Check out this new-to-me author, Kay Harborne and her new book, The Millionaire Plan… DD

Author Blurb

Kay Harborne has written several romance stories for women’s magazines and has had two romance novels published. She has also written many children’s books under the name of Karen King. She loves reading, writing and eating chocolate.

Links
Website
Twitter: @karen_king
Amazon Author Page

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The Millionaire Plan blurb

LOVE or MONEY? What would you marry for?

Amber Wynters is on a mission to find a millionaire to marry – and fast. Her parents are nearly bankrupt and forced to sell the family home, a beautiful Tudor house that had been in the family for generations. And it’s all thanks to Amber’s ex-fiancé Rod persuading them to invest in his dodgy shares. So armed with a ‘How to Hook a Millionaire’ Book and a ten point plan, she sets off to hook herself a rich husband. Then she meets the drop-dead gorgeous Jed Curtess. The attraction between them is sizzling but Jed is only a hired hand on one of the millionaire’s yachts. Can Amber ignore her heart and follow her plan?

Rule number 1: Make sure you’re seen at the right places.

Great. Here she was dressed to kill and without a clue what to do, Amber thought, tugging self-consciously at the hem of her dress. Everyone else was walking around in groups, or at least in pairs, chatting and laughing together making her wish she’d taken up Callie’s offer to go sailing with her and Simon instead of wandering around Coombe Bay Marina alone. Honestly, dressed in this skin-tight extremely short white designer dress, high heels and the pile of make-up Callie had insisted she wore she might well have the word “gold-digger” written on her forehead.

Well, that’s what she was, wasn’t it?

Not for the first time she wondered how she’d let Callie talk her into coming here to try and hook a millionaire. It was mad. Insane. Immoral.

And her only option if she didn’t want her parents to lose their home as well as their business.

Spotting a café overlooking the marina, she bought herself a latté and was making her way over to one of the tables with it when a white yacht caught her eye. It wasn’t huge or brash like some of the yachts in the marina, but it was definitely classy. The sort a millionaire would have for his own use to sail around in rather than show off and entertain his friends. As she peered over at it, trying to read the name painted on the side, she collided into something hard. Her coffee cup went flying off the saucer, emptying its contents over a pair of cut-off denim shorts that were hugging lean, definitely male, hips.

“Whoa!”Strong suntanned arms held her steady. “You want to try looking where you’re going,” an incredibly sexy voice drawled in a strong American accent.

“Sorry.” She looked up into a pair of twinkling tawny eyes that laughed at her from a ruggedly handsome face, topped by thick, light brown hair with sun-kissed highlights. Phwoarr! was her immediate reaction, but she quickly pulled herself together. She’d just spilt coffee over this guy, for goodness sake. The least she could do was apologise instead of drooling over him like a lunatic.

“I’m so sorry,” she stammered. “I was looking at the yacht over there. It’s fantastic, isn’t it? I’ve never seen one like it before.” Not the thing to say, Amber, she scolded herself. You’re supposed to be acting smart and sophisticated as if you come to these sort of events all the time. Not twittering away like an idiot and letting the first person you bump into know you’ve never seen anything bigger than a dinghy before. Then she remembered she had quite literally bumped into this man and drowned him in coffee in the process.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, fully aware this was the third time she’d apologised but unable to stop herself gabbling. She glanced down at his wet denim cut-offs, trying not to let her gaze linger on the sun-tanned legs below them, then shifted her eyes hurriedly back to his face. “Er, I’ll go and get a cloth so you can clean up.”

“No need. I’m working on the yacht you were admiring. So I haven’t got far to go and get changed,” he replied. “Perhaps you’d like to join me and clean yourself up too? You don’t want to leave that to stain. It’ll ruin your dress.”

What? She was horrified to see coffee splattered all over the bottom of her — or rather, Callie’s — dress and running down her legs. How could she not have noticed? Because I was too busy gawping at him, that’s why.

She hesitated. He had said he was working on the yacht. Which meant he didn’t own it — more’s the pity. So his boss could well be on board. And whilst the “How to Hook a Millionaire” book Callie had brought and insisted she read from cover to cover had declared she should “seize any opportunity to mix with the seriously rich”. And let’s face it, anyone who owned that yacht was seriously rich. Meeting him with a coffee-stained dress and legs was not a good idea. “Always be perfectly made up and elegantly dressed” was another rule of the book.

“Is your boss on board?” she asked.

“No, only me.” “Perhaps I should introduce myself and then you’d feel more at ease. I’m sure your mother drilled it into you to never go off with strangers.” He held out his hand. “Jed Curtess.”

She took his hand. It was strong and warm and his touch sent tingles running up her arm. “Amber Wynters,” she told him.

“Now we’ve been introduced, Amber Wynters, would  you like to come on board the yacht and get cleaned up?” he asked, a playful smile hovering on his lips.

She most definitely would, but should she? She didn’t even know this man, although she had to admit she definitely found him appealing. Should she risk going onto the yacht with him? He might not be as harmless as he seemed. She saw the teasing twinkle in his gorgeous tawny eyes and her heart flipped. Cancel harmless. This guy was a danger to her blood pressure if nothing else.

“I promise I won’t try to seduce you,” he said solemnly. “Unless you beg me to, of course.” His eyes danced with humour,  and she thought there was probably a queue of women who would love him to do just that.

Something about this guy made her feel she could trust him. Besides, there were lots of people around to hear her shouts if she needed help — not that she would step one foot on that yacht if she felt in any danger. And, she was supposed to be here to meet a millionaire, which she wasn’t about to succeed in doing with the state she was in.

Buy Links

Astraea
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I have a head cold again. Never fails. If I travel, I get sick. I went to bed last night after taking NyQuil, woke up at nine, ate breakfast, and then back to bed I went. My body aches from resting so much, but the dreams have been amazing. Mostly half-naked, unconsummated scenes. Is it the NyQuil? If so, I need another bottle.

So, when I dream, I’m my pretty young self. Or I’m someone completely different. Sometimes, I’m even a man. And I dream in color. Usually lots of turquoise, sunny yellow,  tangerine orange and spring green. If I sweep into a house, the room has niches in the walls with statuary. The beds look like something out of Hansel and Gretel—big four-posters with thick duvets. A lot of my dreams are set beside the sea or on a boat. Of course, the boat never rocks, so I’m never queasy.

I have a dream dictionary I consult whenever I have a particularly vivid dream, but it falls short quite often. How would you interpret alabaster-skinned aliens without sexual organs falling naked from the sky? Or basement swimming pools where the steps descend into a lighted grotto?

I suppose I’ll have to stir from this chair and go get a shower. Maybe the last of the NyQuil haze will clear. If I press “publish” now, will I regret it later? 🙂 What sort of dreams do you have?

Thank you, Delilah, for letting me chat here today. I’m going to keep this pretty short and sweet. For those who don’t know me, I’m Qwillia Rain and I write erotic romance with BDSM elements. I started my published author’s journey through Loose Id, LLC in 2007 with my first book, Santa’s Elf. Little did I know that a single, simple scene in the story would spawn an entire series – The Diablo Blanco Club.

I loved that people wanted to read about Mattie and Bryce after being introduced to them in Santa’s Elf.

It was interesting, too, when a quick run to McDonald’s ended up becoming a 45-minute drive so Vance Justiss could get his and Ben’s story off his chest and I could write my very first m/m romance. (Trust me, I tried hooking them up with some very nice ladies, but they just weren’t having it. The only lady they wanted was no longer available.)

Then there was the response I received for Mike and Lyssa’s story. I’m glad people actually got where Lyssa was coming from, and the depth of dedication Mike had to her. My favorite review was a 4-star review at Miz Love Loves Books that the reviewer left a note saying: “24 hours after writing this review, I’m still thinking about Lyssa…” especially since she didn’t like Lyssa when she first read the book.

Now I come to the problem child of the series and the reason his story is still not done after four years of trying and over 200,000 words written and deleted…Richard Bennett. See, Rick was never supposed to have a book (that may be the cause for his stubborn refusal to talk). Not that I planned on any of the characters having a book other than Dayton and Elf and Mattie and Bryce. No, Rick and Becka’s story was just information tossed on the page to act as a foil for Bryce and Dayton. Until I rewrote Santa’s Elf after getting my rights back to it in 2011. Then a different image of Rick emerged which had me wondering, what could have possibly happened between his ménage with Mattie and Bryce and his meeting with Dayton in the revised story to make Rick go from mild to deadly?

Sometimes secrets should simply stay secret. Unfortunately, the cat is outta the bag and as I’m slogging through the edits on the 92,000 word I-Don’t-Know-What-Number rough draft, I have to wonder what the readers are going to think of him. All I do know is, he’s not someone you want to mess with when he’s angry. And don’t even think of touching Becka without his permission.

I have no estimated release date for this story. Sorry. But I do know it will be done this year. If I have to tie Rick to a St. Andrews cross and flog him for information.

Born in California but raised in Las Vegas, Qwillia Rain embraces fully the independent spirit of the West she grew up in, even if she currently resides in North Carolina—after brief sojourns to Alaska and Montana.

Over the years she’s worked at a diverse mix of jobs including: casino change person, bill collector, book and video store clerk, and computer teacher to Kindergarten through 8th graders. Throughout it all, writing has always been part of her life.

In 2007, her first book (revised and self-published in 2011) Santa’s Elf, was published, opening a whole new world where she can play with her characters and get paid for it. Her curiosity and tendency to ask “What if” is sure to keep her occupied with ideas while she keeps her wanderlust at bay. Her books can be found on-line at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks, or through her publisher, Loose Id, LLC (www.loose-id.com)

Hello! I appreciate the invite and opportunity to acquaint readers with my newest historical romance ebook, A Kiss of Promise and the story behind it.  A Kiss of Promise, a story of betrayal, greed, sacrifice and love, is a sequel to the Blackstone brothers’ saga introduced in my first Regency, Regal Reward (available in print and ebook).

In Regal Reward, York and Martin Blackstone’s father, a lord of the realm, is falsely accused of treason, imprisoned, and his family tossed to the streets of London. Eventually orphaned, the boys survive among beggars and thieves until they become adept as highwaymen, stealing from the wealthy.  Regal Reward tells of York’s obsession to clear his father’s name and regain titles and lands lost to him as the eldest son.

Excerpt: “His feelings for Marielle were just that, feelings. Feelings could be harnessed and controlled. Eventually they would diminish or at least be kept at bay, but he’d made her his own. He couldn’t think of that now. Another day, another time…”

In A Kiss of Promise, younger brother Martin attempts to escape his family’s scandal and his wretched past.  Since he was the youngest when his aristocratic family was destroyed, most of his childhood was spent surviving peril.  Unlike his brother, who is now the lord of his late father’s holdings, Martin has the freedom to do as he pleases.  He chooses to voyage to America, leaving the beautiful Alaina Craymore behind. He refuses to consider that his inability to commit to a relationship and his need for wild adventure is an escape from his own brokenness.

Alaina is the daughter of the villain in Regal Reward and continues to be victimized by her father’s illegal ventures in A Kiss of Promise.  A stranger appears at her door with evidence that can be used to send her brother to prison unless she cooperates in one of her father’s unfinished business deals. She succumbs to his blackmail, sacrificing her reputation to save her brother.  When Martin hears that she is in danger, he will face death to save her. He must not only deal with a dangerous scoundrel but also come to terms with his past before he can offer Alaina what she needs the most, his love.

Excerpt: “She wanted his love, not his pity. She had brought ruin upon herself and now she must pay the price.”

I loved including secondary characters from  Regal Reward in A Kiss of Promise, giving them  new issues to resolve, humor to lighten their stories, and satisfying resolutions. A Kiss of Promise also gave me the opportunity to research and write about the hazards of ocean travel while my characters journeyed to new environments and fear-filled futures.

My books are available at most online venues and on my website.  Read more about them at http://www.elaineviolette.com or purchase all from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Elaine-Violette/e/B008H5NKQQ

Biography

Elaine is a veteran English teacher and holds a BS in English Education from the University of CT and an MS in Educational Leadership from Central CT State University.  She presently teaches public speaking part time at a local community college. Her debut regency novel, Regal Reward, finaled in the NJRW Golden Leaf contest. Her second regency, A Convenient Pretense, illustrates her ability to create emotional depth in her characters and plot as well as her ability to write poetry that can be both heart-wrenching and humorous. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, CT Romance Writers (CTRWA) and Charter Oak Romance writers (CORW). She resides on the Connecticut shoreline and especially enjoys being a wife, mother, and grandmother to six grandchildren.

Thank you once again, Delilah, for hosting me. I’d love to hear comments from readers!

Many writers have a particular style of music they like to listen to while they write. Hard rock, classical, pop, country…each genre has its diehard fans that swear they write better, faster and hotter because of what they listen to. For me, it tends to change with each story I write. It’s like I have a theme song for each book that runs through my head the whole time the story is coming together, whether I am actually working on it or just thinking about it.

When I was writing Tell Me Lies, it was Fleetwood Mac’s Sweet Little Lies. For A Rapture of Centuries, it was Michael Buble’s rendition of Fever. My upcoming release, Released By Moonlight, used Come on Closer by Jem for it’s inspiration.

My most recent release, Instruction by Seduction, follows the story of Leah, a young college student floundering in her life until along comes Hale, a mystery man who catapults her into making her dreams a reality with his erotic life lessons. For this story it was America’s You Can Do Magic that inspired me. The song’s description of a woman who can have anything she desires with her “magic” made me cheer for Leah throughout the book. It also reminds me that when each of us “spell-casts” with our thoughts throughout our daily life, we too can make our dreams a reality.

Is there a particular song that inspires you to create? Or a song that has its own music video that plays in your head each time you hear it? Share in the comments! I’ll pick a random commenter to win a digital copy of their choice of Tell Me Lies or Instruction by Seduction. The winner will be selected from comments posted by noon EST on August 19^th.

You do not open the box. The box opens you.

When Leah picks up an ornate box at a flea market she knows it’s special. But she has no idea how her life as a sexually disappointed college student and grocery store cashier will be transformed.

Through forces unknown, the box summons Hale—a man who knows Leah inside and out. He uses their no-strings-attached sexual escapades—which include a hot threesome and light bondage—as lascivious lessons to teach Leah what she needs to succeed in her job, education and relationships.

With each sexual encounter growing more and more extreme, Leah comes away challenged and questioning everything. But will Leah listen to her new instincts and embrace the life of her dreams or will she continue to hide in her old and comfortable but self-defeating ways?

Buy Instruction by Seduction today!
Ellora’s Cave | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Adrian Ennis has only known the life of organized crime, having been trained to be a mob assassin from age eight. Crime king pin Ezra Drake is more like a father to Adrian than her boss and is one of the few people she feels she can trust. But on the evening of her 29th birthday when Ezra orders her to kill Tony, her friend and lover, Adrian’s perception of who is and is not her friend becomes a blurred line of blood and bullets.

When Adrian makes an unlikely ally in Atlanta PD detective Damon Wyatt she learns the truth about her past, an unsavory web of murder and deceit that includes the destruction of her entire family. With an innocent life hanging in the balance – Tony’s ten-year-old son – Adrian has an opportunity to amend for the wrongs of her past and to bring those who destroyed her life to justice…her way.

Buy Tell Me Lies here!
Amazon

This is the last day of my trip. We’re in Tennessee and stopping at an outlet mall (shopping for school clothes) before committing to the final hours of our journey.

Already I’m dreading all the catching up I’ll have to do when I arrive home—laundry, mail, email, updating plans. But that’s okay. I’ll simply be happy to sit at my desk with my “things” all around me.

Take a girl who is obsessed with YA (young adult), Harry Potter, medieval fantasy, kick-butt heroines, and hot bad boys and what do you get? For me that answer is my debut series THE BLACK MAGE.

To be honest I’ve had this story line floating around my head since the 7^th grade. At the time the vision wasn’t very clear –all I knew was that I wanted a boy and girl as rivals who were secretly starting to fall for one another despite their own wishes. See, unlike the TWILIGHT fans out there I’ve always been drawn to the aloof/arrogant/misunderstood bad boy-types of characters. Romance in real life is almost always sweet –or at least predictable, when I read my novels I want spicy.

Enter Prince Darren. He was born with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. To start with he is second-in-line to the throne so he already feels like has something to prove. His obsession with being best leads him to alienate many people with his biting sarcasm and condescension. When he meets the protagonist he is torn between disdain and an unbidden attraction that leads him to help her later on despite his own nature.

Enter Ryiah. She was born dreaming of a better life than the lowborn one she was brought into. Hot-headed to match her scarlet red locks, she tries out for the faction of Combat and finds her biggest rival in the school prodigy, Darren. He seems to go out of his way to insult her, yet as time goes on she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him anyway.

Anyway, that is just the beginning of their tale. For more check out my excerpt and trailer below, or better yet, buy the book!

TRAILER LINK:        http://youtu.be/noRhabNFJqk

Before the age of seventeen the young men and women of Jerar are given a choice –follow tradition, or pursue a trial year in one of the realm’s three war schools to study as a soldier, knight or mage…

For 15-year-old Ryiah the choice has always been easy. Become a warrior and leave the boring confines of her lowborn life behind. Set to enroll in the School of Knighthood on the eve of her next birthday, plans suddenly shift when her twin brother discovers powers. Hoping that hers will soon follow, she enrolls with Alex at the Academy instead –the realm’s most notorious war school for those with magic.

Yet when she arrives Ry finds herself competing against friend and foe for one of the exalted apprenticeships. Every “first-year” is given a trial year to prove their worth –and no amount of hard work and drive will guarantee them a spot. It seems like everyone is rooting for her to fail –and first and foremost among them Prince Darren, the school prodigy who has done nothing but make life miserable since she arrived.

When an accidental encounter leads Ryiah and Darren to an unlikely friendship she is convinced nothing good will come of it. But the lines become blurred when she begins to improve –and soon she is a key competitor for the faction of Combat… Still, nothing is ever as it seems –and when the world comes crashing down around her, Ry is forced to place faith in the one thing she can believe in –herself. Will it be enough?

Magic just got a whole lot harder.

Rachel Carter lives in Placerville, California with her fiancé and their two spoiled pets: a feisty feline named Charlie, and Zoey, the Australian Shepherd who gets jealous of her own shadow. She loves to organize –and when she is not color-coding her closet she is always looking for the next good book. She grew up reading about magic, hot bad boys, and lady knights. The Black Mage, her debut series, is a tribute to all the things she never stopped loving.

THE BLACK MAGE: FIRST YEAR is the first book of Rachel’s four-book YA fantasy series with Astraea Press. Rachel invites you to visit her author page at www.facebook.com.theblackmageauthor.  She loves to hear from other aspiring authors or readers via email at rachelcarterauthor@gmail.com. Follow her on twitter @blackmageauthor and read her blog at http://theblackmagegirl.wordpress.com.