Friday, June 27, 2014

Friday Finds: Books To Add To Your Summer Reading List

Check out the great Friday Finds I've found for ya'll this week and add them to your summer TBR list. :)


Timeswept Bride
By Eugenia Riley
Genre:  Historical Romance | Time Travel Romance
.99¢ (Sale ends June 30, 2014)

For a limited time, read Eugenia Riley’s sensational, full-length time time travel romance, Timeswept Bride, for a bargain price!!

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

In 1880’s Galveston, dairy farmer Jake Blarney is left devastated when his wife betrays and leaves him, drowning in the seas, leaving Jake with twin baby daughters to raise. Angry and forlorn, Jake pens a message in a bottle beseeching the Fates to bring him a new bride, and hurls the bottle into the sea. But never does he dream that Destiny will summon him a new bride from across the vast gulf of time!

BRIDE ACROSS TIME

In modern-day Galveston, college professor Priscilla Pemberton is a forsaken bride, hurt and furious after her prominent fiancé betrayed then dumped her. She is wandering the beach aimlessly, thinking of hurling herself into the tide, when an ancient-looking bottle washes up at her feet. No sooner does Priscilla retrieve the bottle and read the strange message it contains, then a huge wave crashes over her, sweeping her back in time to meet the groom who has summoned her!

As soon as Jake Blarney lays eyes upon the miracle the seas have swept to his doorstep, he is ready to hitch up the buggy and fetch his new bride to the priest! Priscilla is left reeling and disoriented. Where is she? And who is this strange though sexy Irishman who keeps insisting that she is his bride from the seas?

Even as Priscilla struggles to become acclimated to her fantastical voyage through time, Jake and his adorable baby daughters go to work stealing her heart, and she is left feeling terribly torn. Beaten down by a horrible childhood, Priscilla has struggled all her life to regain her self-esteem and prestige. Is she really meant to become the bride of a brash Irish dairy farmer in 1880’s Galveston, even if her sexier than sin host fires her blood in more ways than one? Or are the Fates having a really good laugh at her expense?

TIMESWEPT BRIDE is another all time winner from Eugenia Riley, a full-length, fun, sexy and touching story of two unforgettable lovers bridging the vast chasm of time. Author Eugenia Riley is the renowned, bestselling author of dozens of historical, contemporary and time-travel romances, including the classics A TRYST IN TIME and BUSHWHACKED BRIDE.

Also available from Eugenia Riley: A CHRISTMAS IN TIME; BUSHWHACKED BRIDE; BUSHWHACKED GROOM; PHANTOM IN TIME; EMBERS OF TIME; LOVERS AND OTHER LUNATICS; A CHRISTMAS IN TIME; TIMESWEPT BABY; THE PHANTOM OF THE BATHTUB; TEMPEST IN TIME; and TWO HEARTS IN TIME. 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/TIMESWEPT-BRIDE-Eugenia-Riley-ebook/dp/B005GFI2W2
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/timeswept-bride-eugenia-riley/1000154023
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/278474


Her Dakota Man
Lisa Mondello

Genre: Contemporary Romance
FREE (Sale ends July 31, 2014)

She needed to risk the truth to get a second chance...

Poppy Erickson had spent the year wondering how all their lives might have been different after hearing the deathbed confession of her childhood friend. She'd left South Dakota years ago because she couldn't bear to watch the man she loved loving another woman. But now she knows the truth. She'll keep the promise she made to a friend, but will Logan understand when he learns the truth? More important, can they again recapture the passion that had been between them all those years ago?

He needed to face the past to get the love of a woman he thought he'd lost..

Everyone knows that the Dakotas didn't get the name Badlands for nothing. Harsh weather and rough living are a way of life. But single dad, Logan McKinnon, had seen more than his share of bad times after the death of his wife a year ago. The last thing he needs is Poppy Erickson, an old flame and his late wife's best friend, showing up unannounced to help after devastating floods nearly washed away their hometown. With no place to stay in town, he has no choice but to offer her a bed at his house. But can he live under the same roof with a woman he'd once loved passionately without feeling he's betraying his late wife?



Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Her-Dakota-Man-Book-Hearts-ebook/dp/B00FRSX700

Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/her-dakota-man/id734693537


DISSENSION

By Katie Salidas




Genre: Fantasy | Urban Fantasy | Paranormal
.99¢ (Sale ends June 30, 2014)
 
The great cataclysm wiped almost all life from the face of planet Earth, but tiny pockets of survivors crawled from the ashes, with only one thought: survival, at any cost.

But not all survivors were human.


In the dark, militant society that has risen in the aftermath, vampires, once thought to be mythical, have been assimilated and enslaved. Used for blood sport their lives are allowed to continue only for the entertainment of the masses. Reviled as savages, they are destined to serve out their immortal lives in the arena, as gladiators.


And there is no greater gladiator than Mira: undefeated, uncompromising...and seemingly unbreakable. When an escape attempt leads Mira into the path of Lucian Stavros, the city’s Regent, her destiny is changed forever.
 

Lucian, raised in a culture which both reviles and celebrates the savagery and inhumanity of vampires, finds Mira as intriguing as she is brash. An impulsive decision - to become Mira’s patron – changes more than just Lucian’s perception about vampire kind. The course of his life is altered in ways he could never have predicted – a life that is suddenly as expendable as hers.

Can Mira prove to Lucian that all is not as it seems? Can Lucian escape centuries of lies, bloodshed, and propaganda to see the truth? Or will the supreme power of the human overlords destroy them both? 



Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dissension-Chronicles-Uprising-K-Salidas-ebook/dp/B00I8PMB10

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/405032

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

New Cover Reveal: Sebastian's Spell

Coming August 2014!

 

Very happy to reveal the new cover for my 
upcoming re-released and expanded new version of Sebastian's Spell.
(formerly titled I Put A Spell On You) 
Created by Tara at Fantasia Frog Designs.


If you can’t be with the one you love…maybe you should put a spell on them!

 

At least, that’s what Sebastian Matthews thought when he cast a spell on Tess Warner thirteen years ago. Something must have backfired with the potion though, because he left town with his heart broken and Tess Warner hating him.

 

Older, wiser, and sexier than ever, Sebastian’s back and ready to give it another try. Only one problem. The recipe for the potion and the spell that goes with it, were in Tess’ father’s grimoire. Sebastian may just be an ordinary guy, but he does have one thing on his side—the spellbinding magic of passion!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Tuesday Blue Plate Special: Irresistibly Delicious

When Midnight Comes welcomes guest author Debra Ann Fisk. Her most recent book certainly is delicious, and wait until you prepare and taste her recipe, omg—so good.

Irresistibly Delicious is set at a bed and breakfast in Cozy Cove, Florida. This recipe is from the setting of the Cozy Cove Inn where many wonderful meals were prepared by the heroine Olivia.


I have been working on the sequel to Irresistibly Delicious and although the sequel takes place in the same town, it's quite different. One thing that is consistent is the cooking and good food served at the Cozy Cove Inn. 


One feisty Southern chef. One sexy city doctor. One thousand miles apart. Trauma draws them together, but will circumstances pull them apart? Chef Olivia Carson's painful past haunted her until she discovered the healing solace at the Cozy Cove Inn. 


She fell in love with the bed and breakfast and its owner, Myra. But her world is rocked to its core after Myra has a life threatening emergency. When Brady Matthews, Myra's son and a well-known cardiologist in NYC, shows up to care for his mother sparks fly in more ways than one.


Olivia and Brady disagree about everything, all the while fighting the sexual attraction that draws them together. 


As Brady begins to reevaluate his life and Olivia creates a new career for herself, the risk of scandal and past secrets threatens to rip them apart. Will a headstrong surgeon and a gourmet chef learn to accept love? Or will they choose professional success with a side order of loneliness?
Amazon buy link - http://tinyurl.com/qfccp9f
Barnes and Noble buy link - http://tinyurl.com/o7d4rdq

Broccoli Chicken Casserole

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients List:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts diced into 1/2 inch pieces.
1 large frozen package of broccoli florets or one bunch of fresh broccoli florets
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup of milk
8 ounces of cheddar cheese shredded
1/2 cup Durkey Fried onions
Salt 
Pepper
Garlic powder
Onion Powder

In a large casserole dish place broccoli. Add chicken on top. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste.
In a bowl mix cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk. Pour over chicken and cover completely. Now add a layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the top with fried onions.

Bake for 1 hour or until top is browned and chicken is cooked all the way through.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Friday Finds - Storytellers Across The Genres

The one thing I've found in common, no matter if the book is pure Sci-Fi, High Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, New Adult, or Cozy Mystery, is that the best storytellers pull you into their world and make you care what happens. The books on this edition of Friday Finds are like that. Enjoy!

The Passion of Patrick MacNeill (The MacNeills, #1) 
Virginia Kantra

Genre: Contemporary Romance
FREE (sale ends June 30, 2014)

Dedicated burn surgeon Kate Sinclair shields her tender heart behind a white coat and a coolly professional manner. But something about the little patient the nurses dub “Iron Man” and his vital flyboy father challenges her as a doctor and a woman.

Since the car crash that killed his wife and almost took his son, pilot Patrick MacNeill’s life has revolved around his little boy. No one—no woman and certainly no interfering doctor—can intrude on their bond, forged in love and pain.

When little Jack’s care brings these two together, it ignites a passion they can’t ignore. But their growing involvement threatens Patrick’s emotional barriers and Kate’s professional future. With so much at stake, will she trust her judgment...or her heart?

Available at these online retailers:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Patrick-MacNeill-Sweet-Carolina-ebook/dp/B007Z4D9MA

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-passion-of-patrick-macneill-virginia-kantra/1003076365


The Magic Knot
by Helen Taylor Scott

Genre: Paranormal Romance
99¢ For a limited time only!

A contemporary fantasy romance set in the English Westcounty and Ireland. The Magic Knot combines the mystery of Celtic Cornwall with the myths of ancient Ireland in a contemporary setting to give a story full of romance and adventure. You'll never think of fairies in the same way again!

HE'S A BIKER WITH AN ATTITUDE What woman wouldn't be attracted to Niall O'Connor's soft Irish brogue and dark good looks? But Rosenwyn Tremain must find her father, and she isn't going to let a sexy, stubborn Irishman and his motorcycle distract her. Rose's intuition tells her he's hiding something, a secret even the cards cannot divine. Her tarot deck always reads true, but how can one man represent both Justice and Betrayal?

SHE'S A WOMAN ON A MISSION
Magic. Niall's body tingles with it when he finds the woman snooping in his room. Rosenwyn might believe she's a no-nonsense accountant, but her essence whispers to him of ancient fairy magic that enslaves even as it seduces. Her heritage could endanger those he'd die to protect, but her powers and her passion, if properly awakened, might be the only thing that can save both their families, vanquish a fairy queen bent on revenge, and fulfill a prophecy that will bind their hearts together with...  
THE MAGIC KNOT

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FDLNWE


Guidebook to Murder


Lynn Cahoon
 
Genre: Mystery | Cozy Mystery
.99¢ For a limited time only!

In the gentle coastal town of South Cove, California, all Jill Gardner wants is to keep her store--Coffee, Books, and More--open and running. So why is she caught up in the business of murder?

When Jill's elderly friend, Miss Emily, calls in a fit of pique, she already knows the city council is trying to force Emily to sell her dilapidated old house. But Emily's gumption goes for naught when she dies unexpectedly and leaves the house to Jill--along with all of her problems. . .and her enemies. Convinced her friend was murdered, Jill is finding the list of suspects longer than the list of repairs needed on the house. 

But Jill is determined to uncover the culprit--especially if it gets her closer to South Cove's finest, Detective Greg King. Problem is, the killer knows she's on the case--and is determined to close the book on Jill permanently. . .

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guidebook-to-murder-lynn-cahoon/1117238140



Running In The Dark
Inger Iversen

Genre: Paranormal Romance
.99¢ (Grab it fast, because the sale ends June 21, 2014!)
 
Trace’s job has always revolved around death. Trace is a Watcher, a position created to assist the undead to their final resting place without alerting humans of the vampire race. Whether his job is to witness the death of a fellow vampire or deal it, Trace has learned that being a Grim Reaper isn’t what he thought it would be. After years of killing, he’s ready for a new job, a new life, or to just disappear. 

When Bessina becomes his new target after she witnesses the death of fellow vampires Sam and Hope, Trace is ready to eliminate her—until a strange course of events turns the tables and has Trace protecting Bessina from his boss and running for his life. 



Double Blind
Brandilyn Collins

Genre: Mystery and Suspense | Science Fiction
.99¢ For a limited time only!

Twenty-nine-year-old Lisa Newberry can barely make it through the day. Suddenly widowed and a survivor of a near-fatal attack, she is wracked with grief and despair. Then she hears of a medical trial for a tiny brain chip that emits electrical pulses to heal severe depression. At rope’s end, Lisa offers herself as a candidate.

When she receives her letter of acceptance for the trial, Lisa is at first hopeful. But—brain surgery. Can she really go through with that? What if she receives only the placebo?

What if something far worse goes wrong?

Written in the relentless style for which Brandilyn Collins is known, Double Blind is a psychological thriller with mind-bending twists. Lisa faces choices that drive her to the brink, and one wrong move could cost the lives of many.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Friday Finds: Friday the 13th (Full Moon too)

Touched By Darkness 
(Sentinel Series, Book One)
Catherine Spangler

Genre: Romance | Urban Fantasy | Novel

FREE For a Limited Time Only!

After seven years on the run, Dr. Kara Cantrell believes she and her son, Alex, are safe. She’s wrong.

Kara settles in the sleepy town of Zorro, Texas, convinced that she and her child have escaped the sinister reach of a supernatural underworld. But the appearance of Damien Morgan, a dangerous, alluring man with superhuman abilities, upends her quiet existence.

Damien realizes that Alex is a fledgling Sentinel, and Kara is a matched, psychic conductor for him. She wants nothing to do with him, refusing to revisit the hell she experienced seven years ago. But she has no choice, as her son is projecting his abilities, leaving him vulnerable to unseen forces. Not only that, but someone—or something—is murdering people in Zorro.

Kara is forced to work with Damien, tapping into a mystical link that triggers desires both of them must ignore. But as they work together to protect her son, and to track the killer, evil stalks them, reaching out—with the touch . . . of darkness.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Touched-Darkness-Fantasy-Romance-Sentinel-ebook/dp/B00GOIF1KG
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/touched-by-darkness-an-urban-fantasy-romance-catherine-spangler/1117474479


Hunger Revealed
Dee Carney

Genre: Paranormal Romance | Vampires | Short Story

FREE For a Limited Time Only!

~A between the books short~

It’s no wonder Corin Gerulaitis is cautious about his wife’s safety… One year ago, she became a vampire. One year ago, she’d been tortured by someone who thought she was a new breed of vampire. Fortunately for them both, one year ago, Jasmine met and fell in love with Corin, a vampire executioner.

Jasmine is overwhelmingly stifled by her husband’s overprotective nature. But she’s sure the danger has passed and they can now enjoy a simple life together. When a routine shopping trip ends with Jasmine’s abduction however, they face not only trying to get her out, but also putting an end to the demons haunting Corin.

They’ll get back to that simple life…if they survive.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Revealed-Dee-Carney-ebook/dp/B00AAFHIC8
B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hunger-revealed-dee-carney/1113826101


A Dark Kiss of Rapture (Renegade Angels)
Sylvia Day

Genre: Paranormal Romance | Angels | Novella

FREE For a Limited Time Only!

Of all the Fallen, Raze’s hungers are some of the darkest and most insatiable. His brazen seductions cost him his wings, leaving him soulless and immortal, the most dangerous of seducers. He has roamed the earth for eons, hunting the rogues of his kind and protecting the humans who provide him with blood and sex. He is content with his life and the transient pleasures that flow through it... until one night and one woman change everything.

Kimberly McAdams is smart, beautiful, and wealthy. She can have any man she wants, but the moment she sets eyes on the lethally stunning Raze she knows he’s the man she needs. As one searingly erotic night burns into something deeper and far more vital than either of them expected, an adversary from Raze’s past sees a chance for revenge. Twisted by hatred, she will take from Raze what was taken from her—the precious gift of love.



Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Kiss-Rapture-Renegade-Angels-ebook/dp/B005TLKZR8
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-dark-kiss-of-rapture-sylvia-day/1105622193

Monday, June 9, 2014

A Day In The Life (Of A Writer): Shelley Munro

My guest today is friend and author Shelley Munro. Her latest book, Captured & Seduced, was just released.

Being a fan of SFR and race horses, the combination had me squeeing with joy. And the hawt hunk on her cover sure captured my attention.

I sat down with Shelley to talk about her writing process, her latest book, and her seductive feline shapeshifting hero, Ryman. ::purrs::

So Shelley, what is your typical day like? Do you try to keep to a writing schedule?

My typical day is fairly boring, especially at the moment because I’m pushing to get a new book done before hubby and I head off on holiday. I usually crawl out of bed at the same time as hubby and we walk our dog together. It’s a nice way to start the day. If I want to write a lot and fast, I’ll work at one of my favorite cafes and write for the morning. Afternoons are full of administration stuff, edits and more writing if I don’t complete my word count during the morning.

I function better if I exercise, so depending on the weather, I go for a bike ride or take our dog for a long walk in the afternoon too.

Evenings are taken up with more promo and keeping up with loops, blogs and social media. Life as a full-time writer takes more hours than I ever used to work at my administration job.

What sparked your imagination and made you write this particular book?

I wrote this book several years ago with an eye to getting an agent, but no one was ready for sci-fi romance with alien race horses. My prospective agent wasn’t interested. I have always loved sci-fi romance, and I found a home for this book. When an opportunity came to regain the rights, I jumped at the chance since I’ve always wanted to make this book into a series.

During the writing of this book I chucked in all the elements I like—shapeshifters, aliens, space ships. My husband used to have an interest in race horses, so I tossed in a form of alien horses and the book practically wrote itself.

I’m working on book two—Claimed & Seduced—right now and having a ball. I love making stuff up.

Can you tell us a little about the chemistry between your hero and heroine?

Ryman Coppersmith, my hero, was adopted and knows nothing of his background. The fact that he’s a feline shapeshifter comes as a huge shock, and he’s dealing with the strange facets of his heritage as they surface. He takes one look at Camryn and his feline nature goes berserk. At the start of the book they’re both confused about their attraction to one another. Camryn panics and tries to push him away, while Ry can’t seem to give her space. He needs her to train their hell-horse, and he craves her presence in his life. It’s fun watching the two circle each other and give into their desire.

Ooh, this book sounds too good to pass up. My Nook will be happy. :)
Feed your e-reader and make it happy:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KQ2DC1Q

All Romance ebooks https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-capturedseduced-1527736-340.html

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/captured-seduced

Google Play https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Shelley_Munro_Captured_Seduced?id=rou0AwAAQBAJ

About the author:
Shelley Munro is tall and curvaceous with blue eyes and a smile that turns masculine heads everywhere she goes. She’s a university tutor and an explorer/treasure hunter during her vacations. Skilled with weapons and combat, she is currently in talks with a producer about a television series based on her world adventures.

Shelley is also a writer blessed with a VERY vivid imagination and lives with her own hero in New Zealand. She writes mainly erotic romance in the contemporary, paranormal and historical genres for publishers Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing and has also self-published several titles. You can learn more about Shelley and her books at her website and you might even find her lurking at Facebook or Twitter. 


Find Shelley Munro online:

WEBSITE: http://www.shelleymunro.com
BLOG: http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/ShelleyMunroAuthor
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/ShelleyMunro 
PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/ShelleyMunro
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/ShelleyMunro
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Shelley-Munro/e/B001JOWGNK
NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/A2xfH

Saturday, June 7, 2014

New Release Showcase: Captured & Seduced by Shelley Munro

Captured & Seduced
Shelley Munro

Genre: Sci-fi Romance/shapeshifter

A shapeshifter and a wizard slugging it out, an alien world and a hell-horse...

Jockey Camryn O’Sullivan is an alcoholic on a downward spiral after the death of her husband. When aliens kidnap her, she’s both terrified and reluctantly fascinated by Ryman Coppersmith. She’s positive the weird attraction to her abductor is an anomaly. Something to ignore. She’ll train the aliens’ horse and they’ll return her home. Simple. There’s no need for sex or a stubborn male kitty-cat to replace the precious memories of her husband.

Murder. Betrayal. Banishment.

Feline shapeshifter Ry has experienced treachery of the worst kind. When his foster brother—the man who betrayed him—proposes a wager, the lure to clear his name is irresistible, and he seizes the chance.

Camryn’s arrival triggers a jump in his already overactive sex drive. It’s a struggle to keep his hands off his beautiful captive. Something in his mysterious feline background compels him to chase her, and the passion firing between them soars out of control. Ry doesn’t understand the mechanics of their attraction but knows he can’t afford to lose Camryn…despite his promise to return her home.


About the author: Shelley Munro is tall and curvaceous with blue eyes and a smile that turns masculine heads everywhere she goes. She’s a university tutor and an explorer/treasure hunter during her vacations. Skilled with weapons and combat, she is currently in talks with a producer about a television series based on her world adventures.

Shelley is also a writer blessed with a VERY vivid imagination and lives with her own hero in New Zealand. She writes mainly erotic romance in the contemporary, paranormal and historical genres for publishers Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing and has also self-published several titles. You can learn more about Shelley and her books at her website and you might even find her lurking at Facebook or Twitter.


 Check back Monday for an exclusive interview with the author of this sexy sci-fi book!


Friday, June 6, 2014

Friday Finds: Historical Love

Borrowed Dreams
By May McGoldrick


Genre: Historical Romance

.99¢ For a limited time only!

THE PROPOSAL

Driven to undo the evil wrought by her dead husband, Millicent Wentworth must find a way to save her estate and free the innocent people he enslaves. Her only hope is a marriage—in name only—to the notorious widower the Earl of Aytoun.

THE GROOM

Devastated by the tragic accident that killed his wife and left him gravely wounded, Lyon Pennington, fourth Earl of Aytoun, is tormented by the accusations that blame him for the catastrophe. Filled with despair, he lets his mother lure him into a marriage of convenience—for the sake of a good-hearted woman on the verge of financial ruin.

THE DESIRE

Under Millicent’s gentle gaze, Lyon begins to regain his strength and his wounded heart begins to heal. And soon Millicent discovers that beneath his unruly beard and grim demeanor, Lyon just may be the most handsome—and caring—man she’s ever encountered. For the first time in her life, she realizes that she is alive—alive with a smoldering desire for the one man she’ll love forever…

Winner of Holt Medallion for Best Historical Romance
Winner of Romantic Times Award for Best British-Set Historical Romance

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Borrowed-Dreams-Scottish-Dream-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B001L5SO0G

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/borrowed-dreams-may-mcgoldrick/1101222092

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/58015


The Notorious Lady Anne

By Sharon Cullen

  

Genre: Historical Romance

.99¢ For a limited time only!

Nicholas Addison, celebrated captain of the Blackwell Shipping Fleet, has agreed to take Mrs. Emmaline Sutherland aboard the Pride and ferry the raven-haired beauty across the Atlantic on what he imagines will be a routine trip. But when the ship is attacked by pirates, the seemingly innocent passenger is revealed to be none other than the infamous marauder Lady Anne, whose name strikes fear in the hearts of sailors everywhere—and whose seductive wiles commandeers Nicholas’s affections.

Lady Anne, a legend of the high seas, has spent the last eleven years plotting revenge against her father, the owner of Blackwell Shipping. She’s targeted the Pride in hopes of plundering its captain’s company secrets. But beneath her fierce courage and bitter determination, Anne has the delicate heart of a woman—a heart that cannot help falling for Nicholas. Now Anne must make a difficult choice: bring down Blackwell or surrender to love.


Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Notorious-Lady-Anne-Historical-ebook/dp/B00957T6IQ

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-notorious-lady-anne-sharon-cullen/1112483048



 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Wicked Wednesday Excerpt



**Sharing an excerpt from one of my erotic romances, so be warned this is not office or work safe, people. It is adult content and viewer discretion is advised. Rated M for mature.**


Compulsion
by Cassandra Curtis, ©2013

Compulsion | May 2013 | Genre: Erotic Contemporary | ISBN: 9781301335596

Only .99¢

Lindsay Dannon has a dirty little secret. While she hides behind her plain and proper image at work, a wanton woman with a rich fantasy life lurks beneath the surface. The thrill of sex in public places, and the risk of exposure, is a compulsive itch she knows only one man can scratch—her boss, Jack Randolph.
The company’s “no tolerance” policy on interoffice dating is the only thing stopping her. Good thing Jack created the rules, because he’s determined to make all of Lindsay’s sexual fantasies come true…



Excerpt from Compulsion by Cassandra Curtis, ©2013

     Her mind raced. Should she pretend she didn’t hear Jack, or just go for it? Her nipples pebbled underneath her cream silk blouse, still tingling from his accidental contact. Remember what happened the last time you decided to “go for it,” she reminded herself. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t picture the possibilities. She closed her eyes and imagined reaching out to press the red stop button on the panel. The elevator would shudder to a halt. She’d slip off his jacket, slide her hands down to the waistband of his slacks, pull out the shirttails, and slip her hands under the starched oxford cloth. His warm flesh would tremor under her touch. Then, she’d lean up on her toes to coax his lips open and take his mouth. A slight moan escaped before she could catch it. Had he heard?

     “Lindsay?”

     She’d have to explain. She could simply blurt out the entire sordid situation. Maybe he’d take pity on her. She didn’t ask for this, after all. Jack Randolph inspired her wicked side. He was so damn hot she couldn’t stop the kinky daydreams about him. Lindsay knew she wasn’t his type. He probably had no interest in her. If he had, surely he’d have acted on it before now, right? She recalled Tegan once saying that Jack’s ex-wife had been a former swimsuit model—her polar opposite. And there was the fact that he was her boss. She looked up into his dark, amber eyes.

     Why, of all the men in Colorado, did he have to be the one to ignite every sexual fantasy she had? It would have made her life easier if she’d had a sexual compulsion for some harmless pencil pusher. At least she hadn’t drawn a heart around their names on her desk blotter. Or written Mrs. Jack Randolph a thousand times on a piece of paper. She ignored the fact that she’d written ‘Mrs. Lindsay Dannon-Randolph’ on the notepad of her smart phone mere days ago.

     “Lindsay?”

     She’d like to rub her nipples across that five o’clock stubble on his cheek, tease his lips open, and feel the wet warmth of his mouth, as he sucked her tight—no! This was wrong, so wrong of her...she had to stop this madness… “Stop imagining him with his clothes off!”

     “Excuse me?”

     She visualized throwing him down on the conference table in front of everyone and the two of them boinking like crazed rabbits, while he muttered, Ms. Dannon, do you want to be home checking want ads? and the sexual fantasy fizzled. I must be insane to keep having these thoughts—you’re such an ass, Jack Randolph...
     “…Yet all I can think about is what it would feel like to have you push me against a wall and shove your cock deep inside me, tight...” Her words trailed off as she noticed the stunned look on his face.

     “Please tell me I didn’t say any of that out loud? Oh, hell. You’re going to fire me now, aren’t you?” Wonderful. Mortally embarrassed. No job, no money. And now her boss thought she was a deviant with a dirty mouth, a sexual addict with a fetish for him. She could kiss any letter of recommendation goodbye.

     “I’m not going to fire—”

     “You will. You have to. I’ve got high stalker potential. I even mapped out the route to your house from my apartment on an app,” she blurted out. Crap. Confession might be good for the soul, but she really wished she’d kept that tidbit of info to herself.

     He leaned in, trapping her neatly against the elevator wall. One hand reached out to press the red stop button. “Are you going to attack my body?”

     “N-no.” The elevator shuddered to a halt.

     “Pity.” He nudged her thighs open with his knee, his breath hot against the nape of her neck.

     “Someone might see!” She squirmed to move under his arm. The frosted glass might hide their identities, but certainly not their actions. A frisson of fear mixed with sheer excitement raced through her veins. Lindsay watched him throw his jacket over a tiny camera eye in the corner, effectively blocking security’s view. He pulled her into his arms, slid his hands over the curve of her hips, and sank his fingers into the cheeks of her rear end, cupping her through the navy fabric. His lips pressed against her throat.

     She wanted to pinch herself just to make sure she hadn’t slipped past reality and slammed full throttle into psychosis. At least her two halves weren’t conflicted about one thing. Both wanted Jack.

     “Stop me. Tell me no now and I’ll quit. Otherwise…”

     Lindsay’s knees were already weak, even before he found her erogenous zone and began lapping at the delicate spot with his tongue. She clutched at his tie in answer, unknotted it, and slid it from under his collar. Lindsay meant to discard it, but before she could throw it on the floor, he grabbed the tie and her wrists. Jack turned her around, binding her hands to the brass railing.

     “What are you doing?” This hadn’t been part of her daydreams!

     “Fulfilling a fantasy of mine. You know all about fantasies, don’t you Lindsay? You just told me one of yours.”

     “Oh My Gawd.” She ran the words into three indistinct syllables. Nothing in her tame past prepared her for the sensual onslaught of a Jack attack.

Read a different excerpt from this book at: http://cassandracurtis.com/erotic-romance/compulsion

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Sunday, June 1, 2014

Writer's Corner: Writing With Chronic Health Issues

Like many people, I have chronic health issues. For me, writing has always been a way to escape the worry and pain, the never ending cycle of doctor visits, testing, and hospital stays.

Writing has always been my chosen drug.

But what happens when your passion and art becomes part or all of your livelihood? When all the excitement of having your work accepted has waned a little, and now you have responsibilities and deadlines staring you in the face? Whether self-imposed or contractual, finishing the book means money in your pocket and others are depending on you.

So you push yourself and of course, the cycle begins anew, irregardless of any agreements you made to your publisher/agent/readers. The chronic illness that seemed to go away comes back with a vengeance.

I think there is a tendency to get really mad at yourself. Or maybe that's me.

I'm just not fast enough at my own pace, and with my health issues, to keep up with all my writing friends, and that depresses me a little. Because my book wasn't ready, I lost out on an opportunity. Not their fault, not really mine. Just the way it is.  I know beating up on myself isn't going to help me edit or write faster. It's at this point that the writing panacea no longer works.

I know there are others like me, writing and editing and struggling—all the while dealing with chronic illness. So I wanted to say a few things I recently had to remind myself.

1. Allow yourself the time to heal - If it takes a month or a year, the world isn't going to go away and writing can wait for you until you're ready for it.

2. Stop judging yourself by other people's standards. Just because one friend can write eight books a year doesn't mean you're less of a writer. It just means you are an individual with your own pace and your own obstacles to overcome.

3. Make allowances for your disability, but not excuses. If you suffer from chronic health issues, build in extra time to complete a project, so you still can work toward an achievable goal. But if you still miss deadline, it's better to finish than give up and not finish at all.

4. Money flows where love goes. If you love what you're doing, it will pay off if you give it time. You may never make as much as Nora Roberts, but go back and read #2 and realize there is only one LaNora. Likewise, there is only one you. Tell your story the best you can, and let it go.

5. Always remember you are not alone. Somewhere, someone else is battling similar problems. By sharing and finding solutions, maybe you can help each other. It's worth a try and you have nothing to lose.

6. Forgive yourself. Often we place erroneous blame on ourselves for our illness. Instead, look at the illness as a challenge to overcome, an opportunity to achieve something special—self acceptance.

And finally...

7. Nothing done is ever wasted. Make sure whatever you do, you learn from it and carry that knowledge onto the next project.

Life is what you make of it, despite setbacks and hardships. It is through the difficulties we face that character is built. Now go be your own character and WRITE!


About the author: Cassandra Curtis is a former EPPIE award finalist, bestselling author, and cancer survivor. She also battles with COPD, sarcoidosis, epilepsy, diabetes, congestive heart failure, degenerative disc disease, neuropathy, and other chronic illnesses. While health issues may slow her down, she refuses to let them keep her down.