Title: Deceit

Author: Lainie Suzanne

Buy on Amazon

Other Titles in the Nexus Series:

Book 1: The Core of Erotic Desires

Book 2: Soleil

Gina’s been drawn to the dark and mysterious Leo, since the moment he first returned to Nexus.

Leo put up a good fight, but Gina’s natural submissiveness taunts his sadistic nature. 

Can Gina endure Leo’s demanding ways or will her past destroy her and those closest to her, including newlyweds, Katherine and Isaac?

Lainie Suzanne

Lainie Suzanne is from Atlanta, Georgia and makes her home in North Carolina. She’s married to her best friend and the love of her life. The mother of four, all flown from the nest, she and her husband share their home with their German Shepherd. She loves sports, listening to music, dancing, spending time with family, and of course…reading.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook ~ Twitter  ~ Pinterest

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

The Nexus Series is a series centered around Nexus, a fictitious local BDSM club in Atlanta.

When did you start writing? How did your first book evolve into what it is now?

I’ve always had stories that played around in my head. During quiet, daydreaming moments, the stories would elaborate in my mind. I LOVE to read erotic romance. My husband encouraged me to write my stories for others to enjoy.

What made you go indie?

I work full-time and have many obligations related to my job that is not conducive to have traditional deadlines from publishers. I have to write on my time.

What issues popped up for you through the indie channel? Formatting, covers, platforms, etc.

As an indie writer, promotion is the very hardest part. There are so many great books, getting yours noticed is quite difficult.

Writing style…what is your writing process like? 

The hardest part for me is finding quiet time to write. I work full-time, so time is limited already. I write best in silence, unless I’m using music for a scene and that’s sometimes difficult around my house.

How do you develop your characters?

I have the initial thought, but then I let the characters speak to me. Then the story line dictates how the character develops.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

I’ve designed all of my covers. I use corsets because they are easily identifiable with BDSM clubs which is what The Nexus Series is centered around.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?

Besides working, I enjoy reading, sports, music, dancing, and spending time with my family.

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

The passenger… I tried driving in Soleil and Master Derek put me in my place.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on book #4 in The Nexus Series and have recently decided to dip my toes into Erotic Paranormal. I hope to have a Vampire Novella released in the early fall.

Now for the SILLIES 

If your book/series was a dessert, what would it be and why?

Key lime pie because it’s a sinfully delicious dessert that I love.

 If you were a toy, what would you be and how would people play with you?

I would be a teddy bear. People would cuddle with me at night.

Now do you people see why I ADORE this woman?? Trust me when I say you won’t want to miss out on following her on Facebook and reading everything she puts out!

What is something about yourself that most of your readers don’t know?

I am very patriotic.

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

There are little pieces of me and my husband in the characters. There are parts of each character that I can relate to personally.

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

I want all of them to be part of the party. The only ones I don’t want to attend would be Rick Foster, Scott Jenkins, and Master Isaac’s former sub, Vicki.

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

At a function for work, funny awards were given away. The surprise of me getting one, caused me to draw a blank and I spoke a phrase that could be twisted into a sexual innuendo. The group roared with laughter and I laughed along too. They have no idea I write erotica. So, I replied that it would take more than that slip up to embarrass me.

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

Xavier Leduc – My liege of Dark Haven by Cherise Sinclair

If you could have one super power what would it be? Why?

I think I would want to fly.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

Usually book plots.

What song best describes you? Why?

Free your mind by EnVogue

The message in the song is about accepting the differences of others, something I believe in with my whole heart.

Ask me one question…any question at all and I have to answer it no matter what!

What’s your favorite book of all time?

That is so not a fair freaking question! I mean really…it changes with every series, every book, every author! Even when I think I have found my favorite book/series I start a new one and I fall in love all over again. 

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5 GIVEAWAYS HERE! 

Title: Desires Unleashed

Author: Miles Hightower

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Barnes & Noble

Desires Unleashed is a modern day erotic romance about a husband and wife and their passion for one another. Miles Hightower writes the husband’s POV and shares the desire of a man for his wife.

Mitch and Molly have a happy marriage, but they are wanting something more. They both admit to having similar fantasies and desires that go beyond their current relationship. See which discoveries they act on and how their marriage handles their erotic adventure as their desires become unleashed.

Miles Hightower

Miles Hightower is my alter ego and now pen name. He came about as my wife started reading erotic romance and discussing the books in FB chat groups. Wanting to be apart of what interested her, I came up with Miles Hightower as a persona to lurk about in the social media world while keeping my personal life personal.

I am a husband, for 16 years and counting, to my wife Sara. We have two children. When not being husband and dad to them, I also enjoy flying. At one point I wanted to be a career corporate pilot, flying Lear jets all over the country. After I graduated from college I taught people how to fly for three years. Long story short, a flying career didn’t work out and I ended up working in manufacturing. But that’s where I met Sara. So it did work out after all. I still work in manufacturing, as a Quality Engineer and now just fly for fun when the weather is nice.

Along with flying I also enjoy playing golf, darts, taking my family to water parks, sitting in our hot tub with Sara and a glass of wine and now writing. I tried to learn the guitar a few years ago, but that didn’t go so well. Apparently I have no musical talent whatsoever. I am a product of the 80’s and still am very into the hair band music from that era. And no, I didn’t have big hair back in the day, but I did sport a mullet.

As far as my writing goes, I don’t write “Disney Fairytale” style romances (as I like to call them) where a knight in shining armor comes in and saves the damsel in distress. I write about fictional erotic fantasy from a guy’s perspective. About how a guy might think, feel or act in a particular situation. My stories are stuff I make up with a little reality of the things that interest me (like flying) and how life is in general tossed in. I do research some things that I don’t know anything about, in an effort to make the story seem a little more real than complete fantasy. If it’s on the internet it’s true, right? I like my book(s) to come of as fantasy, yet slightly plausable.

Social Media

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Google+

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

A happily married couple open up about their fantasies, then act on them.

When did you start writing? How did your first book evolve into what it is now?

Started in May of 2014. Finished in February of 2015. I wrote when I had time or when the mood struck. I wanted to write an erotic novel about a married couple that was fantasy, yet one that seemed possible.

What made you go indie?

I wanted to succeed or fail on my own terms.

What issues popped up for you through the indie channel? Formatting, covers, platforms, etc.

Well my cover ended up being too sexy for Amazon, so they flagged it as adult content. Now my book is difficult to search for and find. I don;t think my cover is inappropriate, and it is very fitting to the content of the book.

Writing style…what is your writing process like? 

I am a husband and father first. When I didn’t need to be either one of those, I wrote when the mood or the words struck me. I was in no hurry and didn’t have a time line to finish. The words seemed very easy and organic.

How do you develop your characters?

Most of the characters were somewhat based on people I knew at one point or another. Names and physical characteristics were changed and they may have never crossed paths like they did in the book, but the general memory of the person was the foundation.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

The cover was done by Book Cover by Design. Kellie was referred to me by a fellow author, I wanted to show a couple that appeared in love and sexy(to reflect the content of the book). I selected the main image and gave her a rough idea of what I wanted to see and she nailed it on her first shot. Would definitely use her again.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?

Like I mentioned before, I am a husband and father first. So when not writing I was doing that.

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

The driver.

What’s next for you?

I do have another book in the works. It is a continuation of Desires Unleashed. I am trying to make it a stand alone book rather than a series. I hope to have it out in the Fall of 2015. Just in time for my first author signing event at the Rebels and Readers Author Event in Huntington, WV this November.

Now for the SILLIES 

If your book/series was a dessert, what would it be and why?

Red Velvet Cake. Everyone likes that, right?

 If you were a toy, what would you be and how would people play with you?

A ball. There are so many fun things to do and ways to play with a simple ball. People could play how every they wanted and still have fun.

What is something about yourself that most of your readers don’t know?

Even though I can fly an airplane I am afraid of heights.

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

Not sure my book has a “hero”. It’s not a book filled with drama where someone comes in and ultimately saves the day. But to answer the question I would say the “hero” in my book is the institution of Marriage. The book is about an couple secure and open enough in their marriage to discuss and live out their erotic fantasies and yet find themselves closer and more deeply committed to each other in the end because of it,

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

I hope every one attends. I like all my characters for different reasons. Some may not be as comfortable as others at the party progresses, but I still enjoy them nonetheless.

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

Not sure I can answer this. My book is pretty drama free, and that’s how I like to live my own life. I try not to put myself in situations where I can’t get myself out of.

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

Can’t say that I have a “Book Boyfriend”.

If you could have one super power what would it be? Why?

To fly. I love flying airplanes and wish I could fly like birds.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

Don’t crash.

.

What song best describes you? Why?

“Don’t Worry.Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5 GIVEAWAYS HERE! 

Buy on Amazon

When one enemy is taken out, another rises up. One who is hell bent on destroying The Stone Society.

Dante Di Pietro is the New Atlanta Medical Examiner. Over 500 years old, Dante has resigned to living his life alone until he finds his mate, the pretty doctor he is working closely with at the prison. She is well aware of the fact that Dante is a Gargoyle. She herself is a half-blood who comes from the Original line of shifters.

Isabelle Sarantos’ life has not been easy. When she was 12, her parents sent her to live with a foster family, hiding the truth of what she is. Now, 20 years later, Isabelle’s life has been thrown into another tailspin. Not only has she just found out she’s a half-blood shifter, but the fates have decided Isabelle is the perfect mate for the sexy Medical Examiner. Isabelle is not only guarding her heart, but a secret from her past that may take care of any feelings Dante has for her.

Book 3 is an adventure full of passion, secrets, action, and hot sex. 

Buy links:

Amazon US     Amazon UK     Barnes and Noble     All Romance Ebooks

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

Hot Alpha Gargoyole Shapeshifters in a Post-Apocalyptic World finding their mates

When did you start writing? How did your first book evolve into what it is now?

I started writing in high school. the idea for my first book came about 6 years ago that started as a sci-fi bounty hunter story. over time, the bounty hunters turned into shapeshifters

What made you go indie?

The opportunity to call all the shots, choose the covers that are right for me, make the money.

What made you go with a traditional publisher?

I’m a hybrid, having both a publisher and publishing myself. the publisher asked for short stories to be included in a valentine’s anthology so I sent them something I wrote and they accepted.

What issues popped up for you through the indie channel? Formatting, covers, platforms, etc.

Marketing, definitely. It’s taken a while to figure out how to get my books in front of people. That’s something i’m still working on

Writing style…what is your writing process like? 

Most of the time i have the beginning and ending in my head. I sit down, write what comes to me and the characters dictate where the story goes from there. I tried outlining, but when the characters have minds of their own, I’m wasting my time with an outline.

How do you develop your characters?

They develop themselves. I have someone in mind, give them a name, an occupation, and the rest evolves from the story.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

A friend of mine is an excellent graphic designer, so I asked her to do the first cover. She did such an amazing job, i beg her to do all my covers. this cover was a little different, in that it isn’t dark/night time. But the story is set in Greece and I had to show the beauty of the waters and architecture.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?

Reading, riding my Harley when the weather permits, playing trivia.

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

I drive the first leg of the journey, the characters take over about a fourth of the way in, then I bring it home.

What’s next for you?

Book 4 (Frey) in the series

Now for the SILLIES

If your book/series was a dessert, what would it be and why?

Chocolate mousse, sweet, decadent, and oh so yummy!

 If you were a toy, what would you be and how would people play with you?

Is this a family show? I’d be a vibrating dildo and men would have their wicked way with me!

Now do you people see why I ADORE this woman?? Trust me when I say you won’t want to miss out on following her on Facebook and reading everything she puts out!

What is something about yourself that most of your readers don’t know?

I’m adopted.

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

My heros are all different. Some are more alpha than the others, but they are all badasses in their own right. Dante is a little more passive in the bedroom than some of the others, but he is all male when it comes to his mate. My alphas are all figments of my imagination, the way I think men should be.

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

I hope all my Gargoyles attend because they are just HOT! If I had to choose one, though, it would be….Frey I hope Alistair doesn’t show up because he’s an absolute ass.

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

That’s an easy answer but it was a hard time in my life. I married the absolute wrong person. He was abusive, but I did what I had to do and left.

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

Kane Dalton, from Always by Kindle Alexander

If you could have one super power what would it be? Why?

Premonitions, so I could stop the evil bastards from destroying our world.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

Singing, really loudly. driving is my time to let loose and have a concert

.

What song best describes you? Why?

Amen by Halestorm. It’s about taking control and ownership of your life. Live the life you want to live with no regrets. That, I do.

Ask me one question…any question at all and I have to answer it no matter what!

Do you think I’m sexy? lolol

Oh good lord woman! Of course I do!! Have you looked at yourself?? Hehe that hair…(that apparently EVERYONE wants to touch)…your smile…everything about you is sexy!! Hehe Just thinking about all of the fun we had (no you pervs not of the sexual sort…I mean the type of fun you have by eating pizza and drinking beer in the lobby of a rather fancy hotel lol or better yet a group of awesome authors (and me) playing Cards Against Humanity…yeah that sort of fun) at Pay It Forward makes me super thrilled that I can count you as my friend! I may never be able to thank you for everything that you have done for me in the short time that I have known you! I hope that we are able to get together again soon…I mean seriously I’m going through sexy Faith withdrawals!

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5 GIVEAWAYS HERE! 

The Last Drop

Paperback@Amazon

EBook@Amazon

@Audible

Remotely Unplugged

Paperback@Amazon

EBook@Amazon

Author Andrea Perno

 THE LAST DROP

Synopsis: Jeremy always said Space Academy was Earth’s last hope. People only dream of leaving a dying planet in search of better lives. Avery never expected he would be forced to do just that. On the heels of his brother’s murder, his father’s disappearance and Earth’s dwindling water supply now contaminated with a deadly virus, Avery and his younger brother have no choice but to leave Earth behind and join the survivors migrating the nearest habitable planet. What they don’t know is that the rarity of water extends far beyond Earth and they aren’t the only ones fighting for survival.

REMOTELY UNPLUGGED

Technology is all around us. Humanity is becoming hopelessly bound by it. What if a society were built exclusively with dependence on technology? An existence where all the information you need is literally plugged into your head? Sarah finds herself within this world, craving for change, but all she sees is a mindless compliance to the technology around her. Her unwillingness to follow the status quo has landed her in trouble and there are those who have had enough of her meddling. In an effort to correct Sarah’s mal-compliance issues, she is taken to a remote facility to be “unplugged.” “Reset” in an effort to make her conform to the world around her. But hers is not a simple reset and what she discovers once she arrives will not only put her in mortal danger, but will also unravel a truth far beyond her expectations.

Andrea Perno

In an effort to write a biography that won’t bore people stiff, I’ve kept this one pretty simple.  I, Andrea Perno (and yes it is very strange referring to myself in the third person) write futuristic science fiction. I am a writer, an illustrator, an artist, an outdoor enthusiast and oh yeah, how could I forget the most important one? I’m a middle school inspirational life coach, disciplinarian, stand-in parent, “stop throwing clay at him and for the love of God put your jacket on it’s cold outside”…teacher.

I grew up in Florida and Pennsylvania where my childhood consisted of riding horses, catching lizards, shooting, hiking, building things, and camping literally all over the U.S.A. My parents are keen on experiencing all that life has to offer. That mentality has really shaped who I have become as an adult. I also grew up watching huge doses of science fiction (thanks Mom) and home improvement shows (thanks Dad) Star Trek, Star Wars, Batman, Superman, Bob Vila, Home Improvement, MacGyver…I could go on or I could just say that’s where a ton of my writing inspiration comes from. I love creating worlds for people to escape.

I’m a workaholic with very little free time who’s fueled by chocolate and French Vanilla tea…yes tea, not coffee. I’m allergic to coffee. I will die. Though it may seem like I run all day and have zero time left for anything else, I am savagely loyal and passionate and will drop anything in a heartbeat for friends or family who need me. I, we…are nothing if not for the people around us.

Social Media

Don’t forget to look me up on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and follow me on Twitter  

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

My books are YA, futuristic science fiction that push the boundaries of reality and imagination.

When did you start writing? How did your first book evolve into what it is now?

I began writing at a very young age. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Hess, made me keep a journal in school. I can’t really read my writing from back then, but I wrote a lot and that spilled into my middle school and high school experiences where I participated in Journalism, debate and newspaper clubs. My senior high school English teacher told me fondly that I was the only student in his 27 years of teaching who needed a page limit for writing papers. (I tend to write prolifically.) I also attribute a lot of my inspiration for writing to my parents. They provided tons of opportunities to love writing on camping trips where my siblings and myself were each charged with writing short stories to share around the evening campfire. My writing dropped off after college while I worked as an Art teacher and then was sparked again after reading The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins in part inspired the writing of my first novel, The Last Drop.

What made you go with a traditional publisher?

The goal was always to find a traditional publisher. I feel like as an author if you have a traditional publisher to back you, you don’t have to muddle through all of the marketing and editing on your own. I’ve always liked someone to walk me through a process and to have a constant sounding board if I need one. Beau Coup Publishing LLC has been all of that and more for me.

What issues popped up for you through the traditional publishing channel? Formatting, covers, platforms, etc.

The wonderful team at Beau Coup publishing LLC has really helped me through any and all of those issues.

Writing style…what is your writing process like? 

I tend to write in the first person. I like the feel of telling a story step by step as seen through the protagonist’s eyes. My process for writing varies by the day. I try my best to build a schedule and stick to it but sometimes that doesn’t always work. Typically (and this is only over the summers and holiday breaks since I’m a teacher as a second career) I work for about 3-4 hours in the morning. ( Sometimes this equates to doing a lot of research or simply staring at the screen hoping my imaginary characters would like to talk to me that day) I’ll take a break, maybe go for a run, do housework or chores or artwork (I’m also a freelance illustrator, so breaks sometime simply mean switching from creating with words to creating with pictures) When my husband gets home from work we spend some quality time together and then I typically hit the computer hard for one or two more hours before bed. Ironically the best times to write are sometimes right as I climb into bed and call it a night.

How do you develop your characters?

I like to think that I’m a creative genius who develops my own characters but that’s just not how it works. My characters literally “come to me” they tell me how they look, what accent they have, who their brother and sisters are and why they hate the dog in the next door neighbors house. They sort of develop themselves and evolve as the story does. It’s my job as a writer to listen and capture what they are telling me.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

Cover art is one of my favorite things about being a writer. I designed both of my covers. The first one was done through a royalty free image website, but the second book I literally painted the image and did all the artwork myself. The wonderful Jennifer Stevens of Beau Coup Publishing LLC took my artwork and created the title fonts that go with it. It’s a team effort, but I really love the fact that I got to have input and better than that, could create the artwork for the covers.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?

When I’m not writing I’m an art teacher, freelance illustrator and outdoor enthusiast. I’m either painting, hiking, running or on the back of a horse enjoying the outdoors with my husband, family and friends.

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

Definitely I’m the passenger. The characters tell me where they want me to go and I’m along for the ride to capture what they are saying and doing.

What’s next for you?

I’m in the process of continuing The Last Drop series. This is a trilogy that I started over a year ago. It seems to be taking me just about a year to finish each book what with teaching and other side jobs. I hope to have the second book of the trilogy (tentatively being titled: Change of Tides) into editor’s hands at the beginning of August. At which point it will be full steam ahead with the third and final book of the trilogy and onto a few stand alone books that I have in mind. Most of those books are also going to be Sci-fi/fantasy.

Now for the SILLIES

If your book/series was a dessert, what would it be and why?

I don’t know if you would consider spicy hot Cheetos to be a dessert… but I’d imagine my book, The Last Drop would be a bag of spicy hot Cheetos because most of the story takes place in the desert.

 If you were a toy, what would you be and how would people play with you?

I think I’d be a toy soldier. I pretty much grew up playing with toy soldiers with my two brothers. We would create armies (and I mean we had HUNDREDS of these little plastic soldiers) and then use rubber bands to shoot each other’s soldiers down. Which ever army had the last man standing won the war.

What is something about yourself that most of your readers don’t know?

Readers might not know that I competed in western and English horsemanship shows in college. I’m also very good at riflery. I shoot regularly with my father and have even gone deer hunting a few times.

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

My protagonist for my novel, The Last Drop, is a sixteen year old boy who’s growing up on a military base the controls Earth’s last remaining water. Pretty much everyone works for the army or you don’t survive. Unfortunately for, Avery, his father is also the commanding general. While Avery doesn’t believe it’s right to kill people to survive he pretty much has to do what his father wants him to do.

This story is a lot about growing up and doing what’s right and finding yourself. I think it’s something that everyone can relate to as they’ve grown up. The real life inspiration for my main character is drawn from a number of very strong people in my life who have successfully been able to stand up for what’s right despite the odds being stacked against them.

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

I hope Avery attends just because I’d really like to meet him face to face. I spend so much time in his head…or vise versa depending on how you look at it. It would be really neat to meet him in person. The character I hope doesn’t attend is Rustin. He’s the embodiment of every awful person, bully etc. that you’ll ever meet. Just not a nice person.

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

Book Boyfriend…I really like Peeta Mellark from the Hunger Games. Written by Suzanne Collins. Admittedly he’s probably a little young for me, though. ; )

If you could have one super power what would it be? Why?

I would want my super power to be controlling time. There’s never ever enough time to do all the things I want to do or plan to do in a day. Especially the fun stuff. I’d speed up time to get through the stuff I don’t want to do…ie cleaning the house. Slow down time so I’d have more of it to spend with family and friends.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

BOOKS. I spend typically two hours a day commuting back and forth to work. Half of The Last Drop was written through voice notes on my phone that I later transcribed.

What song best describes you? Why?

hahaha, I couldn’t think of one so I asked my husband what he thought. He immediately said (and I mean took less than a second to respond)
I’ll make a man out of you- from the movie Mulan. I’m not going to even touch why he said that.

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5 GIVEAWAYS HERE! 

 

Title: Heart of Marley

Author: T.K. Leigh

Published by: Carpe Per Diem, Inc

Date published: Nov. 3, 2014

Genres: Mystery

Book Length: 313 pages

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Marley & Cameron

Add to GoodReads

Buy on Amazon

“This story is an emotional roller-coaster that will grip you from page one and will not let you go…even after you reach the end.” ~Becca

To the moon and back…

From the stars to the ocean…

That was Marley and Cameron Bowen’s secret code.

Twins born just five minutes apart, they have the perfect life… Until tragedy strikes just weeks after their eighth birthday and their father is killed by a drunk driver. Having trouble coping with the loss of her soul mate, their mother tries to find comfort in drugs and alcohol… And an abusive man with a penchant for underage girls.

No longer able to stand listening to his sister’s screams and cries every night for nearly three years, Cam takes matters into his own hands and they’re finally able to escape the nightmare.

They’re finally able to start over…

But the nightmare still haunts Marley. The years go on and she is forced to put on a smile, making everyone think that she is the perfect, well-adjusted teenager that she is supposed to be… Until she is faced with a painful reminder of her past during her senior year of high school and she’s no longer able to keep on the mask that she has been compelled to wear.

Heart Of Marley is a prequel novel to T.K. Leigh’s Heart Of Light.

RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 18 AND OVER DUE TO GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, AND SEXUAL SITUATIONS.

Guys…I honestly don’t even know where to begin with my review of Heart of Marley.

This book was so damn raw…

so emotional…

so real and honest and just plain heart-wrenching!

I literally spent the last 20% of Heart of Marley reading through constant tears!! I have not read a book that had such a strong effect on me in a very long time.

The subject matter is deep and dark but sadly realistic. The life that Marley and Cam have lived is more ‘normal’ than anyone would like to believe. Having dealt with abuse as a child, I found parts of this book very therapeutic and some parts extremely difficult to get through. The thoughts running through Marley’s head…the way she wore a mask to hide the truth…I’ve been there and hell even after all these years I still have days where I’m there.

I have to say that I was very surprised by the religious aspect of the book. I loved that T.K. gave a more realistic view of this situation than most books do. The first time I read the line ‘Turn to Him and He will help you through it. God is the only therapy you need.’ (Not word for word what T.K. wrote but you get the gist.) I honestly cringed. I always hate it when books/movies make it seem like therapy is a bad thing. I want to scream at the world and the people that have made that stigma a reality. Some things hurt…some things scar…and there are some things that you NEED to get help for and there is NOTHING wrong with that!

When T.K. took this horrible subject matter and managed to show the world the truth behind the lies…the damage that not seeking help can cause…I lost it. I have never wanted to find an author and thank them so much in my life. Heart of Marley gives girls, boys, women and men a voice and makes it clear that admitting that you need help is not a weakness it is a strength. Bottling your thoughts and feelings inside and hiding the truth from the world doesn’t help anyone. (Hell, just writing this review has me tearing up again….)

I want to stop my review right here and now and say one thing to T.K. Leigh if she reads this…Thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your words, for this story, for taking the time to write something so difficult. Thank you for giving me a voice and reminding me that it’s okay to show your scars and it’s okay to ask for help. Thank you so very much for this book (as well as Heart of Light, that was just as amazing).

Okay, sorry for that guys…back to my review.

I’m not going to go into too much detail with the story line because honestly there isn’t much I can say that won’t be a spoiler. Cam and Marley are such amazingly developed characters. T.K. did an excellent job of depicting what someone growing up in this situation would be like. Everything felt realistic and was extremely well written. This story is an emotional roller-coaster that will grip you from page one and will not let you go…even after you reach the end.

Heart of Marley left me bawling and yet so deeply moved that I had to know more. I had to read Heart of Light and see what came next. If you can’t tell already, I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone and everyone that has a chance to read it.

T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Best Selling author of the Beautiful Mess series. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, dog and three cats, all of which she has rescued (including the husband). She always had a knack for writing, but mostly in the legal field. It wasn’t until recently that she decided to try her hand at creative writing and is now addicted to creating different characters and new and unique story lines in the Contemporary Romantic Suspense genre. When she’s not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found running and training for her next marathon (of which she has run over fifteen fulls and far too many halfs to recall). Unlike Olivia, the main character in her Beautiful Mess series, she has yet to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Blog ~ Pinterest ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads

Twenty Fun Facts

1. I wear a shirt when I write that has Shakespeare’s face on it and says “This shit writes itself.”

2. I am a middle child. I have a sister that is two years older and a sister that is two years younger.

3. My favorite movie of all time is Casablanca.

4. When I was 21, I did an internship working at Walt Disney World. Best seven months EVER!

5. I met my husband in the parking lot of a Jimmy Buffett concert. He was working. I was drinking.

6. My favorite beer is Blue Moon.

7. I love the Red Sox.

8. Every time I publish a new book, I drink champagne and watch Anchorman and Talladega Nights. It’s a tradition now.

9. When I was moving out to California from Connecticut after graduating law school, the hubs and I drove route 66 all the way from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier. It was such an amazing experience, and I think there may be a book in it.

10. My pen name is a play on my real name. My full name is Tracy Leigh Kellam. I don’t think I need to spell out where T.K. Leigh came from.

11. I have a yellow jeep wrangler that I love. Her name is Savvy J.

12. In my opinion, there is no such thing as too much coffee. Or peanut butter.

13. I am a sushi addict.

14. I am deathly afraid of snakes. I can’t even watch a movie with them in it or I’ll flip out.

15. My favorite New Kid on the Block was Donnie. I’m glad I picked one that aged well.

16. I am a huge proponent of “Adopt, don’t shop.” We have a dog and 3 kittens, all of whom we have found on the streets and saved.

17. One of my favorite TV shows is Arrested Development.

18. My favorite book of all time is The Great Gatsby. What can I say. I’m a sucker for a story with no HEA.

19. I currently have 8 works in progress.

20. You will all be seeing Cam and Jolene again.

“Thanks for asking me to come. I mean, tonight… I mean, for asking me to go to the bonfire with you. Not for asking me to come. That doesn’t sound right.” My face flamed red with embarrassment.

He smiled at me and winked. “No but, if you ask me, it sounds good.”

I halted in my tracks, completely frozen in place. I can do this, I said to myself. He was just joking. He doesn’t mean anything by it. It’s just a harmless joke, Marley. Just a joke.

He noticed my reaction and turned to face me on the street. “I’m so sorry, Marley. That was completely inappropriate. I don’t know what possessed me to say that. That’s not the way my mama raised me. I really am a good guy. I normally wouldn’t joke like that. You’ve got to believe that I didn’t mean anything by it. Please.” He slumped his shoulders, the formerly confident Doug replaced by a Doug that was full of remorse. “I understand if you don’t want to come with me.”

My eyes grew wide, more in irony than dread or concern.

“I mean, you don’t have to go to the bonfire with me. God, I really hate that word right now.”

I giggled. “Me, too.” I raised my head and met his pleading eyes. I could tell that he was bracing for me to turn around and walk away from him, but that was the last thing I wanted to do.

“Come. Say it with me. Come…” I said to him. “It feels good.” Throwing my head back to look at the stars in the sky, I shouted to the heavens, “Come!” I raised my arms like an angel and spun around, screaming the word over and over again. I must have looked like a spectacle, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want one word to come between what could blossom into a good thing with Doug.

I slowed my spins, but the sky kept moving even when I stopped. I attempted to regain my balance, but soon found myself tripping over my own feet.

Two arms were around me instantly, preventing me from falling to the ground. “Whoa. Careful, Marley Jane.”

I closed my eyes and basked at the sound of his voice calling me Marley Jane. Cam called me that all the time, but there was something so warm, affectionate, and thrilling about my first and middle name rolling off Doug’s tongue. Focusing my gaze on his, I was met with his brilliant green eyes.

“Hey,” I breathed.

“Hey.”

“You still haven’t said it.”

He scrunched his eyebrows at me. “Said what?”

A grin crossed my face. “Come.”

Are you up for a soul wrenching read? Have you read Heart of Light?

Title: On His Watch

Author: Susanne Matthews

Published by: Crimson Romance

Date published: August 18, 2014

Genres: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense

Book Length: 264 pages

Steam Rating: Sweet/Steamy

Main Characters: Jason & Nikki

Add to GoodReads

Buy on Amazon

“Susanne Matthews manages to flawlessly balance mystery, violence, redemption and romance into one epic story that was entertaining and heart warming. I can say with all honesty that this will not be my last Susanne Matthew’s novel! ” ~Becca

On leave from the FBI, Special Agent Jason Spark is enjoying some welcome peace and quiet when he’s called on to help the local sheriff’s department check out a 911 call. Expecting a prank or misdial, he unwittingly steps into a horrifying bloodbath straight out of a Hollywood slasher movie, complete with clues scrawled on the wall.

Nikki Hart’s husband and son are killed, but she survives, badly beaten and barely clinging to life in a coma. When she awakens, she doesn’t know her name, recognize her face, or remember anything about herself and her past. Terrified, and unsure of whom to trust, she clings to the memory of the angel who comforted her in her darkest moments.

The investigation turns up a prime suspect: The Butcher, an elusive hired assassin for the Sicilian mob. As the news of Nikki’s recovery spreads, putting her in this ruthless killer’s sights again, Jason will do whatever it takes to protect the woman he’s learning to love. 

Nikki’s beginning to believe Jason might be the angel who protected her in her dreams. But when she learns about the secret role he played in the worst day of her life, can she ever forgive him?

This was my first Susanne Matthews book and I must say that her writing style is to die for! Within the first few pages of On His Watch I was addicted to both the characters and the story line and just HAD to know more! Susanne Matthews manages to flawlessly balance mystery, violence, redemption and romance into one epic story that was entertaining and heart warming. I can say with all honesty that this will not be my last Susanne Matthew’s novel!

Let’s talk story line.

Susanne Matthews manages to take your typical suspense novel story line and throw in enough twists and turns that not one page could ever be considered predictable or boring. It’s difficult to say a lot about this book without spoilers…but I’m going to try and do a short and sweet little review for you. Basically, as you know from the blurb, Nikki is brutally attacked and left for dead along with her husband and two children. Jason Spark is an FBI agent standing in for his brother. When he responds to the call he never knew how much it would change him.

When Nikki awakes from a 6 week coma she finds herself with a horrible case of amnesia and a very real guardian angel. In the beginning of the book, Nikki’s character was dull and very clearly that of a woman who had been beaten into her submission and didn’t know how to get out. I think my favorite thing about this book is that the Nikki that wakes up from that coma is NOTHING like the woman that went into it. She is strong, independent and refuses to let anyone walk all over her. She may not remember her life…but her sub-conscious clearly wants her to start standing up for herself and her daughter.

When Jason and Nikki realize that the person that attacked her family is still out for blood…the story gets extremely interesting! Honestly…that’s about all I can say without spoilers! Just trust me…this is an extremely unique, action packed and well written story that you will not want to miss!

How about characters and romance?

The background or extra characters in On His Watch are just as important as the main characters. I quickly became attached to sweet Cassie and once the other guys came into the story..well I wanted to know more about them as well! Heck part of me hopes this will become a series and I can learn more about Troy and Angie and Brad…everyone!

The romance in On His Watch was very slow to build. In my opinion this was for the best. If things had moved to fast after such a brutal attack…well it would have made the story seem fake and I probably wouldn’t have read most of it. 

While I say that the romance moved slow…I mean that they didn’t have their first kiss until about 65% of the way through the book! What comes before that kiss…just wow! What a man!

Jason is sweet, caring, and a great role model for Mandy. He is everything that her dad wasn’t! Watching Nikki come to love him was so sweet and just perfect! I can’t imagine how seeing him with her daughter made her feel.  The man is pretty darn close to perfect! He is sexy and strong and protectedher when she couldn’t protect herself. Jason is just so very raw…real…he is just your typical man…not a super hero…he makes mistakes…he messes up…he is just an amazing man that is determined to do the right thing.

When these two finally do get together it’s not explosive…

it’s not fireworks…

it’s just… right!

It’s love…

it’s acceptance…

it’s perfection!

Jason and Nikki (with Mandy added in!) are the epitome of MFEO!

Trust me when I say that this is one book you will not want to put down and is MORE than worth the purchase!

So what are you waiting for? Click on over to Amazon and support an amazing author and an even more amazing book!

Susanne Matthews grew up as an avid reader of all types of books, but always with a penchant for happily ever after romances. In her imagination, she travelled to foreign lands, past and present, and soared into the future. Today, she has made her dreams come true. A retired educator, she now gets to spend her time writing, so she can share her adventures with her readers. She loves the ins and outs of romance, and the complex journey it takes to get from the first word to the last period of a novel. As she writes, her characters take on a life of their own, and she shares their fears and agonies on the road to self-discovery and love. 

Susanne lives in Cornwall, Ontario with her husband. She has three adult children and five grandchildren. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, chatting on the Internet with her writer friends, and hearing from her readers.

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

A story of good, evil, obsession, hate, murder, revenge, mistakes, love and forgiveness.

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

Jason isn’t perfect. He’s made mistakes, and these have undermined his faith in himself and his ability to trust and do his job right.  I don’t believe in perfect people. Jason may be alpha male, but he isn’t infallible. Did any one person inspire him? No. He’s a compilation of many different characters, unique onto himself. He is named after my son and my husband’s grandfather.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

Crimson provides the cover art for my books. They gave me a choice between this cover and one of a chalet in the mountains with another couple. I discussed the cover with people, including my husband, and he chose this one, so I went with it. Not seeing faces allows the reader to imagine the hero and heroine based on my description, and I think that’s better.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

I had a couple of sections of the book that went well. I think Halloween touched me deeply. The actual assault gave me nightmares. LOL so much for a product of the imagination. 

I can imagine! That assault was very graphic and well written, writing it couldn’t have been easy! But Halloween definitely brought the AWE factor up!

Was there a music playlist for you while writing? If so can you share a few songs from it?

No music. I write in silence. The story shouts at me if there are no distractions. That being said, I would consider Endless love a fitting theme song.

​

What’s next for you?​

I’ve sold a couple of other  books, and I’m at the editing stage. One will be out later this fall, the other in the spring.  I also co-write under the name Misty Matthews and that’s the book I’m working on now. It’s due out mid-October.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Just  thank you for this opportunity. I’d also like to say to anyone who dreams of becoming a writer–if you want it badly enough, work at it. 

A few silly questions

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

Definitely along for the ride. My stories are character driven and often end up in a completely different place than I expected.

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

Obviously, I’d like Nikki and Jason there, Angie and Troy, Cassie and Nathan, but Carlotta and Nikki’s father  can stay home. She’s not a party person, and he’s not my kind of man.

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

Would you believe I can’t think of a time when I’ve been in that kind of a jam? I’m not very good a prevaricating, so I’ve been stuck doing things I’d rather not do, but I’ve never had to face what Nikki does. If someone asks me to do something I don’t want to do, I’ll try to talk myself out of it, but nine out of ten times, I’ll agree just to end the discussion. I’m a wimp. 

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

That would have to be Rick Castle. I know he’s a television character who is an author,  but I love the books the television producer puts out in his name. He’s not perfect and I like that about him. 

The sound of breaking glass coming from downstairs shattered the stillness. Nikki tensed. Had the sound come from the kitchen? Had she left a window open? She’d shut the bedroom window a few moments ago because the wind had picked up and its whistling sound bothered her. Could it have knocked over the crystal vase of roses Sam had sent her this morning? Perhaps Mrs. Olsen’s tabby had jumped in the window and knocked the vase over. The cat had been a regular visitor when the previous owners had lived here, and he saw no reason to curtail his visits. She’d almost had a heart attack the last time he entered, bringing her a gift—a dead mouse—and Danny had laughed himself silly at “Mommy’s girliness.” Sam, not an animal lover, had threatened to poison the animal if it came into the house again. If the cat had broken the vase, its days were numbered.

Or what if someone was in the house? She’d noticed a lot of strangers in town, some looking more unkempt than others. There were plenty of family campers, but every now and then, she’d seen so-called gold prospectors combing the Larosa hills. Trudy, Mandy’s best friend Lily’s mother, had said they were harmless but to a girl like Nikki from San Francisco, dirty, half-starved men meant trouble. They could easily be junkies desperately needing a fix.

She took a deep breath. She didn’t hear any other suspicious sounds. As Sam would say, she was letting her imagination run wild. Most likely it was one of Larosa’s minor quakes that had caused a glass to slip off the table. Just a few miles off the San Andreas Fault, the town was constantly trembling. She barely noticed the Earth’s slight shaking anymore.

Even though she’d convinced herself nothing was amiss, Nikki tiptoed to the guest room, got down on all fours, and peeked under the bed. Mandy was asleep. The child slept like the dead once she was out. Nikki reached for the flashlight, turned it off, and used the bed to leverage her body upright again.

She picked up the cell phone she’d left on the dresser earlier, made sure it was on in case Sam called, and dropped it into the right pocket of her pajama top. Carrying the flashlight, she slipped out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Maybe getting a dog’s a good idea. It would keep the damn cat out of the house.

Nikki stood still in the hallway and listened. The only thing she could hear was the sound of the television in the den. Someone was buying a vowel.

She reached Danny’s room and opened the door. When she saw his bed was empty, she relaxed and shook her head in resignation. As much as it annoyed her to admit it, this time Sam was right. Her imagination did tend to look for boogeymen where there weren’t any. Clearly her eight-year-old and his bottomless pit of a stomach had decided to have another bedtime snack.

No doubt he was the culprit. She left the room and placed the flashlight on the hall table where it usually sat in case of a power outage.

“What did you break this time?” she called as she headed down the stairs. “I swear, you’re like a bull in a china shop.”

The sound of the garage door opening indicated Sam’s arrival. Although the clinic was nearby, since he carried major opiate drugs back and forth, Sam always took his car to work. He’d enter the house through the garage, leaving his lab coat and shoes out there and washing his hands at the sink he’d had installed for that purpose.

“Let’s get this cleaned up before your father comes in.” She turned the corner into the kitchen and stopped cold.

The fridge door was open, the pitcher of orange juice shattered on the floor beside what was left of her crystal vase full of roses, the red petals vanishing in her son’s blood. So much blood! Danny lay there, his head at an awkward angle, his eyes open, looking into the face of death. A scream froze in her throat as arms grabbed her from behind, and the sting of the knife bit into her upper back.

Susanne Matthews is giving away an e-copy of On His Watch!

What is your favorite aspect of a Suspense filled romance?

Title: Kidnapped Cowboy

Author: Lindsey Brookes

Date published: February 11, 2013

Genres: Contemporary, Western, Comedy

Book Length: 380 pages

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Caitlin & Dalton

Add to GoodReads

Buy on Amazon

“From PAGE ONE I was laughing, cringing, and crying! This book literally had me hooked within minutes of picking it up! I haven’t read a book lately that grabbed me this fast and kept me to the end…heck it had me hoping that there will be a book two…come on…Brandon needs his story told too!!” ~Becca

After countless attempts to speak with the owner of the retreat for troubled teens she runs on the outskirts of Lone Tree, Montana, Caitlin Myers resorts to kidnapping Brandon ‘The Ogre of Lone Tree’ Barnes in a desperate attempt to change his mind about turning Stoney Brook into a vacation resort for the wealthy. 

Retired rodeo star, Dalton Barnes, gets the surprise of his life when he’s abducted by a soft-spoken female with a ‘gun’ and taken to the retreat his family owns. He soon learns she’s kidnapped the wrong cowboy by mistake. She wanted his brother. Things go from bad to worse when a late spring snowstorm strands them together at the cabin. But it’s during their snow-in that Dalton learns why Caitlin has gone to such lengths to save Stoney Brook. Having had issues with his older brother himself and a not so happy past, Dalton promises to do what he can to help her. 

When confronted Brandon tells Dalton he’ll hold off on his plans for the retreat, but only if Dalton agrees to stick around and help run it. Keeping his promise to Caitlin, Dalton agrees and what starts out as a common goal to turn the troubled teens’ lives around that summer ends up turning theirs around as well. Can a man who has always avoided putting down roots and a woman with a deep-seated fear of abandonment hang on to the happiness they’ve found together? Or will the past return to threaten their newfound love? 

Love, laughter and a heartwarming read…

I ran across this book while looking for a FREEBIE to share with my readers and boy am I glad that I did! I believe I have found yet another author I am planning on book-stalking! Hehe

From PAGE ONE I was laughing, cringing, and crying! This book literally had me hooked within minutes of picking it up! I haven’t read a book lately that grabbed me this fast and kept me to the end…heck it had me hoping that there will be a book two…come on…Brandon needs his story told too!!

Anyways…enough about my inability to put the book down, let’s talk story line & characters!

Caitlin is camp counselor at Stoney Brook who stands up for what she believes in…even if that means “borrowing” Brandon Barnes in order to talk some sense into him! If only her luck were better and she managed to get the right man! Caitlin is funny, strong and determined…and yet she is filled with trust issues and quirkiness that makes her character come to life.

Dalton can’t believe the night he is having…did he really just get kidnapped and by a woman no less?!? WTH is the world coming to when a man can’t go to his truck after a long night of drinking without getting a gun shoved in his back by one seriously nervous woman? Dalton is sweet, caring and kind. He proves his true character when the situation isn’t the best he’s ever been in. When he finds out why Caitlin has “borrowed” him he gives his word that he will help in any way that he can. I honestly fell in love with Dalton from the very first scene. His character is just so real, so lovable, so down to earth that it is impossible not to! I definitely wouldn’t mind “borrowing” him myself sometime! 

With the story line already given to you in the blurb, I honestly thought that this book wouldn’t be that interesting…but hey it was free right? So I started reading…and realized rather stunningly quickly that I ADORED it! The characters have depth and are interesting, I truly cared about the outcome of their relationship and the issues in their lives. While the romance was amazing and fun to read, there was sooooo much more to this story than just a romance. It was extremely accurate of what I would expect to find in a real life situation. These characters had a life to lead and problems to deal with and the relationship just fit into it seamlessly. It was interesting to see which of the characters would make sacrifices for the other in order for their lives and love to work out.

The romance alone would have drawn me into the story. The cowboy aspect was sexy and sweet. (I am all for some sexy shirtless cowboys!) I felt that the relationship grew and built from a friendship to something more in a way that was easy to read, fun, and made you feel like a part of the story. The sex was epic and totally cowboy! Hehe I loved watching as Caitlin and Dalton fought their attraction due to issues with their lives. Their dedication to reaching their goals is endearing and just added to the over all feel of the story. Of course we do get the typical “She makes me want to be a better man” thing in this book…but it fits in so flawlessly that I didn’t once compare it to other books!

We also get to see another romance/love aspect when it comes to Caitlin and Dalton’s relationship with the kids. It was thick and deep and heart warming. The story is filled with positiveness and new outlooks on life and those around us.

I can honestly say that I adored this book and highly recommend it! I also wish to repeat myself once more just in case: CAN WE PLEASE HAVE BRANDON’S STORY NOW???? 

Romance author Lindsey Brookes grew up reading romance novels. She penned her first romance, a historical, at the age of seventeen. From there she went on to join Romance Writers of America where she learned the ins and outs of the publishing business and ways to hone her craft. She switched to writing contemporary romance and has finalled in/or won more than 75 RWA chapter sponsored contests with over a dozen different manuscripts. She is also a three time RWA Golden Heart finalist as well as a past American Title III finalist. She’s married to her childhood sweetheart, her hero, with whom she has two beautiful daughters.

Lindsey Brookes is giving away an Amazon copy of Kidnapped Cowboy as well as a second of her e-books, winners choice!

Would you have the guts to kidnap someone in order to save something you felt strongly about?

Title: Fiancee For Hire

Author: Tawna Fenske

Series: Front and Center

Published by: Entangled: Lovestruck

Date published: July 21, 2014

Genres: Contemporary

Book Length: 196 pages

Steam Rating: Risque

Main Characters: Mac & Kelli

Add to GoodReads

Buy on Amazon

“She manages to make the story fun, readable, interesting and compelling all at the same time!” ~Becca

A satisfying category romance from Entangled’s brand new Lovestruck imprint…

Former Marine MacArthur Patton has made a small fortune on top-secret government contracts and black-ops missions, but his new assignment involves something more dangerous—marriage.

Well, fake marriage anyway.

To keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists, Mac has to secure a fiancée. A sweet, demure, compliant fiancée to serve as his arm candy for a few weeks while he completes the covert arms deal in Mexico. His sister claims to know just the woman, and sends her best friend to play the role.

“Sweet” and “demure” aren’t in Kelli Landers’s repertoire. A badass veterinarian who neuters big dogs and bigger men on a regular basis, she can’t wait to bring Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Detached to his knees. Her longtime crush on the commitment-phobe makes her plan to seduce him even sweeter.

Love wasn’t part of the plan, but the deeper Mac and Kelli fall into their ruse, the more danger they attract, until more than just their hearts are on the line…

This is my second Tawna Fenske book and I am loving her writing style! She manages to make the story fun, readable, interesting and compelling all at the same time!

I will admit that in the past week alone I have read FOUR books on hiring a fiance…so clearly this one isn’t getting any points for originality when it comes to the plot line. However, after learning about the characters a bit while reading Marine for Hire (book 1 in the series) I found myself compelled to add this book to the list and check it out. I’m glad that I did! The quirkiness that Kelli brings to the table is just priceless and watching serious Mac deal with her not being the demur, sweet girl he was expecting is just awesome!

The details that Tawna manages to fit into the story are impressive to say the least! Kelli is a veterinarian and Tawna does an amazing job of including details about surgeries, reptile issues, and so much more! I was seriously amazed by the descriptions and actions taken within the story and how well they flowed with the romance and Mac’s side of things. The characters are well developed (especially for a shorter story) and the plot line flows perfectly. The balance between sexual tension and humor definitely made this an awesome read!

I enjoyed the mystery/drama brought to the story and thought that it was well planned and written. While some moments were a bit over the top, most were simply compelling and had me on the edge of my seat ready to see what would happen next! While it may come across as an opposites attract book at first…once we get to know the characters a little bit better I honestly felt that they weren’t as opposite as they thought. (Yes Mac is serious while Kelli is more fun loving…but they have a lot in common as well.)

The sexual tension between these two was explosive! Adding in a fake engagement, drug deals gone wrong and a mother-in-law to be that doesn’t get the point and you end up with a romance that keeps you wanting more. The romance was interesting to say the least. It wasn’t what you typically see, however, in my opinion it was better! These guys fought it…and fought it hard! They were both dead set on fooling around being as far as things went, there would NEVER be love between them. With both Kelli and Mac having commitment issues for one reason or another, the romance side of things never had a dull moment! I think my two favorite quotes from the book are both from Kelli…that mouth of hers! Just wow!

“Will Mac throw in a ride on a white stallion before we trot into the sunset to make beautiful babies and live happily ever after?”

“You’re allergic to horses, afraid of babies, and horrified by commitment.”
“Will I at least get to bang your brother?”

and the epic…

hahaha Gosh, you have to love her!

In the end all I need to say is that this book rocked and you totally need to get it and read it now! But make sure you read Marine for Hire first!

Check out the other books in the series

Tawna Fenske traveled a career path that took her from newspaper reporter to English teacher in Venezuela to marketing geek to PR manager for her city’s tourism bureau. An avid globetrotter and social media fiend, Tawna is the author of the popular blog, Don’t Pet Me, I’m Writing, and a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her gentleman friend in Bend, Oregon, where she’ll invent any excuse to hike, bike, snowshoe, float the river, or sip wine on her back deck. She’s published several romantic comedies with Sourcebooks, including Making Waves and Believe it or Not, as well as the interactive fiction caper, Getting Dumped, with Coliloquy and the novella Eat, Play, Lust, with Entangled Publishing. Her quirky brand of comedy and romance has won praises from RT Book Reviews, which nominated Making Waves for Contemporary Romance of the Year, and from the Chicago Tribune, which noted, “Fenske’s wildly inventive plot & wonderfully quirky characters provide the perfect literary antidote to any romance reader’s summer reading doldrums.”

Website    Twitter

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

Steamy romantic comedies about the uber-military Patton family and the folks who fall for them.

(This is for the Front and Center series as a whole, which has two current releases—Marine for Hire and Fiancée for Hire—and two more on the way. I’d give you a different set of 15 words for the individual books!)

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

MacArthur is the eldest of the Patton siblings, and the hero of Fiancée for Hire. He’s a former Marine turned top-secret government operative, and he’s the ultimate alpha male control freak. He needs a calm, sweet, demure woman to pretend to be his fiancée for an undercover operation, so naturally, his sister Sheri (the heroine of Marine for Hire whose life was famously complicated when Mac hired a Marine sniper as her manny) decides to pay Mac back by sending him her best friend. Kelli is a feisty, bad-ass veterinarian with a filthy mouth and filthier mind, and Mac is about to meet his match with her.

According to my agent, I accidentally wrote myself into my own book with Kelli. I deny everything.

Haha, nice to know your personality! I thought Kelli was an awesome character!

Wow…the sex scenes in this book are H.O.T and yet amazingly realistic (the pillow for instance..)! Was it hard for you to write?

You said “hard.” The fact that I have the dirty mind of a pre-teen boy and the life experiences of a forty-year-old woman make me well-suited to write risqué romantic comedy. My fiancé is accustomed to being drafted into service for research purposes, though I suppose 5 a.m. is not the ideal time for me to yell, “Hey, honey? I need to know exactly where things would line up if I rubbed my bare boobs on your back in the closet.”

LMAO I think I love you! That is totally awesome and I could definitely see Kelli yelling something like that…so yeah you may have possibly written yourself into your book

What’s next for you?

There are two more books coming in the Front and Center series. Grant—the cheerful, friendly “Boy Scout” brother with a dark past—will be paired up with Kelli’s wedding planner pal, Anna, in Best Man for Hire sometime this winter. After that, folks will meet Schwarzkopf “Schwartz” Patton, the surly, reclusive black sheep of the family. The former is nearly finished and due on my editor’s desk five days before my September 6 wedding, and the latter is mapped out in my brain and dying to leap onto the page in the coming months.

EEEKKK!! I can’t wait….no seriously…I can’t wait! Come on…you know you want another beta reader or something right?!?

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Can I have another glass of wine?

Umm…definitely! I think I’ll have another as well

A few silly questions

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

I’d enjoy cracking jokes with Kelli while we ogle Mac from Fiancée for Hire, so I think they should attend as a couple. I’d kind of like to avoid Lieutenant Limpdick from Marine for Hire, for obvious reasons.

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

Well, I’m getting married two weeks from tomorrow, and I imagine it might be tough to get out of that on short notice. Lucky for me, I have no desire to flee. The man is stuck with me. *rubs hands together and cackles with evil glee*

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

Jennifer Crusie is my romantic comedy guru, so I love just about any man she creates in any of her books. I’m probably most partial to Phin Tucker from Welcome to Temptation. I’m a sucker for a guy who seems cool and polite on the surface, but is a dirty-talking sex god underneath. Oh, and he can fix a sink. What’s not to love?

CLICK HERE for an excerpt from Fiance For Hire!

Tawna Fenske is giving away a eCopy of Marine For Hire, Front and Center book 1.

Do you love a good military alpha male?

Title: BURN ME

Author: Shelley Watters

Published by: Swoon Romance

Date published: April 29, 2014

Genres: Contemporary

Book Length: 218 pages

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Kat & Greyson

Add to GoodReads

Buy on Amazon

“BURN ME is a super hot, super sexy, and super quick read! I love the firefighter side of things and the detail that Shelley Watters goes into is just amazing! Any book that can keep me on my toes while still managing to maintain a sexy, seductive side is a winner in my mind.” ~Becca

BURN ME has been called, “Backdraft meets J. R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood.” This sexy contemporary workplace romance is about trusting your instincts, allowing people in and learning to let go at any cost. 

When Katrina Hale’s brother dies in a house fire, she’s determined to prove she’s stronger than everyone thinks she is. But grief can do strange things to a person and Katrina knows all too well how the death of a loved one can change a person. As the romance in her current relationship fizzles, she focuses on her work and fights the undeniable attraction she has for Greyson Neal.

Firefighter Greyson Neal is the type of guy girls dream about. But Greyson isn’t interested in other girls. He wants the one woman he can never have: Katrina. As the two struggle with their feelings, Kat must choose between her career and her heart, and fight to keep them both when an arsonist threatens to take it all away.

BURN ME is a super hot, super sexy, and super quick read! I love the firefighter side of things and the detail that Shelley Watters goes into is just amazing! Any book that can keep me on my toes while still managing to maintain a sexy, seductive side is a winner in my mind.

BURN ME was my first Shelley Watters book and I have to say that it was very well written and engaged me from the beginning. The story line was unique and interesting, I love a good hot mystery! I do have to admit that the very first scene that our serial killer was in…I sort of guessed it! I won’t say who it is…I’m not saying that it is plain as day or that the mystery isn’t written well. It’s just that for some reason, I just KNEW. Without a doubt I knew exactly how this book was going to play out the very first time our serial killer graced the pages!

Katrina Hale, Kat, is a very tough chick! She is not your typical heroine in a love story, which I totally loved! She is a firefighter with a stubborn streak a mile long! When she inadvertently falls for her boyfriends brother things in her comfortable, well planned life start to go a bit crazy!

Greyson Neal…ooooohhh Greyson! He is the quintessential firefighter that we all picture in our minds. You know the ones…ripped body…loose, flowing hair, soft smoldering eyes…and a voice that makes your panties need a good wash! Greyson knows that it is wrong to lust after his brother’s girlfriend but just can’t seem to stop himself. He constantly holds himself in check and wants her from a far (well, sort of…I mean they are on the same shift at the station) until unexpected situations cause him to change his mind.

The romance between these two is undeniable, forbidden, intense and explosive! When they come together there is ABSOLUTELY NO stopping them…unless they get in their own way that is! They are both very dedicated to their career and are worried about what a real relationship may mean. Greyson has quite the “knight in shining armor” syndrome (according to Kat of course) that I found to be endearing and sweet. I love that he is willing to stand up to his brother for her…even if she doesn’t want him to. The romance flowed realistically and kept me wanting more. There were quite a few gaps in the timeline that I wished we had gotten a bit more information, but overall the chemistry and connection was strong and fun to read.

The story line…well there were parts of it that ROCKED and parts of it that were rocky. The mystery side of things was some what ruined for me…I kind of figured out the “who done it” of things really early on. However, there was enough side story and romance that I didn’t really mind knowing where things were going. It was interesting to see the route things took to get to the ending that I saw from a mile away.

My problems with the story really came up with the “danger” that Kat keeps finding herself in. I found myself often thinking, “Seriously?!? How many times can one chick almost die in such a short period of time! None of the other firefighters are having this much trouble!” I just couldn’t make myself become a part of the story!

I really like the concept behind the story, however, I felt like there were quite a few “holes” left…a few t’s left uncrossed and i’s missing their dots! For instance…what in the world is up with Kevin? That is never explained! He goes from being this sweet, friendly and supportive character to a standoffish ass with no explanation! I know that for a chapter or two we are supposed to think he may be our serial killer (Sorry this is technically a spoiler…but come on…if you are reading the book you can so tell it’s not him!) but once that is shoved aside shouldn’t we get some explanation as to why he changed? It’s been a bit since I read the book and I STILL can’t get over this…I want to know! I feel like a big portion of the story is missing because of this. Something had to happen with Kevin…maybe it was something as simple as he wishes he was in Greyson’s shoes…maybe it has nothing to do with the story at all. However, I feel like this should have been confronted in some way! He was pretty much Kat’s best friend in the station and then, like a flip of a switch, he is no longer the sweet and caring friend…now he is a jerk? UGH! Maybe book 2 will touch on this and save my mind from running in circles trying to fill in the holes?!?

While the characters are likable and I found myself wanting more, I didn’t get attached to them as I do in some books and I’m not even positive why. I think it has more to do with the way the book was written than anything. While it is a dual POV (which I adore) it isn’t written in the way you would expect it to be. Don’t get me wrong, some chapters are completely normal and you switch between characters at normal intervals and times that make sense. Then you come up on a steamy scene and you find yourself jumping between Kat and Greyson randomly without warning and without any type of acknowledgment! It was a little hard to follow to say the least! I have read a few books that did this and I just can’t seem to get into it as easily as a book that is written in a more traditional manner.

Overall, this book gets a 3 for me. It’s a fun read, with enough twists in the story line to keep you on your toes a bit, but just felt like it didn’t meet my expectations of what it could have been. The blurb makes it sound like it is so much more than it managed to be for me. While I only give it 3 stars, I still recommend reading it! I honestly think that it was a good read and is worth the money and time!

Shelley Watters grew up in Tucson, Arizona and currently resides Chandler, Arizona. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s in Sociology with a focus on Women’s Health Issues and continued on to get a Master’s certificate in Public Health Epidemiology. After serving many wonderful years in the public health sector as an Epidemiologist, she left the field to raise her family and re-discovered a long-lost passion: writing. While her days are filled with extra-curricular activities, her nights are devoted to slinging words across the page. Her novels sizzle with the heat and passion that only growing up in the southwest can bring. 

Website     Twitter     Facebook

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

I’m queen of the Twitter pitch, but 15 words is even harder!

A contemporary take on Backdraft meets the Black Dagger Brotherhood, with firefighters instead of vampires.

It really is difficult to do, but I believe this is one of my favorite questions to ask!

When did you start writing? How did you come up with your books name?

I wrote my first “novel” when I was six. It was titled Child Fear and was a horror novel. I moved on to non-fiction, writing about the life cycle of bees. The early love of creative writing continued into my adult life.

My title? I was writing a novel that my betas and critique partners said was on the verge of erotica. What better title than to name it BURN ME?

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

It’s a spoiler! Basically once Kat and Greyson throw caution to the wind for the first time. That was really fun to write.

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

Kat is my heroine. She’s a kickass female firefighter who doesn’t take shit from anybody. She knows what she wants in life and how to get there and isn’t going to let anyone tell her she can’t do it because she’s a girl. There wasn’t a specific person who inspired Kat, since I wrote her before I knew any actual FEMALE firefighters, but after making friends with May, a firefighter back east, I was positive I’d written her true to character. I hope I made her proud.

Greyson is 100% in my head. *Sigh* Physically, he was inspired by Gerard Butler. But personality wise, I really love alpha males and I made sure he was exactly what I pictured as my alpha male. But, where I deviate from the alpha male trope is his weakness. He is the quintessential firefighter, but at the same time he’s protective and has a soft side when he opens up. I love that vulnerability in my alpha males.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

I’m in love with my cover. Georgia sent me a few mock-ups with various backgrounds, but they nailed it the first time with the hero and heroine on the cover. They’re pretty much exactly as I envisioned Kat and Greyson as I wrote them. And I love that Kat is the dominant on the cover. I love that they managed to capture that side of her, that part of their relationship. Swoon Romance has amazing cover artists and not being biased, I really think they come up with the BEST covers, mine included.

I totally agree! The cover grabs me and makes me want to read the book! It also stands out from other books and I can glance at a screen and easily recognize what book it is, Swoon Romance is a total genius with book covers!

Who is your favorite character in the book? Why?

Besides Kat and Greyson (of course the whole crew is dear to my heart), Diesel was my favorite character. I know it’s silly, since he’s a dog, but he was so much fun to write. I’ve always wanted a boxer, and I finally (sort-of) got one!

​What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on book two, tentatively titled CUFF ME. It follows Jake Salinger (the captain of L-281) and Kayla, a police officer. It’s an awesome ride and so much fun. It’s completely different than BURN ME in the fact that this one is more about the internal conflicts and less about external forces driving my characters apart.

Now for a few silly questions

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it? (Not from your books)

This one is hard. Mr. Darcy, of course. But really, I tend to go all-in when I read – so whatever I’m currently reading is my “book boyfriend”. But the ones I tend to go back to are Mr. Darcy (Austen), Rhage and Vishious (JR Ward), Christian Grey (EL James). I could keep going but my hands would get sore Like I said before, I LOVE my alpha males, so pretty much ALL of them!

I am exactly the same way! I fall in love with them all and it is just so hard to choose! I adored all of the Black Dagger boys…Christian Grey was okay…right now I’m in love with characters in A Fighter’s Desire to the point that I want to stalk LP Dover and beg, plead, whatever it takes to get my hands on the next book!

What books are on your nightstand or by your chair?

Right now I’m reading the Harry Potter series with my son. But on my own, Fiancee for Hire by Tawna Fenske is the current adult novel I’m working on.

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

100% the passenger. I let my characters tell me their story. Until they don’t want to go the way I want them to, then we battle a bit. But for the most part, I let them have control of their stories, I just write it down for them.

I’m the same way with the book I’m working on. I’ve tried to “take the wheel” but they always jerk it away…must be one of those driver’s ed cars hehe

If you could have one super power what would it be? Why?

Lightning fast typing skills. I have a ton of books in my head and not enough time to get it all down. I’d love to be able to just “whoosh” have them done the second I get the idea.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Thank you for having me!

Give it a try and let me know what you think! Is this book for you?

Title: EX-FACTOR

Author: Lisa Sanchez/ Elisa Dane

Series: Diamond Girls

Published by: Swoon

Date published: April 14, 20134

Genres: contemporary

Book Length: 207 pages

Main Characters: Neveah Evans and Bodie Scot

Add to GoodReads

Buy on Amazon

Nevaeh Evan’s life is uprooted after her father’s death, when she moves in with her aunt and cousin, Livvie. Her plan to lay low at her new high school isn’t working. Her friend’s jerky boyfriend keeps asking her out, the guy she likes treats her like garbage, and the thought of tumbling again makes her want to hurl. 

So when her aunt pushes her into joining the elite X-FACTOR cheer leading squad, Navaeh goes along with it. 

But Nev feels she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Not after what happened the night her father died. 

Bodie Scott knows about grief all too well. Critically injured in an alcohol related accident the year before, Bodie struggles with the fact that he’ll never play football again, and he’s so far behind in credits he can’t see straight. That is, until he meets Nev. Haunted by their bloody pasts and wary of a shared future, Nev and Bodie turn to one another for comfort and support, and realize they’re not so alone after all. And when the party scene at school threatens the life of a loved one, the two stop at nothing to keep the past from repeating itself.

ELISA DANE is a self-proclaimed book junkie. A lover of handbags, chocolate, and reality television, she’s a proud mother to three All- Star cheerleaders. Writing is her absolute passion, and it’s her mission to create stories that will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but help you find a new respect and interest in the sport of All-Star cheerleading.

Elisa is no stranger to the publishing world. She writes steamy paranormal romance under her real name, Lisa Sanchez. Her adult works include the Hanford Park series (Eve Of Samhain, Pleasures Untold, and Faythe Reclaimed), Obsessed (an erotic suspense), and a paranormal novella, Cursing Athena. Elisa lives in Northern California with her husband, three daughters, and a feisty Chihuahua who stubbornly believes she’s human.

Contact her on Facebook at  Elisa Dane, and Lisa Sanchez Romance Author or Twitter @ElisaDane, and @LisaSanchez3.

“Ahh… Mr. Scott!” My gaze automatically swept to the front of the classroom, Keltar’s loud, obnoxious voice almost impossible to ignore. “So good of you to grace us with your presence today. I trust you’ve learned something during your time away from school? Violence is never the answer, young man.” Frowning, the surly Santa wannabe begrudgingly swept a pink slip of paper from a tall, muscular boy dressed in dark clothing.

My heart jumped a little in my chest as I surveyed the colossal mass of male student at the front of the class. What the hell were the people of Indigo Falls feeding their sons? Some type of über growth hormone? Over half the guys in the school looked as though they belonged on the cover of a weightlifting magazine—chiseled, as if cut from granite. And what was that about violence, and time away from school? Had he gotten into a fight? From his size, he looked like someone who could deliver massive amounts of pain with ease.

The new guy stood in complete silence as Keltar continued on, delivering the same tired speech he’d given me upon entering the room. The same nervous feeling that had plagued me when I entered the school just a short time ago returned with a vengeance, and I caught myself struggling to breathe. What the hell? The new guy, whoever he was, had a bizarre effect on me, and to be honest, it was freaking me out a little. I mean, hell… I hadn’t even seen his face and I had butterflies whirling in my stomach. How was that possible? What kind of person had that type of effect on people?

He turned around then, and the answers to my unspoken questions all but slapped me upside the face.

Holy Mary, Mother of Pearl…

If boys were classified into two shades: light and dark, my Paper Thief, Eli would hover somewhere in the realm of ivory or beige. But this new guy was dark. We’re talking black down to the very pit of his soul type dark.

Ebony eyes void of emotion swept over the room before finally settling on his seat: the empty chair next to Erin. Short, dark hair hugged his skull, bringing attention to the chiseled line of his jaw. His features were strong, hard, and entirely masculine—beautiful. No joke, he looked like an avenging angel hell bent on mayhem and destruction. Bad. The boy was bad to the bone.

Heat scorched my neck and cheeks and my pulse ratcheted up another notch.

Electricity arced through the air as he neared the table, and the oxygen in the room seemed to thin even more. Incapable of speech or movement, I sat open-mouthed, gaping at him like an imbecilic fool. The black T-shirt he wore stretched across his broad chest like a second skin, and revealed a set of arms, one of which sported a wicked tribal tattoo. His gait was confident, yet lazy, and clearly shouted “I don’t give a fuck. I’m only here because I have to be, so stay the hell out of my way.”

Erin cleared her throat and cast me a knowing “Well, well, well. Look who thinks the bad boy is hot” smirk.

The boy’s most stand out feature was a jagged scar which ran from the center of his skull, down along the top of his left ear. It ended just below the left half of his jaw. The skin was thick, raised and silvery pink making it obvious that whatever trauma had placed it there hadn’t happened that long ago.


Heat scored the base of my skull, and I reached, as if on autopilot, for the fat, rigid bump that crawled across my hairline. How had he gotten his scar? A hundred different scenarios played out in my head, none of which included the circumstance that had earned me mine.