Melissa Snark's Blog: The Snarkology, page 26
August 4, 2015
THE MAID’S QUARTERS by Holly Bush (Contest) #Romance @GoddessFish @hollybushbooks
1893 . . . Alice Porterman is released from her duties as a maid and travels home to help her mother care for her sickly brother. But her mother and brother are not in their family home when Alice arrives and she learns the landlord, Albert Donahue, has evicted them into the harsh Boston winter. Alice goes in search of him and is surprised at what she finds.
Albert Donahue, an up-and-coming member of Boston’s elite, made his fortune through hard work and shrewd business deals. But his dreams of a family to share it with have not come true, perhaps until an impertinent young woman enters his home and won’t leave until she speaks to him.
Available from:
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Holly will award a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter.
Excerpt:
“May I help you?” he said.
Alice nearly lost her voice and courage. But if the butler was capable of keeping her at arm’s length, how would she ever get her family home back? She cleared her throat. “I need to speak to Mr. Albert Donahue. My name is Alice Porterman.”
The butler’s bushy brows rose. “And you have an appointment, miss?”
“I do not.”
“Anyone wishing to speak to Mr. Donahue has an appointment.”
“And who do I see to get such an appointment?”
“Mr. Vickers, his secretary. I’m sorry, he is not in but, but—Where are you going? You cannot come into this house!”
Alice swept by him and seated herself on a settee inside the door. “I will wait here until Mr. Vickers arrives, unless you would prefer me to wait in his office.”
“Certainly not. I can’t just let a complete stranger make herself at home in Mr. Vickers’s office.”
“Then I will be satisfied to wait here,” Alice said, as she noticed a young man hovering near the staircase. She nodded toward him. “Someone is looking for you.”
Book Review by Melissa Snark:
The Maid’s Quarters by Holly Bush was simply a delight to read. English Regency and Victorian romances are among my favorites when I do find the time to indulge. In particular, it often seems like the authors of historical romance are both more educated and better read than many of their contemporary counterparts. Hence, a higher caliber of story and writing tends to be found between the pages. The Maid’s Quarters is no exception. I found myself immediately caught up in Alice’s plight as she championed the cause of her mother and infirm brother. The heroine moves forward in her quest for justice with the reader’s sympathy. The author cleverly turns the point of conflict, revealing the apparent villain to be the hero, and the true antagonist to be another party entirely. Dialogue is snappy with a true-ear feel, and scene development is solid. Ultimately, my only criticism was at points I felt the emotional connection between reader and characters was underdeveloped. The story could have benefited from being longer and more thoroughly cultivated.
I received an review copy of this story.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Holly Bush writes historical romance set on the American Prairie, in Victorian England, and recently released her first Women’s Fiction title. Her books are described as emotional, with heartfelt, sexy romance. She makes her home with her husband in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Connect with Holly at www.hollybushbooks.com and on Twitter @hollybushbooks and on Facebook at Holly Bush.
Twitter – @hollybushbooks
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Holly-Bush/247399131941435
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D381HR6/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Holly-Bush/e/B006ZDTQ1A/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
August 2, 2015
Amanda Young reveals… (Contest) #EroticRomance #GLBT #Menage
Hello and thank you for having me on The Snarkology. I’m thrilled to be here. Today I’d like to talk about reading, writing, and share the brand-spanking-new cover for my upcoming erotic romance novel, Circling Back, with you all. At the end of this post you’ll also find a Rafflecopter so you can enter to win the $10 Amazon gift card I’m giving away in honor of this cover reveal.
Like many fans of romance, I started reading Harlequin novels when I was a teenager. I 
loved the grand sweeping gestures and the over-the-top story telling. The secret baby trope was a favorite of mine. As I got a little older, I discovered erotic romance and was so inspired that I decided to try writing my own—which led to a brand new career. Even so, I still dipped my fingers into the occasional sweet romance so I could get my secret baby fix. A few years later, I fell in love with M/M romance stories and decided to pen one. Several stories later, I challenged myself by throwing a secret baby twist into a M/M novel I was writing at the time.
Fast forward eight years and about forty published stories later, and I found myself itching to write yet another secret baby story, only this time I was aiming for something a little different, a little more challenging. After nearly a decade of writing M/M romance, I set my goals on penning another M/M/F romance. To get in the right mind frame, I started reading every contemporary menage I could get my hands on. There were few to be found that I hadn’t already read long ago, which only furthered my desire to write another one.
The idea for Circling Back started as a speck of an idea about a reunion between three people and percolated at the back of my mind for almost a year before I finally couldn’t ignore it any longer. The characters took shape, their individual personalities coming to life, and I realized I wasn’t only writing a menage story, but yet another secret baby story with a twist. The short novella I had outlined took on a life of its own and kept going and going until it was a full blown novel with traces of all my favorite genres wrapped up in a pretty package. I hope readers enjoy following Stella, Holden, and Gavin’s journey to happiness as much as I loved writing about it.
So, without further ado, I present the cover for Circling Back.
About Circling Back:
A second chance is only the beginning…
Stella fled home at seventeen with a broken heart, an unplanned pregnancy, and a vow never to look back. Twenty years later, she has a career she enjoys and a solid relationship with the child she placed for open adoption. When that child goes in search of her birth father and calls for assistance, Stella is forced to return to her hometown and face the men who broke her heart, one of whom fathered her child.
Gavin and Holden raised a lot of hell as teenagers. They broke the law, broke their mother’s hearts, and almost broke each other before they finally got their act together. Through all the ups and downs, they stuck by each other and managed to build a happy life together. The one thing they couldn’t do was forget the woman they’d loved and lost.
Forced to face the past and each other after so many years is no small feat. The trio does their best to make amends and put the past behind them while forging new bonds. Old feelings are rekindled and new emotions emerge from the ashes of their youthful indiscretions. Something remarkable could be on the horizon if they’re strong enough to navigate the pitfalls of a triad relationship and stand strong against the outside forces conspiring to bring them to their knees.
Giveaway
To celebrate the new artwork for Circling Back, Amanda is offering a $10 Amazon gift card to one lucky reader. Just enter using the Rafflecopter below and the winner will be notified by email on August 5th.
About the author:
Amanda Young lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and two pampered pooches. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found chasing after a mischievous toddler or daydreaming about the characters in her next book. She loves to hear from her readers, and can be found on Facebook and Twitter. Her website, www.amandayoung.org, is where you can find up-to-date information on all of Amanda’s current and upcoming releases.
Find Amanda online:
Website: http://www.amandayoung.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaYoungFanPage
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/531738.Amanda_Young
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Amanda_Young
Thanks so much for having me on the blog and sharing my hot new cover with your readers! Have a great day!
July 30, 2015
TRIANGULATING BLISS by Janelle Jalbert (Contest) #Romance @Goddessfish
A struggling veteran reads about the mysterious death of a local athlete and wants to learn more. He meets the owner of the business linked to the crime and discovers others have “disappeared”.
All stories include a man with dark hair, blue eyes, and a strong jaw.
Then, it’s his turn.
The mysterious forces at Bliss change everything. What brought them all to Bliss is not as it appears and their lives are powerfully interconnected across space and time.
Readers can access freebies and bonuses here: http://synchron8publishing.com/triangulating-bliss-launch
Excerpt:
MIKEL THOMAS DEAD AT 27
Greg studied the series of pictures of the same man, as a teen in a high school basketball uniform, in a college uniform, and in a professional one. The line for coffee at 8:30 in the morning was nearly out the door, so it gave Greg time to flip through the story.
Mikel Thomas, 27, was found in his West Los Angeles home Thursday night. His wife, Nisha, found Thomas bleeding from an apparent, self-inflicted gunshot wound when she returned home from a taping of her talk show. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Greg caught up with the line’s progress and continued to read.
Thomas, a professional basketball player, had a troubled career in Philadelphia, Miami, and Sacramento. He attended Pasadena High School where an injury forced him to give up a promising football career. Thomas began playing basketball as a junior and became a top college recruit. He attended college in Los Angeles before being drafted to Philadelphia.
Shoulda played sports. Greg thought.
Thomas was involved in a shooting incident that left one dead after he was traded to Miami. His repeated altercations on and off the court led to a suspension. After a trade to Sacramento, Thomas missed part of the season for an undisclosed medical condition following a mental evaluation in a Pasadena hospital last Christmas. Thomas had a history of drug and alcohol incidents, but detectives declined to comment on that being a possible cause. The investigation continues.
Pretty standard celeb drama. Greg barely registered the comments from the player’s wife and a teammate about the shock of it all. He caught up with the coffee line and skimmed further.
Mary Thomas, Mikel’s mother, called into a sports radio show late Thursday. When asked if there was any indication that Thomas was in trouble, she responded. “He kept saying that his disappearance from that Bliss bar changed him forever. It was that crazy bar that killed him. I know it.”
Disappearance? Never heard about that. How does someone like him disappear without a word?
“Excuse me. Are you going to order or just read the paper?” The woman growled behind him.
“Oh…uh…sorry.” Greg stepped to the counter, ordered, and added the paper. Greg went back to the story immediately. He read the mother’s quote again. How does a famous athlete disappear from a bar, and it never makes the news? Greg shook his head as the article ended with a note about survivors. That’s it?
Greg tucked the paper under his arm, grabbed his coffee, and headed out. Sounded pretty standard except for the disappearance thing. He walked to his car on autopilot. What’s stranger? A suicide blamed on a disappearance or the disappearance of a celebrity that went unnoticed in La-La Land?
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Janelle will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Janelle Jalbert has ghostwritten 15 nonfiction books on topics ranging from productivity, money management, marketing, cooking, and relationships. She also worked as a copywriter for some of the biggest online names and worked as a motorsports reporter covering NASCAR. Jalbert enjoys bringing stories to life that celebrate the magic in everyday living. To learn more about her current and upcoming releases and promotions visit www.janellejalbert.com. Jalbert currently lives in Southern California, though she regularly returns to her second home in North Carolina when her pack of pups grants her a vacation.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/justjjwriting
Facebook: www.facebook.com/janellejalbert.author
Author Website: www.janellejalbert.com
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/Janelle_Jalbert
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Janelle-Jalbert/e/B00Q5MD7AW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1432770403&sr=8-1
BN Author Page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/janelle-jalbert
July 29, 2015
A disabled hero… Seeing the Love by Sofia Grey #Romance @SofiaGreyAuthor
Which books have you enjoyed with a disabled hero, or is this your first? The author will give an ecopy of Seeing the Love to one commenter drawn at random.
Four weeks to write – one hundred and thirty weeks to publish…
I’m a writer, so being impatient goes with the territory. Unfortunately, ‘impatient’ doesn’t fit with a traditional publishing model, and this is where self-publishing can work fabulously.
It started with an email from one of my publishers. They were planning to produce a themed box set to raise awareness of a debilitating genetic condition – choroideremia. Sufferers go blind as they reach adulthood. I’d never heard of it, and I’d also never read a romance with a blind hero.
The story, an office-based romance, flowed beautifully, and four weeks later I sent my draft manuscript to my beta readers. They loved it, and if I’m honest, it was already one of my favourite stories. Watching Lucas slowly fall in love with Natalie, was very satisfying, and still makes my heart flutter.
I sent it to the publisher, they loved it too. Yippee! Then came a period of waiting. The other writers that had promised submissions were unable to complete them in the timeframe, and so the project went on the back burner. I was busy with other projects, but followed it up six months later. They were still chasing other submissions. It seemed blind heroes weren’t very popular in romantic fiction.
Another year went by, and I saw a gap approaching in my publishing schedule. I checked with the publishers, and while they were still planning a box set, they were waiting for submissions, and were busy on other projects, so I took back my manuscript.
My writing style had developed over the two-year period, and so I rewrote parts of the original story before getting it edited, choosing cover art (created by the talented Sotia Lazu) and getting ready for publication.
And there it was. Seeing the Love came out mid-July, as a standalone novel. I’ve also engaged a professional narrator to create the audio version, and that will be out later this year.
And guess what – disabled heroes are popular right now in romantic fiction. My book came out at the right time, albeit many weeks later than I first planned.
Book Title: Seeing the Love
Author Name: Sofia Grey
Name of series and book number in series: standalone
Genre: Contemp romance
Publisher: Acelette Press
Date of Publication: 15 July 2015
Price: $0.99
Tagline: She’s about to light up his life
Lucas Wade is losing his sight. As the darkness threatens to swamp him, the one bright spot in his day comes in the form of Natalie Fontaine. She works in the sales office, hundreds of miles away, and she alone treats him like a regular guy. She has no idea about his disability, and he doesn’t plan on telling her about it.
But if Lucas can’t be honest with her, Natalie may never see the love he has to offer.
Available from:
Amazon | Goodreads | Acelette Press
Excerpt:
They had a new and easy routine. Lucas phoned Natalie every evening, while on his course, and he continued when he was back at work. They talked about anything and everything. His parents, retired and living happily on the South Island. Her grandmother and various other relatives, scattered across Europe. It felt natural.
“How old are you, and what do you look like, Natalie? I have a mental image of you, and I’m curious to know how close I am.”
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon, and Natalie had been half expecting the questions that arose. I’m damaged. “I’m twenty six. Not very tall, quite slim, with dark hair and brown eyes. How about you?”
“That’s how I imagined you. Petite and dark.” He sounded pleased. “I’m twenty eight. I’m average height, I guess. I keep my hair short too.” He gave a short, self-conscious laugh. “I don’t know what else to say. I’m just me.”
Natalie was keen to steer the conversation onto safer ground. “Was Molly pleased to see you again?”
“God, yes. She was so excited. We spent about an hour at the park, playing with the Frisbee. I think it’s her favorite toy.”
“What did you do with her while you were away?”
“My sister looked after her. Sarah doesn’t live far away.”
“I’d love to see her when I come to Wellington. Molly, that is. You know how much I adore dogs.”
“Yes, she’ll be with me.” He hesitated. “There’s something I need to tell you, Natalie.”
Whatever it was, Lucas sounded far too serious, and Natalie’s stomach clenched. She didn’t want to hear something bad. “It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and I’m sitting at the window, admiring the view. I hope you’re not planning to spoil my good mood.” She kept her voice light and playful.
He cleared his throat. “No, I won’t do that. It’s nothing. It can wait. Tell me what you can see. Describe it for me?”
“Sure.” She gazed out of the window again, and this time really looked, as though seeing it for the first time. “I live north of the city, across the motorway bridge in Northcote. There are lots of trees, and everything is leafy and green at the moment. I’m on the sixth floor, so I have a great view over the harbor. It’s spread out in front of me, and I can see a dozen or more tiny boats on the water. From here they look like toys in a giant’s bathtub. Beyond that, I can see the edge of the city and the Sky Tower. It’s a grey needle sticking up into the sky by day, but at night it’s all lit up and looks magnificent. I have to commute across the harbor bridge every day, but it’s worth it, for this view.”
*
Lucas knew he’d missed the perfect time to tell Natalie. How hard could it be? I’m losing my sight. I will be totally blind within the next two years. Molly is training to be my guide dog. Damn it all to hell. Natalie’s simple reminder of the fundamental difference between them had stopped him in his tracks. There would be other chances. He would make the opportunity.
After hanging up with her, he walked carefully to his small balcony and sank into one of the seats. He knew it was sunny, because the heat burned his face and the bright light dazzled him to the point that he lost even the last trace of his vision. He’d loved this apartment from the day he first saw it. That had been when he was dating Alice, when his sight was still almost intact, and he could gaze for hours at his own amazing view.
Author bio:
Romance author Sofia Grey spends her days managing projects in the corporate world and her nights hanging out with wolf shifters and alpha males. She devours pretty much anything in the fiction line, but she prefers her romances to be hot, and her heroes to have hidden depths. When writing, she enjoys peeling back the layers to expose her characters’ flaws and always makes them work hard for their happy endings.
Music is interwoven so tightly into my writing that I can’t untangle the two. Either I’m listening to a playlist on my iPod, have music seeping from my laptop speakers, or there’s a song playing in my head – sometimes on auto-repeat.
Check out my image collections on Pinterest and my music playlists on Spotify.
Author links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6906923.Sofia_Grey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sofia.Grey.Romance.Author
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sofiagrey1/
Twitter: @SofiaGreyAuthor https://twitter.com/SofiaGreyAuthor
Amazon author profile page: https://www.amazon.com/author/sofiagrey
Tumblr: sofiagreynz@tumblr.com
July 28, 2015
Writing from an early age by M. Corchis #Paranormal #Romance @mcorchis
I have been writing from an early age. Books and words always fascinated me, the more I could read the better. I never read what the kids my age read, I was reading science magazines and psychology magazines. Every movie that I would go to see I would have to get the book and read it.
I absolutely love science fiction, paranormal, anything shrouded in mystery and mythology. Television was great when I was young; we had Buck Rogers, V, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica. One particular one that was interesting was In Search Of with Leonard Nimoy.
Things that required creativity are the things that would draw me in. Whether it was playing an instrument, singing, poetry, writing short stories, I excelled in it. Poetry for the longest time was my means of expression and I really got into The Doors and Jim Morrison.
Even though it was many years after his death, I learned a great deal from him. With his influence, I wrote and never really stopped. Of course, not everybody understood what I was writing, but I guess I left that to interpretation. At a young age, I did not conform easily and that followed me through my teenage years and into adulthood.
It was some time in 2009 I started writing a story. It has been a work in progress and I still have not got it finished, but it is still there waiting for me. As I started getting into the digital movement on Amazon and Kobo, a whole world opened up to me. Then I sat down, wrote, and out came Alpha Claimed (which I am in the process of re-editing).
I have to be honest, it was exciting for me to get it ready and put out to the public. My adventures in reading never stop either; I am up until one or two in the morning reading. It is my time and to me it’s sacred.
Books provide us with far off worlds that you can only get inside their pages. The paranormal genre is so open and free. It is easy to get lost in a story you are reading or writing. I am just glad that I have a voice that wanted to break through and share the dark underworld with lovers of this genre.
Mind you, I have other genres that I am writing. I am so new to writing and publishing a book. It is scary and takes you out of your comfort zone. I remember saying once that—I want to be able to write and make a living at it well into my years, like Anne Rice and Mary Higgins Clark. Two of the best and they are truly great storytellers. They take the craft and make it theirs and that is what the younger writing generation has to uphold. Therefore, if you want to write, first you have to read, read, and read! As much as possible and read anything you can get your hands on.
Welcome to the Howl…
The last thing Mya wanted was a high-speed chase over the roofs of her town, ending in her capture and imprisonment in the nightclub known as The Howl. Only as the prisoner of the Pack Alpha Cade James will Mya learn her true nature and regain her lost legacy as the Alpha Bitch of the James Gang. (Being re-edited)
***Ritual Bonding (Wolf Essence 2)***
Ritual Bonding is a sensual and erotic story into the underbelly of the Supernatural spectrum. A tantalizing ride of the senses for any lover of the paranormal genre—there are Dominant Alphas, Sexy Mates, Crafty Vampires, a Hybrid child, Sorcery and plenty of Hot, Wicked Sex to light your night on fire.
Milo James’ has always been a loose cannon. A quintessential bad boy at heart and the youngest of the James’ Pack—whose oldest brother happens to be the Alpha. That doesn’t stop Milo from his reckless ways and party lifestyle. He fights hard, plays harder & lives by the motto–love them once.
Ophelia is a demure, sweet girl, innocent by definition (& just happens to be the cousin of Milo’s deceased baby mama). She, is still a virgin & plans to stay that way until after their bonding…. (Not if Milo can help it!)
Milo has had a rough year, the party boy found out he has a son–Draxen. The problem with that is Jeslin—the child’s mother—met her untimely demise when Vamp Hunters murdered her. Now, her parents are raising Draxen—who, are none other than, the Vampire King & Queen.
Now the King wants Ophelia, returned to Toronto. And, above all, wants to call off her Bonding with a lowly, vile, wolf shifter.
Milo and Ophelia’s issues wreak havoc not only on their relationship, but also on the James’ Pack.
Ritual Bonding has a bit of everything! It is full of in-your-face Alpha Females, lots of Action, Commanding Vampires, and Feral Alpha Males—who like their women strong & their sex wild.
Available from:
Growing up, I had a passion for reading, Science fiction, music, anything that was creative in nature. I watched sci-fi shows (Buck Rogers & Battlestar Galactica) & read books & magazines about the big, bad wolf & vampires. Someday, I thought, there would always be a place for me In the Final Frontier. As we know life is not like the movies, we watch or the TV shows we love (no Luke Skywalker or Captain Kirk).
After some deep thought and retrospect, I decided to live in my fantasy world-through the printed word (or e-books) & share it with the world. I’m never without a book in hand.
When life throws you a curve ball, all you need to do is fly away to another world. That world awaits us in the pages of our favorite books.
E-mail: m.corchis@outlook.com
Facebook: facebook.com/MCorchisauthorpage
Twitter: @mcorchis
Pinterest: Mcorchisauthor
Goodreads: M.Corchis
Amazon: amazon.com/author/m.corchis
Web: mcorchis.wix.com/mcorchis-author
Instagram: @m.corchisauthor
Deacon by Cheryl Douglas (Contest) @Goddessfish #Romance
When Deacon Sarkis sets his sights on the gorgeous young model gracing the pages of his glossy catalogue, he knows he has to have her. One problem. She’s not available. But that won’t stop Deacon. He’s a man used to getting what he wants and he wants Mia.
Mia is stunned when she receives an email from the elusive billionaire who owns the lingerie company she models for. He tells her he’s intrigued. He’s not the only one. But she knows she’d be a fool to throw away an eight year relationship for a brief affair with the head honcho. He doesn’t do relationships and she doesn’t do casual sex. It seems they’re at an impasse.
Who will come out on top in this battle of wills? The dominant one or the woman intent on teaching him the meaning of submission?
Book Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1R0ibz0
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=deacon+by+cheryl+Douglas
Kobo: Not Available Yet
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/deacon-starkis-family-1/id994275740?mt=11
Excerpt:
I stared at my reflection. “I don’t understand, Barbara. I thought Eleni was supposed to be modeling the bridal collection.”
She pinned the white bustier until my full breasts spilled over the top. Then she artfully arranged the white sheer robe so it revealed just enough of her handiwork to be enticing without looking trashy. “What the boss wants, the boss gets. Even if it means we have to lose sleep to get these damn alterations done on time.”
“Remind me to give you a raise, Barbara.”
I turned so fast that the pin Barbara was holding jabbed me in the thigh, but I barely noticed.
It was him. Oh God. I couldn’t breathe. I was going to pass out right there.
“Mr. Starkis,” Barbara said, a blush stealing over her cheeks. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t hear you
come in.”
“I’d like a moment alone with Miss Barnes, Barbara.” He gave her a pointed stare before he
said, “I’ll try not to keep her too long. I understand you’re on a tight schedule.”
She lowered her head before gathering her measuring tape and pins. “No problem, take all
the time you need.”
He waited until Barbara had closed the door and we were alone before he whispered, “Theia,
you look breathtaking.”
I still didn’t know what theia meant, and I was beyond irritated to be meeting him under
these circumstances, especially armed with the knowledge about his penchant for young models.
Closing the gap in the sheer robe, I tried to stare him down, but it wasn’t easy. Even
standing on a pedestal and wearing four-inch heels, I was still slightly shorter than he was.
“We meet at last.” He stepped closer and ran a fingertip over my cheek. “You’re even more
beautiful in person than I imagined you would be.”
His accent was more pronounced than it had been over the phone and sent delicious chills up
my spine in spite of my annoyance at my body’s betrayal.
His bright blue eyes flashed with irritation. “You are annoyed with me. Again?”
“I’m not having this conversation here.” I looked around, wondering if he’d seduced other
women in that very room. “I’m working. Kindly leave.”
His irritation blossomed into anger. “I own this goddamn building. No one tells me when to
leave.”
Oh. Feeling properly chastised, I did the only thing I could. I turned away from him and
fixed all my attention on the mirror in front of me. He walked around me in a slow circle, his hand rubbing the dark stubble on his square jaw.
“Mmmm, this looks even better than I imagined it would. It’s so easy to imagine unwrapping you on our wedding night.”
Cheryl Douglas will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn host.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
When one door closes, another one opens. I closed the door to my business for the last time in 2011, which left me with a decision. What now? Find another location and move my nutrition business, go to work for someone else, or take a chance on my dream? I chose the latter and I’ve never looked back!
I’ve always loved reading and writing, but it wasn’t until I jumped in with both feet and decided writing would be my career, instead of just a hobby, that my muse woke up from her deep slumber.
It was like someone flipped a switch inside my head and stories just came pouring out. At the end of the day, I would often look at the keyboard and wonder, ‘Who the heck wrote that? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure it wasn’t me!’
I don’t write books. I tell stories, or rather, I allow my characters to tell their stories through me. I’m not a plotter, never have been, never will be. Why? Because I have no idea how the story will evolve and it’s not my place to manipulate it. My job is to get to know these characters, figure out what makes them tick, then follow their journey wherever it takes me.
When I’m not writing, I’m daydreaming. Thankfully, I have an understanding husband and son who know I’ll re-join the land of the living just as soon as my muse decides it’s quitting time. I don’t work for myself. I work for her. She’s the boss. And I’m okay with that.
Website: http://cheryldouglasbooks.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/cheryldouglasbooks
Twitter – https://twitter.com/CherylDouglasNN
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5761770.Cheryl_Douglas
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25566017-deacon
July 27, 2015
SHOSHANNA’S SHORT SHORTS by Shoshanna Evers (Contest) #Romance @GoddessFish
If you’re in the mood for a quickie (ahem), you’ll love this collection of eleven sexy short stories from New York Times and USA Today bestselling erotic romance author, Shoshanna Evers —“Queen of the erotic novellas.” (Fandom Fanatic). This collection pulls Evers’ published stories together from nine different anthologies into one volume. Includes a never-before-published story, plus the bestselling Overheated!
Excerpt:
Excerpt #1: Falling Ashes
Copyright 2015 Shoshanna Evers. All Rights Reserved.
Trent set her down slowly, letting her body slide over the front of his as he released her from his fireman’s carry. Her ass still tingled from the smack he’d given her.
“Do you spank all the women you rescue when you have to throw them over your shoulder?” she asked, feigning jealousy.
“Nope.” He leaned in, his stubble scratching her cheek. “But I always want to.”
Susan giggled and grabbed the suspenders hanging down his hips on either side of his uniform. “You don’t need these to keep your pants on right now, you know that, right?”
Trent grinned and sat down in the grass, looking up into the smoky night sky just as she had done not moments before. “You want me to get buck-naked right here?”
“More than anything.”
Trent pulled off his boots, tossing them to the side. Susie watched with anticipation, running her tongue over her lower lip.
“This ain’t no show,” he teased. “Tit for tat, baby. Take off your shirt for me.”
Susan pulled it up over her head so quickly she heard a seam rip. F*ck it. She couldn’t get out of her clothes and onto her man fast enough, as far as she was concerned. All those hours worrying, wondering… she kicked off her shoes, shimmying out of her jeans.
Trent stared at her as he pulled his pants off too, the reflective stripes gleaming in the dark, and stood up. He looked tall and dark and almost menacing in a sexy-as-hell way, naked and sweaty and streaked with soot, standing in front of her. The look in his eyes made her feel desirable. Needed.
God knows she needed him, too.
“I was so scared, Trent,” she admitted.
“Yeah, me too,” he pulled her into his arms, his sweat-slicked chest rubbing against her breasts, her nipples immediately hardening into tight buds.
“You were scared?” The thought never occurred to her, somehow, that a man as big and strong and courageous as Trent could ever be scared of anything.
“Yeah. Scared I was never going to get the chance to see you again.”
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Shoshanna will award a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter a $25 Amazon/BN GC.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Shoshanna Evers has written dozens of sexy stories, including The Man Who Holds the Whip (part of the NYT bestselling MAKE ME anthology), I Am Not Your Melody (from the NYT bestselling Cowboy 12-Pack), Beauty & the Beast: an erotic reimagining (from the USA Today bestselling Wicked Hot Reads), The Enslaved Trilogy and The Pulse Trilogy from Simon & Schuster Pocket Star, and the national bestseller, The Tycoon’s Convenient Bride…and Baby.
Her work has been featured in Best Bondage Erotica 2012 and Best Bondage Erotica 2013, the Penguin/Berkley Heat anthology Agony/Ecstasy, and numerous erotic BDSM novellas including Chastity Belt and Punishing the Art Thief, originally from Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
The non-fiction anthology Shoshanna Evers edited and contributed to, How To Write Hot Sex, is a #1 Bestseller in the Authorship, Erotica Writing Reference, and Romance Writing categories.
Shoshanna is also the cofounder of SelfPubBookCovers.com, the largest selection of one-of-a-kind, premade book covers in the world.
Shoshanna is a New York native who now lives with her family and three big dogs in Northern Idaho. She welcomes emails from readers and writers, and loves to interact on Twitter and Facebook.
Sexily *Evers* After… ShoshannaEvers.com
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Forbidden Love by Tamaria Soana (Contest) #Romance #Contemporary
Genre: Erotic Romance
What happens when you meet your destiny but you both belong to someone else?
Carmelita Heaton married her high school sweetheart. The first few years of marriage were bliss. As her husband climbed the corporate ladder and began to travel for his job, they slowly grew apart.
Before long, their marriage was reduced to seeing each other a few times a month in passing, leaving no emotional connection. In the midst of all this, Carm needed to find a new job because the doctor she worked for was retiring. Her life starts to spin out of control when she begins her new job as an RN for an OB/GYN.
Doctor Dylan Gates’ professional life needed to run smoothly since his personal life was falling apart. His wife Lydia suffered a nervous breakdown a few years prior, after she lost her twin sister. Doctor Gates threw himself into his work. He’s a man set in his ways, but when his long time nurse moved out of town; he’s forced to hire someone new.
Dylan and Carm’s instant attraction leaves them both struggling to do the right thing. How long can they fight to stay away from their destiny?
Content warning: adult language and adult sexual situations, graphic sexual content, anal play. This book contains an extra marital affair so if that’s not your thing then I would advise you not to read this story
~99 cents until 7/31~
Buy Links: Amazon
What readers are saying about Forbidden Love…
“If you are looking for a story that will make you feel hope for love and a happily ever after, Forbidden Love is a must read. Ms. Soana’s characters will leave you breathless.”
“This was a fast read that flowed smoothly and kept me intrigued.”
“I loved this book… I recommend to all my friends, a must read.”
Excerpt:
I got out of my car and looked around, making sure no one noticed me, and slipped into the building. When I reached the condo, I pulled out my keys to unlock the door. I was stunned to hear music coming from the bedroom. Was he early? On our bedroom door, I found a note.
My Sweet Carmelita,
Happy six months, darling. I won’t be long, make yourself comfortable and I will be by your side soon. I love you.
Dylan
I slowly opened the door and was blown away by what I found. My eyes scanned the room trying to take it all in. There was champagne chilling, romantic music playing, and candles aglow everywhere. It took my breath away and my heart melted. If it was possible, I fell deeper in love with Dylan.
I went over to the closet to find something sexy to wear. I found one of his shirts, picked it up and brought it to my nose, inhaling his scent of cedar and musk. I shed my clothes, then slipped the shirt on. I wrapped my arms around myself and took a deep breath. I couldn’t believe we had been together for six months.
I grabbed a glass of champagne, walked over to bed, and made myself comfortable. I thought back over the last six months with Dylan and how he had changed me. He brought me out of my self-imposed shell. I felt beautiful, adored and sexy again. He made me laugh and challenge myself, but most of all I knew he loved me.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t hear him come in. I looked up and there he was, my white knight, leaning in the entry way, staring at me.
“Dylan,” I screeched while sitting up. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to watch you. You take my breath away; you’re so sexy and beautiful,” he said in a deep, husky voice as he walked towards me. Before I knew it, his warm, wet lips were on mine, kissing me passionately until I was flat on my back.
“I need you so bad, baby. You’re so sexy in my shirt, but it has to go.”
“I need you too. Take me…please!”
~Giveaway~
Tamaria is giving away three Forbidden Love swag bracelets during her tour.
For a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below.
Watch the Trailer: Youtube Link
About the Author:
Tamaria Soana is middle-aged but feels like her life has just begun. She writes contemporary romance stories with a high heat level that always end with a ‘happily ever after’. Growing up, she loved to read and make up new places in her head to escape to. In her late teens she began writing short stories and poetry. It wasn’t until her late thirties before she began to spin a full story.
She’s married and a stay-at-home mom of two beautiful young girls. They reside in Western New York. Cuddling up with a good book under an electric throw is her way to escape the cold Buffalo nights.
Besides writing, she co-owns Shades of Rose Media and produces book trailers. Five of her book trailers have been featured on the USA Today’s Happy Ever After site.
July 22, 2015
I
This is the final call to signup for the “I Book Boyfriends Scavenger Hunt”.
Event dates: Aug. 22 to 31st
There will be a $10 buy in to go toward the Rafflecopter Giveaways.
Author should have at least one title on sale for the duration of the hop.
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Sharon Kay’s Tainted Kiss #Paranormal #Romance @sharonkaynovels
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Tactical, lethal, resolute.
Haunted by a centuries-old tragedy, there’s no room in Arawn’s life for softness. Every action he takes is for the betterment of his race and the good of the realm. He leads his elite band of warriors the same way he lives his life: full on, without compromise, determined. Except for one sexy female who happens to be his subordinate.
Tenacious, passionate, tough-as-steel.
Ria relishes the duties Arawn assigns her as much as she respects the deadly combatants on her team. And she has a secret: her formidable boss is also her deepest fantasy. Years of working under his authority haven’t dulled the spark she feels, yet her passion is tempered by the hints of loss she gathers about him. His dark and sexy moodiness draws her, but he’s a hard man to approach as he keeps the world at emotional arm’s length.
Secrets laced in blood burn his battle-hardened soul.
When Ria is gravely injured in the line of duty, Arawn can no longer fight his own long-simmering feelings. But a secret, more heinous and ugly than anyone could imagine, prevents him from surrendering his heart. Despite his intentions, he and Ria forge a connection both fiery and unexpectedly tender. Yet every day brings them closer to shocking facts. Evil stirs in his blood, and hiding the truth from her will be the ultimate betrayal.
Available from:
Tainted Kiss Excerpt:
Wake up.
He always told her to wake up. The male voice was always light, almost teasing as it cut into the sluggish images that chased across her mind, disturbing them in a way that was surprising and wonderful. Wake up. But in his deep voice there was also a need. Not urgent, but…something different.
He wanted her to wake up. To join him. There was a tenderness in his voice that made no sense. Was she dreaming? This man, her leader, wasn’t patient.
Her thoughts were muddled, a jumble of questions and darkness. Certain voices echoed in her head now and then. Voices of people who loved her. Nearby and hushed. His voice, always, talking to her.
“Wake up. Now.”
Wait. This time, she heard it in her ears as well as her foggy brain. Ria forced heavy eyes open.
Bright lights. His huge body near her. Her left hand, impossibly warm…held in his?
He’s here. And his head was lowered over their hands.
Soft words whispered…what had he said?
What was happening? Am I dead? Something amazing and peaceful surrounded her inside and out, a feeling of belonging and…and rightness. And it had to do with him.
Abruptly his fingers tightened on hers, the trace of softness gone.
Powerless to do anything but stare, she was transfixed by his dark hair and impossibly wide shoulders. So she caught every nuance in his eyes when he lifted his head and started to push up from his chair.
She caught the resigned look of tenderness that flickered when he first looked up.
She caught the slice of absolute shock when he met her open eyes.
She caught the genuine smile he gave her. Gods, he rarely smiled. She tried to smile too, couldn’t help it. He looked like a warrior god created just for her. If this were a dream, she wanted to live here forever. Stay.
He was getting up.
No! “St—” Her voice was barely a whisper, cracking through the dry tissues of her throat. Did he even hear her?
Dark eyes wide, he leaned closer. Brooding, big, a swift protective presence. “Ria! Holy gods. Can you hear me?”
She nodded and opened her mouth to try to say more.
“Don’t try to talk yet.” He still held her hand in his much larger ones, concern and wonder on his handsome face.
Arawn.
His name burst like a firework in her mind. The Lash demons’ uncompromising Commander. His voice was the one that had cajoled her and ordered her to wake up.
She didn’t know why he was here, or why she was here for that matter. All she knew was this huge, lethal man was one hundred percent focused on her. He almost always looked ready to tear something apart, rarely cracking a smile.
But now, the grin he wore would have brought her to her knees, if she hadn’t already been in a bed.
And why, exactly, was she in bed? She glanced around, taking in the pale green walls. This wasn’t her room. She didn’t have a painting of the black sand beach of Tarsa on her wall. “Where am I?” Her voice rasped over the words.
“Already ignoring that I told you not to talk.” But his eyes twinkled. “You’re in the medical wing. Gods, it’s good to see you in the realm of the living.” He pulled out his phone and dialed. “Ashina. Get in here. She’s awake.”
Ashina…Ria knew that name. The healer. “What do you mean, the realm of the living?”
“You decided to take a month off.” He spoke wryly, but that grin remained in place. “And you didn’t request permission.”
About Sharon
Sharon Kay writes award-winning fiction and can never get enough reading time. She loves paranormal romance, with romantic suspense following close on its heels. She loves winter and black coffee, and is endlessly inspired to write kick-ass heroines and the men strong enough to capture their hearts.
Sharon lives in the Chicago area with her husband and son, and didn’t expect to write one book, let alone a series. But WICKED WIND and the Solsti series formed in her head one weekend and refused to stay quiet until she put pen to paper. Her characters tend to keep her up at night, as they banter, fall in love, and slay endless varieties of power-hungry demons.
Sign up for Sharon’s newsletter to keep up with her demons, see early cover reveals and be entered in periodic giveaways.
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