Laura Kaye's Blog, page 28

Check Out Brave the Heat by Sara Humphreys!

Hey guys! My good friend Sara Humphreys has a new release today – her debut contemporary romance, Brave the Heat! Hot firefighters and a sexy second-chance romance make this one you’ll want to read! See all the details below!

Blurb:

The only fire he can’t put out…
Jordan McKenna is back in town, and Fire Chief Gavin Maguire’s feelings when he sees her after all these years are as raw as the day she left. Then he was just a kid wearing his heart on his sleeve. Now he spends every day trying to atone for the tragedy he couldn’t prevent.
Is the torch he carries for her
Jordan’s life has not exactly worked out the way she expected. A divorced mother of two with a failed acting career, Jordan’s biggest concern about coming back to Old Brookfield was seeing her first love. But when a series of suspicious fires breaks out, Jordan and Gavin realize that dealing with the sparks between them may be the least dangerous of their problems.

 
Industry Buzz:
“The first McGuire Brothers contemporary boasts suspense that burns as hot as the love scenes…This crafty romance, with its spirited characters, will leave readers anticipating the sequel. ” – Publishers Weekly
“This book is a great addition to Humphreys’ stellar booklist! 4 1/2 Stars, Top Pick!” – RT Book Reviewers
 
Excerpt:
“We can’t be friends,” he said quietly. The line between his brows deepened. “I was fooling myself.”
“Fine.” Her heart thundered in her chest and blood rushed in her ears, the sound blocking out everything else. “We’re done. Move, please. I have to finish this and go pick up my girls.”
Good, she thought. He was being the brave one and saying what she didn’t have the courage to say. Tears pricked the back of her eyes, and her breath stuck in her throat as she struggled to find her voice again. Clutching the flowers to her chest with both hands, she licked her suddenly dry lips, her eyes searching his. He remained resolute and unmoving. Damn him. What was his problem? Would he not be satisfied until she was a weeping heap on the floor?
“Please move,” she whispered.
“No.” His mouth set in tight line and a deadly, feral look flashed in his eyes. “We are far from done.”
Buy at Amazon | B&N | iBooks

 

About Sara Humphreys
Sara Humphreys is the award-winning author of the Amoveo Legend series. The third book in the series, UNTAMED, won two PRISM awards–Dark Paranormal and Best of the Best. The first two novels from her Dead in the City series have been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award. Sara was also a professional actress. Some of her television credits include, A&E Biography, Guiding Light, Another World, As the World Turns and Rescue Me.
She loves writing hot heroes and heroines with moxie but above all, Sara adores a satisfying happily-ever-after. She lives in New York with Mr. H., their four amazing sons, and two adorable pups. When she’s not writing or hanging out with the men in her life, she can be found working out with Shaun T in her living room or chatting with readers on Facebook. 
For a full list of Sara’s books and reading order, please visit her website. www.sarahumphreys.com

 

Thanks for reading! Now go check out Brave the Heat!
Laura

Share the Wealth Book & Swag Giveaway!

Conferences are always so much fun to attend, in part because there are so many goodies to collect along the way! But I know not everyone can attend a conference or signing. So I picked up a bunch of things and I’m sharing the wealth! Today I’ve got five – count ‘em, FIVE – big boxes of books and/or swag to giveaway. Some of the books are even signed (though not all). See the pictures down below for more information on what you can win and enter via the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post! These are all open to international!
Good luck!

 

Big Box of Swag #1

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Big Box of Swag #2

Paranormal Romance Book Box

Contemporary Romance Book Box #1

Contemporary Romance Book Box #2

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway



And here’s bonus giveaway: A big set of historical fiction and historical romance, plus swag, over on my Laura Kamoie, Historical Fiction Author page!

Good luck everyone!
Laura

Hard As Steel Release Event Sign-Ups!

Hard As Steel, a bonus Hard Ink novella that crosses over into and introduces the new Raven Riders MC world, releases on September 22, and I’ve got a ton of ways for you to get involved and win!

 

About the book:
Available for Pre-Order in eBook and Paperback, Coming September 22, 2015
eBook Initially Available on Amazon Only – Get the Free Kindle Reading App for your computer or smartphone here
A Hard Ink / Raven Riders MC Crossover Novella
After identifying her employer’s dangerous enemies, Jessica Jakes takes refuge at the compound of the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club. Fellow Hard Ink tattooist and Raven leader Ike Young promises to keep Jess safe for as long as it takes, which would be perfect if his close, personal, round-the-clock protection didn’t make it so hard to hide just how much she wants him–and always has. 
Ike Young loved and lost a woman in trouble once before. The last thing he needs is alone time with the sexiest and feistiest woman he’s ever known, one he’s purposely kept at a distance for years. Now, Ike’s not sure he can keep his hands or his heart to himself–or that he even wants to anymore. And that means he has to do whatever it takes to hold on to Jess forever.

 

Release Week Events:

New Release Facebook Party – 9/22, 7-10 pm EST ~ Join here!
Release Week Launch – 9/22 ~ Bloggers sign up here!
Review and Excerpt Tour – 9/23 – 10/2 ~ Bloggers sign up here!

 

Thanks for reading and joining in the fun! I can’t wait for you to get your hands on Ike and Jess’s book! 
Laura

 

Cover Reveal for Jay Crownover’s Built!

Hey guys! I’m really excited to share the awesome Jay Crownover’s new cover for BUILT, the first novel in her upcoming Saints of Denver Series, a spinoff of her Marked Men Series. BUILT is releasing on January 5, 2016! This is a definite one-click, friends!

 

Check out the cover of BUILT!

 Preorder BUILT Today!
Amazon US ** iBooks ** Barnes & Noble ** Kobo

 

About Built:

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes an electrifying new spin-off series,Saints of Denver, featuring all the characters fans have been dying to read about.
Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel.
Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn’t matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn’t return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior.
But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.

And don’t miss this sneak peek of BUILT! Check out the prologue here!
Prologue
I met her at a bar.
She had a beer bottle in her hand even though she looked like she should be sipping champagne out of an expensive flute, and that inexplicably turned me on. She was pretty and looked completely out of place in the no-name bar sitting across from one of my longtime friends who also happened to be her long-lost brother. He was the reason she was here. In that split second that I laid my eyes on her I wanted to be the reason she stayed.
I knew it was rude and that the two of them needed some time together, some time to figure out what they were to each other now that she had blasted into his life unannounced. If I was a better friend I would have left them alone. As it was, I made my way over to the tiny table and sat down. I was covered in sawdust and had drywall mud caked in the hair on my head and on my face, but she didn’t flinch or bat an eyelash when I purposely broke up their party of two and placed myself as close to her as I could without actually touching her.
My buddy Rowdy St. James lifted his eyebrows at me as I stared at her while he introduced us. Sayer Cole. Even her name was elegant and sophisticated sounding. She was an enigma, this pretty woman that seemed like she should be in any place but this bar with the two of us. She’d showed up out of the blue a couple of months ago claiming to be Rowdy’s half sister, claiming that they shared a father, claiming that all she wanted was to be in his life and have some kind of family of her own. She looked too delicate to be that brave. Came across as way too proper to have said “fuck it all” and picked up her life to move it someplace unknown without being sure of her welcome. She looked like silk, but if my guess was right about her, it was silk wrapped around steel.
Luckily Rowdy was a good guy. After the shock of discovering he wasn’t alone in the world, and once he realized he had someone tied to him by blood forever and ever, he had warmed up to the idea of having a sister and appreciated that the sister was Sayer.
I liked Rowdy a lot. He was a stand-up guy and a good friend, but I had a feeling I was going to like his newly found big sister even more. In my usual tactless way I asked him without looking directly at the knockout blonde, “So you have a sister? A hot, classy sister?” A sister that was also a lawyer, so beautiful and smart.
I expected a giggle from her or an eye roll at the outlandish compliment, but what I got was a wide-eyed stare of disbelief as eyes bluer than anything I had ever seen on earth danced between me and her brother like she wasn’t sure what to do with herself or with my overt interest in her.
I thought that I had gone too far, pushed the beautiful stranger too far out of her comfort zone. I was a big guy and knew I looked far wilder and rougher than I actually was. I figured it might be too much for a woman already obviously out of her element and depth to take.
Instead, Sayer surprised me and I could see by the way he stiffened that she surprised Rowdy, too. While she wasn’t exactly overflowing with welcome and warmth, she did ask me about the current project I was working on after Rowdy explained I was a general contractor and had rebuilt the new tattoo shop he worked in. She seemed genuinely interested, and when I told her that my specialty was rehabbing old houses and giving them new life, her eyes practically glowed at me. I wanted to touch her to see if she felt as smooth and polished as she looked. I wanted to leave streaks of dirt on her perfect face to mark the fact that I had touched her, that she had let me touch her. It was a primal and visceral reaction that I couldn’t explain and I liked the way it felt. Liked the weight and heft of it in my blood even if I knew the feeling wasn’t likely to be returned.
She told me all about a fantastic but crumbling Victorian she had purchased that was falling down around her. She asked me for a business card and I saw Rowdy stiffen across the table. I sighed and rubbed a hand over my already messy hair. I watched her eyes follow the light cloud of dust that escaped the strands. I was great at my job, loved what I did, but I couldn’t do anything with her or for her without laying everything on the line. Especially not with Rowdy giving me the death glare from just a few feet away.
I dug the card out of my wallet, and when I handed it over our fingers touched. I saw her eyes widen and her lips part, just barely. She looked a little dazed when I grinned at her.
“You take that card, but understand that the man giving it to you has a past.”
She blinked at me and cleared her throat. “What kind of past?”
It wasn’t something I liked to tell a beautiful woman when I first met her. It was something I liked to work up to, liked to prove it was behind me, but with this one it seemed like I wouldn’t get that chance.
“I tell everyone that I do any kind of work for or that considers hiring me on for a project that I have a criminal history. I spent time locked up for a few years, and while I’m not proud of it I can’t deny it happened. I was a hotheaded kid and it got me in trouble, but I’m the best at what I do, so I hope that doesn’t discourage you from giving me a call.” Hopefully for more than some construction.
Usually I got a concerned frown followed by a hundred questions about what had led me to serving time. I got none of that from the stunning blonde. She tilted her head to the side and considered me silently for a long moment before reaching down and slipping my card in her purse. If anything, I could have sworn she was wearing a look of sympathy when she told me softly, “I see it every day from the inside. Sometimes the system simply gets it wrong.” A slight grin turned her mouth up at the corners, and I wanted to lean over and kiss it. “People make mistakes. Hopefully they learn from them.”
I don’t know that “wrong” was accurate in my case so much as misguided, but the complete lack of judgment or censure coming from her made me want to pull her into my arms and hold on to her even more. I had made a mistake, a huge one, one that I was forever going to have to carry around with me, but I had learned from it, was still learning from it. That kind of understanding from a total stranger was so rare, especially coming from someone in the legal field. I wasn’t accustomed to someone looking at me and seeing me, just me, not an ex-con loser after I explained where I had been. It was wildly refreshing and attractive. I couldn’t quite get a handle on what made the woman tick, but I would welcome any opportunity she gave me to figure it out. I found her outwardly flawless and pristine demeanor tempting to taint with my dirty hands and ways, and there was something about the way she watched me, the way she turned toward me like she was drawn to me, that made me think maybe I wasn’t alone in the inexplicable pull department.
Rowdy left and she stayed.
We had a couple more beers and talked some more about her house and what she wanted done with it. She already hired one contractor but felt like the guy was ripping her off. It happened a lot in the industry, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the guy was taking her for a ride. Spending time with her was easy. She was fun to talk to and really fun to look at. I really wanted to get my hands on her house and of course on her, and I felt like she was maybe, kind of, slightly leaning in the same direction when I made the mistake of asking her about her past.
I asked about where she had been before she found out about Rowdy and decided to move to Denver so that she could get to know him. I was curious what kind of life she had where she could leave everything behind and not be missed. Really I wanted to know if she had a boyfriend or husband stashed somewhere, but the simple inquiry must have touched a nerve. The next thing I knew she had paid out the tab for both of us and disappeared into the night. She went from glowing and bright to frigid and untouchable in the span of a heartbeat.
I figured I blew my shot by being too blunt, as always. I assumed she probably did have someone else in the picture and had been friendly and polite only because I was good friends with her brother. I thought I would never hear from her again and was baffled why the thought of that made my chest ache and my heart feel like it weighed two tons.
Imagine my surprise when she called me and hired me to renovate her house a week later without a bid, without a contract, without even knowing if I was half as good as I claimed to be.
Of course I accepted, but I knew once I was inside I would need to knock down and rearrange more than just the walls of the house, in order to get at something beautiful and lasting.

 

About Jay Crownover:
Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men and The Point series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she’ll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.

 

Website ** Blog ** Facebook ** Twitter
BUILT Goodreads ** Jay Crownover Goodreads

 

Thanks for reading!

Laura

 

Cover Reveal for America’s First Daughter!

I’m very excited to share something a little different with you today – the cover for my debut historical women’s fiction, America’s First Daughter. This book has been a labor of love the past few years with my friend and co-author Stephanie Dray, and has allowed me to combine my lifelong love of history with my passion for storytelling. As many of you know, until a few years ago, I was an Associate Professor of History at the U.S. Naval Academy with a specialization in early American history. So it’s been such a thrill to see these two parts of my life come together in what I hope will be the first of many novels in a new genre (which I will write under my real name: website | Facebook).

 

Now, without further ado, check out this cover!

Pre-Order: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Releases March 1, 2016

 

About America’s First Daughter

In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph—a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.
From her earliest days, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France. And it is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that she learns of her father’s liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age.
Patsy too has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé, William Short, a staunch abolitionist intent on a career in Europe. Heartbroken at having to decide between being William’s wife or a devoted daughter, she returns to Virginia with her father and marries a man of his choosing, raising eleven children of her own.
Yet as family secrets come to light during her father’s presidency, Patsy must again decide how much she will sacrifice to protect his reputation, in the process defining not just Jefferson’s political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.

If you enjoy historical fiction or women’s fiction, I hope you’ll keep an eye out for our Patsy or, as her French friends called her, our dear Jef. I can’t wait to share her with you.
Thanks for reading,
Laura

 

Cover Reveal for To the Stars by Molly McAdams!

I’m super excited to share the Cover Reveal for Molly McAdams’s TO THE STARS! TO THE STARS is a Contemporary Romance and is the 2nd book in the Thatch Series. It is due to be released on November 17, 2015! Pre-order your copy today! Now, check this out:

 

Pre-Order Your Copy Today!
Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes ** Kobo ** GooglePlay

 

About TO THE STARS:

In the second book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Molly McAdams’ Thatch series, Knox Alexander must convince his long-time love Harlow Evans that they’re meant to be together.
He promised to wait for her.

She told him he was wasting his time.

Not waiting for him ended up being the biggest mistake of her life.
When they were younger, Knox Alexander swore to Harlow Evans that he would wait for her to turn eighteen so they could be together. But that was two and a half years away, and Harlow couldn’t ask him to give up all the fun and thrills of going away to college for her. As the years passed, Knox remained a constant in her life—whether she liked it or not—but when her eighteenth birthday came around, Harlow’s heart belonged to someone else.
Every day for the last four years, Harlow has been haunted by that fateful choice. And though he may appear unaffected by what happened in their past, Knox has always tried to fill the void Harlow left. But when he comes stumbling back into her life and refuses to leave, will Harlow finally let him into her heart…?

 

And don’t miss the first book in the Thatch Series…

LETTING GO
Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes ** Kobo ** GooglePlay ** Audio

 

About Molly McAdams:
Molly grew up in California but now lives in the oh-so-amazing state of Texas with her husband, daughter, and fur babies. When she’s not diving into the world of her characters, some of her hobbies include hiking, snowboarding, traveling, and long walks on the beach … which roughly translates to being a homebody with her hubby and dishing out movie quotes. She has a weakness for crude-humored movies and fried pickles, and loves curling up in a fluffy comforter during a thunderstorm … or under one in a bathtub if there are tornados. That way she can pretend they aren’t really happening.

 

Website ** Tumblr ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Google+
TO THE STARS Goodreads ** Molly McAdams Goodreads
 
Thanks for reading!
Laura

 

The Votes Are In on the Hard Ink Wedding Novella!

After over 1,500 votes in the Hard Ink wedding novella contest, we have your results! Nearly 46% of you voted for Nick and Becca to be the featured couple in the wedding follow-up, Hard Ever After, releasing January 19, 2016! Now, I know some of you wanted multiple couples to be featured in this story, so just know that I have some things up my sleeve I think you’ll really enjoy!

Thank you so much for all the votes, support, and Hard Ink love! It means so much!

 

Check out the whole
Hard Ink Series!
HARD AS IT GETS (on sale for $1.99!): Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
HARD AS YOU CAN (on sale for $1.99!): Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
HARD TO HOLD ON TO: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
HARD TO COME BY (on sale for $3.99!): Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
HARD TO BE GOOD: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
HARD TO LET GO: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Pre-order HARD AS STEEL (Raven Riders Crossover, 9/22/15): Amazon only to start
Pre-order HARD EVER AFTER (1/19/16): Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Add Hard Ever After to your Goodreads
Thanks for reading!
Laura

Sign Up for the America’s First Daughter Cover Reveal!

Dear blogging friends – On March 1, 2016, I’ll be releasing my debut historical fiction, co-authored with my friend and wonderful historical fiction author Stephanie Dray. The book is called America’s First Daughter, and I’ve included some further information on it down below. On August 14, we’ll be releasing the absolutely gorgeous cover, and I’d really appreciate it if you’d consider hosting the cover reveal!

 

Sign up here!

 

About America’s First Daughter:

In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph—a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.
From her earliest days, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France. And it is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that she learns of her father’s liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age.
Patsy too has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé, William Short, a staunch abolitionist intent on a career in Europe. Heartbroken at having to decide between being William’s wife or a devoted daughter, she returns to Virginia with her father and marries a man of his choosing, raising eleven children of her own.
Yet as family secrets come to light during her father’s presidency, Patsy must again decide how much she will sacrifice to protect his reputation, in the process defining not just Jefferson’s political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.

Pre-Order on Amazon | B&N | iBooks
To follow me under the Laura Kamoie name, you can keep an eye on my website or follow my new Facebook page!
Thanks for reading!
Laura

4 Days Left to Vote for the Hard Ink Wedding Novella!

There are just FOUR DAYS left to vote for your favorite couple to get a wedding story in the Hard Ink novella, Hard Ever After, releasing January 19, 2016!

Have you read and met all the Hard Ink couples yet? If not, now’s the time!
Because for four more days – between now and July 31 –  you get to vote on which couple gets the bonus wedding novella .
Who will you choose? I can’t wait to see!
Down below, I’ve got some wedding invitations for you to share around to encourage other readers to vote for the couple you want. So grab your favorite couple’s invitations and help spread the word! You can also grab one of the smaller avatar images for your Facebook and Twitter avatars. Have fun with it and vote, vote, vote!

Now, please spread the word and vote! I cannot wait to see who I’m going to be writing about!
Thanks for reading,
Laura
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE HARD INK COUPLE HERE!
Vote by clicking on the link above and then grab the Avatar below for the couple you chose. Change your profile pictures on social media to show who you voted for!

The Hard Ink Series
HARD AS IT GETS (on sale for $1.99!): Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
HARD AS YOU CAN (on sale for $1.99!): Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
HARD TO HOLD ON TO: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
HARD TO COME BY: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
HARD TO BE GOOD: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
HARD TO LET GO: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Pre-order HARD AS STEEL (Raven Riders Crossover): Amazon only to start
Pre-order HARD EVER AFTER: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Add Hard Ever After to your Goodreads

Find me at #RWA15!

It’s coming up on the Annual Meeting of the Romance Writers of America, and here’s all the places you’ll be able to find me during the conference! [Click here for full schedule of events and workshop listings.]

 

Wednesday
8 am: Librarians Day: Kiss Me or Kill Me: The Timeless Appeal of the Romantic Suspense Novel
Presenters: D.D. Ayres, Mary Burton, Laura Kaye, Jayne Ann Krentz, Carla Neggers, Wendy Corsi Staub, Rebecca Zanetti
Majestic (6th Floor)

5:30 – 7:30 pm: RWA Literacy Autographing ~ FREE PUBLIC SIGNING
New York Marriott Marquis, Westside Ballroom

Thursday
9:45 – 11:15 am: Avon Publisher Booksigning (“The Avon Open House”)
New York Marriott Marquis, Westside 1&2

2 pm: No Muse? No Problem
Presenters: Cynthia D’Alba, Lori Wilde, Elle James, Laura Kaye, Sarah M. Anderson
Duffy and Columbia (7th Floor)

Friday
9:45 am: Staying Fit While Writing
Presenters: Sara Humphreys, Laura Kaye, Eliza Knight, and Maggie Marr
Soho and Herald  (7th Floor)

Saturday
12:45 pm: Writing a Novel in 30 Days: Tips, Tricks, and Cautions
Presenters: Laura Kaye, Jade Lee, and Rebecca Zanetti
Cantor and Jolson (9th Floor)

4:30 pm: The Trade Secrets of Best-selling Authors
Presenters: Laura Kaye and Jennifer Probst
Westside Ballroom Salon 4 (5th Floor)

Hope to see you somewhere along the way!
Laura