Victoria Adams's Blog, page 86

A Guy and A Girl on Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

Happy to be back for a second week of Weekend Writing Warriors. Hopefully this weekend will be much less insane and I can visit the other blogs. Last weekend was a mad house around here. My 8 sentence snippet this week is from my latest release (in June) NA contemporary romance – A Guy and A Girl. Last week, we met Chelsea and her best friend Kendall. This week, it's time to be our hero, Hunter.




Sighing, Hunter returned to the reception, locating his new roommate standing near the food table. His spiked, short, blond hair was easy to spot. He and Rod stored their equipment in their assigned lockers, got their player passes and loaded Hunter's gear into Rod's dad's car. As Rod drove to their apartment, Hunter watched the cityscape pass by. Great. I'm bunking with a kid and riding in his father's car. Monday at school, we'll probably all be wearing cute little "Hi. My name is" labels. He rubbed his forehead. Hopefully, this time, nobody'll die.


 TaglineLies, deceits and secrets - not a good way to begin a relationship.
BlurbAfter an ugly past forced Hunter Connolly to escape to Europe, the talented hockey player is back in North America and determined to land a position with a professional team. But he can’t hide from his past forever, especially when his beautiful classmate, Chelsea, forces him to reexamine his life. Soon, hockey is not his first priority anymore.Chelsea Henderson is a bright co-ed working towards her dream of being a professional dancer. She forms a unique friendship with one of her father’s newest recruits and would love nothing more than to take it to the next level. However, there’s just one small problem. He doesn’t know she’s his coach’s daughter.Amid the deceptions, danger lurks closer than they could ever imagine. Will fate contrive to rip the young lovers apart? Or will Hunter and Chelsea have their shot at love?Buy link -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2GRD1U


Link back to Weekend Writing Warriors

What's Coming up in July on Victoria's Pages of Romance28 – Excerpt from Dancing in Circles – Victoria Adams30 – Book Hook31 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams
What's Coming up in August on Victoria's Pages of Romance 1 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams2 - Weekend Writing Warriors4 – Excerpt from – Circles Interlocked – Victoria Adams7 – Anne B. Cole – Souls Entwined9 – My Sexy Saturday10 – Sneak Peek Sunday11 – Excerpt from – A Guy and A Girl – Victoria Adams13 – Flash Fiction - Sunrise14 – Joyce and Jim Lavene - Bewitching Boots16 – Weekend Writing Warriors20 – Kim Boykin - Palmetto Moon23 – My Sexy Saturday24 – Sneak Peek Sunday27 – Book Hooks30 – Weekend Writing Warriors

Special Post Spotlighting G.A. Whitmore's A Place to Call Home: Toby's Tale

Let me introduce G.A. Whitmore and her new book A Place to Call Home: Toby’s Tale.
Please tell us everything about your latest book. The genre. Who are the main characters? How long did it take to write? Was there a period during the writing of the story where you sat and stared at the screen because what your characters just did surprised the heck out of you? How did you pick the title? Who designed your cover? And feel free to add anything else here.
A Place to Call Home was inspired by Toby, an abused dog I adopted from the Connecticut Humane Society. Toby was seven months old when I first saw him there.  He had been physically abused and was severely traumatized. His backstory, as told to me by the woman who rescued him, fascinated and horrified me at the same time. He was found in northern California in a box in a dumpster with a white female puppy, presumably his sister. They were discovered by a young couple travelling back to Los Angeles, who took the puppies home with them. When they took the dogs to the local animal clinic to be checked out, the vet who examined them thought they might be part wolf. Toby ultimately ended up in Connecticut after relatives of the couple, who had stopped by to visit while on a cross-country driving trip, decided to adopt the puppies.I couldn’t stop wondering how and why Toby and his sister ended up in a dumpster in a box, and were they really part wolf? And more importantly, what would drive someone to abuse a defenseless puppy? My musings turned into a story. The story turned into a book.
My original target market was middle school/young adult because I wanted to help raise awareness in our youth of the plight of rescue dogs, but I have had a very positive response from dog and animal lovers of all ages.
I wrote the book over a period of 10 years or so. I put it down several times, the longest being for four years after my first husband passed away. The impetus to finish writing the book came from my realization that Toby’s story could help raise awareness of the plight of abused and abandoned dogs. When A Place to Call Home was published earlier this year, I decided to donate part of the proceeds from the sale each book to a rescue organization in honor of Toby and all rescue dogs in need of a place to call home.
The title came to me out of the blue one day when I was driving to work. It was perfect. The cover was designed by my publisher, and the cover photo is a picture of my late dog Zeus, who looked a lot like Toby, and my photographer’s son.
Have you written other books? Their titles and genres.
A Place to Call Home is the first book in my series The Rescue Dog Tales. I am currently writing the second book in the series and hope to have it published by the spring of 2015.
Plotter or a pantster?  Why does this work best for you?
Since my book is about a dog, I would have to say pantster. (Dogs do pant a lot!) Though A Place to Call Home is fiction, it is based on a true story, so much of the “plot” was already established for me. Toby’s backstory is where my creative process really had a chance to take flight, since I had to fill in the blanks of the details I was given about his history prior to my adopting him.
Short question time.
Favourite TV show?
I don’t have much time to watch TV these days, but I really love the new Cosmos series. It will never replace the original with Carl Sagan, but it is the next best thing.
Most romantic place you've visited?
Isle au Haut, Maine. It’s a small, remote island off the coast of Maine. Miles of hiking and biking trails and a small romantic inn that sits on the water’s edge.
If Hollywood called, which actor should play the hero or heroine in your book?
Hmm. That’s a tough one. I consider Toby to be the hero in my book, but if I had to pick a human hero, it would probably be Lisa. In spite of all the personal pressures she was under, Lisa kept Toby’s best interests in mind when she had her friend Tracy remove him from the home so he wouldn’t be hurt again. I could see Sandra Bullock playing that role.
Three things you'd want on a deserted island.
My dog and two good, really long books.
Which would you choose – a knight in shining armour or a roman gladiator?
If my knight in shining armour could be a dog . . .
Favourite thing to do on a vacation?
Most of my vacation time from work I spend in San Diego visiting my son and my two beautiful grandchildren. It’s a wonderful city with so much to do and absolutely perfect weather.
If you could meet one famous person – past or present – who would it be? Why?Carl Sagan. I have always loved astronomy and used to watch the old Cosmos series with my dad when I was a kid. We never missed an episode, and we didn’t have DVR back then!


Every rescue dog has a tale to tell, a story uniquely their own.
A Place to Call Home is Toby’s tale.
Born on a small farm in northern California, Toby’s carefree days as a puppy are cut short when he narrowly escapes the death sentence imposed upon him by his breeder. Through a series of events driven by good intentions, he finds himself in a Connecticut suburb, where life with his new family soon collapses on him, and his newfound happiness is brutally destroyed.
On his quest to find a place to call home, Toby encounters and endures the best and worst of humanity, as he comes face to face with sorrow and joy, fear and courage, and ultimately, with the power of love.
Part of the proceeds of from the sale of each book will be donated to an organization of the author’s choice that promotes and advocates for the protection and welfare of dogs.
Amazon UK
Amazon UK
Goodreads


Here is an excerpt from my book. In this scene Toby is dreaming and meets his grandfather, a white wolf named Strider:Was this another dream? Who would visit him in this dream? As if in answer to his question, a large pack of wolves and dogs slowly materialized out of the enshrouding gray and one-by-one encircled him. The snow stopped falling. All was still and quiet.A long, wailing howl pierced the silence.Followed by another.Then another.After a few moments, a chorus of howls erupted from the group that now surrounded Toby. A primordial urge rose within him. He stood up and shook off the light layer of snow that had accumulated on his fur. The urge grew stronger, more compelling, until he realized his own voice had joined the others. The multitude of voices became one as they howled on and on, until the cry reached its crescendo and abruptly ended, leaving an echoing silence around them once again. A large, white figure approached Toby.“Welcome to our pack, Toby.” The figure turned, and with a nod of his head, indicated the others. He turned back to Toby. “How did you come to be here?”   Toby tried to find his voice, but the howl still reverberated in his throat. When he finally spoke, his reply was weak and raspy. “I don’t know. I don’t even know where here is.” He hesitated, and then asked, “How do you know my name?”“My name is Strider, Toby. I am your grandfather.”Strider! The memory of lying with Tara next to his mother as she told them the story of Sadie and Strider came flooding back to him and he felt a warmth of emotion flow through his body. “Where is this place? How did I get here?” Toby asked. Strider paused in thought for a moment, and then replied, “This land is a different place for different creatures, yet it is the same place for all creatures. For us,” Strider swept his large head around him, “this is the place we call home.”

Ms. Whitmore’s passion for writing and her love of dogs come together in her series The Rescue Dog Tales. The first book in the series, A Place to Call Home,was inspired by Toby, an abused dog she adopted from the Connecticut Humane Society. Ms. Whitmore currently lives in Connecticut with her two rescue dogs, Kadee and Zeus.

Website http://www.gawhitmore.com .Author/community Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/authorgawhitmore
  Giveaway -The giveaway is 3 x bracelets which have been uniquely designed by a graphic artist and link with the story.


a Rafflecopter giveaway







What's Coming up in July on Victoria's Pages of Romance28 – Excerpt from Dancing in Circles – Victoria Adams30 – Book Hook31 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams
What's Coming up in Auguston Victoria's Pages of Romance 1 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams2 - Weekend Writing Warriors4 – Excerpt from – Circles Interlocked – Victoria Adams7 – Anne B. Cole – Souls Entwined9 – My Sexy Saturday10 – Sneak Peek Sunday11 – Excerpt from – A Guy and A Girl – Victoria Adams13 – Flash Fiction - Sunrise (finally figured out how to proceed with my flash - so I'll be back posting - but vacation is in the way.)14 – Joyce and Jim Lavene - Bewitching Boots16 – Weekend Writing Warriors20 – Kim Boykin - Palmetto Moon23 – My Sexy Saturday24 – Sneak Peek Sunday27 – Book Hooks30 – Weekend Writing Warriors

A Guy and A Girl - NA Contemporary Romance by Victoria Adams

Every book has deleted scenes - and here's one from my latest - NA contemporary romance - A Guy and A Guy
NOTE - NA means new adult as in 17yrs of age and up - not new adult in terms of a newly written erotic novel.

The scene isn't edited - as it was deleted.


Her mother looked down at the sleeping Hunter. "Should we get a blanket?"
"No Mom. Let's put him in my room. I'll sleep here. He is probably gonna feel worse than me tomorrow. Hunter." Chelsea shook his shoulder. "Hunter!" His eyes opened. "Come on. Up. We're going to put you in my room. No! Eyes open. That's a good boy. Come on."
Her mother turned on the light in Chelsea's bedroom and pulled down the sheets on her bed.
Chelsea steered a groggy Hunter into the room. "See bed? Lay down. Good boy. I like this drug. Makes him very obedient."
"Wish I had it when you were two years old." Her mother chuckled. "I'll get his shoes. You take his shirt off. Okay now jeans." Chelsea pulled her sheets over Hunter and kissed his cheek. "You know," said her mother. "Your dad was wrong. He said a hockey player wasn't good enough for his daughter. I think you picked an especially good one."
"Thanks Mom," Chelsea whispered and turned out the light.
"Are you going to be alright? Would you like me to spend the night here with you?"
"No, I think I'm going to be okay. The nightmare is finally over."
"I think your calmness is still part of the effects of the drug. If you come crashing down, call."
Chelsea wrapped her arms around her mother. "I love you. I promise I will call. Good night. Oh good heavens. It's four a.m. Guess it's good morning then. So glad it's just a quick walk across the driveway to for you to get home."***Mrs. Henderson awoke with a start. Tying up her housecoat she walked to Chelsea's old bedroom and looked out the window. An ambulance attendant was just slamming the door. Lights flashing the ambulance began to roll out of the driveway. Amy hurried downstairs. 
Chelsea flung herself into her mother's arms. "He just got sicker and sicker. And he ... nightmares...."
"Get dressed. I'll drive you to the hospital. Do you know which one?"
"St. Luke's." Chelsea raced up her stairs two steps at a time. Amy returned to her bedroom.
Blurb and Buy LinkLies, deceits and secrets - not a good way to begin a relationship.
BlurbAfter an ugly past forced Hunter Connolly to escape to Europe, the talented hockey player is back in North America and determined to land a position with a professional team. But he can’t hide from his past forever, especially when his beautiful classmate, Chelsea, forces him to reexamine his life. Soon, hockey is not his first priority anymore.Chelsea Henderson is a bright co-ed working towards her dream of being a professional dancer. She forms a unique friendship with one of her father’s newest recruits and would love nothing more than to take it to the next level. However, there’s just one small problem. He doesn’t know she’s his coach’s daughter.Amid the deceptions, danger lurks closer than they could ever imagine. Will fate contrive to rip the young lovers apart? Or will Hunter and Chelsea have their shot at love?Buy link – Exclusively at - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2GRD1U
For Free Read  - see tab at top of blogWattPad - http://www.wattpad.com/user/VictoriaAdams

A Guy and A Girl on Weekend Writing Warriors #8sunday

Welcome to - I believe - my first visit to Weekend Writing Warriors - or my first visit in a long time.

This is an 8 line snippet from my just released new adult contemporary romance- A Guy and A Girl



"Shift your eyes right and check the butt on that one." Kendall placed her finger on Chelsea's chin and pushed. The male object of their fantasies reached into the trunk of a cab, turned, and dropped a huge hockey equipment bag on the ground. "Oh my." Chelsea blinked. "I can just see the report on that one. Over six feet tall, weighing in at some solid heart-melting weight. This player is best known for his scoring and seduction of the coach's daughter."




TaglineLies, deceits and secrets - not a good way to begin a relationship.
BlurbAfter an ugly past forced Hunter Connolly to escape to Europe, the talented hockey player is back in North America and determined to land a position with a professional team. But he can’t hide from his past forever, especially when his beautiful classmate, Chelsea, forces him to reexamine his life. Soon, hockey is not his first priority anymore.Chelsea Henderson is a bright co-ed working towards her dream of being a professional dancer. She forms a unique friendship with one of her father’s newest recruits and would love nothing more than to take it to the next level. However, there’s just one small problem. He doesn’t know she’s his coach’s daughter.Amid the deceptions, danger lurks closer than they could ever imagine. Will fate contrive to rip the young lovers apart? Or will Hunter and Chelsea have their shot at love?Buy link – Exclusively at - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2GRD1U

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What's Coming up in July on Victoria's Pages of Romance19 – Weekend Writing Warriors21 – Deleted scene of A Guy and A Girl – Victoria Adams23 – GA Whitmore - A Place to Call Home -- Part of the proceeds from the sale of A Place to Call Home is being donated to the protection and welfare of dogs.26 – My Sexy Saturday27 – Sneak Peek Sunday28 – Excerpt from Dancing in Circles – Victoria Adams30 – Book Hook31 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams
What's Coming up in Auguston Victoria's Pages of Romance 1 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams2 - Weekend Writing Warriors4 – Excerpt from – Circles Interlocked – Victoria Adams7 – Anne B. Cole – Souls Entwined9 – My Sexy Saturday10 – Sneak Peek Sunday11 – Excerpt from – A Guy and A Girl – Victoria Adams13 – Flash Fiction - Sunrise14 – Joyce and Jim Lavene - Bewitching Boots16 – Weekend Writing Warriors20 – Kim Boykin - Palmetto Moon20 - Flash Fiction – Sunrise – double posting23 – My Sexy Saturday24 – Sneak Peek Sunday27 – Book Hooks30 – Weekend Writing Warriors 

Book Blitz for Kelly Risser's Current Impressions

Title:  Current ImpressionsSeries:  Never Forgotten #2Author:  Kelly RisserPublished:  July 18th, 2014 by Clean Teen PublishingWord Count:  approx. 82,000Genre:  NA Paranormal RomanceRecommended Age:  13+Synopsis:After an emotionally draining year, Meara Quinn is not the same carefree and innocent girl. Graduation is over. Taking a leap of faith and temporarily separating from her one love—Evan—Meara joins her father on a journey to learn more about who she is.Too bad life is not all starfish and seashells. Meara gains magical abilities, but she’s forced to undergo intense training so she knows what to do with them. Her father chooses her aunt and Kieran as her trainers. And Kieran—a powerful male who’s not from their clan—has the unnerving ability to infuriate and intrigue Meara at the same time.While Meara begins her new life, Evan endures with her memory and the knowledge that he will see her in July when his internship begins. Although excited about gaining real world experience, it’s the thought of seeing Meara that really drives him. Unfortunately, Evan finds it hard to focus on anything when he’s suffering from vivid nightmares and screaming headaches.When Meara and Evan reunite, everything seems to fall back into place. The summer appears to be perfect. Then two of her father’s guards are found dead, and foul play is suspected. The façade melts away. Someone is targeting them, and Meara must discover who it is and why. She turns to Evan to help her, but when he gives her the hot and cold treatment, she’s left feeling alone and confused.As the puzzle pieces move into place, will Meara be able to solve the mystery in time to save her clan and her relationship?GoodreadsCurrent Impressions Excerpt  – Evan’s DreamBits of blue flashed in the corridor as she ran. The rest of her dress blended into the shadows. She’s fast, Evan thought and struggled to keep up with her.“Meara, wait!”She turned a corner. When he lost sight of her, the walls began to close in and pain pierced his brain. He clasped his head and ran. She was here. He would find her.He turned the corner and once again caught the flash of blue ahead. He sped to catch up. She was quicker than he remembered. She ran with a strength and grace he never noticed. Still, he was faster, stronger. She glanced back over her shoulder as the distance closed between them. He reached out with a hand to grab her arm. His fingers grew into talons and cut angry, red strips into her flesh. “Get away from me,” she screamed. She sunk to the floor and wrapped her arms protectively around herself. Thin, red trails coursed down her arm. With the realization that it was his fault, his veins frosted over. He did that. Hurt her. Hadn’t meant to. Hands. What happened to his hands? He held them out. They shook, but they were only hands, not talons. Had he imagined the whole thing? No, or her arm would be fine.“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”“Just go away,” she cried. She hung her head, her hair falling in a riot of curls. It couldn’t hide the tears that shone on her cheeks or the fear in her eyes.“Meara, it’s me.” He moved to crouch before her. She shot up and pressed herself against the wall, turning her face away from him.“I said get away from me!” she screamed.“Meara—”Her scream cut through him, doubling the piercing pain in his head. What the hell was the matter with her? Why was she afraid of him?
About the Author:Kelly Risser knew at a young age what she wanted to be when she grew up. Unfortunately, Fairytale Princess was not a lucrative career. Leaving the castle and wand behind, she entered the world of creative business writing where she worked in advertising, marketing, and training at various companies.She’s often found lamenting, “It’s hard to write when there’s so many good books to read!” So, when she’s not immersed in the middle of someone else’s fantasy world, she’s busy creating one of her own. This world is introduced in her first novel, Never Forgotten. Never Forgotten, a YA/NA Fantasy, will be released by Clean Teen Publishing in the Summer of 2014.Kelly lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two children. They share their home with Clyde the Whoodle and a school of fish.Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Pinterest | Website    Clean Teen Publishing Links:Website | Blog | Facebook | TwitterGiveaway Details: There is an international tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:Reader's choice of Clean Teen Publishing eBook and bookmark swag pack.  a Rafflecopter giveaway





What's Coming up in July on Victoria's Pages of Romance23 – GA Whitmore - A Place to Call Home -- Part of the proceeds from the sale of A Place to Call Home is being donated to the protection and welfare of dogs.30 - Flash Fiction - Sunrise31 – No posts – on vacationWhat's Coming up in Auguston Victoria's Pages of Romance
1 – 5 – No posts on vacation7 – Anne B. Cole – Souls Entwined13 – Flash Fiction - Sunrise14 – Joyce and Jim Lavene - Bewitching Boots20 – Kim Boykin - Palmetto Moon20 - Flash Fiction – Sunrise – double posting27 - Flash Fiction - Sunrise

Book Blast for Shadows of Fate by Angela Dennis

Title:  Shadows of Fate Series:   Shadow Born Series #1 Author:   Angela Dennis Published:  April 8th, 2014 Publisher:  Samhain Publishing Word Count:  87,000 Genre:  Urban Fantasy Content Warning:  Sexual content and mild violence Recommended Age:  18+Synopsis: Redemption lies beyond the veil between truth and lies. After witnessing her husband’s brutal murder, Brenna Baudouin lost control of her Shadow Bearer powers and wreaked havoc on her home world. Her penance: one hundred years policing hordes of supernatural misfits that spilled onto the Earthly plane after a cataclysmic war. She’s on a routine exorcism run when she learns she’s been assigned a new partner. But there’s something about this Shadow Bearer that sparks her suspicions. Particularly when people closest to her start turning up as piles of ash. Gray Warlow holds tight to the glamour that allows him to get close to the woman on whom he plans to wreak vengeance for betraying his people. Yet as he skillfully manipulates his way past her distrust, he begins to see her not as the heartless monster he was led to believe, but a strong, vulnerable woman. As they work to put together the pieces of a killer’s macabre puzzle, an attraction deeper than blood and bone flares between them. And they must reveal their deepest secrets to avoid becoming the final targets. Warning: A thrill ride of supernatural proportions. Contains violent battle scenes, nail-biting suspense, crazy hot sexual tension, and enough twists and turns to make your head spin.Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Excerpt from Shadows of Fate by Angela Dennis: Copyright © 2014 Angela Dennis All rights reserved — a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. publication

Her gaze stretched to the bar. Beneath the glittering liquor bottles and burnt oak, a bottle of Jack in one hand and Grey Goose in the other, stood her target. Dirty blond hair brushed past his eyebrows, the rest tied back in a rubber band. He seemed innocent enough. As he flipped a glass bottle behind his back, muscles rippling on his shirtless body, magic seeped from his skin. It flowed around the women stretched across the bar, their assets on display as well as their lust. Thankfully, he didn’t get much bang for his buck. This one was weak. Newly possessed, the demon hadn’t had time to gain a strong enough lock on the victim’s body. This shouldn’t take long. The piles of paperwork she had left on her desk might even get done tonight. She pushed through the crowd, stripping her leather duster off her shoulders as she went. The black corset underneath, paired with tight leather pants, flattered her figure. She turned heads, especially the demon’s. She released the hair tie at the back of her neck. With a quick shake, her burnt copper curls slid down to her waist. She stopped at one of the tiny tables and threw her coat across the barstool. Eyes closed, she pretended the music was something more aesthetically pleasing as she stepped onto the dance floor, keeping her mark at the forefront of her mind. She felt his eyes on her body as she swayed to the music. Hips gyrating to the heavy beat, she pulled on her glamour to blend in with the other dancers as she let her magic wrap his body. Losing herself in the music, she let him watch her move, feeling his desire amp. His energy vibrated as he made his way through the crowd, his power wild. His hands draped her hips and he pulled her to him, his magic sliding over her body. Darkness tinged her aura, but she shrugged it off. Dealing with demon magic never got easier, but his wasn’t powerful. Grinning, she wrapped her hand around his neck, pulling him close until her lips brushed his ear. His burning skin jumped against her touch. They stilled for a moment as the DJ switched tracks. “Think you could get me a drink?” she breathed, brushing a hand down his bare back. “I’m thirsty.” She grinned as he nodded, eager, the demon jumping beneath his skin. “Anything for you, darlin’.” He wrapped a possessive arm around her waist, moving her toward the bar. “What’s your poison?” “Whiskey. Straight.” A grin played on his lips. “My kinda woman.” Pushing past the other bartender, he grabbed a bottle of Jack and poured her shot. She caught it as it slid across the splintered wooden bar. Tossing it back, she reveled in the slow burn of the liquor. It was an old favorite. Just cause she was working didn’t mean she couldn’t treat herself. She tossed back a second shot, thankful she didn’t have the ability to get drunk. Giving the demon her best longing look, she leaned forward. “Thanks. I needed that,” she murmured. “What’s your name?” “Zed.” Leaning forward, she traced a finger down her cleavage. “Do you think you could give me a ride home, Zed?” she asked. She bit one finger in a nervous gesture, knowing he was buying it. “My friend went home with some guy and left me here. I can wait.” His eyes flashed, and she knew she had him. “Sure.” He glanced at the other bartender. “Give me a second. I got off an hour ago.” Sure you did, she thought. A few seconds later he was back, pulling on a t-shirt as he walked. The gesture was surprisingly human. With the demon hiding inside, the brimstone dancing in his blood would keep his body uncomfortably hot, eventually burning him alive from the inside out. It may be the middle of winter, but he would never feel the cold. He held up his keys as she rose to meet him. “My truck’s out back.” She moved closer, letting him drape an arm over her shoulder. “Let me grab my coat.” The duster was where she had left it. She draped it over her arms as she turned on her psychic link with Xavier. The mage accepted, and Brenna turned to the demon, knowing Xavier was watching through her eyes. At this point, the mark’s lust was so inflamed he wouldn’t notice the slight change of color in her irises. Wrapping her free arm around Zed’s waist, she led him through the mass of patrons to the exit. As they stepped into the wintry air, she noticed the bikers again. They stood beside their Harleys, watching her warily as she passed. She worried the tension might give her away, but Zed was oblivious. She led him over the cobblestone to where Xavier waited. As they closed in on the shadows, she could feel Zed’s eagerness spike. The darkness moved over them, hiding them from prying eyes. Xavier’s power sang in the night, a compass pointing her to the van. Leaving Zed to follow behind, she moved to the gray van and pressed her back against its side. Zed moved toward her, all pretense of humanity stripped away. The graceless stride betrayed his hunger as green scales peeled away his skin and his eyes turned to blood red slits. Brenna waited until he was on her, scales chaffing the sensitive skin of her face, then she dropped her glamour. The demon jerked back as her magic wrapped around his body, but it was too late. In one swift movement, she pulled the blade strapped to her back free and ripped the already tattered t-shirt away from his chest. Shifting her body weight, she slammed him against the vehicle even as his body mass grew, the demon pushing its way to the surface. One hand held Zed steady, the other slipped beneath his jeans to feel the skin of his hip. “A little to the left,” the demon growled, body shaking, titillated despite itself. He shifted his weight and slammed her against the brick wall behind her. His body pressed hard against hers, he ran a scaly tongue across her cheek. “You don’t have to get hostile, darlin’. I don’t mind if you like it rough.” She let her power surge and kneed him in the crotch. Sparks flew as her spell sent him flying against the van. Keeping him in place with a holding spell, her fingers found the rune carved on his hip. She ripped away the denim as she tried to control the squirming demon. “A little help?” she called out. She had pulled back the spell. Her full body weight was pressed against the demon, but he was starting to get free. Her magic had to be focused on breaking the possession; she couldn’t waste it restraining Casanova. She released the demon as Xavier stepped from the shadows and slammed it against the van again. Subdued, the creature glared at them, its red eyes filled with hatred. Another hard slam dazed the creature, but only for a moment. A flick of her hand and the back of the van opened. Xavier shoved Zed inside. As soon as he was strapped into the harness, Brenna ripped off his jeans. His hips now bare, she was able to see the rune carving, fresh as she had hoped. Her ceremonial blade pulsed in her hand as she charged it with her energy. Zed spit at her. The saliva sizzled across the corset, burning a hole in the leather. Damn. That had been one of her favorites. “Stuff something in its mouth. I need to concentrate.” “Deal with it. Even in the harness this thing is a bitch to restrain.” White lines creased Xavier’s eyes, and Brenna worried his injuries were more severe than he let on. Zed’s fingers began to work the trappings of the harness, but Xavier pulled him back, one arm around his scaly neck. In an explosion of power, Zed pulled free, knocking Xavier into the side of the van. Saliva dripping from his fangs, Zed growled at Brenna, and snapped the other wrist free. Jumping across the van, he pinned Brenna beneath him. Spittle fell from his lips, scorching its way across her skin. She pressed her palm against his face and pushed with all her strength, ignoring her burning flesh. Then, suddenly, he was gone. Getting to her feet, she saw Xavier had strapped the beast back into the restraints. “You got it?” Once she started, she wouldn’t be able to help him anymore. All of her energy would go into the exorcism. “Yeah. Hurry.” A sharp giggle jarred Brenna’s attention. Looking up, she caught Hilda peering through the glass from the front seat. “If he passes out, I can help.” “This isn’t a game.” 
About the Author: Angela Dennis lives outside Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, son and a sheltie with a hero complex. When she is not at her computer crafting stories, she can be found feeding her coffee addiction, playing peek-a-boo, or teaching her son about the great adventures found only in books.Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website | BlogGiveaway Details: There is an international tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following: $15 Amazon gift card ecopy of  Shadows of Fatea Rafflecopter giveaway


What's Coming up in July on Victoria's Pages of Romance17 – FF – not properly schedule date as had a booking on 16th18 - Kelly Risser – Current Impressions23 – GA Whitmore - A Place to Call Home -- Part of the proceeds from the sale of A Place to Call Home is being donated to the protection and welfare of dogs.30 - Flash Fiction - Sunrise31 – No posts – on vacation
What's Coming up in Auguston Victoria's Pages of Romance1 – 5 – No posts on vacation7 – Anne B. Cole – Souls Entwined13 – Flash Fiction - Sunrise14 – Joyce and Jim Lavene - Bewitching Boots20 – Kim Boykin - Palmetto Moon20 - Flash Fiction – Sunrise – double posting27 - Flash Fiction - Sunrise

NA Contemporary Romance A Guy and A Girl on the new BOOK HOOKS #MFRWhooks

Welcome to Victoria's Pages of Romance on the inaugural day of Book Hooks, a wonderful new meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. This week I'm offering a snippet from my latest NA contemporary romance - A Guy and A Girl. Hunter has a bit of a dilemma to work out.    



Hunter stared at a partially proofread essay. His mind wandered from chromosomal patterning and focused on Chelsea's green eyes, the curves of her body and the brilliance of her smile. His romp with the stripper nurse and one-night-stand with Kendall meant nothing. They were not the women whom he was attracted to.Did he want to get involve? His brain said, "No. You're here for hockey. Focus." His heart wasn't sure that was the correct answer.He scratched his head and tried to concentrate on his textbook.

TaglineLies, deceits and secrets - not a good way to begin a relationship.
BlurbAfter an ugly past forced Hunter Connolly to escape to Europe, the talented hockey player is back in North America and determined to land a position with a professional team. But he can’t hide from his past forever, especially when his beautiful classmate, Chelsea, forces him to reexamine his life. Soon, hockey is not his first priority anymore.Chelsea Henderson is a bright co-ed working towards her dream of being a professional dancer. She forms a unique friendship with one of her father’s newest recruits and would love nothing more than to take it to the next level. However, there’s just one small problem. He doesn’t know she’s his coach’s daughter.Amid the deceptions, danger lurks closer than they could ever imagine. Will fate contrive to rip the young lovers apart? Or will Hunter and Chelsea have their shot at love?Buy link – Exclusively at - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2GRD1U
For Free Read  - check pages at top of blog orWattPad - http://www.wattpad.com/user/VictoriaAdams
For some reason I seem to be having trouble with the linky code - unless it magically appears the day this is set to go live. So if it ISN'T - please go up to the blog button and click on it - it should take you back to MFRW and I'll try to figure out what got messed up.




What's Coming up in July on Victoria's Pages of Romance

12 – My Sexy Saturday15 – Ute Carbone – Live, Love, Laugh16 – Angela Dennis – Shadows of Fate16 – Book Hooks18 - Kelly Risser – Current Impressions19 – My Sexy Saturday21 – Deleted scene of A Guy and A Girl – Victoria Adams23 – GA Whitmore - A Place to Call Home -- Part of the proceeds from the sale of A Place to Call Home is being donated to the protection and welfare of dogs.26 – My Sexy Saturday28 – Excerpt from Dancing in Circles – Victoria Adams30 – Book Hook31 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams
What's Coming up in Auguston Victoria's Pages of Romance 1 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams2 – My Sexy Saturday4 – Excerpt from – Circles Interlocked – Victoria Adams7 – Anne B. Cole – Souls Entwined9 – My Sexy Saturday11 – Excerpt from – A Guy and A Girl – Victoria Adams13 – Flash Fiction - Sunrise14 – Joyce and Jim Lavene - Bewitching Boots8pt 96.0pt 1.6in 134.4pt 153.6pt 2.4in 192.0pt 211.2pt 3.2in 249.6pt 268.8pt 4.0in 307.2pt 326.4pt 4.8in 364.8pt 384.0pt 5.6in 422.4pt 441.6pt 6.4in 480.0pt 499.2pt 7.2in 537.6pt 556.8pt 8.0in 595.2pt 614.4pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;"> 16 – My Sexy Saturday
20 – Kim Boykin - Palmetto Moon20 - Flash Fiction – Sunrise – double posting23 – My Sexy Saturday27 – Book Hooks30 – My Sexy Saturday

Live, Love, Laugh with Ute Carbone

Title:  The P-Town QueenAuthor:   Ute CarbonePublished:   June 2012Publisher:  Champagne Book GroupWord Count:  65,000Genre:  Romantic ComedyContent Warning:  Mild language and adult situations Recommended Age:  16+Synopsis:Nikki Silva feels like she’s blown up her life even as her brothers tease her about blowing up a boat called the Mona Lisa. Divorced, funding for her shark research cut off, she’s moved back to Provincetown to live with her father in her childhood home. Nikki hopes to regain herself. She’s written a grant proposal for the newly formed Massachusetts Bay Commission to fund a study that will get her back to the sort of research she loves. The commission is run by her ex-husband Ned, who would rather have a migraine than give money to his ex-wife.Marco Tornetti wants to turn a hole-in-the-wall Newark spaghetti joint into a trendy bistro. His silent partner, Fat Phil Lagosa, wants to use the place to meet questionable people for questionable business deals. When Fat Phil accuses Marco of a double cross and has him taken for a ride by one of his hit men, Marco knows he’s in too deep.Marco escapes the hit man and takes the first bus out of the Tri-state area, a bus chartered by the Greater Teaneck Gay Men’s Choir and headed for Provincetown. Marco figures that Phil would never look for him in Provincetown‘s gay community. But when he meets Nikki and falls hard for her, he finds that pretending to be gay isn’t as easy as it would seem.Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReadsExcerpt from The P-Town Queen by Ute Carbone:In my lifetime I have learned, among other things, not to overcook veal and never to forget a woman’s name the morning after. On that day I added another little ditty to my list: never blow up a dead whale with dynamite. Max Groper had figured it for a horror show and so had washed his hands of the whole mess and stormed off to his van. Nikki, too, must have figured what would happen, but that woman likes trouble, I swear to God. “We’d better stand back,” she said, with the same amused mischief in her eyes that she’d had at Good Vibrations. The cops had, in fact, already pushed the entire crowd back, so Nik and I went to stand in the front line, so to speak, right where the lot meets the beach in front of the first row of cars. “I wish I’d brought the video camera,” Nik said. “I hope someone is recording this for posterity.” I looked around and noticed at least three video cams trained on the whale, which was now being wired for a trip to kingdom come. “YouTube bonanza,” said Nikki. “I’m surprised that the folks from Channel Four aren’t here.” “Maybe we should go wait in the truck,” I said. I had this bad feeling that flying whale parts wasn’t going to be like the fountain light show at the Bellagio in Vegas.
Title:   AfterglowAuthor:  Ute CarbonePublished:  January 2013Publisher:  Champagne Book Group Word Count:   69,000Genre:  Romantic ComedyContent Warning: Language, PG-13 sexual content Recommended Age:  16+Synopsis:India Othmar isn’t having a great year. Her husband of thirty-one years has left her for their son’s ex-girlfriend. Her grown children have moved home. Her best friend Eva seems determined to set her up with every oddball in their small Massachusetts town. And her most significant relationship these days is with Cherry Garcia.But India is more resilient than she thinks. And though it will take a broken arm, a lawn littered with engine parts, some creative uses for shoes, and a scandalous love affair of her own, she learns, much to her surprise, that her life hasn’t ended with her marriage.Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReadsExcerpt from Afterglow by Ute Carbone:“It’s just one date.” Eva held out the package. “Spanx?” I asked, reading the label. “Don’t you watch the View? Oprah? All of Hollywood’s leading ladies are wearing it. It’s like a gym in a box. Tone without the trouble.” I unwrapped the girdle-like contraption and held it up; doubtful it could do much besides make me uncomfortable. “And this man. This card you gave me. You called him?” “On your behalf, yes.” I frowned at her as I’d been frowning at the girdle contraption. “Well, someone had to.” “Explain to me again why you won’t date him.” “Rule one,” Eva said as though lecturing a child. “Never date a man you do business with,” I recited. “Correct. Also, rule two applies here. He’s a friend of Carl Phillips, who I dated, when was that? Anyway, rule two. Never date the good friend of a man you’ve slept with.” “I didn’t realize that dating was so complicated.” “Very complex. You’re a bright woman. You’ll catch on. And J. Hank is the perfect primer date. He’s a nice man, once you get past the whole prison thing.” I dropped the Spanx. “Come again?” “Strictly white collar. A few months for a little tax mix up.” “Shouldn’t there be a rule about dating an ex-con?” “Oh, for God sakes, India. Martha Stewart went to prison.” Eva held up both hands as though she were the scales of justice. “Insider trading, a little tax problem. Hardly the same as rape and murder. And you don’t have to marry him. In fact, more than one date is inadvisable. He’s just for practice.” “Practice?” “Darling India, you haven’t dated in thirty years. J. Hank is good practice.”


Title:  Searching for Superman Author:  Ute CarbonePublished:  June 2013Publisher:  Champagne Book GroupWord Count:  54,000 Genre:  Romantic ComedyContent Warning:  Language, mild sexual contentRecommended Age:  16+Synopsis:Stephanie Holbrook has finally found a job she really loves: working as an assistant to Conrad Finch in a small regional theater that’s about three dollars and a power outage from being torn down. Stephanie wishes her love life would be as perfect as her job. She’ll be thirty on her next birthday and she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. According to Stephanie, Mr. Right has to be strong and brave, with great values and good looks. A guy a lot like Superman.When Doug Castleberry shows up at her niece’s birthday party dressed as Superman, Stephanie is positive he’s not the real deal. Sure, he’s great with kids and he’s kind of cute. But he’s just a high school teacher making extra money by dressing up for kid’s parties. Hardly the strong, brave, and drop-dead gorgeous guy she’s looking for.As the theater teeters ever closer to the edge of disaster, Doug proves to be a better man than Stephanie had ever imagined. Could he be the Superman she’s been looking for all along?Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReadsExcerpt from Searching for Superman by Ute Carbone:As though her frustration had been carried across the airwaves, a white van with a castle stenciled to its side pulled into the Spellman’s driveway as Stephanie hung up. None too soon. She surveyed the damages. All the balloons had been popped. The presents had been opened in an attempt to restore order among the birthday guests. Wrapping paper was strewn across the floor in three rooms. Some of the girls were playing catch with a new Barbie doll. And several other children were using a new jump rope as a makeshift whip. Steve had taken Max, who had somehow fallen asleep despite the ruckus, upstairs for a nap. Liz was attempting to clean bits of cookie dough from the counters and floors. Stephanie squared her shoulders, ready for a showdown with the belated Cinderella. She marched down the driveway, ready to tell the Castle Creature just what she thought of abhorrently tardy behavior, when out of the van jumped Superman. He didn’t look so much like Superman as a man dressed for a Halloween party. He was too short for a superhero, for one, only a few inches taller than Stephanie. He was more wiry than muscular. He was cute, though. He had a full head of light brown curly hair and nice eyes. Not blue, like Christopher Reeve’s had been, but hazel. The eyes were looking right at her. “Spellman?” he asked. When she didn’t answer, he smiled apologetically. “The GPS in the van isn’t working. And this development is a maze. I felt like I was in an episode of Lost. In which I was really lost. I figured I’d eventually run out of gas and Jane would have to put out an APB.” He looked at Stephanie with those hemlock eyes again. “Sorry.” “You are not supposed to be Superman.” “What?” He went to the van and drew a paper off the seat. “I’m sure. Yup. Says right here. Superman.” She took the paper from him and crumbled it. “You are supposed to be Cinderella.” “No.” He looked at her with a combination of horror and confusion. “Cinderella?” “It’s a princess party. So you better have Cinderella in that van of yours.” “It’s not my van. And, no, I don’t have Cinderella hiding under the backseat.” He gave her a no-harm-no-foul sort of shrug. “Let me call Jane.” Stephanie waved her cell phone at him. “What do you suppose I’ve been doing for the last hour?” “Okay, okay. She’s probably... Let me go back to the shop, see what I can do.” He turned to get back into the van. She gave his cape a tug. “You are not leaving. You can’t leave. There are twenty-five children terrorizing my sister’s house and you have to stop them.”
About the Author:Ute (who pronounces her name Oooh-tah) Carbone is an award winning author of women’s fiction, comedy, and romance. She and her husband live in New Hampshire, where she spends her days hiking, listening to music, drinking copious amounts of coffee, eating chocolate and dreaming up stories.Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | WebsiteGiveaway Details: There is an International tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:3 Winners will each receive an eBook of Ute's, publishers pick a Rafflecopter giveaway
 



What's Coming up in July on Victoria's Pages of Romance
16 – Angela Dennis – Shadows of Fate
17 – FF – not properly scheduled date as had a booking on 16th
18 - Kelly Risser – Current Impressions
23 – GA Whitmore - A Place to Call Home -- Part of the proceeds from the sale of A Place to Call Home is being donated to the protection and welfare of dogs.30 - Flash Fiction - Sunrise
31 – No posts – on vacation

A Guy and A Girl on Sneak Peek Sunday #SPeekSunday

Hi. I haven't been here in a looooong while, but very happy to be back and I brought the first 6 paragraphs from my latest release - less than a month ago - A Guy and A Girl.  This is an NA contemporary romance. (NA means new adult as in newly became of age not ADULT in the terms of erotic.)

"Chelsea." Kendall nudged her friend in the ribs. "Is that one of your dad's guys?""Who? Him? No way. He's just a hockey wannabe. Ooh. Check the two getting out of the cab." Chelsea giggled. "I love the day before training camp starts. It's guy heaven.""Shift your eyes right." Kendall placed her finger on Chelsea's chin and pushed. "Check the butt on that one."The male object of their fantasies reached into the trunk of a cab, turned, and dropped a huge equipment bag on the ground. He shifted and pulled out a smaller duffel bag, which he slung over his shoulder. After tossing money to the driver, he hoisted the first bag onto his back and headed into the building."Oh my." Chelsea blinked. "I can just see the report on that one. Over six feet tall, weighing in at some solid heart-melting weight. This player is best known for his scoring and seduction of the coach's daughter.""Has your dad, even once in all the years he's been Vipers' coach, let you near a player?"Chelsea winked. "There's always a first time, and no time like the present." She headed towards the main entrance. "Let's go."

TaglineLies, deceits and secrets - not a good way to begin a relationship.
BlurbAfter an ugly past forced Hunter Connolly to escape to Europe, the talented hockey player is back in North America and determined to land a position with a professional team. But he can’t hide from his past forever, especially when his beautiful classmate, Chelsea, forces him to reexamine his life. Soon, hockey is not his first priority anymore.Chelsea Henderson is a bright co-ed working towards her dream of being a professional dancer. She forms a unique friendship with one of her father’s newest recruits and would love nothing more than to take it to the next level. However, there’s just one small problem. He doesn’t know she’s his coach’s daughter.Amid the deceptions, danger lurks closer than they could ever imagine. Will fate contrive to rip the young lovers apart? Or will Hunter and Chelsea have their shot at love?Buy link – Exclusively at - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2GRD1U
What's Coming up in July on Victoria's Pages of Romance15 – Ute Carbone – Live, Love, Laugh16 – Angela Dennis – Shadows of Fate16 – Book Hooks18 - Kelly Risser – Current Impressions19 – My Sexy Saturday20 – Sneak Peek Sunday 21 – Deleted scene of A Guy and A Girl – Victoria Adams23 – GA Whitmore - A Place to Call Home -- Part of the proceeds from the sale of A Place to Call Home is being donated to the protection and welfare of dogs.26 – My Sexy Saturday28 – Sneak Peek Sunday28 – Excerpt from Dancing in Circles – Victoria Adams30 – Book Hook31 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams
What's Coming up in August on Victoria's Pages of Romance 1 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams2 – My Sexy Saturday4 – Excerpt from – Circles Interlocked – Victoria Adams7 – Anne B. Cole – Souls Entwined9 – My Sexy Saturday10 – Sneak Peek Sunday11 – Excerpt from – A Guy and A Girl – Victoria Adams13 – Flash Fiction - Sunrise14 – Joyce and Jim Lavene - Bewitching Boots16 – My Sexy Saturday17 – Sneak Peek Sunday20 – Kim Boykin - Palmetto Moon20 - Flash Fiction – Sunrise – double posting23 – My Sexy Saturday24 – Sneak Peek Sunday27 – Book Hooks30 – My Sexy Saturday31 – Sneak Peek Sunday

My Sexy Saturday and Victoria's Pages of Romance- What a pair! #MSS50

Write about those characters who have survived a war, a lost love, a horrible love, a devastating event or illness but somehow still manage to want to find a love that completes them into having a full life.
Here are 7 sentences from my NA contemporary romance- A Guy and A Girl



Hunter - "I never got to say good-bye to my teammates or classmates.  I knew I wasn't allowed at any of the funerals. You all believed that somehow this whole thing was my fault even though Blaine was the one who pulled the trigger. And I fell for it. I've spent the past five years condemning myself, trying to deal with my past. But I had to come home and face this. It's affecting my relationship with Chelsea."



TaglineLies, deceits and secrets - not a good way to begin a relationship.
BlurbAfter an ugly past forced Hunter Connolly to escape to Europe, the talented hockey player is back in North America and determined to land a position with a professional team. But he can’t hide from his past forever, especially when his beautiful classmate, Chelsea, forces him to reexamine his life. Soon, hockey is not his first priority anymore.Chelsea Henderson is a bright co-ed working towards her dream of being a professional dancer. She forms a unique friendship with one of her father’s newest recruits and would love nothing more than to take it to the next level. However, there’s just one small problem. He doesn’t know she’s his coach’s daughter.Amid the deceptions, danger lurks closer than they could ever imagine. Will fate contrive to rip the young lovers apart? Or will Hunter and Chelsea have their shot at love?
Buy link – Exclusively at - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2GRD1U

For more of a free read - see tab at top of blog
 Click here to return to My Sexy Saturday

What's Coming up in July on Victoria's Pages of Romance12 – My Sexy Saturday15 – Ute Carbone – Live, Love, Laugh16 – Angela Dennis – Shadows of Fate17 – FF – not properly schedule date as had a booking on 16th18 - Kelly Risser – Current Impressions19 – My Sexy Saturday20 – Deleted scene of A Guy and A Girl – Victoria Adams23 – GA Whitmore - A Place to Call Home -- Part of the proceeds from the sale of A Place to Call Home is being donated to the protection and welfare of dogs.24 – Excerpt from Dancing in Circles – Victoria Adams27 – Excerpt from Circles Divided – Victoria Adams30 - Flash Fiction – Sunrise31 – Excerpt from – Circles Interlocked – Victoria Adams