Cynthia Eden's Blog, page 85

THE LOOK OF LOVE with Bella Andre

It's no secret…I love Bella Andre's work.  If you haven't read her yet (What?), then you should definitely try her stories. They're fabulous.  And, today, I'm going to giveaway 5 Kindle copies of her very fabulous story, THE LOOK OF LOVE. Read on to learn more about this great book.

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Here's the blurb:

With THE LOOK OF LOVE bestselling author Bella Andre introduces you to a fun and emotional contemporary romance series about the Sullivan family. Because when a Sullivan bad boy falls…he falls hard. And it's forever.

Chloe Peterson is having a bad night. A really bad night. The large bruise on her cheek can attest to that. And when her car skids off the side of a wet country road straight into a ditch, she's convinced even the gorgeous guy who rescues her in the middle of the rain storm must be too good to be true. Or is he?

As a successful photographer who frequently travels around the world, Chase Sullivan has his pick of beautiful women, and whenever he's home in San Francisco, one of his seven siblings is usually up for causing a little fun trouble. Chase thinks his life is great just as it is—until the night he finds Chloe and her totaled car on the side of the road in Napa Valley. Not only has he never met anyone so lovely, both inside and out, but he quickly realizes she has much bigger problems than her damaged car. Soon, he is willing to move mountains to love—and protect—her, but will she let him?

Chloe vows never to make the mistake of trusting a man again. Only, with every loving look Chase gives her—and every sinfully sweet caress—as the attraction between them sparks and sizzles, she can't help but wonder if she's met the only exception. And although Chase didn't realize his life was going to change forever in an instant, amazingly, he isn't the least bit interested in fighting that change. Instead, he's gearing up for a different fight altogether…for Chloe's heart.

I hope you enjoy the following excerpt for THE LOOK OF LOVE…

Chase almost missed the flickering light off on the right side of the two-lane country road. In the past thirty minutes, he hadn't passed a single car, because on a night like this, most sane Californians—who didn't know the first thing about driving safely in inclement weather—stayed home.

Knowing better than to slam on the brakes—he wouldn't be able to help whomever was stranded on the side of the road if he ended up stuck in the muddy ditch right next to them—Chase slowed down enough to see that there was definitely a vehicle stuck in the ditch.

He turned his brights on to see better in the pouring rain and realized there was a person walking along the edge of the road about a hundred yards up ahead. Obviously hearing his car approach, she turned to face him and he could see her long wet hair whipping around her shoulders in his headlights.

Wondering why she wasn't just sitting in her car, dry and warm, calling Triple A and waiting for them to come save her, he pulled over to the edge of his lane and got out to try and help her. She was shivering as she watched him approach.

"Are you hurt?"

She covered her cheek with one hand, but shook her head. "No."

He had to move closer to hear her over the sound of the water hitting the pavement in what were rapidly becoming hailstones. Even though he'd turned his headlights off, as his eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, he was able to get a better look at her face.

Something inside of Chase's chest clenched tight.

Despite the long, dark hair plastered to her head and chest, regardless of the fact that looking like a drowned rat wasn't too far off the descriptive mark, her beauty stunned him.

In an instant, his photographer's eye cataloged her features. Her mouth was a little too big, her eyes a little too wide-set on her face. She wasn't even close to model thin, but given the way her T-shirt and jeans stuck to her skin, he could see that she wore her lush curves well. In the dark he couldn't judge the exact color of her hair, but it looked like silk, perfectly smooth and straight where it lay over her breasts.

It wasn't until Chase heard her say, "My car is definitely hurt, though," that he realized he had completely lost the thread of what he'd come out here to do.

Knowing he'd been drinking her in like he was dying of thirst, he worked to recover his balance. He could already see he'd been right about her car. It didn't take a mechanic like his brother, Zach, who owned an auto shop—more like forty, but Chase had stopped counting years ago—to see that her shitty hatchback was borderline totaled. Even if the front bumper wasn't half smashed to pieces by the white farm fence she'd slid into, her bald tires weren't going to get any traction on the mud. Not tonight, anyway.

If her car had been in a less precarious situation, he probably would have sent her to hang out in her car while he took care of getting it unstuck. But one of her back tires was hanging precariously over the edge of the ditch.

He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "Get in my car. We can wait there for a tow truck." He was vaguely aware of his words coming out like an order, but the hail was starting to sting, damn it. Both of them needed to get out of the rain before they froze.

But the woman didn't move. Instead, she gave him a look that said he was a complete and utter nut-job.

"I'm not getting into your car."

Realizing just how frightening it must be for a lone woman to end up stuck and alone in the middle of a dark road, Chase took a step back from her. He had to speak loudly enough for her to hear him over the hail.

"I'm not going to attack you. I swear I won't do anything to hurt you."

She all but flinched at the word attack and Chase's radar started buzzing. He'd never been a magnet for troubled women, wasn't the kind of guy who thrived on fixing wounded birds. But living with two sisters for so many years meant he could always tell when something was up.

And something was definitely up with this woman, beyond the fact that her car was half-stuck in a muddy ditch.

Wanting to make her feel safe, he held his hands up. "I swear on my father's grave, I'm not going to hurt you. It's okay to get into my car." When she didn't immediately say no again, he pressed his advantage with, "I just want to help you." And he did. More than it made sense to want to help a stranger. "Please," he said. "Let me help you."

She stared at him for a long moment, hail hammering between them, around them, onto them. Chase found himself holding his breath, waiting for her decision. It shouldn't matter to him what she decided.

But, for some strange reason, it did.

* * *

Chloe Peterson had never felt so wet, so miserable…or so desperate. She'd been beating the speed limit for the past couple of hours, before the storm had kicked into overdrive. She'd slowed down considerably on the super-slick pavement, but her tires were old and bald, and before she knew it, her car was skidding off the road.

Straight into a muddy ditch.

It might have been easier—smarter, too—to sit in her car and wait out the storm. But she'd been too keyed up to stay still. She'd needed to keep moving, otherwise the thoughts knocking around in her head were going to catch up with her, so she'd slung her backpack over her shoulders and stepped out into the rain, just as it turned into out-and-out hail.

The hard little pellets hurt her skin, but she'd been glad for the cold, for the sting. Because it gave her something else to focus on, something besides what had happened just hours ago.

She hadn't been sure exactly where she was—or what she was headed for–but she'd hoped she was walking in the direction of town.

All night long the roads had been strangely empty, but she'd barely starting walking away from her car when she'd realized headlights were coming up behind her.

Fear had knocked into her again as the car pulled over to the side and she'd had to stop to brace herself to withstand it. She was all alone on a dark, wet, country road. She didn't have her cell phone, and even if she had, she doubted there was enough reception out here in the storm for it to get a signal.

And then a man–a large man–had gotten out of his car and started walking toward her, telling her to get into his car.

No way.

He'd tried to convince her that she was safe with him. He'd said all the right things, but she'd had too much experience with people like that, who easily said one thing, then did another.

"I don't know you," she told him. He could be an axe murderer. She had feet. She'd walk and find a place to dry off later.

She could see the frustration on his face, knew he was about to try and reason with her again, when suddenly, the sound of skidding tires came at them. Before she knew what was happening, he was pulling her into his arms. She didn't have time to think of fighting him, didn't even consider it when she realized a fast-moving motorcycle was practically on top of them.

She closed her eyes, bracing for impact, when the man effortlessly lifted her and jumped into the ditch, holding her tightly against him.

She opened her eyes just in time to watch the motorcycle's back tires skid and then finally catch hold just in the place she'd been standing. Her heart, which had all but stopped, started racing again as she watched it speed away.

"Are you okay?"

Chloe looked up at the man who had shielded her from harm with his own body, and for the first time since he'd stepped out of his car, she was hit hard with the realization of just how attractive he was.

No, she silently admitted to herself. Attractive was a paltry word for a man like this. Even in the darkness, she could see that he put other men to shame. As big as she'd first thought, even in the cold rain, he was utterly gorgeous.

And her body was reacting with surprising heat.

Or maybe, she suddenly realized, that heat was coming from the fact that he was still cradling her in his strong arms.

The way he'd moved her out of the way of the too-close motorcycle had her teetering on the edge of trusting him. And on any other night, perhaps it would have been enough. But was it?

They were both splattered with mud from where he'd landed with her in his arms and now that they were safe again, she struggled to stand up, to try and right her thoughts so that she could come to some sort of rational decision.

"Wait a minute," he said, "let me get us out of here."

A few moments later, he put her down on the side of the road. "It really isn't safe to be out here. Not for either of us."

Common sense told her he was right, and yet, she was still wary. Incredibly so.

But at this very moment what other choice did she have?

Replaying in her mind the way he'd protected her from harm, Chloe finally, said, "Okay. I'll go with you."

She sincerely hoped she didn't end up regretting her choice.

…Excerpt from THE LOOK OF LOVE by Bella Andre ©2011.

***

***Book 2, FROM THIS MOMENT ON, is also now available. http://www.amazon.com/This-Moment-Sullivans-Book-ebook/dp/B005KB9WJO. Book 3, CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE will be released December 15th!***

REVIEWS…

"The Look of Love is an emotionally compelling, thoroughly sexy, lovely read. I can't wait for more Sullivan brothers!" Carly Phillips, NYT Bestselling Author

"The Look of Love is the perfect combination of sexy heat and tender heart. This character driven romance has brains, brawn and the perfect bad boy to launch a whole family's worth of fun." Barbara Freethy, #1 NYT Bestselling Author

"Pure sensual fun! I couldn't read fast enough. I loved everything about Chase and Chloe's story. I'm hooked on the Sullivans!" Marie Force, Bestselling Author

"No one does sexy like Bella Andre." Sarah MacLean, NYT Bestselling Author

THE LOOK OF LOVE (Sullivans #1) ~ Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, Goodreads & AllRomance

FROM THIS MOMENT ON (Sullivans #2) ~ Kindle, Nook, Apple, Smashwords, Goodreads & AllRomance

Sign up for my newsletter for upcoming release info!

www.BellaAndre.com

Want to win one of those 5 THE LOOK OF LOVE copies? Then tell me, have you ever been in love?  If so…how'd you know it was love?

Cynthia Garner and the KISS OF THE VAMPIRE (ARC Giveaway!)

Now it's my pleasure to welcome paranormal author Cynthia Garner to the blog.  I cannot wait for Cynthia's new book, KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, and I'm actually feeling very jealous right now…because one commenter will win an ARC of her book. Yes, it's one of those win-it-before-you-can-buy-it-in-stores prizes. I love, LOVE those.  But I am incredibly jealous. Someone is going to get a fantastic read!

***

Congratulations, Giving Thanks…and More

First, let me start this post by saying congratulations, Cynthia, for the release of ANGEL OF DARKNESS.  I'm looking forward to another great read! Second, thank you for giving me some time here at your place. One of the things I love about romance authors especially is their willingness to support each other!

I'm also thankful for readers who have picked up my books and enjoyed them. Thank you all so much for your support! Starting next year I'm beginning a new series with Grand Central Publishing. In my Warriors of the Rift series, vampires, werewolves and other creatures of myth are no longer stuck between the pages of fairy tales and mythology. They're loud and proud and living next door. Every 73 to 74 years the Moore-Creasy-Devon comet passes by Earth, opening a rift between dimensions. Entities from the other dimension–mostly criminals though some are political dissidents or persecuted as religious heretics–come through the rift and, in their drive to survive, enter and take over the bodies of human hosts. Their original species dictate the effect this possession has on the human bodies they now possess–some become vampires, some werewolves or other shapeshifters, etc.

The first book, KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, is available for pre-order now! Half-demon, half-human, Nix de la Fuente is accepted by neither and mistrusted by both. Determined to prove she's more human than not, she devotes herself to solving crimes between the world's mortals and its most unsavory undead. But her latest case brings her face to face with the one vampire she could never resist . . .

Called in to investigate a string of violent murders, special agent Tobias Caine isn't interested in rekindling his relationship with Nix. Yet one look and the vampire knows his need for her is as strong as ever. Once, their all-consuming passion nearly cost Nix her fragile hold on her humanity. Now, as their hunger for one another intensifies, exposing them to an unimaginable danger, it could cost them both their lives.

For everyone who leaves a comment on this post, I'll toss your name into the hat to win an Advance Readers Copy of KISS OF THE VAMPIRE.

Paranormal Heroines (and vampy good giveaways) with Rebecca Zanetti

I love vampires.  They're sexy. They're mysterious. They're awesome.  And I had such a fun time creating my ANGEL OF DARKNESS vampire heroine, Nicole St. James. (Bad guys, watch out! That woman has bite!) I love to read all sorts of vampire books, and one of my favorite vampire authors (um, I mean she writes about vampires and not that she *is* a vamp herself) is Rebecca Zanetti. Rebecca is one of my Brava sisters, and I'm very glad to have her as my next guest.  Love your books, Rebecca! Love them!

HI everyone!  First, I'd like to say a big thank you to Cynthia for inviting me to be part of the ANGEL OF DARKNESS party.  I swear, the only place you'd see "party' and "Angel of Darkness" together in perfect harmony would be around those of us who love paranormals.  Of course the sexy, dark Angel would love a good party!  How much fun would it be to actually attend a party with angels, vampires, shifters, witches and so on?  Of course, it'd be really awesome if we were angels, vampires, shifters…  And I got to thinking.  Why would it be cool to be a paranormal heroine?  Well…I thought of a few reasons.

1)      Paranormal heroines kick butt. When faced with a dangerous threat, does our heroine duck and cover, quivering with fright?  Heck no.  She grabs the nearest weapon and dodges into the fight, kicking serious bad guy butt.  Brave and deadly, our heroine is.

2)      Paranormal heroines are immortal.  Sure, they face down pain and possible damnation, but hey, they don't wrinkle.  No night creams, silk pillowcases, or lots of hydration for these gals.  They don't age.

3)      Paranormal heroines sleep with paranormal heroes. Really, do I need to say anything else about this one?  Didn't think so.  J

4)      Paranormal heroines meet their matches in the heroes.  I have to admit, I love a good struggle between the equally dangerous hero and heroine.  Sure, they usually end up naked and between the sheets, but hey, that makes for great tension.

5)      Paranormal heroines love completely and find mates just as loyal. No one gets between a heroine and her man…and many of the men will wade through a battlefield of death, wounded and bleeding, to rescue their heroine.  (Who, usually, BTW, can rescue herself.  But hey, we like to see the guy making such an effort.)

So, there you have it.  My heroine in CLAIMED is a human geneticist bound and determined to cure a vampire virus threatening her sister.  She's also mated to the king of all vampires, a fact she alternates between fighting for and fighting against.  Here's a quick excerpt:

Dage shook his head without opening his eyes.  "No.  I don't sense evil anywhere near us.  We're probably safe for a couple of hours, then we should move again."

A couple of hours?  Damn.  She needed him in fighting shape.  "Will drinking my blood help heal you?"

His lids flipped open, revealing those silver eyes that had haunted her dreams for fifteen years.  Hunger, raw and pure filled them.  "Yes."

Emma gulped in air. The husky timber of his voice caressed nerves she didn't want to own. "I won't become a vampire?"

His dimples winked at her.  "No.  Vampires are born, not made."

Fear and her damn curiosity blended until she could only whisper.  "Okay."  She held out her wrist and shut her eyes.  And waited.  The breeze picked up outside the cave, rustling pine needles and leaves inside the small entrance, and she shivered.  Finally, she opened her eyes in exasperation.  "What?"

Reaching out with his good arm, he lifted her chin with one knuckle, waiting until her gaze met his.  "I want your neck."

***

I hope everyone enjoys this awesome party today.  I'd like to give away two copies from the Dark Protector series – the winners can choose whether they want FATED or CLAIMED.  What do you like in a paranormal heroine?

BIO:  Rebecca Zanetti is a college professor by day and romance author by night.  Currently she's busy writing the sexy Dark Protector Series from Kensington Brava, which has received excellent reviews.  Publisher's Weekly said the following about her latest release, CLAIMED, "This thriller's true strengths: sizzling sex scenes and a memorable cast."   To find Rebecca on the web, drop by her website: http://rebeccazanetti.com/

Time to be TEMPTED With Elisabeth Naughton

You know what I like to read? (Wait, did you just shout anything? Okay, that's true, I'm a book addict), but I really enjoy hot paranormal romances. And guess what's about to be our spotlight book of the hour? TEMPTED, a very hot paranormal romance by author Elisabeth Naughton.  Be sure to comment on this post, because I'll send one commenter this book–just in time for some relaxing reading time during the holidays.

DEMETRIUS—He's the hulking, brooding warrior his fellow Guardians avoid. Too dark. Too damaged. And given his heritage, he knows it's best to keep everyone at arm's length.

Isadora is missing. The words pound through his head like a frantic drumbeat. For her own protection, Demetrius did all he could to avoid the fragile princess, his soul mate. And now she's gone—kidnapped. To get her back, he'll have to go to the black place in his soul he's always shunned.

As daemons ravage the human realm and his loyalty to the Guardians is put to the ultimate test, Demetrius realizes that Isadora is stronger than anyone thought. And finally letting her into his heart may be the only way to save them both.

Excerpt:

Isadora sensed Demetrius's presence even before she rolled her head to the left and found him lying next to her, sound asleep on his side, his arms crossed over his middle and his head tipped her way.

Confusion hit first, followed by surprise. Why in Hades had he lain down next to her when he'd made it perfectly clear last night that he didn't want to have anything to do with her?

The things he'd said came back full force, as did the mortification when she remembered what she'd done with him. Rolling quietly away, she tugged the blanket around herself and crossed the floor toward the stone table in the middle of the room.

The clothes he'd brought for her were scattered over the floor. Cheeks heating with memories of his mouth, his hands, how she'd all but begged for more, she stooped to pick them up, then dragged them on. The shorts were baggier than she liked, but they were better than nothing. She didn't look at the table as she dressed, and when she was done she straightened, only to have a wave of nausea that came out of nowhere wash over her.

She reached out to steady herself. Breathed deep until it passed. Then wiped a hand over her damp brow.

That was weird. Yeah, she'd been a little stressed since she'd been here, and she wasn't eating like she should be, but she hadn't felt anything like that since…

Dread spiraled through her and she mentally ticked off days. At least seven had passed since she'd last been at the castle in Argolea. Seven days away from her sister. The ramifications of her situation suddenly hit full force. Regardless of what had happened here with Demetrius, she needed to get home before things turned dire for Casey.

Her gaze strayed to Demetrius, still sound asleep, and her temper kicked up. She moved around the table and flipped open the lid of the first trunk, looking for…she didn't know what. Just something that would help her get the hell off this island. Not his type? Screw him. He wasn't her type. Mean definitely wasn't her type. Why on earth had she ever thought he wasn't the bastard he'd always been back home?

She moved to the next trunk and silently rejoiced when she found a sword. She turned the blade in the low torchlight still burning from last night and figured it would do. It wasn't as big as the one Demetrius carried, but it fit better in her hand. Orpheus had taught her just enough to wield the damn thing, but she wasn't afraid now like she'd been before. She wanted off this damn island so bad she was willing to search for holy ground without him. She could open the portal on her own.

She turned for the steps, then belatedly remembered the spell book she'd seen in Jason's chest.

What you've got there is more powerful than you or your sisters realize.

Orpheus's words from days ago skipped through her mind. She looked down at the winged omega marking on her inner thigh, visible beneath the hem of her short shorts. Orpheus knew all about spells and drawing power, and if her link to the Horae gave her some sort of advantage where that was concerned, she was going to use it. No matter the cost.

She moved to Jason's chest, set the sword down in front of her, and pawed through the contents until she found the book. The cover was dusty and she blew until the grime cleared and the Helios symbol became visible in the aged leather.

"Aren't we curious this morning?"

Isadora's heart lurched into her throat. She dropped the book, grasped the sword, and whipped around with her arm outstretched. The tip of the blade stopped centi- meters from Demetrius's bare chest.

His eyes flicked down to the weapon, then lifted to rest on hers. "I see sleep did you well. You obviously remembered all those reasons you hate me."

Her heart pounded hard against her chest. Relief that it was him and not some monster pissed her off more than if she'd found herself face-to-face with a Hydra. "No, I just remembered your legendary cruelty."

"Very good, Princess."

His low mocking tone clawed at her self-respect, heated her cheeks, and made her remember all over again what she'd done last night. With him. In this very room. The difference was, to her it had meant something. To him it was…

She didn't know what it was to him. A game, she guessed. One more way to humiliate her.

He took a step forward, until the tip of the blade pressed into his chest but didn't break the skin. "Do it. Now's your chance."

She wanted to. She was so angry she could barely see straight. Every one of his cruel words over the years crashed in to remind her of the thousands of times he'd belittled her. And that, coupled with the newfound fear over her sister, made her unsteady. But when he moved closer still and the tip pushed deeper, she tensed. Her eyes shot to his chest and to the tiny droplet of blood that trickled down the blade.

Her stomach rolled. Yes, she was angry, and yes, she hated that he made her feel anything at all, but she didn't want this. She didn't want to hurt him just because he'd hurt her.

"Go ahead, Princess," he whispered. "All you have to do is push."

Her eyes lifted to his and though she saw indifference in his black irises, she also saw something else. Lurking deep, there lingered…regret.

Her heart stuttered, caught, and picked up speed as she stared at him. The night before spiraled through her memory again, only this time she didn't focus on his words. This time she focused on the look of desire in his eyes, the way he'd touched her, the fact he hadn't been able to get enough of her. And she remembered the way he'd told her to tell him to stop, and when she hadn't, how he'd finally let down his guard and taken her places she never knew existed.

He'd wanted her, and it scared the crap out of him. So much he'd reverted to his old ways to convince her he was the enemy. She lowered the sword, even as her heart raced beneath her breast.

"Your father's right," he muttered. "You're no leader."

His words cut to the heart of her, to every one of her insecurities and what she feared most in this world.

But she didn't dwell on them. For whatever reason, he was trying to make her hate him. And his baiting words belied his actions. Those were what she focused on.

She turned the sword and held out the handle to him. "Maybe I'm not. But I know a lie when I hear one."

For just a split second, confusion crossed his features. And then the mask came up again, the one that said Fuck you to the world and Leave me the hell alone. But that wasn't the real him. The real him was the one who'd rescued her more times than she could count, watched over her, and pleasured her so completely last night without taking a single thing for himself in the process.

His fingers wrapped around the handle of the blade, and as he lowered it to the ground, she knew she had a choice. To let him go on believing that lie or prove to him he was wrong.

www.ElisabethNaughton.com

TEMPTED – Available Now – Publisher's Weekly Starred Review!

ENRAPTURED – April 2012

ENSLAVED – November 2012

Want to win TEMPTED?  Then tell me what tempts you the most this time of the year. For me…Christmas cookies are like kryptonite! One commenter will be randomly selected to win. Good luck!

MARKING TIME with Marie Force

It's no secret that I'm a Marie Force fan. I love her stories! Can't get enough. So I'm very, very happy that she's got a new release out now–one I can load onto my e-reader right away. I'm also happy because she's my next guest. And you should be happy, too. Know why?  Because she's awesome fun and because one commenter will win her tales, Treading Water and Marking Time.

Second Chances

By: Marie Force

I love writing and reading stories in which the hero or heroine—sometimes both—get a second chance at love. Don't you? There's something so poignant about a wounded souls finding the magic they thought they'd lost forever with someone new and unexpected. That's exactly what happens to Clare Harrington and Aidan O'Malley in Marking Time, book 2 in my new trilogy that began last month with Treading Water.

Marking Time is a book I never intended to write. In Treading Water, Clare makes a selfless gesture that results in her being single for the first time in more than twenty years. I can't say too much about that selfless gesture without giving away the ending of Treading Water, but let's just say, it's a whopper. Early readers who loved Treading Water kept telling me they needed to know what happened to Clare. They chipped away at me until I wanted to know, too. That's how Marking Time came to be, and it's a story I've come to love so much because it's all about second chances and new beginnings for Clare—and her daughter Kate, who strikes out for Nashville in search of fame and fortune in the music business. Their intertwining stories take us from Newport, RI, to Stowe, VT, and Nashville, TN, from the Green Mountains of Vermont all the way to Graceland. In Marking Time we meet the irrepressible O'Malley family, which is featured in Starting Over, book 3 in the trilogy, which is out December 27.

Since today is Marking Time's launch day, I thought it would be fun to share a brief—and never-before-seen—excerpt. This is from one of my favorite scenes in which Clare realizes the hot carpenter she's hired to help renovate her brother's ski house in Vermont is actually interested in her. Up to this point, they've most bickered with each other—and not in a good way. So here is Aidan O'Malley and Clare Harrington on the cusp of that second chance we all love so much…

***

"Can I ask one more question?" Aidan said.

"I don't know. You're starting to irritate me again."

For some reason, that seemed to please him. "Then I'll make sure it's a good one." He waited for her nod of approval before he said, "Will you have dinner with me?"

Clare tried to hide her shock at the question. "I am having dinner with you."

"I mean a real dinner with waiters and tablecloths. Maybe even candles, if you're extra nice to me."

She sat back, stunned. Okay now that would be a real date. No denying it. "I thought you didn't date."

"Where'd you hear that?"

"Bea said—"

He hooted with laughter. "You've been checking up on me, haven't you?"

"Don't flatter yourself," she said, startled by how laughter softened his hard edges.

"She volunteered the information."

"Whatever you say."

"She said you've got women in this town falling over themselves to go out with you. Why would you want to go out with me?"

"Because I like sparring—I mean talking—to you. Besides, you seem to have a very low opinion of me, so there's no way I can disappoint you."

"Have you disappointed lots of women?"

"Scores. The stories are legendary, but I'm sure you've already heard them all."

She'd heard just the opposite, but she wasn't about to tell him that. "You're doing a hell of a job selling yourself, O'Malley."

"So?"

"I'll have dinner with you, but it's not a date. Not a real date."

He unfolded himself off the floor and stood up. "You know what? I think I'll hold out for the real deal. How about you let me know when you're up for it."

Once again he surprised her. "All right, but it might be a while." If ever.

"Lucky for you I'm a patient man. I've done as much as I can in the kitchen until the cabinets come in, so I'll be starting on the downstairs bathroom. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay."

At the door, he turned to study her with those sleepy, sexy green eyes of his. "I don't know what happened to you, Clare, but you don't need to be afraid of me."

She held his gaze for a long moment. "I like talking to you, too."

He smiled and waved on his way downstairs. A minute later, she heard the front door close quietly behind him.

***

Ahhh, I love me some Aidan O'Malley—almost as much as I love Jack Harrington from Treading Water, but that's a story for another blog. Talk to me about second-chance romances and your opinions of them. I'll give away a copy of Treading Water and Marking Time to one commenter today. Thank you for having me today, Cynthia, and HAPPY LAUNCH DAY to you, too!

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Marie Force is the author of the bestselling McCarthys of Gansett Island Series: MAID FOR LOVE, FOOL FOR LOVE and READY FOR LOVE with more books coming soon in the series. MARKING TIME continues a trilogy that began with TREADING WATER and continues with STARTING OVER. She is the author of the following contemporary romances: GEORGIA ON MY MIND, EVERYONE LOVES A HERO, LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT, TRUE NORTH, THE FALL and THE WRECK.

She is also the bestselling, award-winning author of the Fatal Series from Harlequin's Carina Press. The series includes FATAL AFFAIR, FATAL JUSTICE, FATAL CONSEQUENCES and FATAL DESTINY. "This novel is 'The O.C. does D.C.,' and you just can't get enough." (RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars for FATAL AFFAIR). In its July 2010 issue, RT Book Reviews named Marie a "Future Star of Romantic Suspense." FATAL FLAW is coming in February 6, 2012.

She is a member of RWA's New England and Published Author Special Interest Chapters.

While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and a feisty dog named Brandy.

Find her at www.mariesullivanforce.com, on her blog at http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor, and on Twitter @marieforce. Marie loves to hear from readers. Contact her at marie@marieforce.com.

ANGEL OF DARKNESS–Release Party

Thanks so much for coming by and joining the ANGEL OF DARKNESS release party!  Just scroll below to see the new posts and giveaways. All giveaways will remain open until noon (Central time) on 11/30/11.  I hope you enjoy the party!

A Map, A Party, and Some Angel Fun…

Tomorrow is the release day for ANGEL OF DARKNESS! Yay! I am so excited–and I sure hope readers enjoy Keenan's story.

As an addition to the story, I've put up an interactive map of New Orleans. By clicking on the blue circles that are located on the map, you can see some of the spots that Keenan and Nicole visit in ANGEL OF DARKNESS.

And, of course, I have to talk party fun. Tomorrow at 7 am (Central time) my release party will begin. Every hour after that (until 11 PM that night), I'll have a new guest author coming by to join the fun. There will be Amazon gift card giveaways, book giveaways, and maybe even a few surprise giveaways, too. All of the giveaways will stay open until noon on 11/30/11–that way, people who are working or who are in the different time zones will all have a chance to enter the contests. I hope you can come by!

See you then.

Black Friday Blog Hop

Thanks for coming by for some Black Friday Blog Hopping fun!  Here are the details for the hop (provided by Cassandra Carr):

One random commenter (can be on any of the blogs) will win a Kindle Fire, along with all the prizes below! That's the easiest kind of shopping I can think of…

Prizes:

- Cassandra Carr: copy of either of my two current releases, Talk to Me or Head Games

- Kristabel Reed: back list copy of one of her stories and then on her own blog a $10 GC plus a copy of her newest release, Risque, a Regency Menage Tale

- Lucy Felthouse: back list copy of any of her single-title books

- Cari Quinn: back list copy of one of her books

- Leigh Elwood: two back list copies of her books

- Natasha Blackthorne: copies of her two Regency era novellas: Grey's Lady and Waltz of Seduction

- Amber Kallyn: e-copy of Dragos 1

- Camryn Rhys: Kindle copies of The Barn Dance and Off the Record – Foodie Erotic Romances

- Lissa Matthews: two of her back list books

- Misa Buckley: an e-copy of Ironhaven and To Reach the Dawn

- Lacey Wolfe: a copy of Ambers Muse

- Courtney Sheets: a $25 GC to Ravenous Romance and a copy of Kona Warrior – PDF

- Sara Brookes: an e-copy of one of my back list books

- Cynthia Arsuaga: a copy of an e-book, and on her own blog five book charm book tethers

- Louisa Bacio: .pdf copy of my first book in The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf series, and on her own blog a $10 certificate to Ravenous Romance, and each commenter will also be entered to win a Goody Bag of new Orleans treats

- Malia Mallory: one copy each of The ABC's of Erotica and Santa's Back Door Baby

- Cynthia Eden: a copy of Angel of Darkness (either print or digital)

- Carrie Ann Ryan: an e-copy of The Alpha's Path

- Jacquie Rogers: a Smashwords coupon for Faery Merry Christmas, plus on her own blog, a free copy of Much Ado About Marshals

So what are the rules? Simple: visit as many of the blogs as you can and leave a comment for the blog owner. For every comment, you'll get one entry into the grand-prize drawing. Be sure to leave your e-mail address with every comment so we can find you if you win! And don't forget that several blog owners are giving away prizes specific to their blog, too!

One winner will be chosen on Saturday morning using random.org. I will contact that person about the Kindle Fire and then each blog owner with a prize will contact the winner themselves to arrange delivery of said prize. Questions? Contact me at AuthorCassandraCarr AT gmail DOT com.

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Sweet! Now…on to my post for Black Friday…

I'M A COWARD

There. I've confessed. When it comes to Black Friday crowds, I get stresses. Too many people. Too few presents. Too much drama that you see aired later on your local news broadcast.

So how do I handle Black Friday?  Here are some of my survival tips:

1. Whenever possible, shop online. So many places are offering free shipping. Get those goodies online. Save yourself the drama of endlessly searching the parking lot.  Sit in your comfy chair at home, and click quickly for your order.

2. If you have to head out on Black Friday, never shop alone! Take a buddy–a friend can be the perfect aid you need when it comes to finding those perfect bargains.

3. The shoes. Oh, the shoes, baby! Don't go for fashionable when it comes to Black Friday. Go for comfort. Pull out those comfy sneakers because you are about to walk like a mad woman. (Unless, of course, you follow my first survival tip–and shop from home!)

4. Hide your prizes.  When you get to your car to dump out your goods, don't leave them in plain sight. Sadly, there will also be folks out looking to steal on Black Friday. The chaos is the perfect cover for them. So please don't leave your new purchases out where folks can see them. Hide them in your trunk.  Deposit them at your house and then go shopping again.  Just be careful and be alert.

5. Don't let the stress get to you. Long lines make you frustrated? Screaming toddler have you seeing red? (And I'm not talking about Santa's suit!) Then just take a deep breath. Hum a Christmas tune, and remember…you're going through this drama because you want presents for the people that you care about–this is for them.

Happy shopping!!

Cynthia Eden

Thankful.

I am so thankful to all of the fantastic readers who have picked up my books and given my angels, my demons, my vampires, my shifters, my FBI agents (and even my serial killers!) a read. Thank you all so much for the awesome support.  Thank you!!!  Thank you for the emails and the reviews and for spreading such great word of mouth about my stories.  I appreciate you all more than words can say.

So this Thanksgiving, please just know how very thankful I am for each and every one of you.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of those celebrating!!!

(And…psst…to continue my thankfulness–I'm giving away ANGEL OF DARKNESS at the Brava blog. There, I'm listing all the great things I appreciate–readers are at the top of my list!–and asking what you are thankful to have this year. If you get a chance–between traveling, shopping, and holiday craziness–please come by and share.)

Facebook Giveaway–5 ANGEL OF DARKNESS copies

Hi, everyone! The giveaway fun continues! This time, the giveaway is over at my Facebook Fan Page.  Five winners will receive signed ANGEL OF DARKNESS copies. The contest is only open today (ending at midnight), so hurry and enter!  Good luck!

(And thanks to Open Road Media–they always are amazing to help get these giveaways going!)