Krista Ames's Blog, page 77

Cover Reveal: Don't Call Me Iron Man by N.D. Wylders

* Great new cover for the upcoming release from Beyond Fairytales at Decadent Publishing *

So to make this a little more interesting than just showing off my sexy cover and giving you a quick snippet from my new upcoming release from Decadent, I thought I’d give you some fast five’s at each blog who is featuring my new shiny cover. That way you get to know a bit about the crazy characters and the fantastic world of Sisera that is featured in Don’t Call Me Iron Man.  And for this stop you’re going to get a quick glimpse into the wonderful inhabitants of the Al’tealan Forest.

Fast Five about the Al’tealan Forest:1.  There is an ordinary blueberry bush that can drop a man of Ivan’s size for hours with one scratch of its thorns.2.  There are dangerous predators within the forest – ones which will eat a man whole. 3.  The natural fronds of the tuerenturplant can be used in anything from ropes and fastening things to some rather naughty toys in Lucero’s capable hands 4   There is a warming oil that can be extracted from another plant, that goes on cool, but warms when breathed upon. 5.  And last but not least, always make sure you shut your door or you may have unexpected visitors.

***

Blurb: Once upon a time...there was this guy. A man who had an IQ out of this world and was arrogant enough to give the legendary Tony Stark a run for his money. He had everything he could ever want - a good job, more money than he knew what to do with, and all the sex he wanted - no strings attached. But that all changed on one fateful night...The last thing Ivan Chugunov expected when he dropped by his favorite haunt for a few brews was to be entertained by a mysterious storyteller. But as he listened to the man's tale of a prince and an oddity that went by the name of Iron John, he found himself lost in the story...only to awaken in another realm - one with a quest - for him. Repair the purifier vital to all those who lived and retrieve a medical unit. Seemed simple enough and a small enough price to pay to return to his own realm. Well, until he finds out that said 'LT-1789 unit' is actually a reclusive cybernetic man. One who will demand his own price of Ivan - three nights of unbridled sexual bliss...with Ivan at his mercy. Only then will he return to the royal clutch. Can Ivan, a man who relishes control above all else, submit to a man who may be more machine than human?
***
Excerpt: Lucero kept to the shadows just beyond the hot spring. His gaze never wavered as he skirted the far edge. From his vantage point, he could see the wide outline of Ivan’s shoulders and heavily-muscled back. The wispy steam wrapped around the off-worlder, tempting Lucero unbearably. He wanted to join the man. To run his hands over the broad planes of Ivan’s chest, to follow the dark trail of hair down to the impressive cock he knew the water hid. But he wasn’t supposed to be here, playing the voyeur. He’d left this morning with the best intentions of gathering everything he needed for tonight. He’d spent the time wisely, collecting the ardentem, a self-heating oil, and harvesting a rather nice specimen of aculeatum herba, a tuberous root he couldn’t wait to use on Ivan. Added to the flogger he’d woven out of tuerentur fronds after his midday meal, he was well prepared for the evening. Then a quick check of his traps had led him close to his home. And to the temptation within. Shifting the heavy bag slung crosswise over his chest, Lucero slipped closer when Ivan gave a muffled moan. Had the other man hurt himself or slipped on the not-so-smooth bottom of the hot spring? His concern for his guest changed when Ivan’s shoulders jerked then rocked forward. His suspicions aroused, he adjusted his position to one where he could see into the pool of the hot spring itself. He barely managed to stifle his growl when the mist parted and he caught a glimpse of Ivan’s hand moving over his erection. Lust pooled in his stomach. He clutched a nearby branch to keep from interrupting. Every instinct he possessed screamed at him to make his presence known, to rip Ivan’s hand away then bend the stubborn man over his knee and show him the error of his ways. That orgasm was his. “Fuck, I need to come.” The whispered words floated to Lucero’s sensitive ears as the water sloshed faster. He took a step back when Ivan surged to his feet, his hand digging into the rocky edge of the pool, as his thick cock smacked his abs. “God damn, I’m pathetic. Can’t even get off without permission.” Ivan’s obvious frustration should’ve pleased him, but instead the desire to slip into the water and give Ivan the release he wanted was stronger than Lucero expected. He wanted to reassure the off-worlder what he felt was only natural. That Ivan’s need to obey his orders wasn’t pathetic, nor was his need to submit. But now wasn’t the time. During the height of the dolore voluptatem he would make sure the man understood—even if he had to be cruel about it.Want to find out more?  Be sure to visit the rest of the wonderful peeps showing off my cover today…
TL REEVE    EVELISE ARCHER   LANDRA GAFT ELLIE POTTS KATE RICHARDS  V.S MORGAN  A PASSION FOR ROMANCEBITTEN, SHIFTED, THE NOT SO NORMAL





Bio:


So a little about me? Well, I've been writing for nearly as long as I've been able to type. Being dyslexic, my first typing class was a godsend (and yes, my dears it was called typing in those days.) And with the encouragement of my family and a determination to give stories to the voices in my head, I've been writing for the past six years.  Initially I started out with erotic romance, BDSM, and menage under another pen name.  All that changed in early 2013, however.  As an avid reader of M/M erotic romance, I finally decided to take the plunge into writing it myself.  But to keep my readers happy, I have  decided to split my work between two identities. Most of my contemporary erotic romance, BDSM and Menage books will still be written under my Dakota Trace pen name, while almost all of my M/M work will appear under N.D. Wylders. 
When I'm not clacking away at the keyboard, I'm riding herd over my three children,  great-niece and nephews. But if I have the  time... you may find me in the kitchen cooking up something delicious, tinkering around on the computer with cover art, or simply devouring the latest M/M romance book on my e-reader.   
But I'm never too busy to talk to my readers, so feel free to hit me up on Facebook, Twitter or even through my website.  
 
Links:WEBSITE       BLOG        FACEBOOK         TWITTER

Author, author.... Spotlight on Destiny by Celia Breslin

Destiny
Tranquilli Bloodline Series, Book 2Celia Breslin
Genre: Urban Fantasy RomancePublisher: Champagne BooksDate of Publication: November 3, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-77155-164-9, ASIN: B00O6A77FGNumber of pages: 234,  Word Count: 74KCover Artist: Ellie Smith
Book Description:  In HAVEN, San Francisco nightclub owner Carina Tranquilli survives a vicious attack by her vampire family’s longtime archenemies. Several weeks later, as she struggles with PTSD and survivor’s guilt, supervillain Dixon resurfaces and kidnaps two of her best friends. To save them, Carina must comply with the evil bastard’s unusual demands. The kicker? She must tell no one what she is up to.
Meanwhile, she has a new dance club to open for the preternatural community, a fated soul mate acting secretive and distant, and a sexy, new, undead friend who’d love to take Alexander’s place in her heart and bed.Blackmailed, betrayed, tempted…sometimes destiny has a wicked sense of humor.


Buy Links:
AllRomance.com- Amazon.com- Champagne BooksGoogle Books - Smashwords- Barnes & Noble -  iTunes
Excerpt:  My attacker pinned me face-first to the trunk, grinding an erection into my backside. Panic and pain pierced my gut. Oh, hell no. I struggled to free myself, my power eager to fry the bastard. But a familiar wintery power slid under my skin and doused my fire as if it were a weak matchstick.Warm breath teased my earlobe. “Hello, pet.”I froze. Fuck me.Dixon.He nipped my ear lobe with wicked sharp fangs. “Miss me?”“No.” The cut stung. Blood trickled, warm and wet, down my neck.“No? I’m hurt.” Jolts of icy power secured me to the tree trunk while Dixon’s skeletal hands roamed over my body.“Back off, you undead wanker,” I snapped, refusing to surrender to my fears.He chuckled. “I do so love it when you speak my language, my little kitten.”The world spun when he flipped me around and lassoed me tighter to the trunk with his power, his lean, tall body caging mine. Head lowered, gaunt face too close, his silver eyes shone like moonlight. Mesmerizing, seductive moonlight.Shit. He was trying to compel me. Very few vampires could do that, and they had to be old. Unfortunately, Dixon was as old as Stonehenge. Maybe older.I lowered my gaze to his thin, blue-black lips. They curled up in a creepy smile under my inspection, crinkling the lightning bolt tattoo streaking across one hollow cheek. He circled one long fang with the tip of his tongue. “Come now, pet. No more words for your favorite admirer?”Anger almost had me hurling insults at the bastard but I clenched my teeth. You’re bat shit crazy, and I’m going to kill you if I can get my hands free.He slipped a bony finger under my chin and tilted it upward, trapping my gaze again. I met his challenge for two whole seconds before pain closed my eyes. He’d likely dislocated my shoulder with his aerial stunt, and so far my vampire quick healing genes had failed to fix it.“Oh dear, is my favorite toy broken?” He poked my shoulder hard, chuckling when I cried out.“Bastard.” Moisture beaded on my forehead, and nausea knotted my stomach. I should puke on the smug jerk. That would teach him.“Here my pet, let me help.”“Don’t touch—”Pain clogged my throat as he reset my shoulder with surprising medical precision.He slid his hand over my repaired shoulder and down to the curve of my waist. “There, all better now.” His hand inched lower and squeezed my ass.“Back off, perv.”“Hm. Still spicy I see. Very good.”He leaned into me until his erection pressed against my belly. Inside my power paced like a caged tiger, roaring and swiping at the metaphorical bars Dixon had placed around her. God, how I wanted to grab his head and fry him, starting with his too-perfect, spiky platinum hair, then his tattooed face and on down until he was nothing but an ash statue standing in his studded leather boots.My anger surged. I bucked against his hold, hating his gaunt body plastered to mine, his cigarettes and leather scent searing my nostrils, just…hating him.He trapped my arms above my head and rubbed his cheek against my forehead. “Yes, move like that kitten. Right there.” He lapped at my bleeding ear. “Don’t stop now, my lush little pet.”Bile burned my throat, making a bid for freedom. “Screw you.”“Oh, yes. Quite soon in fact.”Panic ripped my gut. “Never.”“Forever,” he shot back.


About the Author:  Celia lives in California with her husband, daughter, and two feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and has a particular fondness for vampires, werewolves, and the Fae. When not writing, you’ll find her exercising, reading a good book or indulging her addiction to Joss Whedon’s TV shows and movies.
Web site: http://www.celiabreslin.com/Blog: http://www.celiabreslin.com/blog/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/celiabreslinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CeliaBreslinAuthorGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CeliaBreslinPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/celiabreslin/

Author, author...Flirting With Fire by Tara Quan ~ a 1NS @decadentpub and a #giveaway

... read all about it !!





I owe my lovely hostess a huge thank you for having me over today. My paranormal romantic comedy, Flirting with Fire, was just released by Decadent Publishing. It features a clueless fire mage, his fed-up cat familiar, and Madame Eve’s renowned one-night stand service. On All Hallows’ Eve, this witch and warlock iron out the kinks of an outdated employment contract in a spectacularly fiery fashion (and once you read the blurb, my very odd description will make a lot more sense).
In celebration, I’m giving away a $15 gift card. To enter, leave a comment here, and drop your details in the Rafflecopter widget (at the bottom of this post, assuming the code works, or at my website: TaraQuan.com/FlirtingwithFire)


Flirting with Fire (A Witch’s Night Out, 1)

Apprentice witch Catalina Gato is prohibited from assuming her human form in front of her new employer without his express permission. Since he doesn’t know he’s a warlock, he can’t give it, leaving her in a familiar’s limbo. To make matters worse, she’s barred from leaving his house, and her attempts to enlighten him of his true nature results in burnt notes, charred walls, and exploding laptops.
On All Hallows’ Eve, she gets one night of freedom. Deciding some no-strings-attached sex might take the edge off the intense attraction she feels for her clueless boss, she signs up for Madame Eve’s service. When she meets her masked mystery date at the Castillo Capital, she realizes she might have gotten much more than she bargained for.
After being gifted a one-night stand from his annoying best friend, attorney Leo Difuoco reluctantly ventures to the Castillo Capital to celebrate Halloween. When he meets his oddly familiar green-eyed date in a Cat Woman costume, flames literally ignite, sparks magically fly, and life as he knows it changes forever.
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Comedy, Interracial/Multicultural
Buy Links: Amazon| B&N | AllRomance| Decadent| GoodReads 



About Tara Quan
Globetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, paranormal worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, her characters are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. 
Learn more at www.taraquan.com
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon 



Excerpt (Spicy)
Gomez’s manners thus far had been impeccable, but Leo could draw a straight line from the man’s eyeballs to Catwoman’s chest. To be fair, those were some gorgeous breasts—either that or the woman wore a killer push-up bra. High, pert, and full, they combined with lush wide hips to form a perfect hourglass shape. In those heels, her legs seemed to go on for miles.
Distracted by the lithe yet voluptuous body, it took him a moment before he could focus on her face. She had straight, silky black hair, cut at the chin to form a short bob. Her dark leather mask started halfway down her forehead and ended under her cheekbone, lending her heart-shaped face a mysterious and sexy air. Plum red lipstick accentuated a pair of pouting lips, which were perfectly situated between a small button nose and sharp pointed chin.
He had to agree with Jack. Catwoman was smoking.
The maître d’ led her into the lounge’s interior. As she walked closer, her spicy perfume blended with the scent of fresh tobacco, the intoxicating combination interfering with his ability to focus. Spotting him, she stopped in her tracks.
Her emerald-green eyes went wide. Then she swept him from head to toe with her gaze. The direct scrutiny triggered a sudden tightness in his pants. An electric sizzle spread over his skin and made his fingertips tingle.
A collective gasp distracted him from the odd physiological reaction. Thecandle on his table now blazed blue instead of orange, the flame growing to twice its original size. He snuck a peek at the other tables, all of which seemed to be experiencing the same fiery effect.
The lounge must have invested in some fancy pyrotechnic candles in honor of Halloween.

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Spotlight: Starlight Cowboy by Stephanie Beck

Starlight CowboyBy Stephanie Beck

From the storybook of the stars.
A groundbreaking mission to the moons of Jupiter should have been Annalina's big ticket for advancement, but instead of captaining her own ship, she's second fiddle to Shields Albright.
Playboy, adventurer, immature.
Shields has been called it all, but really, he just wants to fly and hasn’t spent a lot of time on his social skills. Mutual attraction grows as the walls of the space ship close in, and they come to an arrangement that satisfies them both, while allowing them professional distance. The distance doesn’t last, not as they grow to understand themselves…and each other as someone who just fits.
Not all is as it should be among the stars.
Their ship is attacked, and the moons of Jupiter are not exactly untouched when they finally arrive. The little world they’ve built high above terra firma is about to smack down in the middle of a dangerous, maybe even deadly, reality. If Shields didn't attract trouble like fireflies on a bug zapper, the two might have an actual shot at true love.
Available Now!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Starlight-Cowboy-Beyond-Fairytales-Stephanie-ebook/dp/B00NZIHIN6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412266710&sr=8-1&keywords=starlight+cowboy
Decadent Publishing: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=988&osCsid=217aca3imuk5ee7it44akq77o0
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/starlight-cowboy
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/starlight-cowboy-stephanie-beck/1120427083?ean=2940150348004


Sneak Peek:
Shields strode from the room, his gear already packed and waiting in the briefing room. He hadn’t settled into the base. Knowing he’d be flying soon, there hadn’t been much to unpack. In the small briefing area, the rest of the crews waited in full uniform. Annalina sat in the corner, isolated and flipping through a magazine. Anderson, the tiny boned, frail looking dick sat between the two other woman who would go on the missions—one older and one painfully young. One other man, much older and with chemist experience rounded the group.
Shields took the open seat next to Annalina. “Hey, Captain. How are you? Massage go all right? I was thinking of scheduling one.”
She didn’t glance away from her magazine. “You should. They’re wonderful, and Missy is a pro—who books out six month in advance.”
He leaned closer, loving her tough-nut exterior. “Well, damn. Maybe you could give me the lay version. You look like a woman who knows what to do with hot oil, candles, and sheets.”
“If you mean I look like I know how to cover a man in oil, set him on fire, and use a sheet to dispose of the body—you’re right.” She set down her magazine, but he didn’t miss the smirk on her face. “How’d it go in there?”
“How it always goes. I told them who I wanted to work with; they told me they’d put me with whoever the hell they want, and then I left. I’m heading to ship.”
“You got assigned a ship?” She sat straighter. “So you’re going to captain a ship.”
“Makes sense, doesn’t it? I’ve done these long stretches before, and everyone else in here,” he motioned to the rest of the room, not caring who listened, “has limited experience. I’ve been there before, too. So that helped. I’m guessing Aaron and maybe you will get a plane.”
“Really?” Her eyes lit up then cooled to disinterest. She was a smart one. If she didn’t get her own plane this time, she would after this adventure.
“Yep. Amy is too young, and Anderson is too much of a dick.”
“Hey,” Anderson protested. “That’s uncalled for.”
Shields winked at Annalina and stood up. “Whatever. I’m outa here. I’ll be on Ship Three. Good luck.”


Find out more about Starlight Cowboy and Stephanie Beck.
www.stephaniebeck.net
www.facebook.com/StephanieBeckAuthor
www.twitter.com/StephBeck123

Love Historicals presents.... Lost in a Kiss ~ 8 Sensual and Sweet Novellas

Love Historicals presents Lost in a Kiss: 8 Sensual and Sweet Novellas
Be transported back in time and all over the world, from the middle ages of Europe to the Scottish highlands to 19th-century America. Knights, Native Americans, riverboat gamblers, and lords vie for the hearts of ladies, damsels, and even brothel madams. This rich collection contains all new historical romance stories by critically acclaimed and award-winning romance authors. Get Lost in a Kiss today!

Currently at a bargain price of only $2.99!
Amazon    B&N    Kobo    iTunes


An Impassioned Redemption by Sydney Jane Baily -- Self-made woman, Jo Holland answers to no one as she runs her successful saloon. She neither needs nor wants any man--until she meets the wickedly attractive and intriguing Jameson Carter. From atop his gambling riverboat, Jameson has his sights set on one delectable lady, but a series of unexplained events puts more than his heart in danger--they threaten his life and that of the woman he wants to make his.

Love Like A River by Jill Hughey -- What is new bride Gratia to think when her husband's been gone for six months and a woman claiming to be his lover attends her sister's house party? Her reunion with Leo sizzles with anger, accusations and denied passion.

Maknab's Revenge by Anna Markland -- Ingram Maknab plans to avenge past wrongs by ruining the reputation of Gray Buchan's daughter, Ruby. She unwittingly plays into his hands. But revenge is rarely sweet and Ingram hasn't counted on losing his heart.

Winter Wind by Nancy Morse -- As they struggle to come to terms with a shattering loss, an attack on a Cheyenne village plunges Katie McCabe and Lakota warrior, Black Moon, into a turbulent set of circumstances testing the strength of their love. But broken hearts are as certain as the winter wind.

Cherished Protector of Her Heart by Laurel O'Donnell -- The honored LADY of Acquitaine prepares for her upcoming marriage. Her BETROTHED battles the unwanted visitors that have come for more than just celebration. Will his past catch up to him and ruin all he has fought so hard to protect?

The Morgans of Rocky Ridge: Will by Margery Scott -- When freedom-lover Will Morgan's foot falls through the rotting boards on boardinghouse owner Virginia Cole's porch and he offers to stay and fix the damage, he finds himself also falling for the widow and her grieving son in spite of his best efforts to stay detached. Can a woman who's afraid to love and a man who's afraid of commitment overcome their fears to build a new family together?

A Knight's Kiss by Lana Williams -- Two wounded souls must trust themselves and each other to foil a plot against the king and claim their second chance at love.

Tame A Honeymoon Heart by Cynthia Woolf-- Duncan McKenzie has been promising his wife, Catherine, a honeymoon.When a mysterious letter forces Duncan to make a trip to Chicago, he decides to combine a honeymoon with the trip. He doesn't tell Catherine about his devious plan, but he also doesn't know that Catherine has a few secrets of her own.


Visit www.lovehistoricals.com to find more great historical romance novels from your favorite authors!

Author, author... Tempting Her Fake Fiance by Julie Particka

Tempting Her Fake FianceJulie Particka

Blurb:   
A proposition leads to compromising positions...  
Journalist Stasia Grant needs a hero. Specifically one who will help her humiliate her ex-husband after he publicly left her for another woman. In Vegas for the biggest interview of her career, Stasia is grappling with a broken heart, her cheating ex (and the other woman), and a serious need for revenge. Her salvation comes from the most unlikely place― charming and sexy-as-all-get-out action star Evan Stone.
After spending his life playing a superhero, Evan has a plan for delicious satisfaction: a fake, week-long engagement. He'll not only show Stasia's ex what he's missing but gain some sympathetic publicity to turn around his image as a player. It's win-win for them both. But neither expected the sizzling chemistry that erupts whenever they're together. Stepping out for the paparazzi, Stasia and Evan are about to pull off the performance of a lifetime...but will they fall for their own con? 

Good reads:  Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iTunes * Kobo


Excerpt:He helped her stand, and then he knelt, tugging off her panties. Her skin glistened with sweat and her need. As he got ready to stand, he swiped his tongue over her folds, and she shivered, sagging back against the pool table. “Touch yourself for me. I want to watch you while I get a condom.” When she didn’t move, he licked again and dragged her hand forward. “Touch yourself, Stasia. Just the way you like.”“I don’t—”“Yes, you do. Everyone does. Only this time, you’re going to do it for me.” On his feet again, he moved toward the couch and his abandoned sweatpants, watching as she tentatively pressed two fingers to her clit and started rubbing in little circles. “Yeah, babe, just like that.” He dug in the pocket of his sweats, catching the foil packet he’d snagged earlier just in case. When Stasia arched her back, though, he almost dropped the damn thing between the seat cushions. He slid his underwear down as he approached, kicking them free as soon as he could. Her gaze fell on his cock, her previous task forgotten. “Don’t stop.”Difficult as it was, he didn’t move any closer until she started masturbating again. Only when he was between her thighs with the condom rolled on did he shift her hand out of the way. Without a word, he wrapped her in his arms, picking her up. She wriggled against him, her goal crystal clear as he carried her to the nearest wall—the windows overlooking the Strip.“Are you sure this is a good idea?” She cast a nervous glance at the view behind her.“Babe, it’s the middle of the night, and we’re several hundred feet from the ground. No one is going to see us.” As soon as she was pressed securely against the glass, he eased her over the head of his cock.“Oh God, Evan. Go slow. Please go slow.”He wasn’t sure how slow he could go, considering how tight she was around him. For the same reason, though, he had little choice if he didn’t want to hurt her. He caught her mouth with his, tugging her lower lip between his teeth. “I won’t give you more than you can handle.”Stasia shook her head, and her hair shifted on the glass, forming a tangled mess as her nails dug into his shoulders. “I want it all. Every inch of you.”Even with how slick and ready she was, sheathing himself in her was the most amazing kind of torture. Both of them were gasping when she reached his hilt. Her hips shifted as she rubbed against him, her insides squeezing even tighter. He growled in her ear. “Keep that up, and I’m going to come before you want me to.”She trembled against him. “I want you to. And then I want to do this again. And again.”Fuck. She undid him with her words as much as with her body. If it was the last thing he did, he was going to spend the night erasing sex with her ex-husband from her memory. And he’d enjoy every second of it. “As many times as you want.”Gripping her ass to hold her in place, he thrust into her while he nipped and kissed every inch of skin he could reach. Far too soon for his taste, Stasia’s muscles clenched around him as she came again, screaming his name. The pressure pushed him to the edge, and he couldn’t hold on. The orgasm ripped through his entire body, and he bit down on her shoulder, hard.
 
Author Bio:Julie Particka was told to get serious about her future in Junior High. Several years after getting a bachelor's degree in chemistry, she realized being serious was over-rated and went back to her first love--writing. Now rather than spending her days in the drudgery of the lab or teaching science to high school students, she disappears into worlds of her own creation where monsters sometimes roam, but true love still conquers all. She can most often be located in the Detroit area with her favorite minions (the ones who know her as Mom) where she is currently hatching a plot for world domination. It involves cookies for everyone, so she's pretty sure there's no way it can fail…except the minions keep eating the cookies.
Twitter * Facebook * Street Team * Tumblr*Pinterest * Goodreads

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Author, author... Return to Drake Springs by Cheryl Norman and a #giveaway

Amy Sawyer, Editor—The Drake Springs Democrat, chats with Iris Porter.
AS:  Iris, until three years ago, you worked as an assistant for Foster County’s veterinarian, Cathleen Hodges. Are you aware that the county is getting a new vet?
IP:  I heard that, but I haven’t met him yet.
AS:  I suspect you’ll want to interview him for your former job as vet assistant.
IP:  I’d love my old job. I love helping animals. And it’s no secret that I’m on the market for full-time employment.
AS:  You’re currently working at Miller’s IGA Market, correct?
IP:  Kimberly Miller and I are friends, and it’s a pleasure working there. But it’s part-time work. I work various odd jobs to pay the bills.
AS:  Tell us about some of those odd jobs.
IP:  When Lorraine Fuller got the flu recently, I waited tables at Boyd’s Diner. I also do dog walking for folks who commute to Jacksonville, and pet sitting for vacationers. It’s not steady work, but I enjoy the animals. I keep house for my mom as part of my room and board.
AS:  So you live with your mother, Hazel Porter?
IP:  I couldn’t find a better roommate. (laughs) She’s gone most days at her job as a nurse for Harold Drake, and I work several nights a week. I seldom see her, but she keeps the fridge stocked with iced tea and food. She’s a wonderful cook. I’m not.
AS:  Yes, Hazel’s cooking is legendary. Lorraine and Boyd claim she could put their diner out of business if she ever decided to open a restaurant.
IP:  All I know is, her pans are always the first to run empty at the church pot luck dinners. She gets asked to a lot of covered dish events.
AS: So what are your hobbies? What do you do when you aren’t working?
IP:  Hobbies? Does riding my bicycle count? I love riding. It’s “green” and free transportation, and it keeps me in shape. But if you mean stuff like stamp collecting or quilting, no. I have no time for hobbies.
AS:  Your father lives in Jacksonville. Do you get to see him much?
IP:  No, and I don’t want to talk about him. Let’s just say we’re estranged.
AS:  I get it. Touchy subject. Do you keep in touch with your classmates from Foster County High?
IP: Absolutely. I work with Kimberly Miller, of course, and then my friends Glenna Reardon, Kirby Foster, and Louisa Montoya see me in the store. Haley Barker cuts my hair. We’ll hold our ten-year reunion next year, so I’ll be in contact with those who’ve moved away, too.
AS: Thank you for the interview, Iris, and I wish you success on landing that job with the town’s new vet.
IP: Always a pleasure talking to you, Amy.

*******


RETURN TO DRAKE SPRINGSA Next Door Category Romance ~ Drake Springs, Book OneCheryl Norman
Lance George debates his decision to return to his hometown, but the price is right on the abandoned veterinary hospital he hopes to buy. He’s saved his money to open his practice by living frugally and purchasing wisely. There’s no room in his life for wasteful spending. His alcoholic mother squandered everything she had when he was growing up, leaving him with an obsessive motivation to achieve financial security.Iris Porter is unaware that she broke Lance’s heart in high school. She’s too busy trying to earn a living in a tough economy. She hopes to reclaim her old job as a veterinary assistant when Lance reopens the town’s only animal clinic. Popular and friendly, Iris is known to be generous to a fault. When a friend’s baby is stricken with leukemia, she organizes fundraisers and enlists Lance’s help.Lance’s feelings for Iris rekindle when he realizes how much she’s changed. The high school snob is at odds with the caring, sensitive woman who wants to help a family in need. But can he reconcile Iris’s generous spirit with his overpowering need for penny pinching?

Short Version:Popular cheerleader Iris Porter had no time for geeky Lance George in high school, but much has changed in nine years. Lance has matured into a handsome, successful veterinarian while Iris struggles to pay bills working part-time jobs. Can they finally find romance together? Or can the quintessential miser tolerate her freehearted, generous nature?

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Excerpt:Lance George cruised into town in a fog of black insects and misgivings. He’d had good reason to leave home years ago. Was returning a mistake? He’d debated during the entire three-hour drive from Tallahassee and still questioned his decision. But he was here now. The moving company had his packed belongings ready to deliver. Inhaling a breath for courage, he slowed at the Welcome to Drake Springs sign.Searching familiar landmarks, he recognized the Hurricane Lantern, a rustic restaurant located on Highway 471. To his left stood the stately Wilson home, vacant and for sale. Five blocks past the city limits sign, Highway 471 became Main Street. He passed the First Foster Bank and Boyd’s Diner, both still in business. A left turn here would take him to the high school, but he’d skip that detour down bad-memory lane. The stoplight at Main Street turned red and he applied his brakes. A flash of purple grabbed his attention. Was that—? No, it couldn’t be. What were the odds he’d return to Drake Springs and immediately see the girl of his adolescent dreams? In the flesh—and what beautiful flesh—Iris Porter stepped into the crosswalk walking a bicycle to the opposite side of Main Street. It may have been nine years since he’d seen her, but with her blond curls sticking out the edges of a bicycle helmet, she looked as adorable as ever.She turned her head and met his gaze but kept walking. She wouldn’t recognize him, and even if she did, why would she acknowledge him? She had deemed herself too good for him. He’d been a bookworm. A nerd. His limited circle of friends didn’t include babes and jocks. No reason to hope her opinion had changed.She continued toward the courthouse. She hadn’t lost that subtle but alluring sway of hip that drew the attention of every male student standing in the halls at Foster County High—especially him. Instead of mounting her bicycle and riding, she chain-locked it to an oak tree.“What’s your story, dear Iris?” He eased forward with the morning traffic while keeping her purple shorts and T-shirt in his peripheral vision. She still had her cheerleader’s legs and slender shape. If anything, she was thinner now. She disappeared inside the Foster County Courthouse. “Doing a title search? Paying your taxes? Filing for divorce?”Iris’s rejection in high school had driven him to succeed and improve himself, so maybe he should thank her for stomping all over his heart. He continued his drive through town, leaving behind Iris Porter and all conjecture about her. When he reached Ortega Street, he turned left and pulled into the parking lot of his destination. A business property that once housed Hodges Animal Clinic faced Main. Behind sat a modular home included with the business property. The lot looked weedy, abandoned, and neglected. No wonder it had such an attractive price tag. The realtor must have taken the online photos in winter, before the spring foliage filled in the blackjack oaks. Now shade cast most of the lot in darkness, forming a thick barrier against the hot Florida sun.A middle-aged, heavyset woman stood in the gravel parking lot. He parked his Transit Connect beside her late model Buick. He’d recently purchased the economical business van in preparation for his new practice. It was small enough to serve as his personal vehicle, too. Unlike his mother, Lance did his research and made practical choices. Impulse buying got people in trouble.“Doctor George?” The woman approached him with outstretched hand even before he’d fully exited his van. “I’m Barbara Sinclair.”“Thank you for meeting me.” He shook her delicate manicured hand.Everything about the woman looked professional, from her perfectly groomed, chestnut hair to her business attire. A few years and a few pounds ago, she was probably a real babe.“I feel as if we’ve already met, from your e-mails. I believe this property will suit your needs.”“It looks less cheerful than in the online photos.”She winced. “Weeds grow quickly in Florida. The reduced price should more than make up for the little TLC the place needs.”“Right.” He’d reserve judgment until he inspected the buildings. He locked his van, an action that earned him a bemused smile from Ms. Sinclair. She probably thought it overkill for a small town like Drake Springs, but she refrained from commenting. “Could you show me the office first? If it doesn’t suit, there’s no need to tour the house.”“Exactly my thought. Follow me.”He fell in step beside her. “What happened to Otis Gibbons? I thought he was the listing agent.”“You know Otis?” “I’m originally from Drake Springs, hence my interest in opening a practice here.”She opened the door, stepped aside, and motioned him in. The faint odor of antiseptic mingled with the woman’s cologne as she moved past him. She’d been a bit generous with her atomizer. “Otis sold me the business when he was elected county commissioner. He didn’t want any question of conflict of interest.”“Right.” He shut the door against a swarm of love bugs. Those inescapable black insects that frustrated Floridians every May and September seemed especially thick this spring.“It may be a bit warm. I turned up the air conditioning about thirty minutes ago when I opened the building.”“Feels comfortable.”“The air conditioner is fairly new. Four years old, I’d say.”The office was a converted Florida Cracker style house, with porches and a breezeway. The reception area was in the former living room. A pass-through with added counter separated the public area from the office. A few animal carriers sat along one wall of the former dining room. “How many exam rooms?”“Three. The hall gives access both from the reception area and the operating room. There’s also a bathroom.”“Hmm.” The equipment was gone, probably sold by Doctor Hodges’s estate after her death. Stainless steel tables, gleaming as if recently polished, dominated each examination room. “How long did you say this had been vacant?”“About three years, but Otis has kept the power connected. He also hired a cleaning service to make regular visits.”Too bad Otis hadn’t arranged for lawn service as well. “That’s been costly for Otis.”“Frankly, he expected the property to sell quickly. It’s an attractive location, and Drake Springs is growing. But even Florida wasn’t immune to an economic recession.”She led him around to the operating room, at one time the house’s kitchen. A door led back to the dining room/office, where the receptionist’s desk and file cabinets now stood. The rear of the house had a utility room, still equipped with a clothes washer and dryer. One wall held stacked cages. A breezeway led to fenced pens outside. He would have preferred more kennel room, but this could work.“Well, Doctor George, what do you think?” She closed the back door and walked down the steps. “Want to see the residence?”“Yes, I do.” He followed her past the fenced pens to the back door of the doublewide mobile home. “Where do people take their animals for medical care since this clinic closed?”“Right now they’re driving twenty-five or thirty miles, to Lake City or up to Georgia. Trust me, this town will welcome you with open arms.”He was counting on it. He’d saved a tidy sum of money and had qualified for a loan, but he needed equipment, supplies, and utility deposits. He wanted to make this property work, because it’s all he could afford.The blue painted metal roofing on the home matched the roofing on the clinic. He’d guess the modular home to be less than ten years old, although the roof made it look newer.“Is the roof new?”“About four years old.” She unlocked the back door of the residence and led him inside. “Doc Hodges made several improvements before opening her practice.”Not a fan of modular housing, he examined each room with skepticism. The floor plan was surprisingly open and pleasant, with vaulted ceilings and plenty of windows. A large great room separated two bedrooms and a bath from the owner’s suite and kitchen. The walls were painted or paneled, rather than the patterned wallboard he’d seen on older mobile homes. “Doctor Hodges lived here?”“Yes. It was convenient, especially for emergencies with animals staying overnight.” She opened the blinds, revealing two windows overlooking the front porch and the front yard’s large crepe myrtle tree, just beginning to bloom. “Her mother sold all the furniture but not the appliances. Of course, if you prefer to live elsewhere, you could rent it out.”He gave a noncommittal murmur, but he’d be nuts to live anywhere else. Living near the clinic made economic sense. He wouldn’t spend more than he needed to. The bedrooms were roomy enough, especially the owner’s suite with its own bathroom and walk-in closet.“Cable and high-speed internet are available here, too.”“Good.” He didn’t need television, but internet was vital to his business. “Immediate possession?” The sooner, the better, because he had no home. His mother had lost their house years ago, and Pops had no room to spare.“Yes. Considering the amount of your down payment, you’ll have no trouble qualifying for the loan assumption. As soon as we can schedule the closing, you can hang out your open-for-business sign.”“Well.” He chuckled. “It’s not that simple. I need equipment, for starters. And staff. You know any experienced veterinarian assistants?”She led him into the kitchen. The appliances looked new. Doctor Hodges hadn’t been one to cook as far as he could tell. But Doc George enjoyed cooking. And he could make the most of this spacious, well-appointed kitchen.“I know of one. She worked for Doc Hodges but lost her job, of course, when her boss died. She might welcome the opportunity to interview with you.”“Thanks. First, let’s write the contract.” He followed her outside to the long front porch, additional construction to the original modular home, probably one of Doc Hodges’s improvements. It faced Ortega, a residential street with tidy, modest homes and mature shade trees. Empty except for a wooden swing, the porch could be a cozy retreat at the end of the day, assuming he wasn’t too busy to stop and relax.Ms. Sinclair removed a ballpoint pen and business card from her purse. She wrote on the blank side of the card. “Here’s the name of the vet assistant when you get ready to hire your staff. You can probably find her at Miller’s IGA Market on Desoto, where she’s been working part time.”He stuffed the card in his shirt pocket. “Thanks.”They walked around to the front of the business via the sidewalk, which returned them to the gravel parking lot. “Let me get my brief case and I’ll meet you inside.”Jittery with nerves, he went inside the building and paced the reception area. This was it. He was about to gamble—no, not gamble—investhis savings into his own practice. He’d have to start out conservatively, at least until he knew how many patients he’d have. One experienced assistant would be a good idea. He could hire more staff as his practice grew. He fished the business card from his pocket and flipped it over to read the name. His hand trembled. The card flew from his fingers.He stooped to pick it up and read the name again. And smiled.Iris Porter.


Cheryl Norman grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and earned a BA in English at Georgia State University in Atlanta. After a career in the telecommunications industry, she turned to fiction writing and won the 2003 EPPIE award for her contemporary romance, Last Resort.  Her debut with Medallion Press, Restore My Heart, led to a mention in Publisher's Weekly as one of ten new romance authors to watch. Running Scared,a romantic suspense set in Jacksonville, Florida, and Washington D.C., received a Perfect 10 from Romance Reviews Today. Reviewer Harriet Klausner calls her writing "Mindful of Linda Howard." She currently writes the Drake Springs series romance novels for Turquoise Morning Press.Her passion for cooking and healthful eating led her to write four cookbooks and an award-winning blog, The Hasty Tasty Meals Kitchen (hastytastymeals.com). She also offers writers grammar help via her Grammar Cop blog, newsletter articles, and workshops.In addition to writing fiction and cookbooks, Cheryl works with other breast cancer survivors to raise awareness about early detection and treatment of the disease. 



Visit Cheryl at her Web site: http://cherylnorman.com , Twitter: http://twitter.com/cherylnorman and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cherinorman Books by Cheryl Norman ( Amazon ): RETURN TO DRAKE SPRINGS (Book 1: Drake Springs Next Door series from Turquoise Morning Press)
RUNNING OUT OF TIME (Turquoise Morning Press)
REBUILD MY WORLD (Turquoise Morning Press)
RECLAIM MY LIFE (Medallion Press)
RESTORE MY HEART (Medallion Press)
RUNNING SCARED (Medallion Press)
ROMANCE ON ROUTE 66 Anthology (Highland Press)

Short fiction by Cheryl Norman:Coming soon: Hometown Blessings (Highland Press’s Christmas Blessingsanthology) The Christmas Prayer (Highland Press’s The Heart of Christmas anthology)
Veiled Threat (Turquoise Morning Press’s The Wedding Day Collection)
Twilight Time (Highland Press-Romance on Route 66)
Bad Moon Rising (Highland Press-Romance on Route 66)

Giveaway:   signed copies of the original Drake Springs novels, RECLAIM MY LIFE and REBUILD MY WORLD.  US only.

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Author, author...One Chance, One Moment by Judith Kohnen and a #giveaway

 
One Chance, One Moment (The Mandy Story, #1) by Judith KohnenPublished June 17th 2014 by With Open HeartAward-winning novel inspired by Barry Manilow's 1974/75 hit song MANDY, and in commemoration of the song's 40th anniversary...

  Sometimes a chance comes along that can change the course of an entire life – make it right again, make a dream come true – and when that moment arrives, we grab it and fight with all of our might to make it happen … or not. Renowned singer/musician Garry Danzlo has decided to live a life of seclusion after a debilitating accident destroys his musical career. Guilt-ridden and stubborn, he wants no part of the holistic nurse his sister has hired to rehabilitate him. He’s determined to get rid of her; she’s determined to stay. Spunky, fun-loving Amanda Fields, widowed after a loveless marriage, is on a mission for love. More than anything in the world, she wants to adopt a wheelchair-bound boy named Robbie. When her chance arrives that will provide her with sufficient funds for the adoption, there’s nothing to stop her from accomplishing the temporary job in Colorado. But what she has to contend with is far more than just a difficult patient. Unexpected obstacles are suddenly out of her control. The least of her worries is falling for yet another man who doesn’t love her back. One Chance, One Moment is a humorous, surprising and deeply emotional story of love found by two special people – love built on chances one must sometimes take, but sometimes give as well. Each moment becomes nourished by the faith of one woman, and eventually, by the dream of one man.

 
      






   
Interview with Character Amanda Fields  


Good morning, Amanda ... or would you prefer to be called Mandy? Amanda is fine. Garry is actually the only one who calls me Mandy, and I’m rather fond of that. But yes, as a child, I’d always wanted to be called “Mandy” but no one ever did. You see, my Dad was a lover of all kinds of animals. He was especially fascinated with Panda Bears. That what he used to call me – Amanda, My Panda Bear. He was a great photographer. Some of his work was actually published in National Geographic. No, the closest I ever came to being called “Mandy” while growing up was “Manda.” Anyway, Garry actually listens to me sometimes ... heard my little childhood story and began calling me “Mandy” the day he decided to become my “friend.” There’s something romantic and special in the way he says that name. Of course, I always know when he’s mad at me, for he automatically switches to “Amanda.”


I can see that Garry has quite of an effect on you. Your eyes lighten when you talk about him. Your whole face is glowing right now. Really? That apparent, huh? Can’t help it. It’s something about that guy. He has a way of getting under my skin. Like no other. No other? 


What about past loves? Surely there were other men in your life. Your deceased husband Paul? And Eddie, right? Paul ... a disappointment, to say the least. I did love him, and I thought he loved me. I think he did. I want to believe that he did. Eddie tries to tell me differently. When you’re with someone,though, for twelve years of your life, surely there was something. However, I do think that with Paul, it started out as a fantasy-type of love. You know, a handsome jock in high school, popular with all the girls, who suddenly decides it’s you he wants. And then he goes to college to do something good and respectable like study law, which will someday support a wife and kids. He had everything a man could want, and yet it was never enough. I trusted him, and he was not to be trusted. Only I didn’t realize this until years later. And even then, I was too naïve to believe. I thought I could save anyone. I mean, I’m a nurse, a healer. It’s what I do best. I love helping people. I have a track record of helping even the most difficult of patients. Only, I couldn’t help him, no matter how hard I tried. He got involved with some pretty corrupt people. Just how, I’m not really sure. A lot of it, I didn’t find out until after his murder. I realized then that I never really knew my husband at all.  

I understand that Eddie helped you through that rough time. In fact, he was the one who introduced you to Paul to begin with. Can you expand on this? Well, Eddie and I met in junior high school. He didn’t live far from me, though his was a much richer neighborhood. He originally grew up on an Indian reservation in Arizona – not many of them around these days, you know. He’s actually a descendent of Cochise – the powerful chief of the Chiricahua Apaches. After his mother’s unexpected death when he was twelve, Eddie came to live with the father he never knew he had – a well-to-do businessman who was married and living in Palm Beach, Florida. In school, Eddie had always been very quiet. One day, he’d dropped his books in the hall, and I stopped to help pick them up. Funny, that sort of thing usually happens the other way around, guys picking up girls’ books. From that moment on, we kept bumping into each other, and we started talking and became the best of friends. I could always depend on Eddie for anything and everything. He would go out of his way to make me happy. Which goes back to Paul. It was just a casual thing, really - him introducing me to Paul. I don’t think he ever expected an intimate relationship to develop from the meeting. But Paul’s advances sort of swept me off my feet. Paul had this terrific, suave ability of persuading people, making people believe he was more than he was.  

And Eddie? You were never in love with him? In love? It’s hard to say, as I never quite allowed myself to experience more with Eddie. I loved that he was my best friend. It wasn’t until I’d met Paul that I began to doubt what we’d actually shared. I can only say now that I love Eddie ... in many different ways. It’s hard to explain. Complicated, like he is. We’ve shared a lot of things together, yet Eddie is his own man when it comes to some things. A mystery of sorts. When it came to Paul, I could never tell Eddie the real truth of how things were in that relationship. I was afraid to. A feeling I’ve never quite understood, yet it’s almost like a warning. But we’ve shared other secrets and he taught me many things during our youthful years. He even showed me how to make my own bow and arrows from nature. I’m a pretty good shot, too! He was so much fun back then.

  So you could’ve married Eddie instead of Paul? Maybe. I think by the time he had enough nerve to tell me his true feelings, I was already into Paul. He tried once. I thought he was kidding. It was just before the wedding. Eddie grabbed me, playfully in his arms and said, “Don’t marry Paul. Marry me. I’ll teach you how to skin rabbits for dinner.” I laughed into his smiling face, but then suddenly he wasn’t smiling and he kissed me, confused me, and I ran. I think I knew then just how much I loved Eddie. But I didn’t allow it. I didn’t want to admit that I was making a mistake. And then Paul easily swayed any doubts I had to his advantage. Paul could always somehow do that. As for Eddie, you’d think that awkward moment had never happened. He had stood beside Paul as best man at my wedding and afterward had taken my hand like he’d done a thousand times before, bent down and whispered in my ear, “when you’re happy, I’m happy.”

Wow. Sounds like he’d sacrifice anything for you. Yeah. And he’s pretty protective too. Possibly why I didn’t share too much with him concerning Paul. He and Paul had become partners in law, which meant Eddie was often around. I was glad, because life with just Paul was a big struggle. Bad mood swings. Eddie could always pick me up when things were down. I did the same for him. I was there for Eddie when his father died just before graduation. And he was there for me when I lost both my parents in a plane crash years later. Paul had been out of town on business, said he couldn’t make it back home in time for the funeral. Eddie would be there for me, he’d said. Like that would make a difference.That’s when the real confusion began - doubts about everything, about Paul. I was noticing, too, that Eddie was changing. He was more distant, until he finally just stopped coming around. But then one day he did show up and ... I so needed him, so wanted that old friendship. And for one moment, I wanted more. Yet that day became a nightmare and changed my whole life. My relationship with Eddie has been strained ever since. He’s not the same person he used to be. And I think Paul had something to do with that. Lately, too, there seems to be something else. Something on a physical level. It’s almost like he’s bi-polar, yet ... it feels like something else.

 It “feels” like? Oh, sorry. I’m what some people refer to as an empath. I feel things, sometimes before they happen. It comes in pretty handy at times, only some things are hard to distinguish, especially if I’m connected emotionally to the situation or to the person. That’s why psychics can’t normally predict things for themselves, because they are too emotionally attached to the outcome. As for Eddie, my emotions for him are two-fold. I love him and fear him at the same time. I only know one thing for certain: if he ever needed me, really needed me, I could never say “no” to him.  

What of other friends? Any women you’re close to? A lot more acquaintances than friends, I’m afraid. Of course, I’ve loads of hospital staff that know me. And then there’s Kate. I’ve known Kate since elementary school. She and her family moved away when we were both about thirteen. I actually met Eddie around that time. Kate and I connected again nearly five years into my marriage. Her husband was a patient of mine, died that year of cancer. We’ve kept in touch since then – have met for dinner, hang out for laughs, that sort of thing. She’s a real hoot - tall and lanky, red hair, freckles. But I can’t say she holds up to Melissa. Never met anyone quite like Melissa.  

Ah, Melissa. She’s a real character, isn’t she? The craziest! And the most funny and liveliest person I’ve ever known. I feel so blessed to have met her. She’s put me into some pretty hectic spots, for like you said, she’s a real character – mischievous, sneaky, the works – but one couldn’t ask for a lovelier friend. She’s the girlfriend I never quite had and always wanted.

 Unlike Daphne, huh? Yikes, that’s an understatement! Melissa’s like a firecracker; Daphne’s like a bomb and she keeps exploding everywhere she goes, messing things up. But she’s really beautiful. There’s got to be something more about her, for Garry seems to be really taken with her. I’m a firm believer in “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” I’m living proof of that, aren’t I? Garry was quick to judge me for what I appeared to be on the outside, but he’s slowly seeing that there’s so much more to me. Unfortunately, Daphne believes that her “outside” is who she really is. I try to realize, no matter how horrid she acts, that inside her is someone who has experienced a past that has shaped who she is on the inside. That doesn’t mean I accept what she does. I want to fight back. Sometimes I want to tear her apart! Yet there’s a part of me who tries to understand, to weigh things, balance things. It’s the Libra in me. I’m an October girl.  

So let’s talk about balance ... this energy work you do. From what I’ve heard, it’s a form of healing that can balance the mind, body and spirit. You’ve used it on Garry, right? Yes, and he’s starting to accept it for what it really is – healing, rather than that “hoodoo” stuff. I think he likes it most because I use touch when I provide it. My hands don’t have to touch a person for the energy to do its thing, but the warmth of a hand is healing itself and so I use both techniques – hands-on and hands-off. Energy healing is heart-centered, or so it is for me. This means I use love with intention. Love is a powerful thing. So is intention. So when I send energy, I send it with love. The key thing to know is what Einstein taught – that everything is energy. The flowers, the trees, the water, the air we breathe. Energy is in, around us, and of us. Even our thoughts and feelings are energy and depending on whether they are positive or negative, they affect our energy field. Positive, optimistic thoughts can cause us to feel better; negative thoughts and feelings will disrupt our natural flow and eventually become blocks within our body. So energy healing has to do with creating more harmony and balance to our mind, body and spirit – all those things we’re made of. I see love as the highest form of energy we can manifest. Anyone can send love and healing to another person. They need only to believe and send it with intent. The energy that flows through my hands, however, might be called a different kind of energy to some, as its source is of a higher spiritual nature. Yet, in truth, it all boils down to the same thing to me, the same substance and energy. Love.

 So many questions, so little time. Yet I must ask one last question. If you could wrap up your experience with Garry, what would you most wish to achieve from this journey with him? That’s a loaded question. I think it would have to do with him learning some things. Things we all probably need to learn. I’m certainly learning some things myself. More patience, for one. Endurance, strength. I’ve learned from Garry, Nicolas, Melissa, Dan, Mariam, and yes, even Daphne. We all make a difference in another person’s life – whether we intend to or not. Each moment with someone influences us in one way, shape or form. We either choose to give out goodness, or not. And as a recipient, we choose to accept what someone else has to give, or not. It’s all about living our power and choosing the path we were meant to walk on. It’s all about not allowing someone, or some situation, to take our power away, but rather to chooseto look beyond ... to choose the gift and then make it work in our lives. I am not the same person I was before I met Garry. For one thing, I know something more about love, especiallywhen it comes to loving a man – what it feels like inside without any doubt or qualm or fear. As for him, I just want him to trust me and to really know me, inside and out. I know I haven’tmade it too easy for him, for he still knows so little about me and my past, yet he should knowenough by now, have learned that when I say something to him, it’s the truth. I believe he’slearning how love is much deeper than skin. He’s learning how to love someone from the inside out, for it’s there where the “gift” is – the truth of who we really are. One might compare that “who” inside of us to a rising sun, for as we learn to love another person, it’s that shiningbrilliance within them that grabs us – the true beauty of who they are; and it appears like a shining star, warming us and filling us with magnificence. I’ve already begun to see that beauty inside Garry. He’s loyal and honorable. And my hope is that he’ll learn the importance of forgiveness, for it’s with forgiveness that we can find true peace within and connect with that which is most essential to loving life and living each day with more abundance and prosperity. I wish to share with him what I’ve been learning – how the power of words and positive thinking can manifest what we desire, how “like attracts like.” Yet it takes more than just words to make a dream reality; it takes action. Determination, discipline, and dedication. It’s what I’ve had to work hard at to be where I am today. Maybe if Garry would start listening more to his intuition –isn’t he?  


Well, we’ll certainly find out, won’t we? Thank you, Amanda, for allowing this time out in your day for the interview. And thank you. I can’t wait to see what happens next. All I know is I can only live “this moment” – “the now” – for it’s the most important of all moments. If I can make this moment count, then maybe tomorrow will be good.   


  

Judith has always been a romantic at heart. She adores writing, poetry, music, singing, dancing, teaching, education, and caring for others. It is her hope that through her imaginative talents that she might become a source of inspiration for her readers. Part of her life's path is empowering others toward healing and teaching them how to use their own imagination and intuitive abilities. Along with over 200 pages of poetry, Judith has written numerous songs and short stories, a couple of children's plays that were actually performed on stage, and has begun her first screenplay. She finished her first novel, One Chance, One Moment, in eight months and while in search for a publisher, has revised the story numerous times to make it the best it can be. She is currently working on her second book, For The Love Of Mandy – Book Two of the Mandy Story. Judith loves helping other writers. She served as newsletter editor for Virginia Romance Writers for four years and has coordinated and judged VRW's HOLT Medallion Contest and their FOOL FOR LOVE Contest many times. She has also freelanced for various non-profit organizational newsletters, most of which were entertainment reviews, inspirational articles, and articles on writing. A teacher of mediumship & intuitive development and a professional background in registered nursing, hypnotherapy and natural healing arts, Judith is now doing what she’s most passionate about – writing! She encourages you to do what you’re passionate about too. “Live for the moment,” she says, “for this moment is the most important of all moments.” “A Feel Good Romance with Suspenseful Thrills … a love story that will capture the romantic at heart while weaving thrills throughout the plot – creating ‘one’ thrilling read.” - Allbooks Review International “… a novel that is impossible to put down. Fans of romance will find themselves absolutely riveted by the story as the suspense and tension becomes as unbearable for the readers as it is for Garry and Mandy.” - Book Reviewer List A recent developmental by a Writer's Digest 2nd Draft Critique Service Editor praised Judith as "a talented writer with a solid story." ONE CHANCE, ONE MOMENT was noted as being "engaging, funny, touching, and often full of surprises and thrills" and what is certain to be "a story destined for attention."  


 
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One Chance, One Moment by Judith Kohnen
Giveaway ends October 31, 2014. See the giveaway details at Goodreads.   
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Author, author... Tara Andrews and HER EVERYTHING !!! @tara_andrews1

...read all about it !!




Her Everything Soundtrack Music is a big part of my life.  Now don’t get me wrong, I mean this in a fan-girl type of way.  I couldn’t play a note to save my life.  Still, it inspires me—to write, to relax or, heck, to tackle to dust bunnies in the bedroom.  Whatever!  It all depends on the mood and the song.  It probably influences me most when it comes to writing, though.  I get a lot of story ideas from lyrics, or from the way a beat sets up a situation in my mind.  So, I’m not surprised that music plays a huge role in the lives of my characters in Her Everything.  Mark Travis is the front man of a rock band, and HOT.  Rachel Turner is the twin sister to a pop star. Further, she’s involved with producing and writing songs as well.  Music is in their blood, and it made their story that much more fun to write.Since music helps me brainstorm, while writing Her Everything I had certain songs in mind for different parts of the book.  I thought it’d be fun to imagine what songs would make the list if Her Everything had a soundtrack, and here’s what I came up with:
·         The one song that started it all – “Jai Ho” by The Pussycat Dolls.  Not only is this the song I imagine being performed in the first chapter, but it actually helped inspire the whole book in a way.  The story idea for Her Everything stemmed from watching an interview of the Dolls lead singer, Nicole Sherzinger.
·         In one scene Rachel and Mark are dancing to a slow song.  At the time I had recently downloaded “If Only” by Gin Wigmore.  I love the varying tempo, the raspy voice, and the retro feel to it.
·         Mark has the name of his first number one single, “Beautiful Ride” tattooed on his right rib-cage.  This is inspired by the song “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful” by Gary Allan.  (Disclosure: I am a HUGE Gary Allan fan – even have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to him – LOL).
·         In a scene the morning after their special night provided by Madame Eve, I think the song “Don’t You Wanna Stay” by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, would work perfectly.
·         And last but not least, the song I imagine sung at the end of the book is along the lines of “Faithfully” by Journey—only an acoustic version.
There you have it, the Her Everythingsoundtrack.  I hope maybe I introduced you to a new song or two, I know for me I’m always looking for new songs to listen to!  Here’s a little bit about Her Everything, my newest contribution to Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series:
Blurb:
Rachel Turner made a mistake—a couple, in fact.  Ruining a surprise meeting with the front man to her favorite band is just the beginning.  But agreeing to switch places with her famous sister may spell the end of both of their careers. With rumors flying and an unexpected invitation from Madame Eve, Rachel hopes she can put the mistakes behind her.

Attending an event to support a charity close to his heart, Mark Travis wasn’t looking for love, or even company—and definitely not with a fan.  But when he puts in a hasty bid at a silent auction and wins the services of 1Night Stand, Madame Eve has something different in mind.  A single evening with a woman she claims can fulfill his needs.  But one night might not be enough.
Come morning, will Mark and Rachel’s unexpected one-night stand give them more than they bargained for?
Book Links:
Decadent Publishing
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
All Romance ebooks

Author Bio:
Tara Andrews divides her time between a full-time job as an office manager, an even more full-time job as a wife and mother, and her dream job as a romance author.  An avid reader and writer, Tara continuously seeks to hone her craft in order to provide readers with stories that are provocative yet romantic.
As she has learned from her own experiences, dreams do come true and women can live happily ever after. Tara strives to infuse a blend of fantasy and realism in her stories in order to connect with readers’ own experiences, hopes and emotions.
Tara lives in upstate New York with her wonderful husband and two fabulous children.
Author Links:
Website:  www.taraandrews.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tara.andrews.author
Twitter: @tara_andrews1
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/taraandrews1/
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/8578362.Tara_Andrews

Cover Reveal: A Class Act by Leigh Ellwood

Leigh Ellwood here. I am thrilled to finally show off the cover for my upcoming 1Night Stand story with Decadent Publishing. 

Say hello to Paul and Barry of A CLASS ACT: 

Barry Kellam receives a mysterious invitation from 1Night Stand and can’t imagine who would arrange a night of sexual passion with him...except perhaps a former student who’s gone on to greater things. 

Paul Merrill is the toast of Broadway. While the awards and fame are nice, he wants to share his success—and his body—with the man who inspired him. But Dr. Kellam isn’t one to date fellow faculty or alumni. Will he answer Madame Eve’s call?

 
~ A CLASS ACT is my second 1Night Stand story, and while it's part of the "Class in Session" series, the story stands alone. You don't have to read A DIFFERENT CLASS first, but you are welcome to do so. :)

 Meanwhile, I am also pleased to announce that Coming Together has accepted my M/M short, FOX'S HOLIDAY for the upcoming COMING TOGETHER: FOR THE HOLIDAYS collection. I don't think I've had a busier Fall, with four releases due out! Will have to plan an awesome giveaway for the multi-book launch. ~  

About the Author I am Leigh Ellwood. I write smutty stories about people who like getting naked and having sex. Some have more sex than others, some have sex with people of the same gender, some have sex with more than one person, and still others have sex with toys and things that require the use of batteries. My stories range from a few thousand words to well past 70k. I have won awards for writing, and I have received 5-star reviews. I have also received 1-star reviews and people have looked at me funny at cons and events. I enjoy reading, yoga, and rock music. I liked the 9th Doctor best. I don’t wear dresses. I won’t cut my hair or color it. I will not limit myself to one genre when it comes to writing. I write contemporary, paranormal, gay, lesbian, menage, geek, short, long, purposely funny and hilariously sad. If I never win a major award or make a list, I will live content in the fact that I have written something, and that’s the dream.

 Visit Leigh online: 
Website - http://www.leighellwood.com 
Blog - http://leighwantsfood.blogspot.com 
Twitter - http://twitter.com/LeighEllwood 
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/LeighEllwoodAuthor