Laura Roberts's Blog, page 68
December 3, 2014
#HumpDayReviews: Winter Wonderland by Belinda Jones
As someone who previously lived in Montreal for about eight years, Belinda Jone’s Winter Wonderland was right up my cobblestoned, fleur-de-lys-waving alley, and I was hooked from the first paragraph. Living in southern California, you definitely start to miss the ice and snow (and toques galore!), and this holiday romance was exactly what I needed to reminisce about my time spent Up North.
While most of the book’s action takes place in Quebec City, I loved the way Belinda captured the mixed feelings most people have about “living in a snowglobe,” from her fantastic descriptions of the ice hotel’s beauty (and arctic sleeping conditions) to the excitement of getting to steer a sled led by a pack of huskies. I can’t imagine participating in a Polar Bear Dip – running nearly naked through the snow only to dive into frigid waters – myself, but I have a few Canadian friends who do this, and yes, it’s just as crazy as Krista describes! The run-ins with “Malhomme” (a mischievous Bonhomme imitator) gave a slightly sinister edge to all this healthy outdoor fun, which I also enjoyed, and was glad when we finally got to know more about the man behind the snowman.
When Krista finally does visit Montreal, it’s a great change of pace from all the outdoor Winter Carnival outdoor activites. We get to move indoors to explore local restaurants and cafés, Cirque du Soleil’s training center and, of course, a little shopping. (Props for her sprinkling of French phrases like “lèche-vitrines” translated to English: “licking the windows” instead of “window shopping” is common in Montreal, as is the city’s love affair with poutine.) I was definitely taken back to my own adventures in Montreal and Quebec City with this book, and loved the mix of fictional romance and factual information about both cities.
My only disappointment was when the book finally came to an end. Luckily Va-Va-Vacation is a real website where I can go for more destination romances from Belinda Jones. I hope to read more about Krista and her soon-to-be-in-NYC gal pal, Laurie, but in the meantime, there are plenty of “fun in the sun” getaways to browse for those who prefer their winters on the warmer side.
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Forked: An excerpt + #giveaway from Melanie Harlow
Twenty-eight year old Coco Thomas knows the recipe for disaster:
1) Agree to plan last-minute engagement blowout for spoiled Mafia princess before you realize her choice of caterer is Nick Lupo, a despicably gorgeous young chef with a hot new restaurant in town, a reality TV show victory, and a romantic past with you—one that did not end well.
2) Strike a deal with Nick in which you agree to spend a weekend with him in exchange for his services, under the strict conditions there will be no talking about the past, no second chances, and definitely no sex.
3) Violate all three conditions within 24 hours and spend two glorious days remembering what made you fall for the sexy, egotistical bastard in the first place, and why it hurt so much when he broke your heart.
Add one road trip, plenty of good scotch, and endless spoonfuls of chocolate cake batter drizzled over your body and licked off inch by oh-my-God-yes-right-there inch, then just admit it.
You’re totally FORKED.
An excerpt from Forked
Holy shit, I might actually pull this off. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I noted the vendor names on the contract. No, not might. I would absolutely pull this off by myself, and it would be fabulous. Huge without being impersonal. Fun without being tacky. Elegant without being stuffy. Mia would be proud of me, we were bound to get good buzz if this reality show took off, and with the estimated total cost — at which Angelina didn’t even bat a fake eyelash — I’d make enough money to put ten percent down on the house. I could make an offer next week, even.
See? Stop worrying. This was all meant to happen. It’s fate.
And then.
“Oh! I almost forgot. I want that Italian chef, Nick Lupo, to do burgers at midnight,” announced Angelina. “Right after the fireworks.”
The floor dropped a few feet, or maybe it was my stomach. I gripped the edge of my desk. “What did you say?”
“I want that Italian guy. You know, the one who won first place on that reality show about hot chefs last year, Lick My Plate? He’s from here and he has a restaurant downtown called The Burger Bar. He’s there like every night. I saw him in there this week.”
“Yes, I know who he is. I just…” Haven’t seen him since he snuck out of our hotel room in Vegas seven years ago. “…think he might be difficult to get.”
Angelina blinked at me. “Why?”
“Well, because he’s, um…” My ex. Famous now. The best sex I ever had and the worst mistake I ever made. There were any number of ways I could’ve finished that sentence, but finally I went with “probably not available.”
“I want him.” Angelina poked an index finger onto my desk. Unlike her pink and white pedicure, her fingernails were painted corpse gray. “Get him.”
“Uh, I don’t think Nick Lupo does private parties.” I hadn’t said his name out loud in years, and the sound of it, the feel of it on my lips brought back powerful memories—the taste of whiskey and apple pie. A warm, muscular body moving over mine. The crunch of leaves beneath my back. A wide, lush mouth closing over my breast as he filled the hollow ache inside me—
I crossed my legs and squeezed my thighs together. Don’t.
“This isn’t just any private party. Tell him who it’s for,” said Angelina, like duh. “Tell him who my father is. He’ll do it.”
My insides churned. “I guess I could try.”
“Do it. Or I’ll get someone who can.” Her loud voice was razor sharp, and I suddenly got the feeling God wasn’t the one who’d sent her.
Fuck.
“I’ll do it.” My throat was bone dry, my words barely audible.
“What?”
“I’ll do it,” I said more forcefully. “I’ll get him.”
“You promise?” Angelina sniffed.
“Yes.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
We finished up, and after she left, I dropped my head onto my desk and banged my forehead against the wood until it ached.
Nick Lupo. I had to face Nick Lupo, after all this time.
Even Mia didn’t know the complete truth about my most impulsive decision ever. I’d been too ashamed to tell her.
When he’d left me sleeping in that room at the Bellagio seven years ago, I’d been wearing a wedding ring. That he’d put on my finger the night before.
He’d left his ring on the nightstand along with a note.
This was a mistake.
Buy Links
About the Author
Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her lipstick red, and her history with the naughty bits left in. She lifts her glass to readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI.
Connect with Melanie on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter and her website, melanieharlow.com.
Giveaway
Related PostsEntangle by Veronica Larsen: An excerpt + #giveawayUnmask My Heart: An interview with Arianna Giorgi + #giveawaySweet Secrets by Constance Munday bakes up erotic romanceZemanta
December 1, 2014
Entangle by Veronica Larsen: An excerpt + #giveaway
Don’t judge me for what I’m about to say. I tried to do things the right way. I wore the big white dress and rode off with Prince Charming. Then Charming changed his mind. See, that’s the part they don’t tell you; he can change his mind. These days, I don’t put my heart in anyone’s hands because I don’t even know where I’ve left it.
Enter Leo. Blue-eyed specimen of a man, stirring me awake in ways I never thought possible. I think I should indulge myself for once. Because one time is all I need. Then he goes and weaves simple, deliberate movements into pure, gilded pleasure. And I’m hooked. I’m so blinded by desire I barely notice the gaping hole opening underneath me, the one that’s sure to swallow me entirely. Because every time I’ve dared to get close to someone, they’ve cracked me wide open.
Why should this time be any different?
An excerpt from Entangled
I don’t say anything. We fall into a warm silence, listening to the muffled sounds of the road. I guess I doze off to sleep at some point, because the next thing I know, I’m jolting awake.
Leo turns off the engine. I squint, a number of things coming to me at once. I don’t recognize our surroundings. We are parked in an empty lot but I hear the occasional car swooping past a nearby road. The windows are cracked open and the air that drifts in smells of cool saltwater. But there’s something else, too. I look down at the cup holders.
“Oh my God, is that coffee?” I ask.
“Yes, ma’am.”
The rich roasted scent envelops me and nearly lifts me from my seat. My mouth instantly waters as I snatch up the cup and press my lips to the opening to taste the scent.
“You’re amazing. Thank you.” I drink some and shut my eyes as the taste explodes on my tongue. Before Leo, coffee was my drug of choice. I examine the embellishment on the cup. “Starbucks? Where’d you find one open this late?”
“Found an all-night drive-thru,” he says, pulling open his car door. “Come on, those weren’t meant to be drank in the car.”
By the time he comes around to my side, I’m already out. I look around the empty lot and start piecing together our location. We’re by the ocean; Torrey Pines beach is down the hill.
Leo must notice the realization dawn on me because he says, “I hope you don’t have objections to sand in your shoes.”
This feels like a date. I know I said no dates, but this feels so right that I forget to be stubborn about it. Because the moon disarms me with its pearly glow, peering through the overcast sky. The ocean conspires as well, luring me in with the faint but discernible soundtrack of crashing waves. I’m instantly at ease. I forget that I’m tired and a bit sad. The cool breeze has a slight bite to it, enough to stir my senses awake.
“Leo—Thank you. I needed this.”
His lips twist up when I say that.
“Don’t thank me yet.”
His kiss takes me by surprise. I nearly drop the coffee but he wraps a hand around the cup and places it somewhere overhead. On the top of the car, I think. He does it without breaking our kiss. Our hands free, he tastes me like it’s the first time and he’s burning from the inside out with a craving to know what lays beneath my clothes. He’s grazing, pulling, tasting, breathing me in. I’m sure he could take me right where we stand, against his car.
I’m breathless when he pulls away; the breeze swoops in between us and tinges my swollen lips. He grabs his cup of coffee from behind me and hands me my own.
“Come on,” he says, and he guides me hand in hand toward the beach.
Pre-Order Links
About the Author
Veronica Larsen is a novelist who enjoys writing emotionally rousing stories laced with potent sexuality. She particularly enjoys writing about intelligent and independent women who give the male lead a run for their money. When Veronica isn’t writing, she is working on graphic design projects. She enjoys losing herself in a good book and spending time with her husband and young son.
Connect with Veronica on Facebook or Twitter.
Giveaway
Veronica will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC a digital copy of Entangle to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to follow the rest of the tour here and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning!
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November 28, 2014
Happy #BuyNothingDay: Enjoy your time off to rest and reflect
Every year, instead of trampling my fellow human beings in a race to be the first to grab the latest gadget nobody needs on Black Friday – just one day after we’ve all shared how thankful we are for all the stuff we already have – I like to celebrate Buy Nothing Day.
And I encourage you to celebrate with me!
Even if your holiday shopping is all done online, don’t you find it a little frustrating to wake up the Friday after Thanksgiving to an inbox stuffed with ads? Sure, they are offering you crazy discounts and deals, but why must it be TODAY? Seriously, why are we all going so corporate consumer crazy just one day after we shared heartfelt thanks for our friends, loved ones, and our comfortable positions in life?
It drives me a little nuts, to be honest. And, like Charlie Brown, I truly dislike the commercialism that surrounds the holiday season.
Isn’t it disturbing that you can now buy a clone of Charlie Brown’s sad little Christmas tree for just $9.99?
So although I do typically purchase food on Buy Nothing Day (woman cannot live on coffee and leftover cauliflower mash alone, after all), I avoid all the capitalist hype associated with the deals and steals.
Instead of listening to the noise, I tune it out in favor of solitude. It gives me time to think about what the holidays really mean to me, what I really want out of life, whom I’d like to share my precious moments with, and what path I’m truly on.
Today isn’t about buying things. It’s about relaxing and reevaluating – and finishing my NaNoWriMo project! And with that, it’s time for me to get back to work.
Happy Buy Nothing Day, everyone.
What do you like to do on the Friday after Thanksgiving?
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November 25, 2014
Ash’s Fire: An interview with Callie Gold + #giveaway
Smart and successful Attorney Jordan Cohen didn’t expect Sam, her husband and best friend, to invoke their old pact for non-exclusivity. But after twenty-some years together, he did.
A chance meeting with Ari Ash, the tall-dark-and-yummy internationally renowned concert pianist, sends Jordan into his arms. Ari’s mysterious ways and magical lovemaking pull the conflicted Jordan into a whirlwind affair.
When Ari is implicated in an execution-style murder, she wants to believe Ari is innocent, but one troubling fact after another keeps popping up. Jordan turns to the only man she can trust with her lover’s life – her brilliant criminal defense attorney husband.
Is Ari a killer?
When Ari is charged, Jordan fears the worst: a life sentence for her lover, exposure of her affair and the ruin of her law firm and irreparable damage to her husband’s reputation. But she can’t let go of Ari’s love…
With the trial just days ahead, Jordan races to save her lover, her husband and herself.
Desire, suspicion, love and loyalty all clash in the fast-paced Mediterranean city of Tel-Aviv.
An excerpt from Ash’s Fire
“Are you okay?” she asked, reigning in her instant desire for him, feeling the burden of the empty shelves in the empty apartment.
“Keeping busy,” he texted.
“How was your rehearsal?”
“Better than yesterday,” Ari wrote.
“That’s great,” she wrote back, and added another smiley. “I miss you.”
“Me too,” he wrote. “I think of your hands caressing me.”
“Lots of caressing waiting for you when you come back.” Ari knows how to cheer himself up, she thought, focus on the positive, on what he was doing, on the good things to come. And then she added, “I miss your hands, too.” She imagined his hands, big and strong and sensuous, more knowing than any that had ever touched her. She thought of his long menu of touches, from fluttering butterflies that landed and danced, to hungry lions, that pounced and devoured. From ticklish caterpillars that wriggled slowly, to finicky kittens that bumped exuberantly. His hands told innumerable stories, took her body on imaginary voyages. His hands knew how to fill her with fantasy, with excitement.
“Where exactly do you miss them?” he asked.
“It’s a very long list.” she answered, a smile pulling her cheeks up, her skin tingling. Jordan felt his hands on her face, caressing her gently, reaching into her hair, and then behind her neck, holding her head, nestling it. Ari’s hands knew how to sooth her pain, give her patience to wait for his return. She felt his hands waking her body, exciting it, make her blood heat and run faster in her veins.
“I’m looking at your beautiful face now,” he wrote back, “I want you to do the same.”
“Got it,” she smiled. “You XL piece of sweet caramel candy, you!” she said. “I wish I could be there to help you with the shelves.”
“Me, too. You can hold, while I drill. Give me a hand?”
An Interview
Do you write about what turns you on?
I write erotica, dude!
If I were to come to your house for a meal, what would you give me to eat?
I would stuff your face. And I would be insulted if you didn’t eat enough. And most of the food would be homemade. The bread, the jam, the peanut butter, the cake, the tahini, the hot dishes, even the pizza. This house is the house of (oral) pleasure!
Are you a romantic?
Not terribly. Am I supposed to be?
Do you listen to music when you’re writing?
Good God, no! I listen to music when I listen to music. It’s too special to use as background noise.
Do you ever read your stories out loud?
No. it’s just loud in my head. I sometimes laugh, though, when I read my stuff. Is that too weird?
What are your future ambitions?
To sell gazillions of copies of my Ash trilogy and land a movie deal with Hugh Jackman playing Ari Ash. Modest shit like that.
About the Author
Callie Gold is an Israeli married to an American. She admits that marrying her husband was the smartest decision she has ever made in her entire life. Together they have raised three beautiful children.
Callie is a lawyer, and a Jew, and what’s worse – an Israeli. That means that she’s an in-your-face kinda gal. There is no Hebrew word for “subtle.” Callie’s husband says that she has too many opinions, and he’s right. But she’s also open and friendly and very curious, and is known to start intimate conversations with the Falafel guy.
Since she stopped litigating, Callie’s husband says she’s become a much nicer person (Callie’s husband is almost always right, which makes living with him really good and seriously annoying, all at the same time).
When she’s not writing, Callie does divorce mediation and marriage counseling, which, she believes will save her a good seat in that place up there. She also cooks and bakes and you will always find home-baked bread in her freezer, next to the chocolate gelato that her husband makes.
Callie writes because writing creates another life for her, a life in which she can do whatever she wants. In order to write she has become a time thief.
Above all, Callie is a lover of people and she can never get enough of human interaction. So feel free to start up a conversation with her!
Connect with Callie on Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon and her website, calliegold.com.
Giveaway
Callie will be giving away a $50 Amazon/BN gift card via Rafflecopter. Don’t forget to follow the rest of the tour and comment here; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning!
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November 21, 2014
Confessions of a 3-Day Novelist free days + bonus book #giveaway
My latest book, Confessions of a 3-Day Novelist, is free at Amazon from November 21 to 25th. In celebration of my free days for this new release, I also wanted to run a contest for readers who review the book between now and November 30th as a way of saying thank you for your reviews.
But then I thought, “Man, contests are a hassle. Why not just give them a second book for free?”
So that’s exactly what I’m going to do!
Here’s the deal:
Grab your free copy of Confessions of a 3-Day Novelist
Read it and write an Amazon review
Send me the link to your review once it’s live at contactlauraroberts@buttontapper.com for a free copy of the book that inspired my original 3-day novel, Ninjas of the 512 – no strings attached
Simple, right?
All you have to do is review my free book to get another awesome book for free. But hurry, because I’m only giving away this bonus book until November 30th.
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November 20, 2014
Unmask My Heart: An interview with Arianna Giorgi + #giveaway
Today I have an interview with Arianna Giorgi, author of Unmask My Heart. But first, here’s a bit about her book.
When Rome’s loveliest rose and Venice’s fiercest lion team up to win back the love of their respective spouses-to-be, the Serene Republic may expect a hilarious romp – and perhaps the most torrid love story to have ever bedazzled its gilded canals…
Survived a pirate attack on the Isle of Lina, Venice’s sturdiest outpost, Roman Princess Isabella Pamphili and Venetian war hero Brando Loredan escape from the island and arrive in Venice.
Isabella discovers her fiancé is a cheat, her bride dream a lie. Her future husband, the man she loves with all her heart is flirting in… Brando’s fiancée’s arms!
Shock. Disappointment. Anguish. Fear for her future. The rascal deserves a lesson he will not forget, because a princess of Rome doesn’t bow out so easily. Brando Loredan will not be that hard to convince for he is jealous, angry and vindictive enough to get some brilliant idea. So she joins forces with him to get back her fiancé and put together the little dream back on track. But while trying and insisting on regaining the dream, she discovers a new path of light and love. It is not a lie, like the first dream, but it may be even harder to win.
Unmask My Heart is a story of love and sweet revenge set in sparkling, sumptuous Casanova’s Venice where everything is possible and sins are concealed behind a mask.
An excerpt from Unmask My Heart
Everything happened at once. Giulia lost her balance, arched backward, and fell into the canal.
The gondola capsized and Isabella fell in as well. She gasped trying to keep afloat but her heavy dress dragged her down. She floundered about in order to reach the surface. There was no way to get out of her dress and her lungs burned from a lack of air. She looked up at the surface where indefinite, dark shapes moved against the light. She could no longer hold her breath. This was it. She closed her eyes and gave up her will to fight death.
Isabella felt herself being grabbed by the waist and hauled to the surface. A violent coughing fit shook her and her lungs burned with the sudden influx of air.
Hands. On her arms, chest, neck, face. Isabella opened her eyes and met Brando’s anxious gaze. His drenched locks dripped water onto her breast. He smiled at her. She was safe and sound.
“You scared me, lady. Are you alright?” Brando caressed her face and wiped away wet tendrils from her cheeks.
Isabella nodded.
Brando helped her to sit. It was in that moment that she saw her husband-to-be sitting on the dock on the opposite side of the canal. He was next to Giulia. Both were wet. Leonardo had rushed to the alley cat’s side and left Isabella to die.
Isabella suddenly felt old and tired. She took Brando’s hand in hers. “Thank you… Lion.”
He kissed her hand and hugged her. “No need to thank me.”
“I’m really sorry you had to witness such a scene,” Isabella said in a whisper.
Brando looked at her open-mouthed. “I am the one who hoped to spare you this humiliation.”
Interview
How long have you been writing romance, and what inspired you to get into this genre?
I’ve been writing romance for about seven years, inspired by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’s books.
What gave you the idea for your latest book?
I wanted a love story taking place in Venice for that’s the most romantic place ever to me. As for the story, well, I wrote down the plot during a road-trip around Tuscany, in Italy. Among beautiful hills, vineyards, medieval towns and fantastic food, Unmask My Heart took life in my mind.
Who are some of your favorite romance writers or other literary inspirations?
I love historical romance. I appreciate many authors, but my favorite romance authors by far are Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Paullina Simmons, Suzanne Enoch and Italian writer Elisabetta Bricca.
Other literary inspirations? Well, Jane Austen and… William Shakespeare. ;)
Describe your typical writing routine. Where do you usually write? How many words/pages per day? Do you keep set hours? What does your workspace look like?
I don’t have a typical writing routine since I have a full-time job and a family to take care of. I write whenever I can, mostly during the weekend. When I write, I can write down 1–2 chapters. My work space is a studio with light blue walls, white shabby chic furniture, a little sofa, a bookcase, white and blue curtains. Put food and beverages on my desk, and music. I need classical or new age music to work.
Do you have any favorite foods or beverages that help keep your creativity flowing?
Yes! I usually have a cup of tea and a glass of Coke Zero on my desk, and cookies. Beverages, food and music is what I need to get in touch with my characters and my story.
Do you have any writing superstitions or rituals when starting (or ending) a new book?
I’m not a superstitious one. As for a ritual, I lock myself in my studio with my tea and Coke Zero and food, I always start listening to classical music. When I create my characters, I always always always do it on paper, never on my PC for this makes them more real to me.
What do you think makes for a good romantic story?
The characters and the plot. The characters must be strong and credible, as well as their behavior and their dialogues. They must also be imperfect, for we can’t love a perfect person, who never makes a mistake or never says the wrong thing. The plot is essential, at least for me. The story has to be strong and beautiful. What would Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler have been without as wonderful story as Gone With The Wind?
What else have you written, and where can people learn more about you and your work?
I’ve written a couple of erotica short stories and a horror short story for the Italian market.
It was amazing to be with you and I would be delighted to get in touch with you through Facebook. On my author page you’ll also find reportage about the places mentioned in Unmask My Heart. For news, giveaways and contests, please sign up to my newsletter by sending an email to arianna.english14@gmail.com.
About the Author
Arianna Giorgi is a historical romance author and a journalist, a college graduate and an avid reader. She makes her home halfway between the Vatican City and the picturesque old quarter of Trastevere at the heart of the city of Rome in Italy, where Julius Caesar kept an apartment as a young man about town and from where a long list of artists gave the world some of its greatest masterpieces.
She has an intrinsic appreciation of beauty and everything eccentrically romantic, including a strong affiliation to the city of Venice which she visits at least twice a year.
Independent and curious, Arianna has travelled extensively around the globe, from America to Africa and back to Europe. Frankly, she never misses a chance to pack her bags and jump on a plane. Driven by a passion for European history and art, she wanders and investigates every hidden corner of the Old Continent, armed with a camera and a notebook, and looking for intriguing stories and settings for her books.
She loves history, astrology, gourmet cooking, and cats. She lives with her husband, her beautiful daughters and her red cat, surrounded by her own cultivated flowers and the magical grandeur of the Eternal City.
Giveaway
Arianna will be awarding an original handmade Venetian mask from Venice to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour here and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning!
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Red and Her Big Bad Dom: An excerpt, review + #giveaway
Wealthy computer genius Graham Winters is in love with a woman who won’t join him for a stingy cup of coffee. How can he prove he’s nothing like her jerk of an ex if she won’t give him a chance? Then he spots her at a BDSM club and devises a plan. During the day, he’s “that damn geek.” At night, he’s the masked Dom known as The Wolf.
When it comes to her love life, Lucy Sanchez has one rule—no geeks. Not even rich, good looking geeks. She’s attracted to Graham but rules are rules. Besides, she has her wolf, the mysterious Dom who makes her blood sing. Then she’s invited to a fairytale event at Pleasure Manor and this Little Red Riding Hood plans to enjoy every delicious moment with her big, bad Dom.
An excerpt from Red & Her Big Bad Dom
“Red Riding Hood. Your wolf awaits.”
Lucy stepped forward as did her wolf. He pointed to the ground. Lucy knelt, assuming a submissive posture. Her Dom circled her several times, then stopped in front of her.
He snapped his fingers. “Follow me. The woods await.”
His deep, husky voice with just a hint of an accent vibrated through her, warming her belly and heating her core. It amazed her that his voice alone made her throb. She stood, keeping her head bent, her gaze to the ground. When he whipped around to lead the way, she almost stumbled. Not only was his crotch cut out but so was the seat of his pants.
She stared at the G-string. The black set off his nicely tanned buttocks and was more temptation than she could resist. As soon as they exited through a side door into the garden, she cupped his cheeks, finding the flesh warm and firm. The man most definitely worked out.
He stopped suddenly, eyes narrowed to slits behind his mask. “Did I give you permission to touch?”
Head bowed meekly, Lucy licked her lips. “No, Sir. I’m sorry, Sir. I couldn’t resist. Guess you’ll have to punish me. Sir.”
“Ah, my lovely little sub wants to be punished?”
Lucy shivered. “Oh, yes, Sir. I need to be punished.”
Purchase Links
My Review
The second book in the Once Upon a Dom series (check out my review of Cinderella and Prince Dom for more about part one), Red and Her Big Bad Dom gets spicier than the previous installment, and I was hooked from the start. Learning more about Jamie’s best friend Lucy – who’s got a wild streak a mile wide and a rule against dating “geeks” – is guaranteed to get you hot and bothered.
Especially since the very geek she’s trying to avoid is the Wolf that she wants to devour her!
I’m not sure how anyone can resist a man who wears pants with both the crotch and the ass cut out (wait, aren’t those normally referred to as “chaps”?), but the transformation from meek geek to sexy, bossy Dom definitely suits Graham. I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of his day job and presumed role in the bedroom with the domineering dude he became in the bedroom.
And did I mention he’s all about pleasing his lady love? He notes that like most submissives, he knows Lucy truly controls all of their scenes, which is another big part of why I love this series. Instead of treating BDSM like just another man-controls-woman-for-his-pleasure encounter, author Sydney St. Claire really gets it that it’s always a matter of give and take, of dominance and submission wrestling for control, even as the Dom is ostensibly the one wielding the power.
Lucy, despite her submissive role in the bedroom, is a no-nonsense woman in her daily life, and that’s exactly why she loves giving up control to her Wolf. But she would never give him that power over her if she didn’t trust him to treat her right.
Will Lucy and Graham ever tango together without their masks? You’ll have to grab a copy of Red and Her Big Bad Dom to find out for yourself!
About the Author
Sydney St. Claire is the pseudonym of Susan Edwards, author of 14 Historical Native American/Western/Paranormal romances and the author of the popular “White” Series.
Sydney loves writing and sharing stories of love, happiness and dreams come true with her readers. She credits her mother for her writing success. Encouraged to read as a child, she always preferred happy endings which meant romances were her favorite genre. Sydney takes her readers into the world of erotica romance where her characters come together in explosive passion as they solve life’s problems and find true love along with the best sex our hero and heroine have ever experienced.
Sydney’s office is quite crowded with three dogs at her feet and five cats to keep her company while she writes. Three cats always insist on beds on her desk, barely leaving enough room for her monitor and keyboard. Life gets fun when all five insist on supervising…
When not writing, she enjoys crafts of all sorts including quilting, sewing, cross-stitch and knitting. She and her husband of 30 + years are avid gardeners. He takes care of the veggies, and Susan is in charge of the ‘pretties’. Her medicine wheel garden is in a contact state of war: flowers vs. weeds. Sadly, right now the weeds are wining…
While writing, she listens to a wide variety of music. Her current favorites are Blackmore’s Night and David Lanz.
Connect with Sydney online on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Wild Rose Press and her website, sydneystclaire.com
Giveaway
Sydney will award a Once Upon a Dom Tote Bag: Tote Bag, Mug, Cap & Misc. goodies (US Only — Int’l winners will have a GC substitute) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Don’t forget to follow the rest of the tour and comment here; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning!
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November 19, 2014
A Shimmy For Me excerpt and #giveaway by Deanna Cameron
Juggling two jobs to keep her belly dance studio afloat keeps Abby Anderson’s mind off her shattered love life—until a reawakened pain sends her into the arms of an anonymous stranger she plucks from the audience of her tribal belly dance show. No names, no strings, no romance. She tells herself it’s a harmless hookup.
Until he turns up at her day job…
Derek Collier, the sexy heir to the Collier media dynasty, just landed everything he’s always wanted: the publisher’s seat at the Orange County Herald. Except his first order of business is to sell the newspaper. Reeling from his family’s betrayal, his only comfort is the memory of that mysterious belly dancer and the perfect night they spent together.
He won’t rest until he finds her again.
She’ll lose everything if he does.
An excerpt from Shimmy For Me
By the time Abby took her place on the small stage, the lights were low, and a slow, snaky melody had filled the restaurant’s main room. She was only a silhouette to the roomful of diners, holding her pose like a living statue. She usually closed her eyes during this prelude and focused on the energy of the music and the audience.
Not tonight.
In the darkness, her gaze roamed. She wanted a good view before the stage lights came up to brighten her, and blind her.
Nearly every seat was filled. A good draw for a Thursday night. Mostly couples, some groups. But it was the single men she searched for. The ones who sat on the fringe to watch.
Would it be the college jock tipping back beer in a bottle? The shy guy in the Oxford shirt fidgeting with his soda straw? Maybe the older…
A Suit at the bar caught her eye. One hand wrapped around a highball glass, the other tugging at his tie. Calm. Confident. And sexy as hell. The way his gaze locked on her made her tingle in all the right places.
He was the one.
Derek Collier sipped his Macallan 18 and watched the restaurant’s belly dancer come alive to the hypnotic rhythm pulsing through the dining room. When he’d seen the words “belly dancing” glowing in blue neon beneath the Sultan’s Tent sign, he’d expected the kind of flashy beads and sequins dancer he’d seen a hundred times before.
He didn’t expect this.
The poster at the front called her Zenina, a tribal fusion belly dancer. Whatever that was. From his vantage point at the bar, she looked like nothing he’d ever seen—part bohemian waif, part harem fantasy, part… Damn, the way she swayed and writhed up there was making it impossible to think.
About the Author
DeAnna Cameron writes novels featuring feisty heroines transformed by true love and belly dance—the oldest and most exciting dance form in the world. Her novels have been translated into Japanese, Polish, and Serbian, and her work has been praised for its “deft prose, energetic characters and … colorful images” by RT Book Reviews and called “most entertaining” by the Historical Novel Review.
Before turning to fiction, DeAnna worked as a journalist, writing and editing for several Southern California newspapers and magazines. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, as well as its Orange County chapter. When she isn’t working on her next novel, she can usually be found at her jeweler’s bench, creating new wire-wrap, bead, and multimedia designs. She lives in Orange County, California with her family.
Connect with DeAnna on Facebook, Twitter and her website, DeAnnaCameron.com.
Giveaway
Deanna will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to follow the rest of the tour and comment here; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.
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#HumpDayReviews + giveaway: Christmas Delights by Heather Hiestand
The sweetest gift is the hardest to unwrap…
Lady Victoria Allen-Hill never dreamed she’d be a widow at twenty-one – let alone a virgin. Her father insists that she attend a matchmaking house party in the snow-covered seaside town of Pevensey in hopes she’ll find a suitable husband. But for Victoria, it’s an opportunity to indulge in a passionate affair – and the handsome inventor she meets at the Christmas Eve masquerade ball may be just the man for the job…
Lewis Noble is the cousin of London’s famed Redcake sisters, so it almost stands to reason that he’s just as irresistible as one of their sugar-iced pastries. Lewis catches the eye of every woman at the party – but Victoria is the only one who catches his. He won’t be tied down in her father’s business, but watching other men court her amid a flurry of engagements ignites a jealousy he’s never felt before. A dose of honesty may be just the thing to mend their broken hearts – for many holidays to come…
“Before I realized it, the unusually strong and well-developed characters of The Kidnapped Bride had sneaked up on me and captured my full attention. This is one of the best shorter books I have ever read.” –Delle Jacobs, author of Lady Wicked
“A delightful, sexy glimpse into Victorian life and loving with two wonderfully non-traditional lovers.” –Jessa Slade, author of Dark Prince’s Desire on His Wicked Smile
An exclusive excerpt from Christmas Delights
“I did not hear who inherited your husband’s title.”
“A cousin. He resides in Bath. I’ve never met him.”
“Such a pity,” the countess murmured. “I have done my best to deliver a selection of gentlemen to the holiday proceedings, my dear. My son is too involved in his projects to travel to London, and my daughters have not had much opportunity to be in society.”
Victoria brightened. If Lewis Noble was a sample of the men to be present, she ought to have a wonderful time. “Will your son be attending the house party?”
The countess sighed. “I expect he’ll be holed up in the stables with Mr. Noble. Now, there is a waste of a handsome gentleman.”
“A waste?” Victoria’s wrist wobbled as she lifted her teacup to her mouth.
“They say he is ever pining for some lost love. He never even looks at a woman. One of my daughters would be perfect for him. He could spend even more time with my son if he lived here with us.” The countess put a hand to her mouth to cover her emotional outburst.
“He looked at my cousin,” Penelope said, speaking for the first time.
Victoria slid her body into an angle on the seat to look at her cousin. The countess dropped her hand in shock.
“He did,” Penelope insisted. “You’d think she was displaying her bosom, the way his gaze fixed on her.”
“Penelope!” Victoria gasped.
“It’s true.” Penelope’s eyes were wide with childish innocence. “He did look at you, the entire drive here, at least when you weren’t looking at him.”
The countess pressed her lips together. “If you can capture Mr. Noble’s attentions, I assure you that you will be the envy of every young woman at the party. He’s considered quite untouchable.”
Buy Links
Amazon / B&N / iTunes / Kensington Books
My Review
Despite my possession of an English Literature degree – which typically suggests an infatuation with Jane Austen – I’ve never been the type to swoon over ladies and gents of a bygone era. It’s something about their fussy clothing and even fussier manners, I think, that turns me off. After all, how can one truly get excited when there are approximately 19,000 layers of clothing that need to be removed by a maid before passionate embraces can commence?!
Thankfully, Victorian-era clothing proves no obstacle for the lovers in Heather Hiestand’s Christmas Delights. Indeed, our heroine Victoria even alludes to the issue before meeting up with Lewis Noble during a late-night tryst, which I found humorous. And it’s exactly this sort of playfulness with period-piece issues that drew me into Hiestand’s well-drawn imaginary world.
Plus, who wouldn’t want to seduce a sexy inventor away from his rude mechanicals for a little old-fashioned steam heat?
Although Victoria is truly a proper lady – complete with the title to prove it, thanks to her deceased husband – she’s also a modern gal at heart. Seeking out a little romance to liven things up before the new year brings another drab marriage, arranged by her all-too-practical father, she’s got her sights set on the one man none of the locals can tame. (Ain’t that always the way?) With her curves in all the right places, Lewis is sure to fall for this holiday hottie… but are they destined to be more than a 12th Night stand?
Whether you’re a Victorian romance newcomer or already an avid fan, Christmas Delights is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
About the Author
Heather Hiestand was born in Illinois, but her family migrated west before she started school. Since then she has claimed Washington State as home, except for a few years in California. She wrote her first story at age seven and went on to major in creative writing at the University of Washington. Her first published fiction was a mystery short story, but since then it has been all about the many flavors of romance. Heather’s first published romance short story was set in the Victorian period, and she continues to return, fascinated by the rapid changes of the nineteenth century. The author of many novels, novellas, and short stories, she has achieved best-seller status at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. With her husband and son, she makes her home in a small town and supposedly works out of her tiny office, though she mostly writes in her easy chair in the living room.
For more information, visit Heather’s website at heatherhiestand.com. Heather loves to hear from readers! Her email is heather@heatherhiestand.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Giveaway
Heather will be awarding a $25 Amazon or BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to follow the rest of the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning! All tour dates can be found here.
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