I like being able to peek in the window of relationships. But I wonder if keeping with the same couple would get voyeuristic. Hmmm...maybe that could be a good thing.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Happily Bedded Bliss 2014
I like being able to peek in the window of relationships. But I wonder if keeping with the same couple would get voyeuristic. Hmmm...maybe that could be a good thing.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Weak at the Knees & a Giveaway
“We got so busy
living life that we forgot to live our dreams.”
Danni Lewis has been playing it safe for twenty-six years,
but her sheltered existence is making her feel old ahead of time. When a sudden
death plunges her into a spiral of grief, she throws caution to the wind and
runs away to France in search of a new beginning. The moment ski instructor Olivier du Pape enters her shattered world she falls hard, in more ways than one. Their mutual desire is as powerful and seductive as the mountains around them. His dark gypsy looks and piercing blue eyes are irresistible.
Only she must
resist, because he has a wife – and she’d made a pact to never get involved with a married man.
But how do you choose between keeping your word and being
true to your soul?
Weak at the Knees is Jo’s debut
novel in the new adult, contemporary romance genre – a story about love, loss
and relationships, set between London and the heart of the French Alps.
EXCERPT:
I leaned over,
intending to air brush his cheeks with mine, but it didn’t quite happen that
way. A stronger, more powerful force than my conscience, a force more powerful
than morality, changed my path of navigation at the last second, making my lips
meet his, melt deliciously into his, over and over and over again, sending
shivers of pleasure through every limb in my body. My skin tingled, my head
spun, I felt light-headed even though I was sitting down. That’s all we did for
over an hour. Kiss and kiss and kiss, tasting each other, pressing our bodies
close and steaming up the car. I didn’t want it to ever stop. I never realized
that kissing could be so sensual and powerful and overwhelming. If Olivier and
I were to never progress beyond kissing, then it would be enough, as long as I
could keep on doing it forever. Finally, when he had to go, he hugged me tight
and told me he’d wanted to kiss me since the first time we met, when I lay
crashed in a snowy heap at his feet.
ABOUT JO: When
Jo was ten years old she wrote a short story about losing a loved one. Her
mother and big sister were so moved by the tale that it made them cry. Having
reduced them to tears she vowed that the next time she wrote a story it would
make them smile instead. Happily she succeeded and with this success grew an
addiction for wanting to reach out and touch people with words. Jo lives in
London with her husband and three children where she works as a TV and print
journalist. She tells life stories and can often be found travelling the globe
researching the next big holiday hotspots for readers to enjoy. Since becoming a
mother anything even remotely sad makes her cry. She’s a sucker for a good
romance and tear-jerker movies are the worst. She’s that woman in the cinema,
struggling to muffle audible wails as everyone else turns round to stare.
P.S
Jo’s pretty certain one of her daughters has inherited this gene.
Jo loves to hear from her readers and they can connect with her
on:
During her blog tour, Jo will be giving away $50 Amazon or BN.com gift card to one luck commenter. Check out the other tour stops here http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/08/virtual-book-tour-weak-at-knees-by-jo.html for more chances to win. Rafflecopter follows. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Thursday 13: Coleen Kwan + Giveaway
It's Thursday, which means another 13 things about my writerly peeps. This time, Entangled author Coleen Kwan is here - and she's awarding a $10 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during her blog tour. Be sure and leave a comment with your email.
For my new contemporary romance, Baiting the Boss, I invented an island getaway for my hero. Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, Filemu Island was a remote, little slice of paradise, complete with swaying palm trees, softy sandy beaches, and crystal clear waterfalls.
For my Thursday Thirteen, I’m listing thirteen fantasy places from books, movies, and TV shows.
There are so many wonderful or eerie fantasy places to choose from. I’d love to know readers’ favourite fantasy places.
Thanks for having my on your blog today!
For years Grace Owens harbored a secret crush on her boss, Jack Macintyre, the heir to the Macintyre Corporation. But Jack relocates to a remote tropical island after tragedy upends his life, cutting off all contact. Now Grace’s new boss issues an ultimatum: return Jack to the family fold or pack her briefcase and move on.
When she turns up at Jack’s bungalow, he can’t deny his attraction to the fiery woman determined to lure him out of his tropical paradise. Little does she know that returning is the last thing he wants—he’s nobody’s boss, and he likes it that way.
If he stays, she’ll lose her job. If he goes, she’ll lose her heart.
She’d never experienced such a visceral reaction to a man before, and it scared her. What would happen if they got too close? If he kissed her again, she wouldn’t be able to resist. Swiveling away, she dived underwater and kicked her way through the crystal-clear water.
But why should she resist? They were both single, unattached. Why shouldn’t they kiss as much as they wanted? The idea sent her corkscrewing to the surface. She popped up and refilled her lungs, treading water. Jack shot up with a splash not far from her.
“You took off like a tadpole.” He flicked the hair away from his eyes. “Where are you going?”
Away from temptation. “Uh, nowhere in particular.” She felt for the bottom of the pool, but found only more water.
In a couple of strokes he was right in front of her. “I can stand here. Hold onto me.” As she glanced nervously at the bulk of his shoulder, his eyes twinkled. “I don’t bite, you know.”
Oh, it wasn’t his bite she was afraid of. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks.”
“On the other hand…” His eyes sparkled even brighter. “The eels in this pool have been known to nibble.”
“Eels!” She grabbed onto him with both hands, casting a jittery look at the still waters around them.
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Just kidding. They don’t bite.”
“But there are eels?”
“Small ones only, and they’re shy.”
She couldn’t suppress a shudder. “I don’t know whether to believe you or not.”
“Would I lie to you?”
“Probably. You’re a man, aren’t you?”
His teeth gleamed white. “Glad you noticed.”
How could she not notice? Then she realized that Jack’s arm was around her waist, and she was clinging to his shoulders. Eels weren’t the only danger here. Far more dangerous was the way their chests were stuck together, her breasts pushing up against the water-dappled wall of his chest.
She swallowed and noticed he was breathing heavily, too. Up close in the brilliant sunshine, she could see every detail of him, from the fascinating specks of violet in his gray irises, to the black stubble peppering his chin, to the faint quirk in his lips. A tiny muscle pumped in his jaw, an indication that her proximity was affecting him, too.
“I told myself I wouldn’t do this again,” he muttered, almost talking to himself.
“Do what? Joke about eels?”
“Yeah, that too.” Using his free hand, he traced a finger down the curve of her cheek. The unexpected tenderness in his gesture made her senses leap. “You’re going home tomorrow.”
She nodded, unable to speak.
“And I won’t see you again. At least, not in the foreseeable future.” He smoothed back her hair, tucking a wet tendril behind her ear. “It wouldn’t be fair to take advantage of you.”
He was talking as if she were still a naive young graduate. “Maybe I’m the one taking advantage of you.”
His eyebrows shot up. His hand stilled on her cheek. “But you’re…”
“A grown woman able to make my own decisions.” When it came to men she’d always been too shy to make the first move, but Jack made her feel so different, so sensual and wanton. She wanted him, right here and now, and she couldn’t think of a single reason to hold back. “Also, a very horny woman right now.”
Coleen
Kwan – My Thursday Thirteen
For my new contemporary romance, Baiting the Boss, I invented an island getaway for my hero. Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, Filemu Island was a remote, little slice of paradise, complete with swaying palm trees, softy sandy beaches, and crystal clear waterfalls.
For my Thursday Thirteen, I’m listing thirteen fantasy places from books, movies, and TV shows.
- The Faraway Tree. Enid Blyton’s classic children’s books which I read avidly.
- Narnia.
- Never Land. The home of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and the Lost Boys.
- Middle-earth. From Lord of the Rings.
- Westeros. From A Song of Ice and Fire.
- Gilligan’s Island
- The mysterious tropical island from Lost
- Camelot
- Atlantis
- The Lost Valley. I loved this 1950s comic book series featuring Turok and Andar, two native American Indians trapped in a valley forgotten by time and filled with dinosaurs.
- Pandora. Of Avatar fame.
- Oompah-Loompah Land
- Quahog. The fictional Rhode Island town setting for Family Guy.
There are so many wonderful or eerie fantasy places to choose from. I’d love to know readers’ favourite fantasy places.
Thanks for having my on your blog today!
Coleen Kwan
has been a bookworm all her life. At school English was her favorite subject,
but for some reason she decided on a career in IT. After many years of
programming, she wondered what else there was in life — and discovered writing.
She loves writing contemporary romance and steampunk romance.
Coleen lives
in Sydney, Australia with her partner and two children. When she isn’t writing
she enjoys avoiding housework, eating chocolate, and watching Criminal Minds.
For years Grace Owens harbored a secret crush on her boss, Jack Macintyre, the heir to the Macintyre Corporation. But Jack relocates to a remote tropical island after tragedy upends his life, cutting off all contact. Now Grace’s new boss issues an ultimatum: return Jack to the family fold or pack her briefcase and move on.When she turns up at Jack’s bungalow, he can’t deny his attraction to the fiery woman determined to lure him out of his tropical paradise. Little does she know that returning is the last thing he wants—he’s nobody’s boss, and he likes it that way.
If he stays, she’ll lose her job. If he goes, she’ll lose her heart.
~::~
EXCERPT
~::~
As she turned to float on her back, she spied Jack at the water’s edge and almost went under. He’d taken off his T-shirt, and the sight of his bare, toned abdomen took her breath away. Desire spiraled in her as she drank in his burnished chest with its flecking of hairs pointing straight down into the waistband of his board shorts. His shoulders flexed as he smoothed back his hair, the heat haze bathing him in a sultry, golden aura. He was a demigod, with the power to make her forget who she was.She’d never experienced such a visceral reaction to a man before, and it scared her. What would happen if they got too close? If he kissed her again, she wouldn’t be able to resist. Swiveling away, she dived underwater and kicked her way through the crystal-clear water.
But why should she resist? They were both single, unattached. Why shouldn’t they kiss as much as they wanted? The idea sent her corkscrewing to the surface. She popped up and refilled her lungs, treading water. Jack shot up with a splash not far from her.
“You took off like a tadpole.” He flicked the hair away from his eyes. “Where are you going?”
Away from temptation. “Uh, nowhere in particular.” She felt for the bottom of the pool, but found only more water.
In a couple of strokes he was right in front of her. “I can stand here. Hold onto me.” As she glanced nervously at the bulk of his shoulder, his eyes twinkled. “I don’t bite, you know.”
Oh, it wasn’t his bite she was afraid of. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks.”
“On the other hand…” His eyes sparkled even brighter. “The eels in this pool have been known to nibble.”
“Eels!” She grabbed onto him with both hands, casting a jittery look at the still waters around them.
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Just kidding. They don’t bite.”
“But there are eels?”
“Small ones only, and they’re shy.”
She couldn’t suppress a shudder. “I don’t know whether to believe you or not.”
“Would I lie to you?”
“Probably. You’re a man, aren’t you?”
His teeth gleamed white. “Glad you noticed.”
How could she not notice? Then she realized that Jack’s arm was around her waist, and she was clinging to his shoulders. Eels weren’t the only danger here. Far more dangerous was the way their chests were stuck together, her breasts pushing up against the water-dappled wall of his chest.
She swallowed and noticed he was breathing heavily, too. Up close in the brilliant sunshine, she could see every detail of him, from the fascinating specks of violet in his gray irises, to the black stubble peppering his chin, to the faint quirk in his lips. A tiny muscle pumped in his jaw, an indication that her proximity was affecting him, too.
“I told myself I wouldn’t do this again,” he muttered, almost talking to himself.
“Do what? Joke about eels?”
“Yeah, that too.” Using his free hand, he traced a finger down the curve of her cheek. The unexpected tenderness in his gesture made her senses leap. “You’re going home tomorrow.”
She nodded, unable to speak.
“And I won’t see you again. At least, not in the foreseeable future.” He smoothed back her hair, tucking a wet tendril behind her ear. “It wouldn’t be fair to take advantage of you.”
He was talking as if she were still a naive young graduate. “Maybe I’m the one taking advantage of you.”
His eyebrows shot up. His hand stilled on her cheek. “But you’re…”
“A grown woman able to make my own decisions.” When it came to men she’d always been too shy to make the first move, but Jack made her feel so different, so sensual and wanton. She wanted him, right here and now, and she couldn’t think of a single reason to hold back. “Also, a very horny woman right now.”
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Jenna Bayley-Burke Giveaway!
Seriously, my cousin won a chicken dinner at a restaurant last weekend. After cracking up, I thought a giveaway to celebrate Caribbean Crush was in order!Enter my Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance at $5 gift certificates to Amazon. The more entries, the more I'll give away, so be sure to share the contest with your friends.
Did I miss something on the giveaway? Let me know in the comments how you helped spread the word for a chance at a special prize!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Caribbean Crush by Jenna Bayley-Burke
I'm thrilled to bring you the third interlude in the Under the Caribbean Sun series, Caribbean Crush. If you can’t stand the heat, stay away from old flames.
The second Antonnis Prinsen sees his old flame, he knows she’s the lifeline to keep him from drowning in his brother’s matrimonial mayhem. It’s been years since they’ve talked, but surely by now she understands that a clean break was best. Instead of making a smooth re-introduction into her life, he finds his path blocked by a giant iguana. And Kristin looking at him as if he’s lower than the reptile.
Kristin Taylor spent her youth tangled up in Antonnis, but then he cut ties and disappeared. Now she leads a full and orderly life—until she finds herself walking down the aisle beside him. Thank goodness, it’s only to see his brother and her friend tie the knot.
Except Antonnis seems intent on picking up where they left off, and she has to admit she still has a weakness for him. Especially when he tempts her with an irresistible offer—one hot night, and this time she gets the chance to leave him cold.
Warning: Beware of signature cocktails and old flames rekindled. Either one will weaken your resolve—and your knees—before you know what’s hit you.
"This is a hot, sexy novella." Harlequin Junkie
Antonnis tossed a half-smile at Kristin, wishing he hadn’t been caught like a peeping Tom. But the giant lizard at his feet had to have cousins in the Paleolithic. He’s seen dogs smaller than this behemoth. If the row of green spikes running along the back of the beast weren’t enough, he had a grotesque turkey waddle under his block head and whipped his tail against the ground like a… , well, a whip.“Don’t move.” Kristin made her way to him, her gingham blouse undone and making her look like a very naughty Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Goodness knew she always sent him over the rainbow.“He’s planning on making my foot his supper.” The thing puffed up its red waddle like a balloon and started bobbing its head.“More likely he’s thinking of mating with you.” She knelt down at his feet and peered at the creature, then let out a low whistle. The iguana froze, and then turned tail and ran beneath a scrubby bush.Kristin sighed and straightened, buttoning her blouse with rapid precision. She was his favorite memory of the island, and he’d hoped to find her there. Though he figured by now she would have moved on, married and had a handful of babies. Her bare fingers and slender, willowy figure had him wondering just when her plans for her future had changed.
Everyone has a Caribbean Crush, whether it's rum punch, the weather, or the book boyfriend you've always dreamed of.
Want more? Check out the Pinterest board of the photos that inspired Caribbean Crush.
Friday, November 08, 2013
Giveaway! THE BILLIONAIRE'S MATCHMAKER!
THE BILLIONAIRE MATCHMAKER
by
Shirley Jump, Susan Meier, Jackie Braun, & Barbara Wallace
by
Shirley Jump, Susan Meier, Jackie Braun, & Barbara Wallace
Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?
Driving Mr. Wrong Home by Shirley Jump: When a handsome man from Gabby’s past agrees to a cross-country road trip, her master plan to re-launch her art career quickly morphs into an unexpected, romantic reunion.
The Sheriff’s Secret by Susan Meier: Marney’s 9-1-1 emergency help arrives in the form of a rugged, blue-eyed cop. Now she has the perfect bodyguard to keep her safe during those dark, steamy nights…
Love Unleashed by Jackie Braun: The last thing Mia wants is a relationship…yet the headstrong florist can’t keep her hands off her sexy-as-sin ex-boyfriend. Will she open her heart before he leaves town for good?
Love in the Shadows by Barbara Wallace: Jenny is a woman on a mission – she’ll even resort to dognapping to make her point! But can she teach a reclusive, emotionally-wounded tycoon that love heals all thing?
Excerpts
Driving Mr. Wrong Home by Shirley Jump:
Damn, he looked good, with the dark hair she remembered, now a little longer and with a wave that swung across his forehead. She had the strangest urge to brush that hair back, to let her hands tangle in the locks, to draw him closer to her, to—
Kiss him.
Instead, she talked, keeping her mouth busy with something other than T.J. “What’s with you and this adventure thing? You used to be the one I had to convince.”
He mouth quirked. “Do I detect a little surprise? At not being in control?”
“I can turn the tables on you so fast, your head will spin.”
He leaned back on the bench, crossed his arms over his chest, and smiled. “Oh yeah? I’d like to see you try.”
The challenge roared inside her, awakening the old Gabby. It spurred her to stand up slowly while T.J. watched the movement. Even in jeans, boots, and a thick winter coat, she knew how to shift her hips to draw his attention. His smile grew wider as she closed the distance between them, propped a hand on either side of him, then leaned in close, a breath away. She waited until his brows arched in surprise and his smile faltered, like in the old days, when he stuttered, unnerved by her in a miniskirt or a racy suggestion. Oh, she’d show him who was in control and maybe he’d stop trying to prove otherwise.
She brought her lips to his and whispered against his mouth. “The tables are turned, Mr. Shepherd. What are you going to do about it?”
“Turn them back in my favor.” He cupped her head and drew her closer.
Dell stood too. “You cooked. I’ll clean up.”
Handing Charlie a treat, she shook her head. “I can’t let you do that. That wouldn’t be very hospitable.”
“What do you say we do it together?”
They stacked the dishes in the dishwasher, chatting a bit more. He made her laugh a time or two and Marney’s stomach clenched. He was smart, funny and very good looking. Not only that, but they shared a lot of similar experiences. Families who suffocated them. Exes who’d dumped them. And he really wasn’t bossy as much as he incredibly sure of himself, confident in a way that was more sexy than manipulative. He really wasn’t like Doug at all.
But he didn’t want to get involved again. She’d invited him to dinner to rectify their former misconceptions. Wouldn’t it be counterproductive to try to start something that might make her look crazy again? Especially since he’d made it perfectly clear he didn’t want a relationship?
Of course it would.
Still, when they stood at her front door, close enough to touch, but not touching, her hormones sat on the edges of her skin, breathlessly awaiting a kiss that she knew wasn’t going to happen.
“Thank you for dinner.”
His soft, sensual voice sent goose bumps down her spine. “You’re welcome.”
He turned to open the door, but stopped and faced her again. His gray-blue eyes sparked with confusion. “I meant what I said about not wanting a relationship.”
“I know.”
“Neither of us should want a relationship anyway after our first failures.”
“I think my ex cured me of that.” But suddenly she didn’t feel like that. Her divorce had been nasty, but she was surprised to realize she was ready for another relationship. Plus, she and Dell had fun together when their attraction didn’t make them both nervous. She wouldn’t mind exploring where this would go.
He stepped close to her, slid his hand down her hair. “The hell of it is I like you.”
The breath that lodged in her throat prevented her from replying. He liked her? She’d guessed that but she never thought he’d admit it.
“We’d probably be perfect lovers.” He laughed. “God knows I’m attracted to you.”
Before she could even think of a response to that, he lowered his head and kissed her. His lips rubbed across hers, coaxing them open. Just like at the fundraiser, her head spun. Her bones dissolved. Her heart thundered in her chest.
His hands slid from her neck to her shoulders and down her back to her butt, sending rivers of molten need through her. He squeezed once, twice, then his hands drifted up her back, massaging until one drifted around front and found her breast.
Her nipples instantly hardened. Her breath stuttered out of her mouth, into his. Their kiss shifted from hot to super nova. Their tongues mated frantically.
And then he pulled away.
The world vibrated around her for thirty seconds before she realized he stood there staring at her.
“I want to sleep with you.” He sucked in a breath. “But you wouldn’t like my terms. No strings. No commitments. It’s awfully hard to have that in a small town unless both of us are ready to be so discreet even our friends don’t know what we’re doing.”
Then he opened the door and left.
She combed her fingers through her hair. What the hell was that? How was she supposed to sleep now? Every hormone she had was on red alert. The man was potent. Like a drug. And ninety-nine-point-nine percent of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and spend a glorious night in bed with him.
“Would you like my driver to take you home so you wouldn’t have to travel alone?”
She told herself it was relief, not disappointment, falling heavy in her stomach. “I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble.”
“You’re not putting me to any trouble, and my driver does what he’s told. Besides, it’s the least I can do. It was nice to be able…to have the company.”
“I enjoyed it, too.” She wondered what he was originally going to say before changing his words. “Plus you got a dog out of the bargain.”
“So I did.” Again, she caught the flash of a smile in the dark.
“Thank you for bringing Charlie back.”
“Thank you for not pressing charges.”
“I wouldn’t have anyway. You made some valid points this afternoon. I’ll see to it Charlie gets more attention.”
“He’d like that,” she replied with a smile.
A thick silence settled between them. Jenny wished she could see Nick’s face. She swore she could feel his gaze searching hers. His eyes zeroing in on her lips. Why else would her mouth run dry?
“Jenny…”
“You really should install some outside lighting,” she said, swallowing hard. “I can barely see my hand in front of my face.”
She didn’t need to see to feel his body come closer. The air around her hummed with his presence. “That so? I can see just fine.” His voice was rough, intimate.
“That’s because you like the dark,” she told him.
“Who says I like it?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe the fact you’re out here without a flashlight or the fact you insisted on meeting in a dark room this afternoon.’ She tipped her face upward. “Why did you act all mysterious today? Were you trying to frighten me?”
She figured he might dodge the question; she didn’t count on his hand reaching out to caress her jaw. “You have such pale skin,” he murmured. “I bet in the moonlight, it would glow silver.”
“I—I—I wouldn’t know.” Jenny suddenly couldn’t think. The seductive growl in Nick’s voice should frighten her. She was alone in the woods with a man whose wealth and power allowed him to take and do whatever he wanted. The realization should not send a thrill shooting through her body. But it did, and that scared her. His feathery touch left her trembling. Had her wanting more. Dear God, if he were to close the gap between them, she would…
She would…
She gasped as his arm reached out and yanked her close. Her flashlight and leash tumbled to the ground. Knocked off balance, she had little choice but to grip the front of his jacket with her free hand, fingers twisting in the worsted wool. She felt his erection against her hip. Instead of setting off warning bells, the knowledge he was aroused fueled her own arousal. The hunger unfolded from a place deep in her soul, as though the lessons from five years ago never happened. She was once again wanton, needy.
“So long,” she heard him whisper. He might as well have been reading her mind. When his lips brushed hers, she sighed and allowed him access. His tongue swept into her mouth without warning. Jenny moaned. He tasted of mint and coffee. She clutched his jacket tighter, pulling close, her hips seeking friction. In the back of her mind, she knew this was a mistake, but the voice of reason couldn’t be heard above the rush of blood in her ears. Unable to stop herself, she mewled and clung to him as his hands slid down her back, cupped her bottom.
From far off, she heard a dog barking. Lulu. Charlie. Their baying reached where common sense couldn’t and she came back to earth. What was she thinking? She broke free of Nick’s grasp.
“I—I—”
Unable to form words, she turned her attention to fumbling for Lulu’s leash. If it was any consolation, Nick appeared to be as dazed as she was. The minute she pushed away, he’d stepped to the edge of the path. He stood there now, silently watching her while Charlie weaved around his legs. Jenny could hear his ragged breath mixing with hers.
What had she been thinking? For years she’d managed to behave herself, to keep the needy, desperate side of her personality in check, and now here she was, practically climbing up a stranger in the woods. She couldn’t get off the property fast enough. Finally, she located the end of Lulu’s leash. Forget getting a ride from his driver. Calling him would take too long.
Grabbing the leash as well as her flashlight, she stood up. Her legs were still shaking, and she had to hold her arm out to steady herself. This caused the light’s arc to swing wide. The beam shone straight at Nick.
For the first time, Jenny saw the face of the man she’d so wantonly kissed.
Marney leaned down and patted Charlie’s head. “Bye, boy. Don’t let her do anything I wouldn’t do.” He let out a soft yip, almost as if he understood.
Mia, however, wasn’t sure she did. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Be good.” Marney pointed a finger at the dog. “Charlie’s going to be on his best behavior for me. Aren’t you?” Mia said.
Was it her imagination or did the little dog wink?
“You just keep telling yourself that. Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have to run.” Marney was halfway out the open front door when she called over her shoulder, “Oh, by the way, Charlie has a checkup with the vet at five-thirty today. Don’t be late.”
The door closed on Mia’s shocked expression. By the time she made it to the porch, Marney was already in her car driving away. Tires actually squealed. Mia scowled. The only veterinarian in Chandler’s Cove was Gideon Roth, hence Marney’s speedy getaway.
Gideon was a prime specimen of a man with a muscular build, thick sandy hair, rich brown eyes that could undress a woman with a glance, and a mouth that could turn her most wanton fantasies into reality. Mia knew all of this firsthand.
Gideon Roth was her ex-boyfriend.
She’d broken up with him six months earlier. Marney and Gabby, as well as Jenny Travolini—the other woman who formed their close quartet of friends—had been surprised. And no wonder. Gideon was a prize. Not only gorgeous and gainfully employed, but smart, funny, and abundantly decent.
Mia’s reason for dumping him? He’d said, “I love you.”
Three little words that most women longed to hear. Not Mia. Especially when Gid had gotten down on one knee on Christmas Day and backed them up with a diamond engagement ring large enough to have its own ZIP code.
Panic had bubbled up, burning her like lava. God help her, for one foolish moment, hope had as well—a geyser’s worth of it had shot up and then rained down on the old, painful memories. But nothing could wash away the past, which was why Mia had come to her senses.
Why did Gid have to go and ruin a really good thing with a declaration of love and a proposal of marriage?
Mia trusted neither.
Amazon
About the Authors
Shirley Jump
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shirley Jump spends her days writing romance and women’s fiction to feed her shoe addiction and avoid cleaning the toilets. She cleverly finds writing time by feeding her kids junk food, allowing them to dress in the clothes they find on the floor and encouraging the dogs to double as vacuum cleaners. Look for her Sweet and Savory Romance series, including the USA Today bestselling book, THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE, on Amazon and Nook, and the debut of her Sweetheart Club series for Berkley, starting with THE SWEETHEART BARGAIN in September 2013. Visit her website at www.shirleyjump.com or read recipes and life adventures at www.shirleyjump.blogspot.com.
Learn more about Shirley here...
Website / Facebook / Twitter
Jackie Braun
Jackie Braun is the author of more than 30 contemporary romance novels. She is a three-time RITA Award finalist, a four-time National Readers’ Choice Award finalist and was nominated for Series Storyteller of the Year by RT Book Club in 2008. She lives in Michigan with her husband, their two sons and a former shelter dog named Pip.
Learn more about Jackie here...
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Susan Meier
In 2013 Susan Meier lived one of her career-long dreams. Her book, THE TYCOON’S SECRET DAUGHER was a finalist for RWA’s highest honor, the Rita! The same year NANNY FOR THE MILLIONAIRE’S TWINS was a Book Buyer’s Best Award finalist and National Reader’s Choice finalist.
Susan is the author of over 50 books for Harlequin and Silhouette, Entangled Indulgence and one of Guideposts' Grace Chapel Inn series books, THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS.
One of eleven kids, Susan never lacks for entertainment or amusement from her over thirty nieces and nephews. Her family’s Wednesday Morning Breakfasts are the highlight of her summer. And with lots of her nieces and nephews now in their twenties, wedding season is in full swing!
Susan lives in west central Pennsylvania with her husband, son and two crazy cats.
Learn more about Susan here...
Barbara Wallace
Barbara Wallace has been a life-long romantic and daydreamer so it’s not surprising she decided to become a writer at age eight. However, it wasn’t until a co-worker handed her a romance novel that she knew where her stories belonged. Her first Harlequin Romance debuted in November 2010.
Barbara loves writing sweet, smart, ‘it-could-happen-to-you’ style romances. She lives in Massachusetts with her other loves – her husband, their teenage son, and three very spoiled pets (as if there could be any other kind). She also loves hearing from readers.
You can find her at her website.
The authors will award a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
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Thursday, November 07, 2013
Book Monster Tour: Stephanie Rowe
PRINCE CHARMING CAN WAIT
Passionate and Intense Contemporary Romance
Ever After Series, Book Three
Available October 29, 2013
He would never.
Driven to heroism he wants no credit for, ex-military Harlan Shea is a loner with a single goal, a last respite from the life he has chosen to lead: not to die the way his father did. And there is one way, one woman, who can help him break that cycle.
She would never.
Still shadowed by a trauma she cannot forget, Emma Watson is damaged in ways she will never reveal, not to anyone…except the dangerous, intense man who has haunted her dreams for the last two years, a man she has barely spoken to, a man who has come back into her life for forty-eight hours.
The best intentions…
A full moon. A dark sky. A whispered confession. A secret pact between two almost strangers who will part ways in the morning, never to speak again. But when these two combustuous, passionate souls finally come together…nothing will ever be the same again. Is there any way to recover from what they have done, or are they doomed to the very fate they were trying so desperately to escape?
Kisses that set her on fire. A tender smile that melts her heart. Promises of forever…. It's the fairytale that no woman can afford to believe in, especially not Astrid Munroe. Oh, she did once, long ago, but the scars etched on her heart remind her that the only one she can trust is herself. The flamboyant designer with the quick wit and spunky demeanor will never show the world how much she is struggling…until she meets Jason Sarantos, a man whose tormented past enables him to see the secrets she is trying to hide.
Four-time RITA® Award nominee and Golden Heart® Award winner Stephanie Rowe is the nationally bestselling author of more than twenty published novels with major New York publishers, including Warner/Grand Central, HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dorchester & Sourcebooks. Stephanie has received starred reviews from Booklist and high praise from Publisher's Weekly. Stephanie writes romance (paranormal, contemporary and suspense), teen fiction, middle grade fiction and motivational nonfiction, including her bestselling dark paranormal Order of the Blade series.
Driven to heroism he wants no credit for, ex-military Harlan Shea is a loner with a single goal, a last respite from the life he has chosen to lead: not to die the way his father did. And there is one way, one woman, who can help him break that cycle.
She would never.
Still shadowed by a trauma she cannot forget, Emma Watson is damaged in ways she will never reveal, not to anyone…except the dangerous, intense man who has haunted her dreams for the last two years, a man she has barely spoken to, a man who has come back into her life for forty-eight hours.
The best intentions…
A full moon. A dark sky. A whispered confession. A secret pact between two almost strangers who will part ways in the morning, never to speak again. But when these two combustuous, passionate souls finally come together…nothing will ever be the same again. Is there any way to recover from what they have done, or are they doomed to the very fate they were trying so desperately to escape?
EVER AFTER Series Spotlight:
No Knight Needed
Ever After, #1
Broad shoulders silhouetted in the night. Strong arms anchoring her against a powerful chest. A modern-day knight in shining armor on a stormy mountainside… Who has time for that kind of fantasy? Not Clare Gray, that's for sure. The plucky single mom is a little too busy to dream about turbulent dark eyes brimming with intensity, and sensual kisses that ignite her soul. But when Boston business mogul Griffin Friese steps out of his black truck on the abandoned mountain road and helps Clare rescue her daughter from a deadly Maine storm, her well-ordered world implodes.
Suddenly, Clare finds herself having fantasies about tender loving and hot passion with the mysterious stranger with the rain-slicked jacket and the angel painted on the roof of his truck. The midnight encounter awakens yearnings in Clare that are far too dangerous to explore, but when she learns that her heroic knight is staying in town for a few days, he becomes a reality she can't deny. She's already barely surviving, so how can she risk her heart with a man who threatens everything she believes in?
Suddenly, Clare finds herself having fantasies about tender loving and hot passion with the mysterious stranger with the rain-slicked jacket and the angel painted on the roof of his truck. The midnight encounter awakens yearnings in Clare that are far too dangerous to explore, but when she learns that her heroic knight is staying in town for a few days, he becomes a reality she can't deny. She's already barely surviving, so how can she risk her heart with a man who threatens everything she believes in?
ON SALE FOR ONLY $0.99 UNTIL 11/23
Purchase Links:
Fairytale Not Required
Ever After, #2
Kisses that set her on fire. A tender smile that melts her heart. Promises of forever…. It's the fairytale that no woman can afford to believe in, especially not Astrid Munroe. Oh, she did once, long ago, but the scars etched on her heart remind her that the only one she can trust is herself. The flamboyant designer with the quick wit and spunky demeanor will never show the world how much she is struggling…until she meets Jason Sarantos, a man whose tormented past enables him to see the secrets she is trying to hide.
The connection between the two damaged souls is instant and electrifying, shredding the defenses Astrid had worked so carefully to erect, and tumbling her into a world of passion and vulnerability she can't control. Jason has moved to Maine to rebuild his life after the tragic death of his wife and youngest son, and Astrid's vibrant spirit ignites a searing fire in the single dad that he thought was long dead. Intense, soul-shattering passion explodes between the pair, threatening everything that they hold most dear. Is there a way to stop the fire before it consumes them, or are they fated to a future more beautiful and more heart-wrenching than either thought was possible?
Purchase Links:
PRINCE CHARMING CAN WAIT
Ever After, #3
Purchase Links:
ABOUT STEPHANIE:
Four-time RITA® Award nominee and Golden Heart® Award winner Stephanie Rowe is the nationally bestselling author of more than twenty published novels with major New York publishers, including Warner/Grand Central, HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dorchester & Sourcebooks. Stephanie has received starred reviews from Booklist and high praise from Publisher's Weekly. Stephanie writes romance (paranormal, contemporary and suspense), teen fiction, middle grade fiction and motivational nonfiction, including her bestselling dark paranormal Order of the Blade series.
Connect with Stephanie:
TOUR GIVEAWAY:
Stephanie is giving away winners choice of eBook from either the ORDER OF THE BLADE, EVER AFTER or ALASKA HEAT series to EIGHT (8) winners at the end of the tour.
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