UPDATE: The winner of the gift card is Melissa Kendall!

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How many of you have had the joy of planning your parenthood and coming up short? And what I mean by that is when you try and try and try and still don’t get pregnant? It’s a very depressing time and oh so joyous when you finally succeed.

For those of you out there who have tried and were unable to conceive, my heart goes out to you. For those of us who have tried, and tried, and tried and finally succeeded, you know the hoops you had to go through to get there.

On my third child, we tried for over a year before we were successful. The fourth child never happened, no matter how hard we tried. Sigh.

In BOOTS AND WISHES, the latest in my UGLY STICK SALOON series, I revisit the relationship of Audrey Anderson and Jackson Gray Wolf from the book that started it: BOOTS AND CHAPS. They are happily married now and want a child, but are having difficulties conceiving. As a busy bar owner, she doesn’t always have the luxury of running home when she’s ovulating, so fun times are running rampant at the Ugly Stick.

*****For a chance to win a $5 Gift Card*****

Leave a comment about your time trying to get pregnant or someone you know. What did they do? (Please not too graphic ;-))

Ugly Stick Saloon: Boots & Wishes Samhain Publishing Coming Dec 2, 2014

Samhain Publishing Nook Amazon Kindle Kobo

Blurb:

The best gift has nothing to do with the size of the package.

Ugly Stick Saloon, Book 8

Married to the love of her life, Audrey Anderson is ready to get this baby show on the road. Except six months of timing sex around her ovaries’ cycle has not only dampened their spontaneity, it hasn’t worked. She’s still not pregnant.

Jackson would love to give Audrey half a dozen children, but he can’t stand the heartache in her eyes as each month goes by with no “plus” sign on the test strip. Hell, he’s ready to call it and concentrate on just being a happy couple.

When a runaway mother arrives at the Ugly Stick with a newborn in tow and needing a job, Audrey, ever the tender heart, takes them in—at the saloon and her home—despite the baby’s presence being a constant reminder of her own empty arms.

Baby Mia turns out to be a blessing in disguise, but just as life settles into a rhythm as pleasant as a cow pony’s lope, the runaway mama’s painful past comes roaring after her with the force of a prairie tornado, threatening to destroy anything in its path, including Audrey and the Ugly Stick Saloon.

Warning: It’s the holiday season at the Ugly Stick and time to wrap the saloon in mistletoe. No need for hot cocoa, there’s enough pull-out-all-the-stops heat between this sexy bar owner and her handsome cowboy to keep every reader warm.

Excerpt:

“Hey, cowboy, what say you strap on the chaps and we go for a ride?” Audrey stood in the doorway of the storeroom, wearing chaps over her blue jean cutoffs and carrying a leather whip coiled in one hand. In her other hand was a pair of man-sized leather chaps. They were the ones out of his closet from home. She liked him best in the real deal.

Jackson’s eyes widened and he teetered, almost losing his balance on the ladder he had climbed up to change the bulb in the fluorescent light fixture hugging the ceiling. He held the long white tube he’d been about to install in the slot he’d just pulled the burned-out bulb from. “Now? Are you ovulating?”

“Do I have to be ovulating for you to want to make love to me?” Audrey’s gut instantly knotted and her eyes stung. “Six months ago, you’d have dropped the bulb and leaped off the ladder at an offer like this.” Her shoulders sagged and she sighed. “I was afraid of this.”

Jackson set the new bulb in the slots and climbed down from the ladder. “Afraid of what?” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead.

“Afraid making love would become a chore.”

Jackson snorted. “Never.”

“Admit it.” She poked a finger at his chest. “Ever since we decided to try to get pregnant, we’ve lost some of the magic and spontaneity we used to enjoy.”

When Jackson started to shake his head, Audrey raised her eyebrows and gave him a pointed look. “Be honest.”

Jackson’s head stopped in midshake and he grimaced. “Okay, so it’s not quite as spontaneous as it used to be. But I love you and never get tired of making love with you.”

“And I never tire of making love with you. But all the effort of timing our lovemaking is taking the joy out of our sex life.” She stepped back and turned away from him, her heart sore. “Maybe we should give up trying. If it happens, it happens.” She bit her bottom lip before continuing softly, “And if it doesn’t, it wasn’t meant to be. We weren’t meant to be parents. I mean, my life has been anything but role-model material.”

Warm, work-roughened hands curled around her arms and she was pulled back against Jackson’s solid chest. “Sweetheart, it will happen. Most likely when we least expect it. And even if it doesn’t—which I’m not giving up—you would be enough to keep me happy for the rest of my life. And you’re the best role model a kid could have. You’re real, tender-hearted, and you care about everyone you come in contact with.”

Audrey’s heart filled to overflowing. Jackson was the man who made her life complete. Her one true love. He loved her even with her background as a stripper. She couldn’t imagine loving anyone else or living without him. She covered his hands on her arms and leaned back against him. “I love you, Jackson Gray Wolf. That will never change.” Turning in his embrace, she cupped his cheek. His face was so dear to her and made her grateful every day of her life she’d found him. “I want to have your children. I want to see little Gray Wolf boys running around the ranch, learning to ride horses, swimming in the creek and raising hell like I’m certain you and your brothers did when you were growing up.”

“And I want half a dozen little girls with strawberry-blond hair and eyes so blue they make the Texas skies pale in comparison.”

“Nice.” She slid her hands up his chest to lock behind his neck. “When did you become a romantic?”

Myla’s Bio:

MYLA JACKSON also writing as NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author ELLE JAMES is an award-winning author of stories including cowboys, intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edges of their seats. With over seventy stories in a variety of sub-genres and lengths she is published with Harlequin, Samhain, Ellora’s’ Cave, Kensington, Cleis Press, and Avon. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, out snow-skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories.

Myla Jackson’s links: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

Elle’s Links: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Newsletter | Amazon Author Page

UPDATE: The winner of the free Adventure Girl, Inc. story is…Ginger Robertson!

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Just a quick note before you dive into the post from Alisa Anderson! 

First, I have a winner for Tuesday’s gift card. Be sure to check the top of that post to see if you were a winner.

Secondly, I’d like an answer to a question for another chance for someone to win a free download of any one of my Adventure Girl stories. Be sure to give Alisa some praise, too!

Are blogs dead? Would you be sad if I didn’t provide space
to other authors to introduce you to their books?

Thanks for taking time to answer and please enjoy learning more about Alisa Anderson’s Give and Keep! DD

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Give and Receive, Part 3: Give and Keep

What is right when you decide there is no wrong?

No more games to be played. The time had come to step up.

I’m going to take the forbidden fruit being offered and dance with the devil…

Learn to fly.

It’s just that sometimes, when you fly too close to the sun….

You’re bound to get burned. I wear the scars well.

But what’s a little pain of heat…

with the reward of pleasure.

Excerpt:

Lena felt like she had walked into the middle of a movie, and had missed the first scene. She also knew Danny and Tyler knew more about the movie than either of them was telling. She looked at Danny.

“How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to know you’re beautiful when being fucked.”

Lena’s eyes widened, nipples immediately puckering in response.

Her breath caught in her throat. “Oh.”

“Oh, indeed.”

Ty looked at them both.

“By the way, just in case you forget.” Ty grabbed her, curling his hand around her neck possessively. Yanking her lips to his as his eyes met Danny’s.

He kissed her, brutally sucking her lip into his mouth, biting down until her blood flavored his tongue. She blinked.

“I um. Ok. So that’s a thing happening too.”

Ty put his finger to her mouth, shushing her.

He walked her over to the massive, giant four poster bed. Sinking back into the firm, king sized mattress, dragging her pants down halfway around her waist before pulling her down on top of him. She around and looked at him, his gaze colliding with Danny’s once again.

He ground into her, cock grazing over the pucker of her bottom, still slick with his semen. Never breaking eye contact with Danny.

What was it neither of them were saying?

She felt his ever-growing erection, once again, as he slid his penis inside her ass, its thickness still making her shift with the sudden invasion. She didn’t have time to think, to prepare, to even move, as she was forced, all the way down on his thick, heavily veined, cock. It was different, sitting on him this way. She felt him more. Harder. Thicker. There was pain. But pleasure, too. So much pleasure. It made her dizzy.

“Oh my god. Ty.” She moaned. Feeling him fill her deeply. Deeper than before. Pussy tingling in response. Sighing at the multitude of sensations. “You feel so fucking big. Still. What are you doing to me?” Lena’s body betrayed her, getting heated once more.

“Shut up. Enjoy. In that order.” He adjusted himself, sliding his hands around to part her thighs as Danny reached them. Sinking to his knees, yanking her pants and underwear down further. His mouth found her pussy and he licked, urgent with his need to finally taste her flesh.

She was hot, dampened with fluids not entirely hers.

She suspected Danny knew that as he lapped at her, pausing to break eye contact with Ty to find hers. So much hidden in the depths of those strange, haunted eyes.

Answers she may not be ready for now.

He parted her flesh searchingly with his tongue, continuing to love on every morsel of flesh he could get his mouth on. Torturously he twirled his mouth and lips around her clit, sucking it into his mouth with feverish intensity. Swallowing every last drop he took from her.

“You taste…like honey.” Danny whispered against her pussy, using his fingers to fuck her tight opening, biting down on her delicate little bud.

“But then…I always knew you would.”

He lifted each of her legs gently, until she was free of her pants and underwear. “I wonder how you’ll feel with your beautiful pussy around my cock. Stretching you. Filling you. Fucking you. I wonder if you can take all of me…if Ty warmed you up enough to take everything I have waiting for you? I’m not…easily satisfied. I can be dark. Did he tell you that about me?”

His words were hypnotic to her ears. Buttery rich chocolate, dripping all over her. Driving her insane with promise. She was confused, aroused, bewildered, desperately craving his touch, his words….his everything.

He blew softly on her  clit as Ty thrust into her, feeling her ass meet the sharp muscle of his pelvis. She inhaled sharply as he rammed upwards. She tried to scream, as pain laced her throbbing backside, but Ty was buried so deep, so tight she couldn’t breathe.

“Oh. God. Yes. Just like that. Fuck me harder, Ty. Make. It. Hurt.”

She moaned as Ty grabbed her hips, crying out as she felt his balls resting against the opening of her pussy. White hot pain consumed her as he continued slamming into her, stretching her impossibly, more than before. She needed more, craved more pain, had to feel the burn of his cock, scraping against her sensitive tissues.

Ty ground into her, mouth pressed to her shoulder. “How much more, baby girl?” His breathing irregular, labored. He was ready to explode. She knew it. She wiggled her ass over him and he thrust into her, harder, deeper, faster. She was so wound, so tight, so ready to combust. It wouldn’t be long now.

Ty reached around to palm the slick, moistened mound of curls, slipping his fingers inside of her pussy.

Danny never broke eye contact with her as he gave Ty’s fingers a lick, tasting her off of him. He continued licking every time Ty’s fingers came out, alternately inserting his fingers inside her, then together, with Ty. Lena couldn’t resist touching herself and pinched her clit, stroking it, plucking the ripe fruit as Danny kissed it, nibbling on her fingers as well. She was alive with sensation, every tongue lap on her finger from his mouth a pleasure source, charging everything on her body into overdrive.

Danny slipped his fingers from her pussy to her ass, stretching her opening more as Ty slid in and out, and she suddenly exploded. Everything went hazy around her, pain giving way to indescribably intense pleasure.

Danny sat up, bringing her head to his, capturing her mouth with his own. He positioned his cock at her opening, sliding inside her pussy, impatient and urgent. Careful not to hurt her too much, with Ty still inside.

He fucked her hard, slapping against her pussy fast and forceful.

He had waited a lifetime to be inside her it seemed and was no longer to be denied.

He took her legs, wrapping them around his waist as he continued slamming into her, forcefully, demanding her submission.

“Lie back, baby girl.” Ty whispered softly. “I’ll hold you. Just lean into me.”

Available FRIDAY!!

Alisa’s Bio

(transposed to the third person at an attempt to appear more mature *grins cheerfully*)

well…alisa did stuff and is still doing stuff. only now she has two boys crazy enuff to want her as their mommy. hey, at least she tried to warn them, so her job is done. she doesn’t like to capitalize, partially because she likes how lower case letters look visually, but mostly out of laziness. please don’t judge. it could be you. and she would say, hey. you’re alright, buddy. you’re ok in my book. now c’mere for a hug. the hug might be pushing it. air kiss? you are strangers, after all, with only a mutual love of poor grammar.

she lives for a world full of controllable anatomically correct, android men programmed to meet her specific feminine needs (wink, wink, nudge, nudge with a big waggle of the eyebrows). who look like the rock. and ian somerhalder. and idris elba. and that’s it she promises. variety. gotta have variety, right?

but alas…apparently that exists only in johanna lindsey’s genius mind. so until then, she enjoys her incredibly warped sense of humor. she reads tons of erotica and romantic, drippy goo that makes her heart go pitter patter. then she thought, hey. what, she said to herself. (softly, of course, so no one finds out she is indeed, 2 nuts short of a fruitcake) maybe you should write this stuff too. maybe someone will like it and maybe buy it. so she said, huh, you think? then she said, well…yeah, i wouldn’t have suggested it…(inserts sarcastic tone) and then she was like lose the attitude, ok? then she was all, would you just shut up and write, already? sheesh! and she did. 🙂

links:
Official: http://alisaandersonbooks.wix.com/alisaandersonbooks
Blog: http://bitchesbewritin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlisaAndersonBooks
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Alisa-Anderson/e/B009IEA6A8

Welcome my friend, Sandra Jones! Her new book is out now. Don’t forget to enter contest drawing! ~DD

Her Wicked Captain
River Rogues #1
By: Sandra Jones
Releasing November 4, 2014
Samhain Publishing

She played right into his hands.

Possessing uncanny people-reading skills like her mama, Philadelphia “Dell” Samuels has spent thirteen years in her aunt’s rustic Ozarks home, telling fortunes over playing cards and trying to pass as white. But the treacherous Mississippi River childhood her mama dragged her away from finally catches up to her on a steamboat captained by her old friend Rory Campbell.

Known to his crew as the Devil’s Henchman, Rory is a gambler in need of a miracle. Following the cold trail of his boss’s wife and bastard daughter, Dell, Rory has only one goal in mind: saving his crew from the boss’s cruelty by ruining him. The only one who can defeat the Monster of the Mississippi is the man trained to take his place. Rory’s convinced he can lure his boss into a high-stakes game against a rival, and with Dell’s people-reading skills, the monster will lose everything.

Under Rory’s tutelage and protection, Dell agrees to the tortured captain’s plan. Passion and peril quickly bring them together as lovers. But when Rory’s plan goes awry, the lives of the innocent depend on Dell’s ability to read the situation correctly—and hopefully save them all.

An Excerpt from HER WICKED CAPTAIN

“What sort of danger are you bringing me into?”

“Nothing for you to worry about. I’m good with pistols. I’m good with lots of things.” His voice held a smile, and he flicked the top button of her dress open with the tiniest motion of his index finger.

“Stop that.” Shock zinged through her. She planted her hands on his shoulders to

push away, but he resisted, anchoring her in the circle of his brawny arms. “Let me go!

Stop teasing. You’re trying to distract me. I demand to know what trouble you’re bringing Jeremiah and me into.”

“You demand?” His laughter vibrated his chest beneath her palms. “Lady, you can’t make demands on my ship. The cardsharps who frequent Moreaux’s gaming salons are a different breed than the fur traders and muleskinners you know. They’d as soon put a bullet in your chest than lose a hand of cards, but as long as you’re with me, you’ve got no one to worry about.” He ran his index finger gently along her cheek. “’Cept maybe me.”

A sharp retort sprang to her tongue, but the hungry look in his eyes froze her. His gaze fell to her mouth, and he eased forward. Anticipation held her captive as his lips brushed over hers, warm and gentle, fitting like the missing half of a pair. Her eyelids fell shut against the sparks in her mind, and she swore she felt them ignite, the heat flowing up her chest and neck.

When he sat back, she opened her eyes to find him regarding her through dark eyes of his own. Wanting more, she folded her lips together, savoring the wondrous sensation of his mouth on hers a moment longer.

“Did you see that coming, angel?” he whispered.

His teasing words were like ice water in her face. “I see everything I want to see. Be serious.” Truth be told, she was glad she wasn’t standing at the moment. His surprising kiss could’ve swept her feet out from under her. She looked down at him haughtily. She’d show him she wasn’t to be played with. There’d been other men who’d tried to spread her legs, who’d kissed her first—though never as sweet and seductive as Rory’s kiss. But she’d bested every man, found their weaknesses, turned their superstitions against them. Rory wasn’t any different. He thought to bring her back to his boss like a prize? Well, she was nobody’s trophy! “What makes you think you can kiss me, Captain?”

His hand slid behind her head. He smirked. “You’re the one who came to me. Now”—he twined his fingers in the back of her hair and murmured—“let me kiss you properly.”

Dell refused to come any closer, but he bent his knees, propping his feet up on the

other chair and causing her to fall against his body. Her hands flattened on his chest, feeling the solid muscle beneath the linen of his shirt. His lips covered hers again, and his hand caressed the back of her neck in a gesture so tender and intimate, unlike anything she’d ever felt before. The tip of his tongue touched her bottom lip in request. She couldn’t deny her curiosity a moment longer, so she opened for him, allowing his tongue to seek hers.

He tasted of smoke and rum, provocative and forbidden as he coaxed her, melting her inside and out, until she gave way and parried, matching movement for movement.

When she fell fully into his erotic dance, he purred low in his throat. His fingertips

trailed up and down her neck, stroking her skin with care, but his lips were urgent. She

drank him in, following her instinct to dissolve in his embrace, allowing him to deepen his exploration. Her fingers fumbled under his open shirt, questing for his skin and finding the fine hair of his chest.

Rory turned his head, taking in a deep breath. His hands covered hers. “I was wrong. Maybe you’re the dangerous one.”

Dell bit her bottom lip as she tried to corral her racing heart. Suddenly uncomfortable in his lap, she readjusted, and he groaned. She discovered the reason for her discomfort—his rigid organ strained against her backside.

Rory tapped her chin with a light fingertip. “If you’re after respectability like you claim, you’ll not find it with me. Understand?”

Dell nodded and untangled herself from him. His arms fell away as she cast off his blanket and stood. Perhaps it was the wine she’d drunk or the heady comfort of his warm body, but she immediately wished she’d stayed put, enjoying more of his kisses. She hugged herself, looking at his boots, the deck, anywhere but at him that he might know her thoughts.

“Unless”—he shifted and spread his arms across the back of the chair in an invitation for her to feast over the naked muscles of his chest—“you’d rather lower your standards like your mama and wallow in decadence with the rest of us.”

“Like my mama?” Dell huffed. “Damn you! My mama was a decent woman. That’s why she got me out of that kind of life. One kiss—two kisses—doesn’t make me one of your tarts, Gory Rory. And you kissed me. I never asked you, I never gave you permission.”

He lifted a mocking brow. “You sure didn’t try very hard to refuse me.”

Dell spun away and headed back to the captain’s quarters. She heard him mutter an

indignant “Gory Rory?”

His laughter rang in her ears as she closed the door.

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.sandrajonesromance.com/events.html
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22922437-her-wicked-captain

Buy Links
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Her-Wicked-Captain-River-Rogues-ebook/dp/B00M497W56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410398050&sr=8-1&keywords=her+wicked+captain
B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-wicked-captain-sandra-jones/1120006611?ean=9781619223752
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/her-wicked-captain
iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/her-wicked-captain/id903379545?mt=11

Author Info

Historical romance author Sandra Jones was born and raised in Arkansas. She loves living in a cabin overlooking White River where she enjoys watching eagles and dreaming about the adventurous frontiersmen who once traveled past in steamboats. When she’s not reading, writing or researching, she’s the cook for her cranky old tom cat, her husband of more than 25 years, and her two grown sons. She also loves to chat with her fans.

Author Links
Website: http://www.sandrajonesromance.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandrajones.author
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SJonesRomance
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SandraJones

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Please See Rafflecopter for Description)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hello readers! I am delighted to be on Delilah’s blog today. I am currently writing a series of biker books called Ready To Ride so I’m all about bikers right now.

I love writing about bikers! They are rebels and free spirits.  And usually tattooed.  Yum!  Despite their rough exterior, they can still have hearts of gold…and abs of steel.  J  The only things they care about are the love of the open road, and the camaraderie of their fellow bikers.  Until they fall in love.  And when a big, powerful biker falls in love, it is heartwarming, and beyond sexy!

So what are the top sexiest things about bikers?

5) Strong arms and stronger legs.

Have you ever tried to hold up a motorcycle? I have, once, and it just fell slowly over onto me. Those things are some seriously heavy pieces of machinery. Operating and even just standing with a big bike results in some serious muscle toning.

4) They always wear protection.

Helmets. Visors. Elbow and knee pads. Chaps. That’s right, CHAPS. And even the leather isn’t just for looks, ladies. It’s also super strong, road-burn resistant material. These guys know how to stay safe while still looking like they could take on a band of outlaws.

3) Leather.

Ever dreamed of dressing like catwoman? Hopping on the back of your man’s Harley may be the only excuse you ever have for rocking head-to-toe-catlady leather.

2) The amount of power between their legs.

VERY good vibrations. ‘Nuff said.

1) They’re fun to ride… with.

Bikers know how to move. When to speed up, when to slow down, and probably more than a couple take-your-breath-away tricks. Not to mention the free, wild feeling of flying along a deserted road at top speeds in the open air. Adrenaline rushes are the best aphrodisiacs.

Phew! I’m all revved up just thinking about these delicious bad boys! I hope you enjoy reading about bikers as much as I enjoy writing about them.

Thank you so much for your time, and keep on riding!

Xoxoxo 🙂

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Opal’s brand-new serial novel, called Riding Steele, is releasing over the next several weeks. Riding Steele has six parts and all six parts make up a complete novel.  The first two parts are available now and a bundle that will include all six parts will be available in the new year.  (It’s available for preorder now!)

Riding Steele is the third in the Ready To Ride series. The first two are novellas (Hot Ride and Wild Ride) and each book stands alone.  Throughout the Ready to Ride series, we have followed various members of the gang and their sinful exploits, and in Riding Steele we meet their leader. The Alpha’s Alpha. Get ready to ride once again with Riding Steele!

Riding Steele #1: Kidnapped
November 4^th, 2014
Being kidnapped by bikers is a harrowing experience, but for some reason, Laurie doesn’t feel as terrified as she should. The leader’s steely eyes soften when he looks at her, and the others in his gang clearly know she’s hands off. But does that include Steele’s hands? Her brain resists him, but her body insists she wants those big hands all over her. Steele doesn’t know how he wound up in this mess–with a kidnapped woman on his hands and the police hot on their trail. Now he and Laurie are in hiding at an isolated cabin, and Steele has to figure out how to extricate himself…and steer clear of his accidental captive whose tight, slinky clubbing attire is making him think all kinds of dangerous thoughts…

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1l9AbeY
BN: http://bit.ly/RTR_RS1
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1uTXnj0
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1rjRTJN

Hot Ride
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1l4xkyE
BN: http://tinyurl.com/RTR1-OC-B
Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/RTR1-OC-K
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1rqVR75

Wild Ride (An Invitation to Eden Story)
Kindle: http://amzn.to/1jtqhTb
Nook: http://bit.ly/1mbjyzH
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1uFymHh
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1B01cmG

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If you’d like to keep up-to-date about Opal’s books, please sign up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/OpalCarewNews

You can also follow Opal at:
Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/OpalCarewRomanceAuthor
Twitter:         https://twitter.com/OpalCarew
Pinterest:      http://www.pinterest.com/opalcarew/ 

Have you ever told a mistruth to a guy? I’m not talking about an all-out lie here. I’m talking about an innocent fib. You know, as sort of a…lark. I have, but hey, growing up in a small town, the entertainments available to teenage girls were as limited as the pool of available teenage boys. That never stopped my girlfriends and me. A good lark could fill an evening with fun and although our little escapades occasionally backfired, when they led to meeting new boys, well, those were sweet.

One of our most successful ploys to meet new guys was a road trip. We’d pile into a car and hit the road for neighboring towns. Scoping out the local cuties, when we found a group that included enough boys to go around, we’d stop and strike up a conversation…claiming we were lost. Of course we never were, but the gambit worked like a charm. The truth is, teenage boys are suckers for poor, helpless females. Our mothers would have been horrified if they’d ever discovered what we were up to, but keep in mind, the world was a different place back then. I mean, I never once owned a key to the door of our house because it was never locked and the local townsfolk tended to keep an eye on what the young people did. Our “we’re lost” trips were harmless fun and netted all of us a date or two over the years, and one husband.

Jane Whitmore, the heroine of my Christmas novella, A Case for Calamity, could have been in the car along with my friends and me. She and her best friend, Shae, have been known to enjoy a good lark, but when they agree to switch identities to foil Shae’s father in his latest matchmaking attempt, things go horribly wrong…and since I write romance, wonderfully and sensually right.

So, what about you? Have you and your friends ever perpetrated a harmless lark? If you have, was it a rounding success or an unmitigated disaster?

A Case for Calamity releases 11.10.14. Part of the Yellow Rose line, “Calamity” is book eight of the 12 Brides of Christmas novella series from The Wild Rose Press.

Buy links: Various formats @ The Wild Rose Press or Amazon

For Jane Whitmore, agreeing to switch identities with her best friend seems like innocent fun, but spending a romantic night in Paris with a man who doesn’t know her real name turns out to be a lark gone bad. When their one night of passion proves to have lasting results, tracking down Gabe Sutton and telling him he’s about to be the father of her child is just another calamity Jane would rather avoid. After years of avoiding long-term romantic entanglements, Gabe has found a woman he might just be able to build a life with, only to have her disappear. When he finally finds her, his belief in happily-ever-after staggers under the weight of deception, and looming fatherhood leaves him with two choices: fight her for custody of his future child or cling to the promise of true love.

Excerpt:

“He doesn’t even know my name. What am I supposed to do? Walk up to him and say, ‘Hi Gabe. I’m the chick who tricked you into believing I was Michael Austin’s daughter two months ago in Paris. Oh, and by the way, I’m having your baby?’”

“I was thinking more along the lines of, ‘Hi, Gabe. I’m the chick who snuck out of your hotel room in Paris before you could say Good morning, beautiful. By the way, I had a really good time—and six orgasms. Oh, and I’m having your baby. Want to get a pizza?’”

Jane laughed at Shae’s cheeky grin, then shoved her fingers through her hair. “Right. That’ll work.”

“I googled him. You’re right. He’s hawt! He left his number that morning in Paris.” She smiled slyly. “It’s in my phone. You should call him.”

Jane snorted. “I don’t think giving Gabe Sutton a booty call would be a good idea. Besides, I’m on a sabbatical from men.”

Shae waggled her brows. “What’s that old saying? When you fall off a horse, you need to climb right back on?”

Mac’s links:
TheWildRosePressAuthorPage
Amazon Author Page
mackenziecrowne.com
FaceBook Author Page
Twitter @maccrowne
Goodreads

Author bio:

Wife, mother and really young grandmother, Mackenzie Crowne lives with her high school sweet heart husband, a neurotic Pomeranian, and a blind cat. She calls Phoenix home because the southwest feeds her soul. Though her friends claim she’s a princess, she disagrees. After all, one can’t raise two rambunctious boys to wonderful men without getting a little dirt under their nails. A lover of the romance genre, her resolve to share her stories with others was sharpened by a bout with breast cancer. Today she is an award-winning, multi-published author and seven-year survivor, living the dream.

Her friends call her Mac. She hopes you will too.

It’s time that Jazz Fall gets the spotlight—she’s spent the last few years behind the red carpet at SNAP, the celebrity gossip magazine and I interviewed her recently.

You went to USC. How did you end up in celebrity journalism?

Hmmm, L.A. I majored in film and thought I’d work in the entertainment business. Assistant producer, something like that. When the AA job at SNAP came up, I grabbed it. It’s was a lot of secretarial duties, but I was meeting and working with celebrities and it was just so cool! When Maxie Gwenoch came in as Managing Editor for the SNAP magazine, and I was assigned to her…well, it was a crash course in management.

Is this how you thought your life would turn out?

What? Working at SNAP? Living in Kiev? Having a vampire lover? Probably “no” to all of them.

I loved working for SNAP. It was as close to a dream job as I could get and was a great start for a career. I found out early on that the SNAP empire was owned by a hugely old and ginormously wealthy vampire family. I didn’t ever think I’d be involved with any of them, except as an employee.

It sounds like you made changes. What changed your mind?

Meeting Nik.

Who’s that?

He’s the third-in-command of the Kandesky vampire family, he’s about 500 years old, he’s lived in Hungary most of his life, he handles all the family’s business for their armaments factories. His hair is tousled, streaky-blond, and he has these deep, deep brown eyes. He’s stunning. He’s polite. He’s protective. He works in the night with the bottom feeders of Eastern Europe, selling weapons. He’s overbearing and bossy, he’s sex on a stick and he’s my lover.

Overbearing and bossy?

I’m finally figuring out that he can’t help it. He’s from an age and a culture where roles for men and women were defined and stringent. He thinks I defy him and argue too much, I think he doesn’t even listen to me. We’re both kind of right.

I’m from L.A. Love the sun, the beach, the frantic pace of life. He’s a creature of the dark, hanging around with mobsters. We don’t have a lot in common…well, there’s the sex (she laughs). His other characteristics though…he’s incredibly bright, he’s funny and witty, he has a wonderful sense of style, he has oceans of money, he’s the sexiest and most male man I’ve ever known and—BIG PLUS—he loves me.

Where’s this headed?

I don’t know. It’ scary to think about giving up my world to live in his. I know that I need to be with him. I can change…although I don’t really want to…but he can’t. He’s a vampire. That defines his life.

Would you give up your career?

Not at all. I’m staying in Europe now, at Nik’s house in Kiev. I’m still working for SNAP, and working with Maxie. I was promoted to Managing Editor of the SNAP magazine. Since we cover the world of celebrities, I can work anywhere. I travel a lot, visiting our bureaus in Paris, London, Rio. It’s all good because I travel on a company plane. And the demons take care of things. No luggage, passport, time hassles. I just show up and we take off.

What’s the future look like?

I want to stay involved with SNAP, it’s exciting and so much fun to be on the leading edge of international celebrity gossip. And I love living in Europe, although I miss L.A. occasionally. I don’t know if I’ll stay in Europe, but what I do know is that my future will always be tied to Nik. Now I have to decide if I’ll follow him anywhere.

*~*~*~*~*

Michele Drier was born in Santa Cruz and is a fifth generation Californian. She’s lived and worked all over the state, calling both Southern and Northern California home.  During her career in journalism—as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers—she won awards for producing investigative series.

She writes the Amy Hobbes Newspaper mysteries and the eight-book Kandesky Vampire Chronicles paranormal romance series. The third mystery, Delta for Death is scheduled for late 2014 and the ninth Kandesky Chronicles, SNAP: I, Vampire will be available in spring 2015.

Links:
www.michledrier.com
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00LDCXWRC
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/SNAP–All-That-Jazz?keyword=SNAP%3A+All+That+Jazz&store=ebook
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/snap-all-that-jazz

Last time we (we meaning Jen and Lisa, the authors who write together under the penname Ashleigh Raine) had the opportunity to guest blog here (thanks, Delilah!), we mentioned that our newest creation was going to be releasing soon. While we’ve been published authors since 2003, this is a new and special release for us. Something different. We always thought “Wouldn’t it be cool if one of our books became a movie or a TV show?” That thought has now become reality. We’ve spent the last two years writing and producing a romantic paranormal web series. We’re excited to announce that Necrolectric is finally here.

Necrolectric tells the story of a woman named Eve who is struggling with her mysterious need to constantly die and come back to life. She begins to unravel the truth of who she really is when she teams up with a young woman who relives others’ deaths (Z), a young man who talks to ghosts (Jax), a cursed immortal (Alaric) and his electrically charged brother (Cas) to solve a series of supernatural murders.

This series contains all the things we love to write about. Strong, sexy women. Hot alpha males with dark pasts. Magic. Paranormal abilities. Romance. Suspense. Mystery. Thrills. Love triangles. Twists and turns. A touch of humor. And lots and lots of emotion.

The first episode launched this week, on November 4. Episode 2 releases on Tuesday, November 11 and episode 3 releases on Tuesday, November 18. Then we’ll return with the final three episodes of the first season in 2015. And watch for the book version, Electric Rush, to release around the same time as the final half of the season.

Each episode is approximately 20 minutes. We hope those of you who love paranormal romance, and shows like Vampire Diaries, Lost Girl, Teen Wolf, Supernatural, Sleepy Hollow and other sexy paranormal offerings, will check out Necrolectric. Whether you’ve read all of our books, or never picked up anything by us, we hope you’ll give Necrolectric a try.

Be part of the electricity by following us on social media.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Necrolectric
Twitter: @necrolectric https://twitter.com/Necrolectric
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/NecrolectricSeries
Instagram: http://instagram.com/necrolectric
http://www.necrolectric.com/