Nona Raines's Blog, page 24

The Wilde One by Savannah Young #romance #review

THE WILDE ONE is the second novel in the spicy contemporary romance series about four sexy brothers, their small-town bar and their local country band. Each novel in the OLD TOWN COUNTRY ROMANCE series can be read as a STAND ALONE NOVEL or as part of the SERIES.

FOUR WILDE BROTHERS...ONE WILDE COUNTRY BAND

Tucker Wilde joined the United States Army right out of high school and was injured in Iraq. But more than just his leg was shattered in the Middle East. The war also crushed his spirit and damaged his soul. When a strange couple arrives at his family’s bar, Haymakers, Tucker can see signs of mental and emotional abuse and is immediately drawn to the lovely but fragile girl seated at his bar.

Gracie Parker has been a victim of abuse her entire life. When her boyfriend, Dex, beats her in the parking lot of Haymakers and abandons her, it’s almost too much for the nineteen-year-old to bear. That is until Tucker appears like a warrior knight from the darkness to save her.

Tucker and Gracie are two broken people who are immediately drawn together. But their relationship and even their very lives are threatened by Dex who will stop at nothing to get Gracie back.

If you like your trucks loud, your beer cold and your men hot...you'll love THE WILDE ONE. 

Excerpt:


    “You look different,” Savage says, then downs the last of his pint of ale.    “Different how?” I prod even though I have an idea what he’s going to say. I look more normal. Like I fit into society rather than looking like an outcast.    Savage shrugs. He’s never been a person of many words. We’re like two peas in a pod that way. Even though he rarely says very much, with just one sideways glance Savage can have the biggest and meanest guys on the planet shaking in their cowboy boots.     People say that about me too.    “Do you want another?” I ask, even though I can guess his response. Savage always orders two pints and drinks them at the far corner of the bar. There are worse ways of coping with the past than drinking a few beers every night before he goes home to an empty apartment. I should know. I’m a master of poor coping skills.     “Hit me,” Savage says.    I pour him another pint and take away the empty.     “You look good.”     I’m surprised by the compliment. I’d never use the word good to describe anything about me. But I do look better than I have since I got back from Iraq.     “Drink your beer,” I tell him because I’m not in the mood to explain what’s been going on in my life.     Savage was in Iraq about the same time I was and he’s the closest thing I’ve got to a friend. I’m not one for relationships. Life is too short and relationships are too painful. When you get close to someone, you usually just end up getting hurt.     But like me, Savage isn’t the type of guy who gets too close to people. The most obvious reason is the way he looks: he’s big and scary. Also just like me.    Savage and I lift weights together, and in a fight it would be a close match. Not that either of us would ever start a fight but we would definitely end one if we had to.     It’s a weeknight and the bar is almost deserted except for a few of the regulars. That’s why I’m surprised when I see a couple I don’t recognize walk in and look around. The guy’s wearing all leather and carrying two helmets, so he’s obviously a biker. He looks about my height, six feet two inches and he’s big. The girl looks tiny standing next to him. She’s the definition of the word waif. She looks like a strong wind could pick her up and blow her away. Not a good thing in Old Town where it’s windy most of the time.     The most interesting thing about her, though, is her coloring. I’ve never seen someone so fair in my life. I’m the only blond in my family but I’m not even close to this girl. Her long hair is so light it’s practically white. And her skin is the color of milk. She looks like a princess who just stepped out of a fairytale, as corny as that sounds.     I can’t help but notice that she doesn’t look like she wants to be here. Or maybe she doesn’t want to be with the guy. It’s hard to tell. But she doesn’t look happy. If anything, she looks scared.      As the couple steps closer to the bar, I can see the girl is shaking. I’m not sure whether she’s shaking because she’s scared, or because it’s January and it’s freezing outside and she’s wearing a tiny spring jacket that barely fits. It almost looks like a jacket for a kid it’s so small on her. Not that she’s much bigger than a kid herself.    What kind of an asshole wears a thick leather jacket while he lets his girl freeze? I’m really not liking this guy at all. And when I see him grab her by the elbow, so roughly she almost comes off the floor, I can feel every hair on my body stand at attention.    Is it possible to hate a guy I don’t even know? 
Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Wilde-One-Town-Country-Romance-ebook/dp/B00JKTX9ZA/
Blog: http://oldtowncountryromance.tumblr.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SavannahYoungAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenmbryson
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7814077.Savannah_Young
**Nona’s Review of The Wilde One by Savannah Young**
This is a love story about two broken people. Tucker survived a horrible bombing while serving in Iraq—many of his friends were killed while he came home with a badly mangled leg. Gracie grew up with an addict mother who traded her to a biker in exchange for drugs.
But when Gracie enters the bar owned by Tucker and his brothers, he’s immediately drawn to her. He rescues her from the mean biker dude and invites her to his home, so he can watch out for her. She agrees, as she has no one else to turn to. But what begins as necessity soon turns to love.
The story is told in first person, Tucker’s point of view alternating with Gracie’s. The only problem with this was I felt that Tucker, a former soldier who’s been though a lot, would have a “rougher” sounding voice.
Besides their traumatic pasts, Tucker and Gracie have something else in common: they both see themselves as damaged and believe no one could love them. The thing is, in Tucker’s eyes, Gracie is perfect. And she feels exactly the same way about him.
I really enjoyed this story. Both characters have been terribly hurt, but they are brave and loving. Tucker’s tough exterior hides a gentle heart. Gracie’s shy self-consciousness doesn’t take away from her determination to put Tucker first. Their lovemaking is touching. It’s much more than just sex for them.
Everything not perfect with Tucker and Gracie. Tucker’s overprotective brothers mistrust her. The couple is also threatened by the biker’s insistence that Gracie belongs to him. Tucker makes an amazing sacrifice that I didn’t see coming, but made him all the more lovable.

This book is second in a series about the four brothers, and I’m looking forward to reading more about them. I highly recommend The Wilde One  for anyone looking for a story that’s both sexy and heartwarming.  
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Nona Raines
Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com
Facebook, Twitter, Blog

The Wilde One by Savannah Young #contemporary #romance

THE WILDE ONE is the second novel in the spicy contemporary romance series about four sexy brothers, their small-town bar and their local country band. Each novel in the OLD TOWN COUNTRY ROMANCE series can be read as a STAND ALONE NOVEL or as part of the SERIES.

FOUR WILDE BROTHERS...ONE WILDE COUNTRY BAND

Tucker Wilde joined the United States Army right out of high school and was injured in Iraq. But more than just his leg was shattered in the Middle East. The war also crushed his spirit and damaged his soul. When a strange couple arrives at his family’s bar, Haymakers, Tucker can see signs of mental and emotional abuse and is immediately drawn to the lovely but fragile girl seated at his bar.

Gracie Parker has been a victim of abuse her entire life. When her boyfriend, Dex, beats her in the parking lot of Haymakers and abandons her, it’s almost too much for the nineteen-year-old to bear. That is until Tucker appears like a warrior knight from the darkness to save her.

Tucker and Gracie are two broken people who are immediately drawn together. But their relationship and even their very lives are threatened by Dex who will stop at nothing to get Gracie back.

If you like your trucks loud, your beer cold and your men hot...you'll love THE WILDE ONE. 

Excerpt:


    “You look different,” Savage says, then downs the last of his pint of ale.    “Different how?” I prod even though I have an idea what he’s going to say. I look more normal. Like I fit into society rather than looking like an outcast.    Savage shrugs. He’s never been a person of many words. We’re like two peas in a pod that way. Even though he rarely says very much, with just one sideways glance Savage can have the biggest and meanest guys on the planet shaking in their cowboy boots.     People say that about me too.    “Do you want another?” I ask, even though I can guess his response. Savage always orders two pints and drinks them at the far corner of the bar. There are worse ways of coping with the past than drinking a few beers every night before he goes home to an empty apartment. I should know. I’m a master of poor coping skills.     “Hit me,” Savage says.    I pour him another pint and take away the empty.     “You look good.”     I’m surprised by the compliment. I’d never use the word good to describe anything about me. But I do look better than I have since I got back from Iraq.     “Drink your beer,” I tell him because I’m not in the mood to explain what’s been going on in my life.     Savage was in Iraq about the same time I was and he’s the closest thing I’ve got to a friend. I’m not one for relationships. Life is too short and relationships are too painful. When you get close to someone, you usually just end up getting hurt.     But like me, Savage isn’t the type of guy who gets too close to people. The most obvious reason is the way he looks: he’s big and scary. Also just like me.    Savage and I lift weights together, and in a fight it would be a close match. Not that either of us would ever start a fight but we would definitely end one if we had to.     It’s a weeknight and the bar is almost deserted except for a few of the regulars. That’s why I’m surprised when I see a couple I don’t recognize walk in and look around. The guy’s wearing all leather and carrying two helmets, so he’s obviously a biker. He looks about my height, six feet two inches and he’s big. The girl looks tiny standing next to him. She’s the definition of the word waif. She looks like a strong wind could pick her up and blow her away. Not a good thing in Old Town where it’s windy most of the time.     The most interesting thing about her, though, is her coloring. I’ve never seen someone so fair in my life. I’m the only blond in my family but I’m not even close to this girl. Her long hair is so light it’s practically white. And her skin is the color of milk. She looks like a princess who just stepped out of a fairytale, as corny as that sounds.     I can’t help but notice that she doesn’t look like she wants to be here. Or maybe she doesn’t want to be with the guy. It’s hard to tell. But she doesn’t look happy. If anything, she looks scared.      As the couple steps closer to the bar, I can see the girl is shaking. I’m not sure whether she’s shaking because she’s scared, or because it’s January and it’s freezing outside and she’s wearing a tiny spring jacket that barely fits. It almost looks like a jacket for a kid it’s so small on her. Not that she’s much bigger than a kid herself.    What kind of an asshole wears a thick leather jacket while he lets his girl freeze? I’m really not liking this guy at all. And when I see him grab her by the elbow, so roughly she almost comes off the floor, I can feel every hair on my body stand at attention.    Is it possible to hate a guy I don’t even know? 
Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Wilde-One-Town-Country-Romance-ebook/dp/B00JKTX9ZA/
Blog: http://oldtowncountryromance.tumblr.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SavannahYoungAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenmbryson
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7814077.Savannah_Young
**Nona’s Review of The Wilde One by Savannah Young**
This is a love story about two broken people. Tucker survived a horrible bombing while serving in Iraq—many of his friends were killed while he came home with a badly mangled leg. Gracie grew up with an addict mother who traded her to a biker in exchange for drugs.
But when Gracie enters the bar owned by Tucker and his brothers, he’s immediately drawn to her. He rescues her from the mean biker dude and invites her to his home, so he can watch out for her. She agrees, as she has no one else to turn to. But what begins as necessity soon turns to love.
The story is told in first person, Tucker’s point of view alternating with Gracie’s. The only problem with this was I felt that Tucker, a former soldier who’s been though a lot, would have a “rougher” sounding voice.
Besides their traumatic pasts, Tucker and Gracie have something else in common: they both see themselves as damaged and believe no one could love them. The thing is, in Tucker’s eyes, Gracie is perfect. And she feels exactly the same way about him.
I really enjoyed this story. Both characters have been terribly hurt, but they are brave and loving. Tucker’s tough exterior hides a gentle heart. Gracie’s shy self-consciousness doesn’t take away from her determination to put Tucker first. Their lovemaking is touching. It’s much more than just sex for them.
Everything not perfect with Tucker and Gracie. Tucker’s overprotective brothers mistrust her. The couple is also threatened by the biker’s insistence that Gracie belongs to him. Tucker makes an amazing sacrifice that I didn’t see coming, but made him all the more lovable.

This book is second in a series about the four brothers, and I’m looking forward to reading more about them. I highly recommend The Wilde One  for anyone looking for a story that’s both sexy and heartwarming.  
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Nona Raines
Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com
Facebook, Twitter, Blog

Betrayed Vows by @KyAnnWaters #romance #giveaway #newrelease

Good morning, everyone. I have a special treat today. My buddy KyAnn Waters is new with her brand new release, Betrayed Vows! She's also offering some cool prizes, including a Kindle, so make sure to enter using the Rafflecopter below.

Welcome, KyAnn!

Hi Nona. I brought tea and scones for us to share today.

Yummy! Thank you. I'll take one of these cranberry-orange ones, their my favorite. 
So, KyAnn, did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I think I learned to trust myself as a writer. I know the roles in this story aren’t typical for a hero, heroine or antagonist. Landon is a felon, convicted of crimes that in real life, I think I would judge his character more harshly than he deserved. He’s a great hero and in writing the story, I fell in love with him, too. At times I felt sorry for Gretchen but she does things, knowing she’s harming someone she’s supposed to care about. She’s a great antagonist but I did have sympathy for her. And Crystal is a great girl that has made bad relationship choices in the past. Is Landon going to be another one?
Can you share a favorite passage from the book?
    “What’s wrong?”    “Nothing…everything. You, me, and what I’ve never wanted and now what I might never have. Nothing makes sense in my head, but what I feel inside my heart does.” Still snuggled on the couch, she rolled onto her stomach, and placed her palms one over the other on top of his chest. “Let’s go to bed.”    Landon’s heart stopped beating. At least it felt like everything inside him ceased for a moment as her words lingered in the silence between them.    He gently framed her face with his hands and brought her lips to his. Maybe he was a bastard. He took everything she offered.
Would you like to be friends with the main character?
It’s strange, and I think you can agree, I think most writers would agree, we are friends with our characters. We spend so much time with them while writing, listening to their thoughts in our heads, feeling what they feel, that for the time we are writing their story, they could be real. I think that’s why it’s hard for authors to end stories, say goodbye to characters, and meet new friends in the next story. Writers spend a lot of time alone, but for most of us, I don’t think we ever feel lonely. There is always a character to spend time with.
If you were a tool, what would people use you for?
I’m a widget. I’ve told my husband that before. A Widget is an unnamed thing - a little device or mechanism, especially one whose name is unknown or forgotten. So either I’m a useless tool, or as I like to think, I just haven’t figured out my purpose.
Thank you so much for having me today.

Thanks for being here, KyAnn. It's been great!

Betrayed Vows:
Life on the outside is not as Landon Booker expected. But how can he make a future for himself beyond prison walls when the woman who is supposed to love him wants to see him sent back to the penitentiary.
Crystal Evans isn’t a home wrecker. Landon needs a friend…someone who can help protect him from his conspiring wife. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan.Yet vows betrayed leave all three with something to lose—Crystal her heart, Landon his freedom, and Gretchen the life she had before.
To Purchasehttp://amzn.com/B00K1KNFZQ
Excerpt:

    “Are you fucking crazy?”    She put her hand over her heart to stop the rapid beating. “Are you going to get the steaks on the grill because everyone is here?”    “The steaks can wait. Who is this guy? What in the hell are you doing? I thought you had better sense. Use your head, Crystal. That’s why God gave it to you.”    She spun away. “I’m following my heart. Stay out of it, Ross.”    “I can’t.” He caught her by the arm before she could walk away.     “Trust me. If he was in a real marriage, I’d back way up.”     Ross eased the pressure on her arm. “You know where this will lead. I might’ve been young, but I remember how much Glen hurt you.”    “I was eighteen and naïve. Glen was thirty-five with three kids. Big difference. See for yourself. Get to know Lanny, and watch the way he is with his wife. Better yet, watch the way she is with him. They aren’t even sleeping together. They never have.”    Ross’s snort sounded an awful lot like bullshit.    She followed him toward the kitchen. “Promise you won’t say anything.”    “I’ll reserve my decision until the end of the night.”     “I’m not stupid. I’m in love.”    “I heard everything. And I wasn’t pouting.” He rubbed his hand over her head messing up her hair.           “You aren’t the only one looking for a love life. I’ve got a lady friend. Nothing serious. And,” he said, a smile curling his lips. “My constitution isn’t the only thing I keep stiff.”    “I’m your sister. You shouldn’t talk to me about sex.” She walked ahead of him down the hall. “Put the steaks on the grill or I’ll take over.”    “Stay away from my meat!”
You can find me on—Facebook www.facebook.com/kyannwatersTwitter www.twitter.com/kyannwatersAnd my website www.kyannwaters.com www.KyAnnWaters.com Get the Free KyAnn App Iphone  &  Android


KyAnn Waters is a multi-published, award winning author of erotic romance. She lives in Utah with her husband, two children, and two dogs. She spends her days writing and her evenings with her family. She enjoys sporting events on the television, thrillers on the big screen, and hot scenes between the pages of her books.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Betrayed Vows by @KyAnn Waters #romance #giveaway #newrelease

Good morning, everyone. I have a special treat today. My buddy KyAnn Waters is new with her brand new release, Betrayed Vows! She's also offering some cool prizes, including a Kindle, so make sure to enter using the Rafflecopter below.

Welcome, KyAnn!

Hi Nona. I brought tea and scones for us to share today.

Yummy! Thank you. I'll take one of these cranberry-orange ones, their my favorite. 
So, KyAnn, did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I think I learned to trust myself as a writer. I know the roles in this story aren’t typical for a hero, heroine or antagonist. Landon is a felon, convicted of crimes that in real life, I think I would judge his character more harshly than he deserved. He’s a great hero and in writing the story, I fell in love with him, too. At times I felt sorry for Gretchen but she does things, knowing she’s harming someone she’s supposed to care about. She’s a great antagonist but I did have sympathy for her. And Crystal is a great girl that has made bad relationship choices in the past. Is Landon going to be another one?
Can you share a favorite passage from the book?
    “What’s wrong?”    “Nothing…everything. You, me, and what I’ve never wanted and now what I might never have. Nothing makes sense in my head, but what I feel inside my heart does.” Still snuggled on the couch, she rolled onto her stomach, and placed her palms one over the other on top of his chest. “Let’s go to bed.”    Landon’s heart stopped beating. At least it felt like everything inside him ceased for a moment as her words lingered in the silence between them.    He gently framed her face with his hands and brought her lips to his. Maybe he was a bastard. He took everything she offered.
Would you like to be friends with the main character?
It’s strange, and I think you can agree, I think most writers would agree, we are friends with our characters. We spend so much time with them while writing, listening to their thoughts in our heads, feeling what they feel, that for the time we are writing their story, they could be real. I think that’s why it’s hard for authors to end stories, say goodbye to characters, and meet new friends in the next story. Writers spend a lot of time alone, but for most of us, I don’t think we ever feel lonely. There is always a character to spend time with.
If you were a tool, what would people use you for?
I’m a widget. I’ve told my husband that before. A Widget is an unnamed thing - a little device or mechanism, especially one whose name is unknown or forgotten. So either I’m a useless tool, or as I like to think, I just haven’t figured out my purpose.
Thank you so much for having me today.

Thanks for being here, KyAnn. It's been great!

Betrayed Vows:
Life on the outside is not as Landon Booker expected. But how can he make a future for himself beyond prison walls when the woman who is supposed to love him wants to see him sent back to the penitentiary.
Crystal Evans isn’t a home wrecker. Landon needs a friend…someone who can help protect him from his conspiring wife. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan.Yet vows betrayed leave all three with something to lose—Crystal her heart, Landon his freedom, and Gretchen the life she had before.
To Purchasehttp://amzn.com/B00K1KNFZQ
Excerpt:

    “Are you fucking crazy?”    She put her hand over her heart to stop the rapid beating. “Are you going to get the steaks on the grill because everyone is here?”    “The steaks can wait. Who is this guy? What in the hell are you doing? I thought you had better sense. Use your head, Crystal. That’s why God gave it to you.”    She spun away. “I’m following my heart. Stay out of it, Ross.”    “I can’t.” He caught her by the arm before she could walk away.     “Trust me. If he was in a real marriage, I’d back way up.”     Ross eased the pressure on her arm. “You know where this will lead. I might’ve been young, but I remember how much Glen hurt you.”    “I was eighteen and naïve. Glen was thirty-five with three kids. Big difference. See for yourself. Get to know Lanny, and watch the way he is with his wife. Better yet, watch the way she is with him. They aren’t even sleeping together. They never have.”    Ross’s snort sounded an awful lot like bullshit.    She followed him toward the kitchen. “Promise you won’t say anything.”    “I’ll reserve my decision until the end of the night.”     “I’m not stupid. I’m in love.”    “I heard everything. And I wasn’t pouting.” He rubbed his hand over her head messing up her hair.           “You aren’t the only one looking for a love life. I’ve got a lady friend. Nothing serious. And,” he said, a smile curling his lips. “My constitution isn’t the only thing I keep stiff.”    “I’m your sister. You shouldn’t talk to me about sex.” She walked ahead of him down the hall. “Put the steaks on the grill or I’ll take over.”    “Stay away from my meat!”
You can find me on—Facebook www.facebook.com/kyannwatersTwitter www.twitter.com/kyannwatersAnd my website www.kyannwaters.com www.KyAnnWaters.com Get the Free KyAnn App Iphone  &  Android


KyAnn Waters is a multi-published, award winning author of erotic romance. She lives in Utah with her husband, two children, and two dogs. She spends her days writing and her evenings with her family. She enjoys sporting events on the television, thrillers on the big screen, and hot scenes between the pages of her books.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shift Happens by J.C. McKenzie #PNR #99cents #giveaway

**Make sure to enter the Rafflecopter to win a $25 GC!**

 SHE NEEDS TO CLEAR HER NAME. HE NEEDS TO CHAPERONE.CAN THEY KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL?


Andrea McNeilly's job as a government agent is not asking questions, but then a routine assignment turns into a botched assassination of a Master Vampire's human servant. Answers become a priority. Her search to discover the truth is riddled with obstacles, the largest being an oversized Werewolf who resembles a Norse god. Andy can't afford the distraction he offers, because if she fails, she faces eternal enslavement. 

Wick's job is to monitor Andy, but he prefers more intimate activities, none of them G-Rated. His choices, however, are often not his own. His ability to help Andy is limited by his bond to the Master Vampire. 

Facing many trials and challenges along her path to redemption, Andy learns the value of her freedom might be set too high.


Excerpt:A large black wolf trotted into the clearing to confront me. He had a white-tipped snout, white boots and mitts and would have looked cute had he not been the most intimidating Werewolf I’d ever seen. Standing tall and solid, power rolled off of his body. His eyes bore into mine. I sniffed the air. The strong Werewolf scent of rosemary swirled around me, strong and seductive, laced with sugar. A weird fuzzy sensation spread out from my chest. Whoa.Alpha.My other form growled low, demanding release, straining against my skin. The energy of the wolves built—layers upon layers of excitement and impatience. The air pulsated with anticipation. They could sense the imminent kill.Let me out! My other form repeated, throwing her power against my built up walls, howling in defiance.When the energy of the Werewolves surged, I finally released her. My wolf form flowed out fast, wiping out the feline in little more than a heartbeat. Smaller, weaker and the size of a natural wolf, a Shifter in this form was no match for a Werewolf, especially a dominant one. I had time to meet the eyes of the Alpha for only an instant before the pack leapt forward. My limbs shook. It went against every instinct ingrained within me, but I rolled onto my back—submissive.

**Shift Happens is now on sale for 99 cents!**
Buy Links:
Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.auAvailable in print and all other electronic formats 
on July 16th, 2014



About the Author:Born and raised on the Haida Gwaii, off the West Coast of Canada, J.C. McKenzie grew up in a pristine wilderness that inspired her to dream. She writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.
J.C. McKenzie’s Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | The Wild Rose Press | Amazon






a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Hungry Heart by Meg Benjamin #Review #GoddessFish #giveaway

**Meg will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour and her Virtual Book Tour. Follow and comment often to increase your chances to win. Check out the Rafflecopter below!**
Hungry Heartby Meg Benjamin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Peace, love, and barbecue—with a big order of sexy on the side.
Sous chef Darcy Cunningham is less than entranced with small-town Konigsburg’s obsession with barbecue. But her future career as a chef de cuisine requires expanding her culinary horizons, so she talks the Barbecue King, a.k.a. Harris Temple, into taking her on as his apprentice.
However, learning Harris’s professional secrets wasn’t supposed to include falling for his spicy blend of smoky sexiness and laid-back charm.
Chico Burnside specializes in flying under Konigsburg’s small-town radar, but lately life has been going a little too smoothly, even for him. Hoping to shake things up a bit, he talks Harris into teaming up for Konigsburg’s first barbecue cook-off. But once shy scientist Andy Wells catches his eye, Chico’s got more on his mind than brisket. Like enticing her out of her shell to show her just how tenderly a big guy can love.
As the competition ignites, so does the romance. Until a natural disaster threatens to derail Konigsburg’s dream team before the grills even get good and warmed up.



Excerpt:
He leaned forward slowly, maybe giving her a chance to run. A chance she wasn’t going to take. His lips brushed hers, lightly, as his hands cupped her face. He rubbed his thumbs across her cheekbones, dark eyes watching her carefully.
The flecks of green had deepened, making his eyes even darker now. She leaned forward, placing her hands on his shoulders, bringing her mouth against his more firmly. The contact seemed to send an arrow of heat through her body, making her nipples ache, her pulse warm again.
His mouth opened against hers and she let him inside, rubbing her tongue against his, feeling it rasp against her teeth. She sucked his lower lip for a moment, nipping him lightly, hearing the catch in his breath.
His hands dropped to her breasts, cupping, then rubbing them, his palms brushing her nipples to hard points. She felt cool air against her back as he pushed her shirt up, his fingers fumbling with the catch on her bra. His lips drifted down the side of her throat, leaving a trail of heat as he did.
She pushed his shirt up, running her fingers through the slight dusting of hair across his chest, then down along the ripple of muscle over his stomach.
His hands cupped her breasts, pushing the bra aside. He leaned down, taking one nipple into his mouth, sucking, his tongue laving the aching peak.
Somewhere behind them something beeped loudly. Porky came awake with a woof.
“Shit.” His hands dropped to her hips, his forehead pressed against her breasts. “Shit. Fuck. Goddamn.”
“Timer’s beeping,” she muttered. “And Porky’s awake.”
He nodded, his forehead still resting on her collarbone.
“Fire’s ready. And you’re behind with the meat as it is.”
He raised his head to look at her. “I didn’t plan this.”
“I know.” She wasn’t entirely sure what he meant—the timing with the meat or the timing with the two of them. She brushed a hand across his cheek, pushing his hair back from his face.
“I don’t want to stop.”
“I don’t either.” She slid back a few inches, moving her hands to his shoulders. “But like you once said, barbecue waits for no man.”

**Nona’s Review of Hungry Heart by Meg Benjamin**
Hungry Heart is a down-home, down-to-earth romance by Meg Benjamin set in Konigsburg, Texas (Book Eight in the Konigsburg Series). Now I’m not a Texan, but apparently barbecue (also known as ‘cue) is a big deal in the Lone Star State. When The Barbecue King (aka Harris) runs into Darcy things start smoking, baby. Darcy is a sous-chef at The Rose Restaurant, but has her eyes on bigger and better things. The King has ambitions, too, of starting his own barbecue place. When he insults Darcy’s fancy potato salad, she sees red. But she also notices how hot The King is. Thinking it can’t hurt to learn more, she offers to help him out in exchange for him teaching her how to make ‘cue. Things heat up between them pretty fast.
There’s a secondary romance as well, featuring Andy and Chico. Chico’s a big tough-looking guy with a tender heart. Though he works as a bar bouncer, he’s also part-owner in the business. His size intimates people and leads them to underestimate his intelligence. Andy is drawn to him and his gentleness with her, though is uncomfortable with the stares the townspeople direct their way. Things gets touchy when Chico, who’s a dab hand at ‘cue himself, enlists The King to join him in entering the local Barbecue cook off. Andy’s verbally abusive ex-husband was a cook-off champ and the whole thing (pardon the pun) leaves a bad taste in her mouth.
Hungry Heart is an enjoyable and sexy read. It was fun to read a romance featuring people you might meet in your own home town. The story had a very realistic feel. Which isn’t to say there was no drama: Andy’s nasty ex returns to town, The King comes face to face with someone from his past, and Darcy has to decide if she’s finally ready to settle down in one place. There’s also an exciting scene with the four of them battling a severe rainstorm that threatens to destroy everything The King has worked so hard for. Not to mention the cook-off itself, where The King is accused of sabotaging another contestant’s entry.

I haven’t read any of Ms. Benjamin’s other Konigsburg novels, but now I’d like to. Characters appear in the story who’ve starred in other installments in the series and I’m interested in reading about them, too. If you enjoy small town romance featuring hot, hunky heroes and sassy, appealing heroines you’ll eat up Hungry Heart. And you’ll learn a few things about ‘cue!     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Meg Benjamin is an author of contemporary romance. Her Konigsburg series for Samhain Publishing is set in the Texas Hill Country and her Medium trilogy for Berkley InterMix is set in San Antonio’s King William District. Meg’s books have won numerous awards, including an EPIC Award for Contemporary Romance, a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Indie Press Romance, the Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers and the Beanpot Award from the New England Romance Writers. Meg lives in Colorado with her DH and two rather large Maine coon kitties (well, partly Maine Coon anyway). Her Web site is http://www.MegBenjamin.com and her blog is http://megbenj1.wordpress.com/. You can follow her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/meg.benjamin1), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/megbenjamin/), and Twitter (http://twitter.com/megbenj1). Meg loves to hear from readers—contact her at meg@megbenjamin.com.a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Golden Key Chronicles by @AJNuest #newrelease #fantasy #romance

Good morning, all! Today I welcome AJ Nuest with some exciting news:
Please join me in celebrating this special occasion, the release of my time travel fantasy romance collection... I present...


THE GOLDEN KEY CHRONICLESFor the first time ever... Rowena's Key , Candra's Freedom , Caedmon's Curse and Braedric's Bane are NOW AVAILABLE as one continuous read!INCLUDING FREE BONUS MATERIAL!!!The Story of Helios and Selene:  The Mythology Behind The Golden Key Chronicles The key would unlock his future and the safety of his kingdom, but he never imagined the sorceress would unlock his heart…When antiques restorer, Rowena Lindstrom, purchases an armoire containing a hidden key and a “magic” mirror, she believes the handsome warrior prince waiting on the other side is some sort of elaborate joke. Yet she cannot deny their connection seems bound by more than just the key and, as her love for Prince Caedmon grows, she agrees to join him in his realm. Prophecy intervenes in a way neither of them could have expected. Lost and alone in the Austiere Kingdom, Rowena struggles to find her place, and though she fights the heated advances of the dangerous Prince Caedmon, the attraction between them brings challenges much deeper than her troubled heart can recall.After two torturous years held captive in the dungeons of Seviere’s Keep, Prince Caedmon returns home with more than just lash marks lacing his back. He now retains the secret behind the key, and is the only one who understands its grim connection to his beloved Rowena. Yet their enemies to the north are merely one of many obstacles determined to see them fail and, to escape the clutches of the evil Wizard Gaelleod, Rowena and Caedmon flee to the future—the one place Caedmon’s worst fears are confirmed. Though Rowena’s memories have returned, everything he loves stands to be ripped from his grasp.Join Caedmon and Rowena as they embark on an epic journey bound by fate, and struggle to unravel the significance behind an age-old prophecy in The Golden Key Chronicles.AMAZON / AMAZONUK / BARNES&NOBLE What reviewers are saying about The Golden Key Chronicles... The imagery is so vivid it felt like I was sitting in front of a screen streaming real-time video. I love how the author cleverly crafted some straight up satirical irony within the plot. What Rowena says and what is meant, and what Prince Caedmon does and what is expected is a work of brilliance. 5 Stars from Writer's KaboodleI LOVED IT! Oh My Goodness I was hooked from beginning to end and didn't want to put it down until I finished it and was teary eyed at the end. It's SO good. 5 Stars from Cloey Book Reviews It is clear that, far from being your simple fairy tale, the Golden Key Chronicles will be as much of an emotional roller-coaster as a tale of enthralling enchantment. AJ Nuest’s stories have the ability to sweep readers into a magical kingdom, even without the aid of an enchanted mirror. 5 Stars from Love Reading Romance
Proving once again that less can be more, AJ Nuest’s Candra’s Freedom is an intensely romantic, intensely emotional trip into the fantasy of love and romance. Rowena and Caedmon will burrow into your heart... 5 Stars from Tome Tender Book Blog


Caedmon's Curse left me out of breath in many ways. The fight scenes are vividly and flawlessly written and the same goes for every other moment in the book. Book #3 is my favorite out of AJ's Golden Key Chronicles so far! With only one book left, she has me on pins and needles waiting for the last installment. 5 Stars from Broken Bird Media

LOVED the ending: I really thought I knew what was coming, but Miss Nuest nailed it with her well-placed sequence of events and clues. It was the perfect place to leave off - or leave us hanging I should say - for Book 4. :D 5 Stars from Friday Night Romance

An epic, fantasy, adventure and romance, with a dash of comedy, rolled into one fabulous book. The characters are wonderful. Rowena is a strong, feisty, fearless female and I love her slightly feminist thinking. Caedmon is the perfect complement to her and they just fit. The romance, the love, and the ecstasy that makes up Rowena and Caedmon’s relationship is toe-curling steamy, and beautifully written. 5 Stars from Follow the Yellow Book Road
Just when I think AJ Nuest can’t raise her bar any higher, she up and writes Braedric’s Bane, the final book in Rowena and Caedmon’s tale. Love, lust, romance, life-threatening danger and a good dose of light-hearted humor from the amazing characters that color her world of larger than life fantasy.  5 Stars from Tome Tender Book BlogON SALE IN E-BOOK STARTING APRIL 24TH, WITH PRINT TO BE RELEASED IN MAY!GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

Hungry Heart by Meg Benjamin #BookTour #GoddessFish #giveaway

Good morning, all! I'm so happy to welcome Meg Benjamin today. She's here to tell us about her new book, Hungry Heart, and to share a bit of what inspired her to write this yummy romance! Enjoy! 

**Meg will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour and her review tour. Follow the tour and comment often to increase your chances to win! **
Hungry Heartby Meg Benjamin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Peace, love, and barbecue—with a big order of sexy on the side.
Sous chef Darcy Cunningham is less than entranced with small-town Konigsburg’s obsession with barbecue. But her future career as a chef de cuisine requires expanding her culinary horizons, so she talks the Barbecue King, a.k.a. Harris Temple, into taking her on as his apprentice.
However, learning Harris’s professional secrets wasn’t supposed to include falling for his spicy blend of smoky sexiness and laid-back charm.
Chico Burnside specializes in flying under Konigsburg’s small-town radar, but lately life has been going a little too smoothly, even for him. Hoping to shake things up a bit, he talks Harris into teaming up for Konigsburg’s first barbecue cook-off. But once shy scientist Andy Wells catches his eye, Chico’s got more on his mind than brisket. Like enticing her out of her shell to show her just how tenderly a big guy can love.
As the competition ignites, so does the romance. Until a natural disaster threatens to derail Konigsburg’s dream team before the grills even get good and warmed up.




Barbecue Love
    I have a soft spot for people who cook, maybe because I enjoy cooking myself. My heroes and heroines frequently find themselves sharing a table, and sometimes a kitchen as well. The idea of food and romance seems pretty natural—eating is a kind of intimate thing, after all. There’s something very personal about your preferences in noshing (C’mon, admit it—you don’t really like those rice cakes, do you? Wouldn’t you really rather have some nice nachos with guacamole?).    Actually cooking dinner for your Significant Other can be a major step forward in a relationship. Feeding another person is a sensual act—appealing to sight, taste, smell, touch. It’s not for nothing that that famous dinner scenein the movie Tom Jones leads to a riotous bed scene soon thereafter. And it’s not for nothing that the heroes and heroines in my latest Konigsburg, Texas, book, Hungry Heart, are all cooks who make up the Barbecue Royale barbecue team. One heroine, Darcy Cunningham, is actually a chef at a four-star restaurant. Her Significant Other, Harris Temple, owns a barbecue food truck and is known professionally as the Barbecue King. My other hero and heroine, Chico Burnside and Andy Wells, aren’t professional cooks, but they’re enthusiastic amateurs. And they all cook for one another.    When my characters do cook for each other, it’s usually an expression of caring. And food is often the prelude to something else, a more direct expression as it were. Here’s an example with Chico and Andy, two people who never really expected to end up together. But in the way these things usually work, once they do end up together, they can’t imagine being apart either. Chico shows up at Andy’s house and you’ll notice the first thing she does is offer to feed him. But you’ll also notice that once that offer is made, they move beyond it pretty quickly.
    “Would you like something to drink? I just got done with dinner. I was late getting away from Austin today.” Babbling, Andy. Stop babbling.    He shrugged. “Whatever you’re having is fine.”    What was she having anyway? Her brain suddenly drew a blank. She darted into the kitchen where her bottle of Shiner still sat on the table. Okay. Point of reference.     She opened the refrigerator and pulled out another bottle, handing it to him. “I’ve got Lone Star too, if you’d rather have that.”    “This is fine.” He took the bottle from her, pulling off the cap.    “Well…” She started to pick up her beer, then paused. Should they go into the living room? Stay in the kitchen? Head down the hall to the bedroom? She hadn’t a clue. She bit her lip, trying to slow down her galloping heartbeat.    Chico stepped forward, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Andy, it’s okay. Relax. Don’t be a hostess. Just be yourself. It’s you I’m here to see.”    She shook her head, blowing out a breath. “I’m not sure I know how to do this anymore. It’s been a long time since I’ve…been with anyone.” Not since Lew, in fact. And Lew had never been all that impressive as a lover.     But then Lew hadn’t put nearly as much time into being a lover as he had into being a barbecue whiz. Being with Lew probably didn’t prepare her for being with Chico.    Chico’s hand moved from her shoulder to the side of her face, his thumb skimming gently across her cheekbone. “It’s not a race, Andy. I’m not here to score points. We can take this at whatever speed feels good.”    What felt good right then was the warmth of his hand. She closed her eyes, letting herself just feel it for a moment. Remembering what it was like to be touched. To want to be touched. Almost without thinking, she brought her hand to his, sliding her palm across the back of his fingers.    She leaned forward slowly, resting her cheek against the solid wall of his chest. “I’m glad you’re here. And I’m sorry I’m such a loon.”    “You’re not a loon.” His voice rumbled pleasantly against her ear. “You’re just nervous. So am I. We should probably have just done this in the truck last weekend—gotten it over with so we could get to the good part. But I don’t fit in a truck all that well.”    She gazed up at him. “The good part?”    “The part where you know each other. Where you each understand what the other one wants. That kind of good part.”    Her lips tipped up. All of a sudden, her heart seemed lighter. “Yeah. That is a good part.”    “It is. But to get there, we’ve got to take the first step. And that means…” He paused.    She nodded. “That means you come with me. Now.”    She turned, taking his hand to lead him down the hall. Toward the bedroom. And the other good part.
    Food and romance. Maybe they don’t go together like a horse and carriage, but they definitely fit, don’t you think?



~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Meg Benjamin is an author of contemporary romance. Her Konigsburg series for Samhain Publishing is set in the Texas Hill Country and her Medium trilogy for Berkley InterMix is set in San Antonio’s King William District. Meg’s books have won numerous awards, including an EPIC Award for Contemporary Romance, a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Indie Press Romance, the Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers and the Beanpot Award from the New England Romance Writers. Meg lives in Colorado with her DH and two rather large Maine coon kitties (well, partly Maine Coon anyway). Her Web site is http://www.MegBenjamin.com and her blog is http://megbenj1.wordpress.com/. You can follow her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/meg.benjamin1), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/megbenjamin/), and Twitter (http://twitter.com/megbenj1). Meg loves to hear from readers—contact her at meg@megbenjamin.com.
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Read to Me #Cover Reveal! #Erotic #giveaway #LNBookPromos

Greetings everyone! I'm so excited that my upcoming erotic romance, Read to Me, will be published by The Wild Rose Press on May 30!  The cover reveal is taking place tomorrow at the following blogs:

Sapphyria's Steamy Books Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews Dawn's Reading Nook Just One More Romance Book Reviews by Xunaira J. Andi's Book Reviews Buried Under Romance Indy Book Fairy Inspire to Read My Devotional Thoughts The Phantom Paragrapher Foxylutely Book Reviews We Love Kink KMN Books Swoon Worthy Books XoXo Book Blog Musings of a Writing Reader
This awesome tour has been arranged through  Book Promotions by Literary Nook and the amazing Kel Starnes.  Someone who follows the tour will win a $25 GC through Rafflecopter! Please stop by one of the above blogs on Friday, May 2 and check out the beautiful cover for Read to Me. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a wonderful weekend, all!Nona Raines
Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com

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Happy Birthday, Wild Rose Press! #giveaway #win #prizes

I'm happy to announce that today my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, is eight years old!  There's a celebration going on and you are invited!

There will be a party with prizes in The Wild Rose Press chatroom and a party on Twitter as well! There will be random prizes for retweets. Make sure you use @WildRosePress and #TWRP for all birthday tweets!

For the chat go to : http://chat.thewildrosepress.com/
and enter a nickname.

Follow The Wild Rose Press on Twitter: @WildRosePress

Help us celebrate our birthday and *you* get the gifts!