This blog is for those 18 and older.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Sting by Sandra Brown




Typically, I love novels by Sandra Brown.  Here comes the “but.” 

The format was typical for a romantic suspense, but I had no compassion for the heroine, Jordie Bennet.  She was too much of a bitch, and when it came to softening her up for the romantic feelings and “good person” feel, I didn’t fall for it.

Shaw Kinnard is a gun for hire and captures Jordie for a sum of two million.  Jordie has to figure out why he doesn’t kill her right away back in the Louisiana swamp and how she can get away before it does happen.Sting

Shaw has his reason for holding off on the kill.  Jordie’s brother is working for Shaw’s boss and the brother might know where a grand sum of thirty million is stashed.  Shaw claims to be holding Jordie hostage for the jackpot. 

Well, I can see the “bad man,” Shaw, wanting to get it on with his beautiful and rich captive, but the fact that Jordie has unwanted feelings for the man she still believes will kill her and possibly go after her brother, too, is a touch too unbelievable.

I figured out the twist in the plot (I won’t give that up) easily in the first seventy pages or so.  That didn’t faze me, but …Jordie’s such a B.  I liked Shaw better than her and it’s too bad he got hurt!  I wanted him to find another woman (he does reveal redeeming qualities).  Oh, well, they’re both happy…

 

Happy reading,

Dawn

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Tying the Scot

I just finished reading Tying the Scot by Jennifer Trethwey. It's her debut novel and it's absolutely fantastic. However, since it was an advanced review copy, it won't be out until 11/27/17. When it does, I will post a link. It's that fantastic.

Review:

Tying the Scot is an enchanting story filled with memorable characters and witty banter. Trethewey seamlessly weaves together a captivating tale with gripping suspense and a charming romance. Delightful colloquial words are sprinkled throughout, which not only entertains but textures the characters as well. Alex is an absolute delight as he botches up his first meeting with headstrong Lucy, amongst other things, making the story that much more enjoyable as he scrambles to make things right. Twists in the plot work against him and Lucy as the harshness of Scottish life sets in, rife with cutthroats. With Lucy’s tenacity and Alex’s bullishness they brave the turbulence that entwines them together.

Until then, give her some love and check out her FB page and newsletter. New authors need as much support as they can get.

JenniferTrethewey.com
@jltrethewey
 jennifertretheweyromance

yours, Nicolette Pierce



Wednesday, August 23, 2017

The Search continues.....


         Hello, gentle readers!
         As many of you may know from my last post, I am currently in between day jobs and searching for a new one. I’ve been taking advantage of several classes and webinars offered by various groups (such as AARP….yes, I’m old enough to be a member!) to help me in this endeavor.
Boy, things have changed since I last did this! It’s all interesting though and very educational.
         I just took a self-evaluation test on a website that was recommended to see what I am best suited to do/want to do…stay with what I know or broaden my horizons for something different. I answered all the questions and you know what I learned? That I want to be a writer above all else!
Are you shocked? No, me neither! It’s what I love, what I have a passion for.
So, while the search continues for that day job, I’ve been writing. A lot. It’s amazing how many words are in my head that were previously blocked by both time and other obligations. And I’m having a blast working on A Kiss in the Sunlight, the third story in my MacDermott Brothers trilogy, so much so, that my DH had to check on me the other day because I was laughing and carrying on a conversation….with my characters! Needless to say, he thinks I’m a little crazy, but that’s okay (he should have already known that).
Until we talk again….

Happy reading!
Marie

Sunday, August 20, 2017

DEVIL'S RUN by Beverley Oakley and a $10 Amazon Gift Card!

  Devil's Run
Scandalous Miss Brightwell series 
By Beverley Oakley 

Beverley is giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. You may find those locations here. 

BLURB: 
A rigged horse race - and a marriage offer riding on the outcome. When Miss Eliza Montrose unexpectedly becomes legal owner of the horse tipped to win the East Anglia Cup, her future is finally in her hands – but at what cost? 

George Bramley, nephew to the Earl of Quamby, will wager anything. Even his future bride.
   
Miss Eliza Montrose will accept any wager to be reunited with the child she was forced to relinquish after an indiscretion — even if it means marrying a man she does not love. 
  
But when the handsome and charming Rufus Patmore buys a horse from her betrothed, George Bramley, whose household her son visits from the foundling home, her heart is captured and the outcome of the wager is suddenly fraught with peril. 
**This is book 3 in the Scandalous Miss Brightwell series, though it can be read as a stand-alone. 
~*~*~*~*~*~ 
Excerpt:

Chapter One

“And there’s nothing else you’d like, my dear? No?” Straightening after receiving a polite rebuff, George Bramley found it an effort to keep the syrup in his tone. His bride-to-be had not even looked at him as she’d declined the piece of marchpane he’d been certain would win him at least a smile.

Hovering at her side, he weighed up the advantages of a gentle rebuke, then decided against it. Until yesterday, he’d thought her quiet demeanour suggested a charmingly pliant nature. Now he was not so sure. In fact, suddenly, he was not sure of anything.

“A glass of lemonade, perhaps, my angel? Or a gentle stroll?”

“I would prefer to be left alone.” Miss Montrose waved a languid hand in his general direction, while she continued to gaze at the still lake beside which their picnic party had situated itself.

The languid arm-wave had not even been accompanied by a demure thank you as subtle acknowledgement of her gratitude that not only had Mr Bramley, heir to a viscountcy, stepped in to rescue Miss Eliza Montrose from impoverishment, he was prepared to treat her publicly as if she were as fine a catch as he could have made.

A soft titter brought his head round sharply, but the ladies behind him, bent over the latest Ackerman’s Repository, appeared occupied with their own gossip as they lounged on cushions beneath the canopy that had been erected to protect them from the sun.

Awkwardly, he looked for occupation as he continued to eye his intended with a mixture of irritation and desire—both lustful desire, and the desire to put her in her place.

The idea of the latter made him harden. She was beautiful, this quiet, apparently retiring, young woman who said so little, but whose eyes spoke such volumes. The afternoon sun glinted on her honey-gold hair and imbued her porcelain skin with a warm glow. The skin that he could see, at any rate.

He pushed back his shoulders. On their wedding night in six weeks, when he’d at last take possession of her, he’d rip that modesty to shreds. The skin she was so at pains to hide would be his, not only to see, but to caress and taste. When she was his wife, the beautiful, distant Miss Eliza Montrose would no longer get away with paying George Bramley so little attention. No, he’d have her screaming and writhing at his command. He would make her like the things he did to her; or at least, show him she did if she enjoyed harmony as much as she appeared to. None of this languid reclining like a half-drugged princess in his presence. He’d keep her on her toes, ready to leap to his bidding at the sound of his footstep. She’d learn to be grateful.

Feeling ignored and superfluous, he turned to his uncle’s detestable wife, Lady Quamby, and said with a smile, “Perhaps you and Miss Montrose would like to accompany me to the turret. Since you appear to have enjoyed this new novel, Northanger Abbey, so much, you might be interested to know there is an excellent view of the ruined monastery not far from here.”

He was just priding himself on being so attuned to the feminine inclination for pleasure, when Lady Quamby half turned and sent him a desultory smile. “Oh, I think Miss Eliza looks perfectly comfortable, and Fanny and I are having such a lovely little coze.” As if imitating Miss Montrose, she waved a languid hand in his general direction. “Why don’t you take Mr Patmore off to see it? The two of you can tell us all about it when you return.”

The fact that Miss Montrose didn’t deign to even speak for herself, much less glance in his direction, sent the blood surging to Bramley’s brain. By God, when he was married to Eliza Montrose, the limpid look of love so lacking now would be pasted onto her face every time he crossed her line of vision. She’d soon learn what was good for her.

He inclined his head, hiding his fury, and was on the point of leaving when Lady Quamby’s sister, Fanny —for he’d be damned if he’d accord the little strumpet the title of Lady Fenton—leapt up from her chair. She’d been poring over the latest fashions, but now she smiled brightly up at him.

“I’ll come with you, Cousin George. We’ll have an excellent view of the  children learning to row from the battlements. I told Nanny Brown she could take them in the two boats if they’d been good.”

Bramley stared down her liveliness. In fact, he was about to give up the idea of going up to the battlements altogether when his other guest, Rufus Patmore, suddenly rose and joined Fanny’s side with a late and unexpected show of enthusiasm.

“Capital idea!” declared Rufus.

George flashed them both a dispassionate look. He'd chosen to invite his betrothed, Miss Montrose—whose chaperone was currently tucked up in the green bed chamber nursing a head cold—to be his guest at his uncle’s estate, Quamby House, after receiving intelligence that Ladies Quamby and Fenton would be safely in London with their husbands and children. Instead, the brazen Brightwell sisters—as they’d infamously been called when he’d first made their acquaintance—had altered their plans, and were now in dogged attendance, reminding him as they always had, of some awful tenacious climbing plant, determined to find a foothold wherever they could in order to rise in the world.

Rufus, a last-minute addition and acquaintance from his club, Boodles, was here because he’d just purchased a horse from Bramley the night before. Now, Rufus was gazing at Lady Fenton, with the same dewy-eyed fondness George was used to seeing reflected in the eye of his uncle, the Earl of Quamby, who called the Brightwell sisters his precious rose-buds. To George, they were common dandelions! And now they had overridden Quamby House, the rambling Queen Anne manor house and estate that would have passed to George the moment his uncle quit this mortal coil, were it not for the snotty-nosed infant Lady Quamby had borne far too early in her marriage to George's uncle.

George shook his head. He’d changed his mind. Only, there was Rufus striding across the lawn, skirting the lake with Fanny at his side, and George didn’t want to be seen as petulant for having offered the suggestion in the first place. Or have his snubbed and ignored status so much on parade, since the two remaining ladies—Miss Montrose and Lady Quamby—had their heads bent together in deep discussion, with no apparent interest in seeking his company.

By God, he thought, clenching his fists as he set off after them at a brisk trot, they'd all rue the day they showed George Bramley so little respect.


Other Books in the Series: 
Book 1: Rake’s Honour
Book 2: Rogue’s Kiss 
Book 3: Devil’s Run 
~*~*~*~*~*~ 
Author Info: 
Beverley Oakley was seventeen when she bundled up her first her 500+ page romance and sent it to a publisher. Unfortunately drowning her heroine on the last page was apparently not in line with the expectations of romance readers so Beverley became a journalist.

Twenty-six years later Beverley was delighted to receive her first publishing contract from Robert Hale (UK) for a romance in which she ensured her heroine was saved from drowning in the icy North Sea.

Since 2009 Beverley has written more than thirteen historical romances, mostly set in England during the early nineteenth century. Mystery, intrigue and adventure spill from their pages and if she can pull off a thrilling race to save someone’s honour – or a worthy damsel from the noose – it’s time to celebrate with a good single malt Scotch.

Beverley lives with her husband, two daughters and a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy the size of a pony opposite a picturesque nineteenth century lunatic asylum. She also writes Africa-set adventure-filled romances tarring handsome bush pilot heroes, and historical romances with less steam and more sexual tension, as Beverley Eikli. 

You can get in contact with Beverley at: 
website | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Goodreads 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, August 18, 2017

Cover Reveal! HEART OF FRANKENSTEIN by Lexi Post

Frankenstein's creature has been asking for his own happily ever after for 2 years now, but his backstory makes it almost impossible. Hopefully, I will satisfy him with this story.

Can a monster find love?

Releasing in September.

Always, Lexi
www.lexipostbooks.com



Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Royally Claimed (Triple Crown Club: Book 2) by Madison Faye




Score!

And Anya did. 

Anya is the BFF of the local princess, Adele, so she has access to the royal life. Adele is a quiet and sweet princess, whereas Anya is a bit more boisterous. 

Adele was in the midst of royal activities.  Anya took this opportunity to go out on the town on her own.  Three men, unknown to her, approached her and requested her companionship for the evening at a club.

Anya warily took the bait.  It wasn’t until they entered the club that Anya realized what kind of club they’d arrived at. Royally Claimed by Madison Faye

I’m not going to tell you what the club was for fear that I’ll wreck the surprise when you read the story.  Let’s just say that Four is the magic number and the games played are very satisfying.

An exciting mix-up between men leads Anya to a savory, tantalizing, and love-filled experience.  Keep in mind that Royally Claimed is a mfmm and is definitely a happily, happily, happily, happily-ever-after!

It was a sweet and naughty (yes, that can exist in the same story) read.  One more round of editing would have perfected it, but the story was “yum” and I overlooked the errors.

Happy reading,

Dawn

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Murder For By Dummies OUT NOW!


Yee Haw!

It’s finally here!!!  Book One in the new Marilyn Club Series, Murder For By Dummies, has been released and is available NOW for download at all major online retail outlets.  So be sure you click on the link below to your favorite retailer, and order your copy today.





And just to whet your whistle, here is a new excerpt from Murder For By Dummies…ENJOY!


Murder For By Dummies
By Kayce Lassiter

Emily Redfeather

It was tricky finding my way in the dark, but I did find the locker, and it was accessible, with only my lock on the door.  I breathed a sigh of relief as I opened it and rummaged through the camping gear, looking first for the flashlight I knew would be in the top box.  I found the flashlight.

Finally, something is as it should be.

With only the flashlight for illumination, I found the camping mattress and sleeping bags and dragged them back to the apartment.  As my mind began to clear, I went back for the rest of the equipment…just in case.  If I moved everything into the apartment, the landlord couldn’t lock it up.  At least I’d have a battery-operated lantern and some canned food from the camping boxes.  I wouldn’t starve or have to sit in the dark, alone with my demons.

Once I moved everything into the living room, I felt better with some familiar things around me.  I blew up the air mattress and threw a couple of sleeping bags over it in the corner of the living room.  Without electricity, there would be no heat.  I’d probably be thankful for the sleeping bags come the middle of the night.

Too numb to eat, I threw on some sweats, switched out the lantern and crawled between the sleeping bags.  Exhausted and emotionally empty, I turned on my side and stared into the darkness as my mind recalled a long-forgotten memory of Aunt Bea standing in the kitchen, baking cookies in her long black and white apron with the cow’s udder on the front.

I smiled at the precious image and closed my eyes.  A single tear snaked its way down my cheek as I gratefully surrendered to the sleep I so badly needed.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER!

Also available at the following online retailers...


            

...and everywhere eBooks are sold.





Love,


Kayce

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Changes


          Hello, gentle reader! It is a beautiful Monday morning here in Phoenix. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the construction workers are hammering away on the new house behind me (they have quite a rhythm going).
          Now, for those of you of frequently read my ramblings on Happily Ever After Thoughts, you may be wondering why I’m writing this post on a Monday, when you all know I do it on Sunday (because I am a creature of habit and routine). Well, the explanation is simple. There has been a change in my life. No, I haven’t retired (though I wish I could….unfortunately, I have a few more years to go before I can do that), but the day job is gone and I’m currently looking for another.
          This is not a bad thing. I am looking at this as a chance to explore my options and find something new and exciting. While I’m waiting for that magical position to appear, I’m spending more time with my DH (who is retired), my house has never been so clean (can you smell the Pine-Sol?) and of course, I am reading and writing more than ever…but for a person who is so used to her routines and schedules, this time off is throwing me for a loop.
I find myself losing track of days (I know! Isn’t that weird!) and constantly checking the calendar to see what day it is. I also find that time slips away quickly while I’m elbow deep in torturing Ryleigh and Teague, the characters in the story I’m currently working on…one minute, it’s ten in the morning, the next, it’s the middle of the afternoon…but it’s all good and I’m thoroughly enjoying this opportunity.
Now, back to the writing….

Happy reading!
Marie

Sunday, August 6, 2017

A TOUCH OF FLAME by Caris Roane with a chance at Gift Cards and a Bracelet!

A Touch of Flame
Flame Series 5
By Caris Roane
 
Caris is giving away A Purple PNR bracelet (International Winner Receives Gift Card), A $25 Amazon Gift Card, A $15 Amazon Gift Card. to randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. You may find those locations
 here
~*~*~*~*~*~
WOW! Something extra from Caris Roane!
Just leave a comment for a chance to win!
Caris Roane here and I'm so glad you're touring with me. Be sure to visit as many blogs on my tour as you can and leave a comment at each one to be entered into this WOW giveaway! Don't worry if you miss a couple of blogs, visiting every blog isn't required, it just increases your chances of winning! I'll be creating a second bracelet for the WOW giveaway (International winner receives gift card) similar to the bracelet in the Rafflecopter. I will choose the winning blog then choose the winning comment some time after midnight, September 5th, Arizona time. I will use Random dot org to make the selection. Let's support our bloggers who give us so much! Hugs, Caris
~*~*~*~*~*~
 
BLURB:
A powerful alpha wolf. A gifted witch. Each haunted by death. Can passion drive them to an everlasting love? Or will the enemy forge a hopeless chasm? Braden should have died in the Graveyard, but the witch, Maeve, saved him. The call of his wolf is on him and he wants her. She can be his alpha-mate. But she has powers that can destroy him and a disrupted memory that holds the answers to his wife’s murder. Can he ever trust a woman who can kill with the power she streams from her bare hands? Maeve has known only horror, death and destruction since her arrival in Five Bridges as a transformed alter witch. She goes to the Graveyard nightly to rescue those left for dead by the evil rampant in all five territories of her new world. She fears the power she possesses and the gaps in her memory frighten her more than anything else. But when she rescues Braden from an attack in the Graveyard and she realizes she’s drawn to the handsome wolf, the nightmare really begins.  
~*~*~*~*~*~  
EXCERPT:

   Maeve held Braden’s fur tight. She didn’t want to let him go. The moment he’d pushed her onto the floor in his massive wolf state, desire exploded. Somehow, all that black fur and the sight of his fangs got to her.
   She knew then he’d spoken the truth. Though she was a witch, she could bond with this Border Patrol officer and serve as his alpha female.
   Slowly, he shifted back to his human form, a seamless process reflecting his decade in Five Bridges. She released his fur as it disappeared through her fingers.
   His green eyes held hers tight. She couldn’t have looked away if she’d wanted to. He said, “I need you to understand what you’re getting into here. This will be without one shred of emotion. What happens here is strictly physical, very physical. I have no interest in you otherwise, despite your alpha-mate capacity.”
   She smiled. “Got it. No strings and yes, I’m game.”
   He leaped to his feet, reached down and plucked her off the floor like she was feather. He lifted her into his arms then carried her into the bedroom, slamming the door shut with his foot.
   She’d been wanting this for weeks. Months, maybe.
   He took her to the bed but before he let go of her, he pulled the covers back. Then he dropped her so she bounced on the mattress.
   She would have been happy to get her clothes off, but he went to work like a madman. He tugged off her shoes and jeans, then flipped her onto her stomach.”
   “You’ve got a beautiful ass, Maeve...”
Read more of the excerpt here.

Author Info:  Hi, Everyone! Caris Roane here! I'm a NY Times Bestselling Author and I write super-sexy paranormal romance books. With every book I create, my goal is to take you away ~ far, far away ~ from the difficulties and frustrations of your life. I began my career with Kensington Publishing and wrote Regency Romance as Valerie King. In 2005, Romantic Times Magazine honored me with a career achievement award for my Regency work. To-date, I've published eighty-nine books. Thirty-nine of those are paranormal romances, some self-published and some with St. Martin's Press. Though my stories conjure up hunky PNR warriors, like vampires and wolf-shifters, the romance is everything, including a satisfying Happily Ever After. My hope is that you'll become engrossed in the lives of my tortured heroes and my worthy women as they wage war, as they make love, and as they face the tough issues of life and relationships!  I live in the Phoenix area, in the city of Buckeye. When not writing, I’m a real homebody. I love gardening, sewing, and cooking. (Um, cleaning, not so much!) I also enjoy creating jewelry and I frequently offer my handcrafted, PNR bracelet giveaways to my newsletter and blog subscribers. You can sign up for both on my Home Page. My motto: Live the Fang! Caris Roane
 a Rafflecopter giveaway