Lolita Lopez's Blog, page 2
September 18, 2013
Sexy Distraction and a $200 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!
Also–the super sexy romantic suspense Her Russian Protector series boxed set containing the first three books in the series is on sale for 99 Cents through 9/22/13! You can grab a copy at Amazon, B&N, Kobo and Smashwords.
August 26, 2013
Saved by Venom (Grabbed #3): Super Early Sneak Peek
Not a book cover–but hell–he’s hot! Like Venom!
Saved by Venom hit my editor’s desk this morning. I don’t have a release date yet but I would expect to see it before the end of the year. The moment I have a firm date, you can be sure I’ll share it!
To tide you over until Venom makes his debut, I thought I would share a teaser excerpt from the book. If you receive my newsletter, you’ve seen a few paragraphs of this excerpt already. If you’re not on my newsletter list, the sign up button is the bright pink box at the top right corner of this page.
Here’s a blurb to give you an idea of what happens in Venom’s book.
Blurb
To escape her father’s debt to a loan shark, Dizzy seeks refuge in the upcoming Grab. She’d rather belong to one of those terrifying sky warriors from the battleship Valiant than to the sleazy criminal who wants her as his plaything. But when she spots the dangerously sexy soldier stalking her, Dizzy questions the wisdom of her gamble.
The years of constant war haven’t been kind to highly decorated sniper Venom. Only the promise of earning a wife kept him going through the deadliest, bloodiest battles. Catching and collaring Dizzy fills him with such incredible hope. Finally, he has a woman of his own, a mate to protect and love—and bind and adorn with his ropes.
After a brazen Splinter attack, the Shadow Force uncovers secrets about Dizzy’s late mother, secrets that entangle Dizzy in a web of spies and deceit. To save Venom, to save her father, to save a one-eyed operative named Terror—Dizzy digs deep and risks it all.
But Venom refuses to stand idly by while the specter of Dizzy’s haunted past threatens the future they’re trying to build. He finally has a reason for living—and he’s not giving her up without a fight.
Excerpt
Venom searched the shivering group of women for one that appealed to him. Choosing a wife on sight wasn’t the most of auspicious beginnings for a mate bond but it was the only choice he had. He had come this far. He wasn’t going back empty-handed.
The tightly packed group shifted as some of the women turned toward the stage for a better look at the men who would be chasing them very soon. A flash of white-blonde hair caught his eye. He was momentarily taken aback by the pale shade. It wasn’t very common among the Earth-descendants on Calyx, but it was the mark of a full-blooded member of the Harcos race like himself.
He zeroed in on the pale hair. The woman it belonged to found her way to the rear of the crowd. She was a tiny little thing, petite like Vee’s Hallie, but not as thin. The boxy cut of her bright red outfit obscured her frame but he could see the faint outline of curves beneath the papery fabric. She wasn’t quite as curvaceous as Menace’s woman but she had a nice shape.
Their gazes clashed across the wide expanse between them. Her eyes widened with shock and she took three quick steps back. Something primal ignited within him at the sight of her fleeing. Like a prowling cat catching the scent of its prey, he had to chase her now.
Her panicked gaze darted from the stage where a member of The City’s council read the official Grab rules and the gate that led to the snowy open field and the forest just beyond it. Fists curled at her sides, she sized him up before taking two quick hops toward the gate
No doubt she had done the math. There was no way she could evade him. His legs were nearly twice as long as hers and he had on rugged boots. She had on shiny pink shoes that were wholly unsuitable for doing anything outdoors. They looked like the kind of thing a woman would wear with a dress.
He frowned at her lack of preparation and hoped this wasn’t a sign of flightiness. Judging by the state of the other women, it seemed more likely that the officials running the Grab hadn’t properly advised them what to expect. It was yet another issue he would be reporting to the Grab committee aboard the Valiant.
The snap of two blocks of wood slamming together startled him. A man opened the gate and the women rushed out of the pen. The clock started on their short head start. Venom didn’t linger on the stage. He hopped down into the muck and trudged to the gate. A handful of the other soldiers and airmen followed him.
With his gaze fixed on the pale-haired woman, he watched her fight through the ankle deep snow. His gut soured with worry. He glanced at his watch and read the temperature and wind chill before hastily calculating the amount of time she had before suffering from frostbite. He made a quick estimation as to how long the women had been exposed to the elements. The numbers he arrived at didn’t make him happy.
Around him, the other men seemed to be doing the same mental calculations. There were grunts of annoyance as the seconds ticked down to their release from the pen. Antsy and on edge, they fidgeted and flexed to release some of the anxiety.
The moment the blocks clapped together again, Venom shoved off the slick, muddy ground and raced onto the field. He tracked the woman he wanted as he sprinted to intercept her. She was in the middle of the pack but seemed terrible at navigating. From what he could tell, she was angling for a section of the woods clear off the course. His lips twitched with amusement. He’d have to make sure to program her personal tablet with a map app for navigating the ship.
Venom noticed another man closing in on him. He shot the guy a hard look to warn him off the prize he had selected. The airman put up both hands to show he wanted no problems and pointed to a brunette nearing the tree line. “I’m after that one, sir.”
“The blonde’s mine.” He kicked his pace into high gear and started to gain on the woman he wanted. She had disappeared into the dense woods. Panic gripped his gut. Would she evade him now?
Considering the way she had been unable to even run in a straight line from the starting point to the forest, he doubted it. When he hit the tree line, he slowed his speed just enough to get his bearings. He scanned the snowy forest floor and found her tiny footprints. With a path to follow, he hurried after her.
Another minute into the pursuit, Venom spotted the bright pink shoes discarded near a tree. His heart leapt into his throat. Didn’t she realize how dangerous it was to run barefoot in the damned snow?
“Shit.” Growling, he surged forward in search of her. He had to find her quickly and before she got frostbite.
So focused on finding her, Venom missed the telltale sign of a hunter’s mark on the trees surrounding him. His boot hit the spongy trigger of a trap a millisecond before his brain alerted him to the mistake he’d made. With a chilling snap, two metal halves of the trap slammed shut on his leg.
“Fuck!” His pained shout ricocheted off the trees. Caught, he fell forward onto his knees and hands. His jaws ground together at the excruciating bite compressing his leg. The reinforced webbing and nano-fibers of his boots kept the gnarly metal snare from piercing his skin and crippling him but the terrible squeezing grip knocked the air right out of his lungs.
A wave of panic seized him. Despondence quickly overwhelmed him. He had two choices now. He could try to jerk the chain free and bust the trap or he could use the signal flare tucked into the pocket of his pants to call for help. Once the flare was lit, he was officially disqualified from the Grab. Even if he had his collar around her neck, they would set her free and send him home empty-handed.
Either way, he had lost his reward. He had lost her.
* * * * *
Dizzy gasped at the terrible, pained shout that echoed in the forest. Birds scattered as the guttural groan tore the stillness. She slid to a stop in the freezing cold snow and tried to slow her ragged breaths. Was that a man?
Was it the man?
She gulped hard and licked her lips. Glancing back in the direction of the awful sound, she tried to decide what to do. A sky warrior like the rugged, intimidating one who had been eying her would only make a sound like that if he was in big trouble.
The race officials had warned them that people hunted in these wounds. The gun laws out here weren’t like the strict, zero-tolerance laws in The City. It was rumored everyone in the sticks had a weapon. Maybe the sky warrior chasing her had been shot? Did he need help?
She warred with her conscience only a moment before exhaling roughly and turning back in the direction she’d come. Pressing a hand to her temple, she tried to gain control over the dizziness threatening to swamp her. She hated this damn sickness! Running and playing had been nearly impossible as a child. She couldn’t predict when the waves of nausea and dizziness would hit her but they usually happened at the worst times.
Like right now.
Bracing herself on a tree, Dizzy closed her eyes. She inhaled steadying breaths and performed a series of slow maneuvers that usually helped abate the uncomfortable swirling some. Today, thankfully, it worked. She managed to get moving again without feeling like she was going to puke or fall flat on her face.
The sounds of a struggle met her ears. She heard rattling chains and grunting. Hiding behind a tree, Dizzy licked her lips and gathered her courage before sliding to the side and peeking out at him.
Seated on the snow, he gripped a long, thick chain in both gloved hands and jerked hard. Her eyes widened at his shocking display of strength. When her gaze moved lower, she gasped at the sight of the awful looking trap closed around his lower leg. The snow around his leg remained white and pristine so he wasn’t bleeding badly. Even so, the injury he would sustain if the trap wasn’t removed quickly would be a terrible one.
Trembling with cold and fear, she stepped out from behind the tree and revealed herself to him. His gaze snapped to her and she took a nervous step back. He let the chain fall from his hands. The tension eased from his face, softening his harsh features and making him look less vicious. They stared at one another for the longest time.
Finally, Dizzy found enough courage to move closer to him. Her footsteps crunched on the firm, packed snow. He glanced at her bare feet and scowled. “Why the hell did you take off your shoes?”
Taken aback by his gruff tone, she froze in place. Squeaking with fright, she explained, “The soles were too slippery. I nearly face-planted on a tree stump and decided it wasn’t worth the risk.”
He grunted. “You’ll care when you lose those toes to frostbite.”
Her stomach trembled violently and she stared at her frigid feet. “Are you serious? Am I really going to lose my toes?”
His lips twitched with amusement. Was he teasing her? She couldn’t tell. With a flick of his fingers, he motioned her closer. “Come here. Let me help you.”
She took a few tentative steps toward him. “I think you’re the one who needs my help.”
His mouth settled into an irritated line. “My leg will keep. Now get over here and let me see your feet.”
She frowned at him. “You could be nice about it.”
He sighed loudly. “Please. Come here before you freeze to death or need your damn feet amputated.”
Though that was hardly nice, Dizzy felt sure that pushing him wasn’t a good idea. She moved as close as she dared. Apparently, that wasn’t close enough because the frightening sky warrior snatched her by the waist and hauled her onto his lap. She squealed with surprise and smacked his chest. “Let me go!”
“Not likely.” He gathered her even tighter to his warm, hard body. “Now stop fighting and hold still.”
“Like hell,” she snapped and pushed at the ridiculously strong arm clamped around her waist. It was no use. His superior strength rendered her desperate shoving futile.
“Stop,” he said with a laugh. “You’re going to fall off me onto the snow. I’m trying to warm you up. Now behave or I’ll toss you over my lap and spank that sweet little ass of yours.”
Outraged, she gasped at him. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“Oh, sugar, I would.” His blue-green eyes glinted with excitement and something else, something she couldn’t quite pinpoint. Arousal? Yes, she decided finally. The thought of spanking her bottom aroused him. She wasn’t sure what to think about that.
His gloved hand moved down her legs to her feet. She couldn’t believe how small her foot looked cupped in his massive palm. He brushed the snow and wetness from her skin. “Can you feel your feet?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He pinched and wiggled her toes. “And here?”
“Yes.” She curled her toes under and tried to pull her foot away from him but he held tight.
“Unzip that pocket on my left leg.” He gestured to the pocket in question with his head. “There is an extra pair of socks in there.”
Fingers trembling from cold and nervousness, Dizzy did as instructed. She found the pair of too-big socks and handed them to him. He shook them out and quickly rolled them onto her feet. The tops brushed her knees and the heel was above her ankle but she didn’t care how silly they looked. Her feet began to warm almost instantly. “Thank you.”
He simply nodded and unzipped another pouch on his strange pants. He withdrew two clear plastic bags and two long, thin strips of plastic. “Evidence bags and zipties,” he explained. “I’m going to use them to secure a barrier around the socks. I don’t want them getting soaked with melted snow.”
She marveled at all the things he kept in his pants. “Don’t these get heavy?”
He flashed a quick smile. The sight of his lips curving in that playful way did crazy things to her belly. “You get used to it.”
Ignoring the wild tremors shaking her core, she asked, “Why do you need all these things?”
“I’m SRU,” he said and slid the plastic bags over her feet. “Special Response Unit,” he clarified. “We’re small, focused, elite teams who respond to highly dynamic environments and situations.”
“Dynamic environments?”
“Hostage situations, terrorist threats—dangerous stuff that requires some finesse and understanding,” he said while tightening the zip ties around her ankles. Satisfied with his work, he pulled down the cuffs of the ugly red pants she’d been forced to wear. “What do you do?”
“I’m a seamstress.” It seemed a silly occupation compared to his. “I design clothing for a couple of small boutiques in The City. Well—I used to design for boutiques.”
His gloved hand caressed her cheek. The cold, slightly damp fabric rasped her skin as he slid his fingers under her chin and forced her to meet his unnervingly steady gaze. “I’m keeping you.”
She swallowed hard. Voice barely a whisper, she answered, “I figured.”
Blog Hop Winners!
The Summer Seduction Blog Hop has ended and the winners have been chosen. The main hop prizes ($75 gift card to Eden Fantasys and a ten book bundle) were Valerie R and Michelle V.
The winner of the $100 Mod Cloth gift card for my hop stop is: Kimberly Mayberry!
I’ll drop you a quick email later to make arrangements.
Huge thanks to everyone who followed the hop and entered the giveaways!
August 21, 2013
Stomp Vs. Romp: Let’s Talk About Dragons in Heat
I’m visiting Rabid Reads today as part of the month-long Stomp Vs. Romp competition. There’s a steamy excerpt from Dead Sexy Dragon and a giveaway!
August 13, 2013
Summer Seduction Blog Hop & $100 Mod Cloth GiftCard!
Nothing says summer to me like a flirty sundress! To celebrate the end of summer, I’m giving away a $100 gift card to Mod Cloth. They offer fantastic fashions in sizes 0-30. Hot damn, right?!
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. Tell me about the highlight of your summer!
By the way–if you’re looking for a scorching hot paranormal erotic romance, Dead Sexy Dragon is still available for a $1.99 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks, iTunes and Kobo.
Or, if your tastes lean toward science fiction/futuristic and some smoking hot BDSM, Grabbed by Vicious and Caught by Menace might be right up your alley.
Welcome to the Summer Seduction Blog Hop! There are lots of fabulous giveaways from authors and book bloggers who love erotic romance. Be sure to hop along as you can and check everyone out. Along the way you will have opportunities to earn more entries for the big hop prizes:
A $75 Gift Card + a 7 ebook bundle or a 10 ebook bundle
So, just follow the link below or check out the link list in the sidebar and start hopping! Within three days of the hop’s end on Aug 21st at midnight eastern time we will select the 2 winners of the overall hop and notify them via email as well as post their names on the site. The two winners will have three days to respond or another winner will be selected for their prize.
Click here to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Let’s get hopping!
August 6, 2013
New Release: Dead Sexy Dragon (Erotic Paranormal Romance)
Today is the day! Dead Sexy Dragon (Dragon Heat #1) has been unleashed. You can pick up a digital copy of this scorching hot novella at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes and All Romance eBooks.
A DRAGON TO DIE FOR
Stig Wyvern is ready for his transformation. A dragon shifter who goes through violent phases during his mating period, Stig plans to lock himself in a small cave beneath his isolated home. But his dark secret is threatened when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep.
Cora Cardenas has nowhere else to go. She’s in deep trouble with some really nasty people and Stig is the only person she can trust. That he’s strong, gorgeous, and makes her tingle with the simplest of smiles is an added bonus. Soon, Cora realizes Stig is hiding something from her—something that may explain the strange noises coming from the basement at night.
Now as the sexual tension—and danger—escalates, Stig needs to get Cora out of his house. But his inner beast has other ideas. He’s found his mate—and she’s not going anywhere . . .
Don’t forget! I’m also taking Stig and Griff (from the upcoming Red Hot Dragon) on tour. You can catch me at the following stops where I’m offering excerpts, doing interviews and answering questions. In honor of Cora’s bakery, I’m offering a $50 gift card to Sur La Table, a copper dragon cookie cutter, a tote bag and swag for the grand prize. Runners up get a cookie cutter, tote and swag.
8/2 – Book Monster Reviews
http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/
8/02 – Wicked Readings by Tawania
http://www.wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com/
8/03 – KC’s Paranormal Books
http://kcs-books.blogspot.com/
8/04 – Ramblings From This Chick
http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/
8/04 – Cocktails and Books
http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/
8/05 – My Reading Obsession
http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com/
8/05 – The Jeep Diva
8/06 – Nina’s Literary Escape
http://ninasliteraryescape.blogspot.com/
8/07 – Book Lovin’ Mamas
8/08 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind
http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/
8/08 – Salacious Reads
http://www.salaciousreads.com/
8/09 – Larissa’s Bookish Life
8/09 – Confessions of the Paranormal
http://confessionsoftheparanormal.blogspot.com/
8/10 – Mythical Books
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/
8/10 – Offbeat Vagabond
http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/
8/11 – Tiffy-Fit’s Reading Corner
8/12 – Reading Between the Wines
http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/
8/12 – Bookin’ It Reviews
http://www.bookinitreviews.com/
8/13 – Paranormal Haven
http://www.paranormalhaven.com/
8/14 – Mad Hatter Reads
http://madhatterreads.blogspot.com/
8/15 – Romance Junkies
http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/
8/16 – Darker Passions
8/16 – Jocelyn Dex Blog
http://jocelyndex.blogspot.com/
August 4, 2013
Dead Sexy Dragon: Sneak Peek #3
Dead Sexy Dragon, the first in my new scorching hot paranormal romance series, is out tomorrow! Can you tell how excited I am?!
You can pre-order Dead Sexy Dragon at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Kobo. Did I mention you can get your dragon shifter fix for $1.99?!
I’ve offered two sneak peeks at Stig and Cora’s story (Peek #1 and Peek #2.) This week’s sneak peek is sexy and steamy and probably NSFW–unless you’re like me and work from home in yoga pants and tank tops.
A DRAGON TO DIE FOR
Stig Wyvern is ready for his transformation. A dragon shifter who goes through violent phases during his mating period, Stig plans to lock himself in a small cave beneath his isolated home. But his dark secret is threatened when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep.
Cora Cardenas has nowhere else to go. She’s in deep trouble with some really nasty people and Stig is the only person she can trust. That he’s strong, gorgeous, and makes her tingle with the simplest of smiles is an added bonus. Soon, Cora realizes Stig is hiding something from her—something that may explain the strange noises coming from the basement at night.
Now as the sexual tension—and danger—escalates, Stig needs to get Cora out of his house. But his inner beast has other ideas. He’s found his mate—and she’s not going anywhere . . .
Sneak Peek #3
The scent of freshly baked bread greeted him, reminding Stig he hadn’t eaten since that amazing breakfast Cora had prepared for him. He’d been so preoccupied with his thoughts that lunch had skipped his mind. Helping Cora out of the shitstorm she’d created and figuring out how to live through the next week with her in the house had proven more important.
“Cora?” Stig expected to find her in the kitchen but she was nowhere to be seen. He’d come through the living room and had seen her laptop and cell phone but not her. Maybe she was upstairs.
Stig washed his hands and cut a slice off one of the loaves of honey wheat bread resting on the counter. On the way to the fridge for butter, he peeked into the oven and discovered a bubbling pan of lasagna. She’d raided his garden for fresh veggies to make the salad sitting on the top shelf in the fridge. Dinner was going to be quite the feast.
After gulping down the butter-slathered bread, Stig started upstairs. He needed a shower, a change of clothes, and a plausible lie to explain why he’d be unavailable to entertain her this evening. That was bound to be difficult. Cora was the curious type. She’d start asking questions, and what the hell was he going to tell her?
Stig darted into his room and grabbed clean clothes. Having one bathroom and a guest in the house proved more inconvenient than he’d imagined when building his home. He should have sacrificed the extra space in the bedrooms for that second small bathroom.
Without thinking, Stig barged into the bathroom. The steamy interior and Cora’s gasp of surprise registered at the same time. She stood mere inches from him, naked as the day she’d been born. Water droplets followed the sloping curves of her perky breasts and the smooth plane of her belly. She moved a delicate hand in front of her sex, shielding the smooth skin from his view. It didn’t matter. He’d seen it all last night.
“Stig?” Cora stared at him questioningly. Black hair hung in loose, damp curls around her beautiful face. On impulse, Stig reached out to touch her hair. He wound the locks around his forefinger and brought them close to his nose. The scent was bright and sweet and one he would forever associate with her.
There was no controlling his beast once her scent filtered through him. Fire poured through his veins and blazed straight to his lower belly. His groin tightened as his cock awakened and sprang to life. In that hazy, lust-filled moment, Stig thought only of tasting those full pink lips.
“Come here.” His voice was thick and rough. Cora obeyed without a moment’s hesitation. He hauled her tight against his chest and cupped her face. He wasted no time tilting back her head and claiming her mouth. Pliable and sweet, her lips parted and welcomed his searching tongue. His hand slid to the back of her neck as he devoured her soft mouth. She mewled like a kitten and grasped at him.
Stig’s hands roamed the silky skin of her back. He trailed a finger along her spine and clasped a plump cheek. His hand slid along her hip and dipped between their bodies. He palmed her bare mons and elicited a shudder. Cora pressed against him and kissed him hungrily.
It would be so easy to haul her off the ground and place her on the bathroom counter. All he had to do was unzip his jeans and sink into her wet sheath. He could have her, hard and fast, right there, right now.
With a painful groan, Stig tore free and pushed her gently to arm’s length. “We have to stop.”
Almost instantly Cora transformed from a woman confident in her sexuality to a woman embarrassed. She reached for the nearest towel and quickly covered herself. Stig’s gut clenched. That was the last thing he’d wanted.
“Cora…wait.” He reached for her as she tried to shove past him.
“Let go.” She shook free and glared up at him. “I’m not interested in whatever lame-ass excuse you’re about to lay on me.”
Taken aback by the fire in her eyes, he tried to reason with her. “It’s not like that, Cora. I just…hell…I don’t know what I’m saying.” He wiped his face and tried to find the words. “You make me feel, Cora, feel things I haven’t felt in a long time.”
Cora blinked, clearly stunned by his emotional statement. She frowned in confusion. “Then what the hell is the problem?”
“It’s complicated.” How could he explain he was afraid his dragon’s need to mate might be clouding his judgment? How could he tell her about the bloody feud ignited centuries ago because a dragon male had fallen in love with a human woman and gotten her killed?
“Because I’m Hector’s little sister?”
Although her guess wasn’t quite the problem, it gave him a good out. “Yes.”
Cora sighed with frustration. “Then you need to sort that out. I know boys have weird ideas about what’s okay and what’s not when it comes to sisters. The problem is you guys never stop to ask those sisters what the hell they want.”
She spun on her heel and left. He winced at the sharply slammed door. Well he’d completely fucked that up, hadn’t he?
August 2, 2013
On Tour With a Dead Sexy Dragon!
Dead Sexy Dragon, the first book in my new Dragon Heat series, releases August 6 and I’m taking these red hot dragons on tour! You can pre-order copies of Dead Sexy Dragon and Red Hot Dragon right now at Amazon, B&N, Kobo and Apple for $1.99. (Scroll down for links!)
Cora, the heroine from Dead Sexy Dragon, owns a bakery and she butters Stig up by cooking him all sorts of delicious things. In honor of their courtship by food, I’m giving away a copper cookie cutter in the shape of a dragon, a $50 gift card to Sur La Table, a tote bag and some swag. Two runners-up will get a cookie cutter, tote bag and swag.
Lolita Lopez DRAGON HEAT Series Blog Tour Schedule –
8/2 – Book Monster Reviews
http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/
8/02 – Wicked Readings by Tawania
http://www.wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com/
8/03 – KC’s Paranormal Books
http://kcs-books.blogspot.com/
8/04 – Ramblings From This Chick
http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/
8/04 – Cocktails and Books
http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/
8/05 – My Reading Obsession
http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com/
8/05 – The Jeep Diva
8/06 – Nina’s Literary Escape
http://ninasliteraryescape.blogspot.com/
8/07 – Book Lovin’ Mamas
8/08 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind
http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/
8/08 – Salacious Reads
http://www.salaciousreads.com/
8/09 – Larissa’s Bookish Life
8/09 – Confessions of the Paranormal
http://confessionsoftheparanormal.blogspot.com/
8/10 – Mythical Books
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/
8/10 – Offbeat Vagabond
http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/
8/11 – Tiffy-Fit’s Reading Corner
8/12 – Reading Between the Wines
http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/
8/13 – Bookin’ It Reviews
http://www.bookinitreviews.com/
8/14 – Mad Hatter Reads
http://madhatterreads.blogspot.com/
8/15 – Romance Junkies
http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/
8/16 – Darker Passions
8/16 – Jocelyn Dex Blog
http://jocelyndex.blogspot.com/
A DRAGON TO DIE FOR
Stig Wyvern is ready for his transformation. A dragon shifter who goes through violent phases during his mating period, Stig plans to lock himself in a small cave beneath his isolated home. But his dark secret is threatened when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep.
Cora Cardenas has nowhere else to go. She’s in deep trouble with some really nasty people and Stig is the only person she can trust. That he’s strong, gorgeous, and makes her tingle with the simplest of smiles is an added bonus. Soon, Cora realizes Stig is hiding something from her—something that may explain the strange noises coming from the basement at night.
Now as the sexual tension—and danger—escalates, Stig needs to get Cora out of his house. But his inner beast has other ideas. He’s found his mate—and she’s not going anywhere . . .
A DRAGON TO LOVE
Griffin Cadogan is surprised when Avani Monroe, the sworn enemy of his dragon family, walks into his gym. With his mating phase approaching, the dragon shifter wonders know why she risks coming into enemy territory. Yet the dark-eyed temptress shocks him even more with an outrageous demand: She wants him to help her have a baby.
After her mother’s dragon line was annihilated by the Knights, Avani vows to continue her unique dragon breed—and the registries indicate that Griffin is the best candidate. Determined to mate, Avani plans to use her seductive beauty and powerful scent to entice Griffin. The big, strong Welsh man will make for a fitting partner . . . if he doesn’t kill her first.
When they spar over the terms of her proposal, Griffin and Avani can’t deny the intense, primal attraction they feel for each other. But as they become closer to creating a child, the lovers can hear danger encircle them as loud as the clapping of wings. The dragon slayers are coming . . .and they’re gunning for Griffin, Avani and the entire dragon race.
August 1, 2013
Dead Sexy Dragon: Sneak Peek #2
Dead Sexy Dragon, the first book in my new Dragon Heat series, releases on August 6, 2013! You can snag a copy right now for a 1.99 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Kobo.
Last week, I offered the first sneak peek at this new scorching hot paranormal romance series. You can read that excerpt here.
A DRAGON TO DIE FOR
Stig Wyvern is ready for his transformation. A dragon shifter who goes through violent phases during his mating period, Stig plans to lock himself in a small cave beneath his isolated home. But his dark secret is threatened when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep.
Cora Cardenas has nowhere else to go. She’s in deep trouble with some really nasty people and Stig is the only person she can trust. That he’s strong, gorgeous, and makes her tingle with the simplest of smiles is an added bonus. Soon, Cora realizes Stig is hiding something from her—something that may explain the strange noises coming from the basement at night.
Now as the sexual tension—and danger—escalates, Stig needs to get Cora out of his house. But his inner beast has other ideas. He’s found his mate—and she’s not going anywhere . . .
Sneak Peek #2
Stig cursed softly and wiped a hand down his face. “Why didn’t you come to me before, Cora?” He didn’t even bother to hide the aggravation in his voice. “I would have helped you! I would have given you the money to cover Hector’s debts.”
“There’s no way you have the kind of cash on hand these people wanted, Stig. You were a marine just like Hector. I’m sure your furniture business does well, but there’s no way you’re pulling in those kinds of profits.”
Of course, Stig thought with some sadness. Cora had no idea what kind of wealth he’d amassed over the centuries. To her, he was nothing more than a former marine and woodworker. She had no way of knowing the truth—that he was an immortal dragon. During his lifetime, he’d bought and sold property, invested in new technologies and pharmaceuticals and more. He wasn’t as wealthy as, say, Ignatius or Reynard, but his bank account showed a very healthy balance.
“I would have found a way, Cora.” He should let it go but he couldn’t. He fumed over the situation she’d gotten herself into because she’d been too proud—and silly—to ask for help.
“I know,” she whispered. “I just didn’t want to involve you in something so ugly.”
“I would have gladly mired myself in it. You’re very important to me, Cora.”
Her head snapped up at that revelation. Their gazes locked across the table. Stig couldn’t believe he’d said that aloud, yet he had no urge to take it back. It was the truth, plain and simple. Cora meant a great deal to him.
Other than the handful of marines he still kept in touch with via e-mail or phone, Cora was his last connection to humanity. She was something sweet and sassy and beautiful he wanted to protect. Her genuine love of life kept him tethered to reality. It would be so easy to shut himself away in his isolated fortress and live as many of his Brothers preferred: in solitude. Embracing the loner lifestyle had proven useful over the years. It kept him safe and his life free from complications. It allowed him to keep his mind on his duty and on protecting the dragon community from the Knights who wanted them extinct.
For Stig, it had always been easy to separate himself from the outside world. He liked living alone in the middle of nowhere.
Until Cora.
Sitting here in his kitchen, sharing a home-cooked breakfast, made him painfully aware of all the simple pleasures he’d been missing. There was something alluring about the idea of coming down to a kitchen filled with the smells of breakfast cooked by the woman sharing his life. He hadn’t realized just how lonely his solitary lifestyle was until then.
But those types of ideas were dangerous. Cora wasn’t the girl for him. The rules of the Brotherhood of the Green Hide were painfully clear. Other dragons in the general population might stray across species lines but it wasn’t allowed among the Brothers. The very act that had made the Brotherhood necessary and that had put the Knights of St. George on the hunt for them had been caused by a human woman and a dragon. It simply wasn’t done.
Even if Stig’s blood oath to the Brotherhood hadn’t stood in his way, Cora belonged to another world and deserved things he could never give her. To protect her from the danger that always surrounded him, he should send her away. His dragon was already sniffing around and trespassing into her dreams. It was only going to get worse.
Unfortunately, a very real threat to her existed outside the safety of his home. Until it was sorted out, he had to keep her close.
“You can stay until we sort this out.” Stig rose quickly and cleaned off his plate. “You’ll be safe here.”
Cora stood and caught his hand as he turned to leave. Her touch branded him and sent electric arcs up his arm and across his chest. His breath arrested in his lungs as Cora slid her arms around him and hugged him. Stig didn’t know what to do. His arms dangled uselessly at his sides. Her curvaceous body pressed against him in all the wrong—and right—places. He could so easily cup her cheek and tilt back her head, finally claim that pink pout for his own.
Arms still around his waist, Cora smiled up at him. “Thank you, Stig.”
“Anything for Hector’s sister.” He quickly pecked her forehead and stepped back. “I’ll be in the shop if you need me.”
Lips on fire and pulse sprinting, Stig spun on his heel and left the house. He had to get away from her before he made a colossal mistake.
July 25, 2013
Dead Sexy Dragon: Sneak Peek #1
Dead Sexy Dragon, the first book in my new Dragon Heat series with Forever Your/Grand Central, releases on August 6, 2013! It’s available for pre-order now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Kobo. You can snag a copy for $1.99.
Fun Facts About Dead Sexy Dragon
1) Dead Sexy Dragon takes the legend of Saint George and his sword Ascalon and spins it on its head.
2) Stig Wyvern, immortal dragon hero extraordinaire, is a former Marine (hawt!) and a master woodworker. His mortal love interest, Cora Cardenas, runs her family’s bakery and tempts him with her sweet smile and hot buns—cinnamon, of course!
3) Twice every three years, unmated dragons like Stig go into heat. He’ll experience nine nights of raging lust and uncontrollable desire as his inner beast desperately searches for his mate—and Cora has stumbled right into the middle of it.
A DRAGON TO DIE FOR
Stig Wyvern is ready for his transformation. A dragon shifter who goes through violent phases during his mating period, Stig plans to lock himself in a small cave beneath his isolated home. But his dark secret is threatened when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep.
Cora Cardenas has nowhere else to go. She’s in deep trouble with some really nasty people and Stig is the only person she can trust. That he’s strong, gorgeous, and makes her tingle with the simplest of smiles is an added bonus. Soon, Cora realizes Stig is hiding something from her—something that may explain the strange noises coming from the basement at night.
Now as the sexual tension—and danger—escalates, Stig needs to get Cora out of his house. But his inner beast has other ideas. He’s found his mate—and she’s not going anywhere . . .
Sneak Peek #1
Down in the kitchen, Cora took a few moments to investigate the cabinets and fridge contents. The pantry shelves were well stocked and her mind raced with possibilities for the morning. Her grandmother had always preached the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. If there was one thing Stig had always loved, it was Cora’s baking and cooking skills. Considering she desperately needed his help, she’d bake, sauté, fricassee, braise, and roast every recipe in her mental cookbook.
But for tonight a sandwich would suffice. Cora made quick work of assembling her dinner, grabbed a chilled can of fizzy soda from the fridge, and sat at the sturdy wooden table. Her fingertips brushed over the smooth grained tabletop. She marveled at the exquisite craftsmanship.
Stig’s skill as a woodworker was well known. When he’d retired from the Marine Corps, he’d turned his hobby into a thriving business. Cora had seen the adjacent workshop as she’d pulled into the gravel driveway. From what she understood, almost all of his business came from online orders. It seemed client interaction was low on his list of priorities.
Apparently Stig was quite content with his loner status. That was something she’d never understood about him. He’d enjoyed spending a day or two with them in San Antonio whenever Hector invited him down but he always seemed so restless and uneasy, as if he couldn’t wait to escape. He thrived on the solitude of his woodsy fortress. The city seemed to sap him of his vitality.
Cora mused on his oddness as she cleaned up her dishes and swept away the crumbs on the counter and table. There was something about Stig that wasn’t quite right. She used to think it was the effect of all those tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, maybe some post-traumatic stress disorder, but the more she was around him, the less she thought that was the answer.
Clearly he had some lingering issues from his time at war. Hector had been the same way. The nightmares of those days in the violence-fueled desert had driven her brother toward the alcohol and drugs that had eventually led to his demise. Stig, on the other hand, seemed able to master the horrors of war in a way Hector simply never could.
Cora often thought she glimpsed the tiniest bit of guilt reflected in Stig’s eyes whenever they spoke of her brother. No matter how many times she assured Stig he hadn’t failed Hector, she could tell he didn’t believe it. Stig had taken Hector’s car accident incredibly hard. As far as Cora could tell, Hector had been Stig’s only real friend, so the loss must have been as unbearable for him as it had been for her.
But they had each other to lean on for support.
There had been a time in those initial weeks following Hector’s death when Cora had thought maybe, just maybe, Stig felt more for her than friendship, that they weren’t only united in grief but in other, more intimate ways. She’d quickly realized her hopes in that area would never come to fruition. Perhaps it was the age difference or the sibling connection but Stig never gave her any indication that he was interested in anything beyond friendship.
And it killed her.
There was no denying her intense attraction to him. Who wouldn’t have the hots for such a deliciously sexy former Marine ? With that square jaw and that heart-melting grin, Stig set her on fire every time he was near. The thought of being embraced by those thick, muscular arms or having those broad shoulders rippling as he thrust into her welcoming body was almost too much. Her knees weakened at the mere thought of Stig kissing her neck or nibbling her lower lip.
As much as it embarrassed her, Cora still nurtured a secret hope Stig would one day see her not just as his best friend’s sister but as the sexually confident young woman she’d become. Maybe this would be the visit that changed things between them? She’d never been around Stig on his home turf. Whether or not that improved her odds of success, she couldn’t say, but it was worth a try.
Cora flicked off the light and started to leave the kitchen. The strangest noise, a mix between a growl and a moan, stopped her dead in her tracks. She turned back to the kitchen and fixed her gaze on the basement door. The sound had most definitely come from beneath the house.
What kind of animal made a noise like that? Not a raccoon or skunk, owl or bat. Were there coyotes and wolves in the woods? Yes, probably, but how would they get into the basement? Maybe there was outside access to the cellar? A door or vent of some kind?
Her chest constricted with nervousness. She slowly crossed the kitchen and pressed her ear to the door. There was nothing to be heard but her shaky breaths. Whatever she’d heard was quiet now.
A moment later another lonesome howl penetrated the door. Cora’s breath caught in her throat. The fine hairs along her nape stood on edge. So close to the basement entrance, she heard the sound more clearly, a mix of an elephant’s trumpet and a lion’s roar. No, that definitely didn’t belong to any animal she’d ever heard of. What the hell was that?
Cora backed away and left the kitchen in a hurry. Despite the growing distance from the possible threat, she couldn’t shake the eerie sensation. When Stig woke in the morning, she’d ask him to go down there and check it out. Maybe whatever had gotten in there was hurt and needed help.
Or maybe it wanted to break free and eat her face.
