Michele E. Gwynn's Blog, page 9

A Case of Growing Cold

The Checkpoint, Berlin Detective Series presents a short, original, unpublished scene from the life of Kommissar Joseph Heinz. Get a peek into his past, and get ready for Book III, The Redemption of Joseph Heinz COMING SOON!
  “Papa, she’s gone! Marlessa is gone!”
The words rang in his ears like an echo even now as he stared at the ships leaving the Port of Hamburg. She’d been here, he was sure of it. One eye witness statement claimed that a sailor had been seen carting a young woman over his shoulder as he boarded a Russian cargo carrier late one evening three nights ago. All efforts to obtain the dock manifest led to naught. According to the port authority, no such ship had departed on that night or any other in the last month. Still, the witness had been certain, and Heinz believed her.
But now, he’d run out of leads. He didn’t know what he would tell his daughter when he returned to Berlin. Worse, Marlessa’s parents were waiting too. How could he face them? The Schuberts had been their friends for most of the girls’ lives. Ingrid and Marlessa were inseparable, always with each other wherever they went, except for that last day. Marlessa left school with a young man no one seemed to know, and she hadn’t returned. The police had been called, but the Schuberts insisted only Kommissar Joseph Heinz should handle the case. He was their family friend, and he knew their daughter. Another detective just wouldn’t do.
Heinz rubbed his chest, trying to ease the pain. He turned to leave. Knowing he would see his daughter again was his only consolation. He just hoped she could forgive him his failure.
Copyright (C) 2016, Michele E. Gwynn All Rights Reserved. This work of fiction cannot be republished or reposted in part or whole without the author's permission. 
The Checkpoint, Berlin Detective Series on Amazon The Checkpoint, Berlin Detective Series All Other Outlets:    Exposed: The Education of Sarah Brown    The Evolution of Elsa Kreiss

Tis the Season for Romance Books and Giveaways!

Twelve Days of Christmas 99cent Romance Book Blast 
& Kindle Fire + $25 Giveaway!
Yes, that's right, from December 14th through to December 25th, Christmas Day, we have some gift giving to do!

Just for the holidays, a group of authors got together and put their books on sale for 99 cents! And, cause 'tis the season of giving, one lucky giveaway entrant will win a Kindle Fire + $25 Amazon Gift Card to get them started! 

So, ladies and gents, click the link below to be swept off to the magical place where all these books are yours to grab and the giveaway is just waiting for you to enter! 
http://www.kikiandgina.com/2016/12/twelve-days-of-christmas-99cent-book.html

Special Thanks To All The Contributing Authors
Gina Kincade
Kiki Howell
Angelica Dawson
Bethany Shaw
Laxmi Hariharan
Muffy Wilson
Dominique Eastwick
Aubree Lane
Cecilia Dominic
Michele E. Gwynn
Trim and Julka
Cara Wylde
C.E. Wilson Author
Aurora Woodlove
Kharma Kelley
Leilani Love
Angel Lawson
Elle Boon
Lucy Leroux
Olivia Arran
Michelle Fox
Nancy Corrigan
Jamie Magee
Michele Bardsley
Rinelle Grey
Erzabet Bishop
Ani Gonzalez
Elianne Adams
Savannah Verte
Lisa Blackwood
Crystal Dawn
Calinda B
D.j. Shaw

Enter the Giveaway before you rush off to the book page.
(Though it's there, too)a Rafflecopter giveaway

One Week to Go!

VOTE HEREOnly THIS WEEK left to go, and then voting will be closed out after Dec. 16th. If you haven't already, PLEASE hop over and vote for Hiring John by Xaviera Snow (my alter ego) for the READ FREELY's TOP 50 BEST BOOKS for 2016 in the COMEDY category.
Hiring John is a cheeky, erotic-romantic comedy about one British career woman sent to sunny Las Vegas for a banking seminar. At 40, she realizes she's become the cliche of the single cat-lady, so what's a lonely Brit to do in Sin City, USA? Hire a male escort, of course! What could possibly go wrong? After all, what happens in Vegas....can be damned AWKWARD!
Thanks for your votes! xoxo Hiring John is available for Amazon prime members on #KindleUnlimited. For non-Prime members, a mere $2.99 will have you snorting with laughter and falling in love with Brit and J.D.

It's my Birthday!

Hey, it's my BIRTHDAY so I'm celebrating with my bestie, fellow author, Jami Brumfield today. 

Come join the Paranormal Romance Lovers Festive Countdown! We have some great prizes being offered. I am giving away a set of signed paperbacks from the Angelic Hosts Series to one lucky winner (US Residents Only), and Jami is offering an Amazon Gift Card. Come check it out! There will be prizes all month long on PNR Lovers so be sure to keep checking back every day. Click the image, and like Birthday Magic, you will be taken to the land of book awesomeness.  

Winter Wishes to Warm Your Heart

THE WINTER WISHES COLLECTIONChristmas Heartwarming Stories Box Set — Complete Books Anthology — Hot New Release — Vacation Reading Package — Perfect Holiday Gift Idea

15 COMPLETE NOVELS AND NOVELLAS FROM YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS


THE WINTER WISHES COLLECTION is an outstanding collection of heartwarming, inspiring and uplifting stories, each of them hand-picked for your enjoyment. 15 winter adventures, 15 heroes to root for, 15 moving tales of winter wonder to warm your soul on cold winter nights. The perfect companion for late nights on the sofa, the perfect gift to those who enjoy a good read. Add it to your favorite kindle with one click now.

This box set includes a mix of already released and totally new novels and novellas, all complete works. Those books which are part of a series can be enjoyed fully without the need to read the complete series (though there is a chance you might develop story-addiction issues—for that, we apologize).

Amazon US ✯ Amazon Int'l
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS — E.M. Denning
When Nash discovers that his co-worker, Aubrey, is about to spend Christmas alone, he invites her to spend the holiday with him and his family. The arrangement is mutually beneficial; she gets a real holiday, and Nash, a buffer from his mother’s relentless match-making. When Nash introduces Aubrey to his parents, she does more than provide him with a buffer. She provides him with a girlfriend—herself. Nash is surprised but he figures it’s only for a few days. Once Christmas is over and they’re back home, they can break up and everything will go back to normal. At least that's the plan. Will they be able to pull it off? FROZEN HEART — Ella Medler

Quiet and listless, the glass heart sat hidden under layers of unremarkable clutter, its secret safe. The human hands had touched it often through the strata of debris, but until now, had never uncovered it fully. At last, the yellow duster cut through the grime, and the heart began to shift. It would most likely have frozen over again, up on its high shelf, if the cat’s careless pouncing hadn’t made if fall into a box full of tinsel. This is how the history of time and place began to change – with the story of the frozen heart. TREASURED LEGACY — Holly Barbo

With dwindling time, Leone uses the last of her strength to share important family history with her only living relative: her grandson David. Despite her final request to not sell the family heirlooms, David and Anne look into it because of their desperate need for money. But the pieces have secrets, and the young couple finds themselves in unexpected danger.TAKING CHANCES — Regina Morris

Heartwarming, sweet romantic short story about a soldier wounded in battle who finds love where he least expects it. Amputee Corporal Tommy Johnson is rehabbing in a VA hospital near his small hometown in Texas and hiding from everyone, but a nice surprise of events helps him to have his happily ever after. SOPHIE'S WISH — Michele E. Gwynn

A child of destiny, Sophie Fairchild’s origins were a mystery to her parents, Nanette and Charles. Unable to conceive on their own, Nanette had prayed to God every day at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre located on the Rue du Chevalier-de-Barre in Paris that He would bless her and her husband with a child. Found on their doorstep one winter morning tucked away in a wicker basket, surrounded by two fat cats and several doves, Sophie was the answer to their prayers. Five years later, the Fairchild’s find themselves once again wondering from where and whom Sophie came. After bringing home countless animals from stray cats to injured birds, she has now befriended a homeless girl with no family of her own. Dogged by tragedy, the young girl experiences heartbreaking loss. Stalked by darkness, she enters the Basilica seeking change to buy bread, but ‘borrowing’ from the donation box turns disastrous. Sophie watches as a child with sticky fingers runs out of the church as if the very devil himself was in hot pursuit. Concerned, she takes off after her, finding her hiding in a dark alley. Still, Sophie knows she has nothing to fear, and once again, she brings home a homeless stray determined to help, unaware that darkness follows. With Christmas fast approaching, Sophie seeks a way to give her new friend, Cecilia, a very special gift…with the help of an angel or three. But will she be safe from the prophesy that her kind act has put into play?

KNOWING JACK — Julie Elizabeth Powell

Twelve-year-old Jack knows they shouldn’t go, but is unable to persuade his parents not to take the planned trip to the Lake District, England. Something was going to happen, but what? The weird feelings he had were always so fuzzy and they didn’t always make sense. Maybe it was just because he’d have to spend time with his pampered cousin, Rosie? Anyway, it was nearly Christmas and what could go wrong with just staying in some cabin in the woods? He was being stupid…all he had to do was ignore the way his belly churned and his head pounded. He might be wrong after all. This mystery adventure tale will drag you into the depths of an icy landscape where you may be afraid to breathe. ONE SMALL VOICE — TJ Chapman

While on a much-needed vacation, Sophie discovers that it's not easy to leave work behind... and that this time, she doesn't really mind. An endearing tale of trust, growth and love... all because of one special little girl and one little word.WHILE YOU WERE ASLEEP — M. B. Feeney

When Jared Keating is admitted into hospital after being beaten up and left for dead, his family and friends wait for him to wake up. In the hopes he can hear them, they all spend a little time with him, recalling memories of good times with him, letting him know that they can’t live without him in their lives.Anger and sadness overwhelm them when they come face to face with the reason Jared is in a coma, but they soon understand that no one is to blame other than his ruthless attackers.Will he wake up? Will he still be ‘Jared’ if he does? CHRISTMAS DOWN UNDER — S.M. PhillipsTHE SLAVE WHO'D NEVER BEEN KISSED — Jess Mountifield

Dylan's crew is coming together and he's adjusting to his role as their Ship Captain, but he's still a few hands down from a full compliment. He knows he needs more recruits and to encourage his current members to bond, but can he stoop so low as to buy slaves? And how will his crew respond if he does?Ever since her parents died, life has been tough for Auraylia, and she knows it won't be long before she's sold into a rich man's harem. Can she persuade a United Federations Captain that she is worth buying and fulfil her dream of going into space? WISHING UPON A CHRISTMAS STAR — Kendra Hale

For Saskia and Neil Kingswell, their five children and partners, and numerous grandchildren, the Christmas season has always been the happiest time of the year. The season of family, love, harmony, and wedding anniversaries. When what should have been yet another joyous Christmas is cruelly shattered by the spiteful incitement of their son-in-law, Frank Booker, the whole family falls apart. All except Frank struggle to come to terms with what happened.The family’s guiding light is the constant reminder of the love they share. And thus, they cautiously and slowly commence to rebuild destroyed bridges, and forgive each other and themselves, too. While the family slowly reunites, the dreadful secret which Marjory, Frank’s wife, had been forced to suffer for years, comes to light. And she, too, together with her children, starts the process of healing, and rebirth.As another Christmas season dawns, the family brimming with hope and love, gathers at Oak-on-the-Hill, the Kingswell family home… to discover that their fondest dreams were granted when they wished upon a Christmas star.

WINTER'S SPARK — Marty Wilcox

From the heartbreaking tragedy that claimed her husband to the stunning news she’s pregnant, Mary Shelley tries to put her broken life back together and prepare for the new life she carries inside her. It all goes well on her New England farm until a brutal nor’easter hits the area. Dreams of her husband and something unknown plague her sleep until the storm sends her a stranger who appears mysteriously just as she needs him.Is Brent Novak her savior or is there something else brewing in the storm? Only time and the spring thaw will tell. HOPE IN WINTER — Suzy Stewart Dubot

Disfigured veteran from the Napoleonic Wars, Duncan MacGregor is luckier than most ex-soldiers. He works as an estate manager for an absentee owner - except, owner and family aren’t going to be absentee any longer. Christmas is coming and so are they! What will it take to thaw a cold heart?ABOUT THREE AUTHORS: WHOEVER SAID LOVE WAS EASY — Patti Roberts

"WHOEVER SAID LOVE WAS EASY?" Not Becky Jensen!BECKY JENSEN'S FACEBOOK STATUS UPDATE: I hate cancer! I hate my cheating boyfriend! I hate my best friend! I Hate Christmas! When Becky’s mother died on Christmas Eve a year ago, Becky stopped believing in Christmas. When Becky’s father remarried four weeks ago, Becky stopped believing in family. An hour ago, when Becky caught her boyfriend kissing her best friend, Becky stopped believing in love. Heartbroken, Becky makes a wish that changes her life forever… The very next day, she is boarding a plane at Heathrow airport and flying halfway across the world to interview three authors. The authors, all friends since their twenties, are now in their fifties. Not only does Becky learn about the lives of these three incredible women, she also learns a lot about herself. Becky also discovers that all families have their secrets, and hers is no exception. CHRISTMAS PAST — Julie Elizabeth Powell

What was Christmas? How did it start? And why was it now banned? Why had the Elders decided it would only cause trouble, that its roots were based on something that only caused wars...those that had destroyed the Old Earth?Some disagree, and maybe can change things before it’s too late for humankind.Or maybe it’s already too late.
Amazon US ✯ Amazon Int'l MoB Promotions

Sugar & Spice & Books, So Nice!

Today's Newsletter is filled with #CyberMonday Deals. Giveaways are exclusive to my my Subscriber List so if you'd like to participate in future contests and giveaways, Subscribe Today. It's easy! Just fill in the form to the right of this post. You'll even receive a FREE ebook upon signing up. New Signed Paperback Giveaway, PNR Lovers Cyber Monday Book Blast, and more Cyber Monday Deals! Hello to all my subscribers. Are you tired of turkey yet or still in a turkey coma? I sure hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving with family and friends. But now, the countdown to Christmas is on!Are you ready for some book goodies?First, browse the wonderful PNR Lovers Cyber Monday Book Blast where ALL the books are 99 cents! I have a book in this promo as well, and there will be more fun happening with a Festive Countdown on my Facebook page where I will be holding a terrific giveaway on December 8th (My Birthday) so be sure to LIKE my page if you're on Facebook (and be sure to click "Show me notifications from this page" afterwards. That way, you won't miss it.)PNR LOVERS CYBER MONDAY BOOK BLAST Psst! Isn't he lovely? Seeking Reader/Reviewers for Exclusive Facebook Group for Michele E. Gwynn Are you on Facebook?If you'd like to be a member of Michele's Book Loving Minions, and receive advanced copies of my books before they publish, please let me know so I can add you in. The purpose of the group is to generate reviews for new releases (and gain new reviews for some of the books already released). If you have the motivation to read and review, come on over! If you're interested, reply back with "I want to be a Minion!"


HIRING JOHN UP FOR BEST COMEDY 2016 I'm excited to share that Hiring John, written by my alter-ego, Xaviera Snow, is now up for Read Freely's Top 50 Best Books 2016 in the category of COMEDY. This erotic RomCom has really taken off, and now it just needs your VOTE to get to the next level. Please take a quick moment to vote for this Hot, Hilarious erotic comedy about one British career women looking for adventure in Sin City, USA. What's a single, cat-owning career gal to do in Vegas, anyhow? Hire a male escort, of course! What could possibly go wrong?VOTE HEREAnd thanks for all your support! xoxoxo



SIGNED PAPERBACKS GIVEAWAY I have TWO sets of the Angelic Hosts Series (all three books to date) to give away. These are pre-re-editing copies, but books one and two are both included in the paperback version of Camael's Battle, and Sophie's Wish, book three, is separate. I will choose TWO winners to receive both books on Dec 7th so I will have time to mail them to you in time for Christmas.HOW TO ENTER: Reply back with "I LOVE ANGELS." That's it! (Open to U.S. Residents Only).

WIN THE ENTIRE HARVEST TRILOGY Not a U.S. Resident, but would like to win some cool books? I'm giving away the entire Harvest Trilogy in eBook to ONE Lucky Winner. A winner will be chosen on December 7th and notified.HOW TO ENTER:  Reply back with "The truth is out there."

CYBER MONDAY DEALS FROM MICHELE E. GWYNN $0.99 BOOKS FROM ME!
CYBER MONDAY DEALS FROM FELLOW AUTHORS FREE, 99cent, 1.99, and 2.99 Deals (Be sure to check before downloading. Books prices subject to change.)


Thanks for being rock stars! Just a little thank you because without your support, none of this would be possible. Have fun shopping for books, and I will see you all again for my birthday celebration newsletter. P.S., I'm expecting cake, fruity rum drinks, and hot male strippers! I hear The Thunder from Down Under are available...hint, hint. ;)

Hiring John up for Best Comedy!

I have much to be thankful for today, but one more thing just popped into my email....

Hiring John by my naughty alter-ego, Xaviera Snow, has been put forth in the Read Freely Top 50 Best Books of 2016 under the category of COMEDY.

Only ONE thing could make this even better, and that's if you all GO VOTE for Hiring John. Show a little love for one of your fave indie authors....me!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR HIRING JOHN AS THE TOP 50 BEST COMEDY BOOK 2016

Happy Thanksgiving

Here's wishing you all a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Don't forget those who are home alone. Reach out with a smile and an invitation. Let us all be thankful for what we have, and let's share our blessings, no matter how large or small, with those less fortunate. There can never be too much kindness in the world, so send it out there. It will come back to you. ~ Michele

Tis the Season...to be kinky! Brooklyn Blues Cover Reveal from R.E. Hargrave

BROOKLYN BLUES by R.E. HargraveGenre: BDSM Erotica (short story)
By day, Brooklyn Crenshaw goes to work and does her job. She doesn't make waves, simply follows orders and stays off the radar. Oh, and she might have a crush on WILLIAM K. BAXTER from across the hall. Each time she passes his office—with his polished name plate on the window—her gut clenches with desire at the sight of him. But he never looks up, can't possibly know who she is, and even if he did, her needs would send him running. Because they always ran.

At night, in private, she turns on her laptop so that her Sir can turn her on. Brooklyn’s never seen His face, but she knows His voice and the magic of His words. The arrangement works for her. Mostly.As the office holiday party approaches, Brooklyn starts receiving Secret Santa gifts which suggest more than casual interest, Sir reveals his fondness for exhibition and voyeurism, and WILLIAM K. BAXTER finally looks up at her, and waves.

Brooklyn begins to question everything. Does she continue to follow the orders of a man who hides behind technology, but is always there, or does she take a chance on the man right in front of her who’s seen her at long last? Then there is the Secret Santa who seems to know what makes Brooklyn tick. So many decisions.

‘Tis the season… to be kinky.


Pacing a small path in her living room carpet, Brooklyn debated the merits of letting Him know about the package she’d gotten. Thankfully she’d brought it home before opening it. Inside had been a pair of shiny red Ben Wa balls and a note:

Because you give me balls of blue, here’s a Christmas set just for you.

Rereading it yet again, Brooklyn thought back to how she’d gotten to the point where it even mattered if she shared this secret with a man she only knew online. Her Sir.

When she’d first started working at Hinkmans, she’d accepted some of the offers in the breakroom to ‘grab a drink’ on a Friday. From men and women. Brooklyn had found the girl’s nights always filled with catty office gossip, and the ‘dates’ made her skin crawl, or vice versa. There’d been one date who’d had promise. They’d made it to a heated make-out session on the guy’s couch, but that went belly up when she’d pulled Tim’s tie off and put it over her eyes then asked him to spank her.

He’d called her a freak and told her to get out, that he wasn’t getting tricked into some kind of office place abuse scandal. Idiot. It was sad how misunderstood her desires were in the mainstream world.

Tired of the slimy propositions, and having given up hope the handsome guy across the hall she was interested in would approach her, she switched to playing the fraternization card to get out of accepting any offers. They’d still ask on occasion, but none of them felt right to her—and it was easy to remember the raw pain of Tim’s reaction.

She’d wanted something more.

Brooklyn just hadn’t known what until that fateful auto fill slip at work had opened her eyes. Half a year later Brooklyn no longer bothered with the chat rooms or the fetish sites. Though she’d dabbled with a couple of other Doms in the beginning, it was WillUBelong2Me who always got her blood pumping and pussy squirting. Granted, it was by her hand, but it was at His command, and as such, had earned her loyalty.

Brooklyn removed her shift and sat down at her laptop, bare as He liked her, then put through a call to his Skype. Their initial greetings done, she confessed the gift.

“Sir, I received a present today.”

“Of course you did, bunny. I let you orgasm at work.”

Brooklyn could hear the humor in his tone and smiled. One day she hoped he would turn the camera on so she could put a face to the voice. She had turned the camera on for him, after all. Though, to his point, he wanted to meet her for real and she kept refusing that. He was playing a game of wills with her, which she was letting him win.

“Thank you for that again, Sir. However, that wasn’t what I was referring to.”

“Oh? Do explain then.”

“When I returned from completing your… task,” she coughed, “there was a small package on my desk. Red, with a blue bow.”

Pre-order special through December 1.✯ Amazon ✯ Books2Read ✯ 




Domestic engineer. Author. Burgeoning editor. And quite possibly certifiable. Believing every story can shine bright with a bit of tenacious tough love, R.E. Hargrave is thorough and to the point. An international bestselling author, she takes storytelling and manuscript polishing seriously, working with her authors and on her own creations to ensure they come to life, crawling from the pages and into the reader’s souls.

Hargrave lives on the outskirts of Dallas, TX and is married to her high school sweetheart; together they are raising three children. A native 'mutt,' she has lived in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, and California. She is fond of setting her stories—which range from the sweet to the paranormal, to the erotic and horrific—on location in South Carolina and Texas.

Amazon ✯ Website ✯ Facebook ✯ Pinterest ✯ Goodreads ✯ Tumblr ✯ Twitter ✯ YouTube ✯ Bookbub 5 winners of ecopy of Brooklyn Blues Rafflecopter Giveaway MoB Promotions

Book Nominations Needed!

Sophie's Wish (Angelic Hosts Series, Book 3) and Hiring John have been nominated for the 50 Best Indie Books of 2016 (Read Freely). It will take at least 10 more nominations for each to make the short list. If you've read these books, won't you please take a moment to nominate both?
Simply fill out the form asking for the book's title/author (Sophie's Wish by Michele E. Gwynn and Hiring John by Xaviera Snow) and share what you liked about them, (and/or the series)....and then they will verify by your email to make sure you're real and not a cybernetic assassin sent back in time to destroy Sarah Connor, but that's it! That's all you'd need to do.
Hugs and kisses! Muah!! xoxoxo It's because of all of you that I get to do what I love to do.
NOMINATE HERE