Blog Posts

Claimed by a SEAL by KaLyn Cooper

3/9/2016

I'd like to welcome KaLyn Cooper to my blog to tell you about her romantic suspense novella Claimed by a SEAL (Cancun Series Crossover/Hot SEALs Kindle Worlds). Here's the synopsis:

Three years ago, Stacie Vandercoy was stuck undercover in Iraq with Jeff “Rock Star” Lennon, the arrogant SEAL who thought he was God’s gift to women. But he couldn’t have her. Fraternization is against the rules. Once again, they are pretending to be husband and wife but this time in Norfolk, Virginia. Can she still resist his brilliant smile, granite body and attentive personality?

Jeff Lennon had been forced to do things he didn’t like as a Navy SEAL and as an agent for the terrorist division of Homeland Security’s Border Patrol. For years, his only real regret has been what had happened to Stacie back in Iraq. He’s been given another chance to make amends and prove he’s not the man she believes him to be. Then, maybe, he can claim her heart, body and soul. In the meantime, they have to stop a terrorist attack somewhere in the Norfolk area, during Fleet Week.

Even the agency’s psychologist isn’t sure Stacie can pull off pretending to be Jeff’s wife. Will Stacie and Jeff break the rules to assure the mission’s success?

Excerpt
The agency psychiatrist took a deep breath. “Now, before I’ll certify the two of you for this op, I want to see you kiss.”

Stacie lifted her eyebrows. She didn’t bother to withhold her shocked response.

Kiss Jeff? The last time they’d kissed, she’d slapped his face. They had just finished a beautiful slow dance at Jack and Jillian’s wedding in Cancun. She’d had a few drinks and had been feeling pretty mellow.

Swaying in Jeff’s arms had seemed the most natural thing in the world to be doing. He’d been singing the words to her, his hot breath like a caress on her ear. He’d laid his lips on hers, and she’d floated to heaven. When he’d deepened it, she’d gladly opened for him.

But when she’d felt his hand on her breast, gently squeezing it, the memory of--

She’d stepped back and slapped him. Right across the face. Hard.

Only Available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Hot-SEALs-Claimed-Crossover-Novella-ebook/dp/B01B27X4CK

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A Sinful Education by Layna Pimentel

3/6/2016

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Do you enjoy sizzling historical romances? Fellow Liquid Silver Books author Layna Pimentel has a new release out today and she'd love to tell you all about it. Congrats, Layna, and happy book birthday.

Series: Pleasure Garden Follies, Book Two
Release date: March 7
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: Erotic historical romance

Synopsis
Lord Charles Avonlea has evaded marriage over the last year, but his mother is determined to find him a wife. Far from consenting to any of her choices, he sets his sights on the one woman unavailable to him, his best friend's younger sister. With no regard for the law or her impending nuptials, he is determined to make Lady Emily Thompson his bride. The only trouble is, he’s stumbled upon dangerous information and hopes he can get to her before it’s too late.

Stunned and dismayed at discovering the arrangement between her mother and the Duke of Downsbury, Lady Emily Thompson searches for a way to break the marriage pact with the duke. She longs to be with the only man who indulges her curiosity, yet finds herself in the middle of a scandal that will crush her dreams forever.

Will she find a way to get out of marrying the duke, or will she find herself in the same predicament as the previous duchess?

Excerpt
Emily gently closed her chamber door and swept down the hall, pausing outside of his room. The glow of the fireplace danced across the floor under the door, but all was silent. Perhaps he was reading from the privacy of the curtained platform bed or standing in the window, basking in the view the west side of the manor offered.

She quietly opened his door and closed it behind her. No one stirred, nor made a sound. She took a step forward, parting her lips to call for him. A soft moan caught her attention and uncertainty crept up her spine. She should not have proceeded, but went on to appease her curiosity. Stealing further into the room, she paused in the corner.

She caught sight of his lordship through the break of the curtains. Charles’ eyes were closed, chest exposed as his hand moved beneath the sheet barely covering his waist. Lord, he’s a sight to watch, but what exactly is he doing?

Emily moved closer, but could not make head or tails of his motions. That is, until he called out, “Emily.”

He moaned, then kicked off his sheets.

Good heavens, the sight of him was impressive. Dark, curly hair dusted his chest. His muscles so refined that the creases begged her to touch them. Dampness settled between her thighs again. What the hell is wrong with me? Did he just moan out my name?

She could see clearly now as he stroked his manhood. Emily gasped and stepped back, bumping into a chair. Drats! 

Avonlea opened his eyes. She lost all sense of what she had stumbled upon. She should not have been there, no matter how glorious or how beautiful he looked with his eyes closed, or how impressive his body appeared. She would land straight in purgatory for this sin and many others, but she stood at the edge of the platform still.

Charles reached for the sheet to cover himself, as he should, but Emily could not help but feel disappointed at the act of modesty. “You should not be here, young lady. What sort of devil are you, for sneaking upon a bachelor’s room as such?”

Buy links
Amazon – Coming soon
Barnes & Noble – http://bit.ly/1TibGfg
Kobo – http://bit.ly/1WSlMkQ
IBooks – http://apple.co/1OIQjM6
Google Play – http://bit.ly/1LqWmdj
Liquid Silver Books – http://bit.ly/1l0mX2Y

About the author
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. She’s a bestselling author at All Romance eBooks and multipublished author of historical, paranormal and contemporary erotic romances. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry, and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario with her husband and two daughters. For updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, find Layna at:

Website http://www.laynapimentel.com
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/LaynaPimentel
Facebook www.facebook.com/AuthorLaynaPimentel
Newsletter http://eepurl.com/R1bCH

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One Last Call by Susan Behon

2/29/2016

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Susan Behon has exciting news: the release of a new book. Specifically, it's One Last Call, Book 4 in her Madison Falls Series. Ready for a little small-town fooling around? Susan writes romance that’s the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. Here she is to tell you more about her new book.

One Last Call, Book 4 in the Madison Falls Series, centers around Sarah Brandon, Sophie’s sister who was introduced in Book 1. Sarah owns the Suds and Spuds, a popular bar and grill where most of the characters hang out and attend karaoke night once a month. Sarah leaves work one night and gets into a car wreck while avoiding hitting a deer in the middle of the road. Her long lost love, Josh Logan, comes to her rescue. They soon find out that the car wreck was no accident and someone is out to hurt Sarah. Josh is determined to protect her and win her back in the meantime. There is a thin line between love and hate. Their arguments turn heated and their kisses even more so! Old flames burn hotter in Madison Falls.

Blurb
Sarah Brandon is having the night from hell.

Thanks to a deer playing chicken in the middle of the road, Sarah is forced to make a frantic ditch dive and gets stuck in her wrecked vehicle. Fiercely independent, the idea of being a damsel in distress chafes more than the seat belt holding her in at an odd angle.

Stranded and needing a rescue, the last person she expects to be her knight in shining armor is Josh Logan. Even with his sexy Southern drawl and bad-boy charm, her long lost love could just as well stay lost as far as Sarah is concerned.

She’s had it with men. With a cheating ex-husband trying to win her back and a too sexy for his own good ex-boyfriend trying to make amends, she doesn’t need any more trouble. Trouble finds her anyway when it comes to light that the cause of her accident is no accident. Someone is out to hurt her, and Josh wants to protect her before it’s too late.

Josh considers it fate that he finally has a chance to explain to Sarah why he left town without a word the summer after graduation. It was years ago, but he never stopped loving her. Secrets from the past and threats from the present collide in a dangerous game that could cost Sarah her life.

One kiss at a time, Josh is out to prove that he would slay dragons for her if she would only give a lost love found a second chance.

Buy links
GooglePlay http://bit.ly/1WyxrVC
ITunes http://apple.co/1XE17lC
Kobo http://bit.ly/1RedO3S

Author bio
Susan Behon, author of the Madison Falls series, enjoys creating a world that brings readers romance, laughter, and a healthy dose of sexiness. Susan graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English from Norfolk State University. She currently lives in Ohio with her very own romance hero of a husband and their two wonderful daughters.

Social media links
Twitter www.twitter.com/suebeehny
Facebook http://on.fb.me/1dD86dc
Goodreads http://bit.ly/1GFiuIg
Amazon author http://amzn.to/1zn8Igz
Website/blog www.susanbehon.com

Book quotes

“You flipped the switch. You’re using verbal foreplay to lure me in!”
“Verbal foreplay? Honey, this is the way I talk.” He ran a hot fingertip down the side of Sarah’s neck in a slow glide. The tone of his voice became wickedly indulgent. “I can’t help it if you like it.”
“I don’t like it!” Man, I’m such a liar.
“You little liar. I remember everythin’ you like.”
                                         -------------------------
Her mouth went dry from seeing Josh up close and brightly lit. Sarah managed a nod as she took in his faded blue T-shirt that showcased defined biceps and a broad chest. The washed-out cotton encased a stomach that was still annoyingly flat. A hint of a tattoo on his upper left arm peeked out of the short sleeve. Sarah couldn’t make out what it was. From what she could see, the design looked intricate. She wanted to push up that sleeve and explore him…no, wait, explore the tattoo. Not him. Definitely not him.
                              --------------------------------
Josh, you underestimate my love for bacon and my…”
“…hatred of me?” Josh wished he wouldn’t have reminded her of it.
“I don’t hate you.” Sarah’s expression shuttered, and the vibrancy she’d shown while they were bantering disappeared.
“You don’t? What would you call it, then?”
Sarah closed her eyes and let out a deep, frustrated breath. “Look, it was a long time ago. I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s forget it and move on, okay?”
Josh opened her door and helped her up as gently as possible. He started the truck, and they drove along in silence for a few moments.
“No.”
                                         ------------------------------
“No, it’s not going to work. Whatever you have in mind, you can forget it. These aren’t the good old days, and I’m not some naive teenager ready to melt over a Southern twang and some sloppy kisses.”
“Whoa, wait. What do you mean sloppy? My kisses were never sloppy. You used to love my kisses. You weren’t complainin’ back then.”
“I didn’t know any better. Live and learn.”
“When I kiss you—and that’s a when, not an if—the last word you’ll be thinkin’ is sloppy. That’s if you’ll be thinkin’ anythin’ at all.”
“Aren’t you sure of yourself? One thing hasn’t changed. You’re still as cocky as ever. You can forget it. There is no when; there isn’t even an if when it comes to you kissing me. Dream on, bud.”
Excerpts
“Don’t scream, sunshine. You’ll wake up the neighbors.”

Josh was reclined on top of her covers, bare feet crossed one over the other and his hands tucked behind his head. His black T-shirt stood out starkly against the pastel colors of her quilt. His faded blue jeans were slung low and outlined his lower half to perfection.

Sarah didn’t know what had her heart pumping faster, getting startled by seeing a man in her bed or the actual sight of that sexy man reclining on her bed like he belonged there.

“Josh?” Sarah hissed. “What the hell are you doing in here?

How did you get in? You better hope my mom didn’t hear you!”

He sat up and ran his fingers through the short layers of his tawny brown hair before rubbing the back of his neck.

“Am I the only one here havin’ déjà vu?”

“How did you get in here?”

His grin was anything but innocent. “You should lock your window, darlin’. Anyone could climb on in here.”

“What if my mom heard you? You could have woken her up!”

“Doubt it.”

“Why is that?”

“She’s not here.”

“She’s not?” So Sarah had been tiptoeing for nothing? “How do you know?”

“She’s still with my dad.”

“At this time of night?” Sarah felt ridiculous as soon as she asked the question.

“Yep. Guess they’re havin’ a slumber party.” He raised his eyebrows in innuendo. She ignored the images that volley brought forth.

“Then why didn’t you knock and come through the front door like a normal person?”

“I was feelin’ nostalgic.”

“You’ve never climbed in my bedroom window before.”

“I know. But I wanted to.”

                                                   ********
“Damn my life. Even Bambi’s out to get me!”

Sarah Brandon held on to the steering wheel of her car, heart pounding in her chest, trying to pretend that she hadn’t just taken a nose dive into a ditch. If she admitted the reality of that, she would have to add in the regrettable detail of the ditch running alongside a dark and deserted back road. Once that became a fact, she would have to deal with the ominous-looking wall of trees that surrounded the scary, dark, and deserted back road. Anything could be hiding in those woods—wild animals, werewolves, Freddy Krueger—anything.

Who wanted to admit to landing in the plot of a bad horror movie? Considering it was well past midnight and she was by herself…not Sarah.

This isn’t happening.

She peeked out the driver’s-side window, checking for any serial killers who might be lurking, just waiting to pounce on her. At this angle, Sarah couldn’t see much of anything beyond the murky fronds of tall grass encircling her.

Perfect hiding spot for a crazy killer.

Not that there were any psycho criminals in Madison Falls lately, but in this town, you never knew.

Sarah was still freaked out from nearly hitting the deer standing smack dab in the middle of the road. She’d swerved in time to miss it, just not quickly enough to miss the damned ditch. The buck hadn’t moved until the tail end of her Mini Cooper was ass-up at an odd angle. Sarah swore he gave her a “sucks to be you” toss of his antlers before turning and prancing off into the woods.

Bambi was right. It did, presently, suck to be her. Sarah’s door was jammed, and she refused to climb out the driver’s-side window without any shoes on. Lord knew what sort of muck would squish between her toes while she tried to hoof it out of there. In the daylight, she wouldn’t be so prissy. In the dead of night, it was another story. If she had to traipse through muck, Sarah wanted to see it first.

Where the hell did my shoes go?

Sarah remembered taking them off before getting in her car and heading home. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember where she’d put them. Her feet had been sore from doing a double shift and filling in for one of her bartenders. Not thinking she’d be standing that long, she’d made the unfortunate decision to wear high heels to work. Sarah’s Suds and Spuds was always crowded on Friday night and her business had been hopping.

Her aching feet were still paying for it.

She could practically hear her mom warning her to never drive barefoot and to always wear clean underwear in case of an accident. In her current predicament, Sarah understood the necessity of shoes. She still didn’t get the clean underwear thing. Of course she always wore it, but did the doctor actually check?

What would he say? “Sarah has sustained a few contusions, Mrs. Brandon. Not to worry, her prognosis is good. We’re pleased to report that for once, she followed your advice, and wore clean underwear.”

Sarah couldn’t really picture Dr. Anthony over at the Madison Falls Medical Center making that announcement to her mother. Even though the young doctor was kind of cute, she didn’t think he had any desire to check out her panties. Then again, no one had any desire to check out her panties lately. She shook off the thought. Sarah had more important things to worry about.

Her pulse slowed as she listened to the symphony of night sounds coming from the surrounding woods. They didn’t sound too threatening. Crickets, frogs, and the odd mosquito or two kept her company while Sarah tried to figure out her next move. She used the steering wheel as leverage to keep the seat belt from digging into her neck. At least her airbags hadn’t deployed and smooshed her into the driver’s seat. Good news for her unbroken nose, but shouldn’t they have gone off?

Twin headlights came over the rise in the road, lighting up the darkness like two beacons of hope. Thank God. She hadn’t had a chance to call anyone for help yet. Most normal people were asleep by now. Please let it be a Good Samaritan and not Leather Face. Whoever got out of the still rumbling truck was backlit in the wash of bright headlights, so she couldn’t tell who it was.

She strained to look out the back window through the reflection in the rearview mirror and made out the figure of a man…a big man. Although Sarah knew practically everyone in her small town, that didn’t stop her from holding the steering wheel one-handed while searching through her purse for her pepper spray.

She prayed it was someone with good intentions because he was making his way down the incline at a fast clip. Sarah didn’t think her breath spray, all she could find by feel, would do much damage. Maybe if the Binaca got in his eyes, it would sting a little. It would hardly incapacitate someone, though.

“Hey there, Sarah sunshine.”

An achingly familiar, deep baritone with a sexy Southern drawl drifted through the window on her left. There was only one man who had ever called her “sunshine.” She didn’t want to turn her head and see Josh Logan attached to that voice. Sarah had known he’d come back a few months ago to work with his dad at the Madison Falls Garage. She’d been avoiding that establishment ever since she’d heard the news. As a matter of fact, Sarah made a point of driving the extra half hour to get her oil changed somewhere else.

Josh was a ghost from Sarah’s youthful past. He was her first failed attempt at love. He’d broken her heart when he’d left town the summer after graduation. After an entire school year of dating--dog years to a teenager—Josh hadn’t even said goodbye to her in person. She’d been left wondering what the hell happened to him. Sarah preferred thinking of him as having dropped off the face of the Earth.

Reality and the man standing outside her car was telling her otherwise.

It was a bitter pill to swallow to realize that after over a decade later, and an ex-husband under her belt, her taste in men still hadn’t improved. Sarah didn’t need a blast from her past to remind her of it. Maybe I can fake deafness and he’ll go away?

That theory was shot to hell when he murmured, “Hey there, darling.’ You okay?”

Sarah snapped. “Do I look okay to you?”

In her frustration, she’d managed to turn her head to look at him. He was barely lit by the console lights. Still, the full impact of his blue-eyed gaze hit her like a slug to the chest.

Oh. My. It was Josh all right.

He still had that same chiseled jawline that she used to love tracing with her lips. The bastard hadn’t even had the decency to go bald and fat. No, Josh had gone the opposite route. He was in better shape now than when they were in high school. The lean, rangy build of a teenager had morphed into the broad, muscular build of a very fit, very hot, grown man. From what Sarah could see, his tawny brown hair was still thick too.

Where’s the justice in that? Can’t karma at least give him a bad comb-over?

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Feline Valentine by Tara Quan

2/21/2016

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I'm please to welcome to my blog today Tara Quan to tell you about Feline Valentine. The spotlight is yours, Tara.

A year ago, I released Fireworks at Midnight, thinking I would leave the world of A Witch’s Night Out forever. (I’d planned the series as a trilogy.) Unfortunately, my characters had other plans. Since I’d sicced Madame Eve on her cat familiar, earth mage Shelley Dupree insisted I make things right. To be fair, I’d already given her a magical handicap, forced her under house arrest, and buried her in bills—taking away her feline companion did seem a cruel and unusual punishment.

It took me two months of fictional time to even the scales with Feline Valentine. Part of Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series, my interracial paranormal romance is set in Washington, D.C., where magic-wielding folk try to live alongside us pesky humans. It’s my first true “shifter” AND “foodie” romance (talk about ticking two boxes with one book), and a quick read of the blurb should tell you what I mean.

To celebrate this unexpected return to my favorite series, I’m giving away a $15 gift card. To enter, leave a comment here and drop your details at my Web site, www.taraquan.com/felinevalentine.

Book blurb

Under magical house arrest in her great-grandmother’s suburban cottage, college graduate and reluctant earth mage Shelley Dupree whiles away most mornings spying on the warlock next door. Though erotic daydreams offer some distraction, she faces long working hours, cash flow problems, and a repeat burglar.

On Valentine’s Day, she sets a trap for the mysterious intruder, intent on ending his crime streak once and for all. But her scheming cat familiar foils her best-laid plans, and, with a little help from Madame Eve’s 1-Night Stand service, she discovers a far more dangerous species of magical feline.

After moving in next to a ramshackle building on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., pastry chef Adrien Chatdurois is plagued by repeat sexual fantasies starring the same curvy brunette. In a state of constant arousal, he devotes his early mornings to grueling exercise and spends the rest of his day handcrafting the city’s best chocolates.

When his younger brother stirs up trouble on the shop’s busiest day, the frustrated shifter is forced to pay a surprise visit on his reclusive neighbor. He soon learns not all witches are wart-covered hags, and one in particular might prove the most delicious of desserts.

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Comedy, Interracial/Multicultural

Buy links

Amazon | ARe | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | GooglePlay | GoodReads

Check out the rest of the series here!

About the author

Globetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, paranormal worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Her characters, armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. To receive updates about her new releases and get a free sexy read, subscribe to her mailing list at www.taraquan.com/newsletter.

Author links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon

Excerpt
Adrien finished slotting the tray of chocolate-dipped strawberries into the case’s most prominent spot. In honor of Valentine’s Day, he’d drawn a Cupid’s bow on each fruit using melted white chocolate. Beaming a proud smile at the appetizing array, he made a mental note to drop off any remainders on his next-door neighbor’s porch after closing time.

With the notion came a sudden compulsion to also send a bottle of bubbly. Rolling his shoulders to relieve the tension in his fatigued muscles, he tentatively added champagne to the shopping list. If today’s profits met expectations, he should be able to gift the old lady some booze.

Less than a second later, an image of a bottle of peach Schnapps flashed over his vision. Stepping to his left, he took off the wool hat and placed it next to the cash register. Why was his brain fixating on ingredients for a Bellini? He didn’t even like cocktails.

White heat flashed over his vision. He found himself on his knees, crouched over a soft feminine body. Fizzy, bubbly liquid slicked skin the color of caramel. When her back arched, the drink sluiced over a set of tensed, quivering abs to soak her lacy pink waistband. He dipped his head, his tongue trailing over the potent mixture of peach, alcohol, and woman. He dug his fingers into her lush hips, tilting her in the opposite direction so the remaining liquid trickled over her ribs to catch along the underwire of her bra. Capitalizing on the excuse to taste, he--

Fingers snapped repeatedly in front of his face. “Oy. Where the hell did you go?”

With a sigh, he directed his gaze at his sibling. “Bass, what the hell do you want?” Their two-year age gap allowed for a healthy dose of fraternal bonding, but a lifetime as the man’s big brother had also built up baseline cynicism. Sebastien’s unannounced visits tended to have odd and oftentimes very expensive consequences.

Author interview

When and why did you begin writing?
As a kid, I read a lot. I don’t know when it started, but I remember at times wanting to change the ending, the pairing, or specific scenes in certain books. That’s probably why I wrote fan fiction in my teens, and I progressed to creating my own worlds after finishing college.

What inspired you to write your first book?
My first manuscript, which will forever dwell in the bowels of my laptop, was a vampire romance inspired by my love of Nalini Singh’s style of writing. My first published book is a retelling of Rapunzel, set in a post-apocalyptic zombie world, and it was inspired by a creative submissions call.

Do you have a specific writing style?
Despite numerous failed attempts to emulate my favorite authors, my sense of humor gets the better of me. My stories tend to be funny, lighthearted, and a little tongue-in-cheek. Of course, I’m a romance junkie and it shows.

What books have influenced your life most?
There are too many to count. I think my path to becoming an (English-language) bookworm started with Enid Blyton’s The Enchanted Wood.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Although I adore Nalini Singh as a reader, I think my writing style most closely approximates that of Julia Quinn. I think I learned a ton of language tricks by reading all her books.

How did you come up with the title?
This one was easy. It’s a story with a “big cat” shifter, and it’s set on Valentine’s Day. I was so stoked when I looked up Feline Valentine on Amazon and discovered it wasn’t taken yet.

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Sweet on You by Marianne Rice

2/18/2016

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Marianne Rice is my guest author today and she's featuring her soon-to-be-released romance Sweet on You, The Wilde Sisters #1.

Release Date: Jan. 26
Publisher: Limitless Publishing

SYNOPSIS

An extravagant cake design brings small town baker Trent Kipson to fame...

After gaining social media exposure of his culinary art, Trent’s cake design goes viral. Soon he’s contacted by the Cooking Network to host a new show in California. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for the owner of a modest shop in Portland, Maine, and the financial freedom the network offers could be the answer to all of his monetary problems.

Fitness instructor Rayne Wilde wants the life every small-town girl dreams of…

Rayne wishes for a future full of romance and the pitter-patter of little feet. She wants it all, including a white picket fence and a dog named Spot—which is exactly why she refuses to sleep with Trent, the sexy man who attends her Zumba classes. After a series of dead-end relationships, this time she really is in love. Trent is special, and the fear of letting him slip through her fingers keeps her advances at bay.

Life is waiting—all it takes is a leap of faith...

As their friendship grows and skeletons creep out of their closets, their relationship is put to the test. Stakes get higher, and the spark between them burns hotter than ever before.

Can they handle the heat when life-changing secrets are exposed, or will the fear of being burned send them on two different paths?

PURCHASE: Available on Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon US http://amzn.to/1WnPCxT
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1WnR6bA

About the author

Marianne Rice writes contemporary romances set in small New England towns. Her heroes are big and strong, yet value family and humor, while her heroines are smart, sexy, sometimes a little bit sassy, and are often battling a strong internal conflict. Together, they deal with real life issues and always, always, find everlasting love. When she’s not writing, Marianne spends her time buying shoes, eating chocolate, chauffeuring her herd of children to their varying sporting events, and when there’s time, cuddling with her husband, a drink in one hand, a romance book in the other.

Links
Limitless Publishing www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/marianne-rice/

Facebook   www.facebook.com/MarianneRiceaut

Twitter   https://twitter.com/mariannericeaut

Website   www.mariannerice.com/

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Captivated in Cancun, by KaLyn Cooper

2/4/2016

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I'd like to welcome KaLyn Cooper to my blog to tell you about her latest romantic suspense novel, Captivated in Cancun, the second book in her Cancun series. Here's what the book is about:

Blurb
In Cancun for a wedding is the perfect cover for Josh Madden, retired SEAL and n0w the director of anti-terrorism at Homeland Security. Intel believes Mexican human traffickers are smuggling terrorists into the USA on cruise ships. What he really wants to uncover are the repressed desires of the groom’s sister.

The discoveries Lilly made about herself after her recent divorce solidified her resolve to never allow a man to mold her into the woman he wants her to be. Focused on raising her two young boys, launching her family’s fledgling cruise line and rebuilding her self-esteem, she’s tempted when her brother’s former boss offers to make her bedroom fantasies come true.

When their worlds collide, Lilly needs a superhero. Will Josh choose the mission over a woman in trouble?

Excerpt
     Josh moved into her path.
     Mumbling, head down, Lilly ran straight into his chest…and froze. When she looked up, her eyes were wide, shocked to see him.
     Priceless. And so beautiful with the moon splashing light her high Mayan cheeks and eyes as dark as the sky above, glinting with the reflection of stars.
     “You heard me?” Her voice was quiet.
     “Yes, And your conversation with your ex. Hard to miss since you were in my arms.”
     Lilly dropped her forehead to his shoulder and buried her face. “I’m sorry you had to hear all that.”
     “I’m not. Your ex is an emotionally abusive ass, and you should be happy to be free of him.” Josh picked up her chin and brushed his lips over hers. “But I think you and I are looking for the same thing. I don’t do long term, and you already know I’m temporary, just what you’re looking for.”
     Josh leaned in, his lips right next to her ear, his hands in constant but slow motion. “Tell me what you want, Lilly. I’m very good at taking orders.”
     Gradually she turned her head so her warm moist lips were right next to his ear. “I want…” There was a long pause before she sighed. “I’m just not sure.” The insecurity in her voice snapped his resolve. He had to respect her wishes and would never force any woman to do anything she didn’t want to do. She wasn’t ready. At least not tonight.
     Josh brushed his thumbs over her freckled cheeks. “A few nights of pleasure…any way you want it…are yours.”

Author Bio
KaLyn Cooper writes romantic suspense based in fact. Twenty-seven years as a military wife has shown her the world and the men and women who protect it every day. Thirty years in PR taught her fact can be stranger than fiction, but she leaves it up to the reader to separate truth from imagination. She and her husband live in Tennessee on their micro-plantation filled with gardens, cattle, quail, and a bird dog. When she’s not writing, she’s at the shooting range or on the river.

Author Links
Website www.KaLynCooper.com
Email KaLyn@KaLynCooper.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kalyn.cooper.52
Blog http://kalyncooper.wordpress.com/
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/kalyncooper/
Twitter @KaLynCooperbooks
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7920863.KaLyn_Cooper
Amazon author page amazon.com/author/kalyncooper

Cancun Series
Christmas in Cancun (Book #1)
Buy Links
Print    http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Cancun-Volume-KaLyn-Cooper/dp/1503004236

eBook
Amazon   http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Cancun-KaLyn-Cooper-ebook/dp/B00PD61SQG
Liquid Silver   http://www.lsbooks.com/christmas-in-cancun-p973.php
Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-in-cancun-kalyn-cooper/1120731116?ean=9781622101733
Kobo   http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/christmas-in-cancun
iTunes/iBooks   https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/christmas-in-cancun/id940858520?mt=11

Conquered in Cancun (Novella #1.5)
Available in eBook only on Amazon   http://www.amazon.com/Conquered-Cancun-Novella-1-5-ebook/dp/B00WQDUK2M

Captivated in Cancun (Book #2)
Amazon eBook   http://www.amazon.com/Captivated-Cancun-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B01B11BAZ0
Coming Soon on B&N, KOBO, iBooks
Coming Soon in Print

Claimed by a SEAL (Novella #2.5)
Only Available on Amazon   http://www.amazon.com/Hot-SEALs-Claimed-Crossover-Novella-ebook/dp/B01B27X4CK

13 Comments

Scandal at Vauxhall by Layna Pimentel

1/31/2016

2 Comments

Happy release day to Layna and congratulations on her newest book, the erotic novella Scandal at Vauxhall, Pleasure Garden Follies, Book 1. Isn't that a beautiful cover? I'm turning over my blog to Layna so she can tell you all about her book.

Full of mystery, gambling, and a love story for the ages, this Regency romance is a wonderful addition to your historical romance library. Find out why scandal has never been sweeter, even when society dictates otherwise!

Blurb
The love and happiness Isabel Salisbury expected in life when she accepted the proposal of the Marquess of Stoughton takes an unexpected turn, when he leaves on a mission for the war office. She is married off to the Duke of Brimley.

Nathaniel Thompson, the Marquess of Stoughton, is devastated to learn upon his return that Isabel has married the duke. When news of her husband’s death surfaces, Nathaniel sets out to make amends and will stop at nothing until she’s his marchioness.

But when London learns of a promiscuous tryst between them in the Daily, their credibility is at stake. They soon discover that nothing in life is simple, nor private, and all is fair in love and war.

Purchase Link: Liquid Silver Books

Excerpts

London, England, 1815
Prologue

Isabel Salisbury hopped up from her seat and faced her mother. “Elevating me? Are you mad? This arrangement only benefits you and Father! What is the rush? Surely, your situation can wait until Nathaniel returns?” She lifted her chin high, attempting to remain controlled, but lost all civility.

“Furthermore, I will not accept a proposal of any sort from any duke or such until I have spoken with Nathaniel! I could never love another. How can they do this to me?”

Interrupting the hostility, the ancient pendulum clock hanging behind her father struck eight bells, reminding her where she needed to be. Without asking for permission, she dashed from the room, wiping her eyes and not looking back. Her conniving parents thought that this—that they—would be over. Not if I can help it. She had to get answers and soon. The last thing she desired was to be pawned off to a duke who had no interest in her.

Isabel had heard in great detail of the Duke of Brimley’s conquests—from the infamous courtesan’s Madame Martine boasted of, to a mysterious affair with some Italian beauty, who was never seen, over a year ago. All of this and so much more had been revealed at Miss Turner’s garden tea party just a week prior.

While Cecily, Madeline, and several other ladies of the haute ton thought the rumors to be utterly scandalous, that didn’t stop them from letting their imagination run wild. Miss Turner went on to compare Brimley to the men written about in those French novels that her mother kept hidden.

What more could I ask for? Not only will I marry well, but I’m bound to be miserable with a man who thrives on living a life scandalously and shadowed by infidelity. I would much rather perish from consumption.

Hidden in the shadows of her parents’ maze of roses, Isabel raced against time. There she would meet Nathaniel, in what could be their last moments together for months. Despair over not seeing her beloved until he returned from the war office shook her to her core, tripping and stumbling her along the way. Her hopes and desires had been crushed. Emptiness swallowed her heart whole.

What if he never returns? How could he not tell me? She loved him dearly, yet anger simmered beneath the surface and insecurity washed over her.

“There you are, sweetling. I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”

Isabel threw herself at him, desperately hoping her parents were wrong. “You’re leaving me?” she murmured into his overcoat. Please let it be a falsehood.

“Darling, let me explain, but first I have to ask you something.”

Her eyes widened with disbelief. She sniffled and stepped out of his hold, gazing into his beautiful and stoic blue eyes.

“I wanted to do this sooner, but...would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I know that we cannot be married until I return. Nevertheless...”

Isabel smiled, tears rolling down her cheeks. She almost shrieked with glee, but given their clandestine meeting, her joy had to be contained. Please, please, please, don’t anyone find us right now. “I accept,” she blurted before wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his. She allowed herself to languish in the slow tease of his tongue.

“Outstanding, sweetling. I’ll meet with your father in the morning, and we’ll begin the arrangements when I return in six months.”

“Nathaniel, that is too long! Are you sure you cannot return any sooner?”

She found herself enveloped firmly in his embrace, finally content, when he replied. “My dear, it could very well take longer. I assure you, I will do my utmost best to return to you in time.”

Isabel beamed against his chest. “Very well, my darling. I cannot wait to share the news with Mother!”

Maybe now they’ll see how worthy you are. Now there shouldn’t be any reason why I must meet that wicked duke.

How about another excerpt?

On a night like tonight, however, she was thankful for the lack of her husband’s presence. These types of occasions always put him in a sour mood. He’d wind up playing whist and lose. Then, he’d drink himself into a stupor, drag her away from whatever conversation she was having, take her home and bed her roughly, only to fall asleep before giving her any pleasure in return.

Pfft. What is pleasure anyway? Yet, while she didn’t have much experience in the ways of lovemaking, it was highly unlikely most marriage beds were like hers. Especially during these moments, she wished she had the courage to run.

Is married life supposed to be like this? Leaving me feeling filthy, unworthy, and so lonely? She hadn’t the slightest clue about what she'd ever done wrong, but the pang of regret over not standing up to her husband made her frailer with each passing day.

Distracting her from such sad thoughts, Lady Balfour approached, fanning herself with expediency. “My dear, have you heard? The Marquess of Stoughton has just arrived. My word, he hasn’t aged one bit, and he’s looking quite fit.”

Nathaniel! He’s alive. Isabel’s heart pounded in her chest as her gaze settled on him.

She hadn’t seen him since he’d told her he was leaving on business for the war office. Her pulse kicked up furiously to the point that she felt light-headed and breathless. He was still a sight for sore eyes. His dark hair and piercing blue gaze stood out in the crowd. The sheer breadth of his shoulders framed his muscular size. She watched as he stopped and spoke with other gentlemen, his back now facing her and Lady Balfour.

My God! He really is here. Would he even recognize me? Hardly. He’s probably here to fetch his mistress for the evening. Why would he even pay me any mind? Besides, she was a duchess, very much married, and obliged to keep up appearances.

“My, would you look at the size of his thighs,” Lady Coxley announced as she approached the ladies, garnering a few giggles from prying ears.

Isabel smirked, knowing all too well in what direction this conversation was headed.

“They are wonderfully built, but I’m sure some other lady has laid claim on the marquess.”

“You haven’t heard, have you, Isabel?”

“What haven’t I heard?” she asked. Her breath hitched and her pulse raced. What could I have missed?

“Come away with me to the terrace. I wish to speak to you in private. We can’t have half of London listening in.”

She followed Lady Coxley outdoors, leaving behind the sounds of merriment to be embraced by the shrouded darkness of night and silence.

“They say the marquess will not marry until he’s found her.”

“Until he’s found who?”

“The one who broke his heart. But in all honesty, everyone knows it’s you. With any luck, perchance some horrible fate will happen upon Henry.”

If I were only so lucky. “You shouldn’t talk like that! And for the record, the marquess and I were done long ago. Remember, he’s the one who left me.”

“Isabel, you cannot expect me to believe that you haven’t thought about that man— at least once or ever—during the course of this sham of a marriage of yours. The haute ton in its entirety knows where he is right now. And you’d be a fool to think Henry gives two ninnies about your welfare.”

The sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted them.

“Excuse me, ladies, but I was wondering if perchance I could steal Her Grace for a dance.”

Good grief. Did he hear any of our discussion? I cannot believe he’s actually here.

Heat coursed through Isabel at the thought of holding him once again. She nodded and held out her gloved palm for him to take. “I’d be honored, My Lord.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Your Grace.”

Leaving behind Lady Coxley, she followed his lead inside for a waltz.

“It’s been too long, Isabel. I’ve missed you terribly,” he whispered as they took a turn about the dance floor. Nathaniel bowed and took her hand. His touch warmed her, and the gentle squeeze that followed reassured her that the flame they once had was still there.

She and Henry hadn’t danced since their wedding and even then, he quickly discarded her to dance with the Duchess of Downsbury. If she’d only known her dismissal that evening would be the first of many others. For the most part, her husband had two left feet, but Nathaniel whisked her away gracefully to the tune. She wished to kiss him again and remind herself of their time together. Good heavens, Isabel. You’re married. Enough of this foolishness!

Isabel felt him pulling her closer as his arm at the small of her back pushed her in. His head dipped down, and, naturally, she looked up at him, ignoring every stare and whisper as they moved together. She finally cringed and mustered the courage to ask him the one thing weighing heavily on her mind.

“Why did you take so long? Why didn’t you come sooner? Nathaniel, there hasn’t been a day I haven’t thought of you.”

As the music wound down and the dancers departed, Isabel locked her eyes on his and felt a tear escape. “You’ve been missed greatly, My Lord.”

His thumb swiped away the drop. “My dear, there hasn’t been a day, hour, or dream you haven’t occupied.”

About the Author

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. She’s a bestselling author at All Romance eBooks and a multipublished author of historical, paranormal and contemporary erotic romances. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario with her husband and two daughters.

For updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, you can find her at:

Website www.laynapimentel.com
Twitter www.twitter.com/LaynaPimentel
Facebook www.facebook.com/AuthorLaynaPimentel
Newsletter http://eepurl.com/R1bCH

2 Comments

Cover reveal ... Seduction in Seville

1/12/2016

0 Comments

I'm very pleased to host fellow Liquid Silver Books author Olivia Night for the cover debut of her upcoming novel, Seduction in Seville, The Men of FTI Book 2. Isn't this a beautiful cover? The seduction continues Feb. 1, and I know her fans can hardly wait after reading the first book in the series, Seduction in Sierra Leone. Here's a teaser for this next sexy, exciting FTI adventure.

Book blurb
In a hospital in Seville, Spain, Patrick Kane lies in a coma. Ambushed and shot while protecting a friend, he fights to survive.
She never thought she would see him again. Patrick, the man who’d brought her back.
Eight years ago, Patrick, a joint partner in Fairlane Trade International, descended into a basement of horrors. That horrible day he rescued many women, but one he would always remember. Her beautiful doe eyes filled his dreams and haunted his nightmares.
Madison Lockwood, a nurse, has struggled to put her past behind her, trying to forget the time she spent in captivity. But she recognizes the man who rescued her and brought her out of that terrifying reality. She owes him her life. Patrick is gravely injured, and Madison vows to see him through.
When Patrick opens his eyes, he instantly knows that he made a mistake leaving Madison after freeing her from the clutches of a human trafficking ring. She is meant to be his. As Patrick tries to win over a wary Madison, the past they both thought was gone for good comes back with a vengeance. One by one, the survivors of the horrific ordeal are being murdered. Patrick knows that Madison will be next if he doesn’t protect her.
Together they must fight for their survival. Seduction In Seville, book two in the Men of FTI series, is a tale of redemption, murder, new beginnings and love that takes the reader on a wild, exotic ride.

Author bio
Olivia Night, a fictional character herself, has always been an avid reader and writer. She found the romance genre in college and has never been able to get enough. One sleepless night, the main characters of Book One in her Seduction series sprang from her head fully formed. They demanded she tell their story; so she did. As they revealed themselves, so did two other intriguing characters. Those characters convinced her to give them their own books because their stories were worth telling, too. And so Olivia suddenly became a romance author.

When Olivia is not writing, she has the best job in the world, which, too, will remain a secret. In her free time, she reads, write, runs or is, most likely, out emulating Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Olivia lives in one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the U.S.--Baltimore. She lives with her cat, which she is convinced was a gladiator in his past life. Olivia plans to continue being awesome at this thing called life. Really, that's her only goal.

Still available
In the mangroves of Sierra Leone, two strangers, raised a world apart, find themselves inextricably connected. They can run from their pasts, but they can’t run from each other. Passion erupts between a relief worker and an arms dealer as they play a deadly game of hide-and-seek with a man set on vengeance. Seduction in Sierra Leone is a fast-paced, action-filled novel of murder, lust and revenge.

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Hearts Race by Anneka Ever

12/13/2015

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Happy book birthday to fellow Liquid Silver Books author Anneka Ever, whose latest romance novel, Hearts Race, Book 2 in the Burns Class of Love series, is out today. Here's Anneka to tell you about it:

When it comes to adventure, she’s stop and he’s go. When it comes to romance, he’s yes and she’s no.
Can billionaire Dylan Delaney overcome his adrenaline addiction with life coach Greta Larsen’s help before he loses his technology empire? Can she move past the death of her husband to find love again?

When Greta finds herself attracted to her very rich, very handsome new client, she sees it as a betrayal of her late husband. Despite her feelings of guilt, she can’t walk away from Dylan, especially when she learns he harbors his own grief.

His secret sorrow is the key to Dylan’s love of danger. Greta is determined to unlock his mysterious past so he’ll stop courting death. What she doesn’t count on is the passion she frees.

Dylan’s never met a woman who could slow him down. Until now. Greta teaches him to be mindful of the moment, but soon his every moment is filled with thoughts of her. Has he replaced one addiction with another?

Hearts Race is the follow-up story to Riverswept and the second book in the Burns Class of Love series. The story returns readers to the small town of Burns, Virginia and also introduces them to the Blue Ridge Mountains around Charlottesville, Virginia.

Excerpt
She glanced at the pool and saw the top of Dylan’s dark head as he cut through the water. “Why am I here?”

Ben snapped shut the laptop and turned to watch his friend swim. “In theory, to help Dylan overcome his problems so he won’t lose his company. In practice…well, that’s another matter.”

Her throat tightened. “This is a waste of my time.”
“You’re getting paid well.”
“I want to earn it.” She heard the irritation in her voice. Ben must have, too, because he peered at her with alarm.
“I’ll talk with him and see if I can get him to take this more seriously.”
She nodded and looked back at the pool. Dylan had climbed out of the water. He wore red swim trunks, modest but not baggy. He ran his hand down his chest and skimmed the water from his skin, dispersing droplets that looked like sunlit diamonds. He had the build of a natural athlete, not overly muscular but firm. When he turned to grab a towel, she saw scars crisscrossing his back, telling the tale of his many mishaps. After he dried off, he padded barefoot to the pavilion and grabbed a bottle of cold water.
He chugged it all and then swiped his mouth with the back of his arm. He smiled at her. “Did you come down here to chew me out?”
She felt her face grow warm. “Why didn’t you meet me like we agreed you would do?”

He looked at Ben, who just shrugged and opened his laptop again. Dylan sighed and lifted his head to the ceiling. A fan stirred the air above them. Greta saw goosebumps pop up on his arms and she felt the urge to run her fingertips over his skin. Her fingers twitched.

Links
Buy link: http://www.annekaever.com/books.html
Author website: www.AnnekaEver.com

Author bio
Anneka Ever's contemporary love stories are set in the mountains and small towns of Virginia. Her strong heroes and independent heroines explore their passion against the beautiful backdrop of rivers, meadows, and forests. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America. Anneka lives in Virginia with her husband and three dogs.

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Special sale on Frosty Relations by Tara Quan

12/13/2015

1 Comment

I'm very pleased to welcome Tara Quan to my blog to tell you about a kick-butt sale on her paranormal romantic comedy, Frosty Relations. Heeeeeere's Tara.

With the holidays upon us there are troves of books to curl up with by the fireplace. My paranormal romantic comedy goes great with mulled wine and cinnamon cookies. Part of Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand line, Frosty Relations features a young college graduate facing the complicated world of adulthood and confronting the frost mage she’s had a crush on for most of her life. Add some Christmas magic and Madame Eve’s renowned matchmaking service, and we’ve got the beginnings of an icy-hot love story.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, my publisher has discounted the book to 99 cents for a limited time on Amazon and ARe. (The sale ends Monday, Dec. 14.) I’m also giving away a $10 gift card. To enter, leave a comment at the bottom of this post and drop your details in the Rafflecopter widget at this landing page on my website: http://www.taraquan.com/frostyrelations

About the book
Attorney Jack Frost never understood why holidays did weird things to people. His secretary went on vacation, his best friend ditched their annual Aspen trip, and the law firm’s stubborn human resources assistant refuses his clerical support request. What’s a warlock to do on Christmas Eve but go on a 1-Night Stand? But when an oddly familiar empath shows up as his date, this ice mage has a hard time denying the magic of the winter solstice.

Faced with an anemic employment market and financial woes, college graduate and former witch Mina Mao lands an HR assistant job at Frost and Sons. Having spent her day saving Christmas from Frost Junior’s Grinch-like behavior, she accepts the gift of Madame Eve’s service and heads over to the Castillo Capital. When her date turns out to be her childhood crush and workplace nemesis, she braces herself for the sexiest icy ride of her life.
Genre: paranormal romantic comedy, interracial/multicultural

Limited Time Sale — Get it for 99 cents at Amazon or AllRomance.

Amazon         http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PCYLPWQ
AllRomance     https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-frostyrelations-1683981-143.html

About Tara Quan
Globetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, paranormal worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Her characters, armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. Learn more at www.taraquan.com

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon

Website   http://www.taraquan.com/
Facebook   www.facebook.com/taraquanauthor
Twitter     https://twitter.com/LaylaTarar
Google+    https://plus.google.com/+TaraQuan
Goodreads     https://www.goodreads.com/taraquan
Pinterest   http://www.pinterest.com/taraquan/
Amazon    www.amazon.com/-/e/B00B19HWJQ
Excerpts
Curious, she pulled up the accounting module and groaned when she read the current tally. “Please tell me mini-Frost already left.”
“No such luck.” Angela looked over her shoulder. “The invoices I turned in put Leo’s billings above his by a hair, so the Space Cadet is on a warpath. He’s marching down the hallway as we speak. By the way, what possessed you to let Beth take his overflow work this week?”
Mina furrowed her brows. “Why? She’s new, but I’ve heard she’s good.”
Angela rolled her eyes. “That girl spends half her day on the phone and makes careless mistakes. If she wasn’t tall, blonde, and busty, she’d never have gotten through probation. With the testosterone crowd, all she needs to do is bend at the waist and elbow-squeeze her boobs whenever she drops off a document.”
Sighing, Mina filed the information away and clung to a ray of hope. “Jack is young, male, and single. Maybe it’ll work on him, too?”
Angela snorted. “He grew up with us as babysitters, and we call him the Space Cadet for a reason. Do you know what that brat cares about more than womanizing?”
Mina shook her head.
“Proper usage of spaces, periods, apostrophes, and commas.”
-------------------------------------------------------------
“So the guy seriously had a boner? That’s so messed up.”
Mina rolled her eyes at their joint reflection. “I know, right? And since I’m an empath, I could sense him getting, you know, all hot and bothered. Whoever he was fantasizing about, she turned him on big time. I don’t know how he could think about sex when he’s on the verge of exploding from too much unused magic. ”
Sweets snorted. “Men—warlocks or human—they care about one thing.” She picked up a handful of Mina’s hair. “Ready?”
Mina swallowed. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
Using the scissors, Sweets pointed at the set of combs and razors peeking out from a battered leather sleeve. “Can’t you feel the mojo rolling off my grandmother’s enchanted tools? These babies are idiot proof.”
Since not even her cousin could squeeze her in after 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Mina’s options had been limited enough to make her take a gamble. “But you have done this before?”
Patting her shoulder, Sweets bent at the waist and squinted one eye. “I cut Shelley’s hair all the time. She hates leaving the house, remember? Okay, yours is too long. You need to stand so I don’t get a backache.”
This idea seemed worse by the minute. Rising to her feet, Mina made a pinching motion with her index finger and thumb. “All I need is for you to take off the ends—nothing fancy.”
Her friend’s mock salute didn’t bolster Mina’s confidence. “Your hair is safe with me. Your head is another story.”
Mina closed her eyes. “Very funny. Do it already, will you? The anticipation is killing me.”
She heard a snip, followed by “Oh, wow.”
Her lids snapped up. “What do you mean, ‘Oh, wow’?”
She saw the answer for herself. Scissors and razors slashed around unguided in the air, slicing off huge chunks of her tresses in the process. Her friend stood several steps away, staring at the spectacle as if seeing the phenomenon for the first time. Since moving risked impact with pointy magical objects, Mina glared at the culprit’s reflection in the mirror. “I thought you said you’d done this before.”
Sweets’ expression lacked any hint of guilt. “Okay, I lied. Shelley’s grandmother is the actual owner of these puppies, and she always uses them on herself in the bathroom. Since her hair turns out fine, I figured they’d work on you, too.”
Her hands fisting, Mina hissed, “How do you turn the darn things off?”
------------------------------------------------
Jack reached over Mina’s head and tugged out the metal pins. As he placed them on the mantle beside her, one by one, he filled his lungs with the scent of cinnamon and cloves floating off her hair.
She sighed. “You have no idea what I went through for that up-do.”
“I never liked it when you tied your hair.” A few more pulls dislodged the coiled bun. The braid unwound into a long queue that reached her ribcage. Placing one hand above her head on the pillar, he reached around her waist and tugged the elastic free.
She stepped toward him, her head tilting up. Their breaths mingled, her midnight eyes hooded by a dark fan of lowered lashes. “You never seemed to give a damn about how I looked.”
“For an empath, you’re not much good at reading minds. I almost grabbed you by the ponytail one day with every intention of freezing off the godawful scrunchie. Those things went out of style in the nineties.” She remained motionless as he worked his fingers through the silken strands, unraveling the thick mane until it fanned over her back and surrounded her delicate shoulders. He wanted to see her like this, without a single stitch on her. “There. Much better.”
Her brows furrowed. “You never considered kissing me before. What changed?”
Hell if he knew.

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Claimed by a SEAL by KaLyn Cooper

A Sinful Education by Layna Pimentel

One Last Call by Susan Behon

Feline Valentine by Tara Quan

Sweet on You by Marianne Rice

Captivated in Cancun, by KaLyn Cooper

Scandal at Vauxhall by Layna Pimentel

Cover reveal ... Seduction in Seville

Hearts Race by Anneka Ever

Special sale on Frosty Relations by Tara Quan

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