Uncategorized – Page 12 – Nomad Authors Blog

New romance! Delicious Heat by Sadira Stone

Bangers Tavern chef Diego meets a woman who makes his heart sing. Trouble is, she’s pregnant with another man’s child. To win her, he’ll have to convince her and both their interfering families that he’s in it for keeps.

Blurb:
Cupid has lousy timing.

After kicking her cheating husband to the curb, nurse Anna Khoury discovers she’s pregnant. When Bangers Tavern’s hunky chef makes heart eyes at her, she dismisses that delicious thrill as the last thing she needs. Single motherhood will take all her strength and focus. Anna’s battered heart can’t take another blow.

Chef Diego Vargas is aiming higher than burgers and tater tots. His dream—his own food truck, the Empanada Angel, but he’ll need his family’s support to pull it off. Meeting Anna leaves him thunderstruck, even though his attraction to her threatens all his plans. Call it fate, call him crazy, but he’s determined to prove he’s in it for keeps.

With a belligerent ex-husband and two overprotective families set on breaking them up, Anna and Diego will need more than red-hot passion to pull them through. His career and her baby’s future are on the line.

Come back to Bangers Tavern for a spicy tale of forbidden love that will warm your heart…and other parts…and make you hungry for empanadas!

Buy links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HRJW5CN?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=2940162472384
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/delicious-heat
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1592832791
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59644171-delicious-heat

Excerpt:
Diego spread his arms wider. “You just gonna leave me hanging?”

Damn it, she could no more resist his embrace than she could defy gravity. His arms closed around her, warm and comforting. For a long, sweet moment, they rested there, nestled together, quiet and safe.

Maybe all those guardian angels were trying to tell her something.

Rocking her slowly, Diego murmured into her hair, “Anna, I want you. But I realize this is a weird situation, and I’ll wait until you feel comfortable trusting me. Or until you tell me to get lost.” Pulling back, he cupped her cheek in his broad, warm hand. “I hope it’s the first one.”

His bottomless dark eyes held her pinned. With exquisite slowness, they came together, lips brushing feather light. And then the sexiest moan in the history of moans rumbled from his chest, as his embrace tightened.

“Mmmf!” Breathless, she slid her fingers into his soft, thick hair.

He teased her lips with gentle nips until she opened to him. His tongue stroked hers in languid slides, unhurried, gentle…but her body responded with a rush of heat and a growing pressure between her thighs. She needed more. Now.

Gripping the front of his down jacket, she tugged until the snaps opened with firecracker pops, then yanked her own coat open and pressed her body against his. Another rough moan vibrated through his chest, teasing her nipples to stiff peaks. When he clutched her hips, the pressure of his erection against her belly unleashed an avalanche of lust that short-circuited her brain and lit up her nerves like the Northern lights.

I should stop. He’s kissing away my sanity. But her body demanded just a moment more, and another, and another…

Sadira Stone:
Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in small businesses—a quirky bookstore, a neighborhood bar, a vintage boutique… Her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada (which she seldom does), she can be found in belly dance class, or strumming her ukulele, perhaps exploring the West with her charming husband, or cooking up a storm, and always gobbling all the romance books. For a guaranteed HEA (and no cliffhangers!) visit Sadira at www.sadirastone.com.

I’d love to hear from you! Please visit me on all the socials.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadirastone/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SadiraStone
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18568049.Sadira_Stone
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sadira-stone
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sadira-Stone/e/B07KWK5FBX
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sadira0641/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadirastone/
Author newsletter: https://eepurl.com/dKLMP2

First meeting…again #MFRWHooks

This is a blog hop. Be sure to check the link at the bottom to see posts from other authors!

Blurb:
As one of a set of triplets, Jonah Goodman has always stood out as the least academic—and the last one to take the world, or commitment, seriously. Thing is, that’s not really who he is. But who can he convince of that? Not his family, who see him as they always have. And maybe not his one love, the sweetheart he left behind in high school but with whom he is now sharing an erotic holiday. Will he get his second chance to prove to Kelly that he is a loving man who wants more than a sensual few days, but a real relationship with the woman he lost once and doesn’t want to lose again? With that chance and Kelly’s love, Jonah knows that a “good man” can become a better man.

Buy link:
Kindle Unlimited

Excerpt:
He left the car under the cover in front of the door and strode into the lobby. A petite brunette stood at the registration desk. “May I help you?”

“Yes, I’d like a room.”

“For tonight?”

“Yes.” Jonah dug his wallet out of his back pocket and removed his VISA.

“One king or two queens?”

“One king.”

The girl typed furiously and then looked up. “We only have two queen rooms.”

“Then that will do.” He didn’t give a flying fuck how many beds were in the room as long as it had one as a minimum.

Jonah tapped his card on the counter and then walked to the door to look out at Kelly sitting in the car. He wasn’t dreaming. That really was Kelly Shepherd sitting in his car and they really were checking into the Family Inn.

“Just one person?”

Oh yeah. He hadn’t actually checked in yet. “Two.”

“Oh.” What the fuck? Did that sweet young thing just frown in judgement?

“Luggage?”

“No.” There was that frown again. He glanced down at his clothing, looking a little wilted now after the wedding and imagined what it looked like, his checking in with someone, obviously coming from a party of some sort. But again, what the fuck? She worked in a no-tell motel. Lots of people probably checked in here in for a quickie.

That thought shocked him. Kelly Shepherd was no quickie. If anything, she was the love of his life, the one he’d never forgotten but never felt he deserved. The rich girl whose daddy owned more than half the town and rented most of the rest. And he was…

For the first time, he saw himself as Daniel had seen the three of them since childhood. Well-loved and well cared for bastards. Yeah, no kids had ever had better parents but that didn’t change his parentage. Who was he to hold Kelly Shepherd in his arms?

Just as he started to turn toward the door to leave, the desk clerk asked, “First floor or second?”

“Look, I don’t mean to be rude but just pick out a vacant room, tell me how much it is, run my credit card, and give me the key. My bride has been waiting in the car long enough.”

Her eyes widened. “Your…your bride? Why didn’t you say so?” Her fingers flew across the keyboard. She took his VISA and gave it back after a few seconds. “Park right out there in front of the light pole and you can come in through the front doors. Take the elevators to the third floor and go all the way to the end. That whole wing is empty so you and your wife can have some privacy.”

“Thank you, uh”—Jonah looked at her nametag—”Ms. Clark. I appreciate it.” Without waiting for more conversation, He dashed back to the car. Minutes later, holding Kelly’s hand tightly, he walked quickly back through the lobby.

“Congratu— Oh!” Little Miss Desk Clerk exclaimed. “You didn’t wear white.”

“What?” Kelly asked, slowing Jonah down with a tug on his hand.

“I said, you didn’t wear white. To the wedding.”

Shit. After almost talking himself out of taking Kelly up to the room, now interfering Ms. Clark was going to do the trick for him.

“No. That would have been inappropriate.”

Jonah saw Ms. Clark’s eyes widen again as he realized the spin her mind put on Kelly’s words. Then that damn frown returned. Jonah wrapped his arm around Kelly’s shoulders. “Come on, sweetheart. Our room is ready.”

“Okay,” Kelly said, gazing into his eyes with the love a real bride would have for her new husband. No, wait. That was a look of confusion. No matter. He pulled Kelly to the elevators and punched the button with his index finger. Once inside, he took her in his arms and kissed her with all the heat that had been building in him all night. To his relief, Kelly responded in kind, pushing her fingers through his hair and holding his head to hers.

When the elevator slowed and then stopped, they stepped into the hallway. Jonah checked the room number on the key card holder and turned them to the left. In her heels, Kelly had a hard time keeping up, so he swept her into his arms.

At their room, she took the key card from him and opened the door. Once inside, Jonah was certain his heart would burst from needing, from wanting, from years of unfulfilled dreams, all about to come true.

“What did that girl mean?”

“What girl?” Jonah took he shawl from her shoulders and folded it loosely on the dresser.

“The girl at the front desk. What did she mean about my not wearing white?”

“Oh, that.” He emptied his pockets onto the dresser, and deftly removed a condom from his wallet. “I told her we’d just been married.”

“What? Why would you do that?” Kelly moved away from his fingers that were trying to find how to unwrap her wraparound dress.

“Because she kept making judgmental noises and frowning. She made me feel guilty for bringing you here.”

“So, when she noted that I wasn’t wearing white she assumed that I wasn’t a virgin?”

“Probably.” Jonah took a step back and gazed at her. “Does that bother you? Because it damn sure bothers me that she dared make any assumptions about us.”

Kelly smiled. “You of all people know that I’m not a virgin.”

Jonah groaned. “Can we please not talk about that night again? And especially not now?”

Kelly smiled. “Sure, we can do that. And do I care what that little girl downstairs thinks? Not a whit. I just care what you think, Jonah. Here and now.” With a flick of her wrist, the tie came loose and the dress flowed to the floor. There, standing before him in all her glory wearing only a lacy bra and little satin short-short things, was the woman of his desires.

Author Dee S. Knight:
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website. And all three offer some of the best romance you can find! Also, once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.

Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas: http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Charity Sunday: World Central Kitchen

Charity Sunday: Dee S. Knight How Charity Sunday works: for every comment made on this blog post, I will donate money to the charity named. The same promise is made for every blog site listed in the group–click the Linky Links link at the bottom of this post to see the list of participants and read/comment on any of them to see a donation go to that blogger’s charity. We’re all different! Thanks for your help and your participation!

I’m sad to say that my charity of choice this month has to do with helping our fellow citizens put food on their tables. This past year has devastated many households—mostly by loss of jobs or by striking down those who could work. World Central Kitchen helps folks get nutritious meals all over the world, but this year, during the trials of COVID-19, they have worked within the U.S. Their mission is: “WCK uses the power of food to heal communities and strengthen economies through times of crisis and beyond.”

WCK has a top rating in Charity Navigator. The organization started with two people and an idea—an inspiration to all of us who wonder if “I” can make a difference! You can. WE can! I hope you will comment below and help me make a good donation to World Central Kitchen.

For my book this month, I’d like to introduce you to The Cinderella Curse, on sale now as pre-order. In it, one man makes a huge difference in Charlotte Gambrell’s life by showing her her own beauty.

Blurb:
One evening, in a land far away, a wife spins a story for the amusement of her husband. Like the original tale, this contemporary Cinderella is definitely for those who love romance and a HEA. However, she adds a few touches of the erotic. For her husband, you understand.

In this tale, Charlotte dreams of her prince, James, but learns about beauty and love from her fairy godfather, Cooper. She might not lose a glass slipper, but her heart is in danger of being left behind. One thing for sure, by the time our Charlotte arrives at the ball, she’d sure like to know which man is her real Prince Charming.

Buy link:
Kindle Unlimited

Excerpt:
When they finished eating, Charlotte started rinsing the dishes for the dishwasher. Cooper took a plate out of her hand and put it in the sink. “Leave that. I’ll get it later.” He dried her hands with the dishtowel and looked intently into her eyes.

She backed away and lifted the ends of her mouth slightly, suddenly very nervous. “No, I don’t want to leave all of the clean up to you. I’ll help.” She turned back to the sink. Cooper leaned against the counter with his arms crossed.

“Charlotte, don’t be scared of me.”

She looked at him in amazement. “Scared of you? I’m not scared of you, I’m scared of myself.” She looked down into the sink where she rubbed the dishcloth over the same spot on a glass. Cooper took the glass from her and put it in the dishwasher.

“I think this is clean enough,” he said. He gently pushed her out of the way and finished rinsing the dishes in the sink. When he was done, he turned to look at her as she stared out the patio door, into the dark.

Charlotte had put the kettle on for tea while Cooper was busy at the sink, and the whistle abruptly blew, shattering the quiet that had fallen over the kitchen. When Charlotte turned to get the kettle, she ran into Cooper’s broad chest.

He put his hands on her arms to steady her, then before she could move away, bent his head for a light kiss. “There’s no need to be scared of either one of us,” he said, raising his lips a whisper above hers. “We’re friends, aren’t we?” He brushed his lips gently over hers. “And friends shouldn’t be so nervous around each other.”

Nipping at her lips he pulled her with him to turn off the kettle, diminishing the whistle to a muted burbling noise. “Do you really want tea?” he asked, his voice suddenly deeper. She shook her head, never moving her eyes away from his. A faint smile crossed his face. “Good.”

Cooper stood back from Charlotte. “Here’s your first lesson,” he said. “Look at me and tell me what you see.” Charlotte gazed into his face, intently searching for some hint of what he meant. Her brow puckered as she studied him.

“Your eyes look darker than normal, and a little…intense.” He smiled and nodded his head.

“Right.” He kissed her quickly, running his hands up and down her arms. “Anything else you notice about me that’s different?”

“Your voice sounds funny.” Cooper winced slightly. “I mean different. Deeper, kind of hoarse,” she added lamely.

“That’s okay. Those are both signs that a man is getting turned on. Usually they’re accompanied by lots of touching like I’m doing now. And then there’s the obvious indication.” He glanced at his fly and Charlotte followed his look. Her eyes widened as she saw the thick, long bulge straining against his jeans.

“Being turned on often happens just through touch and sight, but real seduction happens using all of the senses. Smell is really important, not just with perfume but also a person’s normal scent, soap or shampoo, and certainly the scent that comes when a man and woman are ready for each other or after they’ve just been together.” He leaned forward. “Your hair smells like fresh air right after a rain. Now I’ll always associate that with you.”

He leaned away to look into her eyes. Charlotte was staring intently at Cooper, concentrating on all he was telling her. “Sound lets your partner know when something feels good, or when it isn’t exactly what you want. Little whispers of how you feel are something I like, although not everyone does.” Leaning in again he put his mouth against her ear. “Will you let me know when I do something you like, Charlotte? For instance, do you like it when I run my tongue along the edge of your ear?” As he did, she inhaled sharply, then let out a ragged sigh. She nodded.

He leaned back to see her face and smiled. “Good. I liked it, too. Did you know that the tongue is incredibly sensitive and that it’s covered in taste buds? That lets me taste you, Charlotte, and sampling your flavor is very erotic, both in your mouth and in other places.” He nipped at her lips, but didn’t push her to go farther.

“I didn’t know it was so complicated.” She sounded breathless.

He laughed low in his throat. “It isn’t really. I’ve probably explained it badly. Much nicer to learn from experience. Come on.” He took her hand and flipped the light out in the kitchen.

Author Dee S. Knight:

A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website (www.nomadauthors.com). Fortunately, Dee’s high school sweetheart is the love of her life and husband to all three ladies! Once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.

Author links:

Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

I made it! #MFRWauthor

So, here we are. Christmas Eve and I’m wondering what my greatest accomplishment of the year was. I have to say, it was making it through 2020, alive and well.

Who would have ever imagined last year at this time that we would have had the year we have? I know many, many people have had it worse. Have suffered worse and are still suffering, either from losing a loved one, losing the joy of a good education in classes with friends and an actual teacher, losing the sense of worth that comes from a job well-done, losing their life’s work altogether. Jack and I have had our ups and downs this year, our scares and relief. But we’ve come through the year unscathed, pretty much. For that, I feel blessed.

I pray for all of us and for our country, that we can all feel blessed and that we come together to face the New Year stronger and united.

What was your greatest accomplishment of the year?

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist–Gold Medal winner, Best Romance 2020, Coffee Pot Book Club
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers

New Release! A Kinky Christmas Carol: Lisabet Sarai

The ghost of Christmas Future…

Gay, paranormal, holiday-themed, BDSM Romance
21,000 words
Smashwords and Amazon KDP
ISBN (Smashwords): 9781005878955
ASIN: B08QGYYBY4

Blurb:
Michael dreams of being a slave. His lover Neil has no clue about his dirty desires; Michael’s too ashamed to share his submissive fantasies with his burly, powerful partner. Frustrated and confused, he wonders whether he and Neil really belong together.

Then, on Christmas Eve, Michael receives a visit from a sexy Dom named Thorne Wilder, who claims to be his lover from the future. Thorne shows Michael scenes from a wild life of sexual excess that he claims they’ll share if he breaks up with Neil.

Should Michael trust the ghost of Christmas future, or does his true future lie with Neil?

(Note: This book was previously published by Totally Bound with the title Tomorrow’s Gifts. It has been revised and re-edited for this release.)

Buy Links:
Kinky Literature – https://www.kinkyliterature.com/book/8527-a-kinky-christmas-carol-gay-bdsm-romance/

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QGYYBY4

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QGYYBY4

Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1058955

Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-kinky-christmas-carol-lisabet-sarai/1138471310?ean=2940164759179

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/th/en/ebook/a-kinky-christmas-carol-gay-bdsm-romance

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56328426-a-kinky-christmas-carol

Online Excerpt:
https://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-kinky-christmas-carol-newrelease.html

A Kinky Christmas Carol Excerpt:
I woke with a start, not knowing why. Neil had rolled over; he lay on his side of the bed with his back to me. All at once I felt terribly alone.

Golden light filtered up the hallway from the living room. I shook my head, trying to clear the fog. Had we forgotten to turn off the Christmas tree? But no, I remembered flipping the switch before we left for the party. Neil was always concerned about the danger of fire.

What was it then? Something out on the street in front of the building, an emergency vehicle or something? Those lights would be red, wouldn’t they?

Trying not to wake Neil, I crawled out of bed and tiptoed barefoot down the hall. The closer I got to the living room, the brighter the light became.

The tree was in fact lit, the multicolored bulbs twinkling in a spiral pattern. Someone had kindled the candles on the mantle, as well. However, these were not the source of the golden glow.

A young man lay sprawled on the sofa – an exceptionally handsome man. His flawless skin was bronzed as if he spent most of his time in the sun. His ragged, honey-colored hair hung down over one eye. He had high cheekbones, a prominent nose, ripe lips with a slightly cruel cast. Despite his fair hair, his eyebrows were dark. They arched gracefully over eyes that held me transfixed – brilliant, wise, all-seeing eyes.

The man wore leather, so supple and tight that it showed every well-sculpted muscle of his powerful body.

This exotic stranger was emitting the strange illumination. The light surrounded him like a halo. When he moved, it ebbed and flowed as though it were alive.

I must be dreaming, I concluded. But who would have believed that I could dream up such a gorgeous guy?

“Good evening, Michael.” His voice was like honey, too, sweet and smooth flowing. It made my mouth water. I realized that I was naked and half-erect. I didn’t care. Wonder and arousal overwhelmed me.

“Um – good evening… Who are you? How do you know my name?”

The stranger swung his long legs off the couch and stood up. The light shimmered around him. My eyes were drawn to the bulge at his groin.

“I’m your lover.”

A stab of guilt shredded my sense of well-being. “Uh – I have a lover. He’s asleep in the other room.”

“I’m your future lover.”

“My future lover?” I felt stupid, parroting him, but I didn’t know what to say.

“I’ve come from the future, to give you a glimpse of your life with me. To help you decide.”

This time I knew what he meant. He was talking about leaving Neil. This was just a guilt dream, based on my musings before I fell asleep.

“You’re not real.”

“Of course I’m real. Touch me.”

Lisabet Sarai:
Lisabet Sarai became addicted to words at an early age. She began reading when she was four. She wrote her first story at five years old and her first poem at seven. Since then, she has written plays, tutorials, scholarly articles, marketing brochures, software specifications, self-help books, press releases, a five-hundred page dissertation, and lots of erotica and erotic romance – over one hundred titles, and counting, in nearly every sub-genre—paranormal, scifi, ménage, BDSM, GLBT, and more. Regardless of the genre, every one of her stories illustrates her motto: Imagination is the ultimate aphrodisiac.

You’ll find information and excerpts from all Lisabet’s books on her website (http://www.lisabetsarai.com/books.html), along with more than fifty free stories and lots more. At her blog Beyond Romance (http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com), she shares her philosophy and her news and hosts lots of other great authors. She’s also on Goodreads, Pinterest, and Twitter. Join her VIP email list here: https://btn.ymlp.com/xgjjhmhugmgh

Internet research and The Last Dragon: Daryl Devore

Welcome, Daryl! i’m almost finished reading The Last Dragon now–review to follow! (Love the cover!)

Happy birthday, The Last Dragon!

Internet Research – A writer’s friend and worst enemy

Silly me, I decide to write a medieval fantasy romance. *shakes head* What do I know about medieval times? No cell phones. There were knights. Damsel in distress needing saving. And they spoke a different form of English than we do. Cuz, like, ya know – English changes.

Why is Internet research a writer’s friend? What ever the question is, the answer is at our fingertips. No having to go to the library and dig through the reference section. Although being the daughter of a retired librarian, I will confess, I love libraries and all those books. But being able to get the information on my laptop and not having to get dressed and brush my hair to go out to the library, is a great delight and time saver.

Why is Internet research a writer’s worst enemy? A deep dark rabbit hole. I’ll just look up – clothes in medieval times. Which led me to food in medieval times. Which led me to castles in medieval times. Which led me to — sanitary practises in medieval times. Ewww. I have still not gotten over the repulsion of that research.

Times may be difficult right now, but flush plumbing and deodorant are a blessing!

In my next book, which is also a medieval fantasy romance, I am torn between being truthful about the actual conditions the people lived in or sticking with Hollywood’s version. And… believe me when I say – the Hollywood version is winning!

Snippet
She sniffed as she neared the berries, but could not catch their sweet scent. Her mood slipped. Not a red fruit anywhere. A crow sat atop a nearby tree and cawed.

“Ye couldn’t have left just a few?” Derry waved her basket at it. “Those were probably the last berries of the season.” The black bird tilted its head and screeched again. ‘Tis not to be my lucky day. A patch full of sweet fruit gone and a handsome man stolen by Ailith and Isa. Best to attend to breakfast. She turned and followed the path back to the cottage.

After milking the cow and leading her and her calf to the small pasture, Derry carried the bucket into the cottage and placed it by the trestle table. She picked up two wooden mugs, bowls and spoons and placed them on the table. She poured a handful of nuts and dried fruit into the bowls and reached for the clay jar filled with honey. After drizzling the amber liquid over the nuts, she placed the jar back on the shelf and filled the mugs with warm milk.

Wrapped in her woollen shawl, the old woman entered and sat. “Ye were gone when I awoke.”

Derry did not know why she lived with this woman. She was not kin to her, but as it seemed like it had always been this way. She did not question.

“I went to pick berries up at the little patch on the hill.” Derry untied her headscarf and placed it on the table. “But the birds had a feast before us. Did ye sleep well?” Derry settled on her stool and lifted her spoon.

The woman nodded.

“On my way to the patch I found a man. He was hurt. His aura was golden. I mended him. Not like those covered in the darkness.” She licked a bit of honey off her spoon. The sweetness filled her mouth.

“Then ye must eat.” The woman patted her arm. “Ye must also rest.”

“When I have finished.” Lost in her thoughts, Derry munched a mouthful of honey covered nuts. He was delightfully handsome. Large muscles on his arms. A broad chest and a fine chin. But now he is in the hands of Ailith and Isa. Will I ever find a husband?

With the meal over, Derry rinsed the dishes with water from a bowl then returned to their little sleeping area. She fluffed the straw mattress, tossed in a handful of wormwood leaves to ward off pests and settled down. Closing her eyes, she released a silent prayer. Please don’t let the blackness haunt me. Allow me to rest. Fill my dreams with visions of the fallen man. Not the icy blackness which scares me so.

Blurb and Buy Links
What do dragons, knights and romance have in common? Grab a copy of multi-published author Daryl Devore’s medieval fantasy romance – The Last Dragon and discover the answer.

A sorcerer craving dominance merged with a dragon, the power overwhelmed him causing him to split into three dragons. Demora ruled thought, but was lost in time. Yidithe offered protection, shining like the light of the sun. Ayrradex craved chaos, revelling in destroying souls.

Many knights died, attempting to slay the devil beast. One knight, Prince Hawkyns, did not fear death. He’d lost everything. Away on a mission when Ayrradex attacked his father’s kingdom, Penrythe, Hawkyns returned to find his noble father – feeble and defeated. His wise mother – crazed. His beautiful wife and unborn child – dead. Only a pile of ashes remained for him to bury. He knelt before his King and vowed to slay the devil-beast or be slain.

Derry was born with powers that terrified her parents. They delivered her to a nunnery to be raised in secret. Jathe, a wise sorceress, discovered the young girl and trained her to one day use the secret hidden in her soul.

Legends spoken around campfires hinted the sole way to destroy Ayrradex was when the hearts of a knight and a golden dragon became one. But after a vicious battle with Ayrradex, the golden dragon was thought to be dead.

Can Prince Hawkyns’s bravery and Derry’s powers end the reign of the devil-beast’s terror?

Book links
Amazon US
Amazon print
Books2Read (universal)
Pinterest

Bio and Social Media
Two writers in one. Daryl Devoré writes hot romances with sexy heroes and strong heroines and sweet romances with little to no heat. She has several published books available on Amazon in ebook or print book and available at other book retailers via Books2Read.

Daryl (@daryldevore) lives in an old farmhouse in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and 2 cats. Daryl loves to take long walks on her quiet country road or snowshoe across the back acres, and in the summer, kayak along the St. Lawrence River. She has touched a moon rock, a mammoth, and a meteorite. She’s been deep in the ocean in a submarine, flown high over Niagara Falls in a helicopter, and used the ladies room in a royal palace. Life’s an adventure and Daryl’s having fun living it.

Blog – Romance – Sweet to Heat

Twitter

Bi-monthly Newsletter

GoodReads Author Page

Book Bub

Bravery, like beauty, is an individual thing #MFRWauthor

What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

Truthfully, I’m not sure I’ve ever done anything that could be considered brave. To me, being brave means to be afraid of something you have to do and then doing it, pushing past the fear. I’ve jumped in a car and driven halfway across country alone—before the age of cell phones—but I wasn’t afraid to do it. Seemed like natural, in fact. Call it undeserved confidence. I’ve been in and out of hospitals and hade multiple surgeries, but I had no choice, so I know they don’t count as being brave. I’ve never saved anyone, fought a fire, or even faced down a bully. Thinking about all this, I feel kind of useless…

In my defense, maybe I’ve never had to be brave. I’ve spent life surrounded by good people who loved me and protected me. I’ve never been confronted by bullies, nor have I been in dangerous situations where folks needed saving.

So, I guess I’d have to say, the closest thing I’ve done that could be called brave is trucking. I gave up every material thing I had and a very good job that wasn’t easy to get, in order to go on the road. And I was scared of failing—what would we do if I hated it or driving a tractor-trailer didn’t work out? But my fear was mitigated by 1) a wise woman reassuring me that our parents wouldn’t let us starve on the streets if we didn’t make it as truckers, and b) I wasn’t alone—I had hubby with me. Add to it, I was too young and stupid to be afraid, so does that count? I don’t know. Can’t help it, though, it’s as close as I can come.

Have you been brave? What did you do?

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist–Gold Medal winner, Best Romance 2020, Coffee Pot Book Club
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers

Please indulge me: The sweetness of recognition #MFRWHooks

This is a blog hop. Be sure to check the link at the bottom to see posts from other authors!

No matter how humble we all tell ourselves to be, it’s always thrilling, and just plain sweet, when something we do gets some special recognition. Am I right? So when one of my books, Burning Bridges, written as Anne Krist, was awarded the Gold Medal for Best Romance of 2020 by Coffee Pot Book Club earlier this month, I felt all those giddy things we try so hard to guard against when we write a book and then send our baby out into the world. If you’ve seen this announcement other places on social media, forgive me. I’m happy. And it’s a great way to end this year that’s caused so much pain and sadness. Celebrate with me! Thanks! Recognition sometimes doesn’t come along all that often.

Blurb:
Not your typical “secret baby” book! This Southern romance packs in the emotion.

Letters delivered decades late send shock waves through Sara Richards’s world. Nothing is the same, especially her memories of Paul, a man to whom she’d given her heart years before. Now, sharing her secrets and mending her mistakes of the past means putting her life back together while crossing burning bridges. It will be the hardest thing Sara’s ever done.

Buy link:
Amazon Kindle Unlimited

Excerpt:
Sara stared at the letters arranged before her in numerical order. The moment in time she and Paul shared was long ago, yet her dream had conjured his presence as though she’d just seen him. In her mind, his blue eyes darkened with passion before his lips captured hers, and he moaned his appreciation when their tongues met. She tasted his sweetness and knew the steel of his arms as he held her. How many nights had she put herself through hell reliving those memories? Too damn many.

After the concert, they’d met clandestinely on weekends, mostly at Sandbridge, where they could walk and talk undisturbed. With each meeting, stirrings built deep in Sara that pushed her to want more, but Paul insisted they restrain themselves because of her age.

Then the weekend before he shipped out, she’d planned a surprise and her life changed forever.

The kettle screeched, bringing her back to the present. Sara prepared a cup of tea and then picked up the envelope marked twenty-eight. At one time, she would have given her right arm to hold this letter. Now, curiosity and the desire for a brief escape drove her more than the passion of youth. Blind love had faded when she’d had no word to bolster her during the long weeks after the ship left.

First had come the waiting. No letters arrived, even though she wrote him daily. There were no phone calls, no notes, no anything, for days that dragged into weeks then crept into months.

Anticipation morphed into anxiety. She worried he was sick or hurt and unable to write.

One day she admitted that Paul must be afraid to write for some reason, and she feared what he would say if she did receive a letter. That their time together had been a mistake, that she was too young to be in love. That he really loved someone else and Sara had been only a stand-in while he was in Virginia. Perversely, she began to sigh with relief when she arrived home and found no word.

Now, knowing why she hadn’t received mail, what would she feel if she opened this letter and her old fears proved to be true?

“Nothing,” she murmured. “Paul’s dead. He can’t hurt me anymore.” At the very least, his letters might allow her to put his ghost to rest. For that reason alone, she had to read them.

She slid her thumb under the flap and ripped the envelope open. A single sheet held his hurried scrawl.

Reviews:
From Readers:
“I loved it! And now my daughter’s reading it.” Sherry, a reader

“I just finished reading BURNING BRIDGES. Thank you for writing such a powerful story about how real love can overcome all obstacles. I appreciate the fact that Sara and Paul were imperfect and made mistakes. They needed each other to polish off their rough edges and make them complete. How nice that characters of middle age were written as attractive and sexual human beings.” A reader, Virginia

From Reviewers:
“Burning Bridges by Anne Krist is a story of a love that will not be denied — that cannot be denied. Time does not change what the soul knew before Sara and Paul ever met. Their love is eternal, and they can weather any storm, any lie, to the very end of time if necessary. I loved every minute of this book. If you are looking for your next great romance, then look no further. Burning Bridges has it all, and then some. I Highly Recommend._
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

“If you love dramatic family sagas with plenty of emotion, you have to read Burning Bridges. Highly recommend!”
N.N. Light

Author Dee S. Knight/Anne Krist/Jenna Stewart:
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas: http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

The beginning of a war, the ending of a marriage? #MFRWHooks

This is a blog hop. Be sure to check the link at the bottom to see posts from other authors!
Perilous Love
Blurb:
Adrian Bryce’s world of wealth and beautiful women comes to an end when he’s ordered to accompany his estranged wife to Belgium. The British government want proof Gabrielle’s uncle is supporting the German Empire. What Adrian discovers will plunge him and Gabrielle into a nightmare of betrayal, forcing them to run for their lives as the Germans cross the border. Facing danger, brutality and injury, and painful truths about themselves, they reach safety as two different people. Waiting for them are charges of treason and a woman who’ll stop at nothing to see Adrian dead.

Buy links:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads

Excerpt:
“What was she like?”

“What are you talking about?” He scowled, dreading what was coming.

“Sigrid, Maryanne, whatever her name was,” she snapped back.

“What the hell are you trying to do, Gaby? Force an argument?”

“No, I’m not forcing an argument. I really want to know! You preferred that woman’s company to mine and your children’s and, because of her and my uncle and your unbelievable stupidity, two innocent people have died, and we are forced to rely on each other to stay alive. Are you proud of yourself? And was her beauty and obvious bedroom expertise worth all of this?”

Adrian clenched his jaw and turned his head away.

“I’m waiting,” she persisted. “I presume you also showered her with gifts and expensive baubles while we would be lucky to see you on our birthdays.”

Something snapped inside him. His face was tight with fury as he turned back to face her. “If I could get up and walk away, I would. Just what are you trying to achieve? We’ve avoided capture by the skin of our teeth, we have no idea how to get away, the Germans are pouring into Belgium, thousands will be killed, and you want to know if I showered her with gifts. Why don’t we concentrate on getting out of here and then you will be free of me? Now, for Christ’s sake, leave it alone.”

“You want to get up and walk away?” her voice dripped scorn. “Did I walk away from that lonely, empty life, in that big, lonely house? Making excuses to your children, visiting neighbours on my own. Did I show such contempt for my marriage vows?”

“You forgot to mention entertaining Charlton in my home,” he snarled, and then flinched as Gabrielle’s hand slapped his face.

“Yes, your home.” she yelled. “I may have lived there and given birth to your children there, but it was always your home. I pray to God we will return to England and you can enjoy your home with your expensive, treacherous harlots!” Her hands clenched into fists. “Yes! Brian did share my bed. You were never there; you couldn’t care less about me or our children. You were so besotted with that German harlot’s devious charms you had no idea what was going on. She was exceptionally clever, and you were exceptionally stupid.”

Adrian rubbed his cheek and pointed his finger at her. “If you hit me again, you will be sorry. You want to know what she was like. I’ll tell you… She had long wavy auburn hair, a figure that made men’s eyes water and, yes, she had expertise in the bedroom. She could drink me under the table, and she could discuss politics like a man. She was exceptionally clever and, yes, you are right, I was exceptionally stupid, because I hadn’t a clue she was German or she’d bedded a cabinet minister or she’d been on other assignments for your uncle. I hope I’ve answered all your questions and I don’t give a damn whether you believe me or not, but I’m bloody ashamed of myself. And I hope to God we’ll get back to England, so you can do whatever you want, and I won’t have to listen to your harping sarcastic tongue. Are you happy now?”

“Oh yes, very happy, thank you. Who wouldn’t be, sitting with you on the damp ground beside a canal without food or clean clothes,” her eyes glittered with contempt. “How does it feel that you, a cabinet minister and my uncle shared her? I wonder if she kept an inventory of her jewellery and gifts to remember who gave her what.”

He pulled his feet from the water and stood up. “I’m not listening to your ranting anymore, nor am I waiting here for them to find me.”

“You can’t face the truth, can you?” she shouted at him. “Well, unpleasant as it is, you need me and I need you to survive. When we reach safety, you can go back to the life you enjoyed with your sophisticated women without the inconvenience of an unwanted wife. And if we get out of here, I don’t want anything from you. Not even a Christmas card.” Her lip curled. “A gentleman never breaks a business contract, but it’s of no consequence to break your marriage vows.”

Adrian reached down and roughly pulled her up to face him, his eyes black with fury. “I can’t face the truth? It’s a pity you didn’t meet and marry that useless fop Charlton eight years ago, because he’d have been the target for your sainted uncle’s lunacy instead of me! Christ, you haven’t shut up about your miserable marriage, but look where it’s got me! Stitched up like a bloody weaver’s loom, set up as a traitor, hiding like a fugitive. And why? Because I had the temerity to marry you!” He turned his back and hobbled over to the grazing horse. “I’m leaving; are you coming with me or staying here?”

Gabrielle’s face mirrored the shock she felt at Adrian’s words. Her foot lashed out sending a small log into the water and she walked up to Adrian, her fists clenched, then without warning she burst into tears. “I have no choice.” Her voice was raw with emotion. “All I want is to get out of Belgium and go back to my children and never see you again!”

Adrian gripped her arms, his fingers digging into her flesh. “You’ll get your bloody freedom one way or the other. If we get out of this, I’ll gladly give it. If I’m shot, you can play the grieving widow for a day or two. Now shut up and help me get this horse into the shafts.”

He heaved himself into the driving seat, knowing damn well they were suffering reaction to what they’d witnessed. His insides were ripped apart enough without her rubbing his face in it. How could he have been so bloody naïve? His mistress had wheedled far too much information out of him and a senior government minister named Edmund. Good God! Sir Edmund Charters! Close to the PM and related to the Foreign Minister. The old fool must be seventy, and you Bryce, are the biggest fool of all.

About Jan:
Jan Selbourne was born and educated in Melbourne, Australia and her love of literature and history began as soon as she learned to read and hold a pen. After graduating from a Melbourne Business College her career began in the dusty world of ledgers and accounting, working in Victoria, Queensland and the United Kingdom. On the point of retiring, she changed course to work as secretary of a large NSW historical society. Now retired Jan is enjoying her love of travelling and literature. She has two children, a stray live in cat and lives near Maitland, New South Wales.

Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Newsletter

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Aspects of romance #MFRWauthor

This week, the topic is what is the most important aspect of a romantic relationship. Like anything, there are all kinds of important things to consider in a relationship—trust, compatibility, respect. But I like humor. Not that relationships are all that funny all the time, but being able to laugh at yourself and with your partner will sure make the good times better and the hard times easier.

It should come as no surprise that all relationships have ups and downs. The ups are easy to deal with. The hard times though, they can be killers. Killers of the relationship if you and your partner don’t know how to handle things. Laughter won’t pay your bills or make the baby stop its crying or get your hubby a promotion but it does have some real positive effects on the body and mind. According to the Mayo Clinic short term effects of laughter include:

Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

Sometimes, that’s all you need to get past a sudden tense time and give yourself time to breathe so you don’t say or do that thing in any time you wouldn’t want to say or do.

So yes, I want trust and all those other good things in a romantic relationship. And yes, there are definitely times to be serious–problems still exist that need to be solved. But know when to laugh. It’s good for you, for your loved one, and for your relationship.

At least, that’s what I think. What say you?

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist–Gold Medal winner, Best Romance 2020, Coffee Pot Book Club
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers

Category: Uncategorized

New romance! Delicious Heat by Sadira Stone

Like this:

First meeting…again #MFRWHooks

Like this:

Charity Sunday: World Central Kitchen

Like this:

I made it! #MFRWauthor

Like this:

New Release! A Kinky Christmas Carol: Lisabet Sarai

Like this:

Internet research and The Last Dragon: Daryl Devore

Like this:

Bravery, like beauty, is an individual thing #MFRWauthor

Like this:

Please indulge me: The sweetness of recognition #MFRWHooks

Like this:

The beginning of a war, the ending of a marriage? #MFRWHooks

Like this:

Aspects of romance #MFRWauthor

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: