Tara Chevrestt's Blog, page 104

Strong is Sexy Heroine of the Week: Isabel de Vermandois

Book: The Burning CandleAuthor: Lisa J. YardeHeroine: Isabel de Vermandois
In The Burning Candle, Isabel de Vermandois proves her inner courage by enduring the brutal dominance of both her parents, as they force her into a marriage with a man older than her father.  Although Isabel does not have a choice in her marital partner, she makes the best of life with Robert de Beaumont and becomes a dutiful wife. It is a fine balance for a woman of the medieval era; knowing what to bear and just when to stand up for she believes in against the odds. Robert appreciates his wife’s beauty and wit, but Isabel surpasses all of his expectations with her integrity. To do what is right when there is no reward takes the kind of personal strength that Isabel possesses.
The greatest test she faces in later years is the temptation offered by William de Warenne, a man betrothed to her dear friend.  Although Isabel acknowledges a growing attraction to William within herself alone, commitment to her marital vows and the children she has given Robert mean a great deal. She cannot abandon ideals she has long held just for the sake of a moment’s forbidden happiness with her lover. She is also smart enough to know the repercussions for her and William if Robert should ever discover their illicit love.
Blurb: In eleventh-century France on the eve of the First Crusade, Isabel de Vermandois becomes the wife of a man old enough to be her father. He is Robert de Beaumont, Comte de Meulan. A hero of the Norman victory at Hastings and loyal counselor to successive English kings, Robert is not all Isabel had expected. Cruel and kind by contrast, he draws her into the decadent court of King Henry I. As Robert's secrets are unraveled, Isabel finds her heart divided. Her duties as a wife and mother compel her, but an undeniable attraction to the young William de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, tempts her. In a kingdom where love holds no sway over marital relations, Isabel must choose where her loyalties and her heart lie. 


Based on the life of a remarkable medieval woman forgotten by time, The Burning Candle is a story of duty and honor, love and betrayal.



 Excerpt:My dear, sweet Isabel, you are the only woman I have ever loved. I shall worship you until I draw my last breath.”She swayed and her knees wobbled. The steady knot in her belly tightened. “Amieria does not deserve your faithlessness.” Her voice shook.“None of us deserves this folly. Your friend is doomed to a mockery of a marriage, while I must forever mourn your absence from my arms. You hate me. My betrothed is your dearest companion. Would that God could look down and release us from this misery.”“There is no such hope. I cannot remain here, knowing you harbor such feelings for me.”He lifted her hand, fingers closing on hers again. “You believe me in my love?”“You must see the impossibility of your wishes. My husband commands my fealty. I owe all to him. I cannot betray him, no more than I could forsake the bonds of friendship with Amieria.”“Then tell me the truth and it may ease my pains. Tell me you despise me above all others and there is nothing worse in the world you might imagine than being the object of my affections. Tell me you could never love me as you have loved your husband.”A teardrop spilled upon her cheek, followed by another. He released her, yet reached for her face. He stroked the tears away with his thumb. “Say it, Isabel.”“Why must you press me for the truth when you know it? Must I be cruel, so you could claim it as a kindness?”A rueful laugh rumbled his chest. “I have despaired of your kindness. Shall I force my attentions upon you in the hope you may fully express your loathing?”He joined her on the step suddenly and forced her against the stonework, his arms braced, palms flat on either side of her head.She twisted and steadied herself against the wall, shaking her head. “Do not do this, William.”“You say my name at last. It fills me with the same hope I once carried, anticipation you would whisper it one day in a moment of passion.”“It is false hope! I do not desire you.”Perched precariously on the stairs, she could not dispel the shaking in her limbs, as he leaned closer and dipped his head. “Show me! Strike me or spit in my face if you must. I shall have the final proof of your hatred.”He cupped her neck and pressed his body against hers. Delicious warmth radiated from him and chased away the cold. “Tell me, Isabel. Tell me you feel nothing for me.”Her throat tightened as if robbed of speech. His fingers caressed her skin even as he pulled her closer. He would kiss her and she would let him. His lips hovered just beyond her reach. She only had to give in to the desire in his tremulous voice. It would be so easy, effortless.“Isabel?” A final warning laced his guttural tone.“I cannot!” Her scream echoed. She pressed a trembling hand to her mouth as if it would hold back the terrible truth. “God, forgive me, I cannot speak the lie.”She sagged as his lips pressed against her brow. His arms came about her, encasing her in his solid embrace. “Then we are both fools.” She surrendered to him in full as he braced her with all his might when she would have fallen at his feet, weeping.She sobbed against his neck, her heart hammering. He rubbed her back and murmured to her. If he meant to offer comfort, his gestures only pained her more. How had she allowed him past her heart’s defenses? At last, she recognized that he had always been there, since their meeting at Vatteville, where he offered Lovvet. His obvious attraction for Isabel had long awakened and stirred something inside her that Robert had never touched. The desire to love and to share love with another beyond a sense of duty, or what was right or honorable. She could not deny William’s feelings or her own any longer.When she looked up, he cupped her wet face in his hands. “Come with me to Castle Acre, now. I shall claim you for my own. Not even your husband or King Henry’s wrath would stop me.”His impetuous vow should have frightened her. It did not. Instead, a thrill raced through her. She could have laughed through her useless tears.“You cannot mean it! Have you lost your senses and your heart before me? The scandal would destroy us both.”She slid her hand between their bodies, beneath his mantle and pressed the point where his heart pounded, strong and steady. “I cannot leave with you. Nor can I forsake my marital bonds and sin with my body as I would in my heart.”When he would have spoken, her forefinger against his lips stilled him. “I may have betrayed Robert and Amieria’s friendship this day. I cannot commit adultery. Duty compels us. I remain bound to my husband and you to the king’s wishes for his daughter. Whatever I may feel for you, I cannot injure Robert or Amieria. They must never know of this betrayal. It would destroy them, as it would doom us.”
The Burning Candle is available now

Lacey Wolfe Brings Us Not Just Friends

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today to talk about my new release!

Not Just Friends is the third book in the Brookfield series. When I first started this story I was looking for something fun. And I think this is a fun book. I decided to take my hero and make him the ever-so-loved playboy. The guy who always has a new woman on his arm. But, I wanted him to be something more. And I wanted him to be someone different with Alyssa. They are the friends to lovers scenario that is always fun.

So what could I do with Connor? Not only did I make him a closet bookworm, but also a video gamer. Yes, he’s a complete nerd in a hot man’s body. *swoon* He keeps his reading and video game addiction a secret from most everyone—especially his guy friends. This became the special thing between him and Alyssa.

And because I love books, I hope to have added a little book humor into this story—especially with erotic romance. Imagine a man getting a hold on a historical erotic romance. I often wonder if they could handle the words they read as much as we can. I hope I’ve created two characters readers will fall in love with as these two dance around one another trying to figure out how to go from friends to lovers. And of course, a few twists and turns are thrown in along the way. Because life can never be as easy as falling in love, can it?
***
Can the quiet bookstore owner land the playboy?

Alyssa Duncan’s life revolves around books. If not for the fact the town’s playboy Connor Phillips has a secret reading addiction, she most likely wouldn’t be on his radar…or his friend.  The two personalities just don’t mesh…or do they? She gets a chance to find out when a book-reading bet leads to dinner. Alyssa experiences a wide a range of emotions. She’s elated her beyond-friendship feelings seem returned, but his reputation precedes him. Is she just another gullible female in a string of women? As a relationship begins to develop with Connor, going past the limits of friendship, things grow muddled and complicated when an ex-boyfriend shows up in town and things aren’t what they seem.

When the dust finally settles, will Alyssa find true love with someone or end up with just another friend?
Buy Links: Amazon | Nook| All Romance
Excerpt: As Alyssa opened the book to chapter one, her phone chirped, letting her know she’d received a text. She decided to ignore it. She never liked to be disturbed when she read. But whoever it was didn’t want to be ignored, since her phone chirped again.

Alyssa groaned, dug it out of her purse, and read the two messages.

Can I come up? – Connor

Put the book down and let me in. *wink wink* - Connor

She giggled and wondered what he stopped by for, especially since she’d just seen him on a date. The new book he wanted didn’t come out until next week. She made her way back downstairs to the bookstore, where she saw Connor standing at the door, smiling while holding two paper cups she assumed was coffee. God, he was a sight. Dark, almost black hair that he always wore with that just-out-of-bed look, with ice-blue eyes that bore into one’s soul.

She unlocked the door and let him in. “Hey, Connor. What can I do for you?”

He handed her a coffee. “It’s Sunday evening and you’re closed tomorrow, which means you’ll be on a reading binge tonight. Figured you could use some coffee.”

She grinned. He knew her so well. Too bad he’d never see her the way she did him. “I picked up a historical romance.”

“Did you try the book I recommend yet?”

Sci-fi wasn’t for her. She had tried it, but couldn’t get into it. “Soon.”

“I don’t believe you. Maybe we should take a bet.” He leaned against the wall.

“A bet? Are you serious?”

“Dead serious. I bet by the end of the week you still haven’t read it.”

She took a sip of her drink. Ah, her favorite. Mocha with a splash of raspberry. “What are the terms of this bet?”

“If you have, dinner’s on me. If you haven’t, dinner’s on you. And I warn you, I have expensive taste.”

Alyssa’s heart fluttered. Dinner? A meal together? They’d never gone anywhere. In fact, she didn’t know if anyone knew they were even friends.

Connor reached out, touching her shoulder. “Do we have a deal?”

Oh God, she was supposed to speak. She wasn’t sure that part of her was working any longer. “Uh-huh.”

Connor grinned at her, a dimple forming on his cheek. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

No, a cat did not have her tongue. In fact, if a cat did, she was pretty sure she’d be screaming right about now, not being mute.

“You kinda threw me off, asking me to dinner.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Was that something you weren’t interested in?”

Ha ha, there wasn’t a woman around who didn’t want to have dinner and more with Connor Phillips. She just never thought it would be her. “We have a deal.”

“Good.”

Alyssa wondered if this meant he might be interested in her. That he could possibly have eyes for her. As she stared at him with a God-knew-what kind of smile on her face, she didn’t notice at first the blonde bombshell she’d seen earlier was now standing outside waiting. Alyssa glanced back at Connor, who caught her focus and turned to glance at the woman.

“Crap, I forgot about her.”

Alyssa raised an eyebrow. “Date?”

“For this evening.”

Her heart sank. Connor wasn’t interested in her. She would never look like blondie out there. He wanted to take her out as a friend. That was it. It was time she realized it and the fact they would never be anymore than they were. And after tonight, the woman standing out in the cold would know the same thing.

“I guess I better get out there.” He took a sip of his drink and stepped away from the wall.

“Yeah, she seems a little mad.”

Connor leaned closed and whispered to her, “She’ll get over it.” He brushed a light kiss on her cheek. This was the first time he’d ever been that close to her.

The woman outside tapped on the door, obviously not liking what she had seen.

“You better go,” Alyssa said. “Besides, I think my dinner’s cold. I’d just taken it out of the microwave before you got here.”

“Enjoy your meal and the coffee as well.” He waved and then went back out the door, greeting the woman waiting for him.

Alyssa wanted to watch but didn’t. It was hard enough knowing the man she secretly fantasized about was once again out with another woman. 
Other Books in the Brookfield Series: Finding HomeBare NecessitiesThe Brookfield Series Volume One (Print and eBook) Coming Soon: Bed, Breakfast, and You

Blood and Roses by A.K. Alexander

Enter the world of high-stakes horse racing--where the stakes are so high, it's costing lives. But there is so much more to it than horse racing.


This being a mystery, I'm going to take care not to reveal too much. Let's just say just when you think you have it all figured out, another twist is thrown it, and even when it gets to the point you know WHOdunit, you don't necessarily know WHYtheydunit.

This is part of a series, but I didn't realize it 'til halfway through the book when it referred to a previous case. However, this book stands alone just fine. There were no endless details about prior cases, and there was no need for them, though the details about Holly's past were relevant for reasons I won't reveal.

Afghanistan, dead men walking, men framed for crimes, secret government agencies...it's so much more than what you find at the track and it all starts with what appear to be animal rights type crimes.

I appreciated the mystery though I did get lost and confused at moments. There are a lot of characters to keep track of. Who was the jockey or trainer and who did they work for when and yada yada. I almost had to take notes. I loved the revelation of the underhanded things going on in the stalls, though I was sad at the treatment of the horses. It was eye-opening, though.

I thought there could be/should be more emotion at times--namely when the heroine gets a surprise.

Favorite moment:
Her five-foot-five frame was no match for this guy. But her gun was, and she made sure he saw it as she moved her blazer just slightly off her hip.

Enjoyable read, however. Four stars. I received an ARC of this via Amazon Vine.

Demon Release Giveaway

Demon, Book Two in the Dark Musicals Trilogy, inspired by Sweeney Todd is available now!


Purchase
Amazon * Smashwords * Barnes & Noble
  When Justyn and Rebecca set off for the New York School ofPerforming Arts, they think their dreams are about to come true. To theirdismay, they aren’t in high school anymore, and the competition is steep.Rebecca must compete against accomplished singers for a role in the productionof Demon Barber, including a stunning Gothic diva with her sights set onJustyn.
It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from theirapartment or that Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is anessential part of her life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to theserial rapist terrorizing the campus.
Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca andJustyn start living the story of Sweeney Todd—both on and off the stage. Head to face book to join the Demon Release Party.  You can also add Demon to your shelf on good reads.




If you haven't read the first book in the series, now is a great time to get your copy. To celebrate the release of Demon,  Phantom is now on sale for only $1.99 exclusively on Amazon!
Purchase
Amazon * Smashwords * Barnes & Noble

Phantom, Dark Musicals Book #1
The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalkerwho uses the lines from the play as their calling card.
Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.
Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both onand off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in reallife are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.
  Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves
writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura
is also the editor of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her
local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include
Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player and Demon.

She also has short stories featured in two anthologies called HerStory and A Celtic Tapestry.


 Follow the author
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Pinterest




 THE GIVEAWAY
To celebrate the release of Demon, Author Laura DeLuca has put together a Demon themed prize pack. It includes a signed copy of Phantom, geode and geode slice, rough crystal points, incense and holders, Gothic style leather key chains, smudge stick with abalone shell, mini Buddha and elephant statue, crystal, natural stone and pentacle pendants, and a $10 GC to Little Caesars.



The The Sisters Elemental Etsy shop has also created custom Lavender Purification  bath salts and a set of ammonite necklaces, both of which are featured in the book.





And finally, the awesome mommy bloggers at  Mom Powered Media are also throwing in a $50 Amazon GC to support one of their own!



One lucky winner is going to receive all these fabulous prizes. To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on  5/17/13. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Mom Powered Media, The Sisters Elemental and the author for offering these fantastic prizes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


****Please note no compensation was received for sharing this post. Host blogs are not responsible for prize delivery.***

A Stitch in Time by Amanda James

This was a very fun time travel romance. The heroine is just told one day by a Johnny Depp look-alike that she's an designated time traveler who must go back in the past to save lives, 9 of them, a ricochet effect.


This comes at a time in her life when she needs it, needs a purpose, needs excitement, needs love, as she's just been run through the ringer by her ex-husband.

The time travel escapades were both cute and interesting. She has to be a maid in 1913 with a horribly bossy and evil employer, back to 1928 where she must deal with sexual harassment, WWII England during the blitz, and the best one of all was the American plains when there was a locust outbreak. That was really cool. I didn't know about that.

The best parts of this novel, however, are the bursts of humor.

Imagine the Johnny Depp look-alike calling in to your work for you to explain your sudden absence because you've been transported through time on a mission... This is probably the last thing you want to hear:

"I rang, said you were feeling under stress due to an awful migraine and "women's problems"; you had an embarrassing leakage and just ran home."

And the heroine all throughout the book just says the funniest things...

"Making a joke about the personal workings of the female body is just a joke? How would you like it if I said, "bit snappy today, Gary, must be because you couldn't get an erection last night?"

I forgot to mention there is romance. John, the recruiter, time needler...Sarah and him hook up. The romance didn't swoop me away. I didn't get it, to be honest. They meet, she time travels, he tells her what she needs to know, and at some point between cooking and talking, they just suddenly fall in love.

I def recommend this one though. It's a great feel-good book with a unique time traveling twist.

Four stars. I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Let's Start A Revolution!

Last month, I posted some pictures of myself on Facebook. I had attended a function, an award's ceremony, with the husband. I wore a ruffled dress and worried the ruffles made me look fat.

This led to a discussion...

We need to stop this nonsense!!! And I know it's hard...because every five stinking minutes, every single time we turn on the television, every commercial that comes on, in every TV show we watch ***Does anyone watch Fast N' Loud, a flipping cars show? Just this last week the host Richard had a model coming in for a photo shoot and you know what the mofo said to the camera? "I hope she's not plus-sized." So what if she is, you pig?***every time we come online and check our email, Yahoo bombards us with pictures of the Hollywood starlets half naked on the red carpet in their skeleton bodies.

Every 5 minutes, we are told we need to look like this:



What I confessed to myself was: It's really just society's perception of what is sexy that keeps making me feel bad about myself. I need to learn to ignore it, but it gets really hard when all these "sexy" women photos are everywhere on Internet and TV. I swear every 5 min, we are reminded of what society thinks is sexy and I am not it.

No, I am not a size 0. You can't count my ribs. My hair isn't long and and mussed in sexy "I just got ravished" tendrils, my feet are not child-size. But does that mean I'm not sexy?

In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s...the women had curves and it was acceptable. Marilyn Monroe was a size 12. What happened to that? When did Hollywood decide women must be size zeros and about to blow away? And when did we start letting them tell us this? And worse, when did we begin to believe it?



Here's what I'm proposing: I want to start a revolution. I want us women to STOP believing this crap and start believing we are sexy the way we are. It must start with YOU and ME.

AND QUIT LETTING MEN OBJECTIFY YOU. The more you struggle with your appearance, the more you play right into their hands. I'm not saying to quit doing your makeup or whatever. You just do enough that when you look in the mirror you say, "Oooh, you sexy beeyotch!" Not, "Shoot! I don't look like Beyonce yet."

KNOCK IT OFF WITH THE BOOB JOBS. Increasing the size of your tits does not increase your value as a person or a woman. STOP doing things just to please men. 

Now, many women say, "I did it for ME." 

If you did it because having men stare at your chest makes you feel better about yourself, did you really do it for yourself?

If you need men ogling you to feel valued, that needs to stop too. *I do understand women who have breast cancer or health problems that deform or cause their breasts to sag too soon getting implants. This is aimed at those women who look in the mirror and say, "OMG! My breasts are too small! Men won't find me attractive."


And before I end my essay, what's up with Victoria's Secret ? Their Bright Young Things line or whatever it's called is targeting 13, 14, 15 year olds. And of course, the young models look as though they are about to blow away in a second. All skin over bones. Is this what we want our young girls to strive to be?

Don't get me wrong; there's nothing wrong with a young girl wanting hot pink panties, but I don't like the image/message VS is sending out with their young I'm-bout-to-blow-away girls modeling the stuff. Girls have enough self-esteem issues.

I'm going to sign off with a quote from my bestie Amanda because I really can't say it better:

"The problem is that there is one defined perception of sexy and it f's up so many women. There are so many women out there of all sizes that are amazing, sexy, and beautiful but nobody can admit it because of what people consider as the norm. I've started learning that it's soooo much easier to love myself no matter what than it is to hate myself and not be able to look in the mirror."

Thoughts?

TOURMENTIN (Mystic Muse Novella series (New Adult) #1) by Michelle Cornwell-Jordan

I think this is the first new adult book I've read. Or maybe the second. It's college-age people, told like YA, but with more adult themes and situations.


A young woman heads to a hotel in New Orleans...is drawn to a portrait. Word is the man in the portrait haunts the hotel, searching for his 100-year-old love. He, in turn, is haunted (or stalked) by some crazy hoodoo woman who never ages. She loves him. He loves someone else. It's a triangle...and the heroine ends up trapped because she is Serafine reincarnated.

Only she has to be told that and come to feel it as well.

I was entertained as I read this. I honestly thought for a while there that there was not going to be a happy ending. I didn't know what was going to happen next, that's for sure.

I'd have liked to see more emotion and detail in some spots, but again, this is new adult. I liked the hoodoo aspect. He he. I'd love more data on that, crazy lady that I am. LOL I've just always found that fascinating. I also like the parallel universe thing and my favorite part is when Emile steps over. That was new for me and I was intrigued.

I also liked that is has closed-door sex. I don't need all the details, you know? It seems so rare nowadays to find closed-door sex.

I signed up for a review copy of this over on Goodreads.

Strong is Sexy Heroine of the Week: Courtney Dalton

Book: Vexed
Author: Jezebel Jorge
Heroine: Courtney Dalton

Robert Palmer's Simply Irresistible blasts over an arena's sound system. A blond muscular woman struts down the aisle in a body hugging dress and stilettos. By the time she steps into the ring every man in the packed house wants her and every woman wants to be her.

"In this corner, hailing from Nashville, Tennessee," the ring announcer screams into the mic, "Pro Wrestling's Alpha Diva - Courtney Dalton!"

She yanks the microphone from his hand because Courtney's not there for eye candy. She introduces her man, Alex Kafelnikov, a six foot three, two hundred-eighty pound, monstrous rookie sensation. She's supposed to be there to cheer him on from ringside, but she's not afraid to get physically involved in a match to help her man.

--Courtney's a former fitness competitor and a black belt who can legit hold her own with any man or woman in the wrestling business. She's got the long legs, perfectly sculpted abs, and big breasts that made her a Playboy Centerfold less than a year after giving birth to twin sons. Having grown up on the road with her single parent father, she's also the brains behind Alex's monster push. She handles all his bookings, scripts all his interviews and calls his matches, all while running two successful fitness clubs.

She survived a nasty divorce and betrayal from the only man she'd ever loved in Hexed. Not to mention the suspicious death of her father and her sister's suicide. The roughest few months of her life changed the former wild child from Wanton and Dirty Weekend into a strong and confident woman of substance. She's embracing her witchy ancestry and is exploring the Wiccan path. All while struggling with her feelings for Alex in the midst of a custody battle with her ex and learning how to deal with a young daughter who might just be the most powerful DeFliehr witch ever. 
Vexed is Courtney and Alex's story.

Blurb:
Vexed is the stand alone sequel to Hexed. Jezebel Jorge's Ring Dreams Series, featuring wicked witches and hot pro wrestlers.

*** WARNING - This novel contains graphic sex scenes, scripted violence, infidelity, and a bad ass bitch of a heroine. ***

Courtney's got a new boy toy, pro wrestling rookie sensation Alex Kafelnikov. Even the most wicked of witches couldn't have cast a spell to create a more perfect guy.

What starts out as sex gets a lot deeper when the two of them bond over the deaths of their fathers, their love of the wrestling business, and figuring out what really makes a family.

She's going to have to embrace her witchy ancestry to handle a custody battle with her ex, her ever changing feelings for Billy, and learn to accept that her young daughter might just be the most powerful DeFliehr witch ever.

Sometimes love happens when it's least expected.
Buy here

Cover Reveal & Blog Hop For Maiden Behind the Mask *chance to win a copy!*

You know you’ve done something right in the cover art department when you see not one, but two just like it show up on your Facebook or Amazon feed. Only different titles and author names.

*sigh*
When Maiden Behind the Mask was first published, it had a home with a publisher. Now, the image I wanted and put on the art form was declared too expensive. If you’re an author, you’ve been there. With much grumbling and sighing, I searched for stock art images that looked like a Spanish woman in 1800s Los Angeles (then a part of Mexico) dressed as Zorro.
That saying “looking for a needle in a haystack...”
Yea.
I found a blonde, I found an Asian with way-too-modern bangs, I found lace masks, beaded masks, feathered, masks, women half naked wearing weird masks, pointy-nosed masks, but no women Zorros.
We got as close as we could.
Three weeks later the publisher crashed and people told me I should get new art anyway. The art wasn’t working for them. (If they only knew how very hard it was making that cover...)I had cover two for a while. It’s a great cover, but it began to irritate me. It would be perfect if my heroine was running around in a lace mask and a dress with a pearl belt. Again, it was the closest we could find that was in the budget. The artist did a superb job.

Regardless, being the type of person who is just plain irritated by discrepancies in covers—they must match the story!—I made a third cover. It wasn’t a lady Zorro, but a Spanish senorita looking coyly over a fan. Because when Catalina Rodriguez isn’t saving damsels in distress, she’s a lovely senorita...with a lot of mischief up her sleeves...


Oh, I made such a good choice. Everyone loved it...and then I saw it twice more...the exact image with no changes made to it at all. Three identical book covers!

URGH!
But the good news is...that image the publisher said was too expensive? The image I originally wanted...is now my cover.
Who says dreams don’t come true? Perhaps this weird twist of fate was just a nudge toward getting what I originally wanted.
Behold...the new Maiden Behind the Mask artfully created by Christie A. C. Gucker!

When Catalina Rodriguez is attacked by a would-be rapist and rescued by the dashing Ricardo Garcia, she not only becomes more aware of the handsome man, but also vows that she'll never be a damsel in distress again. Using the timeless method of blackmail, she convinces her uncle to teach her to fight and becomes a masked crusader in the night, saving other damsels from robbers and rough handling.


However, scandalous rumors and dwindling funds force Ricardo and Catalina to marry. Not immune to each other's charms, their marriage starts fiery, but when one of Catalina's nightly escapades results in dire consequences, she is forced to spurn her husband's amorous advances…or reveal a secret that could turn him away from her forever.

Ricardo’s not a man to be cuckolded or left in the dark. Is his wife having an affair with El Capitan, the masked savior? If so…they will both pay.
Buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
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Merlot & Men (Napa Valley Naughties #3) Now Available

I'm just going to keep this short. It's a short naughty story. (IR, menage, m/f/m.) Those of you who have read books one and two know what to expect from these. Below is a blurb and an excerpt. Hope you get a kick out of it. ;)

Blurb:
It’s time for the Annual Regional Wine Competition, and Charmaine is in town, ready to taste, evaluate, and judge, but stress is weighing on her from her day job, and airport security gave her some trouble over a “little” something special in her luggage.

But she just may get her stress relief elsewhere—like from the two hot servers pouring her drinks.

Little does she know the two men are already competing. Dominic and Logan work for rival wineries, and each is there to watch the other and ensure there’s no “monkey business” during the competition.

But nobody said the monkey business couldn’t happen after the competition. After all, sometimes tasting isn’t enough.
Excerpt:“They confiscated my vibrator!” Charmaine slumped on the plush mattress and kicked her heels off, slightly mollified at the thudding sounds they made as they hit the closet door. “I don’t know how I’m going to sleep!”
Laughter came from the other end of the line. “I can’t understand why airport security would take that away. I mean, just remove the batteries, you know?” her friend stated.
Anger and frustration caused Charmaine to grip her cell phone harder than was necessary. “I did, but they said anything cylindrical and a foot or so in length was prohibited and required to be checked in. There was some mumbo jumbo about billy clubs and some nonsense. Like they were afraid I’d club everyone over the head with Mr. Foot Long and take over the plane.”
Her friend Fiona made a choking sound.
“It’s not funny,” Charmaine berated.
The laughter and choking became soft sputters and giggles. “Yes, it is. I’m sure the old fuddy duddy wanted it for herself. It was an old lady, yes?”
“She looked like a grandmother.”
“Look at it this way. She’s probably widowed and in serious need of it. You did an act of charity.”
Charmaine scoffed. “Great. This better go on my good Karma list. But in the meantime, what do I do?”
“You can’t go one night without it?” Her friend’s surprise carried over the line.
“Two. I’ve got tonight and tomorrow after the wine competition.”
“Oh, geez. Two days. You poor thing.”
Reluctantly, Charmaine had to admit she was being overdramatic. A light chuckle escaped her. “Okay. You’re right. I guess it was more embarrassing than anything, and I was really looking forward to trying it. It was new.”
“Just swallow tomorrow, get yourself relaxed, and you’ll forget about it.”
They ended their call with giggles and randy jokes, and Charmaine finally flipped her phone closed, rose, and stretched.
Noting it was already pretty late, she decided to hit the sack. Tomorrow she was judging the Regional Wine Competition and writing up an article about the experience for her magazine, Women Wine.
Being the owner and CEO of the magazine had its perks. She got to travel the world, taste wines, meet interesting people related to the industry, and share the experiences with others through the written word.
But it wasn’t without its own set of stress. Her editor-in-chief had quit recently, resulting in the extra tension in Charmaine’s shoulders.
She’d be missing Mr. Foot Long, but she’d have enough merlot to make up for it—she hoped.
Mark Merlot & Men To-Read on Goodreads.Buy on Amazon or Secret Cravings.