Tuesday, September 9, 2014

WORTH THE FALL Release Day - You Gotta Read This One!

One of the best things about the romance writing community is how enthusiastically we support each other. I met Claudia at a conference a few years ago, and she was beyond delightfully excited about my books. And I did my best to reassure that she would finish her WIP, and it would sell. I'm thrilled to report I was right, and that book releases today! And come on - who could possibly resist an angsty SEAL romance?

Prepare to be swept away by a talented debut author with a passionate, powerful story to tell.
 
They meet on a beach. . . . Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.
 
They only have a week. . . . Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.
 
But a week is all it takes. . . . Matt opens her heart while Abby soothes his soul. And though they plan to say good-bye when the week is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget. Something utterly, completely worth falling for.
 
Don't forget to check below the purchase links for a sweetly steamy sneak peek!
 
 
WORTH THE FALL is available from:
Amazon  |  B&N  |  Google Play  |  iBooks  |  Kobo  |  Other Retailers
 
 
She’d needed to get away from him yesterday, away from his slow, sexy smile and knowing eyes. The intense way he held her gaze and her hand. However unwanted, her attraction had evidently multiplied overnight. But there was no mistaking Matt’s tall form striding toward her before she dropped her bags on the sand.
He waved and smiled, and she waved back, then turned to raise her umbrella. His deep voice vibrated through and around her as he greeted the children. That alone caused a flutter in her stomach.
Settle down. He’s only a man.
Using the upper body strength she’d honed at the gym, she strained to crank the stubborn umbrella. She could do it. She’d done it yesterday. For God’s sake. Don’t look completely incompetent.
“Need some help?”
“No, I’ve got it.”
He moved in behind her until he stood so close she felt the loose strands of her hair catching on his chest. Abby inhaled hot skin and male deodorant—a heady, masculine combination that had her struggling to focus.
“Let me help you.”
“I can do it.” She tried to sound forceful and confident, but it came out breathy and—
“I know you can, but I can help.” His words whispered against her cheek. His arms came around her and he easily raised the umbrella, his body brushing hers with each turn of the crank. Then his arms were gone, leaving a strange void.
She turned to face him. He was so close. Nothing between them but the warm breeze. His sunglasses hung around his neck, revealing chocolate-brown eyes. Beyond beautiful, deep and rich, fringed with black lashes. A strong man with soft eyes. Eyes that could talk a girl into anything.
It was unnerving, being this close to him, especially wearing nothing but a bathing suit. Trying to imagine what he saw, she fought the urge to tug her top higher. Breasts on the small side—barely a C-cup when she was pregnant. Her straight dark hair hung in its usual ponytail, rebel pieces already flying free. A bit of tinted sunscreen was all the attention her face had received. Not what he was used to.
Needing a reprieve from his hot gaze, she looked straight ahead. Big mistake. Fine black hairs feathered across sculpted pecs, swirling around dark nipples.
Lord, she needed water. To drink or splash on her burning face, she wasn’t sure. She forced her gaze up and found him watching her intently.
He raised his hand slowly toward her face, brushed his thumb lightly across her temple. “Sand.”  
Her lips parted and she stood blinking up at him like a complete ninny, his smoldering brown eyes melting her into a puddle.
“Hey, Matt. Where’s our castle? I brought my football. Can we throw in the water?” Jack shot off his questions, oblivious to the fact the two adults in front of him stood like frozen statues.
Matt’s eyes held her captive another long second before he turned his attention to her son and she let herself breathe.
“Yeah, sure. One sec.” He walked the few feet to where he’d left his beach chair and came back with two. “There.” He set up the chairs under her umbrella. “You’ll like it better with a chair.”
“Thank you. If you tell me how much, I’ll—”
“You’re welcome.”
“Matt—” She reached for her beach bag, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“Abby.”
Her mind went blank at the feeling of his hot hand on her skin and the sensation he was touching her everywhere.
“Matt!” Jack was about to burst a blood vessel he was so excited.
“Coming.”
Abby tried unsuccessfully to unglue her eyes as he walked down to the water. Matt’s sleek body dove through the waves as he played with Jack, and each time she held her breath, waiting for him to resurface. When he did, he burst through the water looking like a Greek god, chiseled out of smooth stone and coming to life right before her.
But the way he smiled at her son and gave him high fives made him even more beautiful. And the way she’d felt standing between his arms . . . Ridiculous, but still the word “safe” came to mind.
“Abby?”
He stood in front of her, drops of water clinging to his arms and chest, dripping down the ridges of his stomach.
Jack ran up beside him. “We’re swim buddies. Right, Matt? Matt says you should always swim with a buddy.”
Matt’s raised eyebrows and the smirk he was fighting told her she’d been busted for gawking. “Do you want to come out? The water’s great.”
“Um, no. No, thanks. I’m not a strong swimmer. I mean I can swim, I just—”
“I’ll be your swim buddy.” He grinned and she caught a hint of dimples.
Oh, Lord.
“The ocean still hasn’t grown on you, huh?”
She swallowed hard. “It’s growing.”
 

Friday, August 29, 2014

Binge Read This Holiday Weekend-The Romance Drenched AISLE BOUND Series!

I'm a big fan of binge reading. I love discovering a new series that is already several books in and indulging in the whole thing at once. Sort of like eating an entire pie by yourself in a weekend. Mmmm....pie..... Anyway, I can help you with this! Because I've got a four book series, set in Chicago, that is romance drenched, laugh out loud funny, and just steamy enough to kick start your pulse into overdrive. This should be all the reading you need to make it through the holiday weekend.

Hopeless romantic Ivy Rhodes
and
anti-Cupid
Bennett Westcott
request the pleasure of your company for
their disaster of a courtship
Wedding planner Ivy Rhodes is the best in the business, and she's not about to let a personal problem stop her from getting ahead. So when she's asked to star in the reality TV show Planning for Love, it doesn't matter that the show's videographer happens to be a recent—and heartbreaking—one-night stand.

Bennett Westcott admits he didn't handle his encounter with Ivy very well. But looking at her beautiful smile—and great body—through a camera lens every day? He can't be faulted for suggesting they have some no-strings fun.

The more time they spend together, the more Ben realizes Ivy isn't the wedding-crazed bridezilla he'd imagined. But if he doesn't trust himself to make a relationship last, how can he convince Ivy to give him another chance?

Purchase at Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Carina Press


 They say you form your first impression of someone within thirty seconds of meeting them. Or, in Mira Parrish's case, within thirty minutes of not meeting them, when said person is supposed to pick you up from the airport and never shows. This is not a perfect start to her new life. Her friend Ivy is depending on her to run a new romance store, and Mira can't afford to let her down.

Sam Lyons should probably apologize. But every time he sees Mira--which is often, since his family owns the bakery next to her shop--he can't resist antagonizing her. There's something about the sexy, straight-laced woman that drives him crazy. He can't get involved, though. He has too much baggage to be any good in a serious relationship. 

Despite his teasing attitude, Mira finds Sam too sweet to resist. (His hot body may be a factor.) But if there's going to be anything permanent between them, they'll need to let go of their pasts and look to the future...




As florist and co-owner of a successful Chicago wedding planning business, Daphne Lovell has been there for the happiest days of other people's lives. As for her own life? Well, it's hard to be perfectly happy when you're carrying a torch for your sexy, womanizing and oblivious best friend. So when the lights go out on New Year's Eve, she seizes the opportunity to kiss him senseless.

British expat Gibson Moore has a lot on his plate. The hotel he manages is being bought out, his family is crazy and someone just kissed him in the dark. When the lights go on, he searches the room, trying to find the mystery pair of lips. Only, he never thinks to ask the woman standing by his side. He's shocked when he discovers that Daphne is the woman he's been searching for. But Gib's also eager to act upon the attraction for her he's always fought to ignore.

It takes trust to move from friends to lovers, and as Gib's work situation worsens, he is no longer sure he can risk the friendship he relies on most. It's up to Daphne to convince him that some things are worth fighting for…
  Purchase at  Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Carina Press



Tabitha Bell is the face of Chicago's premiere matchmaking service. At least, she hopes it will be someday, once business really takes off. What she needs is more clients, so when she meets a sexy
gamer in need of help, it's the perfect opportunity.

His discomfort talking to women almost cost Drew Watson his job. He'd be happy holed up in his office, designing blockbuster video games, but his boss considers talking to investors a nonnegotiable requirement. Who better than a matchmaker to teach him how to be comfortable around the opposite sex? Trouble is, Drew wants to get more than comfortable with Tabitha, while she's determined to keep their relationship all business.

Soon Tabitha learns that beneath the geek-chic hoodie lies six feet of sexy physique—and the more time she spends with Drew, the more she appreciates his brainy brand of charm. Will she succumb to his sweet-but-nerdy charm offensive or will it be game over before he can win her heart?







Thursday, August 28, 2014

Last Gasp of Summer Sizzling Read-LOVE AT HIGH TIDE Only $0.99!

Trying to cram in fun and reading and relaxation over the holiday weekend? Let me help! My short, sassy and sexy summer beach read is still only $0.99 on Amazon (but I have a feeling that is going to end very soon). If you can't get to the beach this weekend, it'll take you there virtually. Here's a STEAMY snippet from it to get you going!



“I promise you’re not going to be cold much longer.” Coop climbed the rungs of the high-backed lifeguard chair. Once on top, he sat and easily slid Darcy right into his lap. She leaned her head against his shoulder.
“This is wonderful. I feel like I’m on a throne. Queen of the ocean.”
“Well, Poseidon himself did sort of deliver you to me on that wave yesterday. I get my Greek and Roman goddesses mixed up. What would that make you? Aphrodite? Venus?”
“Ha-ha. I’m no goddess.”
“Guess that PhD doesn’t make you so smart after all. Because you are most definitely a beautiful goddess.” To stop her protest, Coop brushed a kiss across her lips. She melted into his embrace. So soft, so yielding. Darcy opened her mouth on a moan. The invitation didn’t get lost on Coop. He deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue inside. Tasting, touching, learning more about what she liked with every stroke.
His whole body thrummed with lust, like the insistent bass reverb at a rock concert. Easing her back against his arm, Coop gave himself better access to the lusciousness of her breasts. He grabbed the zipper of her borrowed hoodie between his teeth and slowly pulled it down. Darcy squirmed a little. This time it burrowed her deeper into his lap as she threw her legs over the arms of the oversized chair. Beneath the jacket she wore only her bright red bikini top. All it did was offer her breasts up to him. Her beautiful, creamy mounds drew him closer.
“Don’t tease me,” Darcy whispered. “Taste me.”
Never let it be said he didn’t deliver on such a request. Coop nibbled his way down her neck to her collarbone. There he switched to long, slow licks. Like following a topographic map, he traced the clavicle to her sternum. And from there, he used his tongue like a paint brush. Swirling, licking, nuzzling, tickling. It didn’t take long before Darcy rose up to meet him. Each breath a pant, each arch of her back driving him closer to the edge of the taut fabric.
Instead of nosing it aside, Coop sucked the slightly salty fabric into his mouth. Her nipple immediately peaked from the suction. His left hand reached for her other breast, tracing circles on top of the fabric around her nipple until it also rose. Darcy’s hands ran through his hair. She pulled him closer, which was exactly where he wanted to be. His tongue swept aside the damp fabric and he laved her nipple directly. The soft, slightly puckered skin felt so good between his lips. Coop groaned, and the vibration seemed to inflame Darcy.
Suddenly holding her on his lap turned into a difficult, if not bad, idea. The friction between her oh-so-sweet ass shifting back and forth against his rock-hard cock could drive him right over the edge. It took a bit of maneuvering, but Coop managed to slide out from beneath Darcy. Now she alone sat in the chair, arms braced on each armrest. Coop stepped down two wide rungs. He grabbed her hips and pulled her to the edge of the seat. Now they lined up perfectly. His right hand kept molding her ass while his left did the same to her breast. The rhythm of his squeezes matched the slight bucking of her hips.
She used her hands to pull him close again. Chuckling, Coop teased his way down her stomach. He felt her diaphragm contract with every lick, every twitch he pulled out of her. All the blood pooling between his legs pulsed to the same beat. Darcy clawed his shirt up and over his head. Then she resumed stroking his back, nails digging in slightly as payback for every nip of his teeth against her flesh. Coop reveled in the cool night breeze against his overheated skin. Her response had driven him up so fast, so hard. Darcy seemed to be right there with him. This was the most fun he’d had in, well, a very long time. And Coop didn’t want to rush it, no matter how great the need to drive himself into her.
Christ. They couldn’t do this out in the open in a lifeguard chair. Darcy pushed him to the edge of reason, but Coop vowed to cling by his fingertips. He pulled her bikini top back into place. Resettled the jacket from where it had fallen to her waist back up at her shoulders. “Darcy, you have no idea how hard this is for me to say—”
“Oh, I think I know exactly how hard it is.” With a low, throaty chuckle, she palmed him through his shorts. The sensation almost catapulted him backward. God almighty, the woman knew how and where to touch to melt a man into a lava pool of need.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

New HARD INK Release With A Sexy, Irresistible Tortured Hero

What's better than a tortured hero? A tortured romance hero who is irresistibly drop-dead sexy. Honestly, I don't know anyone who delivers them better than my good friend Laura Kaye.

If you haven't started her Hard Ink series yet, OMG, drop everything and go read the first two books! But, if you're all caught up, then you've got to grab the latest. And, in the interest of full disclosure, you totally don't have to read the first two - it stands alone in all its angsty, sexilicious goodness, I promise. We'll call it book 2.5, since it is a novella to tide you over until book 3 comes out in November.

Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.

Edward "Easy" Cantrell knows better than most the pain of not being able to save those he loves-which is why he is not going to let Jenna Dean out of his sight. He may have just met her, but Jenna's the first person to make him feel alive since that devastating day in the desert more than a year ago.

Jenna has never met anyone like Easy. She can't describe how he makes her feel-and not just because he saved her life. No, the stirrings inside her stretch far beyond gratitude.

When the pair is thrust together and chaos reigns around them, they both know one thing: The things in life most worth having are the hardest to hold on to.


Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks /