Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts

Friday, 14 October 2016

Fall Into Romance Hop!








Fall Into Romance! Share the romances that had you falling in love with the genre!
Or the ones that keep you smitten! Stop by each blog for new recommendations and giveaways!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I love Autumn, and I love romance, so what better way to celebrate the two than with a Fall-Romance themed blog hop? Not to mention a giveaway!

The book that made me fall in love with romance was...well, probably not a romance by my standards now. Goodreads tells me it's a historical romance, but I think it's probably more accurately a "saga." I'm talking about The Girl, by Catherine Cookson.




My grandparents used to live in a farmhouse and whenever we'd go to visit them, I'd sleep in what had been my uncle's room. He was a voracious reader and the room was stuffed with floor to ceiling bookcases, and those bookcases were stuffed with books of every genre. I used to spend hours searching the shelves for something new to read, and some of those books would become treasured favourites. I found The Girl when I was around fourteen or fifteen, and I must have read it dozens of times over the next five or six years. I loved it. I still love it. The story of Hannah, her unhappy childhood, her awful marriage, and her constant, unwavering love for the man she truly belonged with was captivating for me. Parts of the book are harrowing, parts were wonderfully tender, and it all felt so real. Looking back now, I can see that some elements of the plot were a bit questionable (Hannah's one true love had been obsessed with her since meeting her when she was six, which...yeah, is questionable), but the passion and raw emotion of The Girl hooked me as a teenager and made me seek out more romance novels. Without The Girl, I think it would have taken me a lot longer to discover the genre.

So that's how I fell in love with romance! Now tell me how you did - what was your first love in the romance genre?

To get you talking, I'm offering an e-copy of my first published romance, SHADOW CURSED!



Released from Ottevar Asylum after eight hard years, Lady Emmeline returns to Nachtholm Manor to reclaim her birthright. But she has a battle on her hands - Rainart Eckhard refuses to give up his position as lord of manor, and whilst his cold attitude enrages Emmeline, his smouldering kisses leave her weak at the knees. Who is this dangerous, enticing stranger, and what secrets does he hide? Caught in a web of desire, curses, and self-doubt, Emmeline is not only fighting Rainart for Nachtholm Manor, but for her own heart as well.

To be in with a chance of winning, just leave a comment telling me which romance novel you first fell in love with! And don't forget to visit the other blogs on the hop for more fun and prizes!

 

Friday, 16 September 2016

Guest Blog - Libby Bishop brings the thunder!

The word "Friday" comes from the Old English meaning "day of Frige," after the Germanic goddess, Frigg. So it seems appropriate that my guest today is bringing us a Norse-themed romance...although we're leaning more towards Thor than Frigg here. I suspect that won't be a problem for anyone! Take it away, Libby...


Her hunt for a murderer is his way home.
Rune is the grandson of Thor, and just as strong. Exiled to the realm of Earth for nearly killing his brother–it was a little misunderstanding– he has to find a way to redeem himself so he can get back to Asgard. And when he lands—literally—in the bed of a fiery redhead with an FBI badge, he realizes that she may be the key to going home. But helping Liv hunt a killer has one big consequence—chemistry. He can’t keep his hands off her, and there’s no way they can ever be together.
Six years ago, FBI Special Agent Liv Winter’s best friend was murdered. Since then, she’s taken a two-week vacation around the anniversary of the death to try and solve the case. She’s used every available resource. Yet, her friend’s killer is still on the loose. She refuses to give up—willing to do almost anything to bring the person to justice.
Apparently, almost anything includes trusting a god. And while she might need Rune’s help with her case, there’s no way she’ll ever trust him with her heart.
Read on for an excerpt!

Friday, 15 July 2016

Author Interview - Alyse Raines and The Fundamental Theory of Us

Happy Friday! Time to find a new author and a new book for the weekend, right? Right! Today I'm delighted to welcome Alyse Raines. She's here to talk about her new, debut(!) novel, THE FUNDAMENTAL THEORY OF US. She's also talking Marines, redemption, Starbucks, and her upcoming releases. Let's get going!





NC: Gorgeous cover! Tell us a little bit about your newest release.

AR: THE FUNDAMENTAL THEORY OF US is my debut and features a sexy-as-sin Marine, an Upper East Sider in hiding, and sweet, steamy moments. You can get it from all major ebook retailers, or direct from Evernight. The blurb is:

Andrew Warren’s future was with the Marines, until an IED took his leg and derailed his career. Now he’s flunking Fundamentals, and he enlists the help of his fellow App State freshman and off-campus neighbor, Sawyer Layne. It’s not just the beautiful blonde’s looks that intrigue him, but the hurt in her eyes.

Sawyer spends her days surrounded by numbers and nights with a bottle of vodka to numb the darkness of her past. Guys like sexy, tattooed Andrew are exactly what Sawyer needs to avoid. Look but don’t touch—that’s the rule. If only his eyes weren’t so blue, and his abs not so chiseled….

When Sawyer resists his brand of charm, Andrew uses every devious tactic he knows to pull her from her shell. Falling in love was never part of the plan.

NC: Was there any part of this story you found particularly tough to write? If so, why?

AR: My hero lost his leg below the knee, and I had no experience with this. I did a lot of research, and even spoke to a few servicemen who suffered similar injuries. Their feedback helped me get inside Andrew’s head and heart. Without them, I couldn’t have brought Andrew to life so convincingly! Unfortunately I can’t name them, as they’re still active duty, but they know who they are and I am forever indebted to them <3

NC: Is there any part of this story you absolutely love, and why?

AR: TFToU is all about redemption and self-forgiveness. I love how Sawyer and Andrew work through their own demons while helping each other at the same time.

NC: I adore a good redemption story. Do you have a favourite genre to write in?

AR: I enjoy romance, both reading and writing. Most of my works contain at least a little love ;) I’m also a huge SFF fan. My first YA science fiction novel was snatched up by Entangled Teen and comes out in 2018.

NC: If you could recommend any book (beside your own) to everyone reading this, what would it be?

AR: TALES BY RAILS by Jewel E. Leonard. One-click asap. You’ll love it!

NC: And now, the hard-hitting question. Tea or coffee?

AR: Well, that’s not fair. Are we talking Starbucks? Because then the answer is obvious. Unless you mean iced green tea...

NC: Somehow, I have never tried green iced tea...but I don't think the UK Starbucks carry as much variety as the US ones! I feel like we only just got Pumpkin Spice Lattes...And finally, what else are you working on right now? What's up next from you?

AR: I’m working on a stand-alone in the TFToU world, and trying out a more blush-inducing erotic romance with an interesting twist!

So hopefully this has whet your appetite for THE FUNDAMENTAL THEORY OF US - I know it's on my to-buy list now! Want to keep up with Alyse? Here's how:

Author links:


Buy links:


Author bio:

Alyse Raines was born in Canada, and now lives in Los Angeles. She writes romance, and her obsessions include vegan cooking, books, tea, sandals, turquoise jewelry, nail polish, and online shopping. Her debut NA contemp romance THE FUNDAMENTAL THEORY OF US is out now from Evernight.






Friday, 8 July 2016

Guest Blog - Erzabet Bishop is bringing the heat!

It's always a pleasure to welcome Erzabet Bishop to the blog, especially if she's bringing dragons! Through in a witch in need of a break, and we've got a paranormal story that sounds smoking hot. Sorry. Had to go there...



Burning for You
By Erzabet Bishop
Release day: July 1, 2016


Tags:
angel, arson, calendar, curvy girl, dragon shifter romance hero, fantasy erotic romance, fate, fire hose, firebug, firefighter hero, hot whips cafe, ice, paranormal romance, redemption, romantic suspense, second chances, shifter, social media, westmore wolves series, winter fae


Blurb:
Where there’s smoke, there’s dragon fire.

Ordinary girl. Extraordinary fate.

Violet Winters is having a less than perfect day. Her parents are meddling with her love life (again), her wintery magic is kaput and her vivid dreams are coming far too close to reality. When she falls through the ice after seeing her fiancé all close and snuggly with a fellow polar bear, all bets are off. Is she better off dead or will she get another chance at life when a Grimare angel rescues her from her chosen fate?

Fire meets ice and passions ignite.

Dante is a dragon on a mission: fight the string of strange fires springing up around Westmore and find a mate. When his Captain decides to have the men pose for social media shots to garner attention for the station, Dante finds himself in the middle of a steady stream of women after his special strategically placed “fire hose.”

At Hot Whips Café to haggle with the owner for counter space for their new firemen calendar, he meets a woman who sets his inner scales on fire. Can he save her from the machinations of the Fates or will she die a second time by the very threat Dante fights against?

A dragon’s panty melting kiss may just be the wow this curvy girl needs.

Buy links:


Excerpt:
“Come on, Dante, show us a little leg.” The smirking photographer circled in front of him and it was all Dante could do to control the dragon scraping beneath his skin to avoid reaching out and shoving the camera up his ass.

Pictures for social media. The Captain had officially lost his fucking mind. The catcalls and male laughter from the rest of the guys made him lose his footing and the fire hose he’d been using as a prop to conceal his nakedness began to slip.

“Jesus. Fix that hose. This isn’t internet porn, you know.” The Captain groused, scowling.

Dante scrambled to catch the hose and cover himself and balanced against the newly washed and waxed fire engine, trying to pretend he was anywhere else but standing like a prize bull at an auction.

“If you’ll hold still, please. The others have already contributed their shots. You’re the last one.” The cameraman huffed, turning the lens. He lowered the camera and glared at Dante. “You could smile maybe?”

Shit. He was distracted by the wacked out dream he’d had the night before. A woman he’d never met swam in front of him, dying. Her long black hair fanned out in the cold, dark water and he’d panicked. He’d told her to live.

“Fine.” Dante growled, a wisp of smoke curling out from behind his lips. He felt the change sliding beneath his skin, the dragon agitated by his distress.

“God, Dante. Come on.” Carter laughed. “You aren’t afraid of a little flashing light, are you?” The rest of the crew laughed, sharing in the good natured ribbing.

“Bastard.”

He just wanted it to be over. His beast wanted to fly and hunt and if he didn’t get out of here soon, he was going to lose his mind. Most of the men here were either dating or married. He wasn’t and the urge to mate had made his already bad temper even worse.

The Captain had lured him and the others in with the promise of a social media boost to help the department. He figured a couple of pictures for Instagram like that vet that had so many followers it was insane. Model pretty with a gaggle of women trailing behind him like no tomorrow. The guy had even been on national television recently. Cap was dreaming, but he also knew the man would do anything to save their department from going strictly volunteer.

So many in the country had gone that route and the bear shifter was fighting it tooth and claw. Dante supported that. He’d moved from his home in the mountains to come here after his buddy Carter had told him about the job. Happy and with a large family of cat and dragon shifter young, his friend would do anything to ensure things stayed status quo. So would he, and apparently that included standing naked in front of a freshly polished firetruck.

Thank God his mother couldn’t see him or he’d never hear the end of it. She’d been writing him emails nonstop asking if he’d met any promising women. Jesus. He’d never seen a woman more eager to fuss over grandchildren. But he hadn’t and the prospects didn’t look very favorable. Not that he hadn’t dated. He had. But no female he’d met even sparked his interest past the typical curves and tight jeans and it wasn’t enough. Not anymore.

He wanted a mate. Someone to come home to and warm his bed and his heart. Most of the women he’d come across only wanted one thing—to bang a fireman and brag to their friends.

“Well, that’s about as good as I’m going to get if you’re going to scowl like that.” The photographer capped his lens and sighed, stalking off toward the Captain. “You can get dressed now.”

“Jerk.” Dante swiped the robe he’d worn from the floor and shrugged into it.

“Man, you really need to learn to crack a smile, buddy.” Carter grinned as he and a few of the others approached now that the photographer had gone.

“Thank you, guys. Dante.” The Captain came forward giving Dante a narrow eyed look, then nodded toward the remainder of the group. “We should see the finished product in a day or so.”

Wait. Product?






About the author:
Erzabet Bishop is an award winning and bestselling author who loves to write naughty stories. She is the author of Lipstick, Crave, Snow (Three Times More Lucky Box Set), Malediction (upcoming-A Wicked Halloween Box Set), Map of Bones (upcoming-A Wicked Affair Box Set), Sanguine Shadows (Vampire Bites Box Set), The Science of Lust, Wicked for You, Heart’s Protector, Burning for You, Red Hot (upcoming), Bayou Shadows (upcoming-Nola Naughty Nine) Hedging Her Bets (Alpha Fever Box Set), Cat’s Got Her Tongue (Alpha Heat Box Set), Arcane Imaginarium: Spirit Board, Holidays in Hell, Mallory’s Mark (upcoming),The Devil’s Due (upcoming), Charity Benshaw’s Enchanted Paddle Emporium (upcoming), Sigil Fire, Glitter Lust (upcoming), Written on Skin, Club Beam, Pomegranate, A Red Dress for Christmas, The Black Magic CafĂ©, Fantasies in Red, Sweet Seductions, Holiday Cruise, Fetish Fair, Temptation Resorts: Jess, Temptation Resorts: Marnie, Taming the Beast, The Erotic Pagans Series: Beltane Fires, Samhain Shadows and Yuletide Temptation along with being a contributor to many anthologies. She lives in Texas with her husband, furry children and can often be found lurking in local bookstores. She loves to bake, make naughty crochet projects and watch monster movies.
Follow her on Twitter @erzabetbishop.
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erzabetbishop/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erzabet-bishop
Google +: https://goo.gl/YJnNmd
The Romance Reviews: http://www.theromancereviews.com/100004193823883
Are: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Erzabet+Bishop
Facebook “like” page: https://www.facebook.com/erzabetbishopauthor
Amazon author page:http://www.amazon.com/Erzabet-Bishop/e/B00AVSDUBC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_7
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590718.Erzabet_Bishop
Street team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018269998190112/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erzabet.bishop
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/erzabetbishop/
Review Blog: http://erzabetsenchantments.blogspot.com/
Triberr: http://triberr.com/ErzabetBishop
Author Database: http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/2690-erzabet-bishop
Authorgraph: https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/ErzabetBishop




Saturday, 16 January 2016

Guest Blog - Erzabet Bishop is back!

I'm loving the sound of this story - witches and werewolves! Ideal. Without further ado, let's see what Erzabet Bishop is bringing us in the first of her new series...




Conway Witches, 1
Blurb:
Love that is forbidden is always the sweetest…
Elodie Conway is the owner of The Black Magic Café, where love and chocolate go hand-in-hand. She runs the enchanted café with her cousin Madison, and together, they help lovers tie the knot with the assistance of a few spells and some delectable chocolate recipes.
When journalist Jason Thibedeaux, who is also a werewolf from a rival family, runs a scathing critique of her business in his newspaper, the fur is sure to fly. He visits the cafĂ© to sample their most famous culinary delights, and ends up wanting far more than what’s on the menu. Can a Thibedeaux wolf and a Conway witch truly be fated to love each other for all eternity?
This is a previously published work. It has been edited for Evernight Publishing.

Buy links:
Evernight Publishing: http://goo.gl/Ba68zy
All Romance E-books:



Excerpt:
Elodie Conway was nothing like he had expected. As he ate her signature cake, all Jason wanted to do was savor her lips and run his hands down her very ample hips. Hers was a body a man could hold onto during sex and not break her. His wolf was awakened, and it prowled just beneath the surface. What Jason saw, he liked. Very much indeed…
The chocolate wound through his system, and with each bite, all other preoccupying thoughts faded into nothing. Images of him thrusting deep inside of her and winding his fist in her mane of dark hair flashed in front of his eyes, and he almost choked. His hands trembled as they reached for the bottle of water she’d set in front of him.
What the hell was that?
He twisted the cap and drank the entire small bottle in one go. As a journalist, he had little time for romance. A quick tumble in the moonlight during one of his runs, maybe, but this girl was something special––he didn’t know why he didn’t notice it before. Jason took another bite of cake and shifted his weight as his erection made its presence known. He could take her here, right over the top of the table, her heart-shaped ass in the air as he sank his cock deep in her pussy and fucked her until she screamed his name.
His wolf liked the idea. A whole fucking lot. Jason laid down the fork and smiled. Standing up on shaking legs, he picked up his now empty plate. Things were about to get interesting. This wasn’t just any woman. He raised his nose to the air and scented her.
Mate.
She was his fucking mate. How could he have been so blind? Did it take a hard-on for his wolf to get through to him? Apparently, because his wolf was ready to claim her by any means necessary, even it meant fucking her over the top of one of her own tables.





About the author:
Erzabet Bishop is an award winning author who loves to write naughty stories. She is the author of Lipstick, Dinner Date, Crave, The Science of Lust, Arcane Imaginarium: Spirit Board, Holidays in Hell, Mallory’s Mark (upcoming 2016),The Devil’s Due (upcoming 2016), Charity Benshaw’s Enchanted Paddle Emporium (upcoming 2016), Sigil Fire, Glitter Lust (upcoming 2016), Written on Skin, Club Beam, Pomegranate, A Red Dress for Christmas, The Black Magic CafĂ©, Fantasies in Red, Sweet Seductions: The Erzabet Bishop Collection, Holiday Cruise, Fetish Fair, Temptation Resorts: Jess, Temptation Resorts: Marnie, Taming the Beast, The Erotic Pagans Series: Beltane Fires, Samhain Shadows and Yuletide Temptation along with being a contributor to many anthologies. Erzabet has been a finalist in the GCLS awards for 2014 and 2015, winning the Goldie for her spot in two anthologies. She lives in Texas with her husband, furry children and can often be found lurking in local bookstores. She loves to bake, make naughty crochet projects and watch monster movies. When she isn’t writing, she loves to review music and books.





Coming soon:
Wicked for You, Salacious box set, Alpha Fever Box Set, Glitterlust and more…
Sign up for Erzabet’s newsletter and follow her on Amazon so you don’t miss a single thing!

Follow her reviews and posts on Twitter @erzabetbishop.

Links:
Google +: https://goo.gl/YJnNmd
Manic Readers: http://www.manicreaders.com/ErzabetBishop/
The Romance Reviews: http://www.theromancereviews.com/100004193823883
Are: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Erzabet+Bishop
About Me: http://about.me/erzabet.bishop/#
Facebook “like” page: https://www.facebook.com/erzabetbishopauthor
Author Wordpress blog: http://erzabetbishop.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590718.Erzabet_Bishop
Street team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018269998190112/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erzabet.bishop
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/erzabetbishop/
Lesfic Blog: http://lesficandlipstick.wordpress.com/
Review Blog: http://erzabetsenchantments.blogspot.com/
Author Database: http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/2690-erzabet-bishop

Authorgraph: https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/ErzabetBishop


Thursday, 31 December 2015

Guest Blog - Erzabet Bishop and Holidays in Hell

For my last post of 2015, I'm turning my blog over to Erzabet Bishop, a new-to-me author whose books I discovered this year, and highly recommend! I know Christmas is done, but what the hell. Let's take a look at her holiday offering...





Title: Holidays in Hell (Demons in Darkness Series #1)
Publisher: Etopia Press
Pages: 64
Tags: bdsm, bondage, demons, dom, domination, erotic fantasy, erotic romance, erzabet bishop, holidays, incubus, kink, paranormal erotic romance, paranormal romance, redemption, sub, submission, succubus, wax play

Blurb:
This year Christmas just got a little hotter.
Deck the halls with all things kinky. Jonas is an incubus with an incurable lust for women, gingerbread, and holiday lights. He needs one more soul to meet his quota. Amid the baubles and frivolity of the Winter Carnival, he meets Holly Pendleton—a woman with emerald green eyes and a body built for sin—and marks her as the final soul to end his contract. But now Jonas faces a heart-wrenching decision: take what he needs to feed his hunger, or sacrifice himself for the woman who has lit his own demonic soul on fire. Tied up with red ribbons, Holly just might be Jonas's deepest Christmas wish and the one woman who could set him free.
Holly Pendleton is still recovering from the death of her husband and Dom. The holidays are especially lonely until a dark stranger walks in the door to Harlowe's Bookery and Christmas Shoppe. The man's enigmatic gaze holds her and ignites her body and her mind. When Holly accepts a job to decorate the sexy client's apartment, she unknowingly steps into an age-old battle between the forces of darkness. Jonas Corsair is a man who makes her blood run hot and her dreams even hotter. But will she survive his hold on her soul?

Buy Links:
Etopia Press: http://goo.gl/QxC433
All Romance: https://goo.gl/LmnoQL



Read on for an excerpt!


Wednesday, 23 December 2015

Guest Blog - Lucy Felthouse and Cupid!

Who doesn't love a Christmas romance? And one with a reindeer shapeshifter, no less! Let's let Lucy Felthouse fill us in...


Out Now! Cupid by Lucy Felthouse (@cw1985 @evernightpub) #holiday #christmas #erotica #romance #shifter #paranormal #pnr

As a postman by day, and one of Santa’s reindeer on a single very special night, Cassius Cupid eats, sleeps, and breathes deliveries. He doesn’t mind, but sometimes wishes that someone would send him something more exciting than bills and junk mail. 

One cold January morning, Cassius gets his wish. A young woman arrives with a parcel. Turns out it’s for his housemate – but Cassius doesn’t care. All he’s interested in is Carina – the beautiful female courier.

Has Cupid finally met his match?


Read on for an excerpt!