New Release! Free Spirit by Andi Bremner @BremnerAndi

 

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 Free Spirit

Written by Andi Bremner

Published by Evernight Publishing

Release Date 18 January 2017

Cover and artwork by Jay Aheer with Simply Defined Art

Purchase links


Evernight Publishing
Amazon


BLURB

How much of your heart would you give if you knew how short life could be?

Juliette Reynolds knows that life is a precious gift that could be snatched away at any moment. A survivor of childhood leukemia she lives her life seeking fun, adventure and love at every turn making no commitments and never settling in one place for too long in her quest to experience life to the fullest. Her latest adventure has bought her to Myrtle Beach where she meets Noah Daniels.  Having lost his wife in a freak boating accident three years ago Noah also knows how quickly life can be sucked away.

But Juliette, with her zest for life and eternal optimism, is determined to wake Noah up and bring him back into the world of the living.  That is, until it seems like living is what she might not get to do.

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Excerpt

“I’m going to be completely honest with you, Juliette,” Noah told her as soon as they were back in his pickup truck. “I don’t want to take you back yet. I want to take you home. Home to my house.”

She beamed at him. “I’d like that.”

He frowned. “Do you understand what I am saying? That I want to take you home and I want to take you to bed.”

“I know. I want to go to bed. With you.”

He growled and started the truck up. Before he pulled out from the curb though he looked over at her, wanting to make it clear, needing her to know before … so that she didn’t have any false expectations of what this was and of what to expect.

“I want to take you home, Jules…”

“Juliette,” she interrupted quietly. “I prefer Juliette.”

He nodded before continuing. “I want to take you home and I want to take you to bed and I want to fuck you. I want to fuck you hard. But … and I need you to know this, I need you to understand—I don’t want anything more. I don’t want a relationship, I don’t want you to move in, I don’t want this to be anything more than what it is. I’m not looking for anything more.”

Juliette nodded. “I understand completely.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You do?”

“No commitment,” she said. “I get it. I don’t want that either, although I do like the idea of you fucking me hard.”

Noah growled again, his eyes roaming over her face taking in every exquisite detail. Where the hell had this girl come from? She was perfect. Perfect for him. Sexy, gorgeous, oozing a zest for life that was severely missing from his and a commitment-phobic as well. Well, not so much a commitment phobic but more an avoider … like him. It was like Providence had bought her to him.

Noah drove the short distance to his house his mind fixed on nothing else but Juliette. When they arrived at his house he ran around to open her door watching her face as she took in the small, single story bungalow he called home.

“This is so cute,” she cried, following him up the path. “I love it.”

“Of course you do,” he said, fumbling with his keys and unlocking the door. Immediately Loop, his dog, flew at them, covering Noah with licks and racing around like a loony in her excitement to have him own. Then she turned her attention on Juliette, doing the same for her.

“Is this your guard dog?” Juliette laughed, ruffling the hair on the back of Loop’s head. “She is useless but oh so cute!”

“Loopsy,” Noah growled. “Get down.”

Juliette crouched down and scratched Loop’s belly as she laughed. “She is so cute! Hello, Loopsy, my name’s Juliette. I guess they call you Loopsy because you are a bit crazy?”

Noah scowled. “She’s completely crazy. I tried to train her, but she’s too nuts.”

“Well you know what,” Juliette laughed, speaking to the dog, “I’ve been called crazy before, too. I think it’s just that we’re misunderstood though. Don’t you think, Loops?”

Noah shook his head, feeling strangely jealous that Juliette was lavishing her attention on his crazy cocker spaniel when he wanted all her attention on him. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her to her feet, ignoring the surprised look on her face.

“I should offer you a drink or something,” he said, his eyes roaming over her face, “but really I just want to take that sexy as all hell dress off.”

Juliette’s pupils dilated, and the dog, it seemed, was completely forgotten. “I had enough to eat and drink tonight. At the restaurant.”

Noah drew her towards him, planting his mouth firmly and possessively against hers. He didn’t bother going gently this time, didn’t bother easing her into the kiss. Instead he unleashed everything he had, every feeling he had as he let his mouth slant over hers, as he forced her lips apart and thrust his tongue deep within her mouth, tasting and savoring her.

Dragging her with him he pulled her further into his house, through the living room and down the short corridor to his bedroom. He’d already closed the curtains earlier and left a low bedside lamp on, which now cast the room in a pale yellow light. Pausing, he glanced at the rumpled bedding wishing he’d made the bed that morning. Not that it mattered, he planned on messing it up very soon.

“Take your dress off, Juliette,” he commanded, against her mouth, “please.”

“I like your manners,” she told him as she pulled back, tugging at the tie around her neck. “You’re such a gentleman.”

“You won’t think I’m such a gentleman,” he grumbled, watching as she slid the dress ever so softly off her shoulders and let it fall unheeded to the floor, “when I’m fucking you senseless and making you scream.”

Her mouth fell open, and her eyes, those pools of sea green, went wide. Noah felt another possessive, almost caveman like grumble building in his chest.

Dropping his eyes, he let his gaze run over her body, pausing at that odd scar a moment before dipping further, moving over her breasts, down her smooth, flat stomach, over the curve of her hips and lingering on the pale blue, lacy panties that covered her center.

“Take everything off.”

Her mouth twitched. “Have you forgotten your manners already?”

His pulled his eyes up to meet hers, swallowing over the thickening in his throat. “Please.”

Juliette grinned, reaching around to unclasp her bra, drawing it slowly down her arms before discarding it on the floor with her dress. She was just about to reach for her panties when Noah lunged at her, his mouth clamping down on hers as he pulled her against him, crushing her against him. Juliette made a small sound of surprise, but that was quickly stifled by his mouth on hers. Stumbling, he led her back to the bed where they fell, his mouth barely breaking its assault on hers as his hands ran the length of her body, cupping and caressing her breasts, pinching the peaks until they stood as hard nubs and Juliette cried out in his mouth.

Her hand slid beneath his shirt, tugging it from the waistband. He pulled back at her insistence and pulled it over his head, throwing it somewhere in the room before he lowered his head back down to hers, relishing in the feel of her soft breasts against his hard chest, the differences between them. How smooth and soft she was against his hardness, how cool her skin was to touch whilst his felt almost feverish. It was almost as if the differences between them made them perfect for one another.

Her hands were running over him, over the hard planes and angles of his body, her fingers tracing the sharpened contours. He felt massive, looming over her, and carefully rested his body weight on his arms even as he wanted to get closer.

Lowering his head, he closed his mouth over a breast, sucking her nipple deep as she arched against him. His hand squeezed and pinched her nipple, and Juliette pressed her hands into his hair, urging him closer as the sounds continued to escape her. God, he loved those sounds she made. It was like angels singing or the sweetest concerto he had had ever heard.

He switched, turning his attention to her other breast, as he ran another hand over her flat belly and wrapped her hip, jerking her against him, lifting her butt from the bed. Then he kissed lower, his tongue running over her skin, licking and then dipping into her belly button.

“Noah,” she murmured beneath him, tugging at his head. “Oh God.”

“Hmmn?” he whispered against her skin as his mouth skimmed the top of her panties,  which were so fine and lacy that they left nothing to the imagination. Not that Noah had to imagine what she looked like. The image of her, naked and dripping wet that morning, had been seared into his mind, into his heart. She was bare, shaved or waxed, he didn’t know, but she was bare. When he tugged at her panties she dug her heels into the bed and lifted her hips allowing him to slide them down her thighs and throw them away.

“Noah,” she whimpered beneath him, shivering a little.

Raising his head, he looked at her, drawing her deep into his memory bank and imprinting her there. Head back, lost in the pillows, eyes closed, swollen lips open and panting, breasts heaving, nipples hardened, legs spread for him, pussy arching up to meet him.

Noah growled, a low rumble in his chest as he ran a hand lightly over her center. She was wet already, and he sucked in a breath. God, could this girl be any more perfect?

Sliding one finger along her folds he dipped a finger inside watching as her mouth fell open and she arched off the bed, legs opening to give him further access. Gently, he pressed a thumb to her nub, circling ever so slowly as she began to writhe and grab at him, murmuring his name. His chest constricted at the marvelous sight unfolding before him, and when he dipped his head to taste her little bit of heaven, he thought he’d come undone.

“Noah,” she whimpered louder now. “Noah…”

“Yeah, baby. I want you to come. I want to watch you come for me.”

Her legs were trembling, her thighs clamping around his head as she arched against him, using her hands to press him further closer, searching for her release. He kept his eyes open, watching her, loving the way her orgasm built, loving how she lost herself in him, in his touch, in his mouth.

Social Media Links

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andi-bremnerAndi Bremner is a romance writer who is lucky enough to live by the beautiful Indian Ocean in Western Australia with her husband and three children.

Andi grew up with her nose in a book and her head in the clouds.  Her favourite books were the ones that transported her away to another world full of dashing heroes and damsels in distress set in faraway time periods.  Romance, and in particular, complicated romances soon became her favourite novels to read and write and she now writes angst ridden tales of first love with some steamy interludes thrown in as well.
On the weekends Andi can be found ferrying her children to their various after school activities or hiking and camping in the stunning Australian outdoors.

Drummer Girl is the first story in the Moonstone Series. Trinity (Book 1) was published on 1 April 2016.  Stay tuned for Book 3 coming soon.

New Release! R.I.L.Y. Forever by Norah Bennett @TheRealNorahB

RELEASE BLITZ JULY 14THJulia and Ethan meet at the age of sixteen and are drawn to one another, first as friends then as lovers. When everything and everyone Julia holds dear is threatened, Julia is forced to do the unimaginable. Under a veil of secrets and lies, the young lovers are violently separated. The last time Julia sees Ethan, he gives her a heart-shaped silver locket with the inscription, R.I.L.Y. Forever.

Twenty-two years pass before Ethan and Julia’s lives intersect again in a small town in Northwest Jersey. Their reunion is unexpected and emotional. Their passion reignites and their relationship flourishes despite Julia’s abusive ex-husband and Ethan’s possessive ex-wife. But the past rears its ugly head and the lovers soon discover that a foundation built on secrets will always crumble. Can Ethan and Julia overcome their painful past and learn the lessons of honesty, trust, and forgiveness in time to save their love?

Buy Links
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/R-I-L-Y-Forever-Norah-Bennett-ebo…/…/
Evernight http://www.evernightpublishing.com/r-i-l-y-forever-by-nora…/
All Romance Ebooks https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-rilyforever-207487…

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Excerpt

Julia stopped walking, thinking, breathing! Her world narrowed to him—his tousled, thick, brown hair, his mesmerizing gray-blue eyes that changed with his every mood, and his long, thick lashes that were the envy of every girl in high school. Julia devoured Ethan with her eyes. She couldn’t help herself. She was starved. He was taller and more built than she recalled, but his handsome face with its square chin, slightly crooked nose from years of playing football, and full, sensuous lips, was the same image that visited her dreams nightly.

Julia knew the instant he became aware of her. He stopped answering Aimee as his gaze shifted and centered on her. His pupils widened and his eyes darkened to a smoky gray. Aimee followed his gaze. Her brows furrowed and she took a step toward Julia. But Ethan grasped her elbow and shook his head.

Julia’s eyes never left Ethan’s tall, muscular frame as he walked toward her. The room and all its inhabitants fell away until there was only him. The soft caress of his eyes touched every inch of her. She studied his face, but his expression was neutral. He stood silently examining her and it was left to Julia to break the silence. The problem was she had no idea what to say. No words were adequate to express how she felt. But as her eyes locked with his, she hoped they voiced what her lips couldn’t. She missed him. Missed him every second, minute, and hour they were apart. When he was hers, he was her best friend, her lover, her confidant. He was her everything. When she lost him, the ground beneath her feet shook so violently, it brought her to her knees and it took years to learn how to stand on her own, without him.

Tears pooled in Julia’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around herself. Ethan’s assessing gaze tracked her every movement and then his eyes, followed by his mouth, softened.

He remembered.

IMG_3809About the Author

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Norah is a contemporary romance writer living deep in the woods on a lake in NW Jersey. She has been married for thirty years to the love of her life. She has two adult children, a Great Dane, a Maltipoo, and a Cockatoo. There is never any peace in her house and she likes it that way.

By day she is a serious professor and administrator at a university in the Northeast. By night she lets her imagination flow as a romance writer. Although it is incredibly hard to balance both worlds, it’s a hell of a lot of fun walking around having this delicious secret, this alternate life that few people know about. Welcome to the world of Norah Bennett.

Social Media Links
Website: http://www.norahbennett.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealNorahB
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norahbennettbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15291745.Norah_Bennett

New Release! Trusting Love Again by Starla Kaye

Please help me welcome the lovely Starla Kaye! ❤
trusting love again.inddBook Title: Trusting Love Again

Publisher: Black Velvet Seductions

Date Published: November 8, 2015

ISBN: 2940156674237

ASIN: B017RNS888

Genre: Contemporary romance

Heat Rating: 3

Page Count:  99

Buy Links

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Trusting-Love-Again-Starla-Kaye-ebook/dp/B017RNS888/

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trusting-love-again-starla-kaye/1122924735


RAFFLECOPTER CONTEST – Nov 11-Nov 30

>> Click Here for the contest <<


Blurb

All she wants is to start over, live a peaceful life…

After an abusive marriage and an ugly divorce, Toni needs to rebuild her self-confidence and start a new life in her hometown. Going home again and confronting people she’d hurt when she’d left is never easy. She’d hung onto the idea of buying a long-abandoned old house and remodeling it to help her recover. But a man from her past has recently purchased it for his business. That’s her emotional breaking point and she does something reckless. Now she must pay the legal consequences of her foolish actions…by working for him.

All he wants is to focus on his work…

Chad’s job as a lawyer working to protect the rights of the abused elderly consumes his time and energy. It cost him his marriage and an aborted child he hadn’t known about. Now he works harder, guards his bruised heart. Yet the return of someone he’d held secret feelings for comes back to town. She upsets his world, starting with minor destruction of his business property and causing him minor injury. He shouldn’t become involved in helping this troubled woman, yet he can’t keep from doing so.

Two heart-damaged people have trouble trusting love again.

Excerpt 

“You’re taking so long,” she said breathlessly, frowning.

“I guess it’s time to get started.” He stroked his thick shaft while she shivered with anticipation. Their gazes met and he gave a wicked grin. “Thank you for letting me do this.”

He stroked himself again, then guided the cock until it touched her pulsing, swollen lips. The sight was exciting to watch, but she had to turn her head away. She didn’t want him to see how badly she wanted him. It would be there in her eyes, she was certain of that. She braced herself mentally and physically. And waited.

But he didn’t keep her in suspense for more than a second. He gripped her hips with his big hands and the elastic bandage rubbed lightly against her. She barely had time to think about it before he drove deep inside her.

“Ohhh. Oh my,” she gasped at the fullness.

“Are you all right?” he asked in concern. He held still in her body and she quickly adjusted to the thick invasion.

She pressed backward and his balls met her bottom. She shivered, longing for more.

“I take that for a ‘yes.’” He pulled nearly out as she moaned in disgruntlement. He chuckled and thrust deep once more. “Demanding woman, aren’t you?”

Every inch of him smoothed against her sensitized skin, rubbed places inside her in such a delicious way. But a demanding woman? It had been a long time since she wanted a man to have his way with her. Stanley’s way had never been enjoyable, at least not for her. A thought which annoyed her. Stanley was in her past. Chad just might be her future. An idea that worried her.

Enough thinking about that! “How about speeding it up a little?” she beseeched, quivering all over.

“Yes, ma’am.” He began driving back and forth as she’d requested. His grip on her hips tightened and she heard his heavy breathing.

A part of her braced for roughness, for his undeniable power over her. Not Stanley. Remember that.

He eased back on the rhythm, moved more gently. “I want this to be good for you, Antoinette.”

She could sense how much this slowing down was costing him and that knowledge endeared him to her even more. He wanted to make her climax first. Another special gift from him. The notion, along with the steady drive in and out, touching the most intimate part of her, had her panting. She squeezed her eyes shut as the sensations built.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

2013 Starla-Prof 2 5x5.1Starla Kaye wears many hats professionally and as a writer. She is the community coordinator for a Midwestern accounting firm, a gerontologist who volunteers with an active group of senior adults, a mentor/teacher of writing, and a multi-published author. She dabbles in writing romances of many sub-genres: contemporary, historical Western, medieval, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, and Regency. To date she has published 20 novels, 39 novellas, 8 anthologies, 18 short stories, and 3 audio books. You can learn more about her work at http://starlakaye.com

Social Media Links

Website: http://starlakaye.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/starla_kaye

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarlaKayeWriter

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

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Starla-Kaye/e/B002ZH8K3U

Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5494986-starla-kaye

Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?authorid=151725

 

Printable Book List(s)   http://starlakaye.com/my-books/my-complete-book-list/

New Release: Complete with Her (A Risso Family Novella) by Lynn Burke

Now available – the next installment of Lynn Burke’s Risso Family novellas!
Complete with Her
A Risso Family Novella
Contemporary Romance
by Lynn Burke
August 10, 2015
Evernight Publishing

Bastian Risso breaks away from his loud, intrusive family and moves to Charleston, West Virginia. His new neighbor is a seemingly lonely soul, a kindred introvert who might be his perfect matchHer beauty calls to him like a siren, and determined not to be a chicken-shit, he steps out of his comfort zone to make her acquaintance. 

Eve Thompson is protective of her privacy. She relishes her solitude as it keeps people from staring at her deformed upper lip or making fun of her speech impediment. Her persistent neighbor, however, proves a temptation too great to resist. His sincere smiles and compliments threaten to crumble the brick wall she hides behind. And his affections evoke feelings she can’t control. 

Bastian plans to show Eve the beauty of who she is inside and out. But will his efforts break down her barriers or shatter both their fragile hearts





Click on the image above for more information about the Risso Family!


Excerpt:

Sprawling out on my borrowed sleeping bag beside the fire, I feasted my eyes on Eve as she moved with ease around our site. No fidgeting. No sidelong glances. “I can see why you love it out here.”

She tucked an escaped lock of hair behind an ear and bent over her task of wiping the blackened pot clean. “While it’s quiet at home, nothing compares to the peaceful outdoors.”

Temptation to tell her I knew of a thing or two that would compare in enjoyment rolled over me, but I refrained. Shadows lengthened across the small campground, and although we had neighbors a stone throw away, their murmuring barely reached my ears. Shrubs and trees blocked us from view, and leaning back, hands behind my head, I decided tonight, come hell or high water, I would hear Eve’s gasps, smother her moans with my lips as my hands explored her body.

Twilight hindered sight through the trees before she finished cleaning up. After hiding herself in the tent for a few minutes, she emerged with pants and clogs replacing her hiking gear. She settled onto the ground beside my knees.

I leaned up on my elbow and propped my head on my hand. “Eve.” I patted the sleeping bag I laid on. “Come up here.”

Her bottom lip sucked between her teeth as she peered at me in the growing darkness. “Why?”

“I want to kiss you.”

A gasp reached my ears, and I wished we’d brought a lantern so I could see her face. She scooted to my side, and I tugged her down to lay beside me.

Baby steps.

Inches separated our bodies, but I didn’t pull her close like I longed to do. Instead, I ran a fingertip down her cheek and neck, her pulse thrumming beneath my feather-light touch. She gazed up at me with widened eyes. Her lips parted and breathing hitched, and I held in my groan. As if my aching cock needed her encouragement.

Enjoying the tension sizzling between us, I leaned down and kissed her, and the second I swept my tongue along the seam of her lips, she moaned and shimmied closer.

Arousal rolled over me, and I clamped my arm around her waist, pressing her breasts and hips tight against me. My groan escaped into her mouth. No way in hell would I get any sleep.

About Lynn Burke

Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.

Her current work, the Risso Familly Novellas, revolves around four siblings from Boston’s North End.

Find Lynn on her websiteFacebookTwitterTumblrAmazon, and Goodreads.

New Release! Ere’s Secret by Firi Kamson and Top Five Facts

Ere’s Secret by Firi Kamson

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance

I have a secret.

In three days, I’ll be turning 40 and I’m in love for the first time. Decades ago, I sacrificed my life for the good of my family. But tragedy struck too close to home, reminding me of the brevity of life.

Now I have a choice to make: continue living in shadows or allow my true self to emerge.

Ere's Secrets_Top 5 Facts

My life was uninteresting and would have stayed that way until I met Luke. This was a chance meeting and I could say we were destined to meet, who knows. It was a Sunday evening and I was at this point tired of my life and living my life as society wanted it to be lived. It was the day I defied all odds and subdued my nerves as I went into my closet and put on a black pair of pencil jeans and a black loose fitting Tee-shirt, that Cassandra, my oyibo Canadian neighbor who never took no for an answer, even though she had been unsuccessfully trying to invite me for coffee at hers for years; gave me. Surprisingly, when I put this on, it struck me how much weight I had lost. I looked like a skinny school girl instead of a 38 year old mother of three. Ignoring the inquiring looks my boys gave me, I told them I was going out with my friends. Further ignoring the equally curious look I got from Musa, our old reliable gateman who refused to leave us when Opuada died and was content with whatever I could pay him. With a straight face, I told him I was going out and would be back in a couple of hours.

Firi Kamson was born in Nigeria, where she grew up. Becoming a lawyer, a writer and a pilot was her childhood dream, she dropped the lawyer part and got a B.A. in foreign languages and literature speciality French. Worked as a freelance translator and a photographer for a couple of years before she decided to explore the creative world of writing. She writes a column for http://www.sabinews.com, as Tee, an online Nigerian based magazine, where she journals her experiences in south east Asia. The dream of becoming a pilot is still there and who knows one day it would be fulfilled. She lives in South East Asia with her nerdy husband and very active daughter and son. Ere’s Secret is her first work.
Firi Kamson would like to hear from her readers so you can send her an email phiri@secretlilies.com or check out her site http://www.secretlilies.com
Or follow her on Twitter @tmkamson

 

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Spotlight: Longing for Her (A Risso Family Novella) by Lynn Burke


Happy Book Birthday to Longing for Her!


Longing for Her
A Risso Family Novella
Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 7, 2015

Straight-laced Cole Risso has longed for his sister’s bohemian best friend Gwen since he first laid eyes on her as a kid. Now, as future patriarch of the Risso Family, he’s expected to marry well. A free spirit and unconventional daughter of a pot-toking hippie hardly qualifies. 

When one night of giving into temptation ruins them both for any other, Cole and Gwen are faced with a decision – love the other enough to let them go, or defy family expectations and fight for their hearts’ desires.  No matter the decision, their choices have the power to destroy all they hold dear.

Purchase Links:

Excerpt:

I rounded the couch, but halted as a body came into view.

Cole lounged against the far side, one hand behind his head, half-empty beer bottle in the other. “Hey.”

Our gazes collided, sending a shock wave of energy through my blood. My heel itched to spin, but his focus wandered down my body and back up again, lingering on my bare thighs.
Oh, the temptation to taste him one more time. Three years of simmering desire had my kettle ready to scream hallelujah. “Hey,” I whispered back. “I thought you’d left.”

His smile melted my bones. “Decided to stay a while and reminisce.”

My lips tugged up. “I was eyeing the back of the couch while stealing some whiskey and doing the same thing.” Kind of.

“Care to join me?”

I considered the cushion closest to me and bit on the inside of my lip as temptation and love for the sexy man a few paces away warred in my brain. Knowing I owed Cole an apology, I decided to sit, curling my legs under me. “Sorry for being so harsh earlier. I…I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Cole twisted sideways to place the bottle on the coffee table. “I shouldn’t have cornered you like that.” He started to sit up, but hesitated, a question in his eyes.

“It’s all right. I won’t run.”

The leather squeaked as he swung his feet to the floor and leaned back, hands on his thighs. His blue tie hung loose, the top two buttons of his dress shirt unbuttoned. A hint of dark hair called out to my fingers. Averting my eyes, I focused on the tumbler clasped in both my hands.

“I know I’ve said it hundreds of times, Gwen, but I’m sorry. Please say you forgive me.”
Another gulp of whiskey gave me courage to speak. “Forgiving in my mind means making things right—getting back to normal and moving on.” I lifted my head enough to focus on the knot of his tie. “I can’t do that with you, Cole.”

“Why not?”

“Because even though it’s expected you’ll marry an uptight, snobbish princess,” I sucked in air and allowed the words to spew, “I want you every second of the day.”

His chest stopped its rise and fall, and I glanced up at his face.

Mistake.

Longing like I’d never known reached out from his eyes and froze me in place. My breath caught. Nipples pebbled beneath my thin shirt.

Every muscle in my body quivered as he stood and walked toward me, unwavering gaze on my face.

“What—” I licked my lips, hating how my voice wavered. “What are you doing?”

“Give me the whiskey.”

My pulse thrummed with life, and I put the glass in his outstretched hand.

He set it on the coffee table without breaking eye contact and leaned down, placing his hands against the back of the couch on either side of me, making an effective cage. His face hovered mere inches from mine.

I breathed in as he exhaled, the subtle scent of peppermint flooding my mouth with saliva. His lower lip called out to my teeth; the shadow lining his jaw begged for my tongue.

“Did you mean what you said about once being enough, Gwen? Because it’s not for me. I want to taste every inch of your skin. Bury myself inside you.”

My breath caught, and moisture flooded my panties making me squirm on the cushion.
I opened my mouth, having no idea what words would tumble out, but he swooped down, capturing my parted lips before I could speak.

Blessed Mary, mother of God.


About Lynn Burke:

Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
Her current work, the Risso Family Novellas, revolves around four siblings from Boston’s North End.

Giveaway:
An ecopy of Longing for Her, Heart Pendant, and a $10 Amazon Gift Card

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Cover Reveal and Giveaway for Colors of Us by Sandra Bunino

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Sandra Bunino’s next release, Colors of Us. I’ve been trying to wait patiently for this book and I’m happy to report our wait is almost over. It’s releasing on August 26th! That’s less than two weeks. Squee!! Below you’ll find the fabulous cover, blurb, excerpt, info on Sandra, and her giveaway. Enjoy!! 😀

Cover Reveal

ColorsofUsCover

Book Title: Colors of Us

Author: Sandra Bunino

Genre: Contemporary Romance/New Adult

Release Date: August 26, 2014

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Synopsis

Everything she knew to be true fell apart. Then fell apart again…

Michelle Willis is running from her past. What better place to hide than in the anonymity of New York City. Finding refuge in a tiny SoHo art gallery, she rebuilds her life one painting at a time.

A wrong turn sends Hunter McAvery on a crash course with disaster. He fights his own demons by following his big brother’s lead – drinking and bed-hopping his way through Manhattan.

A glance at Michelle’s self-portrait triggers emotions Hunter can’t tamp down. Driven to meet the artist, he discovers a fiery chemistry as their lives collide. But when their past threatens to tear them apart, can their love survive?

excerpt

“I think pink is your color. It looks great against your dark hair.” Reaching past her shoulder, he curled a strand of her hair between his fingers and tugged gently before letting it fall onto her shoulder.

Meeting his gaze, she smiled. “Thanks.” Michelle wasn’t used to compliments. It’d been her goal to fade into the crowd and not to call attention to herself. But her self-imposed rules seemed to float away around Hunter McAvery.

Returning her smile, he continued the lesson. “After you slide your hands into the opening, you’ll wind the long strap around your fingers and wrist like this.” Holding her fingers in his hand, he wound the dangling strap around her palm and over her knuckles. “You want to protect the part of your hand that meets the bag.”

He stepped closer as he slipped the strap around the base of her thumb. When he brushed his fingertips against the sensitive area just below the fleshy part of her palm, a shiver shot up her arm and traveled to her belly. His warm breath ghosted her face as he circled the end of the strap around her wrist and secured the Velcro tab. Before she knew it, strong fingers captured her left hand and guided her arm to the warmth between their bodies. She itched to graze her fingers along his muscled chest, capturing his heat with her palm. Her gaze bounced to his neck and stubbled jaw, which clenched as he slid the other wrap over her hand. Slowly wrapping her other wrist, he secured the strap and held both of her gloved hands in his. “Make a fist,” he said huskily.

Tightening her hands into a ball, she tucked her thumb around the outside of her fingers like he showed her at the gym.

He squeezed her fists. “They look good. You’re a badass.”

Michelle snorted. “A badass in pink.”

“Let’s see what you got. Show me some upper cuts. Right here.” He tapped his abs.

“You want me to hit you?” She giggled.

“Sure. I can take it.”

Turning her palms up, she made a fist and alternated soft punches to his belly. His rock-hard belly. Each strike made her aware of how alive he made her feel. The force of impact sent ripples up his tight shirt, awakening the planes of his muscular form. She gulped back the desire to open her fists and run her fingertips along the line of each thick muscle.

His hands came to rest on her forearms, halting her movement. The pads of his thumbs stroked the sensitive skin near the inside of her elbow causing a delicious shiver up her arm. Michelle’s eyes met his. The fire brewing in his darkened gaze drew her in. Hunter stepped between her legs, nudging her back against the wall next to the mural. She closed her eyes and choked back a groan, wanting—no, needing—to grind her heat on his leg. Raising her arms above her, he pinned them against the wall on either side of her head. His scent flooded her senses as she lifted her chin to close the gap between them.

“I’m trying like hell not to kiss you.” Hunter straightened his back but didn’t loosen his grip on her arms.

Her skin prickled from the nearness of his body. She let her gaze drift to his lips. “Why?” she whispered.

He blew a slow breath between his teeth. “Nothing good would come of it. I’m not capable of giving or feeling… or offering anything much to you.” He shook his head but he didn’t move from her body.

“I don’t believe that.” Michelle wriggled her arms from his grasp. Her fingertips lingered on his corded forearms, which flexed under her touch. Easing a trail toward his shoulders, her fingers reminded her of a paintbrush’s first dab of color on a fresh canvas. She’d always believed each canvas had a personality of its own, and it was the symphony of the brush, artist, and canvas that created the work of art. She wanted to explore the blank canvas of Hunter McAvery.

She studied his arms, still caging her in. Protecting her. Wanting her. Her eyes met his gaze. He stared at her, unmoving, but a spark burned in his eyes. She held her breath, afraid to break his trance. Her palms smoothed over his shoulders and down his chest, stopping at the center of his ribs. Pushing into the muscles of his chest, she felt the strong beat of his heart on her fingers. “Kiss me, Hunter.” Raising her eyebrows, she dared to look him in the eyes, almost afraid of what she’d see.

“You don’t understand. You’re too… good.” He averted his gaze.

“Maybe you should let me decide what’s good for me.” She moved closer, his breath burned hot on her face, and he squeezed his eyes closed.

“Michelle….”

Her hands traveled up his chest and rested on the bulk of his strong shoulders. Pulling him in, her breasts molded into his chest and, finally, he crashed his lips down on hers. She met every stroke of his tongue as her fingers raked through the ends of his hair. Moaning into his mouth, she straddled his muscular thigh as warmth flooded her sex. She’d never felt more alive.

His hand grazed her cheek before taking her chin between his thumb and index finger and pulling away from their kiss. He tipped his forehead to hers, his raspy breath hot on her mouth. “Shit.”

Michelle widened her eyes. “What?” she whispered.

“You. Me. This just can’t happen. Not now. Not like this.”

Meet the Author

BuninoHeadshot

Sandra Bunino is a romance author of several novellas including The Satin Rose Experience series. Her first full length novel, Colors of Us from the McAvery’s Brothers series, makes its debut during the summer of 2014. She makes her parents proud by putting her MBA degree to good use dreaming up Alpha heroes who dominate the bedroom as well as the boardroom.

When not staying up past her bedtime torturing her oh-so-sexy heroes, she can be found shopping for shoes or saving turtles.

She looks forward to hearing from her readers and she may be contacted at sbunino@gmail.com. As a social media junkie in need of a ten-step program, you can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@sandrabunino). Join her book group, Bunino’s Bookalicious Babes, on Facebook!

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Inside Look with Donna Cummings author of An Encouraging Word

click to see all the Inside Looks at SJs

It’s not a mirage, Donna Cummings is here! Que the coffee and bring on the brownies. Donna always makes me smile and she’s definitely encouraging. When I heard about her new book, I just had to have her over to talk about it. So, relax with your goodies. Enjoy.

I want to give SJ a huge thank you for letting me come back for a visit. She indulges my silliness, and encourages me with endless cups of coffee, so really, I was ecstatic when she asked if I wanted to chat about my latest book.

It’s a little different than the other things I’ve published. Okay, it’s completely different. Instead of humorously-ever-after romance, it’s a compilation of posts from my blog, All About The Writing, where I’ve explored the writing process, and the writing life, the past five years.

First off, I’m not claiming to be a writing expert. My areas of expertise–drinking coffee, and avoiding stuff–don’t really have a bright career path included. (Dang it.)

Way back when, I chose the name of my blog because it was a catchphrase that encapsulated what agents were looking for. No matter what intrigued them enough to ask for a look-see of your manuscript–hook, theme, plot–in the end, the deciding factor was “all about the writing”.

Still, even with a snappy blog title, I had no clue what to blog about. At first I made a few announcements about contests I’d finaled in and/or won. That fell within the scope of “all about the writing”, and it didn’t cause my very-private-self too much agony–especially since I was pretty much the only one who saw the posts.

Then I took a trip to an Agent Pitch Slam in NYC, a speed dating thing where you pitch your book to an agent for three minutes and then move on to the next one. I was sure my blog audience (um, ME) would enjoy reading about my first solo trip into “the city” and meeting with agents.

I started by describing my 6 a.m. walk to the bus that would take me into Manhattan. It should have been uneventful, really. But there was slasher-movie fog everywhere, and two huge deer walking in the middle of the street. They stopped to stare at me for a while, and then darted off into the darkness. To this day I’m convinced they could sense my fear at being a quart low on caffeine.

After that surreal start to the day, I wrote about finally making it to the Javits Center:

It’s a freakingly huge monstrosity of an edifice. It sits on about fourteen thousand city blocks, and has easily 2.5 million entryways. I stumbled through one, and then walked and walked and walked until I saw a human being, who told me to continue the direction I was headed, and if I hit the Pacific Ocean, to turn around because I had gone too far.

After what seemed like days, I nearly wept when I saw an oasis: the round green sign stating “Nectar of the Gods” (aka Starbucks). Please please please don’t be a mirage. I hadn’t had time for coffee that morning, and would have easily taken out a payday loan for a thimble full of the stuff.

I quickly discovered blogging was a natural milieu for me. I loved it. I could explore a variety of writing topics–whatever sprang to mind–while I got to play with words and ideas in a humorous way. Blogging helped me get unstuck when I was feeling discouraged, and showed me how to work through tricky parts of several WIPs. I was delighted each time someone said my posts guided them through a troublesome patch, or were the exact words they needed to hear at that moment in time.

Although I hadn’t planned it, I had stumbled upon a theme: dealing with the endless writerly doubts and fears, and forging ahead when it seemed the muse considered my words a deadly virus that had to be eradicated to ensure the future of humanity.

An Encouraging Word is a compilation of 52 of these posts that I hope will bring cheer and solace, encouragement and renewed optimism, and even a chuckle or two. Think of it as a cheerleader on your e-reader or computer or mobile device. It’s there when you need a little boost. It’ll give you a well-deserved pat on the back.

And it won’t ever expect coffee in return.

click to see book on GoodreadsAn Encouraging Word
by Donna Cummings
Length: 117 pages
Published: February 19, 2014

Bio

I have worked as an attorney, winery tasting room manager, and retail business owner, but nothing beats the thrill of writing humorously-ever-after romances.

I reside in New England, although I fantasize about spending the rest of my days in a tropical locale, wearing flip flops year-round, or in Regency London, scandalizing the ton.

I can usually be found on Twitter talking about writing and coffee, and on Facebook, talking about coffee and writing.

Links:

Website/blog: www.AllAboutTheWriting.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@BookEmDonna

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Donna.Cummings.Author

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5349107.Donna_Cummings

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/bookemdonna

Buy link: Amazon

The Patented Nonsense of Donna Cummings author of I Do… or Die

I have a special treat for you today. You know those friends that cheer you up the minute they enter the room or in this case twitter stream? That’s Donna. I really enjoy this gal. Not too long ago I read one of her recent releases and I was not at all surprised when her writing had me smiling and giggling. For the rest of my FIVE star review of Donna’s book click here, but first enjoy getting to know Donna and her patented nonsense. 😀

I Do or Die Cover click to see it on GoodreadsI Do… or Die

by Donna Cummings

Published: December 10, 2012
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Genre: Contemporary Romance

SJ asked me to guest blog today because she’s a fan of my “patented nonsense”. Those are my words, not hers, although now that I think about it, she did repeat them with a great deal of glee once I uttered them. But the joke’s on her, because I haven’t had a chance to actually patent my nonsense. It is on my To Do list, though, right between “figure out a reason Brussels sprouts were invented” and “teach dust bunnies how to clean up after themselves”.

I wasn’t sure what to chat about, but fortunately, SJ sent me a few questions to help spark some ideas. And one of those questions was, “Which one of your characters would you most like to meet in real life?”

My first thought — naturally — was I wanted to meet every single one of my heroes. I mean, who wouldn’t, right? Heroes are one of the best parts of the books we write. But since that wouldn’t be practical, with so many of them vying for my attention, and me not wanting to hurt anybody’s feelings by slighting one hunk while draping myself over another one. . .

Ahem. What was the question again?

Oh yeah. The character I would love to hang out with is Shelby, the heroine of my romantic comedy/mystery I Do. . .or Die. And no, it’s not just because her guy, Ryan, would be hanging around too, although he is wicked sexy. They’re absolutely perfect together and I wouldn’t want to get in between them. (Stop that. You know what I mean.)

Shelby is funny, and slightly neurotic, and, thanks to her gigolo father, she’s got commitment issues, which she thinks she’s handling just fine, even when she’s not. Can’t you just imagine the fun conversations we could have? She also loves coffee, and cosmopolitans, and isn’t really a fan of cats, which gives us even more to talk about.

It’s always an adventure with Shelby around. Even when she’s not trying to cause commotion, she somehow attracts it. And she manages to do it with humor, a little snark, a fair amount of vulnerability, and an admirable bit of resourcefulness. I can’t think of a better way to spend a day than to hang out with her.

Here’s a little excerpt, where Detective Ryan Nichols is driving Shelby to her home, after she’s been shot at during a wedding where she’s the maid of honor. Before she can get out of the car, the window next to her explodes:

Before I could even scream, Detective Nichols threw himself at me, covering me with his body.

His strong, warm, protective, masculine body.

Glass particles sprinkled over us, glittering in the disappearing sunlight. The hole in the window amplified the sound of a car racing around the corner, tires screeching as it made its getaway.

I hardly had time to register that information before another thought rushed to the front of my mind. It wasn’t likely someone was trying to shoot him. In front of my apartment.

So that meant the gunfire I’d experienced that day—twice that day—

“Jesus! They are shooting at me!”

I popped up so I could see what was going on, and promptly had my head shoved back down.

“Shelby, stay down!”

He muttered something about people who didn’t have enough sense to keep their fool heads from being blown off. And it sounded like he might have been debating whether to let it happen, but then he couldn’t go on his vacation because of all the paperwork he’d have to deal with.

Not to mention my single brain cell spattered all over his car interior.

“I don’t think they followed us, but the shot came from back there,” Detective Nichols said, half to himself, twisting in the seat while keeping his body lowered over mine.

“Where? I can’t really see.”

My face was embarrassingly close to a certain portion of his anatomy. A part that was well worth investigating, but this wasn’t really the time, or the place. Although I was definitely developing an interest.

And it was clear that his interest was well, um, it was developing too.

“Sorry,” he said with a gruff voice, moving me away from the hot spot. He was still a professional, however, making sure that I was protected from the next round of shooting that might occur at any moment.

“This doesn’t make any sense,” I blurted. “I really don’t know of anyone who would want to shoot me.”

“Are you sure?” He sat up and re-holstered his weapon, even though I hadn’t seen him take it out. “I was pretty close to it at least once today. Only I wasn’t ready to get fired just yet.”

I gasped. “That is so mean. How could you even say that?”

“Maybe I was just trying to distract you,” he answered, grabbing the radio from the console, speaking in a coded series of numbers that made algebra equations seem easy to decipher.

“Oh,” I said, since he’d definitely distracted me.

Still, the absurdity of the whole situation blindsided me. Here I thought my worst problem of the day was going to be when I jabbed a hole in my pantyhose while getting ready to walk down the aisle for the fourth time.

But that was just a preview of coming events. Because I had been shot at, not once, but twice, and I was hot for the police detective who was probably debating whether to let the gunman prevail.

What else could I do but laugh?

It started out as a giggle, and then I was in the midst of hold-my-sides-it-hurts-so-much hilarity. It was impossible to stop.

Detective Nichols’s visage was stern, in control, but then I saw his lips twitch. I heard a strangled sound, and then he lowered the radio. He could have thought I was insane, but instead he had the sense to appreciate how bizarre this entire scenario was. And instead of telling me I needed to “calm down,” he joined right in with the fun and games.

He definitely qualified as the good surprise of the day.

“Oh, wow,” he finally said, wiping his eyes. “I can’t believe I’m sitting here laughing my ass off with you. Some cop I am.”

“This isn’t one of those reality shows, is it? One where I get to look like a fool at the end of it?”

“I can show you my badge again when I get back from checking the scene. And don’t worry about looking like a fool—”

I held up a hand, a dead ringer for a traffic cop. “Do not say what I think you’re going to say. You’ve already exceeded your mean quota for the day—”

“What?” Mischief flashed in his eyes. “I wasn’t going to say anything mean.”

“Oh yes you were. I could feel it.”

I could actually feel a little bit more than that. For some reason Detective Nichols seemed to enjoy these crazy exchanges of ours as much as I did. But we weren’t on a date, for heaven’s sake. He was investigating my friend’s attempted murder, only now it looked like he was going to be investigating my attempted murder instead.

My body temperature plummeted about forty degrees.

“Somebody’s trying to kill me, aren’t they?”

He didn’t try to pull me down toward safety, and he certainly didn’t try to pull any punches. “It kinda looks that way, yeah.”

Blurb

“Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” is Shelby Atwood’s personal credo. She’s managed to avoid commitment all her life – no pets, no plants, not even a long-term lease. Heck, she’s had colds last longer than her romantic relationships. How could she be any other way when she has a gigolo for a father?

But then gunfire erupts at the latest wedding she’s agreed to be in, and it ends up being the best thing to happen to Shelby’s love life. Detective Ryan Nichols is assigned to the case, and when the shootings don’t stop, he becomes her 24-hour bodyguard. Shelby wouldn’t mind except Ryan is too appealing, too sexy, and too happy to remind her of the raucous bachelorette party when she mistook him for a stripper.

Shelby’s plan is simple: find the shooter, have a fling with Ryan, and return to her non-committal life. Unfortunately, the shooter is very elusive. Shelby’s feelings for Ryan are way more than adrenaline-fueled lust. And returning to her normal life is now impossible since, despite her lifelong resistance, she’s managed to put her heart smack dab in the line of fire.

Bio

I have worked as an attorney, winery tasting room manager, and retail business owner, but nothing beats the thrill of writing humorously-ever-after romances.

I reside in New England, although I fantasize about spending the rest of my days in a tropical locale, wearing flip flops year-round, or in Regency London, scandalizing the ton.

My contemporary novella, Back on Track, part of the Strangers on a Train collection, released earlier this month from Samhain. Also available is Summer Lovin’, a free romantic comedy novella, and Lord Midnight, a Regency historical romance.

Links:

Website/blog: http://www.AllAboutTheWriting.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@BookEmDonna

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Donna.Cummings.Author

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5349107.Donna_Cummings

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/bookemdonna

Buy links:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AB3TBOC

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-do-or-die-donna-cummings/1114001417

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/i-do-.-.-.-or-die/id580981508

The Assassins Hockey #Hop


The Assassins Series covers- click to see post at Romance at Random

Toni Aleo a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic is the author of the fabulous Assassins Hockey Series — Join us for the celebration of the re-release of The Assassins Hockey Series including: Taking Shots; Trying to Score and Empty Net – on sale 4/23/13:

Taking Shots

In Toni Aleo’s exhilarating debut, the first in a series featuring the hockey hunks of the Nashville Assassins, a reformed bad boy helps a charming, willful woman face off against the demons of her past.

Trying to Score

In a captivating novel of second chances and healing hearts, the newest member of the Nashville Assassins pulls a power play to make things right with the one that got away.

Empty Net

In Toni Aleo’s third novel in her hot Assassins series, the chiseled men of this Nashville hockey team can make anything happen when they go all out for the women they want—even turn a one-night stand into a happily ever after.

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Now, it’s time to hop. Have fun!

1. Romantic Reads and Such 2. BookHounds
3. The Jeep Diva 4. I Read Indie
5. Blackraven’s Erotic Cafe 6. AJ’s Reading Nook
7. Blackraven’s Reviews 8. HEARomances With A Little Kick
9. The Readers Roundtable 10. Books Books and More Books
11. Devoured Words 12. Globug and Hootie
13. Book Monster Reviews 14. StuckInBooks
15. Book Lovin’ Mamas 16. Book-A-Holic Anon
17. Read Your Writes Book Reviews 18. Tome Tender
19. Eye on Romance 20. Seduced By A Book
21. The Autumn Review 22. Cocktails and Books
23. What’s On The Bookshelf 24. All Aboard!
25. Bitten By Love Reviews 26. Mimmi’s Musings
27. Readers Confession 28. Readers Confession
29. From the TBR Pile 30. Over the Edge Reviews
31. Spare Time Book Blog 32. As the Page Turns
33. Bookshelf Confessions 34. Always YA at Heart
35. What I’m Reading 36. Lushbookreviewss.blogspot.com
37. Reading Between the Wines 38. Insane Hussein
39. PonyTails Book Reviews 40. Literati Literature Lovers
41. Socrates’ Book Review Blog 42. My Book Muse
43. Burning Impossibly Bright 44. Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
45. Book Nerds Across America 46. Literary, etc
47. Julie Reviews Books 48. Julie Reviews Books
49. Parnormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews 50. The Girls That Read
51. SJMaylee 52. Phantasmic Reads
53. My Secret Romance 54. Insightful Minds Reviews
55. A Novel Affair [book blog] 56. RomCon
57. Cheeky Reads 58. The Revolving Bookcase
59. Aislynn @ Stitch Read Cook 60. MsRomanticReads
61. Blogging by Liza 62. In Love with Romance
63. A Little Bit Tart, A Little Bit Sweet 64. cupcake’s book cupboard