December 2015 – Page 3 – Read-Love-Blog

For almost a century, the Realm’s most deadly assassin, Chalton Reese, has left war and death in the past, turning instead to strategy, reason, and technology. His fingers, still stained with blood, now protect with a keyboard instead of a weapon. Until the vampire king sends him on one more mission; to hunt down a human female with the knowledge to destroy the Realm. A woman with eyes like emeralds, a brain to match his own, and a passion that might destroy them both—if the enemy on their heels doesn’t do so first.

The Hunted

Olivia Roberts has foregone relationships with wimpy metro-sexuals in favor of pursuing a good story, bound and determined to uncover the truth, any truth. When her instincts start humming about missing proprietary information, she has no idea her search for a story will lead her to a ripped, sexy, and dangerous male beyond any human man. Setting aside the unbelievable fact that he’s a vampire and she’s his prey, she discovers that trusting him is the only chance they have to survive the danger stalking them both.

Excerpt:

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He exhaled and stretched out long, very long, legs. “Sure you do. Your first two articles in the series detailed missing researchers from Oregon along with hints about their missing research, all leading up to an article coming next week with a big reveal. I’m assuming the big reveal is the actual research into chromosomal pairs, into extra ones belonging to an imaginary species, and you’re being duped.”

“Oh yeah?” She put her hands on her hips and pivoted in the seat to face him. “If I’m being duped, then why are people trying to either kidnap or shoot me?” She was on to the find of the century, and she needed to get back on track to meet her source for the evidence. “Let me out of this car, and I won’t press charges.”

“Do I look like I’m worried about charges?”

No. Not at all. He looked like some badass vigilante in tailored clothing. All muscle, intelligence, and…maleness. So damn male he could define the word. “You should be worried,” she countered, her stomach dropping. The guy couldn’t care less. She’d seen his face. She knew his name. “You’re going to kill me,” she whispered, her heart clenching. “Or try to,” she added quickly.

He tossed his empty water bottle into a trash receptacle near the door. “I’ve saved your life twice. If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead.”

A chill crawled down her back. “But you need the information you mentioned.” Then would he kill her? Or try to?

He leaned toward her, bringing heat. “Listen, Livy. I will not kill you. I promise.”

Livy? Only her grandpop called her that, and hearing the nickname from Chalton’s handsome lips gave her odd tingles she really had to banish. She pressed her lips together. “Have you killed anybody before?

“Yes.”

She knew it. Of course he had. The guy was definitely a soldier from the way he moved. “In times of war?”

“Yes.”

Hope unfurled inside her. “In other times?”

“We’re usually at war.” He shrugged

About Rebecca Zanetti:

New York Times Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over twenty-five dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the USA Today, NY Times, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooksbestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Her current series are: The Scorpius Syndrome, The Dark Protectors, The Realm Enforcers, The Maverick Montana Cowboys, and the Sin Brothers series.

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Tattooed Scars by Alicia Rae…Blog Tour & Review

About TATTOOED SCARS

Raelyn Jennings knows one thing for certain. She loves Damien Heathman with every fiber of her being. A life without him wouldn’t be one worth living.

Damien has never loved a single soul—until Raelyn. She heals the pain that has tainted the deepest part of his heart. She is his everything, his single reason for breathing. Damien’s relentless determination refuses to let anyone or anything stand in his way of being with her.

But soon, Damien’s and Raelyn’s pasts begin to collide with their future in ways they never thought possible, testing their undying love for one another.

Damien’s dark secrets from the scars hidden beneath his tattoos threaten to reveal themselves while Raelyn is faced with impossible decisions that need to be made.

Can Damien convince Raelyn to take a risk in hopes of securing the longevity of their future? Or will Raelyn choose the safe path that also comes with a limit?

There isn’t any time to waste, for the clock never stops ticking.

TATTOOED SCARS is available now – add it to Goodreads here!

Buy TATTOOED SCARS now: Amazon

Tattooed Scars picks up where Tattooed Emotions ends and drives us through so much emotion.

Tattooed Scars shows how much deeper the love between Raelyn and Damien goes. Raelyn has a difficult decision to make and she’s really unsure what to do now that she has Damien. Damien, dear lord this man is impossible to not love. And he just grew on me more with how he is with Raelyn in this book.

I love that we got a glimpse of Damien’s POV in this book. It really gives us a better insight to what is going on inside his head and how much Raelyn truly means to him. I get chills just thinking about these two together!

This book is full of emotion and it will tug at your heart. And Alicia doesn’t hold back on her steamy scenes either. WOW!! That’s all I am saying.

Yes, this books ends in sort of a cliffhanger, but not in a way that has you dangling over the edge. It leaves you wanting and begging for more. Alicia, I can’t wait to see where you take us in Forever Tattooed.

Did you miss the first book, TATTOOED EMOTIONS? Find out more below!

About TATTOOED EMOTIONS

Raelyn Jennings has survived the unthinkable. She’s been given a second chance to live, to breathe, to feel. Her ability to overcome such a traumatic hurdle has created armor around her heart. But beyond her shield is fear, a consuming deep one, of the unknown. Raelyn vows to herself that she’ll solely focus on the one constant in her life, her career as the CEO for a prestigious accounting firm.

Damien Heathman’s unrelenting determination has made him a powerful, respected man. He’s sexy and confident and utterly breathtaking. His dominance and strength is evident in every purposeful stride, every meaningful look, and every soft caress.
Raelyn has worked with Damien’s company, Heathman Enterprises, for many years, but they’ve never crossed paths—until now.

Damien’s presence fills a room. He steals Raelyn’s breath and sparks her broken heart back to life. Once Damien sets eyes on Raelyn, there is no turning back. He wants her, and he’ll stop at nothing to have her. Not even the dark secrets hidden behind his tattoos will stand in his way.

The chemistry is undeniable. The passion is palpable.

Can Damien convince Raelyn that he is worth the risk? Or will Raelyn allow her past to control her future, feeling the chance of another heartache is too great to bear?

Buy TATTOOED EMOTIONS now: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iBooks

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About Alicia Rae

Alicia Rae is a Contemporary Romance Author who lives in Dekalb, Illinois, with her husband and three beautiful boys. Alicia has a passion for reading all types of romance, writing to bring a story to life, and wedding photography.

Alicia loves to hear from readers! Text RAE to 22828 to join her mailing list

From Sanctum With Love by Lexi Blake…Excerpt Reveal

Psychologist Kai Ferguson has had his eye on Kori Williamson for a long time. His assistant is everything he’s ever wanted in a partner—smart, caring, witty, and a bit of a masochist. More than a little, actually, but that’s the problem. Kori won’t admit her own desires. She’s afraid of him and what he has to offer. Luckily for her, helping patients face their fears is one of his specialties.

Kori knows she wants Kai. Her boss is the most amazing man she’s ever met. She’s also smart enough to stay away from him. Having been down this road before, she knows it only leads to heartache. She’s just found a place where she can belong. Another failed relationship is the last thing she needs. It’s better to guard her heart and let Kai think she’s frightened of his dark, dominant nature.

When Kai is recruited for an operation with McKay-Taggart, everything is turned upside down. Kai’s brother, international superstar Jared Johns, is in town and Kai must juggle his family issues along with a desperate hunt for a serial killer. The investigation throws Kori and Kai together, and they quickly discover the chemistry between them is undeniable. But even if their newfound love can survive his secrets and her lies, it may not be enough to save them both from a killer’s twisted obsession.

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Kori ran back to her room and gave serious consideration to locking the door behind her. She could live here now. Sarah could stuff protein bars under the door and she could live off tap water. This could be her home for many years. As long as it took for that wicked look to get out of Kai’s eyes.

Or he would find a way inside anyway and then her ass was grass because that man looked serious.

She should have told him about the tires. She’d made that promise a long time before. In her attempts to avoid him the previous evening she’d decided that calling and telling him her car had been viciously attacked was counter productive to the whole point of avoiding him. Now with a whole night’s wisdom behind her, she could see that it might have been a mistake.

Locking him out of her room would probably be another mistake.

She turned on him. Maybe she could get out of this. “Hey, you know in all the craziness of last night I totally forgot to mention that my tires got messed up. Maybe that was a manufacturer defect or something. It’s hard to tell in the dark.”

He stood in the doorway to her bedroom. Past him, she could still hear a lot of talking since it seemed her normally quiet house had been invaded. It didn’t matter. They could talk all they liked because all Kori could see or really hear was Kai. “Are you certain that’s the tactic you want to take with me?”

“Nope. I’m not certain at all.” She wasn’t certain of anything. When she’d woken and realized he wasn’t still in bed with her, she’d been disappointed. She’d reached out and his side of the bed had been cold, and for a second she’d felt tears cloud her eyes. Then she’d decided it was a good thing. He’d done what she wanted him to do. He’d snuck out and avoided embarrassing morning-after stuff. Except he hadn’t. Apparently he’d invited friends over to witness the embarrassing morning-after stuff. “What are you still doing here?”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “What am I still doing here? I was making you and your friends some breakfast. I was attempting to be a good…houseguest.”

She was almost certain houseguest wasn’t what he’d meant to say. What other words would he have used? Boyfriend? Dom? Master? Every single one of them got her heart racing. Was she thinking of trying with Kai? Could her heart handle that? “How did everyone else get here?”

“My brother seems to be stalking me and Case came over because he was worried about you. Apparently he knew about someone vandalizing your car.”

That was news to her. “He did? I didn’t tell him.”

“Who did you tell?” The question came out with an edge of irritation.

“Sarah and Mia. I decided to wait until this morning to call someone because it was late last night.” And I’d been trying to avoid you only to end up having the best sleep of my life because I was wrapped around you. Yeah, she wasn’t going to say that.

“How about the police? Were you going to call them? If you’re going to make an insurance claim, you’ll need a police report. Or are you going to claim that your tires died of natural causes?”

She held her hands up, attempting to placate him. Why did her room seem so much smaller when he was in it? It was a good-sized room, but Kai took up all the space. “You’re right. I should have called last night, but I was tired and I wanted to get home and get in bed.”

His gorgeous eyes narrowed. “You weren’t in bed. You were sitting up with your friends drinking wine. Try again.”

“Kai, what’s going on here? It’s a couple of tires.”

“You were supposed to call me if you got in trouble.”

“I wasn’t really in…” What was she doing? Before yesterday, she would never have lied to Kai. Not right to his face. “I was nervous about seeing you after the scene.”

“Finally some honesty. I’ll handle it. I’ll deal with the police and get you what you need for your insurance. The boys from McKay-Taggart will set up some discreet surveillance cameras around our parking lot.”

There was a reason they didn’t have that. “I thought you didn’t want the patients to feel like they were walking into a secure zone.”

Some of them had serious issues with people watching them. They dealt with a lot of PTSD patients.

“I will deal with them. Your safety is more important. Now turn around, pull your pants down, and place your palms flat on the bed. It’s a count of thirty.”

She could actually feel her womb spasm. “What?”

Nothing about his face or stance told he was anything but dead serious. “This was a condition of your employment. It has been from the beginning.”

If she wasn’t careful her damn jaw was going to hit the floor. “I remember the conditions of my employment. Are you saying if I’d been late and hadn’t called, you would have spanked me?”

“I suppose we should be happy you’re a very prompt girl. And you tend to be good about calling. We’ll never know. What I do know is that after last night, I will definitely spank you and you’ll enjoy it. You might start showing up late just so you can walk into my office and present that juicy ass to me.” He moved in front of her, staring down at her with heat in his eyes. “I want you to think before you tell me no. I want you to question which side of the Kori I know is going to win this battle. Is it the funny, happy, brave Kori who never stands down from a challenge, or the one who’s denied herself for years because some idiot asshole Dom made her feel small. I won’t ever make you feel small. My job in life will be to lift you up, to help you be strong.”

His words cut through her. “What are you saying, Kai? Is this about you being my boss or acting as my play partner?”

She thought they’d worked it out last night.

His hands cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look up at him. “I’m acting as your Dom, Kori, and you know it. You can pretend all you like. You can call it whatever you want to, but you know how this ends. This ends with you and me.”

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

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Subordination by Katie Ashley…..Release Day Blitz

Are you ready to submit in Subordination by Katie Ashley!

NOW AVAILABLE

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1mpQbuS

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NrvMOW

Blurb

When Sophie Jameson first became a domme at Club 1740, it was more out of financial necessity than it was for personal pleasure and sexual exploration. But over the years as she rocked her leather corsets and boots while wielding every crop and flogger imaginable, she grew to love the thrill and adulation that her clients brought her. But all along, her path in life and her heart was with a different profession—one she was planning to embark on at the summer’s end.

And then he changed everything. Tall, dark, impossibly built—William was the complete opposite of whatever image a male sub conjured up. After all the subs, Sophie finally felt true lust and desire. Although he was the proud stallion who needed breaking, he became the one to make her break all her rules and let down all her walls.

But it was just supposed to be for that one night, but an accidental encounter days later outside Club 1740’s protected walls had the two seeing each other in a different light—as simply Sophie and William, not Domme and sub. While they should have parted ways, they couldn’t. While they should never have gone back to her place, they did.

And that simple mistake has a serious price for both of them.

Subordination Excerpt

In the distance, a figure crested the hill on his way down from the mountain. Something about the man appeared familiar. Over the years of running at the park, I was used to seeing fellow running acquaintances. But as the incredibly built man grew nearer, my stomach lurched. Oh no, this wasn’t possible. I couldn’t literally be running into someone I’d been in a scene with the night before. In the five years I’d worked at 1740, I had never, ever run into a client.

We were within a few feet of each other when he gave a complimentary nod of hello. Then he literally skidded to a stop, sending bits of gravel flying around us. Just as I started to pass him, acknowledgement of who I truly was flashed on his face.

FUUUUUCK I screamed in my head. With everything I had in me, I raced ahead.

“Mistress Juliette?” he called.

Those two little words from his mouth send me tripping over a limb. As I sprawled onto the ground, my knees bumped along the uneven terrain. Once I came to a stop, pain raged all through my body, although it was excruciatingly centralized in my right ankle.

I rolled into a sitting position and brought my hand to my tennis shoe. “Fuck,” I muttered. It was to address both the pain and the fact that a shadow had crossed over me. A bulky shadow belonging to the only sub I had ever let myself go with.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Mistress.”

My gaze spun wildly around the clearing. “Stop calling me that!” I hissed.

“I’m sorry. Are you all right?”

Damn, that voice of his. Momentarily forgetting my ankle, I could feel myself growing wet just from the deep timbre, not to mention how sexy his concern was.

“No, actually, I’m not.” I jerked my gaze from my foot up to his handsome face. “My ankle is throbbing like a mother fucker, not to mention I’m mortified as hell I just busted my ass right in front of you.”

The corners of his lips fluttered, and I could tell he was fighting the urge not to laugh at me. Without a word, he knelt down beside me. “Let me take a look.”

I jerked my foot away from his overeager hands, which caused me to wince from the pain. “I think you’ve done enough already.”

Cocking his dark brows at me, he said, “My mistress’s health and well-being is always my upmost concern.”

I fought the urge to smack him and not so he could get off on it. “Here’s a newsflash for you. We are not in 1740 anymore, Toto, so this whole sub taking care of his mistress bullshit isn’t going to fly.”

“I’m not in to dog play,” he countered, with a wink.

“Yeah, well, last time I checked, you’re not sporting my collar, so I’m not your mistress.”

“Ouch, you really bring out the claws when you’re hurting, don’t you?” When I opened my mouth to lay into him again, he brought a finger over my lips. “Quit your bitching, and let me check out your ankle, okay?”

“Are you a doctor or paramedic in real life?”

He smiled, causing those delicious dimples of his to pop out. “No, not quite.”

“Then how do I know you’re actually qualified to look at my ankle and not just wanting to cop a feel of my foot?”

With a chuckle, he replied, “Don’t have a foot fetish either.”

As he slid my tennis shoe off, I hissed. “Answer the question.”

“Easy now,” he murmured.

“What qualifies you to look at my ankle?” I demanded.

“I used to be a football coach.”

“Professional?”

He laughed. “No, high school.”

“Oh,” I murmured.

“Yeah, you bandage at least one sprained ankle every game.” He glanced up at me. “Yours doesn’t feel sprained, but it’s definitely swollen. I have a first aid kit in my truck. I can bandage it for you.”

I eyed him suspiciously. As a submissive, I knew he truly subscribed to the code of conduct that his mistress always came first. But we weren’t in the club, and although club management did background checks that rivaled the FBI, he was still a stranger to me. Well, a stranger who I’d seen naked and bent over a spanking horse.

Knowing that I didn’t really have a choice, I huffed out a frustrated breath. “Okay, fine. I’ll let you take care of my ankle.”

“Try not to sound so excited about it, okay?” William said with a teasing expression.

About the Author

Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Best-Selling author. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, and her two very spoiled dogs. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Harry Potter, Shakespeare, Supernatural, Designing Women, and Scooby-Doo.

With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent 11 1/2 years educating the Youth of America aka teaching MS and HS English until she left to write full time in December 2012.

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The Ground Rules: Two Beautiful Couples, Five Simple Rules, One Hot Mess….Excerpt & Giveaway

The Ground Rules: Two Beautiful Couples, Five Simple Rules, One Hot Mess!

EXCERPT:

I shrug and laugh out loud. Gabe’s mouth against my neck tickles.

“Keep the hat. You look smokin’ with the hat.”

I’m not quite sure how the Santa hat ended up on my head. I think I plopped it on when I was emptying the Christmas boxes, digging the ornaments out, and praying to God they weren’t broken…

Somehow Gabe and I have ended up in bed, with the bedroom door locked. When we opened the Christmas boxes, the girls were very excited to see all the holiday movies. And always the resourceful guy, Gabe suggested they watch one of them, “With popcorn and everything.” I smiled at him and reminded him that we had a tree and a house to decorate. But he told me he could think of much more fun things we could be doing—and Gabe’s idea of fun usually involves a bed…or a chair, or countertop…

He takes his sweet time as he unbuttons my blouse, from the bottom up.

“We have an hour and forty-two minutes,” he whispers in my ear.

Every button he undoes brings me closer to desire. I love watching his large hands working their way up slowly to my breasts. He shoots me a wicked smile as I grab a handful of his shirt.

I want him.

“Is the door locked?” God, he looks more delicious than the hot cocoa we were just about to have before he dragged me to the bedroom. Okay, perhaps the use of the word “dragged” is not quite appropriate here, because I was sure willing and more than a little enthusiastic.

I practically rip off his shirt. I love his tribal tattoo—it covers about half his smooth, sculpted chest and flows over his shoulder and arm, transforming him into a living work of art…

He kisses me just right, with a heady mix of slow sensuality and eagerness, one rough hand on my face, and the other on my rear. He tugs my yoga pants down, tearing his mouth away from mine. “You know what would look real hot with that Santa hat?”

I pull off his lounging pants in one swift move. “What?” I’m kind of in a hurry. Part of me is worried one of the girls will interrupt us—they always seem to.

He trails his finger along the edge of my plain cotton bra. “That little lacy red number you have. I’ve seen it in your drawer but I’ve never seen it on you.”

Oh that…

I want to tell him I’m trying to forget that little set. I should have really thrown it out, but it’s so beautiful and expensive I just can’t bring myself to get rid of it. Although every time I look at it,

I’m reminded of Weston—our third date—the red dress. That little red silky set came off so slowly, but it was so worth the wait. Weston practically made me beg that night, and with every ticking second, he made me crave him more and more.

I shake my head a little and start making excuses. “I don’t really like that underwear. It’s a bit small.”

Gabe’s hand still lingers on my rear and he flashes me a wicked smile. “There’s no such thing as ‘too small’ when it comes to underwear, babe.”

I shoot him a half-smile. The truth is I just don’t want to wear it with Gabe because I’m afraid all I’ll think about is Weston.

His eyes are dark as he pulls off my cotton undies. “I’m getting you naked, and you’re putting that little red number on.” His tone is all business. It’s not a suggestion, it’s practically an order. I know there’s no use in arguing with him over something so trivial. I know when to pick my fights, and this isn’t the time.

He pulls the strap of my sports bra down and takes my breast in his mouth. I bury my hands in his beautiful curls.

I do want this.

And if he wants to see me in the red underwear, it really isn’t such a big deal.

Naked as the day I was born, I walk over to my lingerie drawer in our walk-in closet and reluctantly pull out the red set. I trail my finger along the delicate edges, images flashing through my mind; my own little erotic film.

As I slip it on, I’m instantly aroused. I’m like Pavlov’s dog—the red set is like the bell—instant association to sex…toe-curling sex.

After some tugging and slapping to get everything where it should be, I finally emerge with the infamous red bra and panties on.

Gabe lies back on the bed with nothing on but tight silky black boxers. “Good God, that’s hot.”

I smile. He’s looking pretty damn good too—sculpted body, black ink on smooth olive skin and that look on his face…that look which tells me he’s about to have his fun with me.

And suddenly, I feel like playing too.

He leans back on his elbows. “Come here, Santa’s Little Helper.”

-from The Ground Rules: Rewritten, by Roya Carmen

Amazon: Book One: http://amzn.to/1Ql2Yv3
Book Two: http://amzn.to/1jYgS8b

GIVEAWAY

As a holiday gift to her amazing readers, Roya Carmen is giving away TWO copies of her best selling novels – one for you, and one to gift to a friend! Share this post and comment below for a chance to win The Ground Rules, and The Ground Rules: Rewritten. Tag your friends!

Contest sponsored by Omnific Publishing. Winners will be chosen on December 17th.

Harlequin Spotlight…Her Mistletoe Cowboy by Marie Ferrarella

HER MISTLETOE COWBOY

By Marie Ferrarella

Synopsis:

Kimberly Lee isn’t sure what she’ll find when she comes to Forever, Texas, to do a story on a groundbreaking program that could put this small town on the map. It certainly isn’t the warm, friendly community that makes the roving reporter feel instantly at home. Or the accident that lays her up at Garrett White Eagle’s ranch, where the blue-eyed rancher awakens feelings she long ago gave up.

Giving people hope again is the goal of the healing ranch Garrett started with his brother. And the lovely, hardworking writer is no exception. Doesn’t Kim realize how much good they can do—together? Her future is here with him if she’s willing to trust in a love that could fulfill the promise of forever.

Holiday Bon Appétit and a Book:

I think Christmas and everyone I know thinks of my mint chip brownies and my marzipan bundt cake. The brownies are more or less a standard recipe, except doubled (so the brownies are nice and thick) and add in lots of mint chips. Here’s the marzipan cake:

Marzipan Cake

INGREDIENTS:

1 (18.25 ounce) package moist white (or yellow) cake mix

1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

¾ cup of vegetable oil

¾ cup of Amaretto

4 eggs

½ cup of almond slivers

1 tube of almond paste (marzipan)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 10 inch bundt pan with Pam (with flour)

Cut almond paste into approximately 14 slices, then put into blender (or something that resembles coffee bean grinder). Object is to break up the slices into tiny pieces to distribute the flavor throughout the cake.

In medium bowl combine all the above ingredients then beat with an electric mixer for 5 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes (insert knife in center, cake is done when knife comes out clean) Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert and remove cake from pan (with luck!). Let cake cool completely, then drizzle with powder sugar.

Enjoy.

Writer’s Space:

I write anywhere, any time I can find. I do a good deal of my writing in the first floor back bedroom which is half order, half chaos. I have a large desk I put together from Office Max that houses two printers, my desk top computer (I have worn out at least 10 computers), a landline and lots of notes. It’s buffered by two bookcases stocked with my books, research books plus an old fashioned record player (with a CD player) because music is important to my process.

About the author:

MARIE FERRARELLA’s first romance was bought by Second Chance at Love in 1981. She has also been published by Silhouette, Harlequin, Zebra, Harper, Bantam and Berkeley. She has received several RITA nominations from the Romance Writers of America Association over the years with one win for Father Goose in the traditional romance category. She has also been nominated several times in various categories by Romantic Times Magazine.

Special Cover Reveal….The Sutherlands: One Family Saga, 11 Sexy Stories

The

The Sutherlands: One Family Saga, 11 Sexy Stories

Pre-order this set full of brand-new contemporary romances for only 99 cents! Twenty percent of the royalties earned will go to the Reach Out and Read charity.

Meet the Sutherlands, a Texas oil family that doesn’t break the rules…they make their own. Preorder this box set of sizzling hot, never before published full-length novels and novellas about the Sutherland family alpha heroes and kickass heroines that are sure to melt your e-reader and help you find your next book boyfriend. But act fast—this set will only be available until April 15, so pre-order yours today!

Inside The Sutherlands you’ll find:

Shadow Ranch by USA Today best selling author Robin Covington – Passion and secrets thrive in the dark…

Wrecked by Wall Street Journal best selling author Terri Osburn – Revenge is always personal…

Bound to Damage by Avril Ashton – When protecting you heart is no longer an option…protect your neck.

Foolish Expectations by Alison Bliss – Forever is the last thing they expected…

Under the Evening Star by Shyla Colt – They must choose between the past that hunts and a love that can heal…

Brazen by Avery Flynn – This bad boy boxer just met his match…

Screwed by Kelly Jamieson – The only time losing is more fun than winning is when you’re fighting temptation…

Stripped by Abby Niles – She’s going to strip him bare…

Not the Marrying Kind by Julie Particka – Faking it never felt so good…

Lust and Loathing by Joya Ryan – Sometimes loathing your boss turns into the best kind of lust…

Sweet Surrender by Naima Simone – The price of surrender is passion…

Twenty percent of the royalties earned from each copy of The Sutherlands sold will go to help Reach Out and Read, which gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.

Doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals incorporate Reach Out and Read’s evidence-based, three-part model into regular pediatric checkups:

Trained doctors and nurses speak with parents about the importance of reading aloud, starting in infancy.
At each regular checkup from 6 months through 5 years of age, the child receives a new book to take home.
Many Reach Out and Read program sites create literacy-rich environments that include gently-used books for waiting room use and/or volunteer readers to model for parents the techniques of reading aloud to young children.

“As a result of this three-part intervention at the doctor’s office, parents become more engaged and read to their children more often at home. The time spent reading translates into quantifiable gains: Our evidence base of 16 peer-reviewed research studies shows that during the preschool years, children served by Reach Out and Read score three to six months ahead of their non-Reach Out and Read peers on vocabulary tests. These early foundational language skills help propel children on a path of success when they enter school,” states Reach Out and Read.

The program serves nearly 4.5 million children and their families across the nation, with a special emphasis on serving those in low-income communities. In June 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics declared literacy promotion to be an “essential component of pediatric care” for all children, referencing Reach Out and Read as an effective intervention to engage parents and prepare children to achieve their potential in school and beyond.

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First Touch by Laurelin Paige….. Excerpt

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REEVE IS COMING!

Meet Reeve & Emily in First Touch releasing December 29th!

Blurb

When Emily Wayborn goes home to visit her mom while on hiatus from her hit TV show, she receives a voicemail from her former best friend, Amber. Though the two were once notorious party girls, they haven’t spoken in years. Although the message might sound benign to anyone else, Amber uses a safe word that Emily recognizes, a word they always used to get out of sticky situations during their wild days. And what’s more chilling than the voicemail: it turns out that Amber has gone missing.

Determined to track down her friend, Emily follows a chain of clues that lead her to the enigmatic billionaire Reeve Sallis, a hotelier known for his shady dealings and play boy reputation. Now, in order to find Amber, Emily must seduce Reeve to learn his secrets and discover the whereabouts of her friend. But as she finds herself more entangled with him, she finds she’s drawn to Reeve for more than just his connection to Amber, despite her growing fear that he may be the enemy. When she’s forced to choose where her loyalty lies, how will she decide between saving Amber and saving her heart?

Excerpt

The room began to close in around me, blanketing me with acute heaviness. I drained my champagne in one swallow then set it on a waiter’s tray as I pushed through the crowd and out to the overflow area that had been set up in the parking lot. Once the chill night breeze hit me, I gasped in a deep breath, swallowing the air in long gulps, as though I’d been underwater and had finally reached the surface.

With Amber, I’d been a glorified hooker. In Hollywood, wasn’t I pretty much the same thing? I’d simply left one bed to move to another. I chuckled at the paradox. It deserved a laugh, at least.

Footsteps sounded behind me, and I stifled the last bit of humor threatening to escape. Without looking over my shoulder, I felt the air change. The hair at the back of my neck bristled and the sting of electricity huddled around me.

I turned, somehow knowing what I’d find—who I’d find.

He leaned against the concrete doorframe watching me with eyes that pinned me in my place. He was captivating and magnificent, his tux fitting him better than clothing had the right to fit a person, better than any one of the pretty men that filled the room beyond him. Those men, my peers, they were a sea of beautiful—calm and serene. Reeve was the ocean, dark and commanding and turbulent. They moved in gentle waves. Reeve stood still and set the world crashing around him.

That easily, the breath I’d just managed to get under control was knocked from my lungs.

He spoke before I could regain my composure. “What a coincidence that you’d be at the same event that I’m at.”

The boldness of his accusation shocked me into response. “I’m not following you, if that’s what you’re insinuating.” My pulse fluttered in fear, in excitement. In irritation. I didn’t like the way he agitated me. Maybe I’d deserved it at his resort, but this? This was my turf.

With a surprising display of fierceness, I locked my eyes to his. “I’m the one who belongs at this event. Not you.”

He laughed and the sound of it fueled my indignation. It also sent heat rushing up my thighs, heat that turned my rage inward as well as out.

Hands in his pockets, Reeve stepped toward me. “Calm down, Emily. I was only teasing. Of course you aren’t here because of me. Perhaps, I’m here because of you.” He paused long enough for panic to jolt through me with reminders of the ominous words he’d delivered to me the last time we’d seen each other. “Perhaps, this time I’m the one who’s examining.”

My anger stepped up another notch, overwhelming my unease. “Examining me? Like, why—to scare me? To see if I’m as fun to mess with when you’re outside the home field? How dare you? Come here, into my world and prod at me just because you feel like it. Proceed to make it your playground. How dare you?”

His lip curved into a chiding smile. “Now you know how I felt.”

I refused to acknowledge my humiliation, though the flush that swept down my neck more than likely gave it away. “Thank you for the lesson, Mr. Sallis,” I said, my voice surprisingly steady. “I assure you that I have more than gotten the point. You won’t be having to give me any further demonstrations.” I started toward the venue doors, praying I could manage the walk. High heels and weak knees did not make for a good combination.

I circled widely around him, wanting to keep as much distance between us as possible. But I could still feel the warmth pulsating off him like the driving beat of a dance club. It trembled through me, coming up from the ground, shaking me, gripping me. I fought through it, forced myself past him.

“Emily.” His address caught me mid-stride. Five more feet and I’d be back in the Expo. Just a few more steps…

I couldn’t help myself—I stayed. I didn’t turn toward him, though. That was my single act of restraint.

“What I did to you at the spa—”His voice was silk and stubble all at once. The texture of the sound, as much as the mention of the spa, was bait on a hook. I practically leaned into his next words. “It wasn’t very nice.”

I spun toward him. “You think?”

“I like my privacy. I was mad.” It wasn’t an explanation so much as it was a reminder. You provoked me, he was saying. You deserved it.

“So you made me think you wanted to kill me?” Admittedly, I had earned his admonishment. I hadn’t earned a death threat.

“Eh. I never said I wanted—”

I cut him off with a point of my finger. “You did. In every way you could without the specific words.”

He opened his mouth as if to defend himself further. Then his expression changed, his features darkened, his eyes gleamed. “Did it scare you?”

“What do you think?” A shiver ran down my spine. He knew he’d scared me. It had been his intent to rile me up, make me afraid. What I hadn’t realized was how much he liked that he had.

About the Author:

Laurelin Paige is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She’s a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.

STALK HER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Fahrenheit by Alex Rosa…. Blog Tour

Fahrenheit Synopsis:

Lauren Michaels is exhausted with the push and pull of copy editing for Los Angeles’s woman’s magazine, Frenzy, which caters to pop culture, style, and above all, sex.

She wants to write for the magazine rather than edit, but her boss is convinced that Lauren’s conservative tendencies won’t fit in with the risqué nature of what Frenzy is about.

Convinced to make her mark, Lauren begs for the chance to prove herself.

Her mission? To investigate the growing popularity of sex clubs in Los Angeles, and figure out how the sensual underworld functions.

Out of her element, Lauren starts her search with pen and paper in hand at a local sex shop, hoping she’ll find a trail that leads to the lairs of sex and fetishes. Instead, it leads her to Nathan Sanders. He’s daunting, charming, and a little too dark and mysterious for her taste, but Lauren knows he’s what she needs as her way in.

What she doesn’t see coming is that Nathan is all too willing to invite her to a nightclub she’s only ever heard stories about, and also the fact that Nathan know’s Lauren doesn’t have a clue what she’s getting herself into.

This could be fun, they said. There’s no harm in it, they agreed.

Little do they know, a little research can serve up some unexpected results.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://mybook.to/fahrenheit

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Goodreads: https://goo.gl/xygPMg

EXCERPT

I’m trying to find a way to level the playing field, but nothing comes to mind, and nothing seems to make sense.

Nathan is here. In public. He likes me nervous. He also likes my honesty. And he totally kissed me. In public. He also called my best friend a jackass. Did I forget to mention he kissed me? In public? Oh, and on occasion we go to a sex nightclub, and he does mind blowing things to my body … for my research.

As if reading my wandering thoughts, and steering them where he sees fit, he pulls me in for another shocking kiss, only tail spinning my confusion into a twenty-car-pile up on the highway of my brain.

I can’t help myself as I kiss back with confusion, and a deep-seated frustration fuels my words that I manage between our lips, “You’re insane, and you get some sick pleasure messing with me.”

He pulls away, nodding his confirmation. Is it to insanity, or to messing with me? Hard to tell.

His hand slides over my shoulder and down the side of my torso before he lifts it back to his side of the towel, putting blatant distance between us, and I wish the goose bumps weren’t so obvious as they pebble over the skin he’s just touched.

“I have a request,” he says a little too sweetly, and I’m admittedly too interested in that tone, and his effortless switch in bravado. I can barely keep up, and I worry he knows it.

“Really? I can’t imagine what that’ll be,” I chide, wiping my mouth of his recent assault, trying to pretend I’m basking in the sunshine, and not his stare.

I don’t want him to leave yet, though, but he’s already shifting his body as if he’s getting ready to.

He leans forward, his eyes heated, his lips soft and swollen as they brush against the shell of my ear, igniting my adrenaline before whispering, “I want you to touch yourself tonight, and I dare you not to think of me.”

Nate’s mouth spine-tinglingly nips at my earlobe, which apparently shares a nerve ending with the one between my legs.

Dirty talk is something I’ve never encountered … ever, but I think I like it.

He’s clambering up, smugly smirking, adjusting his swim trunks again without uttering a goodbye, because apparently his work here is done, and I try not to turn into a blabbering idiot.

“Y-You don’t play fair!” I shout as he grabs for his surfboard and begins walking away, shooting me that dammed half smile before he’s heading back to the water. The bastard even winks with his teeth clamped down over his bottom lip, forcing all the heat in my cheeks to rush south.

From surprise visits, to life advice, to naughty requests; how the hell do I wrap my head around any of that?

I’m hot and bothered all over again, and it’s not because I’ve been in the sun too long.

I try not to watch him run back to the water and trace my eyes over the lines of his ass in his swim trunks, even though the sight could easily be worshipped. I’d go to church every damn day if that’s what was waiting for me on the pews.

Oh god, I need to get a grip. My catholic mother’s cross is probably burning.

Regardless, one question can’t help but flash like bright neon in my mind: How come Nate’s allowed to break all the rules, but I can’t?

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Alex Rosa Bio:

Alex Rosa lives in San Diego, California. When she isn’t scouring city parks or cafe’s to write she is more than likely trying to convince her friends to join her on her next adventure. A sufferer of wanderlust, she is always looking for a new mountain to climb, a canyon to hike, or a plane to board. Her resume consists of coroner, to working at a zoo, and most recently as an executive assistant, but finds her home amongst words, whether it be in books, or in film. Her obsessions are on the brink of bizarre, but that’s just the way she likes it.

Links:

Website: http://www.authorarosa.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.arosa/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/oh_alexrosa

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alexxrosa/

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Tumblr: http://aarosa.tumblr.com/

Harlequin Spotlight…A Cold Creek Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne

A COLD CREEK CHRISTMAS STORY

by RaeAnne Thayne

Synopsis:

Sparkle In The Snow Leads To So Much More

Celeste Nichols has always preferred to keep to herself in her hometown of Pine Gulch, Idaho…until she becomes an instant celebrity! When one of her children’s stories becomes a major success, she’s suddenly the talk of the town. Celeste should be gloriously happy…but something, someone, special is still missing from her life. Could the return of her childhood crush be the answer?

Flynn Delaney has moved back home for his daughter’s sake. Yet all the millionaire’s resources can’t help the little girl heal from the tragic loss of her mother. Shy librarian Celeste and her stories do hold some indefinable magic, though. Flynn came home looking for support—can he find that, and true love, in the one who got away?

Holiday Bon Appétit and a Book:

Luxurious Hot Chocolate

4 cups of milk (whole is best)

8 ounces of high-quality chocolate … I like Guittard semisweet chips. White chocolate works too, for a different taste.

3 teaspoons of powdered sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (pure, not imitation)

1/8 teaspoon salt

Finely chop the chocolate. Even if using chocolate chips, the smaller the pieces, the better it will dissolve in liquid. On low heat in a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a low boil, whisking occasionally to keep from scorching. Add the vanilla, powdered sugar, salt and chocolate and whisk vigorously until the chocolate has melted. Heat for another 4 minutes, constantly stirring. Serve with a dollop of real whipped cream.

You can add lots of things to this recipe: Mint, vanilla bean, cinnamon stick. Whatever your preference. Just add herbs or spices to the milk while simmering. After it boils, remove from heat and let the milk steep for 10 minutes then strain off your add-ins and return to simmer before adding the chocolate and other ingredients.

Writer’s Space:

I love my office! I wrote my first 15 books in a corner of a dining room, usually with kids running around me. Eventually, we moved to a new house where I actually had an office, which was wonderful – but it was in the basement, with only a view of a window well. A year ago, I was able to move my office to this spot that has huge windows with a beautiful view of my northern Utah mountains (though I have to look past the neighboring houses!). It’s been perfect. I love writing in front of the fireplace – and I keep the Christmas tree up until spring, since I’m writing Christmas books for several months out of the year and it helps keep me in the mood.

About the author:

New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including four RITA® Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews. RaeAnne loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.

Bait & Switch by Kendall Ryan… Teaser

RELEASE DAY: February 9^th, 2016

Bait & Switch

Alphas Undone Book 1

Love is a trap, a trick only other people fall for. Former Navy SEAL Nolan has no such illusions. The only things real in his life are his beloved bulldog and the two women who regularly share his bed. One is light—soft, innocent, and tender touches. The other is dark—and gives him all of the wicked things he craves behind closed doors. It’s not cheating when each is aware of the other. But when he begins to feel much more than he ever bargained for, the order of his carefully crafted world is shaken, and he stands to lose everything.

Nolan thinks we met by chance. We didn’t. I sought him out, seduced him, and in return got the sanctuary I needed to survive. But now, impossibly, I’ve fallen in love with him. I don’t care that he has another lover, because when he finds out who I am, it’s going to ruin any chance I ever had with him anyway. She’s the least of my worries.

Bait & Switch is Book 1 in a new contemporary romance series by Kendall Ryan.

Exclusive ibooks preorder: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/bait-switch/id1043398083?mt=11

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27175281-bait-switch

We are thrilled to bring you the Review/Excerpt Tour for TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti! TEASED is a novella in the world of her Dark Protectors Series, brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. Released on December 8, 2015, be sure to grab a copy of this sexy novella today!

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Excerpt:

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Fahrenheit Synopsis:

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EXCERPT

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Alex Rosa Bio:

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