Art curator Jovie Iams has found the man of her dreams. Her boyfriend, Italian chef Leonardo Manning, is smart, sweet, and gentle…until he breaks up with her and leaves her emotionally devastated. As she tries to repair her broken heart, she turns to Owen Michaels, an ex-soldier from Iowa struggling to forget his past.
But Jovie can’t escape her feelings for Leo, and finds her heart trapped between the two men. As she becomes more entangled with Leo and Owen, she discovers that things are not always as they seem. One of these men has a dark secret that will turn Jovie’s world on its head, and will force her to make the ultimate choice between love and safety…
Author Bio
Peggy Dabney lives in west-central Illinois with her family and rescue dog Fletcher. Besides being an avid reader, she loves football and motorcycle riding. From a very young age Peggy noticed that there are stories everywhere, and from all walks of life. She is obsessed with romance, adventure, and mystery. She tries to incorporate all of these in her writing, but always ends with an HEA (Happily Ever After). To her there’s always a new beginning, a second chance, and a new story to be told. Love always finds its way.
Phoebe thought she had her Happily Ever After. She had a beautiful little girl and was married to the man of her dreams.
But the unexpected death of her mother causes Phoebe’s world to come crashing down.
Confronted with the realization that the missing pieces of her past are lost to her forever, she watches herself morph into a person she no longer recognizes. A person she quickly grows to hate.
Barely making it through each day, Phoebe struggles to repress her darkest thoughts. But at night, she is held captive in nightmares from which she cannot escape.
With her marriage dangling by a thread, Phoebe fears a future with Justin may no longer be possible.
Refusing to give up, Justin fights for the life they used to share. But when he stumbles upon what could be the missing piece to Phoebe’s past, he is faced with a choice that could cost him everything.
When you feel like all hope is lost, is there a love that can transcend all and revive a broken soul?
Excerpt
My mind has become consumed with anger, bitterness and resentment. With my mother gone, pieces of my past have been lost forever. I had desperately tried to respect my mother’s wishes and not ask about my father. But deep inside, not knowing the truth left me feeling empty and incomplete – as if a part of me were locked away, just beyond my grasp. I’d always assumed that my mother would eventually tell me the truth – when she was ready. But now that she is gone, I don’t know how to cope with the fact that I will never truly understand who I am.
Justin doesn’t understand. I don’t think he ever really understood why it was so important for me to get answers. I should have known better than to try to talk to him about what I was feeling. I wish I could rid myself of these terrible thoughts and haunting dreams. But I can’t and I’m spiraling out of control. I feel myself slipping away from reality and from those around me. I’m keeping everyone at a distance. I’m terrified to let anyone see the person I’ve become. But in doing so, I’m alienating every person who was ever close to me and feel more alone than ever.
5 Star Praise for Absolute Love:
“Absolute Love is an exceptional debut novel. Written in joint POV, which i love, you get see the devastating effect Phoebe’s loss has not only on her but also on Justin her husband.” ~Bare Naked Words~ “This debut novel was one of my favorite reads so far this year!” Make sure you set aside plenty of time to read this one as you won’t want to stop once you get started – it is that good! ~Nerd Girl~ “Absolute Love is confronting and raw. It’s emotionally charged. It’s beautiful and heart warming. It’s about love.” “We commend Erin on her début novel. A definite 5 star read.” ~Bloggers from Down Under~
About the Author
Canadian born and raised, Erin Everleigh, is the mom of three girls, who always keep her on her toes – twins age 7 and an older sister who is 9. She has a self-confessed addiction to reading that her family will certainly corroborate, and you will rarely find her without her kindle at arm’s length constantly feeding this obsession. She is the author of newly released novel, Absolute Love. A story that composed itself in her head, which she could no longer ignore. After months of writing out chapters on her iPhone, she finally opened up her laptop and decided to take the plunge.
Kissing handsome rancher Harper Bay to avoid a confrontation with her past isn’t on Amber Cross’s “to do” list, but sometimes a situation calls for desperate measures. She doesn’t expect the kiss to leave her breathless.
Amber is the hottest thing walking but clearly not Harper’s type. Nope, he’s not looking for a platinum blonde manicurist from the city, even if she is Bakersville’s reigning rodeo queen. After her surprising kiss leaves him panting, he changes his mind and decides to get to know her. Chemistry sizzles between them, but this gorgeous woman has a past that could get them both killed.
Trusting Sydney
Sam O’Donovan is bored with his stale life in Montana. When his brother-in-law offers him a great job and a cut of the McCray Ranch in Bakersville, Colorado, he’s ecstatic. This is the change he needs. As for beautiful Sydney Buchanan resurfacing? That’s icing on the cake.
Sydney’s back in Bakersville for one reason and one reason only. She needs to win as many large rodeo purses as she can to help her parents run their struggling ranch in Nevada. She doesn’t bank on running into Sam O’Donovan. All the sparks they shared five years earlier are still there, but so much else has changed. If only Sam could understand the decisions she made during their time apart…and trust her.
Helen Hardt is an attorney and stay-at-home mom turned award-winning romance author and freelance fiction editor. She writes contemporary, historical, paranormal, and erotic romance from her home in Colorado. She’s a mother, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an avid fan of opera and football (as long as her older son and younger son are performing/playing, respectively), and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
Making Magic by Donna June Cooper: Release Blitz & Giveaway
Absolute Love by Erin Everleigh: Release Blitz & Giveaway
Drawn to Fight by Lilliana Anderson: Cover Reveal
Making Magic
by Donna June Cooper
Series: Books of the Kindling, #3
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Cover Designer: Kanaxa
Genre: Contemporary Romance with a touch of Magic
Release Date: January 20, 2015
Books of the Kindling, Book 3
Sticks and stones may threaten bones, but her words can conquer both body and soul.
During his law enforcement career, Sheriff Jake Moser has been called to Woodruff Mountain a few times to deal with some rather weird situations. Now, recovering from a bullet wound that should have killed him and fending off his mother’s ravings about the evil that lurks on the mountain, he’s making alternate career plans.
Just as those plans begin to take shape, someone starts kidnapping newborn babies, then returning them unharmed. To make things even more interesting, an irritating adversary from his past has returned to bedevil him in a whole new, delightful way.
After her erratic psychic gift forced her to abandon her home and a promising musical career, Thea Woodruff has spent years trying, unsuccessfully, to atone for the death of Becca Moser, Jake’s sister. Once she has mourned those she’s lost and apologized to those she’s failed, she intends to flee her mountain once again.
Jake would rather she stay to compose a new tune—with him. But their complicated harmony reveals a guilty secret that threatens not only their future, but their lives…
Warning: A temperamental flute-player returns to torment an old flame, but he has other ideas, and the music they make together is combustible—and magical.
Thea caught movement at the edge of her vision and braced herself for another automobile groupie, but it was only a dirty mop head lying on the ground next to the wall. In her exhausted state, she must’ve imagined it. She opened the door and put her bags on the console. Before she put the coffee in the drink holder, she took a long sip of the scalding brew. It wasn’t too bad, but it made her eyes water. She blinked when she saw the mop head move again. Probably a rat or raccoon under there.Then the mop head lifted its ears and gazed at her with big dark eyes.
She gasped and spilled yet more coffee on her blouse.
A dog.
A horribly-matted, filthy gray dog that might’ve once been white pushed up on skinny legs and backed against the wall, watching her with suspicion. Then she saw the battered aluminum pan and cracked bowl full of water beside it. Someone was feeding the poor thing, but not really taking ownership.
A stray. Like her.
She almost took a step towards the pitiful creature, but what would she do with a dog?
Thea hadn’t thought much beyond getting home for the wedding, except that she couldn’t stay. Grace had a husband now, a baby on the way and probably planned to fill the house up with children. Daniel was moving into the old Taggart place with his new bride. And she needed to follow her plan to go off and teach music somewhere. There was no room for the prodigal daughter on the mountain, much less a grimy, smelly dog. She looked down at herself and smiled. They were a matched set, weren’t they?
The dirty mop blinked at her as she sipped her coffee.
“What’s your name, pooch?” she asked.
The head cocked sideways and one eye disappeared behind its unkempt hair. The other eye glared at her as the dog tried to sink back into the wall.
She thought of the interstate and the busy highway only yards away and shuddered. The poor thing had probably been left behind by some traveling family or a trucker. At least someone here was feeding it. She wondered how long it had been here, waiting for its owner to return. Her heart clenched. Swallowing hard, she shut the car door, walking back into the truck stop.
The woman who had waited on her before looked up and smiled. “Back for a refill, hon?”
“No, ma’am.” Her voice felt rusty, as if she hadn’t used it in a long time. “I was wondering about the dog out in the parking lot.”
The woman frowned. “Poor thing. Someone dumped her here a couple of months back.”
Months would feel like years to a little one like that. Years waiting for someone to take you home. Years waiting to go home. Thea felt tears threatening at the symmetry.
“No one came for it? No one here wants to take it home?”
“Hey, we tried. She won’t come and no one can catch her. Sly little thing. We figure she’s holding out for her real owner.”
“How do you know it’s female?”
The woman, whose nametag said “Jenny”, leaned over conspiratorially. “The way she pees, but we might be wrong. The boys do that sometimes too.”
Thea mulled it over. Surely Grace had room for another dog. Or maybe Daniel would take her. Someone would.
She reached for her wallet and pulled out one of her cards. “Do you have a pen?” Carefully scratching out her business number, she wrote her cell number on the card in its place and handed it over. “If her owner comes back, you call me.”
Jenny looked at the card and gave her an assessing look. She could imagine how she appeared to the woman—pencil thin skirt, stained silk blouse and expensive heels.
“Oh, hon. You ain’t gonna catch her.”
Thea smiled. I just gave a powerful multinational the one finger salute. I can save an abandoned dog. “Watch me. I’ll have an order of bacon to go, please.”
Jenny shook her head, but went back to the kitchen and brought back a napkin wrapped around several pieces of bacon. “On the house. If you can catch Bailey, I’ll give you a hamburger for her lunch. And one for yours as well.”
“Bailey? After Baileyton?”
The woman nodded. “Works for a girl or a boy, I say.”
The name fit. Taking the bacon, she walked back out front with Jenny close on her heels only to find Bailey gone.
“She’s probably out raiding the garbage. She hides out back there under the skips sometimes. But you’ll never be able to get to her.”
Thea handed Jenny her coffee. “If I do, I want another hot cup to go instead of that second burger. I’m a vegetarian.”
The woman laughed and followed her, carrying the coffee. “This I gotta see.”
Sure enough, they spotted the walking mop sniffing around one of the garbage skips at the back of the building, far enough back to make it impossible to reach her.
Thea got as close to the skip as she could get without going under it, then squatted down, or rather tried to. She finally gave up, hiked up her skirt and knelt on the dirty pavement.
“Here, Bailey girl!” She leaned in under the skip and held out a piece of bacon. “Come on, baby girl,” she cooed.
The dog crouched in the shadows, her ears back and her tail tucked under, growling.
It was a good thing Thea’s nose was stopped up. What little she could smell was bad enough.
“What’s goin’ on back here?” came a man’s voice. Thea jumped, whacking her head on the side of the skip.
“This lady’s trying to get Bailey,” Jenny said.
“Like that’s gonna happen. You’re the one with that red Beemer from Pennsylvania, ain’t ya?”
Thea looked over her shoulder at a man in a white apron who had leaned down to grin at her. He said every single syllable of Penn-syl-va-ni-a, as if it were an unpronounceable contagious disease. And his eyes spent far too much time lingering on her rear end, which was sticking up in the air at the moment.
She felt her temper start to rise. She hated it when people, especially men, tried to tell her what she could and couldn’t do.
“Damn it, Bailey,” she hissed. But those big eyes looked terrified and the dog had cringed even closer to the pavement.
Crap. “Bailey, come here,” she said quietly, but the voice rang off the metal of the skip.
Bailey immediately crawled forward, right onto her lap. Thea slid sideways and heard her skirt rip at the kick pleat as she turned to sit beside the garbage skip with the filthy dog in her arms.
“Well I’ll be,” Jenny exclaimed, clapping her hands.
The man seemed to be reassessing his opinion of Thea. “Shit. You some kinda dog whisperer or somethin’?”
Thea smiled. “Or something.” She looked at Jenny. “Now, how about that hamburger for my friend here?” She broke off little pieces of bacon and fed them to Bailey.
“Oh you bet, honey. And I’ll get you some wipes for your hands and—” Jenny looked Thea over and sniffed, “—for your hands.” She ran back into the restaurant.
“Hell, I’d say both you and the dog need to use the showers, but we don’t let no dogs in there,” the man said. “You need me to help you up, honey?”
Thea smirked at him and put Bailey down at her feet. “Stay.” Bailey waited, motionless, as Thea stood then reached down to scoop her back up.
“That’s weird,” the man said. “Spooky, even.”
Thea was tempted to make him do something embarrassing, to get back at him for the shower comment, but her head was already aching. Besides, she did need a shower. She bit her lip and marched past him around the side of the building with Bailey in her arms.
Lovely. Now she had an audience. They seemed to be the regulars, truckers mostly and some staff, standing outside the doors watching as she carried the dog to her car. One of the waitresses started clapping. Then the rest joined in, until even the grumpy cook cheered the little dog’s rescue.
Smiling at them, Thea lifted Bailey’s paw to wave goodbye to them and opened the car door to slide in, dog and all. She shut it firmly and quickly pushed the button to start the car, struggled to fasten her seat belt under the dog and wondered if she should fasten it over the dog instead. She knew next to nothing about dogs.
Jenny came running out with a sack and a cup, grinning. When Thea rolled down the window, she leaned in. “Here you go. Fresh coffee, a nice hamburger for Bailey and some hashbrowns for you. There’s utensils and hand wipes. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think what both of you’ll need is a long hot soak. And you need some meat on your bones if you’re going to keep up with this ‘un.” She cautiously stroked Bailey’s ears and Thea noticed a glint in her eyes. Jenny was probably the person who’d been feeding the poor thing. “She’d never let me touch her.”
Thea tensed when Bailey turned and licked her cheek. She could not get attached to a dog she had just met. “Do you want to keep her?” she asked.
“Oh, my. No! My Larry would have my hide. I already have four at home. One more and I end up in the pound. No, I think our Bailey’s real owner finally showed up.” She sniffed. “You come back and visit us, baby doll,” she said to Bailey. “I want to see you all cleaned up and pretty.”
“Cleaned up, we can do. Not so sure about pretty,” Thea said, unable to picture Bailey as anything but a mop.
“Here.” Jenny pulled the white towel off her shoulder and handed it to Thea. “Make her a place over there next to you. You don’t wanna drive with her in your lap like that.”
Thea braced her flute case against the passenger door and pushed the junk on the passenger seat around to make a nest. She curled the towel in the seat and sat Bailey on it.
Bailey immediately walked back across and lay on Thea’s lap again.
Jenny gave Bailey’s head one more stroke. “Definitely found her real owner.”
Thea’s smiled. “Thanks, Jenny. You were a good foster mom.”
Jenny nodded and backed away, wiping at her eyes, then waved as Thea drove out of the parking lot.
When she’s not being dragged down the sidewalk by her Jack Russell (if you know Jacks, you understand), Donna June Cooper is belly dancing (shiny!), reading (three books at once), writing (of course!) or complaining about the heat (no matter the temperature). A child of the Appalachians who was transplanted to Texas by her Italian husband, Donna returns to her mountain roots as often as possible, and takes her readers with her in her Books of the Kindling.
Phoebe thought she had her Happily Ever After. She had a beautiful little girl and was married to the man of her dreams.
But the unexpected death of her mother causes Phoebe’s world to come crashing down.
Confronted with the realization that the missing pieces of her past are lost to her forever, she watches herself morph into a person she no longer recognizes. A person she quickly grows to hate.
Barely making it through each day, Phoebe struggles to repress her darkest thoughts. But at night, she is held captive in nightmares from which she cannot escape.
With her marriage dangling by a thread, Phoebe fears a future with Justin may no longer be possible.
Refusing to give up, Justin fights for the life they used to share. But when he stumbles upon what could be the missing piece to Phoebe’s past, he is faced with a choice that could cost him everything.
When you feel like all hope is lost, is there a love that can transcend all and revive a broken soul?
Prologue
33 years ago
Susan stepped off the Greyhound bus and inhaled deeply, taking in the crisp winter air. Almost immediately, she began to shiver in response to the sub-freezing temperature outside. She pulled down on her wool hat so it completely covered her ears, only leaving an inch or two of her newly cut and dyed hair exposed. She slung her duffel bag over her shoulder and headed towards the street, pushing herself through the sea of people streaming in the opposite direction.
Keeping her head down in fear of being recognized, she double-checked the address she had hurriedly scribbled down on a piece of paper before leaving her house that morning. She knew she was being paranoid and was unlikely to be recognized by anyone there, but one can never be too careful – something she knew she would need to remember now that she was all alone in the big city.
Sadly, it wasn’t her parents whom she worried would come looking for her. They would probably be relieved to read the note that she left behind, absolving them of all responsibility for her well-being. They likely wouldn’t even realize she was gone until one of the maids found her note, which made clear that she did not want to be found.
Susan stopped in front of a small stone building, nestled between two daunting office towers. Even in the busyness of the downtown streets, her destination looked welcoming – something for which she felt very thankful since it would be her home for some time. The front door swung open and she quickly stepped to the side, allowing a girl who looked a couple of years younger than Susan pass. The girl’s belly looked like it was about to burst and, with the help of two other women, she got into a waiting taxi. Susan instinctively touched her own belly and reveled in the thought that, in a number of months, she would be just like that girl. As she watched the taxi’s taillights disappear down the street, she rubbed her belly and whispered to her unborn child, “This is it little one. Today we start our new life together, just you and me. If you are a girl, I’m going to name you Phoebe. And if you are a boy…well I’m not quite sure yet, thankfully I have some time to figure that out. But most importantly, I pray that I will be enough for you…” Her voice trailed off as she opened the door and stepped into her new life.
About the Author
Canadian born and raised, Erin Everleigh, is the mom of three girls, who always keep her on her toes – twins age 7 and an older sister who is 9. She has a self-confessed addiction to reading that her family will certainly corroborate, and you will rarely find her without her kindle at arm’s length constantly feeding this obsession. She is the author of the soon to be released novel, Absolute Love. A story that composed itself in her head, which she could no longer ignore. After months of writing out chapters on her iPhone, she finally opened up her laptop and decided to take the plunge.
New Adult romance, for 18+ only due to sexual content and adult themes
Drawn to Fight begins a new series in the world of the Drawn Series, following Redemption and featuring, Damien and Etta’s daughter, Evie, in her own coming of age drama filled with angst, love, passion, need, and a healthy dose of obsession.
Zac Rivers. A boy no one wanted to know. Always angry. Always fighting his way in and out of trouble. It was no surprise when he was expelled from school and never heard from again.
Until now.
I found him at the Londonderry Brawl, and I watched him fight like an animal. Strong. Controlled. But desperate. I sensed in him a purpose – a need to win – and I wanted to know what was so important to him. The way he fought was mesmerising, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Then, it was over, he’d won and I needed to leave.
He didn’t want me to.
When his lips met mine, somehow, he stole my heart, and in that moment, I knew my world was forever changed. I needed to know this boy. I needed to discover all there was to know about him or I’d never be able to breathe again. No one thinks we should be together. They say his bad news.
Well, people say I’m bad news too.
Then, as fate would have it, I was forced to introduce him to my most fierce protector. A man whose past is riddled with secrets and mistakes; a man who fought his way from the darkness and into the light; a man called Damien – my father.
My name is Yvonne Rhodes, although, you may prefer to call me Evie. I’m the eldest daughter of Damien and Henrietta Rhodes. Inside me, I have my mother’s sense, and my father’s passion.
This is Zac’s and my story. It’s about needing someone to the point of obsession. It’s about losing control, and finding a way to pick up the pieces when everything seems broken.
And it’s about love. One that’s so strong, nothing can stop it.
Interested? You can read CHAPTER ONE HERE, or if you like, you can preorder via the following links
Endless Affinity by Brooklyn Taylor: Blog Tour & Giveaway
Temporary by Kim Carmichael: Blog Tour & Giveaway
Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush by Victoria Pinder: Review Blitz & Giveaway
Romance Beach Bundle 1 by Donna Fasano: Promo Blitz
Persuading Tomorrow by J. Laslie: Cover Reveal & Giveaway
Absolute Love by Erin Everleigh: Cover Reveal & Giveaway
SYNOPSIS
Grace Ingram made one mistake that sent her down a path that was full of heart break and misery. In a moment of hesitation her stubbornness left her filled with doubts in her mind that could cause her to sacrifice the love of her life.
Grace was a blue-collar, strong, independent Texas girl that had been with the same guy since high school. Now at the age of 26 she has been asked the one thing most women are waiting and wishing for, but not Grace. The last thing she wanted was to get married and start a family- especially with a guy that had never had to work for a living. She knew Kyle was the only one she had ever loved with all her heart, trusting and allowing a level of intimacy she would never allow with another. After all he was the only man that knew of the abuse she suffered as a high school teenager. The differences in their lifestyles were in such
contrast, though, that it was hard for her to let her guard down. Grace had no idea the battle she would really be fighting once she realized she was losing Kyle for good.
Kyle Chandler was everything every woman wanted. He was rich, gorgeous and full of charm. He was a ladies’ man but the only girl he had eyes for was Grace, his high school sweetheart. He had the world handed to him on a silver platter. The one thing he couldn’t have and wanted deeply was to make Grace his, but he hadn’t been successful at accomplishing that. After years of reluctance he decides to take the risk and ask her to be his, only to be met with the answer he dreaded.
Now, the three girls are back together, trying to juggle their friendships and their busy lives. McKoy is beginning to take over her successful family Vineyard, and Ashlynn getting ready for the arrival of her baby with Cooper.
Will the people that come into their lives keep them apart? Or serve to make them realize the love that they really share?
Do you have to really lose the most important person in your life to realize how special they are? And how hard will you fight to regain that love?
Can Grace overcome her indecisiveness, confident in the love she and Kyle share, knowing they are meant to be together? And is love really enough?
I woke up to the heat of sunlight blaring on my body and on my eyes. I heard giggles and saw Cooper standing over us.
“Ummmm, Grace…. Kyle…….”
I sat up and saw I had nothing on and grabbed for my boobs. “Holy shit.”
“Wait a minute Grace don’t move. I don’t want to see anything more than I already have. Kyle don’t move, let me back away and drive the fuck out of here. Ash is going to love this story. Hope y’all had fun on my farm truck. From the looks of it, you had more fun than I did last night.”
“Very funny Cooper!”
I heard Cooper take off on the Polaris and rolled my eyes.
“How embarrassing! I didn’t realize we had fallen asleep.”
Kyle laughed. “Let’s get home baby and do that again.”
“I am going to hear a mouth full from Ash!”
He mumbled “wasn’t it worth it” as he kissed my lips then turned to give my ass a slap as I got off the truck.
“Hell yes it was worth it!”
“You know Grace, I’ve always been a car person, but I love this truck.” He gave it a good pat. “Do you think that Cooper would sell it to us?” We both laughed as we made our way to the car knowing every time we saw this truck it would hold a special memory for us.
Brooklyn Taylor Bio
I am a Texas girl, mother of 2 amazing kiddos and married to
my gorgeous soulmate for almost 20 years. I have a full time job in the medical
field but hope one day to strictly write. I love to spend my free time reading,
being outside and playing with my family and 4 fur babies. I am blessed to have
very supportive friends and family that make my life worth living! I started to
write at the instinct of “hey maybe I can do that!” and here I am. I
have enjoyed every step of the journey. Every single person I hear from
about my stories touches me and confirms the reason why I ventured into this
insane dream of mine.
Content, consistent and calm described Ivan Harlow’s life to a tee. Satisfied with being a artist at the world-famous Permanent Tattoo, playing the role of eternal side-kick, and of course, hooking up with his best friend’s baby sister, his days are predictable and fun, and nothing has to change. With his live story permanently embedded in his skin, he still can’t help but feel anything he dares to love will only be temporary.
All Emily Elliott wants are some big changes in her life. She wants to make it big in the world makeup, needs to show her three big brothers she is all grown up, and dreams of truly being with Ivan, the man she has wanted since she was seven years old.
However, when the fate of the tattoo shop is put into Ivan and Emily’s hands, they must not only work together outside of the bedroom, but face their own personal truths, and figure out what is permanent, what is temporary and where love fits.
Temporary is Book Two in the Indelibly Marked Series that revolves around the lives and loves of the Elliott Family and Permanent Tattoo. Each full-length book can be read as a stand-alone, and features its own couple.
Interview with JB Fellers, Cover Model for Permanent.
Have you read Permanent? I have not read it.
If so, is there anything about Shane that you relate to? If not, whats stopping you? I have dyslexia so spending my time reading my school textbooks is all the reading I can take.
How many Tattoos do you have? Any meanings behind them? I have 5 tattoos. All of them have meaning. My first was my 21st bday gift to myself. It is a sun with 3 moons. 3 is my favorite number. My tree is by my favorite artist mc Escher. My lion is colored blue so the tattoo stands for strength, honesty and loyalty (all attributes I hope others see in me). My 4-5 are birds in relief on my back that I drew myself.
Three things about yourself that most people don’t know? 1. I have written 2 books of poetry when I was younger and tried to get them published when I was a teen. 2. My favorite poet is Edgar Allen Poe. 3. I believe the most valuable thing someone can give me, or I them, is time.
What inspired you to write the Indelibly Marked Series? I loved the idea of the bad boy with a heart of gold. I wanted someone who was off the beaten track and totally and completely Los Angeles. Shane was born because I love that look and that image.
Who is your favorite character to write? Oh geez, thats like asking to choose a favorite child. I have to say that while Shane will always hold a special place in my heart, the title of my favorite person to write has to go to his best friend, Ivan. He is so damaged and so worried and just wants to do the right thing. He’s so afraid of anything upsetting his little universe and I just could really identify with him.
What is your attraction to Tattooed men? It seems like men with tattoos are very deep, so deep that they need to put on their skin what maybe they can’t say in words.
What kind of research did you do for the series? I visited a lot of shops in Hollywood, I interviewed tattoo artists from around the country, and I did an extensive interview with Dirk Vermin (Bad Ink). For some of the plot points in the second book I did consult with two dermatologists.
Are there going to be more books in this series? There will be two more to round off the series. Carson, the quiet brother, and we will end with Dillon.
Book Title: Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush Author: Victoria Pinder Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: June 2014 Hosted by:Book Enthusiast Promotions
Penny moves back to Miami to start her a job with a list of things to accomplish.
1. Find a place to live.
2. Avoid her gold-digging mother.
3. Reconnect with old high school friends: her best friend Sandra, the dramatic Eva, the dark Michael, her half-brother Wyatt, and her former crush Jay.
Jay may have kept her firmly in the “friend zone”, but that didn’t stop her from wanting more. Her five friends have stood by her through some difficult times and she’ll need their help now to accomplish her first two goals.
As soon as Jay sees Penny, he puts his plan into motion. His investors need to see him with a stable woman, one who isn’t all flash and no brains; Penny fits the bill perfectly. There’s just one hitch—he wants more.
Their pretend date sets off a whirlwind of plots. From mothers who want to control their children’s lives to the loss of her exciting new job, Penny’s world turns upside down. She knows she can overcome all obstacles except one—she’s falling for Jay all over again.
Chapter One
Jay Marshall pressed his lips together as he held the phone. His hands curled into a ball then straightened. He stared out his bay windows overlooking the ocean. Another beautiful day on the beaches of South Florida, not that he cared. Sunshine never filled him with joy. The humidity outside suffocated the spirit, but somehow, with this deal, he’d break free.
“Yes, you’ll see I mean business, Mr. Danvers. My business plans are long term.”
Danvers sucked in his breath, as if he were doubting the sincerity of Jay’s words, then told Jay. “And I’ll meet your girlfriend. It’s always telling with people from Miami. Flashy women and cars do not make good investments on my end.”
Jay gritted his teeth and tugged at his free ear, but kept the phone on the other. Miami advertised plastic women on the highway as a special brand. Flashy came with the area code. Instead he nodded his head and told the potential investor, “I understand. See you next week.”
He hung up the phone and stared out the window. The brightness showed his reflection and his grim frown. Jay needed to win. His eyes squished together. He¹d pay the price for success. He had no other choice.
Jay’s mind raced to his technical girlfriend. Eva was the epitome of flashy, beautiful, and fake. She’d been a friend since high school, and two months ago, they¹d ended up dating. On paper the award winning dramatic actress, his money, and their history should be a match. Yet he couldn’t imagine his entire life videotaped.
If he walked away from her, there would be no regrets. His investors hoped he had a nice, sweet woman on the side. His cousin and her friend, Penelope, flashed in his head before he dropped the thought.
He pushed his hand on the glass window before he stepped back into the shadows of his office.
Darkness didn¹t suit him either. Nothing stirred inside him anymore, though he craved something. Anything other than boredom from the sticky heat of his life.
He shook his head and poked his head out of his office. His secretary sat there typing. “Call Eva. Set up an appointment for us to talk today.”
With the click of the door knob he rolled up his sleeves. He needed the deal to put his goals in line with his investment portfolio.
His eyes narrowed in on the first words, long term growth.
Long term read to his eyes like a rescue rope. He blinked. Life should be lived with long term goals to reach. Freedom meant change.
Today, he’d break up with Eva. In his heart, he’d always hoped for a woman that tugged at his heart strings. But hopes didn’t earn freedom. He’d prove to himself, and the others, John Jay Marshall came out of the game of life on top.
Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston before moving to the Miami sun. After realizing she needed change, she became a high school teacher. Teaching is rewarding, but writing is a passion.
She always wrote stories to entertain herself or calm down. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, but when she sat down to see what skill she had that matched what she enjoyed doing, writing became so obvious.
The Zoastra Affair, Chaperoning Paris, Borrowing the Doctor, and Electing Love will be published from Soul mate Publishing. Mything the Throne will be published with Double Dragon Ebooks. Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush will be published with Jupiter Press.
Now she is represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency.
Also she’s the Vice President of Programs for the Florida Romance Writers. She’s gone to multiple conferences and intends to continue. Her website is http://www.victoriapinder.com.
Member of Florida Romance Writers, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA, Celtic Hearts and Savvy Authors.
Is there anything better than lounging on a sunny beach under a colorful umbrella, soaking up the sunshine and the salty sea breeze as you indulge in your favorite pastime—reading a romance novel? In the Romance Beach Bundle 1, USA Today Bestselling author Donna Fasano brings you three romantic books that are sure to warm your heart and put a smile on your face.
Nanny And The Professor
Professor Joshua Kingston thought he’d found the perfect nanny for his son. But once Cassie Simmons stepped into his life, she turned it upside down! His son no longer played by the rules – and Cassie kept making up new ones. He would fire her – if he didn’t find her so utterly enticing.
Cassie had a huge secret to hide, and she couldn’t afford to lose her new job. But her handsome employer wasn’t making things easy. All those silly rules. How was an eight-year-old boy supposed to have any fun? The professor definitely needed a lesson in laughter – and love!
Taking Love in Stride
Track coach Andrea O’Connor is fuming at the audacity of Ian Powers, the very attractive father of one of her students. He offers to buy school equipment only if Andrea agrees to train him for a half-marathon.
Well, train him, she will. And not just in running. As a widower with a high-powered job, Ian needs some instruction in being a father to an active teenage daughter. Yet as this overbearing man opens up, Andrea finds herself learning lessons—in loving.
Ian knows that Andrea, with her assertive attitude and her penchant for stilettos, is some woman! But her vulnerable heart is on the run, so he’ll have to prove that his love, unlike his running, has limitless endurance—and once he catches this swift beauty, he’ll never let her go.
Mountain Laurel
So what if Laurel Morgan hadn’t had a date since the senior prom? If all it would take to convince her teenage sister to consider college was to go on a few dates and have some fun, it was a bet she could beat. And before she could change her mind, sexy forest ranger Michael Walker agreed to play the part of her ardent admirer!
Laurel never expected Michael’s acting abilities to be quite so convincing. Whenever her sister was watching, Laurel found herself wrapped in a heady embrace with a passionate kiss on the way. Her captivating cohort promised a performance that would win her the wager, but when the curtain closed, would she lose the only man she would ever love?
USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written over 30 romance and women’s fiction books that have sold 4 million copies worldwide. Look for Ehefrau auf Zeit (German Edition) due out September 16th, published by Amazon Crossing, and the first novel of the brand new 3-book Ocean City Boardwalk Series called Following His Heart, due to be released at the end of October.
When the unimaginable happens and Jordan loses her best friend on the night she had planned to tell him her feelings, it leaves her to wonder if she’s the guilty party, but her memories of that night are fuzzy. In an attempt to leave her past and the hateful stares of her peers behind, she moves across the country to live with her mother in Esterwilde, Pennsylvania. It’s a small close-knit town, but there no one should know about her past, or so she thought.
When Zyler runs into the new girl in town he can’t help but feel a connection, but he also knows her past harbors a horrible secret. He’s heard the rumors, but doesn’t believe them. Seeing Jordan in pain kills him and all he wants to do is take it away.
Jordan soon realizes that no matter what she does she’s not going to be able to outrun her past. Can Zyler show her that despite the hate and ignorance in the world that life is still worth living? Will she ever figure out the truth about the night that took away her best friend?
“You gotta stop saying things like that.”
“Why?” I see him push off the counter and step around to face me. He brings a hand up to run his thumb across my cheek and my breath hitches at the intimate contact. His touch still seems to shoot electricity through me. My skin is on high alert when he’s around and I can feel the pace of my heart pick up into a full gallop by the close proximity of him.
“Be.. because I said so?” It shouldn’t have come out as a question and it lacked the conviction that I was feeling inside.
“I don’t think you mean that. I think you like it when I say nice things about you. You just don’t know how to handle them. Jordan, you are a beautiful person no matter what people may have said to you in the past. I know you hide behind that shy exterior, but you need to push that aside and not let people put you down. You have the most amazing wavy, red hair. I didn’t even know it came in that shade naturally. Your eyes are the most brilliant green I’ve ever seen.”
J. Laslie lives in Louisville, KY with her wonderful husband, two kids, four dogs, and mother-in-law. She runs Sweet Yet Naughty Book Blog and is also an event coordinator for the Louisville Authors Event. She has always been an avid reader and now wants to try her hand at writing.
In her spare time she loves to do digital scrapbooking, hanging out with her BFF Heather, or reading a good book. Her favorite genres to read are Young Adult and Young Adult Dystopian. Though she loves a good romance novel too.
Phoebe thought she had her Happily Ever After. She had a beautiful little girl and was married to the man of her dreams.
But the unexpected death of her mother causes Phoebe’s world to come crashing down.
She becomes haunted at night by her dreams, as issues from her past begin to resurface.
Confronted with the realization that the missing pieces of her past are likely lost to her forever, she watches herself morph into a person she no longer recognizes. A person she quickly grows to hate.
With their marriage now dangling by a thread Phoebe and Justin find themselves living apart.
But Justin refuses to give up, and when he stumbles upon what could be the missing piece to Phoebe’s past, he is faced with a choice that could cost him everything.
Canadian born and raised, Erin Everleigh, is the mom of three girls, who always keep her on her toes – twins age 7 and an older sister that is almost 9. She has a self-confessed addiction to reading that her family will certainly corroborate, and you will rarely find her without her kindle at arm’s length constantly feeding this obsession. She is the author of the soon to be released novel, Absolute Love. A story that composed itself in her head, which she could no longer ignore. After months of writing out chapters on her iPhone, she finally opened up her laptop and decided to take the plunge.
About the Author
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