Karen Docter's Blog, page 231
October 21, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench **Hearts of Braden Week**: Heart Song by Molly Daniels
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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HEART SONG
Hearts of Braden Book Seven
BY MOLLY DANIELS
Blurb
Broadway pianist Shana Worthington rushes home to help run her family’s hotel while her father recuperates from a stroke. When she reunites with her high school sweetheart, will the sparks of desire burst into something more?
Current rock star Aiden Kross sees Shana’s potential as a songwriter. Will Shana’s career again overrule her heart?
Love vs fame. Which will she choose?
[Editorial Note: The book cover for HEART SONG by Molly Daniels is pending. The book will release December 29th. Watch Molly’s blog and website for further updates on this release.]
HEART SONG
Hearts of Braden Book Seven
BY MOLLY DANIELS
Have you ever wondered what writers go through when creating a series?
First, there is a common setting. In this case, we chose Braden, Iowa. Secondly, characters. How many are there in the town? Businesses, farms, schools….everything needs to be considered.
Thirdly, characters need to interact with each other.
With all these things in mind, the eight of us began writing. We created a special, hidden group on Facebook, and created files. One for characters, one for businesses in the community, and we discussed the order of our books.
Some authors were speedy writers, and quickly had their timelines and events in order. Others, like yours truly, had a general idea of what was going to happen, but the words refused to be written.
Over the past several months, I’ve held multiple personal messages with the other authors, in terms of what conversations would take place; what time of day would a certain character be found around town; even secondary characters who simply ‘show up’. Sometimes this gets tricky; since my heroine has been absent from the town for twenty years, I’ve had to find some sort of common back story between several characters. For instance, what happened at the Prom? What traditions would occur around Christmas? Did the local HS teams ever go all the way to the State Championship?
Yes, it’s a lot of work, and can be frustrating at time. As you read our series, my hope is that we’ve done such a good job of blending everyone together that you don’t notice any gaffes. We want you to be entertained, and to see your favorite characters weave in and out of the entire series.
Welcome to Braden. You might even recognize your own small town here.
EXCERPT
“We’ve got to stop meeting this way.”
Shana stopped digging around in her purse for her key and blinked, then laughed when she recognized the business man from earlier, now in khaki slacks and a casual jacket. On impulse, she held out her hand. “Shana Worthington.”
“Shana? My god….where have you been hiding? Blake Overland…we went to school together.”
“Blake? Wow…this is a surprise. I thought you were headed to Texas to learn the oil business.” Shana hugged him. “How are you?”
The doors opened and Blake held the doors open with his body. “I’ll tell you all about it over breakfast in the morning, what do you say?”
“I’d love that. Seven?”
“It’s a date then.” Blake’s smile lit up his face. “See you in the morning.” He moved away and the doors closed.
Shana leaned against the wall in shock. Blake Overland had taken her to a few high school dances, and she’d cheered him on during wrestling matches, but he hadn’t been thrilled when she was accepted at Julliard. Twenty years had passed since she’d seen last seen him. Apparently I’ve changed also; he didn’t recognize me at first either
Meet the Author, MOLLY DANIELS… 
Molly Daniels, author of Women’s Fiction www.mollydaniels.wordpress.com www.mjdaniels.blogspot.com Author of The Arbor University Tales: College, Romance, Life Available at Sweet Cravings Publishing Kenzie Michaels, author of Adult Contemporary Romance http://kenziemichaels.blogspot.com Author of The Anderson Chronicles Trilogy, available now at Freya’s Bower Appetite For Desire available now at Secret Cravings Teacher’s Pet available now at Freya’s Bower The Chosen series, available at Secret Cravings Wild At Heart now available at Secret Cravings
~~~
Links to Molly’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website: http://www.mollydaniels.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mollyjdaniels
Blog: www.mjdaniels.blogspot.com
Blog: http://kenziemichaels.blogspot.com
~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Molly has a giveaway for one of her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog readers! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of ENDLESS LOVE, Arbor University Series Book #5 by Molly Daniels.
Don’t miss the chance to read these stories! Thanks, Molly, for sharing your story with us. Can’t wait for the release!!
October 20, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench **Hearts of Braden Week**: The Heartbreaker by Tricia Andersen
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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THE HEARTBREAKER
Hearts of Braden Book Two
BY TRICIA ANDERSEN
Blurb
Can town librarian Lily Dixon and MMA bad boy Reese Cooper keep their love affair secret in small town Iowa?
Braden, Iowa is the last place on earth Reese Cooper wanted to be but a devastating injury in the octagon forces the MMA fighter back to the small town he once called home. He barely steps foot on Main Street before he is reunited with Lily Dixon, the town librarian and the girl who possessed his heart since they were in kindergarten.
Every day in Braden is the same for Lily Dixon. That is until Reese Cooper walks back into her life. With his chiseled, perfect body and dreamy blue eyes, he steals her heart just like he did when they were kids. His kisses, his touch are far better than any fantasy she’s ever had. Is she willing to risk everything when her preacher father finds out about her love affair with the town bad boy? And what will happen when Reese goes back to Vegas, leaving her alone in Braden without him?
THE HEARTBREAKER
Hearts of Braden Book Two
BY TRICIA ANDERSEN
EXCERPT
Both women turned as there was another knock at the door. “Miss Dixon?”
Lily smiled. “Yes, Elijah. Come in.”
The high school boy with blond hair and wire rimmed glasses peeked his head around the corner. He had nearly as many freckles as Molly. “Miss Dixon, a gentleman has asked your help looking for a book.” Elijah’s voice dropped to a near whisper. “I think he’s one of those guys in those MMA magazines. He sure looks like it.”
Lily felt her mouth go dry. She fought to find her voice. “You can help him, Elijah.”
“He asked for you specifically, Miss Dixon.”
Lily slowly exhaled. Her heart started to pound again as her knees went weak. “All right, Elijah. I’ll be there in a moment.”
“Good luck,” Molly grinned.
“Thanks.” Lily forced a weak smile on her face as she slipped out of her office and followed the boy between the shelves. She stopped dead in her tracks as she reached the circulation desk.
Reese leaned against the desk as he thumbed through a book. Activity in the library had stopped as everyone stared at the town legend. He glanced up at her. The smile he flashed at her was simply dazzling. Lily cleared her throat. “Can I help you?”
Reese set the book back on the desk. “Well, Miss Dixon, I would like to check out a book to read while I recuperate. I was hoping you would have a suggestion.”
Lily lost herself in his blue eyes for several moments before shaking herself free. “What are you interested in, Mr. Cooper?”
He shrugged. “Sports. Mystery. Horror. Something fictional. Facts and figures bore me.”
“Why don’t we start in the horror section and see if something tickles your fancy there?”
“Tickles my fancy, huh?”
Lily could feel her face flush hot. Great, he thinks I’m a backwards hick now. Fantastic. “Just follow me please.”
She led Reese past tables of gawking teens towards the back of the library. They weaved in between the rows and rows of shelves until they reached a set labeled “horror”. Lily breezed her finger across the spines. “There’s good old Stephen King. Or maybe you’d be interested in an author like Jack Ketchum.”
“One of those might tickle my fancy, huh?”
Lily slowly exhaled as she felt her temper rise. He doesn’t have to mock me. “I suppose.”
She caught the gasp in her throat as he pressed tight against her, her skin able to make out the hard contours of his body. His breath was warm on her neck as he brushed a curl off her shoulder. “I know there’s something that can tickle my fancy in this aisle.” He reached over her and tugged a couple novels off the top shelf. His lips brushed the curve of her ear as his hand settled at his side still clutching the books. She shuddered at his touch.
“I’ll start with these,” he breathed.
“Let me go check them out for you,” she struggled.
“Sounds like a plan.”
Lily rushed to the check out desk sensing Reese on her heels. Her thoughts were a scramble. Did he just kiss her ear? Did he want to kiss her? Of course he didn’t. He had to have a girlfriend wherever he used to live. Las Vegas, wasn’t it? She was probably some gorgeous show girl who could rock his world in the sack.
Lily stopped short at the thought of Reese Cooper having sex. Moments later the real deal collided into her. It wasn’t the first time she thought of it. Normally though, she was the girl having sex with him in her imagination. Hours and hours of sex. Her cheeks burned again at the reminder. Reese wrapped a protective arm around her. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Just fine,” she gushed, grabbing the books from his hand. She slipped behind the desk and flipped each book open. “Library card?”
Meet the Author, TRICIA ANDERSEN… 
Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband, Brian and her three children – her sons, Jake and Jon, and her daughter, Alex. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations. Along with writing (which she loves to do), Tricia practices mixed martial arts, coaches and participates in track and field, reads, sews and is involved in many of her children’s activities.
~~~
Links to Tricia’s website, blog, books, etc.
Watch for THE HEARTBREAKER
Release Date: October 30, 2015
www.facebook.com/t.l.andersenauthor
www.twitter.com/triciaandersen
www.youtube.com/channel/UC-urTJQmAbPpgO4aJ6PooMQ
www.pinterest.com/tricialandersen
~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Tricia has a giveaway for one of her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog readers! Leave a comment below for a chance to win an ebook copy of THE HEARTBREAKER by Tricia Andersen upon its release.
Don’t miss the chance to read these stories! Thanks, Tricia, for sharing your story with us!!
October 19, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench **Hearts of Braden Week**: Secrets & Lies by Susanne Matthews
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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SECRETS & LIES
Hearts of Braden Book Four
BY SUSANNE MATTHEWS
Blurb
DEA agent Emily Shepherd is after the Chef, a crystal meth cook, who sets up labs for the Mexican cartel and walks away—the same man responsible for the deaths of her husband and unborn child. Her search leads her to Braden, Iowa, a small town just right for the Chef’s specialty. But identifying her quarry won’t be easy when she’s up against a woman who sees her as a threat, a male chauvinistic deputy sheriff and an attractive school principal who might just be at the center of it all.
Jackson Harris has sworn off women. Life is satisfactory if lonely, until he meets a hazel-eyed damsel in distress who gets under his skin, and triggers that protective instinct of his. There’s a killer in town, one who may or may not be a notorious drug lord. Finding him, and keeping his town, his students, and Emily safe, may be harder than he thinks.
Love is breaking out in Braden, Iowa. Follow all the romance with this collection of stories. Secrets and Lies is part of the Hearts of Braden Series, a multi-author series Secrets and Lies stands alone for your reading enjoyment, but the story doesn’t need to end there.
SECRETS & LIES
Hearts of Braden Book Four
BY SUSANNE MATTHEWS
EXCERPT
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me the truth, Kyle? I had a right to know.”
Emily Jacobson Shepherd sat in one of the hard chairs across from Kyle Kavanagh’s desk, fervently wishing she’d opted to stand, although by now that would probably be torture, too. She’d run the gamut of emotions these past eighteen months, but nothing matched her current fury.
“Damn it, Emily. I didn’t know for sure until they recovered the bodies in Mexico. We thought he’d died in that blast, too,” he said running his hand through his sparse ginger hair. “Information to the contrary started trickling in about a year ago, but it was just speculation. Even my source inside the cartel wasn’t positive. Since I wasn’t sure you’d ever be able to come back, let alone want to do so, I figured letting you think he was dead would help you heal and move on.”
The Chef was alive! She tried to get her head around Kyle’s revelation and was still too stunned to fully appreciate all that those four little words implied. The bastard wasn’t one of the unidentified corpses they’d found in the warehouse. Kyle had suspected the truth for almost a year, and yet he’d let her go on believing her enemy was gone. Knowing that monster was still out there, praying on the innocent and luckless, would’ve helped her get back on her feet sooner. Instead, she’d wallowed in months of self-pity, regretting the losses she’d suffered, and feeling cheated because her nemesis would never pay for the crimes he’d committed. Death in that explosion would’ve been the easy way out for him. She wanted him to suffer, like she had, like she did now.
“You don’t have the right to decide what I need or don’t need. It was my life he ruined.”
The Chef had forfeited his men the way a chess player sacrificed his pawns. Those poor buggers probably hadn’t realized they were the equivalent of the guys in the red shirts on Star Trek. Alex had loved the sci-fi series and always joked that the extras in the red shirts should get danger pay since they were sure to die within the first few minutes of the episode—that was unless of course they were engineers. Like the Enterprise’s Montgomery Scott, the Chef always managed to make it out in one piece. Despite his age and educational background, Alex had been superstitious and had refused to wear red shirts, citing the precedent, and yet wearing a blue shirt hadn’t saved him or the other men who’d walked into the trap with him. By some miracle, she’d survived, but look at the price she’d paid. This was her chance to get even, to get the justice she wanted for the man she’d loved. Who was she kidding? She wanted revenge, plain and simple, but Kyle was vacillating, and she didn’t like it one damn bit. He owed her.
“This is my case, has always been my case, and now that I’m back, I should be the one to follow through on it.”
She was so angry with the agent-in-charge of the El Paso Division of the DEA that she was shaking, and gripped her hands together to hide it. How dare he presume she could ever go on not knowing the truth? A slip of the tongue from a visiting agent and friend had changed everything and given her a reason to live again. Badgering her doctor, she’d convinced him to let her return to full duties. The days and nights of feeling sorry for herself were over. Her life had purpose again, and that goal was to put the Chef out of business once and for all.
“Despite what you’ve heard, we don’t know exactly where he is, but we know where he’s been. We’ve got someone on the inside now, and our informant says he’s on the move. I’ll see what I can do about getting you reassigned to the case, but Emily, it isn’t up to me alone. The brass has to sign off on this, and given the situation, I’m not sure they will.”
“Then you need to convince them I’m the best person for the job. I’m not an idiot, Kyle,” she said, frustration giving her voice an unnecessary edge. “I’m a frigging bionic woman now. People with artificial limbs like mine return to their regular jobs every day. Soldiers go back into the field, and it’s time I did, too. It’s taken me more than a year to accept what happened to me, and I’ll be damned if I let it steal any more of my life. I’m either a DEA agent returned to full duty or I’m not, and you’ll have my resignation on your desk as fast as I can print and sign it, but let me assure you, I will find him even if I have to do it on my own and spend every last cent I have tracking him down.”
Meet the Author, SUSANNE MATTHEWS… 
Susanne Matthews was born and raised in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. She’s always been an avid reader of all types of books, but with a penchant for happily ever after romances. In her imagination, she travelled to foreign lands, past and present, and soared into the future. A retired educator, Susanne spends her time writing and creating adventures for her readers. She loves the ins and outs of romance, and the complex journey it takes to get from the first word to the last period of a novel. As she writes, her characters take on a life of their own, and she shares their fears and agonies on the road to self-discovery and love.
~~~
Links to Susanne’s website, blog, books, etc.
Watch for SECRETS & LIES
Release Date: November 17, 2015
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter @jandsmatt
Amazon author
Goodreads author
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**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Susanne has a giveaway for one of her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog readers! Leave a comment below for a chance to win an ebook copy of IN PLAIN SIGHT by Susanne Matthews.
Don’t miss the chance to read these stories! Thanks, Susanne, for sharing your story with us!!
October 18, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench **Hearts of Braden Week**: Triple B Baking Co. by Michel Prince
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
TRIPLE B BAKING CO.
Hearts of Braden Book One
BY MICHEL PRINCE
Blurb
Three years ago a heart broken Merryn Sota got in a SUV and drove away from California. Call it fate or serendipity, but when the vehicle broke down outside of Braden, Iowa she fell in love with the calm and community. Using her skill as a baker she opened up Braden Buttery Bites Bakery which the town lovingly renamed the Triple B. Every confection she makes heals her wounded heart a little bit.
Ever since the tragedy, the only way Austin Larsen can cope with life is to have it completely regimented. The Triple B brought schedule to his life. Something to focus on day by day.
When a snowstorm hits the small town Austin’s schedule is disrupted and old wounds are reopened. Only the hospitality of the Triple B, along with Merryn, can right his world. However, as Merryn and Austin grow closer, their pasts resurface and threaten to destroy their happiness forever.
TRIPLE B BAKING CO.
Hearts of Braden Book One
BY MICHEL PRINCE
EXCERPT
A dull light mixed with soft hum had Austin floating between a dream and reality. His eyes, still heavy, were finally able to lift just enough to look around. The light came from an arch that peered into a room he didn’t recognize. Then again, he was laying in a bed he didn’t know, although the smell of pizza was familiar. The modern pattern seemed out of place. With interlocking squares in blue, green and tan, the overstuffed chair did look comfortable. More importantly, his jeans were folded and on the seat and his snowsuit was laying over the back.
Jeans! Lifting the blanket the haze of exhaustion was replaced with the realization he was only wearing a t-shirt and boxer briefs. He reached to the side and snatched his jeans. Staying silent, he took in his environment. It took him forty years, but he’d woke up with little to no memory of how he got into bed. He was above the Triple B. Between the smells and his last clear memory being her helping him up the curved staircase that led to her apartment, he was sure that’s where he’d landed.
Having only zipped his pants about half way, he followed the light hum which was coming from a TV on low in the front room. Although there weren’t any real doorways in the apartment except one. The apartment was open with archways leading from the bedroom to the living room and another archway that led to the kitchen.
On the couch, he saw Merryn with her hair down. Flickering light from the TV was capturing and highlighting strands of her deep brown tresses. Her finger absently ran through her hair and tucked it behind her ear. Silhouetted along her jaw, he saw her bite at her bottom lip then she flipped open her computer.
When he stepped closer, he saw she only had a camisole on top with a blanket covering her legs. “Merryn,” he said softly.
She jumped a bit. “Sorry, what time is it?”
“About seven.”
She stood up wearing a pair of pajama pants that hung low on her hips. Confusion turned to desire as she approached him. Merryn swept back his hair with her right hand, but her left had came to rest on his stomach right above his hip. “You had me worried, but I didn’t feel any bumps on your head.”
“Concussions can come from just shaking your melon too hard,” he said. “But I don’t have a headache. Thank you for taking care of me.”
“Not a problem.”
“Can I ask you something?” he asked feeling the heat of her body as she stayed close to him with worry on her face.
“Sure,” she replied, now with both of her hands resting on his hips.
“How did I end up in my underwear?”
“Oh?”
Even in the dark, he could see her blush a bit.
“I hope you don’t mind. I stripped you down.”
“Better you than me doing a striptease I didn’t know about.”
“Damn, I could have really messed with your head. I hate when I miss opportunities like that.”
“How much of a punch does a mini beer have compared to a regular one?”
“It’s not that strong.”
“Merryn,” he said softly as he leaned closer to her.
“Yes.” Her voice was airy and the light danced around her eyes.
When she replied, he felt her breath tickle his lips and the proximity sent a jolt directly to his groin. Then her tongue lightly licked at her lips and he felt a crazy urge to take her in his arms. He wanted to taste her lips and explore her body. A weight had been lifted from his shoulders and he couldn’t help thinking it was because of her getting him to talk.
When his hand cradled the side of her face and his thumb brushed along her bottom lip, her breath hitched. His completely halted. Was he dizzy from lack of air, residual effects of alcohol or proximity to this woman he’d fantasized about for years? In the darkened room, he couldn’t tell from her eyes how she was feeling. No matter the cause, he needed to make a decision. His hand began to tremble and he closed his eyes when a buzz went off.
Meet the Author, MICHEL PRINCE…
Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes new adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.
With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.
When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.
Michel has been awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press in 2013, the service award for her local RWA chapter Midwest Fiction Writers 2013, 2014, won 2015 Sweetest Romance from IREA for Chrysalis and is a PAN member of RWA. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and new puppy.
~~~
Links to Michel’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website:
Michel Prince Books
Buy Links:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/triple-b-baking-co-michel-prince/1122731550?ean=2940152379853
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html
~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Michel has a giveaway for one of her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog readers! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a signed copy of ONE LAST RODEO, A Red Hot and BOOM! Story by Michel Prince. Don’t miss the chance to read these stories! Thanks, Michel, for sharing your story with us!
October 16, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench **Sneak Peek**: Season of Thrills/HELL OR HIGH WATER by Jerrie Alexander
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
SEASON OF THRILLS BOX SET
5 Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Novels
By Award-winning and Bestselling Authors
JERRIE ALEXANDER, KIM CRESSWELL, K.L. DOCTER,
RACHEL KENT & MARIAN LANOUETTE
Now available for Pre-order
** Special limited time price ONLY $.99 **
#seasonofthrills
Release Day ~ December 1st!
Regular price of $7.99
SEASON OF THRILLS **SNEAK PEEK**
Hell or High Water
Lost and Found, Inc.
By Jerrie Alexander
Blurb: When ex-SEAL Nate Wolfe learns a woman from his past is in danger, nothing will stop him from protecting her. Not even her.
Dallas Child Protection Services Investigator Kay Taylor doesn’t want or need Nate in her life. But he doesn’t seem to understand the word no. He seems to also have forgotten the brand he left on her heart.
When Kay is taken and sold to a monster, the devil himself couldn’t stop Nate from doing whatever it takes to find her…but will he be in time?
HELL OR HIGH WATER
By JERRIE ALEXANDER
EXCERPT
A chill slammed into her. Again, somebody’s eyes on her sent a shiver up her arms. She whirled.
A black Harley was parked down the block. She paused at the rear of the car and stared at the rider. Odd that he’d parked away from the funeral crowd and sat there watching. Damn, the black visor didn’t stop the burn as his gaze bore down on her. Her breath caught. Was this the man who’d saved her? Wearing a black leather jacket and matching helmet, the man sat motionless.
She started toward him, and the rider stepped off the bike. If this was her ninja, she’d demand answers after she thanked him. He turned his back to her and then removed the helmet. His fingers wound through shoulder-length black hair, tying the strands together with a piece of leather. There was something vaguely familiar about him. His movements. His shoulders. His hands.
He turned to face her, and her heart rate raced toward the ozone.
“Hello, Kaycie.”
Ten years of missing Nate Wolfe boiled over. He was here. Really here. She sprang into his arms, clutched his broad shoulders and leaned into his hard-as-a-rock chest. God, his scent, a mixture of leather, woodsy cologne and virile man washed over her. Damn. Her body betrayed her by melting into him.
“Nate,” she whispered into his neck. “You saved me.” Her flesh heated when his large hands flexed against the small of her back and drew her closer.
“Come hell or high water,” he whispered, his warm breath sending heat streaks across her skin.
A split-second passed before memories of his lying tongue using that same phrase so many years ago hit her. A volcano of heartbreak erupted and spewed forth.
“Don’t touch me,” she spit the words at him while scrambling out of reach. “And don’t you dare say that to me. Ever.”
“You hugged me.” His eyes went wide and he held his hands up in surrender.
Damn him and his Cheshire cat grin. Kay plowed her right fist into his jaw. God, pain shot up her arm. His head barely moved. Still, she relished the snap of his teeth. Obviously, she didn’t hit him hard enough. He rubbed his scruffy jaw while that sexy little smile inched right back up his cheeks.
“Why are you following me?” Her knuckles hurt like hell, but he’d never know.
“What?” He held his hands in front of him, palms up. “No good to see you, Nate? No how you been? No nothing.”
“I’ll try this again, slower. Why. Are. You. Fol—”
“We need to talk.” The fun left his gaze. The sparkle dimmed to seriousness.
She stepped further away and sent him a glare designed to blister his flesh from head to toe. Unaffected, he picked up the cell phone earpiece she’d knocked off and reattached it to his ear while never taking his navy blue eyes off her.
“No, we don’t. Thank you for saving my life. Now do what you do best. Go away.” She spun on her heel. Rubbing her now swelling hand, Kay stalked straight to her waiting friend.
“You okay?” Holly asked over the top of the car before she slid behind the wheel.
“If I didn’t break my fist on his cement jaw, I will be.” Kay stabbed her seatbelt a second time before fastening it properly. She cursed the tears welling. Cursed the feel his warm body imprinted on her breasts. Cursed the memories that sent her heart spinning.
Holly dropped her .380 in her purse.
“Did you take that in church this morning?”
“Yep. God knows I carry. And the law gave me a permit. Glad I had it, because I didn’t know what the hell was going down when you hit him. Who was the hunk?”
“Nate Wolfe.”
“Holy shit. The guy from college?”
“The same. He’s been watching me. I’m sure of it.”
“I should’ve shot him.” Holly punched the gas pedal, ignoring the speed bumps.
“Thanks for having my back. And for getting the concealed carry license.”
“I’m never without protection. Or a gun.” Holly chuckled at her own joke. “Where to?”
Meet the Author: Jerrie Alexander…
A student of creative writing in her youth, Jerrie set aside her passion when life presented her with a John Wayne husband and two wonderful children. Her love for romantic suspense inspires her to write alpha males and kick-ass women. Her characters weave their way through death and danger to emerge stronger, because of, and on occasion, in spite of, their love for each other. If they’re tough enough, they live happily everafter.
Jerrie lives in Texas, denies having an accent, thrives on sunshine, children’s laughter, sugar (human and granulated), and researching for her heroes and heroines. She loves to hear from her readers. Find a complete list of her books at http://www.jerriealexander.com or contact her at jerrie@jerriealexander.com.
Find Jerrie Alexander here:
Hell or High Water buy links:
Amazon amzn.to/1c9lxP1
Barnes & Noble bit.ly/1f2KMxZ
Google Play bit.ly/1WcrCPw
KOBO bit.ly/1l63rTl
iBooks bit.ly/1nMOOA6
Social media links:
jerriealexander.com – website
facebook.com/pages/Jerrie-Alexander /121521571355959?ref=hl
MORE
SEASON OF THRILLS
**SNEAK PEEK** EXCERPTS!!
REFLECTION
A Whitney Steel Novel – Book One
By Kim Cresswell
Blurb: Lunch with the ex-husband is not always a fun thing especially when bullets start flying and reporter Whitney Steel finds herself in the middle of a human cloning story that will rock the world…providing she lives long enough to get her byline. “A deeply emotional romantic suspense that starts bold and holds you captive to the very end.” –New York Times Bestseller, Dianna Love
Excerpt Shared: http://www.karendocter.com/karens-killer-book-bench-sneak-peek-season-of-thrillsreflection-by-kim-cresswell.html
KILLING SECRETS
A Thorne’s Thorns Novel, Book One
By K.L. Docter
Blurb: Some secrets are better left dead. Too bad the Angel Killer’s digging them up.
Rachel James’ ex-husband is released from prison determined to reclaim her and her traumatized child, his key to the James fortune. Patrick Thorne isn’t interested in helping another of his parents’ charity cases, especially after losing his unborn son and wife to suicide. Only trust will untangle the secrets that dominate their lives, free a child of her silent prison, and save them both from a killer who stands too close.
Excerpt Shared: http://www.karendocter.com/karens-killer-…-by-k-l-docter.html
BROKEN PIECES
Bits & Pieces Book
By Rachel Kent
Blurb: Tara Jacobs had her life completely planned. She truly did have it all after a lifetime of struggles. Unfortunately, her stepbrother arrives in town and threatens to ruin her well-laid plans with some blackmail. Tara stops at almost nothing to keep her skeletons from tumbling out of the closet.
If I FAIL
A Jake Carrington Mystery Book One
By Marian Lanouette
Blurb: Are rules really meant to be broken? Jake Carrington finds out the hard way and the answer is no! Dating Chloe Wagner was a huge mistake, and Jake should have known better—he’s investigating the murder of Chloe’s sister. Now Chloe is the number one suspect in that murder. If she’s convicted, Jake could lose not only his rank, but his career. If that’s not bad enough, he’s got a stalker on his hands, someone who’s threatening his fledgling relationship with the lovely Mia. Things are getting just a little too personal for comfort!
Excerpt Shared:
SEASON OF THRILLS Box Set is a value-packed, thrill ride for those who love romantic suspense, procedural suspense, detective mysteries, thrillers, and so much more! Get all five, full-length novels for one low price NOW!
Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/season-of-thrill…/1122601725
Kobo:
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/season-of-thrills
Chapters/Indigo:
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/…/s…/9780996382199-item.html…
iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/…/…/season-of-thrills/id1033661475…
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!!
October 15, 2015
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Eileen Dreyer
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s
**AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with Eileen Dreyer!
Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, Eileen Dreyer, and her favorite recipe for MAGGIE MAE’S CROCKPOT TACO SOUP RECIPE!
A PRINCE OF A GUY
Korbel Classics: The Humorous Collection
B
Y EILEEN DREYER w/a KATHLEEN KORBEL
Blurb
When New Yorker Casey Phillips visits the tiny country of Moritania, she simply wants to see where her ancestors came from. Instead, she’s mistaken for a princess.
The real princess has been kidnapped, and Crown Prince Eric von Lieberhaven insists Casey—a dead ringer for the missing royal—step into the princess’s shoes until she can be freed.
As Casey upends royal tradition, Eric finds himself hoping the cheeky American never returns home. But can a secretary from Brooklyn really find happiness with a prince?
A PRINCE OF A GUY
Korbel Classics: The Humorous Collection
B
Y EILEEN DREYER w/a KATHLEEN KORBEL
Excerpt
The Royal Palace of Moritania, the Alps, 1987
Eric handed her up the steps before him as a silent groom appeared from somewhere and took the Bronco away. Casey half expected him to sweep the cobblestones behind them. When they reached the door, it magically opened, another liveried servant bowing and smiling as he passed them on.
“Rolph,” Eric said, easing Casey along when she slowed, “is Her Majesty the queen available for visitors?”
“I shall check for you, Your Highness. Refreshments?”
He stole a look at Casey, who was rubbernecking the paintings on the walls with undisguised astonishment. After a moment he nodded. “Yes, I believe they will be needed. In the Great Hall, if you please.”
Rolph dispatched a discreetly questioning look, but bowed and moved away. Casey was still trying to take in the extent of the entryway.
Train stations were smaller. The walls extended up some thirty feet, decorated with what looked suspiciously like old masters and terminating in a high, vaulted ceiling that some brave painter had gotten his hands on. It was all light and froth, cherubs and swirling gold banners swimming around a vault of milky white. The floors were of gleaming dark wood covered in what had to be priceless Oriental rugs. The effect was one of immense space, the inside of the building mirroring the image given by the outside. Quiet, understated grace and wealth.
No need for ostentation here. It only made her want to see more.
“Like your decorator,” she finally managed, casting a sidelong glance over to where Eric was enjoying her reaction.
“Moritania might not be big—” he bowed a little in acknowledgment, “—but it is a country rife with good taste. I’d like to show you something, if you don’t mind.”
“The only thing you could show me to beat this would be the Sistine chapel.”
Walking to the right side of the hall, Eric opened a great oak door. Casey walked past him into an even more impressive room. It was long, with six matched sets of crystal chandeliers and floor-to ceiling windows that reflected in the mirrors along the opposite wall.
“Been to Versailles, had they?” she breathed, coming to a stop.
Eric wouldn’t let her. Instead, he took her by the elbow and gently propelled her down the parquet flooring. “I’m sure you don’t know,” he was saying, “but my brother just died recently.”
Casey immediately turned to him. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t.”
He nodded with a sad little smile. “He was much older than I, and his heart was bad. The upshot of it is that next week his daughter, my niece, will become the new queen of Moritania. She is his only child, and his wife is also dead.”
Casey had no idea where the conversation was leading. He seemed so reluctant to tell her that she knew it was something important to him. She couldn’t think of anything more to do than nod.
Then he stopped walking. Turning to her, he took hold of both of her arms, his eyes trying to communicate something of import. They had softened. Casey felt even more confused.
“What?”
“The portrait here at the end of the Great Hall has just gone up. It is a painting of the next queen of Moritania, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess Cassandra.”
He turned Casey to face the painting. Casey’s jaw dropped. Looking back at her from the canvas was a young woman with delicate features, a gently molded face with deep, wide-set hazel eyes and a small, straight nose. A small mouth curved just at the ends as if she was amusing herself immensely with a private joke. Diamonds and rubies glittered at her throat, and a mane of tawny hair swept back, thick and styled sleekly away from tiny ears where teardrop diamonds hung.
Casey turned to Eric and then back to the picture and then back to Eric again, unable to speak. Then she turned once again to the portrait and finally admitted what he’d been trying to prepare her for. She was staring at a portrait of herself.
“And here I thought losing the car was going to be the high point of my day.”
About the author…Eileen Dreyer w/a Kathleen
Korbel.
New York Times Bestselling, award-winning author Eileen Dreyer has published 38 novels and 10 short stories under her name and that of her evil twin, Kathleen Korbel in contemporary romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, romantic suspense, mystery and medical forensic suspense. A proud member of RWA’s Hall of FAME, she also has numerous awards from RT BookLovers and an Anthony nomination for mystery. Eileen spent 16 years as a trauma nurse and is educated in trauma, forensics and death investigation. She is now focusing on what she calls historic romantic adventure in her DRAKE’S RAKES series, the latest of which, TWICE TEMPTED, is out now. A native of St. Louis, she still lives there with her family. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.
~~~
Links to Eileen’s website, blog, books, etc.
Available at: AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, KOBO
Website: eileendreyer.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenDreyer
Twitter: @eileendreyer
I hope you enjoy the recipe Eileen is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 222 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MAGGIE MAE’S CROCKPOT TACO SOUP RECIPE
Ingredients:
Soup:
1 lb. ground beef
1 package taco seasoning original flavor
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans of whole kernel corn
1 can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles
For garnishing:
Sour Cream
Sliced Avocado
Salsa
Fritos
Directions:
Brown the ground beef over medium heat on your stove top until it is thoroughly cooked (no pink). Flavor the cooked ground beef with the Taco Seasoning package (follow the directions on the package for adding the flavor).
Combine the prepared taco beef, black beans, corn (with water, just dump the whole contents of each can), and Rotel (with water, dump entire contents of each can) into your crockpot. You will need to add another 2-3 cups of water to the mix. Cook on low for 6 -8 hours depending on your crockpot or if you are pressed for time on high 3-4 hours. You will need to stir occasionally.
Serve and add your favorite garnishes. Serves 6-8.
Recipe courtesy of my assistant, Maggie Mae Gallagher.
~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Eileen is giving away an ebook copy of her novel A PRINCE OF A GUY to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Eileen, for sharing your story and recipe with us!
October 14, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Snowbound at Christmas by Debbie Mason
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
SNOWBOUND AT CHRISTMAS
Christmas Colorado #5
BY DEBBIE MASON
Blurb
Surviving the holidays will take a Christmas miracle . . .
Ex-cop Cat O’Connor is bored working for her sister, Chloe, as a personal assistant on the set of her soap opera. Until Chloe gets an opportunity to audition for the role of a lifetime and asks her identical twin to substitute for her on the soap with no one the wiser. It’s a perfect switch-until Cat attracts the attention of the mysterious Mr. Tall, Dark, and Way-too-handsome leading man.
Grayson Alexander never thought being snowbound in the charming town of Christmas, Colorado, for the holiday would get so hot. But between working with sexy, tough Cat on set and keeping his real reason for being there under wraps, he’s definitely feeling the heat. And if there’s one thing they’ll learn as they bring out the mistletoe, it’s that in this town, true love is always in season.
SNOWBOUND AT CHRISTMAS
Christmas Colorado #5
BY DEBBIE MASON
Excerpt
Harry drew a bouquet of Tiger Lilies from behind his back and handed them to her. “We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot, Cat. I was hoping we could start over.”
She stared at the extravagant arrangement, then lifted her gaze to his. “For me?”
He smiled. “For you.”
“I–I don’t know what to say. They’re beautiful. Thank you.” She meant it. Her ex hadn’t been a hearts-and-flowers kind of guy. The last man who’d given her flowers had been her father. They’d arrived the day she made detective. Three weeks later he died.
“My goodness, would you let him in,” her sister said, coming up behind Cat. “Sorry, you’ll have to excuse my sister’s. . . Oh, Harry, they’re exquisite. Thank you.” Chloe went to take the bouquet from Cat.
She clutched them possessively to her chest. “They’re mine.” She didn’t know what had gotten into her, but she felt like a seven-year-old being asked to share her favorite toy.
Chloe gave a shocked laugh, obviously as surprised by Cat’s reaction as she was. “Kit Kat, don’t be ridiculous. You’re embarrassing your . . . ” She tugged on the flowers and Cat tugged back .
Harry neatly inserted himself between them, ending their silent tug-of-war. With a gallant bow, her handed her sister a single pink sweetheart rose. “For you, Chloe. A perfect flower for a perfect woman.”
“Oh, I see. Thank you, Harry. It’s . . . lovely. Please, come in. I didn’t hear the bell.” She shot Cat an accusatory stare. “I was busy getting our dinner ready.”
“I can see that. You have a touch of–” Harry leaned in, wiping away the strategically placed white powder–“flour on your cheek. I hope you didn’t go to too much trouble on my account.”
Her sister was too much, Cat thought with a mental eye roll. Chloe wore a black apron– with a pink sparkly crown above the word Diva (fitting)–over a flirty pink dress.
She gave Cat a zip-it look as Harry toed off his loafers. Probably worried Cat would spill her secret that the gourmet shop did indeed do takeout. She wouldn’t of course. Though, admittedly, she was tempted to.
Meet the Author, Debbie Mason…
Debbie Mason is the bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their “likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots” (RT Book Reviews). She also writes historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series has received several nominations for best paranormal as well as a Holt Medallion Award of Merit. When she isn’t writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, an adorable grandbaby, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.
~~~
Links to Debbie’s website, blog, books, etc.
Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/07/snowbound-at-christmas-christmas.html
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24397025-snowbound-at-christmas?from_search=true&search_version=service
Goodreads Series Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/114924-christmas-colorado
Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
October 13, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Hidden Away by Jennie Marts
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
HIDDEN AWAY
Hearts of Montana Series #2
BY JENNIE MARTS
Blurb
Secrets have a way of revealing themselves….
Right after a fire breaks out in her diner, a phone call changes Cherry Hill’s life. The tragic death of her cousin leaves Cherry sole guardian of her eight-year-old nephew. But the upper crust side of the Hill family deems her unfit and is determined to take Sam away from her. The only one on her side is the sexy sheriff, Taylor Johnson, the man who broke her heart nine years ago when he left town.
Taylor Johnson has sworn to protect the citizens of Broken Falls, but should that extend to a fake engagement to the woman who captured his heart so long ago? It doesn’t take long for his pretend feelings to turn real for both Cherry and her adorable nephew, Sam.
But Cherry’s been hiding a secret from Taylor that could rip this new family apart…
HIDDEN AWAY
Hearts of Montana Series #2
BY JENNIE MARTS
EXCERPT
The siren wails of the fire engine were a welcome sound as Cherry Hill shot another burst of white foam from the extinguisher. Panic welled in her chest as she watched the flames creep up the diner’s wall above the griddle.
Holy shiz-buckets.
What started as a small grease fire was rapidly turning into a desperate situation.
Cherry swore as she battled to save the only thing she had left.
“Make sure everyone’s out of the building,” she yelled at Stan, the diner’s cook. Thankfully the breakfast crowd had thinned, and only a few people had been left in the restaurant when the grease flamed on the griddle and the fire began. “You should get out too. I got this.”
Stan attacked the fire with a dish towel, keeping the flames from spreading across the kitchen counter. “No way, dude! I’m not leaving you.”
The door to the kitchen swung open, and three large firemen filled the small room.
Well, two large fireman and one skinny guy, the best you could hope for on a small-town volunteer fire squad. One of the men dragged a fire hose through the door, and Cherry groaned as she heard glassware hitting the floor, unlucky bystanders in the path of the thick hose.
“I thought you weren’t supposed to use water on a grease fire,” she said, dredging up old advice her granddad had given her when she’d taken over the diner.
One of the fireman stepped toward her. He held a fire extinguisher in his hands. “Don’t worry. You can trust a fireman to always have the right equipment.”
Recognizing the voice, Cherry’s head snapped up, and she looked into the grinning face of Taylor Johnson.
What in the hamhock is he doing here?
Still not used to having him back in town, Cherry’s heart did a flip each time she saw him. She gulped. He had the right equipment for just about anything.
But Taylor was the new Sheriff—since when did he fight fires?
Before she had a chance to ask, another flame shot up, this one catching the side of her arm, and she cried out.
The grin disappeared as Taylor stepped forward, now all business, and put his body between hers and the fire. He yelled at the cook and pointed at Cherry. “Get her out of here before one of you gets hurt even worse!”
The whoosh of the water jetting from the hose drowned out his words, but Stan must have got the idea because he wrapped an arm around Cherry’s middle and pulled her out the front door and onto the street in front of the restaurant.
Gasping, Cherry took in great gulps of clean air and prayed that the fireman could save the diner.
Even if they saved the kitchen, the diner would be shut down for days, maybe weeks, as she battled the insurance company and made repairs.
Mentally calculating the lost earnings, she wondered, not for the first time, if the inheritance of the diner from her grandparents had been a blessing or a curse.
Within fifteen minutes, the fire was out, leaving only gray wisps of smoke rising into the air above the building. An ambulance arrived shortly after the fire truck, and Stan had guided Cherry toward the vehicle.
An EMT had just finished wrapping a large bandage around Cherry’s burned arm. She looked at the white gauze, bright against her smoke-stained skin, and smiled at the woman. “Thanks, Marge.”
She’d known Marge for years. Just like she knew almost everyone in the small town of Broken Falls, Montana.
If she hadn’t gone to school or church with them, they were her neighbors or her store clerks or bank tellers. Anyone she might not have known growing up in this town, she’d met through the diner over the last ten years that she’d worked there.
She looked toward the café, the curvy pink letters of Cherry’s Diner emblazoned on the windows, and saw Taylor emerge from the smoky building.
He peeled off his fireman jacket and tossed it on the truck. He wore his standard brown uniform shirt and jeans, and the sun winked off the gold sheriff star pinned to his chest.
Why had he moved back here?
She’d seen him a few times since he’d been back, in the diner and once when a friend of hers had needed his help.
Each time she saw him, she was taken aback at the change from the skinny light-haired boy who’d taken her to the prom and stolen her virginity.
Okay, so maybe he hadn’t exactly stolen it. Maybe she’d given it. Freely.
And with abandon.
But she didn’t want to think about that.
Taylor’s hair had darkened to a dirty blond, and the years in the military and the police academy had hardened his body and strengthened the muscles that so nicely filled out his uniform.
He strode toward her now, a look of concern in his eyes.
Those were just the same. His eyes hadn’t changed. They were the same deep blue color.
And they bore the same intensity that she remembered from all those years ago when he had looked into hers and pledged to love her forever.
To always be there for her.
The same blue eyes that haunted her dreams after he left. Leaving her alone with a broken heart and a handful of empty promises.
Well, not quite alone.
“Are you all right? How’s your arm?” Taylor asked, drawing her out of the years-old memories. He picked up her arm and looked down at her bandage as if inspecting the quality of the work.
“You don’t need to concern yourself with me. I’m fine.” She pulled her arm back, wincing at the pain of the burn but not really caring.
An injured arm was the least of her worries right now.
Meet the Author, JENNIE MARTS…
Jennie Marts loves to make readers laugh as she weaves stories filled with love, friendship and intrigue. She writes for Entangled Publishing and reviewers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and full of great characters that are “endearing and relatable.”
She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two sons, two dogs and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes or friends.
Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of Montana series, the romantic comedy/ cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series, and her latest hot hockey players series, the Bannister Brothers Books.
~~~
Links to Jennie’s website, blog, books, etc.
Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books , or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her at www.jenniemarts.com.
Amazon preorder link: http://amzn.com/B015WAHKFU
~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Jennie has a giveaway for one of her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog readers! Comment on the following: What would you order for dessert at Cherry’s Diner? Leave a comment below and be in the running to win an e-copy of TUCKED AWAY, Hearts of Montana Series, Book 1 by JENNIE MARTS. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Jennie, for sharing your story with us!
October 12, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench **Book Blast**: Nowhere to Hide by Lindsay McKenna
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
NOWHERE TO HIDE
Delos #1
BY LINDSAY McKENNA
Blurb
Lia Cassidy left the Army scarred physically and emotionally after a vicious attack by two fellow soldiers. She turns to helping others, working at a Delos Home School Charity in Costa Rica that provides schooling for children. But when the deadly drug lord, La Arana, attacks the school, Lia finds herself on the run for her life. The only person she can trust is the ex-SEAL sent to protect her.
Cav Jordan is strong, honorable and gorgeous…and intrigued by Lia. He knows she has suffered pain in her past, and he is determined to break through her barriers and earn her trust. But as Cav slowly chips away at the walls Lia has built, ghosts from her past threaten to destroy their fragile relationship.
Meet the Author, Lindsay McKenna…
Lindsay McKenna lives her life as a risk taker, and it shines through the books she loves to write: romance, adventure and suspense. She started writing at age thirteen and continues to hone her writing skills to this day. She sold her first romance novel in 1981. The rest is history.
Because she went into the military, this experience became the backbone of her writing—she is credited with writing the first military romance novel (Captive of Fate, 1983, Silhouette Special Edition) and has created a thriving sub-genre within the romance field! As a New York Times Best Selling author, she has sold 23 million books and in 32 foreign languages in her career thus far. Her many experiences in the U.S. Navy are backdrop for her understanding of the military in general, and also her very successful Morgan’s Mercenaries, which is an ongoing series in Silhouette to this day! Forty-five books strong!
Lindsay has gone Indie in 2015 and has created a new family saga on par with Morgan’s Mercenaries It is known as the DELOS SERIES. There will be paperback and eBooks created under Blue Turtle Publishing, her company for her fans. Readers who love Morgan and his family are bound to fall in love with the Culver family. Delos is romantic suspense, which Lindsay is well known for. It took her five years to create and bring DELOS to her readers. It was worth the wait, but we’ll let you decide that.
Lindsay loves to hear from her readers and loves to know what they’d like to see her write next. Stay up with the latest on the Delos Series here. Please visit her Web site at www.lindsaymckenna.com. And be sure to sign up for her free quarterly newsletter. It contains exclusive content found nowhere else on the Net. Plus, giveaways and other surprises, to her loyal and faithful subscribers!
~~~
Links to Lindsay’s website, blog, books, etc.
Link to Follow Tour:
http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/05/nowhere-to-hide-delos-1-by-lindsay.html
Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25967083-nowhere-to-hide?from_search=true&search_version=service
Goodreads Series Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/158707-delos
Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
**Author Peek** Interview with Jennie Marts’ Character, Cherry Hill
**AUTHOR PEEK** Interview with
JENNIE MARTS’ Character, Cherry Hill!!
~~
INTRODUCING….Character Cherry Hill, HIDDEN AWAY
Hearts of Montana Book 2, by JENNIE MARTS.
1. What is your name?
Cherry Hill Do you have a nickname? No.
2. Where were you born? Where have you lived since then? Where do you call home?
Born and raised in Broken Falls, Montana.
3. If you have a family, how do you get along with them? If you don’t, are there people in your life that you consider family? How do you get along with them?
I was practically raised by my grandparents and my best friend has always been my cousin, Stacy. That’s why I am so devastated that Stacy and her husband were just killed in a terrible automobile accident. Stacy named me as the guardian for her son, Sam.
My grandparents left their family diner to me when they died and the rest of the Hill family look down on me because I stayed in the small town of Broken Falls and took over the diner instead of going to college like they did. My cousin Reed is a lawyer and a bully, and the only reason he’s mad that I got the diner is because I got something special that he didn’t. They don’t think I’m good enough to take care of Sam and are trying to take him away from me.
4. What’s the one thing you’re afraid of losing? Why?
The only thing that matters to me is Sam. And I won’t let them take him away from me. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him—even pretend to be engaged to my old flame, Sheriff Taylor Johnson, in order to prove I have a stable way to provide for him.
5. Do you have a secret? If so, who do you need to keep the secret from and why?
Actually, I have a HUGE secret. Sam is really my son! Stacy and her husband adopted him after I found out I was pregnant and alone at seventeen. And Taylor is actually his father, but he doesn’t know it.
6. What makes you laugh out loud? What makes you cry?
I laugh at almost everything. But dealing with the loss of my cousin and the broken heart of her son, Sam, has had me in tears quite a bit lately.
7. It’s Sunday morning. What are you doing? Give details.
Pouring coffee and serving breakfast to the locals at Cherry’s Diner.
8. Has anyone broke your heart? Who was s/he?
I’ve only ever given my heart to one man, Taylor Johnson, and he broke it when he left Broken Falls and me nine years ago.
9. What’s the one thing you want out of life that you don’t think you can have? Why can’t you have it?
All I want right now is to be able to provide a home for Sam. I would love for Taylor to be a part of that life, but I’m afraid when he finds out the secrets that I’ve kept from him, I’ll lose both him and Sam.
~~~~~~~
Be sure to come back to read more about Jennie, Cherry, and HIDDEN AWAY, a Hearts of Montana book, on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench. Happy Reading!
~~~
Links to Jennie’s website, blog, books, etc.
Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books , or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her at www.jenniemarts.com.
Amazon preorder link: http://amzn.com/B015WAHKFU
~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Jennie has a giveaway for one of her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog readers! Comment on the following: What would you order for dessert at Cherry’s Diner? Leave a comment below and be in the running to win an e-copy of TUCKED AWAY, Hearts of Montana Series, Book 1 by JENNIE MARTS. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Jennie, for sharing your story with us!
