Liv Rancourt's Blog, page 3

New Releases from Lynn Burke!

So my friend Lynn had two books release in the last few days, so this blog post is double the fun! There's pretty pictures and excerpts and a rafflecopter giveaway down at the bottom...





Third Wheel Elite Escorts #1By Lynn BurkePublisher: Evernight PublishingArt Work: Jay Aheer, Simply Defined ArtRelease Date: May 18, 2017Keywords: Erotic, Romance, Contemporary, BDSM, single parent, stalking*Warning: Multiple Partners, Anal Play, Anal Sex, Spanking Carpenter by day, man whore extraordinaire by night, Reid Sullivan lives every man’s dream. But, Elite Escort’s hottest third wheel longs for something more than casual sex with clients. 
Jessica Lindy's testimony helped put her ex-husband behind bars, but she can't escape his vows of revenge. A jaded single mom, she guards her heart and daughter’s life against any man. 
One fateful night with Reid, the temptation for Jessica to allow another man into their lives becomes too hard to resist. But when her past collides with the present, lives--and love--will be lost unless Jessica learns how to lower her defenses. Can the professional escort convince the wary young mom that he can be a different sort of third wheel--the one she can trust?  
Purchase Links: Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/third-wheel-by-lynn-burke/Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Third-Wheel-Elite-Escorts-Book-ebook/dp/B071F9S43QAmazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071F9S43Q

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/third-wheel-mfm

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Excerpt: “Go into the bedroom and take your clothes off,” he said, stepping back, hands releasing their hold on me. “There are towels in the adjoining bathroom. Wrap one around yourself and get comfy on that big ass bed, belly down.”Uh … oh yeah. Massage. Right.Unable to find my voice, I nodded and tried to walk away. Damn heels near sent me sprawling on the floor.“Here. Let me.” Reid dropped to his knees and lifted one of my feet to unbuckle the black heels Christine had insisted on.I grabbed hold of his shoulder to keep from falling over, my gaze locked on the dark head inches away from my throbbing clit. Thoughts of him lifting my dress’s hem with his teeth brought a moan to my throat, but I bit down on the inside of my lip to keep from letting it out.His large hand slid up my calf and back down before making short work of the clasp. My foot slid free, and he ran his hand up my other leg, catching my breath.Get a grip, Jessica.The barest touch on my skin—hotter than any sex I could remember. My body craved more. One little lick, one little pinch on my clit, and I’d be screaming my release for the world to hear.“Go on,” Reid said, standing and stepping back, my heels dangling from his hand.With another thoughtless, dumb nod, I managed to make my feet move. I eyed the massive bed while making my way across the bedroom to the open bathroom door. Images of Reid’s ass clenching with each thrust into my writhing body beneath his flashed across my mind. “G-good God,” I whispered. Hands shaking, I all but ripped off my tight dress and restricting bra, but paused to consider my panties. A full body massage…Another few seconds of indecision and I slid the soaked bit of silk down my legs. Just in case he wanted to knead my ass cheeks. And, nothing more than that, I told myself while wrapping a white fluffy towel around me. A peek into the bedroom revealed it empty, so I scooted to the bed, pulled back the comforter and top sheet, and lay face down a little ways from the edge, eyes clenched shut, pulse pounding through every cell of my body.Closer than a hair to hyperventilation, I focused on slowing my breathing. Relaxed my muscles as soft instrumental music floated through the closed door. “Jessica?” Reid’s low voice raised what little hair I had on my body. “Can I come in?”I squeaked a reply but had to clear my throat and try again. “Yes.” Yes. Please come … I mean, come in. Touch me. Make me come.

 ~~~oOo~~~


HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TOFINDING FULFILLMENT!

Finding FulfillmentFound by Fate 3Erotic RomanceBy Lynn BurkePublisher: Roane PublishingRelease Date: May 22, 2017
Keywords: Erotic, Romance, BDSM, Novella, Series, Bondage

Jade Matthews may be young, but she knows what she wants in a man--someone mature and kinky, a man who shares her deepest desires to have her pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen and submissively compliant in the bedroom. Archer Brennan aches to unleash his dark side on the too-young grocery bagger, with her pert pony tail and glossy lips that makes him yearn for a taste. With an ex-wife and a messy divorce threatening to destroy his pursuit of happiness, he binds himself to one rule -- hands-off Jade's tight body until his divorce settlement is final. A submissive must obey her Dom, but some rules were meant to be broken, and when one misstep threatens the dominant lawyer's life, will Jade defy Archer's hands-off decree or lose the only man capable of fulfilling all of her dreams?
PURCHASE LINKS


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EXCERPT:
I jerked off after my late lunch, thinking I’d be more relaxed and in control once Jade arrived for my…little test. No such damn luck. Nancy rang to let me know Jade had arrived and I instantly went hard. I wanted to tell Nancy to just send her on in, but the gentleman in me wouldn’t allow such an action, hard-on or not.
Standing, I buttoned my suit coat to hide the bulge in my pants and headed for the office door. When I pulled it open, our gazes collided and my attention slid down her neck to where her pulse thrummed. Satisfaction coursed through me.
“Jade,” I smiled, knowing the lust simmering inside of me shone in my eyes. “Come on in.” I stepped back, gesturing her past me and breathing in the scent of snickerdoodles. My hand moved without thought to rest on her lower back as she walked into my office. Her breath caught, and a quick glance up into my face had me jerking my hand away.
Fuck. Can’t touch.
I cleared my throat and shut the door behind her. “You look amazing.”
Pink tinged her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“Why don’t you have a seat on the couch today?” I motioned toward the loveseat beneath my office’s lone window with its upward slanting blinds for privacy.
I sat in my office chair but swiveled to my right to face her.
Jade perched on the couch’s edge, knees together and hands folded on her lap.
I took my time drinking in the sight of her—barely there makeup, hair caressing her shoulders, naked lips, and that dress.
Goddamn, she’d never looked better. The color of her name, the dress wrapped snug around her, the cleavage of her pert breasts barely concealed by the deep V-neck. Stiff nipples, bare legs, and strappy tan heels…and if she followed my thoughts for our meeting, no panties.

My cock strained, hands shook.
Get a grip, man. You’re thirty-five years old, for Christ’s sake, not some teenage jerkoff who can’t control his shit.
“How am I supposed to keep my hands off you?” I murmured, tearing my attention from the darkness between her legs.
Her blush deepened as she shrugged.
I forced myself to settle in my chair. “Sit back, darling. Relax.”
She eased backward into the couch, but tension hitched her shoulders high.
I wanted the test I had in mind to reveal what I hoped it would, but being strung tight would hinder her response to me. “How was your week?”
“Long and boring, same as last week.” She sucked in her lower lip and released it, sending another jolt of lust straight to my cock. “I’ll admit, my nervousness over today probably made it worse.”
“What are you nervous about?”
“The meaning of your note. Your plan.” Her voice escaped as a whisper, and she swallowed. “Wondering if you’ll finally touch me beyond a mere brush of fingers.”
My hand flexed at the thought as my heart picked up pace. “More than anything, I want that exact thing.”
We stared at each other for a few long seconds, the sexual tension thick between us.
I needed to wait until Nancy left. “All in good time,” I finally said, needing to clear my throat. “For now, talk to me. Tell me about your hobbies. What you like to do for fun.”
Jade heaved a deep breath, her breasts rising and drawing my focus downward. Pebbled and begging for my teeth, her nipples pressed tight against the green material covering them.“Talk to me, Jade,” I encouraged, returning my gaze to her face with a slight smirk which she returned.
A half hour flew by as we chatted, and the inner office ring of my phone startled me. I picked up. “Yes, Nancy?”
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to head out early for the day.”
“That’s fine. I’ll finish up with Miss Matthews here in a few minutes. Would you mind locking the front door on your way out?” I asked as always whenever she left before me.
She agreed and I hung up, turning back to Jade. Her brow furrowed, she played with the ties of her wrap dress.
“Jade.” She glanced up. “Close your eyes for me.”
She obeyed without hesitation, her brow smoothing, and my chest swelled with the trust she showed me.
“I’m going to tell you a story, and I want you to imagine it in your mind. Can you do that for me?”Her plump lower lip disappeared inside her mouth again as she nodded.
The sound of the front door closing filtered through the blood rushing between my ears.
Time to play.


~~~oOo~~~



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.

LINKS:
Website: http://www.authorlynnburke.comBlog: http://authorlynnburke.blogspot.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Lynn-Burke-555282497937461/?ref=hlTwitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorLynnBurkeGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13130238.Lynn_BurkeAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Burke/e/B00TGC9SJW


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GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use a RoanePublishing.com Gift Code.  No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing's marketing department.

New Release: Fated Desires by Becky Flade

It's been a while since I had an author interview, and this is a fun one. Becky and I have been friends since we both started publishing with Crimson Romance. She's just a little bit cray (in the *best* possible way!), and I so hope you enjoy it!



LR: What’s the most compelling thing about Fated Desires, the thing that’s kept your butt in the chair through hours of writing and revising?
BF: Fated Desires was, to date, the hardest book to write. Which was totally Jenna’s fault. I often didn’t like her, even though I understood her. And she was going through the hardest time. I know that’s a big claim to make considering what both Maggie and Henley were dealing with in their respective stories, but for Jenna, there’s no bad guy, no stalker, no crazy ex-lover or former patient. Nope, my girl Jenna had to deal with her fractured sense of self and a young child whom was acting-out. It made this one an emotional and, I hope, compelling read.
LR: I bet it is! Now, Fated Desires is the third book in a series, right? How do you keep track of characters from one book to the next? Do the books share characters &/or themes?
BF: Yep, Fated Desires is the third book in what I loosely call the Trappers’ Cove series. Honestly, I keep my Kindle near my computer so I can spot check facts and guarantee a certain degree of continuity. Continuity errors have nearly ruined the X-men movies for me. Ha! Maggie and Aidan, the lovers from Fated Souls, are in every book. They are the glue that holds the series together.
LR: Cool. I love Maggie and Aidan! Changing direction a little, which book or author has influenced you the most? What is it about their work that grabs you?
BF: I’d have say Nora Roberts has probably influenced me the most. I read the bodice rippers back in the day and while I love myself a good hero, I never really connected with the heroines. Nora was probably the first author I can remember who wrote heroines I could respect. Strong and flawed women that gave as good as they got. That I could see myself reflected in (I may not be a hero, per se, but I’m definitely not a DID nor shrinking violet).
LR: I know you must get asked this a lot, but how do you find time to write when you’ve got a day job and family?
BF: I drink way too much coffee and get not nearly enough sleep. It is not easy. There are times I have to walk away from the computer and do the mom/wife thing. In the beginning, that was every time I had to choose between them and my writing. Then I taught myself it’s okay to say, “I’m doing this right now.” And I lean, a lot, on my husband. He cooks way more than he thinks he should have to. Ha!
LR: Ha! Same with my husband. I swear we wouldn't eat if he couldn't find his way around the kitchen. Now, next question...what’s your favorite non-writing activity? Like, are you a closet yoga fiend? Could you macramé a plant hanger if you had to? Do you secretly want to appear on America’s Got Talent?
BF: The obvious answer is reading. I’ve never met a writer who isn’t a voracious reader and who am I to buck a trend? But I’m guessing you weren’t asking about the obvious. I love to crochet: blankets, hats, scarves, socks, slippers, pillow covers, even amigurumi. I bought Nuance a while back so I could write and crochet simultaneously but my poor beleaguered laptop doesn’t have enough memory to support the software.
LR: (*raises crochet hook in solidarity*) What’s next on your writing horizon? Another Fated story? Or are you traveling back to the world of hot, sexy espionage?
BF: That is a harder question to answer than you might think. I’ve already got a rough start to the 4th books in both series and I have to choose which one to do first! Plus I have a tentative release date in October with Tirgearr Publishing, the edits on which I’ve yet to receive. And so many other story ideas I want to explore. 
LR: Do you have any writerly advice for my readers, maybe something you wish you had known early on in the game?
BF: You can’t take it personally. That’s way easier said than done. Between rejections, edits, reviews, sweet mother, you have to develop a hide or you’re going to quit before you even get started. The first time a manuscript came back full of deletions, corrections, suggestions – I cried for about five minutes, then I sucked it up and got to work.
Great advice, and great interview, Becky. Thanks so much for being on my blog today. 

~*~ 




Fated Desires by Becky Flade

Jenna Gavin is searching for a fresh start and, more importantly, for balance. Her heart, and perhaps the hands of fate, have led her and her son to Trappers' Cove, Minnesota. Settling in the small, quirky town, she's not in the market for a casual relationship but finds herself in one with the young widower next door.
Former shortstop, Gabriel Foxx, is drawn to his difficult new neighbor. The more the prickly divorcee tries to keep him at arm's length, the more determined he is to break down her walls. He can't avoid the passion Jenna inspires and his friendship with Finn has him yearning for family, but Gabe won't allow himself to feel more.
When friendship grows complicated by stronger emotions and mutual desire just isn't enough, will love be worth the risk?



Enjoy the following excerpt from Fated Desires:
She had drifted closer to him. Or him to her. Jenna couldn’t be sure. But it would take only a shift of balance to touch her body to his. Life was about balance. And the shifting of worlds. In the space of a day her world had changed for better and for worse. She’d spent the previous nine years trying to find her balance again. Jenna felt the familiar kick of desire. She’d never understood the girls who spoke of butterflies and stirrings. For her it was more akin to a donkey kick—pleasurable, sure, like the first jolt of caffeine in the morning and as sure and swift and strong. Her pulse sped up and she knew the vein in her neck would visibly pulse; it did when she was angry and when she was aroused. Gabe was sure to notice it. As she noticed his heart pounding against her palm in a rhythm she found seductive.She raised her gaze from the back of her hand. His mouth was aligned with her own. She hadn’t realized how close in height they were. All she had to do was…shift.“This is the longest conversation we’ve had.” Her voice was husky; she heard it, knew he would. He shifted, imperceptibly but she sensed it. “Maybe this,” his voice was husky too, “is why.”She thought she knew what he meant. The tension between them was awareness. “The day we met I wanted to get close enough to see what color your eyes were. They’re gray. Like storm clouds. Perfect.” Jenna could feel his breath on the flesh of her lips and her nipples tightened.“Mom!” Finn’s shout was punctuated by his feet drumming down the stairs. Gabe brushed his lips over the curve of her cheek, his eyes conveying amused regret, and slipped out the back door, barely making a sound. Jenna grabbed the counter and breathed. She needed to settle herself before her son found his way to the kitchen. What the hell?



Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play
See Fated Desires on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/BeckyFlade/fated-desires/  and on YouTube https://youtu.be/_VD2F-RQzHA
Add to Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35102061-fated-desires





About the Author:Home is where the heart is and I make mine with my very own knight in slightly tarnished armor in southeastern Pennsylvania. When I’m not busy living my own happily ever after, I’m writing about someone else’s.
Contact Details:beckyfladeauthor@gmail.comhttp://www.beckyfladeauthor.com/https...

Dates to Remember - Aqua Follies!!

So, this is happening...

After some three years of writing and research and editing, Aqua Follies is coming to a bookstore near you! I'm so excited to finally be able to share the fantastic cover art. Kanaxa get credit for the art (and it *is* art!). I told her I loved her ability to create both a strong graphic image and make it sensual at the same time. I think she really nailed it with this one!

See what I mean? So cool!


The 1950s. Postwar exuberance. Conformity. Rock and roll.
Homophobia.
Russell tells himself he’ll marry Susie because it’s the right thing to do. His summer job coaching her water ballet team will give him plenty of opportunity to give her a ring. But on the team’s trip to the annual Aqua Follies, the joyful glide of a trumpet player’s solo hits Russell like a torpedo, blowing apart his carefully constructed plans.
From the orchestra pit, Skip watches Poseidon’s younger brother stalk along the pool deck. It never hurts to smile at a man, because good things might happen. Once the last note has been played, Skip gives it a shot.
The tenuous connection forged by a simple smile leads to events that dismantle both their lives. Has the damage been done, or can they pick up the pieces together?

Mark Your Calendar!!
I don't have buy links yet, but if you want to add Aqua Follies to your Goodreads shelf, click HERE. Also, if you are the Netgalley type, jump HERE to request a copy for review. If Netgalley's not your thing but you're interested in a review copy, PM me and I'll get you one. Now, dates..
6/8/17 $0.99 pre-order starts!
6/15/17 release day!
The regular price is $3.99, so keep an eye out for the preorder special.



Finally, make sure you enter the giveaway my writing partner Irene Preston and I are running for a $10 gift card! Thanks very much, and happy reading! Best, Liv
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Release Day - Taming the Tango Champion

There’s passion on the Dance Floor


On return from a trip around the world, TV presenter, Ava Whittaker, has a baby by Matthias de Romero, Argentine Tango champion, hacienda owner, and the man she loves. The problem? He doesn't know.

Fast forward two years, and Ava reluctantly agrees to be a contestant on a new dance show on TV, but to her shock, Matthias – the man she never expected to see again – is one of the judges.

Matthias de Romero is leaving his beloved stallions in Argentina to assuage his pride. Two years previously, the one woman he thought he could care for walked out on him after just one glorious night. He arrives in London ready for revenge.

Will Ava’s secret cause their intense feelings to burn out, or fan further the flames of love? 




“Ava, wait until you hear what I’ve got for you… The pilot of a new dance show, To Dance or Not to Dance.”  
Ava Whittaker choked on her cup of tea, dropping the phone in her fluster. Her agent must have gone mad if she thought this totally preposterous idea was anything but. She picked the phone back up and caught it between her ear and shoulder to clear away the lunch dishes.  
“Absolutely not. Sorry, Caroline, I don’t dance.” 
So what does she do? What would you do? Ava is a single mum on maternity leave from her job as breakfast television presenter…she has been out of the spot light for nearly three years, travelling for the first and oh…guess you need to buy the book to see what happens. Then again, my favourite passage might give you a hint:
 “Ah, good.” Daniel raised his voice and held his hand up to beckon someone over. “Matt managed to make it. We're over here, Matt.”
Ava shook, the bubbly in her glass held halfway to her mouth mimicking the tremors running through her. For pity’s sake, get a grip. A tingling sensation accosted the base of her spine. Matthias had no reason to be in London to judge a dancing competition.
But he was a dancer…
She grimaced to herself, making a mental note to get out more. Jeez, the first time she left the house and look what happened, imagining every man was Matthias. Perhaps her ability to socialise had been stunted from the time spent in the safety of her own home. Maybe her brain was a stuck record. Oh, who knew…
Ava stepped back from the circle to allow space for the newcomer, and maintained a tighter grip on her shaking glass. Her heart hammered as though someone had put it on loudspeaker. Keeping her eyes downcast, she felt a presence loom closer. Apprehension squeezed her heart. She drew a shuddering breath, a breath which told her all she needed to know. The tantalising smell of dark amber and spices sent her nerves sky-high. Daunted, she closed her eyes to the flickering images of her and Matthias in the firelight, until she summoned the courage to open and take him in.
Wide shoulders encased in a white silk shirt, opened at the neck. The sleeves, rolled to his biceps, enhanced the muscles defined beneath the sheer material. Black, fine wool trousers hugged a tapered waist, and while the light silk of his shirt did nothing to disguise the six-pack, the thin fabric of his trousers showcased the powerful thighs honed by years of breaking horses. Shivers raced up and down her body, and she fought against leaning closer to him. The first time she met him, she’d been in a heap at his feet, having just fallen off a horse on his ranch. Her weakened legs now threatened to put her in the same position once more. Swallowing hard, she summoned her courage and raised her chin.
Glacier eyes met hers. The gold flecks hadn’t been imagined, but the temper crackling from the steady green gaze made her jump, spilling champagne. The last time she’d looked into his eyes, they had held nothing but passion; she had been the most beautiful girl in the world. That memory slipped away shyly under a new contemptuous glare.
Matthias de Romero was in town.


 Amazon




There is a lot of me in Ava, I travelled the world on my own but no, didn’t make passionate love with a hot Argentine rancher deep in the Andes. But falling in love when I travelled was something I was so conscious not to do—for the very reason that Ava leaves in the first place. Love across continents is no easy thing, and I would’ve done the same as she.
You can generally find Cait when she’s not in her writing cave or hanging around her favourite spots in nature somewhere on the internet:
Cait’s Place (blog)FacebookFacebook Author Page GoodreadsInstagramTwitter
Buy link for Tango

The Lighthouse Keeper by Cynthia Ellingsen

Book Title: The Lighthouse Keeper Author: Cynthia Ellingsen Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction Release Date: April 4, 2017 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions





Dawn Conners’s parents are famous for finding historic treasures, but she has a knack for losing things—her job, her boyfriend, and now, her reputation. Thanks to a mud-slinging exposé, Dawn’s late great-grandfather is assumed guilty of stealing silver from a century-old shipwreck. Hoping to clear his name, Dawn returns to Starlight Cove, her idyllic hometown on Lake Michigan, where the doomed vessel sleeps beneath the beam of a ramshackle lighthouse.

Her plan: remodel and sell the lighthouse while untangling the perplexing family mystery. Neither task is easy, especially once her well-meaning parents and the quirky locals—including nautical researcher and Starlight Cove’s most eligible bachelor, Kip Whittaker—get involved. Despite their attraction, Dawn is reluctant to trust Kip, or any of the close-knit townsfolk. But as she pieces together the truth, Dawn’s once-shuttered heart opens up. And if she’s willing, the lighthouse might guide her to a place she never expected to find, where the past entwines with a bright new beginning.



“Dawn Conners?” a voice called.

  I snapped out of my reverie and stared.

  A gorgeous guy in his midthirties dragged a rickety rowboat through the water. His dark hair was windblown, cheeks rough with stubble, and his navy T-shirt clung to a strong upper body. He flashed me a smile I felt all the way down to my toes.

  “Are you Dawn?” he called.

  “Yes,” I said, smoothing my hair.

  Who on earth was he?

  I watched as he tossed a bowline knot over a metal pole and cinched it with a firm tug. The rope went taut, along with his upper arms. Then he jogged across the sand and came to a halt next to the boardwalk.

  Midnight-blue eyes surveyed my fitted linen dress, bare legs, and low pumps. In a voice much too husky for polite conversation, he said, “You always wear high heels to the beach?”

  I flushed.

  Even though Libby liked to say that my fitted dresses and pinned-up hair made me look like a candidate for public office, I didn’t expect to hear it from a stranger.

  “Depends on the day,” I shot back. “Do you always look like you just rolled out of bed?”

  He grinned. “You’re already thinking about me in bed?”

  “I have an appointment with Kipling Whittaker,” I said. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to—”

  “You can call me Kip.”

  Arrgh. I couldn’t believe this. The fact that my mother had led me to believe that this guy was a gentleman of a certain age meant she was up to one thing: matchmaking. In her mind, I came to Starlight Cove for a fun, relaxing summer vacation. That assessment could not be further from the truth. The last thing I wanted to do was waste time flirting with some rumple-haired playboy.

Especially one named Kip.


Cynthia Ellingsen lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband and is the author of two previous novels: The Whole Package and Marriage Matters. She loves connecting with readers through her website, Facebook, and Twitter. Visit her at www.cynthiaellingsen.com.




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#MySexySaturday Sexy Saves the Day!

Sexy saves the day! What a great theme! I hope you check out all the blogs this weekend, because there'll be all kinds of heroic action. The list is at the bottom of this post, so check 'em out, okay?

Today's 7-paragraph snippet is from Aqua Follies, my historic m/m romance that'll be published in June. Russell and Skip are both pretty sexy, and in this bit, the gang's gone out to hear a band play but the cops break up the party. Russell's college degree pulls Skip out of the fire...

(Murphy is a cop, and he & Skip have history. This snippet is from Skip's POV.)




Murphy flashed the light around the car again. Skip kept his gaze out the passenger window. The light passed him, then came back.
“Oh, this is good,” Murphy laughed. “Mr., um…” Murphy took another glance at the license, “Mr. Haunreiter, what are you doing with a pervert like Skip Johansen?” Another laugh, meaner, nastier. “And who you got back here? Are you two lezzies?”
“Russell.” Another plaintive cry came from the girl in the back.
“Excuse me, Officer, but as Mr. Johansen’s legal counsel,” Russell spoke with more poise than Skip could ever hope for, “may I remind you slander is a crime, and unless you want to charge us with anything, I suggest you go back to your car and let us go.”
Murphy’s look of surprised dismay made Skip’s lips twitch.
“You really a lawyer?” Murphy clearly didn’t believe what he’d heard.
Russell met his gaze squarely. “Yes sir.”

(He's not, but he will be when the summer's over and he gets a job....lol.)





The 1950s. Postwar exuberance. Conformity. Rock and roll.
Homophobia.
Russell tells himself he’ll marry Susie because it’s the right thing to do. His summer job coaching her water ballet team will give him plenty of opportunity to give her a ring. But on the team’s trip to the annual Aqua Follies, the joyful glide of a trumpet player’s solo hits Russell like a torpedo, blowing apart his carefully constructed plans.
From the orchestra pit, Skip watches Poseidon’s younger brother stalk along the pool deck. It never hurts to smile at a man, because good things might happen, but the timing has to be right. Once the last note has been played, Skip gives it a shot.

The tenuous connection forged by a simple smile leads to events that dismantle both their lives. Has the damage been done, or can they pick up the pieces together?

~*~
That's all for this week. Thanks for checking out my post, and keep your eye on my blog, because the cover reveal and other details are coming right up. Me and my writing partner Irene Preston have a giveaway for a $10 gift card. We're choosing a winner 5/1/17 and you may as well enter, because somebody's gotta win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Finally, don’t forget to check out Author Central where we’ll be sharing even more from our authors besides Saturday’s snippets. 

#MySexySaturday My Sexy Warrior

Hey, so I'm happy to be back with a #MySexySaturday post. TBH I went through a fairly long stretch where I wasn't feeling the sexy, but I'm better now. I've been busy, too. I spent a chunk of this week reworking my website. (Jump HERE to see it.) For the first time in years my blog is integrated with my website, and it makes me so happy.

An author's life is wild, y'all.

Irene and I are hard at work on the next novel in our Hours of the Night series. We haven't settled on a title yet, but hopefully it'll come clear soon. This is the fun part, where we're tossing scenes back and forth and the only pressure is how many words you can write in an hour. (The editing part might be slightly less fun, but that won't happen for a couple months.)

And finally, I've made a decision about one of my favorite projects ever. Aqua Follies is an m/m romance set in 1955 Seattle. I'm pretty sure I've teased it before in one of these Sexy Saturday posts, but expect to see more between now and the publication date in June. I'm tremendously excited to be working with a great editor, and to have control over cover art and promotion.

A mid-century romance might not exactly relate to the warrior theme, but I did find one scene that fits. We're in Skip's point of view here. He's got a crush on Russell, and the gang has gone out to see a rock n' roll show. Skip and Russell are in the parking lot, sneaking a sip from Skip's flask when they hear Russell's cousin cry for help. She's been dancing with the wrong boy...

With a click, Ryker opened a switchblade. “Funny how this extends my reach.”
            Swinging the branch, Skip took a step forward. The college boys all shifted back, even the one facing off with Russell. Skip might be slender and a little light in his boots, but anyone who grew up in Pioneer Square knew how to fight. He and Ryker moved into position on either side of Russell, and the college boys backed off.            “We were just playing anyway.” One of them laughed like it was all a joke.            “Didn’t sound like that to me,” Russell said. “I think you should apologize to my cousin.”            “Your cousin’s a slut.”             Skip wasn’t sure which one said it, but before anyone could respond, Russell took three big steps forward and put his fist into the middle guy’s belly. The boy dropped to his knees, and Russell stood over him. “Anyone else?”            The other two beat feet, which didn’t surprise Skip. These candyass college boys were all show and no go. Susie ran up to Annette, with Russell right behind her. “I’m going to get the car,” Skip said to Ryker. “We gotta cut out.”


~*~
Thanks for checking out my little teaser! I don't have the cover art yet, but my Pinterest inspiration board will give you a visual. Also, make sure you drop by the other #MySexySaturday posts. There's a lot of fun stuff!

Release Day! Relentless by Ravenna Tate

RELENTLESSTortured Love 3

***Click HERE to purchasedirectly from Evernight Publishing***



For years, Blake the Snake, as he was known to his Alpha Chi Gamma brothers, took pictures of the conquests of auction winners having sex with their “prizes” at the fraternity’s annual Spring Bacchanalia. It was all in fun, until he stopped a young woman from being raped by the football player who had won her.

From that moment on, Blake Bombay’s life changed forever. He became obsessed with Kendra Kensington, and worked tirelessly to keep her safe. While watching her from afar, he plotted and planned for the day when she would be his. Trouble was, she didn’t know it. She never saw his face that night or learned his name. But that didn’t matter to Blake. She was his. She had always been his, and one day she would be his forever.




“Oh, wait. What have we here?” He turned her around so her back faced him, and brushed his hand across her soaking wet slit. “Oh, Kendra…”

 There was no answer. She couldn’t even moan. She was lost in the heady sensations once more of his hands on her, caressing her in exactly the right way to bring an orgasm close. He played with her clit, teasing it until Kendra’s moans grew loud, and she pushed back against him, wanting more.

 “What should I do with you, you naughty girl?”

  Oh, what a question! “Anything you want.”

 His soft chuckle sent a thrill racing through her. “You might regret saying that.”

 “Not a chance.” Every cell in her body tingled with desire.

 When he lifted her skirt, he brushed his hand over her ass cheeks, alternating them. “You really do have a beautiful ass.”

 “Thank you.” She was out of her mind with need. Nothing existed except his touch on her skin.

 The swats on her ass were light at first, but Kendra had to hang onto him once he began. She’d never been so turned on in her life. Her clit contracted in tiny spasms as the strikes grew harder, burning now each time he hit her. But at the same time, Kendra didn’t want him to stop. Her climax inched closer when she flexed her Kegel muscles, sending shockwaves of desire racing through her groin and out to her fingers and toes.

 “Let’s see how much you like this.” He brushed his fingers over her labia. “Oh, wow. I’d say a lot.”

 The giggles turned to moans when he pushed two fingers into her pussy. Blake kissed her neck as he finger-fucked her, his thumb now rubbing her clit in time to his thrusts. She clutched his arm for support as a crazy orgasm began, and when he realized what was happening, he bent her over the table until her she rested face down on the surface. Her torso was supported, but her ass was bare.

 “Please don’t stop, Blake.”

 “I won’t, sweetheart.” He continued moving his fingers in out of her until the climax finished. She was so wet, Kendra heard slurping sounds when he finally removed his digits from inside her pussy.

 “Oh, fuck.” Blake spanked her a few more times on each cheek, harder this time, before she heard the sound of a zipper. “I can’t wait, Kendra. I’ve never done anything so fucking sexy in my life.”

 The tip of his dick rubbed her ass cheeks, and Kendra was certain she’d go out of her mind long before he got it inside her. He ran one finger along the crack of her ass. “I’m going to fuck you right here, on this table. What do you think about that?”

 “Yes. Please!”

 “Oh, Kendra…” He grasped her right hip and slid his cock into her pussy, groaning loudly. Kendra cried out in pleasure as he slammed into her. His thrusts were quick and powerful, and she loved it. Being taken like this, still fully clothed and bent over the dining room table, was the kinkiest thing she’d ever done.

 While David Bowie sang about his China girl, Blake fucked her like a runaway train. When he massaged her clit again, another climax tore through her, making her dizzy with its intensity. “Kendra … oh my God, this feels so damn fantastic!”


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Follow Me Into Darkness #Sale #Giveaway

I read this anthology when it first came out, and oh boy it was so good! I'm thrilled to have the chance to spread the love for this sale. Some of my favorite authors have written a fantastic collection of stories. Check it out!!Follow Me Into Darkness$0.99!!
Five of the top voices in queer romance teamed up last year to give you Follow Me Into Darkness: Five Tales of Carnivale Romance. Their stories were bold, they were decadent, they were achingly sinful. They begged you to remove your masks just once and many of you listened. Their stories looked into the heart of modern day New Orleans and its steamy past, followed an errant queen in disguise, walked through the lush streets of Rio, and then continued straight on into the lofty pages of a Shakespearean soliloquy.
Mardi Gras is coming fast and Follow Me Into Darknessis back to seduce you. It’s on sale for only 99 cents from 2/26 - 3/5 plus the authors are giving you gifts and treats along the way!





Book: Follow Me Into Darkness: Five Tales of Carnivale RomanceAuthors: Santino Hassell, J.C. Lillis, J.R. Gray, Kris Ripper, and Roan ParrishPublisher: Open Ink PressDate of Publication:2/4/16Price: $3.99 (originally) | Sale Price: 99 cents
For one week only, romance writers Santino Hassell, J.R. Gray, J.C. Lillis, Roan Parrish, and Kris Ripper dare you to take off your masks again...but are you ready for what might happen if you do?




Giveaway starts 12 am on 2/26/17 and ends at 12 am on 3/6/17. Giveaway prizes: 1 of 3 (three) $5 Amazon Gift Cards and 1 of 2 (two) e-copies of a backlist book by one of the Follow Me Into Darkness authors. 
5 chances to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Carnivale is a time for decadence, for revelry, and for mischief. A time when we shed the figurative masks we wear in everyday life in favor of new ones… ones that allow us to be a little bolder, a little more adventurous, and perhaps a little truer to ourselves. Follow Me Into Darkness is a compilation of original tales of queer romance by five of the premier authors of contemporary romance.
Hurricane by Santino Hassell
Interesting things never happened to Zay. He was the wallflower everyone forgot about as soon as the booze began to flow, and Mardi Gras had never been an exception. But after a chance encounter with a devil-may-care grifter, this year's celebration brings adventure and whirlwind romance.
If We Be Friends by J.C. Lillis
Seventeen-year-old Ven should be flying high—he's playing the title role in a new TV drama about Hamlet's teen years, and tonight they're having a Mardi Gras cast party in a possibly-haunted castle. But Ven's lost all his mirth since his boyfriend suggested they "take a break," so he plans to skip the bash and brood in his trailer all night. Then the exasperating guy who plays Horatio challenges him to a Shakespearean soliloquy-off, and Ven knows his actorly honor is at stake. He says yes to the duel, trudges off to the the party to meet his fate--and finds that more awaits him onstage than a battle of wits and words.
Masked by J.R. Gray
Blistering heat and half-naked masked men as far as the eye can see, but Heath runs into the one face it’s taken him fifteen years to forget. Javier is plagued with a life of regret, but when a second chance confronts him, can he let go of his hang-ups and seize the moment? 
The Queen’s Reflection by Kris Ripper
Isah plays the role everyone expects: malleable and cautious, a true queen. But what others see as a queen’s appropriate modesty is really just a disguise for what Isah has never told anyone, the thing no one can ever know.
This body, dressed in the queen’s gowns, is a lie.
Once a year, at carnival, Isah dons someone else’s clothes and becomes them for a night. A young cook in stained whites, or a stableboy in worn breeches. As long as no one gets too close the pretense holds.
Until two strangers look past all the characters and Isah finally exposes the person behind the mask.
Touched by Roan Parrish

Sometimes when he touches people Philippe Rondeau sees their future. It’s erratic and inconvenient, but mostly he’s learned to deal with it. Sure he hasn’t found true love yet, but he has friends and lovers, and is kept busy running his family’s jazz club in Prohibition-era New Orleans. But now it’s Mardi Gras and all bets are off. In the space of one night, Philippe falls under the spell of jazz musician Claude and learns a terrible secret about his powers. If Philippe is certain of anything it’s that the future can be tricky, but the chance at love makes it all seem worthwhile.



Goodreads     -   Amazon     -     Kobo     -     Open Ink Press     -     B &N, Scribd, Apple




J.R. GrayWhen not staying up all night writing, J.R. Gray can be found at the gym where it's half assumed he is a permanent resident to fulfill his self-inflicted masochism. A dominant and a pilot, Gray finds it hard to be in the passenger seat of any car. He frequently interrupts real life, including normal sleep patterns and conversations, to jot down notes or plot bunnies. Commas are the bane of his existence even though it's been fully acknowledged they are necessary, they continue to baffle and bewilder. If Gray wasn't writing…well, that's not possible. The buildup of untold stories would haunt Gray into an early grave, insanity or both. The idea of haunting has always appealed to him. J.R. Gray is genderqueer and prefers he/him pronouns.
newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bigxILwebsite: JRGrayBooks.comtwitter: twitter.com/theoriginalgraytwitter: twitter.com/booksbygrayfacebook: facebook.com/GrayBookstumblr: booksbygray.tumblr.comtumblr: theoriginalgray.tumblr.com(NSFW)pinterest: pinterest.com/JRGrayBooks/
Santino HassellSantino Hassell is a writer of queer romance heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, his belief that human relationships are complex and flawed, and his own life experiences.
newsletter: santinohassell.com/newsletter/website: santinohassell.comtwitter: twitter.com/santinohassellfacebook: facebook.com/theonlysonnyhassellfacebook: facebook.com/santinohassellbooksinstagram: instagram.com/santinohassellgoodreads: http://bit.ly/1yBeaqc
J.C. LillisJ.C. Lillis writes contemporary YA novels about fandom, friendship, love, and art. Her Mardi Gras story was inspired by crazy days and nights in her college theater, where part of her heart still beats under the  floorboards. She lives in Baltimore with her patient family and a cat who intends to eat her someday.
website: jclillis.comtwitter: twitter.com/jclillisinstagram: instagram.com/jclillisfacebook: facebook.com/jclillisbookspinterest: pinterest.com/jclillis
Roan ParrishRoan Parrish is currently wandering between Philadelphia and New Orleans. When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.
newsletter: http://bit.ly/1bNCAaFwebsite: roanparrish.comtwitter: twitter.com/RoanParrishfacebook: facebook.com/roanparrishinstagram: instagram.com/roanparrishpinterest: pinterest.com/ARoanParrish/
Kris RipperKris Ripper lives in the great state of California and hails from the San Francisco Bay Area. Kris shares a converted garage with a toddler, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Kris is genderqueer and prefers the z-based pronouns because they’re freaking sweet. Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.
Find Kris at:website: krisripper.comfacebook: facebook.com/kris.ripperfacebook:  facebook.com/krisripperbooks
twitter: twitter.com/smuttastickris

Click HERE to check out the other stops on the Follow Me Into Darkness blog adventure!!

Release Day! Change of Heart!

Change of HeartRelease Day 3/1/17
I guess technically I should call this a re-release day, because Change of Heart first appeared in the limited-run anthology NOLA Naughty Nine. If you grabbed that anthology, you've got the story. All that's changed is the fancy new cover.

Fancy New Cover!
For those of you who're just getting to see this for the first time, Change of Heart is a distant prequel to the other Hours of the Night novels - with one or two differences. I co-wrote Vespers and Bonfire with the fabulous Irene Preston, but Change of Heart has been a solo project. It's a historical romance rather than a paranormal, set in the French Quarter in 1933. And, the romantic pairing is f/trans-f, rather than m/m.






I'm excited to be sharing Change of Heart! While it's different than the other Hours of the Night stories, a certain vampire does have a role. His true identity may be a secret, but I left hints and teasers to entertain readers who are familiar with the world. Secret identities is something of a theme in this story, and I hope you enjoy it. Also, be sure and enter the giveaway Irene and I are running for a $10 gift card!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Preacher always said New Orleans was a den of sin, so of course Clarabelle had to see for herself…

A body reaps what they sow, and Clarabelle’s planted the seeds of trouble. The year is 1933, and not much else is growing in the Oklahoma dirt. Clarabelle’s gone and fallen in love with her best friend, so she figures it's time to go out and see the world.

If she’s lucky, she’ll find the kind of girl who'll kiss her back.

Clarabelle heads for New Orleans, and that's where she meets Vaughn. Now, Vaughn's as pretty as can be, but she's hiding something. When she gets jumped by a pair of hoodlums, Clarabelle comes to her rescue and accidentally discovers her secret. She has to decide whether Vaughn is really the kind of girl for her, and though Clarabelle started out a dirt-farming Okie, Vaughn teaches her just what it means to be a lady.





I pushed through the double doors, swallowing hard on my nerves. Vaughn and her friends were so worldly, and while my peach crepe dress was pretty, she’d seen it a bunch of times before. Despite the heat, my hands had gone cold from nervousness, but I made myself walk in their direction.“It took you long enough.” Vaughn jumped to her feet. A few of the waiters were still cleaning up, and even the musicians had already packed away their instruments. “Come on.”She all but pulled me off my feet, leading me away from the table. “Are you snatching your little wildcat away?” Leo lolled in his seat, a shade too close to Mr. Dupont.Vaughn drew me close to her side. “Shut up, Leo.”She caught my eye and I blushed, ignoring the way Momma and the preacher were yammering in my head. Vaughn had something in mind, and while I didn’t want to burn in hell, I followed along behind her.“You boys are here to see the boss, right?” she said. “You don’t want a couple of girls listening in on one of your bull sessions.”Leo brayed loud enough to turn heads, and for a scant second I wondered why Vaughn put up with him. Vaughn’s happiness could warm a whole room, while Leo’s harsh humor left a bitter taste in my mouth. I couldn’t tell about Mr. Dupont. Someone that quiet could be thinking any ol’ thing. “Come on, baby doll.” Vaughn spoke low, right in my ear, sending off a wave of shivers. I kept hold of her hand and followed. “Mr. Dupont and the boss have business dealings.” She pulled me along toward the rear hall. The only things back there were the kitchen and the boss’s office. We stopped at his office. She drew me into the room and locked the door.I breathed so fast my head got light, overwhelmed by the scent of roses and my own sweat. At some point the boss would have to put my cash drawer away. Nervousness swelled into fear. “What are we doing?”“Now.” Vaughn leaned against the door, still holding my hand. “No one’s going to bother us for a while.” Her gaze traveled over my body, leaving a trail of heat. “Such a pretty thing.”I hitched a hip on the boss’s desk, and she crossed the room, moving slowly, as if we had all the time in the world and the boss wouldn’t be banging on the door any minute. “I’m just…” The slink in her walk dried my voice like a stream in July. Her soft rose scent washed over me, followed by the heat of her body. She didn’t stop till our knees were touching. “So,” she whispered. “We shouldn’t be hiding out in here.” Though nothing under the sun could make me leave.She ran a fingertip along my jaw. “Why not?” Her smile got saucy. “The boys’ll keep the boss busy for a while.”Vaughn eased closer, and I arched against her. “It’s a…” Sin. My words were cut off by the press of her lips against mine. Pretty soon I learned that the taste of another woman’s mouth drove the preacher’s talk right out of my head.This kiss was better than our first one because I knew what to do. She got a hand around my neck and pulled me closer, and, God help me, I let her. Her hands travelled over my shoulders, and our bubs rubbed together, sending tingles to the pit of my belly. Things blurred, my body lighting up. Too many sensations came at me all at once. She licked my lips, and when I parted them, the touch of her tongue on mine made me gasp. So new. So good. Her arm circled my waist, pulling me tight against her hip. Her fingers teased my nipples through the flowing fabric of my dress.She only paused when I tried to return the favor by reaching for the buttons of her blouse. She caught my hand and drew it back down to her waist. “Nope, when I get drunk I get bossy, and I want to play.”  She giggled, and I got it. I’d tasted gin along with the lipstick, smelled the booze on her breath. She wasn’t blotto, but she’d started well before they’d cajoled an after-hours pour out of our bartender.“You”—she tapped the tip of my nose—“make me think all kinds of naughty thoughts.” Her lips tightened for a second, but then her smile brightened and chased away the passing dim. “Here.” She threaded our fingers together and drew my hands to the top of my head. “Now keep ʼem here.”“What?” I let go as soon as she did. “I’m not going to—”“Shh.” She grasped my wrists and returned my hands to my head. “I told you I want to play. Do you trust me?” She rested her forehead against mine. “Do you?”My heart jitterbugged all the way up into my throat. “Yeah.” The word came out strangled.


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Find Change of Heart on Goodreads HERE

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