The Shadow of Mudflap by Christi Snow & M.F. Smith

 

 

All the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Lubbock Red Cross.

 

Blurb

To us, first responders are heroes. But for them, risking their lives is a normal, everyday thing.


Mudflap:
Born the baby of the family, Mudflap has always had something to prove to emerge out of the shadows of his older siblings. He spent eight years as a Special Ops elite sniper and is now a firefighter. But at his heart, he’s just a normal West Texas good old boy who loves his beer, women and football, until the Department of Defense calls him up to say they need his skills again.


Shanae:
Shanae is a first responder of a different sort. She’s a trauma nurse who works on a medical evacuation helicopter team. But while she lives a life full of adrenaline every day, it’s just a cover for her real life, where she hides in the shadows and is secret agent, Shadowfox for the Lubbock Foxtrot Team (LiFT). She’s living the kind of life that most people think exists only in movies and books.

Working for two different branches of the government, Mudflap and Shanae are in a race against time and the terrorists who threaten the very heart of West Texas life, football. They’re working toward the same goal, but find themselves in a confrontation against each other and the lies they’ve each had to hide behind. Can love win out in the end or will the cost be each other and their very lives?

First responders are heroes every day, but this story tells the tale of when they become even more and find love along the way. The key is for them to stay alive so that they can complete their mission and just maybe live happily ever after.

On an ordinary day, they save lives. On an extraordinary day, they save the country.
Link to Follow the Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/06/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for.html

Excerpt

Because everything about this book is set around a college football season, the book is broken down a bit differently than your normal book usually is done. Instead of chapters, there are weeks (i.e. the weeks of the football season) and there are also sections called Halftime Texting. These feature flirty little exchanges of texts between the hero, Mudflap, and the heroine, Shanae. The following is my favorite Halftime Texting section from the book…

Halftime Texting

Shanae: I have two cookies: one is a snickerdoodle, one is a chocolate chip.

Mudflap: Okay, that’s just mean when I haven’t eaten lunch yet.

Shanae: It’s a test. If I offer you one, which one do you take?

Mudflap: You’re testing me?

Shanae: Yes, now answer the question.

Mudflap: I’d take the snickerdoodle.

Shanae: Good answer, but why?

Mudflap: I have sisters. I know better than to get between a girl and her chocolate.

Mudflap: Did I pass?

Shanae: With flying colors.

Pause…

Mudflap: You weren’t just teasing about the cookies, right? I really am hungry.

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Trailer: http://youtu.be/KtJQvEEkzEA

Author Info

Christi Snow

As an avid reader her entire life, Christi Snow always dreamed of writing books that brought to others the kind of joy she felt when she read. But...she never did anything about it besides jot down a few ideas and sparse scenes.

When she turned 41, she decided it was time to go after her dream and started writing. Within four months, she'd written over 150,000 words and hasn't stopped since.

She's found her calling by writing about sexy, alpha heroes and smart, tough heroines falling in love and finding their passion. She's truly living the dream and loving every minute of it.

Her tagline is... Passion and adventure on the road to Happily Ever After. She's loving this adventure!
www.christi-snow.com

http://smittenwithreading.blogspot.com (book review blog)

https://www.facebook.com/christisnowauthor?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/ChristiSnow

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5849322.Christi_Snow

M.F. Smith

 Mudflap is a morning show personality for 96.3 KLLL in Lubbock, TX. He’s been on the morning show for seven years and in radio for over ten years. He’s entertained people all over the world, and has helped raise money for many non-profit agencies and charities.

Mudflap loves to see people smile and believes everyone deserves a hug.
KLLL radio station website

Guest Post

 

 

As I started this project, this was the thing I heard over and over again. Mudflap?? That’s the hero’s name?

 

BUT there was a very good reason behind the name. I promise. In real life, Mudflap (or M.F. Smith) is a radio personality in Lubbock, Texas, and this entire project started out as his baby. Originally, it was really just supposed to be a bit for his radio show, but as we talked more and more about it, we realized this could be a really viable and fun idea to pursue.

The two of us together from the very beginning created the characters and story, but the one thing that never changed was the hero’s name was going to be Mudflap. So I had to figure out a way to make that ridiculous name make sense and work for the book.

I’ll let you decide. Below is an excerpt from THE SHADOW OF MUDFLAP about how MF ended up with his name…

She took a sip of her wine and looked at him appraisingly. "Okay, now it’s your turn to share. Tell me how in the world you got the name Mudflap. It has to be a nickname, right?"

He chuckled mockingly. "Unfortunately, no. It’s the name that my parents gave me on my birth certificate."

"Why? And please tell me that you’re an only child or that they didn’t do the same thing to your brothers and sisters."

His eyes sparkled with amusement although he tried to sound annoyed. "Are you making fun of my name?"

She worked to straighten her grin. "No sir, I would never make fun of a highbrow name like Mudflap." She giggled. "Come on. You have to tell me the story."

He sighed deeply before launching into the story. "I have a brother who’s seven years older than me and then twin sisters who are five years older."

"Ooh, twins run in your family, too. That settles it. We’re never allowed to procreate. We’d end up having a litter," she teased.

His eyes darkened for a moment as he considered her. A shiver of awareness rolled up her spine, but then he continued. "I wasn’t planned. My mom never forgave my dad for getting her pregnant. To add insult to injury, my dad was out hunting when mom went into labor. I’m not sure what the story is, but mom swears the night I was conceived dad was so horny, he got turned on by a mudflap girl. Obviously, that’s not even possible, but I honestly don’t really want to know what the whole story is. All I know is that mom was hormonal and ticked at dad and I paid for it with my name. She’s since forgiven me for being born, but I’m stuck with the name."

Shanae snickered. "That is so wrong." But her lips continued to twitch.

"Tell me about it. I’m the one who’s had to live with the name my whole life."

"Have you ever considered changing it?"

"Yeah, it’s crossed my mind a time or two or hell, one hundred times, but I figure it’s a good reminder to always use birth control."

She full-out guffawed at that. "Oh my God." The snorting continued. "That’s absolutely priceless." She giggled into her hand.

"Oh yeah, just continue to laugh it up. I see how you are."

"I’m sorry, but it really is a great story."



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Stolen Moments by Tara Mills

 

Ella knew what Neil wanted when he called, what they both
wanted. Did she dare? Was an hour of passion worth the lies,
broken commitments, and the risk of getting caught? Yes.

Excerpt 

The sun was so strong at Ella's back, the heat of it practically shoved her through the heavy door and into the dim bar. She blinked, waiting for her eyes to adjust before she ventured forward. Given it was two-fifteen on a Wednesday afternoon it wasn't surprising the place was fairly empty, still her arrival did not go unnoticed.

Scanning the faces looking back at her, she let out a disappointed sigh. Damn. Neil wasn't here yet. Talk about awkward.

Acutely aware she was the only woman in the place, she felt every set of eyes track her walk through the bar. Leaving several stools between herself and the next patron, she hung her purse off the back and used the rung under the chair to hop up onto the elevated seat. The bartender sauntered her way and Ella made her hushed request, "White wine, please."

He had to uncork a new bottle but she was relieved to see it was a decent California label.

Now she waited, sipping her wine. The negligible amount of calm she'd possessed when she walked in here faded with a self-conscious whimper. She glanced at the door then at her phone once again, checking the time and warring with herself about calling him. The more uncomfortable she got, the more she kicked her toe against the foot rail. Unfortunately, the sound drew the attention of a couple of patrons as well as the bartender. She hooked her heel over the stool support below. It was the only way to keep from fidgeting.

Ella felt exposed and out of her element sitting in a place like this, nice as it was, at two o’clock on a weekday afternoon. She wanted to fold herself up small enough to hide out in her purse, but that wasn’t going to happen. The minutes stretched on and her anxiety over being approached by one of these men increased. She sent out a silent mental message to those in the room. Just leave me alone. Ignore me. I’m not here.

A subtle brush, very faint across her back, made her turn. The warm body and even warmer smile on the handsome face gazing down on her caused Ella’s heart to start beating in double time. She breathed a big sigh of relief.

Neil looked too good for words.

He casually drew his hand over the back of her chair, his finger teasing her as it skimmed across her shoulder blades. His smile deepened when she let out a soft, involuntary moan.

“I hoped you’d come. You look beautiful, Ella.” He slid onto the stool next to her.

She felt the heat of her blush, the pounding of her heart. “You know I can’t stay long. I shouldn’t have come in the first place. Neither should you. What are we doing? If anyone sees me I don’t how I could possibly explain this.”

“I understand your fear.” He covered her hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’ll be careful. You need to trust me. Try to relax.”

"I’m trying. I am. It’s just ... the more we do this, the more chances we take that someone is going to find out."

She looked down at Neil’s hand, conscious of the weight, the strength in it resting over her own. Oh god, she was going to waver. She knew she would. She always did—but only for him. All he had to do was ask.

Then it came, his low, seductive invitation. “Stay with me, please? Give me an hour.”



Interview

1. What was your inspiration for this story? 
It was something a friend said at work one day and all of a sudden, the words and images were just rushing through my head. I had to take a quick break so I could make a rough sketch of what was coming. When I got home that night I raced to the computer and did it properly, fleshing the story out the way I saw it. Stolen Moments just flowed, even the title was insistent.

2. Do you see a little bit of yourself in any of your characters? 
To the extent that we draw on our own experience and emotions in order to convey those same feelings in our characters, sure, but the situations and relationships are unique to the characters having them.

3. Do you prefer writing short stories or longer romances?
I’m actually just getting started on the short story front. I expect I’ll write more if I’m inspired but I think I prefer writing novel-length romance because it allows more depth.

4. Did you have any trouble writing it at all? 
No trouble at all. Like I said, it came in a rush.

5. Do you have any kind of writing schedule? 
I prefer writing during the winter months. My creative flow is better when I’m able to devote more time to the process of writing.

6. What is your writing environment like? 
I have a large bedroom space upstairs and my desk sits in one corner. There are windows bringing natural light in from three different directions so it’s nice.

7. And what would your ideal writing environment be like? 
I’d actually love to have a little writing shed. Nothing fancy, just hidden away among the trees. If I’m going to get anything done at all, I need absolute silence and privacy. That’s how I work best.

8. If you’re ever stuck for an idea, how do you go about finding inspiration? 
I read books, articles, newspapers, pay attention to current events, and get into some pretty interesting discussions with my husband. Ideas come from all over, you just have to be receptive to them.

9. Did you always want to be a writer? 
Yes. It was a childhood dream.

10. What’s the first thing you can remember writing?
I typed out a story for my favourite teacher and illustrated it. I expect it was probably really awful but her response was perfect. One kind adult can change the course of a kid’s life in a very positive way. I dedicated one of my books to her. I hope she learns of it one day.

11. Do you have any advice for new writers? 
Read, anything and everything; fiction and non-fiction. Take the time to identify and appreciate elegant sentences and quality writing. Always strive to improve as a writer because there is no finish line, no end point. Writing talent is like athletic talent. You’re born with the ability, but even the best know they need to practice all the time. There will always be something to shave, something to tighten.

12. How do you spend your time when you’re not writing? 
I watch movies, play games, do the usual chores, and work outside the home.

13. What’s the best way for you to unwind if you’ve had a hard day? 
One of us makes the drinks, the other makes dinner then my husband and I will put a favourite show on the DVD player. If we feel like a laugh, it might be The Big Bang Theory.

14. What are you currently reading?
Whirlpool by Elizabeth Lowell

15. What was the last thing you watched? 
Django Unchained. Loved it.

16. What, to you, would be a perfect day? 
Taking my book to the dock and reading while my husband fishes. It’s so peaceful.

17. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go, and why? 
I want to go everywhere! I want to explore quaint cobbled streets, feel history press in on me like humidity. I want to visit archaeological digs beginning with Herculaneum and Pompeii then on to Mycenae. I want to see grand structures like the roman aqueducts and bridges, ruined castles and gorgeous palaces. Show me thatched cottages with small rippled panes of glass or gardens to gasp over, snow-capped mountains and glittering blue seas. I want to ride more trains and maybe take a boat ride through Venice. Show me beauty, art, and architecture and I’m a happy camper.


18. And finally where can my readers find you?

Please visit my website Tara Mills Romance. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+

 

My Review

Stolen moments is a short read that is both sweet and sexy. It’s the kind of thing that you can read in half hour, but will leave you smiling for the rest of the day. In just a few pages Tara creates two characters that are believable and intriguing. It is very well written and I got totally sucked in. I loved the twist, and thoroughly enjoyed this!

The Right Kind Of Wrong is here!

It's finally here! I feel like I've been waiting so long to share The Right Kind of Wrong with you all! I loved writing this and I hope you love reading it just as much! It's the third in the Rags and Riches series, and just so you know, you can get the first book Business and Pleasure for just $0.99 until the end of August! How great is that? So, are you ready to meet Harriet and Jamie? Here goes...

Blurb

 

Maybe only someone who's been behind bars can understand how to set her free.

Fresh out of jail, Jamie Pierce is desperate to change his ways and become a better person. He wants to earn enough money to get out of London for good and live a quiet life somewhere in the country. But then he meets Harriet Jones, a beautiful young fashion designer who is plagued by self-doubt, and suddenly leaving doesn't seem so simple.

Harriet has spent years trying to win her father's affection, but time and time again she's been left feeling that she just isn't good enough. When she starts to fall for her rough-around-the-edges neighbor, she knows her father would never approve.

It was only meant to be a fling, but maybe the person who seems so wrong for her could be just the kind of person she needs. Can Jamie help Harriet learn to believe in herself, or will she remain trapped in her own prison of self-doubt?

Excerpt

 

"I guess that's a hint for me to go." Jamie sighed. "Shame, I was enjoying myself."

He hopped off the stool, and despite the rising panic about her work, Harriet felt a warm glow at his words. "Really?"

"Geez, don't sound so surprised. Why wouldn't I be enjoying myself in the company of a beautiful woman?" Jamie stared down at her with that burning, intense gaze of his.

Harriet squirmed. Years of being criticized had made her unable to take a compliment. "I'm not beautiful."

She broke her gaze away from his, and looked back at her work. Work was what she knew, what she understood, not compliments and looks of strange, gorgeous men whom she had invited into her home with no real idea why.

She felt his fingers under her chin, lifting her face so that she had to look back up at him. Even though she resisted slightly, his fingers were firm.

"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever met," Jamie told her, and he looked so serious.

Harriet wanted to believe it. But she knew she wasn't beautiful.

"Can I kiss you again?" There was a fleeting moment of indecision in his eyes, like maybe he shouldn't, but all Harriet wanted was for him to kiss her again.

"Yes." Her voice was trembling. There were so many reasons why she should have said no. But she wanted this. She wanted Jamie.

His eyes fixed on hers until his soft lips found hers. Harriet savored his gentle kiss this time, marveling at his skill to ignite a passion within her that she wasn't even sure she had. When he pulled away, Harriet was left breathless.

"You seem nervous," Jamie said, taking her hand, which was physically shaking.

"I…I haven't touched a man since my husband and I separated," Harriet admitted.

Jamie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You seem too young to have been married already."

"Yes, well, it didn't work out," Harriet said bitterly. She looked away, trying to push down the emotions that threatened to resurface—rejection, abandonment, the feeling of never being good enough. But she was good at controlling the pain by now; she'd been doing it ever since she was a child.

"I'm sorry." The fire between them was in danger of fizzling out as they stood there awkwardly, but then Jamie kissed her hand. "Anybody would be a fool to leave you."

Jamie pulled her closer and started kissing her again. He tasted of beer, and Harriet hated the taste usually, but like with everything else, he made the wrong seem so right, and she loved it.

She kissed him like she couldn't get enough. Boldly, Harriet raised her hands up to cup his face, the beginnings of stubble feeling grainy against her palms. She was more turned on than she could ever remember. Harriet pulled away, suddenly nervous. It wasn't like her to do things like this, and it scared her just how much she wanted it.

"It's okay, we don't have to take this any further. We don't really know each other," Jamie said a little breathlessly.

Harriet tried to hide her disappointment, but she knew he was right, and she wasn't the kind of girl to be this forward.

"But I'm up for it if you are." Jamie's voice was more serious, and his words sent waves of desire through her body.

Given her tendency to overthink things into inaction, she decided to let her body take over. There were a hundred reasons why she shouldn't do this, but she was going to go with the one reason she should—she wanted to.

Buy links

 

Beachwalk Press



Ella's Turning What?

Happy Birthday Ella! Hope you have a good one :)


My best birthday memory was 2011. My partner crept out in the morning the morning and wrote a message to me out in the sand on the beach outside our flat. He took me and our son out for an ice cream breakfast and proposed. Hopefully next year we'll top that special day with actually getting married ;)


Here's a little bit about my novella Business and Pleasure, which just happens to be on sale right now at $0.99!


                                                  
Blurb

Can mixing business and pleasure ever result in a happy ending?

When sexy, rich Lawrence Russo asks Mia to come and work for him in Italy for two weeks, she jumps at the chance. After all, it beats pole dancing, and the salary he offers her is practically obscene.

A relationship quickly begins to develop between the two, but Mia can't help but wonder if Lawrence's feelings for her are genuine or if he feels he's just paying for a service.

Even if their relationship is strong enough to survive her insecurities, what will happen when somebody from her past shows up and threatens to reveal her deepest, darkest secret?

Buy Links:

Beachwalk Press

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

 

 

Giveaway

There is a grand prize of a $100 gift card for either Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

 For a chance to win this amazing prize just leave a comment below with you name and email address! Good luck : )

In addition to this prize I will also be giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card!

 

 

Participating Blogs

Please follow the link below to find a list of all the participating blogs 

http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com/p/ellas-turning-what-blog-hop.html

 

Thank you so much for stopping by, have a fun time hopping, and come visit again soon :)

Business and Pleasure is on sale!

Yep that's right, this month, to celebrate the release of The Right Kind of Wrong (Rags and Riches #3) you'll be able to pick up the first novella of that series Business and Pleasure for just $0.99! Isn't that great news? Here's a bit more about it...

Blurb

Can mixing business and pleasure ever result in a happy ending?

When sexy, rich Lawrence Russo asks Mia to come and work for him in Italy for two weeks, she jumps at the chance. After all, it beats pole dancing, and the salary he offers her is practically obscene.

A relationship quickly begins to develop between the two, but Mia can't help but wonder if Lawrence's feelings for her are genuine or if he feels he's just paying for a service.

Even if their relationship is strong enough to survive her insecurities, what will happen when somebody from her past shows up and threatens to reveal her deepest, darkest secret?

Content Warning: explicit sex

 

Excerpt

Lucy looked around nervously. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"I…don't know," Mia admitted. Perhaps she was just being paranoid.

"Mia." She heard a familiar drawl coming from the shadows. Her heart raced in anticipation as she turned to see the speaker. He walked out of the shadows and toward them like a jaguar stalking his prey, but Mia didn't feel intimidated, only excited by his presence.

"You shouldn't go sneaking around in the darkness. You could give a girl a fright." Mia laughed.

"I could leave, if that would please you," he purred. She loved the way he emphasized please. He gave no indication that he was going to leave. Mia was glad.

"Er, maybe I'll just go wait around the corner," Lucy said awkwardly. Mia nodded to acknowledge her, feeling a little guilty, because she had actually forgotten Lucy was still there.

"So, what are you doing here?" Mia tried to seem nonchalant, despite the fact that her body was having some kind of chemical reaction to his presence.

As if from nowhere, the handsome man produced the bottle of champagne he had purchased earlier that night. "I do believe we have plans to share this." He took a step closer to her.

"Oh. I would, it's just we aren't supposed to socialize with the clients outside of the club," Mia said teasingly, although it was technically true.

"Tell me, Mia, do you always do what you're supposed to do?" It seemed as though he had expected her reaction.

"No, I guess not."

"I've been watching you, Mia."

"I've noticed." She took a step in his direction and looked challengingly into his dark eyes. "So, do you like what you see?"

They were close enough to touch, and Mia's every nerve was tingling, hoping to feel his fingers on her skin. He swayed forward and, for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her, but he leaned toward her ear instead. "I have a business proposition for you," he breathed, sending a shiver through her body before he pulled away from her.

It took Mia a moment to compose herself, and his eyes sparkled with amusement, no doubt he was enjoying her confusion. "Business…a business proposition?" Mia attempted to sound as casual as she possibly could.

"I'm returning to my home in Tuscany tomorrow," he announced.

Mia felt her heart sink, but was determined not to let it show. "Oh, it must be beautiful in Italy this time of year. But what does that have to do with me?"

"I was hoping you would accompany me."

 

Buy Links

Beachwalk Press

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

All Romance

BookStrand

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