Sara Daniel's Blog, page 42
July 13, 2014
Cheese Toastie #recipe from Across the Pond by @lizzietleaf #travel
by Lizzie T. Leaf
I received the instructions for this sandwich several years ago on a trip to
Borough Market
in London. The lady on the grill at the
Kappacasein
stand talked with me as she grilled up morsels of yum and told me how to make the gooey delights. When we returned home and I attempted to duplicate the sandwich that has us all drooling, including the two granddarlings who were with us on the trip, the first efforts weren’t so great. But time and patience has worked. The secret is slow and easy cooking. You want the cheese to melt and ooze out and the bread to become brown and crispy before you’re ready to indulge. It’s probably a good thing I don’t live in London because I could see this becoming a weekly addiction for me.
As for the making of the sandwich, it’s about the bread and the cheddar. Start with sourdough bread cut into sandwich slices. They used shredded Montgomery cheddar and say the complexities are one of the reasons the sandwiches are so good. Montgomery is hard to come by here (and expensive). Check your grocery store for an aged farmhouse cheddar cheese that has a nutty taste and is sold by the block or wedge.
They also had a container of finely chopped white onion, red onion, leeks, and crushed garlic at the ready.
To make the American version of the Borough Market Cheese Toastie do the following:
Place a thick layer of shredded cheddar on a slice of sourdough bread. Add a teaspoon or two of the chopped mixture per sandwich, then slap on the top slice of sourdough. Grill according to the directions below.
Electric Grill: Lightly oil and heat. Place sandwich on the grill and cover. Cook for about three minutes or so. You want the cheese melted and gooey, the bread nice and toasted.
Panini Pan: Same as above. The best is the best method to make this delicious sandwich.
Grill Pan: Same as above but place a frying pan with several cans in it (for added weight) on top of the sandwich.
Remove and enjoy!!!
Here are the original directions for this dynamite sandwich:
Borough Market Cheese Toastie
80g montgomery's cheddar, grated
10g comté cheese, grated
10g ogleshield cheese, grated
2 slices of Poilâne sourdough bread
2 tsp mixed chopped white and red onions, leek, and crushed garlic
Assemble the sandwich and place it in a hot, lightly greased griddle pan (assuming you don't have a Panini toaster. Place a frying pan on top of the sandwich and weigh it down with a couple of cans.
Cook it for about 3 minutes until the crust starts to brown and the cheese melts through the pores of the bread. Flip it a couple of times so it cooks evenly, but make sure you don't overcook it, or you won't be able to taste all the flavours.
Kappacasein’s owner Bill Oglethorpe developed Ogleshield cheese in collaboration with Somerset dairy farmer Jamie Montgomery, whose 150 Jersey cows produce the rich, unpasteurised, full-fat milk that gives the mature cheese its distinctive flavour.
The result is one the finest aromas your nostrils could ever hope to savour, emanating from Kappacasein’s Swiss raclette - a generous helping of melted Ogleshield on a pile of new potatoes, baby gherkins and pickled onions - and its toasted cheese sandwiches, made with Montgomery cheddar, onions, leeks and garlic on Poilâne sourdough.
Now that you're done cooking, sit back with your favorite beverage and your sandwich and check out a lively read from my DEAD series, DEAD Hot.
Will family secrets let her find love with a guy that cats around?
Sharla Gomez’s dream encounter with the man she’s lusted over for months turned into rain-soaked nightmare. Her hopes of love and passion have gone to the dogs. Being a shifter is hell, especially when you’re a Pug/Chihuahua mix, or as some call the breed, a Chug. Even dogs don’t want to be told they’re so ugly they’re cute?
Dorsey Smith wants to get to know the exotic number-cruncher in charge of the strip club’s books. Just his luck she disappeared before he could ask her out for coffee. Instead of taking home the woman he lusts for, he takes home the small, drenched dog shivering in the rain. When he discovers the animal missing the next morning and he senses magic in the air. Has his safe haven been discovered and will his secrets be revealed?
Can two people with deep secrets discover the truth about each other and still find love. Or will the secrets and the evil lurking drive them apart?
To read an excerpt please click here .
Learn more about Lizzie T. Leaf on her website and blog . Connect with Lizzie on Facebook and follow her on Twitter .
I received the instructions for this sandwich several years ago on a trip to
Borough Market
in London. The lady on the grill at the
Kappacasein
stand talked with me as she grilled up morsels of yum and told me how to make the gooey delights. When we returned home and I attempted to duplicate the sandwich that has us all drooling, including the two granddarlings who were with us on the trip, the first efforts weren’t so great. But time and patience has worked. The secret is slow and easy cooking. You want the cheese to melt and ooze out and the bread to become brown and crispy before you’re ready to indulge. It’s probably a good thing I don’t live in London because I could see this becoming a weekly addiction for me. 
As for the making of the sandwich, it’s about the bread and the cheddar. Start with sourdough bread cut into sandwich slices. They used shredded Montgomery cheddar and say the complexities are one of the reasons the sandwiches are so good. Montgomery is hard to come by here (and expensive). Check your grocery store for an aged farmhouse cheddar cheese that has a nutty taste and is sold by the block or wedge.They also had a container of finely chopped white onion, red onion, leeks, and crushed garlic at the ready.
To make the American version of the Borough Market Cheese Toastie do the following:
Place a thick layer of shredded cheddar on a slice of sourdough bread. Add a teaspoon or two of the chopped mixture per sandwich, then slap on the top slice of sourdough. Grill according to the directions below.
Electric Grill: Lightly oil and heat. Place sandwich on the grill and cover. Cook for about three minutes or so. You want the cheese melted and gooey, the bread nice and toasted.
Panini Pan: Same as above. The best is the best method to make this delicious sandwich.
Grill Pan: Same as above but place a frying pan with several cans in it (for added weight) on top of the sandwich.
Remove and enjoy!!!
Here are the original directions for this dynamite sandwich:
Borough Market Cheese Toastie80g montgomery's cheddar, grated
10g comté cheese, grated
10g ogleshield cheese, grated
2 slices of Poilâne sourdough bread
2 tsp mixed chopped white and red onions, leek, and crushed garlic
Assemble the sandwich and place it in a hot, lightly greased griddle pan (assuming you don't have a Panini toaster. Place a frying pan on top of the sandwich and weigh it down with a couple of cans.
Cook it for about 3 minutes until the crust starts to brown and the cheese melts through the pores of the bread. Flip it a couple of times so it cooks evenly, but make sure you don't overcook it, or you won't be able to taste all the flavours.
Kappacasein’s owner Bill Oglethorpe developed Ogleshield cheese in collaboration with Somerset dairy farmer Jamie Montgomery, whose 150 Jersey cows produce the rich, unpasteurised, full-fat milk that gives the mature cheese its distinctive flavour.
The result is one the finest aromas your nostrils could ever hope to savour, emanating from Kappacasein’s Swiss raclette - a generous helping of melted Ogleshield on a pile of new potatoes, baby gherkins and pickled onions - and its toasted cheese sandwiches, made with Montgomery cheddar, onions, leeks and garlic on Poilâne sourdough.
Now that you're done cooking, sit back with your favorite beverage and your sandwich and check out a lively read from my DEAD series, DEAD Hot.
Will family secrets let her find love with a guy that cats around?
Sharla Gomez’s dream encounter with the man she’s lusted over for months turned into rain-soaked nightmare. Her hopes of love and passion have gone to the dogs. Being a shifter is hell, especially when you’re a Pug/Chihuahua mix, or as some call the breed, a Chug. Even dogs don’t want to be told they’re so ugly they’re cute?
Dorsey Smith wants to get to know the exotic number-cruncher in charge of the strip club’s books. Just his luck she disappeared before he could ask her out for coffee. Instead of taking home the woman he lusts for, he takes home the small, drenched dog shivering in the rain. When he discovers the animal missing the next morning and he senses magic in the air. Has his safe haven been discovered and will his secrets be revealed?
Can two people with deep secrets discover the truth about each other and still find love. Or will the secrets and the evil lurking drive them apart?
To read an excerpt please click here .
Learn more about Lizzie T. Leaf on her website and blog . Connect with Lizzie on Facebook and follow her on Twitter .
July 9, 2014
Operation Owl Tour of the Capital @LaylaTarar #BeyondFairytales
Tara Quan’s Operation Owl Tour of the Capital – A (Residence) Innby Tara Quan
I owe Sara Daniel a huge thank you for hosting me today. I’m trying something new, which is to chat up my book prior to getting a firm release date. Because of my impending move to Rome, I may soon experience a prolonged Internet blackout and have prescheduled my stops. To the best of my knowledge, my latest multicultural romance from Decadent Publishing comes out some time in July 2014 (so, depending on when you stumble upon this blog, it might be available now). For updates as well as a chance to win a $25 gift card, drop by my website: TaraQuan.com/OwlIn honor of the place I consider home (what the government terms the National Capital Area), I’m dedicating the posts on this tour to Washington, D.C. and its surrounding suburbs. The romantic comedy I’m very blatantly promoting is set entirely in the US capital. A Beyond Fairytales adaptation of The Owl by Brothers Grimm, Operation Owl features a geeky hacker hero and his bookish best friend. They team up to expose a cyber conspiracy at the heart of the US government and end up indulging in some other equally exciting activities. Waypoint: A (Residence) Inn
Since Once Upon a Marriage, Sara’s Beyond Fairytales launch story, stars her adaptation of Grimm’s innkeeper, I thought I’d use this opportunity to highlight my preferred place to stay when visiting D.C. My husband’s job occasionally makes us return to the capital for short 2-3 week jaunts (which inevitably includes a visit to the dentist, a stop at the doctor’s office, and some shopping). Whenever this happens, I prefer to stay at the Marriott Courthouse Residence Inn. Located literally on top of an Orange Line Metro Stop, this hotel is within walking distance to CVS, Walgreens, Whole Foods and Trader Joes. All their rooms include a kitchenette, and it’s a 2-minute walk to a pizza parlor, burger joint, steak house, Thai restaurant, Japanese place, as well as multiple coffee shops and bars. Marriott rewards points are relatively easy to spend internationally, and one can also get a discount with a valid government/military ID.While not the lap of luxury, this hotel is a more than adequate home away from home. I highly recommend it for any trip to the D.C-metro area.
And thus concludes my Capital Area tip for the day. Follow along at TaraQuan.com/Owlas I continue my tour at the blogs of some awesome romance authors.
Operation Owl Five years ago, Maya Jain kissed her best friend only to have him run out of her dorm room and leave the state. When he shows up in Washington, D.C., a wanted fugitive sought after by every branch of the US government, she can’t bring herself to ignore his plight. As their physical relationship picks up where it left off, she decides it’s time to make him see her as more than the bespectacled, bookish girl he once called “Owl.”After being accused of espionage and treason, Zack Strong needs a forensic accountant to help clear his name. Not knowing who he can trust, this white-hat hacker has no choice but to ask his former best friend and math tutor for help. Together they unravel a cyber conspiracy at the Barn, an NSA facility tasked to intercept electronic communications. But as they traverse the nation’s capital to avoid capture, Maya insists on letting their simmering sexual tension take its natural course. Even though he’s never been able to shake the memory of their one kiss, he refuses to let her give up her life for a man with no future. Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy, Multicultural
Buy Links: Amazon| B&N | AllRomance| Decadent| GoodReads
I owe Sara Daniel a huge thank you for hosting me today. I’m trying something new, which is to chat up my book prior to getting a firm release date. Because of my impending move to Rome, I may soon experience a prolonged Internet blackout and have prescheduled my stops. To the best of my knowledge, my latest multicultural romance from Decadent Publishing comes out some time in July 2014 (so, depending on when you stumble upon this blog, it might be available now). For updates as well as a chance to win a $25 gift card, drop by my website: TaraQuan.com/OwlIn honor of the place I consider home (what the government terms the National Capital Area), I’m dedicating the posts on this tour to Washington, D.C. and its surrounding suburbs. The romantic comedy I’m very blatantly promoting is set entirely in the US capital. A Beyond Fairytales adaptation of The Owl by Brothers Grimm, Operation Owl features a geeky hacker hero and his bookish best friend. They team up to expose a cyber conspiracy at the heart of the US government and end up indulging in some other equally exciting activities. Waypoint: A (Residence) Inn
Since Once Upon a Marriage, Sara’s Beyond Fairytales launch story, stars her adaptation of Grimm’s innkeeper, I thought I’d use this opportunity to highlight my preferred place to stay when visiting D.C. My husband’s job occasionally makes us return to the capital for short 2-3 week jaunts (which inevitably includes a visit to the dentist, a stop at the doctor’s office, and some shopping). Whenever this happens, I prefer to stay at the Marriott Courthouse Residence Inn. Located literally on top of an Orange Line Metro Stop, this hotel is within walking distance to CVS, Walgreens, Whole Foods and Trader Joes. All their rooms include a kitchenette, and it’s a 2-minute walk to a pizza parlor, burger joint, steak house, Thai restaurant, Japanese place, as well as multiple coffee shops and bars. Marriott rewards points are relatively easy to spend internationally, and one can also get a discount with a valid government/military ID.While not the lap of luxury, this hotel is a more than adequate home away from home. I highly recommend it for any trip to the D.C-metro area. And thus concludes my Capital Area tip for the day. Follow along at TaraQuan.com/Owlas I continue my tour at the blogs of some awesome romance authors.
Operation Owl Five years ago, Maya Jain kissed her best friend only to have him run out of her dorm room and leave the state. When he shows up in Washington, D.C., a wanted fugitive sought after by every branch of the US government, she can’t bring herself to ignore his plight. As their physical relationship picks up where it left off, she decides it’s time to make him see her as more than the bespectacled, bookish girl he once called “Owl.”After being accused of espionage and treason, Zack Strong needs a forensic accountant to help clear his name. Not knowing who he can trust, this white-hat hacker has no choice but to ask his former best friend and math tutor for help. Together they unravel a cyber conspiracy at the Barn, an NSA facility tasked to intercept electronic communications. But as they traverse the nation’s capital to avoid capture, Maya insists on letting their simmering sexual tension take its natural course. Even though he’s never been able to shake the memory of their one kiss, he refuses to let her give up her life for a man with no future. Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy, MulticulturalBuy Links: Amazon| B&N | AllRomance| Decadent| GoodReads
July 6, 2014
Have the kids fix dinner with this easy Ham & Broccoli #Recipe #appetizer
These are so easy I commissioned my nine-year-old to make them when she wanted to cook dinner for the family to give me a break. (Yes, she can be absolutely adorable when she wants to be, and yes, I still supervised the chopping and the oven.) These roll-ups also make a wonderful appetizer for holiday parties.
Ham and Broccoli Roll-Ups
2 cups chopped broccoli
2 tbsp. parsley flakes
2 tbsp. margarine/butter softened
1 ½ cups shredded Colby-jack/cheddar cheese
2 cups ham chopped
2 (8-roll) cans crescent dinner rolls
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook and drain broccoli.
In a large mixing bowl, combine parsley and margarine. Add cheese, broccoli and ham. Mix. Set aside.
Grease a round pizza pan. (A rectangle cookie sheet works too.) Separate the crescent roll dough into the pre-cut triangles. Arrange triangles around the outer edge of the pan, points hanging over the outside of the pan, bases overlapping. If you have more rolls than the pan will hold, you can use the remaining rolls to make a small inside circle as shown in the picture.
Spoon ham filling evenly over the bases of the triangles. Fold points of triangles over the filling and tuck under the bases toward the center of the pan.
Bake for 17-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Ham and Broccoli Roll-Ups2 cups chopped broccoli
2 tbsp. parsley flakes
2 tbsp. margarine/butter softened
1 ½ cups shredded Colby-jack/cheddar cheese
2 cups ham chopped
2 (8-roll) cans crescent dinner rolls
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook and drain broccoli.
In a large mixing bowl, combine parsley and margarine. Add cheese, broccoli and ham. Mix. Set aside.
Grease a round pizza pan. (A rectangle cookie sheet works too.) Separate the crescent roll dough into the pre-cut triangles. Arrange triangles around the outer edge of the pan, points hanging over the outside of the pan, bases overlapping. If you have more rolls than the pan will hold, you can use the remaining rolls to make a small inside circle as shown in the picture.
Spoon ham filling evenly over the bases of the triangles. Fold points of triangles over the filling and tuck under the bases toward the center of the pan.
Bake for 17-20 minutes or until golden brown.
July 4, 2014
Once Upon a Marriage @MySexySaturday #Teaser @DecadentPub #BeyondFairytales
Once Upon a Marriage
He turned in front of her and stopped walking, forcing her to stop, too. “I know we can’t go back to how things were. I’m not asking you to give up the life you’ve created. I’m just trying to understand who you are now and how you’ve changed since we were together.”Armina opened her mouth, but found she had no words. She had no intention of sharing the goal that had driven her every decision over the past year. To have a baby before time ran out, she needed his cooperation to ensure a quick divorce.“I’ve moved on,” she finally said, not sure she spoke the truth but hoping she did or at least that the words would soon come true. She needed to move on. The next chapter of her life couldn’t be put on hold.“I’m not asking you to stop moving on. I just need you to give me a moment to sprint to catch up to you.”The crazy-romantic image sent a shot of longing through her, but she couldn’t agree. The new life she was building allowed no room for him. She opened her mouth again, but he placed his index finger against her lips.“Don’t answer yet. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. We need to adjust and talk first.” He leaned closer, sliding his finger down, tugging her lower lip out into a pout. Tilting the underside of her chin, he tipped her head up so she stared into his strong, handsome face.Enveloping her in the heat from his body, he touched his lips to hers with a profound gentleness. She could have turned her head aside and pointed out they weren’t talking as he’d proposed, but the tenderness and hunger in his eyes captivated her. For the first time since their wedding night, she owned his complete attention.
Once Upon a Marriage
A Decadent Publishing Beyond Fairytales Retelling of Grimm's Three Army Surgeons
Time is running out for Armina Keer to have the baby she’s always wanted. Before she can move on with her life, she needs her estranged husband to sign their divorce papers. When she can’t get him to respond, her meddling uncles arrange for a trip to his inn. Despite vowing to guard her broken heart, she has to settle the past before she can have a future.
Ian Keer might not deserve a second chance with his wife, but he’s not going to give up one either, not with the immediate flaming attraction still between them. While her uncles’ antics wreak havoc on life at The Inn, he offers her the ultimate gamble: Spend the night with him, and afterwards he’ll sign the papers if she still wants to leave.
With everything riding on one night together, Ian must convince her that their love is strong enough the second time around, and Armina must decide if love is worth sacrificing her dreams.
Buy Links:
Amazon
Decadent
Barnes & Noble
All Romance eBooks
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Return to Blog Hop here.
July 1, 2014
A Behind the Scenes Look at Retelling a Fairy Tale #BeyondFairytales
My favorite school assignment ever was modernizing and retelling a fairy tale, so when Decadent put out the call for a retelling of a Grimm’s Fairy Tale, my hand immediately shot in the air. But then I got my fairy tale assignment, and my excitement wilted.
The Three Army Surgeons
. Huh? I’d never heard of it.Not only was it obscure, it was also a little gruesome and definitely not a romance. Basically, there are three guys who cut out their eye, hand and heart. They put them on a tray and give them to an innkeeper, intending to put them back in their bodies the next day. Instead, the parts are taken, so a soldier replaces them with the eye of a cat, the hand of a thief and the heart of a pig. The new parts then make the guys act like a cat, a thief and a pig. The guys discover they’ve been tricked and return to confront the innkeeper who gives them some money to pacify them. (You can read the full original story here.)
My charge was to turn this story into a romance. Um, yeah. I couldn’t even figure out who the hero and heroine would be.
So I started with what I did know. Although I enjoy a good ménage romance, I don’t write them, so having the body-part-plucking guys as heroes was out. Same for paranormal stories, which meant I needed a way for these people to walk around with missing parts that would be believable in a contemporary setting without magic or special powers.
This framework led me to have the men run a prosthetics company, but I was still stumped on the romance angle. The only woman in the original story stood around wringing her hands while others found a solution. Then she ran away and never returned when things went bad. I needed an active heroine, someone with a purpose, someone a reader would want to root for.
After dumping the sexist assumption that a solider automatically had to be a man, I made the soldier’s character my heroine. I named her “Armina,” which means soldier. In case that was too subtle, her uncles (the guys with the missing body parts) affectionately refer to her as “Soldier.”
The other person who played a critical role in the story conflict is the innkeeper. He would fit nicely as the hero. After playing with words for a bit, I dubbed him Ian Keer. Now I needed to make him into hero material, and I needed to create a romance (and conflict) between the innkeeper and the soldier. This wasn’t part of the original fairy tale, so my challenge was to write it within the framework of the fairy tale retelling. Finally, I’d arrived at the fun story retelling I’d expected when I raised my hand for this assignment.
I went from “You have got to be kidding me” at the beginning of the initial brainstorming of The Three Army Surgeons fairy tale to “This is so much fun” as I wrote Once Upon a Marriage . Check out the new Beyond Fairytales line from Decadent Publishing. I’m so excited to be a part of it.
Amazon Decadent Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 28, 2014
Author Interview with @EMorgan2010 #writerslife
Today, I'm interviewing Elizabeth Morgan, who had a new book out with Decadent Publishing. Welcome Elizabeth! Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you write?
Hello Sara, thank you so much for having me over today. Sure I can. J
I'm Elizabeth Morgan and I'm a multi-published author of urban fantasy, paranormal, erotic horror, f/f, and contemporary; all my stories have a degree of romance, a dose of action and usually a hit of sarcasm, sizzle or blood, but no matter what I give a unique and often humorous spin to my stories.
I live in Cheshire, UK with my two cats Phantom & MJ - named after my fave musical; The Phantom of the Opera, and my fave musical artist; Michael Jackson. If I'm not writing I am either relaxing with a book, watching a film or one of my fave television shows, playing on the sims, or I am in my garden growling at weeds, or planting seeds.
Where do you get your writing inspiration?
Mostly from dreams; I have a lot of strange dreams. Although, a lot of the ideas I have had are still in my slush pile folder waiting to me wrote. The only dream idea that I have written is my new release, Stepping Stones.
In the dream I was Maggie, or rather in her shoes, the taxi I was in pulled up outside this beautiful church on the edge of a cliff. As soon as I got out of the taxi the bride comes running up to me; her maid of honour couldn’t make it so I needed to take her place. As you can imagine I wasn't very happy about being her second choice or a last minute one, but I agreed.
The scene then jumps to me dressed in a bridesmaid dress walking down the aisle, and then I nearly go face first because my ex was the Vicar. Awkward. I am uncomfortable through the ceremony and as soon as it is over I try to get away from him only to bump into another man, but I'm angry at this one, hurt by him, confused. So I storm off. End of dream.
Well, there was a story there so I left the idea to stew in the back of my mind, I actually think it was stewing for two years in total, and then when I had the itch to write it, I did and Stepping Stones was born.
Otherwise the rest of my ideas can be from random conversations, lyrics, sometimes even scenes from tv, or that are playing out in real life before my eyes.
What do like to do when you’re not writing?
Reading, watching films of television shows, playing on the sims, hanging out with family or friends, playing with my cats, or gardening.
What does a typical writing day look like for you?
My writing days have changed a great deal from when I started, and that is due to changes in my personal life. At the moment and I am rather ashamed to say, I have to sit and write whenever I get the chance, but when I do I find I could be writing for a good few hours. I like to put my headphones on and listen to the playlist I have made for the story, it blocks everything else out so I am able to focus.
What is your favorite part of writing?
The progress of the story; I love watching how the characters change as they go on their journey, and I love finishing a book, because I love going back to the beginning and reading through it, and remembering how I might have been stressed of stuck at moments, but that it was worth it because I'm happy with the way the story unfolded.
What is the hardest part?
At the moment, for me it is having the time to write. When so much is going on around you, and your energy is flagging, well, it can be very frustrating when you want to read and are finding it hard to form a sentence.
Do you have a new or upcoming release you can share with us?
June 17th marked the release of my sweet contemporary romance, Stepping Stones. It is a story of retracing your steps, realization, forgiveness and second chances, and it is all about family, faith, friendship and love. The blurb and an excerpt are below for you to peruse. J
How can readers connect with you? (Social media links/buy links)
I sure do. J Everywhere to find me online:
Website: www.e-morgan.com
Blog: www.xxxxmyworldxxxx.blogspot.com
Twitter: @EMorgan2010
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ElizabethMorgan
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.morgan.944
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/elizabethm2012/boards/
Blog: (Shared with Dianna Hardy): http://notjustastiffupperlip.blogspot.co.uk/
~ * ~Thank you for having me over today and thank you to all of you for stopping by. If you would be interested in winning a copy of my new release, Stepping Stones or maybe a swag pack, then please do leave an entry on the rafflecopter at the end of the post. J
~ * ~
Stepping Stones
(Sweet Contemporary Romance)By Elizabeth Morgan
Blurb:
There's nothing like a wedding to bring the family together....
If not for her baby sister’s impending marriage, Margaret West would never return home. But after six long years, she finds herself a maid of honor who must answer to the people she left behind.
If her parents’ interrogation doesn’t drive her to drink, facing her foster brother, Adrian, just might. To make matters worse, her ex-fiancé is the vicar who will conduct her sister’s ceremony.
Everyone demands to know why she ran off. But the more time she spends at home, the more Margaret realizes even she doesn’t know the real reason.
Length: Novella (32,000/91 pages)| Content: Sweet Romance/Contemporary| Publisher: Bono Books
Buy Links:
Bono Books/Decadent Publishing Amazon US Amazon UK
~ * ~Excerpt:
“When is Aidy getting here?” Jessica grabbed the large bowl of scrambled eggs and brought it closer to her plate.
“I think his flight is due in at three.” My mother placed a dish of bacon on the table and took a seat beside me. “He will be in time for the wedding rehearsal; don’t worry.”
My stomach clenched. “Wedding rehearsal?” I coughed, trying to clear the chunk of toast lodged in my throat. “What wedding rehearsal?”
“Today at four. We’re running through the service.” Jess scooped egg onto her plate. “I told you.”
Nervous laughter bubbled in my throat and try as I may, I couldn’t stop shaking my head. “No.” I patted my chest. “No, you never mentioned a rehearsal.”
“Oh.” She placed the bowl back in the middle of the table. “I could have sworn I did.”
“Nope, you didn’t. Believe me, I would have remembered otherwise.” I grabbed my mug and knocked the coffee back before finishing my piece of toast.
“Well, it’s no big deal.” Edward took the bowl of eggs and helped himself. “Just a quick run-through.”
“Will everyone be there?” Forcing a smile on my face, I looked up at them both, hoping like hell my question would pass as innocent and genuine curiosity.
“Anyone who is involved in the wedding itself will be.”
Great. So that meant Jessica, Edward, the parents, and the bridesmaids, plus me. That left Adrian and…. “Will Vicar Taylor, be there?”
Oh God, did my voice just go higher?
“Yes, Margaret, William will be there. He is the one who is marrying Jessie and Edward, so he needs to be there.” My father skewered some bacon and tomatoes onto his fork.
Grimacing, I reached out and grabbed another piece of toast. “Just a question, Pa.” A stupid one, but a question nevertheless….
“It is normal for people to have wedding rehearsals, Margaret. Just because you—”
Jess picked up the coffeepot. “Does anyone want more coffee?”
I straightened, my focus fixed on Pa. “I’m aware of that.”
“Maggie?”
My father’s shoulders went rigid. He lifted his head and our gazes locked. I didn’t miss the way the muscle in the side of his neck ticked. Arguing with my father in front of Jessica and Edward was not an option, so I looked away.
“Please.” I held out my mug and Jess poured the dark liquid.
I could kick myself. A wedding rehearsal hadn’t even crossed my mind. Having to stand at the altar before William on the actual wedding day would be hard enough, but having to do it twice…my stomach churned.
“So, will Adrian come straight to the church?” Edward cut the awkward silence.
“Yes. He will get a taxi to the church, and then we will bring him and his luggage back here.” My mother held her mug out to Jess.
“Adrian is staying here? Tonight?” I added sugar to my coffee. “Won’t it be crowded? I thought—”
“No more crowded than it was in your childhood.” My father took a bite out of his toast.
More and more good news. Of course he would be staying here; it was his family home after all. I guess, it was stupid of me to hope that he would go to a B&B, but my parents wouldn’t have allowed it even if he did suggest it. I hadn’t seen him in six years, hadn’t spoken to him. And yet, in a couple of hours I would be locked in the same house as him.~ * ~Author Bio:
Elizabeth Morgan is a multi-published author of urban fantasy, paranormal, erotic horror, f/f, and contemporary; all with a degree of romance, a dose of action and a hit of sarcasm, sizzle or blood, but you can be sure that no matter what the genre, Elizabeth always manages to give a unique and often humorous spin to her stories.
Like her tagline says; A pick ‘n’ mix genre author. “I’m not greedy. I just like variety.”
And that she does, author of erotic ménage horror, Creak, paranormal erotic horror and UK, US & Australian Amazon best seller (Gay/Lesbian, Fiction, Lesbian), On the Rocks, and erotic romance, US, UK and Spanish Amazon bestseller (Erotica Short Story) Truth or Dare? She also has her hand in self-publishing.
Razel Dazzle, her modern adult retelling of the fairytale Rapunzel, was her first taste of publishing her own stories, and now she has the hang of it, it will definitely not be her last. Look out for more information on her upcoming releases at her website: www.e-morgan.com
Away from the computer, Elizabeth can be found in the garden trying hard not to kill her plants, dancing around her little cottage with the radio on while she cleans, watching movies or good television programmes – Dr Who? Atlantis? The Musketeers? Heck, yes! – Or curled up with her two cats reading a book.a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hello Sara, thank you so much for having me over today. Sure I can. J
I'm Elizabeth Morgan and I'm a multi-published author of urban fantasy, paranormal, erotic horror, f/f, and contemporary; all my stories have a degree of romance, a dose of action and usually a hit of sarcasm, sizzle or blood, but no matter what I give a unique and often humorous spin to my stories.
I live in Cheshire, UK with my two cats Phantom & MJ - named after my fave musical; The Phantom of the Opera, and my fave musical artist; Michael Jackson. If I'm not writing I am either relaxing with a book, watching a film or one of my fave television shows, playing on the sims, or I am in my garden growling at weeds, or planting seeds.Where do you get your writing inspiration?
Mostly from dreams; I have a lot of strange dreams. Although, a lot of the ideas I have had are still in my slush pile folder waiting to me wrote. The only dream idea that I have written is my new release, Stepping Stones.
In the dream I was Maggie, or rather in her shoes, the taxi I was in pulled up outside this beautiful church on the edge of a cliff. As soon as I got out of the taxi the bride comes running up to me; her maid of honour couldn’t make it so I needed to take her place. As you can imagine I wasn't very happy about being her second choice or a last minute one, but I agreed.
The scene then jumps to me dressed in a bridesmaid dress walking down the aisle, and then I nearly go face first because my ex was the Vicar. Awkward. I am uncomfortable through the ceremony and as soon as it is over I try to get away from him only to bump into another man, but I'm angry at this one, hurt by him, confused. So I storm off. End of dream.
Well, there was a story there so I left the idea to stew in the back of my mind, I actually think it was stewing for two years in total, and then when I had the itch to write it, I did and Stepping Stones was born.
Otherwise the rest of my ideas can be from random conversations, lyrics, sometimes even scenes from tv, or that are playing out in real life before my eyes.
What do like to do when you’re not writing?
Reading, watching films of television shows, playing on the sims, hanging out with family or friends, playing with my cats, or gardening.
What does a typical writing day look like for you?
My writing days have changed a great deal from when I started, and that is due to changes in my personal life. At the moment and I am rather ashamed to say, I have to sit and write whenever I get the chance, but when I do I find I could be writing for a good few hours. I like to put my headphones on and listen to the playlist I have made for the story, it blocks everything else out so I am able to focus.
What is your favorite part of writing?
The progress of the story; I love watching how the characters change as they go on their journey, and I love finishing a book, because I love going back to the beginning and reading through it, and remembering how I might have been stressed of stuck at moments, but that it was worth it because I'm happy with the way the story unfolded.
What is the hardest part?
At the moment, for me it is having the time to write. When so much is going on around you, and your energy is flagging, well, it can be very frustrating when you want to read and are finding it hard to form a sentence.
Do you have a new or upcoming release you can share with us?
June 17th marked the release of my sweet contemporary romance, Stepping Stones. It is a story of retracing your steps, realization, forgiveness and second chances, and it is all about family, faith, friendship and love. The blurb and an excerpt are below for you to peruse. J
How can readers connect with you? (Social media links/buy links)
I sure do. J Everywhere to find me online:
Website: www.e-morgan.com
Blog: www.xxxxmyworldxxxx.blogspot.com
Twitter: @EMorgan2010
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ElizabethMorgan
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.morgan.944
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/elizabethm2012/boards/
Blog: (Shared with Dianna Hardy): http://notjustastiffupperlip.blogspot.co.uk/
~ * ~Thank you for having me over today and thank you to all of you for stopping by. If you would be interested in winning a copy of my new release, Stepping Stones or maybe a swag pack, then please do leave an entry on the rafflecopter at the end of the post. J
~ * ~
Stepping Stones(Sweet Contemporary Romance)By Elizabeth Morgan
Blurb:
There's nothing like a wedding to bring the family together....
If not for her baby sister’s impending marriage, Margaret West would never return home. But after six long years, she finds herself a maid of honor who must answer to the people she left behind.
If her parents’ interrogation doesn’t drive her to drink, facing her foster brother, Adrian, just might. To make matters worse, her ex-fiancé is the vicar who will conduct her sister’s ceremony.
Everyone demands to know why she ran off. But the more time she spends at home, the more Margaret realizes even she doesn’t know the real reason.
Length: Novella (32,000/91 pages)| Content: Sweet Romance/Contemporary| Publisher: Bono Books
Buy Links:
Bono Books/Decadent Publishing Amazon US Amazon UK
~ * ~Excerpt:
“When is Aidy getting here?” Jessica grabbed the large bowl of scrambled eggs and brought it closer to her plate.
“I think his flight is due in at three.” My mother placed a dish of bacon on the table and took a seat beside me. “He will be in time for the wedding rehearsal; don’t worry.”
My stomach clenched. “Wedding rehearsal?” I coughed, trying to clear the chunk of toast lodged in my throat. “What wedding rehearsal?”
“Today at four. We’re running through the service.” Jess scooped egg onto her plate. “I told you.”
Nervous laughter bubbled in my throat and try as I may, I couldn’t stop shaking my head. “No.” I patted my chest. “No, you never mentioned a rehearsal.”
“Oh.” She placed the bowl back in the middle of the table. “I could have sworn I did.”
“Nope, you didn’t. Believe me, I would have remembered otherwise.” I grabbed my mug and knocked the coffee back before finishing my piece of toast.
“Well, it’s no big deal.” Edward took the bowl of eggs and helped himself. “Just a quick run-through.”
“Will everyone be there?” Forcing a smile on my face, I looked up at them both, hoping like hell my question would pass as innocent and genuine curiosity.
“Anyone who is involved in the wedding itself will be.”
Great. So that meant Jessica, Edward, the parents, and the bridesmaids, plus me. That left Adrian and…. “Will Vicar Taylor, be there?”
Oh God, did my voice just go higher?
“Yes, Margaret, William will be there. He is the one who is marrying Jessie and Edward, so he needs to be there.” My father skewered some bacon and tomatoes onto his fork.
Grimacing, I reached out and grabbed another piece of toast. “Just a question, Pa.” A stupid one, but a question nevertheless….
“It is normal for people to have wedding rehearsals, Margaret. Just because you—”
Jess picked up the coffeepot. “Does anyone want more coffee?”
I straightened, my focus fixed on Pa. “I’m aware of that.”
“Maggie?”
My father’s shoulders went rigid. He lifted his head and our gazes locked. I didn’t miss the way the muscle in the side of his neck ticked. Arguing with my father in front of Jessica and Edward was not an option, so I looked away.
“Please.” I held out my mug and Jess poured the dark liquid.
I could kick myself. A wedding rehearsal hadn’t even crossed my mind. Having to stand at the altar before William on the actual wedding day would be hard enough, but having to do it twice…my stomach churned.
“So, will Adrian come straight to the church?” Edward cut the awkward silence.
“Yes. He will get a taxi to the church, and then we will bring him and his luggage back here.” My mother held her mug out to Jess.
“Adrian is staying here? Tonight?” I added sugar to my coffee. “Won’t it be crowded? I thought—”
“No more crowded than it was in your childhood.” My father took a bite out of his toast.
More and more good news. Of course he would be staying here; it was his family home after all. I guess, it was stupid of me to hope that he would go to a B&B, but my parents wouldn’t have allowed it even if he did suggest it. I hadn’t seen him in six years, hadn’t spoken to him. And yet, in a couple of hours I would be locked in the same house as him.~ * ~Author Bio:
Elizabeth Morgan is a multi-published author of urban fantasy, paranormal, erotic horror, f/f, and contemporary; all with a degree of romance, a dose of action and a hit of sarcasm, sizzle or blood, but you can be sure that no matter what the genre, Elizabeth always manages to give a unique and often humorous spin to her stories.
Like her tagline says; A pick ‘n’ mix genre author. “I’m not greedy. I just like variety.”
And that she does, author of erotic ménage horror, Creak, paranormal erotic horror and UK, US & Australian Amazon best seller (Gay/Lesbian, Fiction, Lesbian), On the Rocks, and erotic romance, US, UK and Spanish Amazon bestseller (Erotica Short Story) Truth or Dare? She also has her hand in self-publishing.
Razel Dazzle, her modern adult retelling of the fairytale Rapunzel, was her first taste of publishing her own stories, and now she has the hang of it, it will definitely not be her last. Look out for more information on her upcoming releases at her website: www.e-morgan.com
Away from the computer, Elizabeth can be found in the garden trying hard not to kill her plants, dancing around her little cottage with the radio on while she cleans, watching movies or good television programmes – Dr Who? Atlantis? The Musketeers? Heck, yes! – Or curled up with her two cats reading a book.a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 27, 2014
Once Upon a Marriage - Teaser - July 1st release! @MySexySaturday @DecadentPub
“You hate me,” Ian whispered, feeling more nauseous than if he’d ingested a prosthetic eyeball.How could she not hate him when she believed their personal relationship had meant less to him than an employment issue?
Armina gazed beyond his left shoulder. “I don’t hate you. I’ve never hated you. When we got married, I understood you had a strong work ethic combined with an unusual drive to succeed and a consuming passion for the Inn. I knew I’d come in second to this place.”
He opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but couldn’t. If she’d made him choose, he wouldn’t have picked her.
“I thought I was okay with it,” she continued. “After all, I loved the Inn, too, and wanted you to realize your vision for it. Turns out I wasn’t okay. I didn’t realize how distant second place actually was.” She shrugged her slim shoulders. “Live and learn, right?”
Not right. He wanted to take back the lesson and teach her about real love instead. “You never should have had to settle for second place. With me or with anyone else. No one has the right to ask that of you.”
“Agreed.” Her voice came out stronger, her shoulders squared, and she looked him directly in the eye. “Now you understand why I want a divorce.”
Coming Tuesday, July 1st from Decadent Publishing. Get a sneak peek at more Beyond Fairytales stories coming soon here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 25, 2014
June Release Madness by Lucy Felthouse @cw1985
June Release Madnessby Lucy Felthouse
Thanks so much to Sara for letting me stop by her blog and share a little about my new releases. Yes, that’s releases, plural. Because I write for several publishers, all on different schedules and releasing books at different speeds – I ended up with THREE new releases for June! Throw in four birthdays (two big birthdays) and Father’s Day and let’s just say it’s been a busy old month and I’m looking forward to a more relaxed July!
Calendar Men: Mr June – The Other Brother was the first book to hit shelves, on 1st June. It’s part of Decadent Publishing’s multi-author Calendar Men series – and I’m very excited to be part of such a cool project! Each author (including Sara!) was given a month, a central theme of a charity calendar, and asked to write an erotic romance around it. My tale is set in New York City and deals with a photographer who lost her fiancé in Iraq. She’s trying to get on with life, but then her late fiancé’s brother shows up, and turns everything upside down. It’s a very bittersweet story, but there are lots of fun parts in there, too. I really enjoyed writing it, especially all the research involved—I’ve never been to NYC!
Sweet Spot is a lesbian sports romance novella. This was also out of my comfort zone, to a degree, as until I co-wrote Grand Slam with Lily Harlem, I’d never written a sports romance, or even thought about it! But now I’ve penned one by myself and have an idea tickling at the back of my mind for another one. This f/f novella is part of the Hot Pink series by Ellora’s Cave—they’re having a huge celebration with lesbian titles this month with some fantastic deals and new releases going on. So if you love Sapphic tales, check it out!
Last, but certainly not least, is City Nights: One Night in Paris which was, by far, the easiest of these three novellas to write. Purely because it’s set in Paris, one of my favourite cities, and is a pure erotic romance – no sports involved ;) Having said that, I still had to do some research on areas I hadn’t been to, and to refresh my memory. And lest you think this was too easy, I’m now managing editor for the City Nights series so I’m commissioning and editing submissions to the line!
Hopefully my manic June has resulted in a little something for everyone—I hope you’ll check out my books and keep an eye on my social networks for future releases. Don’t forget to scroll down and enter my awesome giveaway!
Happy Reading,Lucy x*****
Calendar Men: Mr June – The Other Brother Blurb:Photographer Melodie Carr moved to New York City to escape and make a fresh start. Her soldier fiancé was killed in a friendly-fire incident in Iraq, and she has been struggling to come to terms with it ever since. She still feels strongly about needless death and those left behind, so when she sees a call for photographs for a calendar of topless men, with profits going to the Hero Family Fund, she’s eager to help out. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know any men that fit the profile, so she gives up on the idea. That is, until Patrick Brogan—her late fiance’s brother—turns up in New York. Seeing him brings up all kinds of memories, but she’s determined to push them aside and be friends with Patrick. She also realizes he’d be perfect for the calendar. But can she persuade him to take part?
Buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/calendar-men-mr-june-the-other-brother/ Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20554243-the-other-brother
Sweet Spot Blurb:A Raw Talent book.
Virginia Miller is an up-and-coming tennis star. She’s gone from a ratty tennis court in a park in south London, England, to the world’s top training facility—Los Carlos Tennis Academy in California. In awe of the talent around her, Virginia is all the more determined to make the most of the opportunity and show that she’s worthy of her place there. Her mentor, Nadia Gorlando, has every faith in her.
But Virginia finds herself distracted—Nadia, as well as being a top-notch tennis player, is seriously sexy, and Virginia’s mind keeps wandering where it shouldn’t. Will her crush get in the way of her career, or can she find a way to push the other woman out of her mind before it’s too late?
Buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/sweet-spot/ Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21521972-sweet-spot
City Nights: One Night in Paris Blurb:Jacob is nearly forty, and has recently come to the sudden realisation that he’s not doing much with his life. Sure, he’s got his own successful business, but what’s the point in earning lots of money and not doing anything or going anywhere to spend it?
He’s in serious danger of being all work and no play, so he starts to rectify this by organising a twenty four hour layover in Paris en route to a meeting in Dubai. Whilst there, he goes on a bus tour of the city, and there meets Annabelle, a fellow Brit who’s studying in Paris.
There’s clearly an attraction between the two of them, so when the gorgeous Annabelle makes an indecent proposal to help Jacob fill his time in Paris, who is he to refuse?
Buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/city-nights-one-night-in-paris/ Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21923363-one-night-in-paris *****
Author Bio:Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over 100 publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include several editions of Best Bondage Erotica, Best Women's Erotica 2013 and Best Erotic Romance 2014. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and co-edited a number of anthologies, and also edits for a small publishing house. She owns Erotica For All, is book editor for Cliterati, and is one eighth of The Brit Babes. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9*****
GIVEAWAY!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks so much to Sara for letting me stop by her blog and share a little about my new releases. Yes, that’s releases, plural. Because I write for several publishers, all on different schedules and releasing books at different speeds – I ended up with THREE new releases for June! Throw in four birthdays (two big birthdays) and Father’s Day and let’s just say it’s been a busy old month and I’m looking forward to a more relaxed July!
Calendar Men: Mr June – The Other Brother was the first book to hit shelves, on 1st June. It’s part of Decadent Publishing’s multi-author Calendar Men series – and I’m very excited to be part of such a cool project! Each author (including Sara!) was given a month, a central theme of a charity calendar, and asked to write an erotic romance around it. My tale is set in New York City and deals with a photographer who lost her fiancé in Iraq. She’s trying to get on with life, but then her late fiancé’s brother shows up, and turns everything upside down. It’s a very bittersweet story, but there are lots of fun parts in there, too. I really enjoyed writing it, especially all the research involved—I’ve never been to NYC!
Sweet Spot is a lesbian sports romance novella. This was also out of my comfort zone, to a degree, as until I co-wrote Grand Slam with Lily Harlem, I’d never written a sports romance, or even thought about it! But now I’ve penned one by myself and have an idea tickling at the back of my mind for another one. This f/f novella is part of the Hot Pink series by Ellora’s Cave—they’re having a huge celebration with lesbian titles this month with some fantastic deals and new releases going on. So if you love Sapphic tales, check it out!
Last, but certainly not least, is City Nights: One Night in Paris which was, by far, the easiest of these three novellas to write. Purely because it’s set in Paris, one of my favourite cities, and is a pure erotic romance – no sports involved ;) Having said that, I still had to do some research on areas I hadn’t been to, and to refresh my memory. And lest you think this was too easy, I’m now managing editor for the City Nights series so I’m commissioning and editing submissions to the line!
Hopefully my manic June has resulted in a little something for everyone—I hope you’ll check out my books and keep an eye on my social networks for future releases. Don’t forget to scroll down and enter my awesome giveaway!
Happy Reading,Lucy x*****
Calendar Men: Mr June – The Other Brother Blurb:Photographer Melodie Carr moved to New York City to escape and make a fresh start. Her soldier fiancé was killed in a friendly-fire incident in Iraq, and she has been struggling to come to terms with it ever since. She still feels strongly about needless death and those left behind, so when she sees a call for photographs for a calendar of topless men, with profits going to the Hero Family Fund, she’s eager to help out. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know any men that fit the profile, so she gives up on the idea. That is, until Patrick Brogan—her late fiance’s brother—turns up in New York. Seeing him brings up all kinds of memories, but she’s determined to push them aside and be friends with Patrick. She also realizes he’d be perfect for the calendar. But can she persuade him to take part?
Buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/calendar-men-mr-june-the-other-brother/ Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20554243-the-other-brother
Sweet Spot Blurb:A Raw Talent book.
Virginia Miller is an up-and-coming tennis star. She’s gone from a ratty tennis court in a park in south London, England, to the world’s top training facility—Los Carlos Tennis Academy in California. In awe of the talent around her, Virginia is all the more determined to make the most of the opportunity and show that she’s worthy of her place there. Her mentor, Nadia Gorlando, has every faith in her.
But Virginia finds herself distracted—Nadia, as well as being a top-notch tennis player, is seriously sexy, and Virginia’s mind keeps wandering where it shouldn’t. Will her crush get in the way of her career, or can she find a way to push the other woman out of her mind before it’s too late?
Buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/sweet-spot/ Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21521972-sweet-spot
City Nights: One Night in Paris Blurb:Jacob is nearly forty, and has recently come to the sudden realisation that he’s not doing much with his life. Sure, he’s got his own successful business, but what’s the point in earning lots of money and not doing anything or going anywhere to spend it?He’s in serious danger of being all work and no play, so he starts to rectify this by organising a twenty four hour layover in Paris en route to a meeting in Dubai. Whilst there, he goes on a bus tour of the city, and there meets Annabelle, a fellow Brit who’s studying in Paris.
There’s clearly an attraction between the two of them, so when the gorgeous Annabelle makes an indecent proposal to help Jacob fill his time in Paris, who is he to refuse?
Buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/city-nights-one-night-in-paris/ Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21923363-one-night-in-paris *****
Author Bio:Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over 100 publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include several editions of Best Bondage Erotica, Best Women's Erotica 2013 and Best Erotic Romance 2014. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and co-edited a number of anthologies, and also edits for a small publishing house. She owns Erotica For All, is book editor for Cliterati, and is one eighth of The Brit Babes. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9*****
GIVEAWAY!a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 22, 2014
#SecondChance #WesternRomance by @HolleyTrent @MusaPublishing
I'm super-excited to share Holley Trent's new release with you.
Back to Storafalt
is part of Musa Publishing's Finally Ever After reunion romance line, which
Zane's Art
and
Wyatt's Guilt
are also a part of.
He stood her up. Now she's standing out.
The last time Justine Eklund had heard from Gray Voss was when he’d agreed to take her to her sister’s wedding. He stood her up. Twelve years later, he’s back in Wyoming as the new owner of Storafalt’s only pharmacy. He didn’t come alone, though. He brought along the small cowboy town’s best-kept secret—his preteen son, Danny.
Gray wants to pick up where he left off. He never stopped loving the beautiful rabble-rouser, and thinks she’ll fit seamlessly into his little family. Justine yearns to reignite that old torch, but she’s wary. She’s not convinced her high school sweetheart will stick around.
Storafalt’s only school is on a rapid decline, so Gray may have no choice but to return Danny to the life they built in Austin. If he goes, there’s no way Justine can go with them. Unlike Gray, she’s rooted too deeply to leave.
EXCERPT:
“This is casual. Having sex with people you’re not involved with is casual.”
“I’d like us to be involved.”
“Are you on drugs?” She closed her eyes and cringed. Probably a bad joke to make to a pharmacist. “Don’t answer that.”
She finished buttoning her dress.
At that, he finally moved, slowly and sinuously toward his clothes.
She watched as if he were some sort of exotic cat she’d only ever seen in books.
He’d always been gorgeous, but he’d grown into that lankiness he’d had as a young man, and now he looked delightfully athletic. He certainly seemed strong enough, judging by the way he’d picked her up so easily and dropped her onto his desk.
He eyed her, his expression a curiously blank mask as he dressed. “I’m not on drugs, Justine. I meant it. Why couldn’t we pick up where we left off? Give me one good reason.”
Bells chimed at the pharmacy’s front door, and a boyish voice queried, “Dad? You here? I need more money.”
Dad?
Gray’s jaw twitched.
“Dad, huh? Well, there’s a reason.”
BUY LINK
To see all of Holley's books, please click here or here .
Holley Trent is the author of Executive Decision, Mrs. Roth’s Merry Christmas, and Her Resident Jester – all available now from Musa Publishing's Calliope Romance Line.
Learn more about Holley Trent on her blog and follow her on Twitter .
He stood her up. Now she's standing out.
The last time Justine Eklund had heard from Gray Voss was when he’d agreed to take her to her sister’s wedding. He stood her up. Twelve years later, he’s back in Wyoming as the new owner of Storafalt’s only pharmacy. He didn’t come alone, though. He brought along the small cowboy town’s best-kept secret—his preteen son, Danny.
Gray wants to pick up where he left off. He never stopped loving the beautiful rabble-rouser, and thinks she’ll fit seamlessly into his little family. Justine yearns to reignite that old torch, but she’s wary. She’s not convinced her high school sweetheart will stick around.
Storafalt’s only school is on a rapid decline, so Gray may have no choice but to return Danny to the life they built in Austin. If he goes, there’s no way Justine can go with them. Unlike Gray, she’s rooted too deeply to leave.
EXCERPT:
“This is casual. Having sex with people you’re not involved with is casual.”
“I’d like us to be involved.”
“Are you on drugs?” She closed her eyes and cringed. Probably a bad joke to make to a pharmacist. “Don’t answer that.”
She finished buttoning her dress.
At that, he finally moved, slowly and sinuously toward his clothes.
She watched as if he were some sort of exotic cat she’d only ever seen in books.
He’d always been gorgeous, but he’d grown into that lankiness he’d had as a young man, and now he looked delightfully athletic. He certainly seemed strong enough, judging by the way he’d picked her up so easily and dropped her onto his desk.
He eyed her, his expression a curiously blank mask as he dressed. “I’m not on drugs, Justine. I meant it. Why couldn’t we pick up where we left off? Give me one good reason.”
Bells chimed at the pharmacy’s front door, and a boyish voice queried, “Dad? You here? I need more money.”
Dad?
Gray’s jaw twitched.
“Dad, huh? Well, there’s a reason.”
BUY LINK
To see all of Holley's books, please click here or here .
Holley Trent is the author of Executive Decision, Mrs. Roth’s Merry Christmas, and Her Resident Jester – all available now from Musa Publishing's Calliope Romance Line.
Learn more about Holley Trent on her blog and follow her on Twitter .
June 18, 2014
Making Your Own Power @samcheever @MusaPublishing #realitytv #multiculturalromance
Guest Post by Sam Cheever
The heroine of my newest release, The Biggest Poser, is a young woman of color who’s worked her way up to become a popular trainer for the Lose it! television show. Jillie is smart, fun-loving and determined to excel in an industry that tests a person’s strength of character with every moment before the camera. Jillie isn’t perfect. She has her own personal demons—a well-chewed fingernail is proof of that—but she’s worked hard to achieve what she has and will fight to keep it.
In short, Jillie makes her own power. Nobody gave her a top spot on a popular television show. Jillie earnedthat top spot. I love her for that. She’s an everyday hero in a world woefully short on heroes. Jillie isn’t sitting back waiting for her big break, she’s out there fighting every day for it. And when her spot is challenged by a nasty piece of work trainer named Deva Banks, Jillie doesn’t succumb to nasty tactics to beat the other woman. Instead, she doubles down on her efforts to beat the devilish Deva fair and square. In the book the trainers are fighting to win or keep the top spot on the Lose it!show.
But in real life the goal isn’t all about winning, it’s about staying true to yourself and using every obstacle, every challenge to create internal power that will help you weather all of life’s little setbacks. That’s what real power is…the capacity to thrive so that you can make the world around you better.Jillie’s my inspiration. And I hope to be like her someday. When I grow up. #:0)
May the biggest liar win. Or die trying!
Personal trainer for the ever popular, Lose it! reality show, Jillie Maxwell is up for the most important award of her career. And she’s competing against the biggest b-eye-itch she’s ever met. Fortunately for her, she has the sexiest man alive in her corner. Problem is, each and every one of them has a dirty little secret that could tank a career.
For the contestants, the race is on to lose the most weight and win everything. For the staff of the popular weight loss show, the clock is ticking to the culmination of their lies and the possibility of losing it all.
Will the Biggest Poser win? Or will the lies just grow and grow until they sink the whole show? Only one thing is certain. Whatever happens, it’s gonna be an entertaining ride!Book page with BUY links
EXCERPT
They sat in silence for a few more minutes, only the sound of water moving around Jillie’s gently circling legs disturbing the quiet.
Suddenly, Jillie pushed herself to her feet and stripped off her sexy short shorts.
Brandt looked up, catching his breath at the sight of her standing there in a teeny tiny black bikini. “You’re going swimming?”
“I have to do my nightly laps.”
“After the day you’ve had?”
“Especially after the day I’ve had. Routine soothes me. Besides, maybe I can ward off some of the soreness I’m probably gonna have after the mess I made of that run today.”
Jillie moved to the deep end of the pool, climbed up onto the diving board, and prepared herself. She stood on the very end of the board, her hands down by her sides and her eyes closed, as if psyching herself up for the dive.
Brandt pulled a leg from the water and bent it, leaning on it as he settled in to watch what he figured would be a spectacular dive. He wrapped himself up in the pleasure of watching her, smiling with the sheer joy of it.
After a moment of contemplation, Jillie opened her eyes, swung her arms up, flattened her palms together, and bent slightly at the knees. With a powerful push of her long legs, she flew up and out, her body taking a taut bend in the middle and starting into the expected dive. But at the last moment she tucked her knees and, grinning widely, hit the water in a truly spectacular cannon ball.
A good portion of the pool’s water spewed out onto an unsuspecting Brandt and he shrieked, scrambling to his feet and jumping back.
But it was far too late. His tidy golf shirt and carefully creased khaki shorts were drenched, and water dripped from his hair and down his chin.
Jillie’s head popped to the surface and she was laughing. She treaded water as he reached to pull the drenched shirt off over his head.
“You’re gonna pay for that, Ms. Maxwell.”
She didn’t look at all worried. “I don’t think you have it in you, Mr. Parkerson.”
“We’ll just see about that.” He took a running start and leapt off the side, landing on his butt in the water with a resounding smack that swamped her with water.
Jillie shrieked and disappeared under the resulting tsunami. Brandt reached for her and pulled her free of the water before she drowned. She was laughing hysterically as he pulled her out.
He snickered with her, groaning in pain.
“That sounded like it hurt,” she said.
“You have no idea. But it was totally worth it.” Brandt had hold of her arms as they both treaded water and he dragged her close.
He’d only intended to share some fun with her. Create a playful moment in reaction to her mischievous salvo. But as soon as her velvet soft, warm body pressed against his, his bare chest smashed warmly against her nearly naked breasts, Brandt forgot his good intentions and dragged her in for a kiss. Jillie gasped against his lips, the heat of her body a sharp counterpoint to the cold of the water.
Fire and ice.
Brandt slipped an arm around her slim waist and pressed her close with a hand in the small of her back. He slipped his fingers inside the top edge of her teeny bikini bottoms.
Jillie opened her soft mouth and he captured her sigh of submission, savoring her sweet, spicy taste. She lifted her hands and slipped them over his jaw line, holding him in the kiss as her soft tongue tangled with his.
Her thighs bumped against his as they both treaded water and her rigid nipples scraped his chest.
Brandt’s body molded to her like clay warmed in the hot sun. He slipped his fingertips inside the bottom edge of her suit and groaned as he found warm, velvety skin beneath his fingertips. Arching his hips, he pressed himself into her soft belly.
He’d never before felt the kind of attraction the woman in his arms instantly inspired in him. When they were together, Brandt felt as if they’d known each other for a lifetime instead of a few weeks.
She groaned against his mouth and wrapped her long legs around his waist.
Brandt cupped her delicate chin with his hand and tipped her head, pulling his lips from hers. “God, Jillie. You make me crazy.”
Her tongue came out and swept his lower lip, tasting him. “Really?” Her lips quivered. “I guess you’re okay, but I can definitely take you or leave you.” She shrugged.
He laughed. “Liar.”
Book page with BUY links
AUTHOR BIO
Sam's published work includes 50+ books of romantic suspense and fantasy/paranormal. Her books have won the Dream Realm Award for fantasy and The Swirl (interracial romance) Award. They've been nominated for and/or won several CAPAs, have been nominated multiple years for “Best of” with LRC and The Romance Reviews, and have won eCataromance’s Reviewer’s Choice award. Sam is published with Musa Publishing, Changeling Press; and Ellora’s Cave. She also publishes as Declan Sands, writing m/m fiction, and under her own imprint, Electric Prose Publications.
In real life, Sam lives in a cabin in the woods with 13 dogs and one husband. A self-proclaimed dog-aholic, Sam insists she's holding at 13...maybe... Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | About.Me | Amazon Author Page
The heroine of my newest release, The Biggest Poser, is a young woman of color who’s worked her way up to become a popular trainer for the Lose it! television show. Jillie is smart, fun-loving and determined to excel in an industry that tests a person’s strength of character with every moment before the camera. Jillie isn’t perfect. She has her own personal demons—a well-chewed fingernail is proof of that—but she’s worked hard to achieve what she has and will fight to keep it.
In short, Jillie makes her own power. Nobody gave her a top spot on a popular television show. Jillie earnedthat top spot. I love her for that. She’s an everyday hero in a world woefully short on heroes. Jillie isn’t sitting back waiting for her big break, she’s out there fighting every day for it. And when her spot is challenged by a nasty piece of work trainer named Deva Banks, Jillie doesn’t succumb to nasty tactics to beat the other woman. Instead, she doubles down on her efforts to beat the devilish Deva fair and square. In the book the trainers are fighting to win or keep the top spot on the Lose it!show.
But in real life the goal isn’t all about winning, it’s about staying true to yourself and using every obstacle, every challenge to create internal power that will help you weather all of life’s little setbacks. That’s what real power is…the capacity to thrive so that you can make the world around you better.Jillie’s my inspiration. And I hope to be like her someday. When I grow up. #:0)
May the biggest liar win. Or die trying!
Personal trainer for the ever popular, Lose it! reality show, Jillie Maxwell is up for the most important award of her career. And she’s competing against the biggest b-eye-itch she’s ever met. Fortunately for her, she has the sexiest man alive in her corner. Problem is, each and every one of them has a dirty little secret that could tank a career.
For the contestants, the race is on to lose the most weight and win everything. For the staff of the popular weight loss show, the clock is ticking to the culmination of their lies and the possibility of losing it all.
Will the Biggest Poser win? Or will the lies just grow and grow until they sink the whole show? Only one thing is certain. Whatever happens, it’s gonna be an entertaining ride!Book page with BUY links
EXCERPT
They sat in silence for a few more minutes, only the sound of water moving around Jillie’s gently circling legs disturbing the quiet.
Suddenly, Jillie pushed herself to her feet and stripped off her sexy short shorts.
Brandt looked up, catching his breath at the sight of her standing there in a teeny tiny black bikini. “You’re going swimming?”
“I have to do my nightly laps.”
“After the day you’ve had?”
“Especially after the day I’ve had. Routine soothes me. Besides, maybe I can ward off some of the soreness I’m probably gonna have after the mess I made of that run today.”
Jillie moved to the deep end of the pool, climbed up onto the diving board, and prepared herself. She stood on the very end of the board, her hands down by her sides and her eyes closed, as if psyching herself up for the dive.
Brandt pulled a leg from the water and bent it, leaning on it as he settled in to watch what he figured would be a spectacular dive. He wrapped himself up in the pleasure of watching her, smiling with the sheer joy of it.
After a moment of contemplation, Jillie opened her eyes, swung her arms up, flattened her palms together, and bent slightly at the knees. With a powerful push of her long legs, she flew up and out, her body taking a taut bend in the middle and starting into the expected dive. But at the last moment she tucked her knees and, grinning widely, hit the water in a truly spectacular cannon ball.
A good portion of the pool’s water spewed out onto an unsuspecting Brandt and he shrieked, scrambling to his feet and jumping back.
But it was far too late. His tidy golf shirt and carefully creased khaki shorts were drenched, and water dripped from his hair and down his chin.
Jillie’s head popped to the surface and she was laughing. She treaded water as he reached to pull the drenched shirt off over his head.
“You’re gonna pay for that, Ms. Maxwell.”
She didn’t look at all worried. “I don’t think you have it in you, Mr. Parkerson.”
“We’ll just see about that.” He took a running start and leapt off the side, landing on his butt in the water with a resounding smack that swamped her with water.
Jillie shrieked and disappeared under the resulting tsunami. Brandt reached for her and pulled her free of the water before she drowned. She was laughing hysterically as he pulled her out.
He snickered with her, groaning in pain.
“That sounded like it hurt,” she said.
“You have no idea. But it was totally worth it.” Brandt had hold of her arms as they both treaded water and he dragged her close.
He’d only intended to share some fun with her. Create a playful moment in reaction to her mischievous salvo. But as soon as her velvet soft, warm body pressed against his, his bare chest smashed warmly against her nearly naked breasts, Brandt forgot his good intentions and dragged her in for a kiss. Jillie gasped against his lips, the heat of her body a sharp counterpoint to the cold of the water.
Fire and ice.
Brandt slipped an arm around her slim waist and pressed her close with a hand in the small of her back. He slipped his fingers inside the top edge of her teeny bikini bottoms.
Jillie opened her soft mouth and he captured her sigh of submission, savoring her sweet, spicy taste. She lifted her hands and slipped them over his jaw line, holding him in the kiss as her soft tongue tangled with his.
Her thighs bumped against his as they both treaded water and her rigid nipples scraped his chest.
Brandt’s body molded to her like clay warmed in the hot sun. He slipped his fingertips inside the bottom edge of her suit and groaned as he found warm, velvety skin beneath his fingertips. Arching his hips, he pressed himself into her soft belly.
He’d never before felt the kind of attraction the woman in his arms instantly inspired in him. When they were together, Brandt felt as if they’d known each other for a lifetime instead of a few weeks.
She groaned against his mouth and wrapped her long legs around his waist.
Brandt cupped her delicate chin with his hand and tipped her head, pulling his lips from hers. “God, Jillie. You make me crazy.”
Her tongue came out and swept his lower lip, tasting him. “Really?” Her lips quivered. “I guess you’re okay, but I can definitely take you or leave you.” She shrugged.
He laughed. “Liar.”
Book page with BUY links
AUTHOR BIO
Sam's published work includes 50+ books of romantic suspense and fantasy/paranormal. Her books have won the Dream Realm Award for fantasy and The Swirl (interracial romance) Award. They've been nominated for and/or won several CAPAs, have been nominated multiple years for “Best of” with LRC and The Romance Reviews, and have won eCataromance’s Reviewer’s Choice award. Sam is published with Musa Publishing, Changeling Press; and Ellora’s Cave. She also publishes as Declan Sands, writing m/m fiction, and under her own imprint, Electric Prose Publications.
In real life, Sam lives in a cabin in the woods with 13 dogs and one husband. A self-proclaimed dog-aholic, Sam insists she's holding at 13...maybe... Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | About.Me | Amazon Author Page
