Sandra Cox's Blog, page 255

Hello, friends. What's been happening in your corner of t...

Hello, friends. What's been happening in your corner of the world? Any news?
My tidbit: I received the Excellence in Education Award last week where I work. And no I'm not an instructor. I received it in the staff category. But enough about me, what's going on with you?
~*~ What the Owls Said
On those nights when the owls are singingI linger outside attempting to distinguish
Whether the Great Horned owls areOr the Long-eared owls areOr the Barred owls areOr whether they all areHere to accompany each other,Filling the night air withA dazzling chorus of improvisation.
And the Great Horned owl said,Sing, brothers, of the glories of the night.And the Long-eared owl said,Yes, Yes.And the Barred owl said,Sing brothers; it is thy birthright.
Here I am, a paltry audienceTrying to write lyrics forMusic that transcends my voice.                                                  
                                                            Michael Cox

SBB: Shadow of Perception

 BLURB:What happens when negligent plastic surgeons receive a taste of their own medicine…?
Chicago investigative reporter, Eden Risk, receives an unmarked envelope containing a postcard ordering her to watch the enclosed DVD…or someone else dies. No Police. After Eden watches the DVD, a gruesome, horrifying surgery, she turns to the private criminal investigation agency, CORE, for help. Only she hadn’t expected that help to come with a catch. Her former lover, Hudson Patterson, has been assigned to the case.
Hudson would rather have another CORE agent handle the investigation. Two years ago, he’d screwed things up with Eden…bad. And as more DVDs arrive, Eden and Hudson find themselves not only knee-deep in a twisted investigation, but forced to deal with their past, and the love they’d tried to deny. Hero’s POV:
Hudson cleared his throat and eyed Eden’s cat. “I’ve only seen cats that size at the zoo or in the jungle. What the hell is it? Besides big and ugly.”
“Don’t talk like that.” She cupped Fabio’s only ear. “He’s sensitive.”
Eden had to have snapped at some point during the past two years. Literally. Since when did this woman, this no bullshit, headstrong woman, become all sensitive?
“Whatever, Dr. Doolittle,” he said, hiding his irritation. She could let her guard down, shed her hard as nails persona for a frickin’ cat, but she’d never bothered to make the effort with him.  During those months they’d been together, she’d come willingly to his bed, or she’d invite him to hers. Their pillow talk had been fun and sexy. They had exchanged stories, but never secrets. And after a while, that had bothered him. For the first time…ever, he’d been intrigued by a woman and he’d begun to trust enough to want to give more of himself than he’d ever been willing to in the past. Unfortunately, despite the intimate moments they’d shared, she had kept herself guarded. Instead of trying to find a way to break through her barriers, he’d gone and screwed everything up with her. He’d regretted that night for over two years. And the mistake she’d promised him she would never forgive.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:I didn’t pick up my first romance novel until I was in my late twenties. Immediately hooked, I read a bazillion books before deciding to write one of my own. After the birth of my first son I needed something to keep my mind from turning to mush, and Sesame Street wasn’t cutting it. While that first book will never see the light of day, something good had come from writing it. I realized my passion, and had found a career that I love.
When I’m not writing contemporary romances and dark, romantic suspense novels (or reading them!) I’m chasing after my four kids and two neurotic dogs.
LINKS: FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/kristine.maso... TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KristineMason7 WEBSITE: Books available on: Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Perception-Book-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00E3HM1B2/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374931089&sr=1-4
Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadow-of-perception-kristine-mason/1116149995?ean=2940148591887
Kobo:http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Shadow-of-Perception/book-bUl_8rgW00W8Khqylc8qag/page1.html?s=1KDtUTJKv0yLseFvGlBsoQ&r=1Kristine will be awarding $5 Amazon gift cards to four randomly drawn commenters during the tour as well as print books to six other randomly drawn commenters during the tour (3 of Pick Me, a contemporary romance, and 3 of Shadow of Danger, book one of the suspense series. [US ONLY on the books]). The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/07/virtual-super-book-blast-shadow-of.html

SBB: Bama Bride

BLURB:Neal Sinclair meets David Bankston in a college town bar. He’s tall, dark, and handsome, and wears a Stetson like nobody’s business.
When they dance, inner passion heats up while inhibitions melt away. Neal quickly discovers David’s not a Southerner at all. He’s a Boston architect, in Tuscaloosa for only one night. The next morning, they struggle to walk away from something that caught them both by surprise.
Time doesn’t diminish the ache they feel in each other’s absence. Unable to stay apart, David arranges to take Neal to watch her beloved Crimson Tide play in a football bowl game. Reunited, they’re determined to make it work. When separated, they perfect the art of open communication. They each know that true love is a long shot.
But distance isn’t the only thing standing in their way. Unbeknownst to her, Neal’s overprotective father is, too. With so much conspiring against them, can a natural disaster turn the odds in their favor?EXCERPT:“Hey, cowboy. How about a dance?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she cringed. Wow, even to my own ears that sounded way too cheesy.
She looked him over as he stood with the sole of one boot propped against the wall, and a Stetson perched atop his head. He had sinfully good looks, and his olive complexion and wavy black hair gave him a swarthy, pirate-like appeal.
“Evening.” He nodded, but his gaze remained focused on the room, never lingering in one place too long. Clearly, she had been dismissed.
So much for my skill at playing the vamp. This is shaping up to be an epic fail.
With each swig he took from that long-necked beer bottle, however, she found herself wanting nothing more than to offer to lick off the moisture that clung to his mouth after every swallow. She decided not to give up so easily.
“You’re about empty. How about a second round? My treat?”
He locked eyes with her then, and humor glinted in his. The gorgeous stranger rewarded her with a dazzling smile even as he shook his head in polite refusal.
“Thank you, but no.”
His fingers were long, and his hand was broad. He exuded sex appeal. But she wasn’t used to these games of pursuit. It was usually the other way around, and she was fending off the unwanted advances.
Jeez, I must look utterly pathetic to him just standing here with doe eyes. I don’t know what possessed me to think I could ever stand a chance with someone like him.
She started to back away when suddenly the band began to play the first strains of “Sweet Home Alabama.” She took it as a sign that this might be her lucky night after all. She quickly downed the rest of her sour apple martini to bolster her courage and then deposited the empty glass on a nearby table.
“Are you just passing through?” She spoke loudly to be heard above the cacophony of their surroundings.
“I only came in for a beer—nothing else. I leave town in the morning.”
“I get it. No entanglements, right? But it’s just one dance. And judging by your accent, you aren’t from around here. So I’m willing to overlook the fact that you don’t know it’s an unwritten law that when that particular song comes on, it’s lady’s choice. She can ask any man to dance, and he can’t say no.”
“Can’t, huh? Is that a fact?” A playful grin toyed at the corners of his mouth.
“It is when you’re in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. That song’s a sacred anthem around here. So, cowboy, I’m asking you once again. You wanna dance?”AUTHOR Bio and Links:Joan Chandler is a Florida native who has lived in the Deep South all of her life. She is married with two children who are her pride and joy. She lives a double life of sorts, holding down a nine-to-five job during the day, and writing steamy romance at night—often with her black cat curled up in her arms as she types.
When she’s not spending her spare time working on her next novel, she loves to go camping, sharing girls’ night out with her friends, walking her two dogs, and watching college football.BUY Links: AMAZON:   http://www.amazon.com/Bride-BookStrand-Publishing-Romance-ebook/dp/B00CT35YFW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369583017&sr=8-1&keywords=bama+bride
BOOKSTRAND PUBLISHING:    http://www.bookstrand.com/bama-brideBLOG:  www.joanchandler.wordpress.comtwitter account:   @joanchandler1 Find me on facebook:  Joan Chandleremail:  joanchandler13@gmail.comJoan will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-super-book-blast-tour-bama.html

FREE, FREE, FREE, and 99 centers too

Shameless self promotion: For all you cat lovers, Shardai is also free. See below.

Free & discounted Kobo books for a short time only to celebrate Anderson's After Dark Book Party!
Go to the Anderson's Bookstore Kobo portal and search for these fabulous titles.



Jessa Slade
Dark Hunter's Touch
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Christy HayesShoe Strings
Free!



Cari Quinn, CarrieAnn Ryan, Jayne Rylon, Debra AndrewsLexiBlake, MarieHarte
A Taste of Decadence Box Set
99¢



Debra Andrews
Dangerous Paradise20% off--Now $2.99

Tessa Reese
Seductive Hunger
Free!

Donna Fasano
Reclaim My Heart
99¢

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Ellis Carrington
Yes, Sir
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Christina Tetreault
The Teacher's Billionaire
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Ginny Baird
The Christmas Catch
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Jill James
Divorce, Interrupted
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Sandy Loyd
Running Out of Fear
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Maree Anderson
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Mary Campisi
A Family Affair (Truth in Lies: Book One)
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Marquita Valentine
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Anthea Sharp
Feyland: The First Adventure
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Liz Matis
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Beth Caudill
Healer's Fate
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Dar-otter, Pearl Otter, Can’t Find Me
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Angie Fox
The Accidental Demon Slayer
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Delilah Marvelle, Máire Claremont
All I Want For Christmas is a Duke
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C.J. Ellisson
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Cynthia Clement
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Anna Markland
Defiant Passion
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KH LeMoyne
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Roz Lee
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Sandra Cox
Shardai: First Book in the Cats of Catarau Series
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Celia Juliano
His Angel: An Everyday Angels Erotic Short Story
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Stephanie Julian
An Indecent Proposition Part I
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Erin Kellison, KC Klein, Jessa Slade
Hotter on the Edge
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It's The Weekend And Too Cute Friday

August 1 and Color of Snow Video

It's the first of August. You know what that means....Christmas is just around the corner.....

Tribute sent out this trailer. I enjoyed it, thought you might too.

SBB: Burn on the Western Slope

BLURB:On the ski slopes of Montana, deception turns deadly and seduction becomes more hypnotic than jewels.
Reagan McKinney is on a mission to discover more about a deceased uncle who mysteriously left her a sizable inheritance, a condo in the mountains, and a stash of stolen jewels.  With both her graphic design career and her love life in shambles, the opportunity to begin a new life couldn’t have come at a better time.  When she becomes involved with the sexy FBI agent next door, she finds her struggle is not only to keep her heart intact, but her life.          Grief stricken after an undercover investigation ends in the tragic death of his partner, FBI Agent Garret Chambers goes home to find solace in the arms of his mountain home.  That is, until his boss assigns him to investigate the spirited brunette staying in the condo next door.  He is assigned to investigate Reagan’s involvement with a large jewel fencing organization, but his investigation becomes comprised when his attraction to her heats up.  Will his discovery destroy everything he has come to love, including Reagan?Silence stretched among them. He fought to soften his breathing, but his heart only pounded harder as he tried to convince himself she was not his to possess.
When she looked at him, dead in the eye, she didn’t flicker. The strength she’d shown on the mountain today, pushing herself when most women would have cried and complained, and the snappy comeback with Tanner made Garret realize she was the kind of woman who could stand up to a man like Javier Mass. The type of woman Javier—or Nelson, either one—would prize. Garret’s world capsized.
Shaking her hand from his, she said, “Shouldn’t you have asked me that before you kissed me?”AUTHOR Bio and Links:During my senior year in high school, I was dubbed most likely to write a novel because I always had my nose stuck in a book.   I would hide my romance novels under my history book until my teacher called me out on it.  Writing has been my dream ever since my mother read Brer Rabbit to my sister and me so often that we were able to recite it back to each other before actually learning to read.  I love reading about the adventure of love, and getting involved in the legal field developed my love of suspense. I believe love is a mystery that most people have trouble resolving.  While I don’t expect we’ll ever solve that mystery, I love to read and write about characters who work to solve their love’s mystery.  See more about me at my website www.loveisamystery.com or tweet me @angelaswriterPublisher Website: www.crimsonromance.comAngela will be awarding one of three prizes: a car mirror hanger or key chain (a seashell as a tie-in to her book), an mp3 album by Pretty Little Blisters, a $10 Amazon gift card, to three randomly drawn commenters during the tour, and an mp3 album by Pretty Little Blisters to a randomly drawn host.The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-super-book-blast-burn-on.html

Moths To A Flame Or To A Porch Light

Leopard Moth Eacles imperialis Tulip Tree Beauty Moth Front Porch Visitors

~*~
Hollywood Tough GuysDid you know:Dennis Farina was a Chicago police officerMel Brooks an Army engineerSteve Buscemi a firefighterJames Doohan a member of the Royal Canadian ArtilleryClint Eastwood served in the US ArmyR. Lee Ermy was a MarineDolph Lundgren was in the Swedish Armed Forces  Lee Marvin was in the Marines and
Steve McQueen was a Marine You can find more information on Hollywood's tough guys at: http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/real-life-tough-guys-1374864278-slideshow/tribeca-film-festival-2011-portrait-studio-day-3-photo-1374864248978.html 

It's Monday

Let's have a brief moment of silence. My summer schedule is officially over and I'm back to working Fridays.

Did you read the article on Sam Simon? See here:http://tv.yahoo.com/news/terminally-ill-simpsons-co-creator-vows-away-fortune-050000029.html
In case you aren't familiar with the name, he's the co-creator of The Simpson's, huge animal activist and humanitarian. He has a food bank that distributes vegan food. When asked by other food bank distributors, 'What if people aren't vegan?' His response was, 'Then they can go to your food bank.'
He's a big supporter of PETA. He does a lot of good for folks and animals in need. Unfortunately, he has terminal cancer. He plans to leave all his money to charitable foundations. Mr. Simon is truly an inspiration.

Have you seen Beautiful Creatures? Did you like it? We watched it this weekend. It had me glued to my seat.

Have a Wonderful Weekend

I have a release date: Nov 28, 2013. 
Gutsy, kick-ass Suzanne James has no intention of complicating her life by falling in love…especially with a vampire. But it’s hard to stay objective when a drop-dead, gorgeous male rescues her from three assailants in a dark alley. All but unconscious, she could swear her hero has glowing red eyes and two, sharp-pointed teeth.
Adrian Caine has spent the past hundred years—in vampire parlance—a vegetarian.  When he rescues a beautiful blonde in a dark alley, it takes all of his formidable control not to backslide. A Pragmatist. A Vampire. Peril and Lust. It’s a mix to die for.

~*~Did you see the pic of Kevin Costner walking around New Orleans? Grin. Poor buddy. Here's the link if you didn't: http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/spotted-on-set-1353963398-slideshow/spotted-on-set-photo-1374689373247.html ~*~

And another too cute video.