Nona Raines's Blog, page 26

#99cents #Sales and Bribes! #DABWAHA #GLBT

Good morning everyone!

I am taking over the blog this week going on endlessly about being a finalist in the DABWAHAs, sponsored by the Dear Author and Smart Bitches Trashy Books review blogs.


http://www.loose-id.com/his-kind-of-woman.html
First off, I want to let you know that my transgender romance His Kind of Woman is on sale for  99 cents for a limited time. If you haven't read it yet, now's the perfect opportunity to snatch it up!

Now, it has come to my attention that authors in the running are encouraged to *bribe* people to vote for them! I am shocked, shocked I say, that two such respected book blogs would lower themselves to such shenanigans.

I have been scurrying around like a headless chicken looking at what my competitors are offering in bribes, and I gotta say--I got nuthin'. Other authors are offering new stories, have cute drawings and artsy stuff. Can I help it if I'm not talented that way?

My l'il shortie is the dark horse in the tournament. The underdog. David among the Goliaths. (Have I gotten your sympathy yet?) I'm the ninety eight pound weakling with the coke-bottle glasses going up against Russell Crowe in Gladiator.

Still, I'm prepared to get down and dirty with the rest of them. So in that spirit, here's what I'm offering:

If I make it past the first round of votes (I'm up against KJ Charles' The Magpie Lord, which has 900+ ratings on Goodreads, for God's sake!) I'm prepared to reveal a whole bunch of humiliating photos of me trying to pose for what would laughingly be termed a "head shot." Nothing professional, mind you. Just photos taken by my sister holding her smartphone the wrong way!

Still, these pics will provide you with many a hearty guffaw at my expense.  They'll be worth years of finger pointing, snickering and exclamations like "Look at that!" and "What was she thinking?"

So that's it. First round voting begins March 20. My book is #14 in the Fourth set. You can see the roster at http://dabwaha.com/

I'll be posting links and updates on my Facebook page and Twitter .  Stay tuned!

Have a great day!

Nona Raines
Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com

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Angel's Addiction by @neselane, a #Rockstar #Romance! #erotic #giveaway

Good morning, all! Today I'm sharing another sexy read from a fellow Wild Rose author and offering you readers a chance to win a $10 gift certificate from The Wild Rose Press! This is a great new promotion being offered by the publisher. What could be better than checking out a hot romance AND having a chance to win?

Today I'm featuring Angel's Addiction, an erotic romance by Nese Lane. Check out the blurb:

his angel...Gabriella Blanchett can't seem to resist the addictive lure of another pleasure-filled night with the smoldering rock star. He'd be perfect except for the sudden and mysterious disappearances in the middle of the night. His ability to sense her every need, coupled with the secrets he harbors, leave her head spinning, her body humming, and her heart in jeopardy.her addiction...Rock star Auro Moretti tours the world with a goal that's two-fold. He hopes his music is inspiring, but as an empath, he also heals tortured young souls in the audience with his gypsy gift. Protecting his family's secret and Romani heritage proves as difficult a task as keeping Gabriella in his bed.She fills his soul with light...he feeds her craving for love...and a stalker threatens to destroy both.Book One of the Rockin' Hard Series
Excerpt:I peered around the corner into the kitchenette area. Auro stood with his back to me, and I took a moment to appreciate the view. He'd pulled on a pair of soft well-worn jeans. The fabric molded his ass in a way that had me drooling. He hadn't bothered with a shirt. I watched the play of muscles in his back as he leaned forward and laid a single red rose on the room service tray. Preoccupied with his task, he quietly sang a tune I didn't recognize. The sound of his voice had me wet in five seconds flat. I'm so easy.I slipped up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist.  "Mmm...morning," I said as I slid the long silky strands of his hair over so I could kiss where my lips met his spine. I felt the deep rumble of his chuckle with my cheek, snuggling against his warmth."Try afternoon, cara, it is nearly three. I was just coming in to bring you something to eat and find out your plans for this evening. I had hoped to wake you in a completely different manner, but this works almost as well."He turned in my arms, pulled me close, and lowered his head to brush his lips across my mouth.  And there it was...the euphoric feeling of his kiss. The fix I needed from my drug of choice—Auro. It hit my system with enough punch, my knees went weak. I steadied myself by grasping his shoulders, leaning my full weight against his tension-filled frame."Sorry to spoil your fun, what would you have me do to make it up to you?" I murmured against his lips. Heat flashed in his gaze at my innuendo, and I pulled back and slowly lowered to my knees.
Purchase Angel's Addiction here  

Nese also has a new romance that's available only through Amazon and as of this writing it's number one in its category! It's a gay BDSM short story, Keeping Secrets from Sir. You can find it here .

Don't forget to use the Rafflecopter below for your chance at the gift certificate! And have a wonderful week!


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Meet the #GLBT Nominees! #DABWAHA #romance

Good morning, everyone! Remember how I told you my trans* romance His Kind of Woman was a finalist in the DABWAHA tournament sponsored by Dear Author/Smart Bitches? Well, all the nominees in the GLBT category sound awesome. I must admit I haven't read them all, but I'm going to!

I remember watching the Emmy Awards back in 2011 when the nominees for Best Actress in a Comedy Series were announced. Instead of squirming nervously in their seats, all the actresses traipsed up to the stage and stood together, beauty contest style, to await news of the winner. What a funny, classy moment! As an homage to that, I would like to share the entire line-up in the GLBT category of the DABWAHAs. 

May I present the nominees:



The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles

Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He’s also inherited his family’s enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn’t expect it to turn up angry.

Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane’s family. Unfortunately, it’s his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he’s ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude…and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That’s definitely unusual.

Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane’s dangerous appeal isn’t the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can’t find a way through it—they’re both going to die. 
Purchase at | Amazon | BN | Kobo
Read the Dear Author review!

His Kind of Woman by Nona Raines

When Roy Girard went looking for Victor Varrano, he never expected a woman to answer the door. He soon discovers that Victor is now Venetia. Roy's startled, but even more surprised by his attraction to her. As they spend time together, he doesn't want to let her go. But she's sure to dump him when she learns his secret.
Venetia's falling hard and fast for Roy. But when she learns that his brother was the bully who tormented her in high school, she's shattered. She can't wrap her head around the fact that the man who made such amazing love to her could so completely betray her trust.

Purchase at Loose Id
Read the Dear Author review!

Code of Honor by Radclyffe
 Blair Powell is set to join her father on the campaign trail even though a domestic terrorist group has already launched one attack on President Andrew Powell's life. The orchestrators of the assassination attempt are still at large, and Andrew's opponent is a popular ultra-conservative with questionable ties to the radical right. Blair's wife, DHS Deputy Director Cameron Roberts has been charged with the task of tracking down those responsible for the attack, while secretly searching for proof that a powerful senator is involved in treason. Cam has an ace in the hole no one knows about, however—an agent deep undercover in the stronghold of a radical militia group, FBI SA Loren McElroy. Cam's biggest challenge is running the terrorists to ground without getting McElroy and her renegade handler, Skylar Dunbar, killed in the cross fire.

Purchase at | Amazon | BN | Kobo

Love by the Numbers by Karen Kallmaker 
As a behavioral scientist, Professor Nicole Hathaway’s work strips away the foolish mystique that surrounds the human mating dance. When her academic tome is treated as a viral “love manual” her ecstatic publisher books her to appear all over the U.S. and Europe. Worse yet, her quiet, managed life has been shattered by a series of incompetent assistants. And she’s certain this Lily Smith creature isn’t going to be any less a burden than the last assistant they sent her. Or the one before that. Or before that...

Lillian Linden-Smith needs this job. With a relentless TV lawyer and public mob still out for her blood for crimes committed by her “American royalty” parents, getting out of the country is her only hope for anonymity. If that means cleaning up and presenting an antisocial know-it-all Ph.D. for bookstores, clubs and lectures, fine. Dr. Hathaway may have succeeded in driving away all the others, but not this time.

From their first meeting the sparks fly, and each is thinking: She has no idea who she’s dealing with.

Purchase at | Amazon | BN | Kobo
Read the Dear Author review!

Provoked by Joanna Chambers
Lowborn David Lauriston lacks the family connections needed to rise in Edinburgh’s privileged legal world. Worse, his latest case—defending weavers accused of treason—has brought him under suspicion of harbouring radical sympathies. 

Troubled by his sexuality, tormented by memories of a man he once platonically loved, David lives a largely celibate life—until a rare sexual encounter with a compelling stranger turns his world on its head. 

Cynical and worldly, Lord Murdo Balfour is more at home in hedonistic London than dingy, repressed Edinburgh. Unlike David, he intends to eventually marry while continuing to enjoy the company of men whenever he pleases. Yet sex with David is different. It’s personal, intimate, and instead of extinguishing his desire, it only leaves him hungry for more. 

As David’s search for the man who betrayed the weavers deepens, he begins to suspect that his mysterious lover has more sinister reasons for his presence in Edinburgh. The truth could leave his heart broken…and more necks stretching on the gallows.

Purchase at Amazon | BN | Kobo
Read the Dear Author review! 



Captive Prince Vol. 1 by SU Pacat & CS Pacat
 Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos, but when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.

Beautiful, manipulative and deadly, his new master Prince Laurent epitomizes the worst of the court at Vere. But in the lethal political web of the Verethian court, nothing is at it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country.

For Damen, there is just one rule: never, ever reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reasons to hate him than anyone else...

Purchase at Amazon | BN | Kobo
Read the Dear Author review!


Broken Trails by D. Jordan Redhawk 
Scotch Fuller has already run the Iditarod three times and is preparing for a fourth attempt. Her single-minded focus on the rigors of training allows her to forget the shocking loss of her lover in a tragedy for which she blames herself.

The only race Lainey Hughes runs is away from her past and into the bottom of a bottle. After a devastating injury in a war zone, she’s continued her photojournalist career in the natural beauty and warmth of Uganda. A trip to Alaska to cover dog sledding is not what she wants, but the lure of a paying gig proves too tempting.

Lainey trusts her camera and Scotch trusts her dogs—and neither cares much what the other thinks…not at first.

Purchase at | Amazon | BN | Kobo
Read the Dear Author review!

The first round of voting in the DABWAHAs takes place March 18 - 19. Be sure to cast your votes! To see the finalists in all the categories, go here: http://dabwaha.com/

Oh, and by the way: the winner of 2011 Emmy for Best Actress in a comedy series was Melissa McCarthy. You can see a picture of her with her award and tiara here.

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

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Holding Her Close by Allyson Lindt #review #GoddessFish #giveaway

Happy Friday, friends! Today we're featuring Holding her Close, the first book in the Bits and Bytes series by Allyson Lindt. She's sponsoring an awesome giveaway.

During the tour, Allyson will be awarding prizes as follows:

Grand prize at the end of the four week tour - a Kindle paperwhite to
one randomly drawn winner.Each week, one randomly drawn commenter will win a $10 Amazon GC.

Please make sure to check out the Rafflecopter below!
Holding Her Closeby Allyson Lindt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Zach is haunted by ex-girlfriends. The day his fiancée dumped him, she also sold her shares of his multi-billion dollar corporation. On top of that, the girl who broke his heart in high school—the only woman he’s never been able to forget—is back in his life. She’s filling his business partner’s head with delusions of recovering from the hostile takeover, and haunting Zach’s most vivid fantasies. But Zach’s got a plan to solve half the problem: one night with her, and he can put the past behind him.
It’s been years since Rae talked to her high school sweetheart. But her best friend is his business partner, and running in the same circles has caught up to her. Rae is seeing Zach everywhere, including her explicit, rampant imagination. When he proposes a single night together for closure, she hopes it will be just what she needs to move on.

The past and the present intertwine as “Just this once” becomes “Just one more time.” When Rae discovers the solution to Zach’s business problems the entire situation becomes one giant knot. Can he trust her enough to risk his heart and livelihood a second time, or will experience convince him to walk away from everything?


Excerpt:
Zach locked the door, closed the remaining distance between them, and dipped his head. His lips hovered millimeters away, and then he kissed her.
The sensation was so light, Rae wasn’t sure she felt it. She leaned in, mouth opening, and a whimper escaped when he traced his tongue over her bottom lip. Every nerve ending was on fire, screaming for more. His hand rested at the base of her neck, holding her in place. He deepened the kiss, going from gentle to hungry in an instant.
His tongue twisted around hers in a desperate dance, and desire blossomed in her gut. God, this was incredible. Had it been like this before? No, neither of them had been so experienced. She rested her hands on his chest, heat searing her palms.
She fumbled to find her breath when they finally broke apart. His finger caressed her swollen lips, dancing over the sensitive flesh.
“You’re sure this is a good idea?” She didn’t want to question it, but she needed reassurance. Another voice to tell her the lust screaming through her veins wasn’t misplaced.
He nudged her back, hands on her hips, guiding her until she bumped into the desk. His soft growl echoed in her ear as he kissed along her lobe. “Possibly the best idea I’ve had all week.”


***Nona’s Review of Holding Her Close by Allyson Lindt***
Zach and his friend and business partner Scott are facing a hostile takeover of their company, brought about when Zach’s fiancée betrayed him. He and Scott are at each other’s throats over how to handle the situation. Scott wants to fight it while Zach feels cutting their losses is the best bet.
Matters get complicated when Rae, Zach’s former high school girlfriend, appears on the scene. Their long-ago parting was a bitter one, and they’ve managed to avoid each other since then. In spite of that, neither one of them has been able to come to terms with the past.
When mutual friends engineer them meeting again, Rae and Zach find the spark between them hasn’t died. They think sleeping together will settle the score and somehow provide closure. The trouble is, once isn’t nearly enough for either of them!
I enjoyed the sexy scenes between Zach and Rae. They certainly make for a steamy read! The hostile takeover storyline is quite compelling with the two men disagreeing on how to deal with it. Rae’s involvement and taking sides with Scott ups the ante. This novella packs a lot of emotion into a short read.
The loves we experience when we’re young sometimes haunt us the longest. That’s certainly the case with Rae and Zach. There’s still a lot of bitterness and blame between them, which really amps up the story’s emotion. At times I felt a bit frustrated at their arguments, but I admired the way Rae wanted to help Zach even when it wasn’t clear they would have a future together. And I really liked how Zach refused to give up on the woman he loved.

Holding Her Closeis a winning choice for anyone looking for a quick, sexy read spiced up with corporate shenanigans and featuring a couple who can’t let each other go.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Allyson Lindt is a full-time geek and a fuller-time contemporary romance author. She prefers that her geeky heroes come with the alpha expansion pack and adores a heroine who can hold her own in a boardroom. She loves a sexy happily-ever-after and helping deserving cubicle dwellers find their futures together.
Find Allyson LindtWebsite: http://allysonlindt.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Allyso... https://twitter.com/AllysonLindtGoodr... http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/allyson...

Buy Holding Her Close:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D...

Buy Conflict of Interest:Liquid Silver Books: https://www.lsbooks.com/conflict-of-i... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C... & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/confl... https://www.allromanceebooks.com/prod...

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Follow the Bits and Bytes tour here: 
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It's an Honor to be Nominated! #DABWAHA #GLBT #romance

I opened my email yesterday and found an awesome surprise. My transgender romance novella, His Kind of Woman, has been nominated for a DABWAHA in the GLBT category! DABWAHA (pronounced dah-BWAH-hah) stands for Dear Author Bitchery Writing Award for Hellagood Authors and is sponsored by the Dear Author and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books review blogs.
To say I'm thrilled is an understatement. I'm kvelling. I'm verklempt. And why I'm resorting to Yiddish terms, I have no idea. They just seem to fit.

There is some mighty stiff competition in my category, and I have to say all the books look amazing. If you'd like to see the entire list of nominees and categories, check here .

The first round of voting begins March 18-19, and what's more, you can play the tournament and win prizes. 

And if you haven't had a chance to read my story, maybe you'd like to give it a try. 


Blurb:
When Roy Girard went looking for Victor Varrano, he never expected a woman to answer the door. He soon discovers that Victor is now Venetia. Roy's startled, but even more surprised by his attraction to her. As they spend time together, he doesn't want to let her go. But she's sure to dump him when she learns his secret.

Venetia's falling hard and fast for Roy. But when she learns that his brother was the bully who tormented her in high school, she's shattered. She can't wrap her head around the fact that the man who made such amazing love to her could so completely betray her trust.
Excerpt:
      He took the shot and frowned at the pins left standing. Crap. A washout. His concentration was off.      When he glanced at Venetia, she was smiling at him, her eyes soft and glowing. “What?” he asked. “It’s funny I muffed the shot?”     “No. What you said to your friend. Did you mean it?”     “What?” He felt a little panicky. What had he said?     She stood and strolled over to him. “You know.” Pressing close to his side, she slipped her hand into his back pocket. “About me being your girl. Am I?”     His head whirled as her floral scent filled his nostrils, but his cock felt no confusion. It definitely rose to the occasion. He shifted, cleared his throat, and held his bowling ball to hide his hard-on as best he could. “What do you think?” he growled.     Her soft breast pressed into his biceps as she leaned in and sweetly kissed his cheek. He had an irrational impulse to sink his mouth to her neck, lick her, bite her. Instead he swept his free arm up her back to hold her close, save this moment in time. He pulled her tight against him and lowered his mouth to hers.    Their first kiss. It should have been on her doorstep or some romantic place, not in some dingy little bowling alley. But now that he’d tasted her, he wanted more. He possessed her mouth, opened and explored it. He slid his hand down to her ass, then slipped two fingers into her back pocket. When he let her go, she gripped his shoulders as though she feared falling without his support.    Or maybe she was holding him up. He couldn’t tell.
His Kind of Woman, available exclusively at Loose Id: http://www.loose-id.com/his-kind-of-woman.html

Wrong Number, Right Man by @darahlace #erotic #giveaway #TWRPspotlight

Hi friends! The Wild Rose Press is offering a cool new promotion and I'm taking part! Every week a new rafflecopter will be offered for a $10 gift certificate to the Wild Rose Press. We authors will spotlight different romances from the catalog, while you readers will have a chance to check out some awesome stories and have a chance to win! What could be easier--or more fun?

Today I'm featuring a sexy story from the Scarlet Rose (erotic) line. It's by one of my Erotic Cravings buddies, Darah Lace. It's called Wrong Number, Right Man, about all the things that can go right when you dial the wrong
number.

Blurb:

After too much wine, Lori Duncan calls her ex and initiates phone sex to prove him wrong--she's not boring and predictable. Jack Hartwell answers his roommate's phone and goes along with his sexy next door neighbor's game until he realizes her fantasy includes him and not his roommate. Was her slip of tongue intentional or just part of the game?

Excerpt:


"Are you alone?"The soft whisper rasped through the cell phone, but Jack Hartwell recognized his best friend's voice and figured what Lori really wanted to know was whether his roommate had left yet. "It's just me.""What are you doing?"Her hushed tone triggered his guilt. Adam had dumped her the week before, and she'd been hiding in her apartment next door, dodging Jack's attempts to check on her. He'd been the one to set them up and soon realized his mistake. He hated that she'd been hurt, but he was glad they'd broken up and was biding his time until she healed before he made his own move.Hoping that time had come, he settled into the black leather recliner she helped him pick out almost a year ago and muted the volume on the television. "Watching the game.""What are you wearing?"
Wrong Number, Right Man available at  The Wild Rose Press  

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Promo Blitz -- Make Me: Twelve Tales of Dark Desire #LNBookPromos #erotic

Make MeTwelve Tales of Dark DesireHosted by: Book Promotions by Literary Nook


Take a trip to the dark side with 12 books by some of the hottest names in edgy romance, including USA Today Bestselling authors CJ Roberts, Eliza Gayle, and Aleatha Romig!Pam Godwin - Beneath the Burn Skye Warren - Wanderlust Claire Thompson - Enslaved Cari Silverwood - Take Me Break Me Annabel Joseph - Comfort Object Aleatha Romig - Consequences Shoshanna Evers - The Man Who Holds the Whip Annika Martin - The Hostage Bargain Jasmine Haynes - Take Your Pleasure Eliza Gayle - Play With Me Pepper Winters - Tears of Tess CJ Roberts - Captive in the Dark
PurchaseAmazon | Barnes & Noble
Connect with the AuthorsWebsitesPam Godwin Skye Warren Claire Thompson Cari Silverwood Annabel Joseph Aleatha Romig Shoshanna Evers Annika Martin Jasmine Haynes Eliza Gayle Pepper Winters CJ Roberts
GoodreadsPam Godwin: Beneath the BurnSkye Warren: WanderlustClaire Thompson: EnslavedCari Silverwood: Take Me, Break MeAnnabel Joseph: Comfort ObjectAleatha Romig: ConsequencesShoshanna Evers: The Man Who Holds The WhipAnnika Martin: The Hostage BargainJasmine Haynes: Take Your PleasureEliza Gayle - Play With Me Pepper Winters: Tears of TessCJ Roberts: Captive in the Dark
Giveaway$50 Amazon Gift Carda Rafflecopter giveaway Follow the stops! March 3 Mythical Books The World As I See It Booker Like A Hooker Battery Operated Book Blog Wicked Readings by Tawania Some Like It Hotter Mommy's a Book Whore Sylv Jenkins Author March 4 Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess Snarky Mom Reads... Salacious Reads Rachel Leigh Romance Inspire 2 Read Dawn's Reading Nook Books Unhinged Book Blog Foxylutely Book Reviews March 5 MsRomanticReads Book Reviews by Xunaira J. BJ's Book Blog The Phantom Paragrapher Deal Sharing Aunt March 6 Book Reviews & More by Kathy My Devotional Thoughts Rose's Book Blog Books to Light Your Fire Literary Nook March 7 StarAngels' Reviews Lusty Penguin Reviews BestSellars & BestStellars Divas of Desire

Black Dragon Boxed Set by @anitaphilmar Available Now! #erotic #PNR #fantasy

Author friend and fellow Erotic Cravings author Anita Philmar has some exciting news! Her books in the Black Dragon series have been reissued as a box set! All three are available for one low price.

Here's the blurb for each:
Black Dragon’s Blood Amanda Spencer has spent years searching for clues to her first husband's murder. Now, she is close, too close to let William VanHorn get in the way. He wants to claim her as his wife, but she doesn’t have time to satisfy the man's needs. She wants answers not sex.Set on fire by Amanda, William won’t let the lady escape. If she wants answers, he'll get them. As head of the Dragon Center, he has connections and nothing will stop him from capturing her heart. Black Dragon’s Moon Dragon Center agent, Dee Butterfield, finally has the job she's always longed for. On her first assignment, her job is to protect sculptor, Scott VanHorn. His rich dragon blood tempts her into an affair that could not only jeopardize her career but possibly her life.Determined to find out who killed his best friend, Scott poses as a struggling artist to help the Dragon Center investigate a corrupt art dealer. He has ulterior motives for requesting Dee as his protector, getting her in his bed not the least of them. However, Scott soon realizes his mistake.When the mission becomes more dangerous than either of them anticipate, Scott's black dragon blood stirs to protect Dee while hers calls for retribution. Black Dragon’s Heart Devoted chemist, Sarah VanHorn, lives for her research but fantasizes about loving Jake Ramsey. Her two worlds collide when the dragon center agent arrives to rescue her from the company suspected of producing chemicals dangerous to those with dragon blood.Sarah's not the only one with fantasies. Jake wants Sarah as his mate and he's waited years to claim her. Now, under his protective custody—not to mention the influence of Syndetic's sexual stimulant scenting the air—he can't resist the fiery temptation to finally make her his.But when tragedy strikes and their dreams are threatened, will Sarah sacrifice her career, Jake, and possibly her life to discover the answers? And will Jake let her?Purchase the boxed set from The Wild Rose Press or Amazon !

Review by Rach & Guest Blog: FULL STRENGTH by @KatieKenyhercz

Hey there everyone,

Welcome back to another wonderful round of Review by Rach! Today we have a special treat, not just a review, but also an excerpt and guest blog from the author, Katie Kenyhercz.

Meet Allie and Shane:

After a bum knee ended her soccer days, Alexandra-Allie-Kallen has dedicated her life to helping injured athletes cope and get back in the game. As the new team sports psychologist of the Las Vegas Sinners, she starts out with just one player, but he's a handful. Goalies are stubborn, and she would know. She's determined to figure him out and return him to the net good as new, especially after she sent her last patient back to the ice too soon. The problem is, she sees so much of herself in Shane, and their chemistry is off the charts. Falling for him isn't in the plan. Is love worth losing her career?

Shane Reese's entire identity has been wrapped up in being a goalie since he was five years old. When he gets a high ankle sprain right before playoffs, he doesn't exactly take it well. After putting his fist through the physical therapy room wall and hitting a few joking teammates, he's ordered to see the new shrink. All he has to do is convince her he's seen the light, and he can get back to defending his team as soon as his ankle heals. The problem is, she sees through him like no one he's ever met, and the more time he spends with her, the less hot he is to get back to the ice. Could something mean more than hockey?






And now for the excerpt: 

Shane ambled down the tunnel to the locker room, half-paying attention to his excited teammates bumping his shoulder, patting his mask, and barking, “Fuckin’ awesome!” Their support meant a lot, but right now, something else meant more. He shed his gear in front of his locker. As soon as he got down to athletic shorts and a t-shirt, he slipped into the quiet hallway.

Adrenaline and emotion carried him to Allie’s office, and when he opened the door, she stumbled forward as if she’d been leaning against it.

“Shane?” A mix of confusion, happiness, and something like regret played on her face. “You were amazing out there. You—”

He scooped her up and swung her around. She gasped and laughed, holding onto his shoulders, and it felt even better than the win. He smiled so hard his cheeks hurt, and when he set her down, he backed her against the door and kissed her. Her lips were soft, warm, and moist. She tasted like cherries, and the citrus-vanilla of her perfume filled his head. Her body stiffened, but she didn’t pull back or push him away. Because his palms rested against her neck, he could feel her pulse trying to outpace a German train. He slid his thumbs lightly along her cheekbones and nudged her nose with his. When their foreheads touched, her lashes fluttered, and her breath rushed warm against his lips. She met his gaze and whispered, “Shane …”

Since peewee hockey, no one had called him anything but Reese at his own request, but God, he couldn’t get enough of the sound of his name from her mouth. In the next second the enormity of what he’d done sunk in, and he took a step back, eyes wide as he tried to get his emotional bearings. “Allie. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—I was so caught up … but I crossed a line. Even though I guess I’m officially not your patient anymore.”

The shock on her face couldn’t hide a trace of pleasure. Her voice came out low and unsteady. “It’s all right. You were just carried away. You’re not my patient now, but you might be in the future, so … we probably shouldn’t make a habit of it.” She smiled the way she did when she wanted to deflect, but the look in her eyes said she wasn’t so sure.

“Yeah.” But neither moved. He couldn’t look away. How were they supposed to pretend this didn’t exist? That it wasn’t important? Apparently, he was pretty good at self-deception, but even with his exceptional skill in denial, he couldn’t wrap his mind around treating Allie like one of the guys.




And now a little more from Kenyhercz on writing and this series: 


Viva Las Vegas
A lot of readers ask how the Sinners' world came to be. It was a long, winding, random road! When I first got the idea for On the Fly about ten years ago, the Sinners started out as a minor league team, the Albany Racers. I set the series in the minors because I had Carter playing and coaching at the same time for the entire book, and that wouldn't fly in the majors. But that version of the book wasn't working, and I knew things had to change.

When in doubt, up the stakes.

I knew I had to put the team in the NHL, and I needed a more exciting backdrop. There have been talks of putting an NHL team in Vegas for years and years, but things never coalesced in real life. It was the perfect choice for me. Las Vegas is its own character and the right place for my guys and gals to get neck-deep in trouble.

Next up, I needed a new coach. I could have made a stock character to blend into the background, but even in the first draft, Nealy was a spunky, intimidating, little lady who would not be ignored. It seemed a shame to waste her hilarity in such a bit role. I gave her the coaching job on a whim one day, and everything fell into place. She was the best fictional accident I've stumbled into. She created controversy for my heroine in the first book, and she is such a gem in Full Strength. Nealy is like an angry, high-pitched Yoda for the guys, and I love her to pieces.

A lot of readers fell in love with Madden in the first book, and he was a happy accident too. Originally, I asked myself how a woman would come to inherit an NHL team, and “only child” was the first explanation that came to mind. If she had a brother, the team probably would have went to him. Light bulb moment. What if she did have a brother but got the team anyway? That added drama and backstory and made things more interesting.

My favorite elements in the Sinners' world weren't originally planned, and that's part of the magic of writing. If you start spinning an idea, it takes on a life of its own and tells you how it's supposed to pan out. Check out Full Strength, and look for Madden's book, Winning Streak next year!



Rach's Review: 5 out of 5 Divas
Well what can I say? Katie did it again! I loved On The Fly the first book in the Las Vegas Sinners series. It was fantastic, and sometimes sequels can disappoint. Totally not the case with Full Strength. Once again, she brought the characters to life, making us feel for them, root for them, and smile when they got their happily ever after. :-) I loved it. These books are sweet, sexy, funny, and endearing. Definitely a great read and one you should pick up! 


Thanks so much for stopping by Katie, it was fun to have you.

The Professor's Plaything by Normandie Alleman #Review Tour #Giveaway #LNBookPromos

Good morning, friends! Today we're celebrating Valentine's Day as a stop on the review tour of The Professor's Plaything by Normandie Alleman. The author is giving away a $75 Amazon gc to one lucky person, so please check out the Rafflecopter below for your own chance to win!
Synopsis –
She’ll loosen him up, and he’ll tie her down.Twenty-one year old Colette Ellis has done plenty of daydreaming about Professor John McGill, but after a spur-of-the-moment decision to seduce him in his office turns her fantasies into reality, she is left longing for more.

She soon learns that this handsome academic can be as firm as he is passionate, and when her bratty behavior earns her a sound spanking she sees a side of him she never expected. Before she knows it, the beautiful young woman finds herself tied up at his mercy, naked, exposed, and more aroused than she could have ever imagined. As she grows closer to him, she cannot help but wonder how long this can last. Could John come to see her as more than just a naughty coed?

John has never fallen for a student… until now. There is something different about Colette, something that brings him alive in a way he has never felt before. Can he dare to hope that she is  after more than just a fling?
Buy Links–
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1cJ8EatAmazon UK: http://amzn.to/1gfBlibBarnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1enXQAbARe: http://bit.ly/18EOz6m            Kobo: http://bit.ly/1iWNomR
Goodreads Link –
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18933604-the-professor-s-plaything?ac=1

Excerpt Colette smiled and wrinkled her nose at him. “You are so sweet. You didn’t have to do that for me, you know.”
“Yes, but I wanted to. Hopefully it will help.”
“It will,” she reassured him. Eager to change the subject from work to play, Colette batted her eyelashes at him. “You know, ever since you were here the other night, I’ve been thinking about you…” She drew circles on his forearm with her index finger.
Slowly, the corners of his mouth began to curl up. “You have?”
She nodded and leaned closer to him, the rich scent of his cologne made her sex tingle with anticipation. She ran her palms over the muscular planes of his chest and began unbuttoning his shirt.
He cupped her chin and touched his lips to hers. “I’ve been thinking about you too,” he mumbled between kisses. His hand snuck under her shirt and caressed the curve of her hip, sending waves of desire coursing through her.
She allowed herself to get lost in his kisses as her tongue tangled lazily with his. Her arousal suddenly hit a fever pitch and her cunt pulsed with need, but she had something to say before things went any further.
Coming up for air, she said, “John, there’s something I have to talk to you about.”“Okay.”
“I feel like I can trust you…”
“Trust me?”
“Yes, you make me feel safe. I’m comfortable around you. Like I can be myself with you, and somehow I don’t need to worry.”
He nodded.
“I’ve never been able to really trust the boys I’ve dated in the past.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, Colette. You can trust me.”
She hugged him hard in response. “Then there’s something I’d like to try. That is, if you’re up for it.”
“Now you’ve piqued my interest,” he said, a sparkle in his eye.“Well, there’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but I’ve never been in the right situation to do it.” With jangled nerves, she realized this was going to be more difficult that she’d anticipated.
“What is it?”
“A couple of years ago, I told a friend that I wanted a set of handcuffs. I was kidding, but she got them for me for my birthday, kinda as a joke.”
John’s jaw dropped. “Handcuffs?”
Colette looked at the floor wishing it would swallow her up. “Is that too kinky?”
“No. So you want me to handcuff you to something. Is that what you’re asking?”
“Well, I guess so. I’ve always wanted to try it, but I’ve never been with a guy that I felt I could trust not to abuse the situation.”
“What do you mean?”
“Not that I thought anyone would really hurt me, but in today’s world, with internet and cameras… I haven’t felt like I could really completely trust anyone to not take a picture of me helpless, or even to not let another guy get involved. I don’t know. It always seemed way too risky before. Guys can be pretty immature. Plus, I never felt close enough to anyone to want to do it with them.”
“Yeah. Some guys can be real pricks. I don’t blame you for not trusting them. That was smart. But you can trust me. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.” He kissed her. “So, where are they?”
She chuckled. “I’ll be right back.”
A minute later she returned with rhinestone-studded handcuffs, clearly created for a diva rather than a convict.
John laughed. “I’ve never seen any handcuffs like those before.”
Colette smiled. “I know, right? They’re pretty, huh?”
John smiled at her and nodded.
“Want to go back to my room?” she asked. 

***Nona’s review of The Professor’s Plaything***
The Professor’s Plaything is a short and sexy novella featuring Collette, a college senior, and John, a psychology professor. Collette’s a decent student, but has spent a little too much time having fun and not enough with her nose to the grindstone. She wants to get accepted into graduate school but realizes a little too late that she needs some practical experience that will impress the admissions office. She wangles her way into working with Professor John McGill, but when she meets with him to plead for a more interesting assignment, the co-ed ends up seducing the professor.
The topic of teacher/student sex is a very touchy one, even when the student is of legal age. In real life, the balance of power is skewed and a young person can be taken advantage of. In fiction, it can be a fun premise as long as we recognize it’s all a fantasy. Still, the author has to be careful that the characters don’t come off looking sleazy and unsympathetic.
Normandie Alleman handles the situation well in this story. John’s not a horndog, and he’s shocked that he succumbed to Collette’s charms. Still, he’s intrigued by her and wants to know her better (and not just in the biblical sense).  She’s attracted to him as well. After the first incident, John handles the situation so that Collette can get the experience she needs without his supervision. They are now free to heat up the sheets.
There’s plenty of sex in this shortie. Collette brings out the wild man in button-down John, a side of him he’s never had the chance to explore. He sees her as more than a good time girl and helps her focus on her future. As they grow closer, a question looms—is their relationship only a brief affair before grad school or something more permanent?

The title might lead one to believe that this story is more “taboo” than it really is. With the exception of the first incident, The Professor’s Plaything is more a very sexy older man/younger woman romance. Opposites attract, and in this case, bring out the best in each other. If you're looking for a fun, naughty read to brighten up your Valentine's Day, this story is just the ticket.
Author Bio A former psychologist, Normandie has always been fascinated by human behavior. She loves writing quirky characters that are all too human. “I’m interested in the kind of relationships people have in real life. So I write about my characters’ messy, unpredictable, and inexplicable journeys to love.”If there were another 5 hours in the day, Normandie would spend more time needle-pointing and playing with photography. Instead, she’s a Pinterest and Twitter addict who loves sports and the color pink. She lives on a farm with her husband, a passel of children, and a pet pig who’s crazy for red bull.Twitter at @NormandieA | Pinterest | Facebook | Website  

Link to tour – http://wp.me/p3SVfE-i2



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