The Romance Reviews

The Romance Reviews

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Author Spotlights Anna Keraleigh

 
I am tickled to finally snare Anna and entice her to come on my blog. Anna is another awesome talent from Evernight, and I've been a fan of hers since her first book Fairy Flavor. I'm so tickled she decided to continue the series and can emerse myself in her incredible world.
And just for you, she has decided to give one commenter a book of your choice from her Fairy Series.
 Here is a tidbit about Anna.
BIO:
 
Why fairies you ask? She loves everything about Ireland including its unique folklore. She also fell in love with the erotica genre the moment she read her first naughty novel. She invites you into her fantasy world where muscle men with delicate wings fight for their kingdom (in loincloths).

When she's not writing she enjoys swimming, reading on the deck or trying to save her fish from her cat. (They have a love / hate relationship.)
 
Blurb:
What happens when the human hater finds his human mate?

When Keyn was a boy, he fell from the sky. Cruel human men found
him and the child within ceased to exist. Now, he lives for battle. His sole purpose in life is protect the King and Queen from threats but he has a secret. Every night when memories plague him, he wakes and flies to her. His mate. Found long ago but one he does not want to claim.

Trillian has enough on her plate with a dying brother. When creatures attack, she’s thrust in a mythical world turned real and confronted with attempts on her life. She wants nothing to do with the fairy kingdom until her brother takes a turn for the worst and a little fairy help may just save his life.

Can Keyn get past his hatred and let Trillian heal his broken soul?
 
 
Excert:
“My poor, sweet fairy.” She held his head and pulled him up for a gentle, quick kiss. Trillian stepped back. She unbelted her jeans, and slid them down her hips. They pooled at her feet and she stepped out of them. There was determination in her movements. She was indomitable, ready to seduce and conquer Keyn. Trillian would heal his broken soul. At least, that was the plan.
She reached out and tugged at his loincloth. Two good pulls and it unraveled. She practically gasped as it fell at his feet. No wonder she felt so full. He was a very big boy. She licked her lips and went to her knees. “Sit on the edge of the tub.”
He complied. “Why?”
“Oh, this is going to be fun.” Trillian spread his knees so she could kneel between them. Then she gripped his hard shaft in her hands. He jumped up and jerked away. “Hey. Get back here.”
“Do not...touch it.” He swallowed hard.
Well, hell. “You don’t want me to touch your penis. To wrap my lips around it and suck.”
“No, this was a bad idea.” His wings fluttered nervously.
“Keyn.” Trillian stood. “How did you get those scars?” She pointed at his cock, which pulsed and remained a battering ram between his legs.
“I cannot do this.” He turned away.
“Damn it, Keyn. I am trying to make this work. We can be lonely apart or we can work on this mating thing together. I’m sure as hell sick of making my own orgasms.”
He stopped. His voice sounded shaky and weak. “I don’t know if I can do this, Trillian.” His head hung. “The memories, your human smell, your human touches...they overwhelm me.”
She splashed loudly with her panties still on and landed with an ungraceful splat in the tub. The warm water flowed over body and temporarily cooled the lust between her legs. “Then come sit in here with me. It’s just water.”
His cock bobbed as he approached. When he lifted a leg to get in, she got a dazzling view of his heavy balls and couldn’t resist the lick of her lips. The water rose as he sat across from her, their legs touching ever so lightly. She turned the water off, and in silence, they sat. Trillian would wait. He’d saved Cameron. The least she could do was give him some time, maybe a second or third or fourth chance.
He cleared his throat.
“Keyn, what happened when you fell from the sky?”
He gasped and looked away. Finally, he said, “I landed bruised and injured but I wasn’t broken. Not yet. Not until they came.”
“Who?” She reached out, and under the water, her thumb rubbed against his ankle.
“The humans. The human men.”
Trillian stopped. Suddenly, she understood. Her lips parted but no sound emerged. Men in the woods found an injured fairy in a loincloth. “Oh, Keyn, they...” Tears were blurring her vision.
He glanced at her and nodded. “First they...touched it and...” He swallowed hard again. His chest was beginning to heave, his body shivering. Keyn surged to his feet, water cascading down his delicious body as he charged toward the window.
Trillian struggled to follow and nearly landed on her face. Keyn was there, catching her, helping her to stand.
“I am broken, beyond repair.”
 
 
Buylinks:
 
 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

WIP Wednesday - The Kings Lady Book Cover Reveal

              
 
 
 
Welcome to another installment of WIP Wednesday's.
Things come to a head between Arthur and Gwen as they face off, dealing with their painful past.
 
 

He looked so confused at that moment her heart nearly broke in two. It took everything she had not to go and soothe him. No, bad idea, he can’t give you what you want, and it would only lead to more heartache. The voice of reason broke through, thank the goddess.
“That’s the problem. You never will because it’s not in your makeup.” The longing in her voice brought her up short. The truth in her words slamming her upside the head as pain radiated through her chest where her torn and bloody heart did a thump – sputter –thump.
“Please leave, I can’t…we can’t…just go.” She stuttered, horrified to find her cheeks wet with tears.
He moved slowly toward her as if she were a cornered animal, hands up in a gesture of ‘look, I’m harmless’. But she knew, just as a rabbit viewed a wolf, how dangerous he truly was.
If she let him in, allowed her feelings to grow there would be no coming back from it if he did the same bullshit to her again.
And she refused to risk living through all the hell her grief and guilt, the endless loop which, for some reason, she now found herself free of.
The magic surged through her a living current tingling up her arms and into the palm of her hands. Warmth filled her as the power pulsed through her nervous system, throbbing in time to the beat of her heart. She raised her glowing palms toward him and pushed.
The magic hit him square in the chest, throwing him back to crash against the wall, penning him there. Shock registered on his face, a what–the-fuck- is–this, He never saw coming. Brutal satisfaction filled her as she reveled in the power she wielded over him and what that said about her, she didn’t want to contemplate.    
 “You don’t get a say over my life. I have control over what choices I make, not you.” She hissed out between clenched teeth releasing him from the magic.
He went down on his knees with a hard crack as bone met floor a flash of admiration mixed with the wince of pain. “You’ve changed Gwen; you’re tougher, stronger now.”
She would have given him a big fat duh, but what he said sank in and grabbed her with sharp claws. Realization hit her square in the face, because no matter how many times she told herself the same thing it didn’t feel real until Arthur said it.
 
 

BLURB: 
Arthur Penner is more than happy to aid a lady in need of help, especially if the woman is targeted by his nemesis Vance Hollister. The fact the lady in question turns out to be not only a powerful witch, but a gorgeous red head with a wealth of curves that don’t quit? Even better.
What he isn’t prepared for is the discovery that the woman just happens to be his reincarnated Queen Gwenivere, and worse, she has no memory of who he is.
 
His well-ordered life is crumbling around him as yet another surprise turns up in the form of his reincarnated sister. It seems the past is swallowing him whole, forcing him to let go of previous betrayals and trust once more.
 
Gwen McAllister finds herself between a rock and a hard spot. Drawn to the quiet strength and confidence of Arthur. It isn’t until her memories are savagely restored by a vengeful goddess that she realizes who she is and the bitter betrayal she caused. Even her familiar, a mouthy Himalayan named Salt seems to be against her, demanding she trust the very man she destroyed with her life.
 
A new threat is rising, one which will plunge the world they know into darkness. To defeat an old enemy they must depend on each other and learn to forgive. A tall order and time is running out. Can they let go of the past and embrace the promise of a future or will they lose everything in the ultimate battle between good and evil?

Monday, January 28, 2013

Pick Me Up Monday

 
Anyone want to build a sand castle? There is just something about a muscled chest and abs that grab me every time.
All right, back to business. As everyone knows I was part of a wonderful hop last week, and Meghan won a copy of Passion's Flight. Thanks Meghan for your participation and hope you enjoy the book.
This week I have another snippet from my soon to be released Kings Lady. Look for it on WIP Wednesday. I will be unveiling the cover for this book then. On Thursday, I have Evernight author Anna Keraleigh with a giveaway for her Erotic fairy series. Yummy!
 
I also just received news from one of my favorite reviewers. Kelly of Demon Lovers Books and More, and so excited to be on her blog chatting on February 12th. I'll have more for you on the time and exact link. Hope to hear from you all.
 
 I will also be over at Night Owl Reviews on February 25th on a live chat. It starts at 5pm PST, so I hope you can join me then.
 
 In other news, I'm hammering out the fourth book as I write Dark Desire: A Dark Breed Novel. I hope to have them both done and released months apart this year and can't wait to have them out for all my Dark Breed fans.
I hope to have news on some other work I have going with release dates late summer of early fall of 2013.
 
Well, back to work for me, have an awesome week everyone and we will talk again.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Meet Carlene Love Flores - And a Very Special Surprise!

Join me in welcoming Author Carlene Love Flores. One of Evernight Publishing rising stars. I got her to answer a few of my questions.  So grab your coffee and join me as we get to know a little about this gifted wordsmith Carlene Love Flores.
 

Do you do anything to get you into the zone to write?  Absolutely!  Darkening the room is a must.  This often includes building a blanket hut big enough to fit me and my laptop ;) 

 

 Which authors inspire your writing?  I don’t write paranormal but my favorite author is Sherrilyn Kenyon.  I fell in love with the way she writes tragedy and redemption right away. 

 

What is your favorite book, character and why?  This might be shocking…haha…favorite book is by Sherrilyn Kenyon—Seize the Night from her Dark-Hunter series, also the first romance novel I ever read.  Everyone hates Valerius Magnus until Tabitha humanizes him.  I like how the characters teach as about assumptions and how they’re not usually any good.  J

 

Do you prefer to write erotic or sweet? 
 
Hmm, maybe somewhere in between.  I’m too dark to be sweet but not quite at the level of my beloved erotic writer friends.  Now I’m thinking of chocolate chips, semi-sweet, semi-dark.  They’re both tasty, right?  How about we say I prefer to write “yummy”.  J

 I myself am very partial to semi-sweet.

Which famous person, living or dead, are you drawn to? 
 
Oooo, I’d have to say Martin L. Gore.  He’s the main songwriter for Depeche Mode.  They’re known for music that’s darker but if you ask Martin, he’ll say he feels his songs are filled with hope.  I love that.

 

Where do you see yourself in five years? 
 
Oh boy, I’ll be the mom of a sixteen year old at that point.  Who in the heck knows what my world will be like then!  Advice anyone?

 Boy, been there, done that, but mine was a step-daughter. My advice? Duck and cover. You give them the tools now it's time to watch them you what you taught them. It's rewarding a lot of the time and you will see your influence shine through.

Finish this sentence: I know I’ve made it when:
 
 I touch at least one person with a story.

 

What advice would you give aspiring writers? 
 
Learn your craft but don’t get caught up and overwhelmed in the technicalities.  Write a story from your heart.  Absolutely write from your heart.  Fall in love with your characters, let them love the wrong way, fall apart if they have to. Then be there for them when they need re-building.  And join your local writers group! 

 

What do you see yourself writing in the future? 
 
More edgy, intimate love stories.

 

If you could have one superpower what would it be and why? 
 
People might not believe one would need a superpower for this, but let me tell you, taming and understanding my curly hair would be pretty awesome. 

 Boy, don't I know it. I think I have whole states missing in my curly hair. Lol!

What time of the day are you at your best to write? 
 
I’m a huge early to bed girl but my favorite time to write is the dead of night.  Go figure. J

 

 

And now for something completely different…

 

 

What do you look at first with an attractive man or woman, face, body or smile? 
 
Hmm, well normally I’d say smile and eyes but ever since Survivor started featuring long-haired contestants a few years back, (Remember Matt who was stuck on Redemption Island the entire season??) I’m now fascinated by that wavy haired, “not sure if you’re a surfer, tarzan, country boy” type.   And it must not be just me because every season now, they have a new version of Matt.  J  Yay!

I'm a major Survivor fan and I totally agree. I loved Matt and love that type of hunky man. Eye candy every Wednesday night!

Explain your perfect day. 
 
The neighborhood cat stops by for an early morning treat on the front porch.  She’s a great day-starter.  And then the best ending, singing my kiddo to sleep each night.  All the stuff in between is what I make of it.  J

 

What is the most decadent desert you can’t say no to? 
 
Let’s just get one thing straight up front, I’m generally saying yes to anything labeled dessert.  I mean, I would literally drive cross country for a not-quite-thawed-chocolate-chip-cookie from the Carl’s Jr. drive-thru. 

 

Do you have a favorite holiday what is it and what makes it special to you? 
 
I love Christmas for all the normal reasons people love Christmas but also because it brings us out of our houses at night to see all the magic the lights bring.

 

What key words describe you best? Beachy.  Silly.  Loving.  Lucky.

I loved getting to know a little bit about you. Thanks so much for sharing with everyone. Now for the special surprise I mentioned.
Carlene is giving away her e-book A Sidewalk Flower
 


To enter to win just answer this in the comment section: What would you drive cross country for?
Carlene will announce the winner Sunday night, 1/27.
 


Blurb:
In Sidewalk Flower, a jaded young woman sets out on an intense road trip home to deal with her past when she is asked to allow a relative stranger to tag along.
But, she’s seen too many good guys succumb to the harsh realities of her supposed privileged life in the music business and intends on keeping her distance.
When she picks up Lucky, the southern gentleman cousin of her selfish best friend, she has absolutely no idea of how to accept a perfectly good person with good intentions.  Home has never looked so good, or felt so far away.
 
Excerpt:
Her two insistent hands pressed against the back of his neck like she was forcing him to do this.  It was cute.  Yeah, she was dead wrong.  He’d wanted to kiss her since he’d first seen her, hopping down out of that girly silver Jeep.  But he knew better.  Earning something you wanted took more than a few hours.  And if he’d gathered anything from her hot and cold responses so far, it was that Jaxon’s vague but deliberate warning that he take good care of her hadn’t been just puffed up, ego talk. 
     This girl was in trouble.
     He should have stepped away for both their sakes.  He knew he didn’t deserve this kind of kiss, not yet.  But California was glued to him on full speed and didn’t appear to have a pause, let alone a rewind button.  On second thought, he’d let her get this out of her system and then they’d start over. 
Her hand had to be killing her, so he managed to pull it down and keep it tucked at her side.  But the other one was petting those hairs at the back of his neck, leaving him seconds away from coming undone.  If he clenched his jaw any tighter, those painful yet ticklish sensations shooting throughout his upper body would without a doubt get him into trouble down below.  Heck, if he squeezed her in his arms like he wanted to, she’d feel how aroused he’d let himself get.  He worked his jaw to ease away from the pain, wishing he could let go entirely and enjoy her touch. Yep, their fresh start was gonna have to wait until she was done proving her point.  Cute girl though.
 
* * *
 
His lips were soft and salty like he’d worked up a sweat at some point during the day.  Crap, again she cursed his damn tempting bloodline.  This would only complicate their pending trip even more.  So naturally, when he smartly pulled her one hand away, she found a sweet spot of baby hairs with the other and went for more.  Her rules—that was the only way to play with the boys and stay safe. 
Lucky’s hands eventually cupped the sides of her face, which was fine because she had made her point.
“Are we okay?” he asked.
Well, hell if she knew.  “Yes,” she said.  They could figure the truth out later.  There would be an endless amount of open road ahead of them come Sunday to think.  Tonight was desperate Friday.  “We’re good.”  But she hesitated because he looked for a moment like he may have regretted things. When he coughed and cleared his throat, she was sure of it. 
“Come on, Miss ‘We’re Good’,” he said, as he urged her the rest of the way to the back door.  “I’d like to keep that promise I made Jaxon.  You could go a little easier on me from here on out.”  
The inside of her mouth remained warm from their kiss as she swallowed a cool breath of air.  The contrasting temperatures left her with a chill and a memory—the taste of the last kiss she’d had.  Cigarettes and beer.  No hand holding.  No talking.  No first, second or third date.  As badly as her sour heart warned her to throw Lucky in with that lot, she just couldn’t do it.  He’d already taken more care of her than any other guy she’d known. 
“You shouldn’t take things so personally.”  At his wince, she splintered and added, “I know you didn’t sign up for this; I’ll try to be…better.”  No promises though.
“Okay.”  He hesitated, and shifted on the steps.  “Ready to go inside?”
“No, you should go in though.  I need to be alone.”  A tingle traveled around her wounded hand and she made the mistake of squeezing it into a fist.   
Lucky dipped his head then and ran his hand up along the back of his neck, rubbing it in his obvious confusion.  “Trista. I’m kind of at a loss here.  You’re obviously in pain.  Just come inside and let me help you.”
She tried to warn him, hoping he’d listen.  “Lucky, you’re a nice guy.  Okay, I get it.  You want to help, but I didn’t ask for that and you have no idea what you’d be signing up for anyway.  Assholes can barely handle my world; a good guy like you doesn’t stand a chance.  Jaxon had no right doing this.”
“Hmmm.”  He scratched at his sideburn.  “You don’t know what I can and can’t handle.”  He looked down but she had caught his every word. 
 
Contact Links (website, blog, Twitter, Facebook):
Twitter: @cloveflores
Facebook: Carlene Love Flores
 
Book buy links:

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Happy Endings Blog H0p! What's Your Happy Ending?

Happy endings romance giveaway hop

#HEGIVEAWAY

Tell your happy ending story!

 
The Happy Endings Giveaway Hop was organized by Reading Romances!
 
 As a romance reader I live for that happy ending, as a writer, nothing gives me more pleasure than to have my creations earn that happy ending after learning how to share their hearts without fear.
Trust is a big stumbling block for my characters Tegan and Kyra in Passion's Flight. They both have dark secrets that, given to the wrong person, could destroy them.
Tegan struggles to control the panther inside him, aware of the fine line between his humanity and the feral simmering inside him.
Kyra fights a dual nature also, but her secrets have come to track her and bring her back to Atlantis to a future she never asked for.
Only through trust, and allowing the heart to lead can they win their happy ending.
 
I found my happy ending late in life, being stubborn could  have a lot to do with that I'm sure. Until I met my husband, I didn't listen to what my heart and gut were saying, thinking I could change things.
When I met Curt, my heart and gut were in agreement. For the first time ever I knew this man with a smart mouth and brutally honest nature was the man I waited for my whole life for. 
Like my hero and heroine, I took a chance and got my happy ending.
 
Let me know what your happy ending is, whether it's your favorite book or reality. I will be giving away a PDF of Passion's Flight to one of you and you can take flight with these two who struggle toward what all of us seek.
Love.   
 
BLURB:
With ferals attacking the human populace in greater numbers than ever before, Tegan Murin has his hands full these days. When he is ordered to find and destroy a deadly artifact known as Oman’s Seal, deal with his estranged step-father and find a missing archaeologist. He’s a bit irritable. Add into the mix a recurring dream of one sexy seductress leading him to his death… well, you get one very pissed off were-panther.
Kyra Navarone is an archaeologist who is more than what she seems. Escaping from the ferals who captured her, she ends up running into the brooding, irritating man who makes her blood run hot just with one look. Her life depends on the betrayal of this compelling man, but how can she live with herself afterward?
With ferals, An Atlantean Tracker and Lucien closing in on them, they are running out of time, Tegan and Kyra must learn to trust each other in order survive. More hangs in the balance than their lives. Their actions could very well spell the end of everything for not just their world, but the world hidden beneath the waves as well.