Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 105

Review: ROMANCE QUICKIES: ENCOUNTERS 1 – 6 by Monique DuBois

The bet: to see who could have themost one-night stands in a month. The chance to bed the sexiest men and thechance to win $10K. Seven friends, all single women that worked hard andenjoyed sex. The bet was on and the rules were made. Here’s to a month of hotsex.

 

Encounter 1: Ella, the cupcakebaker, gets sweet with a sexy copy…in the cupcake store.

 

Encounter 2: Brooke was in for awild ride on the subway home.

 

Stories were quick, hot, and sexy!At times, the stories can lag a bit, but they quickly pick up again with somenaughty fun. Ella’s and Brooke’s encounters were straightforward. It actuallydoesn’t get better—more involved and personal—until Encounter 3 with Malia,which had suspense, action, and fear with the gang attack in the park.

 

Encounter 3: Malia and arendezvous with a bad boy ex-con…in a dangerous public park. Unfortunately, thedanger results in an attack. And what a turn-on it was!

 

Encounter 4: Shae has never beenable to love someone as much as the man she lost. Not even her booty call,Jack, could claim her heart. But that didn’t mean she still couldn’t have funwith him.

 

Encounter 5: Twins that liked toshare everything…even men. This wasn’t quite the sharing experience, but it wasgood for each of them nonetheless. Too bad we didn’t get to see what happenedwhen they get caught together naked in the hospital room.

 

Encounter 6: Nicole, a big-shotattorney, just lost her first case and needed to take out her aggressions on aman…in bed.

 

“Through the male species, whichhad caused so much pain in her family, she was going to create a better futurefor women.” Sweet poetic justice.

 

The girls all had goodreasons—some even selfless reasons—to win the money. Who will win the bet? Willany of the women fall in love along the way? Only one way to find out. Awonderfully addicting read. Can’t wait for more of this sexy series!

 

Rating:5 stars

Review: IDAHO IDOL by Ann Omasta and Callie Love

A stewardess and a rock star.

For a brief chapter, she sees thedown-to-earth gentleman he was behind the rock star persona and wonders if shecould possibly have something with him. But then a scandal hits: someone wasaccusing the rock star of sexual assault. Why would a celebrity need to do thatwhen they could easily hook-up for free? Will all the man-hating accusationstear the couple apart before they even have a chance?

Then a story gets leaked out tothe group of accusers. Oh no! Things get worse. What was up with those lyingwomen? They have nothing better to do than ruin the reputation and career of acelebrity?

A good story!

 

Rating:4 stars

Review: COMFORTING SISTER-IN-LAW by Martin Strong (erotic manga)

Man in love with this brother’swife. Of course, he fantasizes about her a lot. Instead, he begins a thing witha yoga instructor. Talk about explosive sex! Wow! But what happens when a drunksister-in-law mistakes the wrong brother for her husband? Oh no! Or…oh yeah!?And that’s when it starts. Such erotic and hot scenes! What happens when thingswith the sister-in-law go too far? Good drama and good sex.

Two brothers. One girl. And anaffair that just keeps on going. Too, too good! Which one will she choose?

On top of all this, the guy wascaught in affairs with not jus the sister-in-law, but also his employee and theyoga instructor. Oh wow! What’s he gonna do?

This whole thing gets very complicatedand messy. Although there wasn’t really an ending—something I would’veappreciated with all this good drama—this was still a sensual and seductiveread. Who exactly was getting all the comfort here?

A sexy read!

 

Rating:4 stars

Review: CAPTIVATING BALLET CLASS MISUNDERSTANDING (erotic manga)

A guy in aballet class full of girls. Gee, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why.All the girls were just so beautiful, curvy, and busty. Hey, the guy’s onlyhuman, right? 

I liked thelovely dance motion in the art. The girls all torture him with their bodies andthe guys give him a tough time about it.

One day, theguy wakes up and finds a pair of girl’s underwear in his room. What the...? Andcould the mystery girl be that tough chick from his dance class? I just lovedthe funny awkwardness of the guy. Poor guy ends up being taken advantage of bya girl and he didn’t even remember it. Man, what a jip! That’s certainly notgoing to be the second time around. But it turns out the whole thing was amisunderstanding. Oh, awkward!

A good readabout love!

 

Rating:4 stars

Review: THE UNEXPECTED ROOMMATE (erotic manga)

A college boy had a girl for aroommate. Yeah, that wouldn’t be awkward. Things were kinda confusing in thisone. I couldn’t keep the names straight so I kept forgetting who was who. Ithink the guy hooks up once…but we’re not sure. Eh, not great.

 

Rating:2 stars

Review: SILENT NIGHTS AT THE MART (erotic manga)

Former rich boy needs a job.Perhaps working at a mart with lots of girls might not be too bad. Well, therewas just one really hot girl—his co-worker. Did one drunken night at a motellead to sex? If only he could remember. Of course, things at work become moreawkward between the two co-workers. We don’t even know if they do it or not. 

Eh, an okay read.

 

Rating:3 stars

Blog Tour: BEAUTIFUL DANGEROUS by Becky Flade

 

It’sexquisite torture watching you. 

For your sake, I hope you meet myexpectations...

BeautifulDangerous

PhillyHeat Series #4

byBecky Flade

Genre:Romantic Thriller, Suspense 

It’sexquisite torture watching you. For your sake, I hope you meet myexpectations...

Inthe year following her brother’s tragic murder, Public DefenderHannah Patel withdrew into the comfort of family and career. As timepassed, the man obsessed with her became a terrifying threat.

Afatal error caused Detective Doyle Murphy to doubt his future in lawenforcement, but protecting Hannah presents an opportunity forredemption. Neither expect their forced closeness to create genuinefeelings.

As their burgeoning romance grows, it pushes herstalker over the edge.

Will love win? Or will madness?

TheJanuary air was sharp as shattered glass in Hannah’s lungs. The scull slicedthrough the water soundlessly; the oars cut through with precision as shepumped and pushed her legs and arms in a familiar rhythm. Embraced the burn inher muscles. It was early; the sun hadn’t fully breached the horizon, but herswas not the only boat on the river. A college crew sped past, their coxswainnodding to her as they passed. She was on the last leg, approaching theclubhouse at the far end of Boathouse Row, when she pulled in her oars and letthe momentum take her home as the sun glowed orange over the skyline of CenterCity.

Ineeded this. The solitude and quiet. The solace I always find on the water. Ineed the calm to carry me through the day.

Shelifted the bow side oar and glided alongside the stage before climbing out withpracticed grace. She stood and stretched, pulled off her cap and wiped thelight sheen of sweat from her brow. Hannah rowed all year, conditions allowing,and though sometimes the river froze, winter was her favorite. In the dog daysof summer, the algae and pollen created a pungent film on the water’s surface,which hindered the oars. Cold meant clean. “This is perfect.”

Pullingher single scull from the river was the hardest part, and she did iteffortlessly. She’d rowed since college and had deceptively muscular legs andarms. With the oars in one hand and the boat over her shoulder, she carried hergear to the clubhouse and secured it in the garage. It had been converted intoa storage area for boats and gear decades prior, but was still called thegarage.

Twentyminutes later, dressed in her favorite charcoal pencil skirt and a silky blousethe color of ripe peaches, her long black hair–still damp from theshower–plaited down her back, Hannah pulled a thick wool cap over her ears andslipped into the cashmere coat her parents gave her for Christmas. She hurriedacross Kelly Drive and onto Lemon Hill Drive, where she’d parked her car ninetyminutes earlier.

Hermother hated the Mazda. Thought she should drive something small, sporty, andfeminine. Hannah considered it, and, despite her secret infatuation with thePorsche Carrera, chose the sport utility vehicle. Sculling, skiing, and hervolunteer work at the Women’s Humane Society Animal Shelter in Olde City madethe compact SUV the better choice. Frosty morning sunlight glinted off thechrome detailing. Hannah smiled. And she’s pretty.

Withthe fob in her hand, she remotely started the car, used her foot to open theliftgate and tossed her duffel bag in the back. She’d had it customized fortransporting animals and no matter how funky her gear got, or muddy, or sandy,she wouldn’t damage her interior. She shivered, closed the hatch, and unlockedthe doors. With one foot in the car, and her body half in the seat, she froze.

Astandard piece of paper, folded in half and tucked under the windshield wiper,fluttered in the icy breeze. Dread curled in her stomach. The coppery taste offear coated her tongue. She reached for it, slowly, cautiously, as though itwould bite her if she moved too quickly, and picked it off her windshield. Shechecked the back seat. Empty. Checked it again. Hopped into the driver’s seat,and locked the door. She waited a second, two, before unfolding the sheet.

 

It’sexquisite torture watching you. Wondering how those powerful legs will feelwrapped

aroundme. How the muscles in your arms will quiver under restraints. I’ll know soon.

Foryour sake, I hope you meet my expectations.

**OnSale for Only $1.49!! Get it now!**

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ThePhilly Heat Series 

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WhenI was little, I thought everyone had stories in their head. When Ifound out only special people had stories to tell, I wanted to be oneof the magical ones who shared their stories with the world. I wrotemy first book in kindergarten with the help of my teacher, Mrs.Daniels. My mom – my biggest fan and most ardent supporter – hasthat little crayon-drawn book tucked into the pages of her familybible. It took almost thirty years to get from there to published buthere I am, making my own dreams come true, one happily ever after ata time.

Website* Facebook *Twitter * Instagram* Bookbub *Amazon* Goodreads

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Book Blast: FUTILITY OF DEFENSE by Bryan Cole

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Bryan Cole will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Paladins are nothing but trouble. When Krell, an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea, hears the call from ReckNor, the capricious god of the seas and skies, the attention of the rich and powerful turn their gaze toward him. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don't worship their deity.

When Krell stands against the might of the sea devils and emerges victorious, concern and interest turn to fear—fear of their secrets and plans being revealed and exposed, of the ruin that often follows in a paladin's wake. Now he stands in defense of a pitiful town at the edge of nowhere, even as the sea devil menace grows more dire for each day that passes.

For as deadly as the sea devils are to Krell, his past choices and the consequences of his actions may be deadlier still . . .

Read an Excerpt

“Petimus told us that you were unlike any paladin we have met before, but I must say, I am surprised nonetheless. Greetings, Krell of ReckNor. My name is Naerdra Smithforge, stonesinger of Talcon. Here to build a fortress to protect your small town from the sahuagin, I understand.”

Krell smiled, looking at her. She wore woolen leggings and a linen shirt, with a mantle of fine cloth embroidered with gold sigils. A red sash with a gold pin was her only other adornment.

“I am most pleased you are here, Naerdra. The town sorely needs your aid.”

“Hmm. Perhaps I will see one of these sea devils for myself.”

Krell’s expression darkened. “If you remain in Watford for any length of time, you certainly will.”

He gestured. “My trusted allies and companions, Verbena and Dahlia, who have stood with me against the sea devils and saved my life more than once.”

Naerdra nodded at them, and they both inclined their heads while bowing slightly. Krell stared at them for a moment. Their bows had been identical in both timing and depth.

“You’re certain you are uninjured, Krell? You have blood on your face,” said Petimus, his voice concerned.

Krell turned toward him and grinned. “As Olgar will tell you, some lessons can only be learned a single way, at least for me. I am ReckNor’s blade, and he wants it sharp. That means that I will be pressed against the grindstone at times. Unpleasant, but necessary. Still, his gifts are many, and the grace of ReckNor has healed my wounds already.” Krell stood and stretched.

Naerdra looked at Krell, then at the tree in front of the temple, then upward to the sky. “I have heard also that you are dragon friend, Krell of ReckNor. Is this so? May I meet your mighty companion?”

Krell nodded, smiling. “Of course, Naerdra. Fortis is currently hunting, though I think he does it because it amuses him more than because he requires food. He dislikes it when I… uh…” Krell glanced at Verbena.

“Query, Krell. When you query him.”

Krell nodded. “He dislikes it when I query him while hunting. He will return when he is satisfied with himself.”

About the Author: Bryan is an avid reader, and has loved the fantasy genre since he was a child. His love of stories of mighty knights, terrible dragons, and noble steeds has inspired him for decades.

Website: https://www.fatpaladin.ca/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22517522.Bryan_Cole
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FatPaladin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatpaladinbooks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Futility-Defense-Paladins-Journey-Bryan-ebook/dp/B0C9XBWJ8H/ref

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Blog Tour: MEN OF THE 65TH: THE BORINQUENEERS OF THE KOREAN WAR by Talia Aikens-Nuñez

 

Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the KoreanWar

by Talia Aikens-

Nuñez 

 

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GENRE:   YA nonfiction

 

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BLURB:

 

Honor and Fidelity. That is the motto of the65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers, the only Puerto Ricanunit in the United States Army.

Since the regiment’s creation in 1899, the men ofthe 65th have proudly served the US through multiple wars, despite facingracial discrimination. Their courage, loyalty, and patriotism earned themhundreds of accolades, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014.

But the honor and fidelity of the men of the 65thcame into question in 1952, in the midst of the Korean War, when ninety-oneBorinqueneers were arrested and tried for desertion and disobeying orders. Howcould this happen in one of the most distinguished and decorated units of theArmy?

In this telling of one of the forgotten stories ofthe Korean War, author Talia Aikens-Nuñez guides us through the history of theBorinqueneers and the challenges they faced leading up to what was the largestcourt martial in the entire war. Rediscover the bravery of the men of the 65ththrough Aikens-Nuñez’s thorough writing and the soldiers’ firsthand accounts ofthe Korean War.

 

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Excerpt One:

 

[T]he US public was shocked to discover that during the war,162 soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment had been court-martialed andninety-one of those soldiers found guilty of disobeying orders and desertion.

 

 

The US military kept the courts-martial quiet. But thesoldiers of the 65th sent letters to their families describing what washappening, which led to public outcry and confusion from the press. How couldone of the most distinguished regiments of the Korean War, whose soldiers hadonly months before been praised by General Douglas MacArthur for their“brilliant record of heroism,” become involved in the largest masscourt-martial of the Korean War?

 

Did the Borinqueneers lose their bravery and heroism in sucha short time? Or were they victims of discrimination in a prejudiced andsegregated system? Were they betrayed by the country they risked their livesfor?

 

This is the story of one of the bravest and most decoratedregiments in the history of the US military. It is a forgotten story in aforgotten war. But it is a story of patriotism, loyalty, and bravery in theface of danger and discrimination, and it is one that deserves to be told.-page 10

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Talia Aikens-Nuñez writes chapter books, picture books, andnonfiction for children. Her daughter inspired her to write her OMG Series ofbooks about an accidental little witch. She and her husband live on a river inConnecticut with their daughter and son.

 

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Men-65th-Borinqueneers-Korean-War-ebook/dp/B0BNT3ZRZQ/

 

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GIVEAWAY :

Talia Aikens-Nuñez will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GCto a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Blog Tour: DISCARDED by Nancy M. Bell

 

DISCARDED

by Nancy M. Bell

 

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GENRE:  Canadian Historical Mystery

 

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BLURB:

 

Whenthe British arrived in Winnipeg in the 1800s it was convenient for the men totake Metis wives. They were called a la vacon du pays – according to the customof the country.

 

Thesewomen bore the brunt of ensuring survival in the harsh environment. Withoutthem the British army and fur traders would not have survived the brutalwinters. However, as society evolved it became accepted that wives must bewhite, schooled in British ways, fashionable in the European sense and marriedby the Anglican church.

 

TheMetis wives and their ‘country born’ offspring were thrown out and forced tofend for themselves. The unrepentant husbands continued to live comfortablywith their ‘new’ wives. It was inevitable that some discarded wives did notaccept their fate quietly and hard feelings on both sides were unavoidable.

 

Whenthe bodies of two discarded Metis wives, Marguerite and Marie-Anne, are foundfloating in the Red River, Guilliame Mousseau, sets out to get to the bottom ofhis sister Margueite’s murder.

 

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Excerpt One:

 

 

“Marguerite,you must go to him. Ètienne needs medicine, the fever is eating him up,” MarieAnne urged her sister.

 

The youngerwoman shook her head, wringing out a cloth in cold water to soothe her child.“How can I? The English woman, she is there now, I doubt Miles will even speakto me.”

 

“He must,Ètienne is his son!” Marie-Anne insisted.

 

“No longer.”The words were bitter. “He has disowned the bebes and me, discarded us like somuch offal. Now that his fancy English lady has arrived.”

 

“Still,Marguerite, you must go and ask. I will come with you. Together we will convinceyour Miles to either send the British doctor or give us money for themedicine.” Anne Marie pulled the dripping cloth from Marguerite’s hand andthrew it on the pounded earth floor. “Look at him! You cannot just let him die.If you won’t go yourself, I will go in your stead.”

 

Marie-Annewhirled around, grabbing two thick shawls from the back of a chair, andwrapping them around her shoulders. She planted her hands on her hips andglared at her sister. “Are you coming?”

 

“Yes, oui, ofcourse. I know you are right. It is just my pride that stops me. For how longwas I his wife in every sense of the word? If not for me, and you, and otherslike us, those soft Englishmen would never have survived their first winter. Itwas our relatives who brought them buffalo and other provisions to see themthrough, and us who cared for them, chopped wood, carried the water, bore theirchildren…” Marguerite broke off, her throat closing in frustration and sorrowfor all that they’d lost. Angrily, she swiped the moisture from her cheeks andstraightened her back. “Come, we go. Alexandre! Come watch your brother while Igo to your papa to ask for help.”

 

The older boypoked the dying fire one more time before crossing the small room. He pickedthe sodden cloth up from the floor and wrung it out. After rinsing it with somewater from the bucket by the bed, he wiped his little brother’s face.

 

“Maman, he’sburning up.” Alex looked up at her. “Will Papa come and take him to the doctor?Why hasn’t he come to see us lately?”

 

“Your papa willnot be coming, nor will he take Ètienne to the doctor. The best we can hope foris that he will send the doctor or at least make provision for the apothecaryto give me some medicine for him. I have tried the best I can with the willowbark, but it isn’t enough.”

 

“Will Ètiennedie like Elizabeth?” Alex glanced at the empty cradle still sitting by thehearth.

 

“Not if I canhelp it,” Anne Marie promised. She took Marguerite’s arm and pulled her towardthe door. “Put this on against the cold.” She thrust a Hudson’s Bay blanketinto the other woman’s arms.

 

“Oui, yes, wemust go. You are right.” Marguerite wrapped the woolen blanket tightly aroundher, and after one last look at her children, followed her sister out into thebitter wind blowing down the Red River, howling around the eaves of the smallbuildings and sending snow flying into their faces.

 

Alex’s lastwords echoed in Marguerite’s head as she shouldered her way against the wind.“Tell Papa I miss him.” She snorted, as if Miles cared about them anymore. Evenlittle Elizabeth, dead at six months of age, hadn’t moved him to contribute toher burial. It was the English woman’s fault. She was the one who turned Milesagainst them. Charlotte Windfield, what sort of name was Charlotte anyway?Grief stabbed her for a moment, not Windfield anymore, oh no. Miles married thesalope in the church two weeks ago. So now she was Charlotte Ashmore. LadyAshmore, the pute.

 

 

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Topic: What makesyour book different than others in the genre?

 

Discarded ispart of a collection of Canadian Historical Mysteries which is a companionseries to the publisher’s earlier Canadian Historical Brides Collection. Thereis one mystery set in each province and territory.

Discarded isset against the backdrop of the 1869 Riel Rebellion. Rather than tell the storyfrom the point of view that is presented in our history books, I delved deeperand was dismayed at the high handed and arrogant way the original inhabitantswere treated. I chose to tell the story from the point of view of those whowere already living and thriving in Winnipeg and area when the large area knownas Rupert’s Land was overseen by the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Sir John AMcDonald was the Canadian Prime Minister at time in what was known then asUpper Canada and consisting mainly of present day Ontario and Quebec, alongwith parts of the Maritimes. McDonald had little or no regard for the currentinhabitants and once the Hudson’s Bay Company agreed to sell their interest inRupert’s Land to the Canadian government in order to make the opening of theprairie lands to the west possible, the Canadian government did everything inits power to displace the current residents who consisted mainly of Metis andindigenous peoples.

In Canadianhistory books Louis Riel is portrayed as a traitor and a rebel. In truth, theman was only seeking a fair and equable entry into the Dominion of Canada. Itis true that the history books are written by the victors, and they tend tosugar coat their roles in the events.

The titleDiscarded comes from the callous treatment of the Metis and indigenous womenwho were taken as what was referred to as ‘country wives’ at the time. Theywere considered married to the British and Scottish immigrants who came to workfor the Hudson’s Bay Company, to trap furs and hunt buffalo in the customaccording to the country. They were not considered married by the clergy whocame later. These women bore the brunt of the burden of survival in the harshclimate that the newly arrived Europeans would have perished in without theefforts of these women. However, as the settlement grew and evolved, theBritish in particular wanted to introduce more of their culture and societywhich resulted in the men importing English brides. These women were consideredmore acceptable in the new order of society and were married in one of thethree churches that now flourished in the village of Winnipeg. As this happenedthe ‘country wives’ were sent away, basically discarded and disowned. There wasacrimony on both sides by the women, the discarded wives were hurt and angry,the new English brides were appalled at what they considered their husbands’relationship with those they considered far beneath their regard.

I believethe fact I have chosen to tell the untold story of early Winnipeg, rather thanstick to the rhetoric put forth in Canadian history books sets this storyapart. I hope I have done it justice.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Nancy Marie Bell is a proud Albertan and Canadian. She lives nearBalzac, Alberta with her husband and various critters.  She is a member of The Writers Union ofCanada and the Writers Guild of Alberta.

 

Nancy has numerous writing credits to her name, having threenovels published and her work has been published in various magazines. She hasalso had her work recognized and honoured with various awards, and mostrecently, a silver medal in the Creative Writing category of the Alberta 55Plus Summer Games in 2013. 

 

Nancy has presented at the Surrey International Writers Conferencein 2012 and 2013, and at the Writers Guild of Alberta Conference in 2014. Shehas publishing credits in poetry, fiction and non-fiction.

 

Nancy blogs on the first of each month at the Canadian HistoricalBrides Blog and on the 18th of every month at the Books We Love Insider Blog.Please drop by and say hi.

 

You can find her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/NancyMBell

Follow on twitter: @emilypikkasso

 

 

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GIVEAWAY 

NancyM. Bell will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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