Spotlight – All I Need Is You

15 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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All I Need Is You, Loving You series, Wendy S. Marcus

All I Need Is You is already getting some great reviews (as did the first book in the series, Loving You Is Easy). If you are looking for a great military romance series, you’ll definitely want to give these a chance.

*****

All I Need Is You

Loving You #2

by Wendy S. Marcus

Releasing October 6, 2015

Loveswept

Blurb:

Perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins and Robyn Carr, this sexy yet sweet military romance reunites a headstrong dancer and a rugged army soldier after one steamy encounter tears them apart.

As a dancer who creates mesmerizing visions onstage, Neve James is looking for the same kind of stability in her love life. Her pen pal, Rory McRoy, is on leave from deployment in Afghanistan, so she heads to Boston to surprise him. After corresponding for months as part of a “Support Our Troops” initiative—and exchanging dozens of “Read When You’re Alone” letters—Neve knows what Rory likes, and she intends to fulfill his every fantasy. But all they get are a few blissful moments together before they’re interrupted by a woman claiming to be Rory’s fiancée.

Rory has fallen hard for Neve’s letters. When he finally meets her in person, he has to have her, right then and there—until Neve takes off in a fit of anger. Forced to return to Afghanistan before he can fix things between them, Rory waits four agonizing months to prove that he’s not the man Neve thinks he is. But by the time he arrives in New York, she’s already made up her mind. Luckily, Rory never backs down from a challenge, and he’s prepared to put everything on the line for love.

Advance praise for All I Need Is You

“Wendy S. Marcus has penned a perfect romance in All I Need Is You, with a sexy dancer heroine, a hot military hero with a sense of humor, and a story you won’t want to end.”—New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor

Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

“I warned you not to come back here,” Nate snapped at Rory.

“And why are you sniffing around my sister when you have a fiancée?”

“I’m not sniffing around yaw sistah,” she heard Rory say in his thick Boston accent. “And I don’t have a fiancée. I’m not engaged and have nevah been engaged. I didn’t lie to you. . . . Damn it, Neve. We’re friends. Give me—”

“You’re no friend of mine,” she told Rory. Not anymore. Not after what happened when he’d come home on leave several months ago. She lifted her left arm halfway up, glanced back at Nate, and gave a dismissive wave. “Get rid of him.” Thank God she reached the kitchen milliseconds before a humiliating collapse to the floor and managed to land on her chair instead.

“I’m sorry you’re still upset,” Rory called out. “If you’d just let me explain. You wouldn’t answer my calls, didn’t respond to my emails, and sent all my lettahs back, unopened. Now that I’m home for good I’m not going anywhere until we talk.”

“We’ve been talking.” She removed the plastic container of warm soup from the bag and placed it on the table. “Now I’m done talking.” She looked at him. “Goodbye, Rory. Go home. Have a nice life.”

At that, Rory walked inside her messy condo.

Sheesh. Men. Why don’t they ever do as they’re told?

“Stop,” Nate said in his police voice.

“Arrest him,” Neve suggested while struggling to remove the lid, which seemed to be glued on. Suddenly the effort didn’t seem worth it. What little appetite she’d had was gone.

“He didn’t arrest me last time.” Rory crossed his arms over his chest. “Just drove me away, took me to the train station, and waited around for me to get on.”

Last time when he’d showed up, uninvited, two days before he needed to head back to Afghanistan, banging on her door, demanding to be let in, insisting she give him a chance to explain. Nope. Instead she’d called her brother. “What is the benefit of having a sibling who’s a cop if you won’t arrest people when I tell you to?”

Nate ignored her, as he often did. His full focus elsewhere, he leaned down to look Rory in the eyes. “I recall telling you if you came back around I’d arrest you for real.”

“For what?” Rory asked.

“Trespassing,” Nate answered.

“Harassment,” Neve added. The word had come out of her mouth, she’d felt the vibration of her vocal cords, and yet the voice didn’t sound like hers. A wave of hot, achy, nauseating weakness slammed into her. Her peripheral vision started to narrow. The room started to blur. She needed to get back to bed, to sleep this off, but when she tried to stand a horrific pain shot through her right hip into her lower back.

Then everything went black.

*****

Author Info:

Wendy S. Marcus is an award-winning author of contemporary romance. A nurse by trade, Wendy holds a Master of Science in Health Care Administration, a degree that does her absolutely no good as she now spends her days, nights, and weekends mucking around in her characters’ lives creating conflict, emotion, and, of course, a happily ever after. Wendy lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her dog Buddy, and blogging/ emailing/ tweeting/ facebooking with her online friends.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Loveswept Ebook Bundle

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/235babe7252/

*****

Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the tour

Stirring Up Trouble

13 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Andrea Laurence, Rosewood series, Stirring Up Trouble

We’ve seen the first two books in this series before – Facing the Music and Feeding the Fire. So, I’m super excited to welcome Andrea Laurence to stop by and share a little with us about the third book, Stirring Up Trouble!

*****

Hey everyone. I’m excited to be here today to tell you about my latest sassy, sexy Rosewood romance – Stirring Up Trouble. This is the third book in the series, featuring the great characters you’ve grown to love and a few you’ve grown to hate. This book features Chamberlain sister and prissy princess, Maddie. She’s purchased an old Victorian home across the street from the town bar, owned by laid back bartender, Emmett Sawyer. These two couldn’t be more different, from the hours they keep, to their ideas of a good time, but sometimes opposites attract and for these two, it’s explosive. But first, they’ve got to stop trying to make each other miserable and that’s going to require the help of the town judge, some sweet treats and the infamous town vandal, the Penis Picasso. Here with me today are Maddie and Emmett. We’ve asked them what sweet treat or frosty drink reminds them of one another, so I’m going to turn it over to them!

Maddie: It just so happens that it’s also Emmett’s favorite treat, but I’d say he’s one of my homemade MoonPies. Now, for those of you who’ve had a MoonPie, they don’t look like much of a gourmet treat on the outside and frankly the ones you get at the gas station really aren’t. They’ve got a reputation as being a little country – but like Emmett – looks can be deceiving and the MoonPies I make in the shop have so many layers of surprising, refined flavors. They’re made with homemade marshmallow cream, sandwiched between freshly baked gingersnap cookies. Then I dip them in a dark chocolate ganache and sprinkle the edges with some crushed, candied pecans. They’re a little spicy and very sweet, just like Emmett. I just can’t get enough of him.

Emmett: Hey, folks. So, if I had to sum up Fancy in a drink… she would be imported French Champagne. The good stuff, not some knockoff sparkling wine. She would be a little sweet, a little dry. If you’re not used to her, she can give you a headache. Some people thinks she’s too fancy for everyday consumption, but once you’ve tasted her, nothing else quite measures up. That’s my Maddie in a glass.

*****

Stirring Up Trouble

Rosewood Series

by Andrea Laurence

Release Date: October 12, 2015

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

When a prim and proper baker and a laid-back bartender have a neighborly disagreement that gets them both in trouble with the law, a sweet reconciliation is stirred up in the playful third romance in Andrea Laurence’s sexy Rosewood series.

Maddie’s life is perfectly sweet. Her bakery’s tasty treats are rising to the top of every must-have list in town, and her commute is just a block away by foot. She loves everything about her little downtown Victorian bungalow—except for her unbearably noisy neighbor, Woody’s. The bar’s obnoxious and sexy owner, Emmett, seems to live to aggravate Maddie. But he mostly thinks she could use a stiff drink to dislodge the stick up her ass. He’s just trying to run his business. Bars stay open late, they play music, they serve alcohol. If she doesn’t like it, why did she buy a house across the street?

When Maddie and Emmett’s battle lands them in front of the local judge, they’re ordered to do several weeks of community service cleaning parks and painting over graffiti. As they scrub away the latest works of art by the town’s anonymous “Penis Picasso,” the baker and the bartender slowly begin to see there’s more to each other than meets the eye. So what happens if they wave the white flag and surrender into each other’s arms?

Buy Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1htnQ3G

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1P1TrYV

iTunes: http://apple.co/1jS0OW6

*****

Excerpt:

“You know, Fancy Pants, that’s your problem.”

Her eyes widened as he used his new favorite nickname for her. He didn’t know why it would offend her. She was a fancy pants, through and through. “I don’t have a problem.”

“Yes, you do. You think you’re so much better than everyone else, but you’re not. So what? You studied in Paris. Estelle was a self-taught baker using her grandmother’s recipes, and her chocolate chip cookies were better than yours.”

Maddie gasped. “My chocolate chip cookies are made with vanilla beans from Madagascar and chopped milk and dark chocolate from Switzerland!”

“It’s a cookie, not a piece of art that needs provenance to display in a gallery. Some people just want what’s familiar. Nobody’s grandma used vanilla beans from Madagascar. Importing all that fancy stuff might make you feel special, but it doesn’t make you better. Frankly, I think it would hurt your bottom line. You think you’re going to pay back your daddy for this place while you blow money on embossed pink pastry boxes and imported chocolate? This isn’t a patisserie on the Champs-Élysées, Fancy Pants. You might think it sets you apart, but to be successful, you need to know your customer. People around here don’t care where Madagascar is, much less if that’s where your vanilla comes from.”

“People want high-quality products, and that’s what I’m going to give them. My clientele is a little more sophisticated than yours. I suppose you’re well versed in your customers and what they want, right? Beer and football.”

“Damn right, and that’s what I give them.” Emmett turned to face her and leaned down so she heard every word he said. “They want a place to relax and unwind. They want to watch sports and listen to music. You might think that I started bringing those bands in just to keep you up at night, but you’re giving yourself a little too much real estate in my brain, Fancy. It doesn’t have anything to do with you. You’re just an unwelcome distraction.”

Maddie looked up at him, her full bottom lip trembling slightly as he railed at her. “Earlier you said I was beautiful—a sadist—but beautiful. Am I distracting because I drive you crazy or because I’m beautiful?” she asked in a breathy voice that made his chest and his pants tighten at the same time.

Those pouty lips made him want to run the pad of his thumb across them and kiss away her frown. It was a ridiculously unhelpful thought, but like he’d said, she was a distraction in a variety of ways. He wished she wasn’t so attractive because that just crossed the wires in his brain. He’d much prefer her outsides matched her annoying insides, then it would be easy to ignore her.

She had the shiniest hair he’d ever seen. It was always up in a ponytail or a bun, which was a shame because it was like shimmering chestnut silk. He wanted to know what it would look like if it fell free around her shoulders. He wondered how it’d feel to run his fingers through it. Her skin was like porcelain and her eyes like the shells of a robin’s egg. Maddie’s every feature was delicate and feminine, rousing a protective nature in him he wasn’t used to.

And then she opened her mouth and ruined everything.

“Both,” he said.

*****

Author Info:

Andrea Laurence has been a lover of reading and writing stories since she learned to read at a young age. She always dreamed of seeing her work in print and is thrilled to finally be able to share her special blend of sensuality and dry, sarcastic humor with the world. A dedicated West Coast girl transplanted into the Deep South, she’s working on her own “happily ever after” with her boyfriend and their collection of animals including a Siberian Husky that sheds like nobody’s business.

Social Networking Links

Website: http://andrealaurence.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAndreaLaurence

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Andrea_Laurence

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5398672.Andrea_Laurence

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win a Kindle and the Rosewood series

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f84

*****

Spotlight – The Cougar Diaries

07 Wednesday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Aoife Brennan, The Cougar Diaries

Got a treat for you today – it looks like a scorching hoot and a half (especially after reading the sneak peek Aoife has for us below!) and it is getting some great reviews on Goodreads. As long as you don’t mind your reads being HOT, this one looks to be a winner.

*****

The Cougar Diaries Trilogy – Parts I, II & III – and the Prequel

Thinking Women’s Erotica – the Genre that dares to speak its Name!

The Cougar Diaries Trilogy is a fast paced, sassy story of Aoife Brennan, newly separated and struggling with her new life as single mum to her two teenage boys. Set in austerity torn Ireland, Aoife has to struggle to keep her job and her home, to mind her two teenage boys, deal with a recalcitrant ex-husband, mind her aging parents, and to learn to date again.

Her dating exploits in Book One are a mix bag. She is faced with all the insecurities of a woman in her forties, but also with the bravery of a woman who has lived life. This combination creates some sizzling action, hilarious incidents and some sobering moments as she explores her inquisitive sexuality.

Book Two takes up the story. Aoife is now dating and continuing her exploration of herself as a sexual being. However, much as she would like to retire to her ivory tower to contemplate her navel, and other body parts, Ireland in 2013 is a scary place financially. She had to deal with the aftermath of financial meltdown in the country and the impact that has her personally. She also has to deal with series issues faced when dating a younger man.

Book Three poses yet more issues for our brave heroine. She learns that she cannot compromise who she is for another person. This is a very tough road as she is very human, full of hope and desire. Her world is also full of adventure, daring and exploration. She seizes every day and shakes the guts from it. She has a second chance at living and while her path is not clear, she is taking every opportunity that life can offer.

The Prequel is a collection of three stories based on peripheral characters from Book One; the novella was long listed for a Doire Press International Literary Short Story Award in 2013.

Find them on Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/The-Cougar-Diaries-Part-I-ebook/dp/B00BHIUK6S

*****

Excerpt:

Which is how I had come to be standing stark naked wearing a blindfold in the middle of the room. Steven had told me to stand and piece by piece to remove my clothes. It was a strip tease only I wasn’t dancing. When I got down to my bra and panties I hesitated. ‘Remove your bra,’ he repeated. Fuck I thought. In for a penny I thought and I unhooked my clasp and let the bra fall to the ground with the rest of my discarded clothes. Steven stood up and walked around me. ‘Good girl,’ he said. ‘You are very sexy. Now take off your panties and I’m going to put a blindfold on.’

I sucked in my breath and reached down to pull down my panties. As I straightened, Steven stepped behind me and pulled the blindfold down over my eyes. I could only see immediately below, I could see his shoes as he moved away. With the blindfold on, I felt utterly isolated and hyper sensitive. I heard a clink of ice again and then flinched when I felt a cube rubbed up against my left nipple. He pulled it away and then applied it to my right nipple. He rubbed it round in a circle and I felt my nipple contracting and tightening. ‘Hmmm,’ he said softly next to my ear and I felt his lips brushing my neck. My whole body shivered and contracted and I was suddenly wet. I then felt the ice cube rubbed along my pussy. It was nearly melted now and dripped as Steven pushed it back and forth between my lips. My whole being was focused on the ice and where it might go next. I wondered if the wetness was from the melted cube or me.

I sensed him reaching back to get another fresh ice cube. This time he drew a cold line down my back and round each buttock. He then brought the cold dripping cube between the top of my cheeks and rubbed me gently, easing it between them and down as far as my anus. He rubbed it and pushed the by-now diminished ice cube into my butt hole. I formed a silent O with my mouth.

Steven stepped back and I could see his shoes disappear out of sight. I strained my ears to listen and heard the sound of the fridge door opening, some packaging noises sounding loud to me and then I heard him return.

I shivered again. I felt truly naked, vulnerable and very much alive. ‘Sit down,’ commanded Steven. I obeyed feeling behind me for the chair. I perched at the edge and pulled my arms around me. I worried I might drip onto the chair.

‘No,’ commanded Steven. ‘Put your arms by your sides and open your mouth.’ I unwrapped my arms and they fell stiffly by my sides, my whole body rigid with anticipation. I opened my mouth a little. ‘Wider,’ said Steven and I did. Something cold and hard was in my mouth. I wasn’t sure what to do. ‘Bite,’ said Steven and I did. A cold sensation went through my teeth and sweetness surged in my mouth. I bit it again. It was a strawberry. I swallowed. ‘Open, said Steven and I did. He pushed the remainder of the strawberry into my mouth and I ate that too. Some juice escaped and slid down my chin. Steven rubbed it with his finger and put his finger in my mouth. ‘You missed some, lick this’ he said and I did.

Steven fed me three more strawberries. They were juicy and sweet and sometimes as I bit into them the juice squirted down my chin. Each time, Steven used his finger to wipe the fruit spit back into my mouth. ‘Good girl,’ he said, ‘but I think there is something missing.’ I heard some more muffled noises. I wasn’t sure but thought Steven had picked up something metallic. I heard a rustling noise and then quiet. My breathing was quick and sharp. I could hear his too.

‘Open your mouth,’ Steven said and I did. This time I heard a hissing noise and a frothy coolness filled my mouth. ‘Wait,’ said Steven and I did. Then I felt him push something thick into my mouth and I bit it.

That the police were not called was a miracle, I told Trish afterwards. Steven had been feeding me strawberries and decided to add cream. What he had not informed me was that he was adding his penis too. And he did not intend me to bite it. ‘I didn’t really bite that hard,’ I said. ‘It was a Pavlovian reaction. Three strawberries in and I thought I was on my fourth. They were really nice.’ I sighed.

The real damage was done seconds later. Steven’s scream had caused me to freeze and bite even harder. It was the fight or flight reaction. For what seemed like an eternity but possibly only lasting a couple of seconds, I bit down hard on the penis strawberry. My whole body froze and my arms stiffened. It was only when Steven slapped my face and called me a crazy bitch that I released my vicelike grip and fell backwards, ejecting the injured penis at the same time. Scrambling to my feet, I pulled off the blindfold and watched in horror as Steven knelt on the ground and cupped his cream covered penis moaning loudly. I half swallowed, half spat out the remained spray cream in my mouth. It didn’t taste very good at that point, just sickly sweet and wet. ‘Oh I’m so sorry,’ I said, somewhat inadequately, but I was not sure what else to say.

There didn’t seem much point in remaining after that. I dressed and Steven eventually stopped moaning. He had cursed a lot at me which, while I found it offensive, I could also understand. ‘Very regrettable,’ was the phrase that came to mind. As soon as I felt he was not in any medical danger, I ordered a taxi. It was time to go home. I did not suggest that we might meet again. Somehow accidently biting a man’s penis on the first date and causing visible harm did not seem a good basis for an ongoing relationship.

*****

Author Info:

Hello, my name is Aoife Brennan.

And yes, I’m the author of The Cougar Diaries, Part I, II & III). I am 42 years of age and I live with my two teenage boys in Dublin.

Read about the writing of the books here in the Irish Independent http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/carol-hunt-cougar-diaries-lays-bare-funny-messy-reality-of-sex-29226647.html

I have also just translated some of my novellas into Irish – come and learn Gaelic while putting a smile on your face 🙂

Cheers

Aoife
http://thecougardiariesireland.wordpress.com/

Spotlight – Ethan’s Fall

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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A Choices Novel, Dee Palmer, Ethan's Fall

Today we get an early look at something fun coming in the next couple of months!

*****

Ethan’s Fall

A Choice Novel

by Dee Palmer

Expected Release: 26^th November

Cover Designer: Angie O Creations

Hosted By: Francessca’s Romance Reviews

Blurb:

They say once bitten… Ethan Cates is anything but shy. A little time away from his playboy playground has hardened his heart and returning from his travels he has every intention of keeping it that way.This summer his plan is for the three S’s Sun, Sea and Surf…It’s just not his entire plan. Three more S’s… Sex, Sex and more Sex. Ethan loves women. He is just not ever going to love one women and this summer he is on a mission to prove it.

Everyone has a story but not everyone wants to tell their story. Ada is hiding and has no choice but to stay that way because she needs to find someone more than she needs to take her next breath. If she is found and identified she knows she will never get that chance. It’s not a life choice. This is self preservation, she’s lost too much but she will never give up.

For the first time since moving to the small coastal town Ada feels isolated in her opinion of Ethan, the towns favourite prodigal son. He is arrogant, rude and a complete arse to her. But, the first time in forever, Ada is distracted by a man who seems to delight in torturing her, teasing her and playing a game Ada can’t afford to lose…A game she can’t afford to play.

Add to Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26187428-ethan-s-fall?ac=1

Pre Order Links

Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/1LlXqPk

Amazon USA – http://amzn.to/1JFwliF

Other Books In The Series:

Never A Choice

(The choices Trilogy Book 1)

Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/1PxDUvK

Amazon USA – http://amzn.to/1RhGSH0

Always A Choice

(The choices Trilogy Book 2)

Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/1PxE6Lo

Amazon USA – http://amzn.to/1LlXfn3

The Only Choice

(The choices Trilogy Book 3)

Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/1CgSiCB

Amazon USA – http://amzn.to/1QMt0nq

*****

Excerpt:

The door handle seems stiff when I realise its locked. What the fuck! I shake the handle and yell.

“Open the fucking door!” I no longer contain my rage not giving whoever has the audacity to lock themselves in my bedroom time to comply with my demand. I step back and with one fierce kick I boot the door wide open. A sharp shrill scream competes with the sound of the cracking door frame and splintering wood.

Not what I was expecting. The trembling girl in front of me, her white knuckles fiercely gripping the handle but her hold is wobbly and she weakly waves my baseball bat at me.I instantly step forward and swipe it from her grasp. She yelps and jumps back against the wall. Her dark blue eyes are wide with terror and I get a sudden pang in my chest that I am causing this distress. I drop the bat and walk to my closet all the while keeping my eyes fixed on her. She looks scared shitless which is understandable. I guess I might look a little scared if some strange naked guy crashed into my room. But this is my room and I’m not the stranger she is. But yes, I am naked and I need to fix that. I pick the first set of shorts I can find and slip them on. I can see her visibly relax and I like that I have done that.

“Who are you?” Her voice waivers but she coughs and straightens her shoulders in a display of faux confidence. It makes me smile which seems to irritate her.

“My apartment darling… I get to ask the questions.” My tone is clipped. Yeah I can be irritated too. I have had way too little sleep and currently have a hard on that won’t go away. Her eyes keep dipping to take in my tenting crotch which honestly isn’t helping. “What are you doing in here…taking a break from the performance?” She is almost naked herself. Her slim bare legs peek below a skinny T-shirt that look familiar. It’s mine or at least used to belong a girl I went to school with. She must have left it here when she visited from University. It has St Andrews University blazoned across the front and it is far too small to fit me. So apart from my clothing she doesn’t appear to have anything else on…certainly no bra. Interesting.

“What?” Her shocked tone piqued with insult halts my wayward thoughts.

“Are you taking a break from the show I just broke up?” I speak slowly and I know my patronising tone is causing the fury to flash in her crystal blue eyes. I tip my head toward the other room, to the highlight my point and the scene of the crime.

“Oh absolutely…and the locked door is all part of my foreplay!” She crosses her arms tightly around her chest which just lifts her breasts that little bit higher.

“It’s effective” My face fails to hind my amusement. “Rude to point.” I fail again to hold in a laugh but then I’m not really trying. This is the most fun I have had in a long time. She instantly cups the offending nipples with her hands and flashes bright red.

“Oh my God! Sky said you were cool but you’re actually an arsehole!” Her haughty tone, however, is my breaking point. I stride over to her and grab her elbow. She yelps at my tight grip and I easily drag her from my room. There is practically nothing to her, except delicately soft skin under my finger tips, masses of unruly jet black waves and fierce piercing blue eyes. I open the front door and deposit her outside on the landing in her bare feet.I go to close the door.

“Wait!” She screeches. I hold the door and regard her cooly through the gap. “My clothes…all my clothes are in your washing machine.”

“Why?” I am confused but she looks like I have just asked the dumbest question.

“I used you laundry facilities. Sky said I could. I’ll pay for the washing tablet but I need my clothes…you have all my clothes….” She bites her words out and I fight back a grin. She is in no position to be snarky with me.

“Not all you clothes.” I casually glance at the T-shirt she has borrowed from one of my draws.

Her eyes dip to where my gaze is focused and she tugs at the material for emphasis. “This is yours…I just used it while mine where washing. Everything I own is in your machine!” She is fighting her frustration. I can see the way she is biting her cheek that she is just itching to tell me all her deepest desires. No, she’s itching to rip my fucking bollocks off but I like my internal fantasy better.

‘You are right…that is my T shirt.” I cup my hand in the universal sign language of ‘hand it over’. The shock on her face is priceless.

“What? No!” She shouts out indignantly.

“My T-shirt. You either give it to me or I will take it from you.” She takes a step back and crosses her arms once more. It’s cute her tiny frame trying to emanate any kind of barrier.

“You wouldn’t?” Her voice is a whisper and her eyes are wide like saucers, deep blue mesmerising saucers. I step up to her but don’t say a single word. I silently wait…and wait. Her eyes narrow and she huffs. “You’re an arsehole…you know that?” I wait… “Fine!” She steps away creating enough space to roughly pull the T-shirt from her body before flinging it with some considerable force at my face. Not the first time today I catch the missile aimed at my head but this time I hold it. She has cupped her breasts. I was right, no bra. My eyes flick down her body and my mouth slides into the smuggest smile I can manage.

“No…no please.” Her breathy pleas go straight to my cock which would be caged in a pair of loose fitted boxer shorts but she is wearing them. Well, she is wearing one pair of them at least. Even with the tight elasticated waste the oversized underwear hangs deliciously from her slender hips. Her delicate curves no match for the might of gravity pulling the shorts further down her body exposing even more skin.

‘Oh dear” I say solemnly but with no remorse. “Those would be mine also I believe hmmm?” I tap my finger lightly on my chin as if pondering this great conundrum. ‘What to do? What to do?”

“Please Ethan.” My name on her lips sounds…strange…familiar…sexy. I like it and fuck, I could get used to that pleading.

“I’m nothing if I’m not a gentleman.” I offer but just as she steps forward misunderstanding the limits of my chivalry, I push the door closed in her face. I let her keep the pants.

*****

Author Info:

Dee Palmer hates talking about herself in the third person so I won’t. My husband had my iPod engraved one Christmas with ‘sing like no-one’s listening’ and I know my family actually wish they weren’t listening because I am, in fact, tone deaf but it doesn’t stop me and this gentle support has enabled me to fulfil a dream. This has been a truly brilliant experience, I wrote The Choices Trilogy back to back and released them this year just one month apart…Don’t you hate waiting for the next book in a series? The entire process has undoubtedly been made possible by my incredibly supportive family. I know this is very much an acknowledgment but I know I wouldn’t be writing even this single paragraph if it wasn’t for them so this is about who I am, I am because they let me be.

Stalker Links

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Dee-Palmer-Writer-1498344013745103/timeline/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/deepalmerwriter

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13449371.Dee_Palmer

Website – http://deepalmerwriter.com/

*****

Book Review – Lorelei’s Lyric

05 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Tags

Book Review, D.B. Sieders, Lorelei's Lyric, Southern Elemental Guardians series

I am so happy that D.B. Sieders stopped by today to give us a little look into how her new series got its start. If you like unusual paranormal romances you are going to enjoy her take on mermaids and other elemental beings. Throw in a sexy, but oh-so-troubled, rocker and you have the makings of a hit!

*****

Inspiration for the Southern Elemental Guardians Series

I’ve always been a bit of a mythology nerd. There’s so much inspiration to be drawn from the classics! I’m also a mom. So after watching ‘Barbie and the Mermaid Tale 2’ on DVD about five hundred times (give or take), I decided to explore mermaid lore. The fair maidens of the sea have had their share of page and screen time, but I hadn’t encountered much about their freshwater cousins. I figured, why not? That sounds like a story I can tell. From the legend of Melusine the Warsaw Mermaid, to Lorelei of the Rhine, Ondine, and Wagner’s Rhinemaidens, European folklore is rich in source material. I blended all of these legends, put in my own unique spin, and voilà, my mermaids came alive!

A sexy, wounded rock star, a giant talking catfish, a host of powerful elemental guardians, and a killer soundtrack round out this modern fairy tale for grown ups!

*****

Lorelei’s Lyric

Southern Elemental Guardians Book 1

by D.B. Sieders

Fantasy Romance – Griffyn Ink

Cover Art – Julie Schroeder Designs

Blurb:

If Lorelei sings, someone will die.

Her beautiful voice once cost a life. Still, music is her passion. What’s a mermaid to do? Run off and live vicariously through mortal musicians!

Unfortunately, gorgeous rocker Vance Idol almost succumbs to her siren call after his show in Nashville. Not that Vance cares—not since his girlfriend’s fatal overdose left him with a supersized death wish. Lorelei makes it her mission to undo the damage and help this talented and charismatic man on the eve of his band’s big break.

But saving a mortal man is a dangerous proposition. Lorelei could far too easily lose her heart, and quite possibly her immortality, during her American holiday. Bad boy Vance might be worth the risk.

Can their love survive his attitude, her fins, and an evil Pixie with a grudge against them both?

Available from Amazon in eBook and paperback formats.

*****

Excerpt:

“I asked you nicely. Once. I won’t do it again.”

The woman didn’t flinch, but her gaze turned hard and held his without faltering. “You didn’t, Vance.”

“I didn’t what? By the way, what’s your name, sugar? Guess it must’ve slipped my mind since last night,” he added, smirking.

“I’m called Lorelei,” she said as she stood, forcing him to take a step back lest she knock him over. “And what you didn’t do was ask me nicely, but it doesn’t matter. You won’t find your phone, clothing, or the means to leave until I’m sure you’re fully healed.”

He maintained his glower but found himself at a bit of a loss. Though she was tall for a woman, he still outweighed her by at least fifty pounds of muscle. Most men he’d faced down during his time on the road would have cowered, but she clearly didn’t fear him.

Since he couldn’t persuade her by fear, he shifted tactics again, reverting to his preferred method of persuasion when faced with a difficult woman. It hadn’t failed him yet. He allowed his gaze to wander down her face to her full lips, and from there down along the slender column of her neck. Her audible swallow and the bob in her throat made him smirk with satisfaction. When his gaze fell to the swell of her breasts, he grew hard again and knew she’d read the heat in his gaze when it returned to her face.

He definitely saw heat in hers.

He moved past her, taking care to brush his skin against her bare arms, and sat down on the bed. He reclined and stretched his body, allowing the towel that covered his lower half to come loose. Plastering a smile on his face, one that charmed most women right out of their panties, he said, “Well if you really want to make sure I’m healed, Lorelei, I guess you’d best get on with your examination.”

*****

Review:

(I never know how much is too much in my reviews so I’m going to say that there are some minor spoilers. So skip ahead if you don’t want to know anything.)

I found Lorelei’s Lyric to be a ton of fun – and even more so now that I know it all started with Barbie 🙂 If you’ve seen many of my reviews then you know that I read just about anything romance and so I’ve read a few paranormal ones before, but I’ve not run across that many with mermaid heroines and it’s always interesting to find a new twist in a very popular genre (and sub-genre).

Lorelei is a great heroine. She’s strong but has her troubles and a history that wasn’t always so rosy. It seems like she takes her powers and her position seriously, which is a good thing considering what she can do 🙂 And while her attraction to Vance could be his salvation, it could be her downfall so it’s interesting to see her try to balance everything and decide what she’s willing to sacrifice.

Vance has been spiraling for a while – booze, pills, and despair. He’s destroying his relationships and doesn’t have enough in him to care. I think some may have an issue with Vance’s addiction/depression and how that gets addressed. Personally I’ve been blessed to not have either really impact my life so I’m not sure how realistic any of it is here. But it worked for me so I’m going to go with it. I especially liked the fact that he actually gets real help and views it as a forever type of thing – there isn’t a quick fix for him and that I do find believable. There may have been a paranormal influence as well. It’s mentioned but it isn’t really clear to me how much it affects him or if he would have been that way regardless.

As with any great series, the supporting characters are fantastic. Jack is the perfect down-home country boy and Bruce is flirty & fun (I can’t wait for him to find someone to fall for). I’m also hoping that we either get a spin-off with Vance’s band mates or they find an elemental to love, especially Josh. I think that he needs someone good in his life. Sieders has a ton of material that she can work with and while we know Lorelei’s sister is next, there is a lot to choose from after that.

For paranormal romance readers who are looking for something a little different, Lorelei’s Lyric could be your first step into a whole new world. Unusual characters, an intriguing plot, and smart writing all combine to make for a quick and enjoyable read.

*****

Author Info:

D.B. Sieders was born and raised in East Tennessee and spent her childhood hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, wading barefoot in creeks, and chasing salamanders, fish, and frogs. She and her family loved to tell stories while sitting around the campfire.

Those days of frog chasing sparked an interest in biology. She is a working scientist by day, but never lost her love of telling stories. Now, she’s a purveyor of unconventional fantasy romance featuring strong heroines and the heroes who strive to match them. Her heroes and heroines face a healthy dose of angst as they strive for redemption and a happily ever after, which everyone deserves.

D.B. Sieders lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, two children, two cats, and her very active imagination.

You can find D.B. Sieders on her Website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

*****

Giveaway:

Want a chance to win some gorgeous custom mermaid jewelry?

Click here between now and October 31, 2015, sign up for D.B.’s newsletter to hear about new releases, discounts, bonus content, and events.

Rest assured, your email address is safe from third parties and will remain confidential!

Book Review – The Heat of the Moment

02 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Book Review, Katie Rose, The Boys of Summer series, The Heat of the Moment

Finishing up the week with another sexy athlete … y’all, meet Gavin!

*****

The Heat of the Moment

The Boys of Summer # 3

by Katie Rose

Releasing September 22, 2015

Loveswept

Blurb:

The Boys of Summer are back! In Katie Rose’s sweet, sparkling novel, the newest New Jersey Sonic falls for the woman who’s trying desperately to save his career.

Physical therapist Jessica Hart has learned her lesson: Never date professional athletes. She’s been down that road, and barely recovered after the relationship crashed and burned. Then Jessica meets Gavin King. An All-Star slugger with chiseled good looks, Gavin was traded to the Sonics because he hurt his knee sliding into second, and now his future is in her hands. Gavin’s no bad boy—but he’s tempting enough to make Jessica think twice about all her rules.

Gavin is trying to find a comfortable routine. If he wants his old life back, he must take it easy, stay out of the limelight, and keep his distance from gorgeous redheaded physical therapists. The thing is, Gavin isn’t the kind of guy to sit on his ass and let other people pull his weight. And when he sees something he wants, he can’t help but fight for it, even if it means risking everything, even if it only lasts a single moment: like one kiss from Jessica.

Book #1 – Bring On the Heat

Book #2 – Too Hot to Handle

Book #3 – The Heat of the Moment

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24938311-the-heat-of-the-moment?ac=1

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/126154-the-boys-of-summer

Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

The chatter in the Sonics locker room intensified as the opening-day excitement seemed to cast a spell over the place. Familiar faces appeared at the door along with an influx of new ones, rookies hoping for a permanent role in the rotation and prospects acquired in recent trades. There was much good-natured jostling and ribbing as the baseball team settled in for the season.

“What was with that bonehead play last week against Detroit?” Jimmy Reilly said as he put away a stack of towels. “Good thing it was just spring training.”

“Yeah, that was right up there with those girl balls you were pitching.” Brian McCauley grinned.

“You see the papers?” Jimmy asked, his brow lifting. “They were praising my fastball. The Trenton Times can’t say enough nice things about us. Imagine that, after last year when they were calling us the Garden State Goons!”

“You can thank his girlfriend, Nikki Case, for that,” Chase Westbrook, the starting pitcher, said, pointing to shortstop Jake Baldwin. “Best damn PR rep in the business.”

“You’re not going to get an argument out of me,” Jake said as he kicked his locker door closed. “She cleaned up our image, got rid of the haircuts, the tats, the bar fights. Have to admit, her plan worked. I hate it when she’s right.”

Chase laughed just as Pete Johnston, the Sonics’ manager, walked in with a new player. By the deferential way he was being treated, it was clear the new guy was someone important. The noise in the locker room subsided as recognition came quickly, and more than one mouth dropped as they identified the California slugger.

“Hey, boys,” Pete said in his folksy way, chomping on a wad of bubblegum. “We got ourselves a new first baseman. I know you’ll all welcome Gavin King to the Sonics.”

Their new teammate stood beside Pete like exhibit A. At six foot five, with black hair, chin scruff, and a build that went with his size, he had an undeniable presence. Even more irritating, he was good-looking, with a pair of intense dark eyes, a firm chin, and a sensual mouth. He’d been considered a star player, and rumor had it that among his other attributes, he was considered irresistible to the female fans.

But worst of all, every man who had been with the team the previous summer could only remember that devastating game when Antonio Chavez, the Sonics reliever, lobbed a curveball right over the middle of the plate and Gavin tattooed it, sending it four hundred feet over the bullpen wall to lose the game.

It still stung.

“Now we all know it was Gavin’s grand slam that kept us out of the series last year,” Pete continued, as if reading their minds. “That’s all the more reason we want him on our team. We need to fill Ryan’s cleanup spot, and he is just the guy Jeffrey thinks will do that.”

Several of the men groaned, but they were not about to challenge the manager, or Jeffrey Caine, the general manager. Yet none of them were happy to see their adversary being led to the nicest locker in the room. Pete opened the door, tossed out Jake’s belongings, and displayed the generous storage inside, a pile of fluffy towels, and a pair of shower shoes.

“Chase, why don’t you show him around, you know, make him feel at home? And Brian, once Gavin’s ready to play, I’m going to change the lineup, move you down and put Gavin behind Jake in the rotation. Any questions?”

Crickets.

“Good. Meet you all outside in fifteen for batting practice and drills. We want to keep up all the good work we started last year. Gavin, I’ll let them fill you in.”

Chase did an eye roll, but otherwise complied. As the pitcher led him out of the room, they noticed that the new player walked with a limp.

“Great,” Brian said in disgust once he was out of earshot. “On top of everything else, he’s a gimp.”

When he returned with Chase after a tour that took all of fifteen minutes, Gavin turned innocently to Jake. “So where is the concierge?”

“The what?”

“The concierge. You know, the person that orders stuff for us. I was thinking to get a salad for lunch.”

Jake’s eyes met Cody’s, and he fought the humor that threatened to burst out of control.

“We don’t exactly have a concierge,” he said seriously. “But we do have a snack stand. I’m sure if you asked real nice, they could find something for you.”

A couple of the men broke into laughter. “I guess this will take some getting used to,” Gavin said, glancing outside. Even though it was April, there was a coating of frost on the ground. He visibly shuddered. “This sure isn’t California.”

“You can say that again.” Cody grinned. “Welcome to Joisey.”

*****

Review:

Please be aware that there are very minor spoilers in this review.

I actually tried to read the first Boys of Summer story but it wasn’t quite my taste and so I skipped over the second … but thanks to the third I’m definitely going back to give it a shot 🙂

I love these guys – they are high spirited and fun, but they are serious when they need to be. Gavin has a lot on his plate. He’s coming off of a potentially career ending surgery and has been traded to a lower tier team. He’s not handling it well and is feeling sorry for himself. He just doesn’t realize yet how lucky he is to have Jessica. Not only does she work wonders on his knee but she’s good for his attitude as well.

I love Jessica. She’s grown up in a man’s world and is good at holding her own. She understands how their minds work and that is very handy in her job. She’s just what Gavin needs to get his head back in the game … and he’s just what she needs to remind her that she’s a woman too. There’s actually a few things that happen to help Jess’s new attitude – Gavin, new girlfriends, and a jerk of an ex. But the more girly she feels and the more time she spends with Gavin, the harder it is to keep from falling for the sexy (both inside and out) ballplayer.

I remember thinking that Bring On the Heat was well written but I had an issue with a couple of the characters’ actions. And it was true here as well, although not enough to keep me from enjoying the story overall – it’s a minor complaint and came at the very end. Jessica seemed to come so far over the course of the second half of the book and then just regressed. I’d thought she’d grown so much and had become such a confident woman that I was a little disappointed in her actions. But Gavin’s totally made up for it and had me falling for him just that little bit more.

Packed full of spunky characters, complimented with an appealing plot, The Heat of the Moment is the perfect read for fans of sports romances.

*****

Author Info:

Award-winning historical author Katie Rose makes her contemporary debut with the Boys of Summer novels, Bring on the Heat and Too Hot to Handle, which combine Katie’s true loves: baseball and romance! When not watching baseball, Katie is at her lake house in New Jersey, hard at work on her next book.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

Select Loveswept Ebook Bundle

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/235babe7251/

*****

Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the tour

Fall Into Reading Blog Hop

02 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

A Mighty Good Man, Crossing Realms series, Rebecca E. Neely, The Keeper

As part of the Fall Into Reading Blog Hop, I am thrilled that we get to host author Rebecca E. Neely as she gives us a look at her book, A Mighty Good Man. Even better she was gracious enough to share a sneak peek at her next book, The Keeper. Enjoy!

Oh, and be sure to check out the rest of the authors in the hop – link at the bottom!

*****

A Mighty Good Man

by Rebecca E. Neely

Blurb:

‘Hank’ Jerry…Her personal and professional life on the skids, a family emergency forces her to return to the small town, and the aunt, she left behind.

Jack ‘Gent’ Darcy…Fresh out of prison, he’s bent on cutting ties with the Creds, but when you’re a war counselor in a national gang, they don’t let you just walk away.

Injured and on the run, Jack lands on Hank’s doorstep, and makes her a proposition she can’t refuse: write his story about life inside one of the most powerful gangs in the country. It’s simple – she’ll get her career groove back, and he’ll bury the gang, then disappear – his version of freedom.

Only problem is, they can’t help falling for each other, and they’ve both got something to hide that could blow up in their faces. With time running out and gang enforcers closing in, will the trust they’ve forged survive the ultimate test?

BUY LINK – http://bookShow.me/B00PHZ3RLC

*****

Excerpt:

Well, he’d wanted hidden, and now he was hidden. Her Aunt Henry would’ve done the same, she knew. Certainly the roundup of misfits who’d odd-jobbed their way through here over the years bore testament to that. If he needed a doctor, she’d see to it. But the police, and whoever was after him? That was his concern, not hers. Hank wanted no part of it.

He could just park it in the cooler for a few minutes, stay out of sight while the help clocked in, and be on his merry way. She’d make sure of it.

Fists pounded on the door she’d just locked. She jerked to attention, pushing off the cooler. “Pretty sure that ain’t a Jehovah’s Witness,” she muttered. Shit! This wasn’t part of the deal. Now what?

The pounding continued. Whoever was on the other side wasn’t going away. If she didn’t answer the door it would only make things worse, most likely for her and ‘Cooler Man.’ Hank forced her feet to move. Act calm. Think calm.

Just in case that didn’t work, she unearthed the Smith & Wesson .32 revolver her aunt kept stashed in one of the utensil drawers, and shoved it in her pants pocket.

Adrenaline and fear pulsed through her, propelling her forward. One foot in front of the other. No big deal. She’d answer the door, see about the fist pounder and then he or she, or they, would leave. Or she could get shot. Yeah, right. No big deal.

*****

Author Info:

Raised on a down home blend of Johnny Cash, Jack London, Sherlock Holmes, the Steelers, and all things small town, Rebecca feels blessed to have grown up in a close knit, fun loving and artistic family. Her mother, a voracious reader and scratch cook, and her father, an entrepreneur, English teacher and lover of literature, taught Rebecca and her brother to work hard, aim for the stars, and live life.

With music, books and laughter as constant companions, she grew up working, cooking and eating in the family’s restaurant business. A certified book and hoagie junkie, Rebecca thrives on live music, mysteries and the outdoors.

She’s a cheddar enthusiast, lover of cats, teddy bears, hot coffee, cold beer, thunderstorms, the blast of a train’s whistle, the change of seasons, country roads, woodpeckers, spoon rings, cool office supplies, and the Food Network. She’s a sucker for a happy ending, and strives to write the kind of stories she loves to read—those featuring authentic, edgy and vulnerable characters, smack dab in the middle of action that explodes from page one.

Careers, past and present, include freelance writing, accounting, mother, problem solver, doer and head bottle washer.

Website: www.rebeccaeneely.com

Blog: http://rebeccaeneely.blogspot.com/

Mailing List & Giveaway – http://eepurl.com/bqiDi5

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9857158.Rebecca_E_Neely

Twitter https://twitter.com/RebeccaNeely1

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-E-Neely/740166889351411

Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+RebeccaNeelyAuthorromance/posts

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/rebeccaeneely

*****

Giveaway:

Enter for a chance to win a copy of some fantastic books!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b6938c4245/

*****

Special Preview:

The Keeper

First in the Crossing Realms paranormal romance series

by Rebecca E. Neely

Coming Soon!

Blurb:

Nick Geary, jaded clan leader of human guardians, the Keepers, is doomed to love a human woman who’s forgotten him, time after time, for thirteen years: Libby Klink, a skittish accountant who’s as terrified of her recent and strange intuitions as she is of her mundane existence.

When Nick is ordered by the clan’s guiding force to seek Libby’s help in defending the clan against enemy Betrayers, romance sizzles as the pair forms an unlikely alliance in their desperate search to discover the key to the clan’s salvation—which Libby alone holds.

But a haunting secret could cost Nick everything, and in a race against time, both will be forced to choose between their hearts and duty. Can their love, and the clan survive, or will the very forces that drew them together ultimately destroy them?

*****

Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the tour

Book Review – Ryker

30 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Book Review, Cold Fury Hockey series, Ryker, Sawyer Bennett

Time for our second look at a book named Ryker 🙂 In this one we get an oh-so-sexy goalie, who is also a great dad and fantastic family man … I’m starting to think there is something about that name!

*****

Ryker

Cold Fury Hockey # 4

by Sawyer Bennett

Released September 8, 2015

Loveswept

Blurb:

The rugged men of the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team are winning hearts once again in another scorching novel from New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett.

The stakes have never been higher for Carolina Cold Fury goalie Ryker Evans. With his contract running out, he’s got a year left to prove he’s still at the top of his game. And since his wife left him, Ryker has been balancing life as a pro-hockey star and a single parent to two daughters. Management is waiting for him to screw up. The fans are ready to pounce. Everybody’s taking dirty shots—except for the fiery redhead whose faith in Ryker gives him a fresh start.

As the league’s only female general manager, Gray Brannon has learned not to mix business with pleasure. And yet even this tough, talented career woman can’t help breaking her own rules as she gives Ryker everything she’s got. She hopes their hot streak will last forever, but with Ryker’s conniving ex plotting to reclaim her man, the pressure is on Gray to step up and save a tender new love before it’s too late.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23834721-ryker?ac=1

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/125350-cold-fury-hockey

Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

Other Books in the Cold Fury Series

ALEX: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

GARRETT: Amazon | Barnes | iTunes | Kobo

ZACK: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

“D-a-a-a-d,” Ruby shrieks from upstairs.

It’s a sound that once used to cause all the hair to stand up on my arms and on more than one occasion caused me to go tearing after the call of my youngest daughter thinking she was being murdered by an intruder. I’ve since come to recognize that particular shrill cry as one of excitement and wonder, and I can’t help but grin over what Ruby is possibly into now. At almost five years old, she refuses to accept the concept of a well-mannered, indoor voice and goes balls to the wall in everything she does.

“Is the house on fire, Rubes?” I call out.

Her little voice shouts back to me in a squawk. “No.”

“Have aliens landed?” I keep my voice just loud enough to carry up the stairs but still decibels below her own.

“No,” she yells, and there . . . right there . . . that’s a little giggle from her.

“Did Timmy fall down the well?”

“No, Dad . . . but you have to come here,” she yells, and, to give her credit, it’s toned down just a bit. When I don’t answer her right away, she calls down in a sweet voice that makes my heart pitter-patter. “Please, Dad.”

Brilliant, little brat. Throwing in some manners to throw me off my game.

“I’ll be right there,” I tell her as I finish the last of Violet’s braid and manage to efficiently bind it with a hair elastic. Leaning over, I place a kiss on her head. “All done, dreamy dwarf.”

Violet leans her head back and gives me an upside-down grin. I love the sprinkle of freckles on her nose and it compels me to kiss her again.

“Do me a favor,” I tell her as I turn toward the living room. “Get the cereal and milk out for me while I go see what your sister needs?”

I don’t bother waiting to see what she does, because Violet has become my metaphorical right hand over the last few months. While she still loves for me to braid her hair and help with her homework, she’s also relished taking on a bit of a caretaker role since the girls moved in with me permanently this past summer.

They’ve been here almost six months and I actually feel like I know what the hell I’m doing now. It wasn’t always like that, and thank God for Kate’s help or I would have gone insane in those first few months of becoming a single parent of two little girls. Kate patiently helped me establish a routine and taught me how to braid hair, distinguish excited shrieks from cries of pain, and most important . . . how to conduct the perfect princess tea party.

I skirt my way through the living room, bending over to pick up one of Ruby’s dolls from the floor, and bound up the stairs taking two at a time. I find Ruby in the bathroom that she and Violet share, bent over the toilet and peering at something.

She shares the same dark hair and gray eyes as Violet, except her locks spring out everywhere in a mass of tiny curls. I have no idea where that came from, but assume it’s a rogue strand of ancestral DNA from either me or my soon-to-be ex-wife, Hensley. Both of us, as well as Violet, have fairly straight hair, so Ruby is definitely dipping into the family gene pool with her wild curls, but damn . . . they totally fit with her personality.

“What’s up?” I ask as I walk over to the toilet.

She straightens up, shoots me a grin, and points. “Look . . . a spider.”

I cautiously take a step forward and lean over, grimacing as I look into the bowl.

And holy shit . . . a spider the size of a T rex is floating on the surface, all eight legs spread out, bent and poised to look as if it’s ready to leap out and attach itself to my face. I suppress a full spinal shudder and reach a tentative hand toward the handle to flush it.

Two things happen almost simultaneously that take at least three years off my life.

The spider somehow manages to skitter across the water, the beast so large it actually creates waves, and Ruby shrieks at me, “No! Don’t kill it, Dad!”

It is with a major blow to my pride—as a man, as a dad, as a six-foot, six-inch professional hockey player nicknamed the Brick because I’m as big and tough as a brick wall—that I jump backward at least two feet from the monster-infested toilet and banshee-crying sprite, causing my hip to slam into the corner of the sink.

“Shit,” I curse loudly, and Ruby’s eyes go round, followed by her lips.

“Oh, Dad . . . that’s a bad word.”

No shit.

I smile at her as I rub my hip. That’s definitely going to leave a bruise. “Sorry, Rubes. I’ll put a dollar in the swear jar.”

She merely nods her acceptance of my apology and turns worried eyes back to the toilet.

“You have to save it,” she implores.

Yeah . . . that’s not going to happen. Not now. Not ever.

“Sure, baby,” I tell her as I take her by the shoulder and turn her toward the bathroom door. I swear the spider glares at me with a million red, evil eyes. “Go on down and get breakfast. Violet’s fixing your cereal. I’ll get the spider out.”

“Okay,” Ruby says as she pulls away from me, but continues to give me instructions. “But let it out the front door and I’ll bring it some food later.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I assure her as she disappears down the stairs. When I hear her feet hit the bottom landing, I turn toward the toilet, intent on a quick flush to put me out of my misery.

Except when I look in the bowl, the fucking thing is gone.

I’ll just go ahead and admit it. Spiders scare the living hell out of me. I have no clue why, and while I would battle the biggest, baddest monster to the death for my daughters, I’d much rather flush a little spider down the toilet.

I immediately scramble backward out of the bathroom, grabbing the doorknob and shutting it quickly behind me. My heart is racing a million miles an hour, the thought of that furry hell beast now loose in my house.

Just one more thing on the list of things I still need to do today.

Get the girls dressed and ready for school.

Take the girls to school.

Clean up the spilled laundry detergent.

Finish the laundry.

Arm myself with a can of hairspray and a lighter to torch the rogue spider in the bathroom.

Pick up my dry cleaning.

Work out.

Team practice.

Pick up the girls from Kate and Zack’s house.

Dinner.

Baths.

Story time and cuddling.

Go to bed because I’ll be exhausted.

Easy as fucking pie, and I’ll get up and do it all over again the next day with a smile on my face. I’m finding life as a single parent isn’t as daunting as I thought it would be and I’ve finally found my groove.

*****

Review:

I didn’t think I could love a Cold Fury couple as much as Zack and Kate … then I met Ryker and Gray. This is an absolutely fantastic story! It doesn’t have as much drama in it as the previous three but that makes me like it even more. It is simple, straightforward and yet still an emotional powerhouse. Because of their positions in the Cold Fury organization the two can’t be involved – Gray is making history as the first female General Manager, and not everyone is supportive, while Ryker is killing it as goalie and the team could very well make another run for the Cup. The last thing that they need is any suggestion of impropriety … but you can’t choose who you fall for 🙂

Ryker is so fantastic as a dad, is a leader to his team, and an absolutely divine mate. He’s caring, loving, supportive, understanding, smart and intuitive. Wrap it all up in a gorgeous 6 foot 6 package and Gray is going to find him very hard to resist. Gray is brilliant, hardworking, a little nerdy, and a whole lot gorgeous. She’s undertaking a lot by becoming GM of the team and the more Ryker gets to know her the stronger the pull.

I love that there isn’t a lot of drama between these two. There’s a lot on the outside that could cause them issues (job, exes, family, teammates) but between the two it is just a matter of falling in love – neither have huge hangups and that’s a bit refreshing, so it’s just circumstance that is keeping them apart and nothing else. They have to figure out what is important, what they are willing to fight to have, and then what they will do to keep those things.

If this is your first in the series, then I think you can jump right in. The couples from the earlier stories make an appearance, since they are all still on the same team, but their stories really don’t make that much of an impact on Ryker. And where it is important Bennett does a great job of filling you in.

For a hubbub-free, heartwarming and sweet romance, you are going to get a winner with Ryker. It is full of great characters, smooth writing, and realistic troubles and I highly recommend it!

Oh, and I also have reviews out there for Alex, Garrett and Zack if you are interested.

*****

Author Info:

USA Today and New York Times Best-Selling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series and the Last Call Series. She will be releasing her third book in the Cold Fury Hockey Series with Random House Loveswept, June 2015.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1f70eab633/

Also enter to win Loveswept’s Giveaway:

Ebook bundle of MAKE YOU BURN by Megan Crane, THE DEVIL’S THIEF by Samantha Kane, ALEX by Sawyer Bennett, BREAKING NOAH by Ashley Suzanne and Missy Johnson, BAD ROMANCE by Jen McLaughlin, BOUND BY BLISS by Lavinia Kent, BRING ON THE HEAT by Katie Rose, THE REAL THING by Cassie Mae, BREAKING A LEGEND by Sarah Robinson, DELAYED PENALTY by Sophia Henry, and SHREDDED by Tracy Wolff

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/235babe7251/

*****

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Spotlight – More Than One Night

29 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Heroes of the Night series, More Than One Night, Nicole Leiren

Yesterday we had one of my favorites a(Christmas romances) and today we get another with a man in uniform … it is shaping up to be a GREAT week!

*****

More Than One Night

Heroes of the Night book #1

by Nicole Leiren

Blurb:

The Few. The Strong. The Brave.

Melodie Alexander, a children’s librarian, prefers to live life between the pages of a book. But when the death of her best friend prompts her to step out of her comfort zone, she finds herself directly in the path of self-proclaimed bad boy, Daniel Bresland.

Daniel knew how to be a solider. Life after war? Not as easy. He served his country in Afghanistan, both in the military and as a private contractor, but fighting the war came at high personal cost. Now he’s determined to keep his relationships “casual” in order to protect his heart and prevent anyone from getting too close.

A chance encounter between Melodie and Daniel on a flight to Dallas proves that opposites really do attract. But when scars from the past threaten their new relationship almost before it starts, Daniel must decide if he can risk opening his heart again to convince Melodie he wants more than one night.

If you love men in uniform and believe the night belongs to lovers, then The Heroes of the Night series is perfect for you! Stories of military heroes, sexy and flawed, and the women they love.

Buy Links: Nook iBooks Kobo Smashwords Amazon Gemma Halliday Publishing

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*****

Excerpt:

First Date

Daniel walked through the doorway promptly at eight. Never early. Never late. Beer, sweat, and women’s perfume permeated his senses. My kind of party. He scanned the bar area looking for Melodie. Men in cowboy hats talking up women in high heels occupied most of the seats. Though there were some empty chairs, his date didn’t seem to be the “I’ll wait for you at the bar” type. Making his way through the hot bodies and large red couches interspersed for the comfort of the patrons who needed a rest from dancing in the lounge area, he searched the faces for a glimpse of her chocolate brown waves. Still no Melodie.

He rolled his neck to ease the growing tension. She didn’t strike him as the type to agree to come and then back out. He moved to the center of the lounge area to check out the dancers. Though still early for a Friday night, the dance floor hosted a decent number of people gyrating to the band’s rendition of a popular Def Leppard song.

Keen eyes scanned the crowd looking for her dark brown head bobbing in time to the music. Based on what he’d learned about her, it didn’t seem likely she’d be hanging out with a bunch of strangers, but he felt compelled to cover all the bases. Still nothing. Where in the hell could she be? His disappointment seemed largely out of place for a woman he’d just met and had only known for a few hours. Time for a drink. Someday soon he’d have to find something besides alcohol and women to mask his pain, but that day was not today.

Moving back to the bar, he ordered a beer and made his way toward the outdoor patio. Maybe he could bum a cigarette off someone. He really didn’t smoke, but sometimes he needed to distract himself from his nonstop internal diatribe.

Right before exiting, he caught sight of the brunette beauty, the most beautiful wallflower he’d ever laid eyes on. Melodie. In a denim skirt, white blouse, and red jacket—the picture of patriotism in a curvy, sexy package. He made eye contact and swaggered in her direction. “God bless the USA.”

Her innocent look shot arousal through his veins, settling just below his belt. Thirty seconds and already he needed a cold shower. Or a hot time in bed with Miss USA here.

“Do you always make random comments, or do I just bring out the best in you?”

“You definitely bring out the best in me, sweetheart. I was just commenting about how patriotic you look in your red, white, and blue.”

“Oh…” her blush matched her jacket.

Wanting to save her from herself, he gulped a few more swigs of his beer before tossing it in the trash can. “Let’s dance, eighties girl.”

Grabbing her hand, he pulled her away from the wall. His brows creased. She’d looked comfortable essentially fading into the woodwork. His eyes swept over her body. Why wouldn’t she be the center of attention no matter what the occasion? Beautiful and smart with a hint of sweetness—a dangerous combination for his heart. Not wanting to delay his body in close proximity with hers one moment longer, he pulled her into the fray of the mosh pit, hoping modesty prompted her to lie about having two left feet. The moment her body started moving in time to the music, he forgot all about her feet as her softer curves begged for attention.

He matched his steps to hers. The crowd of people pressed against them, forcing their bodies closer. This is more like it. Muscles flexed, hips rotating—sharing all his best moves. Her moves were damn good too. Those hips…her breasts…even her legs…moving to Brian Adam’s smooth beat. Each subtle sway sky-rocketed his libido to levels for which he couldn’t be held responsible for very long.

The guitars strummed while the drums grew louder, feeding off the energy of the crowd. No slow songs from this group. Time to improvise and make his move. Pulling her tighter, he closed his eyes to focus on the warm-blooded woman fate had delivered in the seat next to him. This wallflower possessed curves which, at present, were exactly where he wanted them—pressed against his chest. Lower, the softness led to muscled thighs igniting multiple fantasies about them being wrapped around his hips. Despite his self-proclaimed promise to behave, he lowered his face to the curve of her neck, inhaling softly. Sweet Jesus, not only did she rally every ounce of testosterone in his body to attention, but her sweet smell was capable of bringing any man…this man…to his knees.

Dear God in heaven, he was in trouble.

*****

Author Info:

Nicole is a debut author with her contemporary romance series, Heroes of the Night. She has been an avid reader and lover of books from a very young age. Starting with Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, and The V.I. Warshawski novels, her love for mysteries grew and expanded to include romance and suspense. A Midwest girl, born and raised, her stories capture the love and laughter in her real world heroes and heroines.

Email: nicoleleiren@yahoo.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicoleLeirenAuthorPage

Twitter: @NicoleLeiren

Website: www.nicoleleiren.com

Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Leirens.Lovelies/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LeirensLovelies/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Leiren/e/B011MKQRMQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c7458f4375/

*****

Spotlight – Holiday Hookup

28 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

A Bad Boy For Christmas, Debbie Mason, Jessica Lemmon, Katie Lane, Snowbound at Christmas, Unwrapped

I know it is a LITTLE early … but who doesn’t love a good Christmas romance? Today we get three!

*****

SNOWBOUND AT CHRISTMAS

by Debbie Mason

Ex-cop Cat O’Connor is bored working for her sister, Chloe, as a personal assistant on the set of her soap opera. Until Chloe gets an opportunity to audition for the role of a lifetime and asks her identical twin to substitute for her on the soap with no one the wiser. It’s a perfect switch-until Cat attracts the attention of the mysterious Mr. Tall, Dark, and Way-too-handsome leading man.

Grayson Alexander never thought being snowbound in the charming town of Christmas, Colorado, for the holiday would get so hot. But between working with sexy, tough Cat on set and keeping his real reason for being there under wraps, he’s definitely feeling the heat. And if there’s one thing they’ll learn as they bring out the mistletoe, it’s that in this town, true love is always in season.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ika5pa

B&N: http://bit.ly/1i4O6Sy

iBooks: http://apple.co/1VSnTFP

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/1UIRHY8

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1ETgKkn

BAM: http://bit.ly/1UMFb4A

*****

Excerpt:

“We don’t have time to talk about it,” the older woman said as she helped Cat out of the fur coat. “We have just been presented with the perfect opportunity to put our plan into action.”

Great, Estelle and Chloe had a plan. Cat tugged the sweater’s neckline higher. Her sister may like to show off her girls, but Cat’s were going undercover. And since she didn’t want Estelle to blow her cover, she hoped the older woman enlightened her about their plan.

They were a few feet from the table where Harry stood looking deliciously edible when Nell waved a gingerbread man in the air. “Get a kiss with your cookies, ladies. Two dollars for a kiss and a cookie.”

A horde of women stampeded in their direction.

“Make it count, my dear,” Estelle murmured, shoving Cat at the table.

The push caused Cat to wobble on her heels. If not for Harry reaching across the table, encircling her biceps with his strong hands, she would have fallen on her face. Something her sister would never do. So it was imperative that Cat put on a believable performance. She fluffed her hair, did a flirty head tilt, and batted her fake eyelashes.

“I’ll take two, Harry.” She puckered her lips.

His mouth flattened, a muscle ticking in his clenched jaw. Then he leaned toward her. It’s possible he said bloody hell under his breath as he lowered his head, but she couldn’t be sure because everything went a little fuzzy the moment his warm, firm lips touched hers. She tasted mint, smelled his expensive cologne, and drew closer, placing her hands on his shoulders to avoid toppling over. Okay, so it was an excuse, but she was sure her sister would have taken advantage of the situation in exactly the same way.

Her mouth softened, her fingers tightening on his broad shoulders as her lips parted. She was just getting into the kiss, and it was some kiss, when his mouth left hers. He took what appeared to be a startled step back. She understood the reaction—the kiss had rocked her world, too.

“Hang on, I need a picture for the Chronicle,” Nell said, putting down the cookie to pick up her cell phone. “Okay, go for it.”

In the background, she heard George saying something to Phil about breaking his promise. Harry looked over her head, then back at her. An emotion she couldn’t read darkened his blue eyes, then he brought his hands to the sides of her face and did as Nell suggested. He went for it.

Gently tilting her head so his lips slanted over hers at a precise angle, he gave her a deep, passionate kiss. It was long and lush, and breath-stealingly perfect. Her eyes were still closed, her head tipped up, when she realized she was kissing air. Blinking her eyes open, she stared at him. Acting as though he was completely unaffected, as if he hadn’t felt the same emotional rush of desire, he handed her two cookies.

If that was a kiss from an uninterested man, she’d eat . . .

“That will be four dollars, Chloe.” His words were cool and clipped, his back ramrod straight.

And her heart, that seconds ago had been dancing to a happy beat, froze. It wasn’t her he was kissing. It was her sister.

*****

Author Info:

Debbie Mason is the bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their “likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots” (RT Book Reviews). She also writes historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series has received several nominations for best paranormal as well as a Holt Medallion Award of Merit. When she isn’t writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, an adorable grandbaby, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.

http://www.authordebbiemason.com/

https://twitter.com/AuthorDebMason

https://www.facebook.com/Debbie-Mason-492150187499546/timeline/

*****

A BAD BOY FOR CHRISTMAS

by Jessica Lemmon

Connor McClain knows what he wants. And after four harrowing years in Afghanistan, that’s a quiet life in the lakeside town of Evergreen Cove. But coming home has land mines of its own-the most dangerous of them being long-legged bombshell Faith Garrett. Now getting her into his arms this holiday is going to require more than mistletoe . . .

With a cheating ex behind her, all Faith wants is a relaxing holiday free from man drama. And even though every moment with gorgeous Connor is a sweet temptation, Faith is determined not to give in. But Jack Frost has other plans, and soon Faith and Connor are snowbound in a winter wonderland with only the sparks flying between them to keep them warm. As one hot kiss leads to another, they’ll have to decide if they’re ready to give each other the best gift of all-love.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OHkIwe

B&N: http://bit.ly/1KJ6zkN

iBooks: http://apple.co/1K2C2e1

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/1QtdsWe

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1M2fVoT

BAM: http://bit.ly/1J3fTII

*****

Excerpt:

She came to a halt at the threshold of the kitchen, her breath clogging in her throat.

Part of it was shock over the fact that Connor was leaning over the countertop inhaling one of her cupcakes. The other part, and the part she was having trouble reconciling, was the fact that there was a tear beneath one of the pockets of his jeans, and the slash of skin she was currently staring at was his bare ass.

He stood, chewing and smiling with his lips closed. She knew because she hastily redirected her gaze to his face. The way he licked the frosting off the corner of his mouth and lifted his brow suggested he may have caught her eyeballing something she shouldn’t.

“Tore them on a nail on the fence this morning.” He turned to look over his shoulder, splitting the tear with his fingers to show her a faint red scratch on one chiseled butt cheek. “Hurt like a bitch.” His eyes found hers and he gave her a sly smile. “Don’t suppose you’d be willing to patch me up.”

She choked on her laughter, shaking her head for effect. “I don’t think so,” she said, trying to sound disgusted and not turned on.

His smile erased as his brow went down like she’d hurt his feelings. “You would deny me medical care in my moment of need?”

Flustered, she stepped past him and snatched the small white box off the counter, determined to change the subject. “I hope you know you owe me a cupcake.”

“Cupcake, I took that in payment for the kiss you never gave me.”

So he didn’t forget.

“You’d rather have a carrot cupcake than a kiss?” Her pulse pounded against her neck. She knew which one she would prefer, and hoped she was doing a good job hiding it.

“Hmm…” He made a show of craning his neck to look at the remaining cupcake in the bottom of the box. “It was a pretty good cupcake.”

Her mouth opened in argument, but the argument never came. And the reason it never came was because Connor covered her lips with his, launching his tongue into her mouth. She tasted sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg from the frosting, and his mouth, which tasted wonderful because it tasted like him. The smell of lavender filled her senses, that earthy, spicy smell mingling in her nostrils and making her lean into him. Cupping the back of his neck, she tilted her chin, continuing their sparring session with fervor.

Noses bumped, his unshaven chin scraped her jaw, and his hands—his big, manly, rough hands—grasped her at the waist and pulled her flush against him.

This went on until finally, she had to pull back to inhale or suffocate. Not a bad way to go, she’d admit. Now she was panting and trying to recalibrate her brain cells, which had apparently oozed right out of her ears since Connor put his mouth on hers.

He looked as dazed as she did for a second before his smile snapped into place. “Nope. That was much better than the cupcake.”

*****

Author Info:

Jessica Lemmon has always been a dreamer. At some point, she decided head-in-the-clouds thinking was childish, went out, and got herself a job . . . and then she got another one because that one was lousy. And when that one stopped being fulfilling, she went out and got another . . . and another. Soon it became apparent she’d only be truly happy doing what she loved. And since “eating potato chips” isn’t a viable career, she opted to become a writer. With fire in her heart, she dusted off a book she’d started years prior, finished it, and submitted it. It may have been the worst book ever, but it didn’t stop her from writing another one. Now she has several books finished, several more started, and even more marinating in her brain (which currently resides in the clouds, thankyouverymuch), and she couldn’t be happier. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want. (While eating potato chips.)

http://www.jessicalemmon.com/

https://twitter.com/lemmony

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJessicaLemmon?fref=ts

*****

UNWRAPPED

by Katie Lane

Jacqueline Maguire has a problem tying the knot. After fleeing the altar (again), the runaway bride drives off with no particular destination in mind. Which is how Jac finds herself stranded in a snowstorm with a hot, hard-bodied stranger who treats her to the naughtiest night of her life . . . but come morning, he’s long gone.

Contractor Patrick McPherson is deeply committed to his bachelor lifestyle. No strings, no rings. As the Christmas season approaches, however, Patrick still can’t quite forget his curvalicious one-night stand. Then Jac shows up unexpectedly, and all holiday hell breaks loose. Because this year, Patrick is getting the biggest Christmas surprise of his life.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KvF2Oc

B&N: http://bit.ly/1JlEnx7

iTunes: http://apple.co/1KvF88q

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1KvF7Bp

*****

Excerpt:

“Am I a vampire?”

He chuckled at the joke and smoothed the damp hair off her forehead. “No. I don’t change my victims . . . I just snack on them.” She didn’t crack a smile, but her shoulders relaxed, bringing his attention back to the welt. “How badly are you hurt?”

Her hand went to the marks on her neck. “Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would.”

Patrick felt his face heat with embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I forgot about the fangs.”

Her gaze flickered to his mouth, and damned if he didn’t get hard again. “Well, I guess since you didn’t . . . umm . . . overindulge, it’s not a big deal.”

Overindulge? Oh, he wanted to overindulge. Especially with those phenomenal breasts just a reach away. But he wasn’t that big of a jerk. “So can you tell me what happened? Are there any other victims?”

“No. No one else was in the car with me when Big Foot—I mean, a deer jumped out in front of the car. I would’ve been okay if my brakes had worked properly. It was almost like someone had tampered with—” She paused, and her eyes widened. “Mr. Darby.” She glanced at the door. “And he’s probably the one who flattened your tire.”

Patrick started to wonder if she wasn’t suffering from a concussion. She seemed to be talking in circles. Of course, most women talked in circles. “I thought you said no one was in the car with you. Who is Mr. Darby?”

“No one was in the car with me. Mr. Darby is the guy who’s trying to k—” She stopped and cleared her throat. “Never mind. It’s not important. So you were saying?”

His brow knotted. Why couldn’t women be as easy to read as a blueprint? He released his breath in a sigh. “I was wondering how badly you were injured.”

“I’m fine now. I was just a little lightheaded before.” She sat up to prove it, bringing her full pouting lips inches from his. He might not be able to read her, but he sure as hell desired her. He had never wanted to kiss a woman so badly in his life. It was like her lips were magnetized and he was solid metal. But before he could kiss her, she got to her feet and started picking up the items that had spilled out of her purse. Since there was a lot of crap, he knelt down to help her.

“So what are you doing up here?” he asked as he lifted her wallet and handed it to her. “I’m assuming by the costume that you were coming back from a party.”

There was a slight hesitation before she nodded. “And I got lost.” She leaned over to reach the tube of lipstick that had slid under the coffee table, and her breasts swelled forth in twin mounds of bodacious beauty. “So if you can’t take me back to Denver, do you think you could get me to a working phone?”

It took her grabbing the lipstick and straightening before he could talk. “I could if I didn’t have a flat tire.” Now that his temper had cooled, he realized that she wouldn’t have had time to flatten his tire. He probably ran over a nail at one of the jobsites, and it had been slowly leaking air all day.

“Don’t you know how to fix it?” she asked.

“Yes, but I’m not going to do it in a blizzard.” He picked up her phone and tried it. There was still no reception so he tapped the screen closed. A screensaver picture of two people popped up. Patrick didn’t know why he was more interested in the skinny guy than the pretty, dark-haired woman. Or maybe he knew why, but just wasn’t willing to admit it.

“Are you married?” he asked.

“Not yet. I’m still working on it.” Before he could figure out what that meant, she got up and took the phone and her purse from him. “So if you’re not going to fix the tire, just what am I supposed to do?”

In heels, or at least in one heel, she was only a few inches shorter than he was and sturdily built. He realized that he liked that about her. He was tired of petite women he had to worry about breaking. This woman looked like she could handle a man who liked things a little rough. And since she wasn’t married, was in no way connected to his aunt’s schemes, and was here . . .

Patrick smiled. “You’re going to spend the night with me.”

“What?” she squeaked. “I can’t spend the entire night with a . . .”

“Patrick.” He held out his hand. “And you are?”

She swallowed hard before answering. “In big trouble.”

*****

Author Info:

Katie Lane is the USA Today bestselling author of the Deep in the Heart of Texas and Hunk for the Holidays series. Katie lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and when she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, traveling, and cuddling with her high school sweetheart and cairn terrier Roo.

http://www.katielanebooks.com/

https://twitter.com/ktlane3

https://www.facebook.com/katielaneauthor

*****

Giveaway:

5 Holiday Hookup Gift Sets!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/26635ce2250/

*****