The best laid plans… #MFRWHooks

This is a blog hop. Be sure to check the link at the bottom to see posts from other authors!

Blurb:
Only a Good Man Will Do by Dee S. KnightSeriously ambitious man seeks woman to encourage his goals, support his (hopeful) position as Headmaster of Westover Academy, and be purer than Caesar’s wife. Good luck with that!

Daniel Goodman is a man on a mission. For years he has striven for perfection, fighting for the pinnacle achievement in his world of academia, Headmaster of Westover Academy. Westover, established before the American Revolution, is still one of the most prestigious schools in the country. They accept only boys whose parents fit a certain mold and only those teachers who hold to a stringent set of mores, on and off campus. His brother Jonah considers Daniel a prig. Daniel sees himself as doing his best to serve his students. How much better can he serve them as headmaster? That is what he seeks to find out.

Suddenly, into his cut and dried, strictly black and white life of moral and upright behavior, comes Eve Star, formerly one of Europe’s foremost exotic dancers. Her life is anything but cut and dried, black and white. Bad enough that she’s enrolled her son in Westover Academy under false pretenses. More, she runs the town’s most disreputable bar. Worst, much to Daniel’s dismay, he finds himself drawn to her like a kid to chocolate. Nothing good can come of this attraction. Or can it? He is after all, a good man.

Buy link:
Amazon Kindle Unlimited

MFRW Book Hooks

Excerpt:
Daniel walked into the parlor of the headmaster’s house Saturday afternoon seeking first the food table and second, his friend, Stan Baxter. He spotted them both near the front window.

“You’re late,” Stan said.

“Lots of people wanted to chat.” Parents’ Weekend, when teachers sat in their classrooms to meet their students’ mothers and fathers, meant mandatory tea afterwards for all professionals at the Academy. Board members and parents attended at their own discretion, and the boys—the reason the school existed and they were all there—mostly stayed out of sight and hearing.

“Fortunately for me, a good many parents now have grabbed their progeny and left campus, so I have access to the snacks unimpeded,” Daniel said, examining the finger food on display before making his selections. The challenge was always how to load his plate while appearing to take a socially acceptable portion. “Did I miss anything?”

“Only an angel.” Stan turned toward the window. “Holy Mother! Look at that,” he muttered.

“What?” Daniel asked, fitting a cucumber sandwich beside the smoked salmon-topped cracker on his dessert plate. “Am I missing a table of fare? I swear, every year the offerings at these teas are more meager than the last.”

Stan chuckled and answered in the same low voice, “Is your stomach all you think about? I was talking about another kind of dish. One you can have fun eating in bed, if you catch my drift. And she just slipped out onto the lawn.”

“Is your libido all you think about?” Daniel bit a carrot stick in two and sighed. Only three more hours and he could order a pizza. With all of his charges gone from the dormitory for Parents’ Weekend, he had a rare, private, two-day holiday ahead of him. With the tiny plate full, he joined Stan at the large windows. “Where is this goddess?”

“There. In the red dress and hat.”

Daniel saw nothing but the shapely form of a woman walking away. Slender ankles topped three inch heels. A dress of some kind of lustrous material hit her mid-calf. The style was soft and feminine, and berry red. Not many women showed up at Westover in a color sure to make them the focus of attention. Not that most of them didn’t expect to be the focus—didn’t demand it, in fact—but they usually weren’t so obvious. The breeze at her back molded the material to the curves of her hips and ass, and fluttered the dress’s full sleeves. A wide-brimmed hat hid her hair, but based on what was visible, Daniel easily imagined a long column of neck designed for kissing.

At that moment, a young boy wearing the school uniform and a big grin ran up to the woman. She bent to catch him in her arms. When she straightened, she ruffled the boy’s hair. His expression and his wagging finger showed that he chastised her, but then he laughed and finger-combed the mussed hair back into place. She took his hand and they walked toward the circle where most of the parents parked. Looking up at the woman, the boy’s lips moved the whole while, carrying on a steady monologue.

Something in her actions captured Daniel’s attention. They were artless, performed naturally and with unabashed love. The child fairly skipped beside her and the frequent turns of her head showed she looked at him as though hanging on every word he spoke.

“How wonderful,” Daniel murmured, impressed with her total attention to the boy. “Did you see that?”

“Oh, yeah. I didn’t think her hips would ever stop swaying, and it’s a crime they make hemlines so long.”

Daniel laughed. “You’re such a hedonist.”

“And proud of it. But looks like she’s a student’s mother and off limits for dating. Damn the luck.”

For once, Daniel agreed with his friend. But not just because of the woman’s obvious good figure. More because she seemed to love her son and didn’t care who knew it. He normally kept his distance from flashy women, as this one appeared to be, based on her dress color, but her easy manner with the boy would be enough to make him ignore his own inclination toward the conservative. If she weren’t also a patron of the school. Assuming the gods smiled on him and he became headmaster, he and the woman would be on business terms, and nothing good ever came from mixing business with pleasure. Pleasure is what every male instinct in him screamed she would be.

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New in Paperback! Besotted by Madison Michael

Besotted

The Beguiling Bachelors, Book 4

By Madison Michael

♥♥♥GiveAway ♥♥♥

Madison is celebrating the paperback release of Besotted with one incredible giveaway. She is offering 16 books, that’s right 16 paperback books to 16 lucky readers! Readers out of the US will receive an ebook. Enter with the Rafflecopter below. You have a chance to enter everyday so be sure to follow along with us on the tour. You may find all the tour locations here http://bit.ly/2OSlZcl

About Besotted:
 
He Promised Forever, then Walked Away. Now he wants her back.
 
Tyler’s Winthrop, rich, handsome, elusive sees his moment to win Regan Howe slipping through his fingers. He has remained on the outskirts of Regan’s life since high school, reluctant to reveal his true past and expose her to danger. Despite their obvious attraction, Tyler has remained her friend and protector, keeping Regan at arm’s length for her own safety,
 
Regan Howe, won her coveted CEO position through hard work and a willingness to buck family tradition. Now, Brandon Hockney, a handsome US Senator with his eye on the White House, wants her to give it up, along with her home, friends and family for a move to DC and marriage to him.
 
Regan wants a family but is she prepared to leave all she loves, including the alluring Tyler Winthrop. Regan has waited twenty years for Tyler to commit. He once promised her forever, then he destroyed her trust and her hopes for a future together. Still, she cannot break the ties between them.
 
When Regan tests the waters with Brandon, Tyler is tapped as acting CEO, throwing the pair together, and forcing both to make a choice. Is this the end or their one last chance at love? Battling overwhelming odds and a racing clock, will Tyler be forced to release his one true love to find happiness with another man? How can he when he’s besotted?
 
As the danger mounts for Tyler,, can he wrestle free of his past and lure Regan away from her Senator? Join our handsome hero as he attempts to win back his love in this exciting and steamy page turner, the fourth of the sexy, contemporary Beguiling Bachelor romance series.

Genre: Steamy Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Amazon Buy Link

 
Excerpt from Besotted:
Regan was just too damn alluring in that dress for him to accept that he couldn’t have her if he wanted her.
 
He was an idiot. He should have told her years ago. He should have told everyone. Despite the tongue- lashing he was silently giving himself, Tyler was certainly no fool. “The professor” to his friends, he was generally serious and professional. He had the smarts necessary to obtain both an MBA and a law degree, and he was now CEO of LHRE and on hiatus from one of the fastest growing tech companies in the country. He kept his cool in general, but again and again he behaved like an idiot around Regan.
 
Since that damn frog almost thirty years ago, he had loved no one but Regan. Sometimes they made it work together, like in high school, but most times not. His feelings were unchanged, but something always stopped him from declaring his love and asking her to do the same. This time it was something insurmountable.
 
And yet Tyler couldn’t stay away. He was the proverbial moth to the flame, flirting with disaster every time he flirted with her. He had promised to stay away, to keep her safe,but the attraction was undeniable. Yep, prize idiot.
 
Returning to the ballroom after the latest threats, Tyler briefly considered sharing the conversation, coming clean with Regan and perhaps moving their relationship forward. He was at a fork in the road but remained silent, Tyler knew he was on the wrong path but couldn’t summon the will to fix it. Not only were his problems unsolvable, but she was involved with Brandon. Tyler felt hopeless.
He was preoccupied just as Regan accused, but Tyler tried to give Regan the attention she deserved. He failed miserably until Regan suggested they just leave. That got his attention. Who knew when he would hold her in his arms again.
 
“Come dance with me again. It would be a crime to waste that dress.”
 
Encircling Regan in his arms, his body responded to her nearness, even as his mind worried over the earlier texts. He was unaware of his hand stroking her back, fingers lightly skimming over her bare skin. He wasn’t thinking clearly when he pulled her close or when he dropped kisses on her hair. He wasn’t paying attention, just acting on instinct, Regan was responding, her breath growing uneven, her hands clinging to his shoulders.
 

The Beguiling Bachelors Series are all available in Paperback now!

 

Bedazzled (Book 1):
Bedazzled is on Kindle Unlimited 


Beholden (Book 2)
Amazon Buy Link
Beholden is on Kindle Unlimited


Bedeviled (Book 3)
Amazon Buy Link
Bedeviled is now on Kindle Unlimited

About Madison Michael:
Madison Michael is an indie publisher, blogger and the author of the Beguiling Bachelor Series as well as the novella Desire & Dessert, from her sizzling B&B Billionaire Bachelor series.
 
A Chicago native and hopeless romantic, Maddy was raised on Chicago culture, fairy tales, great literature and swashbuckling movies. Maddy employs that history, writing steamy contemporary romance novels set against the sumptuous backdrop of Chicago’s elite society.
 
After receiving a BA in Journalism from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, Madison abandoned her writing to find her way in the corporate business world. Daughter of a librarian, it was inevitable that she would return to the world of books.
 
Maddy writes from high above Chicago where she can stare at its gorgeous skyline or the shores of Lake Michigan surrounded by feline assistants. When she is not writing, Maddy can be found lost in a book, fighting for the rights of the mentally ill or dining on Chicago’s famous cuisine. Hot dogs and pizza, anyone?
.
Madison’s Social Links:
 

New Release! Vegas Babes: The Complete Series by Lisabet Sarai

Vegas Babes Boxed Set by Lisabet Sarai

Trust the ladies of Las Vegas to show you a good time.

About the Series

Meet the Vegas Babes—lusty ladies eager for new carnal adventures. Technically virginal Francesca celebrates her wedding eve with a scandalous performance at a Vegas strip club. Classy Ivy League grad Laura discovers her inner slut with the help of an entire Scottish rugby team. Red-headed Annie and her well-hung accountant hubby provide a sex-drenched Sin City education for their gorgeous coed neighbors. Pure, untouched Patricia wages a guerrilla campaign against kink but finds herself captive in a Dom’s web of desire.

Then there’s hot mama Chantal, elegant Domme Professor Inez, bossy MILF Giulia, voluptuous she-male Rosa, dirty little old lady Althea —you don’t have to be sweet young thing to be a babe! Venture into a world of exuberant sexual excess and open-minded romance, where no fantasy is too wild to explore and everyone gets a thrilling, sticky happy ending.

This boxed set collects the complete five book Vegas Babes series, and includes a lively introduction by Larry Archer, creator of The Fox’s Den.

Vegas Babes Complete Set by Lisabet Sarai

Hot Brides in Vegas

Never underestimate the power of a horny bride.

Francesca Torelli’s tycoon father is throwing a lavish Las Vegas wedding for his only child. Her fiancé Jake and his buddies set out to explore the fleshpots of Sin City. Meanwhile, Fran and her bridesmaids are stuck at the resort under the watchful eye of her stern Aunt Giulia. Frustrated, the young women hatch a plan to escape their chaperone and have some fun of their own at The Fox’s Den.

More Brides in Vegas

Tying the knot — with no strings attached!

Annie and Ted are getting married, and they’ve invited all their friends from The Fox’s Den Amateur Night to the party. Taking over a vintage eighties motel with a courtyard and pool for their private function, the bride and groom expect a certain amount of carnal excess. Still, nobody’s prepared for the sexual free-for-all that breaks loose. As the wedding guests act out their secret fantasies, they push the limits of both lust and love. Finally arriving at the altar, after an exhausting, arousing twenty four hours, Annie and Ted realize that tying the knot doesn’t have to mean tying themselves down.

Sin City Sweethearts

Welcome to Las Vegas—leave your inhibitions at the city limits.

Annie and Ted are typical newlyweds—just a bit more open-minded about sex than most couples. When a pair of gorgeous, innocent undergraduates moves in to the apartment downstairs, Ted and Annie decide to educate the sisters about the carnal delights of Sin City. Marcie and Maddy prove to be apt pupils, eager to indulge their voracious appetites with an ever-widening circle of intimate partners.

Valentine’s Visit: Four-way Friend Swap

Jake and Fran and Ted and Annie celebrate Valentine’s Day—Vegas style!

When Jake and Fran are invited to Las Vegas spend Valentine’s weekend with Jake’s old friend Ted and his curvaceous ginger-haired wife, they’re not sure what to expect. The last time they saw Ted and Annie, at the Vegas couple’s pre-wedding stag party, the four of them had ended up in bed together. But maybe that was just a fluke. There’s only one way to find out.

Babes in Bondage

It’s 9 PM in Vegas. Do you know your safe word?

When an anti-porn terrorist group shuts down the Sin City Fetish Fair, Larry Archer offers The Fox’s Den as an alternative venue. Plans for the Den’s first Kink Night quickly take shape.

Virginal Patricia Hastings leads the Anti-Porn Brigade in their fight against filth. She’s determined to destroy the anything-but-vanilla strip club – if only she can resist her own secret craving for surrender.

Buy Links

Kinky Literature:
https://www.kinkyliterature.com/book/6569-vegas-babes-the-complete-series/

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0852RXW6X

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0852RXW6X

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0852RXW6X

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0852RXW6X

Online Excerpt

https://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-babes-get-kinky-newrelease-giveaway.html

Vegas Babes Complete Set by Lisabet Sarai

Introduction

I Didn’t Plan It This Way

Conventional wisdom and statistics suggest that books in a series tend to sell better than standalone titles. This makes sense; once an author gets readers hooked on a fictional world or a set of characters, they’ll buy new series volumes because they want more of what they enjoyed before. You only have to convince a reader once, rather than woo them anew for every book.

Nevertheless, until recently, I haven’t had much success writing a series or even a sequel. I’ve tried. I’ve left some plot points unresolved. I’ve pondered my secondary characters. I’ve even outlined a series or two. I found I just couldn’t do it.

Somehow, when I’d finally typed “The End”, I felt that I didn’t have more to say. My characters had achieved their HEA, the conflicts had mostly been resolved, it was time to move on to something different.

Then, back in 2017, as something of a lark (and egged on by my colleague Larry Archer), I decided to try writing stroke erotica. I wrote Hot Brides in Vegas in record time (for me…). To my great surprise, almost as soon as the book came out, I had ideas for a sequel. The characters in Hot Brides wanted more time to play. Plus I had so enjoyed the no-holds-barred, over-the-top fun of writing the first book, I wanted to do it again. So I wrote a second volume of what I decided to call the“Vegas Babes” series, More Brides in Vegas. More Brides takes place about six months after Hot Brides. There’s an overlap in characters and setting with the first book. More important, it’s equally outrageous in its action—if not more so! That’s one problem with a series. You’ve got to maintain the intensity, to hold the reader’s attention. To be honest, I think I managed quite well in this regard.

Next came Vegas Babes 3, Sin City Sweethearts. The book follows the previous one in time and reprises some of the same characters (including some cameo appearances from Book 1). It’s longer than the first two (guess I had more ideas!), but it’s as wild, as hot and as funny.

Every time I thought I was done, the inspiration kept flowing. Wanting a release for Valentine’s Day, 2019, I wrote Vegas Babes 4, Valentine’s Visit, in less than two weeks. As appropriate for the holiday, it’s a bit more romantic than the previous volumes, but with both FF and MM scenes (as well as a four-way mènage) it might well be the most sexually adventurous volume in the series. Well, at least until I brought out Babes in Bondage, which offers paddlings, spankings, shibari, nipple clamps and lots of other kinky stuff…

Anyway, I think I’m finally done with the babes… at least done enough to pull the whole series into a single boxed set, a lusciously long saga of sexual excess. The book hits the shelves on the 29th of February. I hope you’ll check it out.

Meanwhile, now that I’ve figured out how to write a series, I’ve started working on a new one!

Excerpts

From Hot Brides in Vegas

The panel separating them from the driver slid open. Margaret grinned at them. “So, where to, ladies?”

“Um—I’m not sure. Do you have any suggestions?” Francesca had been so focused on getting free of their chaperone, she hadn’t really thought about what she’d do if she succeeded.

“I’ve got an idea,” said Chantal. She dug a folded sheet of paper from her purse. “I saw this on the activities bulletin board at the resort.”

“‘Amateur Night at The Fox’s Den’.” Laura peered over Chantal’s shoulder to read the poster. “What’s The Fox’s Den?”

“Classiest strip club in the city,” the driver answered. “Larry Archer—the proprietor—has turned the Den into a legend.”

“What do you mean, a legend?” asked Francesca.

“Well, they’ve got the most gorgeous girls, the most generous drinks, the best sound system and the most friendly atmosphere you’ll find anywhere,” said Margaret. “At the same time, you never know what’ll happen at Larry’s place. I’ve seen some wild things at the Den!”

“You’d visit a strip club? Do you go with your husband?” Francesca tried to get her mind around the notion that a former vice cop would enjoy a titty bar.

“No husband for me.” The driver’s smile grew broader. “I go to watch the ladies, just like everyone else.”

Francesca was silent, trying to digest this notion.

“So do you know anything about this Amateur Night thing?” Laura asked.

“Sure. Every couple of months, Larry opens the stage to anyone who wants to give stripping a try. It’s great fun, a huge turn on for everyone involved. Plus there are great prizes.”

“A thousand dollars for first place,” Chantal read. “Second and third are five hundred and three hundred respectively. That’s definitely generous.”

“Larry can afford it. Each contestant performs, then audience chooses the winners,” said Margaret. She gave the women in the back seat a once-over. “I have to say, all three of you would be big hits at the Den.”

Something about Margaret’s frank admiration set up a tingling between Francesca’s thighs. She loved to dance, everything from swing to salsa. What would it be like to be up on stage, dancing for an audience of horny men? And horny women, she reminded herself. She squirmed on the leather seat of the limo, her sundress becoming distinctly damp. She’d never had any sexual experience with a woman, but she did occasionally have fantasies. Not that she’d ever shared that fact with anyone, not even her best friends.

“Let’s do it,” said Laura. “We may never get another chance!”

From Sin City Sweethearts

“Come on in! We’ve been waiting for you.” Annie threw the door open wide.

“Are we late?” Maddy asked.

“No, not at all—we’ve just been looking forward to having you.”

Marcie was glad she’d dressed up, because the hostess looked stunning. Their ginger-haired neighbor wore an ankle-length Japanese-style kimono in shimmering silk with an abstract blue and white pattern. The sensuous garment clung to her body as she moved, accentuating her curves. She’d piled her curls on the top of her head, securing them with jeweled chopsticks, and put on a bit of make-up to suggest a geisha vibe. Marcie approved. Clearly their neighbor had a sense of style.
Marcie was wearing one of her own designs, a strapless sheath in a restrained tropical print, cut on a bias so that it fit like a second skin. The dress made her look older, she thought, more sophisticated. Of course she couldn’t wear a bra underneath, but really, she didn’t need one.

She’d even persuaded Maddy to put on a skirt. Okay, it was a denim skirt, and her sister’s scoop-necked cotton top had a lot in common with a tee shirt, but getting her twin out of her usual jeans or shorts was a small victory.

Noticing that their hostess and host were both barefoot, she slipped out of her high-heeled sandals as she entered.

“Madeleine, Marcella—so nice to see you again!” Ted stepped forward to take envelop her hand in his much larger one. His costume suggested something from a martial arts studio. It was all white, a pair of loose-fitting pants and a wrap-around top that partly bared his muscled chest. With his tousled black hair and sexy five o’clock shadow, he looked every bit the action hero.

“Please—we’re Maddy and Marcie to our friends,” she corrected, meeting Ted’s warm smile with one of her own.

“And we really hope you guys are going to be our friends,” Maddy added. “We don’t know anyone here in Las Vegas.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” said Annie. “I’m sure you’ll be very popular once the semester starts.” Marcie wondered briefly about the conspiratorial look that passed between the older woman and her husband. “And we have friends who’d love to meet you.”

“That would be awesome,” said Maddy. She glanced around the apartment. “What a cute place!”

“It’s a bit small for two.” Annie gestured at the cushions scattered around the coffee table. “Not to mention for four. Hope you don’t mind a bit of informality.”

Maddy chuckled as she folded her legs and seated herself on the floor. “Compared to our apartment, this is a palace.”

“Still, we’re grateful to have found someplace we can afford, so close to campus,” Marcie added as she settled across her sister, tucking her legs beneath her and leaning her back against the sofa. “And Miranda and Joel seem wonderful.”

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Ted threaded his way among the bodies on the floor to go answer. Their pony-tailed landlord stood on the deck outside, holding a plate piled high with fragrant cookies.

“Hi, Joel,” said Ted. “We’d ask you in, but I think we’re at capacity!”

“Never mind. Miranda heard you were having a little party and baked these for you. Her specialty, organic oatmeal raisin, fresh out of the oven.”

“Mmm— they smell fantastic. Thanks!”

“Our pleasure. Hope you all enjoy them.” He nodded at their guests. “Hi, girls! Have a fine evening.”

Marcie flashed him a smile. He was probably as old as her grandpa, but there was something about him that made her feel warm and tingly inside. He must have been really sexy when he was young, she thought.

About Lisabet

Lisabet SaraiLisabet Sarai became addicted to words at an early age. She began reading when she was four. She wrote her first story at five years old and her first poem at seven. Since then, she has written plays, tutorials, scholarly articles, marketing brochures, software specifications, self-help books, press releases, a five-hundred page dissertation, and lots of erotica and erotic romance – over one hundred titles, and counting, in nearly every sub-genre—paranormal, scifi, ménage, BDSM, GLBT, and more. Regardless of the genre, every one of her stories illustrates her motto: Imagination is the ultimate aphrodisiac.

You’ll find information and excerpts from all Lisabet’s books on her website (http://www.lisabetsarai.com/books.html), along with more than fifty free stories and lots more. At her blog Beyond Romance (http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com), she shares her philosophy and her news and hosts lots of other great authors. She’s also on Goodreads, Pinterest, and Twitter. Join her VIP email list here: https://btn.ymlp.com/xgjjhmhugmgh

Not so cute meet #MFRWHooks

This is a blog hop. Be sure to check the link at the bottom to see posts from other authors!

Only a Good Man Will Do by Dee S. KnightBlurb:
Seriously ambitious man seeks woman to encourage his goals, support his (hopeful) position as Headmaster of Westover Academy, and be purer than Caesar’s wife. Good luck with that!

Daniel Goodman is a man on a mission. He aims to become headmaster of Westover Academy. For that he needs a particular, special woman to help him set high standards. Into his cut and dried life of moral and upright behavior, comes Eve Star, formerly one of Europe’s foremost exotic dancers. Her life is anything but cut and dried, black and white. Daniel is drawn to her like a kid to chocolate. Nothing good can come of this attraction. Or can it? He is after all, a good man.

Buy link:
Amazon Kindle Unlimited

MFRW Book HooksExcerpt:
“Michael is upstairs.” She pushed open the screen door and held it for them, giving Daniel his first clear view of her.

He knew right away that one look wouldn’t be nearly enough. She was gorgeous. Her casual stance and even more casual Levis and long-sleeved tee shirt showed she wasn’t working to impress. White sneakers covered her feet below the faded jeans.

At least five feet ten inches tall, she was also slender. Chestnut colored hair wildly cascaded over her shoulders and her eyes were the shade of melted chocolate. He’d been so wrong earlier. If the woman had one bit of makeup on, he’d gnaw on Jeffrey’s lacrosse stick. And yet, her eyes stood out like beacons in her face. He didn’t dare let his gaze linger on her breasts or hips for fear of forgetting why he was there. There was nothing was more appealing in a woman than natural good looks, or less appealing in a man than ogling.

“You should be in bed,” she said to Jeffrey then cast a glare at Daniel as though he was negligent for bringing the child out into the night. Which, of course, he was.

He’d noticed her voice on the phone, and now the low warmth of it washed over him again. Good God. If he closed his eyes and listened to this woman talk he’d have a hard-on in no time.

Better not close his eyes.

“He was in bed until I received a call from you. I want to see Michael.”

“Follow me.” She let them enter the vestibule, then closed the door and locked it. Another closed door faced them and stairs rose to their right. That’s where she led Daniel and Torrington.

It was then, even with Jeffrey on the steps between them, that Daniel noticed the curve of her ass and the sway of her hips with each step.

Well, damn! Daniel was following the Lady in Red!

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Giveaway! Fun facts about Earthbound by Melora Johnson

Earthbound by melora Johnson

Welcome, Melora!

Hi, and thanks for hosting me here today! I thought I’d hit some light points related to Earthbound because it can be a little on the sad side to start and dark at times throughout. I mean, a hidden talent and an horrific incident put Ally on a trajectory for a very lonely life. That all changes when Matthew Scott Blake comes calling. He’s going to put a whole new spin on things, not necessarily for the better.

In a different time and place, Ally might have feared being tried as a witch. Even today she might be considered a freak. She’s been hiding her talent, in part, because of this. A hundred years ago, she’d certainly have been considered a spinster, single at age thirty-two, and she wouldn’t have been able to be a veterinarian. She might have been considered a healer but probably a witch.

For that reason, I can see some people being offended by this book or just not appreciating it. (Mostly the same people who have trouble with Harry Potter.) As a librarian, I always say that there is a book for every reader and a reader for every book, but not every book is for every reader. I’ve already had feedback from some people already saying that they really did enjoy it, and I enjoyed writing it.

I think these books would fit very comfortably in with works by the likes of Darynda Jones, Kim Harrison, Neil Gaiman, Katherine Howe, Jim Butcher, and other fantasy writers in the urban fantasy or paranormal romance vein.

In fact, one of my favorite readers is Neil Gaiman but I don’t think his voice would be right for an audio version of this book. If I were able to choose who would read this book, I’d go with a female voice for the most part, but with a slightly darker tone to their voice. Lorelei King is a fantastic voice actress who did the audio for Darynda Jones’ Charlie Davidson series, among others. I’d either go for her or someone like her.

I might even try reading it myself, though I’m a little bit intimidated by the idea. I do read for others at writer’s group for other people and I’ve had a couple people in the past ask me about reading their books, but I didn’t have the time to figure out the technical aspects at that point. Right now, I’m enjoying reading my daughter The Chronicles of Narnia at night.

If this book had a soundtrack, it would probably include things like “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, “Payphone” by Maroon 5, “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth, and maybe the old hymn, the Prayer of Saint Francis.

One silly little fact about the book is that Ally and Matt play rummy to distract her from an unpleasant situation because my husband and I play a few hands of rummy most nights.

I’ve also started sharing some recipes on my blog because many readers enjoy a recipe from a book. While they often aren’t of my own devising, sometimes they’re things that I’ve changed up from someone else’s blog. In the book, Matt makes Ally pumpkin pancakes one morning, and that’s something that I’ve made in our home many mornings. The last time I tried, however, I accidentally pulled peach butter out of the freezer instead of frozen pumpkin. Oops. They were quite tasty, if a little sweeter than normal. (If anyone is interested, I posted the recipe on my Facebook page and my blog. The original doesn’t seem to be online anymore.)

I’d recommend Earthbound to anyone who wants a fun, fast-paced story with a bit of food for thought, romance, action, demons, and some real relationships.

I’ve already started writing the next book, Firebound, from the perspective of Jen, Ally’s best friend, and I’m having a marvelous time at it. I only hope people enjoy reading the books half as much as I enjoy writing them.

If you do give it a try, please let me know how you like it! Thanks.

Earthbound by Melora JohnsonBlurb:
Her healing touch could start a fire.

Ally Reynolds is a veterinarian specializing in raptor rehabilitation in New Hampshire. Other than one horrific incident in her childhood and a little extra “spark” for healing in her hands, both of which she has kept secret from even her best friend, her life has been singularly boring. It has also been extremely lonely. Ally longs for someone to share her life with, but how can she trust anyone with her secret?

Matthew Blake, an ornithologist at Cornell University, calls Ally, asking for her help with an injured raptor. Matthew grew up in New Zealand and has lived around the world. He has read about Ally’s high success rates in raptor rehabilitation and suspects there is more to it than is generally known.

Matthew has some secrets of his own; he is a demon hunter. He suspects Ally’s healing powers could benefit him. He wants her to join him and thinks they’d make a great team.

Can Ally trust him or is he just using her? Matthew definitely has more secrets, and some of them are about Ally.

Earthbound excerpt:
The next day, at the wildlife health center, I did what I’ve always done so successfully—avoided what made me uncomfortable. There were lots of people around, and Shelly was more than happy to keep an eye on us when Matt did pop in for a few minutes. I went to lunch in the cafeteria, then I worked with Rick some more, helping him with tests and treatments for other animals in the clinic. It felt good to give my input and have it appreciated.

“So, will you and Matt be joining us tonight at the staff mixer?” he asked. “The hotel on campus where it’s being held is quite nice.”

I peered up from the microscope I was using to study a blood sample from a barn owl with rodenticide poisoning. “Oh? No, he didn’t mention it. I don’t expect to see Matt tonight.”

His eyes widened behind his glasses. “Oh, well then… I mean, there’s a staff mixer, dinner and dancing at the hotel ballroom. Would you like to go with me?”

“I didn’t really bring anything appropriate to wear with me.” A flutter of panic tingled through my head. What the hell? Nobody had asked me out in months, and then two guys in twenty-four hours were paying me attention? I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already four in the afternoon; I didn’t have time to shop for a dress in a city I didn’t know. Yup, perfect excuse.

“Sorry.” I smiled apologetically.

Rick flushed, nodding vigorously. “Oh, sure, I understand. You didn’t come prepared for a formal dance.” Shelly appeared at my elbow, beaming. “I have something you can borrow,” she offered.

I stared at her, wide-eyed, not having heard her come in. I suspected her offer had more to do with throwing me at any living male other than Matt, than of any desire to help me. We were of a similar build even though she was a couple inches taller, and it could work. Damnitall.

“I have a really pretty blue dress you can wear,” Shelly continued, her eyes widening.

I looked over at Rick. His posture was rigid. It must have taken a lot for him to work up the nerve to even ask me. I couldn’t have done it. He was a nice guy. It might be good to get my toes wet in the dating pool with someone like him, and, frankly, I was as anxious to steer clear of Doctor Matthew Scott Blake as Shelly was to keep him away from me.

“Thanks, I appreciate the offer,” I said to Shelly then turned back to Rick. “I accept your invitation.”

Something akin to lasers bore into the back of my neck, then Matt’s voice came from behind me, “What invitation would that be?”

Buy Links:

Kindle US
Kindle UK
Kindle CA
Kindle AU
Smashwords
Apple
Kobo
Nook

Author Bio:
Melora Johnson is a poet and novelist living in Upstate New York with her husband, daughter, a black cat, and quite a few chickens. Her most recent published work includes A Sanctuary Built of Words: Poems of Peace, Grief, and Passion, and publication in The Sexuality Poems from Foothills Publishing. She also runs a large and thriving writer’s group for adults. Of course, into every life a little rain must fall as well as the occasional tornado, but you’ll find that amply covered in her writing. Find out more about Melora and her writing:
Website
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Charity Sunday: St. Jude’s

Charity SundayHow Charity Sunday works: for every comment made on this blog post, I will donate money to the charity named. The same promise is made for every blog site listed in the group–click the Linky Links link at the bottom of this post to see the list of participants and read/comment on any of them to see a donation go to that blogger’s charity. We’re all different! Thanks for your help and your participation!


St. Jude's and Danny ThomasThis month I’d like to talk about St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, founded by singer/comedian, Danny Thomas, and located in Memphis, TN. I have always associated St. Jude’s with pediatric cancer, but after a little research found that they treat other catastrophic diseases in children, too. I also recently learned that donations also cover travel, housing, and food—huge costs for families whose children are far from home to receive the specialized care they need.

I know about part of this personally, in that my parents always had to travel a long distance when I was in the Shrine Hospitals. In addition to the trip, staying for any length of time was all extra, and my folks did not have much money. Getting help with travel, food, and housing is a tremendous thing.
In addition to the good work St. Jude’s does, I appreciate the amount of each dollar donated goes to the hospital and its work—82 cents of every dollar. That’s a great percentage of return that has earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator!


I don’t have children, so I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like to have a child in great need. But I have written characters with children, and I hope I’ve imbued some sense of the love between child and parent, especially between single parent Sara Richards and her daughter Paula in Burning Bridges. My mom always knows when something is wrong just by hearing my voice, and I gave that same talent to Sara. Must be a “mother” thing! 😉

Her thoughts were interrupted by the ring of the landline. “Good morning. Beauty by Beaufort.”

“Mom?”

With only one word spoken Sara knew something was wrong. “Good morning, sweetheart. Aren’t you at work?”

“No, I took a sick day.”

Sara’s brow creased with worry. “Paula, what’s wrong?”

Her daughter’s voice caught. “Mom, I feel so silly but I had to talk to you. I was cleaning up the apartment last night and I found an acceptance letter from Northwestern for Dan.”

“Northwestern? That’s in…uh, it’s in—”

“Chicago.”

“But I thought he was going to attend law school at South Carolina, in Columbia.” Sara took a breath. “Chicago is a very long way. Did Dan say he wanted to go?”

“I didn’t tell him I found the letter, but I know he does.”

“Oh, Paula. How do you feel?”

Paula’s tone tightened as though she held back tears. “I don’t want to go. Mom, he’s had the letter for two or three days I think, and he hasn’t said a word.”

“Maybe he’s thought about it and decided to turn them down.”

“I don’t think so. He talked about it months ago, about how great the Northwestern program is. I got upset that he was looking into a school that far away, and he hasn’t brought it up since. But I know he hasn’t forgotten.”

“So, you’re not certain he’s chosen Northwestern. The law school at Carolina is excellent, too.”

“I know, and so does Dan. But lately he’s been restless. I think he wants a change.” Her voice broke. “I think he wants a change in more than where he attends school.”

Sara couldn’t contain a soft gasp. “Paula! Has he said anything, done anything?”

“No, but for the past few weeks he’s been really quiet. Oh, I don’t mean he acts mad or nasty, he just seems…uncomfortable around me. And the fact remains that he didn’t tell me about the acceptance from Northwestern. I only found it because it fell out of a book when I was dusting.”

“You have to talk to him. Believe me, I know the dangers of not communicating when things don’t seem right.” The bell over the front door rang and Sara stood to see who was entering. She was surprised to see her mother, but a quick glance at her watch showed that the morning was nearly gone. “Do you want to come home this weekend?”

“No, but thanks.” Paula gave a nervous laugh. “I’m half afraid if I leave for any length of time, I’ll come home to find him packed and gone. You know, he hasn’t proposed. He hasn’t even suggested I go with him to Chicago.”

Sara lowered her voice. “Honey, I’m so sorry. But Dan loves you. You need to talk to him, let him know how you feel.”

Her mother entered the office and set a bag from Bay Street Deli on the desk. “Paula?” she mouthed. Sara nodded. “Let me say hello to her.” Her mother held her hand out for the receiver.

“Paula, your grandmother is here and wants to say hi. But call me tonight, will you?”

“Sure. I feel better just telling someone about what’s going on. I love you, Mama.”

Hot tears stung the backs of Sara’s eyes, a reaction she experienced whenever Paula reverted to Mama. “I love you, too, pumpkin.” She handed the phone to her mother.

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The first FALSE: False Memory by Meli Raine

False Memory by Meli RainesFREE First in Series throughout February.

She’s faking her amnesia to fool a very real killer.

It all started with the bereavement flowers with my name on them.

Not the best way to wake up, right? I work in a flower shop. I know a funeral arrangement when I see one.

I know a killer when I see one, too. And one is standing in my hospital room right now, straight behind the man who saved my life.

I can’t tell anyone the truth, because that’s the fastest way to really die. So I do the next best thing. I “lose” my memory.

I fake my amnesia.

Pretending not to remember a brutal attempted murder has its perks. The killer is backing down, spending less time around me, loosening the noose.

The less I claim to recall, the more my rescuer, Duff, works to help me “remember.” I hate lying to him.

But he doesn’t understand that my memory is dangerous. To me. And to him.

Fooling everyone isn’t easy. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Except it’s starting to look like I’ve been fooling myself.

In more ways than one.

The False Trilogy includes False Hope and False Start.

Buy Links:

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/false-memory/id1387687477
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/false-memory-false-1
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/false-memory-meli-raine/1132505173?ean=2940161244715
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Meli_Raine_False_Memory_False_1?id=MnuiDwAAQBAJ
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/False-Memory-1-Meli-Raine-ebook/dp/B07V9Y48KQ/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.com/False-Memory-1-Meli-Raine-ebook/dp/B07V9Y48KQ/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/False-Memory-1-Meli-Raine-ebook/dp/B07V9Y48KQ/
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/False-Memory-1-Meli-Raine-ebook/dp/B07V9Y48KQ/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40405827-false-memory
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/false-memory-by-meli-raine

Audio narrated by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt available on Audible Escape.

Audible: https://www.amazon.com/False-Memory-Book-1/dp/B07VXRJLP8/
Amazon Audio: https://www.amazon.com/False-Memory-Book-1/dp/B07VXRJLP8/
iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/false-memory-false-book-1-unabridged/id1475182605

False Memory by Meli Raines

Excerpt:
Blink.

I open my eyes. It’s light.

“Can you believe it, Lily?” a woman says to me. “It looks like Bosworth is going to win! When people ask you who the president is, you’re going to have to remember the new one. President Harwell Bosworth. Of course, we won’t know for sure until late tonight, but I’ll keep you posted. I’ll keep you posted, sweetie,” she says as she adjusts the IV in my right arm, the one that burns whenever they start a new bag of medicine.

“When the doctor asks you who the president is, you’ll have the right answer. I know you will. I don’t care how long you’ve been like this. The doctors are wrong. Plenty of people have come out of this after more than a year. I know you’re going to be one of them. My Lily is a fighter.”

She squeezes my hand.

I almost squeeze back. Almost. So close.

I look to the left. A dark man. No–dark clothes. Dark hair. Pale skin peeking out under it all. Someone has something on my head and tape pulls at the corner of my eye. Blinking is harder. It hurts, like someone weakened the tender skin under my eyes. I close my eyes.

Open them.

“Hey there, Lily,” a nurse says. I try to look over at her but can’t. Eyes hurt.

Close eyes.

Open them.

The man.

Oh, God, I know that man.

False Memory by Meli RainesAuthor Bio:

Meli Raine writes romantic suspense with hot bikers, intense undercover DEA agents, bad boys turned good, and Special Ops heroes — and the women who love them. Meli rode her first motorcycle when she was five years old, but she played in the ocean long before that. She lives in New England with her family.

Social Media Links:

Website: http://meliraine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meliraine
Twitter: https://twitter.com/meliraineauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/meli-raine
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13536295.Meli_Raine
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/beV0gf

Reviews and Endorsements for Meli Raine Books:

“The first book in the False trilogy is a psychological thriller worthy of Hitchcock, keeping you guessing until the very end.” — Apple Books Editors

“…intrigue and dark humor on display in this thriller…”

While the immediate—and more compelling—tension in Raine’s (A Shameless Little Bet, 2018, etc.) heart-pumping series opener comes from Lily’s constant proximity to her would-be killer, the action takes place against a backdrop of secret government scandals. The “screwed-up D.C.-insider scandal,” as it is clumsily summarized early on, is pleasingly twisty…

Fortunately, Lily’s voice is captivating, wry, and tough enough to sell this thriller. The novel ends with a cliffhanger that startles, if only because readers will have become so attached to Lily. — Kirkus Reviews

“Fresh, riveting, and thrumming with emotion and romantic suspense, False Memory is absolutely unputdownable. You need this book!” – New York Times bestselling author Meghan March

“I accidentally lost a day to this trilogy! It is unputdownable. Apparently I’m on a dark-and-twisty binge, and this book is addictive.” — USA Today bestselling author Sarina Bowen (review for Harmless series)

Writer Marketing ServicesFreebie blitz organized by Writer Marketing Services.

NEW! The Woman Behind the Mirror by Jan Selbourne

The Woman Behind the Mirror by Jan Selbourne

A shining STAR out of a constellation of 5-star books!

Book: The Woman Behind the Mirror
Author: Jan Selbourne
Release date: Feb 17, 2020

Buy links: EBook Kindle Unlimited
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon AUS
Universal link

Price: $2.99
Pages: 360

Blurb:
Betrothed by her father to a man twice her age, Sarah Forsythe does the unthinkable—she escapes her arranged marriage and runs away with the son of a Methodist minister. Not to Gretna Green, to colonial America—the New World. For Sarah, a “new world” of broken promises, abandonment, poverty and shame. Around her, the American Revolution is quickly developing and the siege of Boston worsens by the day. As British soldiers seek out traitors and treason, a desperate Sarah breaks open a safe looking for cash. Instead, she finds a box holding Bank of England documents. Through willpower, bitter determination, and lying through her teeth, Sarah manages to make her way home to England. What she doesn’t know is that two men follow, and they will do anything to claim those documents.

Bank investigator Neil McAlister faces an almost impossible task—to determine the true owner of the documents by deciding who is lying. Most of all, as danger creeps ever closer, he needs to know who wants the secretive, beautiful Sarah dead.

The Woman Behind the Mirror by Jan Selbourne

Excerpt:
Legs shaking, Sarah walked downstairs to face her furious father and white-faced mother.

“I cannot believe your wilfulness, your complete lack of propriety,” her father said icily. “You deliberately encouraged”—he frowned at her mother—“what was his name?”

“David Langford.”

“You encouraged this penniless nobody behind my back, knowing I have approved and accepted Mr Gerald Whitehead’s offer of marriage.”

“Papa, Mr Whitehead is over forty years old!”

“A mature man of independent means with homes in Norfolk and London. Now sadly widowed, he needs the comfort of a wife and mother to his children.”

Sarah’s fingers clenched. “His children are almost my age.”

Her mother spoke. “Albert dear, I do think Sarah and Mr Whitehead should be given more time to become better acquainted.”

Her father pointed his finger at her mother. “I hold you responsible for giving the girl far too much freedom. I can only pray Mr Whitehead does not hear of this shameful cavorting while he’s attending to business affairs.”

“I was not cavorting with David,” Sarah said hotly. “We met at the church fair when mama presented prizes for the best puddings. We were never alone, not even when Eliza and I showed David and Freddie the country dances because the Methodists don’t approve.”

Her father’s eyes had turned slate grey, filling her with fear.

“I am sorry papa. I will do whatever you bid.” She held her breath waiting for a hand across her face or worse.

“You will not leave this house until the banns are read.” Albert Forsythe strode from the room, slamming the door behind him.

Her mother touched her arm. “You have made papa very angry.”

Sarah’s eyes met her mothers. “If he beats me again, I will leave, David or no David.”

“Sarah! You are under-age and cannot defy papa. You know it is his fervent wish to see you and your brothers well set up.”

 “You mean Peter’s commission and Robert’s year in London will cost papa a lot of money. Mr Whitehead’s offer of marriage relieves him of more financial burden.”

Her mother’s mouth fell open. “That is a dreadful thing to say.”

“Mama, please, Mr Whitehead is ugly, and I cannot bear him near me.”

“Your father will provide a generous dowry,” her mother said quietly. “Do not defy him or we all suffer.”

“Yes mama, excuse me mama,” Sarah’s eyes blurred as she climbed the stairs again to her bedchamber. Closing the door, she sat at her dressing table and as she stared at her reflection her resolve grew. A glance at the closed door and she sharpened a quill and began to write. Signing the note S, she rang for her maid.

“Go to the Methodist manse. This letter must be handed to Mr David Langford and no one else.”

“Yes miss. I will, miss.”

Sarah put two shillings in her hand. “Not a word to anyone and you may have the rest of the day off.”

The maid blinked at half a week’s pay in her hand. “Thank you miss.”

When the door closed, Sarah’s knees turned to water. They’d talked about it, they’d held hands while declaring their love for each other, and now it was a frightening reality. She sat by the window as the minutes turned into one hour, then another hour and then her heart thudded in her chest. David, wearing a cloak and hat pulled low over his forehead rode past the front gates and placed a small sprig of leaves on the railing. He’d received her message.

The Woman Behind the Mirror by Jan Selbourne

Review:
A shining STAR in a constellation of 5-star books!

Selbourne’s book carried her heroine from a privileged background in England to the American colonies at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. During Boston’s siege, Sarah Forsyth’s life changes from the dreams of a young girl to horror, pain, and betrayal. A desperate theft in the night sets off a string of events that will threaten her life even as she fights her way back to England—and right into the attention of Neil McAllister, the fraud investigator for the Back of England. Can strength, determination, and yes, lying through her teeth, bring Sarah through?

I loved this book from the very beginning! Ms. Selbourne has written a strong woman who lets nothing stop her in her goal to return home from the horror and disappointment that was America. Then…she comes up against a solid barrier that requires even more strength than Sarah has. She’s lucky that Neil McAllister is there to force her onward! Neil is a hero I adored! He and his family are some of the characters that take you right back to 1776! Selbourne’s usual historical accuracy make the book a joy to read. You won’t regret picking up The Woman Behind the Mirror is you enjoy historical suspense and romance! Highly recommended!

The Author:
Jan Selbourne was born and educated in Melbourne, Australia and her love of literature and history began as soon as she learned to read and hold a pen. After graduating from a Melbourne Business College her career began in the dusty world of ledgers and accounting, working in Victoria, Queensland and the United Kingdom. On the point of retiring, she changed course to work as secretary of a large NSW historical society. Now retired Jan is enjoying her love of travelling and literature. She has two children, a stray live in cat and lives near Maitland, New South Wales

Author links:

Website: https://nomadauthors.com/JanSelbourne/index.html
Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JanSelbourne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jan.selbourne
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661584.Jan_Selbourne?from_search=true
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Selbourne/e/B0184OSZ6E/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-selbourne-2817b6140/

A Bride for Luke and the Proxy Brides: Caroline Clemmons

A Bride for Luke by Caroline Clemmons

A Bride for Luke, Book 36 of The Proxy Bride series

Blurb:

Each is struggling to build a better life . . .
Two strong-willed people are bound to clash . . .
Danger forces them to focus on what is at stake . . .

Maeve Kelly came to America for a better life but found only signs that said No Irish Need Apply. When the cousin with whom she is staying leaves Boston, Maeve is left desperate. Her job at the laundry doesn’t pay enough for her to survive alone. Her friend suggests a way out, Maeve resists a proxy marriage but finally accepts. What else can she do?

Sheriff Luke Sullivan is proud of his accomplishments. Known for his strong principles, he is admired and well-respected in the community. When he learns his mother and aunt have schemed to get him a proxy bride he’s furious. If he’d wanted a wife he would have found one. He respects and loves his mother and finally agrees to the marriage. Before he and his bride can adjust to one another, Luke is caught in the middle of an explosive situation between striking miners and the railroad.

Threats against Luke by each side have him fearing for the safety of his wife, mother, and aunt. He must resolve the strike to protect his family and many others. Will he succeed in time to save lives?

Excerpt:

He pushed back from the table. “How can I keep you safe if you don’t follow orders? Do you understand?”

She put her hands on her hips. “Oh, so it’s orders you’re giving me, is it? Weel, Lucas Brady Sullivan, I take orders from no man. Do you understand?”

“Mae, you’re making something from nothing.” He tapped his chest. “I’m your husband. You promised to obey me when we wed.”

That brought her temper down a notch. She had promised and Father Patrick had lectured her on the husband being the head of the household.

“Mayhap I did, but not high handed orders.”

“And what would you consider obeying? You want a written invitation to remain home? Shall I show you the other wanted poster and suggest you avoid that man? You’ve no idea what these other men look like so how would you know if they were walking down the street or shopping in the Mercantile? How can you know who’s an upstanding citizen and who’s a stranger in town? You were in front of the Mercantile when Higgins accosted you.”

She turned toward the sink, hands on her face to hide her shame. “Aye, ‘tis sorry I am. The worry of what’s going to happen has me in bits. I can’t get out of my mind the fact someone may shoot at you from an ambush.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t fret, honey. I’m doing my best to keep this situation from becoming violent. I can’t focus on my job if I’m worried about where you are and what you’re doing and who’s around you.”

She leaned her head against his broad chest. His strong heartbeat reassured her. “I see the way I was wrong. ‘Twas my mistake and ‘tis sorry I am.”
She looked up at him. “But, for us to have a peaceful marriage you’d best consider making requests instead of giving orders.”

Buy link: Available in eBook and print, and in KU http://mybook.to/Maeve

Let’s meet Caroline:

NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
CC: The general premise was conceived by Christine Sterling, who then invited other authors to participate in her multi-author project (MAP). The premise is that instead of a mail-order bride, we have a proxy bride. I thought this was fascinating and have enjoyed writing in this MAP. Other than the general parameters, each author comes up with his or her own characters, plot, setting, etc. I tried to come up with something I’d never used before. This is harder than you might think.

NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?
CC: First I researched proxy marriages and learned they are still in use. Then I researched the railroad in Wyoming Territory. This led me to the coal mines and the interaction between the miners and the railway.
What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?

NA: A fun fact about writing your book.
CC: I love pretty much everything Irish, especially the lilt. While writing this one I’d start thinking in an Irish brogue. Then when I started on the next work, I had to break the habit and think in English. Switching from editing this one to writing the next one, I forgot and wrote an entire scene of a heroine with an Irish brogue. I had to stop and correct her speech.

NA: Do you have a day job? What was your job before you started writing full time?
CC: I had several day jobs that included secretary, bookkeeper, assistant to the editor of a psychology journal, and newspaper columnist/reporter. Before I quit work to write full time, I was bookkeeper for the local county tax assessor/collector. I enjoyed each of those but nothing compares to being a full time writer. I set my own hours—although they’re long—and choose my own projects. I can wear pajamas to work (guess what I’m wearing now). I have no commute. I get to write hope and happy endings every day.

NA: What started you on the path to writing?
CC: My dad always encouraged me to write. I also had a wonderful journalism teacher who encouraged me. Strangely enough, though, it was my mother-in-law who suggested I write a book instead of newspaper articles. On one visit she brought me a grocery bag of romance novels and told me I could write them. She decided this from the long, long letters I wrote people in the family and filled with anecdotes from our daily life. After I started writing romance books, my sister Clarice complained that she never got those nice long letters any longer. I admit she was correct.

NA: The biggest surprise you had after becoming a writer
CC: Before I got into writing, I thought a writer only had to write a good book and then start the next one. Imagine my surprise when I learned how much depends on marketing! I know excellent writers who sell almost no books and less skillful authors who make a lot of money. Writers have to do our best to let people know about our books.

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
CC: I work from an outline. I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop on “Story Magic” by Robin Perini and Laura Baker. I cannot overemphasize how helpful this has been for me. Each writer works differently but the Story Magic plotting system works best for me.

NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
CC: Having readers tell me they enjoyed my book or that they always read my books is like the old television commercial said… priceless!

NA: Which kind of scenes are the hardest for you to write? Action, dialogue, sex?
CC: Hardest for me to write is internal conflict. Basically, I like the hero and heroine to get along so I tend to have them reconcile differences too soon. One of my friends says she loves my books but I have no internal conflict. Sigh. There’s a lot of external conflict so perhaps that makes up for the other.

NA: What are your top three favorite books of all time?
CC: That’s a really hard question to answer because there are so many great books from which to choose. I’ll tell you the three I re-read periodically. The first is PRINCE CHARMING by Julie Garwood, which combines the English setting with a western. I love this book. Second is LORD PERFECT by Loretta Chase. How can you not love a heroine named Bathsheba who encounters a set-in-his-ways imperious bachelor? Third is a tie between FALLON by Louis L’Amour and THE PROMISE OF JENNY JONES by Maggie Osbourne. Fallon is a man who thinks he’s unredeemable and learns he’s made of better stuff. Jenny is a woman whose life has been horrible but who has a strict moral code which includes always keeping her word. Each of these books is worth reading for the phrasing alone. Each is also a wonderful character study.

NA: A pet peeve.
CC: People who speak in redundancies – each and every is an example of the one I hate most. [NA: LOL!}

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
CC: Thank you, God, for another day. Do I have to get out of bed?

NA: What errand/chore do you despise the most?
CC: I absolutely hate doing laundry. Why do we have all these laundered things to fold and put away when we don’t really own this many clothes? I suspect a family of ten is sneaking their dirty clothes into our hamper somehow.

NA: What are you working on now?
CC: My current work in progress is STUART, Bachelors and Babies, book 10.Coming soon: Stuart by Caroline Clemmons In this premise created by Charlene Raddon (who also does the covers), a bachelor finds a baby and must cope with the situation. Bachelor Stuart McGee is a bounty hunter/rancher who finds an almost eighteen month old girl whose parents have been killed by the wanted men he’s chasing. This book combines romance, adventure, and humor. Well, humor is subjective but I think parts are funny. I hope readers will.

NA: What is any question we didn’t ask that you would like to answer?
CC: Do I like to hear from readers? Yes, I do. They can PM me or send an email. They can also find me on the Facebook readers group Caroline’s Cuties.

Caroline Clemmons:
Caroline ClemmonsThrough a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their three rescued indoor cats and dog as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, and other critters.

The books she creates in her pink cave have made her a bestselling author and won awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series include the Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas Time Travel, Texas Caprock Tales, Pearson Grove, and Loving A Rancher as well as numerous single titles and contributions to multi-author sets. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends’ books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest.

Join her and other readers at Caroline’s Cuties, a Facebook readers group at for special excerpts, exchanging ideas, contests, giveaways, recipes, and talking to like-minded people about books and other fun things.

Click on her Amazon Author Page for a complete list of her books and follow her there.

Follow her on BookBub.

To stay up-to-date with her releases and contests, subscribe to Caroline’s newsletter here and receive a FREE novella of HAPPY IS THE BRIDE, a humorous historical wedding disaster that ends happily—but you knew it would, didn’t you?

She loves to hear from readers at caroline@carolineclemmons.com

The White House Wedding: New from Seelie Kay!

The WHite House Wedding by Seelie Kay

Release Date: February 14, 2020
Publisher: Extasy Books
Contemporary Romance, four flames

An Interview with Seelie Kay:

Q. Why do you write romance?

Because I am fascinated by the games people play to find and secure a lasting relationship, which is not always love. There’s the chase, the courtship, the falling, the surrender. That’s what I try to capture in my stories.

Q. Do you prefer a certain type of romantic hero?

I adore smart, dashing gentlemen who aren’t afraid to live on the edge. They can be a bad boy, a billionaire, a prince, or a secret agent. That hint of danger just hooks me! However, I also love strong, independent women who aren’t afraid to fight for what they want, even love.

Q. Why did you write The White House Wedding?

It was a bit of a romp, really. I wanted to play off all the craziness that is politics and Washington, D.C. The creatures in the great swamp have become so predictable, a story about the political implications and hijinks of a White House wedding just flowed from my pen. Plus, I always found it interesting that a country that intentionally broke away from the monarchy, goes crazy over royal weddings. Admittedly, I am one of them. I won’t get up at 4 a.m. to watch, like so many of my friends, but I will tape a royal wedding and watch it later. And yes, I did seek teacups from Diana’s nuptials. Unfortunately, none were to be found. At least stateside. I imagine once she dumped Prince Charles, their value went up dramatically! Unfortunately, White House weddings are rare and although we go crazy over royal weddings, I doubt things would proceed so smoothly here. Every aspect of the wedding would be dissected and criticized by the media and political opponents, making the wedding itself a pretty negative experience, which is probably so few occur here.

Q. The characters in this book also appeared in The President’s Daughter?

Yes. The President’s Daughter is where the bride’s—Sarah Lee Pearson—story first began. She had been kidnapped at age five and raised by her nanny into her teen years. It was only after the people who raised her were killed in a paper mill explosion that she began to search for other relatives. A chance meeting with a presidential candidate, Jamisen Powell, leads her search in a new direction and she discovers that he is, in fact, her birth father. This is the continuation of that new relationship.

Q. I imagine in this day and age, being the president’s daughter would not be an altogether positive experience.

(Laughs.) As I observe the impact of the Trump presidency on his children, I am exceptionally happy I was never put in that position. It must be a horrible experience. We live in such negative times, a time when people seem to place high value on their ability to shred reputations and destroy people. All of the current chaos puts us one step away from anarchy. In fact, if you think about it, it would be a perfect time for the Monarchy to attempt to reclaim the colonies. We are so busy fighting each other, I question whether we would band together to fight an outside threat. That’s just sad.

Q. How does your former profession as a lawyer impact your writing?

In two ways. First, my knowledge of the legal system permits me to predict the outcome of certain events. Those events have played a key role in some of my stories. Second, my friends say I am obsessed with justice and I guess that’s true. After 30 years, the law and the legal world are so firmly embedded in my brain that I can’t flush them out. That has become the lens through which I view the world and that naturally guides my characters and plots. Injustice infuriates me, but it also leads me to great stories!

Blurb:
When politics interferes with love, can love survive?

Getting married isn’t easy when your father’s the President of the United States! After reluctantly agreeing to a White House wedding, Sarah Lee Pearson, the president’s daughter, finds herself swept into a political maelstrom of unimagined proportions.

The White House staff and the first lady see the wedding as a political event, a way to sweep the president into his next term. Congress is complaining about the collateral costs. The media is delightfully rehashing every aspect of Sarah’s life, even those events that have nothing to do with the impending marriage. And the American public? Visions of an American royal wedding have swept them into a frenzy and vendors take advantage, making a quick buck off of everything from limited edition t-shirts to commemorative teacups.

Sarah and her fiancé, Sam, fight hard to ignore the craziness, but after learning a bounty has been put on their heads by an anti-government militia group, they have to decide whether a White House wedding is indeed worth it. And given all the hurtful controversy, perhaps a better solution is to not get married at all.

Excerpt:

“How does my father feel about this?” Sarah asked.

“Your father wants you to do what makes you happy.”

Jamisen Powell entered his Chief of Staff’s office and nodded coldly at Jeremiah. He added, “He would never ask you to do otherwise.”

Sarah smiled and rose to kiss her father on the cheek. “Thanks, Dad. I knew you wouldn’t ask me to be a political stool pigeon.”

Jamie Powell chuckled. “No. That job apparently falls to staff.” He smiled at Sarah. “Look, hopefully, you only get married once. Make a memory that will mean the most to you and Sam. Nothing else matters.” He shook his head, “Maybe Jeremiah will get lucky and your sister, Melissa, will hook some poor sucker before the next election. She and her mother would be overjoyed planning a White House wedding.”

Jeremiah scowled. “I am only thinking about your re-election, Mr. President. Your first term has been a bit rocky. You need a solidifying factor, something that will grab the hearts and minds of the American public and provide a clear path into the next term. Your story, a daughter lost and found after twenty-five years, especially a daughter who just happens to be a stellar human being and a successful international law attorney, won their hearts in the first election.

“Walking that same daughter down the aisle, something you had never dreamed was possible? The ratings alone will rival a royal wedding. No offense, but Melissa’s marriage—if it ever happens—could never have the same impact. People don’t view her in the same light as Sarah. Melissa is a flighty socialite. Her deep-seated sense of entitlement offends. The ratings for her wedding would be nonexistent. But Sarah? She’s the golden child. The American public loves her.”

The president’s sapphire blue eyes, which mirrored Sarah’s, flashed with annoyance. “Be that as it may, I am not about to force either of my daughters into something they don’t want. Sarah has declined your request, and as far as I am concerned, that’s the end of it. You will have to find another solidifying factor, Jer. Surely I have done something that’s re-election worthy!”

Buy links:

Publisher: https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2796-2-the-white-house-wedding/
Amazon: TBD
Barnes and Noble: TBD
Kobo: TBD

About Seelie Kay:

Seelie Kay is a nom de plume for an award-winning writer, editor, and author with more than 30 years of experience in law, journalism, marketing, and public relations. When Seelie writes about love and lust in the legal world, something kinky is bound to happen! In possession of a wicked pen and an overly inquisitive mind, Ms. Kay is the author of multiple works of fiction, including the Kinky Briefs series, the Feisty Lawyers series, The Garage Dweller, A Touchdown to Remember, The President’s Wife, and The President’s Daughter.

When not spinning her kinky tales, Ms. Kay ghostwrites nonfiction for lawyers and other professionals. She resides in a bucolic exurb outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she shares a home with her son and enjoys opera, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, and an occasional bottle of red wine.

Ms. Kay is an MS warrior and ruthlessly battles the disease on a daily basis. Her message to those diagnosed with MS: Never give up. You define MS, it does not define you!

Author links:

www.seeliekay.com
www.seeliekay.blogspot.com
Twitter: @SeelieKay https://twitter.com/SeelieKay
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seelie.kay.77
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Seelie-Kay/e/B074RDRWNZ/

Prior Books:

http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs/
http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs-too/
http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs-thrice/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1734-5-kinky-briefs-quatro/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2023-9-kinky-briefs-cinque/
http://www.extasybooks.com/the-garage-dweller/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1504-4-a-touchdown-to-remember/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1795-6-the-presidents-wife/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2263-9-snatching-diana/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2032-1-the-presidents-daughter
https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2291-2-infamy/
https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2349-0-seizing-hope/
https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2538-8-cult/
https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2658-3-hope/

Want to know more about some of these Seelie Kay books? Read back posts:

The President’s Wife
Snatching Diana
Cult