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COVER REVEAL ~ True Deceptions by Veronica Forand
Temptation. Seduction. Pleasure. It’s all part of the game...
TRUE DECEPTIONS by Veronica Forand is a dark romantic suspense thriller about a man with a deadly past, a woman with a bright future, and the danger closing in on them, eager to destroy them both.
With the spicy heat of a romance and the chilling allure of a suspense, True Deceptions offers readers a heart-stopping ride through the world of espionage.
If you loved Killing Game by Toni Anderson or Minutes to Kill by Melinda Leigh, you’ll find yourself absorbed and utterly thrilled by True Deceptions.
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Title: True Deceptions
Author: Veronica Forand
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 19th, 2015
Synopsis:
After his partner was murdered, Simon Dunn was finished with MI6. But the cold, violent world of British intelligence never lets anyone go free. Now Simon has been blackmailed into a new job…with a beautiful new partner who’s going to get them both killed.
Robotics expert Cassie Watson is a newbie field agent with as much sophistication as…well, a pacifist, vegan computer nerd. Now she’s abruptly thrust into the cutthroat world of espionage with a partner who is as cold as he is brutally—and brutishly—handsome.
But when their mission is betrayed from the inside, Cassie will be forced to place her life in the hands of the one man who’s anything but trustworthy…
***************************
Publisher: Entangled Select Suspense
Print Length: 85K
Format: Paperback and Digital
Trade ISBN: 978-1-63375-426-3
Excerpt:
Simon didn’t want to know what the future held, and he didn’t want to acknowledge the past. At this exact moment, however, he wanted Anna Marie from Wisconsin, an all-American blue-eyed, blonde pharmaceutical sales representative looking to experience everything life offered. During dinner, he’d given her his usual warning that people weren’t always what they seemed, but she’d ignored his words and stroked the length of his leg with her foot, requesting some private time with him.
“Listen love, I think we should call it a night. I’m leaving Bermuda soon and so are you, and, at this point, I don’t have room in my life for a relationship.”
She laughed and reached across the table for his hand. “I’m looking for company for one night only. I have to return home tomorrow, and so far, I have nothing to take home with me but memories of business meetings and a tour of the local hospital.”
She caressed the top of his hand and weaved her fingers between his. How could he turn down such an offer?
He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them. His gaze rested on full lips painted blood red to entice and seduce. “I’m sure I can provide you with some far more interesting memories to take home.”
“Good.” She stood up and encouraged him to the door of the restaurant. “I bet I can leave you with a few as well.”
Once they were alone in his hotel suite, Anna Marie poured them each some champagne, bending over enough to reveal an amazing pair of breasts about to cascade out of her floral sundress. Biting her bottom lip, she lifted her gaze to peek at him through golden hair. Seductive energy swirled around her. Simon read her intentions like the cover of a tabloid.
He stood on his balcony. The view overlooked Castle Harbor at night, but he faced his dinner companion who continued to pour them each a drink. Dinner had dragged for two hours, and he was ready for his dessert. Her eyes lifted from her task. Her smile reminded him of the carefree and happy life he’d enjoyed before Nicola had died in a blaze of heroism.
“This is the most luxurious hotel I’ve ever seen. It’s four stars up from the hotel I’m staying in.” Looking like a child in a candy store, she’d probably sacrifice everything to live in Simon’s world. She had no idea how costly it could be. And he’d never allow her to find out.
“I’m glad you like it.” He sat on the couch and stretched his legs under the bleached wood and glass coffee table.
“Wisconsin is beautiful in April, but there’s no ocean breezes like here. Even the smell of the water is nice. Bermuda must be totally different from England, too.”
“True.”
“Have you ever met anyone with a title?”
Besides his father and half brother? “No. The British aristocracy doesn’t lower itself into my social circles.”
She laughed and whipped her hair over her shoulder. “I love the royal family. The dresses. The hats. It’s all so glamorous.”
“Come here.” He had the perfect cure for her tiresome prattle.
She carried the crystal flutes to the couch and handed him one. He placed it on the table and focused his attention on her. Her blue eyes could swallow a man whole and keep him hypnotized. He had difficulty looking away.
She sipped the champagne too fast, without seeming to enjoy the taste, only the exclusivity of the beverage. “I haven’t had champagne since my sister’s wedding. I usually drink cosmos. What do you usually drink?”
“Vodka.”
“Most of the guys I know drink beer.” She took a few more sips. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her tongue peeked out of those perfect lips to lick a leftover drop of her beverage.
Simon reached his conversational limit. He took her glass and placed it next to his. Her smile became demure, but seductive. She placed her hand on his leg, both an offer and an acceptance. That was all he needed. Tonight, nothing mattered but the beautiful woman in his arms. He pulled her toward him, his hand caressing her back. Straight blonde hair fell across her shoulders. He brushed it aside in order to taste the salty air flavoring her neck. A sigh escaped her lips. He wanted all of her, all night.
When he pulled the straps of her dress down and claimed an exposed breast, she sighed again and spurred him on by brushing her fingers though his hair. His thumb played with her nipple until her sighs turned into moans. Soon he had her sprawled across the couch, topless and begging for attention. He complied with her wishes and provided her with pleasures small town farm boys had probably never shown her.
His kisses moved up her neck, stopping to nibble her earlobe. She turned toward him, demanding his attention on her soft, full lips. His mouth feathered over hers until she parted her lips, and their tongues met. She tasted like champagne mixed with nuts. Almonds. Bitter almonds. Shit.
Her eyes widened, and she gasped for breath. He pulled away just before her body began to convulse. Five to ten minutes since the last sip—someone must have spiked the hell out of the champagne for the poison to hit her so quickly. It didn’t help that she’d spent dinner flirting instead of eating. She had nothing in her system to stop the cyanide from killing her.
Simon turned away from Anna Marie and spit out her saliva. He wiped his tongue on his shirt and then spit again. He’d be fine, but she wouldn’t be. He knelt next to the couch and brushed her hair back. Her body rocked, and he held her steady by her shoulders, whispering stupid nothings, but the horror reflected in her eyes didn’t subside. Her convulsions had slowed, and tears fell fast down her cheeks. She would die in the arms of a stranger who didn’t know her, love her, or have the capacity to mourn for her.
Anger rushed through him. Another woman dies because of me. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
Struggling to breathe, she stared at him as though he was a monster, until her eyes shut, and she faded away from Bermuda and the glamorous life she’d never have.
No one was supposed to know his location. He’d stayed hidden for the past eight months. It was time to relocate and hide somewhere new.
The next few hours involved moving her body to a vacant room in his hotel. The task was easily handled with the help of a laundry cart and knowledge of the security cameras. He cleaned off the champagne bottle and left it by her side for the local authorities to play with.
When he returned to his suite, he had a visitor. An unexpected and unwanted visitor.
“Simon Dunn. On a stakeout, are you?” Dressed in white trousers and a pink polo shirt, Tucker Magee looked like a pretty boy on a modeling assignment instead of a spineless intelligence officer.
“I’m on vacation.”
“For eight months?”
“How the hell did you find me, Tucker?”
“The problem with shagging every sexy woman on the island is their love of social media. The boys at headquarters have had the facial recognition program scanning for you for months.”
“Glad to know the vast resources of the Secret Intelligence Service are used for employee retention instead of actually protecting the commonwealth. You could simply offer more vacation time and a better benefits package.”
Tucker glanced at the back of his hand. No doubt he’d just had a manicure and was admiring the handiwork. His image had always taken priority over his actual job requirements. “Her name was Sarah, here on break from university.”
“I don’t remember her.”
“A picture of her in a bar with her friends showed your ugly face in the background. They tagged you ‘hot guy.'” He smiled, the snotty prat.
“What the hell do you want?”
“My assignment is to bring you back to London.”
“I’m not ready.”
Tucker’s eyebrows rose. “Word on the street is you killed Luc Perrault after he stole away your latest piece of ass. They even say you snuffed Nicola in a rage of passion.”
His accusation fueled Simon’s anger. “I didn’t kill her.”
“Doesn’t matter. The rumor will increase your influence brokering arms deals.
Everyone’s going to mind you now that you’re a known murderer, and that makes it even more important that you return to your post.”
“I’m done.”
“I don’t think you understand your options. Come back immediately or stay here and face a murder conviction.” Tucker tapped his fingers together beneath his chin and grinned. “Choose wisely.”
Simon’s heart accelerated to full speed, drugged by adrenaline and fury. The bastard had framed him, killing a beautiful someone in order to punish him for leaving a job that slowly burned away his soul. He stormed over to Tucker’s chair, intent on ripping his heart out. Before he reached him, Tucker pulled out his revolver and pointed it directly at Simon’s crotch. His eyes narrowed, and he waved Simon back with the barrel of the gun.
“What makes you so sure I won’t disappear again?” Simon asked.
“You’ve always hated collateral damage. It’s your biggest weakness. We don’t have time to insert anyone else into the game right now. Return to work or we’ll create a bloody trail behind you so deep you’ll drown in it.” Tucker rose from his seat and strode to the door. “I expect to see you back in your flat by tomorrow.” He left the room without looking back.
Available for Pre-Order:
Other romantic suspense by Veronica Forand!
Untrue Colors
Available HERE
Snowed
Available HERE
Code RED
Available HERE
About Veronica Forand:
Veronica Forand is an attorney and an award-winning writer of romantic suspense. She’s lived in Boston, London, Paris, Geneva, and Washington, DC and currently resides near Philadelphia. An avid traveler, she loves to roam across continents with her husband and kids in pursuit of skiing, scuba diving, and finding the perfect piece of chocolate.
Connect with Veronica: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads
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BLOG TOUR ~ Her Alaskan Hero by Rebecca Thomas
He’s a rugged outdoorsman, she’s a California princess out to prove she can make it on her own.
Fans of contemporary romance are sure to love debut author, Rebecca Thomas’, sensual story where opposites attract in HER ALASKAN HERO.
Synopsis:
After being left at the altar, California girl Sabrina Tate needs to make a fast getaway. With her famous overbearing parents and the paparazzi hot on her heels, where else is a jilted bride to go to lick her wounds but Alaska? With only her tropical honeymoon clothes in tow, she makes her escape. For two weeks, she’ll live on her own and prove to herself—and her family—that she can make it without a husband.
Zak Forrester is a man on a mission. He’s turned his rugged yet luxurious Alaskan lodge into a hotspot for hunters, all in the hope to make up for a painful event in his past. But when Sabrina—one of the rare women to enter his rugged realm—stumbles into his world, he can’t get rid of her fast enough. He has no time for her yoga, vegetarian meal requests, or Scrabble.
Soon, neither can resist the other, and two hearts collide. With time ticking away, they have to decide where they belong. Is a life in a different world better than being a world apart?
Available at: Amazon | Kobo | Goodreads
Excerpt:
He knew better—knew better—than to ask, but the words jumped out of this mouth anyway. “Then what’s the matter?”
Sabrina slumped down into the leather sofa and held her hands over her face. “I’ve flown for fourteen hours. I was so intent on getting here. I’m sorry—I’m just tired.”
After flying all that way, of course she was tired. And a teary-eyed female got him every time. His little sister knew just how to push his buttons—she could cry on cue. This woman was no different. Was she worried about where she’d stay the night? “I can find a room for you,” he blurted without thinking, anything to make her stop crying. “You can’t have one of the paying guest rooms, but my brother Ethan only lives here part-time. You can have his room. Besides, he’s not here right now. He’s guiding a group of hunters.”
“I know I’m supposed to be here.” She wiped a tear off her cheek. “I get these feelings sometimes. My best friend Melody says I have bits, moments—she says, of psychic abilities.”
Zak held up his hands. “Whoa…whoa.”
He didn’t want her crying, but he didn’t want a nutcase on his hands either. He wasn’t surprised she was from California. Lots of wackos lived there. Especially in southern California. “I’ll make sure you have a room.” Just for tonight.
A little waif of a woman from California, up here without a reservation, wearing flip-flops—no, she wasn’t crazy at all. He nodded his head as though offering some kind of reassurance to her. Oh yes, of course you made the right choice flying to rural Alaska with no reservations and no decent clothing.
“If your brother won’t mind, I’ll gladly accept his room.” The lines across her damp brow appeared a little less stressed.
Ethan could be gone for a week, maybe longer, but Zak was planning to send her on the next plane back to La-La Land. “It’s not a problem. He won’t mind.”
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About Rebecca Thomas
Rebecca Thomas enjoys a love-hate relationship with Alaska. She lives there with her bush pilot husband and two teenaged sons. When she isn’t reading, writing, or playing board games, she is cheering for her sons at their hockey games and tennis matches.
A reluctant reader as a child, she didn’t become interested in books until her teen years when she discovered historical romance. Now she loves all sub-genres of romance and can’t decide which one is her favorite.
Rebecca earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Alaska and was employed in the airline industry for several years before working in her current position as a program manager in higher education.
Connect with Rebecca: Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Google + | Tumblr Goodreads | From Here to There Romance
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RELEASE DAY BLITZ ~ Uneasy in New Orleans by Carol Carson
It’s a Big Easy Mystery with Uneasy In New Orleans
UNEASY IN NEW ORLEANS has everything you love about the French Quarter, delicious food, sexy men, mystery, gossip, trouble, and dead bodies…Well maybe not all of what people love about the city. However Finnigan Jones is dealing with all of these things and more. UNEASY IN NEW ORLEANS is the first in a new series called the Big Easy Mysteries from multi-published author Carol Carson.
To learn more about Carol Carson and her books check out her new website!
Giveaway:
Grand Prize: 2 Winners Will Receive 2 $35 gift card to Amazon or B&N
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About UNEASY IN NEW ORLEANS
FINNIGAN JONES HAS A PASSION FOR COOKING AND A PECHANT FOR TROUBLE.
Dead bodies aren’t on Finn’s New Orleans walking tour of cemeteries and haunted houses. Ditto disappearing bodies. Now she has to explain to Detective Jack Boyle how her missing corpse has turned up in the Mississippi putting her smack-dab in the middle of a murder investigation.
Unfortunately, another of Finn’s odd jobs is taking questionable photos for Jack’s PI brother, Tommy. After she snaps shots of a dubious pair of lovebirds, they stalk her, then kidnap her. Now Finn’s dealing with two lunatics intent on killing her. Or driving her crazy. She’s not sure which.
Because lunatics and smokin’-hot brothers aren’t enough trouble, she’s gossiping, yes gossiping, with a chef ghost at culinary school, cat-sitting her aunt’s six felines and attempting to corral her wayward teenage sister.
All Finn wants is to survive school and become the best chef in the world.
FINN’S LIFE IS ABOUT TO GET EVEN MORE COMPLICATED.
On Sale in Digital Now:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords
Add UNEASY IN NEW ORLEANS to your TBR pile on Goodreads!
Excerpt
She heard a faint noise. She wasn’t alone. A tall stranger whose face looked familiar came toward her, his strides long and deliberate. “You the one takin’ pictures of me?”
“No,” she automatically lied.
His tone left little doubt about how he felt about her. ‘Dislike’ would be too kind.
‘Outraged and highly motivated to harm her’ seemed more likely. Which was when she remembered why he looked familiar. Franco, the wandering husband she’d photographed last night in all his pants-around-his-ankles glory. It took a nano-second to register the thought that he shouldn’t have known where to find her before extreme terror kicked in.
Closer to the stairs than Tommy’s office, Finn managed to dash past him in her rarely-worn heels.
He grabbed at her but she ducked. She reached the outer door and twisted the doorknob. He yanked her from behind, and pulled her toward him. A nasty blast of stale breath hit her in the face. The knob slipped from her sweaty hand. She wrenched her backpack off and screamed. She swung it and connected with his head. He grunted and lost his grasp on her.
Finn took advantage of the moment and wrenched open the door. She scrambled out to the landing. With one foot on the first step, he jerked her by the back of her sweater. She screamed bloody murder again and swung around to hit him.
Tommy appeared and yanked Franco up, smashing him in the jaw. The man stood in the tiny space swaying. Finn took advantage. She swung her backpack. This time, Franco sidestepped. And she hit Tommy full force.
He lost his balance, arms cartwheeling in the air as he reached for the rail. He missed and tumbled down the steps, crashing against each riser with a horrible thump until he lay crumpled at the bottom. Franco raced down the stairs, hurtled over Tommy’s prone body, then disappeared up the dark alley.
Finn flew down the steps, her backpack forgotten. Tommy lay at the bottom, his eyes closed, his jaw clenched.
She knelt by his side, her breath jerking in and out. She patted his cheek, and prayed he wasn’t dead. She couldn’t take two dead bodies in one day, no matter how insensitive it sounded.
He opened one eye and squinted at her, his face pinched. “Hell, I, I broke my…damn it all to hell…my damned leg.”
BLP REVIEW ~ Tracy
I’ll start by saying that Uneasy in New Orleans was a fairly decent read but it did leave me wanting – for all I enjoyed the book overall, I felt a little ‘uh, that’s it?!’ when I hit the last page……
From the blurb we had the heroine gossiping with a ghost chef – I love PNR so I would have liked more when it came to these interactions. There was mention of 2 smokin’ hot brothers so I was kinda expecting (and looking forward to) a bit of romance ~ not so much going on there!!
There was some action, a bit of adventure and a little mystery but it all felt somewhat anti-climatic when we got to the bottom of that too!
Finn’s aunt and younger sister were quite fun and were likeable characters.
There were some laughs and lighthearted moments and the writing was pretty good, there were just some things that took the book down a bit in my opinion.
The ex-bf – I couldn’t quite understand why he had made an appearance and that was never cleared up (maybe something that will be disclosed in book 2?!)
There was mention of a third sister – to be honest, I was kind of at a loss to understand why her character was even mentioned for the most part (again, maybe she’ll be more involved in the second book!)
A couple of things happened and I found the outcome to not be quite what I was expecting… I’ve always said when you read a book you sometimes have to suspend belief/reality but given the incidents I felt a more ‘real’ reaction/outcome would have been better!!
I will pick up the second book when it’s released because there was the possible beginnings of something that I’d be interested to see played out – and as I said I did think it was overall an enjoyable read – my only hope is that we get a bit more background and insight into the characters in the rest of the series (and maybe some explanations to things that happened previously that were mentioned but not expanded on!)!!
I rate Uneasy in New Orleans a 3.5*
Author Bio:
Multi-published author Carol Carson was born and raised in central Iowa. She is a former finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest and is an avid bookworm who actually enjoys doing research. Her other passions include travel, American history, the Kansas City Chiefs, the St. Louis Cardinals and dark chocolate. She has lived in Colorado and Kansas, and currently lives with her husband in a log home on the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri. Write to her at carol.carson@centurytel.net or check out her website.
Connect with Carol: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon
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RELEASE DAY BLAST ~ Accidentally Seduced by Carmen Falcone
A spy, a thief and a CEO…Be Accidentally Seduced Carmen Falcone!
Coming August 25th is the third novel in the Naked Truth series, Accidentally Seduced from Carmen Falcone! Read about a man trying to become the CEO, a assistant who is really spying on her boss and both are trying to stay ahead of a thief determined to rob the company blind.
About ACCIDENTALLY SEDUCED
Devon Wilder wants to leave the scandal involving his name behind and focus on the race for the CEO title. Yet, his sexy assistant is an unexpected and dangerous liability—especially after he suspects she could be the one stealing money from the company.
Elena Moretti’s libido was comatose until Devon strode into her life. Ever since the end of a troubled marriage, she never wanted any man the way she does him. Unfortunately for her, Devon is also the man she’s been hired to spy on and find evidence to prove he’s embezzling and dragging Wilder & Co.’s name through the mud.
As the hunt for the real thief advances, they need to figure out if they’ll cling to old fears or throw themselves at the new, tempting opportunities—and each other.
Add ACCIDENTALLY SEDUCED to your TBR pile on Goodreads!
On Sale in Digital: August 25, 2015
Check out the other books in the Naked Truth series!
CELEBRATE THE RELEASE WITH A GIVEAWAY!
Grand Prize: $25 Amazon or B&N gift card
2 Runner-up Prizes: Digital copies of any one (1) book by Carmen Falcone from her backlist
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Excerpt:
Showing up at Smolder, after work, without texting Devon, was a bad idea. Elena cemented her insecurity the minute a couple of tall women with fiery red hair strode into the club the same time as she. Everyone seemed to be way cool and too hip. She touched her fifties-style black dress—tight on top, with a flowing skirt down to her knees, and reached for her chunky pearl necklace. I look like a vintage Stepford wife.
Ugh. Why had she changed her mind? Going far from her comfort zone was one thing. Visiting his second place of work carved a pitiful hole between them. She leaned across from the bartender, and waved at the bald chick with purple lipstick and dark clothes. “Red wine, please.”
The bartender nodded, and turned around to get the bottle. Some alcohol had to loosen her violin string-tight nerves. Right? She lifted her hands and fiddled with the pearls, and wondered if taking them off wouldn’t be a better choice. Ah. Might as well own it.
Her gaze zapped from the bar area to the dance floor. It was strangely intimate. The nightclub had a theater-like feel, with special VIP boxes that overlooked the dance floor like old-fashioned terraces, and several antique chandeliers dropping from the ceiling. Gorgeous GoGo girls dangling on trapezes and the ultramodern music—a tattooed DJ worked the tunes in a higher box—gave the place an edge.
A lot of the women could be models, and probably were, with their slinky bodies and sophisticated get-ups.
“Here,” the bartender said, and she turned to grab the drink.
She sipped the wine a tad too quickly. Was it too late to go home? No. Besides, her pragmatic side warned, she was checking out the club. Matthew had hinted Devon could be stealing from the company because of the other clubs he was about to open, but a glance at her surroundings was all she needed. Why would he need to embezzle money? This club was in full swing, and given the classy décor and overpriced drinks, she doubted Smolder was on its last legs.
She eyed Devon, before she was prepared. He was talking to a couple of gorgeous brunettes. Her heart raced. She lifted her shoulders, and finished the remains of her drink.
“Another.” She pointed her head in the direction of the glass to the bartender. “Please.”
The woman smiled and turned around to get the bottle.
Damn it. Of course he flirted with other women. The man had an open relationship before her, and what guarantee did she have he wasn’t planning on screwing any of them tonight? She had told him she wouldn’t come. Besides, they didn’t have anything concrete. Anything lasting.
Do you want to? No. Of course not. If she hadn’t been able to handle a man like Timothy, crazy and sick as he was, how about a man like Devon? He oozed sexiness. And trouble. Especially trouble.
She gave herself a mental slap on the forehead, and searched for him again. Her pulse spiked. Across from her, a few inches from the entrance to the VIP area, he still talked to the two women, and nodded. She zoomed on his face. No smile. A stupid part of her rejoiced. The women leaned forward, one of them laughing while the other batted her eyelashes. He shook his head and said something, then walked away from them. Well, if body language was anything to go by, he wasn’t interested in a threesome. Phew.
Stupid. Stupid, stupid. He also wasn’t interested in a long-term commitment. And neither was she—not with him. She longed to find someone for a meaningful relationship, and should be thankful Devon was giving her good sexual memories to cling to for the near future. Sex. Good. Hot. Sex.
His gaze found hers, and she shifted on her seat. While he erased the distance between them with long, graceful strides, she parted her mouth. All of a sudden, it was like she had a freaking cold. Air restricted in her lungs, she had to clear her throat. Twice.
“Look who’s here.”
“I… I was in the neighborhood.”
He threw his head back, and laughed. “That’s right. You were in the neighborhood,” he said, a silver spark in his eyes mocking her. “And no vagina dress?”
“A pity, I know.” Her lips broke into a smile, and she lifted her hand to her neckline. She was burning. “I changed my mind. Wanted to see how you can do this. Work all hours.”
“This is pleasure.”
She frowned. “How so?”
“I have a great team, they make it easy for me.”
“Yes. I noticed that besides the bouncers, they are all women,” she said, and wished she had a freaking filter. She coughed. “Which is nice. Great.”
He gave out his hand. “Wanna dance?”
“Oh, I’m not really the best dancer,” she said, and made a face she doubted came anywhere close to sexy. God. What was wrong with her? She had been out of the dating pool for too long. Now…now was the time to freaking change that. Live it up. Go girl.
“I’m not asking you to be Julliard material. You can move your hips, right?”
Author Bio:
Carmen Falcone learned at an early age that fantasizing about fictional characters beats doing math homework any day. Brazilian by birth and traveler by nature, she moved to Central Texas after college and met her broody Swiss husband—living proof that opposites attract. She found in writing her deepest passion and the best excuse to avoid the healthy lifestyle everyone keeps bragging about. When she’s not lost in the world of romance, she enjoys spending time with her two kids, being walked by her three crazy pugs, reading, catching up with friends, and chatting with random people in the checkout line.
She loves to procrastinate, so please indulge her and drop her a line
@carmenauthor@yahoo.com. For more info, visit her website:
Connect with Carmen: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram
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BLOG TOUR ~ Brothers of Baird’s Cove: Renegade by Caroline Lee
Title: Brothers of Baird’s Cove: Renegade
Series: Brothers of Baird’s Cove
Author: Caroline Lee
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: August 11, 2015
Brothers of Baird’s Cove: Renegade by Caroline Lee is a Reconstruction Era Southern romance with equal helpings of sweet tea and tart lemon cakes.
This first book in the Brothers of Baird’s Cove series follows a charismatic smuggler with authority issues who accidentally falls for a plantation owner’s daughter—and oh, the spicy romance, charming dialogue, and thrilling, heart stopping danger!
This book has it all. If you’re a fan of Stephanie Laurens’ Cynster Series, you’ll swoon for the Brothers of Baird’s Cove.
Synopsis:
Smuggling gave him the freedom he needed…
To no one’s surprise, McKee Baird never fought in the War Between the States. His fiercely independent nature made it impossible for him to take orders, and his close friendship with a black man stopped him from fighting for his father’s South. But he’s found his own way to rebel against the new government the United States has imposed on him… and right now, the only thing standing in the way of his smuggling business is the intriguingly uninhibited Becks Middleton. Their chance meeting gave her the excitement she’d been craving…
Becks has a life of freedom away from Charleston society’s rules. So of course she can’t help but be drawn to the stimulating renegade her mother invites to visit Beckett Plantation, even if she doesn’t approve of his profession. When the opportunity to seduce Mac arises, Becks takes that chance, planning on one night of passion before the dangerous smuggler leaves. But when she accidentally becomes part of his schemes, she can’t reveal the truth without risking his freedom. Joining him on his ship, Becks will face not just her growing love for Mac but a confrontation with authorities that will threaten their very lives.
Can the two of them reconcile their differences before their future is stolen away?
Find out more at: Amazon
Excerpt from Brothers of Baird’s Cove: Renegade:
“Why are you here, Mr. Baird?” Becks took a step back. Anything to put more distance between them, afraid of losing her reason again.
“You called me Mac before.” He was apparently fascinated by the portrait on the landing, judging from how carefully he studied it. “I liked it.”
“It doesn’t seem proper.”
“Are you always proper, Becks?”
She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry at the sound of her name on those lips. “I confess…” She looked down at her hands, now clasped in front of her. “I’m not.”
“Really?”
She heard the lightness in his tone, and glanced back up to see him smiling at her. Oh God, that smile. She had to look away. “I had no idea.”
“Teasing isn’t very gentlemanly, Mr. Baird.”
“Mac.”
“Fine. Mac.”
“And I wasn’t teasing you. I was remembering the last time I got to catch you.”
He would have to bring that up again, wouldn’t he? “Again, not very gentlemanly.”
“Catching you?”
“Bringing it up.”
“Well, you’ll find that I’m as improper as you are.”
She sucked in her breath at that, wondering what he meant. But he clarified, to her relief and secret disappointment. “I haven’t been accused of being a gentleman in long time.”
“Really?” Becks didn’t bother hiding her surprise. He was dressed like a gentleman, and had been taking tea with her mother like a gentleman. In fact, if she hadn’t seen him barefoot and muddy on the bank of her river, she would have guessed he was a Charleston planter… albeit one without a barber.
“Really.” He smiled again, and she liked the way his face creased. His smiles were sudden and over quickly, but the lines around his mouth and at the corners of his eyes told her they were frequent. Lord have mercy, what had they been talking about? Oh yes…
“Well, do you think you could at least try?”
“To be improper?”
“To be a gentleman.”
He gave a little mocking bow. “For such a proper young lady, I’m sure I could make an attempt to remember how.”
About Caroline Lee:
Caroline Lee is what George R.R. Martin once described as a “gardener author”; she delights in creating interesting and lovable characters, and allowing them to lead their own stories. Often they draw the story along to completely unexpected–and wonderful!–places. She considers a story a success if she can re-read it and sigh dreamily… and she wishes the same for you.
A love of historical romance prompted Caroline to pursue her degrees in social history; her Master’s Degree is in Comparative World History, which is the study of themes across history (for instance, ‘domestication of animals throughout the world,’ or ‘childhood through history’). Her theme? You guessed it: Marriage throughout world history. Her favorite focus was periods of history that brought two disparate peoples together to marry, like marriage in the Levant during the Kingdom of Jerusalem, or marriage between convicts in colonial New South Wales.
She hopes that she’s able to bring this love of history– and this history of love– to her novels. Caroline is living her own little Happily Ever After with her husband and sons in North Carolina.
Connect with Caroline at: her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon
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RELEASE DAY BLITZ ~ Tamed by the Outlaw by Michelle Sharp
In TAMED BY THE OUTLAW, Author Jessie Jameson is the Bad Girl of romance, making a huge name for herself writing love stories with sizzling hot sex scenes. No one needs to know that her real-life inspiration is sexy publishing exec Grayson Reynolds. Or that after the hottest sex of her life, Grayson walked out on her. Now the sparks are flying. Grayson’s finally taken the reins of his family’s publishing business, and he’s determined to sell off the romance division, but when Romance ends up in bed with Business, only one can walk away…
Rafflecopter for Release Day Blitz Giveaway:
Michelle is offering up a fabulous prize during the Tamed by the Outlaw Release Day Celebration event. One lucky winner will receive a $5o Gift Card for Amazon or B&N (winner’s choice)!
To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:
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About Tamed by the Outlaw:
He’s taking on the bad girl of romance…
Author Jessie Jameson is the Bad Girl of romance, making a huge name for herself writing love stories with sizzling hot sex scenes. No one needs to know that her real-life inspiration is sexy publishing exec Grayson Reynolds. Or that after the hottest sex of her life, Grayson walked out on her.
Grayson’s finally taken the reins of his family’s publishing business, and he’s determined to sell off the romance division. But Jessie Jameson’s contract is complicating things. It’s like she’s been trying to ruin him ever since the mind-blowing night they shared-the night she walked out on him.
Now the sparks are flying. Heated, sexy sparks. It’s a Wild West showdown between Jessie and Grayson. But when Romance ends up in bed with Business, only one can walk away…
Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes | Goodreads
Excerpt:
Slipping back into her jacket, she yanked her hair out from under her collar. As it fell back around her face, she looked up, straight into the eyes of Grayson Reynolds—CEO of Reynolds & Reynolds Publishing, sex god, and ass-hat extraordinaire.
Standing just a few tiny inches from Mr. Large-And-In-Charge made an uncomfortable heat radiate from her face again. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Ass-hat lifted an amused brow, but his gaze never faltered from her chest. “Interesting choice of shirts.”
She tugged her jacket closed.
Lila lunged between them like an Olympic long-jumper. “Mr. Reynolds. I—uh—I apologize. Jessie doesn’t visit the corporate offices much. She obviously has you confused with someone else.”
Nope.
Jessie knew exactly who the ivy-league prick was, despite the fact he’d given her a false name to get her into bed a year ago.
When she’d slept with him, she had no idea he was the Reynolds heir in line to be CEO of her publishing house. Absolutely no idea he’d be the one signing her paychecks. And she certainly hadn’t known he was a cold-blooded snake, cruel enough to make love to a woman and then sneak out as if he were a thief in the night.
But she sure as hell knew it now.
About Michelle Sharp:
Michelle Sharp is a romance author from the Midwest. Although she has a degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University, she finds weaving tales of danger, deception, and love much preferable to reporting the cold, hard facts. Her goal in life? To team resilient, kick-ass heroines with the sexy alpha’s who love them. As most writers probably are, she is an avid reader. Her first choice is usually a story with a thrilling combination of danger and love, but any book with a great voice and intriguing story will keep her turning pages well past any reasonable bed-time.
Connect with her on: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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BOOK BLITZ ~ ROCK HIS WORLD by Kristi Hancock
Rock His World by Kristi Hancock
ROCK HIS WORLD by Kristi Hancock is a scorching hot erotica that gives new meaning to the words, “Rock and Roll.” In this naughty tale of sexy nerd meets punk rocker, the bad girl and the good boy burn up the music sheets and turn up the volume—all the way to mind blowing.
If Mari Carr’s Sugar and Spice was music to your ears, you’ll get rocked, HARD, by Rock His World.
Title: Rock His World
Series: Naughty by Nature
Author: Kristi Hancock
Genre: Erotica
Release Date: August 10, 2015
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Synopsis:
Sasha Ford lives life her way. Tattooed, pierced, and professionally satisfied, the Seattle music-lover has found her groove. She’s living her dream as a free-spirited graphic artist, but the fearless vixen has grown bored with her booty-calls and is on the prowl for a new conquest. Her trademark black eyeliner and scarlet lips serve as both invitation and warning to any man she pursues.
Seven years of college transformed small-town bad boy Avery Kingston into a super-geek. New to the city with his shiny PhD, he struggles to find his social identity by connecting with his tough guy roots. Attempting to merge his past with his present in the counter-culture, he finds himself in over his head—especially when sexy Sasha drags him into her world of mosh-pits and after-parties.
Sasha only expects a one night stand, but their searing chemistry leads them in a direction she’s less than comfortable with. Confronted with the female version of who Avery thought he could be, Sasha’s sexual advances bring out a carnal need to give as good as he gets. Sasha believes she can’t maintain her own identity if she’s in a serious relationship, but Avery wants more than sex from his hot rebel. He must convince her of his love and respect for her fierce independent streak or say goodbye to her forever. Is Avery strong enough to make Sasha break her own rules?
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Excerpt from Rock His World:
“I’m Sasha.” The perky voice came from his right.
Of course she was. A woman who looked like that couldn’t not have an exotic name. Shorter than him with hazel eyes rimmed in onyx, she stared up from under a shaggy mop of blue-black hair. Small silver hoop earrings spanned the edge of her left ear from lobe to tip. Her off-the-shoulder black knit top showcased tattoos covering the length of her right arm. Black skinny jeans disappeared into her scuffed Doc Marten boots—the fashion version of what he purchased at the Army Surplus store. Her vibrant red lips practically begged him to nip at them, and his pulse thrummed with a mix of testosterone and adrenaline.
“I’m Avery.” He wondered how he missed the woman as she approached him. She studied his eyes. “You like punk?”
“Usually. I’ve never heard Schlong, but the club’s website said it was a bucket-list band.”
“Most of the shows here are memorable, but they’re one of my favorites.”
“Why?” A geek in a wanna-be modern James Dean facade, it was his favorite question.
“Hmmm. Their music is sort of like a punk-funk mix, plus the band really interacts with the crowd. The energy is infectious and great to dance to, but it’s not your typical mosh pit. It’s,” she paused, “happier.”
Avery hadn’t been able to hide his widening eyes at the term “mosh pit”—the white water rapids in a river of dancing bodies could suck you under and leave you fighting your way out of the turbulence. He had never been in one but with stories of lost footwear and bloodied noses, so the concept of a “happy” mosh pit lay beyond his comprehension.
The opening band had finished their set and was breaking down their gear. The countdown clock ticked on their conversation time.
Sasha continued, “Where are you from?”
“Portland.”
“Not so far away.”
“Maine.”
“Oh. Scratch that.”
“Technically, an hour outside of Portland.” Where he had been the biggest fish in their tiny pond of bad boys. And had absolutely nothing on the people in Seattle, including the woman beside him.
“What’s it like?”
“Cold. Very cold. I was thrilled to move here for the rain.”
“Seriously?”
“You have no idea. I would rather spend the rest of my life wet and in above freezing temperatures than to shovel snow one more winter.”
“I can’t imagine. This is the first place I’ve lived that didn’t have bikini weather. But I love it. The people are so real and accepting.”
Avery nodded politely since he hadn’t been in town long enough to tell.
Sasha tilted her head. “I think I might like you.” She reached up on her toes, gave him a peck on the lips, and traipsed off toward the stage where Schlong tuned their guitars and tested their bass and drums.
About Kristi Hancock:
Kristi Hancock became an author of erotica and erotic romance when the characters in her dirty mind demanded to come to life. Creating worlds ranging from the music underground of Seattle to the hot spots of colorful Key West to the vibrant streets of New York City (and the hotel rooms above them), she leads heroes and heroines through intense sexual experiences that transform them into stronger and more confident people.
Her racy stories are guaranteed to make you randy.
Connect with Kristi: Website | Tumblr | Facebook | Twitter
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RELEASE BLITZ ~ FULL CONTACT by Sarah Castille
Full Contact, the third standalone book in the Redemption fighter romance series by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Sarah Castille is now on sale!
“Castille continues to introduce characters who are both intense and vulnerable. The females are more than a match for the men in their lives, and these guys are worth their efforts.” — RT Book Reviews on FULL CONTACT
Castille’s follow-up to the excellent Against the Ropes doesn’t pull its punches.”— starred review and Best Summer Book, Publishers Weekly on IN YOUR CORNER
“Fifty Shades of Grey meets Fight Club.”— RT Book Reviews on AGAINST THE ROPES
GIVEAWAY
Win cool prizes during the week long blitz from April 6th – 10th including a grand prize of a $40 Amazon gift card and Team Redemption key chain. Two Runner-ups will receive a Team Redemption key chain and winner’s choice of Rough Justice or Barely Undercover.
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About Full Contact:
Ray wraps his arms around me and holds me tight as if something terrible has happened and he doesn’t want to let me go.
Full Contact. This is how Ray speaks when his emotions overwhelm him. I melt into his stillness. His body is hot and hard, his breath warm on my neck. He smells of leather and sweat, sex and sin. Nothing can tear me away.
When you can’t resist the one person who could destroy you…
Sia O’Donnell can’t help but push the limits. She secretly attends every underground MMA fight featuring The Predator, the undisputed champion. When he stalks his prey in the ring, Sia is mesmerized. He is dominant and dangerous and every instinct tells her to run.
Every beautiful thing Ray “The Predator” touches he knows he’ll eventually destroy. Soft, sweet and innocent, Sia is the light to Ray’s darkness-and completely irresistible. From the moment he lays eyes on her, he knows he’s going to have to put his dark past behind him to win her body and soul.
Get your print copy at: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Chapters Indigo | Book Depository | Books-A-Million | IndieBound
Download your ebook: Kindle | Nook | iTunes | Google Play
EXCERPT: Consumed by fire
My gaze drifts below his belt, to the bulge in his jeans. He is fully erect, his shaft straining against his fly. A naughty thrill of excitement shoots through my veins. He’s aroused because of me.
“Um…do you want to take a break before I apply the stencil?”
He shakes his head, then leans forward and sweeps his hand through my hair, letting the strands slide through his fingers. A sigh escapes my lips as delicious sensations sweep through my body. I am on fire. And although I’ve been with men before, I’ve never been immobilized by a single touch.
“So soft.” He runs his hand over my hair again, this time trailing his fingers along my shoulder. His thumb glides over my throat and he curls his hand around my neck. “So fucking delicate.”
I am burning. Consumed by fire. A burst of need drives a whimper up my throat, and I choke it back as his thumb circles the sensitive hollow at the base of my neck. Firm. Unyielding. Dominant. With one squeeze, he could break me. The way I was broken before. The way he broke the butterfly. And yet nothing could tear me away from this moment.
“Sia.” He says my name softly, drawing out the last syllable in a gravelly murmur, almost like a prayer.
My brain fuzzes with lust, and I surrender to the thrill of his touch, the pounding of my pulse in my veins, the desire that has haunted me since I first saw him in the ring. My head falls back, my lips part, and I drown in the depths of an azure sea.
With a low groan, Ray turns sideways in the chair, dropping his legs to the floor. With his hand still cupped around my neck, he pulls me between his legs, the casters on my stool squeaking in gentle protest. I circle my arms around his neck and my breasts rub against his bare chest. The press of his erection against my stomach sends a rush of moisture to my sex.
“Jesus Christ.” His voice drops husky and low. “You’re killing me.”
He leans down and sweeps my hair behind my shoulder, then nuzzles my neck. Sensation sears through my body and I tilt my head to the side to give him better access. So unprofessional. What if Slim comes out? Overcome with the fulfillment of a year’s worth of longing, I can’t bring myself to care.
He feathers kisses over my cheek and I lick my lips in anticipation. This is really happening. He’s going to kiss me again. A real hands-on- the-body Predator kiss.
A bell tinkles behind me. Damn front door. Damn customers who come after hours. I’m not turning around. I want my kiss.
Ray glances up and stiffens. “Holy shit.”
About Sarah Castille:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Sarah Castille, writes contemporary erotic romance and romantic suspense featuring blazingly hot alpha males and the women who tame them. A recovering lawyer and caffeine addict, she worked and travelled abroad before trading in her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home in shadow of the Rocky Mountains.
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