Category Archives: Spotlight / Blog Tour

BLOG TOUR ~ The Truth About Lies (The Truth Duet, #1) by Aly Martinez

Today we are celebrating the release of the first book in The Truth Duet by Aly Martinez.
The Truth About Lies is now live and part of Kindle Unlimited!
The second title in the duet, The Truth About Us, will be releasing on September 13th!
You can pre-order it from Amazon now.

PURCHASE THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES NOW:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

 

 

The Truth About Lies
(The Truth Duet, #1)

Synopsis:

Truth: From over a thousand miles away, I watched on the screen of my phone as two men murdered my wife. And I was helpless to save her.

Consumed by hate and rage, I spent four years running from my memories.

Until a shattered woman gave me a reason to stop.

Cora lived in a nightmare, but through sheer force of will, she’d turned it into something beautiful. She had a smile that could pierce the darkest soul. And with one glance, she shredded mine.

Lie: I was only there for a fresh start.

Lie: I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Lie: There was nothing I could do to save her, either.

But that’s the thing about lies — you never know who to believe.


AVAILABLE NOW:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Be sure to follow Aly’s newsletter for news about the duet.


Add THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES (The Truth Duet, #1) to Goodreads

Add THE TRUTH ABOUT US (The Truth Duet, #2) to Goodreads


Want to pre-order the next book in the duet?

THE TRUTH ABOUT US
(The Truth Duet, #2)

Coming September 13

Pre-order from Amazon


AUTHOR INFORMATION:


Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her four young children.

Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, mystery leggings, and baked feta. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.

She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.

 

 

AUTHOR LINKS:

Sign up for Aly’s Newsletter

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Amazon


InkSlinger-Blogger banner-New


NEW RELEASE ~ Closer (Taint Duet #2) by Carmen Jenner

Taint_Duet

Closer, the stunning conclusion to the Taint Duet from
USA Today
bestselling author Carmen Jenner is LIVE!

Closer_Carmen_Jenner_AMAZON

Levi Quinn has it all—money, groupies, a panty-melting smile, and a really big d*ck.

At least, he had it all. Until an angry redhead joined the Taint world tour and turned his life upside-down. Levi fell in love with her.
His bandmate did too. It did not end well.

Brielle Kagawa doesn’t keep company with rock stars, but when this gifted cellist finds herself kicked out of the Orchestre de Parisan all-expenses-paid gig in the south of France seems too good to be true.

Because it is.

The man footing the bill might be a disorderly drunk, but he has an offer she can’t refuse —
stay in his chateau and play for the month. No strings attached.

Yeah right.

The truth about rock stars is that they’re awfully good players, but Levi isn’t the only one who knows how to master a set of strings.

He’s broken-hearted.

She doesn’t have a heart to break.


Taint_Duet

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon US: 

Amazon Universal: 

Add to GoodReads:


Cello_Tease_Closer_Carmen_Jenner

Start the duet today!

Revelry

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2NYPfvq

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/RevelryCJ

Audible: https://amzn.to/2v7jzN5

Paperback: https://amzn.to/2v7473B


Add to GoodReads: 


Excerpt:

She lets out a soft cry, but it isn’t one of pain, it’s another kind of anguish. It’s need. “Please let me go,” she begs.

I study her face. “I don’t think you want me to let you go.”

“You’re wrong.”

I let her wrist slip free of my grasp and search her gaze. “Prove it.”

“I do not have to prove anything to you.”

“Then quit looking at me like you want me to fuck you, because it’s torture,” I snap. A week worth of pent-up frustration, of wanting this woman who refuses to give in, and never backs down. “It’s fucking torture the way you look at me.”

“Torture?” A crease forms between her brow. Fuck, she’s hot when she’s angry. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Just what I said. You can’t keep looking at me like that.” I take another step closer and she backs up against the door. “Or walk around in these skimpy little outfits, and you can’t be this close to me.”

“The robe was your idea, and you cornered me!”

“You’re right.” I sigh, and step back but she catches my collar in her fist and draws me closer.


About Carmen:Author_Photo

Carmen Jenner is a thirty-something, USA Today and international bestselling author.

Her dark romance, KICK (Savage Saints MC #1), won Best Dark Romance Read in the Reader’s Choice Awards at RWDU, 2015.

A tattoo enthusiast, hardcore makeup addict and zombie fangirl, Carmen lives on the sunny North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, where she spends her time indoors wrangling her two wildling children, a dog named Pikelet, and her very own man-child.

A romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?

To stay up to date with news, new releases, and giveaways sign up to Carmen’s newsletter https://www.subscribepage.com/carmenjenner

Connect with Carmen:

Amazon→ http://www.amazon.com/Carmen-Jenner/e/B00GEUI8VI/

Website→ https://www.carmenjenner.com/

Reader Group Carmen Jenner’s Sugar Junkies→ http://bit.ly/2x3K4pP

Facebook→ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmen-Jenner/274005066033305

Bookbub→ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carmen-jenner

Books + Main→https://bookandmainbites.com/users/2266

Instagram→https://www.instagram.com/carmenjennerauthor/

Goodreads→ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6547659.Carmen_Jenner

Pinterest→https://www.pinterest.com.au/carmenjenner/

Twitter→ https://twitter.com/CarmenJAuthor


RELEASE BLITZ – Quintus (An Immortals of New Orleans Novel) by Kym Grosso

 

Quintus (An Immortals of New Orleans Novel), an all-new Standalone
Erotic Paranormal romance by Kym Grosso is NOW LIVE!

 

 

Powerful vampire, Quintus Tullius, returns to New Orleans after a demon attacks. Elusive and lethal, he conceals his true powers from all others, wielding his strength over the centuries as he sees fit. When he’s healed by an attractive stranger, he quickly realizes her altruistic actions are driven by more than kindness, and she is not who she appears to be. Unsure if he can trust the dangerous beauty, he swears to protect her, captivated by the one creature he’d never expected to flame his desire.

Gabriella Savoie has been on the run since she was thirteen years old. Determined to survive, she practices a unique blend of magick to hide from the coven who seeks her death. Desperate, she leads a treacherous existence in underground clubs, selling her mystical blood to vampires to survive. Drawn to the one person who can save her, she spirals into an erotic journey, exploring her hidden fantasies within the arms of the seductive vampire.

From Louisiana to New York, their sensual and perilous adventure leads them to discover ancient secrets, searching for the artifact that will set her beast free. As Gabriella accepts her fate, will she sacrifice her magick to be with the vampire who is her true mate? Will Quintus trust her and reveal his powers, acknowledging the unexpected bond to a woman who isn’t human? And will he be able to save her, thwarting the impending evil that descends on Big Easy?


Grab Your Copy Today!

Amazon Universal

iBooks

NOOK

KOBO

Google Play

 

Add it to your TBR



About Kym Grosso

 

Kym Grosso is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the erotic paranormal series, The Immortals of New Orleans, and the contemporary erotic suspense series, Club Altura. In addition to romance novels, Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate about autism advocacy. She is also a contributing essay author in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and a MBA from Widener University. In a previous life, she was employed as a speech therapist, a health care consultant, and a product manager for a software company. In 2012, Kym published her first novel and today, is a full time indie romance author. She recently moved to southern California where she can write while listening to the roar of the ocean.

 

Follow Kym Grosso

Facebook: 

Twitter: 

Instagram: 

Website: 

Pinterest: 

Newsletter Sign-up:


RELEASE BLITZ ~ The Butcher (Series: Protector Series #3) by Celia Aaron


Title: The Butcher
Series: Protector Series #3
Author: Celia Aaron

Genre: Mafia Romance (standalone)
Release Date: August 28, 2018
Cover Image: FuriousFotog
Cover Design: Perfect Pear Creative Covers
 
I had her once. Or at least I thought I did. But that was a long time ago. Before prison. Before I became the Butcher. Seeing her now shouldn’t make me feel anything. It’s been too long. She forgot about me as soon as I was sent away. But all those truths can’t break the connection that links me to my Angel. No matter how hard I try, I’m still drawn to her, damned to want her even though she’s promised to another man. Being assigned to serve as her bodyguard is a torture so ingenious that I have to respect it. If I don’t deliver her to the altar, my life is forfeit to the Genoa family. But if I do, losing her again may kill me surer than a hitman’s bullet.

Author’s Note:
This is the third novel in the Dark Protector world, David Raven’s story, and a standalone.



Celia Aaron is a USA Today bestselling author and recovering attorney who loves romance and erotic fiction. Dark to light, angsty to funny, real to fantasy–if it’s hot and strikes her fancy, she writes it. Thanks for reading.


HOSTED BY:


NEW RELEASE ~ Why HER? (Mistaken Identities #2) by Rie Warren

Title: Why HER?
Series: Mistaken Identities #2
Author: Rie Warren

Genre: May/December Romance
Release Date: August 20, 2018
If you believe in second chances . . .
All I did was dance with her at a bar. Just once.
Then this undeniably gorgeous party girl, Stevie, turns up at my house, the contractor in charge of my remodel.
Ha!
How am I supposed to take her seriously?
The problem is she’s excellent at her job, which aggravates me even more.
She’s changing my house, changing my life, and my animal urge to protect and possess her feels like a betrayal to my deceased wife.
 
She’s absolutely unsuitable.
He’s uptight, f*** hot, and there’s no way she can compete with the ghost of his wife.
 
A book full of filthy sex and beautiful tortured romance. Why Her? is a standalone novel with a tear-worthy HEA, no cheating, no cliffhangers, just all yes. Keep the fan handy, you’ll need it.
 

I’D RUSHED OUT IN such a hurry after almost kissing Kane again that I’d gotten all the way home before I realized I’d forgotten my laser level at his house. It wasn’t one hundred percent necessary I retrieve it tonight, but my dad’s rules were nailed into my head, and number one above all was his creed to treat your tools like your job depended on it.
Kane’s cool as fuck Mercedes was in the driveway, and I thought about knocking, but he’d already scolded me a few times about that, so I slipped inside and headed toward the kitchen where I’d last seen the digital level.
“Fuck, Stevie.” Kane’s deep voice stopped me dead in my tracks.
I thought he’d heard me enter the house, and I was just about to jump around the corner of the living room to explain I’d forgotten my level when he growled out, “Suck my cock.”
Ohhhhh.
Oh my God.
Heat flushed my body in an instant. With a hand covering my mouth, I tiptoed through the entryway and peeked into the living room.
Oh my fucking God.
Kane sat in a large leather chair, head thrown back.
Tie askew.
Shirt unbuttoned.
Sculpted tanned chest covered in soft-looking sooty-colored hair that arrowed to a thin line along his abdominals before . . .
Pants open, and Oh. My. God. COCK.
Oh Jesus Christ.
Kane was hung.
He gripped a fat, furiously hard dick in one large hand, pulling up on the veined beast until his knuckles butted the head. A large head that was dark and swollen and slick.
Mouthwatering.
Not to mention the pure filth pouring from his mouth.
“Take it deeper, baby,” Kane ordered the me he clearly fantasized about, and I imagined crawling up to him, taking that incredibly hard cock all the way into my throat.
I bit down on my lip, straining to go to him, knowing I shouldn’t watch him.
Helpless to do anything but.
Arousal skittered to my pussy in a flash. Liquid seeped from my cunt. Swollen nipples puckered beneath my bra. I wanted to slip a hand between my thighs to relieve the tingling ache as goose bumps erupted across my flesh.
Wet sounds echoed from Kane’s long slow strokes. More precum poured out and his whole cock glistened with each snick snick snick.
Kane Bishop.
Suave. Distinguished. And absolutely dirty.
His grip tightened at the thick base, and his other hand trailed lightly up and over the long length, fingers swirling across the tip then cruising back down faster.
Until he drew his hands away to clench the arms of the chair, a grunt parting his lips.
“Don’t wanna come to soon.”
I couldn’t move. The slick lips of my pussy rubbed together. Wiggling a little, I tried not to make a sound even though a whimper crawled up my throat.
He was magnificent when he went back to pumping his cock in a two-fisted hold that started out loose at the root then closed over the swelling purplish head.
Large hands.
Probably hot hands.
Rough hands that had barely grazed my breasts earlier.
“Yes. Lick my balls.” He lifted the weighty-looking sac and ran a thumb down the center, separating each testicle.
I covered my mouth with a hand, almost crying out with lurid need.



Rie is the badass, sassafras author of Sugar Daddy and the Don’t Tell series–a breakthrough trilogy that crosses traditional publishing boundaries beginning with In His Command. Her latest endeavors include the Carolina Bad Boys, a fun, hot, and southern-sexy series. 
A Yankee transplant who has traveled the world, Rie started out a writer—causing her college professor to blush over her erotic poetry without one ounce of shame. Not much has changed. She swapped pen for paintbrushes and followed her other love during her twenties. From art school to marriage to children and many a wild and wonderful journey in between, Rie has come home to her calling. Her work has been called edgy, daring, and some of the sexiest smut around. 
You can connect with Rie via the social media hangouts listed on her website. She is represented by Saritza Hernandez, Corvisiero Literary Agency
 


HOSTED BY:


NEW RELEASE ~ Recovering Ivy (Special Forces: Operation Alpha & Red Team Book 4) by Riley Edwards

●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬๑★๑▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●

 
Recovering Ivy
(Special Forces: Operation Alpha & 
Red Team Book 4)
By Riley Edwards

 

Steamy Military Romance

289 pages
Publication Date: August 21st, 2018

#WTMORERI
 
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬๑★๑▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
 
 
We met in a bar.
The sex was phenomenal.
Then I walked away.
That’s where our story should’ve ended.
But he found me. Now he knows my real name, my secrets, and all the details of my sordid past.
I’m out for revenge and no one will stop me; not even the pragmatic Zane Lewis.
If he thinks he can silence me with the promise of more mind-bending sex, he’s wrong.

Ivy Matthews is the most frustrating female I’ve ever known.
I’ve broken terrorists faster than I can pull information from her sweet lips.
The only time she’s pliant is when she’s under me, or when my mouth is exploring her sexy curves, and then the most exquisite filthy words and breathy moans fill my ears.
 
If she thinks she can walk away from me, she’s wrong.
I’ve found the one–my perfect match–my equal.
Come hell or high-water Ivy is mine. 


 
 
“This is the first book I’ve read in the series and it does stand alone. However, I’d happily read the previous three books and any after this one……This has my strong recommendation.” ~ Cheri 5 STARS

 

Other books in Series:
 
Protecting Olivia
http://geni.us/SfWxqL
 
Redeeming Violet
https://amzn.to/2vXHGyn

 
New to Riley Edwards? Download your 🎉 FREE BOOK 🎉 and discover what you’ve been missing. 
 
Riley Edwards is a bestselling multi-genre author, wife, and military mom. Riley was born and raised in Los Angeles but now resides on the east coast with her fantastic husband and children. 
 
Riley writes heart-stopping romance with sexy alpha heroes and even stronger heroines. Riley’s favorite genres to write are romantic suspense and military romance. 
 
Author Links:
 
Follow on Amazon:
Follow on Bookbub:
Follow on Goodreads:
 
Social Media:
Facebook
 
Facebook Fan Group
Instagram
Twitter
@rileyedwardsrom


 

NEW RELEASE ~ Going Down by Beth Michele

NEW RELEASE 

Going Down by Beth Michele
 


It’s a steamy, fun MM story that was originally published as part of an anthology back in December.
It’s FREE in KU, or 99 cents to purchase. 


Beware of dirty sex and dark hallways. 

Two Strangers…

One night..

An undeniable attraction…

Holidays always bring out the best in us, don’t they? 

When Dash meets Cain at a bar one cold December night, Cain’s smart mouth and cocky attitude brings Dash to his knees…

In more ways than one. 


BUY LINKS:

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon AU
Amazon CA


** Originally published as part of the What Happens During The Holidays Anthology.
This snarky, funny, mm sex short story/hot mm short is for 18 + readers only.**


About the AuthorBethMichele

Beth Michele lives in New England and is a wife, a mom, an author, and a lover of all things chocolate, well, anything sweet really. She enjoys reading young adult and new adult novels furiously, and spending time with her husband and two adorable children. Beth is a hopeless romantic and a happily ever after fanatic who loves to write about love. Love Love is her first published novel.

Author Links

Website
Twitter
Goodreads

BLOG TOUR ~ Big Mountain by Penny Wylder

Big Mountain by Penny Wylder

Release Date: August 13th

 

Add to GR here:

 

NOW AVAILABLE! Grab it TODAY!!

99¢ and FREE in Kindle Unlimited!!

AMAZON US: 

AMAZON UK: 

AMAZON CA: 

AMAZON AU: 

 

BLURB

Our night of passion was unforgettable.

I’d have loved more time with her, but she was a city girl passing through my lonely mountain village, only here to take photos of our festival.

She had no reason to return. So when she shows up again months later, I’m stunned.

Turns out her job sent her back with some unfinished business. I’d love another taste, but she says she’s done with me and plans to leave ASAP. I’m not about to argue…

Until I find out that she’s pregnant from our one-night-stand.

And once I know that she’s carrying my child inside of her?

I’m never going to let her go.



EXCERPT

He’s finished heating up the place now, and he crosses to me until his huge frame blocks the doorway I’m standing in. This close, I can feel the heat, but not from the stoves. It comes off his body, radiating from him like the summer sun. I step closer, until we’re chest-to-chest, and I’m gazing up into those bright eyes of his, mesmerized, entranced.

“I can see what you mean,” I admit, my voice softer now than it was back at the bonfire when we fired flirty, suggestive comments back and forth at one another. “I like it here too.”

“Do you now?” His hands are on me again, but touching me lightly this time, teasing. He trails a fingertip up my arm, then back down, leaving a trail of tingles in his wake, the fire stoking inside me to an almost unbearable degree. I feel like another one of his wood stoves. He knows just how to coax the flames in me. “I haven’t even shown you proper Bailey hospitality yet.” From the smirk on his mouth, I can guess what he means.

Still, I ask anyway. “What exactly does that entail?”

“Well.” He bends closer, eyes trapping mine, until his mouth hovers just inches away from my lips. “First, it would involve escorting you to my bedroom. Then…” His gaze breaks away, drips down my neck to my shirt. “I’d have to take off all those clothes of yours.”

A shiver traces its way along my spine. “I see. And then?”

“Then, I’d want you spread-eagled across my bed.” He dips toward me, and I shut my eyes, lips parted in anticipation of a kiss. But he slides right past my mouth, presses his cheek to mine once more, his breath hot on my ear. “After which I’ll be tasting every…” He catches my lobe between his lips, swirls his tongue around my earring, then kisses that soft, tender spot right beneath my ear, where it meets my neck. A spot that always makes me swoon. My knees feel weak under me. “… Inch of you,” he murmurs. His lips kiss down my neck to my collarbone, to the edge just visible under my shirt.

I rock toward him, unable to help myself, my hands drifting up to grip his shoulders for balance. “Mm,” I manage to say, distracted by his lips, his tongue edging along my neck. “And after you’re… satisfied with tasting?” I catch my breath, because he stops kissing my neck then, and draws back and with one finger under my chin, lifts my face toward his.

“I doubt I’d ever be satisfied with you,” he murmurs, a grin on his mouth. “But once I’ve made you come enough times that you can hardly catch your breath?” His eyes light up, because I have to catch my breath again, this time in a breathy little gasp. “Well, then I’ll fuck you, Jenna.” His hands slide down from my waist, caressing my hips on their way to my ass, which he grabs with both hands, hard enough to lift me half an inch off the floor, and pressing my hips against his, where his stiff cock still digs into my belly, harder than a steel rod.

“All. Night. Long.”



About the Author

A USA Today Bestselling author and #1 Amazon bestselling author, Penny Wylder writes what you’d expect– wild romances. Happily Ever Afters are always better when they’re a little dirty, so if you’re looking for a page turner that will make you feel naughty in all the right places, jump right in and leave your panties at the door!

 

Connect w/ Penny

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/penny-wylder

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ipqeMa

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15558229.Penny_Wylder

 

Want access to early copies of Penny’s books and special extended epilogues?

Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/cc_h59


 

SALES BLITZ ~ NUDES (Exposed #1) by Sarah Robinson

Sarah Robinson’s sexy NUDES is on sale!

Be sure to grab your copy by August 26th!

About NUDES:

Praised by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Lauren Blakely, as “Passionate, emotional and uplifting!”, contemporary romance author Sarah Robinson brings readers a new standalone novel set in the glamorous hills of Hollywood and tackling challenging themes like the intersection of sexuality and female empowerment.

Ben Lawson is making a comeback…
After a few tabloid headlines, they think they know me. They don’t know a damn thing. As CEO of a movie production company, I’ll show them who I really am when we hit it big at the box office. My ex thought her smear tactics would ruin me, but I’m unbreakable. Rising from the debris, I swore I’d never let a woman distract me like that again. But then, my leading actress walked on the set and changed everything.

Seductive, sexy, and unapologetic, Aria Rose could break me. I wanted to help her, protect her…love her. Instead, I destroyed her.

Aria Rose is baring it all….
I knew better. I knew not to trust another Hollywood heartthrob with a reputation like his. He was my boss and became my ruin.
I should have stayed far away from him. Ben Lawson promised me the world. He even promised me his heart.

But he destroyed everything–my heart, my career, us.


Get Your Copy Today:

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play


Exclusive Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

Aria woke with a jolt, looking around the dark bedroom. As her senses slowly began to adjust, she looked for the source of whatever had disturbed her. Her cell phone vibrated against the surface of her nightstand, the screen lit so brightly it cast a square light onto the ceiling above.

Yawning, Aria grabbed for it. She glanced over at the man in bed next to her, her heart filling with warmth at the sight of his sleeping form.

Finally focusing on her phone, she realized she had dozens of missed texts, calls, and emails.

“What the hell?” she whispered to herself, sitting up.

Aria, are you awake? WAKE UP NOW.

Don’t look at the news. We need to talk. 911.

Is that you on E! News? Did you allow that?

OMG, ARIA! WHAT THE HELL?

What did you do?!?! This is career suicide!

Her heart began to race, panic swarming her every cell as she quickly clicked out on a website link her best friend sent her. A photo popped up, and then another, and another, and another, and Aria knew exactly what she was looking at.

Herself.

Nude.

Aria could barely breathe, trembling as she searched social media and entertainment news sites. The photos were everywhere. She was everywhere. Her breasts, her body, her love life on full display for the world to see.

It would have been bad enough if they’d just been images of her posing, but these were pornographic. These were her in her most intimate moments with a man she’d…

A sob stuck in her throat. Did he do this?

She looked at the man still sleeping beside her, fear gripping her heart.

This couldn’t be happening.

 

CHAPTER ONE

Two Months Earlier

“Wait until you meet our lead.” The heavyset producer’s eyes glinted with excitement as he spoke. He brought a sandwich up to his lips, taking a bite and continuing around a mouthful of food. “She’s only had small roles up until this film, but she’s up-and-coming. No doubt about it. Aria Rose is poised to take the world by storm come Oscar season.”

Ben didn’t reply, too distracted watching the producer trying to wipe a blob of mayonnaise off his tie. Arthur Atwood was a large man with a messy comb-over and an ill-fitting suit, which must have been a deliberate choice since Ben knew Arthur made a handsome salary.

Is he licking his tie?

His new right-hand man was actually licking mayonnaise off his tie. Not a good sign. Ben made a mental note never to ask Arthur to have a meeting over lunch at his desk again.

“Bugger, it’s in there good,” Arthur muttered in his thick English accent, dropping his tie and slapping his hands on his knees. “All right. Enough of that. Ready for a tour of the studio?”

“Very,” Ben replied, balling up the parchment paper his own sandwich had been wrapped in and tossing it into the wastebasket beneath his desk. He stood, rolling his shoulders and stretching his neck from side to side.

They’d spent the morning touring the corporate offices on the lot of Shepherd Film Studios where Ben would be officially starting in two weeks as the company’s new chief executive officer. He had agreed to come in on Friday to tour everything and meet the crew on their final day of filming—but the pressure was already on.

One of the oldest movie production companies in Hollywood, Shepherd Film Studios was well respected, but struggled to adapt to new changes in the industry—the rise of streaming services, quicker distribution on the internet, and other changes that appealed to younger generations.

Maguire Industries had recently purchased the studio and placed Ben in charge to fix that. He had one year to prove to the board at Maguire that he could turn Shepherd Films back into a thriving production company or they’d dismantle the company and sell it off for profit.

He was Shepherd Films last resort, and thank goodness, too. No one else in Hollywood was desperate enough to throw him a lifeline. Being an embarrassing public spectacle for the last two years had been by far one of the biggest setbacks in his professional life to date—and his personal life was to blame.

Fucking divorce.

“Have you seen any of her movies?” Arthur held the door to the office open for him, and together they headed down the hallways of the main offices. “She’s a bombshell—literally one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen.”

“Aria Rose?” Ben replied, racking his brain for a mental image of the actress. “I’ve seen a few. Very pretty. She’s very talented but never been a lead.”

Scarlet’s Letters is her first starring role, and she’s perfect for it. We can watch the dailies from today’s filming, and you’ll see what I mean. We were really lucky to score her for this film.”

Ben had wondered about that, too. Aria wasn’t necessarily A-list, but she was an up-and-coming fan favorite among millennial and younger generations. Her social media attention was nonstop, and there was an almost cult following to her that had made Hollywood execs begin to take notice. Yet, he’d seen the budget this morning. She was being vastly underpaid for this film, and he wasn’t sure why.

They passed the guards at the front desk of the main offices and stepped out into the sun. “How did your team manage to sign her?” Ben asked.

“Sheer luck, I’d gather. She was following the script around—or so I heard. Determined to be part of it, though I can’t say why exactly. The script is great—historical World War II romance with a Hester Prynne theme—and we’re already getting some Oscar buzz from it. Still, it’s a long shot, and it’s nothing like her previous films.”

Ben pulled a pair of sunglasses from his suit pocket and placed them over his eyes. The bright Los Angeles sun was beating down on them as they climbed onto a golf cart to traverse the large lot to the studios. “Sounds like we’re the lucky ones, then.”

“You’ve got that right,” Arthur agreed, taking the driver’s seat since Ben was still mostly unfamiliar with the area.

A few minutes later, their golf cart pulled up outside a large warehouse-type building that read STUDIO E in large black letters across the top. Ben climbed out and followed Arthur to a small door off to the side, a red light lit above the door.

Arthur pointed to the light. “That means they’re filming, so not a peep.” He placed a finger to his mouth, indicating they needed to be quiet.

Ben nodded, and they entered the building only to be immediately shrouded in darkness. It might be his first day at Shepherd Films, but Ben was no stranger to movie sets and felt immediately at ease as they carefully made their way over to where the camera crew was.

Ben’s father, Roger Lawson, was a highly sought after cameraman who’d taken a career most people overlooked and became the best. He’d taught Ben to do the same—excel in everything by putting his whole heart into every project, no matter how small or large. As a young boy, he’d spent many a summer day with his father at work, learning the business of not only filming, but creating movies, in general.

Newly thirty years old, Ben had spent the last decade putting his father’s words into practice, rising through the ranks to become one of the hottest names in film production. He only wished his father was still alive to see his ascent, or at least, he had wished that until his ex-wife smeared his name through the tabloids during their divorce.

Never fall in love with an actress. The one rule his father had told him before he died that Ben had ignored. Lesson learned.

“Am I to be punished for helping a fellow human being?” A strong female voice broke through the silence around them.

Ben stepped around a crowd of onlookers to see the set. Behind him was an entire crew, and not a single dry eye. The emotion on everyone’s face surprised him. Following their attention to the main set, he saw the set was a bedroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed was a tall, broad-shouldered man with his head in his hands, wearing a soldier’s uniform from the 1940’s.

In front of the downtrodden soldier was a statuesque blonde, her hair flowing down her back in one long, chunky braid. Pieces of her golden mane escaped the braid, framing her face and highlighting her soft, pink cheeks. Pale blue-gray eyes brimmed with tears as she folded her hands over her heart.

“I won’t lie, James,” she continued, her voice softer now. “I can’t.”

The soldier suddenly stood, gripping the woman by her upper arms. “You have to lie, Anna. Your life is at stake—my life, our life. You’ll be imprisoned, and everything we’ve dreamt of will be over.”

She steeled herself, her jaw tightening. “If this is real…if our love is real…then we’ll survive this. Without the lies, the tricks, the falsehoods. We can survive this, James.”

Ben felt a swelling in his chest, a lump in his throat. He wasn’t even sure what the storyline was about, and yet, he was captivated by the woman in front of the cameras. Her presence was powerful…she was powerful.

“No, Anna.” He dropped her arms and stepped back, a look of disgust on his face. “We can’t survive this. Not if you choose their lives over mine…over ours.”

The blonde shook her head slowly, her hand now on her stomach as if she might be sick. “You can’t mean that, James. You can’t make me pick between loving you and my purpose in life.”

“It’s them…or it’s me. Now or never, Anna.”

Ben focused on the actress’s face, expecting to see her acquiesce to the steely-delivered ultimatum. Instead, her chin pushed up and she inhaled deeply. Everything about her posture and stance screamed strength, and yet, in the exact same moment, those blue-gray eyes ached with pain. Ben nearly forgot he was watching actors because her portrayal was so genuine…she was so genuine.

“Goodbye, James.” Her voice was gentle, but resolute.

The soldier’s nostrils flared angrily, before he slowly shook his head. “Goodbye, Anna.” With that, he walked out of the door and left her standing alone in the bedroom.

She waited a moment, staring after him. Her hand slowly lifted to her lips, covering her mouth as a loud sob ripped from her throat. In an excruciating display, her body dipped forward slightly before completely crumpling in on itself. She fell against the edge of the bed, sobbing into its sheets, as the lights on set dimmed.

“Cut!” the director yelled. “Holy fuck. That was amazing, Aria!”

The blond actress pushed up off the bed, smiling and wiping the tears from her cheeks. Everyone in the studio erupted into applause, and Ben joined in. She deserved every second of it after that performance.

A surge of excitement ran through Ben’s body—he could do this. With acting like this, there was no way their movie wouldn’t be a success. There was no way he wouldn’t be able to bring this studio success within the year with a film like this.

“Hey, Russell,” Arthur called out to the director and ushered Ben over to him. “Meet our new studio head, Ben Lawson.”

Ben extended a hand to the grungy looking man with long, curly black hair to his shoulders. “Good to meet you, Russell.”

“Please, call me Russ. I’m Russ Rains, director. I’m sure you’ve heard of me.” He donned a cocky smile. Metal and bracelets around his wrists made a clanking sound as they shook hands—a not too unusual fashion choice in this city.

“I have,” Ben admitted, though he didn’t really like this man’s ego already. It was certainly nothing unusual in Hollywood, and Ben had met the type many a time before. Russell Rains was a legitimately well-known director with several big box office hits under his belt, though it had been many years since his last. “Your work is amazing, Russ.”

“Thank you, Benji,” Russ said with an obnoxious chuckle. “Come on. Let me introduce you to our leads.”

“I’ll meet you back at the office,” Arthur told Ben. “Have fun on set!”

Ben followed Russell onto the bedroom set where the actress he’d been so captivated by was hugging the soldier who’d just broken her heart.

“You were amazing, Travis,” she said to him, pulling back from their embrace to smile at him.

Something inside Ben stirred—irritation, anger? He wasn’t sure, but he didn’t like seeing the man’s arms around the beautiful blonde.

“Sweet pea, come meet our new studio head,” Russ called out to Aria, who visibly bristled at his demand. Ben made a mental note to ask about the director’s dynamic with the actors later. “This here is Benji.”

Ben Lawson,” Ben corrected the director, extending his hand to the woman.

“Aria Rose,” she replied, taking his hand with a gentle squeeze. Her fingers were small and warm around his, and there was something sad about letting go. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Lawson. This is my co-star, Travis Peters.”

The soldier shook his hand next. “Good to meet you, sir.”

“Please, call me Ben,” he instructed them both. “Travis, you were fantastic. And, Aria, I have to admit that your performance just now was incredible. I was unbelievably moved.”

Her pale pink cheeks darkened as she looked down at her hands. “Thank you.”

“I have no doubt this movie will be phenomenal.”

Russ slapped a hand on Ben’s back. “Hell, yeah. That was our last scene, so we’re officially wrapped.” The director stepped away from them and yelled to the entire crew. “It’s a wrap, fuckers!”

Ben didn’t even cringe at the man’s abrasiveness this time.

The crew clapped and cheered, and everyone was hugging and high-fiving each other. A swarm of people came onto the bedroom set to congratulate Aria, pushing Ben backward as he watched her gracefully accept their praise.

In fact, he couldn’t take his eyes off her, and it only had a little to do with how unbelievably attracted he was to her. As he stepped to the side, he watched how she smiled, laughing and embracing her co-workers. It was captivating. Aria commanded a room, not just when she was acting, but as herself. Her eyes danced and shone as she spoke to the crew and other actors, her smile wide and transformative.

He felt drawn to who she was, not just what he saw, and it was intoxicating. Though, what he saw was certainly breathtaking. Gorgeous wasn’t enough to describe this woman, or the way her long neck dipped into thin shoulders and a deep collarbone. Her breasts pushed against the dark red dress she was wearing that highlighted her hourglass silhouette, and her golden braid hung down over her shoulder with a weight and visible softness he’d never seen before.

Someone bumped Ben’s shoulder as they rushed in her direction, bringing Ben back to reality. What the fuck am I doing? He was barely six months out of a long divorce and had sworn off women entirely for now. And an actress? That was not happening. No way would he repeat his previous mistake twice. Not to mention that he was her boss, essentially, and that it would be a major conflict of interest. That was even assuming she was single and interested in him, which…

Why am I even thinking about this? Ben shook the thought from his head, unsure when the last time was that he’d ever felt this foggy-headed over a woman.

Aria’s laughter peeled through the air just then, melodic and joyous. Ben swallowed hard, shoving his hands in his pockets and heading for the door. He had to get out of there. Now.

He wouldn’t let himself fall for another actress, not even one as beautiful as Aria Rose.




About the Author:

Aside from being a Top 10 Barnes & Noble and Amazon Bestseller, Sarah Robinson is a native of the Washington, DC area and has both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in criminal psychology. She is a divorcée who works as a crisis counselor by day and romance novelist by night. She owns a small zoo of furry pets and is actively involved in volunteering in her community.

Subscribe to her newsletter 

Visit the author’s website for more information about Sarah and her books: 

 

Connect with Sarah:

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


Enter Sarah’s Giveaway:

Rafflecopter giveaway


 

BOOK TOUR ~ Captured by her Cougar (Cougar Creek Mates #2) by Felicity Heaton

New York Times best-selling paranormal romance author Felicity Heaton is here today for the book tour of her new shifter romance release, Captured by her Cougar, the second book in her brand new Cougar Creek Mates Series.
Set in her popular Eternal Mates world, Cougar Creek Mates takes you into the deep Canadian wilderness to a secret place that’s home to a cougar shifter pride led by four sexy brothers, each guaranteed to steal your heart and set it racing!
With all four books in the series releasing just weeks apart, this is going to be one hot summer.

Check out the book, download it with your Kindle Unlimited subscription if you have one, and be sure to enter the awesome grand giveaway happening at her website!

 

About the Book

 

Captured by her Cougar (Cougar Creek Mates Shifter Romance Series Book 2)
Felicity Heaton
In the wake of an Archangel attack on Cougar Creek, Storm is seething with a need for revenge against the hunter organisation and the key to it might be the petite blonde mortal he’s locked in his cabin, one he’s determined to make sing for him. Only the beauty has a fiery temperament to match his own, and the more time he spends with her, the more she stokes a fire inside him. One that fills him with a startling and undeniable need to make her sing in another way—in his arms.

Gabriella isn’t going to take her captivity lying down. She’s going to give the pig-headed brute holding her against her will hell until he finally believes she’s innocent. He might be a cougar shifter, but she isn’t afraid of him. Or at least she isn’t afraid of what he is. The way he affects her, the flames that lick through her whenever they’re close, terrifies her though, because the longer she’s around the towering sexy-as-sin shifter, the hotter that fire blazes, and it’s only a matter of time before it burns away all her restraint.

With the mating heat and the attack bringing cougars back to the creek, Gabriella is a complication Storm doesn’t need, but she’s one that he wants… because she might just be his one true mate.


Purchase Links

Read it with your Kindle Unlimited Subscription or buy now from…

Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com.au


Enter the grand tour-wide giveaway to win one of a $75, $50 or $25 Amazon Gift Card at the Captured by her Cougar book page.
This giveaway is international and open to everyone, and ends at midnight on September 2nd.

Enter now:


Excerpt

Storm wasn’t convinced that his Little Bird didn’t know the tune he wanted her to sing, not one bit. She hadn’t been surprised to hear him mention Archangel, which meant she knew about them, and he had no doubt she was in league with them.

Like brother, like sister.

Ivy kept vouching for her, but even Rath wasn’t buying what his mate was selling—that Gabriella was an innocent caught up in all of this.

If she was innocent, she would tell him everything she knew. She wouldn’t have a reason to keep denying him and refusing to speak.

“You know the tune, Little Bird.” He turned away from the door, strode to the couch and slumped onto it. “You just don’t want to sing it. I’m a patient man… I can wait until you break.”

He wasn’t a patient male. Not by a longshot. He was itching to open that door and scare her into speaking, but gods, some part of him couldn’t do it. He could still taste the terror that had gone through her when he had grabbed her and pulled her towards the bedroom, her fear that he had been about to violate her, and it was bitter on his tongue, had him cursing himself for causing it. He had only meant to scare her into speaking by locking her in a dark room.

Of course, Little Bird had got revenge by using the last shred of his electricity.

It was going to be a long dark night in there for her.

Storm kicked his feet up onto the coffee table between the couch and the log burner and slumped further, so he was almost horizontal as he stared at the fire. Tomorrow, he would wheel the solar panels out into the clearing and jack them in. Not for her sake though. His desire to get some juice in the batteries had nothing to do with the petite blonde ball of fury ranting in his right ear about being a prisoner.

He tried to tune her out, but fuck, she was persistent.

“I demand to know how Ivy is.” Her tone, so damned regal and oh-so-British, grated on his nerves.

No one ordered him around.

So he ignored her, let her rant until she wore herself out and went quiet. He switched the focus of his senses to her, tilted his head to his right as he felt her stillness, and listened. Her breathing was soft, even.

Little Bird had worn herself out and right to sleep.

Storm kicked his feet down, tempted to check on her. Two reasons not to sprang to mind. One, she might be trying to trick him into opening the door so she could attempt another escape. Two, he didn’t give a damn whether she was comfortable or not.

He really didn’t.

Not only was she human, but she was born of the same woman that the fuck-head Alexander had come from—a woman he was sure was involved in Archangel as much as her husband had been, and therefore had been involved in what had happened to his family and his kin.

Thirty-six years ago.

He slid his grey gaze towards the bedroom door.

Gabriella looked no older than thirty, hadn’t even been born when his parents had been brutally taken from him during the attack by the hunter organisation, but gods, he couldn’t stop himself from laying blame on her shoulders, because he needed someone to aim his anger at, the rage that had been festering inside him for close to four decades now.

Rage that wouldn’t be satisfied until he hunted down every last human who had been involved in the raid and painted his claws with their blood.

He tipped his head back into the couch, the leather creaking as it depressed, and sighed as he closed his eyes and tried to relax. His cougar side shifted restlessly beneath his skin, the pain of his memories of that night winding him tight inside, until he felt sure he would snap.

He shoved to his feet and paced, his strides clipped as he fought to work off some of the energy flooding him, aggression and pain that needed an outlet or it would drive him to shift and hunt.

He needed a run.

He hated mountains and forests, and everything that reminded him of his early years, before Archangel. Preferred big cities and fast cars, and even faster women. All the modern conveniences and concrete and glass that made this world feel like a million miles away.

But the mountains and the forests gave him one thing he loved.

Space to run.

He stripped off his t-shirt and lowered his gaze and his hands at the same time, reaching for the button on his jeans. He froze as his eyes landed on the thick scars that ran over his right hip and disappeared into the waist of his jeans, could almost feel them where they trailed down his thigh to the inside of his knee.

His heart started to pound, a heavy rhythm that rattled his ribs as fear rose to choke him and he saw blood on his bare skin, saw muscle carved open in the line of the scar and bone peeking through in places. His throat closed as he heard Cobalt’s words swimming in his ears, telling him to hold on, and saw his older brother viciously battling to protect him from the humans trying to get to him while he was weak and wounded.

Pull it together.

Storm shook off the fear and squeezed his eyes shut, clenched his teeth as he breathed through the pain, fighting to suppress it and break the hold his memories had on him. He wasn’t there now, pissing his pants and fearing for his life like a fucking cub while Cobalt went to war, his older brother’s strength more than a match for the humans while Storm’s had been inadequate because he had been seven years off sexual maturity.

Movement on his senses had him snapping back to his cabin, on high alert as alarm rang through him, the thought of coming under attack while caught up in his past and vulnerable driving him to react.

But no one was near him.

He stared at the wooden door that separated him from the human.

She shifted on his sharp senses, rolled over and moaned as she settled again.

He had been a fucking idiot for picking his cabin as her cage, but what choice had he had? The other cabins belonged to males, and some to females, and he didn’t know who was due to return for the gathering that would happen this year, one where eligible males were coming to service the needs of the females of the pride who were in heat.

Gods, he wouldn’t say no to a slice of that. He needed a good fuck. No strings attached. Just the way he loved it.

He pushed out thoughts of screwing, because it was just his hormones messing with him, the season rousing the need in him even when he couldn’t participate. His family were responsible for maintaining order during the gathering, and as much as he hated that, wanting to fuck like the next male, he relished it in a way.

Because he got to do the other thing he loved.

Fighting.

Plenty of males lost their heads during the gathering, jacked up on hormones and pushed to the edge by them. Storm was allowed to beat the crap out of them if they kicked off a fight that wasn’t over the right to mate with a female, which meant he got to fight at least once a day. Not gentle warm-up type fights either. He got to really let loose.

Just as he had when Alexander had landed that damned chopper on their land and tried to fuck with his family.

Storm slid his gaze back towards the door.

Towards Gabriella.

She groaned and moved again, and this time, it sounded more like a whimper. He focused. Her heartrate was off the scale too. Having a nightmare?

He didn’t give a damn if she was.

Really didn’t.

Storm scrubbed a hand over his mouth. Fuck, it had been a mistake to set up his cabin as her cage. Sure, it had been the right thing, because it would keep her safe from the other males coming to the area and it was easier for him to keep an eye on her in his own home.

But the whole place smelled of her already.

Her scent was embedded in everything, felt as if it was seared right into his soul.

Sunshine, sand and surf, with a hint of something tropical.

He snagged the red comforter from the couch, brought it to his nose and inhaled, and muttered a ripe curse as it smelled of her.

And damn, she smelled good.

Had his instincts as a male firing on all cylinders.


Purchase Links

Read it with your Kindle Unlimited Subscription or buy now from…

Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com.au


Books in the Series

Book 1: Claimed by her Cougar – Available in Kindle Unlimited!
Book 2: Captured by her Cougar – Available in Kindle Unlimited!
Book 3: Courted by her Cougar (coming 8th September 2018)
Book 4: Craved by her Cougar (coming 29th September 2018)


About Felicity

Felicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you’re a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.

If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM


 

E. L. March Books Will Leave You Breathless

Take Your Breath Away Scorching Romance Stories

Eliza March Writes...Books, Blogs, and Writing Secrets

Eliza March's Official Author Weblog

One Book More

Another Book, Another Destiny...

I didn't have my glasses on....

A trip through life with fingers crossed and eternal optimism.

FNM

Book Reviews and More

CJRTB Books

Book Blog

Lady Heather's Reviews

Lover of books, music, and happily ever afters.

The Romance Bibliophile

Avid Romance Reader | Blogger | Proofreader

Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author

Read. Write. Love. 💕💕💕

Chelle's Book Ramblings

Let's Talk Books

Madeline's Blog

"I'm on the hunt for who I've not yet become."

Terry Spear

USA Today Bestselling Author

Nadine Catalano

Romance With A Dark Side

Lisa s Everyday Life

Life is beautiful. Its about giving. Its about family. Walt Disney

Ines Johnson

A little magic in your love story...

Hunter S. Jones

Writer ~ Author

Fearless Ophelia

Speaking Out on the Unspeakable

BE MY BOOK BOYFRIEND

Fictional characters, non-fictional feelings

...Burns Through Her Bookshelf

Voracious reader, book lover, intermittant blogger, audiologist. These things are some of me, but not the sum of me.

DPAPA's Living A Flip Flop Life

Turn Your Passion Into Your Business Online

Pink Ink

Ten authors, four countries, one blog.

After Dark Book Lovers

END YOUR DAY WITH A GOOD BOOK

Book Loving Pixies

Sharing book news & reviews