Hello dear readers. I am a fifty-ish year-old author who loves to read, write, and be busy with little projects for my grandchildren. I sew, crochet, knit, embroidery, quilt, and avoid cooking as much as possible. I can do it, but I would rather be writing or doing something constructive with my hands. I have written and published over fifteen novels since 2019 when my debut novel The Wicked Sister was released. I have learned so much and have a healthy respect for other authors and the effort they out in to see their masterpiece become a reality. There is no better feeling than to open a shipment of your new book and hold it in your hand.
I have often mentioned my two dogs who love to sit at my feet when I write, but sadly Beethoven died earlier this year leaving Mozart and I to carry on. I miss my pet and the moral support he provided.
My recent projects include adding to my series Calhan Brides which began with A Fallacious Seduction. Catching Rose followed and A Lilli By Any Other Name is waiting for a release date. I am in the process of writing Mercy’s Peril, book four, with one more to follow.
My newest release is Rekindling Her Heart due out May 20, 2024. It is a fun contemporary novella joining the Wild Rose Press Jellybeans and Spring Things Series. Cute short romances celebrating spring, and of course, love.
I hope you all enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing! Cheers!
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Title A Fallacious Seduction Book 1 In Calhan Brides Series
Author Virginia Barlow
Genre Historical Western Romance
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb:
When the train US Marshal Reese Calhan is riding on explodes, he is one of two survivors. Trouble is, the other survivor is the woman who betrayed him years ago. A woman he thought was dead. This time he will not fall prey to her wiles. He'll see the vixen jailed for her crimes if it kills him.Recovering from a recent jilting and now a train explosion, Shanna Johnston has no idea why the handsome stranger insists he knows her and calls her by another woman's name. His heated looks and knowing kisses spark a fire in her she cannot ignore--even as her own mysterious past is closing in.
Excerpt
“I know you remember. Quit playing games, Jenna, and answer the question.” He let the hammer down slow on his gun and put it back in its holster. “Tell me what I want to know, and I won’t hurt you.” His voice was smooth as Tennessee whisky. It wrapped around her and settled in her stomach. His blue eyes gazed into hers, and Shanna nearly swooned on the spot. With his gun safely in its holster and no longer distracting her, she realized he was more than handsome. He was perfect.
Her mouth dried, and her palms started to sweat. She must have hit her head hard. She dropped her gaze and sucked in some air. She couldn’t remember what she was saying. This is crazy! Who the hell is this man? “I don’t remember you because I don’t know you.” It was the truth. She would have remembered a man like him. The man laughed. Shanna turned away from the husky sound of his voice. It warmed her through. The last time a handsome man paid attention to her, she jumped in with her whole heart and both feet. She almost drowned. Best get some distance between her and the stranger before she did something she regretted.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-fallacious-seduction-virginia-barlow/1137427003?ean=978150923209
Author Biography:
I have always loved reading romance novels. I used to sneak into my mom’s room as a young girl and read them while she was gone. As I grew older, my reading and tastes expanded to sci-fi, dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy.
I considered becoming an author in my late twenties but as a busy mother with toddlers, I didn’t have the time nor the energy.
Later, in my fifties, I decided to give it a try and have enjoyed every moment of it since. I recently signed my fourteenth contract and am doing my happy dance as I type this. My husband of forty-one years is my greatest support as are all my kids. Most of them are grown and carving out lives for themselves. They are the beat of my heart and with every grandchild, the rhythm gets stronger. I enjoy every moment of my life.
Social Media Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/virginiabar1031
Website: https://www.virginia-barlow.com
Title Catching Rose
Author Virginia Barlow
Genre Historical Western Romance
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb:
Rose Tanner dreamed of a fairytale wedding her whole life. But when her prince leaves her at the altar, she wants to know why. Traveling to Texas for answers she finds more than she bargained for. Captured by a human trafficking ring, she fights for freedom. Risking her life to help the other women with her, she discovers there's more to happy ever after than she thought.
Texas Ranger Chase Calhan wants one thing, to capture El Diablo's men so he can marry Rose. When they get to her first, he races against time to catch Rose before it's too late.
Excerpt
He stopped beneath a large tree outside the hotel and turned her to face him. “I don’t want to waste another minute. One thing I learned over the past few days is the error of putting something off until tomorrow because tomorrow might not come. The way I see it, marrying and loving you is the single most important thing I will do with my life. With Delgato headed for the noose, I don’t want to put it off any longer. I can’t risk it. I knew it today when I found you unconscious back at the cantina. I want you in my bed tonight.”
Rose bit her lip. “What about our wedding and the family waiting for us in Chicago? Giles has been making plans for months now.” Her magical wedding hovered on the horizon.
“I’ll marry you anywhere and everywhere in every language and religion there is to make sure you’re mine, darlin’. We have a few things to work out between us before we go to Chicago and let Giles have free rein. Tonight is for us. I know how I feel about you, and you know how you feel about me. All I’ve thought about is you for the last few days. I burn for you in ways I didn’t think possible.”
Her stomach hitched as she gazed into his whiskey-colored eyes and nodded her head. “I don’t think I can wait much longer, either. You’re all I’ve dreamed of for months.”
He stared into her soul. “Then, let’s continue this conversation in your room.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catching-rose-virginia-barlow/1144421887?ean=9781509252640
Title Gamble of Hearts
Author Virginia Barlow
Genre Historical Romance
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb:
When a powerful duke arrives to collect his winnings from her brother, Lady Amora Hargrove discovers she is one of them. Following her brother's arrest, she becomes the duke's ward and falls for him hard and fast. Problem is, the duke has a violent hatred for gamblers, and she possesses a natural ability. Something he can never discover, or she will lose him forever.
The Duke of Ravencroft exacts revenge for his nephew's death and gains a ward. Irresistibly drawn to the villain's sister, he must play and gamble with their hearts or lose everything.
Excerpt
He stared at her mouth as he ran a thumb over her bottom lip. “I have wondered for days what you taste like. You asked if I thought your mouth resembled a rose petal, and I have decided I must know the answer.”
Her lips parted in anticipation, and she dared not breathe for fear the spell would break.
He leaned close, blocking the moonlight above her as his warm lips covered hers.
Afterward, she would always equate the scent of magnolias with her first kiss, for they surrounded her along with the duke’s heat beneath the magical night sky.
He slid his firm mouth over hers, searching and applying gentle pressure while his hands caressed her face.
She could not believe this was happening and leaned against him, wrapping her arms high around his neck. His embrace comforted her as no one else had, and for the first time since Nathan dragged her to London, she felt safe.
With a groan, he tipped her head to the side. “Open for me.”
She opened her mouth to ask what he meant but never got the chance, for his tongue slid between her lips and stroked along hers, sending shivers of delight through her body. She trembled against him, wanting each moment to last for an eternity. The taste of him in her mouth intoxicated her, and she could not get enough.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gamble-of-hearts-virginia-barlow/1143007165?ean=9781509247943
Title Once Upon a Christmas Castle
Author Virginia Barlow
Genre Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
Lady Rosalind Chatham journeys with her family to Weston Castle to wed an ancient earl on Christmas day. Yearning for true love, she falls for the duke, her stepfather's cousin, while preparing for her nuptials.
Lady Rosalind entrances the Duke of Weston. Concerned for her future with the tempestuous earl, he can't afford to get involved. The fines and scandal will be too great for a man of his wealth and power. When the truth comes to light, and he almost loses her forever, he finds he cannot afford to give less than his whole heart.
Excerpt
“Will you kiss me?” All true loves did so, and she longed to know the pleasure of one real kiss before her sentence of marriage was carried out. The girls she knew in London spoke of thrilling moments in the moonlight with ardent young lords desperate to steal a kiss or two, but no one attempted such a thing with her. Knowing she dreamed made the words come easier to her lips, and she trembled in anticipation as she met the intense regard of the man holding her.
“I do not think such an act would be appropriate.” His deep voice rumbled beneath her cheek as he held her tight, descending a set of tight spiral stairs.
What better place for a forbidden pleasure than a dream? “None of this is real, and I must find out what a real kiss is before I am doomed to a life of misery. As the hero of my dream, you must comply with my wishes because this is my dream. I shall never have this chance again. Please, kiss me, so I have something to remember in the time ahead.”
He hesitated for the barest second before his hot mouth covered her own, sliding against her lips the way the duke kissed her hand. She could not breathe and wrapped her arms tight around her rescuer’s neck, giving her body over to the wonder filling her heart and soul.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Once-Christmas-Castle-Virginia-Barlow/dp/1509250379/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?
Barnes and Noble; https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/once-upon-a-christmas-castle-virginia-barlow/1144009112?ean=9781509250370
Title Rekindling Her Heart
Author Virginia Barlow
Genre Contemporary Romance
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb:
Single mother, Mara Miller works two jobs to provide for her teenage daughter, Angelica Disillusioned and abandoned at eighteen, Mara’s given up on finding a man interested in more than a one-night stand. Until firefighter Bruce Moretti moves in down the hall.
When Mara’s very ex-boyfriend appears demanding custody, she discovers Angie has been left a fortune. Money her ex plans to take any way he can.
Bruce Moretti has his own demons to chase, and getting romantically involved with Mara isn’t on the agenda. But when Angie is in danger, he rushes in and finds his feelings for Mara are an inferno he never wants to end.
Excerpt
Apprehension dampened her brow when she placed an eye against the small portal and peeked to see who stood on her doorstep.
Navy blue eyes met hers through the peephole. The man from yesterday stood at her door. The taller one with the dark blue eyes and scar.
Mara stepped back and ran her hands down the sides of her fleece sweatpants. Had he noticed her staring the day before? She swallowed to ease the sudden dryness of her throat. She couldn’t think of one reason why he’d want to talk to her.
Don’t look, don’t want, and for God’s sake, don’t touch. Repeating the words to her fluttering belly, she sucked in a deep breath and tacked a serene expression on her face. Leaving the chain done up, she opened the door as far as the restraint would allow. “Hello.”
His dark eyes gazed into hers, and a smile tilted the corners of his firm mouth.
“Hello.” His deep voice rumbled through the open space, and the butterflies in her belly took flight. Awareness and the enticing aroma of his cologne surrounded her. The crisp scent of mango, tangerine, and lemon riding on the heady essence of tonka bean, sage, and sandalwood filled her senses.
Vivid blue eyes gazed into hers and ran down the length of her body, taking in her sweatpants and T-shirt before returning to hers. “I don’t mean to bother you, but I wondered if I could borrow a cup of sugar?”
Sucking in a deep breath, she ignored the pleasing perfection of his body and swallowed the lump in her throat. Her mind refused to function as she stared at him. “Excuse me?” Her voice squeaked out several decibels higher than normal, and she flushed, putting a hand to her throat.
He gave her a wide grin. “It’s a terrible cliché, I know. But I’m in a bind. I haven’t gone shopping since I moved yesterday, and my sister’s coming to coffee.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rekindling-her-heart-virginia-barlow/1145016814?ean=2940186095538