Tag: romance

Madison Michael’s Bedeviled, FREE!


Bedeviled
The Beguiling Bachelors, Book 3
By Madison Michael

♥♥♥ ~ Free September 7th – September 10th Only ~ ♥♥♥
 

About Bedeviled:

If You Build Your Love on Lies, You Better Run Faster than the Truth

 Newly appointed Finance Director, Charlotte Roche escaped dangers lurking in Boston by moving to Chicago. A new name, a new beginning – all built on lies. Believing she is safe, Charlotte drops her guard and sets her sights on her ruggedly handsome and wildly sexy running partner, Alexander Gaines. Can she advance their relationship from the track to the bedroom and still maintain her charade? or will Alex’s probing questions pierce her carefully rehearsed story?

Alex, with unrevealed secrets of his own, struggles to hold the irresistible Charlotte at arm’s length. But when Charlotte sustains a suspicious injury, Alex seizes the opportunity to cuddle up to the sassy beauty. Does he dare risk his reputation, his fortune, his friends, and his heart by letting her get close?

How can they build a bond with deceit on both sides? With exposure imminent, their freshly forged relationship is in jeopardy and so are their lives. Can their love survive or are they bedeviled? 

 Join Alex and Charlotte, in this steamy romance, the third in the five-star rated Beguiling Bachelor series. The suspense builds as the characters you’ve met and loved in “Bedazzled” and “Beholden” help tackle the maze of half-truths and cover-ups threatening the lovers.

ASIN: B06WLQL2FT
Genre: Steamy Romantic Suspense

Amazon Buy Link: https://amzn.to/321d24H

Excerpt from Bedeviled:
Keeping his mind on the topic always took all of Alex’s effort anyway. When Charlotte sat hip-to-hip with him as she had today, he felt the heat of her skin, saw the long length of thigh exposed in front of him, heard her heavy post-run breathing until he was in sensory overload. She smelled so good, not stinky and sweaty like he must. She smelled classy and expensive with all those clean, floral scents. She smelled like a woman he could trust.
More like a woman I want to trust.
Thinking back, Alex recognized that she had been hiding something all along. When he wasn’t lost in a sensual fog, he was able to zero in on where the conversations lagged, when she got testy with his probing or tried to change the subject. It had something to do with her life in Boston before she moved to Chicago and it was something that had been going on for a while. She was practiced at her excuses by the time she used them on him. She was making too many trips back East for ‘Harvard stuff.’ She had met Regan Howe through this same ‘Harvard stuff’ yet Regan went back to her alma mater only once or twice a year, if that.
Oh yeah, Charlotte is definitely up to something and I intend to find out what. I have been patient long enough.
Sitting waiting now for Charlotte to arrive at Starbucks, Alex promised himself that he would get to the bottom of this or walk away.
Since she had declined his offer of a ride, Alex currently sat at a shady outside table enjoying the last of summer, waiting for her to walk over and speculating on her possible secrets. He was planning his subtle interrogation during the few minutes Charlotte would need to make her way across the park,
Stubborn. She should have just accepted the ride.
You driving over or walking?” she had asked him, once they caught their breath.
“I have the car if you want a ride?” When she hesitated, he tried tempting her. “I have the new car.”
Alex was the proud owner of a brand new Mercedes AMG. The sleek, luxury sports car suited him despite most people’s image of him as logical, conservative and staid. The need for speed was actually deep in his blood. “You will love it, tight on the curves, fast and quiet. She purrs,” he had bragged.
Charlotte hesitated on his last remark and Alex had been sure she would accept. “The new car, huh?” she sounded intrigued. “I am excited to see it at last, Alex. You have certainly been talking about it long enough.”
“I need to walk off this tight hamstring, so I’ll have to pass this time,” she had replied reluctantly. “Meet you there in five.” Of course, Charlotte had been Charlotte, and that included being unpredictable.
Charlotte, leaving Alex standing there, had taken off across the park without a backward glance. Alex stood dumbfounded a moment, watching her slow jog-walk toward the trail across the grassy lawns of Lincoln Park. She was heading directly toward their usual post-run Starbucks and if he didn’t get moving, she would be there first.
Still he stood, willing her to look back and flash him that smile that changed her whole face. She didn’t, of course, and Alex was left standing there, admiring her lithe figure and the smooth bunch and release of her muscles in those tiny running shorts as she moved into the distance. Reminding himself to close his gaping mouth, Alex jogged to the parking lot, trading an extra moment of admiring a beautiful woman for a few short moments admiring his beautiful new car.
Arriving at the coffee shop several minutes before Charlotte, Alex was forced to cool his heels. He spent the time piecing together anything he could think of to uncover Charlotte’s deep, dark, secret. Admittedly, he needed the ten-minute head start away from her to give his overheated blood a little cooling time too. He kept envisioning the two of them in that sweet ride, sitting close with their sweat-slicked bodies. The image had intensified the jolts of.electricity already coursing through his veins from running beside her scantily clothed body.
Too bad she turned me down. One of these days we will be in tight quarters, all alone, and I will make my move. I have resisted too long already.
Since the mention of her tight hamstring, all Alex could think about was massaging her leg, and moving up from there. Did the woman not understand what she was doing to him? After all, he was a healthy red-blooded man. How long was he supposed to watch her round little ass wiggle in front of him, or the glide of muscles in those incredible legs – or OMG – her breasts bob up and down in those little running tops. The woman was killing him. He wanted her so badly he could taste it.
He chided himself to stop thinking of her that way, as he always did when he lusted after her. He would catch himself wanting her and repress the overwhelming sexual response that had plagued him since the beginning. She was so much more than just beautiful and sexy. She was a brilliant woman, funny, witty, complex and delightful. She considered him a running partner, and a friend…
…but that body, oh, that body. Stop it!
Alex determined to stay focused on what she might be trying to cover up and got his desire under control. He reviewed the signs – when she changed topics or failed to make eye contact. He carefully dissected her words while he waited for her to arrive. He knew she was being intentionally elusive. Alex resolved again that today would be the day he found out what she was concealing, beginning as soon as she arrived.
Speaking of arriving, Charlotte should have shown up long before now. She would have, unless something had happened. How long had he been sitting, pondering? How much time had passed?
Heart racing like a freight train, Alex ran into the park. Unsure why, he was terrified of what he might find.
 
About Madison Michael: 
 
Madison Michael is an indie publisher, blogger and the author of the Beguiling Bachelor Series as well as the novella Desire & Dessert, from her sizzling B&B Billionaire Bachelor series.

A Chicago native and hopeless romantic, Maddy was raised on Chicago culture, fairy tales, great literature and swashbuckling movies. Maddy employs that history, writing steamy contemporary romance novels set against the sumptuous backdrop of Chicago’s elite society.

After receiving a BA in Journalism from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, Madison abandoned her writing to find her way in the corporate business world. Daughter of a librarian, it was inevitable that she would return to the world of books.

Maddy writes from high above Chicago where she can stare at its gorgeous skyline or the shores of Lake Michigan surrounded by feline assistants. When she is not writing,, Maddy can be found lost in a book, fighting for the rights of the mentally iil or dining on Chicago’s famous cuisine. Hot dogs and pizza, anyone?

 Social Links:

Guest Author: Carol Schoenig

We’re so happy to welcome Carol Schoenig and her book, The Caretaker, to Nomad Authors!

The Caretaker

NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

CS: I came up with the idea for The Caretaker in talking to my friends and neighbor. I used to belong to a sewing group. One of my friends was telling us about how her sister and brother-in-law put their belongings in storage and rented out their home. They did this because they wanted to travel in Europe for 9 months. They found a job as a House Sitter in France. It just popped into my head that could make a great story, but I wanted a romance story.

My neighbors were celebrating an anniversary. I asked how did they meet. Well, they were high school sweetheart, but her parents didn’t approve of him. Vince was drafted to serve in WWII. Life moved forward for both of them. Vince’s wife passed away, and he had grown children and lived in Boston. Mary had divorced with grown children living in Cranberry Township North of Pittsburgh PA. Vince came into Pittsburgh for a 50 HS reunion. Vince stopped in at our church asked if Mary was around. Sure enough she was only a few feet away. They started dating and got married when they were 72 years of age.

They’ve been married for 15 years. Mary died a few months ago. Vince is in a nursing home.

NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?

CS: I’ve always wanted to go to Mallorca Spain so most of my research was finding restaurants and interesting sites in Mallorca, building supplies stores in Rome that are similar to those in the US. Home Depot.

NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?

CS: Love isn’t just for the young. There are so many people over 50 plus looking for companionship or love. In fact, three friends that read my book ended up in relationships.

J got married, she’s 70.
NS is 73 and dating a friend from high school, and I asked if marriage was in the horizon and she said possibly. Nancy shared with me a story about her friend I’m saving for another book.
CP is a friend of mine from high school and she is 70 and in a relationship. Neither he nor she is interested in marriage. Carol’s reasons are fodder to be used later.

NA: Do you have a day job? What was your job before you started writing full time?

CS: I currently work part-time in a retail store. I had a twenty-five-year career in Human Resources in various industries, engineering, health care, advertising and biotechnology.

NA: What started you on the path to writing?

CS: It has been a long time coming to be a writer. I think I was first inspired to write after reading the poem I think I’ll never see a poem as lovely as a tree That poem gave me an emotional jolt. I wanted to write something as beautiful as that poem. I want to inspire people and make them feel and see things from another prospective.

NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?

CS: They’re excited, supportive and proud of me. They think it’s awesome. My high school friends want me to write a book about our friendship.

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?

CS: Definitely by-the-seat-of-my pants and that is not good. If I outline, I feel like someone has put me in a room and locked me up. I see the need and reason for outlining, but I have a hard time. I feel confined.
What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?

NA: Which kind of scenes are the hardest for you to write? Action, dialogue, sex?

CS: Definitely sex scenes. I bought a book naughty words for good girls. One thing I’ve found though is when watching a movie and the characters will kiss, I zone in on the steps they look in the other person’s eyes, move closer, closer until their lips meet. I have a friend that writes erotic books, and she tells me she watches porn.

NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

CS: I think of myself as a jack of all trades master of none. I have many hobbies and likes. I’ll sew, clothing, quilts, purses. I like to make cards, sing in the choir, I like to travel, but don’t do enough of it. Spend time with my grandchildren, Bake I used to make wedding cakes. I recently did a cupcake bouquet.

NA: What are your top three favorite books of all time?

CS: The Last Forever by Nora Roberts. The inn that is being renovated in the book is a real place in Boonsboro, MD and is owned by NR.

Her Summer with a Marine by Susan Meier. I love all of Susan’s books. She has written over 50 and I think I have 35 of them. I like this one because the occupation was different.

And most recently I enjoyed Her Lover’s Face by Patricia Elliott. I thought how they met was very unique.

NA: A pet peeve.

CS: Not sure what you mean here, in writing? Pet peeve is big books. I like to read something that can be done in a day or two, not a month. I prefer dialogue and not all the narrative. That’s probably why I have difficulty writing narrative.

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?

CS: I hate waking up to alarms. I rarely use one and if I have to use one, I’m up before it goes off. I’ve been able to visualize or train myself to do this. I went on a retreat with a friend and she wanted to set an alarm for 6 a.m. I told all I need to do is tell myself to get up at 6 a.m. and I’ll be up. Sure enough I was up at 6 a.m. The same when I worked, I‘d visualize the parking spot I wanted and it would be available to me.

I’d love to do that with my writing. Although, I made a book jacket with the title and my name on the binding. Went to Barnes and Nobles and placed it in the spot where it would go on the shelve and took a picture. That was my motivation to keep writing. I got the book written. It’s not on the shelves of B&N. It will be one of these days.

NA: What errand/chore do you despise the most?

CS: Grocery shopping. I’ve passed it off to my husband. When I was diagnosed with Celiac disease ten years ago, I began to hate grocery shopping. It was torture. Everything I picked up had wheat in it. I’m not a big veggie or fruit eater so it was like there is nothing for me to eat. Over the years it’s gotten better and there are more options for Celiac disease. I don’t enjoy eating out a lot for the same reason.

NA: What famous person would you like to have dinner with?

CS: Tom Hanks or Michael Keaton. I love their sense of humor. I spoke to Michael Keaton on the phone once, but I didn’t know it was him. I worked with his sister and brother and he called in to talk to them. I passed the call through. When Doug (Michael’s brother) got off the phone he came over and told me it was Michael Keaton. He is originally from the same area where I grew up.

NA: What are you working on now?

CS: I’m finished a short story for the Mystic Desire Anthology and hope to complete my second novel A Make-Believe Engagement. It’s about a woman who lost a leg after celebrating her engagement. Shortly afterward, her fiancé dumpS her, and she loes her yoga studio. Five years later she finds herself playing the role of a fiancé to keep her sister out of jail.
I was inspired to write this for several reasons. Amy Mullins gave a TED Talk about her twelve pairs of legs. Amy lost her legs at the age of two.

I hear the struggles women have meeting guys etc. It made me think about how hard it must be if you have a disability or disfigurement.

Not every missing limbed person has a great story to tell like Amy Mullins etc. I wanted to reach out to those people and let them know not to give up.

Another book I’ve started developing my characters is a story about sexual harassment at work. I was sexually harassed at work, before there were laws to protect women. When the MeTo movement began and every time something appeared in the news about someone being harassed etc. it brought those memories back. But what I have a hard time understanding is waiting decades to come forward or wanting to sue for money or make myself known. I need to research some of this and understand more. I can only write from my experience. I just want to forget it and move on.

Also, my high school friends keep asking me to write a book about us. There are 10 of us that get together once a month for dinner. We’ve gone to elementary school and high school together. We’ve been friends for over 50 years. Last year 6 of us went on a cruise to celebrate our 70th birthdays. I think it will have to be a series, Married, Divorced, Widowed.

NA: What adventurous things have you done in your life?

CS: Windsurfing (I did this when I was younger) Zorbing
Parasailing
Zorbing
Ziplining
White water rafting
No door helicopter ride
Swimming with dolphins
Segway in Bermuda
Hot-air balloon ride

The Caretaker by Carol Schoenig

The Caretaker blurb:

Phae Carson married young to a husband that was verbally and emotionally abusive. Having two kids by the time she was 20 kept her in the relationship.

For twenty-seven years he controlled her life, not giving her access to money and not allowing her to work outside the home. He nixed family vacations and outings of any kind. He expected the house clean, home cooked meals and no laundry in the hampers.

Finally, widowed, with her children grown, Phae is presented with a job opportunity as a caretaker for a villa in Mallorca Spain. She jumps at the chance to experience some of the adventures she’d dreamed about in her youth. However, she’ll have to take control of her life. Starting by going against the wishes of her grown children Kera and Jeff, who try to dissuade her from taking the job.

In Mallorca, she finds more than she expected when she meets Finn Callahan, the owner of the villa she’s hired to take care of.

Phae initially wants no part of falling in love because she doesn’t want to lose the autonomy she has gained. But she begins to wonder if it’s possible loving someone, being in a relationship, isn’t synonymous with losing one’s independence?

Buy The Caretaker on Amazon

Author info:

Author Carol SchoenigCarol Schoenig used to joke with co-workers that when she retired she was going to sit on a beach and write scintillating romance novels.

Married to the same man for 50 years. She spends time with her two grown sons and five grandchildren.  She reads, sews and sings in the choir.

She believes you’re never too old to pursue your dreams.

Find Carol on Facebook and Twitter.

Besotted–FREE!–by Madison Michael

Here’s your chance to read Besotted for free!

Besotted
The Beguiling Bachelors, Book 4
By Madison Michael
♥♥♥ ~ Free June 19th – June 21st Only ~ ♥♥♥

About Besotted:

He Promised Forever, then Walked Away. Now he wants her back.

Tyler’s Winthrop, rich, handsome, elusive sees his moment to win Regan Howe slipping through his fingers. He has remained on the outskirts of Regan’s life since high school, reluctant to reveal his true past and expose her to danger. Despite their obvious attraction, Tyler has remained her friend and protector, keeping Regan at arm’s length for her own safety,

Regan Howe, won her coveted CEO position through hard work and a willingness to buck family tradition. Now, Brandon Hockney, a handsome US Senator with his eye on the White House, wants her to give it up, along with her home, friends and family for a move to DC and marriage to him.

Regan wants a family but is she prepared to leave all she loves, including the alluring Tyler Winthrop. Regan has waited twenty years for Tyler to commit. He once promised her forever, then he destroyed her trust and her hopes for a future together. Still, she cannot break the ties between them.

When Regan tests the waters with Brandon, Tyler is tapped as acting CEO, throwing the pair together, and forcing both to make a choice. Is this the end or their one last chance at love? Battling overwhelming odds and a racing clock, will Tyler be forced to release his one true love to find happiness with another man? How can he when he’s besotted?

As the danger mounts for Tyler,, can he wrestle free of his past and lure Regan away from her Senator? Join our handsome hero as he attempts to win back his love in this exciting and steamy page turner, the fourth of the sexy, contemporary Beguiling Bachelor romance series.


 Excerpt from Besotted:

Regan was just too damn alluring in that dress for him to accept that he couldn’t have her if he wanted her.

He was an idiot. He should have told her years ago. He should have told everyone. Despite the tongue-lashing he was silently giving himself, Tyler was certainly no fool. “The professor” to his friends, he was generally serious and professional. He had the smarts necessary to obtain both an MBA and a law degree, and he was now CEO of LHRE and on hiatus from one of the fastest growing tech companies in the country. He kept his cool in general, but again and again he behaved like an idiot around Regan.

Since that damn frog almost thirty years ago, he had loved no one but Regan. Sometimes they made it work together, like in high school, but most times not. His feelings were unchanged, but something always stopped him from declaring his love and asking her to do the same. This time it was something insurmountable.

And yet Tyler couldn’t stay away. He was the proverbial moth to the flame, flirting with disaster every time he flirted with her. He had promised to stay away, to keep her safe,but the attraction was undeniable. Yep, prize idiot.

Returning to the ballroom after the latest threats, Tyler briefly considered sharing the conversation, coming clean with Regan and perhaps moving their relationship forward. He was at a fork in the road but remained silent, Tyler knew he was on the wrong path but couldn’t summon the will to fix it. Not only were his problems unsolvable, but she was involved with Brandon. Tyler felt hopeless.

He was preoccupied just as Regan accused, but Tyler tried to give Regan the attention she deserved. He failed miserably until Regan suggested they just leave. That got his attention. Who knew when he would hold her in his arms again.

“Come dance with me again. It would be a crime to waste that dress.”

Encircling Regan in his arms, his body responded to her nearness, even as his mind worried over the earlier texts. He was unaware of his hand stroking her back, fingers lightly skimming over her bare skin. He wasn’t thinking clearly when he pulled her close or when he dropped kisses on her hair. He wasn’t paying attention, just acting on instinct, Regan was responding, her breath growing uneven, her hands clinging to his shoulders.


 About the Author:

Madison Michael is an indie publisher, blogger and the author of the Beguiling Bachelor Series as well as the novella Desire & Dessert, from her sizzling B&B Billionaire Bachelor series.

 A Chicago native and hopeless romantic, Maddy was raised on Chicago culture, fairy tales, great literature and swashbuckling movies. Maddy employs that history, writing steamy contemporary romance novels set against the sumptuous backdrop of Chicago’s elite society.

 After receiving a BA in Journalism from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, Madison abandoned her writing to find her way in the corporate business world. Daughter of a librarian, it was inevitable that she would return to the world of books.

 Maddy writes from high above Chicago where she can stare at its gorgeous skyline or the shores of Lake Michigan surrounded by feline assistants. When she is not writing, Maddy can be found lost in a book, fighting for the rights of the mentally ill, or dining on Chicago’s famous cuisine. Hot dogs and pizza, anyone?

Social Links:

Congratulations to IPPY winner, Carol Schoenig!

The Caretaker--Carol SchoenigBlack Velvet Seductions author Carol Schoenig has just won the Independent Press Award for romance! Her book, The Caretaker, was chosen from hundreds of submissions to be announced as the winner of the prestigious award.

Ted Olczak of Publishers Weekly said, “I understand how difficult it can be to promote the great books that independent presses work so hard to develop and share with the rest of the world. Here is just another way for ‘indies’ to get the recognition they deserve.” So true! Which makes it all the more exciting that a colleague is taking home the prize this year.

Congratulations, Carol!

Find Carol:

Facebook
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Madison Michael is Bedazzled!

Nomad Authors is happy to welcome Madison Michael and her book Bedazzled!

Bedazzled
The Beguiling Bachelors, Book 1
By Madison Michael

♥♥♥ ~ Free This Weekend Only ~ ♥♥♥
 
About Bedazzled:

 She’s fiercely independent. He’s thwarted by tradition – Can a brush of her hand be their brush with fate?

A woman with everything to gain.
Keeli Larsen craves success on her own terms. She has no support and less money, but she has talent and big dreams. Determined not to return to the family farm, this is Keeli’s last chance to make it. It’s also her final opportunity to connect with the out-of-her-league, gorgeous man in the penthouse office – her very own Prince Charming. Although they have never spoken, a crowded elevator, a chance encounter, and a misplaced hand are about to change everything.

A man with everything to lose.
Billionaire and sexy hunk, Wyatt Lyons Howe IV is on track to inherit a family empire he doesn’t want. With dreams of his own, Wyatt is suffocating under generations of family expectations and traditions until a brief moment and a brush of a hand set Wyatt on a crash course with love. Can Wyatt turn his back on his heritage to pursue his goals following the lead of this fiery redhead. Can he forfeit his wealth for freedom? Fearing Keeli is a down-on-her-luck artist looking for a bankroll, Wyatt doubts her motives. He’s been burned in the past but can’t resist the temptation. He is bedazzled.

A challenge accepted.
Wyatt is seduced by Keeli’s spirit and the sizzling chemistry between them. Used to getting what he wants, Wyatt determines to make Keeli his own. But first he must outsmart a scheming fiancé, oppose his family and friends, overcome his doubts, and walk away from his wealth and power. And, of course, he must win her heart.

If you love sassy women and strong sexy men overcoming all odds on their road to romance, buy this steamy page turner, and meet the first of the Beguiling Bachelors.

***Bedazzled has been freshly edited and revised ***
 
Bedazzled Buy Link:

 


 An Excerpt from Bedazzled:

 The chatter in the elevator lightened her mood immediately, reminding Keeli of all the people who had started with only a few dollars and a dream. In many cases, they had made it without knowing the language or customs of their adopted country. By comparison, she had many advantages and instantly felt better about her choice, more confident about moving forward on her own. Mr. Weinberg let her take many of her pieces with her when she left his employ. There had been no severance check, of course, but the ready inventory was a gift. Keeli let the renewed confidence surge through her body, standing straight and looking ahead. Watching her step, careful not to bump anyone with her parcel, Keeli stepped into the divide and moved toward the back.

 That was the moment she saw HIM. He was the best thing – by far – about working in this building. She was standing face to face with the virile, gorgeous, sexy man she saw in the elevator regularly. Well, almost face-to-face since he was at least 4 or 5 inches taller than her statuesque 5’10”.

He was what she would miss most about this job – these random opportunities to ride the elevator and watch him, getting to stand close, allowing her imagination to run wild with fantasies – all starring him, of course.

Most of the time, he hid mysteriously behind a pair of Wayfarers, but the rain today afforded Keeli a chance to admire the intelligence and concentration in his azure eyes. He stood with his shoulders back, head towering over everyone’s Looking up, Keeli locked eyes with his, his mouth lifting in a half smile. Keeli shyly dropped her head as a blush rose to her cheeks and her heart sped up. She knew the smile was just politeness. She wanted so much more. She wanted him to notice her the way she noticed him, feel about her as she did about him.
If only he had the same visceral reaction that Keeli had to him, perhaps he would have spoken to her by now. She could not overcome her shyness to initiate a conversation, but if he longed for her as she did him…obviously, he was not interested. Now she would never see him again. Her disappointment was way out of proportion; he was a stranger. But he had this pull on her. Instead of thinking of him as a stranger, she thought of him as hers.
Hers. What a laugh. Wake up Keeli!

 Everyone noticed him – man and woman alike. She saw it on elevator rides and when he traversed the lobby. Yes, he was particularly tall, a few inches over six feet. However, it was more than his height that drew the eye. He was compelling, confident, and assured. He was beyond handsome with his chiseled features, thick wavy hair and well-muscled body clad in custom suits. Keeli was drawn to him like a bee to honey. She had seen other women catch his eye, seen them smile and flirt easily. She was overwhelmingly shy when near him, preventing her from ever making him ‘hers’.

 They crossed paths at the coffee kiosk or in the elevator at least once a week. She knew she was projecting her own desires, but sometimes it seemed to her that he was seeking her out. Even so, Keeli never exchanged more than a polite “hello” and he was always polite, but aloof. Although she longed for some reason to speak more than pleasantries, she was unable to move past that invisible barrier she felt between them.

Why, oh why is facing forward considered appropriate elevator etiquette? I just want to stare at him one last time. Today needs to be the day to think of something to say, some witty conversation opener. You are running out of time.

 Her brain searched now for a reason to speak, knowing it was her last chance. Instead, she reluctantly turned to face the doors. He was standing so close, lazily leaning his shoulders against the back wall. She felt the warmth of his breath on the back of her neck, goosebumps traveling up her arms in response to the moist heat. She was rocked by her immediate, erotic reaction.

Reigning in her body’s response, Keeli reminded herself that the warm breath was a result of proximity, not desire. She was a non-entity to him and had been for the16 months she had worked there. His polished appearance, custom suits and elegant leather briefcase contrasted with her wild red hair, shabby jacket, scuffed boots and faded Old Navy dress. He epitomized class and privilege; she embodied shabby chic. Maybe not even chic – just shabby. She could never bridge the gulf.


 About the Author:

Madison Michael is an indie publisher, blogger and the author of the Beguiling Bachelor Series as well as the novella Desire & Dessert, from her sizzling B&B Billionaire Bachelor series.

 A Chicago native and hopeless romantic, Maddy was raised on Chicago culture, fairy tales, great literature and swashbuckling movies. Maddy employs that history, writing steamy contemporary romance novels set against the sumptuous backdrop of Chicago’s elite society.

 After receiving a BA in Journalism from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, Madison abandoned her writing to find her way in the corporate business world. Daughter of a librarian, it was inevitable that she would return to the world of books.

 Maddy writes from high above Chicago where she can stare at its gorgeous skyline or the shores of Lake Michigan surrounded by feline assistants. When she is not writing, Maddy can be found lost in a book, fighting for the rights of the mentally ill or dining on Chicago’s famous cuisine. Hot dogs and pizza, anyone?

Social Links:

Fangs and Fists 3: Victor: Kate Hill

Fangs and Fists 3: Victor
By Kate Hill

♥♥ GiveAway ♥♥ 
Kate is giving away a $10 Amazon GC during the tour. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember there is a chance to enter everyday so be sure to follow the Blog Tour. You may find the tour schedule and locations here.

About Fangs and Fists 3: Victor: 

Werewolf gladiator Victor vows to escape captivity by demons or die trying–which nearly happens when his latest opponent takes him by surprise.

 Jolanda is a member of a secret pack of wolf witches who want to free their kin from the dreaded demon tower. Strengthened by the power of her pack, she defeats Victor in the arena and demands that he be given to her as a mate.

 Alone, they surrender to their overwhelming lust for each other, but Jolanda needs him for more than sex. She’s been sent to rescue the captive wolves and Victor is the Alpha she needs to help her. Together he and Jolanda plan a mass escape from the tower, hoping to strike a blow the demon masters will never forget.

Genres: Dark Fantasy, Futuristic, Paranormal, Romance

 Buy Links: 

*♥*♥*♥*15% off any order when you shop Kate Hill *♥*♥*♥*
Code: Fangs-and-Fists
Will work on the entire cart, as long as there’s one Kate Hill book in the cart. 
Only at Changeling Press

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Excerpt:

Two demon guards clad in black body armor entered the barracks. Their red eyes glowed behind dark face shields. They approached Victor and one guard said, “Get up and come with us.”

 All the guards sounded and looked alike. They were even the same height and body structure.

 Victor knew better than to refuse. There would be no point in fighting, even if he was so inclined.

 He guessed he would be going to one of two possible places. It would either be the punishment chamber because he’d killed Slate too quickly or — and this was more likely — to the demon masters who had bargained with him to kill for their entertainment.

 The guards brought Victor out of the barracks and down a steel corridor to an elevator at the end. They boarded it. Except for the soft whir of the elevator descending, there was silence.

 It stopped with an almost imperceptible lurch. The door opened and Victor, accompanied by the guards, stepped into a spacious room with an enormous glass ball in the center of it. Several couches surrounded it. While the upholstery resembled leather, Victor’s sense of smell told him the couches were covered with material that hadn’t come from any four-legged animal.

 He’d been in this room before. Here, the demons had bargained with him for the lives of his fellow gladiators, their mates, and their cubs. Here, he’d traded his integrity and his soul for their lives.

 The guards disappeared into dark corners of the room.

 Since he had no intention of sitting on the foul furniture, Victor stood near the glass ball and waited.

 The ball glowed faintly at first. Then it brightened. From within, two demon masters — one male and one female — stared at him. He knew they weren’t actually there. The ball was similar to television. He could see and hear them, but they were far away.

 The male had ink-black, elbow-length hair. Tall and slim, he was dressed from head to foot in red. The female had short white hair. Her skin was nearly as pale as her form-fitting white dress. Both demons stared at him with black eyes.

 “Your game has improved, Victor,” said the male, “but I’m afraid you still haven’t mastered the art of performing. Your kills aren’t entertaining enough, but for now that’s beside the point. We haven’t called you here to critique your style, but for another reason.”

 “We have something special planned for you,” the female continued. “There’s a new contender in the tower — one who has seen you fight and wishes to face you in the arena.”

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 Other Books in the Series:

 Bolt (Fangs and Fists 1)
Fangs and Fists 1: Bolt Buy Links:

    • Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WPqPsA


 Grit (Fangs and Fists 2)
Fangs and Fists 2: Grit Buy Links:

    • Amazon – https://amzn.to/2Umj4gP

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About the Author:

 The child of a painter and a psychic dreamer, Kate Hill feels spirituality and storytelling go hand-in-hand. She loves the scent of gardenia, the sound of wind chimes and the taste of honey. By listening to what isn’t said, she creates works based on unspoken desires. Kate prefers blurred gender lines and many varieties of romance. In a world where passion must at times be restrained, she believes erotica is a pleasure to be shared. With her stories she would like to make her fantasies yours and hopes you enjoy the ride. She also writes under the name Saloni Quinby. Please visit her online at:

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Davida is part of the #RRBC blog hop!

Davida by Karen IngallsAugustus Saint-Gaudens was the premier American sculptor from 1880-1920. Though married he fell in love with his model, Davida Johnson Clark and their love affair lasted more than twenty-five years. This fictionalized account will introduce the reader to some of the great art, historical facts, and the moral values of that era.

The author is the great-granddaughter from this union and her purpose in writing the book is to bring recognition to Davida and remove any negative stigma to her. Her grandfather suffered his whole life from being labeled a bastard while growing up and this story is intended to remove that label.

How can a love affair last for such a long period of time? What affect did it have on his career? How did his wife and son cope with their being a second family?

This is a compelling and beautiful love story that has needed to be told.

See more books in the blog hop here.

Break out the champagne! #MFRWauthor

For me, typing The End (literally or figuratively) has always been reason to celebrate. I love my characters, I love my plots, I love writing a book that I’m happy Celebrating The Endwith. But the thing I love the most? Getting to the end! By the time I’ve told their stories, my characters go away. I’ve never been interested in carrying on their stories into other books. A reviewer once asked me to write a sequel to my paranormal erotic romance Passionate Destiny, and while I’ve considered it, I haven’t made a move on it (yet).

Sometimes, “the end” can be something sad or distasteful. The conclusion of a relationship, for instance. Or the end of the circus parade, if you’re a Elephantscleanup person Often, “the end” means the unknown, which can be pretty scary. Is that light at the end of the tunnel something good, or the The end of the tunnel or a train?headlight of a train heading right for you? You might not know until it’s too late!

But the end of a book? It represents the completion of a creative process, the culmination of a lot of work and maybe a few tears. It’s something to be proud of—something not all that many people can do! Typing The End should be a celebration. It should be a chance to sit back and enjoy the moment for all that it means: the good, the triumphant, the zenith of writing a book.

Or maybe, as with a sequel to Passionate Destiny, it could mean something else. *sigh*The dreaded sequel

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

Dee
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!

Naval Maneuvers: When a woman requires an earth-shattering crush of pleasure to carry her away, she can’t do better than to call on the US Navy. Sorry, Marines!

ROMANCE!! Sweet or hotter than a firestorm, check out BVS

I’ve been very fortunate to be associated with wonderful publishers (like Liquid Silver Publishing (my first publisher), Siren-Bookstrand, and now, Black Velvet Seductions (aka BVS)). I think you would enjoy books from any of them, but right now I’d like to tell you more about BVS.

Black Velvet Seductions

Yes, this is a shameless plug, but I wouldn’t talk about BVS here if I didn’t The Brute and Ifeel strongly about the brand. I can vouch for the fact that BVS publishes all kinds of romance, from, well from me to my partner in crime, Jan Selbourne, who writes historical romance. Writers like Alice Renaud, Patricia Elliott, Callie Carmen (just finished Nicolas and you should try it!), K.L. Ramsey, SuzanneA Merman's Choice Smith, and many others whose books I’ve been enjoying in the last year will make your heart happy. BVS searches out some of the best writers and pairs them with some of the finest graphic artists around (Jessica Greeley is especially talented!) for covers. Ric Savage, the man who runs BVS, strives for excellence in every aspect of the publishing process. Honestly, I’ve never worked with a publishing house who does more to help authors present their books to the readers.

So how can you find out about BVS? New books and special deals are showcased in the newsletter. I chatted with Ric Savage who runs BVS and asked what his vision is for the publishing house. He told me, “In the 5 years I have managed BVS, it has been my goal to get the books of our talented authors in the hands of romance readers. We like to get to know our readers and what they think. We are constantly looking to get their views and reactions to the stories. I have always seen that as a two-way street, and I think it only right to offer readers a chance to read our books at favorable prices. We offer new books to preorder at 99 cents. We also offer freebies at times. A way of keeping in touch is through our newsletter. It is very simple to be an Insider, you just sign up to our newsletter, and we will keep you up to date with freebies, deals, and our latest news!”

I hope you do subscribe! It’s an honor to be among some of the best romance writers and to work with BVS. I know you will agree.

Dee

Three Useless Talents #MFRWauthor

It’s difficult to think of having an odd or useless talent when some days I wonder if I have any talent at all, useless or otherwise. ;( But after thinking about it, I realize I can do a few useless things with great success, and I share them with you here as I share them with family and friends.

  1. I can sing the first verse of “Edelweiss” in German. Yes indeed. That’s a talent called upon often (NOT!). I learned the song in my high school German class and somehow never forgot it. It comes in handy at any sing-along of The Sound of Music, which I’m happy to say hardly ever happens.
  2. I can repeat conversations word for word. So if someone asks me if Susie said that she likes her birthday present of an argyle sweater andRepeating conversations matching socks, I can relay Susie’s whole impression, what was said to her and what she replied. This often puts the questioner to sleep with TMI, but hey! It’s a talent, right?
  3. I can parallel park. This used to be a valuable skill but not so much anymore. I used to admire my dad (and most guys I know) that he could place his arm on the back of the seat, turn around and one-handed, slide a car into a space that looked far too small. I can’t do Parallel parkingthat, but give me any normal space and stand back for the sight of your life as I park almost like a guy with the back-up gene. Of course, I pull into a space whenever possible. No need to wear a talent out with too much practice.

So that’s it. The sum total of my useless talents. They aren’t much but I share them whenever possible. You never know when someone might require “Edelweiss” to be sung in German—I want them to know I’m available!

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

Dee
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!

Naval Maneuvers: When a woman requires an earth-shattering crush of pleasure to carry her away, she can’t do better than to call on the US Navy. Sorry, Marines!