R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 408

BLOG TOUR: Ardor by Elena M. Reyes

Title: ArdorGenre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica ON SALE NOW: Amazon
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?


Guess what? It's July 23 and that means my baby girl, Elena M. Reyes is taking her first step into the world of publishing with the release of her debut novella, Ardor . I had the great honor of being her preliminary editor and getting to watch her baby grow and develop in its early stages, so I'm just as excited as many of Reyes' fan fic readers are to see the final product. I'll be reviewing in the near future, but for today I nabbed up Reyes and invited her to my blog to launch her release. Of course, like all good mommas, I had to push her with a challenging guest post topic:   Discuss your experience with pull to publish. I know, "Groan," but this is your chance to take the floor and tell the readers WHY they should give your story a chance, rather than one-star it off the bat simply because of its roots. What have you done to take what was once a Twilight fan fiction one shot and make it YOURS?

Here is what she had to say (and I must admit it brought a proud tear to my eye) . . .

Better question here, I think, is when hasn’t it been mine?
This is a tough debate both in the fandom and out. I consider myself to be a part of the Twilight crowd, and I am not ashamed of where I started. Now, with that cleared up, let’s tackle the ill conceived notion some people have about those of us that pull to publish.
Please follow me on this if you will…you, are the writer.
With me so far? Good.
You spend countless hours sitting in front of your computer creating a world for others that enjoy your hobby as much as you do to read. They love it, they send you reviews asking for more and you do…you give them your soul, but still it isn’t enough. So when one story finishes you write another and another. Each completely different than the last and the characters complete opposites of the beloved vampires Stephenie Meyer wrote.
You see your evolution as a writer and have fans, readers, and other authors telling you, “This is good and you should publish,” and you say to yourself…why not? Then get bashed over it by people going around and spreading words like ‘Unethical’ and ‘Thieves.’ How would you feel to have your work attached to lies such as these?
That is something that we see everyday and it isn’t fair!
Yes, I will give you the fact that they began as Twilight fan fiction, but they were written by women, and some men, that had a plot form and drive them up a wall until they put it down and shared it with the world. Stephenie Meyer didn’t write it. My neighbor didn’t sit and cry in front of his computer while getting frustrated when things weren’t coming out right. So why claim us to be fake?
The truth of the matter is, that the moment we take out the names and mannerisms of the Twilight characters, these stories stand on their own two feet.  I have spent the last five months reworking a one shot that was six thousands words and converting it into a small novella that stands at twenty-five thousand. I have gone back through every line and removed anything remotely close to Twilight. In fact, about sixty percent of the original is no longer there – like so many of my friends have done- but I will still get flack over it. And, again, I ask why?
I have sat back and watched the threads online, seen the hatefulness that comes from some of the people who bash these authors and it saddens me. Is it really a trademark of Twilight that a woman has brown hair and brown eyes? Because I’m a brunette with light brown eyes and so is every woman in my family.
Is being a klutz forbidden, because let me tell you, I have tripped over nothing and bumped my elbows more times than I could count with invisible corners  that jump when they see my strolling by.
And like me, I am sure there are thousands of women that could fall into these categories. So why make it hard on someone just getting their foot in the door? Why not embrace another author coming through- make friends and show support. I have met some of the most remarkable women in the fandom I call home, and it’s because of them that I’m taking this giant leap of faith and putting my work out there.
Call me a fake, a thief, unethical… I don’t care because at the end of the day my head is held high and I know  with certainty that it was my fingers that bled over that key board and wrote what has my penname attached to it.



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.





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.
Where to find Elena: Congratulations  and best wishes for success, Elena!


READ my review HERE

Luna Sanguis by Simon OKill BLOG TOUR

Blurb:
Paris 1925. A young woman is nearing her Eternal Vampire state as her birthday approaches. She is held captive by the hybrid vampire she created and slowly drained of her pure blood to keep his addiction in check. She outwits him and escapes to a chateau in the hope of reaching maturity. But he follows her unmistakable scent and massacres all that dare protect his supply of Eternal blood.
She awakens in a tiny room trapped and defenceless with amnesia, but something deep in her subconscious yearns to be set free by the next full moon – the date of her Eternal Birthday.
Her true self, Eternal, emerges in brief flashes of awareness to protect her from the horrors of this terrifying prison. Desperate, she forges an alliance with her true love, a gorgeous young doctor treating her.  
But her nemesis is out there somewhere, relishing the hunt for her blood – and nothing will stop him from becoming Eternal. 
Read a 5 star review on Goodreads!

Excerpt: The Vampire Sucklings:
Over the next few weeks Claudette had become insatiable for blood and sex, the two usually going together like strawberries and cream. Jacques couldn’t risk any more exsanguinations at the rampant hands of Claudette or he’d end up at the morgue. He showed her how to entice the wandering adventurers who clambered for action at the city’s roughest areas and spike their drinks with the voodoo white stolen from a Bokor who had the misfortune to cross Jacques’ path. When they had enough, both booked passage to Marseilles. Oh, one more thing, Jacques had named his voodoo white - Forbidden Kiss.

About the Author:
I live with my wife, Shirlee Anne and our cat, in a pretty coastal town in South Wales, UK. We both love Stephen King and had read many of his books and enjoyed their transition to the screen. Due to our love of books, my wife and I dabbled in writing for some years as a hobby. We were approached by a film company to write a paranormal TV series. We struggled most nights and all through weekends to come up with 22 episodes only for the company to go bust. Then after an accident at work, I was forced into early retirement due to disability. I used my newfound skills as a writer to help with my depression. We decided to use our TV series episodes as templates for film scripts and novels. My writing became more serious as certain A-list actors expressed interest in my scripts and my debut novel Nobody Loves a Bigfoot Like a Bigfoot Babe was accepted by Christopher Matthews Publishing after so many British publishers turned it down.
Bigfoot Episode 2 – it’s a secret!
Luna Aeturnus is the sequel to Luna Sanguis and will be ready for release this Autumn.
SS-steppenwolf is a supernatural retelling of WWII involving the Occult Warfare department run by Himmler. Think Indiana Jones searching for a werewolf.
Scripts: 
‘Flip Side’ is one of my most exciting screenplays to date with its unusual slant on a supernatural gangster story that encompasses music and dynamic dance sequences to portray the action. The script has been optioned by Tasha Bertram of Brodie Films and Stuart St Paul has come on board to direct and co produce this fascinating piece of work. 
‘Nightmare Circus’ is a supernatural revenge mystery script set in the Australian outback. 
‘Dark House’ is set in Massachusetts, US, where a lonely female artist must overcome her agoraphobia to escape from three kidnappers holed up in a house haunted by a witch finder’s hanging tree. 
‘Circus of Blood’ is a horror script set in Rome AD79 where two citizens go on a dangerous quest to kill a brutal serial killer. Their adventures end in Pompeii.
‘Hunter’s Moon’ is a contemporary supernatural western script set on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall.
'The Last Warlord'  is set during WWII and tells of Major Stewart of MI6 who must find the Nazi’s secret Atlantis base in Antarctica or the entire world will be doomed.
Where to find Mr. Okill:
Facebook I Twitter I Amazon I Goodreads I The Phantom Bigfoot

Follow the Luna Languis Blog Tour HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway

NEW RELEASE: Sharing Harper by V. Murphy

Available NOW at these locations:
Amazon Paperback I Amazon Kindle I  Amazon UK Smashwords I  Barnes & Noble Nook Book

Summary:  A pain too hard to understand.

A struggle too deep to reach.

A love too complicated to work…but too intense to let go.

Harper Mae ran as far away as she could from her abusive past. She went to a different city and numbed her pain by using men, never sleeping with the same guy more than once.

Ryder worked at a coffee shop trying blend in with the rest of the world, desperately trying to live a normal life. After leaving a relationship and losing his family, he vowed never to fall in love again.

Until one day they are unexpectedly drawn to each other unable to let go.

Harper and Ryder’s turbulent relationship, two people who are struggling to find themselves, realize the answer lies within each other.

Secrets, so deep, that both have, end up surfacing causing irrevocable pain.

Will their love be strong enough to survive or will their pain be the downfall to their relationship?

Will Harper open up enough to share her past with Ryder or will he be just another number on her list?

About the Author:
Her name is V. Murphy and she loves everything about reading (some may call her a bibliophile). She is a current graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and heading out west to live the California dream while pursuing her masters degree in school counseling at the University of San Diego. You can find her writing in a Panera, small coffeeshop or on campus. When she is not spending her time in school or reading, she loves to write, bake and shop.
Where to find Ms. Murphy: Facebook I Twitter @vmurphy16 I Email I Goodreads 
Join the Sharing Harper Facebook event HERE

A Moment of Reflection: Protecting Your Children

Good morning all my loyal readers. Today I come to you, not with a post promoting one of my books, or another author's for that matter, but with a plea. I am letting you into my pain and suffering, so that hopefully, you'll never experience this.


Yes, I have a book releasing in about two weeks, and I should be all about the promo and build up; however, I'm having difficulty with that. You see, earlier this week I had the rug pulled out from under me when our we gathered at the table Monday evening for dinner, and my middle son mentioned getting up for a drink of water about two a.m. As he walked down the hall, he heard talking from his nine-year-old sister's room.

Obviously, this alarmed us, and the questioning began. Let me preface this by saying that my kids are above average intelligence. Proud momma that I am, I brag about them all the time. I know bragging isn't nice, but hey, they're my kids, and they're pretty fantastic. The problem with having children who act like adults more often than not, is that it is easy to forget that they aren't adults. My boys are 17 and almost 16, another factor in the flexibility we've had in the house.

The harsh truth of reality: even super smart kids ACT LIKE KIDS and are naive to the perils of the world.



We've had the talks with them about 'stranger danger' in addition to the emphasis they place on it in the schools. However, as my oldest pointed out, "Mom, you think kids actually pay attention in those assemblies? They're boring, there's better things to think about it." We've also checked in with her in regards to what she was doing on her phone; how dangerous was it for her to be watching How To videos on painting her nails, braiding her hair, or working with polymer clay to make charms?

I can't go into too many details, as there IS a police investigation, but the long and short of the matter is this. My intelligent daughter used her phone (it was a hand-me-down android from when her brother's got upgraded) to download a chat app from the Google play store because she'd "seen an ad." In the wee hours of the morning she became the victim of an online predator, and we only knew because her brother happened to get up for some water.

He gave her a phone number (telling her she didn't have to give him hers, he could just call her - her eyes grew to saucers when I asked if she realized with caller ID, the moment she called it, he had her number anyway). He sent her less than appropriate pictures and sexted with her. He coerced her into sending pictures of herself (again, cue the wide eyes when I stressed how once something goes out on the internet or is transmitted through electronic means, its there forever). Upon talking with her, we found out that, while she hadn't realized she was doing it, she gave out her name, the city she lived in, and the school she attends.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? She's smart, she's loved, and yet, she was curious . . . after all, she's just an innocent child. No matter what her curiosity urged her to do or ask, the moment she revealed she was ONLY NINE, the man should have terminated contact with her. He didn't.

So, this is my plea. If you have children in your life, be they your own or your grand kids or your nieces/nephews - you get the idea - take a moment to review the rules. Life can be scary, and they need to know that. Don't just assume because its been discussed in the past, that the words are heeded when temptation arises. It's our jobs as protectors of the children to be vigilant. Otherwise, the predators will win.

COVER REVEAL/GIVEAWAY: Landslide by NJ Cole

Title:    LandslideAuthor:    NJ ColeRelease Date:    August 4, 2013Cover Designer:    T.M. Franklin


Blurb: Senator Maxwell Joseph has it all—money, power and good looks—the trifecta when it comes to attracting the ladies. He even has women willing to be tied up, spanked and fucked all while calling him Daddy, fulfilling his secret fantasy. On the night of his thirty-fifth birthday he finds a goddess waiting for him in his hotel room. She is beautiful, sexy and very willing, yet the fruit she offers is very forbidden. Not only at nineteen is she barely legal, but she is the daughter of his best friend and political advisor. Mackenzie Wade has had a crush on the senator for years, and when an overheard phone call affords her the opportunity she needs to make her fantasies a reality, she jumps on the chance offering herself as a birthday gift. Throwing caution to the wind, Max gives in to temptation and gives them both what they have been yearning for—a night filled with ropes, floggers and toe-curling sex. Although satiated, one night of passion wasn’t enough for either of them, and they began a clandestine affair of the solid ground on which he’d built his career now began to shift as his wants and dreams for the future began to change. In what he can only describe as a landslide, Max hold on tight to the only thing that he can, Kenzie, and goes on the ride of his life, knowing all along that in the end, he may have to make a choice between the woman of his fantasies and his career.
Excerpt:
Opening the door to the suite, I found a beautiful creature in my bed with the hottest body I’d ever seen. She was wearing white thigh highs, a short plaid skirt, and a white top. It was a classic school girl outfit and I loved it. Everything about her was perfect, but everything about her was wrong. 
“Mackenzie! What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m giving you your birthday present, Senator Joseph.”
The way she said my name made my dick rock hard again.
“Mackenzie, this is completely inappropriate.”
“Who gives a fuck if it’s appropriate or not,” she said, rubbing her thighs together. “And I know you want me. I saw how you were looking at me earlier. I even know what you’re into.”
My stomach dropped. Could she mean she knew about my sexual preferences? “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, I know. I overheard my father talking once.” She got off the bed and walked over to me, her eyes never leaving mine as she crossed the room. She grabbed hold of my tie and began running her fingers over it. “I know exactly what you are into, Senator Joseph.”
“Mackenzie, you’re what…sixteen years old?” I questioned, grabbing her wrist and removing her hand from my tie.
“Sixteen? You sent me a graduation present last year,” she laughed. “I’m nineteen. My birthday was just last week.”
She was legal. I’m sure she said more, but all I heard was that she was nineteen. I had also caught something else she said a moment ago. She’d mentioned that she knew what I was “into,” and I needed to know what she meant.
“What is it you think I’m into?” I asked with more authority than I felt at that moment.
“You like to tie up little girls and fuck them. Isn’t that right, Senator?”
Her words made my dick twitch. The summary wasn’t exactly accurate; I didn’t like actual little girls, just women in their early twenties who were willing to dress up for my fantasies. What I gathered from her statement, though, was that she wasn’t repulsed; she sounded excited at the thought. 
There were a million reasons I shouldn’t do this. She was barely legal. She was the daughter of my top advisor…and best friend. I wasn’t prepared. We didn’t have any sort of contract. I had no clue what her limits were. It just seemed wrong, yet all of that flew out the window when she looked up at me and licked her lips. 
“Don’t you wanna tie me up and fuck me, Senator Joseph?”
Consequences be damned. I wasn’t thinking with my head, I was thinking with my dick. And my dick wanted her. “On your knees, little girl,” I commanded harshly.
She dropped to the floor instantly; when she did, I walked around her and pulled her hands behind her back. “So you want to be tied up? To offer yourself to me? To please me?”
“Yes,” she panted.
“Yes, what?” I asked, removing my tie.
“Yes, Sir,” she moaned.
“Yes, Daddy,” I corrected.
“Yes, Daddy.”

NJ Cole is a witty, mid-western girl with a kinky side. She works by day and writes by night, all while being a mother to her wonderful boys and serving her Sir. Unlike many of today’s authors, she chooses to write in first person, allowing the readers to experience life through the eyes of the unique characters that live in her head. Her love of those characters and respect for their stories come through loud and clear in her writing. With over two million reads of her online work in the past six months, NJ Cole is clearly an up and coming author.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to the Hot Summer Romance Blog Hop!

Grand Prizes -  #1 is a Kindle Fire. #2 is a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate.Grand prize winners will be selected from post comments via random number generation. (random.org). In other words, to be eligible to win, you need to leave a comment on this post, and don't forget to include your email so that you can be contacted if you win!
In addition to the hop Grand Prizes, each participating blog (almost 200 of them!) will be offering up some kind of prize. I'm personally offering up an e-book copy of ANY of my titles. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter.

Romance is the name of the game with this hop, so I decided to share an exclusive excerpt from my novel, A Divine Life (releasing August 6, 2013). Enjoy:
The evening had been long and tiring, but Erin had loved every minute of it. Sad though it was, the time had come for them to gather at the front door and say their goodbyes. Jayden closed the door and turned around to face her. “Just what are you so happy about?” He quirked his eyebrow at her playfully.
On impulse, she threw her arms in the air and started spinning around. “Everything!” Her eyes clenched tight, Erin smelled his cologne when he scooped her up in his arms and continued spinning her around. He slowed down and set Erin on her slippered feet, keeping a grip on her so she didn’t fall from the dizziness.
Raising her eyes up to meet his dark brown ones, the dizziness morphed into longing and need. His lips were on hers in a matter of seconds. They teased, licked, and kissed for several minutes, en-joying the peaceful bubble around them.
“You promise you’re happy right now?” Jayden whispered while resting his forehead against hers.
She nuzzled her nose against his chin. “Very,” she whispered back.
“Mm,” he moaned when her nuzzling turned into nips along his jaw. “I hope you aren’t too tired for one more surprise, sweet girl.” His eyes twinkled.
Erin faked a big stretch and yawn and tried to put on a bored face. “I guess I can handle one more, if I must.” She sighed.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to put you out or anything,” he grumbled with mock disdain.
“Please, Jayden.” Erin bounced in place to show her excitement. “I can’t imagine what more you could surprise me with, but I can’t wait!” The bouncing had jarred her bladder, and she stopped her movements. “But I have to pee first!” she blurted before running off to the bathroom. His answering laughter followed her, not cutting off until she closed the door.
When she came back out a few minutes later, Jayden was gone. Erin walked around, poking her head into the living room, the dining room, and then the kitchen.
“Jayden?” she called out. There was no answer.
Since she was in the kitchen, Erin opted to get a glass of water and wait for Jayden to come back, assuming he’d ducked into one of the other bathrooms as well. Sipping the water, she turned her at-tention to the picture window overlooking the backyard. It was dark, the sun having set about an hour before, but there was a soft flickering glow off in the distance. Curious, she called out to Jayden one more time, and when met with silence, she put her glass down and headed toward the French doors that led out back. Her eyes were focused on the far away glow when her hand reached for the door-knob.
A sharp sting radiated up through her finger, and Erin looked down to see that she’d grabbed a single rose, which had been attached to the handle. Using care, she collected the flower and noticed the door was also ajar. Erin lifted the red bloom to her nose and inhaled its light fragrance while step-ping into the night. Thanks to the full moon, it was brighter than she would have expected.
On the wooden patio table, she could see another single red rose lying across its surface. Erin picked that up also, and then looked around. “Jayden?” she called out again. A few more steps forward brought her to the edge of the wide wraparound porch. She glanced down to watch her footing while she descended, and she found another rose lying across the step. When she stooped to pick it up, she noticed the trail: red roses had been tossed every couple of feet to make a path across the grass.
Erin felt her heart flutter, and her excitement level spiked. She didn’t know what he was up to; but his games were always fun, and she was ready to play.

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Indivisible Line by Lorenz Font BLOG TOUR

Please welcome to the blog today, Lorenz Font with the release of her second novel  Indivisible Line . Below, I've got some information on the book as well as an excerpt! Thanks for visiting and checking it out!

Summary: Pre-med student Sarah Jones is back in Beaver, Alaska, for summer vacation.  A loyal member of the Gwich’in tribe, she accepts the rules set by her father, the leader of their small town. Raised in a strict household, she learned early on to do what is expected of her and has agreed to an arranged marriage. Despite her reluctance to marry without love, Sarah is unwilling to defy her father’s wishes. She hopes to help usher in an era of independence and stability for the town, but for now, her focus is finishing med school so she can become Beaver’s resident doctor. Business owner Greg Andrews wants to escape his philandering wife and his life in general. Leaving New York City to join a hunting expedition in Alaska, Greg’s plans are turned upside down when he is shot on Gwich’in land and ends up on Sarah’s operating table. In the absence of a qualified doctor, Sarah must operate to save his life. She refuses to wait for the consent of their tribal leader, and her father banishes her from the tribal land in punishment.Grateful for his life, Greg concocts a scheme to help. Plagued by the side effects of her unconventional operation, he convinces Sarah to become his live-in nurse. Without the means to support herself, Sarah agrees to the questionable arrangement, but she soon finds herself in even more trouble. Her new problem is that she is falling in love with this infuriating man, and the choices she now must make are must more difficult than the simple act of saving a man’s life.Together, Sarah and Greg must both decide whether they can overcome the vast differences between them, or if the indivisible line that separates their worlds will ultimately pull them apart. 

Excerpt: “Have you been spying on my friend?”
“A senator’s son graces the tabloids and newspapers once in a while. It’s common knowledge among city folks.” Greg didn’t look up; he just continued to whisk the eggs.
The way he had recited all that information infuriated Sarah. “Look at me, Greg. Where is this coming from?” She leaned forward and tilted his chin up with her forefinger. When their eyes met, his expression surprised her. In his eyes, she found vulnerability she hadn’t expected and a hint of jealousy, which made her heart soar.
Her finger burned where it touched his skin. Greg held her gaze for a moment before turning away. He walked over to the stove and turned the knob.
“Nowhere. It’s going nowhere,” he replied in a quiet voice.
That wasn’t my question. Sarah eyes widened; could Greg be jealous? Why? He hadn’t given her a reason to believe he was interested in her in any way beyond the terms of their arrangement, which he was supposed to have concocted to benefit them both. As far as she was concerned, she was here to pay him back for what she’d done. So far, Greg hadn’t benefited from their arrangement at all. She’d been doing the taking, while he seemed content to keep giving.
Sarah jumped off the barstool, walked over to the stove, and stood next to him. “That’s not what I asked. Tell me what’s bothering you.” She tugged at his arm.
“Nothing, Sarah. I’m looking after your best interests. Sharks are always out there, swimming around and looking for the prey to sink their teeth into. I’m just making sure you’re protected and safe.” He kept his eyes glued to the empty skillet, and Sarah itched for him to say more.
Minutes passed before he met her gaze. She held her breath. The way he angled his head made her think he wanted to kiss her. For a moment, she imagined his mouth on hers and what he’d taste like.
“Are you one of those sharks?” she couldn’t help asking.
She blinked and pulled her hand back. “I hate nightmares.” 
Sarah scrambled to sit up while Greg rose from his kneeling position at the side of her bed.
“I heard your screams, so I came in to check on you.” He watched her with a worried expression. “What got you all scared?”
She tried to remember but came up empty. “How can dreams turn you upside-down, and then leave you wondering what got you all riled up in the first place?” Blinking, she tried to compose her thoughts. “I can’t remember.”
“Do you want a glass of water?” Greg asked without moving from his spot.
Sarah shook her head and shivered, still feeling the effects of the forgotten nightmare. “Lie down with me?” Why did she always end up speaking without thinking first? This was so wrong on all levels, but she was giving in to her heart’s desire. If it was a mistake, then she’d learn her lesson pretty soon.
Greg hesitated. She couldn’t blame him. He must know how she felt about him, although, she’d fought hard to keep her emotions hidden. Greg was far too beautiful for his own good, and she had been mesmerized by him from the first moment she’d laid eyes on him.
She closed her eyes, waiting for him to turn her down. He didn’t say anything, but then she felt the mattress dip under his weight. “I’ll hold you until you fall asleep.”
Sarah nodded, and then turned her body in his direction. Greg eased himself onto the bed, and face to face, they stared at each other in the darkness. No words were necessary. They were just two people struggling with their lives and everything around them, and they needed each other.

Author Bio: Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. She is currently enjoying the buzz from her debut novel Hunted, the first installment of The Gates Legacy trilogy. 
Writing is therapeutic for Lorenz, and a perfect day consists of writing and playing with her characters while listening to her ever-growing music collection. She enjoys dabbling in different genres, with an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories. 
Lorenz currently lives in California with her husband, children, and two demanding dogs. She divides her time between a full-time job as a Business Office Manager for a hospital and her busy writing schedule. 
Where to find Ms. Lorenz:
Facebook I Twitter I Website I Blog I Independent Authors NetworkLinkedin I Goodreads I About.me I Pinterest
Tour Schedule:July 16: Wyndy Dee--ReviewJuly 16: R.E. Hargrave –Promo/ExcerptJuly 17: Tattooed Book Reviews--ReviewJuly18: Book to Book Reviews--ReviewJuly 18: Tracey Riva--ReviewJuly 19: Mandy Anderson, I Read Indie --InterviewJuly 19: Martini Times Romance Book Reviews --ReviewJuly 20: Fandom Fanatic--ReviewJuly 21: Mich Books Reviews--ReviewJuly 22: The Hive--ReviewJuly 23: N Wood–Guest PostJuly 23: Ali’s Bookshelf Reviews --ReviewJuly 23: J. Rose Allister–Guest PostJuly 24: Tbird London--ReviewJuly 24: Sydney Logan–Promp/ExcerptJuly 25: Claudia --ReviewJuly 25: Jennifer–Promo/ExcerptJuly 26: Mythical Reviews--ReviewJuly 26: Babus Bookshelf --ReviewJuly 27: Library at the End of the Universe –Guest PostJuly 28: Lissa Bryan --Review

#ADivineLife Teaser

Happy Sunday all you lovely people!Just a little over three weeks left until the next installment of The Divine Trilogy will be released.COMING AUGUST 6, 2013 A Divine Life on Goodreads



If you haven't read book one, To Serve is Divine, yet, you can get an e-copy half off at Smashwords.com. Be sure to check out my giveaway and get the coupon details HERE

M.B. Feeney: Summer Heat BLOG TOUR

Today I get to welcome back my anthology side kick from Sugarplum Dreams, M.B. Feeney. She's here to share her contribution to Summer Heat: Just Like in the Movies.


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 a honest to God romance film?
Excerpt:
I’d met Marcus Tripp not long after joining Wilson Insurance. Although I’d never really fancied him, he was persistent. Our friendship had grown, and we’d fallen into a routine that suited both of us. I was happy with the attention, and the sex . . . yeah, it was okay. As time passed, the earth rarely moved when we were intimate; more often than not, it was pretty much over before it began. Still, we stayed together, more out of habit and familiarity than anything else. We did love each other. I just wasn’t sure that it was enough.
In the evenings I spent alone, I would daydream about living the life of a lead in a Hollywood chick flick, but then reality would slap some sense into me. My life was as good as it was going to get. I wasn’t about to be swept off my feet any time soon. Marcus and I were comfortable, and that was enough — for me, at least. I was too scared to ask Marcus what he felt.
We tried for a couple of years to have children, but it never happened. After many serious discussions, we decided to give up on the idea altogether. That was when we bought our first fur baby: a beautiful Collie cross called Rhea. She was our little girl, and we both doted on her. We assuaged our guilt over our mutual neglect by caring for Rhea, devoting our attention to another living being rather than to each other. The puppies, Remus and Romulus, soon joined her, and our “family” was complete.
For as long as I’d known him, Marcus had played Sunday League football, which was followed by an afternoon with his teammates at the very pub I was now approaching. Coupled with training one evening a week, his evenings out gave me more than enough time to spend with Erica or at home with the dogs.
“Have you thought any more about that holiday I mentioned?” Erica asked while we claimed our usual table. Our customary bottle of red wine was already ready and waiting for us.
“I have . . .” My words drifted away when I thought back to her idea of a girlie getaway on the Isle of Wight. Just as its name suggested, the top-class Lakeside Hotel with attached spa was located right next to a beautiful lake. Bliss.
“And? Why the hesitation?” Erica pushed like she always did, her blue eyes flashing once more as she looked into my brown ones. 
The idea of a real getaway made the blonde hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, but I tried to rein in my excitement. “I don’t know. It sounds amazing, and Lord knows I could do with some time away.”
“Do it, then.” 
I knew I had enough holiday time available at work. Screw it.
“Let’s do it.”
Read my review HERE

Knowing that Feeney is a bit of a music junky, I had to ask just how integral a part in her writing does music play? Here's what she said . . .
Music isn’t just integral to my writing, but to life in general. I listen to music all the time, be it the radio or my iPod through headphones when I need to shut the world out. 
I once wrote an entire multi chapter story listening to nothing but The Bruno Mars Album ‘Doo-Wops and Hooligans’ and it really showed in the style of writing I used for that particular story. Some chapters were upbeat and (I like to think) humorous, whilst others were emotional just like the songs on the album. Other stories don’t show the type of music I listen to though.
I have a short story in the works that was completely inspired by a single song and when I need to get into the right mindset for that particular piece, I listen only to that song as the lyrics and the melody really have inspired me to create something completely different. I have seen this song performed live and the energy that the band have is amazing, so I try to tap into that experience also when I write.
I’ve never understood (or trusted) people who say ‘I don’t listen to music’ because music is literally everywhere. How can you not? Whilst my kids are at school, the TV in our house gets turned off and the radio is put on. Most of the time I’m busy so it sort of gets tuned out, until a great song catches my ear.
Music to me is simply just a staple part of life for me. Even if I couldn’t buy music, I would never stop listening. Music, like writing, is art. A form of expression and is completely subjective. I love that literature and music can make different people feel different things based on prior experiences. There’s a quote “No two person read the same book” (I don’t know who said it, sorry), but I feel it applies to music too. “No two persons listened to the same song”. How dull would the world be if we all liked the same music?
I listen to such an eclectic mix of music from cheesy boybands to rock music with a bit of everything in between, that there’s no telling when a particular song or lyric is going to inspire me, I’m just not complete if I don’t have music playing when I write and breathe. It’s in my blood and it’s never leaving.

About the Author:
M. B. Feeney is an army brat who finally settled down in Birmingham, UK with her other half, 2 kids and a dog.  She's also a student teacher, a doodler and a chocoholic.  Writing has been her one true love since she could spell, and publishing is the culmination of her hard work and ambition.
Where to find Ms. Feeney:
Her Blog I Twitter I Facebook I Amazon I B&N
M.B. Feeney’s Tour Schedule:7/2-Interveiw: Kim7/3-Promo/excerpt: Jennifer Garcia7/4-Interview: Tilly Currer7/5-Interview: Lorenz Font7/6-Review: Rose Caceres7/7-Review: Nat Wood7/8- Promo/Excerpt: Lisa Bilbrey7/10- Guest Post: Matt Lutz7/12-Guest Post: R. E. Hargrave

Desolation by Travis Simmons BLOG TOUR

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The giveaway for this tour is a Kindle Fire Giveaway! It's going to be open for the whole tour, so we are hoping to get as many entries as we can. This giveaway is for US residents only! 

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About the Author:
I have been writing since I was 14. I began writing a book called "The Calling of the Two" and while writing that on and off I started uncovering another idea.
"Yes, this is all well and good, but what about before? What happened in the world before these characters came into it?" I always knew there was a "before" and as I started wondering about it I got ideas. At first they were little ideas but as I discovered the names for my characters a whole story about them emerged.
I started working on The Revenant Wyrd Saga several years back and I am very happy I did because hearing and documenting Jovian and Angelica's story has been one wild ride.
I live in a remote part of upstate New York and honestly just hoofing around my neck of the woods gives me a ton of inspiration for my novels. I love research, and I love speculating on different ideas and theories. Author Links: Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads