Babs Hightower's Blog, page 126
January 15, 2015
A Hot Winter by C.J. Lake Book Blitz/Giveaway & Guest post
Giveaway at bottom of post.
Book & Author Details:A Hot Winter by C.J. Lake
Publication date: December 2nd 2014
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:
*Story contains explicit/steamy scenes that are intended for mature readers.
**All books in C.J. Lake’s Attraction Series are standalone novels with NO cliffhangers.It was supposed to be a simple job. A favor for a friend, nothing complicated. But that was before I realized who Emma was. I knew I wasn’t imagining the tension between us–still there and getting stronger every second. She wanted to keep things professional now. I suppose we’d have to try–because if we gave in…once would never be enough…
I never thought I’d see Matt Winter again, and now here he was. Working on my house! Making me nervous, flustered, and almost breathless. Disarming me and making me feel things I haven’t even considered since my husband died four years ago. No, I don’t want to want him. My life was in order before he came, and I’m leaving Boston anyway. Forget Matt. It’s the only logical option. So…why can’t I stay away from him?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23667013-a-hot-winter-new-adult-romance
Purchase:
AUTHOR BIO
(No author photo)
C.J. Lake is a storyteller who is passionate about art, surfing, and skiing/snowboarding. Residing near the coast of Massachusetts, C.J. is working on a new book that will feature Tragan Barrett’s friend, Matt Winter. Readers can get in touch via email (writercjlake@gmail.com), or follow C.J. on Twitter @brightbluesurf.
Q&A with C.J. Lake
What was the inspiration for A Hot Winter?
I didn’t originally intend to write this story, but Matt and Emma seemed to have instant chemistry in my first book, Constructing Us, so I was compelled to explore them as a couple. They ended up being perfect for each other (though it’s a ride to get there!).
What makes Matt & Emma such a great couple?
There’s a current of attraction between them when they first meet, but neither knows who the other is. Once they discover the connection (to Tragan and Andy), they try to dial it back–especially once Matt begins work on Emma’s house. But it’s virtually impossible not to be aware of each other or to keep their distance. That initial attraction is always there–and building every time they’re together, despite Emma’s determination to keep things platonic. Something that works in their favor is that while Matt is four years younger than Emma, he is strong and responsible, with a maturity and a protective nature–exactly what she needs!
If you had to choose, what is your favorite scene?
Well, here’s a very short excerpt from it:
“Jesus, Emma,” Matt rasped, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. “Why do you torture me?”
Gazing into those intense, dark eyes, Emma became overwhelmed by a longing that was almost painful. She reached up and brushed her lips across his. “I didn’t mean to,” she said softly, and it was the truth. “Don’t go,” she whispered, digging her fingers into his hair and keeping him close. Lightly she bit his lower lip. “Don’t go…”
>>I love this whole scene; it’s erotic and emotional and represents a major turning point for Matt and Emma. Also, it’s literally just the beginning of their first intense night together…
Can you pick a favorite quote?
Hmm…maybe this:
“Being with Matt did something to her. It brought back a younger version of herself, a younger time in her life.”
>>This is a theme that’s played implicitly throughout the story and a concept that Emma wrestles with and embraces at the same time. She’s only twenty-seven, but has responsibilities that make her feel older and more settled than that. Matt taps into her youthful, fun-loving spirit and almost makes Emma forget the reasons why they shouldn’t be together…
Did you have a music play list for this book?
Yes! My “soundtrack” for A Hot Winter includes songs that fit Matt & Emma so well. Like “Teenage Dream” (Katy Perry), “Safe and Sound” (Capital Cities), “Am I wrong” (Nico & Vinz), “Everybody Talks” (Neon Trees), “Green Eyes” (Coldplay), and “Everything Has Changed” (Taylor Swift).
What else should readers know?
A Hot Winter is set in one of my favorite places: snowy Boston!
Tragan & Andy, along with other familiar faces from Constructing Us, are back.
Though my books have overlapping characters, they are all standalone novels–no cliffhangers!
What’s next?
In 2015, look for Sky High (Book 3 in The Attraction series). Sky High is a fast-paced, romantic and sexy New Adult romance, featuring Jamie from Books 1 & 2. Stay tuned for more updates, both on Amazon and Twitter (@brightbluesurf) — plus, readers can email me at: writercjlake@gmail.com.
Excerpt:
“All right, honest conversation,” she said after a moment that was quiet, but rife with tension. “Yes. I was flirting with you in the store–but only because I never thought I’d see you again.”
“You never wanted to see me again?” He sounded somewhere between incredulous and insulted. “Damn, Emma!”
“No, no,” she clarified, rapidly shaking her head, “this is coming out wrong. I just meant I thought you were a random handsome guy with a hot body, end of story.”
Every male impulse in him intensified when he heard those words. Handsome? Hot body? This was definitely going to happen.
“I never knew you’d end up working at my house…and driving me crazy everyday,” Emma mumbled partly under her breath. Still, Matt heard every word. And he was itching to grab her.
He stepped closer–close enough for their bodies to touch. Finally. His cock stiffened as his chest grazed Emma’s back. “Driving you crazy?” Matt repeated, bringing his mouth closer to her ear. “Here I thought I was being nice all this time.”
She let out an unsteady breath. “You know what I mean.”
“No,” he said, his voice low and urgent as his hands slid onto her waist. “Explain it to me.”
Already he felt the sexual tension burning between them; what would it be like once he kissed her? She had to feel it, too. Though she still stubbornly had her back to him, she hadn’t moved away, not even a centimeter.
When she spoke, her voice was a soft, breathy sort of whisper that sounded as aroused as he felt. “I admit I find you…attractive…”
“Mmm-hmm,” he murmured, tugging her lower body against his as he leaned down to nuzzle her neck.
Softly, Emma gasped, before continuing, “But…since I’m moving in just a couple weeks, there’s no point to…anything…” She let out a tiny little moan when Matt grazed her neck with his teeth. “I-I hope you understand.”
“I understand perfectly,” he said, his mouth against her ear. “You’re attracted to me,” he recapped, skipping the rest of what she’d said.
“But–”
“And I’m deeply attracted to you,” he murmured, as he tightened his grip on her waist and nudged her bottom with his cock. When Emma moaned again, Matt seized the opportunity. He slid a hand into her hair and angled her head toward him, urging her to turn around.
“Matt, please…” she implored, half-turned, her greenish eyes looking almost troubled as she gazed up into his face.
Pausing, he tried to regain his sanity. Obviously he’d never want to push Emma into something she didn’t want. “Are you saying you don’t want me to kiss you right now?” he asked.
“What I want doesn’t matter.”
“Like hell it doesn’t,” he nearly snapped. Why was she making this so complicated?
“It’s part of being an adult,” Emma said, casting her eyes down, her voice faint. “We can’t always have what we want. That’s life.”
“Believe me, I know that,” Matt told her. “If I could have what I want, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation–I would’ve been kissing you all this time. I would be doing the crossword puzzle with you every morning. I would be fixing that screwed-up weather-stripping, just so you’d be warm. I would grab you and pull you onto my lap…” With her eyes widening, Emma’s mouth fell open, as Matt dipped his head lower and finished, “If I could have what I want, then I’d already be running my hands inside your panties right now.”
“Matt…” she whispered helplessly, wetting her lips as her face rose to meet his.
Excerpt:
Wordlessly, she handed him the check. Folding it, he shook his head. “Man, I’m so glad nothing happened between us last night,” he muttered as he stuck the check in his pocket.
Emma’s face crumpled. “What?” she said, feeling insulted and hurt (even though she’d basically given him the longer version of the same sentiment).
With a short, humorless laugh, Matt said, “I don’t need this drama.”
“No one has ever accused me of being overdramatic.”
“If you give me this big of a hassle over a bill, God knows what you’d do to me in bed,” he said.
“I wouldn’t do anything to you! Wait–I didn’t mean it the way it sounded…” she fumbled.
“You’d probably tell me I’m doing it wrong.”
Rage boiled inside her, as she struggled for a comeback. “I’d only tell you that if you were.”
With a cocky laugh, Matt leaned his face toward hers and said, “I do it just fine.”
She pasted on a patronizing smile. “Well good for you.”
“It could have been good for you, too,” he remarked plainly. “But that ship has sailed.”
At first, Emma’s mouth dropped open. Then she let out a shocked sort of laugh. “Oh my God! I hope you’re not seriously trying to use reverse psychology to get me to sleep with you?”
Impatiently, Matt said, “Emma, aren’t you listening? I don’t even want to sleep with you anymore.”
With her fists balling at her sides, she said, “Good. Actually, that works out well, because I really don’t want to sleep with you.”
“Uh-huh, sure, okay,” Matt said briskly. “Well, I’m glad we’ve cleared that up now.” He turned toward the door, adding, “Now it won’t have to be unclear when I cross paths with you again someday.”
“Don’t worry, you probably won’t cross paths with me anyway,” she called after him. “I’m leaving remember?”
At that, Matt paused, looked back at her. His expression seemed more solemn. “Right, I forgot, well…good bye, Emma.”
“Wait.”
With his hand on the doorknob, Matt turned.
Impulsively, Emma reached for the stack of envelopes that was sitting on hutch by the stairs. She flipped through it and pulled out the one with Matt’s name on it. “Here,” she said, walking toward him. At first he just eyed the envelope, confused. “It’s a Christmas card,” Emma explained offhandedly. “You might as well take it now.”
Wordlessly, Matt shifted his gaze from the envelope to Emma’s face. His dark eyes burned into her. She swallowed feebly, still holding the card out for him. “To hell with this,” he uttered gruffly, and slid a hand around her neck, pulled her to him and kissed her.
GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (US only)
A $15 gift card to Amazon + a signed copy of C.J.’s first book, Constructing Us.
The post A Hot Winter by C.J. Lake Book Blitz/Giveaway & Guest post appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
January 14, 2015
Playing Doctor by Kate Allure Blog Tour & Giveaway
Playing Doctor
By Kate Allure
Sourcebooks Casablanca
January 6, 2015
Book Info
The doctor will see you now…
Three sizzling-hot erotic romance stories to stoke your mood
In The Intern, the temperature of Dr. Lauren Marks’s office quickly rises when her new medical intern Courtney turns out to be a passionate and sexy young man.
Valerie realizes all of her fantasies when her sexy surgeon and her loving husband team up to offer her some extra-special treatment in My Doctor, My Husband, and Me.
Nikki gets more than she bargained for in Seize the Doctor when the hot guy she recently met at a bar walks into her exam room wearing a white coat. Good thing she wore her sexiest lingerie.
Amazon | Apple | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | Kobo
Kate Allure is the creator of the Meeting Men series and Club Exotica. She has been a storyteller her entire life, writing plays, short stories, and dance librettos throughout her childhood and later for semi-professional theater and dance companies. Her non-fiction writing included working for American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet and authoring a weekly arts column for local papers. Beyond writing, Kate’s passions include traveling and exploring all things sensual with her loving husband. Follow Kate at on Facebook and at www.KateAllure.com.
Connect with Kate Allure: Website | Facebook | Goodreads
Excerpt from Playing Doctor – “Seize the Doctor”
At the door to her apartment building, they lingered and talked more while holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes. Hunter gently caressed her hand, making small swirling circles with his thumb on the soft pad of her palm. Nikki seemed as aroused as he was, her eyes dilated and her breath coming in short little pants. He very much wanted to kiss her and hoped she would let him. Nikki swayed toward him, and his arm came around to support the small of her back, gently pulling her against his body.
“May I kiss you good night?” he asked in a low, husky voice.
“Mmm, yes,” she replied, melting into him and tilting her face upward.
His heart pounding, Hunter slowly lowered his mouth to meet hers, just the gentlest sweeping touch on her lips. His breath caught in his throat as he stood wanting and needing more. Deepening the kiss, Hunter crushed her tightly to him and stroked her lips with his tongue. He was burning with desire and wondered for perhaps the hundredth time this evening if she was wearing those so-sexy underthings. Oh, how he would love to see them on her, to slowly peel them off her body and explore her with his tongue. Thinking that he was getting dangerously carried away, he started to pull back, but then Nikki parted her lips and welcomed his kiss into her mouth. Hunter pulled her even more tightly to him.
He could taste Nikki now, the subtle flavor of her mixed with the tangy beer they had consumed with dinner. The press of her breasts to his chest, her peaked nipples pressing into him, sent a shooting thrill throughout his body. His hand ached to reach up and caress her there. Before he got carried away, Hunter started to release her, but Nikki reached up and put her arms around his neck, pulling him back to her and deepening the kiss.
It felt so good, so hot. Hunter reveled in the sensations and the awareness that this gorgeous woman wanted him as much as he wanted her. His bulging erection pressed into her belly, and he could barely stop himself from rubbing it against her. Instead, he ended the kiss and stepped firmly away, feeling unstable, as if he might lose control and yank her back, and then nothing would be able to stop him from finishing what they were starting. He needed to get away quickly. He didn’t want to ruin things now.
“This was a terrific evening. Thank you,” Hunter said, turning away quickly, worried that Nikki might try to restart the kiss. Very much wanting her to do just that.
“I enjoyed it too. Bye,” Nikki responded, still leaning toward him.
“Thank you again. I’ll call you soon,” he said as he resolutely walked away.
Hunter felt young and carefree…
Rafflecopter HTML (Open 12/23 – 1/30) – Sourcebooks Erotic Romance Bundle & Kate Allure Gift Bag
Today on The Doctor Is In we get to meet three hunky physicians from Kate Allure’s soon to be released [or just released] erotic romance anthology Playing Doctor—because the only thing sexier than one Alpha doctor is three!
In Playing Doctor, you’ll meet young, blond, and movie-star handsome Courtney Sinclair in the summer romance “The Intern.” Next is the spicy ménage “My Doctor, My Husband, and Me,” with Luka Czerny—a surgeon with thick lustrous black hair, just the hint of a sexy foreign accent, and a bedside manner like warm honey. And then there is Hunter Sterling—think Greek god gorgeous but with a friendly boy-next-door personality—who finds true love in “Seize the Doctor.” Where else but in Playing Doctor can you take three sexy doctors to bed with you?
Until then, get to know them in our interview series, The Doctor Is In, where today we ask:
Since you’re all so good looking, we wonder if you have ever been propositioned by one of your nurses? And, if so, what did you do about it?
Court Sinclair: So far, I’ve only worked as an intern in a small family practice over summer vacation. The only nurse was elderly and, thankfully, while she’s a sweet old lady, she didn’t come on to me. If it happens in the future, I guess I would have to play it by ear. Actually, now that I think about it, the idea sounds intriguing, especially if I was single at the time…a sexy nurse wanting to hook up with me on an exam table. That would be exciting and hard to turn down!
Dr. Hunter Sterling: I just finished my residency, but there was a time in med school when a nurse propositioned me. I wasn’t in a relationship at the time, so…yes…I’ll admit I went for it. What guy wouldn’t? I was young and she was gorgeous, and we found many places in the hospital late at night to play around. I would never do anything like that as a physician since nurses are essentially my subordinates. I would have to politely decline, but that would be easy now that my heart is taken by another.
Dr. Luka Czerny: Surprisingly, in my department at the hospital almost all the nurses and technicians are male. It’s unusual, I know, and totally by happenstance, but the female patients certainly seem to like it. So, no, I’ve never been propositioned by a nurse…either female or male. But, I have been propositioned by a female patient, and I found her proposal to exciting to pass up…a friends-with-benefits ménage with her husband. We didn’t start anything until after she was no longer my patient, but that hasn’t stopped the three of us from “playing doctor” in the bedroom. One could say that it’s a temperature raising experience all around.
Keep following the rest of “The Doctor is In” Blog Tour:
January 5 – More Books Than Livros - http://www.morebooksthanlivros.com
January 6 – Minnie Medina Blog - http://minnie-medina.blogspot.com
January 7 – Books N Pearls - http://booksnpearls.com/blog
January 7 – The Book Cellarx - www.thebookcellarx.com
January 9 – I Am Indeed - http://iam-indeed.com
January 9 – From the TBR Pile - http://fromthetbrpile.blogspot.com/
January 13 – Naughty Book Eden - http://naughtybookeden.blogspot.com.au
January 14 – Reading Between the Wines - http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/
January 14 – Babs Book Bistro - http://www.babsbookbistro.net
January 14 – The Royal Reviews - http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/
The post Playing Doctor by Kate Allure Blog Tour & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
January 13, 2015
Emma, Mail-Order Brides Club review
99 cents get it now.
A Sweet and Clean Western Historical Romance about Mail-Order Brides set in Montana.
Emma Byrne grew up in a Catholic orphanage in Boston, and her prospects are limited. She and her group of girlfriends, who all met in the orphanage, are barely getting by, working as nannies, cooks, and live-in maids for rich families. When Emma’s employer, Gerald, threatens her with losing her job if she doesn’t submit to his very unwanted advances, she stumbles onto an opportunity to be a mail-order bride and decides that couldn’t possibly be worse.
Except that the groom in question had no idea that his brother sent for a wife. When Emma shows up, at the train station in Bozeman, MT, it’s her groom’s brother, Joshua that is there to greet her. As it turns out, Ethan is furious that his brother went behind his back and sent for a wife. He’s still grieving from the unexpected death of his wife Allison only a year earlier, and spends all his time when he’s not working, being a good dad to his only child, Emily, who is three.
Montana is hugely different from Boston, and Emma is surprised that she immediately falls in love with the area. Though taken aback at first to discover that Ethan wasn’t aware that she was coming, she’s secretly relieved to have a little time to get to know him and her new home. She is also quite fascinated by his family. Ethan is the oldest of ten, and eight of them are brothers, and except for Joshua, all are single. Emma has an urge to play matchmaker, and in book two, her best friend, Julia comes West to meet the brothers.
File Size: 389 KB
Print Length: 77 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00OJCC440
My thoughts:
Emma is a live in maid to a house with a bad man he wants to sleep with her since his wife if pregnant to get out of the situation she confides to a friend and becomes a mail order bride. The groom to be Ethan has no clue his brother and sister in law sent off for her under his name. Ethan is a widower and needs to find a mom for his little girl. He is not happy to say the least when Emma arrives.
Ethan has either other brothers that are free and if things happen badly maybe she can marry one of them but Ethan comes around and he knows Emma is the right woman for him and his daughter.
Emma writes to her friend Julia as one of Ethan’s brothers wants a wife and Julia might just come out and see them if things don’t go well in Montana.
I enjoyed this book, a quick read at 77 pages with a lot of story packed in. Emma and Ethan are cute together and whole family seems to get great. The scenes are pretty well described and easy to picture in your mind. This is a clean romance. I look forward to meeting more characters.
The post Emma, Mail-Order Brides Club review appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Katie’s Mail Order Husband (Montana Prairie Brides #1) Review
** A clean historical novella **
In Book 1 of the Montana Prairie Brides series, Katie Corning marries her mail-order husband, Jason Matthis. Three ranches converge at Campbell’s Corner in the distant prairie Frontier outside Sidney, Montana. The Corning Ranch, the Campbell Ranch, and the Dempsey Ranch share a common fence corner and a water pump. The three ranch wives meet at the pump to share their cares and concerns. When, through varied circumstances, each one finds herself widowed, they meet again to console and support each other.
Katie Corning still can’t stop crying from the loss of her husband to influenza last winter. She doesn’t know how she’ll keep the ranch going without him. So she listens eagerly when her neighbor and friend, Hannah Dempsey, shows her a newspaper advertisement for the mail-order matrimony service. Hannah convinces Katie and their other young neighbor, Josie Campbell, to get mail-order.
The three men they get as husbands couldn’t be more different. Katie’s husband, Jason, is young, easy-going, and gentle, while Josie’s husband, Jim Eaton, is brooding and volatile. Hannah’s husband, Peter Cummings, is older, educated, and carrying a secret that will put his new marriage to the test. The three friends strike out on three different courses that sometimes converge and even conflict with each other. Marriage to these men challenges everything they knew about themselves and marriage, and brings each one to a different conclusion and, ultimately, a different destiny.
File Size: 1659 KB
Print Length: 140 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1503152413
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Mail Order Bride Dept, Gold Crown Press (October 16, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
My thoughts:
Three women have lost their husband either through influenza or through an accident gun shot. Katie, Hannah and Jose come together and send off for Mail Order Husbands. The there men arrive and the ladies are pleased as are the men or so it seems. Jason is intended for Katie and they get married first via the sheriff. The rest of the ladies and men get married after they leave. Jason and Katie work out well together and seem happy.
Then there is Jim and Jose, Jim comes across mean to his neighbors and worry about Jose. The ladies have all shared one stable/barn that is what their old husbands use to do and it is behind Jose’s house. Jim gets mad when Jason comes over to get a horse and throws him off his land. He doesn’t care of Katie either and makes it known. Poor Jose tries and keeps the peace.
Hannah and Peter are the last to get married and hold up inside her house. No one really knows what is wrong with Peter but he is older and can’t help any one with much at all. Hannah defends him.
Katie knows there is something going on with the other two couples and tries to figure it out. There is not ending to this story as the author leaves it so you have to get book 2 and the rest of the series seem to be the same way. This story will leave you in limber mode.
Over all I enjoyed the story, Jim is a bit weird and Jason about had a heart attack when Katie wanted to get his things from his trunk. The men act weird to some point and Katie is going to drive every crazy finding out.
The post Katie’s Mail Order Husband (Montana Prairie Brides #1) Review appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
On Borrowed Time ( A Library Lovers Mystery # 5) by Jenn McKinlay
The New York Times bestselling Library Lover’s mysteries continue with a hot new case…
Loving a good cup of coffee runs in the family for Briar Creek library director Lindsey Norris. But when her brother, Jack, a consultant for a coffee company, goes missing, her favorite beverage becomes a key clue in a dangerous mystery.
Between preparing the library for the holidays and juggling the affections of ex-boyfriend, Captain Mike Sullivan, and her new crush, actor Robbie Vine, Lindsey has her hands full. But the mysterious disappearance of her world-traveling playboy brother takes precedence over all.
Afraid that involving the police could brew trouble for Jack, Lindsey takes matters into her own hands. But as her quest for her brother embroils her in a strange case involving South American business dealings and an enigmatic and exotic woman, it’ll take the help of both her library book club—the crafternooners—and her eager-to-please suitors to keep Jack from ending up in hot water…
File Size: 2372 KB
Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (November 4, 2014)
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00JJXTOUG
My thoughts:
I have to admit I won this book in a giveaway. I have never read this series up until now. After reading some the other reviews on Goodreads and Amazon I was wondering if the book was indeed as boring as some have said.
Lindsey is trying to find her brother Jack, one minute he is in the library in the craftnooners room and the next he is gone with a dead body is in his place. Lindsey hides the fact from Emma when they police come to investigate. Lindsey takes her on herself to find him not matter how much trouble she will get in. A lot of crazy things being with her apartment getting ransacked and other things.
Heathcliff her dog is interesting I love the name. The love triangle that goes along to the story is a bit weird but Robbie is treading on thin ice as you can tell Lindsey still have strong feels for Sully and he finally opens up to her one night after they were followed on the beach.
Some parts are funny with the two guys trying to out do the other to get the attention and to try and protect Lindsey. I also like the fact the series takes place in a Library. I will read the books up to this one and see how it goes. I enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing how I like the other books.
The post On Borrowed Time ( A Library Lovers Mystery # 5) by Jenn McKinlay appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Death of a Jaded Samurai (Yin-Yang Mysteries book #1) by Diane Rondeau Bator
Death of a Jaded Samurai (Yin-Yang Mysteries book #1)
Gilda Wright thinks she’s landed a dream job managing a karate school. Sure, her boss, Sensei Mick Williams, is almost as demanding as he is sexy, but Gilda is inspired by the strength of people around her and hopes to absorb some of that into her own life. But when Gilda finds the body of one of the instructors, laying in the dojo with a sword through his chest, suddenly Gilda must find her own inner strength and fast! The police see everyone as a suspect, including her boss, and it’s up to Gilda to find out what really happened. She follows the clues of the missing scroll of the Four Possessions of the Samurai down a deadly path, filled with lies, deceit, and poisoned ninja stars! If she doesn’t watch her step, she just may become the killer’s next sparring partner.
Bio:
Diane is a yoga enthusiast, Reiki Master and martial artist, who loves to make a mess in the kitchen and putter in the garden. Moving across the country with three boys and a cat, then joining a writing group was the catalyst for coming out of the creative closet and writing her first murder mystery series. Hard at work on her second series, she lives in Southern Ontario, Canada with her husband, three teenagers, and a cat who thinks he’s a Husky.
Diane Bator
The post Death of a Jaded Samurai (Yin-Yang Mysteries book #1) by Diane Rondeau Bator appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
January 12, 2015
A LITTLE ON THE WILD SIDE by Robin Kaye Blog Tour & Giveaway
A Little on the Wild Side
By Robin Kaye
Sourcebooks Casablanca
January 6, 2015
A woman who gets what she wants…
Bianca Ferrari—ex-supermodel turned successful business woman—seems to have it all: beauty, brains and a career she loves. And she did it all by herself…through sheer force of will and ruthless determination. So when her life is suddenly turned upside down, it’s hard for her to admit that going it alone may not be an option…
A man who knows what she needs…
Sexy, rugged and down-to-earth, Trapper Kincaid has a knack for attracting all kinds of women—mostly the wrong kind. When he finds out that the exhaustingly independent and drop-dead gorgeous Bianca is in serious need of help, he knows he’s the man for the job. But Bianca isn’t going to make it easy…
Buy A Little on the Wild Side by Robin Kaye
Amazon | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | Kobo
About the Author:
Robin Kaye is a professional writer and winner of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award for her first novel, Romeo, Romeo. Her romantic comedies feature sexy, nurturing heroes and feisty, independent heroines. She lives with her husband and three children in Mt. Airy, Maryland.
Connect with Robin Kaye: www.robinkayewrites.com | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Excerpt:
Trapper sweet–talked his way into Bianca’s office with a bouquet of flowers and chocolate. He liked her receptionist, Terri. He’d talked to her several times when he and Bianca had been seeing each other, and it didn’t sound as if she’d heard he was persona non grata lately. He hoped he wasn’t getting Terri into trouble, but damn, he didn’t know what the hell to do. Bianca’s doorman refused his bribe the night before and wouldn’t let him into the building without announcing him first. This was his only other option.
Terri had been easy. He just dropped his sister–in–law Toni’s name, and she let him wait in Bianca’s office. She even promised not to tip off Bianca and spoil his surprise. Then she told him she wished her boyfriend was half as romantic, gave him a wink, and unlocked Bianca’s office door.
He stepped into her corner office, and the scent of Bianca hit him—-he was hard in a matter of seconds. He digested the differences between her office and her apartment. Her office was cool, modern, sleek, and so unlike her home. He’d been shocked when Bianca invited him to her place, opened the door, and he saw the collection of comfortable antiques—-not like something you’d see in a museum. No, it looked like something you’d see in your grandmother’s house—-a feather–stuffed sofa with an old quilt hanging over the back. Beautiful, yet comfortable pillows were scattered everywhere. Low lighting from torchieres gave the place a romantic glow. Rolled arms to drape a lover over, and sturdy oak tables in the kitchen and dining room, perfect for dinner or sex—-one memorable evening, both—-added to the reasons he’d fallen in love with the place.
Trapper took a seat behind Bianca’s desk and pulled his cowboy hat low over his eyes to cut the glare from the cold, hard–recessed lighting. He put his feet up and settled for a long wait. Terri had told him Bianca had canceled her morning appointments and was expected before noon. He sat back with his e–reader and caught up on law journals, while trying to keep his dick
at half–mast.
At eleven thirty the door swooshed open. Bianca walked in, her black cape floating around her. Her hair was longer than he remembered, and she had big bags under her eyes that no amount of makeup could disguise. She looked beautiful, way too thin, and ill.
She still hadn’t noticed him. She spun around, tossed her briefcase on the leather sofa, and turned her back, tugging off her cape. She might have lost weight, but damn, she still had the finest ass he’d ever seen.
He put a smile on his face—-the one he was told made women swoon. He figured he needed all the help he could get. He had a strong feeling she wouldn’t be happy being ambushed, but what choice did she give him?
He walked around her desk, leaned against it, watched, and waited for her to hang her cape—-a difficult task since the darn thing had no sleeves.
She turned. The first thing he noticed was that her breasts were larger, but maybe they just looked that way since she’d lost quite a bit of weight.
His gaze headed south and made an unplanned stop at her waistline. His smile froze. His jaw clenched. Blood rushed through his ears, making his temples throb. Every muscle in his body tensed.
Bianca—-his Bianca—-was pregnant? Definitely pregnant—-past the point where a man would wonder. Not ready–to–pop pregnant, but just–about–time–for–maternity–clothes pregnant. He wasn’t sure how pregnant that was, but shit, he was sure the baby she carried was his. He knew it the second she spotted him grinning like the fool he was and flashed him a guilty look. That was a nanosecond before what little color she’d had drained from the beautiful face that haunted his every waking moment and his dreams, leaving her looking like a corpse three weeks past her expiration date.
Bianca blinked, and her wide, green eyes rolled back in her head.
Oh shit. He raced for her.
Her long legs buckled, and he caught her just before she hit the floor.
His heart didn’t beat again until he felt her shallow breaths against his neck. He carried her to the couch and laid her down, brushing the baby–fine hair off her face. He sat beside her, waiting for her to wake up.
Trapper had heard pregnant women sometimes fainted, but he didn’t think they passed out for this long. It seemed like an eternity. He checked his watch. It had been less than a minute. He took a deep breath, felt her pulse strong and steady on her neck, and tried to keep the anger, terror, and helplessness out of his voice. “Come on, sweetheart. Time to wake up.”
Nothing.
Panic scratched at his insides like a feral cat trying to escape a trap.
She didn’t move.
Her lips were pale. The blue veins stood out in her forehead.
She looked like death.
He ran to the door and slammed it open. “I need some help here!”
In three strides, he returned to Bianca’s side, took her cold hand, warming it between his. “Bianca, sweetheart, please, just open your eyes.”
Terri ran in. She took one look at Bianca and stepped back.
“She passed out.”
“I’ll get James.” She ran from the room, screaming James’s name.
It seemed like forever until James ran in. “What happened?”
“I was waiting for Bianca when she arrived. She took one look at me and took a nosedive. I caught her just before she hit the floor.”
“She pukes all the time, but she’s never passed out that I know of.” He looked as panicked as Trapper felt. He turned to Terri. “Call 9–1–1.” When she didn’t move, he screamed. “Now!”
The poor girl burst into tears and grabbed Bianca’s phone.
Trapper placed Bianca’s hand on her belly, on top of the other resting there protectively. He stared in wonder. They were having a baby. He was going to be a father. He expected the fierce protectiveness, but he hadn’t expected the fear or the joy or the awesome weight of responsibility that settled on his chest. But most of all, he hadn’t expected the exhilarating feeling of knowing that together they had created a child. A child he loved. A child he would give his life for. A child who needed him.
His gaze rounded on James. He wanted to pick the man up and toss him out of the floor to ceiling window for allowing Bianca to get in this bad a shape. “What the hell happened to her?” His voice was low, threatening, and a hell of a lot calmer than he felt.
Terri’s eyes went wide, and she skittered away.
James stood his ground like a man preparing for a shoot–out. He arched a scholarly brow. “Nothing that won’t be remedied in five months. Where the hell have you been? Since I’ve handled the first four months, you get her for the finale. The woman is a full–time job. I recommend you clear your schedule.” He handed Trapper a copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. “Here, you might want to read this. So far, Bianca’s only looked at the pictures.”
Rafflecopter HTML – 3 sets of Robin Kaye’s Wild Thing Series (open 12/29 – 1/30)
The post A LITTLE ON THE WILD SIDE by Robin Kaye Blog Tour & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Death and Desire P.H. Turner Cover Reveal & Giveaway
Death
and Desire
P.H. Turner
Releasing March 17th, 2015
Lyrical Press
Ancient rituals. Up-to-the minute deception.
Reporter Taylor McWhorter knows something is going on at the newly reopened uranium mine on the local Navajo reservation. The Native workers are being fired. Rumors of bad Native American spirits and shapeshifters mingle with the stink of leach pit mining. The rough red mountains and steep canyons hide more passes and getaway trails than any maze. And Taylor’s sources keep turning up dead…
Until she meets Captain Trace Yazzie, head of the tribal police force and plenty to reckon with on his own. The chemistry between them is enough to incinerate Taylor’s rule about mixing business and pleasure. But with a murderer on the loose, priceless Navajo artifacts turning up in the wrong places, and Trace’s suggestion that spirits disturbed from looted burial sites might be part of the problem, Taylor can’t afford to lose her head to lust. This might be the story of the year. But unless she keeps her wits about her, it could be the last one Taylor ever tells…
PRE-ORDER
Teaching and shooting news and documentaries took me to work on the East and West coasts, the Midwest and an island in the Gulf of Mexico. Born a fourth generation Texan, I live in Austin with an energetic mutt that waits patiently every day for me to come home and write.
Find Her Here
Facebook | Goodreads
The post Death and Desire P.H. Turner Cover Reveal & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Highland Troth by Willa Blair Blog Tour
Highland Troth (Highland Talents Book 3)
Genre: Scottish, Historical, Romance
Book Description: Years ago, after tragedy struck Jamie Lathan’s family, fosterling Caitrin Fletcher was sent home, out of danger. Heartbroken, young Jamie never expected to see her again. He certainly never imagined he’d be called upon to escort her to be betrothed to another man. But now, as their attraction reignites during the trip, Jamie’s longing for Caitrin deepens, and he despairs to lose her again. The secret he hides, however, may prevent any chance for a future with her. Can Jamie find a way to claim her himself without starting a war involving three clans? Caitrin is torn between her duty to make the marriage her father wants and her feelings for Jamie, the lad she’s loved for years. When she meets the man her father has chosen, her secret Highland talent tells her he cannot be trusted. Can she refuse the powerful lord without revealing how she knows he’s lying…about nearly everything?
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23364590-highland-troth?from_search=true
BUY LINKS:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/10r6KeF
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highland-troth-willa-blair/1120849496?ean=2940149872206
AUTHOR BIO & LINKS:
Willa Blair is the award-wining author of Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestselling Scottish historical paranormal romance and a contributor to USAToday’s Happy Ever After romance blog.
Her popular Highland Talents series, set in a pivotal point in Scottish history, is filled with men in kilts, psi talents, and plenty of spice. Available in ebook, print, and audiobook formats, the first three titles will soon be joined by more novels of adventure and romance.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
The post Highland Troth by Willa Blair Blog Tour appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
January 11, 2015
Theresa McClinton
The post Theresa McClinton appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
