• Home
  • Book Review
  • Contest
  • Blog Tour
  • Sneak Peek
  • About

Romantic Reads and Such

~ Book Blogger & Reviewer

Romantic Reads and Such

Category Archives: Sneak Peek

Spotlight – The Prince’s Ex

18 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Nadene Seiters, The Prince's Ex

Ya’ll, you can find the first few chapters of The Prince’s Ex on Amazon … it’s fantastic – quirky, charming and fun.  Check it out below and then head over to either B&N or Amazon where you can pick up your own ebook for only 99 cents!

*****

“Okay, I’ll stay.” Instead of sitting back down on his barstool at the breakfast counter, he walked over to where she stood and kept his hands at his sides. The warmth from his body penetrated her personal space, as did the rest of him.

When he started kissing her, she couldn’t remember.

His tongue danced along the seam of her lips until she parted them to allow him entrance. Warmth sprouted at the top of her head and rocketed down to her toes. His hands were pulling her hips closer to his so that their bodies created a rhythm of rocking as they explored each other’s mouths. Amelia’s hands pulled his shirt up so that she could feel the solid muscle he hid with loose t-shirts.

*****

CoverThe Prince’s Ex

by Nadene Seiters

Blurb:

Amelia Radley thought she had it all when she met a man in a bar and he ended up being royalty. Their love affair was anything but boring, and yet he dumped her almost exactly a year after asking her out to their first dinner date. While the wound was deep and fresh thirty days after their separation, she picked up the morning paper only to see that the man she thought she loved had already become engaged to another woman.

Her best friend, Tina, suggests the only thing she knows would make her feel better. Amelia should start dating any man she meets that she likes so that she can get over her ex. The idea is ludicrous, and yet Amelia agrees to a date with a man she has never met before. All the while, she considers herself nothing more than the prince’s ex, a woman who could not hold the affections of every woman’s dream.

When she finds love in an unexpected place, it’s challenged by the past and the future looks rocky. Amelia’s insecurities might get in the way of her finding true love, in more ways than one.

Get your copy at http://www.amazon.com/Princes-Ex-Nadene-Seiters-ebook/dp/B00K1MJRLK or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-princes-ex-nadene-seiters/1119389838?ean=9781499319903

*****

Excerpt:

“He’s engaged already!” The paper hit the table with an audible thump that had some of the other coffee shop patrons glancing in her direction. Acrid aromas filled the air mixed with the sweet scent of flavored syrups. She inhaled them and tried to take comfort in them.

“It’s been a month, sweetheart. You couldn’t expect him to wait forever considering he has a throne to sit on.” Amelia cupped her hands around the hot coffee cup and took a sip of the bittersweet flavor, mocha lattes were her favorite. Her friend was right. She couldn’t expect him to wait forever, but a month was outrageous.

“One month isn’t a long time.” She grumped as she thought about her one year fling with the prince. For a short time, she had almost been a celebrity in the small country he’d inherit on the island of Malaysia, and a minor one in her home city. Now people looked at Amelia with pity, or she imagined they eventually would if they ever figured out who she was.

A spark of hope blossomed. Maybe no one would notice the prince of some backwards, tiny country had been engaged, except it was currently strewn across the front page of the newspaper. That idea was out.

“Why don’t you try to marry the Prince of England then?” A woman nearby choked on her latte. Amelia shot her a disgruntled, dirty look. This coffeehouse seemed to be the hub for gossip in the city. She should know better than to bring up personal matters that were already in black and white on every tabletop.

“Tina that has to be the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard. Besides, he’s married.”

“The younger one isn’t. Prince Harry, I think.” Tina’s perfectly manicured nails clinked on her cup, and her distinct, thin eyebrow shot up into a look of incredulity. Amelia knew Prince Harry was not married, and she knew his name, too. She just didn’t want to admit there were other royals out there she could be obsessing over. Prince Simon had been hers.

“Whatever, I’m done with him, and he’s obviously done with me. It’s time to move on to more accessible, less self-centered men. I want a guy-” Amelia stopped when she saw the look of amusement on Tina’s face. She had heard the I want a guy speech a million times over the past four years they had been friends.

It was time to stop talking about finding that man and actually trying to find him. She hadn’t dated anyone since the monumental breakup a month ago, and she needed to get back in the scene. There were several ways she could do that, and none of them ideally employed Tina as the person to set her up. That woman had too many questionable men on speed dial.

As if she could read Amelia’s mind, Tina began to suggest. “I could-”

“No!” Amelia took a sip of her latte quickly and averted her gaze. She tried to amend. “I mean, I don’t want you to get too involved with my love life. It’s already messed up-” Oops, that wasn’t the correct way to save the situation either. “I don’t mean you’re going to mess it up worse! I just mean that it’s really murky water right now.” There, that was better, right?

“Right.” Tina didn’t sound convinced at all. In fact, her baby blues were starting to turn stormy. Here it came. Amelia wanted to shout for someone to get her best friend a soap box to stand on.

“I think you need to have more fun, Amelia. There are guys out there that are plenty good for the heart and soul, and then there are men who are good for the night. Maybe you need to experience a few of the latter before you start looking for the heart and soul kind.” Tina finally took a bite of her bagel and swallowed. It looked like it might be hard for her to get the cream cheese down her throat, but she would work it off in yoga class. Amelia didn’t envy Tina her exercise classes. She was just thankful she still had a metabolism that took care of the cream cheese at the age of twenty-six.

It was time for a change of subject.

“So how about I come to that class today? You still teaching it?” Immediately, Tina’s eyes returned to their normal, light color and her lips even quirked at the corners. She was actually going to smile.

“You’re not getting out of this that easy, sweetie. Finish off that coffee, come do some yoga to make yourself feel a little sexier, and then you’re going to go through my naughty list.” A woman in her mid-fifties cleared her throat nearby and tried to pay attention to her laptop in front of her. Their conversation was clearly being overheard.

“I’ll commit to the yoga, for now.” Amelia downed the rest of her still warm coffee and stuffed the last of her blueberry muffin down. Her best friend grimaced, probably because she was thinking about the calorie content of that full, fatty goodness muffin.

*****

Author Info:

Nadene Seiters has been on Amazon’s Top 100 Sellers List with seven of her ten books since the beginning of her career in February of 2013. She’s proud to be an independent publisher and encourages others to follow their dreams, whether it seems conventional or not.

As of late, she lives with a clowder of cats, two dogs, and a few caged animals. Her passions include reading, writing, caring for her furry and feathery pets, and cooking. You can find and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ by searching for ‘Nadene Seiters’.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Like Loading...

Spotlight – Remote Consequences

16 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Kerri Nelson, Remote Consequences, Working Stiff Mystery series

Now we’re going to look at a mystery (with romantic elements) … perfect for those of you who want a little more suspense in your stories!

*****

Remote Consequences_KerriNelson_Cover_MediumRemote Consequences

A cozy mystery by… Kerri Nelson Blurb: Med school drop-out Mandy Murrin has returned home to care for her mentally handicapped, teenage sister. But despite having multiple college degrees under her belt, Mandy finds jobs aren’t easy to come by in small town Alabama. Now instead of a stethoscope, she’s forced to sport a tool belt as a technician for the local cable company, Flicks Vision. But things go from bad to worse when, while on assignment at the Mayor’s house, Mandy finds herself in the attic amongst cobwebs, Christmas decorations, and…a corpse? Suddenly Mandy’s life is turned upside down with one missing body, a high school nemesis turned police detective, a mysterious stranger, and a town full of long buried secrets. If Mandy’s not careful, this could be one dead end job where she may not make it out alive! Buy Links:   Amazon Kindle     Amazon Print     Smashwords    Nook   iBooks

*****

Excerpt: Two hours, three sneezes, and a half a box of Tic Tacs later, I was crouched in the oppressive heat of the attic. After two phone calls back to the office to ask my boss questions, I’d finally deduced that there must be a faulty coaxial cable somewhere in the house’s wiring. Finding it was going to take time and patience. And I was low on both. My stomach grumbled with hunger, and the dispatcher had radioed twice to ask when I might be able to take the next service call. But I was stuck here in the mayor’s dreadful attic until I could find the source of the problem. I inched along the perimeter in the near dark. When it came to blood and anatomy, I could stomach almost anything. But when it came to bugs and creepy crawlies, I was as girly as they came. Holding my Maglite XL at arm’s length to warn me of potential eight-legged predators, I scooted my knee forward another notch and winced as a splinter made its way through my pants leg and speared my tender flesh. “Dammit.” I eased back onto my bottom and surveyed the damage. A shard of laminated wood about three inches in length protruded from my pants leg. I yanked it free and tossed it behind me. I’d have to tend to my wound later. A brief daydream image of sitting on a sunny beach—margarita in one hand, and a hefty worker’s compensation check in the other—made me grin. Not a likely outcome for a splinter-induced injury, though. Boxes of holiday decorations, an old baby crib, stacks of books, and a deep freezer cluttered the area. Standard stuff. Nothing special about His Honor’s attic. Deep freezer? Who had a deep freezer in their attic? My head snapped back to the opposite corner where a standard eight-cubic-foot, chest-style freezer sat in the shadows. I stood up, brushing off the back of my pants. Deep freezers were heavy suckers. I knew this because I’d once had the corner of one dropped on my toe in my aunt’s cellar basement. As if in response to the memory, my toe ached deep inside my boot. I’d never seen anyone lug a heavy deep-freeze up to an attic. It didn’t make much sense, but at the same time—wouldn’t it feel great to open that lid and feel the mist of ice-cold frost caress my face? Memories of homemade ice cream and preparing containers of summer vegetables for the fall trickled through my memory. Summers had been good once. A long time ago. Back and knees stiff from the attic crawl, I limped toward the freezer. I doubted it was even running. Who would be stupid enough to run it up here? What if it defrosted and leaked down through the floorboards? Imagining worst-case scenarios was kind of like a superpower to me. But as I reached out to touch the dusty lid, I heard the humming thrum of the motor inside. Probably shouldn’t mess with it. I looked around the attic as if someone were going to pop out and shake their finger at me for snooping. But when no one appeared, I lifted the lid. The blessed frost hit my face, and I inhaled the frigid glory. But when the mist cleared—my breath caught in my throat. Lungs frozen in an ice block of silent shock. There, among the Tupperware containers, curled into a fetal position was…one dead body.

*****

Kerri_PromoPic_2014_1Author Info:

Kerri Nelson survived a fifteen year career in the legal field and then took her passion for crime solving to the page. But her journey to become a mystery author took a decade long detour into the world of romance where she penned twenty two novels and novellas in various sub-genres.

Born and raised a true southern belle, Kerri holds many useful secrets: how to bake a killer peach cobbler; how to charm suspects with proper batting of the eyelashes; and how to turn your parasol into a handy weapon. Kerri is an active member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America which includes various volunteer positions such as Board Member at Large and Daphne Published Contest Category Coordinator of Kiss of Death RWA (Chapter for Romantic Suspense Authors). Learn more about Kerri and her new Working Stiff Mystery Series, at her website:  www.KerriNelson.com Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kerribookwriter For Contests and More, visit Kerri’s Author Blog here: www.kerribookwriter.blogspot.com

*****

Giveaway:

Kerri is giving away a gift bag full of goodies !!!

CountryCozyGiftBag_KerriNelson

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c7458f32/

*****

Remote Consequences Tour Banner

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Like Loading...

Spotlight – Guarded Heart

07 Saturday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

To kick off the weekend, we’re going to take a look at Guarded Heart by Lisa Andres … complete with a fun sneak peek and a great contest!

*****

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00012]Guarded Heart

By Lisa Andres

Genre: Romance – Sports

Romance – New Adult & College

Blurb:

Jesse Dubicki learned to channel all of his pent up rage into his fists.

Now, he’s just hired one of the best coaches in the world to help him succeed in becoming a top MMA fighter.

Carissa Hart is a woman that has seen more in her young life than many people will in their lifetime. She’s finally on her own two feet and determined not to let anyone hurt her again.

Jesse’s been abandoned by everyone that he’s ever loved.

Carissa has been abused by everyone that she’s ever loved.

They are inexplicably drawn to each other.

Neither of them wants to be hurt again.

Will their relationship survive when a shocking secret from Jesse’s past threatens to change their life forever?

*****

Authors Bio:

Lisa Andres is an author of both Metaphysical and Romance books. She’s currently working on her next Metaphysical book: Indigo Warrior – A Guide for Indigo Adults & Parents of Indigo Children which will be out in the summer of 2014.
The third book in the Dubicki’s series featuring Dana, Carissa’s best friend from Guarded Heart, is planned for release in January 2015.
Lisa lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota with her boyfriend and three cats.

http://lisaandres.com/

https://twitter.com/LisaAndres or @lisaandres

https://www.facebook.com/LisaAndresOfficial

*****

Excerpt:

“Listen, I have a little tradition after my fights in town that I go to Dubicki’s after and see my family. I either celebrate or commiserate with the locals. Any chance you would want to go with me tonight?”

“Wow. Jesse, that’s really sweet, but, honestly, I’m still digesting what just happened. It might be a bit soon to meet your family.”

“Carissa, honestly, I decided the night that I met you that you would be mine. You can meet them now, or you can meet them later, but you will meet my family.”

She bit back her smile at his bravado. His announcement to her was a little shocking, but something in it connected to her. As long as he didn’t force himself on her, she would go with the flow of things. She wasn’t ready to leave him just yet, so she decided to go with him. She tried not to be nervous about meeting the family before they’d even had their first date. She kept telling herself it was crazy, or, at the very least, it all felt a little surreal. If it was a dream, she didn’t want to wake up.

*****

Giveaway:

The author is giving away a copy of her book to three commenters at each stop. Please leave your email address (example at gmail dot com) to be entered.

*****

Click on the banner below for all the spots on the tour

Guarded Heart Banner

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Like Loading...

Spotlight – Angel Kin

03 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Angel Assassins series, Angel Kin, Tricia Skinner

This morning we’re going to start with a look at Tricia Skinner’s newest book, Angel Kin.

*****

An Angel Assassins Novel

by Tricia Skinner

Genre: Paranormal Romance with Urban Fantasy elements

Publisher: Entangled Publishing – Edge Imprint

Date of Publication: April 28, 2014

ISBN-13: 9781622664931

ASIN: B00JI09FIG

Number of pages: 268

Amazon    BN   iBooks  Kobo

Tagline: The thief will steal his heart…

Blurb:

While channeling Robin Hood’s “steal from the rich and give to the poor” attitude at a local politician’s house, ex-con Katie Logan witnesses a forced suicide. Dirty or not, supernatural or not, he didn’t deserve to die, especially not by his own hand. But with her record, stepping forward as a witness isn’t an option. On the run from the police and the murderer, she turns to The Bound Ones for help.

When a beautiful woman comes to The Bound Ones, half-angel assassin Cain is immediately drawn to her. But when she fingers him as the killer, he can come to only one conclusion. The twin he thought was dead is very much alive…and trying to send him a message. Unfortunately, that message is: “You’re next.”

It’s a race against time as Cain fights to save the woman he’s falling in love with before his brother Abel destroys them both.

*****

Excerpt:

First, Cain checked the room’s double window and the flimsy front door, then threw the motel blanket on the brown carpet. He smoothed his hands across the sheets and lifted the mattress. He let it go and unrolled his blanket, tucking the corners.

“Should be fine now.”

Her mind felt miles away. “Will it be? Fine?”

He removed his jacket and pulled one of his guns from the holster. The magazine shot into his hand before he slammed it back. “As soon as I find Abel your life will go back to normal.”

Katie huffed a half laugh. Normal sounded like a dream. “I—”

Cain paused his movements. “You what?”

“I wish I knew how to help you.”

“Well you can’t.”

She snapped her gaze to his stony face. “Would it hurt to pretend I just showed some compassion for you? You could at least act like you’d considered my words.”

“Let’s analyze your sweet wish, little burglar. I’m an assassin, which translates to I kill people.” The half angel folded his arms and left no doubt about the arrogance on his face. “Sorry if the facts sting, but you can’t fight like I can. You can’t do what needs to be done.”

Infuriating, arrogant, and stubborn was not a good look on him. Katie mimicked his posture and crossed her arms. “Tell me, Mr. Super Assassin, are you sure those legendary fighting skills you claim to have will work when you’re face-to-face with Abel?”

“You think I’ll run from the fight?” A growl slipped through his gritted teeth.

“That’s not what I meant. I want to know if you can”— she raised her fingers in air quotes— “do what needs to be done, when your opponent is your own brother?”

Cain pressed his lips together, and she dove into the void left by his hesitation.

“Family is about love, but it’s also about a shitload of pain.” Katie expelled a slow breath. “When you face off with your twin, the end result will stay with you.”

“Abel’s my blood, but he’s done wrong. I’ll deal.”

Katie tossed her hands up. “Say you’re standing near Abel and he’s got a gun pointed at some poor schmuck’s head. What are you going to do? You’d have to decide whether or not your brother is more important, or that innocent life.”

He clawed his fingers through his hair. “I’d never allow him to harm a soul in my presence. I will stop my brother, but don’t tell me my only option is to kill him.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that.” Exhausted, she sank onto the edge of the mattress. “I truly do.”

“Ridiculous,” he muttered under his breath.

She shot up from the bed, ready to tell him exactly where he could shove his tough act, but Cain’s hand caught her wrist. They stared into each other’s eyes, but the emotions passing over his face cranked her heartbeat.

“Let. Go.” She jerked her arm, but his grip held.

“You should thank me for my honesty. An angel, even an impure abomination like me, could kill you before you could react. No more wishing you could help me. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“So we’re clear, if I wasn’t dealing with mind-controlling giants, I could hold my own in a fight,” she said.

Cain’s expression darkened. “Could you? I wonder.”

The Nephilim brought her crashing down onto the mattress, and Katie yelped. She thrashed under his heavy weight.

“Overpowered by a body, not mind control,” he said as his breath fanned her skin. “Your nonassassin skills are sadly lacking.”

He pinned her wrists above her head, leaving her body flush against his. Katie wiggled and tugged, but Cain had the advantage of position and strength. She stopped her frantic movements. Only one option left—surprise.

She molded her lips over his, the pressure so heavy and intense she could only moan breathlessly into his mouth. The warmth of her tongue touched his, drawing her nerves guitar-string tight.

The grip on her wrists loosened, and Katie raised her hands until her fingers slid into the thickness of his hair. She arched her body and his wide palm cupped her back. Distracting Cain to throw him off took a back seat, replaced by instinctual need pounding deep within her belly and ricocheting between her legs.

Cain’s tongue continued a slow exploration of her mouth, lapping the depths, erotic as hell. Her trembling fingers brushed the expanse of his shoulders, his firm muscles jolting the tips as they passed over. Filled with untethered boldness, she ran light touches down the ridges of his firm pectorals. When her thumb flicked a pebble-hard nipple, her bodyguard growled.

*****

author-Tricia-Skinner-4-4x6Author Info:

Tricia Skinner writes urban fantasy with twist of passion. She’s a former journalist who discovered her inspiration to write fiction as an escape from “real life.” Her reading tastes include fantasy (and its subgenres), paranormal, sci-fi, and history.

When she’s not writing, Tricia is a newbie “green” practitioner, fitness procrastinator, and a technology geek. Her family includes a patient husband, a demigod son, and two Great Danes. She’s active in several writing communities and enjoys interacting with readers.

http://www.triciaskinner.com

https://twitter.com/AuthorTrish

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTriciaSkinner

https://www.goodreads.com/triciaskinner

http://www.pinterest.com/AuthorTricia/

*****

Giveaway:

One $25 gift card to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iTunes. Not open to international entries.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f641/

*****

Angel Kin Banner 450 x 169

Tour Schedule:

May 12 Guest blog
Jill Archer
www.jillarcher.com
 
May 13 Spotlight and review
Penny For Them…
http://pennyforthemuk.com/search/label/tour
 
May 14 review
Eden Ashe
www.edenashe.com
 
May 15 Spotlight
Writing from Corsets to Bustiers
http://www.christinamcknight.com/
 
May 16 Spotlight
Book Purses & Reviews
http://www.bookpurses.blogspot.com
 
May 19 Interview
Roxanne’s Realm
www.roxannerhoads.com
 
May 20 Spotlight
Deal Sharing Aunt
http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/
 
May 21 Guest blog
Ebook Escapes
http://ebookescapes.com
 
May 21 Spotlight
Diane’s Book Blog
http://dianes-book.blogspot.com
 
May 22 Spotlight
Share My Destiny
http://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
 
May 23 Guest Post
Preternatura
www.suzannejohnsonauthor.com
 
May 26 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.
www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
 
May 27 Interview and review
Dark Side of Romance
http://www.darksideofromance.com
 
May 28 Guest Blog
Ramblings From A Chaotic Mind
http://nikkibrandyberry.wordpress.com/
 
May 28 Spotlight
Cover Reveals
http://CoverReveals.blogspot.com
 
May 29 Guest blog
Tynga’s Reviews
http://www.tyngasreviews.com
 
May 30 Spotlight
Fang-tastic Books
www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
 
June 2 Interview
Author Karen Swart
http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com/
 
June 3 Spotlight
Romantic Reads and Such
https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com
 
June 4 Spoltight
Inner Goddess
http://www.Innergoddessforum.com
 
June 5 Interview
Darkest Cravings
http://darkestcravings.blogspot.com/
 
June 6 Character Interview
Eclipse Reviews
http://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com/
 
June 6 Review
Corazones Literarios
www.corazones-literarios.blogspot.com
 
June 9 Spotlight
Booklover Sue
http://bookloversue.blogspot.com
 
June 9 Review
Sapphyria’s Book Reviews
http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/

 

 

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Like Loading...

Spotlight – Shunned No More

30 Friday May 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Christina McKnight, Lady Forsaken series, Shunned No More

Today we’re going to start out by looking at Shunned No More by Christina McKnight, including a special sneak peek of the opening pages!

*****

SNM_1600x2400Shunned No More

A Lady Forsaken Book 1

by Christina McKnight

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency

Publisher: La Loma Elite Publishing

Date of Publication: May 30, 2014

ISBN: 9780988261723

Number of pages: 300 Approximate

Word Count: 75,000 Approximate

Cover Artist: LFD Designs for Authors

Blurb:

A Lady Shunned by All…

Lady Viola Oberbrook only wanted to forget the ill-fated early morning duel that took the lives of two young, wealthy, promising men of the ton and sent her fleeing for her father’s country estate. Eight years later, she has her life in order: a fulfilling business, a few trusted friends, and no plans to return to London society. What she doesn’t expect is to come face to face with her past.

A Lord Betrayed by One…

Brock Spencer, Earl of Haversham, only wants vengeance. Recently returned from his military service to the King, his plans include repairing his family estate, finding a bride, and destroying the girl responsible for the untimely death of his twin brothers. What he doesn’t anticipate is falling in love with the only woman who should never be part of his future.

An Impossible Match, Destined to Be…

Add Shunned No More to your Goodreads Shelf

*****

6434806Author Info:

Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since. Currently, she focuses on Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.

Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.

Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/CMcKnightWriter

Blog: www.christinamcknight.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaMcKnightWriter

*****

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

 

Hyde Park

April 1806

 

8 years ago…

 

Viola clutched the handle of her pink parasol to her chest tightly in anticipation of the spectacle to come. Her gaze fixed on the two figures shrouded in the early morning fog of Hyde Park. The men, really only boys, began to count as they paced away from each other. Shiny, pearl-handled pistols positioned in their right hands were at the ready.

She clamped her lips tight to suppress the giggle that threatened to escape.

Who would have thought that she, Lady Viola Oberbrook, would have two men seeking her hand in marriage…and in the first week of her very first season, no less? That they were the twin sons of Lord Haversham was an even greater coup de grǎce for her. She’d be the envy of every debutante. The talk of the town. As well she should be! Her father was the Duke of Liperton, after all.

If only she’d found a way to get all of London here to witness the duel. She’d done what she could by leaving word with Mrs. Tenchard. The old gossipmonger was sure to spread the word more quickly than Vi could spend her monthly allowance at the milliner’s shop.

And Vi prided herself on her ability to spend her father’s money.

“Miss Viola, beg’n yer pardon, but it be wise to don ye wool kid gloves,” her lady’s maid, Sarah, whispered beside her.

“Shhhh,” Vi hissed in return, raising her hand for Sarah to hold her tongue. She didn’t want to miss a single moment of what was to come. She would remember this for the rest of her existence. The day two men of the haute ton battled in her honor. She sighed.

The twins—Cody, with his hair cut longer than the current fashion permitted, and sporting a determined glint in his eye, and Winston, with his smartly trimmed blond hair falling respectfully above his collar—reached the required twenty-pace distance and turned.

Their pistols fired in unison. Vi’s heart soared. Her first duel…and certainly not her last, if she had anything to say in the matter.

The swift morning breeze pushed the smoke from the scene as both men dropped to the ground, soggy with morning dew. Shouts of urgency rang out in the air. Men rushed in to assist the twins.

A cold chill inched up her spine; her breath caught in her lungs.

Neither man moved.

A sharp inhale of breath sounded next to her, but Vi was hesitant to remove her attention from the scene as the pungent smell of a spent firearm reached her.

“Call Doc Durpentire. Post haste!” bellowed Mr. Rodney Swiftenberg. As a distant relative of the Havershams’, Swiftenberg stood as Cody’s second during the duel. Others, vaguely familiar, knelt over both fallen men.

The gossip rags would have much to write about this day. Vi could hardly wait to see her name in print. Maybe her father would increase her dowry, seeing as she would be in high demand by the day’s end.

“Miss,” Sarah called. “I think it best we be head’n home. Ye Pa is going to be right mad when he finds you snuck out and now these poor men be lying dead at ye very feet.”

“Surely you jest. They are simply play acting for dramatics…in my honor, I do suppose.” Viola eyed the two groups of men where they stood, their heads shaking in turn. One took his coat off and laid it gently over Cody’s still body. Vi’s glare snapped to Winston, where another man shook out a horse blanket. The thick, coarse material drifted on the morning breeze and settled on the second body.

She studied the scene in front of her. It had the potential to be ever so romantic. A story she would regale her grandchildren with. It was a shame neither twin was the first born and, therefore, unworthy of her hand. But she’d seen no reason to inform them of this minor issue and spoil her fun. They’d find out soon enough.

Slowly, the eyes of every person present settled on her. She took a step back at the harshness of their stares. Her chilled hand rose to cover her mouth. She wanted to tell them to avert their eyes; she was the daughter of a Duke. They need show the respect due her. None of these men held a title higher than Baron. How dare they look at her thus?

A tall, slender man carrying a large cloth bag rushed to Winston. She assumed this was Doc Durpentire. He would have both men patched up in no time. But with both Cody and Winston taking a bullet, their feud would not be resolved. Viola imagined what the pair would think up next to prove one deserved her hand over the other. Perhaps a curricle race through Mayfair District. She knew she would be able to convince Cody to let her ride along on the adventure. She could practically feel the wind against her face as the carriage took the corners at a high speed, shifting across the seat so that her soft body might come to rest against Cody’s hard one.

Imagine what the silly, empty-brained young females would think. They’d envy her further. An unbidden smile played across her lips.

The doctor drew the heavy blanket aside and his hands moved over Winston’s body. Then, they stilled. His head dropped forward. He spoke to the men around him, but Vi was too far to hear their conversation.

Rodney, hands shoved deep in his pockets, moved in her direction.

“Whatever is the matter with them?” she asked when he was close enough to hear.

“I think you should go, Lady Viola. This is not a scene any innocent maiden should witness,” Rodney replied. His blond hair was so much like Cody and Winston’s, but his attitude had always struck her as arrogant for a man with no title or wealth to speak of.

“Who are you to order me about?” Viola closed her parasol with a swift click and handed it to Sarah, her hands coming to rest on her rounded hips.

“It is not the time for this. My cousins…they are both dead.” Rodney paused. “I must alert my uncle to his misfortune.”

“You are mistaken.”

“I assure you, no mistakes have been made this day.” He abruptly turned, stalking back to the crowd gathering between the fallen men.

He must be jesting, Viola thought. She looked between the fallen pair again, their motionless bodies so at odds with the twins she’d come to know in recent days. The heat of exhilaration drained from her as a hand settled at her elbow. Viola felt the calloused fingertips through her thin morning cloak.

“We should be going, Miss.”

Vi shook Sarah’s imploring touch from her arm and tried to focus her gaze on something—anything—other than the lifeless men on the ground.

“Well,” Viola stated. “This was…” Dread clawed at her insides, and her spirit shattered as she stared at the two men lying prone and unmoving before her. “…unexpected.” Her entire life had been leading up to this moment—a life of societal demands and the rigors one had to follow to be accepted. A life that had just stopped, as quickly as those of the two men who now lay dead. Dead. She had murdered these men—the realization came at her all at once, even as her mind rebelled. Cody and Winston, the silly twins who had entertained her so, were no more. Yet, she continued to breathe. With each breath, standing in the chill of early morning in Hyde Park, she felt the obligations of her station, its standards and protocols too powerful for a seventeen-year-old girl to overcome.

She glanced around her for help, for someone to tell her what to do, but all focus was on the boys on the ground. Years of being taught how to behave hadn’t prepared her for anything like this.

“Miss, what should we do?”

“I suppose we should…” She cleared her throat. “I suppose it is time to start over.” She sensed, somehow, that starting over might be impossible.

“Start over, Miss?” Her maid’s dark brow pulled low over her eyes.

Viola straightened her already impeccably postured back and forced her prized smile before continuing. “To find another suitor, you silly girl! This time, I intend to set my sights a bit higher.” She spun on her heels, determined not to stumble, to not falter before so many. She started back towards her carriage, moving through the men without meeting anyone’s eye,  feeling the weight of their stares as she passed. It didn’t matter. She had the evening’s entertainments to prepare for and an image to uphold—no matter the cost to her soul.

*****

Giveaway:

3 ebook copies of Shunned No More

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f658/

*****

Shunned No More Banner 450 x 169

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Like Loading...

Spotlight – Unseen

29 Thursday May 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Lauren Stewart, The Heights series, Unseen

We’re going to start the morning with a look at the first book in Lauren Stewart’s “The Heights” series, Unseen.  Including a sexy sneak peek!

*****

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000035_00037]Unseen

The Heights Volume 1

by Lauren Stewart

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Off the Hook Publishing

Date of Publication: May 29, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-9881701-9-3

Number of pages: ~386

Word Count: ~100,000

Cover Artist: Amanda of Pixel Mischief Design

Blurb:

An invisible wall built from the tears of those touched by death

An impossible love as divided as the world around them.

After Addison finds a nearly-dusted vampire in the garbage outside her building, her ability to stay off the supernatural world’s radar is deader than the vamp. Almost as dead as she’ll be if anyone thinks she put him there. Should she finish the job somebody else screwed up or move him somewhere humans won’t find him? To keep the Heights hidden, she may have shoved a stake into her own chest. Just when she thinks her life couldn’t possibly get any more dangerous, she finds out who he is.

As vampire king and Prime to all supernatural beings in the North American zone, Rhyse is accustomed to getting what he wants without asking. But he neither wanted nor asked to be wounded in an ambush, waking up chained to a bed with a hole in his chest. Unfortunately, he needs help to discover who tried to kill him. But worse than that, his only ally is his captor, someone unaware she has the power to destroy their entire world.

As a prophesized war brews in the Heights, Addison and Rhyse must decide which carries more risk—trusting someone who could destroy you or trusting someone who could love you?

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00KKXUHX2

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

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1rdl1rd

Add it to your Goodreads Shelf

*****

Excerpt:

Addison backed up until she hit the counter. It was over. It had been over ever since those chains came off. Ever since she brought him into her apartment. Into her life.

“I saved you. I could’ve left you outside until the sun came up.”

“I imagine you wish you had.”

“Can you…can you not kill me? Just take some, but not all?”

Rhyse brushed her hair behind her shoulder and curled his fingers around the nape of her neck, whispering, “Do you trust me that much?”

“I don’t even trust you a little.” She felt the sting of tears. “I don’t want to be turned. If you drain me, let me die.”

He ran his other hand up her shoulder, to her throat and slowly closed his fingers around it. One move and her neck would break. “To drain you I would have to drink from you. And that, my pet, I will not do.”

She didn’t know what he meant but now seemed like a bad time to argue.

“Did you know what you are? How many of you exist?”

She didn’t answer. Partially because speaking required the air he was cutting off. Then his hands were gone, just like the rest of him.

Was it over?

When one of the women behind the counter moaned, Addison went to make sure they were alright.

Rhyse was on top of one of them, his fangs obviously burrowed in her neck. The woman moaned again, her legs wrapping around him. One hand clutched his shoulder and the other slapped the wall, searching for a hold.

It had to have been shock that made it impossible to look away. Or run away. The woman’s moans got louder, then crested, and her body went limp. Not in a dead way, but in an I-just-had-the-best-orgasm-of-my-life way.

Get out of here.

“Leave and they will die.” His voice stopped her after only two steps. “Stay and they will wake up from a very pleasant, very erotic dream.”

She grinded her teeth when she heard another moan. He must have moved on to the other woman. With two to feed from, there was less of a chance he would drain them, but… “Why should I trust you?”

The woman’s moans stopped and she whined, “No.”

“I do not care if you trust me,” he said. “Only that you obey me.”

“Fuck you.” But she didn’t move. “Are they alive?”

“Of course. It is against the law to kill humans.”

“Then let me go.”

“You are not human, Addison.” His voice came from just over her shoulder.

“I am. I promise. Totally human.” Somehow he’d missed the fact that seers were human, despite her telling him at least five times.

She heard the shuffling of fabric and looked down to see him wrapping his already-bloody shirt around the arm she’d cut. He tied a knot with the sleeves and pulled it tight. There was no part of this that she understood.

She sucked in a breath when he put his hands on her hipbones. Then another as they slid to her belly and down, pressing her back into him. She felt his heat and a vibration on her back as he made a sound similar to a cat’s purr but scarier. Clenching her eyes shut, she waited for death.

“You should thank them.” His voice was all sex. Dangerous, risky, awesome sex. “They just saved your life.”

They did? “Thank you,” she called out with a shaking voice. “Now that your belly’s full, how about you back off a little?”

“I should kill you, Addison.”

“I’m going to have to disagree with you about that.”

After a moment he stepped away, sighing as if he just made a really tough decision and wasn’t sure it was the right one.

“So,” she said, heading for the door, “it seems like you’re feeling better which is great. I’m really happy for you. Since you don’t need me anymore, I’m gonna go now. I’ll see you around.”

“Come to me, Addison.” His eyes were back to their original inhumanly beautiful color. Though he didn’t quite look calm, he looked satisfied.

“No.”

“Come to me or I will snap your neck.”

“Okay.”

“If you had simply brought a human to me, this all could have been avoided.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Total lie—she wasn’t thinking a goddamn thing besides, “Shiiiiit!”

“You and I have things to discuss, and a few memories to alter along the way back to your home.”

Damn it on many counts. “Alter or wipe?”

“Alter, of course. Although my strength has returned, wiping that many minds would still be highly taxing. I prefer to save my power for other activities.”

Like…? Nah, she didn’t want to know.

He opened the door and gestured for her to go first. Which he’d probably never done before. Minions opened doors for him and she doubted chivalry ranked high on his list of valuable traits. But she went because when you gotta go, you gotta go.

“Did you know?” he asked.

What was it with that question? “Know what? That your victims come while you feed? Yeah, I heard it happens occasionally.”

“Always. They always come while I feed. If it were possible, I would show you.”

“I just heard more proof than I wanted to, thanks.”

“I have no doubt that it would be far more enjoyable to feel you come than to hear her do it.”

*****

authorAuthor Info:

Lauren Stewart lives in Northern California with two of the most amazing children that the world has ever seen. She reads almost every genre so, naturally, her writing reflects that. With every book, every story, you’ll find elements of other genres–fantasy, mystery, romance, paranormal, suspense, YA, women’s literature, all with a touch of humor because what doesn’t kill us should make us laugh.

www.ReadLaurenS.com

@ReadLaurenS

www.facebook.com/LaurenStewartAuthor

www.goodreads.com/LaurenStewart

*****

Giveaway:

5 ebook copies of Unseen

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f667/

*****

Unseen Banner 450 x 169

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Like Loading...

Guest Post – Played by the Billionaire

27 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Alexia Adams, Guide to Love series, Played by the Billionaire

Now, I’m thrilled to welcome Indulgence author Alexis Adams as she shares with us a look at her new book, Played by the Billionaire.  I can’t wait to get to know Liam better!

*****

EntIndulge-webbanner-ad11-STATIC(600x350)

Entangled’s very first imprint, Indulgence, brings us the romance we want. And the fantasy men we can’t get enough of!  Their new covers show off those rough and ready cowboys, CEOs, and alpha tycoons we crave.  Join us in celebrating the brand new look of Indulgence!

Today we have Alexia Adams and her new book Played by the Billionaire.

*****

Thank you for allowing me to share an excerpt of Played by the Billionaire on your blog today. The story is about an Internet security billionaire who takes a leave of absence from his company in order to finish his beloved brother’s mystery-romance novel. To learn about romance regular-guy style, the hero, Liam, hacks into a dating website and selects a love tutor. Except the woman he chooses, Lorelei, teaches him about a lot more than just what people without a private jet and house in Antigua do on dates. This excerpt is from their second date, regular-guy style:

“Do you want a coffee before we head off?” He stared at her mouth this time. Was he thinking about a kiss? Her lips tingled and she ran her tongue over them. His eyes widened in response.

She cleared her throat before she could answer. “No, I’m good. I had one at home.” No way was she going to risk coffee breath if Liam decided to take action on his thoughts.

“My car is around the corner—”

“I thought we’d take public transit. That way we get the real local experience.”

“Public transit?” Liam regarded her like she’d suggested they crawl on their knees around the city.

“Yes, then we don’t have to worry about parking,” she added, hoping that would seal the deal.

“But, my car…”

“Public transit or I don’t go.” She crossed her arms and waited for him to adjust to the change in plan.

“You drive a hard bargain, lady. I’m going to have to brush up on my negotiation skills.”

Lorelei smiled. At least he wasn’t having everything his way. She was determined, this time, to maintain her backbone. With previous boyfriends she’d given in on everything from where they ate to what she wore, just to keep them happy— to keep them from leaving.

“Great. Let’s get you a one-day passport so we don’t have to find correct change all the time.”

Liam grumbled something she couldn’t understand. After a minute he shrugged off his sulk and started to tease her. “You’re not one of those environmentalists, are you, who think cars are evil and everyone should ride bikes and wear hemp and bamboo clothes?”

“No, of course not. I had a car in Buffalo. It’s just everything is so convenient here I haven’t felt the need to get another one. And…” She put her hand on his shoulder and stood on tiptoe to get near his ear. “I have at least twenty pairs of leather boots,” she whispered.

Liam stopped walking and turned to face her. “Twenty pairs of leather boots? You decadent woman! Dare I hope at least one pair is thigh-high that you wear with a leather outfit?” Laughter danced in his eyes and a mischievous grin split his face.

“You may never know,” Lorelei said with a smile to match his.

*****

Played by the Billionaire Cover

Played by the Billionaire

by Alexia Adams

Blurb:

Internet security guru, Liam Manning made a death-bed promise to complete his beloved brother’s manuscript. That means stepping down from running his billion-dollar empire and finding a woman to teach him about romance, regular-guy style. So, falling back on his hacking skills, he infiltrates an online dating site to find a suitable love tutor.

Lorelei Torres was raised by her hard-working mother because her loser father is behind bars. All she wants is an honest man to love and with whom she can raise a large, happy family. Relocating to San Francisco after her last boyfriend turns out to be a lying snake, her mother signs her up with an online dating agency. Maybe it’s time an impartial computer chose a man for her.

Can Liam finish the novel before Lorelei discovers his deceptions and, more critically, before she breaches the firewall around his heart?

Available from:

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Played-Billionaire-Guide-Entangled-Indulgence-ebook/dp/B00JYZ0YDA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kstore_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1AN1M7V72CJ3FYTF7FKS

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Played-Billionaire-Guide-Entangled-Indulgence-ebook/dp/B00JYZ0YDA?tag=entangpublis-20&link_code=ur2&creative=9325&camp=211189

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/Played-Billionaire-Guide-Entangled-Indulgence-ebook/dp/B00JYZ0YDA?tag=entangpublis-20&link_code=ur2&creative=9325&camp=211189

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/played-by-the-billionaire-alexia-adams/1119357152

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/played-by-billionaire-guide/id870177984?ign-mpt=uo%3D8

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/played-by-the-billionaire-a-guide-to-love-novel

Google Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Alexia_Adams_Played_by_the_Billionaire_A_Guide_to_?id=7fZuAwAAQBAJ

*****

Author Info:

Alexia once traveled the world, meeting new people, experiencing new sights and tastes. She’s lived in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, England, and France, as well as spent time in Panama and Russia. When life demanded that she stay rooted in one place, she took to vicarious voyages through the characters she created in her romance novels. Her stories reflect her love of travel and feature locations as diverse as the wind-swept prairies of Canada to hot and humid cities in Asia.

Social Media Links:

Website: http://alexia-adams.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexiaAdamsAuth

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/alexiaadamsauth/

Tumblr: http://alexia-adams-author.tumblr.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7068526.Alexia_Adams?from_search=true

*****

Giveaway:

Kindle & 10 Indulgence Books (winner’s choice)

US only

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554355/

 

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Like Loading...

Spotlight – Facing the Music

26 Monday May 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Andrea Laurence, Facing the Music, Rosewood series

Happy Memorial Day everyone – let’s start by looking at the new book by Andrea Laurence.  I can’t wait for this one!

*****

FacingTheMusicCoverFacing the Music

by Andrea Laurence

Release Date: September 15, 2014

Publisher: Pocket Star

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Five years ago, high school sweethearts Ivy and Blake’s relationship imploded and both their lives were changed forever. Ivy became a rock star and Blake lost not only his dreams of a successful NFL career, but his reputation. Ivy’s angry song about their breakup, called “Size Matters”; hit the top of the charts and Blake became a national laughingstock. He’s salvaged his career and returned to Rosewood to be the high school football coach, regaining his status as town hero and leading the boys to the state championships.

When a tornado whips through town and destroys the high school gymnasium and stadium, a committee is formed to help rebuild and plan some charity fundraisers. Blake’s grandmother requests that Ivy return to Rosewood for the events. Forced back together for the good of their hometown and their careers, Ivy and Blake have no choice but to put aside their differences, stop running from their pasts, and finally face the music.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/RSWFCR

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

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1lDKwcN

Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/1jpY0vv

*****

Excerpt:

God must be rewarding him for his patience. That had to be the answer. There was no other reason why he would trip over a scenario this sweet. Ivy was outside wearing nothing but a pair of bikini bottoms and a frown.

Blake killed the engine and slowly pulled his boat up to the dock. He tied it up, taking careful steps to secure his baby and make Ivy wait as long as humanly possible. From what he could see, she wasn’t going anywhere, even if she wanted to.

He climbed onto the dock and strolled causally over to the Hudson cabin with his hands thrust into his pockets. Taking his time, Blake soaked in every delicious detail, from Ivy’s irritated scowl to the full globes of her breasts pressed beneath her inadequate hands. He’d never been so jealous of a pair of hands in his life.

His jeans tightened uncomfortably as his inspection ran over her mostly bare body. He was frankly surprised by the reaction. Not because she wasn’t a beautiful and sexy woman—she was; that was a given—but because his dick had a deep, abiding hatred of Ivy. So did the rest of him, but it was his penis that had become the center of national attention for being woefully inadequate. At the moment, however, he had ample evidence to the contrary.

*****

AndreaLaurenceAuthor 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.

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:

$25 Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2366/

*****

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Like Loading...

Guest Post – Marrying the Wrong Man

23 Friday May 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Elley Arden, Harmon Falls series, Marrying the Wrong Man

Now, I welcome the delightful Elley Arden, author of Marrying the Wrong Man, as she talks about romance … and sex!

*****

Romance vs. Sex

Sex isn’t necessarily romantic. We all had first times, didn’t we? And of course, what is or isn’t romantic is a very subjective thing. Making love on a bed of roses while candles flicker around the room? Most of us would agree that’s romantic. But giving into passion in the bed of a pickup truck in the middle of a rainstorm? That can be romantic, too. Just not in the classic sense.

Romance novels haven’t been “classic” in a long time. Oh, I know you can find books that follow a formula from years ago, and there are plenty of readers who adore those books. But more and more, publishers and readers are clamoring for sex scenes—detailed sex scenes—and not just one in every book.

When I started writing romance, I couldn’t imagine writing explicit sex scenes, so I skipped that part. A big patch of white marked the spot where my characters where getting busy. They could’ve been knitting for all I knew. I was truly uncomfortable enough that I didn’t give those scenes any real thought. But one night, as I stayed up long past my bedtime reading, skipping entire passages of a book just so I could get to the Happily Ever After, I realized something I NEVER would skip was a sex scene. Heck no! I read the good ones twice. And right then I knew … when it came to my writing, I had to stop closing the door and walking away just when things were heating up.

The next time I was alone with my writing, I scrolled down to the white space and told myself to write get it over with. Write the worst sex scene in the history of the world. I had to get the first time out of the way before I could get any better at it. In the end, it wasn’t bad, but it was definitely missing something. I didn’t know what it was then, but I bet I know now. There wasn’t any romance. No excitement past the physical. No mystery. No escape from the drudgery of everyday life. No revelry. They did a deed. Went through the motions. Performed stilted choreography. And it was flat. Unfeeling. Like a couple unskilled teens in the backseat of a car.

After eight published romance novels, I’d like to think I’m better at it now. I’d like to think I know what I’m doing. But, sometimes I get lazy. I’m tired. I have a headache. I forget to shave. *winks* Whether it’s sex on the page or sex in real life, the romance part takes work.

Bottom line: It’s easy to go through the motions. It’s harder to make it mean something.

What do you think? Have you read sex scenes that were lacking? Does the romance of the moment turn you on more than the actual deed? When it comes to love scenes in novels do you like more, less, explicit, or tame? It’s something to think about.

*****

9781440579639MARRYING THE WRONG MAN

Author: Elley Arden

Author Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May12th, 2014

Word Count: 50,000words

Publisher: Crimson Romance

Format: Digital eBook

ISBN: 9781440579639

Blurb:

Morgan Parrish returns to Harmony Falls after her spectacle of an almost wedding and her father’s colossal fall from grace. She’s broke and infamous. But that’s nothing compared to the secret she’s been keeping.

Life is finally on the upswing for Charlie Cramer. He’s sober and chef of Chargrilled Bistro. But his peace is shattered, when the woman he loves—the woman who left him—shows up in town with shocking cargo: the baby he’d begged her to keep and raise with him.

When fate steps in and Morgan takes a job working in Charlie’s bistro, things heat up—in and out of the kitchen. Can they learn to trust each other enough to love again? And is that love enough to keep them up when everyone else is trying to tear them down?

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Add MARRYING THE WRONG MAN to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

Other books in the Harmony Falls series:

BATTLING THE BEST MAN:

Goodreads | Amazon| Barnes and Noble | iBooks

CRASHING THE CONGRESSMAN’S WEDDING:

Goodreads | Amazon| Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Books-A-Million | Powell’s

*****

Excerpt:

I should have washed my hands of you.

 

“No!” He held up his hand. “I don’t want to hear any more from you until I’ve said what I’ve wanted to say for the last two years.”

She stuck out her chin and locked her jaw like she expected the words to pack one hell of a punch.

“I hate what you did,” he said. “All of it. I should’ve told you to go to hell when you broke things off, saying you wanted your daddy to be proud of you, and that meant you couldn’t be with me. I should’ve washed my hands of you then. But no, I let you cry on my shoulder too many damn times, and twice that led to … ” he sneered, “other things. Justin and I may have grown apart long before you two got engaged, but I still owed him more respect than that. I owed myself more respect than that. Falling in love with you was the stupidest thing I ever did. No wonder I ended up a drunk. You damn near destroyed me.”

Her lip quivered. “I didn’t mean to.”

“Really?” He fisted his hands and lifted his face to the sky for a roar. “Tell me you would’ve stopped that wedding had my sister not stood up and stopped it for you.”

She opened her mouth but shut it again.

“That’s what I thought.” He shook his head. “You’re sick. But the good news is, I’m not … not anymore. You might be stuck in Harmony Falls, but you better stay the hell away from me.”

Her gaze shot to the house again, but this time she gasped.

He turned in time to see Phyllis’s head. “Is everything okay? I heard yelling.”

“Shut the door!” Morgan’s whole body jerked like she was readying to run.

“I can call the cops.”

“I said shut the … ”

And then a child cried.

Charlie’s blood ran cold as Phyllis slammed the door. “Who was that?”

“Nobody.” Morgan rushed toward the house. “Leave, Charlie, or I’ll call the cops myself.”

A child. Whose child? The hairs on the back of his neck stood. “Morgan … ”

But she didn’t stop, and she slammed the door behind her like Phyllis had done, leaving him gaping in the driveway with the sound of a crying child ringing in his ears.

*****

MR7_2796 webAuthor Info:

Elley Arden is a born and bred Pennsylvanian who has lived as far west as Utah and as far north as Wisconsin. She drinks wine like it’s water (a slight exaggeration), prefers a night at the ballpark to a night on the town, and believes almond English toffee is the key to happiness.

Elley writes provocative, emotional, contemporary romances, where Mr. Not-My-Type ends up being Mr. Right.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Win some awesome prizes:

A $15 gift card for Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winners choice) plus a signed copy of Crashing the Congressman’s Wedding AND Battling the Best Man! (US residents only)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef13/

*****

Click on the banner below for a tour schedule.

MtWM_TourBadge

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Like Loading...

Spotlight – Worth the Fall

23 Friday May 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Claudia Connor, McKinney Brothers series, Worth The Fall

We’re going to finish off the week before the lovely three day weekend here in the US with a little bit of a bang – first up is a sneak peek at Claudia Connor’s Worth the Fall.  Make sure you come back later today though because we’ll be featuring a second book too.  Both great reads to look forward to.

*****

Loveswept (Random House) is thrilled to share an early teaser from WORTH THE FALL: The McKinney Brothers by Claudia Connor. Discover the story of Abby and Matt—and how one magical week between them can turn into something more… something worth falling for. Read on for more about the book and a sexy teaser!

978-0-553-39091-9 (2)

Blurb:

WORTH THE FALL

The McKinney Brothers: A Loveswept Contemporary Romance

Written by Claudia Connor

On Sale September 9, 2014

978-0-553-39091-9

Prepare to be swept away by a talented debut author with a passionate, powerful story to tell.

They meet on a beach. . . . Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.

They only have a week. . . . Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.

But a week is all it takes. . . . Matt opens her heart while Abby soothes his soul. And though they plan to say good-bye when the week is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget. Something utterly, completely worth falling for.

*****

Excerpt:

Settle down. He’s only a man.
Using the upper body strength she’d honed at the gym, she strained to crank the stubborn umbrella. She could do it. She’d done it yesterday. For God’s sake.Don’t look completely incompetent.
“Need some help?”
“No, I’ve got it.”
He moved in behind her until he stood so close she felt the loose strands of her hair catching on his chest. Abby inhaled hot skin and male deodorant—a heady, masculine combination that had her struggling to focus.
“Let me help you.”
“I can do it.” She tried to sound forceful and confident, but it came out breathy and—
“I know you can, but I can help.” His words whispered against her cheek. His arms came around her and he easily raised the umbrella, his body brushing hers with each turn of the crank. Then his arms were gone, leaving a strange void.
She turned to face him. He was so close. Nothing between them but the warm breeze. His sunglasses hung around his neck, revealing chocolate-brown eyes. Beyond beautiful, deep and rich, fringed with black lashes. A strong man with soft eyes. Eyes that could talk a girl into anything.
“Hey, Matt. Where’s our castle? I brought my football. Can we throw in the water?” Jack shot off his questions, oblivious to the fact the two adults in front of him stood like frozen statues.
Matt’s eyes held her captive another long second before he turned his attention to her son and she let herself breathe.
“Yeah, sure. One sec.” He walked the few feet to where he’d left his beach chair and came back with two. “There.” He set up the chairs under her umbrella. “You’ll like it better with a chair.”
“Thank you. If you tell me how much, I’ll—”
“You’re welcome.”
“Matt—” She reached for her beach bag, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“Abby.”
Her mind went blank at the feeling of his hot hand on her skin and the sensation he was touching her everywhere.
“Matt!” Jack was about to burst a blood vessel.
“Coming.”
Abby tried unsuccessfully to unglue her eyes as he walked down to the water. Matt’s sleek body dove through the waves as he played with Jack, and each time she held her breath, waiting for him to resurface. When he did, he burst through the water looking like a Greek god, chiseled out of smooth stone and coming to life right before her.
But the way he smiled at her son and gave him high fives made him even more beautiful. And the way she’d felt standing between his arms . . . Ridiculous, but still the word “safe” came to mind.
“Abby?”
He stood in front of her, drops of water clinging to his arms and chest, dripping down the ridges of his stomach.
Jack ran up beside him. “We’re swim buddies. Right, Matt? Matt says you should always swim with a buddy.”
Matt’s raised eyebrows and the smirk he was fighting told her she’d been busted for gawking. “Do you want to come out? The water’s great.”
“Um, no. No, thanks. I’m not a strong swimmer. I mean I can swim, I just—”
“I’ll be your swim buddy.” He grinned and she caught a hint of dimples.
Oh, Lord.
“The ocean still hasn’t grown on you, huh?”
She swallowed hard. “It’s growing.”

*****

Claudia ConnorAuthor Info:

Claudia Connor attended Auburn University, where she received her undergraduate and masters degrees in early childhood education, and completed her studies in Sawbridgeworth, England. Always a lover of happy endings, she enjoys movies, reading, and spending her days putting on paper the stories in her head. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and three daughters.

Connect with Claudia

Facebook  | Twitter

Connect with Loveswept

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Find WORTH THE FALL on Goodreads

Are you a book reviewer? Request WORTH THE FALL on NetGalley!

WORTH THE FALL is available from

Amazon  |  B&N  |  Google Play  |  iBooks  |  Kobo  |  Other Retailers

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Like Loading...
← Older posts
Newer posts →

FTC Disclaimer - see bottom of page for complete statement, but please be aware that in many cases I am provided a book to read. However my opinions are my own & no guarantee of positive review is given by any party.

Recent Posts

  • Review – Around and Around We Go
  • Review – Charming Puckboy
  • Review – Rescue the Night
  • Review – This Guy
  • Review – The Ultimate Save
  • Review – Unplanned Play
  • Review – Ryder
  • Review – Test of Time
  • Review – All for Love
  • Spotlight – Ryder
  • Spotlight – Kace
  • Review – Redeeming Rogue
  • Review – Mr. Trick Play
  • Review – A Puck Between Friends
  • Review – The Wild Card
  • Review – Extra Credit
  • Review – Hell or High Water
  • Review – Hot Axe
  • Review – It Started with a Text
  • Review – Love Pucktually
  • Spotlight – Only for Him
  • Review – Protected from Evil
  • Spotlight – Breaking Strings
  • Review – Wilde Ride
  • Review – Wild Kiss
  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Threads

Email me

romanticread@gmail.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Romantic Reads and Such on WordPress.com

Facebook

Facebook

Instagram

🔥EXCLUSIVE EARLY RELEASE 🔥 Around and Around We Go is "fun and funny, with a good dose of heart and a bit of heat". Full review at romanticread.com "They have issues & emotions that are real, delivering the spice & the feels in equal measure." Full review at romanticread.com "There’s so much that appealed to me – small town vibes, yes please. Brother’s best friend, oh yeah. Pining for each other for over a decade, the slowest of slow burns." Full review at romanticread.com "Hayes has a certain feel to her stories and I love the way they are all about the slow burn, with tons of feel good moments and steam." Full review at romanticread.com Saddle up for your next binge read! The Feud by @sawyerbennett123 is on sale right now for just 99 cents on all retailers. "Little bit angsty, little bit sassy, and a whole lot steamy, Stevens really brought it for me with Denis’s story." Full review at romanticread.com "This is my first Chelle Sloan book and for sure I did not know what I was missing." Full review at romanticread.com "Ryder is pretty low angst, with a few moments of trouble getting the two to their happy ending, but it definitely doesn’t scrimp on the heat." Full review at romanticread.com

Goodreads

Archives

  • April 2026 (15)
  • March 2026 (9)
  • February 2026 (9)
  • January 2026 (11)
  • December 2025 (14)
  • November 2025 (12)
  • October 2025 (6)
  • September 2025 (12)
  • August 2025 (15)
  • July 2025 (22)
  • June 2025 (18)
  • May 2025 (10)
  • April 2025 (20)
  • March 2025 (21)
  • February 2025 (13)
  • January 2025 (17)
  • December 2024 (12)
  • November 2024 (14)
  • October 2024 (11)
  • September 2024 (7)
  • August 2024 (11)
  • July 2024 (8)
  • June 2024 (13)
  • May 2024 (13)
  • April 2024 (9)
  • March 2024 (17)
  • February 2024 (9)
  • January 2024 (11)
  • December 2023 (10)
  • November 2023 (15)
  • October 2023 (14)
  • September 2023 (13)
  • August 2023 (15)
  • July 2023 (11)
  • June 2023 (14)
  • May 2023 (12)
  • April 2023 (19)
  • March 2023 (17)
  • February 2023 (4)
  • January 2023 (6)
  • December 2022 (7)
  • November 2022 (11)
  • October 2022 (8)
  • September 2022 (12)
  • August 2022 (14)
  • July 2022 (17)
  • June 2022 (11)
  • May 2022 (16)
  • April 2022 (15)
  • March 2022 (13)
  • February 2022 (7)
  • January 2022 (17)
  • December 2021 (21)
  • November 2021 (12)
  • October 2021 (20)
  • September 2021 (14)
  • August 2021 (10)
  • July 2021 (7)
  • June 2021 (14)
  • May 2021 (23)
  • April 2021 (19)
  • March 2021 (21)
  • February 2021 (11)
  • January 2021 (14)
  • December 2020 (13)
  • November 2020 (13)
  • October 2020 (13)
  • September 2020 (5)
  • August 2020 (10)
  • July 2020 (4)
  • June 2020 (13)
  • May 2020 (11)
  • April 2020 (12)
  • March 2020 (14)
  • February 2020 (11)
  • January 2020 (10)
  • December 2019 (5)
  • November 2019 (10)
  • October 2019 (12)
  • September 2019 (14)
  • August 2019 (6)
  • July 2019 (13)
  • June 2019 (18)
  • May 2019 (13)
  • April 2019 (16)
  • March 2019 (20)
  • February 2019 (19)
  • January 2019 (14)
  • December 2018 (12)
  • November 2018 (18)
  • October 2018 (22)
  • September 2018 (20)
  • August 2018 (17)
  • July 2018 (15)
  • June 2018 (21)
  • May 2018 (16)
  • April 2018 (21)
  • March 2018 (20)
  • February 2018 (21)
  • January 2018 (22)
  • December 2017 (21)
  • November 2017 (19)
  • October 2017 (25)
  • September 2017 (22)
  • August 2017 (21)
  • July 2017 (21)
  • June 2017 (29)
  • May 2017 (29)
  • April 2017 (23)
  • March 2017 (25)
  • February 2017 (23)
  • January 2017 (22)
  • December 2016 (22)
  • November 2016 (27)
  • October 2016 (28)
  • September 2016 (20)
  • August 2016 (23)
  • July 2016 (21)
  • June 2016 (24)
  • May 2016 (26)
  • April 2016 (25)
  • March 2016 (24)
  • February 2016 (39)
  • January 2016 (24)
  • December 2015 (25)
  • November 2015 (27)
  • October 2015 (27)
  • September 2015 (27)
  • August 2015 (36)
  • July 2015 (31)
  • June 2015 (21)
  • May 2015 (24)
  • April 2015 (30)
  • March 2015 (30)
  • February 2015 (26)
  • January 2015 (22)
  • December 2014 (21)
  • November 2014 (32)
  • October 2014 (34)
  • September 2014 (28)
  • August 2014 (34)
  • July 2014 (45)
  • June 2014 (44)
  • May 2014 (44)
  • April 2014 (38)
  • March 2014 (42)
  • February 2014 (38)
  • January 2014 (36)
  • December 2013 (32)
  • November 2013 (35)
  • October 2013 (33)
  • September 2013 (24)
  • August 2013 (19)
  • July 2013 (20)
  • June 2013 (18)
  • May 2013 (19)
  • April 2013 (19)
  • March 2013 (22)
  • February 2013 (14)
  • January 2013 (17)
  • December 2012 (8)
  • November 2012 (16)
  • October 2012 (12)
  • September 2012 (11)
  • August 2012 (13)
  • July 2012 (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

FTC Disclaimer

I have received ARCs of books free from NetGalley (and many moons ago from BookTrib.com) to review but the majority of the stories are either bought by me or provided for free from the publisher, author, or PR company. The opinions I share are my own and in no way are influenced by an author or publisher. There is no promise of a positive review by any party and there is no additional compensation. Unless otherwise noted, I am not affiliated with any contest or other event mentioned on this blog and I do not receive a paid endorsement for any post.

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Romantic Reads and Such
    • Join 577 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Romantic Reads and Such
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar

Loading Comments...

    %d