 Yet I could understand Alex’s anger. I hated seeing him upset. Curling into the crook of Alex’s arm, I rested my head on his shoulder as he continued to seethe about Chloe and her choices. Running my hand over his chest, I tried to turn his attention to a more pleasant thought.
Lightly caressing Alex’s nipples, a moan escaped his lips. “Mmm. I’m done thinking about Chloe.” He turned me over on my back and nibbled on my bottom lip then pulled my hands over my head and held them tightly with his one hand as his other hand caressed my breasts. Blurb: For Lissa, the second time at love was a charm but in marriage, three’s a crowd. Single mother Lissa Vincent found her soul mate in her best friend’s ex-husband. Alex Hunter couldn’t believe his fortune when his ex-wife told him her best friend was available. After divorce, finding love again could be a challenge but it appeared Alex and Lissa had gotten lucky. Yet as they start their lives as newlyweds, Alex and Lissa don’t realize just how difficult it might be to blend a family. When Alex’s ex new marriage begins to unravel, she sets her sights again on Alex. Does Alex still have feelings for the mother of his child? Will Lissa keep her best friend or lose her husband? Fairytales promise a happily-ever-after. But what really happens after the after. ~~~~~ Buy Links: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Threes-a-Crowd-ebook/dp/B00CTCDHVQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1368974389&sr=1-1&keywords=melissa+keir B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/threes-a-crowd-melissa-keir/1115320553?ean=2940016615738 All Romance Ebooks:https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-three039sacrowd-1185386-148.html 
I'm excited to be a part of this wonderful tour. Vampires are still so sexy and Nerine Dorman changes the story up a bit to make it interesting! Check out this wonderful book and see for yourself! ~~~~~ Destination South Africa By Nerine Dorman Not many of us get the opportunity to physically travel to exotic locations, so that’s half the attraction when it comes to reading books set in places we only dream of visiting. Now, as far as being fortunate goes, I consider myself bloody lucky to have a day job that occasionally affords me with the opportunity to travel. So I’ve been able to see quite a bit of my home country, South Africa, and have even been abroad to places like Zambia, Mauritius and Ireland. Which of course is a total bonus for my fiction. Even better, my experience as a travel writer definitely feeds into how I handle my world-building, and many of my readers will agree. This helps, of course, considering that most of my novels are set in South Africa and, more recently, in completely made-up worlds. So, for me, setting is very important, and you’d be surprised to know how many folks from overseas simply don’t have any idea exactly how civilised we are here in South Africa – though you’ll still find mud huts in our rural areas. [smiles] Cape Town is one location I never get tired of using as a setting (and just ask all the film companies that stop by each year to shoot). The Mother City, as we like to call her, has a complete melting pot of cultures, and isn’t at all that young either – she’s been going since the mid-1600s. We even have a castle with proper fortifications and the like. But moving swiftly onward to the location for Camdeboo Nights, my most recent release. I absolutely love the Karoo. It’s a large, arid region in the interior of South Africa and it boasts some of the most dramatic landscape you can possibly imagine. The Camdeboo itself (for which the novel is named) is particularly beautiful – flat plains, punctuated by low mountains or “koppies” as we call them in Afrikaans. And this is where I dump my characters – in the Karoo and specifically in the small hamlet of Nieu Bethesda which, if you look on a map of the country, is exactly in the middle of nowhere. Can you imagine having spent the first 16 years of your life living in a biggish city only to be wrenched away from everything that’s familiar, and have to start over in a small farming community? That’s what it’s like for Helen, one of my main characters in the novel. Not only that, but she has to start attending boarding school. That sucks. And yet it’s not all bad. She makes friends with a mysterious boy, Trystan, who gets her to sneak out at night with him and go star-gazing. There really isn’t much for teenagers to do in Nieu Bethesda, after all. But something else South Africa is known for is our country’s roads. They’re big and they move fast – often through some pretty hectic scenery. And that’s reflected in Camdeboo Nights, which I often describe to people as “one helluva road trip” … It is very much that, because I do have to mention the car – a Hudson Commodore from the late 1940s that’s been kept in mint condition all these years. Of course we can’t mention the car without mentioning the driver too – a vampire named Trystan, who’s been prowling the roads since he bought the car more than sixty years ago. That’s how long they’ve been together – long enough for him to get to know every byway and highway, which is knowledge he’s going to need by the time the story draws to a close. So, if you think I’m sounding deliberately mysterious, you’re probably right. I’d like to entice you to step into an adventure in a distant land that’s got loads of strangeness but plenty that’s familiar. Can’t afford that plane ticket to Africa? Well, Camdeboo Nights will give you a chance to escape and see the Dark Continent in a way you never imagined. Buy Camdeboo Nights at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Camdeboo-Nights-ebook/dp/B00B8XYO9G/ref=la_B004QXPOFS_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1368377358&sr=1-8 Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Camdeboo-Nights/book-eIJ_RXyak0eCIdPhEG05ug/page1.html?s=JmvQ7VxQQE6QM9_lqXhw4w&r=1 For Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/camdeboo-nights-nerine-dorman/1114234687?ean=2940015970265 Follow me on Twitter @nerinedorman  Helen Ashfield’s world is about to be turned upside down. Is she ready? Helen Ashfield’s life is complicated. Not only must she adjust to her parents’ divorce, but she has to come to grips with her new school in the small South African Karoo town of Graaff-Reinet. She’s sorely mistaken if she thinks she’s going to slot seamlessly into her new life. Her growing magical powers have attracted the unwanted attention of Trystan, a vampire, who may not have her best interests at heart. Outcast from his kind for drinking another vampire’s blood, Trystan has been on the run for almost a hundred years from Mantis–the closest thing their kind has to an enforcer. All Trystan wants is an existence of quiet anonymity, but Helen turns his world upside-down. Helen’s powers also mark her as one of Mantis’ targets. If Mantis gets control of Helen, she’ll change the course of history…for the worse. Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books ExcerptArmed with her grandmother’s shopping list, Helen ran out to the familiar silver Volvo, looking forward to speaking with Arwen, only to discover Szandor and another woman with a teased-out mop of white-blond hair waited in the car. The woman turned icy gray eyes on Helen, giving her the impression that she could read each of Helen’s secrets. She was pale, which wasn’t helped by the funerary aspect of her clothing–a buttoned-up sleeveless shirt with a cameo at her throat. When she moved, an audible swish of many layers of satin and chiffon filled the vehicle. This must be the aunt. She couldn’t be the mother. The resemblance to Szandor was almost uncanny. Szandor smiled, but the pleasure did not reach his eyes. “This is Sonja, my sister. Sonja, this is Arwen’s new friend, Helen.” Sonja gave the briefest of frowns before facing the window. “Uh, hi,” Helen said, wishing that she could be anywhere else but in this car with these peculiar people. The journey to Graaff-Reinet would be just over half an hour but it would feel like an eternity. Szandor made a sound that was almost a snigger before turning the key. If only Damon were here, but her brother had gone to visit the Prof the instant his chores were done. They drove in silence, with only the hiss of the air-conditioner as accompaniment, until they left the valley. Then Szandor said, “Did you enjoy the films last night, Helen?” She thought her heart would explode. Should she lie? Should she allow the story to filter through without some of the pertinent details? “I… Uh. Yes.” She had watched films after Trystan had walked them home. Granted, she hadn’t been able to concentrate on any of the onscreen action. “Oh,” Szandor said. She caught a glimpse of his amused expression in the rearview mirror. Bloody hell, of course he didn’t believe her. What did she expect? “You haven’t seen or heard anything that you would consider out of the ordinary, have you?” Szandor asked. “Um, no.” “You’ll tell us if you do, won’t you?” Szandor asked. It was more a command than a question. “I guess so.” Helen clutched the seat with white-knuckled hands. Her grandmother’s amused tones echoed in her memory. The whole lot of them, they’re all witches. The father, too. How far would Szandor push his craft? What could he do? Was she in any danger? If there was the superstitious fear of witchcraft that was prevalent among the indigenous Africans… She’d read a little about the subject a few years previously while researching for a painting for her art classes. Witchcraft was a fascinating topic but she had never expected to ever deal with the real thing. Now her present situation seemed very real and very menacing. “Where’s Arwen?” Helen hoped to steer their conversation to safer territory. She may as well have said “Nice weather, we’re having.” “Arwen has been grounded,” Szandor said, his pale gaze reading the road ahead. Oh heck. He knew. “Oh.” Perhaps it would be better to say nothing at all then she wouldn’t dig herself a deeper hole. The rest of the ride passed in uncomfortable silence. Helen pressed her face against the glass and hoped nothing more would be said. She hated deception of any kind. Whenever she lied, she always ended up being caught out. Instead, she watched the passing landscape, where gray-blue spiked agave lined the road in clumps. Every so often jeep tracks led from the road they followed and she wondered where they went.  An editor and multi-published author, Nerine Dorman currently resides in Cape Town, South Africa, with her visual artist husband. Some of the publishers with whom she works include Dark Continents Publishing and eKhaya (an imprint of Random House Struik). She has been involved in the media industry for more than a decade, with a background in magazine and newspaper publishing, commercial fiction, and print production management within a below-the-line marketing environment. Her book reviews, as well as travel, entertainment and lifestyle editorial regularly appear in national newspapers. A few of her interests include music travel, history (with emphasis on Egypt), psychology, philosophy, magic and the natural world.
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Lori Ryan is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better their chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-super-book-blast-legal-ease.html ~~~~ BLURB: Jack Sutton needs a wife and he needs one now. Jack loved his mother, but she really screwed him over when she set up her will. If Jack doesn’t have a wife by the end of the week, he’ll lose control of the largest chunk of voting stock in his company and will most likely lose his position as CEO as a result. And Jack’s Aunt Mabry is waiting in the wings to make sure that the terms of the will are enforced. If he doesn’t find a wife, she’ll seize control of the stock so she can install her own son at the helm and she couldn’t care less that her son doesn’t want the job or that he probably won’t be any good at it. Enter Kelly Bradley, a twenty eight year old college graduate with a spot at Yale Law School but no way to pay for it. Kelly and Jack’s eavesdropping secretary have discovered Jack’s secret need for a wife and Kelly comes up with a plan to fix both of their problems. Just when Jack needs her, Kelly breezes into his office, introduces herself to his Aunt and cousin, and hands Jack an offer. She will marry him for a year so that he can retain the stock that will keep him in control of Sutton Development if he’ll pay for her to go to law school. Jack has no idea where his beautiful savior came from or who she is but he’s willing to take a chance to save it all. The deal may have kept Jack in control at Sutton Development but his private life quickly spirals out of control. Just when Jack realizes that he wants more than a year with Kelly, his wealth puts her in great danger and he is left scrambling to save her life and their future together. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~  EXCERPT: Kelly whipped through the house and up the stairs, calling out for Mrs. Poole as she ran. “Mrs. Poole, come quickly! We have to move. We have to move.” Kelly continued yelling as she ran into her room and grabbed drawers full of clothes and piled hangers with slacks and dresses on them. Mrs. Poole came up the stairs with a puzzled look on her face. “What on earth are you hollering about, Kelly?” she said as she tried to enter the room. She had to jump out of the way as Kelly made a mad dash to Jack’s room. “We have to move all of my stuff into Jack’s room,” Kelly said, out of breath from her packing and running. “Jack’s Aunt Mabry is on her way here and she’s staying with us for a couple of weeks,” Kelly blurted out as she ran back down the hall to gather more of her belongings. “Oh Lord,” Mrs. Poole rolled her eyes and followed after Kelly. She quickly grabbed clothes and toiletries and rushed down the hall to Jack’s room. She and Kelly repeated the trip half a dozen more times as they transferred everything and set it into place. Mrs. Poole cleared out half of Jack’s dresser and closet and made room for Kelly’s things while Kelly folded and put her clothing away to make it appear as though the two had been living in holy matrimony since day one. Kelly put away the last of her things and took a deep breath. She turned to survey the masculine-looking room. There was a dark mahogany dresser and matching armoire against the deep green walls. Large windows looked out on the same beautiful waterfront view that her guest room windows had shared. She stopped suddenly and held her breath when her eyes landed on the king-sized bed in the center. Until that moment, it hadn’t occurred to her that she and Jack would now have to share a bed. Kelly’s smile fell away as she realized that keeping her attraction hidden from Jack just became a lot more difficult.  AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Lori has had a number of careers before embarking on her newest adventure of writing novels. After graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Law, she practiced law for three years, working primarily in the areas of utilities law and intellectual property litigation. More recently, Lori owned and operated a dog training business in Austin, Texas, where she specialized in aggression and became an expert in the field of dog bite analysis. Lori sold her dog training business in 2013 and is now a full time writer and mother of two. Lori still lives in Austin with her husband -- who is endlessly supportive of her changing career paths -- and her two children, one cat, and three dogs. How can your readers follow you? To follow me on Facebook, visit: http://www.facebook.com/loriryanromance To visit my website, visit: http://www.loriryanromance.com/ Want to be a part of my online street team? Email me at [email protected] and put the words ‘street team’ in the subject line. I’ll email you back with directions for joining my team. To join my email list to receive updates and news, including sneak peeks and free giveaways or contest news, visit http://www.loriryanromance.com/#!join-my-mailing-list/cdpp. Don't forget to leave a comment with your email address to enter to win the $25 gift card! 
Today I'm sharing with you a wonderful series. The Beauty Series is sizzling hot and a totally sexy read. Skye is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.Don't forget to leave a comment with your email address to qualify! Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chance of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/super-book-blast-beauty-touched-beast.html  BLURB: Beauty Touched the Beast Erin cleans Mr. Morris’s house twice a week, soaking up every moment with the reclusive ex-soldier she secretly loves. Blake Morris knows he’s scarred both inside and out and is no good for the beautiful young woman who cleans his house to pay for college. But when Erin walks in on Blake touching himself and moaning her name, all bets are off. Beauty Touched the Beast is a short erotic story of lovers finding refuge with each other. Not for those under 18 years of age or those uncomfortable with the subject matter. Beneath the Beauty In the long anticipated sequel to Amazon Erotica Bestseller Beauty Touched the Beast, Erin and Blake explore their new intimacy and encounter old enemies. When Blake receives an offer to return to his alma mater as associate professor, he knows this is his chance to reenter the world—and to be worthy of the woman he loves. Erin wants this chance for him to heal… even if it means leaving her behind. Beneath the Beauty is an erotic story told in serial format. Don’t miss the sexy initial installment, Beauty Touched the Beast, available now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Excerpt #3: Erin woke up in slow degrees. Awareness tugged at her like a gentle tide. Arousal lapped gently at her skin. She had been in a deep slumber, both sated and sore, but she came alive again under his touch. Blake. Sighing, she might have said his name aloud. Or maybe just in her mind. They were attuned now, so soon after sex, after being wrapped up in each other, cocooned in sleep. Past the point of discussions, negotiations, they’d been stripped to the core. Him, her, and the pleasure they could invoke together. Calloused fingers roamed over her hips and lower, lower, to where her curls were still damp from their earlier sex. She peeked her eye open at the windows. A faint eerie light glowed against the curtains, heralding late twilight, the dead of night. He was insatiable really. Last night, then now. Then they’d probably do it again in the morning most likely. She loved it. When his fingers slipped inside the wetness pooling between her legs, she moaned. “Shh,” he murmured. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” Liar. A lazy smile curled her lips. “Is that right?” He found her clit and pinched. His breath was hot at the back of her neck, his erection pressing urgently against her back. “But now that you’re up…” “You have plans for me.” Delicious plans. They always were. “You don’t have to do a thing,” he murmured, rolling her onto her back. He nuzzled his way between the valley of her breasts, across her belly and settled in between her legs. Her knees splayed wide, her whole body spread open to him, encouraged by anticipation and the laxity of sleep. She’d been given oral sex before, but never by someone as dedicated as Blake. He enjoyed himself there almost as much as he enjoyed regular sex—maybe more. He could make her come endless times, until she was throbbing and restless, until she had to beg him to come inside her. God, she loved it. AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Skye Warren writes unapologetic erotica, where pain and sex and love collide. Her books have and has reached the bestseller lists at Amazon and been a Night Owl Reviews Top Pick. Website: http://www.skyewarren.com/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/skye_warren Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyewarren  I'm always happy to share with you another book by a fabulous author. Imogene Nix is one such author. You're going to love this book!  The Plan by Imogene Nix What happens when wrong and right collide amidst indescribable passion? Jonah Fielding has been brought in to clean up the Department of Authority on Centauri. In the course of his work, he captures Kadie Frost, the young woman who managed to escape his sting operation. Kadie, an orphan, now almost destitute illegal parts runner, is shocked to find herself falling for the man who arrested her. Jonah's world is one that Kadie doesn't understand and fears. When he offers her a deal, she agrees to help him with the investigation. Now they must fight an impossible attraction, find the bad guys, and along the way they'll even end up getting married…purely for the sake of the case, of course. In the middle of upheaval they find themselves surprised by the scorching promise of passion while bewildered at how it all went awry. The clock is ticking and anything can happen next. Will they survive when work and pleasure collide? Content Warning: This book contains a sexy, hot man in uniform and a wayward, hotheaded woman, as well as lots of adventure of the futuristic and bedroom variety. Excerpt: The man that arrested her, Captain Jonah Fielding, she had heard of. A straight man, everyone agreed. He didn't associate with the old, corrupt Authorities. But at this point that's cold comfort. How can I possibly explain that I have nothing else except my little Sugar Plum Fairy and that's why I took the chance? Her stomach rebelled and she dry heaved right there in the cells as catcalls and laughter from other prisoners filled the air. Thank the Lights at least I am in a single cell. Her head ached brutally and she wavered slightly, waiting for Captain Fielding to send for her. "Kadie Frost? Captain Fielding wants to see you." The clank of the cell door told her someone was coming; she struggled to her feet, lifting tired, sore eyes. A young man, little more than a boy really, with a freshly pressed uniform marched in, unfastened her from the restraint loop, and pulled her out the door and into an anonymous corridor. Hoots and hollers met her ears as she allowed herself to be paraded down the long walkway. As if cattle in a moon-cow yard, she thought, closing her eyes as the Authority man pulled her toward a heavy, metal door at the end of the corridor. He stopped there and she opened her eyes, reading the sign on the door. Interrogation Room One. What a great name, she thought snidely. Really inventive. The door opened slowly and she was quickly thrust inside. The door snapped shut behind her as she looked around the bare room. A table and two chairs sat, scarred and ugly, in the middle of the floor. The metal was cold and glittering in the cool air as the air circulators pushed currents around the frigid room. She made her way over and sat down, waiting for the captain to enter. Her head drooped to the table and she let it rest, seeking the refreshing cool on her overly hot skin. Her hands stung and her eyes burned. She felt sorry for herself as she thought about the mess she had gotten into, and she turned her stinging hands to check the damage. They were bright red and radiated heat. The deep scratches were swollen and weepy; sticky drops of goop coated the raw skin. Never a good sign, she already knew that. "Kadie Frost?" She started. Obviously, the woolly, heavy feeling in her head had overtaken her and she had dropped off to sleep as she waited. Her skin burned against in the coolness of the room. "That's me." Her head hurt viciously, but now she realized her throat burned too. "Captain Fielding is my name. I believe you and I can discuss BXM parts?" He lifted an eyebrow and she noted the captain had the most amazing blue eyes she had ever seen, teamed with long, black hair fastened at the back of his neck, high cheeks, and impossibly chiseled features. He had full, pink lips that would make a woman cry when they moved over hers.Huh? Where did that thought come from? She blinked, dazed by the thought, and considered her plan of attack. "What? Oh, the BXM parts." She swallowed and felt the razor blades she was sure were in her neck slashing from the inside which then proceeded to burn. "They aren't mine. They never were." Buy Links: Beachwalk Press Amazon Barnes & Noble Watch the Trailer: Youtube Link About the Author:
Imogene is a mother of two, compulsive reader, and bookstore owner. She lives in regional Queensland, Australia with her husband, two daughters, dog, cats, guinea pigs, and chooks. She has a particular fondness for vampires, star ship captains, and things that go bump in the night (especially vampire types). Imogene has tried many varied roles in her working life including kindergarten assistant, teacher, principal, and kindergarten and child care director, but rates owning a bookstore and writing her own novels as the absolute highlight. In her mother and wife alter ego, she has travelled widely and lived in some very unique places including Far Western Queensland, Cape York, and even Tasmania. She loves to travel and rates China and Hong Kong among her favorite destinations. She blames Star Trek Voyager, Firefly, and the works of Alexander Kent for her interest in naval activities and later space fleet interest. Author Links: Site Facebook Blog Twitter  Tomorrow is Memorial Day. In the United States, we celebrate our fallen soldiers and those that gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy.
It's more than a day off of work, it's a day to remember our family, friends and strangers who sacrificed in order to make America the country it is. Many cities will celebrate with a parade. Veterans will march or walk through the town, flags will be displayed on homes and in cemeteries to mark those that gave their all. I remember growing up in Amherst, Ohio and participating in the Memorial Day parade. My cousin, Kaye, was a majorette for the high school band and twirled her baton in the parade. I sometimes carried the banner or rode in the float with the Girl Scouts. We always ended our parade at the local cemetery, where my family was buried. While I no longer live in Amherst and can't participate in the parade, I still visit the cemetery each time I go back there. I drive by my great uncles who died on my birthday (way before I was born) during World War Two and stop by my grandparent's and great-grandparent's tombstones. I point out my family headstones to my husband each time we drive through, even though he could probably point them out to me by now. Most importantly, I stop and visit with my mom. While she didn't serve in the military, the cemetery is now her home and I love to stop and update her on what's going on in my life. The trip through the cemetery is a bittersweet one. More and more of my family members are there each year. Seeing their names brings to mind some of the best times we spent together at family reunions, birthday parties, and cookouts. As Memorial Day comes, I won't be able to visit the cemetery to see my family, but I will be there in spirit, thanking my family and everyone who gave the ultimate sacrifice that allowed our country to be the wonderful place it is! What are your memories of Memorial Day? How do you celebrate? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 
 Today's sin is jealousy. You can hear it dripping off Lissa's description of her life. Alex and Lissa are recently married yet dealing with all the challenges that blending families brings. In this scene they are out for dinner together at a nice restaurant.
A new marriage is hard enough. Adding parenting to it is a challenge, but blending two families is more like mixing oil and water than milk and chocolate, and that’s when you get to the real issues. Chloe, Alex’s ex-wife, is remarried. She’s as beautiful as Angelina Jolie and just as world conscious. Ironically, she was the one who suggested Alex and I get together. On the other hand, my ex, Steve, acts more like the Grinch. He really should get laid. It might soften his mood. Every discussion about our sons, Scotty and Mac, is a disagreement. Blurb for Three’s a Crowd: For Lissa, the second time at love was a charm but in marriage, three’s a crowd. Single mother Lissa Vincent found her soul mate in her best friend’s ex-husband. Alex Hunter couldn’t believe his fortune when his ex-wife told him her best friend was available. After divorce, finding love again could be a challenge but it appeared Alex and Lissa had gotten lucky. Yet as they start their lives as newlyweds, Alex and Lissa don’t realize just how difficult it might be to blend a family. When Alex’s ex new marriage begins to unravel, she sets her sights again on Alex. Does Alex still have feelings for the mother of his child? Will Lissa keep her best friend or lose her husband? Fairytales promise a happily-ever-after. But what really happens after the after. Buy Links: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Threes-a-Crowd-ebook/dp/B00CTCDHVQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1368974389&sr=1-1&keywords=melissa+keir B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/threes-a-crowd-melissa-keir/1115320553?ean=2940016615738 All Romance Ebooks:https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-three039sacrowd-1185386-148.html  Yet again, I wasn't selected as Michigan's teacher of the year. I think I actually had to be entered to even stand a chance at winning...but it would have been a wonderful recognition.Here's the link to the article on the 2013 Michigan Teacher of the Year: http://www.freep.com/article/20130523/NEWS02/305230095/1202/headlines/Grosse-Pointe-North-science-teacher-Abud-is-state-Teacher-of-the-Year I've taught for the last twenty years at various smaller school districts or single schools. Before that I was a student. I'm what people call a lifelong learner. Frankly, I love learning, reading and gathering information. Luckily I've seen some amazing teachers, worked with plenty and have received some interesting feedback. Throughout my years, I've found out some things about teaching and what makes a good teacher. I'd love to hear your thoughts on teachers, maybe even your favorite teacher from the years. 
A good teacher isn't working for the money--which would be nice to live on, because a good teacher spends much of her salary on things for her classroom, students and families. I have a standing order at some of the local teacher stores. They have the best resources to engage my students and I'm always interested in new resources! Not to mention, I need money for the various small things...penny drives, field trips, and fundraisers.
A good teacher loves children and thinks that they are inherently good. I know that Johnny likes to throw chairs but I can see that angel under his skin. Teachers understand that a cranky or sick child will limit their ability to learn, as well as have mad skills to help children understand and cope with broken friendships, worry over lost animals, or how to stop itching a million bug bites. A good teacher is open and available for parents throughout the evening and day. Email has made it possible for parents to reach out to the teacher with questions or concerns at any time. I find that it's important to cultivate those friendships. A good teacher works with the parents, not against them and vise versa! Parents need to work with the teachers. Teachers will fall in love with your child and spend upteen hours worrying about your child, planning for your child, and arranging play dates. Honestly, I spend most of my day worrying about how to make each child happy and into the best that they can be. Sometimes I wonder if I worry more about your children then my own. This brings me to my last point for the night... a good teacher must give of themselves... their time, their heart and their passion for what they do. Teaching isn't a job- it's a calling. Now I'm sorely depressed that I'm not teacher of the year. I work very hard and all, but what makes a teacher special to you? What do you value? 
There is something amazing about being out in nature. Standing naked in the moonlight, letting the Goddess kiss your body! Taboo shares such wonderful feelings with you in erotic stories!  Taboo - a pagan erotica anthology
These are stories of lust. Not a timid, discrete lust, but one that reaches to the heavens and feeds the divine within us. A sacrifice to Pan, a Beltaine celebration in a poly family, a BDSM scene where Tarot leads the way, an exotic dancer offering her performance to Ishtar, and a sensual exploration by the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone, this first Taboo anthology is a testament to naughty and kinky imaginations. Step in, leave your preconceptions at the door, and enjoy the ride! Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages Buy Links: Smashwords Amazon Barnes and Noble Pagan Writers Press Site Today I'm excited to share a wonderful author and good friend with you. Her stories are well-known for their sexiness and sizzling characters. At Your Service is another exciting read!  Thank you very much for hosting me today and allowing me to share my latest release, At Your Service: Tammer, with your readers! It’s book one in a brand new line I’ll be rolling out throughout 2013.
Assassin. The first word which comes to mind when Nina Prescott opens her door not to a Thin Mint toting Girl Scout but a rugged stranger dressed in black sporting a smirk that has her slamming it in the man’s face. With her instincts in a tailspin, her head tells her to run. Has her husband’s occupation finally come home to roost? But when the stranger who acts more like he’s come to gather her for a date rather than kill her corners her and produces his calling card, the truth of what he really is, is even more shocking than the thought of him being a hit man… At Your Service…Providing all your kinky needs with none of the strings. For more information or to schedule a consultation... Nina can’t believe Joel has actually hired a service Dom. With his job keeping him away more than he’s home, Nina’s found it all too easy to weave from their established rules. She knows she does things she convinces herself Joel is none the wiser of, like working fourteen hour days when she knows good and well her Master would bust her ass for working a minute over eight. But a sub-sitter? While she realizes their once rigid lifestyle has been slowly disintegrating, it seems a bit extreme. But Nina still loves Joel and is determined to obey the one rule he never bends…try anything he asks of her at least once before deciding she doesn’t like it. And really. Would one turn on the ride named Tammer J. Weston be so bad? Excerpt: “Nina Prescott?” the man standing there poised to knock again rumbled out in a honeyed, baritone which plucked at a nerve or two as it skittered down Nina’s spine. Nina looked up and up over hardened thighs beneath black denim, rugged abs seeping though skin tight cotton, and a chiseled olive chin dusted with just a smattering of dark five o’clock shadow. His piercing indigo eyes bled authority from beneath long, envy worthy lashes. Almost every instinct in her yelled, “Dom, kneel!” The other’s urged, “Stranger, caution.” She was pretty sure her marine husband and Liege would have her strapped to a cross for ignoring the second voice, but he’d gone off on mission again and disrupted her carefully plotted out life. Again. Although she’d never entertain the idea of cheating on Joel because she sure wasn’t that kind of wife or sub, he hadn’t said no flirting as he reminded her of the rules on his way out the door. “Who are you and what do you sell? Have any cookies in your bag?” she asked, eyeing the black, leather duffle draped over one of his broad shoulders which bested her height by at least six inches and licking her lips. Her heart refused to stay still as she imagined what he just might indeed be carrying with him. “No cookies. I’m from the service?” he said, raking Nina with those smoldering eyes and sending heat out to her extremities. “Which branch?” Nina withdrew the fifty, tucked it behind her back, and poked her head out noting the black Ford F-250 parked in front of her quarters. If he’d managed to come into housing he had to have a base sticker from somewhere. “No, no. I’m from the service, not in it. You are Nina Prescott, right?” the man pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket. “Nina Prescott, wife of Master Sergeant Joel Prescott, lives at thirteen twenty-three Minnesota Avenue, play night Thursdays, political speech writer…” Nina gasped and tried to slam the door in his face, her cookie money floating to the floor as she let go of it. Toy bag on his shoulder her ass, he was an assassin. Who the hell was Joel’s current assignment that they’d sent someone after her for payback? And where the hell was her cell? On the damned catch all in the back? The MPs…9-1-1… “I’m going to call the MPs, asshole,” she shouted, finally managing to get the door shut despite his best effort to keep it open and turning to bolt down the hall with her heart in her throat. Purchase at: Amazon ARe ~~~~ Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual softer read to BDSM and ménage. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, the Identity series, and the Private Collection. Currently she is working on two new series set to release summer of 2013, the At Your Service line and the Steele Image line. She’s a member in good standing of RWA. Ms. Munro loves to hear from her readers and can be found at Realmantic Moments Facebook Goodreads Twitter You can also contact her via email at [email protected] and you can find all her works at: Amazon ARe Nook Bookstrand 
Ella Jade's stories are always delightful romps through life. She's created characters that you wish you could have in your own life or bed! I'm excited to share her sequel to Master of the Inn with you. Indulging the Professor is sure to be another hit! Indulging the Professor by Ella Jade  Professor Marcus Santos has become unsatisfied in his life. His career is at an all time high but he has no one to share it with. He’s buried himself in his work for so long he’s missed out on a social life. His policy of not dating university students has limited his search to find the perfect girlfriend. While out at a bar one night he runs into his intriguing research assistant. Their brief encounter changes the dynamics of their relationship. Shy graduate student Jacqueline Kincaid has been taken with Professor Santos since her freshman year. His charismatic personality and driven work ethic drew her to him, but now that she’s getting to know him on a personal level she can’t get him out of her head. He shows interest in her but won’t take things further than kissing. Marcus offers her a special graduation present. Spend two nights at Pleasure Inn with him. Jacqueline jumps at the chance to move forward in their new relationship. Now that she’s no longer his student he wants more with her. Pleasure Inn is just the place to make all of their fantasies realty. Excerpt: Jacqueline stood at the large picture window. Coming up behind her, Marcus wrapped his arms around her waist and took in the sweet aroma of her hair. He loved the way her fragrance lingered in his car or office hours after they had parted. Her signature smell was a constant reminder of her and the memory of it had gotten him through some long, sleepless nights these past couple of months. “You smell so good.” He moved her hair to the side and trailed his lips along her neck. He’d always been so careful with her. He never wanted to overstep or make her feel uncomfortable. Her decision to spend the weekend with him had changed things. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to touch you like this.” Their casual dates and late night research sessions were getting harder to deal with. Each time he took her back to her apartment he’d prayed for her to invite him in. He often wondered if he would accept. She seemed to quietly respect his position on the subject of dating students. Always letting him take the lead, she never pushed him further than he was willing to go. He appreciated that, but he had to find a way to make her see just how much she meant to him. “What took you so long, Professor?” She leaned her head back offering him more of her neck. “I was beginning to think it was me.” “Never.” He gripped her hips before slipping his hands under the thin material of her t-shirt. “I have rules. At least, I did before I met you.” He circled his fingertips along the soft skin of her stomach. “I don’t like to create chaos.” “Is that what I am?” She placed her hands over his and guided them to her breasts. His palms grazed her hardened nipples. “Chaotic?” Her boldness surprised him but didn’t stop him from cupping her full breasts in his hands. “Now that you’re no longer my student…” He swirled his thumbs over her aroused nipples. “I’ll create as much chaos with you as you can handle.” She turned to face him, his hands still caressing her nipples through the lace of her bra. Leaning closer to him, she brushed her lips along his jaw as she threaded her fingers through his hair. “I want more.” “You’ll have it.” He removed his hands from underneath her shirt. “I promise.” ***All books in the Pleasure Inn series stand alone but if you’d like to see how it all began check out Master of the Inn. Buy Links: Amazon Barnes and Noble About the Author:
Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped. Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing, and scrapbooking. She hopes you'll get lost in her words. Connect with the Author: Site Facebook Author Page Twitter What happens when the man of your dreams is right in front of your face but you are too blind to notice? The Boy Next Door is a sweet story of two people who go from friends to something more.  The Boy Next Door by Annabelle Costa Through middle school, high school, bad dates, and an ill-advised punk phase, Tasha has always been able to count on Jason. Since the day he moved in next door, he’s gone from the weird kid in a wheelchair to Tasha’s most trusted friend. But lives change and the friends are going in different directions. When Jason and Tasha rekindle their friendship, sparks fly. After years of being a wild soul, now the ex-lead of a band turned music teacher is just looking for a relationship to last. When none other than Jason introduces her to a man who can give her what she wants, Tasha is on the verge of throwing passion and love away just so she can forget her troubled past and settle down. But Jason isn’t ready to give her up just yet. ~~~ Excerpt: I wasn’t too happy when my parents told me that I had to try to make friends with the crippled kid who just moved in next door. I was eight years old. For my entire life thus far, living in a suburb of Pittsburgh, our next-door neighbor was an ornery old woman named Agnes. Why are all old people named Agnes, for some reason? Not that I’m prejudiced against old people or anything. My grandmother, Nana, lived with us and was never an ornery old woman, and probably still the best cook I’ve ever known. Anyway, Agnes failed to wake up one morning, and the house got sold off to a young family with two kids. I was initially really psyched to find out that the family had two kids, one of whom was allegedly my age. I pictured a girl with blond pigtails who would be my best friend, and we’d make each other friendship bracelets, have sleepovers, and all that fun stuff. But then my fantasy was crushed when I found out that my new eight-year-old neighbor was a boy. And not just a boy. A boy in a wheelchair. His name was Jason and I saw him a few times from afar. He went to a different school than I did, and there was a special school bus that picked him up. I saw him waiting with his parents at the curb for the special bus, which was about half the length of the bus that picked me up. My parents told me it was a bus for disabled kids. When it arrived, a ramp would be lowered mechanically and Jason would wheel into it, and the driver would help him get arranged in the bus. My mother yelled at me not to stare, but how could I not stare? When the Foxes had been living next door for a few weeks, we came over for a visit and to bring them a welcome basket. My little sister Lydia and I were dressed up in uncomfortable pink clothes, and I was firmly instructed to play with Jason. Lydia, who was only four, was totally off the hook since the older Fox child was a 13-year-old boy. “I don’t want to play with Jason,” I whined, as my mother did up the buttons on my dress. “He’s weird.” “Oh, stop it,” my mother said. “He’s not weird.” “He’s in a wheelchair,” I pointed out. “Don’t you dare mention that,” my mother snapped. “Why not?” spoke up my Nana, who was listening in. “I’m sure the boy knows he’s in a wheelchair. It’s not a secret, is it?” Despite everything, I giggled. I wished my mother would let Nana come along, but they were too worried about her making a comment like that. Apparently, she lost her self-censor somewhat as she got older, although Daddy said she’d always kind of been like that. Fifteen minutes later, my mother was shoving Lydia and me in the direction of the house next door. We rang the bell and Mrs. Fox answered, greeting us warmly. “Jill!” she cried. “I’m so glad you could make it.” “This is for you,” my mother said, handing over the basket of fruit and muffins. “You met my husband, Gerald. And these are my daughters, Lydia and Tasha.” “Nice to meet you, girls,” Mrs. Fox said. “My older son Randy isn’t here now, but Jason is very excited to meet you.” My eyes met those of the boy sitting in a small, simple wheelchair several yards behind his mother. I could tell by his khaki slacks and lame sweater-vest that he too had been forced to dress up for the occasion. He looked just as miserable as I did. “He’s eight, isn’t he?” Mom asked. “Tasha is eight as well.” “Yes, that’s wonderful,” Mrs. Fox said. “They could play together.” She lowered her voice to a stage whisper that people a mile away could hear loud and clear: “Jason hasn’t been having an easy time making new friends.” Yeah. What a shock. With that sentiment, Jason and I were herded off in the direction of his bedroom, presumably for me to be his new best friend. We both went, sort of like lambs being led to the slaughter. Once we were alone in Jason’s room, we both just sat there awkwardly, not saying anything to each other. We were too young to even know how to make polite conversation. I tried not to stare at Jason, but it was hard not to. I mean, really hard. Why did he need a wheelchair anyway? Maybe he had some awful disease where he was dying. Maybe it was contagious! Maybe he had some contagious fatal disease and my mother had locked me alone in a room with him. She’d be so sorry when I died. Although to be honest, Jason didn’t really look like he was dying. He looked pretty much like a normal kid, but he was sitting in a wheelchair. He had short brown hair that it looked like his mother had attempted to comb, yet he’d managed to get it messy again before our arrival. He had green eyes that were bright, even in spite of how clearly miserable he was at the moment. And then there were the freckles that were sprinkled down either side of his nose, although those disappeared years later. I was perched gingerly on Jason’s bed. He had Star Wars blankets. Actually, I had to admit, he had some pretty cool toys. My mother always bought me dolls, but the thing is, dolls didn’t do much. Maybe these days, dolls cry and piss their diapers or whatever, but back then, in the eighties, dolls were much less interesting. But Jason had toys that did cool stuff. He had toy cars and trucks, he had a rocket, and a huge box of Legos. But what really piqued my interest was that he had what looked like a huge box of TRANSFORMERS. Confession time: I loved Transformers. I watched the TV show religiously every Saturday, rooting for the Autobots to defeat the evil Decepticons. But nobody would buy me any Transformers because I was a girl and obviously it’s not an appropriate toy for girls. So I had about half a dozen My Little Ponies and at least a dozen Barbie dolls, but no cars that turned into robots. It was a source of frustration for me. Every time I asked my mother, she’d say, “What do you want one of those awful toys for? You’re a girl!” But Jason, he owned the mother lode. “Um,” I said, working up my nerve. “Are those, um, Transformers?” Jason brightened. “Yeah. You like Transformers?” I nodded shyly. To my delight, Jason grabbed the whole big box and dumped them out on his bed. He seriously had every Transformer in existence. He had Optimus Prime, of course, most of the Autobots, Megatron, the Decepticons including the cassette spies, plus a bunch of the newer ones like the Dinobots, the Insecticons, and even Devastator. I was majorly impressed. If I were a little older, I would have creamed myself or something. “Oh my God,” I breathed. “You’re the luckiest person alive.” About Annabelle Costa:
Annabelle Costa is a teacher, who writes in her free time. She enjoys the wounded hero genre, involving male love interests with physical disabilities, who don’t follow the typical Hollywood perception of sexy. The Boy Next Door by Annabelle Costa Genre: Chick Lit
Please scroll down for the entry to the Contemporary Blog Hop!Suzzana is a fellow Rebel Ink Author and good friend. Her books are very sexy with strong female characters who fall in love with Demons, Vampires and strong protective men! Who doesn't dream of having a strong man protect them!! Under Her Protection is her latest release.  Blurb:
Gina McCarthy, U.S. Marshall, ex decorated New York City Policewoman, stepped over the line. Within forty-eight hours, she violated every oath she’d ever taken by getting involved with a witness. Marco G. Natalia, son of New York’s biggest crime family, has turned state’s evidence. He’s handsome, intelligent, self-confident and one of the mob’s most valuable specimen’s. He’s more than just a made man. He was born made. His father, the head of the Notorious Natalia family, is dead, gunned down and murdered mob style while eating breakfast with his son. Now Marco G. Natalia is under Gina McCarthy’s protection. From different worlds two people meet, act on their attraction to one another and delve deep into emotions and feelings neither knew existed. Marco has never met a woman like Gina, strong, honest and beyond desirable. Unfortunately for Marco, he’s everything Gina holds unholy. For Gina, Marco is a step into forbidden territory, one she knows she’ll never forget and will desire for the rest of her life. You can find Suzzana at: http://www.suzzanacryanromanceauthor.blogspot.com http://www.suzzanacryan.blogspot.com http://www.suzzanacryan.webs.com https://www.facebook.com/suzzana.c.ryan?ref=tn_tnmn http://pinterest.com/suzzanacryan/ Purchase links for Under Her Protection: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-underherprotection-1185385-148.html http://www.amazon.com/Under-Her-Protection-ebook/dp/B00CTCDCR0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368760555&sr=8-1&keywords=under+her+protection http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1115320551?ean=2940016615714 
 I've been sharing with you sinful snippets from my most recent Secret Cravings book- Forever Love.
TJ and Syn were childhood sweethearts. But TJ let his hormones get in the way of his heart and Syn moves to Chicago after graduation. When Syn's father develops dementia, she returns to her hometown to care for him and meets up with TJ on the beach one day. This time TJ is determined to win back the girl of his heart. Over the last few weeks, I've shared small scenes from the story of Syn and TJ's romance. Today Syn has something special planned. Come along for the ride!! ~~~~~Seducing a man was outside my range of experience. I’d had only a few simple lovers feeling that my virginity was more of a hindrance than a blessing. After arranging for Dad to have dinner with T.J.’s mom, I ran to the local grocery for the ingredients to my famous chicken piccata. Packing my picnic basket with everything we might need from food to beer, I hoped tonight would be perfect even while I deliberated if I’d be able to go through with my plan. With the basket in my hands and a smile on my face, I jumped into T.J.’s truck when he arrived after dusk. “Where to pretty lady?” “Let’s go back to where it started. Let’s go to the beach.” ~~~~~ Last week, Syn and TJ were at the local VFW hall with her dad and TJ's mom. The double date was TJ's idea and a way of getting Syn out of the house after taking care of her father. In Amherst, Ohio, the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) hall is a local hang out for the over thirty crowd. Many of the gentlemen from town enjoy going there to have a beer or dinner. They sit around a room which has former war memorabilia or symbols of National pride on the walls. The hall also hosts BINGO night and local events. Many of the wives enjoy a night of dancing or an afternoon at the quilting club meetings. The VFW hall was even a part of my own growing up. I had my sweet sixteen party at one of the local halls and my wedding reception at another. These places were important to the small town as it brought the community together and gave them a place to hang out, visit and socialize. They weren't much to look at--just a simple brick building with a drop ceiling, linoleum floor, a kitchen and bar. Some had baseball fields out back or a volleyball court. And while they were a very popular place to belong to, not everyone was welcome in the VFW. I remember when my mom had applied for our membership. She had to show proof that my great-grandfather served in one of the many wars. Grandpa Mori was decorated for his actions in World War 1 and our membership was approved. Today some of his and my uncle's memorabilia sit on the shelves and honor their service. I haven't been back to the hall in over twenty years, yet my own father still goes at least once a week. While you were growing up, what was an important place for you to spend time or an important part of your community? Did the club accept everyone? What things took place there? Leave a comment for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card. On Sunday evening, I will draw a name from the people who leave a comment. You have to comment to enter! Don't forget to check out the rest of the blog hop participants! You could win so much more! http://secretcravingspublishing.blogspot.com/. I may be slightly biased here but I'm excited to share with you a new release by Stephanie Lawton. Want was the first book by her that I read. It surprised me with the relationship between Juli and Isaac. I had hoped that they would get together and I'd have my happily ever after...but it didn't quite work out how I thought it would. Now Need is out and I get to see what's been happening with Juli and Isaac. Would Isaac ever get over Juli? Would she come crawling back? And just when I thought it was safe to enter Mobile society again, Heather Swann, the girl whose mother caused Isaac untold turmoil was back! You thought your dating life was messy! Need is sure to tease and tantalize you! **Warning- Need isn't a YA novel. Isaac is all grown up in this tale!**  Isaac Laroche is cursed. All he wants to do is hide out and feel sorry for himself. Never mind that he got caught sleeping with his seventeen-year-old piano student, or that he abandoned her when the truth was exposed.
Isaac’s feisty high school sweetheart has different plans. Heather Swann has returned to their hometown of Mobile, Alabama, to regroup after breaking up with her troll of a fiancé. She’s restless and looking for a diversion, but she bites off more than she can chew when she sets her sights on rehabilitating Isaac with her unorthodox sexual, mental, and physical plans. The two quickly reconnect, but their happiness is threatened by family secrets, old vendettas and the death of a beloved father-figure. Can Heather handle Isaac’s baggage, or will her own come back to haunt them both? Buy: Amazon B&N All Romance Ebook Inkspell Publishing |
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