Cathrina Constantine's Blog, page 26

Cover Reveal: BREATHLESS by Georgia Lyn Hunter #romance

Title: BreathlessGenre: A Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: January 17th 2017

When the fairy tale life you believed in falls apart, there is nothing else left…
Or so I believed, until Trouble, wrapped in one hunky body and a sinful smile promising untold pleasure of the carnal kind, lands on my doorstep. Despite what my body demands or the fact that I'm irresistibly drawn to him, I’d been burned too deeply to dare try again. Besides, Max Meade-Sinclair is my younger sister’s best friend—and totally off-limits.
Ila Logan’s coolly dismissive manner captures and challenges me from the moment our paths cross. What I want, I usually get. A little thing like age isn’t going to stop me. Neither are the men who disappear into her secluded room. However, she proves a difficult opponent who leaves me falling for her a little more at each encounter.This tempestuous woman is mine, but to win her, I must dig deeper, and show her that beneath my brawling, player facade exists a man who would go to the ends of the earth to make her happy.But surviving my own dark past may just destroy the fragile bond growing between us…

Pre-order link:Amazon: http://amzn.to/2eWaahq



 Georgia Lyn Hunter hails from the tropical climes of South Africa and currently lives in the searing Middle East.She’s been creating stories from the moment she could string two words together. And no matter the tale, they always have romance woven through them. When not writing or plotting her next book, she can be found reading, travelling, painting, or trolling flea markets where she loves to buy things she might never actually use because they’re so pretty.After working in a few jobs, all Art related, she’s finally found her passion: writing. There really is no other job she’d rather be doing.

Author’s follow links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest| Goodreads | Instagram

#CTST

Celebrate the Small Things Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog
I received my first section of edits back from my editor. A lot of red. Talk about feeling insecure about my writing. I always get this way ~ depressed thinking I should quit writing when I see my errors.
I have a reprieve from babysitting my grand babies due to a day off at my daughter's school. I love them to the moon and back, but the day off is very nice. 
To all those who paid the ultimate price, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

PRAH, CONSTANTINE, BARYEH REVIEW TEAM: HALLOWEEN KISSES #romance

This month our review team choseHIS HALLOWEEN KISSESByKathy Bosman

Ali’s never been so scared. She’s housesitting for a colleague on Halloween night, but the lights have gone out, and terrible noises and crashes send her imagination into overdrive. When her brother’s friend comes to her rescue, he kisses her in the dark three times. Once back in the light, Ali is embarrassed at allowing him to kiss her. Byron tries to ignore his strong attraction for Ali, especially seeing he’s not ready for a relationship. When Ali finds out why, she runs away, but life has other plans. What can bring them together? Fate, faith, or the memory of his Halloween kisses?


Cathrina's Review:

The author Kathy Bosman has crafted a sweet romance. Ali and Byron meet with their own personal baggage, which causes tension and the reasoning why they shouldn't be a couple. 

However, the strong attraction between them grows and then unusual circumstances puts them back together. I never leave spoilers, and you'll want to know if they can overcome their personal obstacles?

This short novella is a quick easy read. 

Let's hop over to Nana and Empi's blog and read their reviews!!!

WICKEDLY THEY COME AUDIO #fantasy #paranormal #thriller

I'm pleased to announce WICKEDLY THEY COME is now available in AUDIO

A Gripping Dark Fantasy!
A Destined Prophecy: “The White Warrior will be one with Lucifer and God will weep.”

Haunting visions and supernatural talents are the norm for the sixteen-year-old warrior, Jordan and her mother Seeley. Together with their formidable angels they find themselves in peril when a wicked sorcerer is determined to fulfill the prophecy to his lord, Lucifer.

After an ominous vision of spirits inhabiting teenagers in a local school, Jordan enrolls in the social culture of teendom at Elma High to combat soulless demons. She encounters Mark, a mysterious new classmate, who is hell bent on keeping her unscathed from the forces of evil.

The battle between Heaven and Hell is escalating—and 
Earth is their battleground.



And guess what? My publisher was kind enough to supply me with few to giveaway to readers who are willing to listen and review the Audio version on Amazon.
If anyone would like me to gift you the Audio Version of WICKEDLY THEY COME please comment below and add your email, or send me an email at cathrinaconstantine@gmail.com

#CTST

Celebrate the Small Things Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog
In writing, I'm sending my manuscript to an editor today to polish it up. One beta reader said, "It's fantastic." Her words put a smile on my face. 
I've taken down the Halloween decorations and replaced them with Thanksgiving. The leaves on our tree turns yellow, then orange, and then a brilliant fuchsia, but a rain storm came along and most of that gorgeousness has frittered to the ground.  I'm also in the process of canning homemade applesauce. You can't beat the yumminess of it!!
What are you celebrating this week?

#IWSG THE INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Join Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!



Alex's awesome co-hosts are Joylene Novell Butler, Jen Chandler, Mary Aalgaard, Lisa Buie Collard, Tamara Narayan, Tyrean Martinson, and Christine Rains!
November 2 Question: What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?
First of all, my favorite aspect of being a writer is the freedom to work anywhere my heart desires. Then to be able to write at any time when life lets me. I do enjoy crafting a good story. The cherry on top of all my hard work is when a complete stranger writes to tell me how much they liked my book. Or reading a surprise review that's outstanding! 

What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?

A LESSON ABOUT HALLOWEEN & ALL SAINTS DAY

ANCIENT ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN 
Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter. Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. People would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats. History of Halloween:http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween All Saints' Day (in the Roman Catholic Church officially the Solemnity of All Saints and also called All Hallows or Hallowmas), often shortened to All Saints, is a solemnity celebrated on 1 November by parts of Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity, in honor of all the saints, known and unknown. In Western Christian theology, the day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. It is a national holiday in many historically Catholic countries. In the Roman Catholic Church, the next day, All Souls' Day, specifically commemorates the departed faithful who have not yet been purified and reached heaven. Catholics celebrate All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day in the fundamental belief that there is a prayerful spiritual communion between those in the state of grace who have died and are either being purified in purgatory or are in heaven (the 'church penitent' and the 'church triumphant', respectively), and the 'church militant' who are the living. Other Christian traditions define, remember and respond to the saints in different ways.Taken from:Catholic Online:http://www.catholic.org/saints/allsaints/

#CTST CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS

Celebrate the Small Things Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog
This week the entire family has been celebrating the life of my sister-in-law, Cindy. On Sunday, she died suddenly after minor knee surgery. It's tragic. We're still in shock. She leaves behind two sets of twins, and the identical twins are autistic. 
Cindy was full of heart and snark. Only she could say inappropriate things and make an entire room roar in laughter. 
It's a Celebration of Life.
Every day we take life for granted. And each day it can be snatched away. I pray for families and people of all ages to band together to live in peaceful harmony.

Love One Another!!

Hot New Release: Kistishi Island by Jordan Elizabeth

KISTISHI ISLANDA young adult novel about what happens when your imaginary friends aren’t so imaginary after all.
Serena Cole can kick serious butt thanks to young women only she can see. School bullies aren’t her only problem. To shield Serena from a dark secret, her family tries to convince her that her friends are imaginary. 

Fleeing her distrustful aunt, Serena joins her mother on an archeological dig at Kistishi Island. There, Serena discovers an ancient scroll and realizes her invisible friends are goddesses native to the island, and they are in danger of enslavement for their abilities. Only Serena can save her friends if she can discover the past her family has hidden her entire life – the reason why only she can see the goddesses.#KISTISHI ISLAND is now available on Amazon from Clean Reads.Check out early reviews on GoodReads!#Check out Chapter 1:“How are your imaginary friends?” Serena read aloud from the black marker scrawled on her locker. Her dry lips stuck together with each word as the sarcasm stung her mind. The janitor might scrub the permanent marker, but it would always remain a faint reminder of how much people ridiculed her. The washed out marks from last week, “Schizo,” “Fake,” and “Your imaginary friends hate you,” still showed up against the brown metal. “Aw, someone cares about my day.” Krieg hovered behind, picking fuzz off her dress. “You should answer them. Write ‘Krieg says hi’ underneath.” The last thing she needed was people knowing how much she still communicated with Krieg. Serena glanced down the hallway, but the students strolling by didn’t look her way. Who could have written the graffiti? Roxanne? Her hand trembling, Serena spun the combination on her lock and jerked open the dented locker door. The hinges rattled. Did it hurt them if she had an invisible friend? As she exchanged a textbook for her social studies notes, someone bumped her butt. She lost her balance, flinging out her hand to grab the locker. “Whoops,” a boy said and snickered. Serena’s cheeks burned as she stuffed her supplies into her messenger bag. One more hour of high school and she could go home. Tomorrow she would bring another marker to scribble out the words that branded her.
Krieg leaned in close enough for Serena to smell her peppermint bubble gum, and said, “Bludgeon them. It’s the only way to get them to shut up.”“No one’s talking about me right now.” Serena’s sneakers squeaked against the tile floor as she ducked into the classroom. Afternoon sunlight reflected off faded Holocaust posters on the off-white walls.“It’s annoying when you allow the little rodents to torment you.” Krieg stuck her tongue out at the few students settling into their seats. “Where are the beheadings and crocodile pits? How about some maiming? I want to hear screaming and bones crunching.”“This is the suburbs in the twenty-first century. People don’t do that stuff here.” Serena took her favorite seat in the back near the globe and opened her messenger bag to remove her notebook. Glancing around the room at the few students, she smiled. Since the teacher hadn’t arrived yet, she could grab a few minutes to work on her novel. Hopefully, the story would be done by her mother’s next visit. Look what I did, Mom!“Whatcha doing?” Krieg leaned her hip against the desk and rearranged the pleated folds of her silk stola. Beneath the sleeveless dress, she wore a turquoise tunic. A thin silver belt fastened beneath her breasts, and another clasped around her narrow waist.  “I’ve got an idea for chapter seven of my Jennifer Erik story.” Serena pressed her pen to a clean page. “Jennifer’s going to be caught by a gargoyle.” Roxanne stalked from two rows over and blinked her glittered eyelids at Serena. “Did you just call me a gargoyle?” Serena tightened her fist around her pen. “No.” Her throat constricted. Why does Roxanne always have to single me out?Roxanne yanked Serena’s black notebook from the desk; the metal spirals scraped against the hard surface. Serena’s pen slipped from her hand and struck the tile floor, the sound eerily loud. Fail. She hadn’t made it through that last hour of the school day. “I wasn’t talking to you.” “Who were you talking to? Your imaginary friends?” Roxanne bent the notebook, her biceps flexing beneath the short sleeves of her skull-and-crossbones T-shirt. Serena cringed. Even though she would still be able to read the words, her stomach twisted into a knot. It wouldn’t be the same as having the pages crisp, new.“I told you to bludgeon everyone before they could start on you.” Krieg rubbed her knuckles together. “Forget to do your homework again?” Roxanne asked. “It’s not my homework—”“Maybe they should put you in Special Ed.”Blood drained from Serena’s head, her heartbeat ringing in her ears. Classmates stopped getting out supplies from their backpacks to stare. Of course Roxanne would have to bring that up. Serena toyed with her nose ring to calm her nerves. I will not fight back.Krieg flounced across the room to push Roxanne’s baseball cap off her desk and jumped aside when a boy almost walked into her. He stopped to pick up the hat, and Krieg pointed at his bottom as he bent. She lifted her foot in a mock kick. “You know you want to.” Serena drew a deep breath, dragging her gaze away from Krieg and back to Roxanne. “Please give my notebook back.”One, two, three… uno, dos, tres… Her last psychiatrist promised counting in foreign languages would help her calm down faster because it took more conscious thinking to do it. Her pulse still pounded. Serena wouldn’t react. She knew better. It was just a spiral notebook.Roxanne, standing over Serena’s desk, thumbed through the pages, tearing the college-ruled paper with her thick fingers. “Your handwriting sucks.” Needles scraped across Serena’s skin with each rip.“Do something.” Krieg punched her fist into her palm.Four, five, six… no, Serena would not talk back. Seven, eight, nine… she wouldn’t say anything this time. Ten, eleven, twelve… maybe she could still make it through the final hour.“What is this crap?” Roxanne ripped out a page. Smirking, she crumpled the paper and tossed it at the garbage can in the back of the room. “Don’t let her ruin your story.” Disgust coated Krieg’s words; she spat them out as if they were spoiled milk. Eyes narrowed, Krieg brushed her hand across Serena’s shoulder. Electricity shot through her body, arching her back.“Give it back!” Serena launched to her feet. No, not again. She grabbed the notebook with two hands while she jammed her shoulder into Roxanne’s sternum. The force knocked Roxanne backward, but she clung to the notebook, dragging Serena with her as she hit the floor. Roxanne rolled until her muscled frame pressed against Serena’s ribs, forcing the breath from her lungs. Serena squirmed to get away, bumping her leg against a desk. She wouldn’t fight, didn’t want to, couldn’t, not here, not again…Krieg’s voice echoed in her mind. Squelch her. Tie her to the rack.“Cool. A fight.” A girl sitting across the aisle from Serena laughed. I don’t want to fight. Krieg’s electricity still burned Serena’s veins, muting her urge for peace. Even if Serena didn’t win, she wouldn’t let Roxanne walk away without a few bruises. Maybe Roxanne would finally quit bullying her. Then Serena would never have to fight again, no matter how much the urge overtook her.“You think you’re better than the rest of us?” Roxanne bared her teeth. “All alone back here, just because your mom was in National Geographic?”She wrapped her legs around Serena’s, and they rolled. Serena’s back hit another desk leg. Pain flared along her nerves. A few quick twists of her hands on Roxanne’s head, and Serena could have broken her neck the way Krieg had taught her, but she stilled. Perspiration broke out across her forehead as she forced herself not to move.“Fry her.” Bloodlust tainted Krieg’s voice. Her unbound hair hid her face, purple eyes peeking out. “You gotta see this,” a girl said from the other side of the classroom into her cell phone. “Roxanne took on Serena!”  Roxanne didn’t have to antagonize her, but if she wanted a fight, so be it. Serena slapped Roxanne’s huge, red face. Roxanne seized Serena’s wrist. Serena tried to squirm away, but Roxanne pinned her down and grabbed the edge of her sweater, yanking it up to reveal Serena’s bare chest.Serena gasped. Cheeks burning, she ripped the fabric away and tugged her sweater back down. “I…I can’t…” My aunt thinks I’m still ten and only buys me undershirts sounded pathetic, even if it was the truth. “Bras only get in the way,” Krieg yelled from Serena’s desk. “Real women go nude.” Serena’s classmates hooted laughter and her cheeks burned. A few people lifted their cameras as if to take a photo. Fantastic, just what she needed—a compromising picture of her flashing through the school. Maybe she should rip off Roxanne’s shirt to see what their classmates would do then. Mr. Clayton walked into his classroom, his beer belly straining against the front of his green button-up shirt. “The copier got jammed and I had to—” He dropped his papers. “Roxanne Bynes! Serena Cole!”   The chill of the tile floor bit through Serena’s clothes. A growing ache pulsed in the back of her head. She gritted her teeth. At least the fight was over. Krieg clapped her hands. “Who cares if Mr. Clayton’s here? Kill her already.”“Roxanne Bynes, are you going to let her up or do I have to pull you off?” Mr. Clayton rubbed the bridge of his nose.   Roxanne rolled off and wiped her cheek on her forearm. Serena remained on the floor with one hand over her head and the other resting on her stomach, eyes squeezed shut so tight they hurt. “Serena, please, I thought we discussed this before.” Mr. Clayton sighed. “Get off the floor. Both of you, head to the office. Now.” He snorted. “I’m sure your aunt will be interested in hearing about your newest escapade.” Now Aunt Nikki will have to promise the principal and the teachers, again, how I’ll behave better in school. Maybe I should have gone along with the school when they wanted to put me in Special Ed. Someone there might also have a friend like Krieg – a friend who wanted her to off people.“I’m waiting, Serena.” “Come on.” Krieg danced behind Mr. Clayton and fluttered her eyelashes. “Even you can take him on. He’s just a teacher. I doubt he’s ever been to a gym.” “I’m not fighting the teacher.” Serena opened one eye to glare at her invisible friend.“Hmm?” Mr. Clayton tapped his foot. Krieg puckered her lips at his back, making kissy sounds. Groaning, Serena stood up. Roxanne glared at Serena before she grabbed a tissue off the teacher’s desk, pressed it to her wounded cheek, and stomped from the room. “You started it,” Serena muttered. She dragged her fingers through her tangled hair before Krieg approached to tuck it behind her ears. Maybe Krieg was right, a few little twists and Serena would never have to worry about Roxanne again. Tension beat through her tight muscles. She wanted to punch a hole through the classroom wall and give Mr. Clayton something to punish her for. The thought made her snicker. Maybe she should become the delinquent everyone believed her to be and succumb to Krieg’s instigations without trying to resist.“Pick up your things and head to the office,” Mr. Clayton said. He picked up the phone near the door and dialed four numbers. “Yes, this is Clayton. I’m sending Roxanne Bynes and Serena Cole down for fighting in my classroom.” He paused. “Roxanne is on her way and Serena will leave shortly. I don’t want anything starting in the hall.”Serena snatched her notebook and slipped the ruined pages into her black bag. Blood thrummed in her ears. A few students whispered from their seats, staring at her. She wanted to wave her notebook at them and ask, “How does this make me the weirdo? I’m the victim.” Krieg leaned against Serena’s desk. “You could’ve beaten him.”Serena picked up her pen from the floor and blew on it.“Roxanne, too.” Krieg grinned. Some of her thick black hair fell over her face. “Clayton’s old. Roxanne would’ve been a little tougher, but I know you could’ve done it. It’s like they say on that box thing.”Serena stared ahead at the Smart Board. She hated it when Krieg pretended to forget English words. “Television?”“Yes, that.” Krieg tucked her wild tresses behind her elfin ears. “If you put your heart into it, you can do anything. Why don’t you believe in yourself?”“I do,” Serena whispered. I could’ve killed Roxanne. Is that what you want, Krieg? To see me behind bars with blood on my hands? What kind of imaginary friend are you?****Serena sat in a hard chair near the door to the principal’s office. She peered at the clock on the wall. Five after three. She wished she could go home already, but the principal was still lecturing Roxanne. Soon it would be her turn. Silhouettes danced through the frosted glass of the office door. Principal Reed gestured out the window and Roxanne had her arms folded, shaking her head.Krieg dropped cross-legged onto the floor beside Serena. The white stola rode up over her knees. “What if we put super glue on her chair? Then Roxanne will be stuck.” Krieg giggled.“That’s immature.” Serena groaned from behind her hand. The secretary glanced over, then returned to the files on her desk, just like last time Serena visited. She could almost read the secretary’s thoughts: Serena Cole, back with another issue.“So? It’ll be funny.” Krieg held her knees and rocked. Then she bounced to her feet, pranced to the secretary’s desk, and swiped her arm across a stack of papers to knock them onto the floor.The secretary jumped to her feet. “What was that?” “Let me help.” Serena rose, picking up an attendance form that had landed near her foot.“It’s fine. I’ll do it, but thanks.” The secretary frowned at the closed office window before accepting the form and starting on the other papers. “What a mess.”“Mayhem is fun.” Krieg returned to Serena’s side.I wish I could travel with Mom. Then I could have tutors. Serena unfastened her nose ring and dropped it into the zippered side compartment of her bag before Aunt Nikki saw she still wore it. “What do you think my dad would say if he was still alive?”“Get out your notebook,” Krieg said, “and we’ll find out.”****Dear Dad,Maybe up in Heaven, you’ll be able to read this. I’m going to burn it, and maybe you can find the ashes. Krieg told me it’s a good way to speak to the dead.  I wish you were here. I wish I could’ve met you. There’s always so much I want to say. So much I want to do with you, and sometimes I pretend you’re with me. It never feels right, though. You’re never as solid as my other imaginary friends are.Maybe it’s because you’re not imaginary. You’re dead.Krieg talks about death a lot. What do you think, Dad? Should I listen to her and fight? It feels so good.Love, Your daughter down here on Earth, Serena Stymerya Cole****Serena shut the notebook. Maybe Dad’s spirit will convince Mom to take me away from New York.#
Jordan Elizabeth is known for her odd sense of humor and her outrageous outfits.  Surrounded by bookshelves, she can often be found pounding away at her keyboard – she’s known for breaking keyboards, too.  Jordan’s young adult novels include ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW, COGLING, TREASURE DARKLY, BORN OF TREASURE, GOAT CHILDREN, VICTORIAN, and RUNNERS AND RIDERS.  KISTISHI ISLAND is her first novel with Clean Reads.  Check out her website for bonus scenes and contests.  #Win a $5 Amazon gift card!Giveaway runs from October 27 through November 10.All winners will be notified after verification of entry at the end of this promotion.  Prizes have been supplied by and the responsibility of delivery are solely that of the author and/or their representatives. Blogs are not liable for non-delivery on the part of the author. No purchase necessary.
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New Release: WHEN IT HOLDS YOU by Nicki Elson #romance & #CTST CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS

New Release!  Amazon US * Amazon UK * Amazon Canada * Amazon Australia~.~.~WHEN IT HOLDS YOU has been selected as a TOP PICK at The Romance Reviews! “Nicki Elson has become my MUST read new contemporary romance author! The sex is hot, but the emphasis is on emotions in this book. They really are made for each other.”~The Romance Reviews~.~.~WHEN IT HOLDS YOU
Virtual. That’s where she was supposed to stay—only in my online gaming life. I never intended to meet up with her in person. And I certainly hadn’t counted on her being who she is.
Cliff Walsh has dozens of hot, smart, and willing paramours in his video games. Who needs to look further? The twenty-eight year old attorney is done getting his heart smashed by real-life women who fit his perfect-mate checklist. From now on, he vows to keep his romances digital-only…until a certain redheaded gamer twists all his preconceptions and touches a place in his heart he didn’t know existed.

I always thought I knew what love would look like, but sometimes you don’t recognize it until the moment when it holds you. ~Cliff


WHEN IT HOLDS YOU is a stand-alone novel in The It Series family.

Other titles in the series:

WHEN IT HOOKS YOU, a Top Pick at The Romance Reviews

WHEN IT HITS YOU, coming January 2017

~.~.~

One Song to Rule Them AllWhenever Nicki has an author over at her place, she always asks the same question. So we thought it was only fair to turn the tables and make her answer it.

*ahem* Nicki, if you had to choose one song that best captures the essence of WHEN IT HOLDS YOU, what would it be and why?

Nicki: Why, what a fascinating question. I choose "Turn My Heart" by Nick Pitera. First, I love the song's playful yet emotional energy. It's what I hoped to capture in the telling of Cliff's story. As Nick sings, it's the story of a heart rewired—perfect for my boy Cliff, who had to sort of turn his heart off and recalibrate before opening up to true love.





~.~.~

Excerpt from WHEN IT HOLDS YOU by Nicki Elson
He bowed his head, clamping his eyes tight, as if the pressure of his eyelids could ease his internal pain. Giving up on that, he slowly opened his eyes, looking straight at the slight paunch of his bare waist curving above the waistband of his pajama pants. A workout would soothe his nerves. He’d been more faithful to the gym recently, determined to get back to fighting weight. He was making good progress, but Chicago deep-dish and beef sandwiches were wicked sirens. Lord knew he was a fool for wicked sirens…

But Trish wasn’t wicked. She was open-hearted, caring, fun, smart, and so damned beautiful. He should’ve turned and run the second he’d seen her sitting at the reception desk on his first day at River South Partners. She’d been his unattainable crush throughout undergrad when they were both at University of Iowa. He should’ve known their dynamic would never change. Instead, he took the chance reunion as a sign that his time had finally come.
Standing straight, he groaned at how wrong he’d been and lumbered to the living room. It was too late for the gym. Standing in front of the TV, he lowered to the spot on the rug that should’ve been imprinted with ass marks by now. He’d get a virtual workout via his latest video game. His abs were already perfectly toned in that world. And the beautiful girls were programmed to be into him.
He started the game and focused on doing what he needed to do to level up. If he saw something nice for the non-player character he was romancing along the way, he’d pick it up for her. If only romancing Trish could be as easy. One law degree and a promising career later, he was still jonesing for this girl—and probably always would be. A cyborg jumped in front of him. On total reflex, he leveled his ray gun, splitting the monster’s head into a hundred bits of oozing bone and metal.~.~.~

Nicki Elson writes spicy fiction with a sweet and dreamy center. She does other stuff, too...like obsess over Survivor and The Bachelor (and she's not ashamed to admit it).

Writing fiction wasn't something Nicki set out to do; it just sort of happened when she realized writing reports was by far her favorite part of her investment consulting position. She traded stock allocation and diversification for story arcs and dialogue and now weaves creative writing into her life with her family in the Chicago suburbs.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Amazon
~.~.~

Only 99 cents until October 26

Free to read in #KindleUnlimited
Celebrate the Small Things Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog
The baby shower was a success! Here's my son, Robert and Carol 

The bottom picture from left to right: My mother. Me. My four daughters, Carol & Robert, and my sister. On the writing front: I'm finishing my 3rd draft on my ms before handing it off in November to my editor.

Do you have any small celebrations?