Cocktail parties, political fundraisers, and charity events are Maddy Powers' way of life.
But the daring man who appropriated her father's yacht a couple of months ago is still out there, somewhere, and she wants to pay him back for the scorching kiss they shared. Behind his suave smile and ladykiller eyes, Bran Palladino carries a dark secret that keeps him from pursuing Maddy… even though he can't get her out of his head. But when Maddy is kidnapped as part of a grand scheme, it's time to put up or shut up… because Bran can't live without Maddy now.
I have read a lot of Julie Ann Walker books. I have loved some stories, struggled with others, but mainly enjoyed most of them. There are some characteristics, that seems to be in most of her stories. There are lots of inner reflections, random thoughts the characters are having, going from lust filled panting, to pop culture quotes, to completely irrelevant pondering. The humor is off the wall, and fitting for the younger generation, surprising on the thirty-something ex-SEALs. The secondary couple that we get glimpses of, that seems to be in every story, is often more interesting and intriguing than the primary one, and you are left to yearn for the next story, hoping it will be them. With these things in mind and the fact that I have always gone back for the next story, I will say, that I really struggled with this one. And mainly for all those reasons I mentioned above.
I liked Alex and Mason, the secondary, pudding possible romance coming ahead couple. I liked them as characters, I enjoyed them together, and they were easy to connect with , the short times we heard the tale from their point of view. I had a harder time to connect with Bran and Maddy. I liked them both in the previous story, I was all ready to root for them and their HEA, and I didn't get there. I wasn't connecting with them, I didn't feel the connection between them, and I was bored. The inner reflections they were having, was like being with a group of people, who all have ADHD symptoms, and just can't focus, get it together, and survive the attacks. In a middle of the action, they are standing there lusting after each other, while being shot at. All that took any possible intensity, fear and danger away from the story, leaving me as a reader wanting. I love a good banter between characters, humor in the story, and some comic relief in intense situations, but here, in my opinion, it went too far. I also missed the rest of the team, maybe they could have brought some more balance into the chaos Bran and Maddy was making with the undeniable lust. So, I liked Alex and Mason, the few glimpses of the team, the support and advice they give each other, and their life on the tiny island. I know the author can write some seriously intense suspense and deadly action. I know she can write steamy romance without making it dull. There were dead bodies here as well, it just seemed like no one cared, also, it seemed like it was completely unnecessary aim to kill in the situation they were in. If you are a movie buff, who enjoys quotes from your favorite films, and use them in real life situations, if you enjoy Lethal Weapon movie type sophomoric humor, and silly banter in life and death moments, you are going to like this story well, I personally wanted little bit more of a story, and less nonsensical silliness. ~ Two Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
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The lives of a beautiful surgeon and her DEA agent protector are at stake in this thrilling tale!
On a medical mission to South America, Dr. Olivia Sandoval hardly expects to be threatened by a drug cartel. To save lives, Olivia agrees to transport drugs for them. When DEA agent Logan Murray appears as her partner-in-crime and rescuer, Olivia's relieved…and drawn to her knight in shining armor. Logan jumps at the chance to guard a beautiful woman andbring down a drug ring. After all, neither he nor Olivia are looking for forever love—just justice. But one kiss changes that as they go on the run. When taken hostage in the jungle, they must not only defeat the enemy—but also escape with their lives!
A story filled with action, tension, danger, a drug cartel, DEA agents, and a doctor who only wanted to pay it forward and help those in need.
I enjoyed this story immensely. I liked the setup, the good work Olivia was doing, her desire and willingness to help those in need. Her friends seem like a fun bunch, and the DEA agents, while a little skeptic by nature, untrusting by hard lessons, still charming and charismatic, and very much likable characters, I came to care about. When Logan decided to go with her to Colombia, I thought it would be just fierce action and story over, but I was wrong. They have time to get to know each other for a month in a very intense situation. Olivia's dedication and Logan's willingness to help in any way he can was admirable. They both have been attracted to each other for some time, and now that they have the opportunity to get to know each, those feelings get even deeper. The author doesn't do any instant feelings or actions between them, making it feel real and sincere. And when they finally kiss, it is so amazingly beautiful, a scene worth swooning over. The action and suspense in the story is creepy. It is one of those scenarios in life, that you hear stories about, and know it does happen for real. The drug cartel targeting Olivia was intimidating and intense. I could feel their eyes on her and her friends, the horrifying possibilities constantly on my mind, making me skin crawl. Aggressive action, terrifying suspense, delightful and dreamy romance in a well-written story ~ Five Spoons
The Duke of Daring
The Untouchables #2 By: Darcy Burke Releasing July 5, 2016 Self-Published
Miss Lucinda Parnell is out of money. A dismal failure at the Marriage Mart, she’d just as soon leave Society far behind. Desperate to earn funds to retire with her grandmother to the country, Lucy disguises herself as a man to gamble in London’s hells. But the Earl of Dartford, an Untouchable she never imagined speaking to let alone spending time with, is onto her in a trice. When he insists on acting as her protector, Lucy fears her chance to remain an independent woman is destined to go up in flames.
After losing his entire family, Andrew Wentworth, Earl of Dartford built a wall to keep attachments at bay. He believed he could keep Miss Parnell safe without compromising his defenses, but she’s exciting and irresistible. Their deepening relationship makes him even more determined to push her away. Nothing will stop him from trying to avoid reliving the anguish of loss. Love is the one risk he doesn’t have the heart to dare.
He led Miss Parnell toward the dance floor. “Why didn’t you want to dance with me?”
“Don’t take it personally. I don’t like to dance with anyone.” He glanced down at her. “Not a very good dancer?” She sucked in a breath and then laughed. He liked that sound. Almost as much as he liked watching her animated face. “I’m an excellent dancer.” He arched a brow at her. “I’ll be the judge of that.” She rolled her eyes. “I suppose you’re superior on the dance floor. You don’t seem to have any deficiencies.” He grinned, enormously pleased with her observation. “I’m so glad you noticed.” The set finished, and the music started for the next dance. A waltz. Andrew couldn’t believe his good luck. Miss Parnell’s nostrils flared. It was a slight reaction, but Andrew caught it. “What’s the matter?” he asked. “I haven’t waltzed very much. I wasn’t paying attention to the sets, otherwise I would’ve told you I couldn’t dance this one.” He lightly clasped her waist and took her hand. “I thought you said you were an excellent dancer.” She scowled at him as she curled her fingers around his and placed her hand on his shoulder. “You are most ungracious.” He laughed again, enjoying her immensely. “Come now, surely if you can shoot a gun with deadly accuracy, you can’t let a waltz defeat you?” She squared her shoulders, which drew his attention to her chest. Though she wasn’t well-endowed, she was nicely formed for her frame, and the bodice of her raspberry silk ball gown fit her to perfection. “No, I shan’t. I’m invincible, don’t you know?” She gave him a saucy look, and he was completely enchanted. They moved with the music, and he was glad he remembered how to waltz. “I have a confession to make. My waltzing experience is rather limited as well.” “Charlatan.” He laughed again. “That’s ironic coming from you.” She lifted a shoulder. “One might say I’m uniquely qualified to recognize deception.”
Darcy Burke is the USA Today bestselling author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily-ever-after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids-who each seem to have inherited the writing gene in some form-and two Bengal cats. In her "spare" time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say "no," but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Romantic Suspense
Date Published: June 2016
Who is Dorothy Lyle?
She’s a woman who appears super-normal at first glance. She resides in a modest house in a small Irish town, and commutes to a typical office. She’s a lone parent who misses her children now that they are at college. Yet Dorothy is so much more than the obvious. She is a powerful psychic who has been masquerading as normal for twenty years. She is also a woman who has been avoiding men since a nasty breakup and divorce left her reeling in shock while still in her twenties. The winds of change begin to blow around Dorothy as she approaches her fortieth birthday. An unfortunate affair of the heart means that her daughter, Diane, has distanced herself from her former home and doting mother. Dorothy wonders if some extra cash might alleviate the immediate problem. Enter the lottery and one hundred and eight-five million tax free dollars. How easy do you think it is to hide your true self when you unexpectedly become the fortieth richest woman in your own small country? How feasible do you think it is to avoid all dating and romantic involvements when you are single, and literally rolling in cash? How practical do you think it is to stay safe when so many of those around you seem to resent your good fortune? DOROTHY LYLE IN AVARICE – BOOK 1. Join Dorothy on the first leg of her rollercoaster journey as she discovers what an emotionally charged and complicated experience dealing with unexpected wealth can be. Clairvoyance may in handy on occasion, but it doesn’t help you decide who gets what! DOROTHY LYLE IN COLOUR – BOOK 2. Relax with Dorothy as she begins to truly enjoy her wealth and changes in fortune. Only for her new-found pleasure to be jeopardised by a tarot card reading of all things! Once again, change is afoot, although this time it’s of a sinister nature. DOROTHY LYLE IN HELP – BOOK 3. Watch what happens when Dorothy concedes that she cannot protect herself alone, and sets out to hire professional help. Ever wondered what it would be like to come face to face with your other half? The half you weren’t fully aware was even missing. And if he happened to be in a bad mood at that momentous moment, do you think it might colour your judgement? Read on, folks, and find out the answers to these questions and about a hundred more. MIRACLES AND MILLIONS: TWO MINDS, TWO BODIES, TWO HEARTS, ONE SOUL
Even though Glenda’s bedroom was on the lower level of the Falcon apartment, the bloodcurdling scream from the twelfth floor was so loud, it instantly woke her. Fearful that the Sick Puppy had invaded the apartment, she sat bolt upright and switched on her bedside lamp.
Thinking only of Dorothy and with scant regard for her own safety, she leaped out of bed and rammed her feet into a pair of furry pink slippers. She glanced around for something to use as a weapon, but the only thing she spotted was a curling tongs. She grabbed it and bolted for the door. There was a security light glowing in the hallway when she emerged from her room. All appeared well on this floor and was deathly quiet. Glenda sprinted up the stairs in a way she had not done since she was fifty and paused at the top, listening for intruders. Silence reigned. Terrified of what she was walking into, she made her way to Dorothy’s bedroom, her feet padding softly on the hardwood floors as she went. She made sure the hall light was fully on, then tapped on the door. Receiving no reply, she pushed it open, her pulse beating so rapidly she was sure she was going to have a heart attack. In the half-light from the hallway, Glenda saw Dorothy sitting upright in bed. Her face was flushed, and sweat was trickling down her forehead. She was silent and her eyes stared sightlessly at the housekeeper. Willing herself to remain calm, Glenda put down the curling tongs and slowly approached her boss, not knowing if she was awake or asleep. She turned on the bedside light and dimmed it to a soft glow. She doublet checked to ensure there was nobody else in the room then scampered into the en-suite. She ran a washcloth under the cold tap, picked up a second one from the clean supply and trotted back to the bedroom. Dorothy had not moved a muscle in her absence. Using the damp cloth, Glenda gently wiped away the rivulets of perspiration, then dried her employer’s face with the spare cloth. ‘Everything’s okay now, Boss,’ she said softly, as she wiped. ‘It was only a bad dream.’ ‘He’s in trouble, Glen,’ Dorothy sounded calm as she replied. ‘They’re trying to kill him.’ ‘No, no, Boss,’ the housekeeper did her best not to burst into tears. ‘You’re the one who’s in danger. Don’t worry, we’re not going to let anything happen to you. Why don’t you lie down now?’ Dorothy obediently lay back on her pillows. Her eyes were wide open and her pupils fully dilated. Glenda was not sure if the other woman even knew she was in the room with her. ‘I’m going to sit here until you fall asleep,’ the housekeeper said reassuringly. ‘Close your eyes, Boss. You need your rest. We have a big weekend ahead of us.’ The words sounded totally inane to her ears, although they seemed to do the trick. Dorothy moved her hand until it rested on her heart then slowly closed her eyes. ‘So much blood,’ she murmured. ‘I think he got away this time, but it was a narrow escape.’ ‘I’m sure he’s fine,’ Glenda replied helplessly. ‘Try not to think about blood. Think about the lovely new house. Is it true you’re getting a waterbed?’ ‘A waterbed,’ Dorothy sighed dreamily. ‘Big enough for a basketball team. Wait until you see it, Glen.’ ‘I can’t wait,’ the housekeeper replied truthfully. ‘Bel mentioned a rotisserie, although I expect she was teasing me. She’s naughty like that.’ ‘You’re going to love that too,’ Dorothy whispered sleepily. ‘Goodnight, Glen. Sleep well.’ ‘Goodnight, Boss,’ the housekeeper replied, as she dashed away a tear. Dorothy’s breathing changed and Glenda knew she was asleep. There was a wing-backed chair in the corner of the room. She dragged it closer to the bed and made herself comfortable. ‘I’ll sit here for twenty minutes in case you have another dream,’ she told the sleeping form. Dorothy was blissfully unaware of the worry she was causing the other woman and slept on. This time she dreamed of flying.
Ella Carmichael was born in Ireland in the 1960's, but only toyed with writing when she was young. Toyed might be too kind. She goofed about with a pen and paper when she was a child and teenager, but never wrote anything longer than a silly poem. She says, "You really have to fight for your dreams in this life, and I didn't fight for mine. The thought of doing so never even crossed my mind back then."
From the age of 20 she worked in offices, and often used to ask herself if there might be more to life than the daily grind. This is one of the few things that she has in common with Dorothy Lyle, the main character of her series, The Miracles and Millions Saga. Dorothy is cheesed off with the 9-5 life and hopes for more. Little does she realize what's around the corner. Be careful what you wish for! Ella got the idea for M&M back in 2010. There was lottery fever all over Europe that autumn, yet at the same time there were photographs appearing in the papers that showed hundreds of individuals standing in line for free lunches at the Bow Street mission house in Dublin. It was hard for her to make sense of it all, yet somehow she knew it was important. She was in a very bad place in her life in 2010, after ending a relationship with a most unsuitable man. Figuring that she had little to lose, she began to write as a form of therapy. Carmicheal tends to be a dabbler by nature, yet when it came to writing she found she was as focused as one of those drones we hear so much about. It took more than thirty years to do it, but she became a writer in the end. Ella hopes any budding authors who are reading this will draw inspiration from that. It's never to late to give it your best shot. Once the die was cast, characters literally began to materialize in front of her. The strongest back then was Dorothy, although it certainly didn't stop with her. The Maddox character appeared over her bed one morning in a cloud of dry white ice. In the earlier drafts, Jack was very much the iceman, but Ella decided to soften him up and make him fall madly in love. Just because. It progressed from there. More and more characters began to show up and soon she had a series on her hands instead of just one book. Publishers and agents aren't interested in a series unless the writer follows a number of very strict criteria. Carmichael has broken those rules. Her books are best read in order. The story progresses in each one, and spans the two year period between January 2011 and December 2012. Once she understood that no publisher would touch her, she decided to go it alone. She felt she was too old to sit around and wait for a letter that will never drop onto the doormat. She signed up with KDP and uploaded every completed manuscript. At the time of writing this bio she has not yet uploaded Book 10. She is struggling to let it go... Website Twitter Facebook
WITNESS IN JEOPARDY
When Gwen Harwell witnesses someone dumping a body into a Tennessee river, she knows she's the killer's new target. Far from home on a work assignment, she isn't sure where to turn—especially when her ex-husband appears. Five years ago, Dean Harwell's burdens from his police work tore their marriage apart. But now he says he's changed. He's working as a rancher; he's put his problems behind him. And he's committed to keeping her safe until the killer is caught. With their troubled past, trusting him with her life is hard enough. Can she trust him with the truth about the child he doesn't know they have? Smoky Mountain Secrets: Love and danger collide in the Southern wilderness
Love, forgiveness, faith, senseless murder, acts of violence, and the scenic Smoky Mountains as the backdrop for the tale, that was no short of action and suspense, yet had a well-built romance story, and a beautiful narrative of the healing powers of faith in God.
I believe this is a series I want to follow. The small town characters won my heart with their charm, kindness, and goodness in the face of crises and mayhem. The story has lots of action. The moments of danger, filled with fear, threat, and menace, seem so senseless when no one has an idea of the motives or identity of the culprit. The scenes of the fast action took my breath away, the trouble caused was imaginative and unique, the author's voice fresh and figurative. The romance had an intriguing base, the life Gwen and Dean previously had, the problems and mistrust based on those times and events, added to the stress and misery of current instability, and the secrets Gwen was holding on. I admired the spirit of forgiveness they both had, so willing to leave the drama and troubles behind, and focus on the positive aspects of life. The recovery from alcoholism was described in a realistic manner, yet with dignity and respect of the tragedy that not only brought it on but what followed from it. Faith in God, His guidance, mercy, protection, and love towards us, and the characters in the story was disclosed in ab spirited way. I loved what a center stage their faith had in their lives, how they lean on the faith and God in every moment and area of their lives, giving strong witness to the Lord. Yes, there's a lot been able to fit into the book, the story has an impact, makes a stand, and yet at the same time manages to entertain on both romance and suspense. A well-crafted tale, indeed. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side.
As a young girl, Amanda Newton witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. As an adult she is targeted by their murderer.
Beautiful. Reserved. Mysterious. Amanda Newton, the CEO of BLUE-LINK, epitomizes control with her adept handling of the global company. But that control is threatened with a series of attacks against her. Ray Gordon, a former Navy SEAL is looking to open his own security firm. One more contracting job with BLUE-LINK would complete the funding. When he is hired to protect Amanda Newton, the Ice Queen herself, he never bargained on falling for her. Amanda has something her attacker wants. He has waited over twenty years to claim it, and he will destroy anyone close to her to get it. ...but he's met his match in Ray Gordon. This is a standalone novel. You do not have to read the others in the series.
Amanda sat at her office desk with her arms crossed atop the mahogany surface. She glared at the oversized monitor facing her. A grid of six faces stared back, some diffident, some determined. In the upper right-hand corner, Claudia Eichmann from the Berlin office knit her copper eyebrows together as she spoke over the others.
Her words were a split-second behind the movement of her lips due to the video conferencing software. “You are the head of this company. The backbone. The heart. What if something were to happen to you?” An imperceptible flaring of Amanda’s nostrils might disclose her heavy sigh. “Each of you is fully capable of running BLUE-LINK. You are directors. You are the heart and backbone of your branch. You are my panel of advisors, and I only surround myself with skilled personnel.” “We appreciate that,” Claudia continued, “but I am sure I speak for the others here in saying that we’re certainly not your equal. None of us would have wanted to take on that Eclipse lawsuit. At the end of the day, it is your company, and you are the one personally vested.” Several heads bobbed in agreement. “You need personal security,” Benjamin Forsyth from Australia inserted. “Not a seventy-five year old man.” Amanda bristled at the attack on George. “There is nothing sinister behind the assault in the alley,” she countered. Or the attempted break-in. “It’s simply a consequence of being affluent.” “You are indifferent to your power,” Gerald Williams from Los Angeles chided, “recklessly walking the streets−stopping at the pub on occasion.” That the ebony-eyed man in the center panel was correct didn’t detract from her need for freedom. She walked a narrow line and she knew it. One flick of the power switch to the monitor would eliminate their censure, but it would not fade the echoes of their points. She respected this panel. They wouldn’t be facing her right now if she didn’t. “You recently used a security contractor with that Eclipse Line mess. He seemed very capable and very discreet,” Gerald from LA said. “We suggest that you bring him into the office for a consult. If you don’t speak to him directly, we just may−” “You’ll call him in on my behalf,” Amanda quickly tested. Her cheeks burned, but her demeanor remained a practiced blend of glacial elegance. Gerald’s shoulders came into view as he shrugged. “We have a vested interest in your well-being.” Amanda drew in a long breath and stared down at the reflection of the sun off her diamond ring. It cast a thousand microscopic prisms skittering across the polished wood surface. “I’ll take your suggestion under advisement. Allow me to confer with the police before I make any rash decisions.” “Rash?” Claudia from Berlin hefted a burnished eyebrow. “This is not rash. This is something that should have been addressed long ago. To us you have always seemed larger than life.” The eyebrow fell. “But perhaps you are a tad human after all.” BLUE-LINK is a fictional global company run by the enigmatic, Amanda Newton, a woman whose signature accessory is a blue diamond ring. The company is designed to assess risk for start-up entrepreneurs in foreign countries. Each book in this series is standalone and features the romance and danger encountered by the employees and associates of BLUE-LINK.
USA TODAY bestselling author, Maureen A. Miller's first novel, WIDOW'S TALE, earned her a Golden Heart nomination in Romantic Suspense. Working in the software industry for fifteen years in a job that required extensive travel, Maureen chose to write during those lengthy airport layovers—escapism at its best. She is currently in the middle of a 3-book Romantic Suspense series featuring SHADOW, MIST, and DUSK.
Recently, Maureen branched out into the Young Adult Science Fiction market with BEYOND and the BEYOND Series. She is having fun keeping her head in the stars! When she's not writing, Maureen enjoys supporting other authors. She is the founder of www.JustRomanticSuspense.com, and its offspring JUST sites. ...Okay, that's the official third-person bio. Now let me tell you the real story. I'm an avid Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan, basically a rare breed. I will eat anything with mozzarella on it. I'm still mourning the fact that Buffy is gone. I write because I like the power. In life we have so little control. In writing we have all the control. I truly believe that I was a soul singer in my former life, which is interesting because I can't sing. But man, I can do a mean lip-syncing rendition of Midnight Train To Georgia! :) If I haven't scared you away by now, you can find out more about me at www.maureenamiller.com. Facebook Twitter Goodreads
Under Your Skin
For Your Love #1 By: Shannyn Schroeder Releasing June 28, 2016 Zebra Shout
Blood Is Thicker Than Ink. . .
Norah O'Malley has been alone for a long time. It's been ten years since her father and four brothers shipped her off to be raised by her aunt. Seven months since she's seen the guy who got her pregnant--who still doesn't know. And it's two weeks since she came home to Chicago and discovered none of her family wants to talk--or listen. She never expected to walk into a tattoo shop seven months pregnant and get her socks knocked off by instant attraction. She can't even see her socks. But Kai Ellis is big and gruff and sexy as hell, and if he has a past, well, so does she. Even more, Kai knows how to listen so that Norah feels just a little less alone . . . All the chemistry in the world can't help Norah make her decisions. And no sizzle of desire will make Kai believe in happy endings. But a little time with someone who understands might just change everything . ..
Dark and edgy tones on the tale, with a silver lining of hope, as Norah and Kai are going through some growing pains, fumbling, yet never falling, until they are falling for each other.
I liked how the story was spread over time. Norah's pregnancy put the brakes on the attraction Kai and Norah have for each other and gave them time to slowly, quietly, and deeply to get to know each other. They both are at the doorway to a new chapter in their lives and the unexpected source of support that they for each other is helping them stumble through it. The tale is told in 3rd person point of view, yet the author has captured the angst and blues of the New Adult genre well. The hope, humor, and sass Norah have is refreshing giving the story lighter moments of laughter and smiles. The development and growth of the characters are palpable. The passion and fervor between Kai and Norah high and hot, yet achingly beautiful and somehow fragile. The families Shannyn Schroeder creates in her series are always filled with energy, never perfect since no family is, they have their problems and issues, yet able to be the for each other, and support each when the time of need arise. The imperfection of the characters, the fails, and blunders make them easy to relate to, likable and charming, appealing and enjoyable. They are all strong characters, that carry the story well, they pull you into their world, and makes you part of it. This is the kind of story that you stay up all night reading because it is hard to put down, the kind of series that you long for the next installment as soon as you finish one. It breaks your heart a bit, it makes you smile, and at the end of the story, sigh. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Kai Ellis came from the back room to the musical sound of female laughter. The girl sitting across from Tommy at the front counter had an awesome rack spilling out of her tank top and her tits jiggled as she laughed.
“Hey,” he called, “I told you no girls while you’re on the clock. Get busy on your own time.” Tommy dropped the food in his hand. “Gross, man. This is my sister.” She wiggled her fingers. Then she pointed. To Tommy, she said, “Let’s ask your friend here, I’m sure he’s made mistakes in his life.” “Boss.” Kai crossed his arms. He had no intention of answering questions about his mistakes, but it annoyed him that she jumped to the conclusion that he’d made them. Part of the reason for opening his own business was so he would never have to answer to anyone about his past again. “Huh?” “I’m his boss.” She continued on as if he hadn’t spoken. “It’s normal for people to make mistakes, right? Even if they’re huge mistakes, you still learn from them. Life lessons and shit.” He knew all about making life-altering mistakes, but he still wasn’t about to discuss them. Addressing Tommy, he said, “Girlfriend or not, she needs to go.” Her eyes popped wide and she slid from the stool. Tommy laid a hand on her arm. “It’s fine.” He twisted on the stool. “Kai, this is my sister, Norah. She just moved back to town.” Norah stepped around Tommy with her hand extended. Her belly stuck out full with a baby. He’d forgotten about Tommy bitching about his pregnant sister. When he didn’t move, she dropped her hand. “Sorry. I thought I’d catch Tommy before his client came in. I brought him lunch and dessert.” She turned and picked up a plate from the counter. “Want a Rice Krispies Treat?” Her smile was friendly as she spoke, but her light blue eyes filled with mischief. Like she was offering up more than marshmallows and cereal. It was a good thing that belly was between them. He stayed rooted to his spot. Then his phone rang. Again. He’d ignored Jaleesa all morning, but if he planned to get any work done, he’d have to deal with her. With his phone in hand, he spun and walked back out the way he came. “Yeah.” “It’s about time. I’ve been calling you all morning.” “I’m aware.” “Mom’s surgery went fine. She came through with flying colors.” He’d figured as much. It was just her knee. “Good to know.” “Are you coming to the hospital today?” He walked until he hit the back door of the shop and stood in the alley. “I don’t know. Depends on how busy I get.” “Kai, it’s not like this was some surprise. We scheduled it. You could make sure you’re free. You’re choosing not to.” “And?” His sister’s sigh whistled in his ear. “We need to talk about where Mom will go when she’s released from the hospital. She’ll only be here a few days.” “I thought you were looking into a rehab facility.” “I tried, but it made her upset. She thinks we’re going to dump her off and leave her for good.” “So explain to her that’s not the case. She knows she won’t be able to get around your house. It’s not like she lost her mind.” “She’s feeling vulnerable and she’s worried about being alone.” “I don’t know what you want from me, Jaleesa.” “Maybe she could stay with you.” “I have stairs in my house.” “Five, Kai. Five measly steps to get up to your door. Everything else is on one floor. You have the space.” What she really meant was that he could make the space for his mom to move in. He didn’t want to. His house was set up exactly as he wanted. He would have to move all of his workout equipment somewhere, probably to the basement or the garage. He had no furniture for her. No bed or anything. He didn’t have guests and he liked it that way. “I can’t take care of Mom. I don’t know what to do with her.” “And I do? You figure it out, Kai. That’s what you do for family.” “I have a business to run and I keep long hours.” “At least think about it. We can probably hire someone to fill in when you’re not around so she’s not alone, but she’ll feel secure in your house.” “Why can’t we hire someone to help at your house?” “Stairs.” “Maybe we can convert some space to make it work.” “My whole family isn’t losing our living room so you don’t have to man up.” He shook his head, not wanting to lose this argument. “We’ll talk about this later. I have to go.” “Try to stop by the hospital. It’ll make her happy.” “Yeah.” He clicked off and stared at the brick building across from him. He was tempted to throw his phone to hear the satisfying crack of plastic against the wall. Instead, he inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. The air he sucked in was rank with the smell of rotting garbage. Tomorrow was pickup day and the heat did no favors for the Chinese restaurant on the corner. The sun beat against his skin, searing it. Five minutes of quiet without thinking about his mom at the hospital. Anything was better than the damn hospital. Leaning against the back door, with his eyes closed, he allowed the sun to sink into him. The door thumped against him and he stepped away. So much for his five minutes.
Shannyn Schroeder is the author of the O’Leary series, contemporary romances centered around a large Irish-American family in Chicago and the Hot & Nerdy series about 3 nerdy friends finding love. Her new series (For Your Love) will release this summer with the first title Under Your Skin. When she’s not wrangling her three kids or writing, she watches a ton of TV and loves to bake cookies. Find out more at: www.ShannynSchroeder.com
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
The Billionaire Bachelor
Billionaire Bad Boys #1 By: Jessica Lemmon Releasing June 28, 2016 Forever
Indecent Proposal
Manwhore. That's what the board of directors-and the tabloids-thinks of billionaire bachelor Reese Crane. Ordinarily he couldn't care less, but his playboy past is preventing the board from naming him CEO of Crane Hotels. Nothing-and no one-will keep him from his life's legacy. They want a settled man to lead the company? Then that's exactly what he'll give them. Merina Van Heusen will do anything to get her parents' funky boutique hotel back-even marry cold-as-ice-but-sexy-as-hell Reese Crane. It's a simple business contract-six months of marriage, absolute secrecy, and the Van Heusen is all hers again. But when sparks fly between them, their passion quickly moves from the boardroom to the bedroom. And soon Merina is living her worst nightmare: falling in love with her husband . . .
Even with her nostrils flared, Merina forced a smile. There was only one way past this gatekeeper. She called up an ounce of poise—an ounce being the most she could access at the moment. “Merina Van Heusen to see Reese Crane.”
“Ms. Van Heusen,” the woman said, her tone flat, her eyes going to the doorknob in Merina’s hand. “You’re here regarding the changes to the hotel, I presume.” “You got it,” Merina said, barely harnessing her anger. How come everyone was so damn calm about dismantling a town landmark? “Have a seat.” Crane’s bulldog gestured one manicured hand at a group of cushy white chairs, her mouth frowning in disgust as she took in Merina’s dishevelment. “Perhaps I could fetch you a towel first.” “I won’t be sitting.” She wasn’t about to be put in her place by Reese’s underling. Then her prayers were answered as the set of gleaming wooden doors behind the secretary’s desk parted like the Red Sea. Jackpot. Merina barreled forward as the woman at the desk barked, “Excuse me!” Merina ignored her. She wouldn’t be delayed another second…or so she thought. She stopped short when a woman in a very tight red dress, the neckline plunging into plentiful cleavage, her heels even higher and potentially more expensive than Merina’s Louboutins, swept out of the office and gave her a slow, mascaraed blink back. Then she sashayed around Merina, past the bulldog, and left behind a plume of perfume. Interesting. Reese’s latest date? An escort? If Merina believed the local tabloids, one and the same. Paying for dates certainly wasn’t above his pay grade. Before the doors closed, she slipped into Reese’s office. “Ms. Van Heusen!” came a bark behind her, but Reese, who stood facing the windows and looking out upon downtown, said three words that instantly shut his secretary up. “She’s fine, Bobbie.” Merina smirked back at the sour-faced, coal-eyed secretary as Reese’s office doors whooshed shut. “Merina, I presume.” Reese still hadn’t turned. His posture was straight, jacket and slacks impeccably tailored to his muscular, perfectly proportioned body. Shark or not, the man could wear a suit. She’d seen the photos of him in the Trib as well as Luxury Stays, the hotel industry’s leading trade magazine, and like every other woman in Chicago, she hadn’t missed the gossip about him online. Like his more professional photos, his hands were sunk into his pant pockets, and his wavy, dark hair was styled and perfect. Clearly the woman who had just left was here on other business…or past business. If something more clandestine was going on, Reese would appear more mussed. Then again, he probably didn’t muss his hair during sex. From what she gleaned about him via the media, Reese probably didn’t allow his hair to muss. The snarky thought paired with a vision of him out of that suit, stalking naked and primed, golden muscles shifting with each long-legged step. Sharp, navy eyes focused only on her… He turned to face her and she snapped out of her imaginings and blinked at the stubble covering a perfectly angled jaw. What was it about that hint of dishevelment on his otherwise perfect visage that made her breath catch? Thick dark brows jumped slightly as his eyes zoomed in on her chest. She sneered before venturing a glance down at her sodden silk shirt. Where she saw the perfect outline of both nipples. A tinge of heat lit her cheeks, and she crossed her arms haughtily, glaring at him as best she could while battling embarrassment. “Seems this April morning is colder than you anticipated,” he drawled.
A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), and eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Surrender My Heart
G.E. Taylor Contemporary Romance Release Date: May 21st, 2016 Self-Published
She was a law unto herself until she met David Alexander… Priscilla is a single mom trying to make a life for herself and her young son. She doesn’t have time for romance, especially not with the handsome, charming man who ran over her dog. From the first frightening moment of their first meeting, David is enchanted with the prickly yet fiercely loyal and loving Priscilla. He can’t get her out of his head, and he doesn’t want to. He sets his sights on the one woman he’d fight hell or high water to love. But will Priscilla surrender her heart to him?
“Jesus Chr—!” David mutters in disbelief, while swerving to avoid hitting the dog that dashed in front of his truck and the young boy who chased after him. He hears a thump, feels it, and he prays to God it isn’t the child he’d hit. The dog he can fix; he’s a veterinarian. The child was a different story. Kneeling beside the boy and his pet, David breathes a sigh of relief. The child is all right. He turns his focus on the mother, and he knew this encounter would not be his last. Her fiery tongue leaves him with no doubt that he would be held responsible for the accident, and if he’d hurt her son, there’d be no place he would be safe from her wrath. But like a moth, he was drawn to the flame. Priscilla Bradford has one goal—to build a successful psychotherapy private practice in a short time. There is no room in her life for a relationship. She doesn’t want it. She wants no distractions and no complications. Maintaining an aloof persona, she keeps off would-be admirers. Then she runs into David Alexander, a man she cannot ignore. Despite her best efforts to stay fully committed to her goal, she is drawn to him in a way she cannot explain. That did not sit well with her, being a person who likes to be in control and in charge.
Priscilla had just started fixing supper, when the doorbell chimed, Tony pulled the door opened. His dog-Boxer dashed through and Tony ran after him.
Frightened beyond words, Priscilla chased after them while praying to get hold of Tony before he reached the street, which was fairly busy during the evenings. David Alexander, not wanting to be late to pick up his son from detention drove smartly through the street. Suddenly a dog dashed in his path and a boy chased after him. He swerved to avoid hitting both of them, but he heard a thump. His heart dropped. He’s prays it was not the child he’d hit. The dog he could fix, he was a veterinarian. Parking quickly he approached the child and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he was alright. Dropping on his knees beside the boy who was screaming, “Boxer is dead! Boxer is dead!” David spoke to him gently, asking permission to examine the dog. Priscilla skidded to a stop beside her son and his dog. With her heart pumping fast, her frightened eyes slid over Tony quickly while she asked him if he was hurt. Deciding he wasn’t she turned her attention to his pet and immediately told David he was in trouble for hurting her son’s dog. Her fiery tongue was enough to make him wonder who she was. His handsome face kept popping up into her mind at work which did not sit well with her. When she went to his clinic to pick up her dog, they got into an argument. She had no cage for him. David ended up transporting the dog to her house, which she didn’t like. She wanted no obligations to him. But once again he came to her rescue. As they took the dog in, she discovered two young thieves in her house. He caught one and turned him over to the police. David’s son Bryce was on the verge of being kicked out of school. His behavior was off the chain. Desperate for help with his son, David followed through with the appointment they made for Bryce to see a therapist. Imagine his surprise when he walked in to see Dr. Pricilla Bradford. Priscilla was just as surprised though she tried not to show it. Bryce she discovered was bright, but very troubled by lies his mother fed him about his father. Helping Bryce through his issues, she quickly referred him to another therapist. David’s attraction for her was strong and he knew she had feelings for him too but thwart whatever move he made toward her. That did not stop him from going after her. When her life was threatened and he vowed to keep her safe, she feared for his life. Compelled to speak the words in her heart she told him how much she loved him. But when David faced ruination at his own clinic at the hands of one of his student’s he hid his ordeal from Priscilla, which almost cost him their relationship. Though Priscilla was hurt, she found a way to forgive him, so they could walk into the future in love and trust.
I became hooked on reading romance novels during my teen years and my attempt at writing began in high school. All of my manuscripts were mailed under my bed. Eventually, I threw out most of them. That was painful especially since I’d written them by longhand first, then typed them on my old, dependable typewriter.
In college I majored in English but ended up with a Master in Social Work from Rutgers University and a Master in Education from Seton Hall University. Though I had these different career paths, I never gave up my passion for writing or my need to read. Now I’m more committed to my writing. I live in New Jersey with my family; enjoy soul music, like dancing and the occasional glass of wine. Connect with G.E.: Website | Goodreads
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Catching Cassidy
Harborside Nights #1 By: Melissa Foster Released April 28, 2015 World Literary Press
Wyatt Armstrong never imagined that instead of celebrating his college graduation, he and his twin sister would be dealing with the death of their parents. Then again, Wyatt had never been one to think past tomorrow. He heads to their summer home in Harborside, Massachusetts, with his best friend Cassidy Lowell in tow, to deal with his parents’ death and to try to figure out his next step.
Six foot two, infuriatingly handsome, and flirtatious, Wyatt Armstrong has always been there for Cassidy, helping her pass her classes and fend off unwanted advances, while driving her insane with his one-night stands—but that’s what best friends are for, isn’t it? Having each other’s backs. There was never any doubt that she would accompany him to his family’s summer home—but she never expected to begin seeing Wyatt as more than a friend. Or has she been ignoring her feelings all along? It’s impossible to ignore the sizzling heat between them as Wyatt and Cassidy get even closer, but Cassidy knows Wyatt’s past, and she has a real job to begin in the fall. Wyatt may be a sure thing for the summer, but Cassidy needs more. For the first time in his life, Wyatt is forced to look toward the future if he doesn’t want to lose the one woman who’s shared his past and owns his heart.
Discovering Delilah
Harborside Nights #2 By: Melissa Foster Released July 9th, 2015 World Literary Press
DISCOVERING DELILAH is an New Adult Lesbian Romance (#LGBT)
After the death of her parents on the day of her college graduation, Delilah Armstrong thought she could finally follow her heart and come out to her closest friends, but the guilt of going against her parents’ beliefs haunts her. The feelings she has for her best friend, Ashley, are stronger than anything she’s felt before, but Delilah has never even kissed a girl, and fear stops her at every turn. Ashley Carver promised herself that she would never again date another girl who wasn’t out, but that was before she met intoxicatingly sweet and sexy Delilah. When another girl offers to teach Delilah the ropes, it changes Delilah’s whole world and gives her the courage to go after the only girl she really wants. But coming out isn’t as easy as Delilah imagined, and moving past her parents’ death and the feelings of guilt she is left with is even harder. The intense passion between Ashley and Delilah is too strong to deny, but coming together means risking everything. Discovering Delilah is an edgy, evocative, romantic story of friendship, family, and the courage to love.
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women's fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Deceived
Dark Alliance #1 By: Kate SeRine Releasing June 28, 2016 Zebra
Luke Rogan's assignment is simple: secure young Elijah Scoffield and his mother and bring them back to headquarters--just an ordinary mission for an operative of the Dark Alliance. But Elijah is no ordinary kid. He's the grandson of one of the country's most influential politicians--a man privy to the Alliance's most valuable secrets, including its centuries-long connection to the Knights Templar. And someone else is attempting to capture the boy--someone who's proven he doesn't give a damn about collateral damage. . .
Heartbroken at the lies that tore her world apart, Sarah Scoffield will do anything to protect her son--even if that means teaming up with a deadly stranger. But Sarah soon finds herself falling in love with her dark hero. And as danger stalks ever closer, the fiery desire that claims them awakens in Sarah passions she'd thought dead and buried long ago. . .
Two dark powers in war, secret societies, that could rule the whole world with their powers. Innocent caught in the middle, fighting to survive and stay alive, yet hopelessly falling in love with their guard and protector.
The suspense and action of the story are based on the war between Alliance and Illuminati, even thought the high powers of alliance refuse to believe that Illuminati still exists and is as powerful and infiltrated as they are. As many of the players in the tale gets their chance to tell their point of view of events occurring, the big picture of the war and its components, risks, manipulations, and lies comes to clear to the reader. It takes about the first 20% of the story for the scene to be set, and the cast of characters to introduced, and their positions revealed, the Alliance and its dimension and span explained. The attraction between Luke and Sarah is immediate and palpable. The situation of danger and fear escalating their emotions, and being forced to be in close quarters giving them a chance to get to know each other in a deep, intimate level. I enjoyed the connection Luke and Eli had, the joking and banter, the humor between them. The trust and respect that grew between Eli and Luke, helped Sarah to surrender to her budding feelings as well. The passion is ardent, the emotions turbulent, but either of them are able to deny them. Only, Luke as a Knights Templar and part of Alliance isn't allowed to have any personal relationships. I liked how the romance and building of the relationship are set up in the story, the time it was given to grow and take roots, and how Sarah, Eli, and Luke form a unit, family, willing to do anything and everything needed to protect each other, and stay together. The story sets up an interesting stage for the upcoming series. Any conspiracy theorist will get excited about the possibilities of the power and control the Alliance could have in the world. The schemes between Alliance and Illuminati could be endless as they fight for the world dominance and the counterplots, treasons, manipulations and lies between the players intriguing, their destinies alluring. Even though the power struggles of the two secret societies were not for me, I enjoyed the short spurts of action, the presence of constant danger, and the adorable, fragile relationship developing between Sarah and Luke, and Eli as well. ~ Three Spoon and a teaspoon on the side
“I thought we were safe here,” Sarah said, her arms crossed over her chest.
“We’re as safe here as anywhere until we get to my place,” Luke assured her. She lifted a brow. “Yet you’re acting like you expect someone to come barging in and attack us at any moment.” He took a step closer and immediately realized his mistake when his heart started pounding at the nearness of her. Shit. He shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from touching her. “If being paranoid is what’s going to keep you and your son alive,” he said, “then guilty as charged.” “Please don’t take this the wrong way, Luke,” she began, edging closer, damn it all, “but why does it matter so much to you if Eli and I are safe? You don’t know us. I get that you’ve been given an order, but I also heard you talking to your commander and know you’d rather be somewhere else. If you’d insisted that someone else watch over us, I would’ve understood. I can just go to the police, tell them what happened. I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Luke stared at her for a long moment, trying to figure out the answer to her question. Hell if he knew why it mattered so much to him that he keep them safe. In the technical sense, he protected people every day and had for going on fifteen years when he added up his time in the military and then working for the government and now with the Alliance. But she was right—this assignment was hitting him on a level he hadn’t anticipated. “I guess because, when I wasn’t much older than Eli, someone took my mother and me in, watched over us when we needed it,” he finally said, not sure where the explanation was even coming from. “And someone else did the same thing for me again a few years ago when I was in a really dark place—except this time the enemy I was up against was myself. If it wasn’t for that person stepping in, I don’t know where I’d be. But dead is a damned good bet.” Sarah straightened. “Oh. God. I’m sorry.” “Don’t be,” Luke told her. He shook his head as his vision went a little blurry. Suddenly too tired to stand, he leaned against the edge of the sink. “I made a promise to keep you and Eli safe, Sarah. I’ll keep it. There’s no way I’d abandon you, so don’t worry about it.” The next thing he knew, Sarah’s arms were around his neck, hugging him tightly. He resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her and hold her close, to bury his face in her hair and let the warmth of her wash over him. But when she pressed a kiss to his cheek and whispered, “Thank you,” in his ear, he almost gave in. Fortunately, before he could move, she stepped away and hurried back into the room with Eli, leaving Luke gaping at the empty doorway and wondering exactly what the hell he’d gotten himself into…
Kate SeRine (pronounced “serene”) is a hopeless romantic who firmly believes in true love that lasts forever. So it's no surprise that when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed her characters would always have a happily ever after.
Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project—probably while consuming way too much coffee. Kate is also the author of the award-winning Transplanted Tales paranormal romance series and the Protect & Serve romantic suspense series. Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Love Between the Covers
A Documentary Film
Written, Produced & Directed by: Laurie Kahn
Releasing July 12th, 2016
Distributed by: The Orchard
Love stories are universal. Love stories are powerful. And so are the women who write them.
Love Between the Covers is the fascinating story of the vast, funny, and savvy female community that has built a powerhouse industry sharing love stories. Romance fiction is sold in 34 languages on six continents, and the genre grosses more than a billion dollars a year -- outselling mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy combined. Yet the millions of voracious women (and sometimes men) who read, write, and love romance novels have remained oddly invisible. Until now.
For three years, we follow the lives of five very diverse published romance authors and one unpublished newbie as they build their businesses, find and lose loved ones, cope with a tsunami of change in publishing, and earn a living doing what they loveâwhile empowering others to do the same. Romance authors have built a fandom unlike all others, a global sisterhood where authors know their readers personally and help them become writers themselves. During the three years weâve been shooting Love Between the Covers, we have witnessed the biggest power shift that has taken place in the publishing industry over the last 200 years. And itâs the romance authors who are on the front lines, pioneering new ways to survive and build communities in this rapidly changing environment.
Pre-Order Now
Watch the Official Trailer
Director/Producer LAURIE KAHNâs films have won major awards, been shown on PBS primetime, broadcast around the world, and used widely in university classrooms and community groups. Her first film, A Midwifeâs Tale, was based on the 18th century diary of midwife Martha Ballard and Laurel Ulrichâs Pulitzer Prize-winning book A Midwifeâs Tale. It won film festival awards and a national Emmy for Outstanding Non-Fiction. Her film TUPPERWARE! was broadcast in more than 20 countries, won the George Foster Peabody Award and was nominated for a national Best Nonfiction Director Emmy. Kahn previously worked on Eyes on the Prize: Americaâs Civil Rights Years, The American Experience, FRONTLINEâS Crisis in Central America, All Things Considered, and Time Out. Sheâs a resident scholar at Brandeisâs Womenâs Studies Research Center.
For more information on the film, http://www.lovebetweenthecovers.com/
For Good
An Out in Portland Novel By: Karelia Stetz-Waters Releasing July 5, 2016 Forever Yours
For Kristen Brock, Tristess County, Oregon, is just a stepping stone. She doesn't fit in to the small town community, but that doesn't bother her; she's not here to make friends. A few years as district attorney will look good on her resume, and then she'll be able to get any job she wants in a big city law firm. But then she meets Marydale Rae, who inspires feelings Kristen never imagined . . .
Marydale didn't intend to hide her past from Kristen, but the prospect of a friend who doesn't know she spent time in prison is too tempting to pass up. Add in the kiss they shared, and Marydale never wants Kristen to know the truth. But in a town like Tristess, secrets are impossible to keep. Being together puts both Kristen's job and Marydale's parole in jeopardy. But is a chance at forever worth the risk?
Kristen heard a man at the front of the crowd say, “Now I’m going to let my colleague tell you about what you’re going to taste.” A few people clapped.
A melodic woman’s voice chimed in. “Thank you. We both come from a farming-ranching background, so we understand the importance of raw ingredients. We have our own twelve-acre farm north of St. John’s.” The room was hot. Sierra said, “It’s really crowded. Do you want to try the next one?” “We put our heart and soul into this production.” The woman’s voice floated over the crowd. Kristen couldn’t see her, but the cadence was familiar. It was the same slight twang that had infused Marydale’s voice when she told stories about Tristess. The man interrupted. “My friend here actually waters the ground with her tears.” The crowd chuckled. “No, I’m serious,” the man said. “The first night after planting she goes out to the fields—” “And you’re going to taste all of that,” the woman cut in, “when I pour the first round.” Kristen edged forward, listening. “What is it?” Sierra asked. The couple in front of Kristen stepped to the side, and Kristen stepped into the space they had vacated. Behind a folding table covered in a black cloth, a banner read SADFIRE DISTILLERS. On either side of the table, a bronze contraption, like some steampunk creation from the Alberta Arts Walk, released a blaze of flame. But Kristen wasn’t admiring the craftsmanship or thinking about the liability of open flames in a low-ceilinged room almost certainly over the 148-person capacity listed by the door. She wasn’t thinking about anything now, because she wasn’t breathing, because it was Marydale behind the table, like a vision in a dream. Her blond hair was pulled up in an aggressive bouffant ponytail, and her arms were tattooed in a swirl of oxblood and black, the bodies of women intertwining in the ink. She looked older and tougher and gorgeous. “So what are we going to taste, Mary?” It was Aldean beside her. Marydale took a skewer from the table, wrapped a piece of cotton around the end and dipped it into a snifter. “We’re going to start with the Consummation Rye,” Marydale said. She flicked the end of the skewer through the flame at her side, tilted her head back, opened her mouth, and, accompanied by the “ooh” of the crowd, she lowered the torch into her mouth. The flame disappeared. She set the skewer down and lifted the snifter to her lips and, in flagrant violation of Oregon Liquor Control Commission server regulations, took a long sip. “Well played,” her friend said. “What do you taste, Mary?” Marydale turned to Aldean. “You’re going to find this surprisingly smooth for such a young whiskey, although it does still have a bite, and I think that’s part of its charm. It’s going to mellow, but you’re going to miss its youth.” Kristen felt the stiff, gray fabric of her suit holding her in place. Marydale was there, only feet away, real, breathing, her hair glistening. Kristen had practiced this moment in her imagination a thousand times, this exact moment when their eyes met and Marydale recognized her. For just a second, Marydale seemed to lose her train of thought. Then she resumed. “Large commercial distilleries produce consistent quality, but they sacrifice character.” Kristen had dreamed about this reunion. She had seen Marydale in the crowds around Pioneer Square and in the quick flash of a TriMet window, her face forever disappearing into another person’s image. A rational voice in the back of her mind told Kristen she was overreacting. The strange longing that filled her when she thought of Marydale was just the first pangs of middle age creeping into her thirties. It was the kind of nostalgia Sierra and Donna would never feel because Sierra lived in a semi-platonic, semi-polyamorous partnership with Frog and Moss, and Donna dated a never-ending roster of assholes. Marydale held the glass up to the flame. Someone lowered the lights, making dark shadows of Marydale’s eyes. “First,” she said, “you’ll smell the earth. Now, don’t let those wine connoisseurs get away with telling you it smells earthy, like that’s a thing. Earth is specific. Farmers know that. This is our parcel.” She smelled the whiskey. “If you’re very careful—and please don’t drink to excess because you’ll miss everything—you can smell the roots of our heritage oak. Yes. Aldean is right. They’re there, too.” She put the glass to her lips and took another sip. “It’s frost on a really clear day in December when you’re lonely despite all the Christmas going on around you. You can also taste summer’s wildfires. This batch was aged in barrels made out of ten percent reclaimed wood from the Firesteed burn. And if you haven’t seen one of those fires up close, you haven’t looked into the eye of God.” The crowd hushed. “Now, here I’ve got a little bit of water,” Marydale went on. “It’s from Multnomah Falls, and, friends, even if you don’t take your whiskey with water, you need to at least taste it with water. Water opens the whiskey up.” She poured a little bit of water from a silver pitcher and smelled it again. “There it is.” She paused and looked directly at Kristen. “Your old lover’s perfume woken from the leather seat of your pickup the day you take it to the scrap yard. The body. Lovemaking. Loan. Madrone bark in sunlight. The pencil you once used to write love letters.” Her voice grew louder. She raised the glass to the crowd. “A woman’s hair slick with sweat. That first taste, so strange and so familiar.” She took a sip of the whiskey, set it down, and beamed at the crowd. Her teeth were perfect. The crowd applauded. “That, friends, is how you taste a whiskey,” Aldean said.
My wife recently dubbed my writing “so-ro,” short for romance with a social conscience. I guess that’s what I do. Whether I’m exploring the problems of gentrification or the evils of human trafficking, every book I write has a lesbian romance at its heart and a social issue in mind. They’re the kind of books that read like fun, lazy-Saturday page-turners and yet leave your unexpectedly enlightened. That’s two for the price of one and way more fun that keeping up with the news.
When I’m not writing, I’m being inspired by my amazing community college students and hanging out with my lovely wife and my charming spuglette (that’s a technical term for spaniel-pug mix). I’m a fan of snakes, corn mazes, popular science books on neurology, and any roadside attraction that purports to have the world’s largest ball of twine. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
The Family Man
By: Kelly Eadon Releasing July 5, 2016 Forever Yours
TEMPTATION NEVER TASTED SO SWEET...
When life hands lemons to Beth Beverley, she makes mouthwatering lemon squares. Mostly because they're coveted by the sexy single dad who owns Belmont's most popular coffee shop. But that's where her crush on Griffin has to end. Her sweet treats are selling like crazy cakes in his shop, and she doesn't mix business with pleasure. Too bad his sinful smile has her flirting with the idea of forever. Griffin Hall definitely needs to keep his eyes--and his hands--off Beth. Since he's traded in late-night gigs and partying for bedtime stories with his little girl in his arms, he doesn't have time for anything else. So why does Beth's big heart and easy way with his daughter make him finally feel alive again? But there's a little secret Beth doesn't know, something he can't bear to tell her . . .
He lifted a few containers out of a picnic basket and opened them on the blanket. “But you remind me of this town in Italy. I know that seems like a weird thing to say, that you remind me of a town. But it’s full of all these paths that take you to completely unexpected places. Everywhere you turn, someone is trying to feed you. Everyone smiles all the time, and they have a little street theater with puppets that the kids gather around to watch.”
He lifted his eyes to her and grinned. “If you were a place, Beth, you would be this place. We played a concert in a city nearby, but we had a day off and I explored the town by myself. The whole time I kept thinking how great it would be to share it with someone. The other night it came to me: I had to have lunch with you in Urbino.” Her breath caught. Wow. He gestured to the food he’d laid out on the blanket. Olives, figs, cheese, bread, dried fruit. Her mouth watered just looking at it. “So here you go. Lunch in Urbino.” Her eyes stung and she blinked hard. This could not be happening. This could not be real. “Wow.” The corners of his mouth dropped and his eyebrows furrowed. “Do you like it?” He dropped his gaze to his lap, where his hands fidgeted. “Is it too much?” She threw herself at him, covering his face with kisses, not caring if she knocked anything over. “It’s the most incredible thing anyone has ever done for me.” His fingers closed around her waist and he tugged her into his lap. He pressed his mouth to hers and used the tip of his tongue to trace the seam of her lips. A high-pitched whistle pierced the air. She raised her head and found a group of teenage boys giving them the thumbs-up. Her face heated and she crawled back to her spot on the other side of the blanket. She reached for the container of olives and spooned a few onto her plate. “I feel like I should warn you that dessert is entirely off-theme.” He raised an eyebrow and popped a fig into his mouth. “Oh yeah?” She nodded. “Oh yeah.” Then she reached for the plastic bag in her purse and plopped it onto the blanket, so that one of the cookies was faceup inside the package. He leaned toward it, his eyes narrowing. “What kind of cookie is that?” She’d iced them pink and then used magenta piping to create little curlicues. “Pig butt.” His gaze jerked to hers and he blinked a few times. “A pig butt cookie?” The tickle in her throat became too much, she burst into giggles. “Just the decoration, not the flavoring. I found them on Pinterest. Nailed it, right?” He threw his head back and laughed. “Yup. You nailed it. That is most definitely a pig’s ass. Martha Stewart, the person not the van, would be impressed.” With a giggle, she tipped her head back to let the sunshine warm her face. It was as near to perfect as a date could be.
Kelly Eadon is a romance writer living in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and a house full of rescue animals, aka "the kraken". She swears like a sailor and says whatever pops into her head. In order to counteract her big mouth, she wears high heels whenever possible. In her spare time she spins, kick boxes and attempts to renovate her farmhouse. She hates sanding drywall, loves to cook, drinks lots of wine, gets scary competitive at trivia, and enjoys time spent exploring with her rescued beagle mixes.
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The Promise: A Story of The Quake
A Sinner’s Grove Novella By: A.B. Michaels Released June 24th, 2016 Red Trumpet Press
HE’LL RISK EVERYTHING TO KEEP HIS WORD
April 18, 1906. A massive earthquake has decimated much of San Francisco, leaving thousands without food, water or shelter. Patrolling the streets to help those in need, Army corporal Ben Tilson meets a young woman named Charlotte who touches his heart, making him think of a future with her in it. In the heat of the moment he makes a promise to her family that even he realizes will be almost impossible to keep. Because on the heels of the earthquake, a much worse disaster looms: a fire that threatens to consume everything and everyone in its path. It will take everything Ben’s got to make it back to the woman he loves—and even that may not be enough. The Promise, a stand-alone novella, is the latest offering from A.B. Michaels’ multi-genre series “Sinner’s Grove.”
I was rolling out a pie crust, thinking about how Richard and I were going to break the news of our broken engagement to my father, when a man entered the kitchen. I looked up and thought
perhaps I was imagining things. The stranger was tall and dark, with a full but neatly trimmed beard and mustache. He was wearing a light flannel shirt and dungarees and held a felt hat in his hand. His eyes were . . . they were Ben’s eyes. I stopped what I was doing, caught my breath, and immediately reached to check my hair, forgetting that my hands were covered in flour. “Miss Lindemann?” he asked in that same calm, comforting voice I remembered. “Corporal Tilson?” At once I realized I must look a fright, with my hair coming out of its coil and my apron covered with flour dust and spatterings of dough. My heart was dancing in my breast and I tried to settle down by breathing slowly. He walked toward me, wearing a slight smile and gazing at me with those beautiful gray eyes. I was caught by them, like a most willing prey. “You’re . . . you’re not in uniform,” I managed to say. He looked down at his shirt, as if he’d forgotten he was wearing anything at all. “I’m on leave,” he said. He held his hands out and grinned. “This is the real me, I guess.” I couldn’t help myself, I grinned back and held out my own arms. “And this is the real me, too.” We both laughed, and if you asked me what the sensation was that arced between us in that moment, I’d tell you it was joy. Pure and simple joy. But all too soon I remembered he wasn’t mine to feel joyful about. He belonged to another. I tried to put us back on more formal footing. “You’ve come a long way,” I said. “I trust it’s because of your promise to Berry.” He nodded. “Among other things, yes. I said I would be back, and here I am.” “I know Berry will understand about not finding the doll,” I said, attempting to reassure him. “But I’m very glad you came. She was so hoping to see you again.” He looked at me, his eyes growing more intense. As he stepped closer, he asked, “Were you hoping to see me?” I could feel the blush starting at the base of my neck and working its way up. If he only knew how much I’d hoped.
Born and raised in northern California, A.B. Michaels holds master's degrees in history and broadcasting, and worked for many years in the public relations and marketing fields. An avid quilter and bocce player, she currently lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and two furry "sons" who don't seem to realize they're just dogs
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