Monday, June 30, 2014

Featured Book and Review: The Forgotten Heiress



A forgotten heiress inherits a crumpling empire… as she struggles to protect herself from the ruthless billionaire who is seeking to salvage it 
Raised by a guardian in Ireland, Olivia Grey is shocked when the secret details of her birth are leaked to the media as she tried to come to terms with the unexpected death of her father. Drawn into her estranged family, the shy and reclusive clothing designer finds her way through the media spotlight, an imploding empire and the expectations of the elite New York financial world. 
Fionn Lynch is a hot, obscenely wealthy math genius with a razor sharp business mind who seeks out Olivia to squash the media speculation around the family. Olivia is more of a challenge than he expected and he has to change his game plan to save the company he helped to build. 

Review


As a writer and reader of contemporary romance, this genre is near and dear to my own heart and I am particular about the books I enjoy.  When I picked up a copy of The Forgotten Heiress by debut author Susie Warren, I wasn't sure what to expect. I can honestly say that I was not disappointed.

Both Olivia Grey and Fionn Lynch are well developed, believable characters. They display a vast array of emotions, that help draw the reader into the story and keep them wanting to know what happens to these people. Will Olivia come to terms with the legacy left behind by her father? Will she be accepted by her step mother and step brother? Will Fionn save the company he has worked so hard to build? Can people from two different backgrounds make it? In addition to the wonderful characters,  Ms. Warren does an excellent job of balancing just enough drama and romance to keep the story moving along with out leaving out anything important.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.  5 Stars. 




Amazon

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

New Release: Taking Eve




A New Release By Tina Donahue Just in Time For Summer




A willing slave to possession, punishment, pleasure…

Dreams of a manor where submission and dominance once ruled draws Faith to hypnotherapist Colin Danes. Potently virile, he looks remarkably like her most cherished master from a past life. Desire smolders in his eyes, proving he’s never forgotten her.
Their carnal dance continues in the present and leads to their past when she was known as Eve. Through hypnotherapy, Colin brings her back to the Victorian era, a hidden estate where she eagerly submits to whatever he and her other noble masters crave. The exquisite discipline of the strap. Being bid on and mounted each night. Displayed and used for the enjoyment of all.
Most will take her. One will try to imprison her. Only he will be her true master in that life and this.

Excerpt

The advertisement challenged, Are your dreams so real they seem to have come from another time?
Faith Montgomery gripped the mail circular. Its paper made a sharp, crackling noise, no different from ice snapping. 
Frigid wind swept past, delivering more snow. Feverish and unsettled, Faith stood in front of the medical arts building that catered to doctors, nutritionists, shrinks and hypnotherapists. Unlike Seattle’s typical brick or glass structures, this place had a granite façade and steepled ceilings. Similar to a castle where dominance, submission and punishment played out. Where men wore dated clothing, while women were nude, defenseless, sighing then crying out their arousal and pleasure.  
Her mouth went dry. 
From behind, a car’s horn blared, sending her pulse into a faster sprint. Traffic continued to crawl along the slick streets, headlights brushed past, illuminating the building’s directory. Faith didn’t bother to search it. According to the circular, his office was on the second floor. Her appointment in a few minutes, made earlier in the week by phone. The first time she’d heard his voice and yet not the first time.
“Why do you want an appointment?” he’d asked.
Something inside her had fluttered at his smooth baritone, enticing and strangely familiar, reducing her to silence.
“You’ve seen things,” he’d coaxed. “Felt things.”
God, yeah. 
While he’d waited for her response, she’d stared at his picture on the glossy flyer.
Several locks of his hair—thick, wavy, the color of espresso—grazed his forehead. His strong, masculine features were handsome as hell, nearly aristocratic. In her mind, Faith saw him dressed in eveningwear, the kind worn during the early Victorian era. A coat with tails, snug at the waist to accentuate his impressive shoulders. Dark trousers and a shockingly white cravat. Identical to heroes in romance novels that she’d read in high school.
He definitely had those guys beat. 
His long-lashed eyes were a striking blue. Even from the picture, they stripped Faith of all privacy, reaching into her soul, the same as the promise of his full, rich mouth. A hint of stubble graced his upper lip, chin and cheeks, virile and tempting. Young, possibly early thirties, he was the kind of man a woman wouldn’t forget.
Faith certainly hadn’t.
“Yeah,” she’d murmured during the call, at last answering him. “I’ve had recurring dreams, flashes of another time.” 
You.
Rather than questioning her further, he’d given her the last appointment of the day, well past the time other professionals did business. His office windows were the only ones lit on the second floor, the lights’ golden glow spilling onto the street. Waves of snow, carried by the wind, twinkled like stars within the brightness.
Faith half-expected—and fully hoped—he’d be at the window, looking down at her. Watching. Waiting. Anticipating as she was.
He wasn’t. 
His absence only stoked her stark need. Clearly, he had no doubt she’d keep their appointment. Now, as before, he commanded and figured she’d obey.
On an edgy sigh, she entered the building. Heated air and the scents of polished wood, leather, wool washed over her. In the absolute quiet, she heard each click of her heels across the floor, a dark-green marble veined with white.
Faith avoided slick spots made by others who’d come and gone, tracking in the snow. She should have worn more practical shoes in this weather, pants instead of a skirt, but hadn’t, sensing he wouldn’t have approved.
Like one possessed—or commanded by a Master—Faith climbed the stairs, reaching the second floor. The walls were paneled in polished walnut, which gave them the air of a private club where men called the shots. Their decisions law. Their desires the only rule that counted, no matter what they demanded. A woman’s full surrender to their needs. Having her down on her knees before them, her lips parted for the taste of a thickened cock or to release her whimper of delight at the strap one of them held, eager for him to discipline her.
Lightheaded and breathless, she stared at the hall. His office was at the end, the door open, a wedge of amber light demanding she go inside.
No receptionist greeted her in the snug waiting room. Faith hadn’t expected one, figuring he’d want them to be alone. Exactly what she craved.
She inhaled as deeply as she could. Leather from the burgundy chairs perfumed the small space, claiming it for a man. Beyond the reception area was his office, the door open. He stood at his desk, his attention on a book he read.
Her legs went watery. With indecent curiosity, she drank him in, the charcoal sweater and dark trousers that matched the color of his silky hair and fit his powerful frame so well. Broad shoulders. Muscular thighs. She forced down a swallow, knowing there was raw power in his strong hands. She’d dreamed of it, had seen glimpses in her mind.
And would do anything to experience it again.
As though he’d heard her thoughts, he closed his book with a faint snap and looked up.
Time shifted, the past bleeding into the present. Faith forgot to breathe or to step closer, trapped within his potent gaze, overwhelmed with a sense of recognition, irresistible and welcoming.
I know you…you know me.
Unmistakable longing flared in his eyes, the same yearning she felt. Beneath it was a flash of lust.



About The Author

Tina Donahue is an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Siren Publishing, and Kensington. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic romances (Adored, Lush Velvet Nights, and Deep, Dark, Delicious) were named finalists in the 2011 EPIC competition. The French review site, Blue Moon reviews, chose her erotic romance Sensual Stranger as their Book of the Year 2010 (erotic category). The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for Lush Velvet Nights, and two of her titles (The Yearning and Deep, Dark, Delicious) received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition (2011 and 2012). Take Me Away and Adored both won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina is featured in the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company.

Where to Find Tina





Please leave a comment. Tina will be choosing one winner randomly from the comments section. The winner gets her choice of one of Tina’s backlist ebooks – FIFTEEN IN ALL – contemporary, paranormal, suspense, ménage. From this list:

1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT
2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit
3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award
4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT
5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT
6. The Yearning – Top Ten Bestseller
7. Take Me Away – #1 Pick, Miz Love Loves Books
8. Unending Desire – Best Book Rating LASR
9. SiNN – Nominated for Book of the Week LASR
10. Sinfully Wicked – Magnificent – Romancing the Book
11.  Claiming Magique – Top Pick – NOR
12. Illicit Desire – Four Stars Romantic Times
13. Come Fill Me – Five Stars – Guilty Pleasures
14. Losing Control - Four and a Half Stars - Sensual Reads
15. Shameless Desire - Four and Half Stars - The Jeep Diva








Tuesday, June 24, 2014

#TeaserTuesday Time

It's that time of the week again.  Here is an UNEDITED snippet from my current WIP Redeeming The Billionaire, book 5 in The Sherbrookes of Newport Series.


Finally. Since he’d picked her up he’d wanted to taste her. Back in her kitchen he’d contemplated kissing her, but had held back determined not to rush anything. Only by using all his self restraint had he managed to hold back then.
Changing the angle of his head, he rubbed his tongue against hers and an intense urge to walk her up to his bedroom, remove her dress, and just look at her filled his head. Granted he’d desired plenty of women before, yet somehow this time it was different, more intense and overwhelming. And while his body urged him to just do it, his rational self said otherwise. Before tonight he’d never clearly suggested he wanted anything other than a professional relationship with her. If he pushed things to fast it might scare her. And while he’d been known to sleep with a woman he’d known less time than he’d know Addie, he pegged her for the type who didn’t have sex on a first date.
Rain it in. There’s no need to rush things. After one more pass over her lips, Trent dug into his self-restraint and pulled his mouth away from Addie. At first she remained still her eyes closed, her lips moist and rosy from their kiss. In the seconds before she opened her eyes, his body told him to once again take possession of her mouth. To kiss her until she wanted him as much as his body wanted her. Reminding himself she was different then the usual women he dated, Trent took a step back and hoped space would get the message from his brain to his body.
As if waking from sleep Addie’s eyes fluttered open and met his gaze and he knew the moment she processed their kiss. A hint of color, almost impossible to see unless you’d been watching, crept into her face and she glanced away before meeting his eyes again.
“If I’m going to be spending time here, maybe you should give me a tour.”
Her words sent a ripple of unexpected happiness through him that had nothing to do with Marty’s plan involving Addie. Rather his happiness had everything to do with his desire to spend time with Addie and get to know her better. Something he’d want even if Marty didn’t believe she was the key to salvaging his reputation.



Monday, June 23, 2014

Tagged! What, How and Why I Write

It's my turn in the Writing Process Blog Tour, making the rounds. Before I continue I'd like to say thank to Marissa Doyle who tagged me.  Marissa is a fellow New England Romance author who writes both young adult and adult books.  Stop over and check out her blog at http://nineteenteen.blogspot.com as wells as her fabulous website http://www.marissadoyle.com

Now on to the questions!

What Am I currently Working On?

Just this week I started the edits and revisions for the fifth book in my series called The Sherbrookes of Newport. The Sherbrookes are a prominent and wealthy family from New England. Readers first met them in book 1 The Teacher's Billionaire. My current book features Trent Sherbrooke. He is the cousin of the characters readers met in the first 3 books of the series. The best way to describe Trent is think Tony Stark from Iron Man without the suit or the desire to create machines. Don't worry about it though, the love of a good woman will take care of Trent and set him straight.

How Does My Work Differ?

Now that is an excellent question. There are a lot of books out there that focus on billionaires and wealthy society individuals. I think mine is different because it focus on a family and how despite their money they are just like everyone else. They want to find love and the whole happily ever after. I also think my books are a little different because they are all set, at least in part, in New England.

Why Do I Write What I do?

I love everything about romance novels but especially the Happily Ever After. I mean really isn't that what most of us loved about fairy tales as children. Isn't it what most of us want in our own lives? I love to use billionaire characters because it means the skies the limit.

My writing process....

I think I am a little unique in my writing. I start with a general idea of my characters and how I want things to end. Then I pull out a notebook and start to write. Yes, I write everything long hand first. As I write I do not go back and make changes, rather I keep writing until I get to the end. Once I am done I get the story into the computer, print it out and start my revisions. When I am confident it is ready for others to read off it goes to my critique partner, who happens to be my husband. He usually tears it apart and I almost always have to write one whole chapter over. From there it is off to my beta reader.

Okay now it is my turn to tag authors. Next Monday be sure to check out the following authors:

 Ellen Gullo lives in Upstate New York. Her first historical romance novel, Audacious, debuted this spring and it was wonderful. If you have not yet picked up a copy, I recommend it. Ellen can be found at http://ellengullo.com

Eryn LaPlant is an Amazon bestselling author with three books currently available. Her most recent book Falling For Shock debuted this spring and was fantastic. Eryn can be found at  http://novelisterynlaplant.wordpress.com

Liberty Blake is a fellow New England Romance author and fellow RIRW member. Liberty has several books available, Counterfeit Bride being my favorite.  Be sure to grab a copy if you like sexy billionaires and feisty women. Liberty can be found at http://libertysspells.blogspot.com

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Finally A Book Review Again: Audacious




It has been a long time since I posted a book review on my blog. That isn't because I have not read some great books, but rather because I have been short on time.  Anyway, I finished Audacious in May and felt compelled to write a review, so here it is.


As many of you may know I have always been a lover of history and romance, so I was immediately drawn to this novel.  Set at the dawn of the American Revolution, Ellen Gullo weaves a complex story of duty, loyalty and love. She uses believable characters to portray the struggles the American colonists must have gone through on the eve of War. At the same time she weaves a beautiful love story between two strong individuals, Brock and Charlotte, who must come to terms with events of their past and their present in order for their love to endure.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves either historical fiction or historical romance. Overall I give it a Five Star Rating.

This book is available at
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Find the author at:
Ellen's Website

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Help Me Name My New Book

For me coming up with title for my books is one of the hardest parts. That is why for all but one of my books, I have asked readers for their help.  Well, it is that time again. I have just completed the initial draft for the 5th book in my series The Sherbrookes of Newport. This book features Trent Sherbrooke, Callie, Jake, and Sara's cousin.

I would love it if you stopped by this link and shared your thoughts. Thank you in advance.

Sherbrooke Survey

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

#TeaserTuesday For This Week

Okay here is a little UNEDITED snippet from my current WIP which is the 5th book in The Sherbrookes of Newport Series. This book features Trent Sherbrooke, Callie, Jake and Sara's cousin. I am still struggling with the perfect title. If you would like to see who I envision as Trent Sherbrooke either visit my http://www.pinterest.com/cgricci/the-sherbrookes-of-newport-series/ or google the actor Stephen Amell.

“I might never be able to work in here again,” Trent said later. After their lovemaking on the edge of his desk, he’d carried her over to his chair and sat down with her on his lap. “You might need to turn one of those guest rooms upstairs into a new office for me. Everytime I come in here now, I’ll be destracted now”

“And whose fault is that?” she asked kissing his cheek.
Trent looked at her, one eyebrow raised. “I didn’t hear you complaining a little while ago.”

Addie ran a hand down his bare chest. “I’m not complaining now either, just making a statement.”

“I’m glad you’re home,” he said changing the topic of the conversation.

You’re home, wow she liked the sound of that. “Me too. Who were you talking to when I walked in?”

Trent kept one arm locked around her waist while his other moved up and down her thigh. “Dylan, my cousin’s husband. She had the baby yesterday morning.”

With no other explaination she knew which cousin he refered to. Callie Talbot, previsously Callie Taylor, had made all the headlines when the world learned her father was Warren Sherbrooke a few years earlier. The media had yet another field day when she married President Sherbrooke’s step-son Dylan Talbot, the current CEO of Sherbrooke Enterprises.

“I read somewhere she was due in October.”

“The baby didn’t get that memo,” Trent joked. “I think Dylan said the baby was three weeks early.”

“Did they have a boy or a girl.” She’d never met the couple but it was a typcial question.

“A boy. They named him James Warren Talbot. They invited us to their place in Connecticut for the weekend.”

Addie ran the name through her head. “I like that name. Its has a nice ring to it.” She guessed the middle name was in honor of Callie’s father and wondered if James was another family name. “Us? Don’t you mean you?”

“Nope. From now on where I go, you go and vice versa. I don’t want to go all weekend without you unless absolutely necessary.”

Saturday, June 7, 2014

On Sale For A Limited Time




When Hollywood sweetheart, Mia Troy, checks into the Victorian Rose, the only things on her mind are rest and relaxation before she begins work on her new movie in Boston. That is until she meets Sean O’Brien. From the moment she checks in, Mia is drawn to Sean, a reserved man who sees past her celebrity status. 

The co-owner of a successful bed and breakfast, Sean has accepted his position in life—until the day Mia Troy checks in. 

Despite his better judgment, Sean can’t ignore his physical attraction to Mia. Soon he gives into his desire, telling himself all she wants is a quick fling to pass the time.  As they spend time together, his feelings grow. But can love between two people from such different worlds ever last?

Excerpt

Sean climbed off his motorcycle and secured his helmet. It’d been a last minute decision to take his bike into the city rather than his truck. He didn’t get many opportunities to ride and the weather today was ideal—sunny and warm but not sticky and humid. Besides, he’d promised Mia a ride, and who knew how many more opportunities they would have? Already almost a week of filming had passed. His chest tightened at the thought of her leaving.
You’ve got bigger problems this weekend than Mia leaving. Anger flared at both himself and his father. Meeting with him was the only way to keep him away from the bed and breakfast, but he wished he’d never agreed to see him. After all this time he had nothing nice to say, and regardless, he’d never forgive the guy. In his opinion tomorrow afternoon was one giant waste of time. 
Deep in thought, he walked the few short blocks from the garage at Mia’s hotel to The Kettle, a coffee shop at Quincy Market, where filming was taking place that day. An entire area near the coffee shop had been closed off, but that didn’t stop people from hanging around on the outside of the barricades. Earlier in the week she’d sent him a pass to get through security and promised to find him when she finished up. Breaking free from the gathered crowd, he reached the barricade and the stonefaced security guard stationed on the other side. 
“Ms. Troy informed us you’d be arriving,” the guard said when Sean showed him his pass. “Come on through.” The guard announced into his radio that Mia’s guest had arrived and then pulled apart the barricade.
“Who’s he?” Sean heard someone call out as he entered the restricted area, but he didn’t turn to look.
Almost as soon as he walked in, a fashionably dressed woman with short dark hair and an earpiece approached. “I’m Avery, Mia’s assistant,” the woman said as she extended her hand.
He remembered that Mia’s older sister worked as her personal assistant, but there was nothing visual to indicate the two were related. Where Mia was tall, her sister didn’t even reach his shoulder despite the heels she wore. Her eyes were more hazel than brown and her nose was a tad too large for her face.
“She’s in the middle of a scene right now. The last one of the day. You can wait anywhere in this area.” She nodded around them. “If you need anything, have someone get me,” she said before walking away, speaking into the microphone attached to the earpiece.
Sean watched Mia and a male actor speak on the steps. He stood just far enough away that he only caught every other word or so, but judging by her hand gestures and facial expression the scene depicted a heated exchange between the characters.
Mia wiped something from her cheek and then turned on her heel. Sadness filled her face as she started to walk away. At first the other actor remained still. Then just when Mia was about out of reach, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him.
“You know you want to stay,” the male actor said, pulling her against him. Lowering his head, the actor claimed her mouth.
Something primal rose up inside Sean at the sight. Grinding his teeth together, he struggled to stay back when everything inside him urged him forward. In his mind he envisioned pulling Mia away and then knocking her co-star onto the sidewalk. As the kiss continued, Mia wrapped her arms around her co-star’s neck as his hands traveled lower and cupped her ass. Ruled by emotion, Sean took a step forward.
“Cut,” a voice called out.
In front of the camera, Mia dropped her arms and pulled her mouth away. He co-star, though, kept his hands on her body and his eyes locked on her face as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.
“You two nailed that scene. Let’s call it a day,” a man announced, walking closer to the couple.
Mia took a step back and her co-star’s hands fell away. When she spotted Sean, her lips curved into a smile and she started toward him, leaving her co-star to stare after her.
When she reached Sean, she slide her arms around him and kissed him without even a hello first. The familiar scent of her favorite shampoo washed over him and rather than diminish the primal urge to throw her over his shoulder and lock her away, it grew stronger, and he tightened his hold around her waist.
“I’ve missed you,” Mia said as she pulled back.
Over her shoulder he caught her co-star watching them. “Really? Could’ve fooled me.” The words spilled out before he fully considered them.
Mia took a step back forcing him to let go. “What’s the matter?”
“What the hell was all that?” His temper and not logic now ruled his brain.
“Do you mean the kiss?” Mia asked. “It’s called acting, Sean. It’s what I do.”
“The hell it was. Maybe you were acting, but he wasn’t.”
Mia shook her head and smiled. “You’re jealous.”
Sean crossed his arms and glared at her. “I just didn’t come here to watch you get groped by some other guy.”
“There’s nothing between Mark and me. He’s engaged.” Mia’s breath blew across his ear as she leaned in toward him and wrapped his arms around her waist again. “Besides, you’re the one who will be in my bed tonight, not Mark.”
Her admission pushed away some of his anger. Regardless of how her co-star felt,  Mia stood in his arms right now. Next month another guy may be in the very same spot, but for now he had Mia all to himself.
She placed another kiss on his mouth. “Let me tell Avery we’re leaving, then we can go.”
He allowed her to lead him through the many people on the set.
“Did you park around here or at my hotel?” She navigated her way around several pieces of equipment.
“At your hotel.” He spotted her co-star coming toward them before Mia did. “Someone’s looking for you.”
The actor she’d kissed moments earlier stopped in front of them. “Is this the friend you were expecting?”
In one motion, Sean tossed his arm over Mia’s shoulders and pulled her close.
“Mark, I’d like you to meet Sean. He’s staying with me this weekend.”
Mark’s eyes were hard and full of dislike, as he looked at Sean and extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” Sean stuck out his hand and gripped Mark’s. The other man’s hands were as soft as Mia’s and he half-expected to look down and see nail polish on his fingernails. 
“Have you seen my sister? We’re leaving, and I want to let her know.”
“I saw her with Brent Stockbridge,” Mark answered as his hand fell back against his side.
“Great. Thanks. See you later, Mark.”

BUY LINKS



Friday, June 6, 2014

Feature of The Day: Falling For Shock



Today I am excited to showcase Falling For Shock the newest novel by talented author Eryn LaPlant.



Oliver Hannel, England’s sexiest new star, has finally moved from the television screen to the silver screen, playing comic book hero The Shock in Hollywood’s upcoming blockbuster. While filming one summer night in the midwestern town of Greenfield, Indiana, Oliver finds himself witnessing a crime in progress. Will he embrace his inner superhero and save the day? Or will he remember he isn’t invincible and call for help?
Layla Brooks is a small town girl with a big spirited heart, especially when it comes to her twin sister, Lucy. She will rest at nothing to protect her from a casino mogul’s henchman bent on collecting a debt… even if that includes taking her sister’s punishment. But a strange suited man from out of the shadows isn’t about to let that happen.
Oliver and Layla’s opposite worlds collide with a Bam! But are either of them ready for the lies, truth and lust that comes along with a relationship born of shock? Or will their love come and go as fast as a bolt of lightning?


Meet The Author

Eryn LaPlant grew up wishing she could have lived in the books she read, living through characters and their romantic adventures. Now she writes romances of her own to share with readers like you. When not writing, she spends her time with her loving husband, their handsome son and fluffy new Pomeranian puppy in the Land of Lincoln.

Where To Find Eryn
Facebook


Where To Purchase



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