Carrie Elks's Blog, page 29

Wednesday Rambles – where I talk about blankets, books and coffee.

This is what I wish I’d been doing this week. Curled up under a blanket, with a steaming cup of coffee, reading the latest release that everybody is raving about. Instead, I’ve been busy writing, marketing and editing … oh yeah, and publishing a book! I’m really delighted with how well Halfway Hidden has been received, thanks to all of you for your support.

In other news, it’s been getting colder here. As I type on my laptop, I’m sitting on my sofa under a blanket, trying not to shiver. Rain is pouring down the big picture window, and all I can think is that my poor child is currently at a running competition. School isn’t for the fainthearted! On the plus side, it’s the perfect weather for doing nothing but reading and writing, and I’m going to use the excuse to get down to some serious work.

My to-be-read list is growing like topsy, and top of the list is the latest release from S. Walden, Better.

Their relationship has been exposed, and now their lives are changed forever.

For Cadence Miller, the fast track to adulthood proves intimidating and frustrating. She’s a little girl lost—abandoned by her family and uncertain of her future. She doesn’t think she “fits” anywhere. She’s eighteen. She wants to be older. And the result is both comical and heartbreaking.

Mark Connelly will do anything to provide Cadence a stable, loving home—to be her protector. But he’s just as broken and lost, and his heart won’t let go of his past so easily. He knows he should share his secret with Cadence. He should trust that she’ll understand. But what if she doesn’t? What if their love doesn’t grow stronger?

What if it doesn’t get better?

Better is the follow up to S. Walden’s first book, Good, which I reviewed here.

I’m determined to carve out some time this weekend to read it, and I hope to be able to review it on next week’s “What to Read Wednesday.” In the meantime, I’m going to snuggle under my blanket and do some writing. I’ve nearly finished the book I’m working on, and hope to be able to share some news on it very soon!

Have a great week, everybody, and I’ll see you on Friday.

Release Day 1.2 – Halfway Hidden

Halfway Hidden is the exciting new novella from debut author Carrie Elks. Keep reading for information on the book, where to buy, and an exciting giveaway.

When fear mixes with desire, who can you trust?

Rachel Stone is stuck, contemplating that very question. Spending her time as a bartender in an isolated West Virginia town, she hides behind dark hair and an assumed name. She exists from day to day, trying not to let her past overwhelm her. When a tall stranger walks into the bar at closing time, her attempts at hiding turn to dust. Muscled and intense, he is attractive enough for Rachel to ignore her instincts and listen to her baser desires. As a storm brews in the skies of West Virginia, confusion builds in Rachel’s mind. What begins as flirtation explodes into a darker, more primal passion, leading her to question everything she thought she knew. While snow blankets the outside world, they are forced to remain inside, confronting their demons and the sizzling attraction between them. Submitting to their urges is easy; learning who to trust is anything but.

Carrie Elks lives near London, England and loves to write sexy stories with a dash of intrigue. At the age of twenty-one she left college with a political science degree, a healthy overdraft and a soon-to-be husband. She loves to travel and meet new people, and has lived in the USA and Switzerland as well as the UK. Nowadays, she spends her days sorting out people’s problems at work and her evenings glued to a computer keyboard. An avid social networker, she tries to limit her Facebook and twitter time to stolen moments between writing chapters. Her favorite authors include L.H. Cosway, Samantha Young, Cara McKenna and C.J. Roberts. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can usually be found baking, drinking wine or working out how to combine the two.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Halfway Hidden – Teaser 3

This is the third and final teaser for Halfway Hidden. Stay tuned for exciting news on it’s release. Many thanks to Lucia from Reading is my Breathing blog for providing me with the pictures.

“You need to tell me if it gets too much, okay? I don’t want to hurt you.” Murphy leaned toward her, gathering her hair in the palm of his hand and using it to pull her up to standing. Having her hands tied behind her back made her a little unsteady, and he drew her closely against him to stop her from falling. His grasp made her breath quicken, like there was a direct connection between her head and her lungs. She tried to control it, to get the oxygen where she needed it, but one deep breath and she was overwhelmed.

He was too much.

She pulled in another breath, not wanting him to know how much he was affecting her. “Maybe you’re the one who should worry about getting hurt.”

Halfway Hidden – Teaser 2

I’ll be posting teaser pictures and excerpts from Halfway Hidden right up to publication day. Many thanks to Lucia from Reading is my Breathing blog for providing me with the pictures.

She glanced at Murphy’s left hand again. There was no ring, no light skin or depression where one used to be. Not that those indicators were foolproof—there were lots of men who never wore wedding rings, after all—but life had taught her to read people. Everything about this guy was screaming single, a dark, interested stranger with secrets he didn’t want to share. 

That didn’t worry her—not one little bit. She had secrets too, and she was damned certain she wasn’t going to share them with him. She preferred to think about the way her thighs warmed whenever he caught her gaze, her body aching for his touch. For the first time in forever, she wanted to be with somebody. His constant stare told her maybe he felt the same.

Halfway Hidden – Teaser 1

I’ll be posting teaser pictures and excerpts from Halfway Hidden right up to publication day. Many thanks to Lucia from Reading is my Breathing blog for providing me with the pictures.

TEASER

She lingered for a moment, letting Murphy drink in the view before pulling her panties down too, baring herself before him. She watched his eyes darken at the sight.

Heat burned in her belly like a ball of fire. This was a dangerous game, but her body didn’t seem to be getting the message. Murphy couldn’t drag his eyes away, his stare piercing, as she laid herself bare. A surge of euphoria washed through her body. She’d forgotten how good it felt to be able to use her sexuality, to ward off fear with seduction. It wasn’t that she used sex as a weapon as much as a shield, like a buffer between the hunter and hunted. During her time in Boston, her acquiescence wasn’t a weakness, it was her strength, and if she enjoyed the sense of power it gave her right now, then she’d take it. She was hardwired to survive, no matter how tired she got of fighting.

But there was something about him, some signal he was giving off, that made her think he wanted this. A shadow behind his eye, maybe, or the way his lip curled up at the corner. It wasn’t just that he was good looking, though that was enough to make her burn. It was more than that. He had a hard edge to him, but there was softness as well. She wanted him on her side.

Fabulous Friday – where I get a little bit over-excited

So here it is again. Just like clockwork, Friday seems to come around every seven days no matter how busy the week has been. As usual I’m more than happy to see her lovely face. In spite of the rain, the dark evenings, and the nagging feeling that there’s something I’ve got to do (please don’t mention Christmas shopping), I’m in a great mood, and really looking forward to next week.

Why, you may ask. And even if you don’t, I’ll give you an answer. Because there’s less than a week to go until I release Halfway Hidden. YAY!

This is me, right now.

In celebration of the upcoming release, I’ll be posting excerpts on my blog from Monday to Wednesday. Please come and take a look and tell me what you think.

I also wrote a guest blog for The First Place to the Last blog this week, professing my love for the new book by M.Pierce, Night Owl. If you haven’t read this one yet, I highly recommend it. I couldn’t drag my eyes away from the page.

Well, that’s about it for now. I hope to see you here on Monday for the first excerpt from Halfway Hidden. In the meantime, here’s to a great weekend.

What to Read Wednesday – See Jayne Play by Jami Denise

Jayne King lived in a world of players. She’d been groomed by her father to win, taking no prisoners in her quest to reach the top.

But, it was never enough. She wanted out, and just when she finds her escape, she’s pulled back into the underground crime world of Las Vegas. One phone call spins her life out of control, and she once again has to live her life behind a mask of lies.

Her body is for sale, but her heart is off limits.

Flynn Maguire, professional gambler and notorious ladies’ man, always wins. Always. As the heir to the Maguire Grand Hotel and Casino fortune, he’s always had his desires delivered on a silver platter. When he crosses paths with Jayne King, he will stop at nothing to have her.

Nothing has ever stood between him and what he wanted, and there wasn’t an amount of money he wouldn’t pay to own her. He realizes too late, that money can’t buy her heart, and he finds himself in a place he never thought he’d be. Out of Luck.

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

Jayne is down on her luck. Her father has been kidnapped, and she hasn’t got the money to set him free. So she does what any other good daughter would do, uses her assets to leverage his freedom. Unfortunately for her, this means her looks; the one thing she’s always been able to trade on.

Early on in the story, we meet Flynn Maguire. A hot son of a Las Vegas scion, he works hard, plays hard and loves a damn sight harder. Like me, Jayne falls for him hard. But every time she sees him, he uses something to push her away. A word, an action, the company of another woman. She needs the money he pays for her company to pass on to her father’s kidnappers, so she submits to his demands. As their passion grows, so does the tension within the Las Vegas gambling fraternity, as Jayne starts to learn who she can trust, and who she can’t.

As the story progresses, we learn there is more connecting the two of them than just hot, steamy desire, though that was more than enough to keep my interest. There’s a complicated history between them, one that comes to an exploding climax near the end of the first book. And though I’m loathe to give away more of the plot than that, rest assured I’m left in no doubt that the second installment will be even hotter and more action packed than the first.

This is the author’s first foray into published fiction, and I’m impressed by the characterization, plot and standard of writing. Though this story is short (novella length) it is action packed, and kept my eyes glued to the screen of my kindle. I’m really looking forward to hearing more from Jami Denise.

Jami Denise is a romance writer from Southern California. While she waits for the next felon to come along and sweep her off her feet, she writes about swoony bad boys and sassy girls that make them squirm. She also loves cats, cars, cupcake flavored lip balm, and cherry limeade.

Cover Reveal – Seducing Anne by Chanse Lowell

Symptoms of time travel are never fun—ask Guy Moore. He just returned, and now he’s being thrown back in time. His assignment? To impregnate Anne Boleyn. As an agent of SHROAG, he’s completed more assignments than any other agent, and is ready to retire. Too bad Elizabeth I needs to be born to preserve history, and his DNA is the only one to do it. How will Guy seduce Anne, the woman who kept Henry VIII at arm’s length for over seven years? And how will he keep from falling for her in his efforts?

“I will be there tonight—for you. Not for him. And I will touch you. If you do not want me to do that, then I will not be there.”

She sucked in some air, and her gaze went up to the ceiling.

“Lavender lady—do you want me there? Do you want me to touch you in front of the king and everyone else?”

She remained mute and stoic.

“When you make a decision, find me. I will await your answer.” He dropped his grip, releasing her chin.

“Yes, sir.”

“What was that? Are you saying I can touch you at dinner?”

“Yes, sir,” she repeated.

His groin tightened. She really was sweet and very beautiful, and her submissiveness came to her naturally when she wasn’t struggling to fit herself into a man’s world.

“I will protect you. I will be there for you, and Henry will not touch you while I am around. If I am to play with you, then you are mine. No one else’s. I do not share, Lady Anne. So, when you are ready to take him as your lover, then you release me, and I will be gone from your life.”

She made a quiet whimpering noise and her eyes twisted as if in pain.

“Look at me—eyes on mine,” he said.

Her gaze roamed down to his.

“As your lord and sir, you will always wear your hair down like this when you are around me. I want it soft, straight and virginal—pure like you. I want you always smelling of lavender and finding some way to please me each day, even if it is something small.”

She sagged for a moment. Were her knees buckling on her?

He gripped her by the upper arms. “Follow these guidelines, and I am at your disposal. Any time you need me, you ask, and I will be there.”

Her lips drifted into a small, but sweet, smile. “Thank you, sir.”

“You are a naturally kind woman. Court life has hardened you—and I intend to undo that.”

Her face fell.

His hands on her arms loosened.

“That would be the death of me. We all have parts to play at court,” she said, her voice soft.

“And you have yours—serve and please me, and you will have everything you have ever desired. That I vow.”

Chanse Lowell grew up in the desert southwest and still lives there with her husband, children, and pet cactus. She’s addicted to three things—reading erotica, writing erotica and sandwiches with a side of erotica to aid with digestion. She grew up watching programs with science fiction and historical fiction themes, and is determined she can combine her three favorite genres, creating a new breed of novel with scifi, historical and smut sandwiched in the middle.

The last thing she ever thought she’d do was pursue her dream to be a writer since her family tends to keep her busy. When she was introduced to fan fiction, she realized she wanted to see more science fiction and historical fiction to fill in the gap with lots of naughtiness thrown in, of course. Her true passion is creating her own worlds from scratch, letting her imagination go and take her to another place.

Having recently entered the BDSM lifestyle and discovering she’s a submissive herself has opened her eyes to how few stories there are exploring the softer side of the lifestyle. She enjoys chatting online with others with similar kinky interests and has advisers in the lifestyle that help make sure her stories remain true and don’t veer off into outer space. Although aliens probably enjoy kink, too, since they like to dress in rubber fetish-wear while traveling. At least that’s her argument for why her new genre she’s created is valid.

Cover Reveal – Into the Storm by Melanie Moreland

Happy Friday! Today I’m delighted to present the cover reveal for Into the Storm by Melanie Moreland. She is a great friend of mine, and has been writing and posting online for a few years. Her work is read and loved by many. Into the Storm will be her first published work, and I can’t wait to be able to buy a copy. The beautiful cover was made by Mayhem Cover Creations. 

She is a woman on the run. Pain, loneliness and terror are what she is leaving. Where she is headed doesn’t matter as long as it’s away from the hell her life has become.

Joshua Bennett is trapped in a prison of his own making by the memories of his past. Traumatized and isolated, he is a reclusive writer, living a quiet, lonely life, his only companion his dog, Bear. It is what he knows, what he has accepted to be his life.

One dark night, one huge storm, and one ice patch brings them together. He finds himself with an unexpected houseguest with no memory. She wakes up a stranger to herself and the man watching her. Even more mysterious is the lack of any sort of identification with her or in her car. She is an enigma to both of them.

Trapped by the storm and isolated from the outside world, they slowly open up, learning to trust and love, until the world once again shows up, threatening the fragile peace of their newly discovered world, and tearing them apart.

There are many twists and turns as they struggle to find each other, overcoming both the mental and physical elements that keep them apart.

A story about overcoming our fears, finding love and learning to live again.

Melanie Moreland lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her husband and fur children. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.

Known as the quiet one with the big laugh, Melanie works at a local university and for its football team.  Her (box) office job, while demanding, is rewarding as she cheers on her team to victory.

While seriously addicted to coffee, and somewhat challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties and socialize, and also enjoys travelling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.

Melanie delights in a good romance story with some bumps along the way, but is a true believer in happily ever after.  When her head isn’t buried in a book, it is bent over a keyboard, furiously typing away as her characters dictate their creative storylines, to let her share them with her readers.

What to read Wednesday – Unbound by Cara McKenna

She set out to find herself, and discovered the darker side of desire.

Merry’s lost a lot recently—first her mother, then close to a hundred pounds. Feeling adrift, she strikes out in search of perspective. A three-week hike through the Scottish Highlands was supposed to challenge her new body and refocus her priorities, but when disaster strikes, she’s forced to seek refuge in the remote home of a brooding, handsome stranger…

Rob exiled himself to the Highlands years ago, desperate to escape his own self-destruction. Haunted by regrets, he avoids human contact at all costs…but when Merry turns up injured, he can’t very well run her off. And as he nurses her back to health, Rob can’t resist his guest’s sweet demeanor—or her flirtatious advances. The igniting passion between them rouses a secret appetite Rob has long struggled to keep hidden. But Merry craves nothing more than to help Rob surrender to his desires, and the journey draws the lovers into an entirelydifferent kind of wilderness.

I have the biggest girl-crush on Cara Mckenna. Since I first read another of her books, Willing Victim, she’s been on my list of must-read authors. Whenever she has a new book coming out I find myself eyeing up the calendar like it’s my birthday. It’s fair to say that as soon as I opened the book, I was expecting it to be great.

I’m delighted to say McKenna didn’t disappoint. While the hero—Rob Rush—deviates from her usual, built, alpha male, (in attitude if not in physique) he was a beautifully depicted character. His flaws and problems have led him to hole himself up in a shack in the middle of the Scottish Highlands, far away from civilized society.

It’s here that the heroine—Merry—first encounters him. She’s been hiking in the Scottish hills and has been struck down by a vomiting bug. In need of shelter and medical help, she finds herself hammering at Rob’s ramshackle door.

What follows is a journey into the unknown for the both of them. At first they are wary of each other, Rob is taciturn and stoic, Merry over-talkative and grating. But gradually they become attracted to each other, leading to a hot encounter with a bed and a length of rope.

But the path of true love, or lust, never did run smooth. For Rob is a recovering alcoholic, and Merry is intent on returning to civilization and dragging him with her. When they both reach Inverness, he is confronted by the easy acquisition of alcohol for the first time in years. What follows is cataclysmic for them both.

An erotic romance that reaches deep into the psyche of both protagonists, Unbound isn’t always the easiest read. For those who prefer their men to be the dominants in a BDSM encounter, this may be challenging. For me, though, I loved the way the story made me question what I found attractive in a man, and made me realize that a hero doesn’t have to be an alpha to be hot as hell. It’s a testament to Cara McKenna’s excellent writing that I found myself falling a little in love with Rob Rush right alongside Merry.

I’d give this story five, rope-burned, hot as hell stars.