Book review: Privilege by Tina Donahue

WOW! What a book! Here’s info about Privilege and the first book in the series, Target. See my review at the end.

 
 

Privilege

The Valesky Crime Family Book 2

by Tina Donahue

Genre: Dark Mafia Romance 

 

She’ll destroy the mobsters who murdered her brother… unless they kill her first.

District cop Lia Blosky warned her twin brother not to get involved with the Valesky Crime Family. He didn’t listen. Now, he’s dead, tortured horribly before mobsters murdered him. Out for blood, she’ll do anything to see these monsters dead.

FBI Special Agent Adrian Kalin is connected to the Valesky Family in a way he loathes and doesn’t want. His stepfather rules the syndicate and is tired of Lia threatening to kill him and others responsible for her brother’s death. To shut her up for good, he orders Adrian to murder her. Who better than an FBI agent who has no connection to her and knows how to hide evidence?

Adrian resists, but if it comes down to saving Lia or his brothers and mother from Dimitri’s rage, he’ll have to choose family.

In a deadly game between each other and the mob, Lia and Adrian fight to survive… while also surrendering to their undeniable attraction to each other.

This is book two in the Valesky Crime Family series, can be enjoyed independently and has an HEA.

Publisher’s Note: This contemporary dark mafia romance contains elements of mystery, suspense, action, adventure, adult themes, and possible triggers for some readers.

 

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Target

The Valesky Crime Family Book 1

 

A Russian kingpin wants her dead… the only one who can stop it is the man sent to murder her.

Toni Flores loved her dream job working for a respected US senator until he raped her. She’s determined to bring him to justice, no matter the cost.

For years, Dimitri Valesky, head of a Russian crime family in America, has bought off those in government. Just like the senator responsible for Toni’s assault. When she won’t keep quiet about it and risks Dimitri’s business, he orders his stepson Michael to kill her.

Michael’s a lobbyist not a mafia enforcer. He refuses the insane demand, but Dimitri insists. The power he holds over Michael and his brothers is absolute… or so he believes.

Rather than murder Toni, Michael intends to romance her. Once he convinces her to keep quiet about the Senator, she won’t be a target any longer and Dimitri will back off on the hit. The plan falls apart and now they are dodging mafia enforcers, bullets, and Dimitri’s outrage.

Michael and Toni fight to stay alive and save those dearest to them as they also fall hopelessly in love.

This is book one in the Valesky Crime Family series and has an HEA.

Publisher’s Note: This contemporary dark mafia romance contains elements of mystery, suspense, action, adventure, adult themes, and possible triggers for some readers.

 

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Google * Kobo * Books2Read * Blushing Books

 

Tina’s an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes passionate romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. She’s won Readers’ Choice Awards, was named a finalist in the EPIC competition, received a Book of the Year award, The Golden Nib Award, awards of merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competitions, and second place in the NEC RWA contests. She’s featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.

On a less serious note: she’s an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, brakes for Mexican restaurants, and has been known to moan like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally while wolfing down tostadas. She’s flown a single-engine airplane (freaking scary), rewired an old house using an ‘electricity for dummies’ book, and is horribly shy despite the hot romances she writes.

 

Website * MeWe * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

 

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Review

Law or crime? That’s the dilemma faced by anyone near to the Valeskys

Lia Blosky is a police officer—a good, honest, smart cop. But she’ll never get ahead for those very reasons. She thinks she knows what’s going on in the precinct but proving it is a different matter. What she does know is that her little brother ignored her advice of staying away from the Valesky crime family. He didn’t. Now Lia is making no secret that she is out to get everyone who had anything to do with his death. That’s a dangerous claim to make if the very people you count on to back you up in the field have allegiances elsewhere.

Adrian Kalin is a special agent with the FBI but he’s also Dimitri Valesky’s stepson. Thank God no one knows! He hates being involved in any way with Valesky, but the man is devious as well as dangerous and he has found a way to weave his mafia web around each of his stepsons to make them do things they despise. The web? Keep them close to do Valesky’s bidding—inside information, tracking people, making deals—all to benefit the organization. The bait Valesky uses to keep everyone in line? Their mother, and the threat that Valesky will hurt one of the other brothers.

When Adrian is ordered to find and murder a pesky cop making noise about killing Dimitri, Valesky has finally crossed the line with Adrian…unless she’s so willful he has no choice but to kill her. She’s beautiful and talented and a real handful. But if it comes down to her or his mother or one of his brothers, she’s a goner.

I hadn’t read Target, so I wondered if I’d get lost in details about the family and characters in Privilege. Tina’s excellent writing made sure that didn’t happen. The books are truly stand alone. I found Privilege to be exciting without lots of shoot-‘em-up scenes or bodies littered everywhere. These characters used their brains first and brawn second, which made the book more thrilling. Of course, Lia and Adrian light up the night with their attraction and the book is steamy—something I like. The suspense is tangible, the characters compelling. I’m going back to read Target, and an author can’t get a better endorsement that that. I recommend Privilege!

The tables are turned—Baer is looking for a goldilocks who’s “just right” #MFRWHooks

Baer and the Three Goldilocks by Dee S. KnightThis is a blog hop. Be sure to check the link at the bottom to see posts from other authors!

Fairy tales now can be as much fun as they were back in your childhood—especially brought into the present day and with an adult twist. Beware! Things are hotter now!

Blurb:
Another erotic fairy tale with Princess Katherine and Prince Cole.

Susan Baer, founder of Baer Hugs, health centers for women, longs to find her special someone. Sadly, there are no prospects in sight. Suddenly, three men come into her life. All successful, all gorgeous, all blond. And posing their own unique problems. One is too rough and hard in his treatment, one is too soft and wants her to take charge. The last is…well, let’s just say he’s unavailable. *sigh* Can any of them turn out to be “just right?”

Buy links:
On Kindle Unlimited”
Baer and the Three Goldilocks

MFRW Book HooksExcerpt:
It was five minutes before nine o’clock in the morning at Baer Hugs, a health club for women. No need to check the big Seth Thomas clock on the wall for confirmation, Susan could set her watch by them. At the same time each weekday morning, every trainer, aerobics instructor and nutritionist, who wasn’t involved in a class, found a way to observe the parking lot and front entrance. That’s when Duncan Morrison arrived for work.

Not that she blamed them for wanting to stare. He was gorgeous. Over six feet of rippling muscle, the smooth grace of a ballet dancer and shoulders broad enough to carry the weight of the world. Make that two worlds. They were broad. She knew because she saw them flex and settle each day when he took off his suit jacket. It did such things to her insides that she almost missed the dimples deep enough to swim in or the way the slightest amusement could make his lips turn up in a smile and light the deep, rich blue of his eyes.

Yes, his shoulders were a distraction. Almost distraction enough to keep her mind off the way his blond hair tipped his ears and had started to curl against his nape.

The difference was Susan Baer didn’t have to stand around and watch Duncan make his way in from the parking lot in order to quench the lust in her heart. He was her assistant. She could gaze at him all day. Nonetheless, this morning she stood where the hall gave way to the lobby of the building and watched, right along with everyone else.

Sighing, she gave in for a moment to the natural tug on her emotions, the strong need to share her life with someone, to end the loneliness she’d always felt. She wanted to love and be loved, and now, at this point in life, she was ready and able.

In the business world, all she’d wanted to prove, she’d proven. A good portion of what she’d wanted to accomplish, she’d successfully completed. But when it came to personal goals, she hadn’t even begun.

So, considering where she’d started and where she was now, it was grossly unfair that she wanted to do more than gaze at Duncan. It was harder and harder to ignore the tingle that radiated through her each time they touched. Almost impossible to keep the longing out of her voice when they talked about anything non-business related. And she wondered how he missed the fact that she wandered into his office to ask questions she already knew the answers to. Undeniably, the attraction was driving her crazy. Yet she had to remember that he was an employee.

And, of course, there was the annoying fact of his being gay.

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

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A questionable feast #MFRWsteam

Baer and the Three Goldilocks

Baer and the Three Goldilocks by Dee S. KnightBlurb:
Another erotic fairy tale with Princess Katherine and Prince Cole.

Susan Baer, founder of Baer Hugs, health centers for women, longs to find her special someone. Sadly, there are no prospects in sight. Suddenly, three men come into her life. All successful, all gorgeous, all blond. And posing their own unique problems. One is too rough and hard in his treatment, one is too soft and wants her to take charge. The last is…well, let’s just say he’s unavailable. *sigh* Can any of them turn out to be “just right?”

Buy link:

Amazon Kindle Unlimited

MFRW SteamExcerpt:
She frowned as Toby nudged her into the dining room. In the back of her mind, something niggled at her. A concern, a problem… Whatever it was seemed inconsequential now and she stopped trying to remember what it was.

A long table centered in the room drew a large crowd. She and Toby edged to the front where she saw two naked women reclining on the tabletop, feet to feet. Various fruit and crudités covered and surrounded them, with dipping sauces in small glass containers between their breasts, at their belly buttons and at their shaven pussies.

Toby leaned around her and picked up a ripe strawberry. He dipped it into the light colored sauce between one woman’s legs and fed it to Susan.

“Hmm.” She used her tongue to capture a tiny drop at the corner of her mouth.

His eyes flamed with interest. “What’s the flavor of the sauce?”

“Honey-cream.”

“How very appropriate.” He fed her another.

Across the table, she watched a man dip his finger into the sauce then lift it, dripping, to his companion’s lips. The woman watched the man’s eyes; he watched her mouth as she sucked and licked the sauce from him. Susan practically groaned at the sight.

“Are you truly hungry? Because I am, though not for what’s here.”

Susan didn’t answer. Her body leaned toward the other side of the table as she watched the scene being played out. The man had bared the woman’s breast and now tongued drops of sauce from it. Susan licked her lips, tasting the sweetness of the cream while the man swirled his tongue around the woman’s nipple.

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Writing: Don Quixote or J.R. Ewing? #MFRWauthor

The question this week is whether characters are more fun as idealists or pragmatists. You know, do you prefer to write (or read) those characters who always strive for the vision and tilt at windmills, perhaps, or characters who see tings as they really are—and who maybe take advantage of that realism, as J.R. did. I think the answer is, too much of anything can be, well, too much.

Especially in romance, I think having characters who The Cinderella Curse by Dee S. Knightdream a little bit are necessary. In my newly (re)published erotic romance The Cinderella Curse, heroine Charlotte dreams of meeting and capturing her Prince Charming, the head of her publishing firm. He’s somewhat out of her league in that he’s rich, influential, and worldly. And she’s…not. But still, she sees her goal and simply won’t accept that she can’t have him. We all know what happened to Cinderella when she made her wish and then made it to the ball: Katy bar the door!

In the same book, hero Cooper knows the man Charlotte has set her sights on, and he’s pretty sure he’s not the right man for Charlotte. But in his own practical way, he hesitantly helps her map a path to her goal, all while counseling, aiding, and reminding her of what life can be like when she keeps her feet on the ground and head out of the clouds. Together they make quite a pair. But did I enjoy writing one more than the other? No. Did I hear from readers who said they liked reading one more than the others? Well, yeah, kinda. Readers loved Cooper (me, too!) but that’s because I made him yummy, not because he was a pragmatist.

Cinderella ball gownWould I have enjoyed these two if I had written them too strongly in one direction or another? No. Charlotte had to have some common sense and Cooper some flexibility in order for them to be fun and realistic. A good book is composed of characters of both stripes. That can create good conflict and fun reading, no matter which type of character you tend towards.

Do you have a preference? If so, which is it?

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

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers

Exhibition #MFRWsteam

Your Desire by Dee S. KnightYour Desire

Blurb:
Your Desire. A mysterious shop appears in town for one reason: to bring the spice of passion and the thrill of love to one special person. Magic is in more than the item purchased—it’s in the heart of the buyer, often hidden, usually surprising. And after enchantment takes hold ad the fantasy is fulfilled? The store fades from sight and memory, only to reappear somewhere else. Maybe in your town…?

Buy link:
Amazon

MFRW SteamExcerpt:

Suddenly, the music stopped. All lights on the dance floor went out. Seconds later, a slow number began. Without the moving strobes criss-crossing the room, it was surprising how lighting from the table area illuminated the dance floor. When he raised his head, Derica saw Kailen’s hooded eyes had darkened. He wrapped his hands over her butt and pulled her closer, until she almost forgot where they were.

Like a well-choreographed dance, they swayed together, her hips grinding his, her nipples scraping his chest.

“God, I want you,” he said into her ear. Reaching under her skirt, he stroked her cheeks. She spread her legs enough for him to slip his fingers between her lips. “You’re so wet.” Leaning back so he could look at her, he asked, “Have you ever made love in a public place?”

Shocked yet titillated, she shook her head. Licking her lips, she glanced at the slowly moving couples around them.

“Come on.” He took her hand and pulled her off the floor. Behind their table, a hallway extended to the back of the building. A few feet along the hall was a short offshoot.

A black pay phone hung on one side. Kailen backed her up opposite it. His tongue filled her mouth while his fingers fumbled with the buttons on her blouse, then his shirt. Skin to skin, he pushed against her, side to side and up until she stretched on her toes to meet him. She felt his hands fumbling with the button, then lowering the zipper on his jeans. His firm hands grasped her thighs and pushed her skirt to her hips. With his hand under her knee, he brought her leg to his waist, then thrust into her in one swift drive.

“Oh!” From a distance she heard people passing, even making comments about the couple fucking by the pay phone, but nothing mattered except this need, this itch, the feeling of completeness she felt when Kailen filled her. Each hard thrust took her a step closer to climax.

“I think Sandra would like to be where I am now,” she said in his ear, panting to get the words out. The way the woman had looked at Kailen, as though she owned him, tore at Derica. If that was him with her in the painting….

He grunted. “She’s a bitch. Nick should drop her.”

“She wants you.” The thought of people around them, their public display, the reassurance that Kailen was here with her, pushed her on. Just a little more and she’d be free of this burning ache low in her belly.

“She’s a bitch in heat. She wants every man. Except Nick, and that’s what drives him crazy. It’s been that way since they met, modeling for me.” He raised his head, holding himself still inside her. “Do you wish it was her with me instead of you?”

Her low, hard laugh took her by surprise. “I’d pull out every strand of her hair if I found her back here with you. And then I’d get nasty.”

His chuckle warmed her. “That’s my girl.” Then his smile disappeared. His gaze dropped to her lips and he took them in an almost savage conquest. His cock drove into her, giving her everything she craved.

The metal of his zipper teased the tender skin of her thighs. His open mouth found her shoulder where he sucked and then scraped her with his teeth. Without warning she felt herself soaring. She held her breath, trembling, unable to speak or even moan. But Kailen moaned, pressing his forehead to hers, pulsing inside her and holding himself rigid as he climaxed.

He dropped her leg and sagged against her. “I don’t think I can move.”

Breathing in short, shallow pants, coming down from her own high, she knew how he felt. With effort, she raised her arms to wrap around his back. Someone behind them cleared his throat. Kailen pushed away from the wall and turned, shielding her with his body.

“Thanks for the show,” a soft voice said, then footsteps moved off.

Read some steam from other authors. Click the link below.

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To be a student again! Lessons on Seduction by Estelle Pettersen

Lessons on Seduction by Estelle PettersenLet the lessons begin!

Blurb for Lessons on Seduction:

When college student Sapphire Blake finds herself fresh out of a breakup, she is ready to embark on a new journey in her life. A dark, sensual journey. Freeing herself from the expectations set by her family, friends, and church, an innocent and unworldly Sapphire begins experimenting with her new casual lover, Vera Richland.

Julian Richland is ridiculously handsome, smart, and intimidating. This university professor finds himself enthralled in a sensual relationship with a woman willing to pay top money for his time in the bedroom. To pay off his debts and continue leading his lavish lifestyle, Julian discovers the world filled with sex, drugs, and lies may not be for him as he first thought. With his contract almost up, Julian has his sights set on a new endeavor.

When the pair are introduced by none other than Julian’s own sister, sparks are ignited as Julian sees past the conservative stigma Sapphire believes the world has placed on her. Instead, he sees a sexy vixen—and he can’t help but admit he wants her.

As the couple begins a dangerous, passionate liaison, secrets become exposed and lives are threatened. Will Julian be able to save his relationship with Sapphire and rekindle the fiery flame they share? Or, will fate have another ending in store? Find out in this thrilling and erotic new adult romance novel.

Buy links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Ng8YbDhttps://books2read.com/u/47XXGj
Universal: https://books2read.com/u/47XXGj

Lessons on Seduction by Estelle Pettersen

Excerpt (WARNING! Explicit language):
Chapter One
Welcome to my Playground

Julian
First semester at Montville State University, August

“Baby, come back to bed,” she purred, grabbing my arm.

“I need to get to class. There’s no time to sleep in.” I sat on the edge of the bed, gently loosened her grip, and kissed her forehead.

“Oh, honey, please, just one more time.”

“There’s a coffee machine on the kitchen bench. Help yourself to it on the way out.”

“But—”

“You were good, sugar.” I leaned forward and ran my hand along her smooth, tan, inner thighs. I slid my index and middle fingers inside her wet slit, pulled out, then licked them to taste her scent.

Melina Montes, or Mindy, was a college student in her prime.

Her flavor? Spicy and aromatic.

***

She was a sexy hellcat whose tits were popping out of her low-cut tank top when I recognized her across the room at a party last night. Dark hair: check. Dark eyes: check. Tiny waist and a fucking banging body: check, check.

She and I had had casual sex before, so it didn’t take long for the familiar flirtation to turn into a make-out session, which resulted in business in the bedroom in my apartment, where she was a star.

Mindy was a little minx who knew how to satisfy a man. Her naked body was a piece of caramel cake, with small droplets of brown candy on the peaks of her breasts, and a smooth pussy that flowed cream so tasty and hot.

She fucked like a pro and knew how to handle my cock with her mouth. She started on the head, tasting it with her tongue, before using her suction technique, which was spot-on perfect.

Sixty-nine was my favorite number, so while she worked her magic on my cock with her lips, I snacked on her exquisite pussy. That pussy had a landing strip of short, dark hair, which I inhaled to take in her aroma. She was musky, sensual, and pleading to be licked.

My tongue landed on her landing strip, giving it gentle licks. Then my mouth dove into her core, nipping, sucking, and circling the ripe center with my wicked tongue. Her whimpers and mewling grew louder as I continued eating her while pinching her perfectly plump nipples with my fingers and thumbs to stimulate a little more pleasure. Those nipples were divine—they were territory that I’d visited from time to time before, nibbling, licking, and devouring them until they were sore.

“Oh my God, oh my God.” Mindy’s filthy mouth broke away from my cock and prayed to a divine deity.

I continued to roll her nipples between my fingers while feasting on her clit, wanting more of that pussy cream. Her body quivered as I continued with the motions, bringing her to a state of euphoria.

“Fuck, Julian, I’m going to come!” Mindy screamed.

I broke my kiss, positioned myself on top of her, and grabbed a condom. Once I had it on, I slid my hard, throbbing cock inside her, pounding into her sweet, wet pussy at a paced speed, until she screamed unfiltered pleasure peppered with obscenities. We both came hard and fast before I collapsed onto her body, catching up on my breathing. A minute later, we lay in silence, and Mindy’s head rested on my chest. She played with the contours of my chest and stomach, tracing her fingers from my sternum to just above my love trail.

“Your abs. They’re so fucking rock hard,” she whispered, before falling asleep.

I’d just had the fuck of my life with Mindy. I’d known her for years, and she would come onto me like a cat in heat. We were amicable, but I wouldn’t call her a friend, so it was a case of acquaintances with benefits. You see, I met her through my sister, Vera, years ago—they both went to high school together and studied law in college. We hooked up from time to time, but that’s all it was.

After a night of little sleep, I woke up at seven, showered, and got ready for class. The mirror reflected a clear image of a man with mahogany hair and light bags under his dark, burnished eyes. I stared at the man, who was six feet tall with broad shoulders and a muscular build, thanks to my daily routine at Evolve Gym. The exercise initially helped me with a few back problems and eventually became a habit of taking care of myself. I lathered my square, unshaven jaw and started shaving for a fresh, clean look.

There’s a faint scar, just above my right eyebrow, which serves as a reminder of my youth, when a little shit by the name of Wilson Cole shoved a swing bench into my forehead. It’s a memento to remind me that the world is full of shitheads, and probably only twenty percent of the population are decent people worth having a conversation with.

I didn’t mind the heavy nights of sex, but there was one problem—I had morning classes to teach and needed at least a double shot of coffee on the way to the archaeology department. Being a teacher’s assistant/tutor while completing my PhD in archaeology at Montville State University meant I had to be alert and upbeat in front of the class. Based in the coastal city of Lester Harbor, in the state of Montville, the university had a leading archaeology research center.

As for Mindy, I didn’t have time for anything more than a flirtationship. She managed to find her way out of my apartment later that day and left her black, lacy thong, which I threw in the bathroom bin. My name isn’t Julian Carpenter Richland, the thong-collector. My middle name is my mother’s maiden name, by the way.

Lessons on Seduction by Estelle Pettersen

 Interview:

NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
EP: When I drafted Lessons on Seduction, it was originally a sweet college romance, but I felt that it was flat and not quite what I was after if I was a reader looking for a hot love story. I wanted a steamy romance book with a decent plot, a protagonist who is both empowering and feminine, and a love interest who is intelligent, sexy, and relatable. I ended up doing some major revamps on the story after talking with a few friends, and the result is an erotic romance.

NA: A fun fact about writing your book:
EP: In Lessons on Seduction, Julian was originally Sapphire’s college teacher, but I wanted to divert slightly from the cliché teacher-student romance.

NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer? EP: I’ve always loved writing stories since I was little, so it was no surprise for my family and close friends back home in Australia. I met my husband during a transition period in my life, so writing a fiction novel was probably a little more surprising for him. However, the genre I write doesn’t surprise him at all, as he knows I’m a big romantic at heart. People in the town I live in would be quite surprised that I write erotic romances though. When I tell people that I write, they usually ask me if I write children’s books. Maybe one day.

My friends on a writing platform called Wattpad have been incredibly encouraging, and I’ve gotten to where I am today as a writer because of the support they’ve given me.

NA: The biggest surprise you had after becoming a writer.
EP: The biggest surprise I had after becoming a writer is having my manuscript for Lessons on Seduction accepted by my publisher Black Velvet Seductions. That was the highlight of my writing career, and through this experience, I’ve met wonderful authors with the same publisher whose work I’ve admired for a while. Being a shy introvert, I was a little tongue-tied when I was first introduced to them, as I was already familiar with some of their works. The BVS authors are my writing family, and they’ve helped me come out of my shell as an introverted author.

NA: Do you have quirky writing habits?
EP: Yes, I have some rather quirky writing habits. I’m a sensitive writer and my moods affect my writing. Aside from being in the right mood, I need my coffee, music, a peaceful environment, and light. Without these, I don’t function very well with writing. I also love using tropes, particularly metaphors and allegories. I use these to give clues to readers on what is coming up in the later chapters.

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
EP: Can I sleep in for another fifteen minutes? I tend to hit the snooze button, as I’m not much of a morning person especially in the winter, when it’s dark, cold, and raining outside. I don’t mind the alarm so much in the summer when I wake up to the natural morning light.

NA: What are you working on now?
EP: I’m working on a cowboy romance short story, set in outback Australia, for my publisher Black Velvet Seductions. After that, I’ll continue working on the second book in the Seduction series, which is Julian’s sister Vera’s story.

NA: What is any question we didn’t ask that you would like to answer?
EP: I can’t think of any for now. I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to be interviewed. I want to give credit to Jessica Greeley, at BVS, for the artwork and the cover of Lessons on Seduction– she did an amazing job with it.

 Meet Estelle:

Estelle PettersenEstelle Pettersen is an Australian author and former journalist whose romance stories explore empowerment, freedom, and finding one’s strength. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Journalism and Psychology, from the University of Queensland, Australia. Her second degree is an MBA from Queensland University of Technology, Australia. She is a member of Romance Writers of Australia and is passionate about history, languages, cultures, traveling, food, and wine. She is happily married and living in Norway these days.

 Author links: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elusiveromance
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elusive_6788
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elusive_6788
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/94753616-e-pettersen
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/estellepettersen
Amazon page: https://amz.run/3Ld2
Author website: https://elusiveromance.com/

Wrong place, wrong time, right woman #MFRWsteam

This is a blog hop! Please see the end of the post for the link to other
steamy excerpts!

Only a Good Man Will Do by Dee S. KnightBlurb for Only a Good Man Will Do:
Seriously ambitious man seeks woman to encourage his goals, support his (hopeful) position as Headmaster of Westover Academy, and be purer than Caesar’s wife. Good luck with that!
Daniel Goodman is a man on a mission. He aims to become headmaster of Westover Academy. For that he needs a particular, special woman to help him set high standards. Into his cut and dried life of moral and upright behavior, comes Eve Star, formerly one of Europe’s foremost exotic dancers. Her life is anything but cut and dried, black and white. Daniel is drawn to her like a kid to chocolate. Nothing good can come of this attraction. Or can it? He is after all, a good man.

Buy link:
KU

Excerpt:
Daniel couldn’t wait to get Eve to the bedroom. When he heard the click of MFRW Steamthe lock, it was as though they’d pushed the world away and existed alone in that island of an apartment.

What are you doing? Are you out of your fucking mind? He was where he shouldn’t be and with a woman he shouldn’t be. And he didn’t give a damn.

He backed her against the door. “Take off your clothes.”

Locking onto his eyes, she started unbuttoning her blouse. She must be as crazy as he. If he said the wrong word at the Academy, her son would be out, yet she—

“Wait a minute. Swear you aren’t doing this to keep your son in school.”

Eve’s eyes narrowed then widened. “Are you using his position at Westover as a threat?”

“Hell, no.”

“I want you as much as you want me. That’s the only reason I let you in this apartment.”

Satisfied, he nodded. She loosened the last button and let her blouse fall to the floor. Still watching his eyes, she reached behind and unhooked her bra. Her breasts were large, but not overly so. He cupped one. The stiffened peak of her nipple scraped his palm as he massaged her. He removed his hand and raised his eyes back to hers.

She unzipped and unsnapped her jeans. He crowded her but in a great stripper move, she slithered down the door, pushing her jeans and panties with her. On her haunches in front of him, she unbuckled his belt. He reached in his pocket for the rubber he’d brought and let her free his cock as she pulled down his trousers and briefs.

Her breath was hot on him, and her tongue like a branding iron striking across the crown, licking up his pre-cum and dipping into the tiny slit as though digging for more. Her mouth surrounded the head of his cock, hot and wet and so inviting. He closed his eyes and pushed forward, letting the heat envelope him, burn him. He withdrew and the cold air on his tender flesh sent a shiver through him, a shiver she sensed because she surged forward, covering him in heat again. When she pulled back, she wrapped her warm hand around his exposed rod. His cock twitched, gliding like a snake into the recesses of her mouth, sliding ever so slightly past the mouth of her throat. His balls tightened, so ready to let go. Daniel pulled back.

“Here,” he said, handing her the condom. It took her no time to apply it, then, unbelievably, she stood in the tiny space he allowed.

This time, Daniel crouched before her, removing her shoes and slipping the jeans over her feet. He parted her legs and licked his way from ankle to thigh. Her skin smoothed over his cheek, a length of silk leading to the apex, an amazing thatch of soft curls. He nuzzled and her aroma overtook him, the warm, musk scent making his dick pulse with need. With a groan, she widened her stance. He parted her lower lips and studied her. Already, dew drops of her essence glistened along her lips and the entrance to her pussy. His tongue lapped it up, stroking a path to her clit.

“Oh, God!” She slapped her hands against the door.

She was wet enough, especially after his brief exploration. Another time he’d take more care. Right now, he only wanted to feel her around him, to be lost in her touch, her scent, her woman’s heat that could bring the strongest man to his knees.

He stood and lifted her over him. “Are you ready?” His voice was hoarse, the taste of her still on his tongue spurring his desire and emptying him of all reason.

“More than ready.”

In a single stroke he drove into her. She cried out.

“Did I hurt you?”

She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, pulling him as close as he could get. His hands kneaded her ass. Her hips undulated, grinding into him.

“Harder,” she whispered in his ear.

“Oh, God,” he moaned. Feeling like a man of iron, he pounded her back against the door. Someone had started another song in the bar below and the steady bass beat a feral rhythm to which he stroked. Steel sheathed in liquid fire, he drove in and pulled out. In and out, in and out, to the beat from below, to the pounding of his heart, to the grunts of pleasure Eve made while he hammered her to the door.

And then his balls clenched against her butt and he came, hard, strong, for what felt like forever. At the same moment, Eve moaned, holding him tight while her muscles clamped, seeking to trap him deep within. No problem there. He was deep and long and right where he wanted to be. She was tight and strong and hard around him.

They stood there until he had nothing left to give and the ripples of her orgasm died away. His mouth sought hers, drinking and sipping and nuzzling. For the first time, he noticed her hands tangled in his hair. Her tongue invaded his mouth, taking command in a way he found arousing. Incredibly, his heart sped and his breathing quickened. Damn, he couldn’t wait to have her again.

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It’s a sweet thang–a Sweet Thang mystery, that is! Gloom, Doom, and Missing Groom by Emma Ames

Gloom, Doom, and Missing Groom, A Sweet Thangs Mystery, Book 2

Gloom, Doom, and Missing Groom by Emma Ames

Blurb:
Tizzy Donovan, widow, single mother, baker and part-time bartender, is getting married–if she can find the groom.
Join Tizzy and her ragtag team as they scour two counties, drag a lake, and enlist the help of a fortune teller to solve the mystery.

Excerpt:
A Hunter’s Moon hung high in the sky and lit up the night. The temperature hovered in the low forties, but the thirty-five mile per hour wind created a chill much colder. Tizzy wished she’d grabbed a coat before leaving the house. The low-cut, sleeveless, dress proved to be a poor selection.

Thanks to a text from Jinx, she knew where Ridge parked on Lide. Not that she would have any trouble locating the old Chevy. But at least she wouldn’t have to drive around to find him and risk him seeing her first. From a safe distance, she sat in her van and watched him. There wasn’t much activity. The cold wind must have been keeping the Johns at home and the girls off the street.

Tizzy adjusted her blonde wig and decided the time was right to make her move. She was almost to the car when Ridge noticed her. He rolled down the window, and she leaned in.

“Hey, cowboy, need a date?”

“Jeezus, Tizzy. Do you ever listen to anything I say?”

“The name’s Velvet, and are you sure you don’t want some company?”

“Cut the crap. What are you doing here?”

“If this is going to be a long conversation, may I please get inside? I have a full nipple alert.” She stuck out her chest and gave him a good view of the warning.

He gulped for air. “No. You need to leave, and we’ll talk about this at home.”

“If that’s the way you want it.” She rose to her full height, then ducked back down again. “Just one more question. Would you be less mad if I mentioned I’m not wearing panties?”

Buy links:
Book trailer: https://tinyurl.com/sl3uayy
Buy links: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZTT97XJ
Audio: https://tinyurl.com/sl3uayy

How I Start a Story
For me, a good story starts with a great first line, and I can’t begin to write until I have one. At least one I think is great. For the Sweet Thangs Mystery Series, each opening sentence needs to set the tone of the book—a blend of mystery, romance, and humor.

I love it when a first line grabs me. Here are a couple from my favorite authors.

One hot August Thursday afternoon, Maddie Faraday reached under the front seat of her husband’s Cadillac and pulled out a pair of black lace underpants—they weren’t hers. ~Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie.

It wasn’t every day a guy saw a headless beaver marching down the side of the road, not even in Dean Robillard’s larger-than-life world. ~Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Two from my alter-ego, Ann Everett.
Quinn Dorsey had kissed her share of toads, and now, just months before her thirty-fifth birthday, her efforts were about to pay off. ~Two Wrongs Make a Right

According to scientific studies, Maggie knew even good girls got aroused by bad boys.~Tell Me a Secret

And here’s the one from the book featured today, Book Two, Gloom, Doom, and Missing Groom: Twenty-four hours ago, Tizzy Donovan was naked in Ridge Cooper’s bed, screaming to get God’s attention.

When choosing a book, how important are opening lines to you? Let me know in the comments.

Emma’s bio:
Emma Ames/Ann EverettEmma Ames is an alter-ego of Ann Everett, who is an alter-ego of a real person. All three live in Texas.

Emma writes sweeter versions of Ann Everett’s steamy mysteries and romances. Although they contain no graphic love scenes or language, they are still rated 18+ due to sexual innuendo and adult themes. And, as always, a happily ever after is guaranteed.

Social media links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmaAmes11
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/emmaames
Find out more about Emma: https://www.anneverett.com/emma-ames-books/