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Here is a sneak peek into Love Exactly-

When he came off the plane he was wearing aviators, a black button-up, dark wash jeans and those Converse shoes that I hated on anyone but him. He lifted his sunglasses and broke into a smile as I ran into his arms. He dropped his bag and spun me around as soon as I was in his arms.

“How did you know?” he asked as he set me on the ground, his hands tangled in my hair.

“You told me what flight you were on.”

He shook his head and held my chin in his hand. “I’ve always wanted to have someone to wait for me—to spin them around and then do this.”

He pulled my chin up and tilted it until our lips touched—soft at first and then the reminder that we hadn’t kissed in two months came over us. The only thing that could pull us apart was the whistle that echoed through the terminal and then the incessant flash of cameras.

“Crap,” Evan hissed, his forehead pressed to mine with his hands on either side of my face so they couldn’t get a good picture of me. “You don’t want them to know who you are yet, do you?”

I shook my head but said with my voice shaking, “I knew the risk.”

He swallowed and then smiled. “Tilt your head down so that your hair covers your face from view.”

I did what he said and then felt his hands slip the glasses over my eyes. As I looked up his cocky half-smile made me laugh.

“They look a hell of a lot hotter on you,” he teased, throwing his duffel bag over his shoulder and wrapping his arm around my waist so that his fingers were in the front pocket of my jeans.

“I don’t think that’s possible,” I replied, breathless from the feel of his touch as my t-shirt rose, exposing the flesh of my hip to his warmth.

“It’s very possible with you,” he whispered into my ear as we made our way past the flashing cameras. “I can’t wait to see the tabloids on this one.”

“It would be much better if we did something dangerous, like locked ourselves in a public restroom.”

He looked down at me through his eyebrows. “Really? That’s not all that clean.”

“I haven’t seen you in two months,” I said, turning and stopping in front of him. “I’ve thought about you every single day. Do you know what that does to a girl? Especially when pictures of you half-naked are strewn across the internet.”

“I see you found those.” His voice was edged with amusement, but his face was red in embarrassment.

I pulled on the collar of his shirt before leaning up on my toes and whispering into his ear, “I need some real ones.”

“What do you need pictures of when I’m here?” he answered, his breath hot on my chin, voice seductive.

“I need you to burn the images into my mind then,” I said before gently biting his ear.

His free hand drifted down the small of my back to my rear pocket. “I thought I already had.”

“Mhmm…I need more.”

“I have to admit I kind of enjoy this.” He smirked down at me. “But teasing me like this is just cruel.”

“Does the rental car have blacked out windows?” I asked over my shoulder as I turned.

I watched his Evan’s Adam’s apple rise and fall. “I sure hope so.”

Author Links

www.cgiovanniauthor.com

Blog

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Upon Your Return- Marie Lavender

Romace, Romance! Just in time for snuggling down with a good book this cold, blustery winter holiday. Try one of these romances by Marie Lavender:

 

 

 

 

 

She’s got it all for those of you who love a heart twisting novel!

Synopsis from Upon Your Return:

Fara Bellamont has been back in society for a year after leaving Cluny Abbey, where her uncle sent her long ago. When he chooses a suitor for her for marriage, she fears that she will be forced to marry a stranger and live a miserable life. But, Fara finds herself thrust into an adventure of a lifetime when unforeseen circumstances cause her to place her trust in a strange man for protection. His intervention not only saves her, but puts her in an even more compromising position. Grant Hill, a trading captain, is enchanted by the young heiress not only because of her beauty, but because she is hardly conventional. Underneath her ladylike exterior lies a tigress. Grant cannot help but offer his protection as she is in need and he is far from immune from her charms. Fara just never bargained on the passion that she feels for Grant Hill. As events unfold, she must decide whether her desires and the dictates of her heart should trump the rules of society…

Read on for a sneak peek at the book: Upon Your Return…..But first:

Marie Lavender takes the time to answer a few questions about her passion- writing!

What can we expect from you this coming year?

I have a few projects going on. I plan to release an anthology titled Miss Lavender’s Anthology of Ramblings. It is a collection of short stories and poetry. I also have a paranormal romance that should be released in 2014 through Solstice Publishing, and it is titled Magick & Moonlight. Beyond that, I am polishing the sequel to Upon Your Return. It is called Upon Your Honor.

What genre do you like to write? What genre is your favorite to read?

I write romance, all types of romance. I write contemporary, paranormal and historical romance stories. I read a lot of the same, but I have to say it is a real tie between paranormal and historical romance. For paranormal, I lean toward books like J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series or Kerrelyn Sparks’ Love At Stake series. For historical, I read Catherine Coulter, Tessa Dare or Emma Wildes.

Where do you get your ideas?

That’s a good question. I really wish I knew. I think sometimes I am influenced by current events in the world or things that happen to me. At other times, it’s almost as if something takes possession of me and writes through me. I guess that’s what they call “the muse”.

What other hobbies do you have besides writing?

I read a lot. And does social networking count? I feel like I live on Facebook and Twitter. LOL. I also run two blogs, Marie Lavender’s Books and Writing in the Modern Age, where I have guest authors visit. When I have time, I may watch an episode of Castle, Bones or Once Upon A Time.

Who is your favorite character and why?

Fara Bellamont from Upon Your Return is still my favorite character. She behaves so unlike ladies of her time period, and the hero is still fascinated by her antics. She manages to get her happy ending, despite all of the trials she has to endure.

Which book are you most proud of?

Upon Your Return will always be my crowning glory because it is my first traditionally published book. Right now, I am feeling really great about Leather and Lace, my newest release. But, I am also feeling good about the sequel to Upon Your Return. Do I have to choose one of them? LOL. I guess I’ll go with Leather and Lace. It is equal parts steamy romance and suspense. Angie and Patrick will keep you guessing as to who actually succumbs to whom. Throw in the secrets she keeps from the cop, and you have a read that will thrill you.

And now….the sneak peek at Upon Your Return:

“Grant?”
“Oui?”
“Where will you be sleeping?”
“Right here, if you do not mind.”
She swallowed. “Here? In this bed?” She drew in a sharp breath. Surely he was joking.
“That’s right. Someone must look after you. You’ve had a fairly eventful evening, and if you have a concussion, I must fetch a physician right away. But, if you insist, I will find another place. Perhaps Eric will relinquish his quarters for the night…” His voice was soft, as if he was speaking to himself.
This man had saved her life and already she was pushing him out of his cabin on his ship? It did not seem quite right. “No, I do not want you to do that, Monsieur.” She sighed. “We may share the bunk, Grant. It is quite simple.” She colored beneath his gaze. “Of course, you would have to be a gentleman about it.”
“I would not encroach…” His gaze traveled over her from head to toe.
It should have made her shudder; she should have been appalled at that kind of look, but it seemed almost normal in the intimacy of the moment. She felt gratitude for his rescue, but more, a part of her was comforted by the protection he provided. And she craved that safe haven desperately, or at least to hold on for it for a while, if only for tonight.
“You saved my life. It is only right that I give you something in return, if not a good night’s rest.”
“You owe me nothing, Fara.”
“Tis’ not the way I see it.”
“Very well.” He began to unbutton his cravat and white shirt and threw them aside. He bent to pull off his boots and then approached her. “Is there some way I may assist you, to make you more…comfortable?”
She hesitated a moment, unnerved by his half-naked state, and then went on. “I do have a predicament. My corset…it is dreadfully tight. If you would assist me, I should be very grateful.” She watched his lips part in surprise and he swallowed audibly.
“Of course.” He waited for her to sit up, and then bent to work at the buttons of her lavender dress.
His body was so near that his clean, male scent was almost intoxicating. An additional aroma wafted about too, musky like cigars. It reminded her of the ones she smelled when she passed by her uncle’s office while he met with other men for business affairs.
Her breathing came faster and she struggled to control it. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears and she half-wished it all to go away. But, she felt giddy with it too. It was almost a sense of invincibility as his gentleness was lover-like.
He eased the fabric away and when she leaned forward to assist him, he bent over her still to work at the bands of her corset and his hands splayed across her lower back.
Soon, the fabric fell away and she licked her lips, staring into his gaze. His dark eyes were bright with something she’d never seen before. His face was nearly inches from hers and she feared he might kiss her. Half of her wanted it; the other half was her uncle’s voice telling her it wasn’t right for unattached ladies to display such behavior. No, ’twas too soon for she’d just met this man. She cleared her throat, looking away.
He sat back, away from her. “I was thinking to give you some laudanum tonight for the pain. It will help you sleep,” he urged.
“Merci,” she replied and watched as he went to fetch it. She sighed. She would need it indeed if she wanted to sleep. She felt so heady with a want she didn’t understand and she was certain his presence might keep her from sleeping. Not to mention how her head ached so very much.
When he returned, she drank the wine dutifully and set the glass on the table beside the bed. As he climbed onto the mattress and doused the lights, she wriggled out of her dress, corset and hoop skirt, leaving only her thin shift to sleep in. Her slippers were pinching her feet and so she kicked them to the floor.
She felt his presence beside her, was aware of his even breathing, and wondered if he slept. She couldn’t help thinking that laying there made her feel safer than she’d ever felt in her life. Within minutes, she was claimed by a drug-induced sleep.

 

Author Bio :Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands.

At the tender age of nine, she began writing stories. Her imagination fueled a lot of her early child’s play. Even growing up, she entered writing contests and received a certificate for achieving the second round in one. She majored in Creative Writing in college because that was all she ever wanted – to be a writer. While there, she published two works in a university publication, and was a copy editor on the staff of an online student journal. After graduating from college, she sought out her dream to publish a book.

Since then, Marie has published seventeen books. Marie Lavender’s real love is writing romances, but she has also written mysteries, literary fiction and dabbled a little in paranormal stories. Most of her works have a romantic element involved in them. Upon Your Return is her first historical romance novel. Feel free to visit her website at http://www.facebook.com/l/FAQFi-1fqAQF-O3os5EFrijyFDsKVyeTHKQHRKtkyG85BGw/marielavender.webs.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

A list of her books and pen names are as follows:

Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return

Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace

Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life

Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things

Author Links:

http://www.marielavender.webs.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Upon-Your-Return/221212331354873
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
http://store.solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-return/
https://www.createspace.com/4284739

 

Waking Up Dead- Margo Bond Collins- Sneak Peek!

 

When Dallas resident Callie Taylor died young, she expected to go to Heaven, or maybe Hell. Instead, she met her fate early thanks to a creep with a knife and a mommy complex. Now she’s witnessed another murder, and she’s not about to let this one go. She’s determined to help solve it before an innocent man goes to prison. And to answer the biggest question of all: why the hell did she wake up in Alabama?

 

 

 

Read on for free excerpts!!

Excerpt 1

 When I died, I expected to go to heaven.

Okay. Maybe hell. It’s not like I was perfect or anything. But I was sort of hoping for heaven.

Instead, I went to Alabama.

Yeah. I know. It’s weird.

I died in Dallas, my hometown. I was killed, actually. Murdered. I’ll spare you the gruesome details. I don’t like to remember them myself. Some jerk with a knife–and probably a Bad-Mommy complex. Believe me, if I knew where he was, I’d go haunt his ass.

At any rate, by the time death came, I was ready for it–ready to stop hurting, ready to let go. I didn’t even fight it.

And then I woke up dead in Alabama. Talk about pissed off.

You know, even reincarnation would have been fine with me–I could have started over, clean slate and all that. Human, cow, bug. Whatever. But no. I ended up haunting someplace I’d never even been.

That’s not the way it’s supposed to work, right? Ghosts are supposed to be the tortured spirits of those who cannot let go of their earthly existence. If they could be convinced to follow the light, they’d leave behind said earthly existence and quit scaring the bejesus out of the poor folks who run across them. That’s what all those “ghost hunter” shows on television tell us.

Let me tell you something. The living don’t know jack about the dead.

Not this dead chick, anyway.

 _____________________________________________

 Excerpt 2

 As Molly straightened up, the man slipped the wire over her head and twisted it around her neck. She struggled, but he pulled the garrote tighter and tighter.

I was screaming at the top of my ghostly voice, for all the good it did me. I moved up behind the man and beat at his back with closed fists–fists that slipped in and out of his back without ever making real contact. He shuddered a little–clearly he was one of the very slightly sensitive ones–but he didn’t loosen his hands.

I reached up and tried to grab the wire, tried to pull against the pressure he was exerting on the wire and it did loosen for an instant. But only for an instant. The living have more control over solid objects than the dead do. I never resented that fact more than at that moment.

But I kept trying. I kept trying as Molly’s face turned purple, then blue, then black, kept trying even as she drooped in the man’s grip.

Then he loosened the wire and it was too late. I watched that wispy, light-on-fog life force slip out of Molly and move on to wherever it is that other people go when they die. I was glad she didn’t show up next to me as a full-blown ghost. At that moment, I wouldn’t have wished my impotent half-existence on anyone.

I couldn’t help thinking that if I’d been alive, I might have been able to save her.

If I could have cried real tears, I would have. As it was, I was sobbing hoarsely and calling the man every dirty name I could think of.

I was still cursing as I followed him around the kitchen. First he opened the pantry and pulled out a box of Hefty garbage bags. Then he grabbed a knife out of the block on the counter. And finally, he picked up Molly’s body and carried it to the bathroom.

Author’s Bio: Margo Bond Collins lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, several spoiled cats, and a ridiculous turtle. She teaches college-level English courses online, though writing fiction is her first love. She enjoys reading urban fantasy and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about vampires, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other monsters. Waking Up Dead is her first published novel. Her second novel, Legally Undead, is an urban fantasy, forthcoming in 2014 from World Weaver Press.

Find more at : http://www.MargoBondCollins.com

Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com

Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin  @MargoBondCollin

Google+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins

Facebook Novel Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waking-Up-Dead/502076076537575

Tumblr: http://vampirarchybooks.tumblr.com/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/

 Be sure to add Waking Up Dead to your Goodreads bookshelves: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18428064-waking-up-dead

 Book Trailers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j_TmvpxxBw

http://youtu.be/KUBg83s4BOU

Author K.D. Rose

What if to save the ones you love, you had to unlock the key to a different reality?

Generations of mystery smash together when a seemingly traditional family must shatter their illusions of normality to confront themselves and their friends, leaving no possibility unexplored in order to rescue- well, who exactly? Watch the Ross family, the High Five Gang, and multiple generations dig into an innovative explosion of imagination where they must confront numerous realities, real-world danger, and worst of all—their own teenage hormones!

In a place where nothing is as it seems and shocks are around every corner, even the people you thought you knew may find themselves strangers in this moving and provocative reality-bender. With breathless pacing and psychological intrigue, Erasing: Shadows and the High Five Gang will keep you guessing until the very end.

Erasing: Shadows will be available for Pre-order on December 7 and for purchase on December 18!

Author K.D. Rose sits down with me today to answer a few questions about her upcoming books and more:

What can we expect from you this year?

So many new things! This book, Erasing: Shadows can be pre-ordered on December 7 and is releasing on December 18. It is Book One of a Seven Book New Adult, Paranormal Series. I am very pleased with it and I think Erasing: Shadows is something different that the new adult age range is going to love. That book was picked up for Lycaon Press which publishes Young and New Adult books. I was in the middle of doing Erasing: Shadows and had already planned to do the whole series as an indie when it was picked up so obviously I am beyond excited. And have you seen the cover? I love it. I also still have my indie books on Amazon which were all mainly poetry, although Heavy Bags of Soul was a blend of poetry, prose, dialogues and short stories.

Then I also write for Breathless Press under a different name, because I did not want to confuse younger age books with books that have not necessarily sex, but certainly more adult themes, actions, motivations and situations. So under H.K. Sterling I have already had a mystery and two shorts accepted and I am working on a science fiction book that I am really excited about! Writing for BP I will become known for my twist endings, especially in the short stories so look out for many publications in 2014!

What genre do you like to write? What genre is your favorite to read?

I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on. Now that I am an adult, I still tend towards science fiction but I also like non-fiction more. But I still salivate over Harlan Ellison, Philip K. Dick and even Neil Gaiman.

Writing, I like best to write short (under 5K) but there is not a lot of call for those. They are my preference though. I like to tell a tight story with a surprise at the end. However, I am learning I can write many genres and that is really fun! Plotting through a series is a real experience too, let me tell you!

 Where do you get your ideas?

Almost exclusively out of my head and occasionally from dreams. I don’t need anything else. I can write from now until I drop just from my own imagination. LOL

Who is your favorite character and why?

I don’t have one particular character, I mean some of the best characters as written are not necessarily people you would want to meet. But I guess I do have a preference for anti-heroes. Flawed people who do the right thing.

Name some of your favorite authors or people who influence your writing.

Well this may seem strange but poetry is and remains my number one influence  ( though music runs second). So when you ask for favorite authors I’m going to give you Rimbaud, e.e. Cummings (who is greatly underrated), Borges, Cesaire and other poets.

What other hobbies do you have besides writing?

My husband and I bought a run down house so we spend our free time fixing it up so we can actually live comfortably in it (As opposed to having no kitchen for a year. Yes, we did that. LOL)

Who is your favorite author? Favorite book?

Harlan Ellison wins over Philip K. Dick by a smidge. And only because Harlan’s books bring in the visceral more, they make you feel, where as Philip K. Dick was a genius but he brings me fascination and depth without necessarily leaving my head. Favorite book is probably still Dangerous Visions and that is so old. LOL A newer one ( by comparison) would be American Gods.  I don’t want it to seem like I don’t read the newer books, I do, I am just not as moved by them.

Is there anything else you want readers to know about you or your books?

Just to expect the unexpected and don’t fence me in! I will surprise you by running the gamut with my writing, which reminds me, I will still publish poetry, because that is my first love. I will just be submitting now to magazines rather than indie pubbing. I have already had two accepted by magazines (I will continue to write poetry, literary and New Adult under K.D. Rose) so that is going well too!

Oh, and the last thing is- remember to write reviews! Sales sometimes live or die on the reviews, and when you like a book, tell people!

Thank you again for this opportunity.

Biography

Author. Bleeding Edge. Will not fit into your mold.

K.D. Rose is an author and poet and currently has “Heavy Bags of Soul” and “Inside Sorrow” on sale at Amazon.com. Look for “I AM”- a book for female empowerment and “The Erasing Series”, Book 1- Erasing: Shadows on sale soon!K.D. Rose is now also an Author With Lycaon Press, a subsidiary of Breathless Press. Her book, Inside Sorrow won the Readers Favorite 2013 international Silver Medal for Poetry.

Just like her books, KD Rose is edgy, hits you in the gut and gives you the education you never knew you needed. Writing with irony, truth, and a spiked pen, she takes you past the self into self-evolution.

I AM will be released at the end of October and Erasing: Shadows will be released in December! Erasing: Shadows is Book 1 of a Seven Book Series for New Adults in the Paranormal Genre.

K.D. has an eclectic mind and loves language, physics, philosophy, photography, design, art of all… Read More

Author.  Bleeding Edge.  Will not fit into your mold.

K.D. Rose is an author and poet and currently has “Heavy Bags of Soul”, “Inside Sorrow” and “I AM” on sale at Amazon.com. Look for The Erasing Series, Book 1-“Erasing: Shadows” on sale in December, 2013! Erasing: Shadows is the first of a Seven Book Series for New Adults in the Paranormal Genre.

K.D. Rose is now also an author with Lycaon Press, a subsidiary of Breathless Press.

Just like her books, K.D. Rose is edgy, hits you in the gut and gives you the education you never knew you needed. Writing with irony, truth, and a spiked pen, she takes you past the self into self-evolution.

K.D. has an eclectic mind and loves language, physics, philosophy, photography, design, art of all kinds, writing of all kinds, symbolism, semiotics, spirituality, and Dr. Who.

K.D. Rose values the question more than the answer and loves creativity and innovation.
K.D. is an avid supporter of music, the arts, cutting edge science, technology, and creativity in all forms that encourage us to expand and explore past the artificial limits we often set for ourselves in order to see the everyday connections that exist among all things.

Join K. D. Rose on the following social media sites:

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00830RFC0

Blog: http://www.kdroseauthortales.com

Email: kd.rose@aol.com

Twitter: @kdrose1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K.D.RoseWriter

Lycaon Press: http://www.lycaonpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6038789.K_D_Rose

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=184204909&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Website for the Erasing Series: http://kdroseworld.com/ (in process)

 

 

More info:

LP Releases 3rd Quarter 2013

Free Book! Dec 1-5- Angela Burke’s- Beneath the Mayan Moon

My Right Brain Rebellion- by Angela Burke

The right brain versus left brain saga continues, and like many of you, I’ve taken the infamous on-line tests.  I am dominantly right-brained…no surprise there, but the biggest piece of evidence to support this is how I wrote my first two novels, Lucidity and Beneath the Mayan Moon.  I wrote the last chapters first.  Yes.  It’s true.

I knew from an early age that my brain worked a little differently.  I could read a page in a book and have no clue what I just read.  I’m sure many of you can relate.  The reason being is my need to have to translate words into pictures.  If I don’t do this, I won’t remember.  In college, if I attempted to read a page in a text book, the information was gone in a few minutes.  But if I created graphic pictures and designs, webs of concepts, I found the information would stick permanently.  And so I taught myself how to learn in the very linear, left-brained dominant world of education.

Being a conceptual, holistic processor has its challenges.  I hate taking tests.  (Unless they are essays.)  Memorizing pieces of information is painful. (Anatomy about killed me.)  I can’t remember anything from a lecture unless I take notes, or the information is presented as a narrative. (Or I’m completely interested!)  And I have to work hard at being organized.  I can begin a task, and easily become distracted with another one.  However, when it comes to writing, having a vision of the ending of my stories is an asset.  Especially in the case of Beneath the Mayan Moon, my suspense novel.  It’s much easier to scatter in clues when you know how the story is going to end.  My novels unfold like a movie in my brain.

And so I have accepted my fate as a “right-brainer”.  I enjoy seeing the big picture and it’s the only way I know how to think.  Living in a sequential world can be crazy and rather frustrating…boring at times.  And that is why I am happy to be an author.  Writing feeds my right-brain rebellion.

 

           Author Bio-  Angela Burke is the author of LUCIDITY and BENEATH the MAYAN MOON.  She lives in Boulder, Colorado and enjoys running, skiing and taking long hikes in the mountains. A former teacher, she now spends her time building her massage therapy practice, while chasing after her three great kids and daydreaming up new story ideas.

            You can find her at www.angelaburkebooks.com, on the Solstice Publishing website, Facebook and Twitter.  Her books are available on Amazon.

 

BENEATH the MAYAN MOON is FREE on Amazon Dec. 1-5! http://www.amazon.com/Beneath-the-Mayan-Moon-ebook/dp/B00774LJWU/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1