Thank you, Melissa Keir, for hosting me today in celebration of the release of my contemporary romance/women’s fiction, THE PHOENIX SYNDROME.

I was destined to write this book, since my day job is in scientific research. In reality, I have little interaction with the lab mice, but it was easy for me to get the information I needed from my colleagues. And the premise? Well, I have a little secret: even though I’m in my late fifties, I’m a closet heavy metal fan. I still go to live concerts in Manhattan with my brother. On one such occasion not so long ago, my brother was teasing me after the concert about running off with one of the roadies. I replied, “Hell no. If I run off it will be with the yummy drummer.”

Therein lies the seed that grew into The Phoenix Syndrome. The manuscript won first place honors in 2014 in FCRWAs The Beacon Contest in the Women’s Fiction division.
​
BLURB:
After she’s bitten by a laboratory mouse, a research technician goes a little crazy, taking off to chase her latest crush: a rock band drummer.

~~~
Turning forty, for lab technician Lannie Marvin, is rough. It’s the day she discovers her husband is leaving her for a younger “soulmate.” At work, a crazed mouse brutally bites her. Then Lannie goes a little crazy, too.

Seems she’s recently developed a serious crush on the drummer of her son’s favorite heavy metal band. Waking up to her husband’s empty closet, her finger still throbbing from the mouse bite, Lannie snaps. Under the ruse of a shopping trip, Lannie kidnaps her sister-in-law/best friend and heads toward Bethel, New York – the site of the original Woodstock concert.

Just so happens Dreamwish is playing a concert there, and Lannie managed to procure the pair of tickets her son won but couldn’t use.

Tristan Allard, the band’s drummer, holds this breast cancer benefit every year in memory of his late wife. The musician is beginning to doubt his ability to write the band’s music without his wife’s inspiration – she was also his muse. Plus, he’s damn lonely. So when a sexually charged, extremely attractive, slightly older woman literally plows into him at the backstage reception, Tristan is ready to learn more about her – and her long-buried interest in musical composition.

The two head off for a wild ride of a weekend, but reality boomerangs way too soon. Tristan is headed back to the UK to audition his next album’s scores. And for Lannie, an elevated libido isn’t the only side-effect of that experimental drug.
​
Lannie soon discovers the treated mice have gone deaf.
~~~
Trailer
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Bio: Claire Gem writes intensely emotional romantic novels in the genres of contemporary & paranormal romance, and also women’s fiction. A native New Yorker, Claire has lived in five states and test-driven a number of career options, from a (very bad) waitress to a (slightly better) hairdresser to a (pretty good) bridal designer. She finally turned to her keyboard to express her creativity.

Her first 2016 release, Hearts Unloched, was named a winner in the New York Book Festival. She has begun a series, the Love at Lake George Novels--A Taming Season came out in June of 2016. Her first women’s fiction/contemporary, The Phoenix Syndrome, is set to release on September 29th.
​
You can find out more about Claire at her Website or Amazon author page. Also, follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
 

I have vivid dreams. When I wake up in the morning, I sometimes have a hard time letting go of the dream and remembering it wasn't real. My dreams can be so wonderful or a strange adventure. I never know what is going to happen nor can I predict what I'll dream about. I can't change my dreams no matter how much I want to go back to bed and snuggle up with the dream which just ended, I can't capture it again.

In Falling Awake, our heroine, Pria, has always thought herself normal... but she finds out something surprising....

Sixteen year old Pria Jensen thinks that she's living a normal and happy teenage life. That is, until she meets Caleb and discovers that her life hasn't happened yet.

When Pria finds herself at the center of an age old battle of myth and extreme power, she must put all her faith into the very person who seems to have the fewest answers- herself.
As Pria learns more about Caleb and where he really came from, she quickly learns to accept that reality is not what she thought it was.

And when Caleb vows to help keep Pria alive, she has no choice but to ignore the whispers of her heart and trust Caleb no matter what. Even if he has secrets of his own…

Book one in the Falling Awake Series

Pre order your copy today!!
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I was a huge Buffy fan, still am. I loved how she was able to stand up and fight in a world where things weren't what they seemed. She would get down on herself and doubt her mission but eventually, she kicked some behind. If you are a fan of strong female characters, you're going to love Reclamation.....

One woman, one man, one Legacy, one chance to save them all.

Something malevolent stalks the world spreading chaos and discord, targeting those individuals who are destined to provide a great service to humanity. Most are not aware of their sinister plots, but one is.

To the casual observer, Scarlet is only a bicycle courier, however, she is so much more. When the shadows lengthen and evil walks, she is judge and jury, exacting justice. Perhaps some may call it an honor but she calls it a curse because she can't have a family or friends and can't relinquish it until the day she dies. With no help, she muddles through best she can, hoping to make a difference at the price of her own happiness.

Gage Williams, Senior Detective, is searching for a mysterious vigilante who leaves behind a sea of destruction and a grateful public. When all the evidence points to Scarlet, he has to weigh it against his own heart. Is it possible the woman that has captured his attention is the one they are searching for?
 
When the Legacy calls, Scarlet must answer.
Even if it costs her everything.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and raised in Houlka, a small rural town forty-five minutes southwest down the famous Natchez Trace. She found a love of reading very early and quickly devoured everything she could. In the fourth grade she discovered a multitude of worlds when she received her first library card. Told repeatedly that she had a wonderful imagination, she turned to scribbling her musings and wrote her first novel while in college. It was never published and has since vanished. The death of a close friend who aspired to become an author reawaked her own desire resulting in penning her first book, Shattered Dreams, published in 2013. It was quickly followed by two sequels with a forth final book in the works.

Melissa now resides in Meridian, Mississippi with her supportive family – husband, Robert and daughter Rebecca, two cats, and a precocious Chihuahua. When she isn't writing, she spends way too much time communicating with her online friends and feeding her ravenous appetite for the written word.
​
Website: https://melissakayclarke.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Melissakayclarke/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelissaKayClark
Blog: https://melissakayclarke.wordpress.com/

http://www.bookstrand.com/book/an-artists-kiss
http://www.amazon.com/author/suzyshearer
 
When artist Gabriel Milford, 47 wanted a plus-sized mature model he never expected to find the love of his life. Now he just needs to convince Isabella Coburn, 50 that they were meant to be together.

But Isabella has a terrible secret, a secret dark desire that she’s spent her life trying to ignore.
 
BLURB
Isabella Coburn, 50 left the nude modelling world years ago but Gabriel Milford, 47, needs a rubinesque older woman to pose for him. He's determined Issie will pose for him but she's equally determined not to.

Determined to win her over Gabriel does it the wrong way - he attempts blackmail then by forces his attentions on her. It’s only when she tries to sneak into his property that she finally agrees.

Isabella has had a secret since she was 19. One that she's only shared with one other person who treated her like she had the plague when she confessed it. Since then she considers herself perverted, sick, swearing off any involvement.

Now she’s running scared - she’s met the one man who makes her dark desires clamour to be free - desires that Gabriel would be only too willing to satisfy.

Can Gabriel convince her that she isn’t perverted? Will she finally accept who she is or will she continue to shun happiness the way she has for the past twenty years?

[Siren Sensations: Erotic Consensual BDSM Romance, HEA]
A Siren Erotic Romance
 

STORY EXCERPT:  
Grimacing, Gabriel looked at the brush in his very paint-stained hands then angrily turned back to glare ferociously at Ian.
“What do you mean, you haven’t been able to get a model? There’s got to be thousands of women out there who pose,” he growled.
“True, but you said you wanted an older woman and most women models that age are just not plus-sized.”
Furiously Gabriel snarled loudly, “Well, find one!”
“Calm down, Gabriel. I’ve contacted Erica Jones’ agency. We’ve used her agency before although I’ve never actually met her. She’s got plus-sized models on her books but I think they’re in their twenties and thirties. Still, she said she might have or might know someone.”
“I don’t want someone young, Ian,” Gabriel snapped, sick of telling Ian the same thing over and over. “I told you I want someone in their forties or even older. I don’t care if she’s in her late sixties or seventies. I want a woman with character, a woman who’s lived.”
“Okay, okay. I get the picture!”
Gabriel threw down the paintbrush and, stomping angrily across to his easel, he tried to look critically at the painting as he fumed on Ian’s unsuccessful search. Surely it shouldn’t be this hard to find one damn model! Ignoring Ian for the moment, he turned his attention back to the huge canvas in front of him.
A foreshortened figure of a gaunt naked man, lying on his back with his head toward the viewer, filled the painting. Even though the strokes were broad and heavy there was still a slight softness about the work that created a sympathetic feel. The haunted face appeared as if the man were in pain. Maybe from being stretched out or maybe he was ill or tortured. Whatever the reason, it drew the viewer immediately and they felt the same hurt, the same agony. It was an uncomfortable piece but it certainly demanded attention.
There wasn’t much work left to do on it and he really wanted to get started on the female nude. He took a deep breath, inhaling the aromas of paint, linseed oil, and turpentine.
Without turning, Gabriel said gruffly, “Just find someone, Ian.”
“I will. For goodness’ sake, Gabe, relax,” Ian snapped a retort.
Surprised at the exasperated tone in Ian’s voice, Gabriel turned back and really looked at the man who was both friend and agent. Gabriel saw with surprise that Ian looked very upset but was still trying to calm Gabriel down. Ruefully he realised at once Ian would be doing everything he could to satisfy Gabriel’s request.
They’d been friends for so long, ever since Gabriel started making his name in the art world. It was then he’d realised he’d need an agent and found Ian’s agency. Ian worked with the three “As”—artists, actors, and authors. Gabriel knew how hard Ian worked to satisfy his clients. Now Gabriel felt awful for yelling and complaining.
“I’m sorry. It’s just I get caught up and…”
Ian sighed loudly.
“I know, Gabriel. Believe it or not, I do understand. Let’s face it, I’ve seen you working for years so I know a little of what goes on inside that thick head of yours.” He smiled to take the sting out of his words. “Just when were you planning on starting the nude?”
Gabriel looked back at the vast painting.
“This…” He pointed to the canvas. “It’s really finished. I just want to touch up a few areas so maybe next week. The client wants this ready in three weeks so I’m ahead of time. Anyway, I want to get plenty of sketches down on the female nude so I can decide exactly on the pose and size. Until I have a model, I really don’t know the pose.”
He hoped Ian could understand the frustration he felt. His mind was filled with dozens of ideas but until he had an actual woman in front of him he wouldn’t be able to decide. The pose would really depend on the woman, how the play of light and shadows affected her body, even the woman’s personality would play into his ideas.
“I’m meeting Erica Saturday night, a party with a few million people, anyway hopefully she tells me she’s found someone.”
“Thanks, Ian.”
“If she doesn’t have a model then there’s a good chance she’ll know an agency that might be able to help. Don’t worry, Gabe, I’ll find her for you.”
“Sorry I got angry. I know you’re doing your best.”
Gabriel reached out a hand to Ian as a peace offering.
© Suzy Shearer 2016

​An Artist’s Kiss is book 4 in the Dark Desires series.
 
This series is about the secret cravings we have, the things that go on behind closed doors. Those dark desires we harbour and crave but sometimes afraid to ask for.
 
Each book in the series is a stand-alone so the books can be read in any order.
 

​About the Author:

Best-selling and Award winning author Suzy Shearer writes contemporary and paranormal erotic romances filled with mature and interesting characters. Her books have consistently reached her publisher's Best Seller list with several reaching # 1.  Her book Build A Love was runner-up in the Ménage category in the Easy Chair Bookshop's Fiction competition 2015 and A Hunter's Heart was runner-up in the Series Category.

Single, Suzy lives in the Western Suburbs of Sydney Australia with one very spoilt dog and two equally spoilt cats keeping her company.

She is a Buddhist, an Author, an Artist, a computer nerd and a voracious reader. Suzy has a penchant for crazy coloured hair - pinks, purples blues even rainbowed.... it changes every month - oh yes, also a penchant for tattoos!

Her books always feature older heroes and heroines; ranging from mid-40s to 60s. The heroines are usually confident plus-sized women who are proud of their curves. Suzy feels it's important for readers to connect. 

When she discovered many romance books seemed to cater for younger readers with their heroines and heroes in the 20s she decided to write about characters who were older but maybe not always wiser.  As she is in her 60s Suzy feels she can relate to her characters desires, fears and hopes and hopes her readers can as well.

Suzy also wants her readers to understand just because people are older doesn't mean they aren't intriguing, desirable, open to challenges and willing to experiment. Sexy isn't just for the under 30s.
​
When Suzy is not writing, she is usually painting - an accomplished watercolour Artist her subjects range from portraits and animals to nudes and landscapes. Check out her artwork at: http://sooziiiart.blogspot.com/

Fans of MO Kenyan are saying....
     This will become one of my favorite stories. I loved the chemistry between these two. (Amazon review)
         This was emotional read. The characters we're believable. (Amazon Reviews)

Her New Yorker series now has another fabulous story.... check it out....

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?

Excerpt:
Catalella sat up, all desire fleeing her body and rigid shock claiming her. What was she going to say now? She got off the table and turned to look at him. Lie. That was her first thought. But what was going to happen after the lie? She needed to find out a lot of things from him, like his family medical history and if there were things that she should look out for.

“I wasn’t supposed to, but I am.” She labored, trying to find the perfect words, and then spoke in a rush. “It’s a miracle or a fluke. Before you came into my life I had accepted the fact that I was never going to be a mother. Then you came and we had sex, then you left me, leaving me with a note and…and a baby.”

“No!” His voice cracked with rage as a look of horror filled his eyes. “You said it was fine, that you couldn’t get pregnant.”

Catalella didn’t understand why he was so angry. She hadn’t asked anything from him.

“Is that why you put that clause in the contract? You wanted to trap me?” he accused.

“I don’t need your money,” Catalella responded with the same vehemence in her voice. “You aren’t the only one with a rich daddy.”

She regretted it the second she said it. She watched as his face twisted in pain, but then a shadow crossed his features and his expression immediately closed. Everyone knew that Ethan McCrery, Senior, had died of a heart attack some years back. She also knew, through the gossip columns, that Ethan didn’t get to say goodbye. He’d barely made it to the funeral.

“I’m sorry I said that. But I’m not going to feel bad about my baby. You can be angry for the rest of your life if you want to, but I’m happy for myself.”

“Are you going to keep it?” His voice struggled to sound out the words.

“I’m not going to have an abortion, and I hate you for even thinking I would.” Stepping closer, she said in a dark, urgent voice, “This is my baby—you don’t have to have any part of this pregnancy if you don’t want to. But I will not feel sorry that I am pregnant. That I finally have what I want. You wanted me to survive—well, this baby is the reason that I will.”

“I’m sorry.” His voice softened as he sank to the floor.

Catalella went to him, trying not to feel sorry for the picture of a broken boy in front of her. “If you want, I can prepare some papers and you can sign over your parental rights. You don’t need to be part of this. This is my only chance. My one and only chance to be a mother. I can’t give it up.”
​
“You’re happy?” he asked and she nodded. “Well, then I am happy for you.”

​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
 

When I write, I base my writing on things that are important to me, I enjoy writing about families, small town life, love...

When I asked MS Kaye about what motivated her to write her Taken series, she shared with me a poem which struck a chord in her. Here's the poem....

Long-felt desires, hopes as long as vain--
sad sighs--slow tears accustomed to run sad
into as many rivers as two eyes could add,
pouring like fountains, endless as the rain--
cruelty beyond humanity, a pain
so hard it makes compassionate stars go mad
with pity: these are the first passions I've had.
Do you think love could root in my soul again?
If it arched the great bow back again at me,
licked me again with fire, and stabbed me deep
with the violent worst, as awful as before,
the wounds that cut me everwhere would keep
me shielded, so there would be no place free
for love. It covers me. It can pierce no more.
Louise Labe

Here's what she said...A poem written by a woman born in the early 1500's inspired the name of book one, and the second half of the poem inspired the plot of book 2. I love how poetry and prose last forever and continue to influence the world. I hope my stories last forever like this poem.

Here's the second book in the Taken Series- Echo in the Mist...

Can Adriane handle Stein’s connection to her past and the truth of his motivations?

As Alec and Adriane investigate the reason his father’s old organized crime competitor returned to the city, Adriane eventually realizes Alec is hiding something from her. Will his continued secrecy threaten their relationship? Will the truth of Stein’s motivations rip Adriane away from Alec?
 
Excerpt:
Alec rested his hands on either side of my face. “I’m so sorry.” He brushed his thumb across my cheek. “I’ll make sure you’re always safe, I promise.”

I nodded.

He looked at me more closely, and his voice was quiet. “You’re angry.”

​I rested my hand on his. “Not at you.” I took a breath. “I’ve never felt like that. I wanted to really hurt him. If I could’ve, I would have…”

“You wanted to kill him.”

My expression strained. He pulled me closer and rested a quiet hand on my hair.

“Better than anyone,” he said, “I understand how you feel. I know how it claws through your chest. But I also know you.” He whispered against my cheek. “You would never go too far.”

I clung more tightly to him. I’d never felt hatred like that before. I just hoped he was right, that I was the person he thought I was.

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
 
Other books by M.s. Kaye
 
Romantic Suspense:
Fight Princess
Kindling the Past
Endless as the Rain, book one of the Taken series
Overcast, prequel to the Taken series
Echo Through the Mist, book two of the Taken series
 
***
Young Adult:
Strong as Death, book one of the Born from Death series
Awaken from Death, book two of the Born from Death series
Clouded
 
***
Contemporary Romance:
Once, book one of the Once series
Once & Again, book two of the Once series
Once & Forever , book three of the Once series
 

Do all children learn from their parents? What happens when a parent is a crime figure? This is the conflict which shapes our young hero in Overcast, a prequel to the Taken Series. Let's see how it all began....

​Alec Kaden is the son of organized crime. But that’s not what causes him to be cold, and anger to crawl up his spine. He trusts his father’s judgment—his mother’s death in childbirth was his fault. Only one person can calm the monster inside him, but he will not allow her to know him, to see through him and find the darkness lurking behind his detachment. Will he forever remain her invisible protector?

Pre-order today!
Amazon
Kobo

For Adriane Graham, the real question comes down to this: “Am I Alec Kaden’s guest…Or his prisoner?”

If she’s a guest in the Kaden mansion, then it means Alec has freed himself from his family ties to organized crime. It means he’s telling the truth when he says he’s protecting Adriane from dangerous men and they can shake off the shackles of haunted pasts.

…But…

If Adriane Graham is Alec Kaden’s prisoner, it means his tenderness is simply a ruse to keep her under control; his kindness is just poisoned hypocrisy. It means Alec is a cruel liar, and that somehow, by some desperate way, she’s got to get out of this charming man’s well-guarded house before it’s too late.

Is she Alec’s treasured guest? Or merely a pretty bird, trapped in his gilded cage? The troubling questions pour like fountains…flowing…
​
Endless as the Rain.

Amazon               Itunes                B&N  

New books are like unwrapping presents. The wrapping or the cover draw you in. You can't wait to search through the pages, falling in love with the characters, reading their words and living out their lives. But like a present, the outer cover is as much a part of the present. You hesitate to open it. The anticipation builds...what does the cover say to you? Are you mesmerized by the colors, the people, the tagline??

I won't keep you any longer....Starr Fall- Book One in the Starr Fall Series.....

On the run from the Organization, Starr never planned on falling in love.

Starr Bishop’s the complete package. A perfect smile, brains to match, and a winning attitude. Boys want to date her and girls want to be her. She’s the type of girl you want to hate, if only she wasn’t so damn likable. But don’t worry, she’s not interested in your boyfriend. Boys are one complication she can live without.

When the Organization decides she’s not only the model student but the ideal assassin, Starr’ll need a lot more than high test scores and extracurricular involvement to get herself out of that commitment.

Dark, moody, and dead sexy Christian Evergood is the last person she’d expect—or even want— to come to her rescue. From opposite ends of Webster High’s social hierarchy, their lives collide in one electrifying moment. Christian isn’t the Goth loner he pretends to be, he’s a part Cherokee, All-American boy who wants to be a hero, Starr’s hero. Christian makes Starr forget that the Organization is after her, but nothing will stop the Organization from collecting their top recruit.
​
By the way, the spot for junior class president just became available.

I love how the characters are entwined together. Starr doesn't look like an assassin but danger and death don't always appear frightening. And this young man must be Christian...can they both survive the Organization coming for them?

About the Author

Kim once smashed into a tree while skiing. The accident led to a concussion, a cracked sternum, temporary notoriety as a sixth grader returned from the dead, and the realization that fictionalized accounts are way more interesting than just slipping on the ice.

An unhealthy obsession with conspiracy theories combined with a love of travel and happily ever afters led Kim to write her YA novel, Starr Fall, where a secret organization decides Starr Bishop would make the ideal assassin. While in hiding, Starr meets dark, moody, and dead sexy Christian Evergood. Cue the swoon worthy music. But it’s not all happily ever afters for Kim, her NA novel, And Then He, explores the dark and scary corners of the human psyche. Following a night of innocent flirting with a handsome stranger, Tiffani finds herself in the midst of a nightmare she can’t escape. And Then He is available now through Amazon and other major book retailers. Starr Fall will debut November 2016 with Inkspell Publishing.

When she’s not doing something writerly, Kim can be found jumping into snow drifts with her three kids, husband, and dog. She’s careful to avoid trees.
​
Visit her website and sign up for updates: www.KimBriggsWrite.com
Chat with her on Twitter: @kimbriggswrite
She shares writing love with her INK Sister Alison Green Myers at INK Sisters Write http://INKSistersWrite.Blogspot.com
 

​E-book Sale:
During the month of September, Princess of the Light is on sale for the super-low price of $.99 USD. 100% of the proceeds during this time will go directly to our local food bank to help feed children and families in need. This is the first time Princess of the Light has ever been this low and who knows when it will be this low again.

​Mary's the Princess of the Light but her only hope is to make a pact with her enemy.
 
Blurb:
Mary Miller receives a startling visitation from Gabriel, the Messenger of God. The Archangel reveals an astounding truth--Mary is the Princess of the Light and even more amazing, her destiny is to battle Lucifer's army of demons and restore the balance of good and evil on Earth. It's getting harder to fulfill her new role and keep her identity secret while juggling her personal life, and when Than, Lucifer's second in command, amps up the attacks on her, she knows she needs help.
 
Joe Deacons is everything she's ever wanted in a man. And as providence would have it, in a moment of great need, he's the Warrior of Light--the one who can help her defeat the forces of darkness.
 
Not so simple when they confront Lisbeth, a demon hell-bent on usurping Than and Lucifer himself.  When Lisbeth wages war and several innocent people die, Mary must form an alliance with her enemy in order to destroy her.  But will this be a grave error or the choice that saves their world?
 
Book Cover Graphic Artist Credit:
Illustration : streamy digital
Model : VictoriaAndrea
Photo : shutterstock/depositphoto

Excerpt 
"Can I help you with something, sir?" The woman's voice quivered slightly and she leaned a little, as if she suddenly needed the wall for support.

Whoa, I couldn't help but think. I frankly felt like a moth to the flame. All I wanted to do was have a reason to get closer to her. The fact that her eyes seemed to shine with an actual light didn't help matters. I had never felt such an automatic attraction before, and I wanted to lean closer and see what was going on with her eyes.

She was either looking at me like I was the only man in the world—and quite possibly the sexiest one—or else my open gawking had freaked her out. Either way, I couldn't have told her which it was, because my mouth felt like a cotton ball container.

"Yes," I managed to rasp to her. "Where is your Architecture section?"

"Are you looking for anything in particular?" Yes. You, I wanted to say. "I could look to see if it is in stock." Oh. Are there more of you somewhere?
​
The sound of her voice was starting to make my heart pound.

She had an earthly beauty about her. There was nothing extraordinary in her features, yet something about her just seemed to glow.

I felt my breath quicken. Joe, what's the matter with you? Get a grip. You've seen girls before.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts without worrying what I looked like and said, "Please forgive my manners, but what is your name?"

"Mary." That just became my favorite name.

"I'm very pleased to meet you," I said as I extended my hand to her. "I'm Joseph. Please call me Joe."

She hesitated for a moment before she shook my hand. Electricity bolted up my arm that I wasn't prepared for. I wondered if she could hear my heart beating. Pretty sure these emotions weren't winning me any bro-code points.

Her face was flushed and her eyes brightened with interest. Let go of her hand, Joe, I tried to coach myself. If I didn't let go of it soon, I might never be able to.

So I quickly let go of her hand but immediately regretted it. The whole room suddenly seemed cold and empty.

She probably thinks you're some kind of wacko. Stop staring. You're a logical guy... Be reasonable here. Besides, she's probably married. I ran my fingers through my hair and tried to remember what we were just talking about. I looked up to see her glance towards the entrance. If she asked me to leave, I wouldn't blame her.

I tried to act composed, while I glanced down at her left hand. I didn't see a ring, so I cleared my throat and tried to act like a reasonable man again.

"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Mary." Even to me, my voice sounded unnaturally thick and hoarse. I cleared my throat and looked back at her.

"Yes, it's great to meet you, Joe. Let me show you where the section is." She turned and simply pointed to the far left corner of the store.

Just when I thought she was through with me completely, she motioned for me to follow her.

As she led me to the back of the store, I tried to switch off my desire and concentrate on the task at hand. Focus, Joe! Decorum! The inner jokes weren't helping. They just wanted to make me giggle like a schoolboy, and I doubted that would help matters much.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment while I tried to remember the books I came for.

She was driving me crazy! I shook my head like a wet dog for what seemed like the twentieth time and asked God for some help.

Suddenly she sidestepped and tripped. I reached out and caught her. As soon as my fingertips touched her, my whole being seemed to be on fire. You've gone completely insane, Joe. Maybe, I really had been working too hard lately.

Mary blushed and stammered, "I'm so, so s-s-sorry about that. There was, um, a stroller blocking the aisle."

"Yes, I saw that."

I knew I had to let go of her. When I did, she whirled around, stammering more of an apology. It took every ounce of my willpower not to bend down and kiss her. I should have taken that nap.

To keep from kissing her, I made a joke. "And here I thought you just wanted me to catch you in my arms to break the ice." I hesitated and then added, "It worked." Her light-hearted laugh made me wish I knew more jokes.

She cleared her throat, and turned back to where they were heading.

Once in front of the architecture books, Mary said, "If you need any further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask." Then she stepped back and smiled politely.

"Thank you for your help," I said, and wished I could think of something else to say to stall her.

As she walked away, I thought, I could watch you all day. I didn't realize I was grinning until my cheeks suddenly felt sore.

Author Bio: N. N. Light is the husband-wife writing team, commonly known as Mr. N and Mrs. N. Mrs. N. has been creating stories ever since she was little. Her grandfather remembers when she was two years old, she would stand at the top of the stairs and tell him a story filled with emotion (and in a language foreign to him) with her hands on her hips. Let’s just say she was a born storyteller.
​
They’re blissfully happy and love all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports, trains, history, cooking and baking. Their mantra is to spread the Light.

Most of the time you can find them on Twitter or getting new ideas on how to spread the Light on Pinterest. They’re a proud member of ASMSG, Independent Author Network and Marketing for Romance Writers.

In addition to being authors, they’re also book promoters/reviewers, social media marketers/influencers and the owners of N. N. Light Author Promotions. They both love books, have ever since they were young. Matching up books and readers is something that gives them great pleasure.

100% of the proceeds of Princess of the Light go directly to food banks (US and Canada) in order to feed the hungry and help those in need. With only 7,500 books sold, N. N. Light will be able to set up a monthly endowment for the local food bank.

They’d love to connect with you either via email or via these various social media sites:
Website: http://princessofthelight.com   
Blog: http://princessofthelight.wordpress.com  
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/nnlight   
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NNP_W_Light  
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nnlight  
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/n-n-light/90/1a7/902  
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/118060034268079734144/posts  
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/nnlight  
Independent Author Network: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/n-n-light.html
iAuthor: http://www.iauthor.uk.com/princess-of-the-light:10294
 

The Justice Department has proposed exempting the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) System from various provisions of the federal Privacy Act, which “requires federal agencies to share information about the records they collect with the individual subject of those records, allowing them to verify and correct them if needed.”
This data base contains: fingerprints, iris scans, palm prints, voice data, photographs, and other biometric data on millions of Americans, including many never convicted of any crime.
The department says it’s needed “in order to prevent interference with the FBI’s mission to detect, deter, and prosecute crimes and to protect the national security.”
 
 
Dance or Die
By Liza O’Connor
Contemporary Suspense/Romance 
​

Blurb
Tess Campbell, mafia princess, has fallen in love with a British prince, who is protected by a Secret Service agent during his stay in America. Two weeks into their budding romance, Tess’s father, a psycho mafia don, kidnaps and nearly kills the prince and his Secret Service agent, believing she has taken both as her lovers. The brutal assault reveals the true character of each man and Tess must face some hard truths, even as she takes control of her destiny to build the finest state park in the country.
 
Excerpt for Dance or Die
Once Dan closed the door to her bedroom, he leaned against it. “Tess, you are bringing twenty wild cards into close proximity to Steel. With their pictures and socials, I can clear them before tomorrow morning. And if we have a problem, I can have Sheriff Cobbs remove the fellow when he arrives at the road.”

She frowned, no longer worried about their privacy rights, but worried the social security numbers might belong to some nice person who had no interest in tree barrier building. “If my father’s got someone in that group, despite Sheriff Cobbs’ efforts, then the social will probably not belong to them.”

“Yes, but you took pictures. I can run them through the government database. Then we’ll know if a picture and the social match. If it doesn’t, we have a problem.”

“Okay.”

He left and returned a minute later with his laptop and copied the files. He then kissed her forehead. “Thank you. I’ve been fretting all day how the hell I was going to vet these guys. Cobbs assured me he knows each of them personally, but his job isn’t on the line; mine is.”

“What do you mean?”

“My boss has warned me that if Steel dies, I’m done.”

“That’s not fair.”

“No, but Britain is evidently very protective over their royals.”

“Don’t mention his affliction in front of the guys.” Steel didn’t like anyone knowing he was a British Prince.

“I wouldn’t mention it in front of you, but you’ve known for a while.”

She nodded.

“So you understand why I can’t let anything happen to him?”

“Yeah,” she muttered. To be honest, she was pretty sure they weren’t on the same page as to why Steel needed to be protected. Her reason had nothing to do with his distant connections to the Queen. Steel was a good and honorable man in danger from a lunatic mobster. That was why she thought it so important to protect him.
Once she returned to the living room, she sat by Frank. “I need your opinion on something.”

“Can you talk here, or do you need me to go to your room?” he asked softly.

That caused Steel’s head to pop up and study them.

“I was going to give my guys temporary badges good for the month tomorrow. I thought it would help me with their names and ensure no one else shows up claiming to be one of my workers.”

His brow furrowed. “No one is going to sneak in and work for a check that will go to someone else.”

She sighed. “I’m guessing you don’t know who my father is.”

He shook his head. She noticed Jack was staring at her, clearly listening. She looked to Steel. “Any reason you don’t want me to tell them?”

“That’s your business, Tess,” Steel replied, once again focused on his computer.
She glanced back at Sonny, not wanting him to be left out. They all had the right to know the danger her proximity caused. “Sonny, can you leave the food for one minute?”

He turned off the flame and hurried over and sat on the arm of the couch.

“I’m sorry. I figured you guys knew who my father was…since everyone seems to know. He’s Benito Campinelli. My great-grandfather was a powerful and vicious mafia don in Chicago. Thankfully, he was assassinated and Grams escaped to Iowa and changed her name to Campbell. That’s why I’m Tess Campbell.”

Frank’s brow furrowed like a pug while Jack and Sonny stared at her in shock. She hurried her explanation on while she still had the nerve to share this.

“My father is a horrible man. My mother either killed herself because of the nightly beatings he gave her, or my father killed her because his mistress was going to have his feral sons.  I think he hung her, but I have no proof of that.”

When no one said anything, she continued. “His mistress is now my step-mother. When I turned sixteen, he tried to marry me off to a Chicago mobster, so I came to live with Grams and tried to forget I had family other than her.”
​
Tess ran her hands through her hair. “Unfortunately, since Grams died, several things have happened which makes me believe my father has decided to interfere with my life.” She refocused on Frank. “So I have to worry he’ll sneak in one of his thugs into my workers so they can cause trouble. That’s why I need the badges.”
 
BUY LINKS
Book 1
A Fortune to Die For
Book 2
Unexpected Love
BOOK 3
Dance or Die
About the Author
Liza O’Connor lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. They hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels.
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
LIZA O'CONNOR
Investigate these sites:
Liza's Blog and Website   Facebook   Twitter

​Ms. O'Connor writes stories that have you fully engaged in the book. This was one I couldn't put down. I had hoped for a happy ending for everyone but I wasn't looking at the clues. Just when I thought I knew what would happen...bam! I was blindsided by Steel. When Ms. O'Connor wraps up a series, she does an amazing job tying up all the lose ends, even those you didn't notice.

Tess is a wonderful character who really wants to do the right thing. She is open to love and falls in over her head because she thinks people are genuinely good, even after having a horrible mob boss for a Dad. I was like Tess, very happy until my eyes were opened and then I couldn't put the book down. I had to stay up late and finish it. I needed to know there was a happily ever after... and there was...but it didn't come about the way I thought...Ms. O'Connor made it even better!

For Adriane Graham, the real question comes down to this: “Am I Alec Kaden’s guest…Or his prisoner?”

​If she’s a guest in the Kaden mansion, then it means Alec has freed himself from his family ties to organized crime. It means he’s telling the truth when he says he’s protecting Adriane from dangerous men and they can shake off the shackles of haunted pasts.

…But…

If Adriane Graham is Alec Kaden’s prisoner, it means his tenderness is simply a ruse to keep her under control; his kindness is just poisoned hypocrisy. It means Alec is a cruel liar, and that somehow, by some desperate way, she’s got to get out of this charming man’s well-guarded house before it’s too late.

Is she Alec’s treasured guest? Or merely a pretty bird, trapped in his gilded cage? The troubling questions pour like fountains…flowing…

Endless as the Rain.
 

Excerpt:
The colors of the rug brightened with the afternoon sun, and then they faded as shadows fell. I tried to see the rug and nothing else. My eyes burned.

Eventually, I could barely see the rug, no colors, only faint outlines.

I breathed.

I didn’t move. My joints hurt.

If I stared long enough, everything would be okay. Everything would dull like it always did. Since my father’s death five years ago, I’d given up pleasant emotions in order to keep the difficult ones away. It was a fair tradeoff. I wasn’t entirely sure into which category my current emotions fell, but it didn’t matter; I didn’t want any of them.

A sound.

I blinked.

There were footsteps in the hall. Then they stopped.

A pause.

A soft tap at the door. “Adriane?”

Alec.

I looked at the door.

“Are you all right?” he asked. “Do you need anything?”

With silent movements, I stood from the sofa and walked over to the door. I lay my hand on the wood.

A minute passed.

Then his quiet footsteps moved away, disappeared down the hall.

I leaned my head against the door.

Then I found a direction for my anger. I hated him for making me feel like this, for making me feel at all.
 

About the Author:

M.S. Kaye has several awards and 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.
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To receive news on upcoming releases, sign up for email updates on her website.
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