Elizabeth M. Lawrence's Blog, page 3
November 7, 2015
Balancing Mind Ogre Patterns
On Wednesdays, I get toothpaste in my eye. I’m not sure why this occurs every week without fail. It’s not intentional. Wednesdays are not good days for me in general.
There’s a pattern.
Sundays, I forget to do everything and wind up frantic at 10:00 at night, wondering how I’m going to do it all with no time.
Mondays are like New Years Day. I’m bright and shiny with intention and purpose. It will be a phenomenal day. I will exercise, plow through my pending work, clean the house, volunteer for a charity, and find a cure for the common cold. I wait until about 3:00 to admit none of that happened, but the dream has not yet died.
Tuesdays, I take another stab at it, but it’s like January 2nd. You can’t recapture the magic of that electric determination. By lunchtime, I stop even pretending to be a productive member of society.
Wednesdays are toothpaste. There’s often an afternoon nap involved, too.
Thursdays, I don’t give a damn about anything. I do what needs doing, but it takes effort. If someone asks me to participate in some event or activity on Thursday, it ain’t happening.
Fridays, it’s a toss-up whether I’m even going to get dressed.
On Saturdays, my resolutions come back, only this time I swear to go out and enjoy the world, see art, watch a play, and enjoy life. It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing… I’ll just finish this chapter in my book, and then I’ll get going. Yep.
Then I keep reading straight through to Sunday evening.
The pattern of my life is one I would love to change. My therapist would love for me to change it, too. If nothing else, I would get more work done, which would enable me to afford my therapy sessions. It’s a vicious circle.
Every night, I lie in bed and imagine worlds and adventures and people, forming them into stories in my head. Everyone tells me to write them down. I don’t.
When you talk to people about depression, this is not what they would imagine, I think. How it wears you down, dragging at you in whispers that hold you back with subtle force. I’m not sad. Like I said, it’s a beautiful day, the sun, the birds, etc. My mind is just not under my complete control. And yes, it’s frustrating as hell.
There are rare days when I am hypo-manic and can take on the world. Those are the days when work gets done, stuff gets cleaned, and I am the mistress of all I survey. Brimming with focus, burning to explore the world. It doesn’t last, though. I pay the price afterward with an unusual low. This is kind of like a kid on a sugar high passing out when they come back down.
So low is bad, high is bad, and I have to learn to ride the line between the two. My pattern allows this, but I need to change my pattern. How to stay balanced while doing this is a conundrum.
My friends and family want wonderful things for me. That’s great. I want wonderful things, too. And I understand it’s hard to watch from the outside while I continue with the same old behaviors and making the same old mistakes. It’s impressive these people stick around, really. I’m annoying.
There are these voices in my head. (No, not like that. I’m not schizophrenic.)The encouragement, faith, love, and admiration I receive from the people in my life is a quiet chorus, whispering at me over and over to remind me that there is something more, and that I can have it. These soothing voices join together against the loud clamor of my own inner voice telling me I suck in every possible way. It’s hard to hear past that barrage of negativity.
I hear everyone, though. I do. No one should ever think that their words have no effect on me. Often those words are the only weapons I have in the fight to do SOMETHING today, even if it’s brushing my teeth. Without those voices in my mind, it would be a fight I couldn’t win.
Mental illness is invisible. Sure, you can see someone flake out and do some weird shit. You can see cuts, scars, weight gained or lost, mood swings, seizures and meltdowns. It’s below the surface that the true symptoms do their damage, however. Each depressive person’s experience is unique to them, but there are many near-constant similarities. The biggest is that depression has the potential to tear apart everything they care about and want to build for themselves. It’s impossible to do your taxes, wash the dishes, or manage your workload when you’re fighting a sumo wrestler in your head. Your hands are already full.
I’m not sure where this is going, but here it is anyway.
In my case, depression is a fact of life. I’ve never been without it, even as a toddler. There is no “me” without depression. I’d be a completely different person. That means that there is no clear way to unravel its effects from the rest of who I am. It feeds my creativity, informs my decisions, and influences my relationships. So I have no frame of reference for what “normal” would mean for me. I don’t think I’d like it.
My imagination walks hand in hand with my illness, giving me words and images and characters to bring to life in my writing. The books I read come alive, dynamic and immersed in detail. That would be hard to give up.
Having been judged and marginalized all my life, I am much more accepting and accommodating in my interactions with others. I embrace the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. (Metaphorically. I’m not a hugger.)
It makes me want to help others, support those who are suffering, particularly when their circumstances are more heartbreaking or perilous than mine. I want to fix all the problems in the world, even though I can’t fix mine.
Depression gives me those gifts, but it keeps me from using them. And that’s a dilemma that makes me run around in mental circles day and night. I want to use the talents and strengths. I want to achieve my potential. I want to tap into the creative spring inside me. If only I manage to be strong enough to fight the ogre who lives in my thoughts and tears apart my confidence.
My ability to feel any self-worth is significantly impaired. I can’t accept that it’s not my fault, because I’d get past it if I didn’t suck. I can’t defend myself against criticism, because it’s true that I suck. It’s hard to believe that anyone really loves me because I suck. There’s no point in working to become healthier, since I’d suck regardless. Every time I meet someone new, they can tell right away that I suck. No one will ever read my books because they suck. I will never, ever be good enough, because I’m not good at all.
This is the ogre that lives in my head. This is the voice that I hear ALL the time. It’s constant. It’s there right now, telling me to stop typing and just go back to bed with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a spoon to mourn the loss of my dignity.
I may not be dignified, but I did write this. The quiet voices of hope helped me write this, and so even this small step is an accomplishment.
Suck it, mind ogre.
There’s a pattern.
Sundays, I forget to do everything and wind up frantic at 10:00 at night, wondering how I’m going to do it all with no time.
Mondays are like New Years Day. I’m bright and shiny with intention and purpose. It will be a phenomenal day. I will exercise, plow through my pending work, clean the house, volunteer for a charity, and find a cure for the common cold. I wait until about 3:00 to admit none of that happened, but the dream has not yet died.
Tuesdays, I take another stab at it, but it’s like January 2nd. You can’t recapture the magic of that electric determination. By lunchtime, I stop even pretending to be a productive member of society.
Wednesdays are toothpaste. There’s often an afternoon nap involved, too.
Thursdays, I don’t give a damn about anything. I do what needs doing, but it takes effort. If someone asks me to participate in some event or activity on Thursday, it ain’t happening.
Fridays, it’s a toss-up whether I’m even going to get dressed.
On Saturdays, my resolutions come back, only this time I swear to go out and enjoy the world, see art, watch a play, and enjoy life. It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing… I’ll just finish this chapter in my book, and then I’ll get going. Yep.
Then I keep reading straight through to Sunday evening.
The pattern of my life is one I would love to change. My therapist would love for me to change it, too. If nothing else, I would get more work done, which would enable me to afford my therapy sessions. It’s a vicious circle.
Every night, I lie in bed and imagine worlds and adventures and people, forming them into stories in my head. Everyone tells me to write them down. I don’t.
When you talk to people about depression, this is not what they would imagine, I think. How it wears you down, dragging at you in whispers that hold you back with subtle force. I’m not sad. Like I said, it’s a beautiful day, the sun, the birds, etc. My mind is just not under my complete control. And yes, it’s frustrating as hell.
There are rare days when I am hypo-manic and can take on the world. Those are the days when work gets done, stuff gets cleaned, and I am the mistress of all I survey. Brimming with focus, burning to explore the world. It doesn’t last, though. I pay the price afterward with an unusual low. This is kind of like a kid on a sugar high passing out when they come back down.
So low is bad, high is bad, and I have to learn to ride the line between the two. My pattern allows this, but I need to change my pattern. How to stay balanced while doing this is a conundrum.
My friends and family want wonderful things for me. That’s great. I want wonderful things, too. And I understand it’s hard to watch from the outside while I continue with the same old behaviors and making the same old mistakes. It’s impressive these people stick around, really. I’m annoying.
There are these voices in my head. (No, not like that. I’m not schizophrenic.)The encouragement, faith, love, and admiration I receive from the people in my life is a quiet chorus, whispering at me over and over to remind me that there is something more, and that I can have it. These soothing voices join together against the loud clamor of my own inner voice telling me I suck in every possible way. It’s hard to hear past that barrage of negativity.
I hear everyone, though. I do. No one should ever think that their words have no effect on me. Often those words are the only weapons I have in the fight to do SOMETHING today, even if it’s brushing my teeth. Without those voices in my mind, it would be a fight I couldn’t win.
Mental illness is invisible. Sure, you can see someone flake out and do some weird shit. You can see cuts, scars, weight gained or lost, mood swings, seizures and meltdowns. It’s below the surface that the true symptoms do their damage, however. Each depressive person’s experience is unique to them, but there are many near-constant similarities. The biggest is that depression has the potential to tear apart everything they care about and want to build for themselves. It’s impossible to do your taxes, wash the dishes, or manage your workload when you’re fighting a sumo wrestler in your head. Your hands are already full.
I’m not sure where this is going, but here it is anyway.
In my case, depression is a fact of life. I’ve never been without it, even as a toddler. There is no “me” without depression. I’d be a completely different person. That means that there is no clear way to unravel its effects from the rest of who I am. It feeds my creativity, informs my decisions, and influences my relationships. So I have no frame of reference for what “normal” would mean for me. I don’t think I’d like it.
My imagination walks hand in hand with my illness, giving me words and images and characters to bring to life in my writing. The books I read come alive, dynamic and immersed in detail. That would be hard to give up.
Having been judged and marginalized all my life, I am much more accepting and accommodating in my interactions with others. I embrace the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. (Metaphorically. I’m not a hugger.)
It makes me want to help others, support those who are suffering, particularly when their circumstances are more heartbreaking or perilous than mine. I want to fix all the problems in the world, even though I can’t fix mine.
Depression gives me those gifts, but it keeps me from using them. And that’s a dilemma that makes me run around in mental circles day and night. I want to use the talents and strengths. I want to achieve my potential. I want to tap into the creative spring inside me. If only I manage to be strong enough to fight the ogre who lives in my thoughts and tears apart my confidence.
My ability to feel any self-worth is significantly impaired. I can’t accept that it’s not my fault, because I’d get past it if I didn’t suck. I can’t defend myself against criticism, because it’s true that I suck. It’s hard to believe that anyone really loves me because I suck. There’s no point in working to become healthier, since I’d suck regardless. Every time I meet someone new, they can tell right away that I suck. No one will ever read my books because they suck. I will never, ever be good enough, because I’m not good at all.
This is the ogre that lives in my head. This is the voice that I hear ALL the time. It’s constant. It’s there right now, telling me to stop typing and just go back to bed with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a spoon to mourn the loss of my dignity.
I may not be dignified, but I did write this. The quiet voices of hope helped me write this, and so even this small step is an accomplishment.
Suck it, mind ogre.
November 6, 2015
Release Blitz for Fooling Around With Cinderella, by Stacy Juba
FOOLING AROUND WITH CINDERELLAAUTHOR: Stacy JubaGENRE: Chick Lit/Sweet RomanceCOVER DESIGNER: Mark Juba
What happens when the glass slippers pinch Cinderella's toes?
When Jaine Andersen proposes a new marketing role to the local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan charms her into filling Cinderella’s glass slippers for the summer. Her reign transforms Jaine’s ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy godmother. Secretly dating her bad boy boss, running wedding errands for her ungrateful sisters, and defending herself from the park’s resident villain means Jaine needs lots more than a comfy pair of shoes to restore order in her kingdom. First in the Storybook Valley series, a blend of sweet romance, chick lit, and fairy tale fun.
Dylan wheeled his chair around and pointed to the castle poster. She followed his thumb toward the girl in an elegant white and gold gown. “I need a Cinderella.”
Jaine stared at Dylan to gauge whether he was kidding. Oh God, he wasn’t kidding. As he lowered his hand, tightness lodged in the pit of her stomach. “Cinderella?”
“Since you’ve been coming here for so long, you probably realize Cinderella is our centerpiece character. She sits on her throne all day, posing for pictures. She leads story times in the castle and appears during our weekend Meet and Greet Fireworks Gala.”
“What happened to the regular Cinderella?”
“She didn’t work out.” He fiddled with the pens poking out of a ski boot-shaped shot glass. “One of my cousins plays the part a couple days per week and fills in when she can, but her schedule doesn’t allow her to fulfill our full-time needs. It’s the middle of July and I’m tired of fooling around with Cinderella.”
He grinned, his dimples diverting her from the princess problem. “That didn’t come out right. But you know what I mean. It’s getting frustrating, Jaine. I’m having a hard time finding someone reliable.”
She bet that Cinderella wouldn’t get tired of fooling around with him.
AMAZON US ~ AMAZON (paperback) ~ NOOK
B&N (paperback) ~ GOOGLE PLAY ~ KOBO
iTUNES ~ SMASHWORDS
Stacy Juba got engaged at Epcot Theme Park and spent part of her honeymoon at Disneyland Paris, where she ate a burger, went on fast rides, and threw up on the train ride to the hotel. In addition to working on her new Storybook Valley chick lit/sweet romance series, Stacy has written books about ice hockey, teen psychics, U.S. flag etiquette for kids, and determined women sleuths. She has had a novel ranked as #5 in the Nook Store and #30 on the Amazon Kindle Paid List. When she’s not visiting theme parks with her family, (avoiding rides that spin and exotic hamburgers), or writing about them, Stacy helps writers to strengthen their manuscripts through her Crossroads Editing Service. She is currently writing the next books in the Storybook Valley Series, Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty and The Cinderella Curse.
Magic of Books PromotionsNovember 3, 2015
Re-Release Tour for 2 Mystery Suspense novels by Kelly Cozzone
"Tropical Dreams" & "Tropical Nightmares" Author: Kelly Cozzone
OFFICIAL GENRE: Mystery Suspense
TROPICAL DREAMS
Book 1
PUBLICATION DATE: October 10, 2008
Tropical Dreams is a tale of love, murder and conspiracy. Can Tiana Alexander overcome her past to learn to love again? Can David Murphy let go of the demons who haunt him. Can they face the future together or will life finally take its toll and their lives?
Grabbing her, David’s weight carried them into the grass lining the parking lot. Instinctively, he rolled and sprung to his feet as he reached for his gun. He angrily watched the taillights disappear into the night before he could get a shot off.
He’d been unable to make out the driver or license plate, and became overcome by a sense of failure and foreboding; deep dark sensations of doom clear down to the pit of his stomach. Leaning down to extend his hand to Tiana, he hid his gun before she noticed it. “Are you okay?”
Stunned at what had transpired, her temper flared as she jumped to her feet, angrily ignoring his outstretched hand. “Of all the stupid…” Feeling his eyes upon her, she noticed his stare; “What?”
“I asked if you were okay.”
“Oh, yes. I’m fine, just angry,” she answered, furious with herself for not paying attention, but even more angry with the driver of the car. Fear quickly mixed with the rage as she became acutely aware of how closely she came to being run over. Her hands shook as she tried to cover her anxiety by brushing the dirt off her clothes. “People who can’t drive any better than that should lose their license.”
AMAZON (paperback) ~ GOODREADS
´*•.¸(*•.¸✯¸.•*´)¸.•*´
TROPICAL NIGHTMARES
Book 2
PUBLICATION DATE: December 3, 2014
Surviving numerous attempts on their lives including the explosion that rocked Tropical Dreams, David Murphy and Tiana Alexander started to rebuild their lives. Living on the beautiful and tranquil island of St. Lucia, they tried not to let the ugliness of Robert Dubose invade every aspect of their lives. They knew he was coming and wouldn't stop until someone was dead. Robert Dubose planned every second of his revenge against David and Tiana down to the littlest detail. This time he was leaving nothing to chance. Bringing a partner in on the plan almost guarantees his success. Can David and Tiana once again defeat Dubose or will he finally get his revenge? Will Dubose and his hidden partner finally succeed in killing them? Can David forgive himself for failing Tiana or will their love be another casualty?
Lying on the ground at the edge of the bar’s property, a man hid himself from view. He used the leaves from the foliage to cover his clothes, and had the perfect vantage point, with the best view of where David and Tiana sat at the outside table. The umbrella providing the group of friends shade tilted away from him, giving an unblocked line of vision and guaranteed they’d sit for a while.
Never taking his eyes off the bar’s lanai, the man adjusted the sight on his assault rifle. He aimed at Tiana and when he had her in his sights, he zeroed in on her. As he found his target, he shifted his aim off to the side of her location. Blowing out the breath he’d been holding, he locked onto his new target. He took a deep calming breath and moved his finger onto the trigger.
While he prepared to fire the first shot, sunlight reflected off of his scope, and the split second flash of light caught David’s attention. Peering at the spot where the light flashed, he sprung up and tackled Tiana and Ricardo to the floor; “Get down!”
As he fell, David grabbed the table and tipped it over so it would provide some cover for them. Before they hit the ground, the first shot struck Rosa’s arm, knocking her off her feet. She screamed as blood poured out of the wound and ran down towards her fingers.
AMAZON (paperback) ~ GOODREADS
Kelly Cozzone was born in New Martinsville, WV. After spending 15 years in Myrtle Beach, SC, she finally made it back to her adopted hometown, Austin, TX. When Kelly isn't writing the mystery stories she loves, she is following her beloved Texas Longhorns. An avid football fan, she spends her fall months rooting on her favorite teams.
In addition to being an author, Kelly writes for Examiner.com and shares her thoughts and stories that strike a chord in her on her blog. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Women.
Kelly has been happily married to her husband for 20 years and has three children who are her life.
MoB Promosmagicofbookspromo@gmail.com
November 2, 2015
Silver Belles & Stetsons, a Western Romance Christmas Anthology
Bestselling and Award-Winning Authors bring you ten western romance novellas featuring alpha-cowboys from the past. This boxed set will take you back in time when men were rugged and handsome and the women who loved them, courageous and daring.
Available as a boxed set for a limited time A savings of more than 75% if the books were purchased separately.
Amazon US ~ Amazon CA ~ Goodreads
The Greatest Gift: A Montana Cowboy Christmas by Kathleen Ball Amazon Bestselling and Award- Wining Author.
Looking for the man who ran out on her, Ginger finds a cowboy worthy of love but he doesn't want or need love.
Catherine’s Cowboy by Cait Braxton Amazon Bestselling and Award-Winning Author.
During a supernatural dust storm, Fate steps in when rugged army tracker Elam helps Catherine deliver her child.
Stone Mountain Christmas by Caroline Clemmons Amazon Bestselling and Award-Winning Author.
Can Celia restore the town's Christmas spirit? "A beautifully written story about love and hope and all the emotions Christmas brings out in people." Karren Lucas
Angel and the Texan from County Cork by Carra Copelin Amazon Bestselling and Award-Winning Author.
Does Angel trust marriage to the man she suspects of killing her husband or the stranger who promises to pay off her debt and set her free if she decides their marriage of convenience won’t work?
The Drifter’s Proposal by Kristin HoltAmazon Bestselling Author.
The baker's man is home for Christmas..."Compelling. Heartwarming. Tender." ~Diane Darcy, USA Today Bestselling Author
The Perfect Gift by Lyn HornerFriendship has blossomed into young love, but it seems destined to die on the vine...until an unexpected Christmas gift promises happiness.
Marshal Mistletoe by Susan Horsnell She married the wrong man. Will fate intervene?
Christmas Redemption by Paty JagerAmazon Bestselling and Award-Winning Author.
Can two battered hearts find solace or will the past continue to haunt their lives? "A story of forgiveness that has a wonderful hero who has worked hard to redeem himself."
A Hard Candy Christmas by Hebby RomanAmazon Bestselling Author.
Two damaged souls. Can their budding love and the healing power of Christmas bring them together?
Cowboy Christmas by Margaret TannerWill a miracle Christmas baby unite two tortured souls, or will it forever keep them apart?
Kathleen Ball writes contemporary and historical western romance with great emotion and memorable characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists
While Cait Braxton's childhood friends dreamed of becoming ballerinas, nurses and movie stars, Cait wanted to be a cowgirl when she grew up. Some of her best memories stem from long visits to her grandparents' farm. Here she reveled in the delectable scents of pines trees, leather and horse. Her idea of a grand adventure wasn't hosting a make-believe tea party but rather riding through the woods and fields on the back of beautiful stallion.
Her love of the Old West (and the New) continues to this day. That's why she writes about strong alpha cowboys and the courageous women who loved them. She hopes you share her love for a majestic, rugged time gone-by and...the cowboys of today.
Caroline Clemmons is an Amazon bestselling author of historical and contemporary western romances whose books have garnered numerous awards. Her latest release is GABE KINCAID, book four of her popular Kincaid series. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, she has taught workshops on characterization, point of view, and layering a novel.
Caroline is a member of Romance Writers of America, Yellow Rose Romance Writers, From The Heart Romance Writers, and Hearts Through History Romance Writers. Her latest publications include the acclaimed historical Men of Stone Mountain series: BRAZOS BRIDE, HIGH STAKES BRIDE, and BLUEBONNET BRIDE and the audiobooks of BRAZOS BRIDE and HIGH STAKES BRIDE.
Caroline and her husband live in the heart of Texas cowboy country with their menagerie of rescued pets. Prior to writing full time, her jobs included stay-at-home mom (her favorite), secretary, newspaper reporter and featured columnist, assistant to the managing editor of a psychology journal, bookkeeper for the local tax assessor and--for a short and fun time--an antique dealer. When she's not indulging her passion for writing, Caroline enjoys reading, travel, antiquing, genealogy, painting, getting together with friends, and enjoying watching the birds, butterflies, and squirrels wandering through her back yard. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Shelfari, Goodreads, and Pinterest.
Carra Copelin writes "well-written novels, complete with correct places, weather, and flavor." ... from a Native Texan reader. Her books are contemporary and historical romantic suspense about Texans set in Texas. No matter the murder, mystery, or mayhem that may surround or involve the hero and heroine, every story revolves around their romance and family.
She is a member of Romance Writers of America and President of Yellow Rose Romance Writers, plus she regularly contributes to Smart Girls Read Romance and Sweethearts of the West Blogs.
She and her hero live in North Central Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex where they enjoy their family and grandchildren. In addition to writing and researching with her fabulous critique partners, she enjoys playing bridge, crochet, and genealogy.
Kristin Holt: I recall the winter of my first grade year, basking in the heat from our fireplace in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dad read aloud Madeline L'Engle's A WRINKLE IN TIME and Mom peeled orange segments for us to enjoy. That was the definitive moment I fell in love with fiction.
I write sweet (wholesome) romances set in the 19th Century American West. I'm newly active in a fantastic Facebook group for authors and readers of Western Historical Romances:
Lyn Horner resides in Fort Worth, Texas - "Where the West Begins" - with her husband and several very spoiled cats. Trained in the visual arts, Lyn worked as a fashion illustrator and art instructor before she took up writing. She loves crafting passionate love stories, both historical and contemporary. Lyn also enjoys reading, gardening, visiting with family and friends, and cuddling her furry, four-legged children.
The author's Texas Devlins series blends authentic Old West settings, steamy romance and a glimmer of the mysterious. This series has earned multiple awards and nominations, including Crowned Heart reviews and a Rone Award nomination for DEAREST IRISH from InD'Tale Magazine.
Lyn is a contributor to Rawhide 'n Roses, a Western Romance Anthology. This book is a finalist in the 2015 RONE Awards anthology category. Lyn is proud to be in company with such a talented group of authors.
Jumping from the American Old West to the present day, Lyn is now hard at work on her romantic suspense series, Romancing the Guardians. These books combine her trademark flashes of psychic phenomena with Irish folklore and a chilling apocalyptic theme. Along the way, readers will be treated to thunderous action, terrifying suspense and sizzling romance.
Susan Horsnell: I grew up in the Western Suburbs of Sydney in the 50's and 60's and have always been a fan of Cowboys, Indians and Outlaws.
During my years as a nurse I would write down ideas and when I retired five years ago I finally published my first book - The Glenmore's: Revenge. This developed into a four part series.
Since then I have published a further eleven Western Romance books and one contemporary. My westerns are set in Texas, USA during the 19th century and my contemporary in Sydney, Australia.
When I am not writing I enjoy walking our dogs with my husband and travelling.
Award-winning author Paty Jager and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. On her road to publication she wrote freelance articles for two local newspapers and enjoyed her job with the County Extension service as a 4-H Program Assistant. Raising hay and cattle, riding horses, and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.
She has published twenty novels, three anthologies, and seven novellas. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Her penchant for research takes her on side trips that eventually turn into yet another story.
Hebby Roman is the multi-published author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her first contemporary romance, SUMMER DREAMS, was the launch title for Encanto, a print line featuring Latino romances. And her re-published e-book, SUMMER DREAMS, was #1 in Amazon fiction and romance.
Hebby is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and the past president of her local chapter, North Texas Romance Writers. She was selected for the Romantic Times "Texas Author" award, and she won a national Harlequin contest.
She graduated with highest honors from the University of Texas in Austin with a Master's Degree in Business Administration. She was selected for inclusion in the first edition of Who's Who in American Women.
She is blessed to have all her family living close by in north Texas, including her family's latest edition, her granddaughter, Mackenzie. Hebby lives in Arlington, Texas with her husband, Luis, and maltipoo, Maximillian.
Margaret Tanner - WESTERN ROMANCE AUTHOR With the encouragement of friend and Western Romance author, Susan Horsnell, she has fallen in love with writing Western Historical Romance. Frontier Australia and frontier America, have many similarities, isolated communities, a large single male population and a lack of eligible women.
She has always loved Westerns, soaking up all the Western TV shows and movies when she was young. Bonanza was her all-time favourite show. Little Joe Cartwright was her hero. Western Author, Zane Grey was her favourite author at that time.
Margaret has a short story published in the Western Romance Anthology, Rawhide 'N Roses which was a 2015 Rone Finalist.
Amazon US ~ Amazon CA ~ Goodreads
MoBmagicofbookspromo@gmail.com
October 31, 2015
By Moonlight, new Multi-Author Paranormal Romance Box Set
Name of cover designer: The Darkmantle
Official genre of box set: PARANORMAL ROMANCE
By Moonlight is an astounding collection of paranormal stories — some romances, some mysteries, all suspenseful, and every one containing supernatural features that will lead your imagination on a wild adventure. 15 new worlds to explore, 15 kinds of paranormal beings to investigate, 15 new sets of best friends to make — who can ask for more? The perfect companion for a leisurely weekend away is at your fingertips. Add it to your kindle with one click now.
Includes a mix of already released and never-before seen stories, all complete works. Those books which are part of a series can be enjoyed fully without the need to read the complete series (though there is a chance you might develop story-addiction issues—for that, we apologize).
Amazon
USA ~ Canada ~ UK ~ France ~ Australia
Facebook Group
TANGLED ROOTS — Rebekkah FordAfter eighteen-year-old Carrie Jacobson discovers she was a witch in a previous life, she seeks to reawaken that part of her soul. With the help of an eccentric enchantress and a boy who is more than he seems, Carrie succeeds and is spellbound by the memories of her life in Europe during the 1600s as a powerful witch named Isadora. Carrie reverts to her bewitching, more volatile form and sets out to break a curse she cast long ago on her coven.
Carrie’s boyfriend Tree cannot help feeling uneasy about the changes he sees in the woman he loves. When Carrie’s past clashes with the present and dark magic intoxicates her once again, Tree must take drastic matters into his own hands and attempt to save Carrie from herself.
With Tree’s help, will Carrie be able to resist the allure of her new powers? Or will she plunge into the deep end and give into them?
Note to readers
Tangled Roots can be read as a standalone novel. I wrote it for the fans of the Beyond the Eyes trilogy because a lot of them are fond of Carrie and Tree, who are the two main characters in this tale. Besides, their story adds to the trilogy, where it’ll take you deeper into the rabbit hole.
Enjoy!
TRUST: A TWISTED WOLF TALE — Rene FolsomBeau Shapiro has spent his whole life being called gorgeous, handsome, sexy… every word imaginable to describe his outer appearance. But despite his popularity, he never once lets it all go to his head. He’s holding out for that one girl that has it all—beauty and personality.
While out searching for his father, Beau meets Karoline—a woman cursed to be a beast. Striking a deal with her to save his father’s life, Beau is taken to Karoline’s home deep in the mountainous woods to live with her. During his stay, he finds that there’s beauty within the beast, and slowly, for the first time in his life, falls in love.
Delve into the story of Beau and Karoline, a modern-day retelling of the classic tale Beauty and the Beast.
HIDDEN (MARCHWOOD VAMPIRE SERIES #1) — Shalini BolandNow an international bestseller. Fans of Twilight and Interview with the Vampire will enjoy this paranormal adventure that spans the centuries. On her sixteenth birthday, Madison Greene inherits a huge mansion house… but the house hides a secret. Eighteen-year-old Alexandre lives in 19th century Paris. Spoilt and bored, he longs for adventure, but he should be careful what he wishes for. Madison and Alexandre’s lives are about to collide… Falling in love has never been so dangerous.
ETERNAL ISLAND — K.S. Haigwood & Ella MedlerEternal Island - A place where vampires rule, witches play, danger lurks and dreams really do come true.
Eternal Island is a paranormal suspense novel, deeply rooted into myth. Vampires and magic form a unique backdrop to a love story with long-reaching consequences.
Human girl Ariana Lochalan finds herself transported from the relative calm of her ‘Nowhere, Arkansas’ life into a diametrically opposite existence when she discovers she is a powerful witch and meant to wed High Vampire of Eternal Island, Abe Cambridge. Despite first-sight magnetism, the two protagonists are being pushed apart, obstacles tripping them at every step, outside forces interfering and threatening their peace, and ultimately their lives.
A world rich in magic and intrigue, Eternal Island is the first installment of a saga which has love at its core and delves through the mire that is human nature in a turmoil of feeling and emotion.
Would courage, resilience and love be enough to bring together two soul mates?
How much would you sacrifice to save the one who owns your heart?
MISSING PIECES — Tiffany FlowersGabby survives her ex-boyfriend’s brutal attack, only to be ripped away from her life by a complete stranger. She is thrown into the world of Immortals, where every nightmare out there exists and walks free. She can’t deny her attraction to this stranger, Neeko, but he must earn her trust before she will ever let him into her heart. Can she learn to love again? Will love be enough, or will everything come crashing down?
Neeko sees Gabby and immediately knows she is someone special. He makes a rash decision to kidnap her, because he can’t stop thinking about her. Now he must somehow prove to her that she is his mate and his soul’s other half. How can he have a human for a mate? Can he keep her safe from Demons? Or is he her biggest threat?
When the missing pieces fall into place to reveal all their secrets, will they stand together or apart?
FALLING FOR HEAVEN — Anne ConleyUriel is one of God's Four Winds, the Archangel of Destiny. He has helped thousands of people throughout the ages find their destiny according to His will. This time however, what he doesn't realize, is that it's his own destiny he's supposed to fulfill. Heather is an exotic dancer, whose stage name is Heaven. It's not what she's always wanted to do, but it helps her pay the bills, and she's got a lot of bills, with taking care of her mother and her sister. When the mysterious Uriel comes into the club, she can tell he's different -- just how different will rock her world...
SAVE MY SOUL — K.S. HaigwoodKendra Larkin had everything going in the right direction. Her life was seemingly perfect, and she wouldn't have changed a thing about it. Unfortunately, the course of her life was about to be forever altered. A tragic rappelling accident lands her on Dr. Adam Chamberlain's operating table.
She agrees to a deal proposed by a guardian angel to help save the soul of the man who is both her doctor and soulmate. If she is successful, she gets to keep her life. However, she later learns that it isn't just her life that's in jeopardy, but her soul as well.
Even with the help of her handsome guardian angel, Rhyan, it seems there is no happy ending in sight. Torn between her newly discovered love of Rhyan, and the undeniable attraction she has for Adam, Kendra finds herself at a crossroad. With Adam's steadfast rejection of God, and his guardian demon conspiring against her, she fears her soul may already be lost.
Will she find a way to overcome the evil her life is suddenly burdened with? Or will Adam's guardian demon win both their souls and make Kendra his own personal puppet in Hell?
THE SNOW CRYSTALS — Kendra HaleThey glittered and sparkled in the soft white light of the full moon. They came slowly at first, then built up momentum. Like confetti tossed over a bride and groom at a wedding, the most perfect snow crystals fluttered and danced on the gentle breeze and descended on and around him. Instinctively, he knew that something magical had happened tonight.
The lives of best friends and cousins, Aidan and Donald, are largely successful in all but love. A Christmas shopping trip turns awry when a disturbed stalker latches onto them. Will they be able to escape her clutches and find real love, or will a woman with murder on her mind kill them both?
Snow Crystals is a sweet romance with a paranormal touch, which takes the reader along on the trail of a mystery set in one of the most picturesque landscapes in Britain: the Cotswolds. Written in a no-nonsense voice, with beautiful descriptions, an addictive cast of characters and a light hint of thriller, this book would be a perfect trip down memory lane or for those who love stories set in England.
WEIRD: A HENRY IAN DARLING ODDITY: MISSIVE ONE — Julie Elizabeth PowellHenry Ian Darling is a collector of oddities, those that bring him closer to an enigma, one he hopes will be a great thing. But maybe it isn't?
WEIRD: A HENRY IAN DARLING ODDITY: MISSIVE TWO — Julie Elizabeth PowellWhat is the significance of what Henry Ian Darling found in the boot of a car? And how did his wife know of the event? How could anyone be cruel enough to do such a thing?
Find out where the discovery leads this collector of oddities and what it may mean for Henry’s ultimate quest - finding the enigma, that which will save or destroy all dimensions.
MARY HADES — Sarah DaltonNot many seventeen year old girls have a best friend who’s a ghost, but then Mary Hades isn’t your average teenager.
Scarred physically and mentally from a fire, her parents decide a holiday to an idyllic village in North Yorkshire will help her recover. Nestled in the middle of five moors, Mary expects to have a boring week stuck in a caravan with her parents. Little does she know, evil lurks in the campsite…
Seth Lockwood—a local fairground worker with a dark secret—might be the key to uncovering the murky history that has blighted Nettleby. But Mary is drawn to him in a way that has her questioning her judgement.
Helped by her dead best friend and a quirky gay Goth couple, Mary must stop the unusual deaths occurring in Nettleby. But can she prevent her heart from being broken?
The first in a series of dark YA novels, Mary Hades follows on from the bestselling Kindle Single 'My Daylight Monsters'. A spine-tingling tale with romance, readers will be shocked and entertained in equal measure.
With some scenes of horror and some strong language, this book is best suited for readers aged fifteen and up.
THE PERFECT SPIRIT — Traci Hayden28 year old writer, Vanessa Fortney, has travelled the world, living life to the fullest. When she comes home due to the unexpected death of her only blood relatives, she only has one regret; never finding a love that triumphs all others.
In a beautiful valley in the Rocky Mountains, Nessa finds herself wondering about a mysterious stranger who saved her after a nearly disastrous car accident. The mystery that surrounds Daniel is quickly replaced by the increasing attraction Nessa feels for him.
Will she find that love that transcends all love or will an unforeseen tragedy keep them apart?
ENCOUNTER — Cherime MacFarlaneShe never picks berries in the patch behind the cabin. That place almost makes her skin crawl. The old cabin has been in her family for generations. There is a mystery about the place the elders never said much about. All she knows it that a young couple living there vanished without a trace.
He's not sure what he is hunting for. After waking next to the totaled all-terrain vehicle, he doesn't even remember who he is. What he does know is that a stand of trees on a low hill is drawing him to them. Can he find shelter there or will he die in the Alaska bush? It's stupid, but he is going to make his way to the knoll.
WHISPER CAPE — Susan GriscomWhisper Cape is a town of secrets, and Addison MacKenna soon becomes tangled in a web of them. Plagued with nightmares of her father's sudden and brutal death, Addie struggles with her anguish and refuses to believe that his demise was accidental. But that’s not the only thing she struggles with. All of a sudden, the impossible seems possible, and it’s not clear whether that’s a blessing or a curse.
Cael Sheridan may be arrogant and mysterious, but he's also undeniably gorgeous. A member of a secret society, he is sworn to protect the woman he believes to be the daughter of his recently murdered mentor. In the process, he finds it impossible to resist her magnetic sensuality, complicating his efforts to shield and guide her as she learns to manage her newly acquired skills.
A powerful woman, an extraordinary man, and a murderous maniac who wants to destroy them. Fate has brought them together, but will it make them stronger or destroy them all in the end?
THE EX-ARMY WIVES BOOKCLUB — Marissa StormNicholas comes up behind me. His breath on my neck sending chills through my body, causing my breasts to perk instantly. He gently runs his hands from my shoulders down to my panties, which is all I have left on, kissing my neck as he goes.
He leaves a trail of kisses down my back and on my ass as he guides my panties to the floor. His hands explore familiar territory; as one cups my left breast, massaging it, and tugging lightly on the nipple, the right hand is busy kneading my sex and running his hand back and forth through my folds.
I hear him whisper in my ear, “It’s time we make that baby you’ve wanted, so forget about that pill tonight.”
I don’t bother to go to the bathroom for my birth control. I just enjoy the pleasure of my husband. He gently leads me to the bed. “Can you get on your hands and knees, Baby?”
“Oh yes, anything you want sweetheart.”
Rebekkah Ford grew up in a family that dealt with the paranormal world. Her parents Charlie and Geri Wilhelm were the directors of the UFO Investigator's League in Fairfield, Ohio. They also investigated ghost hauntings and Bigfoot sightings in addition to extraterrestrial cases. Growing up in this type of environment and having the passion for writing stories is what drove Rebekkah at an early age to write tales dealing with the paranormal world. Her fascination with the unknown is what led her to write the Beyond the Eyes trilogy and Tangled Roots.
Rebekkah resides in rural North Dakota, in a farming community of about 1,800 and loves where she lives. She has an irreverent sense of humor, adores coffee, and yummy food makes her happy. She loves books, history, antiques, animals, connecting with her fans and other authors, and watching her favorite TV shows.
Rene Folsom, author of paranormal romance and erotica, lives in Florida with her husband and three kids. She has officially diagnosed herself with creative ADD and often has a million and one writing projects going at once. In addition to writing, she is also a graphic artist who enjoys creating custom book covers for indie authors. She is definitely an artist at heart and would love nothing more than to be elbow deep in clay during her waking hours.
Rene believes that all fiction is based on some form of reality—otherwise we would never have the inspiration or knowledge to dream up the realistic situations we portray with our words. She is proud to say that her personal experiences have been inspirational, though perhaps not always identical to that of her fictional characters. Where reality and fantasy diverge, however, must remain her little secret…
Shalini Boland lives in Dorset, England with her husband and two noisy boys. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing dark adventures (in between doing the school run and hanging out endless baskets of laundry).
Kristie Haigwood (a.k.a. K. S. Haigwood) is currently writing her 8th novel. She lives in Arkansas, US. She is the mother of 2 awesome kids and 2 great dogs. She is happily married to her soulmate who thinks reading is a solid waste of time. Opposites attract. Kristie’s works include Save My Soul, Hell’s Gift, Good Side of Sin, Forbidden Touch, Accepting the Moon, Eternal Island, Eternal Immortality, Eternal Illusion. The Last Assignment, My Sweet Purgatory, Midnight Moonrising & Eternal Innocence are all coming very soon.
Ella Medler is a U.K. author, editor and publisher who lives in a corner of Heaven, on the south-west coast of Ireland, overlooking the Atlantic. She writes fiction in many genres - some after her own tastes, and some to make her readers happy. Sometimes, those two happen to coincide. Besides the Eternal series, her works include the clumsy superhero Martin Little series, the Hunter action thriller series, the Addicted to Love romance collection (stand alone romantic suspense), the Lionheart Series of contemporary romance and the Fly With Me time-travel romance series. Ella also writes non-fiction how-to guides for writers, available for free from the Paper Gold Publishing website.
Tiffany Flowers is a wife and mother of 3 beautiful angels. She lives in a really small town in Alabama. When she started out writing, she was uncertain with where things would lead. But after a year of writing, she is now a published author of TWO fantasy/paranormal stories and is hard at work on yet another that she hopes will be loved as well.
Anne Conley has written her entire life and has the boxes of angst-filled journals and poetry to prove it. She's been writing for public consumption for the last four years. Currently she is writing three romance series. In Stories of Serendipity, she explores real people living real lives in small town Texas in a contemporary romance setting. In The Four Winds, she chronicles God's four closest archangels, Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael, falling in love and becoming human. In Pierce Securities, she gives us Ryan, Evan, Miriam, Zack, Quinten, and Simon. She lives in rural East Texas with her husband and children in her own private oasis, where she prides herself in her complete lack of social skills, choosing instead to live with the people inside her head.
For Kendra Hale, who has lived in Canada, the USA and on the European Continent, Great Britain, or the UK, will always be home. Her love for the UK is apparent in The Snow Crystals, and her other/future books, which are all set here. Kendra’s knowledge and life-long interest in the world of antiques, collectibles and such, finds its way into her writing. She writes fiction in different genres.
Julie Elizabeth Powell lives in a small town in the south of England. She has a BA (Hons) in Combined Studies (inc: English, History, Media & I.T.) and qualifications in teaching and Information Technology. Writing is her passion.
Sarah Dalton grew up in the middle of nowhere in the countryside of Derbyshire and as a result has an over-active imagination.
She has been an avid reader for most of her life, taking inspiration from the stories she read as a child, and the novels she devoured as an adult.
Sarah mainly writes speculative fiction for a Young Adult audience and has had pieces of short fiction published in the Medulla Literary Review, PANK magazine and the British Fantasy Society publication Dark Horizons. She is the author of the popular YA dystopia series The Blemished, Amazon bestselling YA horror series Mary Hades, and YA fantasy series White Hart.
Traci Hayden is a proud mother of four beautiful girls. She is also extremely lucky to be a grandmother to a multi-talented little girl and an adorable baby boy. She has always had a passion for reading, but recently the obsession for writing has taken over. As a Nova Scotian native now living in British Columbia, Traci has traveled across Canada, fueling her imagination from coast to coast. Along with two dogs and two cats, Traci's home is shared with her partner of 18 years. He is her rock and constant support. Traci has currently taken to helping, supporting and promoting other authors. The joy of her trades and the support from her family make her world complete.
Cherime MacFarlane: Born in New Orleans, I am proud to call myself an Alaskan. I have lived here for 38 years, I have seen -40 degrees, hauled water, made bear bacon and still live in a cabin. I have used a fishwheel to catch salmon coming up the Copper River. I have cut firewood on shares and worked as a cocktail waitress during pipeline days in a small lodge on the Richardson Highway. I was my second husband's chief mechanic's helper and roadie.
My second husband, a Scot from Glasgow, was the love of my life. When I write Scots dialect, I personally experienced hearing it from my in-laws. When my husband got on the phone to Scotland, after 5 seconds I could barely understand a word.
We moved to Wasilla to get warm. It barely drops past -25 degrees here in the winter. I became a paralegal and worked for over 26 years for the same firm. Thousands of documents I have written have been before various judges all over the state.
Alaska is my home. I never thought I would love it so much I’d never want to leave. The beauty of Alaska is a draw I cannot resist. I love the people and the history. I have been captured by a place I came to under duress. Life does play some interesting tricks on one. I lost my first husband to alcohol. My second husband, the love of my life, died as a result of disease. We were not apart more than 24 hours for 20 plus years. I never wanted to be anywhere but with him. He was a man to run the river with and was my biggest fan.
Susan Griscom writes paranormal and contemporary romance. She's hooked on gritty romances and is a huge fan of superheroes and bad boys confronted with extraordinary forces of nature, powers, and abilities beyond the norm mixed with steamy romance, of course.
She loves those days when she gets to sit around in her sweat pants, doing nothing but writing emotionally charged stories about love and violence and drinking coffee.
She lives in Northern California with her romantic husband and together they have five great superhero kids and eight mini-superhero grand kids, so far.
Marissa Storm: This Author has a few other published books in circulation today:
Storm Warnings, a fiction love story adventure
And What Happens to the Children, a book about the price the children pay when the parents split their lives in half.
I now write under a Pen name for personal reasons.
I love to meet with fans and will be making personal appearances in the near future. From NC, enjoys family and friends and the love of God as well as the blessings He brings.
MoBmagicofbookspromo@gmail.com
October 30, 2015
Anywhere the Sun Shines, new Multi-Author, Multi-Genre Box Set
Official genre of box set: Contemporary and Paranormal Romance, Suspense, Action, and Drama
Presented by the Crazy Lady Authors, this box set of NINE incredible short stories is sure to take you on an adventure. Whether you have an hour or a whole afternoon, crack open this set and escape to someplace new. Contemporary and Paranormal Romance, Suspense, Action, and Drama . . . Anywhere the Sun Shines has it all. Fits conveniently in your travel bag; pairs well with poolside relaxation. Serve with tropical, fruity beverages containing bright pink mini-umbrellas and perhaps a box of tissues. Happy reading!
Amazon US ~ Amazon CA ~ Goodreads
Enchanted in Time by USA Today Best Selling Author Nikki Lynn Barrett Still reeling from a tragedy, Roxanne Ferris takes a summer job as a caregiver to bestselling author Claudette Grayson. The ailing woman doesn't have long to live, but wants to spend the rest of her days in the house she's fond of.
Roxanne and Claudette bond over enchanting stories of fictional characters that feel so real. It's the perfect escape for both women who carry haunting memories. But when mysterious things happen, Roxanne questions her sanity, especially when she begins seeing one of the fictitious characters in the house.
Who is the mysterious stranger? What's his story? This summer could go one way or the other- bringing peace and closure, or destroying what's left of two women's tormented minds.
Sunday Hill by Alisa MullenA prequel to 77 Steps, Sunday Hill introduces you to Keely Milliken, an aspiring scientist, works hard at her school work and never notices that there is an outside world. As well as Rory McCary, an aspiring professional snowboarder, whose world has been so busy that he never let anyone into his heart.
A Beltane Gift by Holly BarboSummer in Scotland, and Mari is working on an archeological dig of a Viking burial ship during Beltane, a time of the year when the veil shrouding the spirit world thins. What could possibly go wrong?
Like the story? Holly is working on further adventures for Mari and her friends in an upcoming series.
Summer Angel by Samantha JacobeyWhat would you do if you discovered Guardian Angels are real?
Charlie and his parents had planned a fabulous summer vacation; the last one before he heads off to college. Things go mysteriously awry when the young man meets Clarisse; he finds himself separated from his parents and on a different sort of holiday.
Caught up in a strange adventure with the slender blonde, Charlie learns right away that things are not what they seem. She easily convinces him that her magical powers are real, and introduces him to a world mankind has only dreamt of. Promising to have him reunited with his family soon, the girl takes him on a gallery walk of life, using her abilities to give him a summer vacation he will never forget... and then again, may not even survive.
Road Talk by Cherime MacFarlaneMolly only takes chances while driving. Life burned her and she isn’t ready to open herself up to being wounded again. Louis, Lou for short, knows more about the woman than she cares for. It’s a business trip into the wilds of Alaska. Where will their road talk take them?
Short Bio:I am an Alaskan woman and very proud to be one. I didn’t get here easily but the journey was interesting. The things I write about I have done. Although born in New Orleans, I have lived here since 1977. I have seen -40 degrees, hauled water, made bear bacon and I live in a cabin. I have used a fishwheel to catch salmon coming up the Copper River. I was my second husband's chief mechanic's helper and roadie.
Waiting a Lifetime by Michele E. GwynnWade Walker had his whole life planned out. He was going to earn his law degree, marry his high school sweetheart Arlene Richards, and live the perfect life. But life doesn't always go according to plan. Betrayal was about to derail Wade's well-laid plans, and he would soon discover that he'd been on autopilot heading in the wrong direction. Melissa Ryan had never been in love. A car accident that robbed her of the full use of her legs as a child left the grown woman too shy to even try and date. Melissa spent her time building up her photography business, but despite all her efforts to avoid men, one found his way to her front door anyway. Wade knew his buddy Jed's sister was shy. Hell, she ran to her room every time he came over. He'd barely gotten a look at her, but when she finally wandered into Pelican's Market, the opportunity to say hello presented itself, and he took full advantage. There was something pretty special about this quiet girl, and even her crutches couldn't take away from the fact that she was simply beautiful. For the first time in years, Wade felt alive. Melissa brought out the best in him, and he proved to her that she was a desirable woman. Their love was destined, yet his ex-fiancé couldn't let go. And one stormy night set actions into motion that would have devastating consequences. Wade knew he found the love of his life, but would it be this life or the next before they could be together?
Unchained Melody by R.E. HargraveMarshall Chandler is a true American who grew up wanting nothing more than to serve his country to the best of his ability, by becoming a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. On the eve of his first assignment, he meets the woman that will haunt his dreams and change his life.
A single night to connect, but a decade to realize it . . . when one man is torn between the love of his country and what might have been the love of his life, how does he stay sane? How does he cope? And will he ever get a second chance at love?
Sometimes fate works in mysterious ways.
Sunsets and New Beginnings by Teri RiggsMandi Waters had the worst day ever. She lost her job, found her fiancé in bed with her best friend, then discovered he’d been stealing from her. She seeks refuge with her beloved aunt in the peaceful seaside town of Heaven’s Beach. Her ability to trust may be in tatters, but the handsome businessman with the surfer boy looks, might have her reconsidering.
Josh Foster’s mother has her greedy eyes on the only waterfront property left in Heaven’s Beach. Unfortunately, it belongs to a woman unwilling to sell. Her solution is simple: coerce Josh into seducing the owner’s niece, in hopes she’ll sell. However, Josh will never get involved in the same kind of sordid relationships his mother had. Especially when he meets Mandi. She's the kind of woman he could love--until he discovers Mandi is the prey his mother means to trap in her tangled web of deception.
Mandi and Josh have both sworn off love. But if they will let it, the magic of Heaven’s Beach may help them find a way to let the sun set on the past and together discover a new beginning.
The Hipster Dude, The Gamer Girl, and the BOMB! by Jayne HyattOn a hot summer day in downtown Denver a bomb threat is made against the public library. Neil and Evie, strangers to one another, are evacuated and detained by police while authorities search for the bomb … and the bomber. Thrown together in a frightening situation, Evie and Neil can’t figure out if they should trust one another - much less like one another – until the crisis reaches its climax, and their dilemma is resolved in a way that surprises them both.
Alisa Mullen is the author of the Best Selling Saga Series The Chosen Series and Psychological Suspense Fiction The Good Bye Trilogy. She grew up in Down East Maine. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, making necklaces, and spending time with her family. Mullen now lives in South Texas with her husband and their two children. She loves the beach, Estate Sales, Blue Bonnet season, and art.
Mullen owns a macramé necklace business, Devika Knots, which she started with her daughter in 2009 and it has become a great part of her life. Many times her whole family will go out to the markets to be around other artisans and farmers. She and her husband look forward to one day owning an RV and following their noses around the country year round.
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Holly Barbo's world is shaped by her love of family, the beauty of the natural world and an irrepressible creative drive. She has always been curious and sees life through questions. These four characteristics color her writing voice and her stories frequently evolve from her asking "What if....?" Her tales tend to have non-urban settings with nature contributing to the plot, building discordant themes inside a seemingly peaceful refrain.
Holly weaves alternative worlds with threads from today.
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Samantha Jacobey: Anyone who knows me could tell you, I am a friendly kind of person, never met a stranger and take up conversations any where at any time. I work hard, and my mind never seems to shut down, as I wake up often in the middle of the night with ideas pouring out and demanding to be dealt with. Of course that means much of my books were written in the middle of the night.
I grew up and still live in the great state of Texas where everything is bigger, where we have warm weather and a central location. I love my state, my town, and my family, which includes my four sons, my significant other, and many friends as well.
I have thoroughly enjoyed writing the books that are currently available and hope you will enjoy reading them just as much. And of course, there will be many more stories to come.
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Cherime MacFarlane: Although born in New Orleans, I am proud to call myself an Alaskan. I have lived here since 1977. I have seen -40 degrees, hauled water, made bear bacon and I live in a cabin. I have used a fishwheel to catch salmon coming up the Copper River. I was my second husband's chief mechanic's helper and roadie. I have cut firewood on shares. I worked as a cocktail waitress during pipeline days in a small lodge on the Richardson Highway.
My second husband, a Scot from Glasgow, was the love of my life. When I write Scots dialect, I personally experienced hearing it from my in laws. When my husband got on the phone to Scotland, after 5 seconds I could barely understand a word.
We moved to Wasilla to get warm. It barely drops past -25 degrees here in the winter. I became a paralegal and worked for over 26 years for the same firm.
Alaska is my home. I never thought I would love it so much, I never want to leave. The beauty of Alaska is a draw I cannot resist. I love the people and the history. I have been captured by a place I came to under duress. Life does play some interesting tricks on one. My love and I were not apart more than 24 hours for 20 plus years. I never wanted to be anywhere but with him. He was a man to run the river with and was my biggest fan.
~~~
Nikki Lynn Barrett: I'm an avid lover of books. I've been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first "book" by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I'll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.
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Michele E. Gwynn is a freelance journalist in San Antonio. She writes for newspapers, magazines, and online websites like Examiner.com (under the categories of Film, Animal Rights, and Sex and Relationships), Alwayz Therro Magazine, FashionErotica Digital, and more. She also edits websites and books.
Gwynn has published several books and has three series currently; the Kriminal Erotic Series (crime/detective for 18+); The Harvest Trilogy (Horror/Sci-Fi #UFO series inspired by a true event); and the Angelic Hosts Series (supernatural action/adventure, romance YA & NA). She also has a new Contemporary Romance Short Story - Waiting a Lifetime. Coming to Amazon soon (2015) are the third books in all three series, and her first darkly romantic paranormal vampire novel (title not yet released). The new year will see the publishing of the first full novel in her new series, The Ghosts of Cardiff, Murder in the Vale: The Mystery at Llandaff Cathedral, and the long-anticipated second children's book, The Cat Who Cooked Spaghetti.
For discriminating bibliophiles, there is also a science fiction short published in a charity book for which all funds raised will help build a new library: Tales and Poems from Universal City, Texas (Synthesis by Michele E. Gwynn)
As if that weren't enough, she has published adult short stories under the pen name Xaviera Snow. (On Amazon.com)
Much of her career has been spent interviewing all manner of celebrities for Examiner.com, and hometown newspaper and magazines. Life has been kind, and these interviews can be found on her blog over at micheleegwynnauthor.com. She resides in the small town of Schertz, Texas on the northeast side of San Antonio with her four felines who so graciously allow her to reside in their home.
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Amazon International Best Selling author R.E. Hargrave lives on the outskirts of Dallas, TX where she prides herself on being a domestic engineer. Married to her high school sweetheart, together they are raising three children. She is an avid reader, a sometimes quilter, and now, a writer. Other hobbies include gardening and a love of music. A native 'mutt,' Hargrave has lived in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, and California. She is fond of setting her stories~which range from the sweet to the paranormal to the erotic~on location in South Carolina and Texas, but its anybody's guess as to what the genre will be!
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As a child, Teri Riggs made up her own bedtime stories. When her children came along, Teri always tweaked the fairy tales she told her daughters, giving them a bit more punch and better endings when needed.
Now she spends her days turning her ideas into books. She lives in Marietta, GA with her husband.
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Jayne Hyatt is a novelist who currently lives in Denver, Colorado. A lifelong bookworm, she especially enjoys reading contemporary and historical romance, romantic suspense and mysteries. When she's not writing, or reading, she's very likely hanging out with her best friend, cooking up a storm, watching a movie, trying out a new restaurant, browsing in a used book store, or simply daydreaming. As she puts it: "I seem to spend a lot of time daydreaming about what my characters are up to when I'm not with them."
Amazon US ~ Amazon CA ~ Goodreads
MoBmagicofbookspromo@gmail.com
October 29, 2015
Giveaway for contemporary romance Toccata Obbligato: Serenading Kyra by Jennifer Theriot
Toccata Obbligato~Serenading KyraAUTHOR: Jennifer TheriotGENRE: Contemporary RomanceCOVER DESIGINER: The Graphics ShedPUBLISHING DATE: October 14, 2014
Toccata Obbligato is a compaign novella to the Out of the Box series.
Todd O’Malley has been called many things, from filthy mouthed jerk to legendary Rock God. With his outlandish cocky demeanor – tatted up and pierced, compared in looks to Adam Levine - his constant use of the F-bomb, and the seductive gyrations he performs for the ladies on stage, affirm he is a man every woman craves. But there is only one woman who is able to capture his heart, Kyra Edwards.
That chance meeting at a little coffee shop in Evanston began their journey of compromise, pain, dedication and love.
From the night he took her virginity to Todd’s past sex-capades and consequences threatening their relationship, will Kyra be able to deal with it? With Todd and his band Avenue touring on the road, can he prove to Kyra that he is a changed man? Can he be faithful and avoid temptation?
Jennifer Theriot brings us yet another love story that will capture our hearts. This is truly a story of Beauty and the Beast, where we admire the beauty that is Kyra and adore the beast known as Todd.
You loved him in Out of the Box Awakening and Out of the Box Regifted. In the pages of Toccata Obbligato ~Serenading Kyra, you'll get inside his head - see what makes him tick and get to know the woman who captured his heart......
We meet up for coffee the day after next. I swear to God, Olivia was right. This girl is the one for me. When she walks into our coffee shop—I call it ‘our coffee shop’ because that’s where we met—she has her hands behind her back and walks up to me, grinning from ear to ear. “What’s up with the smile?” I ask.
She proudly places a black t-shirt on the table. “Here, I got this for you. It’s corny, I know.”
I unfold the shirt and read it. I smile and take her hand. The shirt says, ‘Plays Well With Others’. “Wow. This is awesome, Kyra. I love it!”
She makes a silly face, “Well, I know you play in a band, and I thought it was cool. Corny but cool. So you really do like it?”
I give her a hug, and when she hugs me back, I’m relieved. “It’s awesome, Kyra. I really do love it.”She pulls back. “Seriously? I was afraid you’d laugh at me.”
I put her hair behind her ear and look her in the eye. “I’d never laugh at you, Kyra. I really love it. I’m gonna wear it every day.”
AMAZON US ~ AMAZON CA ~ GOODREADS
Book 1AMAZON ~ GOODREADS
Book 2AMAZON ~ GOODREADS
Jennifer Theriot hails from the Great State of Texas. She is a career woman, working as CFO of a Texas based real estate investment firm by day and does her writing at nights and on weekends. In her limited spare time, Jennifer enjoys being outdoors; preferably somewhere on a beach curled up with a good book. Spending time with family and friends, listening to music, watching a baseball game and enjoying a good bottle of wine are usually on her to-do lists. She’s mom to three grown children and ‘MiMi’ to three (soon to be four) grandkids – all of whom she adores!Her best-selling Out of the Box Series, OUT OF THE BOX AWAKENING, OUT OF THE BOX REGIFTED and TOCCATA OBBLIGATO~SERENADING KYRA are currently available on Amazon.com . The final in the Out of the Box series, OUT OF THE BOX EVERLASTING will be released in late 2015.
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October 28, 2015
Release of Saving Casey, Book 1 of Liza O'Connor's Requires Rescue Series
Saving CaseyAUTHOR: Liza O’ConnorGENRE: Contemporary SuspenseSERIES: Book 1 of the Requires Rescue Series
When 80 year old Cass Goldman learns she has inoperable cancer, she decides to end her life, peacefully on her terms. So imagine her horror when she wakes to find herself in a hospital with strange rich people staring at her. It’s not until the doctor arrives to examine her that she realizes she’s no longer old. She’s in the body of a seventeen year old teen named Casey.
Unfortunately, her new body comes with some serious baggage. First of all, the kid has burned every bridge imaginable. Secondly, those ‘people’ in her room are her outrageously rich parents and while the Dad seems friendly, the mother wants nothing to do with her. The moment they take her home to a horrifically huge mansion, which she dubs Tara, she’s abandoned to the care of the butler.
While Cass is determined to turn this train wreck of a life around, doing so is far harder than she expected. In fact, without help, she’ll end up dead just like the last occupant of this body. Thankfully, her dad has his hunky head of security become her body guard. Between her eighty years of life lessons and hunky Troy’s help, she just might live long enough not to be jail bait.
Cass woke to steady beeping.
The last thing she remembered was Jess licking her face….
Oh God, had something gone wrong? Had her attempt at suicide only succeeded in killing her sweet dog?
She opened her eyes and stared at a couple resting in chairs at the foot of her bed. The well-dressed, haggard man looked to be in his forties, his head tilted to the side as if sleeping. Beside him sat a pale, well-coifed woman with tight thin lips, possibly in her late thirties, staring out the window.
Who the hell were these people? Suicide watchers?
In the woman’s lap rested a Louis Vuitton purse.
Rich suicide watchers? Ridiculous! Never in all her years of creeping about hospitals, watching all her friends die off one by one, had she seen a socialite volunteer. And who would volunteer to suicide watch an old person dying of cancer anyway? Surely, they’d have better things to do.
The man woke and gasped as he noticed her. “Casey?” He rushed to her bedside, covering her face with kisses. She pushed him away, ready to yell for help, but when he stepped back, he looked so hurt by her actions that she remained mute.
What the hell is going on here?
The woman stared at her from her chair, saying nothing.
Pulling his chair to the bed, the man sat and pressed his cheek to her hand. “Oh, kitten, we thought we’d lost you.” Tears welled in his eyes. He seemed most distressed.
Cass struggled to make sense of words.
He’d called her Casey when he first woke. Was it possible he knew her? God knows my memory can’t hold crap these days.
But he’d also called her “kitten,” and her nickname had never ever been kitten. This guy had the wrong old woman!
What the hell happened? How could they have possibly screwed up my identity? They clearly rescued me from my home.
The man stood, stroking her cheek with sincere affection. “I’ll be right back. I need to let Leonard know you’ve wakened.” Then he rushed from the room.
Why can’t I remember this man? She tried to recall what her nephew looked like. No…this fellow looked around forty-five. Her nephew would be in his late sixties now. Did her nephew have a son she’d forgotten?
Soon her mystery fellow returned with a doctor of a reasonable age.
The socialite woman stood upon the arrival of the doctor, smiled faintly, and extended her limp hand, which he cherished as if she were royalty.
Who the hell are these people?
The doctor finally stopped worshipping the woman and helped Cass sit up. He put his cold stethoscope on her back. “Take a deep breath.”
She did, and discovered she’d acquired serious lung power. Evidently, consuming a large quantity of painkillers and exhaust fumes could regenerate old lungs.
He placed her right hand in his. “Squeeze my hand as hard as you can.”
She stared at the plump pink hand he held. That was not her old bony hand with blue veins shining through paper-thin skin. She followed the hand up to a plump arm. Holy shit! I’m in a young person’s body! How’d that happen?
AMAZON US ~ AMAZON CA
Liza O’Connor is a nut.
Not a real nut, but she is prone to being a smart ass at times, and not surprisingly her heroines say odd and inappropriate things in her book, as well. So even in a suspense novel you can expect to laugh along the way. That’s because Liza loves to see humor in the crazy world around her.
Saving Casey was actually the first book Liza published. Having recently reclaimed her rights to the book, she is happily re-publishing it as her 18th book. And because her books sell better when in a series, she using Saving Casey to kick of a new series called Requires Rescue. It will be different from her other series where the same characters show up in each book. This series will be about strong women who are trying to go it alone, only when help is offered, they have the good sense to accept the helping hand, because in all of our lives, there will come a time you need someone else to help you. Being strong doesn’t make us invincible. Book 1 is Casey/Cass’ story. Book 2 will be about an entirely different young woman who desperately needs help before she’s murdered on the streets of NYC. Book 3, well the plot is super unique, and more books will follow.
You’ll be able to read the series in any order you want, but in each case, you’ll have a strong young woman, a guy stepping up to help when no one else does, and danger galore with humor stuffed in anywhere I can.
I hope you’ll come along with me so you can laugh, love, and get revenge.
Magic of Books PromotionsOctober 27, 2015
GIVEAWAY for Keeping Secrets, the new erotic contemporary romance by Lisa Eugene
AUTHOR: Lisa EugeneGENRE: Erotic Contemporary RomanceCOVER DESIGINER: Kim Killion
PUBLISHING DATE: October 22, 2015
Is that how a little girl sits?No, Daddy.How should a little girl sit?Shoulders back and tummy in.And how should a little girl look?Always neat and prettyThat’s my girl.
Twenty-four-year-old Alexa Kennedy is beautiful, sharp as a whip, and at the top of her medical school class. She’s also been waging a war in her head for as long as she can remember. Depression. Hatred. Self-loathing. These feelings feed the pain inside her, fueling her quest for a perfection that she can never achieve.
In one life-changing moment, Dex Blakewell crashes into her world. Dex is funny, gorgeous, and irresistible. He chases away the darkness and fills her with light and laughter. An unusual friendship blossoms, making no demands or expectations.
Friendship turns into an unexpected love and a delicious passion. Alexa realizes that the only thing tethering her to sanity is their connection. But even Dex’s strength can’t keep her demons at bay forever.
When life overwhelms her, the outside world starts to mirror her inner turmoil. And when Dex discovers she’s been keeping horrible secrets, will she finally shatter or find a way through the darkness? Will the promise of love be enough to save her from self-destruction?
Cool air prickled my belly as the fabric drifted up. His lips feathered lightly across my abdomen, warming the skin. A tremor shook through my muscles, cascading over my entire body. The sweater inched up higher, now just under my breasts, exposing more skin. I was on a seesaw, bopping between heady desire and burgeoning anxiety.
My fists clenched so tight that my nails punched painfully into my palms. Expressing a shaky breath, I cleared my throat.
“Dex,” I ran my fingers over the top of his head, stilling him. “Um…let’s turn out the lights…” I squeezed my eyes shut. “Please…”
Silver eyes stared up at me, deep, probing. This was probably the most serious I’d ever seen him.
“Stats? Do you trust me?”
I nodded without hesitation, my throat swelling. His eyes smiled and he dropped a kiss on my naked belly.
“Can we turn off the lights?” I had to ask again, because I couldn’t bare to see that smile vanish if we kept the lights on.
He shook his head and that surprised me. He must’ve registered my reaction, and perhaps the worry that was making my face tight. Crawling up my body, he stretched out next to me. Balancing his head on his elbow, he stared down. His palm stayed flat on my bare belly, tingling points on my skin.
“The lights stay on, Stats,” he stated simply, and I chafed at his autocratic tone. He softened his words with a brush of his lips across my lashes, first one, then the other, then braced his head again and tethered our gazes.
“I want to make love to you. I want to fuck you and give you pleasure. And I want to see every reaction on your face and your body as I do it. You are so beautiful and sexy, it’s ridiculous. Call me a greedy fucker, but I want it all, Stats. All of you. That’s just who I am. I want to experience it all, taste it all, see it all, and feel it all—with you. And I can’t do that in the dark.”
AMAZON US ~ AMAZON CA ~ AMAZON UK ~ GOODREADS
Lisa Eugene began writing as a way to mentally escape from the hectic medical world where she has been a practicing nurse for over twenty years. After publishing her first novel, STRICTLY BUSINESS, she quickly learned that readers couldn't get enough of the world she created and now she lives out her wildest fantasies by writing steamy romantic suspense for her fan-favorite Washington Memorial Hospital series.
When she's not plotting her next dangerous, fast-paced, sexy adventure, you can find her juggling a full time job, playing soccer mom, or curled up reading a good romance. Lisa loves hearing from fans; be sure to connect with her on Twitter at @lisaeugene43, or at lisaeugene43@gmail.com.
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October 26, 2015
New Triple Release of Lindsay Cross' Men of Mercy series, Books 1, 2 & 3
AUTHOR: Lindsay CrossCOVER DESIGNER: Kim KillionOFFICIAL GENRE: Romantic Suspense (hot heat level)
PUBLICATION DATE: Oct 21, 2015
REDEMPTION RIVER
BOOK 1
Hunter James didn’t want or need redemption.
Until one mission turns his world upside down.
He left Mercy to fight for his country and escape a broken heart. Years later, he is hard. Cold. A man without mercy. Part of an elite Task Force, he tracks a brutal terrorist to his home town. And runs into the woman who betrayed him…
Evangeline Videl was destroyed when Hunter left. Determined to move on, she finds another man, but discovers too late the monster hidden beneath his smooth smile. Struggling to find the conviction to live, Evie finds her life spinning out of control.
Then Hunter returns…
Forced to band together to find the terrorist before its too late, Hunter and Evie must learn to forgive or risk losing the promise of redemption and their lives…
"Hey." His Southern drawl put Matthew McConaughey to shame. Slow. Sexy. And familiar.
Her gaze traveled up the muscled torso to a pair of dark chocolate-brown eyes.
Holy crap.
"Hunter James." His name breathed past her lips on a whisper.
For the second time that night her heart stuttered and her stomach clenched tight.
Hunter blocked her path, his towering six-foot-four frame packaged in a tight-fitting black T-shirt and jeans that showcased his muscles. His arms had to be twice the size they were the last time he’d been here. His gaze twice as intense. Her reaction twenty times that.
According to the town gossips, he’d been back in Mercy for a couple of weeks, but so far he’d avoided her. And she’d prayed daily he would stay away. Every time he came home on leave, he seemed to make it a point to show up here. At her bar. With another woman on his arm. Making sure she saw he’d moved on. And each time her heart broke a little more.
"Need some help?" he asked.
Her brain took a full minute to kick into gear, then another minute to reconnect to her mouth. "What?"
"You look like you could use some help. Can I do anything?" His serious voice passed through lips that were way too tempting.
She couldn't think. The man standing before her had gone AWOL with her heart over five years ago, like the tail end of a twister after a storm. Part of her had been happy he'd left. The other part had been devastated. Their love had been wild and crazy, but ultimately destructive.
She noticed the knotted wood cane leaning against the table beside him. "What's with the cane?"
Hunter grinned and shifted his weight to the side. "What's with the wet clothes?" He extinguished his cigarette and stepped away from the doorway leading to the upstairs apartment, his limp noticeable.
Evie crossed her arms over her chest, the action squeezing more beer out of her bra. Her lips pressed into a tight line and she forced herself to answer, "Wet T-shirt contest. It's a new thing we’re trying."
Evie straightened her arms, clenching and unclenching her fists at her sides in time with the ticking in his jaw. A couple day’s stubble graced the hard planes of his face, only a little shorter than the black hair buzzed close to his scalp. He looked as if he’d been chiseled from steel.
Hunter leaned in close and Evie's stomach knotted. Lust built inside her, pushing against her dam of resistance. "I bet you won."
He wasn't staring at her chest, she had to give him that. No, his target appeared to be her mouth. His head lowered to hers and her mind went blank. If she had been thinking like a full-grown woman, she would have jerked back before his lips made contact. But tonight her brain had pointed and aimed but failed to fire.
AMAZON ~ GOODREADS
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RESURRECTION RIVER
BOOK 2
Ranger James accepted his best friend’s death like a good soldier. With guilt. Regret. Vengeance. But a forbidden desire keeps pulling him from his mission…
Desire for his best friend’s widow.
Killed in Action. That’s why Rachel Carter’s husband wasn’t coming home.
A war widow, alone and broke, Rachel struggles to revive her family’s crop dusting service to survive. Now she takes to the skies to find escape. Escape from the pain. From the guilt. From the earth-shattering desire for her husband’s best friend.
Rachel and Ranger can’t fight the attraction between them any longer. But one fateful night cleaves their new found love in two...
Can they find the will to fight for true love? Or will an evil so shocking destroy their lives for good?
Rachel spun around, the yellow airplane a perfect backdrop to her beautiful face. “What are you doing here?”
Ranger let his gaze travel from her scruffy boots, torn jeans and gloriously figure hugging tank, to the top of her dark red head. Her pink cheeks flushed.
“Like what you see?”
Ranger approached, her green gaze turned wary. Good. She should be worried. She’d doused him in chemicals. His skin still itched. He reached forward, plucked an oil stick from her ponytail and sent her hair spilling to her shoulders. He caught the brief scent of flowers and oil.
Rachel grabbed her hair, lips parted. Angry. Stubborn. Sexy.
He held up the stick right in front of her face. “Oil stick.”
Rachel snatched it from his fingers and tossed it across the room. “I told you to stay away from me.”Ranger shrugged, his brain still caught on the image of her jean-clad ass hanging out of that airplane. Forget Sports Illustrated. He had farm fucking fantastic right here.
"Don't you think dropping that all-natural excuse for chemicals on me is a bit dramatic? If you want to get me naked all you had to do is ask." Ranger gestured to himself, sweeping his hand from his head down to his torso, Rachel's eyes followed.
That definitely wasn't desperation or anger in her gaze.
The desire he’d been trying to hold in check for months reared up inside him.
"You think I want to see you naked?” Rachel snorted, lifted her chin. “Besides, I figured anything would be an improvement to your normal smell.” So much for her vulnerability.
The wind picked up, blew into the hangar. Ranger shifted, praying the wind wouldn’t open the fly on his boxers, and almost covered himself. Almost. Until he remembered she was the reason for his stench. Instead, he stood tall. “You’ve never had a problem with the way I smelled before.”
“My manners were just too good to say anything.” She strode past him, punishing him with the sexy sway of her hips.
Dammit, he was so hard up for her, even her walk had his mind blanking. He stood there, nearly naked, and drenched in herbicide, and she walked past him like a stranger on a sidewalk.Running from him. Again.
“Rachel Ann.” He didn’t yell, but she stopped mid-stride. Turned. Lips parted.
“You did that on purpose,” Ranger said. She’d been hard headed even in high-school, when he tried to break up with her, explaining that he needed a little space to see if life in Mercy was what he really wanted. Jumping on the marriage and kids bandwagon at eighteen years old had scared the shit out of him. But he’d obliterated any chance for reconnecting with Rachel when she’d seen him making out with Tonya at the football game senior year.
He hadn’t thought that leaving her to sow the wild oats of his youth would be a self-fulfilling prophecy of regret. Or that his best friend would move in on Rachel so fast and fill the void that Ranger had left in her heart.
“You bet your ass I did.”
“What the hell for?” He couldn’t get her smell, her taste, her touch out of his head. But she’d dumped shit on him for the last time.
Her eyes narrowed and her lips flattened. “I warned you.”
Yeah, she’d warned him to stay away from her. He’d stayed with her for weeks, helping her after the funeral. She’d healed physically, but remained an emotional tomb.
“I promised Shane, if anything ever happened to him, I’d look out for you.” He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss that angry expression right off her face. He’d wanted her since high-school, but when she’d married Shane, he’d vowed to put those feelings away. Forever. But the attraction hadn’t disappeared. And he knew it never would. “I know the chemistry between us is weird. Scary. But dammit it’s real and it’s here and now. You’re just flying through the clouds because you don’t want to see what’s on the ground right in front of you.”
If he hadn’t been studying every minute expression on her face he would have missed the brief flash of vulnerability in her gaze. Then her anger slid back in place. “The only thing I feel is annoyance. Are you so desperate that you have to chase after what you can’t have? You dumped me first, remember?”
Him? Desperate? No. He’d never had a problem getting women. Until Rachel.
If he hadn’t been so young and stupid he would have been the one she’d married. Not Shane.
Now all he could think, all he could see, was the small sprinkle of freckles across her pert nose. He could be on a mission in a third world country or down the road. It didn’t matter. She affected him. He had an all-consuming need for his best friend’s wife. He hadn’t counted on lust eating him alive.
But he had honor. He had loyalty. Ranger had vowed over Shane’s grave to take care of Rachel.
AMAZON ~ GOODREADS
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RECKLESS RIVERBOOK 3
They say you can’t go home again. Jared Crowe never wanted to.
Home meant facing memories of abuse and neglect. Of dark closets and evil nightmares. Of his own relatives intent on killing him. But now his brother’s kidnapping forces him to face those demons. Only this time, Jared isn’t a scared little boy. He’s a full-grown Special Forces operative bent on revenge.
As a little girl, Sparrow Pickney risked her life to free two abused boys. As a grown woman Sparrow needs to earn a place in her adopted family’s business or be forced into a life of degradation. The chance to prove her family loyalty comes when she catches Jared spying on the compound and captures him.
When Jared sees his captor, he realizes she’s the girl of his dreams and vows to rescue her from a life of poverty. What Jared doesn’t know is Sparrow may not be the savior he remembers…but the one responsible for abducting and torturing his brother.
Jared is determined to find the truth. But that truth may be more than his heart can take.
It had been nearly twenty years since he’d seen her, but Jared could never forget those golden eyes. Eyes that had haunted his dreams ever since. Had she joined up with Kay? Or was she simply one of those poor souls struggling to survive?
The thought of Sparrow slowly starving filled him with a sense of guilt. He should have made her leave with them. Even though they’d been children when she’d freed them, Jared had been big enough to drag her out, whether she’d wanted to go or not.
She leaned over him, reaching for his hands. Her floppy hat fell down, blinding her, and she ripped it off and tossed it across the room. Long caramel-colored hair, full of sun-kissed highlights, waterfalled down the sides of her face and tickled his nose. Her scent surrounded him now, flooding his senses. Honeysuckle and wildflowers. His cock swelled in an instant. Jared gnashed his teeth together, trying to quell his intense reaction to her nearness.
Sparrow leaned down further and her loose tank top gaped open, treating him to a glorious view of surprisingly plump breasts cupped in a plain sports bra. His gaze locked onto her beaded nipples through the cotton. Fuck he wanted to rip that bra down and reveal what was hidden beneath. The loose manly clothes she wore made her look stick thin, but womanly curves were concealed beneath them.
Sparrow sighed and sat up straight, leaving rope dangling uselessly on his wrists. Jared gripped the metal headboard with his hands, waiting for her next move. She stood there for a moment and studied him, trying to decide what to do. Well, he wasn't going to help her out one little bit.
"Keep your hands right there, got it?" Her voice was stern.
"Yes ma'am.” He had no intention of acting up. Yet.
She placed a knee on the mattress, and in one swift movement straddled him, settling on his belly. Jared groaned and closed his eyes thankful she hadn’t sat down lower on his body; otherwise, she would have gotten her own surprise. She leaned over him spreading her knees wider up his chest. His eyes popped open, unable to resist another view of her bare skin.
"You can stop with the theatrics right now, I know I’m not big enough to crush you."
If only that were his problem. Her shirt dipped down even more and he fixated on the pale mounds of her breasts straining against the material of her sports bra. It was a crime to lock those beauties up in serviceable cotton.
She should wear nothing but pure silk and lace, perfect for him to rip off her body.
Her hair curtained around him again, and her soft lips parted in concentration as she worked. He was aware of every inch of exposed skin—from the graceful hollow of her neck to her supple forearms peeking out from the rolled up sleeves of her checkered work shirt. Even more aware of the intense heat radiating from her core, pressed so intimately to his chest.
"There. All done." She sat back, a satisfied smile on her lips.
Jared tugged on the rope. He’d completely zoned out on anything other than her straddling him. It didn't give an inch—the knot she’d tied was worthy of a professional. A small ounce of foreboding seeped into him. “Where did you learn to tie knots?"
"Trapping. Working snares. Been doing it since I was a kid." Her words were so matter-of-fact, he had no doubt she spoke the truth. Holy shit. He yanked on the ropes, but they didn’t move.
“Impressive.” Jared wriggled his fingers and wrists, testing for any weakness. He found none.
“Might as well stop struggling. Nobody’s ever been able to get out of one of my knots. And I used my new rope too, so it wouldn’t snap easy.” She made a snapping motion with her fingers, the emphasis driving in just how stupid his plan had been. He should have used that easy opening she’d given him with the gun.
His foreboding turned to real worry. He had to get out of here to rescue his brother. Hoyt’s life depended on him. If he couldn’t get free… “Nice, now what?”
“Now you tell me who you are and why you’re here.” Sparrow sat back on her heels, the curve of her ass grazing the tip of his cock. He clenched his muscles, fighting to free himself from the pull of lust.
Remember, you’re the soldier trained in interrogation techniques. Now he just had to stop thinking with his dick for long enough to find out where Hoyt was being held. "My name is Jake."
She tapped her chin, staring down at him. Once again he was enthralled by the intense color of her eyes. They were golden, almost like a cat’s, with a darker brown ring around the edges. “Jake. You don't look like a Jake."
He enjoyed hearing the name on her lips. Would enjoy hearing his real name even better. Her soft accent and long vowels stretched it out slow. Sensual. "And what do I look like?"
"I don't know. Killer? Tiger?"
"That's what people name their cats.”
"True. Why are you here?"
"Why did you take me hostage?" he countered.
“You were spying on my family. Only our enemies do that.” She shifted, brushing against his tip again. Fuck he wanted to rip free of these bonds and throw her down beneath him. Where was his detached logic now? Something about her was making him lose control.
“I have no interest in you. I was looking for a family member who went missing, know anything about that?” He studied her reaction intently, watching for any flash of awareness, but she didn’t give away anything.
“Haven’t seen anybody new around here in a long time, and I would know. Sorry, but you plopped down on the wrong piece of land.”
“He told me he was coming here.” Not really, but Jared knew without the slightest shred of doubt that Hoyt had been taken by the Crowes. Miss Kay wanted to finish what she had started all those years ago, even if Jared didn’t know why. It was bad enough his parents had died when Jared was only nine, Hoyt six, but to have his aunt try to murder them....
Jared yanked on the bonds again, testing the bed frame. It screeched but held firm. Shit.
“What does he look like?” Every time Sparrow moved or shifted he felt her. Desire was holding him hostage as much as the damn ropes. Got to get free. Got to find Hoyt.
“What do I get if I tell you?”
“What do you get? You get to live.” Her brows shot down as if confused.
“You won’t kill me.”
“Try me.”
“How about we make a little trade—you give me something, I give you something.”
"Give? What do you want?" She laid her palms on her thighs, kneeling over his body, the position incredibly erotic.
Blushing aside, maybe she wasn’t so innocent after all. He had a plan and she was part of it. He knew he could get more information out of Sparrow than her giant ass brother. And he’d find it a hell of a lot more enjoyable too. "Kiss me."
She stopped moving all together and her eyes narrowed in on his mouth.
"Give me a kiss and I'll sing like a bird."
AMAZON ~ GOODREADS
Lindsay Cross is the award-winning author of the Men of Mercy series. She is the fun loving mom of two beautiful daughters and one precocious Great Dane. Lindsay is happily married to the man of her dreams – a soldier and veteran. During one of her husband’s deployments from home, writing became her escape and motivation. An avid reader since childhood, reading and writing is in her blood. After years of reading, she discovered her true passion – writing. Her alpha military men are damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and determined to win the heart of the woman of their dreams.
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