Tag: Tasty Book Tours

A sexy short story about being in love with your best friend — and discovering it takes two to tango.
Melinda Jones has been in love with her housemate, James Brady, since he moved in…but she has no intention of ever telling him. Except it seems James has his own plans…and they include asking her to share a sexy tango — then a little dirty dancing in his bed.
For Melinda, it’s the best night of her life…until she wakes up alone the next morning. Is she destined to spend her life dancing by herself, or will James step up to be the partner of her dreams?

“What’s a pretty girl like you sitting at a bar all by herself?”
That voice. So smooth, like warm chocolate sauce sliding down your throat. Such a shame it was the lamest pick-up line in history. That voice deserved something so much better.
Melinda Jones turned, a light shiver tingling down her spine as she locked eyes with a pair of deep blue ones.
“Please tell me you don’t use that line all the time.”
His laughter rumbled through her soul, and gooseflesh rippled down her arms. She was in serious trouble. The man should be locked up. No woman was safe from his voice or his laugh. No wonder he had such a good success rate with the opposite sex.
“Only for you, babe, would I use a line like that. I know I’m pretty safe from getting a swift hit in the ribs with your elbow.”
“It just gets better and better. I’m going to dance, excuse me.”
And with that, Melinda dumped her wine glass on the bar, slipped off the chair and headed for the dance floor to join her friends. It was stupid to feel so hurt but she did. James didn’t know she had feelings for him, so she really had no reason to be angry. To him, she was just his housemate; the girl he could joke around with and test his pick up lines on.
The fact that she’d fallen in love him was her problem. He was the perfect housemate. He cooked, cleaned, ironed and listened. He even watched chick flicks with her sometimes.
He was the perfect guy and to him, she was just Melinda; the girl whose house he shared. He’d never once batted an eyelid when she’d brought guys home. In the beginning, she hadn’t batted an eyelid when he’d done the same and bought girls home. The fact that she hadn’t gotten laid in over six months wasn’t his issue. It was totally hers.
The realisation she’d fallen for him had been one Friday night when they’d been sharing Chinese. He’d said something and she’d looked over at him and WHAM that was when it had hit her. She’d fallen for him.
Mooning over a guy who wasn’t into you was the least attractive trait in a woman. How many times had she’d told her friends that? Now it was time to take her own advice and get over her feelings for James.
Melinda danced with her friends. She laughed at their jokes and gave the impression she didn’t have a care in the world.
“I’m getting a drink!” She shouted to her friends over the incessant thump of bass. They nodded and continued to dance.
Melinda headed towards the bar, wishing she’d worn her favourite, comfortable Jimmy Choos, instead of the new ones she’d bought that day. The shoes may have had sex written all over them, but they were pinching her toes.
She sat down on a recently vacated bar stool and ordered a fresh glass of white wine. Waiting for the bartender to return with it she looked around the club. The crowd had built while she’d been dancing. The testosterone level had risen tenfold.
As she gazed around, her eyes stopped at a pair of broad shoulders. His t-shirt fit him like a second skin.
Now that was the type of distraction she was looking for. She wanted—no needed—a body that night. Anything to take her mind off the one body she couldn’t have. It didn’t really matter that he wasn’t the hottest guy on the earth. At that moment Mr Heavenly Shoulders turned in her direction and locked eyes with Melinda.
Yes the night was definitely looking up, she thought.
Melinda gave him her come-hither smile. The invitation she was sending his way was very clear. The wink he gave in return told Melinda he was interested in taking her up on her offer.
The bartender arrived at that moment with her fresh drink. She reached for it, bringing it slowly to her lips, all the while watching and waiting for Mr Heavenly Shoulders to make his way to her. He’d taken two steps when he stopped abruptly, the flirty look stripped from his face.
He shrugged the heavenly shoulders she’d been imagining wrapping her arms around as if to say, “Thanks but not tonight.” He turned back to his friends.
“What the…?” There was no possible way she’d misread that look in his eye.
“He was only after one thing, you know.”
Melinda whirled around and faced the owner of the voice. The last voice she’d expected to hear warning her off a man. “Of course I knew exactly what he wanted. I invited him. I wanted to have wild animal sex with him.”

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Tango-Love-novella-Nicole-Flockton-ebook/dp/B00GXUXOGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385851346&sr=8-1&keywords=tango+love+nicole+flockton

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/tango-love-novella

Link to Follow the Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/11/now-booking-release-day-tasty-book.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18805750-tango-love?ac=1

On her very first school report her teacher said ‘Nicole likes to tell her own stories’.
It wasn’t until after the birth of her daughter and after having fun on the community board of eharlequin.com that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book.
The stories she writes are contemporary romances with either a medical setting or in the boardrooms of high powered business. Nicole enjoys taking two characters and creating unique situations for them.
Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and her two fabulous kids.

http://www.nicoleflockton.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NicoleFlockton
https://twitter.com/NicoleFlockton
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6479388.Nicole_Flockton

Link to Page: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NTIxYWM0YzhjYmFkNDc1MDkxYzA3ZDNmMjhhM2RjOjIxOA==/

Blurb:

Jordie is a survivor, tough and independent. She’s had to be, since her husband was killed in Iraq. For the last eight years, raising her daughter and owning a popular New York City bar has kept Jordie plenty busy, leaving her no time for much of anything else. Aside from her sassy yet squirrely best friend Rachel, Jordie’s social life is bare bones and her love life nonexistent. Truth be told she wouldn’t change a thing; she’s never been happier.

Then she meets Nathan, and he changes everything with one crooked smile, triggering a chain of life-altering events for the two of them, filled with romance, chaos, and deadly peril. Neither of them could ever imagine their relationship would resurrect an unknown darkness from Jordie’s past, lurking in the shadows, just waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Jordie has never needed to be stronger for all of them to make it out alive.

Sensuality Level: Sensual

 Excerpt:

 “Fuck!” I blurted out as I reached my steps. Nathan was perched there halfway up and, my Lord, he was looking fine.
“Is that a statement or a request?” He grinned mischievously at me, a grin that touched those amazing blue eyes.
Oh shit, he’s here … on my front porch. My heart slammed into my throat and I was pretty sure I had lost the ability to form a coherent sentence.
“Hi?” was all I could manage to say. What was he doing here at three A.M.?
“I wanted to make sure you made it home safely,” he said, as if answering my silent question.
“Nut. Job,” I mouthed slowly to him.
He laughed, unveiling that beautiful, perfect, white-toothed smile that made his eyes even brighter. Then it happened. With that one smile, I surrendered to whatever it was inside of me I was fighting. I could no longer worry about how this story would end
when all I wanted to do was start it. I walked past him. “Want to come up for a beer or something?” I unlocked the door and waited for the impact of the rejection.
“Or something.”
I could hear the smirk in his tone.
“Is that a statement or a request?” Ugh, what are you doing? Is this flirting? I silently sighed. Rachel had never been more correct — it had been too long. “Lock the door behind you, please.” I started the two-flight journey to my apartment. We reached my door, and I took a deep breath while I unlocked it. We walked in and I tossed my crap on the table as usual. He closed the door, and I heard the click of the
lock.

“Want some breakfast?” I asked him, walking past the large sectional in my living room into the kitchen. Nathan followed but stopped in the dining room and took a quick glance around my place as he leaned against the wall. “Assuming I will be here for
breakfast?” he asked in a sultry voice full of humor.
Flushed, I popped my head out from behind the fridge door. “Smart ass, I meant now. I’m starving. Yes or no?”
“Sure.” He got dimples when he smiled.
“Can you make some coffee?” I pointed to the pantry closet door.
“Yes, ma’am.” He stepped into the pantry. “Pop Tarts? You eat Pop Tarts?” His muffled words became clearer as he walked out, holding coffee in one hand and a box of Pop Tarts in the other. He closed the door with his foot.

“I enjoy a good Pop Tart.” I pouted, crinkling my eyebrows.
“Seriously? Strawberry? I thought you said you enjoyed a good Pop Tart.” He eyed me suspiciously.
“Shut up — it’s the sprinkles. They make me happy.” I quickly looked back down to the pan, trying not to stare at his amazing blue eyes.

“Do you know what these are made of?” He sounded appalled, as if I were eating a cockroach instead of an artificial pastry.
“No, please enlighten me.” I noticed my cheeks hurt because I had been smiling for the past five minutes.
“All right, sassy pants, I will.” He was attempting to be serious, but began to laugh while he poured water into the coffee maker.
“C’mon educate me, I need a good schooling, and have you ever made coffee before?” I playfully grabbed the coffee from his hands, swiftly dumped four scoops into the top of the machine, closed the lid, and pressed the start button.
“Impressive.” He hopped onto the counter holding the box of Pop Tarts again, watching me. “It’s a sugar coma is what it is. I can’t explain it. I just know anything that has a shelf life of fourteen years and is still edible after a nuclear winter can’t be good for you.” He held his head high and tightened his lips as if he was triumphant in convincing me.
I stared blankly at him, trying my damnedest not to laugh, but the corners of my mouth betrayed me as they tightened. We both burst out in laughter.
“Really? That’s all you got?” I snatched the box from his hands and put it back on the counter. “Like I said, it’s all about the sprinkles, so if there is in fact a nuclear winter, at least I’ll be happy.” I tossed him a loaf of bread.
“Can you make toast?”
“Can I make toast?” He hopped off the counter. “Of course I can make
toast.”
When I turned to look at him he was standing at the toaster with a confused look on his face.
“You’re kidding me, right?”
My mouth popped open wide in shock and he laughed.
“Gotcha.” He winked, pushing down the lever.
Oh my, no no no. I won’t survive this night if he keeps shit like that up.

Review by Shae:

OMG!!! OH EM GEE!!! This book was amazing! It all the great characteristics I love: intrigue, mystery, love, and friendships.  This book took me along the emotional rollercoaster and left me feeling anxious and relieved among many other emotions. When I finished this book I was clapping my hands together.

Harley takes you along a fantastic journey of struggle, triumph, love, sadness. The characters are easy to relate to and fall in love with. Throughout the first part of the book, I was thinking “Pretty Woman” in modern day. But then Harley throws you for that intrigue and puts enough twist in the story to suck you right in. I couldn’t put the book down. I was talking to myself all day while grocery shopping wondering who was doing what. I laughed out loud at the banter between best friends (Rachel and Jordie) and cried during Jordie’s struggles. I love how Harley writes “Jordie” as a kick-ass, strong woman. I admire her throughout the entire book.

I will definitely look for more books by H.J. Harley. “Finding Jordie” is a must add to your libraries. Be prepared to follow into this awesome journey.

5 stars (6 if went that high)

 

 Order sites:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Jordie-Crimson-Romance-ebook/dp/B00B03EHTQ
Barnes & Noble http://www.bn.com/
Books Onboard http://www.booksonboard.com/
Books-A-Million (BAM) http://www.booksamillion.com/ebooks
Diesel Ebooks http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/
Ebooks.com http://www.ebooks.com/
Google Books https://play.google.com/store/books
iTunes App Access only
Kobo http://www.kobobooks.com/
Lybrary http://www.lybrary.com/
Sony Reader Store http://ebookstore.sony.com/

 Book trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=egzwbzweghs

 

About H.J.

HJ is just a Jersey girl surviving in the good ol’ South. She’s a fan of sunglasses, good coffee, original stories, her pets, and laughing with friends. Most importantly, she loves being a mother to her beautiful daughter.

 Follow H.J. Harley

@HJ_Harley.

www.facebook.com/authorhjharley

BLURB:

Cynthiana, beautiful, intelligent, and by all appearances, a spoiled socialite, finds herself as chair of the Inner City Youth League Charity Gala. Her Co-Chair, Roberto Luque, is Major League Baseball’s newest playboy from the Domincan Republic. Far from being in the League of men her parents expect her to choose from, which is just fine with her since she has sworn off playboys. But, as they work together she discovers his devotion to the inner city children and wonders if there is more to him than his playboy reputation. Will she break her no playboy rule long enough to find out?

Roberto fought his way into the Majors. Now, a successful pitcher for the Texas Rangers, he is living the life he always dreamed of. Until he faces off with a bad-tempered, blue-eyed, red head that is not his type. So, why is he drawn to her? The Charity Gala gives him a chance to find out. What he finds beneath that socialite veneer captivates him, heart and soul.

When her powerful father threatens to tear them apart, destroying not only their love, but also Roberto’s hard won career, will he be willing to give it all up for love?

EXCERPT:

Copyright © 2012 Ruth Roberts
How could she have been talked into this? She was in way over her head. Cynthiana Davenport did not plan fundraiser Gala’s, she attended them. So how is it that she was now head of the planning committee? And for baseball of all things. She didn’t even like baseball, much less know anything about it. So what if her best friend had married a hunky major league baseball player last year. Just because Stacy had to learn about the sport didn’t mean she did. She was going to call her right now and tell her the deal was off. Someone else would have to take her place.

Cynthiana dug her phone out of her purse and was about to hit speed dial when she sighed in resignation and threw it back into her purse. Stacy was seven months pregnant with twins and on total bed rest. She couldn’t back out, Stacy didn’t need that kind of stress. The Gala was only a month away and everything was practically done. It would be a piece of cake. She could do this. Besides, it was only a big party and if there was one thing she was good at it was throwing parties. Sure, this one was a little larger than she was used to but hey, how much trouble could five hundred wealthy people and athletes be?

Not nearly as much trouble as managing her growing feelings for one very gorgeous, very charming baseball player with deep brown eyes and a killer smile who just happened to be her right hand on the planning committee. Roberto Luque. If she could just ignore his adorable dimples she might get through the next few hours. Roberto was a playboy and she didn’t date playboys. Ever. So she would just have to keep her feelings under tight control until the night was over. She had managed to do just that every time they had seen each other over the past year. Admittedly, it had been getting harder and harder, especially since he seemed to be stepping up the charm. A man like Roberto knew very well when a woman was attracted to him, but she was determined not to be one of them. So far she had been safe by provoking some sort of argument with him any time they were together, that usually cooled things down, but she hadn’t been able to do that since they started working together on the Gala. Thankfully they wouldn’t be alone, the rest of the committee would be there too. Which was a good thing since they were meeting at her house. Heaven only knew what would happen if the two of them were alone in a house together. Spontaneous combustion came to mind.

Her two story, red brick house on twenty-five acres in a small Dallas suburb gave her the privacy of having a slice of country while still close to the city. Deciding they would be more comfortable working in the living room she finished laying out the last of the Chinese food boxes on the coffee table. The door bell rang. Refusing to glance in the mirror by the door, she opened it to find Roberto. Just Roberto. It was dangerous to womankind for one man to be so handsome. That mischievous look in his dark eyes, a touch of humor on his full lips, dark tendrils of hair curled on his forehead and at his nape. How is it that the sight of him made her feel light headed? Get a grip girl, he’s only a man.

“Hi Princesa. I brought the wine and the guest lists as you ordered.”

“I don’t order, I request.” Defensive mode was her method of survival around him. She stepped back and let him in.

Roberto stood just inside and surveyed her house. Lots of windows let in plenty of sunlight. Sheer red curtains over white slatted blinds complemented the white carpeting and black leather sectional with red and white throw pillows scattered over it. Why was it so important that he like her home?

With a smile and a shake of his head Roberto said, “Nice. It suits you. Fiery yet warm. By the way, Jennifer and Raquel won’t be able to make it tonight.” He set the wine bottle on the table next to the wine glasses and the manila folder containing the guest lists on the sofa.

So much for her well laid plans. “Why not? We have a lot to do tonight, and why didn’t they call me?” She wanted to stomp her foot like a child. Fortunately, she was able to control that urge. Unfortunately her face felt as hot as stoked fire. Darn, why did she have such pale skin? Was it anger or the thought of being alone with him? Anger, definitely anger.

“Because they called me,” Roberto replied. “Between the two of us we can get everything done. Not to worry Princesa, hard work is not hazardous to your health.”

“I know that Roberto. Why do you insist on thinking I haven’t worked a day in my life?”

“I never said that. Now let’s eat, I’m starving.”

The man was impossible. Maybe she’d just send him home and do all the work herself. The idea had merit. She plopped down on the sofa as far away from him as possible and still reach the food. She ignored his knowing smile and shake of his head as she picked up a box of her favorite sweet and sour pork. Who cared if he thought she was a chicken for wanting to keep distance between them.

He poured them each a glass of wine and sat down next to her. He scooted closer to her as he handed her a glass. Now he seemed to ignore her scowl as he took a sip of wine, set down his glass and chose his own box.

“You’re always starving,” she said a few bites later, “it must be some sort of rule for athletes that they can eat whatever they want and still look great.”

“You think I look great?”

Darn! Why did she have to say something to make him smile? There were those dimples again. Heat started creeping up her neck and face, the telltale signs of a blush coming on. Be more careful with your words!

“All athletes look great, it’s not just you. Don’t let your head get too big, if it gets any bigger we won’t both fit on the sofa, I’ll find myself on the floor.”

He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. “Don’t worry, there will always be a place for you by my side.”

His teasing tone turned serious causing her to look up at him. He stared down at her, his expression unreadable. Was he joking? Was he serious? She couldn’t tell and her heart was doing funny little flip flops, his fingers stroking seductively up and down her arm weren’t helping either.

AUTHOR INFO:

Ruth Roberts has worked in public relations for fifteen years.  She lives in Texas with her very own romantic hero of eighteen years, their teenage daughter and their dog, Kimi.  Her hobbies are reading romance novels and writing them.  Her family says she is addicted to books, in her opinion that’s not a bad addiction to have.  You can find her on Facebook or on the web at RuthRobertsRomance.com. You can also email her at ruthrobertsromance@yahoo.com.  She loves hearing from fans. 

Ruth Roberts will be offering up a 5.00 gift card to Amazon to one random commenter!  Leave a comment below for your chance to win!!  Follow the rest of the TOUR HERE!

Blurb:

Intended for one man … All her life, everyone assumed Paget Ellsworth, the vicar’s daughter, would marry the Earl of Winningham’s youngest son. And when he left for war with his older brother, Jamie, words and promises were not necessary. She would wait. But destined for another … Four years pass, and the death of his father forces Jamie home to take up the reins as the new earl, leaving his brother fighting on the front lines a world away.

Maddening, infuriating, sexy Jamie makes Paget question her feelings. One glimpse, one word from him awakens desire in her heart. When a simple kiss spirals out of control at the annual Valentine’s Day ball, she realizes the man she never wanted is the man she needs … but will Paget cast aside all she’s ever thought to be true to win the man of her dreams?

Review:

You can never go wrong with a Sophie Jordan book.  I have been a fan for a longtime and to have a place on her tour is awesome!

This is a beautiful romance that begins with Paget who is supposed to marry Owen, her longtime childhood friend.  While I am the first person to scream that you need friendship in a marriage, I do believe that you need passion as well and that is not what these two have.  When Owens’ brother, Jamie comes home to take the seat as the new Earl, sparks fly between the two and Paget is at a loss.  Jamie has never been nice or the one that she wanted to be with but now things are different. She discovers that friendship and passion make a marriage and sometimes you have to brace for the hurt you cause one to reap the joy of love with another.

This is a great story and I can’t wait for more !

 Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0062222473/?tag=avonromancetidal-20

Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?isbn=9780062222473

IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062222473

iBookstore: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780062222466

 About the Author:

Sophie Jordan, a former high school English teacher, resides in Houston with her family. When she’s not writing, she divides her time between inventing what she likes to call culinary masterpieces — her husband won’t always agree — and visiting her family’s pecan ranch in the scenic Texas Hill Country.

Author Links:

Website: www.sophiejordan.net/

Twitter: @soverysophie

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Sophie-Jordan/100000148345013

Follow the rest of the tour HERE!

Blurb:

He’s determined to set things right, no matter the cost.

The last person Abby Crawford wants to face down is country music superstar Seth Kendall. Last time she did, she flat-out lied so he’d go to Nashville without her. She’s never understood why their mutual best friend proposed, but she went with it so her baby wouldn’t be fatherless. Now she’s a divorced mother of a teenager, and secretly Seth’s biggest fan.

Seth is home in McAllister, Texas for his father’s funeral…and a chance to meet the daughter he’s never known. He’s willing to face the music of his own making and admit he’s known about his little girl all along. For fifteen years he’s kept his distance because Abby told him to follow his dreams without her, insisting she didn’t love him. But now he won’t leave until he knows his daughter and she knows him, even if it means facing the woman who broke his heart for good.

Confessing she’s lied about her daughter’s paternity all these years won’t be easy for Abby, especially with her ex blackmailing her to keep the secret. And Seth doesn’t know the hardest truth of all: Every love song he plays on his guitar still plucks her heartstrings.

CONTENT WARNING: Spicy sex.

Excerpt:

Seth leaned in. His lips were close enough to kiss, and his scent of sandalwood and something exotic enveloped her, taking her back to that night on the beach. His eyes flashed with the dangerous fire of his temper. It was similar to the flame of the passion she’d once seen in the green depths. Abby didn’t expect or want the heat curling in her belly, and shivered with a sudden and fierce desire.

“I’m her father, Abigail. I wanted to be her father after she was born. It was you and Mike who insisted I had no business messing things up.”

“I never said any such thing. You never tried. You just left.”

He pounded a fist on the counter top so hard she jumped. “Yes, I left! I wasn’t welcome at home. Dad ran me off with a shotgun. Mike wouldn’t even let me see my daughter. He made it quite clear you and he were happily married, and I had no place in your life. I was under contract to be in Nashville to start recording my first album.”

What did he mean, Mike wouldn’t let him see Emily?

Before she had a chance to voice her question, his eyes darkened as the pupils dilated, obscuring the stormy green. “But I’m no longer nineteen and scared shitless. I could make things very rough for you and this fantasy you’ve got working.”

A cold lump quickly replaced the tangle of heat in her belly. “What-what do you mean?”

He backed off and tapped the countertop. “I’m talking a custody battle. I could have a judge order a paternity test. I think we both know the media hoopla the results would cause.”

Her heart slammed into her chest wall. “You wouldn’t do that.”

“Try me. Now that I’ve met Emily, I want to get to know her.” He walked over to look out the kitchen window. The hard line of his jaw melted, and he swallowed so hard his throat moved up and down. “I was a fool when I let Mike talk me out of being in her life after she was born.”

“What do you mean?”

He glanced at her. “Don’t pretend you don’t know.”

The strings of guitar music provided a soft counterpoint to the hard tension in the kitchen. Emily was outside on the patio playing around with her guitar, waiting for them to finish with the dishes she and Seth had insisted on doing.

“All I want is to have some time with my daughter. That’s all I’m asking for.” When he looked over his shoulder at her, sadness replaced the anger in his eyes. “I’ll keep your little secret. I’ll just be her favorite singer. The family friend who made it big in Nashville. I don’t want to hurt her. As much as it galls the hell out of me, I see what Mike means to her.”

He moved toward her and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Besides, I don’t want to hurt Carolann or Frank any more than you do.” He glanced outside again, his voice husky as he spoke. “But I’ll sue you if I have to.”

A part of her wanted to give in to him, but a larger part wanted to punish him. Let him take her to court; she’d make sure the world knew what kind of jerk Seth Kendall really was.

She gritted her teeth and fisted her hands by her sides. “I’ll let you have tonight, Seth. But don’t ask for more.”

She turned away and strode through the French doors.

Review:

I really enjoyed this book and have always been a closet rockstar reader!  Seth is complicated.  I liked him but at the same time I hated him.  Life is never easy and he took the coward’s way out for a very long time. 

Abby has always felt the pain of not fitting in and she made some touch choices at a young age.  You can’t fault her for following her heart and doing what she thought was right.  I have to say that I had no idea the twists and turns this story was going to take!  Mike was not the man that we all thought he was going to be. 

Love a good rockstar story and this one is a keeper!

Rated 4 Bookworms

 

 

 

Author Info:

Sara Walter Ellwood is an award winning author whose novel Gambling On A Secret was named by bestselling author Carolyn Brown in the Happy Ever After Blog on USA Today as one of her favorite romances of 2012. Although Sara has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her stories. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for nearly 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia.

She also writes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name of Cera duBois.

 Buy Links:

Lyrical Press: http://lyricalpress.com/heartstrings/

Amazon:

Barns and Noble:

iTunes:

Author Links:

Website: http://www.sarawalterellwood.com

Blog: http://www.sarawalterellwood.com/blog/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarawalterellwood.ceradubois/

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/sara_w_ellwood

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869635.Sara_Walter_Ellwood

 

Giveaway: (Sara is Hosting TWO Giveaways)

***Please leave valid email address to be eligible***

Sara will be giving away two ebook copies of her last release Gambling On A Secret at the end of the Tasty Review Tour, so make sure you leave a valid email address with comment to enter.

Tour Grand Prize is a swag pack full of goodies! A signed copy of Carolyn Brown’s Just a Cowboy and His Baby, an ebook copy of her last release Gambling On A Secret, a notebook, a pen, custom jewelry set, $5 Starbuck’s gift card—all tucked into a keepsake box. (Sorry, only US residents are eligible. Comparable International Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card.) *Swag pack(gift card) is for the entire two-month tour. Winner will be announced on June 1, 2013

Blurb:

He is Lachlan MacRath, laird and pirate. And he intends to be her lover…

Lady Francine Walsingham could not believe this fierce Highland warrior is to be her escort into Scotland. It is whispered that Lachlan MacRath has magical powers…how else do you explain why her countrymen call him the Sorcerer of the Seas? But trust him she must, for a treacherous plot is about to reveal all her secrets…and Francine has no choice but to act as his lover to keep her enemies at bay.

When Lachlan first sees Francine, the English beauty stirs his blood like no woman has ever before. As luck would have it, they must now play the besotted couple so he can protect her ….and Lachlan is determined to use all his seductive prowess to properly woo her into his bed.

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

May 1496

The Cheviot Hills

The Border between England and Scotland

Stretched flat on the blood-soaked ground, Lachlan MacRath gazed up at the cloudless morning sky and listened to the exhausted moans of the wounded.

The dead and the dying lay scattered across the lush spring grass. Overhead the faint rays of dawn broke above the hilltops, as the buttercups and bluebells dipped and swayed in the soft breeze. The gruesome corpses were sprawled amidst the wildflowers, their vacant eyes staring upward to the heavens, the stumps of their severed arms and legs still oozing blood and gore. Dented helmets, broken swords, axes, and pikes gave mute testimony to the ferocity of the combatants. Here and there, a loyal destrier, trained to war, grazed calmly alongside its fallen master.

Following close upon daylight, the scavengers would come creeping, ready to strip the bodies of anything worth a shilling: armor, dirks, boots, belts. If they were Scotsmen, he’d be in luck. If not, he’d soon be dead. There wasn’t a blessed thing he could do but wait. He was pinned beneath his dead horse, and all efforts to free himself during the night had proven fruitless.

In the fierce, running battle of the evening before, the warriors on horseback had left behind all who’d fallen. Galloping across the open, rolling countryside, Scots and English had fought savagely, till it was too dark to tell friend from foe. There was no way of knowing the outcome of the battle, for victory had been determined miles away.

Hell, it was Lachlan’s own damn fault. He’d come on the foray into England with King James for a lark. After delivering four new canons to the castle at Roxburgh, along with the Flemish master gunners to fire them, he’d decided not to return to his ship immediately as planned. The uneventful crossing on the Sea Hawk from the Low Countries to Edinburgh, followed by the tedious journey to the fortress, with the big guns pulled by teams of oxen, had left him eager for a bit of adventure.

When he’d learned that the king was leading a small force into Northumberland to retrieve cattle raided by Sassenach outlaws, the temptation to join them had been too great to resist. There was nothing like a hand-to-hand skirmish with his ancient foe to get a man’s blood pumping through his veins.

But Lord Dacre, Warden of the Marches, had surprised the Scots with a much larger, well-armed force of his own, and what should have been a carefree rout turned into deadly combat.

A plea for help interrupted Lachlan’s brooding thoughts. Not far away, a wounded English soldier, who’d cried out in pain during the night, raised himself up on one elbow.

“Lychester! Over here, sir! It’s Will Jeffries!”

Lachlan watched from beneath slit lids as another Sassenach came into view. Attired in the splendid armor of the nobility, the newcomer rode a large, caparisoned black horse. He’d clearly come looking for someone, for he held the reins of a smaller chestnut, its saddle empty and waiting.

“Here I am, Marquess,” the young man named Jeffries called weakly. He lifted one hand in a trembling wave as the marquess of Lychester drew near to his countryman. Dismounting, he approached the wounded soldier.

“Thank God,” Jeffries said with a hoarse groan. “I’ve taken a sword blade in my thigh. The cut’s been oozing steadily. I was afraid I wouldn’t make it through the night.”

Lychester didn’t say a word. He came to stand behind the injured man, knelt down on one knee, and raised his fallen comrade to a seated position. Grabbing a hank of his yellow hair, the marquess jerked the fair head back and deftly slashed the exposed throat from ear to ear. Then he calmly wiped his blade on the youth’s doublet, lifted him up in his arms, and threw the body face down over the chestnut’s back.

The English nobleman glanced around, checking, no doubt, to see if there’d been a witness to the cold-blooded execution. Lachlan held his breath and remained motionless, his lids lowered over his eyes. Apparently satisfied, the marquess mounted, grabbed the reins of the second horse and rode away.

Lachlan slowly exhaled.

Sonofabitch.

He knew the English were a bloodthirsty race. But he hadn’t thought that included the murder of a helpless patriot on a deserted battlefield.

What kind of bastard did such a traitorous thing?

Guest Post:

MY FASCINATION WITH HISTORICAL ROMANCE

 Sometimes I think I was born to write historical romance. It’s the combination of my two passions, passions I have felt since I was a child. History and romance.

Reading was my first love. For Christmas, my parents always gave each of us a book—along with other presents, of course. I remember reading Anne of Green Gables and Little Women over and over till the pages were worn and tattered.

During the long summer days of my childhood, my cousins and I would walk to the little public library in our town. There I discovered The Wizard of Oz and The Bobbsy Twins, along with shelves of children’s books. I can no longer recall their titles, but the sheer pleasure of reading, I’ll never forget.

After that, came the movies. I clearly remember seeing Ben Hur, the Ten Commandments, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and The Vikings with Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, and Janet Leigh. How I loved those historical dramas!

I remember the first time I discovered Georgette Heyer in the library. I stayed up all night and read April Lady straight through from cover to cover. And The Scarlet Pimpernel had all the swashbuckling excitement I loved.

When I grew older, I read War and Peace.  What a fantastic novel, with several heartbreaking love stories woven throughout the historical narrative of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia and the burning of Moscow. If you doubt that Leo Tolstoy understood the power and passion of love, just consider Anna Karenina. What pathos. What romance. What joy to read!

When I began to write in earnest, I knew, without a doubt, I would write historical romances. Since I loved the Regencies of Georgette Heyer, I started Sunshine and Shadow, set in Georgian England. It was my third novel published.

Stories of the American West were also very popular at the time, and I decided to write about a heroine who crosses the country on a topographical expedition. I read books about the early trappers, the first expeditions across the great plains, the first explorers to find a way over the Sierras. From this research came Cherish the Dream, my first published novel.

When I first begin a story, I choose the time and setting I’d like to write about. After I decide that, I immerse myself in research. I read history books, biographies, autobiographies, and primary sources. To tell the truth, I overdo it. But from this extensive reading, the plot begins to take shape. Something that happened in history will spark my imagination. What if…  And off I go.

Unlike some authors, I don’t stay in the same time and place for long. I’ve written about the Cheyenne several times. In Warrior Dreams, a lady doctor goes to Lame Deer Reservation in Montana with Mennonite missionaries after the Battle of the Little Big Horn. In Dream Catcher, a proxy bride from the mountains of Kentucky lands among the Cheyenne when she runs away from her abusive bridegroom, shortly after the Civil War.

My stories have been set in Regency England and the Scottish Highlands in the 1880’s. One heroine even traveled to Istanbul.

 At the present time, I’m immersed in Scotland and England during the reigns of James IV and Henry VII. The inspiration for the Highland Lairds Trilogy came from the true story of three Scottish brothers who were privateers. They were given letters of marque and reprisal by their king, with orders to stop the pirates preying on Scottish merchantmen.

 In the first book, THE MAC LEAN GROOM, Rory MacLean, known as the King’s Avenger, captures the grandfather of Joanna Macdonald and brings him back to Edinburgh for trial and hanging. As a reward, King James gives Joanna to Rory for his wife, along with her castle.

In the second book, LACHLAN’S BRIDE, the second brother is sent to England by James IV to escort the king’s bride, Princess Margaret Tudor, to Scotland for the royal wedding. This historic journey is the background for the love story. Henry VII assigns Lachlan to guard Lady Francine, an English countess rumored to be the king’s mistress, on their way to Edinburgh.

At present, I’m working on the third book of the trilogy, with the tentative title of KEIR’S STORY. Keir will be sent to the Hebrides by James IV to put down a rebellion by the Lord of the Isles.

 I’m looking forward with excitement to the release of LACHLAN’S BRIDE, an Avon Impulse, on April 30th.

Thank you for inviting me to share my thoughts with your readers.

 

Author Info:

Author Links:

http://www.kathleenharringtonbooks.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleensbooks

http://www.facebook.com/kathleenharringtonbooks

Buy Links:

http://www.avonromance.com/book/kathleen-harrington-lachlans-bride

Blurb:

Livi Callaway has fled back to London after a reality TV disaster in New Zealand. Safely anonymous in the big city, she’s determined to stay under the radar from now on. But her attempts to build a new life are complicated by unexpected visitors from her old one, and new dangers and temptations lie in wait.
Late one night, she meets a mysteriously sexy American on the Underground – and the events that follow take her from Pooh Bear to the golden lights of Paris, via a trail of rock stars dead and alive. A family in disarray, a determined Swede, a crazed Australian and a childhood friend (who might yet be more than that) have her all over the place as she tries to discover the American’s secret – while keeping her own.
With help – and occasional hindrance – from her friends, what she eventually finds is something unexpected . . . sometimes, running away can lead you to exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

Excerpt:

After the third time, an American voice said, “You’re like an onion tonight.”

She turned and replied, without thinking, “That’s not the kind of vegetable I’d choose to be.”

The instant the words left her lips she knew it was all wrong. A mere second too late, it was blindingly obvious that he had said not onion, but yo–yo. How could she possibly have imagined that anyone would randomly liken her to an onion? Now, as she looked up at tanned skin, dark eyes, glossy hair, and teeth that could only be from across the Atlantic, her heart beat out of sync. She took in distressed jeans, vintage polo shirt, and a battered leather satchel hanging from his shoulder.

Suddenly she was unsteady on her feet, not just because the train was lurching unevenly. Looking at his face, perplexed and amused, she willed the floor to open up and drop her on the tracks. She would rather be electrocuted on the line than be a late–night crazy person on the Underground under his perfectly proportioned scrutiny. But there was nowhere to escape until the next stop, so she stood, cheeks flaming, praying he would take pity on her and pretend he hadn’t heard anything.

Instead, he said thoughtfully, “No, if you were a vegetable it would be something much more delicious. Sweet corn…cherry tomato, maybe.”

Was he flirting? She chanced another glance. A rugged sweep of stubble and a scar on his jaw roughened his looks, only making him more compelling. Well, of course, she thought, anyone who looks like that must flirt for a living. But suddenly she was uncomfortably aware of the harsh lights, and how tired she must look. She ran her hand through her hair, though she knew it wouldn’t make any difference. “That’s a nice thing to say,” was all she could think of to reply.

“My mom always said, you know, if you can’t say anything nice…she was English, she liked good manners. Plus, it’s important to say nice things to nice girls, don’t you think?” And he gave her a wink.

She couldn’t help laughing, he was so shameless. “How come you can get away with being so cheeky just because you do it in that accent?”

“You tell me,” he replied. “I don’t think you spring from round here either.”

Just then the train began to slow again, and there was a surge as people started to squeeze along to the doors. The American put his arms out and made a protective space around her, shaking his head. “Oh, no. You can stay here this time. I’m not letting you go until I solve this mystery.”

Up close he smelled warm and woody and clean, and she had to stop herself leaning in, eyes closed, and breathing deeply. At this distance he could probably hear her heart pounding. His full mouth turned up at the corners, a permanently tempting curve. Her hips threatened to arc towards him in a very inappropriate way. She wouldn’t have been surprised at the crackle of blue sparks. If she actually made contact with any part of him, she felt, there was a real chance she would just burst into flames.

Then the doors closed and the train started moving, and he grabbed the overhead strap to steady himself. “Maybe that was my stop,” she said, heady from their closeness. “Then what would I have done?”

“Come for a drink with me?”

She was enjoying this now, feeling a glow, forgetting her embarrassment, and her sore feet and backache from standing in the salon all day. “At this time of night, unless you want to go clubbing, I don’t know where you’d find somewhere to just have a drink. This isn’t LA or New York.”

“I’m not from LA or New York, I’m from Idaho.” He looked at her closely. “And maybe I didn’t mean somewhere.”

“Ah,” she said, and suddenly felt a little flat. That’s right, she knew this story. Off she would go to his place, with him and his charm and banter. They’d have a night that seemed unbelievable. And the next day it would be unbelievable, unbelievably awkward, as she pulled on yesterday’s clothes and tried to find her way to an unfamiliar tube station, with unbrushed hair and uncleaned teeth. The walk of shame. She had no interest in taking it. There was a time, when she’d first arrived, maybe…but not any more.

Her change of mood must have shown. He said, “I’m sorry, maybe that’s not something you should say to a nice girl from…?”

Looking at his expectant, handsome face, she gave herself an internal shake. Lighten up now, she said to herself, he’s just a guy on a train, even if he does look like he stepped out of a catalogue. Just enjoy that someone, maybe, fancies you a little. And she pushed her shoulders back and put her smile back on.

“Actually, I was born here, but I’ve been living a long way away. Further away than you.”

His face lit up. “Australia!”

“No, sorry to disappoint you.” Why was Australia always the first guess? Anyone would think there was no populated land beyond Sydney. Next stop Antarctica.
“Well then…damn, this is my stop.” They lurched together as the train made a last jolt, and his satchel banged against her hip. All at once she was aware of the crush of other travelers again, as they began their relentless move towards the door. The American was carried along in front of two large ladies, but called over their shoulders, “We could try to find somewhere.”

She hesitated for a moment, not wanting him to be gone. Then, just as the two of them realized his bag buckle had caught on hers, the large ladies swept him out and the doors closed. They looked at each other through the glass, his expression going through a progression from confusion to surprise to a sort of panic. And she was left holding his bag as the train pulled away.

Review:

What a fun read!  I was not expecting Livi and I was so glad that I discovered her!  This is a fast pace and fun read that kept me on the edge of my seat.  It was all over the place without being sloppy or boring!  Cam is delicious and I LOVE a sexy and intelligent man.  Cass is the type of friend that we all want in our lives. 

A great story from a fabulous author that I can’t wait to read more from!

Author Bio:

Serena Clarke has had her fair share of adventures and disasters, living in thirty-nine houses, in seven cities, in four countries. She’s now settled in New Zealand, and all those ups and downs provide great inspiration for writing. Luckily, she has a tall, dark, and handsome husband to help look after their two boys while she dreams up stories. Turns out that happily-ever-afters happen in real life too.

Author Links:

Website:  http://www.serenaclarke.com/

Twitter: @Serena_Clarke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/SerenaClarkeAuthor?fref=ts

Crimson Romance:   http://www.crimsonromance.com/crimson-romance-ebooks/crimson-romance-books-by-author/serena-clarke/

Buy Links:

Available at:  Amazon | B&N | iTunes

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