*~*~*

I hope you’ll all jump on the new stories! Writers have this odd NEED to be read. We’re attention whores that way. So, let me know if you read it, whether you loved it—and if you have time, please consider leaving a review! Reviews help other readers decide whether to take a chance on a story… Oh! Like my meme (the little pic at the top of this page)? I’m trying to get better at them!

Thank you for having me on the blog today. I know it’s not yet Halloween, but I have recently released a Christmas-time romance in eBook, the third story in my Love is Bliss series. HOLIDAY BLISS follows an older heroine and her frustrations as she tries to finish repairs on her home following Hurricane Sandy. Like the other Bliss stories, HOLIDAY BLISS is set in a fictional town, Bliss Township, on the Jersey Shore.

I got the idea to write shifter romances set in this area after multiple visits to the state. Over the last several years, I have visited New Jersey to participate in book festivals and signings. One in particular, the Collingswood Book Festival, is held in Collingswood. The town is closer to Philly than the shore, but if you’ve been to New Jersey (or live there, of course) you’ve seen how the towns are situated. It’s a very different place than Virginia, and I loved driving through the small towns and along the beach.

I originally conceived the Bliss series as a companion to my Home to Dareville series – not necessarily connected, but as a paranormal counterpart. In Bliss, the shifters around town are an open secret among the “normals.” There are wolves and panthers, and sometimes you’ll see them running along the beach. They aren’t dangerous, but sometimes they’ll get into scrapes!

If you like panther shifters and romance, hope you’ll check out HOLIDAY BLISS!

Holiday Bliss

Two years after super storm Sandy ripped up the Eastern seaboard, panther shifter Sheila Houlihan has finally rebuilt her home in the shore town of Bliss, New Jersey. She looks forward to her first Christmas there, if only Jonah will finish with the interior painting.

Jonah, however, is interested in being more than Sheila’s handyman. He doesn’t care about the difference in their ages, and with Sheila soon to become an empty nester he knows she’ll want some company to keep her warm this winter.

It’s only a matter of getting Sheila to see that age is only a number.

Buy: ARe ~ AMZ ~ BN ~ KOBO ~ ITUNES ~ SMASH

Romance Author Leigh Ellwood – Variety and Spice!

Newsletter: eepurl.com/2LNSH
Web: http://www.leighellwood.com
Twitter: @LeighEllwood
Facebook: LeighEllwoodAuthor

When I moved to Chicago, I never expected to write a shifter series set here. But now, it’s hard to imagine the place without them. Edgewater is tiger territory. Lakeview has wolves. The jaguars are in several predominantly Mexican-American neighborhoods. The bears are in former Russian mob territory in Rogers Park. There isn’t any Russian mob territory in Rogers Park? Sure there is. We put it there.

That’s the fun part of writing – we get to create worlds within worlds, sometimes overlaid on the real one we all live in. But this isn’t that much different than reality, after all: the city of Chicago is made up of lots of neighborhoods: Little Italy, Chinatown, Greektown, the west side, Hyde Park, Rogers Park – the list could fill an entire page. And the distinctions aren’t just ethnic, either – Boystown is famous, and Andersonville is filled with the girls. Then there’s Restaurant Row, famous for fooderies; the near west side and its artists’ lofts, and the technology corridor along Elston and incorporating Goose Island. There are even neighborhood maps of Chicago, in case it’s confusing.

When Rachel and I wrote Cat’s Cradle, we knew we’d be telling a story of two cities: the one that we all know and love, and the one that she and I created that sits on top of reality. We studied the neighborhoods, so we’d know where the ocelots have their home base, adjacent to the jaguars’ territory but still separate. We even have a map of these areas so we don’t confuse ourselves.

So, here’s a question for you, Dear Reader:

If you were to put an extra layer of reality on your home town,
what would you put there? Shifters? Cowboys? The fae?

Cat’s Cradle

When you’re an ex-Marine tiger shifter, love comes with a high cost – is it too much to pay?

Mitchell Brayden is an ex-Marine tiger shifter looking for love in all the wrong places. When he decides to rescue a young ocelot shifter from a rich, spoiled playboy, he embroils himself in a conflict that goes back generations.

Guadalupe Salazar grew up as a pampered pet of a benevolent patron. After his patron’s untimely death, he stays on with the patron’s son – a self-centered, weak man who got ensnared by the drugs and fast living in the States. One night, it goes too far and Lupe is beaten nearly to death. He is taken to a secret shifter clinic where he meets an unlikely knight in tarnished armor.

Together, Mitch and Lupe confront the playboy and his friends – but will their actions draw the rest of the jaguar familias, not to mention the ocelot clans, into a battle over Lupe’s future? Will the delicate balance of power destroy everything that Mitch’s small band of tiger shifters has built in Chicago?

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Cats-Cradle-Chicagoland-Shifters-Book-ebook/dp/B011UT6EN6

As a writer sometimes I get so caught up in the business side of writing. Edits, covers, promotion, deadlines, and book signings can all take their toll. And sometimes causes me to lose my inspiration to write.

I just recently got back from a vacation in Charleston, South Carolina and I did something I have never done. I gave myself permission to take the week off from writing and to actually be in the moment and enjoy myself. There were long days at the beach, tours to gorgeous plantation homes and slow walks around the charming city.  I made a conscious effort to enjoy myself and be in the moment.

Once I got back home I was refreshed and inspired and excited to get back to writing.

Every day since then, I take mini vacations. I’ll take a walk around the neighborhood, or go to a coffee shop and enjoy a cup of Chia Latte, or go sit by my little pond in the back yard with a glass of wine.

Writing is the best job in the world and I’m grateful I get to do what I love every single day. But I know in order to write my best I have to be my best.

So the next time you’re feeling stressed give yourself permission to take a thirty minute break and just breathe. You’ll be amazed at how much it will inspire you.

Hell on Wheels…
Werewolf Guardian, Damon Trahan lives by a Code: Protect the Pack with his life. Damon has experienced death and betrayal, now all he wants is the freedom of his Harley and the loyalty of the men he rides with, the only family he has left. Those are the things he knows and believes in. Love and the hurt that comes with it has no place in his world…Until he receives new orders: Rescue female werewolf, Ava Renfroe from a Pack of rogue wolves.

Hell on Heels…
Bartender Ava Renfroe is tired of Alpha males running her life. Being raised as the daughter of a Military General made her want independence more than air—and she has it! Until she’s kidnapped. Damon Trahan, her alpha male rescuer and bossy pain-in-the-ass, is exactly the kind of man she doesn’t want, but try telling that to her libido. His brooding good looks are panty-dropping hot. Too bad he’s bat-shit crazy and thinks he’s a werewolf. Worse, he claims she’s a werewolf too. But when Damon shifts in front of her, she begins to doubt everything she’s known to be true.

Hell to pay…
On the run from the rogues, Ava and Damon can’t ignore the red hot passion between them. But Damon knows it can’t last. Will he sacrifice everything he’s ever known to have the one thing he’s never meant to have? Or will the war between the Packs destroy them before love is given a chance?

About the Author

Jodi is the author of the RISE OF THE ARKANSAS WEREWOLVES series and writes paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance. Born and raised in Mississippi, her deep Southern roots and love of the paranormal led her to write Southern Paranormal novels. When she is not conversing with characters in her head, she can be found at her home in Northeast Arkansas with her handsome husband, brilliant son, a temperamental swan, and yellow lab that is fond of retrieving turtles when duck season is over.

Find her on Facebook, Jodi Vaughn, author.
Follow her on Twitter @JodiVaughn1
Sign up for her newsletter and check out her website http://jodivaughn.com
Find her on Instagram at VaughnJodi

First Timers

I don’t write too many virginal characters. Back in the day, I read plenty of historicals where every heroine was an innocent. The love scenes always managed to be perfect, including mind-blowing orgasms. Huh? In Rebel’s Claw, my latest Black Hills Wolves novel, Carrie is a sheltered recluse. She’s also the fated mate of Roark. It made sense to make her a virgin. Although their first love scene was a one-night stand and Roark is a hell-raising rebel, it was fun to show his tender side. To be realistic, I did not give her a big O. But when she got them in the next love scene, the pleasure was worth the wait.

Rebel’s Claw by Afton Locke

Revenge never tasted sweeter
Release Date: 26 June 2015
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Rebels-Claw-Black-Hills-Wolves-ebook/dp/B00ZZ99B3S/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25752960-rebel-s-claw
Reviews and more: http://www.aftonlocke.com/RebelsClaw.html
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/wNy92kgcPvg
Black Hills Wolves series:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00X9R8CAG/kindle/ref=sr_bookseriesnull_B00X9R8CAG

Roark Archer’s Lamar Canyon Pack in Yellowstone has been decimated by ranchers and hunters. Although the Tao pack in Los Lobos, South Dakota, has offered to assimilate it, he cannot give up his heritage so easily. At least not until he gets revenge against whoever killed his best friend, Jared, three years ago.

Recluse Carrie Myers lives on the Wyoming cattle ranch her late father left her. One fateful night changes her life forever, leaving her questioning her sanity. She knows what she saw…or does she? Regardless, she’ll do anything to protect the awful secret that has haunted her for the past three years.

When fate brings Roark to Carrie’s doorstep, the connection between them is undeniable. Determined to avoid commitment, they agree to give in to their unexplainable attraction for one night. Will hatred consume this hell-raising shifter, or can he learn love and forgiveness in the enemy’s arms?

Excerpt (explicit)

Rebel’s Claw – Copyright © Afton Locke, 2015

When his fingers tangled on the waistband of her panties, her legs trembled and her cleft burned with need. For the first time, she wished she owned lacy, feminine lingerie instead of boring, practical underwear.

“These are so sexy,” he whispered as if reading her mind. “So perfect on you.”

She gasped when his finger dipped under the white fabric, probing and swirling over swollen flesh. Her head thrashed on the pillow. Surely, she didn’t deserve such pleasure. With each caress, he promised even more. Completely disconnected from reality, she hovered over an abyss.

Don’t let me go.

She craved him every night, to make her forget everything causing her pain. With an instinct of their own, her hips danced as sinuously as a snake’s. His finger slipped inside, thrusting deep. If her pleasure was electricity, he’d light her up for miles.

He grabbed her hand and pressed it to the rock-hard bulge in his jeans. She shied away when he unzipped himself, but he pressed his bare cock into her palm. Lord, she’d never felt anything so hot. So alive. A trail of juice seeped from her core.

“Are you still sure you want to do this?” he whispered in her ear.

Their chests bucked and swelled against each other from their hard breathing. She felt as if she’d run the length of the ranch a hundred times.

“Y-yes, Roark.”

“Then grab my wallet off the nightstand since you’re closer to it.”

Her body tensed. He didn’t plan to pay her like a prostitute, did he? Daddy definitely wouldn’t approve. He wouldn’t look kindly on a one-night stand, either.

“There’s a condom in it,” he added.

When she twisted away from his hot skin, the contrast of the cool air caused her to shiver. Clumsier than ever, she dropped the wallet on the bed. It opened, revealing several pictures in plastic sleeves. She couldn’t resist flipping through them. Did he have a girlfriend? Hopefully not a wife. Hopping cow patties. She hadn’t even thought to ask about that.

Too late to back out now.

The people were all ages and shared a similar look to him, so she assumed they were family. She could hardly concentrate, with him stroking her back and grinding his wonderful hardness against her buttocks.

“You’re taking too damn long,” he muttered against her hair. “I’m about to take you, condom or not.”

“H-hold on a second,” she replied.

When she spotted the last picture, the heat in her body turned to ice. She blinked, hoping she’d seen it wrong, but the image only became clearer. Her mouth dropped open in horror as she stared at the face of a reddish-haired man with a beard. Nausea twisted her gut while a lone coyote howled in the distance. The remembered sensation of mud and blisters floated across her hands….

Oh, dear Lord. It was him! The face of the creature she’d killed.

Coming Soon
Deeper Than Perfect – 1970s time-travel

Author Bio
Afton Locke is a USA Today Bestselling Author who prefers romantic fantasies to everyday reality. Fantasies take her to different times, races, places, and beyond. She lives with her husband, dog, several unnamed dust bunnies, and a black cat that can be scary or cuddly, depending on the current book. When she’s not writing, Afton enjoys hiking, cooking, crafts, and reading.

Where readers can find me
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thelovechronicle/
Web site: http://www.aftonlocke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AftonLockeAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/aftonlocke
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Afton_Locke
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/aftonlocke
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aftonlocke/

Anthology
Romancing the Wolf
Releasing June 30, 2015

Sexy and we know it! They’re on the hunt after your heart. Discover 10 brand new passionate tales of friendship, desire, wolves, survival, and redemption. Escape to another world, another place, and another romance.

On January 30^th, discover love, romance, heat, and passion Romancing the Wolf with Melissa Schroeder, Heather Long, Saranna DeWylde, Rebecca Royce, Cara Carnes, Virginia Nelson, Jennifer Kacey, Brandy Walker, Desiree Holt and Gayle Donnelly.

Warning: Contains wild heroes and heroines, tempestuous passion, old secrets, new discoveries, and pack ties binding them together. Sometimes love’s greatest challenge is romancing the wolf… 

Find excerpt for Heather Long’s Wolf with Benefits below title list.

Romancing the Wolf
Amazon: http://goo.gl/MvjSdu
All Romance: https://goo.gl/qCak0Q
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/BNRomWolf
iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesRomWolf
Kobo: http://bit.ly/KoboRomWolf

 TITLES INCLUDE:

Heart of the Wolf (The Devora) by Desiree Holt
Shifter Lia Popescu is desperate to find the book Legends of the Werewolf, her only clue as to what happened to her pack. When she loses her heart to the sexy detective Riley Morgan, she wonders how he will handle knowing the truth about her.

The Ardennes Curse (Woolven Secret) by Saranna DeWylde
Victoria’s determined to free her people from the curse that forces them to become mindless, slavering terrors every full moon. Even if it means taking, Armand Rommulus, their new Alpha to mate.

Odd Mate (Odd Stuff Series, #4) by Virginia Nelson
Gretchen fell in love with Charly, a sweet, nerdy bear of a man but ran fast and hard from his side when she realized he’d hate her for a genetic twist of fate she couldn’t change. Now she’s back in town and drawn to his side. Can a wolf sworn to destroy all coyotes claim a coywolf mate or will he be forced to destroy the only girl he ever loved?

Running with the Wolf (The Cascadia Wolves) by Gayle Donnelly
Abram spends his days protecting the pack children, but he finds himself wanting more. The quiet, elusive kindergarten teacher has sparked a hunger inside him and he knows it won’t be satisfied unless he makes her his mate. When her past comes calling, he must make a choice…defy pack law and bring her into his world or let her run and lose her forever.

Redemption’s Forgiveness (The Rending, Book 2) by Cara Carnes
Marek will do anything to protect his pack and their land, including executing any Outsiders who dare enter pack lands. There’s no soft in war—until Felicity, a curvaceous wolf with more sass than sense limps into Redemption with an impossible tale of betrayal.

Under Her Spell (Keystone Predators, Book 1) by Brandy Walker
Diego wants Daphne as his mate instantly and is ready to do whatever it takes to make her his. Part wolf, and part witch, Daphne is a little more skeptical of the situation. Her wolf is telling her to go for it while her witchy side balks, knowing Diego will try to suppress her more enchanted side.

Always (Dragon Wars #3) by Rebecca Royce
Robbie Owens has fought the dragons for seventeen years, leading his group of secret, elite werewolves. Tatyana Knox is a human in a world where humans are like unicorns—they simply don’t exist. But she is real and she is Robbie’s mate. If he can trust her, they will turn the tide of the war. But the clock is ticking and Tatyana’s time with Robbie is almost up.

Violet’s Shadow (Shadow Mates #1) by Jennifer Kacey
Violet’s spent her entire life aching to belong and she finally finds it in the pack of Shadows she is destined to join. Everything she’s ever wanted in life and love is finally at her fingertips if she’s brave enough to embrace…her Shadow.

Wolf with Benefits (Wolves of Willow Bend) by Heather Long
After graduating college and spending a summer breaking the law, Shiloh Sullivan needs to make amends and accomplish something for Willow Bend. When her best friend, the wolfish and playful Matt Montgomery moves her in with him, she’s hard-pressed to refuse. But pretending a relationship with a wolf is impossible, and while Shiloh might be human, she knows the rules…

The Alpha’s Saving Grace (Lonestar Wolf Pack #1) by Melissa Schroeder
Alpha Jacob Sanderson doesn’t have time for distractions as he hunts a vicious killer attacking his pack. Sheriff Alexandra Littlefoot is his best resource and a woman he can’t seem to resist. As secrets rise to the surface, the killer’s violence escalates and threatens the pack.

*~*~*~*~*

Focus on Heather Long

Series Reading Order:
Wolf at Law (Prequel)
Book 1: Wolf Bite
Book 2: Caged Wolf
Book 3: Wolf Claim
Book 3.5: Wolf Next Door
Book 4: Rogue Wolf
Book 5: Bayou Wolf
Book 6: Untamed Wolf

About the Author:

Heather Long

National bestselling author, Heather Long, likes long walks in the park, science fiction, superheroes, Marines, and men who aren’t douche bags. Her books are filled with heroes and heroines tangled in romance as hot as Texas summertime. From paranormal historical westerns to contemporary military romance, Heather might switch genres, but one thing is true in all of her stories—her characters drive the books. When she’s not wrangling her menagerie of animals, she devotes her time to family and friends she considers family. She believes if you like your heroes so real you could lick the grit off their chest, and your heroines so likable, you’re sure you’ve been friends with women just like them, you’ll enjoy her worlds as much as she does.

Contact Details:
Website: http://www.heatherlong.net
Email: heather@heatherlong.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HeatherLongAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HVLong

Excerpt of Wolf with Benefits by Heather Long:

After sweeping a glance across the spotless kitchen, Shiloh Sullivan sacked the trash with a tie, then a twist followed by knotting the plastic gathers at the top. Dragging the bag out of the can, she palmed the recycle-only can as well.

“Take those straight out, put them in the right cans—dark green for the trash and blue for the recycling.” Her mother didn’t look away from the stove or the fish she grilled.

“I have put trash out before, Mom.” Shiloh fisted the bag. “Twenty years of experience.”

“Don’t take that tone with me.” Her mother spun and pointed her spatula in her direction. “Take it out, put it in the right cans, then get back in here. Everyone has had quite enough of you lately, and they aren’t going to be particularly friendly at the moment.”

Blowing out a deep breath, Shiloh pursed her lips. She was twenty-four, not four. She had a college degree and plenty of options. Hell, she’d spent an entire half a year coordinating the most daring gamble of the century and been instrumental in forming a new pack—an unheard of sixth pack in the United States. And they were still going…none of those words passed her lips, however, not when her mother glared daggers at her. “Is there anything I can say that won’t piss you off right now?”

Delia paused as though considering her answer, before she shook her head. “No. Do what I told you to do.” Read the rest of this entry »

UPDATE: The winner of this contest is…Elaine Swinney!

* * * * *

That’s right. You read that title correctly. I’ve officially popped my paranormal cherry. Woo Hoo!!!

And I did it in style too!! In a paranormal boxed set with 9 other authors who I adore!!!

Violet’s Shadow is my first toe dipping novella into the paranormal pond and I’ll admit it. I was nervous. Paranormal to me has to be impeccable to be good and I didn’t just want it to be good, I wanted it to be great!!!

So here’s a tiny taste of Violet and her journey to be Alpha of a pack of Shadows she didn’t even know existed…

Two weeks alone in a secluded cabin is music to Violet’s ears. Until she sees a shadow in the forest with red glowing eyes. Red eyes she’s seen in her dreams for as long as she can remember. Eyes that make her want to forget the rest of the world. But she doesn’t believe in fairy tales anymore.

Rayden was sent to protect her.  To keep her safe.  Nothing more than to guide her as she transitions into a Shadow and takes her rightful place in the pack.  What he finds instead is the mate he’s been unwilling to search for and a passion so fierce he’ll never be able to walk away.

Violet’s spent her entire life aching to belong and she finally finds it in the pack of Shadows she is destined to join.  Everything she’s ever wanted in life and love is finally at her fingertips if she’s brave enough to embrace…her Shadow.

And what do I want to do to celebrate? Have a contest of course!!

So comment below and tell me what you love about paranormal
and who your favorite paranormal authors are???

I’ll pick a random winner who will win an e-book of their choice and maybe some extra swag too cause it’s awesome and shiny!!!

Happy commenting!!!

 Available for PreOrder now!!!

 Coming out on June 30th 2015!!!!

Romancing the Wolf

Sexy and we know it! They’re on the hunt after your heart. Discover 11 brand new passionate tales of friendship, desire, wolves, survival, and redemption. Escape to another world, another place, and another romance…

Warning: Contains wild heroes and heroines, tempestuous passion, old secrets, new discoveries, and pack ties binding them together. Sometimes love’s greatest challenge is romancing the wolf…

Jennifer Kacey – Violet’s Shadow (Shadow Mates) 

Violet’s spent her whole life searching for where she belongs. Two weeks alone in a secluded cabin is music to her ears, until she sees a shadow in the forest with red glowing eyes. Rayden was sent to protect and guide her. Instead, he finds the mate he’s been unwilling to search for and a passion so fierce he’ll never be able to walk away. Everything she’s ever wanted in life and love is finally at her fingertips if she’s brave enough to embrace…her Shadow

Desiree Holt- Heart of the Wolf (The Devora)

Saranna DeWylde The Ardennes Curse (Woolven Secret)

Virginia Nelson – Odd Mate (The Odd Series)

Gayle Donnelly – Running with the Wolf (The Cascadia Wolves)

Cara Carnes – Redemption’s Forgiveness (The Rending)

Brandy Walker – Under Her Spell (Keystone Predators)

Rebecca Royce – Always (Dragon Wars)

Heather Long – Wolf with Benefits (Wolves of Willow Bend)

Melissa Schroeder – The Alpha’s Saving Grace (Lonestar Wolf Pack)

*~*~*~*~*

Need something to wet your whistle?

May I suggest a delicious bite out of the Members Only series…….. 😛

The books in the Members Only Series can be found here…
Together In Cyn
Haleigh’s Ink
A Very Ménage Christmas
Duke’s Valentine
Orgasm University
Accidental Voyeur
Roman’s To-Do List
Jenna’s Consent
Laila’s Lies

Stand Alone
Buried Permission
Beneath the Pages
Nico’s Curse
Elite Metal
Final Surrender
Violet’s Shadow in Romancing the Wolf – Coming 6/30/2015

Jennifer Kacey is a writer, mother, and business owner living with her family in Texas. She sings in the shower, plays piano in her dreams, and has to have a different color of nail polish every week. The best advice she’s ever been given? Find the real you and never settle for anything less.

Website – http://www.jenniferkacey.com/
Newsletter – http://jenniferkacey.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=f09bd32b8c279cebcc930950e&id=2a45c210e8
Blog – The Decadent Divas – http://www.thedecadentdivas.blogspot.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.kacey.7
Facebook Author Page – https://www.facebook.com/jenniferkaceyauthor
Twitter – https://twitter.com/JenniferKacey
Amazon Page – http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Kacey/e/B00GXHUB30/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d9_al1?_encoding=UTF8&refinementId=618073011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0G8ZPDQJVKJPKXNBRY10&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6941549.Jennifer_Kacey
Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/jenniferkacey/