Spotlight Feature & Kelly’s review of Heather Graham’s Blood on the Bayou

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Review/Excerpt Tour for BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham! BLOOD ON THE BAYOU is A Cafferty & Quinn Series Novella brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. It is available now, so grab your copy of this sexy novella today!

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About BLOOD ON THE BAYOU: A Cafferty & Quinn Novella

From New York Times bestseller Heather Graham…

It’s winter and a chill has settled over New Orleans, binding a stream of blood that leads a tourist to a dead man, face down in the bayou.

The man has been done in by a vicious beating, so violent that his skull has been crashed in.

It’s barely a day before a second victim is found . . . once again so badly thrashed that the water runs red. The city becomes riddled with fear.

An old family friend comes to Danni Cafferty, telling her that he’s terrified, he’s certain that he’s received a message from the Blood Bayou killer–It’s your turn to pay, blood on the bayou.

The two quickly become involved, and–as they all begin to realize that a gruesome local history is being repeated–they find themselves in a fight to save not just a friend, but, perhaps, their very own lives.

an old house in the French quarter of New Orleans

Excerpt:

“People in this area all know the legends about the rougarou. Someone out there might be using the legend. In this day and age, it’s quite possible to fake a monster.”

They both looked at him with huge eyes, seemingly wanting to trust in him.

“Sound like a plan?” Quinn asked Larue.

The detective nodded. “Let’s move, though. We have to get out to Honey Swamp. We’re going to help the task force with the investigation.”

Ten minutes later they were at the hotel where the young women were staying. Quinn inspected the balcony while they gathered their belongings together. The room sat on the second floor, but the balcony might have been easily accessed from the street. There was a heavy pipe near enough for someone to crawl up and gain a grip on one of the wrought iron rails. “How did someone walk through the French Quarter all dressed up without being noticed?”

“This is New Orleans,” Larue said. “Not far from Bourbon Street. Think about it, Quinn. Does anyone really notice crazy around here? I mean, there’s a lot of crazy.”

“Something like the rougarou? A giant man with a wolf’s head?”

“Somebody walked stark naked down Bourbon Street about two days ago, and it took that long for anyone to report it to the police,” Larue told him.

“That’s not a rougarou.”

Larue shrugged. “Okay. I’ll give you that.”

“To put a spin of logic on this, I’d say that it was more than possible for a man to dress up, then crawl up here to scare Jane and Lana. It’s also possible that whoever was here had nothing to do with the murder in the swamp, or maybe someone got wind of the situation and knew that the two young women had been on the tour and decided to scare them. They’re visitors, yes, but they know the city and they might have met a young man anxious to scare them. Then he comes along and offers his presence as protection against whatever has them frightened.”

Larue did not argue.

“At any rate,” Quinn said. “Let’s go meet your friends from Pearl River.”

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3

Just to let you know I have not read any of the books prior to this one in the Cafferty and Quinn series. I liked this story, but it didn’t grab me the way that I had hoped when I started. I did enjoy the history of New Orleans and the monster in the story. I think It may have been better if I had read the prior books to understand the characters a little better. But even with that I think that this story can stand alone.

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Evil Eye Concepts in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Square photo of couple kissing each others. without eyes only lips. square photo

About Heather Graham:

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell’s Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette’s Shadows, and for Harlequin’s mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children’s charity.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards from Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter Sign Up | BLOOD ON THE BAYOU on Goodreads

Follow the whole tour here:

Heather Graham’s BLOOD ON THE BAYOU – Review & Excerpt Tour

January 27^th

Bea’s Book Nook – Excerpt

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

From the TBR Pile – Review & Excerpt

Read-Love-Blog – Excerpt

January 28^th

Books to Get Lost In – Excerpt

Collector of book boyfriends – Excerpt

Deluged with Books Cafe – Review & Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

January 29^th

Brooke Blogs – Excerpt

Extreme Bookaholic’s – Excerpt

Only One More Page – Review & Excerpt

Parajunkee’s View – Excerpt

January 30^th

Evermore Books – Excerpt

TMBA Corbett Tries to Write – Review & Excerpt

The Consummate Reader – Excerpt

January 31^st

DayReader Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Us Girls & A Book – Review

Romeo &Roo Books – Review

February 1^st

Moonlight Rendezvous – Review & Excerpt

BooksPieAndCoffee – Review

Book-o-Craze – Review & Excerpt

February 2^nd

Write for Your Life! – Review & Excerpt

The Sassy Bookster – Review & Excerpt

Renee Entress’s Blog – Excerpt

Books-n-Kisses – Review & Excerpt

February 3^rd

Beneath The Covers Blog – Excerpt

Books Need TLC – Review

Liz’s Reading Life – Excerpt

The Two Brains of Book Reviewers – Review & Excerpt

February 4^th

Amazeballs Book Addicts – Review & Excerpt

DRC Promotions – Review

Fictional Reality – Excerpt

Indy Book Fairy – Excerpt

February 5^th

alpha book club – Review & Excerpt

Those Crazy Book Chicks – Excerpt

Love Affair With Fiction – Excerpt

December 29, 2015December 28, 2015

Release Day Blitz: Smoldering Hunger by Donna Grant

Smoldering Hunger

(Dark Kings Series, #8)

His kisses were soul stirring, leaving her gasping and hungry for more. They pulled her from the wasteland of her life viciously and ruthlessly. With just one kiss she was clinging to him, silently begging him to show her all that one brush of his lips had promised.

TEMPTING FATE

Darius is back. Edinburgh thought it had seen the last of this seductive Dragon King, but that was before Darius found something worthwhile. He just can’t stay away from the impossibly beautiful Dr. Sophie Martin—even though he knows that a passion this strong could prove detrimental…for them both.

CRAVING DESIRE

Sophie tried to forget her encounter with smoking-hot Darius to no avail. He’s in her dreams, tempting her. But her association with Darius catches the attention of another, putting her in mortal danger. . .and Darius, who has vowed to protect her, is her only hope. But can she trust the notorious dragon shapeshifter? The only thing she knows for sure is that she cannot resist him…

Available for purchase at

Excerpts

SMOLDERING HUNGER Excerpt 2“Sophie?”

She blinked and looked down to find Claire watching her with a worried look in her brown eyes. Sophie shot her a smile, but Claire cocked her blonde head to the side and put a hand on her hip, telling Sophie she wasn’t buying the act for a second.

“Just lost in thought,” Sophie said with a shrug.

Claire raised her brows as she regarded Sophie. “By that look, I’d say it was a man.”

A man? Darius was so much more. His presence seemed to make the earth still, waiting for his order. He commanded without a word, dominated with a look from his dark brown gaze.

Man? No man she’d ever met could be so strong and imposing.

And sexy.

Her mouth went dry thinking of the hard line of his jaw and his lips that were soft and insistent. His eyes could cut coldly, but they could also blaze with a fire so hot that it could melt the sun.

She knew what desire looked like reflected in his chocolate-colored depths. His eyes softened, turned downright sensual as he held her gaze, challenging her to try and look away.

All the while his gorgeous body with rippling muscles brought her higher and higher, giving her ecstasy the likes she’d never known.

And never known she could have.

If she hadn’t been sore the next morning when she woke, she might have thought it all a dream.

“I don’t know who he is, but you need to see him again,” Claire said, breaking into Sophie’s thoughts again. Her smile was wide, a knowing look in her eyes.

Sophie swallowed and smoothed a hand over her hair to make sure the thick length was still in place. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Uh, huh,” Claire said with a wink. “Two weeks ago you walked in here with a flush to your skin and a smile on your lips. You wore the look of a woman who had been rode well. Ever since, you occasionally get that look in your eyes. I’m telling you as your friend, Soph, go see him again. Because if I could find a man who could make me look like that after sex, I’d chain him to my bed.”

This time Sophie’s laugh wasn’t forced. She knew all too well Claire’s issues with men. She was a petite, pretty woman who had a bright smile and infectious laugh, and yet every guy she was interested in preferred someone else. Worse, it was all the wrong sorts of men who were attracted to Claire.

If Sophie thought her years without a date was a long time, Claire wasn’t behind her by far. It was why the two of them had become such good friends.

Sophie leaned down and whispered in Claire’s ear, “The sex was out of this world, but he’s also out of the picture.”

She walked away, leaving Claire with her mouth gaping and questions in her eyes. Sophie inwardly laughed, because it was a rare thing when she got to shock Claire. Normally, it was Claire who astonished her on a daily basis.

Sophie turned the corner and found a man leaning against the wall staring at her. He was drop dead gorgeous in his dark red sweater and jeans.

He wore a small smile about his wide lips as his golden eyes stared at her. His long black hair was pulled back showing off the hard planes of his face.

It unnerved her how he watched her, as if she were something to be studied under a microscope. Sophie pulled her gaze away from him, and stopped dead in her tracks when spotted Darius.

Her heart thumped in her chest and her stomach fell to her feet. She couldn’t decide if she was excited to see him or surprised. Especially after just thinking of him.

The strands of his long, dark blond hair was windblown. Just disheveled enough to make him even sexier. His hair, in addition to the five o’clock shadow of a beard, made her blood race and her hands itch to touch him, to run her hands up his chest and over his thick shoulders once more.

He watched her with his deep brown eyes without a hint of any emotion. While she was reeling from seeing him after so long and her body instantly beginning to throb with need, he felt…nothing.

Sophie knew what kind of disaster lay with Darius. She swore to never go down that path again. As tempting as he was – and good Lord was he tempting – she fortified the walls around her heart.

She walked into her patient’s room without a backward look to Darius. If only it was as easy to erase him from her thoughts as it was to look away.

The Dark Kings Series

About the Author

Donna Grant is the New York Timesand USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

You can find Donna at

Presented By

December 29, 2015December 16, 2015

Spotlight Feature: Maya Banks’ Mastered

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Surrender Trilogy and the Breathless Trilogy knows what makes readers hot. Now she turns it up in Mastered, the explosive first book in a new series of a desire too dangerous to resist.

What he wants, he takes with no remorse or guilt.

She stood out in his club like a gem, unspoiled and untouched. A lamb among wolves, she clearly didn’t belong. Drawn to her innocence he watched as she was surrounded by men who saw what he did—but no one but him could touch her. He summoned her to his private quarters. He sensed her fear. He also recognized the desire in her eyes. And he knew she wouldn’t leave before he possessed her. She had no need to know his secrets. Not until he had her under his complete and utter control.

What he wants, she isn’t sure she can give him.

The moment he told her want he wanted, she couldn’t resist. Instinct told her to run, but her heart said stay and walk the fine line between pleasure and pain. Though she wasn’t sure she could ever completely surrender, the primal part of her wanted to try, even knowing this man could break her in ways she never imagined. Because once he possessed her, he owned her and it would be too late to turn back. She can only pray that he doesn’t destroy her in the end.

Mastered Excerpt: http://mayabanks.com/books/mastered/#excerpt

*****

Author Bio: Maya Banks is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas. Visit her website at www.mayabanks.com.

December 2, 2015November 23, 2015

Guest Blogger: Samantha Chase talks about her newest release I’ll Be There + a giveaway

Hey, everyone! It’s Samantha Chase and I am psyched to be here with you today. This month I am totally celebrating the release of “I’ll Be There” – book six in the Montgomery Brothers series. I fell in love with this family from the very beginning – and I think some of you have too! But there has been something special about Zach and Gabriella’s story that is different than any of our other Montgomerys.

From the time “Meant for You” came out (book five), readers instantly began asking about Zach and Gabriella. We were introduced to them in that book and you really got a sense that there was a story brewing there. They were snarky and argumentative with one another in a way that you just knew was masking some deep feelings. And by the end of the book we had the makings of a wounded hero and an under-appreciated heroine. The best part is that no matter how angry Zach made us, we still believe there’s room for redemption.

And as for Gabriella, I think readers are waiting for her to put her boss in his place! We want her to stand up for herself and maybe make Zach suffer a little in the process. Who doesn’t love a heroine who finally realizes her self-worth and makes the hero come begging? I know I love that!

I think this story – more than any other I’ve written – deals with the complexity of a relationship between two broken people. It’s more than a personality clash and both Zach and Gabriella have healing to do – both together and apart.

I’ll Be There

The Montgomery Brothers #6

Amazon | B&N

This Montgomery Has a Head for Business

Working for Zach Montgomery is challenging on many levels-coming from a wealthy and powerful family, he lives by his own rules and doesn’t answer to anyone. But Gabriella Martine has no intention of backing down. She’s used to handling stubborn men, and it doesn’t hurt that Zach is smart, charismatic… and gorgeous.

And a Heart for Adventure

Zach’s perfect world is turned upside down when a climbing accident leaves him broken, angry, and maddeningly dependent. In his slow quest for recovery, Gabriella is always there to help… but as Zach comes to see his beautiful assistant in a new light, he is forced to re-evaluate what it really means to be aman worthy of Gabriella’s love.

Excerpt:

It was now or never.

Shifting again so he had his arms resting on the table, he looked at Gabriella and studied her face. “The truth?” he asked and waited until she nodded. “Okay, Gabs. But remember, you asked. I invited you here tonight because I needed you to realize how sorry I was for the way I’ve treated you. I’ve done some serious soul searching these last few days and I don’t like the man I’ve become. I’m committed to my therapy with Alex and I’m committed to getting back to being the head of Montgomerys. I didn’t want you to come in here on the defensive. I wanted us to just have some time to talk and…get to know each other again.”

She leaned back in her chair and let out a shaky breath. “Wow. Okay.”

That was it? That was all she had to say? “But more than that, Gabriella, I don’t want to do any of it without you. I need you. You are the reason I’ve been able to accomplish all I have with the company. You’re the reason I’ve been successful in just about every aspect of my life for the last five years.” Reaching across the table, Zach took one of Gabriella’s hands in his and just marveled at how soft it was. He always wondered what her skin felt like and now that he knew, he wanted to feel more. “Don’t leave me. Please.”

Her blue eyes filled with tears and she used her free hand to quickly wipe them away before they fell and then studied their hands on the table. “Zach,” she said softly, “we’ve been over this.”

“I know, I know,” he replied just as softly. “I need another chance, Gabriella. I need a chance to make things right.” He looked up, his gaze meeting hers. “I need you.”

Deciding to be bold, he turned her hand over and twined their fingers together and gently squeezed. He was surprised she didn’t pull away and thought maybe—just maybe—they were making progress. “I know I can’t erase the things I’ve said and done, but if you’ll give me one more chance, Gabs, I promise not to screw up. If I do anything to upset you, you can walk away. Hell, you can slap me in the face, kick me in the shin or throw something heavy at me and I’ll take it. I just…I can’t do this without you.”

Her eyes never left their joined hands.

“I don’t want to do this without you,” he said quietly.

“I’m afraid to…believe you.” He barely heard her words, they were uttered so softly.

Everything inside of him clenched with pain. His always confident, ever-efficient assistant was now distrusting and uncertain—because of him. “I don’t know what to say to make you believe me. Tell me. Tell me what I need to do. Anything. Anything you need from me to gain your confidence, and I’ll do it.”

She looked up at him. “It’s not that easy. Every day I walked into the office, I gave you another chance. Every time you berated me or made me feel like I screwed up and I came back, I gave you another chance. From my standpoint, you’ve had two years’ worth of second chances. I think I’ve been more than generous.”

His other hand reached out to cup her hand in both of his. “I know you have and you have no idea how much I appreciated it.” She looked at him with disbelief. “It’s true! I know I never said it but every morning you were there, I was thankful. Every time you walked into my office, I was thankful. Please. I’m begging here, Gabs.”

*****

About Samantha:

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

With twenty-three titles currently to her name, she has no plans to slow down. The success of the Montgomery Brothers series has her working on six new titles in that collection as well as two new exciting series set to start popping up on bookshelves in 2015. You won’t find her books with the erotica or paranormal titles, all of her works are pure contemporary romances.

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, blogging, playing way too many games of Scrabble on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

Learn more about Samantha and her books here: Website| Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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December 1, 2015November 23, 2015

Spotlight feature of Jade Lee’s One Rogue at a Time + a giveaway

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Jade Lee to the blog today to help her celebrate here newest release ONE ROGUE AT A TIME.

USA Today bestselling author Jade Lee has been crafting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ballgowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than 40 romance novels and winner of dozens of reader awards, she brings laughter into the sexy nights of England’s elite. Quirky characters and sexy banter are her hallmarks. Find out more at her website www.JadeLeeAuthor.com, or check out her wild contemporary half at www.KathyLyons.com.

A Word From Jade Lee: Our heroine Bluebell (nickname) wants to go to London to meet her father for the first time. Bram Hallowsby needs a horse so he can escape this blasted northern province. And now the bartering begins…

Learn more about Jade and her books here: Website| Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Now let us take a look at ONE ROGUE AT A TIME ( Rakes and Rogues, #2)

Pubdate: December 1^st, 2015

USA Today bestselling author Jade Lee continues her saucy, vibrant Rakes and Rogues Regency romance series with a high-society outsider who may have met his match…

A brown-eyed bastard with nothing to lose

As the illegitimate son of a duke, Bramwell Wesley Hallowsby grew up tough, on the fringes of society, learning to hide his hurt and cynicism with charm and Town polish. He’s carved out a place for himself as a mercenary, serving as bodyguard and general strong arm for the peerage. Bram has nothing to lose… and he’s exactly what Maybelle “Bluebell” Ballenger needs.

Meets his match in a blue-eyed beauty with everything to hide

Maybelle needs a mentor to teach her to speak and act like a lady, so she can claim the place in society she was denied. As they team up to take on the ton, Bram knows she’s hiding something even from him. Despite the deception he sees behind those sparkling blue eyes, Bram wants to believe that Maybelle’s love is no lie. But it seems fate has served him up his just desserts in the likes of this determined damsel.

Excerpt:

“That’s a sorry looking nag.”

She knew he was baiting her. Knew that her own estimation put Mina in such a sad category as well. But she felt the wound nonetheless.

“She’s a truer horse than you’ll ever know. Mina and I’ve been friends since she was a foal. She may not look so fine as your London-bred prancers, but she’ll get you where you need to go, be satisfied with the grasses at her feet, and be ready to move in the morning.”

“Nursed by your very own hand…” he said, his eyebrows raised as he called her bluff.

“Not nursed. She came to us much older, though I played with her as a child.”

“Of course you did—”

“And I feed her my right fine carrots. By hand.” Then just to prove the point, she clucked her tongue, and Mina trotted over, mouth eager for the carrot she pulled out of her pocket.

“The carriage needs two horses—”

“You can switch the hitch for one.”

He grimaced, and she knew she had him. He was thinking of the expense and the bother. But if he’d a mind to leave the carriage behind, he’d have given up by now. Which meant he was here for at least a few days while the thing got repaired.

“You should add a coat of paint, you know,” she said as if she’d just thought of it. “It will sell better that way.”

“And what would you know about selling carriages?” he grumbled.

“Not a thing,” she lied. After all, selling was selling. It was all about finding out what people really wanted and giving it to them, even if it was simple compliments and attention.

Which brought her thoughts to him. What exactly did he want? Coin, obviously, but that was the only thing. With his looks, he wasn’t in need of attention. So what did he want that she could sell him? Did he want to feel important?

She turned so that she looked more fully at him, but her profile was still in his view. Her mother said her figure was her best asset, along with her smile. And so she left it on display as spoke.

“May I ask your advice, sir?”

His brows went up in surprise and wariness entered his body. “Of course.”

She flashed her dimple, but kept her expression anxious. It wasn’t hard to do. She was worried. “Lady Linsel said she couldn’t understand me. That I speak—”

“Clarissa makes sure to insult the prettiest woman in the room.”

“Oh sir! Surely she couldn’t mean—”

“I’ll think about the horse, Miss Bluebell,” he interrupted as he took a step back. Clearly, he did not appreciate false modesty. “Good day.” He gave her a shallow bow.

No! She couldn’t lose him now. They hadn’t reached a bargain yet. “But sir, please tell me! Please…” She swallowed. He’d put on his hat. “Teach me.”

He frowned at her. “What?”

“I want t’ speak like a proper lady.”

His head tilted as he studied her. “It’s not how you speak, it’s what you say.”

“No, sir, that’s not true,” she shot back. “I am always respectful, always sweet.”

“All the best courtesans are.”

She blinked, shocked to her core. Had he just called her a whore? An expensive one, but still a woman who spread her legs for money. And said in such a matter-of-fact way that she was shocked. As if it were a foregone conclusion of little import. It was that last that truly bothered her. Most men who insulted her looked for a reaction. He had said it as calmly as if he named a carrot or a tree. And in that moment of frozen surprise, she lost the upper hand.

“You know,” he said as he touched her chin, slowly closing her mouth, “there was a time I would have been completely fooled by you, taken in like all the other peasants in your life. But I am not, Miss Bluebell.” He stepped closer to her, letting his height dwarf her into insignificance. “You are a woman who gets everything she wants. A grasping tart in the most beautiful package I have ever seen.”

Never had anyone complimented and insulted her in the same sentence. And so she reacted purely from the place of a wounded animal.

She punched him square in the jaw, following with another to his gut.

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November 13, 2015November 14, 2015

Guest Blogger: Grace Burrowes + a giveaway

The Joys of True Gentlemanliness… by Grace Burrowes

About twenty books ago, I lamented (whined) to one of my brothers that coming up with ways to challenge a romance hero into facing his worst fears and risking all to win the heroine’s heart was taxing my imagination. My brother, without a heartbeat’s pause said, “Make him choose between the competing demands of honor.”

THAT was great advice. Make the hero choose between the woman who needs him, and the military unit depending on him. Make him choose between avenging injustices from his past, or respecting the wishes of the pacifist woman he loves. Make him decide whether to be publicly vindicated or privately forgiving… Delightful stuff, for an author!

And yet, to travel along these brilliant character arcs, our hero must have one characteristic: He must have a well-developed sense of honor. To me, that means this fellow must be honest and kind. He can be poor, grouchy, lacking in charm, without prospects, unlucky in love—Daniel Banks is nodding his head—but ideally, he will still be a true gentleman at heart.

The true gentleman, alas for him, can be tormented from page one by the author and by the story, but from the start, the true gentleman will play by the rules of decency.

Rules are tough. The true gentleman will never misrepresent himself, which means Daniel Banks must inform Lady Kirsten that a) he’s married, and b) he won’t disrespect his vows. Too bad for Daniel, this honesty only raises him in the lady’s esteem, when he’s trying to emphasize his unsuitability.

The true gentleman will lend a hand—or an ear—to those in need. When Daniel Banks realizes that Lady Kirsten has been overlooked by her entire family, and is as lonely as an earl’s daughter can be, the least he can do is listen when she explains the misery in her past. Again, his respect for, and understanding of her increases, but what else could a gentleman have done?

The true gentleman is kind. He does not ignore the suffering of others, even if that means, he’s left with a bigger helping of suffering on his own plate. When Lady Kirsten needs a champion to fight her battles with an overbearing brother, Daniel steps up, though it might cost him his position. Once again, Daniel’s decency only gets him in hotter water, because now Kirsten’s brother is also viewing the impecunious, reserved, sometimes grouchy, vicar with renewed respect.

This business of being a true gentleman is darned hard, and darned heroic. What Daniel has to learn, though, is that true gentlemanliness begins at home. When he’s honest with himself, and shows himself the compassion we all deserve, all the inconvenient rules, tough choices, and honorable standards turn out to have been his second-best friends.

Lady Kirsten is, of course, his very best friend, being a true lady. But that’s another story…

*****
Title: Daniel’s True Desire
Author: Grace Burrows
Release Date: November 3, 2015
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

An honorable life
Daniel Banks is a man of the cloth whose vocation is the last comfort he has left-and even his churchman’s collar is beginning to feel like a noose. At the urging of family, Daniel attempts to start his life over as vicar in the sleepy Kentish town of Haddondale, family seat to the earls of Bellefonte.

Challenged by passion
Lady Kirsten Haddonfield has resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood. Then the handsome new village vicar, Reverend Daniel Banks, becomes a guest of the Haddonfield family while the vicarage is being renovated, and Kirsten finds herself rethinking her position. Lady Kirsten does not know that Daniel’s past is about to cast a shadow on love’s future.

Excerpt from Daniel’s True Desire

Daniel Banks is the new vicar in Haddondale, temporarily a guest of Lady Kirsten’s family. They’ve dragooned him into tutoring some of the local boys, and Kirsten is managing the staff who’ll turn the dower house into a place of learning. What Daniel doesn’t know is how a married man, even one estranged from his unworthy spouse, can resist the allure of friendship with Lady Kirsten…

“I dread crossing the garden,” Lady Kirsten said. “Susannah has taken up reading old issues of La Belle Assembleé, Della is memorizing DeBrett’s, and the countess talks only of fashion. Nobody does anything.”

“Most would envy them their idleness,” Daniel said, though he did not. The earl gave a good account of himself, tending to significant acreage and mercantile interests, but the women were bored.

One of the women was mortally bored, though never boring.

“I want to take the vicarage in hand,” Lady Kirsten said, marching from the pantry. “I doubt I’ll have time before we leave for Town the week after next. Lemon and beeswax won’t cure rising damp any way.”

Nothing cured rising damp save for replacing every scrap of affected wood. “You’re leaving soon, then?”

The prospect of distance from Lady Kirsten should have been a relief. She was unconventional, discontent, and unpredictable. Worse yet, she was patient with small boys, had a strong streak of domestic competence, and could not dissemble even to appease appearances.

Most troublesome of all, Daniel liked her. A lot.

“I smell fresh bread.” Lady Kirsten’s pace increased, then she halted to twist a sachet from behind a curtain. “Nicholas told George that in addition to Digby and the Blumenthal brats, you’re to take on both of Squire Webber’s sons. He aspires to send them to public school, but they lack a foundation.”

And years of dedicated tutors had been unable to remedy that lack? “I think you had better join me for lunch,” Daniel said resuming their progress toward a hot meal.

“I believe I shall. I adore a hearty beef stew with bread and butter on a cold, rainy day. Cook uses Mama’s recipe, and I’m partial to it.”

Peasant fare, for an earl’s daughter. Daniel liked her entirely too well.

A scullery maid set places for them at a wooden table heavy enough to double as a threshing floor, while Lady Kirsten served up bowls of steaming stew and Daniel sliced the bread. Daniel held the lady’s chair, and then, without even a nod in the direction of further small talk, took shameless advantage of his companion.

“I want to know every detail you can share about my scholars, Lady Kirsten. They’re shaping up to be a pack of ne’er-do-wells, scamps and scapegraces. One wonders if the parish isn’t attempting to run me off rather than welcome me.”

She snapped her serviette across her lap. “They’re out and out rotters, every one save for Digby, but George says he’s showing dubious potential. Don’t steal all the butter.”

Daniel passed her ladyship the plate of butter, small golden molds in the shape of roses.

“Your butter, and Lord-we-thank-Thee-for-this-food, amen. Now tell me about these scoundrels.”

Lady Kirsten sat back, her smile indulgent. “I’ve known them since they were babies, Mr. Banks. They’re full of energy and mischief, and there’s not a Latin scholar among them. They are truly, truly awful.”

She loved these rotten boys, and—greatest possible inconvenience—Daniel regarded this her most attractive quality of all.

Author Biography

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes’ bestsellers include The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal, Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish and Lady Eve’s Indiscretion. Her Regency romances have received extensive praise, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Grace is branching out into short stories and Scotland-set Victorian romance with Sourcebooks. She is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland.

Find Grace here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

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November 5, 2015November 2, 2015

Spotlight Feature: Edge of Danger by Katie Reus + an awesome giveaway

EDGE OF DANGER

Deadly Ops #4
November 3, 2015
Amazon | B&N

The new Deadly Ops novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Shattered Duty—in the series that delivers “fast-paced romantic suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat!”*

When an assassin tries to kill undercover DEA agent Tucker Pankov the same week his boss is taken out, Tucker has good reason to be paranoid. And when other members of his elite team are not only targeted, but stripped of top-secret security clearance, Tucker has one shot at discovering who wants them dead—and why. So he kidnaps the only woman he thinks can save them.

Brilliant NSA analyst Karen Stafford doesn’t like being forced into anything, especially by someone she doesn’t trust. Yet after a hijacked US-owned drone starts attacking government installations resulting in mass casualties, Karen has to take Tucker’s side. Now, two unlikely allies must unite to prevent an escalating and unthinkable terrorist conspiracy. But as Tucker and Karen grow intimate, they realize the conspiracy runs deep, and their enemies are closer than anyone realized.

At the sound of an engine revving, she glanced over her shoulder. The SUV was pulling out of the spot and heading in her direction. Her heart rate kicked up. She knew she was probably acting crazy but didn’t care. Veering off the sidewalk, she raced through the park where vehicles couldn’t go. As she cleared a cluster of trees without the sound of running feet coming after her, she let out a shaky breath and kept up her pace.

Risking a glance over her shoulder, she nearly stumbled when she saw a man dressed in all black step out from the trees.

That face.

Holy shit. Recognition slammed into her with the intensity of a battering ram. With a scarf around his neck and a knit cap on his head, she couldn’t spot one of the distinguishing features she’d seen in the file she had on him. But she knew he had a jagged scar around his neck and tended to favor shaving his head.

She knew it was him from his icy blue eyes.

Grisha. A murdering psychopath.

Fear took hold, its unforgiving grip squeezing around her chest like a vise, colder than the winter morning air.

Though she wanted to run, she stopped and spun around on the sidewalk, raising her bear spray with a steady hand. No one could withstand this if she shot it in their face, and she just wanted the chance to get away. She certainly wasn’t going to take the guy on in hand-to-hand combat. “Get back!” she shouted, her finger steady on the trigger. She was glad she wasn’t outwardly shaking. She needed to paint a picture of calm even if she was trembling inside.

To her surprise, he held up his hands and almost looked apologetic as he watched her. “I don’t want to hurt you, Karen.”

Holy hell, he knew her name. So this definitely wasn’t random. Because why would this guy be in Baltimore of all places, in the same park she ran by almost every day? Did he know who she worked for? God, he probably wanted to torture her for information. She wasn’t going to stand around and ask him a bunch of questions. The facts that he knew her name and was a violent criminal were enough for her to run for her life.

Whirling around, she raced down the sidewalk, her heart beating out of control, the sound of her blood rushing in her ears so loud she couldn’t tell how close he was behind her.

She wanted to pull out her phone, but she’d strapped it around her ankle so it would be out of her way. She couldn’t risk slowing down. If she could just get somewhere public, maybe she could flag someone for help.

As she moved deeper into the park, she cursed herself for coming this way, but he’d been blocking her exit. As she risked another glance over her shoulder, full-blown panic exploded inside her like fireworks. He was about twenty feet behind her and closing. He moved fast for such a big man, and she knew he wouldn’t stop. The range on her spray was thirty feet, so she could take him. She’d only get one shot at this, so she had to do it right.

His expression was grim and he said something to her, but she couldn’t hear anything above the blood rushing in her ears.

She could keep running, but he was going to reach her soon. And she knew without a doubt she’d lose against him in any sort of physical altercation. She’d seen pictures of what he’d done to someone who’d crossed him. This might be her only chance to get away or at least get help. Drawing in a deep breath, she let out a bloodcurdling scream, hoping someone would hear her as she stopped and turned to spray him.

Still screaming, she had started to press the trigger when a blur of motion out of the corner of her eye made her stumble backward.

A man in similar attire burst from the trees lining the sidewalk. There were two of them!

Pressing the trigger, she started spraying wildly as the newcomer tackled her. She flew back against the sidewalk, her head slamming against it as she lost her grip on the bear spray.

“Don’t hurt her!” Grisha shouted.

But that couldn’t be right. Unless he wanted to be the one to inflict pain. She tried to struggle, but the other man was on top of her and had her in a tight grip. She couldn’t stop gasping, her chest terrifyingly tight. She couldn’t breathe through the panic pressing in on her. Every horrible photo or crime scene she’d ever seen at work crashed in on her at once. She didn’t want to be a fucking statistic! She blinked as everything around her became fuzzy. Stay awake, she ordered herself as the edges of her vision started to fade.

No, no, no. She couldn’t be unconscious around these monsters. But she couldn’t control her breathing. It was too fast, too panicked. Pins and needles erupted in her hands and feet. Her eyeballs felt as if they were bulging. The edges of her vision closed in. Her body refused to listen as darkness swept her under.

Make sure to check out Kelly’s review of Edge of Danger HERE

About Katie:

Katie Reus is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the 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.

For more information on Katie find her here: Sign up for Katie’s newsletter | Website | Facebook | Twitter

GIVEAWAY TIME

Penguin has giving me permission to give away a complete set of print books of the Deadly Ops series.

That is correct!!! You will get all 4 books.

This contest is for US Residents only!!!!!

To Enter please leave a comment or question.

Winner will be picked and announce on November 13th

****Giveaway sponsored by Penguin****

November 3, 2015November 3, 2015

Release Day Blitz: Passion Ignites by Donna Grant

Passion Ignites

(Dark Kings Series, #7)

Blurb:

He consumed her with that kiss, leaving no question that whatever was happening between them was meant to be—that it had always been meant to be…

HE LOVES FOR ETERNITY

Thorn is the bad boy of the Dragon Kings, a gorgeous, reckless warrior whose passions run wild and fury knows no bounds. When he sees the brave, beautiful Lexi being lured into the Dark Fae’s trap, he has no choice but to rescue her from a fate worse than death. But by saving this tempting mortal, he exposes himself to his fiercest enemy—and darkest desires. As the war between Dragons and Fae heats up, so does the passion between Lexi and Thorn. And when love is a battlefield, the heart takes no prisoners…

SHE LIVES FOR VENGEANCE

Lexi is on a mission of justice. Every day, she searches for the monster who murdered her friend. Every night, she hides in the shadows and plots her revenge. But the man she seeks is more dangerous than she ever imagined. He is one of the Dark Fae who preys on human life, who uses his unearthly power to seduce the innocent, and who is setting a trap just for her. Nothing can save Lexi from a creature like this—except the one man who’s been watching her every move…

Available for purchase at

Excerpt:

She looked at the stranger with his dark hair that hung to his shoulders and his brown eyes that were so dark they were nearly black.

He wasn’t as pretty as the Red Eyes, but his ruggedness, the sheer masculinity he exuded was hard to dismiss. In fact, it was difficult for her to look away from him.

How could a man appear sensitive and ferocious at the same time? And yet, he did. Lexi had the insane urge to rest her head on his chest. A black shirt was stretched tight over his hard muscles.

She had to look up at him he was so tall. Lexi frowned as she noticed his incredibly long, dark eyelashes. Then she made the mistake of looking down.

He had a mouth that made her dream of spending hours kissing him. His lips were wide and captivating. Perhaps it was the effects the Red Eyes had on her that made her look at him with such longing.

But she had a suspicion that the stranger was always charming and fascinating. She’d noticed it the first time. Only she had refused to acknowledge it. This time, she couldn’t help herself.

His gaze watched her as if he were waiting for her to come to a conclusion. Her time in Edinburgh had proven that she couldn’t trust anyone. Handsome or not, strangers were enemies.

“I’m just trying to help,” he said and took a step toward her.

Lexi had turned her head to the second man right before then. She was so wound up that she reacted before she thought twice about it and stabbed him.

“Dammit,” he said between clenched teeth. His fingers tightened around her wrist.

“Stop doing that.”

Lexi blinked in confusion. He acted as if she’d actually hit her target. That couldn’t be right. He would’ve reacted with pain, not stood there as if nothing had happened.

She glanced down at her knife and felt as if she had been knocked flat on her back. There was blood on the blade. Her gaze jerked to his left side where she saw a dark, wet stain on his sweater.

Lexi took a step back, suddenly more afraid than she had been before. “Leave me alone,” she said and held up the knife.

“I would, lass, if you would but come to your senses and stop following the Dark around.”

The Dark Kings Series

About the Author

Donna Grant is the New York Timesand USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

You can find Donna at

Presented By

October 30, 2015October 23, 2015

Guest blogger: Lynnette Austin + a giveaway

Misty Bottoms Character Profiles
Full Name: James Donald Belcher
Nickname: Jimmy Don
Occupation: Sheriff
Physical description: Five-feet-eleven, brown hair and eyes, and a good twenty pounds too heavy. He dresses in full uniform and a wide-brimmed trooper’s hat.
Age: 42

Describe yourself in 100 words or less:

People tend to think of me as a donut-eatin’, coffee-drinkin’ stereotype of a small-town sheriff. They might add that I’m a little on the lazy side. Don’t let any of that fool you. I’ve got my finger on the pulse of both Misty Bottoms and its citizens.

Jenni Beth Beaumont’s moving back, intent on turning the town into some kind of fancy wedding destination. I don’t doubt that she can do it. That girl’s got more drive than a Chevy pickup. I can handle the change. A lot of the townsfolk forget I have a degree in criminal justice as well as my police academy training. I know my job, and I take it very seriously.

What is your favorite thing about living in Misty Bottoms? Where in Misty Bottoms can you most often be found?

The folks here are good, up-standing citizens. I don’t go to work in the morning worrying about bank robberies or hostage situations. Once in a while, one of the teens might paper somebody’s house or, on a Saturday night, someone has a little too much at Duffy’s Pub and I have to give him a ride home. For the most part, though, we have a quiet little town. Never boring, though. Big difference there.

I hang out at Dee-Ann’s Diner quite a bit. Not because I like to eat, although her pies are some of the best you’ll ever taste, but because it keeps me plugged in with what’s happening. I hear a heck of a lot more there than I do riding around in my cruiser.

When not working, how do you spend your time?

I enjoy woodworking, so I spend a lot of time in my shop with my pal Virgil. Right now, we’re crafting a coffee table for his son and daughter-in-law. When my wife replaced our fridge, I hauled the old one out there and bought a new flat screen TV. Virgil had a couple old chairs he dragged in. We’ve got ourselves a pretty good little place to catch the games.

If money was no object and you had 3 weeks of vacation, what would you do with your time?

I haven’t seen my older brother Owen in more years than I care to think about. He’s living up in Sitka, Alaska. If I had the time and money, that’s where I’d head. My wife’s been bugging me to do that ever since she watched Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock in that movie, The Proposal. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told her they didn’t actually film the movie there, that they did it somewhere in Massachusetts. But will she listen? Heck, no. It would be nice, though, to see Owen again.

Describe your dream wedding:

Seriously? My dream wedding? To be honest, I’d let the flowers and all that up to my wife. I’ve learned that it’s easiest just to go along. You know what I would like, though? I saw a picture on the internet of a couple who had their cake made from Krispy Kreme donuts. Now that would be somethin’ I could get behind.

*****

The Best Laid Wedding Plans
Author: Lynnette Austin
Series: Magnolia Brides, Book 1
ISBN: 9781492617976
Release date: November 3, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Order here: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound |Apple

Summary:
SOME DREAMS ARE WORTH WHATEVER IT TAKES

Jenni Beth Beaumont left her broken heart behind when she took her dream job in Savannah. But after her brother’s death, Jenni Beth returns home to help mend her parents’ hearts as well as restore their beautiful but crumbling antebellum mansion. New dreams take shape as Jenni Beth sets to work replacing floors and fixing pipes to convert the family homestead into the perfect wedding destination. However, some folks in their small Southern town are determined to see her fail.

Cole Bryson was once the love of Jenni Beth’s life, but the charming architectural salvager has plans of his own for the Beaumont family home. As the two butt heads,

old turmoil is brought to the surface and Cole and Jenni Beth will have to work through some painful memories and tough realities before they can set their pasts aside and have a second chance at their own happily ever after.

Excerpt

Her experienced gaze scrutinized the scene, took in both the setting and the people, alert for any problems. The arbor, with its draping of wisteria, had turned out beautifully and smelled like heaven itself. The bride’s family, the groom’s family—both wore expressions of happiness mixed with a touch of relief.

Jenni Beth’s eyes drifted to the flower girl. Daniella was antsy, her little fingers busily plucking the lace from the basket that held rose petals. And what in the world was Ricky, the ring bearer, doing to his shoelaces? Her eyes narrowed. Had he tied them together? Oh, boy.

As the sun set, the minister announced the newly joined Mr. and Mrs. Talbot, and Jenni Beth clapped with the rest of the guests while checking to make sure the walkway remained clear. The music began on cue, and the happy couple started down the aisle, hands laced, smiles bright.

When the ring bearer tripped, the best man scooped him onto one shoulder, diverting a minor catastrophe. She’d have to remember to thank him for the quick thinking.

If the reception went as smoothly, she could congratulate herself on a job well done.

While the bride and groom funneled their guests through the receiving line, Jenni Beth bolted to a separate section of the garden to make sure the cake, the bubbly, and the band were in place. She did a last-minute check on table settings, place cards, candles—the list was never ending.

The music started, the bridal party wended their way to the area, and the celebration began.

As the evening wore on, Jenni Beth relaxed.

A familiar voice whispered in her ear. “Dance with me.”

Cole Bryson. She hadn’t seen his name on the guest list.

Shivers raced down her spine, and her heart stuttered. It had been too long, not long enough. “No.”

She wouldn’t turn around, wouldn’t meet those mesmerizing eyes.

His hands settled on her bare arms, and she nearly jumped. As the work-roughened hands moved over her skin, her stomach started a little dance of its own.

“I’m working, Cole.”

“Nothin’ needs doin’ right now. Come on, sugar.”

Knowing she shouldn’t, she turned to face him. Mistake. She always had found him irresistible, and that hadn’t changed. He’d perfected that slow Southern drawl, had the sound of a true gentleman. But the twinkle in his eyes gave him away. Revealed the bad boy tucked not far below the surface.

Right now, dressed in a dark suit and tie, the man looked like every woman’s dream. He appeared smooth and debonair, but beneath lay the wild.

He took her hand, and, God forgive her, she followed him, weak-kneed onto the portable dance floor, telling herself she didn’t want to, that she only did it to keep peace. Knowing she lied.

A full moon shone overhead and candlelight flickered. When he drew her into his arms and pulled her close, she sighed. One hand held hers, the other settled south of her waist.

“You smell good, Jenni Beth. You always do.”

His voice, low and husky, sent goosebumps racing up and down her arms. Despite herself, she rested her head against his chest, seduced by the strong, steady beat of his heart, the illusion he could make everything and anything all right.

Author Bio

The luxury of staying home when the weather turns nasty, of working in PJs and bare feet, and the fact that daydreaming is not only permissible but encouraged, are a few of the reasons middle school teacher Lynnette Austin gave up the classroom to write full-time. Lynnette grew up in Pennsylvania’s Alleghany Mountains, moved to Upstate New York, then to the Rockies in Wyoming. Presently she and her husband divide their time between Southwest Florida’s beaches and Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. A finalist in RWA’s Golden Heart Contest, PASIC’s Book of Your Heart Contest, and Georgia Romance Writers’ Maggie Contest, she’s published five books as Lynnette Hallberg. She’s currently writing as Lynnette Austin. Having grown up in a small town, that’s where her heart takes her—to those quirky small towns where everybody knows everybody…and all their business, for better or worse.

Learn more about Lynette here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

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September 9, 2015September 2, 2015

Guest Blogger: Anna James is here to talk about The Business of Love!!!!

Hi Everyone,

My name is Anna James and I write contemporary romance with strong heroes and heroines that conquer life’s trials and find their happy ever afters.

I want to thank the folks at Books -n-Kisses for hosting me. Today I’d like to talk to you about what I consider the heart of a great story and that is… the books’ characters.

As an author, I strive to create characters in my stories that will linger in a reader’s mind long after he or she has finished reading my novel.

So, what goes into producing great characters?

In addition to the basics (height, weight, hair color, eye color, etc.), here are a few of the things I considered when I crafted Dante Leone and Sophia Hamilton, the hero and heroine from THE BUSINESS OF LOVE- Book 1 Forevermore Series. I’ll use Sophia for my example below, and then share an excerpt from the book with you.

What type of relationship does your character have with parents / siblings?
- Sophia’s mother committed suicide and she blames herself for not seeing the signs soon enough to stop her.
- She doesn’t have a relationship with her biological father. He walked out on her when she was a baby.
- She has a love / hate relationship with her step brother, Allen. Sophia cares for him but Allen wishes she didn’t exist.
- Sophia loved her step-father to pieces.
What is your character’s greatest strength?
- Sophia is a fighter
What is their “wound” or secret fear (the hurt that has caused them to be the way they are)?
- Sophia believes she’s not worthy of being loved. Everyone she’s ever loved has left her.

Excerpt:

“I’m sorry to disturb you,” Clair, her cousin, said, “but we have a situation in the kitchen.”

Sophia stood. “Is there a problem with the caterers?”

Clair rolled her eyes. “The problem is with your stepbrother, Allen. He’s ripping one of the servers a new one over some screw-up with the food.”

Sophia almost laughed, despite her grief. You could always count on Clair to tell it like it was. With a resigned sigh, she followed Clair out of her temporary sanctuary.

It took several minutes to make her way through the large group of friends and family who’d come to the house that afternoon. People who hadn’t been able to attend the funeral service that morning stopped her to offer their sympathy.

By the time she got to the kitchen, the server in question had been reduced to tears. Sophia squared her shoulders and marched over to Allen and pulled him aside. She apologized to the young woman, who scurried off, and then turned her attention back to her older stepbrother. “What are you doing?”

Allen glared at her and pointed to the spread on the counter. “This is not what I ordered.”

She sucked in a breath and counted to ten, determined not to let his temper spark her own. “The caterer called yesterday while you were out. She was concerned the quantities you ordered wouldn’t be enough for the number of people we were expecting, so I had her add a few extra side dishes.”

“You just had to interfere, didn’t you? You couldn’t leave well enough alone.”

“I didn’t have a choice. The caterer needed a decision and you weren’t around to make one.”

“As usual, you put your nose in where it didn’t belong.”

Was he really going to pick a fight today of all days? “Allen… Please… Let’s not turn Dad’s funeral into a three-ring circus. Can’t we call a truce, even if it’s only for today?”

“You had no right to intrude. He’s my father, Sophia, and I said I’d take care of everything. You should have given me the message. Instead, you just took over.”

If anyone else told the caterer to add the extra selections, it wouldn’t have mattered, but the fact it had been her, caused Allen to make a scene. He viewed her as an interloper, always had really. If it were up to him—thankfully Aunt Caroline, Dad’s sister, and Uncle Sam stepped in, so it wasn’t—she’d have been excluded from the day’s events. “Please, keep your voice down or everyone will hear you.”

“I don’t care. I’m sick and tired—”

Sophia’s head jerked toward the door when her best friend, Trey Jackson, stepped into the room.

Trey’s gruff voice broke into Allen’s tirade. “What’s going on in here? I can hear you two shouting from the living room and the glass doors are closed.”

Allen glowered down at her. “You want to be in charge? Have at it.” He stormed out and slammed the back door shut behind him.

*****

Amazon

Sophia Hamilton can’t believe her late stepfather split the family firm three ways. With her hard-earned master’s degree, she and her stepbrother, Allen, are perfectly capable of running the firm. Instead, she’s forced to share the reins with Dante Leone. The man who split her heart in two.

Six years ago Sophia fell hard for Dante, but when he discovered she was a starry-eyed nineteen to his twenty-eight, he shut her out. Worse, Allen’s defection from the firm has left Dante with controlling interest.

Dante is having a tough time seeing Sophia as anything other than the woman who lied to him. Yet her resignation isn’t the moral victory he intended. He feels her absence deep in his heart—and the company plunges deeper into turmoil.

Sophia returns on one condition: equal partnership all the way. But their redoubled efforts aren’t working. And soon it becomes clear someone is bent on destroying not only her stepfather’s legacy, but any chance of a future with Dante.

About Anna James

Anna James writes heartwarming contemporary stories with strong, confident heroes and heroines who conquer life’s trials and live happily ever after. She has been writing professionally since 2010, is a member of RWA (Romance Writers Of America), CTRWA (Connecticut Romance Writers of America), CORW (Charter Oak Romance Writers) and RWA Contemporary Romance Writers. Publishing credits include five novels, six novellas and one short story.

Anna is married to a wonderful husband who spends countless hours picking up the slack around the house so she can pursue her dream of writing, and is the proud mother of five fabulous children, and a big, loveable rescue dog the entire family adores.

Although she’s lived in several locations throughout her life she now calls Connecticut home. When not writing, she can be found spending time with family and friends.

You can learn more about Anna James at:

www.authorannajames.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annajames.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorannajames or at her email: authorannajames@yahoo.com

Interested in winning a signed copy of the book?

Sign up for my newsletter here: http://annajamesromance.com/?page_id=1437 between now and September 30, 2015. I’ll do a random drawing on October 1, 2015 and choose 3 winners and post them on my blog (US entrants only – sorry.) Good Luck!

July 13, 2015July 12, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Once Upon A Cowboy by Maggie McGinnis

Yoga instructor Jessalyn Alcott radiates peace, calm, and serenity—on the outside. Inside, she still feels like the broken, desperate girl from the trailer park. She’s got dark secrets she can’t share, which is why she never lets her relationships go beyond the third date. But when she travels to the Whisper Creek dude ranch for a friend’s wedding, Jess is enchanted by a cowboy whose deep blue eyes, dimpled smile, and rock-hard body make it tough to remember why she keeps running scared.

Cole Driscoll has struggled to find his place on a family ranch where he’s always played second fiddle. His future might be uncertain, but he’s sure of one thing: He wants Jess by his side. Easier said than done. When it comes to getting close, she’s full of excuses, and he longs to fix the hurt he sees in her eyes. Now that she’s at Whisper Creek, there’s nothing he wants more than to break down the walls around her heart and heal her pain with the power of love.

Amazon/B&N

“Okay, look to your left.” Kyla pointed toward the stable as she adjusted her camera later that afternoon. “And stop growling at me. Grumpy cowboys do not sell calendars, Cole.”

“Don’t they have models who do this kind of thing?”

“Yes, but they’re not authentic. You guys are the real deal.”

Cole raised his eyebrows. “The real deal is sweat and dirt and stink.”

“We’re going for pseudo real deal, then. Dirt and stink don’t sell calendars, either.” She motioned at him again. “Lift the brim of your hat up a little, okay? Your eyes are in shadow.”

“Kyla.”

“No growling.”

He raised his hat the obligatory half-inch, and of course as he did, Decker strolled out of the barn.
“Lookin’ good, Cole. Gonna get a little scratchy with those buttons undone, though, don’t you think?”

“Shut up, Decker. Don’t get any horse shit on those fancy shoes.” He looked toward Kyla. “Are we done here yet?”

“I was actually hoping to get a few more in the—”

“Sorry. Union rules. I can only be photographed for an hour a day.”

“Just a few more?”

Cole started doing up his buttons. “I have work to do, Kyla. Go play shutterbug with
somebody else for a while, wouldja?”

Christ. Stupid calendar. Real cowboys didn’t run around with their shirts open, aiming for the best light so their eyes wouldn’t be in—shadow. He shivered. At least she hadn’t suggested waxing.

“You could do worse, you know.” Decker grinned as he watched Kyla walk back up to the main lodge. “Maybe she can post those pics online or something. Might help you get a date for Daniel and Hayley’s wedding.”

Cole executed a middle-finger salute, then leaned down to pick up a rope Kyla’d insisted on using for a prop. “Don’t need a date. We have any early guests coming in today so I can be very, very busy next time she comes around with that damn camera?”

“Just Jess.”

Cole stopped coiling the rope. “Oh. Right.”

“Trying to make like you forgot? I’ll pretend I haven’t seen you check your watch about eighty times today.” Decker laughed. “Gonna get up the nerve to actually take her out while she’s here this time?”

“I’ve got plenty of nerve.”

“Right. She’s been out here three times now, and every single time, you’re like a parched man looking at a desert mirage, but—”

“Shut up. I’m hardly—parched.”

Decker eyed him in that way he had, the look that stripped the lies right off your face and made you tell the truth whether you wanted to or not. “I don’t know. Word in the bunkhouse is that your rep in town is getting a little rusty.”

“I’m not—rusty. And we don’t have a damn bunkhouse.”

“Want to know what I think?”

“No.”

“I think ever since you met Jess, you can’t help but compare everybody to her. And nobody quite measures up.”

Exactly. “Not true.”

“Well, true or not, she’ll be here by dinnertime. Kyla’s leaving for the airport in a while to get her.”

Cole rolled his eyes. It wasn’t like he’d been counting the days or anything. Not like he’d gotten a haircut yesterday or had thoroughly checked out Jess’s cabin this morning to be sure it was shipshape and ready for her.

He shook his head, trying to get visions of Jess’s long dark hair and deep brown eyes out of his brain. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around Daniel and Hayley getting married in a week. I feel like we live and breathe weddings around here these days.”

“We’re gonna have a lot more if Kyla’s Bridal Bliss package thing works out.”

“I suppose that means we’d better finish the spa so she can start selling the packages.” Cole shook his head. How in the world had their working ranch become a wedding-slash-spa-slash- getaway place? “Your woman makes a hell of a lot of work for us, you know.”

Decker laughed. “She makes a hell of a lot of money for us, too. I think the only reason she’s not haranguing us to get the spa done is she’s hoping Jess will help with the design. I have a feeling she’s going to dangle it out as a carrot to get Jess to stay out here.”

“Out here out here? Like, for good?”

“Yep.” Decker nodded. “She’s been planting seeds for months. Getting Hayley to move to Montana got her all puffed up about her abilities. Now she’s turned her sights on Jess.”

“Poor Jess.” Cole shook his head.

“Pretty sure she can handle herself.” Decker tossed a beaten-up leather briefcase into the cab of his truck. “I gotta go charm the home buyers. Hold down the fort.”

As Decker headed out the driveway, Cole turned up the hill toward the new lodge, half of which was Whisper Creek’s new childcare facility and petting zoo. The other half was still rough-framed inside, but by fall was supposed to be ready for duty as a full-service spa.

He strolled toward the building, letting himself in the spa door. He inhaled, loving the scent of fresh lumber and drywall putty. Decker was the acknowledged brainiac of the family, working with his design software for half the night, but Cole preferred to be the guy with his hands right in the mud—literally.

Morning sun came through the east-facing windows and skylights, and he tried to picture what the spa would look like once it was finished. They had fifteen hundred square feet to work with, which might be an architect’s dream—if the architect was ever at the ranch long enough to figure out what to do with all this emptiness. Cole sure didn’t have a clue.

But then he pictured Jess in the warmly lit space, gliding around with one of her yoga outfits on, flashing her warm smile his way, tying up that long, long dark hair into a ponytail he’d just itch to take back down.

He shook his head, trying to erase the vision. Fantasizing about Jess before she even got here was only going to torture him more.

And her kind of torture was the kind that only left a man wanting what he could not have.

About the Author:

Maggie McGinnis, USA Today Bestselling Author of Accidental Cowgirl and Driving Without a License, which was a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award is a former high school English teacher, an accomplished musician, and a certified black belt, who lives in New England with her family.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Once Upon A Cowboy

Review (4 Stars): I loved Jess and Cole’s story. She was a very strong character even though she had a very difficult life and the past that she wanted to so desperately leave behind was coming back to haunt her. Cole was such a sweet, compassionate guy who was the perfect partner for Jess. He wanted her to be by his side and knew that she was hiding a lot of hurt that she didn’t want others to find out. Having them together for Hayley’s wedding brought them closer in ways that neither of them imagined and the chemistry between them was incredible. I loved the romance between these two characters and the suspense about how Jessalyn’s past was coming to destroy what she had worked so hard to build.

Once Upon A Cowboy is a sweet, cowboy romance that has rich interesting characters and a storyline that will keep you entertained. This is the third book in The Whisper Creek series and each of these titles can stand alone. I’m looking forward to reading what is next from this talented author.
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July 10, 2015July 10, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Exit Strategy by Lenz Diaz

When Sabrina Hightower awakens to the sound of an intruder, she figures he’s there to rob her, murder her— or worse. She doesn’t expect to be carried off by a muscle-bound stud with male-model good looks… or that he came to rescue her.

Mason Hunt became an enforcer with EXIT Inc. to eliminate the bad guys—terrorists, militia groups, all those who would do America harm. But his latest target is innocent. If EXIT could lie about sultry, strong-willed Sabrina, what darker truths might they be concealing?

Going rogue in the rugged North Carolina Mountains, Mason risks everything to keep Sabrina close, especially now that EXIT’s lethal assassins are chasing them down. The heat is on… but it’s nothing compared to the slow burn of seduction.

Amazon/B&N

He stared at the ground for a long time while Sabrina watched him. He still hadn’t told her exactly how he’d gotten the scars. She hoped he would tell her someday…if indeed there would be a someday for them. If she even had a future. A shiver went up her spine and she couldn’t help but feel that something very bad was about to happen.
“Come on.”
Mason held his hand out toward her, with no signs of the darkness that had come over him just moments ago.
“I’ll cook us a mean breakfast,” he said, his southern accent deliciously swirling the words together.
“I thought you already had breakfast? I had a bowl of cereal.”
“I worked off all of those calories. I’m hungry again.”
His sexy wink had her face flushing hot. She cleared her throat. “I also thought you couldn’t cook.”
He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Technicalities. I’m sure between the two of us we can figure something out.”
They started to pass the truck on the way to the house, when Mason pulled his hand out of hers. “Wait, I left my watch in the tack room.”
Because he’d taken it off for shower sex. She sighed dreamily. He winked, apparently knowing exactly why she’d sighed, and bent down to kiss her.
Bam!
The deep-throated bark of a gun shattered the morning. A shower of wooden splinters rained down from the side of the barn, right where Mason’s head had been a half-second before he’d leaned down to kiss her.
He swore and grabbed her, throwing her to the ground as more shots rang out.
“Where are they coming from?” she yelled, as he scrambled backward and yanked her behind the barn with him.
“The house.” A beeping noise sounded from inside the tack room. “And that would be my perimeter alarm going off. Damn it. I screwed up. I shouldn’t have taken off the watch.”
“I’ll try not to take offense at that ‘screw up’ statement since I’m the screw-up.”
He winced and pulled her farther away from the corner as more shots cracked against the barn. “Sorry,” he said, as he grabbed his gun. “Didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
She raised her leg and grabbed the Sig out of her ankle holster. “You’re forgiven, if you get us out of this alive.” Another shot burst through the wood right beside her shoulder.
Mason grabbed her and pulled her down closer to the ground. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

About the Author:

Originally from Kentucky, romantic suspense author Lena Diaz also lived in California and Louisiana before settling in Northeast Florida with her husband, two children, and a Shetland Sheepdog named Sparky. A Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® finalist, she’s won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense and has been a finalist for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. She loves to watch action movies, garden, and hike in the beautiful Tennessee Smoky Mountains.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Exit Strategy

Review (4.25 Stars): This book had me from the beginning and didn’t let go until the very end. I loved Sabrina and Mason because they just fit so well together and Mason definitely meet his match with Sabrina’s determined and spunky attitude. Mason was a very sexy, mysterious man so I could see Sabrina’s attraction to him and the heat between these two characters was off the charts.

Exit Strategy was action-packed with enough danger and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The mystery as to why Sabrina was targeted for termination was well-written and will definitely keep you guessing. I wanted to learn more about some of the background characters who came to this story with so much history and I’m looking forward to going back to Ms. Diaz’s previous books to fill in the gaps. I enjoyed every minute of Exit Strategy and I’m looking forward to the next installment in this suspenseful series.

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We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Review/Excerpt Tour for BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham! BLOOD ON THE BAYOU is A Cafferty & Quinn Series Novella brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. It is available now, so grab your copy of this sexy novella today!

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Smoldering Hunger

I’ll Be There

EDGE OF DANGER

*****GIVEAWAY TIME*****

Passion Ignites

*****

*****

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