The Romance Reviews

The Romance Reviews

Monday, November 26, 2012

Pick Me Up Monday

Happy Monday to you all!
 
 
 I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I ended up with a houseful, which truly makes for an awesome holiday for me. Since 2005, my home turned into the hub for all family get together, which having no family to speak about since my Mother passed when I  was 23 is something I never take for granted.
 Being on your own is tough, the holidays harder than you can imagine, and it's not something I talk about much, but a reader recently asked why I don't share more about myself. Truthfully I didn't think anyone would be interested...guess, I'm wrong. So yeah, I'm  thankful for finally having a family, even though I married into it.
 
 Well, in other things happening, I'm busy (still) finishing up the last book in the Knights of Excalibur series. Zeke's book is next for a big push to finish and The Summoning is more than half way through and ready to start submitting.
 I am also trying my hand at several Historicals which I'm very excited about and hope to have out in 2013. More on those later, for know I hope you all have a great week, and we will see you next Monday.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Fall In Love All Over Again Blog Fest



fall in love giveaway hop
The Fall In Love Giveaway hop was organized by Reading Romances!
Falling in love is the closest you can get to heaven. It's the smoldering way he looks at you when you get decked out for a night on the town. The way he holds you just before that kiss you've been fantasizing about for far too long. Your name on his lips when you find just the right spot that makes him puddy in your hands.
It's the flowers he brings you just for the hell of it and the meal you prepare because you know he had a hard day at work. It's the small things as well as the big that tell you this is the man who will stand by your side through all life throws at you. Yet, he never wavers, he's your strength, lover, best friend and the one you can always rely on.
I love the feeling of being in love for all those reasons and more. I love writing Romances because I can experience it again with each book I write. I'm giving away a copy of one of my favorite romances to date. Just leave me a comment of what your favorite part of falling in love is and you will be entered to win.
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.

Hop and find more prizes!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

New Release! Masks of A Tiger - Doris O'Connor

 
When Doris sent out the call on her latest release I was one of the first to take this tiger by the tail. As always her work leaves you wanting more and this one is sure to please.
 
 
BLURB:
Neeve doesn't understand why any normal person would choose to wear a collar, like a common house pet. So, the collaring ceremony of her best friend's sister in law is the last place she wants to be, even if the hot men watching her send her insides aflame.
Never one for missing the opportunity to teach a bratty sub manners, Grisha intends to show the fiery little redhead the error of her ways. He doesn't expect to see her drawn to the flame like the proverbial moth. When she hurts herself in ways that even a Dom of his experience finds hard to witness, he knows he needs to help her.
Will their sexual chemistry be enough to chase away their demons and burn away their masks? Or is the submission Grisha demands too much for Neeve to accept?
EXCERPT:
"Good girl, drink it all." His voice had dropped an octave, and Neeve's skin tightened in need. She tried to scoot away from him, but he anticipated her move, and in the flash of an eye he was sitting on the couch with her on his lap. His strong arms tightened around her when she tried to get off. "Stop it. You will just hurt yourself, and I can still put you over my knee."
He chuckled into her neck when she snorted in frustration, and she glared at him.
"Sure, use your superior strength to make your point. Get off on beating up on women, do you?"
She regretted the words almost the minute they left her mouth, and she didn't dare look at him.  He went so still, she couldn't be sure he was even breathing.
His arms tightened around her for an instant, and then he sighed. One of his large hands trailed slowly up her side, until he reached her neck. He gently massaged the knot of tension away.
"Look at me, sweetheart."
The growly whisper was impossible to ignore. She forced her gaze upwards, and the grim determination on Grisha's face took her breath away.
"Who hurt you, Neeve? Give me the name of the fucking bastard, and I'll tear him limb from limb."
The steely determination in his eyes, and the controlled, almost careful, way his chest rose and fell sent shivers down her spine. The tight grip he had on his emotions and the quiet way he studied her made her feel as though she was the prey he was about to pounce on. Rather than fear coursing through her veins, it was an entirely different emotion making her breath hitch and her nipples tighten. He noticed of course. He seemed to notice everything, and his gaze dropped briefly to her breasts. They ached under that quick visual as though he had run his hands over them, and Neeve shook her head.
"I wouldn't give any man the satisfaction of being able to hurt me. I told you, I'm not a sub."
Grisha closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them they glittered with barely suppressed fury. His smile didn't reach his eyes.
"If that is truly the way you feel, then why are you still sitting on my lap? Should you not be running away screaming?" He lifted his hands away from her, as if to make his point. "Yet here you sit. Why is that I wonder?"
"I … I… I'm not. … I mean…" Neeve hated how wobbly her voice sounded. Why was she still sitting on his lap?
"I'm sorry." The words flew from her mouth before she knew she was going to say them. "I shouldn't have said that. I don't know why I did, really."
Grisha nodded, once. That was his only reaction. Hands placed on the couch either side of his legs he didn't move, just watched her with that unwavering attention that pinned her, as though he had tied her to him with invisible bonds.
"Thank you for taking care of this." She lifted her wrist and tried to smile at him, but her attempt wavered as his expression darkened. He took hold of her hand and turned it over. He bent his head and pressed a kiss into her palm. His hot breath sent tingles up her arm, and she clenched her hand into a fist. He kissed her knuckles, one at a time, before he pressed his lips against the bandage. He licked a path up her inner arm, leaving the most delicious tingles in its wake, and Neeve could almost forget who this man was and what he stood for. When he finally raised his head and looked at her, Neeve struggled to draw breath into her lungs.
"Why do you feel the need to mutilate this beautiful skin, sweetheart?"
"I … you wouldn't understand. And it's none of your business."
He raised an eyebrow and smiled—a slow, sexy as sin, I-can-see-straight-through-your-bullshit-smile—that broke through every one of Neeve's carefully constructed layers of witty comeback, years of pretense, and cut right into the pain she carried with her, lest she ever forget what happened.
"Trust me."
The whispered statement hung between them, and Neeve shook her head.
"I don't know you. How can I trust you?"
"Because sometimes it's easier to tell someone you don't know." He cupped her chin and dug his fingers into her skin hard enough to hurt. "And because I get the whole need to mark skin thing, but you need to do it in a safe manner. I leave marks that fade, never scar. Marks that tease, and arouse, and get you so damn turned on, you'll have the hottest sex you ever had. Marks that will proclaim I own you, at least whilst in a scene. Think on that, sweetheart, next time you stare into the flame."
He let go of her so suddenly she felt bereft. As smoothly as he'd placed her on his lap, he moved her off it, until she was sitting on the couch looking up at him. He pulled a card out of his trouser pocket and placed into her hand. He leant down to do so, and Neeve's stomach flipped over as he drew so close their breaths mingled. Her eyes fluttered shut in anticipation of his kiss—a kiss she suddenly craved with every fiber of her being—a kiss that never came.
"Look at me, sweetheart."  His lips hovered over hers, when she opened her eyes, and he smiled. Arms either side of her body, he obliterated her view of anything but him, but her senses drank in the sight and feel of his powerful body. He'd rolled the sleeves of his shirt up, and opened a few more buttons on his shirt, exposing a smattering of dark hair on his chest, and Neeve's mouth watered. The contrast of the white shirt against his dark skin mesmerized her. She took in the play of muscles as he straightened away from her. With his tie loose around his neck, and his hands now pushed into his trouser pockets, he was the image of disheveled elegance.
"When you're ready to trust me, look me up, Neeve."
 
 
Buy Links:
 
Stalking links:



Monday, November 19, 2012

Pick Me Up Monday-Blog Fest Coming your Way

Happy Monday
 
 
Here we are again with another week ahead of us and an impending holiday. Time to give thanks for all we have been given in out lives. For me I give thanks to wonderful and supportive friends, two great publishers and to you my followers and readers. Without you I wouldn't be able to continue with my dream.
 
This week I have a special spotlight author on the 20th. Doris O'Connor will be here with her latest release and it looks to be another awesome read. I don't think this lady has it in her to write a bad book.
 
I will be on Reading Romance's blog hop starting on the 22nd so be sure to come by my site and join the fun. I'll talking about my favorite romance book and I will be doing a give away also.
I also have news! Volume one of my Dark Breed series is coming out in paperback. You will be able to pick it up though Amazon in a couple of weeks. I'm very tickled to be able to give you the choice of both ebook form and paperback.
Well, better get back to my books and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Meet Robin Bandillo Author of Family Ties

 
I am so happy to announce a phenominal talent here on my blog today Robin Badillo is a fellow author of mine. We have circled each others cyberspace for quite a while now since we both write for Evernight Publishing and eXtasy Books. A prolific author I finally cornered her long enough to come over to my side of the blog-o-shere and I couldn't be happier.

AUTHOR BIO:
Robin Badillo is a down to earth mother of four, born and raised in a small Texas town where she still resides with her nearly grown kids and two spoiled dogs.
After years of being a wife and mom, complete with company picnics and fundraisers for the P.T.A., Robin found herself starting over when her husband of fifteen years suddenly passed away in 2006. With no particular skills to speak of, Robin took the advice of friends and family and followed her heart and passion for writing into the publishing world.
A fan of paranormal and southern romance novels, Robin does her best to offer up a plethora of tasty morsels to satisfy her reader’s appetite. Whether vampires, werewolf shifters or just good ol’ country boys, Robin strives to create heroes to die for and heroines to who will knock your socks off.
Adversity is Robin’s motivation, which explains why she’s a true believer that grey hair is simply God’s graffiti.
 
 
BLURB:
Every pack needs an alpha and every alpha needs a pack.
Tucker Wilde, a lone wolf, returns to the town where his shifter lineage first began, only to discover his rightful place as alpha has been handed down through another blood-line. To make matters worse, old family secrets threaten the fate of the love he’s destined to find.
Shifter, Tegan Blaid is the key to saving her pack by joining with the son of a powerful pack member, but her heart belongs to Tucker, the one wolf she was never meant to know.
Can Tucker and Tegan fight the forces against them to secure their positions in the pack, or is history determined to repeat itself despite their family ties?
ADULT EXCERPT:
She held her breath when the oversized wolf emerged into the clearing. Every muscle in his broad shoulders flexed and she could see the rise and fall of his chest with every heavy breath he took.
Tegan rose to her feet and reached for the thick fur around his neck. God, he’s so beautiful.
Not nearly as breathtaking as you.
“Wait?” She withdrew her hand. “You really can read my thoughts.”
Can’t all wolves hear each other’s thoughts? He nudged her hand with his snout.
“No.” Tegan splayed her fingers through his coat, tugging on it as she massaged the firm muscles between his shoulder blades. “I’ve never heard another wolf’s thoughts and as far as I know, none have ever heard mine.” This is crazy.
We’re just special, I guess.
“Yeah, I guess.”
Tucker moved closer, rubbing himself against her thigh. Run with me.
“Tucker, I…” Tegan drew his warm body near, hugging him to her leg. “Okay. Okay”
Tucker eased back and sat on his haunches.
Tegan swallowed hard as a flurry of angst dashed through her body. In order to run, her clothes had to go.
Keenly aware of Tucker’s intense stare, Tegan removed his jacket and let it fall to the ground, her eyes fixated on his. “Are you going to watch me undress?” Her heart raced and she struggled to control the goose-bumps rippling across her skin as she awaited his reply.
Do you want me to watch you?
Tegan nodded. But not like that.
Tucker immediately transitioned back into his human form and stood across from her, naked, and glistening with beads of perspiration.
As her gaze trailed downward, moisture gushed between her legs when her eyes feasted upon his massive erection jutting upward toward his stomach. Holy Hell.
Tucker ran his hand up the length of his shaft and thumbed the slit. He bit his bottom lip as though pleased to present himself to her. “Your turn.”
“God, you’re beautiful.”
“Nowhere near as breathtaking as you.”
Tegan stepped closer, unbuttoning her blouse. “Have you ever been with a shifter?”
Tucker swallowed hard, his eyelids lowering to half-mast as he visually took her in.  “Didn’t even know I was a shifter until recently.”
Dismissing his reply, Tegan moved on to her next question. “Why can’t other wolves hear me?”
“I don’t know. Maybe no other wolf is meant to.”
Good answer. She licked her lips, giving her instincts free reign over her body as she slinked toward him. “I can’t stop thinking about you. Your scent is everywhere.”
Tucker reached out and cupped the back of her neck with his right hand, drawing her face closer, inches from his. “Not everywhere—yet.” With that, his mouth crashed into hers and a growl like none she’d ever heard echoed into the night.
Tucker tore away her top and ran long, thick fingers up and down her back, pulling and tugging at her bra as his hot kisses trailed along her throat.
“God, you smell so good.” Tucker dropped to his knees and quickly unfastened her jeans, jerking them down from side to side, licking her stomach and nipping at the tender skin on her hip bones as he ventured lower.
Her panties were next and she stepped out of them as he guided them past her knees.
“Now let’s see how you taste.”
Tegan shuddered as he selfishly lapped at her freshly waxed mound. She sucked air through her teeth when he parted her lips and probed her clit with the hardened tip of his tongue.
“Shit.” Her knees weakened and she felt herself losing the battle to stand.
Tucker stopped and lowered her to the ground.
In seconds, his lips found hers again. His tongue plunged deep and she sucked it, tasting her own tangy juices. “I want you so bad.” Tegan moaned.
“Then have me.”
Robin Badillo’s Blog: http://www.robinbadillo.org


Monday, November 12, 2012

Pick Me Up Monday

 
Happy Monday and hope everyone had a good week and Veterans Day.
For all our men and women in the armed forces, past and present I give you my heartfelt thanks for keeping our Country safe. Your sacrifice and courage will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service to us and God bless.
 
 What's up this week? Well, check in with me on Thursday when I have guest Robin Badillo here talking about her latest release Family Ties available through Evernight Publishing. In addition, on Thursday November 15th, I am participating on The Romance Review month long event.
As you can see it will be quite an awesome time with lot's of opportunities to win. Click here and save this link in favorites on your browser so you don't miss a thing. I have a special hunt for you. Find the correct answer and you can win a PDF of The Knights Druid part two in my trilogy of The Knights of Excalibur. I will also be available for a question and answer chat the date to be determined at this time.
 
In other news I'm getting close to the final edits of the last installment of The Knights of Excalibur. I'm also working on the third installment of Zeke's book in the Dark Breed series and have a small novella I'm hammering out that should be ready very soon. And if that weren't enough I am finishing up The Summoning, just finished my research for a historical time travel which will come out next fall and have several other books in various stages ready to be worked on. My only stumbling block is finding the time to get all of these done by the end of next year! Yeah, I know it's a tall order, but what the heck, at least I have some goals. Lol! It seems according to my numerology numbers I'm in a very small percentage of people who are overachievers. Gee, who'd have figured huh? I do admit to being antsy when I don't have several projects going. Even when not writing I am always doing something whether it's painting, crocheting or drawing and ALWAYS, I have a book I'm reading. I guess you could say it's my way of preventing any creative block.
 I'm a firm believer that whatever your passion is, throw yourself whole-heartedly into it, don't hold back and don't take prisoners!
Well, with that said I better go tackle my version of Mount Everest and see if I can chop it down to size. Have a wonderful week and we will talk next Monday.
 


Thursday, November 8, 2012

The Unspeakables Debut for Author Ron Reining

 
 
Welcome to a special spotlight for a fresh talent.
Bio:
 
Ron Rening was born during the Eisenhower Administration (1956 for those who aren't up on dates.) In the middle of Redlands, Ca. He started the majority of his writing while in Germany during his time in the Air Force. He cites Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, James Peter Longstreet, Sandy Koufax and George Patton Jr. as his heroes and the cause of his insanity. He currently lives in Las Vegas, NV with his loving wife, and his greatest accomplishment, his daughter.
 
Ron Reining's new Paranormal Crime and Punishment story has a new twist on zombies I found quite intriguing.


BLURB:
Jeff’s life is destroyed in one single act of violence. The only thing left for him is revenge against the one who savagely killed his family. Recruited by Zee Castle, a covert organization that brings unspeakable events to a close. With his partner, Victoria, a newly animated zombie known as a Zed, he learns there may be more than revenge to live for. Together, they must learn to trust each other if they are to stop the atrocities being committed in the world.
 
 
 
 
Excerpt:
When the men entered Victoria pulled its face out of the half can in its hands and hissed, long and loud. It cradled the can protectively away from the men, cut fingers and absolute defiance etched on its features. A ring of cut flesh with a smattering of dried blood formed a circle around the face. Victoria had been breathing the essence of the coffee grounds as if a feline was overdosing on catnip. The creature of the floor was undeniably intoxicated. Movement and sound were slow and slurred. It was responding as if it perceived everything as a threat to its possession. While Dale did his best to maintain a straight face Jeff crossed his arms and glared.
“Bad Zed! Bad, bad Zed!” he growled.
The defiance remained and another hiss followed. Drunk or not, a low growl could be heard. Jeff repeated himself.
Victoria began straining and shaking. Finally,” Hun…ger!” Her first word.
Jeff growled, “What?”
Fighting, Victoria stammered, “Hun-ger! Hun-gry!” It then nearly screamed, “Hun-ge-ry! Vic-tor-a hun -ger-y!”
Jeff maintained his stern parental posture and demanded, “Bad Zed! Zed 306, remove your clothing. Bad Zed!”
Dale caught on instantly. Victoria didn’t understand at all. “Vick-tora hun-gary,” it repeated.
“Bad Zed! You have no name! You are a bad Zed! Remove your clothes! Bad Zed has no clothes!”
While Dale watched in amazement, Victoria was crushed by Jeff’s words. The Zed stared at Jeff, then at its lap. Then it began moaning. While the men watched, the Zed slowly fought itself out of its bra and shorts and laid both gently on the floor before itself. Zed 306 then laid its arms and lifeless hands across its lap as if they had come to the end of their usefulness. From deep within its throat came a most pitiful wailing cry, not unlike a kicked puppy in lingering pain.
Dale turned to face Jeff and, holding a finger across his lips, motioned outside with his eyes. Jeff turned and they heard, “Vic-tor-a…. Vic-tor-a sor…ry. Vic-tora sor…ry, Vic….”
Jeff growled, “Bad Zed! Bad Zed has no name!” The two men then left the apartment.
Once the outer door was closed they both lost it. They eventually shook hands in success. Jeff then mentioned that the true result was waiting for them. If Victoria remained as it was, remorseful and empty handed, it had learned its lesson. If its head was back in the coffee grounds they really had their work cut out for them. Well, he did. Dale was an advisor, not an investigator in training.
The two returned to the scene of the crime a little later. Victoria hadn’t moved. It sat and moaned, “Bad Zed is no name,” over and over while staring at her clothing. It was quite possibly the most pitiful display either man had yet witnessed. It took a supreme effort to keep a straight face and even temperament.
Jeff walked up to the unfortunate and held out both hands. “Zed 306, come.”
After a number of “Bad Zed is no name,” repetitions aired, and were counteracted by Jeff’s soft command, Victoria took his hands and stood. Jeff released one hand and led it out. A smiling Dale took another couple of minutes to survey the damage. With a silent chuckle he began returning the kitchen to this world. Once the major damage was resolved he retrieved a previously unopened can and made a fresh pot of coffee. He then continued cleaning while the pot gurgled. Jeff couldn’t use cleaning as a form of punishment. Victoria’s motor skills were yet unequal to such a task, and this was hardly bad enough to warrant calling in an engineer. All part of the job, he told himself.
In the meantime Jeff was back at parenting. He took Victoria to the bathroom and wiped it clean, then put it back inside a fresh set of underwear. Victoria tried to resist at first, and it was a feeble effort. It repeated, “Bad Zed has no name.”
“Good,” Jeff replied. “Bad Zed has no name. Bad Zed has no clothes. When bad Zed learns good, Zed becomes good Zed. Good Zed is named Victoria. Victoria is good.”
The words were simple enough for Victoria. Unblinking eyes said a lot, and understanding was in the forefront. “Good Zed now?
Jeff smiled down on the redhead. “Victoria remembers how to speak now. That is very good. Victoria will remember more soon. Victoria will become smart again.”
Victoria began beaming in an undead sort of unblinking way. “Victoria is good? Victoria is good.”
Jeff then frowned. “If Victoria wants coffee, Victoria must ask for it. If I say no, no coffee. If I say yes, small coffee.”
Victoria understood. She then remembered how to smile.
Now it's contest time. Want more?Ron is having a giveaway. One lucky commenter will be getting a copy of Unspeakables for their own. Be sure to leave your email address so he can inform you if you won.
It’s now available for Kindle too!
Ron can be found at:
email him at: rreining2010@gmail.com
 


Monday, November 5, 2012

Pick Me Up Monday - Results from Blog Fest's


Happy Monday!
 
 Hope you are having a great begining to your work week. Here is a little something to get you going.
I am tickled to announce my two winners from the blog hops I participated in last week. Brandi won a copy of The Knights Druid. Book two in the Knights of Excalibur series.
Keista won two PDF's. Beloved Wizard and Dark Passion Rising.
Congradulations to you both and hope you enjoy the books.
 
In other news I'm still busy working on the last book in the Knights of Excalibur series, plus Zeke's book for the Dark Breed series. I also have a short novella I'm doing in between. What better way to fight writers block than have other books to write?
I also have my hands full with getting events and promo set up for Hot Mojave Knights. This is an event put on by romance authors FOR you, the reader in mind. We are even keeping the cost low so it won't kill the budget. We are working on many events where you get one on one with your favorite authors, panels to go to and fun activities to participate in.
 
Well, that's it for now, Until next week have a great one.