Category Archives: Romance
New Release News: Jivin’ Tango by Connie L. Smith #Romance
By Connie L. Smith
Blurb: Lila and Austin have known each other since she befriended his younger brother when she was a toddler. In fact, since her parents moved from her hometown, Lila’s lived with Austin’s family. The two are friends, though more of the teasing, taunting breed than the BFF variety.
But all it takes is one moment for everything to change…
For Austin, that moment comes when Lila performs a rumba in the school’s auditorium to qualify for the state dance competition, the young woman on stage so far-removed from the little girl in his memories.
For Lila, the moment is a reflected image of Austin preparing for prom, the guy standing in front of his mirror hardly resembling the child that spent so much of his youth pestering her.
Will they find a way to admit to themselves and their families that their feelings are deeper than friendship? And can Lila focus on this building relationship – and deal with her unstable ex – and still win the dance contest?
EXCERPT:
Austin’s gorgeous, smart, funny, ambitious, and athletic.
But he’s certainly not a dancer.
I learn that early in our miniature lesson, though it doesn’t bother me. No aggravation surfaces on his face if he misses a step, and his laughter when he completely botches a move proves contagious. He’s terrible, we both know it, and it’s about the most fun I’ve had in years.
When he messes up a particularly simple step, I cackle so much, I let go of his fingers to hold my palms over my mouth. “How could you miss that?”
Without a bit of shame, he shrugs. “It’s actually pretty easy to do on my end.”
“Well, I can see why I never picked you for a dance partner.”
He snorts. “Yeah, Trent was definitely the right way to go with that one. Now.” He takes my hands in his, glances down at his poorly functioning feet, then focuses on my face. “What did I do wrong?”
I have to bite down on my bottom lip to keep my amusement from showing, but I manage. Barely. “You know how some people have two left feet?” I wait for him to nod before I let humor take over my features. “You seem to think you only have one foot, period.”
He scrunches his brow. “What do you mean?”“That’s what you did wrong.” I take a step back and drop his hands, thinking an example would be the best way to explain the problem. “You went here.” I put my right foot in place. “Then here.” My left foot hardly budges. “Then here.” I move my right foot about ten inches. “You should’ve moved your left foot more. When you didn’t, it knocked your balance off.”
“Something that simple?”
I roll my eyes at the disbelief in his tone, then lace our fingers again. “Yeah. Something that simple. Every step’s important when you’re dancing.”
“Huh.” The song changes, and it’s another slow number, one I recognize from Trent’s oldies collection. Johnny Rivers, singing “Slow Dancing.” I’m tempted to glance at Trent and his date to verify what I suspect—that he’s the one who requested the tune—but instead, I gaze up at Austin and find him grinning at me.
“Now this I can handle,” he brags.
I snicker and sink back into his arms…
BUY LINKS:
All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-jivin039tango-1768456-176.html
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/jivin-tango
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XJTWERG
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jivin-tango-connie-l-smith/1121906598?ean=2940151530965
About the Author:
Connie L. Smith spends far too much time with her mind wandering in fictional places. She reads too much, likes to bake, and might forever be sad that she doesn’t have fairy wings. And that she can’t swing dance. Her music of choice is severely outdated, and as an adult she’s kind of obsessed with Power Rangers. She has her BA from Northern Kentucky University in Speech Communication and History (she doesn’t totally get the connection either), and is currently working on her MA.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clsmithbooks
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/conniel0194/
Blog/Main Site: http://clsmithbooks.blogspot.com/
ReadWave: http://www.readwave.com/connie.l.smith/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257320.Connie_L_Smith
New Release News: Skydreamer by Sheryl Winters (@WintersSheryl) #fantasy #romance #dragons #twins
Welcome to my stop on the Skydreamer blog tour. Always happy to have visitors, especially when I’ve got good news to share. I’ve managed to snag the first of a series of EXCLUSIVE excerpts from Ms. Winters’ just released New Adult Fantasy Romance, SKYDREAMER.
Before I get to the teaser, let me give you all the details about the novel, which released yesterday.
Title: Skydreamer
Author: Sheryl Winters
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: March 30, 2015
Keywords: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, Twins
Blurb: For fire talent, Jaden Zarie, life is far from a fairy tale. Blisters from any contact with water, check. Sleeping in a shed behind your greedy Uncle’s house, check. Ex-boyfriend scouting the bar where you work for one-night stands every night, double check.
When Jaden sets off to secure a new life with her two sisters, winning a contest with a huge pile of gold on the line seems like a quick fix. Getting hitched to Draven Winterbourne, King of the Dragon-changers, and finding true love, was beyond anything she could have hoped for.
But a friend turned enemy threatens to take it all away. Jaden is thrust into an alternate universe and separated from her new husband and her sisters, she must summon up the courage to start over, alone, knowing she may never see any of them again.
Now, without further ado, here is your exclusive excerpt from SKYDREAMER…
Excerpt:
“…The Contest is open to all women between the ages of twenty-one and thirty. Contestants are required to bring their own reagents. The use of Alchemy is strictly prohibited. Chance of winning twelve hundred gold per round is one in…”
Voices press in on me from every side. The week of constant traveling has done me in. All I want to do is hide in the vego and sleep. I don’t even care if we have enough for dinner tonight. I feel trapped by the chattering voices of the crowd mashed up with the officials on the Dais.
“I heard the King’s mother set up this contest herself. Talk about the ultimate mama’s boy. He has to be uglier than a troll if his mother has to marry him off this way,” someone suggested.
“… high possibility of death,” came a skeptical voice, “but with twelve hundred gold per round, everyone should enter.”
“Which one is Draven?” a shrill voice demands.
“Are you blind?” Came the reply. “He’s the one good looking one with the light brown hair. The one standing next to King Evrid.”
“You said he was ugly!”
It doesn’t matter who this Draven is. We are only here for Adania. If we win, every silver goes to her schooling. She’ll have a roof over her head and decent clothes. Nothing else matters.
My fingers sink back into the dark blue Legal Sphere I received earlier. The tiny ball settles into my palms with only a light sizzle and its message sounds inside my head.
All contestants will enter into an exclusive competition. The winner will win a one-year marriage with Draven Winterbourn, King of the Dragon-Changers. Iyardar Stone to choose the winner. In the event Draven Winterbourn does not agree with the Iyardar Stone, he has the right to veto said contestant and select one of his choosing from the remaining contestants. As stipulated, marriage duration will be one year, unless both parties—
“Is the Iyardar Stone a diamond, or a ruby?” I whisper to Isla. “And how does it choose a winner if it’s a rock?”
* * * *
Here’s where you can get your copy of SKYDREAMER (available in both Print and eBook formats)
BUY LINKS
Roane Publishing (Print and eBook)
Print
Createspace (Best Option)
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Digital (eBook)
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords
Bookstrand
All Romance eBooks
Kobo
About Sheryl Winters:
I never set out to be an author. Only a story teller. Some days I succeed better than others.
Ms. Winters Links:
Website: http://sherylwinters.weebly.com/
Blog: http://sherylwinters.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheryl-Winters/684816784908158
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WintersSheryl
#CoverLove Cover Reveal: Full Moon by Kristy Centeno #Paranormal
So, you all know what a cover whore I am, so when fellow Inkspell author, Kristy Centeno offered me the opportunity to be a part of the reveal for the cover or her newest release, FULL MOON, I was happy to say yes.
Cover reveals are fun because they whet your appetite for what’s to come, while igniting your imagination. LOVE. Them. Anyway, here is the fantastic cover and some details about the coming release, as well as some info about Kristy herself.
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Release Date: April 1st, 2015
Genre: Paranormal
Blurb: Hidden lies…hidden demons…hidden battles…All leading to the ultimate sacrifice…
She knows what really brought me here.
She knows the motives that lead to our friendship.
She doubts what’s in my heart.
What she doesn’t know…all I’m willing to sacrifice in order to ensure eternity for her.
On the brink of putting a face to our enemy, I may have screwed up myself even more. As it turns out, now I’m battling not only an alpha with an uncanny ability to hide where no one can find him, but my own inner demons as well. Physically challenged, my only chance is to rely on two things: my brother and my love for her.
In the end, will Marjorie comprehend the depth of my sacrifice? Or will her pride get in the way of understanding…and her life?
About the Author: Kristy Centeno is an author of paranormal romance, young adult, new adult, horror, and contemporary romance.
She has always had a passion for books and after years of being an avid reader, she decided to transform her desire to write into a reality and thus, her first novel was born. In her journey to create memorable reads, she has delved into several genres, creating fictional characters meant to entice readers and captivate the mind.
She is currently working on finishing off the Keeper Witches series among other projects, which include sequels to her published work. When she’s not busy taking care of her five children or holding down the fort, she finds time to sit and do what she loves the most: writing.
Author Links:
Website: http://booksbycenteno.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KristyCenteno
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KrissyGirl122
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/KristyCenteno
Blog: http://therightbook4u.blogspot.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/kristycenteno
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/kristycenteno/
Skillpages: http://www.skillpages.com/kristy.centeno
Google+: http://www.google.com/+KrissNeidy
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/KCenteno
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/krissygirl122/
Accidental Valentine Blog Tour and an #Excerpt by @KatrinaSizemore #Romance #Anthology @Roanepublishing
Today I have the distinct pleasure of bringing you an excerpt from the recently released anthology, ACCIDENTAL VALENTINE. The anthology contains five wonderful stories of accidental Valentine’s Day romance, and I have to say, I really enjoyed the whole thing. A great light read, or something to pull out at the waiting room or while waiting your turn at the DMV.
My excerpt is from Better Latte Than Never by Katrina Sizemore…
EXCERPT:
“Sorry you’re stuck with me today,” he said.
Hailey dashed inside.
The warmth of the shop and his voice enveloped her. It already smelled beautiful in there. The usual coffee smells, but also something spicy. Something extra.
“It’s okay…” She took a deep fortifying breath, appreciating more of the new scent and adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder.
The bolt thudded into place and he stepped back into her view.
Since when had Andrew become so hot, and what was wrong with her? He had been her best bud since at least freshman year.
She swept her gaze over him again, tallying the changes she could see. Besides the sexy stubble and the muscle that twitched in his temple as he observed her inspection, he was the same old Drew. Button up flannel shirt, sleeves rolled up, khakis that hung on his frame as if they had been tailored. But instead of the supportive old friend that he was, he appeared scrumptious and totally kissable.
She dragged in a breath.
A timer beeped, breaking the moment.
“Hey, I made you coffee. It’s on the counter.” He headed to the back, leaving her to notice the holiday decorations and cardboard cherub hanging from the ceiling in front of her, his arrow pointed right at her chest. As if Cupid intended to make her his target. Her heart skipped a beat.
Hailey rolled her eyes at herself. Valentine’s Day wasn’t like Halloween. The veil between worlds wasn’t thin. Magic didn’t happen on Valentine’s Day. She had watched Amy hang the thing yesterday, pulling him out of the packaging from a big party store.
“Bring it on, fat baby,” she muttered and went looking for some coffee.
* * * *
About Katrina Sizemore:
When Katrina was eleven, she penned a fantasy story for school with her best friend and has been writing ever since. As Katrina grew older, her love of reading expanded beyond fantasy to include romance and science fiction. The focus of her stories followed.
Still enchanted by the mystical and fantastical, she now weaves romantic stories about couples caught in contemporary settings, as well as paranormal and fantastical worlds.
Everyone deserves true love and a little magic.
Website: http://katrinasizemore.azurewebsites.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatrinaS_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatrinaSizemoreAuthor
AND….
Here are the details on the anthology as a whole:
Title: Accidental Valentine
Author: Various Authors
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: February 13, 2015
Keywords: Contemporary, Romance, Valentine’s Day, Short Stories, Anthology, Sweet
Blurbs:
Guiding Hearts by Claire Gillian
Description: Is a lonely woman’s GPS sentient or is her subconscious taking her by the hand to help heal a scarred heart?
When Jemma Ernst’s GPS malfunctions and sends her to the home of handsome and engaging Gabriel Nash, she writes it off as a fluke. But she can’t seem to reprogram him out of her thoughts nor her GPS.
Better Latte Than Never by Katrina Sizemore
Description: Single and cold on Valentine’s Day, Hailey Merritt is not looking forward to working all day at the coffee shop while everyone around her is cheery with romance and she’s stuck trying to figure out her next step in life.
But, when a special bouquet arrives for her from a secret admirer, she decides to reserve judgment on this holiday and find whomever sent the flowers.
Maybe Cupid has a plan to make this her favorite Valentine’s Day ever.
Dream Architect by S.L. Hughson
Description: Taylor and Sons Custom Design keeps ASHLIN TAYLOR at arm’s length from her dream job. If only she were a son, she could follow her architectural dream. In the Taylor creed, girls get married and boys have careers. DYLAN CUTRIGHT focuses on finishing college and landing an architectural engineering job in a large firm. Minus emotional ties.
After their accidental encounter, their attraction is amplified during their work interaction. Unlike her family, Dylan encourages Ashlin to pursue her dream by enrolling in college. He even argues her case with Uncle Mike. All of this support confuses Ashlin because when she moves closer to him, he rebuffs her for reasons she can only speculate about.
Valentine’s Day might be the perfect opportunity for Ashlin to make him notice her. They are working together – alone – on the most romantic day of the year. Dylan builds her dream of career, but will he ever lower his walls and become more than just the man IN her dreams?
One Hot Angel by Jaylee Austin
Description: Oblivious to Tiffany Jenkins in three short weeks her life will end—unless she makes the perfect choice. Will she chose revenge and expose her ex-husband? Or chose love and surrender her heart to the only man who can save her?
Rock My Bones by Wendy Sparrow
Description: Jared has been eyeing the sexy mural painter from inside the museum’s paleontology lab, but she’s way out of his league. He can’t let her paint that obviously misplaced fern, though…even if it means initiating contact.
You could call her a paleontology groupie, but Shay Meyers is interested in a more modern specimen. An adult male Homo Sapien to be exact—one who needs to be dragged out of his lab for a practical course in mating rituals. If she’s lucky, this will be the Valentine’s Day she rocks his bones.
Purchase Links
Roane Publishing (Print or Digital)
Print
Createspace
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Digital Edition
Amazon
Amazon (UK)
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Bookstrand
Smashwords
iTunes (Apple)
All Romance eBooks
Roane Publishing is also hosting a giveaway surrounding the event. The Rafflecopter link for that is below.
#Review: Susceptible to Him by Lynn Burke: A Stellar 5 Star Debut! #Romance #Contemporary #RotG @EvernightPublishing
Susceptible to Him
by Lynn Burke
Description: Lia Risso walked in on her fiancé and three other women on Valentine’s Day. Two celibate years later, her roommate creates a profile for Lia on a dating website—without her knowledge—and sets up a date. On Valentine’s Day.
Ryan Walsh, a self-made millionaire and libertine, refuses to commit to any one woman. Tossed from foster home to foster home as a child, Ryan is on guard against becoming vulnerable ever again.
One dinner…one night of dancing and flirting with the attraction between them, puts both Lia and Ryan in danger of heart break.
They have a choice—open themselves to the possibility of hurt or walk away, never knowing what might have been.
My Review: A STELLAR 5 STAR DEBUT!!
Lia and Ryan… *sigh*
Let me start by saying I really enjoyed this RotG debut from Lynn Burke. Excellent descriptions, stellar story, and I am now anxious for more of the Risso family.
Lia Risso catches her boyfriend in a threesome, shaking her to the core. Her well meaning friend, in an effort to get Lia “back out there” signs her up for on a dating site. This is where Ryan comes in. He, of course, is the date she plans to politely enjoy before sending the gentleman on his way. Ryan is everything I like in a guy, charming, very boy next door…just what Lia needs.
Even when she doesn’t realize it.
I don’t do spoilers in my reviews, so I will leave the rest to you to find out. I devoured this one in an hour, and loved every distracted second of it. Just perfect for waiting in the doc’s office waiting room. Ms. Burke’s style is sensual and romantic without the high raunchy heat. Classy. Lovely and engrossing.
I highly recommend you get in on this series now, as I hear there is some HOTness to come from the rest of the Risso clan.
* * * *
About the Author: Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
Her current work, the Risso Familly Novellas, revolves around four siblings from Boston’s North End.
#CoverLove: Skydreamer by Sheryl Winters #NA #UF #Romance @RoanePublishing
Guess what folks? Yup, #CoverLove time again at the Nook Blog. This time around, I have the new cover for Sheryl Winters debut novel, SKYDREAMER. As some of you know, I do cover design work for Roane Publishing, and the cover I get to feature for you is one I designed. Would love to know what you think.
Here are all the details for you… (and, of course, the cover)
Skydreamer
by Sheryl Winters
Genre: New Adult Urban Fantasy (Romance)
Release Date: March 30, 2015
Keywords: Urban Fantasy, Romance, New Adult, Dragons, Twins
Description: For fire talent, Jaden Zarie, life is far from a fairy tale. Blisters from any contact with water, check. Sleeping in a shed behind your greedy Uncle’s house, check. Ex-boyfriend scouting the bar where you work for one-night stands every night, double check.
When Jaden sets off to secure a new life with her two sisters, winning a contest with a huge pile of gold on the line seems like a quick fix. Getting hitched to Draven Winterbourne, King of the Dragon-changers, and finding true love, was beyond anything she could have hoped for.
But a friend turned enemy threatens to take it all away. Jaden is thrust into an alternate universe and separated from her new husband and her sisters, she must summon up the courage to start over, alone, knowing she may never see her family again.
* * * *
Sooo? What do you think? LOVE? Not so much? Share your thoughts in the comments. Would love to hear from you. Be sure to add it to your TBR pile and BIG CONGRATS to Sheryl Winters on the release!
Happy Book Birthday to Love’s Revenge and @TerriRochenski #Historical #Romance #MeansofMercy
I am super excited to be able to wish my good friend and fellow author, Terri Rochenski a very happy book birthday on the day of the release of her latest novel in the Means of Mercy series, LOVE’S REVENGE. If you read the first in the series, Love’s Sorrow, then you are just as jazzed for this new release as I am.
Here are all the juicy ( and important) details…
Love’s Revenge
Means of Mercy #2
by Terri Rochenski
Release Date: January 26, 2015 (TODAY!)
Genre: Historical Romance
Keywords: Romance, Series, Civil War, 19th Century, America, Western
Description: Embittered by betrayal, Anne MacKay flees London for America, where she learns she’s pregnant with her abusive husband’s longed-for heir. In a society that doesn’t protect, or afford a well-to-do wife’s desire for divorce, Anne decides there is one way to exact revenge: deny the father any knowledge of his child.
Sought after by her husband’s henchmen, Anne travels by rail and horseback, far from civilization where silk and stays are worn, let alone thought of. Lies and deceit protect her identity for a time, allowing her to birth—and grow to love—the child who was supposed to be her vengeance.
With the help of her loyal and protective business partner, Jude Connagher, and the ranch hands in their Montana Territory valley, Anne attempts to rebuild her life under the shadow of her husband’s wrath.
One unwise decision lands Anne in her pursuers’ clutches, tearing her from the ranch, her child, and her growing love for the one man who could redeem her from bitterness. She’s left with no choice but to finally face her husband, knowing her freedom and life hang in the balance.
BUY LINKS:
Print
Createspace
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Digital (eBook)
Amazon
Amazon (UK)
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Bookstrand
Smashwords
Apple (iBooks)
eARC #Giveaway Event for ACCIDENTAL VALENTINE: Get your #Romance on!
Winter Pick-Me-Up Blog Hop Winners… Drum Roll, Please. #Giveaway #PickMeUpHop #Romance #IndiePub
It’s giveaway time on the blog again. Woot!! I’m stopping in to announce the winners of my part of the Winter Pick Me Up Blog Hop sponsored by Roane Publishing.
If you recall, for this giveaway, I was offering a signed print copy of FOR THE LOVE OF MURPHY and a Runner-Up prize of an eCopy of my historical romance, CALL OF THE SEA.
Here goes… *randomizing*
Grand Prize Winner:
JoAnna B.
Runner-Up Prize Winners (2):
Debra G.
and
Kathryn Ann Merkel
Congratulations to all of the winners. Keep an eye out for an email from me in the very near future. Thanks to everyone who hopped along with us during the event and a special thank you to Roane Publishing for hosting.
See you all next time!