Book Review – The Chance

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

Tags

Book Review, Robyn Carr, The Chance, Thunder Point series

With its breathtaking vistas and down-to-earth people, Thunder Point is the perfect place for FBI agent Laine Carrington to recuperate from a gunshot wound and contemplate her future. The locals embraced Laine as one of their own after she risked her life to save a young girl from a dangerous cult. Knowing her wounds go beyond the physical, Laine hopes she’ll fit in for a while and find her true self in a town that feels safe. She may even learn to open her heart to others, something an undercover agent has little time to indulge.

Eric Gentry is also new to Thunder Point. Although he’s a man with a dark past, he’s determined to put down roots and get to know the daughter he only recently discovered. When Laine and Eric meet, their attraction is obvious to everyone. But while the law enforcement agent and the reformed criminal want to make things work, their differences may run too deep…unless they take a chance on each other and find that deep and mysterious bond that belongs to those who choose love over fear.

Let me just say that the FBI/criminal thing really doesn’t go that far in this book. Instead The Chance is about two people with normal, complicated lives who fall in love and have to figure out how to make it work regardless of their other obligations. I think that is my favorite part of Robyn Carr’s characters – they are just like you and me, with normal problems and normal feelings and normal issues. They have to figure out how (or even if) they can make one life together with all the associated complications from two individual ones. It’s sweet and honest and straight-forward and I loved every minute of it.

Laine has some family complications she has to figure out, as well as trying to decide what she wants to do with her job going forward. Considering she’s on a year-long hiatus from her East Coast job, it isn’t surprising that Eric is a little hesitant about what that means for a future together. He’s got a job, friends and family in Thunder Point and he wants to be there at least a little longer. It doesn’t lead to a lot of large scale drama, instead it’s a very real one that could happen to anyone you know.

I really enjoyed both of the main characters (and I’ve never been shy about saying how much I love the rest of them) – Laine is sweet and loving, but being an FBI agent she also has a spine of steel. She’s smart, wily, funny and caring. Eric will be the first to say he was an idiot as a kid but he got his act together and he’s turned into a wonderful man. He’s considerate, loving and quite sexy. He’s smart, hardworking, but he’s learned from his past and come to grips with it. He could be bitter but instead he figured out how to be a better person for it. He takes care of those around him and loves very well.

And while we get some updates on previous characters, although not as much as maybe some of the other books in the series, we mainly focus on the central plot and one other subplot. It’s a sweet story with a couple of Eric’s workers that just about broke my heart before everything was tied up nicely at the end. The two storylines worked well together and I didn’t feel cheated or rushed with either of them.

The Chance is part of a series, but I think that you’ll be able to keep up even if you haven’t read any of the previous stories … although I will tell you that you are missing out on something great if you haven’t read the rest. If you like home-grown, real-life, small-town romances, you can’t miss with Robin Carr.

Book Review Weekends

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review, Misc

≈ Leave a comment

So it is obvious that my weekdays are starting to fill up with blog tours (which is very, very cool) except that I don’t have time for the reason I started this site …. book reviews. I love that I can share wonderful authors and books thanks to the great people who organize the tours, but I also love to read. I mean I REALLY love to read and I want to share some of those awesome books with you too, which means I’ve decided to start posting book reviews on the weekend. Since almost all of the tours are weekdays only, this means I get to share even more fantastic stories! I may still slip in a review here and there during the week (they will be plainly marked and be under Book Review in the menu) but I will make sure that I’m also posting on the weekends so you’ll get at least two reviews a week.

Make sure you still check out the tour stops during the week. There are some really amazing stories being highlighted on those tours and you never know when you might find that new favorite author or book.

Starting today, let me welcome you to Book Review Weekends!

Interview – Nina Croft

07 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Bittersweet Darkness, Death Defying, Nina Croft

I’m so pleased to have gotten the chance to do a little Q&A with awesome author Nina Croft. And to also get a double whammy look at her books, Bittersweet Darkness and Death Defying. Enjoy!

*****

What do you like best about writing romances?

I write a lot of paranormal romance, and while I love the happy endings, it’s the journey there that I really enjoy. I love the idea that I can take a couple with seemingly insurmountable odds, have really bad things happen to them, litter the way with carnage, but still know everything will come out well in the end.

What is your favorite romantic story (movie/book. fact/fiction)?

I don’t think I could pinpoint a single story, but one that sticks in my mind is The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I love that book and still have it on my bookcase. It was the first big romance I read (I think I was around twelve at the time) and the book that started me on my life-long love of romance.

Film wise, I love Office and a Gentleman and Pretty Woman (or maybe I just love Richard Gere!)

If you could be any romantic heroine, who would it be and why?

Hard one. I suppose it’s guaranteed I’m going to get my happy ever after because this is romance, so maybe I should look at the question from another direction. Which hero do I want to spend the rest of my life with (or even eternity as I do meet a lot of immortal characters in my reading and writing.)

From my own books, I’d have to choose Skylar, the heroine from Break Out, book 1 in my Blood Hunter series. Skylar is a kick-ass soldier, immortal, and she gets to spend eternity with Rico, a stunningly gorgeous, two thousand year old vampire and my favorite hero.

From other authors, I think I’m going to choose MacKayla Lane from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. I know poor Mac suffers a lot but she does get Jericho Barrons in the end and that has to be worth a little suffering.

Which of your characters/books was the most fun to write?

By far the most fun to write is my Blood Hunter series. They are a mix of science fiction, paranormal and romance and absolutely anything can happen. I’d been watching my favorite TV show, Firefly, for the third time, and decided I wanted to write a space opera. But I’d also been going through a stage of writing contemporary and was in need of a paranormal fix. So the idea for Break Out, book one in the series came about—vampires in space. I’m working on book 6 in the series now and still loving it.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing instead?

I honestly don’t know. Growing up, I wanted to be a vet, or an assassin or a space explorer, but none of them seem a likely alternative career at this point in my life.

In a long ago existence, I was a chartered accountant, but I really didn’t like it very much and have no wish to do it again.

I now live on an almond farm in the remote mountains of southern Spain. It’s a long way from anywhere and the chances of finding employment here are zero, and I don’t want to move. So maybe I would have to pick almonds. Sadly, the pay is really bad so maybe I’ll keep writing.

*****

BITTERSWEET DARKNESS

by Nina Croft

EBook: 251 pages

Release Date: February 24, 2014

ISBN: 978-1622661138

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Blurb:

There are no monsters, only good guys and bad guys. That’s the creed by which Detective Inspector Faith Connolly has always lived.

When Faith discovers she has a time bomb counting down in her head, she has one goal: to solve the murder case she’s working on and gain closure. Her investigation brings her in contact with Ash Delacourt, who is definitely one of the bad guys, albeit a stunningly gorgeous one.

As payment for a debt, Asmodai, AKA Ash Delacourt, finds himself working with the Order of the Shadow Accords. He’s the demon representative on the newly formed committee for the integration of mankind and well…everything else. It’s a chance to be near his daughter, make a new start, and—once he’s met the delectable Detective Connolly—maybe have a little fun.

But as Faith’s investigation deepens, her beliefs are eroded and for the first time, she is falling in love—with one of the bad guys. How can she ever let Ash close when her time is running out…?

*****

DEATH DEFYING

by Nina Croft

EBook: 400 pages

Release Date: February 24, 2014

ISBN: 978-1620610220

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Blurb:

Captain Tannis of the starship El Cazador is part snake, part human, and—according to some—all bitch. She is one job away from her lifelong goal—to achieve the immortality she craves. The assignment: protecting the most powerful man in the Universe.

After five hundred years, Callum Meridian, founding member of the Collective, is bored out of his mind. Until he realizes he’s physically changing—into what, he isn’t sure. Callum is determined to discover the truth, but his own people will stop at nothing to prevent it from coming out.

With a coup brewing and the crew of El Cazador close to tossing him off the ship, Callum turns to Tannis. Sparks fly as they work together to make it out alive. But can Callum really trust the one woman hell bent on using him? Defying death has never been more dangerous, more sexy, or more fun.

*****

Author Info:

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.

Nina’s writing mixes romance with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

If you’d like to find out about new releases then sign up for my New Release Newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/rZ5rz

Website /Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

1 $25 Amazon Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554235/

*****

Tour Schedule:

Week One

2/24/2014- The Gal in the Blue Mask– Review/Interview

2/24/2014- Dear Brighton– Excerpt Bittersweet Darkness #1

2/25/2014- Simply ali– Spotlight

2/25/2014- Dawn’s Reading Nook– Interview

2/26/2014- The Book Swarm– Review

2/26/2014- Books & Bells– Review

2/27/2014- Bea’s Book Nook– Review

2/27/2014- Toot’s Book Reviews– Excerpt Bittersweet Darkness #2

2/28/2014- Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile– Review

2/28/2014- Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!– Excerpt Bittersweet Darkness #3

Week Two

3/3/2014- Reading Reality– Review

3/3/2014- Bibliophile Mystery– Excerpt Death Defying #1

3/4/2014- Fab Fantasy Fiction– Review

3/4/2014- kate george – author– Excerpt Death Defying #2

3/5/2014- Picked by Poison– Review

3/5/2014- Fantasy Book Addict– Guest Post

3/6/2014- All Things Romance– Review

3/6/2014- Urban Fantasy Investigations– Excerpt Death Defying #3

3/7/2014- Romantic Reads and Such– Interview

3/7/2014- Imaginary Reads

*****

Guest Post and Review – Morning Light

06 Thursday Mar 2014

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

A Day of Pleasure series, Book Review, Cora Cade, Morning Light

Today’s post is going to be a fun one – we’ll start off with Cora Cade talking about the influence of music and we’ll take a look at her new book, Morning Light, which I’ve gotten a chance to read and enjoyed a lot. I’ve included my review below too so check it out!

*****

Every moment in life has a soundtrack. That first summer you had a license and your own car. The summer my husband I bought our house. The long nights I used to drive the four hours to and from our locations while we were dating long distance. That first road trip with your best friend.

All of the very best (and not so great) moments of my life can be associated with a specific song, artist, or album. And writing my first book was no exception. So, because I believe in sharing the joys of musical inspiration, I put together a mix tape of music that represents my debut release MORNING LIGHT. A story about a wounded Army Ranger finding love with his little brother’s best friend can only be symbolized with the following:

I Will Wait- Mumford & Sons
Anywhere Your Love Goes- Joshua Radin
Kiss Me- Ed Sheeran
Only Love- Ben Howard
A Drop In The Ocean- Ron Pope
Count on Me- Mat Kearney
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing- Jack Johnson
Love Don’t Die- The Fray
Ho Hey- The Lumineers
How Long Will I Love You- Ellie Goulding

Noah, our wounded Ranger, is perfectly summed up by Ed Sheeran’s ‘Kiss Me’. That song always makes me all swoony. And our heroine Tennyson has been waiting for Noah for ten years. While he was off being a war hero, she was waiting for him to come home. And being that I’m a crazed Josh Radin fan, I knew his ‘Anywhere Your Love Goes’ was the perfect inspiration for Tenn.

While I was working on MORNING LIGHT Mumford & Sons released ‘I Will Wait’ ahead of their second album. From that moment forward it was all I listened to while I finished up the book. Suffice it to say I’m a super ridiculous Mumford fan, but that song is perfect for the overall inspiration of the book.

If you’d like to check out the entirety of the mix tape, you can listen to it on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/kfxrh3q

You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/CoraCade or you can check out my website at: www.coracade.com.

*****

Morning Light

A Day of Pleasure Book 1

By Cora Cade

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-61921-537-5

ASIN: B00C4U6MJ2

Number of pages: 82

Word Count: 25,000

Cover Artist: Lyn Taylor

Amazon Samhain Barnes and Noble

Blurb:

His toughest battle is ahead—the battle for one woman’s heart.

During Noah Harper’s ten years as an Army Ranger, Tennyson Sharpe’s letters were his lifeline. With each mail call, the bright and vibrant girl of his youth slowly became the woman of his dreams.

Now he’s home—and he’s in hell. The problem? Tenn is his little brother’s best friend. Claiming her risks all kinds of collateral damage.

Tenn is getting nervous. Since Noah came home, they’ve been circling each other, neither willing to risk the status quo. It’s time to kick things up a notch and make a play for the man she’s loved since she was sixteen—before someone else does.

Dressing to impress works better than she could have dreamed. After a scorching interlude leads to a steamy morning wrapped in each other’s arms, reality comes crashing down. Shining a devastating light on Tenn’s deepest fears…and forcing Noah into scramble mode to convince her forever was always on his mind.

Product Warnings

This book contains some serious foreplay in the great outdoors; stand-up sex with a hot, stand-up guy; and a wounded Army Ranger who’s determined to leave no heart behind—especially the one belonging to the girl of his dreams.

*****

Excerpt:

Moving down the stairs from the apartment to the pub below, Noah heard the distinct sound of someone cussing up a storm. He quickened his pace to reach the door separating his living space from his workspace and gently opened it.

There, standing on top of his immaculately gleaming mahogany bar, stood Tennyson Sharpe in her bare feet. All five feet two inches of her. She was on her tiptoes, reaching for one of the light fixtures with one hand and a light bulb in the other. The stretch caused her white, fitted tee to slide up her belly and expose a sliver of summer-tanned skin.

She stuck her tongue out at an angle—in concentration, he supposed. As she twisted the used bulb from the fixture, she uttered a soft, “Gotcha.” The final motion to remove the bulb caused her to dip forward on her toes and lifted her jean skirt higher, offering a delectable view of her plain white cotton panties.

Noah instantly hardened at the sight. He’d been in lust with this girl since she was sixteen to his nineteen, and after ten years apart he was finally home. And here she stood, flashing him the sexiest view he’d seen in years. He leaned against the doorframe and watched the scene unfold, never happier to have given her a key a few months back.

As she placed the fresh bulb in the fixture, she stretched again. Her whole body lengthened, straining to reach the fixture. She was all tan limbs and womanly curves. Her body was at enough of an angle that he could see her breasts tight against the fitted tee, but more importantly her cute behind as she placed both palms on the bar to hop down from her perch. As she braced herself she lifted her perky behind and flashed him.

The curve of her sex flashed before him as those white panties intimately hugged her. In a flash, both feet were planted on the floor and she was picking up the used bulb from the bar, then slipping her sandals back on. Time to turn around and head back upstairs before she caught him with a full-on erection and he embarrassed himself.

Noah eased the door shut and sprinted back up the stairs as quietly as he could, hoping to give himself a few moments to calm his erection before she unceremoniously showed up in his apartment for their breakfast plans.

He needed a cold shower before they left or he’d never survive the meal. He was going to have wet dreams about her white panties for weeks to come.

Stripping off his jeans and plain black tee, he dropped his clothes where he stood and snapped the bathroom door shut as his apartment door opened.

“Noah?” Tenn heard the shower start as she closed the door behind her. Well, that was unusual. Noah was nothing if not prompt. Ten years as an Army Ranger kind of beat that into you. She rapped on the bathroom door with a knuckle. “Hey, are you alive in there?”

“I’ll be out in minute. Got a late start to the morning. Give me five.”

She glanced down and saw a pile of clothes. Strange. Noah was also one of the neatest, cleanest people she’d ever known. His place was always immaculate, with nothing out of place. Let alone a pile of clothes tossed by the bathroom.

Now she was starting to sweat. Did he have a girl here? Had she interrupted the morning-after? Shit. That Amber bimbo had been making a play for Noah ever since he’d come home. And if she was in this apartment right now, Tenn was going to die of embarrassment. Right after she beat Noah to death.

They had plans. Even if they weren’t the romantic kind, they were definitely plans. They’d had Sunday breakfast as a standing date since his return from overseas. And he’d never had a woman here.

Who was she kidding? He had every right to get freaky with anyone he wanted. She was just the trusty sidekick, the platonic friend who was always there. Like a lapdog.

Picking up the clothes, she folded them and set them on the back of the couch a few feet away. The apartment was neat as a pin and pretty spacious, as far as it went. It was an open floor plan with only two separate rooms off the main living area, the master bedroom and the bathroom. Everything else was one large, airy space. From this angle she couldn’t see into the bedroom and was half-afraid to know if someone was still in his bed. Warming it for him, so to speak.

Deciding she needed to know, she took a step toward the bedroom after picking back up the stack of clothes she’d set down a moment before. It was a perfect excuse to check out the situation. His dirty clothes needed to be tossed into the hamper. Right.

She was about to fully push open the bedroom door when Noah yelled, “Hey, Tenn. I left my clothes out there. Could you grab them for me?”

And before she could whip around and not look guilty he popped his head out of the bathroom door. As she turned in his direction, she could only see a portion of his upper body, with the rippling muscle and just-now-fading tan from his time in Afghanistan, but it was enough to stop her dead in her tracks. The man was masculine perfection and her panties got a little wet looking at him.

“Oh, did you want these? Um, I was about to put them in your hamper.” Belatedly she whirled around and held up the clothes in question. “I thought they were dirty.”

For a moment he looked like he blushed. Really? “Sorry, I wanted to take a quick shower before we headed out and I tossed them on the floor in my rush.” He reached out a hand and beckoned her forward.

She was going to combust before she reached him. Not only was the man deliciously muscled, he still dripped from his shower. His dark hair, cut in a military-style buzz, glistened in the morning light. Eyes the color of the ocean on a sunny day, clear and crisp-blue, tracked her progress. She cleared the edge of the couch and his gaze skated down the length of her body, snagging on her legs before coming back to her face.

Once within reach of the bathroom door heat crept up her neck and face when she realized Noah stood naked on the other side of the door. His body was positioned so she could only see a naked hip and the curve of a well-defined ass, but it was obvious he hadn’t bothered wrapping a towel around his waist before popping his head out the door.

She dropped his clothes before he could get a grip on them and they fell to the floor with a soft impact. Unbelievably, as she bent to retrieve the clothing, her face flamed even hotter in embarrassment.

*****

Author Info:

Nestled away in a small town in Ohio, Cora Cade spends her days adding steamy books to her library, snuggling with her four rotten dogs, and debating the finer points of life with the dear husband.

When she’s not tucked away with a book you can find her tapping away on her laptop. With coffee. And music.

Web: www.coracade.com

FB: www.facebook.com/CoraCade

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/coracade

*****

Giveaway:

2- Gift basket with mug, tins of tea, and chocolates-open to US Shipping Only

12- ebook copies Morning Light

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f555

*****

Review:

This is quite a steamy little story – at a little under 100 pages it packs a ton of heat in just a handful of pages. Both Tenn and Noah are fun. They have been held back by different fears but they are finally at their breaking point. It’s a fast-paced read, erotic and emotion-packed, with a captivating storyline and terrific characters.

I think my only problem is that we didn’t get more of the interaction between them when Noah was away at war, so that we could have seen more of them falling in love. Instead we get them at the point that they both have feelings but are unsure of the other and what it could do with their relationship with Chris, Noah’s brother. It’s still a delightful story but I think that would have added that little extra zing. As it stands, though, I whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to spend a few hours with some sizzle and romance.

A sensuous treat, bold in the bedroom and complicated out of it, Morning Light is an intriguing tale of two people who have to decide if the possibility of a future is enough to take on the risks of a relationship. The best part is it is the first in a series and I definitely can’t wait for more. Both Chris and Tenn’s friend, Molly, have a lot of promise.

*****

Tour Schedule:

March 3 Guest blog

The Library Mistress

http://librarymistress.com

March 3 review

Snarky Mom Reads…

http://www.snarkymomreads.com

March 3 Spotlight w/review quote – 4.5 Stars / Top Pick

Night Owl Reviews

http://www.nightowlreviews.com

March 4 Spotlight and review

Eden Ashe

www.edenashe.com

March 5 Spotlight

Stories of Romance

http://storiesofromance.com

March 5 review

Mythical Books

http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/

March 6 Guest blog and review

Romantic Reads and Such

https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

March 7 Spotlight

Adrienne Woods Books and reviews

http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com

March 10 Guest blog and review

Ramblings From This Chick

http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/

March 11 Interview

Darkest Cravings – Adult Blog

http://darkestcravings.blogspot.com

March 11 Spotlight

Book Liaison

http://www.bookliaison.net

March 12 Guest blog and review

Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

http://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com

March 12 Spotlight

All I Want and More

http://alliwantandmorebooks.wordpress.com/

March 12 Spotlight and review

The Book Review

http://www.cluereview.blogspot.com

March 13 Interview

Pembroke Sinclair

www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com

March 13 Spotlight

Author Karen Swart

http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com/

March 14 Spotlight

Eclipse Reviews

http://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com

March 14 Spotlight and review

Crazy Four Books

http://crazyfourbooks.blogspot.com

March 17 Spotlight and review

The La La Land of Books

https://saaratis.wordpress.com/

March 17 Spotlight

Booklover Sue

http://bookloversue.blogspot.com/

March 17 Spotlight and review

Ramblings of a Book Lunatic

http://booklunaticramblings.blogspot.com

*****

Blog Tour – Pan’s Conquest

05 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Aubrie Dionne, Pan's Conquest

Those who like their romances with a paranormal twist will want to check out Pan’s Conquest! Find out what happens with a couple of gods go head to head in a battle of love.

*****

PAN’S CONQUEST

by Aubrie Dionne

EBook: 119 pages

Release Date: February 24, 2014

ISBN: 978-1622663460

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Blurb:

Syrinx pulled a fast one on Pan to escape his raging lust. The God of Chastity wasn’t about to break her vows and succumb to his temptations. Transported to the twenty-first century, she runs a florist shop—fulfilling her fake, mortal life. Until the breathtaking Parker Thomas hires her to decorate his grand estate for a gala. Five hundred roses? Easy enough. Except Parker makes her feel things she can’t ignore…

As the God of Fertility, Pan is used to maidens flocking in droves to his pastures. So when Syrinx denies him, he’s determined to win the one that got away. He poses as a mortal to get close to her, but he doesn’t count on falling hard for his conquest—hard enough to make a life and stay.

But Syrinx is falling in love with a man that doesn’t exist. Can Pan hide his identity forever, or will the truth tear them apart?

*****

Excerpt:

Prologue

Syrinx sprinted alongside the river, breathless. Her bare feet fell silent in the mossy undergrowth, yet the burning sense of Pan’s pursuit followed her every move. He’d tracked her for days, all the way to the edge of the mythical forests surrounding Mount Olympus. If she could reach the waterfall and disappear in the caves before her scent caught the wind, she could lose him.

And lose him she must.

Jumping to a rock outcropping leading down the falls, she swore she would never let his invitations compromise her godly vows. She ducked behind cattails, catching her breath. The river mist sprayed her bare legs, soothing her and cooling the unwanted passion arising within her as she remembered the burning lust in his eyes. Anger burned through her. She’d chosen to embody the goddess of chastity, and no male god—especially not a wild philanderer—could change that. Why she found his godly merging of man and beast irresistible, she couldn’t guess.

She turned, ready to descend into the misty caverns under the falls, when laughter caught her attention.

A young mortal stood alongside the water, berry juice smeared over her mouth and cheeks. The girl leaned forward over the rushing waters, her simple blue cotton dress dangling too close to the edge. Something—or someone—lured her toward the depths.

Syrinx took one look down into the caves where her freedom lay, then changed her mind and dove into the rushing stream. A raven-haired nymph floated in the undulating river grass, holding a turtle just below the surface. Coral. Damn it. She’d lure the girl into the water, then tangle her in the reeds and watch her struggle.

Syrinx swam toward the nymph and knocked the turtle from her hands. The turtle swam into the reeds as Coral pushed her back. “I knew it. Only a Goody Two-Shoes would stop another nymph from their pleasure.”

“Mortals are not to be toyed with.” Syrinx grabbed Coral’s feet and dragged her down into the depths toward the falls. She’d take Coral with her if she had to. One tumble off a cliff would not kill a god.

Coral growled, “What else are they for?”

A splash behind Syrinx caught her attention. Syrinx turned around in horror as the girl sank into the murky reeds, her blond curls floating around her heart-shaped face. Coral lunged forward, and Syrinx held her back. Using her powers, she called to the river reeds, winding them around Coral’s ankles. Coral’s parents were both river nymphs, but Syrinx descended from Artemis, legendary mother of the wildland and the hunt. Her powers ran deep from the mountain’s core.

Coral struggled against her bindings, but could not break free. Syrinx swam to the place where the girl had fallen in and clawed at the tangled reeds. Nothing.

She checked the tide barreling toward the waterfall.

Her chest tightened. Had the girl already tumbled over? Syrinx broke through the surface, scanning the area hysterically. The girl stood on the riverbank, dripping water and laughing. Pan stood beside her, playing a melancholy melody on his reed flute. Green eyes, wild as the forest in the moonlight and intense as the raging river, settled on Syrinx. His bare chest shone tan in the midday sun. Hard abs rippled down to his waist, where the fusion of man and beast began.

Syrinx stood mesmerized as the girl turned toward her. She scowled as if Syrinx had tried to drown her. Before Syrinx could say otherwise, the girl ran into the woods, leaving her alone with the one god she wanted to avoid at all costs.

Pan’s lips curled into a grin. “Enjoying your dip, my dear?”

Syrinx stepped forward, rising from the water. Pan’s eyes followed the curve of her breasts as her wet dress clung to her body. She wanted to hate him, yet she reveled in the pleasure spread across his face. His admiration made her feel like the goddess she was. Just a few more steps and she’d be his.

“You saved the girl.” She sounded more accusatory then thankful.

“Of course I saved her. Not all of us have Coral’s thirst for tragedy.”

“Then why must you pursue me?”

“Come now.” He winked, and her heart skipped a beat. “I’d hardly call my pursuit of your chastity tragic.”

“Not tragic for you.” Syrinx scrounged up her willpower and inched toward the falls. She glanced at his muscular legs, then wished she hadn’t. A blush burned her cheeks. “Breaking my vow destroys everything I stand for.”

He gave her a suggestive smile and stepped forward. “I’ll make it worthwhile.”

She bet he would. Her mind wandered, wondering what those sinister lips tasted like and how it would feel to be claimed by him. He’d saved the girl, so he wasn’t as evil as she made him out to be. Yet he could have done it just to gain her confidence. Underneath his sly flirtatiousness, who was he? A child of the forest—wild and untamed, fickle and cold as the wind. She’d have him for a day, then he’d be on to his next conquest, and she’d have nothing. Not even her pride.

She didn’t trust him, and she couldn’t trust herself.

Syrinx backed toward the falls. The surge of water roared at her back.

“Please.” Pan held out his hand, and the pain in his eyes tugged on her heart. “Give me a chance.”

“And sacrifice my eternal honor for one night?” She laughed bitterly. “You can never make it worth it.”

Without another word, she spread her arms and fell back, sailing down the falls like an angel falling from the heavens. Adrenaline rushed through her, along with a bubbling sense of freedom and a strong pride in herself. She would not give in to her temptations. She was the goddess of chastity and she reigned supreme.

Syrinx hit the water and allowed the current to take her down the river. Floating on her back with her face to the sky, she watched the gods ride their golden chariots on clouds. Zeus cast lightning across the sky while Apollo sang poetry into the wind. Somewhere up there, Artemis smiled down on her with pride.

She reached the far banks of the forest and waded to shore. As she wrung out her dress, a voice followed her. “You truly want to be rid of him?”

Syrinx whirled around. Coral stood, dripping on the rocks, her black hair flicked across her face so only one crazy, black eye showed. Her legs were red with welts where the river reeds had grabbed hold.

“I don’t need your help.” Syrinx pointed to the falls several miles behind them. “I can take care of myself.” Besides, she wouldn’t trust that river nymph with a rock she wanted to throw away.

“He won’t stop following you.” Coral’s eyes grew desperate, as if she wished he would.

Murderer that she was, Coral piqued her curiosity. Syrinx shook her head, trying to make sense of this sudden show of friendship. “Why do you care? All I do is foil your…enjoyment.”

The black-haired nymph sniffed and turned away. “Some of us desire his affections.”

Syrinx scoffed. “You mean you want him?” She hid a rising streak of jealousy. What was getting into her? Pan was no more hers than the sun and the moon. He belonged to nature and no one else.

Coral gave Syrinx a jealous sneer. “All he can think of right now is pursuing you. Take you out of the equation, and he’s ripe for the picking.”

Syrinx studied Coral’s dark eyes. The cruel nymph may not be as powerful as she was, but she was more clever and sly than Syrinx ever wanted to be. Maybe she had a decent plan. “If I agree, will you vow never to drown another soul?”

Coral put her hands on her hips. “That’s asking a lot.”

Syrinx pursed her lips. “Maybe I want to tease him. Maybe I enjoy this sick, little game of catch and chase. I could drag this out for centuries.”

Coral pulled her hands through her knotted hair. “All right. I can’t promise you every mortal on this earth, but how about staying away from the innocent ones?”

Syrinx considered her answer. Coral would help her get away and stop drowning children. This was quite a deal. But could she trust her? The last thing Coral wanted was for her to have Pan, so what was the worst that could happen? Syrinx raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean to do?”

*****

Author Info:

Author and flutist in New England. I teach flute at a university and a community music school. Represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Writes for Entangled Publishing, Inkspell Publishing, Spencer Hill, Lyrical Press, and GSP. My short stories have been featured in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Aurora Wolf, A Fly in Amer, Moon Drenched Fables and various anthologies.

Website /Twitter/Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

1 Pan’s Conquest Prize Pack (US Only)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MWNiNTU0OTUyMGNlZDFiOGJmOTc5ZmExZmRmZDJmOjI3Ng==/

*****

Tour Schedule:

Week One

2/24/2014- book’s blog– Guest Post

2/24/2014- Pretty in Preloved– Review

2/25/2014- RhiReading– Guest Post

2/26/2014- Fade Into Fantasy– Guest Post

2/26/2014- Toot’s Book Reviews– Interview

2/27/2014- Romance for Every World– Guest Post

2/28/2014- BookHounds– Interview

Week Two

3/3/2014- Cassandra Lost in Books– Spotlight

3/4/2014- Fantasy Book Addict– Guest Post

3/5/2014- Romantic Reads and Such– Guest Post

3/6/2014- Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!– Interview

3/7/2014- Urban Fantasy Investigations– Guest Post

3/7/2014- Manga Maniac Café– Interview

3/7/2014- Talking Books Blog

*****

Guest Post – Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead

04 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Patricia Eimer

This morning we welcome author Patricia Eimer as she talks about her favorite part of romance novels and shares with us her newest book, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.

*****

Since I’m a romance author with 7 (it’s hard to believe that number is right but I’ve checked and it is) published romance novels to my name and another 4 contracted people sometimes ask me what my favorite part of romance novels is—both to read and to write. Most people assume it’s the sex. Heck, if you’d have asked me years ago when I was too young to really understand romance novels I would have told you it was the sex. The secret, hidden part that you aren’t supposed to tell anyone about.

Then I grew up. I had relationships. I got married. I had a couple of kids and suddenly romance novels weren’t illicit anymore. No one was scandalized that I knew what sex was. Which, now that I think about it is something of a disappointment. I want to scandalize people. I didn’t enjoy that power when I had it. But alas, scandal is hard to do when you’re a middle aged suburban mommy and what I enjoy most about romance novels isn’t the sex. Heck, I can find that on prime time telly now.

What I enjoy most about romance novels is the first time the hero and the heroine meet. That first instant that they latch eyes on each other and everything goes wrong.

What? I can hear you say. That’s not how it happens. Their eyes lock and… Now you’re going back to your romance novels and going wait a second—it does always go wrong before we get to the sexy parts. Usually heroes and heroines are sure that the last person they’d be happy with is each other. They spill scalding coffee on each other or catch their future love in the arms of a married partner or one of them falls in a gopher hole and breaks an ankle. And usually—even in the most serious of romance novels that first moment is funny. Not always ha ha funny sure but still at least worthy of one of those cringe worthy “I’m so glad it’s you and not me” chuckles.

I love that about romance novels. Because I don’t know about you, but I’ve never really had a cringe worthy introduction to a lover. I’ve been introduced by friends, had them buy me drinks and we’ve chatted. I once met a man I dated for over a year while we were both buying milk in the checkout line of a gas station. My husband and I? We went to high school together and were on the same track team. He stammered the first time he invited me to a movie. Not exactly Hollywood material.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my husband. I adore my husband. After all these many years together I can honestly tell you that George Clooney and Brad Pitt could show up and one could rub my feet while the other hand fed me artisanal swiss chocolate while we watched Channing Tatum and Chris Hemsworth did a strip tease and afterwards Tom Hiddleston sang me love songs and recited Shakespeare and I would still go home with my husband at the end of the night. Sure, I’d take the chocolate with me, and I’d probably be a few (hundred) dollars lighter in the savings account but not even all of Hollywood’s hottest could make me want to stray.

But we are not the stuff romance novels are wrote about. We’re ordinary. Just like I’d want us to be. And I’m sure just like most of you are all happy to be. But when I read a romance novel for just the length of that book I want something more and for me it always starts right about the time the heroine accidentally dumps burning hot coffee all over the hot young guy on the subway next to her.

*****

BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD

By Patricia Eimer

EBook: 368 pages

Release Date: February 24, 2014

ISBN: 978-1622661183

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Blurb:

Not Even Death Keeps a Good Demoness Down

There’s never an end to the crazy when you’re demon spawn. Not that Faith Bettincourt’s complaining. She’s been patching things up with her angelic on-again off-again boyfriend, Matt, and her best-friend-turned-sister-in-law is soon giving birth to the Anti-Christ Part Deux. Oh, and Faith is saving kids from Death in her pediatric unit one soul at a time. Life is good.

Until Faith accidentally runs over the Angel of Death and is forced to take his place. Now she’s taking lives instead of saving them. Which is kind of a problem when you’re a nurse. As if that weren’t bad enough, she is suddenly thrust into the worst scenario of them all–Matt’s ex Brenda is back, and she’s brought the Apocalypse with her.

Faith’s not about to give up the world…or her man. But when the chips are down, what’s a demoness supposed to do? Besides take matters into her own hands, of course.

And don’t forget – Book 1 LUCK OF THE DEVIL and Book 3 BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD are 99 cents for a limited time on all eBook platforms!

*****

Author Info:

Patricia Eimer is a small-town girl fated to be a storyteller. After a stint of “thinking practically,” she earned degrees in Business and Economics, but her passion has always been a good book. She lives in Pittsburgh with her two kids and a husband who learned the art of frozen pizza to give her more time to write. When she’s not writing she can be found fencing or arguing with her dogs about plot points. Most days the beagle wins, but the dalmatian is a close second. She’s a distant third.

Website /Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

5 bundles of an ebook copy of Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead with any other Entangled ebook released at the same time — Covet, Suspense, etc.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MWNiNTU0OTUyMGNlZDFiOGJmOTc5ZmExZmRmZDJmOjI3Nw==/

*****

Tour Schedule:

Week One

2/24/2014- book’s blog– Excerpt

2/24/2014- The Reading Obsession– Spotlight

2/25/2014- Urban Fantasy Investigations– Guest Post

2/25/2014- BookHounds– Interview

2/26/2014- Happy tails and tales– Review or Spotlight

2/26/2014- In The Pages of a Good Book– Excerpt

2/27/2014- Manga Maniac Café– Interview

2/27/2014- Margay Leah Justice– Review or Spotlight

2/28/2014- Fade Into Fantasy– Guest Post

2/28/2014- Toot’s Book Reviews– Interview

Week Two

3/3/2014- Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!– Interview

3/3/2014- Books and Things– Excerpt

3/4/2014- Romantic Reads and Such– Guest Post

3/4/2014- Let’s Talk About Books– Review

3/5/2014- The Jeep Diva– Guest Post

3/5/2014- Cassandra Lost in Books– Excerpt

3/6/2014- Sapphyria’s Book Reviews– Guest Post

3/6/2014- Read-Love-Blog– Excerpt

3/7/2014- Miriam Smith– Review or Spotlight

3/7/2014- Fantasy Book Addict– Guest Post

*****

Guest Post – The Matchmaking Chef Collection

03 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Better Than Chocolate, Dates Du Jour, Hot Crossed Buns, Maddie James, Mate To Order, Perfectly Matched, Romancing The Scone, Side Dish, The Matchmaking Chef Collection

Now I get the pleasure of welcoming Maddie James as she talks about the awesomeness of her heroine, Suzie Matthews, from The Matchmaking Chef Collection.

*****

When I grow up, I want to be just like Suzie Matthews. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be like her?

Suzie Matthews has a hunky, bad boy of a husband who rides a Harley. He literally made a plan to win her back and pursued her like nobody’s business. Of course, Suzie grew weak in the knees and gave in to him, body and soul. Besides her hubby, Brad, Suzie owns a B&B sitting on the edge of Lake Legend, on the outskirts of Legend, Tennessee. She can see Legend Mountain across the lake, and the Lodge that her husband owns. Suzie not only is a chef and B&B owner, but a cookbook author. And after a few successful pairings of Legendarians, she is now known as a matchmaker. In fact, she landed a TV show on The Food Channel, called The Matchmaking Chef Show.

What more could a girl want? See why I want to be her when I grow up?

Suzie didn’t start off to be a matchmaker. I created her character back in 2007 when my friends and writing partners and I started to write a series set in a small town in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Suzie Schul (later Suzie Matthews) was my character. What started as a writing exercise ended with a popular and bestselling series that continues today. The Matchmaking Chef series is a spin-off series from that original, Ladies of Legend series.

I quickly fell in love with Suzie. I gave her that quaint Victorian cottage that she turned into a B&B. Soon she was cooking and catering and writing cookbooks. And along the way she took up matchmaking. Suzie debuted in Bed, Breakfast & You, and she was a prominent character in her sister’s story, Home For The Holidays. From there, the Matchmaking Chef series took off with this first story, Perfectly Matched. Seven more stories followed, and the entire collection is now available in one volume, titled Perfectly Matched, and the rest of The Matchmaking Chef stories.

I hope you want to read more of Suzie and her matchmaking adventures. And stay tuned, because Suzie’s life will alter a bit after the end of this series, when she turns sleuth in a cozy murder mystery titled Deadly Scoop (Coming in 2015).

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here is a description of the collection:

THE MATCHMAKING CHEF COLLECTION

The eight novellas of The Matchmaking Chef Series

When Suzie Matthews accidentally cooks up a scene that causes her sister to get back together with her high school boyfriend, she wonders if she can help other singletons living in the small mountain town of Legend, Tennessee find the loves of their lives.

Being a matchmaker isn’t really on her list of things to do—after all, she has a bed & breakfast to run, cookbooks to write, and a television show on The Food Channel to keep up with. But baking is her thing, and perhaps matchmaking can be her thing, too. After all, there is a song going through her head that goes something like this…

Matchbaker, Matchbaker, bake me a match? No wait. Make me a match. Nevermind! You get the picture, right?

Welcome to Legend, Tennessee. And welcome to the matchbaking, er, matchmaking world of Chef Suzie Matthews.

*****

Includes the 8 novellas: Perfectly Matched, Dates Du Jour, Hot Crossed Buns, Side Dish, Mate To Order, Romancing The Scone, Better Than Chocolate, and Hard Candy Kisses, @ 133,000

Novellas also available separately.

*****

Blurbs from each novella:

Perfectly Matched, Book One

Suzie Matthews is hard at work on her new cookbook, Perfectly Matched, when she asks the local “wallflower” to help her with a project. Mary Lou Picketts dreams of falling in love with country music star, Nash Rhodes, but is ready to settle for Thurman Phillips down the street. But she doesn’t want to. Not really. When Nash comes to Legend for a music benefit and stays at the lodge, Suzie wonders if she can perfectly match this miss-matched couple.

Hot Crossed Buns, Book Two

Wild Katie Long, she’ll never settle down. But Chris Marks has had his eye on her for a long time. When Chris hires Suzie to set him up with a romantic dinner for two, Suzie does all she can to set the mood. Thing is, Katie isn’t about to be wooed and she’s hotter than hot crossed buns when she figures out what Chris is up to. Then Suzie turns the tables by supplying Chris with a couple of items that just might tame Katie after all—handcuffs and a leather riding crop.

Dates Du Jour, Book Three

Speed dating? Speed eating is more like it. When Suzie sets up lunch date after lunch date for Lyssa Larkin, Legend’s homegrown homecoming queen of 1992, she knows she’s bit off more than she can chew. Lyssa rejects dates in two bites and sends them on their way. Suzie wonders if she really wants to date or just eat two lunches, and worries that soon Lyssa’s hips won’t fit on her dainty chairs. That is, until Suzie takes a risk with a man that Lyssa knows, but doesn’t, and who is falling for her hard and fast.

Side Dish, Book Four

Becca North doesn’t want a boyfriend but her best friend Nora certainly does. Becca is soooo off men. But when Nora, owner of Nora’s Novel Niche, meets Suzie the Matchmaking Chef, during a booksigning at her store, she pays the matchmaker to arrange a romantic picnic date lunch for her—a blind date, no less. Nora drags Becca along all the way from Pigeon Forge for moral support and to check out her date. Thing is, Nora’s date would rather check out Becca, instead.

Mate to Order, Book Five

When Suzie’s success as a matchmaker hits the national scene about the same time as her debut cooking show on the Food Channel, her new producer comes to her with a list of requirements—not for Suzie’s job, but for a husband. Patricia Plum has a specific list and if Suzie really wants to make it big in New York City, she’ll make every attempt to deliver, Patricia’s “Mate to Order.”

Romancing the Scone, Book Six

High tea or sweet tea? As long as there are scones, it doesn’t matter. In fact, Sydney Schul, owner of Sydney’s Sugar Coffee Stop and Bakery, makes the best damned scones east of the Mississippi, and there was an article written about her in Southern’s Best magazine to prove it. All is well and life in Legend is good, until a mysterious male stranger comes to town, stalking her scones and coercing Legendarians to nab her recipe.

Better than Chocolate, Book Seven

When Scott Matthews escapes to Legend to visit his brother, Brad and his wife Suzie, he has only one request—he doesn’t want to talk, smell, or taste chocolate. Nor does he want to discuss getting fired as chocolate taster from world-renowned Bianchi Chocolates. What Jillian Bass needs is to make it in Legend. This Manhattan transplant knows nothing about small town living other than she wants to make it big here real bad. Forget New York, she’s trying to set up her small chocolate shop and impress the locals. And all is fine until she smacks straight into Scott.

Hard Candy Kisses, Book Eight

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and Legend Elementary teacher Patti Jo Baker has tried every trick in the book to land a date for the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at The Lodge. This includes setting up a kissing booth at the Legend Elementary Winter Carnival—a booth which Principal Jim Hamilton promptly shuts down. Because if Patty Jo Baker is passing out kisses, any kind of kisses, he wants to be both first, and last, in line—and he definitely doesn’t want to sample them in front of the student body.

*****

Giveaway:

Maddie is giving away 1 ebook copy of

The Matchmaking Chef Series Collection

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/Yzc0NThmNDMxY2FlNDZkZGQ0NGVlNDgzNzBkZjkyOjIy/

*****

Spotlight – Cold Day in Hell

03 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Cold Day in Hell, Jerrie Alexander

Cold Day in Hell looks like a wonderful choice for those of you who like your romance spiced up with military intrigue. Check out all of the details below!

*****

COLD DAY IN HELL

by JERRIE ALEXANDER

Blurb:

Ex-Army Ranger Tyrell Castillo’s first mission for Lost and Found, Inc. goes awry when his contact is kidnapped, and he’s left scrambling for weapons and explosives. He’ll have to blow up a drug cartel’s compound, rescue the woman, and keep her safe while they cross the sweltering hot Colombian jungle.

Driven by the need for revenge, Ana Maria Vega Cisneros doesn’t want to be rescued. She wants revenge. She’ll risk her life to ensure the drug lord who killed her family suffers the same fate.

The cartel leaves a trail of blood on their hunt for Ty and Ana. When Ty receives the order to kill the drug lord with extreme prejudice, he and Ana will face the enemy head on. Can Ty protect the woman who’s hell bent on vengeance? The woman he’s grown to love?

Buy links:

AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE

*****

Author Info:

A student of creative writing in her youth, Jerrie set aside her passion when life presented her with a John Wayne husband, and two wonderful children. A career in logistics offered her the opportunity to travel to many beautiful locations in America, and she revisits them in her romantic suspense novels.

But the characters went with her, talked to her, and insisted she share their dark, sexy stories with others. She writes alpha males and kick-ass women who weave their way through death and fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite of, their love for each other. She likes to torture people, make them suffer, and if they’re strong enough, they live happily ever after.

The author of THE GREEN-EYED DOLL, THE LAST EXECUTION, SOMONE TO WATCH OVER ME, HELL OR HIGH WATER, and COLD DAY in HELL, books 1 and 2 in the Lost and Found, Inc. series. Book 3, NO CHANCE in HELL is scheduled for release in early April.

Social media links:

http://jerriealexander.com – website

http://www.jerriealexander.com/category/blog/

http://www.twitter.com/jerriealexander

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerrie-Alexander /121521571355959?ref=hl

http://www.goodreads.com/jerriealexander

http://pinterest.com/jerriealexander/

*****

Participating Sites:

Romantic Reads and Such

Deal Sharing Aunt

A Passion for Romance

Vampires, Werewolves and Fairies Oh My

A Little Bit of R& R

Sizzling Hot Books

You Gotta Read Reviews

In Shadows

Becky on Books

Lusty Penguin Reviews

*****

Spotlight – Rock It

28 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Jennifer Chance, Rock It, Rule Breakers series

Today we’re looking at Jennifer Chance’s Rock It. Get a sneak peek below, enter the contest and check out some of the other sites that are participating on the tour.

*****

For gals who love bad boys and musicians, Jennifer Chance brings ROCK IT – “the tale of a smoldering rocker and the fangirl who catches his eye—and finds herself living out her wildest dreams.” This is the first novel in the New Adult series, Rule Breakers , published by Random House’s Loveswept imprint.

*****

Rock It

by Jennifer Chance

Genre:New Adult Romance

Release Date: March 4^th, 2014

Pages: 240 pages

Publisher: Random House (Loveswept)

Format: Digital eBook

ISBN:978-0-553-39095-7

Blurb: Lacey Dawes is a total pro at the talent agency where she works, and it doesn’t hurt that IMO Worldwide Media represents Dante Falcone. The rock god has starred in her fantasies since she was sixteen—and remains her secret crush to this day. So when Dante picks her to be the interim manager on his Dream It tour, Lacey can’t believe her luck. Handling Dante is sure to be the most exquisite, spine-tingling, nerve-wracking mix of business and pleasure ever.

Although Dante is grateful for the adoring fans who scream for one more of his full-throttle, soul-searing songs, being surrounded by a cadre of corporate types backstage is wearing thin. Then Lacey shows up. Yeah, she’s organized, smart, quick to get him what he wants before he knows he wants it—but Dante senses there’s something else going on with sweet, sexy Lacey. One kiss tells him what that “something” might be . . . and makes him hungry for more.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18587025-rock-it?bf=1000&from_search=true

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GQAMAJM/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rock-it-jennifer-chance/1117792914?ean=9780553390957

iBooks:https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780553390957?at=11l3IH&ct=Rock+It-RandomHouse-9780553390957

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9780553390957&c=books

*****

Author Info:

I come by romance honestly, having spent several years writing adult romance and entering romance contests through Romance Writers of America–including finaling twice in the prestigious Golden Heart contest and winning once. But despite these and other contest wins, my first published novel came not in adult romance, but as a writer of YA historical fiction (you can read all about my Elizabethan spy girls stories, the Maids of Honor, here.)

Still, despite my love of Elizabethan spies, I could never quite give up those super Alpha contemporary romance heroes. So, in the summer of 2013, I decided to see if perhaps I might still have a romance or two up my sleeve.

I wrote a tale about a girl whose biggest high-school and college crush–a rock star–suddenly becomes her biggest client, only now she has to be professional and not betray the fact that she’s completely in love with the guy. It was a fun, sexy, romantic fantasy, and I suggested the idea to my agent… who asked what other ideas I had in addition to this story. Shortly after, the Rule Breakers series was born.

To separate these books from my historical work, I adopted the name Jennifer Chance. I am now pursuing my dreams (pretty much round the clock as it turns out) and am THRILLED to be able to have four e-books coming out in 2014 and early 2015, all with Random House LoveSwept’s New Adult romance line.

As to what will happen from here, who knows? But as long as there is a story to be written and an HEA to be had, I’ll be the one over in the corner, tapping away on my keyboard.

Website: http://www.JenniferChance.com

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

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7303154.Jennifer_Chance

*****

Excerpt:

Steve Gwynn, Wingman

“You look pretty grim.” A laughing, wry voice floated over her left shoulder. “Don’t worry about Harry. He gets better.”

Lacey blinked up to take in a tall, rangy guy with a wide smile and insanely curly long hair. Steve Gwynn, lead guitarist. “Thanks,” she said. “I know it’ll take a while for me to make any friends here. Probably right around the time we start to gel, the tour will be over.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Steve said. “Living on the road, even if we’re not always on the bus—you’re going to spend a lot of intense time with these people. It sort of jacks up the ‘getting to know you’ process.”

“You’ve been with the band for a while?” she asked. She already knew the answer, but Steve wouldn’t realize that, and getting to know the closest guy that Dante had to a friend seemed like the smart thing to do.

“My whole life, it seems like sometimes. Not in a bad way,” he said hastily, waving off Lacey’s concerned look with a laugh. “Just—sometimes you just fit into a place, and you realize it’s where you need to be. And I do. I fit here.”

“Yeah,” Lacey said. She thought about the girls in the brownstone—she and Anna Richardson had been close enough friends in college, but it wasn’t until they’d both found themselves in Boston last summer that things had really clicked for them. A chance encounter with artist-on-the-rise Erin Connelly had led to a roof over their heads, which was where they’d met the fast-talking Dani Michaels. Within just a few weeks, the four of them had formed a pretty tight bond. Even Dani, who didn’t seem to connect easily, was now hanging around the brownstone more often whenever she wasn’t working as a bartender, pool hustler, or God only knew what else. “Hopefully things won’t get too crazy on this tour.”

*****

Giveaway:

iPod Shuffle (open to US entrants only, if international entrant is chosen they’ll receive a $50 gift card to the eTailer of their choice). Plus, Random House is sponsoring the tour with a $50 e-giftcard, and swag including a Loveswept mug and tote (open to US entrants only).

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef7/

*****

Tour Schedule:

February 24, 2014

Love, Laugh, and Read

February 25, 2014

Manga Maniac Cafe

Sexy Book Reviews By Shelly & April

February 26, 2014

Pebble In The Still Waters

February 27, 2014

Bookcrushin

Offbeat Vagabond

February 28, 2014

Romantic Reads and Such

Melissa’s Book Obsessions

March 1, 2014

Hines and Bingham’s Literary Tryst

March 3, 2014

Kindle and Me

Red Hot Blue Reads

The Consummate Reader

March 4, 2014

March 5, 2014

March 6, 2014

Reading Between the Wines

March 7, 2014

March 9, 2014

March 10, 2014

March 11, 2014

T’s Bookish Moments of Escape

LeAnn’s Book Reviews

March 12, 2014

The YA Bookshelf

Snarky Mom Reads

Romance Addict Book Blog

March 13, 2014

Samthebookaholic

Book Jems

March 14, 2014

Once Upon a YA Book

On Girl Lost In Romance Books

March 17, 2014

My ParaHangover

March 18, 2014

Book Liaison

Nevaeh’s New Adult Book Blog

March 19, 2014

Books Over Boys

March 20, 2014

Read-Love-Blog

Jessa’s Epic Narrative

Books With Bite

March 21, 2014

Literati Book Reviews

Ramblings of a Book Lunatic

March 24, 2014

A Bookish Escape

Cocktails and Books

Stories and Swag

*****

Blog Tour – The S.E.R.A. Files Vol. 2

27 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

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C.T. Green, The S.E.R.A. Files

Today we’re taking a look at The S.E.R.A. Files Volume 2, a collection of 5 stories that looks perfect for those of you who like your romances full of action and the paranormal.

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The S.E.R.A. Files Volume 2

by C.T. Green

Genre: PNR

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing

Number of pages: Approx. 105

Word Count: approx. 30, 400

Cover Artist: Cass Green

Available at Amazon

Blurb:

SATISFYING SIMON

Will satisfaction be guaranteed?

For Serena Roberts, getting to know her new SERA partner is an uphill task. Simon’s distant and ‘by the book’ demeanor is at odds with his playboy past. Serena believes she’ll never find out the real story behind the torture Simon endured at the hands of a demon nor discover a way past the Fae warrior’s ice-cold reserve.

Simon doesn’t mind his reputation for being hard to please, but when he meets Serena he finds there is something he cares about more than keeping his distance from others. As they hunt for a kidnapper can he trust Serena enough to leave them both satisfied?

PROTECTING PENELOPE

Angels and demons don’t mix. Prepare for an apocalypse.

Adar works as a special operative for SERA. He’s a demon who loves the thrill of close calls and blood-pounding action. But no way in hell is he ready to do protection detail for an angel. After all, everyone knows those guys are short tempered and deadly.

Penelope, a messenger angel, is minding her own business when she witnesses a crime. Now she’s under the care of a big, strong SERA agent and she’s determined to go for his heart. When the bad guys catch up with them and Adar is forced to unleash his inner demon, will the angel he’s fallen in love with still want him?

CATCHING FLAME

A fire prince always knows how to light a girl’s fire.

Saskia “Sass” Boots has been watching Flame, and he’s every bit as absorbing as his namesake. But as an agent with SERA, she’s determined to keep her mind on the job and off the fire prince’s smokin’ hot body. A pyromaniac’s on the loose and Flame is SERA’s top suspect.

When Sass announces she’s moving in with him, Flame knows it’s going to be hard to resist the girl of his dreams while chasing a murderer. There’s no way Flame is going to let some creep kill innocent people, but when things become heated, the scorching chemistry between him and Sass might prove a fatal distraction.

TOUCHING TORREN

SERA Agent. Werewolf. Guard Dog. No one said anything about ‘walkies’.

After Sophy Bancroft is blinded by a spell, Torren is determined to protect the human from a killer still at large. But for a werewolf, playing at being a guard dog is tough work. He hates deceiving the woman he’s fallen in love with, but until Sophy’s sight returns there’s no other way to ensure her safety.

Sophy’s delighted to regain her vision. When she discovers her beloved canine companion is a seriously gorgeous werewolf will she be able to trust him not to shed on the furniture, and more importantly, save her from the creature determined to end her life?

AFTER OBLIVION

Not even Hell itself is going to keep these lovers apart.

Mia Haviland and Avenian of the Fae mourned the loss of Oblivion, the demon prince who bound the three of them together. Now their lover is back and determined to re-take his place in Mia and Aven’s life.

Oblivion endured two years in Hell, imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic killer who escaped SERA’s justice. Now he wants his beloved Fairy and Fae back by his side and his captor’s head on a platter. Can he destroy his nemesis and convince Aven and Mia that neither Hell nor high water will ever keep him from them again?

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Author Info:

Before becoming a writer C.T. Green worked in advertising for ten years. She also completed a Bachelor of Arts with majors in communication and literature.

C.T. Green now lives in regional Australia with her husband, children and extensive collection of animals – amongst which are the world’s bossiest goldfish.

In between writing, i.e. arguing with her characters and occasionally posting to her blog, she reads, drinks vanilla coffee, kid wrangles, enters writing contests and avoids the goldfish.

http://www.ctgreen-author.com/

http://www.ctgreen-author.com/blog.html

https://www.facebook.com/C.T.GreenAuthor

https://twitter.com/CTGreenAuthor

https://plus.google.com/+ctgreen/posts

https://www.pinterest.com/ctgreenauthor/ct-green-likes/

http://www.amazon.com/C.T.-Green/e/B009F86386

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Giveaway:

$15 gift voucher from Amazon

1 ebook copy of The S.E.R.A. Files Vol. I

1 ebook copy of The S.E.R.A. Files Vol. II