Spotlight Feature of The Trouble with Christmas by Debbie Mason

The Trouble with Christmas

by Debbie Mason

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Elements/Tags: romance, Christmas

Publisher: Hatchette/Forever

Publishing Date: Sept. 24, 2013

Format: Print and Ebook

Length: 407 Pages

Amazon| B&N | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Goodreads

It will take a Christmas miracle to melt her heart.

Resort developer Madison Lane is about to lose the one thing she loves most in the world—her job. Dubbed “The Grinch Who Killed Christmas,” Madison spoiled a deal that would turn quaint Christmas, Colorado, into a tourist’s winter wonderland. Now the citizens want her fired but the company gives her one last chance, sending Madison to the small town to restore the holiday cheer.

For Sheriff Gage McBride, no hotshot executive from New York City is going to destroy the dreams of the people he loves. But one look at this beautiful woman and it’s his heart that may be broken. In just a few days, Madison causes more trouble than he’s had to deal with all year. He can’t decide if she’s naughty or nice, but one thing is for certain—Christmas will never be the same again…

Madison and Nell arrive at the older woman’s home as the school bus drops off Gage’s daughters, Lily and Annie.

Excerpt #8

“Say hello to Ms. Lane. She’s Auntie’s little helper.”

A sinking feeling came over Madison at Nell’s introduction, but she managed a smile for Lily, whose freckled nose wrinkled when she giggled. “She’s not little, Auntie.” She smiled up at Madison. “Hi, Ms. Lane.”

“Hi, Lily. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Annie, get a move on. It’s freezing out here,” Nell hollered at the young girl, who was being teased by the three boys who’d gotten off the bus after Lily.

“Yeah, Goth Girl, better get inside before you catch cold,” one of the boys jeered.

“Leave my sister alone?” Lily yelled.

Just as Annie went to walk away, an embarrassed flush working its way up her face, the tallest of the boys drew back his arm and drilled a snowball at her.

She went to duck, but the snowball hit the side of her face. Madison winced as a memory of the taunts and bullying she’d endured growing up walloped her at the same time. They hadn’t called her Goth Girl; she’d been the home wrecker’s daughter, the ho’s daughter, and trailer trash. Furious on the young girl’s behalf, Madison wasn’t thinking when she strode across the lawn. Scooping up two fistfuls of snow, she packed them into a hard ball then fired it at the boy who hit Annie. She missed his head. The snowball glanced off his shoulder instead. Sharing a shocked look, the boys hightailed it down the street.

Madison grimaced as the anger and memories faded. Good Lord, what had she been thinking. She was lucky she hadn’t really hit the kid, or some parent would be hauling her in for assault Once in one day was enough, thank you very much.

She ignored Nell’s startled expression and walked over to Annie. “Assholes,” the young girl snarled.

Madison saw the hurt and embarrassment in her heavily made-up eyes, the tremble of her purple-glossed lips, and gently brushed the snow from the young girl’s hair. “Guys are such jerks, aren’t they?”

Annie lifted her gaze to hers. “Yeah.”

Madison sucked in a surprised gasp. Beneath the pancake makeup, the girl was beautiful, as beautiful as the man she was a carbon copy of. With those winter green eyes, inky-black hair, and the shallow dent in her chin, there was no doubt in Madison’s mind that Gage McBride was Annie’s father.

Her stomach lurched. She’d been flirting with a married man, imagining him kissing her, fantasizing about his hands on her naked flesh. She was no better than her mother, she thought in disgust. It took a moment for her to calm herself–it wasn’t as if she’d know he was married. But he did, and that hadn’t stopped him from flirting with her, touching her. She was right. Guys were jerks, especially Gage McBride.

Meet Author Debbie Mason:

Praised as a “writer to watch” by RT Book Reviews, Debbie Mason also writes Scottish-set historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series debuted in April 2010 and is said to “combine the passion of Hannah Howell’s Highand romances with the seductive fantasy of Karen Marie Moning’s bestsellers.”

Facebook page | Twitter | Website

Giveaway Details:

One US/Canada commenter from the entire tour will win a HUGE Christmas holiday themed basked filled with tons of holiday goodies, just in time for the Christmas season!!

The more stops readers leave a comment on, the greater their chances of winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Stops: http://events.litconnect.com/the-trouble-with-christmas-by-debbie-mason/

October 8, 2013October 1, 2013

Guest blog & giveaway with Lia Davis

When there’s a shift in the plot…

Not a total change, but something happens that changes just enough of the storyline. For me, it’s those little changes that keep things interesting. Keeps the mystery and suspense alive. Sometimes those small changes are needed for to strengthen the characters and the world they live in.

In Surrendering to the Alpha that small shift in the back story happens. I only hinted to the reason because I believe in building on that change over time. After all there will be 10 books in the Ashwood Falls series.

What is that change? Well it’s a shift in power and if you read A Mating Dance, you know what that is. *wink, wink*

*****

Surrendering to the Alpha

Ashwood Falls #3

Published by Fated Desires Publishing

She’s given up hope of peace, yet the Alpha’s touch offers promises too hard to run from.

Ashwood Falls’ leopard Alpha, Keegan Andrews holds onto the pain of his deceased mate as his own personal hell—a reminder that not all things are what they seem. The Pack Scribe, Addyson Lewis is no exception. She’s intrigued him like no other since the day she stumbled into Ashwood territory about twenty-five years ago. When he discovers that just being near her calms the storm inside him, he can’t stay away even if it means exposing her to the evil she tried to escape.

Over a hundred years of psychological torture at the hands of the rogue Onyx Pack has left Addyson with no memories of her life before captivity and with the inability to control her psychometric nature. Anything or anyone she touches sends her into their darkest past and secrets, causing her pain she wouldn’t wish on anyone. Without the ability to control it, she’s forced to deny her leopard the connection she craves from the Pack that welcomed her with love and without judgment. That is, until the day Keegan involuntarily touches her bare skin and she finds the peace she’d craved for far too long.

Warning: Contains one sexy alpha leopard who craves the most decadent of dreams, a hidden treasure contained within a spunky woman, and the ability to create a mating bond that’s the most explosive yet.

Excerpt:

He stepped closer and studied her as she turned back to the omelet. Keegan ground his molars, took a deep breath, and calmly asked, “Do you like it here?”

She peered back at him, her eyebrows bunched together before she smoothed out her features in that practiced control she used around others. “It’s not home, but it’s nice. I don’t need much, Keegan.”

He took another step toward her. She turned the stove off and handed Will his plate. The boy stood, watching Keegan as if he would harm Addyson. It made Keegan proud of the kid that he’d want to protect Addyson.

Without looking at the teen, Keegan said, “Will, take your breakfast in the living room and eat before it gets cold.”

From the corner of his eye, Keegan saw Will peer at Addyson. When she gave him a nod, he left them alone. Keegan took another step forward, stopping inches from her. He heard her heart beat speed up and smelled her strawberry scent intensify, but not in fear. She was turned on by his presence.

He inhaled deeply, taking in her scent. His leopard rubbed up against his chest, trying to feel Addyson. He’d never imagine in the past thirty-seven years that he’d find another mate. Then Addyson stumbled into his life about twelve years after losing Cate. He wasn’t ready then, the pain still too raw to see what the leopard tried to make him see.

He’d finally started to accept it, accept the fact that Addyson has a place in his heart and in his bed.

Other Ashwood Falls books:

Winter Eve (prequel)

A Tiger’s Claim (book 1)

A Mating Dance (book 2)

A little about Lia:

Lia Davis is a mother to two young adults and two very special kitties, a wife to her soul mate, a paranormal romance author, and co-owner to Fated Desires Publishing, LLC. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!

An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very activity imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing started out as a stress reliever that allow her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs. Now it has become her career. A real life dream come true.

Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.

Learn more about Lia here: Author website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | G+

Giveaway!

Lia will be giving away an eBook and Coffee prize pack, which includes a Starbucks coffee cup, a cold cup tumbler, a $15 Starbucks GC, and ONE eBook copy from her backlist (winner’s choice). Follow the Rafflecopter instructions below to enter. Giveaway ends Oct. 15^th.

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September 20, 2013September 13, 2013

Spotlight Feature of “She Can…..” series by Melinda Leigh

SHE CAN RUN

Series: She Can…, Book 1

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: November 28, 2011

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N

One bad decision turned a single mom into a fugitive.

Ten months ago, Elizabeth Baker uncovered a dangerous secret about her politician husband—a secret that nearly got her killed. Now she and her children are running for their lives. When Beth is hired as the caretaker of a remote Pennsylvania estate, she dares to hope she has found a corner of the world where Congressman Richard Baker can’t find them. But when her new boss dies suddenly and his nephew inherits the estate, Beth is faced with outwitting a former homicide detective who is very smart, very suspicious—and very attractive.

Forced into retirement by an injury and grieving the loss of his uncle, Jack O’Malley is unprepared to share his new home with a strange woman and her two kids. He is even less prepared for the instantaneous attraction he feels whenever Beth enters the room. She is beautiful, intelligent, kind…and obviously terrified of someone or something. As Jack’s investigation uncovers the shocking details of Beth’s past, the rural community is shaken by the murder of a local woman Driven by instinct and desire, Jack is determined to keep Beth and her children safe, even if doing so means putting his heart—and his life —on the line.

*****

SHE CAN TELL

Series: She Can…, Book 2

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: December 4, 2012

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N

A horse trainer’s homecoming turns deadly when a vicious stalker, a cold murder case, and a hot police chief threaten to expose family secrets that a killer wants to keep buried.

After a terrible accident ends her riding career, horse trainer Rachel Parker returns to her hometown to a hostile welcome. Her efforts to rebuild the family farm are hampered by her sister’s domestic crisis and a violent vandal who threatens Rachel’s new business and her life. She is also blindsided by the undeniable and unwanted attraction she feels for hot police chief handling her case. Someone is systematically trying to destroy her. Someone who knows private things about her. Someone who’s been watching her…

As his investigation uncovers the turbulent past Rachel keeps carefully hidden, Police Chief Mike O’Connell finds himself with too many suspects and too many feelings for his fiercely independent victim. His desire for Rachel is a conflict of interest that jeopardizes everything he stands for. Long buried family secrets, a skeleton, and a corrupt local official with a grudge against Mike complicate the case, but the escalating violence against Rachel convinces him he doesn’t have much time. Whoever is watching Rachel wants her dead. Mike and Rachel race to untangle a web of deceit and lies that stretches twenty-five years into the past—before her stalker strikes again.

*****

SHE CAN SCREAM

Series: She Can…, Book 3

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: September 17, 2013

Pre-Order Link: Amazon

In one moment, high school teacher and single mother Brooke Davenport interrupts a vicious assault, saves a young woman’s life, and attracts the attention of a serial killer.

Sixteen years ago, Brooke lost her roommate to a brutal murder. Now she teaches women’s self-defense, still trying to heal from the guilt and grief that plague her. Convinced the predator knows his victims and is stalking his prey online, she is determined to find him before he strikes again. Her brother’s friend, Luke has the computer expertise to help. But Brooke’s unexpected desire for Luke complicates her investigation, and her fixation with the case provokes a deadly reaction from the killer.

Injured in terrorist bombing overseas, computer expert Luke Holloway is still haunted by flashbacks of his young assistant’s death in the explosion. But Luke can’t refuse the request of a deployed friend to look after his sister, Brooke. Taking on responsibility for Brooke’s safety threatens Luke’s tenuous recovery, especially after he develops feelings for her that transcend a promise to a friend. When Brooke saves a young girl from a brutal assault and becomes a killer’s obsession, Luke vows to protect her at all costs.

*****

Make sure to check out my review of SHE CAN SCREAM here

*****

SHE CAN HIDE

Series: She Can…, Book 4

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: March 25, 2014

Pre-Order Link: Amazon

From the moment Officer Ethan Hale pulls Abby Foster from icy waters, he senses there’s more to her than meets the eye. Abby has no memory of the accident that submerged her car in the frozen river. Three years ago, Abby was kidnapped and abandoned in a well for a week. The botched police investigation nearly killed her. Abby had moved to the mountains of Pennsylvania for a fresh start, but when it becomes clear that this car crash wasn’t an accident, she knows the violence from her past has caught up with her.

But Abby’s former assailant was convicted and imprisoned, so who else wants her dead?

Ethan uncovers a fresh string of murders tied to Abby’s past. Someone is trying to kill her, and this time the stalker seems determined to finish the task. As the killer grows bolder, Abby begins to trust Ethan enough to share the truth, her heart, and her life. But to stop the murders, Ethan must make a decision that could jeopardize it all.

A little about Melinda Leigh:

Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. A life-long lover of books, she started writing when her youngest child entered first grade as a way to preserve her sanity. in 2007, she joined Romance Writers of America, learned a few things about writing a book, and decided the process was way more fun than analyzing financial statements. It was time to get serious about making her hobby a career. She began submitting her work in 2008. In 2009 she signed with an agent, who sold Melinda’s debut romantic suspense novel, SHE CAN RUN, in 2010 to Montlake Romance.
SHE CAN RUN released in November 2011 and became the #1 Bestseller in Kindle Romantic Suspense. SHE CAN RUN has been nominated for a 2012 Thriller Award for Best First Novel.

Melinda is also an avid martial artist. She holds a 2nd degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and teaches women’s self-defense. She lives in a messy house in the suburbs with her husband, two teenagers, a couple of dogs and one neurotic cat with an inexplicable fear of ceiling fans. With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination

To find out more about Melinda and her books you can connect with her online:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

GRAND PRIZE: $25 Amazon card, plus a signed copy of SHE CAN SCREAM

RUNNER-UP: a signed cop of either SHE CAN RUN or SHE CAN TELL

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Melinda Leigh’s SHE CAN SCREAM

Tour Schedule – 9/13 – 9/28

9/13-Book Monster Reviews (spotlight & excerpt??)

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

9/14- So Many Reads (series spotlight)

http://www.somanyreads.com/

9/15- Romance Junkies (interview)

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

9/16- The Reading Café (interview)

http://www.thereadingcafe.com/

9/18- Musings From An Addicted Reader (series spotlight & review)

http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.blogspot.com/

9/18- Just Romantic Suspense (guest post)

http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/

9/19- KT Book Reviews (series spotlight & review)

http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com/

9/20- Books-n-Kisses (series spotlight, excerpt & review)

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

9/21- Intoxicated by Books (series spotlight & review)

http://intoxicatedbybooks.blogspot.com/

9/22- United by Books (series spotlight)

http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

9/23- Book Lovin’ Mamas (interviews, spotlight & review)

http://booklovinmamas.com/

9/24- Cocktails & Books (series spotlight)

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

9/25- Romancing the Book (interview)

http://romancing-the-book.com/

9/26- LITERAL ADDICTION (series spotlight & review)

http://www.literaladdiction.com/

9/26- Deal Sharing Aunt (series spotlight)

http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/

9/27- Night Owl Reviews (interview)

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Checking-In-With-Melinda-Leigh-July-2013

9/28- Tiffy-Fit’s Reading Corner (series spotlight & review)

http://www.tiffyfit.blogspot.com

August 13, 2013August 11, 2013

Spotlight feature, excerpt (2 of 6) & tour wide giveaway of Katie Reus’ First Surrender

First Surrender

by Katie Reus

Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

Box Set Name: “Wicked Firsts” – 6 novellas from 6 bestselling authors

Publisher: The Indie Six, LLC

Pub Date: August 19, 2013

Length: 120,000 words (total collection)

Back Cover: First Surrender by Katie Reus

He’s dangerous, sexy, and everything she wants…

Sierra hit it off with Hayden from the moment they met. The dangerously sexy, tattooed ex-SEAL is one of the best friends she’s ever had—and the main star in her wildest fantasies. But he doesn’t see her that way. And she’d die of embarrassment if he found out she was still a virgin.

And he’s about to make his claim…

Hayden’s struggled to keep his attraction to the beautiful, dark haired casino chef a secret. He’s not good enough for her. But when an attacker targets Sierra, Hayden’s protective instincts go into overdrive. With the attraction between them burning out of control, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her and convince her they’re meant to be together.

First Surrender – The Serafina: Sin City Series

Marty started to respond but Iris Christiansen strode through the glass doorway looking fierce in black pants, a crisp white button down shirt and a sleek, clearly custom-made black jacket. Everything about the other woman was, well, fierce. She was gorgeous but also a little scary, especially since Sierra knew the former Marine was always well-armed. The tall woman gave Marty one look and he scampered away.

Luckily she gave Sierra a bright smile. “What’s up, Sierra? You got a problem at the restaurant?”

Still struggling to find her voice, she shook her head. “No problem, just leaving. See you tomorrow.” Sierra tried to hurry away, but Iris followed her to the elevators.

“What’s going on? You don’t look okay.”

Sierra swallowed hard. Lord, was she that transparent? “Just had a long day. Busy, you know?” Gah, why wouldn’t the elevator hurry up?

Iris raised a dark eyebrow. “Do I need to kick his ass?”

Staring at her, Sierra frowned. “What? Who?”

“Hayden. What’s he done now?”

The mention of his name made Sierra’s stomach flip-flop. It also pissed her off. If he’d had a date he could have had the decency to tell her. Shrugging jerkily, she breathed out a sigh of relief when the elevator stopped and dinged. “Hayden hasn’t done anything.” And she wondered why Iris would assume this had anything to do with the man. It wasn’t like they were dating.

Iris didn’t respond, but her lips pulled into a thin line as the doors shut behind Sierra. Once she was alone, Sierra didn’t bother to keep up a happy face. Hayden hadn’t mentioned dating anyone in the past year, though she knew the man had to be dating. He was walking, talking sex appeal. Absently she rubbed the center of her chest. So, he was dating. No big deal. Right? Ugh, yeah right. Swallowing back the traitorous tears threatening to overwhelm her, she hurried into the below ground parking garage. Normally Hayden or someone else walked her to her vehicle but she didn’t want to bother asking anyone else. Not when she felt like crying. No way was she embarrassing herself and becoming a source of casino gossip.

Picking up her pace, her sandals slapped quickly across the concrete. As she reached the second row of cars, a tiny scream escaped her lips as a man wearing a mask jumped out from behind her Jeep. The guy was huge, maybe six feet tall, and when she saw the flash of metal—a knife!—in his hands, her chest constricted as a hundred horrible scenarios raced through her mind. Knowing she’d only get one chance she let out a blood-curdling scream at the top of her lungs as she backtracked and started running in the other direction.

Blood rushed in her ears as she continued screaming and digging in her purse for her pepper spray. She knew she wouldn’t be a physical match against anyone and—pain exploded in her scalp as he grabbed her by the hair and jerked back.

Instinctively she reached back to try to stop him and quickly realized her mistake. Using a lot of force, he slammed her forehead against a nearby car. Another burst of pain launched inside her skull as she tried to shove away from the vehicle. He pulled her head back again and she struggled to find breath—suddenly she was falling.

*****

About the WICKED FIRSTS Box Set:

Six New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors (Laura Wright, Alexandra Ivy, Cynthia Eden, Katie Reus, Elisabeth Naughton, and Joan Swan) bring you six all-new contemporary and super sexy suspense stories of first loves, first attractions, first temptations, first times and first obsessions.

Pre-Order the Wicked First Box Set at Amazon.com for Only $0.99

Now Through Release Week!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/15C4iCO

Meet Author Katie Reus:

Katie Reus is the USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, Moon Shifter series and Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. To learn more about her please visit her website, blog, facebook or find her on twitter @katiereus.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

Giveaway Time

Five (5) Wicked Firsts box sets will be gifted tour wide between 8/12 – 8/19.

The more stops you comment on, the great your chances of winning! Please follow the Rafflecopter directions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more opportunities to win some goodies, check out the Joint Twitter Party with Katie Reus and Cynthia Eden at: http://events.litconnect.com/joint-twitter-party-wicked-firsts-box-set-with-katie-reus-cynthia-eden/

Tour Stops:

8/12: The Jeep Diva

8/13: Books-n-Kisses

8/14: Nina’s Literary Escape

8/15: Ramblings From This Chick

8/16: Just Contemporary Romance

8/16: Book Lovin’ Mamas