Starla Kaye's Blog, page 18
March 27, 2015
Her Cowboy’s Way collection re-released
Her Cowboy’s Way
– Story Collection just released with a new cover and some updates.
Available at: Amazon, iBooks, Kobo
OVERALL – Her Cowboy’s Way
Brandi has known Colby Pennington for most of her life and has loved him almost as long. Getting married, though, is a serious matter. The whole love, honor, and obey thing might be more than she can handle. Marriage is about an equal partnership, not having to follow anyone else’s rules. It is about having someone there whenever and wherever you want sex. Brandi is definitely okay with that part, especially with her sinfully handsome cowboy.
SHORT STORIES INCLUDED in Her Cowboy’s Way
Brandi has known Colby Pennington for most of her life and has loved him almost as long. Getting married, though, is a serious matter. The whole love, honor, and obey thing might be more than she can handle. Marriage is about an equal partnership, not having to follow anyone else’s rules. It is about having someone there whenever and wherever you want sex. Brandi is definitely okay with that part, especially with her sinfully handsome cowboy. But the obey issue, that Colby intends to take care of her in all ways—including occasionally warming her bottom…Well, it could be a deal breaker.
Brandi is excited to be on her honeymoon, away from her business, clients, and the demands of Colby’s ranch. She has her hunky cowboy all to herself in Cozumel and she wants nothing but fun, hot sex, more fun, and definitely more sex. Everything should be perfect… But she manages to push her limits with Colby and things turn “hotter” than she’d hoped for.
The day doesn’t start off well and Brandi’s mood could be better. She’d crossed one of Colby’s lines between right and wrong and paid for it. When she finds a box of Godiva chocolates that she’d hidden away, her mood improves…even if her doctor and Colby warned her against eating too many chocolates.
Brandi has fallen into a b-o-r-i-n-g rut and needs a change. Colby doesn’t like changes except when it comes to making love with his wife. She can’t veer away from the same old breakfast every morning, basic meals of meat and potatoes, making sure the ranch’s accounting is kept up, household chores done. Above all, she is to leave cleaning up the garage to him. But she’s bored and he never seems to have the time so…for several reasons, she should have listened to his warning.
Brandi has been looking forward to Colby’s surprise gift of a trip to Las Vegas. She wants to have fun at the slots, but is determined to stick with the spending limit he’d given her. She doesn’t want to get on his bad side; instead she wants to be very “naughty” on this special trip. Colby is definitely in for a surprise of his own.
Making promises and holding to them is important. Brandi really meant to run the small errand Colby had asked of her. She’d meant to stick to their agreed upon budget when she’d gone shopping. She’d meant to stick to the speed limit. All the “meant to’s” didn’t cut it with him this time. Still, after he’d “warmed” her up, she brings out something special she’d bought for loving her husband and the night gets even hotter.
Brandi’s tax business has driven her crazy lately, the pressures wearing her down. Making it all worse, Colby has been away on a business trip and she feels like he has abandoned her. She needs him home to help her calm down in his special way and to love her in his sheet-blazing round of cowboy-does-his-wife-good style.
Brandi just wants to stay home on this cold, dreary night, take a hot bath, and snuggle next to Colby. She isn’t in a partying mood. But Colby insists they go to the annual Cattleman’s Ball, won’t change his mind no matter how tempting an offer she makes him. It takes some extra “incentive” to improve her attitude and agree to go. And she’s curious about why he is so determined to go.
Gobble, Gobble…Grumble, Grumble
“It’s just a family meal” Colby had said. Was he nuts? It’s the first meal she was making for his family since they’d gotten married. She was a crazy woman and getting crazier by the second. Everything has to be perfect. Colby doesn’t like seeing her this way, doesn’t like worrying about her. She needs to get her act together or risk his taking her in hand to help calm her down.
It’s almost Christmas, there are a gazillion things to do, and Brandi has a miserable cold. Can it get any worse? Yes, her husband could get seriously into mother hen mode! He worries about her, wants her to stay in bed and is ready to make sure she does. But then later…yes, she’s very glad she married this hot stud of a cowboy.
REVIEW at: Queen of the Night Reviews 4 Stars
The post Her Cowboy’s Way collection re-released appeared first on Starla Kaye.
Her Cowboy’s Way – Collection re-released
Her Cowboy’s Way – Story Collection
Available at: Amazon, iBooks, Kobo
OVERALL
Brandi has known Colby Pennington for most of her life and has loved him almost as long. Getting married, though, is a serious matter. The whole love, honor, and obey thing might be more than she can handle. Marriage is about an equal partnership, not having to follow anyone else’s rules. It is about having someone there whenever and wherever you want sex. Brandi is definitely okay with that part, especially with her sinfully handsome cowboy.
SHORT STORIES INCLUDED: Also available as single stories
Brandi has known Colby Pennington for most of her life and has loved him almost as long. Getting married, though, is a serious matter. The whole love, honor, and obey thing might be more than she can handle. Marriage is about an equal partnership, not having to follow anyone else’s rules. It is about having someone there whenever and wherever you want sex. Brandi is definitely okay with that part, especially with her sinfully handsome cowboy. But the obey issue, that Colby intends to take care of her in all ways—including occasionally warming her bottom…Well, it could be a deal breaker.
Brandi is excited to be on her honeymoon, away from her business, clients, and the demands of Colby’s ranch. She has her hunky cowboy all to herself in Cozumel and she wants nothing but fun, hot sex, more fun, and definitely more sex. Everything should be perfect… But she manages to push her limits with Colby and things turn “hotter” than she’d hoped for.
The day doesn’t start off well and Brandi’s mood could be better. She’d crossed one of Colby’s lines between right and wrong and paid for it. When she finds a box of Godiva chocolates that she’d hidden away, her mood improves…even if her doctor and Colby warned her against eating too many chocolates.
Brandi has fallen into a b-o-r-i-n-g rut and needs a change. Colby doesn’t like changes except when it comes to making love with his wife. She can’t veer away from the same old breakfast every morning, basic meals of meat and potatoes, making sure the ranch’s accounting is kept up, household chores done. Above all, she is to leave cleaning up the garage to him. But she’s bored and he never seems to have the time so…for several reasons, she should have listened to his warning.
Brandi has been looking forward to Colby’s surprise gift of a trip to Las Vegas. She wants to have fun at the slots, but is determined to stick with the spending limit he’d given her. She doesn’t want to get on his bad side; instead she wants to be very “naughty” on this special trip. Colby is definitely in for a surprise of his own.
Making promises and holding to them is important. Brandi really meant to run the small errand Colby had asked of her. She’d meant to stick to their agreed upon budget when she’d gone shopping. She’d meant to stick to the speed limit. All the “meant to’s” didn’t cut it with him this time. Still, after he’d “warmed” her up, she brings out something special she’d bought for loving her husband and the night gets even hotter.
Brandi’s tax business has driven her crazy lately, the pressures wearing her down. Making it all worse, Colby has been away on a business trip and she feels like he has abandoned her. She needs him home to help her calm down in his special way and to love her in his sheet-blazing round of cowboy-does-his-wife-good style.
Brandi just wants to stay home on this cold, dreary night, take a hot bath, and snuggle next to Colby. She isn’t in a partying mood. But Colby insists they go to the annual Cattleman’s Ball, won’t change his mind no matter how tempting an offer she makes him. It takes some extra “incentive” to improve her attitude and agree to go. And she’s curious about why he is so determined to go.
Gobble, Gobble…Grumble, Grumble
“It’s just a family meal” Colby had said. Was he nuts? It’s the first meal she was making for his family since they’d gotten married. She was a crazy woman and getting crazier by the second. Everything has to be perfect. Colby doesn’t like seeing her this way, doesn’t like worrying about her. She needs to get her act together or risk his taking her in hand to help calm her down.
It’s almost Christmas, there are a gazillion things to do, and Brandi has a miserable cold. Can it get any worse? Yes, her husband could get seriously into mother hen mode! He worries about her, wants her to stay in bed and is ready to make sure she does. But then later…yes, she’s very glad she married this hot stud of a cowboy.
REVIEW at: Queen of the Night Reviews 4 Stars
Print Length: 154 pages
The post Her Cowboy’s Way – Collection re-released appeared first on Starla Kaye.
New and Coming from Black Velvet Seductions
Here are some exciting new romantic books recently released and coming soon from Black Velvet Seductions.
THE WHITE SPIDER OF SAVIGNAC by V. L. Smith has recently been released.
Genre: Historical romance
Page Length: 264 pages
BUY LINKS: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo
BLURB:
When Sir John FitzAlan, lord of an elite mercenary company, is rewarded with the Aquitainian barony of Savignac by Richard Lionheart, his future seems straightforward enough: restore a neglected estate to readiness for war and make the best he can of an arranged marriage to its baroness, Mellisande, a woman he has never met.
Twice-widowed Mellisande, however, is in no mood for a third marriage. Far from the demure chatelaine John expects, she is an expert vintner and herbalist – skills her people, and the local bishop, suspect she used to murder her two previous husbands.
As John’s disciplined soldiers clash with the unruly local people, and relations with his wife grow colder, John begins to wonder if the tales told of her are true. Will he be Mellisande’s next victim?
PLAYING BY HIS RULES by Glenda Horsfall coming soon! To be released April 7th. This is the much awaited follow up to Glenda’s debut novel, Playing for Keeps.
Genre: Contemporary romance, BDSM, erotic
Rating: Sizzling hot 5 flames
BUY LINK for preorder: Amazon
BLURB:
Xander Doumas, wealthy, intelligent and gorgeous entrepreneur was not amused when pictures from within his private playroom started to appear in the gossip rags and on social media. The embarrassment caused to his family made him decide to take a break from the media spotlight and isolate himself on his remote Scottish island.
Chloe Davies had survived an abusive relationship but needed to relocate so she was no longer around when her ex was released, after serving the prison sentence he had been given for assaulting her. When she saw Xander’s ad for a Girl Friday she thought the job would be the answer to her prayers.
At her interview, Xander offered her an entirely different position. Short on funds and desperate to escape the clutches of her ex, she reluctantly agreed to become his mistress. Only after she had signed his confidentiality agreement did she realize that she had delivered herself into the hands of a Dominant.
Isolated on his island with Chloe, Xander still smarting from having his trust betrayed, struggled to trust Chloe as much as she struggled to submit to him.
RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME by Leslie McKelvey released January 31, 2015. This is the second book in the Accidental Encounters series.
Genre: Contemporary romance, contemporary suspense
Page Length: 320 pages
BUY LINKS: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo
BLURB:
While shooting pictures of a mama bear and her cubs in Rocky Mountain National Park, wildlife photographer Beth Drummond witnesses a murderous shootout and the violent deaths of four men. When those responsible realize they’ve not only been seen but also photographed they give chase, determined to tie up loose ends. Praying she can outdistance her pursuers Beth dashes headlong through the woods, intent on nothing but reaching safety.
When Special Agent Bear Bristol, on leave from the FBI, hears gunshots and sees the woman running for her life, he knows he must intervene. He recognizes those who are chasing her and realizes that things are much worse than they seem. A vicious cartel with a mole at the FBI has put a target on Beth’s back, and there is no one they can trust. Unable to call for backup, Bear must keep Beth safe until they can figure out who the inside man is.
As they struggle to stay one step ahead of both corrupt law enforcement and the killers they learn to trust one another, and realize there is more between them than just friendship born of necessity. Can they overcome the obstacles they face, or will they win the fight to live only to lose the battle to love?
The post New and Coming from Black Velvet Seductions appeared first on Starla Kaye.
March 26, 2015
Spotlight: Lauren Linwood and Ballad Beauty
My special guest today is Lauren Linwood with her upcoming release BALLAD BEAUTY. Before we get into the specifics of the book. Lauren wants to share with you some thoughts about why she wrote this particular book.
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale finally figured out that “there’s no place like home.” She had traveled far and wide—to the magical land of Oz—but she realized that what she needed was in her own back yard all along.
It took me awhile to figure that out, too.
I’m a native Texan who’s written five historical romances. Two are set in the medieval era, and the other three focus on the American Old West, namely Kansas and California. Then as I got ready to start a new manuscript, I had that light bulb moment.
Why not write about Texas? So I did!
Ballad Beauty began with my decision to write about a Texas Ranger. No, not a professional baseball player (although that could be the next idea). I wanted to write about the legendary lawmen which helped tame Texas, bringing order to the chaos of the wild state.
I decided to go with a big contrast—my hero would be the Texas Ranger—and his father would be a famous outlaw that he wants to bring to justice. To ramp things up, I had this outlaw have a partner in crime—and he would be the heroine’s father. My hero knows exactly what his father is; my heroine hasn’t got a clue as to what her father really does for a living.
And thus, the beginning of Ballad Beauty was born.
BLURB – Ballad Beauty
After ten years apart, Boston schoolmarm Jenny McShanahan receives a letter from her beloved father that instructs her to join him in Texas. She has no idea that he’s become Famous Sam McShan, the Robin Hood of the West. She arrives to find Sam already gone, but he left instructions for Jenny to hire a guide and rendezvous with him in Nevada.
Texas Ranger Noah Daniel Webster knows Sam personally because his father, Pistol Pete Webber, was Sam’s longtime partner in crime. When Pete is killed during their last big score, Noah requests the assignment to bring Sam to justice. Going undercover, he volunteers to act as Jenny’s escort across the dangerous prairie, using her to track her outlaw father’s location.
As they journey through rough country, love blossoms—but Noah knows the second he arrests Sam, his betrayal will kill Jenny’s love for him. Should the lawman do his duty as a Ranger, or should he let love rule? The choice Noah makes will change their lives forever.
Available for pre-order
BUY LINKS for Ballad Beauty: Amazon
EXCERPT – Ballad Beauty
Noah watched different expressions flit across Jenny McShanahan’s face in rapid succession. He saw joy, surprise, anger, and bewilderment come and go as quickly as mosquito bites. He also wondered about the man that followed them to the hotel. He spotted him atop the stage that brought her to Apple Blossom. He knew the gentleman hadn’t gotten off at the same time as the other passengers who had disembarked.
So why was he here now? And were they both interested in the same lady for the same reason?
“Would you be so kind as to send my things up to my room?”
He turned his attention back to the desk.
“Yes, ma’am. Consider it done.”
Jenny thanked the clerk. “And one more thing. Do you know how I would go about locating a Mr. Slim Patterson?”
The desk clerk visibly blanched. “Mr. Patterson, you say?”
She smiled sweetly. “Yes. My father would like me to get in touch with Mr. Patterson. He is to escort me to Nevada.”
The man laughed uncomfortably, his giggle high and girlish for one so rotund. “I’m sorry, Miss McShanahan. It won’t be possible for you to speak with him.” He paused and swallowed hard. “Mr. Patterson died in a knife fight last night. Something about debts he owed was the story I heard from the barkeep.”
Noah watched Jenny grow still, her green eyes dominating her face, which drained of color. She gripped the counter a long moment in order to steady herself. She seemed to come to some decision as she focused on the clerk.
“Would you recommend taking the train to Nevada, sir?”
Laughter filled the small lobby. “From Apple Blossom?” He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “You could probably walk faster from here to there. No,” he shook his head, “overland route’s the only way to get there ‘fore Jesus returns.”
Jenny walked away, an odd look on her face. She moved toward the exit. Just before she reached the doorway, she looked over her shoulder.
Noah nearly dropped his teeth when she asked the clerk, “Would you please direct me to the nearest saloon?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Linwood became a teacher who wrote on the side to maintain her sanity in a sea of teenage hormones. Her historical romances use history as a backdrop to place her characters in extraordinary circumstances, where their intense desire for one another grows into the treasured gift of love. Her romantic suspense novels feature strong heroes and heroines who unite to defeat a clever antagonist and discover a deep, abiding love during their journey.
A native Texan, Lauren lives in a Dallas suburb with her family. An avid reader, moviegoer, and sports fan, she manages stress by alternating yoga with long walks. She plans to start a support group for House Hunters addicts—as soon as she finishes her next piece of dark chocolate.
AUTHOR LINKS
Website Facebook Twitter Blog Amazon Author Page Goodreads Author Page
The post Spotlight: Lauren Linwood and Ballad Beauty appeared first on Starla Kaye.
March 25, 2015
Diane Benefiel and Shot Through the Heart
I am happy to have Diane Benefiel, a fellow Decadent Publishing author, here today. She is sharing an interview with her characters and information about her newest romantic suspense release, SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
Hi Readers! Here is an interview with the main characters of Shot Through the Heart.
John Garretson is a detective with Seattle PD. He’s on a task force to bring down a notorious drug organization and had been assigned to go undercover as Rane Smith’s tenant. Rane is an emergency room nurse and is trying desperately to stay safe from her ex-boyfriend, a drug dealer who’s soon to be released from prison. In this interview conducted shortly after Rane found out John’s a cop, you get a taste of their early relationship.
The interviewer glanced at the list in front of him. “Okay, let’s get started with an easy one. Can you each tell the readers a little about yourselves?”
John leaned back in his chair, stretching long legs in front of him. “Okay, I’ll go first. I’m an easy-going guy. I like to keep my life simple. Most days I’m on the job, but I find time to work out, maybe watch a ball game.”
Rane let out a short laugh. “That’s funny. John’s not easy-going. He’s the most intense guy I know.” She held up a hand when John opened his mouth to interrupt. “Still my turn, big guy.” She smiled at the interviewer. “When he wants something he goes after it with this single-minded focus that’s a bit scary. Makes you think you’ll get flattened if you get in his way.”
“I’m not scary. Besides, I think you’re supposed to answer the question about yourself.” Expression bland, he nodded at Rane. “So, Rane, tell the readers about yourself.”
She wondered how he knew talking about herself made her uncomfortable. “There’s not much to tell. I’m a nurse and work in the ER at St. Augustine’s. My best friend Lily is a nurse there, too. We hang out sometimes.” Rane paused until she was sure her voice would remain steady. “My dad is my only family. He is in a facility for Alzheimer’s patients, and I visit him as often as I can.”
“I didn’t know that.” John’s eyes held unexpected compassion.
She didn’t want to think about her dad. Or John being more sensitive than she had given him credit for. She turned to the interviewer. “Next question?”
“What are a couple of random facts about yourself that will surprise readers?”
“I’m learning Arabic.”
John raised his brows. “Arabic? Why Arabic?”
“Why not? I’ve got a computer program, and one evening a week I take a class at the university extension. We get a lot of patients that don’t speak English. Some of them speak Arabic.”
The look he gave her made her think he could see past all her defenses. “That’s cool, really cool. Maybe I’ll give it a try, too. We could practice together.”
“What about you, John?” The interviewer appeared fascinated, eyes tracking from John to Rane like he was watching a ping pong match.
“Hmm. I want to buy a house with enough land to have a fruit orchard.”
The interviewer opened his mouth to speak, but Rane beat him to it. “Really? What would you do with all the fruit?”
“Make hard cider. I’d like to start off with apple. If that turns out, I’d try pear.”
“I love pear cider! There’s a little town north of the city that does a festival every year featuring hard ciders. Actually, it’s next month.”
“I’ve heard of it but never gone. Want to go with me?”
“Ahem.”
Two pairs of eyes returned to the interviewer. Rane had almost forgotten he was in the room. “Sorry. Next question?”
“Yes, what makes you blush?”
John sat up, chuckling. “I can tell you what makes Rane blush.” He flashed the grin that for some reason always resulted in warmth building low in her belly.
“He doesn’t want to hear about that.”
“Rane, darlin’, the look on your face was priceless.”
“Tell me, this sounds good. Just a sec.” The interviewer fiddled with the record function on his phone and set it down. “Okay, go ahead.”
With a laughing look at Rane, John told the story. “You know I’m renting Rane’s apartment. It’s on the second floor of her house and has an outside entrance. I only moved in a couple of weeks ago, so I haven’t unpacked all the boxes yet. Well, a couple of days ago, I’m getting ready for work. I’d just stepped out of the shower and only had a towel wrapped around my waist. I was looking for clothes in a box by the door. There’s a window right there. So I find my shorts, and drop the towel to pull them on. And when I look up, there’s Rane, standing outside the door. She’s looking through the window at me, and talk about red. I thought she might have a stroke.”
Rane drew in a calming breath as she remembered with great clarity exactly what she had seen. “I certainly wasn’t expecting to see a naked man when I went upstairs to ask my tenant a question. And there you were in all your glory. You surprised me, that’s all.” No way would she mention how the belly heat had flashed from simmer to a roiling boil, how she’d watched the mouthwatering play of muscles across his body as he’d moved, how dark hair arrowed straight from his chest down to….
John’s expression turned wicked. “See anything you liked?”
“Shut up.” Rane turned back to the interviewer, feeling her cheeks warm once again. “Any other questions?”
“I have more, but I’ve taken up enough of your time. Thank you.”
They all rose to leave, but John paused, a hand on Rane’s elbow. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Will you go with me?”
“To the Cider Festival? John, that’s weeks away.”
“So? Will you go with me?”
Rane found herself nodding and then smiling at John’s sudden grin.
Thanks for sharing this interesting character interview with our readers today.
Now for some specifics about SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
Genre: Contemporary romance, adventure, romantic suspense, thriller
BLURB
Rane Smith’s nerves are nearly shot. With her ex-boyfriend, a member of a drug cartel, about to get out of prison, every instinct urges her to run as far away as she can get. But her elderly father’s failing health makes that impossible. And if the ex-boyfriend discovers her part in his conviction, he’ll have even more reason to come after her.
Undercover Seattle police detective John Garretson’s job is to find a way to get close to Rane. As her new tenant, he can sit back and wait until her ex shows up. He and his narcotics task force are on the edge of breaking their biggest case wide open and his new landlady is the key. But she’s also sexy as hell and the simmering attraction between them is distracting. Odd, she doesn’t seem the type who’d be involved in the illicit world of drug dealing….
Rane’s secrets are eating away at her and she has no interest in another relationship sure to end in heartbreak. Why won’t John mind his own business? And why, even when he sparks her temper, does she find him so appealing? When her ex’s brother, a sinister drug lord, forces Rane into a treacherous game of cat and mouse both of their lives are on the line and John’s cover may be blown. Can he save them both and put the criminals behind bars?
BUY LINKS: Amazon Barnes & Noble Decadent Publishing
EXCERPT
“Rane, you can try to kick me out, but you’re wasting your time. You’ll be safer if I stay.”
She stifled a groan of frustration.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
She stood straight and looked him in the eye to make the lies more credible. “Like I said, he’s just an ex-boyfriend. He can get a little jealous. It would be better all-around if you moved out. I’m really sorry for all the trouble.”
“So, if I’ve got this straight, you have an ex who could be a threat to you. He was sitting in a car outside your house tonight. He quite possibly tried to break in a few days ago. And you want me to leave because I might be in danger? Not going to happen.” He turned to open the refrigerator.
“What are you doing?”
“Seeing what’s for dinner.” He pulled out a container, holding it up to inspect the contents. “What’s this?”
She stalked up to him and jerked the glass bowl out of his hand. “Chicken.” She shoved it back into the refrigerator and slammed the door shut. “Let’s go. We’ll go up to your apartment, and I’ll help you get anything you’ve unpacked back in boxes. I’m not feeding you dinner.”
When she would have opened the kitchen door, he shifted in front of her and grasped her arms. She wondered if the army had trained him to move so fluidly.
“Rane, think about it. We make dinner, and, from your dining table, we keep watch on the street. I want to see if he drives by again.”
“Why are you doing this? You’re crazy.”
“Not crazy. There’s just no way I can walk away with you in danger.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You’re the one who’s in danger.”
“I can protect myself. And you should call the cops or his parole officer. If he’s in violation of his parole, he could be sent back to prison, and you’d rest easy again.” He let go of her before turning back to open the refrigerator, retrieving the chicken, and setting it on the counter. He fished around in the vegetable drawer. Tomato, lettuce, and an onion joined the chicken. “Do you have any tortillas?”
“You really are insane. This isn’t your fight. You aren’t in Afghanistan anymore.”
He turned, expression hard. “Lady, if I was in Afghanistan, that guy would be face first in the dirt with an M16 pointed at his head.” He waited a beat. “Tortillas?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diane Benefiel is an avid reader turned writer. Born and raised in Southern California, she squeaks out whatever time she can find from family and her teaching job to write emotional, heart-gripping romantic suspense novels. With both kids in college, in addition to writing more, she’s hoping for greater opportunities to travel and hang out with her husband of nearly thirty years.
Diane’s debut novel, A Need to Protect, was released in 2014, followed by her current release, Shot Through the Heart. Both are by Decadent Publishing and are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the Decadent website.
AUTHOR LINKS
Website Facebook Twitter Pinterest
The post Diane Benefiel and Shot Through the Heart appeared first on Starla Kaye.
March 21, 2015
Spotlight: Jacquie Biggar and The Rebel’s Redemption
Today I am welcoming Jacquie Biggar to my blog and spotlighting her book THE REBEL’S REDEMPTION. She writes romantic suspense with attitude.
BLURB – The Rebel’s Redemption
Annie Campbell’s predictable and cozy life gets turned on its side when her son’s prodigal father returns to town. Then an old enemy shows up and the outcome will not only place her in danger, but their son as well.
Jared Martin left Tidal Falls a hotheaded youth, and has seen his share of violence in the eight years he’s served Uncle Sam. Floundering, he returns to his hometown to regain his bearings, bitter and disillusioned.
Then he finds out he’s a father.
When an old enemy follows and causes mayhem in the small town, can Jared overcome the odds to protect the woman he’s always loved and the child he never knew, or will it be too late?
BUY LINK- The Rebel’s Redemption
BOOK TRAILER- The Rebel’s Redemption
EXCERPT- The Rebel’s Redemption
Jared jumped over the discarded bikes in the dim alley and ran for the corner, his breath suspended in his throat and heart pounding No, No, No. How had this happened? What could he tell Annie? Nick and Sara?
Where did the fucker go?
His feet almost skidded out from under him when he rounded the building. His head swung left to right in a frantic search of the empty street, but no one was there. Not even any witnesses. Stupid, damn one horse town. Dusk, and the freaking streets rolled up for the night. Help. He needed help. Now.
He drew out his cell and hit one on the keypad as he raced down the walk, his gaze peeled for anything suspicious.
Three interminable rings later the chief picked up. “Yeah?”
“I need you, man. Hurry.” Now the air sawed in and out of Jared’s lungs so hard he could barely speak.
“Jared?” Frank’s tone turned sharp. “What the hell’s going on? Where are you?”
Where were they? The slam of a trunk across the street drew his gaze. There. He caught a glint of chrome when a car door opened in a tree-lined driveway. A shadowy figure climbed behind the wheel. Jared dropped the phone and ran.
The engine screamed to life and the car roared onto the road with no lights, narrowly missing him as he jumped out of its path. It took off down the street and Jared gave chase until long after it disappeared from view. He stumbled to a halt and stood breathing harsh, hands braced on his knees and head hanging low, gaze focused on the inky darkness descending like a shroud of doom.
When he could no longer hear the fading rumble of the motor, he turned and made his way back to the tinny roar of Frank’s voice coming through his phone.
“Talk to me, Martin. So help me God, if you don’t answer…”
“They’re gone, Chief.” Jared hated even putting voice to the words. “That dirty mother-fucker took them and I couldn’t stop him.” Defeat and self-loathing turned his stomach inside out. He swiped a shaky hand down his face and smacked his thigh. “What am I going to do?”
“First, tell me what the hell is going on. Then call the local PD and tell them what you told me, understand?”
The impact of what had just happened hit him. He sunk to his knees, right there in the middle of the empty street. Lights had blinked on in the nearby homes. He could see families sitting down together for dinner, smiling, chatting, without a worry in the world.
“Did I tell you I have a son, Frank?” Jared kept his gaze focused on those happy families and slowly the ache in his chest turned to rage and retribution. “I have a son. That bastard Sergei Barnikov just signed his own death warrant. I gotta go, Chief.” He slammed the phone shut, jumped to his feet, turned toward the cop shop, and froze.
Annie faced him, fist pressed against her mouth. Her eyes shone with despair while tears streamed down her face. She stared at him with denial.
Fear.
Dread.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jacquie Biggar has a wonderful gift for writing hot and extremely likable military men!
From the time Jacquie was twelve years old, she knew she wanted to be a writer. That year she wrote a short story called Count Daffodil after spending countless hours searching for ideas. The story garnered Jacquie an A and was read aloud through the school’s loudspeaker system. Needless to say, after that she was hooked.
Jacquie grew up, got married, raised a family and left her writing urges to simmer in the background unattended.
She owned and operated a successful diner in her hometown for a number of wonderful years before deciding to live her dream of becoming an author.
Jacquie’s first book, Tidal Falls, a romantic suspense novel about second chances, released September of 2014.
AUTHOR LINKS
Website Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads Pinterest
The post Spotlight: Jacquie Biggar and The Rebel’s Redemption appeared first on Starla Kaye.
March 19, 2015
Spotlight: Guy Ogan’s Immortal Relations Series
Today I am welcoming Guy Ogan to my blog with his paranormal romance IMMORTAL RELATIONS series.
BLURB – Immortal Relations (Book One)
When Gary Logan discovers an old black-and-white photograph of his father in Prague with a woman’s handwriting on the back, he flies there to investigate where his father worked while in Europe, only to meet and fall in love with a beautiful lady who he believes to be a vampire. In love with her, Gary is initiated into her coven of guardian vampires, beginning a journey of epic proportions.
Exciting, erotic, and full of heart-stopping action, this debut novel turns human vampire lore on its head, with a symbiotic relationship between the species that deepens emotional connections to astonishing effect. But a coven of evil vampires bent on destroying the guardian vampires and feeding on the humans at will have other plans. Gary’s full vampire son helps humans to almost wipe out the evil coven, beginning the ever-increasing relationship between vampires and humans. Probing the gray areas inherent in sexuality, family and legend, the tale examines the very nature of existence.
BUY LINK – Immortal Relations Amazon
EXCERPT – Immortal Relations
This pertains to something I feel very strongly and get emotional about. I believe dogs are God’s gift to mankind to teach us about unconditional love and loyalty. They deserve both our love and loyalty in return.
We continued to monitor the screens, but nothing else happened until about 9 p.m. when I saw a large man chasing a little dog down a side street. He carried what looked like a rusty old pipe. Fearing he’d kill the dog, I asked Evy if we could do anything! She said they’d never responded to help an animal…I felt that I had to do something to help the dog and asked where that street was.
“Four streets to the north and about a mile to the east,” she said.
My love for little animals hadn’t abated any by becoming a vampire, and I said I needed to do something to help that dog.
Maggie said she’d go with me. It was dark and a weeknight, so little traffic and no pedestrians were out. I ran the mile without stopping to confront the man. I moved so fast, no human could see me. As I flew by the man, I tapped the end of the iron pipe, causing it to fly out of his hand and I caught the pipe as I continued on. This occurred so fast, his brain couldn’t register what had happened; he slowed and looked at his hands and then stopped to turn around, looking behind him for the pipe he must have dropped. By this time, I’d stopped in the shadows under some trees a mile farther down and simply crushed the old iron pipe into dust.
It was then that Maggie found me. “I’ve never seen anyone run that fast. You didn’t run that fast at the quarry…how could you run so much faster now?”
I looked at her and said, “I was running for fun at the quarry, but just now, I had to save that little dog. I just can’t stand to see a small animal hurt or killed.”
She hugged and kissed me, “I think you are one of the most softhearted people, let alone vampires, that ever existed.”
I shrugged, “I wish it were this easy to save all the unwanted animals; in America, they kill many thousands of dogs and cats each day, just because no one wants them. It always broke my heart to even think about it…”
I told her I couldn’t think of a more terrible condemnation of someone than they would harm a dog or a cat!
She kissed me again and said, “Let’s go back to Evy.” as we walked back arm in arm, we saw a woman, who must have been the man’s wife scolding him, as she carried the little dog in her arms, so I felt it was safe. Once back in the monitoring room, Maggie told Evy what happened as I sat in a chair, my head down, trying not to think about little animals being harmed. Evy turned and asked if I’d heard the story of “Ferdinand the Bull” and said I was like Ferdinand, strong but with a soft heart…I could only say, “Thank you.”
BLURB – Immortal Relations: Love and War
This second book amps up the action to a fever pitch.
While Maggie and Evy hope things have settled down, events have a way of foiling the best of intentions. Death stalks a close friend, but our vampires can help him cheat death if he will accept the offer. His expertise is vital as international events are about to happen that only this old friend can solve! Greed is at the bottom of so many of histories problems, and this book shows just how greedy some governments, rogue OPEC Ministers and terrorists can be and the troubles they can cause. Who is available to thwart their greed and what about the ecological disasters of the impending failure of Chernobyl’s containment cap and possible reactor collapse at Fukushima, Japan. When the reactor building at Fukushima Falls, a possible “Extenction Level Event” has been predicted! Our heroes will help, if their help will be accepted!
BUY LINK – Immortal Relations: Love and War Amazon
EXCERPT – Immortal Relations: Love and War
It was a short flight from Moscow to St. Petersburg. There our party was met by two limousines and whisked along to the historic Hermitage Museum. Arriving, it looked to me like the whole world was there. I didn’t know why President Kolukov had asked me to wear the Russian General’s Uniform he gave me, but I wanted to humor my good friend. We exited the limousine onto a red velvet carpet that had wide gold piping down each side and which looked to be almost 400 meters long. I thought it odd that President Kolukov had me stand to his left and next to him, when Stephan was senior in rank to my uniform. When we got to the head of the carpet, we turned. Stephan and Adam moving behind us, I looked up and turning the corner onto the same red carpet we had just traveled was someone I would recognize anywhere, under any circumstances. It was Magdalena, on the arm of Roger, our doctor. At first I was confused, but when I saw the dress she wore, an exact copy of her hand made blue dress, only in brilliant white and then heard the music, I realized what was happening; Magdalena and I were getting married! My friends had somehow arranged all this without even a hint that I picked up on. I had already glanced at some of those on either side of the isle and thought I recognized some political figures from various countries.
As Magdalena was escorted slowly forward, I was unable to look anywhere else; she was the only thing that existed in my universe. When she got close, I noticed she had a ribbon with a gold star hanging from it pinned over her left breast. I’d seen a similar medal, back when it was called “Hero of the Soviet Union,” but this one had the double eagle of the Russian Federation. Only an old “war horse” like me would notice that when the woman he loved stood in front of him!
An Eastern Orthodox Priest spoke the vows, translated into English for me. Magdalena didn’t need a translator as she spoke several languages, Russian being one of them. We both answered “I do” and “I will,” then I was asked to put the ring on Magdalena’s finger – I started to panic, but Kolukov stepped forward and handed me a ring. My eyes bulged when I looked at it as it must have been five carats of a Red Ruby mounted in Gold! He said it’s just a little bobble courtesy of the Russian people and the Hermitage. I placed it on the finger of my bride, we were officially married and we kissed. Maggie read my thought and on impulse we both turned and kissed Kolukov, each of us on one side of his face. He broke out in loud laughter and said, “Everything has been taken care of for tonight, but the car will be there to pick you both up at 0900 tomorrow. That’s 9 am in case you’ve forgotten Gary.” He joked, as if I’d ever forget the 24 hour military clock.
The two of us shook hands with Stephan, Adam and Roger, and then we made a bee-line to the limo that pulled up nearby, as the driver beckoned to us. I was too busy looking into the dark pools of eternity that were Maggie’s eyes! There were a million questions to ask on how they’d done all this and kept it a secret, but I didn’t want to break the spell I was under, I wanted the spell to last forever (or at least until we had to board the aircraft tomorrow morning).
BLURB – Immortal Relations: Coming Out
The third in the series continues to rock the foundation upon which typical vampire novels are based.
After saving mankind from a war between two major powers before it went nuclear and solving two ecological disasters, our guardian vampires discuss coming out to humans. Seeing a potential for an open relationship protecting humans from evil vampires, criminals & power-mad politicians, a newer member of the good coven proposes they support patriots fighting for humanitarian liberty. This idea for an open relationship seems doomed by negative stereotypes vampires have acquired from books, movies, and recent television series. Now a threat of being “outed” by a reporter looms and the only recourse seems to be the help of a young shape-shifter werewolf. Threats against the good vampires from a Marxist regime forms a bond between the local Canadians and their vampire guests; however, there are new threats on the horizon which astronomers must somehow gain the attention of a disinterested government to get them to mount a response to the threat if life-on-Earth is to continue.
BUY LINK – Immortal Relations: Coming Out Amazon
EXCERPT – Immortal Relations: Coming Out
Vlad Dracula, patriarch of the Guardian Vampires, tells about his early blood-lust to a young friend, Gary Logan:
It was a very long time ago; we were fighting what you would call “an asymmetrical war” against Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror and his Muslim invaders who outnumbered us at least three to one. I was looking for anything to slow them down. I guess you would say I used psychological warfare by building the “forest” of impaled enemy soldiers and others defeated in previous battles. While we had numerous successes against units of the invaders we were unable to hold off so large an invading army. It was about this time I was changed into what I am today.
I was always in the front lines of battle and routinely soaked in blood. Perhaps that is what changed me into a vampire. One of my own Generals saw me surrounded by enemies and saw blood spurting up in the air. Thinking it was my blood he sent word that I’d been killed. My dear distraught wife threw herself from the heights of my Poenari Castle into the Arges River below.
Then my second cousin, Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, from whom I had sought help in prosecuting the war, imprisoned me. Locked away, I soon became crazed with the desire for blood I would have otherwise found on the battlefield. Many fellow prisoners died because of it and after my escape I was a plague on the land. It took all too long before I regained some sense of my lost humanity and then only through the assistance of my second wife who helped me overcome my bloodlust, regain my self-control and my belief in the possibility of my salvation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Guy Ogan graduated from TCU with a BS, immediately joining the USAF as a 2nd Lt. spending a little over 20 years. While “in” he did a Master of Arts through Ball State’s Overseas Campus in Europe. Upon retirement he completed a Master of Education from Hardin- Simmons in Abilene, Texas. He operated a clinic to evaluate and treat children, adolescents and adults suffering from A.D.D. before taking a job with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, writing treatment programs for inmates, before retiring early as an Associate Clinical Psychologist. Now he writes and loves to read, especially novels by other Indie authors always leaving positive reviews!
AUTHOR LINKS
The post Spotlight: Guy Ogan’s Immortal Relations Series appeared first on Starla Kaye.
March 18, 2015
Spotlight: Iris Blobel and Let Me Love You
Today I am welcoming Iris Blobel to my blog with her latest book, LET ME LOVE YOU. She is a travel bug, much like me, and resides near Melbourne, Australia.
BLURB- Let Me Love You
Oliver Dempsey, pitcher for a Melbourne baseball club, loves the women, and they love him…
But he keeps them at an arm’s length, and when he meets Tamara, he’s unprepared for the attraction he feels for her. Told by his coach that she’s off limits, only draws him in more.
Tamara Amis moved to Melbourne to find some distance between her past and herself…
With the help of her uncle, the coach of a Melbourne baseball club, she quickly finds a job, and a place to live. Yet, one meeting with the handsome pitcher stirs unexpected emotions that threaten to overwhelm her.
It’s Oliver’s injury that brings them together, but as they find out about each other’s pasts, how can they be ready to share a future?
BUY LINKS- Let Me Love You
Limitless Publishing Amazon Australia Amazon US Barnes & Noble
EXCERPT
Sweat ran down Oliver’s back, soaking his shirt. He’d been on the field for a couple of hours, but frustration grew in him with every ball he missed. He placed his hands on his knees and took a deep breath, fixing his stare at the ground. For Pete’s sake, he was a pitcher, not a hitter, and well known for his fastballs as well as his perfect curveballs. Alas, he had neglected his hitting. Today, his swing was below average, and, unable to focus, he walked over to the bench where he spotted Coach Becker shaking his head towards him.
Pointing his finger back towards the field, the coach said, “Head right back out there, Oliver. You need to improve your hand-eye coordination. I want to see more, and better.”
Oliver cursed under his breath. “It’s not going to happen. My shoulder’s killing me. It’s been a long day.”
Coach Erik Becker rubbed his face.
“It’s not gonna happen today,” Oliver persisted.
With a grimace on his face, his coach nodded.
“Righteo, call it a day. But I want you back out there again in the morning, though.”
Oliver eased off his gloves and shoved them into his back pocket, before removing his helmet.
The coach gave him a gentle slap on his back. “I need you to concentrate more tomorrow. Remember what I told you. You need to focus on your proper stance as well as swinging the bat. Keep your eye on the ball as it comes towards you. Try to connect the bat with the ball, preferably at the fat of the bat. We have a game coming up soon. Go and deal with the shoulder issue. Check in for a massage.”
Oliver wiped his forehead with his arm when he noticed a woman standing in the coach’s shadow. Raising his eyebrows, he nodded towards her as to ask who she was.
Erik turned slightly. “Oliver, this is my niece, Tamara. She’s moved here from Perth. Tamara, this is Oliver.”
Oliver extended his hand towards her. “Nice meeting you.”
She ignored his hand and took a step back. Taken aback by her reaction, Oliver instinctively checked his hand for dirt or sweat. Questioningly, he looked at his coach.
Erik ignored the situation and simply said, “Have your shower and see me before you head off to discuss your training schedule.”
Nodding, Oliver took another quick look at Tamara. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and he was puzzled by her expression. It seemed as if her intense blue eyes were trying to hide something. The distant look in them was almost mysterious, and combined with her body language, he couldn’t help but get the impression something was wrong. She was very guarded.
With one last look towards Tamara, Oliver turned and left.
As soon as he got to the locker room, he peeled off his t-shirt. Pain shot through him the instant he lifted his right shoulder. He’d been ignoring the twinge during the training session, but knew he had to have it looked at. The fucking skateboard rider had nearly knocked him over the previous day when he came out of nowhere. Oliver hadn’t had a chance to move out of the way fast enough and slammed his shoulder into a post.
He slowly stripped out of his track pants before grabbing a can of Coke out of his bag. Leaning against the wall, he chugged half of the drink while enjoying the quietness around him. Everyone else was still out on the field trying to please Coach Becker. He choked a laugh, hoping his mates would put Erik in a better mood than he had. They had a few important games over the next few weeks before the season ended, and for the first time in years, the club was doing well.
As he walked to the showers, he thought about his training session and wondered whether his shoulder was to blame for the bad hits, or his lack of training. But who was he kidding, he always liked to throw everything he had at people, yet was hopeless in receiving anything thrown at him. That applied in baseball and in life. When he’d been to see his first baseball game as a kid in Los Angeles, he’d known he was born to pitch.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Iris Blobel was born and raised in Germany and only immigrated to Australia in the late 1990s. Having had the travel bug most of her life, Iris spent some time living in Scotland, London, as well as Canada where she met her husband. Her love for putting her stories onto paper only emerged a few years back, but now her laptop is a constant companion. Iris resides west of Melbourne with her husband and her beautiful two daughters as well as their dog. Next to her job at a private school, she also presents a German Program at the local Community Radio.
AUTHOR LINKS
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The post Spotlight: Iris Blobel and Let Me Love You appeared first on Starla Kaye.
March 16, 2015
It’s All About Love-collection released
IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE is an anthology of eleven stories. These stories all focus on domestic discipline, from first time spankings to those given by husbands settled into their roles of disciplining their wives when necessary. It has just been released by Blushing Books.
Genre: Contemporary, erotica, BDSM
Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble Blushing Books
The post It’s All About Love-collection released appeared first on Starla Kaye.
It’s All About Love-collection
IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE
Available: Amazon Barnes & Noble Blushing Books
IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE is an anthology of eleven stories by Starla Kaye. These stories all focus on domestic discipline, from first time spankings to those given by husbands settled into their roles of disciplining their wives when necessary.
Genre: Contemporary, erotica, BDSM
The post It’s All About Love-collection appeared first on Starla Kaye.
