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Covers are the piece that excites me the most about a book. I love to see the cover and am immediately drawn into see what the story is. Today, I'm happy to share with you the third book in The New Yorker Series: One Nigh Stand by MO Kenyan. It's about an extended family who fight and love. Just like your own, right?  It takes two people for love to work It was one night, one night when she could stop being the responsible daughter and have fun. Catalella meets a man at his bar and takes him home for a wild night. The next morning he had disappeared as he should be. Months later Catalella finds out that her night of reckless abandon had come with consequences. The problem was Catalella can’t seem to conjure up his name or how to contact him. Ethan had decided to stay away from relationships ever since his wife abandoned him. So when Catalella kept on going to his club to look for him, he would take off in a different direction. What he didn’t expect was that it was fate for them to meet. Catalella is his new cooperate lawyer. Can they overcome their distrust in order to find true love? Can't wait? You can pre-order it today and it will arrive on your ereader on the release day (or the day before!)
Today, I'm excited to share an interview with Jenna Jaxon with you. I've known her for years and even worked together on a box set, but I threw her my best crazy questions and we will both find out a little more about her! Take a chair and enjoy!! What television sitcom is most like your family? Why? MASH—because it always seems like a war zone at our house. LOL What’s your favorite thing to do to relax? Reading. I just open a book or turn on the Kindle and it’s like I’ve fallne down a rabbit hole away from the world for five or six hours. If you could go back in time to when you were seven years old, what wisdom or advice would you pass on to yourself? Keep up the writing! I wrote a lot when I was younger, then let theatre seduce me away for a lot of years. I wish I had been writing longer than just eight years. For what are you grateful? My very supportive family and my health. With those two things, you can move mountains. At what age were you the happiest? What triggered such joy? I was in my middle twenties, working on my MFA, doing exactly what I wanted to do for three glorious years. Now about you as an author… What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? Growing up it was Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose Little House books I read over and over, wishing I could have those kinds of adventures. As an adult, Stephen King, because I can lose myself in his works so easily and I aspire to writing well enough to do that. What is your favorite aspect or writing? Your least favorite? My favorite aspect, as all my chapter mates will tell you, is plotting. I LOVE TO PLOT! To me it’s the most creative aspect—taking that blank page and filling it up with a story. Least favorite is promotion because it’s so time consuming, plus you can spend lots of money and not see a cent in returns/sales. What aspect of writing would you most like to improve on? Writing description. I don’t like to read it, so I don’t like to write it. After so many years in the theatre, I love dialogue instead to keep the action moving. Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? Quiet. I can’t have a television or even music playing if I’m writing. Also a cup of hot tea is nice and a crunchy snack of some sort. :) Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books? Other than true love will out, no, I don’t think so. What have you learned the most from being in the writing business? Never burn your bridges. Never alienate anyone. That’s why I don’t talk politics. Democrats, Republicans, Indipendents, Libertarians, Green Party members may all want to buy my books!  Follow your heart to find your desire Miss Katherine Locke is irked to start her third season dancing with the disagreeable Lord Haversham, her brother’s friend and her own arch enemy. After three years out, however, she’s finally interested in the dashing Lord Finley—only to find out her cousin has set her cap for him too. To make the man jealous, Kate feigns interest in Lord Haversham, only to be shocked to find the handsome lord apparently falling for her. With time running out, should she accept his suit and risk falling in love despite herself? Marcus, Lord Haversham, is in a tight pinch. His estates are failing and worse, he’s just lost three thousand pounds to his best friend, Lord Ainsley. Ainsley’s solution: have Marcus marry his shrewish sister and he’ll cancel his gambling debt plus give him ten thousand more pounds for her dowry. With nowhere to turn, Marcus agrees, praying he can keep word of the wager from Miss Locke long enough to charm her into marrying him. But can he avoid falling in love himself? EXCERPT: “Who are you looking for?” Celinda peered in the same direction as Kate. “That gentleman. The stranger I asked you about just now. Did you really not see him?” Had she imagined the man? “Where did he go?” she muttered. “I have no idea who you are talking about, cuz.” Celinda snapped her fan open, catching the attention of a gentleman across the room. “Why are you flirting with Bertie Symmons? We’ve known him since we were eight years old and he cried when his mama wouldn’t allow him to climb a tree.” Kate glared at the young man in question, the son of one of their neighbors in Somerset. “One has to flirt with old friends sometimes if one wants to dance badly enough.” Celinda touched the edge of the fan with her finger, snapped it closed, and smiled at Bertie, who hastily excused himself and headed toward them. “I’ve never wanted to dance quite that badly.” Kate sniffed and wiggled her toes in her new green satin slippers. Standing for so long during the early part of the Season took some getting used to. “I do wish I had an inkling of who I wanted to flirt with.” “As do I.” Celinda laughed. “I have no idea so far this Season. I’m just practicing on Bertie so I’ll remember how.” “Lady Celinda, Miss Locke.” Kate whirled around, coming face to face with Lady Hamilton and the handsome stranger she’d been looking for. Lord, but he looked even more attractive up close. He smiled charmingly, revealing white, even teeth in a wide mouth with sensual lips. Her heart threatened to cease beating. Celinda’s china blue eyes widened, a brilliant smile on her lips. She curtsied, and Kate followed suit, quite unable to take her gaze off the gentleman. “Ladies, good evening once more.” Lady Hamilton nodded, smiling first at one then the other of them. “May I introduce Lord Finley? He is recently returned from some five years in America.” Kate’s heart beat so hard her chest hurt. She snapped her fan open and plied it vigorously, hoping she wouldn’t swoon. Back to the questions....... How did you decide on your story plot? This plot formed itself based on a line from one of my fave Johnny Depp movies, Benny and Joon. In a very wacky card game, Joon wins another player’s cousin. Benny just looks at the guy and says, “You can’t win a person!” And I sort of took it from there. :) How did you choose your characters names and location for your story? Location was decided when I made the choice to write the series. The last book of the series, Heart of Deception, was originally a short story, the first book I published. I wanted to expand that story and then I kept wanting to know more about all the other people in the ballroom that night. So I decided to write the series where all the characters in each book meet at this one ball in May of 1820. The names for the characters of this book just “came” to me. Sometimes I have more of a story for them, but nope, these just came out that way. Do you have a favorite scene? Why? I think my fave scene in this book is the opening one where the hero and heroine are sniping at one another while dancing a waltz. Very funny. Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why? Yes, my hero’s sister, Lady Letitia. I was always the one in the corner at dances too. :) BUY LINK: AMAZONThank you Jenna for stopping by today and sharing information about yourself and your book. I think we are all grateful for our family and health. It's the thing we take for granted until it's gone. If you want to contact Jenna.... follow her links below! ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jenna Jaxon is a best-selling, multi-published author of historical romance in periods ranging from medieval to Victorian. She has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, she has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own stories. She lives in Virginia with her family and two rambunctious cats, Marmalade and Suger. When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director. She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage. Jenna is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America and is very active in Chesapeake Romance Writers, her local chapter of RWA. She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop. FIND JENNA HERE: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Jaxon/146857578723570 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jenna_Jaxon Blog: https://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4960704.Jenna_Jaxon 
Book 3 of the Emerging From Darkness series
by J.M. Maurer GENRE: contemporary romance 18+ 
I’d been given promises in the past, all of which were broken.
Inevitably, they broke me.
I wouldn’t let those broken promises stop me from believing in new ones, though.
I couldn’t.
Matthew Moi was different.
His dimpled smile and witty sexual banter has held me spellbound since day one.
Falling in love with him came easy.
Marrying him—a dream come true.
Now, he wants something I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for.
As I struggle, he faithfully remains at my side.
Through it all, his protective nature shields me from an evil I didn’t see coming.
Together, we have it all—love, passion, trust.
Apart, the possibilities are endless, even death.
For the first time in a long time, I had an itch to do something ridiculous—two things, in fact. One was the reason I was sitting in the back of a musty old van. The other might just be the solution to my Holly problem.
At least I hoped so, because while my mind should have been racing with thoughts of my upcoming wedding, it wasn’t. Instead, I was thinking of my best friend. Problem was, no matter how I launched my plan to help Holly move beyond her commitment issue with Burdick, it wasn’t going to go over well. And the more I thought about her, the more I dreaded the growing possibility of a headache. I’d just gotten over a nasty headache and was now attempting to shake off the likelihood of another when the van rolled to a stop and the driver’s voice muttered in the distance.
“We’re here.”
Okay, Jess. You’ve got your plan and it’s a good one.
I was about to remind myself to stick to said plan when the driver hopped out and moved to my side of the van, his open door ushering in a blast of autumn air that chilled my skin. I shivered and scooted to the edge of my seat, waiting for what was to come next. The shrill of metal sliding over metal pierced my ears as the door slid open, and rough skin wrapped a secure hold on my wrist. This was it.
“End of the line.” His gruff tone registered somewhere between the brief time it took him to pull me out and when his tall, burly features came into full view. He snickered as I pulled the hem of my pullover down and worked to smooth it out. Judging by the way his eyes scanned up my body, I presumed his outburst had everything to do with my appearance. After all, this was the first time I’d pieced together an outfit for such an outdoorsy occasion. Eventually, he calmed and took my hand, turning it palm up. “You don’t want to forget this.”
Instinctively, my fingers clasped a tight grip around the cold steel as I stood, staring down at the black metal, hoping I’d do it right. I’d never held a gun before. They all made me nervous. Fact was, with a gun in the wrong hands, things could quickly turn ugly.
I knew all about ugly.
Drawing my attention his way, the driver stretched a tattooed arm, pointed a finger, and then offered his last words of advice. “Never give up.”
I swallowed back a lump of fear, absorbing a deeper meaning of the phrase, and took off running. For what seemed like forever, I ran up and down hills, climbed over a few sizeable rocks, jumped a tiny brook, and pushed forward until I needed to recharge and bring my thoughts back into focus.
At best guess, I’d been in the woods for several hours, alternating between steady jogs in the direction I was supposed to go and quick respites to catch my breath. I wasn’t sure exactly where I was, but as far as I could see, there was nothing but dense forest—and me. Panting, I leaned against a tree and listened to the rustle of withered leaves moving with the breeze.
One thing was comforting: I hadn’t run into anyone. Yet.
Crack.
SEEKING LOVE
One thing I knew: I wasn’t that woman anymore. I wouldn’t be her anymore.
Three years after a bitter divorce, Jessica Winters isn’t sure she’s ready—or capable—to move on. The thought of another relationship terrifies her, but things quickly change when she meets the playfully witty and handsome sex therapist Matthew Moi. At first, she tries to ignore him, but something in the way he levels his sultry gaze on her awakens her soul.
Secretly in love with Jessica, Matthew has been giving her the space she needed to heal. Incapable of waiting any longer and eager to work his way into her broken heart, he seizes an opportunity to have their paths cross. But when her painful past resurfaces, revealing truths that threaten their future, Matthew must prove to Jessica that a shot at true love is worth the risk.
SEEKING REDEMPTION
After surviving a bitter divorce and emerging from a darkness that became all too familiar, Jessica finds herself on top of the world, her soulful awakening allowing her to feel again, trust again, and even love again. Her painful past, however, is relentless, both physically and emotionally, bombarding her daily and not allowing her to overcome the lingering demons that ultimately control her life.
As Matthew lovingly guides her toward a healthy future, his own secrets become known, threatening to destroy the trusting relationship that had quickly grown between them. But despite what life throws her way, Jessica pledges to put the past in the past, accepting that events are often out of her control. She fights for a future with the man who drew her out of the darkness, steering her onto a healing path . . . seeking redemption.
 
J.M. started working as a registered nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where she cared for critically ill children, transported them from outlying hospitals, and even picked up overtime hours treating patients of all ages while inside a hyperbaric chamber. Holding a Bachelor's degree in nursing, she loves to write about strong characters and their struggles in life. Her books explore themes of revenge, redemption, and hope along with the intrigue of true love, sex, and marriage.
An incurable romantic with a penchant for dark chocolate and red wine, no matter what trials or tortures her characters face, love will always prevail . . . because, after all, what's better than a happily-ever-after?
When not writing, you can find her spending time with family and friends, exploring the outdoors, or attempting most any sport. She resides in Chicago with her husband and son.
I love the concept of a one night stand where two people meet and they are perfect for each other, solve some conflict and end up happily ever after. I've even written a few of these type of stories. Book 2 of The New Yorker series by MO Kenyan, Roommates with Benefits has a one night stand....But in this case, the guy doesn't even remember his one night with our heroine. It would crush me to know something so wonderful didn't mean a thing to him....but MO Kenyan makes this story amazing... check it out!  Can you heal a broken heart? AJ Ross has always focused his attention on two things, women and medicine. He was the best at both. He was the “love ‘em and leave ‘em type. But when he moves in with a girl he had a fling with, a girl he cannot remember, his life slowly begins to unravel. Katherine had always done what was expected of her. She was daddy’s little obedient girl. But when her father arranges a marriage between her and her friend she begins to rebel. Katherine bumps into a man who gave her a night she could never forget. The problem is, he can’t seem to remember her. So when they end up living together all Katherine wants to do is make sure AJ remembers her—and the night he took her virginity. Will she succeed? Will AJ remember her and want more, or will Katherine’s arranged marriage stand in the way? EXCERPT: He was a womanizer; she didn’t allow herself to forget that. But could she forget that kiss, deeply passionate and toe-curling? She didn’t think so. AJ had respected her wishes so far, but she could see he was slowly growing restless. She needed to beat him at his own game. Become the master, use her head instead of her heart. And who could teach her that better than AJ himself? Shaking off the last bit of nerves she marched up to him, her fingers in a deathly grip on her pen. “I think we should talk.” “Finally!” He drew a deep breath. “I know it was wrong of me. I was a jerk and I just wanted to tell you, that night—” “…shouldn’t be any different from all the others you’ve had, and the ones I’ve had after you.” She stared him down, hoping he couldn’t see her brazen lie. Who else could have made her feel the way AJ did that night? Katherine didn’t think anyone could, so she hadn’t been with anyone else. She didn’t want the disappointment. What was worse, she didn’t think she could ever be with anyone else. “We were two consenting adults. We had fun and there is no reason we shouldn’t have more fun,” she said. “What?” Her statement came as much a surprise to her as to him, if not more. Stiffening her spine, and continuing her journey down the road to self-destruction, Katherine let her hormones speak for her once more. “There is no reason we couldn’t continue having fun. But, exclusively. I don’t want whatever diseases these nurses have.” To make a point at how nonchalant she was about her proposal, she winked at a passing intern who gave her a surprised look, before his lips curled into a disgusting smile. “Are you up for the challenge? It would be kind of a monogamous relationship. But don’t think of me as your girlfriend. Think of me as your—” “…mattress? Bed? You just want me on top of you, then to roll off when I am done?” Katherine saw his jaw tighten, a dark shadow loom over his face and his expression close. She had overstepped. “It’s exactly what I do with my bed. I lie on top of it, and once I am rested and satisfied I roll off.” He hissed through clenched teeth. “You want me to treat you like my bed.” “You didn’t just lie on top of these other women and then roll off.” She could feel her embarrassment burn in her cheeks. “I want the whole show.” “Then pay for a ticket,” AJ bit back before he stalked off. Katherine ran after him determined to get in the last word. “What’s so different about me? You sleep with everything with a vagina, but not me. Is it not good enough for you anymore? What’s so different about me?” “A lot of things. But the sad thing is, now you’ll never know.” “AJ!” Pretty amazing, right? Don't forget that book one in The New Yorker series is on sale through 8/24 for only 99 cents... Betrayed! About the Author Love is supernatural. I live my romance through my words. I believe in love and love believes in us. https://twitter.com/Kenyan_Knight www.mokauthor.wordpress.com http://www.facebook.com/MokAuthor?ref=hl http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6445835.M_O_Kenyan BUY LINKS: Roommates with Benefits~ $2.99
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 | About the Author: M.S. Kaye has several published books under her black belt. A transplant from Ohio, she resides with her husband Corey in Jacksonville, Florida, where she tries not to melt in the sun. Find suspense and the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com. To receive news on upcoming releases, sign up for email updates on her website. Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads | Amazon | TSU | Pinterest | LinkedIn |
Where did the time go? One minute my little baby was chasing the cat around the house, smiling through the pacifier in her mouth, then she was dressing up like Sailor Moon and singing along to The Backstreet Boys.
As parents we have dreams for our children,..happiness, family, love, and a career they love. She recently graduated with her Master's Degree, ready to start her career. She'd found the man of her dreams and was planning her wedding.
I'd felt if I'd blinked...one moment a baby then a married woman.
As parents we have dreams for our children,..happiness, family, love, and a career they love. She recently graduated with her Master's Degree, ready to start her career. She'd found the man of her dreams and was planning her wedding.
I'd felt if I'd blinked...one moment a baby then a married woman.
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The day was beautiful. The sun shone all day and the hot humid temps broke, leading to a perfect summer day. The ceremony was held at her husband's family's small church. The venue was just right for the intimate ceremony.
Friends and extended family rounded out the wedding party. They were fun and excited about the event. The maid of honor and best man rocked their speeches and the whole party kept the dance floor busy, all night long.
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The reception was held at the Howell Opera House. Everyone had a wonderful time and I loved seeing her smiling and happy. She glowed. In addition, the night was an eye opener for me about my son. He'd grown up while I hadn't been looking. He made sure I was having a good time and even danced with me. I saw him sitting with the wedding party and friends, laughing and having a great time. Sometime in the future, I may just be enjoying another wedding.
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MS Kaye's previous release, Once, introduces readers to a unique church run by Father Thomas who seems to help with the perfect match, even if the two people can't understand it themselves. In Once and Again, we return to Father Thomas' church as he helps another couple find true love.
She was once his secret desire…will she be again?
Father Aiden, an ex-marine and new priest, falls in love with Maylynn, but he struggles to stay away from her. He’s successful for many years, though he can’t keep her out of his dreams.
Then one day she shows up for a pre-marital counselling session with her fiancé, Davis. Aiden soon realizes Davis isn’t who he says he is, but what does that mean for Maylynn, and for himself?
Excerpt:
Aiden faced the woman.
The beautiful woman.
He’d never seen beauty like hers.
He focused, tried to see past his attraction. It was a normal part of human nature. He’d suppressed it before—and had gotten to be quite good at it. He’d learned to see only people, not whether or not they were attractive.
“Very impressive,” the woman said.
Only a couple of seconds had passed. It felt like ten minutes.
He tried to look straight at her. She had sleek, black hair, but straighter than his, and her face was angular, precise, and yet feminine and delicate. Her eyes were almond-shaped, large and bright.
Finally, he made himself speak. “It was just a language barrier.” He made himself meet her eyes out of respect. He tried keeping his breathing under control, at least to hide the increase of it from her. He wasn’t used to having to hide from anyone.
She smiled. “I really appreciate your help. I only speak a little Spanish.”
“Sounds as though you have things under control quite well.” He realized his body was reacting in more ways than just his breathing. He hadn’t been hard in so long, hadn’t even thought about what it felt like. He wanted this woman—more than he’d ever wanted anyone.
Please, God, help me get through this.
He wished she would stop smiling. It wasn’t just the beauty of her smile, the perfect rosiness of her lips. It was how it shone through her eyes—honest, unmarred by doubt or conceit. And there was also strength, determination.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“Yes.” His voice was harder than he’d intended. He’d always had that tendency when he was uncomfortable.
Her smile finally started to fade. “Is there anything I can help you with? You don’t look hungry or in need of a place to sleep…”
“No.” Then he added, “I’m looking for—” He stopped.
“I’ll help if I can.”
He hesitated. “No, I don’t think you can. I’m sorry to bother you.” He turned to walk away, to escape. His physical excitement disturbed him—he didn’t trust himself to have any further interaction with this woman.
Father Aiden, an ex-marine and new priest, falls in love with Maylynn, but he struggles to stay away from her. He’s successful for many years, though he can’t keep her out of his dreams.
Then one day she shows up for a pre-marital counselling session with her fiancé, Davis. Aiden soon realizes Davis isn’t who he says he is, but what does that mean for Maylynn, and for himself?
Excerpt:
Aiden faced the woman.
The beautiful woman.
He’d never seen beauty like hers.
He focused, tried to see past his attraction. It was a normal part of human nature. He’d suppressed it before—and had gotten to be quite good at it. He’d learned to see only people, not whether or not they were attractive.
“Very impressive,” the woman said.
Only a couple of seconds had passed. It felt like ten minutes.
He tried to look straight at her. She had sleek, black hair, but straighter than his, and her face was angular, precise, and yet feminine and delicate. Her eyes were almond-shaped, large and bright.
Finally, he made himself speak. “It was just a language barrier.” He made himself meet her eyes out of respect. He tried keeping his breathing under control, at least to hide the increase of it from her. He wasn’t used to having to hide from anyone.
She smiled. “I really appreciate your help. I only speak a little Spanish.”
“Sounds as though you have things under control quite well.” He realized his body was reacting in more ways than just his breathing. He hadn’t been hard in so long, hadn’t even thought about what it felt like. He wanted this woman—more than he’d ever wanted anyone.
Please, God, help me get through this.
He wished she would stop smiling. It wasn’t just the beauty of her smile, the perfect rosiness of her lips. It was how it shone through her eyes—honest, unmarred by doubt or conceit. And there was also strength, determination.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“Yes.” His voice was harder than he’d intended. He’d always had that tendency when he was uncomfortable.
Her smile finally started to fade. “Is there anything I can help you with? You don’t look hungry or in need of a place to sleep…”
“No.” Then he added, “I’m looking for—” He stopped.
“I’ll help if I can.”
He hesitated. “No, I don’t think you can. I’m sorry to bother you.” He turned to walk away, to escape. His physical excitement disturbed him—he didn’t trust himself to have any further interaction with this woman.
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M.S. Kaye has several published books under her black belt. A transplant from Ohio, she resides with her husband Corey in Jacksonville, Florida, where she tries not to melt in the sun.
Find suspense and the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com.
To receive news on upcoming releases, sign up for email updates on her website.
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Google+ ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ TSU ~ Pinterest ~ LinkedIn
Find suspense and the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com.
To receive news on upcoming releases, sign up for email updates on her website.
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Google+ ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ TSU ~ Pinterest ~ LinkedIn
Meet the Pups
In Xavier & Vic’s home there are three living creatures who are referred to as ‘the pups’. While Xavier often calls Vic a ‘pup’ it’s always singular. The ‘pups’ are a pack albeit they do tend to bite the largest, but sweetest of the pack, so Sara has been keeping Ham away from the other two since they’ve gone feral.
And why have they gone feral? Well, first the Wolf man left and went to live with Royalty. They were most fond of the furry fellow. Then Tubs got shot and Sara stopped taking care of them. Instead, she now spends all her time trying and failing to make Tubs well. Last week Dr. Connors warned Sara he didn’t believe Tubs would make it, but she refuses to accept that her fabulous Tubs will die. He is the strongest man in the world, he cannot die. He can’t!
While Sara struggles to keep Tubs alive, Delia, who doesn’t like the pups, is given the task of carrying for them: Cannon, Xavier’s & Vic’s child, who is nearly two-years-old and should be trying to walk by now, only he stubbornly refuses to even try and Arroo, who has been fighting with Cannon for top pack dog since he was brought home. He evidently believes because he is actually a dog, he should lead the pack, but Cannon adamantly disagrees. While they love each other, neither is ready to cede control to the other.
And why have they gone feral? Well, first the Wolf man left and went to live with Royalty. They were most fond of the furry fellow. Then Tubs got shot and Sara stopped taking care of them. Instead, she now spends all her time trying and failing to make Tubs well. Last week Dr. Connors warned Sara he didn’t believe Tubs would make it, but she refuses to accept that her fabulous Tubs will die. He is the strongest man in the world, he cannot die. He can’t!
While Sara struggles to keep Tubs alive, Delia, who doesn’t like the pups, is given the task of carrying for them: Cannon, Xavier’s & Vic’s child, who is nearly two-years-old and should be trying to walk by now, only he stubbornly refuses to even try and Arroo, who has been fighting with Cannon for top pack dog since he was brought home. He evidently believes because he is actually a dog, he should lead the pack, but Cannon adamantly disagrees. While they love each other, neither is ready to cede control to the other.
And where is Vic? Well, she’s been avoiding Tubs over the guilt she feels when he took three bullets meant for her. But her butler parent puts his foot down in the excerpt below, forcing Vic to face her responsibilities…
Chaos abounds in Late Victorian England. Xavier goes off on a mission without Vic because her protector, Tubs, is not well enough to keep Vic from harm right now. In fact, Tubs is dying and the doctor doesn’t expect him to live for more than a week. Upon discovering Tubs’ dire situation, Vic sets about rescuing him instead.
Good thing too. To all appearances the two strongest crime lords of London have declared war on each other. Only the two attempts on Vic’s life tells her this is all a clever plot by a third party—worse yet, a female villainess.
To stop the crime lords from destroying one another, leaving their territories open to the Russian spy, she must bring Seth and Samson together, share what is really going on, and get them to agree to work against this third party. Not an easy task since Seth Sojourn thinks Vic is nothing but a foolish sop. Unfortunately, Xavier has gone missing, so it’s up to her to convince the angry crime lord that her plan is best. Otherwise, this villainess will kill everyone who gets in her way and bring England to its knees.
Good thing too. To all appearances the two strongest crime lords of London have declared war on each other. Only the two attempts on Vic’s life tells her this is all a clever plot by a third party—worse yet, a female villainess.
To stop the crime lords from destroying one another, leaving their territories open to the Russian spy, she must bring Seth and Samson together, share what is really going on, and get them to agree to work against this third party. Not an easy task since Seth Sojourn thinks Vic is nothing but a foolish sop. Unfortunately, Xavier has gone missing, so it’s up to her to convince the angry crime lord that her plan is best. Otherwise, this villainess will kill everyone who gets in her way and bring England to its knees.
“You agree with what Xavier did?” Vic yelled.
“No,” Gregory stated firmly. “But I understand why he did it.” He sighed heavily then sat down in a chair. “I wish he would have spoken to me first, for I fear his plan is doomed to fail.”
She nodded in agreement, but then worried Gregory’s reason for failure was not hers. “Why?” she asked.
“Because I do not believe Tubs will ever recover sufficiently to resume his duties.”
Vic felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. “No…he has to get better. Sara and Ham need him. I need him.”
Gregory’s brow furrowed. “Then let us hope I am wrong.”
“Why do you think he won’t recover?” she asked softly, hoping she could find fault in his reasoning.
“Since he came home, he has made no improvement. He simply lies in bed playing with his son. Sara has tried to get him to rise and walk to the bathroom, but instead he continues to use a bedpan, which given his size is not optimal. Nursing him as become a full time job for Sara and a part time job for Casey and Fagan. They have to lift him from his bed so Sara can clean the linens.”
Now she knew why Cannon and Arroo were being so difficult these days. “Sara is no longer caring for the pups?”
“No, she hasn’t the time. Caring for Tubs is a full time job. I have given Delia full responsibilities of the pups…”
Vic opened her mouth to complain, but Gregory never gave her a chance to voice it
“But that is not working to my satisfaction. The pup and Cannon require a firmer hand.” He sighed. “Yours.”
Her temper rose. Was she to be nothing more than a trainer to pups now? Had her value fallen with the loss of Tubs to nothing but an ordinary mother?
“At least until I can find someone capable of being a firm trainer for the dog and a proper nanny for Cannon.” He sighed heavily. “Unfortunately, Cannon’s propensity to bark and growl is making this a difficult hire.”
“I thought we had broken him of both habits?”
Gregory raised his right eyebrow. “He’s regressed, which you should know. Why haven’t you noticed?”
She grimaced. She had thought on several occasions that there seemed to be an echo to her own growling. She stood up from the bed. “This is all my fault. My guilt for Tubs taking my bullets is the source of both my pups’ bad behavior and Tubs’ lack of improvement. I will see both corrected at once.”
The relief in Gregory’s eyes shamed her. He rose and kissed her forehead. “Thank you. Fixing those you love is far more important than chasing after Xavier in the middle of the night.”
“His mission was vital to the safety of the country,” she chided.
“And your mission is vital to the wellbeing of your family. In my opinion, that is far more important. There are probably a hundred men who could do whatever Xavier is doing, but there is no one but you who can motivate Tubs to get out of his bed. Nor can anyone else teach your son to grow up into an admirable young man. Without you, Tubs will succumb to pneumonia and die within the year. Meanwhile Cannon will turn into a feral dog and suffer a fate worse than Richard the werewolf.”
She almost objected that Richard was not a werewolf, merely a man with unruly hair follicles, but silenced her tongue. His point remained valid. If Cannon persisted in behaving like a dog, he would suffer ill-treatment much like Richard had.
“No,” Gregory stated firmly. “But I understand why he did it.” He sighed heavily then sat down in a chair. “I wish he would have spoken to me first, for I fear his plan is doomed to fail.”
She nodded in agreement, but then worried Gregory’s reason for failure was not hers. “Why?” she asked.
“Because I do not believe Tubs will ever recover sufficiently to resume his duties.”
Vic felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. “No…he has to get better. Sara and Ham need him. I need him.”
Gregory’s brow furrowed. “Then let us hope I am wrong.”
“Why do you think he won’t recover?” she asked softly, hoping she could find fault in his reasoning.
“Since he came home, he has made no improvement. He simply lies in bed playing with his son. Sara has tried to get him to rise and walk to the bathroom, but instead he continues to use a bedpan, which given his size is not optimal. Nursing him as become a full time job for Sara and a part time job for Casey and Fagan. They have to lift him from his bed so Sara can clean the linens.”
Now she knew why Cannon and Arroo were being so difficult these days. “Sara is no longer caring for the pups?”
“No, she hasn’t the time. Caring for Tubs is a full time job. I have given Delia full responsibilities of the pups…”
Vic opened her mouth to complain, but Gregory never gave her a chance to voice it
“But that is not working to my satisfaction. The pup and Cannon require a firmer hand.” He sighed. “Yours.”
Her temper rose. Was she to be nothing more than a trainer to pups now? Had her value fallen with the loss of Tubs to nothing but an ordinary mother?
“At least until I can find someone capable of being a firm trainer for the dog and a proper nanny for Cannon.” He sighed heavily. “Unfortunately, Cannon’s propensity to bark and growl is making this a difficult hire.”
“I thought we had broken him of both habits?”
Gregory raised his right eyebrow. “He’s regressed, which you should know. Why haven’t you noticed?”
She grimaced. She had thought on several occasions that there seemed to be an echo to her own growling. She stood up from the bed. “This is all my fault. My guilt for Tubs taking my bullets is the source of both my pups’ bad behavior and Tubs’ lack of improvement. I will see both corrected at once.”
The relief in Gregory’s eyes shamed her. He rose and kissed her forehead. “Thank you. Fixing those you love is far more important than chasing after Xavier in the middle of the night.”
“His mission was vital to the safety of the country,” she chided.
“And your mission is vital to the wellbeing of your family. In my opinion, that is far more important. There are probably a hundred men who could do whatever Xavier is doing, but there is no one but you who can motivate Tubs to get out of his bed. Nor can anyone else teach your son to grow up into an admirable young man. Without you, Tubs will succumb to pneumonia and die within the year. Meanwhile Cannon will turn into a feral dog and suffer a fate worse than Richard the werewolf.”
She almost objected that Richard was not a werewolf, merely a man with unruly hair follicles, but silenced her tongue. His point remained valid. If Cannon persisted in behaving like a dog, he would suffer ill-treatment much like Richard had.
The CrimeLords’ War
Book 7
Free with Amazon Kindle Unlimited
Need to catch up?
Book 1
The Troublesome Apprentice
Book 2
The Missing Partner
Book 2.5
A Right to Love
Book 3
The Mesmerist
Book 4
Well Kept Secrets
Book 5
Pack of Trouble
Book 6
The Darkest Days
All Xavier & Vic books are Free with Amazon Unlimited
Liza O’Connor was raised badly by feral cats, left the South/Midwest and wandered off to find nicer people on the east coast. There she worked for the meanest man on Wall Street, while her psychotic husband tried to kill her three times. (So much for finding nicer people.) Then one day she declared enough, got a better job, divorced her husband, and fell in love with her new life where people behaved nicely. But all those bad behaviors has given her lots of fodder for her humorous books. Please buy these books, because otherwise, she’ll become grumpy and write troubled novels instead. They will likely traumatize you.
You have been warned.
Mostly humorous books by Liza:
Ghost Lover--Two British brothers fall in love with the same young woman. Ancestral ghost is called in to fix the situation. And there’s a ghost cat that roams about the book as well. (Humorous Contemporary Romance)
Saving Casey— Cass wakes up in the body of a troubled teen who has burned every bridge imaginable. Her only choice is to turn this life around, but that’s much harder than she ever imagined.
Untamed & Unabashed--The youngest of the Bennet sisters, Lydia, tells her story. A faithful spinoff from Pride & Prejudice.
A Long Road to Love Series: (Humorous Contemporary odd Romance)
Worst Week Ever — Laugh out loud week of disasters of Epic proportions.
Oh Stupid Heart — The heart wants what it wants, even if it’s impossible.
Coming to Reason — There is a breaking point when even a saint comes to reason.
Climbing out of Hell — The reconstruction of a terrible man into a great one.
The Hardest Love — Is to love oneself. Sam’s story.
The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Sleuth series: (Late Victorian/Mystery/Romance)
The Troublesome Apprentice — The greatest sleuth in Victorian England hires a young man who turns out to be a young woman.
The Missing Partner — Opps! The greatest sleuth in Victorian England goes missing, leaving Vic to rescue him, a suffragette, and about 100 servants. Not to mention an eviscerating cat. Yes, let’s not mention the cat.
A Right to Love — A romantic detour for Jacko. Want to see how amply rewarded Jacko was when he & Vic save an old woman from Bedlam?
The Mesmerist — The Mesmerist can control people from afar and make them murder for her. Worse yet, Xavier Thorn has fallen under her spell.
Well Kept Secrets — The problems with secrets is that they always come to light, no matter how you wish to silence them.
Pack of Trouble — Changes are a part of life, but these changes almost kill Vic.
The Darkest Days — Muddled cases make Vic very grumpy.
The CrimeLords’ War — Vic is almost killed twice as she tries to prevent a CrimeLords’ War and stop a female Russian spy from killing Xavier.
You have been warned.
Mostly humorous books by Liza:
Ghost Lover--Two British brothers fall in love with the same young woman. Ancestral ghost is called in to fix the situation. And there’s a ghost cat that roams about the book as well. (Humorous Contemporary Romance)
Saving Casey— Cass wakes up in the body of a troubled teen who has burned every bridge imaginable. Her only choice is to turn this life around, but that’s much harder than she ever imagined.
Untamed & Unabashed--The youngest of the Bennet sisters, Lydia, tells her story. A faithful spinoff from Pride & Prejudice.
A Long Road to Love Series: (Humorous Contemporary odd Romance)
Worst Week Ever — Laugh out loud week of disasters of Epic proportions.
Oh Stupid Heart — The heart wants what it wants, even if it’s impossible.
Coming to Reason — There is a breaking point when even a saint comes to reason.
Climbing out of Hell — The reconstruction of a terrible man into a great one.
The Hardest Love — Is to love oneself. Sam’s story.
The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Sleuth series: (Late Victorian/Mystery/Romance)
The Troublesome Apprentice — The greatest sleuth in Victorian England hires a young man who turns out to be a young woman.
The Missing Partner — Opps! The greatest sleuth in Victorian England goes missing, leaving Vic to rescue him, a suffragette, and about 100 servants. Not to mention an eviscerating cat. Yes, let’s not mention the cat.
A Right to Love — A romantic detour for Jacko. Want to see how amply rewarded Jacko was when he & Vic save an old woman from Bedlam?
The Mesmerist — The Mesmerist can control people from afar and make them murder for her. Worse yet, Xavier Thorn has fallen under her spell.
Well Kept Secrets — The problems with secrets is that they always come to light, no matter how you wish to silence them.
Pack of Trouble — Changes are a part of life, but these changes almost kill Vic.
The Darkest Days — Muddled cases make Vic very grumpy.
The CrimeLords’ War — Vic is almost killed twice as she tries to prevent a CrimeLords’ War and stop a female Russian spy from killing Xavier.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
LIZA O'CONNOR
Investigate these sites:
Liza's Blog and Website Facebook Twitter
Guilt.. it will eat you up inside. It will send your life down the toilet. Luckily, Vic realizes where her family is going before they end up in the commode. She was letting the world fly by her, not seeing the pain everyone was in. But when she wises up... she sets out to save Tubs, reform the Pups and find Xavier who is missing once again.
Ms. O'Connor once again returns to England where crime is rampant. Vic has more freedom as a man but sometimes uses her feminine skills to nab crooks or in the case, the heart of a Crimelord. I enjoyed how Vic stands up for herself and the family dynamics she's created.
Unfortunately for me, I couldn't put the book down which left me reading into the early morning hours in an effort to find out what happens next. And I'm not going to spoil it... but the ending packs a punch! Grab your copy and block out some time for yourself! (even if you haven't read all the books in the series, like me, you will still love this book!)
Ms. O'Connor once again returns to England where crime is rampant. Vic has more freedom as a man but sometimes uses her feminine skills to nab crooks or in the case, the heart of a Crimelord. I enjoyed how Vic stands up for herself and the family dynamics she's created.
Unfortunately for me, I couldn't put the book down which left me reading into the early morning hours in an effort to find out what happens next. And I'm not going to spoil it... but the ending packs a punch! Grab your copy and block out some time for yourself! (even if you haven't read all the books in the series, like me, you will still love this book!)
I'm celebrating the upcoming release of Passionate Pursuit, book 3 in my Dangerous Desires series with a contest. Read on for more details.
Passionate Pursuit, book 3 Dangerous Desires series.
Warrior knights and the women they simply can't tame.
Available for preorder - ready to read August 2.
Blurb:
Is their passion strong enough to break her chains?
AndalucÃa Spain, 1489: Innocent Beatriz is desperate to escape the threat of a miserable marriage to a cruel Marquis. Forced into the betrothal by her ruthless merchant papá, her only hope is to conceal her identity and become a servant in a nearby castle—a life drastically different from her comfortable upbringing.
Tomás doesn’t know what to make of his well-spoken new servant girl. Her beauty and charm captivates the military hero; her mysterious nature intrigues him. And the desire she ignites burns brighter with each glance, as does his longing to claim her for his own.
Beatriz can’t resist Tomás’ passion nor deny the heat of her own. But neither the lush countryside nor the walls of the opulent Moorish castle can entirely protect her—and if he were to discover her secret, she could be torn away from him forever. Yet how can she sustain his love if she’s living a lie?
A gentle breeze carried laughter and converse from the señoritas who surrounded Tomás, each vying for his attention. The one in dark green silk with a matching caul danced around trying to get closer to him. The one in red with a white flower in her hair elbowed past another girl. Those in gold and bright yellow were even less demure, pushing into each other, speaking loudly, far removed from how a lowly servant had to act.
Especially to please Nuncio.
How dare he make her solely responsible for a man’s carnal moves? Beatriz had no control over anyone’s passion except her own. Thus far, she’d failed miserably at quelling her desires.
Despite what Nuncio had said, she still ached to feel Tomás’s heat and strength, to have him imprison and possess her. No threat in the world would change her longing. However, she wasn’t foolish enough to act on her attraction. Poor man already had enough trouble.
His broad shoulders were slumped, mouth turned down. She wanted to make him smile. To have him stand as the noble lord he was, magnificent in his dark blue robe and doublet, his hose snug to his sinewy thighs and calves.
Several young women spoke to him at once. A señorita in a bright yellow gown touched his upper arm. The girl next to her, clad in vivid orange silk, touched his jaw.
Jealousy heated Beatriz’s face and throat.
Tomás drew back until the young woman groped air, not him. He faced the window, his gaze touching Beatriz, his dark brown eyes flooding with warmth, bronze complexion deepening.
Weak with desire, she leaned against the sill for support.
The señoritas gestured to him, talking endlessly, their words too garbled to understand.
Whatever they said, Tomás ignored them. He studied Beatriz’s eyes, then her lips and lingered there. She was smiling without realizing it. He answered with a broad grin and stepped closer.
AndalucÃa Spain, 1489: Innocent Beatriz is desperate to escape the threat of a miserable marriage to a cruel Marquis. Forced into the betrothal by her ruthless merchant papá, her only hope is to conceal her identity and become a servant in a nearby castle—a life drastically different from her comfortable upbringing.
Tomás doesn’t know what to make of his well-spoken new servant girl. Her beauty and charm captivates the military hero; her mysterious nature intrigues him. And the desire she ignites burns brighter with each glance, as does his longing to claim her for his own.
Beatriz can’t resist Tomás’ passion nor deny the heat of her own. But neither the lush countryside nor the walls of the opulent Moorish castle can entirely protect her—and if he were to discover her secret, she could be torn away from him forever. Yet how can she sustain his love if she’s living a lie?
Excerpt:
A gentle breeze carried laughter and converse from the señoritas who surrounded Tomás, each vying for his attention. The one in dark green silk with a matching caul danced around trying to get closer to him. The one in red with a white flower in her hair elbowed past another girl. Those in gold and bright yellow were even less demure, pushing into each other, speaking loudly, far removed from how a lowly servant had to act.
Especially to please Nuncio.
How dare he make her solely responsible for a man’s carnal moves? Beatriz had no control over anyone’s passion except her own. Thus far, she’d failed miserably at quelling her desires.
Despite what Nuncio had said, she still ached to feel Tomás’s heat and strength, to have him imprison and possess her. No threat in the world would change her longing. However, she wasn’t foolish enough to act on her attraction. Poor man already had enough trouble.
His broad shoulders were slumped, mouth turned down. She wanted to make him smile. To have him stand as the noble lord he was, magnificent in his dark blue robe and doublet, his hose snug to his sinewy thighs and calves.
Several young women spoke to him at once. A señorita in a bright yellow gown touched his upper arm. The girl next to her, clad in vivid orange silk, touched his jaw.
Jealousy heated Beatriz’s face and throat.
Tomás drew back until the young woman groped air, not him. He faced the window, his gaze touching Beatriz, his dark brown eyes flooding with warmth, bronze complexion deepening.
Weak with desire, she leaned against the sill for support.
The señoritas gestured to him, talking endlessly, their words too garbled to understand.
Whatever they said, Tomás ignored them. He studied Beatriz’s eyes, then her lips and lingered there. She was smiling without realizing it. He answered with a broad grin and stepped closer.
*** CONTEST *** CONTEST *** CONTEST ***
Win Loving Lies and Wicked Whispers - books 1 and 2 in Dangerous Desires - plus winner gets choice of my backlist ebooks - 25 choices to choose from - full length, bestselling, award winning in contemporary, suspense, paranormal, and menage.
About Tina:
Tina is an Amazon and international bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic novels (Freeing the Beast, Come and Get Your Love, and Wicked Takeover) were Readers' Choice Award winners. Another three (Adored, Lush Velvet Nights, and Deep, Dark, Delicious) were named finalists in the EPIC competition. Sensual Stranger, her erotic contemporary romance, was chosen Book of the Year at the French review site Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for her erotic romance Lush Velvet Nights. Two of her titles (The Yearning and Deep, Dark, Delicious) received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition. Take Me Away and Adored both won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina is featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.
FB Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/DonahueTina1/
Email: tinadonahuebooks@gmail.com
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