Brenda Sparks's Blog, page 12

Fall for You- a sizzling #SummerRead from Valerie Ullmer (A M/M Romance by @valerieullmer)

Fall for You (A M/M Romance)
Valerie Ullmer
[image error] Genre:  New Adult M/M Romance
 
BLURB
 
Ethan Sutton came to the stunning revelation he’d fallen in love with his best friend, Sebastian Young.  Although friends since childhood, Ethan vowed to keep his feelings for Sebastian under wraps and live the rest of his life with this one secret between them.  He’d rather keep their friendship than risk a lifelong connection and never see him again.  But when they move into their own place at the start of their junior year, can Ethan keep his feelings from showing when they live so close together?
 
Sebastian Young had an epiphany about Ethan at the end of last year.  He moved them into a loft he’d found over the summer allowing him to be closer to Ethan.  As they settle into their lives in a new place with such close quarters, ex-girlfriends, nosy downstairs neighbors, and Sebastian’s own doubts could put their relationship in jeopardy before it even begins.
 
Can two best friends admit their feelings and fall in love?
 
BUY LINK
 
AMAZON
 
Available on KU
[image error] ​ EXCERPT
 
Ethan’s headache receded to a heavy thrum in the back of his head as a new pain ripped through his chest.  He closed his eyes and debated whether he should head to the library and start on the essay that was due Monday.  But Ethan was too tired to concentrate on his work and besides, he would have to deal with Sebastian’s new relationship sometime.
Although he’d hoped Sebastian would see him as more than a friend, Ethan now understood it had been wishful thinking on his part alone.
Taking a deep breath, Ethan reached for the handle and opened the front door with as much noise as he could make without being obvious.  Although he prepared for what he would see, Ethan sucked in a breath when he spotted a blonde, Sarah he remembered, sitting on Sebastian’s lap with her arms draped over his shoulders as she played with his hair.
Out of patience and in pain, Ethan dropped his backpack on the floor next to the door.  The noise startled Sarah, who glanced at him with wide eyes before she scrambled over to the free spot on the couch next to Sebastian.
Ethan expected Sebastian to ask for some time alone with Sarah, but before he had the chance, Ethan walked toward the kitchen and away from the scene he’d come home to.  Now the power was back on, he wanted to have his first coffee of the day and forget about everything.
He should’ve known better than to get his hopes up.  He never had a chance with Sebastian.  Lesson learned.
“Ethan.”  Sebastian’s voice sounded panicked.
He glanced up and Sebastian's face flashed relief as he moved away from Sarah and strode toward him.  Ethan wanted to turn and avoid the conversation, but at that moment, Sebastian moaned his name and he froze where he stood.  And of course Ethan’s cock liked the low, growling sound.
He waited for Sebastian to tell him what he wanted so he could escape.  But when Sebastian came close enough, he banded one arm around Ethan’s waist and with his free hand, cupped the back of Ethan’s neck.  Ethan’s eyes widened as he watched Sebastian move closer to him.
The kiss was better than he’d ever imagined.  A moan escaped Ethan’s tight throat the first moment their lips touched.
It started as a brush of Sebastian’s lips against his.  But when Sebastian tilted his head and deepened the kiss, the shock of pure electricity passed through him and he clutched at Sebastian’s waist.  Ethan opened his mouth in time to swallow Sebastian’s moan, which sounded drawn from deep in his chest, and Ethan lost all control.
He pulled Sebastian closer and groaned when Sebastian’s hard body leaned against his.
Inch by glorious inch their bodies pressed closer as they devoured each other’s mouths until the heat of Sebastian’s body jerked away from him.
Ethan blinked in confusion, desire for more from Sebastian clouded his thought processes, and he focused on Sebastian’s face when someone cleared their throat.
The intensity of Sebastian’s gaze on him stole Ethan’s breath.
Sebastian moved closer and leaned his forehead against Ethan’s.  He ignored the scoffs and mumbling behind Sebastian’s back, not looking away from his beautiful hazel eyes.
“About time,” Sebastian murmured.
Ethan laughed and squeezed Sebastian’s hips.  The move earned him a low growl.
 
ABOUT AUTHOR
 
Valerie writes paranormal and contemporary M/F and M/M erotic romances. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her wonderfully supportive husband and their funny and wise black lab. She's addicted to coffee, crime shows, and reading and writing character-driven romances.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
 
FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ INSTAGRAM ~ GOODREADS ~ AMAZON

In My Own Shadow-a great #SummerRead from Susan Royal

In My Own Shadow
by
Susan Royal

​Born in west Texas and raised in south Texas, Susan shares a 100-year-old farmhouse in a small east Texas town with a ghost who harmonizes with her son when he plays guitar. She is a mother of three and grandmother of six unique and special children. Her family is rich with characters, both past and present. Susan’s grandmother shared stories of living on a farm in Oklahoma Territory and working as a telephone operator in the early 20th century. She learned all about growing up in the depression from her father and experienced being a teenager during WWII through her mother’s eyes.
 
     Susan loves taking her readers through all kinds of adventures. So far, she’s written two books in her It’s About Time series, Not Long Ago and From Now On, and is working on book three. They are time travel adventures about two people who fall in love despite the fact they come from very different worlds. In My Own Shadow is a Fantasy adventure/romance. Xander’s Tangled Web is a YA fantasy with romance. Look for her books at MuseItUp/Amazon/B&N.
 
     Want to know more? Visit susanaroyal.wordpress.com for a peek inside this writer’s mind and see what she’s up to. You never know what new world she’s going to visit next. Now for an Excerpt:
We rushed inside my apartment. I slammed the front door and twisted the deadbolt, listening to its comforting click. The shadowy apartment was filled with normal noises like the hum of the refrigerator, water dripping from a faucet and the furnace running. I flattened a hand against my chest as my thudding heartbeat slowed to normal.
Home safe. Everything’s okay.
Someone pounded the front door three times, rattling the hinges. Every nerve in my body hummed with electricity. I tiptoed closer, placing a cautious eye against the peephole. A man well over six feet tall stared back, his pale skin a contrast to the wild, dark hair falling past his shoulders. Wide shoulders under black leather gave the man a lean look. He had classic features and a narrow face. Very handsome, except for eyes that glittered with something cold and unyielding. Shivers began at the nape of my neck and traveled over my entire body.
“Lara, let me in. I must speak with you,” he said, but the words didn’t come from his mouth. They came from within my own mind.
I gasped and turned to Rhys. “H-he’s talking to me…from inside my head.”
“Block him.” Rhys dug his fingers into my shoulder. “The longer you allow him access to your mind, the more dangerous it becomes.”
“Is that you, Guardian?” The man’s mouth split into an evil grin, revealing blinding, white teeth. “Are you taking up new duties these days?”
“Leave her alone.” Muscles bunched along Rhys’ jaw. “She doesn’t know anything.”
The man’s chuckle seemed to vibrate from somewhere deep inside his chest. “If that is true, then why are you protecting her?”
I narrowed my eyes at Rhys. “What the hell’s he talking about? Is he high on something?”
“Ignore him.” Rhys grabbed my arm and pulled me into the kitchen.
Inside my head, the oily voice took on a coaxing tone. “Rhys is being overprotective. He takes things far too seriously. I mean you no harm, Lara. All I need is a little information.”
Rhys stretched out his hand. An orange dot appeared and hovered above his palm. In an instant, it became a streaking light, burning into my refrigerator and creating a jagged hole. “My God, this can’t be real.” I gasped and moved closer, staring. “W-what’s going on?”
My visitor hammered at the door once again, so loud my temples throbbed with the sound. This time, the distraction was welcome, because it helped drive the sound of his voice from my mind and served another purpose as well. I lived in a quiet, respectable part of town. Surely one of my neighbors had already called the police. All we had to do was hold off a little longer.
  Only Rhys had other ideas. He shouldered his bag and made his way toward the gaping hole he’d somehow created. Just before he passed through, he turned. “Give me your hand.”
I hesitated and raised my eyes to his. Let’s face it. Just the idea of stepping through my refrigerator made my heart bounce like a yo-yo.
“Come on. He isn’t going to leave until he gets what he wants.”
“What does he want?”
Rhys clamped his fingers around my wrist. He bent his head as though moving against a hurricane force wind and dragged me through the opening. I struggled for air, but none of it reached my lungs. This must be what it feels like to drown. My heart accelerated, one beat at a time, and my vision clouded with spots.
No more than a few seconds could have passed before we burst through to the other side and stumbled across a thick carpet of leaves. Behind me, my kitchen wavered like a mirage, its familiar colors fading to gray. The tear Rhys had made grew smaller, shrinking until it disappeared and left me staring at a dense wall of foliage.
With my first few gasps, my lungs had felt like they were on fire, but at least I could breathe again. After being deprived of oxygen, the fresh air made my vision swim. My knees buckled and I would have fallen if Rhys hadn’t grabbed my arm.
“Relax. It only makes things worse if you fight it.”
“You’ve done this before?”
“Yes.”
“Do you ever get used to it?”
“Sooner or later.”
 Unsure whether to puke or pass out, I leaned over and braced my hands on my legs, waiting for the nausea to subside. After a few breaths, the dizziness cleared enough for me to raise my head. We were standing in a grassy clearing alongside a meandering gravel path that disappeared into shadows in both directions. Dense woods shrouded in darkness crowded the other side of the path.
We weren’t outside my apartment.  
Susan A. Royal
Xander’s Tangled Web (fantasy, mystery)
https://tinyurl.com/yconklde
In My Own Shadow (fantasy, adventure, romance) 
http://tinyurl.com/bqbxm41
Book trailer
https://youtu.be/Wbg8Z-12ojY
Not Long Ago (time travel, adventure, romance)
http://tinyurl.com/85vgye3
Book trailer
http://youtu.be/vOIQVdWUigU/
http://susanaroyal.wordpress.com
http://susanaroyal.com
All books available at MuseItUp, Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

​Born in west Texas and raised in south Texas, Susan shares a 100-year-old farmhouse in a small east Texas town with a ghost who harmonizes with her son when he plays guitar. She is a mother of three and grandmother of six unique and special children. Her family is rich with characters, both past and present. Susan’s grandmother shared stories of living on a farm in Oklahoma Territory and working as a telephone operator in the early 20th century. She learned all about growing up in the depression from her father and experienced being a teenager during WWII through her mother’s eyes.
 
     Susan loves taking her readers through all kinds of adventures. So far, she’s written two books in her It’s About Time series, Not Long Ago and From Now On, and is working on book three. They are time travel adventures about two people who fall in love despite the fact they come from very different worlds. In My Own Shadow is a Fantasy adventure/romance. Xander’s Tangled Web is a YA fantasy with romance. Look for her books at MuseItUp/Amazon/B&N.
 
     Want to know more? Visit susanaroyal.wordpress.com for a peek inside this writer’s mind and see what she’s up to. You never know what new world she’s going to visit next.

Happy Book Birthday to Alpha Pair! Want a Sneak Peek?

[image error]


I had a blast writing Demetri and Tatiana’s story because they are both independent warriors who like to be in charge. The characters played off one another, with Tatiana giving Demetri far more grief than he gave her. It was a fun book to write, and I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as I enjoyed writing it.








Here is a little taste of the story:
​The woman beside Tatiana gestured toward her glass. “That’s your fifth one of those, honey. You trying to drown your sorrows?”
The female warrior gave her an assessing look, noting the way her red dress appeared two sizes too small. It clung so tight she could have been wearing nothing at all. Each lump and bump were clearly visible. Her makeup had been applied liberally, the blue eye shadow a patriotic companion to her ruby red lips and white skin. The way she had slurred the word sorrows clearly indicated her inebriation.
“Hardly,” Tatiana replied, effectively dismissing the woman by turning her attention back to the group in the back.
A waitress approached the table, and one of the men pinched her backside as she tried to take their orders. She shooed away the offending hand, only to have one of the men grab her and pull her onto his lap. His hands rough on her thighs, he started to make his way up under her skirt.
Someone should teach those guys a lesson, and I know just the person to do it.
Tatiana placed a fifty under her glass and slid away from the bar. She pushed up her leather bustier until the girls sat precariously close to slipping out then flung her leather duster carelessly over one shoulder.
This is going to be fun, she thought as she walked across the bar, putting a suggestive sway into her hips. She had been itching for a brawl, needed a little action.
She’d been frequenting bars in town after town, tracking the Alpha who had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. After months of investigating, she still believed he lived. Her instincts had told her that much, and she had learned long ago to trust those instincts.
She sauntered by the group, purposely brushing one of them on the shoulder when she passed. She sensed their collective gaze on her as she made her way toward the side exit door. The chairs slid in unison across the floor, and the sound brought a satisfied smile to her pretty face. Heavy boots clomped on the wooden floor behind her while she walked out into the night.
The frigid air bit her cheeks. It might be March, but it was still cold in Canada. The smell of crisp clean air mingled with the putrid stench of old garbage from the dumpster resting against the building. The malodorous combination made Tatiana’s stomach roll. Perhaps she should not have downed quite so many drinks, but then again, she had not come to the bar expecting a fight.
However, that was exactly what she was about to have. And it was okay with her.
She trekked behind the building. Only a copse of trees, with their bare branches and shadowy outlines, would bear witness to what was about to happen. She glanced at the men over her shoulder. They wore similar expressions, a combination of lust in their eyes and violence in the hard lines of their faces. The leader stepped forward.
“My, my look what have we here, boys. Something to play with.”
Tatiana turned slowly at the taunt. The menacing sound of their laughter slid down her spine, making it straighten in defiance. A large boulder sat next to where she stood. She placed her coat over the rock, taking time to smooth the leather out as she spoke. “You don’t want to play with me, boys,” she warned, pinning them with her steely gaze. “I suggest you get on your bikes and leave while you still can.” 
The men’s arrogant laughter reached her ears just as the leader motioned toward her with a flick of his two fingers. Two of his gang raced forward, simultaneously grabbing Tatiana’s arms. The bite of their fingers brought her senses to full attention. This was about to get interesting. She sent a silent prayer of thanks up to the heavens that these men were all action.
The leader approached her. “Time to play, bitch,” the man bit out between clenched teeth as he reached for her leather bustier. 

Available in ebook and print format from all major ebook retailers such as:
                                                         Amazon       
                                                         iBooks ​  
                                                  Wild Rose Press 
                                                Barnes and Noble  

Alpha Pair - a Sneak Peek before the Official Release Day and a #Giveaway too. (Contest Ends 7/31/18)

[image error]​​Ever wonder where an author gets an idea for a story? Alpha Pair came to me while I was driving. In fact, most every scene was developed in the car.
I create a playlist for each book and listen to it repeatedly while I drive. The music inspires me to create the scenes. Once I get home, I jot down a rough outline of everything I came up with in the car. Later I will sit down and write the story, but not until I have an outline of every scene down on paper first.
Demetri and Tatiana’s story was a blast to write because they are both independent warriors who like to be in charge. Neither of them wanted a heartmate, but the Fates had other plans. The characters played off one another with Tatiana giving Demetri far more grief than he gave her. It was a fun book to write, and I hope you’ll have as much fun reading it as I did writing it. [image error] ​Here is a little taste of the story:​Prologue: 
The recent past…
The half-moon shone down from above, through the bare trees, causing gray skeletal shadows on the snow-covered ground. Demetri Romanoff ghosted over the land, careful not to disturb the peaceful winter night as his breath frosted in the air.
His preternatural gaze glossed over the landscape as he moved, taking in the details of the night, nothing too small to escape his attention. He noted the lack of movement in the eerily still forest. No wind blew, no animal seen nor heard.
Even in Mason’s Bluff, Wyoming, in the month of December, there was usually some movement, some sounds in the night. An animal scurrying home, tree branches bumping together in the wind, or perhaps a pinecone falling. However, tonight the silence was deafening.
He suddenly dropped to one knee, overcome with a sense of despair and grief. The feelings were not his own, but instead came to him through the mental channel he and his cousin, Nicholai, shared.
Nicholai had recently lost his heartmate, his one true love. She had fled after discovering Nicholai was a vampire.
The warrior had advised his cousin to go to England and get her. He didn’t understand Nicholai’s hesitation to do so. Nicholai needn’t be in such pain. As his heartmate, his woman could not help but come to love him. There was no excuse for his cousin not to go, throw her over his shoulder if he had to, and bring her back to Russia. But for some reason, probably because the female was human, his cousin would not heed his advice on the matter.
Nicholai had mentioned something about wooing and needing time to work things out. In the meantime, his emotions came across their mindlink, and the warrior struggled to block them. It was a distraction he did not need.
The scent of the approaching storm tickled his nose. Clouds blanketed the moon, taking its light. The dampness settled on his shoulders as small flakes began to glide down.
He straightened once more to his full height. His six-foot-six, burly frame dwarfed all but the trees while his thick thighs took him through the woods. A leather cord drew his long, black hair from his storm-gray eyes. His neck and face, thickened by years of pumping iron, were taunt this night with foreboding.
The air tasted of malice and hatred. Demetri sent his senses out into the forest, spreading them wide in search of what might be the cause of his unrest. He detected a den of foxes nearby, and a bear hibernated some distance away. Neither of which gave him pause.
Then he sensed several blank spots, one coming from the mountain that loomed ahead and three at various spaces throughout the forest. He turned his preternatural vision in the direction of the spots, but found nothing of note, only the snow-covered underbrush and rocks. He listened carefully. Hearing nothing, he continued on.
There had been some trouble in these woods. People mauled. Others had gone missing. He’d patrolled the forest every evening in hopes of finding the cause and preventing more deaths. He and Stephan, the leader of the Alphas, had spent days searching for a pregnant female vampire that had gone missing under suspicious circumstances. Their search produced no results, and Stephan had decided to return home to his heartmate.
These were his woods. This was his home, and he would not allow any more of the people under his protection to be maimed or killed. Demetri breathed a heavy sigh as he came to a spot where the snow-covered ground lay disturbed. He knelt on one knee to examine the evidence.
He and his comrade, Stephan, had recently discovered signs of a struggle in the snow, animal tracks leading to and from the spot and human footprints. The two warriors had followed the tracks until they led into the side of the mountain. The same mountain where they had both sensed a large void.
Demetri pushed to his feet then squared his broad shoulders as another wave of grief rushed through his mind. The palpable force of Nicholai’s pain demanded attention.
Demetri closed his mind to the powerful emotion as best he could. He needed to be alert, watchful, not distracted by his cousin.
Demetri headed toward the mountain, following the old set of tracks which were becoming less visible with each flake that fell from the sky. Soon the tracks would be covered entirely, but he remembered where they led.
As he neared the mountain, he heard a soft rustle of movement behind him. He stilled, then cast his awareness over the land. Sensing only a blank spot, he began to turn around just as a sting hit his back. Another sting bit into him. And another. By the time he had turned fully, a total of six stings pelted his back and side.
The large warrior took a step forward, determined to find the cause. Had he disturbed a beehive? Had an animal attacked?
His legs gave way, refusing to support the weight of his stony sinew and muscle. He tumbled forward. The Alpha tried to throw his arms out in front of his chest to catch his weight, but they refused to hold him. His face landed in the snowy detritus with a crunch of his straight nose.
The angle of his head allowed him to locate the two darts protruding from his side, their shafts and flights quivering from the jarring impact of hitting the ground. Something cold ran through his veins. As cold as the snow beneath his body, it burned through his blood.
Just before the darkness took him, he tried in vain to focus his blurry eyes as what appeared to be a pair of paws approached. 
                                           Available for Preorder from:
                                                         Amazon       
                                                         iBooks ​  
                                                  Wild Rose Press 
                                                Barnes and Noble  
​To celebrate the upcoming release of Alpha Pair, I’m doing a giveaway. Be sure to enter below for your chance to win. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas in July #Giveaway Blog Hop (Runs July 15-30, 2018)

   I love Christmas in July! For the past ten years, I have bought my Christmas gifts in the summer. Once the concept of Christmas in July caught on, it became much easier to get into the mood to shop.
   I try to do it up right. I play Christmas carols in the car, put on a bit of festive jewelry such as reindeer earrings, and blast the AC to get that wintery feeling while I wrap the gifts. People used to think I was crazy for shopping so early, but in the past few years, no one has batted an eye. And I believe that is thanks to Christmas in July.
   Speaking of shopping, looking for a gift for a paranormal romance lover? Know anyone who loves vampires or demons? If so, the Alpha Council Chronicles might just be a perfect gift.
​   The heroes of my paranormal stories are powerfully built warriors, whose duty is second only to their love for their mates.  Each story focuses on a seductive, commanding male and his one true love, following their struggle to find one another and develop their relationship, while evil ones are hot on their heels bringing death and destruction.
   Each book in my Alpha Council Chronicle series can be read as a stand-alone novel and my latest story, Alpha Pair, is available for preorder. Click here for buy links: Brenda's Books
                       So Ho, Ho, Ho, my friends. Merry Christmas in July!And Here is my Present for You...a Rafflecopter giveaway Be sure to Visit the Other Great Hop Sites for more Chances to win. Links are below.

Looking for a Great Way to Promote your #SummerRead?

Calling All Authors Looking for a way to promote your stories to new readers? Like hosting other authors on your blog? 
If so, this summer author exchange is for you. All you need is a blog and the desire to help promote others. Authors will swap promotional materials and take turns hosting each other on their blogs. It's a fun and easy way to get your story in front of new readers. 
To sign up, click the link below.
Author #SummerRead Exchange sign up

Living the Dream-a fun #SummerRead by Larynn Ford (A paranormal romance by @LarynnFord)

[image error] Living the Dream
by 
Larynn Ford ​  Book Blurb:
Lynzi Lancaster Brady is, at long last, living her happily-ever-after with the man of her dreams. Their honeymoon bliss is interrupted when an innocent family visit drops her in the middle of the deadly situation they’ve been dodging for so long.
 
The troublemaking relative with a vendetta against the family, forces them into a final showdown with a disastrous ending that threatens to take the elder of their family from them forever. Will an ancient sorcerer to able to bring her back from death’s door?
                Now available in both eBook and Paperback formats! 
Book (trilogy) Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.larynnford.com/p/living-dream-kindle.html
Book 1 in the trilogy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CE3B11I/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3
Book 2 in the trilogy:
https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Come-True-Larynn-Ford-ebook/dp/B00NULPUHO/
Soul Mate Publishing: http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/larynn-ford/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/living-the-dream-larynn-ford/1128507757?ean=9781682916636
 
 
Book Excerpt:
 Allvis grunted his disgust bringing an abrupt end to my vain attempts to gain my freedom when he pressed the blade in his other hand to my neck with a firm pressure. I sucked in a sharp quick breath and held it. One wrong move on my part was certain to send the sharp edge slicing deep into my throat. I’d be a goner for sure.
I gritted my teeth tighter. Hands clamped around his wrist, I dug my nails in deep, ripping at his skin to ease the blade away, and relieve the pressure. He put an abrupt end to my efforts by looping my hair around his fist again and jerking me at least another inch higher. The movement caused the blade to nick my skin. I dangled like a puppet from a string in his grip.
“Lynzi!” I read my name on Layne’s lips, horror and desperation carved into his face as he screamed for me, pounded the air, and begged Aunt Pet to work faster. Allvis grunted his disgust bringing an abrupt end to my vain attempts to gain my freedom when he pressed the blade in his other hand to my neck with a firm pressure. I sucked in a sharp quick breath and held it. One wrong move on my part was certain to send the sharp edge slicing deep into my throat. I’d be a goner for sure.
Allvis howled again. “Hey, boy! Where do you want me to leave her head when I separate it from her weak little human body?”


​Bio:
Larynn Ford is intrigued by the paranormal. She's a day dreamer and a romantic. She loves to let her mind wander always searching for a happy ending to her dreams.

At home in East Central Alabama, she worked as a cook and cashier before becoming a wife and mother. Earned a degree in Elementary Education, taught school, and worked in customer service. All the while her day dreams stacked up in the archives of her mind.

She put some of those ideas on paper in 2009 and she's going to keep on dreaming and searching for those happy endings.
Author Links:
Website:  https:// www.larynnford.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/larynn.ford
Twitter: @LarynnFord   https://twitter.com/LarynnFord 
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/larynnford/books/
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Larynn-Ford/e/B00CELS1V8/
Larynn’s Blog: https://www.larynnford.com/index.html
​

Flip the Beat--A Hot #SummerRead from Roxanne D. Howard (A romantic comedy by @RoxanneDHoward)

                                   Flip the Beat
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Release Date: July 10th, 2017
Genre(s): Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Modern-Day Fairy Tale, Romantic Comedy
Buy Link:  http://boroughspublishinggroup.com/books/flip-beat
Description:
Molly Ivers thinks she is falling for the opposite of Prince Charming, and she knows she should give him up, but, oh, the temptation.
WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR
Molly Ivers thought she found Prince Charming, but without a devilishly sexy accent, and six months ago she gave into their undeniable attraction. But the swarm of ever-present groupies was so not part of the fairy tale. As much as it hurt her heart, she shut out rocker Evan Castle.
Now, on the verge of finishing her graduate degree and moving to Paris—she even hires a French life coach—Molly begins to realize Evan, who hasn't given up on her, might be the man of her dreams after all.
​Excerpt:
Molly laughed while she told her what had happened last night, though at the moment, she wasn’t sure it was a joke. She sighed and left the computer to go make scrambled eggs. Nell followed her to the kitchen.
“So, should I call you ‘Number One’ now?”
She could never keep a straight face with Nell. Molly speared a peach slice with a fork and nibbled the end of it. Sweetness filled her mouth. “‘Make it so.’ No, nerd. He seems pretty cool. I mean, if I check it out, this may turn out to be a positive change. At the least, he’ll get me in shape for Paris. His bio says he’s from Giverny, and he’s a retired civil-rights attorney. His website says that when he retired, he decided to change his objective to improving people’s lives, which is why he’s a life coach. Pretty impressive.”
“So, you’re going through with it?”
“Going through with what?” They both looked into the living room, where a bemused Evan stood half naked and barefoot in a pair of black pajama bottoms. Molly licked nectar off the peach on the end of her fork to save it from dropping to the floor. Evan’s jaw tightened, and his eyes gleamed as he zeroed in on her. He cleared his throat and lifted an empty half gallon of milk. “Sorry, you left the door cracked open. I came to borrow milk.”
“Jesus, Evan! Knock next time, or at least text. I’m in my panties.” Nell smacked him on the arm and tugged down her nightshirt as she ran past him into her bedroom.
“Sorry,” he said, but he seemed distracted as he strode toward Molly, eyes glued to her lips. She sucked the rest of her peach slice into her mouth and wiped at a little of the nectar at the corner of her lips. Her cheeks blazed at the hungry longing in his eyes. She turned away to open the fridge to get the milk. It wasn’t uncommon for them to borrow food from one another, and he always watched out for them. He had a comforting, protective nature she’d gotten used to.
She grew painfully aware of her night shorts, which had a tendency to ride up her butt and cut off at mid-thigh, and her thin white tank top. Could he see her nipples? And jeez, Louise, why did they have to harden every time he came near her?
She pushed hair out of her face and poured the milk into his empty half gallon. “Help yourself to the fruit in the bowl there. Nell had leftovers. How much milk do you want?”
“Enough for a bowl of cereal, please. I’ll get some at the store later.” His voice only dropped that low and husky during sex. She stopped after she poured enough milk, then gave him extra.
Evan reached over her to open a nearby drawer. He took out a fork, inserted it into the flesh of a peach slice, and brought it to his lips.
“Forbidden fruit, hmm?”
He teased the fruit around his lips with a wicked smirk. He winked at her and sank his teeth into half the peach as he watched her, licking it. Her mouth went dry. Oh, he knew what he was doing.
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​Follow Roxanne's book releases over the next six months. Be sure to add the books to your TBR pile! [image error] [image error] About the Author:

Roxanne D. Howard writes sizzling erotic romance with Boroughs Publishing Group and The Wild Rose Press. She is a U.S. Army veteran, and a Columbia College alumni. She loves to read poetry, classical literature, and Stephen King. Also, she is an avid Star Wars fan, musical theater nut, and marine biology geek. Roxanne resides in the western U.S., and when she's not writing, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, children, and furry companions. Roxanne loves to hear from her readers, and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.
Other Books by This Author
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Social Media Links (for Roxanne):
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#MysteryExchange Treasure Hunters #Romance + #Suspense by @Kris_Bock

Kris Bock's Southwest Treasure Hunters novels mix action and adventure with romance. The stories explore the Southwest, especially New Mexico. Each novel stands alone, with a new main couple, and is complete, with no cliffhangers.
The Mad Monk's Treasure
A legendary treasure hunt in the dramatic - and deadly - New Mexico desert.... Reviewers give it a 4.6 star average. Get this romantic adventure for only 99 cents or FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
The lost Victorio Peak treasure is the stuff of legends - a heretic Spanish priest's gold mine, made richer by the spoils of bandits and an Apache raider. When Erin, a quiet history professor, uncovers a clue that may pinpoint the lost treasure cave, she prepares for adventure. But when a hit and run driver nearly kills her, she realizes she's not the only one after the treasure. And is Drew, the handsome helicopter pilot who found her bleeding in a ditch, really a hero, or one of the enemy?
"The story has it all - action, romance, danger, intrigue, lost treasure, not to mention a sizzling relationship...."
Get The Mad Monk's Treasure on Amazon.
The Dead Man's Treasure
Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure - but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. The hunt would be challenging enough without interference from her half-siblings, who are determined to find the treasure first and keep it for themselves. Good thing Rebecca has recruited some help.
Sam is determined to show Rebecca that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there's a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure - and revenge.
Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico.
'I can't say enough how much I loved this book! It has mystery, adventure, danger, romance, and above it all family remains a huge theme.'
Get The Dead Man's Treasure on Amazon - free with KU.
The Skeleton Canyon Treasure
Camille Dagneau - beautiful, brilliant, and prickly - isn't quick to trust, especially when a strange man has broken into her machine shop at night. But Ryan MacAllister insists he's merely looking for his missing uncle, who has disappeared while hunting for a lost treasure. He believes Camie is the key to finding the treasure, and his uncle. Camie can ignore the attraction she feels, but she won't pass up the chance for an adventure.
The pair set off with Camie's feisty cat Tiger to track down the clues in the missing man's journal. Graveyards, steep cliffs, and creepy caves don't intimidate Camie, but she'll need to trust Ryan to overcome all the challenges that stand in their way. A man's life is on the line and time is running out, but her heart may be the one thing Camie is not willing to risk.
"If you like strong women and adventure, you're going to love this."
"The Skeleton Canyon Treasure is a light, breezy action/adventure/romance that's perfect for summer reading." 
Get The Skeleton Canyon Treasure on Amazon - free with KU.
Excerpt from The Mad Monk's Treasure:
Among all the legends, all the fact and fiction, one story stood out. The Victorio Peak legend had it all. A Franciscan priest and a swindler. Torture, murder, a government cover-up. Where was the truth, among all the stories? Erin wanted to find out. Over time, and with Camie's encouragement, she'd started to take the treasure hunt more seriously. It wasn't so much for the treasure itself-that would most likely belong to the government or the landowners. But it would make her reputation, open up new job opportunities-change her life in ways she hardly dared dream.
She touched the book gently. The pages were falling out; she didn't want to risk carrying it around. Instead, Erin snapped a picture of the petroglyphs with her phone. That would be enough to show Camie for now.
The timing was perfect; she just had to turn in grades and field a few tearful last-minute requests for extensions, and she'd be done for the semester. What better way to spend the summer, than hunting for buried treasure?
Erin shook her head. Who would've thought that she, the quiet, studious girl who'd spent her entire adult life in academia in one way or another, would be planning such an adventure?
 Erin wheeled the bike around the front of her house and mounted. At the corner, she paused and looked both ways. The long frontage road was dangerously narrow, with a cement wall on one side and a ditch on the other. Fortunately, traffic was normally light, and at this time of day the road lay empty. Erin pushed off, still grinning from her find. She rode on the right side, by the ditch, instead of facing traffic, because it was just too frightening to ride alongside the wall when a car passed.
She'd gone a block when she heard the hum of a car engine as it pulled out from a side street behind her. She rode along the very edge of the pavement, even though the car would have plenty of room to pass her without oncoming traffic.
Erin glanced over her shoulder. The black SUV 20 feet behind her hadn't bothered to pull out into the road at all. Jerk. When would drivers learn to share the road with bicyclists? Erin pulled onto the two-foot wide gravel strip between the pavement and the ditch. She couldn't stop without risking a skid, but she slowed so the SUV could pass.
The engine roared. Erin glanced back again.
Black metal bore down on her. Her heart lurched and the bike wobbled. This guy was crazy! She whipped her gaze forward, rose up in the seat, and pumped the pedals with all her power, skimming along inches from the ditch. He was just trying to scare her. She'd get his license plate and--
She felt the bumper hit her back tire. The bike seemed to leap into the air, and she went flying. The dried mud and weeds of the ditch seemed to rise up to meet her.  She didn't even have time to scream.

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a mystery with strong romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town.
Fans of Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels will want to check out Kris Bock's romantic adventures. 'Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart's Moonspinners.' 5 Stars - Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog
Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.
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#WednesdayWisdom: The Secret of Success Is To Change What you Can!

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