BOOK SPOTLIGHT: At His Command @RuthKaufman #MFRWauthor

At His Command - Historical Romance Version

Erotic Historical Romance
Ruth Kaufman
AMAZON Buy Link

Could she defy her king for love?

England 1453: King Henry VI sends Sir Nicholas Gray to protect the recently widowed Lady Amice Winfield from undesirable suitors. Though Nicholas intrigues her, she yearns to run Castle Rising without a man’s control.

Nicholas has no interest in marriage, but can’t deny he’s attracted to Amice. He’s surprised to finally find in Castle Rising a place he feels at home. A kiss sparks desire neither can ignore, yet serving opposing factions seeking to govern England threatens to pull them apart.

At court, the king and queen reject Amice’s pleas and choose a new husband for her, a highly-ranked lord who’ll provide connections and coin for the king’s depleted coffers that Nicholas cannot. How can she follow the king’s command when she’s a scribe for his rival? How can she marry another man when she’s falling in love with Nicholas?

A wonderful debut sure to please lovers of romance!
  —NYT & USA Today bestselling author Madeline Hunter
A wonderful debut sure to please lovers of romance!
  —NYT & USA Today bestselling author Madeline Hunter
With a bold knight and a strong-willed lady, Kaufman's story is positively medieval.
  —NYT & USA Today bestselling author Tracy Anne Warren

Chapter 1 EXCERPT

Norfolk, England — April 1453

      Sir Nicholas Grey’s scout leaned forward in his saddle, holding up two fingers to let the others know two horses approached. Nicholas heard only the slight jangling of harnesses blended with wind rattling through the trees, but relied on his scout’s uncanny ability to hear what no one else could.
     He and his eight men sat alert, deep enough in the forest to avoid being seen while maintaining a clear view of the road through leafless branches. Nine armed men could frighten travelers. ‘Twas best to let them pass.
     Each man watched, each horse sinking deeper into chilling mire as a mud-covered, black palfrey plodded over the rise in the road, its long mane whipping in the frigid winds.
     “No rider,” Martin, the scout, murmured.
     “Look again,” Nicholas replied. At first he too had thought the horse was riderless. Now he could see a woman collapsed on the animal’s back. Her dark hair draped down its flank, mingling with the horse’s mane. The palfrey placed each step as if trying not to jostle its burden.
Another horse, this one a brown rouncey ridden by a thin, balding man, galloped after the palfrey. A look of triumph brightened the man’s face as he spotted the horse ahead of him. He bent forward, extending his hand. Fingers like talons grasped the woman’s tangled hair.
“Mine!” he cried.

Amice Winfield jerked awake. Agony forced her head back, allowing her to see the man who gripped her hair as though he’d perish if he let go.
Harry Winfield.
She screamed. Arrows of fear pierced her as she clawed at his fingers. Her horse bolted, leaving her dangling from Harry’s hand by a small clump of hair. The long strands held for a few seconds, then tore from her head.
Pain seared her scalp. She dropped into a puddle. Stunned by her fall and her stinging head, Amice could only stare at her tormentor while freezing water soaked her clothes. How she hated him. How she regretted her desperate flight from home. But what other choice did she have?
Harry gaped at the dark tresses hanging from his hand. He threw them to the ground as she struggled to rise. Panic gripped her as his hostile glare changed to a slow, confident smile.
“There’s nowhere to run. I’ll catch you if it’s the last thing I do,” he vowed. He leapt off his horse.
Amice tugged her sodden skirts, trying to haul them out of the puddle. Where was her mount? Too far away to reach without being caught, weighted down as she was. Sprays of water flew as she heaved her skirts over her arm. Heart racing, she ran for the trees. A branch snagged her. With a cry of frustration, she pulled the wet wool until it wrenched free.
Ignoring twigs tearing at her skin and icy mud that sucked away one of her shoes, she forged ahead. She gasped for air as she plunged into a tiny clearing, then came to an abrupt halt at the sight of a group of mounted men.

ABOUT Ruth Kaufman
Ruth Kaufman is a Chicago on-camera and voiceover talent and freelance writer, editor and speaker with a J.D. and a Master’s in Radio/TV.

Writing accolades include Romance Writers of America® 2011 Golden Heart® winner and RT Book Reviews’ national American Title II contest runner up. Her true, short story, ""The Scrinch"" is in the St. Martin's Press anthology The Spirit of Christmas, foreword by Debbie Macomber.

She’s appeared in indie features, short films, web series and national and local TV commercials, and has voiced hundreds of explainer videos, e-learning courses, commercials and assorted characters.
Learn more at www.ruthkaufman.com and www.ruthtalks.com.

Blog: http://rjkaufman.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RuthKaufman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruthtalks

#MFRWauthor Interview: Hers To Bear @TamaraHoffa @SecretCravings

Let's talk books with MFRW Author Tamara Hoffa.
Tamara is an author, an editor, and reviews/promotions coordinator for Secret Cravings Publishing. Tamara is proof positive that it’s never too late to reach for your dreams. 

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What genres do you like to read?
 I've always read primarily romance, although i do love a good mystery too. But, I am a sucker for a happy ending and a true believer in life mates and finding that ""perfect"" person for you. Even is he or she isn't always so ""perfect."" I love writing about those stories.

Do you like humor in our fiction?
As for humor in fiction I love it! My favorite novels all contain humor to lighten the mood.Why? Several reasons, I guess. My DH has a wonderful sense of humor and always makes me smile. I think life is too short not to look at the laughter whenever we can. And last but not least, laughter lifts another's day.
I'l never thought of myself as a particularly ""funny"" person. I don't tell jokes, etc. But I do find humor in quirky characters and I see irony and puns all around me!

Do you drink coffee?
Probably too much! My coffee addiction seems to find its way into every book, and lots of other small personality quirks, (I'll never tell)

Tell us about the first book you submitted.
My first submission was kind of a fluke, I was beta reading for a few author friends and reviewing for a blog site and my friends kept saying ""you should write a book". I happened upon an ad for a short story contest and I thought, ""Okay, I'll try it."" The short is called Heart of a Soldier, It's a military romance. I didn't win the contest, but I did get a contact!

What genres do you write?
I have written military, cowboy and contemporary romance, my new release is paranormal romance and I am super excited about this new series. Paranormal romance is my favorite genre to read and I love this little community I have created in Honey Corners, West Virginia.

Tell us about your newest book.
I love the story of how Hers to Bear was born, I was at a release party event (sorry, I don't remember whose) and one of the authors asked the question ""If you were to write a paraormal romance, what kind of shifter would your hero/heroine be? and how would they meet?""
Now you know what happens when you give an author a prompt? That was all it took, for a week after I played the game at the contest, the characters yelled at me to write their story, and then their friends came along and now it's a 5 book series! LOL

Hers to Bear
Animal in Me series, Book 1

Erotic Paranormal Romance
Secret Cravings Publishing

Jenna Raynes has been overlooked by men all her life. A big, beautiful, woman, she was always the friend, never the lover. At twenty-five she has never even been kissed. All that changes in a heartbeat with one word from an alpha bear… “Mine.”
Sippe Leiter, Bern Helms got more than he bargained for when he stepped into Andy’s market for a jar of honey. He found his mate! Now if he can only keep her.
HUNTS, Humans United Negation Team for Shifters is targeting children from all the shifter groups. When Bern’s mate gets caught in the backlash and kidnapped along with his niece, all bets are off. Nothing will keep a bear from his mate. The hunters are about to become the hunted… 

An erotic paranormal romance, with laughter, suspense and a ten foot grizzly bear who will steal your heart (and your honey, better watch out!)

Mating the Honey Corner’s alpha should mean hot sex and cleaning the den. Instead, Rogue wolves, kidnapping scientists, and raging sows with PMS are Hers to Bear!

BUY LINK

EXCERPT
Bern had come into the store for his daily honey fix. He admitted it, he was addicted to the stuff. He had just bought two dozen biscuits at the bakery and he was going to drown them in honey, along with a nice piece of salmon for dinner.
When he stepped through the door he stopped in his tracks. His nostrils flared and his heart began to race. What was that fabulous scent? Like honey and vanilla, but something else too. Something that was making his cock stand up and do a happy dance in his pants.
Mate. Oh my God and goddess, his mate was in this store. He couldn’t think. Instinct took over and his legs carried him to the source of the tantalizing scent that had his libido raging and his bear roaring.
He was beside her before his brain had caught up with his body. He had to touch her. She was his. His hand covered hers as she reached for a jar of honey on the shelf. “Mine,” he growled. When she looked up at him with crystal blue eyes he thought he’d fallen into them and drowned.
Flawless porcelain skin covered a face that could have been painted by Botticelli. Pale blonde lashes framed her startled eyes and her cheeks were flushed an enticing pink. She bit her bottom lip and he wanted to kiss away the sting her torment caused the luscious flesh.
“There’s more than one jar,” she said, and her voice was husky and sweet.
He released her hand and skimmed his along the velvet softness of her cheek. She shivered.
“I am Bern, and you are mine,” he said.
She took a step back and a low growl escaped his throat. His bear didn’t like their mate backing away from them.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You are mine. You are my mate.”
Fear sparked in the woman. He could scent it, but along with the fear was a slight perfume of desire too. She looked around frantically and Bern could sense she was about to flee. He placed a hand on her arm.
“Do not run from me. Please.”
“I need to sit down.” She was shaking now.
Bern put his arm around her to steady her. His bear liked that. It wanted their scent to surround her. He started to lead her out of the store.
“Where are you taking me?” She hesitated.
“There is a bench outside where we can sit. It’s not far.”
She blinked up at him like an owl. “Okay.”

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: AEquana's Quest @LindaMooney #MFRWauthor

AEquana's Quest (AEquana, Book 2)

Linda Mooney
Erotic Urban Fantasy
Music And Press

She was unique in every way, including the way she loved him.

It will take a long time before AEquana heals from the abuse and torture she endured growing up in those government labs. But Talon's love is helping her vanquish those demons and go forward with life.

Unfortunately, they stumble onto a multi-million dollar gem heist, and are targeted by those who think they're easy prey. Their enemies have no idea who they're up against when they try to take on the ex-Navy SEAL and his mermaid.

Warning! Contains a mountain-side pool, phone bashing, lubricating oil, vicious attacks, the absence of cuffs and chains, and a plea and a promise that will test the strength and depth of two people's love.

BUY LINK

EXCERPT
  Bright sunlight poured into the kitchen, where she could smell the remaining odors of breakfast. The incessant pounding came from outside. As she descended the stairs, she looked outside, past the double sliding doors, to where a beloved figure was working on the new deck.
  Taking a slice of bacon from the plate warming in the oven, she slowly opened the door and stuck her head outside. Colorado in late summer was green and verdant, yet anxious for the arrival of autumn. The leaves on the trees behind their log home appeared ready to turn. Despite the crisp morning, the sun kept the chill at bay.
  Talon had his back to her. He was shirtless, and his copper-colored skin was covered in a sheen of perspiration. His long black hair was gathered at the back of his head with one of her hair claws. A tool belt hung on his hips as he bent over the boards on his hands and knees. She took another bite of her bacon strip when he paused but didn't turn to look at her.
  ""Sorry if I woke you.""
  ""I'm not complaining,"" she replied. It used to creep her out, how he could detect her presence, even when she took great care not to make a sound. But once she got used to it, she often tried to make a game out of it. ""What was the tip-off?"" she inquired.
  ""The smell of bacon.""
  She glanced at the remaining bite she held with her fingers. ""This little piece?""
  ""Coming from the kitchen,"" he corrected himself. He glanced over his shoulder to take in her appearance. ""How do you feel?""
  ""I feel good."" She smiled. ""Thanks for the flower.""
  ""You could use some more rest. At least enough to remove those dark circles under your eyes.""
  She wrinkled her nose at him. ""I feel fine, Dr. Eagletalon."" Glancing over the half-finished deck, she breathed in the smell of freshly-cut and planed wood. ""If you're not careful, you might have this finished before winter sets in.""
  ""Give me another week and I will."" He eyed the sweatshirt that covered her to almost mid-thigh. ""It's a bit cool out here. If you're planning on staying a while, you might want to put on some pants.""
  ""I told you, I'm fine. Besides, I don't want to miss any of the show.""
  ""What show?"" He grinned at her, then returned to his hammering.
  Æquana stepped onto the boards and slowly padded over to where he was kneeling. She ran her fingertips across his muscular shoulders, and delighted in the sight of gooseflesh rising in their wake. Leaning over, she slowly licked the warm skin. Talon paused.
  ""Maja.""
  ""Do you know how sexy you look right now? All sweaty and masculine,"" she purred.
  He sat back on his heels and gave her a cautious stare. ""Maja, you need to rest. Why don't you go back into the house and eat your breakfast?""
  ""What makes you think I didn't already eat it?""
  He raised an eyebrow at her. ""Did you?""
  Æquana sighed. It was of no use to try and lie to him. The few times she had in the past, he'd seen right through her. ""Nope. Not yet.""
  ""Aren't you hungry?""
  Yes, she was, but not for food. At least, not at that moment.

ABOUT Linda Mooney
Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel.

She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Author of the Year, and her book MY STRENGTH, MY POWER, MY LOVE was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book LORD OF THUNDER was named the Epic Ebook ""Eppie"" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance.

Connect with Linda

Website: http://lindamooney.com  |  Blog: http://lindamooney.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lindamooney  |  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MusicAndPress

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lindamooney

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Linda_Mooney