A Look At Holly Bush & 'Red, White and Screwed' ~ @hollybushbooks @GoddessFish #womensfic #romance

Today we have author Holly Bush visiting. Welcome!

What would you like to tell readers about yourself?

* Holly Bush was born in western Pennsylvania to two avid readers. There was not a room in her home that did not hold a full bookcase. Holly has been a marketing consultant to start-up businesses and has done public speaking on the subject.
* Holly has been writing all of her life and is a voracious reader of a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction, particularly political and historical works. She writes historical romance set on the American Prairie and in Victorian England, and more recently, Contemporary Romance and Women’s Fiction. She frequently attends writing conferences, and has always been a member of a writer’s group.
* Holly is a gardener, a news junkie, has been an active member of her local library board and loves to spend time near the ocean. She is the proud mother of two daughters and the wife of a man more than a few years her junior.

What are you going to tell us about today?
* My contemporary, women's fiction romance story Red, White and Screwed.

A look into the story

~ Blurb ~ * Political strategist Glenda Nelson is having a meltdown. Her handpicked, very married Congressional candidate was just caught climbing out of the window of the Sleepytown Motel, and her philandering ex-husband seems to have the most to gain from the colossal scandal that follows. As Glenda attempts to salvage the campaign in a hotly contested race, conservative and liberal pundits pounce on the story to further their own agendas.
* Glenda’s love life is nonexistent to say the least, that is, until she meets handsome artist Chris Goodrich. Chris’s easy-going, carefree outlook on life couldn’t be more different than the 90-mph crazy train that is Glenda’s, but the more time she spends with him, the more she craves his calming presence, his sexy smile, and his steamy embraces. Is Chris the one to take a chance on?
* Between the pressure of full-blown spin control mode, rapidly declining job security, refereeing two teenagers, caring for aging parents, and spending hours on her therapist’s couch trying to get past her ex’s crushing betrayal, Glenda finds love and makes the long trek back to happy.
~ Excerpt ~ * Between the pressure of full-blown spin control mode, rapidly declining job security, refereeing two teenagers, caring for aging parents, and spending hours on her therapist’s couch trying to get past her ex’s crushing betrayal, Glenda finds love and makes the long trek back to happy.
* The doors of the Mansville High School were covered with posters ranging from “Just Say No To Drugs” to a square dance being held Friday night after the football game. After getting directions to the art rooms, I ran down the hallway and burst through the door. The student art gala included a speaker. I smiled at Christopher Goodwich, straightened my skirt and hair, and found a seat. Sylvia was glaring at me.
* “Art is about beauty,” Goodwich was saying. “But beauty is speculative. What is beautiful to you and what is beautiful to the student beside you may be two different things.”
* I settled into one of those seats with the desk attached. My rear end was not cooperating and hung out either one side or the other. Goodwich was a good speaker and I listened intently. He was patient with the kids, and Sylvia’s art teacher was batting her lashes and giggling.
* Goodwich would never go for her type, I thought to myself. The overt artsy-craftsy, caftans-are-still-in-style, kind of a woman. And her hair was long. Why doesn’t someone tell women over forty to cut their hair? What kind of woman would Goodwich go for? Meg did say he wasn’t gay. Everyone was clapping. I stood up enthusiastically and took with me the desk still attached to my rump. Sylvia pulled at the seat, and markers went flying. Christopher Goodwich was heading my way.
* “It’s nice to see you again, Glenda.” Goodwich looked at the desk stuck to my hips. “Can I help?”
* The desk plopped off my ass with a thump, and I ran a hand through my hair. “Chris! What a surprise.”

Buy Red, White and Screwed here...
Amazon - Kindle | Amazon - Print | B&N - Nook | B&N - Print | iTunes | Kobo

Find Holly Bush here...
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Thank you for joining us here today, Holly Bush! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your story.

ANNOUNCEMENT! Holly will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour! So be sure to leave your name and email with your comment AND use the Rafflecopter below. Also, visit the other tour stops (find them here: goddessfishpromotions-virtual-blurb-blitz-tour-red-white) for a greater chance of winning!

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Welcome special guest: author Cheri Allan @CheriAllan @GoddessFish #romcon

Today we have author Cheri Allan visiting.
What would you like to tell readers about yourself?

* Cheri Allan writes upbeat contemporary romance and lives in a charming fixer-upper in rural New Hampshire with her husband, two kids, two dogs, four cats and an excessive amount of optimism. She’s a firm believer in do-it-yourself and happily-ever-afters. LUCK OF THE DRAW is her first novel.
* After years of wearing suits, she’s grateful to finally put her English degree to good use writing romance. When not writing, you might find her whizzing down the slopes of a nearby mountain or inadvertently killing perennials in her garden.
* Cheri loves to hear from readers! E-mail her at cheri@cheriallan.com, friend her at facebook.com/cheriallanauthor, or visit her website and blog at www.cheriallan.com. Luck of the Draw, Book 1 in the ‘Betting on Romance’ series is available now through Amazon and Smashwords.

So, Cheri Allan, what inspired you to become a writer?
* Dr. Seuss. Pure and utter genius there. Seriously, I’ve always been an avid reader, and I fell in love early on with the lyrical quality of language. Language has such power. (Not in a ‘bwa-ha-ha’ evil sort of way but as in the power to connect with people on an emotional level.) I’ll never forget bawling my eyes out over Where a Red Fern Grows or hating/adoring Mr. Darcy. My mother burned many a dinner over a good romance, and I read my first as an early teen. I’ve been hooked ever since. The problem is, there aren’t all that many billionaire, ex-Navy SEAL, Adonis’ looking for love in rural New Hampshire, so after meeting and marrying my husband, I was inspired to write about characters and settings I could more readily relate to.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
* I started penning the first chapters of a romance in my early twenties, but didn’t pick it up again and finish it until my daughter was born. (Aren’t you sweet not to ask how long that was!) I proceeded to join my first writer’s group where they told me (in a nice way, mind you) that I’d made every mistake in the book. EVERY. ONE. (I’m nothing if not thorough.) So, I went home, cried, reformatted, cut 30K words to 85K, axed the head-hopping and queried an editor who--miraculously--requested the book. I kept writing, and by the time I received his ultimate but encouraging rejection, I had learned a lot about both my voice and writing full-length novels. However, I would no sooner publish those books than put my grammar school essays on the internet. They exist only on a dead computer. (May they rest in peace.)

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
* Three, not counting revisions to ‘tailor’ them as longer or shorter novels. (For any of you thinking you can make your single-title length novel a category romance or vice versa, I’ll tell you now. You can’t. Write something new. Trust me. Auntie Cheri knows.)

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
* The worst? ‘You can’t write about a [fill in the blank] hero/heroine.’ My first book had a musician as a hero, and I can’t tell you how many people warned me that would never sell. Well, it didn’t sell for a lot of reasons, but the hero’s occupation wasn’t the problem. Editors, agents and readers want characters they can believe in and root for. Make your characters ultimately likeable and it doesn’t matter what they do. Except embalming. (Although, Nora could probably pull that off.)
* The best advice? Read Deb Dixon’s Goal, Motivation and Conflict. And if you can’t identify the GMC for your main characters, go back and read it again. It’s like eating vegetables. You may not like it, but you’ll be SO much better off for having done it.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
* LUCK OF THE DRAW is book #1 in my Betting on Romance series; however, the books are written to stand alone and could be read in any order.

What sparked the idea for the story/series?
* Hmm. I should know the answer to this, but the truth is, it wasn’t an all at once ‘a-ha’ moment. The characters and story evolved around the idea of four match-making grandmothers. But I wanted it to be funny, so I made them play poker. With photographs instead of money, because they like to reminisce. And meddle. (God love ‘em.)
* My hero, Jim, was a secondary character from one of the previous, not-to-be-named books, and I’d always liked him. When I decided to ditch books 1-3 (you’re welcome) and focus on Jim’s story, I knew I needed to give him someone equally deserving of love, but with a bit of baggage. I discovered Kate and kept shoveling hardships onto her until she begged me for a forklift to carry it all, and we had our love story!
* Soon Carter (Jim’s cousin) demanded his own happily-ever-after… and a series was born.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
* Ack! Um, no. Not unless you count the three dead guppies I had when I was six. (Presumably, they were once alive, but I only ever remember them floating.) I like furry pets… specifically ones with only four legs.

Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
* Rain, definitely, for sleeping and writing. A nice steady downpour is ideal. Otherwise, my favorite days are cool, crisp and clear. Fifty-five degrees. I was married on a late September afternoon with brilliant blue skies, white fluffy clouds and a nip in the air that made you feel gloriously alive. Plus, because Autumn is after Labor Day, I’m allowed to listen to Christmas music. :)

If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
* An Earth-like planet where they have lots of clean running water, coffee, and chocolate… but where there are no bugs (specifically cockroaches, black flies or mosquitoes, and where ants only ever live deep underground or in animated children’s films.)

If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
* Stranded? As in ALONE? Okay, I think I’ve got this. I’d want:
1.) indoor plumbing, because, well, BECAUSE…
2.) a coffee maker (with coffee, 1/2 and 1/2 and sugar! Does that still count as one thing?)
3.) a sexy, professional chef (a girl’s gotta eat)
4.) a sexy, professional carpenter (for construction of my island getaway hut) and,
5.) a shipping container loaded with romance novels and survivalist manuals.
* That ought to do. Hmm. Roughing it never sounded so good…

*** About Cheri Allan’s book… ***

~ Blurb ~ * If only life had a refresh button...
* Kate Mitchell never planned to be a 31 year-old widowed single mom, but when her soon-to-be-EX husband up and dies, her dreams of finishing college and starting over are thrown in the air like a game of 52 pick-up. When she’s given a leave of absence from work and told to “quit or recommit,” Kate retreats to idyllic Sugar Falls, New Hampshire, to figure out whether she can discover her passion and pay the bills. Cue the fresh air, summer sunshine and one sexy local contractor.
* Tall, dark, and handy…
* Volunteer fireman and all-around hunky guy in a toolbelt, Jim Pearson has sworn off complicated women with messy baggage. They cling to his nice-guy stability and skills with a power saw just long enough to straighten out their lives and move on… but then he meets the cute single mom staying at Grams’ lake house for the summer.
* While a sizzling attraction draws them together, Jim's distrust of complicated women and Kate's incredibly complicated life threaten to pull them apart. But forces beyond their control—match-making grandmothers, the lazy backdrop of summer, and their own reckoning with the past—conspire to make them risk it all... and bet on love. ~ Excerpt ~ * “But when I think about going back… to a job I know is safe and secure… I can’t breathe.” She felt her arms grow cold despite the sunshine. “It’s like my future is closing in and there’s no way out. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that going back would mean I’m giving up hoping for something better. And… and I can’t bring myself to give up on me quite yet.”
* She stared at him in the silence that followed, her chest rising and falling, feeling brittle and defiant all at once.
* But then he tugged her hand until she sat beside him on the porch steps. He blew out a breath. “No one’s asking you to give up on yourself.”
* “You think I’m giving up,” she said. “But I’m not. I’m not throwing my hands up in despair. I’m not trying to quit. I’m trying to let go of the handlebars to see if I can do this without help.”
* “I don’t understand what that—”
* “I’m saying… I know you mean well, but you’ve got to let me figure this out on my own.”
* After a long moment, he nodded. “Okay,” he said, and he turned, the corners of his eyes crinkling in that warm, lovely way that always turned Kate’s insides to jelly. “You may not believe it, but I do believe there’s something better waiting for you.”
* “You’re talking to a practically unemployed widow,” she sighed. “It’d be hard not to go uphill from here.”

***Buy Cheri Allan's book here***
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Kobo

***Find Cheri Allan here***
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thank you for joining us here today, Cheri Allan! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Cheri will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card & other prizes to randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter! So be sure to leave your first name and email in your comment AND use the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win. Also, check out the other blogs at goddessfishpromotions-virtual-book-tour-luck-of-draw for more chances to win.

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A Look At MK Theodoratus & 'Taking Vengeance' ~ @kaytheod @LoveBitesSilk #historical #fantasy

Today we have author MK Theodoratus visiting. Welcome!

What would you like to tell readers about yourself?

* Comics first hooked M. K. Theodoratus on fantasy. When she discovered L. Frank Baum's first Oz books, the strong female characters drew her into the possibilities of alternate worlds. Then, she stared writing in grade school when a teacher assigned a short story lesson. The assignment was incomplete at 25 pages, but she finished the book by the next summer. The Children’s Librarian, the only other person who’s read it, thought it well-done.
* Theodoratus has enjoyed at least four writing careers, including non-fiction. Now she writes fantasy ... mostly because it amuses her. Theodoratus writes in the world of her grumpy Far Isles Half-Elven, often featuring Mariah del Oesti or Renna of Ren Creek. She also explores other magical worlds of ghosts, gargoyles, and Fae. Most of her newer stories are set in Andor where demons prey on humans. You can read more about her fantasy athttp://www.mktheodoratus.com

What are you going to tell us about today?
* My story Taking Vengeance. Furious, Mariah and Ashton seek vengeance for a brutal attack on their daughter by vicious Sea Raiders.

A look into the story

~ Blurb ~ * In a tale older than time itself, Taking Vengeance tells a story about the strength and conviction of a mother's love against those who would harm her family. After witnessing centuries of fighting and chaos against her people and her own bickering with Linden, the ruler of the Far Isles Half-Elven, Mariah has withdrawn from politics to seek a peaceful life as a healer.
* But Mariah's peace is short lived when Sea Raiders attack her daughter's family, leaving her at death's door. The act of bigoted cruelty plunges Mariah into despair. Her grief is sensed by Ashton, her partner who is far away spying on their southern enemies, and he uses his elven magic to rush to her side. The couple's rage boils over at the outrage. Ashton urges Mariah to belt on her sword and seek vengeance against their daughter's attackers.
* Mariah discovers the Sea Raiders wield a strange new magic that threatens all they hold dear. But can she convince Linden that their country is in danger before it's too late?
* Taking Vengeance is a tale set in the world of the Far Isles Half-Elven, who constantly fight among themselves even though they’re beset by enemies on all sides. ~ Excerpt ~ * Mariah lifted her arms over her head, stretching to feel the full impact of the retreating gale. If only Ashton and I could sail away from our troubles with our daughter!
* Tired from a day of mediating petty disputes for her holding and helping at the healer's hall, Mariah stood on a promontory over-looking the churning eastern sea. The wind whipped her loose chestnut hair around her head. The gusts tempted her to ride the buffeting air currents, not keeping her pointed ears politely tacked to her head out of sight under her hair. The illusion of freedom teased the weight of time and sorrow from her thoughts.
* For a moment she thought of removing her shirt to feel the wind against her unbound breasts but changed her mind. Flight held no allure without Ashton next to her. When alone, they often sailed the air currents, making love, their souls merging until their bodies glowed and sparked with their commingled power.
* Her mind reached out to caress the tether of woven energy between them. Ashton was angry. Her lips tightened, but she couldn’t help him. They had agreed to live apart to ease Linden's complaints that they picked at him, two against one.
* Mother, where are you?
* Her daughter’s silent cry riveted Mariah’s attention. Norerah and her family should be far at sea by now. Unexpected pain invaded her mind as she sought out her daughter, only to catch a dim glimpse of her own hall far to the west.
* Ambush.
* The thought was a bare whisper before the connection between them went dark. Mariah transferred home across the leagues without thinking and found her daughter bleeding on the floor of her own hall. A harpoon pierced the babe in her carrypack and opened a gaping wound across Norerah’s back until it embedded in her shoulder. Her daughter's reddish-brown warrior’s braid fell across the blood-soaked rag rug the two had stitched together during the long winter nights.
* Kneeling by the expanding stain, Mariah struggled to remain calm. She took a deep breath as her fingers traced the path of the harpoon barb under the skin. Using the magic that made her a skilled healer, she mentally probed the broken ribs and lacerated flesh as she sought the source of pulsing blood. She needed to stop the flow; Norie had already lost too much.
* Mariah took deep breaths to stay calm. The aftermath of battles always crippled her thinking. She forced the mocking memory of her elder son, sprawled on a battlefield pierced by arrows, from her mind. The healer had no time to soothe that wound to her heart. Only a thread tied her daughter’s life to this world.
* Twisting her hair into a knot with bloody hands, Mariah bit her lip. I refuse to give her up to the Fates! The Summerlands can’t have her. One child is enough to give up too early.

Buy Taking Vengeance here...
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IBookstore | Kobo | Smashwords

Find MK Theodoratus here...
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Google+ | GoodReads

Thank you for joining us here today, MK Theodoratus! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your story.

Sinfully Sexy Saturday w. Kang Jin-Pyoo from 'Carried Away' by Elizabeth Monvey ~ @evernightpub #gay #rotg #SSS

It's Saturday! Yay! Here's a sinfully good treat to add to a great day.

..Today we have Kang Jin-Pyoo visiting from the story Carried Away. Welcome!

..Kang Jin-Pyoo, what would you like to tell readers about yourself?
......* My name is Kang Jin-Pyoo, but everyone calls me Jin. I was born in Seoul, South Korea but my father was a businessman with many ties to the Untied States, so most of my education was in America. When I was young I began to ski and my father saw promise, so I began training at age ten with the idea of winning Olympic Gold.
......* Although I was one of the fastest Alphine skiers in the world, my Olympic dreams have been less than stellar. I missed qualifying for the South Korean ski team for the Torino games. I finished in the top ten at the Vancouver games. And then, at Sochi, I crashed out in the heats.
......* I have been in a secret relationship with Tolliver St. James for two years. Tolliver owns one of the best skiing resorts in Vail. I don’t know what would happen if or when my father and my sponsor finds out that I’m gay.

..Are you happy with the way people perceive you?
......* No, not really. To the world I’m a great athlete, an Alpine skier. An Olympian. I’m proud of my accomplishment, but truthfully, it’s not who I really want to be. I just want to be happy with Tolliver.

..Is expressing love difficult for you?
......* Yes, and no. Yes, because of my father. He’s very traditional, believes family honor comes before everything. Behind closed doors I show great amounts of love but Tolliver wants more and it’s hard for me to open up when the door is open.

..What’s your take on Tolliver St. James?
......* Tolliver is a smart, charismatic businessman. He was able to take his family’s small ski resort and build it up to the premiere skiing destination in Vail. That takes a lot of hard work. But there’s a fun side to him as well. He may work hard but he plays hard too, and I love going for long ski rides with him by my side.

..Where do you see yourself in the future? What do you hope to accomplish?
......* Hmm…hopefully I will be with Tolliver. I hope to have an Olympic medal to distinguish my career and hard work. I hope…well, I suppose I want what everybody wants. I just hope to be happy.

..Now for some author information!
......* My author is Elizabeth Monvey. Elizabeth Monvey is the pseudonym for a single mother from Los Angeles, CA. She writes romantic stories between male partners, taking a snippet from their lives to show how committed they are to each other. Right now, Elizabeth is still building up her social media presence. However, she loves having people friend her on Facebook.

..You can find my author, Elizabeth Monvey, here...
......Facebook

..Now for some book information! ..A look into the story

..~ Blurb ~ ......* Jin-Pyoo is an Olympic Alpine skier who has been reared all his life to focus on winning a medal. His father is harsh and demanding, but when he orders Jin to stop being friends with ski resort owner, Tolliver St. James, Jin has to decide if he should continue with his Olympic dream or follow his heart.
......* Tolliver St. James knows that Jin is the man for him. They’ve been in a relationship for two years and he wants them to be publicly out, but Jin wants them to keep hiding in the shadows. When Jin’s father forces Jin into an engagement to a woman, Tolliver is afraid of losing his lover forever.
......* But when Tolliver is caught in grips of an avalanche, Jin knows he can’t live his life without him and it’s a race against time to find the man he loves more than anything.
......Be Warned: m/m sex ..~ Excerpt ~ ......* As he walked toward the elevators, Jin felt his world breaking apart although he didn’t blame Tolliver for breaking things off. He’d been very clear about his position on their relationship from the beginning and he’d compromised his beliefs to accommodate Jin’s heritage. But what could he do? Just walk away from his family, and from his dream?
......* Christ, did he even want to be a skier anymore?
......* He was so afraid of making the wrong decision, and of regretting something, that he felt frozen inside. He didn’t want to give Tolliver up, but maybe Tol was going to take that decision away from him. Maybe he wouldn’t have anything else but skiing to take up the empty future without Tolliver’s presence.
......* And how would he feel when Tolliver eventually found someone else?
......* The elevator opened to the private penthouse floor and Jin felt like he was being delivered a death sentence. He knocked on the door and it opened immediately and before he could say anything Tolliver grabbed his arm and pulled him into the room.
......* They stared at each other for a long moment and Jin couldn’t help but admire Tol’s suave sophistication. His grey streaked black hair gave him an iron tough appearance and his blue eyes were sharp and missed nothing. He was tall, with a massive chest and shoulders that had a fine dusting of hair. Jin knew Tol worked out every morning, as well as skied on the weekends to give his body tone and definition. He was what some people would call a bear man, and Jin never thought he’d be attracted to such bulk, but every time Tol touched him it was like fireworks exploding.
......* He opened his mouth to say something, anything to erase the distance in Tolliver’s eyes, but just as he opened his mouth, Tol reached out and pulled Jin into his arms. The tension that had been building up inside Jin broke and his arms crept around Tolliver to hold on tightly.

..Buy Carried Away here...
......Evernight Publishing | Amazon | All Romance eBooks | BookStrand

..Thank you for joining us here today, Jin! It was a pleasure getting to know about you, the story you're in, and your author, Elizabeth Monvey.

Cover Reveal of 'Colors of Us' by Sandra Bunino ~ @sandrabunino @evernightpub #coverreveal #romance

Today we have author Sandra Bunino visiting. Welcome!

What would you like to tell readers about yourself?

* Sandra Bunino is a romance author of several novellas including The Satin Rose Experience series. Her first full length novel, Colors of Us from the McAvery's Brothers series, makes its debut during the summer of 2014. She makes her parents proud by putting her MBA degree to good use dreaming up Alpha heroes who dominate the bedroom as well as the boardroom.
* When not staying up past her bedtime torturing her oh-so-sexy heroes, she can be found shopping for shoes or saving turtles.
* She looks forward to hearing from her readers and she may be contacted at sbunino@gmail.com. As a social media junkie in need of a ten-step program, you can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@sandrabunino). Join her book group, Bunino's Bookalicious Babes, on Facebook!

What are you going to tell us about today?
* I'm sharing my cover and a peek at Colors of Us.

A look into the story

~ Blurb ~ * Everything she knew to be true fell apart. Then fell apart again…
* Michelle Willis is running from her past. What better place to hide than in the anonymity of New York City. Finding refuge in a tiny SoHo art gallery, she rebuilds her life one painting at a time.
* A wrong turn sends Hunter McAvery on a crash course with disaster. He fights his own demons by following his big brother’s lead - drinking and bed-hopping his way through Manhattan.
* A glance at Michelle’s self-portrait triggers emotions Hunter can’t tamp down. Driven to meet the artist, he discovers a fiery chemistry as their lives collide. But when their past threatens to tear them apart, can their love survive? ~ Excerpt ~ * “I think pink is your color. It looks great against your dark hair.” Reaching past her shoulder, he curled a strand of her hair between his fingers and tugged gently before letting it fall onto her shoulder.
* Meeting his gaze, she smiled. “Thanks.” Michelle wasn’t used to compliments. It’d been her goal to fade into the crowd and not to call attention to herself. But her self-imposed rules seemed to float away around Hunter McAvery.
* Returning her smile, he continued the lesson. “After you slide your hands into the opening, you’ll wind the long strap around your fingers and wrist like this.” Holding her fingers in his hand, he wound the dangling strap around her palm and over her knuckles. “You want to protect the part of your hand that meets the bag.”
* He stepped closer as he slipped the strap around the base of her thumb. When he brushed his fingertips against the sensitive area just below the fleshy part of her palm, a shiver shot up her arm and traveled to her belly. His warm breath ghosted her face as he circled the end of the strap around her wrist and secured the Velcro tab. Before she knew it, strong fingers captured her left hand and guided her arm to the warmth between their bodies. She itched to graze her fingers along his muscled chest, capturing his heat with her palm. Her gaze bounced to his neck and stubbled jaw, which clenched as he slid the other wrap over her hand. Slowly wrapping her other wrist, he secured the strap and held both of her gloved hands in his. “Make a fist,” he said huskily.
* Tightening her hands into a ball, she tucked her thumb around the outside of her fingers like he showed her at the gym.
* He squeezed her fists. “They look good. You’re a badass.”
* Michelle snorted. “A badass in pink.”
* “Let’s see what you got. Show me some upper cuts. Right here.” He tapped his abs.
* “You want me to hit you?” She giggled.
* “Sure. I can take it.”
* Turning her palms up, she made a fist and alternated soft punches to his belly. His rock-hard belly. Each strike made her aware of how alive he made her feel. The force of impact sent ripples up his tight shirt, awakening the planes of his muscular form. She gulped back the desire to open her fists and run her fingertips along the line of each thick muscle.
* His hands came to rest on her forearms, halting her movement. The pads of his thumbs stroked the sensitive skin near the inside of her elbow causing a delicious shiver up her arm. Michelle’s eyes met his. The fire brewing in his darkened gaze drew her in. Hunter stepped between her legs, nudging her back against the wall next to the mural. She closed her eyes and choked back a groan, wanting—no, needing—to grind her heat on his leg. Raising her arms above her, he pinned them against the wall on either side of her head. His scent flooded her senses as she lifted her chin to close the gap between them.
* “I’m trying like hell not to kiss you.” Hunter straightened his back but didn’t loosen his grip on her arms.
* Her skin prickled from the nearness of his body. She let her gaze drift to his lips. “Why?” she whispered.
* He blew a slow breath between his teeth. “Nothing good would come of it. I’m not capable of giving or feeling… or offering anything much to you.” He shook his head but he didn’t move from her body.
* “I don’t believe that.” Michelle wriggled her arms from his grasp. Her fingertips lingered on his corded forearms, which flexed under her touch. Easing a trail toward his shoulders, her fingers reminded her of a paintbrush’s first dab of color on a fresh canvas. She’d always believed each canvas had a personality of its own, and it was the symphony of the brush, artist, and canvas that created the work of art. She wanted to explore the blank canvas of Hunter McAvery.
* She studied his arms, still caging her in. Protecting her. Wanting her. Her eyes met his gaze. He stared at her, unmoving, but a spark burned in his eyes. She held her breath, afraid to break his trance. Her palms smoothed over his shoulders and down his chest, stopping at the center of his ribs. Pushing into the muscles of his chest, she felt the strong beat of his heart on her fingers. “Kiss me, Hunter.” Raising her eyebrows, she dared to look him in the eyes, almost afraid of what she’d see.
* “You don’t understand. You’re too… good.” He averted his gaze.
* “Maybe you should let me decide what’s good for me.” She moved closer, his breath burned hot on her face, and he squeezed his eyes closed.
* “Michelle….”
* Her hands traveled up his chest and rested on the bulk of his strong shoulders. Pulling him in, her breasts molded into his chest and, finally, he crashed his lips down on hers. She met every stroke of his tongue as her fingers raked through the ends of his hair. Moaning into his mouth, she straddled his muscular thigh as warmth flooded her sex. She’d never felt more alive.
* His hand grazed her cheek before taking her chin between his thumb and index finger and pulling away from their kiss. He tipped his forehead to hers, his raspy breath hot on her mouth. “Shit.”
* Michelle widened her eyes. “What?” she whispered.
* “You. Me. This just can’t happen. Not now. Not like this.”

Colors of Us releases August 26. Buy Sandra Bunino's books here...
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A Look At Bethany-Kris & 'The Life' ~ @BethanyKris #romance #crime

Today we have author Bethany-Kris visiting. Welcome!

What would you like to tell readers about yourself?
* I’m a twenty-four-year-old Canadian with too many animals and two young sons aged four and a half and two and a half. I’m expecting my third son mid-November, which pretty much guarantees the piles of dirty laundry, fighting, and noise is sure to reach epic proportions in my home. Nothing I can’t handle, right?
* Right …
* I often write more than I clean or cook. Nobody told my spouse he was getting Suzy Homemaker here when he signed on with me. I don’t think my mind ever shuts down, even when I sleep, considering when I dream, it’s often where my next scene comes from. There’s always something better to be doing rather than sleep, anyway.

What story are you going to tell us about today?
* The Life is the second book in my Russian Guns series. For now, I’ve decided on three books, which technically makes it a trilogy, but since I’ve left it open for myself to bring back a past event, there very well could be a fourth, and possibly a spin-off with a secondary character who comes in at the end.
* The Russian Guns follows Anton and Viviana Avdonin through the turmoil of an arranged marriage and living life in the Russian Mafia as a high ranking member—Anton is the Boss of his Bratva—and the dangers that come along with that. Their life in the mafia is constantly bringing them face to face with danger and death, not to mention threats from other families, as well as Federal officials.
* Currently, two books in the series is out and ready to read. The Arrangement should be read first, followed by The Life. The Score, the third and final installment to Vine and Anton’s story, will be released late October 2014.
* As far as the other possibilities for the series … I’m leaving that up to the silent characters in my thoughts who have yet to speak out and tell me what they want told.

How'd you/your muse come up with this story?
* I have very few interests or hobbies in life, honestly. My kids, and writing ... when I have time, reading. That’s really all I’m interested in.
* Organized crime just happens to fall into my interests. It’s usually completely unhealthy and a little bit obsessive. The curiosity kicked in when I was in my late teens and I’ve studied just about everything I could get my hands on since then in relation to anything mafia or mob. I found it fascinating, especially the lifestyle and the values both for women and men involved. Frankly, I was more interested in who these people were rather than how bad they were. I can write the bad boy without needing to know why … it’s understanding people who were raised in a different kind of world than me I wanted to learn about.
* People often ask if I read organized crime romance because I write it and give such in-depth looks at the inside life … The answer to that is very little. I read one, a YA, and mostly because that author had a personal inside look at the Cosa Nostra and human trafficking, more so than I did, so it was kind of research mixed in with fiction. I don’t want to read about organized crime, I want to write about it.
* As of now, it’s just about all my muse wants to focus on. All that studying and research is really coming in handy, let’s just say that.

Describe the hero in five words.
* Anton is dangerous, magnetic, handsome, difficult, and possessive.

Describe the heroine in five words.
* Viviana is beautiful, stubborn, graceful, intelligent, and easily jealous.

Who's your favorite character in the book & why?
* Anton … just because. It’s Anton. The man didn’t shut up in my head for one second from the day I started his story until the day I finished it. I have never had a story or characters easier to write than him. I didn’t have to flourish my paragraphs and chapters with pretty words and prose to show how much he loved his girl … everything he ever did or said screamed it without me adding to it.
* As an author, you can’t ask for a better character than that, never mind an anti-hero in a romance … Today, he’s quiet, now, but he made me a better author just by existing in my mind for a short while.

What's your favorite line in the story?
* “…Above all else, Viviana was still life to Anton. Golden, beautiful, and true. After all, every King needed his Queen …”

A look into the story

~ Blurb ~ * The mafia life is a dangerous one revolving around honor, duty, and greed—a troublesome thing like love isn’t meant to play a part, but no one follows the rules.
* Surrounded by men waiting for the Russian mob boss to show weakness, Anton Avdonin should have known showering affection so openly on his new bride wasn’t a good idea. Of course, that didn’t stop him. When Anton’s wife begins attracting unwanted attention from an unknown source, he’s determined to find out just who is playing the risky game and put a stop to it by whatever means necessary.
* From a Cosa Nostra princess to a Bratva queen, Viviana “Vine” Avdonin was made for the life. Pregnant, safe, and loved, she’s more than happy to move on from the history that haunts her to start out fresh. Then again, someone else has other plans. Old rivals from the past and bad blood from the present have mixed in the worst way, threatening to take away the things Viviana loves the very most. No matter what, she can’t let that happen.
* Both Viviana and Anton know there’s only one way this can all end and it’s up to them to do it. But, who is behind the veiled threats and personal attacks, and how far are they willing to go to get what they want? When the truth finally surfaces, the consequences will be devastating and no one could have seen it coming.
* In a life where everybody plays for keeps and no one fights fair, one mistake might cost them everything.
* *Please Note, The Life is not a standalone title. The first book in The Russian Guns series (The Arrangement) should be read before the second book* ~ Excerpt ~ * Anton rested back to the headboard to catch his breath and brought his wife closer to his side with one arm. Not bothering to make any attempt to leave his sweaty grasp, Viviana laid a soft kiss to his arm as his hand rubbed up her naked side.
* After falling into bed around three in the morning once Erik and Ivan were gone, Anton was woken up by his wife not a couple of hours later. It wasn’t like her to be up so early, never mind wanting to fuck like they had, given the new pressure and pain she’d been experiencing in the mornings. Anton had no idea what came over Viviana, but he sure as hell wasn’t about to complain.
* Their coupling had been rough—rougher than he liked given her stage of pregnancy. But even when he tried to slow them down, to take her softer, Viviana wouldn’t have it. Anton wasn’t one to deny his wife, especially not of that.
* “Jesus Christ,” he mumbled into the palm of his hand. Even though his body was still humming from her high, his mind was downright exhausted. Three hours of sleep wasn’t new to Anton, but he could use a bit more. “Thanks for the wake-up call, baby.”
* Viviana giggled, but even the sound felt off. “Yeah, I guess.”
* “Hey,” he said into her hair. The grip he had on her tightened momentarily. “What’s wrong?”
* “Hmm?” Viviana turned just enough to lean up and press her silken mouth to the underside of his jaw. “Nothing, just thinking about Sergei.”
* “Don’t fret over that idiot. He’s not even a blip on my radar. We’ll get that dinner done and move on.”
* Anton was lying through his teeth, but concerning his wife just wasn’t okay with him. What he wanted her doing was focusing on the end of her pregnancy, their son, and her health. He was the boss, so he’d handle the Bratva issues. There was no way she was going to be brought into the crossfire of Sergei’s nonsense, so he didn’t think she had any need to be properly informed.
* “Actually,” he said, thinking about his conversation the night before with his spies. “I think you might just show, and then go. You haven’t been feeling terribly great lately, so it’s not a stretch to think you might not feel well that day. Just stay long enough to say hello, forgive Tatiana if you want, and then Rory will escort you home and Joe will follow. Business as usual.”
* “Forgive her if I want,” she repeated dully.
* “It’d be better if you did, or at least say you do, but it’s not expected. You did ask for her, though, so you have to be respectful about whatever you choose to do.”
* Viviana snorted. “When am I ever not? Can I claw her eyes out after?”
* “No,” Anton said, laughing. That’d surely be a sight. He bet Viviana would give Tatiana one hell of a run for her money. “Not while you’re pregnant with my child, anyhow.”
* “Yeah, but making her swallow a few teeth would sure make me feel a heck of a lot better.”
* “My God. You know there’s nothing there, right? Her and me, I mean. That’s not … It’s just not there, baby. You don’t have to be jealous.”
* “I’m not jealous, Anton.” Strangely, he believed her. Viviana shrugged under the weight of his arm resting around her shoulders. “Why should I be … of Tatiana? I have exactly what she doesn’t. Everything she thought should have been hers is mine. I have your life, your son, and your love. Even if she was nothing more than your whore, which she isn’t, she still wouldn’t have any of those things. So no, I’m not jealous of that girl. On the other hand, I do wonder if she is envious of me.”
* “I have no doubt of that.”
* Viviana sighed. “Exactly. Tatiana has defied her father, you, and God knows how many others just to hurt me once. That was before we were married, before Demyan, and she only managed to sling words. This time might be different. At this dinner, she’s going to see me pregnant, happy, and protected, all because of you. Again, all that she doesn’t have and everything she wanted. So it brings me back to safety, I guess. You made it clear you don’t want her in any way so would she hurt me, or worse your baby, because of her resentment? Is she that crazy over you?”
* Anton stayed silent, letting his wife’s words sink in as he considered them. It wasn’t that what she said didn’t make sense, because it did, but he wondered why Viviana had asked for Tatiana’s presence at all.
* “You asked for her to be there, Vine. If you were worried about all of this, why ask at all?”
* “I also asked for no guns.”
* “And I’ll make sure that’s adhered to as best I can,” Anton said, still feeling confused. “You won’t take a step into any establishment unless it is weapon free.”
* Viviana felt tense in his arms. “You don’t need a gun to kill someone.”
* “She won’t have any chance to be alone with you.”
* “I know.”
* “Then what?” Anton asked.
* “I want this done,” she said so low he strained to hear. “Put an end to it, however you have to. I don’t want to worry about her or her goddamned family after it’s over. I don’t want to think if she can’t hurt me, she’ll go to the next best thing.”
* “You’re worried she’ll try to hurt Demyan.”
* “Or you. To me, that’s just as bad.”
* “You know that’d never—”
* “No, I don’t,” Viviana interrupted coolly. “But if I didn’t have them to worry about, it’d be one less thing for me to consider.”
* It was only then that her hidden meanings were starting to dawn on Anton. Viviana never asked him for anything in regards to business. She didn’t like to have her hands in his pots, so to speak. This was entirely different, especially if she was asking what he thought she was asking.
* “Come on, Vine …”
* “I want it done,” she repeated thickly. “Please.”
* “On your head, though? You want that on your mind, bloodying up your hands, too?”
* “Please?”
* “Stop it,” Anton said, practically spitting the words. “Fuck, just don’t say that shit. I’ll handle it.”
* “Before or after one of us is dead?”

Buy The Life here...
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Find Bethany-Kris here...
Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Amazon Page | Play List

Thank you for joining us here today, Bethany-Kris! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your story.

ANNOUNCEMENT! Bethany-Kris is giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner. Just complete the rafflecopter entries for your chance to win. The winner will be announced at the end of the book tour. Good luck!

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Sinfully Sexy Saturday w. London Saint James & Top 10 songs @LSJRomance @ #SSS #erotica

It's Saturday! Yay! Here's a sinfully good treat by author, London Saint James, to add to a great day. Welcome, London Saint James!

What are you going to tell us about today?
* My story The Good Sister: Part One and the Top Ten Playlist for The Good Sister.
* Thanks so much for having me on your blog today to talk about my audiobook, The Good Sister: Part One. This is the first of a two-book erotic contemporary series, and was not only a labor of love to write, but also one to transform into audio.
* Inspiration to write, for me anyway, comes from so many different things. A place, a picture, a song, a poem, and even quotes. The idea for The Good Sister came from a quote, and blossomed into a two book series. Here’s the quote that started it all:
* We always long for the forbidden things, and desire what is denied us. --Francois Rabelais
* Along with the original inspiration, there’s also my love for music. All types of music. In fact, I find listening to music to be a necessity when I write. *Smiles* So, I thought I’d share my top ten songs that lean to the tone/feel of Trinity’s story. Who knows, you might find we have something in common with a song you love, or you might find something new you haven’t heard. Either way, I hope you enjoy The Good Sister: Part One, and gain a little insight into some of my inspiration while writing.
* 1. One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful
* 2. The Veronicas - Untouched
* 3. Blue October – Ugly Side
* 4. Bonnie Raitt – I Can’t Make You Love Me
* 5. Rascal Flatts – I’m Movin’ On
* 6. Adele - Promise This
* 7. Taylor Swift – White Horse
* 8. David Cook - Time of My Life
* 9. Marcus Foster – I Was Broken
* 10. Train – Marry me
* You can find these songs and more on London’s You Tube Channel

A look into the story

~ Blurb ~ * Trinity Lane Winslow feared everything and lived her life vicariously through others. She dreamed of the impossible, yearning to be the kind of woman men desired—especially Reid Addison.
* Reid Addison feared nothing, except how the mousey little blonde daughter of his housekeeper made him feel. Even though Trinity Winslow wasn’t his type, there was something intriguing about her.
* Lord Ashton Archer lived a fairy tale life with property all over the world, was heir to a ducal dynasty, and had women fawning all over him. Anything a man could want, he obtained by the snap of his fingers.
* By a twist of fate the three of them find their way into the same illicit world of the infamous Madam Jacqueline Claudette Rousseau. But will they find what each of them truly desires? Or will they always long for the forbidden?
Note: The Good Sister: Part One is a 2-book series. It is best read/listened to in order.

Listen to excerpt in audio here.

 
Buy The Good Sister: Part One here...
Audible | Amazon | Amazon - UK | iTunes | Book Trailer

Find London Saint James here...
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Thank you for joining us here today, London Saint James. It was a pleasure getting to know you and your story. Have a sinfully good week everyone!

ANNOUNCEMENT! London Saint James is giving away a $25 gift card during the book tour. All you have to do is complete the Rafflecopter entries for your chance to win it.

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