Lia Davis's Blog, page 62

September issue of BTS eMag!

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Open publication – Free publishing – More books

FREE eBook giveaway!

Good morning, everyone! FORGOTTEN VISIONS is being spotlighted over at Reviews by Molly. AND I’m giving away one eCopy to a lucky commenter.

Hop over, enter to win, and please share!

http://reviewsbymolly.com/giveaway-forgotten-visions-by-lia-davis/

Tory Michaels The Dream-Walker War Tour: Interview with Dara and Anthony

I am excited to have Dara and Anthony over today for an interview as part of Tory Michaels’s The Dream-Walker War Tour. Welcome me welcome them.

Hello, Dara and Anthony! Please tell us about yourselves: job, hobbies, special talents, and anything else you would want to share.

Dara: Hi, I’m Athdara MacKechnie. I currently work as the Chief Liaison with the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs, part of the Department of Health and Species Services in the United States. My primary non-work talent would be photography, but thanks to my job I don’t have a lot of time for it.

Anthony: I’m Anthony Caldwell, former CEO and founder of the international conglomeration of Savage Enterprises. My hobbies include baseball…Why the devil does this abruptly sound like a “dating” video?

Dara: Just answer the question.

A: I am, I just fail to see how, given I have no interest in meeting another woman right now, I should come across sounding like an advertisement.

D: ::gritted teeth:: ‘Right now’, Tony?

A: ::wince:: I should probably rephrase that, shouldn’t I, pet?

D: It might be nice of you to do so, your Grace.

A: Moving along, I’m rather good at armed combat, having been a Viking before my conversion to the Blood. And, though it may sound a bit immodest, making money. It’s come in handy over the centuries.

 

Tell us about the first time you met.

D: We met at a formal ball in London? ::very hesitant about this:: In 1806.

A: No one’s going to judge, Athdara. Be honest with the audience. They’re not going to run off and report you to the Director or anyone else.

D: You want them to know the truth? I say it reflects as badly on you as it does on me.

A: I disagree, love. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. We met at the auction where Athdara was auctioning off her virginity. As the daughter of one of London’s most famous courtesans, it fetched a high price. She hoped to raise enough money doing that to keep her brothers and sister from starving.

D: And just why were you there?

A: As a silent owner in the place, I always knew when interesting events took place. It made an excellent feeding ground, if nothing else. And you were well worth the price.

D: Thanks. ::bright pink cheeks, staring at nothing in particular:: Thanks. I think. Was it really necessary to tell everyone?

 

What drew you to each other?

D: What’s not to be drawn to? He’s warm, caring, lov…

A: ::yanks her close for a kiss to silence it, lets her up for air:: That’s quite enough of that, woman. These people will think me a puling milksop.

D: They don’t know what they’re missing then. You’re anything but a sop.

A: As to what drew me to her? Originally? It was the haunted, terrified look on her face, when she stood watching one of the soiled doves receiving a customer. Despite her parentage, she was so innocent, I didn’t want anything to spoil that about her. She’d made her choice, but I didn’t believe she should suffer, and there were those at the auction who would have made her suffer greatly before they killed her.

 

Anthony, what is your favorite part Dara?

A: Her absolute devotion to her family, of which I am now blessed to be a part of. I only want to prove myself worthy of the love she’s honored me with after such a turn as I delivered during one her darkest hours.

 

Dara, same question.

D: That he looks past how we met and sees me for who I am, not just the body that warmed his bed. And he’s rather endearing with his insistence that there’s anything interesting about the God-awful, boring games of chess and baseball.

A: No taste, woman. Except in me, of course.

D: Always modest, your Grace.

 

Care to share future plans?

D: Trying to find those responsible for my niece’s death. She was the last member of my human family and I owe it to all of them to bring them some peace.

A: Finding the Aristocrats who are trying to put an end to eighty-plus years of peace between humans and non-humans.

 

 

Blood Rage

The Dream-Walker War, Book 1

Evernight Publishing

Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

2/8/12

For eighty years since the Great Awakening, humans and non-humans have lived in relative peace together. The peace is threatened when three bodies turn up less than a mile from the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs in Tampa, all bearing the signature of vampires who once terrorized Europe.

The Bureau’s chief liaison to the vampires, Dara MacKechnie, learns that the Tampa victims are not alone when her ex-lover, and head of the vampire’s Great Council, Anthony Caldwell comes calling.

The pair discovers the lie that separated them two centuries ago only banked their passion, not extinguished it. Dara must decide whether she can trust Anthony with her heart a second time as they try to head off the war that threatens all they hold dear.

 

Instinct helped her draw back before she took more than she should. Dara sucked in air, trying to wipe away the addictive taste of him even while she absorbed the new details about his true nature.

“Good lord,” she said against his throat. “Wow doesn’t seem quite adequate.” The exchange was bliss itself, but ultimately left her unfulfilled. Her body throbbed with it, and she felt the same need in him, rock-hard desire pressing up against her core through their clothes. Dara shifted, trying to alleviate the pressure trapped between her thighs.

Anthony’s arm around her waist tightened, holding her still. He groaned, teeth grinding together. “I suggest, my pet, you stop moving if you wish me to remain a gentleman. There’s a reason exchanges take place during sex.”

Her mouth fell open. Chris had mentioned something of that nature on more than one occasion.In for a penny, in for a pound, Dara reasoned. It would be better than walking away right then, knowing they wanted the same thing. Maybe a second night would quench the lust, and she could let go of the need, the hunger for him he created just by breathing.

She shifted, straddling his lap to settle more firmly against the erection that bulged in his jeans and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt reckless right then. A second night wouldn’t hurt anyone or anything. Dara found the notion liberating. “Do you really want me to stay still, Tony?”

His dark eyes glittered with familiar intensity as he clutched her hips. His mouth curled up at one corner. “Don’t call me that.”

“What?” She leaned forward and nuzzled the side of his neck, just above the tiny marks from where she had bitten him, and reached for the button on his jeans. “I don’t know. I rather like it. Sarah might be onto something with that. Tony Caldwell, man about town. Maybe I can convince you to like it.”

Anthony groaned as she slid the zipper down, shifting back on the couch. “Unlikely, but you can always try to convince me. What do you propose to do?”

Dara trailed her fingers just inside the waistband of his pants, toying with the firm flesh there. “I have an idea or two. It might be easier if you took your pants off though.”

“Are you going to reciprocate?” He set her own her feet before standing, towering over her.

She grinned up at him, easing the pants over his narrow hips until she could cup the rampant erection he sported. “Wasn’t planning on it quite yet.”

He shucked the pants off the rest of the way, kicking them to one side. A heartbeat later, his shirt joined the heap on the floor. Dara leaned back to admire the gorgeous sight he made, standing there totally nude. Oh, to have her camera, take a picture to remember this night for the rest of her existence, long after they moved on. Broad shoulders, chiseled abs leading down to his waist, with only a faint sprinkling of body hair.

She slowly circled him, trailing her fingertips over his middle, watching with delight as goosebumps rose in their wake.

****

    Anthony held up his hands, watching her as she paused in front of him, clearly debating her course of action. It was a bit of a role reversal, as he was well-used to having her naked while heremained clothed. But he was inclined to give her her head and see where she led. “Now what?”

“Sit.” In that effort, she rested her hands, silky smooth and warm, on his chest to urge him down.

Yes, he liked this more decisive, assertive woman. He cherished the memory of her innocence and enthusiasm, but he found it quite alluring, a woman who knew what she wanted. And clearly she wanted something beyond the obvious. He settled back on the couch, arms spread along the back. If he didn’t, he’d reach for her and end this now. Control, Anthony, control.

His breath caught in his throat when she dropped to her knees between his legs and took him in her hands, stroked along his length. His world narrowed to just the two of them, everything not her fading rapidly as he thought only of the soft hands caressing him, something he’d long feared might never happen again. Anthony groaned. “You’re going to kill me, woman.”

A tiny, teasing smile crossed her face. “La petite mort, yes. That’s certainly the idea,” she said, cupping his balls. Warm breath tickled the length of him as she spoke.

His hands clenched into fists. He wouldn’t be able to take much of this, or he’d thoroughly disgrace himself by coming too soon. When she took him in her mouth, his eyes crossed. Gods, yes. If Odin himself popped in and offered to take him off to Valhalla, he would turn the god down in a heartbeat, just to stay like this. It’d been so long.

****

    Dara allowed herself a satisfied mental smile at his raspy growl and swirled her tongue around his cock, continuing to caress him. He’d never let her get away with calling him Tony, but it’d been an excellent segue to this.

Her eyes closed as his fingers speared into her hair, massaging her scalp even as he slowed her pace.

“Such a talented mouth, pet,” he said, tugging strands free from the braid trailing down her back. “I’ve miss this so damned much.”

The words echoed round and round her head, and she hummed with satisfaction, drawing another long, tortured groan from him. And then voices from the past exploded from her subconscious, rough hands pulling at her. Such a good little pet. Dara choked.

“No!” She fell back, scrabbling away on the floor. Voices pressed in on her, upper-crust British accents, laughter, and pain. The newly recovered memories dug their claws in, and she buried her face in her knees, trying to force them back.

 

Blood Rage Buy Links

Evernight Publishing / AmazonUK / AmazonUS / BookStrand / AllRomance / B&N

Blood-Mage Rising

The Dream-Walker War, Book 2

Evernight Publishing

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

4/12/12

In the eighty years since the Great Awakening, humans and non-humans have lived side by side, relatively at peace.  In an attack that leaves his wife dead, Jordan MacNaught is caught up in the start of a war meant to turn the other races against the vampires. He knows beyond a doubt the vampires of yesteryear are not involved in the attacks. They’re all dead, except for him.

Jordan asks for Chris Javert’s help in hunting those who murdered his wife. She’s no stranger to hunting vampires. After all, she nearly destroyed Jordan when she ended the reign of his Aristocrats in Europe two hundred years ago.

Despite the disturbing turn to her daydream, the shower centered her. It certainly ended her bout of the hornies. When she exited the frosted glass enclosure into the steam and gardenia-scented room, Chris could face the world, and Jordan, again. Cool marble tile provided a sharp contrast against the balmy miasma blanketing her. She needed to get dressed and back to work.

“It’s about time you got out,” Jordan said as he materialized, seated on the edge of the counter between the sink bowls. His legs dangled over the edge.

“Son of a—” Chris yelped and leaped for her towel.

He blinked slowly, warning, and she just caught herself before the last word slipped out. The last time she called him a son of a bitch, he buried her alive for disparaging his mother. For some reason, he objected to the pejorative, even though rumor had it he’d killed his mother at some point. She clutched at her towel like a shield.

“What are you doing in here?”

“To quote a certain someone, I should think that it’s fairly obvious. I wanted to talk to you.” He flashed a smile, fangs just barely showing, and leaned his weight back on his palms. “You know, Chrissy, if you’d just given me a bit longer, you wouldn’t have had to resort to alternative methods.”

She might be claustrophobic, but right then she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. Dear God. Her reflection turned a nice, brilliant, beet red, and she looked around for her bathrobe, finally finding it slung over the door that separated the toilet from the main portion of the room. “Mother of Lorminstra, you perverted jackanapes!”

Jordan blinked again, the picture of innocence. “I am the perverted one? Which one of us just masturbated in the shower?”

This absolutely can’t be happening. Please let this be a continuation of the weird-ass dream. Chris snatched her robe down and yanked it on, surreptitiously pinching her side in the process. Pain flared and dissipated. Unfortunately, the bathroom invasion continued unabated.Damn, no dream. She belted the flimsy scrap of silk, not feeling much more secure than with the towel. “You could have waited five minutes.”

“I did. Then, when you still didn’t emerge, I thought I’d wait in here.”

Since the universe didn’t see fit to rescue her by sending a great bolt of lightning or a tsunami to kill her, she needed to brazen the situation out. And had her shower really taken that long? Good lord.

“What was so important you couldn’t wait? And while there’d better not be a next time, next time let me know you’re there. I could have finished…ah, I could have gotten, ah, ….”

There really wasn’t a good way to end that statement, and she floundered. He didn’t seem inclined to rescue her either, judging by his grin. Asshole. The recently departed headache began to squeeze her temples again.

“I wouldn’t have enjoyed it half as much if I had interrupted, unless I joined in.”

“Well, why didn’t you?” In her brief glimpse before she bent at the waist and flipped her hair over her head to begin toweling it dry, she got good visual confirmation that he definitely enjoyed the view. Must have been in mist form to see much, given the frosted glass that surrounded the shower.

“And get my clothes wet? Don’t be absurd.”

“A normal person would join me.” She wrung her hair out with more force than strictly necessary. “Now, explain what was so important you felt the need to become a Peeping Jordan, and then get out!”

“I think you need to have another go in the shower, if you’re still this waspish.”

Anthony would thank her if she killed him.

“I’ll make this brief. You’re fond of gambling, aren’t you?”

“What of it?” She continued to rub viciously with the towel, not sure she followed him yet. “I’m fond of lots of things.”

“Earlier, you propositioned me.”

Chris choked. “I did no such thing!”

“Then what would you call it?”

“Losing my mind.”

Jordan chuckled. From her upside down position, she saw his legs stop swinging as he leaned forward. “I propose a bet. Just to make our time a little more interesting, although I doubt it will beat what I just saw.”

She purposely ignored the latter half of his statement. Finished with her scalp she moved on to the longer portion of her hair.

“If you win, I will walk the straight and narrow for, hmmm. Two decades should be impetus enough, even for you. While not admitting to having done anything that might get me in trouble under your country’s Rights and Responsibilities Act, I promise not to indulge in any of my more exotic entertainments for that period. No murder, no torture, nothing of that nature.” Her eyes widened, and she stood, towel held loosely in her right hand. “I thought that might garner your exclusive attention.”

Mouth dry, she swallowed hard. For that offer, he wanted something big in return. “And if I lose?”

“I get your blood. More specifically, we forge a blood-bond.”

No chance in hell.

Though she wanted to say the words, she didn’t. If she rejected him out of hand without a good reason, he might wonder. Vampires commonly shared blood. It wasn’t safe for her to do, since most people would feel obligated to turn her over to the Circle for execution if they figured out what she was.

She couldn’t dismiss the possibility he’d offered the bet to see how desperate she was to avoid sharing blood. In that case, she should say yes and win, no matter the cost.

“Quite the stakes. What’s the bet?”

 

Blood-Mage Rising Buy Links

Evernight Publishing / Amazon UK / AmazonUS / BookStrand / AllRomance / B&N

Originally from the Sacramento Valley, Tory packed up and moved all the way to Southwest Florida in 2004 with her husband (a Florida native) under the premise that ‘hurricanes almost never hit that part of the state.’ That year, 4 blasted the area. 4 more came the following year, and her husband blames her for bringing the hurricanes. She now resides in Jacksonville and is relieved that, thus far, no more hurricanes have followed her around.

She began writing in kindergarten when a turnip wished to be human and, other than a hiatus shortly after getting married, has never stopped. Her love of vampires began somewhere in junior high, and combining the two loves didn’t take long. She loves music, considers herself a ‘book slut’ whose reading habits would break her family financially if given free reign, and is (usually) delighted to be a mommy of twin Shrimpettes and a Shrimp.

 

Tory Michaels Website / Facebook/ The Dream-Walker War Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

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Author Interview with Casey Wyatt

Welcome, Casey! Thanks for coming by. Please tell us about your book/series and how did the idea come to you?

The idea for The Undead Space Initiative hit me like lightning bolt while I was driving in my car. I remember: Cherry Cordial, a vampire stripper forced to go to Mars.  At the time I was writing Mystic Ink, so I took notes.  Later I wrote the first three pages, then shelved the idea until the summer of 2011 when I finally wrote the book.

 

When did the writing bug first bite?

I’ve always liked writing, but it wasn’t until I was an adult when I realized that I wanted to be a writer, for real!

 

Who are you favorite authors, book/series?

I have loads of favorites, too many to list them all! Jeaniene Frost’s Cat and Bones books, Harry Dresdan (Jim Butcher), JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood and Simon Green’s Nightside and Drood series.

 

What is your most favorite childhood memory?

Spending summers camping in Rhode Island. Every day we’d go to the Misquamicut Beach or visit Watch Hill and ride the carousal. I remember one summer, we rented a house and it had an upper deck. We stayed up late and watched the Perseids meteor shower. I’ll never forget how dark the sky was. With almost no light pollution, the meteorites stood out vividly. I’ve never seen anything so spectacular since.

 

Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy reading, watching movies and spending time with my family. I also love to knit and crochet fun stuff. When the weather cools down, I like baking too. My specialty is peanut butter filled chocolate cupcakes.

 

Any advice for new writers just starting out?

Loads! The first is trust yourself (beware The Doubt Monster!).  The second is just write! Don’t spend forever on one story. Write it and move on to the next one. Think of them all as learning experiences.

 

Boxers, brief or commando?  Commando!

 

Favorite eye color?

I like my hubby’s blue-green eyes. They change color depending on the light or his clothes. Sometimes they are bluer, other times greener. I call them magical mood eyes.

 

What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?

Last October when a freak storm passed over the northeast, knocking out trees and power for days (we had no power for five days, others in the state for twice as long). The evening the storm hit, I spent half the night listening to tree branches cracking and crashing to the ground, hoping none of them would hit my house. So awful and freaky! I hope to never experience a night like that again!

 

The Undead Space Initiative

by Casey Wyatt

BLURB:

Cherry Cordial, vampire stripper extraordinaire, spectacularly messes up her life with a single act of kindness. How could she have known when she rescued gorgeous rogue Ian McDevitt that she would be implicated in the vampire queen’s murder? Soon, she faces the wrath of the entire vampire community. To escape retribution, she joins a settlement program to colonize Mars. Her choices are grim: hurtle through space to the red planet to face the unknown and possible death, or stay on Earth and face certain annihilation. To make things even more complicated, a certain gorgeous rogue seems to be shadowing her every move…

 

 

 

Life sucks, then you die. It’s a universal truth. But here’s what’s scarier. Even in death, life can still suck.

Case in point … wait for it….

“Cherry! Get your skinny ass up on stage!” Jonathan barked through my dressing room door. How do I describe him? Pain in my rump? Benefactor? Reason for my current situation? None of them seem adequate. His main occupation? Yelling at me to perform and to make him money. And he’s always interrupting. Never lets a girl have even a moment to think.

“I’m on my way. Geez Louise.” I flung open the door, narrowly missing Jonathan’s long Roman nose. The tops of his fangs peeked out from his full lips as he smiled at me. This was a game we liked to play. I would try to smack him with the door whenever possible.

Okay, it was a game I liked to play. I’ve never managed to nail him in the face. My vampire sire is too damned fast.

Jonathan tsked and crooked his finger. A slow smile curled his lips. “Cherry, I don’t know why I put up with you.”

“Of course you do. I’m your number one performer.” I flashed fang. My pearly whites are nowhere near as long as his, but they can still do the job. Due to feed soon, I tried not to stare at Jonathan’s jugular. I hated needing my sire’s blood to stay strong and avoid overpowering hunger. The kind, if left untended long enough, that made vamps go feral. I buried my nose in a bouquet of fragrant red roses, a gift from one of my many fans.

Jonathan smirked. Damn. I hated when he caught me eyeing him like a roast. Another game we liked to play – I pretended I didn’t need him. And he pretended not to notice. We both knew otherwise.

I needed him.

Crap on toast.

 

Casey Wyatt has no personal knowledge of the paranormal, but she hopes someday that may change. If there are ancient Gods, elves or satyrs living nearby, they’re more than welcome to visit. Bring pizza and chocolate please!

Her paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels have won or placed in numerous RWA contests. When not writing, Casey enjoys time with her family, loves to read, and enjoys knitting and crocheting.

She lives in a bustling Connecticut town with her husband, two sons and an assortment of pets (none of which are shape-shifters).

 

Visit Casey on the web: www.caseywyatt.com or at http://secretsof7scribes.wordpress.com/. You can also find Casey on Facebook and Twitter (@CaseyWyatt1).

Website: www.caseywyatt.com

Blog: www.caseywyatt.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/casey.wyatt.37

Twitter: @CaseyWyatt1

Tumblr: http://caseywyatt.tumblr.com/

 

 

Spotlight: The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter by Jennifer Malone Wright

 

Jennifer Malone Wright resides in the beautiful mountains of northern Idaho with her husband and five children. Between the craziness of taking care of her children, whose ages range from fourteen all the way down to six months, and being a homemaker, Jennifer has little time left for herself. The time she does have left, usually leading far into the night, is spent working on freelance work or her beloved fiction.

When she grew up, Jennifer always had her nose in a book. She has been writing stories and poems since grade school. This love of the written word and her strong interest in the paranormal is what has led to her first novel “The Birth of Jaiden.”

In addition to being a mother and homemaker, Jennifer is also a very proud military wife. Moving around the country for the last ten years has made her a bit of a nomad and she finds it difficult to be in one place for too long.

Jennifer is also the author of The Birth of Jaiden, a paranormal novel filled with action, suspense, and even a love story.

 

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon Author Page

The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter

Complete Collection

Parts I-VI

Genre: YA Paranormal

June 2012

This special edition of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter contains parts I-VI, the complete collection. Fourteen-year-old Chloe witnesses her mother’s murder at the hands of a vampire. Before the vampire can kidnap her, there is an unexpected rescue by a group of vampire hunters.

Overwhelmed by the feeling of safety, Chloe passes out and they whisk her away to their small community. When Chloe wakes, she comes face to face with the only other living relative, besides her mother, whom she has ever met: her grandfather. Chloe’s mother kept her hidden from the family; now, Chloe tries to unveil the family secrets.

Through her grandfather, she learns her mother was a vampire hunter. In fact, her entire family is descended from the powerful bloodlines of vampire hunters. Chloe agrees to join the family she has never known for one reason only: Chloe vows to kill the vampire responsible for her mother’s murder. With vengeance in her soul, Chloe is even more determined to follow through on her vow when she discovers the true identity of her enemy and how he is connected to her.

Experience the world of vampire hunter’s, vampires and mythology with Chloe in this exciting series.

 

Excerpt 1:

Drew let me be until snowflakes began to drift down from the sky. “Come on, Chloe. We have to go now.”

With tears still staining my cheeks, I gave my mother‟s grave one last caress and then stood. “All right, I‟m ready.”

Drew took my hand again and led me between the plots as best as we could manage. The air outside had chilled even more than when we arrived. It was cold. Really cold. When we approached the gates, warmth suddenly filled my stomach and spread through my body.

“Oh, my… what the heck?” I clutched my stomach as the tingling spread all the way into my fingertips.

“Are you okay?” Drew asked. “What‟s wrong?”

“I don‟t know.” I shook my head. Tears threatened to surface again. “I don‟t know.”

“It‟s your senses, Chloe, telling you something is off.”

Drew and I both spun around and Drew whipped his gun out from underneath his jacket.

“Who are you?” Drew yelled.

There, sitting atop one of the gravestones, bathed in the green glow of florescent lights, was a woman. Even though it was freezing, she barely wore anything, and what she did have on looked like leather wrapped around her body and a halter top with crude lacing holding it together. Snowflakes drifted down and passed through her tanned skin, dissolving into nowhere.

“How do you know me?” I shouted. “Who are you?”

My stomach was still flooded with warmth, and it made me feel like I had to pee. I wished I had brought my gun.

She clicked her tongue and tossed a wave of dark brown hair over her shoulder. “You do not need your weapons, my children. I do not come to harm.”

She slid off the gravestone, and I watched her bare feet sink into the snow. They left no footprints.

“Who are you?” Drew demanded again.

She moved forward slowly. “I am your mother, many times over.”

This chick scared me. Was she a ghost? I moved backward a few steps as she approached, using Drew as a shield, since he had the gun.

She smiled, her dark eyes intently focusing on Drew. “Andrew, lower your weapon. You cannot harm me.”

As if under a spell, Drew lowered his arms and his gun came to rest by his side. “What do you want?”

“I am here to help, Chloe.” She nodded at me and smiled. “You need the help of your ancestors. Your mother cannot help you, so I have come to give you guidance.”

The warmth in my stomach turned into fire in my heart. I can‟t explain it, but I felt the connection with this apparition. I moved out from behind Drew.

“Who are you?” I whispered.

She lifted her chin arrogantly. “I am Sostrate, the daughter of Artemis, and as I have told you already, your mother, many times over.”

“Why are you here?”

“I have come to give you the guidance your mother cannot give you. It is my duty.”

“Are you a ghost?”

She only shook her head and gave me a crooked grin. “I am a demi-goddess. I gained immortality from my mother. I do not come as an apparition, because I cannot die.”

“Holy shit.” Drew actually dropped his gun in the snow.

I moved forward, not afraid anymore. I knew she was who she said she was. As we approached each other, I stretched out my hand, wanting to touch her. She also extended her hand and as my gloved fingers connected with the solid fingertips of hers, I gasped. “You‟re real.”

She nodded. “Of course.”

“Sostrate,” I pulled my hand from hers, “How can you help me?”

“Chloe, it is time that you think with a clear head. Revenge has taken over your heart and your soul, taken over so much of you that you cannot possibly win this battle. It takes more than thinking with your brain. You must fight with love,” she pressed her fist against her heart “not only hatred.”

“I don‟t understand,” I told her.

“Wars are not won because of hatred for the enemy; they are won because of love for what is being defended.”

 

 

Excerpt 2:

“Come on. You said you wanted a demonstration of the water element.”

“Oh, cool.” I followed him through the trails until we reached a clearing where a tiny stream ran into a rather quaint little pond. Oddly enough, the pond wasn‟t frozen. Perhaps it wasn‟t cold enough.

“This is pretty,” I told him.

He just nodded and said nothing while he set down his bow and backpack on a large old tree stump. I watched while he turned toward the pond and narrowed his eyes.

“Look at the water, Chloe, not at me.”

“Oh.” I changed direction quickly.

The stream poured out of the woods and into the pond with gently running ripples of water. I almost didn‟t notice when the water in the center of the pond began to swirl. The swirling gradually picked up speed and grew larger until it looked like a whirlpool. But whirlpools go downward into the water. This whirlpool began to rise up out of the water. It rose up maybe six feet and then the water spilled over from the top like a fountain. I glanced at Gavin. He stood stock still, silent, his eyes focused on the water.

Slowly, the swirling fountain of water receded back into the pond. I stood there, enthralled by the magic Gavin could do with his power.

“You‟re amazing,” I whispered to him.

“No,” he shook his head, “I’m not amazing. I can just do amazing things.”

“Well… I think you‟re amazing.”

He turned his head and caught my eyes. “I think you‟re amazing, and you haven‟t done anything like that.”

Oh, little did he know. For some reason, his comment made me want to show him what I could do, but I didn‟t even know if I could do it on command. So far it had only happened when I was angry.

He stared at me so deeply I felt naked.

“Gavin, what I just saw was magical. You make magic.”

 

Part I of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter is FREE and the author would appreciate it if this was included in the tour spots.  You can find it FREE at the links below.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

 

Buy Links for The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter Complete Collection:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

 

Jennifer is giving away a $100 gift card from Amazon as the Grand Prize throughout the tour. Follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below.

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Only Scandal Will Do VBT: Interview with Jenna Jaxon and her sexy hero

I am excited to have Jenna Jaxon here today to talk about her latest release, Only Scandal Will Do. She has brought the sexy Duncan Ferrers with her. 

Hi, Jenna. Thanks so much for coming. Tell us about your book/series and how did the idea come to you?

The House of Pleasure series is set in England at the time of George III.  The Revolutionary War hadn’t happened yet. And it’s a wilder time both in “the colonies” and in London.  The series follows the friends and relatives of Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury through a series of romantic encounters of various kinds.  And each book has significant scenes set in The House of Pleasure, an exclusive brothel run by Duncan’s ex-mistress.  Only Scandal Will Do is the first book of the series and chronicles one of Duncan’s “night on the town” that goes very wrong.  At an auction at the brothel, he meets a woman he assumes is a prostitute, but is actually a lady who’s been kidnapped.  When he refuses to believe her story, the events of the night spiral out of control.  Duncan ends up smitten with the woman and chasing her all around London, trying to convince her to marry him.

The idea for the story came from a romance by Mary Balogh and Jo Beverley’s Malloren series, which gave me my love of the Georgian period.

 

When did the writing bug first bite?

Third grade.  I wrote my first story, Miss Priss Finds a Kitten, and I’ve been writing something ever since.  My desire to make this a career arose about 3 1/2 years ago.

 

Who are you favorite authors, book/series?

In historical romance, Jo Beverley (Malloren & Company of Rogues), Lisa Kleypas (Wallflowers), Mary Balogh (Simply and Slightly) and Kathleen Woodiwiss. Other genres, Stephen King, Phillipa Gregory, John Grisham.

 

What is your most favorite childhood memory?

Helping my dad pick vegetables out in his garden.  I didn’t inherit his green thumb, unfortunately, but I used to help pick tomatoes, squash, butter beans, and green beans. He had a fantastic garden each year.

 

Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spear time?

I haven’t done it in probably 10-12 years, but I used to love scuba diving with my husband.  We went diving on our honeymoon and man, what a trip that was!

 

Any advice for new writers just starting out?

Keep writing, no matter what.  My friend and mentor Judi McCoy told me, “You can fix crap, you can’t fix nothing.”  It’s the best advice I can give to another writer.

 

Boxers, brief or commando? Boxers

 

Favorite eye color?  Crystal blue

 

What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?

One of the strangest things I’ve ever seen was a cow lick my daughter’s back as she posed for a picture in Amish country.  We have the picture and the look on my daughter’s face is priceless!

 

 

Hello, Lord Dunan. Please share with us about the first time you saw Lady Katarina.

I was at an auction in a brothel and she was being sold as a Greek slave.  Naturally, one look at her gorgeous hair and I had to outbid the rest of the room.  I always get what I want.

 

What drew you to her?

Her spirit.  After I paid for her and joined her in the bedroom, she put up such a struggle I was quite charmed.  I love a woman who knows how to fight back!

 

What is your favorite part of her?

Her loving nature.  Granted, it took a long time for that nature to be aimed at me, but her love for her brother was a constant that I wanted her to extend to me.

 

Care to share future plans?

That would be telling, however, I will say that life with Katarina is anything but usual.

 

Only Scandal Will Do

by

Jenna Jaxon

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her.

Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared.

He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?

WARNING: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.

 

 “I assure you, there was never a night like that before.” Lord Dalbury spoke quietly, and Katarina sensed a tension in him. “I had never done such a thing before. Never participated in such an auction. Never tried to take a woman unwillingly to my bed.” He stopped speaking. Just stopped. Then his breath hissed as though he’d slowly released it.

“I cannot find the words to tell you how deeply I regret I was not a better man that night.” He paused, and she held still and waited. “What I tried to do was madness, without thought, without honor. I do not even have an excuse other than my base desires, and that your abundant charms overwhelmed me.” His face was shadowy in the scarce light of the sickle moon, but he sounded contrite. “I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. I have no right to expect it. But I would ask you to allow me to attempt to remedy the situation.”

Kat shook her head slowly. “What on earth do you believe you could do, Lord Dalbury, that could even come close to a remedy for the terror and humiliation you put me through? Do you think now that I have met you, heard your feeble attempts at an apology, and rejected them, the memory of that night will magically disappear?” She fought to control her anger, though she yearned to blast him with it. “What magic potion would you have me take that would erase the memory of you pinning me to the bed? Because if you have such an elixir, then yes, I will gladly take it from you and obliterate you absolutely and irrevocably.”

He stood silent at her words, then said simply, “I have only myself to offer, my lady.”

“You would have me kill you, my lord? In that, too, I agree I would oblige you, but not at the cost of my own life. I understand the English law punishes those who do murder quite severely.” Kat was astonished when he lurched backward, as from a blow.

“No, my lady, I would not have you kill me,” he said, sounding grimly amused. “Though indeed that would probably give you most satisfaction. I meant I would have you marry me.”

His words surprised a laugh out of her. “Marry you?” The laughter grew. “I see, my lord, you think me both a whore and a fool.”

“I think you are neither, Lady Katarina.”

“Then you are the fool to believe I would put such a man as you in control of every aspect of my life.” That he thought she would even entertain the suggestion was insulting.

The pale moonlight shadowed his face, but she could read displeasure there just the same. “You judge me solely on one act that, I assure you, was grossly out of character for me. You cannot possibly know what kind of husband I would be.”

“And never will, Lord Dalbury. I can swear to you that I would not marry you if I were in Hell and you were my only hope of Heaven.”

He inclined his head toward her, a faint smile touching his lips. “I believe you made a similar claim about dancing with me, Lady Katarina. Yet we have indeed enjoyed a dance together despite your words.” His tone was soft, the sensuous, cajoling one he had used to seduce her that night in the House of Pleasure.

Kat trembled, recalling the incredible sensations of his hands, his mouth on her body. Damn. He could not do this to her again. Not just with his voice.

“Is there nothing that would entice you to leave your Hell for my Heaven?”

She struggled to answer, opened her lips to deny it, only to find her mouth completely sealed by his.

 

 

Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical  and contemporary romance who has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager.  A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise.  She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own writing.

Jenna lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets.  When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director.  She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage.

She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.

Website / Facebook

Ravished Before Sunrise VBT dates and giveaway widget

Hi, all! Darian and Emalee are on tour. Today starts a 10 days blog tour for RAVISHED BEFORE SUNRISE, my 1Night Stand story. below you will find the tour dates and link as well as the Rafflecopter giveaway widget.

Enjoy the follow the tour and spread the word by sharing on all your social networks.

Thanks! Love, Lia

Tour runs September 3rd – 13th

3 – Guest Blog @ Krystal Shannon

4 – Interview @ Reading With Holly

5 – Guest Blog @ Steamy Reading

6 – Guest Blog @ Jenna Jaxon

7 – Guest Blog @ The Page Flipper

10 – Guest Blog & Review @ Book Travels

11 – Spotlight @ Ashlynn Monroe

11 – Guest Blog @ Full Moon Bites

12 – Interview & Review @ Reading Reality

13 – Guest Blog @ Kacey Hammell

Giveaway runs September 3rd – 14th

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Romancing the Hop: The Divinities talk about romance

“Ah, romance is in the air.”

“You are so right, Ted. Just look at the happy couples.” Bear titled his head so it touched his twin’s.

Kalissa, snuggled into Ayden’s side on the sofa, raised a brow at the hell hounds. “What do you know about romance?”

Teddy-Bear lifted their chins and puffed out their chest. “We were quite the object of desire back in the Afterworld.”

Khloe snickered from the desk where she worked on a new graphics for Magical Enchantments–the magickin social network. “I bet. How many two-headed hell hounds are there in the Afterworld?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Bear rolled his eyes.

“Sure it don’t,” Khloe replied sarcastically never taking her eyes from the computer.

“Everyone has a different view on romance. I like quiet music, candle-lit dinner followed by a message.” Kalissa laughed softly when Ayden whispered in her ear.

Khloe shook her head. “Not me. I don’t have to time for. If a man wants to impress me he needs know how to take down a demon.” She flashed a smirk to the death demon stretched out in the arm chair beside the desk.

Jagger’s lips curled into a lazy smile. “I know how to make that wildcat purr.”

Teddy-Bear stand and walk toward the backdoor.

“Where are you two going?” Khloe calls out.

“Outside to get some air. The TMI levels are overloading the other weird shit that’s been going on.”

They opened the using their telekinesis and left the others laughing behind them.

Thanks so much for stopping by and following the blog hop. There are over 200 participants with giveaways. Plus there are THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

 

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack! (pic is below)

Here’s the link for the full list of participating blogs: http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/p/romancing-blog-hop.html

Forgotten Visions, The Divinities, book 1

Released July 11, 2012

Paranormal romance 

Kalissa Bradenton isn’t your average coffee shop owner. Born to an elite witch bloodline with a rare genetic mutation, she’s a Divinity on a mission. The death of her parents sends her away from her Maxville, Florida, home and into an ancient war between witches and demons. When childhood friend Ayden Daniels comes to her aid after an almost fatal accident, visions of a past she doesn’t remember sparks an old flame and new desires. With the past slowly becoming clearer, she eagerly sets her sights on mending Ayden’s heart and gaining his trust–until a ghost from her past returns to claim her as his demonic mate.

Ayden, the new Sheriff of Maxville and grandson of the oldest living Divinity, is investigating a series of Divinity killings. When he comes face-to-face with the one woman he hopes to have little to no contact with, old pain rises, quickly followed by anger and resentment. Through his rare power of adaptability, he learns actions from the past may not be what they seem. Hope fills his broken heart and determination pushes him to do whatever it takes to win Kalissa’s heart once more before he loses her forever.

Together they must find the strength to mend their tormented souls, while fighting an evil out to destroy the world.

 

Find it at Soul Mate Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

 

Ayden Daniel had only been in Charlotte an hour before his cousin, Zach, called with a favor. No. Not quite a favor. A request that sounded more like a plea.

“You’re shittin’ me?”

“I’m afraid not. Charlotte PD said it was a hit and run.”

Right. “Please tell me she’s …”

“She’s alive. A bump on the head, but she’ll be okay.” Zach hesitated before continuing. “I know how you feel about her, but you’ll have to go get her.”

A muttered curse slipped from his lips at the same time his heart lodged in his throat. “Fine.” The word came out in an irritated huff. Ayden hung up and wished he had never answered the damn phone. No, that wasn’t completely true. He would never forgive himself if something happened to Kalissa that he could have prevented.

She was the one person he’d hoped to avoid as much as possible when he’d taken his place as Sheriff of Maxville. It wasn’t that he disliked her, that was the problem. Despite his better judgment and a glutton for punishment, he still cared too damn much for the woman.

The mere mention of her name made his pulse race with excitement. His body hardened at the thought of seeing her again after fifteen years. But his mind screamed to walk away. To let her be. Kalissa was trouble, and a hazard to his heart. She’d broken it once—torn it right out of his chest—at the age of seventeen.

A human friend had laughed at the mention of their young age and Ayden’s claim that she was the only one for him. A mistake on his part to confide in a human and expect him to understand magickin way of life. Magickin children developed at a faster rate. At the age of seventeen, he was as mature as most twenty-five-year-old humans and fully aware that he had met his eternal companion.

They were life partners—magical mates—destined to spend their extended lives together. To find one at such a young age was a gift.

A gift she stole from him.

My giveaway! Follow the Rafflecopter instructions to enter. 

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Spotlight: Riptide by Amber Lea Easton

Hello! I have Amber Lea Easton over today with Noah and Lauren from Riptide.

 

Setting:  Rum Point on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.  Hammocks sway in the breeze between towering palm trees as the tide goes out leaving an array of pools where kids lurk looking for small sea creatures.  The Caribbean Sea stretches to infinity beyond the long pier.  A parrot occupies a perch near the bar squawking out random sayings like “I’m gonna get ya” and “all is lost” (a real cheery bird).  A group of scuba divers fresh off a dive gather at a long table outside the bar, their rowdy laughter mixing easily with the sound of the sea and Jimmy Buffet music. 

Noah Reynolds, shirt more off than on as he leans back in his chair staring at the horizon while the sea breeze tosses his black hair from his forehead, spins the empty beer bottle on the top of the table. 

Lauren Biltmore, long blonde hair twisted into a loose knot at the base of her neck and wearing a white sundress that leaves her shoulders bare, taps her fingers along the back of Noah’s chair, her blue eyes watching me enter with only a tinge of apprehension clouding their depths.

 

Me: “Hey, you two. I’m glad you were willing to take the time to see me.  I know your lives have been a bit hectic lately.”

Lauren: “That’s a bit of an understatement, don’t you think?”

Noah smiles, his attention finally drifting to me. “Just another day in paradise.”

His sarcasm isn’t lost on me. “Well, I’m not here to discuss the mess you’ve been immersed in.  My readers want to know more of the juicy details.”

Noah motions to the bartender for another beer.  “Ah, I see.  I love talking about the juicy details. Bring it on.”

Me: “Well, you two fought your attraction to each other for awhile. Why and was it worth the wait?”

Lauren laughs as she shifts forward in her chair.  “Worth the wait?  Hell, yes.  Why?  Well, I wasn’t exactly in dating mode when I came down here. I wasn’t sure I trusted myself to get involved with someone right away, especially not someone like Noah.”

Noah: “What does that mean?  Someone like me?”  He winks at her, his smile saying that he knows exactly what she means but wants her to say it anyway.

Lauren:  “A playboy, that’s what.”

Noah:  “Me?  I’m as harmless as a puppy.”

Lauren:  “A pitbull puppy maybe.”

Me:  “But, Noah, you held back, too.  You were the one who pulled away even when Lauren wanted more, at least at first.  What’s up with that?  I mean, look at her…she’s hot.  How could you resist?”

Noah shrugs, his attention now focussed on the fresh bottle of beer in his hands as his fingers toy with peeling off the label.  “Women and I haven’t had a great history.  And there was the stalker…I knew what Lauren had just been through and didn’t want to drag her into the mess.”

Lauren:  “No one drags me anywhere.  I went willingly.  As for the other women in your past, I guess I’m the exception to the rule.”

Noah smiles against the rim of the beer bottle.  “You are definitely exceptional, sexy lady. No doubt about that.”

Me:  “Tell me more about the stalker.”

Lauren takes a long sip of her sangria before looking me in the eye.  “I thought I was going crazy, I really did.  After what I’d left behind in Atlanta, I couldn’t be sure what was real and what was my imagination. I wasn’t exactly proactive in getting therapy back in the States so…when things starting happening here, I thought perhaps I’d finally snapped.”

Me: “At first you said you wanted to use Noah for six weeks of no-strings-mind-blowing-liquify-your-bones sex…when did that change into love?”

Noah, suddenly riveted on the conversation, looks at Lauren.  “You said that?  Really?  Hell, I’m up for that at any time, babe.  I knew you were into me.”

Lauren rolls her eyes, a blush staining her cheeks. “You had to go and feed his ego, didn’t you, Amber?  Seriously?  The man doesn’t need any encouragement.”

Noah links his fingers through hers before looking at me. “No matter what happened here on Cayman–the stalker, the near-death experiences, the murder–Lauren is the best thing that could have happened to me. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her.”

Lauren squeezes his hand and stares into his face.  “Likewise, babe.  I’d do it all again. Well, maybe not all…but you know what I mean.”

They lean into each other for a kiss so tender I can’t help but feel I’m intruding.  Sometimes when you’re in the presence of true love, all you feel is awe. That’s how I feel now sitting here with Lauren and Noah with the Caribbean framing their silhouettes.

 

 

 

Title: Riptide

Author: Amber Lea Easton

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand

Length: 98,000 words

Genres: Contemporary Romantic Suspense (Adventure)

Heat Level: Steamy

 

AVAILABLE AT:  Bookstrand

 

BLURB:

One violent night shatters Lauren Biltmore’s life. As an anchorwoman, she’s accustomed to reporting the news rather than being the lead story.  She escapes the spotlight by fleeing to her brother’s home in the Cayman Islands. Haunted by nightmares, all she wants is a distraction from reality.

Distraction arrives via sexy screenwriter, Noah Reynolds. His take-me-to-bed looks mask a past ripe with scandal. He knows he should stay away from Lauren, especially when the worst night of her life unlocks his writer’s block and while he’s dealing with a stalker of his own, but ethics are his weakness.

Attraction sizzles beneath Caribbean sunshine. As their relationship grows, Noah’s stalker intensifies her torment. Lauren wonders if her paranoia is justified or a carryover from her past. What’s real? What’s imagined?  Tentative trust is tested as their love is swept up against a riptide of deceit, murder, and revenge.

 

His two days on board the Angelfish with Larry had been good for him. Larry had convinced him of the absurdity of his theory that Alicia still walked the earth and assured him that he’d help find out who was bringing up the past. Sometimes there was nothing better than an old friend, even one who tended to piss him off more often than not.

He toweled himself off, his thoughts centered around Lauren and their last date. It hadn’t exactly gone as planned given the dead guy face down amidst the fish. Not that he’d helped the situation with his not-so-smooth-moves-on-the-beach later. The past two days had given him perspective. He wanted her. Right or wrong, mistake or not, he needed to see where this could go. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. Maybe tonight he’d get another chance if he could track her down.

“Noah.” Lauren cleared her throat from where she stood outside the open bathroom door. She leaned against the wall in a Caribbean blue tank dress that hugged her body in all the right places, legs exposed from midthigh down, ankles crossed, long hair glistening over lightly tanned shoulders, gaze averted to the floor and smile playing across lips he desperately wanted against his skin. “Sorry to barge in. You left the deck door wide open.”

“No problem.” He cinched the towel around his waist and wondered exactly how long she’d been standing there. The thought of her watching him shower and dry off did crazy things to his nervous system. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“Erin told me.” She leaned her head back against the wall and dragged her gaze from his toes upward. “Heard you were on private charter for the past few days.”

He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe and let her gaze soak him up. He liked the way she looked at him as if he were dessert.

“About the other night…I’m sorry. Can I make it up to you? Dinner tonight? Etcetera?” he asked.

She caught her lower lip between her teeth, gaze lingering on his chest. “Are you sure this time? No running away when things get hot?”

Electricity zapped in the three feet separating them.

Damn, the woman did insane things to his rational thinking. He’d decided on the boat that he needed to see her, make things right, take it slow, get tangled up in some strings. Seeing her live and in person threw common sense out the window.

“I can’t decide if you’re hotter when wet or dry…I’m thinking it might be a tie,” she said.

Oh, what the hell. With an opener like that, how could a man resist? He crossed the space between them, slipped his hand behind her neck, and kissed her on that mouth he’d been fantasizing about all week.

Her hands slid over his damp chest while her mouth moved slowly beneath his, her teeth lightly catching his lower lip. Eyes open, they smiled against each other’s mouths.

“Miss me?” he asked.

“It would be very uncool of me to answer that.” She slid her hands over his abdomen and lingered on the towel. “Are you still wanting to back off, or have you come to your senses?”

He braced his hands over her head. The only thing he wanted to do was kiss her slowly and make her beg for more. He looked into her eyes. “You’re making me forget all of the reasons this is a mistake.”

“A sexy mistake.” Her fingers touched his chest in a featherlike caress. She licked her lips.

“Good point.” He smiled. “We’re headed into the danger zone.”

“You have no idea how dangerous.” She tugged on the towel, a wicked grin in her eyes.

Oh, he had an idea about the level of danger. He’d thought of nothing else for the past forty-eight hours and ranked this situation a solid Level Red. Despite that, all he could think about was how good it would feel to have her long legs wrapped around his hips while her nails clawed against his back. He needed to pull the emergency brake. Slow, he reminded himself. Slow.

He leaned against her, enjoying the way her body arched toward his like a magnetic pull. He tangled his fingers in the hair at the back of her neck. “What do you want, Lauren? After the other night, you know I’m more complicated than I seem.”

Her gaze flicked up to his. “I know what I’m doing.”

“You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”

“Show me. Let’s make some mistakes together. We’re both consenting adults. What the hell?” she whispered, her teeth pulling at his lower lip.

“You’re reckless.”

“Does that scare you?” she asked.

He paused a fraction over her lips and looked into her eyes. Yeah, she was scary reckless, but that turned him on more than he could say. So what if she wanted to use him for a distraction from her own demons? He knew that had something to do with it—the woman oozed intensity.

Her mouth widened, taking his like a woman starving for the taste of him. Ravenous. Her fingers fisted in the back of his hair. Her bare foot slid up the outside of his leg. Tongues clashed in a passionate dance that left no doubt about mutual desire.

He pressed her against the wall, uncaring about the slipping of the towel down his hips. This woman made him want more than he had dared want in years. His hands roamed up her sides, thumbs caressing the outline of her breasts. Closer. He couldn’t get close enough.

She pressed her hips against his. “Five days ago I didn’t think I’d feel any emotion ever again. Now here I am making out with you. Insane.”

“A little bit of crazy is good for a person.” He wrapped his hands in her hair, holding her face close to him. “What do you feel now?”

“You. I feel you.”

“You say all the right things,” he said against her mouth. His skin rippled beneath her touch. He couldn’t explain his reaction to her…he felt like an addict in desperate need of a fix.

 

BOOK TRAILER:

http://youtu.be/2YWX6FDUbfU

 

Amber Lea Easton is a multi-published fiction and nonfiction author. For twenty years, she’s worked in the fields of journalism and advertising with a brief detour into the financial industry.  Although she holds a BA in Communications & Journalism, she is a perpetual student of life who enjoys taking post-graduate courses on a wide variety of subjects when time allows.  Smart is sexy, according to Easton, which is why she writes about strong female characters who have their flaws and challenges, but who ultimately persevere.

Easton currently lives with her two teenagers in the Colorado Rocky Mountains where she gives thanks daily for the gorgeous view outside her window. She finds inspiration from traveling, the people she meets, nature and life’s twists and turns. At the end of the day, as long as she’s writing, she considers herself to be simply “a lucky lady liv’n the dream.”

 

Visit Amber at:

Email – amber@amberleaeaston.com

Website – http://www.amberleaeaston.com

Blog – http://amberleaeaston.blogspot.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberLeaEaston

Twitter – @MtnMoxieGirl

 

Follow the VBT here: http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/08/scheduled-vbt-riptide-by-amber-lea.html

 

 Giveaway!!

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Author interview and Giveaway: Hot Summer Sands by Rachel Leigh

 

Welcome Rachel! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.

I am a Brit living in South West England, married with two young daughters. I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mom so I spend any free time writing and reading. If I’m not doing that, I am running around after the kids or socializing with friends and family. My biggest pet peeve is when I hear people say, “I’m bored.” Never seems to happen to me!

 

Is Hot Summer Sands a single title, or part of a series?

Single title

 

What were your inspirations for the story?

My family and I holidayed in Zante in 2009 and I knew I would set a story there eventually – then inspiration struck when my heroine told me she was a chef. I never forgot one of the restaurants set right on the beach…beautiful!

 

When did the writing bug first bite?

I’ve always loved writing stories since I was young but it wasn’t until my youngest daughter started school that I pursued the idea of being published. Rachel Leigh is a pseudonym for my erotic romance stories but I was published first in mainstream romance in 2007. The spiciness came later in 2010…

 

Who are you favorite authors, book/series?

Nora Roberts and Tess Gerritsen for mainstream, Randi Alexander and Jaid Black for erotic romance.

 

What is your most favorite childhood memory?

Running free and playing though the local streets and fields near where I lived – nowadays kids just don’t seem to have that level of freedom.

 

Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?

Sounds ultra boring but I am an avid knitter – totally relaxes me!

 

Boxers, brief or commando?

Boxers

 

Favorite eye color?

Brown

 

What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?

I’m not sure if this counts as strange or disgusting – while my husband and I were on holiday in Turkey, we saw an elderly lady lift her skirts and relieve herself at the side of the road heedless of the passersby. No one else batted an eyelid!! Ewww…

 

 

 

Author: Rachel Leigh

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Length: 140 pages

Genres: Erotic Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: Sizzling

 

AVAILABLE AT:

The Wild Rose Press

 

BLURB:

Chef Michelle Hutton flees her controlling mother in the UK for the sun and freedom of Greece, longing for a new beginning and maybe just a bit of Zante’s local heat. Sexy, pro-bono lawyer Sam Clarke might just be the one to teach her to let go. He’s sexy, capable, and totally in control. And too damn hard to resist.

Sam Clarke and his best friend had once been the baddest boys to hit the local party scene—sex, booze, and more sex—until his friend is killed. Sam turned his back on the blatant sexuality of the island years ago, but can’t resist Michelle’s desire to bask in the sun and explore the need that grows between them.

 

Swallowing hard, she hesitated for an imperceptible moment at the periphery of the bar entrance before stepping from the tiled corridor to the bar’s wooden flooring. Without making eye contact with a single patron, whose gazes she felt boring into her temple, breasts and denim-clad ass, she headed straight to the bar.

With the bravado of a woman used to frequenting such places alone, a welcome and heated cloak of sexy confidence settled like a new friend around her shoulders. She slid onto one of the stools and leaned back…then realized there was no back.

“Oh, God.” She tilted backward and reached out toward the bar. Too late. She was going to land right on her ass.

A clammy hand caught her elbow before she could fall. “Hey, pretty lady, don’t worry I’ve got you.”

Michelle gripped the bicep of the tattooed arm that grabbed her.  She inhaled the guy’s scotch and cigar tainted breath as it blasted her face, making her want to gag. Her stomach dropped to her shoes as she looked up into his bloodshot, leering eyes.

She forced a smile. “Thanks.”

“Hey, thanks buddy. But I got this.”

Michelle’s heart stopped as a very different hand slapped onto the bar, the arm tanned and strong and very male. His other hand brushed and stilled against her butt as he steadied the stool that wobbled precariously beneath her.

“Are you okay, sweetheart? I turn my back for a second and you get yourself in a load of unwanted trouble.” His voice was deep, husky, and dark. “You trying to dance with that stool?”

Michelle’s cheeks burst into flame even as icy-cold perspiration broke out on her upper lip. She felt like a side of beef at a meat market. Could she have looked any more stupid? Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to ignore the image of her mother’s disproving face that filled her mind.

She should be grateful. There was absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. She opened her eyes and faced the second man.

Her stomach tightened. Could anyone possibly look that good?

Michelle stared as words lodged painfully in her throat and her heart picked up speed. He winked, his dark, midnight blue eyes flashing a silent “trust me.” He turned to Scotch Breath. “Thanks for saving my wife from landing on the floor, buddy. You want a drink?”

 

Rachel Leigh lives in the UK and has been married to her own sexy hero for fourteen years.

With three novellas contracted with The Wild Rose Press, Rachel is busy writing her fourth. This is a voyage into the sensationalized and sexy world of British show jumping, featuring a fit and demanding horse trainer and a wily, inquisitive journalist who knows just what she wants and will do whatever it takes to get it.

When Rachel isn’t writing, she’s reading, watching TV, running around after her two daughters….or playing with her husband.

 

Visit Rachel at:

Website – http://rachelleigh.co.uk/

Blog – http://rachelleighromance.blogspot.co.uk/

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Leigh/266044849655

Twitter: @rachelwriter

 

Follow Rachel’s tour at http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/08/vbt-hot-summer-sands-by-rachel-leigh.html

 

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