odds, test and/or push the boundaries of what we want to believe is plausible and really make us believe true love exists and is there for the bold to seize? I know that's why I read romance.

What about you? Do you believe love--true love--can be experienced in a short amount of time? If so, why? If not, (again) why? I'm always interested in readers' opinions and their take on life. Share with me and I'll send three randomly drawn lucky winners each a copy of Conquering the Cowboy (US and Canadian entries only please; www.random.org is the method of selection; entries are numbered in ascending order beginning with 1 and are recorded in the order in which they are received). 

Until next time,
​~Kelli
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Wherein the Author Reappears...

5/30/2017

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I've been buried under piles of (literal) paperwork (paper edits) in which I learned SO FREAKING MUCH from my editor (waves and claps and waves some more). I never knew how informative an edit like that could be, but man, she rocked it! And while it does take a good deal longer to operate that way, it's all for the good--your good, beloved reader. Weird, I know, but I really believe this is the cleanest final manuscript I've ever produced. It's a good, good feeling. Particularly since this has to be my favorite contemporary title I've written to date.

In honor of this story, which will release August 1, 2017, initially as new content from Audible (audio book), I'll be working with my fantabulous assistant, Nicole the Splendiferous, to put together a little (big) contest. The theme is "Mommy & Me: Back to School." There will be two packages in the prize. The first will be basic school supplies for the child(ren) returning to school. For Mom, who will have a little quiet time and, just maybe, a little separation anxiety, I'll be including a certificate for the audio book as well as some of my backlist titles, a nice relaxation basket filled with goodies from Bath & Body Works, and a little Teavana experience the winner can delve into as well. 

While this has taken a lot of time, it's not the only pie my fingers have been in. I've also, as usual, been writing like mad. Proposals for new projects are ongoing in between working on my first Dare release with Harlequin, tentatively titled DIRTY MONEY. (Heh. I love punny titles.) The manuscript is due to my editor June 1, but I'm hoping to have it turned in a couple weeks early. Fingers crossed for strong (read: fast) edits. The story is seriously hawt, no doubt about it, but the plot is still strong. If you've read my work, you know my rule: no gratuitous sex. I tried, once, to write gratuitous sex. I'm not at all pleased I broke my own rule and so have vowed to never do it again. Sorry if my position isn't what the cool kids are doing, but I feel, and will always feel, that intimacy between characters should have a purpose, not just a...nother pair of "p" words. LOL

As far as the proposals I'm working on? I've put together something brand new for a possible opportunity in the paranormal genre. It would likely be a stand-alone title, but the publisher is new to me. If I hit the right notes and the editor likes what she sees?  There may be a two-book contract. But one will keep me just as busy up front. I really love both proposals I've drafted. Either would be seriously fun to write.

On the personal front, I'm still playing with flowers. I've put together a couple of new arrangements you can see on my Instagram account here. I enjoy playing with flowers so freaking much. Several people have suggested a second career for me. I'm not sure that will ever happen. No one wants a part-time florist who likely uses too many flowers. But oh, how I enjoy it at home!

I've also been doing some more cooking of late. In particular? Baking. I've discovered a to-die-for-simple-as-all-get-out recipe for homemade salted caramel topping. I'm putting it together and packaging it (made) in Mason jars for Christmas this year. The stuff is like crack. Hmmm. Maybe this will be my second career--making caramel-crack and supplying my friends and family whom I'm sure will be as addicted as I am. If the street rules are true and you're never supposed to try that which you sell? I'm screwed. I'm as addicted to this stuff as anyone. Before you demand I apologize, you wanna try it? (winks at your and hands you a spoon)

And beyond all of that, I was prepping my house to sell. Note the past tense in that sentence. It seems Mr. Ireland and I have finally come to an agreement on this particular venture. To get the house we really want, we need to wait a little bit and let life settle. Assuming it will... Regardless, I'm finding my own happy right where I sit: in front of this computer, writing and chatting with other writers and readers and friends, rediscovering the joys of intrinsically happy and positive people, loving those I can't live without and working hard to keep a positive outlook in all things. To that end, I will leave you with this saying I found, and bought, on a little block that now sits right by my bed:
Never put the key to your happiness
in someone else's pocket.
Until next time,
​Kelli
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Release Day!

4/1/2017

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Today is the release of CONQUERING THE COWBOY and THE IMMORTAL'S UNREQUITED BRIDE. You can now download your digital copy from all retailers. If you purchased a book, I hope you will consider leaving a review. 
Trusting him is dangerous… 

When a mission goes disastrously wrong, search-and-rescue team lead Taylor Williams is left with indescribable terror at the prospect of climbing. But she knows she has to face her fear to overcome it. Now she's at a ranch in New Mexico, where her climbing recertification is in the hands of cowboy climber Quinn Monroe. Only this devilishly handsome rancher is about as friendly as a spur in the backside… 

As they prepare for the climb, Taylor can't ignore Quinn's rugged physicality. The scorching heat between them helps distract Taylor from her fear, but her growing feelings make spending time with him dangerous. In the end, conquering her past may be a small feat compared to conquering this cowboy…

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A love that endures beyond death itself… 

Ethan Kemp is a healer, not an assassin. But he's found an unexpected home in the Irish stronghold that houses the Assassin's Arcanum—men who will kill to protect their Druid brethren. Too bad there's a ghost that won't give him peace… 

Centuries in the grave, Isibéal Cannavan has longed to be reunited with her beloved. Finally, he's returned to her. She'd recognize Lachlan anywhere, even as an American warlock called Ethan. But her path to reuniting with him in the land of the living runs through hell itself, and she'll have to take Ethan with her…

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Cowboy Features

3/19/2017

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Who doesn't love to read about sexy cowboys? With the upcoming release of CONQUERING THE COWBOY, be sure to check out my other cowboy books, all available now!
             A Cowboy Returns (Wild Western Hearts #1)
 
You never forget your first cowboy
 

Eli Covington erased all traces of his cowboy upbringing to become a high-powered attorney. Then his father dies, and his brothers need him to rescue the family ranch. So, after fourteen years, Eli returns to the life he left behind—and the one woman he can't resist. 
​

Veterinarian Reagan Matthews was furious with Eli for leaving her all those years ago, and yet she was never quite able to let him go. Their attraction is as incendiary as ever, and Eli is very good at stoking the flames. But Eli doesn't belong in her world, any more than Reagan belongs in his. So until Eli leaves for good, why not take her pleasure where she can? Pleasure only her cowboy can provide…


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                  Cowboy Proud (Wild Western Hearts #2)
 
This cowboy is rugged, proud…and incredibly sexy 

Cade Covington is struggling with turning his family's beloved ranch into a tourist attraction. It's not just the mortgage big enough to choke a horse, or the invasion of his home by strangers. It's also the arrival of a city slicker PR professional who doesn't understand ranch life…and puts every beautiful woman he's ever seen to shame. Cade wants her. 
​
With her company on the line, Emma can't afford any mistakes. Especially if that mistake is a broad-shouldered, blue-eyed cowboy who drives her crazy with hunger. But all it takes is one small wager and their chemistry explodes. When the dust settles, will Emma have obliterated her career…or captured her cowboy?


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                  Cowboy Strong (Wild Western Hearts #3)
 
Going Down Fighting 

Ty Covington likes to keep things as uncomplicated as possible. By day, all that matters to him is his horse and winning in the rodeo ring. At night, all he wants is a deliciously hot, no-strings affair with his rival, Kenzie Malone. Then everything changes in one heart-stopping split second. 

The accident should have killed both Ty and his horse. Instead, they're both on the road to a hard recovery—but only thanks to Kenzie's family connections and fortune. Which means he owes her. He owes a woman who is both everything he despises and his deepest desire. As need—hungry and demanding—takes them both over, Ty knows that this time, uncomplicated isn't an option. And this cowboy always pays his debts…


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Facebook Book Release Party, April 3, 7-9 pm!

3/17/2017

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I have two releases on April 4, 2017: Conquering the Cowboy and The Immortal's Unrequited Bride. To celebrate, I'll be hosting a Facebook party on April 3 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. There will be guest authors participating (final list coming soon), an agent (maybe 2) popping in and a bevy of prizes  that will be given away at 15 minutes intervals. You'll also have the chance to gain an extra Rafflecopter entry for attending, giving you an even better chance of winning the GRAND PRIZE:

A beach bag stuffed full of goodies, including:
~ On-trend woven beach bag
~ Kindle Fire
~ Lucky brand sunglasses + pouch
~ Book bundle + bookmarks
~ Sunscreen
~ Lip balm
~ Turkish cotton beach towel
~ Neck pillow 
~ Floppy sun hat
~ Water bottle w/cap (to keep the sand out!)

So join my party on FB HERE on April 3 between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. There will likely be one surprise guest, but I'm waiting on confirmation.

Finally, a special shout-out to Nicole, my assistant, without whom none of this would be possible. She's is the absolute bombdiggity, peeps. Yay, Nicole!

See you April 3!

​~ Kelli

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    About Kelli:

    Armed with nothing more than (excessive) caffeine, a Mac (named Cheese) and a (warped) sense of humor, Kelli Ireland typically tackles her daily word count and endless emails in her pajamas while sporting bed head. She expects the trend to catch on by next Wednesday.

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