Employee of the Month by Tracey Rogers

Thank you for hosting me today! Here’s my latest release Employee of the Month.

Blurb

Some rules are made to be broken…

Rule number 1: No touching

Rule number 2: No kissing

Rule number 3: Never, ever, fall in love

Holly Wilder finds some of those rules pretty difficult to follow during her boss’s visits to present the Employee of the Month award. A relationship between them is prohibited, and even if it wasn’t, Holly has no intention of ever falling in love again. But that doesn’t stop her from craving Max’s touch.

Hotel owner Max Lazzari never expected to break his own rules, especially when they are so important to him. But sexy employee Holly is too hard to resist. Their no-strings, secret arrangement fits in perfectly with his no-commitment plan. A plan to ensure that no woman will ever again have the opportunity to hurt him.

Sizzling nights together mean Holly and Max start looking forward to the monthly visits more and more. Until they are both brought down to earth with a bump—a pregnancy one!

Will rule breaking lead to broken hearts?

Content Warning: contains sensual sex and some strong language

Buy links: Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble, Beachwalk Press

Excerpt

Holly carried a tray holding freshly ground coffee. The plush carpeted corridor absorbed the tension in her legs as she headed to Max Lazzari’s office. Dragging air deep into her lungs, she inhaled the aroma of coffee, allowing it to invigorate her senses.

Must be professional, she reminded her lust-filled brain, though her body’s reactions were refusing to comply.

Balancing the tray on one of her not quite controlled arms, Holly sucked in a breath before knocking on the door.

"Come in." His deep tone made her tray wobble. She watched with wide eyes as the coffee almost sloshed over the rim of the cup, then watched how the ripples of liquid aftershock mirrored the way her insides felt.


Complete turmoil.
She opened the door and looked at the man with his dark head dipped to the computer screen. "Your coffee, Mr. Lazzari." The door fell closed behind her. Her brow furrowed when she spotted the full coffee pot plugged into the machine behind him.

His keen green eyes, hooded beneath long lashes, were lifted up at her.

She carried the tray over to set it on the desk. "I believe you wanted to speak to me about an upcoming function. Which function would that be?"

He rose, startling her. Her shaky fingers still gripped the tray, but now her hold whitened her knuckles. The cup rattled.

"This one," his husky voice said. With a grin he took her chin in his hand and captured her mouth with his. He dropped his hand, bracing both of them on the desk to kiss her more thoroughly, more deeply.

Holly allowed arousal to cascade through her, absorbing the softness and skill of his lips as he teased and swept, offering her the taste she’d been craving. She lifted her hand to thread her fingers through the dark hair at his nape.

God, she’d been waiting for this.

Arching closer, her thighs dug hard into the desk edge. She tilted her head, inviting him deeper. If her darned pencil skirt wasn’t so tight she’d have crawled over the desk by now. She heard a soft groan. Hers.

"Missed me?" Max chuckled as he gave her his now familiar lopsided grin. The one she held in her memory to help her through the weeks.

"I did," she confirmed, frowning as she mourned the loss of his lips. "There was an extra day in this month."

She rested her palms over his jaw, covering the dimples in his tanned cheeks. She liked the feel of his smooth, clean shaven skin, the warmth against her needy hands.

"But you broke the rules, Mr. Lazzari. Absolutely no touching at work, remember?"


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Author Bio

　


Usually found with a pen in my hand, or my head in a book, I’m a contemporary romance author who also thinks fangs and wings are a very attractive accessory.

A devourer of books from an early age, imagination was my best discovery. I spent much of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn’t searching for those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana’s books. I’m still in that world and I refuse to leave.

I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe that words make the world go around. I like nothing more than to be swept away by the words on a page. I hope I can sweep you away too.
You can find me here:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads | StreetTeam

The Summer Heat by Elodie Parkes

I have Elodie Parkes here today sharing a little bit about her story The Summer Heat which is released today. Sounds hot! Over to you Elodie...

Thank you for inviting me to your blog to talk about my new Evernight Publishing release, ‘The Summer Heat’.

A ménage romance, two guys and a girl, this is erotic, contemporary romance that sizzles.

The Summer Heat

When lifelong friends Nate and Evan watch the arrival of a new neighbor, they never expect to find their friendship rocked by the lovely Annabel who moves into the empty house next door.

Annabel likes both Nate and Evan the moment she meets them. As they all grow close, will she be forced to choose between these gorgeous men?



Inspiration behind the story:

The inspiration came from a tree being cut down in the communal gardens where I currently live. I didn’t even see it felled, but I was immensely saddened as this was a healthy young tree. In my story, the gorgeous guys are cutting down a diseased tree in their garden, and that’s how they see Annabel move in next door.


My characters:

Annabel. She’s ready for love and looking for someone after her last miserable relationship. I imagine her surprise when she meets Nate and Evan, and has strong attraction to both of them.

Nate: He’s gentle, kind, sensually sexy, very good looking. Friends mean a lot to him. You can feel safe and loved with him, but boy do you know when he’s made love to you.

Evan: Strong, alpha, hides his emotions, but sex just drips from his gorgeous body. He calls you babe and takes charge, all the while your soft skin under his fingertips blows his mind.

 

Excerpt

An hour later, when only the big carton in her study remained to unpack, the doorbell rang. A lurch of anticipation tightened her stomach. She took a deep breath and went to open the door on shaky legs. Calm down, she told herself.

Nate and Evan stood side by side on the doorstep. They’d obviously showered. Their hair still wet, Evan’s curled enticingly at the ends around his ears. They wore fresh T-shirts and board shorts, showing off muscular chests, arms, and legs.

A wave of complete desire left Annabel weak as she looked from one to the other.

"Come in." Her voice wavered as nerves took over. She opened the door wide.

They walked in smiling.

Nate turned to close the door for her. His hand brushed hers.

A sexual charge from the connection forced her eyes closed for a second. She pulled herself together. "Do you want to go down to the kitchen? I’ve got cold beer and some juice. How did the tree stump digging go? Did you get it out?" She knew she gabbled, but couldn’t help it. Their nearness set her heart beating fast again. Her initial confidence when she’d met them was gone in the face of just how hot they were. Suppose they have girlfriends already and are just being neighborly? Suppose they don’t find me attractive in that way? Then she read the expression in his eyes when she offered Evan a bottle of beer. He likes me just fine. She touched her fingertips to his as she gave him the cold bottle. Rivers of sensation ran up to her elbow, and her thighs clenched involuntarily but deliciously.

Annabel turned her attention to Nate. "Beer, Nate?"

He nodded, and his eyes darkened at her as he came forward to take the drink.

Wow, he likes me. The thought brought a smile, and she sparkled at them both. "I’ll just get a glass of juice, and then we can go to the back room. It’s more comfortable there. We can sit and you can tell me all about the town. Have you lived here long?"

Copyright Elodie Parkes 2014, Evernight Publishing, All rights reserved

Buy Links

 

To find where to buy the book on release, August 5, visit Elodie’s blog

http://elodieparkes.blogspot.com/2014/08/white-sand-ocean-two-gorgeous.html



 

Evernight Publishing

About Elodie

Elodie Parkes is a British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal or suspense. Her books are always steamy, cool stories and hot love scenes.

Elodie lives in Canterbury with her two dogs. She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.

Elodie writes for, Hot Ink Press, Moon Rose Publishing, Eternal Press, Secret Cravings, Evernight, and Siren

She has also released titles as an individual indie author.

Find Elodie online: Blog  Tumblr  Facebook  Twitter 

 Google +  Pinterest  YouTube  Amazon USA  Amazon UK Smashwords  Barnes and Noble  ARe  Bookstrand  Evernight TRR ManicReaders 



The Last Dig by Constance Bretes

 

 

Blurb

Bones, bodies, and a love rekindled.


Paleontologist Caroline Priest is shocked when she finds a dead body at her dig site. When she calls it in to the sheriff’s department, her former boyfriend, Rand Callahan, comes out to investigate. The evidence quickly starts to point to Caroline being the killer, and Rand has no choice but to arrest her.

It’s clear to Caroline that she’s been set up, but by who and for what reason? While Caroline is out on bail, Rand rekindles his relationship with her as they try to solve the mystery before it’s too late.

Content Warning: contains some sexual content

Excerpt

Rand stared at Caroline, taking in what she had just told him. "You lied to me," he retorted sharply. "First you told me that you didn't have a conversation with him, now you're telling me that you did. Your story is starting to fall apart. You need to tell me the whole truth. Was this man stalking you? Did he bother you in any way? Why did you go to his apartment and threaten him and then kill him?" Rand asked, his voice rose in anger.

"You've got to believe me! I did not go to this man's apartment!" Caroline said, her voice getting louder.

"If the man stalked you, bothered you, or abused you in any way, we can help get your sentence reduced. It would go a long way in the courtroom if you confessed and came clean with this now," Rand said, his voice still raised.

"I have nothing to confess," Caroline replied forcefully.

"How the hell did his cellphone end up in your SUV?" Rand's anger burst at her.

Caroline recoiled at his temper. Then she snapped at him, her voice equally angry, "I don't know how it got there!"

"Well, you apparently had it in your SUV all along."

"I don't know how that cellphone got in my vehicle," Caroline stated emphatically, slamming both hands on the table.

"It would be in your best interest if you confess or fill in the gaps of your story. You will be going down for murder one and a very long prison sentence." Rand jerked forward in his chair and looked into her eyes. His eyes were dark and angry.

Buy Links

http://beachwalkpress.com/the-last-dig/


http://www.amazon.com


http://barnesandnoble.com

About the author

　

Constance Bretes is an author of contemporary romance and suspense. Her romance books are often set in different parts of the country, but her favorite site is Montana. She's married to her best friend and resides in Michigan with him and a houseful of cats. When she's not at her regular 8-to-5 job, she can be found writing, researching, and spending time with her husband.

You can learn more about Connie and her books at her website at www.conniebretes.weebly.com. You can also follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/constancebretes or Twitter at www.twitter.com/conniebretes.

A Love Discovered by Ella Jade

When they met, love was the last thing they were looking to discover…

Local bar owner Cali Tate has always been trendy, easy-going, and impulsive. She isn't afraid to take chances, but her carefree attitude may have put her restaurant in jeopardy. Her failing business is beginning to take a toll on her, both mentally and financially. When her best friend asks her to do a favor and take some books to the town's reclusive professor Cali welcomes the distraction. To her surprise, the sexy professor is nothing like she had pictured him.

Dr. Carter Stavros wants to be left alone. He's set in his ways and doesn't want to be bothered with the outside world. Wanting to escape the demons of his recent past, he moved to Steeple, taking a sabbatical from his teaching job to write a book. He wasn't prepared for the spunky, persistent bar owner to invade his life. But the more she pushes, the more intrigued he becomes.

Neither one of them expected to find any common ground, much less fall in love. What happens when an OCD professor collides with a risk-taking woman who won't take 'no' for an answer?

Content Warning: contains graphic sex and mature content

Buy Link

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

I'm excited to announce the release of A Love Discovered. If you've read A Love Stolen you've met Cali. See how the sassy bar owner discovers love with a sexy, domineering professor.

After lunch, another hour of conversation, and a long swim, Cali lounged on the chair by the pool. Her shoulder-length blonde hair dried naturally and curled at the ends. Carter watched as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the afternoon sun. Her tanned skin glistened with sunscreen and her tiny bikini was almost dry. He wondered how many hours of intense workouts created a body like hers.

"Are you admiring me again?" she asked with her eyes still closed.

"How many tattoos do you have?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" She giggled.

"I would."

As improper as it was, he couldn't take his gaze away from her right nipple. The evidence straining against her damp bikini indicated a piercing of some sort. He'd never been more fascinated by anyone before. Throughout the years he'd seen quite a few attractive young women on campus, but he never acted on impulse when it came to students, no matter how tempting. Cali wasn't a student. She was a quirky, attractive woman who was very much in touch with her sexuality. She turned him on. He wanted to explore with her.

"Four."

He sat on the edge of the lounge chair, taking her right ankle into his hand. "Here." He outlined the small butterfly that permanently marked her skin.

"That's one." She opened her eyes when he trailed his hand up her leg and to her hip.

It had been years since he had pursued a woman. He'd gotten married when he was twenty-four and stayed faithful through the whole fourteen years of that turbulent relationship.

"Two." He swept his fingers over the pink-and-purple-colored rose petals sprinkled along her hip.

"Keep going."

He took her hand in his and examined more rose petals on the inside of her wrist. "Do they hold significance?" He traced his fingertips over the tattoo, indulging in her smooth skin beneath his touch. The way her flesh prickled in response instigated his actions.

"I like roses." She sat up, placed her legs across his lap, and leaned closer to his face. "My mother had the most beautiful rose bushes in our backyard." She pushed her hair to the side and tilted her neck. "Four."

"It's exquisite," he mumbled as he took in the ivy that started at her collarbone and flowed down the back of her shoulder blade.

"I wouldn't have pegged you for a man who likes ink on his woman."

"I'm not usually." He ran his thumb from the start of the tattoo to where it ended on her back. He wanted to feel every inch of her forbidden flesh. She shivered when he stopped. "It goes back to those boundaries you don't have."

Reaching out, she placed her palm on his cheek, directing him closer to her lips. "The question is…" She brushed her mouth against his chin. "Do you have enough for both of us?"

Enter for your chance to win an eBook copy of Book One in the series. A Love Stolen...

Can time forgive the mistakes of the past?

After a six year absence, Lila Crofton has returned to her hometown of Steeple to bury her father. Hopefully she can avoid Trevor Matheson, her ex-boyfriend, long enough to take care of her business and get back to the city. With everything she's dealing with the last thing she needs is to run into the man who betrayed her and broke her heart.

Recently divorced Sheriff Trevor Matheson is picking up the pieces of his life. When his high school sweetheart, Lila, returns to Steeple, Trevor sees it as a sign. He's getting over a failed marriage and she's grieving the loss of her dad. They need one another. The timing couldn't be more perfect. But can they move past the events that tore them apart six years ago?

Is there a second chance in their future, or is their stolen love gone forever?

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Arranged Love by Lacey Wolfe

Arranged Love

Lacey Wolfe

Release Date: January 20^th

Buy Links: Amazon | Nook | Beachwalk Press  |All Romance |Kobo

Find Lacey: Website | Facebook (Fan) | Facebook (Friend) | Twitter

 

They think they’re fooling their parents, but really, the joke’s on them.

Kayla Ames’s parents could win an award in meddling. Every time she turns around, they’re setting her up with someone new. Try as she might, she can’t convince them to butt out of her love life.

 Ryan Newell isn’t looking for love. After having his heart torn to shreds by his ex, he’s determined to never again fall in love and leave himself that vulnerable to being hurt. His parents, however, believe he just needs some help finding the right woman, and their friends’ daughter, Kayla, might be a perfect match.

Realizing they both have the same problem—parents who won’t stop nagging them about finding a partner—Ryan and Kayla agree to an arrangement of sorts. All they have to do is pretend to date, and they don’t even have to see each other, they can discuss the details of their “dates” via email. But then the email conversations lead to real dates, and Kayla finds herself struggling to keep her feelings for Ryan in check as he’s made it clear love will not enter into the equation for him. Then Kayla’s parents suddenly announce they’re getting a divorce, and she begins to wonder if maybe Ryan has the right idea.

When it all gets to be too much for Kayla, she has a hard decision to make—agree to stay with Ryan and never experience love, or walk away for her chance to find it.

 

 

Excerpt

Leaning forward, Kayla grabbed the remote and turned the TV off. It was early still and since she wasn't tired, sleep wasn't an option. She could go out again. Maybe call a friend to go to a club or something. Or she could go back to the bar from last night…no, no she couldn't.

If she went out though, she'd have to change. And she was really comfortable. She grabbed the remote again, and as the TV turned on, she swore she heard someone tap on her door. Was Bunny chewing on something she shouldn't be?

Kayla got off the couch, but saw the rabbit had taken a corner and was lying there, far away from the front door. She peeked through the peephole and, to her surprise, she saw Doug, or whatever his name was. Why was he there? And what was he carrying in his hands?

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. "Hi."

"It's nice to see you again." He smiled an oh-so-sexy grin. "Your parents sent me with food. They insisted I get this to you right away."

"They did, huh?"

He held the bag out to her and she took it. "Could I come in?"

She sucked in her bottom lip and weighed her choices. Send him away and be done with this, or see what he wants. What did she have to lose? "Sure."

Doug brushed past her into her house. She stood back a moment, watching him as he glanced around and then finally took a seat on her couch. Kayla joined the mystery man in the living room, tossing the bag of food on the coffee table as she sat on the love seat opposite of the couch he was on. Her stomach rumbled as she inhaled the aroma from the bag now sitting on the coffee table.

"So, what brings you by, besides the food?" she asked, and quickly added, "Please tell me your real name as well. It's only fair since you know mine."

"Kayla, and it's a lovely name. Mine is actually Ryan. Ryan Newell." He took a moment to rub his temple and proceeded. "Obviously, our parents are interested in us hooking up."

Hooking up…they'd covered that already. "I'm sorry. My parents are a bit over the top."

"I'd have to agree. Yours are a little worse than mine. Usually my parents leave me alone, but with your folks, it was like they were double-teaming me. They feel very strongly about you and I getting to know one another."

"Figures. I'd say we accomplished that in a way they probably weren't wanting."

He grinned again. Her heart fluttered. She needed to pack this man up and get him out of there.

"Why don't we give them what they want?"

What did he say? He couldn't really want to go along with them. "Excuse me."

"Let's date, for them. It'll get them to leave us alone."

She laughed. He wasn't serious, was he? "Brilliant plan, but I'll pass for now."

"Just hear me out. I'm not looking to fall in love. But if we pretend to be dating, our parents won't try to set us up anymore. We don't even have to see one another. We can discuss our dates and be on the same page with our stories."

"Wait." She held her hand up, staring at the dark-haired man that made her stomach do summersaults. "You're saying we aren't going to actually date. We never have to see one another. But our parents will think we are."

He nodded.

"I'm in." Kayla shrugged. "What could go wrong?"

 

 

 

Giveaway

Lacey Wolfe is giving away to $5 Amazon or Nook gift cards! Just enter the giveaway below for your chance.

 

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Lacy: The Doves of Primrose by Krista Kedrick

 

Blurb

Lacy Weston… or is it Campbell? Hell her husband took off so fast he may as well take his name with him. She is trying to run the historic family bed and breakfast out in the middle of the prairie while coping with her husband’s desertion, trying to keep up with her two best friends and oh yeah, the movie production that has landed in the middle of The Dove House and taken over, bringing former rodeo champion, famous actor and Lacy’s old flame with it.

The last thing Lacy needs…

Kyle McClintock is back in Primrose to shoot his latest western blockbuster and to see if the passion he and Lacy Weston had so many years ago could be reclaimed. Yes, he had ulterior motives when requesting his old hometown for the set, but he may get more than he bargained for. Strange happenings, hot tempers and Indian summer nights may prove too much for this cowboy.

Nobody ever said it was easy loving a Weston.
Trailer: http://youtu.be/D0F_JWgPHK4

　

　

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lacy-The-Doves-Primrose-ebook/dp/B00DCWJC7U/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1371345625&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=lacy%2C+the+doves+of+primrose


B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lacy-krista-kedrick/1115620900?ean=2940016709284

　

Author Info

Hi y’all! I’m Krista Kedrick and I’m a country loving writer. I write stories with the country way of life in mind. Yes, they have cowboys and cowgirls, ranches, tractors, dogs, children and your occasional bar room brawl, but in the end they are down home people who do the right thing and find a love more powerful and promising than your everyday story. Because that’s how we are. Everything is stronger, more passionate and long-lasting.

I write from my home state of Nebraska while living my dream life (well, almost). I have an amazing husband, two of the cutest daughters on the prairie and a Basset Hound who teaches me the meaning of the word "patience".

Kick back and enjoy my books about the country life-- but keep your boots off my coffee table.

Author Links

www.kristakedrick.com www.confessionsofacountrywriter.com (video/audio blog)

https://www.facebook.com/KristaKedrickFans

https://twitter.com/KristaKedrick

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5106974.Krista_Kedrick

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/08/now-booking-book-blast-for-doves-of.html

　

If You Want Me by Tara Mills

 

 

Blurb

An　irresistible　woman. An undeniable proposal.

Even the unthinkable can sound reasonable when you mix alcohol, sexual frustration, and a bachelorette party—especially a bold proposition. Now in the light of day, Naomi’s hung over, horrified, and anxious about facing this complicated man again and the unexplored feelings their encounter brought with it.

She called, he came, but Ryan didn't exactly conquer. Is it too much to hope that Naomi will give him a do-over? She can’t avoid him, not when he’s walking her down the aisle. But who ever heard of a bridesmaid getting cold feet?　

On sale NOW at Amazon and Smashwords.

Excerpt

　"I really need to get laid," slurred Naomi, sagging drunkenly against her friend Becky.

　 　The entire table fell silent and stared at her. Every squeal over the upcoming honeymoon, every gush over the bridal gown came to a screeching halt.　

　 　Becky turned on her, aghast, then shoved Naomi upright in her chair again. "What the hell?" she hissed under her breath.　

　 　Naomi scrunched up her brow, perplexed as she weaved and wobbled, trying to focus on all the faces swimming in front of her. The female half of tomorrow’s wedding party. Each of them decked out and tarted up for tonight’s bachelorette blow-out.

　 　"What?" Naomi asked, stupefied by the wide eyes directed her way. "It’s been six months. Six damn months!" she added in a woeful tone. "Who wouldn’t have boner on the brain?"

　 　Two of the women across the table started to laugh behind their hands, but Becky shot to her feet anyway and grabbed Naomi’s arm, hauling her up too.

　 　"Sorry about this." Becky gave Melissa, the bride, a pained and apologetic smile. "I think someone’s had one too many appletinis."

　 　Becky grabbed both purses and slipped them over her arm and dragged Naomi through the crowded club and out to the sidewalk. She caught the eye of the first valet she saw and handed him the ticket. He dashed off to get their car.

　 　"He’s kinda cute," said Naomi, swaying on her heels, her eyes fixed on his back as he disappeared into the night.

　 　Becky gritted her teeth. "Would you stop?"

　 　"Stop what?" Naomi blinked, nonplussed.

　 　"The horny talk. It’s embarrassing."

　 　Naomi frowned. "Is it? I’m sorry. I just need sex. I really want it, Beck. I want it bad."

　 　"So I gather. No alcohol for you tomorrow."

　 　That comment earned a snort. "Who cares about alcohol?"

　 　"It makes you weird."

　 　"Don’t I know it!" Naomi nodded sagely. "Beck, I’m getting the strangest ideas."

　 　"Yeah, I noticed." Their car pulled up and Becky caught hold of Naomi’s upper arm and steered her to the curb. A second valet came forward to open the passenger door while the first man got out and waited for Becky on the driver’s side.

　 　Naomi gave the guy holding her door a sweet smile and cupped his ass before dropping gracelessly into the passenger seat. One of her shoes fell to the pavement next to the car. The guy bent down and picked it up. He had a funny little smile going, and if she wasn’t totally mistaken, he was chuckling.

　 　"Like Cinderella!" Naomi laughed when he handed it to her then stuck her bare foot out the open door at him. "Don’t you want to put it on me?"

　 　Becky snapped at her from the driver’s side, "Naomi! Shut the hell up and let the guy close your door."

　 　Naomi snickered and rolled her eyes at the valet, making a joke of her uptight friend. "Guess it’s time to go."

　 　He closed her in with a nod and a wink. She gave him a little wave that he returned as Becky pulled into traffic.

　 　"Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?" Becky asked, blowing her bangs out of her eyes.

　 　"She’s in here somewhere." Naomi drooped onto her door and squinted at the strobing lights coming right at them. "Did you notice Ryan at dinner earlier tonight?"

　 　Becky glanced sharply at her friend. "Is that what this is all about?"

　 　"Hmm?"　

　 　"Never mind. Let’s get you home, dump a ton of water into you, and put you to bed. You need to be in good shape by tomorrow afternoon or Melissa’s mom is going to kill you, and Melissa is going to be the one handing her the cake knife she’ll use."

　 　Naomi laughed as she pictured the mother-of-the-bride wielding the special cake knife with color coordinated ribbons fluttering from the handle.

　 　"That’s not gonna happen," she assured Becky.

　 　"Of course it’s not. Because you’re going home and I’m putting you to bed."

　 　Naomi gave a deep and disappointed sigh. "Party pooper."　

　 　"And whose fault is that?"

　 　Naomi shrugged then drifted off to sleep. She didn’t revive until the car pulled in front of her duplex.　

　 　"We’re here." Becky gave her shoulder a shake. "Wake up. Are you awake?"

　 　"Yeah." Naomi blinked and rubbed her temple. "Where’s my purse?"

　 　"On the floor, by your feet." Becky hopped out and walked around the car. "Come on, let’s get you inside."

　 　"I’ve got it." She shoved her shoulder against the door and nearly tumbled out. Luckily Becky was there in time to haul her back before she did a face plant on the driveway. "Thank you."

　 　Beck held out her hand. "Give me your damn purse. There’s no way you’re going to be able to unlock the front door yourself."

　 　Naomi didn’t argue. She took another stab at getting out and managed to close the car door without catching any body parts in it. Weaving on her feet, she clomped up the driveway, her gait even more ridiculous because she was still holding the one shoe the valet had given her at the club.　

　 　Becky had already gotten the door open and the inside lights turned on by the time Naomi made it up the three concrete steps, grabbing hold of the wrought iron banister to keep from staggering backwards on her way up.

　 　"Should I brew a pot of coffee?" Becky asked, coming back from putting Naomi’s purse in her room.

　 　Naomi yawned and mussed up her hair, destroying all the hard work she’d put into getting the big silky curls just right earlier that evening. "No, I can manage. Thanks for bringing me home."

　 　"Should I stay?"

　 　"No. I’ll be fine."

　 　Becky eyed her skeptically. "You’re sure? You weren’t yourself tonight."

　 　Naomi covered her eyes with both hands and expelled a big alcohol infused breath. "I know, Beck," she peered out, pouting at her friend. "I’m sorry if I embarrassed you tonight."

　 　"I guess we all have our off days. This was yours. I’ll get over it. It’s not like you do this kind of thing, well ...　ever." Becky laughed and came over, giving Naomi a hug goodnight. "So I’ll see you in the morning?"

　 　"At brunch."

　 　"Eleven. Don’t forget to set your alarm. Something tells me you’re going to need it."

　 　"I got it. I got it."

　 　Becky kissed her on the cheek, uncertainty in her eyes as she peered at Naomi one last time. "You sure I shouldn’t stay?"

　 　"Very sure."

　 　"Then I’ll see you in the morning."

　 　"Sounds good."

　 　Naomi limped to the door and locked it behind her friend. As soon as Becky had backed out of the driveway, Naomi kicked off her lone shoe, raced to her bedroom, and dumped the contents of her purse onto the bedspread.

　 　"Oh yeah!" she cheered. Grabbing the phone, she went immediately to the wedding party contact sheet on her dresser and followed down the line of ushers for Ryan’s name.

　 　He answered after two rings. Even tipsy she could hear the question in his voice. "Naomi?"

　 　"Yes. Where are you?"

　 　"At the bachelor party. Why?"

　 　"Here’s the thing. I know you had a problem with me dating Sam. You were his friend and I created a lot of tension between you two. I get it. But I’m guessing some of that attitude was just bullshit. I caught you."

　 　"You caught me?"

　 　"Yes, I caught you; watching me, looking at me. I could tell you were covering."

　 　"What’s this all about, Naomi? What’s your point?"

　 　"If you want me, I’m yours. I’m putting on sexy lingerie right now. You have fifteen minutes to get here. You know the address."

　 　Naomi cut the call and eased open the top drawer of her dresser.

　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　* * *

　 　Ryan pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at it. Was she serious? Was this for real? Could he even make it in fifteen minutes?

　 　He hadn’t seen Naomi Kendall in months—five long and lonely months, and then …today. He could hardly tear his eyes away from her at the groom’s dinner. She looked incredible; that warm almond skin, those dark brown eyes, all that soft glorious hair. A man could get lost in that hair. They’d barely had a chance to speak to each other but he’d tuned in to her voice. No matter where she was, he heard Naomi over all the rest. Every one of her laughs registered with him. It was excruciating and thrilling at the same time. Then the party broke up and the guys and girls went their separate ways. Disappointed at seeing her climb into a car and drive away, he told himself it was okay, he’d get another shot at her tomorrow.

　 　Talk about being thrown for a loop.　 　

　 　Well, she’d read him right. How the hell did she do that? Clearly, he wasn’t as careful as he thought.

　 　"Dude! It’s your turn," said an impatient voice.

　 　Ryan looked up and found his friends watching him. He closed the fan of cards in his hand. There was only one thing to do. "I fold."　　

***

Please visit Tara Mills Romance for more great titles. You can also find Tara on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Whats A Girl To Do by Aimee Duffy

 

Blurb

 

The first novella in a thrilling, pulse-racing new erotic romance series, Indecent Proposals. Three best friends, Shey, Eloisa and Georgia take on the most powerful and eligible men of the New York dating scene.

　
'I'm not coming over.' Shey replied confidently.

'Then maybe you could return the favor now.'

Wait, he didn't mean...

'Slide your hand beneath your panties and tell me how ready you are for me.'

Oh my god, he did.

　
Single Manhattanite Shey Lopez doesn't do one night stands, or have relationships she can't control. Especially if giving in to playboy Calvin Jones means losing her heart in the process.

　
However, Mr Won't-Take-No-For-An-Answer always gets what he wants and there's only so many times a girl can resist such an enticing proposal...

Buy Links

 

Amazon UK　/　Amazon US　/　Barnes & Noble　/　Kobo

Excerpt

 ‘I suppose you agree with her idiot boyfriend?’ Shey asked the stranger.

His lips twisted up at the corners and a sultry look darkened his eyes. ‘Hell no. I can think of better ways to entertain a lady.’

Her heart rate went crazy.

Mandy gasped, but was saved by the phone ringing. Shey didn’t have the same time to compose herself. She was lost in his gaze and that fiery burn scorching through her body. For the first time since she could remember, Shey couldn’t find her tongue. Those damn eyes messed with her head and she couldn’t break free from their spell if she tried.

He stepped closer and the burn intensified. She was so hot she wanted to rip the dress off and stand in front of an open freezer to cool down. Up close she could see a dark five o’clock shadow on his sculpted jaw. His throat was thick, just like his shoulders. The slightly crooked nose suggested he’d had it broken at some point in his life, but it didn’t deter from his harsh beauty. Shey was awestruck, and so turned on she thought she might come just from looking at him.

‘What’s your name, gorgeous?’ he asked.

The disinterest on his face made it seem like he was flirting out of habit rather than because he wanted to. Even still, there seemed to be a magnetic force between them, crackling in the air and sparking. Those eyes of his had darkened, contradicting his Mr. Cool Man front. No way was Shey going to make this easy for him.

‘Seriously? That the best line you’ve got?’ She forced a laugh, but it came out husky, damn it. ‘Next you’ll call my dad a thief for stealing the stars and putting them in my eyes.’

His brows shot up, but he composed himself in a heartbeat. With a smile, he leaned forward and brushed a kiss over her cheekbone. The spicy smell of him invaded her senses and her skin sizzled with the contact. Her body went hyperactive. Hands trembling, knees weakening and oh yeah, soaked right through her lacy thong. She had to get away from him before she did something crazy, like beg for those soft lips to touch her again.

‘Sweetheart, with you I don’t need any lines.’

Anger boiled through her veins, loosening his hold on her body. She didn’t even know his name and he had her salivating, for Christ’s sake. He was a cocky bastard, so sure he had her right where he wanted her, and the worst thing? He was absolutely right. Next time those lips touched her skin she’d be putty in his long-fingered hands.

‘It’ll take more than arrogance to win me over.’ Shey left the asshole unspoken. ‘I have somewhere to be.’ Without waiting for Mandy to get off the phone or for Mr. Cool to reply, she left the reception.

His voice trailed behind her. ‘I’ll see you soon, gorgeous.’


Yeah, big shot. In your dreams

Wanted: Wife by Lacey Wolfe

 

 

 

 

Blurb

Help Wanted: A Wife
Darcy White can't believe she's answering a help wanted ad from someone looking to hire a wife, but she's hit rock bottom and is on the verge of being evicted from her apartment. When she learns that the guy she had a crush on in high school is the one looking to hire, she'd be crazy not to live out her fantasy.


Steven McDonald needs a wife, or at least a fiancée, before his grandfather retires or else he won't inherit the family business. He knows not just any woman will do, and in a desperate attempt to find a solution, he places a help wanted ad in the local paper. The day Darcy White answers it, his dreams begin to come true.

As Darcy and Steven pretend they're engaged, they make a promise to keep things platonic. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to keep their hands off one another. With his grandfather's retirement approaching, and the possible end to their fake engagement, can Steven and Darcy admit their feelings to not only themselves but each other?

Content Warning: contains adult language and sensual love scenes

Buy Links:

Amazon | Nook | Beachwalk Press

 

Excerpt:

"I'm making coffee, want any?" Darcy called from the kitchen.

As Steven entered the kitchen he said, "I'd love a cup."

Steven leaned against the counter. Darcy poured water into the coffee maker and then scooped the coffee in. After she pressed the brew button, she turned and stared back at him.

"That wasn't so bad," he said.

She nodded. "Yeah, it was okay."

Steven laughed. "Your parents were kind." He reached his hand out toward her.

Darcy walked to him, taking his hand.

"Your dad gave us his blessing."

"I had no doubt he would. Your family is well known."

Steven wasn't sure what had come over him, maybe it was the scotch he'd shared with her dad, but he couldn't resist the beautiful woman in front of him. He tugged her to him, and her body molded against his perfectly. With his free hand, he pushed her hair behind her ear and then pressed his lips to hers. He expected resistance from her, but she opened up right away, wanting the kiss as much as he did.

Sliding his hand around her neck, he tilted her head so he could deepen the kiss. Her fingers danced around his waist and the little sensation went straight to his groin. Releasing her hand, he gripped her waist and pulled her into him. He was hard and it pressed into her and she didn't seem to mind. Damn this woman! She should be pushing away from him, reminding him they were to stay friends, but instead he kept hoping her hand would find its way lower.

Could they do this once and then pretend it never happened? His erection was telling him yes, but his brain was telling him no. He started to pull away from the kiss, but Darcy wouldn't let him.

God, he was turned on and wanted to touch her, taste her, explore her. He needed her!

"Stop, Darcy." He pushed her off him.

She stepped back, a shocked look on her face.

"I can't control myself. I want to take you to bed so bad."

"I want that too." She moved closer to him again and wrapped her arm around his neck and let her other hand dangle at his waistband. "Can't we have a little fun?"

Do it or not? Yes or no? His core ached and taunted him. Taking a deep breath, he decided to listen to the head below.
He lifted Darcy up and sat her on the counter. His lips were everywhere. Her neck, collarbone. His hands were greedy as they worked the buttons on her blouse. "Stop me now, Darcy."

She gazed into his eyes and then cupped his erection through his pants. "No."

"No turning back?"

"No turning back."

About Lacey Wolfe

Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. From the time she was a child she would slip away to write short stories about people she knew and fantasies she wished would happen. It has always been her dream to be a published author and with her two children now of school age, she finally has the time to work on making her dream come true.　

Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.

You can find Lacey at the following places:
Website / Facebook　/　Facebook Page　/　Twitter



　

Reality Hero by Ashlynn Monroe

I have another Beachwalk Babe with me today, please welcome Ashlynn Monroe, promoting her exciting new release Reality Hero!





Thank you so much for hosting me! I loved writing this book and I hope that readers will enjoy reading it as much as I adored the process of writing it. I am working on a novella sequel to this novel, Ella’s story. Enjoy Reality Hero, I can’t wait to hear what you think. I love reader email at authorashlynnmonroe@gmail.com!

Blurb

 

Can reality TV handle a reluctant superhero bachelor, ten attention-seeking women, and one evil villain?

Dina Dell's career as a television producer has hit bottom. Desperate to save her job, she comes up with the idea for a reality show called I Want to Date a Superhero. But the only superhero bachelor she knows is the only man she's ever loved—Zane Blair.

Zane was once a normal human, but a traumatic childhood incident mutated him, along with Dina's sister and their friends. Dina was the only one who escaped without any superhero abilities. And while she might be the "normal" one, that only left her feeling like more of an outcast.

Her lack of powers put Zane in danger. Knowing that it was only a matter of time before someone used her to get to him, she left, breaking both their hearts in the process. After all the pain she caused him, will he be willing to help her now?

Then an old enemy emerges, putting Dina's plans on hold. When her superhero friends are the ones who need help, Dina just might learn that sometimes little Miss Average can be a hero too.

Content Warning: graphic sexual content

Release date: 6-17-13

Sub-genre promoting (Contemporary, Paranormal, SciFi, etc): Fantasy/Superhero Romance

Buy Links: http://beachwalkpress.com/reality-hero/


Website Link: http://www.ashlynnmonroe.com/

Excerpt

 

Dina Dell sat in the conference room waiting anxiously. A huge lump began forming in her throat. She knew things weren’t going to go well, yet she held hope old Ervin might be feeling generous. Her past hip and innovative programming ideas had once made her his most valued employee. Now she was hanging onto her job by a thread. That’s how the television business is: unforgiving. She was the mastermind behind top rated shows such as Kid Exchange and Please, Someone Marry my Mother.

Unfortunately, the wellspring of creativity had run dry. For the last year, every show she’d produced had been ratings disasters, if her productions had even been lucky enough to air at all. Dina saw the writing on the wall, and with the network making major cuts to combat the economic slump, she knew the axe was coming down…on her head.

Watching the wily old codger walk toward the room through the opaque glass, even without seeing his face, she knew he was on the warpath. His body language said it all. His fists were clenched and his shoulders were tight. He lumbered down the hall as if he were preparing for murder—the murder of her career. Ervin threw open the door with dramatic flair.

“My Cat is in Charge? Really? Really and truly? Dear God, Dina. You honestly thought this was going to make good television? Who’d ever watch this? What happened to that brilliant brain of yours? Did you have a head injury? Did you have a stroke? Did someone hit me in the head, and this is all some coma-induced nightmare? What could possibly keep me from canning your sweet little ass right now?”

“Well, the sexual harassment lawsuit over your ‘sweet ass’ comment for one, and two, I have an idea that’ll blow your mind. I swear it. This one will put the network on top again. When the big boys hear the premise, neither of us will ever have to worry about our jobs again.” She paused and took a deep breath. Sweat ran down her face, but she resisted the urge to swipe at it, just in case he didn’t notice. Oh God, can he see that I’m lying? “That whole cat thing was just to get your attention for this. I swear the network will be kissing your ass after this airs.” Dina was lying through her teeth. She had nothing that she could produce. Her only idea was one she could never actually use without destroying people she cared about. The cat thing  was the most creative idea she’d had in months. Plenty of people loved cats. Someone would want to watch a show about families letting their furry feline make major life decisions. Oh fuck, that is awful. Crap. Hold it together, girl. The old man can smell fear. She gulped in another lungful of air.

He cocked a bushy, gray eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest. Waiting. She took a breath. Folding her hands, she put them in her lap so he wouldn’t notice them shaking. Closing her eyes, she exhaled slowly. It was time to pull out the dramatics. She’d been around enough TV personalities to have picked up a thing or two about acting. Okay, maybe if I lie well, he won’t send me to spend the rest of my life living on the street and rambling incoherently about my glory days working in television. The desperate thoughts sent her heart racing. She opened her eyes and regretted it. Ervin was staring at her. He still hadn’t said a word, but she could see curiosity in his expression. Good. He’d taken the bait, too bad she had nothing to reel him in with.

“I respect you, Ervin, but I’ll take this idea to another network if you don’t want to hear it.”

His eyebrow rose. “Okay?”

He was giving her one last chance. She opened her mouth to condemn the one person who really mattered to her. Her mouth went dry and she shut it. Biting her lip, she closed her eyes. There was no more waiting, she had to do it, even if this idea cost her what was left of her soul. She looked up at her mentor.

“What if I told you I had a superhero who was willing to star in a new show? Would you want me to run with that?”

His watery eyes bulged, then he recovered and a scowl replaced his shock. “You’ve made this network some serious money, but that’s in the past. For the last year, you’ve been a harbinger of series death. Whatever you’ve touched around here has turned to steaming piles of…crap. Your ideas stink. Once upon a time, I called you the Queen of Reality TV. What happened to my amazing, rising star? Why are you pushing terrible, idiotic, horrible programming? Everything you’ve done lately makes me want to stick sharp pencils in both my eyes so I can’t see them, and scratch off my ears so I can’t hear them. Then I’d rip the hair out of my head so the pain can distract me from the memory.” His face was turning from red to purple. She cringed. This graphic assessment of her talent left her queasy. He glared at her before  opening his mouth, as if to speak, then closing it again. The old man ran a hand through what was left of his straggly gray hair and pinned her with a less than friendly look. She tried to stand her ground, but under the weight of her mentor’s ire, she crumbled. Her shoulders slumped, and she couldn’t meet his eyes.

“If I didn’t respect you so much, and love you like the daughter I’m glad I never had, I’d have put you out of here six months ago. I put my sweet ass on the line for yours this morning with the network, so don’t screw me. I swear this cat thing made me want to stick a firecracker up my nose and blow my head off.”

She winced, Ervin was never one to spare feelings, but ouch…harsh. His dramatic criticism felt completely deserved. He was right. She did suck. The old coot’s face was still red from his tantrum.

“If this thing works out, I’ll be the queen again. So cool off before my only supporter has a massive heart attack and dies. Just think about your wife, and how much she’d like to spend your life insurance money.” The words seemed to calm him down, but not much.

“You’re giving your only supporter the heart problems, so last chance, kid. Turn the dung into gold or you’re fired.” He whirled around, leaving the same way he came in: abruptly. She could almost see him wiping her self-respect off his shoes as he marched away. If she screwed up this time, her career was finished. Dina genuinely worried about his health. For all his bark, he wasn’t a bad guy. He’d given her a good start in the industry. She’d been the one to screw it all up.

Dina sat quietly looking at the blank, smooth tabletop. She nibbled her lip and fought back tears. She had the perfect idea, but it was going to be a hard sell. Oh, it’d be easy to get the network interested, they’d love it. Old Ervin would respect her again. Masses of television viewers would praise her. Yet she’d hate herself…probably until she died. The only person who could star in this thing was the one person she loved the most. He was the only person she’d ever intentionally hurt. The person who could save her was the one who’d given Diamond City almost everything, and now she was going to ask for one last thing—his heart.

 

Author Links 

 

http://www.ashlynnmonroe.com/

http://amazon.com/author/ashlynnmonroe   

http://www.facebook.com/AshlynnMonroeAuthor

http://twitter.com/#!/ashlynn_monroe

http://www.kindlegraph.com/authors/ashlynn_monroe
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