Category Archives: Spotlight
Pitch Day from Musetracks
As if the question ‘Wanna pitch to an agent or editor’ isn’t enough.
Hello! A huge thanks to all my wonderful hosts as I run all over cyberspace talking about Agent/Editor Shop at the Musetracks blog.
In this crazy world of easy access to information, it’s also easy to miss huge opportunities, or forget! Because I get so many comments that writers either forgot, or didn’t know Musetracks did pitch sessions, I asked a bunch of fellow writers, bloggers and readers to help me spread the word.
For those of you who don’t me, I’m Candi Wall, one of the authors who co-contribute to the Musetracks blog. Jennifer Bray-Weber, Marie-Claude Bourque, and Stacey Purcell are my super smart co-contributors and goodness knows where I’d be without them!
I’ve been hosting acquiring Agents at Musetracks for almost two years, and only recently, we decided to add editors as our guest. We’ve been lucky to have agents like Melissa Jeglinski, Jessica Alvarez, Mollie Glick, Becky Vinter, Kevan Lyon, Scott Eagan, Lois Winston, Jill Marsal, Michelle Grajkowski, Kimberley Cameron, Emmanuella Alspaugh (now Morgan), Laura Bradford, Jenny Bent, Sara Crowe, Weronika Janczuk and Stan Soper.
Our guest editors thus far have been Rhonda Penders w/ The Wild Rose Press, Jennifer Miller w/ Samhain Publishing, Debby Gilbert w/ Soul Mate Publishing, Beth Walker w/ Secret Cravings Publishing, and the editors at Books To Go Now have booked three dates in the future!
What we offer is a ‘Pitch Day’. I only take 30 pitches, and only the first thirty VIABLE pitches that come in on pitch day will be seen by the agent or editor. And I will warn you, I’m a stickler for following guidelines. If you don’t include exactly what is in the rules… I delete without prejudice. And I delete quite a few. (And yes, I receive plenty of hate mail.)
You can find us here:
Musetracks and there is a sidebar with Agent/Editor Shop dates and attending professionals
You can find the rules for pitching here:
Musetracks Agent/Editor Shop rules Please read them carefully!
I’ve also created a Yahoo group so writers can sign up to receive Agent/Editor Shop updates. I only send messages with agent/editor attendance updates, reminders of pitch dates, and any information about the contests we run on pitch day. Usually a giveaway or a chance to comment for the Top Pitch Slot. You can request to join here:
Editor/Agent Shop Newsletter Group
Easy as pie! We welcome every stage of writer and at Musetracks, we strive to help other writers, the way we were all helped when we first started out, and the way we are supported today.
Hope to see you all at a pitch day, and if not, feel free to pass the word along to others.
Happy reading and writing!
~Candi
A little about Candi:
Candi Wall is an author of contemporary romance, and YA.
Her début novel PRIMITIVE NIGHTS released from Samhain in Jan 2013, and STAY, the first in the Changing Tides series releases from Samhain on Aug 6th 2013.
She’s a mother of four (21,17,12,9), a rescuer of six (4 dogs & 2 cats), proud auntie of too many to count, a soon-to-be grandmother and great-auntie, a retired Cub Scout leader of 16 years, an avid animal lover/protector and ex-animal control officer. Oh yeah, and wife. J
You can find her here:
For the Love of His Life – Fiona McGier – Book Blast/Giveaway/Excerpt
Giveaway Info: Prize is 5 $5 Dunkin Donut Gift Cards from Fiona McGier (1 each to 5 winners). Contest is tour-wide and ends May 20. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter and tour schedule links are at the bottom of the posts. Good Luck!
For the Love of His Life
by Fiona McGier
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Categories: Interracial/Multicultural
Publisher: Eternal Press
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Heat Level: Steamy
Word Count: 81,600 words
Buy Link
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/For-Love-His-Life-ebook/dp/B00CMHMGXI/
Description
Can a sexy Hispanic action movie star find himself in the BWCA of upper Minnesota? Will the local woman he grows to love believe someone who “lies for a living”?
When the famous action movie star Raul Roderick needs to “clean-up” for a major role that even he doubts he can deliver, the director sends him up to a resort owned by his grandmother in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of upper Minnesota, to learn to commune with nature. His guide is Veronica, the director’s cousin, a tall, athletic woman who has the relaxed, sensible nature of someone who knows herself well.
Raul hasn’t been this far from his reliable drug-dealers for a very long time, and dealing with real-life is something he’s never been very good at. His initial clumsy attempt to seduce her makes her laugh…so he calls her fat. Is there any hope that their relationship will progress beyond its rocky start? And can Raul overcome his partying nature to discover what is really important in life?
Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations (including a f/f/m ménage scene/scenes in the first chapter) and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.
Excerpt #1–G rated–The set-up.
Jared Miller, the famous yet reclusive director, is on the phone asking for a favor from his Grandmother who owns a resort in northeastern Minnesota.
“What is it this time?”
Jared cleared his throat audibly.
“I’m afraid it’s bigger this time. I need you to let me send you a guest who will be there until I can get the crew up to start filming my next movie.”
“And how long with that be?” Veronica grinned at Gram-Marie while the older woman rolled her eyes and shrugged.
“I don’t know…it depends on a lot of things. Maybe a month? Six weeks tops. I’ve got to get a whole lot of folks packed and up there, so it’s gonna take some time.”
“And who is it you are expecting us to tolerate for an unspecified amount of time?”
“Ronnie! Would I send you someone you’d only tolerate?”
“Hell yeah! You’d send us Satan to baby-sit, if your next movie depended on it.”
“Funny you should say that, cuz. He’s only the biggest, baddest star in the business right now.”
“Who is it?”
“You’ve heard of Raul Roderick, right?”
Marie snorted.
“Who?”
Jared chuckled, “The Gamer King? Avenge Tastes Sweet? MOFO-Town?”
“No,” Marie said, while Veronica smiled at her, all the while filling the pie crusts with the flavors of the day.
“Well then, how about his romantic movies? Make Mine Latino? Or Three’s a Crowd, But I Like Crowds?”
Veronica giggled. “Jared, you should see Gram-Marie’s face! She looks like she just sucked a lemon!”
“What on earth are you people thinking of with these titles? Or these so-called plots? Why doesn’t anyone make the kinds of movies I like to watch anymore?”
“Because you’re too old for them to consider you a target market?”
Veronica whooped as she ducked away from the rolling pin tossed at her by her grandmother.
“Old, my ass! I just expect plots and they’re too damn busy putting big, fake titties and young men without shirts into everything!”
“So you have heard of Raul then?” Jared chuckled.
Veronica explained, “Gram-Marie, he’s the kind of actor who is very good at looking good in his movies, and he’s always shirtless at some point. But he’s kind of limited to playing the same kinds of men over and over again…not much range, and even less talent.”
Jared burst in excitedly.
“Ah, but that’s where you’re so wrong, Ronnie! I only agreed to let him read for the part as a favor to his agent. But he blew me away! He’s so right that he’s the only actor I seriously considered for starring in my big epic film about the Boundary Waters area! You know, the one I always promised Grampa I’d make about his great grandfather, Hank Maynard?”
“If he’s that good, why do you need to send him up here early?”
Marie nodded at Veronica’s question, asked as she was busy putting the pies into the oven.
Jared cleared his throat again.
“Well, you see, there’s the little problem of his drinking…and his drugs…and his whoring. He’s a real party-animal and right now the only reason he’s not in jail is that I went to court with him and basically told the judge I’d answer for his behavior until his probation is over.”
“Probation for what?”
Marie’s voice was steely. Everyone knew that her father had been a Canadian Mounty, and she was gung-ho on supporting law enforcement officials.
“He…uh…can’t be allowed to drive for six months. They took his license away after he ran into a parked squad car because he thought he hit the brake pedal, but it was the gas pedal. Then when they got him out of the car, he was so blasted he didn’t remember his real name. All he told them was that he was the famous actor Raul Roderick and that he’d get them supporting roles in his next picture if they would give him a ride to the meeting with me that he was already two hours late for.”
“Obviously the officers weren’t impressed, eh?” Marie sounded smug.
“No. They took him down to the station and booked him. I was the person he called for his one call…not his lawyer. So I got him released to my custody, but I’ve been having a hell of a time keeping him out from behind the wheel of a car, or out of bars and nightclubs. I’m afraid he’s going to kill himself before I can get the performance of a lifetime out of him, that I’m convinced he has in him. So I really need your help…”
There was silence while Marie and Veronica communicated with each other non-verbally.
“Well?” Jared sounded anxious.
Marie nodded at Veronica, who spoke.
“We can’t give you an answer now. We have to talk this over with the rest of the family. All of us have to agree to this, since we are all going to have to deal with this spoiled brat you want us to baby-sit for you.”
About the Author
Fiona has always had stories in her head. Characters intrude into her thoughts and insist on showing her scenes from their lives. She discovered that when she ignores them, they start to yell louder; if she writes their stories and they can live in readers’ heads as well, they usually leave her alone. Only to be replaced by a new group of story-tellers. Her head is usually a very crowded place, but she likes it that way. Visit Fiona at www.fionamcgier.com.
Greater Treasures by Karina Fabian – Excerpt/Giveaway/Interview
Give-Away:
E-book: Here’s your chance to win a free electronic copy of Greater Treasures. Leave a comment or question for Karina, Vern, or Sister Grace.
Grab bag: Vern gripes about the junk in his warehouse in Greater Treasures, but he and Grace have started going through boxes, and they’ve agreed to send something to one of my readers. Leave a comment or question for Karina, Vern, or Sister Grace.
Blurb: Being a private detective in the border town of the Faerie and Mundane worlds isn’t easy, even for a dragon like Vern. Still, finding the wayward brother of a teary damsel in distress shouldn’t have gotten so dangerous. When his partner, Sister Grace, gets poisoned by a dart meant for him, Vern offers to find an artifact in exchange for a cure. However, this is no ordinary trinket—with a little magic power, it could control all of mankind. Can Vern find the artifact, and will he sacrifice the fate of two worlds for the life of his best friend?
Keywords: dragons, mystery, dragoneye, noir fantasy, lance of longinus, maltese falcon, dragon detectives, neo-nazis, racial prejudice, faerie creatures, conspiracy theories in fantasy, Karina Fabian
Pages: 130
ISBN-13: 978-1484848296
ISBN-10: 1484848292
ASIN B00CEH934G
Excerpt:
Given the day I was having, it came as no surprise that when I got home, I found the dogs sprawled in a drugged sleep and the sounds of things being overturned from within the warehouse. I decided not to bother with subtlety, but I did resist the urge to burst in with flames going full-blast. I had questions first.
Naturally, I walked straight in to find an automatic weapon—yep, a bona fide black-market AK-47—and I thought only Faerie lived their clichés—and six other weapons of various types pointed at me. I didn’t stop, just closed the door with my tail while I strolled in slow and placid-like. My visitors had shaved heads, faces painted white with clown paint, and black t-shirts with swastikas in white circles.
“If you’re the housekeeping service, you’re fired.”
“You stay right there, or we gonna fire you!” said one guy from the sidelines as he held his nunchucks at the ready.
What’d he think he would do—whack me on the nose? I turned to the one holding the assault rifle. “Scraping the bottom of the barrel with that one, weren’t you?”
“He’s right. You just stay still while we search the place.”
“The place” was a ten-thousand square foot warehouse with offices on the upper floor. Boxes I still hadn’t opened line the walls and made a maze in the second warehouse room. I settled myself on the floor and rested my head on my crossed arms. “Go ahead. I get half of anything you find.”
They stared at me, unbelieving. I smiled back. Mr. Cooperation, that’s me. Finally, Big Gun snarled for the others to get to work. As he turned his back on me, Nunchucks muttered, “I got your half. Don’t think I don’t.” Guess he learned such witty repartee in Hitler Youth Summer Camp.
I watched and listened and waited. With eight teenage skinheads trashing my place, it was only a matter of time.
“I wouldn’t go in there if I were you,” I suggested as Nunchucks made a grab for the doorknob to Grace’s workshop.
“You gonna stop me?” He turned the knob.
“Nope,” I said as I closed my ears and my eyes. Even so, I saw the otherworldly light and heard the harmonious roar of Divine Vengeance followed by Mundane screams.
“The Heavenly Host on the other hand…”
I waited until the screams died down to whimpers before opening my eyes and rising.
Four of the skinheads were unconscious. Three may as well have been; they were curled up in the fetal position, whimpering. Nunchucks was actually crying for his mommy. Big Guns had collapsed to the floor as well, the gun thrown away from him. He was sitting and rocking and making high-pitched keening through the roof of his mouth.
I’d tell Grace to tone down her wards some, except that the effect is directly proportional to the evilness of the intent. Suddenly, I was feeling a little shaky about my earlier entrance.
Knights out of the armor now. I went around, collecting weapons in the office trash can and poking through pockets. I found the usual stuff—driver’s licenses, credit cards, petty cash… One kid had a condom; wishful thinking on his part, I knew. Another had a report card. MLK High. Wonder if he was the one beating up Faerie kids? Honor roll grades, too. Of all the years I’ve battled evil, there were still some things I didn’t understand.
As I was returning Big Guns’ (aka Rick Matherston’s) wallet back into his jacket pocket, he blinked and focused on me.
“What was that?”
“Angels, kid.” Actually a kind of magical shadow of the real thing, but close enough.
“But I thought angels were—”
“There’s a reason why their first words are usually ‘Fear not!’ whenever they meet a human.”
His eyes returned to their unfocused stare. I almost felt sorry for him. Then I noticed the letters FARISLAR tattooed on his knuckles. Faerie slayer.
About Greater Treasures: Most people associate the DragonEye stories with high humor ranging from puns to slapstick, and in fact, the first stories and the novels have certainly been crazy fun. But the life of a cynical dragon PI isn’t all laughs, and Vern has had a few chilling stories to tell me. Some of these, I’ve sold to anthologies, but some are too long for that. Thus, I’ve decided to start publishing them on my own.
One thing I like to do for DragonEye stories is watch old noir films. Greater Treasures came to me while watching the Maltese Falcon. If you’ve never seen it, I recommend it. (Then, reread the story to see if you catch the in jokes.) I needed something with more “oomph” than a bird statue, and since Vern has some history with the Lance of Longinus, it made a good fit. I enjoyed looking up all the conspiracy theories about the use of the Lance by Hitler, which is where the neo-Nazi angle came in. To say more would be spoilers, so please, enjoy the story.
And if you do, be sure to check out Vern’s other tales at http://dragoneyepi.net.
Author interview
Welcome Karina! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
I am a writer of a large and growing imagination and a large but shrinking physique. (I’m enrolled in circuit torture, er circuit training, five times week. You can read about it each Wednesday at http://fabianspace.blogspot.com). I write mostly science fiction and fantasy, plus some horror. Some of my books are very funny, while others, like Greater Treasures, are more grim. I love that my characters are so versatile, but find that they tell more stories than I can write down, which is a frustrating experience.
Is Greater Treasures a single title, or part of a series?
It’s part of a series, to use the term loosely. I have two DragonEye novels and multiple DragonEye stories in various anthologies and magazines. Vern is my most prolific character, and he tells me tales in every length from flash to novel. Greater Treasures is a novelette or novella (depending on the definition you use). It’s one of his more serious cases, although he can’t help being snarky in a very fun way. Dragons have a terrible, wonderful superiority complex, and it shines through in his narration.
What were your inspirations for the story?
For this one, The Maltese Falcon (the movie). Vern is a noir-style private investigator, a Sam Spade of the fantasy world, so often I will turn to old noir films for inspiration. Of course, the stakes are much higher than finding a bird statue.
Please share your setting for Greater Treasures. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
Los Lagos, Colorado, is a small town in a valley in the Rocky Mountains, west and south of Canon City. It’s completely made up, but I lived in southern Colorado most of my life, so I do know the general area. The only connection between our world and the Faerie, the Interdimensional Gap, is located not far from town. Caused by a combination of magical mishap on the Faerie side and nuclear explosion on our side, it has been both blessing and curse as the township has become the center of an influx of magical creatures and interdimensional trade.
When did the writing bug first bite?
Fourth or fifth grade, and I’ve been scratching it off and on ever since.
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
When I remember what spare time means, I’ll figure out a hobby to fill it. However, this year, I decided to get serious about getting fit. I was nearing 170 and running out of breath going up the stairs. How pitiful is that? There’s a gym on the way home from dropping the kids off at school—Biofit Bootcamp. The instructor is a great guy who sets difficult but reasonable tasks and knows how to inspire without overpushing. I go five times a week for an hour. The routines change daily, so every muscle gets punished—er, worked on—each week. I’ve only lost fifteen pounds because I don’t diet, but I’m toning up, which is what I really care about.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?
In Metaponto, Italy, the ruins of the Pythagorean temple are coated in snails. Thousands and thousands of snails. You cannot walk without stepping on snails. I always wanted to write a story about the inhabitants getting turned into snails.
Bio:
Winner of the 2010 INDIE for best Fantasy (Magic, Mensa and Mayhem), Karina Fabian has imagination that takes quirky twists that keep her–and her fans–amused. Nuns working in space, a down-and-out Faerie dragon working off a geas from St. George, zombie exterminators—there’s always a surprise in Fabian’s worlds. Mrs. Fabian teaches writing and book marketing seminars, but mostly is concerned with supporting her husband, Rob Fabian as he makes the exciting leap from military officer to civilian executive, getting her kids through high school and college, and surviving daily circuit torture…er, circuit training. Read about her adventures at http://fabianspace.com.
Find Karina at:
Website: http://fabianspace.com, http://dragoneyepi.net
Blog: http://fabianspace.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karina.fabian
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/KarinaFabian
Google +: https://plus.google.com/103660024891826015212
EXTRAS FOR YOUR BLOG:
Outside Links: I’ve been told that if you link to outside articles, you increase your SEO. Here’re some:
Lance of Longinus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Lance
Maltese Falcon: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033870/
Live and Let Fly: http://dragoneyepi.blogspot.com/p/live-and-let-fly.html
Magic, Mensa and Mayhem: http://dragoneyepi.blogspot.com/p/magic-mensa-and-mayhem.html
Book tour link with all the stops: http://dragoneyepi.blogspot.com/2013/04/greater-treasures-book-tour.html
Crimson Frost and Midnight Frost Books Pitch Contest
Harlie’s note: Please don’t pitch on my website. Go to their website to pitch. 
Thanks and Good luck!
Crimson Frost and Midnight Frost Pitch Tour
Enter our Crimson Frost and Midnight Frost Books’ Grand Opening Pitch Contest and be a winner!
Crimson Frost Books is looking for stories which will make steam come out of your ears. Yes, we like it hot!
This is an opportunity to shine with a steaminess galore. For the next four weeks, in celebration of our grand opening, starting April 22, 2013 to May 22, 2013 we are offering this open Pitch Contest.
The author’s whose pitches we select will be contacted between June 5 to June 7nd of 2013.
As well, all those who take part in the pitch session will be placed in a drawing for a prize.
Crimson Frost Books will be giving away three prize bags. The winners will receive sexy hot red finger nail polish for you or your friend or friends to enjoy. Also, you will receive three e books from published authors. And a small surprise gift to make you smile or maybe blush! J Got your interest with that one, huh?
Words of wisdom: Be creative and don’t be afraid to give it your all. Everyone will be considered seriously. Make us steam up our computer screens while reading your pitch. Pitch it to us good, baby! We will look and consider any word count.
Here is what is expected:
1. Each pitch must be for a completed manuscript.
2. If we like it we’ll request the full manuscript.
3. It must be an original piece that’s hot, but we want more than just sex…the romance has to be the focal point of the story.
4. We want to see your hook…so post the first paragraph of your story in the comment section along with your email address and or website url.
5. We respect everyone’s privacy and your information will be used only to contact you.
Enjoy writing and good luck,
Crimson Frost Books publishing staff
Midnight Frost Books is looking for some scary stuff! Or thrill us good! Midnight Frost is talking about stories that make us want to chew our nails and jump when the phone rings! We will be releasing the chosen works for the Halloween sales in 2013.
Wow, 13 what a year to scare your readers.
This is an opportunity to gleam bright with imagination. For the next four weeks, in celebration of our grand opening, starting April 22, 2013 to May 22, 2013 we are offering this open Pitch Contest.
The author’s whose pitches we select will be contacted between June 5 to June 7ndof 2013.
As well, all those who take part in the pitch session will be placed in a drawing for a prize.
Midnight Frost Books will be giving away three prize bags. The winners will receive dark and sinister finger nail polish for you or your friends to enjoy. Also, you will receive three e books from published authors. And a small surprise gift to make you smile.
Words of wisdom: Be creative and don’t be afraid to give it your all. Everyone will be considered seriously. Make us really love it. We will look and consider any word count.
Here is what is expected:
1. Each pitch must be for a completed manuscript.
2. If we like it we’ll request the full manuscript.
3. It must be an original piece that’s frightening, thrilling, chilling, or terrifying, you get the picture. It needs to be any or all of those things, but have a good story too.
4. We want to see your hook…so post the first paragraph of your story in the comment section along with your email address and or website url.
5. We respect everyone’s privacy and your information will be used only to contact you.
Enjoy writing and good luck,
Midnight Frost Books publishing staff
Dangerous Submission by Lori Toland – Book Blitz/Giveaway/Excerpt
Excerpt 2 – PG
Oblivious to my desire, he turned back to his suitcase and dragged out his tuxedo. “This party we’re going to tonight, it’s a black-tie ball, right?”
“Yes, it is.” I turned my back to him, trying my hardest to ignore how much my cock loved him nearly naked with just a scrap of cotton covering his bits.
“Do you think there will be dancing?”
God, I hoped not, because I was an awful dancer. Robbie would run away screaming from me if he saw me try to waltz. I mumbled something under my breath, hoping that would satisfy him.
He was persistent with his line of questioning, though. He let out a sigh. “What I’m trying to ask is…do you know how to dance?”
“Not really.”
“Maybe I should give you a quick lesson.”
Unable to hold back my horror, I groaned. “We don’t have to do that. It’s not a requirement to dance at this party, I’m sure.”
“No, it probably isn’t, but we aren’t supposed to be wallflowers either. We should try our hardest to fit in.”
“I’m six foot five, and you’re a redheaded royal. Do you really think we’re going to blend in?”
Bio: CEO by day, erotic romance writer by night, Lori Toland lives in Orlando where the summers are hot but the romance between her characters is even hotter. Writing since the tender age of 13, Lori somehow finds time to play video games and watch movies while taking care of her beloved cats and a husband who will forever be her hero.
Website: http://www.loritoland.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/loritoland
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tolandlori
Tour Schedule
5/1/13
The Risque Redhead Reads
Smardy Pants Book Blog
5/2/13
Italian Brat’s Obsessions
Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
5/3/13
Momma’s Books
Blackraven’s Erotic Cafe
5/6/13
Harlie Williams, Writer
Cryselle’s Bookshelf
5/7/13
Kinky Book Reviews
A Little Fiction of Every Flavour
5/8/13
What’s On the Bookshelf
Michelle Graham, Erotic Romance
5/9/13
Guilty Pleasures
Scorching Book Reviews
5/10/13
Seductive Musings
Ramblings From This Chick
5/13/13
Erzabet’s Enchantments
Regina May Ross’s Blog
5/14/13
Sunset Reader Reviews
Mrs Condit & Friends Read Books
5/15/13
Passionate About Books
Shh Moms Reading
Buck Naked (Naked Cowboys, Book #2) by Desiree Holt – Book Blitz/Excerpt/Giveaway
Sometimes out of the frying pan and into the fire is the best way to burn.
Naked Cowboys, Book 2
Amy Stark has it all together—except for chronic bad taste in men. She’s firmly in hands-off-all-men mode when a flat tire forces her to accept the help of exactly the type of man she’s sworn off. Arrogant, cocky and condescending.
When she runs into him again later that day and then finds out her brother has invited him for dinner, the fire between them has a sizzle of a different kind.
At eighteen, Buck Montgomery left home to make his mark on the bull-riding circuit. He may have had wild success in rodeo but his personal life is in the dust, and while he’s ready to start a new life he’s wary to expose his heart. Buck knows he should tell Amy the truth, but every time he opens his mouth, hers is right there with kisses like molten lava.
When his past resurfaces at the worst possible time, Buck can only wonder if Amy will love the man he has become…or if the man he was will chase her away.
Product Warnings: Contains barnyard language and clap-your-hands-over-your-mama’s-eyes sex between a cowboy with a checkered past and a ranch girl with all the right moves
Amy ran her finger around the rim of her mug. “I understand you met our new neighbor. Buck Montgomery.” She made her voice as casual as possible.
Matt looked at her with curiosity. “Yeah, I did. How did you know?”
“I met him at the auction.” She didn’t see the need to tell him the flat-tire story, or the fact that just the short time she’d spent with him, only minutes, had given rise to erotic fantasies in her dreams that made her squirm when she remembered them. “He, uh, seems very nice.”
Her brother leaned forward on his elbows. “He is nice. He bought the Hayes Ranch and plans to increase the stock and bring it back up to the level it once was.”
“He must have a lot of money,” Reenie commented. “As we all know, ranching’s not cheap.”
Matt shifted his gaze from his wife to his sister and back again, his face nearly expressionless. “I believe he had a nest egg he cashed in. He’ll be running pretty close to the bone for a while, but I have a feeling he’ll make a success out of that place.”
“What do you know about him?” Amy asked. “Where did he come from?”
Matt laughed. “Amy, if you’re so interested, why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“Yes,” Reenie chimed in. “In fact, let’s invite him over for dinner.”
Amy drained the last of her coffee. “Are you sure that’s such a good idea? I mean, he seemed nice enough, but what do you really know about him?”
Matt snorted. “Damn, Amy, how much do I need to know to be a good neighbor? I’ve spent a little time with him twice, and I’m pretty sure he’s not an ax murderer on the loose.”
“That’s not what I meant, I just—”
“He’s a neighbor,” Matt stressed. “Since when did you become so antisocial?”
Since I had an unwanted physical reaction to the man. And dreams that I can’t seem to control.
“Fine.” She pushed back her chair. “Fine, fine, fine. Call him and invite him over. You can do your famous barbecue steaks.” She rinsed out her mug and put it in the dishwasher. “I have some errands to do in town. I promised Hank I’d ride fences with him this afternoon.”
Hank was the oldest of their hands, the one who’d been here the longest. He’d been the one to put Amy on her first horse and to show her “which end of the cattle eats and which end craps,” as he’d so colorfully put it.
“You know you don’t have to do that,” Matt pointed out. “You’ve got records to bring up to date and the monthly weight-gain reports to get out. And Hank just wants an audience for those tales he’s told a thousand times.”
When their parents had decided to move New Mexico, she and Matt had split up the responsibilities of the ranch. She took care of all the paperwork, which he hated, and he served as the actual foreman, supervising the hands and overseeing the daily care and feeding of the cattle as well as maintaining the fences and outbuildings. But when she was younger she had often ridden fences with Hank, listening to his. She figured by now she was the only one left who’d put up with them.
“I’m good,” she told him. “And sometimes it just clears my head to ride along with Hank.” She picked her keys up from the counter. “See y’all later.”
All the way into town, she couldn’t seem to get Buck Montgomery out of her head. She’d hardly spent much time with him, and half of that she’d been royally pissed. But the image of the man just lingered in her brain, not to mention what thoughts of him did to her body.
Wait. She was an intelligent thirty-year-old woman not given to stray erotic fantasies. Especially about men she hardly knew. It was bad enough when she fantasized about men she did know and they all turned out to be assholes. But lordy. There was just something about Buck Montgomery that set her pulse to pounding, her blood to racing and every hormone in her body to waving a flag.
She reached the center of town almost before she realized it, and considered herself lucky to find a parking place on Main Street. The entire time she did her shopping, Buck Montgomery occupied her thoughts. She was so distracted by the time she stopped at the office-supply store, she picked out some items she’d purchased the week before. The salesman jokingly asked her if she wasn’t a little young for her memory to be fading. Finally, she decided to stop and get something to eat. Maybe a full stomach would make her brain behave better. But as she went to open the door of Bit and Bite, a hand reached out ahead of her.
“Allow me.”
There it was, that deep, rich voice that haunted her dreams and sent shivers skating along her spine. And made the pulse deep inside her body throb hard and fast.
Buck.
Buy Links:
Amazon:
Samhain:
http://store.samhainpublishing.com/buck-naked-p-7366.html
Nook:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/buck-naked-desiree-holt/1114503300?ean=9781619215788
Connect with Desiree:
Link to Contact page: http://www.desireeholt.com/contact/
FB https://www.Facebook.com/desiree01holt?ref=ts&fref=ts
FB Author: https://www.facebook.com/desireeholtauthor?fref=ts
GIVEAWAY: Desiree is giving away an Ebook of choice from her backlist for each blog stop plus she has two grand prizes. (1) 6 ebooks (winner’s choice) from backlist and a Phoenix Agency Mug and (2) Buck Naked mouse pad and a Wild West messenger bag. Grand prizes will be drawn via rafflecopter (code below) and individual blog prizes will be drawn from commenters. Please leave your email for the individual prizes and good luck!
Release Day Blitz for debut author Scarlet Chastain – Bella Key
Bella Key by Scarlet Chastain
Release Date: May 3rd
from Evernight Publishing
Blurb:
Maddie Jacobs must be crazy. At least that’s what her mother thinks. Professionally, she’s confident and secure; personally, she’s a hot mess. Not even a marriage proposal from a man who adores her can quell her search for something more.
In need of an escape, Maddie flees to Key West’s most southern island, Bella Key, to rest and recharge at Casa Bonita. She almost gives up on weekend retreat when the Bed & Breakfast is closed for repairs until Sunny Rojas, the inn owner, extends an offer of friendship, sweet tea and a room. Still reeling from a breakup with her longtime partner, Sunny is thankful for the diversion from her own broken heart.
The arrival of a fierce storm forces the women’s emotional journey to a head and leads them into each other’s arms. But can Maddie throw her hangups to the wind and go with her heart? The magic of Bella Key teaches her that passion cannot be placed neatly into boxes labeled right and wrong, because love knows no boundaries.
Excerpt:
Sunny walked toward the slim form sitting on a bench facing the water. The reds and oranges of the sunset played off Maddie’s golden hair. Sunny’s fingers itched to smooth a wisp of hair blowing in the early evening breeze. An overwhelming feeling of desire to wrap her arms around the woman, guide her head to her shoulder and stroke her hair while she whispered ‘everything will work out’ ran through her head.
“It’s stunning, isn’t it?” She nodded at the horizon when Maddie looked up. “I never get tired of watching Key West sunsets. Each one is different. I come down here a lot to think, or when I have a decision to make. There’s something about the sunset that puts things into perspective.” Sunny stared at the glowing orange sun disappearing into the wide expanse of sea. “Here, I brought you some more of the sweet tea you liked earlier.”
Maddie took the glass from her, and the brush of her fingertips along the back of Sunny’s hand sent her nerve endings on overdrive. Sunny leaned on the back of the bench, supporting her weight with arms. “I spent much time down here dealing with the same situation. My guy’s name was Emilio.”
Maddie’s head cocked to the side. “Emilio? I thought you were—”
“A lesbian?” Sunny snorted. “I don’t really think of it as liking one sex versus another. I’m attracted to the person, you know, what’s inside. But, yes, since Emilio I’ve only been with women. Leaving him was hard. We met in college and he wanted to get married after graduation. Asked my parents and everything.” Sunny chuckled, remembering the disappointment reflected in her mother’s eyes when she told her they’d broken up.
Maddie turned and put her feet on the seat of the bench, drawing her knees to her chest. “What happened?”
“I’ll tell you what didn’t happen, chica. The world didn’t end. Emilio found someone else and is happily married with a couple of kids. My mother not only got over the fact that l broke up with Emilio, but she accepts the fact that my goals in life aren’t the same as hers. You see, those who really care about you just want to see you happy. What you need to figure out is what makes you happy.”
Bella Key is available at Evernight Publishing and most online book retailers.
Author Bio:
Scarlet Chastain is the semi-secret pseudonym of a multi-published, best selling author of sensual erotic romance. Scarlet’s focus is female-centric sizzling stories written about women, for women.
She lives in the suburban shadows of New York City but her heart belongs to the beaches of Key West. Scarlet can usually be found in her favorite chair of her newly acquired writing cave.
Stalk Scarlet here:
Website: http://scarletchastain.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scarlet-Chastain/524838890901873
Twitter: @scarletchastain
Email: scarletchastain@gmail.com
Her Warriors Three Wishes by Carrie Ann Ryan – Promo
Blurb:
Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?
Ambrose Griffin is older than most, if not all, civilizations. As each year passes, he submerses himself into his training, only relaxing around his protégée and friend, Shade. After losing his wife and children in the last Angelic Wars, he guards his heart and has no desire to share it with another.
Bookkeeper and romance novel enthusiast, Jamie Bennett dreams of being swept off her feet by a white knight. However, her life is no romance book. Since meeting Ambrose—a sexy, delicious angel—she’s been twisted inside out and doesn’t know why. Things are happening that she can’t control and now her life is in danger.
Balin Drake is stuck in hell, literally. His life of refusing to take souls, even though it’s part of his demon nature, has caught up with him. He’s dying and now must search for his true half, but even a mating may not save him. When he meets the two people who could fill that part, he’ll need to fight for something he hasn’t felt in over a century—hope.
Warning: Contains a rigid angel who needs a certain sexy woman to help him unwind, a book keeper who finds herself the creamy center of the best cookie ever, and a demon who has a certain taste for pressing them both against walls.
A little about Carrie Ann: 
Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate – even if it’s just in her books. Happy endings are always near – even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.
Carrie Ann’s Redwood Pack series is an bestselling series that has made the shifter world even more real to her and has allowed the Dante’s Circle and Holiday, Montana series to be born. She’s also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.
Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:
King Cobra (Hot Rods, book #1) by Jayne Rylon – Book Blitz/Giveaway/Guest Post
Prize Information:
Jayne is giving away a prize pack that will include a variety of items including T-shirt, print copy of Pick Your Pleasure, flavored lube, autographed cover flats, playing cards, keychain, etc. The rafflecopter code for this is below with the tour schedule. Good luck!
Blurb:
Nothing’s sexier than seven men with hot rods.
Hot Rods, Book 1
After Eli’s mother died, his father honored her life’s mission as a social worker by taking in several kids from the wrong side of the tracks. Not all of them stuck, but those who did became Eli’s quasi family.
Their bonds, forged in fires set by their personal demons, are unbreakable—or so Eli wants to believe. Especially since he and Alanso, his best friend and head mechanic, witnessed the overpowering allure of polyamory while visiting the Powertools crew.
Much as Eli would like to deepen the relationships among his foster brothers and sister in the Hot Rods Restoration Team, he’s hesitant to risk everything on a quick romp behind a stack of tires.
But when Eli catches Alanso exploring their mutual fantasy at a known hookup spot in a public park, all bets are off. And Eli must decide if it’s time to jump in full throttle—and trust his instincts to guide him through the night. If the pair can dodge the potholes in their own relationship, maybe they can race together toward the unconventional arrangement with Mustang Sally they both desire.
Warning: Fasten your seatbelts, this is going to be a wild (and naughty) ride!
How much research did you have to do on cars for this series?
Actually, quite a bit. The good news is that I really enjoy cars and so does my husband so between us we already knew most of the details I needed to get started. However, I did extensive internet research, and watched lots of car shows that Mr. Rylon was happy to DVR for us, as well as using some reference books, including Mighty Muscle Cars, which was a gift from a friend.
Each of the men drives a car that tells a lot about their personality and is their nickname or involved in the title of their book. Those symbolic choices tell a lot about each of them and hopefully helps readers keep people straight in a series that has a HUGE cast of characters. Each book title has the name of the main character’s car along with something that tells a little about them. For example, Eli’s book is King Cobra. He drives a Shelby Cobra—classic, iconic, fast, agile, aspirational. He’s the owner of the shop and the leader of the gang.
Other titles in the series are MUSTANG Sally, Super NOVA, REBEL on the Run, SWINGER Style, and BARRACUDA’s Heart.
Harlie here…I’m instantly hooked. My dream car is a Shelby Cobra Mustang….preferably blue with a white stripe and the numbers must match. I’m a totally gear head and nothing beats American muscle cars. And yes, my car is about $80k and my husband keeps telling me no. I can’t imagine why? Or a ’67 Camaro, fire engine red. Just saying…
Buy Links:
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/king-cobra-jayne-rylon/1114503297?ean=9781619213388
Samhain: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/king-cobra-p-7354.html
Schedule:
4/22
4/23
4/24
4/25
Book Reviews and More by Kathy
4/26
Contact Jayne Rylon:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jayne.rylon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JayneRylon
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Jayne-Rylon/e/B002VTCILM
Email: contact@jaynerylon.com
Website: http://jaynerylon.com/
Introducing Tease from Decadent Publishing, Featuring Cursed by Cate Masters – Promo/Excerpt/Giveaway
GIVEAWAY – Book swag – bookmarks and magnets. Rafflecopter link is at the bottom of the post and it will be open for 7 days. Good luck!
Cursed
The Vitruvian Man, book 1
by Cate Masters
Paranormal romance novella
Available April 24 from Decadent Tease: http://www.decadenttease.com
Blurb
Ten days of freedom. That’s all Fate had allotted me each year. In the streets of Venice,
I could walk among them. Mingle. Belong.
During Carnevale, they had no idea who I was. What I was.
For ten days, it didn’t matter.
Until I met her.
Bruno diCesare lives alone by necessity, not choice. An experiment performed by Leonardo da Vinci, who believed having a dual DNA would grant a person immortality, used magic to render Bruno a chimera – the head of a lion, body of a dragon. The only time he can mingle with people is during Carnevale, ten glorious days of masked anonymity, frivolity and intimacy.
Melina Weaver learned fire dancing to enliven her dull existence. A scientist, her long hours at the lab leave no time for a social life. For ten days at Carnevale, she can pretend to be someone else. Someone sexy and daring, who lives on the edge.
Once she meets Bruno, her wish comes true, but everything goes terribly wrong. Beneath Bruno’s costume lurks an alpha male, but is he dangerous? Worse, can she return to an employer who sells her research to the military to make an army of efficient killers? Her only hope may lie with the man she’s just met and never seen.
Excerpt
Light danced in his dark eyes. “I must admit, your fire dancing fascinated me. What made you choose such a dangerous skill to master?”
“The thrill of the challenge, I suppose.” It balanced the rest of her mundane life, to a degree. Mastering each new level gave her a sense of achievement, where work couldn’t.
Something flashed through his dark eyes. “Mistakes must be very painful.”
“I practiced a long time before I worked up the nerve to actually light the wands. I found the fire great incentive to focus, however.” God, her grin must be goofy, the way he stared. Such gorgeous eyes, such a deep brown they almost appeared black. He probably had rugged features, if his large hands provided any indication. Too bad he wore gloves, another barrier between them.
“Yes,” he said, “I imagine so.”
“What about you? What other magic do you know?” Oh please, can you get any more ridiculous? It sounded like a line from a bad chick flick.
The crinkle around his eyes was the only evidence of his smile, but enough to charm her.
“Lifetimes of studying the dark arts have provided me with many tricks.”
“Lifetimes?” she blurted.
He stiffened in her arms. “Pardon?”
She watched him carefully. “You said ‘lifetimes’. Plural.” And what the hell did he mean by ‘dark arts’?
Rigidity masked the grace of his movements. “I’m sure you’re mistaken.” He stared over her head as they whirled to the song’s rhythm.
Mistaken my ass. How very strange. More strange that the question upset him. He’d clammed up, and his muscles were so tense, she expected him to bolt. Better to drop it. For now. “Must have been a slip of the tongue.”
“Yes.” Relief sounded in his tone, though guarded.
This man had something to hide. How intriguing.
BUY LINKS:
Author Bio:
Cate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.
Cate loves to hear from readers! Email her at: cate.masters@gmail.com
Email Address: cate.masters@gmail.com
Website URL: http://www.catemasters.com (redirects to blog)
Blog Name and URL: Cate Masters
http://catemasters.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cate-Masters/89969413736?ref=ts
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CateMasters
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/105560752271686579982/about?cfem=1
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2944596.Cate_Masters
Other Social Media: Coffee Time Romance forum
http://coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=1752
Decadent Tease is a sub-line of Decadent Publishing. Tease’s main goal is to publish stories that are heartwarming, action-packed and romance-filled in order to leave readers craving more. As a proud part of Decadent Publishing, Tease serves to give both readers and authors the chance to make a difference with romantic fiction. For more information, please check out: http://www.decadenttease.com or http://www.decadentpublishing.com.
©2013 Decadent Publishing
