Thank you so much for hosting me, DD!! Unless you tell me otherwise, I’ll just pick a winner from the commenters and save you the trouble. I hope all is going well with you and yours!! Hugs!!

Down and Dirty to Squeaky Clean

Life…it’s the opposite of neat. I mean from day one you need a bath. So, why not revel in the smut of life and I’m not just talking about reading deliciously naughty books.

My dad always said, “It’ll wash.” And he was always right. The fish guts, grass stains, mud, and muck all faded away with a good ole scrub. These days I love to get down and dirty (in a PG, I’m sharing with the world sort of way) cinching a saddle on an equine and riding for hours or an I’m sweating so much I can hardly feel my legs workout.

One of the best parts about getting dirty is getting clean. Pre-children I had all the time in the world for a nice scalding-hot soak. Now it’s all about the quick wash, but I haven’t scrimped on one thing. My soap is magical. It transports me to the most foot-loose and fancy-free time in my life…my honeymoon.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Verbena Soap rocks my socks clean off!! So much so that I actually wrote it into my first novel, Enemy Mine.

AND I’m giving one 12oz bar worth it’s weight in diamonds away on this blog!! Comment below and tell me, what is your favorite PG…PG-13 way to get dirty?

The Base Branch Series

Serve in the name of honor. Battle in the name of love.

Known by few as the Base Branch, the United Nations’ Special Operations Forces provide global defense against any who threaten the fragile balance of peace.

Book Links

Enemy Mine
Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | B&N | AllRomance

Justice Mine
Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | B&N | AllRomance

Stranger Mine
Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | B&N | All Romance

Megan was born and raised among the live oaks and shrimp boats of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where her enormous family still calls home. She attended college at the University of Southern Mississippi where she received a bachelor’s degree in curriculum, instruction, and special education. For several years Megan worked as a teacher in Mississippi. She married and moved to South Carolina and began working for an international non-profit organization as an instructor and co-director.

In 2009 Megan fell in love with books. Until then, books had been a source for research or the topic of tests. But one day she read Mercy by Julie Garwood. And Oh Mercy, she was hooked!

Megan lives in Southern Arkansas where she pens heart pounding romantic thriller novels and window steaming erotic romance. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Today’s Contest

I’m going to make you work for it, today. Not too hard, I promise! You have to do two things to enter today’s contest.

1. You have to follow the link below and sign up for our release party.
2. You have to tell me one thing you like about firehouse romances in the comments!

Easy-peasy, right? And what might you win? How about a free download of one my downloadable novellas? Reader’s choice!

The Scorching Five Alarm Release Day Party

Tell me you don’t have time, sometime on November 7th, to pop in to a little ole Facebook Party! It’s going to be 12 hours long, so there has to be a time, or maybe more than one or two times, you can poke your head in the door. All eight Five Alarm Alpha authors will be there. We’ll all be bearing prizes. Here’s the link. Go ahead and let us know you’re coming! RSVP to Five Alarm Alpha Party

So, now you’re wondering, What’s this about a new collection? You know I’m going to tell you all about it and ask you to pre-order the box set! Get those itchy fingers ready to click because it’s only $.99—but not for very long!

Five Alarm Alphas

Men Hotter Than Fire!!!
Eight Scorching HOT Brand New Stories

Feeding the Flames ~ Leah Braemel: When chef Tabatha Morgan returns to Barnett Springs, her burning crush on firefighter Zac Buchanan flares back to life. Trouble is, Zac has made a promise to keep his distance from Tabby, so Zac’s best friend and fellow firefighter Quinn decides to help feed the flames of their mutual desire.

Combustible ~ Lexxie Couper: Arson investigator, Desmond Russell is the best in Australia. Cool, calm and collected, nothing ruffles him. Until he meets Outback fire brigade captain, Jess Montgomery, a woman who ignites all his sexual desires. The initial spark will engulf them both…but will their hearts survive the inferno?

Wet Down ~ Delilah Devlin: Out with the old, in with the new…Or so Sherry Thacker thinks. Problem is, her ex is always on her mind and right across the street. When a “Wet Down” ceremony to retire an old fire truck is planned by the city council she has to put aside her hurt and anger and do her job. Blake Thacker wants his wife back—in every way and he’ll use whatever means necessary to win her back. Sex is always best served WET.

Two to Spark ~ Marie Harte: When a psychic predicts that a faulty toaster, a black cat, and the wrong address will bring Cooper together with Ms. Right, he shrugs off the notion as crazy. But before long, fate has something else in store for the sexy firefighter when a spark of attraction ignites into true love.

Controlled Burn ~ Desiree Holt: Montana Wade was home after writing off the past ten years of her life, but she needed one more night of courage before she faced her family. Boone Crider, hotshot firefighter, was burned out form the rash of malicious fires. They thought one night as strangers would cure them both, but the fire they started between them soon became a barely controlled burn.

Up In Smoke ~ Lissa Matthews: Half-brothers, Josh and Jay, share everything from a house, to a love of curvy, older women. So when their dream woman accidentally sets her kitchen on fire, they ride to her rescue, sirens blaring, promising to kindle flames that may never be extinguished.

Rekindled ~ Cari Quinn: Some blazes refuse to be contained. It’s been months since ex-firefighter Katie Kemp has spoken to her former lover and squad mate, Dash Carlton. But when a late night drive down memory lane leads her to a small fire at Dash’s house, she realizes she’s not willing to turn her back on the hottest flame of her life.

Into the Fire ~ Shelli Stevens: Shannon has always prided herself on holding her own in the male dominated field of firefighting. She likes to be in control. Until she strikes a bargain with a sexy man from her past who makes her give it all up in the bedroom.

Pre-order: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Thanks to Delilah for hosting me today and Hello to all the readers out there!

Belize Nights is my new, erotic contemporary romance (novelette) set on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. Yes, I’ve been there. No, it’s not a retelling of my vacation. It’s fiction. (Just in case you were wondering. :-)) However, one of the scenes is not total fiction. There is a scene where the heroine snorkels with sharks. I did that! Still can’t believe I did that. Talk about scary! For legal purposes, I’d put the “Don’t try this at home, kids” warning on it, but secretly, I’d tell you to totally do it if you have the chance.

Giveaway!

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Tell me in the comments
and I’ll select one person to win a copy of one of my backlist books.

Belize Nights

Belize Nights
Evernight Publishing
Erotic Contemporary Romance
Novelette 13,000 words

Belize Nights Blurb

Lana’s traveling to her dream vacation in Ambergris Caye, Belize expecting sun, sand, clear water and relaxation. When she assaults a stranger with her carry-on bag at the airport, she’s overwhelmed by her all-consuming attraction to him.

Dean can’t get the clumsy brunette from the airport out of his mind. The way her chocolate eyes had devoured him left him yearning for more, so when he runs into her on the island, he makes the most of the opportunity.

When a dizzying heat engulfs them both, they realize Lana’s short vacation isn’t enough time to tame their burning desires.

Belize Nights Quickie Excerpt

His expression instantly turned seductive. An electric current buzzed between them, sizzling the air, making her flush. She gulped her beer hoping the cool liquid would ease the flame burning her insides.

“Ya know,” Dean leaned toward her, his eyes boring into hers, “the real reason I hesitated when you asked me in?”

Her throat constricted at the heat in his eyes. “Not because of my klutziness?”

He slowly shook his head. “It was because I didn’t know if I could resist the urge I’ve had since you fell into my lap on the plane.”

He looked so serious, voice so low and husky. Her stomach quivered. “What urge?” she asked, breathless.

“To kiss your pretty lips.”

Oh god, she wanted him. Irresponsible or not, she wanted him baaad. She’d wanted his mouth on her since first laying eyes on him. “Then don’t resist.” Her bold words surprised her, but she wouldn’t take them back. Couldn’t take them back. If he didn’t kiss her soon, she swore she’d die.

Author Bio

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

She thinks dragonflies are awesome, spiders are creepy and it’s rumored that she sleeps with a machete by her bed in case zombies attack in the middle of the night. Jocelyn loves to paint, loves to read, and loves to write sizzling erotic romance about yummy demons that would make your momma blush.

Here’s where you can find Jocelyn on the web
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Blog  * Goodreads

Here’s where you can buy Belize Nights
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-belizenights-1635557-149.html
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00NXFPEI2
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/belize-nights-jocelyn-dex/1120426957?ean=2940046203714
Evernight: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/belize-nights-by-jocelyn-dex/

I’m not one to offer advice unless it’s solicited but I find in the writing world, one of the most common questions I get asked in interviews is what advice I can give aspiring writers on their journey to and through publication. I thought I’d compile a list of top five pieces of advice I’ve collected over the years of my journey and share them with you.

5. If you’re going to give up, give up –make room for the rest of us.

Harsh advice, I know, but it was given to me early on in my writing career when I was whining to an author about the difficulty of rejection. I was maybe expecting a pat on the back and a little tlc, but what I got was a reality check. There are thousands of writers out there who would gladly trade places with you. If you leave the game, someone else will step up. So you have to make the decision, how badly do you want this?

4. Everyone’s path is different.

Vastly different. So you should try to avoid comparing yourself to other writers (even those super successful after one book writers) and you should also go with your gut in a lot of cases.  Lots of people “know” what you need to do but only you “know” what you want to do. If your goal is to get an agent, go for it, stick at it, no matter what others say. If your goal is to go indi, same thing, commit to it and do it. But don’t look at someone else and think that things are going to go the same way for you. They rarely do.

3. Treat this like a job or a business even when it’s not.

Give yourself deadlines and word count quotas and don’t let yourself  make excuses to put something off. Always have something in play whether it be working on a new project, editing, submitting, whatever it is, keep the ball rolling and hold yourself accountable. If you’re serious about pursuing publication then you must be disciplined in your approach.

2. Always ask, even if you think the answer will be no.

A lot of trading happens in the writing world as well as a lot of paying it forward. In the writing community, there are many people who are more than willing to help you. Whenever an opportunity presents itself you should always ask…for help, for a favor, whatever it is. Of course no one owes you anything and you shouldn’t approach a request as a demand but if you don’t ask (even those things that seem too far out of your reach) then the answer is always a big no.

1. Don’t throw stones.

I see this happening a lot. We as writers are not infallible. Our manuscripts are not flawless (even after they’ve been professionally edited). We are always learning…or we should be. If you get the urge to publically call out another author about their writing, editing, or anything related to their work in a negative way…DON’T.  Be humble, be gratuitous, and don’t give anyone a reason to return a negative favor.

My newest release from Samhain is Wolf Slayer, book 2 in The Order of the Wolf series.

I have a contest running for you to win an e-copy prize pack of Cursed (book 1) and Wolf Slayer! All you have to do is enter the rafflecopter: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Links

Samhain: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/wolf-slayer-p-73650.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Slayer-The-Order-ebook/dp/B00K8R50A0

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wolf-slayer-angela-addams/1119471579?ean=9781619222328

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/it-ca/books/Wolf-Slayer/pkD4WyvqaE-uZgu1mZ0rcA?MixID=pkD4WyvqaE-uZgu1mZ0rcA&PageNumber=1

Bio

Every day is Halloween for author Angela Addams. Enthralled by the paranormal at an early age, Angela spends most of her time thinking up new story ideas that involve supernatural creatures in everyday situations. She believes that the written word is an amazing tool for crafting the most erotic of scenarios.

She is an avid tattoo collector, a total book hoarder and loves anything covered in chocolate…except for bugs.

She lives in Ontario, Canada in an old, creaky house, with her husband and children.

Website: www.angelaaddams.com
Twitter: @angelaaddams
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.Angela.Addams
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4801196.Angela_Addams

She would have made his next breath his last, if he hadn’t stolen hers.

Order of the Wolf, Book 2

Aubrey Devlin thought she had a destiny—to become a Huntress, be mated to a Hunter, and spend her life in everlasting, werewolf ass-kicking bliss. But after years of honing her wolf-slaying skills, it’s her twin sister who’s chosen for the coveted honor.

Swallowing her disappointment, she takes a job as head of security for the band Riot. Staying professional is tough when it comes to the band’s sex-god bassist, an alpha bad-boy to the extreme. She will keep her mind on her work—as soon as she figures out how to stop drooling over the man.

Jaylon isn’t good with women—especially those with the ability to kill him—yet he knows without a doubt Aubrey is his mate. Now if only he can get the stubborn woman to fall for him.

One argument too many, and instead of clawing each other’s eyes out, they wind up clawing each other’s clothes off. It’s then that Jaylon realizes the truth: Aubrey is a true Huntress. He’d better find a way to claim his mate before a Hunter claims her first…

Product Warnings

Sexually explicit (like ripping-clothes-off, sex-in-public-places explicit) language. Rock-star bad-ass with long hair and a wicked bite. A take-no-crap huntress who bites back. You are encouraged to lick, suck, and devour your way through this tasty treat in one sitting—just be aware you might be hungry for more.

Hi Delilah and all you fabulous readers out there! *waves* Thank you so much for having me today! My romantic suspense, Maximum Risk, released this month so I’m very excited to be here! Thank you so much for sharing it with me!! 

Contest: In honor of my release I am giving away an e-book copy of any one of my books (go to my WEBSITE to choose) to one lucky commenter so please leave me a comment with your EMAIL so I can contact you if you win!!

Today I’m sharing 10 things about my hero from Maximum Risk, Quinn Wolff. I had so much fun writing him I hope you enjoy reading about him too!

1. He founded Wolff —an elite, private-sector security firm that specializes in personal & corporate security, high risk missions into dangerous places, hostage/kidnap/fugitive recovery, intelligence gathering.
2. He has five brothers who run Wolff Securities with him. And one feisty sister.
3. He is a former PJ—pararescueman.
4. He is the oldest of the siblings and he takes the responsibility and protection of the family very seriously.
5. He’s inflexible when it comes to that protection.
6. He wrote the Wolff Securities handbook, but when it comes to loved ones and the heroine, Avery, the book goes out the window. Much to his unease.
7. His favorite food is his mother’s pot roast.
8. He loves Sunday dinner at his parents’ house and their traditional football game afterwards.
9. He would die for his family or the one he is protecting.

***BONUS***

For everyone who signs up for my NEWSLETTER you will receive an e-book copy of my short story, Taking Chances ($.99 value) for FREE!

Thank you for having me today, Delilah!! I just want to send out a big THANK YOU to all my readers out there! Without you I wouldn’t be here. My wish is to one day meet each and every one of you so I can personally thank you for your generosity and support!  All my best,  Jennifer

Maximum Risk

It should have been a simple rescue mission…

Retired Pararescueman, Quinn Wolff, wrote the book on how to stay alive during a mission when he founded Wolff Securities, an elite private sector security firm. When he fast-ropes down to save missing humanitarian aid worker, Avery Marks, in the remote mountains of Azbakastan he isn’t prepared for the brave, stubborn woman who challenges the rules he wrote in order to protect her.

But when it comes to matters of the heart nothing is simple…

Avery Marks learned a long time ago to take care of herself, but when her convoy is attacked, her friends and coworkers murdered, she has to rely on the aid of intensely capable and handsome, Quinn Wolff to get her safely out of the country. His skills keep her alive, but his kisses put her in danger. In danger of losing her heart. That’s a risk she can’t take ever again.

Content Warning: Sexual content

Excerpt:

Copyright © 2014 Jennifer Lowery

Gut-wrenching sobs choked her as she brought the truck to a skidding stop in front of Quinn’s house. She fumbled with the door handle and nearly fell on her face when it opened. Leaving the door wide open, she ran into the house and straight to her bedroom where she slammed the door. Quinn’s borrowed bloody shirt lay on the floor, tainted with Ryan’s blood. Her own blood.

Memories of what they’d done to her flooded in. The pain. Her screams. The times she couldn’t scream. The missile hitting the Land Cruiser. Scott taking a bullet.

Oh God.

Unable to process, Avery pummeled the fabric with her fists. Over and over she swung until the pain in her arms overshadowed the pain in her heart.

A pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, picked her up off the ground and swung her away from the bed. Still aching inside, she kicked and fought to be free. The arms held tight, body taut.

“Let me go.” Her heel landed a blow and sent a jolt of pain up her leg, which only frustrated her more.

“Avery, stop.”

Quinn’s gruff command penetrated the emotions pounding inside her. Avery deflated like a balloon and slumped in his arms, chest heaving. Quinn’s chin touched the top of her head, his chest rising and falling in sequence with hers. He still hadn’t put her down; her feet dangled off the ground. The way he held her, tucked against him, made her heart ache even more. Almost as if he couldn’t let her go.

For just a moment she allowed herself to lean on him, letting him hold her close until it felt like they were fused. She didn’t analyze why she did it, or why he let her. Simply let it happen.

Quinn tucked his head into her neck, voice gravelly, his breath hot on her skin. “Goddammit, Avery.”

Mouth dry, she nodded her head in understanding. She didn’t need the words. What was done was done. She couldn’t take it back.

Gently he set her feet on the floor and she winced. They stung like she stood on a bed of glass. Before she could guess his intention, Quinn swung her into his arms and carried her out of the room. She wrapped her arms around his neck, too worn out to fight. Her gaze followed his tanned neck to the strong line of his jaw. His profile was rigid, lines of fatigue bracketing his eyes. So much strength and so much pain. He wore his emotions inside like a warrior. She admired that after the spectacle she made of herself.

Author Bio:

NY Times & USA Today bestselling author, Jennifer Lowery grew up reading romance novels in the back of her math book and on the bus to school, and never wanted to be anything but a writer. Her summers were spent sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters spinning tales of romance and intrigue and always with a tall glass of ice tea at their side.

Today, Jennifer is living that dream and she couldn’t be happier to share her passion with her readers. She loves everything there is about romance.  Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet their match with strong, independent heroines.  She believes that happily ever after is only the beginning of her stories. And the road to that happy ending is paved with action, adventure, and romance. As her characters find out when they face danger, overcome fears, and are forced to look deep within themselves to discover love.

Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and two children. When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Connect With Jennifer:
Author Website   Facebook   Twitter   Romance Recipes

Buy the Book:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
iTunes

Other Books by Jennifer Lowery:
The Maze (Book #1, ATCOM)
A SEAL’s Song (Book #1, SEAL Team Alpha)
Hard To Handle (Book #1, Sawyer Sisters Trilogy)
Hard Core (Book #1, Onyx Group)
Murphy’s Law
Taking Chances (short story)

Since tomorrow is release day, I’m going to award the two previous days’ prizes tomorrow. So there’s still time to enter if you haven’t already!

Right now, it’s very early morning. I really should be off to bed—I have a 6AM alarm set. Relatives are in town and we’re off to the city for some shopping and sightseeing, so I’ll be away from my desk. I will do my best to post news about an upcoming blog tour on release day. We’ve got a ton of prizes and opportunities to enter, so keep watching here for the “deets.”

I’ll leave you with one last thought about the book. If you have ever had a love for warriors, this book will satisfy. They come from countries all over the world. They wear kilts or armor, wield swords and iron fists. They are men who think duty or ambition is their paramount concern until they meet The One.

So come on. Turn the page. Sink into a story set in some far away time inside a castle with cold stone walls where a man with an intense gaze and warm hands will seduce you with his powerful frame and deep, rumbling voice. I was the lucky girl. I met them all first. 🙂

For more information about where you can buy your own copy of the book, check out the Hot Highlanders and Wild Warriors website.

Post a comment today and you’ll get a second chance to win one of the books I’ve offered the past two days. Let me know whether you’d be willing to “touch the stone” and catapult back in time if you knew one of these warriors would be waiting for you!

UPDATE: The winner of the free signed copy of COWBOY HEAT is…Cara! 

* * * * *

If you haven’t already guessed, I’m super excited about this anthology. I want it to do well, because I want my publisher to realize there’s a market for historically-themed sexiness. Yes, I doubt there’s many of us eager to actually touch that tall stone to be transported to some past era (unless we knew for sure Jamie F. was waiting there!). But I think we can leave behind the realities of poor hygiene and bad teeth long enough to enjoy some romantic fantasies.

Do you love Highlanders, English knights, Mongols, Samurai, or Vikings? This book has it all. If you’d like to read excerpts before you commit to purchase, be sure to check out the blogs each of the authors has posted to introduce you to their stories: Hot Highlanders and Wild Warriors Blog.

Let me know your favorite flavor of historical hero, and you’ll be entered to win a free, signed copy of Cowboy Heat!

Here’s a peek inside the table of contents of Hot Highlanders and Wild Warriors:

“Pleasure in Surrender” by Delilah Devlin
After the lady of the keep bars her gates to the barbarian the king commands she wed, the half-Viking knight scales the walls of her heart

“Wicked” by Susannah Chapin
The strong-willed daughter of a Scottish Laird learns it isn’t her surrender her father’s most powerful but wounded warrior craves

“The Keeper of the Keys” by Axa Lee
A Briton queen learns to lay aside the household keys of her responsibilities and ask her Saxon warlord husband for what she craves

“The Maiden’s Kiss” by Layla Chase
A Viking warrior tempts fate and his own control when an Icelandic maiden asks to be tutored in the art of kissing

“My Loveliest Vision” by Renee Luke
Despite a daunting affliction, the lady of the keep will protect her father’s holdings from a resolute knight come to claim what he was promised

“The Invasion of Nefyn” by Lizzie Ashworth
A Briton woman risks rape and death at the hands of invading Saxons in hopes of a visit from her warrior husband

“The Promise of Memory” by Regina Kammer
A Roman slave finds freedom in fantasies of a knight in the imperial guard—a warrior who evokes memories of a long lost love

“On My Honor” by Beatrix Ellroy
When a wounded knight is offered sanctuary by a widowed healer, the pleasure she also offers may strain his honor

“A Hawk in Flight” by Connie Wilkins
The Lady of Aragotsotn paid tribute to the Mongol conqueror to save her people, but her falcon-fierce heart remains undefeated—though it might be won

“To Love a King’s Man” by Emma Jay
At the Highland Games of 1589, a young widow risks all for a chance to win the love of a bastard favored by the king

“The Bodyguard” by Jacqueline Brocker
As a ninja stalks through the palace corridors, the daughter of a samurai lord is drawn to her wounded, pensive bodyguard

“Broken Vows” by Anya Richards
A marriage of convenience leads to most inconvenient desires and a threat to one knight’s immortal soul

“Poetry and Amber” by Axa Lee
A mighty passion ignites along the Volga River between a Celtic witch and the Rus king to whom she’s been traded

“The Squire” by Cela Winter
While traveling in France, a knight’s secretive new squire makes him question everything he knows about himself