E.G. Manetti's Blog, page 33

One of my favorite passages from Serengeti Valor

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Limbs pleasantly languid in the aftermath of passion, Lilian savors the view of milord’s long legs, well-muscled buttocks, lean waist, strong back, and broad shoulders. She knows not the source of milord’s odd humor, but until milord withdraws his license, she will indulge her desire. Lured by the enticing expanse of olive skin, she trails her fingers along one hard thigh to buttock, where she lingers to explore. Fascinated by the shape and texture, she sets lips and tongue to the exploration. The muscle tautens and shifts under her lips. Easing to her side, she meets milord’s heavy-lidded regard.

Read the rest on my wordpress blog: https://egmanetti.com/2018/01/23/valo...

Indie Spotlight on Romance: Urban Fantasy

* Reposted from Some Like it Hot group's Indie Spotlight

Once upon a time, in an alternate reality, magic is real, witches and warlocks protect the humans, demons are dangerous, and the fae are unpredictable. In other words, the basic setup for Urban Fantasy. Add in sizzling attraction between the MCs and some hot smexy times and you have Veronica Del Rosa's Enforcers and Coterie series.



The first in the series can be a little heavy on the world-building and information dumps, but it is more than redeemed by the fast-paced action, plot twists, and explosive chemistry between the MCs.

Her existence is illegal.

Julia Hill joined the Mage Enforcers to save her own life. But if her colleagues find out she’s magic resistant, they’ll execute her without hesitation. It hasn’t been a major problem—it’s not like she’s going to spill her secret—until she meets Jackson. Or, more accurately, until he kidnaps her.

A demon summoning ends in murder.

Jackson Thorne is on the run, framed for summoning and losing control of a demon. His clues are sparse and allies are hard to find. Can he trust the woman he accidentally abducted or will she turn on him the moment she has the chance?

99c purchase links.
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Resistan...
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/magi...
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/magi...
Apple:https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/magi...

7 Days until Serengeti Valor Release!

Squee. I'm so excited.

Until then, my wordpress blog has a sneak peek.

https://egmanetti.com/2018/01/09/sere...

Serengeti Valor - Available for Pre-Order! Now on Apple!

Release date: January 16, 2018.

Until then it can be pre-ordered at Amazon, Apple, and Kobo. Barnes & Noble gets the Grinch award - no pre-order feature.

Here are some major links. If you are looking for it in your local amazon store and can't find it, leave a comment.

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078KTXD1M
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078KTXD1M
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B078KTXD1M
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B078KTXD1M
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sere...
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sere...

Ruthless, devious, and ambitious, Lucius Mercio has elevated the Serengeti Group to the third wealthiest cartel in the Twelve Systems, cementing his place among the twelve most powerful members of the ruling warrior class. With Lucius’ rise, his enemies increase in both number and subtlety. Few will dare to attack Lucius directly, instead they will move in secret, targeting the most vulnerable aspects of his empire including his disgraced and reviled apprentice, Lilian.

As Lilian begins the third and final year of her trial by ordeal, she is more determined than ever to survive and repay Lucius’ protection and trust with loyalty and diligence. Expecting only the meager assignments reserved for apprentices, Lilian was stunned to receive the conservatorship of a valuable Vistrite Crevasse—an honor reserved for proven and trusted warriors. When a lethal disaster strikes Desperation Mine and Refinery and imperils Lilian’s conservatorship, hidden adversaries seize the opportunity to plot the downfall of Serengeti.

Indie Spotlight on Romance: 2017 Round Up

Reposted from Some Like it Hot Indie Spotlight.

My top picks for 2017

J.T. Geissingerand her Wicked Games series. Volume 2, Wicked Sexy has a to-die-for alpha hero, the heroine is a kick-a hacker with mad Krav Maga skills. The villain is super evil and the action and steam are non-stop.

A badass ex-Special Ops officer and a smartass hacker fight a dangerous enemy…and a blistering attraction to each other.*Bad things. Dear God, were any two sexier words ever spoken?* Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Sexy-Ga...
Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/wick...
Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wicke...
Apple:https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/wick...

Sam Cheever doesn't classify her novels as rom-com. In her words, they are "romantic paranormal/fantasy and mystery/suspense" with "great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories." All true, but any series that features a clan of studly males with names like Alistair Honeybun, Alfric Honeybun, Godric Honeybun, etc. is going to include a lot of 'made me smile' if not 'laugh out loud' moments.

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-hon...
Apple:https://itun.es/us/sFrC-.l

Mina Carter's shorts are fun and fairly priced at 99c (those that aren't free). The freebies are teasers running ~25 pages, but they are complete stories without cliffhangers. The longer works don't exceed 90 pages, and a few do price out at $2.99. But for the budget constrained, there is plenty to enjoy at the 99c.

Of the three I have read, all have been well written, intriguing riffs on common tropes and steamy enough for those who like their romances with adult content.

https://www.amazon.com/Seduced-Santa-...
https://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Cop-Par...

In her Sigma Menance series, Marie Johnston achieves entertaining with sufficient suspense and plot twists to keep the reader turning pages, and a strong romance to keep the reader invested the main characters. This first volume is free

Freebie links
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Apple:https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/feve...
Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fever...
Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/feve...

Veronica Scott does a fantastic job of world building, page-turning action, and romance writing complete with the requisite HEA. One of many standalones in her Sectors , this volume is free.

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Zulaire...
Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/escap...
Apple:https://itun.es/us/XAjzP.l
Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Que...

Rachel Chanticleer's Crescent City Arcana series features a 2,000 year old gladiator. Super-hot, of course. This is a romance blog. It is also a slow-burn. The sexual tension between the main characters is steaming hot, but no adult content for those who prefer it. Although, the author hints that future volumes may not be so restrained.

The first volume, is a free short that introduces Lucius and Beth. The newly released full length novel is a first rate UF read.

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Hunter-Witch-C...
Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-...
Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Nook:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...

Laurie Olerich Demon's After Dark series gets off to a great start with Vanek. Not all demons are evil in Ms. Olerich's universe. Some are even super-hot warriors with a strong sense of honor. Not theologically sound in this universe, but it works in this alternate version.

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M...
Apple:http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/vanek...
Kobo:http://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/vanek...
Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vanek...

Finally, no year is complete with a plug for my Twelve Systems Chronicles where duty and passion collide in smoking hot sci-fi set in an alternate universe.


FREEBIE LINKS The Cartel: The Apprentice, Volume 1
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGNFHJA
I-books: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-c...
Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-c...
Kobo:http://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-c...

UPDATE: Serengeti Valor - Cover Concept

Revised photo based on comments. Thank you all. :)

Opinions sought.

Serengeti Valor is the final stages for release January 16, 2018. Follow the link to the cover concept and let me know your thoughts and reactions.

egmanetti.com/2017/12/07/serengeti-va...

Indie Spotlight on Romance: Space Aliens

* Reposted from Some Like it Hot group's Indie Spotlight



Alien seeks bride is a popular sub-genre of Sci-fi Romance bringing new meaning to the phrase, star-crossed lovers. In an engaging mashup, Elsa Jade weaves in shifters, and cyborgs, two other hugely popular tropes. The result is the LOL antics of the couples paired by the Intergalactic Dating Agency -- where Tinder and Match.Com meet spaceships and blasters.

With space opera-esque good vs evil to leaven the romance, these books are fast paced, and relatively short at ~ 150-170 pages. To borrow from fellow author Rachel Chanticleer, these types of books are 'cotton-candy reads'. Sweet and satisfying but not particularly substantial. All the more fun for being a guilty pleasure.

He will be lord of his own solar system, but he can’t claim the homeworld until he takes a bride. He needs the right mate to win his mating rings, but choosing one female from among the neighboring systems while slighting the others could start an interstellar incident—and this ex-mercenary starship captain has finally had enough of war. Where in the universe can a runaway cyborg prince find a naïve female willing to risk her life on the dangerous frontiers of space?

Freebie links
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Star-Bri...
Nook:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alph...
Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/alph...
Apple:https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/alph...

Indie Spotlight One Romance: Demons

* Reposted from Some Like it Hot group's Indie Spotlight

Rounding out my Halloween reading, new to me author Laurie Olerich Demon's After Dark series gets off to a great start with Vanek. Not all demons are evil in Ms. Olerich's universe. Some are even super-hot warriors with a strong sense of honor. Not theologically sound in this universe, but it works in this alternate version.

An offshoot of her Primani series, I am glad I read Vanek first. The heroine of Primani is college age and new adult does not usually appeal to me. Having enjoyed Vanek, I will check out the originating series when I might not have otherwise.

Known only as Trinity demons, this band of brothers was stripped of their powers and violently exiled from Hell. Wrongly accused of an unthinkable crime, they’re left to survive with no memories and no weapons while a secret society quietly plots Lucifer’s demise.

Thanks to her family’s curse, Dylan has been promised to a sadistic soul broker demon and she’s desperate to escape a terrifying future. After an impulsive act leads her to Morningstar Sanitarium, she’s inexplicably drawn to the sad and mysterious Vanek.

Formerly one of Hell’s most renowned Painkillers, Vanek is horrified with being human until he discovers he’s been thrown into the body of a badass mercenary with a definite kinky streak and a box of sex toys. Wondering how he got so lucky, he jumps into his new role as second in command in Trinity’s ops center--Expat Security. When Dylan comes to them for help, he knows he's got to handle her case personally. As his attraction to her grows, so does the conspiracy that landed him in Brooklyn.

Purchase Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M...
Apple:http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/vanek...
Kobo:http://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/vanek...
Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vanek...

Indie Spotlight on Romance: Paranormal Urban Fantasy

* Reposted from Some Like it Hot group's Indie Spotlight

Urban Fantasy is a subgenre of Fantasy that takes place in the modern day, in recognizable urban settings. Except - magic is real. To qualify as 'Parnormal' urban fantasy there also needs to be a significant number of paranormal or supernatural characters such as shifters, fae, and in the case of Heather R. Blair's Toil and Trouble series -- demi-gods and elementals.



Typically, I don't feature e-books that are only available on one platform (aka, Amazon). However, I won a gift card recently and the Toil & Trouble series is so well liked my Goodreads friends that I decided to check it out. I'm glad I did.

Typical of the genre, Ms. Blair's series is driven by an action/adventure plot -- in this series featuring assassins, doomsday prophecies, and the threat of war. Seamlessly merged into the action is the star-crossed romance of feisty witch, Seph (Persephone) and bad-boy Jack (as in Frost) . The world-building is solid, but not super complex, plot movement page-turning, and a score of secondary characters add dimension and humor.

From a romance perspective, the trilogy is a bit of slow burn, getting progressively hotter and more explicit as the series moves forward. Don't be put off by the three volume serial that is Jack and Seph's tale. The first volume is 99c and the other two a reasonable $2.99 each.

It's not easy being a witch. Especially when you're the youngest and least talented of four sisters. But Persephone Gosse manages the same way she manages her Duluth bar, Toil & Trouble.

With hard work, a smart mouth—and a lot of whiskey.

Seph likes her quiet life...as quiet as it can be when the king of the bears wants her as his queen, a werewolf (or three) wants her dead, and her cold-as-ice ex, Jack Frost, wants...

Well, she hasn't quite figured that out yet.

But with a bounty on her head and time running out on a half-forgotten prophecy, Seph better get a clue before this witch's brew blows up in her face.

Purchase/KU Link
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sixpence-Whisk...

Wrestling the all-powerful Amazon

The saga of getting The Cartel: The Apprentice, Volume 1 perma-free on Amazon continues.

First battle won: It is now free on Amazon.com.

To come: All the other markets.

Why you may ask? No reason given by the 'Zon except:

Thank you for contacting KDP. I am happy to assist you with matching the price of your book.

The price for your book, "The Cartel: The Apprentice, Volume 1 (The Twelve Systems Chronicles)," is now $0.00. You can see the price here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGNFHJA

We retain discretion over determining our retail prices.

In the 'Zon pricing guidelines, the lowest allowable price is 99c. The only way to get a 'free listing is 1) be KDP exclusive and then you can do a free promo for a short period every 6 months; 2) List it free everywhere else and get a 'price match'.

Option 2 is how I've managed to get The Cartel: The Apprentice, Volume 1 listed Free on Amazon.com. I did provide price lists from Apple and Kobo to prove it's also free in international markets -- but so far, nada.

In the meantime, here are the US freebie links. For non-US folks who have access to Kobo, Nook, or Apple, it is free in all markets they serve. If you get your ebooks from yet a different source, drop a comment below and I'll see what I can do.

Freebie Links

I-books: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-c...
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-c...
Kobo: http://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-c...

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGNFHJA