Roxanne D. Howard's Blog, page 8
October 9, 2018
New Release – Julie Howard’s Crime Times Two
When divorce is out of the question, can murder be forgiven?
Description:
Meredith knows three things: First, the man in the library begged her to help him. Second, he was afraid of his wife. Third, now he’s dead.
While the evidence first points to a natural death, Meredith is certain there’s more to discover. People are tight-lipped in this small mountain village, and the man’s wife isn’t talking either. Then a second death occurs, with remarkable similarities. It’s time to talk about murder.
As a slow-burning relationship heats up in her own life, Meredith struggles with concepts of love and hate, belief and suspicion, and absolution and guilt. Nothing is clear cut…
She must decide: Is guilt, like evil, something you can choose to believe in?
Excerpt :
Jowls quivered under the man’s weak chin, and Meredith noted the stained and frayed shirt of someone who spent a lot of time alone in dark rooms, sending out a better version of himself into the virtual world. His eyes were anxious and beseeching at her as though she should have a clear understanding of him and his life.
Somehow, over the past hour and a half they’d been sitting next to each other – him playing video games and sharing his life story and her ignoring him the best she could – she had become his confessor and friend.
Meredith gave him what she hoped was an impartial-though-quasi-friendly smile. She reached for her purse and papers and rose from her chair. “Well. Nice talking with you.”
The man was lost in his own train of thought and seemed only slightly aware that Meredith was leaving.
He shook his head, morose.
“To make a long story short,” he summed up, “I think my wife is trying to kill me.”
Flash sale! Julie Howard’s first book in the Wild Crime series, Crime and Paradise, is on sale for 99 cents for a limited time. https://www.amazon.com/Crime-Paradise-Wild-Julie-Howard-ebook/dp/B073MYJSP9/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Bio:
Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime series. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild, editor of the Potato Soup Journal, and founder of the Boise chapter of Shut Up & Write. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.
Website: http://juliemhoward.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/juliemhowardauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07D6CS4NQ
The post New Release – Julie Howard’s Crime Times Two appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
October 1, 2018
Audiobook Release – A Hundred Kisses by Jean M. Grant
Audio book: A Hundred Kisses by Jean M. Grant
Today I’m pleased to have fellow The Wild Rose Press author Jean M. Grant on the blog showcasing her spectacular new audiobook of A Hundred Kisses. This looks like a serious page turner, y’all. Check out this exciting sample clip from the audiobook!
http://roxannedhoward.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/A-Hundred-Kisses-MP3-Retail-Sample.mp3
Blurb:
1296
Two wedding nights. Two dead husbands.
Deirdre MacCoinneach wishes to understand her unusual ability to sense others’ lifeblood energies…and vows to discover if her gift killed the men she married. Her father’s search for a new and unsuspecting suitor for Deirdre becomes complicated when rumors of witchcraft abound.
Under the façade of a trader, Alasdair Montgomerie travels to Uist with pivotal information for a Claimant seeking the Scottish throne. A ruthless baron hunts him and a dark past haunts him, leaving little room for alliances with a Highland laird or his tempting daughter.
Awestruck when she realizes that her unlikely travel companion is the man from her visions, a man whose thickly veiled emotions are buried beneath his burning lifeblood, Deirdre wonders if he, too, will die in her bed if she follows her father’s orders. Amidst magic, superstition, and ghosts of the past, Alasdair and Deirdre find themselves falling together in a web of secrets and the curse of a hundred kisses…
Guest Post: Scottish Trivia!
Which of these is not a name of a Scottish isle?
Arran
Uist
Muck
Clare
A Hundred Kisses takes place at this famous castle.
Kilchurn
Eilean Donan
Edinburgh
Culzean
It’s the year 1296. Who’s the king of England?
Henry V
Edward I
Richard II
Edward III
Somebody with a number after their name. Pass the Whisky!
All of the following are in Haggis except:
Sheep liver
Sheep heart
Onions
Oatmeal
It’s all encased in sheep stomach
All of these are parts of haggis
True or False – Men wore kilts in 13th century Scotland
MacCoinneach is the precursor name of what Scottish clan name?
MacRae
MacKenzie
MacKintosh
MacGregor
Uhh, something that starts with Mac?
Bannocks are:
Decorations hanging on walls in castles
Oat cakes
A type of medieval drum
Special pants that men wore in 13th century Scotland
Sheep balls
In A Hundred Kisses, Deirdre’s ability to sense lifebloods stems from which of the four elements?
Water
Wind
Earth
Fire
Answers: 1 – c, 2 – b, 3 – b, 4 – f, 5 – false, 6 – b, 7 – b, 8 – d
iTunes: A Hundred Kisses (Unabridged)
Also available as e-book from The Wild Rose Press, Google Play, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.
Bio:
Jean’s background is in science and she draws from her interests in history, nature, and her family for inspiration. She writes historical and contemporary romances and women’s fiction. She also writes articles for family-oriented travel magazines. A Hundred Kisses is her first published novel. On the front for publication in early 2019: the prequel (A Hundred Breaths), a contemporary women’s fiction, and a contemporary romance novella. She’s also writing the third book in the “hundred” trilogy.
Social Media links:
Website: http://www.jeanmgrant.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanGrant05
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmgrantauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16582543.Jean_M_Grant
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jean-m-grant
The post Audiobook Release – A Hundred Kisses by Jean M. Grant appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
September 20, 2018
New Release – Breaking the Rules by Ember Leigh
I can’t speak highly enough of what a talented author Ember Leigh is, not to mention an awesome individual and friend! I’m so pleased to have Ember and her newest release, Breaking the Rules, on the blog today. Ember’s books always pack a steamy punch, so check it out! Please be aware the excerpt below does contain strong language and can be considered NSFW.
This book is up for pre-order right now at $0.99. The release date is September 28th.
Travis could lose his best friend if he so much as blinks at Amara. Amara thought that with Travis it would be one-and-done. But neither can fight what’s growing between them…even if it goes against every rule in the book.
BREAKING THE RULES
Book #1 of The Breaking Series by Ember Leigh
Amara’s move home is anything but fun: with her mom recovering from a cancer diagnosis, her only goal is to find a job in her field and support her family. But once she lays eyes on Travis Holt, she realizes her time in LA might be a lot more tolerable if she could use him to take her mind off things.
For Travis, there’s only ever been one rule: stay away from his best friend’s sister. And it wasn’t a problem until Amara moved back west all grown-up and sexier than sin. When she comes strutting around his gym every day, it’s impossible to keep his eyes—and hands—off her.
The one-off fling Amara imagined isn’t possible with a God like Holt. And once Eddie finds out, they’re suddenly cast into the turbulent waters of Something More, the unfamiliar terrain where Amara has to confront whether she can truly support someone whose career is the antithesis of everything she’s worked for in the non-profit world.
Excerpt:
The elevator doors opened at the top floor, and he moved but froze before his foot left the elevator. His towel. Downstairs, slung over the back of the chair in his bedroom. Fuck. He needed it, and he should go back for it.
But Amara was there. Alone. Naked, probably. And just as gorgeous as ever.
Maybe he should abandon the towel. Pretend like he didn’t care, didn’t need it.
He pushed the elevator’s Down button. Definitely needed the towel.
As the elevator descended, he gnawed the inside of his lip. She was probably changed by now. How long did it take someone to get into a bathing suit? Seconds, these days. Besides, what did he care about Amara’s naked body?
Nope, that didn’t help things. Guilt roiled around inside him. He couldn’t have these feelings for Eddie’s sister, even if they were strictly physical. He needed to act like—and believe—she was no different than any other girl.
The doors slid open, and he hurried toward his door, fumbling with his key in the lock. It opened with a quiet whoosh, and he stumbled toward his bedroom.
He rapped his knuckles against it. “Hey, you in there?” Turning the knob, he pushed on the door. No response.
Pushing farther, he let the door swing open a little. He peered inside, eyes adjusting to the low lighting of the bedroom.
Amara’s full, naked backside greeted him, all curves and roundness, gorgeous lines and sweet caramel. His jaw dropped.
She looked over her shoulder at him, the fuck-me eyes back out to play.
He pulled the door shut, heart pounding. Leaning his forehead against the door frame, he gripped the door handle so hard, his arm shook. Don’t go in there, don’t go in there, don’t you fucking dare go in there.
“Sorry, Amara.” He struggled to make his voice clear. “I thought you were done. Forgot my towel.”
“It’s okay.” Her voice came out muffled through the door. “Like you haven’t seen a naked body before.”
He drew a low, shaky breath. True, he had seen plenty of naked bodies before. None that he’d wanted to ravage as much as hers in recent times, though.
The handle turned, and the door swung open. He didn’t move—couldn’t move—from where he leaned. The glimpse of her nakedness had stolen his strength. He was useless now. Amara looked at him, grinning mischievously.
“I’m almost ready.” She gathered her hair to one side, looking him up and down.
Heart still pounding, his gaze careened over the soft arc of her hip as it transitioned from thigh to waist. He knew what she was hinting at. He could taste it like a shark near blood. He’d eat her up—all of her. From head to toe. He gulped.
But she’s off-limits. “That’s a pretty fancy bathing suit.” He sauntered past her, struggling to keep his eyes off her as he walked past.
“Don’t you like it?” She stuck out a hip.
He allowed himself to look her up and down again. It was a one-piece with most of the center cut out. It had only a strip of fabric connecting the breastbone to the pelvic area, which meant it highlighted unnaturally the hourglass curve of her body.
“It’s nice.” He meant to continue to the chair where his towel lay draped, but his feet wouldn’t take him away from her. He gritted his teeth, unable to keep the beast of desire at bay any longer.
“Oh, that’s your only opinion? Just ‘nice’?” She lifted a brow.
“You look sexy as fuck, Amara.” His voice came out low. She grinned, pulling her hair into a small bun. He reached for her hand, stilling her. “Leave your hair down.”
She did as he said, blinking up at him with a sexy type of honesty, as if she waited for him to lead the way.
He dragged his fingers down the side of her arm. “Be careful with this.” His hand smoothed over the curve of her exposed hip, and her breath hitched. He cinched her body to his, vision going spotty for the briefest of seconds. “It’s powerful.”
She laughed a little, but it faded fast. She danced her fingertips up the sides of his arms, making his cock twitch.
“So are these.” She trailed her hands over the arcs of his biceps, the heat of her breath against his chin. He brought both arms around her, making his muscles bulge; she fit like a puzzle piece.
He hovered his lips over her forehead, desperate for contact but liking the prickling tension of withholding just a little bit longer. He pushed his hands over her hips.
“Can I test out the suit?”
She nodded. “We better make sure it passes muster.”
He drew a ragged breath as he palmed the taut melons of her ass cheeks. He pressed her into him, rocking his hips in a lazy circle. She had to feel his cock by now.
“Pretty nice.” His voice came out almost a growl, and he dipped his head to nuzzle the sweet hollow of her neck. She inhaled sharply, just as he sensed the front door opening.
He stilled. The front door opened and then shut. He swore and dropped his hands. She cleared her throat, stepping away from him, reaching for the pile of clothes discarded on the bed.
“Holt, where you at?” It was Lex. “Dude, we need the ice.”
Travis rubbed his face, trying to efface the lingering memory of Amara’s perfect ass cheeks singeing his palms. “I’m coming.”
Amara arched a brow.
Travis opened his mouth to say something, but had no idea what. Sorry, you’re too fucking hot? He headed out into the kitchen, where Lex pulled a bag of ice out of the freezer.
“Starting with Jack,” he said, as though this explained everything. He followed Lex out of the apartment, Amara’s scent still whispering through him.
They boarded the elevator, and the spell broke. This was turning out to be the delicious nightmare he’d envisioned—denying the simple urges he felt for Amara while in front of her overprotective brother, almost overruled by carnal desires at every turn.
She was too hot. And she felt too damn good in his arms.
This was a lot of trouble already.
Pre-Order Now for $0.99 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo
Ember Leigh has been writing erotic romance novels since she was far too young. A native of northern Ohio, she currently resides near Lake Erie with her Argentinean husband, where they run an Argentinian-American food truck. In addition to romance novels, Ember also writes travel memoirs and occasionally updates a couple of blogs. In her free time, she practices Ashtanga yoga, hops around the world, and eats lots of vegetables.
The post New Release – Breaking the Rules by Ember Leigh appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
September 10, 2018
NEW RELEASE & blog tour schedule – The Hotter They Come
THE HOTTER THEY COME
Roxanne D. Howard
Series: Romancing the Seas Book 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Romantic Comedy, Holiday Romance
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing
Publication Date: September 11, 2018
When Piper’s job sends her undercover to spy on Jack – the beyond sexy hook-up she can’t stop thinking about – she is forced to decide if her job is more important than her happiness.
HAPPINESS HAS A PRICE
Captain Jack Spencer owns and runs a whale watching company, Ahoy, Matey. When his business takes off, a jealous rival wants him and his company gone. Jack has no idea the delectable Piper Goldhirsch is tasked with scuttling everything he’s worked for – he’s too caught up in their magnetic attraction and her web of lies.
Piper Goldhirsch, head reporter for the tabloid TV show Business Buster, is all work and no play. When she and the all too tempting Jack Spencer have a one-night stand that turns out to be the greatest sex of her life, she is haunted by the powerful magic between them. Sent undercover to expose his whale watching business, she is torn between her assignment and the first man she has ever wanted. With her happiness on the line, Piper has only one choice.
Add to Goodreads
Purchase Links
Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (CA) |
Barnes & Noble | Bookbub | Boroughs Publishing Group | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords
Excerpt
She lifted her bare foot. He held her ankle with more delicacy than she’d expected from such a big man. As he slid the flat back onto her foot, his thumb grazed the indent near her anklebone. She shivered at the sensation. This close, the ocean blue of his eyes shone with intensity as he watched her. What did he look like beneath the costume and makeup? She’d noticed his sexy, crooked smile and the roguish way the corner of his mouth lifted up, as if he knew something she didn’t. His fingers wrapped around the back of her ankle, then stopped. She met his hungry eyes and nudged her leg forward into his hand. His fingers slid up an inch further, moving in a slow, barely there caress.
“I realize it’s none of my business,” he said. “But earlier, out in the ballroom…I don’t know what your friends said or did to make you upset, but if I can help at all, I’d like to.”
“I’m okay. Just shaking something off.” She took a sip from the wine bottle as she watched him. She moved her foot closer to his chest urging his hand closer to her calf. His long fingers stroked her flesh.
She closed her eyes. “Mmm, that feels nice. Don’t worry about what they said. You got a name, pirate?”
“Jack.”
His tone was serious. She looked back down at him and smirked. Two could play that game.
“Oh, of course. You’re Captain Jack, and I’m Little Red Riding Hood. C’mere.” He stood and met her eye to eye. At five feet nine, she often had a vantage point in height in the workplace, which served her well when she wanted to be intimidating, but he had well over four inches on her, easy. His big, muscular frame towered over her. She took another sip of wine and walked her fingers up the buttons of his waistcoat. “Can I level with you, Captain Jack?”
“Yes.”
She pushed aside the question of why she felt so at ease with him when all she’d wanted was to be alone and smoothed her palm over his white pirate shirt, his strong pectoral muscles firm beneath her fingers. When she next spoke, her voice broke as she remembered why she’d sought solace in the first place; she’d gotten a man and his whole family deported.
“See, I’ve had a hell of a hard year. I’ve pushed myself and made magic happen in ways I didn’t think I’d ever be able to, but that magic comes at a price, and I’m not okay with it. Every single day, people want a piece of me. And on normal days, I can handle it. But right now, all I want to do, since you’re here,” she moved closer, her lips inches from his, “and I’m here, is to forget it all and make some magic of our own I can hold onto, even if it’s just this little moment.”
His chest rose and fell as he scanned her. Clarity and kindness were evident in his eyes beneath the desire, and she knew she could have a little fun with him. She noticed that his palms clenched the more she rubbed against him. She smirked, grabbed the lapels of his waistcoat, and crashed her lips onto his.
THE WOMAN WAS unreal. Her thick, pouty lips moved against his, and no sooner had she kissed him full on the mouth than he seized her around her wasp-sized waist and laid claim. She was the sexiest woman he’d ever seen, and her curves were soft and perfect in his hands. His tongue sought entrance to her mouth, and she met him eagerly. She tasted like strawberries and wine, and he groaned as his fingers slipped into her curls. It had been forever since he’d kissed a woman. She scored full check marks in every category, and then some.
Chances were she merely wanted a nice make-out session, but his body already demanded more. He wrapped his arms around her, spanned his hand against her back, and traveled down to the curve of her delectable ass. She shivered against him; the movement went straight to his hardened cock. He nipped her lower lip as he squeezed her bottom.
“Oh, you are one big firecracker, aren’t you? Tell me your name.”
She wrapped her ankle around the back of his calf as she hauled him in close. “No names,” she breathed.
He kissed her and moaned when she rubbed her core against him through their clothes. All right, he’d play along. For now. But he would take the lead.
About Roxanne D. Howard
Roxanne D. Howard writes sizzling erotic romance with Boroughs Publishing Group and The Wild Rose Press. She is a U.S. Army veteran, and a Columbia College alumni. She loves to read poetry, classical literature, and Stephen King. Also, she is an avid Star Wars fan, musical theater nut, and marine biology geek. Roxanne resides in the western U.S., and when she’s not writing, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, children, and furry companions. Roxanne loves to hear from her readers, and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.
Official website: http://www.roxannedhoward.com
Join Roxanne’s Newsletter: http://roxannedhoward.com/subscribe/
Social media links: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub
Giveaway
WIN $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD
a Rafflecopter giveaway
In partnership with
Book Unleashed Blog Tours
The Hotter They Come Blog Tour Schedule
The blog tour with Silver Dagger Book Tours kick off from September 11th, and run until October 11th. Please feel free to follow along and come say hi on any of the given days! I love to hear from my readers, and I’d love to see you all drop in. It’s a great way to get introduced to other readers and find some good books!
To open the direct hyperlinks to the blogs, you can either hit Ctrl+click OR right click and choose “open hyperlink.”
Sep 11
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Sep 12
Sep 13
Sep 14
Sep 15
Sep 16
Sep 17
Sep 18
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!
Sep 19
Sep 20
Sep 21
Books all things paranormal and romance
Sep 22
Sep 23
Sep 24
Sep 25
Sep 26
Sep 27
Sep 28
book review virignia lee
Sep 29
Sep 30
Oct 1
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Oct 2
Oct 3
Paranormal Palace of Pleasures
Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
Oct 4
Oct 5
Oct 6
Oct 7
United Indie Book Blog – REVIEW
Oct 8
Reads and Recipes – REVIEW
Oct 9
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’
Oct 10
Oct 11
The post NEW RELEASE & blog tour schedule – The Hotter They Come appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
August 12, 2018
The Hotter They Come Now Available for Pre-Order + Free First Chapter!
The Hotter They Come, Book 1 in the Romancing the Seas series, is now available for pre-order! Enjoy the first sample chapter below, and be sure to reserve your copy today! Please be advised, the sample chapter below contains scenes of a sexual nature which can be considered NSFW.
Description:
When Piper’s job sends her undercover to spy on Jack – the beyond sexy hook-up she can’t stop thinking about – she is forced to decide if her job is more important than her happiness.
HAPPINESS HAS A PRICE
Captain Jack Spencer owns and runs a whale watching company, Ahoy, Matey. When his business takes off, a jealous rival wants him and his company gone. Jack has no idea the delectable Piper Goldhirsch is tasked with scuttling everything he’s worked for – he’s too caught up in their magnetic attraction and her web of lies.
Piper Goldhirsch, head reporter for the tabloid TV show Business Buster, is all work and no play. When she and the all too tempting Jack Spencer have a one-night stand that turns out to be the greatest sex of her life, she is haunted by the powerful magic between them. Sent undercover to expose his whale watching business, she is torn between her assignment and the first man she has ever wanted. With her happiness on the line, Piper has only one choice.
Chapter One
Piper Goldhirsch took the chauffeur’s proffered hand and exited the limo. The Los Angeles October night air was crisp and cool as a light wind caressed her face. A few dry leaves crunched beneath her trendy flats as she made her way to the grand entrance hall of the mansion hosting the Halloween Masquerade Ball. The aromatic waft of heated pumpkins carried to her on the breeze from where they’d been aligned on the steps, creatively carved and lit by yellow candles within. A tuxedoed attendant opened the main door for her. She ascended the steps, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.
Since her prime-time exposé show Business Buster had skyrocketed to fame, she’d been under a tremendous amount of stress to hold the audience’s interest. With the new season’s ratings already low, thanks to a new time slot, the pressure for more viewers had been mounting more than ever.
Piper looked around. A wide list of guests from celebrities to lowbrow politicians to environmentalists came to the Halloween Ball. Her show’s affiliate network executive producers put it on every year to encourage people to mingle and have a good time without the stress of networking. Tonight gave her the first opportunity she’d had in a long time to relax, enjoy herself, and not worry about the show.
Which is what she intended to do. A dance or two with a hot guy wouldn’t hurt.
Piper handed her coat to the cloakroom attendant and spotted a few random ghost costumes, fairies, and demons as she moved further into the mansion toward the ballroom. Most of the guests were dressed as historical or political figures. There were even a few Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton masks. Lame.
She did, however, enjoy the originality the Halloween season afforded as she saw many unique and unusual costumes.
Her job was to go undercover to get the scoop on corrupt companies and organizations, root out the heart of the problem, and report it on the show. Okay, it counted as more of a tabloid career than the serious journalistic anchor job she’d envisioned for herself as a Diane Sawyer-enthralled teen. But her bank account had no complaints, even if she did feel a little underused and sleazy.
Halloween allowed her to have some fun and step out into the real world, shed the skin of her job, and become someone else for a night. She’d tapped into the professional makeup tricks she’d learned from her mother for part of her costume. As the daughter of a professional makeup artist, home when she was younger had been backstage Broadway.
Tonight, she’d foregone the required ball mask. Instead, she’d concealed her face in a makeup frame of intricate tendrils and pretty swirls that formed a wolf’s face and brought out the brown of her eyes. Her raven-black curls tumbled down past her shoulders, loose and free. She’d gone for a lacey, low-cut Little Red Riding Hood ball gown.
Chatter floated around her as she made her way up the grand staircase toward the ballroom. Some of the masked men standing around in the hallway watched her with elevator eyes. Halloween was a few days away, though it was no longer the casual, looser holiday of her childhood. No, Halloween had been turned into an adult-entertainment holiday. An attendant opened the ballroom doors for her, and as the music poured out, she took note of the lavish surroundings and couples dancing. Cauldrons full of ripe red apples and glasses of champagne decorated long tables laden with fancy finger food. Glass bats hung in frozen flight over the grand staircase, mingling with silk cobwebs and beaded spiders. Elegant Halloween-themed garland and glam wreaths coiled around the stair rails. A swarm of party goers congregated in a corner near a wine-tasting table with skull goblets and beaded pumpkin candles. Aware of the attention she’d received upon her entrance, Piper gathered her confidence and descended the impressive stairs.
The side of her neck tingled. She turned her head and saw a tall, handsome man in a sexy pirate-captain costume, dreadlock wig, and sporting black eyeliner. He leaned against a pillar near the dance floor below and watched her. She appraised him with a curious glance as she continued down the ballroom stairs. It was hard to tell what he looked like beneath the costume and dark goatee, but so far, she liked what she saw. Her crazy work schedule didn’t allow much leeway as far as men were concerned, but perhaps tonight she could make an exception.
“Piper.”
At the foot of the stairs stood Larry Gunn, her show’s director and overall loudmouth, holding out a hand. He had dressed as some sort of goblin, which aptly fit his personality. She put her palm in his, and he kissed her knuckles.
“There she is. Our Jewish-American princess, the belle of the ball.”
“Bite me, Larry. Do you have any idea how derogatory that sounds?”
“Well, they don’t pay me for my reputation as Mister Sensitive, Goldhirsch. Hey, nice costume. Little Red Riding Hood? I almost didn’t recognize you. Here to uncover the big, bad wolf?”
“Just doing my job,” she sassed. Trust Larry not to realize she was both the hooded girl and the wolf.
“Well, tonight you aren’t. You’re under contractual obligation to schmooze, booze, and hobnob your successful little head off.” Piper chewed the inside of her cheek. Great, a networking party disguised as a masquerade ball. At least she’d aptly dressed for the part, wolf and all. She should have just said she was sick and ditched the event. “Come on over,” Larry urged, “let me introduce you to some people.”
JACK CROSSED HIS arms and leaned against the pillar. He frowned as he watched the beautiful woman join a group of costumed folks. He’d been invited by the director who shot a thirty-second commercial for his whale watching business. Rumor had it they held this same party year after year, always at the same over-the-top mansion with the same cheesy Halloween music, with the same rich, ridiculous people. While he was no stranger to parties, he had no desire to rub shoulders with a roomful of snobs who were more plastic than a Tupperware party. But the guy running the place was also the same bigwig who owned his company office, and Newport Beach businesses were extortionate and ever-changing. He wasn’t about to burn bridges and turn down the invitation. He’d grown his semiannual goatee over the past month, though he planned to shave it off tomorrow. His friend Mike had loaned him the pirate costume. He’d been bored out of his gourd and itching to get back to his boat, when she walked in.
Right away, he could tell the difference. She was tall and had a curvy figure and an ocean of dark curls cascading down her back that he longed to bury his nose in. She carried herself with grace. This woman was confident and poised like a queen. She’d gone for a unique choice with her eyes too. Instead of a mask, she had the kind of fancy fairy face paint he’d seen at the carnivals along the pier of Balboa Island near his cruise company. But instead of butterfly or fairy makeup, it was bold, red and silver, unmistakably a wolf, with silver ears bracketed above each exotic eye. Okay, forget beautiful. This woman was fucking cool.
People knew her, whoever she was. Before she’d had a chance to walk out onto the dance floor with the older guy who’d claimed her arm, a group of people swarmed her. Must be an actress or celebrity.
He moved behind the pillars as she walked farther into the room and watched her. She had a pretty smile. Aside from the three guests he’d run into from the Inland Nautical Society, everyone else he’d spoken to seemed to hail from the entertainment industry or politics.
She didn’t seem like the nautical wayfaring type, though. She threw her head back and laughed at something the older guy said, then turned her head and caught his eye again. A thigh high slit in the side of her dress parted with her movements, revealing a long, sylphlike leg. Her lips parted as she discreetly straightened the dress, and he went hard. “Hello, Legs,” he muttered, and when she looked away, he strode toward her.
”THERE YOU ARE.”
Piper turned as a deep voice cut into their conversation. The man dressed as a pirate she’d seen upon entering took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
“I’ve been looking for you all night.”
“Have you, now?”
“Mmm-hmm. Captain Jack, at your service. Care to dance?”
“Will you make me walk the plank if I refuse?”
“Only if you’re into that,” he joked and raised an eyebrow.
Piper bit her lip. This guy was a hoot. Not to mention easy on the eyes. Why the hell not? “Sure. I’ll dance with you.”
He twirled her out onto the ballroom floor, and the night turned on a dime. He didn’t speak a word but guided her with his hand at the small of her back into the center of the floor. He could dance, and their heights complemented each other. She tilted her head back and watched his eyes glitter behind his mask.
Beneath the sway of the music, he brought her in a little closer to his chest. Their surroundings faded. She sensed a shared understanding pass between them and a goodness in his overall persona—she could trust him. She’d never found one’s eyes to lie. Maybe she could put it down to the magic of the moment creating a spark between them, but the way he inclined his head toward her and studied her like a juicy tidbit made her think she might not be far off the mark.
When the song ended, Piper expected him to say something, but he just took her hand and kissed her knuckles like he’d done when they met.
“Thank you for the dance.”
His eyes shone down on her, and the molten heat in them weakened her knees.
“You’re welcome. Thanks for asking,” she got out. His lips moved as if he were about to say more, but Larry and his posse of executives reappeared and surrounded her. She watched with regret as the pirate disappeared into the fray.
A while later, Piper knew she was being watched. She wasn’t camera shy by any means, and she could always sense when she had a lens trained on her. When she met the pirate’s gaze across the room, she knew he wanted her. A familiar charge that had been on hold for far too long roused inside her. He was a tall order, and by the looks of it, handsome as all get-out beneath his costume. She grabbed a stemmed flute of champagne off the platter of a passing server and took a long sip as she looked at the sexy pirate across the room. It would take a little liquid courage, but she wanted to muster up the bravado to make her way over there. The man oozed sex appeal.
Their eye contact broke as a woman in a purple Victorian steampunk dress ran straight into him, clearly pissed off. A man in a creepy Joker costume tailed her, his face twisted with anger. The pirate glanced at the steampunk woman, and he stepped in front of her protectively, saying something cautionary to the man. He pointed his finger at the Joker’s chest, and his lips clearly formed the words, “hey, back off.” Piper froze and watched with interest. The woman raised her palms and shook her head. The pirate held off the Joker as she told off her pursuer, flipped him the bird, and stomped off. Piper followed the steampunk woman’s steps out the door. Hopefully she’d get a cab or had a car waiting. She walked with a purpose, so wherever she was headed, she seemed like she would get there quick. The pirate still held the Joker off from following. He said something to the man, and shook his head, a warning. Piper folded her arms. God, how many times had she been hit on by entitled assholes, like the Joker, who couldn’t understand what no meant? As if the steampunk woman had come to the party purely so he could score with her. Sure, buddy.
Piper touched her heart, grateful the pirate had protected the woman. Her mom always said actions defined a man, and you could tell who the good guys were by how they treated women, and what they did about other guys who had no respect. The men glared at each other, and then the pirate released him. The Joker stalked to the open doors, but the woman had already fled. He slapped the side of the doorjamb and lumbered off in the opposite direction.
The pirate took a swig of his drink and locked eyes with her. She nodded her head in the direction of the doors and raised her eyebrows. He dipped his head and shrugged. She was beginning to like this guy. Two drinks later, she grew tipsy enough not to care anymore. She even turned her head and winked at him. He smirked at her, amusement clear on his rugged face.
“Piper?”
“Hmm?” She met the curious looks of Larry and one of his colleagues from another cable show.
“I said, what did you think about the response we had to the exposé you did on that Mexican restaurant? They went out of business.”
“El Pollo Ranchitos?” She raised her eyebrows. “I hadn’t heard.”
“Yeah.” Larry’s friend laughed callously. “After the show a few weeks ago where you reported how dirty their kitchen equipment was, no one would go there. They had food that went to waste and no customers for weeks. They closed it down a few days ago. El Pollo no mo.”
“Oh.” She frowned, not sure how to process it. On one hand, the public safety of customer health was more important, but on the other, her investigation into the owner had revealed him to be a down-on-his-luck immigrant from Nicaragua with a family of five, who had experienced hardship upon hardship in his life. While he shouldn’t have been in charge of a restaurant, she didn’t wish him ill by any means.
“Yeah, poor son of a bitch has to go back to Nicaragua now with his whole family. He can’t afford milk money with his business broke. FDA’s going after him too. You did a huge number there, Piper. Good for you.”
A sour taste filled the back of her throat at the implication of what she’d done. Piper grimaced as she excused herself and pushed through the group of men surrounding her. She passed through the ball guests and left to retrieve her coat. She needed to escape.
IN TYPICAL HOLLYWOOD fashion, the idiots talking to Legs obviously had no idea she was upset, but Jack saw her pain, plain as day. Whatever they’d said had transformed her radiant smile into a thin line, which paled her pretty face, and it pissed him off. Coupled with the idiot he’d held back who wouldn’t stop hitting on that poor woman, he’d had all he could take of clueless jerks.
He stalked past the Hollywood himbos and yanked a bottle of wine out of a bucket from a nearby table when the attendant had his back turned. Legs had her coat slung over one arm and appeared to be leaving, but then she paused and went into the billiards room instead. She left the door partially ajar. He waited a minute, then nudged the door farther open and stepped into the room. She had her back to him and was clutching the edge of the pool table on either side of her, her head hung low. Her coat lay sprawled out on the pool table, as though she’d flung it there in haste. Jack closed the door behind him.
He should have tried to make conversation while they danced. He knew he should have; after all, this woman had all but stepped out of his most private fantasies and been delivered right into his arms. But he didn’t want to break the magic that seemed to permeate the air tonight. As was the case when he spotted a rare, beautiful whale out in the deep-blue sea, he needed to hold on to the moment and cherish it. Hopefully she’d talk to him now.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked, his voice low.
She gasped and turned, her hand over her heart.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Her chest heaved as she took in some deep breaths, then he saw her visibly relax.
“It’s okay. I just…thought I was alone.”
Her strong New York accent and throaty voice shot straight to his cock. He lifted the bottle of wine like a white flag. “I can leave you alone if you’d like. I thought it looked like you could use this. I’ll just leave it here. Have a nice night.”
He didn’t want to come off as a creep, even if it meant blowing whatever chance he had with her. He set the wine down on a side table and turned to go.
“Wait.”
He turned back around. She bit her lower lip as she appraised him.
“You can stay for a while.”
“Thank you. I need a breather from the crippling level of botox out there. Seriously, they could start a colony of plastic people on one of their private islands.” He moved further into the room, picked up the bottle, and held it up. “Hey, you want to see a cool trick?”
“Sure.”
“Fifteen years at sea taught me this.” He grinned.
“Sea?” She paused, then eyed his costume. “Oh, that’s right, you’re Captain Jack.”
“Argh. I am, lass,” he quipped in a pirate voice. He slouched beside her and parked his rear end against the pool table as he began to remove the foil on the bottle. “Now, if you’d be so kind as to pass me your shoe, wench.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “What? Why?”
“So I can open this damn thing. I didn’t manage to grab a corkscrew. But I know an old sailor’s trick. Bear with me. I promise, I’ll give it back in pristine condition.”
“Um, okay.”
She steadied herself against the pool table with one hand and unlatched her right flat with the other. He hooked his finger beneath the strap and examined its craftsmanship. “You have dainty feet for such a leggy woman.”
“Charming. You always start conversations this way?”
“Only with beautiful women I’m trying to impress, Legs,” he said, leveling a heated glance on her impressive breasts. He turned his attention back to the bottle.
“I saw you help that woman back there.”
“Oh, yeah. Some guys just can’t take no for an answer. He was a dick.”
“Was she a friend of yours?”
“No. Just passing through. But I’d do the same for anyone. There’s always a loudmouth entitled Richie Rich at one of these shindigs.” Her smile brightened, and her beautiful, dark eyes lit up. Shit, he was staring. But damn if her voice wasn’t sexy. “Not from around here, are you? New York?” Her intelligent eyes followed his movements as he removed the foil covering.
“Jersey, originally, but I grew up in New York.”
“You don’t strike me as an actress. You’re too with it. You would have told me your life story by now.”
She laughed. “No. I’m the anchor of a late-night cable news show.”
He nodded and hummed with this new information. He didn’t watch television and had no idea who this woman was, but he could believe it. She looked the type. “I see you’re a rebel too.”
“Excuse me?”
He motioned with his forefinger to her elaborate eye makeup. “The unconventional approach. Nice mask. I love she-wolves.”
“Oh.”
She smiled and ducked her head. God, her wide and beautiful mouth. He stifled a groan at the image of what her succulent lips would look and feel like around his cock.
“Thanks. My mom was a makeup artist for Cats on Broadway for seven straight years. She gave me some pointers, and they kind of stuck. She did all kinds of makeup experiments on me, like fairy eyes, animal faces… I asked her to do a big bruise once, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I went around the block and showed it off to all my friends.”
He chuckled. “She sounds pretty cool.”
“She’s the coolest. And anyway, if you can’t be original on Halloween, when else can you be?”
“I’ll drink to that.” He turned his attention to the flat in his hand. He nestled the slim bottle in the base of the shoe, and using both hands, smacked it against the pool table.
Her eyes widened, and she stretched her hand out. “Whoa. Here’s an FYI, Captain Jack. Those are expensive. You won’t impress me by ruining perfectly good shoes.”
“Trust me.” He winked at her and smacked the shoe on the pool table three more times. The cork loosened and came almost all the way out. He grabbed it between his teeth and yanked. A loud pop filled the room. He gave her the bottle of wine. “Milady. You take the booze. I’ll put your shoe back on.”
PIPER RAISED HER eyebrows, impressed. “Damn. I knew women’s footwear were instruments of power, but this took it to a whole new level.”
By all rights, a man on his knees before her with a cork between his teeth shouldn’t have been sexy, but he was. This guy had confidence coming off him in waves, but in a more organic sense than one of the manscaped Hollywood peacocks who frequented these type of events. He exuded confidence. And boy, those boulder shoulders of his begged to be touched.
“Lift your heel, please.”
She lifted her bare foot. He held her ankle with more delicacy than she’d expected from such a big man. As he slid the flat back onto her foot, his thumb grazed the indent near her anklebone. She shivered at the sensation. This close, the ocean blue of his eyes shone with intensity as he watched her. What did he look like beneath the costume and makeup? She’d noticed his sexy, crooked smile and the roguish way the corner of his mouth lifted up, as if he knew something she didn’t. His fingers wrapped around the back of her ankle, then stopped. She met his hungry eyes and nudged her leg forward into his hand. His fingers slid up an inch further, moving in a slow, barely there caress.
“I realize it’s none of my business,” he said. “But earlier, out in the ballroom…I don’t know what your friends said or did to make you upset, but if I can help at all, I’d like to.”
“I’m okay. Just shaking something off.” She took a sip from the wine bottle as she watched him. She moved her foot closer to his chest urging his hand closer to her calf. His long fingers stroked her flesh.
She closed her eyes. “Mmm, that feels nice. Don’t worry about what they said. You got a name, pirate?”
“Jack.”
His tone was serious. She looked back down at him and smirked. Two could play that game.
“Oh, of course. You’re Captain Jack, and I’m Little Red Riding Hood. C’mere.” He stood and met her eye to eye. At five feet nine, she often had a vantage point in height in the workplace, which served her well when she wanted to be intimidating, but he had well over four inches on her, easy. His big, muscular frame towered over her. She took another sip of wine and walked her fingers up the buttons of his waistcoat. “Can I level with you, Captain Jack?”
“Yes.”
She pushed aside the question of why she felt so at ease with him when all she’d wanted was to be alone and smoothed her palm over his white pirate shirt, his strong pectoral muscles firm beneath her fingers. When she next spoke, her voice broke as she remembered why she’d sought solace in the first place; she’d gotten a man and his whole family deported.
“See, I’ve had a hell of a hard year. I’ve pushed myself and made magic happen in ways I didn’t think I’d ever be able to, but that magic comes at a price, and I’m not okay with it. Every single day, people want a piece of me. And on normal days, I can handle it. But right now, all I want to do, since you’re here,” she moved closer, her lips inches from his, “and I’m here, is to forget it all and make some magic of our own I can hold onto, even if it’s just this little moment.”
His chest rose and fell as he scanned her. Clarity and kindness were evident in his eyes beneath the desire, and she knew she could have a little fun with him. She noticed that his palms clenched the more she rubbed against him. She smirked, grabbed the lapels of his waistcoat, and crashed her lips onto his.
THE WOMAN WAS unreal. Her thick, pouty lips moved against his, and no sooner had she kissed him full on the mouth than he seized her around her wasp-sized waist and laid claim. She was the sexiest woman he’d ever seen, and her curves were soft and perfect in his hands. His tongue sought entrance to her mouth, and she met him eagerly. She tasted like strawberries and wine, and he groaned as his fingers slipped into her curls. It had been forever since he’d kissed a woman. She scored full check marks in every category, and then some.
Chances were she merely wanted a nice make-out session, but his body already demanded more. He wrapped his arms around her, spanned his hand against her back, and traveled down to the curve of her delectable ass. She shivered against him; the movement went straight to his hardened cock. He nipped her lower lip as he squeezed her bottom.
“Oh, you are one big firecracker, aren’t you? Tell me your name.”
She wrapped her ankle around the back of his calf as she hauled him in close. “No names,” she breathed.
He kissed her and moaned when she rubbed her core against him through their clothes. All right, he’d play along. For now. But he would take the lead.
Jack reached for her coat, yanked it, and spread it out on the table. He put his hands on her waist and turned her around so she faced away from him. He gently pushed her forward until she was bent over the pool table. She lifted a little so he could drape the bottom of the coat over the rest of the pool table to cushion her. He moved her hair over her right shoulder and kissed down the column of her neck. She leaned forward over her elbows like a contented cat and lowered her head as he tasted her with little licks meant to entice. From the raised gooseflesh his tongue left in its wake and the way she shivered beneath him, he was doing an admirable job. He inhaled, a delicious bouquet. God, that scent!
“Sweet Poseidon. What are you wearing? You smell incredible.” He planted a hand on either side of her on the table, caging her in. He pulled her stretchy Red Riding Hood top down one shoulder and trailed openmouthed kisses along the top of her back.
She let out a small sigh as he explored her flesh with the tip of his tongue and thrust her ass back against him. He rocked against her in reply.
“Penhaligon’s. It’s called Bluebell. They…mmm…make their own perfume. God, your mouth feels nice.”
He reversed his course and brushed his lips against her bejeweled earlobe. He paused as his cock throbbed with desire. Jack rotated his hips slowly against her and nuzzled the shell of her ear with his nose. He wanted her. He’d never gotten so hard for a woman in such a short span of time. He put his mouth very close to her ear. “And would you like my mouth anywhere else on you, Legs?”
He slid his right hand around her waist and stood her back up. He turned her slowly around. She answered him with her aroused gaze. He stepped in close and slid his tongue into her mouth. She twined her arms around his shoulders as their tongues battled for dominance.
Her palms explored his back, and damn, it felt good. He’d been out all week on the boat, both on cruise tours and to scout for new whale sightings. He hadn’t had a woman in a long time, and he missed the human touch. She had magic hands. Everywhere she touched made his cock stir even more. She pulled her head back, panting, and gave an almost imperceptible nod as her large brown eyes met his. He ran his finger down the column of her neck. His lips explored each inch of skin in its wake. He took his time; he wanted to remember this. When he reached her breasts, he looked to her for consent, and her lips parted as they had in the ballroom, she gave a tiny nod.
The corner of his mouth lifted as he went to his knees and pulled down the top of her dress. He exposed a perfect, round breast, and latched his mouth onto the warm, dusky pink nipple. He growled and brought her closer as he began to suck.
PIPER ARCHED HER back as his hot mouth enveloped her breast. She threw her head back and closed her eyes. His large palm supported the small of her back. He licked around the areola as he lightly massaged the other breast. What if someone were to walk in? She hadn’t locked the door, and as far as she knew, anyone was allowed to come play pool. He closed his mouth over the other nipple and gave it just as much attention, and she forgot to be concerned. This was heaven.
A rush of hot desire nearly toppled her as he blew his warm breath against her pebbled nipple. He stopped, fixed the top of her dress, then looked up at her as his hands made their way beneath the hem and up her legs.
“What do you want?”
She could tell by his lowered voice what he wanted.
Piper was never short on words, but she could barely speak. She reached her hand out and cupped the side of his face. She stroked his strong, defined cheekbone with her thumb. “I want to forget myself,” she whispered. The hunger in his dark-blue eyes startled her. He nodded as if he understood.
He motioned down with his head. “May I help you to forget?”
Piper drew in a shaky breath. “You may.”
He leaned into her palm, turned his head, and kissed it, grazing her forefinger with his teeth and tongue. He lifted her dress over his head and disappeared. His mouth warmed the inside of her thigh as he kissed his way upward. She kept an eye on the closed door as she felt a breath against her pussy. Sex had been the last thing on her mind when she made her escape in here, and it was only something she dabbled in occasionally when she felt the need and the mood was right; she’d never needed a man to validate her, but tonight, this guy had magic moves in all the right places. Her breath hitched as he blew on her pussy again through her panties. Thankfully she’d just shaved. He hooked his long fingers into her panties and slid them down. Oh, my. His tongue dove straight into her with a long, slow drag through her slit. She bucked against him and cried out at the sensation.
Her leg trembled, but he steadied it with his hand. The second she felt his tongue flick her clit, she knew she was done for. She swayed into him and lifted her leg over his shoulder. His touch soothed her and made her forget how awful she’d felt a moment ago. She leaned back a little on the pool table, liking the steadiness with which he attacked her nub, his mouth warm and wet. “Yes. Oh…oh, Jack, that’s… Oh, yes.”
“Hold still, woman. I’m not done with you yet,” he growled.
She shivered with delight at the vibration from his voice against her pussy. Two fingers circled her entrance, and she gasped at the pressure as they entered her while he continued to feast. He shoved his fingers all the way in, way beyond what she’d be able to do herself, and she moved her hips against them.
“Oh!”
His mouth and fingers left her pussy, and he reappeared from beneath her dress, his eyes blazing. He stood up and hooked a strong arm beneath her ass, lifted her, and laid her back on her thick coat, smoothing it out. “Are you comfortable?”
“Yes. It’s like a blanket. Don’t stop.”
Piper spread her legs as he disappeared once more beneath her dress, found her slit, and drove his fingers back into her. She lifted her hips toward him, eager for more. He pumped his fingers in and out in a steady rhythm while his tongue circled her clit. He moaned.
“You taste incredible.”
Piper bent her knees and scrunched up the front of her dress so she could see him. She moved against his thrusting fingers in a wanton way she would never have imagined doing for any man. But tonight was different. He was different. He looked up just then and met her gaze, naked desire in his own as he licked her clit. His eyes glittered in the soft light.
“Oh my God, please tell me you’re not married,” she gasped. He curled his fingers inside her, and she arched her back as her floodgates opened. “Oh, Jack. Yes!”
He buried his nose in her wet pussy lips, eating her out long after her heartbeat had returned to normal. He lifted his head.
“I’m not married.”
Piper put her hands near her face and stared at him. The moment seemed to last forever.
“You’re… so beautiful. I can’t tell you how bad I want to take you and bury my cock inside you.” She inhaled, and stared into his eyes. His passion touched her. All those empty ruts with men who couldn’t give a damn about her and just wanted to scratch an itch, and he goes and says this to her now with emotional hunger in his voice? He frowned and stood. Crap, he thought she was being hesitant. “I’m sorry if I offended you. Do you want me to g—”
Piper quickly schooled her surprised expression and touched his arm.
“No, I’m fine. More than fine. I want you too. Do you have a condom?” The words were out before she knew she’d said them.
END SAMPLE
To reserve your copy of The Hotter They Come today, visit Boroughs Publishing Group’s website. The book releases on September 11th.
The post The Hotter They Come Now Available for Pre-Order + Free First Chapter! appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
August 10, 2018
Extreme Makeover: Dog Edition
During the last two weeks of summer break, my children and the other neighborhood kids befriended a stray dog who wandered into our cul-de-sac. He had a badly frayed, tattered collar, looked ungroomed, unkept, and hungry. But he was a total sweetheart. The kids called him Groot. He’s a medium-sized dog who looks like a mix between a labradoodle and a Shih Tzu. A friend of mine kept him in the shade in her backyard, and he got lots of love and attention from the kids while a massive effort was made to find who the owner was, but no one had put out a lost dog notice for him online, and no one in the neighborhood had lost a dog. While someone must have owned him at some point, from the state of him, he’d obviously not been washed or cared for in a very long time.
My children were absolutely in love with this dog, and I knew my neighbor couldn’t keep him. I went over to retrieve my children from a playdate one afternoon, and I met Groot in person for the first time. He licked my hand, and I fell irrevocably in love. Groot is a very calm, nice dog with a heart of gold. At first glance, with his cute gray bearded face and calm, child-loving demeanor, I mistook him for an adult or senior dog. How wrong I was!
My neighbor couldn’t keep Groot and had to re-home him quick or take him to a shelter, so we decided to adopt him. We already have a cat and dog, both nine years old, and for the first few days, Groot gave us a literal run for our money. He dug a hole beneath our backyard fence while going to the bathroom, and we spent a week looking for him. When we found him, we made sure to keep him leashed whenever he went outside to pee.
Groot bonded with our other dog, Flynn, and they are the best of buds. I was surprised initially at how playful Groot was. He loves to fetch things, and he’s sprightly.
I noticed after giving him a bath that he had very clean ears, hardly any claws, decent dog breath, and young, very white-looking teeth. He found some of Flynn’s old toys, and he was in squeaky toy heaven. These days, you’d be hard-pressed to go anywhere around our house without finding a squeaky toy or tennis ball being carried around in Groot’s mouth. The dude likes to play!
So while I was getting his vet appointments and vaccines scheduled, it occurred to me; what if he’s actually a puppy? He’s the same size as Flynn, which is about the size a of a full-grown cocker spaniel. The more I took Groot on walks, the more I realized that holy cow, this guy has got a lot of energy! We taught him to sit, stay, and to respond to his name, and he is zen-calm and smart as a whip.
The fateful day came to take him to get his shots, micro-chipping, and consult for neutering, and I found out my instincts were correct; Groot is in fact a juvenile, on the younger size of 2 years old, so still puppy-esque. What this darling dog went through before he came to us is anyone’s guess, but he’s a sweet, wise old soul and a wonderful companion. He’s helped me lose a few pounds with extra walks, too. I’m grateful he wandered into our little corner of the world, and it’s awesome to have him as part of our family.
We had to house train him and teach him a few tricks, but he’s quick to learn and is all squared away. After he got all his shots and vaccines, we took Groot to the grooming salon, and he had a full-on puppy makeover. Here’s the final result. I think he cleans up quite nice. What do you think?
August 9, 2018
Official Book Trailer for The Hotter They Come
Hi, Romance Readers!
Check out the new book trailer for The Hotter They Come, now on YouTube! The book will be available for pre-order soon. Like and comment at YouTube, and let me know what you think!
Piper Goldhirsch, head reporter for the tabloid exposé show Business Buster, is all work and no play. But when she attends a masked Halloween Ball and meets a sexy costumed pirate captain, everything is turned upside down. What starts out as a few kind words and small kisses in the billiards room quickly becomes the greatest sex of her life, leaving her haunted by the powerful magic between them. Piper’s not sure what she wants or even if she’ll ever see her mysterious stranger again…until he becomes Business Buster’s next target.
Captain Jack Spencer runs his own brand-new whale watching company, Ahoy, Matey. He’s so good at it he’s captured the eye of jealous rivals. But all he cares about is escaping to the ocean where he can hide from everyday nonsense. But he can’t hide from the delicious memories of the enigmatic woman from the ball. Nor does he want to.
When Piper is called in by Jack’s nemesis to go undercover to expose him, she must do her job. But seeing him again—captaining a boat nonetheless—leaves her conflicted. As their attraction pulls them closer and closer, Piper is stuck between her web of lies and the first man she’s ever wanted.
The post Official Book Trailer for The Hotter They Come appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
August 2, 2018
Cover Reveal & Giveaway for The Hotter They Come
August is getting off to a rip-roaring start, people! I hope you all had a wonderful summer. The kids are about to go back to school, the apples are ripening on the tree, and romance is in the air (and on the shelves)!
Here’s the new cover for The Hotter They Come, releasing on September 11th with Boroughs Publishing! The book should be available for pre-order soon, so stay tuned.
Also check out the new giveaway for the release. The grand prize is a $25.00 Amazon Gift card, and one autographed copy of When You Close Your Eyes, which is due to release this autumn. I’m also on Bookbub now, so if you’re a Bookbubbian, hop on over and follow for the latest info on my releases.
If you still haven’t had a chance to read Flip the Beat, it’s available on Netgalley only for the next two weeks, so take advantage of it! If you do get it, please help me out by leaving an honest book review. Thanks for all your continued support. I’m slinking back into the writing cave and busting out some new novels for y’all. Lots of awesome stuff happening, folks!
The post Cover Reveal & Giveaway for The Hotter They Come appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
July 31, 2018
New Release! Brenda Spark’s Alpha Pair
Alpha Pair
by
Brenda Sparks
Although this #SummerRead is the 4th book of the Alpha Council Chronicles series, it can be read as a standalone novel.
Book Blurb:How strong is the blood that binds? Tatiana Bolovich is a beautiful femme fatale with a haunting history. Having recently discovered the brutish Demetri Romanoff is her heartmate, she spent the past year avoiding him, but the Fates have other plans.
Demetri commands every situation. A strong, valiant warrior he’s used to being in control, that is until he is kidnapped by demons. Forced to endure unspeakable experiments at the hands of his enemy, the Alpha discovers just how out of control life can get.
Summoned by the Alpha Council, Tatiana grudgingly helps track Demetri down, promising herself that she will disappear from his life forever once the job is done. But matters of the heart are not so easily ignored. Will she give him a chance to prove himself, or will she deny her nature and slip away into the night?
Buy Links:
Amazon
Wild Rose Press
iBooks
Barnes and Noble
Book Excerpt:
The Alpha swung a leg over the motorcycle and tugged on his helmet. “You coming anytime this century, woman?”
Tatiana pulled her helmet down over her dark hair, the blunt ends sticking out from under it like twigs in a nest.
“Hold your horses, Romanoff.” She straddled her bike.
Demetri shifted the bike from its stand and rousted the thing with a kick of his booted heel. He gunned the throttle. “My horses want to go,” he called over the roar of the sports bike.
Tatiana started the motorcycle she borrowed from Marcus with a push of a button. The black beast growled to life. “Well, what are we waiting for then? I bet I can get to the counseling center before you.”
The howl of her engine made further conversation impossible when she revved the machine.
They tore off down the gravel drive, the bikes fishtailing. Bits of gravel spit out behind them. Demetri gunned his engine and took the lead. He flashed her a brilliant smile when he passed, making it almost worth being second place. But not quite.
As they rounded out of the gated fence onto the road, Tatiana cut under him to regain the lead.
He shook his head. Life will never be dull with you, tigress warrior. You are a fierce competitor, but then so am I.
Author Bio:
Born in Virginia, Brenda Sparks now resides in the Sunshine State. Balancing her professional commitment to the local school district with her writing is challenging at times, but writing suspenseful paranormal romances is a passion that won’t be denied. Her idea of a perfect day is one spent in front of a computer with a hot cup of coffee, her fingers flying over the keys to send her characters off on their latest adventure. Brenda loves to connect with readers. Please visit her online or stop by her website to say hi.
Author Links:
Website:
Facebook Fan Page
Twitter Handle: @brenda_sparks
Goodreads:
Facebook Author Page
Amazon
Blog
The post New Release! Brenda Spark’s Alpha Pair appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
July 17, 2018
Reviews are Rolling In For Flip the Beat!
Hiya Romance Readers,
What a week it’s been! Flip the Beat got off to an amazing start last week. I wanted to thank everyone who took the time out to buy the book and leave a review. Reviews help both authors and readers, and I can’t tell you what it means to me to read that someone enjoyed my work. Many people have posted some pretty fabulous things about Evan and Molly, and it’s really touched me. This was a fun book to write. I enjoy comedy, and I think you need to have at least a sprinkling of it in everything. While I have many more books about to come out with all kind of moods, characters, genres and stories, this book had a special kind of vibe to it, and I enjoyed dabbling in Evan and Molly’s world.
Thank you so much for coming along for the ride. I want to give a special shout out to my readers in the UK and Canada; thank you kindly for following me! We lived in Kent for four years (the hubs is British), and it tickles me to no end to know that my Brit peeps are digging on Evan and Molly. And let’s face it, Aussies are just straight up awesome! Be sure to check out all my books coming out soon (The Hotter They Come is out on September 11th), and see what people are saying about Flip the Beat below!
Love,
Roxanne
Fresh Fiction gave Flip the Beat a glowing 5-Star “Fresh Review”! Here’s a little peek at what they had to say. You can check out the full review at the hyperlink above:
“FLIP THE BEAT is a perfect combination of chick lit and red-hot romance. Roxanne D. Howard creates some fabulous and realistic characters to fall in love with. This book has made me desperate to read Roxanne D. Howard’s next book.”
“Roxanne Howard has written a romance with everything you could possibly want in it…friendship, humor, sex and love! Highly recommend Flip the Beat and look forward to reading more from this author!” –5 Star Goodreads Review
From Harlie’s Book Blog: “I absolutely adored Molly and Evan. It is a very well balanced book with plenty of hot smexy times, great character growth and a very plausible plot that is also realistic. Trust me, the blurb doesn’t even tell you 1/4 of the story. Again, layers people. Layers…”
Molly Ivers thinks she is falling for the opposite of Prince Charming, and she knows she should give him up, but, oh, the temptation.
WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR
Molly Ivers thought she found Prince Charming, but without a devilishly sexy accent, and six months ago she gave into their undeniable attraction. But the swarm of ever-present groupies was so not part of the fairy tale. As much as it hurt her heart, she shut out rocker Evan Castle.
Now, on the verge of finishing her graduate degree and moving to Paris—she even hires a French life coach—Molly begins to realize Evan, who hasn’t given up on her, might be the man of her dreams after all.
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F91975X/
Boroughs Publishing Group: http://boroughspublishinggroup.com/books/flip-beat
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40649672-flip-the-beat
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/flip-the-beat
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flip-the-beat-roxanne-d-howard/1129032378?ean=2940155322672
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/874148
The post Reviews are Rolling In For Flip the Beat! appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
