Book Blitz – Once in a Lifetime

10 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

Tags

Jill Shalvis, Lucky Harbor series, Once in a Lifetime

Now we get to take a peek at the newest from the incomparable Jill Shalvis. I adore her – with her hilarious I Love Lucy moments, the time-outs from facebook for no-no pictures (one of which was the cutest baby bottoms you’ve ever seen) and funny & immensely touching books – and I always get excited when I hear she has a new story coming out. Once in a Lifetime, releasing next week, finishes up the latest trilogy in her Lucky Harbor series, which I definitely think is a must read.

*****

ONCE IN A LIFETIME

Author: Jill Shalvis

Release Date: 2/18/14

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

SOMETIMES WRONG IS OH-SO-RIGHT

After a wrenching loss, Ben McDaniel tried to escape his grief by working in dangerous, war-torn places like Africa and the Middle East. Now he’s back in his hometown and face-to-face with Aubrey Wellington, the hot-as-hell woman who is trouble with a capital T. Family and friends insist she’s not the one to ease his pain, but Aubrey sparks an intense desire that gives Ben hope for the future.

Determined to right the wrongs of her past, Aubrey is working hard to make amends. But by far, the toughest challenge to her plan is sexy, brooding Ben – even though he has absolutely no idea what she’s done . . .

Can this unlikely couple defy the odds and win over the little town of Lucky Harbor?

*****

Excerpt:

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said. Once again he was close. Too close. So damn close. “At all,” she added, hearing with some alarm that her voice had softened. Everything had softened, at just his proximity. “Ever,” she whispered, and found her gaze locked on his mouth.

He had a really great mouth.

“I don’t want to talk, either,” that mouth said very seriously. And then he lowered his head. They shared a breath for a beat, just long enough for her to know what was going to happen and feel the anticipation swamp her.

Then he kissed her, deep and slow and utterly mesmerizing. His hands were firm on her back. Needing an anchor, she reached out and grasped his shirt and leaned into him. He was warm and solid, so very solid, emitting the kind of strength that she herself was a pint low on today.

Leaning in more, she felt his body respond.

Someone moaned. I did, she realized, swamped with the sensation of being wanted, even just physically. She took in the delicious taste of him, the feel of him, the sound of his very male groan when she stroked her tongue to his.

Things got a little hazy then. A lot hazy. She felt his hands move over her, melting her bones away. She touched him, too. Her hands wandered all over his body—and good Lord, what a body.

She had no idea how long they kissed—and kissed—but she didn’t think about stopping until she ran out of air. Breathing hard, she slowly opened her eyes and stared directly into his.

They’d heated. Darkened. And something else. He wasn’t looking so relaxed now. In fact, he was looking the opposite of relaxed. He looked…feral.

And she was his prey.

Pre-order Links

Amazon – http://amzn.to/1d78Gxh

Barnes & Noble – http://bit.ly/1cOQUx0

iTunes – http://bit.ly/KoRQ0Y

IndieBound – http://bit.ly/1dw31iF

*****

Author Info:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Social Networking Links

Website – http://www.JillShalvis.com

Facebook – http://www.Facebook.com/jillshalvis

Twitter – https://twitter.com/JillShalvis

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis

*****

Giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDdjMjM2M2Y2MGZmNDQwNmZmZjJiNGE3OTlhY2ZhOjI=/

*****

Guest Post – Lynked

10 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

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Bethany-Kris, Lynked

This morning we’re welcoming Bethany-Kris as she talks about her inspiration and her new book, Lynked.

*****

Five Romance Authors Who Inspire Me…

Hi there!

As almost any writer will tell you, every good writer reads. Do they always read their genre? Maybe not, as everyone has their own specific tastes, but they still read. I happen to be a writer with a large plate of topics I enjoy reading. Suspense, paranormal, erotica, horror, YA, and even some biographies. As long as I can read, I’m happy. Give me a book and you’ve become my favorite person.

But, as a romance author, I’m quick to pick up a book that is more subjective to romance. I’ve always been like that, even when I was a teenager. There’s something about the magic between characters when they’re fighting for love, learning to love, or just being plain old in love that gets me every time I crack open a book to read.

I also have a large range of taste when it comes to what genres of romance I enjoy reading. Historical, erotic, contemporary…well, it doesn’t really matter. I’ll read all of it and soak up the love.

So, I thought today I would share a list of my five favorite romance authors that have inspired me in one way or another since I began writing my own stories. Some of these authors I grew up reading, and a couple of others, I’ve only recently discovered. Some are adult, and some may be young adult. They all have their own place in romance, wherever it is that they fall. Either way, they’ve had an impact on me somehow. The list below is in no particular order, just as they fell into my mind.

1) Lora Leigh – an erotic romance author of titles like Only Pleasure and Forbidden Pleasure, she was the first erotic author I ever read. I happened to pick up her book off my aunt’s bookshelf by mistake, and wow.

2) Nicolas Sparks – Do I need to list some of his titles? Ha ha. The Notebook is probably one of the most famous. To me, he will someday be a classic in romance if he isn’t already considered one. My favorite in his backlist is Dear John. If he can’t me cry while reading, it can’t be a Nicolas Sparks novel in my hands.

3) Philippa Gregory – an author who stays strictly in the historical romance category, she owns a hefty backlist. Some of my favorites are The White Queen, The Virgin Queen, The Other Boleyn Girl, and well, just about any book she’s put out. I have an entire shelf for just her and it’s already overflowing. Not only does Gregory give you the romance in a great way, she works the history as true to fact as she can get it. Any historical lover who enjoys romance would be pleased to pick up one of her books.

4) V.C. Andrews – This choice might be a surprise for some. I grew up reading Mrs. Andrews. In some places, she was forbidden. Topics like incest and rape were common in her Young Adult novels. And even though her family series could go on for books and books, there was always some romance theme. Perhaps it was the taboos in her writing that kept me coming back and when I was older, allowed me to be open to writing my own erotic stories without fear of judgement.

5) Sylvia Day – Quite by accident while at work one night, I was attempting to ignore the lecture my boss was giving our crew. It wasn’t unusual for me to disappear behind the racks of books and pick up one to read while he did his rant. The book I happened upon was Bared To You. I’m not a huge BDSM fan, so the fact that I was suddenly devouring this book was crazy to me. I still haven’t found a BDSM title that makes me enjoy it quite as well as Day’s does.

I sincerely hope if you haven’t heard of, or picked up, one of these authors’ works, you will now. They’ve each had their own stories and struggles in the publishing world, as well as their successes. I’m proud to say their titles are in my library because they’ve inspired me. Thank you for letting me share!

*****

Lynked

by Bethany-Kris

Release Date: February 3^rd, 2014

Contemporary Erotic Romance

He’d give up everything to keep her, in fact he did. But will she still be waiting on the other side when it’s over?

Blurb:

When a fighter’s path crosses with a beautiful woman, he’s positive the meeting will only end in her leaving his penthouse with sex hair and a smile—until life and the law steps in, inevitably linking their futures forever.

The accident that ended his fighting career wasn’t enough to keep former mixed martial arts champion Devon Lynk out of the sport. His new business, Chaine Lynk, an exclusive fighting company, has made him millions through illegal gambling. Happy with his life, he never suspected it could be his downfall … until the morning after leads to something so much more than he expected, and he’s left with the weight of guilt and responsibility on his shoulders.

Veronica “Nic” Stacey made her way to Edmonton with the intention of starting life anew, but her first night in the city lands her in a stranger’s bed and things don’t quite go as planned. Waking up to find out her brother is in jail is one thing, but learning the man she slept with is also his boss is another matter altogether. With no knowledge of the city and nowhere to go, she’s left taking the only help offered: Devon’s.

With Chaine Lynk’s doors closed and Devon facing possible jail time for his involvement, reality takes a front row seat. Love and lust intermingle as he comes to learn what his business and choices have cost the girl he wants most—now he just has to fix it. But is it already too late?

*****

Author Info:

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover, and mother of two young sons, two cats, and two dogs. With a fulltime job, her children underfoot, animals at her side, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something…when she can find the time.

Author’s Website: www.bethanykris.blogspot.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bethanykriswrites

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bethanykris

*****

Excerpt:

“What is your name, pretty girl?”

Something sinful crawled over every nerve Nic had in the best way at the voice in her ear. She couldn’t not respond to the hand suddenly holding tight to her waist. The heat of the man’s palm soaked straight through the fabric of her dress and seeped into her skin in the best way. She swore it travelled over her flesh with a tingling dance that had her burning hot instantly. Shooting him with a simpering grin, Nic turned her head just enough to check him out.

Tall and well dressed with broad shoulders, a muscled frame, and hazel eyes that seemed to pierce right into her soul, Nic was stunned for a second. The dark color of his skin stood out against the cream color of her dress and his fingers tightened, making her breath catch. Handsome was an understatement. This man was downright gorgeous in a way that made her pulse pick up and her sex ache.

There was a faint grin playing on his full lips and her gaze was drawn down to his hand still holding firm to her waist like it belonged there. No one had so blatantly approached her like he had throughout the night, not to mention physically touched her.

Actually, this man was the first to ever do that at all and not get an instant rejection.

Maybe it should have bothered Nic, but instead she found herself curious as to why he had approached her. After all, she hadn’t been actively trying to invite attention her way.

“Your name?” he asked again.

The roughness in his voice was almost mesmerizing. The flecks of green in his eyes seemed to dance under the lights, sparkling with suggestion and want.

“Nic.”

“What are your plans in the next five minutes?”

Nic turned to look back at the fight. The man did the same, watching as Jordan locked down hard to his opponent, pinning him to the mat with a chokehold that looked like it must have hurt. She’d thought seeing Jordan fight would turn her inside out with worry, but instead, Nic only found herself proud.

Maybe making the choice to come to Alberta had been the right one after all. Change was supposed to be a good thing, right?

“That depends,” she finally answered.

“On what?”

Once more, she met his gaze, feeling his hand gripping tightly to her waist and wanting to become lost in just the sensation of that action alone. Nic could feel her body wanting to press harder into his grip. Never had her insides reacted so strongly to another person. He didn’t let up a bit. Haze yielded behind them, tapping out hard against the mat. People started to cheer as their hands hit the cage. Jordan’s name rang out in the crowd louder and louder.

“On that.”

Her brother won.

The tuition was all but paid now.

Do something different. Those words rung in her mind like a toll bell.

What would it hurt to go home with this man? Nic wondered. Who would know what she had done? There wouldn’t be a soul to say anything bad. There would be no one judging her like they did back home. He clearly wasn’t a fighter if his clothing and attitude were any indication, so she was still following along with her brother’s only request.

What could it really hurt? Nothing. She was grown. Jordan would be celebrating his win. A single phone call to let him know she was fine would be enough until the morning.

“Come home with me,” he said, his eyes seeming to search hers for any sign of indecision.

Nic laughed an airy sound. “I don’t even know you.”

“I don’t bite.”

“Maybe I’d like that, though.”

“All right, I bite a little,” he teased.

She could easily say no, but she didn’t want to. That should have scared her. Whatever influence this man seemed to have on her was one she hadn’t experienced before. Nic was the rational one; a person who didn’t make irresponsible choices that would shine her in a bad light. Straight and narrow; white as a dove. Whoever this man was, he made her want to jump headfirst into the filth of sin without even thinking of possible consequences.

“Married?” he asked.

“Nope.”

“Escort?” The face she made must have given away how she felt about that comment. “Sorry,” he said.

Again, his mouth came dangerously close to her face, lips ghosting over the shell of her ear. Heat saturated Nic all over again and she shivered. Who was this man? She didn’t even care that his name had yet to be uttered. She wet her tongue with her lips.

“Come home with me,” he repeated, his voice turning down to a husky tone.

Nic bit her lip, her eyebrow rising in contemplation. “You’ll get me home in the morning?”

“In a private jet if you want, sweetheart; just say yes.”

“Yes.”

*****

Review:

I have to say that this one wasn’t anything like I expected it to be. I was intrigued by the idea of the book: a woman, new in town, lets herself get picked up by a stranger for a one night stand and then finds out the guy is her brother’s boss … in a fighting ring, with illegal betting, which her brother has just been arrested in relation to. So now she’s all alone in the city and the only person she knows, who isn’t in jail, is said one night stand. That has to make things just a tad awkward. But there were times that I just didn’t understand them. Luckily most of that was in the beginning and once I got past that I was good.

There’s a lot going on here – lots of angst and guilt and really, really hot sex. You have two people who are getting to know each other after spending an amazingly steamy night together, plus they have to figure out the future (individually and perhaps together) and deal with the fact that her brother is in jail for a crime that Devon masterminded. Lots of emotions floating around. Again, not really what I expected … a lot more drama, I think, but for about $4 on ebook (either Amazon or B&N) it is definitely worth a try.

*****

Tour Schedule:

Feb. 10th- Romantic Reads and Such-Guest Post

Feb. 11th-Books to Get Lost In-Spotlight

Feb. 12th-A Little Bit of R & R-Spotlight

Feb. 13th-Becky on Books and Quilts-Spotlight

Feb. 14th-Literal Hotties-Spotlight

Feb. 17th-My Erotic Notions-Spotlight

Feb. 18th-Red Heads Review It Better-Spotlight

Feb. 19th-A Passion for Romance-Character Interview

Feb. 20th- Must Read Faster-Review

Feb. 21st-In Shadows-Spotlight

Blog Tour – Love Bats Last

05 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Heart of the Game series, Love Bats Last, Pamela Aares

This morning we’re going to look at Love Bats Last by Pamela Aares. It looks like a promising start to a new series and I can’t wait to see what else she comes up with.

*****

Love Bats Last

by Pamela Aares

Blurb:

When love’s in the game you can’t play it safe…

In LOVE BATS LAST, author Pamela Aares introduces you to the Heart of the Game series. Get ready for All-Star alpha males and the strong women they come to love!

A stormy night changes their lives forever…

The baseball diamond isn’t the only field for all-star player Alex Tavonesi; he also runs his family’s prestigious vineyard. What he can’t seem to run is his love life. He’s closing in on the perfect vintage and the perfect game, but so far the perfect woman has eluded him.

Veterinarian Jackie Brandon is eluding her aristocratic past and memories of a soccer star who jilted her just before their wedding. She devotes herself to a marine mammal rescue center on the northern California coast, where hundreds of seals and sea lions are washing up dead.

A chance meeting in a midnight storm brings Alex and Jackie together to rescue a stranded whale. Watching her work, he realizes she’s the passionate, courageous woman he thought he’d never find–he just has to overcome her deep distrust of jocks. Jackie’s passion and courage lead her to discover what’s killing the sea mammals. The culprits want to silence her, and Alex is the only one standing in their way. What will he sacrifice to save the woman he loves?

“Pamela Aares deftly weaves together the desires and strategies of world-class sports with the equally charged realm of the heart to create fast-moving tales you’ll wish would never end.” —Mary Beath, award-winning author of Refuge of Whirling Light on the contemporary series the Heart of the Game.

“A new star in the romance world!” —E. Alexander, New York Times best-selling author

http://www.pamelaaares.com/available-books/love-bats-last/

*****

Author Info:

Pamela is an author of contemporary and historical romance novels. Her first book, Jane Austen and the Archangel (Angels Come to Earth, #1) was released in 2012. Midnight Becomes You, (Angels Come to Earth, #2) will release in 2014, along with three more books in the Heart of the Game series, all releasing in 2014.

Before becoming a romance author, Pamela Aares produced and wrote award-winning films and radio shows including Your Water, Your Life featuring actress Susan Sarandon and the NPR series New Voices. After producing The Powers of the Universe and The Earth’s Imagination, she knew without a doubt that romance lives at the heart of the universe and powers the greatest stories of all.

Pamela holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard and lives in the wine country of California with her husband and two curious cats. Her love of nature led to adventures scuba diving the coral reefs of Fiji, exploring the cliffs of Greece, sea kayaking the Rosario Straits and white water rafting the wild and scenic rivers of the west—and romance!

Web site: http://www.PamelaAares.com

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomPamelaAares

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PamelaAares

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PamelaAares

Pinterest: http://www.twitter.com/PamelaAares

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/PamelaAares

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/pamela-aares

*****

Excerpt:

“We’ve got a stranded whale—the fisherman who reported it said it’s about nine feet. Has to be either a newborn or a juvenile minke. The rescue crew has to deal with the animals they brought in,” she said, nodding toward the hospital. She took a breath and tilted her head toward Gage. “Genius here says you offered to help.”

She flicked her eyes over Alex. He felt he was being sized up for auction. He’d been sized up many times—by scouts, by owners, by managers deciding how much they would pay for his services—but he’d never felt the awkwardness that ran through him as she looked him up and down.

“He doesn’t have any training,” Gage muttered, as if he was trying to let Alex off the hook.

“He has muscles,” she said. “Right now, that will do.”

“Be happy to help,” Alex said.

He thought he saw the hint of a smile flicker behind her scrutiny. She had a strong, beautiful face that would’ve been lovelier without the frown. She turned away and fished in her pocket, pulling out a fistful of keys. She gave him a last, long scan and shrugged.

“Get in the back.” She nodded toward the truck. “And try not to fall out. I’m fresh out of Band-Aids tonight.”

Gage shot him a look that said, You don’t have to do this.

It would take a team of bulls to hold him back.

Gage motioned for Alex to jump over the tailgate.

“She smashed it in last week; it won’t open,” he said apologetically.

“If you hadn’t distracted me with all your budget woes and lists of things you desperately needed, I would’ve seen the bloody hydrant.” She turned to Alex. “I’m a fine driver.”

If her driving matched her boating skills, he was in for it.

*****

Tour Schedule:

1/29: An Open Book – Spotlight

2/5: Romantic Reads and Such – Guest Blog

2/6: Spotlight – In Shadows

2/7: Spotlight – Phenomenal Reviews

2/10: Spotlight – Deal Sharing Aunt

2/11: Interview – You Gotta Read

2/11: Spotlight – The Book Queen’s Palace

2/12: Interview – Books-n-Kisses

2/13: Harlie’s Books

2/16: Spotlight – Diane’s Book Blog

2/17: Spotlight – Inner Goddess

2/17: Guest Blog – Book Marks the Spot

2/18: Guest Blog – Becky on Books

2/19: Spotlight – Sizzling Hot Books

2/21: Spotlight – Lusty Penguin Reviews

2/24: Spotlight – Books to Get Lost In

2/25: Guest Blog – A Passion for Romance

2/27: Spotlight – Reviews by Molly

Spotlight – Kaleidoscope

04 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Kaleidoscope, Kristen Ashley

Now we’re going to take a look at Kristen Ashley’s book, Kaleidoscope. It releases today and to celebrate they are having a great giveaway (details below), plus you can read the first chapter of the book here.

AND on February 5, there will be a LIVE Spreecast Chat with Kristen Ashley at 7 PM EST. RSVP to watch and participate – http://www.spreecast.com/events/live-chat-with-kristen-ashley–2

*****

KALEIDOSCOPE by Kristen Ashley (February 4, 2014; Forever E-Book; $3.99)

Sexy, gifted, and loyal, PI Jacob Decker is a tall, cool drink of perfection who had Emmanuelle Holmes at “hello.” His relationship with Emme’s best friend kept them apart for years, but things have changed. Now that a case has brought him to Gnaw Bone, Colorado, the road is wide open for Emme and Deck to explore something hotter and deeper than Emme dreamed possible. So why is she sabotaging the best thing that’s ever happened to her?

It isn’t easy to catch Deck off guard, but Emme does just that when she walks back into his life after nine long years. The curvy brunette had her charms back in the day, but now she’s a bona fide knockout . . . and she wants to rekindle their friendship. Deck, however, wants more. Emme’s always been the one; she excites Deck’s body and mind like no other woman can. But a dark chapter from Emme’s past overshadows their future together. Now only Deck can help her turn the page-if she’ll let him . . .

Buy Links:

Amazon

B&N

iTunes

*****

Author Info:

Kristen Ashley grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana, and has lived in Denver, Colorado, and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multigenerational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland, and Kristen grew up listening to the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon, and Whitesnake. Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music and love was a good way to grow up. And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

Social Media Links:

*****

Excerpt:

I looked out my office window, down to the yard, my eyes to the bustling activity, and I did this tapping my phone on my desk.

I should be working but I wasn’t thinking about work.

I was thinking about Jacob.

More precisely, I was thinking about calling Jacob, had an overwhelming urge to do so.

I was also trying not to do so because I had a boyfriend, even though he was a boyfriend I wasn’t all that sure about. He was sweet, he was into me, but he was just… off.

Then again, I didn’t have a lot of experience so what did I know?

Additionally, after my dinner with Jacob last night, within an hour, I’d called him after ten at night and now it was only eleven thirty the next day.

I didn’t want him to think I was psycho, and calling him would imply psycho behavior. Further, when I called him last night, I’d asked him to dinner, which was dinner two nights in a row with a woman he hadn’t seen in nine years, a woman with a boyfriend, and that was semi-psycho.

Okay, maybe it was totally psycho.

I didn’t want Jacob to think I was psycho.

Ever.

But I wanted to hear his voice. I wanted to connect with him on the phone. I’d missed him and I liked having him back. I liked it a great deal.

I also missed him a great deal.

And I needed to ask him something. Further, he was the only one I could ask.

I looked from the yard to my phone. My mind telling my thumb not to do it, my thumb not listening, I found Jacob’s contact and hit go.

I put it to my ear.

“I’m a psycho,” I whispered and luckily finished whispering two seconds before Jacob’s voice sounded.

“You okay?” he answered.

He kept asking that mostly, I figured, because I kept calling when I didn’t need to so he probably thought something was wrong.

Or that I was a psycho.

“I need to know if you don’t eat anything,” I lied.

Actually, it wasn’t a lie. Although I remembered a lot about Jacob (most everything, in all honesty), I couldn’t recall if there was something specific he didn’t like to eat.

I could recall how beautiful he was, how tall he was, how strong he was. I could recall how smart he was and how funny he was. I could recall how cool he was with me. I could also recall how much I missed him. But I couldn’t recall if he didn’t like chicken.

But that wasn’t the only thing I needed to know. I needed to know something else too.

Much like last night, when he didn’t make me feel like a psycho, in fact, the opposite and sounded like he was happy to hear from me and would be willing to talk all night, he again sounded like me psychotically calling him yet again in a precursor to stalker way was no big deal.

“I don’t eat it, I’ll pick it off.”

“You can’t pick it off if I cook with it in it or if the mainstay of dinner on the whole is what you don’t eat,” I informed him.

“You makin’ Indian food?” he asked.

“No. Don’t you like Indian food?” I asked back.

“Love it,” he answered.

“Then why’d you ask if I was making Indian food?”

“ ’Cause I hoped you were.”

I burst out laughing.

No, Jacob definitely didn’t make me feel like I was being a psycho.

When I quit laughing, I told him, “Sorry, honey, I don’t know how to make Indian food.”

“Shame,” he muttered, a smile in his deep, attractive voice, and if I was on an infrared scanner, specific parts of me would have shown up hotter.

You have a boyfriend, Emme! I told myself.

For a while, I answered myself.

Jacob is also your ex–best friend’s ex-boyfriend, Emme! I reminded myself.

So? I asked myself.

I shoved those thought aside, thoughts that, if anyone knew I was talking to myself in my head might prove I was indeed a psycho, and pointed out to Jacob, “You haven’t actually answered the question.”

“I’ll eat what you cook, Emme. Cook what you like.”

He was such a nice guy.

He always was.

Nice. Tall (very tall). Handsome (unbelievably handsome). Smart (so damned smart). Funny. Interesting. Gentlemanly. And a repeat of nice because it was worth a repeat since he was just that nice.

I liked all that about him. I liked that he wore his dark hair way too long. I liked that sometimes a thick hank of it fell over his forehead and into his eye. I liked that he was who he was and didn’t wear designer jeans or put gel in his hair. I liked that, even considering he was extortionately intelligent, in fact, a genius, he never made anyone feel less than him because they weren’t as smart. I liked that he never acted superior or arrogant and with all that was him, looks, body, brains, he was one person who could. And I liked that he liked to do what he liked to do, he did what he liked to do and wouldn’t get pushed into doing something he didn’t want.

Like Elsbeth tried to do.

He’d lost her to that and he’d accepted it. I knew it killed. He’d loved her to distraction. But he refused to be the man she wanted him to be and instead was the man he was.

She should have seen she had it all even if he didn’t make bucketloads of money and thus couldn’t give her the life she was used to getting from her daddy. Country clubs, tennis lessons, vacations in villas in Italy and beaches in Thailand, fabulous homes kept by maids and fabulous meals cooked by cooks.

She didn’t see all she had.

Stupid.

*****

Be sure to enter Kristen’s fantastic contest!

5 bound copies of KALEIDOSCOPE by Kristen Ashley
5 digital copies of KALEIDOSCOPE by Kristen Ashley

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/26635c27/

Spotlight – Claiming Ana

03 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Brynna Curry, Claiming Ana, Triple Star Ranch series

(It is going to be another busy day today, so keep checking back.)

First up, we’re going to take a look at Claiming Ana by Brynna Curry. For those of you who like paranormal stories, this one looks good!

*****

Claiming Ana

by Brynna Curry

A Triple Star Ranch Novel

“I’ll take you, turn you, until I’m the sun that warms you, the moon that calls to you at night.” – Howl Raven

Blurb:

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire…and passion that won’t be denied.

The child of a gypsy and fey, small-town veterinarian Dr. Anastasia Brannon has always hidden her magic for fear of ridicule. A red-hot encounter with the new PI in town makes their attraction impossible to deny. Throwing caution to the wind, she indulges her desires but keeps her secrets close.

A man with a shady past and secrets of his own, Howl Raven uses his feral talents and tracking skills to make a living, doing his best to lay low and hide the curse that haunts him every month. So far, so good…until an uncontrollable shift outside the full moon leaves him the victim of a werewolf hunter.

When she finds the enigmatic investigator wounded in the woods near her cabin during a storm, Ana provides medical care on instinct. She may be the only one who can banish the wolf from Howl’s blood, but at what cost?

*****

Excerpt:

Stop thinking about sex, Ana. Control yourself.

Howl swallowed the pills with the hot coffee burning a path down his raw throat and hoped it hid his grin.

Arrgh. He probably heard that too.

“Every word. We’ll get to that, hopefully sooner rather than later.”

“You’re evading the question. So, how did you come to be bleeding in my woods not twenty feet from my doorstep?”

“My woods. I’m renting the Parker place, remember? Technically, that makes Parker’s woods, my woods,” he corrected.

She turned her back on him to retrieve something from the cabinet. Had it only been yesterday they had shared lunch in this room? She had been molten in his arms, melting into his kiss. If not for the phone call from Jace, they would have ended up in bed. Maybe on the couch. Against the wall. Now who couldn’t control their thoughts? Where had this distance come from?

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“I know.” He slipped in behind her at the counter. He had questions. She had answers. Howl intended to have them and her. “Why didn’t you call for help?” Howl laughed when he felt her jump mentally. Mind reading was such a trip. He effectively caged her between the counter and his arms. He wanted to kiss her, just there where her neck curved into her shoulder. He nuzzled the spot and traced the tip of his tongue along the exposed skin of her throat.

She tilted her head to give him better access. “The storm knocked down lines everywhere. We’re running off generator power, no phone, and no cell.”

He felt her shiver as her situation started to dawn on her. They were completely alone. Nothing to stop them from acting on this all-consuming lust. No calls from Jace. No neighborly driveby visits from Cade. No work. Just walls, rooms, and plenty of doors with locks.

“I would have driven you to the hospital once the storm let up and you were stable, but you asked me not to. That, and my Jeep was totaled by a tree. Then I found this.” Ana held up the small jar containing the bullet she had removed. “And I knew I couldn’t go to Cade. He wouldn’t understand.”

Howl took the jar. Even through the glass, the metal burned his skin. He tossed it aside. It rolled across the floor into the corner smacking into the baseboard but didn’t break.

“Thank you for that, for protecting me. You know what I am, then.” This time he did kiss her just behind her right ear.

“Yes.”

“And are you afraid of me?” Need beat a rhythm through his blood. Please say no. The hard planes of his body pressed against the silk of her back.

“Should I be?”

“I won’t hurt you.”

“How do you do this to me?”

Howl felt her frustration as she instinctively arched into him.

“What do I do to you?” He flipped open the buttons of her blouse.

“Make me ache for you.”

A feral urge consumed him with her whispered words, something animal, something that couldn’t be controlled. He kissed the nape of her neck, and felt her skin vibrate beneath his lips. He heard her shudder inwardly and beg her body to behave. “Oh, no you don’t. I want you out of control. You should have told me about your magic.” He breathed the word in her ear. She melted underneath his massaging fingers.

“And you could have mentioned you howl at the moon, before I had to use that magic to save your life.”

Claiming Ana releases February 2014.

For information regarding this and other books in the series, please

visit the Triple Star Ranch page at brynnacurry.com or the links below.

Buy Links

Amazon B & N Sony Kobo

*****

Author Info:

Brynna Curry was born south of the Mason-Dixon Line. After living all over the southern states, she finally landed in North Alabama where she lives with her husband and their three children. Growing up, books fueled her dreams and imagination, ultimately becoming her salvation during the hardest times in her life.

Writing is her passion, but she enjoys the fun of sharing those stories with others by reviewing books and working in publicity. When she isn’t writing or promoting, she’s often found haunting the library for new books to read, at the park with her children (when she can wrangle them into it) or just spending an quiet evening at home with Jackie watching old westerns on TV. Although her wizards, shifters and vampires are as real to her as anyone, she insists love is the truest magic and with it every day is another wonderful adventure.

Website Facebook Twitter

*****

Tour Schedule:

1/22: Review – Inner Goddess

1/25: Guest Blog/Review – Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews

1/30: Interview – Behind Closed Doors

1/31: Interview – Diane’s Book Blog

2/1: Review – Phenominal Review

2/2: Character Interview – Eden Ashe

2/3: Spotlight – Romantic Reads and Such

2/4: Spotlight – Deal Sharing Aunt

2/5: Spotlight – My Erotic Notions

2/7: Review – Trips Down Imaginations Road

2/10: Review – Must Read Faster

2/13: Spotlight – Black Raven Reviews (R)

3/3: Interview/Review – Harlies Books

3/12: Excerpt/Spotlight – Lusty Penguin Reviews

3/13: Interview – Books to Get Lost In (R)

3/17: Guest post – USA Today’s Happy Ever After Blog

Blog Tour – Letting Go

31 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Bridie Hall, Letting Go

This morning we welcome Bridie Hall as she shares with us how integral writing is to her and then gives a look at her new book, Letting Go.

*****

Stories & coloring books

I always had heaps of coloring books around the house as a child. I liked colors, the freedom of creating, of defiantly painting a dog pink and a girl’s face green. Another reason why I liked coloring books was that they contained no words, no stories.

It’s not that I didn’t like stories, quite the contrary, it was the opportunity that coloring books offered me to make up my own tales. I would sit on the balcony overlooking the river in the summer, and I would be turning page after page in a coloring book and weaving the dolls, dogs, parrots, hot air balloons and everything else into one long story. I was trying to see whether I could include each and every object, animal or person in the book into one story and still make sense. I can’t remember whether I succeeded, but I do know this is my first distinct memory of me making up stories, and loving it.

I loved it a tiny bit less when I started school. There was no time for coloring books then, it was all long division and predicates and the year of the French revolution (I mention this year because it’s the only one I remember from History). There was no place or time for my own stories, it seemed all the stories had already been written, and the only thing I was allowed to do was to learn them by heart. It felt like the world didn’t want to listen to what I had to say, to my fairy tales and mysteries and adventure sagas.

In my teens, I returned to stories and started writing them down. I was fourteen, when I had my first story published. The magazine had to pay my mom as I didn’t yet have my own bank account. Mom doesn’t have to ‘lend’ me her account anymore, not because I have my own, but because I mostly don’t get paid for my writing endeavors. But I refuse to let that deter me. I have found the perfect manner to express myself, and while I’m not the most gregarious person you’ll ever meet and I may go long hours, even days, without speaking to anyone, not a day passes without me writing down a few lines, paragraphs or a poem.

For me, writing is not a hobby or a profession. It’s about how I perceive the world around me and inside me. I don’t know whether I would see things differently if I didn’t write, but I’m certain they would make far less sense to me. Somehow, deep down, I must’ve known that already as a child when I felt the need to come up with a raison d’etre for the coloring book characters.

*****

Letting Go

by Bridie Hall

Blurb:

Isabelle is left stranded at the airport, and her only chance of getting home is with her boyfriend’s older brother, Harper. When this good girl and bad boy set off towards home, it turns out that maybe she’s not such a good girl after all. And even bad boys have reasons for their bad behavior.

The road trip is full of shocking revelations and unexpected emotions, bringing the two of them closer than Isabelle ever thought possible. Maybe too close.

*****

Author Info:

Bridie Hall sold her first story at fourteen. Since then, she has written dozens more, translated books, studied writing, and started writing novels. Her days revolve around stories and words, her sleepless nights involve plotting and inventing fascinating new characters. The only activity that takes up more of her time than writing, is reading.

Website: http://bridiehallauthor.com

Twitter: @BridieHall13

*****

Excerpt:

They had to use their jackets to shield themselves from the rain as they ran to the car. It was pouring again.

“I’ve had enough of this rain,” Isabelle said.

“It’s been like this the entire week. Freaky weather.”

“At least I got some sunny days in Paris,” Isabelle sighed as she got in and closed the door.

“Did you go see the Luxembourg gardens?” Harper asked and started the car. Driving down the street, he typed a quick message to Missy, and Isabelle itched to give him a lecture on safety.

“I loved them,” she said instead. “I went there almost every day and watched the people. It was almost like a gallery, but the pictures were alive.”

“Did you see kids playing with the sail boats at the basin?”

“Yeah. It was such a nice, calm place. I can imagine going there to relax or cool off.”

“It’s the perfect spot. But then again, every spot in Paris is damn near perfect.”

“Is it my imagination or are you a hopeless romantic?”

He looked at her and smiled crookedly. “It’s an inspiring city, that’s all.”

“Did you visit it alone?” Isabelle asked, smiling.

“No.”

“Hm. What happened to her?”

“Bugger off.”

“Come on, tell me.” She only half teased him. She wanted to know more about the Harper she’d glimpsed last night when they talked about his family and earlier in Missy’s kitchen. He astounded her, made her curious.

“She ditched me over a physics student,” he said as if he were ashamed of it.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Her loss.”

Harper turned to her.

“What? A physics student as opposed to a web designer that can cook? That’s a no brainer.”

“It certainly was a no brainer for her,” he said dryly.

“You cared about her?”

“I took her to Paris, didn’t I?”

“True.”

They fell silent. Isabelle mulled over the things she had learnt about him. She’d only dated one boy before Jamie and it wasn’t very serious at all. Still, when he dumped her, her pride was hurt. Chloe went on a mission of returning her self-esteem by taking her on shopping trips where they spent most of their time assessing the boys they saw because neither of them could afford to buy anything. That was how Isabelle first noticed Jamie. He was in front of them in the line at the ice cream place at the mall and she remembered he chose vanilla and chocolate. The ice cream was why she noticed him. She had a habit of choosing the flavors with the wildest colors, so she rarely picked vanilla and chocolate. Jamie, as she learned later, always picked the same flavors.

“Did it hurt?” she now asked Harper.

“I got over it,” he said. But the way he said it answered her question better than the words. She could imagine his heartache and it made her sad. His entire life had been sad, Isabelle thought. She guessed that was one of the reasons for the distance that he created between himself and the people around him by being sarcastic and unkind. He deserved a break. He deserved someone to make him happy. Why was it that some people never got to be happy?

“What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?” she asked, thinking of Jamie standing in line at the mall. When Jamie had turned and smiled at her, she thought he was cute. Decent and good.

“I don’t have one. I always pick a different flavor. Why?”

“Just curious,” she said, her smile tense. “And thanks. For a wonderful morning.”

“It wasn’t as bad as you expected, was it?”

“It wasn’t bad at all.”

“See? I told you that you could trust me.”

“I’m beginning to realize that sometimes it’s easier to trust others than myself.”

Glancing at her, he said, “What got you thinking that?”

“Life in general,” she shrugged. “It’s messier, less controllable than I’d like to think. I often misjudge situations. There’s plenty of confusing grey areas.”

“That it is,” he agreed. “Don’t let it get to you. Grey’s a cool color.”

“I don’t know.” Isabelle looked out of the window into all the rainy greyness. “If you don’t mind a Miss Pageant moment, I’d say that if I had the magic wand, I’d make everyone happy. That would make the world more pleasant and easier to live in.”

“You’d definitely win the pageant, but you could never make everyone happy. Not even with a magic wand.”

“Why not?” she said, frustrated.

He glanced at her, but when she met his eyes, he looked away. “For example, someone will want a sunny day, but their neighbor might like rain. Or to be less prosaic, say, two people are in love with the same person …”

Harper let the rest of the sentence hang in the air. Isabelle froze when his words amalgamated into a coherent sentence in her mind. She didn’t dare guess whom he was talking about. She didn’t respond.

“Yup,” Harper said off-handedly a moment later.

*****

Tour Schedule:

1/29: Spotlight – In Shadows

1/30: Interview – You Gotta Read

1/31: Romantic Reads and Such – Guest Blog

2/3: Books for Company – Excerpt

2/4: Sizzling Hot YA Books – Review

2/5: A Passion for Romance – Interview

2/6: An Open Book – Spotlight

2/6: Reviews by Molly – Spotlight

2/7: Harlie’s Book – Excerpt/Review

Spotlight – Cupid’s Promise

24 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Cupid's Promise, Holiday Hearts series, Kimberly Quinton

Last one for today and we’re going to take a look at Kimberly Quinton’s newest, Cupid’s Promise.

(And make sure you check out the first two posts from earlier today: Spotlight – Chained by Desire and Spotlight – Year of the Billionaire)

*****

Cupid’s Promise

Holiday Hearts Book 2

By Kimberly Quinton

A sweet contemporary Holiday romance with a touch of paranormal

Blurb:

Shot through the heart…

Cupid’s Promise

Cupid’s Secret promises to set Laurel Cove on its ear with a sexy new boutique that answers what a woman desires. When the owner ends up in the hospital it’s up to Lena Ridgeway to make sure this heart-stopping opening goes off without a hitch, but she finds her every idea challenged by a no-nonsense businessman.

Capitalizing on a feeling…

Marcus Blackwell is a bottom-line kind of guy and he knows that sex and hearts sell. When he arrives to find his latest venture in chaos, his partner injured, and a model- turned-manager in charge, he rolls up his sleeves and dives in. If only he could keep his mind-and hands – off the sultry model with her whimsical faith in a fake holiday.

Can’t fight this fortune…

Lena can’t help teasing the straight-laced, business-only boss who keeps sneaking into her dreams. One passionate kiss has her believing he may be the one she’s waited for all her life, but she’ll need every arrow in Cupid’s arsenal to prove she is his true Valentine….

Buy Links:

Decadent http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=894&osCsid=c2pivrun45kssk9u6r1g16res5

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Cupids-Promise-Holiday-Kimberly-Quinton-ebook/dp/B00HZUGGJW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1390442723&sr=8-7&keywords=Cupid%27s+Promise

BN http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cupids-promise-kimberly-quinton/1118174319?ean=2940148318958

*****

Excerpt:

“You’re firing me because I didn’t sell enough chocolate?” Lena had never been fired before. She shouldn’t be so pissed. It wasn’t like she had wanted to be a clerk in the first place.

“No. I’m letting you know your obligation to your friend is fulfilled. We have a manager who can take over—one who’s interested in the bottom line and ready to do what it takes to make this store a success—therefore, you no longer need to inconvenience yourself with filling in.” If he could have been more condescending, she wasn’t sure how.

“But who will coordinate the seminars and special guests we have coming in next week? Julie can’t run the store and do that, too.” Why was she arguing? If the part owner said he didn’t need her, then he didn’t need her. She could get to her planned reunion with James.

“I’ll be coordinating the week of activities and specials. Like I said, everything is under control and you are free to go.” He began the closing routine as if there was no need for further discussion. She was, for the first time she could remember, speechless.

Lena paced through the shop to the florist counter where her purse was secured in a cabinet. Pulling the over-sized boho bag out, she bit her tongue before saying anything else. She had known her time there was temporary while they found other staff, but she had enjoyed the work and done well, despite what Marcus thought. Maybe she should take his dismissal as a sign to move on.

Turning, she almost swallowed her sore tongue. Holy heck. Boss from hell had loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar. Suddenly Mr. Tight Ass looked more bedroom than boardroom. He ran a hand over his face, pinched the bridge of his nose for a breath, then smoothed through his just-longer-than-short locks. The natural wave kept the tousled-yet-put-together style with ease. Transfixed, she couldn’t look away as his long fingers deftly and purposefully unbuttoned one sleeve and then the other before rolling them up to reveal the sun-kissed color of his hands also extended up strong forearms. Her lips closed around the soft pant of her breath. Her thoughts really needed to start flowing in a different direction.

His gaze caught hers and heat singed her cheeks at his cocky half-grin. “You don’t need to help close up. I can manage.”

Clearing her throat, she wiped at the handprint her heated skin had left on the glass counter. “Sure thing.” I need to get out of here before I do something stupid.

Lena wrestled one arm into her coat. Her palms itched to either smack him or caress him to see what he would do. Neither choice was in her best interest. He moved behind her to hold up her coat. His hand brushed her shoulder, turning her toward him. The small touch sent a thrill straight to her core. Peeking up at him, she searched for an answering attraction in the depths of his warm autumn flecked-green eyes but he moved away quickly. “Night, then. Good luck.” And once again, she’d been dismissed.

Stupid candy. From this night on, she never wanted to see chocolate again. Okay, maybe not until after Valentine’s.

*****

Author Info:

Whether she’s writing contemporary or paranormal romance, Kimberly Quinton is a romantic at heart who strives to tell stories about the power of true love.

Since a teen, she’s loved romances and believes we can all live our happily-ever-after. Always a people watcher, it wasn’t until Kimberly shucked her Accounting major for Anthropology that her interest in people and cultures was nurtured. Kimberly has combined her natural curiosity (nosiness) with her love of romance for the sake of bringing the movies in her head to life on the page.

A wife and mother of two, Kimberly spends her days chasing chores, wrangling active kids, and writing. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, great wine and sharing a laugh with friends and family.

You can usually find her on Facebook or Twitter. Stop by for a chat.

Contact Details:

Website: http://kimberlyquinton.com/about-kimberly/

Email: kim@kimberlyquinton.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimquinton

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Quinton/e/B00GL3XER6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1390328401&sr=8-1

Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7388548.Kimberly_Quinton

*****

Contest:

A $25 gift card to Amazon

An ebook copy of Her Wish Before Christmas

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/Yzc0NThmNDMxY2FlNDZkZGQ0NGVlNDgzNzBkZjkyOjEz/

*****

Check out the other sites participating at

http://www.bridgingthegappromotions.blogspot.com/2014/01/release-day-blast-book-tour-for-cupids.html

*****

Spotlight – Year of the Billionaire

24 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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K. C. Falls, Keeping His Promise, Knowing His Secret, Taking His Risk, Year of the Billionaire

It’s going to be a busy day! The first of three posts, we’re going to start with a look at the Box Set Release of Year of the Billionaire Trilogy.

*****

Year of the Billionaire

Boxed Set

K.C. Falls

Genre: Erotic New Adult Romance

Blurb:

New Box Set Release–Year of the Billionaire Trilogy–Limited time offer. Buy a bundle to save a bundle.

Knowing His Secret, Taking His Risk and Keeping His Promise are all wrapped into one steamy adventure and available now at great savings!

Knowing His Secret–the scorching beginning to Raina and Tristan’s affair.

He looked like the kind of man even my mother would call smokin’ hot. Eventually, she did. He felt like the kind of man who didn’t just break the rules, but made new ones. He led and it was follow or get out of the way.

Why did a billionaire with a voice like liquid silk and a face like a bad angel take a second look at a girl in no-name jeans, with a fifteen-dollar haircut and a beat up car she calls her “Eep” because the ‘J’ fell off long ago?

I didn’t want to know why and when I thought I knew I didn’t want to admit it. By the time I found his secret, it was already too late. His passion had me hooked like a drug. It didn’t hurt that he pulled the people I love the most out of harm’s way. A girl can get used to a knight in shining armor even when the armor has some very large dents in it.

Taking His Risk–the second installment, full of suspense and surprises.

I was hurtling across the ocean, a mile high, destination unknown. I’d brought a passport and nothing else. He seemed determined to make everything in my life brand new. He revealed me, peeling back layer after layer until all that was left was my raw intimate core. Yet, I hardly knew him.

Crazy is a pretty good word for the kind of uncertainty that comes with a man like Tristan King. I never knew what the day would bring, but I began to expect surprises. That was the biggest problem. Managing my expectations with a man who’d told me I couldn’t have any.

For a regular girl, falling for a man like him was taking a very big chance. Was it really possible to love one day at a time?

Keeping His Promise–the soulful and satisfying conclusion to a journey of discovery, danger and delight.

Just carrying a million dollars around is exhausting. Paying my mother’s ransom was a relief but I had too much time to think about Tristan on that ferry ride. He was more than I had dared hope for and less than I deserved.

I underestimated his power and didn’t give him nearly enough credit for determination. He had me on his jet again, flying high and wanting him. Consequences be damned.

Who could be prepared for what he had to say? I wasn’t going to hold him to the promise he intended to keep. When he opened the heavy door to his heart we both knew it would change what we had. Trouble is, I still didn’t have a word for what it is we had.

Our bodies tended to do all the talking. Sometimes, it seemed to me there wasn’t much left to say.

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/year-of-the-billionaire-boxed-set-kc-falls/1118042852?ean=2940148221555

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HT9JJ0C

*****

Excerpt: (from part one—Knowing His Secret)

“Do you do that often? Run around naked?” I couldn’t help it. He leapt into my imagination–all golden skin and hair against a background of forest that matched his eyes.

“As much as I can,” he grinned devilishly at me and caught me blushing, again. “What can I fix you to drink?”

“Whatever you’re having’s fine.”

He cocked an eyebrow at me and began mixing away while I vainly tried to push the image of his nakedness to the back of my mind. He brought me a glass and sat beside me on the sofa. He sat close enough so that his knee was touching my thigh as he turned to clink glasses with me.

“To the play!”

“Break a leg,” I answered. I took a nice healthy swig of the pale green drink Tristan had made for us. I nearly choked. It was very tart and very, very strong. “What the hell is this?” I finally managed to gasp out.

He threw his head back and laughed. “It’s a Kamikaze. Vodka, triple sec and a little Rose’s lime juice. You don’t have to drink it.”

“No, that’s okay . . . it’s growing on me,” I told him as I took another swallow. The warmth from his knee against me and the spreading heat from the alcohol were about to make the idea of pride go up in smoke. He took his finger and ran it around my jaw line up to my ear where he traced the outline delicately and tapped my simple hoop earring so that it swayed in the lobe. I pulled my breath in deeply.

“You’re certainly growing on me . . .” The suggestive line belonged in a script. I tried to think of a snappy retort and came up empty. He was intoxicating in spite of the predictable moves. There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with being rich, handsome and full of yourself, I rationalized. But, if I went for it, I’d have some long awkward weeks ahead of me until the play ran its course. That, and I’d have the rest of the cast, plus those catty bitches to deal with. I’d have ‘used’ tattooed on my forehead. The men would pity me and the girls would laugh at me.

*****

Author Info:

K.C. Falls is a native of New York. While studying at Columbia University, she met a kindred spirit and together they found a way to trade life in the Big Apple for one in Big Sky country. Much as she loves the city life, she’s never regretted the move.

Her small Montana ranch is home to a menagerie of animals including that special human male she shamelessly uses for inspiration. Her tales are sharp-edged stories with strong sexy heroes and the women they can’t resist.

K.C.’s homestead is in the southeastern corner of Montana where her great grandmother once lived with her Native American tribe, the Cheyenne. The ‘C’ in ‘K.C.’ stands for that tribe’s name. Once or twice a year, she hires a ‘ranch sitter’ and takes an urban vacation somewhere hitting all the restaurants, plays, museums and musical performances she can squeeze in. Then it’s back to the wide open.

K.C. finds time to feed the chickens, study Native Americana and cook incredible food because there isn’t a restaurant around for many miles. She writes in between bites.

Author Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kcfallsbooks

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

*****

Tour Schedule:

Jan. 20th-A Passion for Romance

Jan. 21st- Inner Goddess

Jan. 22nd-Must Read Faster

Jan. 24th-Romantic Reads and Such

Jan. 27th-Phenomenal Reviews

Jan. 28th-In Shadows

Jan. 29th-Lusty Penguin

Jan. 30th-Dawne M. Prochilo

Jan. 31st-Beckymoe.com

Guest Post – A Love Unfinished

23 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

A Love Unfinished, Bethany-Kris, Clans of Fire series

Today I welcome Bethany-Kris as she talks about why she writes romances and shares with us a look at her book, A Love Unfinished. It’s the first book in the “Clans of Fire” series and, based on the cover & excerpt, I really should have gotten my hands on my own copy. It looks like it’s going to be intense!

*****

Why I Write In The Romance Genre…

I like emotions. I really, really, really like emotions. I love conflict in the romantic sense and the passion that builds between lovers. To me, there’s nothing better than a good heartbreak and the right person to come in, sweep all the pieces up, and put it all back together again.

I enjoy romance because of the connections. As a writer, I want to see the connections come alive on paper. They can be physical, emotional, or verbal, and that’s the beauty of romance writing, because each area has its own accompanying problems that need a resolution.

Writing romance gives me the opportunity to be a little flexible as well. While one story might be smoking hot, the next one doesn’t have to demand such full on sexual scenes. The characters don’t necessarily need to have them written out as a part of their communication because that’s not how they find their connection. Or if those scenes are there, they don’t need to be so frequent or detailed.

Above all else, I dabble mostly in romance because of love. I enjoy writing about love. Finding it, losing it, making it better, and keeping it. I like telling about a hero who can’t have his walls broken down for anyone except for the one woman he loves. I love giving readers a heroine who finds the one man capable of giving her it all.

Depending on the romance, the story, and the characters, anything goes. So long as they get their Happy Ever After, right? Sometimes it’s best to make them work for it. Nothing worth it ever came easy.

*****

A Love Unfinished

Clans of Fire, Book One

by Bethany-Kris

Genre: Paranormal erotic romance

Dragons only want what’s theirs, however it is that they get it.

Blurb:

Over two decades ago, an attack on The Clan of Cobalt left families of dragons in ruins; now, with the clans able to start rebuilding their lives, history is beginning to rewrite, one dragon and one mate at a time…

Dani Heartview spent a year running from the past she can’t forget and it’s about to catch up in the form of Holden Levy. When he suddenly disappeared, she was devastated, but now he’s back. Even if she can’t deny their connection, the man who returned is vastly different from the one who left.

With Holden’s secrets uncovered, the Alpha dragon inside the man is demanding for its mate to be claimed, but there’s danger lurking close by. Still, his abandonment is a monster she can’t shake. Can she forgive to restart their life, and if she does, can Dani handle exactly what it means to be a dragon’s mate?

Buy at – Evernight Bookstrand All Romance ebooks Amazon

*****

Excerpt:

“Get away from me,” I hissed. “You have no right to be here.”

Emotion broke through on his handsome features, marring it with sadness as my eyes blurred with unshed tears. “Please, Dani…”

“Stop saying my name.” My voice was rising to an unhealthy octave. My heart was pounding at a too fast pace. Why would he be here? He had to have known I wouldn’t want him here. “Stop sharing my fucking air. For God sakes, get out of my space, Holden.”

“Ouch, man.”

Holden didn’t even glance back at his friend. “Shut up, Duran.” There was a timber in his tone, something else I didn’t recognize from the man standing before me. I felt wetness drip down my cheeks. “Oh, Dani, please don’t cry…I didn’t come here to make you cry, baby.”

Baby? “Who in the hel—”

“Dani!” Jade was out of the kitchen and rushing over to my side. She barely noted the men or my heartbroken expression. That, or she mistook it for the pain of the coffee spill. “Did you get burned?”

“I’m fine.” Those words were the biggest lie I’d ever spoken.

“She’s not,” Holden replied quietly. “Could you get a cool cloth and the first aid kit, if you have one?”

“I’m fine,” I repeated. “Jade, could you handle these guys, please?”

“Dani, wait.”

“Holden, I swear to God if you don’t walk out of this place right now and never look back, I will…” I couldn’t finish my sentence because there wasn’t anything I didn’t already feel for him. Hate. Love. Desire. Disgust. I felt all of that. With him being so close, it only served to make me more confused. Defeated, air rushed from my lungs, in a harsh exhale. “Leave, right now.”

Jade appeared lost. “Um…okay, I’m going to grab the first aid. You’re going to stay here and sit down.”

Duran smiled at Jade when no one responded. “Thanks, sweetheart.”

Holden hadn’t taken his eyes off me. When he moved forward, I backed up. “Don’t come any closer. I don’t want you near me.”

Agony pulled Holden’s full lips into a frown. “Let me explain.”

“I told you this wouldn’t be the best place to approach her,” Duran said. “We should have waited.”

“We don’t have that kind of time.”

“Why haven’t you left?” I asked, feeling a seething rage beginning to take over my initial shock and pain. “Have I not made it clear enough yet that you’re not welcomed?”

“You made it clear.” Holden’s gaze flickered up to the ceiling, a tick showing in his strong jaw. “But it’s not that simple. One minute, Dani. That’s all I’m asking for. After all we were, don’t you owe me that?”

“Owe you?” My hands trembled. The sudden burst of fury and courage that swept over me was all consuming. I stepped up to him and slammed my fist into his chest. Holden barely flinched and the action hurt me a great deal more than it must have him, but emotional pain registered in his eyes. “I owe you. Are you fucking insane? You left me, Holden. Left me in Tennessee with nothing. Not a goddamned explanation, not a goodbye…nothing!”

I hit him in the chest again, disbelief coursing through me. “How could you ever say that I owe you after everything you did to me? I waited for months. I called your phone every day. I texted, emailed, and left messages until your inbox was full. You could have been dead if not for that stupid note. I defended you when it was clear you didn’t want me anymore … Once, Holden. All you had to do was answer me back just once! You up and walked away from me, from our home, and our life without a single care in the world. And you have the audacity to say that I owe you anything?”

“Do not…” he growled, face suddenly mere inches from mine, “…say that I just walked away from you, Dani. I never would have walked away from you like that had I been given the choice. Ever.”

His response only served to fuel my rage. “Well, excuse me for living. What would you call me waking up to an empty house, with a note on the counter, and no you to be seen again, exactly?”

Anger clouded his face. “What did that note say, Dani?”

“Holden, calm down.” Duran was up off the bench, a hand on his friend’s shuddering arm. Rippling tension flowed between the men, but my former lover and fiancé didn’t register the one person attempting to help the situation. No, his focus was solely on me. “Come on, we’ll do this another time.”

“You won’t do it ever again,” I spat hatefully.

“Yes, I will. I have to. I can’t be me without you.” That confession struck me like a knife in the chest, the blade twisting painfully. Holden breathed deeply, the fight suddenly gone from his body as quickly as it came. “I will always come back for you. I lo—”

“No, you don’t. You never did. If you had, this…” I said with a wave at us, “…wouldn’t have happened.”

*****

Author Website: www.bethanykris.blogspot.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bethanykriswrites

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bethanykris

*****

Tour Schedule:

Jan. 20th- Behind Closed Doors-Spotlight

Jan. 21st- Becky on Books-Spotlight

Jan. 22nd-Literal Hotties-Guest Post

Jan. 23rd- Romantic Reads and Such-Guest Post

Jan. 24th-You Gotta Read-Spotlight

Jan. 27th- Deal Sharing Aunt-Spotlight

Jan. 28th-Diane’s Book Blog-Spotlight

Jan. 29th- Must Read Faster-Spotlight w/ poss. review

Jan. 30th-Sizzling Hot Books-Interview

Jan. 31st- Kayla’s Place-Guest Post w/ Poss. Review

Spotlight – Love Songs for the Road

22 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Farrah Taylor, Love Songs for the Road

This morning we’re going to look at Farrah Taylor’s Love Songs for the Road. I’m super excited about this sweet looking story!

*****

Love Songs For the Road

by Farrah Taylor

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing – Bliss

Date of Publication: January 13, 2014

ISBN: 9781622661640

ASIN: B00HFUAOWW

Number of pages: 220

Cover Artist: Jessica Cantor

Amazon BN Kobo iBookstore

Blurb:

A rock star. The nanny. A love that could rock their world.

The only thing rock star Marcus Troy loves more than making music is his kids. So finding just the right nanny to take on tour with them is important—as is proving to his ex he deserves joint custody. Falling for his employee wouldn’t just be fodder for the paparazzi: it could ruin everything.

Too bad the perfect nanny turns out to be beautiful, vibrant Ryan Evans. Ryan’s never left her small Montana town before, so she jumps at the chance to see the country. And as much as accidental fame doesn’t gel with shy Ryan, what does is her relationship with her capricious, smoking-hot, shockingly good dad of a boss. Marcus is nothing like what she expected. But when the whole world’s watching them, will life in the spotlight be too hot to handle?

*****

Excerpt:

“Whoa,” Ryan said under her breath. She had never seen a male form so beautiful. Marcus’s skin was perfectly bronzed, his chest bare and sculpted. His shoulders were broad as a swimmer’s, and his arms were covered in sexy, intricate tattoos. His brown hair had a slight wave to it.

She couldn’t see his eyes, of course, though she did take note of his high cheekbones and strong jawline. To features like those, she had no objection. But it was his rock-hard abdomen that made Ryan feel so light-headed she found herself looking for the nearest place to sit. Even as Marcus lay still, his insanely defined abs seemed to shimmer when they caught the sunlight coming through the window.

But as much as she was enjoying the view, Ryan was a little freaked out, too. What was going on here? Had a girlfriend of Marcus’s tied him up and left him here after a kinky sexcapade? Had a groupie stalked him and inflicted some kind of horrible revenge fantasy on him? She covered her eyes with her hand, but then, she peeked through her fingers. It seemed wrong, but she just couldn’t help herself.

Slowly, a smile curled across Marcus’s lips, but still he said nothing. He seemed to be waiting for something, moving his neck slightly as if to better listen. Turning his head toward Ryan and Serena, he raised his index finger to his lips. Why was he shushing them?

Suddenly, a closet door across the room swung open, and two children ran out toward Marcus, screaming—a boy of four or five carrying a plastic ax and a girl who looked about ten wielding an enormous Nerf bat and wearing a football helmet. Their battle cries were so shrill that Serena stuck her fingers in her ears, while the children began beating the hell out of their dad, who tried and failed to defend himself against the punishing blows.

“Do you surrender, prisoner?” the girl demanded. She kept her game face on. She was something fierce.

The boy was giggling, though, as he repeated his sister’s words. “Surrendah! Surrendah!”

“I give up! I’ve had enough,” Marcus cried, his fear and terror sounding real enough. “Just don’t hurt me anymore. I can’t take the pain!”

The children collapsed into giggles and fell upon their father. Of course, it wasn’t every day that Ryan interviewed with a gorgeous, captive man, but she was nearly as surprised by the sexy prisoner’s parenting skills. By all appearances, Marcus was a fantastic dad, easy and affectionate with his kids, not someone who would leave the child-rearing to professionals while he wrote chart-topping singles and bedded breathless groupies.

He took off his blindfold and hopped over to Ryan and Serena, still struggling with the cloth ties that bound his ankles and wrists.

“Hi, are you the nanny?” he said excitedly.

“That’s me,” Ryan said, as calmly as she could manage. “Ryan Evans, at your service.”

“I’m Marcus,” he said. “I’d shake your hand, but I’m all tied up at the moment.”

*****

Author Info:

A reading specialist with a masters degree in Early Childhood Education, Farrah Taylor has taught first grade in Northwest Montana for over a decade. She is thrilled to be publishing her first novel, Love Songs for the Road. Farrah, a lifelong music lover who has spent far too much of her savings on concert tickets, is glad to finally be seeing a return on the investment. She lives with her husband, Ty, and son, Latham, in Polson, Montana.

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/farrahromance

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7579472.Farrah_Taylor

*****

Giveaway:

Win a $25 Amazon gift card at http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554244

*****

Tour Schedule:

Jan 13 Guest blog and review

Curling Up With A Good Book

Curling-Up-With-A-Good-Book.blogspot.com

Jan 13 Spotlight