Sinful Sirens Giveaway Hop/Contest

Welcome to the next stop in the Sinful Sirens Giveaway Hop….Check out what makes my knees weak….the book I love to heat things up is one of Cherise Sinclair’s Masters of Shadowlands series books that leaves me eager to jump my honey.

If you haven’t tried this series yet, please run out to grab them. They are phenomenal stories with strong characters, intriguing story lines and lots of yummy sexy bits to help get you in the mood.

Giveaway information:  I am giving a $10 All Romance E-bookstore e-gift certificate to one lucky commenter on the hop. All you need to do is leave me a comment with what book you enjoy steaming your nights/days up and your email address so in case you win, I have a way to contact you. That is it. See easy-peasy

This is open internationally

Winner to be announced on May 21st here on my blog and on my facebook page.

Follow the blog hop below

Book Spotlight~Michael Mandrake’s I Like Em’ Pretty

I Like Em’ Pretty (N’awlins Exotica #1) by Michael Mandrake

Erotic M/M Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Categories: Interracial/Multicultural

Publisher: Triad Literary

Heat Level: Steamy

Word Count: 70,000

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Like-Pretty-Nawlins-Exotica-ebook/dp/B00C8T4JQM/

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ilike039emprettyn039awlinsexoticabookone-1152601-145.html

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/303665

Description

The city of New Orleans is rich in tradition, diverse, and known for the inspiration it provides. In the “Big Easy” there lies the hunger for the erotic as well as the unknown. The residents here feel that sexual energy and it reveals itself through their various creative activities. 

Join the characters as they take a wild ride on the edge, enjoying their town for all it has to offer. There’s a certain magic in the air, an erotic magic that cannot be ignored.

New Orleans is supposed to be the big easy. One night changes everything for Frankie Choteau.

New Orleans. A city rich in tradition, diversity, and on the comeback trail from hurricane Katrina. Francois “Frankie” Choteau, a resident of this town, a cop with a hot temper and low tolerance for bs. Kajika Fortier, a transplant from Oklahoma came here looking for a dream and unfortunately it’s turned into a nightmare. On a hot summer night, they meet and cross paths during a very difficult situation. Despite this, the attraction between them is evident and loneliness for both men is a fate worse than death. They’d both like a chance at happiness but will the circumstances and Frankie’s uneasiness prevent their happy ever after? 

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

 Teaser Excerpt:

“Damn!” Francois Choteau yelled at the top of his lungs. His favorite coffee cup—the one that read ‘My job is to find the killer’—slipped from his tight grip. It was his mother’s last gift to him before her passing. She always knew exactly what to get him for Christmas.

“Ah, Frankie, can’t you do anything without dropping stuff? Ya klutz!” Kenina Porter rushed to his side. She bumped him with her large frame as she attempted to assist him in the cleanup.

“Damn, woman, you’re dressing kind of sexy these days. Who you going after?” Frankie noticed the low-cut black blouse underneath the same color blazer showed ample pale cleavage. 

“Someone who works here with me and claims to play for the other team.” Kenina wrinkled her lips. Her nasally New York accent came out whenever something angered her. “You’re lucky this didn’t break into a million pieces, Frankie. Your mama might’ve came out of the grave haunting your ass!”

Frankie grinned and tilted his head to the side. “You’re right about that, Kenie. My mama always gave me grief about having butta fingers. Wasn’t really my fault, though. It’s hot as hell in this mother! My hands feel like they been drenched in water!” Frankie wiped his brow and sighed. The air conditioner was running full blast, but it didn’t seem to do a thing about the summer heat in New Orleans. Temps in the low hundreds and high humidity made living in the Big Easy practically unbearable.

“Yeah, it is, but you still drinking hot coffee.” She grimaced and shook her head. “Not even iced, Frankie!” She dropped paper towels on the floor and smeared them over the spilled beverage. While toeing the rags with her heel, she handed Frankie his most prized possession.

Frankie set it inside his desk, out of harm’s way. “I got to, baby. It’s the only thing keeping me awake. We been working on this fucking Metairie murder case nonstop for over a month with no damn leads. Nobody’s talking so we can bring these fuckers to justice.”

“Nope.” Kenina nodded and knelt to pick up the trash from the floor. “Be more careful with your drink next time, man. Leslie just scrubbed these floors, and you know she’ll curse you out in her native tongue if she finds out you spilled something.”

“Yeah, I know.” Frankie rubbed the nape of his neck, attempting to get out the kinks. Homicide cases were piling up quicker than detectives could keep count, especially since the precinct was located in the middle of a crime hotbed. Due to the amount of work and the low pay, most detectives moved on to another line of investigation or left altogether, but not Frankie and his partner Kenina, who’d started at the police academy together. They’d been through thick and thin for the past ten years. Frankie considered the redheaded vixen to be his best friend, his girlfriend, and at times the momma he didn’t have. Kenina Porter showed more loyalty than any man he’d ever had and he’d always stick by her side.

“Well, yeah, you know, but…” She stood with her hands on her hips. “You still aren’t being all that careful.”

“I was, woman!” Frankie frowned in her direction and propped his feet up on the corner of his desk. “You right, you right, I’m a klutz but I’ll have you know, I’m tired as hell, ain’t fucked anyone in over three months and, on top of that, I’m not getting a lot of sleep!”

“Shhh!” Kenina glanced from left to right and scolded him for being so loud. “What the fuck’s wrong with you, Frankie! You wanna get found out? You can’t say shit without people calling you on it in this department.”

Frankie waved his hand. “I know, Kenie, I’m just…” Frankie leaned back and blew raspberries. His head slipped down from the top of the chair and tears welled up in his eyes. “I’m so tired of hiding, babe. It’s hard being…” Frankie mouthed gay. “And not able to tell the people you work with.”

“Well, you could, but it might be more trouble than it’s worth. I don’t mind keeping up the charade for you, love. You know you my boy and I’d do anything for you!” Kenina sat on the edge of the desk and stroked his shoulder.

“I appreciate that, Kenie, I really do. Too bad you ain’t got the right equipment, woman, because I’d date you for real!”

 About the Author:

Michael Mandrake pens complex characters who are already comfortable in their sexuality. Thorough these characters, he builds worlds not centered on erotica but rather the mainstream plots we might encounter in everyday life through personal experiences or the media. To find out more please visit http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com.

Connect with Michael Mandrake

Email: michaelmandrake71@gmail.com

Website: http://thelitriad.com

Michael’s Blog: http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com

N’awlins Exotica/Paranormal on FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nawlins-Exotica-Series/126864880830524

The Literary Triad on FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheLiteraryTriad?fref=ts

Giveaway Info:
Prize is $15 Starbucks GC, a copy of Magic Mike, a mug and other New Orleans themed items. Contest is tour-wide and ends May 14. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Follow the book barrage schedule at http://www.cblspromotions.com/2013/05/blogbarrage-i-like-em-pretty-nawlins.html

To enter the contest, fill out the raffelcopter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Barrage for The Count’s Last Mistress

The Count’s Last Mistress (The Valencourts #1) by Bess Greenfield

Historical Romance

Publisher: Self/Indie

Release Date: March 12, 2013

Heat Level: Steamy

Word Count: 91,000

Buy Links

Amazon (Print): http://www.amazon.com/Counts-Last-Mistress-Valencourts/dp/0615775330/

Amazon (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/Counts-Last-Mistress-Valencourts-ebook/dp/B00BSV4CCC/

She set out to expose his true nature, but the secrets revealed were her own…

In the aftermath of war and revolution, cavalry officer Olivier Valencourt, the comte de Chaumenay, only wants peace. But his discovery of his deceased brother’s child in a Montmartre hovel leads to a battle of wills with the lovely but evasive American struggling to provide for him. Determined to gain custody of his nephew, Olivier sets out to win the audacious bohemian’s trust with patronage and patience, but her courage, wisdom, and innocent sensuality divert his agenda.

Painter Jeanne Delancy has good reason to despise the portrait-worthy count before she ever meets him. She believes he’s the man who seduced and deserted her friend long ago. Unfortunately, the talented and persuasive Olivier is hard to dislike or resist in person.

Conflicted by loyalty to her missing friend and her duty to the abandoned six-year-old she’s vowed to protect, Jeanne feels obligated to give the war hero the opportunity to prove he’s worthy of knowing his son. But the independent woman who thinks herself immune to temptation underestimates Olivier in many ways and reveals far more than she ever anticipates. While the strong-willed opposites struggle to reconcile their deepest longings, dangerous alliances and scandalous secrets threaten a tragic repetition of history.

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Excerpt

The door opened, and the impersonal explanation he’d memorized vanished from his mind. He’d expected to see the lithesome, titian-haired beauty he’d known long ago in Burgundy. Instead, he encountered a petite brunette in a paint-smeared smock. There was also paint in one of the corkscrews of hair which had fallen free of her chignon. Something about the woman arrested him though he deemed her unconventionally pretty at best with her wide forehead, long nose, and dainty mouth. Perhaps it was her reaction to him. He could sense the frantic beating of her heart, and her golden brown eyes telegraphed wariness.

He regretted causing her distress and hastened to explain himself. “Good afternoon. I am Olivier Valencourt.” He bowed instinctively. “I’m looking for Claudine Ardaut, and I was informed she lived here. Is she at home?”

The young woman swallowed and hesitated, clearly debating her reply. “I am not familiar with anyone by that name.”

Her French was grammatically correct, but her accent revealed her as American. It surprised him to find a foreigner in Paris now. It was unlikely that she’d come here recently. The ruins of landmarks and homes and the mass burials of the executed made Paris a tourist destination only for those with a morbid taste for tragedy. She must have come before the war. There had been little warning when France declared war against Prussia. Many foreigners found themselves trapped inside the barricades along with working-class Parisians without the resources to leave.

“I was given this address by a reliable source,” he persisted. Instinct told him she was lying.

“Are you implying that I’m lying to you?” she asked in her slow, unnatural-sounding manner of speech.

“Certainly not. I was merely hoping you might know some little detail which would enable me to find her.”

Absently, she touched her face, leaving umber fingerprints upon her cheek. He felt an irrational urge to wipe the paint from her smooth, fair skin. She was pretty by any standard, he decided.

“Why are you looking for this woman? Has she done something wrong?”

“No. I’ve come on a personal matter.”

If anything, she looked even more defensive. Her enormous eyes filled with censure as if she knew what he’d done and the ramifications. The guilt he’d been trying to suppress for weeks finally assailed him. If only he’d kept his opinions to himself, so many lives might have turned out differently.

Her evasiveness maddened him. He only wished to complete his mission and be done with the whole matter, and she was keeping him from accomplishing that. He’d overcome far more challenging obstacles than a reticent female. He’d been good at persuading women at one time though he could scarcely recall those years now. Searching for some way to draw her out, his glance fell upon her voluminous smock. Sometimes the best strategy was the most obvious one. “You are a painter, I see. I recently came into possession of some property and could use some new art for decoration. Do you have anything for sale?”

She frowned, instantly suspicious. “Nothing is finished.”

“I know how you artists are. Nothing is ever completed to your satisfaction.” He took a step toward the threshold. “Why don’t you allow me to be the judge?”

She held her ground. “I’m certain my style would be too modern to suit your taste.”

She folded her arms about her waist, and his eyes were instantly drawn to her small form. She possessed a better figure than he’d thought, full round breasts and a tiny waist. A strange sort of agitation arose inside him. With astonishment, he recognized the sensation as lust. He hadn’t felt desire for so many months he’d feared he might never regain that part of his nature. Though he felt reassured that all was in working order, the inappropriateness of his irrational attraction irritated him. “And you know my taste.”

She surveyed his uniform from his polished boots to his fitted jacket with its neat rows of small gold buttons and black braiding. “You are an officer of some sort. A military man. I would guess you are conservative and view art primarily in terms of investment.”

He’d never given a second thought to art, but he didn’t appreciate her making assumptions about him. “There you are wrong. As it happens, I prefer more modern pieces. Besides, your refusal to let me judge your work only makes me more curious about it.”

About the Author

Bess Greenfield grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Cornell University and University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Before coming to the conclusion that she should pursue her passion and become a novelist, she worked as a journalist for several newspapers, as a lawyer, and as a waitress (disastrously). She is a lifelong aficionado of romantic literature and currently lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, three children, and overly affectionate chocolate Labrador. When she is not dreaming up and researching new stories or driving her children somewhere, she enjoys traveling, walking in the forest, and adding to her growing collection of native Virginia plants. For more information about Bess Greenfield and her books, please visit www.bessgreenfield.com.

Giveaway Info:
Prize is an eBook copy of “The Count’s Last Mistress”. Contest is tour-wide and ends May 5. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Link to Schedule:
http://www.cblspromotions.com/2013/04/blogbarrage-counts-last-mistress.html
a Rafflecopter giveaway

VBT Stop~ DRAMA QUEENS WITH LOVE SCENES

Drama Queens with Love Scenes by Kevin Klehr

Trailer – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhHlCK9J-jM

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Drama-Queens-With-Love-Scenes/dp/1936185903/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354925070&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drama-queens-with-love-scenes-kevin-klehr/1103219416?ean=9781936185900

Close friends Allan and Warwick are dead. They’re not crazy about the idea so to help them deal with this dilemma are Samantha, a blond bombshell from the 1950s, and Guy, an insecure angel.

They are soon drawn into the world of theatre – Afterlife style, with all the bitchiness, back-stabbing and ego usually associated with the mortal world.

Allan also has a secret. He has a romantic crush on his friend, Warwick, but shortly after confiding in his new angel pal, his love interest falls for the cock-sure playwright, Pedro.

Not only does Allan have to win the heart of his companion, he also has to grapple with the faded memory of how he actually died.

Teaser Excerpt:

“Warwick!” I yelled. “Are you there?”

There was no answer. A couple adorned in bohemian black, stopped in their tracks the moment I shouted to my ex-lover.

“Broken heart,” whispered Guy to the interested onlookers.

“I understand,” replied the woman. She looked up to her man. “Poor thing.”

“Go on, Allan, call out again.”

“Warwick! Warwick! I love you.” My voice echoed from the building as I looked to my angel friend. He nodded and caressed my shoulder. The couple nodded as well. “Warwick, are you home? I need to talk to you. Will you come down, please?”

“Keep going, Allan.”

“I really need to talk to you. I have so much more to say to you. I should never have let you walk out of my door the other night. I’ve wanted to talk to you so many times during the last few days, but there’s nowhere private at the theater. Plus I’d probably break down which is not a good look when you’re wearing white grease paint.”

A few onlookers came out from their balconies. I glanced at Guy who was joined by a small audience. Some parents had let their kids stay up well after bedtime, and their freckled little girl was giggling at me. Her mother shushed her so she sat on the ground, sulking.

“Don’t worry about it, Allan. Just go on.”

“Yes, we’re right behind you,” said an elderly lady with bad teeth. “You make him listen.”

“Warwick, I love you and I know you love me. You told me so. You said you’ve been waiting all year for me to make a move, and as you know I’ve been waiting for you to make that move too.”

“You tell him, love!” interrupted the old woman.

My support team began to chant Warwick’s name. I was empowered. I encouraged them to clap their hands in time. They did. There was about ten of them now, and their support gave me a warm glow in that frosty breeze. However, Guy looked worried.

 

 

Contest Information:

Kevin will be giving away a $30 Amazon gift card to one randomly chosen commenter. So make sure to follow the tour and leave comments at each stop. The more you comment the more entries you get for the contest prize above. Follow the tour at http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/02/blurb-blitz-tour-drama-queens-with-love.html

About the Author:

Kevin lives with his long-term partner in their humble apartment (affectionately named Sabrina), in Australia’s own ‘EmeraldCity,’ Sydney.

From an early age Kevin had a passion for writing, jotting down stories and plays until it came time to confront puberty. After dealing with pimple creams and facial hair, Kevin didn’t pick up a pen again until he was in his thirties. His handwritten manuscript was being committed to paper when his social circumstances changed, giving him no time to write. Concerned, his partner, Warren, snuck the notebook out to a friend who in turn came back and demanded Kevin finish his novel. It wasn’t long before Kevin’s active imagination was let loose again.

His longest running passion is a weekly radio program he produces with Warren for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander station, Koori Radio. Since 2004 they have been discovering music, both new and old, and interviewing local artists and community leaders. Every Friday night, The Rhythm Divine is heard across Sydney and via the world wide web.

Kevin is currently at work on the sequel to Drama Queens with Love Scenes.

Author Page – www.kevinklehr.com

Twitter – https://twitter.com/kevinklehr

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kevin.klehr.1

https://www.facebook.com/DramaQueensWithLoveScenes

Book Barrage for Celine

Celine (The Night Touched Chronicles #1) by Maegan Provan
New Adult Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Self-Published/Indie
Heat Level: Sensual
Word Count: 50,000

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Celine-Night-Touched-Chronicles-Volume/dp/1482095807/

Love, Destiny, and War

Created by the First Born, The Night Touched created the bloodlines from which all modern day vampires descended. Different because of their incredible powers and advantages in the human world, The Night Touched were a special kind of vampire. However, they were believed to have died out centuries ago, and had been reduced to little more than whispers in the vampire world.

Until now.

Harper Kemp was the only modern Night Touched in existence. The reasons behind her creation were unknown and she had been abandoned during her change. Eventually she was found by Lily and Jason and taught how to handle what she had become. She learned how to blend in with the human world and even made herself in to quite the socialite of the New York City elite scene.

After a plea for help in her dreams and the dangers of a forbidden love, Harper is sent down a path to discovery; not only is she not alone, she’s about to face her worst nightmare – a devastatingly handsome slayer named Silas with a finger on her non existent pulse.

Teaser Excerpt:

As the song came to an end, he spun me out and smiled. I felt like I was floating. As the next song started, he led me out into the hallway and towards the stairwell. I giggled to myself and followed as we sprinted down the long hall. He opened the door for me and I walked in.

He pushed me back against the wall and kissed me passionately. His strong hands held me and he stood with his body pressed against mine. I kissed back against his soft lips and pushed myself to him. My bun had worked itself loose and my long brown hair cascaded around my shoulders He ran his fingers through it as I resisted the urge to bite his lip. He grunted a little and it was so amazingly sexy. I sighed and tried to remember how to make it look like I was panting.

Suddenly I felt that old familiar tingle in my chest. Fuck! Not now. Please not right now. I did everything I could to make sure that he wouldn’t be able to see my mark glowing through my dress. Before it could even become that big of an issue, his phone rang.

“Hello?” He pulled back and answered, mouthing to me that it was his work. “Really? Okay, I’m on my way.” He hung up and shoved his phone into his pocket.

“Harper, I am so so sorry, but I have to go. I promise I will make it up to you.” He threw the door open and rushed out of the stair well.

“That’s okay, I was about to eat you anyway.” I said to myself leaning back against the wall and looking at the ground.

After about a minute the door opened and I looked up, hoping that it was Silas coming back to kiss me like that again. Jason stuck his head in and looked around before noticing me in the corner.

“Come on, it’s time to go.” He looked at me, confused. Then, like a light bulb going off, his eyebrows raised and a sly smile appeared on his face “What were you doing in the stairwell?”

“Practicing great self-restraint” I took my wrap from him and put it around my shoulders.

Reviews

“CELINE is the first book in the Night Touched Chronicles. This is a series I’m very excited about because the author takes us back to the roots of vampires from old horror movies, while still adding a modern twist. Provan’s vampires are sophisticated, intelligent, and calculating. But, make no mistake–there is nothing tame or vegetarian about these vampires, particularly the Night Touched … This fast-paced story is full of tension, passion, and surprises. Once I began reading, I couldn’t stop and read it within a matter of a few hours. This is easily one of the most engaging vampire stories I’ve read in a long time and I would recommend it to both old-school vampire fans and to Twilight lovers alike.”–triciaATW (Amazon)

“I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book from the very beginning. The cover is stunning! This book had a way about it. It was an easy read because it was action packed and kept the reader interested. I liked how there are two types of vampires and I found the background about each type very interesting. I also liked how the author incorporated other supernatural beings, but they didn’t take away from the vampires. … All in all, this was a great start to the trilogy. I can’t wait to read more and find out where the story leads. I would recommend this book to vampire lovers. I look forward to the rest of the series.”–Justine (Goodreads)

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Giveaway Info:
Prizes are (1) Autographed Copy of “Celine” and (2) Kindle Copy of “Celine”.

To enter, fill out the raffelcopter below and follow the tour at http://www.cblspromotions.com/2013/04/blogbarrage-celine-night-touched.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About the Author:

Maegan Provan was born and raised in Texas. She is married to a great guy. They have a dog and two cats. When not writing, Maegan spends a lot of time on social media sites as well as playing a lot of computer games. Her love of vampires is what brought her into the urban fantasy/paranormal genre.

Celine is her first novel, as well as Book 1 in the series The Night Touched Chronicles

Connect with Maegan Provan

authormaeganprovan@gmail.com

http://authormaeganprovan.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TheNightTouchedChronicles

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maegan-Provan-Author/403492586408377

https://www.twitter.com/ProvanMaegan

Book Tour Stop~A Witch without Magic/Contest

A Witch without Magic by Larisa Walk

Buy at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/A-Witch-Without-Magic-ebook/dp/B009JGYOQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363219858&sr=8-1&keywords=a+witch+without+magic+larisa+walk

When her neighbors accuse Belladonna of Satanism and making them age years to days, she must find who is behind it or face a modern day witch hunt. Her mysterious enemy knows where to strike to cause the most damage: Belladonna’s only friend is losing his life-force; the garden that feeds her is dying; and her house ghost goes poltergeist. To save her neighbors and friends and prove her innocence, she must travel to the Otherworld where butterflies have razor wings and where her worst fears will come to life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt: 

I tried to walk with an official swing in my step, clipboard under my right arm, the other arm at my side, desperately trying not to clutch at the fabric of my jumpsuit with a death grip.  Mice and rats darted in and out of bushes.  A large flock of crows cawed in the trees.  In one spot ants covered the sidewalk like spilled black pepper.  Dark magic was afoot and the vermin were drawn to it.

There were some kids with aged faces playing on the other side of the street.  I tried not to stare at them.  One kid, a boy of about seven, judging by his height, actually looked like he was in his eighties.  He seemed to have trouble breathing and had to stop often to rest.  My jaws ached and a sharp spike seemed to be embedded in my chest.  Goddess help me, but I couldn’t blame their parents for hating me.  If I were in their place and thought I knew who was doing this to my kids, I’d go on a witch hunt, too.  I was lucky the cops didn’t believe my neighbors that I was doing this awful life-draining stuff to them or I wouldn’t have any protection.  I prayed hard that I’d find a way to stop the dark witch before anyone died from being too old at the age of seven.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Contest Information:

Follow the tour and comment to be entered to win the following prizes by the author:

Larisa will be awarding a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate to five randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. Make sure to leave your email address with your comment in case you win we can contact you.

The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/03/virtual-super-book-blast-witch-without.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author:

Larisa Walk, a native Russian, lives in California with her husband and two formerly homeless cats. She writes paranormal fiction that is more often than not populated by characters from the Russian fairy world. Her short fiction appeared in several anthologies and magazines. She has published a historic fantasy novel, A Handful of Earth, and a modern paranormal novel, A Witch Without Magic. See her quirky blog posts here: http://www.larisawalk.com

Book Spotlight for To Catch a Bad Guy/Contest

To Catch a Bad Guy by Marie Astor

Janet Maple’s stellar career ended with a layoff and her boyfriend of five years told her that he wants to be just friends. When she lands a job at one of New York’s premier boutique investment firms, Janet begins to hope that her luck is finally turning for the better. Not only is she happy with her new paycheck, but things also seem to be looking up on the personal front, as the company’s handsome attorney expresses keen interest in Janet. However, her euphoria is short-lived, as Janet soon discovers alarming facts about her new employer’s business tactics. When her boss dismisses her suspicions as groundless, Janet finds herself confiding to a cute IT engineer, Dean Snider. The closer she gets to Dean, the more Janet is tempted to break her rule of not dating co-workers, but what she doesn’t realize is that everything she knows about Dean, including his occupation and even his name, is a lie.

Dennis Walker is a top-notch white collar crime investigator who will stop at nothing to put culprits away. When an opportunity for an undercover assignment at one of New York’s premier boutique broker dealers comes up, Dennis jumps at the chance, adopting a persona of geeky IT engineer, Dean Snider. While he may be an ace at his job, years of experience fail him when Dennis meets Janet Maple and finds himself torn between his professional obligations and his personal desires. Will he have to choose between his feelings and duty, or will he find a way to satisfy both?

Teaser Excerpt:

“Did you have a nice weekend?” Lisa stood in the doorway of Janet’s office.

“Yes, I did.” Janet hoped that Lisa would not ask for details, for Janet would be hard pressed to come up with a convincing story. She had spent the weekend cooped up in her apartment, with the exception of morning and evening walks with Baxter.

“So did I.” Lisa grinned, sliding into one of the chairs that stood opposite Janet’s desk. “Paul proposed.” Lisa produced her left hand as confirmation of her words. On her ring finger shone a gorgeous sapphire set in diamonds.

“Lisa, congratulations!” Janet leaned in to examine the hefty piece of jewelry. One did not have to be a jeweler to see the stones of stunning clarity and the exceptional workmanship. “The ring is beautiful.”

“To tell you the truth, I wanted a diamond, but this was Paul’s mother’s ring, so I kept quiet.”

“So, when is the wedding?”

“Oh, I think in a year from now. We’ll need time to get the whole thing organized and to give people time to RSVP. There’s so much to do. I’ll have to start looking at venues, seeing caterers, and then there’s the wedding dress…” Lisa clasped her forehead in a gesture of utter exhaustion. “It almost makes me wish we could elope, but then I’ve always dreamed of a big wedding…Will you be my maid of honor?” Lisa’s eyes lit up.

“Yes.” Janet nodded. Even though she knew that being Lisa’s maid of honor would really mean being Lisa’s wedding planner, she was happy to take on the task. Lisa might have her faults, but in moments like these, years of friendship mattered more than petty grudges.

“Oh, goody!” Lisa squealed. “I’ll tell my mom – she’ll be so excited! She misses you, you know. You should say hello the next time you go to see your folks. Remember all those sleepovers we had in school?”

Janet nodded. Lisa’s slumber parties had been impressive. Every girl in the class had hoped to be invited. Lisa’s mother, a marketing executive at Estee Lauder, would give out makeup sample kits to all of Lisa’s friends – pretty pouches with lip gloss, perfume, and scented soaps inside them. A slumber party at Lisa’s house was an event to prepare for. You didn’t just dress in any old pajamas. Every party had a theme: Lisa had thought that it would be a wonderful idea for all the girls to wear matching pajamas, and once the invitees were selected, she would reveal the outfit for the party. Then every girl who had been invited would have her parents drive her to the mall to buy the pajamas of Lisa’s choice. There was one occasion when Janet’s parents were not able to drive her to the mall until the weekend, by which time the pajamas in her size were sold out. Janet’s panic was replaced by gratitude when Lisa presented her with a brand new spare pair. Ever the caring friend, Lisa had bought an extra pair specifically for Janet.

They were twelve then, and it seemed that nothing would ever come between them. But already talk of boys was finding ways into their conversation, with some girls, including Lisa, boasting of their first kiss – the having-been-kissed status separating the popular from the nots, and Janet had to admit that even now, seventeen years later, she found herself in the latter crowd. Only now the popularity ranking had been raised from a kiss to an engagement.

Contest Information: Please leave a comment along with your email to be entered to win these great prizes. Follow the tour and leave more comments along the tour stops to get extra entries for the prizes. You can follow the tour at http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/12/virtual-excerpt-tour-to-catch-bad-guy.html

Marie will be awarding custom designed semiprecious jewelry pieces to five randomly drawn commenters during the tour. 

Prize 1: Citrine quartz and prehnite sterling silver necklace

Prize 2: Red agate sterling silver necklace

Prize 3: Onyx sterling silver bracelet

Prize 4: Smoky quartz sterling silver earrings

Prize 5: Blue quartz sterling silver earrings

About the Author:

Marie Astor is the author of contemporary romance novels This Tangled Thing Called Love, Lucky Charm, On the Rim of Love, romantic suspense, To Catch a Bad Guy, and a short story collection, A Dress in a Window. Marie is also the author of young adult fantasy adventure novel, Over the Mountain and Back.

If you would like to learn more about Marie’s writing, please stop by her website: http://www.marieastor.com or visit her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection

Books by Marie Astor:

This Tangled Thing Called Love – a contemporary romance about overcoming one’s inhibitions, learning to tango, and finding one’s true love match.

This Tangled Thing Called Love: A Contemporary Romance Novel

Lucky Charm – a humorous contemporary romance about love, luck and friendship.

Lucky Charm: A Contemporary Romance

On the Rim of Love – a contemporary romance about the unexpected power of love.

Smitten at First Sight: A Contemporary Romance Novel

A Dress in a Window – a collection of short stories about love, coincidences, and fate.

A Dress in a Window

Over the Mountain and Back – young adult fantasy adventure novel about a boy who takes his snowboard for a ride and finds himself in a magical, hidden world he never knew existed.

Over the Mountain and Back: A Fantasy Adventure Novel

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.marieastor.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4665230.Marie_Astor

Twitter: @marieastor

Book Spotlight~Range – I Am Not Junco

Range: I am not Junco by J.A. Huss

Book Four in series

Two years have passed since Inanna stole Junco away from Lucan. Two years of unimaginable pain.  Two years of isolation, mutilation and torture. Two years of fear and loneliness in a morph tank. And that’s not something you just get over, even if you are psycho-assassin, Junco Coot.

Now Junco has to learn to live with the consequences.  Her Siblings are suspicious and angry, half her team is dead, Tier is wreaking death and destruction, Lucan is holding his secrets close, and she is spiraling out of control.

There is only one partnership that matters anymore – only one person she will trust and take direction from – and only one way out of the Hell she’s been sentenced to.

Junco is tired fighting and death. She’s had enough and this time she means to end it – once and for all.

Teaser Excerpt:

Selia comes out of the bathroom, her eyes darked up, her lips glowing and pink, and her golden hair flowing down her back in large bouncy ringlets.

She’s beautiful.

And I’m jealous of how easy she fits into her own skin, at how she can make small talk with strangers – even the guards in the elevator and downstairs in the lobby. And most of all, at how her face always seems to be smiling.

No wonder Ashur fell in love with her while I was away being morphed. She looks happy.

I have a permanent frown, I’m afraid to talk to anyone except Gid and Sel, and I feel like my brain has been forced inside a body I’ve never met before. Even when I came out of the tank with wings back on Amelia I never felt this awkward about myself. My replaced fingers and missing scars just make it worse. When a nightdog eats two of your fingers and a psycho slices a SEAR knife down your jawline, you’re supposed to have to live with the consequences of those things forever.

And when you cut yourself in half to save the man you love, there should be evidence of that.

But my scars have all been erased. Every bite from the mutants in the Stag, every prairie lion claw mark, every battle wound I’ve ever had inflicted on me is gone. Even the one I inflicted on myself.

Just gone.

On the outside anyway.

 

Contest Information:

Leave a comment and your email address to be entered to win some cool prizes from author JA Huss.

J.A. will be awarding a $25 gift card to Amazon or PayPal cash, winner’s choice, plus a custom angel necklace, plus swag (Book marks, stickers, postcards) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. (USA ONLY)

Follow the tour and make sure to leave comments, the more you comment, the more entries you have to win.

The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/02/virtual-super-book-blast-range-i-am-not.html

About the Author:

J.A. Huss writes new adult speculative fiction, contemporary romances, and an entire line of science non-fiction textbooks that cater to home learners. She also runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads book Blogs. She has an undergraduate degree in equine science and a graduate degree in forensic toxicology. She adores everything science and considers herself a major geek! Her first series is called I Am Just Junco.

Website: http://www.iamjustjunco.com/

Author Blog: http://jahuss.com/

Book Blog: http://newadultaddiction.blogspot.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JAHuss

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6446815.J_A_Huss

 Buy links for series books:

CLUTCH – Book One: http://www.amazon.com/CLUTCH-Am-Just-Junco-ebook/dp/B009BIOJTU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362700731&sr=8-2&keywords=clutch+junco

Goodreads for CLUTCH: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15763262-clutch

Book trailer for CLUTCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz0PWDGoTJY

FLEDGE – Book Two: http://www.amazon.com/FLEDGE-Just-Junco-Dot-ebook/dp/B009D0U6LQ

Goodreads for FLEDGE: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15764009-fledge

Book trailer for FLEDGE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_LYS0N1OAY

FLIGHT  – Book Three: http://www.amazon.com/FLIGHT-Just-Junco-Dot-ebook/dp/B009E9MMWM

Goodreads for FLIGHT:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15781131-flight

Book trailer for FLIGHT:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_-uY4NnamM

Just Desserts Blog Hop Stop/Contest

Welcome to Secret Cravings/Sweet Cravings Publishing Just Desserts blog hop.

Today I am talking about White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake bars….I love cheesecake so this will surely make your mouth water…

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

1 cup crushed graham cracker crumbs

2 Tablespoon butter, melted

3 squares of baking white chocolate, divided

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1/4 cup raspberry preserves

*****

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter together until moistened. Press into bottom of an 8″ or 9″ square pan. Then melt two squares of white chocolate as directed on the package.

2) In a larger bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla until mixed then add in melted chocolate and mix well.

3) Add in one egg at a time-mix on low until blended together. After blending the second egg into the cream cheese mixture, pour over the crust evenly. Swirl in the raspberry preserves.

4)  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until center is almost set. Once it is cool completely, drizzle the last bar of melted white chocolate over the top. Chill for four hours.

Fall in love with Fiery Magic…a story of former lovers who find their way back to one another.

Fiery Magic by Raine Delight

Devon Falls Series, Book Three

Secret Cravings Publishing

Erotic Paranormal Romance, Dragon Shape-shifter

Buy at http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=150&zenid=5291319a7bae9db5a256aa850abd4d27

Damien Dracon is back in Devon Falls, and he is about to woo the one lady he left three years ago. Family secrets and youthful pride forced him to give up the one good thing in his life: the love of Alicia Stevens. What he doesn’t expect is that Alicia has a secret of her own, and it may just tear them apart.

Can two former lovers find it in themselves to forgive one another and let love grow between them? Or will past secrets haunt them and tear them apart?

Sexy Teaser:

The stars twinkled brightly in the night sky and with a full moon out, he decided to walk through town before heading home. A breeze ruffled his hair lightly as he sauntered down the street. A light on at the Dew Drop Café caught his gaze and a shadow walked past the window. He jogged lightly across the street and almost fell through the glass pane at the sight of Alicia, weaving her way around the cases. He watched the way she moved, fluid-like and with a grace that he could never find, no matter how hard he tried with the other women. Her red hair hung in a loose ponytail that he suddenly itched to take down. His eyes widened when her lush, voluptuous body had him aching to see her in all its natural glory. Hers was the most desirable body he had ever seen. The blood rushed to his cock, straining the front of his jeans.

He whistled softly. He never thought she would become a woman that looked so voluptuous and sexy! It was quite an eye-opener, especially when she bent over to clean the case of pastries and her jeans tightened around her rounded ass. Groaning at the vision in front of him, his blood burning with a need to possess her, Damien tried to still his racing lust. When he left her, she still had that coltish look of a young lady on the verge of womanhood. To see her like this, so lush and desirable, it made him sad to know he wasn’t the one to see her grow into being the woman he knew she could be. What man wouldn’t be lucky to have her as a mate and mother of his children?

Watching her dance to a tune only she could hear focused Damien’s attention on the way she moved. As he watched her dance around the cases and tables, he found himself longing to dance with her. Thinking how her body would curve around his made him shudder with a hot need that had him rock-hard and aching for something that he hoped he could experience again — if she didn’t kick him in the balls first and then toss him out the door.

The lights dimmed, and then went off. A moment later, he heard a car start and drive off. He sighed at the loneliness he felt even more acutely. Damien resumed walking, thoughts racing through his brain like a wildfire out of control. Why can’t I just go in and talk to her? Am I being an utter ass, thinking she will welcome me with opens arms? I have to see her, touch her, explain things, and hope she will forgive me enough to give us another try. This time I won’t leave her and fly to parts unknown. I will do whatever it takes for her to trust me again and give me another chance. I know I screwed up big time. But I am going to fight for her and the love I hope is still there.

CONTEST INFORMATION:

Please leave a comment along with your email address with it answering this question: What is your favorite guilty indulgence snack?

The winner will get a $10 All Romance Ebookstore Gift Certificate. Contest closes at 12:01 am on March 11th.

You can find who else is participating at http://secretcravingspublishing.blogspot.com/

Tour Stop with Lara Nance/Contest

Memories of Murder by Lara Nance, a Paranormal Romance is available now but will be free from March 4 – 8th on Amazon Kindle.

BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Memories-Murder-paranormal-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00AVKAFE0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358027204&sr=8-2&keywords=memories+of+murder+lara+nance

When Maeve McKenna renounces her witch powers and accepts a low-key nurse practitioner position at a Virginia retirement community, the last thing she expects is a suicide her first day on the job.

As the town’s sexy sheriff, Paul Sutton, starts looking into the tragic death of his father’s friend, Maeve can’t help but get involved–with both the case and him. Their informal investigation unveils an old journal that connects the ruins of a nearby asylum and long-forgotten cemetery with the shiny new retirement community’s memory unit–and Maeve’s Alzheimer’s patients.

Maeve senses a sinister presence in the old asylum, calling to the patients, but in order to stop it from killing again, she must first conquer some demons of her own and reclaim the magic she’s denied herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Teaser Excerpt: 

She imagined the thoughts that must be running through his head. She had to tell him everything now. If she didn’t, he would be dead in the next few days. He needed protection.

She stood up. “Want a glass of wine? This is going to be a long conversation.”

“Since I was just nearly killed, how about some whisky?” He fell back against the sofa. Liadan put her paws on his chest and licked his face.

Maeve went into the kitchen, trying to figure out how she’d gotten her powers back. It dawned on her that the morning after the Gems had arrived, her tea was not in its regular spot on the counter. She’d assumed her mother had only been cleaning, but apparently she’d also switched the contents of the jar to non-spelled tea.

She reached into the cabinet for the tea container and looked at it, shaking her head, then laughed. Never had she been so glad for the Gems meddling in her life. She threw it in the trash and returned to the living room with glasses, red wine, and a small bottle of George Dickel missing a few sips. “Here you go.”

He took the whiskey and tossed back a shot, then poured another glass, which he held between his hands. “So, what is it that tried to kill me and my father today?”

“You’re not going to believe me at first, but if you’ll hear me out, I think I have a pretty good case.”

He gestured with one hand for her to begin.

“Everything I’ve seen and heard, all the information in the journal, points to the presence of an evil spirit. I believe it’s the spirit of Dr. Colton Carterage.”

Paul stared at her for several moments. “You’re serious.”

“Completely.” She poured herself a glass of red wine from the freshly opened bottle, and sat in the chair across from him. A tingle of energy floated in the air. She recognized a witch cat at work. She tried desperately not to laugh at Liadan working her little cat magic on him, licking his face, nuzzling his chest, pushing her paws against his arm. He didn’t know what was happening, but darling LiLi was removing the mists of doubt from Paul’s eyes.

Maeve explained about patients in the dementia unit seeing ghosts of people described in the book. She told him about the white deer and why the limb had fallen. When she came to the part she dreaded most, she looked at LiLi and the cat complied. She curled up in his lap, purring, increasing the intensity of her witchy magic to ease his believing.

“There’s one more thing you need to know. My mother, my aunts…and me…we’re witches.” 

Contest Announcement:

At each stop, Lara will award a signed cover flat; and a $50 Amazon gift card will be awarded to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. A $50 Amazon gift card and a signed cover flat will be awarded to a randomly drawn host. Leave a comment with your email address in order to be entered in this great giveaway.

Follow the tour and comment; the more  comments you leave, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/01/virtual-super-book-blast-memories-of.html

About the Author and links:

Lara Nance grew up and lived in many cities throughout the South. She loves to write in a variety of genres within the scope of women’s fiction. But the basis of all her stories is a tale that will entertain and intrigue.

If you want to escape and lose yourself in a novel, you’ve come to the right place. Choose your genre and settle in to be entertained. From thrilling mysteries and steampunk tales, to paranormal romance and adventure, Lara’s willing to explore a variety of compelling stories full of danger and suspense, with a touch of romance.

Having been on the fencing team in college and now living on a sailboat convinces her that she was a pirate in another life, or possibly kin to Errol Flynn… However, due to the unfortunate demise of the romantic pirates of the past, she lives out her fantasies, thrills and adventures in her stories.

Currently docked in Norfolk, Virginia (until the wind changes) Lara enjoys living on her sailboat and spends time reading, of course writing, indulging a variety of artistic endeavors, cooking and sailing with her husband, Joe and their Yorkie, Rio.

WEBSITE:  http://www.laranance.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Lara_Nance

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lara-Nance-Author/164262596944196?ref=hl