Wish For You

  

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From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Marquita Valentine, comes the 4th book in her new adult series, BOYS OF THE SOUTH.

There's only one place in the world Lacey Evans feels normal- the roller derby track. When she laces up her skates and fastens her helmet, she's powerful and in charge. She knows exactly what to do and what to say. The rules are clear and penalties are enforced for those who don't follow them. But in the read world, she's far from powerful and in charge. She never knows exactly what to do and say. For years, she counted on one person to be exactly who he said he was--her best friend, Wyatt Tanaka. Only she changed the rules on him, without any warning, and now she's the one being punished.

Marine veteran, Wyatt Tanaka, came home to a heroes welcome. But he's hiding a secret, one that could potential destroy his life. He's doing the best he can, trying to cope with the guilt and the pain of the girl he loves pushing him away by doing all the things he'd sworn not too. Women, bars, drugs and drinking are what consume him. With Lacey's new rules, he has nothing to hold on to. Nothing to keep in from feeling dead.

Then one night, he goes too far, gets in too deep, and when the truth comes out... will Lacey keep pushing him away or help save him?

Review

****I was given an ARC of this book for my honest review****
Lacey has had panic attacks since she was a little girl, doctors brushed it off saying she would grow out of it, she has built a structured life for herself with a routine and rules. Her life has to change when her parents leave to go on a mission to Turkey; she has to find a new place to live and create a new routine. Her best friend Wyatt has always been there for her, she loves him but she has her reasons why they can't be together. Wyatt is a Marine veteran, a hero and everyone loves him, but he is hiding a secret he came back from the war with PTSD and he masks his pain in alcohol, drugs and women. Lacey makes him feel alive and helps him keep his sanity but with her pushing him away, he is drowning in his pain, can they get past their problems and find a way to be together? Wish for You is the fourth book in the Boys of the South series you don't have to read the other books first to know what's going on, but some of the other characters from those books make an appearance in this one, so it does help to read those to get some background info. I enjoyed reading this book, it was a bit of an emotional roller coaster for me and at times I was frustrated with the characters because they were hurting each other. Lacey had to have things a certain way, or she would have panic attacks; it was horrible, I felt terrible for her and I wanted to drop kick all the doctors who told her she would "grow out of it." She also frustrated me to no end sending mixed signals to Wyatt, I know why she believed it was best not to be with him but at the same time I thought it was cruel to mess with him the way she did. Poor Wyatt he was so messed up I wanted to give him a cuddle and make everything better, the things he did to forget about what happened were terrible but at the same time I can't blame him. A few times while reading the book I was a little bit taken back by the things that Wyatt said, I wasn't big on what he said during the first full on sex scene with Lacey, it did not float my boat. Other than some of the things Wyatt said and Lacey's back and forth, I liked this book and think it was a good addition to the Boys of the South Series.

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Something to Prove

 

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Two ambitious people team up to prove themselves to their families—and find there may be more to their partnership than just business… 
 Elizabeth Brannigan is determined to show her father she’s capable of running the family business. Saving his struggling Chicago bar seems like the perfect project. But she’ll need a little help dealing with the rough crowd. Who better to assist her than the handsome co-owner of a thriving Irish pub? Of course, with so much work to do, there are bound to be a few late nights… Colin O’Leary’s father passed away before he could prove to him that he wasn’t a screw-up. Now he wants to show his brother he’s responsible enough to own a bar of his own—and Elizabeth may be able to help him. But when their professional aspirations clash, tempers—and passions—flare. Are they mature enough to mix business with pleasure—or will they have to choose between the two? 

Review

****Kensington Books (eKensington) provided me with an ARC via NetGalley for my honest review****

Elizabeth has grown up competing against her brother, she wants to show her father that she is the one who should be running the family business and fixing his failing Chicago bar will do that. Colin helps run his family bar, who better to help her than him but with problems of his own things won't be easy as they think. The initial attraction they felt never goes away and the long hours they spend together makes it hard to keep things just professional, can they make things work or will everything implode both personally and professionally?  I really liked this book because no matter how old you are you never really grow out of your sibling rivalry and this book shows it. Elizabeth has always had to compete with her brother, this wasn't in the normal way either it's a full on war that their father not is aware of but he also encourages it and pushes them to do it. At first I thought Elizabeth was a bit over the top and an anal retentive control freak who just needed to get over herself and let things go, but then as the story unfolded and thing were revealed I was all for what she was doing. Colin was a pretty easy going guy, he had his own sibling rivalry thing going on but it was more on himself than anything else. Elizabeth and Colin where perfect for each other, with how laid back he was and uptight she was they balanced each other out. They had off the charts chemistry, I wanted their relationship to work out and the farther along in the book I got the more anxious I was becoming because I wanted them to be together. There are plenty of bumps in the road that keep things interesting and the ending was very surprising. Something to Prove was different and I can't wait to get my hands on Moira's book!

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The O’Learys - What’s Next in the Series?
 I have absolutely loved writing the O’Leary series. When I first started writing More Than This, it had not been my plan to write a series. I thought I was going to write about the 3 female friends that appear in that book. Somewhere along the way, though, I fell in love with Ryan O’Leary’s family. I love everything about the dynamics of that big family. As of right now, I have turned in the next O’Leary book, Moira’s story, and I am happy to say that Kensington has contracted the last 2 O’Leary books that haven’t been written yet. I am getting ready to start writing Liam’s story, which should release in January 2015 and then I’ll write and end the series with Maggie, the youngest O’Leary, which should release in July of 2015. Moira’s book will be released in July of this year and I’m really excited about it. Although I’ve loved all of the O’Leary books, I have to say that I think I had the most fun writing Moira’s. There’s something about her that is fun to connect with. She’s lovable and bubbly and talkative…she just kind of jumped onto the page. Jimmy O’Malley, on the other hand, wasn’t so cooperative. He grew up across the street from the O’Learys and he’s Liam’s friend. The O’Malleys are everything the O’Learys aren’t – they’re a messed up bunch. Moira and Jimmy are pushed together because of work, which suits Moira just fine, because she’s been in love with Jimmy since she was 10 years old. She thinks this is her chance. Jimmy disagrees. She’s Liam’s little sister, after all, and that’s how he wants to think of her. Silly man.
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Taking Chances

Ariadne Wayne - Taking Chances - Cover Reveal

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 3/30/2014

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Lauren and Mark Burrows lost their parents in a car accident one night. Despite their father being the drunk driver, both struggle with the urge to turn to drink; Lauren most of all. When all they have is each other, Lauren feels lost when Mark falls in love with Cassie Warren and moves out.

Ethan Stone has been alone since his divorce. His ex-wife took him for everything, and he has felt empty for a long time. He's not looking for love, but Lauren brings him back to life. The question is whether she can fight her demons for the man she loves, and if Ethan can handle the wild ride that is life with Lauren.

EXCERPT

Ethan leaned over to kiss her. “I’m looking forward to going to bed too. If I’m invited.”

She laughed, slapping his arm. “Are you kidding? After all that fuss at the door, you had better bring your A game tonight, Mister.”

“I don’t know about that, but I could do with loving you some more. We’ll have to leave pretty early. My schedule is full tomorrow.”

“You still came?”

“Lauren, I told you. You’re worth the effort. If I have to look for work down here, I will.”

“I can’t believe anyone would do that for me.”

“I love you. Even if you don’t feel the same way, I’ll be there when you need me.”

She kissed him. This man was special, and he was hers.

“I do feel the same way. My whole life, no-one ever loved me,” she said.

“I bet that’s a lie. You have such a good heart. Anyone who doesn’t love you isn’t worth knowing.”

“Can we skip dinner and get to the bed part?”

Ethan squeezed her hand. “Not after the effort I put in. Maybe afterwards.”

“Well, you can’t wash the dishes. There’s no hot water left.”

“You didn’t leave any for me?”

Lauren draped her arms over Ethan’s shoulders. “No. You should have joined me.”

“Next time, beautiful.”

She looked away, not wanting to meet his gaze. “What is it, Lauren?”

“No-one’s ever called me that before.”

    “Well, get used to it.”

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Love and Cupcakes

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For Jaclyn “Jack” Pace, sensing what sweets people crave is as easy as breathing. But it’s not enough to keep her cupcake bakery in the black. So, when her estranged sister Harper comes back to town with an affinity for making art out of icing—and a past full of secrets—she reluctantly gives Harper a job and a place to crash. As their sisterly relationship begins to thaw, the one with her business partner Graham starts to heat up. Given the legend that says Hollingsworth men will recognize their soul mates at first touch, Jack’s always been resigned to the fact that she’s not his. But when she starts sensing desires that are decidedly not dessert-related, it’ll take all of her magic to set things right with customers and make her own desires come true. Love and Cupcakes is a delightfully sweet and sensual romance from Susan Bishop Crispell.

  Susan Bishop Crispell is not one of those writers who's been scribbling down stories since she could hold a pencil. She didn't read constantly growing up (blasphemy!), and she can still be found in public without a book tucked into her purse (again with the blasphemy!). She is, however, the kind of writer who lives for the imaginative spark that introduces her to a new character or story idea that pushes her to turn everyday life into something magical. 
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Downbeat

Downbeat (Biting Love, Book 7)
Striking the right note could shatter more than their hearts. After an attack that slaughtered his family, vampire Dragan Zajicek walled off his heart and went on a sixteen-hundred-year rampage with the bad boys of history. Now a rock star of the concert podium and master freelance spy, he’s taken the baton for a small orchestra near Chicago to investigate rumors of a monstrous, undefeatable vampire dubbed the Soul Stealer. But it’s the lovely, unassuming Raquel “Rocky” Hrbek who mesmerizes him from the first touch of her luscious lips on her flute. Rocky, a shy shadow scarred by middle school cruelty, is mystified as to why core-meltingly gorgeous Dragan would notice a mouse like her. As his stolen kisses draw her dangerously close to the edge of her carefully constructed comfort zone, he exposes her secret—she’s investigating the monster herself. As their quest draws them closer together, the monster zeroes in on the woman Dragan’s rebellious heart tells him is his mate. Now they must find a way to destroy the indestructible before Rocky is utterly consumed. And Chicago is bathed in the blood of innocents.
 Warning: Contains a master of seduction and symphonies, an awkward and innocent flutist, small-town humor, heart-stopping action, and an exodus to Iowa. Oh, and the cheese balls are ba-a-ack—and deadlier than ever.
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Excerpt

“May I accompany you, Ms. Hrbek?”
I jumped and nearly tripped. Zajicek caught my wrist to steady me. His fingers were long and slender but amazingly strong—and fiercely warm. Like iron filings to a magnet, my skin aligned instantly to him. Hot sensation juddered through me, knocking me even more off balance. I scrambled to regain my equilibrium, only to have my feet scud into one of the semi-vertical sidewalk stones. My flute bag slipped off my shoulder and nosedived into the crook of my arm, yanking me sideways. I went down.
Powerful arms wrapped around me and saved me from severe pavement burn. The arms were gentle righting me, and I stood in their comforting embrace a moment to get my breath back. A strong heart beat under my cheek. My palms pressed against warm, crisp cotton. The body under the cotton was a solid, cloth-covered cliff, so unlike my own soft limbs. I shivered.
“Are you all right, Ms. Hrbek?” Zajicek’s deep honeyed tones, tinged with amusement, came from somewhere over my head.
“Huh?” Not the snappiest of rejoinders but I was cheek-to-massive-chest with Dragan Zajicek, the posterboy I’d had the hots for half my life.
He was definitely not pasteboard now. The longer I stood there the more I felt. Every ridge of his taut abdomen, the roped muscles of his long thighs, the poke of his belt buckle; they all became alarmingly three-dimensional. His warm breath stirred my hair. Something else stirred too, at hip level…and silent laughter rippled through him.
My brain churned. The intimate way he held me made no sense, but the laughter, well, my clumsiness had lightened the room on more than one occasion.
Then Zajicek’s long fingers slid under my chin, raising my face. His brilliant eyes were shuttered by slumberous lids. I stared in bemusement as his face expanded in my vision…
His lips found mine.
Warm. Smooth. Exciting. “Some Enchanted Evening” sang through my right brain.
My left brain locked up in utter confusion. A man was kissing me. Zajicek was kissing me. The sum of my kissing experience was a slobbery grandmother and a few rushed awkward sexual encounters. I never really saw what the fuss was about. Until Zajicek.
I always thought kisses were simply the press of lips. His mouth didn’t simply anything. It rubbed, it tasted, it gently teased. Warm, velvety soft, his tongue began to explore.
I stood there in stupefied awe.
Until he murmured against my lips, “How clumsy you are, Ms. Hrbek. How very fortunate I was here to catch you.”
He thought I’d done it on purpose.
I struggled out of his embrace. He was slow letting go, his fingers firm on my arms.
With a little tilt of his head, he perused me. Whatever he saw on my face made him release me with an extravagant sigh. “I beg your pardon. Apparently I misread your…desires.”
I flushed, because he hadn’t misread my “desires” at all. Just my intentions. I jerked my flute bag onto my shoulder and started determinedly toward my car, fiercely watching my feet on the uneven sidewalk. “No biggie. What did you want, Maestro?”
Long legs kept graceful pace with me. “Call me Dragan, please. Maestro is so overused.”
His first name? It implied an intimacy I couldn’t afford. “You call me Ms. Hrbek.”
“Yes, but perhaps you would allow me the familiarity of your first name as well?” His tone was coaxing.
I skewed a look at him, immediately returning my attention to the stones, although I was beginning to think Zajicek was more treacherous than my footing. “If you want. After all, you’ll be seeing us weekly for a while.”
“Perhaps you and I will be seeing a great deal more of each other, hmm?”
Yikes. My stomach flipped, my attention disintegrated and the elevated corner of a concrete slab cold-cocked my foot. I tripped and would have fallen again if not for Zajicek’s lightning reflexes. He caught me in his arms, steadying me. Senses reeling, I let him, my forebrain scolding idiot but my lizard brain panting and presenting its tail. Before I could completely self-combust, he brushed a thumb over my cheek and released me.
“What do you mean by that?” I croaked. Catching my flute bag to my chest, I wheeled and trotted off, fast, too fast, almost running, nearly stumbling yet again. Making a conscious effort to slow down, I cleared my throat. “Why would you see more of me than any other orchestra member?”
“I am staying in Meiers Corners for the duration of Mr. Banger’s recovery. That is what I wished to discuss with you. I have only just arrived in the area. I’d like to follow you home this evening.”
Dragan Zajicek in all his powerful, elegant glory, driving behind me? My internal meter was pinging red alert, core meltdown imminent. “You don’t need to. I can tell you how to go. It’s not that far.”
“Perhaps. But it’s late and I would not wish to become lost.”
I opened my mouth to say no, heard my voice say, “Oka—” and snapped my jaw shut so fast teeth sparked. Problem was, I liked being with him—which, considering I was practically wearing my heart on my sleeve, was dangerous. What if he found out his kiss was the first real one of my life, and had utterly demolished me?
“Ms. Hrbek?”
He was politely waiting for an answer. Politely, as if the whole of my pitiful ego wasn’t in the balance.
I tried to see it from his point of view. The man wanted help getting around. A few directions, not my soul. Simple neighborliness would do. I breathed deep, and managed to rasp out, “Sure. No problem, Mr. Zajicek.”
He smiled and slipped his arm around mine. “Dragan, please.” His hip bumped against my side as we walked.
My respiration rate shot through the roof. I gritted my teeth. Simple neighborliness, yeah, right. Like your basic neighborhood raging inferno. “Okay. First names. I’m Rocky.”
“Rocky? That’s a boy’s name.”
“It’s a nickname,” I admitted.
“Ah. And your real name?”
Yes. My “real” name.
My friend, Nixie Emerson, once told me names have power. In her case, she went by her kicky middle name instead of “Dietlinde”, her dull-as-dust first. For her, that was appropriate. Nixie was short and punk and smart as a whip—and as smart-mouthed too, though she reined it in around her new baby.
In my case though, my “real” name was not appropriate. Anti-appropriate, in fact. My mom named me Raquel, after Raquel Welch, the sex-goddess of the sixties. So while Nixie’s name was right and good, mine was a joke. And considering my nega-love-life, a rather nasty one at that. “Rocky’s good enough, Mr. Zajicek.”
“Dragan,” he murmured, somehow pulling me closer. The heat of his body licked flame-like up my side. I hissed and shifted my flute bag between us, but as a defense it backfired. Zajicek simply plucked the bag from my hands. “Shall I carry that?”
“You don’t have to. No, wait—”
“Nonsense. It is quite light.” He shifted my bag onto his own shoulder, not the one between us. The strap wrapped itself over his muscles like a second skin, and I swear it moaned happily.
Then Zajicek curled one hand around my waist and pulled me so close I could barely breathe. I tried to, really I did. But every tentative inhale brought the scent of him, cotton and sandalwood and burning masculinity. Every movement of my ribcage scraped the side of my breast against his arm, until I was trembling with the need to rub blatantly against him. Every breath drew cool air over my tongue…yikes, I was lolling like a dog in heat.
My glasses fogged up, and I stumbled again.
Both Zajicek’s arms went around me. I felt incredibly clumsy and stupid, making him rescue me continually from my own feet. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Zajicek—”
“Dragan,” he murmured, cupping my chin and lifting my face for another soft kiss. His lips touched mine, his mouth moving in tiny circles as if to warm my skin. He didn’t need to. I was plenty warm already—and a little buzzy.
“You taste wonderful.” His mouth opened and his tongue teased the seam of my lips.
I jumped at the touch but Zajicek held me, so securely I relaxed into his arms. It seemed to be some sort of cue for him to lick me and slide his tongue between my lips, encouraging me to part them
He asked so nicely, with tiny hot licks. So I did.
The instant my mouth opened he devoured me. His mouth slanted over mine and his jaw dropped. Heat rushed in. I gasped. Shocked and a little scared, I fell back, but he stepped with me, wrapped his arm around my back and trapped me good. He had to bend quite a ways to do it.
My back arched like a bow, my breasts crushed to his chest, my hips to his thighs. Something stirred against my belly, sending a jolt shearing through me. My mouth tingled and my breasts tingled and I was getting really tingly between my legs.
I slid my hands between us to try to wedge open some space. All I succeeded in doing was fitting my palms to the hardest pectorals in the world.
The tingling between my legs was starting to drive me insane.
Zajicek’s mouth left mine to trail licks and nibbles down my jaw to my throat. He nuzzled me there, an odd dark rumble coming from his chest, almost a lion’s purr. “You smell divine. Ah, to taste you fully.” His tongue rasped over my pulse.
Somewhere along the way his hand had found my breast and was kneading and cupping while he sucked gently on the tender skin of my neck until my head spun.
Then his fingers found my raised nipple and plucked.
A thousand Christmas lights went on in my head. I shrieked.

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Kiss of Fire

Author Rebecca Ethington has given KISS OF FIRE a cover make-over! Check out the BRAND NEW COVER! It's beautiful!!!

Rebecca Ethington is also giving away a $15 gift card and a signed copy copy of KISS OF FIRE. 

Welcome to the FACEBOOK AUTHOR ROMANCE HOP!

Do you love discovering new authors? Well, this is a great way!

Over 30 authors have come together and are each hosting a giveaway on their facebook pages for readers!

Below you will find a linky list of author names. You can ENTER every contest!!!

Please read the links carefully. Some giveaways are US ONLY, US/CANADA, and INTERNATIONAL (INT). Also, the ones that are young adult are labeled (YA). Some are New Adult, and some are strictly for the older crowd. :)

This is a romance giveaway, so no matter that genre each book has some form of romance in it.

The giveaways are a mix of ebooks, paperbacks, ARCs, and gift cards.

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All That's Unspoken

After eight years, Hailey is back in Caseville Michigan. Just months after her mother’s death, her siblings want to put their father in a nursing home and rent out the family farm. If that wasn’t enough, the prospective tenant is Nate, the high school crush she left behind the day after they acted on their mutual attraction. After high school, Nate Jenkins planned to leave small town behind, but life dealt him a different hand of cards to play. He’s now back in Caseville, raising his daughter, and running his family’s diner. His daughter’s speech disorder has been improved by therapeutic horse riding and if he can lease the old Lambert farm, he can get her a horse of her own. The only standing in the way is Hailey, the same woman who left him eight years ago without even saying goodbye. Can they get over all that’s unspoken between them?
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Excerpt
Only when she heard the bell above the door ring out, was she able to unclench her fists and let out the breath that had tightened her chest. She’d seen Nate lingering around the edge of the counter with her plate of pancakes in hand but didn’t want him to approach her now.
She really didn’t have it in her to deal with him.
He came forward anyway, and set the plate in front of her. After a hesitation, he asked, “Can I sit for a minute?”
Her eyes fluttered closed, but she gestured to the chair. She heard it scrape against the old worn tile and could feel him just inches away from her.
“I’m sorry your dad’s health is on the decline. I’ve always really liked him. It stinks, you know.”
She took a deep breath, maybe they could talk as old friends and ignore the complications of the night they’d spent together. “I don’t think he’s that bad. Jake and Kelly are overreacting.”
He twisted his hands on his lap. “I can see how you would think that. Some days when I see him, he’s sharp as nails. Others….”
Her phone vibrated against the table. The habit to check the ID won out against the desire meet Nate’s stare. An eight-hundred number flashed, twisting Hailey’s stomach into knots. Another bill collector wanting to take the money she was trying to stretch just a little further, hoping to get through a few more weeks. She hit the button to ignore the call.
“I overheard what you said about your dad wanting the property to stay the same,” Nate said. “I’ll take real good care of the place and won’t change a thing. I love that farm the way it is.”
That brought her attention back. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ve been talking to Jake about renting the house.”
She took in his deep brown eyes and almost black hair. It was cropped short like he was trying to beat-the-heat, even if the average temperature this week was somewhere around ten degrees. Much shorter than he wore it in high school. The neatly trimmed beard and mustache were new too.
He looked older. More settled.
How ironic.
They’d both thought this small town would smother them back then.
For a fleeting moment it comforted her to picture Nate cooking in her family’s kitchen, and then she realized it wouldn’t be her house anymore. She’d be on the outside looking in. “It feels like everything is being taken away from me.”
His body stiffened as he pulled back. “It’s not like I’m stealing it. I’m going to pay you for it.”
“This isn’t about money!”
“Then what is it about?”
She reached for her purse and fumbled for her wallet with trembling hands. “Everyone seems to think that just because I don’t live here, I don’t have a voice, but you’re all wrong.” She threw a twenty-dollar bill on the table. “I didn’t leave the planet, I moved to New York. I didn’t abandon my family, but it feels like they think so. I’m sick of being treated like an outside in my hometown, in my family home, in my own life.”
She stood and tried to turn, but he grabbed her wrist. Looking back would weaken her resolve—Nate had always had that effect on her—but she did it anyway.
“Please, it would mean a lot to Lori... and me.”
His daughter. The child he’d had with someone else. A lump formed in her throat as she thought of the two of them in her living room without her.
Why did it hurt so much?
It wasn’t as if he left her. She’d pursued and claimed the future she’d always wanted.
Hadn’t she?
If everything she’d attained had been all she ever wanted, why was it tearing her in two to know Nate had gone on with his life without her? It wasn’t as if she’d expected he wouldn’t. She should be happy he was settled. Instead, it made her long for that place next to him even more.
A lump formed in her throat, making speech impossible. Instead, she headed for the door.
“That’s right, Hailey. Run away. It’s what you do best!
His words stopped her, and she twisted back. “I what?”
“Run. Away. When the pieces of your life don’t come together like a neat little puzzle, you scatter them all around you and stomp out of the room.”
She bristled at the venom in his voice. “That’s not what happened.”
“Oh, no. You handled it so well, just breezed out of town with no concern for those you left behind.”
They weren’t talking about her father or her house anymore. This was about how she’d reacted eight years ago, when the feelings got too real.
Just like they were now.
“I care, dammit!” She let out a long exhale. “I always have.”

 

About the Author:

Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, and four canine kids. Her son, now on his own, is planning a wedding, reconfirming that romance still lives and breathes. When not writing stories of finding and rediscovering love, Constance and her husband spend the hours planning a cross-country motorcycle trip for the not-so-distant future…if they can find a sidecar big enough for the pups.

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Georgette St. Clair

Georgette St. Clair, writer of hot, sexy romances which star all Alpha heroes, all the time. No wimpy Beta heroes for me; my heroes are hot, dominant, and will stop at nothing to claim the woman they love.
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Interview

1. What other pen names have you written under?

 Like many writers, I've been writing and telling stories since I was little. I only attempted publication once - sending in a story to Harlequin, which was quite rightly rejected, when I was in my early twenties. Then I worked in various and sundry professions, including newspaper reporter, waitress, EMT, emergency room tech, nurse's aide, and finally now I'm a full time author.  

 2. You write about women who are not stick figures they have curves and attitude to spare, all women have body issues any women who says she doesn't is either lying or a narcissist, do you think we as women judge ourselves and each other to harshly? 

 I do think that we as women are too quick to judge other women for their looks, their body, their clothing...that's why I write BBW books in which the hero always sees the heroine as beautiful, in which he celebrates her curves and her body the way people did back in the time of Rubens.  

 

3. You are in your own words, "shamelessly commercial", what exactly do you think that means? (I honestly don't know)

 When I say that I'm shamelessly commercial - I mean that I am writing to make a living, and I keep that in mind when I'm plotting and writing my books.  I have studied the bestseller lists to see what sells well, I have read countless books to improve my craft, and I write in subject areas that I feel are popular ones and that will sell well.  I also write in subject areas that I enjoy - I've read science fiction and fantasy since I was a child, watched reruns of the original Star Trek when I was in my teens  - and now I write paranormal romance. If it didn't sell well, however, I'd try something else.  In fact, I wrote a couple of cowboy romances that I loved, which didn't sell well, and I didn't end up writing any more of them.

4. Your new book The Bobcat's Tale is out, even after a book is released do you still feel nervous until the reviews start coming in?

I always feel nervous when I've released a new book, until I see how well it's selling and what the reviewers say. I do pay attention to my reviews, and I've learned a lot from them.

5. You love getting reviews of your book does it ever bug you or hurt your feelings when you see reviews for your books that are just plain cruel and are more malicious than anything else? When you see a good review does it give you the warm and fuzzies?

 And since I'm only human, if I get 20 great reviews and one terrible one, the terrible one still stings.  Great reviews delight me, of course, I read them again and again.  I don't mind at all when I get constructive criticism, in fact I find it helpful, but when people are just insulting without even pointing out what they didn't like, it's hard to take - but that is unfortunately what every writer has to deal with if they want to offer their books for sale.

6. What is your favorite comfort food/s?

 My favorite comfort foods are pasta and sweets, especially tira misu and chocolate mousse. I love fettucine alfredo almost as much as I love my children. Also pasta primavera. Also - darn it, now I'm hungry! 

Books

Curvy Girls

  

Poppy Donovan has been roped in to helping her half-sister Penelope run her new bakery for the summer while she recovers from a car accident - but as usual, Penelope’s been keeping secrets. Like the fact that Sweet Surrender is actually an erotic bakery that sells desserts so naughty they make Poppy blush. And the fact that there’s an overly-muscled, macho hunk living next door who has suddenly developed an intense interest in everything about Sweet Surrender – including Poppy. Or the fact that Penelope’s accident may not have been an accident. With Poppy’s life suddenly in danger and the future of the bakery at risk, Poppy may be forced to seek safety in the form of dreamboat-next-door Rafe McGovern – but Rafe’s been keeping secrets of his own.










  Ty Jackson was Abigail’s high school nemesis. The popular quarterback mocked her full figure and her studious ways; hurt, she ran a humiliating picture of him in the school newspaper. She can’t imagine anything more infuriating than the big, handsome jerk coming back from the big city and living on the ranch next door to her property…except being blackmailed into a fake marriage to help him save his family’s ranch. But what are Ty’s true reasons for wanting to marry Abigail…and what are his secret plans for the ranch?  







  Curvy girl Josephine Sawyer knows there’s only one reason why hottie bounty hunter Cooper Thomas is putting the moves on her – because he wants information on the whereabouts of her bail jumping brother. So she ended up letting Cooper sweet talk her into a night of scorchingly hot sex…so what? She’d never betray her family. But Josephine is shocked when she finds Cooper pursuing her with increasing passion, acting jealous when other men hit on her, and shadowing her every move. Is he really falling for the feisty, plus sized beauty, or is it all part of a greater scheme – a scheme which could put her life in danger?





Blue Moon Junction 
  New Yorker Ginger Colby, half witch, half werewolf, all curves, has made an immediate and lasting impression on the Alpha of Blue Moon County. Unfortunately, she did it by publicly insulting him – she turned down the smug, sexy werewolf sheriff when he asked her to dance with him at the local honky-tonk. Now the furious Alpha of her pack is ordering her to make amends with Sheriff Sexy – or risk igniting a war between the Red Wolves and the Gray. The Sheriff’s idea of re-establishing his dominance includes a bare bottom spanking, making her work for him as his new assistant, and flirting with her outrageously. But is he flirting with her just to get revenge for humiliating him – or does he want something more? And can a liberated big city werewolf find happiness with a dominant small town shifter? With the mysterious disappearance of an archeology professor, and a jealous Alpha female stirring up trouble…Ginger may not have a chance to find out!






  Curvy bobcat shifter Lainey Robinson is through with men - so she’s fleeing to the most out of the way bed and breakfast she can find, in tiny Blue Moon Junction, Florida. She shows up expecting privacy, peace and quiet. What she gets is total chaos - she’s landed right in the middle of the local Alpha’s wedding week. Worse, some crazy love psychic is insisting that Lainey crash the wedding because her fated mate will be there, tensions are running high between the Blue Moon Pack and a rival pack, and a gorgeous wolf shifter is either suspiciously interested in Lainey, or just suspicious of her.





Shifters, Inc



Wolf shifter Jax Mackenzie has never been accused of being a nice guy – but being nice doesn’t get the job done. A wolf without a pack, he works the most dangerous assignments doled out by a private security company – and his latest case is a real killer. A fatal Rage virus is spreading among the members of an elite BDSM club, and Jax is determined to get to the bottom of the case. To get what he wants, he’ll ruthlessly use his supernatural strength, his wealthy connections, and Bobbi, the beautiful coyote shifter who’s following him for reasons of her own. But the coyote is his fated mate – and possibly his mortal enemy. Now it’s not just Jax’s heart that’s at risk – it’s his life.







  Chloe Novak may be the world’s clumsiest cat shifter; in fact, she’s the only panther she’s ever heard of that doesn’t land on its feet. She may hide her looks behind her glasses, lumpy cardigans, and stacks of books. However, she’s got her beautifully creaky old house and her university job, and she’s content…until billionaire panther shifter Kenneth Chamberlin strides through her office door with an offer she literally can’t refuse, if she ever wants to see her grandmother alive again. The problem is, the Chamberlin family are the ones who ruined her family’s life and reputation – and the sinfully handsome Kenneth makes her tingle in all the right places. How can she work with him in close quarters and keep her heart and her sanity intact?




Stand Alone
 



  Cats and dogs don’t mix – so panther shifter Belle Simmons will never get a chance to act on her secret crush on Axel McManus, the sexiest werewolf this side of the Montana state line…right? That’s what she thinks until the day she’s fleeing an arranged marriage with a much older panther known to have perverted desires and a vicious temper – and Axel comes to the rescue. The only way that the wealthy, corrupt Raymond Charucki will release Belle from her obligation is if she can steal a certain priceless icon belonging to a terrifying witch…and to her shock, Axel insists on accompanying her. Is he protecting the shy, orphaned panther out of pity…or out of love?

 




Every witch in Twin River City is eagerly primping for the annual Crystal Ball, where they will have a chance to be claimed by a warlock – except for Big Beautiful Witch Fiona, of course. The one warlock she yearns for, the sinfully sexy Enforcer Erik Bloodstone, would never claim a chubby girl like her – would he? He’s been flirting with her for years, but she knows it’s in jest – which makes it sting all the more. To make matters worse, he’s investigating a series of warehouse thefts in her rundown neighborhood, so she can never get away from him and give her aching heart a break. As Erik and Fiona grow closer, she comes to realize he may be leading a double life – and leading her on. Will the night of the Crystal Ball finally reveal the truth about Erik and his mysterious plans – and will the truth break her heart?

Wickingham Way

COVER REVEAL

Final novel of A Harbour Falls Mystery Trilogy

Romantic Suspense/Contemporary Romance/Mystery

Releasing February 28, 2014

Cover designed by Damonza

When Maddy Fitch discovers there's a hit out on the love of her life--the handsome, but often secretive Adam Ward--she concludes life with such a powerful man may never be normal. But who wants normal? Not Maddy--mystery writer and sometimes-sleuth. The heart-stopping action begins immediately in Wickingham Way when an attempt is made on Adam's life, prompting the couple to seek refuge at a "safe house." Tucked away in a cabin deep in the heart of Maine, Maddy and Adam fall deeper in love. But their happiness is cut short when someone they care deeply for is kidnapped, by the same organization that wants Adam Ward dead. Adam and Maddy return to Harbour Falls, and a dangerous cat-and-mouse games ensues. Twists and turns abound, keeping Maddy and Adam on their toes. But will the consequences of the decisions they must make prove deadly? Only time will tell. Final novel of A Harbour Falls Mystery Trilogy. Contemporary Romance/Mystery genres. *Mature themes, graphic sex, violence*     About the Author S.R. Grey is the author of the bestselling novel Harbour Falls, as well as Willow Point and Wickingham Way (due out January 2014), all novels in A Harbour Falls Mystery series. She is also the author of I Stand Before You, the first novel in the Judge Me Not series (New Adult/Contemporary Romance genres). Ms. Grey resides in western Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, as well as an MBA. Her background is in business, but her passion lies in writing. She is currently working on Never Doubt Me, the second novel of the Judge Me Not series. Expected publication: Spring 2014. When not writing, Ms. Grey can be found reading, traveling, running, or cheering for her hometown sports teams. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads  

A Kiss of Lies

 

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In Bronwen Evans’s Loveswept debut, a pair of damaged souls ignite each other’s deepest passions—even as they tempt fate by deceiving the world. Desperate to escape her abusive past, Sarah Cooper disguises herself as a governess in the employ of Christian Trent, Earl of Markham, the man who, long ago, she fantasized about marrying. Despite the battle scars that mar his face, Sarah finds being near Christian rekindles her infatuation. A governess, however, has no business in the arms of an earl, and as she accompanies Christian on his voyage home, Sarah must resist her intense desires—or risk revealing her dangerous secrets. One of the renowned Libertine Scholars, Christian Trent once enjoyed the company of any woman he chose. But that was before the horrors of Waterloo, his wrongful conviction of a hideous crime, and his forcible removal from England. Far from home and the resources he once had, Christian believes the life he knew—and any chance of happiness—is over . . . until his ward’s governess sparks his heart back to life, and makes him remember the man he used to be. Now Christian is determined to return to England, regain his honor, and win the heart of the woman he has come to love.

 Guest Post by Bronwen Evans
Hi Jillian and ladies, thanks so much for inviting me to guest blog today.
I haven’t been here before, so I’ll tell you a little bit about me. I live in New Zealand and I’m a romance author. I’ve been writing for a little over five years and my first book, Invitation to Ruin was released in March 2011. It went on to win the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical and was a RT Reviewers’ Choice Best First Historical Nominee.
I’ve just released my eighth book, A KISS OF LIES, book #1 in my Disgraced Lords Regency series. I had so much fun writing this book because the characters were such survivors, and who doesn’t love to root for the underdog.
My hero, Christian Trent, Earl of Markham, was badly burned at Waterloo (read a FREE prequel on my website) and his life changed overnight. He was no longer the sought after rake with the world at his feet. He became an embarrassment to Society. The grand dames did not want his badly burned face at their balls, but they couldn’t overlook the war hero. His mistress deserted him, and the mothers who used to throw their daughters in his path now humiliatingly avoided him.
To top all that, one morning, he wakes in a brothel accused of raping the Duke of Barforte’s daughter. The Duke and his son, Simon, shanghai Christian to Canada leaving him in a strange winter-land with no money and no proof of identity.
My heroine, Sarah Cooper, is basically sold into marriage to pay her father’s gambling debts. Once she signs the marriage register, what she doesn’t realize is her husband intends to take her to Virginia, nor does she know he’s a cruel and sadistic plantation owner, who will treat her little better than the slaves he forces to work his land.
How do they meet up? Christian’s in Canada and Sarah is in Virginia. Sarah manages to escape north to York, and sees an advert for the role of governess to the Earl of Markham’s ward. Sarah believes fate has brought her to Christian. She remembers Lord Markham from home.
Here’s a snippet:-

Mrs. Sarah Cooper, although ushered into Lord Markham’s study by invitation, immediately felt the waves of animosity rolling off him. Gone was the fun-loving, handsome, and jovial rake she remembered spying on in her youth. Instead, she found a man whose love for life seemed as snuffed out as last night’s candle.

She couldn’t miss his scars, and saw that life had hurt him, marked him . . . as indeed it had her. He was badly burned over the right side of his face.

His once sensual lips appeared to curl at the corner as if he were permanently sneering. Lord Markham had let his hair grow longer than was fashionable and allowed it to hang about his face, probably in an attempt to hide the worst of his scars. As he swung round to greet her, she glimpsed his puckered cheek. The skin was pulled so taut, surely it must hurt to talk or eat. However, God had been slightly merciful, because his eye had not been damaged, nor much of the skin around it, he even had part of his eyebrow. She’d always loved the green of his eyes, as warm and welcoming as a summer meadow.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been free to run through tall grass. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been free, period.

Life hadn’t transpired as she’d thought or hoped.

They had that in common.

I hope you read A KISS OF LIES and follow the journey Christian and Sarah take to their Happy Ever After. If you do, let me know what you think of their story.

Thanks for having me over today.

Can you imagine what that must have been like in the early 1800’s – no wonder Christian turned to his five best friends.

Author Info
 Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She has always indulged her love of storytelling and is constantly gobbling up movies, books, and theater. Is it any wonder she’s a proud romance writer? Evans is a two-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Wellington, New Zealand.
Connect with Bronwen Evans: Facebook | Twitter | Website

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Beautifully Twisted

**This book is intended for ages 18 and up due to explicit sexual content and language.**

Alexa Drake is at the top of her game. Heading up the London office for Patrick Collins Media, she’s done what it takes to get to the top and have the career and independence she’s always wanted. Her life in London is everything she’s worked hard to achieve, and she revels in her new found control. If only she could forget the one man who brings her to her knees. Literally.

Scott Patrick is successful, commanding, and the kind of man women dream about. He’s also responsible for Alexa’s career success and her twisted view of love. Scott is a master at avoiding commitment and emotions and always thought of himself as the kind of guy who would never settle down. So why can’t he get Alexa out of his head?

When Scott suddenly turns up in London, Alexa has to decide if she can open herself up to the same man that broke her heart or if she’s ready to give someone new a chance.

Beautifully Twisted is an intense power struggle between two people who have a hard time being together but an even harder time staying apart.

"Hot, Hotter, Holy burning up the pages is how I would describe this book!"~ Schmexy Girl Book Blog

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Teaser

Trailer


Author

 Jennifer Domenico started writing as a five-year old child in the back of her mother’s bible in church. It was a way to keep the fidgety child quiet but even then she took simple stories and twisted them into even more imaginative tales. As she grew, the stories grew with her and she filled notebook after notebook with her musings.

As an adult, she knew she wanted to be a writer but she lacked the attention span and inspiration required to produce a full length story. Eventually she put away her notebooks and turned her attention to the business world where she toiled away for many years.

She stopped reading fiction, stopped entertaining her outlandish imagination, and stopped dreaming of being a writer. Until one day, many months ago she went to sleep and a beautiful love story played out in her dreams.

When she awoke she felt compelled to write it down. And she wrote and she wrote, for days and days she wrote. The result is part one of Enzo and Ava’s story. Turn Towards the Sun is her first, but certainly not her last, novel.

Ms. Domenico lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her very Italian husband, a dog that adores her, two cats that tolerate her, and wicked sweet tooth. She is currently working on part two in the series.
Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Pinterest

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Alex's Destiny

 

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1/2

Her destiny was written for her, long before she was ever born. She embraced it, wanting nothing more than to give everything within her back to the sport in which she was considered royalty. Her family’s legacy would live on, revered by all. And she thrived on the long work days she spent teaching at the academy her blood was tied to. Alexandra Sterling needed that dirt track as much as she needed her next breath. That same track was the one that drew in a young student years before. Alex had given her heart away the day they met, knowing that he belonged to only her. For years she’d waited, knowing without a single doubt that he’d make her his when the time was right. But…she’d never asked Dallas if he felt the same way. Her hurt leaves her vulnerable, her days dark and her instincts dulled. After one night of hell, Alex is lost. Her world is crumbling around her, and without her lifeline and best friend beside her anymore, there’s nothing to keep her from sinking with it. Dallas Hunter is a pro rider on the motocross circuit, following in the footsteps of his father Eli. For Dallas, it’s always been Alex, but he’s kept his feelings locked away out of fear, his love for their family, his biggest obstacle. One short and chilling phone call to her puts him on high alert. Knowing something is terribly wrong sends him racing across the country, back home, back to her. But what he finds almost kills him. Now he’s watching her slip away right before his very eyes. Figuring out how to help Alex before it’s too late, might turn out to be harder than any race he’s ever ridden. And he has to do it with his team and sponsors screaming at him from the other side, trying to pull him back to the world he’s dedicated his entire life to. Dallas knows he has to help his best friend, the woman he loves…and do it without tearing his family apart.

 Other books in this series: Carter’s Treasure #1, Brody’s Love #1.5 (novella), Jesse’s Soul #2, Eli’s Honor #3  

Review

****I was given an ARC for my honest review****
 Alex is the daughter of two great racers, she is the darling daughter of the racing world, she teaches at her familys racing school and has been in love with her best friend since she was three years old. Dallas is son of a great racer, a pro-racer himself and while he loves Alex he would rather push her away and let her go than mess up the close family friendships they all have. When things go bad, Alex is hurt and Dallas is the only who can bring her back from the dark pit she has sunk into, can his love bring her back or is he to late.... This is the last book in the Racing to Love Series, for me it was darker and the emotions were deeper and stronger than in the other books in the series. Alex is a strong woman, when the man she loves breaks her heart you can see her slowly start to lose her spark. When she has this life altering horrible thing happen to her Dallas finally mans up and puts aside his own fears and doubts to be there for her. Certain parts of this book hit me hard, Alex's love for Dallas then her feelings of not being good enough for him anymore, Dallas struggling with his feelings for Alex then his regret for not being there when she needed him. Everything came together wonderfully and as much as I hated seeing them hurt, it really brought both of them closer and made them stronger people. Alex's Destiny was by far my favorite book in the series and the perfect ending to the Racing to Love Series.

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Live (Burnside #1)

 

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 1/2
Mary Ann Rivers kicks off a new contemporary romance series—sure to please readers of Ruthie Knox, Kristan Higgins, and Jill Shalvis—where love can be found unexpectedly.
If there’s an upside to unemployment, Destiny Burnside may have found it. Job searching at her local library in Lakefield, Ohio, gives her plenty of time to ogle the hottest man she has ever laid eyes on: the sexy wood-carver who’s restoring the building. But as the rejection letters pile up, Destiny finds an unexpected shoulder to cry on. With his rich Welsh accent, Hefin Thomas stirs Destiny so completely that, even though he’s leaving soon, she lets herself believe the memory of his scorching kisses will be enough.
Hefin can’t help but notice the slender, confident woman with ginger hair who returns each day, so hopeful and determined. So when the tears start to fall, his silence—penance for a failed marriage—finally cracks. Once he’s touched her, what Hefin wants is to take her back to Wales and hold her forever. But Destiny’s roots run too deep. What they both need is each other—to learn how to live and love again. 

Review

****Random House Publishing Group-Loveswept through NetGalley provided me with an ARC of this book for my honest review****

Destiny has been using her local library to search for a new job, but hey at least there is some eye candy to keep her from being completely depressed about her situation. Hefin is a woodcarver, and when he provides a much needed shoulder shoulder to cry on Destiny makes herself believe that she can live with just the memory of his kisses when he leaves. Hefin has been watching Destiny every day, but when he sees her crying he can't keep his distance any longer and once he has her he wants to keep. How do you give up the person who has brought you back to live and yet how can you ask them to give up everything they have ever known? This book was wonderful, the way the author writes this story the characters emotions are so strong they jump off the pages, it has you right there feeling everything they are and with each page you are sucked further into the beauty that is Hefin and Destiny. Destiny was a strong woman, she had a lot of stuff thrown at her, and she held up pretty well, yet she still had this air of fragility about her that made you want to hug her. Hefin is different from the heroes that I have been seeing a lot of lately, he isn't an alpha male, and he isn't afraid to let his feeling show. He pushes himself and Destiny to live life and embrace their emotions even though they know they may end up being hurt. This was the first book by Mary Ann Rivers that I have read, I love her writing style the way everything flows and fits together perfectly is a work of art in itself. Live was definitely different, I really enjoyed reading this book and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Burnside series.

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