Tuesday, July 30, 2013

New Release Announcement: Passion's Sacred Dance!

New release announcement from Juli D. Revezzo and The Wild Rose Press!

Passion's Sacred Dance is available NOW!
 
Battling mounting debt, Stacy Macken is determined not to lose her historic art gallery. When Aaron Fielding appears and offers to help, she fights to keep the attraction sizzling between them from clouding her judgment. He may be her savior in disguise--but can she trust him?
Aaron intrigues her with tales of the Tuatha dé Danann, sworn warriors who protect humanity from the monsters seeking their destruction. If Aaron can prove what he claims, she would give up anything to help--even the gallery he claims is sacred ground. But with her property set to stage the next epic battle, she needs answers. An old family diary will confirm the ancient legend is true, if only they can find it in time.
If the battle is lost, the enemy will take control of Earth for the next five hundred years. Stacy and Aaron's budding love might only complicate things.

Excerpt:

“I’ve had some restless nights lately,” Stacy said.
“I understand. Been there myself.” He tapped his temple. “Battle tends to stick, now and then.”
“Yeah. You should see some of the ones I’ve seen.”
Aaron’s brow rose.
She sniffed, but didn’t say more. “Are you ready to explain what that was about, yesterday?”
“I’m not sure to what you’re referring.”
How to put this? “The discussion you had with the lawyer?”
“Actually,” he said, “I rather hoped we could forget that nonsense ever happened.”
“Like I wish I could forget Janeus and Miller are offering for my place.” She waved a hand around the room. “I’m sorry for yelling at you, yesterday. Can you forgive me?”
“Forgive you for what?” Aaron wrapped his empty arm around her shoulders.
She suddenly couldn’t breathe steadily or remember where they were. She blinked and licked her lips, hoping for a kiss. Someone cleared a throat and Aaron pulled away. Stacy glanced at the student watching them.


Find Passion's Sacred Dance at Amazon!


Juli D. Revezzo is a Florida girl, with a love of fantasy, science fiction, and Arthurian legend, so much so she gained a B.A. in English and American Literature. She loves writing stories with fantastical elements whether it be a full-on fantasy, or a story set in this world–slightly askew. She has been published in short form in
Eternal Haunted Summer, Dark Things II: Cat Crimes (a charity anthology for cat related charities), Luna Station Quarterly, The Scribing Ibis: An Anthology of Pagan Fiction in Honor of Thoth, and Twisted Dreams Magazine. She recently released her debut paranormal romance novel, Passion’s Sacred Dance.
She also has an article and book review or two out there. But her heart lies in the storytelling. She is a member of the Independent Author Network and the Magic Appreciation Tour.
 
You can find Juli at:


 

Friday, July 26, 2013

WHEN I FIND YOU IS HERE!!! IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE!

Greetings Everyone! I am sooooo excited because today I'm hosting one of my most favorite authors EVER! Dixie Lee Brown is here to tell us a little bit about herself and her lastest release, When I Find You, Book Two in her Trust No One Series! Whoo Hoo!! (I am so digging this cover!!)

Hello! I’m so excited to be here! Thanks so much for having me today, AJ, and for helping to celebrate the release of my new book. Did I mention that I’m pretty excited?

I’m thrilled to have you, Dixie! I recently finished When I Find You and WOW! It blew me out of the water!! I am completely hooked on this series. And Walker. I love Walker. *AJ shakes her head and clears her throat* So, tell us how your writing career began.
I believe my writing career began the day I was lucky enough to be picked up as a client by Dawn Dowdle and the Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Although I have an immense amount of respect and admiration for writers who go the indie publishing route, I just always knew I wanted to go with an agent and a traditional publisher if possible. I never dreamed I would end up being represented by THE BEST agent ever, or that she would secure a fabulous contract for me with Avon Impulse/Harper Collins for a three book romantic suspense series. I’m so excited, because the second book of that series, WHEN I FIND YOU, published just ten days ago!

Whoo Hoo! That’s so exciting!! I often find inspiration in the stories I read. What’s on your nightstand (or downloaded onto your Kindle) right now?
Waaaaalker. Sigh...
I’ve got so many things on my Kindle waiting to be read! I’ve got AJ’s Jezebel’s Wish (*AJ slaps a hand to her forehead and shakes her head*); The Seduction of Emily and 16 Marsden Place both by Rachel Brimble; While You Were Dead by CJ Snyder, and probably about fifty or sixty more. There should be a group for people like me. “Hi, I’m Dixie Lee Brown, and I’m a Kindle addict!” There’s definitely no dust on my Kindle—unlike my nightstand!

I know. Dust has a life of its own which I’ve become a professional at ignoring. What’s your favorite cocktail?
I enjoy a good margarita—just not often enough!

Mmm… Me too. Any pets?
I have two small dogs. Kaycee is a 7 year old Maltese. Reba is a 4 year old Maltese/shih Tzu cross. I’m that crazy dog lady who thinks of them as kids, talks to them, and would never consider missing a vet appointment. In return, I get their loyalty and unconditional love, and some days it takes their enthusiasm to get me started. Not a bad trade off.

Of the characters you’ve created, which one is your favorite and why?
I am so in dire need of some serious rescue!
My favorite would have to be Walker, the hero of my new release WHEN I FIND YOU. Walker is a tough, cynical, ex-Marine with PTSD syndrome, experience he’d rather he didn’t have, and a bad attitude. When it comes to rescuing the girl from the bad guys, however, there’s nobody better—plus he’s pretty darn sexy.

AGREED! I just LOVE that guy. I can’t get me enough WALKER!!
And now for a sneak peek inside...
WHEN I FIND YOU
Book Two in the
TRUST NO ONE Series

Darcy Maddox’s quiet life as a nanny is turned upside down when she learns her employer is linked to the mafia. Rather than quitting, she chooses to stay and ignore the truth. Now, she’s fairly sure her boss is dead…and the murderers are after her. A complete stranger tries to kill her. Another dogs her every footstep. Is he friend or enemy? Dare she trust him?

When Walker is asked to track down the nanny and stash her someplace safe until the U.S. Marshals can arrange for her protection, he’s sure she’ll be more trouble than she’s worth. He has no idea. First, he has to find her. Then he must convince her he’s on her side, but that proves more difficult than he ever imagined. Walker doesn’t give up easily, especially after the woman clubs him and leaves him for dead. He doesn’t care how attracted he is to her. He’ll find her, and when he does, it’ll take more than the mafia to tear him away.

~ * ~


Dang, he's yummy!
Walker dropped his backpack and sprinted toward the water, stopping only to strip off his boots, jacket, and holster. Was she crazy? This was going to end badly. Still slightly upriver from him, it appeared she had finally come to the same conclusion. In a half crouch, she froze. At least four feet separated her from the third rock. It would have been an easy jump on flat ground with a running start. Perched on an uneven boulder with swiftly rushing water on all sides, it was risky to say the least. Walker pulled up at the water’s edge.
 
“Darcy, listen to me.” She didn’t reply or glance in his direction, but she stiffened and he hurried on. “You’re afraid—I get it. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m trying to help you, damn it, but you’re not making it easy.”
“I don’t need your help.” She raised her voice over the steadily rushing water.
Walker snorted a laugh. Did she really not know how much trouble she was in? “That bear would have ruined your evening if I hadn’t been around, and that guy back there by the car would have killed you.”
She jerked her head toward him but lost her balance and brought her hands up to steady herself. “He couldn’t do it, so now you’re taking over the job?”
“Hell, if I wanted you dead, why would I get between you and that bear? Why wouldn’t I just walk away and let your friend shoot you in the back? Think about it, Darcy. You’re a perfect target standing out there on that rock. No way could I miss.”
“Death isn’t necessarily the worst thing that can happen to a woman.” Her voice was thick with fatigue and despair.
The truth in her words made him burn with anger, and he didn’t know what to say that would convince her she could trust him. If he were in her position, who would he trust?
“If you’re telling me the truth, just go away. Leave me alone.”
He shook his head. “I can’t do that. You’re in a tough spot right now. I’m not convinced you’ll stay dry. Even if you do manage to get across, or back to this side, what then? Can you get out of here by yourself…in the dark? Do you even know where you are?
“How do you know my name? I saw you watching me at the airport.”
“The U.S. Marshals Service sent me to find you and stash you someplace safe until they get this Johnny Fontana situation sorted out.”
She looked over her shoulder and met his gaze, hope shining in her eyes for the first time. “Show me your badge.”
Walker spread his hands wide. “I said they sent me—not that I’m a marshal.”
Damn it! She wanted to believe him—he saw it in her face. Instead, she turned back, dismissing him and everything he’d said. For a moment she stood there, silent, not moving. He watched her body language for a clue to what she planned. When she crouched and shoved herself forward, there was nothing he could do.
~ * ~
DIXIE LEE BROWN started writing romantic suspense nearly twenty years ago. Then life took a few unexpected turns, and the writing career was put on hold in favor of starting a new life and a new job. One’s passion is not easily forgotten, however. Recently, Dixie started writing again—a YA novel—but, before she could finish, another idea pushed to the forefront and wouldn’t go away until a full-fledged novel was completed.

That idea became All or Nothing, first book in the Trust No One series. All or Nothing placed third in the 2011 TARA Contest (Tampa Area Romance Authors) in the romantic suspense category.
Dixie now lives in sunny Central Oregon with two small dogs and a cat for company while she writes the third book of the Trust No One series. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, movies and trips to the beach.

Here's where you can find Dixie on the web!
Website: www.dixiebrown.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dixie-Lee-Brown/311618418919108?ref=hl
Twitter: @DixieLeeBrown
And HERE'S where you can find Walker:  Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Google
Well...what are you waiting for! Go get a copy! LOL
Thanks for being my guest today, Dixie!!
XO AJ XO

Thursday, July 25, 2013

The Crisis of Identity Blog Tour is HERE!

 
In 1985, Tina Turner released We Don’t Need Another Hero, the theme song for the movie Thunderdome. Maybe the children of Thunderdome didn’t need another hero, but I like to have one around. I think they come in handy. My hero is my husband. He’s always been my go-to guy, the one who lifts me up when I’m feeling down, encourages me to keep going when I want to stall, gives me a reason to put one foot in front of the other and move forward instead of look back.
Before we married, I was looking for a job when the job market was tighter than tight. Just when I was about to give in to discouragement, he gave me my mantra. “You’re smart. You’re beautiful. And you’ve got the power.” No one outside my blood kin had ever told me I was any of these things. His faith in me sunk into my heart. I’ve repeated this phrase to myself many times when life didn’t quite go as smoothly as I wanted it to.
So what is a hero? For me, a hero is someone (male or female) who reaches a hand out and grabs yours when you’re sinking, ignoring the risk you might pull him down with you. A hero is someone who gets down in the dirt with you and turns that slop into a mud pie instead of a sucking catastrophe. A hero is someone whose actions support his words, who lives the advice he’s so thoughtfully given. A hero is someone who looks at an obstacle and asks, “How can we climb over, around, under, or through this?” instead of helping you bemoan the impossibility of moving the mountain.
A hero steps up to the challenge, doesn’t back away from the impossible, dares to face doubt and discouragement with courage. That doesn’t mean he or she is unafraid or fearless. It means the hero pushes through the fear and the doubt, and lives and loves in spite of uncertainty.
I frequent a writers’ critique site that shall remain nameless. The forum discussions on this site are sometimes lively. One night, the pros and cons of the numerous rules and guidelines for writing were beaten and pummeled and mangled until everyone had exhausted their opinions in glorious detail. Then someone commented, “If you aren’t going to follow the rules you might as well write romance.” After I got through huffing and puffing and fuming, I pondered why I write romance and why I think the genre shouldn’t be passed off as a lesser than creature of the literary world.
So here goes…I write romance because I like creating heroes. I don’t create perfect heroes or pristine heroes. Real life isn’t nicey-nice and I don’t think fiction should be either. I believe there should be a nugget of reality in fiction, so that the reader can relate to the story. If a heroine is too sweet or too virtuous or too perfect, I don’t buy it. If a hero can do no wrong, there’s no meat on that bone to chew on. People are flawed. Heroes are flawed. My heroes are all beautifully flawed, and my heroines don’t always have the ability to buff those scratches and dents out of their hero.
The romance formula has always been boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy wins girl back. The thrill of the chase is what keeps me writing. What personality set did the hero and heroine bring to this particular situation? What makes this story different from a million others? What brings a bit of real life into the fantasy? For me, that’s the challenge of writing romance. I don’t want to write perfect characters; I want to write characters that are being perfected.
And that brings me back to my wonderful husband, who isn’t perfect either. He’s the ultimate in beautifully flawed. I think I’ll keep him.

~ * ~
 

I dropped onto the cot at the far end of the locker room, struggling to remove the stained smock the state so generously provided. Forget about sleep; it wouldn’t come. I had too many memories that begged to become nightmares. I closed my eyes anyway.
The springs in the cot next to mine creaked. “I’m Jake.” Why had it taken him so long to introduce himself?
I released an internal sigh. “Tess.” I told the truth, because I had to say something and I was out of lies.
“Tough job.”
“Yeah.” I wanted him to shut up and leave me alone.
“Why would someone like you volunteer for this?”
I opened one eye and glared at him. “I didn’t volunteer. I was strongly encouraged to help. Why are you here?”
He hesitated. “I’m a U.S. Marshal. It’s my job. Part of the oath and all that.”
I opened the other eye and assessed him. “Why would you move here—” He smiled, cutting off my question. “I can tell from your accent you’re not from Texas.”
“I followed a fugitive here from Illinois.” He leaned forward, his knees not quite brushing mine. “She’s accused of murder.”
“Murder?”
“Stabbed her boyfriend…in the back…in cold blood.”
My reaction gushed from my mouth. “How can you be sure it was cold blood?” I sucked back a gasp at my gaffe. My question probably seemed strangely timed and oddly constructed. “I mean…it could have been self defense.”
He offered me a cold, hard stare with unblinking eyes. “I just know.”
“That’s…awful."
“I guess I followed my lead at the wrong time. I got trapped riding out the storm…just like you.”
“What makes you think I got trapped?”
“If you’d had any choice, you would have left.”
My brother Tony forced me to stay, but he left me. A storm surge so strong it pulled the house out from under us knocked him into the sea. The Gulf of Mexico spit me back onto the beach as if the ocean didn’t like the way I tasted.
I survived, but I had no time to grieve. The realization impaled my heart.
Jake stretched out on his cot. “There’s a boat out of here tomorrow. It’s taking volunteers back to the mainland.” Galveston was in ruins. The thin strips of concrete that once connected the island to civilization lay scattered on the beach looking somewhat like a child's building blocks.
“There is?” I tried not to appear too interested.
“You didn’t know?” A different question danced in his eyes—a challenge of sorts. “So how long have you lived in Galveston?”
“Not long. My brother found a job. So I moved here a few months ago to be with him.”
“Where’s your brother now?”
I blinked at him. “He’s gone.”
His stern countenance wavered, but before I could embrace his presumed compassion, his expression settled into severity once again. “Now you’ll have to start your life over…again.” His eyes captured mine. A shiver of dread slithered down my spine. It was as if he knew me, even though he didn’t seem to know me. “Are you going to sleep?” He nodded toward my pillow as if he didn’t think my conscience would allow rest.
“I never sleep.”
Within minutes, he emitted soft puffs of breath, in and out, obviously lacking any guilt to keep him awake.
The shadows lengthened and receded over the locker room, drifting in and out of the grimy, shattered windows as if the world was still revolving around its axis on schedule. But I was sure it had stopped turning. I was the fugitive he sought.
***
The unrepentant sunshine streamed through the cracks, jubilant in its victory over the storm. Only five days since the devastation of Hurricane Irving and the sun acted as if nothing had ever happened. I turned away from the brightness with an ill-tempered snort.
Jake caught up with me on the gym floor. “Did you get any sleep?” His question hit me as a trifle vindictive.
“No. But you did.”
“I snore.” He grinned. Then his smile faded. “I thought you’d be gone this morning.”
“Why? I have to finish the job.”
“That’s…admirable.”
The thought that pestered me all night erupted from my mouth. “What happens to that woman when you catch her?”
“She’ll go back to jail.” He stopped by the double doors and folded his arms over his chest, blocking my path. “Then she’ll go to trial.”
“What if she did what she had to do?”
“There was no evidence it was self defense.”
I stared hard at his implacable façade. How could the man be alternately warm and cold, compassionate and hard, flexible and unyielding? I stepped around him and entered the gym. There were already bodies lined up waiting for our initial inspection, so I began the task of collecting information from my column of the dead. The hours passed as I searched pockets and noted identifying characteristics on those with no papers or markings. I glanced toward the open door as two men begin loading the last group onto a waiting truck.
One more victim to notate. I squatted next to her. Even in partial decay, her features were enough like mine it pushed me back on my heels. I lifted her arm. My breath hitched. Her Social Security number was so nearly like mine. I scanned the gym. Jake, the one man who might care if she became me or I became her, was absent. With a few strokes of the pen, I could die and live again.
My heart pounded with the possibility I might get a chance to start over without the baggage of my past dragging me down. I changed her identity with a few swipes of a permanent marker. The number went onto my log with an unshaken hand, and I was free to escape the woman I used to be…the woman I didn’t want to be any longer.
 

Author Bio:
Denise wrote her first story when she was in high school—seventeen hand-written pages on school-ruled paper and an obvious rip-off of the last romance novel she read. She earned a degree in accounting, giving her some nice skills to earn a little money, but her passion has always been writing. She has written numerous short stories and more than a few full-length novels. Her favorite pastimes when she’s not writing are spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and scrapbooking. She lives in Louisiana with her husband, two children, and one very chubby dog.

Find Crisis of Identity at Amazon!
 
Connect with Denise!
See the schedule for additional stops in Denise's Blog Tour!
July 16 – A Passion for Romance – Review
July 16 – A Blue Million Books – Q&A
July 17 – Musings About the Writing Life – Q&A
July 18 – Free eBooks Daily – Q&A
July 19 – Ai Love Books – Excerpt
July 22 – Storm Goddess Book Reviews – Review, Q&A & Excerpt
July 23 – Brooke Blogs – Excerpt
July 24 – Keri Neal – Guest Post & Excerpt
July 25 – AJ’s Tattered Pages – Guest Post & Excerpt
July 26 – Escape Into a Book – Review & Excerpt
July 31 – Scribbler’s Sojourn – Guest Post
August 1 – Curling Up With a Good Book – Q&A
August 2 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
August 5 – Keep Calm and Blog On – Review
August 5 - Defining Women's Evolution in Discovery Blog - Q&A & Excerpt
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Denise’s tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Crisis of Identity before August 5 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**

Monday, July 22, 2013

CAUGHT: Rachel Brimble for a Quick Interview

I was lucky enough to catch up with the fabulous Rachel Brimble and toss a couple of questions her way regarding her recent success in the world of romance publishing! Whoot! She is one BUSY girl, so I sorta had to jog at her side to keep up.

*AJ grabs a water bottle, dons a forehead sweatband and joins Rachel on the wooded trail.* Hi, Rachel! Great day for a run and an interview, huh? So tell me and all your fans out there, with the amount of success you've had in your writing career, do you stick to one sub-genre of romance or write across genre lines?

I write across the lines except for paranormal - my imagination just doesn't stretch to it, I'm afraid! This year I have had two romantic suspense novels published with Harlequin Superromance (second one coming in Aug.), a Victorian romance with eKensington and a romantic comedy with Omnific Publishing. The variety keeps the work fresh for me and my readers, hopefully. LOL!

I couldn’t agree with you more. Fresh sub-genre equals fresh ideas. *AJ repeatedly plucks the front of her t-shirt in an effort to dry the sweat on her cheeks.* So, wow, you’re a busy girl. What are you working on right now?

I am writing the first draft of what will be the fourth book in my ongoing series with Harlequin Superromance. It is a 2014 Christmas release which I’m super excited about because I've always wanted to write a Christmas-set story and it's finally happening! I'm also working on a new plot idea and outline to send to my Kensington editor. This will be book three for Kensington and they are all linked through secondary characters becoming protagonists in the following book. I am SO enjoying writing the Victorian era right now :)
 
Rachel, you are a mad woman! Honestly, is there anything you can't do? Good for you for seeing your dream become a reality! Whoot! So after finishing a manuscript, do you take some time off or dive right in to the next story?

Dive straight in to the next one - for the most part I am already making notes on the next book as I'm finishing the one before. Just recently, I have come to appreciate the luxury in not having books pre-contracted. It is a dream come true to be signing two-book (Kensington) and three-book (Harlequin) contracts in advance of writing them, but the pressure to deliver is immense. I have had a little taste of the jitters over the last couple of weeks which has literally caused my brain to freeze. I hope I am coming out the other end now because I am jumping right back in and writing instinctively again which is such a relief!

Yep, a prime example of “the grass is always greener”, that’s for sure. The pressure to create has got to be enormous, but you handle it with such finesse! *AJ waves off the running and stops, hands braced on her knees to catch her breath.* Okay, now to find out a little more about you, Rachel, the woman. Which Superhero would you most love to date and why?

Right now, it would have to be Superman. Why? How can any of us not think of Henry Cavill and not want a date. Yummy!!

AGREED! Gimme more Henry any day!! Okay and what would be the five top words your best friends would use to describe you.

1.      Funny
2.      Hardworking
3.      Loyal
4.      Ambitious
5.      Worrier

You and I are a LOT alike...especially the "worrier" part. :-)  THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING MY GUEST, RACHEL! I’m now going to get an ice coffee. That jog was exhausting! While I'm doing that, here's a sneak peek inside Rachel's 16 Marsden Place!!
 
There isn't a situation that can't be fixed by a coat of chocolate body paint or a liberal smear of Champagne Lick, right? Wrong!
 
Ever since her father was murdered by a gang of youths, Sienna Lloyd has named herself Potterford's protector--her sexy lingerie shop is a place where the town's women can visit and feel safe. But when that shop is in danger of closing, Sienna needs a solution that will keep her in Potterford, where she can always look out for her mother, friends, and clients.
 
The answer? Move the shop to her home at 16 Marsden Place. The problem? Her new neighbor, the delicious but seriously uptight Jack Beaton. Oh, and his four-year-old twin girls.
 
Jack has just moved to the tiny town of Potterford in a bid to start over. To build a new life that keeps his children safe from his alcoholic ex-wife. So when he discovers his neighbor intends to open a sex shop right next door, Jack will do anything to ensure it doesn't happen... including fighting every ounce of his attraction to the shop's owner and his innate need to trust again.
 
~ * ~
 
Sienna hauled her box of inventory from the back of her car and strode up the driveway to her front door. Entering the house, she kicked her leg out to shut the door when it hit something solid. She turned and promptly dropped the box onto the hallway floor, causing “display” vibrators of varying sizes and colors to roll every which way across the floorboards—a multi-colored river of female satisfaction.
“Jack! What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m coming in to talk to you, that’s what.” He strode over the threshold and slammed the door.
Sienna stepped back even as irritation shot through her. Who the hell did he think he was coming into her house uninvited?
She raised her chin and gestured toward the floor. “Now look what you’ve done.”
“You’re having a party. A party, for crying out loud.”
Ah. “And? Does that give you the right to storm into my house like the Incredible Hulk? What’s next? A bit of shirt-shredding?” Actually, she wouldn’t have minded that…
He opened his mouth and then snapped it shut as he glowered at the glorious obstacles at their feet. “God, it never ends, does it?”
“No, it doesn’t. So why don’t you help me pick these up before you end up slipping on one and taking me to court for breaking your back on top of everything else.”
He sneered with evident distaste. “I don’t think so.”
“Grow up, Jack. You’re being ridiculous.”
Their glares locked. He might have looked as though he should be lying on his back in her bed while she rode him like a bucking bronco, but, God, the guy lacked a sense of humor.
“Well?” she demanded.
“You really don’t care, do you?”
“Insult me if it makes you feel better, but if you can say that, it means you haven’t learned a damn thing about me since we met. Now, are we going to stand here all day or go into the kitchen and have a civilized conversation? I assume you want this straightened out before it’s time for you to pick up the girls from school? Isn’t that why you’re battering your way into my house at eleven o’clock in the morning?”
“Where were you last night?” His gaze searched her face and hair.
Ignoring the flush of heat that tingled over her skin from such a blatant appraisal, Sienna lifted her eyebrows. “Excuse me?”
“I waited for you.”
“You waited—”
“I must have looked out my living room window forty times waiting to see your car in the driveway. Where were you?”
She huffed out a laugh and bent down. “None of your business.” She reached for the nearest vibrator.
“I needed to talk to you.”
She snatched up an electric-blue intermediate dildo and straightened, pointing it in his face and stabbing out each word. “Like. I. Said. None. Of. Your. Business.”
He stepped back, and a smile pulled at her lips. Scared of a dildo. What next? Crying over spilt vaginal lube?
“Help me pick these up and then we’ll talk.” She cocked her head. “Please.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
Her smile expanded. “Thanks.”
Scowling, he raised his hands in surrender and bent down to help her.

~ * ~
 
Find 16 Marsden Place here:  AMAZON / AMAZONUK / BARNES&NOBLE

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013.
 
She has just recently signed a further three-book contract with Harlequin Superromance, continuing her ongoing series set in the fictional UK seaside town of Templeton Cove.
 
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England…although she hopes a dream visit to Canada might just change her mind!

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Find her on the Web at:  Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook
THANKS FOR VISITING!
XO AJ XO

 

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Ana Fawkes and Almost Taken!

From the bestselling author of By His Command comes a romance series that explores life, love, marriage, and death.

Two Weddings, One Funeral, & One Baby
Book 1: ALMOST TAKEN

Jared Crowly was supposed to sell the apartment to the rich, powerful Harry Pitt and his beautiful girlfriend, Becky... not fall in love with Becky.

When Harry shows up to the apartment again, this time with a different woman donning an engagement ring, Jared is thrown into a world of deceit, and Harry threatens to tarnish Jared's successful career. Jared battles his emotions on what to do next, which only gets more complicated when he's invited to be in the wedding party of a close friend whose fiancee has asked Becky to be a bridesmaid.

Secrets will be bared and hearts will be broken, but can a new love overcome it all?

~ * ~

When I decided to jump back into contemporary romance I wanted to come to the market with something fun, fresh, and something sexy. Coming from the world of erotic romance and billionaires left me wanting to try something different. And that’s where Two Weddings, One Funeral, & One Baby came from.
First, I had the series title.

I laughed when I thought of it.

I laughed when I said it.

My friends laughed too.

It was perfect.

The series title says it all, doesn’t it? It gives the appeal of fun and flirty.

All I needed from there was a great story for the first book – Almost Taken – and a really hot guy to steal the book--which you’ll get to meet when you read the book! Trust me, you don’t want to miss Jared. Successful, hot, and passionate… he’s perfect.

A lot of readers have been asking me about romance and erotic romance. There is no clear cut winner and there is no clear cut path for me. I personally love both. When I wrote the By His Command series, it was so intoxicating to dive deep into the world of a dominating billionaire. And it was heart wrenching at points writing Almost Taken, watching the connection between Jared and Becky growing page by page. Even as the writer I was screaming for them to just jump into bed and get things moving, but that wasn’t their reality. Which is what made the book so fun to write.

But trust me, I’ll be writing plenty of both genres! I love romance and I LOVE erotic romance. And, thanks to the faithful readers who have followed me from the moment Jonathan Black met Isabella Grace in By His Command #1, I’m able to keep writing, keep exploring love, lust, passion, greed, and sex.

And that’s probably the best feeling – and job – in the world!

Almost Taken (Two Weddings, One Funeral, & One Baby #1) is available now at AMAZON and BARNESANDNOBLE (<-- CLICK THE LINKS)
 
*COMING SEPTEMBER 2013!*
Don't miss the second book in the Two Weddings, One Funeral, & One Baby series, titled Lifetime Proposal!

Jack and Riley really aren't engaged... or so Jack thinks. When Riley's competitive family puts her on the spot about the 'wedding', she begs Jack to help her. But what starts as a pretend fling soon becomes real. When hands touch, eyes meet, and hearts melt, anything can happen... even making fantasy a reality...


Visit Ana on her site at AnaFawkes.com

Email Ana at AnaFawkes@gmail.com

Follow on Twitter @AnaFawkes

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