K.T. Castle's Blog, page 9

November 1, 2017

Special Delivery

Special Delivery
by Judi Lynn

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GENRE

Contemporary Romance

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BLURB

Karli Redding is a traveling nurse. She has a month off between jobs, so when Mill Pond’s mailman, Keagan Monroe, calls to say that her grandfather can’t care for himself anymore, Karli volunteers to go to Mill Pond and help set up suitable health care for him. Axel’s always been a pain in the rear, and age hasn’t improved him. The two bump heads, and Karli ends up cooking and cleaning for the old man while she tries to decide what to do with him. She also finds herself getting more and more attracted to Mill Pond’s mailman. But Keagan’s been through one bad romance and he wants something permanent this time, nothing temporary. Can Karli give up her footloose lifestyle? Can she find happiness in a small town?

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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

His mom arched a brow at Keagan. “We thought Karli should see more of Mill Pond than Axel’s farm, so we invited her over. You should take her to Ralph’s some night for supper. And she should see Harley’s winery, too.”

“I took her to Joel’s brewery.”

“A girl needs to get out more than that. You should give her a grand tour of the whole area.”

Keagan leveled a look at his mom, but she put on an innocent face. Karli decided she liked this woman. He studied his mother a second, then smiled. “I’d better get to it then because she’ll only be here another couple of weeks.”

His mom’s smug look faded. “Is that all?”

Karli nodded.

His mom perked up again. “We’re not that far from Indy. She can always drive back to visit us.”

“To see Axel?” Keagan’s blue eyes sparkled. He was enjoying himself. “I bet she can’t wait.”

His mom’s eyes sparkled, too. She looked irritated. Glancing around the table, she stood to gather dirty plates. “I made a New York cheesecake for dessert. Ready?” Keagan started to get up to help her, but she gave a quick shake of her head. “You’ve helped enough.”

He heard the reprimand in her voice. They all did, so Karli hurried to take his place. So did Marcia. Once in the kitchen, the women quickly rinsed the plates and put them in the dishwasher. His mom looked at Karli and Marcia and shook her head. “There’s no maneuvering that boy into anything. He’s purposely giving me a hard time.”

Karli smiled. “He goes out of his way to keep me at a safe distance. I’ve noticed that.”

His mom cocked her head, curious. “Does he now? Interesting, isn’t it?”

That’s not the word she’d use to describe it. Frustrating, maybe. Challenging. “I’d say he’s warning me off.”

“But why?”

Was that a trick question? “There’s no point in starting something when I’m only here a short while.”

His mom shrugged. “It’s not like he’s found anyone in Mill Pond. Maybe he should expand his horizons.”

He hadn’t found anyone, huh? How long ago had Cecily left? Three years? Any man’s hormones should be feeling deprived after that long.

Marcia huffed. “Quit it, Mom. You don’t even know if Karli wants to spend time with Keagan, and you’re stirring the pot.”

His mom turned to her. “Are you interested in my son?”

Why play games? “I sure am.”

“Serious or not?”

Karli blinked. “I don’t do serious. I like to travel too much.”

His mom’s shoulders sagged. “Oh, well, that’s the end of that then. Keagan’s ready to settle down.” She grabbed the cheesecake and Marcia carried the dessert plates. They returned to the dining room.

Keagan turned a thoughtful stare on his mother. “Satisfied now?”

She sighed. “Eat your cake, then you should still give Karli a tour of the area. She’s earned that. We’ll finish cleaning up.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links

I taught elementary education for six years before I had my two daughters. I have a fondness for kids, so lots of them have been in and out of our house. I have a fondness for cooking, too, which means I fed a lot of them. As much as I love hamburgers and hot dogs, the kids had eclectic tastes, so I collected more and more recipes and cookbooks. Today, food sneaks into my stories, and if I’m lucky, so do children…and strays. I invite most of them in and now have a stray cat who walked through our doors to rule our house, a stray chihuahua who barks at everything, and an adopted parakeet and rat terrier. I also have a very patient husband, or he’d have probably left before now.

My blog | My webpage | My Facebook page | On twitter | Book info

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GIVEAWAY

Judi will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Published on November 01, 2017 02:54

October 31, 2017

Miss Fix It

One handywoman.

One single dad.

One set of twins.

And the wall isn’t the only thing being drilled…

I learned the hard way that being a handywoman isn’t easy. The questions, the stares—the assumption I’m the proud owner of a cock and balls. Not that it matters. I’ve proven over and over that I’m ready for anything the judgmental asses throw at me.

Except the hot, single dad of twins who just moved to town.

Brantley Cooper gets the shock of his life when I show up on his doorstep to fix up his kids’ new rooms. His son is confused why ‘the pretty lady has a drill,’ and his daughter has a new obsession—me.

On paper, my job is easy. Go in, do their bedrooms, and leave.

In theory, I’m spending eight hours a day with a guarded, sexy as hell guy, and I’m staying for dinner more often than I’m eating it alone, on my couch, with Friends re-runs.

I shouldn’t be staying for dinner. I shouldn’t be helping him out with the twins. I shouldn’t be falling in love with tiny toes and dimpled cheeks.

And I most definitely should not be kissing my client.

Oops…

“I swear, messing with me is your new favorite hobby.”

“It is,” he admitted, eyes sparkling. “You’re so easy to mess with, I don’t even have to try.”

I rolled my eyes. “And to think—I let myself be guilt-tripped into this.”

“More fool you. I warned you about her, and you obviously didn’t listen.”

“That’s so not fair. I did listen, I just don’t have freaky skills to avoid the guilt like you do.”

“I don’t avoid the guilt. I pretend.”

“Would you have pretended if you were me, knowing you’d leave a poor guy to be lonely?”

He raised his eyebrows. “I wouldn’t have been lonely. I’d have watched TV with my pants off.”

“You don’t get to use my plans as an excuse,” I scoffed. “And unless your daughter is a master manipulator, you would have been lonely.”

“She’s four. All four-year-olds are master manipulators. If kids came with manuals, that would be the title of the chapter that talks about age four,” he said.

“There are technically manuals. They’re these wonderful, futuristic things called books.”

“None of which are geared toward a single dad,” he pointed out. “The last time I Googled something, I diagnosed Eli with a rare, deadly disease, learned that there are way too many styles of braid for any human being to master, and also found out how to get the kids out of the door by eight and have time to do my make-up.”

I paused. “I can see how that last one would be of use to you. Your mascara looks wonderful today.”

emma

By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies—usually wine—and writes books.

Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.

She likes to be busy—unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.

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Published on October 31, 2017 05:59

October 30, 2017

Hangry

Today we have the blog tour of Hangry by Lily Kate!
Check it out and grab your copy today!

Hangry
by Lily Kate
Genre

Contemporary Romance

About Hangry
han·gry
adjective
informal

bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger.

Ladies & Gents,

I sold my soul for a hamburger.

And I have no regrets. When a girl is trapped indefinitely in an elevator with a smoking hot burger and an empty stomach, even the strongest of women will crumble.

The story goes like this: Bradley Hamilton, the most frustrating human alive, offered me half of his hamburger in exchange for a date. I took him up on the offer—while under duress—and now I’m stuck with the consequences. Specifically, the scorching kiss at the end of our date that has me drooling for more.

However, there’s one whopper of a problem. This man has been a thorn in my side for the last twenty years—ever since he moved next door and became my older brother’s best friend. We’ve gone head to head for years, and now, he’s trying to buy out my restaurant in order to plop one of his big fat gyms there instead.

I refuse to let him ruin my business. Unfortunately, Bradley Hamilton is like an order of french fries: you just can’t have one. It appears our lips are addicted to kissing. He’s alarmingly handsome. Deliciously confident. And worst of all? Underneath that salty exterior he’s starting to show signs of sweet.

Brad Hamilton is my guilty pleasure, my cheat meal, my greatest craving.

Which is why he’ll be one habit that’s hard to kick.

Get Your Copy Today!

Excerpt

I begin dialing on my phone, and thankfully, Bradley follows suit. We both stare at each other across the elevator as we pretend to make calls.

After an extended minute of intense silence, I can’t handle it any longer. His gaze is searing into me, and my temperature is increasing by the second. The scent of his burger is wafting through the air, and I can’t decide what I want more—a rescuer to save the day, or a bite of that fast food.

“Anything?” I ask, desperation clawing at my words. “I’ve got nothing.”

“I’ve got a hamburger.”

Bradley, to my surprise, doesn’t look at all distraught that the elevator is firmly planted between floors. In fact, he leans against the wall, slides down to the floor, and kicks his feet out in front of him.

“Don’t start relaxing! We need to get out of here. If you fall asleep, we might die.”

“How do you figure?”

“I’ll get bored and fall asleep, and then we’ll run out of oxygen.”

“I don’t need to do anything,” he says. “I already worked today, put in my time at the gym, used the restroom and showered. I have my burger—I’ll be good in here for the next five hours.”

“But I won’t!” I ram my fist against the door. “Help, anyone! I’m stuck in here with a lunatic!”

Bradley’s eyebrows inch up, but he merely surveys his burger with a frown when I turn to face him. “Idiots.”

“Excuse me?”

“They forgot the pickles. I specifically asked for extra pickles.”

“Are you really worried about pickles now?” I pound against the door some more, yelling for help and praying someone will hear. Surely there’s a janitor, or a handyman, or one of our fellow tenants that’ll hear the shouting. “Save me!”

“Who are you expecting to swoop in? I think Superman sleeps in on Sundays.”

“At least I’m doing something.”

“I’m doing something, too.” Bradley closes his eyes, takes a bite of the burger, and sighs.

The picture on his face is one of pure bliss, and I want it, too. I want to be just like him—happily munching on a greasy hamburger with not a care in the world.

About Lily Kate

USA TODAY bestselling author Lily Kate works a pretttttty boring day job and writes books filled with heat, heart, and humor by night. Her debut novel, Delivery Girl, landed instantly on the USA TODAY list, thanks to all of her fabulous readers!

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Published on October 30, 2017 09:14

October 24, 2017

Ryder, My Review

Fall in love with seven sexy and irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy, Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin Harber and Samantha Chase. You won’t want to miss a single one!

When Navy pilot Ryder Westbrook is shot down, his only thought is making it home—to the place he left behind a long time ago. But dreaming about the small town of Eagle’s Ridge and going back are two very different things, and upon arrival Ryder finds himself in the middle of another battlefield—an old family feud between the Westbrooks and the Tuckers. To complicate matters, he needs disputed land to start his second career at the local airfield. He decides to enlist the help of beautiful Bailey Tucker, but the chef soon has his senses spinning in another direction…

The last person Bailey is interested in helping is golden boy Ryder Westbrook. After a painful personal betrayal, irresistible attraction to another man, who is probably too good to be true, seems like a terrible idea. But she also needs something from the Westbrooks, a chance to start over and build the restaurant of her dreams.

Ryder and Bailey make a simple plan—work together to get what they both want, but what happens when they find out what they really want is each other?

Don’t miss any of the sexy soldiers!
Ryder (#1) – Barbara Freethy
Adam (#2) – Roxanne St. Claire
Zane (#3) – Christie Ridgway
Wyatt (#4) – Lynn Raye Harris
Jack (#5) – Julia London
Noah (#6) – Cristin Harber
Ford (#7) – Samantha Chase
BUY NOW
iBooks | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Google | Amazon AU | Amazon UK | Amazon Print
Prologue

“We’re hit! We’re hit!”

Navy pilot Ryder Westbrook heard the panicked words of his copilot, Michael Valdez, but he was too busy trying to regain control of the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter to reply. They were coming back from a humanitarian mission—having dropped food, water and medical supplies into the rugged and remote villages of Afghanistan—when they’d taken enemy fire.

They weren’t going to make it back to the carrier in the Persian Gulf. They were going to have to set down somewhere, hopefully far from the rebel forces that had just shot at them.

His heart pounded against his chest, but he remained calm, his training playing through his head as he went through every option to retain control of the twin-engine helicopter.

Flying was in his blood. The helo had always felt like an extension of his own power, but now that power was crumbling, and he was being forcibly reminded of just how fragile life could be.

But he couldn’t quit. There had to be a way out.

Unfortunately, his optimism was dampened by the fact that the ground was getting closer by the second, and his crew was depending on him to get them down safely.

His copilot had a wife and a baby back in the States. Colin Forbes, the sensor operator, was getting married in a month. And he…well, he still had things he wanted to do.

He had to keep them all alive.

Searching the ground for a viable landing site, he spotted what appeared to be a flat, open rural area. Not only did he want to protect his crew, he didn’t want to hurt anyone on the ground.

Glancing over at Michael, he saw his friend making the sign of the cross.

“We’re not going to die,” he said emphatically, drawing Michael’s gaze to his. “Not today. Not this time.”

He could see the hope in Michael’s eyes. His friend wanted to believe him.

Hell, he wanted to believe himself.

He’d been in tight spots before, and he’d always come out on top. It had been that way his entire life. Growing up in Eagle’s Ridge, he’d been the golden boy—the one who set new records, who made things happen, who achieved whatever he went after.

But this was real life. This was happening now, and he was the only one who could save all their lives.

In ten years of naval service, he’d never encountered a situation exactly like this. He’d never felt so worried that his number might really be up.

He shook the negative thought out of his head, squaring his jaw, tightening his hand on the

controls, as he rode the bird down to the ground.

The impact was harder than he’d expected, the helicopter shattering into pieces of fiery metal. And when everything went black, he fought against the idea that this might be it.

He had more he wanted to do, people he should have made peace with a long time ago, a home that beckoned to him—the Blue Mountains, the Snake River, the people of Eagle’s Ridge—a life still to be lived.

He needed more time… He just didn’t know if he was going to get it.

About the Author

Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 60 novels ranging from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and women’s fiction. Traditionally published for many years, Barbara opened Fog City Publishing in 2011 and has since sold over 7 million books! Twenty-three of her titles have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists, including one title, SUMMER SECRETS, which hit #1 on the NYT. In 2014 Barbara was named the Amazon KDP Bestselling Author of all time! She was also the first Indie writer to sell over a million books on Barnes and Noble.

Known for her emotional and compelling stories of love, family, romance and suspense, Barbara is a six-time finalist and two-time winner in the Romance Writers of America acclaimed RITA contest for her novels DANIEL’S GIFT and THE WAY BACK HOME.

For more information, visit her website at www.barbarafreethy.com

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | YOUTUBE | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
My Review

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Ryder Westbrook is a Navy pilot that has had enough excitement in his professional career. After facing a series of unfortunate situations in the Navy, he decides to go back home and face some different kind of challenge, making his family his priority by uniting them all. As he decides the best way to solve his family’s issues, Ryder concentrates of finding the perfect career path back in his hometown. He wants to improve the airport of the city to be able to provide a better service, both for tourism and the city… search, rescue and firefighting support. The only issue in his way to success is that the land he requires to make the expansion is owned by a family that has a feud with his, the Tuckers. So, he reaches out to the only person that might be able to help him.

“You don’t need the Tuckers to be successful. The Westbrooks make their own way.”

Bailey Tucker is a great chef that dreamed about being successful outside her home town. She studied to become the culinary expert she now is, both in the US and abroad. But everything shattered for her in a blink of an eye─both her professional and personal life─when her boss and lover blames her for the food poisoning that happened on opening night of one of his restaurant. Hurt and betrayed by the person she loved the most, she returns home to run away from her life and find some peace of mind, making it her priority to asses her life and what her next step is going to be. She knows staying in her small hometown is not an option, but her plans might change the moment that Ryder reaches out for help.

It was possible that she might have had a tiny crush on him when she was younger─really tiny─barely there.

Bailey and Ryder are immediately drawn to each other, but the feud between their families is stronger than any attraction they might feel. For better or worse they work together, knowing that the airport expansion will benefit local businesses, including those of the Tucker family. But the stubbornness between the patriarch of the families is strong, including Bailey’s (who is the only one that might convince her grandfather of selling the land Ryder needs). Regardless of their differences, Bailey and Ryder start working together to achieve their goal, and little by little they start falling in love.

“I don’t know what I’m doing with my life, Ryder. Everything is up in the air, and I don’t want to start something I can’t finish.” Her words made a lot of sense, but they weren’t ones he wanted to hear. “I get that, but I think we’ve already started, Baily.”

It’s very interesting how this couple managed to unite their families through their mutual support and love. At the end of the story both Bailey and Ryder solve their professional life difficulties and manage to let love in. The story is sweet and Ryder is a total hunk. I also love how caring Bailey is and how she has strong beliefs and a big heart. It’s a book that is easy to read and has a plot that keeps you interested. I recommend this story to all contemporary romance lovers.

“You’ll find a way to trust again─when it’s the right person. You’ll know what to look for. You’ll know if you’re seeing them for who they are or who you want them to be. And I’m not sure that it’s other people who are wearing the mask. Sometimes, I think it’s us. We see what we want to see, what we need to see.”

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Published on October 24, 2017 06:48

October 23, 2017

Hard Wood

From #1 NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a hot and hilarious standalone romance about what happens when you have one week to convince your best friend’s little sister that you’re the one for her. What could possibly go wrong? It looks like things are about to get hard in the woods…Don’t miss the laugh-out-loud and insanely hot story,
HARD WOOD!
Now available on all retailers!
Grab your copy today, and get HARD WOOD in your hands!

✮✮✮ HARD WOOD is here! Grab your copy today! ✮✮✮

From #1 NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely comes a hot & hilarious new standalone romantic comedy…

Women often say a good man is hard to find. And a hard man is even better.

That’s why I’m quite a catch– good, hard, loaded, and wait for it…I’m ready to settle down too. But the woman I want to pitch my tent with lives clear across the country. Neither of us wants to get lost in those woods. All I have to do is resist her for the week she’s in town.

I try. I swear I try. But yeah, that doesn’t work out.

And after one fantastic night with my good friend Mia, I’m ready to give her years of nights under the stars. What’s a few thousand miles when love’s involved? But there’s a hitch in my plans — she just hired my adventure tour company. If there’s one thing I’m committed to, it’s running a squeaky clean business. Number one on my list of iron-clad rules?

Don’t screw your customers.

But what’s a guy to do when she’s so hard to resist? How hard can it be to keep our hands off each other for a quick group tour down the hills and over the trails? I’m about to find out, and I have a feeling I’m going to need a new badge of honor because things are about to get very hard in the woods.

You can find this sexy standalone romantic comedy available across all retailers now!

✦ Kindle US ✦ Kindle UK ✦ Kindle CA ✦
✦ Kindle AU ✦ iBooks ✦ Kobo ✦ Nook ✦ Google Play ✦
✦ Amazon PB ✦ Amazon Audio ✦ Audible ✦

✦ The audiobook is narrated by Sebastian York! Get your copy today! ✦

Audible * Amazon Audio

“Hard Wood is the kind of heart-racing, hope soaring, face-flushing love story that I love to read! It was sexy, romantic, funny and an absolute pleasure to read.”

~Red Cheeks Reads

Excerpt

I haven’t seen Mia in almost a month, since the last time she was in town staying with Max. I didn’t realize she’d be back a full week before her other brother Chase’s wedding, and am I ever glad to see her again.

She makes all parts of me quite happy indeed.

By happy, I mean hard as a rock.

Okay, fine. It’s not like I’m operating at full power this second. I’m thirty-three, not fifteen. I have plenty of self-control in the “when and where to pitch a tent” arena. All I’m saying is this woman gets me going, and I feel that zip down my body when I see her.

She’s on the phone, her eyebrows pinched, her expression harried. She drags her hand through her caramel-blond hair. As I walk closer, I hear her say, “I understand. Yes, I understand. Things happen.”

And that’s the sound of someone being disappointed.

Which is a terrible thing for this sexy-as-a-fiery-sunset woman to experience.

When she stops and ends her call, she spots me. She tilts her head, her eyes piercing, her brow furrowed, and her dimples killing me with cuteness. Her eyes roam from me to Zeus, and then she points at my boy. “I don’t know if anyone has told you this . . .”

I raise my eyebrows. “Tell me. What could it possibly be?”

Her eyes drift to the ground then back up. In a deadpan tone, she says, “But there’s a cat in your hat? Well, on your back, actually.”

“There is?” I crane my neck to peer over my shoulder. “You’re right. How did he get there?”

She parks her hands on her hips. “You’re in big trouble.”

“I’ve been bad, have I?”

She pushes my shoulder then wags her finger at me. “How did you keep this from me?”

I quirk an eyebrow. “The fact that there’s an awesome new Italian place down the street? It opened last month, and I planned to tell you.”

She huffs, rolling her eyes. “I’ve known you for months and you didn’t tell me you had a cat. Friends don’t hide pets from friends.”

She’s not in town that often. She hasn’t ever been to my apartment. And I don’t take Zeus upstairs to Max’s. But I’m not going to state the obvious. I’m going to have a little fun with her. Flirt with her. Because . . . that’s what we do.

“There’s a reason for that.”

Her eyes go wide, and she taps her toe, waiting. I drag a hand through my hair. Evie says my light brown hair is floppy, and she tells me this is a good thing. The ladies love floppy hair, she says. She’s been right so far. My hair’s been a big hit with the ladies, and other parts have, too.

“It’s a good reason,” I add.

“I’m waiting, Patrick. This really isn’t the type of intel you should hold back.”

I heave a sigh as if I’m going to make a huge admission, then I park a hand on her shoulder. Because, well, I’m a sneaky bastard and I’ll look for any opening to touch her. “Look, I’m going to be blunt. If I told you I had a hiking cat who rides shotgun in a backpack and can purr like he’s a jazz superstar, you’d have had no choice but to fall in love with me.”

“HARD WOOD was such an adorable love story! A hot guy and his famous cat looking for their happily ever after … Perfect #RomCom!”

~Bianca at BJ’s Book Blog

“I never fail to fall in love with Lauren Blakely’s stories. Hard Wood is a swoony romance that will warm your heart and possibly other body parts.”

~Peggy Lee, Reading Keeps Me Sane Book Blog

Add it to Goodreads here!

http://bit.ly/2uAoPJW

And don’t miss Lauren Blakely’s other standalone Romantic Comedies!
BIG ROCK

MISTER O

WELL HUNG

FULL PACKAGE

JOY RIDE

✮✮✮ Enter to win this amazing HARD WOOD GIVEAWAY! ✮✮✮

The HARD WOOD Urban Adventure Pack ($380 value) is filled with:

A stylish Michael Kors backpack for when a purse is not enough for your shopping adventture
$50 Gift Card to The Body Shop to pamper yourself after a long day
Your very own plush Zeus to snuggle with
A Smores Making Kit for a backyard adventure

http://laurenblakely.com/hard-wood-giveaway/
About Lauren Blakely

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October, she’ll release HARD WOOD, the final standalone romantic comedy in the Big Rock series. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

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Published on October 23, 2017 06:33

October 21, 2017

Someone Like You

Today I have the blog tour for Someone Like You by Brittney Sahin!
Check it out and grab your copy today!

Someone Like You
by Brittney Sahin
Contemporary Romance
About Someone Like You:
He was a nameless guy in a bar–a man Grace couldn’t get out of her head…

A week later, she came home to find him sweaty and shirtless with a tape measure in hand, remodeling her loft. As a Parker-King, she’s not allowed to want someone like Noah Dalton. She’s sick of her life, though. Sick of the rules of being a Parker-King. She wants something more, even if it isn’t forever. Somewhere in history there was that one time where hot, no-strings-attached sex didn’t end badly, right? Finding comfort in the arms of a former SEAL is easy, not falling for one . . . not so much.

Noah left the military and moved to New York for one reason: his daughter. Not for some uptight businesswoman–a Manhattan elitist. So when Grace offers him the kind of relationship that no hot-

blooded man can turn down, he should say no. And when her seemingly put-together life spins out of control, and his instincts to protect and save kick in, he should turn away. But he doesn’t.

Can two people from different worlds really live in the moment, knowing they’re on borrowed time, or is someone bound to get hurt?

Get Your Copy Today
Amazon Universal ~ iBooks ~ Nook ~ Google Play ~ Kobo

About the Author

Brittney Sahin began writing at an early age, with the dream to be a published author before the age of 18. Although academic pursuits (and, later, a teaching career) interrupted her aspirations, she never stopped writing—never stopped imagining.

It wasn’t until her students encouraged her to follow her dreams that Brittney said goodbye to Upstate New York in order to start a new adventure in the place she was raised: Charlotte, North Carolina. Here, she decided to take her students’ advice and begin to write again.

In 2015, she published her first novel, The Safe Bet. When she is not working on upcoming novels, she spends time with her family. She is a proud mother of two boys and a lover of novels, coffee, and the outdoors.

A splash of light shines beneath the door at the end of the hall. I swear I didn’t leave anything on this morning.

I touch the knob, a slight tremble moving down my arm and to my hand as I think back to the hotel in Greece.

My stomach tightens and burns, and my pulse skates to a faster speed. I slowly twist the handle, but my mind is protesting, begging me to run. My body is stiff and my muscles taut.

Run!

I should’ve run that night in Athens. Why’d I open that door? Why am I opening this one?

I inhale a deep breath, holding it—and it’s like the air in the room cocoons me and I can’t exhale.

I’m expecting the worst. Athens, part two. Another incident.

But once the door is wide-open, I see a man crouched over a wooden beam on the floor, a tape measurer in hand. The guy’s shirtless. His tanned, muscled back has a slight sheen of sweat down his spine.

He’s got to be part of the new remodel team I hired last weekend.

I bring a hand to my chest and try to calm down. To get my mind off Greece and back in New York.

“Who the hell are you?”

He’s a carpenter, right? I just want confirmation.

My hand goes inside my purse, and I search for my phone just in case I need to call the cops.

The man releases his tape measure and it retracts and snaps, falling with a thud to the floor. He slowly lifts his hands as if he can actually see me and I have a gun on him.

He rises to his feet. “Sorry. I work for Bella. She gave me the key.” He turns toward me.

My lungs deflate as if they’ve been poked with a needle, and I’m losing oxygen fast. It’s not because of Athens.

It’s because it’s…him.

Military Guy. Unless I’m wrong about him being military.

I’m never wrong.

“You.” His brows pull together and his hands fall to his sides.

I remove my hand from my purse and drop the bag to the floor. I’m more comfortable now that I know the shirtless guy isn’t some psychopath but in fact a construction worker.

But it’s the hot guy from the bar, which is still pretty damn bad.

“You’re Grace? I wasn’t expecting—”

“And what were you expecting?” I fold my arms and remain standing just inside the living area. He’s near the wall of windows overlooking the city on the other side of the room.

“I guess I pictured Grace as someone twice your age with a lot of cats.” A sheepish grin sweeps across his face.

I open my palms and glance to the left then right. “Do you see any cats?”

His smile deepens.

“And does my name sound old?” Maybe it does. The hyphen doesn’t help.

“Well, I don’t think that anymore. Now looking at you—Grace fits.”

I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean, and I don’t bother to ask. I blink and try to figure out what the hell is going on.

“Are you stalking me?” I ask instead, though I know this must be crazy stupid luck that he’s now remodeling my loft. Of the millions of people in the city…

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Published on October 21, 2017 07:00

October 20, 2017

Ten Year Dance, blog tour

After having Ara Grigorian’s for the launch of Ten Year Dance, I couldn’t miss the chance to be part of his tour!

Do you have your copy yet? Read the excerpts that he shared with you through my blog and you’ll be absolutely certain this is a book you can’t miss.

Ten Year Dance
by Ara Grigorian
Genre

Contemporary Romance

About Ten Year Dance

Best friends since sixth grade. A ten-year high school reunion. A truth they’ve danced around for a decade.

Unlucky-in-love Sophie Perez knows her divorce won’t be easy—but she doesn’t expect it to be dangerous. So when things get ugly, she agrees to move in with Pete Nicos, her commitment-phobic best friend since childhood. Pete has always been there for Sophie, just like she’s been there for him. At first, taking her in seems like the best option, but soon her tantalizing proximity blurs the lines of friendship. With their high school reunion on the horizon will they find closure, forgiveness, and new beginnings?

Ten Year Dance is a contemporary love story, rich with engaging and relatable characters trying to find themselves and each other. Ara Grigorian’s latest will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Armenian by heritage, born in Iran, lived in Barcelona, and escaped New York until he found his home in Los Angeles, Ara’s first eleven years were both busy and confusing. The fruit salad of languages would slow down his genetically encoded need to tell stories. Until then, an alter ego would be required…

He received an engineering degree from California State University Northridge and earned his MBA from the University of Southern California. Today, he is a technology executive in the entertainment industry. True to the Hollywood life, Ara wrote for a children’s television pilot that could have made him rich (but didn’t) and nearly sold a video game to a major publisher (who closed shop days later).

But something was amiss until his wife read him the riot act. “Will you stop talking about wanting to be a writer and just do it?” So with her support (and mandate), and their two boys serving as his muse, he wrote stories.

Fascinated by the human species, Ara writes about choices, relationships, and second chances. Always a sucker for a hopeful ending, he writes contemporary romance stories. He is an alumnus of both the Santa Barbara Writers Conference and Southern California Writers’ Conference (where he also serves as a workshop leader). Ara is an active member of the Romance Writers of America and its Los Angeles chapter.

Ara is represented by Stacey Donaghy.

Follow him on Social Media
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Another Excerpt

Nine
— Pete —

Today – Ten Years Later

OUR FOOD ARRIVES.

“Hi Pete,” the waitress says.

“Hey,” I say, unable to remember her name. “I love what you’ve done with your hair.”

She blushes. “Thanks.” She places my plate in front of me and practically drops Sophie’s.

She strolls away as I grab the Gyro sandwich, prepared to devour it.

“Hi Pete,” Sophie says in a low nasally voice. “You like my hairdo?”

I grin. “Are you jealous or something?”

She squints. “Homeboy, please! At least don’t make me gag right before I eat.” She stops talking then tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I will give you this: you may not believe in love, but at least you’ve always been faithful to whoever you’ve been with.”

I’m at a loss. How could Seth have cheated on her? She’s perfect and he’s flawed on a good day.

“Forget Seth,” I say. “He never deserved you.”

“Anyway,” she says and smiles with effort. “I’m famished.”

Good. Let’s move on from that topic. I raise my Gyro again.

“I assume you heard about the ten-year reunion?” Sophie asks.

My Gyro freezes mid-ascension. Tzatziki sauce drips onto the paper plate. “Who’s having a reunion?”

“Our high school class. Who else?” She picks up a Kalamata olive and pops it in her mouth like popcorn. “In May,” she says then licks her fingertips.

“Has it been ten years already?”

“Funny how math works like that.” She lifts the chicken kebob sandwich and studies it for a moment before sinking her teeth into the toasted baguette. She chews slowly while I try to reconcile

this information.

“Back when we were at Hancock Prep,” she says, “I used to picture going to the tenth reunion all decked out, stepping out of a Porsche with Prince Charming at my side. I never thought ten years would go by so quickly.”

“And with so little to show for.”

She shrugs. “Yeah, well. There’s that, too.” Silence. “I can’t believe I’m getting a divorce,” she whispers. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

“How was it supposed to be?”

“Fall in love. Stay in love. Respect. Be respected.”

I lower the sandwich. “Maybe what you’re going through is the new normal. Maybe I’ve been right after all. Love is another lie we’ve been sold.”

“I can’t believe that.”

“No? Then why is it so hard for so many people to find a meaningful relationship? I know I’m not the only one. And what you’re going through—hate to say it—but it was only a matter of time. Fifty-fifty chance of a divorce for all couples. That’s a fact.”

She leans forward. “Maybe because people don’t marry the right person. Maybe they pick poorly.”

I grin. “Are you going to get on your soapbox about ‘the one’ concept?”

“Why not? Why is that so impossible to believe?”

“You and Yiayia… at least she’s eighty. What’s your excuse? God has not pre-selected ‘the one’ that was meant for me. And even if I bought the theory, where is she?”

She shrugs, pops another olive in her mouth. “You probably screwed up and lost your chance.” Her face twists in a pout. “And I guess I did, too.”

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Published on October 20, 2017 06:51

October 19, 2017

At Last in Laguna

Hello, everyone!

I’m very excited to have Claire visit again. Her series Finding Forever in Laguna is great and so are the guest post that she writes. Last time, when she visited to promote Second Chance in Laguna, she shared with us a great post about How to Achieve Wellness Through the Storm (make sure to visit and read my review and her post). This time around she’s promoting her second book and wrote about How Yoga an Meditation Can Enhance Your Writing. Make sure to scroll down to the very bottom to read the whole post and participate in her giveaway.

At Last in Laguna
by Claire Marti

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GENRE

Contemporary Romance

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BLURB

Alyssa Morgan has secretly been in love with her older brother Nick’s best friend, Brandt Dempsey, since she was an awkward, lonely teenager. When she catches the bouquet at Nick’s wedding, she throws caution to the wind and propositions Brandt to a two-week fling. He’s tried to ignore how Alyssa has blossomed into a strong, talented, gorgeous woman because as his best friend’s baby sister, she’s off limits. After they share a mind-blowing kiss, Brandt struggles to fight their undeniable chemistry. His tragic childhood scarred him, but he pushes it deep inside, only allowing the world to see a wealthy, carefree entrepreneur. Forced to work together on Brandt’s latest charitable venture, Brandt and Alyssa’s passion cannot be denied. Alyssa knows he’s the one. Can she convince him they belong together?

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EXCERPT

She’d give him the cold shoulder if it killed her.

And it just might.

He’d rejected her, so why was he opening doors, hovering, and acting like a pest? Practically breathing down her neck. She could swear he’d sniffed her. Sniffed her. He couldn’t conceal his awareness. If he were so attracted to her, he would’ve agreed to her proposition, right? Since he’d shot her down in flames, he could at least have the decency to ignore her today. Rude,infuriating man.

Inhaling a deep cleansing breath, she forced herself to concentrate on the center. Sunlight streamed through the abundance of windows and along with the high ceilings imparted a feeling of freedom and space, perfect for the planned occupants. Because they’d decided to wait to obtain her input for the more specific room layout, the building’s interior remained a shell. She’d add to her brother’s amazing design and ensure Tearmann House’s beauty and serenity.

Serenity. What a concept. Ha.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links

[image error]Claire Marti started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.

Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga. At Last in Laguna is the second book in her Finding Forever in Laguna series from The Wild Rose Press.

Claire Marti will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Here’s Claire’s amazing post. Don’t forget to take a look at her previous guest post, How to Achieve Wellness Through the Storm, it’s awesome!!

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BETTER YOUR LIFE
HOW TO ENHANCE YOUR WRITING
THROUGH YOGA AND MEDITATION
By Claire Marti

You can improve your writing by focusing on your physical, mental, and emotional health through yoga and meditation. I can’t guarantee that adding yoga to your schedule will launch you to the top of the NY Times Bestseller list, but I believe that you will be able to sit still, focus, and get into your writing “zone” on a more consistent basis.

[image error]As a yoga teacher and a writer, I’ve seen first hand how yoga can help a diverse range of conditions. From yoga for competitive athletes to yoga for those with life-threatening illnesses, I am confident that yoga can help anyone. When I went through breast cancer in 2010, yoga and meditation fueled my journey back to radiant health. Writers can tap into this mind-body practice too.

The practice of yoga is designed to strengthen and open up the body to enable you to sit for prolonged periods of time to meditate without getting distracted by physical aches and pains. Just as the physical yoga postures can prepare us for meditation, they can also prepare us to sit down to create the next The Sun Also Rises or Pride and Prejudice.

Our body, mind, and spirit are linked. When we feel better physically, it impacts our minds and our hearts. I don’t know about you, but after I sit at the computer for a while, my back is stiff as a board, my shoulders are tight, my neck might feel strained and my eyes could be blurry. A few simple yoga postures can help you remain pain-free and flexible.

[image error]The definition of yoga outlined in the Yoga Sutras, is to learn to direct the attention of your mind, to control the wanderings and focus on what you choose. Imagine if you could turn off those to-do lists and other distractions and actually immerse yourself into your fictional world long enough to tap out that masterpiece?

Often, when I sit down to write, I often fidget and am challenged to remain still. Once my body settles, the “monkey mind” pops up and my mind races off in a million directions, attempting to escape from actually doing the work! Grocery shop! Work out! Feed the cats! Check Twitter! Yoga can help you focus and get into the zone.

Yoga addresses feelings of depression, anger, anxiety, and general stress. It’s often said yoga is the practice of learning to feel happy despite what’s happening in the external world. We all need that.

[image error]Another integral part of yoga is Pranayama or breath control. The way we breathe impacts how we feel. For example, by extending your exhales, you can tap into your parasympathetic nervous system or relaxation response. You can also heat up, cool off, and energize yourself.

Writing is hard. If it were easy, everyone would write a book. In addition to talent, you need resolve, dedication, commitment, and intention. Direct some attention to your physical health, your mental clarity, and your emotional well being, and experience the benefits for your writing process. With only a small amount of time and effort, you’ll be able to comfortably sit longer, hone your focus, and improve your mood. Oh yes, and write that NY Times Bestseller!

If you’d like to try a free fifteen-minute yoga class, I designed specifically for writers, Yoga Break for Writer’s Block, please follow the link.

I know I’ll be participating in the Yoga session, how about you? Make sure to leave a comment and share this wonderful post.

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Published on October 19, 2017 00:55

October 17, 2017

Dignity Review

I have the review for Dignity by Jay Crownover. You know I love everything she right, or do I? Scroll down and find out what my thoughts are in this new book in The Point.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jay Crownover returns with the second title in her romantic suspense series, The Breaking Point, DIGNITY.
Check out the excerpt below and grab your copy today!

About DIGNITY

Looks can be deceiving.

I knew that most people took one look at the ink and the impossibly big and strong body it covered and decided I was a brawler…a bruiser…a beast. However, I was hardwired to be a thinker, not a fighter.

I should have chosen to use my brain and talents to be one of the good guys, a hero, a man with dignity and worth.

I turned my back on dignity and sold my soul to the highest bidder, deciding to dance with the devil, instead.

I couldn’t figure out how to help myself, so there was zero chance I knew how to save someone else.

That someone else was Noe Lee. She was the unkempt, unruly thief who was just as smart as I was and twice as street savvy. She was annoyingly adorable beneath the dirt and grime, and she was in trouble. In way over her head, I told myself it wasn’t my job to keep her from drowning. In the Point, it was sink or swim, and I wasn’t the designated lifeguard on duty.

I shut the door in her face, but now she’s gone…vanished…disappeared without a trace. It took less than a second for me to realize that I wanted her back.

When a woman comes along that melts all the frozen, hard things you’re made of; you’ll do anything you have to, to bring her home.

What you see is not always what you get…and with a man like me, what you get is more than anyone ever bargained for.

DIGNITY is now available! Grab your copy today!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Audible

Add to your Goodreads

Read my Review

First of all I have to make a confession, of all of Jay’s universes The Point is my least favorite one. Why? Because it’s probably too real to me. I live in a city that’s the constant battleground for the cartels. Just today We had three shootings. It’s not nice, but so very true. So reading about a city that has similar issues to the ones my city lives day in and day out is not exactly relaxing to me. I might as well read the newspaper or talk to my neighbors about their day. So why do I read them, you ask… well, because it’s freaking Jay Crownover. And I have to read everything she writes. As simple as that.

So it was a super big surprise when, my oh my, I LOVED the book. Honestly, I had so many reserves about the setting of the book, and the story that it might have that I didn’t think I was going to like it that much. I always like everything Jay writes, but this book surpassed completely my expectations.

It wasn’t fair that he was ridiculously hot on top of being the smartest guy I had ever encountered, willingly or not. I didn’t want to like him and I really, really didn’t want to need him.

O.M.G. Where to begin with Snowden Stark? He’s the whole package. As the quote mentions: he’s hot, he’s smart, he’s wild… he’s probably a perfect package (literally). Maybe it’s because he’s a total nerd, and I have a weak spot for them, maybe it’s because he’s so damn perfect, and he tries to make the best for everyone out of the situation… and may I add that he doesn’t exactly has it easy.

I told her that her brain was sexy and I wasn’t lying. It was the first thing I noticed about her. Intelligence was the only thing that ever really caught my attention and held it.

That’s why I hated emotions and feelings. There was no logic in any of it. None of it made any sense.

Noe Lee is probably made to fit Stark perfectly. I didn’t hate her because she was able to steal his heart (after she stole everything of value in his house, that is), I admire her because she is a perfect match. The girls is Jay’s books aren’t empty vessels decorated by beauty. They have a voice and they use it. They have a purpose that isn’t simply decoration. They aren’t damsels in distress that need a savior and comfort. Noe has the body and the brains. And I adore that her origins are unique and define the person that she is, I like even more that she doesn’t use them as an excuse and hide behind them, but that she’s in a way empowered by them to move forward. Even if sometimes moving forward can get you in the least pleasant place.

He still worked for men who did bad things, sometimes for the right reasons, but more often because that was the only way things went down in the Point.

Living in a place like The Point, it’s no wonder an intelligent, beautiful woman soon got into a lot of trouble. Noe takes a chance and asks Stark for his help… but after the stunt she made on in before their story began, it’s only natural he decides that it’s not his business to help her out. Until she went missing and Stark realizes he made a mistake.

We get to see characters from other stories by Jay, some from Welcome to The Point, from Avenged and surely from the first book of The Point series, Honor.

“One lesson I’ve learned and learned well is that there cannot be heroes without villains. You have to have one in order to appreciate the qualities in the other.” Nassir’s words rang oddly true.

As all of Jay’s books, Dignity has action, plotting and lots of romance. I’m never disappointed from one of her books… that’s why I keep reading everything she writes, reading something by Jay Crownover will always make my find my new favorite book.

There was no finesse to it, no plan or thought. I was operating on nothing more than feeling and sensation. It was the only time my mind went quiet and let my body and my heart take charge. It was the only time I felt normal.

If you haven’t read any of her books, I honestly don’t know what you’re waiting for. Dignity was a delight to read and I encourage you to read it too. The best part of all, if that all of her books are standalones, so there’ no worries where you start… but please, make yourself a favor and get one of her books to read.

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And don’t miss the first standalone title in The Breaking Point series, HONOR!
Grab your copy today!

Participate in the Giveaway!

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About Jay Crownover

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, the Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

I have many other post about Jay’s books, because as I mentioned she’s one of my favorite authors. So go ahead and write her name in the search box in my blog. But, to make things a little bit easy for you, go ahead and read my reviews on Avenged and Salvaged.

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Published on October 17, 2017 08:02

Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek
by Desiree Holt

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GENRE

Romantic Suspense

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BLURB

Anything can happen when you let your guard down . . .

After receiving a violent threat on the heels of her father’s disappearance from the town of Arrowhead Bay, Devon Cole fears for her life—until Vigilance, a local private security agency, steps in to shield her from danger. Although she isn’t usually quick to surrender her freedom, she has no problem stripping her defenses for her new sexy bodyguard . . .

Tortured by the painful memory of lost love, Logan Malik is determined not to fall for a client again. So when he’s tasked with watching over Devon day and night, he’s focused on doing his job. Day is no problem, but as tensions rise at night, nothing can protect them from giving in to unbridled passion . . .

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EXCERPT

“Your father is missing.”

Devon Cole tightened her grip on her cell phone and tried to make sense of what Sheridan March had just told her, as fear swept through her. Maybe she hadn’t heard right.

“What do you mean, missing?”

“The Coast Guard found the Princess Devyn drifting five miles off shore early this morning,” the Arrowhead Bay Chief of Police explained. “But there’s no sign of him anywhere. And no clue to anything in the house. We went through every inch of it. The alarm was fried, probably needs to be replaced, but otherwise the place was clean as a whistle.”

Devon clutched the phone. “Was there anything on the boat? Something he might have had with him that could give us a clue?”

“Nada.”

“Where’s the boat now. Would the Coast Guard hold onto it?”

“In its slip at the Bayside Marina. After the Guard went over every inch of it they had one of the men on the cutter bring it back in and berth it. I have the keys.”

Devon swallowed to ease the tightness in her throat. “When was the last time anyone saw him?”

Read my review of this exciting book soon!

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AUTHOR Bio and Links

[image error]Desiree Holt is the world’s oldest living published author of erotic and spicy romance. A graduate of the University of Michigan with double majors in English and History, her earlier careers include agent and manager in the music industry, public television, associate vice-president of university advancement, public relations, and economic development.

She is three times a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award (and a winner in 2014), a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award winner for best BDSM book of the year, a USA Today Bestselling author and winner of the Holt Medallion for Excellence in Romance Literature.

She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The (London) Daily Mail, The New Delhi Times, The Huffington Post and numerous other national and international publications. She is also the Authors After Dark 2014 Author of the Year.