Moonbeams over Atlanta

@SensuousPromos #BookTour ‘Nikki’s Fated’ by @suzcauler

Posted by eloreenmoon

Welcome to Sensuous Promos book tour for Suzette Rose Cauler and her HOT new release, Nikki’s Fated [Wolves of River’s Bend 1]

Be sure to enter the rafflecopter contest below for your chance to win an Amazon $20 Gift Card!

Wolf shifter Nikki Black never expected her love life to mean the difference between lasting peace and all-out war. Especially when her fated, Luke Andres, wants nothing to do with her. Forced to join to prevent bloodshed between their rival clans, Nikki and Luke enjoy a blistering night of passion before facing another complication—Luke’s brother is also Nikki’s destined mate.

Mason Andres is passionate, loving, and sexy, and Nikki falls hard for him, thrilled that he feels the same. She wants the same love-match with Luke, but that’s the one thing Luke can’t risk giving her. Fighting destiny to keep his heart safe from the only woman who can claim it, Luke makes plans that could separate them for good. But when love and passion run soul-deep, fate can overturn even the best-laid plans.

Will Luke admit his love for Nikki before it’s too late, or will his wounded heart destroy the trio’s shot at lasting happiness?

PURCHASE LINKS: Amazon | BookStrand

Excerpt:

“Nikki—” her father began, clearly not getting that she didn’t want to talk to him.

“Excuse us.” A large hand reached between them to take Nikki’s arm. “They’re playing our song.” It was Luke, and Nikki wouldn’t have been more surprised if one of the guests suddenly sprouted wings and flew away. He was asking to dance with her? Was that a smile she saw? Nikki actually looked to the sky for the lightning that was sure to strike at any minute.

Warily, she allowed him to lead her onto the temporary dance floor and wrap his arms around her waist.

He whispered in her ear as he swayed to the slow music, rocking her along with him. “Let’s make it look good.”

Nikki wrapped her arms around his neck, perplexed but hopeful. Maybe he was going to behave decently toward her now that they were officially joined. “Thank you—for rescuing me over there.”

“You looked like you needed to get away. And we do have a common enemy. One thing we can both agree on right now is how much we loathe our fathers for this.”

Nikki shook her head. “Who would have thought it would take mutual anger to bring us together?” She looked up into his gray eyes and the rest of the world just seemed to melt away. She felt every hard line of his body, every muscle, and if she wasn’t mistaken, that was the beginnings of an erection pressing up against her belly. His arms tightened around her and her gaze drifted from his eyes to his full lips and back again, even as her own lips parted in anticipation of his kiss. Maybe the rest of their joining day wouldn’t be so bad, she thought, as he leaned closer, the desire to kiss her clear in his eyes. But then he surprised her by moving toward her ear instead of her lips.

“I did you a favor, getting you away from the old man, but let’s not get carried away.” His lips grazed her ear as he whispered, sending tiny waves of anticipation straight to her core.

“What do you mean?” She pulled back to look up at him and had to remind herself, not for the first time, that it would be a mistake to get lost in his eyes. Unfortunately, his mouth was just as dangerous a focal point. His lips screamed sex, and on the few occasions she’d made the mistake of watching his mouth while he talked, her pussy had immediately gotten wet and she’d managed to miss at least half of what he’d said.

“Look, I know I was a sort of a dick at first…”

“Sort of? That’s the understatement of the century.”

“Fair enough, but the point is, I made it clear I didn’t want a mate, that I wasn’t ready. And I want you to know it’s not about you.”

“Oh great, is this one of those ‘it’s not me, it’s you’ speeches? Because if it is, spare me. I already know it’s you.” She had to work hard to keep her voice even and matter-of-fact.

“You don’t sugarcoat much, do you?” He had the nerve to sound amused.

“Nope, I’m a straight-shooter.”

“Good, so you’ll appreciate what I have to say. You’re a beautiful woman, and being close to you like this has an incredible effect on me. I want you—badly. There’s no question of that, but wanting you doesn’t change how I feel about this joining. I went through with it for the same reasons you did, but I don’t want you to set yourself up for disappointment.”

“Okay…” She wasn’t quite sure what he was talking about, and once again, he was the king of the understatement. She could clearly feel how hard he was for her. Frankly, she wouldn’t be surprised if his erection tore a hole in his pants.

“Look, what I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t expect this to be a love match. That…It’s just not in me. I’ll do my duty, but…that’s it. I can’t offer you more than that.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Nikki hated that his words hadn’t dampened her desire any. The last thing she wanted to do after that speech was want him.

“I have a feeling that doesn’t happen very often.”

They danced in silence as one song ended and the band struck up another slow favorite. “Say something,” Luke said.

“What for? You have this all figured out. I’m stuck with a mate who is determined to never love me. What do you expect me to say to that?”

“Well…” He stroked his knuckles over her cheek, then her lips. “We can still enjoy each other.”

Oh, God. Her pussy tightened at his touch. Nikki knew she’d live to regret how excited his words made her feel, but just then, she didn’t care. The call of her mate’s body was just too strong. “So, you want to fuck me, but you plan to keep feelings out of it. Got it.”

His armed tightened around her waist and he trailed a single finger down the side of her neck and over her collarbone, stopping where the tops of her breasts swelled out of her dress. “Tell me you don’t feel the same.” He leaned down and buried his nose in her neck. Damn it, he was smelling her. “You can’t hide how badly you want me.”

Her nipples were hard enough to cut glass and her pussy was so wet she needed to change her panties. “I can’t hide it, so I won’t bother denying it.”

“And you can accept that we won’t have a love match?” He was facing her again, his lips just inches from hers.

“What possible difference does that make? As you pointed out, we’re stuck with each other now.”

Luke smiled again, and this time she could swear it was genuine. Leaning in further, he claimed her mouth in the first real kiss they’d ever shared. His lips were the perfect combination of smooth and sensual, and firm and demanding, and Nikki couldn’t help but lean into his kiss, into him.

When he finally released her mouth, she was breathless. He looked down at her and she could swear his eyes were darker than normal.

“Good,” he said. “Because I, for one, am tired of waiting for the fun part to begin.”

Bio:

Suzette Rose Cauler has loved books (all types really) for as long as she can remember. As a child, she’d get lost in books for hours, using a flashlight to read under the covers long past bedtime. She read her first romance novel as a preteen and was immediately hooked by the swoon-worthy heroes and daring, spunky damsels. Though her reading tastes have definitely matured, Suzette continues to enjoy romance novels, especially those of the erotic, paranormal, fantasy, or historical variety. She writes almost as voraciously as she reads and typically falls head over heels in love with her heroes.

Though everyday types of romantic situations do appeal to her, stories that include adventure, intrigue, or danger have always made Suzette’s heart go pitter patter. If they incorporate some science fiction too, she is even happier. You’ll find elements like these in most of her stories as well as strong heroines who can fight their own battles but sometimes enjoy letting someone else take the lead.

Suzette lives on the East Coast with five special people who help keep her spirit young and her imagination fresh.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

sofiagrey.com | Sofia’s GoodReads | Sofia’s Facebook Page

@SensuousPromos #BookTour ‘Hot Holiday Treats’ Anthology 8 Stories of #Romance

Posted by eloreenmoon

8 Sexy Holiday Stories to keep you warm on cold winter nights

Cozy up with eight complete novellas full of love, lust, and winter magic by award winners and the ladies of Silken Sheets & Seduction. From cowboys to demons, we’ve got hot holiday treats to warm you up.

$0.99 cents for a limited time! All Romance ~ Kindle ~ NOOK ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

A Cowboy’s
Christmas Wish by Sorcha Mowbray

When rancher Ford Grayson saunters out of Melissa Adams’ past and into
her bar, she’s determined to take him for a ride and kick him to the curb.
Payback’s a bitch. But, the cowboy is determined to make his very own Christmas
wish come true.

Sorcha
Mowbray is a mild mannered office worker by day…okay, so she is actually a
mouthy, opinionated, take charge kind of gal who bosses everyone around; but
she definitely works in an office. At night she writes romance so hot she sets
the sheets on fire! Just ask her slightly singed husband.

She is a
long time lover of historical romance, having grown up reading Johanna Lindsey
and Judith McNaught. Then she discovered Thea Devine and Susan Johnson. Holy
cow! Heroes and heroines could do THAT? From there, things devolved into trying
her hand at writing a little smexy. Needless to say, she liked it and she hopes
you do too!

sorchamowbray.com | Tweet @sorchamowbray | Sorcha’s Fan Page | Sorcha’s Goodreads | Sorcha’s
Amazon Author Page

Just’s
Desserts by Rachel Kenley

Dessert as foreplay? Justine saves her passion for the desserts she
creates. Adam pours his focus into work. Together, something is going to melt.

Rachel
Kenley is a multi-published author who loves reading, coffee and chocolate, and
considers herself an excellent retail therapist. She believes in embracing the
power of passion and the part of a woman’s power that lies in her sexuality.
She writes in a variety of genres, including contemporary, paranormal and
retold fairy tales, depending on what suits the characters who live in her head.

The
characters in her life include her husband, two sons, family, and a group of
writer friends she would be completely lost without. A Jersey girl at heart,
she now lives in New England where apparently spring is a myth and winter lasts
too long. She is grateful to be living the writer’s life that has always been
her dream.

rachelkenley.com | Tweet @rchelkenley | Rachel’s Facebook | Rachel’s Goodreads

A Demon’s
Gift by Jocelyn Dex

Cordelia, a demon hunter trainee who daydreams of Christmas, fights to
resist Argoth, the sex demon, who inflames her desire and reveals a truth that
turns her world upside down.

Jocelyn was born in Iowa and currently resides in hot-as-hell Texas. She
shares her home with her very own 6’4″ alpha male and varying numbers of
spoiled cats and dogs. Teaching one of her dogs to file his nails is one of her
all-time favorite accomplishments.

She thinks dragonflies are awesome, spiders are creepy and it’s rumored
that she sleeps with a machete by her bed in case zombies attack in the middle
of the night.

Jocelyn loves to paint, loves to read, and loves to write sizzling erotic
romance about yummy demons that would make your momma blush.

Website | Facebook | Twitter @JocelynDex | Blog | Goodreads

Furry
Christmas by Sotia Lazu

Alice’s lonely holidays take an interesting turn when a stray dog walks
into her life. Little does she know he could be her Prince Charming, if only
she believed in magic.

Sotia loves romances with a twist and urban fantasy novels, always with
vivid erotic elements. Her favorite characters to write are not conventional
hero-material at first glance, and she enjoys making them fight for their
happiness.

Sotia shares her life and living quarters with her husband, their son, and
two rescue dogs, one of which may be part-pony. Sappy movies make her bawl like
a baby, and she wishes she could take in all the stray dogs in the world. Also,
she hates mornings!

sotialazu.com | Tweet @justsotia | Sotia’s Fan Page | Sotia’s Goodreads | Sotia’s Amazon Author Page

Holiday
Bliss by Leigh Ellwood

Two years after Hurricane Sandy, panther shifter Sheila Houlihan has
finally rebuilt her home in the shore town of Bliss, New Jersey. She looks
forward to her first Christmas there, if only Jonah will finish with the
interior painting. Jonah, however, is interested in being more than Sheila’s
handyman.

Leigh Ellwood is an award-winning author of erotica and erotic romance
fiction. Following the release of her first novel, Truth or Dare, in 2004,
Leigh has since written several novels, novella, and short stories. She is an
EPIC Award winner and has been nominated for many reviewers awards for her
works.

Leigh writes M/M, F/F, and other pairings of erotic and romance, and also
writes mystery under another name.

Website | Tweet @LeighEllwood | Facebook | Blog | Leigh @ Amazon

To Capture a
Yeti by Eva Lefoy

An ambitious reporter is determined to prove to the world Yetis exist,
even at the cost of her life. But when she’s confronted with the truth, will
she choose fame and fortune or keep the secret and the man she desires all to
herself?

Eva Lefoy writes and reads all kinds of romance, and is a certified
Trekkie. She’s also terribly addicted to chocolate, tea, and hiking. One of
these days, she’ll figure out the meaning of life, quit her job, and go travel
the galaxy. Until then, she’s writing down all her dirty thoughts for the sake
of future explorers.

Eva’s Website | Tweet @Eva_Lefoy | Eva’s Fan Page | Eva’s Goodreads | Eva’s Amazon Author Page

Longest
Night Loving by Daisy Banks

Cursed elf Miles has waited for centuries in the hope a woman will free
him from the curse binding him to this house. Will his beautiful visitor pass
the test and prove she is the one who he can love?

Daisy Banks writes sensual and spicy romance in the Historical, Paranormal
and Fantasy genres. An obsessive writer Daisy is passionate about her stories.
Her focus is to offer the best tale she can to readers. Daisy is married, with
two grown up sons. She lives with her husband in a converted chapel in
Shropshire, England. Antiques and collecting entertain Daisy when she isn’t
writing, she has also occasionally been known to make a meal that doesn’t stick
to the pan.

Website | Tweet @DaisyBanks16 | Facebook | Pintrest

Caging the
Wolf by Sofia Grey

Jessie has fallen in love with the perfect guy, Levi, but there’s one
tiny problem. The blue-eyed hunk only exists in her dreams.

I’m a 40-on-the-outside / 20-on-the-inside girl with a passion for the
simple things in life. As long as they include wine, chocolate and rock music,
I’m good. When I’m not either herding project managers (at work), cats (at
home) or cub scouts (in what passes for spare time…) I’m curled up with my
Kindle or my laptop. To me, writing is as addictive as reading and I can’t
manage unless I have both.

@BipBopBooks Presents The Spice Up #BookTour from @sabrina_york @sidney_bristol @lisafoxromance #Contest

Posted by eloreenmoon

Welcome to the Moonbeams over Atlanta stop of the Spice Up Blog Tour: Three authors are participating in this tour. Welcome Sabrina, Sidney, and Lisa! This is part of a book tour with BippityBoppityBook, so be sure to check out the other tour stops to read exclusive excerpts and see what others thought about the book with their review.

Sidney Bristol brings us the heat with her Romantic Suspense with BDSM Elements title Duty Bound, Book 2 in her Bayou Bound series. Lisa Fox is introducing us to her Midnight Kiss Contemporary Romance series with One Kiss and the soon-to-be-released Her Perfect Lips. And a Contemporary Erotic Romance series from Sabrina York, her titles Rebound, Dragonfly Kisses, Smoking Holt, Heart of Ash, Devlin’s Dare and Parker’s Passion are all part of the Tryst Island Series. Join us in meeting these authors and spice up your shelves (or start your holiday shopping early) with one of these wonderful romances.

Duty Bound
Bayou Bound # 2
Sidney Bristol

Romantic Suspense / BDSM Elements
331 Pages
See on Goodreads
Available at Amazon ♦ Barnes ♦ ARe ♦ Kobo ♦ iBooks

About the book:

Sometimes one kiss can change everything.

New Year’s Eve is supposed to be a night for celebration and new beginnings. For best friends Kat and Dean, it is a nightmare filled with disastrous dates and enraged ex-girlfriends!

Lucky for them, they’ve got each other to help laugh off the embarrassing, and downright inappropriate, moments. But then midnight rolls around and neither of them have anyone to kiss…

There’s no doubt this is a night they will always remember.

The real question is whether it will be a night they want to forget…

Excerpt:

Lisette froze with a piece of bread poised over the skillet, holding her breath as someone stopped outside Mathieu’s apartment. She’d spent the whole day jumping whenever footsteps echoed past. This time, the lock scraped and the door swung inward. She exhaled, soaking up Mathieu’s presence like a balm.

“What kind of a person doesn’t have internet?” She turned toward the front door as it closed. The sight of him hit her in the solar plexus. There was no preparing for him and the way being in his space brought up all her old questions and desires. But mostly, he made her feel safe. She’d had her first night of uninterrupted sleep, no startling awake or lying frozen in place from imagined sounds.

Mathieu paused taking off his coat, his gaze flicking over her, ignoring the dog wiggling its whole body at his feet. “Good afternoon to you, too.”

“Hi. What’s up with no wifi?” Lisette dropped the bread onto the skillet and nudged it over to make room for more. She’d spent a handful of hours in his space and already she craved his presence.

“I don’t need it.” Mathieu bent and scratched Gator behind the ears, muttering something for the dog alone. “When did you get tattoos?”

The skin on the back of Lisette’s neck prickled. Maybe it was the inflection in his voice, or maybe she was just sensitive about it. Either way, she sucked in a deep breath and finished toasting the bread for their lunch. According to Mathieu he only had so long before he needed to get back to work.

“Six years ago, I think. How old am I?” She paused to do the math. At twenty-nine, she’d had her left arm wrapped, from shoulder to elbow, in a colorful bouquet of flowers for a while. “No, five years.”

“What are you making?” Mathieu stepped into the galley kitchen and peered over her shoulder.

“Sandwiches, but I’m toasting them. Sort of like a poor man’s Panini. You still like ham and Swiss, right?” She flipped the bread onto a plate. There was something about the act of cooking for someone else she flat-out enjoyed.

“Uh, yeah.” He leaned against the refrigerator, watching her with Gator sprawled on the floor between them. The space was crowded, but comfortable. But a person wouldn’t assume that from the expression creasing Mathieu’s face.

She scooped out a bit of pesto from a jar she’d found in his pantry, layered the sandwich with spinach, Swiss, and ham. The secret was returning the sandwich to the skillet for just a moment so the cheese got to the ooey-gooey-yummy consistency.

“What’s up with the serious face?” she asked, glancing at him as she moved both their sandwiches to the skillet.

“I’ll wait till you’re done,” he replied.

“Okay.” She shrugged and kept her attention on the skillet.

“Gator been out lately?”

“I took him out about half an hour ago.” He’d mentioned that he came home during lunch to walk Gator and eat, but with the impending rain she’d taken the chance when it presented itself to get the dog out for a while.

Mathieu lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment. She didn’t know what he made working as a detective, but she’d expected someplace a little nicer than the third floor walk-up in an old, refurbished brick building with shutters tacked on outside the windows and a balcony about to fall off the wall. It wasn’t so much the place he lived as the feel of being with him that had unnerved her.

It was nice. Pleasant even.

About Sidney Bristol:

It can never be said that Sidney Bristol has had a ‘normal’ life. She is a recovering roller derby queen, former missionary, and tattoo addict. She grew up in a motor-home on the US highways (with an occasional jaunt into Canada and Mexico), traveling the rodeo circuit with her parents. Sidney has lived abroad in both Russia and Thailand, working with children and teenagers. She now lives in Texas where she splits her time between a job she loves, writing, reading and belly dancing.

Website ♦ Twitter ♦ Facebook ♦ Reader Lounge ♦ Newsletter ♦ Goodreads

One Kiss
Midnight Kiss # 1
Lisa Fox

Excerpt:

Kat finished her champagne and rolled her ankle around while she searched for another waiter. She was going to get shitfaced drunk tonight, she decided, righteously fucked-up, then she was going to sleep with Eric, and ring in the New Year with a motherfucking bang. If she had to settle, then she was going to do it in style. She just needed some more alcohol.

She caught a waiter’s eye and was about to commence on her mission when a hand fell on her shoulder. Her head jerked to the right and she blinked, surprised to find Dean beside her. “Kat,” he said. His face was serious, but his eyes held an impish light.

“Hello, Dean.” She gave him a questioning look, but he just smiled. Curious. “Eric, this is Dean Kirkwell.”

The men nodded to one another and Dean’s hand skimmed down the back of her arm to hold her elbow. “I know this is probably a bad time,” he said, trying to look apologetic, but failing miserably.

“And I hate to interrupt, but I saw you over here and I had to take the chance. I have a really important question about the Fisher account. It’s quick, I swear.” He looked from her, to Eric, back to her again. “But I completely understand if you can’t do it right now.”

Kat wanted to laugh out loud. He was saving her. And even worse, she was actually grateful. He did it so smoothly too, leaving it open for to her to say yes or no. The decision was entirely hers. She could stay with Eric, have some righteous New Year’s sex, and maybe enjoy an encore or two after that, but the whole thing would be over by Spring. Or, she could hang out with Dean.

“I’m sorry,” she said, turning to Eric. She tried to put on her most regretful face. She didn’t want to be mean or offend him, but it was not working for her. “Do you mind? This project is important.”

Dean let go of her elbow and moved his hand to her lower back. He met Eric’s gaze over the top of her head and something passed between them, something tense and very male. She scowled, pissed off by the posturing, but they ignored her.

It passed quickly and Eric looked from Dean to Kat. “Of course,” he said, his voice betraying the insincerity of his smile. “He obviously needs you very badly.”

Dean’s smile showed lots of teeth. “I do.”

Kat sighed. This was not what she wanted. “Thanks,” she said, mostly because she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

Eric nodded and she allowed Dean to guide her away. Once they got to an isolated corner on the other side of the room, he pulled two glasses off a passing waiter’s tray and handed one to her.

She downed it instantly and then traded her empty glass for a full one before the man could walk away.

Dean eyed her closely. “It’s like that, huh?”

“He wanted to show me his Motobeast.” It seemed to sum up the entire craptastic night perfectly.

About the Book:

Sometimes one kiss can change everything.

New Year’s Eve is supposed to be a night for celebration and new beginnings. For best friends Kat and Dean, it is a nightmare filled with disastrous dates and enraged ex-girlfriends!

Lucky for them, they’ve got each other to help laugh off the embarrassing, and downright inappropriate, moments. But then midnight rolls around and neither of them have anyone to kiss…

There’s no doubt this is a night they will always remember.

The real question is whether it will be a night they want to forget…

Her Perfect Lips
Midnight Kiss # 2
Lisa Fox

Excerpt:

Stacy took a sip of her drink, the sweetness exploding on her tongue. The familiar lightheadedness of intoxication warmed her skull, and she frowned. She might not have the tolerance to take on Mardi Gras anymore, but she was no lightweight either. She held up the plastic cup, the low light reflecting in the funky yellow-green liquid. “What’s in these things?”

Ten gave her that wicked grin again. “Good old-fashioned New Orleans grain alcohol.”

Even as her eyes widened, she had to chuckle. No wonder she was feeling it. The drink in her hand was a one hundred and ninety proof bomb of pure alcohol. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“Maybe.” His gaze moved over her, so slowly and thoroughly it almost felt like a physical caress. “Wasn’t that part of your plan?”

Her gaze flicked to his lips and then quickly away. God, she still had it so bad for him. She took a quick sip of her cocktail to try to cool herself down.

He reached over took her hand. “I’ve thought about you.”

Every molecule in the air between them instantly ignited. “Have you?” Heat rushed to her cheeks, her pulse raced in her veins. “What’d you think about?”

He ran his thumb over her knuckles. “Do you remember that night?”

“Of course I remember.” She would never forget the night before she left for New York. The night she spent with him. The memory often came to her in the darkest hours, when she was home, alone in her bed. No one had ever held her the way he did, no one’s skin had ever felt quite so good against hers. “I almost missed my plane.”

He traced patterns over the back her hand with his thumb, a delicate caress that made her blood run hot. When he met her eyes again, tension exploded between them, turning her insides liquid.

Her gaze fell back to his lips, and she couldn’t help but remember the taste of his kiss. The way he’d touched her. The texture of his skin. Given the chance to have it all again, she’d start right there at his mouth and then work her way down to his—

“Hey,” Peter said as he and Melanie returned to the table. “Do you want another drink?”

“No,” Stacy said, rising to her feet. This was too much. “I have to get back to the hotel.” And take an ice cold shower.

Ten stood up as well. “I’ll walk with you.”

She waved him off. The last thing she needed was Ten anywhere near her hotel room. That was just too much temptation. She wasn’t a kid anymore, and she wasn’t in New Orleans to get laid. She needed to remember that. “Thanks, but it’s just around the corner.”

“Stacy,” he said, his voice stern, a tone she knew all too well. It was the one he used whenever he thought she was being unreasonable. She’d heard it a lot. “This city is dangerous.”

She couldn’t really argue with that. He was right. The city was dangerous. And it wasn’t smart to walk alone. She knew that all too well. The very first night she moved out of the Loyola dorms and into the Marigny was a night that should have been like any other. But that night, seven murders occurred in a sixteen-hour span. Seven different people were killed for seven different reasons in seven different places all within the city limits. She had missed one of those murders by a single block. If she had turned left instead of right… A graveyard chill raced down her back. It wasn’t something she liked to think about. “Okay,” she said, and turned to the others. “Do you guys want to walk back with us?”

They wanted to stay, so Stacy and Ten said their goodbyes and exited the bar. They turned onto Canal, and Ten grabbed her around the waist to keep her from colliding with a Lucky Dog vendor heading into the Quarter for his shift. She wrapped her arm around him, enjoying the heat of his body.

About Lisa Fox:

World-renowned neurosurgeon, jet fighter pilot, secret member of American royalty, seducer of legions of beautiful, outrageously sexy angels and demons and vampires and werewolves and the occasional pirate, Lisa Fox has done it all…in her own mind. In reality, she can generally be found at her desk with a cup of coffee close at hand. Or maybe a martini. It really depends on the day.
Feedback, comments, opinions, words of wisdom, chocolate cake and the addresses of super hot men are always appreciated and encouraged. Please feel free to contact me any time.

Rebound
Tryst Island # 1
Sabrina York

Contemporary Erotic Romance
200 pgs (approx)
See on Goodreads
Purchase Now: Amazon | Barnes | iTunes | Kobo

About the Book:

Kristi Cross has had the hots for her friend, Cameron Jackson as long as she can remember, but she knows she’s not his type. She’s nothing like the women he dates. So when he suggests they play for a kiss over a game of Hearts, Kristi can’t resist. Even if she loses, she wins. Because she’s finally going to taste him.
Of course, one kiss can quickly become something altogether steamier, especially when both parties are on the rebound…
Fall in Love on Tryst Island… When a group of friends share a vacation house, wild hijinks, unexpected hook-ups and steamy sex ensue.

Excerpt:

“I’d like to turn you over my knee.”

She chuckled. “Me? What did I do?”

He gaped at her. “Other than passionately kissing Holt?”

“I wasn’t kissing Holt, and you know it.”

“Really?” He crossed the rumpus room and shouldered into his bedroom and tossed her onto the bed. She bounced. “Then what the hell was that?” He waved at the ceiling.

Kristi straightened her nightgown, primly covering her bare calves. “He was kissing me.”

His brows bunched. “Not okay. Do you know what seeing that did to me? God, Kristi. It ripped me up inside. I wanted to kill him.”

“He had to know.”

“Know?” He hit a warbling tone that would make America Idol contestants green with envy. “What did he have to know?”

“That I feel nothing for him.”

That shut him up. He stopped, stock-still and stared at her. “Nothing?” This, in a little boy voice.

Other than shock that two of her longtime friends had declared their intentions in the space of one evening? “Not a thing.” She wormed her way off the bed and sashayed toward him, swinging her hips. “Less than nothing, in fact.” She stood on tiptoe to press a kiss on his lips. “It was like kissing my brother. Or my uncle. Or Professor Layhea.”

“Professor Layhea?” Against his will, his lips tweaked. She could tell he was fighting it. His pout was kind of adorable. “Professor Layhea was pretty sexy.”

She kissed him again. Made her way along the line of his jaw to his lobe. Dabbed her tongue in his ear. He shuddered.

“I do find nostril-beards über sexy. And older men who take their baths in Old Spice—ha cha cha.”

His brow rose. His fingers curved around her waist and he pulled her closer. His cock stirred against her belly. “Did you ever kiss Professor Layhea?”

“Just the once.” She laughed when his eyes boggled at her boldfaced lie. She rubbed against his growing ardor. “I had to. I needed an A.”

“Hussy.” He eased her back onto the mattress pinning her there with his hardness, his heat. He hovered over her, staring at her for a long while. Then he slowly lowered his head and kissed her.

It didn’t take long for their teasing mood to completely evaporate. It was replaced by a crackling arousal. His cock pressed into her with an uncomfortable insistence. She wiggled a little bit and he shifted so it pressed against her cleft instead. He rubbed, up and down, like a cat, until she moaned.

“I shouldn’t want you again,” he murmured against her lips.

“Of course you should.”

“You drained me completely fucking dry earlier.”

“We forgot to use a condom.”

He nibbled her neck. “You’re on the pill.”

She hiked up her nightgown, enough so she could hook her legs around his butt. Tugged him closer. “I can’t believe how many times you made me come.”

“How many?”

“I lost count.”

“Really? I noticed two.”

“Oh, there were more than two.” She scored his back with her nails; he shivered. “It was probably a fluke though.”

He reared back. “What?”

“You know. On account of the fact I was so horny.”

“How, um, how horny were you?”

“Pretty horny.”

“How long… I mean, how long since—”

She drew his head back down. “I don’t want to talk about it. Point is, it was probably a fluke.”

“It wasn’t a fluke. I’ll have you know, I’m damn good in bed.”

“We’ll see.”

“What? We’ll see?”

“We haven’t done it in a bed.” This, she stated rather prosaically. “We’ll just see if you can do it again. Make me come like that again.”

A slow smile quirked his lips. “That sounds like a challenge.”

“I do believe it was.”

“Well, madam, if there’s one thing Cameron Jackson cannot do, it’s resist a challenge.” He teased her hem higher and she laughed.

“Yes,” she said. “I know.”

See the series trailer HERE

Other Titles in Tryst Island Include (Soon to be available at all major eBook Retailers!) :

Dragonfly Kisses: Amazon | Goodreads

Smoking Holt: Amazon | Goodreads

Heart of Ash: Amazon | Goodreads

Devlin’s Dare: Amazon | Goodreads

Parker’s Passion: Amazon | Goodreads

About Sabrina York:

Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & sexy to scorching erotic romance.

Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york, on Facebook or on Pintrest. Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on Amazon or wherever e-books are sold. Visit her website to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Get the Free Teaser Book, and don’t forget to enter to win the royal tiara! Want more? Sign up to be a member of Sabrina’s Street Team on Facebook!

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Street Team • Newsletter • Pinterest

As a special treat…

FUN BONUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUTHORS

LISA FOX

Your Last 5 Google Searches (research (or not) related )

Captain Hook Once Upon a Time (For research! I swear!)
Meliá Caribe Tropical All Inclusive Beach & Golf Resort – Punta Cana (I’m going there for my birthday and I’m a little obsessive. The pictures are so pretty!)
Male model boat cruise
Henry Watkins
Red Shoe Diaries

SIDNEY BRISTOL

FIVE little known facts about you (make them funny / interesting /unique)

I will wear tank tops until I freeze
I have a huge shoe collection, and yet I prefer to be barefoot
I really was a kid-rodeo clown
I love cherry sours
I have a light Cthulhu obsession

SABRINA YORK

5 little known facts about Sabrina York

I once rode on a camel and climbed up inside the Great Pyramid of Giza
The first book I finished was an epic fantasy of one hundred and seventy thousand words. It did not get published.
I moved 19 times before I graduated from high school.
My hair started turning silver when I was 18 years old.
I am directly descended from Mary Queen of Scots. Hence the fascination with hot Highlanders.

Giveaway

3 winners will get copies of Picture Her Bound by Sidney Bristol, One Kiss by Lisa Fox and Rebound by Sabrina York
(Book 1 of the series from each author)

Drawing ends at 11:59 PM EST on 25 November – winner has 24 hours to respond. 18+ only

http://giveawaytools2.com/share.php?giveaway=42438434996

Follow the TOUR

@masqtours #TCSBlast The Telepathic Clans Saga by @BRKINGSOLVER #Contest #UrbanFantasy

Posted by eloreenmoon

In the world of the Telepathic Clans, the descendants of the ancient race that once ruled Europe live in a shadow society…

Publication Date: April 22, 2012

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Urban Fantasy with a dash of romance. The Succubus Gift is a completely different take on the succubus myth. Brenna’s life isn’t the same after she discovers her unusual and mysterious heritage. In addition to being a telepath and having other paranormal Gifts, Brenna learns she has the Succubus Gift. She’s always been a good girl and isn’t comfortable seducing men, except one she really loves. That’s just the beginning of her problems. Someone is stalking her. Then there’s the tall, dangerous woman who shadows her and hints a Goddess has linked them. And what is she going to do with a handsome, charismatic, womanizing man she knows she should avoid?Some days a girl just wants to pull the covers over her head and stay in bed — with a willing young man of course.

Publication Date: June 25, 2012

Book 2 of the Telepathic Clans Saga, the sequel to the multiple 5-star reviewed The Succubus Gift.

It’s not easy being a succubus.

Brenna O’Donnell and Rebecca Healy continue their integration into the Clan. Learning more about their Gifts and always seeking someone who will love them. After a crash course in learning about her genetic heritage, Brenna O’Donnell has discovered what it really means to be a succubus and has learned to embrace her strange Gift. Her major concern is whether Collin will accept her for what she is. As she adjusts to telepathic society, others in the Clan have plans that will strip the last of her freedom.

The social season is around the corner, including events that Brenna never imagined in her wildest dreams. The succubi, representatives of the Goddess on earth, are at the center of an ancient worship. And if a girl is going to be the center of attention, then obviously she needs a new dress.

Between the romance and glistening balls of the Clan’s social events, Brenna and Rebecca discover life is not secure. Telepaths from other Clans are kidnapping young girls and selling them into slavery.

A continuation of what one reviewer called an, “… utterly heart stopping onslaught of sex, violence and paranormal abilities …”

Publication Date: September 29, 2013

Private investigator RB Kendrick makes her living nailing cheating spouses, digging up other dirt to help in a divorce, finding long-lost relatives, and occasionally sniffing out criminal activity and fraud.

When she takes a job to find a missing girl, she has no idea she is headed for the most dangerous case of her career. Usually, her ability to read minds gives her an edge. But when the people she’s hunting are also telepaths, that advantage is limited.

The search takes her into the dark underbelly of telepathic society, where anything, and anyone, is for sale. She discovers that telepathic women and girls are being trafficked as the ultimate sex slaves.

With people trying to kill her, she’s on the run, not knowing who she can trust. Will she find the missing girl, or become a victim herself?

A novel of paranormal suspense set in the world of the Telepathic Clans.

Publication Date: February 14, 2013

Book 3 of the Telepathic Clans Saga, Succubus Rising

The Goddess has plans for Brenna and Rebecca, and the Goddess has a wicked sense of humor.

Rebecca Healy is a true wilder, growing up with no contact or knowledge of other telepaths. Discovered by a Clan member on the streets of San Francisco, she felt like she’d hit the jackpot. Finally, she knew what she was, or at least she thought she did.

When Brenna O’Donnell, long-lost heir of the O’Donnell Clan, and the strongest telepath in history, is returned to her family, she and Rebecca form a tight bond. Brenna has it all, looks, money, power, and men falling all over her.

Rebecca isn’t jealous, but it would be nice to find someone who would really love her and stick around in the morning. She’s intrigued by a handsome South American general, but of course, he has his sights set on Brenna. Carlos de Vargas wants more than love. His Clan has its back to the wall, and they hope for an alliance with O’Donnell. An alliance that would lead to war.

The story began in The Succubus Gift and continued in Succubus Unleashed. In Succubus Rising, questions are answered and new mysteries are revealed.

Publication Date: November 8, 2014

Book 4 of The Telepathic Clans Saga

Corwin has led Clan O’Neill for one hundred and fifty years. Nearing the end of his long life, he names a twenty-three year old girl as his heir. Not only is Brenna a member of Clan O’Donnell, she’s also a succubus, and many people disagree with his choice. When Corwin dies, his son Hugh launches an open rebellion.

But Brenna is named heir not only to O’Neill, but also to Clan O’Byrne, where Clan Chief Fergus’s oldest son Andrew joins with Hugh and Finnian O’Neill in their rebellion. Faced with war on two fronts, and rebels using terrorist tactics that capture the attention of the human press and authorities, Brenna must fight off assassination attempts while trying to consolidate her rule.

As if all that wasn’t exciting enough, her friend Irina is the target of repeated kidnapping attempts by members of a Russian Clan. Hoping to protect Irina, O’Donnell mounts an operation against the Gorbachev Clan. But the situation in Russia is no more stable than in Ireland, and they discover Irina is at the heart of the Russian Clans’ internal plots.

Confused yet? Be glad you aren’t Brenna and Rebecca, as they—along with Rhiannon, Irina, and the Irish Clans—attempt to sort through the mess in Succubus Ascendant, the action-packed conclusion of The Telepathic Clans Saga.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

I grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, among writers, artists and weird Hispanic and Native American myths and folklore. I’ve lived all over the U.S. and earned a living doing everything from making silver and turquoise jewelry, to construction to computers. I currently split my time between Baltimore and Albuquerque.

I made silver and turquoise jewelry for almost a decade, ended up in nursing school, then took a master’s in business. Along the way I worked in construction, as a newspaper editor, and somehow found a career working with computers.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

$10 Amazon/B&N Giftcard or $10 Book Depository Spree (International), plus an eBook copy of The Succubus Gift or Broken Dolls. Ends 11/28.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epooXYP9YPY

@BitnBookPromote #BookTour: “Phantom Wolf” by @kia_crystal #Romance #Paranormal #Dark Fantasy

Posted by eloreenmoon

Phantom Wolf by Kia Carrington-Russell

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Dark Fantasy, Action

Synopsis:

Sia is a Phantom Wolf. Neither dead nor alive—and rotting from the inside—she is on the edge of her curse. Once a Phantom Wolf has been created, they hunt their blood pack and slaughter all their loved ones. Except for Sia, who woke years after her death to find herself rampaging through the land on a lonely path. She continues to run from the rival pack that hunts her because she is a Phantom Wolf.

Attracted to a scent, Sia finds her old best friend, who is now a grown woman. Having once saved Keeley, Sia takes the role of protector yet again, despite Keeley’s involvement with the mysterious Alpha, Kiba, and his kin brother, Saith. An ambush separates the pack and the four of them blindly fight the new warriors that attack them: desperately needing to find out where the attacks are coming from, as Sia has vowed to protect Keeley. But at what cost? Now being chased, Sia finds herself conflicted by the mortal and spirit world while trying to protect her kin.

Sia must confront her fears, as well as the human lover who killed her many years before. It is not only survival Sia contends with, but her own façade that must be broken so that she may find peace within herself once more.

Book Links: Website | Goodreads

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

Character Bios:

Sia, Phantom Wolf, white hair but turns to silver in state of Phantom Wolf, her nails turn into claws and her canines stretch past over her lips. Pale skin as she is both of the living and dead. She can speak to her Spirit Pack and runs with them on a full moon. She is in the state of immortality until the human who her life is connected with dies. Sia had to watch as her once human lover slaughtered her pack in front of her very eyes, and then killed her as well. She is strong, unaccepting of others advice and willfully minded.

Keeley, Sia’s best friend from when they were cubs. Although not part of her pack, she was much considered as her kin. She is faint hearted and kind, but is terror of what happened those many years ago when Sia’s family was massacred and Sia protected her by giving handing herself over. She has long brown hair and blue eyes. And has a healing nature.

Kiba, is the eldest Prince to the kingdom. He is fair natured but very strong natured and to become a great Alpha. He is witty and taunts a lot of people, mostly Sia as she bite back so quickly. He has a very deep caring nature in which only Sia has ever seen. Others more so see him as a pillar and fantasy to one day be his mate. He has thick black fur and hair of the Royal bloodline and iridescent blue eyes.

Saith, is the younger brother of Kiba. Although having the same black fur and blue eyes of the Royal family he is smaller than Kiba in muscular frame and his hair is longer, to his shoulders. He has for some time now been deeply in love with Keeley and turns almost savage if one threatens her. He is very protective of her and his family, which can at times be surprising in comparison to his more quiet and compassionate nature.

Lady Momiko, is an old wolf who although many years have aged on her skin is still passionately youthful and witty. She has an ill sense of humor and often hits others on top of the head with her stick that she carries around in a scornful yet playful manner. She has the sight of Spirit Wolf and is able to see premonitions and speak with Spirit Pack.

Trim, is a young cub who reminds Sia much of her little brother who was slaughtered those many years ago. He is deeply infatuated by Sia and does many things to impress her, he is strong and has wondrous potential as a fighter with his determination and maturity for such a young age. He instantly takes to Sia, not frightened by her appearance of Phantom Wolf. Trim lost both his parents after birth and it was Lady Momiko who adopted him as a son, having premonition of his greatness one day. Although she has not yet told him of such a fate and has no intention too.

About the author:

In ‘Senior Art’ Kia focused on feminism and female empowerment; exposing through her work issues and concerns that many people would rather just “sweep under the rug”. In one art installation, Kia made a bed out of Pokémon cards- the concept being that when she slept a new world would come to life and it was the only one she saw and constantly lived in. Kia now focuses on her photography, writing and self-help blogs on her website: ‘Precious Living’.

Kia is now keenly working on “The Three Immortal Blades” and “Phantom Wolf” series knowing that these books must be shared with the world and that is what she aims to do now. Kia writes in her Australian home, trying to focus at times on simply what is running through her head, as her cats either terrorize her legs as scratching posts or her puppy barks in her ear for play-time. And as she continues her series, they grow with her book.

Kia is strongly supported by her friends and family and thanks them dearly for being with her along the bumpy road and nothing would please her more than having your support as well.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram: kia_crystal

Book Trailer

Giveaway

New 2014 Midterm Elections Voter Information Tool

Posted by eloreenmoon

Below is a voter information tool to allow you to give an informed decision for this year’s Midterm Election.

[voterinfotool]

@SensuousPromos #BlogTour: “Unraveling the Earl” by @lynnebarron06 #Contest #Excerpt #Historical #EroticRomance

Posted by eloreenmoon

Welcome to Sensuous Promo’s UNRAVELING THE EARL Book Tour. Watch for the Giveaway Below!

Unraveling the Earl, Book 3 in the Idyllwild series:

The Earl of Hastings’s reputation as London’s greatest gift to the ladies has taken on a life of its own, one he is only too happy to live up to in one Mayfair bedchamber after another. Until he encounters a lady more interested in poking around his country estate than sampling his lauded charms.

Georgiana Buchanan is possessed of murky morals, skewed notions of right and wrong, a talent for dancing around the truth, and a penchant for crashing weddings, funerals and charity balls.

When Georgie catches Henry’s roving eye, she turns the tables on the arrogant scoundrel, introducing him to a world of sensual delights and unraveling his vaunted control before fleeing into the night.

Henry is determined to make the elusive Georgiana his mistress while the lady wants only to use his desire to further her own schemes. When they find themselves marooned at Idyllwild during a summer storm, they will both discover they’ve gotten more than they bargained for.

– EXCERPT –

“Damn it to hell.”

“Such language, Lord Hasty,” a husky voice called out.

Swiveling around in the saddle Henry found Georgiana Buchanan gliding to a stop just beyond his horse’s flank. In her customary fashion she’d adorned herself in yards of silk and lace, from the frilly edge of the modest square-cut bodice of her lavender gown, to the wide ribbon cinched around her waist, to the layers of ruffles and furbelows of her full skirts.

Atop her head she wore a ridiculous concoction of straw, flowers, ribbons and bows, hiding her glorious hair but for one long spiral that had escaped its pins to flutter over her shoulder.

“And in front of two young ladies.” She smiled up at him, her eyes shining in the sunlight that had yet to be chased off by the gathering clouds. “Poorly done even for a libertine, my lord.”

Henry could only stare at the lady, too surprised by her sudden appearance to form words.

“Miss Georgiana, there you are,” Miss Margery called, hurrying over to join the lady, her gaze flitting over Henry atop his horse. “We waited for you as long as we could, but there is the loveliest lace shawl in Mrs. Peabody’s shop that I simply must have.”

“You will not,” the dark-haired goddess warned as she stopped beside the blonde.

“Lord Hasty, are you acquainted with Miss Eleanor Brooks and her sister Miss Margery?” Georgiana asked, her eyes never leaving Henry’s face that suddenly felt too hot.

“Lord Hastings, silly,” Miss Margery corrected with a smile. “We have had the pleasure of making his lordship’s acquaintance two years past when he visited Idyllwild. How do you do, my lord?”

The sisters dropped into curtsies that showed off trim ankles in satin slippers. Georgiana did not follow suit, instead continuing to look at him, her smile growing wider with each passing second.

“A pleasure to see you again,” Henry replied with a nod, barely sparing a glance for the ladies he had no memory of having met.

“Have you come to spend some time at Idyllwild?” Miss Margery asked, her gaze darting between Henry and Georgiana.

“What in blazes are you doing here?” he barked.

The Misses Brooks looked at one another and back to Henry, two sets of green eyes round and unblinking.

“We are just coming from Matilda Marshall’s wedding,” Georgiana replied as calmly as if he hadn’t shouted at her on the street. “And what a lovely wedding it was, too.”

Huffing out a frustrated breath, Henry climbed from his mount to join the ladies on the walkway. “What are you doing in Deerfield? Why are you not in London where you belong?”

“I wasn’t aware I belonged in London, or anywhere else for that matter,” she answered, wrapping her hand around his arm. “Will you walk with us, my lord?”

“Oh yes, please do, Lord Hastings,” Miss Margery urged while her sister bobbed her head. “Perhaps Jilly and Laura will see you escorting us.”

As he looped the horse’s reins around a hitching post, it occurred to Henry that the Misses Brooks were quite young, likely barely out of the schoolroom, which would explain why he did not remember meeting them. Two years ago they’d still been in braids and pinafores.

“Oh I’d wager they are in the bakery,” Miss Margery told her sister.

“Shall we run ahead and see?” Miss Eleanor asked with a giggle.

“Please do,” Henry muttered.

“We’ll stay to the street so that you might readily find us again,” Georgiana offered, turning her smile on the exuberant girls. “His lordship will be certain to fawn all over the both of you when you return. That’ll pickle Silly and Laurel’s insides to no end.”

Beaming their gratitude before spinning away, the two girls with curves too generous for their young minds hurried down the street hand-in-hand.

“Aren’t they darling?” Georgiana asked, tucking her hand more firmly around his arm and tugging him forward along the sidewalk.

“What are you doing here?” Henry asked for the third time, his frustration falling away as his balls twitched and his cock pulsed.

“Is there some reason I should not be here?” she asked.

“Why did you run off?” Henry watched her as they set off toward the center of the village, quite unable to look away from her profile and the smile that coasted around her full bottom lip. “I awoke to discover you’d fled in the night. In my shirt, no less.”

“There was no need to linger,” she replied airily. “I’d gotten what I wanted, after all.”

Dumbstruck by her blasé words and the slow lift of her lips into a full-blown grin, Henry halted beside her.

“Never fear, my lord. I shall return your shirt.” Georgiana peered up at him through her lashes.

“I don’t give a damn about my shirt,” he muttered. “I am not accustomed to falling asleep with a lady only to awake alone.”

“No, you likely lie abed devising ways to remove either the lady or yourself from the premises,” she agreed. “Have you contemplated sawing off your arm?”

“Sawing off my arm?”

“Killjoy once told me he has considered such drastic measures on more than one occasion, most especially when he awoke to find Prudence McIver curled up beside him.”

Henry barked out a laugh.

“You have imagined it!” Georgiana skipped ahead of him and spun about to face him, clapping her hands and beaming up at him. “Who inspired you to meditate upon life with one arm?”

“I have never—”

“Come, come, my lord. You can tell me. Who was she?”

Henry shook his head, enchanted by her smile, by the dimple that winked beside her wide mouth, by the humor shining from her eyes.

“Tit for tat,” she teased, falling in beside him again and twining her hand through his elbow, her fingers curling around his arm.

Dropping his hand over hers, he laced their fingers together. “What are you offering up in trade?”

“To be sure I’ve never thought to lop off my arm,” she drawled, her voice taking on a soft lyrical cadence.

“You must share some dark secret from your past,” he told her.

Tapping one long finger against her chin, she hummed softly.

“Too many to choose from?”

– BUY LINKS –

Amazon | B&N | Publisher

– Where to find Lynne –

Website | Facebook | Twitter

http://youtu.be/PXH02pnBtjM

@BitnBookPromote #BookTour: “Steampunk Carnival” by Cassandra Leuthold #Contest #Interview #Excerpt

Posted by eloreenmoon

STEAMPUNK CARNIVAL By Cassandra Leuthold

Genre: Science Fiction/ Steampunk

Katya Romanova gave up everything to work at the one-of-a-kind Steampunk Carnival – her family, her home, her reputation. She wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.As a guide to the guests, Katya enjoys more freedom than most. She makes time to gossip with her best friend, Magdalene.

She basks in the elaborate costumes that bring her awed attention, hoping they might also win her a husband. And no man pays her more attention than her boss and carnival owner, William Warden.

But in the summer of 1887, death threats against Mr. Warden break the spell. Katya knows he might be as underhanded as he is charming, but who would
actually want him dead?

When Katya finds unexpected evidence about the carnival’s true origins, the stakes jump even higher.

Not sure whom they can trust, Katya and Magdalene work to unravel the carnival’s mysteries. Who really invented the innovative rides?

Is Mr. Warden protecting his employees or only himself from the looming violence? And will Katya cling to the better side of his nature or eventually turn her affections for him into a powerful rivalry?

BOOK LINKS

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Cassandra Leuthold

Cassandra grew up in the small town of La Porte, Indiana, exploring wooded parks and sparkling lakes. Making South Bend her home, the scenery hasn’t changed much – inspiring trees and a long, winding river. From the time she started writing in second grade up to the projects she works on now, the nature, history, and people around her inspire the stories she tells. You can find her work listed under many different genres, but the heart of each story remains the same. What keeps us together, and what pulls us apart? She lives with her writer husband and their moody cat, Gaia, in a house three sizes too big. She holds a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies and a Master’s in English. When she’s not writing, you can find her sewing, enjoying nature, listening to music, researching family history, and watching TV.

Facebook | Goodreads | Blog | Pinterest

EXCERPT

With a gentle lurch, the car rose into the air. Katya grabbed hold of the partitions between the seats, her knuckles bumping the hand of the guest on her left, who had also grabbed for it. Maddox did not reach for a stronghold. His mouth twisted in amusement, watching Katya seek security as everything that held her ascended ten, twenty, thirty feet.

The climb proved gradual and effortless. Once Katya began to relax, she realized how far she could see. The lamplights of the carnival looked beautiful and elegant below them. The slight flickering of the burning gas gleamed off the metal structures throughout the carnival. It lost itself in the velvet of patron jackets and glimmered off their silks. It flashed across buckles on top hats and shoes. It lit up gold and silver jewelry.

Katya could barely breathe. She almost forgot how nervous she had been moments before. The car reached the top of the tower and stopped there, offering its occupants a rare view at the world around them. Katya stared down at the carnival, trying to pick out the details of the band playing in the center of it all. The massive Beast behind it still intimidated, but from this height, Katya marveled in the majesty of its design.

The car shuddered and lowered itself, detaching from its part of the sky. The other occupants chattered to each other excitedly, but Katya could barely form thoughts in her head.

“What do you think?” Maddox asked her.

Katya recited the first thing that came to mind. “The ride lasts for three cycles.” She admonished herself for relying on the only words she knew about the carnival and gave in to sharing Maddox’s enthusiasm. “It’s thrilling.”

The car paused briefly at the bottom before lifting again. Each time it rose, Katya focused on a different part of the carnival. She looked across to the other side, where the Kaleidoscope competed against the game stalls and the Cannon for popularity. It really did shift like a kaleidoscope from this height, the colors of the booths smearing in her vision as they rotated. She looked past Maddox to the El and the food stall beyond it. Magdalene would be handing out cinnamon-sugar desserts and sausages on buns, but Katya was riding the carnival they had staked their lives on. She was riding the dream Brady had worked on years ago. She doubted even he had been able to enjoy it.

The car rested on the ground and stayed there. The operator made his rounds again, helping the patrons get unbuckled and return to their feet. He directed them to an exit gate in the fence. Katya and Maddox filed out with the others to the common grounds of the carnival.

“Where to next?” Maddox prompted.

Katya’s heart pounded with the possibilities. “The coaster.”

“The big one?”

“No, I don’t think I’ll ever be brave enough for that.” Katya watched the Beast’s cars roar high above them. “The smaller one here.”

Katya linked her hand around Maddox’s arm, and they walked to the nearby El. Maddox repeated Katya’s lie to the ticket taker. “Mr. Warden wants us to make sure the coaster’s operating properly.”

The man hurried them past, offering a more courteous front to the waiting customers. “You’ll all have a turn, I assure you. Just a routine inspection.”

Another operator stood a few feet inside the fence, and he motioned for Katya and Maddox to stop where they were. They watched the coaster cars slide and weave their way along the track. A minute later, they slowed into loading position on the platform. The operator stepped over to help the guests out, and once they left the platform, his flexing fingers invited Katya and Maddox toward him. He buckled them into the front seat of the first car.

“Are you nervous now?” Maddox whispered into Katya’s ear.

Katya nodded, but she felt the rush of anticipation filling her chest. “It’s not too fast, is it?”

“You should know.”

“I don’t know. I can’t think of anything except how fun this is.”

The operator filled the remaining seats in the connected cars. With a signal to the ticket taker and the man Katya could not see who ran the switches, the cars jerked forward. This time, Katya and Maddox both reached for the metal grab bar in front of them. A mechanism in the track pulled the train of cars up the initial slope. The passengers behind Katya and Maddox murmured with apprehension and breathed audibly, awaiting the first of many drops.

The train rose steadily, taking its passengers up to a short plateau. Within seconds, the cars slid down, lifting Katya’s stomach into the top of her chest. She let out a shriek amidst the screams and shouts behind her. The train twisted to the left, curving to parallel the outer fence of the carnival. It rose a short distance and fell again, racing its passengers lower toward the ground. A second mechanism pulled the cars even higher than before.

In one graceful motion, the cars slipped down the next slope of track, curving away from the back of the grounds. They dipped down beside the side stage, where Katya could not tell what contest was taking place. The cars sped along, turning left only to bend back to the right. The track led them down beneath the iron structure and returned them safely to the platform.

Katya barely had time to catch her breath before the ride operator unbuckled her belt. She walked with Maddox to the exit gate, where a small wooden sign bore the words Thank You in painted, curling letters.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

What is the best comment that a readers has given you?

I’ve gotten great support from a lot of people that keeps me going when the work gets tough. One of the best things a reader told me recently was in a voice mail my mother-in-law left me when she finished my novel, XZA. She said it was awesome and now that she knew the ending, she wanted to reread the whole book to enjoy it even more. That’s a high compliment, creating a book readers want to revisit instead of always reaching for a new story. There are so many great stories out there.

Where do you prefer to write? In your home? In a café?

I work from home for my day job, so I already have a home office set up where I can type for eight hours a day. I have to be comfortable without too many distractions in order to write, and I like knowing I already have everything I might need at hand – pens, paper, my desk planner, a glass of water, my phone, and some lip balm. I used to be more fluid about where I wrote, and I’ve written in some unexpected places – during class, while sitting waiting for an appointment, bored at a restaurant, watching TV. Most of my writing is computer-based now unless I get an idea I have to write down.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

I wrote and published for an entire year based only on belief. Belief in myself. Belief it would be worth it. Belief readers would find and enjoy my books. It was a tough year as I learned the new landscape of publishing. I have a beautiful deck of cards with a different word and picture on each of them, and I stood the card for Believe where I could see it every day. I made sure I looked at it, especially when I didn’t believe what I was doing would make a difference. When I finally felt ready to move on to a new word, I realized it’d been a year since I started. I knew then – and I feel now – I never could’ve willingly gone a whole year on belief if I’d known how long it would be ahead of time. Focusing on what I was doing and the results I wanted pulled me through it. I learned a lot about myself, and even though I still have lessons to learn about life and publishing, I’m much more confident today than I was then.

TRAILER

PLAYLIST

http://open.spotify.com/user/knovitzke/playlist/69TP9kW9jha9Vmidx6IMO3

“What I Wouldn’t Do,” She Swings, She Sways

The first chapter of Steampunk Carnival is different than the rest of the book. It’s narrated by someone whose name isn’t revealed for several chapters. The reason he’s obsessed with filling a journal with his ideas isn’t clear until we find out who he is, but the song gives insight into his situation. He’s a man driven by longing, loneliness, and desperation. It adds extra layers and emotions to what’s shared at that point in the book.

“Kill The Lights,” The Birthday Massacre

I’m a big fan of the movie “Moulin Rouge.” In the director’s commentary, Baz Luhrmann talks about the interesting difference between points of view in the climactic scene when Satine dies after the big, pulse-pounding performance. The audience applauds. They loved what they saw. But what they missed was a murder attempt, and what they can’t see after the curtain closes is Satine’s heartbreaking death. This song represents that for Steampunk Carnival. All the guests see are beautiful costumes, spectacular rides, fun games, and delicious treats. They don’t know about the death threats, the violence, and the arguments. They never find out the games are rigged.

“Common Reaction,” Uh Huh Her

As the story unwinds, Katya finds herself in deeper and deeper trouble. She acquires more to lose – friends, her safety, a boyfriend – and realizes there are fewer things she can be sure of. A lot she took for granted isn’t true. This song expresses Katya’s confusion and caution. She doesn’t know how much to trust her boss, William Warden. She hopes everything will work out all right, but she knows any ending is possible.

“Hold My Hand,” Mister Heavenly

This song reminds me of Maddox’s approach to Katya in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way. If Maddox has one thing going for him, it’s persistence. He tries several different tricks to get Katya to go out with him, and she turns him down several times. She’s not easily persuaded to trade her love of money for appreciation of simple fun.

“Shake It Out,” Florence & the Machine

This song provides the perfect backdrop to the night Katya finally gives in to spending time with Maddox. She leaves her fear, her distrust, and her rigid ideas about dating behind. Katya and Maddox ride three attractions at the carnival, which thrills Katya more than she anticipated. But more importantly, they’re finally able to share more about themselves and build a solid foundation for their relationship.

“Baptized by Fire,” Spinnerette

The lyrics and driving guitar in this song mirror what Katya and her friends are feeling by the time they confront the forces conspiring against them. Katya has seen William Warden’s inner nature, and she doesn’t like it. His security guards, allegedly hired to keep the employees safe, have been watching Magdalene like a hawk for weeks. Katya’s tired of meeting in secret, worrying about how the carnival’s reputation will survive the truth about its origins. But true to the song, with going to battle against powerful rivals comes a new beginning for all of them.

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Evil has a new enemy…

Title: Aranya

Series: Shapshifter Dragons #1

Author: Marc Secchia

Publication Date: June 12, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Chained to a rock and tossed off a cliff by her boyfriend, Aranya is executed for high treason against the Sylakian Empire. Falling a league into the deadly Cloudlands is not a fate she ever envisaged. But what if she did not die? What if she could spread her wings and fly?

Long ago, Dragons ruled the Island-World above the Cloudlands. But their Human slaves cast off the chains of Dragonish tyranny. Humans spread across the Islands in their flying Dragonships, colonising, building and warring. Now, the all-conquering Sylakians have defeated the last bastion of freedom–the Island-Kingdom of Immadia.

Evil has a new enemy. Aranya, Princess of Immadia. Dragon Shapeshifter.

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Oyda quelled him with a fierce scowl of her own. “Right, my fledgling. Memorise these flowers.”

“I–um, what’s this got to do with–”

“Now, or it’s none of my honey biscuits for you later, you churlish wretch.”

Aranya studied the wildflowers. Five meadow daisies, a sprinkling of tiny blue-tinkles and three each of peonies, red anemones and tall bursts of fireflowers, made up her posy.

“Now, you will make a pass above the dell,” Oyda instructed. “While you fly, you will tell your Human brain to paint these flowers in every detail. I will question you afterward. And–do shut your yawning trap, petal. You’re catching flies.”

Grumbling to herself about how direct Nak and Oyda could be at times, Aranya thumped four-pawed over to the edge of the cliff, to her favourite outcropping, and threw herself into the air. This bit at least she had grasped. As usual, the moment she was aloft, her Human and Dragon brains went to war in her head. She immediately wallowed in the air. Every wing beat was a struggle.

Fine. She would paint flowers.

Aranya shot through the morning air. The deep golden sunbeams of a partial eclipse, the twin suns almost completely hidden behind Iridith’s bulk, seemed thick enough to swim in. She wheeled a thousand feet out and spun back on her wingtip for the required pass over the dell, where the figures of two tiny old people watched her intently.

She shaped meadow daisies. She concentrated on the finely bearded leaves of the fireflowers.

And she flew like a Dragon.

She raced across the sword-grass of the dell, almost brushing the blade-tips with her wingtips, before corkscrewing up above the forest bordering the heights and doubling back for a graceful landing that barely disturbed the still morning air.

Nak and Oyda smiled mysteriously at Aranya.

“Well? How was that?”

Nak wiped his eye. “Got a gnat stuck …”

“You old charlatan.” Oyda clipped the back of his head fondly. “That was Dragon, Aranya. Pure Dragon.”

Copyright © Marc Secchia

Marc is a South African-born author who lives and works in Ethiopia with his wife and 4 children, 2 dogs, a rabbit, and a variable number of marabou storks that roost on the acacia trees out back. On a good night there are also hyenas patrolling the back fence.

When he’s not writing about Africa Marc can be found travelling to remote locations. He thinks there’s nothing better than standing on a mountaintop wondering what lies over the next horizon.

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