Monday, November 28, 2016

Holiday Gift Basket Ideas


No idea what to buy a special friend ot relative for holiday gift giving? A gift basket that encourages relaxation, especially during this busy time of year, is the perfect gift! Michaels, Homegoods, or Marshalls have nice selections of decorative boxes.

Add a cozy pair of slipper sox or a pair of Snoozie slippers are wonderful! An attractive mug with a box of herbal tea or a favorite bottle of wine speaks comfort. Don't forget chocolates for chocolate lovers. How about a yummy bar of Godiva Chocolate?

Or, think "spa delights" and find a pretty bar of scented soap, hand/foot moisturizing creams, a lavendar candle, a journal, or bath beads. Most important, for readers, add a good book, or maybe two or three!

My newest Christmas novella, Blessings and the Thief, has sweet romance, humor, and an inspiring message. Reviewers call it, delightful! It's a story that reminds us of the importance of family and friends. What could be more special than a gift basket filled with thoughtful and restful gifts?

Order Blessings and the Thief on Amazon in print or ebook for hours of relaxing reading.


                                                 Click here to purchase on Amazon

Monday, November 21, 2016


A Holiday Novella to Warm your Spirit!

Expect romance, mystery, mischief, and a bit of ghostly humor too. Curl up in your favorite chair and enjoy!

What Reviewers are Saying:

“Relax by the fire with this wonderfully crafted Regency Christmas story spiked with romance and a bit of mystery. The book instantly brings you into the moment when a sleigh load of good friends arrive in a snowstorm, excited about sharing the holiday in an inn said to be haunted by mischievous ghosts. When the host is taken ill, his nephew Damien, who can’t seem to move on with his life after his mother’s death, reluctantly fills in. But being host doesn’t seem such an unpleasant task when the lovely Tess, who has been dumped by her fiancĂ© and has sworn off men, arrives with her aunt and uncle. Throughout tradition holiday festivities, conversations center about missing items. Who is the real thief? The ghosts? A party attendee? The developing romance between Damien and Tess warmed my heart, while the mystery piqued my curiosity. Don’t miss this fun read!"

"This is a delightful, delicate tale, full of seasonal joy and happiness. Through Tess and Damien’s eyes we experience the Regency Christmas customs of gathering greenery, making decorations, lighting the yule log, and going on sleigh rides. The spirits of the inn also play their part, teasing and healing in equal measure.
The mysteries of the ghosts and the missing trinkets are finally resolved in satisfying style, with Tess and Damien looking forward to the New Year together.
A lovely Christmas story!"

Buy Now on Amazon

Buy now at Barnes and Noble

I hope my new novella, Blessings and the Thief, gives you pleasant moments to rest and enjoy during a busy holiday season!

Elaine






                                                                                                               

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Today’s News

Three favorite Historical Romances eBooks on Kindle Countdown until October 23rd. Check them out today on Author’s Central. Just click on the link for the book you like and it will direct you to the sale price!

For Historical Romance Readers who prefer books in Print

 Regal Reward, A Kiss of Promise, and A Convenient Pretense are now available in both print and eBook.


Monday, August 15, 2016

Romance Books Giveaway!! It’s a Great Day to run a Contest! Readers, simply subscribe to my newsletter to enter. You can win a collection of 5 Historical Romances from Best Selling authors mailed to your door. Hear more about my upcoming releases too! Sign up on my mailing list to enter today. Contest closes August 23rd at 8 a.m. Drawing on August 25th.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Characters Speak Louder than Words

            When I create a story, it begins with a dramatic circumstance that impels me to write. Almost immediately, my characters’ features come to mind. I imagine their appearances, their personalities, and their motivations, even their initial paths and their final goals come pretty easily. The hard part comes in designing their circuitous journey through the mazes of uncertainty, secondary characters’ interferences, and unexpected hazards and crises along the way.  What I see as the most important and what I feel I know well, is my characters’ hearts.
            My characters, however, sometimes prove me wrong. They develop characteristics I didn’t plan on at original creation. They might speak to me in the most unusual places—in a dream, in the shower, on a walk, or in the midst of baking cookies. They tell me where they want to go, or argue with me if I’ve placed them in a situation that isn’t of their choosing.
            Recently, I changed the cover of my newest historical fiction release, The Diary of Narcissa Dunn. Throughout the time it was promoted and published, I had a niggling feeling something wasn’t right, but it appeared to be well received. My discomfort remained despite my attempts to shrug off the feeling. It took me some time, but I finally realized my main character, Olivia, was not happy.
            She is the one suffering in the story; she is the one having strange recurring dreams that make little sense to her; she is the one who is being deceived by the one person she should trust with her life, and she is the one being forced into a marriage not of her choosing.
             Yet, she wasn’t on the cover.
            I finally got it. It didn’t matter about high sales, it didn’t matter if I heard varying opinions, what mattered is feeling comfortable that I had done the best for my character; that I could ease my character’s strife and, perhaps, cause readers to go along on her journey and  root her on to find the love she deserves. 
            She is now on the cover, appealing to the world to solve the mystery of her recurring dreams and to help her overcome her worst nightmare, the loss of all she holds dear. Olivia must discover the secrets hidden in Narcissa’s diary, secrets that will bring her unimaginable sorrow before joy can emerge from its depths.  
            Olivia must choose her own path, not only in her story, The Diary of Narcissa Dunn, but as she continues her journey in the upcoming sequel, Seeds of Hope.
            Yes, an author’s words attempt to manipulate a character’s actions, but the characters can speak louder and the author must, humbly, follow their lead. 
            Happy Reading!


Wednesday, May 25, 2016

I love to write, but sitting at the computer becomes really difficult at this time of year. There's yard work, planting flowers, cleaning deck furniture, washing windows, or just getting out in the sun! I'm sure many of you can relate. 
Authors need to write. It's in our DNA, while at the same time, the tug to do so many other things that need our attention pulls us away from the computer. As I write this, my body says go for a walk, my mind says finish planting those flowers, make that banana bread with those overripe bananas sitting on the kitchen counter.
So, today I plan to take a walk, make that banana bread to make my husband happy, and make some phone calls I've avoided. Oh, drop my bike off at the bike shop!  Perhaps the flowers could wait one more day.  
But, I must carve out time to write. I always remember this lovely Polish author I met years ago at a conference say, "Write every day, even if it's only one sentence." Yes, even if it's only one sentence... That may be all that gets done today, but I hope not!

The Diary of Narcissa Dunn. 

 Amazon:   http://amzn.com/B01EBA54T6





Friday, May 6, 2016

Blurbs In Bloom: The Diary of Narcissa Dunn

Blurbs In Bloom: The Diary of Narcissa Dunn: Weekenders Romance Watch Author: Elaine Violette Genre: Mainstream Romance Buy: Amazon | Nook | Kobo   Blurb: THE DIARY O...

Saturday, April 30, 2016



Writing:  A Change of Course


             As a Historical Romance author, I enjoy creating beautiful heroines primping for parties in their elegant gowns, and handsome, rugged heroes fighting against their demons, sassy elderly aunts who love to interfere, and dastardly villains who want to ruin everything.  No doubt, I’ll read and write more Regencies!
             However, in my third historical, A Kiss of Promise, I began to change direction in setting, leading my heroine, Alaina, from England to America.  I enjoyed delving into research for Alaina’s hazardous voyage across the Atlantic and into the New World of opportunities and danger.


             In my newest release May 1st, The Diary of Narcissa Dunn, the first in my Redemption series, I chose New England as my setting and my social conscience drew me to America’s issues in the early 1800s. It’s difficult to fathom the injustices that occurred at that time in our history and were accepted, even by the most devout Christians. Unfortunately, these injustices still exist today in different forms.
            The heroine in The Diary of Narcissa Dunn must find a measure of peace, a re-kindling of lost faith, and lasting love, as she struggles to overcome deception and heartbreak caused by scandalous family secrets and society’s cruel injustices. 
            I hope my characters step off the page for readers and find a place their minds and hearts. The Diary of Narcissa Dunn ebook is available May 1st for Kindle, Nook, and KOBO readers. Sign up for my newsletter to hear about future releases!
           

Comments and Giveaway!

            Authors, please feel free to comment about your change of course in your writing. And readers, have you changed direction in the type of books or the kind of characters you like to read about? I’d love to hear your comments and offer a free book to one commenter who shares their Change of Course!

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

$.99 Sale!!!  

Beginning April 15th

6 Days Only!

The Blackstone Brothers' Saga 

told in two of my best selling ebooks!

Click on Author Central here to order!  


 







Wednesday, March 9, 2016

A Kiss of Promise 

Ebook available now on Amazon! Alaina's story takes the reader from the comforts of her London townhouse to the streets of Boston in the company of a ruthless scoundrel.  I am happy to share the latest 5 star review.



"A Kiss of Promise is a great study in true love vs family loyalty.

Violette transports the reader back to another time and place with her vivid writing style. Alaina's difficult choice draws the reader in with heart-wrenching empathy. Being torn between loyalty to her first real love, Martin, and her brother who has always been there for her but now needs her takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride that pits true love against family loyalty. Even though this is set in another time period, it still brings to mind the question for readers, "What would YOU do if you were faced with having to make this kind of choice?"  - Laurie Adams