L.J. Harris's Blog, page 10

The Groom by Elise Marion - Release & Giveaway

I'm happy to be a part of the release of Elise's Marion's newest contemporary romance novel, The Groom. 
Summary:
When Lyle Cummings is left standing at the altar on his wedding day, all of his carefully composed plans for the future come crashing down around him. The pragmatic doctor is left questioning his well-ordered existence and wondering if there isn't more to life than the achievements of wealth and career.
When he meets Katrina Giordano, a fiery lounge singer with more passion in her pinky finger than he possesses in his entire body, his mundane life is turned upside down. In Katrina, he finds everything his life has been lacking. With her, he will learn that what he thought was love really wasn't at all.
But will Katrina's dark past threaten the happiness that Lyle has found after so much heartache? With her life, and now his, hanging in the balance, Lyle will find himself tested when it comes to how far he will go for love.  

Excerpt:

“ROUGH DAY?”Lyle Cummings glanced up from the surface of the gleaming bar top and into the eyes of the petite woman moving around behind it. She was holding a frosted beer mug in one hand and controlling the Miller Lite tap with the other. Sympathy flashed in her stare, causing Lyle to jerk his own gaze away as if stung. He didn’t want her sympathy. All he wanted was peace, and . . .“Single malt scotch on the rocks with a twist.”He knew that his request had come out more like a raspy, barked command but Lyle didn’t care. Today of all days, he had the right to act like a jackass.An understanding nod followed, and the bartender quickly moved to fill his order. She sat the scotch in front of him and accepted his debit card.“Would you like me to start a tab?” she asked as she swiped his card.“Yes.”Hell yes. Today was also a day for getting drunk.Plastered.Shit-faced.Wasted.He wrapped his fingers around the perspiring glass and inspected the bruised knuckles of his free hand. Mottled splotches of blue, purple, and green marred his sun-bronzed skin, and swelling edged the bruise with a ring of deep red. Lyle’s fingers curled into his palm as he downed the scotch in a few long gulps, the fire racing through his gut elevating the adrenaline rush he felt at the thought of smashing Jack Thompson’s face in. A few drops of blood stained the cuff of his white dress shirt and the sight of it sent primal satisfaction through Lyle’s gut. It was the only pleasure to be salvaged from the disaster that should have been the happiest day of his life. Well that and . . .“Another,” he rasped, sliding the empty glass back toward the bartender.She arched an eyebrow at him while reaching for a clean glass. “Who’s the unlucky guy?” she asked, nodding toward his bruised knuckles.Lyle grasped his newly filled glass. “Nobody.”She laughed. “Looks like Nobody took quite a beating.”That’s not all he took, Lyle thought. The reminder of the earlier events caused his rage to flash back to boiling point; Jack Thompson may have been on the business end of his fist, but ultimately the other man had won. Even now, Jack was riding off into the sunset with his Holly and probably felt not an ounce of guilt over what he’d done. And why should he? Holly was everything a man could want in a woman. Jack had lost her once to divorce. It was unlikely that he was going to be stupid enough to repeat the mistake after winning her back again.A frown pulled at the corners of Lyle’s mouth as he stared down into the contents of his glass. The bartender reached across the wooden top and clasped his injured hand. Lyle flinched and snatched it away, glaring at her with narrowed eyes.“I was just going to offer you some ice,” she said gently. Lyle felt like an ass when he saw the bundle of paper towels clenched in her small fist. He tried to offer her a smile as she pressed the ice-filled towels against his knuckles, but it turned into a grimace as the ice came in contact with his flaming skin.“You should stick around,” she said warmly after he’d taken over with the ice. “We have live music on Saturdays.”She placed another filled glass in front of him and Lyle took it, nodding his thanks and looking away, freeing the bartender to wait on her other customers. He took his time with this drink, the tentacles of the first two already reaching out through his body with warm intent. He hadn’t noticed much about his surroundings since arriving, but he took stock of them now as he drank.The lighting was dim, which was good because if someone in the room knew him, Lyle didn’t want to have to deal with that. The pitying eyes of the bartender were one thing; the probing stares of people who were expecting to see him with a ring on his finger and a bride on his arm would be enough to make him want to go somewhere and splatter his brains across the wall. The bar was long, wrapping in a serpentine pattern around half of the room. At least three other bartenders worked the gathered patrons, who sipped beer and munched on peanuts while waiting for the music to start. Conversation filled the room in a dull buzz.The other half of the room was filled with round, cloth-covered tables and wooden chairs. Waitresses bustled in and out of the crowd in short skirts and white tops, pens in their hair and comfortable shoes on their feet. Lyle’s stomach rolled and clenched with nausea at the smell of nachos and greasy hamburgers. He took another sip of scotch and sighed in relief at the feel of fire burning the nausea away. Just then, he didn’t care if he ever had another bite of food again in his life. If he could just crawl into the bottom of the liquor bottle and curl up in the fetal position, he could die somewhat happy . . . or, at least, numb.Jutting out from the back wall was a stage hosting a microphone stand and a couple of speakers. A red velvet curtain separated the stage from whatever was going on backstage. Lyle tipped his glass back and stood, deciding that listening to some bartender’s sister’s band sing the blues was the last thing he wanted right now. Another drink, preferably in a quieter location, was just what he needed.“Closing out the tab?” the bartender asked as he stood and dropped a few dollars in the tip glass. He nodded.“Yes, thank you,” he said, holding up the makeshift ice pack. “Have a nice—”Lyle’s sentence was cut off by a man’s voice. A burly bouncer in a tight black T-shirt was on stage, announcing the act for the night. He could barely hear him because of the catcalls and whistles coming from the audience. Every man in the room seemed to lean forward in anticipation as the curtains parted to reveal the figure of a woman holding a guitar. She walked forward with a bright smile, her skin bathed in the glow of the spotlight as she took a seat on the stool.Lyle felt frozen in place as she strummed on her guitar and opened her mouth to sing. Her voice was like velvet, a purr that wrapped itself around him tightly and squeezed, flooding his insides with warmth and . . . something else—he wasn’t quite sure what. He felt himself moving, and somewhere in the back of his mind realized that he’d backed toward the stool he’d left seconds ago and was sitting down again.


Title: The GroomAuthor: Elise MarionGenre: Interracial ContemporarySize: NovelISBN: 978-0-9923696-0-6Price $5.99
Publisher: Bottom Drawer Publications


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elise Marion is a lover of books and has a special place in her heart for sweet andsensual romance. Writing about love across all walks of life is her passion, as isreaching people through the written word. The Army wife and stay-at-home motherof two spends most of her time taking care of her children. Her second job includeswriting stories about characters that people can fall in love with. When the Texasnative isn’t caring for her family or writing, you can usually find her with her nosein a book, singing loudly, or cooking up something new in the kitchen.
You can find Elise atwww.elisemarion.com
≈≈≈≈
A little about Bottom Drawer Publications
Read whatever you want, wherever you want, whenever you want.​Our motto above says it all. Publishing both e-books plus print-on-demand for our novel-length books means that if you feel like something to read at any time of the day or night, you can download a reasonably-priced, quality book within minutes from your choice of booksellers, including our own digital shop. If you prefer to hold a paperback in your hands, our print-on-demand printer has presses in the US, UK, Europe and Australia, meaning shorter delivery times and lower postage costs to you.
​We are an inclusive publisher, believing love is love, which is why you won't see a separate LGBT genre—we publish hetero and gay fiction in all of our romance sub-genres:​Contemporary - Historical - Literary Drama - New Adult - Alternative Lifestyle
Paranormal - Sci-fi - Fantasy - Mystery -Thriller - Steampunk
Links to Purchase:
Bottom Drawer Publications
Amazon

All Romance

Bookstrand

Smashwords

GIVEAWAY:
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Heart of Glass Book of the Month

Howdy folks! A bit of self-promo here if y'all don't mind.  My novella, Heart of Glass is Book of the Month over at Bottom Drawer Publications, and until the end of October, it's on sale for 99c! Go pick yourself up a copy.

Thanks to the beautiful and talented J C Clarke, I now have several 3D versions of my cover, including this one.

Blurb

Days after arriving in Australia for a working holiday, Zack Doherty is blindsided by the connection he instantly feels to Heath Connors, but circumstances don't work in their favor. Zack is uncharacteristically forward in pushing Heath to accept a date when fate gives him a second opportunity.

Heath has only recently had the courage to admit his true self, walking away from his marriage and a good job when he could no longer lie to himself.  The attraction he feels for a stranger that fleetingly crossed his path confirms he made the right choice.

Will Zack be the one to mend Heath's heart of glass?

Excerpt


Zack DohertyIT WAS EARLY on Friday morning, and I was beat. Ever since I’d touched down in Sydney on Tuesday, I’d been sleeping during the day and lying awake at night, having not quite adjusted to the time difference. Although the jet lag was literally killing me, I needed to start the newest phase of my life, and my first plan of action was to get the hell out of bed and look for a job.


I already missed the life I’d built back in San Francisco—my family and friends, even my crappy job at a local bar I’d taken after cutbacks forced me to leave the job I loved.  But after suffering a bad break-up with Trent Forster, the man I thought I’d one day marry until I found him in bed with his ex-boyfriend, I had needed a little time and a lot of space to rethink the direction my life was headed.
It had been more than six months since that day, yet I still hadn’t managed to move on. Everywhere I’d looked, Trent had been there; our social circles colliding so often that his and his lover’s presence had worn me down. Eventually deciding enough was enough, I’d packed my bags, my tail tucked firmly between my legs, and departed for Australia for a working holiday, leaving behind the only life I’d ever known.
My father had returned here to Canberra, south-west of Sydney, the place he was born, when I’d moved out of the house to finish college, a year or so after he and Mom divorced. I was looking forward to not only making a fresh start but also reconnecting with him, having only managed to visit a mere handful of times since he’d returned here ten long years ago. I was giving myself six months to find a job, and if I liked it, I’d probably end up extending my stay and finding a place of my own.
Dad had returned to the job he loved since coming home. It was the very same job he’d had when he first met Mom—working in public affairs for the US Embassy—and it kept him extremely busy. So busy, in fact, that he rarely had the opportunity to take his beloved Mustang out for a spin, especially since the Embassy provided him with a car for work purposes. I’d only been in the house for a few minutes when he handed me the keys to the Candy Apple Red ’67 Fastback, telling me it needed to be driven around town from time to time to keep it in running order.
After a quick reviving shower and shave, I grabbed the car keys from the dish on the sideboard, happy that I finally had the chance to oblige him.
It had been five years since I’d sat behind the wheel of this particular vehicle. No matter how many times I opened the door and jumped in, the familiar smell of tobacco, mint, and leather never failed to invoke many happy memories ... so many, in fact, that I had a hard time keeping a smile off my face whenever I slipped into the driver’s seat and turned the key.
But when I decided to go for a drive and check out Dad’s place of work, stopping off at the store on the way to buy a newspaper so I could check out the local job market, I thanked the gods for their gift, because if not for my father’s generosity, I’d never have encountered ... him.
He was washing car windows at the traffic lights. He was tall, tanned, and lean with broad shoulders. I could tell his hair was long, thick, and wavy by the wisps of light brown hair that peeked out every which way from underneath his black, woollen hat. A smattering of stubble across his jaw and his long, narrow nose enhanced his features perfectly, and when I caught sight of his bright blue eyes as he moved closer, the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen, roving over the entire car before they met with mine, I was hooked in an instant.
I had to suppress a laugh when I noticed he was wearing one of those god-awful green glow-in-the-dark vests, and as he stood there, holding a squeegee in his hand and looking at me like I was something to eat, a strange but exhilarating combination of embarrassment and elation flowed through my every cell. Even as the light turned green and the traffic began to move, I continued to devour every inch of him. Shooting him a nervous wink for good measure, I watched as he turned and walked away, his ass swaying hypnotically with every step he took. It was in that moment as I sat there, ogling the most handsome man I’d ever laid eyes on, that I felt as though I’d been struck by lightning.


Purchase your copy HERE

R. E. Hargrave Relaunch & Giveaway

The wonderful and talented R. E. Hargrave is relaunching her books as self-published, with fantastic new covers and at reduced prices.

The erotica novels have been enrolled in the Kindle MatchBook program, so for any reader that purchases the paperback, they can add the Kindle version for only 99 cents!
Paperbacks will be $13.49, novel ebooks will be $3.49.Novellas will be $1.49.
Author Bio:
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 from elementary age to college age. She is an avid reader, a sometimes quilter, and now, a writer. Other hobbies include gardening and a love of a music.
Her works include:
Sugar & Spice, a novellaHaunted Raine, a novellaTo Serve is Divine, Book One of The Divine TrilogyA Divine Life, Book Two of The Divine Trilogy
Author Links:
Blog   Facebook  TwitterGoodreadsAmazonAbout.mePinterestWattpad Sugar & Spice: Lacey Harrison has been dealt an unexpected hand in life: being a single mom. With her father's help and that of the residents at Royal Hills Nursing Home, she thrives and goes on to become a successful baker. She is content with her life but knows that she and her daughter Candy are missing something. Will things change for the better when Trent Childress moves into town and adds some spice to her sugar?   Sugar & Spice Kindle

Haunted Raine: Distracted by the everyday routine of raising children, being a wife, and keeping a home, Lorraine Morrissey let life pass her by. Her wakeup call comes when she realizes that with their children gone, her husband Richard is rarely home, and she’s filling her solitary days with trivial tasks. A crazy idea to save her marriage leads to a summer beach vacation unlike any she’s ever taken; one that involves unknowingly buying a haunted house.  Haunted Raine Kindle


To Serve is Divine:When Jayden Masterson – a gentleman Dom with a taste for perfection – meets Catherine O’Chancey – a submissive with a mysterious past and a natural desire to submit – he can’t resist the spark that ignites inside him. He wants to learn everything about her – not just her body, but does she want the same? Can Catherine stand up to her past and find the right Dom who can make her feel alive again?
Amazon TSiD Paperback TSiD Kindle Createspace TSiD Paperback

A Divine Life: A year has passed since Jayden Masterson collared his first submissive, Catherine O'Chancey. To celebrate, Jayden has orchestrated a special day for his jewel: one during which her final fantasies will be realized and his own inner strength tested. Are these two ready to move beyond just Master and submissive? Can they set aside their fears to tell each other the truth at last?  Amazon ADL Paperback ADL Kindle Createspace ADL  Paperback
Enter to win an autographed copy of winner’s choice of To Serve is DivineOR A Divine Life and 2 additional winners can choose an e-version of any of R.E's titles.
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Roadside Service by B. L. Wilde

Hello to my lovely readers!

I'm very excited to bring you details of a new erotica story, Roadside Service by the lovely B. L. Wilde.

Here's a little tantalizing taste:

SUMMARY:When fate brings you face-to-face with what your heart desires, how can you ignore it?Violet Weathers, the world’s top supermodel, is in Omaha, Nebraska for two weeks shooting a campaign for a new skincare line that she’s the fresh new face of.When her car breaks down on the way to the hotel, she is rescued by a hot mechanic who just might make her stay in Omaha more bearable.
EXCERPT (MA):“Have you brought many girls here? Is this like your make-out spot?” “No, you’re the first,” he chuckled, running his fingers through my hair. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? Any guy would give his life to be me right now.” “I doubt that, Blake.”“You, Violet, have so much light in you. I’ve never felt so alive before and I know it’s because of you.” “You can be incredibly sweet,” I groaned as he pulled me down toward his lips. My hands dug into the sand when he deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue in to meet mine.Kissing Blake was quickly becoming one of my favorite pastimes. “I want you, Violet,” he snarled, snaking his hand down my back. “Here?” I gasped. What if someone saw us? I couldn’t chance any paparazzi catching us and taking pictures. It would be on the front page of every trashy tabloid out there within hours. Something like that coming out could put an end to my career.“No one comes here. It’s a secluded beach,” he purred, running his fingers up my legs. “Let me love you here, Beautiful.” I couldn’t resist him—I didn’t want to. Blake effortlessly rolled us over so he was hovering above me. His lips began to move down my jaw while his hands continued their way up my dress. “I’ve never had sex outside before,” I murmured into his ear as his mouth moved toward my neck.  “Violet Weathers has never had sex outside?” Blake teased, acting horrified at the thought. “Don’t mock me,” I pouted, slapping his arm playfully. “I guess I better make this good then, huh? No pressure,” he smoldered, slipping his hand into my panties.“Fuck…B…Bl…Blake,” I groaned, fisting the sand above my head as his fingers slipped inside me. “A little warning would have been nice.” “Oh, you love it when I do this,” he mused, stroking my clit. “You’re getting wetter by the second. What is it, Baby? Is it being outside? Does that excite you?” I nodded frantically, closing my eyes as he began to really work my body. “Open the top of your sundress for me,” he said huskily. I did as he asked, quickly unbuttoning it and exposing my baby pink bra to him. “Pull the cups down, too,” he demanded. Blake almost had me at the brink already; I could feel my climax quickly approaching. Pulling my bra cups down, I exposed my breasts to him. The moment he leaned down and sucked my right nipple into his mouth, I exploded around his fingers. “Oh…God…Blake,” I groaned out into the open air. “I love watching you climax,” he grinned from in between my breasts. “You are very good at making me cum,” I giggled, watching him undo his trousers before tearing open a condom. “I’m better when I use this,” he mused, gesturing toward his covered erection. Blake pushed my dress up around my waist, caressing my skin as he went. I wrapped my legs around his hips, surprising him by my sudden advance as I drew him closer to me. “A little anxious, are we?” he winked.“I want to see what all the fuss is about when it comes to outdoor sex,” I countered, lifting my ass up slightly to feel the tip of his cock at my entrance. Blake’s eyes turned hooded with a deep desire as he grabbed my hips and filled me in one swift motion. “You better hold on,” he grunted, pulling almost completely out and then slamming right back inside me. “This is going to be rough.”     “Ugh…yes,” I groaned, letting Blake take me to new heights as the sun caressed my skin. I’d never had a sexual experience like it. “How was that for your first experience with outdoor sex?” Blake asked, doing the buttons on the top of my dress back up. “Amazing,” I panted, holding my stomach as I tried to regain my breath. “Feeling the breeze touch your skin while someone is bringing you to life…I have no words.” “Is that how I make you feel?” He looked stunned. “You make me feel a lot of things, Blake,” I admitted, stroking his chin. The air between us began to thicken before he finally spoke. “We should open the champagne,” he muttered, watching my lips. “Good idea,” I beamed, stretching to get the glasses that had fallen into the sand. The rest of the afternoon was blissful as we lay on the blanket talking about anything and everything, and occasionally getting lost in each other.  GIVEAWAY:
Enter to win yourself an e-copy of Roadside Service by clicking HERE. Entries close 4th October 2013.


PURCHASE DETAILS:
Amazon.com                            Amazon.co.uk

Heart of Glass & Bottom Drawer Publications - 1st Birthday Release and Giveaway

To Suz and Sam and all the wonderful team of authors and editors at Bottom Drawer Publications, congratulations on a wonderful first year!  
As part of Bottom Drawer's 1st Birthday celebrations, my story that was released as part of the Second Chances Anthology, Heart of Glass, has been released as a novella.


Days after arriving in Australia for a working holiday, Zack Doherty is blindsided by the connection he instantly feel s to Heath Connors, but circumstances don't work in their favor. Zack is uncharacteristically forward in pushing Heath to accept a date when fate gives him a second opportunity.

Heath has only recently had the courage to admit his true self, walking away from his marriage and a good job when he could no longer lie to himself.  The attraction he feels for a stranger that fleetingly crossed his path confirms he made the right choice.

Will Zack be the one to mend Heath's heart of glass?

*****ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE*****
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Links:
Bottom DrawerAmazonSmashwordsAll RomanceBookStrandGoodreadsFacebook PageTwitter

'The Race is On' by Lily Velden - Release and Giveaway

BLURB

Hollywood heartthrob Jaxon Moncrieff and Liam Lassiter are finally on the same page: committed and in it for the long haul. Now they just have to prepare for the inevitable fallout when they reveal their relationship. Between Jaxon’s career and Liam’s need to prepare for a life in the limelight, they decide to wait until filming of Jaxon’s latest project has wrapped.

Unbeknownst to them, the relentless paparazzi photographer Rafael Cacciatore, aka the Hunter, notices a change in Jaxon and is determined to be the first to break the story of who has captured Jaxon Moncrieff’s heart. In the meantime, Liam and Jaxon have enough on their plate working out the not-so-little issue of how and when Jaxon will come out to his family. The paparazzi aren’t even on their radar. The race to out Jaxon is on, and Liam and Jaxon don’t even know it.
§§§§
To help celebrate the release of Book Two of the How the Light Gets In series, Lily Velden is giving away a signed paperback copy of The Race is On to one lucky reader!
To be in the running for this fantastic prize, please enter below. 

THE RACE IS ON: 
BOOK 2 HOW THE LIGHT GETS INBuy Link: Dreamspinner Press
Oh and while you're at it, why not follow the journey of Liam and Jaxon from the very start by purchasing Book One of the series, Same Page... 


SAME PAGE: 
BOOK 1 HOW THE LIGHT GETS INBuy Link: Dreamspinner Press
And if you're looking for more from this wonderful author, go check out her story, Gay as Mardi Gras. It's a great summer read!


GAY AS MARDI GRASBuy Link: Dreamspinner Press


Author Links:
Website: http://www.lilyvelden.wordpress.comEmail: lilyvelden@live.com.auFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lily.veldenTwitter: @LilyVeldenTumblr: http://www.lilyvelden.tumblr.com/
Important:   As the comments section of this blog are not functioning properly at present, if you would like to leave your thoughts, please head on over to my facebook page, where the winner will also be announced on or after 16th August 2013.
GOOD LUCK!
*****ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE***** a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of Ardor by Elena M. Reyes

Blurb:
Gregory Thomas has always had an easy life. When it came to his profession, he excelled, gaining himself the position of manager to one of the nation’s biggest wholesale retailers.  He was amazing at everything; except when it came to love. The night he found his ex-wife in bed with her gay best friend was the night he decided it wasn’t worth it. He was better off just focusing on his career, and nothing more.
He became content with just being. That is, until Jasmine Velez, his new employee, walked into his store.
Blunt, and honest to a fault, the woman captivates him against his will. Not only is she gorgeous, but she’s the first woman that doesn’t chase him around. Something that makes ignoring her that much harder. The last thing he wants to do is try to have a relationship with a woman again, and he knows that if he allows Jasmine in, that’s exactly what he’s going to go for.
Except, then he’s faced with the possibility of Jasmine being with someone else, and the choice is taken from him. He’s left with only one option: He needs to make her his. But that might prove harder than he originally expected.
How the hell does a man seduce a feisty woman who’s gotten tired of waiting for him and is hell bent on not giving into him?
Excerpt:
 I pushed her forward with a gentle hand, removing that luscious ass from dangerous territory.  We both needed a minute to cool down. Jasmine’s breathing was harsh, and her body trembled as she stood facing away from me. I could hear her faint mumbling while she attempted to right herself. Was she regretting this? A blush overtook her cheeks, and I almost pulled her back into my front. The color looked so beautiful on her sun kissed skin that I needed to see more.“Turn around,” I commanded, but she stood as still as a statue, shaking her head from side to side.Please don’t shut down on me, baby . . . please give yourself to me. “Turn around, Jasmine.” She jumped from the force of my tone and diligently complied. Good girl.“I’m sorry, Mr. T.” she sputtered, and then continued to blush under my unwavering stare. “I don’t know what came over me . . . please . . . please, don’t fire me.”“Oh, sweet Jasmine, I’m not going to fire you. We both reacted to our natural instincts. I believe it would be for the best if we put this incident behind us, and never speak of it again.” At that she looked disappointed.Perfect.“Um, sure, Sir,” my coquettish clerk whispered. “If that’s what you wish.”“For now, it is.” Her eyes snapped up and searched mine. The following thirty minutes were spent participating in the dirtiest foreplay session I’d ever been subjected to.Inside my office, Jasmine made a direct bee-line for the small leather couch I had against the wall and made herself at home. When the smell of the specialty blend coffee saturated the space she moaned out and declared, “Fuck, that’s the good shit,” in the most sinful tone I’d ever heard from her.I growled at her, but that only served to entice her further. The little minx let her eyes roll to the back of her head, and then arched her back so that her breasts pushed against her red polo.  Jasmine’s nipples pebbled while my eyes devoured her breasts. They were encased in what looked to be a flimsy piece of lace, judging by the pattern that could be seen in the taut fabric.My feet began to carry me over to where she sat; in my hands I held a tray of guava and cheese filled pastries. I wanted to watch her lick the sweet concoction from her fingers, lips, and if possible, off my cock.“Jasmine,” I growled low, and she trembled. I knew my face was showing her just how sinister I could be . . . how nasty. I felt the sneer on my face. “Care for a pastry or something else to entice those soft, plump lips?”“Jesus, please . . . yes,” she mewled.Placing the tray beside her on the small couch, I crouched down to her level. My fingers reached out to place a stray piece of her black hair behind her ear, all while my eyes were devouring the lust and want her caramel eyes were throwing back at me.Perfect.“Jasmine, tell me . . . what do you want?”Nothing. Not a sound came from her in response. “Answer me, sweetheart, or this ends now.”Still I was met with silence.“Now!” I yelled.Her pouty lips crashed onto mine before my brain could process another thought. Sweet, succulent, and soft; they were giving me what I needed by yielding to mine.
Review:
I had the honor of reading an ARC of Elena M. Reyes' first novella, Ardor over the weekend and couldn't put it down.  
Gregory has been burned in the past, in probably the worst way possible by another woman.  He can't bring himself to trust bringing anyone else into his life, until Jasmine his newest employee arrives on the scene.  
She immediately ties Greg in knots, and though he insists on keeping Jasmine at arms' length, you sense he won't be able to resist for long. Not one to give into Gregory's demands so easily, Jasmine drives him crazy with jealousy and need, the likes of which he's never experienced before until he finally concedes he needs her more than he'd care to admit.
While Jasmine seems very interested in Greg, she's unwilling to begin anything until he stops denying what they have between them and he lets her in, and once he does, sparks begin to fly.
Great story with hot scenes between the pair, I give Ardor a thumbs up.
Author Bio:

Elena M. Reyes was born and raised in Miami Florida. She is the epitome of a Floridian and if she could live in her beloved flip-flops, she would.
As a small child, she was always intrigued with all forms of art—whether it was dancing to island rhythms, or painting with any medium she could get her hands on. Her first taste of writing came to her during her fifth grade year when her class was prompted to participate in the D.A.R.E. Program and write an essay on what they’d learned.
Her passion for reading over the years has amassed her with hours of pleasure. It wasn't until she stumbled upon fanfiction that her thirst to write overtook her world. She now resides in Central Florida with her husband and son, spending all her down time letting her creativity flow and letting her characters grow.
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Review: Summer Heat Anthology

When I heard that three of my favorite authors, Forbes Arnone, M. B. Feeney and R. E. Hargrave were going to be publishing an anthology together, I just had to take a look.

I wasn't disappointed.

Here are my thoughts on the stories, each one unique and thoroughly captivating.



In my Mother's Footsteps by Forbes Arnone 
BLURB

Anela Alborn's life is a lie.  After growing up without the love of a father, her mother reveals his identity. Tragedy strikes and she sets off on an adventure that leads to more than she could ever imagine. Bumping into Christian Sivers distracts her from the real man of her dreams, her father. Will he live up to her dreams? And does she follow in her mother's footsteps?

REVIEW

When her mother passes unexpectedly, Anela is not only left alone, but she also discovers her father's identity.

Anela decides to follow her mother's footsteps and travel to the place where her father was last known to have lived. Against the backdrop of the Hawaiian landscape, Anela not only discovers a family she never knew existed, but learns to forgive and therefore heal.

The love story between Anela and Christian was sweet, and not without its challenges, and I found myself rooting for the two of them to work out. Though the tragic loss her mother ended a chapter of her life, it also cleared the way for Anela to start again, and this story showcased the importance of letting go of the past and moving on to a brighter future. 

A great summer read.



Where to find Ms Arnone:
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Just Like in the Movies by M. B. Feeney
BLURB
Ava Jones has settled for a life that she's not sure she wants anymore, but won't admit it. Her best friend, Erica Davidson talks her into taking a break on the Isle of Wight. Her days on the island are spent thinking things through, and arguing with Morgan whom she hates on principal. 
Is it so wrong for her to want a life that follows the script of an honest to God romance film?
REVIEW
I had the honor of reading this story before publication, and from the very start, I was hooked.  M. B. Feeney has always been a favorite author of mine, and with this latest offering, she didn't disappoint.
I loved the snarky banter between Ava and the man who seemed to be out to irritate the living daylights out of her, Morgan. Of course, it doesn't take long for the cocky jack-of-all-trades to find a way into Ava's heart, and thus solidify her decision to change her life.
As always, I really enjoyed the English flavor of the story, the sights and sounds and conversations making it brilliantly unique. The moments between Ava and the woman who encouraged her to take their holiday, best friend, Erica, were fantastic.  A great read that not only had me in fits of laughter, but also drove home the ideal that nobody has to settle for a life of mediocrity.
Loved it.

Where to find Ms Feeney:
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Haunted Raine by R. E. Hargrave
BLURB
Distracted by the everyday routine of raising children, being a wife, and keeping a home, Lorraine Morrissey let life pass her by. Her wakeup call comes when she realizes that with their children gone, her husband Richard is rarely home, and she's filling her solitary days with trivial tasks. A crazy idea to save her marriage leads to a summer beach vacation unlike any she's ever taken; one that involves unknowingly buying a haunted house.
REVIEW
From the moment I read about Lorraine's life, I immediately related. So often when children come along we forget who we are...parenting taking priority over everything else, so much so, that when the children are gone, one can wonder what will remain. 
Feeling the need to reconnect with her husband, Lorraine decides a change for them both is long overdue. When she and Richard head to the coast of South Carolina, they are instantaneously drawn into the world of the supernatural. 
I absolutely devoured this story, and enjoyed the combination of mystery, intrigue and romance.
In a word, sumptuous.

Where to find Ms Hargrave:
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Purchase details:

In My Mother's Footsteps - Amazon

Just Like in the Movies - Amazon

Haunted Raine - Amazon

Or grab all 3 stories:

Summer Heat Anthology - Amazon

Interview with N J Cole

Hi folks! Well I know it's been a while since I've posted, but I'm glad to be back with an author interview with N J Cole! 
I've known N J Cole for a few years now, and after writing fan fiction she's now making her foray into the world of publishing.  Her first offering, Midnight Caller, is a BDSM and supernatural themed story about a woman who finds herself being watched through her window at night by a mysterious midnight caller.  
Here's the blurb to whet your appetite:
Rebecca Summers enjoys pleasing herself with the curtains open. When a mysterious stranger calls to tell her that he is watching, fantasy becomes reality as she begins to perform for him. Following his instructions over the phone while he watches from afar, she finds herself craving more. 
Oliver Durant has always been drawn to humans to exert the dominance and control his kind needs to feel alive. While secretly observing her and calling nightly, he can’t seem to get enough of Rebecca, whom he refers to as butterfly. His urges with her are stronger than the need to dominate, as he is driven to possess her in every way. 
Both of their worlds are turned upside down when they finally meet and she agrees to enter into a Dominant/submissive relationship with her Midnight Caller.


I'm very excited about this story being released and decided to ask N J a few questions so we could get to know her a little more.
Were you an avid reader as a child?
I spent more time with books when I was in middle school than with kids. I read every night from when I got home from school until I fell asleep. It was all I wanted to do. Once high school hit the teachers began assigning books and they were books I really didn’t want to read. I don’t remember the last book I read, but sometime during my junior year I stopped reading for pleasure. I didn’t read another book of my choosing for over ten years. I’d graduated from college and had been teaching for about 5 years when I started reading Harry Potter to my class. I got sucked in that I had to buy the next book, and the next. And I’ve been reading ever since.      What was your favorite book growing up?
Well, I just told you about how Harry Potter got me back into reading when I was older. When I was a teen I read the Sweet Valley High books and I loved them.      Do you have a favorite genre, and if so, what is it?
I love romance and mysteries. If you can wrap a romance with a mystery I’m hooked!  I’ve recently discovered erotica, and of course that has me hooked as well. I love it when characters are in love and are able to express it with each other.      When was it that you were first inspired to write, and do you remember what was it you wrote about?
The first thing I wrote was Involuntary Rapture. I wrote it because I’d read so many great fan fictions, but I wanted a deeper darker story to be out there. I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could write the story that was growing in my head.      What inspired you to write Midnight Caller?
My husband inspired me in the way that he is my Sir. I wrote Midnight Caller as a one shot for a contest. I was surprised when it won public vote. I had so many requests to continue the story that I decided to write it as a drabble. It was a huge success with over 2 million reads on The Writers Coffee Shop, so I thought that I’d have enough support to make it into a full length novel.      Can you tell me a bit about what you have planned next?
I’m considering writing a sequel to Midnight Caller. I also have a project in the works with Bec Rose, Sally Goodwin and Jordan Silver. I’m very excited about both things. If I’m super ambitious, I might even write a novella this summer.
It all sounds very exciting! Thank you N J Cole for stopping by. I highly recommend you pick yourself up a copy of Midnight Caller. Here are the links:
 Midnight Caller on KindleMidnight Caller on Nook

Award Nomination

Nothing thrills more than receiving a wonderful review for a story. But to also receive acknowledgement by being nominated for an award, well let's just say it absolutely blows me away. To find out that a story I've co-written, His Daddy's Eyes has been nominated for an Energize WIP Award...well I can't tell you how much it means.

Mrs Agget and I began writing this collaborative Edward/Jasper slash fic late last year, when an inspirational pic was posted on facebook courtesy of our friend, Ellie. Once we saw the banner, we knew we just had to write the story, and from the very start, we received a lot of support from our friends. Read the Story Here



Since we stepped into the g-doc to write the first chapter in mid-October last year before posting in November, that support has steadily grown, and the both of us have been constantly astounded by the comments, and by the sheer number of readers we have gained.

It didn't take long before we got into the groove big time, often writing more than one chapter in a single writing session, these boys had us so inspired. We also had an absolute blast writing it, the moments we shared bringing such great joy...words flowing out of us both unlike any other time I can recall (oh and the absolutely hilarious moments we shared had me laughing till I cried, too).

Which brings me to my cohort-in-arms, the woman I couldn't have done this without.

Mrs. Agget (aka Penny), my lovely co-author is someone I've always admired. Her ability to not only write beautiful boys, but come up with wonderful stories never ceases to amaze me. Her imagination, ability to write sweetness, but also hotness between two characters blows me away every time. I love you, sweetie. You're always there to pick me up when not a word will come, or when I'm feeling down, knowing what to say no matter the situation. Writing with you has been easy as breathing, and I feel honored to be doing this with you. Check out her stories here.

Then there's our writing partner, googling guru and inspiration, Sarah, who not only has fun with us in our many conversations, but who is also very supportive of our work. I admire and respect your strength, your wit and your ability to push on, no matter the obstacles, my lovely.  Heart you, my friend.

To Kerrfrano, who blew us both away with her speedy and wonderful pre-reading, her positive comments provided the encouragement we needed to churn our those chapters like some kind of slashy-speedy-gonzalez.  Thank you for all your support. You have been the best sounding board ever, my fellow Aussie gal.

Then there's our wonderful Beta, Harrytwifan, who has also been nominated for an Energize WIP award in the most inspirational Beta category. Not only does she let me know when I use the word 'and' at the beginning of a sentence too often (yes it is a disease lol), she's also championed the story from the word go as well. You not only get our chapters back to us with lightning speed, your suggestions and the fact that you let us know how much the story means to you just makes this process so thoroughly enjoyable.

It means so much to us to have such a wonderful team of people...all who play a vital role in getting this story out. Thank you guys so much!

To you...our lovely readers.

Though with timezone pressures and our real life commitments, we've struggled to keep up with review replies, if it wasn't for you guys we wouldn't be so inspired to keep on writing this story in the first place. Penny and I have laughed, cried and been blown away by each and ever one your responses. Thank you to you guys, from the bottom of our hearts...those who have been supporting us from the word go, and those who are our newest of readers.

To whomever nominated us for this award, Penny and I are so very humbled and grateful to receive this honor. We can't thank you enough. I have also been nominated for a motivational reviewer award under my HeartofDarkess profile, and I again, feel so very honored. To my Ripper beta, Texasbella, congrats on your most motivational Beta nomination as well, my talker off of cliffs extraordinaire. Thoroughly deserved. Thank you sweetie! Love you. To kitties1, congrats and well deserved on your nomination as well. You have helped get me through some tough times, my dear friend. Heart you hun!

Voting opens on the 13th March and will remain open until the 20th. Go support your favorite with just the click of a button.  Here's the link: Vote Here from the 13th-20th March.

PS: I also made a video for the story. Check it out: