Do Not Disturb by Stephanie Julian….Excerpt Blog Tour Stop

Do Not Disturb Synopsis:

A seductive affair is twisted by secrets in the latest Salon Games novel from the author of Over Exposed.

To the outside world, Dane Connelly is the playboy heir of a media mogul, his life a series of one-night stands with no commitments. Only in the Salon does he satisfy his darker urges with willing partners. Life was perfect…until his best friend fell in love. Now Dane knows exactly what he’s been missing—and exactly who he wants.

Talia Driscoll enjoys creating perfection. She loves bright, glittery parties and fairy tale weddings. But she knows the illusion is short-lived. Nothing lasts forever and everyone lies to get what they want. After all, she lies about her true identity every day.

After an explosive night at the Salon, Dane is determined to sway the reluctant Talia to be his completely. But the secrets that keep them apart are at odds with the erotic passion that draws them together…

Praise for the Salon Games novels:

“Ms. Julian gives the readers what they want and so much more.”—Fallen Angel Reviews

“An emotionally charged journey filled with lust, betrayal and secrets.”—RT Book Reviews

“Stephanie Julian know[s] how to write seriously hot, melt your e-reader sex scenes.”—Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Excerpt:

“Sensation is such a personal thing.” He tugged on her hand as he headed in the opposite direction, toward a shadowed corner of the room where a couple of chairs sat on either side of a long, low coffee table.

At first glance, the table and chairs didn’t seem to match the rest of the furniture in the room. Their legs appeared thicker, sturdier. The design brought to mind a Victorian parlor, but she knew they’d been specially made for this room.

The chairs had cushioned seat pads but were higher than normal. And the seat itself curved in at the front. The longer she stared at the chair, the more intrigued she became. And the more detail she noticed. Like the three metal rings on the outside of the legs, at varying intervals.

Her body heated as she considered uses for those rings. Then her gaze switched to the table, where she saw those same rings on the legs.

“Jared had these pieces commissioned on my designs. Not as elegant as other pieces, but the company who produced them are craftsmen. They took the raw designs I gave them and created something beautiful.”

His hand settled against her back again, making her breath catch in her throat. He did nothing but let it lie there, though her body reacted as if he’d caressed her.

“The same company made the larger piece in the corner.”

She automatically turned to see what he was referring to, following the direction in which he pointed.

She knew as soon as she saw it what it could be used for. The images that came to mind made her wet.

Holy hell. She wanted him to strip her right now and screw her. On the floor, on the table, on the chair. On that padded, black-leather horse.

She wasn’t as much of a prude as her friends obviously thought she was. She read voraciously and had acquired a taste for erotica along with the thrillers and mysteries she devoured on a regular basis.

She loved the freedom the women in those stories enjoyed and had often wished she could be just as adventurous, but she’d never met a man who made her want to give up that much control.

Until she’d met Dane.

“Which do you prefer?” She glanced up at Dane and found him watching her with blistering intensity. “The horse or the chairs?”

For a second, she thought he might insult her intelligence and ask if she knew what the pieces were used for. When he didn’t, she wanted to reward him. And she would. Maybe right there on that chair.

“I don’t have a favorite. Each has its own reward. I think it depends on what you’re in the mood for.”

“And what are you in the mood for?”

He lifted a brow at her. “Why do I have to choose only one?” A pause. “So here’s how it’s going to go. You’re going to strip and sit on that chair.”

She tried to control her reaction but couldn’t, because she felt as if every bone in her body had gone liquid.

How did he know exactly the right thing to say to make her want to do exactly what he said?

Was it the tone of his voice? The look in his eyes? The memory of his mouth on her body and how she felt when he sucked on her nipples?

“Then I’m going to tie your legs to those rings with silk ropes so you can’t close them.”

The beat of her heart throbbed in her ears, drowning out everything but the sound of his voice and the heaviness of her breathing.

“And then I’m going to kneel between your legs and lick you until you scream. And don’t worry about the noise. The entire room is soundproofed.”

Stephanie Julian Bio:

Stephanie Julian writes sophisticated, sultry romance for the adventurous reader. She’s a reformed reporter with a BA in English and a perpetually messy house (and no real desire to do anything about that).

She’s happily married to a Springsteen fanatic and is the mother of two sons who introduced her to the joys of Slipknot, Warped Tour and never-ending headaches.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Enter Stephanie’s giveaway!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Lost Love of a Soldier by Jane Lark….Special Announcement

To commemorate the two hundred anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo the publisher HarperCollins has reduced the price of The Lost Love of a Soldier to ninety nine cents for the entire month of June.

Title: The Lost Love of a Soldier (Marlow Intrigues #4)

Author: Jane Lark

Genre: Historical Romance 18+ Regency Period

Publication Date: July 17, 2014

Publisher: HarperImpulse an imprint of HarperCollins

Synopsis

Young, naïve and innocent, Lady Ellen Pembroke falls for a young army officer. Paul has such an easy enchanting smile and his blue eyes glow, vibrancy and warmth emanating from him. She is in love. Captain Paul Harding, finds his attention captured by the beautiful young daughter of the Duke of Pembroke at a house party in the summer. Finding Ellen is like finding treasure on a battle torn field. His sanity clings to her; something beautiful to remind him that all in the world is not ugly. She’s someone to fight for and someone to survive for when he is called to arms in the battle of Waterloo…

The Lost Love of a Soldier Excerpt

“Ellen?”

Paul whispered her name into the night as he heard the rustle of frost bound leaves on the ground. His breath rose in a mist into the cold winter air. He was on the Duke of Pembroke’s land. He’d not dared encourage her to take a horse, so he’d come close enough that she might walk from the house and find him.

He waited at the end of an avenue of yews, out of sight of the house, in a place she could easily see him. His horse whickered, sensing something, or someone. “Ellen?” he whispered again.

Still no answer.

He stayed quiet. Listening. Wondering if she’d been caught as she left the house. He hoped not. If she’d been caught her father would give her no freedom. Short of leading a military assault on Pembroke’s home, he would not be able to get her out then.

The horse shook its head, rattling its bit, and snorted steamy breath into the cold air. The chill of the winter night seeped through his clothes. There would be a hard frost. He hoped she’d dressed in something warm.

He’d have to buy more clothes for her before they sailed. She would need garments to keep her warm in the sea breezes she’d face on their journey to America.

There was another sound.

“Ellen?”

“Paul?”

How did this woman manage to make his heart beat so erratically whenever he saw her? He could run into battle and not be so affected.

She looked even more beautiful in the dark. Ethereal.

A band of silver light reached through the scudding clouds and caught her face.

He let go of the horse’s bridle and instinctively moved forward. He’d never held her. In the summer there had been no moments alone, she’d been strictly chaperoned and even when she’d come to meet him she’d brought the groom and her sister. When they’d met a fortnight ago, she’d still brought a groom. For the first time they were alone. “Ellen.” He stepped forward and embraced her. In answer her arm came about his waist. It was the most precious feeling of his life. He would always remember this day. She was slender and delicate in his arms.

She slipped free, but he caught her nape and pulled her mouth to his, gently pressing his lips against hers. It was her first kiss, he knew; he could tell by the way her body stiffened when he‘d pulled her close. He let her go, a tenderness he’d never known before catching in his chest.

“Come.” He took the leather bag she carried. “Will you ride before me, or would you rather sit behind my saddle and grip my waist?”

“Would it be easier if I ride behind you?” Her voice ran with uncertainty. She was giving up everything to come with him.

“Do what feels comfortable for you, Ellen.”

She nodded, not looking into his eyes. “I would prefer to ride pillion.”

“Then you shall.” He warmed his voice, hoping to ease her discomfort.

Turning to the horse he slipped one foot in the stirrup, then pulled himself up. “Did you have any difficulty leaving the house?”

“No, the servants’ hall was quiet, and the grooms had all retired.”

He rested her bag across his thighs, then held a hand out to her. “Set your foot on mine and take my hand. I’ll pull you up.” He watched her lift the skirt of her dark habit and then the weight of her small foot pressed on his, as her gloved fingers gripped his. She was light, but the grip of her hand and the pressure of her foot made that something clasp tight in his chest, and the emotion stayed clenched as her fingers embraced his waist over his greatcoat.

He shifted in the saddle, his groin tightening too. A few more days. Just days. He had been waiting months. As he turned the horse, Ellen’s cheek pressed against his shoulder.

“Did you tell anyone you were leaving? Your sister? Or your maid?”

“No, I did not want them to have to face Papa knowing the truth. He would be able to see they’d lied, and then who knows what he might do.” Paul urged the mare into a trot as Ellen continued. “He made me spend the day on my knees reading the Commandments because I refused to marry the Duke of Argyle.”

“Today?” He wished to look back at her but he could not.

Her father had been diabolical to Paul, sneering as though he was nothing when he’d done the decent thing and offered for her. He could not imagine the way Pembroke treated the girls.

He had to get Ellen to Gretna before her father caught them, so she never had to come back and face his retribution.

Goodreads

Purchase Links

About the Author

Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult Romance, and a Kindle top 25 bestselling author. She began her first historical novel at sixteen, but a life full of adversity derailed her as she lives with the restrictions of Ankylosing Spondylitis. When she finally completed a novel it was because she was determined not to reach forty still saying, I want to write. Now Jane is writing a Regency series and contemporary, new adult, stories and she is thrilled to be giving her characters life in others’ imaginations at last. You might think that Jane was inspired to write by Jane Austen, especially as she lives near Bath in the United Kingdom, but you would be wrong. Jane’s favourite author is Anya Seton, and the book which drew her into the bliss of falling into historical imagination was ‘Katherine’ a story crafted from reality. Jane has drawn on this inspiration to discover other real-life love stories, reading memoirs and letters to capture elements of the past, and she uses them to create more realistic plots. ‘Basically I love history and I am sucker for a love story. I love the feeling of falling in love; it’s wonderful being able to do it time and time again in fiction.’ Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom, and uses this specialist understanding of people to bring her characters to life.

Connect with the Author: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Website

Review…A Life Of Inches by Douglas Esper

Synopsis:

Ryan Kelly and Woodie Wodyzewski always fight for every inch.

Whether on the baseball diamond, the basketball court, or even the dance floor, these two friends are true competitors.

When Ryan beats Woodie in a bike race because Woodie has the misfortune to be hit by a car, he seems to have won. But the beautiful girl who crashes into their lives is worth far more than any trophy.

Molly De Leon knows all about winning, and nothing will keep her from her goals.

Ryan and Woodie have been vying for Molly since the day they met. How can she possibly choose between them?

Woodie has a complicated family situation and she desperately wants to help him through his misery and confusion. A little on edge with a temper, he’s the bad boy in her life who reminds Molly a lot of her mother, a powerful politician she’s grown up watching bend men and women to her will with a simple smile.

Ryan, on the other hand, is very close to his parents, grounded, and has a good sense of humor. He’s not your typical jock; he’s a safe, reliable pick, and a constant in Molly’s life—that is, until his injuries lead him down a destructive path.

Molly realizes it’s time to make a decision…

But how can she risk losing either one of them when they both own a piece of her heart?

My review:

A Life Of Inches is the newest work from author Douglas Esper and being a baseball fan and romance fan myself, this was an interesting mix of both and one I enjoyed.

The love triangle between Woodie, Molly, and Ryan was one that started pretty early on and one that continued for years. This is their journey; from when they all meet by a chance encounter and where that path takes them.

Molly had two very different choices: the hot-headed bad boy or the softer and more caring nice guy. Both are going through the ups and downs of the pro-baseball world, a world they both have lived for since their childhood. Both are highly competitive with one another, although they really don’t come out and say it. Both had their good points and their bad points and it was definitely a tough choice for her to make. After all, they’ve both been in her life for so many years. But one would end up meaning more to her in the end, and he’s the choice I would have made, too. Oh, and there was a bit of a surprise at the end that had me smiling. (No, no, I won’t ruin it for you and tell you who she chose….you’ll just have to read and find out.)

I will say that baseball does take a big role in this book. Some may find it a bit much, but as I said earlier, I myself am a baseball fan. You can find me most weekends sitting at one of my son’s many baseball games one of the two teams he’s on is playing or occasionally sitting at a Phillies game trying to figure out why I wasted money on a ticket. Yep, I’m a baseball girl at heart!

All in all this was a fun read that I enjoyed. Thank you, Douglas, for a great sports filled romance!

Three-and-a-Half Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

It was at a very early age when I, Douglas Esper, (your friendly neighborhood author) realized I had a passion for the written word. As a youngster, I couldn’t get enough books to satisfy my desire to read and to this day, I still own many books my parents got for me. In school I gravitated toward reading and writing to the point teachers grew impatient with me for writing stories in class.
The passion and drive to read and write continues to this day and my goal of feeling comfortable in my own writing skin seems within reach. I’ve self-published 2 picture books for kids, Sammy’s Birthday Surprise and The Mystery of the Flying Tomatoes, a few short stories, and my debut novel, A Life of Inches, will be released by @LimitlessPublishing spring of 2015.
I live in North Ridgeville, Ohio, just west of Cleveland, with my wife, our kids, and that meddlesome dog.
I’m currently falling in love with David Fulmer books, and also enjoying the latest Les Roberts mystery novel. If I’m not reading or writing you can find me watching the Cleveland Browns losing on Sunday, writing music with my band, or observing my kids doing cute, and usually messy, stuff.
Hope this helps you learn a bit about me, but now it’s your turn…introduce yourself

Website

King by T.M. Frazier…Blog Tour & Review

KING. IS. HERE!

NOW AVAILABLE

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1ALhF4i

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1AOJb0q

iBooks: http://apple.co/1KreL6J

Nook: http://bit.ly/1B7H73R

Blurb

Homeless, hungry and desperate enough to steal, Doe has no memories of who she is or where she comes from.

A notorious career criminal just released from prison, King is someone you don’t want to cross unless you’re prepared to pay him back in blood, sweat, pu$$y or a combination of all three.

King’s future hangs in the balance. Doe’s is written in her past. When they come crashing together, they will have to learn that sometimes in order to hold on, you have to first let go.

Warning: This book contains graphic violence, consensual and nonconsensual sex, drug use, abuse, and other taboo subjects and adult subject matter. Although originally slated to be a standalone, KING is now a two part series.

Excerpt

“Hey there,” a deep voice rumbled against my ear.
When I turned around, I was eye level with a wall of leather with white patches sewn into it. One read VICE PRESIDENT and the other, BEACH BASTARDS. The man wearing the vest had long blonde hair that draped over to one side of his head, revealing the shaved area beneath. He had a beard, not stubble, a full-on beard that was a few inches long and very well groomed. He stood well over six feet, his frame lean yet very cut and muscular. I couldn’t tell what color his eyes were because his lids hung heavy and were slightly reddened. His entire neck was covered with colorful tattoos and when he went to light a cigarette I noticed that the backs of both of his hands and were covered in ink as well.
“Hey,” I answered back, trying to assert my newly found false confidence.
He was beyond attractive. He was gorgeous. If I had to end up in someone’s bed, I imagined that being in his wouldn’t be half-bad. He sniffled, drawing attention to the light dusting of white powder trapped in his nostrils.
“They call me Bear. You belong to anyone?” he asked seductively, leaning in toward me.
“Maybe…you?” I winced at my choice of words. Of all the fucking things I could have said, THAT was what came to mind? Stupid fucking mouth. Nikki was right. I spoke first and thought second.
Bear chuckled. “I’d love that, beautiful, but I got something else in mind.”
“Oh, yeah? What would that be?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light although my mind and heart were racing.
“This party? It’s for my buddy. And he was down here for a total of thirty minutes before he hightailed it upstairs to drown himself in a bottle of Jack. He’s like a cat in a tree, can’t seem to talk him down. It’s understandable, seeing as he’s been away a while, but I figure you can help me out.”
He hooked his finger into the front of my skirt and slowly dragged me toward him until my nipples were flush up against his chest. He pressed his fingers into the skin right above my public bone and I resisted the urge to jump back by biting down on my bottom lip.
“The BBB’s have never really been his thing.” He paused when he saw the confused look on my face at his abbreviation. “Beach Bastard Bitches.” He explained. “But you? You’re new. You’re different. You’ve got this cute little innocent thing going on, but I know you’re not or you wouldn’t be at this kind of party if that was your deal. I’m thinking he’ll like you.” Bear brushed his lips against the side of my neck. “So maybe you go up there. Make him happy for me. Make little him happy by wrapping those gorgeous lips around his cock for a while. Then when you’re done, bring him back down here to civilization. And maybe later, if you’re a good girl and do what you’re told, we can go back to the clubhouse and have some real fun.” He grazed his teeth along my earlobe. “Think you can you do that for me?”
“Yeah, yeah I can do that,” I said. My skin prickling from his touch. And I could do it.
I think.
“What’s your name anyway?” Bear’s hand slowly traveled up the back of my leg, pushing up my skirt, it came to rest on my ass cheek, which was then exposed to anyone who might have been looking in our direction.
“Doe. My name is Doe,” I breathed.
“Fitting.” He said with a chuckle. “Well, my innocent looking little Doe.” Bear leaned in close and surprised me by planting a soft kiss on the corner of my mouth. His lips were soft, and he smelled like laundry detergent mixed with liquor and cigarettes. I was just beginning to think that the kiss meant that he’d changed his mind and didn’t want me to send me away to his friend, but no such luck. He pulled away abruptly and turned me around by my shoulders so that I was facing the stairs. He swatted me on my ass, propelling me forward. “Up the stairs you go, sweetheart. Last room at the end of the hallway. Be good to my boy, and me and you will get to play later.” He sealed his words with a wink and as I made my way up the stairs I turned back and flashed him a fake smile. I hoped the guy at the end of the hallway was like Bear, because then maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
Then a thought hit me that had me fighting back the tears that sprung from my eyes with a sudden force that almost took me to my knees.
I’d officially sold myself, and the price was far more than any dollar amount.

Review

How do I even start this review. It’s been days and I still can’t put all my thoughts together and make them coherent. This story is haunting beautiful and I told T.M that myself.

This is a story unlike no other I have read before. I was happily reading along with all the crazy and twisted crap going on and then BAM – I am thrown through a freaking unexpected loop and everything changes. And that is all I am giving you about the plot. The blurb gives you what you need and the rest you just have to read and find out for yourself.

T.M. does an outstanding job with writing the characters so well and telling the story from their POV’s. I love her writing technique and how it just draws you more and more into the story as you read. She does a phenomenal job of putting you in their shoes and not just reading what is happening, but you feel as though you are experiencing everything – their pain, love, anger, fear, hope, and betrayal.

This story will put you through the ringer. It is dark and rough, but also it’s pure and honest. It’s hauntingly beautiful. I read this in 2 sittings (only because I had to work and sleep and also tend to my family) but the actual hours was probably 4-5. You will be immediately sucked into this book and won’t want to put it down. And if you have to, you will find yourself constantly thinking about it. King (both story and the character) is still on my mind and I don’t foresee either one leaving going away any time soon. I am so ready for the next book!!

I have to say that this is definitely one of my favorite reads so far in 2015!! T.M. – you have written a superb story!

About the Author:

T.M. (Tracey Marie) Frazier resides in sunny Southwest Florida with her husband and three feisty fur kids.

She attended Florida Gulf Coast University where she specialized in public speaking. After years working in real estate and new home construction, she decided it was finally time to stop pushing her dreams to the back burner and pursue writing seriously.

In the third grade she wrote her very first story about a lost hamster. It earned rave reviews from both her teacher and her parents.

It only took her twenty years to start the next one.

It will not be about hamsters.

Stalk Her: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Goodreads.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Missing by A.Meredith Walters(A.M Irvin)

The Missing

A three part psychological thriller series from A. Meredith Walters writing as A.M. Irvin coming THIS SUMMER!

Volume I- Illusions

Volume II- Lies

Volume III- Truth

Blurb for The Missing- Volume I- Illusions

Concrete floor…

Dirty windows…

Impenetrable shadows….

Where am I?

Days bleed into one another and I know I’m trapped. A prisoner.

But why?

I have no answers and no one to give them to me. Only the silence and the dark.

Except for the song.

The words tell a story that I wish I could forget.

About a girl who didn’t run fast enough.

A forgotten girl…

A lost girl…

A girl no one would miss…

– Readers can learn more about The Missing as well as gather clues and information about the upcoming series throughout the summer by visiting the Find Nora website!

www.findingnora.blogspot.co.uk

‪#‎findNora‬ ‪#‎dontforget‬ ‪#‎TheMissing‬

Relinquish by M.N. Forgy….Release Blitz

Are you ready to meet Landon Blackwell?

RELINQUISH IS NOW AVAILABLE!

**Can be read as a stand alone**

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1R6h9zJ

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

B& N: http://bit.ly/1MJghzM

iBooks: http://apple.co/1GcyJvO

Blurb

***WARNING*** This novel contains explicit language, sex, drugs, violence, and sexual situations that some might find offensive. This book is intended for adults 18+ years of age.

In my world, there is no such thing as love. It is just a lie we whisper into our client’s ear. Love is foreign and hazardous. What I did not expect was to bare my soul to a man who is as egotistical as he is dangerous.

His name is Landon. Despite his blackened soul, he tried to save me, but what he didn’t expect was my torturous fate to catch up with me.

To your father, I’m the escort.

To your mother, I’m the whore.

To the legal system, I’m the prostitute.

In the end, I’m just the other woman.

I have no idea if I will continue to survive, if I will ever find my path aside from the gritty streets I know so well. There is a good chance I will wind up in the ditch like most women in my position. Surrendering to my fate is the only choice I have. I must relinquish it all.

Excerpt

“What do you think you’re doing?” I question, my words muffled from arousal. He doesn’t respond, just caresses his lips along the sensitive skin of my neck seductively, causing my head to loll to the side. A rush of desire races through my chest, and my breathing picks up.

“We can’t, remember? You’re my pimp, and I’m you’re escort. Rules,” I whimper, reminding him of his words from last night.

He growls, the sound of his teeth grating. “Don’t ever call me that,” he rasps into my ear. The heat of his breath causes me to moan. He turns me around and picks me up, his fingers digging into my dress-cladded thighs.

“What if you’re not my escort right now? No rules,” he breathes heavily, placing me down on his desk.

“Like, pretending?” I question, digging my heels into his ass, pushing him closer.

“Exactly,” he whispers, brushing my hair from my face. “Just two normal people.”

“How do normal couples meet? What do ordinary people do when they’re together?” I murmur, not having the first clue how a normal couple does things.

Landon slides his hands up each of my thighs, pushing my dress up quickly, revealing my smooth legs and thighs.

“We met on a golf course. I asked you out on a date,” he mutters, his words drawn out and heavy with his harsh breathing as I undo his pants.

“I don’t sleep with a guy until date number three,” I inform him, my hands fisting his hard cock and pulling it free. My mouth parts when I see it. I forgot how big, how thick it is. He hisses through his teeth as I slide my fingers along his shaft.

“Two, because you couldn’t resist me when I bought you some stupid necklace my shitty-paying job paid for,” he grunts. His hand dips below my dress and pulls my thong to the side, swiping a finger between my wetness, causing me to buck against his hand with an uncontrollable urge.

About the Author:

M.N. Forgy was raised in Missouri where she still lives with her family. She’s a soccer mom by day and a saucy writer by night. M.N. Forgy started writing at a young age but never took it seriously until years later, as a stay-at-home mom, she opened her laptop and started writing again. As a role model for her children, she felt she couldn’t live with the “what if” anymore and finally took a chance on her character’s story. So, with her glass of wine in hand and a stray Barbie sharing her seat, she continues to create and please her fans.

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Harlequin June Spotlight…Q&A with Catherine Mann, author of Pursued By The Rich Rancher

PURSUED BY THE RICH RANCHER

by USA Today bestselling author

Catherine Mann

Single mom Nina Lowery has never understood the sex appeal of cowboys. Until she brings her son to a weeklong horse camp and meets the wealthy rancher in charge. Seduction isn’t part of Alex McNair’s plan to earn his piece of his family’s estate. Yet plans have a way of changing. Nina and her little boy hold the key to Alex’s future. Breaking the promise he made to his dying grandmother is not an option but neither is breaking Nina’s heart.

Q&A with Catherine Mann

author of

PURSUED BY THE RICH RANCHER

You have more than 60 books released in more than 20 countries. What’s it like to have fans all over the world?

What a thrill to have the opportunity to touch readers around the globe. I’m not only an author, but also an avid reader myself. I treasure the escape of a great read and am honored to offer that entertainment to others.

What inspired you to make the move from theater school director to romance author?

The two actually share many similarities – the world building, characterization, plotting, staging, creating tension. I’m building a world with words rather than on a stage. My theater background also has a heavy emphasis in directing and literature.

Can you tell us about your animal rescue work?

Ah, my heart and passion – I’ve been an animal rescuer for over a decade through fostering and serving on a shelter board of directors. Recently, I took a big leap of faith with some close friends and started our own rescue – The Sunshine State Animal Rescue. We’re a 501c3, non profit, no-kill rescue, all foster-home based. While we do traditional adoption placements, we also specialize in identifying animals at shelters that have working dog potential and partnering them into service/therapy/search and rescue placements. It’s been a life changing experience. FMI check out our facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/sunshinestateanimalrescue

If PURSUED BY THE RICH RANCHER were made into a movie, who would you cast in the starring roles?

Timothy Olyphant as Alex McNair – definitely! And Emma Stone as single mom Nina Lowery.

What are you working on next?

Exciting news! I’m starting a new series for Harlequin Desire called the “Bayou Billionaires” – a football family dynasty that gives the books a sports industry setting. I’m writing the launch book, award winning author Joanne Rock is writing the second. She and I will continue to alternate writing books in the series so readers can have a book a month in the series. The series begins in early 2016 with HIS PREGNANT PRINCESS BRIDE.

About the author:

Verite by Rachel Blaufeld….Blog Tour & Review

That’s me––Tingly Simmons––athlete, foreign-language major, professor lover, obsessed idiot girl. Definitely not a frat rat or sorority slut. I’ve never even played beer pong.

I ditched the vapid, soulless high-society life of Los Angeles for the promise of something more meaningful in rural Ohio. Accepting a track scholarship for college, I tried running my way to happiness, but instead I ended up sleeping with my French professor and falling head over heels for him.

When that relationship fell apart, so did I.

Barely hanging on by a thread and using the most absurd coping skills, I was determined to hide behind my past indiscretions. That was, until I met Tiberius Jones. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d learn the truth about love from a six-foot-five basketball player.

Verite is the first book I have read by Rachel and I completely fell in love with this story.

Verite is such a sweet and warming read, that you can’t help but smile and feeling all sorts of gooey warm and loving all over. Rachel does a wonderful job giving us a beautiful and heart-felt romance that’s not all about the hot an heavy, although there is some of that too.

“Everything was better when it meant something.”

Ty and Ting are two college athletes from two complete opposite worlds. But their story will prove that it doesn’t matter where you are from, it’s who you are and what you do now, that matters. Ty – he melts my heart, he really does. He’s a baller with the heart of gold. Ting will infuriate you at times, but will also make you want to push her to move forward and not let her past dictate who she is. The woman is very strong and it takes a warm and honest heart to make her see her true self. But what made me absolutely fall in love with this story is watching their relationship grow. It’s not all hot and heavy – it’s sincere, heart warming and gives you that “falling in love” feeling all over.

You will love every single character in this book (minus a few asshats). Rachel wrote these characters very well – you will feel the emotions they go through and really pulling for them. Ty’s patience and persistence with Ting is so honest and truly shows how he feels about her. Ting’s view of herself and her past actions are truly genuine – you can understand why she puts those walls and up and guards herself. And the secondary characters flowed perfectly with the story and really show the love and support in this book.

Verite is one book that many readers need to pick up and read this summer. It will make you fall in love with romance all over again. I can’t say enough this book. I found myself highlighting and bookmarking so many pages as I was reading this. This book definitely has woven a piece into my heart and will stay there. It’s a captivating and refreshing read.

Bravo Rachel!!

Amazon US:

http://amzn.com/B00ZM532HG

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1G3fTay

iBooks:

http://apple.co/1ecgp06

Kobo:

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/verite-6

He stood there patiently, grinning as he waited for me to move through the doorway or answer him, and pinned me with his unusual blue eyes, so pale in his handsome face against his deep brown skin. His gaze seared right through me, just like it had earlier, before dinner in the courtyard.

Completely unnerved, I didn’t respond. His size was daunting, his large frame loomed over the threshold, and I was struck speechless. Uncertain whether it was his obvious good looks that threw me, or the overtly friendly wide grin on display, I simply stood there for a moment, trying to figure out his angle.

As I took in his long athletic shorts, tight gray athletic hoodie, and the pair of spiky Air Jordan slides on his feet, his left eyebrow cocked up at me like I was the next sideshow. Well, I’d already played that act countless times at home, including but not limited to last year when I was caught with the professor’s dick deep inside me. Now I was all about slipping under the radar, getting by silently and with little fuss.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked, his deep voice interrupting my thoughts. “I’m talking to you . . . you coming in? I’m over here holding the door.”

His pale blue eyes scanned my brown ones as his smile faded. I imagined him knowing who I was and what I did, perhaps mentally undressing me one piece of clothing at a time, wanting to give the slut a whirl.

Oh God, was my name being passed around—again?

Self-disgust consumed me, spurring me to action. “Um, yeah. I am,” I answered, averting my gaze as I shifted my backpack up on my shoulder and stomped through the doorway.

I turned ever so slightly to witness him ducking to fit through the doorframe. It was crazy how insanely tall this guy was. Obviously, he was a basketball player, probably with a huge ego to boot.

I managed to mutter, “Thanks,” as I swept past him, and the door clanged shut behind us.

“Bad day?” he called after me.

What was with him being all smiling and friendly? Was he for real, or was he trying to bait me? I couldn’t help my self-doubt; skepticism was woven so deeply into my personality, I questioned everyone’s motives.

“Bad life,” I tossed back without thinking. For some reason, I felt the need to share my feelings with this stranger, and it scared the shit out of me.

So I did what came naturally to me—I ran. As I sprinted toward the elevator, I caught him heading toward the staircase out of the corner of my eye. I got off on my floor feeling relieved until I heard a heavy pair of footsteps coming around the corner.

Shit.

Rachel Blaufeld is a social worker/entrepreneur/blogger turned author. Fearless about sharing her opinion, Rachel captured the ear of stay-at-home and working moms on her blog, BacknGrooveMom, chronicling her adventures in parenting tweens and inventing a product, often at the same time. She has also blogged for The Huffington Post, Modern Mom, and StartupNation. She currently shares her reading recommendations on HEA at USA Today.

Turning her focus on her sometimes wild-and-crazy creative side, it only took Rachel two decades to do exactly what she wanted to do—write a fiction novel. Now she spends way too many hours in local coffee shops plotting her ideas. Her tales may all come with a side of angst and naughtiness, but end lusciously.

Rachel lives around the corner from her childhood home in Pennsylvania with her family and two dogs. Her obsessions include running, coffee, icing-filled doughnuts, antiheroes, and mighty fine epilogues.

Find me on my website / Twitter / Facebook

Up In Smoke by Tessa Bailey…Excerpt Reveal

Blurb

Never start a fire you can’t control…

Connor Bannon is supposed to be dead. Dishonorably discharged from the Navy SEALs, he’s spent the last two years working as a street enforcer in Brooklyn for his cousin’s crime ring. Through a twist of fate, he’s now in Chicago, working undercover to bust criminals. But when a cute little arsonist joins the team-all combat boots, tiny jean shorts, and hot-pink hair-Connor’s notorious iron control slips.

Erin “she’s getting away” O’Dea knows two things. She hates authority. And… Nope, that’s it. When she’s forced to operate on the “right” side of the law, her fear of being confined and controlled blazes to the surface. The last thing she expects is a control freak like Connor to soothe her when she needs it most. Worse, something behind the sexy ex-soldier’s eyes ignites a dangerous inferno of desire. One that invites Erin to play with fire. And one that could get them both killed…

Excerpt

She stood behind him now with her lips parted and cheeks flushed, watching him stroke himself off like a hormonal teenager. It shouldn’t have made him hotter, not when he didn’t fully understand the problems she obviously had knocking around inside her beautiful head. He should stop now and make her explain, tell her she couldn’t touch him anymore until he knew what she was going through. But there wasn’t any turning back. Not right now, not with his cock heavy in his hand, ready to erupt.

In the mirror, he could see her fingers smoothing against each other, as if she were imagining what it would feel like to replace his hand with her own.

Jesus. He liked having her watch. If her expression had been any different, it might have been another story. The look of wonder, the renewal of arousal that transformed her as she came slowly closer, had him clenching his teeth to prolong the moment. Fuck, though, it hurt. The front of her panties were wet from riding him until she came. Her flat stomach peeked out under the edge of her shirt, reminding him once again how crazy he was to yank it up and see what she hid underneath. At the same time, she looked like an innocent who’d stumbled upon something very, very bad happening and God, it made him want to corrupt her even more. Sick. I’m sick. His balls drew up tight…the tingling began at the base of his spine…

“You should leave,” Connor grated, squeezing his eyes closed. Christ, any minute now…he couldn’t wait any longer. Looking at her, knowing he couldn’t touch her, was killing him. At the same time, his mind was projecting images in a desperate attempt to send him over the edge and find relief. Erin straddling his face, hands cuffed behind her back. Erin’s eyes going blind, ankles around her ears, as drove into her like a madman. “Go, Erin.”

He didn’t hear her move. One second she was standing at the door, the next she was standing on the rim of his bathtub, just beside his left shoulder. Closer. Her tits were eye level and it took every ounce of self-control inside him not to suck them into his mouth, right through her T-shirt. A tiny moan dropped from her lips as she leaned close, watching his hand work his stiff cock. She placed her open lips on his neck and dragged them higher, where she licked at his ear.

“What are you doing?” he demanded. Do it again.

“What feels right,” she whispered, stroking his fingers over his chest. “Tell me what you’re thinking about. Is it me?”

“Of course,” he shouted. “You don’t want to know any more than that.”

“Yes, I do.” She lightly scraped her fingernails down his back, and he growled. “I want to know what I’m missing out on. Tell me.”

Meet Ex- Navy Seal Connor in this unconventional romance!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Gs3iks

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1S4D4JZ

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1LeB123

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1LeBbGA

iBooks: http://apple.co/1Cbw70v

About the author:

Thank you for your interest in my books! I’m Tessa and I live in the crazy, loud, overcrowded borough of Brooklyn, New York. I love it here. This city is a constant source of inspiration, which is why I’ve decided to set my most recent books in the Line of Duty Series here.

I moved to New York when I was eighteen, the day after I graduated high school. Threw my suitcase in the back of a Chevrolet Cavalier and drove across the country to find my adventure. I’m still finding it, little by little.Thank you for being a part of it.

Stalk Tessa: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Rock Star Author Page

Red Nights by Shari J. Ryan….Release Event

I’m Felicity Stone, a twenty-five-year-old with my whole life ahead of me. Well, until recently.

I didn’t do it. Why would they think I did? Why would I want my twin brother dead? Why is everyone looking at me like I’m a criminal?

Well, everyone except him… Hayes Peyton, the charmingly beautiful stranger I met in the park at midnight—a totally legitimate place to meet the man of my dreams. Plus, he knows I’m innocent.

Believing him is easy. So very easy. Maybe too easy?

But when you hear things like: ‘All good is laced with some bad, and everything you think is the truth—is nothing more than a blatant lie,’ it makes you question reality.

In Shari J. Ryan’s latest Romantic Suspense, Red Nights, you wonder how dark your world can get before all you see is red.

“Great night for a walk.” I can hardly hear him over the rain, but his words don’t quite matter. I’ve been waiting to kiss him since the moment I saw him sitting in a booth at the restaurant tonight.

First kisses are always nerve-wracking and full of surprise, but second kisses are full of anticipation thanks to what I already know, what I’ve already had a taste of. “I really like you,” he says, loud enough to drown out the heavy rainfall.

I can’t invite him in…is that why he’s stalling? I point upstairs. “Aspen, my friend I’m crashing with, would ask you a million questions if you came up. I—”

“Oh, no. No. I wasn’t waiting for an invitation. I have a ‘seven date’ rule anyway.” I can see him fighting the urge to smile, but he’s losing that battle.

“’Seven date’ rule?” I laugh.

“Yeah, it’s dumb.” He runs a palm down the side of his face. “Because I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to make it that long.” He leans in, stealing a quick kiss. But I feel cheated. I want more.

“How do you know we’ll last seven dates?” I ask.

“Good point. I probably won’t be able to put up with you for that long.” I know he’s teasing. But ugh. Damn him and that smile.

I throw my arms around his neck and crash my lips into his. His body tightens, maybe from surprise, but it takes less than a second for him to relax. He strips me of my control, pushing me up against the brick wall, his body heavy against mine. Even with the rain sloshing between us, his hands find my cheeks. His tongue sweeps across my lips.

I’ve changed my mind.

I’ll bring him upstairs.

I don’t give a shit what Aspen does. I want him. I need him to keep making me forget.

“Come up,” I say in almost nothing but a breathless whisper.

He bites down on his bottom lip, appears to think about my offer, then shakes his head in this seductive slow motion, making this moment painfully enjoyable. “Not tonight,” he says, placing a small kiss on the tip of my nose. His hand is clutched around my waist and everything within me hurts and aches for him. “Good-night, Blondie-locks.” He turns and leaves in the rain, and I watch him go.

It has been a good night. A very good night, actually.

And it all ends when I get upstairs…

Shari J. Ryan is an Amazon Top 100 Bestselling author, a Barnes & Noble Top 10 Bestselling author, and an iBookstore #1 Bestselling author. She hails from Central Massachusetts where she lives with her husband and two lively little boys. Shari has always had an active imagination and enjoys losing herself in the fictional worlds she creates. When Shari isn’t writing, she can usually be found cleaning toys up off the floor.

To learn more, visit her at, www.sharijryan.com.

Chasing the Wind by Nazarea Andrews….Release Day Event

Today is the release day blitz for CHASING THE WIND by Nazarea Andrews. We have a few teasers from the book and a contest!

CLICK HERE TO ADD CHASING THE WIND TO GOODREADS.

CHASING THE WIND BLURB:

Kaida grew up in two worlds–a child in the Manor raised by Sabah before she was granted Citzenship. But the only place she has ever felt like she’s belonged is with Cedric and Guin, the boys she grew up with.

When Cedric’s involvement in a rebel faction goes wrong, the Commission exiles her and holds Guin hostage. Now, she’s on her own for the first time, and searching for the sister who left her behind and a princess who was stolen from the City–and then she stumbles across a face from the past.

Hawke has been an outcast since his Tribe died. When he finds Sabah’s sister on the road, he agrees to help her. But as they search the wilds and grow closer, his disdain for her is slowly replaced by a deep attraction for the girl who faces every challenge so bravely.

And as the City’s deadline dwindles, and the boy she loves hangs in the balance, Hawke is left to wonder if he is protecting her, or if he the biggest threat she will face.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

EXCERPT:

What will Sabah do, when she realizes what I’ve brought her? For the first time, I let myself worry. She could be furious. There’s no real way of knowing, with Sabah.
But then, she could be thrilled. It’s the first time she’s had contact with any of her people from before she disappeared into the Wilds.
A familiar lance of regret goes through me. Sabah and I would never have made a good pairing. I know it, and try to console myself with that knowledge as I cut a rabbit free of my snare. But it’s hard to accept that when she’s so damn gorgeous and full of fire. She would make a good Tribeswoman. If she could swallow the Claiming.
I wonder if Kaida can.

Purchase the previous book in the series

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.

AUTHOR LINKS:

You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Booktropolous.
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