Friday, February 27, 2015

COVER REVEAL: Size Matters By Stephanie Haefner




Blurb:

SIZE MATTERS
By Stephanie Haefner

In this saucy, sexy, laugh-out-loud romp, a lingerie shop owner and single mom falls for the hunky cop who just happens to holster his own perfectly sized weapon.  

Bryn, co-owner of Classy ‘n’ Sassy Lingerie shop with her best friend Mia, is ready to get back out in the dating world after losing her husband to the war overseas. Diving into bad first dates, online set-ups, and guys who just can’t get the message, Bryn can’t stop thinking about Eli, the sexy neighborhood cop who’s also a great dad. But between Bryn’s dead husband and Eli’s messy divorce, will these two have what it takes to overcome their baggage and fan the flames between them?
 


My Bio:

Stephanie Haefner is a wife, mother of two, and contemporary romance novelist from Buffalo, NY. A member of Romance Writers of America and the Western New York Romance Writers subchapter, she loves creating sassy heroines and tossing them into sexy circumstances. When not writing, she celebrates her sassiness with dance and zumba classes, and her nerdiness with boybands and Disney World.

Links:

 

Twisted by Desire by Desiree A. Cox



Genre: Erotic Romance

Nikki Carmichael is confused. Her head’s telling her one thing while her heart is sending another message.

She believed her first husband, Sky, was her Prince Charming. They got married expecting to live their happily ever after, but the happiness dwindled right along with their checking account. Their divorce legally ended the marriage, but not the love and uncontrollable desire between them.

Then she meets Jeff. He's hotter than an August day in Florida, and can offer her everything she’s always thought she wanted.

Jeff is committed to his life as a bachelor, but his high-powered nature has finally brought him to a crossroads. He's face-to-face with a quandary; his decisions will affect his professional and personal life forever.

Nikki’s tenacious efforts to live a dream life, while still keeping her heart shielded, are coupled with wrestling an ongoing dilemma – her heart still belongs to Sky.

But Nikki isn't the only one who’s twisted by desire.


~Excerpt~


By Monday afternoon, after an entire weekend of mulling over intriguing thoughts of Jeff, happy hour on Friday, and the card, I was wrestling with the idea of biting the bullet and calling him. The butterflies in my stomach had me so amped up. I was a bundle of nerves, and I barely got any work done all day. I sat holding his business card in one hand and my cellphone in the other, staring at his name and the numbers, drawn into the essence of the mysterious card owner.

“Just call him already,” Georgia’s voice called over my shoulder.

“What?”

“You’ve been pulling that card out of your purse and putting it back for hours. Just call him.”

“I need to talk to you.”

“C’mon, let’s take a quick walk.”

I dropped my phone into my purse and closed the bottom drawer, pushed my chair back from the desk and stood, then rounded my desk. We walked side by side down the hallway in silence until we reached the empty break area.

“So what’s up?” Georgia said.

“I just wanted to bounce something off of you; tell me what you think.” I looked down at my hand, still holding the card tight. “After you left Friday night, Connor, the shorter of those two guys from the restaurant came over with Jeff, and he introduced himself to me.” I raised my eyes back to meet hers.

“That’s kind of forward, but whatever; it’s all good, right?”

“Yeah, that part was fine. Jeff, the taller, gorgeous one, walked over, but he didn’t introduce himself. I introduced myself to him.” With my eyebrows furrowed and shoulders hunched, I continued, “I practically threw myself at him.” My head turned toward the raised hand holding the card. “And Jeff didn’t give me this card. Connor gave it to me just before I left.”

“Introducing yourself isn’t a crime, Nikki; you’ll be okay. That’s kind of weird with the card, though. Maybe he’s shy. Does it say what he does?”

“No, it only has the company logo, his name, and phone number. It’s weird. He’s weird, and his card is weird. That’s what’s been eating at me all weekend and today. Is he even interested? Why is Connor handing out his business cards for him? What if I call and he doesn’t even remember me?”

We walked back to our department, Georgia wished me luck, and I smiled my thanks before lowering myself into my seat at my desk. I set the card down on the desk in front of me, and, with my two index fingers, slid it up toward my monitor, then back to the edge of the desk. Inhaling deeply, I pulled open the bottom drawer of the desk that had my purse in it, reached in like it was a grab bag, and pulled out my phone. Inhaling, I leaned my head back, and closed my eyes briefly before lifting my head, exhaling, and opening my eyes. With resolve, I began pressing the numbers as they were listed on the card.

As the phone rang, my stomach churned like a man on a motorcycle was driving figure eights and popping wheelies in there. My heart raced, and my palms were damp. My fingernails tapped with rapid speed on the desktop as I waited. I would only allow four rings before hanging up. It was answered on the third ring by a pleasant-sounding woman, “Good afternoon; Jeffrey Carrington’s office.”

“Hello, may I speak with Jeff Carrington, please,” I said.

“May I ask who’s calling, please?”

“This is Nikki Carmichael.”

“Do you have an account with us, Ms. Carmichael?”

“No ma’am, this isn’t business related.” Fuck, I’m being screened. Maybe I’m not important enough to talk to him.

“Mr. Carrington is on another call at the moment, may I transfer you to his voicemail so you can leave a message?”

“Yes, please. Thank you.” What the hell am I doing? This is crazy. I should hang up before his machine picks up …

“Hi Jeff, you may not remember me. It’s Nikki; we met briefly Friday night. Connor gave me your card. If you have time, you can call me back on my cellphone.” I left my phone number. It was on him now to either call me back or not.


I pressed end on the call, and a surge of regret washed over my body. I couldn’t help but question if I should’ve even made the call in the first place. Why was I throwing myself at this guy? I picked up the card, slid it back into the outside pocket of my purse, and zipped it in.The message was on voicemail now, and I couldn’t take it back no matter how much I regretted making it. All I could do now was hope his voicemail malfunctioned.


Buy Links:    Amazon US      Amazon UK

Jaded by Desire , the sequel to Twisted by Desire is due to release March 28th. Follow Desiree A. Cox's Site for all the latest information. 

~About the Author~


I’m a newly published erotica/romance author. I was born and raised in Iowa.

I married my high school sweetheart not long after high school graduation then moved to the Philadelphia area – I’m in Delaware now. I’ve been happily married for over twenty-five years. I'm the mother of two sons and a daughter.

I work full-time in addition to writing. I also read several genres, mostly erotica, and provide reviews (as many as I can muster) on my blog.


Author Links:  Site        Facebook    Goodreads    Facebook Blog      Twitter      Pinterest



~Giveaway~ 


   Desiree is giving away two $5.00 Amazon Gift Cards, and any eBook (winner's choice)  off  of Amazon that is priced $2.99 or less during her tour.

For a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below.







Thursday, February 26, 2015

An Irresistible Shadow by Kirsten S. Blacketer


Genre: Historical Romance

Lady Evelyn Montgomery, only daughter of the Baron of Rayne, detests the thought of marriage. She will never allow a man to control her. Crushed by the constraints of propriety, she steals away from the safety of the keep and stumbles onto a plot designed to stir up trouble between England and Scotland. When a mysterious hooded man saves her, she fights her attraction to him as they join forces to hunt down a traitor and save her father. But can she save her heart?

Gabriel is a Shadow Guardian. Hiding beneath his black cowl and blending into the night, he is sworn to protect the Baron's daughter. The spirited Lady Evelyn is far from the delicate flower he anticipated. She makes herself crystal clear, no man will possess her. Can he prove to her that love can be more than just possession? Or will the traitor they seek tear them apart forever?

~Excerpt~

Fear infused her body, Evelyn had been captured. The fear melted into anger. She thrashed in her captor's arms, twisting and kicking. His gloved hand tightened over her mouth and the other pinned her securely against his chest.

"I mean you no harm," a velvet voice whispered in her ear. "I don't want to bind you, but I will." Evelyn's heel connected with the man's shin. He cursed. "Although you evidently mean to harm me." His voice was calm, suffused with amusement. He carried her to where their horses were tethered.

Evelyn struggled to free herself, but he was much stronger. She was close enough to the keep to call for help, if he would only remove his hand from her mouth. He was all warm muscle against her back, a living, breathing stone wall. His breath caressed the fine hairs on her neck. When he stopped moving, she wedged her mouth open enough to fit her teeth around one of his fingers and bit down. Hard.

"God's blood, woman! I'm trying to help you," he swore in his velvet whisper, then readjusted his hand over her mouth.

So much for that idea. If she had to play along with the rogue, so be it. He held no weapon to her throat. Though his hold on her was firm, he did not cause her pain. His muscles flexed as he shifted her in his grasp. She was keenly aware of every part of him that touched her. Okay, so he had a weapon against her. Though she had yet to see his face, her body betrayed her with its reaction. Evelyn inhaled in an effort to regain her composure and breathed in his scent. It was fresh, earthy, and dangerously sinful. She groaned, embarrassed by her wicked thoughts.

Her captor stilled, his breath quickening. "I will let you go," he murmured. "If you promise to behave." She nodded, relieved when he kept his word.

Evelyn broke from his embrace and spun on him. "Who are you?" she hissed. "What do you want?" She scrutinized the shadowed man before her. He wore all black: boots, leggings, tunic, and cloak. The hood covering his head was positioned low purposefully to hide his face from scrutiny.

The man proffered a sardonic bow, waving his arm with a flourish. "I am your humble servant, my lady."

The humor in his voice made her wary of his intent. "How did you know I was here?"

"I followed you," he answered.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Following her? The words of Sir Alexander echoed in her mind. She should have taken a guard. "Why did you not make your presence known?"

"That would not have served my purpose, my lady," he replied as he leaned against a tree, melding into the shadows. Since he seemed more amused than disturbed by her questions, she asked another.

"Why did you grab me?" she demanded, licking her dry lips. Formidable and mysterious, this man of the shadows aroused her curiosity.

"Ensuring your safety. You're not as quiet as you think you are."

Evelyn bristled. She was proud, unwilling to admit he was right. "Who do you think you are?" Her voice rose in pitch and fervor. "First, you follow me, then accost me, and finally insult me. You, sir, are playing a dangerous game. I should turn you over to the night watch." She poked him in the chest. "I don't need your help. I can take care of myself." Evelyn turned looking for her horse.

"I can see that."

Buy Links: Amazon      Barnes and Noble      All Romance Ebooks      Breathless Press

~About the Author~

Stick her in the middle of a chaotic home with two children, a hyperactive dog, and a camouflage wearing husband, and she can cook and clean with the best of them. But when the sun goes down and the children are nestled in bed fast asleep, she tucks away her pots and broom and like Cinderella she transforms.

Her characters creep forth from the dark recesses of her mind taking their places in the castles and forests built from her words. No simpering heroines linger there with forlorn gazes turned to the horizon, waiting for their Prince Charming. They straighten their spine, arming themselves with blade and bow, prepared to do their part in defense of their honor and destiny. She breathes life into the women she believes our ancestors to be, showing how they lived and loved with passion and grace.

Never bored by the tales still left to tell, she battles the ever sarcastic muse in her quest for romance.

Author Links: Site       Twitter      Facebook      Tsu      Tumblr      Goodreads


~Giveaway~

Kristen is giving away a print copy of An Irresistible Shadow to one lucky winner. 
For your chance to win fill out the rafflecopter below. 






Forgotten Treasures by D. Hart






Forgotten Treasures
By D. Hart

*** Based on an actual community tragedy *** 
(Characters and other events are a work of fiction) 

“Forgotten Treasures is beautifully layered with twists and revelations you will never see coming! Dani Hart keeps the pages turning in this sweet romance sprinkled with the hope of undying love. I found myself engrossed, demanding to know what happens next. Each revelation is another key to the puzzle. Perfectly complex! Mesmerizing.” Addison Moore, New York Times Bestselling Author 

"I have read some great books so far in 2015 but this one is definitely in the top 3 for me. I could not recommend this book any more- you should not let this one pass you by." Kellie, Eye Candy Bookstore 

In the aftermath of destruction, hearts were destroyed, strengths were stripped, and vulnerabilities were exposed. 

A community was ripped apart after a tragic accident, and the loss hit one family particularly hard as it claimed the lives of three, leaving only one surviving member to pick up the pieces and move forward. 

Baylor’s life was wiped clean in the blink of an eye. No family, no home, no name. That is, until she met Brandt. He took a chance, giving her hope and a reason to start over. A reason to rebuild a life full of forgotten memories. A reason to trust. A reason to love. 

Finding love in all the right places should be easy, but when truths are revealed, it's anything but. Brandt will help her rediscover the true meaning of unconditional eternal love that will prove painful, life altering, and redeeming. 

Together, they will try to face the future and will use each other’s strengths to learn how to live again. Can they rewrite history, or in the end, will the tragedies of their pasts be too much? 


Forgotten Treasures
By D. Hart
Review by Heidi Lynn

First and foremost I would like to personally thank Netgalley and D. Hart for providing me this book so I may bring you this review.

WOW!! This is an unforgettable story full of second chances, love, loss, tragedy, self discovery, suspense, some humor, tear jerking and heart wrenching moments. Yes, you will need tissues handy for the tear jerking moments!

D. Hart kept you on your toes for this book! You don’t find out til mid book why or how “Freckles” got into the coma. Then when you do find out you are just as shocked as she is. D.Hart tells the story in the present and then also in the past. You get two different views from “Freckles” and from Bryant. That makes the story unique.

D. Hart’s detailed descriptions of the characters, surroundings, and emotions the characters were well written.

Passages of the book that touched me the most were:

1)      “While at times it’s hard to remember, it’s hard to forget.”

2)      “He took a step toward me, a gesture to show comfort, but then stopped. My flinch earlier had left its mark already. “It’s okay; I’ll just call you Freckles.” He winked. I started to giggle. “Really? Freckles? Is that the best you could come up with on the fly?” I teased. “Yes, and because your light dusting of freckles is very endearing.”

3) Life aligns like stars. There’s gaps of empty spaces. Hidden are the scars….
History repeats. But so does change. Does fear retreat or is it delayed? Now we chase time….. If fell today to my darkest place and all that saved me were these paper wings.

I just became a new fan of D. Hart!!
Hands down Forgotten Treasures gets 5 out of 5 kisses from me!!



Author
D. Hart 

I'm a...

Mom
Firefighter Wife
Sister
Sister-In-Law
Daughter
Aunt
Friend
Multi-genre Writer
Reader
and so many other ordinary things.

I love my life and am so grateful for all of the support. I have the courage to live a dream. 
           xoxo,             

Dani   



Website: http://www.danihartbooks.com/#!teasers/chhq

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaniHartsBooks?fref=ts

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Treasures-Second-Chance-Novel-ebook/dp/B00TWQ7WTU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1424936797&sr=1-1&keywords=d+hart






The Clock Strikes Midnight by Joan C. Curtis

The Clock Strikes Midnight
by Joan C. Curtis

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

BLURB:

The Clock Strikes Midnight is a race against time in a quest for revenge and atonement. This is a story about hate, love, betrayal and forgiveness.

If you found out you had only 3 months to live, what would you do? That’s the question Janie Knox faces in this fast-paced mystery full of uncertainty and tension that will surprise you until the very last page.

Hiding behind the facade of a normal life, Janie keeps her family secrets tucked inside a broken heart. Everything changes on the day she learns she’s going to die. With the clock ticking and her time running out, she rushes to finish what she couldn't do when she was 17—destroy her mother’s killer. But she can’t do it alone.

Janie returns to her childhood home to elicit help from her sister. She faces more than she bargained for when she discovers her sister’s life in shambles. Meanwhile her mother’s convicted killer, her stepfather, recently released from prison, blackmails the sisters and plots to extract millions from the state in retribution. New revelations challenge Janie’s resolve, but she refuses to allow either time or her enemies to her stop her from uncovering the truth she’s held captive for over 20 years.

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

EXCERPT:    

“Daddy, when I get my kitty, can I name him Davy?” she had asked, yanking Marlene’s Davy Crockett mug full of M&M’s from her grasp.

The colorful candy spilled all over the backseat of the car.

“Mama, tell Janie to—”

“Janie, behave,” Daddy said, admonishing her for an instant with his eyes from the rear view mirror.

“Malcolm, look out—!” Mom screamed.

Janie slammed into Marlene. Pain. The world tumbled topsy-turvy. The mug flew across the interior of the car, colors of the rainbow falling all around her.

Then, everything went black.

When she opened her eyes, Mom’s blood-streaked face rose in front of her out of the darkness.

“Wrap your arms around my neck, honey.” Mom lifted her from the wreckage.

Janie clutched her doll by the dress while the rain beat her curly hair flat.

Marlene stood on the side of the road.

“Try to walk,” Mom said, toppling her from her arms.

Her head pounded and blood trickled down her leg. She leaned on her good leg and limped in the direction of her sister.

“Mama, where’s Daddy?” Marlene asked between sobs.

Mom took Marlene’s hand and yanked her forward with Janie in tow.

Marlene lurched back toward the smashed Oldsmobile with smoke billowing from its hood and a big tree lying across the roof. The Davy Crockett mug lay shattered by the back tire.

“Daddy! We can’t leave Daddy!” Marlene yelled, picking up pieces of the broken glass.

They had left Daddy that day and piled into an old Chevy pick-up truck with a bashed in headlamp, belonging to a man with carrot-red hair. Mom pushed them inside the truck and ordered the man to get help. But by then it was too late for Daddy.

It was too late for all of them.


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

The Clock Strikes Midnight
By Joan C. Curtis
Review by Heidi Lynn

Thank you, Joan C. Curtis and Goddess Fish Promotions for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

What would you do if you were told you only had 3 months to live? Janine Knox kept many secrets from her family surrounding the death of her Mother. With the clock ticking she raced back to her hometown to seek justice.  Even if that meant facing the man she despised the most-her stepfather.

From the start I hated everything about Janine and Marlene’s stepfather Ralf.  Ralf was a sick, twisted, physically and mentally abusive, disgusting man. As the book went on I loathed him even more. I couldn’t understand why Eloise married such a horrid man.

The letter that Janine wrote Marlene at the end of the book touched me. I admit I shed a few tears reading it.  I was glad to see Marlene (and the readers) got the answers they sought and able to past behind them.

The Clock Strikes Midnight by Joan C. Curtis gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.


 AUTHOR
Bio and Links:


Joan Curtis authored four business books published by Praeger Press. She is also published numerous stories, including:

•           Butterflies in a Strawberry Jar, Sea Oats Review, Winter, 2004
•           A Memoir Of A Friend, Chicken Soup for the Working Woman’s Soul, 2003 and Flint River Review, 1996
•           Jacque’s Story in From Eulogy to Joy, 2002
•           The Roommate, Whispering Willow Mystery Magazine, April 1997
•           A Special Sort of Stubbornness, Reader’s Digest, March 1997,
•           My Father’s Final Gift, Reader Digest, November 1994
Her first place writing awards include : Best mystery manuscript in the Malice Domestic Grants competition, best proposal for a nonfiction piece in the Harriette Austin competition, and best story, Butterflies in a Strawberry Jar in the Cassell Network of Freelance Writer’s Association.

Other Books:

Hire Smart and Keep ‘Em: How to Interview Strategically Using POINT, Praeger Press, an imprint of ABC-Clio, Santa Barbara, CA 2012.

The New Handshake: Sales Meets Social Media, Praeger Press, 2010, an imprint of ABC-Clio, Santa Barbara, CA

Managing Sticky Situations at Work: Communication Secrets for Success in the Workplace, 2009, Praeger Press, an imprint of ABC-Clio, Santa Barbara, CA.

Strategic Interviewing: Skills for Savvy Executives, 2000 published by Quorum Books, Greenwood Press.

“I write about characters who remind me of myself at times and my sister at times, but never fully so. My stories are told from a woman’s point of view. Characters drive my writing and my reading.”

Having grown up in the South with a mother from Westchester County New York, Joan has a unique take on blending the southern traditions with the eye of a northerner.  She spent most of her childhood in North Carolina and now resides in Georgia.

Links:  

Website:  http://www.joancurtis.com

Blog: http://www.joancurtis.com/blog

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

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/joancurtis

MuseItUp Publishing Author’s page: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/52-our-authors/authors-c/455-joan-curtis - 

**One randomly drawn commenter will receive a $25 Amazon/BN GC and one randomly drawn host will receive a $5 Amazon GC. a Rafflecopter giveaway**

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

A Special Connection by Theresa Troutman


The Special Connection 
By Theresa Troutman


Blurb

Life has been a constant challenge for Jake Lewis. Left paralyzed emotionally and physically by a car accident which killed his parents when he was just twelve-years-old, Jake struggles to be happy. His best friends, Rick Welsh and Samantha Andrews, are a couple who fight as passionately as they make up. This puts Jake in an awkward position. 

Three friends who are as close as can be. 

Rick Welsh, the hotshot basketball player, who hopes to leave college and go pro. 
Samantha Andrews, the brainiac, blessed with common sense and beauty. 
Jake Lewis, the crippled virgin, who believes no girl could love a damaged guy with a disability. 

In a moment of despair, these friends share a moment that will forever change their lives. 

Life is messy. 
Love is complicated and true love doesn't always come wrapped in a pretty package with a bow on top. 

Is it possible that the friend you never had sexual feelings for is the person who will touch your soul like no other? 

A Special Connection
By Theresa Troutman
Reviewed by Heidi Lynn

First, I would like to thank Theresa Troutman for gifting me this book so I may provide you with this review.

I was first drawn to the book by its cover art and then its blurb. I knew after that I must read it. I am so glad that I did.

A Special Connection was a very sweet story about the bond that friends share, forbidden love, and loss.

Jake held a very special place in my heart throughout the book. Jake had felt very insecure about a leg injury that he got as a result of a car accident.  Jake had never had a girlfriend, been kissed, or even had sex.  He never felt as if anyone would want him that way due to his injury. The person he secretly wanted to be with was Sam. However, Sam was dating Rick.

Many parts of the book really pulled on my heart strings. Some of them were:

1)      “I’d like to think they’re all together-my parents and grandparents. The idea makes me happy. The fact that I can’t be with them makes me sad. I’m sure the therapist would have a field day with me right now,” I explained, trying not to be too remorse.”

2)      “Jake, I don’t care about your leg. I care about you. I would be honored to go on a real date with you.”

3)      Even after all the physical therapy and hard work, I would forever have a limp-definitely not sexy to the girls or manly enough for the guys.

I really enjoyed A Special Connection by Theresa Troutman. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 kisses. 



Author 
Theresa Troutman

Theresa Troutman lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their crazy dog, Niko. She loves reading, theatre and traveling. Her books include: My Secret Summer, A Special Connection, By My Side and the Love's Great Adventure Series: Life's What You Make It and Love This Life and London Loves. She is currently working on contemporary romance - book 4 in the Love's Great Adventure Series, which will be released in the Spring 2015.

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/theresa.troutman.author

Goodreads:
 https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7364733.Theresa_Troutman

Twitter
@theresatroutman

Website:
 http://theresatroutman.wix.com/theresa-troutman

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Theresa-Troutman/e/B00G80VRTO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1424868490&sr=1-2-ent