Book Blitz: Laura DeLuca’s Player

*****

Player

Laura DeLuca

 

 Amazon / Smashwords

Joshua Handover had it all. He was handsome, rich, athletic, and had always been popular with the ladies. Yet, until he gets paired up with his beautiful but shy lab partner, Rosa, he never allowed himself to fall in love. As the chemistry between them grows, Josh realizes that his player days have come to end. But it seems his change of heart has come too late. Not only is Rosa leery of his bad boy reputation, he has four vindictive ex-girlfriends who are on a rampage. At first he doesn’t take their threats seriously, but then his tires are slashed, someone tries to poison him, and one of the girls turns up dead. Josh doesn’t know who to trust, but one thing is certain. It definitely isn’t worth the price he’s paying to be a player.

 

Excerpt:

Someone else came over to offer Nadine their congratulations, so Josh said goodbye and went to his locker to get his backpack. He figured he would meet up with Andrea and Rosa in the parking lot. He fumbled with the combination before finally getting the door to swing open. Something glittered on the top shelf and caught his eye. He reached for it, and a small scrap of paper fluttered to the floor.

At first he wasn’t sure what he was holding. It was a pink plastic tiara with some big gaudy plastic jewels. It was the type of thing he had seen in dollar stores for little girls’ birthday parties. It was practically broken in half, and the edges were sharp. Josh pricked his finger on the jagged point, and a few drops of blood welled from the small wound. He put his finger in his mouth as he bent to pick up the paper that had fallen. When he read it, the broken crown suddenly made sense and he wondered how he could have been so naïve. He should have realized from the instant he saw it what it meant.

“Josh decided to play around

Now one of his girls is under the ground.

Another has a big bump on her head.

And by the end of the dance, the queen will be dead.”

 

 

About the Author:

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart.  In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.  Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan and Player.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Chloe Neill’s “House Rules” Tour

Happy New Release to Chloe Neill.  

House Rules is book 7 in the Chicagoland Vampire Series. 

We are honored to be a part of Chloe’s House Rules tour…

Thank you Chloe 🙂

Chloe has stopped by to share one of her favorite quotes…

But first a little more about Chloe:

Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite series.

She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest–just close enough to Cadogan House and St. Sophia’s to keep an eye on things. When not transcribing Merit’s and Lily’s adventures, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.)

Chloe is represented by Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency. Chloe is a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.

Photo by Dana Damewood. (If you use this photo for promotional purposes, please credit Dana.)

About this site:  This website was created using Thesis for WordPress. The background image is (slightly color-modded) Cranberry by Evan Eckard. The social media icons were developed by Noisette Academy.

 

Now… Chloe please share with us one of your favorite quotes from your Chicagoland Vampire Series. 

 

 

*****

Let’s take a closer look at House Rules

*****

AmazonBarnes & NobleBooks-A-MillionIndieBound.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal—tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined

 

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

I have two prize packages to give to two lucky followers.

A huge thank you to Chloe for being so generous and putting together some awesome swag for us to share with out followers.

PRIZE #1

Prize #1 includeds

* One custom designed (for this tour) Chicagoland Vampire tote bag

* One custom designed (for this tour) Chicagoland Vampire pen (writing pen)

* One “i survied HARD BITTEN” pin

* Chicagoland Vampire Bookmarks

*****

PRIZE #2

Prize #2 includeds

* One custom designed (for this tour) Chicagoland Vampire tote bag

* One custom designed (for this tour) Chicagoland Vampire pen (writing pen)

* One “i survived HARD BITTEN” pin

* Chicagoland Vampire Bookmarks

*One signed copy of “Biting Cold” (damage on the back corner)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The fun doesn’t stop here. 

Want more chances to win? You can also enter Chloe’s House Rules Grand Prize Giveaways, which will run January 30 through February 7 on Chloe’s web site.

What are the Grand Prize Giveaway prizes?

Prize One: The Paper Prize

A complete set of autographed Chicagoland Vampires novels
A $50 gift card from Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner’s choice)
A set of personalized bookplatescourtesy of Felix Doolittle
A Chicagoland Vampires tote bag

Prize Two: The Tech Prize
A set of Chicagoland Vampires audiobook CDs (Books 1-6), courtesy of Tantor Audio
A $50 gift card from Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner’s choice)
A Chicagoland Vampires tote bag

Both prize packages will include plenty of Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite swag, including bookmarks, stickers, pencils, or other goodies (as supplies last)

Check out the rest of the House Rules Blog Tour Schedule

January 28, 2013
Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust
A Book Obsession

January 29, 2013
Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance
Oh Paper Pages

January 30, 2013
YA Reads
Mystifying Paranormal Reviews

January 31, 2013
Saucy Wenches
Literati Literature Lovers

February 1, 2013
Readers Confession
Mostly YA Book Obsessed

February 2, 2013
Dark Faerie Tales (The Mating Game Event)
Fic Fare

February 4, 2013
Vampire Book Club (Character Love Letters)
Cocktails and Books
Paranormal Cravings

February 5, 2013 – Release Day!
The Autumn Review
Gizmo’s Reviews

February 6, 2013
A Great Read
The Book Twins

February 7, 2013
Books-N-Kisses
She Wolf Reads

February 8, 2013
A Thousand Lives
Forget About TV, Grab a Book

 

Interview with Tracey Devlyn

 Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Tracey Devlyn to the blog today to chat about her newest book 

Tracey, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m a small town girl who transplanted to the big city – or at least the suburbs!—several years ago. For the last eight years, I’ve been managing human resources for an environmental agency near Chicago. My adorable rescue Doberman keeps me youthful and my awesome husband keeps me grounded. J

Have you always wanted to be an author? Nope. The writing bug did not hit me until about six years ago. It never once occurred to me that I might have the chops to write a novel. Not long after I scrounged up the courage to put pen to paper (literally), I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing? My laptop and a quiet room is all I need to write. Every once in awhile I’ll light a candle, but I do that less and less these days. As for a typical writing day—I generally write for about three hours in the evenings and for 16-20 hours on the weekends. I have quite a few other things that vie for my time when I’m not at the day job, like email, marketing, publicity, website management, street team activities, social media, etc. I stay busy!

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Because I have a strong suspense element in my stories, my plots tend to be a little more intricate than most historical romances. So, I’m constantly connecting the dots, both with the external suspense element and the romance. The most rewarding? Honestly, it’s all rewarding to me. I love the process of writing the books—even when it’s hard. I love interacting with readers. And I love the supportive nature of the romance community.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

Checkmate, My Lord is the second installment in my—take a deep breath—historical romantic spy thriller Nexus series. That was a mouthful, wasn’t it? J Those of you who have read my debut, A Lady’s Revenge, will recognize Lord Somerton’s name. He was the heroine’s guardian in ALR and is now the hero in Checkmate. Somerton, aka Sebastian Danvers, is ruthless, dedicated to his country, attracted to his murdered agent’s widow, and is a magnet for a seven-year-old girl who likes to natter on about horses.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Good question! Somewhere along the way it became obvious that book 2 in the series would be Somerton’s and it would have to take place in the country. Pairing him up with an organizing widow, who’s being forced to spy on him, a spymaster, seemed even more fitting.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

Thanks for asking! Right now, I’m going through developmental edits for book 3, A Lady’s Secret Weapon. ALSW is Ethan deBeau’s story and will be available October 2013.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I have so many! The authors that hooked me on romance forever are: Virginia Henley (The Raven and The Rose—first romance I ever read), Johanna Lindsay, Lisa Kleypas, Christina Dodd, Eloisa James, Mary Balogh, Christina Feehan, Kresley Cole, Adrienne Giordano—those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?  There is one book that has affected my writing more than any other. Unfortunately, I have lost the name of the author and book. Believe me, I’ve tried to find it in my mound! But the historical author set the story in Italy. The hero and heroine were married and his Italian family refused to embrace his new English wife. The part that shocked me and has stayed with me so many years later was the brutal sexual assault against the heroine. Yes, very ugly, but the author somehow pulled it off. Now, I have no plans to go there, but what I took away from that story was – keep your readers guessing. Shock them, make them laugh, make them cry. Make them remember.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

Chapter Six. In this scene, Sebastian enters his study to find Catherine waiting for him. The night before, he over-imbibed and sent her a note, asking her to join him in the morning to discuss a potential business arrangement. Unfortunately, he has absolutely no recollection of sending her the note. Needless to say, the unflappable Lord Somerton is feeling a little off-balance.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Let’s see. Books queued up on my Kindle right now are: Starters by Lissa Price, The Blood Gospel by James Rollins & Rebecca Cantrell, and The Heiresses #1 by Allison Rushby.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I love connecting with readers! Please stop by at any of these haunts and say hello!

TraceyDevlyn.com | Dangerous Darlings Street Team | Newsletter

Twitter.com/TraceyDevlyn | Facebook.com/AuthorTraceyDevlyn | LadyJanesSalonNaperville.com  Goodreads.com/TraceyDevlyn | Discover a New Love

Thanks again for allowing me to hang out today on Books-n-Kisses!

Hugs,

Tracey

 

  Available February 5, 2013 

PaperbackAmazon | Barnes and NobleB-A-M | Booktopia | Google | IndieBound | Powell’s | Sourcebooks | The Book Depository

 eBookAmazon | Apple | All Romance | Barnes and Noble | B-A-M Sourcebooks

A desperate mother falls in love with the spymaster she’s forced to betray.

 THE STAKES ARE HIGH, THE PLAYERS IN POSITION…

 Catherine Ashcroft leads a quiet life caring for her precocious seven-year-old daughter, until a visitor delivers a startling ultimatum. She will match wits with the enigmatic Earl of Somerton, and it’s not just her heart that’s in danger.

 LET THE GAMES BEGIN…

 Spymaster Sebastian Danvers, Earl of Somerton, is famous for his cunning. Few can outwit him and even few dare challenge him–until now. After returning to his country estate, his no-nonsense neighbor turns her seductive wiles on him–but why would a respectable widow like Catherine risk scandal for a few passionate nights in his bed?

REVIEWS:

“Devlyn’s seamless writing will entice readers and keep them eager for the next installment.”  Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

“Devlyn delivers an emotional, powerful read.” ~ RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“Devlyn’s edgy and sexy series is gaining momentum, and historical-romantic suspense fans, particularly those who enjoy Brenda Joyce, will delight in this.” ~ Booklist

“Love the characters, lots of mystery, murderers, spies and lots of romance!!!!!!!! CHECKMATE MY LORD is an edge of your seat exciting read!” Fresh Fiction

 

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kelly’s review of Midnight Alias by Elle Kennedy

TITLE: Midnight Alias – Killer Instinct #2
AUTHOR: Elle Kennedy
Characters: Luke Dubois & Olivia Taylor
PUBLICATION DATE:
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She’s smart, seductive, and in way over her head.
He’s her only way out.

An undercover DEA agent has gone off the radar. Suspecting an internal mole, the government needs Luke Dubois and his elite team of operatives to recover their man, and the New Orleans native thinks he’s found his way inside the dark underbelly of Manhattan: Olivia Taylor, the girlfriend of a mob boss and the sexiest woman he’s ever laid eyes on. His new mission objective? Get past Olivia’s defenses and convince her to take a chance—on him.

All Olivia wanted was to finish law school and live a normal life, but that dream was shattered when one dangerous night put her deeply in a mobster’s debt. Now Luke and his team will help her escape—in exchange for intel on the missing agent. But Olivia doesn’t anticipate her intense attraction to the reckless Louisiana charmer or that she’ll be forced to risk everything—including her heart

REVIEW:
Under cover. Trying to find a missing DEA agent. Catch in a tangled web of lies and fear. Drugs, lies and guns. But through it all love will win. Or will it?

Olivia had never thought that her life would turn out the way that it has. But sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do. It is only a matter of time before she can make her escape. But just as Olivia is ready to make her more fate throws a wrench in her plans. Know Olivia finds herself helping out who she hopes are the good guys.

Luke could have never guessed the twists and turns his latest mission has taken him on. But I am sure that he is darn glad he did. All except maybe getting catch claiming out of that window and down the fire escape. What you want to know what I am talking about? You will just have to pick up a copy of Midnight Alias.

This was my first Elle Kennedy book and boy did I love this book. Luke is well in a word YUMMY!!!! I really did love this book. It kept my attention from page one. I am looking forward to more of the Killer Instinct series. There are so many pain in the butt characters that need to fall in love so badly. And Yes, I will be going back and reading book 1.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

Book Blitz: Erica Pike

*****

Hot Hands

Buy Links: No Boundaries Press / Amazon / All Romance Ebooks / Barnes & Noble

For weeks, college student Casper has been the victim of sail-by goosing and groping. The problem is that Casper would very much like to get more than groped by those wonderful, big, hot hands. With a journal full of clues, he sets out to discover who his mystery groper is. However, he may be in serious trouble once he discovers the ominous identity, and it’s not because of the light bondage the groper seems to like.

Excerpt for Hot Hands:

I try to act casual as I walk down the empty hallway, plotting a way to counter Joey’s attack. But when I stop by a small dark space ready to twist around and tackle back, I get pushed into the darkness with speed I didn’t know Joey possessed. My school bag drops to the floor with a thud.

“Joey!” I yelp in surprise as my face is pressed against a wall.

“Joey?” a deep voice vibrates from the back of my neck.

I gasp out loud. This isn’t Joey. Joey’s voice is much higher.

“What do you want?” I ask through rattling breaths and a heart that’s ready to pop.

“What do you think I want?” he growls into my ear.

Oh God, when he says it like that, it’s pretty clear. I can’t believe this is happening right here in school. With my mind going numb, I try to escape, but he’s a good six inches taller than me and he’s strong. He pins my wrists to my back and pushes me into a dark room. I’m about to scream for help, when I feel his big hand on my ass. Hot and gentle.

Hot-Hands.

I take a few calming breaths as he pushes me against another wall, his front firm to my back. All I can smell is detergent and his tantalizing cologne mixed with his own unique man-smell. The combination has my mind reeling.

When I try to twist around, he covers my eyes with his big hand.

“I want to see you,” I complain, still panting after my initial shock with the cold wall pressed against my cheek.

“I’m not ready to be seen,” he says in that drool-worthy voice of his, so deep and sensual. “Would you like me to leave?”

“No,” I nearly shout. “Please, I need to know who you are.”

He doesn’t answer, but instead pulls a strip of cloth over my eyes, obscuring the little I could make out in the dark.

“Do you mind?”

His whisper in my ear makes me shudder.

“No,” I try to say firmly, but the insecurities make my voice tremble.

Hot-Hands ties the strip behind my head and brushes his soft lips against my bare neck.

“I’ll need to tie your hands too,” he whispers.

I don’t struggle while my wrists are being secured with the soft fabric.

As he runs his finger from the top of my spine to the small of my back, my body convulses in shudders. Instinctively, I try to free my wrists. I hear his deep chuckle, but there’s no way I can get free.

Hot hell, what have I done? I’ve given a complete stranger permission to tie me up and now I’m at his mercy. I have no way of defending myself. Although the thought sends winged beasts of terror fluttering in the pit of my stomach, my heart is hammering with an odd thrill as well.

*****

Grade-A-Se​x-Deal

Buy Links: No Boundaries Press / Amazon  / All Romance E-Books / Barnes & Noble

When College professor Daniel Corrigan was brutally kicked out of his home after revealing his true sexuality to his wife, he had to make a whole new life for himself. For the first time in two years Daniel’s main heartache isn’t the none-existent relationship with his two kids, but the fact that the grade-A-sex deal with his student Troy Anderson is about to expire. After a whole semester of office fun, Troy has managed to squeeze his way into the core of Daniel’s soul. Daniel, however, is positive he’s nothing more to Troy than a teacher who can modify a grade.

Excerpt for Grade-A-Se​x-Deal:

A light knock on the door brings me out of my misery. The only perk of this job is about to enter, and perky he is indeed.

Troy Anderson pokes his beautiful face into my office, swings his slim, athletic body inside and locks the door behind him.

“Come in,” I say calmly to the young kid who only ever wears skin-tight jeans and sleeveless tops. My guess is that he does it just to tease me. I can’t take my eyes off his thin waist and nicely toned biceps and whenever he catches me ogling, he shoots me a smirk.

“What can I do for you, Troy?”

“You can give me an A on that exam you’re making,” Troy replies in his low, seductive voice. His blue eyes scan the table in front of me. Out of habit I pull a folder over my notes.

“And why would I do that?” I ask in my monotone teaching voice.

Troy’s full lips quirk into a smirk. “Because we have a deal.”

He walks to my desk and traces the edge with a long finger. My eyes follow that finger where it slides off the wood and lands on his growing bulge.

“The deal’s off,” I state matter-of-factly.

An old magazine lies on top of my screen. I grab it and pretend to sink my consciousness in the wonders of the South-American rain forests while everything within me is fantasizing about what he keeps hidden in those jeans.

“No way,” Troy says with a confident smile in his voice. “I haven’t been coming to see you every week for you to bail out now. The exam is next week.”

I count down a full minute before I lower the magazine to answer. “I’m very well aware of that, Mr. Anderson, but you didn’t show up last Monday night. You broke the deal.”

“Oh come on, I was studying,” he says and for the first time I hear a crack in his resolve. It surprises me so much that my eyes fly up to meet his. That gorgeous, sandy-blond hair half covers one of his blue eyes and sweeps the curve of his neck. His slender jaw flexes on his tanned face as he swallows.

“What do you propose?” I ask calmly, trying hard not to reveal how much he affects me. His mere presence is enough to have me jumping hoops. Yes, we do have a grade-A-sex deal, but the more we meet the more I like having him around.

He resumes his calm nature, leaning over the end of the desk with his perky little ass in the air. “Well, I’m here now. You can do me twice.”

He has my undivided attention for a few seconds before I toss away the magazine, grab a pen and start flicking through the Webster’s.

“Oh come on,” he murmurs, edging himself a little farther towards me. “I know you have other guys knocking on your door every night. It’s not like you didn’t have anyone to play with. How many guys have you fucked this week?”

“Several,” I reply with a shrug. “How many teachers have fucked you this week?”

“Several,” he echoes with a carefree grin and adjusts his perfectly shaped elbows on my desk.

Those white teeth, that full, hot mouth around my cock has me gasping for air every time. The reason this Adonis is so skilled at giving head is that he fucks around a lot and has done so for years. Troy’s not even discrete about it. He tells me about his conquests every week after our meetings. Teachers, students, career men, club guys. Basically whoever he thinks is hot – and Troy, being so impossibly hot, can pretty much have whomever he wants. It has always bothered me, even at first, when all I felt for him was deep dark lust.

Looking down at my dictionary, I mumble to myself, “If you used the time to study, instead of fucking, you’d be able to earn your A’s the right way.”

Even if that meant I wouldn’t be having these magnificent hours with him every week. I’d trade it all if Troy would just settle down a little and stop messing around so much. I even find myself glaring at guys in the hallway, wondering if they’ve fucked him.

Troy sighs and rustles with his belt. I glance up from my volume. He buttons down his jeans and slides them off his hips, thrusting his tout ass further up.

I take a few calm breaths before allowing myself to fully rest my eyes on the glory that is Troy’s perfect ass, all without moving my head an inch.

He places his head in the palm of his hand with a smile and uses the other to pluck off my thick-rimmed glasses. I allow him to lean over and press his lips to mine. The feeling of the soft, slippery texture of his skillful tongue is euphoric. My brain is plunged into a cloudy haze. It becomes hard to think straight. I take his face in my hands to pull him closer, diving him into a deep, lingering kiss before breaking for air.

“Please, fuck me, Mr. Corrigan,” he whispers breathless against my lips. “You don’t have to prepare me, just shove it in and take me hard.”

Now, how am I supposed to say no to such a request?

*****

The Walls Have Ears

Buy Links: No Boundaries Press / Amazon / All Romance eBooks / Barnes & Noble

Short and scrawny college student Harley Santos has a strange relationship with the guy on the other side of his bedroom wall. For weeks, the two have been masturbating to each other’s voices, but they have never met in person.

When Harley’s roommate (Ryan) is asked out on a date by one of his neighbors, Harley is devastated that his wall-mate mistook not-hot Harley for super-hot Ryan. Helping Harley through his heartache is Tasha Novokov, the other neighbor, who is tall, dark, and impossibly handsome.

Excerpt The Walls Have Ears:

The walls have ears, or more like, the guy on the other side of the wall has ears…and a lovely voice. His moans are deep and sensual. They drive me nuts every time I masturbate to his grunts, like I’ve been doing almost every night since moving in.

I had been dreading going off to live with some stranger in the deep, dark forest that is Philadelphia. The rustle and bustle of city life was scary for a small-town boy like me. It didn’t help that the people I knew, who’d been to Philly, took great joy in stuffing my head full with stories of serial killers, mobsters, and nasty dorm mates. That last part scared the hell out of me, because I was a green-horned little girly-guy. I was sure I’d be pushed down and fucked by the first guy to cross my path. Of course, the idea of being fucked wasn’t all that unappealing, but I didn’t want to be made into the dorm’s butt boy or anything.

Naturally, nothing of the sort happened and I really hit the jackpot with my roommate Ryan. We don’t really run in the same circles. It’s not that he wouldn’t hang out with me if I asked; it’s just that he’s a very busy guy with his sports and other multiple after-school activities. The guy is so busy he barely stays in our small dorm apartment, so it’s almost as if I have it all to myself, which is another plus.

However, it isn’t Ryan who’s moaning so deeply on the other side of the wall. There’s a whole living room-slash-kitchen area between mine and Ryan’s rooms. No, the neighbor is one of the two smoldering hot guys who live in the apartment next to ours.

On my first night here, I was just about to fall asleep on the wooden bed, under my green comforter, when I heard these low, sexy grunts coming from the other side of the wall. He wasn’t alone. In between his deep groans were low gasps and moans coming from another guy. My cock immediately perked up at the sweet sounds. I jerked off as quietly as I could and came hard just about the time the owner of the deep voice did.

There were more nights like that. The guy had a lot of partners, and sometimes it was just him alone. Lately it’s just been him and me. See, one night, about a month ago, we were both getting off on each side of the wall. When he let out a particularly long and sensual groan, my own voice slipped with a low moan. I practically heard him stop for a few seconds, but then he continued and groaned again, only a little higher this time. I was curious, embarrassed, and thrilled all at the same time. Instead of stopping, I kept at it and let out an experimental moan. My neighbor’s voice grew louder and from the sound of things he was definitely masturbating. We ended up fisting our cocks, vocalizing our pleasures with moans, groans, grunts, and gasps until we climaxed. I hid under the comforter after that with a mind spinning like a hula hoop. I thought he’d want us to talk and that would only get me embarrassed, but he never said anything. We did, however, repeat the game every night after that.

With knees pressed in the thick mattress, I lean my head against the red wall with labored breaths. I yank on my cock so fast my vision goes blurry. He breathes equally hard on the other side. His forehead bumps against the wall, right against mine with only the thin wall between us.

“Fuck,” I whisper when the wonderful tightness in my balls gathers in a knot.

He groans deeply in response, which coaxes out a moan from me just before I cry out my groin-twisting ecstasy. His lovely voice lets out a series of deep grunts as he comes. We know each other’s voices so well now that we automatically tune in on each other’s rhythm and almost always come at the same time.

After my boneless body slumps down on the bed, I reach for tissues to wipe myself off. My neighbor runs his fingers along the wall and rustles about, maybe wiping himself off too or getting comfortable on the bed. When all is quiet again, he strokes the wall and whispers good night to me.

“Good night,” I murmur back just before curling up and dozing off.

About the Author:

As a teen, Erica spent hours at a time lying in bed. Some would have called her lazy (though her very supportive parents never did), but she’d disagree. It’s not like she wasn’t doing anything, she was busy daydreaming! You’d have thought the daydreams would lessen as she got older, but that wasn’t the case. Since these are the kind of dreams that can’t really come true, Erica decided to make them come alive on paper.

She lives in Iceland with her adorable little twin boys, and is happy with what she has. She often says that her real name sounds like Klingon to foreigners. Seriously, if “Eyjafjallajokull” looks like someone fell asleep at the keyboard, Erica’s real name could leave a non-Icelander in a zombie-like stupor for days.

She’s been writing for several years, or ever since reading became an obsession. Aside from a business degree, Erica has taken English courses at the University of Iceland and gulped down anything that might help her in her career as an author. She takes great interest in English, but will break every single grammar rule for the sake of the voice.

Erica loves hearing from her readers. She’s a friendly, easy-going (if a bit silly) person who doesn’t mind talking about herself in third person.

Website

Interview & Giveaway(s) with Kathryn Quick

 

Kathryn, welcome to Books-n-Kisses. Can you please share with us a little about yourself

Born long ago in a place not so far away, Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, I have been writing since the Sisters in St. Casmir’s Grammar School gave me the ruled yellow paper and a number two pencil. I write contemporary and career romances, romantic comedies, historical romances as well as urban fantasy,

I’ve been a member of New Jersey Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America since 1990 and consider it an honor to have been NJRW President in 1992 and 2001.  I am also one of the founding members of Liberty States Fiction Writers, multi-genre writers’ organizations dedicated to furthering the craft of writing and helping aspiring writers move onto publication.

I also write as P. K. Eden with colleague, Patt Mihailoff,  FIREBRAND and our debut urban fantasy, has been heralded for having lush worlds and colorful characters full of secrets and magic.  Based on the fall of the Garden of Eden, FIREBRAND, has won two Reviewer’s Choice Awards.

Originally I wanted to be President of the United States or an Organic Chemist, but somehow life got in the way and I got married right out of high school and had a set of twins two years later.  The Presidency seemed out of reach and night school to get her Ph.D. to create new molecule that would ultimately result in the betterment of humankind seemed a little time consuming while trying to raise twins, so she decided to write instead.

In my “other” life,  I am happily married to my real-life hero Donald and have three grown sons all having adventures of their own and three “bonus” grandchildren.  I am a die-hard New Jersey Devils fan and work for Somerset County government (as close as she could get to the White House) and am plotting a novel about a new molecule that will ultimately result in the betterment of humankind.

You can learn more about Kathryn here:  Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon Page

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I have.  Back in Catholic School, almost as soon as I learned to write and figured out the concept of phonics,  I used to write stories about angels over the weekend and slip them on to the Sister’s desk every Monday.  She never said anything to me, but she kept them.  Wonder if she still has them somewhere 

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

Typical writing day:
1. Work until 4:30pm

2. Run errands on the way home

3. Make dinner for the Hub or put the take-out in pots and pretend I made dinner for the Hub

4.  fire-up the computer

5. Play Dynomite, Candy Crush and Scrabble – in that order – at least 5 games each

6. write at least 3 pages

7. Hub comes home – distraction – computer off

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

I have to say, I am still always amazed when someone likes my work.  I get excited about a good review and, and unfortunately, get really bummed about a bad review; and there always are some.  I think it has to do with my Catholic School guilt.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

INELIGIBLE BACHELOR:

After years of pining, Frederika “Freddy” McAllister has hatched a scheme to win Logan Gabriel’s heart: she’ll secretly enter him in Elan Magazine’s Eligible Bachelor Contest, then swoop in to soothe his bruised ego when he loses. Unfortunately, Freddy’s “fool-proof” plans have a tendency to backfire, with disastrous—albeit hilarious—results. And this one looks to be no exception…

Because Logan doesn’t lose—he wins, earning a spot on a new reality TV show with six beautiful women vying for his affections. And if Freddy had read the fine print on the entry form, she would know that, as Logan’s oldest friend, she will be tagging along to choose the lucky girl. Suddenly Freddy’s perfect plan has become a perfect nightmare, complete with scheming TV executives, conniving contestants…and a bachelor in danger of falling for the wrong woman. Freddy caused this mess. Now it’s up to her to prove to Logan—and millions of television viewers—that the girl next door is really the woman of his dreams.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I am a reality TV junkie.  Yes, I watch Dance Moms (don’t hate me – please).  So I decided to incorporate some reality TV into my next story and INELIGIBLE BACHELOR was born. 

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

INELIGIBLE BACHELOR is the first book in my Bachelors Three Series.  The second is called BACHELOR-DOT-COM:

Briefly –

The signs are all there. Up-coming account executive Kinley Adams thinks she is in love with a nerd.

With eyes hidden behind horn-rimmed glasses and comfortable in sweat pants twenty-four-seven, Jack Reeves is a departure from all the hunky men she has dated in her life. A nice guy like Jack would never hurt her way a couple of those guys did, so it has to be love.  Or is it just a feeling of being safe?  She just isn’t sure enough to tell him.

But when a devastating auto accident nearly ends his like, what she feels for Jack in the aftermath, makes  Kinley KNOW she’s in love with him.  When the accident transform Jack Reeves into a honest-to-goodness hunk, reaction from women to his new look makes Kinley feel that Jack needs to experience the proverbial “sowing of the wild oats”, something he never had to opportunity to do,  before she stakes a claim on his heart.  So she plans to keep her feelings a secret; for a little while anyway.

But Jack has a secret of his own.  He’s not the geeky video game trouble shooter Kinley thinks he is; he owns the company.  Jack met Kinley when he fixed her computer on a trouble shoot report and was surprised when they seemed to hit it off.  A month passed, then six and now,  after two years, he is afraid to tell her the truth about himself.  Now, with his company, Gaming International, going public in a few weeks, time is running out.

Can Kinley forgive the two-year lie Jack has been living or will she hit the delete button and try to forget about his deception.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Cris Anson for erotica, Sharon Sala for Women’s Fiction, Patt Mihailoff for historical and contemporary romance  and any one of the talent authors in my Liberty States Writers Group.  They are all stellar.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?

I can’t say they have.  I think my style is uniquely mine.  I have learned a lot from them, however.  You can always learn something from whatever experience you have.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

Freddy, Logan  and the contestants are getting a paintball lesson before they play a game of elimination paintball.  Freddy is already making a mental list of who is going to get hit by her marks and in what order.  I think the Iraq war veteran is going out first. Freddy knows she can shoot and is planning an ambush to send her to the “hit box” to wait until the game is over.

Wait- Freddy just grabbed the flag and took off running, paintballs splattering all around her but not on her.  Let the games begin.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I need to finish Book Four in Game of Thrones.  I love that era.  Cannot get enough of the Arthurian legend.  I am also finishing up a series that explores the possibility of Camelot living beyond Arthur.

I also love anything sci-fi.  I am a real Trekkie and Geek at heart.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just thanks for letting me ramble on here.  I had a real blast .  Hope you all will pop over to my website   www.kathrynquick.com  and learn a little more about my books.   

Come on a friend me on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/kathye.quick.5

And follow me and I’ll follow you on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Kathyeq

Peace!!

 

Ineligible Bachelor

by Kathryn Quick

Amazon  / B&N

Frederika “Freddy” McAllister has loved Logan Gabriel since…well, forever. Unfortunately, she’s  spent most of forever in the dreaded “friend zone,” harboring what has to be the longest-running crush of all time. But now Freddy has a plan to make Logan see her as more than just the girl next door: She’ll enter him in Elan Magazine’s Eligible Bachelor Contest, then swoop in to soothe his bruised ego when he loses.

There’s just one tiny problem: Logan wins! And that means he’s headed to a mansion in New Jersey where six beautiful women will vie for his affections on reality TV. Making matters worse, the producers want Freddy to tag along and help choose his ideal match. Suddenly her perfect plan becomes a perfect nightmare, as Freddy scrambles to outwit conniving contestants and convince the man of her dreams that the woman of his has been by his side all along.

 

Giveaway Details

 Kathryn is giving away a $10.00 gift card (winners choice of Amazon or B&N)

and an eBook of INELIGIBLE BACHELOR to one winner at every tour stop.

US/CANADA ONLY

To be entered please leave a comment or question for Kathryn

ALSO leave your email address (**NO EMAIL, NO ENTRY**)

giveaway ends 2/13/13

But wait there is more!!!!

Grand Prize Giveaway

 Kathryn is giving away a Kobo mini ereader and an eBook of INELIGIABLE BACHELOR to ONE winner that follows the tour.  (If you already have an ereader then Kathryn will gift you a $60.00 gift card to either Amazon or B&N.)

Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  The more tasks you complete, the greater the chance you have at winning.

Good Luck

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INELIGIBLE BACHELOR Tour Schedule

2/1 – I Heart Books – Facebook Promo

2/2 – Alexx Mom Cat’s Gateway Book Blog

2/4 – Love Romance Passion

2/5 – Musings From An Addicted Reader

2/6 – Books-n-Kisses

2/10 – Romance Junkies

2/13 – United by Books

2/15 – Life of a Total Book Nerd

2/18 –  Coffee & A Book Anytime

2/21 – Cocktails and Books

2/22 – Over the Edge

2/23 –  Book Monster Reviews

2/24 – Must Read Faster

2/25 – Babbling About Books & More

3/6 – Redheaded Bookworm

3/7 – Book Lovin’ Mamas

3/8 – Anna Reads Romance

3/9 – Riverina Romantics

3/10 – Ramblings From This Chick

3/12 – Toots Book Reviews

3/13 – Urban Girl Reader

3/15 – The Reading Cafe

 

Kelly’s review of Rush by Maya Banks

TITLE: Rush – The Breathless Trilogy #1
CHARACTERS: Gabe & Mia
AUTHOR: Maya Banks
PUBLICATION DATE: Feb 5, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking…

When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.

Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.

As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.

REVIEW:
I liked this story, like the character well enough to keep reading. But I had a few issues with this book.

I didn’t like the mousey little Mia in the beginning of the book, but by the end I did kinda like her. She finally grow up enough to stand up for what she wants.

Gabe while he might be dreamy, he was a bit of a……butt (to put it nice). Who the heck signs a contract to have a relationship? He is dominant, controlling and well a real pain in the butt. But in the end he learns, or will learn.

I will admit that I was a little nervous. When reviews or people refer to books with a 50 Shade of whatever compariance I normally will stay far away from that books. I am glad that I read and do plan on reading the next two books in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Interview & Giveaway with Grace Burrowes

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Grace Burrowes to the blog today. 

Grace, can you please share with us a little about yourself
GB: I didn’t start writing novels until I hit my late forties, when the offspring had flown the nest, the legal career was under control, and some unstructured time came my way. I pretty much haven’t stopped writing since.

Have you always wanted to be an author?
GB: I’ve always enjoyed writing, but it never occurred to me to pursue writing professionally. I had a couple dozen manuscripts completed, and enough friends had asked what I was going to DO with all those stories… THEN, I began to think about writing for publication.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?
GB: I have to have peace and quiet. I don’t think I could compose new material at a coffee shop, though I admire those who can. My typical day is get up early, deal with the household beasts, play a few games of solitaire, then start writing. I usually get only a scene or two done each day, and then go on to reading copy edits, proofing galleys, or doing research unless it’s a lawyer day. The last thing I do before turning in at night is read over what I wrote that morning, in hopes it will lodge in the old sleep brain and generate brilliant moves in tomorrow’s scenes.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
GB: Most rewarding is when a reader lets me know that my books gave them some joy, some relief from life’s cares and woes. I read romance novels for 35 years before I started writing, and oh boy, do I know what a good read can do for a bad day. It’s also rewarding when a reader will let me know I’m wrong. There’s a hilarious Latin typo in Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight, and I really like that my readers could let me know that, and do it in a genuinely helpful manner.

The challenging part I will try to phrase delicately. The pioneers in the romance field created and perpetuate a legacy of kindness, mutual support, and honorable behavior. With the advent of the internet, and the anonymity and lack of accountability that go with it, that ethic is being eroded in some spheres. This is sad, but this is by far a minority among romance writers and readers, and, I hope, a shrinking minority at that.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
GB: Love to! Lady Eve’s Indiscretion is a story about the youngest Windham sibling, Eve, who ran off with a footman as an adolescent, and realized too late what a disastrous choice she’d made. Seven years later she’s trying to avoid a wedding night lest the extent of her folly become known to anybody else, but Lucas Denning, Marquis of Deene, has other plans for her. Eve has to get back on the horse, physically and emotionally, and a little bit at a time, with the help of a man who loves her, she accomplishes that goal spectacularly.

How did you come up with the idea for this story?
GB: I love horses, and while I’ve had my share of falls, none of them have been particularly bad for me or the horse. I’ve known people who’ve taken bad falls, though, and it’s a tough trauma to get past, particularly if your horse was also hurt. I was also a teenager once upon a time (my daughter is not convinced of this), and I made some stunningly awful choices, as most of us do. My imagination got hold of those two concepts and went to work on them, and Eve’s story was the result.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

GB: Of course! I’m working on Book Three of a regency trilogy around the theme of captivity, and looking at all the things that can ensnare us, and keep us from the happiness we’re capable of. Love and courage are always part of the way out. My current heroine, Brenna, has to find the courage to trust the husband who spent ten years at war rather than come home and take his place at her side. Michael, her swain, has a lot of trust to rebuild with her, but he’s just the fellow to do it.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

GB: Joanna Bourne is at the top of the list. Her books stand ahead of chocolate on my list of guilty pleasures. Mary Balogh has gotten me through many a tough week, Judith Ivory is well represented on my keeper shelf. Love Jennifer Ashley’s Scottish Victorians, cannot get enough of Julie Anne Long’s Pennyroyal Green series, and adore Carolyn Jewel’s Regencies and her paranormals. Loretta Chase, Meredith Duran, Sherry Thomas, JR Ward… I could go on…

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
GB: Interesting question. My readers might be better able to answer that. I think I share with many authors the idea that the characters need an arc. They can be ordinary people at the beginning of the book, even not-so-endearing people, but love must give them the courage to be more than they thought they could be.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.
GB: Lord Deene’s brother-in-law, Jonathan Dolan, is trying not to betray how smitten he is with his daughter’s governess (and succeeding only in his own mind).

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

GB:  As I write this, Jennifer Ashley’s Seduction of Elliot McBride is at the top of the TRP. Kristin Callihan’s third Darkest London story, Winterblaze, comes out at the end of this month, J.R. Ward’s, Lover at Last, is coming out in March.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
GB: Thank you so much for inviting me here!

 

LADY EVE’S INDISCRETION

BY GRACE BURROWES

IN STORES FEBRUARY 2013

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Indigo/Chapters | Sourcebooks | Discover a New Love

 Lady Eve’s Got The Perfect Plan…

Pretty, petite Evie Windham has been more indiscreet than her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Moreland, suspect. Fearing that a wedding night would reveal her past, she’s running out of excuses to dodge adoring swains. Lucas Denning, the newly titled Marquis of Deene, has reason of his own for avoiding marriage. So Evie and Deene strike a deal, each agreeing to be the other’s decoy. At this rate, matrimony could be avoided indefinitely…until the two are caught in a steamy kiss that no one was supposed to see.

 Praise for Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal:

“Burrowes delivers red-hot chemistry with a masterful mix of playfulness and sensuality.”—Publishers Weekly Starred Review

“A tantalizing, delectably sexy story that is one of the best yet from an author on the way to the top.”—Library Journal Starred Review

“A delight…strikingly unique characters with realistic emotions and exciting antics.”—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“Captivating…historical romance at its finest and rife with mystery and intrigue.”—Romance Fiction on Suite 101

A little more about Grace: 

Grace Burrowes is a bestselling and award-winning author of historical romances. Her debut, The Heir, was selected as a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year for 2010 in the romance category, and Lady Louisa’s Christmas Wish won RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Historical Romance of 2011 and was also nominated for the prestigious RWA RITA© award. The author of the bestsellers The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal, and Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish, Grace is a practicing attorney and lives in rural Maryland. She’ll conclude to the Windham Family Series with Lady Jenny’s story in October 2013, and will begin a new regency series with Darius in April 2013. She also has a Scottish Victorian series as well, beginning with The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, which was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2012. Please visit http://www.graceburrowes.com/ or follow her on Twitter: @GraceBurrowes for more information.

 

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Kelly’s review of Finding Abigail by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Finding Abigail – Holiday Montana #3
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
Characters: Tyler & Abigail
PUBLICATION DATE: Feb 5, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Tyler Cooper is the town sheriff and, in the past, had been the only person keeping Holiday steady. Though the community is now finding out that it’s town is magical, Tyler has always known it—it’s in his blood. He has always known his fate of becoming a cupid, striking love into the hearts others, but an enemy from his past is set on keeping him from finding his own destiny—and love.

Abigail Clarke is leaving Holiday for good. She has to. After years of trying to fit in and make Tyler notice her, she’s giving up. She’s watched her friends fall in love and it’s heartbreaking. Acknowledging that the one man she’s always loved doesn’t want her, it’s time to move on and find her own future.

Right when the stars align and Tyler opens his eyes, his enemy is back and has his sights on Abigail. Abigail is in danger and Tyler may be the only one to stand up to him and save her.

Warning: Contains one sexy sheriff who turns into cupid, complete with bow and arrow, the sweetest teacher you’ll ever meet who needs to find her bad girl side, and a love of candy hearts that’s sure to bring them together.

REVIEW:
Finding Abigail has to be my favorite book so far in the Holiday Montana Series (well we haven’t got to Jackson’s book yet, but so far out of the three this is my favorite). I really like Tyler. He is all stuffy and hates love. Blah, blah, blah Poor guy. Love is about to become his new job.
Abby can’t take anymore. The darn small town of Holiday is closing in on her. But when she goes to say goodbye to the one and only man she has ever loved something very strange happens.
But will it be enough?
If you have read the Holiday Montana Series to date you know all about Tyler and Abby. But in Finding Abigail you will get to see a side to both of them we didn’t know about. And we find out why and what has been keeping them apart for so long.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

Guest blogger: Beth Williamson

BETH WILLIAMSON’S  

Month of Cowboy lovin’ 

BLOG TOUR, February 1 – February 28

 

CALEB


by EMMA LANG

 SPREADING THE CALEB LOVE THE ENTIRE MONTH OF FEBRUARY

Caleb blurb:

A Texas Ranger, a lady blacksmith, a fierce passion, a dangerous game.

Caleb Graham has spent the last four years in too many dangerous situations to count. As a Texas Ranger, he knows no fear, or at least he never shows it. When he’s sent to force a blacksmith off government seized property, he runs face to face into the woman who will change his life.

Aurora Foster grew up on the very land the obnoxious Ranger is trying to throw her off of. Her parents and her husband died for it and there is no chance she would leave without a fight. A lady blacksmith might be an anomaly but she has the strength of the steel she forges and the courage to fight for what she believes is right.

When Aurora is inadvertently injured by Caleb, he seeks medical help from a neighboring ranch. The sprawling hacienda is full of the finer things in life and the one person Caleb never expected to see again… his youngest brother Benjamin. Forced to flee from a man who has kept the boy captive, the trio become traveling companions in a deadly game where no one wins.

Life turns upside down and sideways for Caleb and Aurora, caught in a game neither of them expected while they desperately try to save the boy who was lost to his family. Pursued and hunted, the three of them ride for the Circle Eight ranch. The unlikely pair of rescuers fight their attraction and for their lives.

 READ AN EXCERPT

Caleb was pleasantly full of meatloaf and green beans, and even a piece of peach pie. The restaurant in the tiny town of Marks Creek was a treasure. He hadn’t had such a wonderful meal outside of the Circle Eight. He was in a good mood, surprisingly good.

Not only had he located Rory Foster but he had directions to the smithy. The mission was by far the easiest he’d ever been sent on. Now he had to convince Foster to leave the property. Texas had plans for that particular parcel of land and they had let him squat there long enough. Caleb didn’t know the particulars, and he didn’t want to know. All he had to do was carry out his orders and then ride back to headquarters for his next assignment.

It should be easy as the ride out to Foster’s smithy. Regardless of what a good mood he was in, Caleb made sure his pistol and rifle were both loaded. He was about to evict a man of what was perceived as “his” property. There would be resistance, but if Caleb was smart, he would control the situation from the moment he stepped foot on the property.

The area was beautiful with rolling hills, a plump creek running freely and the kind of thick grass cattle could get fat on. It was clear why the smithy stayed when the Republic of Texas told him to leave. Caleb might have stayed too if he’d been smack dab in the middle of such rich land.

He followed the smell of smoke and rode up to a square building with a sign that read “Foster’s Smithy” in faded red letters. It was a typical blacksmith’s shop, with large windows controlled by hinged wood panels. The smoke and heat could get fierce inside the building. There was an enormous stone forge inside and a large number of tools scattered around, not to mention an anvil that probably weighed more than a team of horses. It was a solid shop and Caleb felt a pinch of guilt for arriving to take it all away from Foster.

He dismounted and finally noticed the tiny shack in the shadows behind the smithy. It wasn’t quite a house, but it did have a door, one tiny window and a smoke stack, which meant there was a heat source inside, likely a stove of some sort. It must be where the blacksmith lived, modest as it was. There was great care taken in the actual smithy which told Caleb the man might be more difficult to remove than he expected.

“Foster?” Caleb walked into the larger building. The forge wasn’t fired up, the embers glowed orange. “Is anybody here?”

He hoped like hell nobody told the man there was a marshal on the way. If so, his job got even harder. Caleb kept his hand on his pistol as he walked around the building. Whoever the blacksmith was, he had skills. The iron work was top notch, even in the pieces that weren’t finished yet.

“Who are you?” A woman’s voice startled him from his perusal.

He turned to find a man wearing a leather apron and cap, and trousers that had seen better days. Caleb shook his head and frowned at him.

“Ranger Caleb Graham. Who are you?” He couldn’t equate the husky woman’s voice with the blacksmith. Was he hiding her in the apron?

“Aurora Foster.”

The voice came from the man’s mouth. The ground shifted beneath his feet as realization hit him. Sweet heaven above. Rory Foster. Aurora Foster. Holy hell. The blacksmith he was there to evict was a woman? When he got back to headquarters, he’d give his commander a piece of his mind about this particular assignment.

“You’re a woman.”

“I can see why you’re a crack man of the law, ranger.” She raised one brow. “You’re trespassing.”

He swallowed his response to her sarcasm. She definitely wasn’t a wilting flower but the leather apron should have told him that. “You have that backwards, Mrs. Foster. You are the one trespassing. This property belongs to the Republic of Texas.”

Her mouth twisted. “That’s ridiculous. My parents settled this land twenty years ago. The republic can go find someone else to harass.” A very large, lethal looking sickle appeared in her hand from beneath the apron. “Now leave.”

Caleb took a few moments to study her. Taller than the average woman, she also had muscles most women didn’t. Honed, lean arms and long hands, a heart-shaped face with an upturned nose. The one thing that set her apart were the amber eyes currently staring holes in him. They were an unusual shade, like the colors of the embers in the forge behind him.

“I can’t do that.”

“Then I will make you.” She pulled a huge cleaver out with her other hand. The woman was a lethal weapon with all the blades she made.

Caleb decided to appeal to the woman’s logical side, if she had one. Truth was, he was distracted by the way she looked and spoke. He’d had plenty of experience with females, but no one like Aurora Foster. “You’re the blacksmith Rory Foster. Is that correct?”

“Only my friends call me Rory. You can call me Mrs. Foster as you ride off my land.” She ran the sickle down the edge of the cleaver. It made a screeching sound that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Was she going to chop him into pieces?

“It’s not your land.”

“That’s a pile of horse shit. This land belonged to my father and now it belongs to me.” Her tone and her expression told him he had a hell of a fight on his hands.

“Females can’t own property in Texas, Mrs. Foster. I’m guessing no one ever told you that. It’s understandable that you think this is yours—”

“I don’t think anything. I know.” She stepped closer, her hands tightening on the weapons. “Now get out before I make you leave.”

Caleb sighed. “I can’t leave.” He didn’t want to pull his pistol on the woman. Hell, even the most aggravating female deserved respect. “Ma’am, this is my job. I have an assignment to remove an illegal squatter off land owned by the Republic of Texas. I can’t leave until it’s done.”

She bared her teeth. “Get out of my smithy.”

 

A little more about Beth:  

Beth Williamson, who also writes as Emma Lang, is an award-winning, bestselling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her books range from sensual to scorching hot. She is a Career Achievement Award Nominee in Erotic Romance by Romantic Times Magazine, in both 2009 and 2010.

Beth has always been a dreamer, never able to escape her imagination. It led her to the craft of writing romance novels. She’s passionate about purple, books, and her family. She has a weakness for shoes and purses, as well as bookstores. Her path in life has taken several right turns, but she’s been with the man of her dreams for more than 20 years.

Beth works full-time and writes romance novels evening, weekends, early mornings and whenever there is a break in the madness. She is compassionate, funny, a bit reserved at times, tenacious and a little quirky. Her cowboys and western romances speak of a bygone era, bringing her readers to an age where men were honest, hard and packing heat. For a change of pace, she also dives into some smokin’ hot contemporaries, bringing you heat, romance and snappy dialogue.

Life might be chaotic, as life usually is, but Beth always keeps a smile on her face, a song in her heart, and a cowboy on her mind. 😉

BETH’S WEBSITE: http://www.bethwilliamson.com/

BETH’S EMAIL:

Cowgirlbeth@gmail.com

Guest Blogger: Codi Gray

How Sexy was Written…

When I saw AVON was looking for new authors to write stories with a Valentine’s Day twist, I was excited, but also a little stumped. I haven’t always had the most romantic (or awesome) experiences with Valentine’s day so I thought about what I usually do on a day so focused on lovers…think…think…

Watch a romantic movie. Eat ice cream. Sob pathetically. Maybe not in that order.

Granted, my Valentine’s Days have improved since getting married, but I still remember watching all the happy couples when I was single; holding hands, kissing, and the girls gushing over their huge bouquets of roses that cost a fortune, telling myself I didn’t care, it was a stupid holiday anyway, and who wanted to celebrate love on a day when a bunch of people got massacred?

ME. I did. I wanted the flowers and the chocolates and…EVERYTHING!

I always like to write a short summary of my stories before I start, and my character outlines. I decided that I’d take a little bit of my pessimism and bitterness and incorporate them into my story.

So now I had my heroine’s idea of Valentine’s Day; hate with a touch of envy. Why is she single on the big day? Well, there’s something about a red headed heroine that always gets me (maybe because they’re usually such a firecracker) and she just has horribly bad luck with men. She’s socially, romantically, and fashionably awkward. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you Ryan Ashton (Oh and heroines with boy’s names are ROCK STARS).

So what type of hero makes such an odd duck’s heart go thumpety thump thump thump?

Bring in the hot boss! He was hiring another photographer, and photography is the only thing that really brings Ryan out of her shell. He’s a good guy that always finishes last, and is the only one who sees all of Ryan’s excellent qualities without an ounce of make up or a trace of sex appeal. He’s tall, he’s tan, and he’s got a body to drool over. But he’s still just a regular guy, with a regular job, so I gave him a regular name: Gregg Philips.

Why haven’t these two hooked up already?

Mixed signals play a big part, but being comfortable with each other is their biggest problem. I need to shake up these two and trigger Gregg to make his move.

Every girly-girls favorite word: MAKEOVER!

Yes, I’m a total cliché when it comes to romance. I love stories of ducklings to swans, friends becoming lovers, and that one big, public moment when the hero forgets there are people watching and he declares himself and his love.

Sigh. Squeal. Repeat.

Of course no story is complete without the antagonist, Chase Crawford, the new tattoo artist in town or the Fairy Godmother (or in this case, well dressed barista) Gracie Lou McAllister. Ryan grows into herself with Gracie’s help, Gregg gets a little friendly competition for Ryan’s heart, and I got to have a lot of fun giving these two a happily ever after! I hope you enjoy The Trouble with Sexy, a part of Kiss Me: An Avon Valentine’s Day Anthology!

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Pucker up on the most romantic day of the year with three debut contemporary authors and their tales of romance, seduction, and Elvis?

She’s got a hot new makeover . . . and a boss to seduce! For prim and proper Ryan Ashton, sexy has always been an elusive quality. But with a little help from a new friend, she just might snag the one man who can set her seductive side loose in Codi Gary’s The Trouble With Sexy.

Stuck in a king-size suite with a sexy man . . . What more could a girl want? But for Julie Dillon, being snowed in at an Elvis-themed Memphis hotel with Luke Pearce can’t mean anything but trouble. Too close for comfort gets close enough to taste in Cheryl Harper’s Love Me Tender.

Her best friend’s brother is shaking up her Valentine’s Day! Katie Quinn just wanted to spend the day watching Jurassic Park and eating chocolate. She certainly had no intention of running into Logan Cross—or running for her life! Suddenly caught in the crosshairs of danger, Katie and Logan must get together to find a way out in Jaclyn Hatcher’sLove, Guns, and Heart-Shaped Chocolate.

 

 

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