The Masters Series by Lisa Renee Jones

Eight years ago, Sarah Michaels locked eyes with Ryan White at a sinful sex club. His dominant presence exuded erotic promises and aroused part of Sarah that she didn’t recognize. But Ryan was her family’s chief rival in the candy business, the very definition of forbidden fruit.
Since that night, Sarah has tried to deny that she wants what Ryan offers, that she actually wants to be dominated. Yet she can’t stop fantasizing about him. When Ryan invites her to his elite club where power and pleasure go hand-in-hand, the temptation to explore her suppressed desires is too strong to resist. Is she ready to give up control to Ryan—a man who might never give it back?


My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this short story.  Lisa does a great job of building up the relationship between Sarah & Ryan. I almost died from anticipation from these two.  But while the sex scene was a little light it was perfect their relationship.  If it was any more complex or involved it would not have worked for Ryan & Sarah.  My only complaint is that Lisa sucked me into Ryan & Sarah’s relationship, and left me wanting more.  Wanting to know what happens next for them.

Three years ago, Darla Rogers’s ex, Jacob Remington, left on a top secret Special Forces mission and didn’t return—at least, not to her. They had broken up after he pushed her to the erotic edge, asking her to trust him completely…and she pushed him away.
Now Jacob is back, revealing his membership in a secret society that enjoys games of dominance and submission. This time, Darla is determined prove she belongs in his world. Even if that means embracing her darkest desires with Jacob and the society’s leader….


My thoughts:
This second trip into The Masters Society doesn’t disappoint.  Lisa had me hooked from the get go.  I loved learning about Darla & Jacob’s history.  The fear that she feels for where their relationship was heading and why she runs.  But when fate brings Darla a second chance at the man she loves how far is she willing to go?  While I am a little upset about Jacob’s methods, in the end it may have been the best thing for them.
The Masters #3

Book store owner Kim Baker has a serious crush on Dr. Blake Morgan—an attraction that only gets stronger when he shows her an erotic book and invites her on a night of sensual exploration at his private club, the Society.
She’s drawn to his sense of power and dominant sexuality…and can’t help but fantasize about being controlled by him in every way. But as Blake teaches Kim to claim her pleasure and lose her inhibitions, he may be the one in danger of losing control….


My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this story a lot.  I loved how Lisa shows the softer side of one of the Masters.  Blake forces Kimberly to face her fears by entering the Society. But it back fires on him, she runs. Now it is Blake’s turn to face his fears.  His fear of his feelings for Kimberly, but will it be too little too late?
My over all review of the series:
I enjoyed all of these short stories but I think I would have to say #3 Exposed & Pleasured had to be my favorite.  I loved to see Blake fall.  Loved to see him struggle to not fall and the moment that he realizes he has not chance
Thank you, Lisa for allowing me to read and review these short stories for you.  I enjoyed every minute of them.

Guest blog & Giveaway with Dianne Hartsock

I have had the pleasure of letting Dianna Hartsock take over my blog today.   The floor is yours Dianna…

The Benefits of Boredom

Thank you for having me on your wonderful site today. Would you like to know what inspired me to write my m/m romances? Boredom, to start with! My husband and I had taken a trip to Glacier National Park last summer. Beautifully romantic trip. But the long drive through the Idaho desert would have done me in, if it wasn’t for my sometimes naughty imagination.
            The air conditioner wasn’t able to keep up with the close to 100 degree weather outside. We were in a desert in the middle of nowhere! Not another living soul on the road. Hot, dry, burnt landscape around us. Scrubby brush and stones baking in the sun. Heat waves rippling across the road. Humid, sultry air in the car lulling me towards sleep…
            I’d recently written a short ghost story, The Trials of a Lonely Specter (MuseItUp Publishing, due out in October) and I began to wonder what my two men had done when they were alive. How had they met? Who would they be in the new story taking shape in my mind?
            Nevil came first. Handsome, sexy, witty. Do you know the song ‘Last of the Famous International Playboys’ by Morrissey? That’s my Nevil.
            And who would be special enough to win his heart? Someone shy and beautiful, unsure yet alluring in his own way. Definitely a temptation. Lovely Shelton.
            Now to get them together. Yum. But I couldn’t just start with them in bed, however much as I’d like to! Should I start with their first meeting, where Shelton falls helplessly for Nevil’s charm? Come on, who wouldn’t!
            Too predictable, though even as I’m writing this, I picture their first encounter in my mind, Shelton meeting Nevil’s burning glance across the room, his bones melting as the gorgeous man seemed interested in him…
But no, I wanted their relationship to be special. So I started later, with Shelton already hopelessly in love, his happily ever after still achingly out of reach. The story is about Shelton’s struggle to win Nevil’s elusive heart and not break his own.
*
Shelton in Love
Breathless Press May 13, 2011 http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/291
 Shelton is falling hard for his best friend and roommate, finding Nevil’s dark good looks and moments of gentleness almost impossible to resist. But Nevil is more interested in affairs of the body than the heart. As Shelton’s desire for the man grows, he wonders if he can change Nevil’s mind. But does he even want to? Nevil might not stay, once he learns Shelton’s secret, and then his loneliness would be complete.

Excerpt:

            Shelton glanced up at a low whistle, feeling the tingle of a blush in his cheeks under Nevil’s appraising eyes.
            “You dress up nicely,” Nevil assured him as he stepped closer to bat Shelton’s fumbling hands away from the tie. “Let me do that.”
            Shelton concentrated on Nevil’s fingers on his tie, urging his heart to stop racing before Nevil felt it pounding under his fingertips or heard its wild patter. Nevil’s breath brushed his cheek and his spicy cologne sent his senses whirling.
Why did the man have to be so damned attractive?
            Shelton hardly noticed Tera slipping a jacket on his arms until Nevil commented on it, rubbing the silk and wool material between his fingers. “Nice.”
            Shelton glanced at his sleeve and admired the sharkskin pattern of taupe and tan and black checkers. He shrugged his shoulders, delighted with the fit and comfort of the sport coat. “A new one?” he asked Tera.
            “I’ve had the design finished for months, but couldn’t decide if it should go in my summer or fall catalogue.”
            Nevil finished with the tie and stepped back, looking Shelton up and down. “Definitely summer, though I’d wear a coat like that all year round. Almost any color of slacks would go with it.”
            “Or socks,” Shelton muttered, a reminder to himself as Nevil ran his fingers through his hair, sending sparks of desire through his body as the man mussed his curls.
            Nevil tilted his head to take in the overall affect. A lazy smile spread on his face while a warm gleam entered his fantastic eyes. “Delicious.” His gaze lingered on Shelton’s shoulders, before sliding down to his hips.
            The whirl of the camera in Tera’s hand recalled him from the tantalizing thought of Nevil’s hands on him as well as his gaze, and Shelton moved to stand under the soft light she set up to compliment the glow from the setting sun.
            He thought he’d feel awkward with Nevil watching as he posed, but instead found the man’s presence exhilarating. Shelton knew he looked his best and Nevil’s admiring attention bolstering his confidence. Ignoring the stares of a few passersby, he flirted with the camera, losing his inhibition as Tera called encouragements and clicked frame after frame, only calling a halt when the sunlight had gone.
            “These are lovely. They’ll fill out the catalogue nicely,” she commented, tilting the camera to show the men a few of her favorites.
            Nevil whistled at one in particular, where Shelton had glanced at the camera through lowered lids, a secret smile playing on his lips. The overhead light brought out the highlights in his chestnut hair and lightened his hazel eyes, complimenting the warm colors of his ensemble for an overall attractiveness.
            “You’ll need to stockpile this coat, Tera.” Nevil observed, his eyes never leaving Shelton’s. “Every man who sees that picture is going to want one for his own.” His gaze was intense and Shelton colored at the innuendo.
*
After I’d finished the story and sent it off to Breathless Press, I couldn’t just leave Shelton and Nevil like that. What happened to my lovely men afterwards? The sequel, Shelton’s Promise, takes place six months later, with Shelton just as much in love as ever, and Nevil just as carefree as before.
Shelton’s Promise
Breathless Press on July 8, 2011 http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/345
Shelton has a gift he’s eager to give to Nevil. At a party, Nevil flirts with one man after another, keeping Shelton on his toes. Then Percy, an ex, shows up to complicate things. Despite his best efforts, Shelton can’t find the right moment to give Nevil his gift. Will Nevil ever let Shelton get close to him, or will Shelton have to keep the gift in his pocket all evening?

Excerpt:

“You naughty boy. So this is where you’ve been hiding.” Andrea leaned against him, and Shelton could smell the gin on her breath. He scrambled to his feet as the woman brushed his lap with her hands. He wished Andrea would try to seduce another one of her husband’s gay friends at the party. Between her and Nevil, his head was reeling.

As if conjured, Nevil appeared at his side, handing Shelton a full glass of something golden. Percy laughed spitefully, and they both glanced at him. “I didn’t know Shelton liked girls,” Percy drawled, waving a hand at Andrea.

The woman lounged back on the couch as she sipped her martini, her hot gaze traveling from Shelton’s shoulders to his dark slacks.

Nevil looked back at Shelton. “Neither did I,” he said, interested.

Before Shelton could answer, someone pushed between them. The interloper threw an arm around Nevil’s neck and then kissed his cheek.

“Michael!” Nevil grinned at the attractive brunet. “What brings you here?”

“I’m with Sara Gibbs. And who’s this gorgeous man?”

Shelton blinked when he realized the stranger meant him.

“This is Shelton,” Nevil replied, slipping an arm around Shelton’s waist.

“He likes girls,” Percy put in nastily and raised his glass as Shelton glowered at him.

“Is that so?” Michael remarked, his tone cheery in contrast. “How nice. Oh, Nevil, that reminds me…” Michael pulled Nevil aside. Shelton watched their animated conversation a moment, curious how Nevil knew the man, then moved across the room to the wall, needing something to lean against as the last drink began to take affect.

Shelton floated, pleasantly dizzy, but he hadn’t had enough to drink to numb the stab of jealousy when Nevil leaned over Percy’s chair and whispered something in his ear. The man looked into Nevil’s face and laughed, a tinge of color in his cheeks.

Seeing them together, Shelton thought of the jewelry box in his coat pocket and wished he’d had the balls earlier to give it to Nevil. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever have the nerve. What if Nevil didn’t want it? Irritated with himself, he made his way through the crowd to the kitchen, intent on finding the bottle of bourbon he’d seen on the counter earlier.

GIVEAWAY TIME…….

Winner’s choice of either of Shelton’s book 
To Enter: 
Please leave me a comment with EMAIL!!!
Which book you want

Extra: 
+1 Be a follower of my blog
+1 Follow Dianne on Facebook, Twitter, Good Reads or her blog 

Giveaway will be open until August 12th 
Winner Announced August 15th


Want to learn more about Dianne? 
Check here out here

LOTS O WINNERS

5 winners of Thea Harrison’s Trading Cards

JoAnna
blackroze37
jmaxy619
Patti
Megan 

Winner of Lisa Renee Jones The Masters Series (all three)

Maria (junegirl63 at gmail dot com)


Winner of Gweena Sebastian

Cathy 

My Fun Day

Want to know what I did yesterday….. Well besides spend a little money? 
Went to a book signing with 4 (yep 4) Fabulous authors!!!!!

The Super nice Kate Douglas… ♥
A little Wolf love from Kate

My haul from Kate…. 

 The Uber funny Lisa Hendrix.  

1-3 of Lisa Immortal Series… Can’t wait for #4…

The Super Sweet Meljean Brook
Did a little damage at Meljean’s table… ☺

The so very nice Minnette Meador

Minnette is a new author to me but I love finding new authors.. I look forward to reading her book. 


So that was my day how was yours? 


ARCO Series by Sydney Croft

A STORM’S RAGE.  A WOMAN’S DESIRE.
A MAN WITH THE POWER TO SET THEM BOTH FREE.
He can summon lightning at will. Emerge unscathed from the center of a tornado. Strip a woman down to her barest defenses through the sheer force of his sexuality. He’s gorgeous, dangerous, and the target of parameteorologist Haley Holmes’s latest mission. Haley has been dispatched to the Louisiana bayou to investigate the phenomenon known as Remy Begnaud – man with a gift he never wanted: the ability to control a storm’s fury. But even a woman trained in bizarre weather phenomenon has no defense against the electrifying power of the Ex-Navy SEAL…a power his enemies would kill to control.
With her agency monitoring their every move, Haley’s job is to seduce Remy, gain his trust — and help him harness his extraordinary gift. But who will protect her from this voracious lover who’s introducing her to a new world of erotic thrills – a man who grows increasingly insatiable with each new weather event? Haley knows a big storm is approaching –and with it will come unexpected delights. But, so, too, will the storm unleash her greatest fears: An enemy bent on destroying Remy. And her worst fear of all…falling in love with this magnificent man, then having to betray him…
FEEL THE HEAT.  
HEAR THE ROAR
THE FEVER HAS BEGUN.
There’s a storm rising. Electricity crackles in the air. For Kira Donovan, it’s that time of year again: when the need floods her flesh, when almost any man—the bigger and the stronger the better—will do. For Kira, an animal psychic, the heat is a matter of life and death, and this year it has come at just the right time. Tom Knight, a natural born predator, has arrived at her isolated Idaho farm—for reasons all his own…
At first Kira isn’t interested in Knight’s motives. She only needs him—his body, his hands, his scent. But soon, through a daze of desire and distrust, Kira discovers Knight’s world—the world of a covert operative, one man among dozens of secret agents waging an astonishing global war. Knight’s mission is to bring Kira–kicking and screaming if necessary–into the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives and harness her extraordinary gift. He never expected the powerful emotions she would ignite in him, or the fierce desire to keep her safe from harm. For as darkness gathers around them, Kira is feeling the heat once again, leading them both on a wild ride of delicious thrills…and terror beyond imagining.
DANGER IS THE ULTIMATE APHRODISIAC.
They met in a steamy Florida bar—then spent a night of mind-bending passion. Two secret agents who each possess unique telekinetic gifts—and whose combined sexual powers leave neither of them unscathed. For ex–Navy SEAL Wyatt Kennedy, assigned by the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives to the most treacherous mission of his career, the woman in black leather and lace has just become more than a one-night stand. Because Faith Black is the sole barrier to the success of his mission—and not even Wyatt’s legendary seduction skills can penetrate her deep cover.
Faith’s psychic gifts make her one of the world’s most dangerous women—but she hides a secret pain she shares with no one. Until Wyatt. And Faith has an agenda of her own: using her unique powers to save someone close to her—a move that pits her against a man she thought she’d never see again. For as a deadly hurricane is unleashed across the eastern seaboard, desire reignites between Faith and Wyatt, exposing secrets that thrust them both into harm’s way. With the hurricane sweeping closer—and their erotic hunger for each other growing—these two wary hearts must come together to heal, to trust . . . and to harness the power of a storm that could consume everything in its path.
POWER. PLEASURE. DANGER. IT DOESN’T GET ANY HOTTER THAN THIS.
He came to the underground London club for a night of extreme sex play with the enigmatic “Mistress Rik”. But the Special Agent known as Trance is really on a search-and-rescue mission to keep her alive. Part predator, Ulrika “Rik” Jaegar possesses feral powers that make her a danger to others–and to herself. That’s why the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives (ACRO) wants to recruit her to their side….To do so, Trance will have to pull off the impossible: capture and control Rik, both woman and beast.
On the run from the deadly agency that changed her into a pleasure-seeking shape shifter, Rik uses sex to rein in her own raging desires. Operating on pure instinct, she trusts no one…especially the magnificent alpha male with the power to seduce her into submission. An undercover agent with unique hypnotic gifts, Trance is surprised by his instinct to hold Rik and keep her safe — but he has a job to do. And as he hunts her down, as Rik and Trance are thrust into the ultimate game of domination and submission, they’ll enter a place where surrender is their sole hope of survival — and the only thing that can tame the wild beast in both of them…
EXTREME HEAT. EXTREME HUNGER. A JUNGLE EDEN ABLAZE WITH TEMPTATION..
Shockwaves shoot through the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives (ACRO) when horrific video surfaces from the Brazilian rain forest. A team of Navy SEALs has been nearly wiped out by something sinister and superhuman. Now ACRO agents Sela Kahne and Marlena West head to the world’s most unforgiving jungle in pursuit of a mythical monstrosity with a taste for human blood. And the only path that will take them to the creature runs through two men, each hiding his own dark secret.
Sela is an expert on cryptozoology with a sideline skill that could prove invaluable: when she makes love to a man, she engulfs his innermost thoughts. Teamed with Marlena, Sela makes contact with the lone SEAL survivor, Chance McCormack. Meanwhile Logan Mills, the man who rescued Chance, leads his private company on a hunt that has nothing to do with saving lives. Soon, Sela will put her supernatural charms to work on Logan, determined to extract information about the creature they are seeking. But in this sweat-drenched realm of danger and deception, Logan is more than just a passive target. He has the power to lead a highly-trained seducer into a jungle without any rules, without any limits—and no end to the heat.
HIS MISSION WAS TO TAKE HER OUT.
BUT DESIRE GOT IN THE WAY.
A product of genetic manipulation, Melanie Milan shares a body with her malevolent sister Phoebe. A sleek, blonde predator with a heart of pure darkness, Phoebe puts their body through the wicked underbelly of sex for thrills—when she’s not igniting her pyrokinetic skills for an evil organization bent on taking over the world. Melanie rarely gets out to play—much less fall in love. But that changes when rival ARCO agent Stryker Wills shows up, with a mission to take out the woman who torched his partner.

An operative with rare abilities, Stryker soon realizes that the woman he’s about to kill isn’t the murderous fire starter he’s hunting. But he does want her. Melanie, with the power to ice anything in her path, is heating things up in ways that are setting his blood on fire. As long as Melanie stays in control, she is his best ally to bring down her sister and stop hellish havoc from being unleashed. Walking a tightrope of longing and hate, Stryker and Melanie begin to understand that true power lies in sweet surrender to each other, to the fire between them, to the erotic adventure that’s joined their hearts and abilities to become their salvation—and perhaps the world’s.

Interview & Giveaway with Em Petrova

Hi Em, Welcome to For the Love of Books.  Thank you for taking the time to sit down and talk with me.
For The Love of Books: Please tell us a little about yourself
EM: I’m a multi-published erotic romance author, wife and mother of four. I make my nest in backwoods Pennsylvania where I am lucky enough to submerge myself in my imaginary worlds. I consider myself a publishing whore and have books from several publishers including Red Sage, Breathless Press, Loose Id, Ellora’s Cave, Etopia Press, Decadent Publishing and some anthologies from Sizzler. Also I have a new book coming October 1 under the pen name Em Peters—a mainstream paranormal called Moon Child from Whiskey Creek Press.
FLB: I read on your blog that you wrote your 1st book at the age of 12.  So it is safe to say that you always wanted to be an author?
EM: I never dreamed I could become an author. I was raised to see the practical side of life and though my family encouraged creative outlet, I never once thought I could make a career of it. A few years ago I realized writing had become my passion and I decided to make it a goal to be published.

FLB: Tell us about Deux

EM: Deux is about finding love in an unusual place at a time in a woman’s life when she least expects it. A lonely divorcee Margot falls for a happily married woman named Jane who seeks the missing component in her life. This is the first book of The French Kiss Chronicles and is available from Breathless Press. Deux:  http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/305

FLB: Tell us about Trois

EM: Trois is Book Two of The French Kiss Chronicles. The story of Margot and Jane is continued when Jane’s husband demands a taste of the women’s decadent pleasure. This book has been Miz Love’s top read and a Night Owl Romance Top Pick. You can find it here.
FLB: What is up next in this series?


EM: QUATRE is the third book. In French quatre means “four.” I bet you can imagine what’s in store with this book! It will be released October from Breathless Press.


FLB: Can you tell us about your current work in progress? 

EM: Oooh, yes, I love talking about this book! It’s a ménage a trios called BLOWN DOWN with two hunky logger heroes and the sexy boss who torments them. It’s set in rural Pennsylvania, which is close to my heart since it’s my stomping ground. Who wouldn’t love chainsaw-wielding studs?

FLB: I love to know what is in authors To Read Pile… What is in yours?
EM: As an author, I love to support my fellow authors. In my to-be-read pile is The Lothario Series from Red Sage author Roz Lee as well as Suzanne Rock’s Immortal Realm Series from Red Sage. I recently finished Gem Sivad’s “Quincy’s Woman” from Ellora’s Cave. And next on my list is JoAnne Kenrick’s “When a Mullo Loves a Woman” from Decadent Publishing. Can’t wait to dig into these hot reads!
FLB: Who would you say is your favorite author? Or who do you look up to most?
EM: Hands down my favorite author is Anne Rice. I adore her rich worlds and intricate plots. I strive to create a bit of macabre in all my books in her honor.

FLB: How do you come up with the ideas for your stories?
EM: My characters speak to me first. I clean houses part-time for extra cash and you wouldn’t believe who pops up while I’m vacuuming, scrubbing and dusting. I listen to my characters for a few days before I uncover their secret desires. At that point the plots usually reveal themselves to me. Mindless work really does breed great plot twists!
FLB: What are your writing rituals? Anything you have to have while writing?
EM: I’d love to say I write hot sex in a silky bathrobe with a glass of Zinfandel at my elbow, but with four kids I carve time out of the day any way I can. In fact, author Suzanne Rock and I have a couple free workshops about this very subject coming up at the Coffee Time Romance yahoo loop and during the Savvy Authors Summer Symposium. Our class is called “Writing Sex Scenes When You’re Not Feeling Sexy.” It offers tips on adding spice to your writing during those humdrum periods of your life. I’d love to see you all there! You can learn more about this at http://smolderingheat.wordpress.com
FLB: Is there anything else you would like to add?
EM: Thank you so much for your time today. I enjoy hearing from readers, so please leave comments! Yes, you can ask anything!
FLB: Thank you Em for taking time to sit down with me.   I look forward to reading your next book


Giveaway Time
I will be give one lucky follower Trois


To Enter: 
Please leave comment below
Email (VERY IMPORTANT)


+1 Follow my blog


Want to learn more about Em?

Coach Tour with Jessica E Subject



KLB presents the Coach Tour with Jessica E Subject. 
10 days 10 Blogs
4 chances to win.

See bottom of post for more information







Celestial Seduction
by Jessica E Subject 

At the end of his obligated commitment to the Space Service, Frey Berger decides to stay on Earth to further experience human emotions rather than return to Ginnun where his intended has already mated with another. Looking for real love and someone to accept him for what he is, Frey enlists in Madame Evangeline’s popular dating service. Although he does not understand the concept of a one-night stand, he hopes to find his perfect mate.

Carrie Cooper’s husband divorced her for someone who could provide him with children, leaving her with little self-confidence and no desire to let a man hurt her again. Her best friend convinces her to join a dating service, claiming Carrie needs to get laid, while not winding up with a broken heart since her date requires no commitment after the night is over.

Although several misunderstandings nearly derail them before the date has even begun, Carrie and Frey end up becoming closer than they ever believed possible. Still, Frey will need to convince Carrie that her perfect mate isn’t human at all, and that one night can lead to a forever love. 



My Thoughts: 

This was a fun story… Although I am a little creeped out by Frey, true identity.  But if Carrie is good with it who am I to complain.  I do have to say that this was a super short, but very entertaining read. So I won’t give you anymore details then the blurb above. But if you are looking for a good, fun, short read I would recommend you check out Jessica’s book. 



You can learn more about Jessica & her book here: 

Jessica’s Website: http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/ 
Be sure to stop by the rest of the tour for a chance to win a Free Copy as well as a great Swag Pack! The Giveaways through the tour are indeed open Internationally! So stop by and check out the tours leave a comment and support an Author with her Debut Novella! 

Review of Taboo by Leslie Dicken


When two strangers meet by chance, their shared ecstasy challenges cultural differences and changes the course of their future.
Two societies have lived apart on a remote planet for generations. At the top of the Dwelling live the Aerotaun, people who have built wings to help them fly. The bottom is occupied by the Marimar, hearty swimmers who live and feed by the sea. Because of the mystery surrounding their ancestors’ landing, suspicions and distrust thrive between the cultures.
Until a taboo encounter occurs on an isolated beach.
Ariana, an Aerotaun, cannot resist the seductive allure of the forbidden Andreus. Their few days alone ignite sexual exploration and uninhibited ecstasy. But when Ariana finally learns the shocking secret about their purpose on the planet, she must decide if her heart belongs with her people or the sexy Marimar.
My thoughts:

This story takes you on a journey of two people that find that even if you are from two different cultures you are not really as different as you might think. 
Ariana & Andreus are tested on every step of this journey.  Whether it is fear of trying something new, the fear of the unknown, or the fear of never feeling what they feel for each other again.   
My only complaint would be that the story ended all too soon for me.  Leslie did a great job of sucking me into this world of the Top Dwellers and the Bottom Dwellers and just when we learn something big the story ends. I do hope that Leslie will continue this story. I really want to know what happens next…

WINNERS!!!!!

We have WINNERS
The winner of Laura Kaye’s e-copy of Hearts in Darkness is 
JoAnna
The winner of Zoe Winters Save my Soul is 
Natasha
Winner have been contacted
Winner’s were chosen with Random.org

Guest Blog with Gweena Sebastian & Giveaway

For the Love of Books has let Gweena Sebastian take over the blog today.  Gweena is a writer of military romances about gay lovers.  
The floor is all yours Gweena, 


It’s a character flaw
I get into some pretty spirited conversations with writing friends of mine when it comes to the topic of character. Let’s just say I’m a bit passionate about it. I love a lively debate, especially when we don’t agree on character and what he or she would do. I find it fascinating to see another person’s reason for arriving at why a character would or wouldn’t do something and why I may see it entirely differently.
When it comes to my writing, I’m even more passionate. I’m a character writer, my stories come from that angle and it’s the only way I know how to write. I need my characters layered and rich, with back stories, emotions and flaws. Especially flaws. My characters have all kinds of faults and flaws.
But let’s face it, who in this world is perfect? And perfection to me means tedium. It’s highly overrated in my opinion.
To date, probably my most flawed character is from my first novel, Lost and Found. Mark Connor is a former Vietnam veteran who comes with a boatload of issues. He’s an alcoholic and smoker who makes no effort to hide his bitterness or anger with the world in general. He’s also gay. He’s controversial as I found out through various reviews. People either really liked Mark and rooted for him in the hopes that he would eventually accept happiness when it’s offered to him, or they absolutely hated him. Either way, I consider it a win. Why? Because he was being talked about. They’re talking about a character I created and I couldn’t be more flattered.
Some characters seem to be a bit flat at first blush. But if you take the time to get to know them and see what motivates them, you find yourself looking past the surface noise and seeing what’s really going on underneath. Sometimes it takes another person’s angle on that character to wake you up to the possibilities.
I don’t want easy characters. What I do want are characters who invoke a host of emotions and make you think. Even if you don’t necessarily like someone like Mark Connor, I want you to appreciate and understand where he comes from and why. There’s nothing neat and clean about him. He’s a lot of raw and sharp edges and I made him that way deliberately. But under all of that he is a man who is still grieving over losing the love of his life, even forty years later.
I feel the best stories are those that are character driven. In my case, I tend to come up with the character and let him tell me his story. What happens, how it happens, why it happens and how he reacts to it is all based in what makes up that character.
How many of you get attached to a character on a television show? Come on, you know what I mean. You feel like you know him or her, inside and out, what they will say or do next. Then something happens that has you dumbfounded, confused and mouth hanging open because the character you thought you knew did something completely out-of-character. You know what I’m talking about. It’s what you’re ranting about the next day with your friends, saying how the hell did that happen? It’s just not right, what were they thinking?
You’ve ‘invested’ in that character and then someone changes it up and they didn’t consult you about it first. Uh huh. I’ve been there too. But it’s got you talking and more than likely you aren’t the only one. And there it is, the character debate I mentioned at the beginning.
The best characters are the ones that make people talk, because that means they make you think. That’s a good thing in my opinion. If I can motivate you to talking about a character like Mark, then I’ve done my job.
Giveaway Time
What you might ask?  How about an ecopy of Gweena’s new book

Blurb for VN2- my new novel available July 29th, 2011

Ian Davidson is a Truebred, son of a general and a soldier uncomfortably destined for an officer’s role in the military. Worse, he’s got a gift; he can read other’s thoughts and feel their emotions. His father has used him and it to get ahead in his own career despite the fact that Ian can’t quiet the voices in his own head. But when the Bond chooses Nathan as his mate, the pain ebbs and the voices cease. If only he could be sure bonding with Nate doesn’t mean he’s going to be controlled by a partner as much as he’s been controlled by his father, and his destiny…

Several months ago, Sergeant Nathan Williams lost his Bond partner in battle and along with it, his will to live. But a trip to the local recreation hub for black market supplies buys him more than he bargains for – a Bond with a new partner, Lieutenant Ian Davidson. There is something about Ian that forces Nathan to believe that the Bond between them could be stronger than his previous one. If only he can convince Ian to give in and give the Bond a chance.

When Nathan is captured on VN2, the worst post in existence, Ian is forced into new territory that he is not familiar with – the leadership of a reluctant special forces unit and his newly discovered feelings for Nathan. The struggle to accept the Bond spills into the battlefield, and Nathan is pushed to the brink with memories of his old Bond. It becomes sexual tension hell when event after event threatens to tear the couple a part when both wants nothing more than to tear each others clothes off.


To Enter: 
Please a comment 
Please leave you email address

Giveaway will be open until Aug 7th. 
Winner announce Aug 8th. 

Winners times 3

Winner of Trinity by Deena Remiel’s ebook of Trinty is: Supru
Winner of Stephanie Julian’s ebook Grace in Moonlight is: Megan
Winner of Camryn Rhys’ ebook The Barn Dance is : Natasha
All winners have been contacted