Vivian Arend's Blog, page 31

Travel Picture Wednesday: The Yukon

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I have another amazing landscape shot that Viv took while traveling through The Yukon. How amazing is this?

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Rocky Retreat Feature

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We’re closing in on the release day of ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVIL, and to make sure you’re caught up on the Six Pack Ranch series, we’re going to go through the books that lead up to the new story. ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVIL can be read alone, but it’s better for being a part of the whole!

This week: ROCKY RETREAT

Blurb:

Finding white-hot love in a white-out…

Eight months ago, Lee Coleman met the woman of his dreams…then lost her to another man. He buried his disappointment by throwing himself into work on the family ranch, but when a winter storm leaves him stranded, Lee finds more than shelter in the rustic safety of a hunter’s cabin—he finds a second shot at love.

Rachel Malone’s heart has been broken and stomped on by her cheating ex, and she’s determined to never fall in love again. But a rebound fling? Doesn’t sound like such a bad idea, especially when she’s snowed-in with a gorgeous, sweet-talking Coleman.

Despite their off-the-charts chemistry, Lee makes it clear he wants more than a temporary romp. In fact, he’s made it his mission to put a smile back on her face, even if it means taking it slow and resisting the scorching heat between them. This time around, he wants forever, while Rachel is positive that forever is a fool’s dream.

Lee can’t wait to prove her wrong…

Excerpt:

Rachel turned again, bumping into his solid chest, and Lee caught her before she could bounce back and hit the floor. She tilted her head up to thank him—both for now and for the support he’d shown—when she caught a glimpse of his eyes.

The unsettled sensation in her belly shifted two steps to the right and twisted until she would have sworn there were butterflies twirling inside her. Lee slid his hand upward from where he’d grabbed her arms, moving ever so slowly until one big hand cupped her cheek. He swept his thumb in a gentle caress over her skin as something very much not sympathy but far more flammable rose between them.

She should say something. She should pull away.

Both options were impossible. Her feet were pinned to the floor as her gaze dropped so she could admire his lips, his jaw, his everything.

“It’s good to hear you laugh,” he whispered.

“I haven’t had much to laugh about,” she replied.

He didn’t carry on, and that was what caused her final defeat. If he would’ve kept talking, she could have focused on what a shit her ex-husband had been. Instead silence fell, or such silence that was possible in the cabin with the storm raging outside, a fire raging in, and all kinds of emotions raging through her. All of them combined into a bank of noise and confusion, and Rachel couldn’t decide what to do.

What she should do next, that is. What she wanted to do? Lean forward until their bodies connected. Wrap her arms around him, hell, wrap her legs around him. For one night she wanted to let go of the emotion she’d locked down tight—for one night she would love to set it free. Just like the storm dumping everything it had in twenty-four hours, in one hour she could rid herself of so many things.

That’s when she realized they were touching. She’d shifted and brought them in contact, her breasts pressed against a wall of muscle.

His fingers shook against her skin. “Rachel, honey, you don’t want to do this.”

Oh, no, she really did. “Why not?”

His eyes flashed hotter, and the subtle change in his body stance proved her suggestion had made an impact.

“There’s only one bed,” she pointed out.

His lips twitched. “If you think I’m going to fuck you simply because there’s only one bed and we have to share it, you need to know I have a little more willpower than that.”

“Don’t you want me?”

Lee dragged in a deep breath as Rachel wished she could smack herself in the head for being so forward. And then she didn’t give a damn because this was what she wanted.

“No one is twisting my arm. No one is making me proposition you. I’ve been so cold inside,” she confessed, “and this is the first time in a long time I’ve felt anything. Anything other than pain.”

Lee shook his head. “You know I care about you, and giving Gary hell for what he did to you is high on my agenda, but—”

“But, what?” she demanded. “You think you’re in charge of what I want? Thanks, but I had someone try that with me, and it didn’t turn out so good.”

She tossed caution to the wind and slid her palms up his chest, feeling his hardness sink against her belly, and a flash of fire turned the pain inside to passion. She really didn’t want to miss a chance to erase some of what she’d felt at Gary’s betrayal.

“Rach—”

She didn’t let him finish, just pressed their lips together. If she had to be the aggressor, so be it.

Not three seconds after they made contact, she was no longer in charge. He’d lifted her in the air so he could kiss her better, that hand at the back of her head holding her exactly right so he could ravish her mouth. Teeth, tongue, lips. He used them all with devastating effectiveness as he kissed her, and kissed her, and kissed her some more until she was lightheaded and not caring one single bit.

When he pulled back, she paused, lingering in the moment between her need to gasp for air and the urgent desire to dive back in for another round. Time stood still as she stared into his face and tried to analyze what he felt.

Desire was there—that much was powerfully clear. He didn’t attempt to hide his sexual attraction.

Yet with a level of control far from how he’d kissed her, he placed her back on the ground, stepping away after she caught her balance. His eyes had gone dark, his breathing unsteady. “Make no mistake, Rachel, I want you. I’ve wanted you for a long time, and I don’t just mean in bed. But this isn’t how we’re going to start anything.”

Purchase:

Digital: Amazon US | Amazon UK |Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks US | iBooks UK | iBooks CA | All Romance eBooks | GooglePlay | Scribd | Oyster

Print: Amazon | CreateSpace

Audio: Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Rocky Mountain Romance Feature

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We’re closing in on the release day of ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVIL, and to make sure you’re caught up on the Six Pack Ranch series, we’re going to go through the books that lead up to the new story. ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVIL can be read alone, but it’s better for being a part of the whole!

This week: ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROMANCE

Blurb:

Second chances are the sweetest—and the hottest.

It took a spectacularly embarrassing break-up to knock Steve Moonshine Coleman off his lazy butt. In the ten months since that night, he’s changed his ways. Now that Melody’s back in town, it’s time for this sweet-talking cowboy to convince her to get back in the saddle with him.

A return to her veterinary position in Rocky Mountain House was always in the cards for Melody Langley. Getting back together with Steve? Never part of the plan. He had lots of potential but zero ambition, and there’s no way she’ll accept anything less than a man who can keep up with her, in and out of bed.

But the new-and-improved cowboy is impossible to resist, so Melody issues a challenge. Three months to prove he’s reformed. Three months of Steve orchestrating one sexual indulgence after another—wicked distractions from the old boys’ club Melody faces at work and Steve’s growing responsibilities.

He’s got one shot to prove with more than words what’s in his heart and soul.

Warning: Fifty percent less angst, twice as much filthy-talking, dirty-daring cowboy. Get ready for a whole lot of make-your-knees-weak wooing from a man intent on proving he’s got what it takes, and the woman ready to push him way past his limits.

Excerpt:

“I want to see you again,” Steve blurted out.

Maybe if she’d never imagined hearing those words this would’ve been more awkward, but she’d had enough time to think it over. Melody had prepared for every possibility when she’d decided to return to Rocky Mountain House, even this one.

Prepared, and planned to enjoy it.

She kept walking. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t think we had an actual relationship, not one that I’m interested in rekindling.”

“I get that. I told you I was a fool, but I’ve changed. I want a chance to prove it.”

“Prove it?” A burst of laughter escaped before she could stop it. “Steve, when we were dating, half the time you didn’t know what day it was. And I don’t even know that I want to call it dating. More like conveniently seeing each other when it worked out. That part wasn’t just your fault. I’ll take some of the blame, because I was damn busy with my job.”

“We were both busy, but that doesn’t give me an excuse for being a shit. It also doesn’t have anything to do with what I’m talking about right now.”

Melody jerked to a halt so she could toss him her most disdainful expression. “What happened between us a year ago, and more? How does that have nothing to do with the fact you want to see me again? You’re not making any sense.”

His lips twitched upward as his gaze drifted over her, his attraction apparent. “Let’s start with a clean slate. Hi, you must be the new vet in town. I’m Steve Coleman, and you’re going to be seeing a lot of me.”

Unbelievable. And yet…interesting. The old Steve would have joked around, but never with that intense focus as if he was prepared to actually do something if she argued with him. “Well, it appears you’ve grown some balls since the last time we met, but I don’t know that it’s enough.”

“Trust me, I’ve got the balls, for many things.”

She shook her head, clicking her tongue as if in disbelief. “If that was some sly reference toward your sexual prowess? There’s another place you’re mistaken. I’ll give you points for knowing where to find a woman’s clit, and I had more than a few orgasms with you—thanks for them, by the way.”

His grin broadened, and she was almost reluctant to deliver the killing blow.

“But, Steve? I’m afraid you’re just too vanilla for me.”

Melody spun on her heel and marched away, her own grin breaking free as he stood frozen on the spot behind her, sputtering in response. She kept walking, catching hold of her door and quickly crawling into the borrowed beast.

She got the door shut before he caught up with her, but there was no way she could ignore him. Steve stood inches from her closed door, his expression folded into a frown until she relented and rolled down her window.

He started in right away before she could speak, his utter shock apparent. “Too vanilla for you?”

Melody answered briskly. “I found out a few things about myself while I was away at school this year. So, I’m glad we’re going to be friends, and I look forward to working with the Colemans now that I’m back, but that’s pretty much all us time is going to be. Have a nice day.”

She put the truck in drive and left him standing in the dirt, containing her laughter until she was on the main highway and headed for home.

This was where the Steve she’d known would saunter back to the party and forget about her. Oh, maybe he’d give a few moments’ thought to challenging her comments, but then something would distract him, and the next time they met? It would be as if this conversation had never happened. He’d ask her out again, she’d turn him down.

Eventually he’d get bored and move on. It was sad, but inevitable.

Except…the flash of fire she’d seen in his eyes in her rearview mirror as she drove away wasn’t familiar. Something fluttered in her belly, and she wondered if maybe she’d poked a little too hard.

Purchase:

Digital: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks US | iBooks UK | iBooks CA | All Romance eBooks | GooglePlay | Scribd | Oyster

Print: Amazon | CreateSpace

Audio: Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Giveaway

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Want to win a FREE audiobook? Here’s your chance! Leave a comment on the blog post to be entered to win.

The question:

Who is your favorite Coleman?

 

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(Winner gets to pick from the available titles below. Codes are available for US, as well as international readers (where Audible is available) If you win, we’d really appreciate if you’d post a review on Audible once you’re done!)

Titles available:

~~**Six Pack Ranch Series**~~

– Rocky Mountain Freedom, Rocky Retreat, Rocky Mountain Romance, Rocky Mountain Shelter

~~**Thompson & Sons Series**~~

– Rocky Ride, One Sexy Ride, Let It Ride, A Wild Ride

~~**Takhini Shifters**~~

– Copper Kind, Laird Wolf

Travel Picture Wednesday: The Yukon

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Today I have an amazing landscape shot from the Yukon to share with you! Such an amazing picture!!

Friday Feature: Wolf Flight

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Do you enjoy fated mates? How about short, sexy wolf shifters? If so, you must read WOLF FLIGHT!

 

 “You got an issue I need to know about?” Missy’s thoughts laughed at him.

“Just tell my sister she’s a brave woman.”

“Bad boy. Please be careful, Tad. I love you so much.”

He took note of where the men left the arena to be sure his backup plan was in place before facing Doug. There was still time for one last chance at solving things in a civilized manner. Tad held out his hand.

“Hi. I’m Tad. I understand we’re kind of related since Missy and I mated—”

Doug growled and bared his teeth. His canines extended past his lips.

“You sure you want to do this? I mean, both Missy and I are Omegas and—”

“You’re a fool. You have no idea how to use your skills, which is why I’m going to kill you now. You’ve spent so much of your life as a human and an unwanted half-blood, you have no idea of the power of a full-blood Alpha. You’re even too sensitive to fuck a woman who is already mated. Oh yes, I know all about you. I looked into what kind—”

Tad socked him. Hard. Twice.

Someday the bad guys would realize monologues were a bad thing.

Purchase

Digital: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Samhain | iBooks US | iBooks UK | iBooks CA | GooglePlay | Scribd

Print:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books a Million | Powell’s | Samhain

Travel Picture Wednesday

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For today’s Travel Picture Wednesday, I have a special treat for everyone who has read WOLF SIGNS. Here is a picture of the Granite Lake Cabin!

 

Cover Updates

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The Forces of Nature series has been re-released with new covers!  You can now get TIDAL WAVE and WHIRLPOOL for free with your Kindle Unlimited Subscription. Check out these sexy new covers!

 

        

 

Tidal Wave

The ocean isn’t the only thing that’ll be wet tonight…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Her world is about to be turned upside down

When Alexia Colten is called home to the ocean-side village of Jaffrey’s Cove all she expects is a sad, short walk down memory lane. Instead, she’s gifted with her grandmother’s dolphin-etched medallion. Suddenly all the gorgeous men of the village are fawning over her while she’s blindsided by intense sexual cravings. Something mysterious is happening—and Alexia is thrust into a sensual, exciting world she’s never imagined.

They’ll give everything they have to help her survive

Cousins Joshua and Anthony Marley were content to live quietly in their secret merfolk community, but now that their childhood friend Alexia is back, all bets are off. The medallion that marks her as their next potential leader also marks her as a target for every ambitious male in town. Joshua and Anthony are determined to be the two lovers she’ll need to take to be able to shift fully into all her merfolk forms—human, dolphin and fire.

Convincing her to accept their help is going to be an exhilarating ride on the wild side Alexia never knew she had.

Warning: this book is intended for mature audiences as it contains sexual adventures in and out of the water including ménage a trois, and a really hot situation in a kitchen that doesn’t involve the stove. If that’s not your thing, don’t read this book. And yes, dolphins are sexy. Really.

 

WHIRLPOOL

The ocean isn’t the only thing that’ll be wet tonight…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They’re fighting against temptation

As a part of the secret merfolk community of Jaffrey’s Cove, Chelsea’s been trying to get the sexy Sheriff Braden Marley to notice her for a long time. Not only does the stubborn man hold her at a maddening arm’s length, he’s chased away every other man in town leaving her frustrated—dolphin shifters crave sex, and he’s driving her mad with desire.

He’s enticing them to break all the rules

Enter Jamie Powell, a human marine archeologist who’s in town for a cataloging project. The instant chemistry between him Chelsea inspires Jamie to suggest a sensual new tactic: use him to make Braden jealous enough to stop dragging his feet. Jamie has no idea what kind of trouble he’s just waded into, or how deep the mystery goes. Suddenly Jamie’s life and the whole community are at risk because no amount of merfolk magic can erase forbidden attraction.

—–

Warning: this book is intended for mature audiences as it contains sexual adventures in and out of the water including ménage a trois with boy touching (men touching? Oh, yeah!) If that’s not your thing, don’t read this book. And yes, dolphins are sexy. Really.

Feature Friday: Rocky Mountain Freedom

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Like non-traditional romances? Be sure to check out Travis, Ashley, and Cassidy in ROCKY MOUNTAIN FREEDOM.

A minute later? Maybe two—she’d lost all track of time—Cassidy nuzzled her cheek softly, slowing his touch. “Fucking amazing.”

Another kiss, this time Travis, his lips next to her ear. “You okay, baby?”

She made herself nod. “Uh-huh.”

Even though she felt like a bowl of jelly, getting her jollies wasn’t the end of the evening. She twisted toward Travis. “You’re being an ass and leaving Cassidy hanging.”

Travis laughed. “He hasn’t been hanging since the minute you started working on that damn ice cream cone, woman.”

“So?” she demanded. He wasn’t stupid. He knew what she was asking.

“We’re taking care of you first, that’s all,” Cassidy insisted.

“God, the two of you are impossible.” She wiggled out from under them far enough to sit up, looking around to find the deck of cards. Seated naked, she ignored their grins as she shuffled a couple of times then slammed a card on the table in front of each of them. She flipped hers over to show an ace, then grinned at Travis. “Get Cassidy off. Now.”

He exchanged an amused look with Cassidy. “I hope you’re enjoying ordering me around, because it’s not happening again for a long, long time.”

“You playing?” Ashley taunted. She turned their cards to reveal a pair of jacks. “I’d have given you both jokers, but there were none in the deck.”

Travis slipped off the tabletop, his cock back up to full again as he paced around the table to Cassidy’s side. “Lesson to learn, Cassidy? Never bet with a woman who does card tricks.”

Cassidy rotated to face him. “I don’t know. So far everything’s gone pretty damn well as far as I’m concerned.”

Purchase:

Digital: Amazon US | Amazon UK |Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks US | iBooks UK | iBooks CA| GooglePlay

Print: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Booksamillion | Powells | Samhain

Audio: Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Wednesday Travel Picture: Everglades

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Here is Viv paddling in the Everglades!