Spotlight Feature of Love At Stake by Victoria Davies

LOVE AT STAKE

Love-at-Stake-500

Release Date: 1/27/13

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Goodreads   Amazon  Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: Abbey is the lone human working for Fated Match, a company that pairs members of the supernatural community with their eternal mates.

To snag a young vampire socialite as their next client, Abbey journeys to the home of Lucian Redgrave, the oldest vampire on the East Coast. But he’s not willing to allow his vampire daughter to use the agency… unless Abbey can first find his perfect match in a month.

As Abbey coaches Lucian through his dates, she can’t deny the chemistry between them. But humans are toys for vampires, and risking her heart isn’t a part of the plan.

 

Victoria DaviesAuthor Bio:

My love for writing started young. Luckily I had a family who encouraged believing in magic and embracing imagination. From stories quickly scribbled in bright pink diaries, my love of storytelling developed. Since then my characters may have evolved and my plots may have grown decidedly more steamy but I never lost my love of the written word. Writing is not only a way to silence the wonderful voices in my head, but it also allows me to share my passions with my readers. I hope you enjoy my titles!

Currently I write from Toronto, Canada. While I have a healthy love for the unknown, this corner of the world will always be my home.  Website Facebook Goodreads

 

Giveaway 

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1/30:  Spotlight – In Shadows
2/1:  Interview – Diane’s Book Blog
2/3:  Spotlight – A Little Bit of R & R
2/3:  Interview – Lusty Penguin Reviews
2/5:  Spotlight/Review – Reading Reality
2/7:  Guest blog – Romantic Reads and Such
2/7:  Spotlight – Books-n-Kisses
2/9:  Excerpt/Review – Starry Night Book Reviews
2/10:  Spotlight – Books To Get Lost In
2/10:  Excerpt – RhiReading
2/11:  Excerpt – Bea’s Book Nook
2/13:  Guest post – A Passion for Romance
2/14:  Spotlight – You Gotta Read Reviews
2/14:  Excerpt – Reviews by Molly

Blog Tour & Review: Death of an Irish Diva by Mollie Cox Bryan

irish diva 640

Death of an Irish Diva Mech.indd

Spring is in the air, but the ladies of the Cumberland Creek Scrapbook Crop hardly have time to stop and smell the roses. Not when famed Irish dancer Emily McGlashen is found murdered in her studio just after the St. Patrick’s Day parade–and one of the Crop’s own members is the prime suspect. Vera’s dance studio may have suffered when Emily waltzed into town, but the croppers know she’s not a vengeful murderer. Lucky for her, co-scrapbooker Annie is a freelance reporter eager to vindicate her friend. What she discovers is a puzzling labyrinth of secrets that only add question marks to Emily’s murder. Just when it seems they’ve run out of clues, an antique scrapbook turns up and points the croppers in the right direction–and brings them face to face with a killer more twisted than a Celtic knot. .

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

DSC_0178Mollie Cox Bryan writes the Cumberland Creek Mysteries, published by Kensington. The first book, Scrapbook of Secrets, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel of 2012; the next one Scrapped, was published in January 2013. Death of an Irish Diva is the third in the series. Plans for the series include two more novels and two novellas—the first one Scrappy Summer will be available in summer 2014. She writes, gardens, runs, and scrapbooks in Waynesboro, Va. with her husband and two daughters.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Death of an Irish Diva

Review (4 Stars):  This is the third book in The Cumberland Creek series and I would definitely suggest reading them in order just so you can be familiar with these lovely characters.  In this book, Irish dancer, Emily McGlashen, is found dead in her dance studio and the prime suspect is Annie’s good friend, Vera.  As Annie investigates Emily’s murder, she finds that things aren’t adding up and Emily wasn’t who everyone thought she was.  Now, Annie needs to find the killer before tragedy strikes again.

Ms. Cox Bryan has created such a great cast of characters with this series and I enjoyed learning more about scrapbooking.  The mystery was well-written and kept me on my toes until the very end.  I also loved Annie and Vera and I can’t wait to read more about them in future installments of this delightful series.

Spotlight Feature of In The Dark by Sally Eggert

In the Dark

Loveswept Romantic Suspense

In the Dark - Cover

On Sale January 28, 2014

Amazon  |  B&N  |  iBookstore  |  Google Play  |  Kobo  |  all other retailers

A woman drawn into a dangerous game. A man who may not be what he seems. Passion raises the stakes in Sally Eggert’s electrifying novel of deception and desire.

Josie Nielsen’s anonymous life as a bartender is a world away from her classified job at a covert agency—and the terrifying night she was almost killed for her country’s secrets. That was the night Josie found out the hard way that no one had her back, especially not the man she thought she loved. But she’s pulled back in when her new boyfriend becomes the target of a government drug sting.

A sexy, laid-back barfly, Johnny Boyer is the kind of guy Josie can count on . . . to disappear before things get too complicated. But after she learns that Johnny is part of a major international trafficking operation, Josie can’t let him out of her sight. And yet even as she plunges into the mortal danger that surrounds Johnny, her attraction to him burns hotter than ever. She just isn’t sure whether she’s falling for a ruthless, cold-blooded criminal or the only man she’s ever met worth trusting with her life.

 

Advance praise for IN THE DARK

“Raw emotion pulled me deep into the heart of Sally Eggert’s story and the suspense held me captive.”—Award-winning author Patricia Rosemoor

Find IN THE DARK on Goodreads

 

Sally Eggert PicAbout Sally Eggert

Sally Eggert first began writing romance as an escape from law school. She is a two-time finalist in Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest and a member of RWA, Washington Romance Writers, the Golden Network, and the Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood. Eggert lives outside Washington, D.C., with her husband and spends her free time playing the violin, knitting, and daydreaming every single day.

Connect with Sally Eggert

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Connect with Loveswept

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  | Pinterest

 

 

 

Giveaway Time:

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In the Dark Banner

Sally Eggert’s IN THE DARK  Tour Schedule  1/20 – 2/07 

1/20  Book Monster Reviews (guest post)

http://bookmonsterreviews.com

1/21 – Paranormal Romance Author Honor James (spotlight)

http://honor-james.blogspot.com/2014/01/sally-eggerts-in-dark-blog-tour.html

1/21 – Romance With Flavor (Guest Post, Spotlight)

http://Romancewithflavor.com

1/21 – C&F (Spotlight)

http://contests-freebies.blogspot.co.uk

1/23 – Read More Romance (Spotlight)

http://www.readmoreromance.blogspot.com

1/23 – Tome Tender (spotlight/guest post)

http://tometender.blogspot.com

1/23 – Manga Maniac Café (interview)

http://mangamaniaccafe.com

1/27 – darkest cravings (spotlight and interview)

http://darkestcravings.blogspot.com

1/27 – KT BOOK REVIEWS (Spotlight)

http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com

1/28 – author Karen Swart (Spotlight)

http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com

1/31 – eclipse reviews (spotlight & interview)

http://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com

1/31 – For the Love of Bookends (Spotlight)

http://loveofbookends.blogspot.com

2/01 – Mythical Books (spotlight)

http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro

2/01 – deal sharing aunt (Spotlight)

www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com

2/03 – The Snarkology (Spotlight)

http://melissasnark.blogspot.com

2/04 – Rage, Sex and Teddy Bears (Spotlight & review)

http://ragesexandteddybears.blogspot.com

2/05 – Books-n-Kisses (Spotlight)

http://www.books-n-kisses.com

2/05 – Fab Fantasy Fiction (Spotlight & review)

http://www.fabfantasyfiction.com

2/06 – Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews (Spotlight)

http://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.com

2/06 – RomanceJunkies.com (interview or guest post)

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog

2/07 – Blimey! I Fancy Reading (review)

http://blimeyifancyreading.com

 

 

Release Day Blitz for Cynthia Eden’s Scream for Me

Scream For Me

Montlake Suspense #3 

They were only supposed to have a professional relationship, but FBI agent Kyle McKenzie has been fantasizing about his sexy partner, Cadence Hollow, from the moment they first moment. It takes the darkest case of their careers to finally bring their hidden desire bubbling to the surface. Once they’re in each other’s arms, though, they swear that nothing short of death will part them. The Night Hunter—a cunning stalker whose four-state, fifteen-year abduction spree began in Paradox, Alabama, with Kyle’s sister—may be only too happy to oblige.

In the small town, Kyle must confront the painful past he’s been hiding from Cadence. Kyle vows to put the Hunter behind bars…or in the ground. But the one thing that obsesses Kyle more than his sister’s grim fate—his furious love for Cadence—is the weapon the Hunter will use to lure his pursuers into the mouth of a murderous trap.
Available for purchase at
         

 

Excerpt
“We can’t do anything else out here,”
she said. “Not tonight.”
She was being so careful with him. Too
careful.
“Don’t,” he bit out as he stalked toward
her. The others 
weren’t close enough to overhear, so he could lower his guard
and let some of his fury out.
Cadence shook her head. “Don’t what?”
He wanted to wrap his hands around her.
To pull her close.
No,
I just want to touch her. To feel her.
“Don’t handle me with your damn kid
gloves, Cadence.” The words were snapped. “I’m not some victim you have to
coddle.”
He’d rolled up the sleeves of his dress
shirt—like that had done much good. He was covered with grime and sweat and
plenty of insect bites.
I
fucking hate summers in the South.
Insects were chirping all around them,
and he’d had to dodge snakes in the bushes for most of the evening.
“I never thought you were a victim.”
Cadence turned from him and headed for the car.
She knew he’d follow her. Wasn’t he
always trailing after her?
Wasn’t he the one who always kept the need in check? The
desire he damn well knew they both felt.
After today—after this hell—why couldn’t
they turn to each other for some comfort and release? Let that desire burst
free?
Replace death with pleasure.

 



Cynthia PicAbout the Author
 
USA Today Best-selling author Cynthia Eden has written over twenty-five novels and novellas. She was named as a 2013 RITA® finalist for her paranormal romance, ANGEL IN CHAINS, and, in 2011, Cynthia Eden was a RITA finalist for her romantic suspense, DEADLY FEAR.
Cynthia is a southern girl who loves horror movies, chocolate, and happy endings.  She has always wanted to write (don’t most authors say that?), and particularly enjoys creating stories about monsters–vampires, werewolves, and even the real-life monsters that populate her romantic suspense stories.
 
Cynthia’s foreign sales for her books include translations to Japan, Germany, Thailand, Greece, and Brazil.
(Back in the day…) Cynthia graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama where she studied Sociology (because people interest her) and Communication (because she likes to write about said people).  Cynthia has worked as a college admissions counselor, a teacher, and as an editor. But now, Cynthia is thrilled to be spending her days making up stories.
          
Presented by

Spotlight feature of A SEAL’s Salvation by Tawny Weber

A Seal’s Salvation

A SEAL's Salvation cover

AmazonB&N |  Harlequin

Subject: Navy SEAL Petty OfficerBrody Lane
Current Status: On leave

Obstacle: The one girl who was off-limits…

Where Navy SEAL “Bad Ass” Brody Lane goes, trouble follows. Being run out of his hometown years ago for misbehaving with Genna Reilly—the sheriff’s daughter—was one thing. Now Brody is about to step into real danger. Not the suggestive letters he’s been exchanging with Genna, but the kind of trouble that can send a soldier home injured and broken inside…

Genna’s entire life has been orchestrated by her family.
 The right job. The right friends. Enough! Brody’s return offers the promise of lust-filled pleasures. Of flesh teased and tasted. She’s not expecting to find a soldier with distant eyes who has secluded himself from the world. But this good girl knows exactly how to bring a bad boy back to life….

Uniformly Hot! The Few. The Proud. The Sexy as Hell.

 Excerpt:

This was it.

A chance she’d been dreaming about off and on for over ten years. A lot more on than off since she and Brody had started exchanging letters.

She didn’t know what she felt.

Excitement, definitely. Brody Lane was her fantasy guy. He inspired feelings, reactions, emotions that she had no business thinking. At least, not while his gramma was watching.

She looked over her shoulder again to check.

Yep. Gramma was watching.

She tried to think nice thoughts instead. Good girl thoughts. Like dating. That was a possibility, right?

It wasn’t as if he was off-limits anymore, either.

He was a hero.

The mayor wanted to throw him a parade.

Even her parents couldn’t object to her dating a military hero, could they?

Not that she was counting on Brody’s wanting to date her. Sexy letters aside, it wasn’t as if they knew each other. Not really. And then there was the fact that their one and only kiss had gotten him corralled into the navy.

But who knew. Maybe all that postal flirting was going to turn into something else. There, Genna decided. Nice, delusional thoughts. Totally appropriate to entertain in front of his gramma.

Inspired, she knocked again. This time with enough force to actually make noise.

There was a loud thump inside, then the scraping sound of wood against wood.

Her stomach tumbled over itself.

She stood straighter, pulled back her shoulders and took a deep breath. The move had never done a thing to make her breasts look bigger, but a girl could hope.

The door opened.

Oh, please, let the whimpering sigh be in her head and not aloud.

Oh, my.

The years had been kind, indeed, to Brody Lane.

Even as his expression folded into a scowl when he realized she wasn’t who he’d expected to see at his door, she couldn’t stop staring.

It was as if Mother Nature had looked at the perfection that had been him at nineteen and decided to add a few layers of oh, baby gorgeousness to her work of art.

Arresting before with its sharp planes and brooding features, his face was more intense now. Even sharper, despite being unshaven and shadowed. His eyes were just as striking, like molten gold. They’d always been distant, except when he’d smiled. But now there was a chasm there, as though he was watching from miles away. Assessing. Her, the situation, their past, present and future, all without blinking.

It was kinda scary. Not sure what he was seeing, or more important, what he thought about what he was seeing, Genna bit her lip.

It was nerves as much as curiosity that made her peel her gaze from his to check out his body. And what a body it was.

Broad and muscular, his chest and shoulders looked as though they were sculpted from marble under his black tee. He still had that lean build, his waist tapering to slender hips.

Her eyes dropped lower and she gulped.

Oh, my, the blue cotton sweatpants did nothing to hide the muscle between his legs, either.

Little dots danced in front of her eyes. She realized she’d forgotten to breath.

A gulp of air cleared the dizziness, but the tingling didn’t go away.

He was… Wow.

The things he could do with that body, she’d bet they were nothing short of amazing. And she wasn’t just talking military things. Her mouth was dry and she was starting to feel a little dizzy again.

So she forced her gaze to climb back up to his face.

His unwelcoming scowl had turned into a ferocious frown.

She wrinkled her nose. She should have kept checking out the bod. He obviously wasn’t thrilled to have company.

So what else was new?

“Hi, Brody. I brought you some cookies.” As greetings went, it was lame. But she added her best smile. When that had no reaction, she held up the plate as proof. And, yes, as a bribe.

He didn’t even look at the plate. Her lips threatened to drop into a pout.

“Um, it’s me. Genna.” She paused, brows arched. She tried a friendly smile that was only a little shaky with nerves. When he didn’t even blink, she swallowed hard, then added, “Joe’s sister.”

Your favorite pen pal, she wanted to say. But given his reaction so far, she was a little afraid to bring that up.

Genna waited. After five seconds, her smile dimmed. At thirty, she was straight-up frowning. Knowing a glare was imminent at sixty, she crossed her arms over her chest, the cookie plate hitting her in the shoulder, and lifted her chin.

“Well? Aren’t you even going to say hello?”

Now her scowl matched his.

So much for dating. She couldn’t even get the guy to talk to her.

 

 

Tawny Weber Author Photo croppedA little about Tawny:

USA TODAY Bestselling author of over twenty hot books, Tawny Weber has been writing sassy, sexy romances since her first Harlequin Blaze hit the shelves in 2007.  A fan of Johnny Depp, cupcakes and color coordination, she spends a lot of her time shopping for cute shoes, scrapbooking and hanging out on Facebook.

Readers can check out Tawny’s books at her website, www.tawnyweber.com, or join her Red Hot Readers Club for goodies like free reads, complete first chapter excerpts, recipes, insider story info and much more.

You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

A SEAL’s Salvation |A SEAL’s Surrender |  A SEAL’s Seduction | A SEAL’s Kiss

Email:  tawny@tawnyweber.com

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Love and Other Games

The sexy winter Olympic anthology, Love and Other Games, has a new cover! To celebrate, the authors are giving away a nook.

Love and Other Games is a collection of four sexy new adult stories centered around athletes competing in the Winter Games by Ana Blaze, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane, and Kara Leigh Miller.

Worth More Than Gold by Ana Blaze

Amy Pierce, the klutzy sister and manager of America’s Skating Sweetheart, is used to being invisible. But when a friend drags her to a party near the Olympic Village, Amy catches the eye of a sexy Norwegian ski jumper. It’s a magical night, but an awkward next morning has her running.

Everyone knows Erik Andresen’s best shot at an individual medal was back in 2010, before an injury pulled him from the competition. He’s there for his team, but a hot night and a remarkable final training session have him wondering if a gorgeous good-luck charm could give him another chance at the podium.

With a little bit of luck, these two might have a shot at something worth more than gold.

Trouble with Gold by Melinda Dozier

US snowboarder and notorious prankster, Ty (Trouble) Madsen is only getting a taste of his own medicine when his Olympic teammates shackle him to a fence wearing nothing but his boxers.

Reception and protocol volunteer, Nadia Hoffman, gets up close and personal with the sexy snowboarder to rescue him, but she’s not the kind of girl who lets her hormones get in her way. A professional performance could help her land her dream job at Olympics Committee Headquarters, but her new assignment supervising the rambunctious US Snowboarding Team is making that difficult. Can she see behind the snowman in the community center bathroom and into the warm heart of the man everyone calls Trouble?

The Girl behind the Gold by Aria Kane

Greek aerial skier Lia Milonas’s parents are about to lose the family farm. Saving it means medaling and landing a huge sponsor. While her no-nonsense attitude has her well on her way to a medal, it hasn’t won her a place in fans’ hearts.

“Come back with a story that will make readers cry, or don’t come back.” This is what Brandon James’ boss told him before he left New York to cover the Winter Games for Moment Magazine. With a wink and a smile, he can charm his way into any invite-only party, but that career-making story is nowhere to be found – until he meets Lia.

The two strike a deal that should get them both what they want – but neither would have guessed they’d also find what they need.
Ice Gold by Kara Leigh Miller

Colton Campbell thrives on the fast paced, adrenaline rushed lifestyle of being an Olympic hockey player.

Despite Brenna Jessup’s abhorrence for the games and the athletes, she’s hand-picked as the official photographer for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.

When a faux pas by Brenna almost costs Colton his career, she owes him. Too bad for her, Colton doesn’t want apologies — he wants retribution! And he knows just how to get it — and her — in the process.

What readers are saying:

“It’s like a rom-com marathon with lots of sexy included. Who knew the Winter Olympics were so hot?” ~Book Nookie Reviews

“Four short stories full of lust, love and laughter. Each story was enjoyable to read and hard to put down.” ~Author Katie L. Thompson

“I fell in love with each one of these stories (and guys).” ~White Zin Bookends

Pick up this hot winter romance on your Kindle, Nook, or Kobo.

The authors are giving away a nook and other prizes to celebrate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Jennifer’s Review of Love and Other Games

Review (4 Stars):  I really enjoyed each of these stories about athletes finding love while competing in the Winter Olympic games.  These hot sexy romances will keep you warm even on the coldest of nights.  All the stories were great but my favorites would have to be “Trouble with Gold” and “The Girl Behind The Gold” because I just found myself connecting more to these characters than the other two stories.  This anthology is filled with great love stories and steamy sexual chemistry that definitely shouldn’t be missed.

Spotlight Feature & Excerpt of Elisabeth Staab’s One Week

 

One Week

(HaleStorm Series, bk #1)

HE HAS A LEGACY TO SAVE… 

Michael Hale’s company is in jeopardy. In the wake of his father’s death and transitioning to CEO, projects are circling the drain and that may cost him everything. Come to find out, the consultant hired to fix things is the “one who got away” many years ago. This time he’s playing for keeps, and he intends to win.

SHE SHOULD NEVER SAY NEVER… 

Elise Jackson swore she wouldn’t come near Michael Hale again. He sucker punched her professionally, and he broke her heart. Still, a job’s a job, and they can both be adults. But high emotion and late nights working lead to passion neither of them can deny.

They have one week. Can the two of them pull Michael’s company out of the fire and heal their old wounds?

 

Available for purchase at
         
Excerpt 
Image teaser 2
 
“I should have looked for you.” He wrapped his arms
around her and groaned aloud at the warmth and softness of her skin against
his. The rough texture of her nipples against his chest, the dampness of her
hair on his shoulder. “Just touching you makes me crazy. My God, Elise. I
should have known. Fuck, I did know, and I ignored it. I’m so goddamned
stupid.”
“You’re not stupid.”
“I am stupid.” Michael
gripped her hips—fucking luscious, curvy hips—and ran his hands up that amazing
hourglass arc in her waist and over her shoulders, reveling in the magic of
Elise’s hands giving him the same treatment. “I’m stupid because I thought I
could push you away all those years ago and I’d forget and find someone else
who turned me on as much as your hand bumping my knee under a cubicle desk.
Christ, I tried to tell myself it was all innocent, but I lived for every
second.”
“Oh my God.” Elise’s eyes flew wide, her cheeks flushed
in the low light of her bedroom. “I had no idea.”
“You must have, if you
gathered up the nerve to kiss me.” He bent her back, one hand braced between
her shoulders, the other gripping her ass, trailing kisses along her jaw. Their
only-for-tonight agreement be damned, already he didn’t want to let her go.
“I hoped.” She gripped his
shoulders, smiling. “If I’m being honest, all that accidentally bumping your
knee wasn’t so much an accident.”

 

 

About the Author
 

Elisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in an imaginary world. She believes that all kinds of safe and sane love should be celebrated but she adores the fantasy-filled realm of paranormal romance the best. She lives in the Washington DC area with her family and one big scaredy cat, where she loves to spend time with good friends, go dancing, collect wacky coffee mugs from which to drink her favorite beverage, and sing off-key in her kitchen (when she isn’t making characters fall in love, that is).

You can stalk her, I mean find her at

         

 

Giveaway

One winner will receive a signed paperback, a tote bag, some swag, and a Starbucks gift card

Giveaway Items

 

Presented by

Spotlight feature of Six Months by Dannika Dark

Six Months
(Seven Series, bk #2)
By Dannika Dark
Blurb:
April Frost is a compassionate young woman with a steady job and ambitious goals. But the harder she runs away from her past, the more it threatens to destroy her. When three strangers enter her life, April is forced to face her demons and it’s a battle she may not win.

Private investigators in the Breed world are men who take risks, and Reno Cole is no exception. As a Shifter, he’s expected to control his inner animal. But lately his wolf has been venturing dangerously close to the city, and he’s about to discover why. When Reno is reintroduced to a family friend, the attraction is immediate. April captivates him with her secretive eyes and resilient spirit. She’s also in trouble, and despite the fact she’s a human, Reno can’t turn his back on her.

April is caught between two worlds: One that threatens to bury her dreams and another that could fulfill them. Can she trust the wolf at her door and find the courage to overcome her demons?

Release Date:March 25, 2014
Excerpt
There’s a buzzing sensation when
you have chemistry with someone. It’s like there are invisible threads
connecting your bodies and igniting into sparks, and the residual pulse bounces
back in shock waves, growing stronger with each second.
I felt that with Reno. He stepped
so close to me that I remembered how good it felt when he’d held me in his
arms. The animalistic look in his eyes captured me like he was a predator and I
was prey. He felt it too. I could tell by soft breath he took before he spoke.
“I’ve always liked hazel eyes,” he
said. “Yours look like a sunset over sea-green waters.”
I hit pause. This was a scene I’d
be replaying in my head for weeks to come, and I didn’t want to ruin the moment
by saying something inane. I let him graze his thumb across my mouth. He pulled
my lower lip down just enough that his thumb glided across the fleshy inside.
Then he rolled his wet thumb across my lip, making what seemed like a casual
gesture become the most intimate moment I’d experienced with a man outside of
sex.
Staring into Reno’s chocolate eyes
up close was like riding on that motorcycle. Intense, sexy, and addictive. When
I felt his hand leisurely traveling down the curve of my back, my icy walls
began to melt and I warmed to his touch.
I waited for him to make another
move, but it never came. He looked at me like something unattainable—the same
way I coveted the expensive perfume bottles behind the display counter, or the
chocolate macadamia nut cookies at the gourmet shop.
I whirled around and he captured my
wrist, gently tugging me back. “Something wrong with the way I touched you?”
“It’s nothing,” I breathed.
But Reno didn’t let go. He stepped
closer and lifted my chin. “Did you want me to kiss you?”
“No.”
Reno grinned. “Liar.”
About the Author
This is the segment where you learn a little more about who I am, so here’s what I can tell you:  I drink copious amounts of vitamin water placed precariously close to my laptop while writing. These are two healthy habits I have no intention of breaking. I’m a transplant living in the south, but I was born in the 70’s to a military dad who moved us around the world.
When I’m not writing (which is all the time), I’m hunting down Indie music, watching movies, reading, eating Tex-Mex, discovering new ways to humiliate myself bowling, and burning up my laptop battery on the Internet. I have a relaxed, easy-going personality and don’t like drama. I live with a cat who thinks she is a dog, or a goat (she eats plastic, so I’m not sure which).
Throughout my life, I’ve had insomnia. Counting sheep never worked and eventually I would imagine those sheep were the sole source of food after an apocalyptic battle where only thousands survived. I made up stories in a futile attempt to bore myself to sleep. The problem was, I got so wrapped up in my “head stories” that I would continue them through the following nights, changing it up each time to make it more exciting. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down – creating short stories, and then I discovered my love for poetry.
It’s almost embarrassing how many spiral notebooks and stacks of paper I have of poetry and lyrics.
Another passion: digital art. I design all my book covers, marketing, and series art. I’m a very visual person and pursued photography as an avid hobby for many years.
I am not a YA author (I feel like I have to state this only because I’ve had a few people ask), but I think it’s wonderful there are so many books available to teens in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal.
I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do: giving my characters a pulse through writing full time. I focus on adult urban fantasy romance, but I don’t like labels and I enjoy blending genres to break out of the confines of predictability.
But it’s what I love to do.
Danni
You can stalk, I mean find Dannika here:
            
Presented by

Guest Blogger: Jessica Stone & Tour Wide Giveaway

Aloha! Now that I’ve told you all a little bit about my home of Hawaii, I thought maybe you’d like to know something about me.

  1. I was actually born in France though I’m American. My family moved to California when I was still a baby. I grew up in San Francisco, but I’ve been living in Hawaii for years now and consider Honolulu my home.
  2. My best friend Kim is like a sister to me. She’s the reason I ended up here in Honolulu.
  3. I used to be a bit of an adrenalin junkie. I’ve been skydiving and bungee jumping and I owned a motorcycle until I crashed it, breaking several of my bones in the process.
  4. I have a cat named Eli. I named him after Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin. I named him that as a joke because Kim had a cat named Whitney.
  5. My favorite author is Sir Conan Doyle. I love a good mystery.
  6. Speaking of favorites, I love to travel. My favorite trip was a recent trip to Iceland. In some ways it’s very similar to Hawaii, since it’s a volcanic island. We don’t eat puffin in Hawaii, though!
  7. I have a small scar on my eyebrow. I got it when I was 10 from a skateboarding accident. The hill didn’t seem that steep at the time….
  8. I’m an excellent tennis player. I played competitively through college and considered going pro, but decided against it. I love the game, but probably not enough to play at that level.
  9. I’m secretly afraid of spiders. I don’t like telling people that because it seems a bit silly.
  10. I think I mentioned in the last post that I don’t have a green thumb. Plants look at me and die. I hire someone to come take care of the yard once a week, for fear that I’ll kill everything green.

That’s it for today, but I’ve still got several posts coming up this week. Aloha!

 

Author Image

Jessica Stone is an American writer currently living in Shanghai, China with her family. A lover of travel, she writes contemporary romance set in exotic locations around the globe. Her interests include classical history and literature, live music, and craft brewing.

Connect with Jessica: Website Facebook | TwitterGoodreads 

 

*****

TROPICAL NIGHTS

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Author:  Jessica Stone

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Publication Date:  January 17, 2014

Format:  eBook

AMAZONAMAZON UK  | AMAZON CA

Lucas Kent didn’t expect trouble to follow him to Honolulu. But danger, like love, is often where you least expect it.

Alicia Baker is a directionless diamond heiress nursing an obsession with detective novels when a real life investigation falls in her lap.

When Alicia finds out Lucas is a murder suspect, she tries to fight her growing attraction to him to solve this mystery. With the enemy hot on their trail, Lucas struggles to find his friend’s killer before the killer finds them.

AVAILABLE NOW:

 

*****

TOUR GIVEAWAY:

$25.00 Amazon card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TROPICAL NIGHTS Tour Banner

Jessica Stone’s TROPICAL NIGHTS Blog Tour Schedule – 1/20 – 2/02 

1/17 – Book Monster Reviews (guest post)

http://bookmonsterreviews.com

1/18 – Elle James’ Blog  (Guest Post)

http://www.ellejames.com/

1/20 – Night Owl Reviews (Spotlight & Excerpt)

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Tropical-Nights-by-Jessica-Stone

1/20 – Nette’s Bookshelf Reviews     (Spotlight & Excerpt)

http://nettesbookshelf.blogspot.com

1/20 – Toot’s Book Reviews (guest post)

http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com

1/20 – Rage, Sex and Teddy Bears (Spotlight & Excerpt)

http://ragesexandteddybears.blogspot.com

1/21 – Charlene Blogs (Spotlight & Excerpt)

http://charleneawilsonblog.blogspot.com/

1/23 – C&F (spotlight)

http://contests-freebies.blogspot.co.uk

1/24 – More Than a Review (guest post)

http://www.morethanareview.com

1/26 – For the Love of Bookends (Spotlight & Excerpt)

http://loveofbookends.blogspot.com

1/27 – Why I Can’t Stop Reading (Spotlight & Excerpt)

http://whyicantstopreading.wordpress.com

1/28 – Romance Junkies (interview)

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog

1/29 – Mythical Books (guest post)

http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro

1/29 – Paranormal Romance and Beyond (spotlight)

http://www.ashlynnelaynne.blogspot.com

1/30 – The Lusty Literate (Spotlight & Excerpt)

http://thelustyliterate.com

1/30 – Books-n-Kisses (Guest Blog)

http://www.books-n-kisses.com

1/31 – Booker Like a Hooker (Spotlight & Excerpt)

http://bookerlikeahooker.blogspot.com

2/02 – Wicked Readings by Tawania (Spotlight & Excerpt)

http://wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com

2/02 – Vampires, Werewolves, & Fairies, Oh My (guest post)

http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com

2/02 – Two Sassy Chicks Book Blog   (Spotlight & Excerpt)

http://twosassychicks.wordpress.com

 

Spotlight Feature: Maureen Miller’s Beyond Series

BEYOND

Beyond, #1

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It is the day after Aimee Patterson’s high school graduation. College beckons, as does her dream of becoming an engineer. On an early evening walk, her cocker spaniel charges into the woods on the other side of the pond. Aimee trails after him, and in the stillness of that forest the unthinkable happens. She becomes paralyzed and watches in horror as her hands vanish before her eyes.

Waking to the sound of voices, Aimee realizes that she has been kidnapped. Little does she know how far away from home she is, though. In an attempt to flee her captors, she launches from their confines only to freeze at the view outside the window. The sky is black and filled with stars, and in the distance is a familiar blue globe. The planet Earth.

A group of humans forced to flee their planet after an epidemic destroyed their civilization now travel the galaxies in search of an antidote. Retrieving samples of plant life from every solar system, on this occasion Aimee was accidentally seized instead.

Aimee must learn to avoid the advances of an awkward young scientist who seems intent on dissecting her, as her own fascination turns to the exotic young warrior, Zak. Having fallen in love with Zak, she is now torn with the decision to return to Earth or live beyond the stars.

*****

BEYOND TWO SUNS

Beyond, #2

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They were coming.  It wasn’t so much the sound that revealed them.  It was the subtle vibration of the ground beneath his feet, like the percussion of a distant explosion.  It was their march. The dead tread of stone against sand. A ghostly gait of menace.

Alone in a desert world…a world he once called home, Zak is now a damaged man. Reckless in his battle against the creatures that destroyed his family, he roams under the glare of the two suns, seeing phantoms–seeing Aimee.

Five years had passed since Aimee Patterson left the man she loved. For five long years she traveled the path of life, always waiting–always looking to the stars, knowing, hoping, that one day he would return for her.

And today was that day…

*****

BEYOND THREE PATHS

Beyond, #3

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After spending years in space on an alien ship, Aimee Patterson is finally coming home. But this time she is not alone. Her lover Zak wants to meet her parents, and her friend Raja wants to experience life on Earth. Both get more than they ever bargained for.

Within days of being on Earth, Raja is caught up in an FBI sting operation. She is intrigued by Special Agent Craig Buchanan, but things go horribly wrong. Raja is faced with a dilemma. Save Agent Buchanan’s life or risk revealing her true identity.

It was supposed to be an innocent trip to Earth…. now Aimee, Zak, and Raja are fugitives of the ultimate kind.

 

retouchedA little about Maureen: 

Maureen’s illustrious writing career began in the fourth grade with the blockbuster hit, Super Watermelon Man. Many years later, she evolved into a full-fledged Romantic Suspense author with her first novel, WIDOW’S TALE, which was nominated for a Golden Heart by the Romance Writers of America. A fan of the old Gothic romances, Maureen enjoys the formula of danger, romance, dark cliffs, and sinister houses. All these elements can be found in her romantic thriller, ENDLESS NIGHT. Maureen has now branched out into the Young Adult genre with her Science Fiction Romance, BEYOND series. Maureen is also the founder of the “JUST” sites…JUST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE, JUST CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE and JUST PARANORMAL ROMANCE.

Connect with Maureen:

Website: www.MaureenAMiller.com

BEYOND Series website: www.Beyond-Book.com

BEYOND Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMaureenAMiller

BEYOND on Twitter: @BeyondSeries

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2959120.Maureen_A_Miller

TOUR GIVEAWAY:

GRAND PRIZE:
1.) Amazon $25 gift card.
2.) Signed print copies of all 3 books in the series (US Only).

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

BEYOND Series Blog Tour Schedule

BEYOND Tour Button

1/20 – Night Owl Reviews (spotlight)

1/20 – Book Monster Reviews (guest post)

1/23 – Charlene Blogs (excerpt)

1/24 – Fantasy Book Addict (interview)

2/02 – Dalene’s Book Reviews (interview)

1/26 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! (series spotlight)

1/28 – Kristina’s Books & More (interview)

1/29 – Romance Junkies (interview)

1/29 – Books-n-Kisses (series spotlight)

2/01 – Book Pages and Dripping Ink (series spotlight)

2/01 – Mythical Books (series spotlight)

2/02 – Deal Sharing Aunt (series spotlight)

2/02 – New Adult Addiction (series spotlight)

2/02 – Book Lovin’ Mamas (interview)

2/02 – Dalene’s Book Reviews (Interview)

2/02 – Tome Tender (series spotlight)

 

 

Interview & tour wide giveaway with ZA Maxfield

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome ZA Maxfield to the blog for her first visit

Author PictureZA, can you please share with us a little about yourself?

I’m a wife and a mother of four, and a native of sunny Southern California. I grew up with the television on. I Love Lucy and Bonanza and The Brady Bunch and The Partidge Family. Charlies Angels and The Six Million Dollar Man.

I’m afraid I’ve let my kids grow up in the middle of pop culture too, with the television on. (Although we’re no longer restricted to what three or four television networks want us to watch.) We all love story, whether it’s books, comics or graphic novels, film, or television. We’ve even become so engrossed in the Podcasts for Welcome To Nighvale we all got Nightvale presents from Santa last year.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes! Always. Since the first book I read, probably, although I don’t remember that far back. Of course I thought it would all staring moodily out to see and setting up an iv drip of cheap booze with a dirty needle. I thought there’d be more random filthy sexual encounters. Only on the pages, I’m afraid.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I WISH I had an interesting writing quirk. Does writing in my pajamas count? I’m so pedestrian. I’m linear. I now make outlines. Nothing quirky. I like to use a photo calendar to mark my current word count every day. It’s usually something meditative. Does that count?

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?Book Cover - My Heartache Cowboy (The Cowboys #2)

I have a few things on the burner. I’ve got a mystery coming from Riptide later this year, and I’m working on another romantic comedy. Plus I’m writing more J-Bar Cowboy stories. I really enjoy small town settings, I like nature, and getting people to open up to one another. There are a lot of reasons for me to write these stories.

The latest is, of course My Heartache Cowboy, about Jimmy Rafferty and Eddie Molina, a couple of middle aged cowboys who have to redefine their friendship when Eddie reveals he’s gay.

Jimmy drinks too much, and things are changing at the J-Bar. They might not have jobs when the dust settles. Eddie takes it upon himself to straighten Jimmy out and get him sober, with some pretty interesting consequences.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

It came naturally as the two main characters are secondary characters in book one, My Cowboy Heart, and had unfinished business.

My current work in progress is a total change of pace from the heartfelt cowboy stories in that it’s an opposites attract romantic comedy set against the backdrop of a small town dealing with the invasion of a film crew on location shooting a popular television series. There will be strong emotion but lots of situational comedy. I hope. (Crossing my fingers.)

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

I HAD the immense pleasure of meeting my IDOL of all time, Laura Kinsale, at RT last year. I was so delighted. WOW. Perfect moment. Got a piccie and everything. I’m such a fangirl at heart.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Oh, wow. I’d say it’s just write. Keep writing. Never stop writing, even though you might get something published and it’s in edits and it could be the next big thing.

No matter what you’re getting published and no matter what anyone says about it, what you’ve written is past. It’s prologue. Always be working on the Next Thing, and believe that Next Thing going to be EVEN better, because it will be. I guarantee it.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

Riding a Harley Davidson. Firing a Glock. All the stuff my hot characters do that I only imagine doing.

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

This is so hard. I am currently drooling for Dirty Deeds by Rhys Ford.

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

Well, of course I’d like to add that if readers go right now and buy every one of my backlist books they’ll reach oneness with the universe or lose 50 pounds overnight or something, but of course that’s not true, so I can’t say that… But I will say if they want to drop me a line and tell me what they think about me or my books, I LOVE to hear from readers. You can reach me through my website or contact me directly at zamaxfield (at) zamaxfield (dot) com. Thanks so much for having me here!!!

Thanks so much for having me here, you’re awesome.

ZAM

My Heartache Cowboy Banner

My Heartache Cowboy
(Cowboy Series, Bk #2)
By Z.A. Maxfield
 
Blurb: 

Can love conquer all?

Jimmy Rafferty and Eddie Molina go way back at the J-Bar ranch. They’ve worked together, bunked together, camped out, and drank together. So how has Jimmy failed to notice that Eddie is gay? Eddie has not failed to notice that his friend has a serious drinking problem, and he’s determined to help Jimmy kick the booze cold turkey.

Taking him up to a snowbound cabin to detox, Eddie is confronted with Jimmy’s fierce denial. But the pains of withdrawal are nothing for Jimmy compared with the heartache of denying his true feelings and his deep longing…for the one man who cares for him more than anyone else on earth.

Available for purchase at
         

 

Excerpt
When I woke, I was alone and the truck wasn’t moving.
 
Who the hell did Eddie think he was, leaving me asleep by
myself in a truck outside in the freezing cold? My pa and my older brother,
Jonas, used to do that. We’d be on the road, and when I fell asleep, they’d
leave me in the parking lot of some dive bar or motel—just leave me asleep
outside in the dark. I’d wake up with no clue where I was, no idea if they were
coming back or if I should go in and try to find them.
 
My first useful thought was to look for the keys, because I
hadn’t forgotten what Eddie said. I hadn’t forgotten the plans him and boss
Malloy made for me behind my back. It would serve them right if I up and
hightailed it back to the J-Bar with Eddie’s truck and no Eddie.
 
No keys.
 
Not like that was going to stop me. Where the hell did
Eddie get the idea I’d go quietly? I slid over and tore the wiring out from
under the dash. Found what I needed without hardly even looking.
 
I hated waking up alone like that. Unwanted. Abandoned.
 
One twist. Two. Touch the wires together and the engine
should . . .
 
Fuck.
 
Nothing.
 
What the hell? I checked I got the proper color-coated
strands and tried again. I was frowning down at the mess of tangled wire when
someone tapped on the window behind me.
 
I glanced up and saw Eddie frowning down, no doubt pissed
at what I’d done to his truck. Serves you right for leaving me
like that, you prick.
 
“You need a working engine for that,” he told me as he
opened the door. “One that has a battery.”
 
“Fuck you.” I spilled out of the car ready for a fistfight.
 
“What?” Eddie jumped back.
 
“Why did you have to leave me like that? What did I ever do to you?”
 
Eddie shook his head at me. “I don’t have a clue what
you’re talking about. You were sound asleep and I thought maybe you needed it.”
 
I took a swing at him. “I hate waking up alone in a car
like that.”
 
Ed plucked my fist from the air and peered at me like he
was trying to see through my skin. “I didn’t know.”
 
“I hate that. Left behind in the car like a damn dog. Like
a fucking duffel bag. You can’t be bothered to even wake me up and take me in
out of the fucking snow.”
 
Now Eddie frowned like he was thinking about it. Now, after
the fact. “I’m sorry, Jimmy. I didn’t think how you’d feel waking up alone like
that. I won’t do it again.”
 
“Would have served you right if I took your truck and left
you up here to walk back to civilization, wherever the hell that is. Would have
served you right if I’d died out here.”
 
“All right, all right. Simmer down now.”
 
I glared at him. “Fuck you.”
 
“It’s pretty civilized inside. How about you come in with
me.”
 
“How about you suck my fucking—”
 
“That’s enough.” He turned and headed toward the cabin’s
welcoming front door. “I almost didn’t bother to disable the damn thing, but I
thought on the off chance you knew what you were doing and could—”
 
“Which I did,” I pointed out.
 
“Come inside.” He jerked his chin toward the cabin like I
was a dog and I was supposed to just follow along and yip around at his heels.
 
I debated making a run at him, but frankly, Eddie was a
tough buzzard. He wasn’t too much older than me, just forty-two compared to my
thirty-eight. But I was a lover, not a fighter, or at least that’s how I
thought of myself. Back there on the road, Eddie had proved he wasn’t above
using violence to get his way in this, so I went along.
 
You’re going to have to sleep sometime.
 
Eddie led me into a rustic-looking cabin that seemed awful
nice for the middle of nowhere. There was a place for us to hang our hats just
inside the door, over a table with a passel of pictures on it. There were old
time black-and-whites of families and framed pictures of a good-looking man, a
pretty woman, and some kids. There were some of the kids alone, and holy cow, there were probably a dozen pictures of Ed. He
looked so young in a couple of them, they must have been from before we met.
 
One of Ed and the unknown man caught my eye. Something
about the difference in height, the casual way they leaned together, the way
they looked at each other, made me think this was Ed’s friend from the road,
Don. Even though they’d both aged some since it was taken, I was almost sure of
it.
 
No knobby hands, no weathered angel, this Don was good
looking, without a doubt. He was lanky and chiseled. He had an intelligent face
and a smile that drew the eye. He seemed sure of himself and charming. Whatever
I’d seen in the darkness outside the car had to be a trick of the light.
 
Ed looked so young and earnest next to him it took my
breath away. Brawny and tan, he wore a yoked Western shirt with the sleeves
rolled up past well-muscled forearms and he eyed Don like he would follow him anywhere.
 
And that Don, he looked like he could appreciate a guy like
Ed, as well.
 
Hadn’t I seen firsthand how much he did appreciate him?
About the Author
Z. A. Maxfield started writing in 2007 on a dare from her children and never looked back.  Pathologically disorganized, and perennially optimistic, she writes as much as she can, reads as much as she dares, and enjoys her time with family and friends. Three things reverberate throughout all her stories: Unconditional love, redemption, and the belief that miracles happen when we least expect them.If anyone asks her how a wife and mother of four can find time for a writing career, she’ll answer, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you give up housework.”

You can find ZA Maxfield at 
            
Giveaway

 

$50 Gift Card
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Interview with Pamela Palmer

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have Pamela Palmer back on the blog today.  We are chatting about Wulfe Untamed , the last book in the Feral Warriors series.

PamelaPalmer(small)Pamela, can you please share with us a little about yourself

Hi Kelly and everyone! It’s great to be here. I write the Feral Warrior series, the Vamp City series, the Esri series, and the Scottish time travel Jewels of Time series (any other Outlander fans out there?). I’ve been fortunate enough to hit the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists with my books, all of which tend to be high action romantic adventures of one kind or another.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Not at all. The story is on my website and my bio, and any of you who know me have heard it before, but I grew up wanting to be an astronaut. That drove me to getting an engineering degree. I worked for IBM for awhile, but ultimately had to write down the stories that were crowding my head.

Can you please tell us about your latest Wulfe Untamed?

Wulfe Untamed, Feral Warriors book 8, comes out January 28th and is the big, climactic ending to the Feral Warriors story. It’s the final showdown in the Ferals’ battle to keep the Daemons from rising. It also continues the relationship begun three books ago between Wulfe and the human woman, Natalie Cash, who was briefly a prisoner in the Feral House dungeon.

From the back cover:Wulfe Untamed

The most enigmatic and tortured of the Feral Warriors, Wulfe is haunted by the quiet beauty of a human woman who no longer remembers him. Once a captive of both the Mage and the Ferals, Natalie stole a piece of his heart before he took her memories and sent her safely back to her fiancé. But now the Mage are threatening her again and Wulfe will risk anything to protect her.

Natalie Cash is stunned when she’s saved by a wolf who shifts suddenly into a splendidly built, if badly-scarred, man–a man with the kindest eyes. Swept into a world of intrigue and danger beyond her comprehension, she turns to the powerful Wulfe, finding a passion she’d only dreamed of. But when time runs out, they must trust one another and surrender to a wild, untamed love.

I know that you have stated that Wulfe’s book is the last in the Feral Warriors series.  But there seems to be a couple of characters that didn’t get a story.  Will we see Grizz or Vhypers’ stories in the near future?

The end of the story snuck up on me, I admit. I’d intended to at least let Grizz get a happily ever after first, but then suddenly the climax was there, barreling down on the Ferals, and there was no stopping it. I’ve promised Grizz I’ll write his book in the not-to-distant future. (Yes, I’ve talked to him. Once we bring the characters to life, they absolutely live. Never doubt it.) I also plan to write Vhyper’s story, though he couldn’t care less about finding a mate, so he says. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t think he deserves one. I may write their books as part of another multi-book story line, or they may be standalones. I haven’t decided yet. I also have an idea for a Feral world spin-off that I’d love to pursue, but all of this is going to have to wait just a little while.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Absolutely. I’m currently working on two projects simultaneously, the third book in the Vamp City series, and something entirely different—a romantic thriller with a paranormal twist. I can’t tell you much more than that, and I don’t have release dates for either of these books, yet. But my muse and I are completely immersed in the writing of these tales.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

J.K. Rowling. Not only is she brilliant and phenomenally talented, but she’s such an inspiration.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Don’t be too quick to self-publish your first book. Keep in mind that, as writers, we can rarely see our own work clearly, which is why I still have two good writer friends critique everything I write before my editor even sees it. Finishing your first book is an incredible high and no one does that without dreaming they’re about to become the Next Big Thing. In the olden days, which was only a few years ago, reality quickly hit the new writer with that first rejection letter. And the second, and the one hundred forty-seventh. (I don’t think I ever reached one hundred forty-seven, but I lost count after about eighty.) Today, with the advent of self-publishing, there’s no longer that reality check. Anyone can publish anything, and that’s not always a good thing. If you publish that first book, a few years from now, when you have a few more books under your belt and your writing has vastly improved, you may regret being so hasty. I have two completed manuscripts that will never see the light of day, plus half a dozen partials. They were my learning books and I had plenty that I needed to learn, even if I couldn’t see it at the time. It takes patience, I know, but I advise writing three books before you publish anything. And by ‘books’ I’m talking at least 50-60,000 words each. I suspect that, if you’re like me, by the end of that third book, your writing will be so much improved that when you go back and re-read the first one again, you’ll wince. At that point, go back and rewrite those first books using your stronger writing skills. Then submit to publishers, look for an agent, or self-publish. Never underestimate the power of a strong first impression.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

I actually started tackling one bucket list item each year a few years ago. The first was to try Tae Kwon Do. I really intended to work toward my black belt (how cool would that be?), but I quit after a year, after suffering a toe injury. Yes, I know. Lame. But it woke me up to the possibility that next time it could be a knee, or an elbow, and I’d only been doing it on a lark. I decided to quit while I was ahead, though I have to admit, I loved Tae Kwon Do while I was doing it. The next year, I shot a gun for the very first time, a tiny one my dad bought for my mom right after they were married. I don’t think it had been shot in decades, but Dad and I took it down to the local police firing range and gave it a try. Since several of my characters are FBI agents or cops, I’d been wanting to know what it felt like to actually shoot a gun, though I’m fairly sure my experience was nothing like firing a Glock. The third year, I did the zip-line and ropes course over the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida. If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend it. Most of the things left on my bucket list are places I want to visit: Australia, New Zeeland, Iceland, etc. At the moment, none of them are in my immediate future, but that could change at any time!

Who is your Celebrity crush?  And what would you do if you ever meet them?

I tend to have character crushes rather than celebrity crushes. Aragorn…be still my heart. Viggo? Not so much. While I’d enjoy meeting him, I definitely wouldn’t call him a crush. Alcide, Thor, Eric Northman…yes, yes, yes. But I’m far more excited about the real heroes (or bad boys) than the actors playing them. Unfortunately, meeting my real crushes can only take place in my head.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for having me!

 

*****
Wulfe Untamed

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Wulfe knows the end-game is approaching.  The Mage are preparing to free the Daemon plague and Wulfe’s own small strain of Daemon heritage has been awakened. Worse yet, the beautiful human he once rescued needs saving again. Though Mage sentinels are the ones after Natalie Cash, Wulfe knows his heart is what she really should watch out for. He’ll do everything he can to protect her…and keep his distance. Running for her life while trying not to fall for this gentle, wounded warrior, Natalie’s world’s been turned upside down. But when the Mage begin to free the Daemons, it becomes clear that the Ferals’ only chance of defeating them is for Wulfe to use Natalie to harness the dark forces-and risk becoming evil in the process. The future of the world hangs in the balance, but can Wolfe endanger the woman he loves to save her?

Don’t forget to check out Kelly’s review of Wulfe Untamed HERE

Excerpt :

“It’s me, boy. This might hurt, but I’ve got to staunch your wounds.”

Her fingers pressed gingerly, burrowing through Wolf’s fur, as she sought the site of the stab she’d seen him take to the shoulder. Warm blood coated her fingers and she knew she’d found it. As gently as possible, she pressed one of the shirts against the wound, then started searching for any others.

“Poor guy,” she whispered. “You chose the wrong night to come see me, but you probably saved my life.” She needed to get him to a vet. The beautiful animal made no sound, gave no indication of consciousness. He might be alive, but for how much longer?

Something skittered across the floor downstairs, stopping her heart for another moment. Why hadn’t they followed her upstairs? For that matter, how in the heck had she fallen asleep on the guest bed in the middle of an attack on her house? None of it made a bit of sense. The last thing she remembered was hitting one of the nasties with the lamp and the other one grabbing her. Had he hit her, then? She didn’t hurt anywhere. Somehow, she must have stumbled up here and passed out.

As she probed the dog’s side, she felt more warm blood and knew she’d discovered another wound. If only she could see them. If only she had a flashlight. Or…a camp lantern. Yes. Her camping supplies were stored in the closet in this room. Rising, she dug the lantern out of the bottom of the closet and turned it on only a little, bathing the injured animal in a soft glow.

He had blood everywhere. Her gut cramped. How was she supposed to know how much of the blood was his and how much belonged to the men? They’d been dressed so strangely, like some kind of foreign army, in matching blue tunics. And swords.

She pressed tee shirts against the two wounds she’d found so far, knowing she had to find the others, yet wondering what she was going to do with them if she did. She only had two hands. And no telephone or suturing supplies.

“Hang on, Wolf. Just hang on for me. Sooner or later, they’ll leave and I’ll be able to get you to a vet. What are they doing down there?” She heard something roll across the hardwood foyer. Roll. Suddenly she remembered the way they’d broken down her front door and relief left her on a hard exhale.

“It’s not them, it’s the wind. Of course, of course.” Leaping to her feet, she stroked Wolf’s head. “This is going to hurt, boy, but I have to move you if I’m going to get you help.”

She scooted around to his back end and, as gently as she could, lifted his hips and lowered them again a few inches out from the door. Moving to his head, she did the same, back and forth, a few inches at a time until she nearly had him far enough from the door to open it. Once more should be enough.

Sweat beading on her brow, she took a deep breath, squatted at his tail, and lifted his hips one more time.

Suddenly, her hands were empty, the dog just…gone…exploding in a spray of colored lights.

Natalie fell back, landing on her backside, then stared, jaw dropping, as a man appeared out of thin air…a huge, naked man lying on the floor right where the dog had been.

She crab-walked back, the bed catching her in the shoulder blades. This isn’t happening.

The man groaned and began to stir. Natalie tensed, her heart pounding violently in her chest as she pushed herself to her feet, then sank onto the bed when her legs refused to hold her.

Slowly, the man sat up and leaned back against the door, his muscular body marred by half a dozen stab wounds, one on the shoulder…right where the dog’s had been.

This isn’t happening. Dogs don’t turn into men. They don’t!

But even as the argument roared in her head, her gaze took in the sight in front of her. The man was built, his waist narrow, his abs ripped, his biceps as thick as tree trunks, one adorned with a thick golden armband with what appeared to be the head of a wolf. His shoulders were easily half the width of her sofa. Her gaze continued up, reaching his face, and her heart clenched. Scars crisscrossed the flesh every which way, tugging down one of his lips, cutting across one eye. His body might be prime, but his face was made for nightmares. Within that ruined face, eyelids lifted revealing dark eyes that turned to her, contracting on a sheen of pain, radiating a dismay so raw it almost made her ache.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Natalie.” His voice was low and urgent as he struggled to his feet, grimacing. Towering over her—he had to be a full seven feet tall—he watched her with eyes filled with the same intelligence, the same gentleness she’d seen in Wolf’s. “I would never hurt you.”

She was shaking, her pulse racing, her stomach cramping from shock. But not from fear. Because as she stared into those dark eyes, she saw only truth and honor and kindness. And, odd as it was, she recognized the essence of the dog in the man.

“I would never hurt you,” he said again, his voice throbbing with sincerity and desperation that she believe him.

“I know,” she told him.

And she did.