Excerpt, Interview & Giveaway! Cage of Deceit, Reign of Secrets #1 by Jennifer Anne Davis

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Jennifer Anne Davis’ best-selling True Reign series captivated readers from the very first page. Now, get ready to become entangled in the follow-up series, Reign of Secrets. In this new series, follow Allyssa, the daughter of the beloved Emperor Darmik and Empress Rema— and find out what happens after happily ever after.

Seventeen-year-old Allyssa appears to be the ideal princess of Emperion—she’s beautiful, elegant, and refined. She spends her days locked in a suffocating cage, otherwise known as royal court. But at night, Allyssa uses her secret persona—that of a vigilante—to hunt down criminals and help her people firsthand.

Unfortunately, her nightly escapades will have to wait because the citizens of Emperion may need saving from something much bigger than common criminals. War is encroaching on their country and in order to protect her people, Allyssa may have to sacrifice her heart. Forced to entertain an alliance through marriage with a handsome prince from a neighboring kingdom, she finds herself feeling even more stifled than before. To make matters worse, the prince has stuck his nosy squire, Jarvik, to watch her every move.

Jarvik is infuriating, bossy and unfortunately, the only person she can turn to when she unveils a heinous plot. Together, the unlikely pair will have to work together to stop an enemy that everyone thought was long gone, one with the power to destroy her family and the people ofEmperion. Now the cage Allyssa so longed to break free from might just be the one thing she has to fight to keep intact. In order to save her kingdom, she will have to sacrifice her freedom, her heart, and maybe even her life.

Allyssa despised sparring in a dress. However, that was the way her father had taught her to fight. He said if someone attacked her, she would be in a gown, so she had to be able to maneuver in heavy fabric.

“Faster,” Marek instructed. “You’re not focusing.”

She wanted to growl because he was right, she was too distracted. Putting all thoughts of the pretty prince out of her mind, she gave Marek her full attention. He swung his sword, hitting hers near the hilt, making her drop it. Not intending to lose their match so easily, she twisted and came in close to him. When he went to grab her, she rammed her elbow into his stomach. He hunched over and she yanked him down, slamming her knee into his face.

He dropped his sword.

“I win,” she declared.

Catching his breath, he wiped his forehead. “You seem to have gained a few new moves.” Not a question.

“Perhaps,” was all she said in reply. The training room was lined with her personal guards. She knew her father didn’t want her practicing—he’d rather she prepare for the ball. But in order to make it through dinner and dancing, she had to release her anger and frustration.

Marek took their wooden swords and put them back on the rack.

“I’m not ready to return to my rooms.” She still felt off balance and unsettled.

He glanced to the door where Mayra and Madelin were waiting for her. “I need to go over some security details with my father,” Marek stated.

“Then go.” She waved him away. “I’ll only be a few more minutes.”

He briefly spoke with the guards before he said, “Your Highness,” and left.

As soon as he was gone, she put leather gloves on and went to the hay figure secured to the wall. Taking a deep breath, she started punching it, imagining the dummy was the prince. Smiling, she started hitting it harder and faster, allowing all of her aggression to evaporate.

Someone started clapping, and she spun around about to yell at whoever had interrupted her.

Prince Odar stood there with a smirk.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, wiping the sweat off her forehead with her arm. He was accompanied by two of his soldiers and the squire she noticed earlier in the Throne Room.

He clicked his tongue. “A testy remark from someone so delicate and lovely.”

Her eyes narrowed. She was dirty, smelly, and certainly not the picture of a princess at the moment. The squire clasped his hands behind his back, staring daggers at her. He must not approve of a woman who could take care of herself, knew how to fight, and who dared to sweat. She hated him almost as much as she hated the prince.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” she said, trying to keep the detest from her voice. “Please excuse me, I must prepare for this evening.”

Mayra rushed forward and placed a cloak upon Allyssa’s shoulders. The princess yanked the hood up, concealing herself so no one from the court would see her all sweaty. She swept out of the room, not looking back. She could have sworn she heard the prince chuckling as she hurried down the corridor.

“Why didn’t you use the opportunity to speak with the prince?” Mayra asked, trying to keep up. “He obviously sought you out.”

Allyssa’s eyes sliced over to her lady-in-waiting. “Because,” she snapped, “I don’t want to talk to someone who flatters with pointless words.”

Mayra laughed. “He is rather charming.”

“He appears to be exactly as a prince should,” Allyssa said. “And I have no interest in princes.”

“Aiming a bit higher?”

“No,” Allyssa replied. “I’m aiming for someone a bit more real.”

What do you feel about the number '13'?

When I was in high school, the first date I had with my now husband, was on Friday the thirteenth! So instead of being freaked out over the number, I love it!! 

What's the best thing that happened after your book was published?

I love receiving messages from my readers telling me that my book has touched their lives. There’s nothing better than that!

Do you read reviews of your books?

Always. I want to know what my readers think. If they liked the story, I want to know why so I can make sure I keep doing it!! However, if there was a problem or something they didn’t like, I want to know so I don’t make the same mistake twice!

What is your best or most unforgettable moment with a fan?

I had a girl come up to me, in tears, saying that my book helped her get through some stuff she was dealing with personally. (My book deals with sexual assault, so hearing that I helped someone is beyond words.)

Share us one embarrassing moment you've had.

There’s been so many . . . how to choose only one? 

Favorite color? Blue

Favorite movie? Pride and Prejudice 

Favorite ice cream flavor? Mint Chip

Favorite song? Christina Perri, A Thousand Years

Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she married her best friend and high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.

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Excerpt, Author Interview & Giveaway! Definitely, Maybe, Yours by Lissa Reed

Amazon Interlude Press

Seattle-based baker Craig Oliver leads a life that is happily routine: baking cupcakes for an enormous family reunion, managing Sucre Coeur for its frequently absent owner, and closing out his day with a pint at the local pub. He has a kind heart, a knack for pastry, and a weakness for damaged people. 

Habitual playboy Alex Scheff is looking to drown his sorrows, but instead discovers that he may have a weakness for Englishmen who carry cookies in their pockets. Can a seemingly incompatible pair find the recipe for love in a relationship they claim is casual?

With a wink, Craig pulls a ten-dollar bill out of his left coat pocket and a carefully bagged almond and raspberry-lemon croissant, Katie's all-time favorite baked good, out of the right. He passes them across the bar as if he's James Bond—a very cheeky and cheery sort of 007. “You know I'll always look out for you. Keep the change.”

Katie squeals and flops across the bar to squeeze him breathless, and her ponytail slaps him in the nose. She bounces off with her treat in hand and Craig shakes his head and pulls long black and red hairs from his face, as he does every time this happens. Katie really is his favorite bartender at The Order of the Garter, hell, his favorite bartender in Seattle and maybe even the world. Much too good to be working at a grotty little pub, fending off unsavory advances and spilled drinks four nights a week; that's why Craig will bring her any bakery treat she wants, anytime she wants it, until she finally wises up and gets the hell out of this place.

Time for another sip of this excellent, excellent stout: Craig reaches forward. It's a good Thursday.

Of course, that's when it takes quite the sharp turn, leaving every Seattle-pub-Thursday Craig's ever known in the dust.

“Well, aren't you a hit with the ladies,” comes a surly drawl from his left, startling Craig just as he's got his fingers around his glass. “Was that a croissant in your pocket, or were you actually happy to see her?”

“Both,” Craig replies, shifting around to lean on his elbow and survey the formerly silent pile of misery hunched over two stools down, the limp guy at the end of the bar Craig had spotted on his way in. He is not unconscious after all, much to Craig's surprise; judging by the row of empty shot glasses upside down in front of him and the distinct aroma of tequila emanating a good four-foot radius from his person, he should be. Craig winces and turns away as the fumes burn his nose.

“Baked goods. That's a new one. Never saw anyone use baking to hit on the ladies before.” Mr. Misery sways his head upright, pushes a wild flop of brown hair out of his eyes and swings around until he locates Craig. He blinks. “Does it work?”

Surprised by the color of the eyes meeting his—an unusual shade, gray, not blue-gray or blue, but the gray of a sky covered in early storm clouds—Craig answers without thinking. “I wouldn't know. I don't hit on girls. Katie's my friend, not my type.”

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Lissa Reed, author of Definitely, Maybe, Yours.

Hi Lissa, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

I’m pleased to be here, thank you! I am of course a writer, but also a reader, a knitter, a cat owner, a cook…oh, and I work with banking software during the day to be able to afford everything else! I live in Texas, but I am from Louisiana, and I am a reformed Navy Brat. It took me a few years to realize I did not have to move every two to four years anymore…

Definitely, Maybe, Yours is the story of two men with big hearts—one of whom, Alex, keeps his very guarded, and the other of whom, Craig, who would give his to Alex in a heartbeat if he wasn’t afraid it would scare Alex off. It is also a story of friends and family and many delicious baked goods, so I would not read it if you’re hungry, I think.

1) Is there a character in your books that you can’t stand? (Antagonist for example) And what makes them someone you don’t like?

There is a character named Jeff in Definitely that I detest whole-heartedly. I can’t say much due to spoilers, but he deserves every inch of my disdain, he’s selfish and mocking and awful for a large part of his role in the book, and I can’t stand people like that.

2) Are there misconceptions people have about your genre?

Aren’t there always? Even I have been known to have doubts about romance even while I was writing it! I think the biggest misconception though is that romance is written by and for lonely, unimaginative women and that’s not the case at all. I mean quite apart from the fact that there are men involved too, there’s the fact that I’ve met the most amazing, funny, and intelligent women in the romance world, and, well. There is a reason it’s the biggest genre of books, isn’t there? 

3) Is there message in your novel that you hope readers grasp?

That you are worth loving, no matter what someone may have said to make you think otherwise.

4) How has your writing evolved since your first book? (If this is your first book, how do you hope it evolves?)

I want to write books that stay with people for a long time, that make you want to re-read them. I don’t know if I am there with this one, it would be nice but if I am not, I’ll just try harder. I have many books on my bookshelves that are old friends and I would like to be part of someone else’s library in that regard.

5) One food you don’t care if you never eat it again.

Cilantro. I can only eat it in salsa, otherwise it tastes like soap and I can live without it quite happily. It would be nice if I could like it, but alas. 

Lissa Reed is a writer of fiction, blogs and bawdy Renaissance song parodies. She traces her first interest in becoming a writer to the fourth grade, when her teacher gave her the gift of her first composition book. A former newspaper editor, Reed shifted her focus to romance and literary fiction early in her writing career. She lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and is currently working on her new novel, Certainly, Possibly, You—the sequel to Definitely, Maybe, Yours.

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Excerpt, Author Interview & Giveaway! Redesigning Max, Foothills Pride #2 by Pat Henshaw

Amazon Dreamspinner Press

Renowned interior designer Fredi Zimmer is surprised when outdoorsman Max Greene, owner of Greene's Hunting and Fishing, hires him to remodel his rustic cabin in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Fredi is an out and proud Metro male whose contact with the outdoors is from his car to the doorway of the million-dollar homes' he remodels, and Max is just too hunky gorgeous for words.

When Max starts coming on to Fredi, the designer can't imagine why. But he's game to put a little spice into Max's life, even if it's just in the colors and fixtures he'll use to turn Max's dilapidated rustic cabin into a showplace. Who can blame a guy for adding a little sensual pleasure as he retools Max's life visually?

Max, for his part, is grateful when Fredi takes him in hand, both metaphorically and literally. Coming out, he finds is the most exciting and wonderful time of his life, despite the conservative former friends who want to stop his slide into hell.

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Pat Henshaw, author of Redesigning Max.

Hi, Pat, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

Hi! I’m originally from Nebraska and have lived all over the U. S., landing here in Northern California. Now retired, I’ve held a number of jobs including theatrical costuming for the Alley Theatre in Houston, public relations for radio and television at WETA in D. C., and teaching English comp at a junior college in California.

Redesigning Max, the second of the Foothills Pride novellas, revolves around the unlikely pair of interior designer and architect Fredi Zimmer and the CEO of an outdoors equipment store and wildlife guide Max Greene. When he hires Fredi to redesign and update his Sierra Mountain mountain cabin, Max finds his life and heart undergoing a makeover too.

Not everyone in the small Stone Acres, California, community is as excited about Max and Fredi getting together as the guys are. Because Max’s been in the closet so long, he not only has to convince his friends that he’s gay but he also has to convince Fredi, who keeps getting mixed signals from him.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what kind?

No, I don’t. I’m one of those rare people who actually listens to music and is distracted if I’m supposed to be doing something else while music is playing. What do I listen to when I’m relaxing or daydreaming? I’m very eclectic, so my playlists have Mozart and other classical composers as well as Los Lobos, Arlo Guthrie, Jay Brannan, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and other modern artists. In between, I have Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Dire Straits, the eternal Rolling Stones, Doc Watson, Billy Joel, Scott Joplin, and so many others.

If your book were made into a movie, what actors would you like to see star?

For Max, I’d like to see Chris Hemsworth (not in his Thor persona) or a young Aaron Eckhart. For Fredi, I’d like Chris Colfer, or Johnny Weir, if he ever decides to try acting, or Jim Parsons, if he can break away from Sheldon long enough.

What genres do you write in?

My gay romances are all contemporaries so far, but I’m intrigued by Dreamspinner’s call for shape shifter stories. I might try my hand at that. I also write vampire fiction, having self-published the first in a trilogy, The Vampire’s Food Chain, which will be followed by Devil’s Food, and then Angel’s Food.

Where and when do you prefer to write?

I’m most comfortable writing in my writing room—the tiny fourth “bedroom” in our house. It’s very messy, very cluttered, and very cave-like. See photo of my lair.

I don’t have a writing preference as far as time of day goes. Whenever I have a chunk of time where I can sit, think, and write undisturbed is wonderful. Fortunately for me, I have a husband who helps carve out these chunks for me.

Tell us your writing goals for this year.

Right now, I’m working on a holiday short story and the next in the Foothills Pride novellas, When Adam Fell, which I hope to get finished soon. Then I’m working on the fifth and sixth Foothills Pride stories and the second vampire novel. Somewhere in there, if I get the time, I’m thinking about writing the shifter story, planning another gay romance series, and working with my writing partner Sydney. I’m not so sure I have goals as much as I have writing hope for the rest of the year.

By the time we got to the Rock Bottom Cafe, I felt like I’d bottomed out. I was hungry, tired, and feeling the first twinges of a headache.

Max hadn’t exaggerated about how much I’d hate the Rock Bottom’s decor. It was the worst of rural cafe: hellacious plastic flowers, grotesque plastic-covered booths, peeling gangrene-painted beadboard walls, pockmarked linoleum floor, and faded food-stained menus. It made the cabin look almost palatial, except it didn’t smell as bad.

As Max slid into one side of a booth and I into the other, he said, “Food’s great here. Okay?”

I glared at him, but I had to admit the odors coming from the kitchen wove seductively around us.

After we’d ordered and had gotten glasses of iced tea, which I liberally dosed with artificial sweetener, Max leaned back in his side of the booth and blew out a little breath.

“So guess here’s what you need to know about me.” He was looking at the tabletop. “I was an only kid when my folks died. Raised by my aunt and uncle with their four boys. I was the youngest and nobody cared what I thought, so I don’t talk much.”

Oh dear. I wasn’t sure which of those statements I should answer, if any. My heart bled for the beautiful man in front of me who would give me a raging hard-on if I let my libido take control.

His words and lack of self-pity made me want to create a unique space where he’d feel completely at home and that would soothe him when he needed it. I probably wouldn’t end up his BFF or someone he could unbend with, but I could create a warm cocoon to shelter and coddle the man or let him entertain his friends comfortably.

The image of the young Max feeling like an outsider when he was thrust on his uncaring aunt and uncle to raise was banished by the waitress who put lunch in front of us.

“Oh. My. God!” I nearly drooled into the chili and homemade bread as I tasted them. “This is incredible.”

“What’d I tell you?” Max gloated. “Said you shouldn’t be put off by the decor. Some of us are more than our decor.”

I spooned up a couple of bites, then looked at Max. “You really do think I’m a snob, don’t you?”

Why was it so easy to get him to blush? I hadn’t a clue, but his quick, mercurial red cheeks had me intrigued.

“No, no, I don’t think you’re a snob,” he protested. “I mean, you’re just so….” He waved a couple of fingers at me, but kept his elbows on the table as if protecting his bowl of chili.

“I’m so what?”

Max shrugged. “I don’t know. Beautiful. And fancy,” he added, ducking his head over his bowl.

Ah, I understood now. Max was intimidated by my suit.

“Look, you came to get me in the coffee shop. I was dressed to take a rich lady through her house later this afternoon. I can work in jeans and a T-shirt”—did Max think I wore suits every day?—“or anything I want. Pajamas even. You just caught me on a suit day.” Which, I didn’t add, was too often for even my overblown sense of style.

Now Max was staring at me.

“Yeah, right. You wear jeans,” he scoffed, but looked interested, intrigued.

I shrugged. “Okay, not when I’m with a client. At home I’m way more casual.” I might have sounded a tad defensive.

“Yeah, right,” Max muttered with a grin.

I left it lying there. It wasn’t worth fighting about. But it bothered me that he saw such a divide between us. I was just a man, wasn’t I? Just like him, right? What was he going on about? Sheesh.

Pat Henshaw, author of the Foothills Pride series, was born in Nebraska but promptly left the cold and snow after college, living at various times in Texas, Colorado, Northern Virginia, and Northern California. Pat has visited Mexico, Canada, Europe, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Egypt, and regularly travels to Rome, Italy, and Eugene, Oregon, to see family. 

Now retired, Pat has taught English composition at the junior college level; written book reviews for newspapers, magazines, and websites; helped students find information as a librarian; and promoted PBS television programs.

Pat has raised two incredible daughters who daily amaze everyone with their power and compassion. Pat’s supported by a husband who keeps her grounded in reality when she threatens to drift away writing fiction.

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Book Blitz - Author Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway! Sweet as Sin (Bad Habit #1) by J.T. Geissinger

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Twentysomething Kat Reid is loving life as an in-demand Hollywood makeup artist. She has absolutely no interest in rock ’n’ roll, but in order to pay the mortgage, she agrees to work on the set of a rock video for the world-famous rockers known as Bad Habit…which brings her face-to-face with Nico Nyx, lead singer of Bad Habit and Adonis in the flesh.

However, the fiercely independent Kat isn’t impressed by the hard-living, womanizing rock star. But when Nico’s model girlfriend shows up to the set drunk and Kat is tapped to replace her as the video’s sexy bride, her combustible chemistry with Nico suddenly threatens to consume the set. Nico feels it, too—and becomes determined to win Kat over, body and soul. Yet behind his rock god swagger, Nico hides a dark secret. Can he rock Kat’s world forever, or will he just break her heart?

I tried to pull away, but he pinned me to his side. “Nico,” I protested. 

He shook his head, all hard eyes and hard jaw and hotness. “Not lettin’ you run away just ’cause you’re scared, darlin’. Not how it works when you’re with me.”

“I’m not with you!” It came out as a hiss. If it wouldn’t have ended up splashed across all the tabloids, I would have slapped him across the face, he was so infuriating.

“Not yet.” His voice was dark with promise. He sounded utterly certain, like it was a foregone conclusion that I would be his. 

I would not be a foregone conclusion.

“Please help me up.”

My tone was cold. Judging by the look on his face, Nico didn’t like it.

“Kat—”

“Nico, no. Just no. Please stop it. I’m not a toy. You need to respect what I’m telling you. I’m flattered, but I’m not interested in anything except getting through today, and getting back to real life. Okay?”

He paused, gauging my tone. “Okay.”

Relief swept through me. Disappointment, too, but I ignored that. I shouldn’t have been too relieved, however, because Nico wasn’t done with me yet.

“I’ll let you up on one condition: prove you’re not attracted to me.”

I glared at him. “Would you prefer me to stab you with one of my heels, or gouge your eyes out with my fingernails?”

“Nah. A kiss will do the job.”

Was I on drugs? Had I even gotten out of bed this morning? Maybe this was all an elaborate dream, and right now I was snug in bed with the covers pulled over my head. I stared at Nico, at a loss for what to do.

My body had a few ideas, but my brain wasn’t on board with any of them.

“I don’t kiss strange men.”

“I’m not a stranger. We’ve been introduced.” His fingers curled over the curve of my hip. His head dipped toward mine.

Breathing was becoming difficult. My face felt so hot it burned. “I don’t kiss men with girlfriends.”

“We already covered that. She’s not my girlfriend. Next excuse?”

My hands were flattened against his bare chest as I tried to push him away. My voice came out small. “I don’t want to.”

Nico shook his head, his eyes hot. “Such a fuckin’ liar,” he whispered. 

Before I could react, he lowered his mouth to mine.

What inspired your new Bad Habit series? What is it about?

I was a serious Van Halen fangirl when I was a teenager, and my best friend was a die-hard Zeppelin fan. We went to a million rock concerts together. Growing up in LA, one of the things to do on weekends was to go into Hollywood and hang out at all the famous rock clubs on Sunset strip, so I have tons of memories and experiences from that time. After I finished my paranormal Night Prowler series, I wanted to make a change to contemporary, and thought stories about a rock band would be a blast to write. 

Please tell us more about members of the band? 

Nico is the passionate, extroverted lead singer. He’s the hero of the first book in the series, Sweet As Sin. A.J. Edwards is the surly, tatted badboy drummer with a past even more screwed up than Nico’s. (If you read Sweet As Sin, you’ll know that’s pretty bad!) Then there’s Brody Scott, aka “Scotty,” the lead guitarist, who’s a bit of a fashion plate. Ethan and Chris are the keyboardist and bassist, respectively, but I don’t know too much about them yet because they haven’t told me. 

What qualities does Nico have that make him a swoonworthy hero?

Nico is your typical alpha male, with a twist. He’s passionate and possessive, but not douchey, like so many alpha bad boys can be. He has a dirty mouth and loves to use it, but he’s very much into doing anything that will make Kat feel happy and protected. He loves to spoil her, and lets down his guard almost from the first moment they meet. He’s not one of those guys who sleeps with other girls to make Kat jealous, or acts wishy-washy about commitment. He’s all in, one hundred percent, from the get-go. He’s very intense, but he knows exactly what he wants, and will do anything to get it. And keep it.

What makes Nico and Kat perfect for each other?

They’re two damaged souls who are straight talking, no-bullshit kind of people. All the things that have happened to them in their pasts make them both very protective of and loyal to those they love. Both of them are mature beyond their years, both are sensitive and soulful, and both are willing to risk everything for love. They’re irresistible to one another.

What’s the most romantic thing Nico does for Kat? 

Nico is a die-hard romantic, so he does a lot of over-the-top romantic things for Kat in the book. One of the most romantic is the mariachi band he flew in from Mexico to surprise Kat for her birthday. (They heard some mariachi music at a restaurant on their first date, and watched a movie together that had a mariachi song she loved, both of which he remembered.) She has a terrible story about why she hates her birthday, and Nico wanted to make her some better birthday memories. What comes along with the mariachis is a great surprise, and very Nico.

What’s your favourite scene in the book? 

There’s too many to pick just one. But I love the scene when Nico first visits Kat at her house, and she asks him why he’s into her. Here’s a snippet:

“Can I ask you a serious question?”

He nodded. 

I had to gather my courage for a second before I could ask him what was on my mind.

“Why me?”

I promise I wasn’t fishing for a compliment this time. I was just confused. This man could have any woman he wanted. Literally—any one. I thought I was better than average looking, but I certainly wasn’t a stunner. Especially in a town like L.A. where beautiful women practically grew on trees. I could be funny on occasion, and I’d been told by past boyfriends I had a quirky, adorable charm. 

But I wasn’t on Nico’s level. I was boxing out of my class. If he was Mike Tyson, I was the guy who emptied the spit bucket. I just needed to understand.

“Could be those freckles. First girl I ever loved had freckles. I was six.” Nico regarded me very seriously, but I sensed the humor behind his tone. “Or it could be those Cleopatra eyes. Or that killer body. You got a woman’s body, classic hourglass curves made for a man’s hands.”

I blushed again, looking down.

Nico’s voice grew quiet. “Or it could be that when you look at me, I feel like I could fuckin’ fly.”

I looked up at him. Now he was deadly serious, staring at me with something like wonder. 

“I don’t have a lot of real in my life, Kat. You’re real. Knew it when you stood up to me when I got mad at Avery. Protectin’ a girl you didn’t even know, puttin’ yourself out there for someone else. And not backin’ down an inch. I liked that. Liked it too that you didn’t let me push you around or intimidate you. You’d be surprised how old that shit gets, people bowin’ and scrapin’, thinkin’ they’re gonna get somethin’ outta you if they kiss your ass just right. And then you demanded I explain what the deal was with me and Avery before you’d even consider talkin’ to me about there bein’ anything between us. Which I loved, by the way. Shows you got class. And self-respect. To top it all off, you got two girlfriends who obviously love you and have your back, which means you’re a good friend. Which means you’re trustworthy. Which means fuckin’ everything to me.”

I let it all sink in, just breathing. I wasn’t sure if I trusted myself to speak.

“So that’s why I got you the necklace. That’s what we’re gonna have: trust. It’s important to me, and it’s important to you. All this other stuff . . . ” He squeezed me into a tight embrace, nuzzled his face into my neck, and inhaled deeply. “Is just a bonus.”

“Other stuff?” I sounded like Minnie Mouse I was so breathless.

He chuckled. “The way my dick gets hard just lookin’ at you. The way you get wet when I touch you.”

Oh, God. We were back to the dirty talk. And we were in my house. Alone. 

Can you give us a sneak peek at the next book in the series?

The next book will star A.J. and Chloe, two characters that are introduced in Sweet As Sin. A.J. is the drummer for the band, and Chloe is one of Kat’s best friends. And the two of them can’t stand each other. But A.J. has some very good reasons why he wants to keep Chloe away. Honestly their book, Make Me Sin, is my favorite book I’ve ever written. It’s a pretty devastating read. I’ve never cried so much writing anything in my life! I can’t wait to hear what readers think of it.

Top 5 Most Swoon-Worthy Sweet As Sin Moments

Compiling a list of the five most swoon-worthy moments in my new novel, Sweet As Sin, was really hard. Like, really. In addition to being a badass, Nico is an incredible sweet-talker. (When he isn’t being an incredible dirty-talker, that is.) Here are the top five times he melted Kat’s heart. 

Trying to convince Kat’s girlfriends she should give him a chance

“So since you’re her two best friends, and she’s not tellin’ me what she wants, I think we should all figure this out together.” His voice lowered. “Because I wanna get to know her. Because I think she’s beautiful, interestin’, and sexy as fuck, and that laugh of hers knocks me on my ass. And I think she wants me, too, only she’s afraid.” He paused to draw a breath. “So. Tell me what I need to do to make her mine.”

When he got her a thoughtful present because she hates her birthday

“Needed to make you some better birthday memories, sweetheart. Needed you to know I’m a man who’s gonna take care of your heart.”

When he’s a die-hard romantic

He stared deep into my eyes. The depth of emotion I saw there took my breath away. “What’s more romantic, Kat? Fallin’ in love because you don’t know any better…or fallin’ in love, knowin’ it’s gonna ruin you, knowin’ it’s gonna rip out your fuckin’ heart and smash you into a million little pieces, but doin’ it anyway because you’d rather pay the price and be ripped and smashed forever than never get a taste of it at all?”

When he’s feeling snuggly

“Sweetie,” I whispered, trying as gently as possible to remove myself from his arms. His response was to drag my naked body closer to his and silently bury his face between my breasts. I laughed softly. “No fair hiding in my cleavage.” His voice was muffled against my breasts and scratchy with sleep. “This is my favorite place in the world. Nothin’ bad ever happens here.”

The first time he declares his love

“What I am is yours. All yours, body and soul. And I can’t live without you. I don’t want to spend a single minute from this moment on without you. I sleep better with you. I feel better with you. Everything seems brighter when you’re around. I can’t imagine a future without you, and if that’s not me tellin’ you I love you, I don’t know what would be.”

J.T. Geissinger is an award-winning author of paranormal and contemporary romance featuring dark and twisted plots, kick-ass heroines, and alpha heroes whose hearts are even bigger than their muscles. An entrepreneur since she began hand-addressing envelopes for a local beauty pageant when she was 14, she has owned businesses as diverse as a temporary employment agency to a flower shop. It wasn't until hitting a significant birthday that she became motivated to realize her life-long dream of writing a novel.

Her debut novel, Shadow's Edge, was a #1 Amazon domestic and international bestseller, and won the Prism award for Best First Book. Her follow-up book, Edge of Oblivion, was a RITA© Award finalist for Best Paranormal Romance from the Romance Writers of America. Book 6 in the Night Prowler series, Into Darkness, won the Golden Quill award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy. Her work has also finaled in the Booksellers' Best, National Readers' Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.

Foodie, wine enthusiast, and nap connoisseur, she lives in California with her husband, on whom all her heroes are based.

To receive notification of new releases, contests, and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter at www.jtgeissinger.com

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Book Blitz - Excerpt, Author Interview & Giveaway! Corner of Ocean and Bay by Gina Azzi

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Nessa Moore has sought reliable stability since her father’s death. Now, she’s over it. Tired of always being the mature adult, constantly worrying about her alcoholic mother, stressing about being able to afford college, she wants to have one normal, carefree, fun summer. And be more like her best friend Jacie.

Jacie Hayes is struggling to overcome the recent breakup with her first love. The one that ripped out her heart and left her devastated. Frustrated and bored with her own self pity, Jacie wants nothing more than to forget about Dylan, to go back to her old ways, her old self. To be the fun loving, live-in-the-moment girl who gossips about boys and sips mojitos.

Best friends since childhood, Nessa and Jacie have been through all their ups and downs together. No matter what. Now, the summer before their senior year of high school, they accept an invitation from Jacie’s aunt to join her in Lockwood Quay, New Jersey, a summer beach getaway.

Determined to make this their best, most memorable, summer yet, both girls push their own boundaries, accept new challenges, and find themselves keeping secrets from each other.

But sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone has consequences.

And some secrets can’t be forgiven.

Or forgotten.

Tell us more about yourself.

My name is Gina and I’m a passionate reader. I’m obsessed with my Kindle. I also love traveling, iced coffees, and mint chocolate chip ice cream. I’m a pescatarian – I enjoy sushi too much! 

Corner of Ocean and Bay is my first novel and taught me more about myself than most undertakings in my twenties. 

What is Corner of Ocean and Bay about?

Corner of Ocean and Bay centers on the friendship of Nessa and Jacie the summer before their senior year of high school. The themes present in the book focus on common teenage issues such as underage drinking, first loves, sex, family issues, etc. The underlying, core theme is the friendship, and all its complexities, between the two girls. 

How did you create the setting of Lockwood Quay?

The setting was largely inspired by my childhood summers at the Jersey Shore. Even though I have visited many other beaches, the Jersey shore holds a very special place in my heart. I think summers at the beach during my teen years were magical and contributed greatly to my outlook, sense of adventure, and enjoying the moments as they happen. I’ve never felt more carefree than I do at the beach.

Side note: I don’t think people outside of NJ ever refer to the beach as the Shore. 

What was the last book you read and loved? 

I’m torn – it’s a toss up between Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series. I just started book five, The Fiery Cross. 

I absolutely loved the All Souls Trilogy and am really enjoying the Outlander series. Both are comprised of books you just can’t put down. They are good for summer reading if you have a lot of time because once you start, you will most likely spend the whole day reading!

What do you do when you’re not writing?

A lot of the time, I’m reading! Lately, I’ve been trying my hand at cooking and learning new recipes. I would love to learn how to bake. I also enjoy yoga and Pilates – currently, I’m attending the pre-natal classes since I’m expecting my first baby in November. I also blog at Bookmarks and Champagne (www.bookmarksandchampagne.com). It began more as a way for me to keep in touch with family and friends back home but has evolved to include bits about travel and expat life. My best friend and I are considering a book blog as we both love reading and are attached to our Kindles half the time. 

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Writing a book has always been a dream of mine – just not one I ever thought I could turn into a profession. I’m very grateful for the support of my husband and family and friends to stick with this project and give it a try. I enjoy writing every day and feel very fortunate to do something I feel passionate about. 

What were your favorite childhood books?

When I was young, my mom read to me every night before bed and I would always beg for one more book. My favorite childhood book was Love you Forever by Robert Munsch. As I got older, I was obsessed with The Babysitter’s Club – I wanted to be like Dawn. I also really enjoyed the classics: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, everything by Jane Austen, and Wuthering Heights. Harry Potter is my favorite series of all-time. I wish I could go to Hogwarts. 

What is your favorite place to write?

Since my husband and I live abroad and travel often, I find myself writing wherever I can – on plane trips and in airport terminals, in little cafes and coffee shops, in many news cities surrounded by new influences. But right now, the traveling has slowed down since I’m pregnant, so it’s my kitchen table! We’ve got this huge picnic style table from Ikea and I love spreading my notes and journals and coffee mugs all over it when I sit down to write. 

What are you working on now? 

Currently, I’m working on a four-book series about four best friends embarking on their senior year of college. Each book will focus on one of the girls and the experiences she has during her last year of college – whether that be as a study abroad student, an athlete, a candidate for a competitive internship, etc. – as well as her personal growth and love interest! The first book is scheduled to be released in November 2015. 

If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?

I feel very fortunate to write. In the future, I imagine myself doing all sorts of things. I would love to own a café one day – one that only serves breakfast food and amazing coffee. I’ve always wanted to work on a vineyard and learn about winemaking. We’ll see what the future holds but right now, I’m really happy to be exactly where I am, writing!

The unique scent of the ocean, a fusion of sea salt and secrets, blows into the open windows of Jacie’s Jeep Wrangler minutes after we pass the sign welcoming us to Lockwood Quay, New Jersey, population 2,700. The wind whips my hair around my face, tying it in knots, and I breathe in deep, holding the air in my lungs, committing its deliciousness to memory. 

I ride shotgun, sitting next to Jacie, as she reaches over and turns up the volume to Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long.” We sing the chorus in unison, Jacie’s fingers tapping the beat on the steering wheel, as we near Aunt Beatrice’s beach house. Jacie throws her arms up, dancing to the music, shaking her head as her long, straight blonde hair snakes down her back. I immediately reach over and grab the steering wheel. We swerve slightly and the man in an oncoming car blares his horn, giving us the stink eye as he passes. Jacie giggles and waves to him. I join in her laughter as I try to squeeze the panic from my chest, reminding myself that this is my shot at a normal, carefree summer, my chance to have some Jacie kind of fun. 

When we round the next corner Aunt Beatrice’s house unfolds before me. The house is sprawling, ranch style, transporting me back to my childhood when my father would rent a beach house for the summer. He always loved the Jersey shore. 

Aunt Beatrice’s house is a pale gray, almost blue, with large bay windows and a wraparound porch. In one corner, a swing sways slightly in the breeze and white wicker chairs beckon. The path up to the house and the wide driveway are dotted with pale pink brick pavers; the front lawn isn’t a lawn at all but a stretch of various sized stones, broken seashells, and sandy pebbles; the flowers are in full bloom. Beautiful flowers are everywhere: hanging from the window boxes, falling to the porch in various shades of pink, purple, yellow, blue. 

“Let the summer shenanigans commence,” Jacie says, shoving the gear stick into park and opening the Jeep door. She stretches her arms overhead and her T-shirt rides up, revealing a glimpse of the ink she had tattooed on her lower abdomen the night before she turned seventeen, precisely nine days ago. Her cousins even gifted her a fake ID. 

“I seriously can’t believe we are going to live here!” I push my sunglasses up on top of my head, sweeping my side bangs off my forehead. 

“I know, right. It’s going to be such an awesome summer!”

Gina Azzi spent all of her childhood summers at the beach in New Jersey - it was magical! Gina is a passionate reader, frequent globetrotter, and coffee enthusiast. She currently resides in Dubai with her husband, Tony. 

Gina loves meeting new people and would love to hear from you! Get in touch with her at:

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Book Blitz: Excerpt & Giveaway!! Stalker by Clarissa Wild

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Fuck me once, I’ll fuck you twice … then I’ll bury you. 

No prison can keep me from seeking revenge. Especially when it comes to her.

She, the woman who put me in jail.

I swore that I’d come for her, to claim what belongs to me: Her life.

I’m not a good man. On the contrary, I love to be bad. It’s in my veins. Just like it’s in my veins to ruin her.

She’s an actress, pretending to be a saint, but we both know that isn’t true. One way or another, she’ll pay for what she did.

I will hunt for her. Make her fear me. Make her body mine.

Bad deeds never go unpunished … And I always go out with a bang. 

WARNING: This book is a DARK ROMANCE STANDALONE – it has a non-conventional ending. This isn’t rainbow sprinkles & unicorn fluff. It’s a dark, thrilling journey of two people clashing over love, lust, and hatred. Heed the warning. Contains graphic violence, alcohol, drugs & other disturbing content. 

No Cliffhanger. Stand Alone.

I use the knife as a marker, drawing a pattern without drawing blood. Her eyes anxiously follow the tip, as if she’s trying to prepare for something. The thing is that she’ll never know when it’s coming. That look on her face, priceless. So torturous, the way she’s unraveling bit by bit … it’s like food for my soul.

Sweat trickles down her skin, and then when I let the tip puncture her skin just a tiny bit, she squeals. But I know it doesn’t hurt that much. I’ve tried this on myself plenty of times. Always have to know what the things I do to my victims feel like. Of course, the fear is taking over her sense of rationalizing. She’s letting it control her instead of experiencing it for what it is. Fear is excitement. Fear is a part of our souls. Fear makes us feel alive.

And she should be grateful that she’s still alive. 

It’s all in my hands. With one slice, I could kill her right here, right now. But I don’t. 

Instead, I lean in and suckle the blood off her skin, kissing her softly, letting my tongue slide all across her belly. 

She squirms underneath me; her body arches to meet my mouth, but her mind is still focusing on the fear. 

“Stop thinking, Vanessa,” I say. “It’s not doing you any good right now.” 

“What are you doing?” she asks. 

“What does it look like?” I say, ripping off her skirt so I can see her pretty pussy. “I’m enjoying you to the fullest.” 

“By sucking my blood?” 

I frown, waving the knife in the air. “You know, you should really consider the fact that I could’ve killed you already. You might want to think about that as I gorge myself on your pussy.” 

She swallows. “What’s to say that you won’t kill me now?” 

I smile. “I just like seeing the fear in your eyes, Princess. Nothing more.” I bring the knife to my mouth and lick the blade. I can taste her blood, and my own, as the sharpness cuts through my own flesh, but I don’t care. I’m lost in ecstasy, living on the edge, wanting to jump off with her. 

She shivers, her lips quivering as I bring the knife down to her face. “C’mon sweet cheeks, smile for me,” I say. 

The right side of her lip curls up into a fake smile, which does not move me even one bit. Damn her; normally, she’s as fake as can be, able to perform without flaw, and now real emotions suddenly overcome her?

Fuck her. 

I ram the knife into the table next to her head, causing her to close her eyes. “Look at me,” I say. “Open your eyes, Princess.” 

They peel open slowly. “Please … Phoenix.” 

“Please what? You don’t like it when I want to lick the blood from your skin? You should be flattered.” 

She shakes her head. 

“I don’t fucking believe you,” I snap, grabbing her pussy with one hand, which makes her jolt up. “I bet this pussy here will tell me the truth.” 

“No,” she says, still shaking. 

“What are you so afraid of?” I muse. “This knife? Blood? Pain? Death? What?” 

“You.” 

The way she says it, without any doubt, takes me by surprise, and for a moment, I don’t know what to say. I thought she’d say pain, or even death, but instead, she says something that causes my heart to shrivel up and die. At least, it feels like that. Like my heart is burning a hole in her chest. That or her eyes. Either way, I’m fucked now. I started feeling something I shouldn’t have. 

I lean in to look her in the eyes. “Can’t you feel the excitement rushing through your body? The adrenaline pumping through your veins? Isn’t it so much better than the lifeless statue-like doll you’ve been these past few years?” 

“I …” she stutters. “I don’t know.” 

“Your heart does. And so does your pussy.” I slide my fingers along her slit, which is already warm and wet. “It craves the thrill. You crave life. Real life. Not the fake kind. The kind that could get you killed,” I whisper close to her ear. “And I’m gonna give it to you.” 

I back away, leaving her eyes full of fear and doubt as I stand up straight and focus my attention on her pussy. It’s all I know, all I can think of that will make her submit. That will make her stop thinking about all the things she thinks she wants and focus on the things she really desires. Me. 

It’s always been me. 

She doesn’t have to say it. I can see it in her eyes. I can taste it in her fear. 

She wants me … and I’m going to give her everything I have. 

“Are you going to be a good girl?” 

“Yes.” 

“Do you still think I’m nice?” 

She swallows and thinks about her answer for a second. “Only when you want to be.” 

“Exactly. And you don’t get to decide anything. You don’t get to manipulate me. I won’t allow it, so don’t try it ever again.” I grip her ass so tight that she squirms and my fingers mark her skin red. 

Her face glows as I lean in to take a whiff of her scent. Her face is much cleaner than before, and all the make-up has rinsed off. She looks pure … less tainted than hours before. Every passing second her shifting behavior affects me. Changes me. It forces me to look at her in more ways than just the one consumed by hatred. 

With the water cascading down her beautiful body, puckered nipples, and pink lips, I get the sudden urge to take what belongs to me. 

So, I do. I kiss her, pressing my lips softly onto hers, marking her as mine. She doesn’t fight, doesn’t even flinch as I kiss her gently, my tongue dipping out to lick her sweet, icy-cold lips. I let my tongue roam free across her mouth and push inside, forcing her to open up and let me in. She doesn’t resist; instead, her tongue finds mine, and her lips cling to me. The cold doesn’t suppress the warmth flowing to my cock, which grows thicker every second. All I can think of is kissing her, fucking her every fucking second of the day …, and then ruining her for life. 

I step into the shower with her, increasing the temperature further until it’s warm enough to heat up her body. She’s still shivering, as I press her firmly into my warm body. She makes herself small to fit between my arms, as if I’m a radiator she’s cuddling up to. How cute. I just want to fuck her with my tongue. 

Her taste is exhilarating, and I can’t fucking get enough of tasting her, her mouth latching onto mine with equal wantonness. Her body is quickly regaining its normal temperature, and her natural flush reappears on her face, although I’m not exactly sure if that’s because of the shower or because I’m grabbing her ass and pushing her body against mine. 

The urge to turn her around and bend her over gets bigger and bigger as she pants into my mouth, desperate for air … desperate for more kisses. I let my hands roam free over her body, cupping her tit and giving it a nice squeeze. My mouth silences her first moan, as I taste her willingness to finally submit. And, oh … how I will make her submit.

1. What kind of book is Stalker?

Stalker is a Dark Romantic Suspense, filled with hate, lies, lust, sex, and much, much more. ;) It’s not for the faint-hearted, but I promise you, if you sit through it, it will be worth it!

2. Where do you get your ideas?

I get my ideas from movies, books, and sometimes even the stories people tell me. I love drawing inspiration from things I’ve seen or witnessed in the past. Sometimes, ideas can also just spring into my mind out of nowhere, it’s like they just appear. It’s amazing. Once I have an idea, it still takes month to take the form of a book, though. Usually it begins with a ‘what if’ question, a few characters, bits and pieces of action or things that happen … and the before I know it, there’s a complete story on my desk!

3. What’s the hardest part of the writing process?

The hardest part would be the creation of the storyline. The idea always begins with flashes, little scenes, but for a book I have to string those scenes together to form a coherent story. Sometimes, I have to shift around the scenes, or change course in the middle, but in the end it always turns out to be perfect! :)

4. What do you always need to have with you when you write?

I always need to have my bottle of water with me when I write, as well as some peace & quite, and some good music. ;) I also love to have a cup of hot tea next to me, but it’s not a requirement to write an awesome book!

5. You’re book is going to be made into a movie. Who play the lead roles?

For Stalker, I would say Michael Malarkey as Phoenix (With some added piercings and tattoos), and Candice Accola as Vanessa. As actors, those two match the best, but I didn’t style my characters after actors. My real role models are Stephen James & Mikkel Jensen for Phoenix, and Marina, from Marina And The Diamonds (the singer) for Vanessa.

6. What books can we expect from you in the future?

My next book will most likely be Twenty-One (21), and it has someone from Stalker in the leading role. I won’t tell you who, but you can find out pretty easily when you read the book ;) It’s going to be super exciting, you can check it out here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25143793-twenty-one

7. Any final words for fans out there?

Thank you so much for reading my books, and make sure to pick up your copy of Stalker to get the complete story of Vanessa & Phoenix! It’s going to be one heck of a ride! :) http://bit.ly/stalkeramazon

Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author, best known for the dark Romance novel Mr. X. Her novels include the Fierce Series, the Delirious Series, and Stalker. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire's Bet series, and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

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