Heather Gunter's Blog, page 57

Blog Tour: Crossing Paths by Melanie Stinnett

The crossing paths of friendship, family, love, and loss are often complicated.

June Deckert and Caroline Smith sparked a friendship in college that carried them through graduation. Although they are complete opposites in every way, they have spent the last four years inseparable.

That is, until now.

June finds herself falling for a man who seems unattainable. As she works side by side with him on a new media campaign, their feelings for each other come alive. But when his actions start to speak louder than words, she wonders if she’s missing something.

Meanwhile, Caroline is fighting against her feelings for a recent acquaintance, and she decides to keep her new love interest a secret from June. Overwhelmed by these new emotions, her moods change swiftly, swinging up and down like a yo-yo.

While June and Caroline try to maneuver their way through new relationships, Caroline starts lying to June to protect her from a truth that threatens to break her heart and tear them apart.

In the end, Caroline’s deceit will test their friendship, and June will have to decide if her chance at love is worth putting her heart on the line.












I have enjoyed reading and writing since I was very young. Some of my fondest memories from childhood are of spending time with my mom or grandma reading a good book. Over the years, it never crossed my mind that writing my own novel would be an attainable goal. After reading several independently published novels by Jamie McGuire, Colleen Hoover and others, I decided I needed to give that dream a chance. So, I began writing. My debut novel, Crossing Paths released on August 28, 2013.

When I'm not reading and writing, I enjoy spending time with my three favorite guys: my husband and my two little boys.

In addition to being an author, I work as a Speech Language Pathologist to provide therapy to adults who are dealing with speech, language, cognition or voice deficits. My day job is rewarding in many different ways and I love having the opportunity to help others in a time of need.


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Cover Reveal: Shattered Ties by K.A.Robinson

We love that we get to share with you the cover of Shattered Ties the next release from the fabulous K.A. Robinson.  Scheduled for release November 12th this is definitely one to watch for.


K.A. Robinson
New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Torn Series
Shattered Ties- Coming November 12th, 2013

With a former supermodel mother and a rock-and-roll legend father, Emma Preston has the best of everything. Nothing is as perfect as it seems though. After her parents divorce, she’s forced to live with her mother in a private Santa Monica community. Ignoring their parental roles, her mother becomes more focused on climbing the social ladder while her father is off on tour.

Growing up in a trailer park with his mother, Jesse is used to people looking down on him. When his mother begs him to submit an application for a scholarship to one of Santa Monica’s top private schools, he never expects to actually get it. When he does, he is forced to attend school with a bunch of rich kids. He ignores their stares as they judge him for having tattoos and a less than impressive car. As long as he has his surfboard and the guys at the tattoo shop, he knows he can make it through.

When Jesse shows up on the first day of school, Emma can’t help but be intrigued. Her mother would never approve of Emma talking to someone so poor, but she doesn’t care because something about Jesse draws her to him. Jesse tries to hate Emma, but he discovers that he can’t resist her. Forced to hide their relationship from Emma’s mother and everyone else around them, things start to fall apart. When Jesse’s friend, Ally, decides to interfere, things go from bad to worse. 
Can they survive their first love? Or will they be left with nothing more than shattered ties?

Book 1 of a 2 book series.


**18+ for sexual situations, cursing, and adult content.***



K.A. Robinson is from a small town in West Virginia. She still lives there today with her crazy two year old son and husband of four years.

When she isn't writing, she loves to read and constantly has her nose buried in her Kindle, much to her husband's annoyance. Her favorites are usually something about dystopian societies or hot rock stars with tattoos.

She can't cook to save her life, and is a firm believer in frozen pizza. Her addictions include Diet Pepsi, Starbucks, and Cocoa Pebbles, as well as an addiction to all things tattooed.

Her debut novel, Torn, was released for Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook on January 25th, 2013, and was on Amazon's Kindle Top 100 for a month.  Twisted, the second book of the Torn series, was released at the end of March 2013.



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Blog Tour: Rotten by J.L. Brooks

Welcome to our stop on the Rotten blog tour.  J.L. Brooks has done it again with this wonderful story.





Growing up on the outskirts of Las Vegas as the daughter of notorious strip club owner, Stephen Knox, and a mother who abandoned her at birth, life was less than kind to a young Antoinette.

After a failed teenage suicide attempt, Toni hit the road in search of a life free of undeserved cruelty and any resemblance to her past.

Years later, Toni is lost in a dead end marriage and makes a painful confession that sends her back to the one place she always wanted to escape. But can she really right the wrongs that haunt her? Toni soon finds that the only place where things stay the same is in your mind.

When her path crosses with David Stark, childhood playmate turned one night stand, she cannot deny the spike in temperature she feels every time he's near or the scorching dreams that flood her at night.

Digging through the years of heartache, Toni soon finds herself torn between the man she is committed to and the one who has always held her heart. As each layer unfolds before her, she discovers the root cause of her pain. Always believing the source was external, nothing could prepare her for the truth.

*This book contains sexual content and adult language. Intended for readers 17+





 


As I cracked the old bathroom door open, steam rushed out in vapor clouds before me. David looked up as I approached him in nothing but a towel. Still not saying anything, I used my ankle to kick his knees apart. He looked at me oddly until the towel dropped to the floor in a large heap of cotton. Crawling up onto his lap, I used the palm of my hand to push his forehead back into the fabric of the sofa and pressed my naked body into his chest.
“Are you going to run away again?” I whispered.
His hands tentatively caressed the damp skin on the back of my thighs while licking his lips. “No ma’am.”













J.L. Brooks captivated me with Distractions and she has again given me the unexpected in Rotten.  This story had so many elements to love, its characters were unorthodox and engaging, there were twists that kept me turning pages and an ending that was incredibly satisfying.
Antoinette (Toni) Knox is the daughter of the owner of a strip club.  While she has a loving relationship with her father, Stephen, she is burdened by the judgement of those in her home town and the taunts and exclusion from kids at school because of who her father is.  David Stark is the one exception, he is her friend, perhaps slightly more, and takes his role as protector of Toni very seriously. 
I loved Toni.  She was intelligent, ballsy and prepared to admit her mistakes.  She grappled with her internal demons and faced the things that sent her from her home with a strength that was hard not to admire.  There were a number of times where I chuckled at her determination, her quick thinking and the outcomes she was able to achieve.  David was also a fabulous character.  His commitment to those he loved was unwavering.
While I finished Rotten in a relatively upbeat mood there were a number of elements that were quite heartbreaking.  Overwhelmingly, the many things that Toni missed out on because of her flawed decision making as a child/teenager.  Her assumptions of peoples intentions meant that she lived a life that lacked the intensity of emotion she deserved. 
Interestingly the people she thought she couldn't trust turned out to be the very ones she could rely on while others weren't so trustworthy. As Toni came to terms with her past, her choices and her options for the future she blossomed into the person she was truly meant to be.  While she had always known her father loved her, she developed a true understanding of the man that he was, and reading that as it happened was just beautiful.

Rotten was a relatively quick read and if I'd had the chance I would have finished it in one sitting.  The writing style was completely engaging and I loved the way Brooks wove Toni's Catholic beliefs into the story in way that was meaningful and easy to understand.  Rotten has confirmed for me that picking up a J.L. Brooks novel is a decision that will never disappoint.
4 out of 5 stars

JL Brooks is a former columnist turned novelist. What started as a bet changed her entire course in life. With a passion for adventure, she believes everyone has a story to tell. Chances are she will try to convince you to tell yours. 

Previous works: Distractions, Stories for Amanda (Contributing Author)


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Blog Tour: If Forever Comes by A.L. Jackson

Today we get to share with you If Forever Comes the final installment in the Regret Series from the incredibly talented A.L. Jackson.  In the style we've come to expect from A.L. If Forever Comes is beautifully written and provides a satisfying conclusion to Christian and Elizabeth's story.






If Forever Comes, the final chapter in the New York Times Bestselling Regret Series (Lost to You and Take This Regret).
Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.
Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved.

Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other.

But life is never easy.

Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family.





It was always more fucking time. But time only turned around and heaped more sorrow on top of us. And Matthew hadn’t suffered through what we had. He hadn’t watched the light dim in Elizabeth’s eyes. Not the way I had. I wasn’t sure any amount of time could rekindle it.

“So is this what you do with yourself night after night when you don’t have Lizzie?”

I lifted a noncommittal shoulder. “What? You think I should sit alone in my condo instead?” I released a resentful snort. “Fuck that.”

Anger pinged around in my chest. My condo had finally gone under contract too, while Elizabeth and I had searched for the perfect home to raise our family in. But I had to back out of the sale at the last minute so I’d at least have someplace to sleep while the rest of my world fell apart.

Matthew pinned me with a look of disbelief. “So this is better? This is your solution?” His words hardened as he waved an exasperated hand around the room. “Do you think I don’t get it, Christian? Do you think I don’t know how hard this is for you?”

I shook my head and turned away, tipped my glass back to my mouth. No, I didn’t think he got it. How the hell could he? He got to crawl in bed with the woman he loved every night, not lie across town from her, wide awake, worrying that might be the exact moment she was breaking into pieces every god-damned minute of the night.


If Forever Comes is the conclusion to Christian and Elizabeth's story.  I feel quite conflicted about this book.  As with Lost to You and Take this Regret it is beautifully written, but the bulk of the story is quite heartbreaking and I had really been hoping for a little more happiness for Christian and Elizabeth given everything they had been through prior to this book.
The story is told in dual point of view and alternates from present day to scenes from the past until the two intersect.  This approach allows you to experience the current emotions of the characters, while slowly developing an understanding of the circumstances that have led to their situation.  It is quite powerful, although I must confess I was a little confused with where the story started at first, having just finished the previous two books in the series it was not the start I was expecting.
I was really impressed with Christian as a character in this series and my opinion didn't change in If Forever Comes .  He grew so much in the previous books and continued to convey the depth of his love for Elizabeth and Lizzie in this one.  I think I was more sympathetic towards him than Elizabeth in this book.
There were times in Take this Regret that I questioned Elizabeth's actions/reactions.  In If Forever Comes I found her to be incredibly selfish and I agreed wholeheartedly with Christian at one point in the story: 

"I thought better of you than this, Elizabeth, but I was wrong.  You are the most selfish person I've ever met."

While I completely understood the depth of the emotions she was feeling she made unfair judgements about the impact of situations on others, particularly Christian. 
I was really pleased with the conclusion to the story, although I did feel that it came about rather quickly.  I loved that the dual point of view continued through to the Epilogue and that we got to hear a little more from both characters - it was a fitting end to the way the entire series had been presented. 

I will definitely be reading more from A.L. Jackson.  I fell in love with her writing style and was at times overwhelmed by the depth of feeling she conveyed in her stories.  Her character development was excellent and I found myself invested in the outcomes that affected them.  While I was looking for something I didn't find in If Forever Comes I think if you've read Lost to You and Take this Regret you should finish off the series, just be prepared for more heartbreak for Christian and Elizabeth.
3.5 out 5 stars

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled and When We Collide.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.



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Release Day Blitz: Escape the Doubt by Andrea Michelle

Title: Escape the Doubt (Shifting #1)
Author: Andrea Michelle
Release Date: October 11, 2013

After the unexpected death of her Dad and the haunting manner in which he died Riley Shaw built invisible walls around her heart. Barriers she created to protect her from splintering into broken pieces that couldn’t be repaired. She was unable to move forward from her past letting the guilt of her parent’s mistakes dictate her own choices.

Dean Warren was safe. Being with him was innocent and peaceful because she didn’t truly love him. His words held her captive in a false sense of security. His eyes were deceptive and his promises of never pushing her beyond what she was willing to give were broken leaving Riley Shaw in a state of regret and doubt.

Joshua Parker had the power to take what was left of Riley’s splintered pieces and ruin her completely or make her whole again. He was her best friend, her next-door neighbor - everything she wanted and settled on never having. Loving him was as easy as breathing air. The fear of losing him forever was more real to her than the feelings she couldn’t escape.

When faced with the very thing she feared the most and in the arms she thought were safe Riley finds herself questioning every decision she has made over the past two years. When she finally escapes the doubt in her head and accepts the truth in her heart is it too late?

Is taking a chance with your heart worth the escape or was it better to have never loved at all? Can forgiveness really set you free?

*Warning: This is a mature young adult novel. Recommended for readers 17+ due to underage drinking, sexual content and adult language.
*This is book one in a series however can be read as a standalone.








New indie author with a lot of stories to tell.


Married to my best friend and mother to 3 beautiful daughters who love to sing and dance.


Addicted to reading books and obsessed with writing new ones.


Texas is where I live but Louisiana is my home.

Love rain storms but I hate Springtime in Texas. You might find me hiding in my bathtub from time to time.

Music is the best healer to any bad day. or wine ;)

Pinterest is addicting and contagious. Anything artsy I can create on my own I will try.

LSU and Saints are my teams.



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Cover Reveal: The Minaldi Legacy by Courtney Cole

It's here! Courtney Cole's  The Minaldi Legacy Series ' long awaited Part 2,
OF DARKNESS AND DEMONS, is on it's way to our hands! 
Courtney's giving us Part 2 in an Omnibus that will be released in January 2014 containing both, OF BLOOD AND BONE and OF DARKNESS AND DEMONS. 
Today, we're revealing the beautiful cover for  The Minaldi Legacy Series ! Filled with dark romance, this is an adult contemporary series. 
Now, here's the cover for  The Minaldi Legacy ! 




“I’m a monster, Eva. There’s no saving a monster. But I love that you want to try.”

Luca Minaldi is rich, powerful and mesmerizing. He’s also a reclusive enigma. He lives in Malta, a fairy-tale place filled with sunshine and sea, beauty and secrets. And Luca’s darkest of secrets is the best-kept of them all. 

Eva Talbot comes to Malta to finish her doctoral dissertation in Psychiatry. When she meets Luca, there is a very real and instant attraction that she has never felt before. But even still, she senses the darkness that lives within him. 

In part one of this Romantic Thriller, Of Blood and Bone, Eva is hired to care for Luca’s mother, a woman who suffers from dementia. It is Luca, however, that Eva will eventually risk everything to save. But by the end of part one, Eva doesn’t know if she can save Luca without losing herself. 

In part two, Of Darkness and Demons, the legacy and curse that plagues Luca continues. Eva and Luca are thrust into a world where their love is tested and darkness reigns. Amid chaos and treachery, love and hate, Luca and Eva learn one important thing. 

Love is dangerous. 

But it also might be the one thing that can save them all.



Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could. She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds. She loves chocolate and roller coasters and hates waiting and rude people.
Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.




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Blog Tour: The Wager by Rachel Van Dyken

Welcome to our stop on the blog tour for The Wager by Rachel Van Dyken.

Release Date: October 1st. Adult Contemporary RomanceBook Two in The Bet Series

THE WAGER

Lose a bet, lose your heart...

What is it about a junior-high crush that can send an otherwise intelligent woman into a tailspin? TV reporter Char Lynn wishes she knew. Jake Titus is too rich, too handsome, too arrogant: a trifecta that once lured Char into the best night-and worst morning-after-of her life. Now they've been thrown together in a wedding party. It's awkward, but survivable . . . until Jake stops acting like a jerk, and starts acting like the man she'd always hoped he could be.

If watching your brother marry your best friend is weird, being attracted to your best friend's other best friend is downright bizarre. Unfortunately for Jake, Char hasn't forgotten how he once tossed her aside. Worse still, Jake's already-nutty grandma is even crazier about Char. Cue meet-cute shenanigans and all manner of meddling, and somehow, Jake's falling. For Char. Now all he has to do is make her believe it . . .



The Bet (Book One) in The Bet Series -  Amazon | B&N | Goodreads"I have a proposition for you." Kacey should have run the minute those words left Seattle millionaire Jake Titus's mouth. It's been years since Kacey's seen her childhood friend Jake, but the minute Jake mentions his ill grandmother, Kacey is ready to do anything for the sweet old woman. And if that means pretending they're engaged for her sake-so be it.

But Kacey wasn't counting on Jake's older brother Travis still being there. She calls him "Satan" for a reason: she's never forgotten the way he teased and taunted her. Yet when they meet again, Travis's gorgeous smile is a direct hit to her heart ... and Kacey's more confused than ever. As the days pass, only one thing starts to become alarmingly clear-she never should have accepted Jake's deal . .



Dessert was served. Char chose a chocolate soufflé with whipped cream. The minute it was set in front of her, she saw Jake’s hungry gaze.

With a wicked smile she dipped her finger into the whipped cream and slowly licked it clean.

His mouth dropped open, just slightly.

She licked her lips and dipped her finger again.

Jake leaned forward, his eyes almost closing as his half-lidded gaze went from teasing to lustful.

Char wondered when was the last time the player had been played, or that he’d had to actually wait for something.

Carefully, she slipped out of her wedge heels and relaxed a little further down in her seat. Trying to act nonchalant, she took another bite of her dessert and watched Jake watch her. She knew the exact moment her foot came into contact with his leg. With a jerk, he grabbed the edge of the table and cursed.

“Everything all right, Jake?” Petunia asked, examining him through her glasses.

“Perfect,” he said in a strained voice. “A bit hot.” His hooded eyes blinked a few times before he reached for his water glass and took a long sip.

“It is quite humid out.” Petunia fanned herself. “But you look positively flushed. Are you sure you aren’t coming down with something?”

“I wish,” Jake said.

“Pardon?” Her brows furrowed.

“Pretty dish.” He pointed to the butter dish in the middle of the table.

Char bit her lip to keep from laughing; she took another slow bite of soufflé and licked her fork. Jake groaned across the table.

Her foot came into contact with his skin.

“Mother of—”

“Jake?” Petunia shook her head. “You have me worried.”

“Me too.” Char licked her lips and let her foot inch up his leg.

Jake braced both hands on the table, his eyes setting her on fire with how hard he was staring at her. “I’m sure.”

His eyes closed as she rubbed up and down his calf and then braced his one leg with both of hers, jerking him closer to the table.

“Shit.” He exhaled.

“I beg your pardon!” Petunia scolded. “Jake Titus, you stop your filthy language.”

“He’s such a dirty, dirty, boy,” Grandma agreed with a wink.

Jake groaned, his eyes pleading with Char to either stop or keep going and kill him right then and there.

“You know what happens to dirty boys,” Char said helpfully.

“What?” His voice was hoarse.

“They get spanked,” Petunia spat. “Hard!”

Jake swore a blue streak.

“Wescott!” Petunia demanded. “Please control your son! It seems he keeps having urges to use foul language at the dinner table! Well, in my day we’d send boys to their rooms if they did such a thing.”

“Fine.” Wescott rolled his eyes. “Go to your room, Jake, take your punishment like a man.”

“I, uh…” Jake sputtered. “Should probably stay right here.”

“You heard your father.” Petunia shook her head. “You need to be punished.”

“Please.” He whimpered and hung his head in his hands.

“Jake…” Char pulled her foot away and leaned forward. “You should probably listen to your father. Wouldn’t want you getting into any trouble… go to your room.”

“I can’t,” he said through clenched teeth.

Grandma pushed to her, feet knocking an entire pitcher of ice water into Jake’s lap. His eyes bulged out of his head as she leaned over so only he and Char could hear. “You’re welcome.”

“I want to die.” This from Jake.

“You clumsy boy, go change your pants,” Grandma ordered. “Char, why don’t you get us some more water from the kitchen?”

She didn’t have to be told twice.

Cursing, Jake threw down his napkin and chased after her.

Shoes off, she was able to run across the grass. Once she was in the house she stole a glance behind her. Jake was gaining on her. The look on his face was predatory.

With a squeal she ran up the stairs to the bedroom, just as his strong arms came around her, pushing her farther into the room.

“Naughty girl. I’ll make you pay for that.”

She turned in his arms and licked his chin like she had her soufflé. “You promise?”

“Strip.” He released her and walked over to the bed, slowly sinking down into it. “Now.”

“Demanding.” Char put her hands on her hips. “Aren’t we?”

“Yeah.” Jake leaned back on his elbows. “The way I see it, you owe me. Not only did I do a naughty dance for you, with chaps might I add, but you made me suffer through dessert, while my great aunt, the virgin one, you know her, told me I needed to be spanked.”

Char laughed.

“Not funny,” Jake groaned. “Most awkward moment of my life.”

“Before or after Grandma cooled you off?” Char asked.

“If you want me to be able to perform, ever, you won’t mention that again.” Jake swore.

Char fumbled with the straps of her dress. “I remember.”

“Remember?” Jake’s eyes were trained on her fingers as she toyed with the straps pulling them further down her body. “What do you remember?”

“Us.” Char let the dress fall to the ground and stepped out of it. “I remember our night together. I lied. I told Beth I didn’t. I told you it wasn’t good. I was just trying to make you feel bad.”

“Hmm.” Jake stood and slowly approached her. “I deserved it.”

“I know.”




Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers!





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Release Day Launch: One To Hold by Tia Louise

It's here!  One to Hold  by Tia Louise is here and we are thrilled to get to be a part of the release day launch! Check out what we have going on today as we celebrate the release of this hot and steamy debut novel. There's an excerpt for you! Then look below for all the information regarding the book and Tia Louise. You can also enter in a giveaway below! Check it all out and be sure to let us know what you are looking forward to when it comes to  One to Hold !





Derek Alexander is an ex-Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.

When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their "one week stand" only complicates matters.

Because she'll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he'll do everything he can to hold her.

Standalone, M/F, HEA.

WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!





Release Day Excerpt


I only had a moment to observe how very clean it was before he had me against the wall, pinned by his huge physique.

“You never came.” His voice was a low, husky whisper. “I waited all night.”

My hands rested on his chest, and heat flamed through me with every heartbeat. My eyes traveled up, up, up to his. They were darkened now, and I was certain he was thinking the same thing as me.

He remembered how fantastically our bodies came together two nights ago. I barely registered him reaching out to lock the door.

“I’m sorry,” was all I could say.

“When you walked in the restaurant tonight… god, you’re so beautiful.” He spoke against my skin as his lips pressed into my brow, his beard roughing my closed eyelids. “Are you feeling bad?”

“No,” I managed to say despite the heat surging through me as his lips moved to my temple. “I… didn’t think I could eat.”

“Good,” he said in a thick voice before covering my mouth with his. Mine opened quickly, drawing him in. Our tongues entwined before his lips moved to my jaw then down my neck.

“I thought about you all day.” His breath whispered across my skin, and I couldn’t stop a surge of desire low in my stomach. “Will you let me have you here?”

“Yes,” I barely spoke, and he dropped to his knees.

He gathered the thin fabric of my dress, shoving it up to my waist as he caught the side of my thong with his thumb.


Tia Louise is a former journalist, world-traveler, and collector of beautiful men (who inspire ALL of her stories... *wink*)---turned wife, mommy, and novelist.

It's possible she has a slight truffle addiction. And she will never look at a family restroom the same way again.

One to Hold  is her debut adult romance.



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Promo Tour: The Bride Series Collection by Shadonna Richards

This is an absolute steal - eight books for just under $8!!  You really can't go wrong.  And to help you with your purchase decision there are two extracts (full chapters no less!) from two of the books.  Make sure you read your way all the way to the end of the post because there's a giveaway to enter too!


The Top 100 iTunes Bestselling Romance Series and the #1 Kindle Bestselling Contemporary Romance Series
Over 200,000 copies sold in one year! 
Special Sale Price $7.99 for a limited time only for 8 bestselling contemporary romances!!!
Contains two hot romance series (4 novels and 4 novellas) in one volume


The Bride SeriesAn Unexpected Bride (A Kindle #1 Bestseller in Romance & Humor)
The Jilted Bride 
The Matchmaker Bride 
His Island Bride
An Unexpected Baby

The Billionaire's Whirlwind Romance SeriesAccidentally Married to the Billionaire (A Kindle #1 Bestseller in Humor)
Accidentally Flirting with the CEO
Accidentally Falling for the Tycoon

Excerpt (Chapter 1)  An Unexpected Bride(Book 1 of the Bride Series) by Shadonna RichardsEmma Wiggins is about to marry her heart-stopping, gorgeous boss, CEO Evan Fletcher, in seven days—too bad he doesn’t know it yet!

Desperate to fulfill her ailing grandfather’s last wish to see her settle down and get married, Emma Wiggins, a 30-year-old, career-focused executive tells him a little white lie on his deathbed that she is in fact engaged--to her boss, deliciously handsome and emotionally unavailable, Evan Fletcher.

The situation takes an unexpected turn when her grandfather's condition improves slightly and to her shock, he goes ahead and arranges a wedding ceremony at his hospital bedside before he passes on. Now, all Emma has to do is convince unsuspecting, commitment-phobic Evan to tie the knot with her in seven days. Can love blossom in the most unlikely situation?
Chapter 1 “…It is better to marry, than to burn with passion.” -1 Corinthians 7:9 (NIV)
“You mean to tell me, you can’t find a decent man? Not one?” 

“Grampa!” Emma Wiggins felt the blood siphon from her face. She could not believe she was having this conversation again.

She shifted her hips uncomfortably on the hospital bedside of her ailing grandfather, trying to find the right words to say. She knew quite well where he was going with his comment. He was desperate to see her settle down, get married and have kids one day—like normal people. But after her previously tainted relationships left her with emotional burns to seventy percent of her heart, no way was she going down that yellow brick road to happiness again. There was no place like home…alone.

“Oh, Gramps!” she whispered, tilting her head to the side. “Look, I promise you, I won’t end up…dying alone and penniless. You have my word on it—okay?”

Her whispered reassurance was virtually inaudible. Was that a promise she could even keep? She really didn’t want to fall in love again. It would hurt too much. On the other hand, she wanted to give her grandfather hope, something to cheer about. Especially now as he neared the end of his long time battle with what he called "a dreadful opponent that had a habit of sneaking up at the wrong time—prostate cancer."

The long-term care unit at Mercy Springs Memorial Hospital was unusually quiet during the busy lunch hour. The place was tranquil except for the sound of the air conditioner gently humming in the background and the odd clanking of knives scraping plates as some patients ate their meals. The aroma of hospital food filled the air. The scent of fresh cut flowers she’d bought and placed at the bedside table wafted to her nostrils. She eyed his untouched lunch tray. The smell of mashed potato with gravy and sliced beef reminded her she hadn't eaten.

Laced with guilt, Emma glanced down at her watch. She didn’t want to leave him. Not ever. Not after what the doctor told her about his prognosis. But she didn’t want to push her luck at work either. Her boss, Evan Fletcher, president of Fletcher Advertising where she worked as an account executive had been more than kind to extend her lunch hour to visit her ailing Gramps. They had the pivotal conference call meeting in half an hour with one of their biggest potential clients. She didn’t want to blow this. Not now.

This was a career clincher for her. But speaking of careers.... Her grandfather, whom she’d always referred to as Gramps when she was a little girl and had trouble pronouncing Grandpa, just finished a fresh round of chastising his only granddaughter for putting career ahead of love and family. If only he knew. She would love to have a family and a husband. But…

Her grandfather, Mr. Wiggins, reclined weakly and peered at her with droopy eyelids. His favorite pair of thick brown spectacles propped on the tip of his nose. He felt comfortable with them on, even when resting. The head of his bed elevated to a ninety-degree angle. The green and white hospital bed sheets covered him up to his chest. He hadn’t eaten much during the past few days and he appeared older than his eighty years. Emma knew her grandfather loved her and wanted the best for her. She was also painfully aware that he regretted only having one child, a son, Emma’s father. Oh, she looked like her dad. Deep, almond shaped brown eyes that sparkled, dark, curly long ebony hair that shined. And a dimpled smile to melt even the coldest of hearts. Always willing, always helpful.

“I know that silly guy hurt you when he left you but—"

“Oh, Gramps. Why are you talking about that now? I’m so over him.” She emphasized the "so" and bit down on her lower lip. She wished she could simply delete the bitter memory of her ex-fiancé’s betrayal from her mind. She longed to erase the baggage of emotional scars he packed her off with. Yes, her hope was singed during that nasty breakup period, but she couldn’t dwell on relationships now. Her work was her love. And so was Gramps.

“Sometimes you need to take your messed up relationships with a grain of grace so you can appreciate when the right one comes along. I just don’t want to see you let him ruin your chances of happiness with someone else. In hindsight, I can say that other guy was a goof, not worthy of you!” He struggled to lean forward and touched her cascading mane of dark, spiraling curls.

Emma was amazed at his strength. She didn’t realize that many palliative patients had energy before their inevitable demise. In fact, she was always in amazement when she visited the quiet unit. Patients were up and about, walking, conversing, and partaking of typical activities. Of course, not all patients were responsive and ambulatory. It was a mixture of diagnosis, prognosis, and illness processes. The ages of the patients ranged from eighteen-years-old to those who reached their ninety-ninth year.

“You realize you’re my only grandchild.” A muffled cough emitted from his throat. He grabbed a tissue from the side table and covered his mouth with it, coughed up, and wiped his mouth clean before tossing the Kleenex in the black garbage bin by his bedside. “The Wiggins line will be finished if you don’t marry and have kids, pumpkin,” he emphasized tearfully, water filling his eyes. Emma could barely watch him cry.

Just then, one of the nurses, a perky redhead sporting bright pink scrubs, bought in a plate with a slice of cake on it. Her cheeks glowing red.

“Oh, what’s the occasion?” Emma was glad to change the subject as she peered at the icing on the cake.

“Oh, this is from Mr. Harry next door. His granddaughter just got married in the room.”

“Married? Here?”

“Yes.” The nurse placed the cake on the table before the untouched tray of food. “We sometimes get requests for wedding ceremonies to take place at the bedside for palliative patients who are too ill to otherwise attend. He wanted to give his daughter away. We arranged for the chaplain to do the honors, but sometimes patient's family members bring in their own minister.” The nurse smiled and fixed Emma's grandfather’s pillow and repositioned him before darting out of the room.

Emma couldn’t help but notice her grandfather’s fresh round of tears.

“What’s wrong, Gramps?” Surprise caught her voice.

“I just wished it were you, pumpkin. It’s my only wish before I go to be with your dear old grandma to see you get married, settle down, and have a family. You’re hiding yourself in your work. There’s so much more to life than work, you know. We all need love, pumpkin. It won’t be nice to be alone when I’m gone—" His voice cracked and broke off. “I just hate to think you’ll be alone with no one. Just don’t give up too easy on finding true love.”

Emma’s heart took a serious plunge into the deep end of despair. She could bear no more. If only he knew it was just as unsettling to her as it was to him to see her in this state.

Lord knows she tried hard to make things work with her ex-fiancé, of whom she could barely bring herself to recite his name. But, oh, nothing escaped the careful observation of her grandfather. He knew her all too well.

Truth was, she really did hide behind her work, bury herself in its corporate arms, and lose herself to the company’s aims and objectives.

But it was the perfect cover. And why not? She’d at least be doing some good service while keeping her mind busy at the same time.

Why not pour her heart into working to change images through advertising? Fulfill a need. Utilize her communications skills to write and design advertisements for special clients to inform the public about products and services that could help them to make their lives better. Contribute to economic growth. Yes, there were some things much more critical than love, Emma tried to convince herself.

Still, she really couldn’t live with herself knowing the doctor told her in the family meeting earlier that Gramps only had days to live. Days! How could she not want to see him happy?

Her large, tearful brown eyes surveyed his aging, graceful face as if each blessed, earned wrinkle had a story of its own to tell. Her eyes penetrated his dark, kind, tired eyes glazed over with cataracts. At one time, this same pair of eyes was so filled with life. Love. Hope.

He was all she had now.

She was all he had.

Those time-honored crow's-feet in the corners of his eyes ever so present. Each wrinkle represented wisdom and sacrifice made to his country and to his family.

“Gramps, don’t worry. I’m…I’m okay. I-”

His tears fell hard like the Texas rain. Her grandfather bellowed out in pain. Her grandfather, the stronghold of the family, loving, determined, but wore his heart on his shirt sleeves, was never afraid to weep. That took a powerful man to do that. This same man took her in when everyone else—meaning her parents—could not care for her.

Soon, the nurse would come back in and wonder what Emma did to upset this poor, dying man.

“Gramps, I didn’t want to tell you before but…I’m seeing someone. I am getting married.” Liar.

Emma bit down on her full, defined lips. Anything to make him happy—a dying man’s last wish. But before Emma could stop herself, she swallowed another hard lump of reality. What did she just do? Did she just tell a lie to spare his feelings? She could shoot herself. But she hoped he didn’t hear amongst his own wailing.

As if someone turned off a faucet, his flow of tears almost dried up immediately.

“What did you just say, darling’?” He sniffled and grabbed a tissue at the bedside to dab at his tears, his shaky hand removed his spectacles while the other free one wiped his eyes.

“I’m…you know…” Hesitation. Crackles shadowed her vocal chords.

“Getting married? Sweetheart, that’s wonderful news. Why didn’t you tell your dear old Gramps before? Getting me all worried. Who’s the lucky guy? What’s his name?” He peered over his spectacles. A light seemed to beam from his face.

Okay, now what do I say?

“Um…”

Think, Emma. Think.

“Evan.” She could kick herself. By the time she was through she would be beaten and worn.

“Evan who?”

Okay.

“Fletcher.” Good Lord. Okay, now I’ve done it. What’s wrong with me?

She tried to convince herself she wasn’t entirely dishonest. She was seeing her sexy, heart-stopping, gorgeous boss Evan for the sole purpose of work—every day. They worked closely at the agency for the past three years—sometimes late nights to meet tight deadlines, travelling together. He’d promoted her from

new grad receptionist to office manager to account coordinator and possibly more. He’d always believed in her. She admired him from afar. Though Evan was as distant as a star in the galaxy from Earth. Okay, so he was a self-professed bachelor who had made it known to staff he despises the institution called marriage. He’d never know about this little secret lie she just spilled out to her grandfather.

Emma’s BlackBerry vibrated with a gentle hum. It was the office. Evan probably wanted to know where she was—since they had that important conference call shortly.

“I’d love to see him,” her grandfather blurted out. “When are you going to bring him by so that we can meet?”

Emma’s entire body stiffened.

Excerpt (Chapter 1) Accidentally Married to the Billionaireby Shadonna RichardsWhen Kira Watson, a normally shy reporter, wakes up in a Las Vegas hotel room with a gorgeous man in her bathroom, her jaw drops open. He tells her that he is Alessandro, her new husband, but just for the weekend. Alessandro was the man she was sent to write a story about—but how did she end up his weekend wife? 

Sexy, arrogant tycoon Alessandro Romano goes to Las Vegas to clench the most important deal for his business. What he did not bargain for was sweet undercover reporter Kira Watson. After a few drinks they end up tying the knot on the spur of the moment in a drive-through wedding on the Vegas Strip. She is perfect to play his temporary wife for the weekend so that he can persuade his business partners and the press that he is a family man—but the rules soon change when passion begins to sizzle between them. 

1. I will never drink again! 

Kira Watson’s head pounded like a bass drum when she woke up from her first real hangover in years. She froze when she heard the buzzing sound of an electrical device coming from the bathroom of her hotel suite.

Oh, God! Please tell me I didn’t do anything stupid last night.

The last thing she remembered was coming to Las Vegas, Nevada on an assignment with a new job to cover the bidding for a large facility near Disneyland in Orlando, Florida. Billionaires from around the world were meeting at a prestigious hotel just outside of Vegas with their proposals of what they would do with the facility. All eyes were on one man who wanted to change it into the world’s largest children’s hospital and thought it would be the best location. Kira’s twin had died of a rare childhood disorder and she hoped whoever won the bid would be turn the sought after building into a world-renowned facility to help sick children from around the world—regardless of their family income.

That was pretty much what she remembered.

She also remembered not having anything to eat then drinking champagne at some reception at the hotel—a few glasses too many, probably, and feeling tipsy. She’d spoken to a nice gentleman but that was it. Wasn’t it?

“Who’s in there?” she moaned while pressing her hand to her head to stop the hammering inside her skull.

Talking to strangers or picking up guys was never her thing and never would be. She pulled the sheets over her body and propped herself up in the bed.

Just then, the door swung open and so did Kira’s mouth when a gorgeous naked man walked out with nothing but a towel over his midsection holding what appeared to be an electric toothbrush.

“Oh, my God!”

“Good morning, beautiful,” the sexy stranger said with a dimpled grin on his face. His voice was deep and smooth like warm honey. He tilted his head to the right as if surveying her with his smooth eyes.

Kira could not speak for a moment. His silky voice caused a reaction within her, sending waves of excitement and bewilderment down her spine.

She’d seen good looking guys before but he was…stunning. Drop-dead gorgeous!

Her eyes captured his tall, lean frame and ripped muscles on his firm body. She gaped at his beautiful tanned complexion, his six-pack, biceps, and the taut nipples on his muscular chest. The body of someone who obviously worked out at the gym a lot. No, the body of a Greek god!

His dark sexy eyes resembled a delicious shade of milk chocolate. Ooh, he was hot! Yummy!

“Um…I’m sorry but this might sound a bit…rude but…” Kira sucked in a deep breath, “…who the hell are you? And what are you doing in my room?”

A grin touched the corner of the sinfully handsome stranger’s full lips. His expression, a bit perplexed. “The name’s Romano. Alessandro Romano. Now, honey, is that anyway to greet your…Wait a minute! You don’t remember anything about last night?”

Kira instinctively pulled the sheets up to cover her bosom under her lingerie. Thankfully, she was not naked. “No.”

“Don’t worry, darling. I don’t do comatose women.”

Kira looked aghast.

Alessandro’s expression softened when he saw her reaction. “Relax. I’m just kidding. About you being comatose. We did not have sexual intercourse if that’s what you are worrying about. You can breathe now.” He placed his toothbrush between his lips and turned the motor on. She caught his eyes sliding down her body as if he knew what was underneath the sheet and her nightie.

Kira didn’t realize she was holding her breath but exhaled sharply. She also didn’t realize how much she wanted a part of her in between his lips instead of the toothbrush.

Stop it, Kira! Get your mind out of there. He’s…Did he say, Alessandro Romano? That name. That name sounds so familiar. Where did she hear it from?

Oh, God!

Alessandro Romano!

One of the billionaires bidding for the facility in Orlando!

She’d spent so much time researching Alessandro’s background that she felt she knew a lot about him. At age thirty-five, he was one of the youngest self-made billionaires. He was also one of the most generous philanthropists, giving away more of his income than any other wealthy tycoon. But he also had a mysterious side. And…he looked so much different from the few photos she found of him on the web. For instance, he always wore his trademark shades in public.

She just got the new assignment from her employer, Babs Insider Magazine, to cover the story that was supposed to be titled “The Bidding War Begins! Let the Best Man Win.” Their other reporter got sick and couldn’t make the trip.

She held her head again at that thought. God, she would never have another drink so long as she lived and that would suit her just fine.

“Seemed like you had a bit too much to drink, my dear. After we…”

“After we what?” Kira’s heart pounded hard and fast in her chest now. She thought she was going to have a panic attack. This could not be happening. No way could this be happening. She was usually careful. She didn’t do exciting things…like this. This was all so out of character for her. Her sister was the fun one. Kandy’s motto had always been “life is short, so live it up!”

Just then her head started to throb again. So did her inner thighs. How could she hold a proper conversation when he was…dripping with sexual eroticism?

“Relax, Kira! We just got married,” he said as he returned to brushing his teeth as if he said nothing out of the ordinary.

“We just got what?”

Kira felt her heart stop.

Shadonna Richards enjoys reading and writing about the magic of romance and the power of love. She has sold over 260,000 copies of her bestselling romance novels, the Bride Series and Whirlwind Romance Series, in the past eighteen months. Born in London, England, she has a B.A. Degree in Psychology and a Diploma in Nursing. She is also the author of the non-fiction books, A Gift of Hope, Count Your Blessings and Think & Be Happy: 365 Empowering Thoughts to Lift Your Spirit (an Amazon Kindle #1 Bestseller in Meditation). Winner of Harlequin's So You Think You Can Write 2010 Day Two Challenge, she is also a member of Romance Writers of America. She's a proud mommy and wife and lives in Canada with her husband and son.



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Blog Tour: Jealousy by Jenna Galicki

Welcome to our stop on the Jealousy Blog Tour!



TITLE – Jealousy AUTHOR – Jenna GalickiRELEASE DATE – July 3, 2013GENRE – Contemporary Romance

When Heather Cooper married Peter, she thought that she had finally found someone who could handle the inseparable bond she shares with her gay best friend, Justin Perrotta. It’s only a matter of time, however, before jealousy rears its ugly head and Peter’s true feelings emerge. He starts drinking and his erratic behavior threatens their marriage.

Burned by an ex-boyfriend, Justin refuses to open his heart to love again. Wild relationships and one night stands leave him lonely and unfulfilled, even though he will not admit it. He finds love when he least expects it, but his fear of commitment threatens to ruin the best thing that has ever happened to him.

In this modern day ‘Will and Grace’ meets ‘Sex and the City’, two best friends, a straight woman and a gay man, struggle to find someone to love as much as they love each other.





Justin lay on the cold, hard operating table with his arms outstretched. He looked like he was being crucified. A large round light blared down on him, like a giant sun. A nurse methodically attached an IV to his right arm and another strapped a blood pressure cuff to his left. A third nurse hooked him up to an EKG machine, and yet another nurse counted out surgical instruments and placed them on a tray. The light reflected off of the highly polished implements like a mirror, and temporarily blinded him. One of the other nurses turned on a monitor behind his head, and its constant beeping rang in his ears. His heart pounded in his chest and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Again, he wished he took the sedative.
Justin looked from face to unrecognizable face. They all looked the same behind pale blue masks and surgical caps. At last he found a pair of bright green eyes smiling at him. He forgot that Kenny was next to him, holding his hand.
Kenny stroked it with reassurance. “Everything’s fine, honey. I’m right here. Just take a couple of deep breaths.”
The anesthesiologist asked Justin several questions. He watched the movements of the anesthesiologist’s hands as they prepared the narcotic that would render him unconscious. The doctor inserted the needle into a tiny jar of fluid and pulled the plunger back. Clear liquid filled the barrel of the syringe, and the doctor held it up to the light to examine its contents. He depressed the plunger slightly, and a small squirt of the drug shot out the top of the needle and into the air. It took the doctor eight seconds, at most, to fill the syringe, but to Justin, it felt like an hour.
The anesthesiologist held up the syringe with a gloved hand. “Are you ready, Mr. Perrotta?”
Justin turned to Kenny. “Make sure you take care of Heather, in case . . .”
“Don’t you worry about anything, honey.”
The anesthesia traveled through Justin’s veins. He tried to blink, but his lids were too heavy. As he drifted off into unconsciousness, his last thoughts were of Heather.


I am a newly published author of adult contemporary romance, geared toward male/male romance.

My debut novel, Jealousy, is a modern day 'Will & Grace' meets 'Sex & the City' - only hotter. A reviewer recently gave me a a tremendous compliment by comparing it to 'Jane Austen' meets '50 Shades".

In Jealousy, I am blending genres, in that it has both m/f and m/m romance. I am introducing the reader to m/m romance, in a way that is tender, touching and loving. I want to make m/m romance novels mainstream in the literary industry. I want to take it from the back shelf and put it on the front shelf. I want to walk into a major retail book store and see boy meets boy, right along side boy meets girl.



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