Cara Faith Donvovan's Blog, page 72

Why I Became a Self-Published Author - #PoweredByIndie

Back in 2008, the world of self-publishing was just getting off the ground and I was roleplaying on twitter with a TrueBlood group.  I was coming up with original characters  to go along with the ones that went along with the show, and the idea came to me!  Hey!  You know what?  I could write my own book about the characters I created!  Wouldn't it be great to make a story to share with the world that I was already spending hours playing online already?  I had a lot of free time on my hands, because I'd just been laid off my job in Respiratory, and my husband and I made the choice that I would stay home until our last child started school.

So I started researching book publishing and in 2009 I released my first book, A Night at Tears of Crimson (I've since rewritten and republished that book as simply Tears of Crimson).  I'll admit when I look at that book now, I'm amazed it sold the few copies it did. The formatting was horrible, the cover was not professional, and my writing?  Let's just say I've grown leaps and bounds since that first walk in the self-publishing world.  It took me two years to finally make a profit with self-publishing and there's a story to tell there which would take up pages, since I'm keeping it short, let's just say that book is no longer available.  Live and learn, right?

It's been a great ride, and hopefully, one that will last for years to come.  I built up a loyal group of readers through social media (I still haven't left the comfort of my home to promote books) and as long as they are still interested in what I'm writing, I'll keep going.  My books are contemporary romance and fall under an array of specific types of romance.  I guess that makes me a little quirky, but I've never settled on doing a particular type of romance.  One of the wonderful things about self-publishing is I don't have to!  From paranormal, erotic, new adult, to western, as long as it's romance I consider myself writing in the right genre.  I'm not sure a traditional publisher would allow that freedom.

Do I regret not going traditional, or at least pitching that way? Absolutely not!  I get to choose my own covers, what type of romance I want to write and promote to my heart's content the way I think it should be done.  Believe me when I say I've done everything that most sites tell you to avoid. It worked for me.  I live by my own set of rules when it comes to my work, and that makes me somewhat of an outlaw in this world.  Doesn't it?  Regardless, I love being able to get my work into the reader's hands without waiting for approval from someone else.  The truth is, no one knows what the public wants, except the public.  Who better to judge than the reader's buying the books?  That's why I became, and still am a self-published author.Thanks for joining us at Tears of Crimson. Home to Bestselling Author Michelle Hughes,and all the Friends of Crimson!

Just Out of Reach - Xavier Neal

IT'S LIVE!!


There isn't much Theo Convington wants but can't have. His charms and green eyes have gotten him everything, from an easy job to his choice of easy women, and that's exactly how he prefers to live his life. Easy. However, when one wrong decision lands him on house arrest, he's forced to start his life over with an estranged aunt. As if trying to settle into his limited lifestyle wasn't hard enough, Theo makes the mistake of meeting the woman of his dreams, who happens to live right next door. With so much already stacked against him, will he put in the work it takes to win her heart, or will she join the long list of other things that are suddenly just out of reach?


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Xavier Neal is an up and coming Author and Blogger. She lives in Texas where she spends her time getting lost in writing and reading. She loves Tex-mex, fandoms, and laughing. Feel free to spend her a message any time! 
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Release Day Blitz for Diane Alberts

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Shillings Agency #6

    
One night with a stranger…

Security expert Mark Matthews has loved, and lost, and has no intention of ever loving again—especially not a woman who thrives on her life being in danger. Now, hot, meaningless sex with strangers he had no intention of ever seeing again? That’s a whole other story. And it’s all life as a single father allows him to enjoy. But when he meets a woman who refuses to tell him her real name, the game is on, because she’s everything he swore to stay away from. Daisy O’Rourke has bad idea written all over her, but he’s in too deep to walk away now…







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Five Ebook sets of The Shillings Agency series by Diane Alberts (books 1-5)





Diane Alberts is a USA TODAY bestselling Contemporary Romance author with Entangled Publishing. Under the name Jen McLaughlin, she also writes New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling books with Penguin Random House. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.


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Release Day Blitz for Evie Harrison.

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Inventor of one of the world's best-selling sex toys and owner of a popular chain of erotic shops, Jordan Sinclair has it all. Time and time again he's lived up to the nickname the press calls him, Mr. Sin. This confirmed bachelor has no intention of ever settling down.

That all changes during a visit to one of his Erotic Bent sex stores when he spots eighteen-year-old Natalie Farrar in aisle six. The dark haired beauty has him ensnared in the blink of an eye.  The attraction between them is palpable and within minutes Jordan knows there's nothing he won't do to claim and keep her by his side forever.

Sin's Temptation is Book One in the Erotic Intentions series.  Each story will be a standalone full of page-melting heat courtesy of alpha men claiming their women.  No cheating. No lying. No deceit.  Just true love and an abundance of steam










Jordan Sinclair wanted me.

I stared up at him, surprised, aroused, and unsure of what to say.

He stepped in closer, until we were almost touching.  Lifting his hand, he traced his thumb over my lips.

“Ah,” he rasped, “you see it now.”

My heartbeat sped up exponentially and I wasn’t sure how to respond.  

“I didn’t think you could possibly want me,” I blurted after a few seconds of silence. “I’m no one spec—”

Jordan cut my sentence off by covering my mouth with his hand.

“Don’t you ever speak of yourself that way again, Angel.  You’re everything special.”

I gasped when he used his free hand to cup my ass and pull me against him, then full body shivered when his erection pressed against my belly.

When he dropped his hand from my mouth, I leaned in closer.  

Every part of me knew he was going to kiss me. I was more than ready for it.

When his mouth covered mine I let out a little sigh and put my hands on his shoulders.  He ever so softly rubbed his lips back and forth against mine several times… before he pulled away.

The tension rolled off of him in waves, and it was obvious to me he wanted to go further.  

I wanted that, too.

“Why did you stop?” I whimpered.

He groaned as his body thrust against mine, just once.

“Because I want to savor you. I’m not going to rush you into this.”

It was crazy and completely out of character for me, but I couldn’t even conceive of going slower. Wanting to be with Jordan came as naturally as breathing.

“I don’t feel rushed,” I assured him.  “I need…”

My voice trailed off because I wasn’t sure how to explain why I felt so desperate for him.

He sighed and feathered a series of soft kisses along my forehead.

“I need it too, Angel. So fucking much, you have no idea. But you deserve a hell of a lot more than me laying you down on that bed and fucking you until neither of us can move.”

My breaths started coming faster as I imagined what it would be like.  I hungered for him in ways I’d never known were possible.

“What if I want that?” I asked breathlessly.

He actually growled as he gripped my ass harder.  

“There is nothing I won’t do to be worthy of you. Taking you like a mad man within ninety minutes of meeting you is in no way what you deserve, and I’ll never treat you like anything less than what you are. You’re my treasure, Natalie.”

I knew I was blushing furiously as I blinked up at him.  I’d never felt as valuable to someone as I did in that moment.

“Jordan,” I whimpered as I sagged against his chest.  “You make me feel so…”

“I know,” he murmured. “Put your hand over my heart and feel how fast it’s racing.”

I let out a happy sigh when I set my hand against his heart and confirmed he was serious.

“A million miles an hour since the second I saw you in aisle six,” he said.






























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Gone Country with Michelle Hughes (psst that's me!)

One crazy night I was listening to a song and decided that it was time to get back to my roots! Twenty thousand words half a week later and I was shocked enough to admit that I was going to write my first cowboy romance.  So I guess you can officially say I've #GoneCountry (remember that hashtag). The truth is I needed a break from all the pure sex books I'd been writing and my heart was longing for a true, honest to goodness, romance.  Will my friends of Crimson stand by me on this ride?  I have no idea, but at this point, it's the book my soul wanted to share.  I've sort of become obsessed with the idea behind this book and Brock from the Dixon Ranch.  There's even a separate website for my author page for this www.authormichellehughes.com  are you feeling that obsession yet?

If you've read my bio, then you already know I was a country singer/songwriter for twelve years, so it's not that big of a stretch to love all things country.  Brock is the kind of cowboy all young (and old) women dream about having and I've fallen head over heels in love with him.  The new book is titled Cowboy Sanctuary, and will be released... well when I finish writing  and having it edited.  I will warn I'm now 40,000 words in and nowhere near ready to call it quits.  As per my normal habit, I already paid for cover art and have enough teasers to make every person on my social media want to smack me.  Heck, I even have the blurb, so why don't I share those before I ramble on.



Brock always knew he’d return to the family owned Dixon Ranch to retire once his career of training riders for horse racing was over.  He didn’t plan to be falsely accused of horse doping or being forced out of his lucrative profession after only an eight-year stint, though.  All over a beautiful woman who looked like an angel but was the devil in disguise.  Throwing himself back into training and breeding thoroughbreds, he vowed to save his family’s reputation and return to his former life with his head held high.  Until she came along.
Dana knew her twin sister had issues, but keeping a child from his father?  Even knowing that she was married to another man, it seemed heartless and cruel. Still, she didn’t deserve to lose her life over it.  Keeping her nephew safe was her only concern now.  Putting her life on hold she heads down to Texas to find Jeremy’s real father.  Would he even want a kid he’d never been told about?

Cowboy Sanctuary is a sweet and sexy romance, that will leave your heart melting, and your soul craving a cowboy of your own.  Remember.  There’s no safer place than in the arms of a cowboy.


This is a completely new style of writing for me.  Yes, it's still a romance, but the focus is not on sex *and of course they have it because I love writing sex scenes and don't believe a romance book is complete without them* the focus is on the love story, with some surprises thrown in that are way out of the norm for me.  I'll let you be the judge of whether or not it's a better style.  The #GoneCountry branding will be for this, and any other books I may write in the future with these themes.  I'm not putting the cart before the horse, much, and would like to wait and see how readers respond to this book before planning others.  I can tell you that Cowboy Sanctuary will be a book you can read on its own, no cliffhanger.  I will leave the door open for supporting characters to have their story told if readers truly enjoy them and my heart tells me to keep going.  
So that's what going on in my world. I hope you'll take a chance on a new brand of romance with me. I'll leave off with some of those teasers I mentioned before.  Many of them won't be part of the campaign when release day comes, but it will give you a little insight into where this book is going. If you're interested in helping spread the word, that goodreads link being shared will be a huge help and I also have a pinterest board connected:  https://www.pinterest.com/tearsofcrimson/gone-country-with-michelle-hughes/  Have a great weekend and thanks for listening to me babble!









Thanks for joining us at Tears of Crimson. Home to Bestselling Author Michelle Hughes,and all the Friends of Crimson!

Cassie's Court - Avelyn Paige

IT'S LIVE!


Two Lives 
One Disease 
One Dream Come True 

Abby Turner thought all her hard work had finally paid off when she received her scholarship letter to play college basketball at Purdue University. When an on-court accident leads to a shocking discovery, Abby is now fighting for her life. She wants nothing more than to give up and let cancer win, but a chance meeting with a little girl named Cassie gives her the will to keep on fighting. 

A cruel twist of fate may have brought them together, but the love and friendship these two souls share will be transcendent.


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Avelyn Paige is a born and raised Indiana girl. While she may be a Hoosier by birth, she is a Boilermaker by choice. Boiler Up! She resides in a sleepy little town in Indiana with her husband and three crazy pets. Avelyn spends her days working as a cancer research scientist and her nights sipping moonshine while writing and book reviewing. She loves everything paranormal especially Cajun culture, and wants to try tornado chasing as a hobby when she finally grows up. She just has to get over that pesky fear of thunderstorms first. 

Avelyn loves to travel, and also enjoys collecting voodoo dolls from her trips to New Orleans.
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Release Day Blitz for Celia Aaro

 




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A modern re-telling of Jane Eyre that will leave you breathless...

Jack EnglandEden Rochester is a force. A whirlwind of intensity and thinly-veiled passion. Over the past few years, I’ve worked hard to avoid my passions, to lock them up so they can’t harm me—or anyone else—again. But Eden Rochester ignites every emotion I have. Every glance from her sharp eyes and each teasing word from her indulgent lips adds more fuel to the fire. Resisting her? Impossible. From the moment I held her in my arms, I had to have her. But tempting her into opening up could cost me my job and much, much more.


Eden RochesterWhen Jack England crosses my path and knocks me off my high horse, something begins to shift. Imperceptible at first, the change grows each time he looks into my eyes or brushes against my skin. He’s my assistant, but everything about him calls to me, tempts me. And once I give in, he shows me who he really is—dominant, passionate, and with a dark past. After long days of work and several hot nights, I realize the two of us are bound together. But my secrets won’t stay buried, and they cut like a knife.


Stand-alone.   











She took a small step toward me, invading my space. I looked down into her green eyes, giving her stare right back to her until she blinked. Something more than air existed in the space between us. I wanted to grab her waist, to link myself to her somehow. I wanted to claim her, to show her which one of us was truly in charge.

I maintained my stance.

“Do I make you uncomfortable?” she asked.

“Not even a little bit.”

She had no idea. The things I could do to her. The things I’d already done to her in my mind while I lay awake in the apartment behind Ms. Temple’s house every night. It wasn’t some ridiculous fantasy where the secretary bangs the boss. It was her. Something about her that I couldn’t quite define, but that I wanted, all the same.

“Does the way I do business bother you? The way I speak to you?”

I shook my head. “This is a job. You pay me to assist you. I’ll do that in any way I can.”

She cocked her head to the side. “You think this conversation is between a boss and her subordinate?”

I wasn’t sure what she meant. My face must have reflected my confusion.

She dropped her arms before reaching up and smoothing a few stray strands from her face. “I realize I pay you, that you work for me. But ever since that first day, when you won the business from Poole, I haven’t seen you as a subordinate. Can I teach you things? Yes. Do I have more experience? Yes. But you have certain intangibles, things I haven’t seen in any of the others in your position. Don’t sell yourself short.”

She couldn’t have surprised me more if she’d backhanded me and spit in my face. Actually, that would have been easier for me to process. This way of hers, the ability to put me at ease while simultaneously stunning me, made me wonder if she was gaming me somehow. But her frank gaze said differently. The truth was there in her eyes.

She reached past me and hit the button to open the doors. “Let’s get some lunch.”   






























Celia Aaron is the self-publishing pseudonym of a published romance and erotica author. She loves to write stories with hot heroes and heroines that are twisty and often dark. Thanks for reading.

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Alexa Riley - Roping the Virgin

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Blake Jennings has always wanted what his parents had: a sweet, simple love that lasts a lifetime. And when he meets Luciana, he knows she’s the one.

Luciana Salazar comes from a tight-knit family that pushes her to follow her dreams. When she takes a job on the Braided Rope Ranch, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with its owner, the dark-haired man she’s seen watching her in town.

Roping the Virgin is over-the-top sweet, with a heaping scoop of sexy steam. Blake sweeps his Luciana off her feet and gives her the life she’s always dreamed of.

Warning: Ridiculous is almost close enough to describe this irresistible short story. Come back to the Jennings farm and pull up a rocking chair. You’ll like the way they treat you.





























Alexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes.They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you!Author LinksTwitter  Facebook Website  Goodreads  Amazon Page  Instagram
















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Operation Fit-ish by Shannon Myers Blog Tour

What’s a comic book nerd to do when she’s dumped by her not-quite-a-superhero fiancé just weeks before the wedding? Tempting as it is to drown her sorrows in ice-cream, Dakota decides that maybe she’ll keep that appointment with the personal trainer who was going to help her squeeze into her dress after all. 
She soon realizes that while she’s not quite ready to ditch her Avengers T-shirt for a Spandex crop top just yet, being at the gym does have some perks. Like semi-stalking Zane, the cute blond guy who looks a lot like Thor… 
But while Zane may not be a Norse god, he does have a secret. One that brings him closer to Dakota, and brings Dakota closer to danger. 
Is Zane the superhero she’s been waiting for her whole life? Will he swoop in and save the day? Or is he the villain whose superpower is the ability to break her heart?



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I'm a born and raised Texan. I moved to Denver, Colorado in 2003 and met the love of my life. After having our first son, we decided to get back to that small town feel and moved back home. We had our second son in 2011 and let me just say that those boys have my heart. 
I've always been a hopeless romantic and I love a good "Happily Ever After" just as much as the next person. I've always had ideas for stories and loved to entertain my family with short stories growing up.
I love cooking, writing, and weekend DIY projects around the house.
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Aria Cole - Taking Tessa

Cage West has spent his entire life waiting for that one special woman to turn his world upside down. As a detective with the local PD, he fills his hours investigating criminals with little time left for much else. When a tip comes into the office about a possible kidnapping at a suspiciously familiar address, Cage is prepared to do whatever it takes to rescue the girl, but when he lays eyes on sweet, innocent Tessa, a firestorm knocks him off his feet. She needs him, and he damn sure wants her–for now, for life, forever.

Nineteen-year-old Tessa Talbot hasn't seen the outside world in two years. Her stepfather keeps her under his thumb after the tragic death of her mother, convinced she'll only succumb to all the sins the world has to offer. He's kept her wildly untouched, and after years of sheltered homeschooling, she's doubtful her life will ever look any different. That is until one tall, dark, and devilishly handsome detective knocks on her door.


Scared to let him in, even more afraid to turn him away, Tessa makes the decision of her life and decides to trust the man she's only just met and leave the only world she's ever known behind. She's just praying the past won't return to haunt her, he's just praying he can save her when it does.Warning: Cage is a rough and growly alpha male with a fierce loyalty for the woman he loves. This story is a wild, twisty ride coated in sugary, Aria Cole sweetness with a sinfully delicious dollop of sexy times drizzled on top. Snuggle in and get swept away with Cage while he's taking Tessa!





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"Can I help you?" The saleswoman cooed.

"Just need a couple things for my girl. Something to complement those pretty green eyes, don't you think?"

"Oh yes, we've got a few options back here that would look lovely."

Cage wagged his eyebrows at me and nearly had me choking on a burst of laughter. He was silly, sweet, and sexy—was there anything better?

"How about this one?" The sales clerk held up a slinky black number with a deep vee.

"No way." Cage shook his head firmly. "Something a little less revealing."

"Wait, I kind of like that." I fingered the short hemline.

"Over my dead body, Tessa. Saved you once, not going to do it again just because you want to wear that scrap-of-nothing excuse for a dress."

"Well, this one then?" The clerk held up another black dress, this one with a high neckline and a completely open back.

"Yes." "No way in hell."

"Cage!" I nudged his shoulder before swiping the dress from the woman's hands and heading for the changing rooms in back.

"Tessa." His throaty reply followed me.

I turned and cast him one last glance, the fire in my eyes burning bright as a mischievous smile danced on my lips. I ducked into the changing room and slid the latch on the door. I didn't love the dress—I'd seen prettier ones just walking through—but I loved the way it made his eyes light up.

I stepped out of the dressing room a minute later. Cage’s eyes crawled up my skin, a wolfish fire burning in his eyes. "So help me, God. If you think I'm going to let you leave the house in that, you're insane."

"Really? I think it's perfect." The smile on my lips betrayed me when I stepped out of the dressing room and did a small twirl. "Don't you think?"

Silence hung in the space between us. After a few too-long beats I spun, my gaze landing on his.

"Jesus, Tessa. What are you trying to do to me?" His ocean eyes crawled my body, moving up my legs, dancing over the curves of my breasts, and I closed my eyes in shame. Maybe he didn't like it like I'd thought he would.

I turned and reached for the door of the dressing room, prepared to rip the awful dress off and get out of here. I'd embarrassed myself, and I wanted nothing more than to tuck tail and run.

"Tessa." Warm fingertips grazed the small of my back, hovering around the curve before slinking up my spine. Goosebumps burned through my body and heightened every aroused nerve I had. "You're so fucking beautiful, all I can think about is slipping this dress off you. But I don’t want to scare you, Tessa. I need you to feel safe and wanted. I want you to feel loved."


















Aria Cole is a thirty-something housewife who once felt bad for reading dirty books late at night, until she decided to write her own. Possessive alpha men and the sassy heroines who love them are common, along with a healthy dose of irresistible insta-love and happily ever afters so sweet your teeth may ache.

Aria's new release BLACK is the first in her modern fairy tale series. For a safe, off-the-charts HOT, and always HEA story that doesn't take a lifetime to read, get lost in an Aria Cole book!

Follow Aria on Amazon for new release updates, or stalk her on Facebook and Twitter to see which daring book boyfriend she's writing next!

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Thanks for joining us at Tears of Crimson. Home to Bestselling Author Michelle Hughes,and all the Friends of Crimson!