Happy Holidays!

Wishing all my friends and readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love, Cass

The Craft of Writing and Master Lists for Writers

With NaNoWriMo behind me and a manuscript far from finished, it's a good time before the worst of the holiday craziness hits, to check out a few writing craft books and polish up my prose. Writing craft books also make wonderful gifts for the writer in your life. :hint hint: lol

Today I'm sharing the latest craft book from my good friend Bryn Donovan.

Master Lists for Writers: Thesauruses, Plots, Character Traits, Names, and More


Write faster...write more! Master Lists for Writers makes “show, don’t tell” a lot easier and helps you figure out your story more quickly. In this book, you’ll find:

• lists of phrases for describing facial expressions, body language, gestures, physical appearance, and emotions

• 175 master plot ideas, including romance, high-stakes, family, and workplace stories

• lists of words for writing action scenes and love scenes

• inspiration for figuring out character traits and quirks, backstories, occupations, motivations, and goals

• lists for describing settings and writing dialogue

• lists of good character names for contemporary stories...plus medieval England, Regency England, Wild West, and WWII settings

• and more!

Whether you’re writing novels or short fiction, screenwriting, or any other kind of storytelling, Master Lists for Writers is a rich source of inspiration you’ll turn to again and again. This book contains adult language.

Grab your copy here:

AMZ: http://amzn.to/1RxjKGz

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/master-lists-for-writers-bryn-donovan/1122835940

Tuesday Blue Plate Special - Heart of The Sea

My good friend Sela Carsen has an awesome book out today, entitled Heart Of The Sea.

You know what sucks?

Meriel Byrne became a selkie – a shapeshifting seal – just because Great Granny Whoever dumped some loser a few generations ago.

What also sucks? 

Ronan Burbank, ex-billionaire and ex-boss, was blamed for her disappearance and became a recluse with an attitude problem.

How to make things not suck? 

When Meriel saves a sailor in trouble, she and Ronan get another chance to find real magic together. All they have to do is defeat an ancient curse with love’s sacrifice.

Now that would make for a very happy ending…if Meriel can pull it off.
If.

This is a 21K fantasy romance novella featuring shapeshifting seals who are sick of sushi. (Say that three times fast.)

AMZ: http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Legends-Lore-Sela-Carsen-ebook/dp/B018CJ0A9G/

NaNoWriMo I Can't Quit You.

Every time I participate, I tell myself I will finish NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and every year I fall short. Something always comes up without fail, to derail me. This year I set a goal once more and told myself it was my year, my time to win the dang thing by finishing my project. And while I feel I got off to a good start, I've had events happen outside my control and have missed the last 3 timed writing sessions I planned to attend.

I may still finish, but with the holidays looming, I'm less than sure it'll actually happen. November is a horrible month to pick for a month long project. I kind of think it should be changed to January or February or even March. Because there are just too many holidays toward the end of the year and most of us are simply too busy and distracted to focus.

What do you think? If you had a say, would you change NaNoWriMo to a different month, and which month would you pick?

Dark Hallows A Bestseller!

The Dark Hallows boxed set by Annie Nicholas, Cassandra Curtis, Cate Dean, Deanna Chase, Elianne Adams, Ellis Leigh, Madelynne Ellis, and Sadie Haller has just hit the Allromance.com Bestseller List!

Thank you so much to all of our readers and fans!

13 Shapeshifters You Should Get To Know *Contest*

In this book and movie quiz, you have to name either the character, the movie, the book, the author, the director, or the setting, depending on the question. Each correct answer gets 5 points. The winner is the person with the most points at the end (10/24/15). If the book was made into a movie or the movie was based on a book, and you spot it,  let us know in your answers, you get double points for that question! Also, some questions have a bonus round you can answer, to gain more points!

Answers should be sent to assistant@cassandracurtis.com and don't post them here!



The contest ends midnight Saturday, October 24, 2015.* The winner will be announced here on my blog and on my FB author page. In case of a tie, each participant will be asked a tie breaker question, until the winner is determined.

And what, you ask, is the prize? The first prize winner will get a $10 Amazon gift card, a copy of my latest ebook, The Midnight Effect, along with a Midnight Effect pin and a Midnight Effect magnet. Second prize will get a copy of The Midnight Effect, along with a Midnight Effect pin and a Midnight Effect magnet.


Ready to start?

1. Who directed the movie An American Werewolf in London?
Bonus! What city was the setting for the second An American Werewolf movie?

2. In the movie, The Howling, the psychiatrist sends the heroine and her husband to this secluded resort in the countryside where he sends patients for treatment. Name the resort.

3. In my story Beneath A Midnight Sea, name my Selkie warrior hero.

4. Temptation comes in many forms. In this 2007 movie, teenage werewolf Vivian has been promised to Gabriel. But when Aiden, an American (human) in Romania researching werewolves for the next edition of his magazine, meets Vivian, they fall in love. Name the movie.

5. What is the name of the werewolf series written by author N.J. Walters?
Bonus! Name at least three of her heroes.

6. Who wrote the wonderfully humorous dragon shapeshifter romance, Dragon Actually?

7. I wrote my own (less humorous) dragon shapeshifter story, entitled____________?

8. Name the type of shapeshifters portrayed in the movie, LadyHawke. (The title should give you a hint at one in case if you never saw the flick).

9. What city is the setting for the 1982 movie, Cat People?

10. In Shelley Laurenston's book Wolf With Benefits, name at least two other types of shifters that appear in the book.
Bonus! Name the series.

11.  In my El Lobizon series, I pit two rival packs against the other, The Dayshifters and The Wolfen. The series explores the differences between the classic werewolf and the animal shapeshifters commonly found in books and movies today. Name at least one difference between the two types of shifters.
Bonus! Can you name the second book in my EL Lobizon series (slated for release this winter). 

12. What type of animal shapeshifters are in my story The Deal Breaker?

13. Just for fun, I wrote an animal mash-up character in my short story Stroke It. Can you name what type of wild hybrid hero I created?
Bonus! Can you name his occupation?


Good Luck!


**Must be 18+ to enter. The odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. Contest void where prohibited by law. It is the participant’s responsibility to check the blog to see if their name is announced as a winner, and contact Cassandra Curtis.com in order to claim the prize. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of contest winning announcement. If not claimed within 30 days, the prize will either be added to another contest, or a second chance drawing at my discretion.  Not responsible for lost/stolen mail.

Friday Finds: VIKINGS UNTAMED!

Hide your virgins...AGAIN! The original Bad Boys are BACK and they're hotter than ever!

These are not your mother's Vikings. Seven biker, shifter, sci-fi and paranormal Viking erotic romances: modern, sexy versions of the original alpha male bad boy heroes. 

Viking Claimed by NYT and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce.  

Awakening from four thousand years encased in ice in an alien world is not how Viking warrior Aki Bloodaxe imagined his life would be. His twin Einarr is his only contact with his old world. Can Aki come to terms with his new existence, find bonded mates to help him survive, and learn that the power of love is beyond the limits of time? 

Bound by the Viking by NYT and USA Today bestselling author Anne Marsh. 

Being a werewolf's mate sucks, but Bera doesn't have a choice--until a big, brutish, and thoroughly pissed-off Viking crashes into her cave and rescues her. He may be hot and their chemistry off-the-charts good, but she's done with domination games and alpha males. 

Colden isn't a nice guy--and he likes it that way. His rules are simple. Hit hard, fight mean, and defend what's his. But when the Viking berserker rescues a sexy little werewolf and her pack names Colden as her new mate, the rules change. She wants to bargain for her freedom. He wants to keep her. Forever. 

Viking Desire by Crystal Jordan. 

Viking god of thunder and bear-shifter Thor has been married to earth goddess Sif for millennia, but tragedy and betrayal tore them apart long ago. Now husband and wife in name only, they avoid each other as often as possible. 

Too bad they're still in love--though they'd never admit it. 

But ancient prophecies are beginning to turn against them, leaving them no more room for misgivings. The apocalypse is coming, and unless they work together, they don't stand a chance against their enemies. 

Can they learn to trust again, or will the end of the world consume them both? 

Viking's Pride by Holley Trent. 

When Will Valle returns to the Viking community of Norseton, he not only offers black sheep Erin Petersen the possibility of a exciting job in spite of her weak psychic gifts, but a chance to explore the world outside the isolated community. In the midst of the sexual awakening her brooding geek ignites, Erin learns that her "weirdness" might exist for a sinister reason. She's prepared to confront it with Will's help, but the revelations they uncover might shake the Afótama clan to its core. 

The Wild Fen by Dayna Hart. 

Magic binds Fen to protect Thora, the very sexy daughter of a god who has no idea who her father is or the danger she's in. Magic does not account for how damned much he wants her in his bed--or anywhere else he can have her. 

Thora absolutely should not get involved with her boss's brother. But when he's assigned as her bodyguard, she can't avoid--or resist--him. Trusting him isn't part of the bargain. 

But when she comes into her powers, trusting him might be the only way to save them both. 

A Most Wanted Viking by Sela Carsen. 

A spy and a werewolf walk into a firefight... 

Andrew Wyatt thinks all he has to do is bring a scientist back into the fold. He doesn't count on a sizzling hot alien wolf shifter getting in his way, and getting under his skin. 

The last thing Ule tärEinar needs is a tall blond spy interfering with her life. She may not trust Andrew, but that doesn't stop the sparks from flying around them. 

Once they do learn to trust, they'll need each other to survive an invasion that could draw their two allied cultures into a war neither can afford.

A Viking's Bride by NYT and USA Today bestselling author Zoe York.

When Aldric Gunter shows up and offers Navena Johnson an easy way off the prison planet she's stuck on, the answer should be an easy yes. But when the next thing she needs to say is "I do", the choice gets more complicated, because the Viking warrior wants a high price for the marriage of convenience--he wants her heart.

99¢ for a limited time!
Kindle US: http://www.amazon.co.../dp/B015AD1C4O/
Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.../dp/B015AD1C4O/
Kobo: https://store.kobobo...vikings-untamed
iTunes: https://itunes.apple...ok/id1040611501
BN: http://www.barnesand...n=2940152258493

Friday Finds: Amber Quill Press Super Sale!

If you've never read the first story in my Shifting Tides trilogy, Beneath A Midnight Sea, now is your chance to grab it for only .99¢! Plus a lot of other wonderful titles are on sale now, but you can only find them at this price on the publisher's website, so go to:

http://www.amberquill.com/store/c/413-Special-99-Books-Bundles.aspx?ps=30&sort=RatingDesc

Scavenger Hunt Coming Soon!

This October, I'm participating in a fun multi-author scavenger hunt online and ya'll are invited! I'll be giving away some neat promo swag and someone will win a copy of book 1 in my El Lobizon series: The Midnight Effect.

For more details, go here: http://wrenfigueiro.wix.com/uncannyquarry

DARK HALLOWS Release Day!

So very happy to announce that the Dark Hallows boxed set is out now! Weeee! Yup, this gal is happy dancing. :)

Nine, count'em nine fantastic PNR stories with heat levels ranging from sweet and spicy to fire engine red hot. Includes stories from authors: Elianne Adams, Cassandra Curtis, Cate Dean, Madelynne Ellis, Marie Hall, Sadie Haller, Ellis Leigh, and Annie Nicholas.

My own story in the anthology boxed set is a revised edition of The Midnight Effect, with new material added. Also included is a sneak peek at the second book in my El Lobizon series, Diabla Luna.

DARK HALLOWS
In the dark of night, when everyone is snug in their beds, the beasts of the Hallows roam free, wreaking havoc in the shadows. Dark Hallows features 9 haunting tales of things that go bump and grind in the night. From fanged bad boys, to ghosts and demons that will make you scream, we’ve brought together a collection of authors who want to take you on a chilling journey into the darkness. Get swept away and fall in love (and lust) with the heroes who lurk in the dead of night.

Where will you be when darkness falls?

 
Dark Hallows – Only .99¢! (for a limited time) So grab your copy today!

AMZ:http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Hallows-Haunted-Tales-Things-ebook/dp/B012C0KQF4
B&N:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-hallows-elianne-adams/1122478285
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dark-hallows/id1028248600
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/dark-hallows

Coming Soon - Dark Hallows!

Friday Finds: The Sleeper Dreamed Free eBook

I love reading short stories. They give the reader a glimpse into the author's world and allow the reader to try out new to them authors. You wouldn't believe how many diamonds in the 'not so rough' I've discovered this way.

So today I thought to share my love of short fiction and tall stories with ya'll.

Sela Carson's The Sleeper Dreamed

The sleeper dreams she is lost in a library that is also a labyrinth. Something is in the library with her. Is it the monster of her nightmares? Is it the man of her dreams? Or is it both?

Download it for free:

AMZ: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0137XELBK
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sleeper-dreamed-sela-carsen/1122449670

Other books by Sela Carsen:

Carolina Wolf
Carolina Pearl
Not Quite Dead
A Wolf To Watch Over Me
Rune Spell

Friday Finds: Pick Your Passion For FREE!

Call Of The Dragon
Elianne Adams

Genre: Paranormal Romance

FREE

Rhia Atkinson is a woman on the run. The same vicious creatures that killed her mother are on the hunt, and she’s the prey. She’d come to terms with her solitary existence until Drake came along, igniting her dreams of family and belonging. Traditions as old as time stand in her way as she tries to convince Drake that he’s her choice for a mate. With the enemy breathing down her neck, she has to figure out how to make it work before she ends up joined to a stranger, or worse, dead.



Drake Sperwell has spent years searching for one woman, the Queen of Avalore. Time is running out. With the survival of their species hanging in the balance, failure is not an option. What he didn’t count on was his reaction to the woman. Or his dragon’s need to claim her as its mate. Denying their chemistry might just kill him, but she’s off limits. Her destiny lies with her true mate in Avalore.

AMZ: http://www.amazon.com/Call-Dragon-Return-Avalore-Book-ebook/dp/B00PBA6QCU

The Navy SEAL's E-Mail Order Bride 
(Heroes of Chance Creek, #1)
Cora Seton

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Military Romance

FREE

Mason Hall, Navy SEAL, knows all about difficult assignments, but his current mission is one for the record books. Not only must he find a wife—and get her pregnant—or forfeit the ranch his family has prized for generations, he must also convince his three brothers to marry, too—before the year is up. Who knew one city girl and three wayward brothers could put up such a fight?


Regan Anderson can’t wait any longer to meet Mr. Right, so she’s taken matters into her own hands. She’s quit her job, given up her nice apartment and undergone all the preliminary appointments to prepare for artificial insemination. Still, becoming a single mother is daunting, so when she spots Mason’s Wife Wanted ad on the Internet one night, she’s ready for a few laughs. She’s sure the ad must be fake, but when Mason answers back, she soon finds herself wanting more than a long distance relationship.


If Mason can just keep her talking until he makes it home from Afghanistan, he’s sure he can convince Regan he’s her man. But when he whisks her off for a trial run in Chance Creek, they’re in for an unpleasant surprise. The ranch is in ruins, the house has been stripped, and they’re going to have to work day and night to beat Mason’s deadline to win it back.


Can two strangers pull together against all odds? Or is this mission doomed to fail?

AMZ: http://www.amazon.com/SEALs-E-Mail-Order-Heroes-Chance-ebook/dp/B00Q92RXJO
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-navy-seals-e-mail-order-bride-cora-seton/1119556127
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/navy-seals-e-mail-order-bride/id878392290?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/the-navy-seal-s-e-mail-order-bride

Marcus (Hell Squad #1)
Anna Hackett

Genre: SFR

FREE

In the aftermath of a deadly alien invasion, a band of survivors fights on…

In a world gone to hell, Elle Milton—once the darling of the Sydney social scene—has carved a role for herself as the communications officer for the toughest commando team fighting for humanity’s survival—Hell Squad. It’s her chance to make a difference and make up for horrible past mistakes…despite the fact that its battle-hardened commander never wanted her on his team.

When Hell Squad is tasked with destroying a strategic alien facility, Elle knows they need her skills in the field. But first she must go head to head with Marcus Steele and convince him she won’t be a liability.

Marcus Steele is a warrior through and through. He fights to protect the innocent and give the human race a chance to survive. And that includes the beautiful, gutsy Elle who twists him up inside with a single look. The last thing he wants is to take her into a warzone, but soon they are thrown together battling both the alien invaders and their overwhelming attraction. And Marcus will learn just how much he’ll sacrifice to keep her safe.

AMZ: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WFI0N0M
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marcus-anna-hackett/1121801061
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/marcus-hell-squad-1/id988587245?mt=11&at=&ct=&ign-mpt=uo%3D6

Coming Attractions Available For Pre-Order

SHADOW FIRES

Catherine Spangler

Release date: June 8, 2015

Preorder available now!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XJ1653I

Jenna dan Aron, a Shielder, lives a solitary existence, shunned by her people because she has visions and can see the future. She’s even foreseen her own destiny: to be a human offering, a mate for a savage Leor warlord.

When two Shielder colonies need to be rescued, the Leors who are their only hope demand a bride for their leader in return. Knowing she can’t deny fate, Jenna steps forward.

The Leors are a hybrid race and only part human. Arion of Saura finds mating outside his race abhorrent, but he has no choice, as his kind faces extinction. His life is ruled by hard logic and physical prowess, with no room for softness or emotion. Bound to him, Jenna faces a life of barbarism with a mate who seems more beast than man. In the relentless heat of the wild Sauran desert, Jenna and Arion wage a battle of wills, until they discover that the heart is mightier than any weapon—and that love can forge shadow and fire together.

I've long been a fan of the Shielder series from Ms. Spangler, so my expectations were pretty high.

I read the first page with my fingers crossed that I wouldn't be disappointed, and I wasn't. With incredibly deft handling, Ms. Spangler managed to make the reader feel every emotion Jenna had, all the worry, trepidation, and the sadness. Once on Saura, Jenna had to battle her dislike and mistrust, but you could see the budding romance to come, all in the subtle details. Each chapter moved the story forward, providing glimpses into each of the main character's state of mind.

The hero, Arion is formidable at first, even a little scary in true alpha fashion, but soon we learn he's made of more than sheer muscle and arrogance.

I won't give away spoilers, but I can promise lovers of SFR and Ms. Spangler will cheer when they finish Shadow Fires. I know I did. Is it too early to rub my hands together in anticipation for book six in the series?* ;)

*Please note that an ARC of this book was provided free of cost for review, but in no way influences my opinion. Honestly, few things do. Just ask Bear. lol

Hey Big Spender
Tahoe Tessie Mysteries #2
Gemma Halliday and T. Sue VerSteeg

Release date: October 13, 2015

Preorder available now! AMZ: http://amzn.to/1DYrqXp
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hey-big-spender-gemma-halliday/1121801209
iBook: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hey-big-spender/id988657174

When Tessie King inherited the Royal Palace Hotel, Lake Tahoe's biggest resort, she inherited a cranky board of directors along with it. A board that is demanding higher revenues, or Tessie's out. Faced with the possibility of losing her father's legacy, Tessie turns to her staff to help her come up with a plan: film the season finale of Battle Buffet, the hottest cooking competition show on TV, at the resort. It's a scheme sure to bring in the big bucks.

But is also brings big trouble. When one of the casino's wealthiest clients is found dead on the gaming floor, and the killer comes up incognito on the security footage, everyone is a suspect—from the television crew to the blue haired retirees at the slots. Tessie teams up with her stepmother-turned-BFF and her snowboarding teenage crush in a race against the clock to repair the casino's reputation, dodge mob accusations from the hot FBI agent on the case, and track down a killer before any more of her big spenders end up sleeping with the fishes.

Love the Tahoe Tessie series and have Hey Big Spender on order. The book sounds like my kind of fun whodunnit romp.

Friday Finds: PNR Dragons

There's just something about dragons and dragon shapeshifters. Maybe it's the primitive reptilian part of our brain being activated, or the idea of being an virgin offering (yeah right, go on and laugh) to a lusty dragon shifter, but there is an almost magical connection to these mythical beasts that cannot be denied.

My own dragon tale, Open Season, is less fantasy and more science fiction based, but it's definitely romance.

As a reader, I cannot get enough sexy dragons and am so glad I discovered a neat deal on the book below. Check it out and pick it up before they raise the price, because right now it's only .99¢!

Serpent's Kiss
Deborah Cooke

Genre: Paranormal Romance
.99¢ sale price ends May 12, 2015

One spark can banish every shadow in his heart.

The dragon shape shifter Thorolf is known for an impressive lineage, raw power in battle, and the impulsive indulgence of his appetites. The last has made him an outcast from his fellow Pyr, and even his hunt for their dangerous opponent, the Slayer Chen, hasn’t helped. Seduced by Chen’s ally Viv Jason, Thorolf finds himself drawn into a trap, as bait to lure his fellow Pyr to extinction.

The only one to come to his aid is a woman he already knows to be a thief—does he dare to trust her with not just his own life but the survival of his kind?

Chandra has planned for centuries for a battle against evil that she knows will determine the world’s future. She’s never wasted time on the pleasures of the physical realm, much less experienced passion—until the firestorm sparks between herself and Thorolf, demanding more from her than she ever expected to give. Will the firestorm provide new power, or be a dangerous distraction that gives Chen the chance to triumph over the Pyr forever?

This edition includes a list of The Next Generation, as well as excerpts from Firestorm Forever and Fallen.

AMAZON: To purchase the ebook go to:
*paperback* http://amzn.to/1coTwFN and select the ebook option.

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/serpents-kiss-deborah-cooke/1119374821

Cover Reveal: Shadow Fires by Catherine Spangler

I'm very excited to give ya'll a sneak peek at the cover for Catherine Spangler's next book, Shadow Fires, book five in her Shielder Series!

Shadow Fires

by Catherine Spangler

Start with a Beauty and the Beast theme . . . with a few overtones of The King and I.

Blend in a science fiction romance set on a fiery desert planet; with a barbaric, primitive hero who’s not quite . . . human.

Add a fragile but strong-willed heroine, a forced marriage of convenience, a sizzling sexual attraction, and . . . well, you’ll have to read Shadow Fires to find out what happens!

Science Fiction Romance, RITA Finalist

Jenna dan Aron, a Shielder, lives a solitary existence, shunned by her people because she has visions and can see the future. She’s even foreseen her own destiny: to be a human offering, a mate for a savage Leor warlord. When two Shielder colonies need to be rescued, the Leors who are their only hope demand a bride for their leader in return. Knowing she can’t deny fate, Jenna steps forward.

The Leors are a hybrid race and only part human. Arion of Saura finds mating outside his race abhorrent, but he has no choice, as his kind faces extinction. His life is ruled by hard logic and physical prowess, with no room for softness or emotion. Bound to him, Jenna faces a life of barbarism with a mate who seems more beast than man. In the relentless heat of the wild Sauran desert, Jenna and Arion wage a battle of wills, until they discover that the heart is mightier than any weapon—and that love can forge shadow and fire together.

Shadow Fire by Catherine Spangler, coming soon! 

For more information on this book, pre-order and  release date, drop by the author's website at: http://catherinespangler.com/

Social Media Links for Ms. Spangler: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.spangler.35

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatSpangler

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/107533.Catherine_Spangler 

   

Lock and Loaded Action Packed Fun

Every now and then I like reading a good action adventure, but the romance elements can't take a backseat to the action. I'm a "want it all and I want it now" kinda person when it comes to action/adventure romance.

Lately the trend is military/SEALS, and while I prefer flyboys (I was an air force brat), if a sexy SEAL needed to protect me, I wouldn't say no. ::wink wink::

Enter Lock and Load, book two in Kimberley Troutte's SEAL EXtreme Team series.

Lock And Load
by Kimberley Troutte

Dodge the bullets…A Chinese gaming company tricks Amber Fitz into hacking the U.S. Department of Defense to extract weaponry secrets. In a panic, she steals the only copy and runs. Can she trust a newly-formed SEAL team to get her out of China and protect the secrets in her hands?

Solve the puzzle…Communications Expert Charlie Handly loves a challenge and Amber is one sexy puzzle he’d like to solve. Is she a traitor or an innocent? Why does she remind him of the woman he’s been searching for? The only woman he wants for himself.

Get out alive…Amber needs one SEAL to help her escape. Charlie makes it clear he wants to protect and hold her close. But his brother and explosions expert, Willy, wants her too…and he’s willing to share. 

I love Ms. Troutte's hearty blend of pulse pounding action and romance. The sizzling chemistry between the lead characters flows smoothly, as does her dialogue and prose. The plotline feels so very real, you may think it could have happened. I really enjoyed the tension between Willy and Charlie, two brothers who want the same woman.

I also got a kick out of the subplot cameos return of Jenna and Mack, the two protagonists from the first book (Coming In Hot) in the series.

Although Lock and Load can be read as a stand alone, I always prefer reading books in order, so I suggest you pick up Coming In Hot and then read Lock and Load to get an idea of the scope of what promises to be an exciting series.*

AMAZON:  http://amzn.to/1JHYGtV

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lock-and-load-seal-extreme-team-book-2-kimberley-troutte/1120256849

Coming In Hot
by Kimberley Troutte

Take control…When militant Colombian guerrillas kidnap her clients, EXtreme Adventures travel agent Jenna Collins will do anything to rescue them…including hiring the Navy SEAL she’s struggled to forget. Mack may take orders from her father, but Jenna’s determined to convince the sexy SEAL to work with her. And stick around this time.

Protect the girl…Navy SEAL Mack Riley will take a jungle rescue in hostile territory over close contact with the admiral’s daughter who loved him and left him. But when Jenna forces her way onto the rescue team, the admiral’s orders to protect Jenna at all costs has Mack sticking to her as close as body armor. In the heat of battle, love has a way of breaching the strongest of defenses…

AMAZON:  http://amzn.to/1dCQPRp

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/coming-in-hot-seal-extreme-team-book-1-kimberley-troutte/1119613912

To learn more about the series and Ms. Troutte's other books, please visit her website at: http://www.kimberleytroutte.com/

*Please note that this book was provided free of cost for review, but in no way influences my opinion. 

Honestly, few things do. Just ask Bear. lol

Friday Finds: Urban Fantasy Descent

I love paranormal romance, but sometimes I wish the stories had more ass kicking in them, ya know? More wicked moves, with a bad ass heroine I can cheer for... enter the Descent Series from S.M. Reine.

Catch it while it's free, people.

She was destined to be a weapon. Elise Kavanagh is good at one thing: killing demons, angels, and gods. For years, she was the death that supernatural creatures feared. More myth than woman, she walked the Earth as the embodiment of vengeance.
  

But Elise doesn't want anything to do with destiny. She wants time off to spend with her only friend and former investigative partner, James Faulkner - a powerful witch, the only person she trusts - and try to be a normal person, whatever that means.

 
Destiny hasn't forgotten her. It's not easy to retire when you were born to be a killing machine. Old enemies still hold bitter grudges against Elise. The demon overlord of her new home isn't happy to have the Godslayer hiding out in her territory. And there are still gods that need to be killed...

 

This is a collection of the first three titles in The Descent Series, which are gritty urban fantasy books about an exorcist, a witch, and their battles against the forces of Heaven and Hell. (Approx. 200,000 words total.)

Books included:
1. Death's Hand
2. The Darkest Gate
3. Dark Union

DEATH'S HAND
Elise Kavanagh doesn't want to hunt demons anymore. It's been five years since she killed her last enemy, and life has been quiet since then. She went to college. Got a job, and then lost it. Made a friend or two. Lived a normal life. Now her former partner, a powerful witch named James Faulkner, wants Elise to fight one more time. The daughter of a coven member has been possessed, and Elise is the only exorcist nearby.

Becoming a hero again would mean risking discovery by old enemies. But digging into the case reveals that it might already be too late--bodies are disappearing, demons slither through the night, and the cogs of apocalypse are beginning to turn. Some enemies aren't willing to let the secrets of the past stay dead...

THE DARKEST GATE
When Elise Kavanagh retired from demon hunting, she swore it would be permanent. But an attack from a powerful necromancer forced her back into the business, and now she's trying to balance her normal boyfriend and normal job with everything supernatural.

Mr. Black is a demon hunter gone rogue. He's enslaving angels and stealing ethereal artifacts in pursuit of forbidden immortality, and an old grudge drives him to make his final stand in Elise's territory. Destroying her life and killing her friends isn't the goal, but it's a definite perk.

A demonic overlord offers to join against Mr. Black and protect Elise's loved ones. All she needs to do is ally with the demons she's sworn to kill, at the cost of her morals--and maybe her immortal soul. But once she crosses that line, there's no turning back.

Nothing is sacred when Heaven and Hell collide on Earth...

DARK UNION
Every fifty years, the most powerful ethereal and infernal beings convene on Earth to resolve conflicts with mediation by kopides--humans born to police relations between Heaven and Hell. They're meeting in Elise Kavanagh's territory this year, and she used to be the greatest kopis in the world. But she's not invited.

An old friend, Lucas McIntyre, asks her to attend the summit in his place. But when she arrives, she discovers that a human faction called The Union has taken charge of the summit, and they're not playing nice. Worse yet, someone has killed a prominent Union member... and now they're demanding blood.

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/The-Descent-Series-Books-1-3-ebook/dp/B009YADS38

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-descent-series-books-1-3-sm-reine/1114905119

Visit the author's website at http://authorsmreine.com/

Friday Finds: Sweet Love

A Sweet Romance Anthology: Love in 8 Flavors

FREE!

A romance bundle featuring 8 standalone stories: a mixture of novels and novellas. Only 'The Proposal' is the first in a series but can be read as a standalone novella.

Genres include Contemporary, Historical, Western, Victorian, Regency, Medieval and Paranormal sweet romance:

The Proposal by Lily Zante
This is Book 1 of 4 but can be read as a standalone novella with a HEA and without needing to buy subsequent books.  Opposites attract. When a high-flying career woman with no time for romance finds herself falling for a sexy young stripper, she has no idea just how much her life is about to change.

August (Prairie Grooms) by Kit Morgan
What happens when six English ladies are shipped off halfway across the world as mail-order brides? EVERYTHING! Watch them go from a posh lifestyle in London to Clear Creek, a nothing of a town full of quirky characters, crazy livestock, and bumbling villains! Oh, and handsome grooms too!

Six Months In Montana by Pamela M. Kelley
Molly Bishop is on the verge of her dream promotion when she's thrown a curveball--according to the will of her childhood friend Christian Ford's grandfather, in order for Christian to inherit the family ranch, where Molly's uncle and many others work, Christian and Molly must marry--and stay married for at least Six Months.

The Bride Prize by Sandra Schwab
A medieval tournament in Victorian Britain, two unlikely lovers, and an unfortunate dearth of umbrellas: Join the reporters of Allan's Miscellany on their first adventure as they travel to Scotland to attend the infamous Eglinton Tournament of 1839!

Scandal At Dawn by Elizabeth Cole
When a cruel prank leaves the blind Olivia Blake ripe for humiliation, she is rescued by an infamous rake. Soon she is seduced by the charm of Adrian Calwell, a scandal-chased baron who is much more than he seems...

Emma, Mail-Order Brides Club by Ashley Merrick
When Emma Byrne loses her live-in job in Boston for rejecting the unwanted advances of her boss, moving to Montana to be a Mail-Order bride to widower Ethan Donovan and his young daughter Emily seems like the best solution. Except that the groom in question had no idea that his brother sent for a wife.

Rings On Her Fingers by ReGina Welling
What should have been a simple tarot card reading instead sends Julie on a quest for true love and a hidden family fortune. Helped along the way by her best friend, a psychic and an aura reader, Julie must learn to believe in the unseen before it is too late.

Queen of Hearts by Kristen Painter
A priceless ruby, a sexy gargoyle and a dangerous sorcerer. Just another day's work...

Grab your copy today!

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-All-You-Need-Romance-ebook/dp/B00VC5UMQY

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-All-You-Need-Romance-ebook/dp/B00VC5UMQY

B&N (Nook): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-is-all-you-need-lily-zante/1121647549?ean=2940152226706&isbn=2940152226706&itm=1&usri=2940152226706

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id981056963

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/love-is-all-you-need-5

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7MyyBwAAQBAJ

Friday Finds: Irish Eyes Are Smiling

I love paranormal romance, but make the setting Irish and give the heroine or hero a psychic gift and I'm a happy camper. The mystic cove books by Tricia O'Malley are reading crack, seriously. I try to slow down and savor the words, but who am I kidding, I glom and gulp it down like a speed reader. lol.

Now you can give it a try for only .99¢, but better hurry, the sale ends March 29th.
  
Wild Irish Eyes
Tricia O’Malley

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Only .99¢ until March 29th.


Oh, to stop the voices in her head.

Other people's voices, that is. As a pub owner with an extra special gift, all Cait Gallagher craves is a moment of silence. That, and to own the building her pub is housed in along with the heart of the building's landlord, Shane MacAuliffe. Though she is irresistibly drawn to Shane, her vulnerabilities cause her to put up a tough exterior. When the two butt heads, more than sparks fly, and Cait finds herself trembling on the precipice of love.

Shane has watched Cait for years. Stubborn, beautiful, and with a trim body that he is dying to get his hands on, Cait is it for him. And yet, she continues to infuriate him by walking away from his kiss. Every time. At his wits' end, Shane doesn't know what to do to make Cait his own.

Unapologetic and fiercely proud, Cait must conquer her insecurities and reveal her true self to Shane or face losing everything.

New York Times Bestselling author, Tricia O'Malley, brings you a new romance series set on the rocky shores of Ireland.


AMAZON:  http://amzn.to/1y1vULa
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wild-irish-eyes-tricia-omalley/1120341020

Learn more about Tricia and her books at her website: http://triciaomalley.com/

Cuban Coffee Lover

Writers and coffee go together like peanut butter and jelly.

It's a fact that most of us need that slight buzz to get through our day and keep us writing into the night. So when I find a coffee that boosts my clarity (something I desperately need these days), I have to tell my friends.

I bought Bear (my hubby) one of those dual coffee makers that uses both the K-cups and also brews a mean traditional cup of joe. He likes a smooth medium roast, and I like a light roast (Starbucks Veranda blend is usually my favorite go-to java), but I now have a new favorite: Cafe Bustelo. It's a strong medium roast Cuban Colombiano espresso available now in those K-cups. Ohmigawd - this stuff is "wake up your lazy butt" type of coffee and I love it.

It reminds me of the coffee I used to drink years ago when I lived in Tampa. A friend and I discovered this awesome little cafe with the best coffee ever. The place was owed by a husband and wife who escaped Cuba back in the early sixties, and brought all the amazing Cuban treats with them, including the coffee. It's where I first discovered the Cuban sandwich (seriously delicious!) and the rich aroma and taste of Cuban espresso. I'm sure the place is probably long gone now, but I can still enjoy a cup of Cafe Bustelo and close my eyes, and it's like I'm transported back in time.

If you have heart issues or cannot handle the caffeine punch of Cuban Colombiano coffee, then walk away...but if you like the small boost, this coffee may be for you. Yum!

Amazon carries the coffee here: http://amzn.to/1CLRmda
Some groceries may also carry it, but you may have to check around to see if it's available in your area.

Friday Finds: PNR Love

On this special edition of Friday Finds—Friday the 13th, I offer up some meaty deals on PNR ebooks you gotta try. Rawr...just sayin'.

The ebooks in this section are only .99¢, but grab them now, because some of the sales are for a limited time only!

The Mystic Wolves: Volume One Box Set By Belinda Boring

In this four book box set, fall in love with Mason and Darcy as they face challenges head on--both as a couple and as leaders of the Mystic Wolves Pack. You'll find The Mystic Wolves, Forget Me Not, and Testing Fate, along with the BONUS novella, A Very Mystic Christmas (an assortment of memories and recipes.)

AMZ: http://amzn.to/1B6yHZA
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mystic-wolves-box-set-belinda-boring/1117794331
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/390959


 A Cursed Bloodline By Cecy Robson


Since being cursed with unique abilities, Celia Wird and her three sisters have fought the most bloodthirsty preternaturals in the Lake Tahoe region. But Celia’s greatest threat is someone she would have never suspected: Anara, a werewolf Elder who has allowed his hatred for Celia to spiral out of control. In a play for dominance, Anara tortures Celia and gives her an ultimatum: sever her mate bond with pureblood were Aric—or Anara will kill everyone she loves.

From the instant they met, Celia and Aric have shared an attraction that cannot be tamed. So keeping Aric away is impossible, and Aric would sooner die than allow anyone to hurt the woman he loves. Misha, master vampire and Celia’s sworn protector, also finds his way into the chaos, seeking blood from those who have harmed her.

Now Celia and her sisters are caught in the middle of a war driven by lust, fueled by hatred, and destined to end in tragedy. For Anara is a force to be reckoned with, and he will not succumb without robbing Celia of those who hold her heart.

AMZ: http://amzn.to/1DoLK7U
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-cursed-bloodline-cecy-robson/1119609453


The ebooks in this section are FREE, but grab them now, because some of the sales are for a limited time only!

The Cajun's Captive by Selena Blake

Sebastian Deveraux is the Alpha of his pack and like all the Deveraux men, he’s sexy as pure sin. He’s waited for decades for just the right woman. For his mate. And ten years ago he’d been sure he’d found her in Amanda St. James. But she’d run from him.

Now she’s back. He’ll do anything to keep her. Even if it means tying her to his bed.

Warning: Contains one sinfully seductive Cajun werewolf with plenty of pent up sexual tension, a little light bondage, and a love that will last a lifetime.

Stormy Weather - Book 1

AMZ: http://amzn.to/1FHmDN8

AMZ UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004HKJ8F2

Nook: coming soon!

An Immortal Valentine's Day (The Immortals Book 5) by Monica La Porta

Once a playboy, Alexander Drako is now the happy father of three and eager to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special party held on Friday night to accommodate his nocturnal vampire friends. Everything is ready except for a small detail. Alexander has forgotten to buy the roses and orchids for his beloved Ravenna. Unable to disappoint her, and accompanied by his loyal friends, Marcus and Samuel, he sets out for Wolf’s Haven, a rehab center for paranormals, hoping to find some flowers left for sale in their greenhouse.

After a honeymoon around the world that lasted half a year, Peter and Ophelia have just landed back in Rome. While he would like to relax in their apartment, Ophelia is eager to see her friends. Most of all, she can’t wait to hug Quintilius, her adoptive father.
 
Ophelia’s call reaches Quintilius at Wolf’s Haven, where he’s volunteering, and he rejoices at finally seeing her again. However, he isn’t thrilled to see Peter, the man who stole the heart of his little princess. A sudden crisis at the rehab center forces Quintilius to focus his thoughts and energies on looking for Luisa, a girl who’s run away with a dangerous gang member.
 
By fate’s design, all the friends have reunited at Wolf’s Haven and agreed to help Quintilius in his quest. Will they be able to save the girl and return to their loved ones in time to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

AMZ: http://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Valentines-Day-Immortals-Book-ebook/dp/B00THH6HAO

Shiftless by Aimee Easterling 

PMS is no fun for werewolves.

Forget the full moon, female werewolves shift uncontrollably at that time of the month. But after years of practice, teenaged Terra learns to squash her wolf, which allows her to flee the repressive village where she grew up.

A decade later, the packless ache gnaws at her insides. But when Terra is ambushed by her father and half a dozen of his henchmen, she still struggles against being reeled back into her old life. Chief Wilder is adamant, yet he does offer one way out --- hunt down her nephew Keith, teach him to shift, and bring the youngster back into the fold in her place.

Problem upon problem piles up as Terra strives to do her father's bidding. The female shifter has hidden from her wolf for so long that she finds herself unable to change back into canine form, and she also realizes that her nephew is too good-natured to survive for a minute walking in his grandfather's footsteps. Will Terra be able to relearn her werewolf abilities --- and overcome her morals --- before her father steals away her hard-earned independence?
Shiftless is the first novel in the Wolf Rampant series, which continues with Pack Princess.

AMZ: http://www.amazon.com/Shiftless-Fantastical-Werewolf-Adventure-Rampant-ebook/dp/B00J6EFD8K

CeCe's Birthday Bash Next Week!

This year I decided to host my birthday party on Facebook. So mark your calendars for Monday, Feb. 16th, 7pm est and join me for fun and games, door prizes, and virtual wet bar! :D

https://www.facebook.com/events/869757236379071/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Superhero Sunday Double Feature with R.G. Alexander

Very excited to share that my friend R.G. Alexander has not one, but two stories out this weekend! Revised and extensively expanded for your pleasure (and given some seriously sexy covers) 
Who Wants to Date a Superhero? and Who Needs Another Superhero?!

According to R.G., "It was truly a labor of love dusting off some of my first books and getting them back so I could make them twice as packed with super sexy times and adventure. I might also have a new hero in the works."  *G*


Get your copy today and spread the word 
Gaia City Superheroes are back to save the day!

WHO WANTS TO DATE A SUPERHERO?

R.G. Alexander

Gaia City. A place where technology is advanced, superheroes commonplace and the masses are addicted to Who Wants to Date a Superhero?, a reality show that lets women compete for the chance to win a date with one of Gaia’s Guardians.

Shy Cassie Tidwell never thought she’d be humiliating herself on live vid for the chance to have dinner with the mysterious Theta Wave, but she made a promise she would do anything to keep. Even if it means the man she’s secretly lusted after for months never wants to see her again.

Graham’s wanted Cassie from the moment he set eyes on her. He’d planned to go slow, but that plan fell apart the moment he discovered that the object of his obsession had mysteriously volunteered to be on the show. Now he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make her admit she’s his and discover her secrets.

Graham knows all about secrets. He has a few of his own.

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/16A6Tiv

B&N: http://bit.ly/1IhJu73

ARe: http://bit.ly/1LULfGF

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1yQDw3e

WHO NEEDS ANOTHER SUPERHERO?

R.G. Alexander

Return to Gaia City. Where there are way too many superheroes for Dayna’s peace of mind. Life as the unofficial mascot for Gaia’s Guardians hasn’t been easy for the roving reporter. So maybe she overcompensates. Takes risks she shouldn’t.
 She needs to prove she can hang with the big boys. One in particular.

Stone Matthews has never regretted becoming a superhero. As Rock Hammer, he’s an invincible chick magnet who has yet to meet an obstacle he couldn’t smash or a woman he couldn’t charm. Except for his best friend’s little sister. Dayna used to be his biggest fan, but one mistake years ago changed their relationship forever. Her recklessness drives him crazy, her sharp tongue cuts deep, and her hot little body makes him want to lose control.

When she goes chasing yet another story that could be the death of her, Stone makes a decision. Since talking doesn’t work for them, he’ll use another form of communication to show her how perfect they would be together.

Rock will be too hard for her to resist.

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1zL9Iry

B&N: http://bit.ly/1IhJJPy

ARe: http://bit.ly/1DmsKqZ

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1ELXe7B


About the author
R.G. Alexander (aka Rachel Grace) is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author who has written over 30 erotic paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi/fantasy books for multiple e-publishers and Berkley Heat. Both her personalities are represented by the Brown Literary Agency.

She is a founding member of The Smutketeers, an author formed group blog dedicated to promoting fantastic writers, readers and a positive view of female sexuality.

She has lived all over the United States, studied archaeology and mythology, been a nurse, a vocalist, and now a writer who dreams of vampires, witches and airship battles. RG feels lucky every day that she gets to share her stories with her readers, and she loves talking to them on twitter and FB. She is happily married to a man known affectionately as The Cookie—her best friend, research assistant, and the love of her life. Together they battle to tame the wild Rouxgaroux that has taken over their home.

www.RGAlexander.com
www.RachelGraceRomance.com
www.Smutketeers.com 

Friday Finds: Sex, Lies, and Beauty Aides

Sex, Lies, and Beauty Aides
Deb Julienne

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Only .99¢ with half of the proceeds going to Aids Reach Out Worldwide https://www.facebook.com/reachoutworldwide


"Laugh out loud funny." – Cass Curtis, author of When Eva Gets Even, Shimmer, and The Shifting Tides trilogy.

Sex, lies, and beauty aids finally earn the girl next door a little respect.

Sabrina Thompson, editor of Skin Deep Magazine's successful Natural Beauty Secrets column, is handed the challenge of her life. Take over the Love and Sex column or lose her job.

What does a twenty-four year old virgin know about love or sex when she's never been on a third date?

To complicate matters, there's a new guy at the helm. Her only crush's clone is issuing orders. While his pompous and ambitious twin dries out, playboy and ne'er-do-well Trent Wellington must assume his identity and save his family's flailing magazine. The bright spot amid staff cuts and content restructuring is the plucky editor he once made a fool of himself in front of at a family gathering. Fooling everyone isn't easy, especially when Sabrina inspires his true self to be more than he ever has.

Years of hearing she's too nice to date have left Sabrina's frustration simmering. It boils over when she discovers Trent's deceit and she vows to make him pay. Getting even has never been so much fun.

CONTENT WARNING: mature language, sexual situations

AMZ: http://amzn.to/1v5CVt3

Tuesday Special: Swept Away

It's a cold and dreary morning here and I'm so wishing I could get swept away and sail off into the sunset with a passionate romance. Maybe you're like me and wishing you could escape the cold and overcast day. Sounds like the perfect time to start something new and wonderful, right? Check out this fab story from my friend Jen Haymore!

I'm a prisoner here. But even if I could escape...would I be strong enough to leave?

Ethan Williams radiated confidence. His darkly handsome good looks and ocean-blue eyes mesmerized me. But it was the way he looked at me that drew me in. He wasn't looking at my past or at my scars, but the real me behind all that baggage I was trying so hard to leave behind.

But Ethan had secrets--dark, ugly secrets. I was trapped in the middle of the ocean in a dangerous tangle. The problem was, I was happy to be trapped forever...if it meant I could have him.

Warning: Swept Away is a 4-part serial romantic suspense. Parts 1-3 end with cliffhangers, and part 4 completes the series. This story is messy and twisted and very, very sexy. It is not for people under 18. 


(Please note that the book isn't free at Amazon at the moment, but with your help it could be soon! Tell Amazon that Swept Away is free at B&N and give them the link below so they can go there and see for themselves. Thx.)

AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/Swept-Away-J-Haymore-ebook/dp/B00O677PTM/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

B&N
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/swept-away-volume-1-j-haymore/1121147767?ean=2940046549713

iTunes
itunes.apple.com/us/book/swept-away/id962636752?mt=11&uo=4&at=1l3vs2z

When Eva Gets Even Now Available

My short story from the anthology, Love Is... is now available as a single download for free at Smashwords and B&N. The solo version includes new material, including a new epilogue.

When Eva Gets Even
by Cass Curtis

Love is all about trust. So when Eva discovers a receipt for racy lingerie several sizes too small for her in her lover’s coat pocket, she’s determined to learn the truth, no matter how much it might break her heart.

Embarrassed by his family’s larceny, Kevin is wary of telling Eva about them, knowing from past mistakes it could jeopardize any possibility for a long lasting relationship. He vows this time will be different. Besides, what Eva doesn’t know won’t hurt her.

Add in a kleptomaniac with a penchant for red and black lace, a best friend willing to loan out her navy leather thigh high boots, and one seriously sexy nerd, and it’s only a matter of time when Eva gets even.

Get your FREE copy today at:

B&N | Smashwords