Thursday, July 31, 2014

Spotlight and Review of Little Red, by Trista Jaszczak

Little Red - Banner


BOOK INFORMATION


TITLE – Little Red
SERIES – Believe Series #1
AUTHOR – Trista Jaszczak
GENRE – Semi Erotic/Paranormal/Fairy Tale Retellings
RE-RELEASE DATE – June 13, 2014
LENGTH (Pages) - 266
PUBLISHER Wolf Paw Publications
COVER ARTISTBookworm Productions




Little Red - Cover



BOOK SYNOPSIS


Samantha Wentworth has one mission in life; to get as far away as she possibly can from her troubled past.

When she finds herself on the Louisiana bayou she runs straight into the arms of a very sexy Big Bad Wolf that she just can’t seem to resist.

Will Samantha continue on her journey, or does the full moon have other plans in store for her?




Little Red - Teaser 2




BUY & TBR LINKS


AMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA – AMAZON KINDLE UK – BARNES & NOBLES NOOK - KOBO – GOODREADS – SHELFARI



Character Bio - Ethan Parker   Character Bio - Samantha - Red - Wentworth


EXCERPT


18+ EXCERPT:

I stand up slowly and begin to fight what I’m about to do. I beg myself to sit down, look away, anything, but instead I trail up to her. She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t shudder; strangely, her eyes stay locked onto mine. I take the extra towel from her and draw her body to mine. I hear her left out a small gasp, and I can tell her heart rate has quickened. I bring a hand to her face, letting it trail from her cheek to her neck, all the way to the back of her head. I pull her in for a kiss. A proper one. That feeling I felt before returns as something inside me nearly loses control. My legs begin to feel weak as I realize that she’s kissing me back. It’s as soon as my tongue flickers over hers that I really feel I may lose it. I pull away for a moment and close my eyes. “This is how it’s supposed to be,” I mumble to her. I work to keep myself under control, I remind myself to keep a slower pace, not to rush. I catch a sudden wave of Red’s feelings…the want and need is there, and it makes it more difficult to control myself. I try to relax, remind myself to pace myself but when Red pushes her body into mine, I fully lose any control that I had. Her arms fly around my neck and I do nothing to stop her. Her lips find mine as her hands reach for my belt buckle. She wastes no time in unbuckling and unzipping my jeans. I reach for the last towel and yank it from her body as she pulls my tee shirt off and throws it across the room. She wraps her arms around me again and lets her lips find mine as I wrap my arms around her, lifting her in one swift movement. Her legs immediately cinch around my waist and I steady myself quickly as I push her against the nearest wall. She moans loudly and I feel her nails dig into my back briefly. I begin biting tenderly down her neck in a way that leaves tiny little marks but enough to make her groan with pleasure. I feel all self-control leave my body as I steady her against the wall and begin using my strength to lift her upwards as I move my mouth down her body. I feel her hands tug at my hair as I clamp my teeth down on one of her nipples. She releases another moan and I feel her breathing become choppy as I work my way down her core; kissing, biting, licking, and unable to control myself. I finally find myself in a squat position, I quickly adjust Red’s over my shoulders and I feel her shake. Everything in me wants to have her, every single piece of her right this minute. I need her. Not to just satisfy the raw animal craving that his built up inside me, but because I need every piece of the one thing that I ever wanted and needed so badly. I slow my kisses past her belly button and move to her inner thighs. I look up at her and her eyes catch my gaze. She’s breathing heavily, her legs begin to tremble more as I steady her against the wall as I drop to my knees to maintain my own balance. When my mouth finally latches to her, letting my tongue do the work for me, she releases a noise filled with such intense pleasure that there’s no going back. I need her even more now.


Little Red - Teaser 4


My Review

This story was overall a nice re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood, complete with a unique curse on a family of men that only Red can break.  

This book fell a little short for me.  I was a good book, but not a great one.  As I look back over my notes, I was apparently annoyed by some things, including the author's failure to use a thesaurus for the word RAGE, which was used over and over and over again.  Also, the character's motivations weren't clear from the get-go.  Of course, she needed to walk through the woods in the beginning to fit the Little Red Riding Hood trope and propel the story along, but Red's actual motivations for doing so were nonexistent.  What grown woman would run out of gas and then think her only logical solution to that problem is to the leave the highway and take off through unfamiliar woods of Louisiana?  That was only the beginning.

The more I read, the more I liked the story.  The premise was unique, and I enjoyed the banter between the brothers.  The arc was good, although the climax could have been MUCH bigger.  Themes explored throughout the story were well-drawn out, and the abusive situations were well done.  Overall, the book was nice.  



Little Red - Author Photo



AUTHOR BIO


Trista Jaszczak is the Amazon.com bestselling author of Loverboy and Little Red that hit #1 in Fairy Tales on Amazon.com on release day!

She is an Air Force spouse and mother to two mischievous and rambunctious little girls. She is creative by nature and not only writes, but is a photographer who braves the cold to chase the northern lights. She also plays guitar and sings, two things that have become a favorite past time of hers when she’s not behind the glowing screen of her computer. And, though she considers it just a hobby, loves to sketch and paint.

She is originally from Hamilton, Ohio but calls home where ever the Air Force sends her. She currently resided in Anchorage, Alaska where she finds endless inspiration in the pure Alaskan wilderness. Though the rain can seem endless in the fall, and the constant daylight is a burden in the summers, she considers it a privilege to live there.

When Trista isn’t writing, she loves to spend her time with her family in the vast Alaskan outdoors, plucking away at her old guitar, working out in the gym, or baby her two over-grown Labrador puppies. She loves the great outdoors, the moon, old movies, and music. She loves being creative, practicing her photography, and wildlife. If you need to get in touch with her, since her life is 10 ways of crazy right now, you can always Email her PA. pa@author-trista.com



AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS


AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITEBLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – GOOGLE+
PINTEREST – TUMBLR – NETWORKED BLOGS – BLOGLOVIN – GOODREADS
SHELFARI – INSTAGRAM




Little Red - Giveaway Image



GIVEAWAY PRIZES


One Kindle Paperwhite


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tour Organized By:
myfamilyheartbutton 

Little Red - Bookworm ProductionsLittle Red - Wolf Paw Publications Logo

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Spotlight on Niki Becker - Special Assignment


This is the first Installment of The Naughty Nine, a series of posts I'll be doing about the authors in the anthology, Angels Sinners.  Today's post is featuring Ashley Nemer, writing under Niki Becker.  This is one of her erotica titles, I'll be reviewing later.  I've read the excerpt below, and it looks HAWT.  I just love the strong silent type...emphasis on silent.  

The Art of Safkhet Presents – Niki Becker

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT
Jake left Justice, Kansas shortly after the wreck. His life had been forever changed and he didn't know how he could stay in the one place that was a constant reminder of both women. Now on a quest to prove himself he taps into the one thing better left alone.

Charlie knew that eventually she’d have to run again. Resolution, California wouldn't be safe forever, someone would learn about her past. She just never imagined it would be the one person she’s spent a decade trying to forget.

Charlie and her brother Justin have made a new life in their beach side house on the banks of California. Justin stripping and Charlie hooking - neither wanted these jobs but they both paid the bills. Life was calm until trouble happened inside one seemingly friendly hotel.

Jake and Charlie, face to face with each other and their past.

Will they both overcome their shadows that haunt each of them?

Is there ever a way to forgive and forget when death is involved?

Special Assignment - The only thing special about this assignment are the two people involved.


Author Bio
Ashley, also known as Niki Becker, is married and lives in Houston with her husband Tony. They have two dogs, Toto and Doogie. They have been together for over 8 and a 1/2 years and he brings her more joy than she could ever imagine as a child. She loves to read and has been hooked on the romance genre ever since her lifelong best friend gave her "Ashes to Ashes' by Tami Hoag to read when they were younger.
Ashley finds her strength through her family, especially her parents. They always support her in life; they push her to strive for greatness. There once was a motto that Ashley heard in her youth through her Taekwondo life 'Reach for the Stars' and that is what Ashley has always done. It was through her upbringing that the values Ashley has and displays come from. With her parents always cheering her on in life she was able to grow up having faith in herself and her ability to conquer the world.
Ashley enjoys writing many different genre’s of fiction. Her areas range from science fiction/ paranormal, mystery, romance, poetry and erotica (using pen name Niki Becker.)


Author Links


Ashley’s published works under
Ashley Nemer & Niki Becker

Novels

Maverick Touch: The Cat by Ashley Nemer March 25th, 2013

Maverick Touch: The Highway by Ashley Nemer March 24th, 2014

Blood Purple by Ashley Nemer September 24th, 2012

Blood Yellow by Ashley Nemer July 3rd, 2013

Blood Green by Ashley Nemer April 28th, 2014

Special Assignment by Niki Becker December 17th, 2013

Short Stories

Bud’s Christmas Wish by Ashley Nemer November 17th, 2012

Bud’s Christmas Miracle by Ashley Nemer November 24th, 2013

The Café (Temptation Tuesday) by Niki Becker May 7th, 2013

Fantasy Cruise (Temptation Tuesday) by Niki Becker July 2nd, 2013

The Backyard (Temptation Tuesday) by Niki Becker August 6th, 2013

Sekhmet’s Revenge Volume One through Four by Ashley Nemer & Stacy A. Moran September 28, 2013

Soul Mates by Ashley Nemer and L.S. Broomfield October 2nd, 2013 (Through Secret Cravings Publishing)


EXCERPT
Chapter One - Charlie

I loved my job, even if it wasn’t for everyone. You woke up, got ready, plastered that smile on your face, and then headed out to face the world. That mean, cruel world loved to suck the youth right out of everyone. I wasn’t old by any means; twenty-eight was still manageable. My whole life was ahead of me, but I wasn’t a spring chicken either. The new girls came in, took clients, and would high- tail it when they found Mr. Right Now, but not us veterans. No, we were in this job for the long haul.
He was still asleep. This one always slept afterwards. Maybe he had to dream it out of his system, pretend he wasn’t as bad as the others. Let’s face it, most politicians and businessmen around here had one of our numbers on speed dial. We didn’t judge; we weren’t paid to. We did, however, talk, and if a john treated one of the young ones inappropriately, we took care of him. Our sisterhood was elite, hard to get into, but once you were here, you were a lifer, even if you did make it out of this hell hole.
I picked the money up off of the table and left the hotel, counting the roll of twenties one by one while walking down the streets. Some days it felt like I could do my job without the man’s help. Other days, like yesterday, I was glad to have a partner in this. Maybe partner was too strong of a word; it was probably more like a tour guide. You know, he told me where to go, what to do, and when to do it, but yesterday, when I was attacked, he was like a partner. He’d never left my side. One would argue that’s what the girls all paid him for, others would say it was the least he could do with the situations he put us in. Me, I was just thankful that I didn’t have to deal with it alone.
“Hey, Charlie, he’s waiting for you.”
As usual, I faked the smile I flashed at Stan as I walked through the doors and into the back office. I pulled the roll of twenties out and tossed them on his desk. Sixty percent to the house, forty percent to my bank account.
“I got a special assignment for you.”
“No can do. Got a regular in two hours. Can’t pass him up.”
“You can, and you will. This one wants to drop a grand just for one night with you. He asked for you specifically.”
“You can’t have one of the other girls do it? You know how I feel about my regulars.”
I watched him raise his hand in the air, as if he was trying to silence me. “I’ve spoken. I’m sending Misty to your regular. You’ll collect ten percent, like a finder’s fee, if you must. This guy, though, wants you specifically. Here’s his location and the time. Play nice.”
“Nice? Since, when do you want your girls playing nice?”
“Since we were just offered a grand for one measly fuck. Now go.”
He was holding out the piece of paper at me, waving it. With a regretful sigh, I took it and had just turned to leave when I heard him say, “A grand, Charlie. Wear your best panties.”
“Yeah, we’ll see.”
I walked out of the office and through the building back to the street. It was a good thing I liked walking, because I spent most days with my feet on the pavement. The pier was always nice this time of year. The paper said this guy was at the Eden Plaza on the pier. I knew that place well. A couple friends worked there. My mind wandered to my regular that Misty now had. I felt the need to warn her about his kinkier nature but decided everyone needed to be introduced to the weird and strange the same way I had been, by surprise.
The Eden Plaza looked magnificent against the sunset along the pier. The whole building of the hotel seemed engulfed in orange and red light. I walked up the side of the building and slipped into the lobby. Andy was standing there behind the counter. He caught sight of me and waved me over. He always was a good friend.
“Charlie! I assume it’s business not pleasure that brings you to my hotel, yeah?”
“You know I couldn’t afford this place if it was for pleasure.”
“Well you could, babe, if you ever decided to take me up on my offer.”
“You know I can’t be a kept woman, Andy. I need ta earn my way.”
“One day, Charlie, you will come to your senses. Until then, I will have to settle for our movie and pizza nights, I guess.”
I reached my hand over the counter and touched his arm, “Andy, I love our movie and pizza nights. Why ruin it?”
“I’m not, C. Just yakking. You be safe tonight. Should I wait around for you? Walk you home?”
“Nah, but thanks. I don’t know how long this is gonna last.”
With a smile and then a turn, I went over to the escalators and retrieved the piece of paper with his information. Room number 337, third floor. The elevator let out a ding, and I stepped inside.  The number three button stared at me, daring me to press it. Now or never… I watched my finger reach out and the ring around the number three lit up. The doors closed and the elevator started moving. New people always made me nervous, never knowing what to expect or what you were walking into.
The doors parted, and I stepped onto the floor. The room was dead ahead, the master suite. Without hesitation, my feet lead the way, like it was muscle memory controlling them. I couldn’t shake the notion that he had specifically asked for me. He didn’t leave his name, so he wasn’t a regular. Maybe he was referred by someone.
Knock, knock, knock. The door opened, and a tall man, about 6’2”, stared back at me. His skin was tan with a touch of sunburn across his neck. It was hard to make the features of his face out due to the dark lighting, but his blue eyes stared back at me, shining in the darkness. His hair was dark, but his smile was bright. His white teeth were easy to spot through the blackness.
“Somebody order room service?” I flashed him my smile and tossed my hair back over my shoulder. He pushed the door open and signaled me in.
“Not a talker, huh? That’s all right. I’ll take care of everything, baby.” Walking past him, I let my hand brush against his stomach and linger a bit before moving toward the bed. With a graceful spin, I lifted up on the balls of my feet and turned around to face him. “Shall we discuss payment or just see what all you…” I paused when he started to walk towards me. His hands touched mine, and it felt like a spark went off at our fingertips.
“Let me strip you,” he commanded, his voice deep and sultry.
His hands were rough, not smooth like my normal clientele. It was obvious he wasn’t a CEO type of worker. He slipped his hand inside of my shirt. I felt his palm trail up the side of my stomach and cup my breast. My lace bra wasn’t much of a barrier between his fingers and my nipple. It perked up as if trained to stand at attention at any given moment when he swiped past the hardened nub.
He lifted my arms up while he pulled my shirt off. His lips parted with a smile when he caressed the blue lace bra.
“So breathtaking.”
“Thank you. What shall I call you?”
“You can call me John.” He chuckled low, like he was making a joke.


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Mashup Houston 2014 Author Signing

 




Okay, so this is like, two weeks away, and I'm seriously starting to lose sleep about it.  Not my first event, but there's going to be some big names and famous faces at this one... Not that there weren't at the last one I did, but I didn't have any idea until I got there.  Now I know in advance, and that's a little scarier for me.

And I'm on a panel, which I'm working on an outline for.  My partner doesn't seem worried, and I may be the over-prepped nerd, but it is what it is.  And one of these days, I'll tell you why I hate that phrase.

A group of us have put together an anthology of stories.  I'm planning a spotlight when it goes live, so look for that.

But first, watch the video and leave in the comments three people you would want to see if you were going to be in Houston for the signing... I'll pick one random winner to be gifted a copy of it once it's live.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Five things you probably didn't know about me...

Here are five things you probably didn't know about me...

1.  I went to college with dreams of working in Hollywood, as a Theater major, then later as a radio/TV/Film major.  Then I met people in the business, and changed my mind...

2.  I love camping, in a tent, really roughing it.

3.  I detest make-up, much to my mother's chagrin.

4.  I don't have television.  I rarely watch it, unless I'm at someone's house.  So I don't know anything about the Walking Dead, Doctor Who, or sadly, the Outlander series...

5.  I have no idea what instagram is.  :)

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Spotlight on Snow in July

Snow In July - Tour Banner


BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Snow in July
AUTHOR – Kim Iverson Headlee
GENRE – Young Adult Paranormal Historical Romance
PUBLICATION DATE – July 2014
LENTH (Pages/# Words) – 386 pages/94K words
PUBLISHER – Pendragon Cove Press
COVER DESIGNER – Natasha Brown



Snow in July - Book Cover


BOOK SYNOPSIS

Sir Robert Alain de Bellencombre has been granted what every man wants: a rich English estate in exchange for his valiant service at the Battle of Hastings. To claim this reward, the Norman knight must wed the estate's Saxon heiress. Most men would leap at such an opportunity, but for Alain, who broke his vow to his dying mother by failing to protect his youngest brother in battle, it means facing more easily broken vows. But when rumors of rampant thievery, dangerous beasts, and sorcery plaguing a neighboring estate reach his ears, nothing will make him shirk duty to king and country when people's lives stand at risk. He assumes the guise of a squire to scout the land, its problems, and its lady.

Lady Kendra of Edgarburh has been granted what no woman wants: a forced marriage to an enemy who may be kith or kin to the man who murdered her beloved brother. Compounding her anguish is her failure to awaken the miraculous healing gift bequeathed by their late mother in time to save his life. Although with his dying breath, he made her promise to seek happiness above all, Kendra vows that she shall find neither comfort nor love in the arms of a Norman…unless it snows in July.

Alain is smitten by Lady Kendra from the first moment of their meeting; Kendra feels the forbidden allure of the handsome and courtly Norman "squire." But a growing evil overshadows everyone, invoking dark forces and ensnaring Kendra in a plot to overthrow the king Alain is oath-bound to serve. Kendra and Alain face a battle unlike any other as their honor, their love, their lives, and even their very souls lie in the balance.


BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE USAMAZON KINDLE CAAMAZON KINDLE UK
AMAZON PAPERBACKBARNES & NOBLES NOOKBARNES & NOBLES PAPERBACK
SMASHWORDSITUNESGOODREADS
SHELFARI



Snow In July - Full Sleeve


EXCERPT

FIFTEEN THOUSAND MEN and horses writhed across the valley below, appearing as toys in a children’s game.

Many might consider war a game, but Sir Robert Alain de Bellencombre, knight of Normandy bound to the service of Duke William and commander of a unit in the cavalry reserves, did not number among their ranks.

Edward the Confessor, King of England via his Saxon father but Norman by his mother, was dead. This battle, raging near the coastal hamlet called Hastings, would decide the right of one man to wear the English crown: William the Norman, acknowledged by Pope Alexander to be Edward’s lawful successor; or Harold the Saxon, brother of Edward’s wife, the man alleged to be Edward’s deathbed choice.

Stroking his war horse’s glossy charcoal neck to calm her, Alain pondered Harold’s claim. It had to be true. This many men would not sacrifice their lives for a lie. Yet the vast majority of Harold’s supporters were Saxons harboring no wish to bear the Norman yoke. Perhaps such men might be desperate enough to fight for a lie that promised to restore Saxon rule.

A trumpet blared. He signaled his men forward, couched his lance, and spurred Chou to send her careening into the melee.

Harold’s shield wall, which had seemed impregnable, began to crumble under the onslaught of Alain’s unit, hastened by the desertion of men who no doubt decided they weren’t quite so willing to die. Their lord stood exposed just long enough for a Norman archer to sight his mark. Harold fell, screaming and clutching an arrow that protruded from one eye.

Harold’s supporters closed ranks around him, blocking Alain’s view and giving him more than enough to do as the Saxons redoubled their efforts to guard their lord’s body.

A familiar whirl of colors caught Alain’s attention. The saffron leopard prowling on a green field—Étienne! A Saxon knight, with a blue arm and fist blazing defiance across his gray shield, bore down upon Étienne with leveled lance. Étienne tumbled from his horse. He scrambled to his feet and retrieved his sword, putting it to good use on the Saxons surrounding him, although the knight who’d unhorsed him had already ridden in search of other targets.

Lance long since discarded and sword now rising and falling with fatal precision, Alain surged to reach his brother’s side. Protection of her youngest son had been their dying mother’s wish, and he had sworn on his own life to keep Étienne safe.

Before he could close the distance, another Saxon knight fought past Étienne’s guard to thrust a war-knife into his throat. Through the visor the knight’s eyes gleamed with startling, fathomless malice. Alain could only watch in stunned disbelief as he laid his hand upon Étienne’s chest for a few moments. Uttering a soul-freezing howl, the Saxon yanked out his seax and disappeared into the press with Étienne’s shield, denying Alain vengeance.

Shame and grief rent his heart asunder.

He had failed the two he loved most; failed them so utterly that he could never beg their forgiveness in this lifetime.

Pain slammed into his shoulder, toppling him from the saddle. Étienne’s body broke his fall. He tried to roll clear, but a spear through his chest pinned him to Étienne. His gut convulsed, and bile burned his throat. Blinding agony killed his struggle to free himself. Death’s stench invaded his nostrils.

He closed his eyes and waited for his final journey to begin.

Snow in July - Book Spine

AUTHOR BIO

Kim Headlee lives on a farm in southwestern Virginia with her family, cats, goats, and assorted wildlife. People & creatures come and go, but the cave and the 250-year-old house ruins -- the latter having been occupied as recently as the mid-20th century -- seem to be sticking around for a while yet.

Kim is a Seattle native (when she used to live in the Metro DC area, she loved telling people she was from "the other Washington") and a direct descendent of 20th-century Russian nobility. Her grandmother was a childhood friend of the doomed Grand Duchess Anastasia, and the romantic yet tragic story of how Lydia escaped Communist Russia with the aid of her American husband will most certainly one day fuel one of Kim's novels. Another novel in the queue will involve her husband's ancestor, the 7th-century proto-Viking king of the Swedish colony in Russia.

For the time being, however, Kim has plenty of work to do in creating her projected 8-book Arthurian series, The Dragon's Dove Chronicles, and other novels under her new imprint, Pendragon Cove Press. She also writes romantic historical fiction under the pseudonym "Kimberly Iverson."


AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGEWEBSITE / BLOGFACEBOOK
TWITTERGOOGLE+ - PINTEREST
GOODREADSSHELFARILINKEDINYOUTUBE CHANNEL
Video Interview


GIVEAWAY PRIZES

• Ebook copies of Snow in July

(MOBI/Kindle file-EPUB/B&N file-or sent as a gift via Amazon.com/BN.com)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


GOODREADS GIVEAWAY

• 10 Autographed copies (US residents only) of the print edition

via Goodreads (scheduled to run July 1-31, 2014)

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GOODREADS GIVEAWAY



Tour Organized By
1-MINIBUTTON

Thursday, July 24, 2014

30 Days of Summer - Willa Blair Spotlight

30 Days of Summer Tour Banner


BOOK INFORMATION

Title: Highland Healer
Series: Highland Talents
Author: Willa Blair
Word/Page count: 320 pages
Buy link: Amazon



30 Days of Summer - Willa Blair- Book Cover


BOOK SYNOPSIS

HE NEEDS HER FOR HIS CLAN.
HE WANTS HER FOR HIMSELF.
CAN HE HAVE BOTH?

Toran Lathan never expected to become Laird, and never expected to meet a woman like Aileana Shaw. Her healing ability is just what his people need, but Toran cannot resist her beauty. Yet will loving him destroy her ability to heal?

Aileana Shaw has a healing touch – and a special talent she must keep secret. Stolen from her home by a marauding army, she’s kidnapped again by the Highland Laird she heals. Is she a prize of war, or the prize of his heart?

While Toran battles the invading lowland army, he also battles his desire for Aileana. And Aileana must decide if she can trust her secrets to this fierce warrior who needs her talent, but wants her love.



30 Days of Summer - Willa Blair - Book Spine


EXCERPT

Despite his threats a few moments before, she had sensed no real animosity in him. She’d been treated well since arriving at the Aerie. Her dream of a home, with people who cared about her, perhaps a family of her own, rose unbidden to her mind, and with it came a familiar lump in her throat. She was tired, she thought, to let that longing overwhelm her now. She folded her arms under her breasts and kept her eyes on the flames. She heard Toran move from the door to stand behind her. She tensed as his hands came to rest on her shoulders. He turned her gently, but irresistibly, to face him.

“What should I do with so beautiful, so valuable, a prize?” he murmured, almost to himself.

His deep blue gaze ensnared Aileana as completely as his hands. She knew she should be outraged at being called a prize. He’d done it before, on the way here. Did he truly see her that way? She refused to be chattel any longer, she told herself, and would not allow him to treat her so. But she found she could not summon her ire. One of his hands left her shoulder and he lightly touched her cheek, then slowly slid his fingers down her throat to her collarbone. There, he hesitated, and Aileana held her breath until he moved the hand back to her shoulder.

His simple touch sent shivers dancing and nearly undid her.


AUTHOR BIO

Willa Blair is the award-wining author of Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestselling Scottish historical paranormal romance and a contributor to USAToday’s Happy Ever After romance blog. Her popular Highland Talents series, set in a pivotal point in Scottish history, is filled with men in kilts, psi talents, and plenty of spice. Available in ebook, print, and audiobook formats, the first three titles will soon be joined by more novels of adventure and romance.

AUTHOR WEBSITE


GIVEAWAY

Twelve (12) $5 Amazon Gift cards
Six (6) Romance Paperbacks
Swag & Jewellery

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Organized By:
myfamilyheartbutton
LLALSbutton

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Review for Cooking up a Storm, by Ashley Ladd

Cooking Up A Storm - Tour Banner


BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Cooking Up A Storm
AUTHOR – Ashley Ladd
GENRE – Contemporary MMM romance
PUBLICATION DATE – July 11, 2014
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 26,500
PUBLISHER Totally Bound
COVER ARTIST – Emmy Ellis



Booking Storm - Book Cover


BOOK SYNOPSIS

Brooks and Rique desperately want to win the head chef’s position for eccentric millionaire Jonah Verleun on his beautiful, private, but peculiar island that includes a zoo full of exotic animals, an amusement park, and a monster shark tank beneath Jonah’s bedroom floor. While Brooks wants the job to escape his heartache and the lover who thwarted him, Rique is hiding from the mob hoping to live long enough to pay them off with the prize winnings. Fierce competitors, they cook up a storm in a series of cooking challenges all the while trying to turn down the heat on their intense attraction. When a hurricane strikes the island, the storm Rique has been cooking up, explodes and no heart or body are safe.


MY REVIEW

I love food, I love steam, I love men.  This book has it.  A nice, hot little read.  It  was well-written and very well-edited.  However, it needed more details.  Some places, it seemed like (IMO), it had been cut, and the seams not smoothed out, if that makes sense.  And I would have loved more details with the cooking challenge itself, that's what drew me into the story.  The descriptions of the different food made were positively mouth-watering though.  Good, short little story.

BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE USBARNES & NOBLES NOOKGOODREADS



Cooking Storm - Author Banner


EXCERPT

Troubling thoughts whirled through Rique’s mind. Why had Jonah called him and Brooks into his office? Had they violated some fine-print rule he’d missed? Had Jonah learned about his debts and Mafia troubles?

Gulping, Brooks shared a worried glance. His gait was uneven and stilted and his frame was stiff and wary.

“Are we in trouble?” Brooks whispered.

Worried about the reason for their summons, Rique forced himself to relax and not shake his head at his lover and his loose-cannon lips. As much as he was beginning to love Brooks, there was no way he could share his mob secrets.

Not only would they overly alarm Brooks, but the security team might overhear and he didn’t trust anybody.

Jonah locked the door and leisurely returned to his desk. He folded himself into his chair and looked, long and assessing, at first Brooks then Rique. Finally, he said in a smooth, debonair voice, “No. Not at all. But I wish to remind you of your contract.”

Damn! Rique gulped as they pulled up chairs across from their boss. So they were in trouble. Too late, he realized his toes were tapping fast and that his fingers were linking and unlinking, so he stilled them.

“What about the contract?” Brooks inched forward in his chair and wrung his hands in his lap as his eyes bulged.

Jonah bent over the desk then he pointed at the security cameras.

Before a word came out of Jonah’s mouth, Rique had an epiphany. As he recalled Fiona’s warning, his heart threatened to burst. “You’ve been watching us. Everything. Everywhere.”

Several seconds later, Brooks blanched and his Adam’s apple convulsed. “You saw us together. Intimately, I mean.”

Leaning closer, Jonah nodded. “Yes. You gave your signed permission, and this is my private island which means it’s governed by my rules.”

It could mean Rique’s life if he left. With his heart feeling as though it was beating in his throat, he pleaded, “Please don’t kick us out. Our love lives are our choice and should be private.”

He watched a deep flush crawl up Brooks’ neck and into his cheeks as Brooks begged.

“Please don’t hold it against us. We didn’t plan to fall in love. It just happened. We haven’t hurt anybody.”

Fall in love? Shock and wonder filled Rique. Warmth flowed through him. So Brooks felt the same way he did.

Giddiness replaced the dread born moments before.

Brooks loved him. And he loved Brooks. How could he have fallen so hard, so fast? He reached over and put his hand on Brooks’ shoulder. Then he turned and faced Jonah. “I won’t apologize for loving this wonderful man. And I won’t stop loving him. If it means we can’t be together then I’m torn whether or not I still want the position.”

He couldn’t believe he’d just said that. Damn my heart!

When Brooks squeezed his hand and tilted his chin, light refracted off his glasses and made his pupils look fractured. “Ditto. No disrespect intended, sir.”

Laughing heartily, Jonah slapped the table, causing a few sheets of papers to float to the floor.

Is the man crazy?

Blushing, Jonah gave them a shy smile. “Don’t apologize, and please call me Jonah. I loved watching you. I wanted to join you. I came as much as you did.”


Cooking Storm - Author Photo


AUTHOR BIO

Ashley Ladd lives, loves, and writes in Paradise, aka Florida, thus many of her stories are set in the Sunshine State. Also a Trekkie and an Air Force disabled vet, Ashley often creates military heroes and heroines and goes where no woman has gone before. She loves romantic comedy, time travel, and cats so don't be surprised if a talking cat shows up in some of her stories.

Ashley writes for Ellora's Cave, Totally Bound, and New Concepts Publishing under this name. Please visit her blog at: http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com

To follow her on Twitter and Face Book, look for "AshleyLadd" (all one word, no quotes).


FOLLOW LINKS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOGFACEBOOKTWITTERGOODREADS


GIVEAWAY PRIZES

Two $5.00 Amazon gift cards

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Tour Organized By:
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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Spotlight and Guest Post - Ashley Ladd, Cooking Up a Storm

Cooking Up A Storm - Tour Banner

Today is a guest post from Ashley Ladd, author of Cooking Up a Storm.  I'm doing a two-day spotlight on her.  Tomorrow's my review!  So check out her answer to my question, what comes first?  Lust or Love?  Then come back tomorrow for my review of Cooking Up a Storm.


What comes first? Lust or love?


Of course there are no absolutes and I’m sure there are cases where love has come before lust.

To be honest however, lust *usually* comes before love, especially in erotic romance novels. Pheramones kick in, then their heart rate accelerates, their palms grow sweaty, the individual’s pupils’ dilate, other choice parts of the anatomy begin to throb, and if romance movies are to be believed, the woman kicks off her shoes without knowing she’s done so. At least in Sandra Dee movies.

The hero and heroine (or hero and hero) spend an inordinate amount of time mooning over their object of affection and most of the mooning time is consumed with carnal, lustful desires. Hugging, cuddling, and kissing quickly deteriorate into petting then full blown sex. At least in their dreams and daytime fantasies.

Soon the couple gets together, and in this day and age, often fall into each other’s arms, then into their bed, and consummate their union long before doing so legally, long before they have given themselves a chance to fall in love.

Sometimes the lust fizzles out like a fireworks show which blazes brightly for a short time before petering out. Often, the lust will blossom into more and eventually grow into true love.Whereas lust can happen in the blink of an eye—when the lovers first set eyes on each other—love takes time to grow. The romantic partners need time to really know each other, to learn each other’s personality quirks, to see if they can live with the other, their behaviors and beliefs, and even the other’s friends and family.

In my personal life, I’ve always felt an attraction for the other person, aka lust, first before I was truly, deeply, madly in love with them.




BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Cooking Up A Storm
AUTHOR – Ashley Ladd
GENRE – Contemporary MMM romance
PUBLICATION DATE – July 11, 2014
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 26,500
PUBLISHER Totally Bound
COVER ARTIST – Emmy Ellis



Booking Storm - Book Cover


BOOK SYNOPSIS

Brooks and Rique desperately want to win the head chef’s position for eccentric millionaire Jonah Verleun on his beautiful, private, but peculiar island that includes a zoo full of exotic animals, an amusement park, and a monster shark tank beneath Jonah’s bedroom floor. While Brooks wants the job to escape his heartache and the lover who thwarted him, Rique is hiding from the mob hoping to live long enough to pay them off with the prize winnings. Fierce competitors, they cook up a storm in a series of cooking challenges all the while trying to turn down the heat on their intense attraction. When a hurricane strikes the island, the storm Rique has been cooking up, explodes and no heart or body are safe.


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Cooking Storm - Author Banner


EXCERPT

Troubling thoughts whirled through Rique’s mind. Why had Jonah called him and Brooks into his office? Had they violated some fine-print rule he’d missed? Had Jonah learned about his debts and Mafia troubles?

Gulping, Brooks shared a worried glance. His gait was uneven and stilted and his frame was stiff and wary.

“Are we in trouble?” Brooks whispered.

Worried about the reason for their summons, Rique forced himself to relax and not shake his head at his lover and his loose-cannon lips. As much as he was beginning to love Brooks, there was no way he could share his mob secrets.

Not only would they overly alarm Brooks, but the security team might overhear and he didn’t trust anybody.

Jonah locked the door and leisurely returned to his desk. He folded himself into his chair and looked, long and assessing, at first Brooks then Rique. Finally, he said in a smooth, debonair voice, “No. Not at all. But I wish to remind you of your contract.”

Damn! Rique gulped as they pulled up chairs across from their boss. So they were in trouble. Too late, he realized his toes were tapping fast and that his fingers were linking and unlinking, so he stilled them.

“What about the contract?” Brooks inched forward in his chair and wrung his hands in his lap as his eyes bulged.

Jonah bent over the desk then he pointed at the security cameras.

Before a word came out of Jonah’s mouth, Rique had an epiphany. As he recalled Fiona’s warning, his heart threatened to burst. “You’ve been watching us. Everything. Everywhere.”

Several seconds later, Brooks blanched and his Adam’s apple convulsed. “You saw us together. Intimately, I mean.”

Leaning closer, Jonah nodded. “Yes. You gave your signed permission, and this is my private island which means it’s governed by my rules.”

It could mean Rique’s life if he left. With his heart feeling as though it was beating in his throat, he pleaded, “Please don’t kick us out. Our love lives are our choice and should be private.”

He watched a deep flush crawl up Brooks’ neck and into his cheeks as Brooks begged.

“Please don’t hold it against us. We didn’t plan to fall in love. It just happened. We haven’t hurt anybody.”

Fall in love? Shock and wonder filled Rique. Warmth flowed through him. So Brooks felt the same way he did.

Giddiness replaced the dread born moments before.

Brooks loved him. And he loved Brooks. How could he have fallen so hard, so fast? He reached over and put his hand on Brooks’ shoulder. Then he turned and faced Jonah. “I won’t apologize for loving this wonderful man. And I won’t stop loving him. If it means we can’t be together then I’m torn whether or not I still want the position.”

He couldn’t believe he’d just said that. Damn my heart!

When Brooks squeezed his hand and tilted his chin, light refracted off his glasses and made his pupils look fractured. “Ditto. No disrespect intended, sir.”

Laughing heartily, Jonah slapped the table, causing a few sheets of papers to float to the floor.

Is the man crazy?

Blushing, Jonah gave them a shy smile. “Don’t apologize, and please call me Jonah. I loved watching you. I wanted to join you. I came as much as you did.”


Cooking Storm - Author Photo


AUTHOR BIO

Ashley Ladd lives, loves, and writes in Paradise, aka Florida, thus many of her stories are set in the Sunshine State. Also a Trekkie and an Air Force disabled vet, Ashley often creates military heroes and heroines and goes where no woman has gone before. She loves romantic comedy, time travel, and cats so don't be surprised if a talking cat shows up in some of her stories.

Ashley writes for Ellora's Cave, Totally Bound, and New Concepts Publishing under this name. Please visit her blog at: http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com

To follow her on Twitter and Face Book, look for "AshleyLadd" (all one word, no quotes).


FOLLOW LINKS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOGFACEBOOKTWITTERGOODREADS


GIVEAWAY PRIZES

Two $5.00 Amazon gift cards

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Tour Organized By:
myfamilyheartbutton
The Romance Reviews