Tuesday, April 26, 2016

From #MM romance writer @IyanaJanna a #sweet romance release

Strictly-Professional-evernightpublishing-JayAheer2016-smallpreview


Hi! Thank you for having me on your blog. I hope you and your readers are going to enjoy what I have here. This short story was released previously as a part of an anthology, Just Desserts. When it was no longer out there, Evernight adopted it. I’m so thankful for them. This is an MM sweet short 

Strictly Professional

Published By: Evernight Publishing Published: March 23, 2016 Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Word Count: 10,500 Heat Index

Blurb
As the only senior graphic designer at Downey Handbags, Zane Kotsky expected to become the head of the creative art department when the company planned to expand its business. His hope crashed when it turned out that the company wanted someone from outside to be the manager. Knowing that, Zane planned to leave the place at once, but that was before he met the man who would become his boss, Joachim Wessling. This is a previously published work. It has been revised and edited for Evernight Publishing.
Excerpt
“Downey must be very lucky to have you.” The kid—because that was what he was to Joachim, a kid—stared at him a bit too long. “Watch the road.” Zane snickered, and switched his attention back to the traffic ahead. “Lucky. Yeah, I’d call it lucky they decided not to kick me out after denying me what should have been mine by right.” Joachim hadn’t expected to hear those words. “I'm sorry. I don't have any idea what you're talking about.” Zane sucked in a harsh breath.
“God, I'm sorry. That was totally uncalled for. Forget what I said, okay? And enjoy your stay here. People at Downey are the best, or I wouldn't have lasted this long.” Joachim frowned. Honestly, he didn’t know this would be the case. When they’d invited him to join the company, there was no talk that someone else might be qualified to be the head of the art department. In fact, he was under the impression that there hadn't been an art department before, only a small division under a larger unit. “You know, I can always talk to Mr. Downey and set things straight.” Joachim had never before seen an expression change from slight panic to utter horror. “No,” Zane practically shouted. “You can't tell him that. You have to promise you'll never talk to Mr. Downey about the things I said. I'll be happy to work under you. Work together with you. It was just a spur-of-the-moment outburst. Promise me, please?” Joachim tried to think past the words work under you, and Zane's pleas didn't help the matter. He took a deep breath and gazed ahead. “Okay, I promise not to say anything, though I’d prefer it if we're all open and honest and don't hide things from each other.” “I’ve been open and honest with you.” “Yeah, and I bet you regret it.”
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Friday, April 22, 2016

From guest author @actuallyalethea preorder Náápiikoan Winter #western




At the turn of a new century, changes unimagined are about to unfold. 

THE WOMAN: Kidnapped by the Apaches, a Mexican woman learns the healing arts. Stolen by the Utes, she is sold and traded until she ends up with the Piikáni. All she has left are her skills—and her honor. What price will she pay to ensure a lasting place among the People? 

THE MAN: Raised in a London charitable school, a young man at the end of the third of a seven year term of indenture to the Hudson’s Bay Company is sent to the Rocky Mountains to live among the Piikáni for the winter to learn their language and to foster trade. He dreams of his advancement in the company, but he doesn’t reckon the price for becoming entangled in the passions of the Piikáni. 

THE LAND: After centuries of conflict, Náápiikoan traders approach the Piikáni, powerful members of the Blackfoot Confederation. The Piikáni already have horses and weapons, but they are promised they will become rich if they agree to trap beaver for Náápiikoan. Will the People trade their beliefs for the White Man’s bargains? 

Partially based on the works of Canadian trader, explorer, and mapmaker David Thompson, Náápiikoan Winter spans a continent, examining the cultures in flux at the passing of an era and the painful birth of another. 


PREORDER NOW ON KINDLE
http://www.amazon.com/Naapiikoan-Winter-Alethea-Williams-ebook/dp/B01EIQNCMO/

From the Author

Fictional Characters and Real Life
by Alethea Williams

The principal sources for the second part of my historical novel, Náápiikoan Winter, were David Thompson's Narrative of His Explorations in Western America 1784-1812, and Richard Lancaster's 1966 book, Piegan. Richard Lancaster's book was helpful mainly as a narrative of a white man in Native culture, and for his accounts of trying to learn the Piikáni language. Many of the events in my story follow those David Thompson records in the last four chapters of Part One of his book, which deal with his recollections of the Plains Indians at about the turn of the nineteenth century, and in particular his dealings with the "Peeagans."


-Why isn't your primary male character named David Thompson?

Historical characters add flavor to my novel, but they only really serve to illustrate the opinions and mores of the times, both European and Piikáni. Although my novel is based on fact, the principal characters are entirely fictional. Donal Thomas resembles the young David Thompson of record in many aspects, but I wanted the freedom to place in the realm of fiction Donal's internal dialogue, the thought processes and motives that led to his decisions, and his growing awareness of the huge cultural differences he is supposed to surmount in order to succeed in bringing trade to the Piikáni at the close of the eighteenth century.

-Which characters in Náápiikoan Winter came from historical accounts?

These characters' names, their occupations, and some of their actions are recorded in David Thompson's Narrative of His Explorations in Western America 1784-1812:
William Flett, English youth in service to HBC
James Gaddy, leader of the HBC expedition to the Piikáni
The Black Indian, Nahathaway (Cree) guide
Saokohtoo  (Straighten Out), the Orator of the Inuk'sik (Small Robes) band of the Piikáni
Saahkómaapi (Young Man), Beaver Bundle Man to the Inuk'sik band of the Piikáni, the band's Dreamer
Kotonaa-áápi (White Kootenay), first war chief
John Charles, a schoolmate
I gathered other character names from modern and historical sources, many listed in the back pages of Náápiikoan Winter.
 
-So what does Náápiikoan mean? Why do you keep a title that few people can pronounce? Aren't you afraid readers will not be able to locate your book under a search for that title?

Variously spelled throughout history, Náápiikoan simply means white man. Retaining the word in the title implies that although the young white trader is a main character in the story, it is not just his story. His is not the only view of events that counts. He is an outsider. I think the cover of Náápiikoan Winter, by Brigida Blasi, shows why choosing that title works. "White Man Winter," of course, would have been easier to find in an Internet search, but I hope no one has to put so much effort into looking for my book that they give up!

-What gives you the authority to write a book about the Piikáni people?

I have no authority. Although it took more than 20 years for Náápiikoan Winter to see print, I was captivated by David Thompson's story at least that long ago. I found Richard Lancaster's book in a library sale, and although Native feeling about him today is ambivalent, I found much of value in a book written by an outsider living with the Piikáni. I sincerely admire Piikáni history, and hope my novel honors the people about whose heritage I have written in Náápiikoan Winter.

Find me:
Alethea Williams is the author of Willow Vale, the story of a Tyrolean immigrant’s journey to America after WWI. Willow Vale won a 2012 Wyoming State Historical Society Publications Award. In her second novel, Walls for the Wind, a group of New York City immigrant orphans arrive in Hell on Wheels, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Walls for the Wind is a WILLA Literary Award finalist, a gold Will Rogers Medallion winner, and placed first at the Laramie Awards in the Prairie Fiction category. 

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Who's heart is in chains? New release #MM erotic #romance #suspense from Encompass Ink



Heart in Chains, Elodie Parkes, Encompass Ink, April 23, 2016 release
MM erotic romance/ suspense

I so enjoyed writing ‘Heart in Chains’. I’d just written, MM romance, ‘A Forever Kind of Thing’ for an Encompass Ink anthology to be released later this year and I was still in MM story writing mode.

Connor and Jay my heroes just gelled in my mind immediately as I considered the kind of adventure Connor might have on vacation in an exotic place such as Indonesia. Jay is a mysterious character, tough, driven, but on the verge of changing his dangerous life when he meets Connor. Connor is still getting over a relationship break up, but it’s been long enough and he’s tired of being single. His former boyfriend’s betrayal stays with him, but as soon as he sees Jay, attraction is seeded in his heart.

These two characters are dear to me. Tenderness lies beneath Jay’s composed and tough exterior and courage lies beneath Connor’s sexual vulnerability. I think both will surprise you as you read their story.



When Connor Douglas takes a tropical island holiday, he hopes to leave heartbreak behind. Little does he know the extent of the danger and sexual temptation that awaits him.
Long after Jay Levesque has closed down his operations on the very same tropical island, the memory of Connor haunts him.
Warm nights and scorching sex has someone’s heart in chains.

Read a teaser:
Darkness was falling as Jay arrived back with another man. They carried a tray each and the other man carried a stool. The other man left, but Jay smiled at Connor as he waited by the bed. Jay flipped a switch on the wall by the door and lit the place. Light streamed downward from the little white coolie-hat shade.

“Come, let’s eat.” He indicated the chair and sat on the stool himself.

Connor dragged his chain as he went to the table. He sat and took the cover off the plate of food. It looked good and the fish was already cut up, which was great since there was no knife, only a fork by his plate. He didn’t expect to be hungry, but after tasting the food, he ate almost all of it before he put down his fork and gave a sigh.

Jay ate slowly. When Connor stopped eating so did he and he placed his fork on the tray.
“It’s good to see you eat. Kiku, the man who brought the food with me, is going to bring coffee. Tell me about yourself.”

Connor turned to face Jay. He felt better after eating. “I don’t get it. Why do you want to know? Why are you being kind?”

Jay frowned. “There’s no need not to be kind. Humor me. Tell me a little about yourself.”

Connor shrugged. “I’m a marine biologist. I’m on vacation. I needed something completely different in my life for a time. These islands seemed like a good idea, far away, warm, beautiful, and …” He stopped talking. What’s the point in this?

Jay pushed his dark hair back from his forehead and folded his arms. He smiled.
“Far away. From what, Connor? A love affair gone wrong I think.”

Connor looked down at the remains of his food in confusion. Did he really want to tell his captor about his heartbreak?
“Not that it’s anything to do with you, but yes … I guess.”

Before Connor could react or even know what was happening, Jay reached out a hand and slipped it around Connor’s head. He swooped on Connor’s mouth and kissed him.

The kiss was so unexpected and yet so delicious, Connor closed his eyes and let it happen. He drifted in the soft merge of Jay’s lips on his. The lingering pressure and the way Jay brought his other hand up to caress the back of Connor’s neck was addictive. Connor leaned into the embrace. His cock hardened. Tingles from the circle of Jay’s fingertips on his neck spread down his spine and made his ass feel melted. Thoughts left him. The only thing that mattered right then was the kiss, and he lifted his hands to hold Jay’s muscled shoulders and kiss him in return.

It was Jay who drew away from the kiss.

Connor leaned back in his chair then, shocked at his response.

Copyright Elodie Parkes 2016, Encompass Ink, All Rights Reserved

BUY the BOOK


About Elodie:
I’m a writer who is in love with happy endings, currently based in southern UK.
I love: music, art, flowers, trees, the ocean. I work with antiques by day and words by night. Like a vampire, darkness is my friend, that’s when the silence is only broken by an occasional hoot of owls in the woodlands opposite my home, and I write.
Find Elodie online: Blog  Facebook  FB  TwitteTsu  Google +  G+  Pinterest  Blog 2  Tumblr  ManicReaders  Amazon



Thursday, April 14, 2016

A #giveaway on the blog as @BatesNatalie tours with 'Change of Address' #contemporaryromance

A Change of Address - Banner

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – A Change of Address AUTHOR – Natalie-Nicole Bates GENRE – Contemporary Romance PUBLICATION DATE – Re-Release 2/2016 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 40, 000 words PUBLISHER – Gypsy Angel Books

A Change of Address - Book Cover

Saved from a traumatic past and successful in her present as a home care nurse, Josselyn Adler’s dream of home ownership in the idyllic town of Unity are dashed to pieces when Dr Ben Parnell, a cancer specialist, shows up on her doorstep claiming to be the rightful owner of the house—and Ben has a will to prove it! To Josselyn, the house represents a new start in her life. With a stable home, hopefully a much wanted family wouldn’t be far behind.
After a near career-ending allegation is made, Ben has returned home to lick his wounds. But now he must prove Josselyn’s claim to be a fake, that she used her position as a live-in nurse to his sick father to ingratiate herself into his good graces. But as he gets to know her, he can tell by her shy, often standoffish behavior, that Josselyn is a woman who has been deeply hurt in her past. Although he is attracted to the dark haired beauty that has invaded his life, he is still suspicious of her true motives and her past involvement with his father.



COA teaser 2

EXCERPT

When she arrived at the foot of the stairs, the front door rattled. Fear, cold and stark, rose up in her throat and choked her as she heard the lock snap and watched, rooted to the floor, the creaky old door jiggle in its frame. The anticipation mingled with fright, produced a potent, sick feeling churning inside her like the bad horror movie she’d recently viewed on late-night cable television. 
After what seemed an eternity, the door flung open. The first thought entering her brain was a ghost had entered her home. A younger, blonder visage of Morgan stood in the threshold. Before she could utter his name, a second, more coherent thought followed; a ghost wouldn’t use a key. 
The man in the doorway took one step inside and stopped abruptly, clenched his jaw, and stared. The familiar stranger invading her new home could only be one person. 
“My goodness, you’re Ben! You’re Morgan’s son!” she exclaimed. 
“Well, we know who I am. Now who the hell are you, and why are you trespassing in my house?” 
“Your house?” she asked with disbelief. “This is my home.

AUTHOR BIO

Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author.
Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian photography, Frozen Charlotte dolls, and antique poison bottles. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.
She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.
Visit Natalie online at www.natalienicolebates.com

COA teaser 3

GIVEAWAY

$10 Amazon gift card

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

His Desperate Bride from guest author @JennRoseton #western #BBW #romance

2016 Blitz Banner

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – His Desperate Bride (BBW Western Romance) SERIES (& Book #) – Millionaire Cowboys 3 AUTHOR – Jenn Roseton GENRE – BBW Western Romance PUBLICATION DATE – February 22, 2016 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 28,000-word novella PUBLISHER – Jenn Roseton

Curvy Summer Walsh is in trouble. Accused of embezzlement, she’s determined to clear her name.
When she meets Ford Coltson, she tells herself she has no time for romance. She only has a few days before her crooked boss turns her into the authorities for a crime she didn’t commit!
Ford vows to help her, and Summer loses her heart to him in the process. But does he feel the same way about her? The good looking rancher can have any woman he wants. Does he really want her – and her curves?
This is a novella of 28,000 words and can be read as a stand-alone.
You may also enjoy: His Tempting Bride (BBW Western Romance – Millionaire Cowboys 1) His Mysterious Bride (BBW Western Romance – Millionaire Cowboys 2)

EXCERPT

“His arm came around her, so they stood side by side. Like they were a couple. But they weren’t. She had to remember that. 
The warm strength of his hand against her shoulder sent ripples of excitement rushing through her. How could just his touch affect her like this? What would it be like if they kissed? Or - she swallowed hard – they did more than kissing? 
She would be in total meltdown. 
“What …” she tried again. “… is he doing here? At this time of night?” 
“Probably the same thing we were.” Ford remained by her side, his breath tickling her earlobe.

AUTHOR BIO

Jenn Roseton believes that romance and happy endings go together. When she’s not writing, she indulges in delicious gourmet chocolate.
Although she’s spent time in Wyoming, unfortunately she didn’t meet a sexy cowboy of her own.

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2016 Follow Button

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Why I've written an #MM #romantic suspense and the #coverreveal 'Heart in Chains'


I write romance, erotic, contemporary, sometimes with a twist of suspense, mystery, or paranormal themes. Usually, I write romance between heterosexual couples, but a couple of months ago I started to write MM romance—gay male romance.
What happened to set me on this path?
Some time ago, a guy at work ‘came out’ to me after I saw him meeting his boyfriend after work. Of course, I took no notice at all as I’ve known several LGBT people and so what, but somehow he felt he had to bring me into his ‘secret.’ He invited me to have drinks with his boyfriend and the small group of gay guys they were going to hang out with.
Now I don’t get many invitations (smiles), what with my day job and trying to find time to write I’ve just about given up on a social life, (sad but true,) so, I accepted the invitation.
The group was made up of three other gay couples and my work colleague with his guy.
These guys were outstandingly dishy. Well groomed, beautiful men, and without exception, they treated their lovers like treasure. The tenderness and loving behavior between them struck me. I can honestly say I haven’t seen it in the heterosexual couples I know. For the most part, they seem to have abandoned tenderness in favor of games, control, or even enmity.
It’s not that I didn’t expect the gay guys to be loving toward their partners, it’s just that it was so lovely to see, so evident, so tender and sexy, that it contrasted hugely with the male/female stuff going on around me. I watched and it warmed my heart.
That’s what set me writing MM romance.

I hope you enjoy the snippet and cover reveal for April 23, Encompass Ink release, Heart in Chains, an erotic, MM, romantic suspense.


When Connor Douglas takes a tropical island holiday, he hopes to leave heartbreak behind. Little does he know the extent of the danger and sexual temptation that awaits him.

Long after Jay Levesque has closed down his operations on the very same tropical island, the memory of Connor haunts him.

Warm nights and scorching sex has someone’s heart in chains.




“Beauty as far as the eye can see, no?”

Connor straightened from leaning on the rail and turned to face the speaker. The impact from seeing the man beside him was so strong Connor couldn’t answer for a moment. He faced probably the most attractive man he’d ever seen face to face, because he couldn’t include the TV and movie stars he sighed over. They were unattainable and designated to daydreams. This man gave him an instant rapid heartbeat. An emotion close to fear slithered down Connor’s back. He’d never felt such immediate consuming attraction to any man before. As he choked out a few inane words, he soaked up the sight before him. Dark hair, cut in an ultra-fashionable style with darts shaved into the sides by his ears, eyes the color of turquoise, only they glistened with promise, his angular jaw rivaled Connor’s favorite TV actor’s, and his body—well, that made Connor’s cock stir.

“Yes, it’s all breathtaking,” and so are you, Connor added in his mind.

“Jay Levesque.” The hunk held out his hand to Connor as he spoke his name.
Connor hesitated to shake hands for a second. Somehow, he instinctively knew that touching this man would start him on some dangerous path. 


Copyright Elodie Parkes 2016, Encompass Ink
ABOUT ELODIE
I’m a writer who is in love with happy endings. Currently based in the UK.
I love: music, art, flowers, trees, the ocean...
I work with antiques by day and words by night.
Like a vampire, darkness is my friend, that’s when the silence is only broken by an occasional hoot of owls in the woodlands opposite my current home, and I write.
Find me: