|
I'm so excited to have a wonderful author and friend, Sharon Hamilton stop by. She's been busy and her SEAL books are wow! Maybe next time she takes a vacation, there'll be room in her suitcase for me!  WRITING WHILE TRAVELING Many of you know that last year I took a cruise from Italy to Brazil. While on that voyage, I wrote like 60% of my book Cruisin’ For A SEAL, which was about a cruise ship with an attempted takeover by terrorists. It turned out to be an unlucky choice for the terrorists, since 9 Navy SEALs and their wives and girlfriends had decided to take a vacation and did a capable job of disabling a bomb, putting to death a bunch of cobras let loose on the ship, and basically save the day. We had characters from eleven foreign countries on board ship, with some internal rivalries which enriched the plot. The audio book of this is I think the best my awesome jewel-toned narrator, J.D. Hart, has ever done for me, with all eleven accents in an Oscar-worthy performance, as only he can do. I hope you will listen either on my website or on the Audible free sample to see what I mean. I got lots of ideas while roaming the ship at night. I found the lifeboat where my hero and heroine first rekindled their affair that had started in Savonna prior to the ship sailing. I met an Indian Security Officer, met a ship’s officer from the Ukraine, as well as a businessman who did a lot of non-profit work in both Russia and the Ukraine and gave me some wonderful details. I read about the Italian war hero Teseo, who actually was an early version of an Italian SEAL. They called him the “human torpedo” during WWII because he invented some of the underwater rebreathers the SEALs use to this day. My character in the book was named after this hero. It was fun this year to go back to those places and recall creating the story. This year, I finished a third book in my paranormal series, The Guardians, Underworld Queen, which will is on preorder now and will release just before Christmas. Even though my Guardian Angels were not on a ship, this trip has been stimulating and I’m enjoying the special words I’m coming up with. I’m actually quite inspired. Now I’m finishing up next my Gideon: Fall From Grace book, which will be released in early 2015. The language I hear ever day is foreign to me, since I am not fluent in French, Italian or German. I go to bed with that happy buzz in my head, and actually find it helps me to sleep. The rolling of the ship through exotic ports enriches my creative juices. I sit in the card room and listen to travelers play Gin Rummy and I write. I watch the sunrises on our deck and write. Winding streets and unfamiliar storefronts in Aix and Cadiz help me dream in exotic living color. I’ll be back in a few days to give you more. Until then, Ciao!! Happy Reading, my friends.  This book is part of a series, but can be read stand alone and out of order. My SEAL Brotherhood Series has multiple characters from mythical SEAL Team 3, who interact throughout all the books. Mark Beale and several of his brothers from SEAL Team 3 board a cruise ship to bury a fallen buddy's ashes at sea. A risky affair with a beautiful Italian the night before they leave begins to ease his survivor's guilt. Sophia Negri, suffering jitters over her engagement, falls for the handsome SEAL and pretends she speaks no English, letting their bodies do the talking. When Mark finds her on the ship and learns Sophia is half American, he is angry at first, but falls for her all over again as they set sail. Terrorists take over the ship and hold the passengers for ransom, Mark and the other SEALs are the only ones who can stop the plot. Will Mark's actions be enough to save Sophia or will he have to sacrifice himself to save the woman he loves? AMAZON BUY LINK: Only 0.99!  This is a stand alone novel and can be read out of sequence. Portions of this book appeared in an anthology. This is the only full-length and expanded/enhanced version, which has not appeared in any other collection.
Special Operator T.J. Talbot had watched from afar as his best friend married the love of his life. Raised in and out of the foster care system and nearly ruining his chance to become a SEAL, he figured his Happily Ever After would never be. But Dr. Death plays a heartbreaking trick on him and he winds up being the man’s father confessor, where he makes a promise to the dying SEAL to look after his friend’s wife and baby. Back in the states, Shannon Moore is grateful for the baby she is carrying, though she is a constant reminder of the man who no longer lives at her side. She is not ready for the attention from the community she receives, especially from T.J. She’s decided to honor her fallen husband by giving her whole life to the child he left behind. Recovering from his wounds, Talbot is plagued by the depth of the wounds he still carries inside him, as he tries to perform a mission he wishes he was not given. Rebuffed at every turn, he struggles but understands his promise might not be able to be fulfilled. He does not want to take what was never given to him in the first place. But what starts out as an improbable love story begins to bloom and grow. When Shannon and the child are endangered, he will not quit fighting for the family he now knows he was meant to love forever. AMAZON BUY LINK  Have you read The Star Child series? This best selling YA paranormal romance is sure to grab you and delight fans of Celtic history. I'm excited to share with you the cover from the latest installment...being released on Dec. 15th! Gabriel Stewart helped his best friend Kellen St. James save the world from The Scourge in the Battle of Dublin. But before that? Gabe was just an ordinary guy who kept having dreams about a little boy with black hair and green eyes—a boy he hadn’t even met yet. And even weirder? Gabe’s mind kept replaying these images on loop of things he’d never seen. He heard voices in his head when no one was around. And he actually blew off hot Valerie Gibbons to chase after the black-haired kid in the park. What was up with that? As Gabe searches for the truth, fate continually puts him in Kellen’s path, but will he be able to stop the Children of Danu from stealing Kellen before the battle begins? What will it take for Gabe to become The Last Protector? *The Last Protector is a companion novella--intended to be read after the other books in the series. Excerpt It was an ordinary Thursday, (or at least I thought it was going to be), when things got scary. As usual, I was flirting with Valerie Gibbons by the lockers. "You coming over after school?" Val toyed with the front of her cheerleading skirt. I shook my head. "Not today." This weird sense of urgency had thrummed in my veins all day, like a Heavy Metal bass line. Go to the park, go to the park, go to the park... Val pouted. "You aren't going to dump me, are you? I really like you, Gabe." "Nah." I made sure no teachers were watching, and then gave her a quick kiss on the lips. My gut turned to jelly when my mouth brushed against hers. "Where ya going?" I wished I could tell her the truth. "Ah, you know. I have to do some stuff with the 'rents this afternoon. I'll call you later, okay?" I pushed down my guilt and smiled, trying to amp up my charm to the super mega-watt Gabe level. "Maybe." Val sounded grumpy about it, but the corners of her mouth turned up when she spoke the word. "Bye." With a quick turn, she ran in the opposite direction, leaving me alone. After waiting a few beats, I closed my locker with a click. Shouldering my backpack, I ran out the side door and hopped on to my red 10-speed and started to pedal. Something pushed me, the same message on loop in my mind: Go to the park, go to the park, go to the park...I tried to ignore it, but I couldn't. Maybe if I followed the voice, as freaky as that sounded, it would stop. The thoughts and dreams would end. And I wanted them to.  About Stephanie Keyes: Stephanie Keyes grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and spent years traveling and working as a Corporate Trainer before she made the decision to pen her first novel. As a teen, her family always accused her of having an “overactive imagination.” Now, she’s encouraged to keep her head in the clouds and share her world with readers. Keyes is the author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child, which currently includes The Star Child, After Faerie, The Fallen Stars, and The Star Catcher, all from by Inkspell Publishing. The Fallen Stars was a 2013 semi-finalist in the Kindle Book Awards. The Star Child has topped the Amazon best-seller list several times since its 2012 release. Steph writes YA novels because she’s a hopeless romantic who lives to believe that Magick truly does exist. She is hard at work on a new YA novel. *Author photos courtesy of Kristina Serafini Photo Website: http://www.stephaniekeyes.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Keyes-Author/150860604966160?ref_ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/StephanieKeyes Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stephaniekeyes/ Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/stephkeyes Google+: https://plus.google.com/101104903861657395788/posts STAR CHILD SERIES TITLES:
The Star Child: The world is about to be cloaked in darkness. Only one can stop the night. Amazon After Faerie essentially explains what happened the day after Kellen saves the world. Amazon When all is lost, he will have to make the ultimate decision. Amazon Magick and destiny intertwine as he fights to save his kingdom and the goddess he loves. Amazon If you are stopping by for the Romance Adventures blog hop, click the banner... if you are here for Tamaria's latest, keep reading!   Sultry waitress Andrea Bloome serves cocktails at The Lounge, the hottest jazz club in Chicago. When her life is in danger, she turns to charismatic P.I. Justice Jackson for help. Can he save her from the people who are meant to protect her? Or will he be blinded by the overwhelming attraction between them? Set in the 1940's. This is a free short story. ~Excerpt~ "Please try and relax, Ms. Bloome.” I handed her the martini. "Call me Andrea," she replied in a timid tone. I smiled. "Well, Andrea, you can call me Justice.” "Justice, do you always bring your work home?" she asked. I laughed. "No, but I don't want anything to happen to you. I feel this deep need to protect you." She looked frightened. "Won't helping me put you in danger?" "I'm a P.I., my life is always in danger.” She pondered what I said. Her hazel eyes met mine. I felt frozen. Her timid but inquiring voice brought me back to the present. “Why did you choose to become a P.I.?” “What else was I going to do with a name like Justice Jackson?” She let out a giggle and a look of concerned quickly crossed her face. “What’s going to happen when I don’t show up for work tonight?” she asked in a shaky voice. “They’ll most likely go looking for you. That’s why you’re here safe with me. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.” “Justice, this could be very dangerous for you.” “It may be, but I'm just careful and trust very few people." I answered in a comforting tone . I didn't want her to worry about me. "How do you know you can trust me?" she asked full of curiosity. "Are you concealing a weapon, Ms. Bloome?" I raised an eyebrow at her. I wanted to lighten the mood. She took a deep breath, her body relaxing. She smiled and stepped closer to me. "I may be. Do you want to frisk me?" she replied jokingly. Our eyes met and the earth moved around me. I was taken by her. I needed to concentrate on saving her life, not her amazing lips. Oh, did I mention her incredible legs that seemed to be a mile long even though she may have been all of five foot three? So, yes, Ms. Bloome, I do want to frisk you. Needing to put some distance between us and focus on the issue at hand, I pushed away my attraction to her and cleared my throat. "Please excuse me. I need to call my sister Julia. She is about your size and she can get you the things you need. Please make yourself at home." Smashwords FREE Buy Link ~Watch the Trailer~ ~About the Author~ Tamaria Soana is middle aged, but just feels her life has begun. She writes sexy contemporary romance stories that always end with a ‘happily ever after’. Growing up she loved to read and make up new places in her head to escape to. In her late teens she began writing short stories and poetry; it wasn’t until her late thirties before she began to spin a full story. She’s married and a stay-at-home-mom of two beautiful young girls, they reside in Western New York. Cuddling up with a good book under an electric throw is her way to escape the cold Buffalo nights.   I love the idea of an adventure but I'm not really an adventure girl. I don't like camping out with the bugs and snakes. My little silver bullet trailer is perfect for me. We've visited all over the state of Michigan and while I've never even used the shower or toilet in the trailer...it's nice to know that it is there should I need to.  I'm also not very adventurous when it comes to food either. I like to stick with some of my family recipes to my husband's sad stomach. He loves my cooking but isn't a big fan of my family foods from Sour Cream Kuchen to Dilly Beans. I think that's because I'm from Ohio and he keeps saying that things in Ohio were mighty different than in Michigan. While that might be true, I've learned to play Euchre and point to my hand when I'm giving directions. *grin* Maybe he just doesn't have my Ohio palette. So maybe the word adventurous is a bit of a stretch when you describe me...Or maybe it's that my sense of adventure is a little different than other people's. I do love to race my car, or even hang outside the passenger door window when someone is driving really fast! I also love to play with fire. The feeling and sight of a flame running down my arm is so exciting...the blue flame moving across my skin, watching it disappear...*sigh* But my favorite adventure is curling up with a good book and reading about some cowboys, bad boys, and feisty women who really know what adventure is! What's your favorite adventure?? Please leave a comment about your wild adventures and be sure to visit the other stops on the blog hop. One lucky person will win a copy of the ebook bundle- Cowboy Up or Dangerous Intent. Blog Hop List.... visit all the sites and share some love!
1. Liza O'Connor 2. Daryl Devore 3. Jennifer Lowery 4. Andrea R Cooper 5. Melissa Keir 6. Karen Lopp 7. Aine P Massie 8. Gaeille Vanderspek 9. Joceline Farrah 10. Jenna Jaxon 11. Gina Danna 12. Melissa Kendall 13. Sharon Cullen 14. D'Ann Lindun 15. Nikki Lynn Barrett 16. Tricia L. Quinnies 17. Lisa Kumar 18. Georgia Lyn Hunter 19. Sheri Fredricks 20. Susan Sheehey 21. Aleah Barley 22. Stacey Brutger 23. Bobbi Romans  A Wish Across Time Raritan Manor Ranch Book 3 C. R. Moss  A woman once shunned. A man now changed. There’s a thin line between love and hate. When Wiccan practitioner Cassandra VanAlder encounters a man from her past who’d broken her heart, she casts some spells to help herself while wishing karma would deal out some payback. The spells turn against her, and before she knows it, she finds herself falling for him again. Ryan Keene finds Cassandra enchanting and feels he’s met her somewhere before. She and her best friend, Debi, won’t give him any clues as to her identity. He loves challenges and doesn't plan to back off from her until he finds the answers he seeks. He's told he has three dates to win her over. Will she close off her heart or will she allow herself to feel again? Excerpt Moments later, he jerked out and away from her, then pulled her up from the floor. In a quick turn, he spun and thrust her back against the wall. His mouth claimed hers with unapologetic force. He fumbled with the fastens of her jeans, then when they were undone, tugged the material down her legs. “Commando, huh?” Not letting her answer, he positioned his head between her legs and swept his tongue over her pussy. Fleeting imaginings of her family and friends coming home and being welcomed by the sight of her and Ryan fucking at the foot of the stairs danced through her mind. If it happened, so be it. Getting caught only added to the heightened state of arousal she was already in. His tongue and fingers stroked her. Her heartbeat sped up, as did her breathing. He seemed to have mastered the technique of cunnilingus if the way her nerves caught fire and flamed up from her pussy to the rest of her body were any indication. She panted. She clasped his head, ready to feel an orgasm rip through her body. He stopped, stood, and reached into his back pocket. He pulled out his wallet, and from it, the all too familiar foil packet. Ryan held it up. “Yes?” “Yes.” She nodded as well to emphasize the point. In a few quick motions, he had himself sheathed and pressed up against her body. “You are one sexy lady. Anyone ever tell you that?” She bobbed her head again and guided his cock into her pussy. “Put your legs around me,” he demanded. Supported by the wall and his hands on her ass, she wrapped one leg then the other around him and found the position to be quite enjoyable. Ryan pumped into her as he kissed and sucked her shoulder. She rode him, feeling the sexual energy build between them. Her ex had never been so passionate. In fact, their lovemaking had been so normal and ordinary he never would have considered taking her up against a wall, and especially not in a location where they could get caught. It was nice being with a man who exuded confidence and gave into desire, even if it was Ryan. *****  Book 1 ~ Dream Across Time A woman in love. A ghost in need. A man possessed. Evelyn Sheridan is in love with Raritan Manor Ranch’s resident ghost, Quinn, but can only experience his embrace in her dreams. Quinn VanAlder, who doesn’t realize he’s a ghost, loves Eve and wishes she’d stop saying they can’t be together. While at the ranch, Alex VanAlder arrives for a visit, and Evelyn’s hopes rise. Perhaps she will be able to have a real relationship after all. Alex, though, has no interest in Evelyn. Yet, every time the house cat, Myrddin, comes around, Alex feels like a man possessed and wants Eve with a passion. Caught between loving a ghost and putting up with a man who can’t make up his mind, Evelyn is at a loss. Can the magic of the ranch help Evelyn to stop being caught between two worlds? Book 2 ~ Journey Across Time  There is magic on the ranch... A woman examining life. A man on a quest. Time restores his spirit and her love. Trent, a man in the past on a mission to discover where he belongs, embarks on a spiritual journey. His spirit guide, to his dismay, is a frisky feline named Myrddin. During a ritual, the cat brings the soul searcher forward into Julie VanAlder’s world. Julie is attracted to the newcomer on the ranch, but his strange mannerisms and speech dictate she use caution, especially when she learns where he’s from. A botched relationship, supposed time travel, spiritual mumbo jumbo…it’s almost too much for Julie to take. Can Trent make her believe in destiny and win her love before it’s too late? *** Author Bio:  An eccentric and eclectic writer, C.R. Moss pens stories for the mainstream and erotic romance markets, giving readers Worlds of Possibilities. More about C.R. Moss: So what does she write? She writes stories from the light and sweet to the dark and deadly with varying degrees of sexual heat. Writing as C.R. Moss gives her and her muses the freedom to explore worlds of possibilities when it comes to love. And where does the tag line “Love & Lust in the Wild West” fit in? Well, for one, she lives in NV. Two, her stories take place, either in part or in full, in and around the Las Vegas area. In fact, even this website sports “a look of home.” The background picture was taken in an area just a few miles west of Las Vegas and happens to be the inspiration for the setting of the Double D Ranch Tales saga. She also has a passion for penning dark fiction. Writing under the name Casey Moss allows her to slate other stories under Horror ~ Paranormal ~ Suspense ~ Thriller ~ Urban Fantasy. Visit: http://caseymossbooks.com/ Author Links: ~ Website: http://crmoss.com ~ Blog: http://crmoss.blogspot.com/ ~ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRMoss.author ~ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CRMoss ~ Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CRMoss ~ Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/crmoss/ **** Giveaway $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card  Silent Night by Kristen Strassel Genre: Paranormal Holiday Romance  Aidan isn't ready to let go of the past either, even though he's had nearly three hundred years to do it. He chronicles the search for the reincarnation of his beloved wife as the vampire romance author Allison Duprois. Aidan knows the wife he mourns is out there, but fears writing their story is as close as he will get to her. At Christmas Eve mass, he finally finds her. Alone, with no place to go. Aidan brings Kyndra into his home, and gives her the safety, comfort and love she longs for. Though he gives her second chances she never thought she'd have, Kyndra still can't get over Aidan's mysterious past. Not to mention that he claims that he's a vampire. Life alone on the streets is dangerous enough without handing her trust and love to the wrong person. Can Aidan break through the walls around Kyndra's hardened heart to convince her that she belongs with him, forever? ~Excerpt~ "I was hoping I'd see you here." A man who I didn't know sat next to me. He‘d brought the cold in with him. His smile was warm and genuine, the kind reserved for people you knew. I smiled back at him, puzzled. Something about him was familiar, but I didn't know what. "I don't think I know you. Do I?" I stumbled over my words. He didn't look like someone who would be friends with me. Maybe he was a teacher, or a doctor? "I'm kind of embarrassed if I do." The man looked as surprised as I did. And a little disappointed. "I'm sorry. Maybe I thought you were someone else? I'm Aidan." He held out his hand to me, and I excepted his firm, sure handshake. "I'm Kyndra." I searched his face, his person, trying to place him. Dark hair flopped down on his forehead, almost obscuring his equally dark eyes. He had high cheekbones, the beginnings of five o’clock shadow and full lips. Stop looking at his lips, Kyndra. You're in a church, I reminded myself. Lust was probably covered in the Ten Commandments and off limits in this building. I forced my eyes down. He wore a gray suit for the occasion, his light blue tie looked icy against his tawny skin. I always liked it when people dressed up for special days. Had I planned to come here and could even get to my dressy clothes, I would have worn something special. Too many people here hadn’t been bothered with anything better than jeans and sweatshirts. I brought my eyes back up to his. He‘d watched me look him over, and from the crinkles in the corners of his eyes, I could tell he was amused. "I know," he said quietly. He didn't break his gaze. I should have been creeped out, but honestly, I think I would have been disappointed if he‘d said or done anything else. I didn't know how to react, so I looked down to the hymn book in my lap, scrambling to find the page with tonight's mass program on it. What the hell was going on in this church? "Have you been here for Midnight Mass before? It's a beautiful service," Aidan continued, either oblivious to or feeding off of my awkwardness. "No. I used to go to church with my grandmother, but it's been a while." I stole a quick glance up at him again. Had I waited on him at work? That wouldn't make this any less weird. I worked at a lingerie store. Either he was shopping for someone else, or for himself. That happened more than you’d expect. And with the people you least expected. Either way, I shouldn't get involved. He looked at least fifteen years older than me and more than a couple of tax brackets richer. But he probably had a nice, warm house to go to after the service. Maybe a condo in a triple decker. Or a high rise apartment. Single family houses were few and far between in Boston. If he had one, he had a family. I fought disappointment at that thought. Kyndra, you will not follow some strange man home on Christmas. No matter how much you think you know each other. No matter how good looking and put together he is. That's how you wind up in pieces in a cardboard box in some random lot. That’s how you became the lead off story on the nightly news. "My grandmother brought me to church when we were kids, too. I miss that. I can't find services in French around here." "You're from France?" Oh, this guy was just too much. "No. Quebec," he said with a chuckle. Okay, that was better. There was nothing sexy about Quebec. "But I try to stay true to my nature." "And what is that?" I was intrigued. He seemed sincere, but I was beginning to think he was just a compulsive, lying weirdo alone at church on Christmas Eve. "And where is your family tonight?" "I like to take care of people," he said without any pretense. I wanted to roll my eyes so badly, but still, he seemed to mean it. And I could use some of that. Stop thinking like that, I yelled at myself silently. You're just going to get yourself in trouble. Maybe that's what I want, my inner dialogue continued defiantly. My family is scattered throughout the country," Aidan continued. "What about yours? You're not all alone on Christmas, are you?" The service was about to start and the pews began to fill. I had to slide in, so close our legs touched. I panicked, not knowing how to answer the question. He'd know if I lied to him. He knew too much. And I didn't know why. "It's not so bad." I didn't look at him, or the book. I stared blankly ahead, watching families file into their seats. The blur had to be unshed tears. "No one should be alone on Christmas." Aidan squeezed my hand, but neither of us had a chance to say more before the service began. Buy Link: Amazon ~About the Author~ Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross. She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are. She’s worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world’s worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and aspiring author. She loves sunshine, live music, the middle of nowhere, and finding new things to put in her house. A Touch of Mistletoe  Here for You by J.K. Pendragon Warren's life has been shrinking ever since his wife passed away. Blind, and finding it difficult to adjust to life on his own, it's easier to hide away in his house. When his friend Missy invites him to a Christmas party, an unexpected kiss with a stranger under the mistletoe leaves him confused and wondering... The Christmas Spirit by Talya Andor Christmas in Japan is no big deal for Ash Harmon, with his family half a world away and supernatural problems that have no respect for the holidays. When he picks up a bodyguard job for a rising star of figure skating who seems to be encountering trouble with a restless spirit, he stubbornly resists the unexpected attraction to his charge, wary of the risks that come with relationships. But the mistletoe has other ideas... A Beautiful Thing by A.F. Henley Sometimes, Fate gets tired of being ignored. And some nights, Fate decides something will just have to be done about it. Enter Drualus, Senior Correspondent for the Collective Assembly of Christmas Fae, working with the Night Before Reach Out Program. He's got a few short hours to change Scott Misener's outlook on life, love, and understanding. Lucky for Scott, Dru knows a tried and true trope that might just do the trick... Ad Meliora by E.E. Ottoman It's Christmas Eve and An-An and M.C. have plans to spend Christmas in Texas with An-An's family. But their plans are cut short when M.C. takes on a last minute case. Thankfully, though, it should be an easy exorcism. Until they arrive at the snowbound lodge where trouble resides, and come face to face with a demon wolf unlike anything they've ever encountered. Two Parts Mistletoe by Megan Derr Kingston has worked hard to get where he is: owner of his own shop, master potion maker, well-respected... and lonely, too busy with life to enjoy more than his regular visits to Acacia House. If he wishes his loneliness might be eased by Hux, the man he meets at Acacia twice a month, well, someday he'll work up the nerve to ask. Maybe. Then Hux unexpectedly visits his shop, distressed and in desperate need of help to save his employer from a love potion... Buy Links: Amazon Kristen is giving away 3 eCopies of Because the Night during this tour.
For a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below. a Rafflecopter giveaway  A Cowboy for Christmas by Jennie Marts Genre: Romantic Comedy  Holly Adams returns to her hometown with a simple to-do list from her therapist: 1) Return to your roots, 2) Face your fears, and 3) Listen to your heart. But Holly hasn’t been back since a tragic accident claimed the life of her young husband. Returning home is one thing. Facing her fears and giving her bruised heart a voice are quite another. Cowboy Levi Garrett remembers Holly as the brazen girl who once stole a kiss at a high school party, and barely recognizes the heartbroken young widow who ends up stranded at his ranch on Christmas Eve. All he wants is to remind Holly of the fearless girl she used to be. It’s holiday magic when a winter storm traps the pair together, but will Holly be able to hear her heart when it asks for a Cowboy for Christmas? ~Excerpt~ “Sometimes I feel like something broke inside of me when I lost Scott. I lost that brave, fun, impulsive girl I used to be. The one who would kidnap an abused dog. Or kiss a boy on a dare.” Levi narrowed his eyes at her and cocked his head to one side. “It may seem like it’s been a while since you’ve seen that girl, but I think she’s still in there. It may just take a nudge to find her again.” He stood and crossed the room, then knelt in front of her. Her heart pounded in her chest at the nearness of him. Her breath caught as he reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He leaned in close, his eyes conveying a message of strength as he asked, “Truth or dare?” Oh my. A spike of warmth flowed through her entire body as she peered up at him through her eyelashes. Her voice barely registered a whisper. “Dare.” One corner of his lip tilted up in a devilish grin. “I was hoping you’d say that. I dare you to kiss the boy next to you.” She smiled back. She couldn’t help it. A glow of happiness burned inside of her, the earlier cold now forgotten. Reaching up, she touched his cheek. His eyes closed as he caught his breath. She reveled in the power of knowing that her touch could cause such a reaction. That he desired her. He was so close, his face just inches from hers. She leaned in, gathering all of her courage. He’d kissed her with such passion, such intensity that morning, he had to have real ;feelings for her. So close, a whisper’s breath away, her lips grazed his, and he gave a tiny gasp of pleasure. Another graze, this one closer, the warmth of his lips heating hers. Crazy tumbles of feelings filled her. Stirrings of desire and need flowed through her, and in that instant, all she knew was that she wanted to kiss this man. Had to kiss him. Would die if she didn’t kiss him. Right. This. Second. Her lips pressed his, and her body sprang to life. She inched closer, and the blanket on her lap slipped away. She gripped his muscled forearms as he pulled her tight against him. Matching her desire, he kissed her back with a ferocity that she hadn’t felt in years. His hand slid down her back, cupping her bottom then drawing her legs around his waist, and there was no denying that he wanted her. She pulled him closer, wrapping her bare legs around him and clutching his back. His hands left trails of fire as they slid up her legs, caressing and stroking her skin. A flush of heat swept through her. She couldn’t catch her breath. As much as she wanted this, it was happening so fast. She drew back, gasping for air, trying to tamp down the panic rising in her chest. “Hold on.” ~About the Author~ Jennie Marts loves to make readers laugh as she weaves stories filled with love, friendship and intrigue. She writes for Entangled Publishing and is the Kindle Bestselling author of the Page Turners series, which includes the romantic comedies: Another Saturday Night & I Ain’t Got No Body, Easy Like Sunday Mourning, and Just Another Maniac Monday. Reviewers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and full of great characters that are “endearing and relatable.” She writes from the mountains of Colorado where she lives with her husband, two sons, a golden retriever named Cooper and a Sheltie puppy named Maggie. Jennie enjoys being a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Colorado Indie Authors, and Pikes Peak Writers. Jennie is addicted to Diet Coke and adores Cheetos. She loves playing volleyball and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes or friends. Jennie loves to hear from readers. Author Links: Site Facebook Twitter Goodreads Inn for the Holidays by Ella Jade Genre: Holiday Romance  Logan makes that happen with a surprise gift to his wife. He reserves the inn for just the two of them several days before Christmas. Two nights of uninterrupted romance is exactly what this couple needs. Logan reminds Elyse what drew her to him in the first place. He vows to make good on his promise to always make all of her fantasies a reality. She wants nothing more than for the Master of the Inn to make an appearance this holiday season. A Pleasure Inn series short, featuring Logan and Elyse from Master of the Inn. All books in this series can stand alone and/or can be read in any order. This is a quick steamy read. ~Excerpt~ Logan took her chin between his fingers and shot her his signature intense glare. The very stare that had her obeying his every command between the sheets. Logan was Dominant to the core. It was his Dominance that drew her to him in the first place. When he offered her the opportunity to relinquish control and let go intimately, all of her desires had been fulfilled. He had awakened a sexual awareness in Elyse that brought her the most pleasure she had ever experienced. “Trust me,” he whispered never taking his gaze away from hers. “I do.” “Good girl.” He brushed his lips against hers. “You’ve been extremely busy. You’re working so hard to get this place perfect. They only reason we are as successful as we are is because of your attention to detail and the satisfaction you bring our guests.” “We did this together.” Logan had transformed the old place into its former glory and then some. He worked non-stop tending to the grounds. He made sure everything inside was in perfect working condition. Not a door squeaked or a loose floorboard could be found. There were several rooms that he had yet to tackle but they were in his plans for the new year. The upcoming year was going to be big for them. They were even starting to get repeat customers. With the new rooms underway, they’d be able to take on more than two couples at a time on any given weekend. “I know but with Christmas just around the corner, you’ve had extra things to do. You worry about getting us through the holidays and I’ll take care of everything else.” “How did I get so lucky to find you?” “You stumbled onto my porch one night and I felt compelled to take you in.” “You insisted, if I remember correctly.” “What can I say? I have good taste.” He ran his tongue along her lips. “Kiss me.” She threw her arms around his neck and parted her mouth allowing him access. He held her tight against his masculine form, exploring her long and hard. When he finally stopped kissing her, the room spun and she had to catch her breath. “Feel better?” he asked, already knowing the answer. “I’m always calmer when you’re around.” “I’m going to get that bath ready.” When he took a step back, she could see the excitement bulging against his jeans. “You have five minutes.” “Or what?” “It’s been a while since I’ve taken you over my knee.” “Too long. I might have to be a few minutes late.” She teased. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He shook his head as he allowed his gaze to take in her body. “I don’t want to waste any time tonight with frivolous punishments.” But I love those provoked punishments. “I have a fantasy that needs fulfilling.” She hoped he got the hint. “We are, after all, in the business of making that happen.” “Indeed.” He pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his defined six-pack abs to her. She reached out, running her hand down his chest and over his rock hard stomach. He sucked in a breath when she unbuckled his belt. “What would you wish for if you were a guest this weekend?” He watched as she toyed with his belt. “If I were staying here, looking to reconnect and spend some quiet time with my husband, I would request that the Master of the Inn make an appearance.” “Really?” He arched a brow as she unbuttoned his jeans. “I think that could be arranged in the very near future.” The timer on the oven buzzed, interrupting their conversation. It figures! “I have to get that.” She walked over to the oven not wanting her cookies to burn. “I’ll be up in a few minutes to finish what you started, Mr. Cole.” “Five.” He swatted her backside. “I’m not in a patient mood, Mrs. Cole.” Buy Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble ~About the Author~ Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped. Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy creating sexy, domineering men and the strong women who know how to challenge them in and out of the bedroom. She hopes you'll get lost in her words. She loves connecting with readers. Author Links: Facebook Twitter Website I'm so excited to share with you my dear friend, Cindy Spencer Pape's latest book, Sea Change. This story has something for everyone. Check out the cover and information below.
Title: Sea Change
Author: Cindy Spencer Pape Release Date: 11/26/14 Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Genre: paranormal romance Length: Novel (95K) Purchase Links: http://www.ellorascave.com/sea-change.html# (other links will be coming soon) Blurb: Shot at by drug dealers and left to drown, marine biologist Heidi is rescued by the hottest boat bum she’s ever seen. Tall, dark and handsome, Jake is every girl’s dream. But with her best friend missing or dead and the bad guys still after her, the last thing she has time for is romance. As a merman, exiled from his colony and under a curse on when to shapeshift, Jake can’t afford to be around humans, especially a marine biologist who might discover his species. But he can’t throw Heidi to the wolves of the drug dealers and possibly corrupt law enforcement. He’ll fight drug lords, pirates and even the gods to protect her. More complications arise when Jake’s family shows up looking for help, but the biggest problem of all is whether Jake and Heidi can resist the massive attraction that grows between them. Excerpt: What was he going to do with her? He’d planned to drop her at the nearest ER, notify the Coast Guard, and get the hell out of her life. She was pretty banged up, could have any number of internal injuries that he didn’t know about, definitely had a minor concussion. But she’d seemed pretty determined about avoiding the hospital. He told himself it wasn’t any of his business. She was a big girl, and once they docked she’d no longer be Jake’s concern. Wanting to be sure she was steady enough to walk on her own, he stayed with his ear pressed to the wooden cabin door until he heard her footsteps pass and the door to the head click shut. Fine then. She was up and mobile. It was up to her if she wanted medical attention. He thought about her sitting there in his bed, mostly naked, and a totally inappropriate bolt of lust shot all the way through him. He wasn’t going to do anything about it of course. She was too vulnerable right now and he wasn’t that big an asshole. But, damn, she was magnificent with her Viking build, and when she’d been thinking, a tiny crease had formed between her white-blonde eyebrows, making him want to smooth the wrinkle out with his thumb—or his lips. Hell! For all he knew, the man who’d died last night had been her lover—or husband. Even though she’d stayed calm, he’d seen the shock and grief behind her tear-filled blue eyes. Which is why he should turn her over to the cops, get back on his boat, and forget he’d ever met her. Another place, another time, he might have had a good time with her, but the present combination sucked out loud. “Right, then,” he muttered to himself, climbing the narrow stairs. He’d take her to the cops, give his own statement, then he’d be out of it. He’d refuel the boat, stock up on groceries and head back to sea. He hadn’t been to Hawaii in a while, or Tahiti. Maybe if he found himself a dark-skinned beauty to play with, he’d be able to forget about long blonde hair, haunted blue eyes and the body of a Norse goddess. Maybe. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cindy's Bio: Cindy Spencer Pape firmly believes in happily-ever-after and brings that to her writing. Award-winning author of 19 novels and more than 30 shorter works, Cindy lives in southeast Michigan with her husband, two sons, granddaughter, and a houseful of pets. When not hard at work writing she can be found dressing up for steampunk parties and Renaissance fairs, or with her nose buried in a book. Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com (http://bit.ly/ybxKjP ) Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape Facebook: http://on.fb.me/gjbLLC |
Melissa KeirGator Girl Extraordinaire Archives
March 2023
|
RSS Feed