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Showing posts with label romance anthology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romance anthology. Show all posts

Monday, September 26, 2016

Falcon's Way by @nonaraines #Contemporary #99cents

Happy Monday, everyone! I'm so glad to be here today to share the news of my latest release, Falcon's Way, which is one of  stories in The Charmed Bracelet: Love Stories Linked Through Time. I'm sharing the anthology with four other amazing authors: Lara Archer, Leela Lou Dahlin, and A. Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder. I'm so thrilled to be among them.



Let me tell you a bit about Falcon's Way:

Trust no one. Barrett Gilmore survives by that creed. She learned it the hard way.

The hard times are mostly behind her now. She no longer goes hungry. She has a job and a decent place to live. And if she's not really happy, at least she's at peace.

Until Michael Falco storms into her life. Sure, she's grateful he intervened when that street kid attacked her, but she never asked him to play the hero in the rest of her life. She doesn't need rescuing.

But still he pursues her.  Barrett knows there's an angle. A man with his wealth and high lifestyle could only want one thing from a woman like her. And she's not for sale. She doesn't trust him, but worse, she doesn't trust herself around him.


If Michael has his way, he'll show her how to do more than merely survive—he'll show her how to live.

And here's an excerpt: 

"How's your arm feeling?" he asked, watching her alertly, as though to pick up on any discomfort.
She was stuck with him, at least through lunch. No reason not to have a civil conversation. "Not bad. I'm just glad to know it's nothing serious."
"We'll stop at the pharmacy on the way home and fill that prescription," he told her.
"Wonder how much that'll run me." She didn't see the point in paying good money for something that was probably just fancy aspirin.
"I'll handle it." Falco's voice was firm.
Damn it, he was doing it again. Had she asked him to pay for the prescription? "Is that what you do? Handle things? Make decisions for people and expect them to just fall into line?"
She hadn't expected a response, but he seemed to seriously consider the question. "In my line of work I'm used to making decisions."
"Your line of work." She remembered the card the big man gave her last night. "Falco Ventures. What's that?"
"We're venture capitalists. We look for small businesses and start-ups to invest in."
"Falco. Is that Italian?"
"Yes."
She recalled something else about the card—its logo. A large bird with its wings spread. "Falcon? Is that what it means?"
"Falcon or hawk, yes."
Perfect. Barrett had caught a nature show on falcons once. They looked so majestic and lonely, circling the sky in solitary flight as they scanned the ground for their next meal. Falco watched her sharply now with hooded eyes, the way that bird of prey might watch a mouse.
             Well, he'd find out she was no mouse.

*****

I  hope you enjoyed that little snippet! I more exciting news--the complete anthology is available for only 99 cents for a very limited time! 

You can find it at any one of these retailers:






Thanks so much, friends, and have a wonderful week!

Nona Raines
Now available: my newest releases, No Promises and the Not the Hot Chick series

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

#Review: One Week in Hawaii #romance #newrelease #anthology

ONE WEEK IN HAWAII
Sun, sand, and seduction…
Alexis Anne, Audra North, Julia Kelly, and Alexandra Haughton sweep you away to paradise for One Week in Hawaii.
A wedding planner breaks all the rules to have just one night of pleasure, only to find that a stolen moment might hold the key to forever.
A movie star falls hard for her sexy co-star…who just happens to be her best friend.
A former black sheep risks falling from grace again when she seduces a handsome stranger with a dark history.An artist has to choose between dating a guy who will please her parents and one who will please…and pleasure…her.
Sex on the beach is so much more than a drink in these four sizzling contemporary novellas by the authors who brought you One Week in Wyoming.
****Nona's Review of One Week in Hawaii****

Each story in this romance anthology offers the adventure of a week spent in Hawaii—whether for a wedding, a business offer, or a well-earned vacation— and the magic of romance.

The Wedding Week by Julia Kelly tells Annie's story. She's a wedding planner for an upscale hotel and prides herself for always being on top of things, always having control. But her control snaps when she meets sexy Chris, and indulges in a passionate affair with him, even though mixing business with pleasure could mean the end of her career. I had a lot of sympathy for Annie as much of her need for control stemmed back to a difficult childhood and a constant need to prove herself. Chris was sharp and ambitious, but his desire to be with Annie trumped his career goals and made him a worthy romance hero.

Kissing Rebecca by Alexis Anne was a cute and funny friends-to-lovers tale. Rebecca and Luke have known each other and worked together for years in a successful film franchise and have always been "best buds." But during that time their feelings have grown, though there's never been a right moment to express those feelings. Now they're both free, but neither is sure the other is ready for, or even interested in, taking that next step. Luke's a real doll and I couldn't help but love him for all caring ways he tries to woo Rebecca. The poor guy can't catch a break, though, as bad luck dogs his every move. His refusal to give up is what makes this story so sweet. Both characters were extremely likeable, which helped make this lighthearted story a real charmer.

After the Fall by Alexandra Haughton featured two complicated people, both trying to "come back" after difficult circumstances. Joss is a successful businesswoman but her family won't let her live down an embarrassing incident from her wild child days. Drew was a photojournalist who turned his back on his career after a devastating experience overseas. Drew and Joss are "strangers in the night" when they meet, but offer each other comfort and acceptance (not to mention awesome sex). I wanted these two to get together, but complications from Joss' business woes and secrets from Drew's past kept getting between them. I really enjoyed the tenderness between the two characters and the support they gave each other, but sometimes felt as though there were a bit too many complications involving former spouses and lovers. I also wished there had been a bit more explanation about why Joss had acted out so much in her younger days. This story is for readers who enjoy an angsty, intense romance.

Blinded by Audra North introduces us to Mike, smitten with his buddy's younger sister. Chelsea, however, only has eyes for a different friend, a slick attorney. Mike is a down-to-earth, fun-loving guy with a good heart but Chelsea finds him annoying. He always seems to be around when she's trying to flirt with Brandon. When Chelsea suggests to Mike that the two of them act like a couple to make Brandon jealous and pique his interest, Mike reluctantly agrees. It becomes a case of "be careful what you wish for" when Brandon starts showing interest in Chelsea as she realizes that Mike is the man for her. There's a lot of humor in this situation, and plenty of frustration for the hero and heroine. I cheered when the main characters finally gave in to their passion. But there were still bumps in the road ahead. I really enjoyed this story and how the author took the trope of "girl loves brother's best friend" and put a twist in its tail.


One Week in Hawaii is a very enjoyable read. If you can't travel to the beautiful island state in real life, then visiting it through these four sexy stories is the next best thing.

Buy links:
amazon-logoamazonUKitunes barnes__noble_logo kobo

Monday, March 2, 2015

Super Book Blast: Texting All Hearts #romance #boxedset #giveaway @GoddessFish


***Don't forget to check out the $25 giveaway below!***

Texting All Hearts—Boxed Set
Seven Multi-Published Authors

What do rodeos, otherworldly encounters, exotic dancers, bondage, hot sex, refound love, and time travel have in common? Besides romantic, edge of your seat fun and intrigue, they all evolve from a single text. Seven multi-genre novellas that promise to heat your nights and warm your hearts.


Her Cowboy Dom
Bliss

Tate Hardy’s best friend leaves him all his cattle if he spends thirty days on a ranch with a woman he wants but can't have. Jess is a nice girl, and Tate doesn't do nice. Jessica Campbell needs her brother’s cattle as collateral for a loan. To get rid of the sexy bull rider, she suggests he teach her about D/s. When he agrees, Jess gets more than she bargained for from her cowboy Dom.

Midnight Road
Lorelei Buckley

Drew Mathews cherishes her deceased husband’s lingering spirit. When his best friend, Dominic, reveals her late spouse’s dark secrets, Drew's crushed. She turns to Dominic and neighbors for support and stumbles into a passionate love affair and a slew of bizarre commonalities restricted to the residents of Midnight Road. As mysteries unfold, inalterable conditions threaten her romantic relationship, her life, and possibly, the world.

A Lethal Affair
Debra Jupe

With a rumored serial killer targeting exotic dancers, Daisy Piper is more than a little worried when her co-worker goes missing. Her concern escalates when a guy she’s never met shows up claiming her friend stole his laptop. A mild-mannered computer whiz on the surface, Miles Garton is a total contrast from the streetwise Daisy. But he’s on a mission of his own, making the jaded stripper suspicious. Fighting each other, a mutual attraction, and the truth, they team up to find the missing woman.

Sexting Texas
Darah Lace

Texas Tallulah Taylor never thought she’d be turned on by a dirty text from a stranger, one that leads to a delicious sexting session with her best friend. Will Sanderson never thought the love of his life would see him as anything but a friend. Maybe sexting Texas will show her this cowboy aims to give her the ride of her life…for the rest of her life.

The Dom Delivers
Nese Lane

He’s a Dominant, and she’s as vanilla as they come…
Designer Jenna Jaynes enjoys the safe bubble of her creative world, until her delivery guy bursts through and steals her heart. CFO Aden Kelley’s regimented world is thrown into chaos when a spitfire dressmaker captures his soul. Will the Dom convince vanilla to swirl?

Wounded Hearts
Linda LaRoque

Sarah Lawson's fiancé Logan Miller died in Afghanistan. She receives a text from Brandon Perdue, one of his war buddies, who wants to meet and deliver a message from Logan. Physically and emotionally scarred, Brandon values Sarah's friendship. Sarah wants their relationship to deepen, but he fears she's projecting her feelings for Logan on to him.

Pale With Color
Susan JP Owens


Cheyenne Clark doubts Captain Joseph Westerly’s beliefs about reincarnation, but a twenty-first century gal stuck in 1862, during the Battle of Gettysburg, creates a new perception about philosophies and physics. After Joseph’s death, Cheyenne returns to her time period and anticipates his rebirth. Will Joseph find her?

Excerpt from:

Sexting Texas by Darah Lace

“Got ‘em.” Jangling her keys at him to show her success, Texas pulled open the screen door. It took her a moment to get the key in the lock, but she managed and the tumblers clicked. She turned to thank him. “Goodni—”

He stood close, too close, his big frame crowding her space. She glanced up at his face, but it was too dark to make out his expression. The hand at her waist pushed her against the door. His head lowered. Warm breath teased her lips, and the slight scent of beer tickled her nose.

“Will?” She barely got the question out before his lips brushed hers softly, lightly. Her tummy took a little tumble. Then his mouth opened over hers, his tongue moving in slow to skim hers, and the little tumble turned into a high-rise free fall.

A low groan rumbled in his throat. His other hand palmed the back of her head as his hips ground into hers. She arched against him, aching for the hand on her ribs to venture farther up, aching for his muscular thigh to slide between her legs.

His tongue eased from her mouth, and his lips were gone, along with the weight of his body. The last to leave were his hands as he stepped back and adjusted the hat cocked to one side of his head. He cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

She wasn’t. Like the kiss they’d shared fourteen years ago, this one was a total surprise. And like that kiss, it rocked her world. She hadn’t even thought about stopping him, not for a second. Wished he’d do it again. “Too much alcohol.”

“Yeah, and talk of sex.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.” Definitely.

He backed up to the edge of the porch. “See you Monday night.”

“Monday?” God, she sounded like a moron. What was it they said about alcohol and brain cells?

“Town meeting, remember?”

Texas groaned. Maybe she’d get drunk again Monday night so she’d have an excuse not to go. “I hate those things.”

“Me, too.” Will pivoted on the ball of one boot and took the steps two at a time. “Night.”

“Night.” Texas watched him for a second, that sauntering walk unmistakable, then sighed and let herself in the house. She shut the door, leaned against it, and traced her lips with fingers that shook. No doubt about it, William Charles Sanderson had kissed her for the second time in her life. And once again he’d apologized.


Texting All Hearts
Buy Link:  http://amzn.com/B00TEO3TU6

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Bio for Linda LaRoque

Linda LaRoque is a Texas girl, but the first time she got on a horse, it tossed her in the road dislocating her right shoulder. Forty years passed before she got on another, but it was older, slower, and she was wiser. Plus, her students looked on and it was important to save face.

A retired teacher who loves West Texas, its flora and fauna, and its people, Linda’s stories paint pictures of life, love, and learning set against the raw landscape of ranches and rural communities in Texas and the Midwest. She is a member of RWA, her local chapter of HOTRWA, NTRWA and Texas Mountain Trail Writers.

Linda writes contemporary western romances, time travel romances and futuristic romances.
Visit Linda at these locations.
linda@lindalaroque.com
http://www.lindalaroqueauthor.blogspot.com
www.lindalaroque.com
https://www.facebook.com/linda.laroque
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/649259.Linda_LaRoque
Linda’s Amazon Page
https://www.pinterest.com/lindalaroque/

Links for other authors:


Bliss
email:  Bliss@blissauthor.com
website:  www.blissauthor.com
blog:  http://www.blissauthor.blogspot.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bliss-Author/1390497911252444?ref=hl
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blissauthor
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/blissauthor
www.loreleibuckley.com

Lorelei Buckley
Website: www.loreleibuckley.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/loreleibuckley/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lorelei_Buckley
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lorelei.buckley.7?fref=nf

Debra Jupe
DebraJupe@gmail.com
www.facebook.authordebrajupe.com
twitter: @DebJupeAuthor
www.debrajupe.wordpress.com
debrajupe@facebook.com
www.pintress.com/debjupe
https://www.goodreads.com/DebraJupe

Darah Lace
darah@darahlace.com
Blog: ‪www.darahlace.blogspot.com
Facebook: ‪www.facebook.com/darahlace
Twitter: @DarahLace
Pintrest: ‪pinterest.com/darahlace

Nese Lane
www.NeseLane.com
www.facebook.com/NeseLane
www.twitter.com/NeseLane
www.pinterest.com/neselane/
www.goodreads.com/author/show/7351128.Nese_Lane
http://instagram.com/neselane

Susan JP Owens
Web Site:  www.SusanJPOwens.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-JP-Owens-Author/241228112562016?ref=hl
Twitter: @SusanJPOwens
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/susanjpowens/
www.goodreads.com/author/show/7423925.Susan_J_P_Owens

  

Friday, August 29, 2014

#Gay #Romance Private Lessons--Spicy #Excerpt & #Giveaway! @KyAnnWaters

Happy Friday, everyone!

I'm happy to have an excerpt from my author buddy KyAnn Waters newest release, Private Lessons, part of the new multi-author, adult gay erotic bundle Campus Cravings.

She's offering a giveaway of one of her backlist titles to a random commenter, please make sure to leave a comment below!





Private Lessons by KyAnn Waters

Part of the m/m bundle Campus Cravings - now at a special price of 2.99!


Blurb:

Ryan Kane could lose his scholarship and his position on the pitch. Jake Finely offers to help. Only Ryan and Jake discover their private lessons have more to do with sex ed than Business Ethics. When a tenured professor offers Ryan an indecent proposal to make the grade, will he choose soccer or Jake?

 
Excerpt:

Jake lifted his head. “You okay?”

Ryan stared into the golden brown depths of Jake’s eyes.
“Yeah.” He nipped Jake’s lower lip then soothed the nip with another long
drugging kiss.

Jake placed his hands on Ryan’s chest and took a step back.
“Then why did it feel like you totally checked out on me?”

“I’m right here.” He tried to kiss Jake again, but Jake took
another step back.

“I gotta know. Are you making it happen or letting it
happen? No pressure, Ryan. If you’re not ready, it’s okay.”

Ryan’s breathing quieted, but his heart raced.

Jake backed up until he reached the bed. He sat on the edge
and braced is elbows on his knees. “Do you know what you want?”

Ryan leaned against the wall and slipped his hands into his
front pockets. “You’re here, aren’t you?” Even to his own ears, he sounded
defensive.

“Don’t do this.” Jake jumped from the bed and approached
Ryan. He grasped Ryan’s forearms and pulled his hands from his pockets. “All I
want to know is how experienced you are. I don’t want to go where you aren’t
comfortable.”

“Do I kiss like I don’t know what I’m doing?”

“You kiss me like you know what you want.”

“Good.” A slow smile curled Ryan’s lips.

“Do I kiss you like I want to fuck you?”




To Purchase

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00MZ9GDHS

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MZ9GDHS

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/campus-cravings-cassandra-carr/1120169012?ean=2940150393936

All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-campuscravingshigherlearningmmboxedset-1604163-166.html

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/campus-cravings

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469039


***Do you have a favorite sport? Do you play or just watch?***

Leave a comment for a chance to win any title from KyAnn's Backlist!

Friday, July 25, 2014

#Review: Summer Rain #romance #anthology @RAINN01

**Nona's Review of Summer Rain**

Happy Friday, everyone! Today I am happy to  review Summer Rain, a romance anthology edited by Sarah Frantz. The contributing authors are donating their proceeds from this volume to support RAINN (The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. 


Pink Kayak Press
June 9, 2014
ISBN-10: 1941361005
ISBN-13: 978-1941361009
$3.99

What happens when love gets caught in the rain?

In this romance anthology, RITA-Award winning author Molly O’Keefe shows us the power of a city thunderstorm from the top of a skyscraper, while Amy Jo Cousins soaks us in a rain in Spain. New York Times bestselling author Ruthie Knox’s heroine is devastated by a winter storm, while a summer thunderstorm grants Alexandra Haughton’s hero and heroine a second chance at love. Rain sparks self-awareness in the robot in Charlotte Stein’s story and allows Mary Ann Rivers’s heroine to fall in love with her hero and her own art. Rain causes romance between the college students in Audra North’s and Shari Slade’s stories, while romance causes rain in Cecilia Tan’s myth-inspired tale of a sacrifice to a demi-god. Nine romance novelettes, edited by Sarah Frantz.


In Redemption by Ruthie Knox, Jessie and Mike have a hot “no strings” affair. They both feel like “losers” in life and use sex to temporarily escape their sense of failure. This was a hot and heart wrenching story of people struggling to forgive their past mistakes in order to give hope and real intimacy a chance.

The Heart of It by Molly O’Keefe is another story about how sex can be used to create distance or bring closeness, while also touching on the after effects of abuse. Until he meets Elena, Gabe, an abuse survivor, can only have sex when he’s drunk. Though he seeks a stronger connection with her, her own past makes her hold him at arms length. This was another take that tugged the heartstrings, but was ultimately hopeful.

Sacrifice by Cecilia Tan is a historical threaded with mythological and paranormal tones and deals with the importance of consent.

Real Feelings by Charlotte Stein also addresses consent and objectification in a science fiction/fantasy themed story about a lonely woman who seeks closeness with an android.
  
Rainy Season by Mary Ann Rivers features a woman who knows how to give to others but isn’t sure how to help herself. This story addressed the fact that so many women are “givers” who spend so much time helping others they put their own needs last.
  
The Rain in Spain by Amy Jo Cousins addressed physical and emotional distance between spouses, and differences in expectations. The city of Sevilla was a charming backdrop for the story.

Fitting In by Audra North was about shame that burdens two young people who’ve been victimized by small-mindedness and bigotry. Stas spends most of his energy trying to fit in, but questions himself when he meets Leila, who refuses to let others judge her choices. Props to the author for taking on some controversial topics without backing down.

Private Study by Shari Slade took on double standards and the internet in the story of a young woman who fears being “slut shamed” by a guy she likes when he glimpses her sex vlog.

Storm Warning by Alexandra Haughton had Amy fighting feelings of failure and betrayal as she struggles with her attraction to Tom, someone she once trusted until he bitterly disappointed her.

The purpose behind this volume is wonderfully admirable, but what about the stories themselves? Some of them are very sexy, some edgy, some sweet. But all of them address some important issues and make the reader think.

Even though serious issues are addressed (trigger warnings are included) none of the stories skimped on romance. Let’s face it, we romance readers want the emotion, the angst, the sexy. These tales did not disappoint, and though thought-provoking, none of them felt didactic. The variety of stories will appeal to a broad array of tastes. Every reader will have her own favorites.

I highly recommend Summer Rain as a fantastic read and a fantastic way to help an organization that assists so many survivors of abuse.


If you would like to find out more about RAINN, please go to www.rainn.org

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from one of the authors in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Summer Rain at:




TRR

The Romance Reviews