Sarah Mäkelä's Blog, page 13

Lucky in Love Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop for the Lucky in Love blog hop!

Fun facts about me:

I love this time of year. St. Patrick's Day makes me think of the Irish with faeries and leprechauns. Although, NOT the horror movie kind. Yeesh!

I've also had some fond memories of a huge 64 oz green pina colada shared with my hubby after a St. Patrick's Day parade a few years ago.

Each year, I try to wear green; however, most of the time, I forget.

And I'd love to go to Ireland some day! It looks so green and lush. Plus their mythology... *fans self*

Skin Deep

Passions sizzle even between a feline and a wolf...

Angelique had no idea her black panther tattoo would force her to abandon the love of her life—Connor O’Reilly—but she’s determined to keep him safe no matter how much it hurts. Her tattoo doubles as her feline familiar: loving, protective, dangerous, and with a life of its own. It’s also her deepest secret and draws enemies who desire its power for themselves.

Connor has no idea why Angelique left him, but he’s determined to win her back. As a werewolf, he has secrets of his own. Now his alpha is ready to force him to pair with an ex-girlfriend he can’t stand unless he can find Angelique and claim her as his mate. But even as their secrets threaten to keep them apart, hidden enemies seek to destroy their chance at love forever.

What are your plans for St. Patrick's Day? Will you be wearing green?

To be entered into my giveaway (an eBook from my backlist), please leave a comment with your email address! Also, there are grand prizes for the hop. All comments across the blog hop are entered. For more information on that, click here.

Jungle Burn is Available!

Hey everyone! The final book in the Amazon Chronicles is now available for purchase! I did a little something different with this one. It has some ménage in it. Yum...

Here's the blurb, excerpt, and buy links. :-)



Amazon Chronicles 4: Jungle Burn
by Sarah Mäkelä
Genres: Paranormal, Erotic Romance, Ménage, Shapeshifters
Length: Novella
Buy now: http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1901


Blurb:

The new Amazon Princess chooses between a close friend who wants her and the object of her desire...

In the series finale, Sabina Rukan is ready to find her mate. She must choose between her close friend, Tiago, who lusts after her, and the object of her desire, Rafael. When the three of them come together, Rafael discovers the feelings between him and Sabina are mutual, and he'll stop at nothing to make her his mate.

Excerpt:



Sabina Rukan knocked on the door to Tiago's hut. He'd been her closest friend for a while, even though her parents had always preferred her to socialize with the other girls in the village. She didn't really care. Growing up as Princess of the Amazons, she couldn't help a slight feeling of entitlement.

The door to his hut opened, and Tiago stood there shirtless with a faded pair of jeans hugging his hips. He smirked at her with a wicked quirk of his lips.

She trailed her gaze over the muscular expanse of his chest. Seeing all his bare skin made her want to nibble on his torso and bask in its warmth. For the past few weeks, her hormones had gone into overdrive.

She'd noticed the werepuma men taking a greater interest in her, which was embarrassing, and yet her parents were still convinced she wasn't ready to become a woman. If they weren't going to trust her, she needed to take matters into her own hands. She'd known just who to come to.

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Sabina, how are you doing?" His nose twitched a little, and his brown eyes darkened, as they tended to do whenever she came around. He wanted her, and she wouldn't mind having him, either.

"I'm doing well enough. I need to talk with you." She held on to his hand, pulling him out of his hut. With her being a weretiger, she had comparable strength to his, but she'd been taught not to use her full strength from a young age. That would only hurt people around her, which she was very careful about.

He didn't look too sure about this, but he shut the door and followed her. "Where are we going? Why aren't we talking in my home? There's more privacy in there than out here."

She stopped, turned to look at him, and sighed. "Not really. You know as well as I do, if someone wanted to listen in on our conversation, all they'd have to do is stand outside your door and concentrate. That's not okay with what I need to talk about."

At just that moment, a couple of male werepumas walked by them and looked her up and down. One halted his progress, his eyes flashing upon her as if he wanted nothing better than to push her to the ground and ride her. Her out-of-control hormones were a primary cause for the sudden surge of crudeness she faced, yet her Amazon kin wouldn't understand.

Sabina was different from them. She was the only female werecat in the village, and in many ways, it felt like she'd been cursed. Her parents had forbidden the werepumas to tell her secret, and Kyle -- their leader -- made sure his people knew the lengths he'd go to help make sure the Amazons didn't find out before they were ready. They weren't sure the Amazons would stand behind her as they did her mother, the queen, or even her father or Rubia and Kyle. None of them was a creature next in line for the throne.

Frowning, Tiago shrugged. "Fine. Take me wherever you think is safe."

She walked with him through the village, her gaze set straight on where she was going. Her shoulders were tense, but Tiago used his free hand to squeeze one of them slightly. "Relax," he said.

Sabina let out a breath and took him into the trees. They didn't go far, just enough to have some privacy. "Okay. I..." She paused, not knowing how to go about this. Her usual carefree personality stumbled with letting this off her chest. How could she ask him about her needs? "I was wondering..." She shook her head. "I'm sorry for bothering --"

Tiago hooked his index finger under her chin and forced her to look at him. "You're not bothering me. Just let me know what's on your mind." He stared into her eyes, his gaze intense even in the dark night.

"I need sexual release." The words left her lips before she could cage them. "I hear the mated women and men in their huts, and my body burns like it's caught in a bonfire." She licked her suddenly dry lips, and his gaze dropped to take in the swift motion.

"And you've come to me with this request?" His tone was carefully neutral, but the bulge at the front of his jeans spoke louder than his words.

She nodded.

"Your parents would kill me -- hell, my parents would probably help -- if I claimed you without their permission." The wicked quirk of his lips teased her. She wanted to punch him in the face, but that wouldn't help her cause.

"And?" She propped her hands on her hips.

"I might be able to help ease your desire." He helped her to the ground then settled her onto her back. His hands went to the strip of cloth covering her chest...

Buy now: http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1901

Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge

Here's my list for Book Chick City's Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance 2013 Reading Challenge. I'm so glad they combined my two favorite genres. Hopefully I'll have better luck than last year and the year before! I'll be updating this list each month as I complete new novels. Let me know if you're participating as well!

To Be Read:
On The Edge by Ilona AndrewsDark and Stormy Knights Anthology On the Prowl Anthology Dime Store Magic by Kelley ArmstrongIndustrial Magic by Kelley ArmstrongCry Wolf by Patricia BriggsRiver Marked by Patricia BriggsSummer Knight by Jim Butcher Ghosts of Ascalon by Matt Forbeck Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost Blood Noir by Laurell K. HamiltonSkin Trade by Laurell K. HamiltonRoyal Street by Suzanne JohnsonStripped by Julie LetoBlood Drive by Jeanne C. SteinWynter's Captive by Milly TaidenMockingbird by Chuck Wendig        
Completed (in order of read):

Romance Madness Hop

Welcome, welcome! I'm participating in the Romance Madness Hop by The Romance Reviews. The blog hop is going on from January 25-29. For the hop, I'll be giving away a reader's choice ebook from my backlist.
One of my favorite books that I've written is definitely Skin Deep. The relationship between the hero and the heroine melted my heart. Connor O'Reilly is the mix of good guy/bad boy that I would not mind marrying at all! His dedication to Angelique and having her in his life regardless of the potential consequences and the fact she left him without telling him why. *fans self* Plus, look at that cover... such a hot muscular torso! Mmmm!
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Passions sizzle even between a feline and a wolf...

Angelique had no idea her black panther tattoo would force her to abandon the love of her life—Connor O’Reilly—but she’s determined to keep him safe no matter how much it hurts. Her tattoo doubles as her feline familiar: loving, protective, dangerous, and with a life of its own. It’s also her deepest secret and draws enemies who desire its power for themselves.

Connor has no idea why Angelique left him, but he’s determined to win her back. As a werewolf, he has secrets of his own. Now his alpha is ready to force him to pair with an ex-girlfriend he can’t stand unless he can find Angelique and claim her as his mate. But even as their secrets threaten to keep them apart, hidden enemies seek to destroy their chance at love forever.

Buy NowAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / All Romance eBooks
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Click the button below to go to the next blog stop!

News Bytes

Hey everyone. Yes, I'm back with even more news! Skin Deep and Her Christmas Elf have gotten more great reviews!

"I always love curling up on a cold day when no one's home but me & the pooch with a good book. Skin Deep was one of those books." - Readaholic's Reviews

 Her Christmas Elf received 4.5 stars from Romance Junkies!

"Sarah Mäkelä’s contribution to Changeling Press’s SANTA’S HELPERS line incorporates the magic and wonder of the holiday for a sinfully delightful read.  Vera and Pekka’s romance is quick and intense yet still fun and whimsical." - Chrissy, Romance Junkies

Also, I'll be participating in The Romance Reviews' Romance Madness Hop. I'd love to see you all back here then!
Quick reminder, make sure to visit by one of my Skin Deep tour stops for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift card and a copy of Skin Deep. I'll also be at The Romance Studio's Release Party tomorrow with another chance to win a copy of Skin Deep.

Guest Author April Angel

Stranded Temptation
April Angel

Blurb

Stranded together, their passions will run wild.

Kara has a deep dislike for her boss, Max. She also wants him so badly it’s making her nuts. He’s a workaholic, a robot man. And he’s never shown the least bit of interest in her or anything else that wasn’t recorded in the corporate minutes. But when their plane crashes on the way to a meeting, leaving them stranded on a deserted island…just the two of them, all alone with all that ocean around them…Kara decides it’s time to start living. And by living, she means using Max for all the hot sex she’s been denied.

Max wants Kara—has wanted her for a long time. Unable to come out and cross the line between professional and personal, he makes her accompany him on business trips just to have her around. When they crash land and Kara shows him how much she wants him, he decides to quit being so professional and take the woman of his dreams. After all, what happens in the middle of nowhere, stays in the middle of nowhere. Until they’re rescued.

Back in the real world, things aren’t as easy. Kara is afraid to start a relationship with a man who completely ignored her until she took off her clothes, and Max is afraid she’ll never be able to trust him. But when someone makes it clear that Kara’s in danger, Max has more to protect than Kara’s feelings. And now that he has her, he’s not about to let her go.

Excerpt:
Gentleness she’d never noticed before in Max was evident in his eyes. She watched him curl his large hand over her much smaller one. Her heart beat so loudly in her ears she feared he might hear it. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. Fire roared in her blood, and her breath hitched. He turned her hand over and brushed a warm, firm kiss over her palm while they stared at each other.

“I’d never put you in danger.” Deepened to rough gravel, the sound of his voice made her pussy throb and blood thicken in her veins.

Somehow she knew what he said was the truth. “Kiss me, Max.”

The words were barely out of her lips when he dragged her onto his lap and their lips met in desperation. Her arms twined around his neck. Pulling him closer, she brought her chest flush to his. Heat took over every cell of her body. His kiss devoured her. Lord, the man was a kissing god. With soft strokes of his tongue, he caressed the inside of her mouth. Whimpering in the back of her throat, she moved restlessly on his lap. The long, steel length of his cock was poking at her ass. He glided his hands under her top, making her belly flesh quiver. When his warm hands touched her skin, desire increased inside her tenfold. Breaths turned to pants. Her body thrummed with arousal. She tuned everything but the sight of him out of her mind.

She pulled back and smiled. “I want you, Max.”

He frowned and took a deep breath. “Kara, you’re in shock—”

Determined, she shook her head and cut him off. “No, Max. I’m alive.”

She smiled again and pulled off her top. Her bra was now the only barrier between her breasts and his hands. Swollen into tight points, the peaks of her nipples called for his touch under the satiny material. A combination of lust, hunger, and desperation flared in his eyes. His usually light gray eyes darkened to that of a murky, stormy day.

“Fuck, Kara. I want you too, but I don’t have condoms.”

Air fought its way into her lungs. “I’m clean and on birth control.”

He continued to frown. “I’m clean too, but are you sure?”

In a smooth move worthy of any professional stripper, her hand reached behind her back, unsnapped her bra, and pulled it off. “Fuck me, Max. I want you inside me, right now.”

His hands curled around her head and held her immobile. Raw hunger made her body shudder. Their kiss turned into a greedy need to consume each other. Moisture gathered in her pussy, and an incessant throbbing took hold between her thighs. In a frantic mating, their tongues danced, rubbed, and curled over each other until passion overrode all else. Blind lust shot through her when she rocked her hips over his hard cock.

He kissed wet trails from her jaw to her breasts until he was sucking on one of her erect nipples. Her pussy clenched when he enveloped her breast with his firm lips. Soaked in her cream, her thong became a new point of friction on her swollen pussy lips. She tore at his shirt. A wanton urgency took hold of her and guided her actions. To feel his skin on hers became her only mission.

When he helped her take the shirt off, she splayed her hands over his bulging shoulders and sighed. When his warm muscles contracted, she groaned. He was a work of art. His chest was corded with muscles and bronzed to perfection. Just looking at him made her pant. Whimpers rushed past her lips when his teeth grazed her turgid nipple.

“Oh, yes. Do that again.”

Again, he sucked and then nipped at the tight bud. She moaned and pushed her chest further into his face. He released her nipple from his lips and rolled the wet tip between his finger and thumb, tweaking the sensitive flesh while his mouth latched onto the other one for a taste. She dug her nails into his shoulders, holding him in her grip while rocking her hips over his cock. Movement made her open her eyes. Max had made the seat flatten back so that it was the size of a double bed.

A smile curled her lips when she gazed into his almost-black eyes. He motioned for her to stand. Once she did, he moved his hands to her white pants and slowly pulled the linen material, along with her thong, down her legs. With every inch of skin he exposed, he placed a kiss on a body part. First it was her stomach. Then it was her hip when he lowered the material down her legs. Her knee came next and finally her calf. Afterward he kissed his way back up to her stomach. She groaned and stood in place. He licked circles on her stomach and around her belly button. He caressed her breasts, down the sides of her breasts to her waist, and squeezed the flare of her hips. She took a choppy breath. He fluttered his fingertips down from her hips toward her core, and she bit her lip to keep from moaning. When he massaged her thighs, she was ready to beg him to touch her. Before she had a chance to, he moved a hand between her legs and dipped his fingers between her waxed pussy lips.

He groaned. “Fuck, Kara. You’re so hot and wet. Is that for me, baby?”

“God, yes. Just for you.” She moaned.

Each dip of his fingers into her wet sex made her whimper louder.

He stood, and she had to tilt her head back to look him in the eye. His eyes were sexy, stormy. He put his arms around her waist and held her tight to him. Their hearts beat in a furious, identical gallop. He switched their positions and pushed her to lie on the bed.

Buy Links:
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Stranded-Temptation-ebook/dp/B00AK0L9QY/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1
ARe
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-strandedtemptation-1013358-149.html
Barnes and Nobles
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stranded-temptation-april-angel/1113910063

Author Bio:
Want to know about me? April Angel (aka Milly Taiden) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.

She’s addicted to shopping for shoes, chocolate (but who isn’t?) and Dunkin Donuts coffee.

A bookworm when she can get her hands on a good story, she loves reading all Mina Carter, Cynthia Eden, Laurann Dohner and Dianne Duvall among others.

Contact Info.
Email: millytaiden@gmail.com
Website:  http://www.millytaiden.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/millytaidenauthor
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/millytaiden

Other Books by April Angel:
Mr. Buff

As Milly Taiden
Sharp Change
Halloween Heat III – Mate Event
Fate’s Wish
Wynter’s Captive – coming soon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

News Bytes

Hey everyone! The Skin Deep blog tour is in full swing! Yesterday, I was interviewed at My Home Away from Home, and I received a nice review from them.

"This book had the right amount of steamy hot romance. I especially liked this story because of the forbidden romance. ... I'm happy I tried a new type of read." - Brittany, My Home Away from Home

Today's stops are at Books Books and More Books, which features a guest post, a review, and my contest, and Books & Tales where I'm being interviewed.

"The author did an excellent job of making her series stand out in a very crowded genre by twisting together just the right combination of mythology. ... Hopefully, this entertaining and sexy series will see many future installments." - Heather, Books Books and More Books

I also had a great review for Her Christmas Elf recently from The Romance Reviews.

"This is a very magical and uplifting story that will make your Christmas a little brighter. It is a short and steamy read that will warm you up even on the coldest winter day. There is some great chemistry between Vera and Pekka that practically sizzles off the page." - Katie, The Romance Reviews

And finally, I've had two more books contracted!

Surrendered, the companion story to Captivated, will be coming out Summer 2013 with the Titania's Court collection.

Jungle Burn, the series finale to the Amazon Chronicles, will be coming out March 2013.

Skin Deep Book Tour

Hey everyone! In a few days, the Skin Deep Blog Tour begins! On the tour, you'll have a chance to win: a $10 Amazon Gift Card or an eBook copy of Skin Deep. An additional prize will be available at the TRS Party on the 24th.

Here is the schedule:

January 14th -- My Home Away From Home

January 15th -- Books Books and More Books

January 15th -- Books & Tales

January 16th -- BookShelves Of Dreams

January 17th -- Vivi Dumas

January 18th -- Book Lovin' Mamas

January 18th -- Storm Goddess Book Reviews

January 19th --Regina May Ross's Blog

January 20th -- A Writer's Mind

January 21th -- Victoria Danann

January 22th -- Readaholic's Reviews

January 23th -- Grave Tells

January 23th -- Indie Paranormal Book Reviews

**January 24th -- The Romance Studio

January 24th -- Paranormal Book Reviews & Book Tours

January 24th -- Happy Tails and Tales

January 25th -- Immortality and Beyond

January 26th -- Reading Between the Wines

January 26th -- Krystal's Enchanting Reads

January 26th -- Musings From An Addicted Reader

January 27th -- Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

January 27th -- Buffy's Ramblings

January 28th -- Crazy Four Books

January 28th -- Jodie Pierce


I hope to see you guys out there on tour! Let's have fun and win some prizes!

**Not part of the official book tour

The Next Big Thing

Angela Myers, tagged me for The Next Big Thing, a series of blogs by authors from many different genres and parts of the country—or world. Each author answers the same ten questions. Below, read my answers:

1) What is the working title of your next book? (or it can be your latest release)

The title of one of my latest releases is Skin Deep.

2) Where did the idea for the book come from?

The idea for Skin Deep came from a love of werewolves, magic, and wanting to get a black panther tattoo.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

Skin Deep is a steamy paranormal romance.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

If I were to cast it into a movie, I know Connor O'Reilly would be Channing Tatum. Angelique Trinette would be Amanda Seyfried except with dark hair.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Passions sizzle even between a feline and a wolf...

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Skin Deep was published by Etopia Press.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

It took me thirteen days to write the first draft of Skin Deep.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I'm really not sure. I haven't read any other stories like this one.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I first took the leap because a publisher put out a call for submissions that fit this story perfectly, so I knew it'd be a great time to write it with that opportunity there. But in the end, Angelique and Connor made the story. They inspired me.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?


Angelique had no idea her black panther tattoo would force her to abandon the love of her life—Connor O’Reilly—but she’s determined to keep him safe no matter how much it hurts. Her tattoo doubles as her feline familiar: loving, protective, dangerous, and with a life of its own. It’s also her deepest secret and draws enemies who desire its power for themselves.

Connor has no idea why Angelique left him, but he’s determined to win her back. As a werewolf, he has secrets of his own. Now his alpha is ready to force him to pair with an ex-girlfriend he can’t stand unless he can find Angelique and claim her as his mate. But even as their secrets threaten to keep them apart, hidden enemies seek to destroy their chance at love forever.



Buy Links

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Skin-Deep-Feral-Ink-ebook/dp/B00A3Y9RTI/
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/skin-deep-sarah-makela/1113767080?ean=2940015912227
Kobo - http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Skin-Deep/book-GQv0RrtoWE2aY5mvN5yDfg/page1.html?s=WNPRhL3IFka_MrNhOBHM6A&r=1
All Romance eBooks - http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-skindeep-995118-139.html

Naughty New Years Blog Hop + Winner Announced

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all started it off naughtily! ;-) If so, let's see if we can keep that vibe going all year.

Hmm... Naughty New Years... My naughty New Years resolution for 2013 is simple. I want to write a lot more sexy werewolves. Yum! I'm not setting myself up for failure with that one. *grin* My non-writing resolution is to read more this year. Yep, you guessed it, I'm looking for sexy werewolves. Know of any?

Skin Deep

Passions sizzle even between a feline and a wolf...

Angelique had no idea her black panther tattoo would force her to abandon the love of her life—Connor O’Reilly—but she’s determined to keep him safe no matter how much it hurts. Her tattoo doubles as her feline familiar: loving, protective, dangerous, and with a life of its own. It’s also her deepest secret and draws enemies who desire its power for themselves.

Connor has no idea why Angelique left him, but he’s determined to win her back. As a werewolf, he has secrets of his own. Now his alpha is ready to force him to pair with an ex-girlfriend he can’t stand unless he can find Angelique and claim her as his mate. But even as their secrets threaten to keep them apart, hidden enemies seek to destroy their chance at love forever.

So, how about you? What are your naughty resolutions for 2013?

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Also, the grand prizes for the hop include a $100 gift card to EdenFantasys and a digital gift basket of 10 erotica books. All comments across the blog tour are entered. For more information on that, click here.