Malcolm Comyn, the hero of The Comtesse of Midnight, my contribution to Storm & Shelter, A Bluestocking Belles and Friends Collection, has had little time to pursue hobbies or distractions. His duties as the Earl of Menteith running his Scottish estate have occupied most of his time since the death of his father a year earlier. He’s barely had time to pursue the ladies—until now, when he’s in pursuit of a very particular lady, The Comtesse de Fontenay.
Weeks earlier, an anonymous threatening letter led him to London, and a search for both the author of the letter and the truth of his birth. For if he isn’t the true Earl of Menteith, by all honor, the title should go to his cousin, Finnley Macbeth.
Though he can’t uncover the source of the threats, he does find evidence that the woman who gave birth to him was not the last Countess of Menteith, but a French émigré, wife of the Comte de Fontenay, his late father’s mistress.
Honor demands he uncover the truth, whatever it might be. His quest leads him through Sussex and Kent and finally into Suffolk where in the midst of a terrible storm, he goes to the aid of a lady smuggler, helping her save the last of her cargo. With the roads impassable, they find their way to the isolated town of Fenwick on Sea. When the lady refuses to share her name, he senses that she is also running from scandal. With the inn completely filled with refugees from the storm, he and his anonymous new companion agree to wait out the storm together in the parlor of the dilapidated Elizabethan wing of the Queen’s Barque Inn.
Malcolm has no quarrel with the lady’s free trading of spirits, nor any need to uncover the secret she’s running from. But, when he wakes to find her going through his belongings, he presses her for her name. What he learns brings him to the end of his quest, an old enemy, and a promise of a future he never expected.
Blurb:
A Scottish Earl on a quest for the elusive Comtesse de Fontenay, rescues a French lady smuggler during a devastating storm, taking shelter with her. As the stormy night drags on, he suspects she knows the lady he’s seeking, the lady who holds the secret to his identity. When she admits she herself is the Comtesse Fontenay, she dashes all his hopes—and promises him new ones.
Blurb for the Collection:
When a storm blows off the North Sea and slams into the village of Fenwick on Sea, the villagers prepare for the inevitable: shipwreck, flood, land slips, and stranded travelers. The Queen’s Barque Inn quickly fills with the injured, the devious, and the lonely—lords, ladies, and simple folk; spies, pirates, and smugglers all trapped together. Intrigue crackles through the village, and passion lights up the hotel.
One storm, eight authors, eight heartwarming novellas.
Pre-order now for 99 cents:
Excerpt
The Scotsman, however, was dead on his feet. She could almost feel sorry for him. He was far from home, and had been traveling for several days. His neckcloth was limp, his cuffs soiled, his coat wrinkled. His boots, well and carefully crafted, if not by Hoby then by some equally fashionable bootmaker in Edinburgh, had not been properly polished in the last few days.
He’d shaved though, probably very early that morning, because a delicious dark stubble had sprouted along his strong jaws.
Did he have a razor in his interesting valise? She wouldn’t molest him, unless he thought to do the same to her. If it came to that, and she prayed that it wouldn’t, she would use her own blade and not some unfamiliar shaving instrument.
“Is this one of your imports?” he asked, swirling the amber liquid. “It’s very good.”
His words stirred her out of her imaginings about handsome young men, and she realized she must manage the conversation else she’d slip into sleep, or perhaps something more inconvenient, without thinking.
The Comte had always succumbed to sleep when they’d conversed, no matter the topic. She must soothe this fine-looking and very fatigued man the same way.
Outside, the thunderstorm had moved on, and the rain pounded in a comforting downpour. With the warm fire, and the heavy blankets, and the sleeping dog, it was quite cozy.
But what to talk about? Most certainly not the free trade. It would be far too diverting to put him to sleep, and besides she had no idea what he would do with the knowledge.
The countryside? She might slip and drop a hint about her home at Bloodmoor Hill.
She thought back to her time on the fringes of a London society that she’d found unbearably dull.
The weather.
“I am glad you are enjoying the brandy,” she said. “But I daresay you are not liking this weather. It is quite the worst storm in many seasons, people are saying. Normally at this time of year the sea has quietened.” A lie, of course, but how would he know?
He sipped his drink, eyeing her over the glass.
Oh. Given that it might remind him of her activities that evening and spark questions, the sea was an inappropriate topic, whether or not one was fudging a weather report. “Winters, however are generally mild.”
He yawned, and she went on, discussing the number of rainstorms in March and going back to February, and then January, and making up the story as she went along, until his eyes drooped and the empty glass fell into his lap and lodged itself next to his fall.
Warmth uncurled in her. His trousers were tight in the usual fashion for gentlemen, outlining masculine endowments that sparked her interest far too much. Retrieving the fallen tumbler was out of the question.
She set down her own glass and fought the urge to join him in slumber.
Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but she prefers the much happier world of romance fiction. Though her roots are in the Midwestern U.S., after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California where she shares a midcentury home with her husband and a golden-eyed terrier, and is hard at work on her next historical romance.
I am a few days late, but the winner of the $50 Gift Card for the A World of Gothic Giveaway is Mary Preston!! Please email me at Alicia@AliciaDean.com to collect your gift card. Congratulations!
Thank you to all who participated. I hope you had a Happy Halloween and if you purchased any of the books, I hope you enjoy them.
If you didn’t grab them while they were 99 cents, I think most of them are still on sale, so it’s not too late. You can find all the links here:
I love Casi’s writing…I am sure this is another great read, and I plan to find out soon! And, guess what? It’s on sale for 99 cents!!
A Gripping Novel By Award-Winning Author Casi McLean
Blurb:
She never expected to confront deadly villains…let alone fall in love with one…
After her friend, York, encounters the ghostly image of a young woman, Mackenzie Reynolds seizes the opportunity to initiate a time jump, thrusting them back to 1865 Georgia. Resolved to thwart the girl’s untimely fate, Kenzi stumbles into a deadly conflict over a stockpile of stolen Confederate gold.
An injured Civil War survivor, James Adams departs for home with a war-fatigued companion he’s determined to help. After pilfering a horse and kidnaping a woman, he never dreamed his hostage would steal his heart.
Kenzi and James must unravel a deadly plot, while helping York save his ghost woman from a brutal death. But can she leave York in a violent past to save James’s life?
Excerpt:
“Don’t you dare die on me, James Adams.”
Kenzi pressed the blood-soaked gauze against the left side of his abdomen. “I won’t lose you. Not now.”
Barely clinging to life, he opened his eyes a slit, raised his hand still clenching Colin’s gun, and shot two rounds.
Stunned, Kenzi snapped around. “No.” She screamed and dove for the gun through the hazy blue mist engulfing them.
“Brady…” His voice faded as he slipped into semiconscious mumbling.
Yanking the pistol from his grip with her right hand, she maintained pressure with her left. A heartbeat later, the cylinder encasing them rotated open. Kenzi stood then sprinted across the room and pounded on a fist-sized alert button affixed to the wall. The resulting alarm shrieked through the underground chamber, reverberating as it radiated throughout the compound. Two men dressed in white jumpsuits burst through double doors.
“Gurney. Now.” Kenzi screamed at the attendants. “And O-Neg blood. Hurry. Go, go, go.” She ran to James and knelt beside him. Lifting his head, she slid a knee underneath it for support and smoothed a chunk of his dark brown hair from his face. “I’ve sacrificed way too much to have you die now,” she whispered. “My ass will burn for this. Not to mention the repercussions for abandoning York.”
Pulse racing, she checked his bandage. Despite her efforts, streams of crimson still oozed from the wound. Pressing again on the gauze, she shook her head. “Geez. You’ve lost so much blood. Please, hang on.”
Again, the double doors swung wide. This time, a gurney pushed through, followed by the two assistants. One man ran to Kenzi.
“Help me lift him.” Her hands, slick with blood, shot to her white T-top, already drenched in crimson. On second thought, she swept them down the rear of her jeans. Sliding her slippery arms beneath his back, she braced her stance with one bent knee.
“One, two, three.” They heaved him in tandem onto the gurney. She doused her hands with Betadine then splashed more on James’s forearm, snatched an IV from the attached supply basket, and punctured a vein on the inside of his wrist with the sterile needle. Once connected, she hooked the blood pouch on the IV pole and barked at the team, “Let’s move. If this man bleeds out, there will be hell to pay.”
The men, poised with hands on the side of the rails, awaited their next move. “Where to, Dr. Reynolds?”
Kenzi stared at James’s ashen face, worried her meager experience wasn’t enough to save his life––but she had no option. “Surgery.”
Springing into action, one man rolled the gurney down the hallway, while a second leapt onto the base and slipped an oxygen mask over James’s nose and mouth. “I hope this guy isn’t allergic to Propofol.” He attached an anesthesia drip to the IV. “Damn, what caused this gaping wound?”
“He was shot…with a musket.”
********************
If you sign up for Casi’s newsletter, you’ll receive a free story! After clicking the link, you can scroll down to receive an additional special prize.
Six stories about love, passion, and the role Fate plays in the lives of lovers. Six couples must decide whether to accept Fate or fight against it. Have your soul touched and your heart set afire. You won’t be able to put this anthology down.
Undeniable Fate by Mia London
“Lily.” His finger lifted her chin, his thumb brushed her lower lip. “I’m not lying. I mean every word. Your body is perfect.”
My story is about a project manager, Lily Bennett, who makes a business trip to Rome and meets Brandon Morgan along the way. There’s a bizarre twist of fate when the hotel double-booked the room and Brandon enters her room by mistake. In the four days they have together, he slowly breaks down her insecurities and she dares to hope for more.
As CEO, Brandon is responsible for his company’s latest acquisition, one that will prove he can handle anything thrown his way. He just hadn’t planned on the encounter of a lifetime with Lily. But as a classic Type-A driver, a relationship is absolutely out of the question.
I enjoyed seeing how these characters transformed before me. And I knew my readers would fall in love with them. In fact, I was nearly 80% done when I realized the readers would want more of Lily and Brandon. So, this is in fact book 1 of a 2-book series. But don’t worry. There are no cliffhangers.
Temptations of Christmas Future by Lexi Post
She thought she could stop him. Save him.
He didn’t need saving. He needed—her.
Temptations of Christmas Future is the 3rd in the Christmas Carol Series, but definitely not the last. It’s the story of two Spirits of Christmas Future who are helping a young widow move on with her life. Usually, spirits aren’t paired, but this is a tough case. So tough that I’ll have to write the fourth book for next Christmas, but don’t worry, this IS NOT a cliff hanger.
Malcolm is from Scotland in the future and he has a very pessimistic attitude about, well, everything, including women, but he has good reasons. Joy is from present day America, the Southwest to be exact. She is the ultimate optimist despite being a hospice nurse while still among the living. Of course, opposites attract and she is so attracted to Malcolm that she even dreams about him, and who wouldn’t? The man is walking sensuality. I may have had a couple dreams about him myself. Just sayin.
Sadly, the pressure of this particular assignment will break them both down, which will have them turning to each other for comfort and some hot bedroom, and non-bedroom, experiences. Still, comfort is one thing and success another. Unfortunately, the two may not be compatible, in which case, someone will have to pay the price for failure. Who? I can’t say as that would spoil it, but I promise there will be a happily ever after.
Highland Oath by C.A. Szarek
He’d never had a lover like his little healer. She was so free, so receptive and reactive to his touch, his kiss. Would that she felt the same way about his heart.
Highland Oath is Angus’ story, for those of you are familiar with my Highlanders. If you’re not, that’s okay! His book is the first of a “spin-off” series and it was a long time in coming. It’s special to me because Angus is 9 years old in the first book of my first trilogy (Highland Secrets), and then he’s a 92 year old grandfather in Highlander’s Portrait. I revisited him with his parents’ story in The Princess and The Laird, (series prequel) so he’s been with me for a long time. His story was AWESOME to write, so it was great to see him meet his very own HEA, Lila.
Claiming Emerson by Heather Miles
“By day, I charmed wealthy benefactors into gifting the art world with their money and time. By night, I was the gift and my time didn’t come cheap.”
Claiming Emerson is book one in a new series by Heather Miles. It’s the beginning of Emerson Anee’s story. How she became the youngest curator to ever grace the floors of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, at the same time as being one of the most exclusive escorts in New York City. By day, she charms wealthy benefactors into gifting the art world with their money and time, but by night, she was the gift and her time didn’t come cheap. She lived a double life, conservative in one world, daring and risky in the other. It was a shell game. The art of illusion wasn’t just something she’d become proficient at, she lived it. This is the story of what molded her into the woman she became and the men who tried to claim her as theirs.
A Twist on Fate by Jillian Stone
They say that you don’t meet people by accident, that you cross paths with strangers for a reason. But then memes about fate are for morons, right? Thing is—after what just happened—I’m not so sure anymore.
Jenn Fenstermaker should be grateful––no––thrilled to be an assistant producer for Storyville Pictures. But the script is in rewrite, and the last thing her flagging film industry career needs is another box office mega bomb. Chronically late to work, she cuts off a BMW on the freeway.
Gabriel Tobias Grant feels terrible about the damage to Jenn’s car. He’s also attracted to the bold, beautiful young woman. Gabe is a San Francisco chef/entrepreneur and as a way of making amends, he offers to cook dinner. Both Jenn and Gabe are in for an amazing night of orgasmic appetizers, à la his sensuous grilled scallops, but neither one is prepared to deal with what happens next—an unwelcome intrusion by a stranger.
On A Whim by J.M. Walker
“You, my sweet girl, are a brat and I’m going to have fun showing you exactly what I do to them.”
On A Whim is about Kiki Smith and Bo Layden. Both of them work in the book world. Kiki’s a graphic designer and falls into her work after getting stood up at the altar. Bo on the other hand, gets screwed out of thousands of dollars by people he thought he could trust and is on a hunt for a new designer. When he contacts Kiki under his author name, B. Vesper, she doesn’t realize that they are actually the same guy. Cue dramatic music. This story was fun because Kiki was something fresh and Bo was my typical dark Alpha male…with a J.M. Walker twist.
Escape with 25 brand new and exclusive sexy reads from NY Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors. The Tropical Tryst Boxed set is perfect for romance lovers of all kinds. Offering up passionate and enticing tales, set in hot and tropical settings, this collection will feed your need for summer sexiness! Available for pre-order for only 99 cents. Release date Aug. 1
Celeste Hall, author of Just Trust MeWhat inspired you to choose your setting? One of my favorite vacations, was a boat trip down the Amazon river, to a beautiful eco-friendly resort tucked inside the Peruvian jungle. It was truly amazing. Most of the crazy adventures my heroine endures, are based on my real life experiences. What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? I’d love to see more of the South American jungles, as well as the many nearby isles. Galapagos, Fernando de Noronha, Ilha de Tinharé, and Easter island, just to name a few. It could takes months to properly experience them all. Beautiful scenery aside, I’d really be happy anywhere, so long as I had the right travel companion. What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? I adore Charlize Theron, but I’m not sure she’d appreciate the situation. Chris Evans would probably make a better choice. I’ve had survival training, so he just needs to be charming and keep me motivated until our rescuers arrive. He seems like a pretty affable guy. Blurb: When her best friend invites Jenn to spend time in a beautiful Amazon resort, she leaps at the opportunity. Maybe she can finally escape the terror stalking her in New York. She is blindsided by Remi’s surly brother. Ex-marine, now chief in security, Jackson is sexier than ever, but just as unapproachable. When Jenn’s deadly secret unravels, Jackson vows to keep her safe, but to do so, he must gain back the trust he destroyed.
Bio: I am a passionate writer of romance in a variety of sub-genres, but my favorite are probably the paranormal stories. I believe that a great book can do more than offer an afternoon’s pleasure, it can change your life. For that reason, I am absolutely addicted to happy endings. I feel that everyone could use more love and happiness in their lives. When not writing, I enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors. I also enjoy a variety of artistic mediums, gardening, horseback riding, and geeking out online – especially on Facebook. Contact links: www.CelesteHall.comwww.facebook.com/celesteh1www.amazon.com/author/celestehall
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Carma Haley Shoemaker, author of Sunset Seduction
What inspired you to choose your setting? Choosing Saint Lucia took a bit of time. My location needed to be romantic, as well as serene. My character needed a place to find herself again, but the location also needed to offer a tropical setting that would sweep her off her feet, and lower her defenses, allowing the romance to find her.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? My idea of the perfect tropical getaway would definitely include a balance of adventure and romance. I would truly enjoy spending the day exploring a volcano, or hiking to a hidden waterfall, ending with a romantic, candlelit dinner for two on a secluded sandbar or floating pontoon.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? The celebrity I would most like to be stranded on an island with is Jensen Ackles. Jensen plays Dean Winchester in the television show, Supernatural. He is funny, talented, athletic, and is very easy on the eyes.
Blurb:
Haunted by the image of her cheating husband, Julia Turner decided men weren’t worth her effort. Hoping the tropical sun will burn away the bitterness and depression, Julia embarks on girls’ vacation with friends to re-find happiness. When Julia meets Seth, the perpetual groomsman, neither is prepared for the tide of passion to come. Just what she needed to buoy her self-esteem, lustful desires leave Julia wondering if Seth can bring her back to life.
Bio:
A nurse by trade and a writer by nature, Carma Haley Shoemaker is a magazine writer turned novelist. She has written articles for numerous online and national print publications on various topics such as women’s issues including self-esteem and surviving divorce. Now a fiction writer, Carma has published four romance novels, with three additional titles due for release in 2017. You can find out more about Carma by visiting her website: www.carmicwords.com.
What inspired you to choose this setting? I wanted something beautiful, and fun and exotic. Hawaii seemed like the perfect destination, especially for a hero and heroine that live in New York. I
What’s your idea of a perfect tropical getaway? I love to swim, sleep in and sunbake. So anywhere for me where there is room service, crystal blue waters and sandy beaches is perfect for me.
What celebrity would you like to be stranded on a desert island with? Channing Tatum. I could look at that man allllll…… day!
About Miracle in Hawaii
Samara Jenkins is on a baby mission… but before she puts down her business hat, she has one more thing to do. Julian King needs her help restoring his hotel, and Samara’s skills are perfect for the job.
Samara and Julian are like fire and ice, yet they slide together into a hot, fling. But when Julian declares he doesn’t want anything long term, Samara leaves Hawaii, and takes something of Julian’s with her.
Bio:
Fiona Miers has a super busy life, like most modern women, but always finds time for reading and writing romance. Her love affair with the romance genre started when she was only 11 years old, when her mother, and nana, handed her, her first mills and boon. Since then she’s built her own business, become a mother to two beautiful little girls, and fallen in love with the most spectacular man on the planet. Fiona writes MF contemporary and historical romance, writing more erotic stories under the pen name Tamsin Baker. Thank you for reading this, and hopefully you’ll love reading about her characters as much as she loved creating them.
What inspired you to choose your setting? The hubby and I went to Peru as a part of our 12 countries in 6 months honeymoon and a few terrible things happened to us, so instead of dwelling on it I wanted to put my story to paper, embrace the romantic part of our holiday and find something good to celebrate about our time there. Not everything I wrote is autobiographical, and in order for the story to be exciting I upped the thrill, suspense and drama as well as made the hero and heroine meet and fall in love rather than go there together. I wanted to bring light to a dark part of our holiday.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? Live aboard yacht for four weeks through French Polynesia. Nothing but, sex, scuba diving and sun tanning.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Sir Patrick Stewart. I have a mad crush on the guy.
Blurb
Piper Valentine knows that life is short. Off to Peru to heal, she finds solace in Derrick King, the hot journalist she meets on the airplane. Derrick knows all about loss, too, and his secrets keep him from letting Piper in. Their journey to Machu Picchu quickly turns south as they’re pursued by mysterious gunmen. But Derrick makes her feel safe, even as his lust for her endangers her heart. Is there strength in surrender?
Bio
A West Coast baby born and raised, Whitley is married to her high school sweetheart and together they have a spirited toddler and a fluffy dog. She spends her days making food that gets thrown on the floor, vacuuming Cheerios out from under the couch and making sure that the dog food doesn’t end up in the air conditioner. But when nap time comes, and it’s not quite wine o’clock, Whitley sits down, avoids the pile of laundry on the couch, and writes. A lover of all things decadent; wine, cheese, chocolate and spicy erotic romance, Whitley brings the humorous side of sex, the ridiculous side of relationships and the suspense of everyday life into her stories. With mommy wars, body issues, threesomes, bondage and role playing, these books have everything we need to satisfy the curious kink in all of us.
JB Duvane, author of Starry Nights What inspired you to choose your setting? I live a couple blocks away from the beach in the Pacific NW and take long walks whenever it’s not raining too hard. I come up with a lot of the ideas for my books while I’m walking out there and this one popped into my head when I was wishing it was a little warmer.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? A private bungalow on a secluded beach where my partner and I could lounge around and have our food and drinks brought to us.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? I’m partial to dark eyes and hair, as well as a quiet intensity, so Jamie Dornan – but specifically in the series The Fall.
Blurb for Starry Nights
Sometimes even being a movie star can’t buy you a second chance with the girl you still hunger for. But true love can…
Bio
JB Duvane writes about tortured billionaires, bad boys with secret desires, and men with a dark past. She loves them all – ranging from hired killers to serial killers to the non-lethal variety of bad boy. Above all, she wants everyone to have their HEA.
What inspired you to choose your setting? I had agreed to write a book that featured love in the tropics, and I thought, “How far away from the tropics can I get, while still technically fitting into the box set? How can I make this unquestionably unique?” I decided to strand the lucky couple in the summer desert of Phoenix, Arizona instead of the lush greenery and ocean of Maui…and still have them experience glistening pools, mai-tais, and great sex. I wanted to show that sometimes, the things you assume are boring and banal can end up having intricate, amazing features that make you love them. Getting the unexpected can be a gift, not a punishment, and beauty can come from the place you least expect.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? We rented a house near the beach the North shore of Oahu, one of the most beautiful places in the world. It came complete with a wrecking ball swing. You know, the thing that Miley Cyrus had in her famous video? So naturally, all of us had to take turns on it, swinging [fully clothed] and laughing until our stomachs hurt. That house also had dressers that fell apart when you opened them, a broken ukulele as part of the décor, fewer bedrooms than promised, and a very small bottle of holy water (!) in the spice cabinet. The sewage tank was overfull, and the ground near it was swelling and swampy. The caretaker who lived in a separate home on the property told us he was not a caretaker, but a wedding planner, so he couldn’t help us with the broken furniture or septic issues. The owner was not reachable by phone. But the beach was amazing – great snorkelling, and we had so much fun laughing together, my family and I. To me, that was the perfect tropical vacation – enjoying a wreck of a place on the best beach in the entire world, with the people who mean the most to me in the entire world.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? If I had to be stranded with a celebrity, I’d pick one of those guys who deliberately get dropped off in the Alaskan wilderness with one sock and a toothpick, and end up building an airplane and communications tower out of ivy and dust while killing mooses with their bare hands to survive. Or maybe Chris Rock. He’s freaking hilarious. He could make us laugh while we ate coconuts and waited for a cruise ship full of bloated fat sneaker-wearing American tourists to come and save us. Also, could the “island” be “Greece?” I’ve always wanted to see Greece. If the answer is yes, then forget Chris Rock [sorry, CR, it’s been real], and instead I’ll take Betty White (I read that she’s ¼ Greek) and also David Sedaris, who is one of the funniest writers alive, and is also half-Greek.
Blurb for Hotter in Hawaii
Harper Bradley is thrilled to land the job of a lifetime, photographing a brand new Hawaiian resort. She’s working with sexy Zach Taylor, which would be awesome if he weren’t such a player…and if he hadn’t turned her down in an embarrassing episode months ago. When things go awry, starting with an emergency landing in Phoenix, Harper discovers there’s more to Zach than quips and abs. But is this commitment-phobic playboy ready for love?
Bio
Alexis Alvarez is an author, photographer, and digital designer who loves writing steamy romances. Her female heroines are always strong, intelligent women who fall for the sexiest guy around…and get the happy-ever-after ending of their dreams.
Alexis is a wife and mom, a former chemical engineer, a dachshund-whisperer — wait, that’s a lie. The dachshund usually does the exact opposite of what he’s told.
Do you like contemporary romance with steam and humor? Darker BDSM/erotica novels with fascinating psychological insights? Alexis has you covered. She writes in both genres. One really cool thing about Alexis is that she’s a friendly author who loves meeting new people on Facebook. Please come on by and say hello. Thanks, and happy reading!
Escape with 25 brand new and exclusive sexy reads from NY Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors. The Tropical Tryst Boxed set is perfect for romance lovers of all kinds. Offering up passionate and enticing tales, set in hot and tropical settings, this collection will feed your need for summer sexiness! Available for pre-order for only 99 cents. Release date Aug. 1
What inspired you to choose your setting? Who hasn’t dreamed of running away to a remote tropical island to escape all of their troubles. Sun, sand, umbrella drinks and hot guys. No shirt, no shoes, no problems!
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? My idea of the perfect tropical getaway is a modern resort within walking distance of the beach. I like my creature comforts–A/C, wi-fi, room service–even in paradise!
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Johnny Depp, but he must be wearing his Cap’n Jack Sparrow duds and have a generous supply of whiskey.
Blurb
Five years living on a tiny Caribbean island after fleeing the political scandal that ruined her life has dulled Dara Lockwood’s anger but not her disillusioned distrust. The occasional one night stand is working just fine until the arrival of Jack Wyatt. Something about the tall, dark and seriously sexy man makes Dara want to trust him, not only with her secrets but with her heart.
Bio
EmKay Connor is the award-winning author of sexy, sassy contemporary romantic fiction infused with quirky humor and engaging characters. Her bright and breezy romances are set in tropical locations and glamorous destinations where her heroes and heroines discover passion and fall in love. She lives and writes in northeastern Florida.
What inspired you to choose your setting? My husband and I took a cruise last January to celebrate our 25th anniversary. It was lovely to take a week out of our busy lives to spend all day, every day together relaxing and having fun. A lot of the places and incidents in my story are based directly on things we did and saw. Although with a lot of emotional drama added, of course!
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? I would love to take a voyage in a sailing ship across the South Pacific, visiting lots of tiny islands away from the usual tourist destinations.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Lin-Manuel Miranda, so I could convince him my books would be the perfect source material for his next musical :).
Blurb
After Juanita is deported, her sister concocts a daring plan to smuggle her home aboard a cruise ship. She and Juanita will switch places, while her friend Ryan poses as Juanita’s boyfriend and accompanies her back to the United States. But when sparks ignite between Juanita and Ryan, things get complicated. Can a lie built on water, wind, and sunshine grow into a truth strong enough to endure once they reach dry land?
Bio
Elana Brooks is the author of the science fiction romance series “The Covenant of the Rainbow.” Book 1, Red Sky in the Morning, will be available in Fall 2017, with Book 2, Orange Blossom Special, following in Winter 2018, and Book 3, A Yellow Wood, in Spring 2018. Elana lives with her husband of twenty-five years in Houston, Texas. She went on her first cruise two years ago with her whole family, and enjoyed it so much she immediately planned another with just her husband. She’s already counting the days until she can sail again!
What inspired you to choose your setting? Nostalgia and one component of the writer’s arsenal. By pure chance, when the opportunity came along to write this novella, I had just returned from a Jamaican getaway with my husband and two adult children. I was conscious of time slipping away, and that we four may never again be together in such a spectacular location. Using Jamaica for my setting is one way of hanging onto those feelings of connection and trust. While we were there, the resort handled several business events, and my writerly brain responded by noting specific details and beginning to ask “what if” questions. For me, these early moments of a story’s birth are magical, and vastly superior to most travel souvenirs. (Especially those of the parasitic variety.)
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? Access to swimming 24/7, an ocean as a backdrop, plus the ability to be outdoors with little more than sunscreen, a book and a towel. I also love unlimited quantities of fresh, exotic fruit.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Am I worried about survival? If yes, please give me Les Stroud of Survivorman, or someone of his ilk. If I’m safe, then I’d love to spend time with Malala Yousafzai. She amazes me in that she’s so young, yet possesses superhuman amounts of wisdom and resilience. She also straddles cultures with an effortless grace.
Blurb
Finn Wakefield thought he understood the reason for his breakup with Olivia Prosser. Now, during a corporate retreat in Jamaica and in his role as her new boss, new information comes to light. Not only might Liv be innocent, the party who framed her might be continuing their sabotage. But Liv shows no interest in righting the wrongs of the past. Is she over Finn, or protecting the saboteur? Either way, Finn can’t let it go.
Bio
A former family physician who once provided birth-to-death healthcare, Jan O’Hara has left medicine behind and now spends her days torturing people on paper. (See? Win-win scenarios really do exist.) She writes for the popular blog Writer Unboxed and lives in Alberta, Canada.
Roxy Sinclaire & Zara Zenia, author of His Diamond In The RoughWhat inspired you to choose your setting? Pirates of the Caribbean–my favorite movie franchise!! What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? I want to go to Maldives, I’ve seen pictures and videos and it looks so gorgeous! Also it’s not the typical going to the Caribbean which most people do! What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Definitely Johnny Depp!!!
Blurb:
Samantha came from a poorer background. Lord Eric Godfrey is British royalty and a billionaire. Both of them are attracted to each other but have their guards up, too. Eric doesn’t trust the poor, especially if he thinks someone is a gold digger. Samantha doesn’t trust the rich and powerful. But will they be able to put that all behind them and accept one another? Or will more accusations and hate come out of it?
Bio:
Roxy Sinclaire writes steamy, suspenseful romantic stories as the main genre, and this includes a variety of different topics. Some of these include dark romances, action packed romances, mafia romances, and many more. She currently works in customer relations in New York City, but is trying to fulfill her passion in writing and eventually have her dream job become a reality. Zara Zenia is the pen name of Roxy Sinclaire, and writes mainly science fiction romance!
Susan Ann Wall – Off Balance (Superstitious Brides Romance #8)
What inspired you to choose your setting? I recently went on a 7 night Caribbean cruise with my mom. It was so relaxing and beautiful, exploring the islands, enjoying the water and fresh sea air, and there was so much romance happening on the ship. Lots of newlyweds, some ladies on a bachelorette party…it just seemed like the perfect setting for a couple to fall in love.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? I’d love to just find a small cabin on a beach where a sexy cabana boy brings you food and drinks without needing to be beckoned, where you can socialize with others when you want to but where it is quiet and peaceful otherwise.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Oh, Tom Hiddleston, no question. And he can talk all he wants, particularly if he tells me how smart and beautiful and amazing I am…over and over and over…
Blurb
Sometimes, to find your center, you must collide with the one who throws you off balance.
Along his journey to enlightenment, Haven Masters has come across many bumps and roadblocks, but never once has anything or anyone thrown him off balance the way Heather Wolfe does. While on a tropical cruise retreat, all Haven can do is look for his center again and hope that he finds it with Heather.
Bio
Big dreamer and certifiable overachiever Susan Ann Wall embraces life at full speed and volume. She’s a beer and tea snob, can be bribed with dark chocolate, and the #1 thing on her bucket list is to be the center of a Bon Jovi flash mob. Susan is a USA Today bestselling, multi-genre author of racy, rule-breaking romance and women’s fiction. Her bragging rights include the Fighting Back for Love series, Puget Sound ~ Alive With Love series, Superstitious Brides Romance series, Sunset Valley Women’s Fiction series, and Devon Taggart Suspense series. She also likes to boast about her three maniacal children, two amazing rescue dogs, and a happily ever after that started while serving in the U.S. Army and has spanned over two decades (which is crazy since she’s not a day over 29). In her next life, Susan plans to be a 5 foot 10, size 8 rock star married to a chiropractor and will not be terrified of large bridges, spiders, or quiet people (shiver).
Escape with 25 brand new and exclusive sexy reads from NY Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors. The Tropical Tryst Boxed set is perfect for romance lovers of all kinds. Offering up passionate and enticing tales, set in hot and tropical settings, this collection will feed your need for summer sexiness! Available for pre-order for only 99 cents. Release date Aug. 1
CJ Matthew, author of A Major Affair, The Colonel’s Daughters novella 1.5
What inspired you to choose your setting? The garden isle of Kauai, in Hawaii, was chosen for Ed and DeAnna’s tropical tryst in A Major Affair because the breathtakingly beautiful island offers such a wide variety of natural landmarks. I’ve vacationed in Hawaii several times and Kauai is by far my favorite locale.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? The perfect tropical getaway is an island, or feels like one, with amazing natural sights. The lone hotel or resort offers luxurious accommodations, hedonistic-level pampering, a wide variety of sports and entertainment, and discrete privacy.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Stranded on an island…if I ever, much later, wanted to be rescued, I’d choose to be castaway with Harrison Ford. The man is sexy, romantic, and has a terrific sense of humor. Those Indiana Jones skills would pay off when we eventually decided to move our torrid love affair off the island and to a more populated venue.
Blurb for A Major Affair:
Quinn’s dream mission: spend a week of leave snooping around a luxury Kauai resort, enjoying the amenities, then report back to a skeptical investor. DeAnna’s nightmare mission: spend a week snooping around a luxury Kauai resort, enjoying the amenities, then report back to her employer. Two people on different sides who never expected to fall in love.
About the Author:
CJ Matthew grew up in an Air Force family living all over the US and around the world, which provided terrific ideas for future books, and the chance to meet real-life heroes/heroines in uniforms and flight-suits. When she isn’t writing, or reading romances, CJ enjoys spending time with her two grown children, their spouses, her brilliant grandson, and her feisty cat, Max. Schedule permitting, she loves to travel, but Max flatly refuses to leave home.
What inspired you to choose your setting? A family holiday to Airlie Beach, a town known as the Gateway to the Reef, two years ago. While there we took a boat trip that took in Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and Whitehaven Beach. I fell in love with the islands and knew I had to write a story about them… in fact Finding Cory is planned to be the first of a series set on Sunfish Island Resort, which is based very heavily on Daydream Island.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? Anywhere with palm trees, hammocks and strawberry daiquiris! I’m lucky enough to live in the sub-tropics near Brisbane in sunny Queensland, Australia, so sunshine and the beach are probably things I take for granted.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Jeremy Renner. Not only is he nice to look at, but he’s a builder/renovator in his spare time so he could build us a fabulous house to live in!
Blurb
Olivia Stratton had it all; a high-powered job in New York, a perfect boyfriend, a perfect life… until it all came crashing down her ears. Being offered the opportunity to live on a beautiful tropical island resort for a year as their marketing manager is her chance to start afresh, where nobody knows about her past. Romantic entanglements are definitely something she plans to avoid, but when she meets Cory, the resort’s too-handsome-to-be-real entertainment coordinator, sparks fly and Olivia finds herself swept right out of her Jimmy Choos and into Cory’s arms.
Bio
Caitlyn Lynch is an Australian mother of two who has always enjoyed reading and writing romantic fiction. Happily married to her very own tall, dark and handsome for 14 years and counting, she draws on a rich imagination to create new scenarios for her steamy contemporary romances.
She has twice been selected as a finalist for Romance Writers Australia short story anthologies in 2017.
What inspired you to choose your setting? Growing up, my family took yearly vacations to Sanibel Island, and it’s always held a place in my heart. It’s one of my favorite places in the world.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? A white sand beach, a lounge chair, a cocktail in one hand and a great novel in the other.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Do I have to pick a celebrity? I’d most want to be stranded with my husband.
Blurb
A college student convinces her overprotective father, who is a personal security specialist, to allow her to go on Spring Break, only to have her roommate go missing on the first day of their tropical island vacation.
Bio
Karen M. Bryson is known for writing new adult, love in midlife, contemporary romance and romantic crime fiction with a little spice and lots of heart. She is a winner of the prestigious RONE Award for Excellence in the Indie and Small Publishing Industry.
Karen is also an award-winning/optioned screenwriter.
When she’s not at her computer creating spicy stories Karen likes to spend time with her husband and their bloodhounds. Karen has previously written under the pen names REN MONTERREY, SAVANNAH YOUNG, SIERRA AVALON and USA TODAY Bestselling author DAKOTA MADISON.
What inspired you to choose your setting? I wanted a setting that was not only tropical but also mysterious. Jamaica has many hidden elements, and I was interested in learning more about it. I enjoy writing about unfamiliar places because it makes the story more exciting for me if I’m learning as I go along. Since Jamaica has this thrilling aura about it, I knew it would be a great setting for a steamy romantic suspense.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? Jamaica. LOL! No surprise, huh? It’s funny because I have always wanted to go to England so never really envisioned a tropical vacation. Even though I’m not a beach person or swimmer, Jamaica definitely fascinates me. Activities are endless so you’d never be bored and there is something in Jamaica for everyone including the wonderful sights, annual festivals and food.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? I’d say Jonathan Rhys Meyers. I’ve always liked him but since The Tudors, I’ve really been hooked!
Blurb
When her twin brother Kirby is murdered, Kayla heads to Kingston, Jamaica to find out who would want her brother dead. Kayla teams up with Kirby’s best friend, Tate, who seems just as anxious for answers as she does. Kayla struggles with an attraction to the sexy tour guide, but loses the battle while Tate introduces her to the sensuous allure of Jamaica. Bio
Stacy-Deanne (Dee-Anne) is an award-winning author of sweet to sensual romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and women’s fiction books. She’s written Amazon Top 100 bestsellers, and her work has been praised and reviewed in USA Today numerously. She loves writing stories that focus on main characters who rarely get the spotlight such as characters with physical disabilities, mental illness, and terminal diseases.
Stacy is known for bringing versatile stories to her readers. With her you never know what you’re gonna get, which separates Stacy’s work from the pack. Stacy’s books are full of passion, thrills, intriguing characters and so much emotion you can’t get enough! If you want something different and unpredictable then definitely check out her work.
With Stacy every book is an adventure.
Holly Cortelyou, author of Two Reckless Hearts (A Barrett Ridge Novella)
What inspired you to choose your setting? I’ve always daydreamed of the Caribbean’s silky, warm waters and the magical steel drums dancing in the balmy night air. So it was fun to whip up a make-believe tropical island off the coast of St. Lucia for the luxurious resort in Two Reckless Hearts.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? Beyond the “Must-Have’s” of my hunky partner, pink sand beaches, and an endless pina colada, I’d love to parasail, frolic with the dolphins, and zipline through the tropical forest with birds and monkeys screeching from the bamboo and mango trees…as long as those monkeys are far enough away they can’t jump me as I whiz by!
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? George Clooney, Chris Hemsworth and Jason Momoa would have to have a…shirtless battle to win my hand. Ah, but then Dwayne Johnson’s raunchy sense of humor might win the day. Come to think of it, making me choose is just down right mean!
Blurb:
Five sultry nights. Two reckless hearts. One family wedding. What could go wrong? Jami Barrett’s been jilted by her fiancé, and she must endure her sister’s crazy Caribbean wedding. Now, her arch rival, Beck Kavanagh, has crashed the party! With a make-or-break deal and her loyalty in the balance, Jami’s feeling the pressure…and the heat of her hidden desire. Will steamy island nights tempt enemies to become lovers?
Bio:
Holly Cortelyou is a romance author who pens sweet and spicy small town, contemporary romances as well as supernatural and paranormal romances. On any given day Holly Cortelyou can be found sipping coffee, perusing Facebook and surfing for gossip on royals, college football (Go Ducks!), knitting, and ghosts! Holly’s living her own Happily Ever After with an uber-handy, broad-shouldered and delicious husband, a sweet silver lab and a fluffball kitty in sun-kissed Southern Oregon. She has hazel eyes, a goofy sense of humor and all the rest is subject to change without notice.
Escape with 25 brand new and exclusive sexy reads from NY Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors. The Tropical Tryst Boxed set is perfect for romance lovers of all kinds. Offering up passionate and enticing tales, set in hot and tropical settings, this collection will feed your need for summer sexiness! Available for pre-order for only 99 cents. Release date Aug. 1
What inspired you to choose your setting? Dreams of someday getting to visit there. 🙂
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? A place that has no wifi, where you are forced to enjoy your surroundings and work is not an option.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Hmm… now that is one tough question. There are so many dashing and devastatingly handsome men that I wouldn’t mind being stranded with, but out of all of them I’d probably have to say Shemar Moore of Criminal Minds fame.
Blurb for Swept Away
When Felicia and Trevor Jenning’s hope for the future are shattered by cruel fate, the two soul mates find their love is put to the ultimate test. With each passing day, resentment builds and the two grow further apart until they eventually drift into different worlds that don’t include one another. Will they be lost from one another forever? Or will circumstances intervene and bring them back together once again?
Bio
Nicole Morgan is a USA Today and International best-selling author who has written romance in various genres of romance. Many of her novels are erotic romance, which more often than not has a suspenseful back story. Basically erotic romance mixed with your good old-fashioned whodunits. While she’s written everything from contemporary to paranormal her leading men will more than likely be wearing a uniform of some kind. From military to police officers, she has a love for writing about those who protect and serve. It all began with her very first novel about Navy SEALs – which turned into a fan favorite series – and continues with her more recent releases. When you’re reading a book by Ms. Morgan you’ll be sure to find a few twists and turns you were not expecting.
She is a proud member of Writerspace, a Romance Books ‘4’ Us Gold Author, as well as being a Sweet and Sexy Diva. Additionally, you will find Nicole writing under the names of Taylor Brooks and Nicki Day. Nicole also mentors authors, offers administrative services and is the founder of Romance Collections. Find out more about Nicole and her books by visiting her website, or any of her social networks.
Linda O’Connor, author of Perfectly Skeptical (Perfectly Series Novella)
What inspired you to choose your setting? My novella, Perfectly Skeptical, is set in Little Cayman Island. I’ve been to Grand Cayman Island twice, and have had wonderfully relaxing vacations. For this story, I used a lot of what I experienced on Grand Cayman – the snorkeling, the flowers, the trees, the people, and the gorgeous beaches – but I wanted a small town vibe so I thought the smaller Little Cayman Island would be perfect.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? My perfect getaway includes sitting on a sandy beach, doing nothing except watching waves roll onto the shore (under an umbrella, and wearing a wide-brimmed hat and SPF-50). 😀
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? I’d like to be stranded with James Corden. He’s so funny and an amazing singer – I’d be able to laugh and have music!
Blurb for Perfectly Skeptical
Dr. Brianna Scott looked forward to sleeping away her staycation, until a lucky windfall meant an upgrade to palm trees, an ocean view . . . and the sexy Dr. Matt Gaelen. She’ll have fun, but can a holiday fling really turn into a soul mate for life? Doubtful.
Matt has no radar for sniffing out gold-diggers and protecting his heart. Until now. Brianna is more turned off than turned on by his wealth. What are his chances of getting her to overlook it? Dubious at best. Improbable and iffy – the typical path to love.
Bio
Linda O’Connor started writing a few years ago when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at the local home décor store. It turns out she loves writing romantic comedies and has a few more stories to tell. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic (well, even when she is writing she’s a physician, and it shows up in her stories 😀 ). She hangs out at www.lindaoconnor.net.
Courtney Hunt, author of Desire a Bridesmaid, 4th in the Always a Bridesmaid series
What inspired you to choose your setting? My honeymoon. We cruised to St. Martin, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. I wanted elements of all three islands so I created Eden Ilse, the setting for Desire a Bridesmaid.
What is your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? A beach chair, an umbrella, and a stack of romance novels. As a mom of a very active third grader, I rarely get to read in my beach chair anymore.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Oh, it’s tough to pick just one of my crushes. But, I think I’ll Dan Stevens. I’ve had a crush on him since Downton Abbey and saw Beauty and the Beast four times in the theatre.
Blurb:
Five years ago, aimless drifter Carter Prescott and recent divorcee Anna Westbrook shared one wild, wicked night on Eden Isle. Now, after a hurricane flattened the island, Carter transformed his ruined resort into the most beautiful in the Caribbean. When professional bridesmaid Anna arrives in Eden Isle, Carter needs her help to publicize his new destination wedding package. Will Anna and Carter discover that one perfect night in paradise will never be enough?
Desire a Bridesmaid is a standalone novella in the Always a Bridesmaid contemporary romance series about professional bridesmaids finding their own happily ever afters. If you enjoy witty dialogue, unforgettable characters, and steamy love scenes, you’ll love Courtney Hunt’s light-hearted Always a Bridesmaid series.
Buy Desire A Bridesmaid and your happily-ever-after starts today!
Bio:
Courtney Hunt writes smart, funny contemporary romances featuring strong heroines and the sexy heroes who steal their hearts. In addition to her Kindle Scout winning novel, The Lost Art of Second Chances, her work includes the light-hearted Always a Bridesmaid series, the heartwarming Cupid’s Coffeeshop series, and the sensual Billionaire Babes Club. An attorney by day, Courtney lives outside Washington, DC with her own Prince Charming and their son. Join her mailing list for a FREE starter library atwww.courtney-hunt.com
What inspired you to choose your setting? I grew up in Brazil and every chance I had I’d spend time in the coast of Santa Catarina State because it’s simply gorgeous. When I decided to write this summer novella, setting it there was a no-brainer. What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? An enclosed little white-sand beach framing a calm turquoise sea. What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Only one? Lol Oh, well, if I must… Seriously, it’d Bono, U2’s singer. I’m a huge fan of his music and humanitarian work, so I’d have tons to talk about with him, if we were stranded on an island.
Blurb
Fifteen years ago, Izzie Anderson betrayed Tristan Knight and ripped out his heart. Yet she lied to protect him. Now she needs Tristan to save her son.
Tristan Knight mended his tattered heart in a secluded beach in the Southern coast of Brazil. When Izzie walks into Chez Nous Bistro one evening, he realizes her betrayal left him heartless. Can two damaged souls heal each other? Or are there wrongs that can never be righted? Bio
International best-selling author Liz Gavin, has accomplished much in her short career. Her books have made to #1 and Top Five best-selling ranks in her home country Brazil and others as diverse as Japan, the UK and the US; both in English and Portuguese, collecting 5 and 4-star reviews. Nominated for a Summer Indie Book Award in 2016, and again in 2017, this RWA member constantly seeks new opportunities to improve her craft. This thirst for knowledge propelled Liz to leave the comforts of family and friends in Brazil and move to California to pursue a Master’s degree in late 2015. She lives in sunny SoCal, where she’s researching the writing process, for her thesis, in hopes to figure out why she creates in English instead of her native Portuguese.
Liz Gavin writes in contemporary, paranormal, and historical genres. In her sexy stories, one finds smart, independent women, who don’t need rescuing by knights in shining armor, but indulge in steamy action with swoony Alpha males with big hearts. She also writes about women discovering their sexuality and finding happiness in unconventional setups.
What inspired you to choose your setting? I made up an island called Grand Bohemia because I wanted to have a specific type of hotel with conference capabilities, set on a beach and the setup wasn’t exactly to life. So rather than day trip from Miami to the Bahamas which might be fun to do, I just fictionalized it. (I live in Miami so there is the $49 boat I could take.) Now the beginning parts where they are in Miami, those are all real settings as I can drive and notice things.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? I already live on a beach in Miami. It’s pretty nice but I never really go out and enjoy a beach. If I’m stressed though, it’s nice that it’s there to look at. So the word that catches my eye in the question is ‘getaway.’ This means I don’t have to do anything but put my feet up, read, and have no responsibilities that will need my full attention. So if I’m in a hotel where someone is bringing my food, cleaning up after I eat, making my bed… this sounds like paradise right now.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? Steve Amell. I’m just catching up on the Arrow as I skipped it for a few years. Now that I’m #TeamArrow, his character spent a lot of time on an island. He had to have picked up a few things on what we’re to do.
Blurb for Tempting James:
She’s on the run. He’s a distraction. They’re begging for trouble. James Clancy made a promise, and he intends to keep it. But protecting his former Marine buddy’s sister proves to be more than he bargained for. He’s already been burned once. He’s not about to let that happen again. The last thing Scarlett Hawke needs is a babysitter. What she needs is a husband, and a way out. When she meets James, she knows he oh-so-wrong for her, but resisting him might be the hardest thing she’s ever had to do… until she discovers who he really is and just how dangerous that can be. Will Scarlett let love happen or will it only make her complicated life worse?
Bio
USA Today Bestselling Author, Victoria Pinder has always been amazing, adventurous and assured. It’s what gets her through the day.
Her website is www.victoriapinder.com. Please write as she loves writing back to her fans and if you go there you can get a free download. Contact links:
Lena Bourne, author of Rider’s Fall (A Viper’s Bite MC Novella)
What inspired you to choose your setting? My story is set on the tropical beaches of Brazil, and I chose this setting because I really want to visit Brazil one day. This way I get to imagine the setting without actually having to go.
What’s your idea of the perfect tropical getaway? I would love to stay in one of those bungalows over the water, reading and spending some well-deserved alone time with my significant other.
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with? That’s a tough one! I’m going to choose Tom Hardy, since I’m a huge fan right now. But there’s a line of others on the waiting list.
Blurb for Rider’s Fall (A Viper’s Bite MC Novella)
Chloe swore off men forever when she escaped to Brazil to start a new life, because her old one was destroyed by an ex. But when the orphanage she volunteers at is threatened, she’s forced to accept the help of a hot as sin biker. But Rider is a man with no home and no wish to have one. Will the love they find in each other be strong enough to change any of that?
Bio
Lena Bourne writes steamy, suspenseful romantic stories, which include MC romances, dark romances, military romances, and everything in between. Hot bedroom scenes and fast-paced, action packed plots are Lena’s specialty. Her heroines are strong, sassy and independent, and her heroes are usually rough-around-the-edges alpha bad boys whose heart is in the right place.
I am SO excited to share this amazing anthology!!! I was originally a part of it, but I regretfully had to drop out because I couldn’t make the deadline. These ladies are creative, hard-working, and brilliant. And, their efforts have paid off. I’ve read at least parts of all the stories, and I enthusiastically recommend this boxed set.
Without further ado…welcome to LaBonne Chance Resort & Casino…
Six award-winning authors bring you six *sweet to sensual* romances filled with suspense, thrills and maybe even a ghost or two—for less than the price of a cup of coffee—99 cents!
What happens at La Bonne Chance, doesn’t always stay at La Bonne Chance. Are you ready to roll the dice?
Raising Kane by Kat Henry Doran
She’s Mallory Kane, committed to reporting the truth. He’s Kieran Pollack, slick media spin artist, protecting criminal justice system and those who serve it. Truth or fiction, either could bring them both down.
A few favorite lines:
“If you’d give me a few minutes of your time, I promise to make this all go away. C’mon, whaddya say?”
“I’d sooner walk through a nest of pit vipers than talk to any member of the Victory Police Department.”
A fun fact:
The hero’s mother, a veteran ED nurse, spends her weekly girls’ night out at La Bonne Chance Casino watching the Chippendale Dancers strut their stuff.
What was the most difficult thing about writing in conjunction with the other authors?
Nothing. I’ve done similar projects before both as an author and an editor. This was no different.
What was the best thing about writing in conjunction with other authors?
Learning where their minds go in terms of creating plot lines and the characters to go with them. That was lots of fun.
Jim Rawlings takes the biggest chance of his life—bidding at auction for a once-grand inn. Genie King attends the hotel auction, never expecting another LBC employee to bid at the sale—much less the guy she had a major crush on in high school. Working together means Jim must share long-hidden secrets. Will Genie reject the man with a past? Or will she love the man he’s become?
A few favorite lines:
Just as she opened her mouth to respond, pitiful caterwauls pierced the cold air.
“That wasn’t me,” Jim said. “Was it you?”
She walked to the kitchen door and opened it. A rail thin black cat strolled in, sat in front of her and howled. Genie contemplated the noisy feline. “You chose poorly.”
A fun fact:
I based the chef’s character on two real life Culinary Institute of America and James Beard Award winning executive chefs. As a foodie and huge fan of their work, it was great fun to incorporate signature dishes from both of their menus in the seduction scene.
What was the most difficult thing about writing in conjunction with the other authors?
Email communication is a challenge for any project. While using emoticons is helpful, there is still room for error and miscommunication. If I were to do this again, I would want to have a conference call/SKYPE session where all the authors got on the same page, literally. This is what my co-editor and I do with my best selling textbook in health care management. Any confusion or concerns are addressed in weekly meetings as the project rolls along. It also helps to keep both of us motivated and upbeat.
What was the best thing about writing in conjunction with other authors?
Having written several textbooks with over 40 contributing authors, I was comfortable with the process of sharing my work and getting feedback. Since I’d never done a fiction anthology with other authors, this was a great learning experience for my romance writing world.
Callista Brenner is determined to get her engagement back on track, even if the future groom isn’t as interested. Jayce Gilmore is determined to show her that she is worth so much more than a man who ignores her every move. Too bad she may not live to see it.
A few favorite lines:
“That’s adorable, little dove.”
“What’s adorable?” I ask.
“That you think I’d be concerned about anything, especially another man, drawing you away from me,” he says.
Fun Fact:
I’m pretty sure I could be clinically diagnosed with having arachnophobia, but I can’t Google it to find out how true it is because Google will show pictures of spiders and I’m too scared of them to risk seeing them.
What was the most difficult/best thing about writing in conjunction with the other authors?
I combined these two questions because the answer is one in the same. The best and most difficult thing about working with the other authors is the different levels of creativity involved. We all have our opinions on how things should be and while that made for a great source of entertainment for readers, but it made it just as hard to work with each other.
Lashanta Charles
Author of Heart of a Savage
Blogger/Reviewer @ Randomly Me . . . & You
Facebook: Author Lashanta or Lashanta Charles
Twitter: @twiety01
Instagram: LashantaC
A Ghost To Die For – Keta Diablo
Rooney Fontaine must convince the brother of a ghost that his life is in danger. Now she’s running from hired assassins with a gorgeous man who makes her bones melt. Who knew danger could be so sexy?
A ghost, a quasi-medium and an alpha hero join forces to solve a murder. But someone wants to silence them forever.
A few favorite lines:
“What are you, some kind of weirdo with inhuman defenses?”
A ghost.
“What!”
You asked me what I am and I’m telling you. I’m a ghost.
Eyes wide, voice in shriek mode, she fell onto the edge of the bed and glared at him. “You can’t be a ghost. I don’t believe in ghosts!”
Understandable. Neither did I until I became one.
* * *
“I know this is going to sound crazy to you, as it did to me at first.” God, this is much harder than I thought. “See, the thing is, your brother didn’t commit suicide. Two men tossed him off the balcony at the La Bonne Chance Casino.”
The Adonis look-alike rolled his eyes.
“He’s been wandering around the hotel for two months until-well, until he showed up in my room last night.”
“Thanks for dropping by Rooney Fontaine but I’ll thank you to haul your sweet little ass back into that car and get the hell off my land.”
He thinks my ass is sweet?
A fun fact:
I’ve always been fascinated by spirits (ghosts) so naturally, I think it’s fun to write about them. The ghost in this story, Stuart, had quite a sense of humor, despite being stuck in limbo–between heaven and Hell. He was desperate to solve his murder and finally found someone to help him. Rooney Fontaine didn’t believe in ghosts…until Stuart showed up in her hotel room begging for help. Hope you enjoy the adventure!
What was the most difficult thing about writing in conjunction with the other authors?
Getting everyone on the same page when it came to the long-term direction of the boxed set. But…these authors are great and were fun to work with. I think they’re all very talented writers too. Don’t forget to download ALL IN FOR LOVE to find out for yourself. Happy reading!
What was the best thing about writing in conjunction with other authors?
It’s always fun to choose a common theme and see what stories come out of it. Some will venture toward humor, some toward suspense and others murder and mayhem. But they all have one thing in common…events or happenings at a large casino. The other nice thing about writing as a group is help with promotion. As every author knows, marketing and promotion takes a toll on us. Some of that is relieved when you have others to help you. Go Team!
Mega-millionaire Daniel Winston Montgomery will do whatever it takes to preserve his wealth, knowing his brilliant top assistant, Lindsey Carr, is essential to his firm’s continued success. Though, truth be told, he needs Lindsey far more than she needs him…
Computer brainiac Lindsey Carr wants more out of life than being no more than boring tech support and is convinced Dan and his company will survive just fine without her since he’s never required more from her than her superior analytical skills, except for that one time she won’t let herself think about…
Unwilling to let Lindsey go, Dan must fight to keep her in his life but, in a clash of priorities, will he choose money…or love?
A few favorite lines:
“You and this marvelous specimen.” Rita waited until Lindsey glanced up then met her eye to eye. “As a couple, are old news, right? That’s what you’ve said.”
“Absolutely.” Purposely lowering her voice, she mentally counted to five before she spoke again. “We did the dating thing for a while.” She shrugged one shoulder for effect. “It didn’t work for us.”
Lindsey took a small gulp of wine to avoid having to share more, and was relieved when Rita and Anne went back to hunk browsing. Trying her best to ignore the fact it was Daniel’s hunk they browsed, she gave up to give into her own thoughts about the man. Bowing to a mutual attraction that became evident soon after they met, Lindsey and Daniel dated for a time. A very short time, consisting of a few casual dinners, a couple of movies. That one night in….
A fun fact:
Through no fault of my own, I was once asked to get off the merry go round at a popular amusement park before the ride even started. I hope to use that life incident in a story someday.
What was the most difficult thing about writing in conjunction with the other authors?
The most difficult thing was to stay true to some of the details that would appear in all of the stories such as the color scheme of the interior of the casino, what the attendants’ uniforms looked like, and what named characters held what positions at the La Bonne Chance Resort and Casino.
What was the best thing about writing in conjunction with other authors?
The best thing for me was a pivotal plot point idea I got when one of the other authors had a murder in their story. I fed off that incident to ramp up the conflict between Dan and Lindsey, the hero and heroine in my book, and to bring Dan to his come to realize moment.
